Edge Davao Vol. 15 Issue 277 | Friday, March 10, 2023

CARE FOR THE AGED

Rep. Duterte files bill penalizing persons neglecting the elderly

Rodrigo “Rigo” Duterte II exchanges pleasantries with Councilor Luna Acosta during the turnover of multi-purpose building and evacuation center in Barangay 20-B Poblacion, Davao City on Wednesday.

CARE FOR THE AGED

Rep. Duterte files bill penalizing persons neglecting the elderly

By MAYA M. PADILLO

First Congressional District Representative Paolo Duterte filed a bill seeking imprisonment of persons found guilty of exploiting, neglecting, or abusing the elderly.

Duterte, together with Benguet Rep. Eric Yap, and ACT-CIS Partylist Rep. Edvic Yap, filed House Bill 4696, or the proposed Anti-Elder Abuse Act.

“Elderly citizens, like our lolos and lolas, should be honored, cared for, and respected. Unfortunately, many of our senior citizens

still suffer abuse, most of the time, even from the very people who are supposed to care for them, as shown by news reports and reliable posts on social media. Worse, many cases of elder abuse go unreported and unpunished. Our bill aims to prevent these,” Duterte said in a statement.

Davao City awards top taxpayers, partners, orgs, private individuals

The bill seeks to ensure that senior citizens are given protection from all forms of violence, abuse, neglect, exploitation, and coercion, specially acts detrimental to their personal safety and security.

The bill also explained that acts of violence against senior citizens include “physical abuse or infliction of pain or injury with the use of physical force resulting in bodily injury, physical harm, pain or impairment, suffering or

FCARE, P10

10ID Station Hospital admits quake victims in Davao Oro

The Camp General Manuel T Yan Senior Station Hospital (CGMTYSSH) transferred and admitted 11 patients from the Davao De Oro Provincial Hospital - Montevista after a 6.2 magnitude earthquake hit said province on Tuesday afternoon, March 7, 2023.

The patients were forced to evacuate the Davao De Oro Provincial Hospital building at Kilometer 104, Barangay Bankerohan, Mon-

tevista, and temporarily stayed outside after some cracks and damages were seen and observed inside the hospital.

Likewise, three (3) military ambulances transported three (3) adults, eight (8) pediatric patients, and their selected significant others to CGMTYSSH in Barangay Tuboran, Mawab, Davao De Oro.

10th Infantry (Agila) Division Commander MGen Jose Eriel M

Niembra personally checked the status of said patients on March 8. He assured the patients that proper medical attention would be given to them while staying inside the military hospital.

Also present during the transfer of patients were 1001st Infantry Brigade Commander Colonel Felix Ronnie B Babac and Davao De Oro 2nd District Congressman Ruwel Peter Gonzaga.

More than 100 organizations and individuals, including top taxpayers from the private sector that gave valuable contributions to Davao City for the past year were recognized by the City Government of Davao during the Pasidungog: Garbo sa Davao held at Aves Room, Acacia Hotel, March 8, 2023, Wednesday.

Davao City Acting City Administrator Atty. Francis Mark H. Layog, in his speech, said that the Pasidungog is a way of showing the city’s gratitude for all the things that the stakeholders have done for Davao City.

In a speech by City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte read by Layog, he said that the success that Davao City has achieved in the past 86 years is made possible with combined and coordinated efforts of all stakeholders in the city.

“Today we give due recognition to these organizations and individuals who support the programs and initiatives of the local government in the past year that have enabled us to create a better and more livable city for all,” the mayor said in his speech.

The mayor said that this is the fifth year of recognizing outstanding Dabawenyos through the Pasidungog.

He said that for this year, the city commends organizations and individuals who made their mark in business, cooperative and economic development, public safety,

disaster, and crisis response, social services, health, urban infrastructure and housing resettlement, education, animal health welfare and productivity, tourism, and the arts.

The mayor also especially thanked the top business and real property taxpayers.

“We also thank our top businesses and real property taxpayers for your contributions which have been translated into better services for the people,” the mayor said in his speech.

The awardees for the Top 10 Taxpayers are Davao Light and Power Company, Therma South Inc., Huawei Technologies Phils., Inc., PMFTC Inc, Samsung Electronics Phils., Corp., Holcim Philippines, Inc., Mindanao Shopping Destination Corp- SM Davao Department Store, PHILSAGA Mining Corporation, Zuelig Pharma Corporation, and Honda Philippines Inc.

The awardees for the Top 10 Real Property Taxpayers of Davao City are Therma South Inc., Davao Union Cement Corp., Accendo Commercial Corp., Southernpoint Properties Corp., SM Prime Holdings, Inc., DMCI Project Developers Inc., Dynasty Management and Development Corp., Smart Communications Inc., Megaworld Corporation and Filinvest Land Inc. These awardees are given a trophy, certificate of recognition, and plaque of recognition, which

Office of the Vice President (OVP) spokesperson lawyer Reynold Munsayac shares during this week’s I-Speak media forum at City Hall in Davao City the new programs and upcoming activities of the OVP. Lean Daval Jr.

Multi-purpose building, evacuation center turned over to Brgy. 20-B

Bangsamoro electoral code signed into law

Lawmakers in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) approved on third and final reading the draft electoral code late Wednesday evening and eventually signed by BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim early Thursday.

During his visit to the BARMM last year, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. urged regional leaders to pass the necessary codes as contained in the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), especially the electoral code.

Ebrahim, who certified the bill as urgent, promised the Chief Executive that the measure will become law by the first quarter of 2023, to guide the conduct of the first regional parliament elections in 2025.

Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Deputy Speaker Omar Yasser Sema, who acted as presiding chair, banged the gavel at 11:58 p.m. to approve BTA Bill No. 29 that will prescribe the structural, functional, and procedural principles of the elections, referenda, and recall proceedings in the region.

The BTA parliament is BARMM’s provisional lawmaking body.

Sixty-four of the 81 lawmak-

ers in attendance voted yes. No one voted against and nobody abstained.

Now called the Bangsamoro Autonomy Act No. 35 or the Bangsamoro Electoral Code (BEC) of 2023, the law established the Bangsamoro electoral office under the direct supervision of the Commission on Elections, regional political parties in the Bangsamoro, elective positions in the parliament, election administration, election offenses, and legal fees, among others.

“The adoption of the BEC today is a major step towards realizing such a promise,” Ebrahim said after signing the law.

Filed in Sept. 2022, the draft code was immediately referred to the BTA Rules Committee.

From Oct. 2022 to Jan. 2023, 12 public consultations were held in Manila, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Cotabato City, and the BARMM Special Geographic Area to ensure that all stakeholders were involved in the legislation process.

