Edge Davao Vol. 15 Issue 212 | Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022

Medical healthworkers administer vaccine against Covid-19 at People’s Park in Davao City in this undated photo. The city government of Davao is recognized by the Department of Health (DOH) Davao Region for achieving 100 percent vaccination rate of its 70 percent target population during the DOH Harmonized Health Awards 2022 for the Davao Region. Lean Daval Jr.

FULLY VAXXED

Davao City achieves full vaccination of 70% population

By MAYA M. PADILLO

The city government of Davao is recognized by the Department of Health (DOH) Davao Region for covered 100 percent fully vaccinated individuals of their 70 percent population.

The city received a cash prize of P150,000 during the DOH Harmonized Health Awards 2022 for the Davao Region at the Grand Regal Hotel on Thursday,

December 15, 2022.

Vice Mayor Jay Melchor Quitain Jr. attributed the recognition to the cooperation of the Dabawenyos.

“From the moment

vaccines were made available the city government wasted no time to conduct vaccination programs all over the city, infact the vice mayor’s office then headed by Mayor Sebastian Duterte spearheaded the implementation of vaccination roll outs by bringing the vaccines to the barangays, directly to the people and so the outcome was very

successful and this is also because of everybody’s cooperation and the joint efforts of both the public and private sector that we have attained herd immunity,” he told Edge Davao.

Acting City Health Officer Dr. Ashley Lopez reportedly said that under the Covid-19 response, the city’s vaccination has FFULLY, P10

52% of Pinoys say Christmas ‘22 ‘same’ as last year: Pulse Asia

About half of adult Filipinos say they will be celebrating Christmas this year the same way they did in 2021, a Pulse Asia survey showed Monday.

Fifty-two percent of adults expected Christmas would be the “same as last year” for their family, Pulse

Asia said in its “Ulat ng Bayan” survey.

Of this number, 42 percent said their Christmas would be as prosperous as last year, while the other 10 percent said their previous celebration was not prosperous.

Another 43 percent of Filipinos, meanwhile, said

that their family’s Christmas celebration would be “more prosperous than last year.”

“Most Visayans (66%) will have a more prosperous holiday celebration this year while a small majority of Metro Manilans (58%) say their celebration this year will be just as prosper-

ous as what they had last year,” Pulse Asia said.

The remaining 6 percent of respondents said that their Christmas celebrations would be poorer than last year.

HOPE ‘UNIVERSAL’ AMONG FILIPINOS IN 2023

No security threats seen with death of Joma: AFP

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) does not see any threat levels rising with the recent passing of Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chair Jose Maria “Joma” Sison in the Netherlands.

“Ngayon po wala naman kaming nakikitang problema or pangamba dahil sa pagkamatay ni ‘Joma’, in fact tuloy-tuloy po yung pagbaba ng bilang ng kanilang mga kasapi at saka mga supporters. So patuloy din po na bumabalik loob yung kanilang mga armadong, yung mga combatants nila at saka yung mgasupporters nila, yung mga mass bases and even some members of the underground mass organizations (We do not see any problems or threats coming from ‘Joma’s death, in fact the number of their members are on the downswing along with their supporters. This includes their armed components, their combatants, their mass bases and even members of the underground mass organizations),” AFP spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar said in a radio interview Sunday.

This came as the CPP declared a 10-day mourning period following Sison’s death and ordered its forces to stage “tactical offensives” against government troops.

He also added that the death of the CPP chair would possibly help or give the country a chance to gain peace.

“With the death of ‘Joma’,

now palagay ko baka mas makatulong pa ito para magkaroon tayo ng kapayapaan sa ating bansa. Of course we don’t want to celebrate the death of a person because we respect the dead and we also pray na sana yung mga tao na dating hawak nya ay magkaroon na rin ngenlightenment para pumili ng tamang landas kung paano tayo magkakaroon ng mga pagbabago sa sosyedad without resorting to armed struggle (With ‘Joma’s’ death, I think this would help us to have peace in the country. Of course we don’t want to celebrate the death of a person because we respect the dead and we also pray that people formerly under him will find enlightenment to pick up a better path to have societal change without resorting to armed struggle),” Aguilar said.

PNP not keen on holiday truce with Reds

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said it is not keen on recommending a suspension of police operations against the communist insurgents amid the death of Sison and the forthcoming CPP anniversary.

In a statement Monday, PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said continuous law enforcement and public safety operations would proceed while they are maintaining an active defense posture against terrorist actions and criminal activities for the holiday

Residents who survive the deadly landslide in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte last October attend Misa de Gallo at a makeshift chapel in the town’s Sitio Tinabon, Barangay Kusiong on Sunday, 18 December 2022. MindaNews photo by FERDINANDH B. CABRERA

LTO-Davao implements Oplan Biyaheng Ayos, intensifies roadside apprehensions

By MAYA M. PADILLO

DILG to LGUs: Help boost SIM card registration info drive

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) called on local government units (LGUs) to help the national government in its information campaign on the implementation of Republic Act 11934 or the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Registration Act, which takes effect on Dec. 27.

RA 11934, the first law signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., aims to regulate the registration and use of SIMs by mandating all end-users to register their SIMs with their respective telecommunications networks before their activation.

