Edge Davao Vol. 15 Issue 200 | Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022

HIV cases in Davao City consistently increasing HIV ON THE RISE

A chef’s assistant slices a fresh tuna into sushi and sashimi cuts at the booth of Region 12 or the Soccsksargen Region during the recently concluded “Kaon Ta, Kain Pa!” Food and Travel Festi val of the Department of Tour ism (DOT) held at the activity center of Abreeza Mall in Davao City. Lean Daval Jr.

HIV ON THE RISE

HIV cases in Davao City consistently increasing

By MAYA M. PADILLO

The City Health Office (CHO) dis closed that HIV cases in Davao City are consistently increasing.

Dr. Jordana Ramitere, Rural Health Physician IV of the Reproductive Health and Wellness Center (RHWC), head of CHO’s special program handling sexually trans mitted infection (STI), human immunodeficien cy virus (HIV), and ac quired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), said that there are more than 2,000 HIV cases undergo ing treatment in various medical facilities in Davao City.

Ramitere said in 2017 to 2021 Davao City has an average of 32 cases per month but in 2022 from January to Septem ber there are about 41 new cases per month. She said there are a total of 4,141 HIV cases since 1993 when the first case of HIV in Davao City was recorded.

“Kung tan-awon nimo murag gamay lang but if we look back for the past five years nagaincrease siya gihapon. For example

sa national level sa 2012 nine new cases a day, in 2017 naay 30, in 2021 naay 34, in 2022 naay 42 new cases a day. Dili in gon ana ka taas pero nag padayon siya ug increase. Gamay ang pag increase but consistent,” she said over Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) on Monday.

She said the male hav ing sex with other males is still the top mode of transmission.

“Sa tanan regions sa Philippines, mao lang gi hapon katong male hav ing sex with other males purely homosexuals or bisexuals mao ang num ber one mode of trans

mission,” she said.

Ramitere also cited challenges in managing HIV cases like some pa tients who got tired and stop taking medicine.

“But we have to follow that up that is why aduna mi case managers who has to follow them up as well but difficult siya labi na nga gadaghan ang atong mga kaso and usa hay mag change sila ug numbers and dili namo sila ma-follow up,” she said.

RHWC is strengthen ing prevention through an information campaign and testing. FHIV, P10

LGUs suspend classes as heavy rains hit Surigao, Agusan areas

Aheavy rainfall or Or ange rainfall warning was issued Monday morning in Surigao del Sur province, prompting local government units (LGUs) to suspend classes.

Issued by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Coun cil (NDRRMC), the rainfall warning also was dissem inated in the provinces of Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte, and Surigao del Norte.

In Surigao del Sur, Tan dag City Mayor Roxanne Pimentel issued an order for the cancellation of classes from Kindergarten to Grade 12 levels in public and private schools.

“The order is a precau tionary measure to avoid any untoward situations that may be brought about by the expected heavy rainfall and strong winds,” Pimentel’s memorandum said.

Suspension of class es was also issued in the

towns of Carrascal, Barobo, San Miguel, Tago, Tagbina, Cortes and Cantilan in the same province.

The respective Munic ipal Disaster and Risk Re duction Management Offic es (MDRRMCs) in Surigao del Sur have also warned residents to be alert amidst the heavy rains being expe rienced in the area.

Surigao del Sur Gov ernor Alexander Pimentel has directed all the mayors to be on “standby proto col” and to take necessary precautionary measures amidst the rainfall warning in the province.

The mayors were also ordered to monitor advi sories from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) regularly, the round-theclock manning of opera tions centers, monitoring of major river systems in their localities and submit updates to the Provincial

No forced contribution for Christmas parties: DepEd

The Department of Education has is sued guidelines for the conduct of Christmas parties in its offices and public schools, as Filipinos mark the yuletide season with the loosest restric tions since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Christmas celebra tions in public schools and DepEd offices “should

be simple yet meaningful, keeping in mind the true spirit of the season and the austerity called for by the difficult economic times,” Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte said in a Dec. 2 order.

According to the order, Christmas parties must be voluntary and “not result to expenses that will become

a burden on parents, stu dents and DepEd person nel.”

“No learner or DepEd personnel should be forced to contribute, participate or use their money for the celebration,” it said.

No student should also be excluded from joining Christmas parties because they failed to give a contri bution or gift, the agency

added.

The DepEd said old Christmas decorations “should be recycled. [The] purchase of new decors are not encouraged.”

Christmas parties can be organized within class hours as long as they do not interfere with the scheduled lesson plans, the department said.

The DepEd also re

minded personnel that “solicitations, whether in cash or in kind, are not allowed for Christmas parties or holiday celebra tions.”

Private schools, com munity learning centers, and state or local uni versities and colleges may choose to adopt the DepEd’s guidelines on Christmas parties, accord

ing to the agency.

Schools have been unable to hold in-person Christmas parties in the previous years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last month, Philippine schools also returned to five days of face-to-face classes at full capacity, following two years of closures due to the health crisis.

Security forces from various units attend the send-off ceremony for the Pasko Fiesta sa Davao 2022 activities at Camp Domingo Leonor in Davao City last week. The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) through its spokesper son Major Catherine dela Rey said the office is gearing up for the start of “Simbang Gabi” and other crowd-drawing activities of this year’s Pasko Fiesta by implementing maximum deployment. Lean Daval Jr.

DOH chief urges Davao City to intensify booster drive

By MAYA M. PADILLO

Lawmakers of the Bang samoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Min danao (BARMM) kicked off Monday simultaneous public consultations in the provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi (BaSulTa) to expedite the passage of the region’s proposed elec toral and local governance codes.

Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Speaker Pangalian Balindong said the consultations intend to “fine-tune the draft laws with stakeholders, and oth er sectors in the BaSulTa area.”

BARMM parliament members and statutory committees have earlier paid courtesy visits to the BaSulTa provincial gov ernments to ensure that all key stakeholders were involved in the public con sultations.

The BTA, as the re gion’s interim lawmaking body, is mandated to en sure the passage of priority measures that include the BARMM’s administrative, revenue, electoral, local governance, education, civ il service, and Indigenous

Peoples Act codes.

Of the seven priority measures, three have been enacted: the administra tive, civil service, and edu cation codes.

During his recent vis it to the region, President Ferdinand R. Marcos was assured by BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim that the local governance and electoral codes will be enacted into law by the first quarter of 2023.

The President has ex tended the Bangsamoro transition period until 2025 to give the current BARMM leadership the chance to make a differ ence and fulfill its mandate, as stated in the Bangsam oro Organic Law.

The Committee on Rules, chaired by BTA Floor Leader Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba, will lead the public consultations on Parliament Bill No. 29, or the Bangsamoro Electoral Code.

On the other hand, the Committee on Local Gov ernment, chaired by Depu ty Floor Leader Raissa Jaju

Department of Health (DOH) offi cer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire recognized Davao City’s efforts on Covid-19 vaccination but urged Dabawen yos to intensify its booster vaccination campaign during her visit in the city on Monday.