With the electoral code as the latest addition, BARMM lawmakers have so far approved four laws contained in the BOL, including the administrative, civil service, and education codes.

FBANGSAMORO, P10

By MAYA M. PADILLO

Rodrigo “Rigo” Duterte II, son of First Congressional District Representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte, led the turnover ceremony of the multi-purpose building and evacuation center in Barangay 20-B Poblacion, Davao City on Wednesday.

The turnover ceremony coincided with the celebration of the 48th Araw ng Barangay. The new facility aims to equip communities with safe spaces.

Rigo, grandson and namesake of former President Rodrigo R. Duterte, is hopeful that the barangay officials and the residents will take care of the facilities.

“Nalipay ko na nahatagan

mo aning mga pasilidad kay kabalo ko makatabang ni sa inyo. Hangyo lang ko na atong kining ampingan,” Rigo said. The facilities will also provide residents with a location to help them throughout the situation they are dealing with.

Barangay 20-B chieftain Gina Murillo, together barangay the staff and the residents, welcomed

Rigo and expressed her gratitude to Rep. Duterte and the entire First Congressional District staff. “Sugod pa lang jud ni para karong tuiga sa daghang serbisyo. Nasayud mi nga atong congressman (Duterte) anaa dira para mangita ug paagi kung sa unsa matabangan pa niya ta’g samot, hilabi na sa mga nanginahanglan,” Murillo said. Murillo said the facilities would be a center for various community services and events, including awareness drives, conferences, and other public greetings. She added that the building

FMULTI-PURPOSE, P10

Damage to Davao de Oro due to quakes reach more than P42M

The Office of Civil Defense 11 (OCD 11) reported that damage to infrastructure due to the 5.9 magnitude earthquake that hit Davao de Oro on March 7, 2023 reached more than P42 million.

Based on the progress report shared with the media on Thursday, the estimated cost of damage to schools, road and bridges, government facilities, health facilities, utilities, and others in Davao City, Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, and Davao Oriental

reached P42,320,000.

The Seismological Observation and Earthquake Prediction Division (SOEPD) of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Philvolcs) reported that as of 6 a.m. of Thursday, March 9, 2023, earthquake events count of the series of tremors in Davao de Oro was 1,103; 181 were plotted and 27 were felt with magnitude ranging from 1.5 to 5.9.

Of the 2,942 affected families, 1,611 were being housed at the

evacuation centers since March 8, 2023.

There are 61 persons reported injured but no death or missing were reported.

The series of quakes affected eight road sections and one bridge and totally damaged 352 houses and partially damaged 394 in Davao de Oro. These data were gathered and issued since early Monday morning following a 5.3 magnitude earthquake of tectonic or-

SFO4 Ramil E. Gillado, chief of Intelligence and Investigation Section of the Davao City Fire District, says during this week’s I-Speak media forum at City Hall in Davao City that 17 fire incidents were already recorded this month with an estimate damage reaching P6 million. Lean Daval Jr.

PBBM urged to address food security, price manipulation

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr needs to address food security and possible price manipulation of agricultural products immediately to rein in inflation, an economist said Wednesday.

While the country’s inflation rate slightly eased to 8.6 last February, economist Michael Batu noted in a public briefing that the strongest inflation driver was food prices.

“Kung titingnan mo yung datos galing sa PSA, iyong food price inflation noong nakaraang buwan ay pumalo na sa 10.8 percent, nag-double digits na ito. Ibig sabihin nito, ang nag-drive doon sa 8.6 percent na inflation ay sa pagtaas

ng presyo ng pagkain,” he said.

He also urged the Marcos administration to come up with short- and long-term policies to ensure the country’s food security, as this gap was one of the reasons behind food price inflation.

“Dahil food insecure tayo, isa yan sa mga nagda-drive ng food inflation kasi mayroon tayong kakulangan sa suplay ng ibang agricultural products. Iyong iba naman, may sobra-sobrang sup-

ply pero nagkakaroon ng price manipulation sa mga markets,” he said.

Batu also noted that the government’s task group on food security, created in 2020, must also look into possible price manipulations in some agricultural products.

“Maganda rin tingnan ng task force na ito ay iyong price manipulation na nangyayari sa iilan nating agricultural sector, para makita natin talaga kung ang cause ba talaga nito ay ang kakulangan ng supply, o pagtaas ng demand, o nagkakaroon ba talaga ng cartel o

Aboitiz Power to spend P190B to boost clean energy capacity

Aboitiz Power Corporation on Wednesday said it has allocated some P190 billion to boost its clean energy capacity, as it seeks to raise it to at least half of the company’s total generation portfolio by 2030.

In a filing to the local stock exchange, Aboitiz Power said the spending program aims to grow its clean energy capacity to 4,600 megawatts (MW) from 1,000 MW of ongoing and disclosed clean energy projects.

The company has two solar PV projects in Pangasinan in its pipeline: a 94-MW peak solar power facility in Cayanga, Bulacan set to start commercial operations this year; and a 167-MW peak Laoag solar project in Aguilar next year.

“As we move into 2023, we must maintain and build on this momentum. This year, we are ready to ride the waves of transformation as we leverage digitalization and innovation to improve

Economist: PH int’l reserves still robust despite decline

An economist said Wednesday the gross international reserves (GIR) remained strong amid the decline, and still a boost to the local currency and the country’s investment grade rating.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) chief economist Michael Ricafort said the latest foreign reserves level of the country is enough to cover 7.5 months-worth of imports and is still way above the three to

our operations further,” president and CEO Emmanuel Rubio said.

“Aside from providing shareholder returns, AboitizPower will reinvest the money to the business to help fuel growth and realize our aspiration of having a 50:50 balance between our renewable and thermal portfolios by 2030,” he added.

Aboitiz Power reported a 32% increase in its net income for 2022, on the back of fresh

FABOITIZ, P10

four months minimum internal threshold.

Ricafort said this could still provide greater support on the peso exchange rate against any speculative attacks.

“Thus, still relatively high GIR at USD99.3 billion could still strengthen the country’s external position, which is a key pillar for the country’s continued favorable credit ratings for the second straight year, mostly at

PH factory growth hit 10-month high in Jan

The Philippines opened 2023 with a rebound in factory production after growth hit a three-month low recorded last December, government data released on Thursday showed.

Preliminary results of the Monthly Integrated Survey of Selected Industries (MISSI) of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that the volume of

production index (VoPI) expanded by 10.6% year-on-year in January.

The latest expansion compares with the 4.2% in December and 10.9% in the previous year. It is the fastest expansion in 10 months since March 2022’s 346.1%.

