Edge Davao 5 Issue 1 by Edge Davao The Business Paper

Php 15.00 • 24 PAGES

VOL.5 ISSUE 1 • MARCH 5, 2012

EDGEDAVAO www.edgedavao.net

Special Supplement Page A1

45 days of summer Page 16

Officials question safety of airport n RDC defers endorsement of airport 2013 budget

n City gov’t., private sector file complaint with CAAP By Antonio M. Ajero and Jade C. Zaldivar

G Wishing Lanterns Page 4

Motoring Page 20

OVERNMENT officials and business leaders of the Davao Region are frustrated with the continued failure of the national government particularly the Department of Transportation and Communication to correct several deficiencies of the Davao International Airport (DIA). Some of the deficiencies like lack of fire trucks, x-ray machines, and leaking roofs that cause flooding, are compromising the safety of the DIA, the premiere airport of Mindanao. RDC forms probe body This reportedly prompted the Regional Development Council (RDC) 11 headed by Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte to withhold endorsement of the 2013 budget proposed by of the DIA until its manager, Frederick San Felix, can explain why until now the deficiencies are not corrected. Vicente T. Lao, chairman of the Mindanao Business Council, who is the RDC vice chairman representing the private sector, presided over the RDC meeting in the absence of Mayor Duterte. Instead of endorsing the budget proposed by the DIA management, the RDC formed a technical working group co-chaired by the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) and the Department of Tourism (DOT) to look into the airport condition and immediately come up with recommendations. Lao lamented the fact that DIA manager San Felix did not even appear during the RDC consideration of his budget. “He only sent his staff who can not answer our questions with authority,” the MBC leader complained. Mayor Duterte, RDC 11 chair, confirmed the council’s withholding of the endorsement of the DIA budget to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP). Officially, she clarified, the RDC’s denial was based on the DIA’s failure to follow the usual budget format which they followed the year before.

OFFICIALS, 14

2 THE BIG NEWS Sara reorganizes CDC By Greg G. Deligero

AYOR Sara Z. Duterte reorganized last Friday the City Development Council (CDC), a special body tasked, among others, to formulate the city’s mediumterm and annual public investment programs in accordance with the provisions embodied in the Local Government Code of 1991. Aside from the 182 barangay captains, members of the council include the representatives of non-governmental organizations operating in the city, who shall constitute not less than one fourth of the members of the fully organized council as

mandated in code. A highlight of CDC’s general assembly last Friday was the election of committee chairpersons who shall constitute the council’s executive committee together with the following who are indicated in the law as automatic execom members: the City Mayor or her alternate, the City Administrator, the chair of the City Council Committee on Finance, Ways and Means and the president of the Association of Barangay Captains. Barangay 28-A Captain Margie Corral was elected as chair of the social sector committee with Fr. Emmanuel Cifra of the San Lorenzo Foundation as the vice chair. Barangay Hi-

zon Captain Ralph Abella was elected as chair of the environment sector committee with Lia Esquillio of the non-government IDIS as the vice chair. Elected as chair the infrastructure committee is Barangay 3-A Captain Eduardo P. Tombo with Sanerio P. Navarro of the Gawasnong Pagbalay Inc. as the vice chair. Elected as chair of the economic sector committee was Barangay Mintal Captain Ramon Bargamento with Inorisa Elenito of the Mindanao Migrant Center for Empowering Actions, Inc. as the vice chair. The non-government organizations elected Lyda Canson of the Bathaluman Crisis Center as their representative to the execu-

SARA, 14

VOL.5 ISSUE 1 • MARCH 5, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

GUN BAN. Mayor Sara Duterte and members of the Davao City Peace and Order Council (CPOC) in a meeting at the city hall last Feb. 28 approved a resolution declaring a month-long gun ban

in Davao City this March in view of the 75th Araw ng Dabaw celebration. [City Information Office]

claims not guilty Gun ban for city’s safety during Araw Datu of NPA’s accusations By Jade C. Zaldivar

ity Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has spearheaded the declaration of a gun ban lasting thw entire month of March as a mechanism to curb criminality during the celebration of the 75th Araw ng Dabaw. The festival, which had “soft opening” activities since February 10, will offcially open on March 12. Duterte-Carpio originally planned the gun ban to last only from March 14 to 17, at the peak of the city’s celebration, but later opted for a month-long ban. “Rather than falling short, it’s better we lengthen the num-

ber of days,” the Mayor said. Members of the City Peace and Order Council (CPOC) last February 28 met at the City Hall in finalize the resolution requesting Director General Nicanor Bartolome of the Philippine National Police to declare a gun ban in Davao City for the whole month of March. The Mayor said she is merely applying measures to be done by the police as a sure-fire means against criminality. “As what the police say, what helps lower the crime rate is (1) police visibility, (2) conducting random checkpoints, (3) patrolling, and (4) declaring a gun ban. So, I suggested that to Colonel dela Rosa,” the mayor

said, referring to Davao City Police Office (DCPO) Director Ronald dela Rosa. “This is to ensure the safety of the public and our visitors during the celebration,” she added. The gun ban will follow rules and regulations of the Election Gun Ban. Once approved, all gun permits issued to civilians will be temporarily cancelled and only the authorities (police and military) in uniform are allowed to carry firearms during the event, Duterte affirmed. City Prosecutor Raul Bendigo during the meeting made a clarification in behalf of case witnesses as they need to be pro-

tected. Duterte clarified that civilians who wish to carry firearms for some valid reasons can file for an exemption with the Police Regional Office Davao Region. The CPOC resolution also stresses that Bartolome is to “strictly implement the gun ban during the period.” Meanwhile, dela Rosa announced March 1 that the city is currently on high alert. Preparations are set for about 2,000 personnel from the DCPO and Police Regional Office (PRO) in Davao Region to be deployed in different areas of the city during the celebration. Added to the 2,000-strong police force is the city’s anti-

GUN BAN, 14

P800T for watershed study this month D avao City Mayor Sara Duterte confirmed that a budget has been allotted for a study to delineate the eight major watershed areas in the city. Edge Davao earlier acquired copy of the study’s project design from the Davao City Watershed Management Council (WMC) which bares a project cost of P800,000. During a press conference February 27, Mayor Duterte affirmed that a budget had been set for the study. “The budget can now be used,” Duterte said.

The eight major watersheds are the Bunawan River, Davao River, Lasang River, Lipadas Watershed, Matina River, Sibulan River, Talomo Watershed, and the Tuganay Watershed. Meanwhile, City Councilor Arnolfo Cabling and City Agriculturist Office (CAO) officer in charge Leonardo Avilla III on different occasions said the study is set to begin this month. “This study has been long awaited. Finally, with its implementation we can fulfill the Watershed Code,” Avila said in an interview February 28. Davao City Watershed

Protection, Conservation and Management Ordinance author Councilor Cabling said the ordinance, also known as the Watershed Code of 2007, aims to protect the watersheds, which are the city’s upland sources of potable water. “By definition, watersheds are identified as environmentally critical areas where development of any sort is prohibited to ensure the sustainability of the city’s water supply,” said Cabling last February 21 during a meeting of the Rotary Club of East Davao at The Marco Polo Davao where he was guest speaker.

To conduct the delineation, Avila said the WMC will mark areas by putting up signs identifying them as non-tillage, conservation or primary agricultural lands, as well as identifying the watershed recharge zones. The WMC’s objective is also to identify the buffer zones of the protected areas, install monuments, and to provide information education communication sessions with stakeholders. Avila estimated that the project will take three months to finish.

It figures

76percent P5billion 1.5million 300

PROFIT growth of infrastructure holding firm Metro Pacific Investments Corp. for 2011. Top officials led by MPIC chair Manuel V. Pangilinan said MPIC had grown it 2011 net profit by 76 percent to P5.06 billion, boosted by higher earnings from its water and power businesses.

AMOUNT Development Bank of the Philippines hopes to raise from the sale of Tier-2 notes top expand its capital base and support its lending activities. The government-owned bank said the notes, which were launched last week, would mature in 2022, although holders can redeem their investments in 2017.

NUMBER of Filipinos who have joined the ranks of the unemployed between September and December, according to the Social Weather Stations. SWS defines unemployed as those respondents 18 years old and above who are not working and at the same time looking for work.

NUMBER of colleges and universities seeking permission from the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) to increase tuition in the coming school year. However, CHEd Chair Patricia Licuanan said the list could still get longer.

By Lorie A. Cascaro

ae Magdalena SuhatHerbilla, chairperson Council of Elders, a member of Federation of Matigsalog-Manobo Tribal Council (Femmatric) has spoken for Datu Roilito Gawilan to clarify issues raised by the New People’s Army (NPA) against him last Wednesday in the regular Club 888 Forum at Marco Polo Davao. Datu Gawilan, president of Femmatric, is not guilty of all the accusations of the NPA according to Herbilla. “Gusto namo malinaw ang isyu sa Bandera ug Inquirer,” she said. The news about Galiwan’s, together with Femmatric, threat from the NPA was published last February 15 in the two newspapers. It was reported that Gawilan has been warned by Isabel Santiago, spokesperson of the Herminio Alfonso Command-Guerilla Front 53 Operations Command of the NPA in Southern Mindanao through a press statement last February 12. The NPA scored Femmatric and Gawilan for their alleged gross human rights violations against the Lumads in Marilog district, Bukidnon and Arakan Valley by intensified “landgrabbing, robbery, gold bar trade and extortion.” Herbilla said these accusations are putting shame on the entire tribes in the country as her group members including

$840billion WORTH of untapped mineral wealth the Philippines has, making the Philippines “one of the world’s mostly highly mineralized countries,” according to the report of the US Department of State on the Philippine economy.

Gawilan are innocent. “Makapaulaw sa tibuok tribu nga wala man mi gibuhat dautan,” she said. When asked about the landgrabbing issue, she replied, “Dili gyud tinuod ang land grabbing kay IP man mi. Ang moilog sa among yuta ang mga bisaya.” Herbilla pointed out that it is not true that Gawilan is collecting 10% of the income of vendors along the Bukidnon national highway which was mentioned in the statement. Other NPA’s accusations on Gawilan include his being “behind criminal syndicates responsible for the series of highway robberies, trading of fake gold bars, and confiscating titled lands from non-lumad settlers.” Futher, Gawilan is not afraid of the NPA, according to Herbilla, because he did not do anything wrong. “Wala daw siya sala sa NPA,” she added. The NPA alleged that Galiwan and his group is backed up by the military’s 403rd Brigade and the 8th Infantry Battalion “that are using peace and development Special Operations teams to intimidate Lumads and non-Lumad settlers and stage fake mass surrenders.” “As if acting on cue, the military keeps its distance from Gawilan’s cabal along Bukidnon’s highway, careful not to disturb the free flow of arms and money in Bukidnon,” the statement said. In response to this, Her-

DATU, 14

64years

THE age of Rodolfo Q. Aquino, who placed 10th in the 2011 bar examination whose results were released last week. Aquino earned his law degree from the San Beda Alabang College of Law. However, he has been teaching for more than a decade now in the University of the Philippines College of Business Administration where he finished a business degree.

VOL.5 ISSUE 1 • MARCH 5, 2012

EDGEDAVAO Delineation of agricultural lands to start next month

he city government of Davao City is facing a huge job as it starts the delineation of agricultural lands next month as provided under the Organic Agriculture Ordinance of Davao City or City Ordinance 0384-10. City Agriculture Office (CAO) officer-in-charge Leonardo Avila III said based on the ordinance, the city government will identify and declare organic agricultural zones. In the process, he said big plantations located in watershed areas will practically be affected as aside from being prohibited, these big plantations

using the traditional chemical-based farming will be affecting those practicing organic or natural farming in the lower grounds, through contamination. “It is not remote that some areas that will be declared as organic agricultural zones are located below big plantations that are chemically-based. The zones cannot be declared as such as chemicals coming from the plantations above will be flowing down below affecting the organically-grown farmlands. “In this case, the plantations (mostly banana plantations) have either to change crop or be required to shift to organic farming,” Avila said. [PNA]

THE BIG NEWS

ADB president meets PHP execs ahead of 45th annual meeting T

he President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) met Friday with the Philippines’ President Benigno S. Aquino III and Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima as part of preparations for the organization’s 45th Annual Meeting, which takes place 2-5 May in Manila. President Haruhiko Kuroda took the opportunity to commend the Government for its focus on governance reforms. “Good governance is essential for ensuring sustained, inclusive growth and creating an environment for a competitive private sector. The mutual commitment of both the Government and ADB to good governance is reflected in the theme of this year’s Annual Meeting – “Inclusive Growth through Better Governance and Partnerships,” and several of its seminars and knowledge sharing events are dedicated to discussing this issue,” he said. President Kuroda also visited the Philippine International Convention Center, the venue for this year’s event, which is expected to attract more than 4,000 participants. Finance ministers and central bank governors, representatives from international organizations, private sector, civil society, and global media are also expected to attend. The Governors’ Seminar will focus on Asia’s response to the glob-

ADB President Haruhiko Kuroda meets with President Benigno Simeon Aquino III in preparation for the Philippine hosting forthe

al economic crisis. Other seminar topics and panel discussions include new models for green growth in the region; how to protect vulnerable cities; how to deliver financial services to the world’s poor; and how to feed the world in an age of growing demand for food, feed and fuel. Media registration for the Annual Meeting has started and will remain open until 20 April 2012. A fully equipped Media Center will be set up to accommodate about 100 journalists. ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific through inclusive economic growth, environ-

45th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors.

mentally sustainable growth and regional integration. Established in

1966, it is owned by 67 members -- 48 from the region.

BizQuips ‘I believe this is not good because the members of the impeachment court can examine him on all angles and Justice Cuevas cannot object.’

--Former Associate Justice Serafin Cuevas, lead defense counsel, ruling out the possibility of Chief Justice Renato Cuevas of appearing in the impeachment trial.

VOL.5 ISSUE 1 • MARCH 5, 2012

THE BIG NEWS

10, 000 wishing lanterns for release during Earth Hour 2012 in Davao

he Davao Region will have a unique celebration of Earth Hour 2012 as it encourages Dabawenyos to send off 10,000 biodegradable lanterns to the sky in time for the light switching-off from 8:30 to 9:30 pm on March 31. “We’re making it bigger this time by making a statement and targeting 10,000 biodegradable lanterns to be sent off that time,” said Dr. Roberto “Bo” Puentespina Jr., Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII) trustee incharge of the project. Doc Bo identified releasing sites as Magsaysay Park, Times Beach and Toril in Davao City; Sta. Cruz, Digos City, Malalag and Malita in Davao del Sur; Mati City, Lupon in Davao Oriental; Pantukan in Compostela Valley; and Tagum City, Panabo City, and Island Garden City of Samal in Davao del Norte. “No matter where you are, we can all make a statement by sending off these wishing lanterns. Wherever you plan to be, when then Earth Hour strikes, we can all simultaneously release the lanterns, with our wishes for a proactive business community, in light of present climate change realities,” Puentespina said. Participants may purchase the lanterns from the DCCCII before the Earth Hour Event which will have

its main ceremony at Abreeza Mall Davao. It is also during this ceremony that households and even big establishments will be turning off nonessential lights for an hour. Also in time for the Earth Hour 2012 ceremony, the Department of Energy in partnership with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF)-Philippines and in coordination with the Philip-

pine Information Agency will conduct a seminar on energy efficiency and conservation targeting a multisectoral participation from the local government, students, businesses, NGOs, and various consumers. Earth Hour is a global environmental initiative spearheaded by WWF and Leo Burnett. It began in one city in 2007 and by 2011 reached over 1.8

billion people in 135 countries across every continent, receiving acclaim as the world’s largest campaign for the planet. Earth Hour Philippines debuted in 2008 and has since grown into one of the largest annual events in the country, with over 18 million participants in 2011. [PIA 11/Frances Mae Gevera-Macapagat]

EDGEDAVAO AboitizPower earns P21.6 billion in 2011

boitizPower closed 2011 with a consolidated net income of P21.6 billion, dominated by its power generation business which account to more than 90 percent of the group’s income. The figures were down by 14 percent year-on-year and translated to earnings per share of P2.94. On a full-year basis, the generation business recorded an income share of P20.4 billion for the year, down by 16 percent year-on-year. Netting out one-off items, the company’s generation business shored in P19.8 billion 16 percent lower than the previous year due to the lower average selling price and lower recorded net generation. “Aside from organic growth coming from increased contracts, we will continue to expand our generating capacity through brownfield and greenfield projects. We expect to add approximately 700 MW of additional attributable capacity between 2012 – 2015,” said AboitizPower President & CEO Erramon Aboitiz. In Mindanao, AboitizPower has holdings in Davao Light and Power Co., Cotabato Light, hydro power generator Hedcor, Therma Marine Inc. and the soon-to-be constructed coal power plant Therma South Inc. It also has holdings in Steag State Power, among others. The power distribution group

registered a 25% year-on-year earnings expansion, from P1.9 billion to P2.4 billion. This was on the back of increased electricity sales and improved average gross margin. For the year ending December 31, 2011, total attributable electricity sales increased by 3 percent year-on-year, from 3,606 GWh to 3,727 GWh. The industrial segment again led the pack, recording a 6 percent year on year growth, while residential and commercial accounts posted marginal declines during the year. The group’s average gross margin for 2011 improved by 15 percent to P1.44/kWh, as a result of the implementation of the approved distribution tariffs (under the Performance Based Regulation) of some of AboitizPower’s distribution utilities and the reduction in operating expenses of Davao Light and Power Company. The Davao utility recorded a significant decline in operating expenses in 2011 as the operation of its back-up power plant was not required during the year. In spite of slower kwhr sales growth, our Distribution Group experienced favorable profit growth coming from improved margin and controlled operating costs. We are confident that electricity consumption will kick up in 2012 with the expected growth in the economy,” Aboitiz said.