Vergeire attended the first face-to-face flag-rais ing ceremony of the city government of Davao for the month of December that was attended by Vice Mayor Jay Melchor Quitain Jr., city government depart

ment heads and employ ees.

Vergeire also admin istered the first Covid-19 vaccine dose to 7-year-old Clarisse Asoy during her visit at the Tomas Claudio Health Center in Davao City

on the same day as part of the nationwide Bakunah ang Bayan slated Decem ber 5 to 7, 2022.

The three-day Covid-19 vaccination drive will again be held across the coun try in a bid to increase the booster uptake and inocu lation rate among Filipino children. DOH urged eligi ble Filipinos to get vacci nated and boosted during the latest “Bakunahang Bayan” vaccination drive.

Last week, DOH Under secretary Abdullah Duma ma said this group (5 to 11

years old) will be among the focus of the healthcare workers for the said sec ond round of the Bakuna han Bayan in the Davao Region.

Dr. Gerna Manatad, as sistant regional director of DOH 11, said DOH 11 is intensifying the adminis tration of booster doses in the Davao Region due to a shortfall.

As of last week, there were 667,934 were giv en the first booster dose, which was 17.6 percent of FDOH, P10

DCPO to implement maximum deployment for ‘Simbang Gabi’

The Davao City Po lice Office (DCPO) is gearing up for the start of the traditional “Simbang Gabi” by im plementing maximum deployment starting De cember 16, 2022.

Police Major Catherine dela Rey, DCPO spokes person, said DCPO will deploy more personnel in

crowd-drawing churches.

“Andam na ang kapu lisan sa DCPO in fact naa nay mga detail order kung asa ma-detail ang mga ka pulisan sa nagkadaiyang simbahan ug dili lang po lice stations ang magban tay sa mga simbahan pati na pud dinhi sa headquar ters including the officers will be deployed in dif

ferent churches. Andam nami para sa December 16 hangtod sa December 24,” dela Rey said over Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) on Monday.

Dela Rey said it is the goal of DCPO to have a zero-incident “Simbang Gabi” and will be watch ing over the young people who cluster together and

have suspicious actions in the church.

“Hopefully, mahimo gihapong zero-incident ang maong activity labi na sa simbahan. Kani among gyud bantayan katong magtapok tapok na mga batan-on nga ang pur pose na muadto sa sim bahan kay magsamok like

BARMM consults BaSulTa on local governance, electoral codes

University of the Philippines Alumni Association president Pedro Quitain III promotes during this week’s Kapehan sa Davao at SM City Davao the upcoming Pasko at Musika ng UP Symphony Orchestra slated on December 20 at the University of Southeastern Philippines Sports and Cultural Center. Lean Daval Jr.

DA warns public vs. buying onions online

The Department of Agriculture (DA) over the weekend cautioned the pub lic against purchasing onions from online platforms as these may be illegally imported into the country.

According to the DA, white onions found on line are most probably smuggled into the coun try, as the agency has yet to issue import permits to address the current shortage.

“Lahat ng pumasok na

‘yan ay mukhang illegal,” DA Deputy Spokesperson Rex Estoperez said.

(Everything that enters, it looks like those are ille gal.)

Online posts indicate that white onions are being sold at P1,650 for a nine-ki

logram sack or at P180 per kilogram, but the source of such products has yet to be made clear.

The DA warned that any smuggled products into the country have not been reviewed and could probably be unfit for hu man consumption.

Moving forward, the DA said it will look into any seized shipments of white onions and review them to be sold at stores of the Kadiwa or the “Katuwang

sa Diwa at Gawa para sa Masaganang Ani at Mataas na Kita.”

The latest monitoring of the agency shows that prices of local red onions in Metro Manila markets averaged P280.00 per kilo gram as of last Friday, De cember 2, 2022.

It also indicated that there were no available supplies of imported red onion, and both the local and imported varieties of the white onion.

CAAP places airports on high alert in anticipation of holiday rush

The Civil Aviation Au thority of the Philip pines (CAAP) placed 42 commercial operating airports on high alert, in anticipation of the influx of passengers during the holi day season.

According to the CAAP, it is now coordinating with the concerned government agencies and airlines to boost their personnel given the expected surge in pas

senger traffic.

“Due to travel bans im posed in the last two years brought by COVID-19, the CAAP-operated airports reported that it has seen trends of pent-up demand for tourism this year,” it said in an emailed state ment.

“Based on pre-pan demic historical data, an estimate of around 7-10% increase in the number

of passengers is expect ed annually; and with the current easing of travel re strictions, CAAP is optimis tically preparing for a surge in the demand for travel,” it added.

CAAP data showed that there were some 16 million passengers who traveled in CAAP airports from Janu ary to October, with more expected in the last quarter of the year.

There were 5.136 million passengers from January to December 2021, with 1.007 million recorded in December alone.

The agency also re minded travelers not to bring prohibited items to the airport and to stow all belongings in the carry-on baggage for faster process ing at the screening check points.

The Philippine govern ment should consider holding off in launch ing a sovereign wealth fund to protect its credit rating amid the challenging glob al environment, a business group president said on Monday.

Lawmakers have filed a billing seeking to create the Maharlika Wealth Fund that will use funds from government agencies such as the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and the Social Security Ser vice (SSS).

Although the fund has received the backing of Fi nance Chief Benjamin Dio kno, analysts have said it could only be successful if managed well and free of corruption.

Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry President George Barcelon said this type of investment may cast doubts and affect the country’s credit rating.

“My concern is, to put this on the back burner, in the meantime, because we

don’t want to go into some thing that might effect our credit standing,” Barcelon said.

“Our credit standing, the foundation laid by the previous administration has been carried forward and I think that’s important for us because with a good credit standing we do get preferential or lower rates of foreign banks. That, I think, is more important for us, to maintain a good credit rating, not putting something that might give worldwide bank to enter tain doubts about whether this will really fly or not,” he added.

Credit rating agencies Moody’s Investor Service, S&P Global and Fitch Rat ings have kept the coun try’s standing despite the heavy borrowings during the COVID-19 pandemic while most countries suf fered from downgrades in recent years.

This highlights the country’s capacity to pay

A vendor packs popcorn in anticipation of a large crowd that will visit San Pedro Square to watch the Christmas 3D wall mapping at City Hall in Davao City on Sunday evening. Lean Daval Jr.

Gov’t urged to postpone sovereign wealth fund to protect credit rating

Aside from tuna, GenSan eyeing to be famous for grapes, too

From just a 100-square meter lot about a decade ago, Maria Caballes, a Dabawenya, now grows fruit-bearing vines in at least two hectares that she acquired gradually over the years, with more areas for expansion.

Globe: Mobile biz strong due to digital adoption

Globe Telecom said on Monday its mobile business remains strong as of the end of Sep tember, with P80.6 billion in revenues.

The Ayala-led telco said this is its second-highest 9-month mobile revenues.

