Edge Davao Vol. 15 Issue 280 | Tuesday, March 14, 2023

GLITCHED

Davao City’s digitalization of biz transactions derailed by glitches

By MAYA M. PADILLO

In an interview, the chair of the Committee on Trade, Commerce, and Industry of the City Council, said only one percent of the business permit applicants took advantage of the city government of Davao’s online busi-

ness permit application.

“Nangutana ko ngano man? Daghan glitches, usahay mag crash ang site, dugay mu upload, so we want to learn from other local government na nakauna sa ato,” Al-ag said.

Davao City bids goodbye to over 15-year old jeeps

The city’s streets will soon be rid of public utility jeepneys (PUJs) that are over 15 years old and no longer roadworthy as the local government prepares to implement modernization of the public transportation system here.

time to ensure the modernization program will address the concerns raised by transport groups.

Al-ag said that people from Marilog still have to travel a few hours to get a permit.

“Kabalo ba mo ang mga taga Marilog ug Paquibato has to go here sa downtown to apply for a business permit. Kung naa lang gamay na sari sari store muanhi paka diri mao na ang mahitabo ang uban dili nalang mu- apply ug business permit but the city government, it is our desire na

FGLITCHED, P10

Travel between Tubod and Tangub will take only 7 minutes by 2024

Travel time between Tubod in Lanao del Norte and Tangub City in Misamis

Occidental will take only seven minutes via the 3.17 kilometer Panguil Bay Bridge which is now 63% complete, according to the Department of Public Work and Highways (DPWH).

At present, travel between these areas is by sea via RoRo

(Roll On, Roll Off) vessel which takes from 90 to 150 minutes inclusive of loading and unloading time, or by land which spans about a hundred kilometers and takes from two hours to two and a half hours.

A progress report posted on the DPWH website said the agency has started constructing the bridge top slab on both

ends in Tangub and Tubod for what would be the longest water-spanning bridge in Northern Mindanao by the first half of 2024. The 7.37 billion peso project is funded by a loan agreement between the Philippine government and the Korean Export-Import Bank (Korea Eximbank).

Nonito Llanos III, regional director of the Land Transportation Franchising and regulatory Board (LTFRB) told a virtual presser on Friday that owners of jeepneys that will be scrapped will be paid per unit based on their appraised value while the local government prepares to shift to the High Priority Bus System (HPBS).

Asked when this will be implemented, Llanos told MindaNews on Sunday: “It would be best for the city government to answer this because they’re the ones managing the timelines with the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) HPBS.”

Under HPBS, low-floor city buses will replace the jeepneys.

Last month, the Senate urged the LTFRB to postpone its plan to phase out traditional jeepneys nationwide by June 30 in line with the implementation of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP). The deadline was later extended to December 31, 2023.

A planned week-long strike last week that started Monday last week was lifted on the second day after a dialogue in Malacanang with transport groups Manibela and PISTON.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. last Wednesday thanked transport groups for lifting the strike and vowed they would review the modernization program.

Marcos said the December deadline would give them enough

In Davao City, Retired Col. Dionesio Abude, head of the City Transportation and Traffic Management Office, said the local government hopes to see HPBS running during the last quarter of 2024.

Llanos said the amount that will be received by owners of old jeepneys for every unit scrapped will be on top of the financial, technical, and livelihood assistance that the government will provide as part of the social development package for affected drivers and operators.

Llanos noted that the private sector is set to establish a “scrapping facility” in the city.

15-year old jeepneys

Engr. Ronnel Victor Panigon, focal person for PUV Modernization Program of the LTFRB-Davao, explained that only those units that are over 15 years old and no longer roadworthy would be scrapped.

If these old jeepneys pass the roadworthiness assessment of the Land Transportation Office-Davao, owners can keep them but only for private use.

Retired Col. Dionesio Abude, head of the City Transportation and Traffic Management Office, added that drivers of the scrapped jeepneys will be prioritized for hiring by operators of the HPBS buses but they will be required to undergo training with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to equip them with skills before they can qualify to be bus drivers.

He said the affected drivers can also work as mechanics and

Office of Civil Defense 11 (OCD 11) director Liza Mazo gives updates during this week’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao of the damage assessment and relief assistance in the municipalities of Davao de Oro that were badly affected by series of earthquakes. Lean Daval Jr.

Councilor Bernie Al-ag lamented the derailed digitalization of business permit transactions and applications of the city government of Davao due to what he calls “technical glitches.”

DavNor governor says electric coop’s rates, services affecting businesses, households

CAAP bids out Phase 4 of Bukidnon Airport

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has updated the schedule of the bid submission and opening of the P1-billion Phase IV of the construction of the Bukidnon Airport, based on bid documents as of March 7, 2023.

This 900-day phase of the Bukidnon Airport Development Project is expected to start on May 25, 2023 and completed by November 10, 2025.

CAAP set the new deadline for submission and opening of bids for the P970.3 million phase on March 30, 2023, according to the bid bulletin issued by Captain Edgardo G. Diaz, Chair, CAAP Bids and Awards Committee.

Located in Barangay Maraymaray in Don Carlos town in the southern part of the province, the airport is one of the flagship projects of the national government in Northern Mindanao.

The airport nearest Malaybalay City is Laguindingan Airport in Misamis Oriental which is 127 kilometers away with travel time of nearly three hours. Malaybalay to Maraymaray in Don Carlos is 62.9 kilometers and travel takes a little over an hour.

Phase 4 covers the site preparation of the land side area; construction of access road and vehicular parking area; industrial lighting and exterior power distribution, nine-story control tower

By MAYA M. PADILLO

Davao del Norte Governor Edwin Jubahib lambasted Northern Davao Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Nordeco) on Monday over high power rates and poor services.

building; two-story administration building; communal toilet; waiting area; A and B ticketing booths – A (four units) and B (two units); 10,000-gallons steel water tank A and B; pump house A,B, and C; powerhouse; transform yard (two units); CSIS office building; cargo terminal building; rescue and firefighting facility; STP control room; guardhouse A & B; covered pathway, 13 Units; lifting station with 26 service manholes; water impounding system; and staff house building.

CAAP has reported about 8.26% actual accomplishment in the airport’s Phase 3 or the construction of passenger terminal building, runway strip, runway extension, among others as of a status report as of February 28, 2023.

CAAP awarded the P958.4 million project phase to Tokwing Construction Corp./Mamsar Construction and Industrial Corporation. The 540-day project started on September 10, 2022 and is due for completion on April 3, 2024, after a revision.

Contractor Jasa Builders completed the construction of the project’s P74.5 million Phase 2 on October 9, 2022, which CAAP inspectors checked on November 16, 2022.