Higher annual growth rates were recorded in the manufacture of food products (17.3%), bever-

Davao Light and Power Company officials receive the award as one of the Top 10 taxpayers from the private sector during the Pasidungog: Garbo sa Davao held at Acacia Hotel in Davao City on Wednesday afternoon. CIO

FECONOMIST, P10

FPBBM, P10

Unemployment rate rises to 4.8% in Jan

AREIT, ALI set swap deal for P22.479B worth of assets

The Philippine Real Estate Investment Trust (AREIT) and Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) will have a third property-for-share swap involving PHP22.479 billion worth of flagship offices and malls in vis-à-vis 607,559,380 AREIT primary common shares.

In a disclosure in the local bourse on Wednesday, AREIT, Inc. said the swap deal with its sponsor will cover assets located in the Manila central business district such as the latest one, which is the One Ayala Avenue East and West BPO Towers at the corner of Ayala Avenue and Edsa.

Other properties include the Glorietta 1 and 2 mall wing, the business process outsourcing (BPO) buildings at Ayala Center, and the MarQuee mall in Angeles City, Pampanga province.

The company said these assets have a combined gross leasable area (GLA) of 190,000 square meters (sqm), an overall occupancy rate of 99 percent, and a weighted average lease expiry (WALE) of 14.5 years.”

“ALI and AREIT are targeting to complete the transaction within the year,” it said, citing that AREIT’s Board of Directors approved it on March 7, 2023 although it is subject to the approval of shareholders during their annual meeting on April 26, 2023.

The company has surpassed its growth plans since its initial public offering (IPO) in July 2020 and has registered a 52 percent total shareholder return.

To date, the company has 673,000 sqm. assets under management (AUM), equivalent to PHP64 billion, up from the 153,000 sqm, equivalent to PHP30 billion, in 2020.

The company said “this new infusion in 2023 will almost triple the Company’s AUM to PHP87 billion and boost its GLA more than five-fold to 863 thousand sqm from the IPO, making AREIT one of the largest and the most diversified commercial REIT in the Philippines.”

ThePhilippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on Thursday

reported the unemployment rate in January 2023 rose to 4.8 percent from 4.3 percent the previous month.

In a press conference, PSA Undersecretary Dennis Mapa said there were 2.37 million Filipinos aged 15 years old and above who did not have jobs during the month.

PSA data showed there is an increase of 150,000 in the number of unemployed Filipinos between December 2022 and January 2023. Unemployment number in December last year

stood at 2.22 million.

Mapa said the higher unemployment rate at the start of the year is expected due to the increase of holiday-related jobs during the fourth quarter of the year.

He cited sectors that had the largest job shedding in between December 2022 and January 2023. These include agriculture and forestry, down by 1.11 mil-

lion; wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, down by 375,000; construction, down by 288,000; other service activities, down by 255,000; and administrative and support activities, down by 215,000.

Mapa said wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles and other service activities are related to holiday jobs.

Labor force participation rate in January this year stood at 64.5 percent. This means 49.72 million Filipinos are in the labor force. Of

DTI programs help women entreps grow businesses

In line with the celebration of International Women’s Day, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Alfredo Pascual said the agency aims to level the playing field for women entrepreneurs through its programs. In a statement Wednesday,

Pascual said out of all registered businesses in the country, 313,608 of which belong to women.

The number is nearly 30 percent of the total 1.08 million registered establishments based on data of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

“In support of women entrepreneurs, the DTI provides alternative and accessible sources of financing through our financing arm —Small Business Corporation (SBCorp). SBCorp has already released about PHP1 billion worth of loans in support of

City Tourism Operations Office officer in charge Jennifer Romero says during this week’s I-Speak media forum at City Hall in Davao City that the city is expected to achieve its tourist arrival target for March driven by the activities of the 86th Araw ng Davao celebration. Lean Daval Jr.

Consultant

On House Bill 4696, or the proposed Anti-Elder Abuse Act:

“Elderly citizens, like our lolos and lolas, should be honored, cared for, and respected. Unfortunately, many of our senior citizens still suffer abuse, most of the time, even from the very people who are supposed to care for them, as shown by news reports and reliable posts on social media. Worse, many cases of elder abuse go unreported and unpunished. Our bill aims to prevent these.”

First Congressional District Representative PAOLO DUTERTE

Unlike in Spanish rule when the sole religion was Roman Catholicism, under the US oc-cupation, following the arrival of an American pastor in 1903, paved the way for a denomi-national difference between the Jesuits, who administered the Davao region, and the Protestants.

In the Jesuit chronicles, the contentious conflict seemed to escalate in the second decade of American rule when Protestant conversions in areas tended by the priests became intense. Even in Davao town, the province’s administrative hub, the tension was palpable so much so that in one account the Protestant sect was labeled as “very perverse and active in its proce-dures.”

During the Spanish regime, the priests, chiefly Spaniards, did not have any rivals to con-tend with. The

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

government’s running feud with the Moros had nothing to do with religion but more about territory. This was not the case during the US rule when some institutions, like the Davao Mission Hospital, were owned and managed by the Protestant missionaries.

Although the American administration, in respect of the US Constitution, promoted the bill of rights in the district, the freedom of religion at times created conflict when the priests, in the exercise of their pastoral duties, visited the hospital, puericulture center, or infirmary, and administer the sacraments exclusive to the Catholic faith.

In a 1911 incident, Fr. Juan Rebull, the Jesuit parish priest of San Pedro Church, had dis-cord with the American pastor, a member of the Congregationalists assigned

QUARRELS BETWEEN RELIGIONS

to preach Prot-estantism in Mindanao, concerning the burial of a man who died after receiving all the Cath-olic sacraments. The minister wanted the dead interred as a Protestant but the cleric opposed it.

To resolve the dispute, Fr. Rebull filed an urgent written complaint before the justice of the peace but both parties were not satisfied with the ruling because the judge was indecisive.

In the end, according to a report in the Cartas Edificantes de la Provincia de Aragon, “the corpse was buried at the expense of the municipality of Davao, without no religious pomp, neither Catholic nor Protestant, more clearly, like a dog.”

Even inside the church, during sacramental rites, the undercurrents between the two Christian faiths were palpable. A 1916 Jesuit ac-

count says a lot about the sectarian dishar-mony:

‘The rector, accompanied by a commission of the three intern brigades with cardinal hab-its, left the sacristy to administer the Holy Sacrament. The boy who was not more than ten years old, blond as an angel and dressed in a white suit, accompanied by his godparents, ad-vanced towards the altar and kneeling before the Miraculous Virgin, with a firm and vibrant voice read the solemn abjuration of the errors of the Protestant sect. After he finished his reci-tation, the rector poured on the head of the blessed child the regenerating water of baptism.’