In a statement on Monday, DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. said an intensive information drive must be carried out at the grassroots level and LGUs should step up in educating the public on the requirements and importance of the law.

“As we seek to ensure public safety even in the online space, I encourage LGUs to exert all efforts to promote responsible use of SIM cards, educate their stakeholders on the bene-

fits of mandatory SIM card registration and guide them through the whole registration process,” Abalos said.

He said the SIM Registration Act will aid the Philippine National Police and other law enforcement authorities in curbing rising electronic communication-aided criminal activities in the Philippines such as mobile phishing, spam text messages, online scams, bank frauds and identity theft,” Abalos said.

Abalos said the implementation of the law will not only prompt accountability from all sides -- the mobile users, the telcos, the government and authorities -- but will also help the PNP to quickly locate offenders of crimes committed in anonymity through the use of electronic devices.

Section 4 of the law’s implementing rules and regulations (IRR) released by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) provides that DILG, along with other government agencies such as DICT, NTC, DepEd, and telecom companies, shall “facilitate all SIM

To ensure road safety among passengers and drivers, the Land Transportation Office-Davao (LTO-Davao) is implementing this Christmas season its “Oplan Biyaheng Ayos” to address the anticipated traffic buildup.

Thomas Edward Roales, head of the Regional Law Enforcement Unit of LTO-Davao, said this operation is being implemented as an influx of passengers coming into Davao City is expected this Christmas season.

He also said teams from

LTO-Davao are also deployed to conduct monitoring in various terminals in the city.

“Duol na ang pasko tapos ug kaning mga special holidays nato kusog ang sulod sa mga pasahero. Karong adlawa naa mi mga teams na nagmonitor mga

terminals ug ginatan-aw ang road worthiness sa mga sakyanan ug mga papeles like franchise, registration, driver’s license,” he said over Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) on Monday.

Roales also said LTODavao is intensifying roadside apprehensions for traffic rules violators, particularly in Ma-a and Magtuod areas.

He said complaints have been received by LTODavao from social media and the city government of Davao of rampant traffic

violations being committed by motorists, which are adding up to the heavy congestion in the said areas.

“Naa pud ta’y road side apprehensions, although, medyo hinay ta karon kay pasko man pero naa tay complaints na na-receive so giapil na lang nato sa Oplan Biyaheng Ayos Christmas 2022 kaning mga traffic complaints gikan sa social media and the city government of Davao diha sa Maa ug Magtuod ug sa Ma-a bypass sa mga naga counter-

VAWC cases in Davao Region decreasing

An official of the regional office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD 11) reported that cases of Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) in the Davao Region are on the decline.

Jovelyn Trajano, lead secretariat of DSWD-Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), reported that as of December 15, 2022, around 444 cases of VAWC were recorded, which is lower compared

to the 658 cases recorded in 2019.

“Isa sa mga factors kay ang paghatag ug awareness sa mga tao nga in time of crisis na gina-abuso na ang mga babae ato gipahibalo nga naa ang mga pulis, DSWD, ug LGUs nga mag provide ug immediate assistance sa ilaha. With that we strengthen the advocacy sa VAWC kay nakita nato nga effective gyud because nag lessen ang number of cases,” Trajano said during Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM

City Davao on Monday.

She said cases include physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychological abuse, and economic abuse.

She also said that from the data the most number of cases are physical abuse followed by economic abuse.

VAWC also known as RA 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004 aims to address the prevalence of violence against women and children by

their partners like husband or ex-husband, live-in partner or ex-live-in partner; boyfriend/girlfriend or ex-boyfriend/ex-girlfriend with whom the person has or had a sexual/dating relationship.

On November 25, 2022, the 18-Day campaign to end VAW was observed aiming to promote awareness of the forms of violence women and girls experience, provide information on the laws pro-

National Housing Authority (NHA) District 2 Office manager Engr. Sonia J. Bulseco gives updates on the existing and upcoming housing projects of the agency and the planned creation of relocation homes and housing projects for the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) during this week’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao.

NEDA supports BOC-Port of Davao’s logistics and investment hub project

The National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) - Economic Development Committee (EDC) XI approved the recommendation of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) - Port of Davao action plan to create a Technical Working Group (TWG) for its logistics and investment hub project.

District Collector Erastus Sandino Austria presented the project during the NEDA-EDC 11 4th Quarter 2022 Regular Meeting on December 9.

The BOC-Port of Davao aims to get support and

technical assistance from different concerned agencies in realizing the plan.

The Port also intends to strengthen the business environment of the Davao Region and improve its economic performance.

In his presentation, Austria highlighted BOC Davao’s jurisdiction at its airport and seaport facilities.

He also discussed the Port’s outstanding performance following the Seven-point Priority Agenda of Customs Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz, specifically in digitalizing customs services.

The project also underscores President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s 8-point economic agenda in creating more jobs through investment pursuits in the

Region.

The EDC reviewed the Draft Regional Development Plan (RDP) 20232028 to improve its strategy framework towards revitalizing different industries and lessening the region’s poverty rate.

At the end of the session, the EDC recommended the BOC Davao be a part of their work.

The BOC Davao also plans to adopt the same project in Region XII and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) ports.

