Edge Davao 5 Issue 108

Barriga is Davao’s little Pacquiao!

EDGEDAVAO P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

VOL.5 NO. 108 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 2012

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TRIUMPH. Mark Anthony Barriga’s hand is raised after his smashing triumph over Manuel Cappai of Italy in the Round of 16 of the lightflyweight boxing competitions in the 2012 London Olympics on Tuesday night.

Deteriorating Davao int’l airport

RDC asks CAAP to do 6 measures in airport

By Greg G. Deligero

T

HE REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL of the Davao Region, headed by Davao City Mayor Sara DuterteCarpio, has asked the Civil Aeronautics Board and the CAAP to take steps to arrest the deterioration of the facilities and services of the Francisco Bangoy Internation-

n Tells agency to require airlines to use airbridge for passengers’ safety, convenience and security al Airport (FBIA).

It recommended that all air-

lines should be required to use the airbridge for safety, convenience

and security of passengers.

The board’s technical working group has submitted a report noting that Cebu Pacific Airlines prefers to park its aircraft at the leftmost part of the tarmac adjacent to terminal gates 7 and 8 to take

Tonyboy lauds boxer Barriga

By Neil Bravo

Follow Us On

S

MALL-but-terrible Davao del Norte boxer Mark Anthony Barriga’s remarkable initial victory in the 2012 London Olympics reverberated around the region Tuesday night reminiscent of

n Davao erupts in ala Pacquiao celebration

victory celebrations of global boxing icon Manny Pacquiao.

Residents in Panabo City, erupt-

ed in cheers each time their hometown hero scored a hit against his taller foe from Italy, Manuel Cap-

FRDC, 13

pai. When the pint-sized (5’2”) 19year old with the moniker ‘Pocket Pacquiao’ bombarded the 5-foot-6 Cappai with left straights to the head to force a standing 8-count

FTONYBOY, 13

2

THE BIG NEWS

VOL.5 NO. 108 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 2012

Big waves pummel coastal barangays

A

DRILL. Marco Polo Hotel general manager Bruno Simeoni supervises the emergency drill conducted at the hotel on Tuesday. The drill tests the prepar-

edness of the hotel’s safety officers and staff in time of emergency situations.

[LEAN DAVAL JR.]

T

WO major players in the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) industry enforced a price hike of P7 per kilogram on Wednesday, apparently due to higher contract prices for the commodity this month.

Petron Corp which carries the “Gasul” brand jacked up its cooking gas price effective 12:01 a.m. Wednesday while

IXTH Infantry Division’s 38th Infantry Battalion troopers have rescued 12 Malaysian nationals found floating off the coastal waters of Datu Blah Sinsuat, Maguindanao late Tuesday evening.

Col. Prudencio Asto, 6th Infantry Division spokesperson, said the rescued individuals were crewmen of the two cargo

the US report said.

“The Philippines maintained its strong counterterrorism cooperation with the United States. The ability of terrorist groups, including the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), Jemaah Islamiya (JI), and the Communist People’s Party/New People’s Army (CPP/NPA), to conduct terrorist activities inside the Philippines remained constrained,” the State Department’s 2011 Country Report on Terrorism said.

“Terrorist groups’ acts were generally limited to criminal activities designed to generate revenue for selfsustainment, such as kidnapping or extortion,” it said.

The report said Philip-

pine government control and the rule of law in this area are “weak,” citing rugged terrain, poverty and local Muslim minority resentment of central government policies.

Despite incidents of terror attacks and obstacles, the US recognized Manila’s progress in the fight against terrorism.

It said the Philippines remains a critical partnernation in the Department of State’s Anti-terrorism Assistance program, which provided tactical and investigative training to support the transition in the southern Philippines from military to civilian counter-terrorism authority in Mindanao. [PNA]

Total Philippines followed suit implementing its P7-hike at 6 a.m.

With the regular LPG cylinder weighing 11 kilos, the hike translates to a whopping P77 increase.

And consumers should brace for more as Total Phils. noted in its price advisory that the value-added tax (VAT) was yet to be factored into its hike

figure, something that would further jack up prices.

Petron Corp. also added P4.35 for every liter of LPG for automobiles.

“This is to reflect the rise in international contract prices for the month of August,” the oil firm said.

Other companies were yet to announce a movement as of press time. [PNA]

ENATOR Pia Cayetano has appealed to the Senate leadership not to use their position to prevent the Reproductive Health (RH) bill from moving forward at the plenary.

Cayetano, one of the sponsors of the controversial bill, made the appeal in reaction to the statement: “it will not push through under my watch.”

The lady senator did not name names but she might be referring to either Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile or Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III, who both openly opposed the passage of the measure.

said committee members have unanimously agreed during the hearing on Tuesday to come up with a bill that would in effect adopt House Bills 6262 (authored by Angara) and 5186 (authored by Rep. Sigfrido Tinga), which requires all public and private higher education institutions to exempt deserving public high school graduates from paying entrance

exam fees.

Angara said data from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) showed that enrollment even in state colleges and universities since 1999 shows a decelerating trend, weakening to negative 1.2 percent growth rate in 2004-2005, despite the lower cost of public education.

He pointed out that the substitute bill the

House committee shall consolidate aims to ensure that poor but deserving high school graduates are given equal opportunities in applying for college admission to higher education institutions by removing the first hindrance at the entry level, such as the prohibitive cost of entrance examinations.

“Considering that more than 26.5 percent

P7/kg LPG price hike enforced

N estimated 100 families were affected when big waves struck several coastal barangays in Davao City early Wednesday morning.

Malou Bermudo, chief of the City Social Services and Development Office (CSSCDO) said that the affected areas were Barangays 22, 22-C Dumoy, Agdao, 76-A and Matina Aplaya. She said that big waves pummeled their homes at around 3 a.m. yesterday.

There were no reported casualties but the waves totally destroyed 13 houses and partially destroying 40 structures.

Bermudo said that initial assessments recorded 53 families affected but there were some areas which have

not yet been reached by the CSSDO team, she estimates at least 100 families to be affected by the waves.

Some of the families are currently sheltered in barangay halls of their respective communities. Food assistance have been given to the victims and for those whose houses have been totally or partially destroyed, the City Government is expected to provide financial assistance for the victims to rebuild their homes.

Big waves also affected residents living in Barangay Bunbong in the Municipality of Pantukan, Compostela valley Province.

These waves are brought out by the seasonal southwest monsoon or Habagat.

vessels identified as “M/L Woodman 38” and “M/L Woodman 39” which were allegedly attacked by pirates last July 29.

The survivors claimed that they came from the Port of Miri, Sarawak, Malaysian and were headed for Davao City to deliver their cargo when the pirates boarded their ships and hurled them overboard before escap-

ing.

Asto said that the Malaysians were spotted in the water around 11:54 p.m. Tuesday by elements of the 38th Infantry Battalion who were on patrol in Barangay Pura, Datu Blah Sinsuat.

He added that they will turnover the Malaysians to proper authorities for investigation and repatriation.

”I respect the views of all my colleagues but they should not use their positions to prevent the bill from taking its due course which includes taking [the RH bill] to a vote,” Cayetano said in a media interview.

Despite the fivemonth impeachment trial of former Chief Justice Renato Corona, the Senate was able to finish the period of interpellations and is now in the period of amendments.

However, Enrile has said he will move for reopening of period of interpellations to clarify more salient points of the bill.

Cayetano insisted

that the Senate has already spent so much time debating the bill since January this year. ”Give me a break. I’ve stood there [in plenary, for the RH debates] for so long. I’m a marathoner, I’m a triathlete, I’m an endurance athlete and I’ve endured almost the same questions.

If you have questions, then ask. But if these have already been answered, they can refer to the journal,” Cayetano said.

Despite the opposition from Senate leadership, Cayetano is still hoping that the bill will be subjected to vote before the year ends. [PNA]

or 3.8 million Filipino families are living below the poverty line, access to tertiary education for bright children of these families would almost be impossible, especially if they do not have the means to even pay for an entrance examination,” he stressed.

If passed into law, Angara said the proposed measure would benefit more than 1.5 million en-

rollees yearly in the country’s 111 state universities and colleges (SUCs), and even the larger size from the private as well as local colleges and universities throughout the country.

He tasked the committee secretariat to immediately draft the consolidated bill that will be sponsored on the floor for plenary deliberations.

[PNA]

[PIA 11/RG ALAMA]

Malaysians rescued off Moro Gulf

PHL’s anti-terror campaign S thwarts major attacks--US T HE Philippine government’s counter-terrorism campaign has prevented major attacks, limiting terror activities to acts of banditry to raise funds like kidnapping and extortion, the US State Department said in its annual report released on Tuesday (Wednesday in the Philippines).

Years of US support to Philippine offensives have led to the killing or capture of hundreds of terror suspects from groups like the violent Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and the Indonesiabased Jemaah Islamiyah. Although weakened, the ASG still has nearly 400 fighters and continues to be regarded as a key security threat,

EDGEDAVAO

Cayetano urges Senate leaders not to use their position to stop RH bill

S

House body oks free college entrance exam fees to poor, bright students

T

HE committee on higher and technical education of the House of Representatives has approved a bill that seeks to provide free college entrance examinations to underprivileged public high school students belonging to the top 10 percent of their graduating class.

Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara, chairman of the committee,

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.5 NO. 108 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 2012

3 Study needed to revise Water Code --- Abella THE BIG NEWS

By Antonio M. Ajero

D

WATERSHED. City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) chief Joey Felizarta presides over yesterday’s Watershed Management Council (WMC)

meeting at the People’s Park. At his left is Councilor Marissa Salvador-Abella, committee on environment and natural resources chair. [LEAN DAVAL JR.]

Ballet Philippines to stage Encantada this Kadayawan

By Maybelle Anne C. Yutiamco

B

ALLET Philippines, in coordination of with the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the National Commission for Culture and Arts is staging “Encantada” on August 8 to 10 at the RSM Events Center of the Philippine Women’s College in Davao City as part of the city’s annual Kadayawan Festival celebration.

The August 8 and 10 shows are already sold out, according to Margie MoranFloirendo, president of Ballet Philippines and Miss Universe 1973. Tickets for the August 9, 7 pm show are

still available at the Abreeza Concierge, PWC Events Center, SPACE in Damosa, Villa Margarita Hotel, and Locsin Dance Workshop. Tickets are pegged at P350 and P500 each.

Al Santos, who wrote Encantada’s libretto, Joey Ayala, the main composer for the show, and Agnes Locsin, the choreographer all hail from Davao City. Encantada, according to Moran-Floirendo, is like a homecoming for the show’s production team.

Joey Ayala and Bayang Barrios will perform during the August 9 show.

Encantada is a neoethnic portrayal of environmental destruction stemming from the Spanish era.

The Davao show will feature Carissa Adea as the Encantada, Jean Marc Cordero as the Estranghero, Katherine Trofeo as the Babaylan, and RichardsonYadao as the Fraile.

Encantada copped ten awards during the 4th Philippine Legitimate Stage Artists Group GawadBuhay Awards. It is also one of the most notable ballet productions in the Philippines and abroad.

exploded was planted along the civilian passageway less than a kilometer away from the school.

Paniza withheld identity of the slain soldier before pending notification of his family.

He said that the peace and development team of the 69th Infantry Battalion of which

the slain soldier was a member was conducting security patrol hen the incident occurred.

After the landmine explosion, the patrol team was fired upon by the unseen enemy.

Paniza said human rights organizations should condemn the continued use of landmines by the NPAs.

PA soldier killed in Pakibato blast

A

LANDMINE allegedly planted by the New People’s Army near a public elementary school in Pakibato proper exploded killing a soldier at 6:30 a.m. yesterday.

Lt. Lyndon Paniza, spokesperson of the Philippine Army’s 10th Infantry Division, said that the landmine that

GUN BAN. A streamer reminds travelers entering Davao City that a gun ban is in effect all over the city in time for the celebration of Kadayawan Festival. [LEAN DAVAL JR.]

AVAO CITY Councilor Marissa S. Abella said the moratorium on the establishment of memorial parks and other incompatible development projects atop the Dumoy aquifer will continue until the 2001 Water Resource Management and Protection Code of Davao City or Water Code shall have been reviewed, revised and approved.