CAAP has reported 48.25% actual accomplishment in the air-

According to the governor, Nordeco’s operations not only affect the province’s local businesses and households but also impacted its tourism industry, particularly in the cities of Tagum and the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS).

Jubahib’s statement came following a protest rally against the electric cooperative.

“For instance, small businesses and industries that rely

on electricity for their operations have been struggling due to the high power rates imposed by Nordeco. This puts them at a disadvantage compared to their competitors in other areas, which can lead to a negative impact on our local economy “ Jubahib said. Nordeco has denied they are operating with unreasonable rates and poor services.

Lawyer Jeorge Rapista, legal counsel of Nordeco, reacted to

the governor’s claims saying the cooperative respects the call of the member-consumers. However, on the claims that their service is poor, Rapista said it is totally unfair on the part of the cooperative.

“On the part of Nordeco ato nang gina respeto ang pagpasibaw sa mga member/consumers kabahin sa ilang mga reklamo. Natural kana and we take that as a challenge. Kaya lang kung ato ingnun nga walay klaro ang serbisyo sa Nordeco, its totally unfair on the part of Nordeco nga nagserbisyo for 50 years. Ginatan-aw nato ang mga nego-

FDAVNOR, P10

Potable water needed in Davao de Oro’s evacuation centers

TheBureau of Fire Protection-Davao (BFP-Davao), Davao City Water District (DCWD), and Davao City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) are closely coordinating the supply of drinking water at the evacuation centers in Davao de Oro.

The Camp Coordination and Camp Management Cluster identified nine evacuation centers in Davao de Oro: five in Maco, three in Nabunturan, and one in New Bataan, which need potable water.

The Regional Disaster Risk

Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) reported that drinking water is what the quake victims being housed in the evacuation centers need most today.

Based on the report of RDRRMC as of 7 a.m. of Sunday, March 12, 2023, there are 70 quake-affected barangays in Davao de Oro with 6,720 families or 31,120 individuals. Of the total number families, 1,826 families or 7,923 individuals are housed at the evacuation centers.

Relief assistance from other provinces and cities continues to arrive in the earthquake-stricken

municipalities in Davao de Oro.

The regional office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD 11) distributed relief goods over the weekend to the people of Sitio Kilabot in Barangay Ngan, Compostela, and Barangay Prosperidad, Montevista.

Last week, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, together with Governor Dorothy Gonzaga, among other officials, led the distribution of financial and food aid to affected families in several barangays in Andap, New Bataan;

Department of Social Welfare and Development 11 (DSWD 11) assistant director Dahlia S. Padillo, together with RROS head Rachel Guerrero, shares the agency’s response efforts for the earthquake-affected municipalities in Davao de Oro during this week’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao. Lean Daval Jr.

More apps eyeing stock trading services -- SEC

Moreplatforms are seeking regulator approval to offer stock trading options using their mobile apps, Commissioner Kelvin Lee of the Securities and Exchange Commission said on Monday.

This was after GCash and AB Capital said they would test run stock trading using the e-wallet’s mobile app.

“Because of that sandbox, there have been other entities, other portals that have been reaching out to us now and also making similar submissions,” Lee said.

At least 2 to 3 platforms have submitted their applications, Lee said.

“It looks like that’s something we can look forward to. Much more access to capital markets through different portals that will have different sandboxes for equities trading within your cellphones, within the apps,” he add-

ed.

GCash and AB Capital are currently testing their stock trading feature to a limited number of users.

Lee said so far “there have been no systematic issues” seen.

Philippine Stock Exchange President and CEO Ramon Monzon earlier said the GCash online stock trading feature is a “game changer” which has the potential to increase the stock market userbase in a shorter span of time.

NGCP, NICA sign deal to shore up PH defenses vs cyberattacks

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA).

In his keynote speech at the Malacañang Palace, Marcos said the MOU was a milestone in the Philippine government’s effort to protect the country from possible cyberattacks, particularly on its energy infrastructure.

Malacañang earlier said that

the MOU would also ensure the NGCP’s continued service of providing power to communities through intelligence- and data-driven analysis from NICA.

The partnership between NGCP and NICA, Marcos said, would also shore up the country’s defenses “against any possible attacks on our power systems [and] on any other of the elements in our everyday lives that require power.”

Such efforts would require “the exchange of secure information amongst ourselves in soci-

PH vehicle sales up 27.2% in Feb

Local automotive manufacturers are optimistic to surpass pre-pandemic sales levels this year with up to 15% growth, on the back of what they described as “favorable” economic indicators and the growth

(TRAIN) Law.

ety,” he added.

Marcos noted that the MOU signing was also a way to address fears of a potential security threat due to a foreign entity’s involvement in the country’s power transmission system, as the NGCP’s consortium has the State Grid Corporation of China as its technical partner.

The MOU between NGCP and NICA will also enable the Philippines to handle key data “in a secure fashion without the risk of it being used somehow against the

FNGCP, P10

In a joint report released Monday, the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI) and the Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) said they forecast sales to hit 395,000 units this 2023.

The groups are optimistic of recording 10% to 15% growth from the 352,596 units sold in the past year, with the yearto-date sales already at 60,464 units as of end-February, 34% higher than the same period in 2022.

Should it be realized, the sales would be higher than pre-pandemic levels, and only second to the sales in 2017 or the year before the implementation of excise taxes under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion

“Favorable various economic indicators are prevailing, leading to improving the overall outlook of the economy alongside increasing consumer demand for new motor vehicles,” CAMPI president Atty. Rommel Gutierrez said.

This comes as the industry reported 30,905 units sold in February, reflecting a 27.2% increase from the 24,304 units sold the same month last year, and 4.8% higher than the 29,494 units sold in January.

“A clear indicator of a ‘continuously progressing auto industry’ from the course of the pandemic,” Gutierrez said.

Broken down, passenger car sales accounted for 7,189 units; commercial vehicle sales for 23,716 units; Asian utility vehicles (AUVs) with 4,896 units; light commercial vehicles (LCVs) with 18,035 units; Light trucks with 438 units; and trucks and buses with 347 units.

Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) Davao chapter president Joseliza A. Eralino, together with PICPA Davao chapter Centennial Celebration chair Nikko Caminade, discusses the lined up activities for PICPA’s centennial celebration during Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao on Monday. Lean Daval Jr.

DTI-DdO targets potential market opportunities in Free Trade Areas

Fitch revises ‘23 global growth forecast to 2%

Fitch Ratings revised its global economic growth forecast for 2023 to 2% from 1.4%, saying growth expectations for this year improved during the past three months.

“Global growth prospects for 2023 have improved significantly since December,” the rating agency said Friday in its latest Global Economic Outlook report.