Prepaid business large ly contributed to the rev enue improvement due to the rise in digital adoption, the telco said in a state ment. Globe said its mobile consumer base expanded to 87.9 million.

Total mobile service comprised 68 percent of Globe’s consolidated ser vice revenues driven main ly by the sustained increase in mobile data, it said.

Meanwhile, mobile data accounted for 78 per cent of total mobile service revenues, up from 74 per

cent last year, Globe said. For the first 9 months, it grew 8 percent to P62.5 bil lion, from P57.9 billion in the same period last year, it added.

“As the economy opens up and people become more mobile again, we expect this uphill trend to continue. Globe is always on the lookout for innova tions relevant to the needs of our customers so they can get the best value out of our offers. We want our products and services to be their partner as they engage, socialize, and ex perience the world around them,” said Darius Delgado, Head of Globe’s Consumer Mobile Business.

Globe has postpaid and prepaid segments that cater to different markets.

The 41-year-old entre preneur has turned a barren land on the hills of Purok Wal, Barangay Tambler –on a spot that offers a great view of the Sarangani Bay – into a model grape farm known as MBX Grapes Vine yard, now becoming part of the agri-tourism circuit in the city.

Caballes, who once

worked in the shipbuilding sector of the tuna indus try here, became passion ate about grapes after a co-worker gave her berries that were harvested “from a grapevine believed to be at least 40 years old and with a trunk as big as a coconut tree.”

She started planting grapes on a 100-square meter lot in 2012. Seeing its potential, she acquired half a hectare of land in the same village about three years lat er and planted more grapes, which she calls Farm 1.

Later on, she also ac quired the rights to a land measuring up to 15 hect

ares, known as Farm 2, where she has so far devel oped at least two hectares into a vineyard.

Caballes went full-blast into grape production only when the COVID-19 pan demic reared its ugly head in 2020. With the govern ment lockdowns imposed starting March that year to fight the virus, she and her family members virtually locked themselves up and with nothing much to do, developed Farm 2.

Since the place is typical ly hot during daytime, family members and their handful of farmhands would plant the grapes late afternoon

until evening, or early the next morning, to escape the scorching heat of the sun.

About two years later, she is now reaping the fruits of her hard labor. Aside from becoming a farm tourism destination, MBX Grapes has been recognized by the Agri cultural Training Institute as the only accredited learning site for grape production in Region 12 (Socsksargen).

“In our farm, visitors can get up close and really per sonal with our grape fruits. Our grapes are for picking. But if you don’t want to pick and pay, you can still take pictures with the grapes,”

BSP warns: Watch out for fake central bank workers

The Bangko Sentral ng

Pilipinas said the pub lic should not provide personal information to unscrupulous individuals representing themselves as employees or authorized representatives of the cen tral bank.

Central bank employ

ees “will never solicit mon ey” or ask for information about private individuals’ financial transactions in the performance of their offi cial functions, the BSP said in a statement.

Some fraudsters are using real and fictitious names of BSP personnel,

officers and units to make phone calls or messages to their victims, it said.

They are also using fraudulent mobile numbers and e-mail addresses that resemble legitimate and of ficial BSP sources, it added.

To protect themselves, the public must remain vig

ilant, avoid sharing finan cial information and refrain from sending money to un verified recipients, the BSP said.

Fraudulent activities carried out by people pos ing as BSP personnel must be reported immediately, it said.

General Santos City, the “Tuna Capital of the Philippines,” is proving to be a suitable site for grape production, with a woman leading the way in show casing that it can be grown here all-yearround.

Tourists get to dine in the vineyard as part of the grape tour experience at MBX Grapes Vineyard in Brgy. Tambler, General Santos City owned by Maria Caballes, a Dabawenya entrepreneur. MindaNews photo by BONG S. SARMIENTO

“Southeast

and

has been performing in recent years.”

Older than the Davao City National High School (DCNHS), Davao Elementary School, later Davao Central Elementary School, was built early in 1905 with a bud get of P6,421.58. A year later, it got an added P1,264.15 appropriation but failed to get any in the next two years. On February 3, 1909, the Mindanao Herald reported that the construction of the school con-tinued.

In May 1921, under Plan No. 10, the school was provided with two additional rooms an-nexed to the rear of the building, with a 0.40-meter floor elevation, much higher than what was originally approved. The project was com pleted at a cost of P65,602; it was turned over and accepted by the school authorities on November 10, 1921.

For years, the learning insti tute, now Kapitan Tomas Mon

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST

BACKWARD

DAVAO CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

teverde Sr. Central Elementary School (KTMCES), was the town’s leading preparatory and embroi dery school, guided in most part by mentors recruited from the northern region and hired by the Bureau of Educa-tion.

One of the most recognized ed ucators that served the institution was Januario Puru-ganan. In 1923, due to a lack of materials for the yearly Mother’s Day program, he composed the poem, ‘To Mother,’ which the pupils of teacher Encar cacion Bernardo recited and sang. The following year he wrote ‘We Halt Not Here,’ also a poem, which became the graduation song of Class 1924.

AA native of Batac, Ilocos Norte, Puruganan, later a pub lished author (‘To Mother and Other Poems,’ 1929), was promoted to supervising teacher of Mati before going on a sabbatical in 1926 to

finish his studies at the Silliman University where he was associ ate editor of the ‘The Sillimanian.’ In 1932, he graduated from the College of Wooster, at the Prince ton Theological Seminary in Ohio, USA, and became a Protestant pas tor of San Fernando, La Union. He died in 1945.

Puruganan’s works were in cluded in ‘Master Index to Poetry: An Index to Poetry in Anthol-ogies & Collections’ (1988), published in Great Neck, New York. Among his famous poems are ‘My Idea,’ ‘My Dormant Lyre,’ ‘My First Spring in America,’ ‘Rizal the Immortal,’ and ‘To Rizal.’

When war broke out, KTMCES became a concentration camp for Japanese internees. Hi-royu ki Mizugichi, a student of Davao City High School recruited to the Davao Japanese Vigi-lante Troop, was one of those who were de

tained on the premises. In ‘Jungle of No Mercy: Mercy of a Japanese Soldier,’ (2010) he detailed what the school looked like during his incarcer-ation: “The elementary school was situated on an approximately 15-hectare lot, its frontage was about 300 meters long along Pon ciano Reyes Street, and 400 meters northwest toward Tomas Claudio Street. The area was fenced with barbed wire for the gates in front and at the back.

“There was a standard 400-meter track and field sta dium and a big grandstand that could accommodate at least 1,500 people and a maximum of 10,000 people could be accom-modated in other school buildings in the area. […] There were four wide gates facing Poncia-no Reyes Street. Three of these gates were bolted except the one at the ex

treme right of the camp which was left open. The gate was guarded by five or six Filipino USAFFEE (United States Armed Forces in the Far East) soldiers with high-powered rifles.”