PH somewhat ‘insulated’ from global recession risks: Manulife

The Philippines is somewhat insulated from the prospect of global recession in 2023 due to its domestically-driven economy, Manulife Investment Management Head of Macro Strategy Sue Trinh said on Monday.

In a virtual briefing, Trinh said the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth is expected to grow by around 5 to 6

percent in 2023.

“Given the global recession or the fact that many advanced economies will be on recession, the problem for many emerging markets such as the Philippines is the declining foreign demand for export. Thankfully, for the Philippines, private consumption still accounts for around 70 percent of its GDP, it’s relatively insulated from that dynamic specifically,” Trinh

said.

“It’s a much more domestically-oriented economy less exposed to the whimsy of external volatility so 71 percent of GDP is private consumption so that’s a pretty good starting point and we should expect the economy to continue benefiting from a more fulsome reopening and credit growth cycle there,” she added.

But compared to 2022,

the 2023 GDP growth is likely to be “softer” due to domestic risks including the lagging effect of the aggressive Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas rate hikes this year, among others, she said.

Interest rate, used by banks to price loans, was raised to 5.5 percent to tame rising inflation. Inflation in November reached 8 percent, the highest since

Globe welcomes release of IRR for SIM registration act

Globe Telecom welcomed the release of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the SIM Registration Act for standard enforcement of the law.

The IRR, crafted by the National Telecommunications Commission in consultation with the telco industry, has also gone through public hearing. It is expected to lay down the SIM registration procedure and guidelines that all public telecommunications entities (PTEs) must follow in creating their respective registration platforms. The IRR is expected to take effect on December 27, 2022.

In compliance with the law, Globe will launch its online SIM registration platform and start selling new SIMs in deactivated mode. All new SIMs must be registered immediately to enjoy Globe services, while existing SIMs should be registered within 180 days or six months from the effectivity of the law.

There are an estimated 87.9 million SIM users under the Globe network.

“Globe is proud to be

part of the technical working group that crafted the IRR, which we hope will pave the way for an orderly and timely SIM registration for all SIM users. We will continue our close collaboration with the government to ensure full implementation of the SIM Registration Act to achieve our shared goal of stopping cybercrime, including SIM-aided fraud,” said Globe Group President and CEO Ernest Cu.

“Our goal is to have a SIM registration process that is seamless, secure, inclusive and convenient for our customers,” he said. Cu also mentioned that Globe has existing customers who are currently not using smartphones and may not be digital savvy. Globe shall put in place a special assistance process for these customers so they can go through the registration as well.

The passage of the SIM Registration Act is a significant step forward in fighting fraudsters who have been taking advantage of SIM use anonymity in their illicit activities.

This measure comple-

Oil firms announce that prices of gasoline, kerosene and diesel will increase starting today. Gasoline is expected to by P0.70 per liter, kerosene by P1.65 per liter and diesel P2.90 per liter. Lean Daval Jr.

PH economy seen to exceed growth target in 2022: NEDA

SoCot farmers ready to be agripreneurs

Twenty-six farmers from South Cotabato are expected to become agricultural entrepreneurs as they graduated from the Department of Agrarian Reform’s (DAR) Farm Business School (FBS).

The FBS program, a hands-on educational system to help farmers learn and improve their knowledge and skills on entrepreneurship and farm business management, is in line with the stand of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella III to improve the livelihood of the farmers.

FBS graduate Lenny Belle Gumboc, in her salutatory speech, said the FBS changed her perspective in farming, as she committed to apply all her learnings from schooling.

Gerona Famular, another graduate, said the FBS has helped her in terms of tracking records to improve her farming and business operations.

“We are all committed to apply all we have learned be-

cause we believe that it would help our farms become more profitable,” she said in a news release on Sunday.

The FBS graduates from Barangay Rizal 3, Banga town showcased their different vegetable, fruits, and poultry products such as upo, melon, sayote, sitao, pipino, watermelon and chicken eggs during the graduation ceremony, to express their heartfelt gratitude for the project.

The FBS was conducted in partnership with the Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Training Institute, Banga municipality, South Cotabato provincial government and the Office of the House of Representative – 2nd Congressional District.

Pinky Ponte, OIC- Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer I, congratulated the graduates for completing the course and encouraged the farmers to be more enthusiastic in their farming as she assured them of the continuous government’s support.

(PNA)

Balisacan said the country has continued to record growth for six straight quarters, with the year-todate average already exceeding the target range of 6.5% to 7.5%.

The economy grew by 7.6% in the third quarter, bringing the year-to-date average growth to 7.7%.

“I think given the indications that we are seeing in the fourth quarter, it’s likely that we are going to exceed,” he told reporters in a briefing in Pasig City.

Among the possible

sources of growth Balisacan cited are more investments into the country, construction activities, utilities, and mining, on top of consumption which continues to drive the economy.

Moving forward, economic managers expect growth to pick up and range between 6.5% to 8.0% from 2024 to 2028, on the back of strategies and interventions outlined in the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028.

“These include modernizing agriculture and

agri-business, revitalizing the industry sector, and reinvigorating the services sector, among others,” Pangandaman said.

In the same press conference, Pangandaman said the DBCC expects inflation to average 5.8% this year, higher than the previous assumption of 4.5% to 5.5%, citing higher prices of food and transport costs.