It added, however that the “impacts of rate hikes on the real economy still lie ahead and are likely to push the US economy into recession later this year.”

Some of the reasons behind the improvement in growth prospects are China abandoning the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and European natural gas crisis easing significantly in recent months, according to the agency.

“The US economy has more near-term momentum than we anticipated, with robust employment and consumption growth at the start of the year. Household income growth is holding up and savings buffers built up in the pandemic will support spending for a while,” it added.

Fitch, however, said it lowered

TheDepartment of Trade and Industry (DTI) here is set to conduct its annual Exporter’s Forum today, March 14 at Café Noventa, Poblacion, Nabunturan.

global economic growth estimate for 2024 to 2.4% from 2.7% due to “lagged impact” of rapid interest rate hikes by the US Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank (ECB).

“Central banks are now taking away the punchbowl quite quickly. It is only a matter of time before the impact on the real economy becomes much more visible,”

Brian Coulton, chief economist at Fitch Ratings, said in a statement.

The agency said it forecasts the Fed funds rate to peak at 5.5% and the ECB’s main refinancing operations rate at 4% this June, which are upward revisions of 50 and 100 basis points, respectively, since Fitch’s forecasts made in December.

“Monetary tightening is taking longer to slow US demand than expected, but we believe that 525 basis points of rate rises in just 15 months will ultimately weigh heavily on activity,” according to the agency.

Fitch said it still forecasts a recession in the US starting in the third quarter of this year, which is a few months after the peak in Fed funds rate. (Anadolu)

Being one of the emerging provinces in Region 11, Davao de Oro has been consistent in its placement as one of the highly competitive provinces in the Cities and Municipalities Competitive Index (CMCI). This has been manifested by the province’s growth in investments, the surge in new businesses despite the pandemic, and the increase in jobs created.

Relatively, the province is also a constant contributor to the net exports of the region. The

report of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) for the second semester of 2022 shows that Davao de Oro’s total export volume reached 65,119.73 metric tons (MT), valued at around USD 84.72 million. The top commodity being exported to the Middle East, the ASEAN Region, and countries like Japan, China, Singapore, and Korea are fresh bananas.

With the forum entitled “Exporter’s Forum: Doing Business in Free Trade Areas”, DTI aims to expand the current market of

local producers and suppliers. It also intends to take a closer look at various free trade agreements in existing and new Free Trade Areas (FTA) as well as update existing and potential exporters on the various opportunities included in the free trade agreements that they could maximize.

DTI Davao de Oro provincial director lawyer Lucky Siegfred M. Balleque weighed in and highlighted that various free trade agreements entered into by the Philippines will be presented by none other than officials from the Bureau of International Trade Relations (BITR).

“The presentation of the PhilFDTI-DDO, P10

Gasoline prices up, diesel and kerosene down today

(DOE) indicate a year-to-date net income of P5.70 per liter for gasoline, and net decreases of P0.90 per liter for diesel and P1.05 per liter for kerosene as of March 7, 2023.

Latest data available from the Department of Energy

Firms last week hiked prices per liter of gasoline by P0.50, diesel by P1.50, and kerosene by P1.25.

Travelers along the Narciso Ramos Highway stop at a stall selling marang (milkfruit) in Barangay Igabay, Balabagan in Lanao del Sur on Sunday noon, 12 March 2023. MindaNews

photo by BOBBY TIMONERA

In groundbreaking the Super Health Center in Lupon, Davao Oriental on Saturday, March 11, highlighting the government’s commitment to providing accessible healthcare services for all especially those residing in far-flung communities:

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance

JASPER V. BACSAL General Manager / VP Operations JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales

GREGORIO GARAY DELIGERO Editorial Consultant

MAYA M. PADILLO Senior Reporter MOSES BILLACURA Sports Editor

“Napansin ko noon, sa napakalayong lugar, walang access sa ospital yung mga buntis at manganganak na lang sa jeep at tricycle sa layo ng biyahe; nanganganak na lang po dyan sa tabi-tabi … Kaya ngayon po magkakaroon na po ng Super Health Center sa kanilang

Senator CHRISTOPHER “BONG” GO

komunidad.

Para ito sa mga kababayan natin sa malalayong lugar, makakatulong po ito lalo na sa mga mahihirap.”

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST

BACKWARD

Ethnologists have always embraced the lexical interpretation that MAN in Manobo or MANobo refers to ‘people.’ The same goes to MAN-daya and MAN-saka whose prefix is said to come from the same root word.

Curiously, the Manobo, Mansaka, Mandaya, and Bagobo dictionaries do not have an en-try for MAN, not even as a prefix, which is odd given the popular acceptance of the term. Instead, we have the word OTAW, the equivalent of Visayan ‘tawo.’

The Chinese annals known as Ming shih written during the Ming Dynasty (1385-1644), at about the time the Dutch traders were visiting the gulf of Davao, may provide some explana-tion.

In the Proto-Indo-European root, ‘man’ is not a prefix but a suffix, which means ‘male.’ On

ORIGINS OF ‘MAN’ AND ‘MAMA’

the other hand, in Proto-Malayo-Polynesian, ‘man’ is similarly spelled but pronounced as ‘meng.’

It is interesting to note that MAN, supposedly translated as ‘people,’ is only attached to the names of Davao tribes and nothing else! The tribes of Luzon such as the Ifugao, Bontoc, Kankanay, Ibaloi, Kalinga, Tinguian, Isneg, Gaddang, Ilongot and Negrito, do not carry the prefix.

Even the ethnologists, who study different societies and cultures, do not provide us a convincing conjugation of why ‘man’ indubitably refers to people or a population of people.

Berthold Laufer, in ‘The Relations of the Chinese to the Philippine Islands,’ part of the 1908 Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections, states that “the annals of the provinces of Kuang-tung and

Fukien frequently speak of the Philippines, and describe historical and other inci-dents related to them, for the natural reason that the traders and seafaring people of those parts of China were most active in transmarine undertakings.”

Chinese junks during this period are known to sail to Maguindanao to trade but were de-ceived after they were supplied “a party of impure wax and half-rotten tobacco,” leaving them no option but to accept the goods under threat of getting nothing. They could also have been deceived in the gulf of Davao, then controlled by Maguindanao vassals, where they also operated.

In the same chronicles, the Chinese referred to the Spaniards as ‘man’ by using a deroga-tory term originally referring to the aborigines of southern China,

which means ‘savages.’ Could it be that ‘man’ as a prefix is an offshoot of the bad experiences the Chinese meet while in Mindanao?