It was only after the Imperial troops arrived in Davao City on December 20, 1941, that the Japa nese prisoners of war were freed. The military converted the school premises into the Japanese army headquarters, one of the many structures sequestered by the in vaders in the city’s residential and commercial districts.

Under Republic Act 6156, en acted on November 9, 1970, and signed by President Ferdi-nand Edralin Marcos, Sr., the school was renamed Capitan Tomas Mon teverde, Sr. Elemen-tary School. (Note that ‘C’ was used in the stat ute.) The school’s compound has since been greatly reduced.

BY FR. REYNALDO D. RALUTO INTEGRAL ECOLOGY

SOME BEST ECOLOGICAL PRACTICES OF MINDANAO DIOCESES

Part 4

(This is the fourth part of the presentation of Fr. Reynaldo D. Ralu to on “Integral Ecology Ministry in Mindanao Context” at the 17th Min danao-Sulu Pastoral Conference in Cagayan de Oro City on November 7 to 10, 2022)

To continue our exploration of the best ecological practices of oth er ecclesiastical sub-regions, there are two important material sources: one is the pre-MSPC reports on the results of their diocesan and sub-re gional meetings, and the other is their respective Synodal Syntheses both in the diocesan and sub-re gional levels. It should be noted that, as of this writing, some ecclesiasti cal sub-regions (e.g., DaDiTaMa and DOPIM) have not yet submitted the report of the best ecological practic es of their sub-regions. Moreover, other ecclesiastical sub-regions (e.g., KidMaCo and ZamBaSulI) hardly mention in their respective Synodal Syntheses anything about ecological concerns. Let us bear in mind these material limitations as we present their best ecological practices.

Kidapawan-Marbel-Cotabato (KidMaCo) Dioceses

The Diocese of Marbel Synodal Synthesis highlights the intimate connection between ecological and social concerns: “Side by side with the promotion for environmental protection is the intentional inclu sion of IP’s in the evangelization. They are not objects of evangeliza tion and help from the church. They are part of the church.”

Moreover, Marbel’s synodal synthesis courageously states: “we continue to oppose any destructive mining activities like open pit and coal plant in the diocese as well as promote the program on mini for est in the parish.” To mitigate the ecological disasters, the diocese ex presses its “interest [in] introducing the creation of a mini forest within the parish vicinity. The thought cre ates an impetus for action to have this realized among the people giv en the reality that the Diocese is taking its strong stance against im

minent environmental degradation due to open-pit mining issues in Tampakan.” (Marbel Synodal Syn thesis, p 7).

Furthermore, Marbel’s care for our Common Home is also revealed in its Ecology Center that promotes Farm and Mini-forest where indige nous trees are planted. Its ecological programs include: (1) “Tree Grow ing” program for each parish; (2) requiring each parish to put up a tree nursery inside the parish com pound; (3) observing proper waste management; (4) ongoing educa tion on ‘Laudato Si’’ in every Parish; and (5) pushing each GKK to plant 500 Trees as its way to celebrate the 500 years of Christianity in the Phil ippines. (From the Report of Mar bel’s Best Practices).

The Archdiocese of Cotabato has a GCash program of giving 1 million bamboo seedlings/cuttings to be planted in the BARMM area. The archdiocese expressed its com mitment to facilitate and supervise this project. Moreover, the Queen ship Parish of Lebak, Sultan Kudarat launched its Oplan Tree Planting Activity on August 6, 2022 in collab oration with the Lebak LGU, MENRO and DA. (From Cotabato’s Report on Best Practices)

In the Diocese of Kidapawan, all the parishes “have assiduously practiced the tree planting activity, as a feasible way of environmental protection and preservation. In fact, this said activity has been practiced not only at the parish level but also at the GKK level, as well as at the family level. Aside from tree planting and bio diversity, there are visible and prevalent activities in the GKKs such as: planting of medicinal and herbal plants and making vegetable gardens.” (From the report on Best Practices: Kidapawan Diocese, p. 2).

Zamboanga-Basilan-Sulu-Ipil (ZamBaSulI) Dioceses

Among these four dioceses in the ZamBaSulI region, only Zambo anga has submitted a report, which highlights its successful ecological activities, including tree planting participated by Priests, Religious, Teachers, Youth and Lay Faithful. Its archdiocesan Social Action Cen ter-Justice, through the advocacy

on Peace and Integrity of Creation, gives important attention to the urgent responses to the challenges of Laudato Si’ on how to prevent the increasing threat of Climate Emergency. The archdiocesan an nual gathering, known as ZAMSAGA (Zamboanga Social Action General Assembly), highlights the informa tion and education campaign on the issue of climate change and the Rights of Nature. (From Zamboan ga’s Report on Best Practices).

Like that of the KidMaCo’s, the ZamBaSulI’s Synodal Synthesis also hardly mentions anything about ecological concerns, even if some of their member dioceses have explic itly mentioned them in their individ ual synodal synthesis.

Davao-Digos-Tagum-Mati (DaDiTaMa) Dioceses

It’s unfortunate that we have not received the sub-regional reports on best ecological practices from DaDiTaMa dioceses. Nevertheless, their sub-regional synodal synthe sis contains two significant sections on ecological concerns. One is On Nature and Care for our Common Home that states: “A growing aware ness of the urgent need to take care of our common home, the earth, is palpable in the local Church. It is evidenced by the various initiatives by different institutions, starting with those under the tutelage of the Church, the parishes, BECs, schools, religious congregations, and the collaborative efforts with other in stitutions and the government. All of these efforts are geared towards enhancing continuous and compre hensive programs for protecting the environment and contributing to solving global warming and oth er social-economic concerns. Con crete examples of this engagement with the care for our common home are the establishment of the Parish Disaster Action Response Teams (PDART), backyard gardening, tree planting, and nurturing.” (DaDiTa Ma Synodal Synthesis,p.6).

The other section of DaDiTaMa’s synodal synthesis contains its com mitment to Give Attention to the Care of the Environment, which is implemented by “Initiating efforts towards environmental protection,

especially on the growing concerns on global warming, and actively engage in social, cultural, economic and political issues by providing a balanced outlook and moral guid ance as stewards of creation.” (Da DiTaMa Synodal Synthesis, p. 10).

Dipolog-Ozamiz-Pagadian-Ili gan-Marawi (DOPIM)

Dioceses

The Synodal Synthesis of DOP IM contains an important section on the “Call for ‘Ecological Conversion,’” which is a quotation from the Dio cese of Pagadian Synodal Synthesis (see pp. 7-8): “Propelled by the fruit of its worships, the Church goes out and fights for the protection of human and ecological rights. The Social Action Ministry in the Dioces es serves as the active hands of the Church in its care for the victims of human rights, which in most cases are the poor. The Church also is vocal in its condemnation of the destruc tion of the environment by rallying against the operation of the min ing industry. The Church is serious about preserving the land by giving a series of seminars on sustainable agriculture as an alternative to the commercial way of farming which is believed to have poisoned the land. … A comprehensive program for en vironmental protection exists only in parishes that have faced a threat of environmental destruction. How ever, such is absent in parishes that do not consider environmental pro tection a felt need.” (DOPIM Synodal Synthesis, p. 12).