Abella, chair of the Sangguniang Panlungsod committee on environment, made the statement during last Tuesday’s monthly meeting of the Davao City

n Moratorium on memorial parks, related projects in Dumoy indefinite

Watershed Management Council held at the People’s Park conference room.

The WMC is headed

by Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, although yesterday’s meeting was presided over by City Environment and Natural Resources Office chief Joseph Dominic Felizarta.

The subject of Dumoy aquifer came up when the WMC discussed issues related to water conservation

during the past month. The proposed memorial projects in Dumoy and nearby areas, which have been the main source of potable water for Dabawenyos, are a cause for concern of the WMC, some of whose members oppose the three cemetery projects applied for with the SP. During the deliberation on the memorial park applications in the SP it was discovered that Dumoy has not

those behind the banlas mining operations,” the governor said.

Banlas mining, which is considered as a highlydestructive mining method, involves the pouring of large amounts of water using high-pressure water jets on a mountain’s surface to extract the rocks containing the gold ore, and then pan them with mercury.

The use of the illegal mining method, which was first uncovered in T’boli, has increased in the last several years in several small-scale mining areas in Tampakan town.

The anti-banlas task force is chaired by the

governor and with the regional director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) Mines and Geosciences Bureau acting as vice-chairperson.

Designated as members were the Department of Interior and Local Government-South Cotabato, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), South Cotabato police’s intelligence unit and public safety company, Armed Forces of the PhilippinesProvincial Intelligence Service Unit and the DENR Environmental Management Bureau in Region 12. [ALLEN V. ESTABILLO/

”It is clear that strange things happened when this shipment of rice arrived in our country. There are a lot of unanswered questions especially from SBMA. Why they allowed to unload without permit?” Senate committee on agriculture chairman Francis Pangilinan said.

During the inquiry, Metroeastern Trading Corp. vice president Cesar Bulaon revealed that it was SBMA deputy administrator for investment and business Stefanie Sano who asked Metroeastern to extend help to Indiabased exporter Amira Food India Limited for the entry of the shipment at the SBMA free port. ”Sano contacted us and asked to help Amira because they need a consignee and a warehouse,” Bulaon told the commit-

tee.

Bulaon said he contacted Amira which sent a certain Mr. Protik to transact with him through a broker named Bong Cuevas.

Pangilinan asked all the resource persons if they know Cuevas but everybody said no. Later, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile informed the panel that Bong Cuevas, whose first name is Vicente, is popular especially among customs officials of the previous administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. ”He is well-known personality but we kicked him out of the Fort of Irene in Cagayan,” Enrile said.

Bulaon said Cuevas told them the he would be able to secure an import permit for Amira from the National Food Authority

FSTUDY, 13

SouthCot has task force against ‘banlas’ mining

T

HE provincial government of South Cotabato has created a special task force that will lead the crackdown against the rampant illegal “banlas” or sluice mining activities in the province.

Gov. Arthur Pingoy Jr. recently issued Executive Order No. 10 creating the Provincial Anti-Banlas Intelligence and Investigation Task Force, in a bid to put an end to the destructive mining activity.

“The task force is mandated to conduct in-depth investigation, monitoring, raids, apprehensions and other necessary actions against all

MINDANEWS]

Collusion eyed in foiled attempt to smuggle 420,000 bags of rice

M

EMBERS of the Senate committee on agriculture suspected an apparent collusion in what they believed as foiled attempt to smuggle 420,000 bags of rice worth of nearly P500 million into the local market in April.

This cropped up after a Senate inquiry on Wednesday into the 21,050 metric tons of rice being held by the Bureau of Customs (BoC) at the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) free port. ”Clearly from what they said, there is an attempt to smuggle 420,000 bags of rice into the domestic market. There is conspiracy from Indian company, from locator, SBMA,” Senator Ralph Recto said in media interview after the Senate investigation.

FCOLLUSION, 13

4 SCIENCE/ENVIRONMENT

VOL.5 NO. 108 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Seal flu virus worries scientists

S

CIENTISTS in the United States have identified a new strain of influenza in harbour seals that could potentially impact human and animal health.

The H3N8 flu has been associated with the deaths of harbour seals in New England last year.

Researchers say the virus may have evolved from a type that had been circulating in birds.

They say the discovery highlights the potential for pandemic flu to emerge from unexpected sources.

Researchers were puzzled by the mysterious deaths from pneumonia of 162 harbour seals around the coast of New England last year.

Autopsies on five of the marine mammals indicate that they died from a type of H3N8 influenza A virus that is closely related to a strain circulating in North Ameri-

can birds since 2002.

One of authors of the research paper is Prof Ian Lipkin, from Columbia University in the US. He is a celebrated virus hunter who in the past has helped identify West Nile virus and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). He told the BBC that finding this flu virus in seals was an interesting “new jump”.

“It’s something that’s been circulating for a while in birds, but we’ve not had this sort of die off relating to this virus in the past. As we’ve looked at it in some detail, we’ve found there have been mutations in this virus which enable it to bind to both bird receptors for flu as well as mammalian receptors for flu.”

Cause for concern As well as mutating to live in both animals and birds the scientists say this flu has evolved to make it more likely to cause severe

symptoms. The virus also has the ability to target a protein found in the human respiratory tract.

Dr Anne Moscona of Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City edited the report and says that the new virus is a worry.

“There is a concern that we have a new mammaliantransmissible virus to which humans haven’t yet been exposed. It’s a combination we haven’t seen in disease before.”

One of the big concerns for Prof Lipkin is that seals are acting as a mixing vessel for viruses in a way that has previously happened in pigs.

“What was interesting about this is the seals are acting as an intermediary they have receptors for both bird flu viruses and well as mammalian flu viruses, so you have a host in which this virus can adapt, evolve and become more mamma-

lian in phenotype and more capable of causing disease in mammals.

“That’s when we really need to be concerned that it’s going to be spreading into humans.”

The scientists who examined the dead seals had not suspected that an influenza virus was the cause of the die off. The finding surprised them and they argue that it highlights the fact that a pandemic influenza could emerge from a number of different routes.

“Flu could emerge from anywhere,” said Dr Moscona, “and our readiness has to be much better than we previously realised. We need to be very nimble in our ability to identify and understand the potential risks posed by new viruses from unexpected sources.”

The report is published in the journal of the American Society for Microbiology.

between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the government has reduced the man-made calamities except in some areas like Basilan.

He admitted though that about four villages in Sultan sa Barongis, Maguindanao had been deserted by its residents due to armed conflict involving MILF field commanders.

“Officials of the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the provincial health office have addressed the emergency needs of the displaced families,” Malang said.

According to Malang,

all government agencies in the regional bureaucracy must be prepared all the time to respond to emergencies.

“There is no substitute for being prepared because whether we like it or not, calamities will come and will always happen, especially with the changing climate in the country,” he told officials of the ARMM’s Office of Civil Defense and the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council.

Retired General Loreto Rirao, OCD executive director and head of RDRRMC, said a series

of disaster preparedness activities were held in the entire region, specially in schools, government and private institutions.

ARMM is composed of the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and TawiTawi.

Aside from armed conflicts which regularly happen in the region, natural calamities like landslides, flash floods, and sea tragedies also occur at any given time.

Malang said the rescue group will be formed soon because calamities come at the most unexpected time. [PNA]

ARMM to form disaster-ready rescue group

T

HE Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao will soon have its own Regional Rescue Group to attend to the needs of persons affected by both natural and man-made calamities.

Lawyer Anwar Malang, ARMM executive secretary, said ARMM acting Regional Governor Mujib Hataman saw the need to have one regional rescue group because the region is calamity-prone.

Speaking during the culminating activity of the Disaster Consciousness Month celebration on Tuesday, Malang said the ongoing peace process

NGO-led climate change tourism conference slated

A

S preparations for the first Philippine Tourism Conference for Climate Change Adaptation (PTCCCA) heighten, the communication lines to Legazpi City are getting crowded due to the rush of confirmations and inquiries from chief executive officers and other top level officials across the country.

The PTCCCA is slated on August 23-25 this year and will be held at The Oriental Legazpi with some 1,000 expected participants.

Conference Director Manuel ‘Nong’ C. Rangasa said the callers from as far as the Ilocos Region and down to the Mindanao areas are eager to come and attend the 3-day event.

No less than President Benigno S. Aquino III said that he has great hope that the coming conference will ensure the government’s goal of sustainable development.

Vice President ‘Jejomar’ Binay also expressed eager anticipation for the Epicentre, a special climate change magazine that will be launched during the conference.

This early, the 1st PTCCCA has already gained strong support from the government, particularly from the President and his Cabinet secretaries who are expected to attend the national conference like Secretaries Jesse Robredo of

the DILG, Ramon Jimenez of DOT, Ramon Paje of DENR, Lucille Sering of the CCC, Nereus Acosta of the PACC, and Elisea Gozun of the PAEP, among others.

Earlier, DILG Secretary Robredo issued Memo-Circular 2012-108 ordering all local chief executives to attend the PTCCCA together with their tourism and planning officers as well as members of technical staff and council committee chairmen. The DILG directive was followed by a similar regional memo circular enjoining the same officials to attend the national conference, the first of its kind in the country.

From the Philippine Senate, it is environmentalist Senator Loren Legarda herself who will be coming to grace the national tourism event.

LCCAD, Inc. President and chairman, Nong Rangasa who is also the PTCCCA conference director, said the mobile NGO aims to complement and support government initiatives and efforts for progressive and sustainable development amidst climate change.

Rangasa added that the three-day event will be a fertile opportunity for media practitioners to interview key government personalities from the national offices as well as other participants from across he country. [PNA]

EDGEDAVAO

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

5.8% 1st Qtr 2012

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

6.4 % 1st Qtr 2012

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

USD 4,931 million May 2012 USD 4,770 million Apr 2012 USD -135 million Apr 2012 USD -209 million Mar 2012 P 4,580,674 million Apr 2012

8. Interest Rates 4/

4.1 % May 2012 P131,403 million May 2012 P 5,075 billion Apr 2012

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

P 42.78 Jun 2012

12. Stocks Composite Index 6/

5,091.2 May 2012

13. Consumer Price Index 2006=100

130.1 Jun 2012

14. Headline Inflation Rate 2006=100

2.8 Jun 2012

15. Core Inflation Rate 2006=100

3.7 Jun 2012

16. Visitor Arrivals

349,779 Apr 2012

17. Underemployment Rate 7/

18.8 % Jan 2012

18. Unemployment Rate 7/

7.2 % Jan 2012

THE ECONOMY

VOL.5 NO. 108 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 2012

5

$46-M solar farm in Davao City eyed

By Carlo P. Mallo

B

EING SITUATED below the country’s typhoon belt and closer to the equator make Davao City an ideal place for a solar farm, an investor said.

Winston Lorenzana Mendoza of Lim Solar Philippines told Edge Davao said that he plans to put up in Davao City a $46-million solar farm, which would have an aggregate land area of about nine hectares.

“The sun is constant here in the city and it’s typhoon free ,”Mendoza said, adding “it’s the best place to put up a solar farm.”

A solar farm is a vast tract of land wherein a large number of solar panels can be found. The proposed solar farm of Mendoza will be directly hooked up to a power grid in the city instead of utilizing battery wherein the energy produced from the solar power will be stored.

“The battery can be toxic,” Mendoza said.

Mendoza said that the initial plan is for him and his partners to put up the solar farm on a buildoperate-transfer scheme for the first 15 years, while the Davao City

government will be able to run the facility for another 15 years.

“The technology that we will be bringing in ensures that the facility will run for 30 years. After the first 15 years, we will turn it over to the local government,” Mendoza said.

He said that aside from helping the city tap another form of renewable energy, solar power will help bring down the cost of power.

The city is currently dependent on hydro power coming from the Maria Cristina hydroelectric plants distributed by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines and

retailed by Davao Light and Power Company, Inc. “The sun is free and it’s always there. The cost will only be in the initial investment and the maintenance of the facility,” Mendoza said.

Should the local government agree to the proposed solar farm, Mendoza said it will only take about four months for the facility to be set up.