ABOITIZ ,14

SSS members can now get benefit S&R to open Davao Pinay Muslim nurses claim updates through texting branch in December needed in Saudi Arabia

ocial Security System (SSS) members can now get updates on the status of their benefit claims and relay their concerns to SSS by sending a message using their mobile phones, a top official said. SSS Vice President for Member Services Mario Sibucao said the enhanced Text-SSS facility also provides the location of the nearest SSS branch and the list of required documents for benefit claims and change in membership data. “Text-SSS enables members to be in tough with SSS wherever they are,” he said. “It saves them time and money spent in going to SSS branches for inquiries. It also helps members and beneficiaries avoid making multiple visits to our offices because of incomplete requirements.” Those seeking SSS coverage as overseas Filipino workers (OFW), self-employed individuals (SELF) or voluntary members (VOL) can use Text-SSS services to get a list of documents required to register by sending “SSS,OFW or SELF or VOL.” to 2600. About 150,000 users are registered in Text-SSS, which was launched in February 2010 to offer members a fast and convenient means to inquire about their contributions, status of

their loan applications and loan balance, Sibucao said. The agency handles an average of 24,300 Text-SSS transactions every month. The SSS earned last year a prestigious citation from Computerworld, a global media firm based in the United States, for the Text-SSS facility’s “visionary applications of information technology.” Sibucao said the pension fund posted a total of 291,600 Text-SSS transactions last year, with contribution inquiries comprising the biggest share at 44 percent. “We expand our services to include inquiries on the status of sickness, maternity, disability, retirement, death and funeral claims as wee as medical benefits under the Employees Compensation Program, which SSS administers for private sector workers,” he said. Members can register by sending their SS number and birthdate using format “SSS REG ,<SS Number> <MM/DD/YY>” to 2600. Registered members will receive their Personal Identification Number (PIN) code, which is needed in Text-SSS transactions, through text. The service fee is P2.50 for Globe and Smart subscribers and P2 for Sun Cellular users. Members can get the list of keywords by sending “SSS HELP” to 2600.

n Firm to build store fronting NCCC and employ 150 Dabawenyos By Jade C. Zaldivar

igh-end, membershiponly shopping club S&R has set its sight on Davao City for its seventh branch in the country. In a courtesy call on City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, S&R president Anthony Sy bared his company’s plan to take root in the city. Sy said S&R Membership has acquired a lot along McArthur Highway across NCCC Mall where the firm will construct a building. “We’re starting construction in April and we’re targeting to open late November or early December,” Sy told the lady mayor in the latter’s office February 28. S&R is a membership-shopping club modeled after the warehouse membership shopping chains introduced in the United States. “Our aim is to deliver significant value to member-customers through an effective and efficient system anchored on aggressive buying, low-cost distribution and streamlined operations,” said S&R administrative manager Antonio See. The membership shopping provides an expansive selection of imported and local items in value packed sizes. S&R currently has six branches located in Bonifacio Global City, Ala-

bang, Congressional Ave. in Quezon City, Aseana-Baclaran, Cebu, and Pampanga. Sy expressed confidence of their investment here, saying the city “has a lot of potential.” “We have done our research and we are confident that the Davao market will be vibrant,” the S&R president said. Mayor Duterte-Carpio, on her part, offered assistance to the investor. “Let us know how we can be of help. It’s a very positive development. I hope for your successful opening,” Duterte said. Sy said the shopping mart would hire about 150 employees but would rise to about 200 during peak months. Meanwhile, Sy also confirmed that S&R owner Filipino-Chinese businessman Lucio Co is mulling the possibility of merging the shopping club with the flagship Puregold chain of supermarkets. “It is being discussed,” Sy said shortly. The business society buzzed after Puregold said in February that its board had authorized management to discuss the possible merger. Puregold plans to open 24 branches this year to add to their 100 branches of which 38 opened in 2011.

he Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) in Davao City announced the hiring of 800 female Muslim nurses by the Ministry of Health of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. POEA regional center for Mindanao Maria Carolina B. Agdamag said that the position offers a monthly salary of 3,150 Saudi Riyal or about P35,800 in the current exchange rate. Agdamag said that KSA’s Ministry of Health requires graduates of Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with or without board license to qualify for the position. Applicants must not be more than 40 years old, and with at least two years hospital work experience or one year hospital experience but with Prometric exams. Agdamag advised qualified applicants to register online at www. poea.gov.ph or www.eregister.poea.

gov.ph., and personally submit a detailed resume with job description, school credentials, employment certificates, Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) credentials, and photocopy of Board Certificate rating. Other required documents are: valid National Bureau of Investigation clearance, original and photocopy of the first page of the passport and six pieces of 2x2 recent photo. The documents must be submitted at the Manpower Registry Division, Window M, ground floor of Blas F. Ople building at Ortigas Ave. corner EDSA, Mandaluyong City. Agdamag said that submission of applications is open until further notice at POEA Regional Center in Mindanao: Davao City, Zamboanga City, Cagayan De Oro City, Butuan City and/or at POEA office in Mandaluyong City. [PIA 11/ Carina L. Cayon]

BizQuips ‘NOW if they get angry, we can not control their emotions. But then, we will still stick to the fact that these are within our territory.’

--Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin dismissing China’s protestations over a Philippine government invitation to foreign oil companies to explore for oil and gas in West Philippine Sea.

VOL.5 ISSUE 1 • MARCH 5, 2012

EDGEDAVAO Stat Watch

1. Gross National Income Growth Rate (At Constant 2000 Prices)

3.5% 4th Qtr 2011

2. Gross Domestic Product Growth Rate (At Constant 2000 Prices)

3.7% 4th Qtr 2011

3. Exports 1/ 4. Imports 1/ 5. Trade Balance 6. Balance of Payments 2/ 7. Broad Money Liabilities

THE ECONOMY 5

Mindanao aqua food producers expand global reach through Asia trade shows

USD 3,342 Million Nov 2011 USD 4,985 Million Nov 2011 USD -1,643 Million Nov 2011 USD -114 Million Dec 2011 P4,442,355 Million Nov 2011

8. Interest Rates 4/

4.71% Oct 2011 P128,745 Million Nov 2011 P 4,898 Billion Oct 2011

9. National Government Revenues 10. National government outstanding debt 11. Peso per US $ 5/

P 43.65 Dec 2011

12. Stocks Composite Index 6/

3,999.7 Sept 2011

13. Consumer Price Index 2006=100

128.1 Jan 2012

14. Headline Inflation Rate 2006=100

3.9 Jan 2012

15. Core Inflation Rate 2006=100

3.4 Dec 2011

16. Visitor Arrivals

284,040 Sept 2011

17. Underemployment Rate 7/

19.1% Oct 2011

18. Unemployment Rate 7/

6.4% Oct 2011

MONTHLY AVERAGE EXCHANGE RATE (January 2009 - January 2011) Month

2011

2010

2009

Average December November October September August July June May April March

43.31 43.64 43.27 43.45 43.02 42.42 42.81 43.37 43.13 43.24 43.52

45.11 43.95 43.49 43.44 44.31 45.18 46.32 46.30 45.60 44.63 45.74

47.637 46.421

February

43.70

46.31

January

44.17

46.03

47.032 46.851 48.139

48.161 48.146 47.905 47.524 48.217

48.458 47.585 47.207

SUSTAINABLE AQUACULTURE. The Kahugpungan sang mga Gagmayong Mangingisda sa Concepcion (KGMC), a fisherfolk association, is establishing a grouper nursery in Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay, with assistance from the U.S. Agency for International Development, through its Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program. The KGMC nursery will complement the operations of the High-Value Multi-species Hatchery in Tawi-Tawi, which aims to improve the availability of fingerlings among aqua-

culture growers in the Zamboanga Peninusula. KGMC plans to eventually provide for the fingerling requirements of about 1,000 fish farmers in the region. Grouper culture has great economic potential for Mindanao due to the increasing demand for high-value fish products in international markets such as Hong Kong and Mainland China. The USAID/GEM Program is implemented under the oversight of the Mindanao Development Authority.

y participating in international trade shows to showcase their products, more Mindanao producers in the aqua food industries are able to successfully penetrate new global markets. Two events held in November 2011, the China Fisheries and Seafood Exposition in Qingdao, China, and the Busan International Seafood and Fisheries Exposition in South Korea, highlighted Mindanao’s growing competitiveness in the food fish sector. “In Busan, we had inquiries from Japanese and Koreans regarding processed octopus, squid, abalone and grouper products for sushi,” said Romel Sotto, Vice President for Operation/Marketing of Millennium Ocean Star Corporation, which sources its raw materials from Western Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago. “Being able to have exhibit space made a substantial difference in introducing our new products,” Sotto added. The participating firms noted that buyers at the Qingdao and Busan shows were “pleasantly surprised” by the superiority of the Mindanao processed seafood on display. “Even if our packaging and presentation were not as fancy as those from Japan, they liked the quality,” said Jose Maria Cabrera, Export Manager of Alsons Aquaculture Corporation, which is based in Sarangani Province.

ties in the region. Trade shows are opportunities to showcase and gauge the receptivity of target markets, observe product trends, and establish marketing agreements with buyers. USAID and DTI also arranged market reconnaissance tours of local retail outlets in the cities hosting the trade shows to help the Mindanao participants get a better feel for what sells. “We had a more traditional approach to marketing abroad, looking for in-country distributors to push our product line for us,” said Cabrera. “But this opportunity to join the Qingdao show has been particularly helpful in floating and developing new mainstream market products.” Both Cabrera and Sotto noted that buyer interest in traditional seafood products remains strong, but that sustainable aquaculture is “the way to go.” “The government and the private sector have to continue investing in sustainability measures,” said Cabrera. “Good conservation and business viability should be in balance.” “There’s also a trend towards valueadded products, which brings in more profit and employs more people,” said Sotto. Cabrera encourages other Mindanao food producers to invest in adopting international food processing standards, such as ISO and hazard analysis and criti-

“They also appreciated the certifications we presented for good manufacturing practices (GMP), ISO 22000-2005, and compliance with halal, European Union, and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) standards,” Cabrera added. “They were attracted by the fact that we have our own conservation program monitored by the World Wildlife Fund.” “We were also surprised by the interest in sushi products shown by Europeans and Russians, whom we don’t immediately think of as being in the market for sushi,” said Sotto. Since 2008, Mindanao companies that have participated—most of them for the first time—in more than 24 international food expositions and reported total booked sales of more than US$78 million. This amount is comprised of initial sales, and does not necessarily reflect additional orders from the new market contacts established through the trade shows. The Mindanao companies’ participation was provided with technical and funding support by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), in collaboration with the Philippines’ Department of Agriculture and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Through its Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program, USAID is helping to increase exports of higher-value agricultural products from Mindanao and generate more livelihood opportuni-

cal control points(HACCP), and being properly certified. Thirteen Mindanao companies assisted by USAID to acquire HACCP certification reported a collective increase in sales totaling $16.2 million over a twoyear period, which they attributed directly to their being HACCP-certified. “Complying with global standards in different aspects, from processing to packaging to basic marketing is the only way to have full access to the world market,” said Cabrera. He added that forming a consortium of established producers would also be a big step in opening up more markets for Mindanao products. Other key international trade events this year with expected Mindanao participation include the International Boston Seafood Show (March 11 to 13, Massachusetts, USA), and the 2012 European Seafood Exposition (April 24 to 26, Brussels, Belgium). Ten seafood companies with Mindanao-based operations that joined the 2011 European show generated a total of $2.1 million in booked sales during the three-day exposition, negotiated an additional $17 million in sales, and established direct links with more than 50 European companies. Among the Mindanao delegation’s best-sellers were fresh-chilled and “ultrafrozen” value-added tuna and octopus, as well as canned tuna and sardines.

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More Dabawenyos fly to Singapore W

ith the opening of more direct flights to Singapore, more Davaoenos travelled to this preferred destination. Sherina Chan, assistant director of Singapore Tourism Board (Philippines and Brunei), said the additional direct flights contribute to the increase of Filipino travelers. Chan said Davao City now has eight direct flights to Singapore on a weekly basis although this is way below from Cebu’s 22 and Manila with 122 flights every week. She said Philippines ranked sixth in the 2011 International Arrivals Performance from its previ-

ous rank at eighth. Ranking first was Indonesia followed by People’s Republic of China, Malaysia, Australia and India. In 2008, it (Philippines) ranked 10th. In 2011, Chan said Philippines registered about 678,000 Filipino tourists as against the 2010 figure with only 584,000. She said Philippines is the third fastest growing market of Singapore and she attributed this to the positive economic sentiment of the country that is why people have more disposable income as well as the development of numerous tourism products. “The increase in flights especially so that more low cost carriers have direct flights to Singapore

contributed to the growth,” she said. Chan also said Filipinos in Singapore are their ambassadors and some 160,000 Filipinos living and working in their country. “What they experienced in Singapore were passed on to their families back home which I think encouraged other Filipinos to see for themselves what the city could offer,” she added. Based on a random survey they conducted among Filipinos, Chan said are shopping, entertainment and food (chicken rice especially). Overall, tourist arrivals and spending hit new record in 2011 as Singapore welcomed 13.2 mil-

lion tourists who spent a total of P732.6 billion or an increase of 17 percent year-on-year. The various business and lifestyle events throughout the year also played a part in attracting foreign visitors spending. Meanwhile, Chan said according to the Department of Tourism (DOT), inbound Singapore tourists are the second biggest among South East Asian countries with about 200,000 last year. She said their main reason for their coming over are the beaches as well as Philippine geographical location with only three-and-a-half hours travel by air. [PNA]

He added that the quality of employment remained positive last year, with strong growth in wage and salary employment (4.6%), modest growth in full-time employment (1.5%), and slight easing of the unemployment rate (from 7.3% in 2010 to 7.0% in 2011), despite the increase in the labor force participation rate (64.1% to 64.6%). Paderanga said that the figures were taken from the results of the quarterly Labor Force Survey (LFS), which complies with international standards and guidelines prescribed by the United Nation’s

International Labour Office. When asked why the Philippines has a better unemployment figure compared to the United States, which has an unemployment rate of 8.3 percent in January 2012, Paderanga explained that this is because the character of our economy is different from those of developed nations. “Sa Pilipinas, maraming trabaho na [In the Philippines, there are many jobs that] ordinarily in developed countries would not be thought of as work. Our problem, however, is that many of the em-

ployed are working in the informal sector, where the income levels are really quite low. We would like to produce more work in the formal sector,” said Paderanga, who is also Director-General of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). The Cabinet official added that while the Philippines may have fewer unemployed persons, the country would compare unfavorably to developed economies in terms of underemployment, which increased from 18.8 percent in 2010 to 19.3 percent in 2011.