Perhaps the more telling issue that divides the two sects is Freemasonry. Vatican, even today, views the practices of the fraternal craft as contrary to the teach-

ings of Catholicism. This was felt in Davao region over a century ago when the Freemasons, chiefly Protestants in the US military, needed a graveyard for themselves and their deceased loved ones.

To address the void, David Jacobson, a Jewish American serviceman who had properties in Davao City and owned a plantation in Pantukan, Davao de Oro, donated part of his as-sets to become what is now a Masonic cemetery in Wireless, Davao City.

Discord between the two sects, however, did not escalate into sectarian conflict. The el-ders of the Protestant churches, like the Roman Catholic clergy, have found a common and engaging ground to agree on because both sects and their breakaway factions preach the same gospels and pray to the same Almighty God.

TOURISM BARRIERS AND IMPEDIMENTS

“Whatever obstacle comes your way, you gotta be prepared to jump over it. And I think that’s what separates the legends from the artists. It’s all how you manage that success and how you deal with the controversy when it actually comes.” - AKON, American musician.

Much as Philippine tourism officials and the entire government leadership exert their best efforts to improve our (wholesome) international image, the country suffers innately from a severe culture of (small-time) corruption.

The recent expose of extortion of some dirty eggs at the screening area of the NAIA exemplifies the condemnable practice where unsuspecting foreign tourists are fleeced of a few hundred dollars as they pass through the screening area.

(Aren’t we reminded of the tanim-bala scheme?)

House Speaker Martin Romualdez not only denounced

the culprits publicly but also strongly urged DOTr Sec. Jaime Bautista to fire all airport screeners thereat.

Romualdez said the efforts of the national government to attract foreign visitors - tourists and businessmen alike - go to waste when right there at the airport entrance, thieves in government uniforms steal and extort money from foreigners.

The theft and extortion that was captured on a gadget video and shown on the social media was a criminal act that sadly and embarrassingly reflected a part of the national lifestyle.

While Romualdez’ suggestion for Bautista to fire all the airport screeners and replace them with new honest personnel was a sweeping statement, it must be acted upon with promptness and alacrity.

The painful truth is that the extortion was committed by just a small group of five who are in collusion with each other and dangerously growing into a syndicate of sorts.

The NAIA has been traditionally the scene of petty

extortion since way, way back because none (or most) of the victims did not want to go through the tedious process (and trouble themselves) of going to the police and file a complaint that will not be decided ASAP.

Tourism Sec. Christina Frasco may have to institute remedial measures that will give the Tourism department a say in the conduct of receiving foreign tourists at the airport.

Well-trained tourist receptionists from the DoT can help assure foreign visitors that they are genuinely welcome right there at the country’s doorsteps.

(I had a similar sad experience when i first made a foreign trip on my way to attend an intra-country regional conference in India decades ago.)

Notice that despite stern warnings, some airport personnel cannot help but “earn and pocket a few pesos the bad way.”

I wonder if those caught in the recent extortion act will be punished and serve jail time, though.

If the guilty ones are merely dismissed from their jobs, how sure are we that they won’t do the same criminal act elsewhere?

This vicious cycle goes on and on.

Look into the goings on in the Bureaus of Immigration and Customs, two of the most corrupt government agencies where there is no hope of redemption, if you know what i mean.

Palliative remedies are often the recourse of our government, offering no firm and proven templates of good governance and public service.

After the pandemic, tourism is the principal window by which every government around the world is hoping to rebound from the economic collapse.

PBBM has gone on many trips abroad making sales pitches, vouching that the new government under his helm is stable, transparent and democratic.

Ideally - and without anymore stressing the obvious - every Cabinet Secretary

should be in pursuit of PBBM’s specific goals, and that is the country’s overall economic recovery.

As the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Romualdez has every right to declare what in his mind is best for the country. He can perhaps take his suggestion to Bautista a step further by mediating a collaborative meeting between him and DoT chief Frasco.

There might also be a need for some kind of remedial legislation to give Philippine tourism efforts a shot in the arm.

I see a great need to allow the DOT some level of participation as far as the conduct of receiving foreign visitors and tourists at the NAIA is concerned.

Some airport personnel are arrogant and sternly unreasonable because they think too much in the box.

The DOT can help a lot in improving our country’s image at the NAIA. (Email feedback to fredlumba@yahoo. com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

FRED C. LUMBA SPECKS OF LIFE

TOO MUCH SALT IS BAD FOR YOUR HEALTH

BY HENRYLITO D. TACIO PHOTOS BY WILLIE LOMIBAO

Stroke, sometimes called a brain attack, is among the list of the top killers of Filipinos. During the last 10 years, deaths from stroke remain high, with an average of 63,804 deaths. Thirty six percent of the total stroke deaths are not attended by any medical personnel, studies show.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) – or diseases of the heart and blood vessels – are responsible for a third of death in the country. Part of the larger group of non-communicable diseases,

CVDs account for 72% of deaths of Filipinos in 2021.

One of the reasons why strokes and CVDs are prevalent is that most Filipinos consume salt excessively. “Sodium increases the

risk of heart disease, stroke and premature deaths when eaten in excess,” says the Geneva-based World Health Organization (WHO) in a statement.

Sodium is an essential nutrient in relatively small amounts to maintain a balance of body fluids and keep muscles and nerves running smoothly. Although table salt (sodium chloride) is the main source of sodium, it is also contained in other condiments such as sodium glutamate.

The global average salt intake is estimated to be 10.8 grams per day, more than double the WHO recommendation of less than 5 grams of salt per day (or less than 2,000 milligrams of sodium).

On the average, the Filipinos’ salt consumption per day is even higher – 11 grams (4,263 milli-

A review of salt intakes in Southeast Asia, the World Action on Salt and Health found that average salt intake in adult females in the Philippines was 7.3 grams per day, which was estimated from 24-hour dietary recalls. Salt intake in the adult population (both sexes) was estimated to be 3.1 grams per day, which was calculated from one-day diet samples and samples of commonly eaten foods which were weighed and chemically analyzed.

Why is this so? It’s because Filipinos love salty food. Most of them use substantial amounts of salt, soy sauce (toyo), fish sauce (patis) and fermented shrimp paste (bagoong) to achieve full flavor. They also love salt dipping sauces (sawsawan). In addition, they like eating dried fish (bulad).