Inflation clocked in at a 14-year high of 7.7% in October, with analysts expecting an even faster print in November. Official figures are set to be released on Tuesday, December 6.

Inflation is then expected to slow down to 2.5% to 4.5% in 2023, and fall to the government’s target range of 2.0% to 4.0% from 2024

to 2028.

In terms of the peso-dollar exchange rate, economic managers expect this to average between P54 to P55:$1 this year, despite hitting all-time lows earlier in the year.

The local currency closed last week at P55.74:$1, after hitting the record low of P59:$1 in October.

The body also downgraded its exports growth projection to 4.0% this year, while upgrading the import growth outlook to 20.0%.

In terms of revenues, the DBCC expects P3.515 trillion this year, following the better-than-expected performance in the first 10

ECCP backs passage of open access in data transmission act

The Open Access in Data Transmission Act can boost the country’s gross domestic product growth by 1.5 percent due to improved mobile and internet connection, Philippines president Large Wittig said on

Monday.

The House of Representatives on Dec. 12 approved House Bill No. 6 or the proposed “Open Access in Data Transmission Act”.

“We are very optimistic that it will be passed this time and we expect that

it will have a very positive impact on your country and obviously the coverage in terms of the internet,” Wittig said. The bill is seen to improve internet services by requiring interconnection among players to eliminate

dominance,

Philippine economic growth is likely to exceed the government target range this year given the performance so far, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said Monday.

said Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco, who chairs the House Committee on Information and Communication Technology. The measure will be sent to the Senate for reconsideration.

Social Security Service -Davao (SSS - Davao) accounts officer Greta Fe Quayle bares during this week’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao that the agency is anticipating a 1 percent increase in the members’ contribution starting January 2023. Quayle also discussed the agency’s condonation programs. Lean Daval Jr.

On Davao City being recognized by the Department of Health (DOH) Davao Region for covering 100 percent fully vaccinated individuals of its 70 percent population:

“From the moment vaccines were made available the city government wasted no time to conduct vaccination programs all over the city, infact the vice mayor’s office then headed by Mayor Sebastian Duterte spearheaded the implementation of vaccination roll outs by bringing the vaccines to the barangays, directly to the people and so the outcome was very successful and this is also because of everybody’s cooperation and the joint efforts of both the public and private sector that we have attained herd immunity.”

OLIVIA D. VELASCO President

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance

JASPER V. BACSAL General Manager / VP Operations

JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales

PHILIPPINE

GREGORIO GARAY DELIGERO Editorial Consultant

MAYA M. PADILLO Senior Reporter

MOSES BILLACURA Sports Editor

Vice Mayor JAY MELCHOR QUITAIN JR.

San Pedro, the oldest street in Davao, is not just about religion, as its name suggests, but a microcosm of a city replete in anthropologic heritage. Though altered by the unassailable winds of change, from social to economic transformations, it remains the center of study in the cultural growth of a region that now stands as Mindanao’s investment and population hub.

Davao, the last region to fall under Spanish colonial rule and the center of Catholicism since 1622, has been an eyewitness to tenths of life-changing events that helped shape the city’s landscape. Though it has never attained the status as Davao’s banking capital, it was, for decades, the business nucleus in the colonial periods as the streets of Cortez (now Boni-facio) and Magallanes, for so long, were solely dedicated as

residential centers.

Under American occupation and Japanese migration, San Pedro became a corporate ad-dress and the town’s central business district. Many institutions and enterprises, for easy ref-erence, recall, and prestige, attached the street’s name as a matter of posterity. More know-ingly, the historical status of the thoroughfare has recreated itself as a cosmopolitan pivot while hosting an inter-nation flavor of amalgamated enterprises.

San Pedro, local history tells us, has been home to Syrian-Lebanese, Indian, Japanese, American, Spanish, Chinese, Canadian, and Vietnamese gigs ranging from epicurean crea-tions to mundane amenities. In the last one-anda-half century, it hosted schools, medical fa-cilities, cinemas, wine and cellars, hotels, diners, night-

clubs, import stores, banks, ice cream parlors, bakeries, food chains, pawnshops, and shoe houses. It was a mini-Escolta and a slice of Avenida Rizal in Manila.

Interestingly, the iconic road, despite the kaleidoscope of establishments it has hosted, is only a third of a kilometer in length, excluding the short extensions on both ends of the thor-oughfare.

Outside the usual business activities, San Pedro is also home to enduring icons of Davao’s colorful history, namely the Metropolitan Cathedral of San Pedro, the City Hall, the Sanggu-niang Panlungsod, police headquarters, and parks (Osmeña, Rizal, and Quezon). In the six-ties, a zoo beside the local legislature was managed by the city until it was moved to Toril ar-ea.

Early on, San Pedro Street, as it was just developing into a busi-

A

ness confluence, was also home to the society’s elite, like the Palma Gil, Bangoy, and Garcia families.