Employment feat boosts optimism for economic performance in 2012

ocioeconomic Planning Secretary Cayetano W. Paderanga Jr. said that the improved performance of the labor market in 2011 bolsters the optimism for a better economy this year. “Last year, the country generated more employment from the previous year. Employment level rose by 3.2 percent or 1.156 million, largely on the strength of the continued growth in services and the recovery in agriculture, although there was a slowdown in the industry sector,” said Paderanga during a Senate briefing this week.

Double-digit import growth

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he interagency Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC), one of the seven interagency committees under the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board, assumes a 15-percent growth in the value of imported goods this year despite significant downside risks. “The government will continue to assume this double-digit growth in merchandise imports in 2012, despite reports from industry analysts that it is likely that the electronics sector will have a more sluggish performance given a weaker-than-expected global demand,” said Socioeconomic Planning Cayetano W. Paderanga Jr. Paderanga maintained this positive imports outlook in 2012, even if the global economy will be stalled this year, which may affect the country’s growth. “Stalled recovery of the global economy may also drag domestic growth, possibly resulting in companies’ lower-than-programmed capital expenditures and households’ slashed spending on consumer goods. However, we are maintaining our positive outlook on the country’s merchandise imports,” said Paderanga. Last year, the DBCC’s imports growth assumption was 13 percent. However, latest report from the National Statistics Office (NSO) showed that the value of imported goods in 2011 reached US$60.1 billion, which only represents a 9.5-percent increase relative to the previous year.

SUBURBIA 7

VOL.5 ISSUE 1 • MARCH 5, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

DTI DavNor eyes P1.8 B investments

By Lorie A. Cascaro

otal investments worth P1.8 billion compose the 2012 target of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 11 Davao del Norte Field Office, the OIC-provincial director said in an interview last February 27 in Tagum City. Vedastito C. Galvez said the major components of the investment leads for 2012 are agri-based products, particularly banana flour and chips, palm oil, rubber and bamboo. Aside from real estate de-

velopment, the banner projects include banana which, according to him, has an unlimited market. In fact, the province has difficulty supplying the market. Other investment leads include improvement of the port facility located at Madaum, Tagum City by Hijo Resources in Davao del Norte, as an alternative port to Davao City. A real estate project costing about P50 million, made up of six villas and six casitas, will also be built by Hijo Resources soon. San Vicente Terminal and Brokerage Services, Inc., a sub-

sidiary of Anflocor, is having its application for permit processed with Philippine Ports Authority for the expansion of port facilities at Panabo City which has an expected investment of P2.7 billion. Galvez said this project will take until next year to finish. Meanwhile, last year, DTIDN field office reached P1.7 billion worth of investments or 97% of its annual target, including such primary investments as real estate developments by Gaisano Mall of Tagum with P432.80 M; Tagum 168 Corp. with P35M; Nicole’s 22 Corp. with P29.60M; and JAF Realty and

Development Corp. with P14M. Other major investments last year included mass housing projects of Filinvest Land, Inc. worth P184.25M, and Communities Davao, Inc. worth P112.7M. The projects of Panabo Trucking Services at P32.37M, and Globe Telecom, Inc. at P29.99M were 2011’s top five and six investments, respectively. Further, Galvez said the province has been successful in applying the industry cluster approach. It is a convergence of all sectors involved in the whole industry. He added that other regions are replicating this approach.

run-of-river hydropower facility. Pacquiao said that Monday’s distribution of the national wealth tax was based on the 311,980,201 kilowatt hours generated in 2010 and 2011. He said the provincial government’s share of P3.1 million represented 20 percent of the total power generation, while the P7.1 million received by Sta. Cruz was gained from the 45% share. Barangays Sibulan and Darong of Sta. Cruz, the host communities of HSI’s hydro power plants, will get a 35% share which amounts to P5.5 million covering the same period. Pacquiao disclosed that the share for these barangays will be turned over to them this month. Aside from the national wealth tax, he said the HSI has paid since the start of its operations in 2010 real property taxes amounting to P39 million, business taxes of P4.1 million and registration fee (to the

Registry of Deeds) valued at P27.5 million. He added that the power firm has also dispensed P36 million for the land rentals payment as of December 2011. On top of these mandated fees, HSI has given total generation shares reaching P10.1 million as of December 2011 to the host communities, Pacquiao stated. HSI was cited as top taxpayer in years 2008 and 2009 by the Bureau of Internal Revenue of Davao del Sur. HSI is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AboitizPower Corporation, which distributes power to the Davao City-based Davao Light and Power Company. Hedcor Tudaya, Inc., another AboitizPower subsidiary, is set to put up a P2.5 billion-worth 14.7 MW run-of-river hydro power systems at Sitio Tudaya, also in Barangay Sibulan, Sta. Cruz, as expansion projects to the existing one. [PIA 11/Carina L. Cayon]

avao del Sur Gov. Douglas Ra Cagas signed the memorandum of agreement recently with President and COO Rene Ronquillo of Hedcor for the 14.7-megawatt Tudaya run-of-river hydro power systems to be located at the upstream of Sibulan Hydropower Plant and downstream of Sibulan Hydropower Plant B. “I affixed my signature here (in the MOA) because I am aware of my responsibilities and at the same time, Hedcor had already spoken to me what their responsibilities are to us,” Cagas said. “The two hydro plants will help the power shortage of Davao,” added Cagas. Witnessed by Sta. Cruz (Davao del Sur) Mayor Joel Rey Lopez, the project is an expansion of the existing 42.5-megawatt Sibulan Hydropower Plant. In July 2011, the local government unit of Sta. Cruz endorsed the project.

now in this fast-rising City of General Santos to put up what we hope to be the second of a series of expansions of Microtel Hotels and Resorts in Mindanao,” said ANFLOCOR Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Ricardo R. Floirendo who also led the groundbreaking ceremony. Microtel Hotels and Resorts GenSan, the newest project of DLI to rise along the National Highway, is

the second Microtel Hotels and Resorts to be established in Mindanao and the tenth in the whole country. “We have 9 operating properties here in the Philippines, all the way from Baguio down to Davao. And now, we are very happy to be the first international hotel chain to be present here in GenSan,” said Microtel Philippines President Jose Mari del Rosario. Del Rosario believes that Mi-

crotel GenSan will contribute to the tourism industry and eminence of the City that the‘Generals’, which the settlers of GenSan are called, have nurtured over the years. Likewise, Floirendo also looks forward that this development will contribute not only to the over-all progress of the tuna capital of the Philippines but will further elevate General Santos City to the forefront of Mindanao’s economy as well.

Davao del Sur LGUs get P10M Cagas okays nat’l wealth tax from Hedcor hydropower

he local government units of Davao del Sur and the municipality of Sta. Cruz received on Monday (Feb. 27) P10.2 million as share from the national wealth tax payment of Hedcor Sibulan, Inc. (HSI) Governor Douglas Cagas accepted a mock check representing P3.1 million from HSI president and chief operating officer Rene B. Ronquillo during the turn-over ceremony at the Davao del Sur Coliseum in Barangay Matti, Digos City. Sta. Cruz Mayor Joel Ray Lopez, on the other hand, received P7.1 million in a mock check from Ronquillo, also in time for the turn-over rites. Hedcor, Inc. vice president for operations in Mindanao Rolando Pacquiao explained that the national wealth tax as mandated by law is paid to the concerned LGUs based on the power generated annually by HSI’s 42.5 megawatts

Microtel breaks ground in GenSan

amosa Land, Inc. (DLI), an affiliate company of the ANFLOCOR Group of Companies that is engaged in real estate and property development, finally broke grounds for the establishment of Microtel Hotels and Resorts in General Santos City last February 23, 2011. “I am very delighted that after successfully establishing Microtel Hotels and Resorts Davao, we are

YOUNG COUPLE. A young couple from barangay Nomoh wear show off their wedding rings during the Kasalan ng Bayan at the municipal gym solemnized by Mayor Jose Zamorro Monday, February 27. [Abner Arzaga/Maasim News Central]

Glan to host 2012 joint RP-US naval exercise

he idyllic coastal town of Glan, Sarangani will play host to the next joint RP Navy-US Navy exercise of the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (NFEM) scheduled on June 28-July 9. Codenamed “Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Exercise 2012,” the twoweek activity aims to strengthen the relationship of both navies and enhance their mutual cooperation. Navy Lt. Joseph Armand Sieras, NFEM operations officer, said that part of their activities is the conduct of Medical Civic Action Program (MEDCAP), Dental Civic Action Program (DENCAP), Engineering Civic Action Program (ENCAP) and Community Relations (COMREL) in selected barangays by the Civil Military Operations (CMO). “Through these programs we hope to improve the quality of life and the general health and welfare of local residents, including government employees, and enable both navies to build a more personal relationship with them,” Sieras told Mayor Victor James B. Yap, Sr. in a

Top CAFIU brass visit Compostela

Gracing the groundbreaking ceremony were General Santos City Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio, ANFLOCOR Chief Financial Officer Oscar V. Grapa, DLI Vice President and General Manager Edgardo O. Villaver, Microtel Davao General Manager Rene Jorolan, Nenita Vice President Edmund S. Dantes, Nakpil Architecture Design

Consultant and Project Architect Luis Juan G. Nakpil, and JITS Construction Corporation Chairman and President Engr. Nemesio P. Jardeleza, the official contractor of Microtel Hotels and Resorts GenSan.

briefing. Assisted by local government personnel, a joint survey team, led by US Navy Captain Wally Lovely, visited several possible sites for the CMO activities, including Glan Central Elementary School and Glan School of Arts and Trades. The team later met with Gov. Migs Dominguez and Mayor Yap for the formal acceptance rites held aboard the RPS Miguel Malvar at the Glan Wharf. In brief remarks, Mayor Yap thanked the NFEM for choosing Glan as this year’s venue for CARAT, saying the event would help highlight the town’s growing importance, both from economic and strategic standpoints. “People following up the developments on television will be able to see our beautiful white sand beaches, our rich vegetation, and the hospitality and gaiety of our people. That would be a big boost to our own tourism development efforts,”he said. Dubbed “Coconut Queen of the South”, this colonial town is home to the now famous Gumasa Beach.

op ranking officials from Chinese Association for International Understanding (CAFIU) visited Compostela Valley province last February 27 to see first hand how Compostela Valley Governor Arturo T. Uy has achieved good governance, especially how economic growth dramatically contributed to its general development as well as forging a stronger relationship with the Filipino people. Founded in September 1981, CAFIU is sponsored by and composed of political parties, social or-

ganizations, prominent personages, scholars and social activists from all walks of life in China. CAFIU aims to enhance mutual understanding and friendship between China and other countries, safeguarding world peace and promoting common development. They have been carrying out active and wide-ranging international nongovernmental exchanges and dialogues in the hope to let the world understand China and let China understand the world. (Rodielyn A. Manugas-IDS COMVAL)

8 VANTAGE POINTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 1 • MARCH 5, 2012

EDGEDAVAO Planting seeds for agri reforms

EDITORIAL

Fighting crime

HE call of Vice Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte for deeper involvement of the chiefs of Davao City’s 182 barangays in the fight against criminality should be heeded by all concerned. The barangay captains are indubitably very vital to the campaign because they can provide information to the police authorities about the presence of criminal elements in their respective jurisdiction. Village chiefs worth their salt should know their barangays like the back of their palm. This requires them to keeping track of old and new faces in the neighborhood and having a pretty good idea of their activities, legal and otherwise. The information that the barangays can provide continuously will enable police authorities to be doubly efficient in running after police characters and in some instances prevent them from committing crime. This system of information has been proven effectively in many other countries. In securityconscious Singapore, for instance, police authorities know everybody in the bukit, where all

EDGEDAVAO

residents belong to a homeowners association, professional club or community organization with each member having an identification card. For example, taxi drivers are asked to join a drivers association, while golfers, tennis players, engineers, including mothers, are asked to form their own. We think this can be done despite the opposition to a proposed national ID system on human rights grounds. Residents will merely be asked to join clubs which currently abound in their neighborhood anyway. Let’s take the cue from politicians who form all kinds of groups and distribute tens of thousands of IDs as political gimmick during elections. Note that nobody criticizes them for possible violation of human rights. Imagine how easy it would be to maintain law and order if the police know everybody in a barangay or a village especially the bad eggs who are potential criminals. The money dangled by Vice Mayor Duterte as reward for information leading to the arrest of malefactors may just be icing on the cake. ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

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he Philippines has always been considered as an agricultural economy. In the past, the sector had consistently contributed to the overall domestic production of the country. In recent years, however, industry and services sectors overtook the performance of the agriculture sector of our economy. Despite this lackluster performance, the government continues to promote our agriculture sector – providing more assistance and financial support bring back the glorious days of agriculture. The result, however, remains an uninspiring picture of the sector – low labor and overall productivity, production inefficiency, high prices, and low level of household incomes in the sector. Private sector investments in the sector have also been increasing, albeit relatively lower than those infused in industry and services sectors. The continuous pouring in of private investment is due to the fact that capitalists and investors can considerably benefit from the high value crops. It is they who get the most out of the whole process in the sector – from harvesting to processing to packaging to marketing and distribution. The return from the little money invested is relatively high. Workers in the agriculture sector are considered the most underpaid. Poverty, measured in terms of incidence, depth and severity, is quite high in the sector. In fact, most of those considered poor in the country are the workers in the agriculture sector - the ordinary farmers and fisher folks. I am not about to say that they should be paid high. My point is that the value of their productivity is low as manifested in their wages. Recent statistics show that labor has also been shifting from agriculture to industry and services, and this to me is a positive note. Again, it is not my idea for workers to leave the agriculture sector. But if this is the only way to improve their lives, then, so be it. Forcing the development of agriculture despite some negative indicators of growth is an interesting issue for debate. We can say time and again that we have the potentials in agriculture but still the sector is unable to grow much in relation to the huge investments poured into it by the government. Surely, we have the resources – vast agricultural lands suitable for high value crops. Yet, how do we deal with inefficiencies and low production and productivity in the sector? And how about low wages and the persistent and prevailing impoverishment of agricultural workers? Then, we have high prices for most agricultural products that they seem to be uncompetitive with the prices offered by our neighboring economies. The government has never been remiss with regards the needs of the sector. We have plenty of policies intended to reform the sector. The government has also been introducing many innovative approaches and state-of-the-art technologies to improve the overall performance of the sector. Unfortunately, they do not seem to work well at all. Perhaps, it’s high time for our decision makers to rethink and reposition our priority for agriculture. Just some thoughts: why don’t we simply allow the sector to grow at its own pace? After all, in this time of globalization, there are various ways to address the food sufficiency concerns. Shift investments of the government to sectors that could significantly benefit wage earners, in particular, and the whole economy, in general. Develop the skills and competencies of young candidate agricultural workers for industries and services sectors so that they can actually help themselves, earn better and be able to break the chain of their impoverishment. Well, these are mere thoughts, some seeds of hope for the lowly people in the agriculture sector. Just thinking aloud! Feel free to send your comments to nic_agustin@yahoo.com.