But, why is the prefix not used for the Maguindanao people? There may be a hypothetical explanation for this that it was also used for that tribe, which some scientists studying the or-igins of the tribe say was once part of the Manobo but renamed itself or adopted another identity after the establishment of the sultanate in 1520 in honor of the lakes that surrounded their kingdom.

Speaking of lakes, the Meranao people also got their name after the lagoon and the prov-inces that host them, the Lanaos. Linguistically and culturally, they are related to the Tiruray and Subanon.

Meanwhile, we are often told

ATTY. DENNIS R. GORECHO KUWENTONG PEYUPS

UP SUNFLOWER RUN IN HONOR

“Pagpugay sa Kababaihan, Pag-asa Para sa Kabataan”.

The first ever UP Sunflower Run was held last March 11, 2023 at the Academic Oval of Diliman campus of the University of the Philippines (UP) as part of the Women’s Month celebration.

Sunflowers have become the symbol of the ultimate rites of passage in the university.

As a parting gift for graduating students, sunflowers symbolize devotion and loyalty as denizens hurdled every academic requirement through sleepless and restless days and nights.

As one blossom inside the campus, there will come a time that one will have to leave.

Sunflowers, in order to grow, need full sun, just as every student treat every experience inside the university as necessary for their individual growth.

Atty. Vien Tiempo Mendez of Portia Sorority Alumnae Association explained that the sunflower is also known as a symbol of women power in the suffrage movement.

Sunflower pins were worn by women in Kansas as they campaigned for the right to vote in 1867. While the Kansas referendum failed, yellow remained a color of the suffrage movement through the 20th century.

In the Philippines, April 30, 1937 marked the first time Filipino women exercised suffrage when an overwhelming majority of 447,725 Filipino women voted in a plebiscite in favor of their right to vote in political elections under Commonwealth Act No. 34.

On March 29, 1984. Proclamation No. 2346 was enacted declaring April 30 as “Woman

Suffrage Day” to enable Filipino women to “renew their advocacy and support for clean, honest and free elections and pursue with greater zeal their efforts towards this direction.”

Geronima Pecson became the first woman senator of the Philippines in 1947.

The country had two female presidents: Corazon Aquino (1986-1992) and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (2001-2010).

Out of the 65,721,230 eligible voters in the country, 33,644,237 are women while 32,076,993 are men. Regions with higher number of female than male voters are Calabarzon, National Capital Region , Quezon City, Manila, Central Luzon, Central Visayas and Western Visayas.

“To be a woman today is both a burden and an honor—a burden because of the injustices that women from all sectors of society from every corner of the world still face today, but an honor, because of the ability of these women to continuously come together with our allies and fight for our

rights and the rights of our children,” says Atty. Dot Gancayco of Delta Lambda Sigma Sorority.

The sunflower run, Gancayco said, aims to remind the world that women and children have rights that need and deserve to be protected, and to exemplify the truth that these Filipino women are not alone.

A 2017 Survey by the Philippine Statistics Authority noted that one in four Filipino women age 15-49 has experienced physical, emotional or sexual violence by their husband or partner.

Officially recognized by the United Nations in 1977, International Women’s Day is celebrated every March 8 as a day when women are recognized for their achievements without regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political.

March was declared as Women’s Month after President Cory Aquino signed Proclamation No.288 on March 17, 1988 emphasizing the role of Filipino women in the social, cultural, eco-

that the word MAMA, as in Datu Mama Bago, comes from the Maguindanao language. Oddly enough, there is no reference to it in the 1803 ‘Diccionario Moro-Maguindanao-Español’ by Fr. Jacinto Juanmarti, S.J.

In other dictionaries, ‘mama’ is referred to as ‘brother,’ a term of address exclusive to males and used by men only. In the Bagobo lexicon, ‘Diccionario Bagobo-Español’ by Fr. Mateo Gisbert, SJ, it is defined as ‘man,’ which is a sexual sorting.

Maybe the linguists have a way of resolving the etymology of ‘man’ in reference to tribal names which, up to now, is dependent on the interpretation of experts. If the term cannot be found in old, colonial dictionaries, finding it in today’s lexicons may be more challenging.

OF WOMEN AND

nomic and political development throughout our history.

Participants of the Sunflower Run assembled in front of the UPLift sculpture situated in front of the University Theater, sometimes known as the female UP Oblation.

As the “Oblation” literally means “to sacrifice oneself”, UPLift creator Ferdinand Cacnio said that the sculpture is about “enlightenment and uplifting oneself” and about “aspiring for honor and excellence.”

It is a woman arising with open arms to welcome the knowledge and values of UP as an institution which essentially explain the levitating and openarmed characteristics of UPLift.

During the annual Oblation Run , or the Ritual Dance of the Brave, runners are male members of the Alpha Phi Omega (APO) , and traditionally run completely naked in public places in the campus.

The event was led by UPbased women groups which include Portia Sorority, Portia

CHILDREN

Sorority Alumnae Association, Women Lawyers’ Circle, Women in Law, Delta Lambda Sigma Sorority as well as Concert Chorus Alumni Association, Kontra GaPi, Celebrity Club and the UP School of Economics Alumni Association.

Sunflowers always follow the direction of the sunlight.

Iskolars ng Bayan should always follow the light, a light that calls them to serve the country.

The campus molded us to fight for the causes we believe in, trained us for the skills we need to communicate ideas and rally others to effect changes in society.

“Let us all be the voices of the women and children who are victims of violence, abuse, sexual harassment and exploitation,” Gancayco said.

(Peyups is the moniker of University of the Philippines. Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho heads the seafarers’ division of the Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan law offices. For comments, e-mail info@sapalovelez.com, or call 09175025808 or 09088665786.)

CHECK-IN ANYTIME AT GO HOTELS LANANG

ly be released. GO 24/7 is bookable through direct e-mails, direct calls, and in the Go Hotels booking engine.

Rarely do hotels accommodate an early check-in, usually you have to wait for your room to be available. So you end up sitting in the lobby for hours dead-tired and sleepy. Or stay in the coffee shop drowning yourself on caffeine to keep awake.

Guests have to toe the line. No choice.

Well it’s not the case with Go Hotels Lanang in Davao City as the hotel will check you in anytime.

Via its GO 24/7 hallmark offer, Robinsons Hotels and Resorts has decided to empower its guests by redefining the standard hotel stay time of the typical 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. check-in schedule. Vacationers and business travelers will now be allowed to check in at any time of day and remain for up to 24 hours countrywide starting March 2, 2023.

This means that as soon as people arrive at Go Hotels Lanang, they can drop their luggage off and start having fun or they can shower and just nap in their room.

This hassle-free booking will initially be available in seven strategic Go Hotels properties namely: Dumaguete, Iloilo, Lanang-Davao, Mandaluyong, Otis-Manila, Puerto Princesa, and Tacloban, for as low as P1,600.