This love for salt is understandable. After all, salt is abundant in a country that is surrounded with oceans and seas. Being an archipelago with more than 6,000 islands and a coastline of 36,000 kilometers, it will never run out of salt.

“Eating salty food is natural for all of us,” explains Meryl Louise T. Lapinig, a mother of two. “Most of us don’t have refrigerators. We can preserve our food by adding salt or fermenting them.”

Unfortunately, taking too much salt is bad for your health. “Unhealthy diets are a leading cause of death and disease globally, and excessive sodium intake is one of the main culprits,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.

Eating too much salt makes it the top risk factor for diet and nutrition-related deaths, the United Nations health agency points out. Aside from those mentioned earlier, more evidence is emerging documenting links between high sodium intake and increased risk of other health conditions such as gastric cancer, obesity, osteoporosis and kidney disease.

Salt was well known to the ancient Greeks who noted that eating salty food affected basic body functions such as digestion and excretion. This led to salt being used medically. The healing methods of Hippocrates (460 BC) especially made frequent use of salt. Hippocrates mentions inhalation of steam from salt-water.

Unfortunately, consuming excessive salt is unhealthy. “There is convincing data showing that people who eat salty food excessively have a shorter life span than those who eat salty food less,” wrote Dr. Rafael R. Castillo, the health colum-

A salt farm worker hauls baskets of sun-dried salt from salt beds (Willie Lomibao)

A farm worker harvests salt from a salt bed (Willie Lomibao) grams of sodium).

InLife receives Alida Delta Award 2022 for customer engagement

Insular Life (InLife) has been awarded a 2022 Alida Delta Award for its innovative mapping of the customer experience journey to affirm its promise of “A Lifetime for Good” to its policyholders.

InLife was recognized for its Voice of the Customer Program which gathers feedback from its policyholders throughout various customer touchpoints, from new policy issuance and after sales service, to the usage to InLife App, website and Customer Portal. This strategic customer experience program highlights how InLife values its customers’ voices to create an impact on the company’s strategy, culture and process.

“We are building communities of customers than can individually and collectively support or challenge our business strategies and initiatives. Through their feedback, our policyholders help us affirm our right processes, and the same time help us craft solutions for their unmet expectations,” said InLife Executive Chairperson Nina D. Aguas.

“The Alida Delta Award validates that InLife upholds a customer-centric culture and mindset to continuously understand our customers and consistently strengthen our end-toend customer experience,” she added.

The country’s largest Filipino life insurance company joined the ranks of top global innovators awarded by Alida, a leader in experience management, for their innovative customer engagement programs. In combining innovation and empathy to make their organizations customer centric and to position customer experience as a core part of their operations, the awardees outperformed their industry practices for customer engage-

ment.

“Now more than ever, it is necessary to value customer experience as a core part of businesses. Alida recognizes InLife for championing customer centricity across its organization and embedding customer voice in its decision-making process,” said Alida’s CEO Ross Wainwright.

As part of its fiveyear roadmap to improve customer experience, InLife uses the Alida TXM Platform to gather customer feedback and other preference data. For InLife, conversations with customers provide rapid feedback on various issues and trends, while in-depth feedback initiates changes in its policy application and issuance process, identifies training opportunities for sales personnel, and presents enhancement features for its customer mobile app and company website.

“The Alida platform has provided InLife with the crucial outside-in customer view. A deeper understanding of our customer, particularly the younger generation, will further help us spread the benefits of life insurance and financial planning to more Filipinos,” Aguas said.

“Additionally, InLife employees understand their role in customer

experience. Customer insights inspire them to carry on our promise to deliver value to our customers in line with our more than 100 years of uninterrupted service to our policyholders,” she added.

InLife policyholders, meanwhile, gave high satisfaction scores on the company’s customer care service, billing process and payment facilities. They also

suggested ways to strengthen customer engagement through the presence of financial advisors for post-sales services and financial advise.

InLife implements a company-wide internal customer satisfaction surveys to instill a culture of feedback and reinforce customer focus among employees. Last year, InLife employees received a fairly high internal customer satisfaction score. Manila, Philippines – Shopping has always been a fulfilling activity for Filipinos. It’s one way for them to bond with their families and loved ones and share precious moments together.

Xiaomi launches premium AIoT devices in the Philippines

Xiaomi recently launched its latest smart tech line at a global product launch in Barcelona, Spain. The lineup includes Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro, Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro, Xiaomi Electric Scooter 4 Ultra, and Redmi Smart Band 2, all guaranteed to deliver unparalleled entertainment and a smart living experience for Xiaomi fans worldwide. The devices will also be offered with freebies from March 4 to 12, 2023, by Xiaomi Philippines.

Stay connected Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro seamlessly blends classic watch design with modern smartwatch technology. The watch features a 1.47” AMOLED display, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal glass, and a rotatable crown, making it a stylish and durable accessory for any occasion. The watch tracks real-time information on over 100 sports activities and offers a range of workout data and health-tracking functions, including heart rate, SpO tracking, and sleep monitoring. With a battery life of up to 14 days, the watch charges quickly and comes with a wireless charging dock for added convenience.

Available for a promo price of only Php 16,999, it comes with a free Xiaomi Buds 3.

Fitness with Redmi Smart Band 2

The Redmi Smart Band 2 is the perfect accessory for anyone looking

to take their fitness journey to the next level. With its sleek and stylish design, this smart band fits comfortably on your wrist and precisely tracks your daily activity. From step counts and distance traveled to heart rate monitoring and sleep tracking, this device offers a comprehensive overview of your health and fitness progress. The large color display makes it easy to view your stats, while the long battery life ensures you can wear it all day and night without worrying about recharging.

The Redmi Smart Band 2 retails at only Php 1,499. Efficient robot vacuum cleaners

Robot vacuum cleaners from Xiaomi are known for being robust and well-built. They also come with powerful suction and long battery life and do a great

Home Credit, SM Store award brand new Toyota Raize to lucky winner of Holiday Shopping cRAIZE!

Last holiday season, the lifestyle partner of every Filipino Home Credit teamed up with the country’s largest retailer SM Store to make the shopping experience of Filipinos more rewarding with the Holiday Shopping cRAIZE!

The raffle promo, which ran for three months from October 14, 2022 to January 15, 2023, allowed SM Store shoppers who paid via Home Credit to be automatically qualified for the holiday raffle. And last February 23, the grand winner of the Holiday Shopping cRAIZE was announced!

Among all the eligible participants, Jane Rosete, a BPO employee from Paranaque City, received the key to her brand new Toyota Raize. Rosete shopped at SM Store during the holidays and applied for Basket Financing, Home Credit’s bundle financing product, which made her qualified for the raffle promo.