VOL.5 ISSUE 1 • MARCH 5, 2012

EDGEDAVAO Classmates are friends forever

he list of Aquino underlings who have given Pnoy’s administration a black eye gets longer by the day. First there were DILG undersecretary Rico Puno and Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim whose incompetent handling of the Luneta hostagetaking incident caused the death of eight Chinese tourists. Then a lady presidential writer badmouthed the Vietnamese people in her twitter while in Vietnam during the Aquino sate visit to that country. Just a few weeks ago, BI chief Gatdula got messed up in a bribery case involving a Japanese national. Of course, who can forget P-noy’s political adviser Ronald Llamas who indiscreetly bought pirated DVD’s inside a mall. Now here comes Pagcor chief Cristino Naguiat Jr. who is at the center of a bribery scandal in the United States where he

reportedly received favors from a Japanese casino mogul. How did Noynoy take all these embarrassing blackeyes? He took all these in stride. Puno and Lim are very much in control of their respective turfs. The Luneta incident seem to be just a bad dream to them. Llamas merely got a slap on the wrist after saying sorry and promised to behave. Now consider this carefully: The House of Representatives impeached Chief Justice Renato Corona, accusing him of betrayal of public trust ad culpable violation of the Constitution. And Noynoy told the nation on several occasions that Corona is guilty until proven innocent. Why is P-noy soft on Puno, Lim, Llamas, Naguiat? Well, they are his former classmates and friends. Why is Noynoy hard on Corona? Well, Corona is neither a friend nor a classmate, although they both went to Ateneo. Aquino may not be aware of it or he

VANTAGE POINTS 9

simply doesn’t care, but he exhibits double standard treatment on his friends and foes. Some politicians and political analysts have expressed fear time and again of a constitutional crisis of the three major branches of our government lock horns with one another on issues concerning their exclusive powers and authority. This kind of fear is hypothetical and purely speculative. I think we should have greater fear of an intellectual crisis that may grip the president of this nation. You see, when a leaders fails to understand fully the real essence of rule of la and the Bill of Rights, and adopts one set of standard for his friend and another for perceived enemies, then we would be facing double trouble. And this country will not only go to the dogs, but the crocodiles in coat and tie, to the rogues in robes, to the kidnapers in military uniform, to swindlers in signature clothes, and may other ambassadors of the Prince of Darkness. ooOoo

Introducing Edgy, the Monkey

dge Davao has a mascot. His name is Edgy. He resembles a monkey. However, unlike the promiscuous Proboscis Monkey ( Nasalis larvatus), a virtual icon of nearby Sabah, Malaysian Borneo, Edgy is just the product of the creative mind of Arlene Pasaje, our resident editorial cartoonist. As mascot, Edgy will occasionally adorn the white spaces of our feature articles and news stories. His permanent assignment is :Light and Easy, a section for entertaining, gossipy stories.—The editor

emember those individuals in college who caught your attention - rather, everyone’s attention - because they were bold, brazen, and simply dared to be themselves? That was Gene Rose Dalisay Tecson to me. I was fresh out of an all-girl high school run by a conservative order, and so was kinda old-fashioned when I got to college. I was lucky enough to get admitted into the volleyball varsity team, and luckier to have met Gene Rose who was our co-captain. Being young and new on campus, I wore jogging pants to volleyball practice like the other freshmen. I was mortified to see Gene wearing the shortest shorts I’ve ever seen worn on campus. By today’s standards, Gene’s then short-shorts as I would call them, are pretty decent. But back then, it was too daring, but then again, that’s just me. Off court Gene came across as a fun, uninhibited, and go-for-it student. She broke unwritten rules and did what most women back then would never openly do, like watch girly shows with her barkada for fun or, well, those short shorts... On court she was all business, one of the highest jumpers and hardest hitting spikers. As our co-captain, she was supportive, inspiring, and committed to the team. It was a side of her that I liked first. Even back then Gene was larger than life. Her presence filled the Brebeuf office when she was around, her unbridled laughter infectious, her proud stance and confident demeanor making her stand out from the rest. She appeared to be a typical well-heeled ‹tusuk tu-

Monkey Business

Larger than life sok the fishball› collegiala, coming from a reputable college in Manila. But she was also such a tomboy she could march towards a group of men and they would part to give her way. She was a breath of fresh air. I wasn’t used to such strong women like Gene, but the more I got to know her, the more I liked what I saw. She wasn›t scared to look silly when goofing around, which she liked doing a lot. She spoke her mind when she had something to say, regardless of what naysayers would say. It was wonderful to watch her strong character affect and infect those around her. Gene did not kowtow; giving in to convention wasn’t her cup of tea. She was her own person, and nobody dared tell her otherwise. With her there was no pretense, no put-on persona, just take-me-as-I-am Gene Rose. Yet despite all these, she was firmly grounded. Regardless of who you were, she made you feel welcome. When Gene graduated, she took some of the campus buzz with her; there was just no one with Gene›s effervescent presence (well, except for her sister Pia, but that›s another exceptional story). When she settled down, she transformed into an adoring wife and mother whose life revolved around her family and business. Fast forward to the mid 90›s. I met Gene again when she became executive director of Davao Tourism Association. I was genuinely glad to see her because she had been one of those few ‘real’ persons I met in college. I witnessed the early stages of Gene›s transformation from a moth to the butterfly that she is now. On the job, she was hardworking and reliable. While she worked long hours, she stretched herself to ensure she also attended to the needs and demands of her family. In 1998 she took on an even more challenging job as Program Development Officer of a congressional of-

fice. When Gene became a congressional Chief of Staff (COS) in 2000, there was no stopping her. It was an opportunity for her to stretch her wings and learn to soar. Gene voluntarily did things for her job I wouldn›t dream of her doing, like sliding off the side of abanca to wade in chest deep water towards the shore of a remote community in Samal. Her arms way above her head, she made sure work documents were kept dry for the meeting she went there for. And that›s just a typical day on the job. Gene has been working as a COS in the same district for over 12 years now. Despite a hectic job, she found time to earn a license as a Davao region tour guide, and do charity as a boardmember of the Cleft Center for Mindanao. She also co-founded the Happy Teeth, an informal group that gives comprehensive dental services to far-flung barangays, and volunteers at the Coral Program that is involved in sea environment conservation. I wasn›t surprised to find out she had pious undertakings, propagating love for God and Mama Mary through the veneration of Padre Pio. With her energy, there’s no knowing to what lengths this woman of power can go. With all her professional and personal pursuits, Gene wields a lot of influence, but she›s remained as grounded now as she was back then. So grounded she can gamely drink tuba if invited by constituents in her area of responsibility. It makes me feel exhausted just thinking of her doing all these, but hey, I’m not Gene Rose Dalisay Tecson. No one is like her and I’m proud to call her friend. Tuba, Gene?

Mom-and-pop business scheme

CONOMICAL TRADING OUTLETS – Retailing just might be the smallest of the economic bunch. If one wants to look at what’s really fueling an inexpensive consumer economy, in Toronto, Canada for example, just drive over on any given day to the city’s busy thoroughfares and commercial areas such as Yonge Street, King Avenue, Dundas Street east and west, Spadina Avenue and Queen Street east and west. Actually, it doesn’t matter wherever you go in Toronto since the cost-effective business scheme is very visible. There are plenty of small-scale stores that dotted the different eventful streets of Toronto, and probably throughout Canada, so if you go shopping or looking for reasonable food items, chances are good that you’ll find yourself in a place like antique shops, variety stores, corner café joints, bakery and pastry shops, fast-food centers, cheese stores, pet accessory shops, beautyparlors, book shops among others. While Chinese small entrepreneurs dominated the mini-convenience and grocery stores and wet market business, and their Indian counterparts leading the low-cost consumer-based products merchandizing scheme, all I can say based on my observation is that the line of businesses I’ve mentioned undoubtedly are “traditionally” Canadian. Certainly, in purely economic term, this mode and manner of business – low-margin trading venture is pleasing and astonishing for middle-class and low-income bracket consumers and good for the economy therefore the locals who thrived in this kind of long-established business rightly deserve the reputation for being conscientious. Many of these stores couldn’t be more picturesque with worn wooden floors and shelves. In all, it seems like a quaint harmless slice of the colonial era. But fair enough, the prices are quite reasonable because the retail outlets are built into the way small independent retailing works. However, it can’t match the product selection, service, buying power and merchandizing savvy of large-format convenience store chains. Even in other advanced and industrialized countries typical retailers or the so-called mom-andpop shops are niche operators making up, for example, a large portion of retail employment. They are, as a matter of fact, still the way the nation sold things. And they are wonderfully productive generating a big percentage of the output of the average Canadian retail store. The brighter outlook is largely due to the fact that affordable prices and high consumer satisfaction average Canadian consumers encounter everyday has spurred a never-ending cycle of increased demand and high growth. As much as the local citizens value tradition, the small-scale and low-margin retailing outlets have survived by being flexible even when that meant that stakes are high and the economy striving. Most of Toronto’s old-fashioned and low-cost retailing business, the same as in other parts of Canada and perhaps throughout North America are run by mom-and-pop operations and believe to have emanated from anthills of small adroit family shops. The traditional trading practices have to be patterned on what is generally accepted by the middle-class and lowbudget consumers. oooOooo CANDID SHOTS –The closer to the people government is, the more responsive it becomes to their needs, hopes and wants. Unfortunately, our local government units (LGUs) – the ones closest to the people have very limited powers. Sadly of course, the bulk of power is concentrated in the sectoral or line agencies, which are run by non-elective Manila-based functionaries with little empathy with ordinary Filipinos. It is high time that the swivel of political power shifted away from Imperial Manila to our LGUs. The leadership must peel away the layers of bureaucracy and learn to trust its area managers. If we give them power to lead, they will, by sheer necessity, try to measure up to people’s expectations.

10 NATION/WORLD

VOL.5 ISSUE 1 • MARCH 5, 2012

EDGEDAVAO Nation Brief Red Cross to aid shattered Syria rebel area World Brief No volcanoes

he Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) allayed fears of the existence of volcanoes in Cebu province following reports of discovery of boiling water along the shoreline of Dumanhug, in Cebu . Phivolcs director Dr Renato U. Solidum Jr., clarified that there were no volcanoes in Cebu, in response to inquiry of Rep. Luigi Quisumbing, through Rep. Rodolfo Biazon, during Friday’s congressional hearing of the oversight committee on disaster risk reduction and management in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental. [PNA]

Earthquake drill

antiago City Rescue 206 joined Thursday the nationwide earthquake drill to inculcate preparedness of the pubic in times of calamity at the De Vera’s hospital here. Claro Comoda, city risk reduction and management officer, said the Rescue 206 personnel coordinated with the management of the hospital for a simulation earthquake drill to prepare the hospital management on the right and safety procedures when an earthquake occurs considering the hospital building with a four storey level. [PNA]

Livelihood fund

ep. Gina de Venecia of the Fourth District of Pangasinan has set aside P500,000 for income-generating projects of members of the Ulopa’y Sumisigay ed Dagupan (Fisherman’s Association) who were badly affected by the demolition of their fish traps. De Venecia was informed by Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez, that the owners of fish traps like “skylab” and “puket” , also called sure win, lost their only source of livelihood when the fish traps were removed along side with the illegal fishpens by city hall in preparation for the all-out dredging of major rivers.[PNA]

EIRUT—The Red Cross said it would bring aid to the shattered former Syrian opposition enclave of Baba Amro on Friday, after government forces pushed out rebels in a victory for President Bashar al-Assad’s campaign to crush a year-long uprising. A Syrian official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates declared that the Syrian army “cleansed Baba Amro from the foreign-backed armed groups of terrorists.” The residential district became a symbol of opposition resistance to Assad after government troops surrounded it with tanks and artillery and shelled it intensively for weeks, killing and wounding civilians cowering in its ruined buildings. As rebels withdrew on Thursday from Baba Amro, the opposition Syrian National Council (SNC) warned of a “massacre” in the district. Activists said Syria’s army had begun hunting down and killing insurgents who had stayed to cover their comrades’ “tactical retreat”, although the reports could not be verified. One pro-government figure said troops had “broken the back” of the uprising and the rebel withdrawal heralded impending victory over what he termed a Westernbacked insurgency.

In Beirut, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said Syrian authorities had agreed that the Syrian Arab Red Crescent and the ICRC could enter Baba Amro to evacuate casualties and to take food and medicine to civilians trapped by the fighting and siege. “We have positive indications from the Syrian authorities to go in. We are ready to enter Baba Amro to evacuate first the sick and wounded

and to take food and medical supplies,” Samar al-Kadi, ICRC spokeswoman in Beirut, told Reuters. The ICRC later said a convoy of seven trucks were on their way in snowy conditions from the Syrian capital Damascus to Homs and hoped to arrive within an hour. The rebel Free Syrian Army (FSA) said on Thursday it was leaving the district -- normally home to 100,000 residents -- in what it termed a “tactical withdrawal”. Only

a few thousand remain in Baba Amro. Conditions in the heavily bombarded district are hellish. TV footage showed heavy snow and freezing weather, with residents lacking electricity or fuel for heating. There is also a shortage of food and medical supplies. Barely a building has escaped damage from artillery shelling and many are pock-marked with bullet holes.

he Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) vehemently denied reports that there are ouster plots against President Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III. In the same vein, AFP through its spokesperson Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr., said the military was solidly behind Aquino.

“As far as the AFP is concerned, we have not monitored any report of an ouster plot. The AFP is solidly behind the President and Commander-in Chief. As a professional organization, we are focused on fulfillment of our mandate to protect the people, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country,” he said.

Burgos also said that the AFP would continue to monitor and validate information regarding the ouster plots versus Aquino. “We will continue to intensify collecting information (regarding the matter),” the AFP spokesperson said. He also assured the public that the AFP was not behind this rumor.

“As far as the AFP is concerned the ouster plot is not brewing in the organization. Our chain of command remains strong and everyone adheres to chain of command,” Burgos said. The AFP spokesperson also said that the state of morale and discipline of the troops remain high.

China-India

ndian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, at a meeting here with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, said IndiaChina relationship is one of the most important bilateral ties in the world. There is enough space in the world for India and China to grow and work together, he added. The Indian Government is firmly committed to its strategic and co-operative partnership with China and stands ready to make every effort to advance cooperation in all fields, Singh said at their Thursday meeting. [PNA/NNNXINHUA]

Students scramble as police charge towards them to disperse their protest against spending cuts in

public education in Barcelona February 29, 2012.