As for possible competitors, Mendoza confidently said, “I’m not worried about them. They do not have the technology that we have.”

Hedcor breaks ground for Tudaya hydro plant

MONTHLY AVERAGE EXCHANGE RATE (January 2009 - December 2011) Month Average December November October September August July June May April March February January

2012

2011

2010

42.85 42.70 42.86 42.66 43.62

43.31 43.64 43.27 43.45 43.02 42.42 42.81 43.37 43.13 43.24 43.52 43.70 44.17

45.11 43.95 43.49 43.44 44.31 45.18 46.32 46.30 45.60 44.63 45.74 46.31 46.03

Cebu Pacific Daily Zest Air Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Philippine Airlines Daily Philippine Airlines Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri/Sun Philippine Airlines Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Silk Air Mon/Wed/Sat Cebu Pacific Thu Cebu Pacific Tue/Wed//Sat

5J961 / 5J962 Z2390 / Z2390 5J593 / 5J348 PR809 / PR810 PR819 / PR820 5J394 / 5J393 5J599 / 5J594 5J347 / 5J596 5J963 / 5J964 PR811 / PR812 5J595 / 5J966 MI588 / MI588 5J965 / 5J968 5J965 / 5J968

GROUNDBREAKING. Hedcor Tudaya, Inc. President and COO Rene Ronquillo breaks ground for their 7-MW Tudaya Hydro 2 Plant – an extension project of 42.5-MW Sibulan Hydro Plant,

with him are Hedcor engineers, Barangay and Municipality officials, and Bagobo-Tagabawa leader.

HE Hedcor Tudaya, Inc. yesterday officially broke ground for the construction of the 7 megawatt Tudaya Hydropower 2 Plant in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur. Hedcor president Rene Ronquillo and the local and government officials of Davao del Sur led the groundbreaking ceremonies.

The new hydropower plant will be constructed at Barangays Astorga and Rizal in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur harnessing Sibulan River. It will rise downstream of the Sibulan Hydro B plant, 200 meters away from the Davao-Cotobato highway.

The generating facility will primarily deliver 40.5 gigawatt-hours

Datu Rogelio Manapol of Bagobo-Tagabawa and chairman of Kapiid Ka Banua said, “Hedcor is true to their promise of helping our tribe in terms of health care, education, livelihood and reforestation. We are grateful for their CSR projects.”

The Tudaya hydroelectric power plant’s generated carbon neutral electricity is seen to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 30,000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. It will be registered under the United Nation’s Framework Convention on Climate Change as a Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) project that will sell certified emission re-

T

5:45 5:45 6:00 6:10 7:50 7:50 8:00 9:10 9:40 11:30 12:00 18:55 12:55 13:35

Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Cebu-Davao-Iloilo Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Zamboanga-Davao-Zamboanga Cebu-Davao-Cebu Iloilo-Davao-Cebu Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Cebu-Davao-Manila Davao-Cebu-Singapore Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila

annually to Davao del Sur Cooperative, Inc (DASURECO) which can power more than 7,000 homes.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremonies - which was attended by Sta. Cruz mayor Joel Ray Lopez, vice mayor Alexis Almendras, Davao del Sur Provincial officials, Bagobo-Tagabawa community and private sectors - Ronquillo said, “we shall soon have another hydropower plant in Sta. Cruz, a new plant that will deliver solely to Davao del Sur through DASURECO. Both the mayor and the vice mayor of Sta. Cruz expressed their gratitude to Hedcor for choosing their municipality as a partner on this endeavor. as of august 2010

6:15 6:25 6:30 7:00 8:50 8:10 8:30 9:40 10:10 12:20 12:30 13:35 13:25 14:05

Silk Air Thu/Sun Cebu Pacific Mon/Tue/Wed/Fri Philippine Airlines August Zest Air Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Philippines Airlines Daily Cebu Pacific Mon/Tue/Thu/Sat Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Tue/Sat/Sun Cebu Pacific Daily Airphil Express Daily Philippine Airlines Daily except Sunday Philippine Airlines Sunday

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18:55 15:00 Mani2Mani 16:05 16:35 16:55 18:00 18:40 20:00 20:30 20:30 21:20 22:20

duction units (CERs) to industrialized countries.

“As an AboitizPower company and as one of the largest producers of renewable energy in the country, the Tudaya Hydro 2 is our contribution to the worldwide effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions” Ronquillo said.

The construction of the power plant is estimated to be completed by 1st quarter of 2014 with an investment of 1.8 billion pesos. The project will likewise open more than 400 employment opportunities to locals and bring more benefits to the host communities through its Corporate Social Responsibility programs.

Davao-Singapore Cebu-Davao-Cebu 16:50 Cebu-Davao-Cebu Manila-Davao-Cebu Manila-Davao-Manila Cagayan de Oro-Davao-Cagayan de Oro Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila

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6

THE ECONOMY

PHP offers up oil, gas exploration contracts

T

HE Philippines will offer three oil and gas exploration contracts in the disputed South China Sea, including two in areas claimed

by China, an official said.

All three blocs off the coast of the western Philippine island of Palawan are part of Philippine territory, energy undersecretary Jose Layug said, dismissing China’s territorial claims.

Tensions between the Philippines and China over the South China Sea have been running high due to disputes over the Reed Bank and the Spratly islands to the south of the prospects, and Scarborough Shoal to the north.

But Layug dismissed suggestions the latest quarrel, over the shoal, would dampen interest

in the bid.

“Historically, the Philippines has always attracted bids from medium-sized exploration companies. They do seismic surveys, and if they have (good) results, that’s when the big boys come in,” Layug told AFP. The two disputed areas for exploration are just beside the Philippines’ existing natural gas fields, while the third lies closer to the Palawan coast.

China claims nearly all of the South China Sea even up to the coast of its neighbours.

Four foreign firms -- Australia’s Nido Petroleum, Spain’s Repsol, GDF Suez of France and Italy’s Eni -- are among 40 companies that have met official requirements to submit bids.

VOL.5 NO. 108 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Gov’t expects ’12 output to remain at upper end

T

HE Aquino administration is hopeful that the expansion of the domestic economy this year will reach the upperend of the five to six-percent growth target.

Socioeconomic Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said the government considers the 6.4-percent growth of the economy in the first

quarter this year, as measured by gross domestic product (GDP), as “respectable.”

“The respectable growth in the first quarter this year gives us a sense that fullyear growth will be at the higher end of the target,” he said during the 2013 budget hearing at Congress Wednesday.

Balisacan traced the first-quarter growth to the combined effects of robust public spending and more buoyant private spending and export growth among others.

He said the government is optimistic about the domestic growth for this year but remains cautious on external shocks.

Balisacan noted that positive developments in the domestic economy were not left unnoticed by credit rating agencies and multilateral lenders thus, the numerous positive rating upgrade in the last two years.

“The government has enough latitude against external shocks,” he added.

[PNA]

Travel agencies asked to use modern technology

S

INGAPORE-BASED Abacus International sees business growth in the Philippines, as travel agencies need to use modern technology to capture bigger chunk of the traveling market.

Abacus International, Asia’s leading provider of travel solutions and services, provides travel information and reservations specifically tailored to the Asia-Pacific region.

Mr. Brett Henry, vicepresident, commercial and marketing of Abacus International, said they offer Mobility Suite, which maximize the use of mobile devices, which is important to travellers and the travel industry.

“About 35 percent of the internet users of the Philippines access the internet over their mobile devices. The people who buy travel package, 100 percent of them use internet through smart phone,

where they get itinerary in their E-mail,” he said.

Abacus has 25,000 users across 18 countries and is taking advantage of the opportunity to do more business in the country.

Currently, the company has 2,000 client agencies and hopes to get more, as the Philippine market grows by 10 percent a year.

“We want to grow much faster than the market growth rate. It’s across-the-board in travel agencies to leverage technology solution. The market is underserved and under operationalized,” he said.

“We have a solid team, were serious of the business. We have very large product market. We are focus on helping agencies make the transition from one model to the next model to become successful,” he added. [PNA]

JOINED. Dennis Uy (right), President and CEO of Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Inc., the country’s fastest growing petroleum company, joins the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), represented by PBSP Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan. Phoenix Petroleum is now the latest among the current 240 member companies of PBSP, the country’s largest corporateled social development foundation. Phoenix Petroleum, a company which regularly contributes to its corporate social responsibility (CSR) of promoting livelihood, education and environmental awareness among the youth, hopes to expand its CSR involvement by teaming up with other PBSP member companies for greater impact in the communities.

NEW PRICES. A Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) dealer along Quimpo Blvd. displays new prices after petroleum companies increased their prices. [LEAN DAVAL JR.]

Macquarie, ADB set up $625 million fund for Philippines A

USTRALIA’S Macquarie Group and the Asian Development Bank said they were teaming up with other investors to open a $625 million private equity fund focused on vital infrastructure in the Philippines.

The Manila-based ADB said it would invest $25 million in the fund, with other contributors including the Macquarie Group, the Philippine government’s employee pension fund and Dutch pension fund manager APG. “ADB’s participation

can help mobilise additional investment in the Philippines from top tier international partners,” the bank’s director-general for private sector operations Philip Erquiaga said in a statement.

The government has said 12 percent of the country’s $120 billion investment requirements would have to come from the private sector.

Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets, the world’s largest infrastructure fund manager, will run the fund with the ADB playing an advisory role in areas like environ-

mental and social safeguards, the bank said.

The Macquarie Group said in a separate statement that the fund would be investing in both existing and new infrastructure projects in areas like transport, power, renewable energy, water and telecommunications.

It cited its “successful track record” in setting up similar infrastructure funds in new markets like China, India, Mexico, Africa and Russia as well as its access to infrastructure experts.

It did not say how

much Macquarie would invest in the fund or when the first of its infrastructure projects would be implemented.

In his annual state of the nation address before Congress last week, President Benigno Aquino vowed to speed up the development of the country’s infrastructure, citing vital airport, rail and road projects.

The poor state of the Philippines’ infrastructure has been cited as one of the major hindrances to growth in the largely impoverished country of 95 million.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.5 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 2012 VOL.5 NO.NO. 108108 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 2012

Rising from the ground

By Carlo P. Mallo Photo by Wrap Meting

GAME CHANGERS

7

‘Thank your critics for they will push you to be better, thank also those who supported you for having faith in your capabilities.’

I

N building a house, one would always start by digging for the foundation and posts, then the walls, and then the roof. And just like building a house is how Maryline Lim changed not only her life but also the lives of thousands of Dabawenyos who never thought that they would one day own their houses.

When the 1997 Asian financial crisis hit Philippine shores, the real estate industry was one of those badly battered. And Maryline’s Foothills Realty Development Corporation was one of those that heavily suffered.

“It was one of the worst times in my life. My hands would shake whenever I would answer the telephone as I knew that it would be the banks following up on payments. It was really terrible,” Maryline said. “And there were creditors who would take advantage of your situation and would even increase the interest rates. But I paid them all, every single centavo of it.”

A lesson learned the hard way for Maryline was to maintain honesty and transparency with your creditors.

“During that time, I had two hundred housing units ready for turnover but was delayed due to some documentation problems, I had another two hundred housing units under construction at that time,” Maryline said.

“But the experience you get from creditors is nothing compared to the hurt and pain when people you trust would actually see the crisis as an opportunity to thumb you down. That is the most painful part.”

What made it more difficult for Maryline was her persistence in making ends meet without letting go of her people.

“It was doubly difficult for me because this business is not just about business and earning money.

This business, more than anything, is about helping people – giving them the opportunity,” Maryline said.

This passion to help others is what makes Maryline a cut from the rest. It was also this passion that pushed Maryline to be even better that she was before the crisis.

“When I started, there were a lot of people who helped me – extending their credit lines for the company, even when I was a virtual no one,” Maryline said. “I saw it as an opportunity to rise from the ground.”

If there is one piece of advice that Maryline will give aspiring entrepreneurs, regardless of what field of business, it is for them to rise above the pits where they might find themselves in.

“Doing business is not like employment wherein your job ends when the clock strikes 5. Being in business means working 24 hours a day, seven days a week not only because your investment is at stake, but because there are many people who rely on you,” Maryline said. “The masons, the carpenters, hornals – these are people that do not have anywhere to go.”