Historically, under Spanish direction, San Pedro was surrounded by roads named after well-known Spaniards, namely: Fernando de Magallanes (explorer and rediscoverer of the Philippines), Miguel Lopez de Legazpi (governor-general of the Spanish East Indies, 1656-72), Francisco Pizarro y Gonzalez (conqueror of Peru), Federico Escario (brigadier general in the Spanish-American War in Cuba), Narciso Claveria y Zaldua (governor-general of the Philip-pines, 1844-49), Simon de Anda y Salazar (governor-general during the 1762 British invasion of Manila) and Hernán Cortés de Monroy y Pizarro Altamirano (conqueror of Mexico), and Don Jose Oyanguren y Cruz (former

Tondo judge and conqueror of Davao).

The street is also a witness to big events in the past, two of them were the 1909 mutiny of twenty-three Philippine Constabulary soldiers from the Mandaya tribe and the 1964 confla-gration, the largest in the city’s history. In the first incident, the convent of the Religious of the Virgin Mary (RVM) nuns inside the cathedral premises was attacked by the deserters but failed to take it. In the second episode, the church, accounts say, was amazingly spared from a burning timber.

On a yearly basis since the launching of the Kadayawan festival (erstwhile known as the Apo Duwaling), the street has since hosted intense street dancing competitions, massive pa-rades (i.e., Araw ng Dabaw), and religious and interment processions.

OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES IN PHILIPPINE-CHINA RELATIONS

Last Dec. 12, 2022, 17 scholars from the Philippines and China gathered at the Ateneo de Manila, Leong Hall to discuss “Philippine-China Relations: Opportunities and Challenges” the relationship offers to the two Asian nations. This is a brief on what transpired.

I attended in behalf of the think tank Asian Century Philippines Strategic Studies Institute (ACPSSI) to listen and observe, and ask questions, to all of the speakers, particularly the Chinese scholars Dr. Dai Fan, Dr. Yan Yan and Dr. Li Yuanxin.

The Chinese scholars who are worthy of special mention here as they are rare scholar-visitors from China and come respectively from Jinan University and its Center for Philippine Studies, the National Institute for South China Sea Studies and Nanjing University of Science and Technology.

At this point I have to clarify something, Dai could not make it to the country and the symposium due to two very unexpected events, first a mix-up of his name with Interpol records of some fugitive followed by a bout of mild Covid while still in China. I kept in touch with Dr. Dai via WeChat.

Other speakers who were all very informative and profound were lawyer Engelbert C. Caronan Jr. of the Development Academy of the Philippines speaking of healing and cooperation through the heritage paradigm, followed by Ms. Ana GM B Abejuela of the Philippine Embassy in Beijing discussing the any fruits of the bilateral relations.

Dr. Marvin M. Cinense of the 22-years old Phil-Sino Center for Agri-Technology (PhilSCAT) on the hybrid rice project of the two countries, Dr. Gezzez Glezi of UST on the Tourism Interconnection between the Philippines and China and ex-

pressing the aim of 1.8 million Chinese tourists for the year to come.

Dr. Aaron Jed Rabena of the APPPPFI on China-RP relations in the Duterte administration and its implications I thought was splendid, and Dr. Robin Michael U. Garcia of the UAP on the Evolution of Philippine Foreign Policy from Duterte to Marcos which was a mediocrity full of prattle against China.

The second panel was Dr. Diana J. Mendoza of the Ateneo on Phil-China relations on the BIMP-EAGA, Mr. Joshua C. Agpaoa of Jinan University on Philippine Independent Foreign Policy: roles and prospects on China-US Relations, and Mr. Lucio B. Pitlo III of the APPPFI on Big Powers Competition and Phil-China relations.

Panel III had Ms. Jane T. Yugioksing on New Chinese Migrants in the Philippines, Dr. Li Yuanzin on China’s image in Philippines media, Dr. Rommel Banlaoi on Sinophobia in the Philippines current state of the relations, Dr. Jan Robert R. Go of the U.P. on the Pandemic and Beyond: Lessons for Community Experiences from Quezon and Wuhan.

The final four were no less interesting but which I had to miss, Dr. Francisco V. Navarro of the Ateneo on Traditional Chinese Medicine and the Pandemic, and Dr. Arnusharief Hassiman of the House of Zhejiu on TCM: A Nurturing Pill of Sino-Fil Friendship. I had to miss the last four due to pressing matters across the city.

This article is not long enough to cover each and every presentation in detail so we will select the most informative and striking ones that open new insights into Philippine-China relations through the past to the present.

Particularly informative was Abejuela’s report from Beijing

through Zoom enumerating and summarizing the many projects and trade prospects the Philippines is enjoying with China. PhilSCAT is really interesting as it has been around for over two decades and immensely benefits our rice agriculture wit hybrid varieties developed with Chinese technology.

Rabena gave a very detailed report on China’s concretely delivery on its commitments of funds and infrastructure projects citing the Davao-Samal Bridge, the Chico River irrigation dam, the Metro-Manila bridges over Pasig River and more in the pipeline. Agpaoa and Pitlo gave thorough and balanced coverage of Philippine foreign policy issues amidst the US-China face-off.

I want to put focus on the two power point presentations of the two present Chinese scholars, the first by Yan which identified and enumerated the many bilateral projects between the Philippines and China towards building understanding and cooperation.