Dollar trade

he U.S. dollar trade stayed in the lower 81-yen range early Friday in Tokyo. At 09:00 a.m. local time, the dollar fetched 81.08-11 yen against 81.06-16 yen in New York and 81.06-07 yen in Tokyo at 05:00 p.m. local time on Thursday. The euro was quoted at 1.33233326 U.S. dollar and 108.04-07 yen, compared with 1.3306-3316 U.S. dollars and 107.97-108.07 yen in New York and 1.3316-3317 U.S. dollars and 107.94-98 yen in Tokyo late Thursday afternoon. [PNA/Xinhua]

U.S. growth

H AFP denies ouster plot rumors T [PNA]

Corruption shifted to IT projects

estern Samar Rep, Mel Senen Sarmiento today said that with the rapid demise of huge filing cabinets and tons of paper in data storage and document processing and management in government

agencies due to digitization and full computerization of government database and document processing systems, corruption and “under-the-table” negotiations now appear to be also shifting to government contracts

You want to EXPORT your products? Is your company READY for export? A strong business plan will proof your export-readiness! We have more than 30 years’ experience in business analysis and provide excellent and successful business plans at very affordable rates. Contact Raf Vlummens at 092 0675 2754 or trv. davao@gmail.com trv business consultancy SME Center - Chamber building JP Laurel Ave., Davao City

involving multi-million Information Technology(IT) projects. “What makes corruption in IT projects nearly undetectable is the fact that with the exception of those employed as IT professionals, the technical intricacies in IT

such as software and hardware specifications, are almost alien to most non-IT people, and that includes heads of the country’s government agencies that rely heavily on IT-driven services,” Sarmiento said.

igher oil prices are affecting U.S. growth but are currently not a reason to think the economy will stall, a top Federal Reserve official said on Thursday. “It pushes people not to spend. This is one of the factors affecting consumer confidence and consumer spending,” John Williams, president of the San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank, said in a question-and-answer session after a speech in Honolulu. [Re-

uters]

Immigration system

he Canadian government will work towards a fast and flexible immigration system that better meets the country’s economic needs, said Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenny here. Kenny was outlining his vision of a more responsive immigration system Thursday during a keynote address to the National Metropolis Conference. [PNA]

VOL.5 ISSUE 1 • MARCH 5, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

COMMUNITY SENSE 11

DAMOSA inaugurates 3rd IT building Hapee mogul urges entrep class in HS

owering five-storey tall, the Topaz Tower is the newest IT Building at the DAMOSA. It is the most recent addition to the DAMOSA IT Park, the first PEZA-registered IT park in Southern Mindanao. The construction of the building began in January 2011 and officially openrf for business on February 28, 2012 by way of formal blessing and inauguration rites. It is the 3rd in the expansion series of DAMOSA IT Park and is said to be the most viable solution to accommodate the booming industry of Business Process Outsourcing in Metro Davao. Edgardo O. Villaver, Damosa Land, Inc.’s VP and general manager, said the construction of Topaz Tower is part of the comprehensive mixed-use master plan of DLI for the DAMOSA Complex. Within reach are Anflocor Corporate Center, Damosa Market Basket, Damosa Business Center, Damosa Gateway, and Microtel-Damosa and other business establishments that provide a multitude of services to clients. “Thus, it creates synergy and complementation of DAMOSA Complex as a city destination that provides complete convenience and efficiency of service from shopping, dining, accommodation, and other facilities,”

By Jade C. Zaldivar

Topaz Tower

Villaver said. The building is strategically located in an urban setting where primary destinations such as the Davao International Airport, malls – SM North and Abreeza Ayala Mall – and a host of government and private institutions are within its proximity. Essentially, the Topaz Tower is intended to cater to the need for office spaces, administrative

centers, and BPOs. The 8,800 square meter area can adequately house a huge number of offices that need space for business and other corporate and commercial dealings. The building features a fire protection system, a 24-hour security service, covered parking spaces and is equipped with 2 units of elevators and 24/7 standby generators. It also has well-ventilated

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 11TH JUDICIAL REGION OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT-SHERIFF DAVAO CITY

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 11TH Judicial Region Branch 33 Davao City IN THE MATTER OF THE ADOPTION OF SUYANNE CITA UY SORIANO

NATIONAL HOME MORTGAGE FINANCE CORPORATION (NHMFC) Mortgagee,

SPL.PROC. NO. 11,740-2012

-versusCHRISTOPHER JAMES B. MONDEJAR Mortgagor/s.

EJF-REM CASE NO. 13,181-12

x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -x NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE Upon extra-judicial petition for foreclosure and sale under Act 3135, as amended, filed by National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation against the mortgagor CHRISTOPHER JAMES B. MONDEJAR with postal address at Crystal Meadows Blk.8 Lot 2 Sasa, Davao City, to satisfy the mortgage indebtedness which as of December 15, 2011 amounted to Php 641,792.20 Philippine Currency, plus other legal expenses incident to foreclosure and sale; the undersigned Sheriff IV of Regional Trial Court, Davao City; the undersigned will sell at public auction on May 15, 2012 at 10:00 A.M. or soon thereafter, at the main entrance of Hall of Justice, Ecoland ,Davao City to the highest bidder for Cash or MANAGER’S CHECK and in Philippine Currency, the following real property together with all the improvements thereon, to wit: Transfer Certificate of Title No. T-218258 “ A parcel of land (Lot 2, Blk. 8 xxx) situated in the Barangay of Sasa, City of Davao, Island of Mindanao xxx. Containing an area of ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY SIX (186) SQUARE METERS, more or less xxx.” All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above-stated time and date. That in the event the public auction should not take place on the said date, it shall be held on April 19, 2012 without further notice. Prospective buyers are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the titles herein described real property/ies and the encumbrances thereon , if any there be. Davao City, Philippines, February 8, 2012.

lobby in each floor and adequate toilet facilities. The 5th floor of the Topaz Tower gives SGV & Co., a professional services firm based in Metro Manila, their new home in Davao City. The rest of the building will be occupied soon by European/Japanese BPO and possibly their existing US-based client, the Synnex Corporation – Concentrix.

FOR THE EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF: (SGD.) ROBERT M. MEDIALDEA Sheriff IV

Noted by: (SGD) ATTY. EDIPOLO P. SARABIA, JR. Clerk of Court VI & Ex-Officio Provincial Sheriff Copy furnished: The Mortgagor- CHRISTOPHER JAMES B. MONDEJAR The Mortgagee -NHMFC PUBLISHER – EDGE DAVAO POSTING – 3 conspicuous places ( Edge-Feb. 20, 27,March5)

GERARDO UGAY SORIANO Petitioner x---------------------------------------------------x ORDER This is a verified petition for adoption of minor Suyanne Cita Uy Soriano ,filed by Gerardo Ugay Soriano, praying that after due notice, and hearing judgment be entered adjudging, that the minor child, Suyanne Cita Uy Soriano be freed from all legal obligations of obedience and maintenance with respect to her natural parent and that she be declared to all legal intents and purposes, the child of the herein petitioner. Finding the verified petition to be sufficient in form and substance, set hearing of this petition on August 2, 2012 at 8:30 o’clock in the morning. Pursuant to Section 11, Article IV of the Domestic Adoption Act of 1998, petitioners are hereby directed to submit themselves to Ms Lorelie Basillote, a social worker of this Court, for the preparation of the required case to conduct a case study on minor Suyanne Cita Uy Soriano her biological parents and petitioner, and to submit a report (home and child study reports) and recommendation thereon within (30) days from receipt of this Order. Pursuant to Sec. 12 (6) of A.M. No. 02-6-02-SC, Ms. Lorelie Basillote, is also directed to conduct counseling sessions with the biological parents (if known) on the matter of adoption of the adoptee and to submit her report before the date of hearing. Petitioner is hereby directed to cause the publication of this Order at his expense, once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation, which has been selected after a raffle, in the City and the four (4) provinces of Davao. Likewise, petitioner is further directed to furnish the Office of the Solicitor General a copy of this petition and to submit proof of compliance thereto. Any person interested or who seeks to oppose the instant petition may appear to state why the petition should not be granted.

SO ORDERED.

(Edge 2/27,3/5,12)

Davao City, Philippines, January 31, 2012 (Sgd) LOPE L.CALIO Judge

apee toothpaste mogul Cecilio Kwok Pedro is an advocate of teaching entrepreneurship as early as high school. During his talk on corporate social responsibility, CEO and president of Lamoiyan Corporation Pedro said the Philippines needs more entrepreneurs to be able to generate more jobs and alleviate the country’s means of living. In answer to a question on what entrepreneurs can do to cushion the wave of graduates this March, Pedro urged members of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. to“lead the way for budding entrepreneurs.” “Schools train students to become employees. I want you to go into schools and educate kids to become entrepreneurs. And much better if we start early. Let’s start in high school,” Pedro said during the 2nd General membership meeting of the DCCCII at Pinnacle Hotel and Suites. “A few years after college graduation, people meet up again and ask each other ‘Saan ka nagta-trabaho?’ (Where do you work?) If it’s with a multi-national company then bilib na bilib pa sila (they’re impressed). But then you know what? The question should be ‘Ano ang negosyo mo?’ (What’syourlineofbusiness?)”hesaid. Pedro said that more entrepreneurs “are what our country needs” adding that “starting entrepreneurs are the country’s future heroes.”

“When you become an employer you become responsible to a person. You pay him in exchange for his work and in turn he is able to live with dignity and he’s able to feed other people, his family, who are dependent on him or her. What can be bad about that? And the more people you hire, the more people you can help,”Pedro said. “These micro entrepreneurs, they may be small now but they will eventually grow. They are the future employers, job generators. A sarisari store can eventually become big with correct management and hard work,” he told members of the DCCCII. During his talk, Pedro highlighted how Filipinos are world-class and how hard work can bring people ‘on top.’ “Filipinos are world class. You can be world class. Just because we have different appearances doesn’t mean one can be better than the other. Filipinos are the world’s best marketers. Once there’s determination in us, people of different nationalities can’t take it away from us,” Pedro said. Pedro said business requires hard work and that “sleep hard and nothing will happen to you.” “I do not know anyone who has gotten to the top without hard work. That is the recipe. It will not always get you to the top, but it will get you pretty near,” Pedro said quoting former British Prime Minister MargaretThatcher.

Anflocor, BPI ink financing accord

he Anflo Management and Investment Corporation (ANFLOCOR) is investing Php 2.7 Billion for the construction of the Davao International Container Terminal (DICT) in Panabo City, Davao del Norte. This was announced by ANFLOCOR President and Chief Executive Officer Alexander N. Valoria last February 21, 2012, during the signing of loan documents with officials from Bank of the Philippine Islands. Security Bank will provide the other portion of the syndicated loan. “Preparations for the construction of DICT are underway and we’re looking at the eventual groundbreaking of this project later this quarter of the year,”Valoria said. DICT will have ship-to-shore cranes, which can serve gearless vessels, and brand new and modern container handling equipment and

state of the art Terminal Operating Systems (TOS) that will ensure faster vessel turn-around time. Aiming to sustain freshness of perishable items for export, the availability of plug-in facilities inside the container yard will offer convenience and efficiency to fresh produce exporters. The port has an average draft of 15.5 meters which allows it to accommodate large Panamax vessels. And with light to moderate traffic flow in the area, faster turn-around of container trucks will also be ensured. “In an increasingly globalized economy, we can expect that the overall volume of trade will accelerate,” remarkedValoria. He added that this project will upgrade the current TADECO wharf into a modern container terminal to meet the demands of fresh produce companiesservingtheglobalmarket.

BizQuips ‘COCONUT meat extract is not only for cooking but also for sex.’

--Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, claiming that three-spoonfuls of virgin coconut oil a day will enhance a person’s sex life.

VOL.5 ISSUE 1 • MARCH 5, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

COMMUNITY SENSE

Hedcor donates kindergarten classrooms to Sta. Cruz school

he incoming kindergarten in a message during a groundbreakpupils in a remote school in ing ceremony last February 27 within Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur will the premises of Sibulan Elementary no suffere from ineffective learning in School. a dilapidated classroom after a private “We believe that the young genpower firm has taken charge of provid- eration in Sibulan, will become future ing a conducive learning area for them. workers in our company,” he said. The Hedcor Sibulan, Inc. is set In this endeavor, HSI has partto construct a one-storey building with nered with the Aboitiz Foundation two classrooms for the kindergarten and the Aklat, Gabay, Aruga Tungo level as donation to Sibulan Elemen- sa Pag-angat at Pag-asa (AGAPP)– tary School, at Barangay Sibulan, Sta. Silid Pangarap, a foundation chaired Cruz. by Presidential sister Pinky AquinoHSI, which operates a 42.5 mega Abellada. watts run-of-river hydro power facilPacquiao said that the classity in Sta. Cruz, has allocated a P1.3 room building, designed from the million funding for this infrastructure AGAPP school building standard, project as part of its corporate social will start construction on February 29 responsibility in the host communities. and is expected to be completed in 45 Rolando Pacquiao, Hedcor, Inc. to 60 days. vice president for operations in MinThe classroom building will be danao, said that the project is the first equipped with a library, age-appropriclassroom donation of HSI in support ate instructional materials, and educato the government’s K+12 education tional toys, among others, the Hedcor program and the Adopt-a-School pro- official said. gram. Kindergarten teacher Karen “This is to ensure that kinder- Batiller welcomed the donation of garten pupils will have the necessary HSI, saying it would greatly help the preparations and will be ready for the learning process of the pupils at Sibuprimary education,” Pacquiao stated lan because of its complete education-

al facilities. “We’ve been longing for such a conduciveto-learning classroom for our kindergarten pupils,” said ParentsTeachers Association (PTA) president Ruvelyn Aligatong who thanked as she expressed gratitude to the hydro power company. The Sibulan Elementary School has been catering to kindergarten students, using its old wooden PTA building which has no concrete flooring. Presently, the school has 46 kindergarten pupils accommodated in two sessions daily, and a total of 357 elementary students. Pacquiao said that HSI, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the AboitizPower Company, has been supporting the school communities in Barangay Sibulan for two years since the hydro power facility’s operations in 2010. He cited the firm’s scholarship program that benefits high school students, the distribution of school supplies to about 600 students and the gift-giving to elementary and high school students. [PIA 11/Carina L. Cayon]

Blend 45: A true Filipino coffee

ntricately blended by Filipinos for Filipinos, Blend 45’s 45-year heritage is centered on quality and affordability. It has continuously delighted many generations because of its sweet and distinct Filipino taste making it the

true kapeng Pinoy. It was during the 1960s when Universal Robina Corporation (URC) entered the coffee arena by introducing the first-ever locally-manufactured Blend 45. Since then, Blend 45 has been

continuously offering the best to its consumers. To move with the times, Blend 45 introduced its Blend 45 3in1 coffee mix to the market, which combines the delectable and unique coffee taste with mobility and convenience.

SEED FUND. DSWD livelihood chief Arlene L. Morpus turns over Thursday a check to Cenro Caburan Big Self-Employment Assistance Kaunlaran Association president Virgilia Tayao of Jose Abad Santos, Davao Del Sur. A total of P2,865,000 capital seed fund was released to 16 livelihood associations whose 340

members are also Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries of Jose Abad Santos. Also in photo are [from left] Caburan Big Barangay Captain Ester L. Sioco, Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer Cecilia Pelite, and DSWD Provincial Accountable Officer Cynthia N. Umbana. [DSWD/Carmela Cadigal-Duron]

2nd Full Moon Together With Bats slated March 8, 2012 at Bat Camp

o those who failed to come to the February 8, FULL MOON TOGETHER WITH BATS event when the bat sanctuary hosted a dinner honoring and thanking media for helping bring bat conservation to where it is today, this is an open invitation to every full moon, come rain or shine, to join our beach party at Puesta de Sol, Monfort Beach, Samal Island. Together, lets party and watch these fruit bats fly out to do their service for us while they search for their own food; the overripe fruits we have an obligation to share with them. You may party all night (if you wish) to also watch the returning mama bats early dawn hurriedly bringing food to the hundreds of pups wait-

ing inside the cave who are already too heavy for the mamas to carry but are still unable to fly long distances on their own. This return is just as amazing as the emergence itself. Due to the success of the recent February 8th event, we are inspired to hold every 2012 full moon to continue celebrating the 2011-2012 YEAR OF THE BAT (YOTB), a United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) 2 year led campaign being handled this year by North America’s Bat Conservation International. EUROBATS, last year called our BAT CAMP 2011, the flagship, the Philippines being the first country to globally launch YOTB, with amazing educational workshops,

fora and public activities during this 9 day long international event we organized. On March 1-7 is the yearly Araw Ng Samal celebration, but in order to coincide with the exact date of the full moon, an extended celebration at MCPARK is set for March 8 at Puesta de Sol, Monfort Beach, Babak, Island Garden City of Samal. Please come and join us, rain or shine, it’s free! Celebrate the work that BATS do for humanity. Promote your products and businesses at our BATtiangge, also free! Call us! (082) 303 1915, 284 2059, 286 6958 Globe: 0905 410 5631 Sun: 0922 825 6454 Smart : 0912 277 8706 or email monfortbat @yahoo.com.

belt, Glorietta 4, Trinoma and Market, Market) and Marquee Mall in Pampanga. For its Visayas leg, the exhibition has traveled to three Cebu sites, namely Ayala Center Cebu, University of San Carlos Museum and the Sacred Hard School-Ateneo de Cebu. It has also traveled to University of St. La Salle in Bacolod, Negros Occidental, and in Museo Iloilo in Iloilo City. The Abreeza show will be the first Mindanao stop of the Revolution Revisited traveling exhibition. In bringing Revolution Revisited nationwide, it is the aim of the exhibition to provide the public with a visually engaging experience of these historic moments and to hopefully reinvigorate their sense of national solidarity and pride in being Filipino. Generous support for the exhibition is provided by Ayala Corporation, Ayala Center, Ayala Land, Inc., Air 21,

Bank of the Philippine Islands, Globe Telecom, Phinma Group, San Miguel Corporation, Think Tank Photo, The Peninsula Manila, Kinka Graphics Inc., and Invex. For more information, please call Ayala Museum at (632) 7577117 to 21 or Abreeza Mall at (6382) 3219332. About the Photographer Kim Komenich is a distinguished American photojournalist, whose career began as a staff photographer and editor for the San Francisco Examiner (1982-2009) and the San Francisco Chronicle (2000-2009). As a photojournalist, Komenich has extensively documented conflicts in El Salvador, Guyana, the Philippines, the former Soviet Union, Vietnam, and most recently, in Iraq. At present, Komenich is an assistant professor at the San Jose State University where he teaches multimedia studies. /pms: 03012012

‘Revolution Revisited’ at Abreeza Mall Davao

breeza Mall in Davao City and Ayala Museum, in collaboration with Canon Philippines/ EOS/ Image Prograf, Edsa People Power Commission, and the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation, Inc., are presenting the traveling exhibition Revolution Revisited: A Photography Exhibition by Kim Komenich. In commemoration of the 25th anniversary of People Power, this exhibition will be on view at Abreeza Mall, J.P. Laurel Avenue, Davao City from March 12 to 25, 2012. Revolution Revisited features selected images from a collection of over 24,000 photographs by American photojournalist Kim Komenich during the time of conflict and uncertainty in the Philippines almost three decades ago. The full collection of photographs documenting this pivotal period of change in Philippine history is now under the care of the Bancroft Library at the University of California, Berkeley. In addition to the 25-year old photographs are new photos by Komenich revisiting the people and places of his photographic essays and continues the ongoing story of Filipinos after twenty-five years. This exhibition was launched at the Ayala Museum last February 21, 2011, with His Excellency President Benigno S Aquino III as Guest of Honor. It has since toured select Ayala Malls in Metro Manila (Green-

BizQuips ‘THE 7 percent unemployment rate is unbelievable and unrealistic. As a senator who has gone all over the country, I find the figures way off reality.’ --Senator Manny Villar urging the NEDA to come up with a realistic report.