This offer is valid for stays

booked 72 hours prior check-in date. Guests will have to declare their check-in time during booking and may only be allowed to make changes by calling the booked hotel 48 hours before the check-in date, free of charge. Take note, if cancellation is made within 48 hours before the check-in date or the guest is a no-show, the first night shall be charged to the guest.

To guarantee the booking, guests are required to pre-pay. Non-guaranteed reservations will only be held within 24 hours, otherwise, they will automatical-

GO 24/7 is part of Robinsons Hotels and Resorts’ new signature offers, aptly named GO, GO, GO - GO 24/7, GO 365, and GO buy online.

The Go 365 is for guests who like to plan. Robinsons Hotels and Resorts has extended its booking availability from 15 days up to 365 days in advance of stay dates with a 10% discount off the best available rate. Pre-payment is required to guarantee the reservation.

With Go 365, guests can secure their preferred room type, activities, and other arrangements for their staycation.

Available in all Go Hotels, Go Hotels Plus, Summit Hotels, and Grand Summit Hotels GO 365 is bookable only through the website.

Coming soon is the Go Buy Online option that enables guests to book and purchase via a unique chatbot and online boutique.

With vacation vengeance now becoming popular and hotels are now rolling out their red carpets for travelers, make Robinsons Hotels and Resorts part of your plans if you want flexibility and convenience.

This happens a lot of times. Your flight lands early in the morning but hotel check-in isn’t until 2 p.m.

The vivo V27 Series’ Aura Light Portrait System: Will this innovation revolutionize smartphone photography?

MANILA – Fans and smartphone enthusiasts are about to get another exciting surprise from the leading smartphone brand vivo as it gears up to release yet another technological masterpiece in the V series line. The iteration of the vivo V25 Series, the vivo V27 Series dubbed as the #TheAuraPortraitMaster, is said to offer fans a one-of-akind camera feature that’s sure to upgrade any smartphone into a studio in one’s pocket.

With vivo’s impressive history of successful launches, it’s expected that this new feature will be just as functional and stylish -- if not more -- as vivo’s previous innovations. The vivo V27 Series is likely to follow the direction of its predecessor and combine powerful and versatile camera features in a lightweight build that many users will surely love.

What we know so far

Committed to catering to young users’ needs, vivo is said to pack this latest addition to its line of premium smartphones with a built-in ring light called the aura light. This replaces the usual camera flash and makes portrait shots clearer and more natural-looking. This feature also gives images a soft light effect usually found in photos done in

professional studio setups. The aura light portrait gives photographs and videos studio-standard lighting and enhances facial features and makes the subject’s skin look luminous.

Continuing its tradition of working with global leaders and pioneers in the imaging world as it did with ZEISS for the vivo X80

Series, the smartphone brand is said to have worked with SONY to create its customized ultra-sensing sensors that ensure higher-quality images even in low light or dark settings. The customized sensor not only produces brighter images but also has Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) capabilities, giving fans more sta-

ble photographs and better in-action shots.

The vivo V27 series is also expected to pack an EIS+OIS Hybrid Imaging Stabilization feature found in the brand’s higher-end devices to minimize out-of-angle and shaky videos. Industry buzz further indicates this vivo V27 Series will also have a 50MP HD

JBL unveils a new soundbar series with DOLBY atmost technology

Fill your home with immersive sound and journey through a new cinematic experience with JBL. Sleek, functional, and feature-packed, the new soundbar series is designed for thrill-seekers. Among them are all sorts of individuals with an ear for quality, uncompromising sound. These include film buffs, melomaniacs, gamers, dancers, producers, digital creators, girl bosses, moms on-the-go, and your neighborhood Zumba titos and titas!

The lineup consists of five new models, each with its own curated components to meet the needs of a diverse market: JBL Bar 1300, JBL Bar 1000, JBL Bar 800, JBL Bar 500, and JBL Bar 300. Whether it be for a fully-furnished home theater, a family flick in the living room, or a casual screening in the bedroom or study, JBL has the perfect sound just for you.

Launching the JBL Soundbar Se-

ries The JBL Soundbar Series launch event was attended by JBL and Harman International executives; JBL dealers; friends from the media; and special guests including actress and film-producer Bela Padilla, dancer and producer Gab Valenciano, digital creators and power-couple Patricia Henson and Daniel Peters.

Moreover, JBL brought together an Expert Panel who were able to test the soundbars for themselves prior to the event. These professionals, including artist and event director Raymond Lauchengco, music producer Jumbo de Belen, and architect Gel Cabantac Cases, are leaders in their respective fields and have a thorough understanding of what it takes to produce an outstanding audio experience. Each one of them brings a unique perspective and set of skills to the table, making them the perfect

candidates to put our sound bars to the test.

“When I tried out the JBL Bar 1300 I was like oh my goodness this is so superior to anything I’ve experienced in the past,” exclaimed Raymond Lauchengco. “I have never been a fan of soundbars until now because previously I found the experience to be very—you know the sound was all coming from the front. Very linear. But with [JBL Bar 1300], the sound was everywhere. It was like being in a movie theater or sitting in front of my very own private concert hall. That’s what it felt like.”

Jumbo de Belen also attested to JBL’s ability to bring movie-theater audio quality to the home. He explained “As a producer, I’ve been working on spatial mixes so it’s an experience that you only get to have in the cinema. [With JBL,] it’s readily available in your homes right now.”

front camera with an upgraded auto-focus feature that captures the subject’s face with greater accuracy and speed, ensuring clear photographs each time.

Signature vivo features to expect

A closer study of vivo’s recent launches will show the smartphone brand puts emphasis on functionality while also prioritizing style and comfort. Talk about accessories that match your OOTDs! The Photochromic 2.0 technology remains a staple in the V series and is predicted to be paired with a slim and flat frame design. The vivo V27 series will be lightweight and handy with an ergonomic grip, perfect for on-the-go users who relish making the most of spontaneous moments.

Based on the V series’ design philosophy, this new addition will likely have a simple and elegant casing. Its rear camera layout will exude minimalism and lean more toward the less is more philosophy.

Excited to have the new studio device in your pocket? Follow vivo’s official Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube pages to get the latest updates about the new vivo V27 series.

The series also includes variants that are simpler and easier to set up. Gel Cabantac Cases narrated, “I’m not really techy... I’d rather stay away from equipment but then when I saw the JBL box I was like ‘I can do this by myself.’ Then I tried and opened it, and then in 5 minutes I was already calibrating! My 3 year old was like ‘Where’s that sound coming from?’ We were just watching YouTube… She started dancing and I was like, ‘it sounds awesome, right?’ She had a really fun time with it. She had a blast trying out the soundbar.”