What Maryline started with just five house and lots in 1994 has now become one of the biggest socialized housing developers in the city. With more than 5000 housing units under her belt, Maryline hopes that she continues to be given the opportunity to help Dabawenyos realize their dreams of owning their own houses, just as she was helped realize hers.

“I thank those who criticized me and thumbed me down for they pushed me to become better, I also thank those who supported me for they encouraged me to carry on even when it felt that the entire world was against me,” Maryline said.

8

VANTAGE POINTS

VOL.5 NO. 108 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 2012

W

EDITORIAL

T

Watershed encroachment

WO MONTHS ago, when nobody was looking, a horde of affluent speculators descended on sitio Diolo in barangay Manuel Guianga, Tugbok District, Davao City and went on a buying spree of parcels of land offered by a syndicate headed by a lumad who is not from the place. The activity which is going on as of this writing is illegal. Diolo, barangay Manuel Guianga for that matter, is within the identified critical watershed areas sought to be conserved and protected under Davao City’s Watershed Management and Control Ordinance and similar national laws. Watersheds belong to the people and cannot be owned or titled to a particular individual. As lawyers say, natural resources such as these are beyond the commerce of man and cannot be subject of commercial transaction or buy-and-sell deal, much less development into some housing or resort project.

The transgression by land speculators into natural reserves, such as watershed areas, is the equivalent of squatting rampant in the urban areas, only much worse. In urban squatting, only a few people are victimized – the titled landowners and the informal settlers and speculators who buy the rights. In violating the forests and protected areas that leads to the destruction of flora and fauna, everybody from the highland to the lowland is a victim.

The Diolo encroachment has alarmed the Davao City Watershed Management Council (WMC) headed

by Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio herself.

The authorities concerned, mainly the Depart-

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ment of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 11 now headed by a young regional director, must act fast on this growing problem. DENR must treat this with urgency, send its enforcers to the area and have the syndicate operators arrested and prosecuted immediately. The speculators, mostly prominent residents and businessmen along with a handful of police officers from Toril, can kiss their money goodbye.

The barangay captain of Manuel Guianga and the other barangay officials must be vigilant in guarding against encroachments such as this, if only to banish the thought that they are involved in this nefarious money-making activity. Or else, how explain the fact that they have not even reported to the city mayor this illegal activity which has been going on for two months now? So far, some 50 people have already bought land rights from the syndicate. Certain speculators have already started clearing their areas, which includes cutting down some trees—another no-no.

Acting quickly on the problem is vital. In this country, the usual sad practice is for lawmen to ignore the situation if the violators are still few, only to wake up and undertake damage control when the situation has gotten out of hand and has metamorphosed into a social problem. That’s when Congress is forced to intervene and try to get to the bottom of the mess.

Such a waste of time and resources! But then, in this country that’s par for the course. Not surprising.

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

ALBERTO DALILAN Managing NEILWIN L. BRAVO Sports and Motoring ARLENE D. PASAJE Cartoons

RAMON M. MAXEY Consultant

GREGORIO G. DELIGERO CARLO P. MALLO Associate Features and Lifestyle KENNETH IRVING K. ONG KARLOS C. MANLUPIG • JOSEPH LAWRENCE P. GARCIA LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR., Creative Solutions Photography LORIE ANN A. CASCARO • JADE C. ZALDIVAR • MOSES C. BILLACURA Staff Writers

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EDGEDAVAO

Falling out

E READ about the falling out between former House Speaker Boy Nograles and his long-time friend and favorite contractor, Eufronio T. Galaura, over a measly P1.1 million which the former Congress leader allegedly refused to pay Galaura and his more than 30 workers.

The story also touched on a collateral effect, the alleged withdrawal of support from Nograles by another longtime loyal supporter, Ed Cutler, as a result of the Galaura-Nograles split.

Well, well, this is not the first time that the best of friends parted ways over money.

This happens when relationship is based on financial, rather than real friendship through thick and thin.

This reminds me of a street-smart who cares more about money rather than genuine personal friendship. He says “pera-pera lang yan.”

-0Did you know that Region 11, the Davao region, has stopped importing rice because it is now producing rice enough for its consumption?

This is the claim of Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala which is supported by statistical data bared by the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) and the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) in a media presentation conducted by Neda 11 Director Ma.

‘Well, well, this is not the first

time that the best of friends parted ways over money. This happens when relationship is based on financial, rather than real friendship through thick and thin.’

Lourdes Lim and NSCB Director Estrella R. Turingan last week.

Still, I have a sneaking suspicion that one reason rice importation “stopped” is that government has been able to put a halt to rice smuggling, which was very rampant during the watch of past Davao Customs collectors.

Remember the Anjo Castigador case?

This was the customs collector who padlocked the Designated Examination Area (DEA) at the port of Davao after DEA operator Rodolfo Reta, through his lawyer Dean Manny Quibod, reported the discovery of several sacks of smuggled rice. The perplexing behavior of Castigador put him in trouble with the law. He was declared in contempt of court and ordered arrested after refusing to reopen the DEA. Days before that, investigators from the Bureau of Customs in Manila came to Davao to look into reports about rampant rice smuggling here. This was months after President Noynoy had assumed office.

For now, there seems to be a hiatus in rice smuggling in Davao. But this is not for long. Greed for money of smugglers and their collaborators among the corrupt customs men will resurrect this form of economic sabotage very soon.

As we write this piece, the Senate committee on agriculture was preparing to investigate the aborted attempt to smuggle into the country through the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) freeport some 420,000 bags of rice from India worth nearly P500 million. After being discovered in Subic, the smugglers can always try Davao where they have friends to assist them.

-0What’s wrong with the law against hazing? Nobody seems to abide by it. Another student died because of this barbaric form of initiation usually employed by fraternities supposed to have been banned in schools under the law. Congress ought to review the law and craft a more effective one.

EDGEDAVAO

VANTAGE POINTS

VOL.5 NO. 108 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 2012

Old US war tunnel an add-on to PHL’s tourism campaign

A

S the Philippines shifts its tourism campaign to higher gear, officials are looking at an old war tunnel below ground in historic Fort Bonifacio.

The originally 2.24 km tunnel – it has since been reduced to only 730 meters -- was earlier this year dedicated to all the Filipinos who gave their lives fighting the Japanese invaders in the 1940s when the second world war reached Philippine shores.

Among those upbeat at the development is retired Army 2nd Lt. Salvador Barquez, a Bicolano who has established his roots in Pinili in Ilocos Norte, the hometown of his wife of nearly 60 years.

When Barquez was a young T/Sgt., official home to him was the old Fort McKinley, which has since been renamed Fort Bonifacio, sometimes called The Fort.

Military sources said the Fort Bonifacio tunnel has since become a heritage site open to public viewing – thanks to the Bases Conversion and Development Authority.

The Tunnel originally had 32 chambers and two exits, one leading to Pembo village and the other to East Rembo village in the posh city of Makati.

The sources said the tunnel used to be the main attraction of the old Philippine Army Museum and Library, eventually relocated following the commercial development in the area.

Despite the quick development of Bonifacio Global City, a 730-meter segment of the tunnel has remained unaffected and existing underneath C-5, a major road artery that runs parallel to EDSA in the metropolis.

The Armed Forces and the Bases Authority have begun converting to heritage sites all the war tunnels in the other military bases across this country, reduced to ruins during the second world war in the 1940s.

According to Army sources, the Fort Bonifacio Tunnel has a treasure trove of historical threads.

T

BY HONOR BLANCO CABIE The tunnel was built almost at the same time as Fort McKinley, today known as Fort Bonifacio in 1910, years soon after the Americans drove out the Spaniards in the latter’s colony for nearly four centuries.

That was before US Gen. Douglas MacArthur was appointed as the Philippine Army’s Field Marshall.

Sources said the Bases Conversion Development Authority was committed to rehabilitate, develop and convert the old tunnel into a historical site in the Bonifacio Global City, a plus factor for tourism officials who are attracting millions, where possible, of foreign tourist arrivals.

The Global City has become a high end bustling business, commercial and residential district, with the BCDA, a government-owned and controlled corporation, given the task to oversee the preservation and find use for old military structures like the Fort Bonifacio War Tunnel which the Americans used as a re-supply point.

Officials said a US corps of engineers, the same group which constructed the Malinta Tunnel on the tadpole-shaped island at the mouth of Manila Bay, built the tunnel – 150 to 200 meters below the ground and was not cemented -which has become the Fort Bonifacio Tunnel.

Sources said many of the laborers who constructed the tunnel were employees of mining companies in Baguio and the province of Benguet.

The Fort Bonifacio Tunnel is owned by the Armed Forces, which welcomed steps by the BCDA to transform the Fort Bonifacio Tunnel into a tourist site.

But observers say it may take some time before foreign tourists – particularly those from Japan and the United

States whose soldiers fought a bloody battle in the 1940s – hit the road to the Tunnel. [PNA]

Britain’s shaken reputation

HE mess of the press has no politicians to blame, even if politicians were too eager to bow to its power.

The Leveson Inquiry – set up to investigate the ethics, behavior and political heft of British newspapers after the News of the World scandal – has revealed, over the past nine months, a much greater underworld of tabloid phone hacking, bribery, blackmail and radical distortion. British journalists thought their press had some of the most robust, fearless, revelatory, pompositypricking newspapers at the popular end of the trade, and that it had the best analytical journalism in the world at the other end.

Where the latter can still be defended, the former can’t, or at best only with major qualification. The low opinion many American journalists had of British popular papers – and in the view of some, not just popular papers – has received a long, embarrassing confirmation.

Most recent, and in the long run most potentially damaging, has been the revela-

Monkey Business

SPECIAL FEATURE

ANALYSIS

BY JOHN LLOYD

(Conclusion)

tions that Barclays Bank indulged in various forms of fixing the London Interbank Offered Rate, or Libor, the most important money market rate in the financial world. It was an American, Bob Diamond, Barclays’ chief executive, who took the rap after Westminster legislators had a cathartic explosion of contempt at a committee hearing. But it was London, with its light-touch regulation and the apparently threadbare tradition of gentlemanly conduct, that provided the context. Diamond and his colleagues would have been less likely to be as free to get away with fixing the rate to benefit themselves in New York: investigations continue, and worse may follow. London kept the job of setting the rate because of its centrality to global financial transactions. Reputation is all in such a case, and London’s trembles on

the brink, a much more troublesome danger than the loss of the already doubtful reputation of the tabloids.

As this is written, Mitt Romney’s fears of an Olympic disaster are unfounded. The games started well (if not, yet, for the host nation in the medals tally); security has not been breached; the opening ceremony, a skillfully orchestrated post-modern mélange heavily dusted with that famous British humor, was a nice counterpoint to Chinese triumphalism last time. Britain is a considerable country yet, with large reserves. But in the long last act of the second Elizabethan Age, it becomes clear that much that distinguished the country needs new scripts and better acting. Not, or not mainly, by the overburdened politicians but by citizens, who have to live up to that proud name. When the Olympic circus leaves town, it may, if all continues to go as well as its opening, help restore some lost reputation.

Pride can come after a fall – so long as the fall is understood, and the causes repaired.

S

9

Progress is achievable

TRONG AS EVER – Many groups and individuals have openly criticized the third State-ofthe-Nation-Address or SONA of President Aquino.

It has reached a level not seen since the days of beleaguered former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Protesters of all colors and stripes – opposition diehards, militants and progressive groups and student activists clashed with police dispersal units during the SONA resulting to injuries on both sides and damage to government and private properties.

People wanting change, self-proclaimed reformists and red flag-bearing protesters denounced President Aquino’s alleged repressive policies and even compared him to his predecessors. They conclude that instituting reforms under the present system is highly improbable.

The interlocking problems – high prices, unemployment, lack of food and shelter, poor medical care and health services just to name a few had taken center stage during the protest rallies. Hardened critics of the present dispensation reiterate that the country’s reeling economy has become the millstone tightly tied around the people’s neck, slowly pulling it down into the bottom of the pool.