VOL.5 ISSUE 1 • MARCH 5, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

SCIENCE/ENVIROMENT 13

‘Twisted’ waves could boost capacity of wi-fi and TV Oxygen envelops

Saturn’s icy moon

striking demonstration of a means to boost the information-carrying capacity of radio waves has taken place across the lagoon in Venice, Italy. The technique exploits what is called the “orbital angular momentum” of the waves - imparting them with a “twist”. Varying this twist permits many data streams to fit in the frequency spread currently used for just one. The approach, described in the New Journal of Physics, could be applied to radio, wi-fi, and television. The parts of the electromagnetic spectrum that are used for all three are split up in roughly the same way, with a spread of frequencies allotted to each channel. Each one contains a certain, limited amount of informationcarrying capacity: its bandwidth. As telecommunications have proliferated through the years, the spectrum has become incredibly crowded, with little room left for new means of signal transmission, or for existing means to expand their bandwidths. But Bo Thide of Swedish Institute of Space Physics and a team of colleagues in Italy hope to change that by exploiting an entirely new physical mechanism to fit more capacity onto the same bandwidth. Galilean connection The key lies in the distinction

The relatively crude antenna could be replaced with more sophisticated signal processing

between the orbital and spin angular momentum of electromagnetic waves. A perfect analogy is the Earth-Sun system. The Earth spins on its axis, manifesting spin angular momentum; at the same time orbits the Sun, manifesting orbital angular momentum. The “particles” of light known as photons can carry both types; the spin angular momentum of photons is better known through the idea of polarisation, which some sunglasses and 3-D glasses exploit. Just as the “signals” for the left and right eye in 3-D glasses can be encoded on light with two different polarisations, extra signals can be set up with different amounts of

orbital angular momentum. Prof Thide and his colleagues have been thinking about the idea for many years; last year, they published an article in Nature Physicsshowing that spinning black holes could produce such “twisted” light. But the implications for exploiting the effect closer to home prompted the team to carry out their experiment in Venice, sending a signal 442m from San Giorgio island to the Palazzo Ducale in St Mark’s square. “It’s exactly the same place that Galileo first demonstrated his telescope to the authorities in Venice, 400 years ago,” Prof Thide told BBC News. “They were not convinced at all; they could see the moons of

Jupiter but they said, ‘They must be inside the telescope, it can’t possibly be like that.’ “To some extent we have felt the same (disbelief from the community), so we said, ‘Let’s do it, let’s demonstrate it for the public.’” Marconi style In the simplest case, putting a twist on the waves is as easy as putting a twist into the dish that sends the signal. The team split one side of a standard satellite-type dish and separated the two resulting edges. In this way, different points around the circumference of the beam have a different amount of “head start” relative to other points - if one could freeze and visualise the beam, it would look like a corkscrew.

Nasa spacecraft has detected oxygen around one of Saturn’s icy moons, Dione. The discovery supports a theory that suggests all of the moons near Saturn and Jupiter might have oxygen around them. Researchers say that their finding increases the likelihood of finding the ingredients for life on one of the moons orbiting gas giants. The study has been published in Geophysical Research Letters. According to co-author Andrew Coates of University College London, Dione has no liquid water and so does not have the conditions to support life. But it is possible that other moons of Jupiter and Saturn do. “Some of the other moons have liquid oceans and so it is worth looking more closely at them for signs of life,” Prof Coates said. The discovery was made using the Cassini spacecraft, which flew by Dione nearly two years ago. Instruments on board the unmanned probe detected a thin layer of oxygen around the moon, so thin that scientists prefer to call it an “exosphere” rather than an atmosphere. But the discovery is im-

portant because it suggests there is a process at work around the solar system’s gas giants, Saturn and Jupiter, in which oxygen is released from their icy satellites. It seems that highly charged particles from the planets’ powerful radiation belts split the water in the ice into hydrogen and oxygen. Dione’s sister moon, Enceladus is thought to harbour a liquid ocean below its icy surface. The same is thought to be true of Europa, Callisto and Ganymede which orbit Jupiter. Prof Coates is among a group of scientists lobbying the European Space Agency to send an orbiter to explore Jupiter’s icy moons - known as the Juice mission. “These are fascinating places to look for signs of life,” he said. As is Titan, Saturn’s largest satellite. Its nitrogen and methane atmosphere is reminiscent of the early Earth, according to Prof Coates. “It may be an Earth waiting to happen as the outer Solar System warms up,” he said. Nasa is developing a proposal to send a landing craft, or lander, to float on one of the planet’s oily lakes.

impact that made the dinosaurs go extinct and the Permian mass-extinction which wiped out around 95 percent of all life on Earth. They found that current rates of ocean acidification are unparalleled in Earth’s history. “The geological record suggests that the current acidification is potentially unparalleled in at least the last 300 million years of Earth history, and raises the possibility that we are entering an unknown territory of marine ecosystem change,” said Andy Ridgwell, a University of Bristol professor, in a statement. Oceans are currently absorbing

about a quarter of the CO2 released into the atmosphere, lowering the pH of the surface ocean. As atmospheric CO2 increases, so does the rate at which it will dissolve in seawater, forcing surface ocean pH lower and lower -- a process called ocean acidification. Laboratory experiments suggest that if the pH continues to fall, we may start to see impacts on marine organisms such as slower growth, fewer offspring, muscle wastage, dwarfism, reduced activity and the dissolution of their carbonate shells -- with knockon effects throughout the marine ecosystem. [PNA/Xinhua]

complex of rock homes in the mid 1960s, each comprising a bedroom and separate living area. In 1964 the trust paid £113 and 19 shillings for one of the rock homes. Three levels of homes were

constructed in the rock. None of them had electricity or running water or toilets. Families shared an outdoor privy. Three homes on the bottom tier were restored and opened to the public in the 1990s.

Ocean acidification rate unprecedented

he world’s oceans may be turning acidic faster today from human carbon emissions than they did during four major extinctions in the last 300 million years. That was when natural pulses of carbon sent global temperatures soaring, according to a study to be published on Friday in journal Science. In a review of hundreds of pale oceanographic studies, a team of researchers from five countries assessed in detail a number of climate change events in the planet’s history. This includes the asteroid

Rock house inside cave opens

restored rock house built inside a cave has opened at a National Trust property in Staffordshire. The Kinver Rock Houses date from 1770. One has been restored to show what life was like for residents in the 1930s. At its height 11 families lived in the cave homes and it is believed they came about in response to a housing shortage for employees of the Hyde Iron Works. The restored home will tell the story of typical rock residents such as the Reeves who lived there until 1937. Internal dimensions When the last two families moved out in the late 1950s the 11 homes began to fall into disrepair. The National Trust bought the

BizQuips ‘WE are trying an impeachment case.. and, therefore, the hearsay rule contained in our rules of evidence does not apply strictly in impeachment cases.’ --Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile.

VOL.3 ISSUE 20 • AUGUST 2 to 8, 2010

Officials question safety of airport FROM 1

“Among the requirements that RDC 11 wanted them to follow is to give us an itemized , specified proposal,” Mayor Sara said, “ but what they gave us was generalized. The mayor also confirmed complaints on the various defects of the DIA. The DIA opened its doors to passengers in December of 2004, after its construction was completed in more than six years at the total cost of P5 billion plus. Taking action on the complaints, the mayor said the city government and the private sector. specifically the Davao City Chamber of Commerce, had written a letter to CAAP director general Ramon Gutierrez asking him to fix the problems. “Dati-dati na mi kabalo sa nagadaghan nga mga defects sa DIA, that’s why we filed a complaint demanding immediate action from CAAP,: she said, adding “we officially wrote CAAP about leaking roofs, x-ray machines, fire trucks, etcetera.” Deficiencies, etc. A check made by Edge Davao on the condition of the airport yielded the following facts indicating the deterioration of the multi-billion peso facility and some undesirable practices of its management: --of the four x-ray machines for departing passenger baggage, only one remains in operation, a reason, both domestic and foreign passengers are made to pass through just one x-ray machine on the second floor of the terminal building; --of the three fire trucks so that big aircraft can be allowed to use the DIA, two trucks have been out of order for more than a year now; --water fountains in the airport have been out-of-order for a long time now; --restrooms reek of foul smell, while fixtures are dilapidated; --during peak hours, many passengers are forced to stand or sit on the floor in pre-departure lounges which lack space and number of benches; --garbage in the airport’s trash bins are not segregated in violation of the city ordinance on solid waste management; -- the airport tower is infested with termites; --restrooms are not provided with toiletries; among others. Other risky practices Other unsound practices allowed by the DIA management that put the safety of the airport in jeopardy include: --encroachment of dogs into the runway; --cats are allowed to sneak into the terminal and cargo areas; -- management also allows planting of corn in the airport vicinity, thereby attracting birds which are dangerous to landing and taking off of aircraft.

Dr. Pilar C. Braga, chair of the city council committee on transportation, said the unchecked deteriorated conditions of the airport is “compromising the safety of millions of passengers.” P400-million income Mayor Duterte confirmed that the international airport earns at least P400 million every year from terminal fees that departing passengers are obligated to pay. A domestic passenger pays P200 as terminal fee, but P500 for one who is flying for abroad. “But they (DIA management) do not have control over their earnings,” she bared, saying “ang ilahang gina-earn diretso daw sa national government, unya ang national office ang magdecide kung pilay dapt maadto balik sa DIA.” She said the airport management should ask the national government the exact amount that they need for facilities. “Wala man gud na nila ginasulti sa amoa kung pila gyud ang ilang gikinahanglan” (They don’t tell us what and how much they really need), “ the lady mayor said, adding that the decisionmaking process in the CAAP is so centralized and expressed her exasperation over the unnecessary delays. City gov’t helping DIA The mayor said that despite everything, the city government continues to provide DIA facility and security augmentation. The city has just approved a budget of P1.7 million for the construction of a roof over the ramp used by arriving passengers who are passing by the usual covered tubes. “Most complaints are about how people get wet when they use the ramp. Pag naga-use man gud ka og trolley kinanglan nimo gamiton ang ramp sa may left. Unya kung muulan then mabasa ka, “ she said. The city also contributes to the DIA’s workforce. “The city government has 30 job orders allotted as CAAP auxiliaries aside from CENRO personnel assigned to maintain the landscape outside,” she said. No immediate security threat Despite the facility defects at DIA, the mayor said there is “no immediate threat to security.” The mayor said the DIA is manned by several security units. “There’s no immediate threat. The city government has provided security auxiliary there and it’s not just the city government present there but also the Regional Mobile Group (RMG), the Task Force Davao (TFD), Traffic Management Group (TMC),” she said in dialect. [AMA/JZ]

EDGEDAVAO SARA... FROM 2 tive committee. Aside from formulating the investment programs, the CDC is tasked to appraise and prioritize socio-economic development programs and projects; formulate local investment incentives to promote inflow and direction of private investment capital; coordinate, monitor and evaluate the implementation of development programs and projects; and assist the local legislative body in setting the direction of economic and social development and in coordinating development efforts within the city. When the CDC is not in session, the executive committee is tasked to ensure that all decisions of the council are faithfully carried out and implemented and formulate policies, plans and programs, based on the general principles laid down by the council.

DATU... FROM 2 billa said Gawilan, being a government employee---barangay captain, president of the Association of Barangay Captains, and provincial board member, has done nothing wrong in dealing with the military. “Gihangyo nako ang hingtungdan nga klaruhon ang isyu,” she said, referring to the author of the news article published in the two newspapers. Femmatric has 35,000 members, and majority of them

ABOITIZ... FROM 4 The decline in consolidated revenue was caused by the revaluation of consolidated dollar-denominated loans and placements resulted to a non-recurring loss of P160 million. In addition, the company booked a P663-million one-off gain during the year because of the following: 1) a wholly owned subsidiary booked revenue adjustments in the first quarter of 2011 resulting from a favorable ruling by the industry regulator regarding its tariff structure for its ancillary services contract; 2) an associate company recovered costs relating to its fuel importation in the second and fourth quarters; 3) a subsidiary reversed a 2010 accrued expense relating to its Independent Power Producer Administrator (IPPA) contract in the third quarter of 2011; and 4), the company incurred fees relating to the prepayment of an outstanding loan in the fourth quarter. Adjusting for these one-offs, AboitizPower’s core net income for 2011 amounted to P21.1 billion, down by 14 percent year-on-year. AboitizPower also recorded a consolidated net income of P5.4 billion for the quarter ending December 31, 2011, down by 17 percent versus the same period in 2010. Movements in the peso-dollar exchange rate resulted to a P124-million non-recurring loss due to the revaluation of consolidated dollar-denominated loans and placements. A P93-mn one-off loss was

GUN BAN... FROM 2 crime unit Task Force Davao (TFD), central monitoring Davao City Public Safety Command Center (DCPSCC), emergency response teams from Central 911, the Traffic Management Center (TMC), and civilian volunteers, referred to as “force multipliers”. New Task Force commander Task Force Davao (TFD) was created nine years ago as the city’s fist against terrorism. Army Colonel Marcos Norman Flores took over the helm of the anti-terrorism unit from Colonel Rey Leonardo Guerrero last February 28. “I know there are a lot challenges and I vow to confront them head-on in making Davao City terrorist-free,” Flores said in his acceptance speech. Guerrero, who held the TFD command since August 2010, left his position with gratitude and a promise to continue protecting the city and neighboring Island Garden City of Samal from his new post.

The former TFD commander lauded the troops, who are mostly non-regular Army personnel, for enduring the heat, rain, dust and smog, and scorn of irate motorists. “I leave Davao City with a promise fulfilled. I may be in Davao Oriental but I will be guarding Davao City and the Island Garden City of Samal from the other end of the Davao Gulf. I will also be leaving a capable unit, competent men and women,” Guerrero said. Guerrero also expressed his gratitude to the leadership of Major General Jorge V. Segovia, chief of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division. New peace and order leaders Both TFD commander Flores and DCPO chief dela Rosa, who assumed his post on February 1, may be relatively new in their posts during the 75th Araw ng Dabaw celebrations, but the city mayor has high expectations for both them to succeed in their assigned

are in Bukidnon, while some belong to one municipality in North Cotabato, and five barangays in Marilog district, Davao City. It is Femmatric;s duty to protect the ancestral domains, Herbilla said, “nga dili iprenda, kundili i-cultivate sa mga tribu.” The NPA said it “will not hesitate to exact just retribution against opportunist and despicable Lumad leaders like Gawilan and his cabal.”