Among the DOPIM dioceses, the Diocese of Iligan’s synodal synthe sis is worth noting here as it sadly recalls its “its own share of natural calamities such as typhoons and heavy floods. In these situations, the local Church responded to those who were badly affected. Through the Social Action Program, the par ishes reached out and provided im mediate needs to the most affected population. In collaboration with generous institutions, the Diocese had provided a housing project for the victims of heavy floods in 2011.” (Diocese of Iligan Synodal Synthesis, p. 11).

Critical Remark

After exploring the existing best ecological practices in Mindanao

dioceses, it is good to ask whether they are sufficient to mitigate the present challenges of ecological cri sis. In his comment on my Facebook post on November 8, 2022, Bro. Karl Gaspar critically stated: “I hope this MSPC can recapture the fire of those of the first conferences & deal boldly with our urgent ecological is sues. Kay sa tinuod lang LUYA kaayo atong tubag sa hagit sa kinaiyahan!”

Bro. Karl’s use of the image of fire to describe the transformative passion of the first MSPC triennial meetings reminds me of Jesus’ chal lenging words in the Gospel of Luke: “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blaz ing!” (Luk 12:49). We know that Je sus’ use of the image of fire here de scribes his burning desire to spread God’s Reign.

Similarly, it is also hoped that our present generation has this burning desire to passionately spread the fire of ecological minis try in our respective dioceses. Let us allow the transformative fire of ecological conversion to purify Min danao from the prevailing unsus tainable and destructive practices!

[MindaViews is the opinion section of MindaNews. Reynaldo D. Raluto is currently the parish priest of Jesus Nazareno Parish in Libona, Bukidnon in the Diocese of Malaybalay. He has also been serv ing as chair of the Integral Ecology Ministry of his Diocese since June 2022. Fr. Rey holds a doctorate in theology from the Katholieke Uni versiteit Leuven (Belgium) in 2011. Since 2011, he has been serving as Academic Dean of St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Cagayan de Oro where he also teaches fun damental/systematic theology and Catholic social teaching. Among his ecological advocacies are planting/ growing Philippine native trees, mountain climbing, and active par ticipation in the cultural and ecolog ical activities of the indigenous peo ple apostolate (IPA) of the Diocese of Malaybalay. He is the author of the book Poverty and Ecology at the Crossroads: An Ecological Theology of Liberation in the Philippine Con text (Quezon City: Ateneo de Manila University Press, 2015)|

FASHION

WHEN FASHION TURNS CHARITY

Can fashion and charity mix?

Fashion shows are for people who wish to be sar torially elegant. Charity, on the other hand, is for people motivated to help the needy.

In short, fashion makes one look good. Charity makes one feel good.

Put together, one can look good and feel good.

Thus, a fashion show slash charity event can do just that.

Davao City, a hub of world-class fashion design ers and jewelry, turned the runway into a fundraiser.

Considered one of the most glitzy events in Davao City, the recently concluded Dusit X Emilia Sitjar Jewel lery Charity Gala was a spec tacular affair to remember.

International hotel brand DusitD2 Davao elevates the fashion and jewellery indus tries in the region with a twoday event with Emilia Sitjar Jewellery, featuring the cre

ations of Davao Fashion and Design Council (DFDC) for the benefit of SOS Children’s Vil lage in Davao City.

It was a night of glamour, creativity, and philanthropy as Davao City’s glitterati ar rived for a night of fashion, world-class creations, special performances, and goodwill,

The gala gave the spot light to the talents of Min danawon members of DFDC namely Aztec Barba, Egay Ayag, Benjie Panizales, Emi Englis, Edgar Buyan, Bam

ba Limon, Windel Mira, and Dodjie Batu.

Carrying the theme “Elements,” the event was a showcase of about 80 avant-garde haute couture with designs inspired from three of the five elements of nature namely fire, earth, and water.

On a separate runway show with a line-up of muses from Davao City’s influential set of women, Emilia Sitjar Jewellery’s A Springtime of Gratitude collection spar kled. All are lust-have.

Emil Sitjar made a heart warming gesture to invite his mother, the matriarch of the brand - Emilia Sitjar – and shared the stage with her on the curtain call.

Together with Muzic skool’s trio, Gleetery, the children of SOS Children’s Village Philippines – Davao, rendered the song “Imagine” as a gesture of thanks and appreciation to everyone who has shared the cause for children’s welfare.

A ceremonial turnover of the donation for the foun dation happened after the fashion show, with SOS Vil lage director Leonilo Rivero, together with DusitD2 Davao GM Christoph Kuch and Cluster DOSM Lannie Merilo.

The event not only raised much-needed funds but it also raised awareness of the plight of the children at the SOS.

“It has been our vision to take Davao to the next level as it has a lot to offer. In our three years here, Dusit has been witness to milestones and celebrations. Tonight, we are making our own. I am proud to say that along with Emilia Sitjar Jewellery and DFDC, the Dusit Charity Gala will be a gamechanger, not just in the fashion industry but in helping communities,” said Kuch.

Dusit Charity Gala con veyed the message that yes, charity may begin at home, but it doesn’t have to stay there.

Irongold Realty Inc., Landbank sign loan agreement for Aeon Bleu project

Aeon Bleu, the next major project of home grown real estate devel oper and builer Aeon Luxe Properties Inc. (ALPI), is ready to break ground.

On Monday, Irongold

Realty Inc. finalized the loan agreement with its partner bank Landbank of the Philippines on De cember 5, 2022 at Club Aeon Meeting Room, 6th Floor, Aeon Towers.

Aeon Bleu, a mixed-

use development project by Aeon Luxe Properties Incorporated (ALPI), will be funded by the Landbank loan.

Present in the loan agreement signing were ALPI President Ian Y.

Cruz, FTC Group of Companies Corporation Chairman of the Board Francisco T. Cruz, Land bank Davao Lending Center Head Jose Ene dicto G. Faune, and Land bank Davao Lending

Center Account Officer Marlon M. Ferolin. The agreement was signed in the presence of ALPI’s SVP - Corporate Finance and Treasurer, Lesley Ann Cruz-Arquiza, and other senior executives includ

ing Business Unit Heads, Sales Directors, and Asso ciate Sales Directors.

ALPI is known for its signature initial venture Aeon Towers, an iconic 33-level skyscraper in Davao City.

PH’s Payments industry ripe with opportunity

Digital payments tech nology is disrupting finan cial services globally, with outsized potential for pos itive change in the Philip pines. The innovation and progression we are seeing means vast opportunities for the innovators, but risks for the incumbents – particularly the banks, who are seeing a high-mar gin business being eroded at pace.