“I’ve been a Home Credit user for quite some time now, and it has become my go-to partner when I purchase big-ticket items that are usually out of pocket. With my third installment plan with Home Credit, I never expected to win the raffle and have my own brand new car. I am thankful to Home Credit and SM Store for this opportunity, I wish them more power! I hope that more Filipinos will have a meaningful shopping experience at SM Store with Home Credit,” shared Rosete.

The awarding program was attended by Home Credit and SM Store executives who turned over the brand new Toyota Raize to Rosete. Social media influencers Baninay Bautista (@baninaybautista) and Bont Bryan Oropel (@bontbryan) were also there to witness the awarding and congratulate the lucky winner of the raffle promo.

“As the lifestyle partner of every Filipino, we at Home Credit want to be with our customers in the most special moments of their lives. One of our goals is to broaden our reach and serve more Filipinos across the country. Our partnership with SM Store is a testament to our strong commitment in providing Filipinos with a more meaningful shopping experience by making their purchases more affordable and accessible through Home Credit,” said Richard Sarinas, Home Credit’s partner marketing leader.

Don’t miss out on updates from Home Credit by visiting its official website www.homecredit.ph. You may also follow them on their Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok accounts. Customers are encouraged to download the My Home Credit App on Google Play to catch the latest promos and see what’s new in the Marketplace.

Home Credit Philippines is a financing company duly licensed and supervised by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

job of cleaning efficiently. Four new models are out now, each with different features and prices. Grab the Xiaomi Robot Vacuum E10 for Php 9,599 or the Xiaomi Robot Vacuum S10 for Php 13,999 – both come with a free Xiaomi Handheld Vacuum Cleaner Mini. For heavy-duty cleaning, choose

the Xiaomi Robot Vacuum X10 at Php 23,999 with a free Xiaomi Air Purifier 4 Compact. Or go for the top-of-the-line Xiaomi Robot Vacuum X10+ with premium features for Php 43,990, including a free Xiaomi Air Purifier 4 Lite. For more information, visit Xiaomi’s official page.

CARE... FROM 2 DAVAO... FROM 2 TOO... FROM 8

MULTI-PURPOSE...

FROM 3 distress; and psychological, mental or emotional abuse causing mental or emotional suffering or distress.”

Also classified as acts of violence against the elderly are material exploitation through illegal or improper use of funds or resources of the senior citizen, and economic or financial abuse through acts that make the senior citizen financially dependent.

Another act of violence under the bill is abandonment or desertion by a person who has custody or has assumed responsibility for caring for a senior citizen.

“Through this, we continue to provide them a sense of community who is willing to protect them,” the authors stated.

The bill also directs the Department of Justice (DOJ) to set up special prosecution units to exclusively handle cases of violence against senior citizens.

It also sought the establishment of senior citizen help desks in every barangay to provide immediate assistance to victim-survivors of elder abuse.

According to the bill acts of violence against the elderly constituting attempted, frustrated, or consummated parricide, murder, or homicide, and those resulting in mutilation “shall be punished by the provisions of the Revised Penal Code.”

The minimum punishment under the bill is “arresto mayor” or one month and one day to six months for acts of violence against the elderly resulting in slight physical injuries.

Under the bill, persons found guilty of serious physical injuries against the elderly are punished with the penalty of “prison mayor” or six years and one day to six years). Less physical injuries are punishable by prison correctional (6 months and 1 day to 6 years).

All other acts of violence against the elderly are punishable by prison correctional and a fine of not less than P100,000 but not more than P300,000.

The bill also mandates mandatory psychological counseling or mental treatment for anyone found guilty of any act of aggression against the elderly, and it requires them to report their compliance to the court.

According to the measure, a respondent to a complaint against elder abuse will also be placed under a hold departure order to be issued by the courts and law enforcers, barangay officials, and persons who fail to report acts of violence against the elderly will be penalized.

The bill also mandates the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to provide senior citizens who are victims of abuse safe shelter; counseling, healing and recovery and rehabilitation services; and other programs to ensure their security and safety as well as the Department of Health (DOH) to provide medical aid to the victims.

Victims of elder abuse can also file protective orders against their perpetrators under the bill.

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ages (31.1%), other non-metallic mineral products (22.6%), and other manufacturing and repair and installation of machinery and equipment (30.5%).

After the contractions in December, rebounds were seen in the manufacture of electrical equipment (53.5%), transport equipment (24.3%), wearing apparel (13.7%), recorded media (13.0%), pharmaceutical products (11.2%), textiles (11.1%), tobacco products (1.6%), and basic metals (0.8%).

were handed over by Atty. Layog, and Atty. Jonah Margaret Presto, Assistant Chief of Staff of the City Government of Davao.

On the other hand, awards were also given to individuals and organizations who contributed to Business Development, Cooperative Development, Public Safety Disaster and Crisis Response, Social Services, Health, Urban Infrastructure and Housing Resettlement, Education, Animal Health Welfare and Productivity, Tourism, Arts and Economic Development.

“To celebrate Araw ng Dabaw is to honor every responsible hardworking, selfless Dabawenyo and the awardees know that we are grateful for all your support for all that you have done and you continue to do. You have shown your Dabawenyo spirit, kamo ang tinuod na Garbo sa atong dakbayan (you are the true pride of the city) and we hope that we can continue to count on you in the future. Sa makausa pa Happy 86th Araw ng Dabaw kaninyong tanan ug Daghang salamat. (Once and for all, Happy 86th Araw ng Davao and Thank you very much),” Mayor Duterte said.

Davao City Vice Mayor Jay Melchor Quitain in his speech said that the city will not be able to succeed without the help of the private sector and urged the guests and stakeholders to continue to work hand in hand with the city government for projects and activities, especially for the tourism industry to be fully back to its feet.

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price manipulation,” he said. Last month, the Philippine Competition Commission said it was investigating a possible cartel pushing the prices of onions, with the probe expected to finish in the next 2 to 3 months.

ECONOMIST...

FROM 4

1-3 notches above the minimum investment grade, a sign of resilience despite the Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic that caused downgrades in other countries around the world,” he said.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Tuesday reported that the country’s foreign reserves declined to USD99.31 billion in February from the USD100.7 billion as of end-January 2023.

This, after the withdrawal by the national government of its deposits with the central bank to pay its foreign currency-denominated debt, as well as lower valuations of the central bank’s gold holdings due to its decline in the international market.

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businesses owned or operated by women through its Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso (P3) program and Bayanihan CARES, an interest-free and collateral-free financing program that aims to assist MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises),” Pascual said.