Those are hotly contested questions as experts on both sides of the debate agree that the most serious divisions within society spring not from the apparent police brutality and protesters’ recklessness during the SONA, but from alleged economic and social inequality. For now, political watchers consider the occurrence as signs of fracture but government reform strategists say there are now signs that the Aquino administration is beginning to strike at the roots. That’s why a growing number of economists are declaring it’s time for a committed reform measure that could bring back a quick recovery.

Another critical factor holding back socio-economic and political reforms is the old, worn-out reaction of the main opposition, left-leaning movement, militants and activists that it would almost certainly bring about lots of long-term discomfort by busily painting the country black. After all this time, these adversarial groups still have the impertinence and resources to muddle through no matter whoever is in power. With this kind of people who obviously have hidden agendas and personal interests, and keep on working out to destroy the government, progress may stagnate. Tell anyone who doesn’t live here that these people have credibility problem and you’re likely to be met with disbelief, if not laughter.

Moves to restart the economy, the institutions and the systems become more and more urgent. Government therefore should parry all the blows coming from all directions – left, right and center. It must be serious about tackling the massive problems rather than spending more time entertaining all the impracticable demands of the noisy, placard-bearing protesters and their boisterous leaders who always have provocative remarks against the leadership. To be frank enough, everyone is fed up of the anarchy on the streets.

Of course, there are complaints here and there but nobody cares about them if government is addressing all the pressing problems.

Now, after the SONA, government should get back to work, take necessary actions and get things done. The Aquino leadership may be in for some real, desirable work because it is the common belief that government should be responsible to the people and President PNoy is committed to achieving these aims while he is in power. To succeed on a national scale, President Aquino had to reverse decades of neglect and indifference, which led many frustrated people to join protest groups and embrace the culture of hate and disgust.

However, reforms should not be abrupt because the mounting and pressing problems could not be solved overnight, but the goal is to ensure that Filipinos don’t lag far behind in terms of socio-economic and political development. The good thing is that President PNoy is, at least, acknowledging that socio-economic progress is achievable – that the destitution of millions of Filipinos is not an everlasting unalterable fact but something that should be the priority of any government. Nevertheless, the ingredients for reforms – government’s willingness to work, sweat and to save – are as strong as ever.

10

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8) 699 to 1,117 sq m at P4,100/sq m commercial lots at Josefina Town Center, along the National Highway, Dumoy, Toril. 9) Ready-forOccupancy Residential Properties: 4BR/3T&B in a 240 sq m lot with 177.31sqm floor area (2-storey) at P4.8M in an exclusive beachfront community in Dumoy, Toril.; 3BR 2-storey in a 71.25 sq m 2-storey in a 143sq m lot in an exclusive flower village in Maa, Davao City; 180 sq m lots with 71.25sqm to 126.42 sq m floor areas, priced at P3.751M to P5.773M in an exclusive mountain resort community along Matina, Diversion Road. 10) 1BR/2BR residential condo units located in Bolton, Maa, Obrero, Davao City.

11) FOR ASSUME (RUSH): 1BR res’l condo unit in Palmetto, Maa. P600K negotiable. Note: Items 1-9 can be paid in cash, in-house or bank financing. If interested, please call Jay (PRC REB Lic. 8237) at 0922-851-5337 (Sun), 0908883-8832 (Smart) or send email to propertiesindavao@yahoo.com.

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EDGEDAVAO

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- Willing to work under pressure, flexible, persuasive, can speak fluently and computer literate - A team player - With Basic Salary, Transportation, Communication, allowance + Commission

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.5 NO. 108 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 2012

UNICEF, Globe introduce ICT tools for accurate maternal, child data

Barangay health workers in G’lan, Sarangani use the rCHITS program to generate health data in their province. G’lan, Sarangani is one of the three pilot areas of rCHITS.

T

HE United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has partnered with leading telecommunications provider Globe Telecom in delivering an integrated mobile and desktop social system that can be used to report real-time data on maternal and child health for improved public health care, particularly in far-flung areas.

“Timely and accurate generation of health data is critical to good decisionmaking and provides concrete evidence to support actions in running health programs of the local government units. Thus, we at Globe are doing our best to help bridge disparities in access to health care by providing the necessary information and communications technology tools to make all this possible,” said Rob I. Nazal, Head of Globe Corporate Social Responsibility.

Called rChits (Real-time Community Health Information Tracking System), the project was developed and tested by the University of the Philippines – Manila for the National Telehealth Center (NTHC). It is a five-month project funded by UNICEF

with Globe providing ICT support. rChits falls under the iAccess pillar of Globe Bridging Communities, the CSR arm of Globe. It enables key agencies to gain state of the art ICT to increase effectiveness and efficiency of humanitarian and welfare services and gives opportunities for greater grassroots access to ICT solutions through research and development.

For the pilot run, Globe and UNICEF identified three disadvantaged areas in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, namely: Sto. Domingo, Albay; Gamay, Northern Samar; and G’lan, Sarangani.

Globe equipped the three municipalities with ICT tools such as mobile phones and special Globe BridgeCom SIM cards which give rCHITS program leaders access to more affordable mobile services when gathering information on maternal and child health in rural areas.

The ongoing pilot testing showed that mobile phones, the Internet, and free and open source software are effective not only in real-time data reporting of maternal and child health but also in monitoring compliance with

the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and in alerting local chief executives about emergencies and disasters in their areas.

At the very basic level, rChits has reduced inefficiencies of the old paperbased system like delayed reporting to decision-makers as well as prolonged waiting time because of hard-to-locate, if not missing records.

Despite the widespread use of ICT in the metropolis, it is yet to be fully utilized in data gathering both in the national and local government levels. This often results in overlapping or duplication of data, unnecessary spending of resources, and deprivation of national and local chief executives of information critical to decision making.

The prevailing information systems on the ground are still hinged on manual and paper-based mechanisms since the use of electronic platforms has yet to be well maximized due to lack of ICT infrastructure and human resource in many communities.

COMMUNITY SENSE 11

12

NATION/WORLD

NATION BRIEFS Translation

I

F this bill is passed, Pinoy movie makers will have to hire translators for each film. This, as Pasay City Rep. Emi Calixto-Rubiano files a bill requiring English subtitles for each PH-made film to help foreign tourists appreciate Philippine culture.

She said that since many travel agencies include Philippine shopping malls in the itineraries of their customers, helping “foreign guests enjoy the privilege of watching Filipino films without having to worry about the problem of translation” would mean better appreciation of Filipino cinema and culture.

Demolition

A

MID a probe of his projects when he was still Makati City Mayor, Vice President Jejomar Binay claims this is yet another “demolition campaign” by his critics.

Binay said the Commission on Audit (COA) probe was spearheaded by “insecure” political opponents.

“Di ko naman tinatanggi sa inyo na ako ay magkakandidato (I am not denying that I will be running in the next elections),” Binay said in a statement on Wednesday, referring to his plan of running in the 2016 presidential elections.

Terminal fee

L

OCAL airline tickets sold starting Aug. 1 should include the P200 domestic terminal fee, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) said in a notice on Wednesday.

“The Domestic Passenger Service Charge (DPSC) commonly known as ‘airport terminal fee’ in the amount of P200 which passengers pay at designated counters in the NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport) shall now be paid upon purchase of airline tickets through internet booking, airline ticket offices and ticketing or travel agents,” MIAA said.

VOL.5 NO. 108 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

PHP seeking ways to help athletes excel in sports I

WORLD TODAY

A

MID Philippines’ slimming chances to snatch the elusive gold or even a bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics, Malacanang says it is seeking ways to help athletes in sporting events.

Presidential deputy spokesman Abigail Valte said Tuesday President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III has instructed officials to identify sports where Pinoys could win.

“Ang sinasabi po ng Pangulo is, given na limited po ang resources natin, kailangan nating i-identify ang mga paligsahan kung saan tayo malakas — doon sa mga sport na meron tayong pagkakataon at kailangang linangin ang ating mga atleta. By doing that, we will get to allocate the limited resources to support our athletes in those areas where we can excel,” Valte said.

Philippine Sports Commission has a total budget of around P178 million, P30 million of which was dedicated for the Olympics.

Valte also wished the

Philippines’s Hidilyn Diaz falls backwards after failing to lift on the women’s 58Kg Group B weightlifting

competition at the London 2012 Olympic Games July 30, 2012. [REUTERS]

athletes luck.

“Well, good luck po … marami ang nanonood… parang there’s a collected groan from the country noong natanggal ’yung weightlifter natin. Sayang — kahapon po ’yon. Sayang po but there will be other opportunities. We

wish him luck mamaya sa kanyang pagsabak,” Valte added.

Eleven Pinoy athletes are participating in the 2012 Summer Olympics in weightlifting, swimming, shooting, cycling, boxing, athletics and archery.

Earlier, Hidilyn

Diaz failed to lift on the women’s 58Kg Group B weightlifting competition at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Swimmer Jessie Lacuna has also been eliminated after failing to qualify to the semi-finals of the men’s 200-meter freestyle event.

lation demanding more action.

Obama is keen to show his Iranian sanctions regime is tough, amid fears Israel may launch unilateral strikes against Iran if it believes the Islamic regime is on the point of achieving the capability to build a nuclear bomb.

“This action is designed to deter Iran from establishing payment mechanisms for the purchase of Iranian oil to circumvent existing sanctions,” Obama said, warning that US sanctions will apply to any entity buying Iranian oil.

Obama said measures would be taken against firms that have dealings with the National Iranian

Oil Company, the Naftiran Intertrade Company or the Central Bank of Iran or that help Iran buy US dollars or precious metals.

And he accused the Bank of Kunlun in China and the Elaf Islamic Bank in Iraq of arranging transactions worth millions of dollars with Iranian banks already under sanctions because of alleged links to Tehran’s weapons program.

Obama said these two institutions would henceforth be denied access to the US financial system, as would any banks caught dealing with Iran in future.

“Today’s action makes it clear that we will ex-

pose any financial institution... that allows the increasingly desperate Iranian regime to retain access to the international financial system,” he said.

Separately, the US Treasury Department confirmed details of the sanctions and allegations against Chinese and Iraqi banks accused of dealing with Iranian firms with alleged links to weapons proliferation and terrorism.

“As financial institutions around the world have cut ties with these designated Iranian banks, Bank of Kunlun and Elaf Islamic Bank took the opposite approach,” the statement said.

US imposes new sanctions on Iran

U

S President Barack Obama has imposed new economic sanctions on Iran’s oil export sector and on a pair of Chinese and Iraqi banks accused of doing business with Tehran.

In a statement released by the White House, Obama said the new measures underlined the United States’ determination to force Tehran “to meet its international obligations” in nuclear negotiations.

The sanctions came on the same day as the US State Department branded Iran “an active state sponsor of terrorism” in its 2011 annual terrorism report, and as US lawmakers prepared to vote legis-

NOTICE OF LOSS

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Restored

NDIA restored its power supplies on Wednesday after two days of massive outages that blacked out half the country, but fears remained that the grid could again collapse under the strain of overdemand.

India’s electricity network was back at full capacity after three regional grids failed on Tuesday in the country’s worst power crisis that left more than 600 million people without supplies.

O P

and a pair of Chinese and Iraqi banks accused of doing business with them.

Praised

RESIDENT Bashar alAssad said on Wednesday the Syrian army’s battle with rebel forces would determine the fate of his country, and praised soldiers for confronting what he said were “criminal terrorist gangs”.

“The fate of our people and our nation, past, present and future, depends on this battle,” Assad, who has not spoken in public since four of his top security officials were assassinated two weeks ago, said in a written statement marking armed forces day.

J

Risk

APAN on Tuesday flagged as a potential risk a possible rise in Chinese military’s role in shaping Beijing’s foreign policy and said aspiring nuclear power North Korea remained a serious regional threat under its new leader.

In its annual defence white paper, Tokyo cited views that relations between China’s army and the Communist Party were “getting complex” and said they were a matter of concern. It did not elaborate on how ties between the military and Party had changed.

G A general view shows the Lavan oil refinery quay in Iran in 2004. US President Barack Obama imposed new economic sanctions Tuesday targeting Iran’s oil export firms

Decline

SAMA bin Laden’s death sent al Qaeda into a decline that will be hard to reverse, the United States said on Tuesday in a report that found terrorist attacks last year fell to their lowest level since 2005.