One of the key drivers of digital payment adop tion in the Philippines has been a significant shift in consumer behaviour, but users have come to favour digital wallets like GCash and PayMaya for their su perior user experience. Such digital payment methods have also enabled more consumers to have access to financial services, which is a major advantage in a country with such as high population of people who do not have access to even a bank account. At this point, consumers have

become used to the bene fits of digital payments and digital players are innovat ing to compete for market share, which is putting pressure on banks.

Although regulation is usually seen as a source of challenges, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has also been a significant driver of development in digital financial services. PESONet and InstaPay are digital payment schemes launched in 2017-2018 under the National Retail Payment System by The Bangko Sentral ng Pili pinas (BSP). Their usage grew significantly during the pandemic as state-run pension disbursements, along with wider usage of electronic money (e-mon ey) and Internet banking. The value of transactions under PESONet, which in volves high-value transac tions, grew by 47 percent year-on-year as of July to PHP3.46 trillion. The value of InstaPay trans

actions during the same period likewise jumped by 37 percent year-onyear to PHP1.91 trillion, with volume rising by 25 percent to more than 300 million.

BSP is also promoting payments digitalisation and financial inclusion un der the Digital Payments Transformation Roadmap (DPTR) and the National Strategy for Financial In clusion (NSFI). The DPTR pursues BSP’s twin goals of converting at least 50 percent of all retail pay ments into digital form and onboarding at least 70 per cent of Filipino adults to the formal financial system by 2023.

One of the biggest dis ruptive changes at a glob al level is the introduction of a new global standard for exchanging electronic messages between finan cial institutions, called ISO 20022. This has been a game-changer because all payments are sent via elec

tronic messages contain ing various information in a particular format. All participants within a do mestic payments network use the same ‘language’, but these languages vary from country to country. ISO 20022 provides a cen tral dictionary that enables banks around the world to understand each oth er, which means the user experience enjoyed in do mestic real-time payments can be replicated inter nationally. It also enables these messages to contain more meaningful data, which can be leveraged to offer value add services on top of payments. BSP is supportive of ISO 20022. Pgilpass has already been migrated to the new stan dard. Instapay, the Philip pines’ real time payments network, also supports ISO 20022. ISO 20022 is expected to support 80% of transaction volumes and 87% of transaction value worldwide by 2025,

so banks need to focus on overhauling their existing legacy systems to support the new standard. With benefits ranging from the potential for increased revenue, improved com pliance and increased op erational efficiency, there is no good reason for banks to delay.

Dheeraj Joshi, Re gional Head, Payments Solution Consulting, Fi nastra commented: “With ever-increasing compe tition, constantly shifting regulatory and compli ance obligations, evolving customer behaviours and expectations, increasing complexity and higher costs, banks are facing sig nificant challenges. As a result, banks need agility, scalability and elasticity. With digital wallets and fintechs offering cheap, fast payments within easyto-use apps, banks need to reduce their operational complexities and cost per transaction, whilst match ing their digital competi tors on customer experi ence.”

Tal Weiser, Managing Director Sales, Payments, APAC, Finastra, concluded: “We are in the most inter esting era in the payments business. With changes being driven by shifting consumer demands, com petition and business demand, as well as gov ernment initiatives, it’s a real perfect storm for the industry. If banks want to protect their revenue and stay relevant, they need to commit to modernization and investing in payments technology solutions that

meet their growing and changing needs. Fortu nately, banks do not need to do this on their own. Payments Solution pro vider like Finastra can provide the solutions they need to become agile, ef ficient, modern payments players. In the end it does not need to be ‘fintechs vs banks’, but fintechs work ing together with banks to push the industry forward.

Finastra is one of the largest fintechs in the world today, with its soft ware used by 90 of the world’s top 100 banks.

Finastra services over 8,500 customers across 130 countries, offering an unmatched depth and breadth of fintech solu tions across Payments, Digital and Retail Banking, Lending, and Treasury and Capital Markets.

Asia is an extremely important growth market for Finastra’s global busi ness, with 550+ clients and 4,300 employees in the region. Finastra has been servicing banks in the Philippines for three decades, including large incumbent banks and in ternational banks with a presence here, as well as digitally native startups like Tonik – which runs on Finastra’s core bank ing platform. Finastra has around 900 in the Philip pines and Finastra’s Pay ments business in partic ular is investing heavily in the country, recruiting people to manage clients and help even more banks and financial institutions accelerate their digital transformation.

Present in the loan agreement signing were ALPI’s SVP - Corporate Finance and Treasurer, Les ley Ann Cruz-Arquiza, ALPI President Ian Y. Cruz, FTC Group of Companies Corporation Chairman of the Board Francisco T. Cruz, Landbank Davao Lending Center Head Jose Enedicto G. Faune, and Landbank Davao Lending Center Account Officer Marlon M. Ferolin.

Finastra is one of the largest fintechs in the world today, with its software used by 90 of the world’s top 100 banks. Finastra ser vices over 8,500 customers across 130 countries, offering an unmatched depth and breadth of fintech solutions across Payments, Digital and Retail Banking, Lending, and Treasury and Capital Markets.

DCWD office operations on December 8, 2022

Davao City Wa ter District’s collec tion center in SM Lanang Premier is open to accept wa ter bill payments from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Decem ber 8, 2022, despite that this day is de clared as a special non-working holi day in celebration of the Feast of the Immaculate Concep tion of Mary. Trans acting customers are

DCPO ...

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riot. Gi-coordinate na pud nato sa mga barangay ta nod na kung makit-an nila ug dili maayo ang ilahang tumong, papaulion sila. Mailhan nimo na sa ilang mga lihok,” she said.

In an earlier inter view, dela Rey said the DCPO will be deploying 567 Philippine Nation al Police (PNP) person nel from the DCPO’s 19 police stations to patrol all 41 churches in the city during the ‘Simbang Gabi’ masses.

She also reported that DCPO, as well as the Task Force Davao, will be in creasing their visibility in terminals, seaports, airports, and in the city’s popular tourist spots. Border control points and internal checkpoints

reminded to follow the mall’s entry and safety regulations and bring a copy of their water bill for faster transaction.

Meanwhile, DCWD’s Matina, Ba jada, and Toril offic es are closed on the said holiday. Regular operations will re sume on December 9, 2022.

Due date for wa ter bill payments in Zone 11 is moved to

December 9, 2022.

The DCWD man agement assures the general public that the operations of its technical depart ments and 24/7 call center will not be dis rupted to ensure con tinuous water service and offsite customer support. Online wa ter bill payment chan nels are also available via Landbank iAccess, Link.Biz Portal, and GCash.

HIV...

will also be more strictly manned.

Meanwhile, Dela Rey said DCPO has asked for augmentation from the Police Regional Office (PRO 11) for the incom ing “Pahalipay sa Taal” in the ancestral of the Duter te family in Bangkal, Taal, which is expected to draw 40,000 people this year.