Yan’s presentation is entitled “DOC 20 years and UNCLOS 40 years: A Review of China-Philippines Relations, Opportunities and Challenges. She goes through the decades of initiative that have stepby-step achieved the present state of effective dialogue and communication that have maintained productive harmony between the two nations despite SCS disputes. Yan explained that China’s initiative on this score is pursuant to UNCLOS Article 123 mandating coordination of various activities among claimant states in exploration, protection of marine environment, scientific research, while the Declaration of Conduct calls for cooperation on safety of navigation and communication, search and rescue combatting crime cooperatively.

Yan provided a timeline of the

Code of Conduct evolution from 1992 to 2018, and from 2020 to the present going through nearly a dozen regional and bilateral meetings to achieve understanding and agreements. Maritime cooperation activities followed ranging from opening of maritime hotlines to a China-ASEAN Joint Naval Drill and China-ASEAN Search and Rescue Drill.

China-Philippines Maritime Cooperation, annual Bilateral Consultative Meetings from the first in 2017 to the seventh in July 2022 where President R. Marcos Jr. met with Chinese Foreign Minster Wang Yi. China-Philippines Coast Guard Maritime Cooperation Joint Committee meetings from 2016 to the present were presented.

It is well nigh impossible to imagine the density of cooperation and dialogue activities between China and the Philippines, as well as China and ASEAN without the help of the paper as put together by Yan to catalogue the flurry of activities every year over the decades to achieve the peace and stability that we all see in the SCS.

The second is the study by Dr. Li Yuanxin of Nanjing University of “China’s Image In Philippine Media: A Comparative Perspective” with her 12 slide power point presentation that traces the rich potential of Philippine-China relations, Philippine Media coverage of China under the present administration and a comparison of China and the USA in Philippine News.

Li found that Philippines-China relations have been dominated by territorial disputes while the relations have actually the potential to be “one of the strongest partnerships” in trade, agriculture, infrastructure, energy, education and people-to-people exchanges. Most of the news reviewed came from

the Inquirer, Philstar and the Manila Times.

Comparing US and China news coverage Li gathered a total of 17,494 news items from June 30 to Nov. 11, 2022 and reports around a 10 percent numerical advantage for the US but also 23 percent and 20 percent overlaps between US and China-related coverage. China-related coverage and US-related overlaps increased in August during the Pelosi Taiwan visit.

Li concluded the three newspapers chosen forum the study “put almost the same attention to the China issue:, China-related coverage is narrower and “scant attention to China’s role in international politics” and that “Philippine media might dedicate more coverage to the US actions in China-related Asian issues.”

Last but not least, the organizer of the event who could not make it to Manila, Dai of Jinan University’s Center for Philippine Studies whom I communicated with via WeChat after the symposium, I asked for his message:

“I just (to) give a closing remarks, I hope scholars can make a great role in promoting mutual understanding between China and the Philippines. I also hope more Filipino can come to China to travel or study through which to improve their knowledge about China, as a rising country, CHINA really can help the Philippines in many fields.”

The symposium organized by the Ateneo Chinese Studies program with the Jinan University’s Center for Philippine Studies was indeed, as its flyer said, “a space for dialogue and exchange between scholars, practitioners, and experts in diverse but interrelated fields” on China-Philippine relations. We should have more of it ventilated by mainstream media.

EDGE, ZION GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY

The holiday season is indeed a time to look back and to give back. It’s about sharing what you have to those who have less.

To celebrate Christmas tradition of giving, the management and staff of Edge Davao/Zion Publishing led by president Olivia Ve-

lasco, in partnership with Jollibee, held a gift-giving and feeding activities at the Missionaries of Charity, home for sick and malnourished children, in Juna Subdivision, Matina, Davao City

on Friday.

These are yearly activities of the company for the less privileged children housed at the said facility.

“The true meaning of Christmas is to give love and to share, particularly less privileged children. As a mom, not only to my children but to the employees of Edge Davao and Zion Publishing, I always instill in them the essence of giving even if it’s not Christmas,” Velasco said.

The group donated diapers, soaps, toiletries, and food from Jollibee for the 16 children and caregivers of the facility.

HARLEY-DAVIDSON TO KICK OFF 120TH YEAR

On January 18, 2023, Harley-Davidson will reveal both its 2023 motorcycle line-up and details of the first annual Harley-Davidson® Homecoming™, a celebration 120 years in the making. All the news will stream live at 10 a.m. CST at Harley-Davidson.com.

“2023 marks the 120th Anniversary of Harley-Davidson during which we’ll honor our rich heritage, celebrate with our fans and riding community, and reveal our newest motorcycles and product offerings,” said Jochen Zeitz, Chairman, President and CEO of Harley-Davidson.

“Please join us as we kick off our 120th Anniversary with exciting new model introductions and a peek at what we have in store for the landmark year ahead.”

The first wave of new 2023 Harley-Davidson motorcycles, Genuine Harley-Davidson Accessories and Harley-Davidson MotorClothes gear and apparel will be revealed on January 18 and will be available at authorized Harley-Davidson dealerships afterwards.

The 2023 Harley-Davidson® Homecoming™ event will fill four days with music, food, and

moto-culture at multiple venues throughout the Milwaukee area on July 13-16, 2023.