Describing 2011 as a “landmark year,” the United States said other top al Qaeda members killed last year included Atiyah Abd al-Rahman, reportedly the militant organization’s No. 2 figure after bin Laden’s death, and Anwar al-Awlaki, who led its lethal affiliate in Yemen.

Execution

U Kailai, the wife of deposed Chinese leader Bo Xilai and a career lawyer, faces possible execution for murder at the hands of a swift, unblinking justice system that she once championed.

Gu, who practised commercial law and wrote once a book about her experiences of both the Chinese and U.S. legal systems, will be at the centre of highly politicised trial this month in which rule of law is unlikely to attract more than token attention.

EDGEDAVAO

Tonyboy...

RDC...

FFROM 1

FFROM 1 advantage of the ‘clustering’ of their ground personnel in loading and unloading of cargoes and for other necessary aircraft operations and maintenance activities.

“The big disadvantage is that these gates do not have airbridge facilities which leave the passengers no choice but to walk on the tarmac during embarkation/disembarkation. The situation also results to traffic with aircraft with other airlines, especially during peak periods of arrivals/departures, as well as creates an artificial congestion of passengers at the terminal building while other gates like 4 and 5 remain underutilized,” it said.

The report noted that all gates have the same ground facilities, thus, there should be no reason for not using the other gates. Other airline companies also use the airbridge, including Zest Airways and Philippine Airlines.

Mandate In its recommendation, the RDC asked the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) to exercise its mandate, noting that under R.A. 776 or the Civil Aeronautics Act of the Philippines, the CAB is authorized to issue Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) to domestic carriers, Foreign Air Carrier’s Permit (FACP) to foreign carriers, and Letters of Authority to airfreight forwarders, general sales agents, cargo sales agents who are fit, willing, and able to perform services as required by public convenience and necessity.

“CAB should exercise its regulatory powers to address airline operations’ issues at FBIA. We also recommend that CAB personnel may be deployed to regularly monitor airline operations at FBIA,” it said.

It also urged CAAP should to assert its powers to manage airport operations consistent with its mandate. Under Republic Act No. 9497, among the functions of CAAP is to operate and maintain national airports, air navigation and other similar facilities in compliance to International Civil Aviation Organization and it is the overarching goal, thrust and priority of the CAAP to provide safety and security in the airport.

“Therefore, it is strongly recommended that CAAP fully exercise its functions corresponding to the rules and regulations for the enforcement of laws governing air transportation. Enforce no air bridge use, no landing, no entry/exit at the terminal,” it added.

Repairs As for the general maintenance of the FBIA building and other facilities, the RDC urged that the CAAP to include in its 2012 Program the immediate repair and

13

VOL.5 NO. 108 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 2012

maintenance of basic facilities and equipment including toilets, drinking fountains with potable water, ceiling, flooring and walls, escalators and elevators, Xray security machines, airbridge and airconditioning units.

It was also recommended that RDC 11, together with the Davao region’s Congresspersons, endorse to DOTC-CAAP management the retention of at least 50% of the annual income generated by the FBIA for its regular operation and maintenance but to also provide for capital investment. A more realistic and responsive medium term investment plan for the FBIA has to be submitted by CAAP. The GOCC Governance Act of 2011 has been approved, which creates a body that will oversee and set standards for the country’s 157 state-owned firms.

The bill makes sure GOCCs remit 50% of their income to the government as mandated by law.

Standards The RDC also recommended for the establishment of more space for the passenger check in section, waitlisted areas and opening of departure gates/predeparture lounges.

“CAAP should undertake an assessment of the services it provides at the terminal building based on standards or criterion for an international airport category. The assessment shall include international and domestic passengers’ pre-departure and lounging/waiting areas vis-à-vis commercial and retail facilities. While the commercial and retail facilities at the airport may provide additional income, CAAP XI should not sacrifice passenger convenience over earning more profit out of commercializing government facilities,” it said.

The RDC also recommended the improvement of safety and security plans review the existing arrangements for entry and egress from FBIA in consultation with the City Government of Davao, Philippine National Police and other concerned entities.

It also recommended the following: • Purchase of a new firetruck to replace the old unit as proposed in the FY 2013 Budget in the amount of P52 M. • Provide the required fire extinguishers as required under the Fire Code.

• The Bureau of Fire Services to conduct regular inspection including the functionality of the sprinkler fire suppressor system and the fire exit doors.

• Conduct regular review of the fire/emergency plan of the entire airport without compro-

mising the overall security of the FBIA. Transport service The RDC also recommended that CAAP 11 should look into addressing the urgent issue on congestion of vehicles and passengers at the taxiway towards the departure and arrival areas and may consider the preparation of a Traffic Management Plan together with the security groups at the airport, particularly, at the entrance and exit gates of the airport terminal.

It also recommended the construction of covered walkway connecting the FBIA passenger terminal building (entrance and exit) to the national highway.

“CAAP 11, together with the Office of Transportation Security and Davao City Government’s security agencies; shall draw up and implement a workable airport public transport system (airport terminal building to the national or a public bus/shuttle service with pick up points in downtown area). CAAP 11 together with the security group of the airport should study the possibility of changing the entrance and exit gates of the terminal to ease traffic congestion and also propose to widen the road of the taxiway. Recommend the use of the gate near the Quiboloy property for vehicles servicing departing passengers,” it said.

Safety For safety and convenience of the passengers, the RDC recommended that taxis plying the airport be accredited, in order to ensure that said vehicles meet the required standard and drivers are medically fit and of good character.

“The establishment and operationalization of the accreditation system shall be undertaken jointly by CAAP 11 and DOT 11 encompassing the operation of airport public transport system (taxi, van, coasters and mini-bus),” it said.

As for the marketing promotions and incentives of airlines, the RDC recommended that DOT 11 shall lead a marketing and promotions group for the FBIA together with CAAP and the Davao Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

It also recommended that the DTI shall study and recommend actions to ensure consumers’ rights to refund the amount of the fare or may rebook flights at a very reasonable price and all other promotional schemes of all airlines.

“The results of the study will be presented to the RDC 11 for appropriate action. Currently, CAB has proposed an Airline Passenger’ Rights Bill. RDC 11 could submit inputs to protect the interest and welfare of stakeholders in the

late in the first round, households shook in frenzied applause.

Barriga’s patron and discoverer, former Rep. Antonio “TonyBoy” R. Floirendo Jr., was ecstatic over his ward’s swashbuckling triumph.

Floirendo yesterday said residents of the Davao region are mighty proud of the initial victory of Mark Anthony Barriga for defeating Cappai, bronze medal winner in the European Qualifiers.

“Dabawenyos, boxing enthusiasts or not, are grinning from ear to ear because of Barriga’s triumph against a much taller adversary in the lightflyweight division of the London Olympics,” said TonyBoy, founder of the now famous Barangay Una boxing program which discovered Mark way back when he was only nine years old.

The former lawmaker, who now chairs the Anflocor

Study...

business empire, took occasion to credit the Antonio O. Floirendo Foundation, an institution named after his late father, for funneling funds into the Barangay Una to amateur boxing development program that has produced many outstanding amateur boxers for the country.

Floirendo said Barriga may, hopefully, be the first to give the country its first Olympic gold medal, although he did admit there’s still a long way to go, with Barriga advancing to the round of 16. It takes five wins to become an Olympic boxing champion.

In Davao City, boxing fans stayed up despite the confusing schedule and the slightly delayed telecast at a little past 9 o’clock in the evening.

Down east in Davao Oriental, boxing-crazy residents in Mati City also

stayed glued to their television sets to watch the Barriga fight. Barriga once fought in the Davao Regional Athletic Association (Davraa) meet and earned the admiration of boxing fans in Mati.

Barriga, who had to momentarily stop schooling at the University of Mindanao Panabo campus to concentrate on the Olympiad, moved into the round of 16 and will meet Birzhan Zhakypov of Kazakhstan on Saturday.

A win over Zhakypov coupled with a win over Cuba’s Yosbany Veitia Soto by top-ranked Zou Shiming of China, the defending Olympic gold medalist and Barriga’s conqueror in the Oympic Qualifiers in Azerbajian, will set the muchanticipated semifinals duel where boxers are assured of at least a bronze in that stage.

the error by including the Dumoy aquifer among the city’s water sources, Abella said. However, she added that before the revision is made, there is a need to conduct a new study on the water resources of the city.

She said the study has to be conducted because the situation which was the basis of the Water Code may have changed a lot since the first study was done more than a decade ago.

The Water Code (Ordinance 117-01, Series of

2001) was approved on January 11, 2001 after having been drafted much earlier in 1997. Until today, its implementing rules and regulations (IRR) have not been drafted.

So, first the study, then the review, then the revision and finally , the IRR. “That will all take a lot of time, “ Abella said, whose deceased father, the late Councilor Pedro “Pedring” Salvador, was a member of the Sanggunian which passed the Water Code.

dealing with the Indian export company. Bulaon could not find convincing answer.

The senators grilled SBMA chairman Roberto Garcia and Sr. Deputy Administrator for Operations Redentor Tuazon for allowing the rice shipment to be unloaded even without import permit from the NFA. Tuazon said that SBMA charter allowed them to discharge the shipment but “we did not issue admission permit and we did not allow to declare it because their NFA permit is under process.”

Tuazon failed to convince the committee with his explanation, insisting that the SBMA should not allow any shipment to be unloaded without import permit from any concerned government agency.

Upon request of Enrile, the Senate panel directed the BOC and SBMA not to release the rice shipment while the case is being investigated by the Senate.

BOC commissioner Rufino Biazon said the BOC would abide with the di-

rective of the Senate, saying “the BOC has actually ordered forfeiture of the items.”

Biazon said he was also in favor of the senators’ suggestion to donate the rice to the victims of natural disasters.

The senators vowed to dig deeper on the case, asking Sano, Cuevas, Protik and SBMA seaport manager Capt. Perfecto Pascual to attend the next Senate probe tentatively set on Tuesday next week. ”It is clear that there are backers who helped in the entry of this shipment at Subic,” Pangilinan said.

Camacho said he had pre-arrival meeting with Pascual prior to the arrival of the rice shipment.

Pascual did not show up in the first Senate inquiry.

At this early, Pangilinan sees a need for remedial legislation specially in terms of power of the free ports in the country.

Other senators who attended the hearing include Senators Loren Legarda, Teofisto Guingona III, Franklin Drilon and Edgardo Angara. [PNA]

FFROM 3 been included in the four identified major water resources in the Water Code of Davao City.

Abella said that a review of the record of the city councilors’ discussion on the Water Code showed that Dumoy was one of the city’s identified water resources but that fact was inadvertently excluded from the final copy of the ordinance.

The city council decided then and there to revisit the Water Code and rectify

Collusion...

FFROM 3 (NFA).

The Metroeastern official also said the rice shipment was originally intended for Indonesia but the country rejected its entry for lack of necessary permits.

NFA administrator Angelito Banayo said no import permit had been issued to Amira because bidding was already finished a month before the shipment arrived on April 4, 2012.

Enrile cast doubt on Bulaon’s claim that the shipment was not intended for the Philippines, warning to detain the Metroeastern official if he would not tell the truth.

Later, Bulaon’s boss Metroeastern owner Antonio Camacho Jr. admitted that the bill of lading of the rice shipment was from Kandla, India to Subic.

Bulaon also admitted that as consignee, they intended to sell the rice domestically.

Enrile wondered why Amira entrusted to Metroeastern a rice shipment worth half a billion peso without any previous

14

SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.5 NO. 108 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 2012

Barriga hammers Italian foe 17-7

POCKET PACMAN. Mark Barrigatakes a bow after winning his first match. Lower photo, Barriga jars Italian Manuel Cappai in the first round for a standing 8-count.

Tonyboy happy and proud of his ward

By Neil Bravo

L

ONDON – Davao pride Mark Anthony Barriga’s journey to the country’s quest for Olympic glory began, as a Chinese proverb would have it, with a single step.

But that one small step for a pint-sized harbinger of hope could be the giant leap the Philippines is waiting for.