Feature-packed soundbars for movie theater quality everyday Grab your popcorn! It’s time to bring the movies into your home. Gone are the intrusive background noise, audio distortions, and incomprehensible dialogues. JBL presents an innovative range of soundbars all with built-in Dolby Atmos® technology for that immersive, jaw-dropping 3D surround sound. What’s more, all soundbars have Purevoice technology, a voice enhancement feature that optimizes voice clarity for crystal clear dialogue even when loud sound effects take over. You can also personalize the sound through the JBL One App, which lets you control your speakers and stream your favorite tracks quick, fast, and easy. Moreover, the soundbars can be operated through a voice assistant-enabled device such as Alexa, Google Assistant

or Siri. Essential for everyday leisure and practical use, the JBL Soundbar Series can connect with your go-to channels like Spotify, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, Apple Music, AirPlay 2, Alexa MRM, and Chromecast builtin™.

The lineup: JBL Soundbar Series

The JBL Bar 1300 has the ultimate 3D surround experience that will blow you away! Complete with high-tech features that create bold, powerful sound, you will feel as if you’ve been transported to a whole new world–be it an action flick or a 90s romcom!

Get the most ecstatic rush with the JBL Bar 1000! Game rooms and man caves can’t be complete without it–it’s the ultimate audio essential that lets you experience movies, music, and games with sound that puts you right in the middle of the action. Looking for a smaller setup without compromising on sound? JBL has it for you with the new JBL Bar 800. Offering a 3D cinematic experience with the simplest setup, it’s definitely an audio must-have that goes above and beyond!

Get up and move to the beat with JBL 500, which reveals amazing 3D sound with thrilling bass! A home essential that keeps you groovin’— whether you’re working, studying, exercising, playing video games, flick-viewing, or whatever you’re in the mood for.

ma acknowledge nato ni sila by giving them permit,” he said.

On Thursday, Al-ag together with Councilor Al Ryan Alejandre, vice chair of the Committee on Trade, Commerce, and Industry, along with Councilor Bonz Andrei Militar, chairperson of the Committee on information technology, and department heads of the city government of Davao, visited Valenzuela City to benchmark its digitalization processes.

“Because we want to learn from them and dili ta gusto na mag start ta sa zero. Gusto nato to learn from their experience because ang atoang digitalization karon daghan pa ug glitches,” Alag said.

Alejandre shared online that the transactions of business permit renewal in Valenzuela City through online are fast and convenient.

“Busa dili na kinahanglan nga maglinya pa sa opisina. Ang nakanindot, ang hard copy sa imong permits i-mail o ipadala na sa imong delivery address. Online na sad ang transaksyon sa pagproseso sa City Assessor’s Office ug sa mga Civil Registry documents. Daghan mi og nakat-onan sa sistema sa Valenzuela city ug kini ang tun-an natu sa konseho ug sa City Government of Davao aron mapatuman sad natu sa dakbayan,” Alejandre posted.

Al-ag said with an improved digitalization procedure, the city is expecting to issue more than 50,000 business permits after 2023 from the targeted 50,000 permits this year. Last year, the city has issued 45,000 permits.

“Siguro after 2023 ug atoang ma-digital we are expecting more than 50,000 kay sayon naman ang process,” he said.

He also said with digitalization the city is looking at a more than 20 percent increase in taxes.

“Right now, our revenue sa city government, our projected revenue for this year is P5.5 billion sa atoang local source that is from the business tax and real property tax and other collection from the economic enterprise. I think kung mag digital ta dili na kinahanglan mupila ang mga tao diri, dili na kinahanglan daghan ug proseso kay gi simplify nato from the comfort of their office na makabayad na sila ug makakuha sila ug permit. I am looking at a more than 20 percent na increase sa atoang taxes,” he said.

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ippines’ Free Trade Agreements in various FTAs specifically to Japan, Korea, China, Europe, and other countries in the ASEAN Region, will help us in DTI as well as our exporters in identifying potential market opportunities for the provincial products,” the local trade officer said, adding that officials from the BOC and Export Marketing Bureau (EMB) will be coming to present and discuss topics, such as the “Potentials and Market Opportunities of Davao de Oro’s (Philippines) Products in the Areas with existing Free Trade Agreements such as Japan, China, Korea, Europe, and other ASEAN countries” and “Exporters and Exports Status of Davao de Oro and Davao Region” respectively.

He also emphasized the importance of using this exporter’s forum as an avenue to convene and organize the export industry players in DDO.

“One of the objectives of this forum is to create strategic linkages between and amongst our producers/suppliers and potential companies overseas. By creating an avenue to converge these players, we aim to strengthen, if not create,

In his report to DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan, Senior Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain said “bored piling works on the seabed for the 32 pylon, a structure that provides support for the 3.17-kilometer bridge across Panguil Bay, are all completed and a lot of machinery for bridge construction are in full gear working forward to the main bridge pylons 1 and 2.”

Sadain said work is being done “round the clock” to catch up due to the delays brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic – work was suspended from March 16 to July 2020.

He expressed hope they will be able to finish the project “toward the goal of having first traffic cross the bridge by first half of 2024.”

Sadain inspected the project on March 9 and instructed the contractor Namkwang Engineering & Construction Corporation to “complete the work at an accelerated pace.”

Namkwang is in Joint Venture with Kukdong Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd. and Gumgwang Construction Co., Ltd. as well as engineering consultant Yooshin Engineering Corporation in joint venture with Pyunghwa Engineering Consultants Ltd. and Kyong-Ho Engineering & Architects Co., Ltd. (MindaNews)

DAVAO... FROM 2

other related positions for the maintenance of the units at the terminal depots.

In February 2019, the local government announced the HPBS, then targeted for implementation by 2021, will employ around 1,000 bus drivers.

The number of jeepney drivers in the city then was 7,200.

According to the Department of Transportation (DOTr), HPBS will have 29 bus routes divided into four tiers: MetroDavao will form the core services that connect all major commercial centers along five routes, DavaoInter will run along with eight routes connecting the inner urban areas directly to the Davao Central Business District, DavaoFeeder will run along nine routes linking smaller centers and areas of more dispersed populations to the MetroDavao services, and DavaoLocal will provide a link between the outer rural areas of the city and main transport system or the integrated terminals. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)

these linkages for them. Hopefully, this forum would greatly benefit all exporters, both existing and potential.” Balleque said.

The local trade officer added that since the majority of DDO’s current exporters are exporting fresh bananas, it is their goal to expand the countries of destination for DDO’s existing fresh banana products.