Details on entertainment, scheduled events, venues, ticket packages, and lodging will appear at H-D.com on Jan. 18, where visitors can also sign up for ongoing Homecoming updates. Everyone is welcome and invited from riders, co-riders, to fans, and families.

literacy

works tops

Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA) this month of December for their education and literacy programs.

at

Manila, Philippines –Conrado & Ladislawa Alcantara Foundation, Inc (CLAFI), ends 2022 with flying colors as they were

Awards (NLA) 2022 and by the Philippine National Volunteer

CLAFI

CLAFI is the corporate social responsibility arm of the Alcantara Group, which aims to build progress across

Mindanao communities in Sarangani Province, General Santos City, Iligan City, Davao City, and Zamboanga City.

CLAFI’s Bukas Kaalaman Program: Pagbasa at Pag-unawa Para sa Kaalaman at Kinabukasan won second in NLA’s Outstanding Literacy Program along with four other Non-Government Organizations (NGO) in the country selected from 11 regional NGO entries.

The program encapsulates CLAFI’s education projects that give importance to reading as a child’s foundational literacy skill.

CLAFI President, Cecile A. Dominguez-Yujuico said the literacy projects of CLAFI respond to the literacy needs of culturally diverse communities through innovative and culture-appropriate interventions.

“One of the pressing issues that CLAFI identified is the lack of mother tongue learning materials, particularly for Blaan communities in Sarangani Province,”

Dominguez-Yujuico shared. “Through the PhilAM Fund and partnership with the Department of Education, we developed the Flalok Project and co-designed mother tongue learning materials, based on Blaan folklore. These materials were complemented by mother tongue textbooks for learners and teaching guides for teachers.”

The Flalok Project revives the Blaan Art of Storytelling, and has been implemented in schools across South Central Mindanao such as Sarangani, South Cotabato, General Santos City, Koronadal City, and Sultan Kudarat. The learning method follows the Mother

Tongue Based Multilingual Education (MTBME) paradigm of the Department of Education.

CLAFI also implements its Summer Big Brother program (SBB), their banner literacy project that provides summer remedial reading sessions for learners in need of reading comprehension skills. This started as a collaborative project of CLAFI and the Provincial Government of Sarangani in 2007, and has also been adopted by communities in Compostela Valley, Iligan, Zamboanga, and Davao.

CLAFI Executive Director, Mr. Richlie Lyndon L. Magtulis, narrated how their literacy

projects resulted in improved literacy rates of schoolchildren.

“Our SBB helped improve the reading capacity of almost 10,000 children who cannot read,” Magtulis said. “The Flalok Project, on the other hand, reinforced literacy to more than 15,000 Blaan learners with test scores of 88% in post-test from 58%.”

Volunteerism and community engagement

CLAFI was also recognized for its education initiatives by the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA) during the National Vol-

CLAFI received second place for the Outstanding Literacy Program of the National Literacy Awards (NLA) 2022. (L-R) Education Program Supervisor Leonard Mission of Department of Education Region XII, Director Leila Arriola of Bureau of Learning Delivery, Department of Education Undersecretary Gina Gonong for Curriculum and Instruction, April Mae Domingo from CLAFI, Chief Education Supervisor Gilbert Barrera of Department of Education Region XII, Department of Education Assistant Secretary Ruby Alma Torio

received the Outstanding Volunteer Award Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA) during the National Volunteers Month last December 2022. (L-R) Undersecretary Carlos Abad Santos of the National Economic Development Agency (NEDA), Mayor Joy Belmonte of Quezon City, Edward Ryan Gulam, Department of Education - Sarangani LRMS Alternate and Assistant Principal, Vivien Christi Trocio and April Mae Domingo from CLAFI, Country Director Jenner Edelman of US Peace Corps, and Executive Director Donald Gawe of PNVSCA

recognized

the National Literacy

Filipino boxer Vincent Astrolabio. Esther Lin/SHOWTIME

Gritty GenSan pug demolishes Russian to close in on title shot

General

Santos City native Vincent Astrolabio moved closer to a world title opportunity after an impressive knockout of Russia’s Nikolai Potapov at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas this weekend.

Astrolabio secured a dominant sixth-round knockout of the Russian in a match that served as the title eliminator for the IBF bantamweight championship.

Potapov came into the Showtime-televised bout as the third-ranked contender, but was out-classed by the Filipino who registered three knockdowns in the match.

The fight was called to an end when Astrolabio landed a right hand that sent Potapov to the mat. The Russian was counted out 1:26 into the sixth round.

His victory makes Astrolabio the top contender to the IBF bantamweight title that is held by Japanese superstar Naoya Inoue, the undisputed champion of

Archers Fernandez, Magbojos on target, rakes five gold each

The nine-year-old

Letran could not be denied its destiny.

In spite of team captain Fran Yu’s suspension following a DQ (disqualifying foul) in Game 2 of the best of 3 Finals Series, the defending champions proved their superiority with an emphatic 81-67 victory over College of St. Benilde Sunday in Game 3 to claim its third consecutive men’s basketball championship in the NCAA Season 98 in Antipolo City.

The Muralla-based platoon erected a 23 point bubble, 51-28, late in the second quarter, which I thought was already irreversible even if there were still two quarters left in the do-or-die match.

Coach Bonnie Tan thus duplicated what Letran did in the

80s when now-US based mentor Larry Albano piloted the Knights to its first 3-peat achievement in 1982, 1983 and 1984.