Matched against a lanky foe standing half a foot taller, Barriga methodically poleaxed Manuel Cappai round after round before slaying the Italian Goliath at the end of three rounds with a 17-7 points win in the lightfyweight division.

From Panabo City, Barangay Una project director Gene Rose Tecson relayed to EDGE Davao the message of Barriga’s discoverer former Congressman Tonyboy Floirendo. “He is very, very happy with Mark’s win last night.”

Tecson, who saw to Barriga’s development from his humble beginnings at the age of 9 to his emergence as the country’s lone boxing bet in the Olympics, said they are wary of the long journey to the gold and that their ward should be meeting tougher opposition in the next rounds.

“There are more fights to come before the medal rounds

but with God’s grace and Mark’s determination to win, then the first Olympic gold may come from Mindanao boxing as he (Tonyboy Floirendo) had envisioned,” Tecson said.

Barriga’s win gave the Philippine campaign in the 30th London Olympics something to cheer about after the lean 11-man delegation suffered losses in other fronts.

The 19-year-old pride of Panabo in Davao, the shortest entry in this lightest weight category, viciously bombarded the 5-foot-6 Italian working on solid straight lefts to forge a standing eight count late in the first round and set the tone of the lopsided bout.

Barriga took the upperhand in opening round, 5-2, settled down comfortably in the second to hike his lead to 9-4 going into the third and final round.

When it was over, Barriga proudly pulled his shirt with the logo of the Philippine flag as the small but boisterous pro-Pinoy crowd responded in wild cheers from the packed gallery.

He then proceeded to give his coach, 1992 Barcelona Olympics bronze medalist Roel Velasco a hug, before stepping down into the ring.

Beach volley heats up

T

HE 2012 Olympics have gone better than expected for the USA women’s beach volleyball team as they remained a perfect 6-0 in match play. Kerri Walsh Jennings and Misty May-Treanor were once again on top of their game when they needed it most as they defeated the Czech Republic 21-14, 21-19 in day three action.

The win was the 16th consecutive Olympic victory for the duo, but it wasn’t easy.

The Czech Republic almost pulled off the upset as they battled hard all night, and were up 18-15 in the second game before USA stormed back and tied the game at 18 apiece, eventually winning the match.

When the match was over, team USA celebrated the big win and Misty MayTreanor’s 35th birthday. Not a bad night for the girls!

“We’re celebrating on California time,’’ Walsh Jennings said early Tuesday morning in London.

Action heats up in beach volleyball, one of the most anticipated event in the London 2012 Olympic Games played at Horse Guards Parade in London, England.

The win put the lone Filipino boxing entry in a round-of-16 match against another tall fighter in Kazakhstan’s Birzhan Zhakypov, who nipped France’s Jeremy Beccu, 18-17, in their opening bout.

The fight is set for Saturday.

Kia Rio Cup Futsal opens today at SM

T

HE biggest futsal event of the year gets going today as the Kia Rio Cup Davao Interclub Futsal Tournament will be the centrepiece event until the weekend at The Annex of SM City Davao with six clubs contending for the bragging rights as the top futsal club this part of the country.

Club Futbol di Garelli, Alia Orange FC, Crocs FC, SVDC FC, Tadeco FC-Panabo City, and Phl Rabies will be disputing the Men’s Second

Division title at stake in this exclusive four-day event that brings the fast and exciting football variation inside Davao’s biggest mall. Belisario FC could bring the total to seven teams but the team has yet to confirm.

“It’s fast-paced and it’s exciting. Kia is proud to once more attach its soccer-identified brand to local football,” said Tobi Ang, vice president of AB&T Resources, the official Kia dealer in Davao.

The Kia Rio Hatchback

will be on display during the entire duration of the event organized by Bravetower Events Promotions in partnership with SM City Davao. The same Kia car was launched during the Kia Rio Cup featuring the Philippine Azkals and the visiting South Korea team Inchon early this year at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Kia is also the sponsor of the recent Euro Cup 2012, Europe’s biggest football event, aside from being a regular supporter of the Azkals.

“We are partnering with Bravetower for this football event as part of our effort to elevate the sport to a level that’s best appreciated by the fans. Bringing futsal to the mall is one sure way to appreciate this beautiful game,” added Paco Mendoza, manager of Kia Davao.

The men’s division will play double round robin eliminations on Thursday until Saturday with the top four squads advancing to the semifinals on Sunday.

Phoenix Run has 6 regisration centers

R

EGISTRATION for the official Kadayawan running event—the Kadayawan Phoenix ‘I Recycle’ Run—is in full blast at six registration centers.

In order to cater to the huge number of interested runners seeking slots to the August 12 run, organizers have opened registration centers at Phoenix Petroleum stations in Acacia St. and Damosa, Davao City Water District office in Bajada, Skechers Shop- Ground Floor Abreeza Mall Davao, Skechers Shop- 2nd Floor Gaisano Mall of Davao, and at the Duaw Davao office in Wheels N More Compound, JP Laurel

Avenue.

The sponsoring Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Inc. will give out more than P100,000 in cash and other prizes for the winners of the Kadayawan race which will be held at SM City Davao.

Registered runners will all have the opportunity of winning huge prizes in the much-awaited race. All categories have prizes for both men and women winners.

In the 10K category, champions will each receive the grand prize of P10,000 in cash. The 2nd runner up will receive P7,000 cash. Third runners-up will bring home P5,000 cash.

INdulge!

VOL.5 NO. 108 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

FOOD

Fat boy meets the Little Sheep An eat-all-you can dimsum odyssey

AS evident by my more than rotund figure, I am a boy who loves to eat. Place anything that looks and smells delicious and as sure as an ice cube has no chance in hell, I will eat! So what does one do when a seemingly endless line of Hong Kong dim sum parades its way in front of one’s eyes?

Dim sum refers to a style of Chinese cuisine that is prepared as small bitesized or individual portions served in small steamer baskets or on small plates.

These dim sum dishes can either be savory or sweet

and can be as varied as noodles, rice, porridge, or even buns. Traditional Chinese also serve tea along with dim sum.

Dim sum is also well known for the unique way it is served in some res-

taurants, wherein fully cooked and ready-to-serve dim sum dishes are carted around the restaurant for customers to choose their orders while seated at their tables.

Having dim sum in Hong Kong has got to be every foodie’s dream. So when (now HK local) Erwin decided to treat me and Otoi to some eat-all-you-can dim sum, you can bet I had a smile that stretched from ear to ear.

We arrived at a restaurant called The Little Sheep (although the Chinese name of the restaurant actually means “Fat Sheep”, I guess they just did not want to poke fun at the ones who get fat after eating there) that is tucked in a little corner along Cameron Road in Tsim Sha Tsui.

Apparently, not too many tourists eat here, but the restaurant is frequented by the locals instead. So after asking for their english menu, we were allowed to check the items we would like to have. The menu was quite a list with many varied items ranging from dumplings, to vegetables, to steamed buns, and even dessert.

After a couple of minutes,

our orders arrived. Piping hot shrimp dumplings, noodle wrapped roast pork barbecue, steamed buns with roast pork barbecue, steamed spare ribs, chicken feet, the parade of food seemed endless! I loved the shrimp dumplings whose shrimps tasted fresh and crisp in the mouth.

I also loved the steamed buns with roast pork barbecue that had a rich juicy pork barbecue filling inside a light and fluffy steamed bun. But this was nothing compared to what arrived next, the salted egg custard bun.

I have never tried something as sinful yet as deliciously luscious as these little golden buns that had a sweet and salty filling. The salted egg custard was rich and creamy which sent me reaching out for another one after finishing off the first bun.

Of course to go with the meal is a pot of jasmine tea to somehow and hopefully, help melt the digested fats away.

As dessert, we were given Chrysanthemum tea jelly to cleanse our palette.

Over-all the food was amazing, and so was the price. At just HK$60 (a little less than P350) the meal was a bargain! Even if we add the three pots of tea, we just paid HK$198 which was what a meal at a restaurant costs in Hong Kong.

Follow me on twitter @ kennethkingong for travel tips, foodie finds, and random ramblings in and around Durianburg and beyond.

EDGEDAVAO

A2 INdulge!

VOL.5 NO. 108 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 2012

FOOD ENTERTAINMENT

Feast on new and exciting dishes at Italianni’s

GOOD food, among other things, is an expression of love and Italianni’s has always succeeded in creating and recreating plates of pure bliss which guests look for in every visit. It’s “amore,” the experience you get each time you sink your teeth into the restaurant’s pizzas, pastas and entrees or take a bite of its salads and appetizers.

This time around, guests have new, delightful reasons to continue their tryst with Italianni’s with ItalianAmerican specialties that reignite one’s amorous affair with their dishes. What to expect? A wonderful array of appetizers, salads, pastas, pizzas, entrees and desserts laced with distinctive flavors that are fresh and hearty.

BAR PLATES Guests who regard starters as a serious affair will find the new bar plates perfect with cocktails or by themselves. In the mood for surprises? Open one by way of Italian Pockets, a deceptively simple item on the menu that packs a punch in your mouth. These fried specialties are wrapped in home-made dough and filled with chicken and shrimp, mushroom and bacon, and tuna and spinach. Others worth a try are Alaskan Crab Dip, Crab Croquettes and Clams de Manille.

PASTAS AND PIZZAS The new Creamy Crab Spaghetti is a winner! Dig into a plate of delicious pasta in c r e a m sauce with Alaskan crab meat, fresh herbs and spices.

O t h e r equally pleasing choices prepared from fresh ingredients and infused with herbs and spices are Spaghetti Al Nero, Penne with Italian Sausage, Shrimp Mascarpone, Broccoli and Asparagus Ravioli and Forrestiere Fettucine. Italianni’s offers guests the option of ordering whole wheat pasta for healthier alternatives.

If you’re a pizza fan, you will surely love the new Angus Steak Pizza built on a bed of thin-crust pizza dough and generously topped with strips of Angus beef, green bell peppers, mushroom cream sauce, mozzarella cheese and caramelized onion. Not to be missed are Seafood Mango, Caricato and Applewood Bacon pizzas.

NEW STEAKS AND OTHER ENTREES One could dine on pizza and pasta alone and still have a great meal butItalianni’s also serves new imported steaks that are too good to resist. Surely, meat lovers won’t pass up on U.S. T-bone, Ribeye and New York steak Also highly meat entrees are the Crispy Pork and Flaming Chicken Fall in love with Italianni’s all over again through its new menu available in branches located in Abreeza Mall Davao; Alabang Town Center; Bonifacio High Street, Eastwood, Gateway Mall, Araneta Center, Cubao; Glorietta 4 Ayala Makati; Greenbelt 2 Ayala Makati; Greenhills, San Juan; Marquee Mall, Pampanga; Nuvali, Sta. Rosa Laguna; Robinsons Place Midtown; SM Mall of Asia, Tomas Morato and Trinoma Mall, Quezon City.

For inquiries, call 8367141.

The simple pleasures of life

by Bai Fauziah Fatima Sinsuat Ambolodto, MBA

PEOPLE might say I’m a high maintenance girl who goes on shopping sprees, bar hopping and travel like there is no tomorrow. I admit, I have my days wherein I feel like I’m Queen Elizabeth II’s granddaughter but the truth of the matter is, I am downright simple. I feel ecstatic even with the littlest things. Simple gestures make me happy, notes of shapes and sizes make me feel like w kid who had won a teddy bear from a fair and smiles make me feel a gazillion times richer than anybody else.

The following recipes are my ultimate favorites when I opt to stay inside my house and do nothing. Sitting by the couch and munching on a homey recipe is but life’s greatest pleasure.

IMBAO SOUP My favorite rainy soup must have. I like it with a lot of ginger and lemon grass. For a more exotic feel, I add curry powder and chilies.

Boil onion, ginger and lemon grass in water. Season with Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper.

Dump cleaned Imbao (sea shells) in boiling water

and simmer for 30 minutes or until all imbao shells open.

Transfer to bowl and serve hot. Best served with toasted bread (see Garlic Bread recipe below) or with rice.

VEGGIE MEDLEY My ultimate go to dish when I feel like detoxing.

I usually do not stir in any meat but this time, I opted for a more beachy taste and mixed in fish, shrimps and squid.