“Ang atoang augmen tation from the PRO 11 katong sa “Pahalipay sa Taal”. Sa monthlong cel ebration sa Pasko Fies ta kaya sa ra personnel sa mga stations and the headquarters pero ka tong Pahalipay sa Taal dil namo kaya na kami lang mao to nangayo mi ug augmentation kay pirti kadaghan ug tao kay ang gi-prepare sa city gov

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For any water service concerns, customers may con tact DCWD’s 24hour call center ho tlines at 235-3293, 244-6767, 0927798-8966, 0925511-3293 or 0908441-0653 and chat support in DCWD’s website (www. davao-water.gov.ph) or Facebook page (facebook.com/of ficialDCWD). (Jonas A. Capute Jr.)

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Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRR MO).

In Agusan del Sur, the PDRRMO is monitoring the water levels in its major rivers, particularly the Ojot, Wawa, Libang, Moasan, Kasilan, Gibong,

DOH...

2

The center, which is the only facility in Davao Region, is committed to delivering programs and services for the preven tion of HIV/AIDS, and for the treatment, care, and support to people living with HIV (PLHIV).

“Dapat early treat ment and early access to services para ma prevent nato ang progress sa iya hang sakit kumbaga pu

ernment of Davao kay around 40,000 ka mga gift packs,” she said.

“Pahalipay”, is a gift-giving tradition of the Duterte family at the ancestral house of former President Rodrigo Dute

wede siya na murag sim tomas lang for as long as na start nato siya ug sayo, na monitor nato siya ug sayo, ug gibuhat niya ang dapat buhaton. Ang RHWC ang nag-inusara sa Davao Region na prima ry health facility ug since nag inusara maka cater gyud ta ug adjacent prov inces and regions kay ang atong tambal gikan man pud sa region,” she said.

rte along Taal Road and is considered the biggest crowd drawer expecting more or less 40,000 ben eficiaries from Davao City, Davao Region, and neigh boring regions. By Maya M. Padillo

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the targeted population in the region.

Meanwhile, Dr. Michelle Schlosser, spokesperson of the Davao City Covid-19 Task Force, earlier urged Dabawenyos anew to get their two-dose primary se ries and booster shots amid the new and highly-infec tious Omicron subvariant in the country and the sev en recorded deaths in the city from November 20 to 26, 2022.

She said that the Omi cron variant of Covid-19 is already more infectious than other variants, and its

BARMM...

Adgaoan, Simulao, Kayo nan, and Andanan water ways.

Residents living near the river systems were warned to stay on alert and take precautionary mea sures in case of emergen cies. (PNA)

subvariants are even more infectious.

She reported that from November 20 to 26, 2022, at least 155 cases and sev en deaths were recorded. Of the seven COVID-19-re lated deaths, two were from the 60 years old and above age group, three from the 50-59 age bracket, and one each from the 4049 and 30-39 population age groups.

Of the seven deaths, three were vaccinated but did not receive any booster while the other four were unvaccinated.

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rie, will lead consultations on Parliament Bill No. 30, or the Bangsamoro Local

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and its sound macro economic fundamentals, economic managers have said.

Barcelon also cited li quidity issues that may im pact the funds of financial

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Caballes told MindNews.

In other grape-produc ing countries like Italy, which is famous for its wineries, tourists are not allowed to enter the vineyard due to biosafety protocols, but here visitors are very much welcome for the experience to really get close with the grapes, she said.

MBX Grapes charges P200 per adult and P100 for a child for the farm tour, but the fee includes a plateful, of course, of freshly picked grapes.

Since Caballes pro grammed the planting of the grapes, their harvest is now all-year-round, thanks to the 6,000 robust vines dot ting their farms. Some of the grape varieties they grow include Everest, Baikonur, Catawba, Joy and Kober. Grapes can be harvested six months after planting. It needs direct sunlight and regular water feeding.

According to her, one hectare can be planted with 1,500 to 2,000 grape vines, with each plant yielding be tween three to 10 kilograms.

If the selling price is 200 pe sos per kilo, that would be from P900,000 to P3 mil lion for 1,500 vines or from P1.2M to P4M for 2,000 vines – every harvest cycle.

Noting that grapes can be grown in southern Phil ippines, Caballes said the few grape growers on the island had organized the Mindan ao Grape Growers club, with members from Regions 12 (Socsksargen), 11 (Davao) and 10 (Northern Mindan ao).

Governance Code. The consultations will run from Dec. 5-8. (PNA)

institutions whose funds will be used.

Other lawmakers also called for the inclusion of a penalty clause to make erring fund managers ac countable.

In this city, MBX Grapes launched the Grapeful Gen San last year, an initiative where Caballes provides free grape saplings to indig enous communities in a bid to increase local production.

So far, 10,000 seedlings have been dispersed to in terested landowners under the program, her way of re turning the blessings com ing her way.

MBX Grapes produces wines, vinegar and jams from its vineyard. The pickand-pay grapes cost P600 per kilo. It sells saplings too for those who are interest ed in planting, the price de pending on the size and va riety of the seedling, ranging between P250 and P1,500.

But Caballes lamented that the local grape produc tion is still barely enough for commercial wine produc tion and for supply to the domestic market.

Caballes said MBX Grapes is encouraging more local farmers to cultivate the crop since there is a big mar ket for it and she has proven that it can be successfully cultivated in the area.

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic two years ago, she has been spending most of her time in the vineyard, sometimes coming earlier or leaving later than her 12 employees who are all indigenous peoples.

Caballes, an industrial technology graduate, does not regret leaving her eightto-five regular job and jump ing into grape farming, a venture previously strange and unimaginable to her.

France brush aside Poland for World Cup quarterfinals spot

Defending

champion France cruised past Poland 3-1 on Sunday to qualify for the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals.

Things could have been different for Poland, who came within inches of an opener in the 37th minute, only to see Jakub Kaminski’s shot cleared

off the line by Raphael Varane.

It was Olivier Giroud’s record-breaking strike near the end of the first half that gave France the

lead.

The 36-year-old came up with a smart finish in side the area for his 52nd goal for France, eclipsing Les Bleus legend Thierry Henry as the country’s all-time leading scorer.

The second period at Al Thumama Stadium was

all about young French superstar Kylian Mbappe.

He doubled the advan tage in the 74th minute, blasting in a crisp shot past Poland’s goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny to fin ish off a French counter attack.

Mbappe was on the

scoresheet again in stop page time with a curler that nestled in Szczesny’s top corner.

Poland pulled one back from the penalty spot late in the dying min utes.

Dayot Upamecano was adjudged to have han

dled the ball, and Robert Lewandowski took two tries to grab the goal for Poland.

France will find out their quarterfinal oppo nent after Sunday’s sec ond game between En gland and Senegal at the Al Bayt Stadium. (Anadolu)

FRED

C. LUMBA SPORTS KEN

CARLOS PADILLA - HEEL OR HERO?

Sometimes, one either meets his date with Destiny.

Or misses it.

This is how I read Carlos Padilla’s admission about rigging a fight involving eight division champ Manny Pac quiao and Australian boxer Hussein Nadal that happened twenty two years ago.