The 2023 exporter’s forum expects to monitor USD50M worth of export sales, assist at least 60 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and asses at least 10 new products for export.

Currently, Davao de Oro has 14 existing exporters, the majority of which export fresh bananas. This year’s forum targets the same 14 existing exporters plus 46 potential exporters to attend the said activity having at least 15 potential products for export. DTIDDO/ecd/ jmm

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syante ug industriya nga partners sa Nordeco. Dili man seguro mahimong syudad ang Tagum City kung wala ang Nordeco. Naay mga parameters na dapat natong tan-awon ug naay mga ahensya sa gobyerno nga dapat adunay kapasidad ug katungod ug dunay expertise nga muingon kung unsa klase na serbisyo ang ginahatag sa mga cooperatives,” he said in a press conference on Monday.

He also explained that the power rate in its franchise areas is not dictated by Nordeco. He said Nordeco’s rate has been the same since 2012, but he reminded that there are factors that affect the increase in power rates which are beyond the control of Nordeco, including the increase in the prices of gasoline and crude oil.

“In which under sa balaod allowed ni pass on sa member/ consumers,” he said.

Jubahib claimed that households in the province also suffer from the consequences of the poor services of Nordeco.

“With the increasing power rates, many families struggle to pay their bills and make difficult decisions on allocating their limited resources,” he said.

Jubahib believes that the availability of a dependable and cheap power services is essential to ensuring the comfort and safety of tourists since tourism contributes significantly to the province’s economy.

With the high power rates imposed by Nordeco, the governor said tourism-related businesses such as hotels, restaurants, and resorts in Tagum City and IGaCoS are facing increasing operational costs, which can result in higher prices for tourists.

He said this is also among the reasons why he stands in solidarity with the Tagum Chamber of Commerce and the Davao Consumer Movement in their protest against the high power rates and poor services of the current provider.

“I share their concern and understand the impact that this issue has on the lives of our constituents. As the Governor of Davao del Norte, I fully support the Tagum Chamber of Commerce and Davao Consumer Movement in their call for fair and reasonable power rates and high-quality services for all,” he said.

He also expressed support to the bills that aim to expand the franchise of Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC), Inc.

Jubahib is referring to House Bill (HB) 5077, which was filed by Davao del Norte 1st District 1 Representative Pantaleon D. Alvarez, the HB 6740 by Rep. Margarita Ignacia B. Nograles of PBA Partylist, and the HB 7047 by Rep. Sandro L. Gonzales of MARINO Partylist that were filed in Congress to expand the franchise of the Aboitiz-owned DLPC.

NGCP... FROM 4

Philippines,” Marcos said.

“This MOU... will make much clearer the requirement of our intelligence services to ensure that we are safe and that we are secure. Let this be an example to all the other sectors that could be assessed to be at risk when it comes to cybersecurity,” the President added.

“It is a good signal to all of us who have concerns in this regard that we are doing many things to make sure that the Philippines remains secure... and its people can rest assured that their territory, their data, their personal information will not be used against us.”

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GLITCHED... FROM 2 RISING... FROM 12 TRAVEL... FROM 2

port construction’s Phase 1, which was awarded to Eddmari Construction and Trading. As of February 28, 2023, this project phase is due for completion on April 20, 2023.

The CAAP project status report, however, showed a number of adjustments in project completion.

Based on the project profile, the Phase 1 project duration was increased from 330 to 440 calendar days due to an approved variation order. The completion was first extended from June 28, 2022 to October 15, 2022. The same duration was adjusted by another approved variation order to April 8, 2023 due to “unworkable/rainy days.” Another extension was given up to April 20, 2023 due again to unfavorable conditions and delayed payments of 1st progress billing.

Although declared complete and inspected as of November 2022, the CAAP status report also cited that the project’s Phase 2, on embankment works, was also extended due to “unworkable/rainy days.”

Based on the CAAP report, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has downloaded to CAAP a total of P2.816 billion from 2019 to 2022 to the four phases of the project, which is expected to be completed in 2026.

For Phase 1, the DOTr downloaded P200 million of its annual budget to CAAP with a memorandum of agreement approved on April 25, 2019. From the 2019 GAA (General Appropriations Act), DOTr downloaded an additional P430 million.

In Phase 2, the DOTr downloaded P136.8 million of its GAA to CAAP with a MOA signed on January 10, 2019.

In Phase 3, the DOTr downloaded a total of P1.05 billion to CAAP with a MOA approved on June 10, 2021.

For Phase 4, the DOTr downloaded a total of P1 billion to CAAP with a MOA approved also on June 10, 2021.

In November 2021, then Senate Majority Leader Zubiri reported the construction of the P2 billion (USD39.8 million) Bukidnon Airport project due to be fully completed by 2026.

According to the Center for Aviation website, once operational, the Bukidnon Airport is expected to accommodate aircraft including the ATR-72 and Bombardier Q400.

Zubiri has been pushing for the airport project for over a decade.

In 2012, Zubiri earmarked a portion of his Priority Development Assistance Fund to start construction of the airport. He said he looked for additional sources from Official Development Assistance and other international aid agencies to fund the bigger portion of the project.

POTABLE... FROM 3

Manat in Nabunturan; Panoraon; New Leyte in Maco, and Paloc in Maragusan.

These included food items, cash assistance, and other essential supplies, to assure that each family received the appropriate assistance they needed.

The assistance was provided through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program of the DSWD, which aims to provide immediate support to families affected by disasters.

RDRRMC also reported that as of 7 a.m. of Sunday, March 12, 2023, the earthquake events count of the series of tremors in Davao de Oro was 1,468; 234 were plotted and 33 were felt with magnitude ranging from 1.4 to 5.9.

“Sabi niya, bahala na daw ma-cast ulit yung kaliwang kamay niya, basta makuha raw niya yung ginto para sa ating bayan. Taga-Mindanao rin po ito si Marcial, from Zamboanga,” Go said.

The senator cited Marcial for bringing home several victories for the Philippines including the gold medal at the Southeast Asian Games and a bronze medal at the Asian Games, among others. “As the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, I believe sports play a crucial role in our society as it is not only a form of entertainment and recreation, but also a means of fostering unity and national pride. As such, I place great importance on the development of sports in our country,” he said. “Through our combined efforts, we will be able to continue to inspire and empower our Filipino athletes to achieve greater heights, and in bringing honor and glory to our country. Rest assured that I will continue to always stand behind our athletes and support them in their pursuit of excellence.”

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son-high 33 points and eight assists despite managing just two points in the fourth quarter for the Lakers, whose three-game winning streak ended with only their fourth loss in 12 games since the trade deadline.