Then, Letran had the famed PBA Skywalker in its line-up, backed by Romy Ang, Jerry Gonzales et al ( if my memory serves me right, including now NCAA Commissioner Tonichi Pujante.)

The first 10 minutes was tight as Letran kept its composure and took the temporary lead at 24-21.

Then, the explosion began in the second quarter, starring Finals MVP King Caralipio, Brent Paraiso, Louie Sangalang, Kurt Reyson and Olivario who pounded the Blazers’ weak defense with a 19-7 tear for a 43-28 advantage.

Letran did not look back after

that massive offensive demonstration.

NCAA MVP Will Gozum was just a shadow of himself, scoring just 4 points on two free throws and a lone field goal during that stretch..

The 18-point deficit that CSB needed to erase as the third commenced was too huge and too many to overcome.

The Blazers were able to trim the Knights’ lead to 12 at 42-54 but the latter returned the fire with equal ferocity to maintain a 16-point margin, 70-54, at the end of the third.

The absence of Yu as the principal orchestrator of Letran’s offense was ably filled by Tommy Olivario who sneaked in assists to

big boy Sangalang, Caralipio and Paraiso.

Even as Sangalang fouled out with still 3:21 left in the game, the Knights maintained a comfortable 11-point spread, 77-66.

Just as when the Blazers needed to cut down the deficit to a single digit, they could not penetrate Letran’s tough defense and subsequently committed a shot clock violation in the ensuing play.

The unwanted turnover was then compounded by a headbutting disqualifying foul called against Gozum, 2:19 in the game clock.

That just about wrote ‘finis’ to CSB’s spartan attempt for a late comeback.

After technical fouls were called on both sides, the Knights locked up the win by methodically dribbling away the remaining seconds and the crowd went wild.

FINAL COUNT: 81-67.

THE SCORES:

LETRAN 81 - Caralipion 20, Paraiso 16, Monje 11, Reyson 8, Sangalang 8, Santos 7, Olivario 4, Go 4, Guarino 2, Javillonar 1, Tolentino , Bojorclo 0.

CSB 67 - Corteza 14, Pasturan 10, Gozum 10, Oczon9, Sangco6, Nayve 6, Flores 5, Marco 3, Cullar 2, Carlos 2, Davis 0.

Quarters: 24-21; 51-33;7054; 81-67.

Cheers! (Email feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

ILOCOS SUR—Eagle-eyed archers Jathniel Caleb Fernandez of Baguio City and Adrianna Jessie Magbojos of Sta. Rosa City shot their way to a five-gold

medal effort to emerge the best performers thus far in the Philippine Sports Commission’s Batang Pinoy at the San Ildefonso Central School here.

Baguio Pines Family Learning Center third-grader was unstoppable in all fronts as he ruled the 10 meters

TOP OF THE WORLD

Messi and Argentina beat France on penalties to win World Cup

Gonzalo Montiel rolled in the deciding penalty to give Argentina their third World Cup and prevent France becoming the first team in 60 years to retain the trophy.

But a truly remarkable game saw Messi and Mbappe both live up to their billing, with Messi scoring twice and Mbappe becoming the first player since England’s Geoff Hurst in 1966 to net a World Cup final hat-trick in a game that ended 3-3 after extra time.

Messi had opened the scoring from the penalty spot midway through the first half before Angel Di Maria doubled Argentina’s lead at the end of a brilliant counter-attack in the 36th minute.

But the astonishing Mbappe breathed life into the holders as he pulled one back from the penalty spot with 10 minutes to go before equalising in stunning fashion just 60 seconds later to force extra time.

Messi then seemed to have decided the contest in Argentina’s favour once and for all when he converted a rebound in the 109th minute, only for Mbappe to net from another spot-kick, bringing the game level at 3-3 and forcing a shoot-out.

The third World Cup final

penalty shoot-out started with Messi and Mbappe both scoring, but Kingsley Coman’s next kick for France was saved and Aurelien Tchouameni then crucially missed the target.

It is the second time in five World Cups that France have lost the final on penalties after they were beaten by Italy in 2006, and it is Argentina who are champions for the first time since 1986.

The win allows Messi, at 35, to complete his glorious career by emulating Diego Maradona, and this will be remembered as his tournament despite the best efforts of Mbappe, who finished as the tournament’s top scorer on eight goals, one more than his Paris Saint-Germain teammate Messi.

Mbappe hat-trick

France’s quest for history had been threatened by a virus in the days leading up to the final and they appeared sluggish before Argentina went ahead.

France conceded a penalty for the fourth time this tournament when Di Maria was clipped by Ousmane Dembele, and Messi stepped up to score from the spot for the fourth time in Qatar, his 12th World Cup goal allowing

him to equal Pele’s tally.

Argentina’s forward #10 Lionel Messi lifts the World Cup trophy during the Qatar 2022 World Cup trophy ceremony after the football final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on December 18, 2022. Argentina won in the penalty shoot-out.

Lionel Messi crowned his glittering career with victory in the World Cup on Sunday as Argentina beat France on penalties in a final for the ages, triumphing 4-2 after Kylian Mbappe’s hat-trick ensured the game ended level following extra time.