In 2000, Padilla, who rose to fame as the referee of the “Thrilla in Manila” between Muhammad Ali and Joe Fra zier, was the third man in the ring between Pacquiao and Nadal held at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City, Rizal.

In that fight, the undefeat ed Nadal, managed by Aussie great Jeff Fenech, knocked Pacquiao down in the fourth where, according to Padilla, he prolonged the count to en able the former senator to re cover his senses and continue till the next round.

The delays in the counting lasted 18 seconds, revealed Padilla, so that the Pamban

sang Kamao was able to hold on to dear life.

In between, Padilla also kept talking to Nadal, warning him to refrain from applying dirty tactics before signaling the two to resume fighting.

Thus, as the fight contin ued, the southpaw champion from GenSan boxer was able to inflict a combination of body and head punches in cluding a cut above Nadal’s eyebrow.

Padilla admitted, in his explosive revelation, that it was an accidental headbutt that caused the cut but made it appear that it was due to a legitimate blow by Pacquiao.

Manny’s camp instructed him to concentrate on the cut and by the eleventh round, blood was oozing profusely from Nadal that Padilla had the ring physician examine it.

After taking a clean look, the ring doctor declared Nad al unfit to continue and a TKO win was declared in favor of Paquiao.

It is unfortunate that Padil la’s disclosure came after he was declared a Hall of Famer by the Nevada Sports Com mission, an individual honor that should leave an enduring legacy for him and his family.

Interestingly , I came across Padilla one rare time in Las Vegas sometime in the late 80s where I hobnobbed with Filipinos who were mostly bartenders, waiters and waitresses and or cooks and chefs at the casinos along The Strip.

They told me that Padilla had been a regular in all the casinos where Pinoys worked and toiled. “Mabait siya. Very approachable. Walang ere,” they chorused.

At that time, he was still ac tively officiating in many bouts under the Nevada Sports Com mission (and is reportedly a favorite) where he earned his bread and butter.

As to Padilla’s “scandal ous” revelation, Pacquiao has already denied his personal

knowledge and participation. (My personal opinion is that Manny would never agree to such a deceitful arrang ment. As we all saw Manny’s rise to fame and success, he did not need any help to get rid of tough and legendary champions such as Oscar de la Hoya, Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, Antonio Margarito, Miguel Cotto, Shane Mosely, Juan Manuel Marquez, Keith Thurman, etc. )

I have so much respect and love for Padilla who is 88 years old and officiated in more than 300 fights. I won der if he was merely telling a “friendly“ narrative to leisure ly recall an occasion while passing the time away..

May I ask, without casting aspersions on Padilla’s per sonal integrity, If he is still in complete control of his men tal faculties at the time he was making the disclosure?

Again, this naughty thought: Was Padilla prom ised something in return to

ensure that the hometown hero wins the encounter against Nadal who was look ing to get a title shot in his fu ture fights had he beaten the Pinoy champion?

In the ensuing years, box ing records show that Nadal lost to Oscar Larios for the ju nior WBC featherweight belt but who Pacquiao soundly defeated in their own encoun ter sometime later.

Like Padilla’s daughter who begged the public to understand the contextual content of Padilla’s revelation and give him breathing space, I am giving the latter the ben efit of the doubt.

Still, Padilla’s words need his personal validation whether he indeed meant what he said or his narrative was just a leisurely, nostalgic recollection.

The Nevada Sports Com mission is looking into it. (Email your feedback to fred lumba@yahoo.com.)

Participants and winners in the recent Omerta Cup golf tournament held at the Rancho Palos Verdes Golf and Country Club.

HOME COURSE EDGE

Mesi, Morente lead winners in 1st Omerta Cup Golf tourney

ly concluded 1st Omerta Cup golf tournament.

Mesi, a former pro but re verted back as an amateur during the pandemic, showed how to tame the pretty but tricky Cabantian course with a gross 68 to take the overall gross title while upcoming young Davao golfer James Morente grabbed the overall net plum with his 67 on the System 36 format tourna ment.

It was supposed to be hot and humid sunny day but light ning struck twice as Mesi aside from grabbing the overall gross trophy also hit an ace in the crocodile-infested hole no. 2 of the par-72 golf course. Mesi pocketed an additional P25,000 as prize for the hole in one.

The tournament was orga nized by an alumni group of PISAY ( Philippine Science High School) Southern Mindanao Campus and named after their business venture, the Omer ta Bistro and Lounge which opened in December 2019 but went on a hiatus during the pan demic and went full blast only on early part of 2022.

“This is our way of celebrat ing our third year in the busi ness and to introduce further our brand of service to the pub lic. Mind you sir, am a fan of The Godfather movie trilogy thus the name OMERTA (derived from the Mafia parlance meaning Code of Silence ), but unlike the movie, we would like to break the silence and instead an nounce to the world our premi um food, drinks and entertain ment on a relaxed atmosphere and family themed place,” orga nizer Engr Mendrado “Poypoy” Canuza III said.

Davao’s rising star EJ Casin tajan topped the Class A division with his one over par 73 besting

Peter Baruis emerged as the gross champion for Class B with an 82 and won via countback over Jan Bararquias. Glen En ginco meanwhile topped the net title with a 70 also by countback over another young and up coming star of Davao golf Enzo Magno, the son of Presidential Assistant for Eastern Mindanao Leo Magno.

For Class C division, Jona than Ong scored 90 and took the gross champ title while Dick Arellano took the net title dia dem with his 71.

Petite lady golfer Maricel Kim grabbed the overall gross title for the distaff side with her 84 and perennial winner Milou Tan Babol, the daughter of the late Manny Tan took the Overall Net Title with her Net score 73.

“Part of the proceeds for this tournament will go to the Gold en Heart Fund, a scholarship program for the young students of the Philippine Science High School as our way of giving back to our alma mater,” said Bryan Good of the organizing commit tee and owner of Good Cargo Solutions forwarding company.

Premium foods, drinks and raffle prizes kept the golfers glued in their seats the rest of the night while entertained by a live band singing 60s hits during the awarding ceremony held at the Omerta Bistro and Lounge at the seventh Floor of Bormaheco Building along JP Laurel Ave.

“This tournament is not only about golf and fellowship but we would also ensure that the golf ers will enjoy the premium food, live band entertainment and the unique ambience of the place,”

Canusa

Randy Arevalo by two strokes while another youngster Jing Tan got the net title with his 67 spiked by 5 birdies.

Engr

concluded.

North Cotabato’s Jun Saban and upstart Mario Bulacan took the overall honors in the Bon ifacio Golf tournament held to commemo rate Bonifacio Day on November 30, 2022 at the Apo Golf and Country Club.

Winners with their trophies pose in the 1st Omerta Golf Cup.

Palos Verdes resident golf instructor Rekrek Mesi showed his mastery of his home course Rancho Palos Verdes Golf and Country Club by besting the field of 100 golfers in the recent