Randle and Russell spent two seasons together as teammates with the Lakers. Russell got off to a scorching start in his highest-scoring performance since rejoining LA, but went 1 for 5 and missed three 3-point attempts in the fourth quarter.

Anthony Davis had 17 points and 16 rebounds, but the Lakers fell behind during an erratic shooting performance by three starters: Malik Beasley, Troy Brown Jr. and Jarred Vanderbilt were a combined 5 for 23, missing 14 of their 16 3-point attempts.

Los Angeles dropped to 4-3 during the latest injury absence for LeBron James, who missed his seventh straight game with a sore right foot.

Randle scored 18 points in the first quarter with help from seven free throws after he complained publicly about the officiating in Saturday’s loss to the Clippers. Russell kept the Lakers close with 23 points in the first half, but Randle’s 3-pointer shortly before halftime put the Knicks up at the break.

The series of quakes affected 13 road sections and one bridge and totally damaged 2,712 houses and partially damaged 2,454 in Davao de Oro.

These updates were gathered and issued since early Monday morning following a 5.3 magnitude earthquake of tectonic origin that hit the municipality of New Bataan in Davao de Oro.

On 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 afternoon of the same day, which was also felt at various intensities within the neighboring municipalities and provinces. By Maya M. Padillo

Knicks edge Lakers to end three-game skid

LOS ANGELES — Julius Randle scored 33 points in a bounce-back performance, RJ Barrett got 20 of his 30 in the second half, and the New York Knicks snapped their three-game losing streak with a 112-108 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night (Monday, Manila time).

Immanuel Quickley had 15 points as the Knicks survived a ferocious late rally by the Lakers to salvage a weekend split in Los Angeles without second-leading scorer Jalen Brunson, who has a bruised left foot.

Los Angeles scored eight straight points down the stretch

FRED C. LUMBA SPORTS KEN

Even as the diminutive gymnast Carlos Yulo was making big waves at the current World Gymnastics Series, Ilongos and other Visayan-speaking areas near Passi City in Iloilo were treated non-stop to first-class sports entertainment for three days until Sunday when the PBA All Stars went on a weekend road show to Panay island.

Passi City Mayor Palmares is lucky because his LGU has boosted its tourism stock in hosting the traditional annual super event at a time when Pinoy basketball fanatics were wanting to unload their euphoric expectations after a two year hiatus caused by the viral pandemic and exasperating

lockdowns.

True enough, those selected by the fans to compose the two teams - one captained by Japeth Aguilar and coached by Ginebra mentor Tim Cone and the other by Scottie Thompson and ROS chief startegist Yeng Guiao, respectively - displayed A-One class.

(The usual format before was between the North and the South.)

I guess it didn’t matter so much to the overflowing Passi crowd who won and lost. (Final score was 140-136 in favor of Japhet’s team.)They wera able to personally watch their fave cagers display their individual wares which they only see on the

to make it close, trimming New York’s lead to 110-108 on Dennis Schröder’s layup with 19.3 seconds left. After Los Angeles needed 14 seconds to commit a foul to stop the clock, former Lakers guard Josh Hart hit two free throws to seal it.

New York hadn’t won since

PBA ALL STARS WOWS ‘EM

boob tube.

The 48-minute tussle was so entertaining that everyone got his money’s worth as cheers roared for Scottie’s Black Shirts who scrambled and rumbled to catch up with Japhet’s White Shirts for a down-the-wire finish,

The contest was made more exciting with the creation of a four point arc where the long shooters were tested for their sniping prowess.

Magnolia’s Paul Lee, who won the three-point shootout the previous day, capped his herculean skills by grabbing the All Star MVP honors with his long toms.

Aside from Lee’s game-long brilliance (7 of 13 from bey-

iond the four-point line), Jamie Malonzo, Calvin Abueva, Cj Perez, Christian Standhardinger, Raymond Almazan, Calvin Oftana, Robert Bolick, Kevin Alas were among the oustanding who exemplied the hard fought duel with their individual penetration, bulldozing passing and rebounding.

Although you might have noticed that there were less bodychecks and bodies banging such that let go fouls were allowed for a smooth and continuous game.

You could say every player was afforded the chance to display his talent.

In the end, you must have perceived that both Cone and Guiao

its impressive nine-game winning streak ended a week ago, but Randle added eight rebounds and five assists one day after struggling through a 5-for24 shooting effort in a loss to the Clippers.

D’Angelo Russell had a sea-

wanted the win as the best five from each bench played up to the buzzer.

(The twin embarrassing defeats of San Miguel Beer and TNT at the recently concluded East Asia Super League did not also dampen the basketball public’s enthusiasm as the jampacked venue showed.)

Passi also showcased over the televised program cultural presentations of its homegrown customs and traditions as a people.

Bacolod City was announced as the next PBA All Stars host next year. (Email feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

D’Angelo Russell had a season-high 33 points and eight assists despite managing just two points in the fourth quarter for the Lakers, whose three-game winning streak ended with only their fourth loss in 12 games since the trade deadline.

FKNICKS, P10

RISING STAR

Sen. Bong Go commends Marcial for fourth straight win as a pro

BY NEIL BRAVO

Dyed-in-the-wool

sportsman Senator

Christopher

“Bong”

Go on Monday hailed rising Filipino boxer Eumr Marcial for his fourth straight win as a professional.

“As chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, it is my distinct honor and privilege to stand before you today to express my support and co-sponsor the Senate Resolution congratulating and commending Eumir Felix Marcial for his fourth straight professional boxing victory after conquering a middleweight match in San Antonio, Texas, USA,” the Dabawenyo lawmaker said in his speech.

“Eumir Felix Marcial’s recent win in an eight-round middleweight bout at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, USA is nothing short of impressive. Marcial has once again proven his exceptional skills and talent as a boxer by achieving his second knockout in the professional ranks after stopping the more experienced opponent just 48 seconds into the second round. This victory of Eumir Marcial’s speaks volumes about his dedication and com-

mitment to the sport,” he added.

Marcial dominated Argentine Ricardo Ruben Villalba in their fight last February 12 (Manila time), winning by second-round stoppage in their eight-round middleweight bout at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The 2020 Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist, floored Villalba with a wicked left body shot in the first round and twice in the second, forcing the referee to call a halt with 48 seconds left.

The win was the fourth straight victory for Marcial, who scored his second knockout in the pro ranks where he hopes to make his mark after a brilliant amateur career that saw him snare the silver in the 2019 World Championships and four golds in the Southeast Asian Games.

The 27-year-old Marcial hails from Lunzuran, Zamboanga City. FRISING, P10

Sen. Bong Go with City of Mati Mayor Michelle Rabat (right) and Vice Mayor Enzo Rabat (left).