“The long suffering of Lumads from the hands of greedy logging corporations, plantation owners and big business and aided by greedy opportunists like Gawilan stir the people’s war and make it even more just and legitimate,” the statement said. Meanwhile, Herbilla told reporters that Gawilan was not present during the forum because he was attending the regular session of the provincial board in Malaybalay, Bukidnon.

also incurred when AboitizPower prepaid one of its outstanding fixed rate notes in December 2011. This was partially offset by a non-recurring gain of P35 million booked by an associate company, as it received cost reimbursements from the National Power Corporation (NPC) relating to its fuel importation. All these brought AboitizPower’s core net income for the fourth quarter of 2011 to P5.6 billion, lower by 14 percent year-on-year. As of December 31, 2011, AboitizPower’s total consolidated assets amounted to P154.2 billion, 15 percent higher than the yearend

2010 level of P134.6 billion. “The strength of our power business lies in our diversified, complementary and competitive portfolio of generating assets. We have also been able to mitigate earnings volatility through our contracting strategy. We are confident that this, couple with our experienced management team, provides us with the ingredients necessary to thrive in a more challenging environment with the onset of more competition, open access, and the full implementation of WESM nationwide,” said Aboitiz.

EXTRA JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF STATE WITH WAIVER OF RIGHTS Notice is hereby given that the INTESTATE ESTATE OF JESUS A. RALOTA and VICTORIA Z. RALOTA with waiver of rights has been the subject of extra judicial settlement by his heirs per Doc. No. 430, Page No. 86, Book No. III, Series of 2011

tasks. “Nobody can question the capability of the new DCPO chief and his leadership. I chose him because of his accomplishments and the way he does things,” Duterte said during a press conference February 27. As for Flores, the lady mayor reminded him of the vital role of TFD in the city’s peace and order and of her high expectation for its commander. “We do not have to remind you always about the reason TFD was created,” DuterteCario told Flores in her speech during the turnover ceremony. The mayor said the CPOC will meet again on March 7 which both Flores and dela Rosa are expected to discuss at length their mechanisms for keeping the peace during the Araw ng Dabaw celebration. Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation and Communications LAND TRANSPORTATION FRANCHISING AND REGULATORY BOARD Regional Office No. XI Davao city Petition for Approval of Sale and Transfer with Renewal of a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate a FILCAB Ordinary Regular Service AMADEO B. TORRES, Petitioner-Vendor Case No.2012-XI-00026 (2003-XI-01212) MELODIE N. OSIGAN, Petitioner-Vendee x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -x NOTICE OF HEARING Petitioners request authority for the Approval of Sale and Transfer executed by AMADEO B. TORRES in favor of MELODIE N. OSIGAN of a Certificate of Public Convenience with Equipment issued in this case authorizing the operation of a FILCAB Ordinary Regular Service on the route: BUHANGIN VIA JP LAUREL AVENUE ROUTE with the use of ONE (1) unit, which certificate will expire on July 23, 2012. In the same petition filed on January 11, 2012, petitioners likewise request authority to extend the validity of said certificate to operate along the same route with the use of the same unit previously authorized. NOTICE, is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Board on MARCH 19, 2012 at 10:00 a m at this office at the above address. At least, TEN (10) days prior to the above date petitioner shall publish this Notice once in a one (1) daily newspaper of general circulation in Mindanao Parties opposed to the granting of the petition must file their written opposition supported by documentary evidence on or before the above date furnishing a copy of the same to the petitioner, and may if they so, desire appear on said date and time. This petition will be acted upon by this Board on the basis of its records and the documentary evidence submitted by the parties, unless the Board deems it necessary to receive additional documentary and/or oral evidence. WITNESS the Honorable BENJAMIN A. GO, CESO V, Regional Director, This 16th day of January 2012 at Davao City. TERESITA DELA PEÑA-YÑIGUEZ Chief Transport Development Officer /hoc Copy furnished: Petitioner-Vendor, Amadeo B. Torres, L8 B2 P3, NHA, Bangkal, Davao City Petitioner-Vendee, Melodie N. Osigan, Pioneer Village, Buhangin, Davao City Counsel, Atty. Magin C. Natividad, Balusong Avenue, Matina, Davao City NOTE: Affidavit of Publication and newspaper where notice was published must be submitted three (3) days before the scheduled hearing.

INdulge!

VOL.5 ISSUE 1 • MARCH 5, 2012

EDGEDavao

days of SUMMER

Models: Samantha, May, Valerie, Kimberly, Maia, Jesse, Jam, and Joel, Glam Model House Location: The Deck, Marco Polo Davao Photographer: Raphael Banta of Maniniyot Community (www.raphaelbanta.com) Photographers assistants: Joemar Lamata and Angelex Anoya Styling: Meg Sta. Ines

6 ways to party Throw an M&M Party That’s Margarita and Mojito for you. Both of these cocktails are easy to make, refreshing, and perfect for Summer. Throw a cocktail party highlighting the citrusy frozen Margarita and the minty Mojito in your garden. Simply set up umbrellas, mats, and lounge chairs for a relaxed summer vibe and enjoy these cocktails while soaking up some sun. Learn Wakeboarding Deca Wakeboard Park in Mintal is one of the most popular destinations during summertime because it’s a place where one can learn a new sport, enjoy the water, bask in the sun, and enjoy great food and drinks. Whether you plan to go wakeboarding or simply watch your friends enjoying the extreme sport, indulging in ice cold beer and some Filipino fare should make your summer one to remember. Wow Luau Throw a summer themed luau in

your garden or backyard. Serve grilled fare, play some relaxing summery music, and enjoy refreshing cocktails packed with pineapple for the ultimate summer experience. Buda Best Buda is two hours away. The air is cooler there and there are countless resorts by the border. Go on a road trip with your friends and spend the night in this mountain haven. Cruise Control he Venue Party Boat sets sail every weekend and gives us Davaoneos a new party experience. At an affordable price, their events usually include entertainment, food and drinks, and an assurance of fun on board a pimped up ship. Scream for Ice Cream When you find yourself bored in the middle of summer and craving for some cool treats, we suggest that you invite friends over ad throw an Ice Cream Party. Simply require all your guests to bring a pint of ice cream with them to the party and then provide toppings for all those frozen treats. Prepare sprinkles, nuts, chocolate chips, and different types of sauces and syrups for an all-out ice cream feast.

9 cocktails for summer There is no better time to

unwind and down alcohol than the summer time. We asked our resident partyphile, Zhaun Ortega, to list 9 cocktails that will help make this summer your coolest ever! 1. Mojito 2. Frozen Lychee Martini 3. Watermelon Margarita 4. Caipirinha 5. Pina Colada 6. Mango Bellini 7. The Carribean Bay 8. The Bay Breeze 9. Cucumber Gimlet On Maia: coral love lace dress, Roxy P3,290; Flipflops by Havaianas On Kim: Catalina top, Roxy P2,490; Flipflops by Havaianas

On Maia: Dress, Freeway P1,095 On Kim: Dress, Freeway P1,695 On May: Romper, Ensemble P1,145 On Valerie: Sheer dress, Freeway P795 On Samantha: Dress, Tala P895, belt, Bayo P395

the business weekly

beaches to visit

Costa Marina There are less people and more time to indulge in your skimpy bathing suits without people ogling. Pearl Farm Beach Resort. Rustic, intimate, and iconic are the three words that best describe the Floirendo-owned resort. Leticia by the Sea A strictly by reservation piece of paradise is the perfect place for large groups or for those who simply want some alone time from the crowds. Dugong Sanctuary, Malita It’s a bit far but definitely worth the trip. And if you are lucky, you can find a dugong. Times Beach We are not going to recommend that you swim there but you can jog around sunrise and enjoy the serenity and reminisce the beauty of the area. Sta. Cruz beachside Eat at your favorite restaurants in this area and enjoy the scenery of the sea. Isla Reta Perfect getaway for the barkada, Isla Reta is a rustic and secluded resort in Talikud Island. Banana Beach, Tagum City A resort in the middle of a banana plantation, Banana Beach is now the latest tourism attraction in Davao del Norte.

16 INdulge!

EDGEDAVAO

must have skin care products

Sunblock. Do we really have to explain this? Just make sure it has a sun protection factor of at least 35. And oh, make sure that when you apply it, you spread it out properly. Lip Balm. Aside from your face and neck, your lips also get a beating from the scorching sun. Protect it with a lip balm that has SPF properties as well. Tanning oil. There is no better way of showing off your

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VOL.5 ISSUE 1 • MARCH 5, 2012

body than by making sure you have healthy skin. Fake it by applying a liberal amount of oil on your skin making it look even and glowing. Foundation with SPF. Oilfree smooth skin with the sun protection you need this summer. Water. Drink lots of water to keep yourself hydrated. Water spritzer. High humidity will make your skin feel

4 5 6

sticky this season, so keep it fresh and hydrated by spritzing water on it regularly. Insect repellant. There will be lots of insects hovering around, protect yourself with a citronella-based insect repellant. Soothing Creams. After a day of basking in the sun, cool down your skin with a soothing cream, preferably one with aloe vera extract.

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9 road trip destinations

Hit the road this summer and surprise yourself with what these 7 places have in store for you: • Buda, Davao City • Jose Abad Santos, Davao del Sur • Pantukan, Compostela Valley • Manay, Davao Oriental • Barobo, Surigao del Sur • Kapatagan, Davao del Sur • Lake Sebu, South Cotabato • Bislig, Surigao del Sur • Dahikan, Davao Oriental

ABOVE: On Jam: Brigg 21 board shorts, Quicksilver P3,790. On May: Romper, Ensemble P1,145

On Valerie: Sunrise stripe shirt, Roxy P1,790, San Julian shorts, Roxy P2,490 On Jesse: Shirt, P1,890, Parsons board shorts, P3,790, 1969 Special backpack, P4,490, all Quicksilver On Samantha: Nomad dress, Roxy P3,790, bag, Roxy P1,990

VOL.5 ISSUE 1 • MARCH 5, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! 17

EVENTS

Drunk

love L

ove was in the air during Confessions of a Partyphile’s last event: Drunk Love. Held at Marco Polo Davao’s Eagles Bar, the first Confessions of a Partyphile party for 2012, celebrated everyone’s love for partying through signature drinking games, cocktails, and hot music. This is what went down:

Music: As usual, DJ Gary played a mix of crowd favorites and gave in to the requests of the partyphiles we aimed to please. For this crowd that meant playing some new radiofriendly tracks back to back with eighties hits and club anthems from the early 2000s. Drinks: Bottomless cocktails were included in the door charge of 250 Pesos for Drunk Love. The cocktails served were the crowd favorite: Rated-X (a mix of Orange, Mango, and some spirits which was refreshing and potent at the same time); the Blue Frog (a mix of Citrus Soda, Blue Curacao, and five different types of Spirits), and another cocktails that is yet to be named (which is a mixture of four seasons juice and three types of Rum). A welcome drink was also served during the party. This was called the AK47, a combination of eleven different types of alcoholic beverages diluted in a very small

amount of pineapple juice. Obviously, it hit hard and had people drunk in no time. Games: We played two drinking games that night to celebrate our love for fun crazy antics in Partylandia. The first game was a race to twelve, where two pairs had to consume twelve glasses of our signature cocktails. The second game is Confessions of a Partyphile’s signature game: Black Out or Get Out which requires all contestants to take a shot whenever the host (yours truly) rang the bell. With no bathroom breaks, no chasers, and no resting time in between shots, the game ended with four drunk contestant. Mike Africa won the top prize has his competitor gave up on the ninth shot. The contestants received premium gift items form Globe Telecom, Teriyaki Boy, Chimes: A Felcris Specialty Store, and Mary Pauline Salon. Crowd: The crowd was a mix of yuppies, students, and professionals. However, unlike in most Confessions of a Partyphile parties, the crowd in this one was generally older than

To win this drinking game of speed, contestants had to consume 12 shots of cocktails faster than their competing pair.

Mike Africa (far right) won Confessions’s of a Partyphile’s signature drinking game-- Black Out Or Get Out-- after surviving nine shots.

usual. That meant less alcohol was consumed, people were more responsible, and less glasses broke. That does not mean that the party was boring; it wasn’t at all. It’s just it was peppered with more intellectual conversation and sophisticated forms of affection. All in all Confessions of a Partyphile’s Drunk Love was a good way to start the year. People had fun (although they came in late), got wasted, and danced a lot; and that to me is the measure of success.

ENTERTAINMENT

From controversial to blah

FHM Philippines released the new cover of their March Issue with Bela Padilla on the cover. A far cry from its very controversial original cover, which caught the attention of both local and international press, the new cover is just a little too tame, or should we say, so un-FHM. While Bela is still wearing a two-piece swimsuit, her pose, the background, and even the caption doesn’t really send the message of a new and more exciting Bela Padilla.

The change came after the original cover was uploaded online last February 25. A few hours later, the post was barraged by comments that called the original cover “racist.” While a lot of people are baffled as to what makes the cover “racist”, FHM Philippines decided to change the cover anyway. Here is the official statement of FHM Philippines on the controversy: “On Saturday, February 25, we uploaded the March issue of

FHM with Bela Padilla on the cover on our Facebook page. Just hours later, a slew of comments on the supposed “racism” of the cover image and cover line flooded the magazine page, prompting the editorial team to re-examine the cover so that we could put into context its execution and assuage the concerns of our readers and non-readers as well who’ve weighed in on the issue. We took all the points into consideration and have decided

COVER TO COVER The original FHM Philippines cover (extreme left) uploaded last February 25 and the printed cover after the controversy.

to take the side of sensitivity. When FHM hits the stands in March it will have a different cover. We deem this to be the most prudent move in the light of the confusion over the previous cover execution. We apologize and thank those who have raised their points. We apologize to Bela Padilla for any distress this may have caused her. In our pursuit to come up with edgier covers, we will strive to be more sensitive next time.”

18 INdulge! EVENTS You can now buy your favorite Business Paper from any of these establishments still at Php 15.

Koronadal

Gen. Santos Drive, Koronadal City Telefax No.: (083) 520-0816 Mobile No.: 0922-843-9427 email: manggorio09@yahoo.com

General Santos

EDGEDAVAO

A glitterati evening with Metrobank Card

ome say bankers are a boring lot, with a job that deals with lots of numbers and set working hours that oftentimes require one to be extra introverted. Luckily for the people behind Metrobank card, the people behind Metrobank’s desks are more than typical as everyone, from branch heads to the clerks and tellers came dressed to kill following the event’s glitter/clubbing theme. The dance competition had Metrobank branch employees throw out their coat and tie, and instead dance to the latest tunes from the dance clubs. What really impressed me was the fact that these professionals really came out of their shells and gave each performance their all, similar to their hercu-

MADE TO SHINE. Metrobank Card president Riko Abdurrahman awards the evening’s stars of the night.

lean effort to achieve the one millionth Metrobank Card. “We aim to sign up our one millionth Metrobank Card within the year,” beams senior vice president and Metrobank Mindanao region head Mr. Rosendo “Rudy” Sia “this is thanks to the wonderful effort given by the team in the region.” And what a wonderful effort it was as it was announced that the Davao Region was the only region in Visayas and Mindanao to make it into the top three position in card sign-ups. Metrobankcard’s branch sales head Mike Miranda adds, “The branches plus the wonderful and dynamic offerings we and our partners give to Metrobank credit card holders also helped in making the full range of Metrobank credit cards the more desired card.” And by the end of the evening based on the wonderful performances and get-go attitudes, I can truly say that bankers are not a boring bunch, especially the ones who can really bling it out on the stage.

MORE THAN JUST A CREDIT CARD. Metrobank Card’s AVP Marketing and Sales Mike Miranda and host Guji Lorenzana talk about the many unique perks given to Metrobank credit card holders.

BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE. Kakai Bautista did a stellar performace.

ALL BLINGED OUT. The winning team of the dance performace celebrate their victory.

HAVEN BODY WORKS SPA & SALON Door 5 Kaykay Baloons Bldg., Laurel North Cor. Bayabas St. General Santos City Tel # (083) 301- 1991

VOL.5 ISSUE 1 • MARCH 5, 2012

The

Business

Tagum

RUDY’S ANGELS. Agnes Co, Metrobank Mindanao region head Rosendo “Rudy” Sia, Helen Tan and Evangeline Duran.

PAPER

You can now buy your weekly paper fill of in-depth business news and features from any of these establishments still at Php 15.

Tel No. (083)- 553-2211

FEEL LIKE A MILLION. Mindanao Region One area head Mila Gumban gets awarded for making her area one of the top performers nationwide

Jose Abad Santos St., Corner Arellano St., Tagum City 8100 Philippines Tel. No.: (084) 216-3003 Cell No,: 0939-243-8539

HELPING YOU MAKE INFORMED BUSINESS decisions.

MAKING IT HAPPEN. Metrobank Mindanao region head Rosendo “Rudy” Sia, Metrobank Card president Riko Abdurrahman, Metrobank Card sales head Aloysius Alday, Jr. and Metrobank Card branch sales head Mike Miranda.

VOL.5 ISSUE 1 • MARCH 5, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Davao cagers soar in NSBC D

avao champion Jose Maria College is now a breath away from a first ever national basketball title after it booked a ticket to the Finals of the tough 64th National Students Basketball Championships against Emilio Aguinaldo CollegeManila. A shocking win by the JMC squad coupled with the title conquest of Assumption College of Davao in the high school division placed the Davao squads in the limelight. JMC, which earlier dropped a 76-72 decision to the University of Cebu (UC) in its final eliminationround assignment, exacted revenge

SPORTS RATES

with a 66-49 rout of the back-to-back CESSAFI champion UC Webmasters before a shocked crowd at the CSI Stadium. Gendarme Joshua Adalid scored 23 points for JMC, which raced to an 11-0 start and never trailed throughout. UC was led by Gil Wagas’ 12 points. Earlier Thursday, Assumption College-Davao swept all its games en route to capturing the high school division crown with an easy 69-55 victory over Malay Boracay National High School-Aklan in the finals. Hotshot Alvin Pasaol topscored for Assumption College with 24 points and earned the Most Valuable Player honors. In the other all-NCAA (National

Collegiate Athletic Association) semifinal affair, EAC outlasted Lyceum University of the Philippines, 86-82. The Generals got five triples and 17 points from Igee King, a son of PBA legend Abe King, and 12 points from Cameroon native Noube Happi. Back-to-back baskets by Joko Tayontong and Aron Anacta gave the Generals an 84-78 advantage with 14 seconds left. JMC and EAC will contest the championship trophy donated by Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, the Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP) president, with the winner also earning the right to represent the country in the 9th Asian University Basketball Championship (AUBC) to be held in July in

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The University of Cebu and LPU will face each other for third place also on Friday. The 64th NSBC competitions are being supported by CSI the City Mall, Agri-Nurture Inc (ANI), Healthy Options, Sinmag Bakery, Universal Dragons Seeds Corporation and USATV, in coordination with Dagupan City Vice-Mayor Belen Fernandez, the BAP Regional 1 director; Jack Vidal, Chairman of the Board for BAP Regional 1; Noel Osting, BAP Region 1 Board Member; and Seato Gonimil, the assistant secretary general of the Federation of School Sports Association of the Philippines (FESSAP). (with a report from PNA)

Eastern Conference Standings Atlantic Philadelphia Boston New York Toronto New Jersey Central Chicago Indiana Milwaukee Cleveland Detroit Southeast Miami Orlando Atlanta Washington Charlotte

W 21 17 18 11 11 W 29 22 14 13 12 W 28 23 20 7 4

L 15 17 18 24 25 L 8 12 21 20 25 L 7 14 15 28 29

Western Conference Standings Southwest San Antonio Dallas Houston Memphis New Orleans Northwest Oklahoma City Denver Portland Minnesota Utah Pacific LA Clippers LA Lakers Golden State Phoenix Sacramento

W 24 21 21 20 8 W 29 19 18 18 16 W 21 21 14 15 12

L 11 15 15 15 27 L 7 17 18 19 18 L 12 14 18 20 23

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE W 20 19 16 14 13 12 10 9 9 9 8 9 9 7 6 5 5 5 6 4

D 3 4 5 4 7 7 9 8 6 6 9 6 5 9 11 7 6 6 2 8

PGA TOUR The Honda Classic (Mar 1 - 4) Pos 1 T2 T2 T2 T2 T2 T2 T2 T2 T10 T10 T10 T10 T10 T10 T10 T10 T10

Name Davis Love III Kevin Stadler Harris English Seung-yul Noh Rory McIlroy Justin Rose Ryan Palmer Dicky Pride Martin Flores Bob Estes Carl Pettersson Erik Compton Tom Pernice Jr. Ken Duke Keegan Bradley Ben Crane Louis Oosthuizen Jimmy Walker

1 64 66 66 66 66 66 66 66 66 67 67 67 67 67 67 67 67 67

L 3 3 5 8 6 7 6 9 11 10 9 11 12 10 9 14 15 15 18 14

UM Lady Wildcats at the Ladislawa Gym. The All Stars prevailed in five sets. (NJB)

UAAP All-Stars outclass UM

x-Clinched Playoff Spot; y-Division Champ; z-Clinched Home Court Team Manchester City Manchester United Tottenham Arsenal Chelsea Newcastle United Liverpool Norwich City Sunderland Everton Fulham Stoke City West Brom Swansea Aston Villa Wolverhampton Queens Park Rangers Blackburn Bolton Wigan Athletic FC

ALL-STARS. A player from the visiting UAAP All-Stars squad takes a fall after trying to dig the ball in an exhibition match against the

hey blew into town silently but made sure they will leave with a lot of buzz. A visiting UAAP All-Stars women’s volleyball squad composed of players from newly-crowned La Salle and FEU recovered their form just in time to beat University of Mindanao in an exhibition match at the Ladislawa Gym on Friday. The All-Stars came through with a finishing 15-12 win in the deciding fifth set after UM jolted them by taking the opening set. The undermanned All-Stars, who played without relief, equalized in the second and third but UM took

the fourth frame to forge a decider. The All-Stars were composed of Lady Archers Jacqueline Alarca and Aileen Abuel and Lady Tams April Jose, Shaira Gonzalez, Shedd Dela Pena and Nica Custodio. The All-Stars played wowed the crowed with their more composed and patient attacking plays despite playing with only a sixman complement. Something their Davao counterparts could learn from when they represent the region in two important competitions next month. The UM belles, reigning WNCAA and PRISAA regional cham-

pions, were led by veteran playing coach Jessan Tano, May Shiel Agton, Charlin Mae Verdida, Maila Cabus, Raynelen Raterta, Princess Joy Oliveros and Quille Hernandez. Also suiting up for the Lady Wildcats were Krystel Lyka Malikol, Janice Arnaiz, Jay Neil Ann Molina, Maricel Cabus, Shella Marie Lucero, Jennifer Conde, Johanna Marie Pacunla, Angela Rebosura and Pamela Demegillio. “This is just an exhibition match but we are taking it as a tuneup for the PRISAA and WNCAA Finals,” said UM athletic director Joaquin Sarabia. (NJB)

cash prize of P1,500. All 42K finishers will receive a finisher’s kit and a medal. In the 21K category the winners will each receive P15,000 cash. Second placers will receive P10,000, third placers P5,000, fourth placers P2,500 cash, and fifth placers P1,000. Sixth to 10th placers will each receive P500. All 21K finishers will receive a finisher’s kit and a medal. For the 10K category, the first placers will each receive P5,000 cash, second placers P3,000, third placers P2,000, while fourth and fifth placers will receive P1,500 and P1,000 respectively. Finishers will receive a finisher’s kit and a dog tag. The 5K winners will receive a cash prize of P3,000, second P2,000, and third P1,000. They will also

receive plaques. The 500-meter category is open to children 12 years old and below. Winners of both 5 to 8, and 9 to 12 years old brackets will each receive a cash prize of P800, second placers P500, and the third P300. They will also receive certificates. Aside from these prizes, P10,000 in cash will also be given to the biggest school, NGO/Corporate, and LGU delegations. Registration is ongoing at the following Phoenix Marathon registration centers: Phoenix Acacia, Udenna BPO Park Headquarters in JP Laurel, Bajada, Adidas Shop at the 2nd Floor Gaisano Mall of Davao, Toby’s in Abreeza Mall, and all Dencio’s Kamayan branches in SM Davao, Lanang, NCCC Mall, Damosa, GenSan, and Tagum.

Araw ng Dabaw Phoenix Marathonoffershugeprizes

hoenix Petroleum Philippines, Inc. will give out more than P300,000 in cash and other prizes for the winners of the Araw ng Dabaw Phoenix Marathon: Takbo Para sa KinaBOOKasan on March 11. Over 3,000 runners are expected to join the Run which will start and end at Roxas Avenue. They will all have the opportunity to win huge prizes from Phoenix. All categories have prizes for both men and women winners. In the 42K category, champions will each receive the grand prize of P30,000 in cash. The 2nd runners-up will receive P15,000. Third runners-up will bring home P7,500. Fourth place winners will receive P5,000 in cash, while fifth placers will receive P2,500. Top 6 to 10 finishers will each receive a

GAMES 19

Smelling ink again

year ago I was thinking of going back to my first love—sportswriting. On a regular basis that is. It did not happen. Only two weeks ago, I was vacationing elsewhere in Southeast Asia and had no inkling about returning to active sportswriting. But while on holiday, I went to several sports facilities and in fact did some workouts. I also went to some interesting motoring spots and activities. Little did I know that these were some sort of signs that I am being led back to my first love. This issue of Edge marks the beginning of my return to active sportswriting. Add the motoring page that comes out weekly in this paper and that completes my comeback. Edge, your business paper, is now going daily as it throws itself into the active race for a share of Davao’s reading audience. With my new home here at Edge, join me in this new journey to chronicle sports in Davao and the rest of the world. Making this comeback more meaningful is my return to my original column name “Hang Time” which carried my opinions way back in the early 90s since my days with the Daily San Pedro Express and the Mindanao Daily Mirror. Hang Time was known to be both an entertaining and hard-hit-

ting sports column in the past and my pen bleeds to bring me back to that groove. Hang Time was the same column which gave me my first taste of a libel case along with no less than the publisher of Edge, Sir Tony Ajero (then with Sunstar). History would later bail us out of the obvious media harassment. This comeback also reunites me with another sportswriting pillar, Moses Billacura, who also writes for Edge while enjoying his time with wife Marj in Canada. And then of course, there is the grandfather of Davao sportswriting Daddy Ram Maxey who is also with this paper. It may take some time to shake off the rust but my creative juices are already rushing to get this machine roaring down the road. For now, let me greet Davao’s sports community with Michael Buffer’s new introduction line. Let’s get this party started! (For your comments, email Hang Time at bravoneil@rocketmail.com)

DavNor boxing team vies for ABAP title

he Davao del Norte Barangay Una Boxing Team has already been in a month of rigid training as thirteen of its boxers are set to compete in the 2012 PLDT-ABAP National Amateur Boxing Championship slated on March 4-7,2012 in Tagbilaran City, Bohol Province. The team, headed by its team manager Gene-rose Tecson and assisted by executive director Edwin Pardillo, is composed of campaigners in the Junior, Youth and Elite divisions who earlier emerged as champions in the Mindanao leg of the tournament. In this year’s PLDT-ABAP (Philippines Long Distance Company - Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines), seasoned elite division participants include many-time Palaro, Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) and national championship medalists Jay-ar Inson (64 kgs.), Quirino Mellejor (60 kgs.), and Jolan Bonghanoy (52 kgs.). To banner the team in the Youth Division would be Radjie Tabanao (56 kgs.), Welander Hersalia (60 kgs.), Joey Canoy (46 kgs.) and Marlon John Aguilar (60 kgs.). Seiro Ellut (48 kgs.), Philip Jay Virador (52 kgs.), Rabicycle Gabriel (46 kgs.), Michael John Bahena (48 kgs.), Jobel Araneta (54 kgs.) and Charnie Jun Magsayo (50 kgs.) will battle it out in

the Junior Division. Former Barangay Una Boxer and National Champion Rey Mancao will head the coaching team along with his brother Ricarte, Rex Saludar, Lelios Siodina, Christiano Laurente and Sgt. Dick Varron, a guest coach/trainor from the Philippine Army. They are expected to face stiff competition as champion boxers from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao slug it out for prestige, honor and supremacy as they vie for slots to become the next amateur pugilist to represent the country in major international competitions. Barangay Una Founder and current Anflocor Group vice chairman Tonyboy Floirendo leads the major backers of the team along with 2nd District Congressman Anton F. Lagdameo, Jr., Panabo City Mayor Jose L. Silvosa, Sr. and Liga ng mga BarangayDavao del Norte President Vicente “Enteng” Floirendo. The Barangay Una Boxing Program is a multi-titled grassroots sports development program based in Panabo City, Davao del Norte that has produced the likes of 2010 Asian Games Gold Medalist Rey Saludar, Silver Medalist Victorio Saludar, 2012 London Olympics qualifier Mark Anthony Barriga, World Series of Boxing Mumbai fighter Charly Suarez and many others.

MOTORING 20

VOL.5 ISSUE 1 • MARCH 5, 2012

EDGEDavao

Starting grid Ugly nose woes no problem for Ferrari, Mercedes By Neil Bravo The difference between the F1 fans of Malaysia and Singapore with us F1 freaks in the Philippines is that ours is simply rooted in passion. Theirs is a brush with reality. I was in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore recently and had a brush with real F1 cars. You can just imagine a wide-eyed awestruck racing fanatic in front of the real deal F1 machines. As a racing fan, I am content watching the live coverage of F1 races or getting the feel of the wheel in front of a virtual gaming machine. So when I got the chance to breath closely to a real F1 car, I made sure I practically had moisture marks on the mean machines. My first stop is Kuala Lumpur. The Malaysian capital will host the second leg of the 2012

F1 season with the Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix on March 23-25. The Malaysia Grand Prix was formally launched on Valentine’s Day in downtown Kuala Lumpur. The exclusive launch was held in an air-conditioned dome-shaped tent outside the famous Pavilion Mall in Jalan Ismail. The Petronas-Mercedes Benz F1 car was displayed on a ramp outside the domed tent. The same car will be driven by former seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg. Next stop Singapore. This island nation prides itself with

So when I got the chance to breath closely to a real F1 car, I made sure I practically had moisture marks on the mean machines. owning the night version of the F1 racing. The Singapore Grand Prix will be held on September 21-23. At the Ferrari shop inside the sprawling Marina Bay Link Mall, Ferrari’s famous red car was on display. I gasped in awe as I trained my eyes slowly on

the car driven by Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa. The new Ferrari car was the same car many F1 fans refer to as “the ugliest Ferrari F1 car ever.” The reason? It’s nose. The 2012 version has a dropped nose and boxy con-

struction. Fans condemned the new look for being clunky. But the new Ferrari car is designed to conform to the new rules to lower the nose for better aerodynamics. According to the Ferrari camp: “The nose has a step in it that is not aesthetically pleasing, with the requirement from the regulations to lower the front part, this was a way of raising the bottom part of the chassis as much as possible for aerodynamic reasons.” Ferrari aficionados are hoping that despite the ugly look, the new car will be fast. Ferrari placed third in the Construc-

tor’s race last year and hopes to return to its number one position this year. Their Malaysian counterparts, meantime, hope that Petronas-Mercedes will improve on its fourth-place finish in 2011. The ugly nose woes are also shared by Petronas. Mercedes GP Principal Ross Brawn described the ugly nose as being “an acquired taste”, but called the whole car “a clean step forward in terms of detail design and sophistication”. Will the new F1 season be a nasal issue? I can smell burning tires now.