He also cited capacity-building programs that can help women entrepreneurs grow their businesses.

These DTI programs include the Rural Agro-industrial Partnership for Inclusive Development (RAPID) Growth Project, She Trades Philippines and Investing in Women Asia.

would be a central fixture in the community and would contribute to growth and development.

Last year, Rigo also led the turnover of similar facilities to barangays Talomo and 39-D as well as a gymnasium and a funeral home (Lamayan ng Bayan) at the Talomo’s Barangay Hall Satellite Office at Royal Valley in Bangkal, Davao City.

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igin that hit the municipality of New Bataan in Davao de Oro .

On Tuesday morning, March 7, a 5.9 magnitude earthquake hit the said municipality anew, which was reported to have been felt in the neighboring municipalities and provinces.

Another 5.6 magnitude earthquake hit the same municipality Tuesday afternoon, which was also felt at various intensities within the neighboring municipalities and provinces.

Meanwhile, Regional Director Liza Mazo of the Civil Defense -Davao Region (OCD-Davao Region) and Daniel Buhay of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS-DOST) visited the town of New Bataan on Wednesday and discussed to the residents the series of earthquakes that rocked Davao de Oro since last month.

It can be recalled that New Bataan was also the epicenter of the 6.0 magnitude earthquake that occurred on February 1, 2023. By Maya

M. Padillo

BANGSAMORO...

FROM 3

The MILF-led law-making body is yet to pass three more priority measures that include the local government code, revenue, and indigenous peoples’ rights. (PNA)

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contributions from GNPD, higher availability across its portfolio, gains from commodity hedges, and higher water inflows.

“In today’s digital age, we are driven to maximize new technologies to enhance our services and business performance to ultimately provide enjoyable and exceptional customer experiences,” Rubio said.

Aboitiz Power’s operations are divided into four strategic business units: power generation, power distribution, retail electricity services, and distributed energy.

It holds its investments in renewable energy through Aboitiz Renewables Inc. and non-renewable energy through Therma Power Inc, both of which are wholly-owned subsidiaries.

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AREIT president and chief executive officer Carol Mills said “the rebound of commercial businesses is an opportunity for AREIT to widely diversify its assets with more retail buildings.”

“The infusion of Glorietta 1 and 2 mall and BPO buildings, as well as the brand new One Ayala Avenue BPO towers, is testament to AREIT as Ayala Land’s flagship REIT,” she said.

“As we did in the last two years, we are committed to continually grow and diversify our assets to increase shareholder value for AREIT while ALI maximizes capital recycling and reinvests further in Philippine real estate,” she added. (PNA)

nist of Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Dr. Castillo cited the study done in Japan. “In the 1950s, the incidence of strokes in Japan reached alarming levels, prompting the government to take urgent action.

The salt intake of the Japanese was very high then, and through a concerted multisectoral program which included a lot of public education, the Japanese reduced their salt intake by half. This reduced the average blood pressure of the population, and the rate of stroke was cut down by 80 percent. The average lifespan in Japan also increased significantly.”

Dr. Castillo, who’s a cardiologist, believed that if Filipinos will only follow what the Japanese had done, more than 50,000 lives can be saved annually.

Consuming more salt is especially bad if you already have some health problems. Sure, you like your French fries covered with salt, but if you have hemorrhoids, salt can make it worse. Excess salt retains fluids in the circulatory system that can cause bulging of the veins in the anus and elsewhere.

High salt intake can also trigger migraine in some people. Migraine is a throbbing headache, usually occurring on only one side of the head. (A woman who had suffered with migraines for 16 years finally experienced relief when researchers from Denmark’s Odense University gave her 500 to 600 milligrams of powdered ginger whenever she felt a headache coming on. Within 30 minutes, her migraine would be gone.)

In a study conducted at the Department of Community Medicine of St. Thomas Hospital in London, researchers discovered that salt could have a life-threatening effect on people with asthma. “A strong correlation was found between table salt purchases and asthma mortality in both men and children,” reported the researchers. Buying the salt wasn’t killing people; eating it was.

Anyone who has passed a kidney stone can verify that this is an experience he never wants to repeat. Most stones are calcium-based, so it’s essential that you avoid excessive intake of table salt and condiments high in sodium. Salt restriction will help decrease the concentration of calcium in the urine.

How well do you know that you have taken too much salt? For one, your brain feels foggy, according to Jamie Schmid in an article she wrote for Reader’s Digest. She cited an American study which followed a group of about 5000 men over the age of 65. “They found that men who had slightly lower

sodium levels in the blood were about 30% more likely to develop cognitive decline,” she reported.

Another sign is raging thirst. Foods with high amounts of sodium make you feel thirstier, because sodium messes with the balance of fluid in your body, according to Harvard Health Publishing.

Still another sign, according to Schmid: the body is swelling in strange places. “Just one night of too much sodium can actually make you look and feel more bloated in the morning,” the Mayo Clinic said.

Having a stomach ulcer is another sign. Sodium can amplify damage to the lining of the stomach caused by infection with Helicobacter pylori bacteria. If not resolved, it may become a cause of stomach cancer.

One of the best methods of lowering the consumption of salt is implementing highly cost-effective sodium reduction policies. Doing so could save an estimated 7 million lives globally by 2030, according to the WHO.

But the newly-released WHO Global Report on Sodium Intake Reduction showed that the world is off-track to achieve its global target of reducing sodium intake by 30% by 2025. In fact, only 3% of the world’s population is protected by mandatory sodium reduction policies.

A comprehensive approach to sodium reduction includes adopting mandatory policies and WHO’s four “best buy” interventions related with sodium which greatly contribute to preventing noncommunicable diseases. These include:

1. Reformulating foods to contain less salt, and setting targets for the amount of sodium in foods and meals;

2. Establishing public food procurement policies to limit salt or sodium rich foods in public institutions such as hospitals, schools, workplaces and nursing homes;

3. Front-of-package labelling that helps consumers select products lower in sodium; and

4. Behaviour change communication and mass media campaigns to reduce salt/sodium consumption.

“There are proven measures that governments can implement and important innovations, such as low sodium salts,” said Dr Tom Frieden, President and CEO of Resolve to Save Lives, a not-for-profit organization working with countries to prevent 100 million deaths from cardiovascular disease over 30 years. “The world needs action, and now, or many more people will experience disabling or deadly – but preventable – heart attacks and strokes.”

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the population in the labor force, 47.35 million or 95.2 percent have jobs in January.

Underemployment rate increased to 14.1 percent in the same month.

Despite the month-on-month increase in unemployment rate in January this year, Mapa said the country’s job market has been improving and has already gotten back to pre-pandemic level since the middle of 2022.

Compared to January last year, the unemployment rate has improved from 5.4 percent.

“Our employment rate is getting back to pre-pandemic level since July (2022), and the indicators are getting better. We are seeing the same pattern in the months to come,” Mapa said in mixed English and Filipino.

He added that with the ongoing trend, the unemployment rate is expected to remain between 4 to

5 percent this year.

“The latest employment indicators show the robust recovery and growth of our labor market from its slump in January 2022 when the surge in Omicron cases prompted stringent mobility and capacity restrictions,” National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said in a statement. He said higher quality of jobs should be generated to continue the improving trend in the job market.

“We note that employment created year-on-year were mostly part-time and classified as vulnerable. Thus, it is imperative that labor market policies and programs that directly contribute to labor productivity and employment generation must be prioritized, not only to preserve jobs but also to generate quality jobs,” Balisacan said. (PNA)

The welcome dinner started a little late due to the delayed flight from Manila. We were alreay at the room at 7:30pm bu we while away our time discussing our room assignments and showed appreciation to Lito”Jabbar” Hibo on his handling of our flight and accommodation. The Manila group finally arrived a little past 8pm.

This writer is fidgety and a little uneasy since it will be his first time to meet in person the names he’s been reading in sports page way back years ago and now will be facing in the flesh, and will be dining together in one big room.

Awestruck was I when

CHITO MALABANAN JABONG!

AWESTRUCK WITH THE GODS OF SPORTSWRITING

Al Mendoza and Jake Ayson, considered as the pillars of sportswriting shook my hand when I met them as they arrived together with the bunch of sportwriters/editors from Manila. Jun Engracia of Phil Daily Inquirer, Ding Marcelo, Dodo Catacutan,Rey Bancod and Musong Castillo of PDI followed suit as they were introduced by the amiable Cielo Villaluna of PAL.

The old guards and Manila writers occupied one big table . The Broadcast group sat together in another table composed of Conrad Banal, Danny Buenafe of ABS CBN, Igan Clavio of GMA 7, Milky

Rigonan of DZRH, Ely Saludar of DZXL and also director of NGAP JunGolf and Olympian Rey Fortaleza who came all the way from Vancouver, Canada.

Aljo Bendijo of PTV 4 choose to join the table where this writer is sitting together with the rest of the sportswriters from Davao, Jon Develos, Paul Palo and Tommy Inigo of Southern Sports Digest , Ace Perez and Imee Garcia of Sunstar. Aljo joined the group since he is more comfortable speaking the native tongue and share jokes with his fellow Dabawenyos.

VP

for Corporate Affairs

Josen Perez De Tagle regaled the group with his speech and table hop doing selfies as the night went on. He made sure that foods and drinks were provided and all the needs of the sportswriters were attended before they head to the big game on the next day.

Call time is 6:45 am for take off to Mactan Island Golf course for Day 1 of media golf tournament. Right after breakfast at 6am.

Jake Ayson lost no time by announcing the pairing as we took our breakfast. In between sips of his coffee, he announced the flight groupings

, tournament format and the rules of the game.

Every now and then laughter would ensue when past experiences are being mentioned by Jake Ayson or Al Mendoza which Musong Castillo would elaborated further with his booming voice.

“Kumpadre Chito, it’s your turn. Make great memories” says my editor In chief Neil Bravo before I headed to Cebu. Indeed, before I hit my first ball on the tee box, memories already abound and were created . Great experience, great memories which I would treasure for the rest of my life. Salamat Kumpadre. Cheers. Fooooooooooore.

Doncic’s thigh injury slows Mavericks’ push to playoffs

NEW ORLEANS — Luka

Doncic only knew that his left thigh was in too much pain for him to be effective.

He did not understand why he was hurting or how he injured himself.

“I could barely run,” Doncic said after the Dallas Mavericks’ 113-106 loss in New Orleans on Wednesday night.

Doncic left in the third quarter after missing a step-

back jumper. At that point, he’d scored 15 points on 4-of14 shooting.

The injury has bothered Doncic for more than a week, he said. He could not pinpoint when it happened, only that he noticed it when he woke up the day after a game.

“I didn’t get hit. So, it’s kind of weird for me,” Doncic said. “I really don’t know what it is.”

Doncic said he hoped

to have an MRI as early as Thursday. If it didn’t reveal a major injury, he hoped ice and physical therapy would help him return quickly to a club that needs him for a playoff push.

After the loss to New Orleans, the Mavericks were 34-33 and narrowly in the Western Conference playoff picture.

Doncic has been trying to play through the injury and had been productive recently,

scoring 42 in a victory over Philadelphia, 34 in a loss to Phoenix and 29 in a triumph over Utah on Tuesday night.

But the next night in New Orleans, he didn’t look like his usual prolific self.

“We all can see he’s not moving well. So, shooting, defense, it’s affecting everything,” Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said. “He’s trying to fight through it and help his teammates, but he had to leave

there, and hopefully it’s not something serious.”

Doncic said the injury affected his ability to run somewhat, but mostly bothers him on jump shots.

Now in his fifth NBA season, Doncic is Dallas’ leading scorer, averaging 33.3 points per game before Wednesday’s matchup with the Pelicans. He has averaged 27.6 points and eight assists for his career.

WEEKEND TREAT

Stars show wares in All Star Game sideshows

CITY OF PASSI - PBA stars showcase their skills in dunking, three-point shooting and hurdling obstacles under time pressure Friday in the Skills Challenge program kicking off the 2023 PBA All Star Weekend here.

High-fliers David Murrell of Converge, Tyrus Hill of Blackwater, Brandon Ganuelas Rosser of NLEX and Chris Lalata of Phoenix look to follow in the footsteps of former sultans of slam Rey Guevarra and KG Canaleta as they duke it out in the Slam Dunk Contest.

Crowd favorite Jamie Malonzo of Barangay Ginebra has pulled out of the competition due to a painful shoulder, although he vowed to play in the All Star Game on Sunday and go for a jam there.

But another known dunker, Phoenix’s Encho Serrano, may still join the competitors at the last minute.

According to PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial, Serrano has expressed his intention to participate in the rim-rattling joust despite ankle issues. Marcial said the league gave Serrano until Friday to assess whether he’s truly good to go.

Members of the PBA All Star Game 2023 entourage greet fans at the City of Passi Arena Mall tour at City Mall Passi. The event was also attended by PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial, Passi City Mayor Atty. Stephen Palmares, Dept of Agrarian Reform USec Jesry Palmares, Deputy Commissionner and All Star project director Eric Castro.