Sauté garlic and onion in oil and butter over medium heat. Once translucent, add sliced sayote and carrots. Cook until tender but not mushy. Add cauliflower flowerets, sliced string beans, chicharo, quartered red bell pepper.

Season with salt and black pepper.

Stir constantly over medium heat. Add water and shrimp bouillon cube.

Cook until cube is dissolved.

Add seafoods such as cleaned and deveined shrimps, fish cubes and squid bits. You can add chicken or beef or even tofu. Stir. Add mashed biscuit crackers and stir constantly.

Simmer for at least 3 minutes. Cover.

Serve hot with or over rice.

GARLIC BREAD DVD marathon, for me, is not complete without something to munch on.

This time, I made myself a simple yet addictive (I

simply adore this recipe!) snack that is easy to make and could be snacked on wherever and whenever.

Slice French bread in an angle. Rub with raw garlic and sprinkle with garlic powder all over. Drizzle with olive oil and garnish with chopped curly parsley.

Toast: Pop bread slices inside the oven and toast until golden brown but not

burnt. Transfer to a platter and drizzle with olive oil.

Enjoy!

Storage: Store in an airtight container inside the refrigerator and thaw at least 3 minutes before popping oven in the.

Tell me what you think of this week’s recipe. Email me your questions, suggestions and comments at iamtheroyalchef@gmail. com . Happy Cooking!

VOL.5 NO. 108 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

ENTERTAINMENT

James Bond

5 things you need to know about Skyfall

JAMES Bond keeps making headlines.

Fresh off creating a memorable moment with Queen Elizabeth II during the Olympics opening ceremony and whetting our appetite for action with a Skyfall teaser during coverage of the summer games over the weekend, the superspy now goes for the gold (so to speak) with a new full-throttle trailer.

Here now are five things we learned from watching Daniel Craig & Co. James Bond Is Dead?!

OK, so we don’t actually witness the demise of 007 here, but he does take a bullet and subse-

quently fakes his own death with a little help from M (Judi Dench).

Eventually he’s brought back to “life.” Which is a good thing, of course.

Otherwise, we’d be looking at the shortest Bond movie ever.

Premise Revealed?

Ralph Fiennes tells Dench: “Three months ago, you lost the drive containing the identity of every agent embedded in terrorist organizations across the globe.”

Enter, yep, you know who.

Javier Bardem’s Baddie: And here we thought his Oscar-winning performance in No Country for Old Men was creepy.

(But we mean that in a

good way!)

The Return of Q: Yes, we’ve known for some time that Ben Whishaw would be portraying the franchise’s gadget-loving comic foil, but to finally see him actually do his thing assures us that

Fifty Shades of Grey: Who’s in the cast AND the journey to find the perfect Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele continues.

While numerous celeb names have already been thrown out for the roles— Matt Bomer, Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth and Ian Somerhalder to name a few—stars continue to get hurled into the mix.

The latest being Emma Watson, Dancing With the Stars hunk William Levy and yes, even Angelina Jolie, oh my!

Watson’s innocent look and witty personality could be a perfect fit for Miss Steele, but as far as she’s concerned, it’s not happening.

“I haven’t read the book, I haven’t a read a script, nothing,” Watson told Entertainment Weekly. “There are so many movies you become attached to when I’ve literally never even received a phone call. It was the same way with The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo—I never even saw a script!”

Meanwhile, Levy, who admitted he has read the book (that thought alone makes us blush), has been suggested for the role by fans who wouldn’t mind

seeing a Latin Grey on the big screen.

And although no castings have been made for the film, this ex-ballroom dancer would be willing to bring the heat (wink).

“If the opportunity comes for me to play this role, it would be amazing,” Levy told Celebuzz. “It’s a great book…[and] every day I hear about it. I see the fans saying it all over. I would play it. I would love to do it.

We’ve just got to see.”

Did your inner goddess just squeal, too?

Now, could Jolie pull off being a kinky, sex-crazed female? Duh. But can she pull off being a kinky, sex-crazed female in her early 20s? Not so much, and that’s why we were surprised to see the Alister even get mentioned for the role of Anastasia.

Maybe if she went blond, Angelina could take on Mrs. Robinson, er, Elena.

Now that we could see.

Bond is in good hands.

Keeping It Clean: Who’s ever heard of a scruffy superspy? Thankfully, Bond girl Eve (Naomie Harris) proves that she not only has a way with a gun, but a razor, too.

A4 INdulge!

UP AND ABOUT ENTERTAINMENT

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.5 NO. 108 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 2012

Annebisyosa concert in Davao PRINCESS of All Media Anne Curtis signs a contract with Davao producer Gatchi Gatchalian for the Davao leg of her successful Annebisyosa: No Other Concert World Tour. The grand Kadayawan event will be on August 18, starting 8pm, at USEP Gym. Proceeds of the show will go to Gatchi’s table-andchair project for a public school in Magtuod, Ma-a.

Tickets are now available at all Greenwich branches - Gmall, SM, NCCC Mall, Abreeza (on weekends) and Ilustre. For concert details, please Gatchi Gatchalain Productions office at 2270658.

BEST FORM. Mutya ng Cebu Rizzini Alexis Gomez (2nd from right -standing) won the Best Swimsuit Competition during the dinner show Mutya ng Pilipinas Competition held at the Imperial Palace Waterpark Resort &Spa in Mactan, Cebu. Shown with her in their best form are the Sheridan Resort

EDGEDAVAO

SPORTS

VOL.5 NO. 108 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 2012

15

OLYMPIC FACES

USA swimming sensation Missy Franklin got a tweet from Justin Bieber.

‘Missile Missy’ Michael Phelps celebrate after winning his 19th Olympic medal in swimming.

Phelps swims to 19th medal L

ONDON -- Michael Phelps lingered on the blocks, not wanting to make another shocking blunder. The 19th medal was his. All he had to do was avoid a DQ, then set off on what amounted to four victory laps.

Down and back, then down and back again, the roars getting louder with each stroke.

When Phelps touched the wall, he finally had gold at his final Olympics.

And a record for the ages.

Phelps swam into history with a lot of help from his friends, taking down the last major record that wasn’t his alone. He took the anchor leg for the United States in a gold medal-winning performance of the 4x200-meter freestyle relay Tuesday night, earning the 19th Olympic medal of

his brilliant career, and the 15th gold.

A more appropriate color.

“I’ve put my mind to doing something that nobody had ever done before,” Phelps said. “This has been an amazing ride.”

About an hour earlier, Phelps took one of his most frustrating defeats at the pool, blowing it at the finish and settling for silver in his signature event, the 200 butterfly.

That tied the record for career medals held by Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina, but it was hardly a triumphant moment. Phelps slung away his cap in disgust and struggled to force a smile at the medal ceremony.

But any disappointment from that race was gone by the time he dived in the water on the relay, having

been staked to a huge lead by teammates Ryan Lochte, Conor Dwyer and Ricky Berens.

Before the race, they all huddled together, fully aware of their role in history.

“I thanked those guys for helping me get to this moment,” Phelps said. “I told those guys I wanted a big lead. I was like, ‘You better give me a big lead going into the last lap,’ and they gave it to me. I just wanted to hold on. I thanked them for being able to allow me to have this moment.”

Berens handed off a lead of nearly 4 seconds to Phelps, who was extra cautious with the exchange, knowing the only way he could ruin this one was to get disqualified.

Lochte stood on the deck, waving his arms. Dwyer and Berens pumped

their fists. And Phelps touched the wall for his first gold of the London Games with a cumulative time of 6 minutes, 59.70 seconds.

No one else was close.

France’s Yannick Agnel swam a faster final leg than Phelps, but it wasn’t nearly good enough, his country taking silver in 7:02.77.

China was far back in third at 7:06.30.

Phelps might have backed into the record a bit by failing to win any of his first three events at these games, but there’s no denying his legacy as one of the greatest Olympians ever - if not THE greatest.

“The legacy he has left behind for swimming is fantastic,” said South African Chad le Clos, the guy who beat him in the butterfly.

“Even in Africa, everyone knows Michael Phelps.”

Another slow start, same finish for USA Carmelo Anthony muscles his way inside in the game against Tunisia. The NBA-powered US team notched its second straight win in the London Olympics.

K

EVIN Love scored 17 points and Carmelo Anthony added 16 as Team USA clobbered Tunisia 110-63 for their second win in as many matches in Group A in Olympic basketball.

It was about the same slow start in their match against France the USA had but once settled, the NBA stars romped away.

Kevin Durant came up with 13 points and five assists for the Americans on Tuesday at the Olympic Park Basketball Arena (Wednesday in Manila).

Makram Ben Romdhane led Tunisia with 22 points and Mohamed Hadidane had 11.

France bounced back from its opening-game loss to the US with a 71-64 win over Argentina.

Tony Parker scored 17 points and Nicolas Batum had 14 for France, while Argentina was led by Manu Ginobili’s 26 points and Luis Scola’s 16.

Lithuania scored a 72-53 victory over Nigeria in the other Group A game.

In Group B Spain

downed Australia 82-70, with Pau Gasol delivering 20 points, Rudy Fernandez adding 17 and Marc Gasol 12.

Joe Ingles and Brad Newley had 12 apiece for the Aussies.

Brazil beat the hosts Great Britain 67-62 in the other Group B match.

L

ONDON -- Life just keeps on getting bigger and better for Missy Franklin, the teenage swimming sensation whose fame is quickly spreading beyond the Olympic pool.

Even Bieber’s a believer.

The 17-year-old girl with the can’t-miss smile and catchy “Missile Missy” nickname is cheerily living up to the outsized expectations that were heaped on her going into her first Olympics.

Franklin won a gold medal - even before Michael Phelps - in the 100-meter backstroke Monday after having opened her games with a relay bronze.

And a certain teen idol took notice.

“Heard (at)FranklinMissy is a fan of mine,” singer Justin Bieber tweeted Tuesday. “Now I’m a fan of hers too! CONGRATS on winning GOLD! (Hashtag)muchlove.”

“I just died,” Franklin tweeted in response. “Thank you!”

She’s still got five more events to go, giving her plenty of chances to leave London as America’s big star with Phelps heading into retirement. His underwhelming performances so far and Ryan Lochte’s failure in his last two events have swung the spotlight squarely on Franklin.

Franklin barely missed a bronze medal in the 200 freestyle on Tuesday night.

She finished fourth, just onehundredth of a second off the podium.

“It’s definitely hard when I was so close,” she said.

A night earlier, she qualified for the 200 free final just 14 minutes before she won the first gold medal of what promises to be a stellar career.

“What kind of high school kid can do that?”

marveled teammate Breeja Larson.

Franklin finished the semis of the 200 free on Monday night, then raced to the diving well for a quick warmdown. There was no time to make it to the practice pool before her bigger race.

“That was fantastic. She did it exactly right,” said Bob Bowman, Phelps’ coach.

No less an authority on doubling up than Phelps was amazed at her stamina. He estimated his tightest time between races at a major meet was about 30 minutes.

“She’s a racer and she knows what to do,” he said, having long ago paid Franklin the ultimate compliment to a swimmer: “She’s a stud.”

At 6-foot-1, with big hands and size 13 feet, Franklin cuts an imposing figure on the starting blocks.

And - Bieber take note - her size is no impediment to her dancing skills.

She shows them off in the U.S. swimming team’s recent video spoof to “Call Me Maybe.” Franklin boogies down the aisle of a plane and whips her long brown hair around while lip-synching to the Carly Rae Jepsen tune that has inspired countless viral videos.

Franklin has cracked up her teammates since last summer, when she won three gold medals in her first world championships in China and set two American records in the process. They were amused by her excited approach to swimming the mundane morning prelims and her bubbly personality.

She’s been even more enthusiastic - if that’s possible - at the Olympics. She loves her apartment in the athletes village and was thrilled at the prospect of taking home the comforter on her bed.

“They’re so cute,” she gushed.

the final set, only to quickly charge from behind with his powerful serves. He saved two match points and forced a 48th game of the set but couldn’t hold off Tsonga in the end. The 2011 Wimbledon semifinalist slammed a winner off a fat volley to end the match in 3 hours, 57 minutes.

The 48-game decisive set was the second-longest in modern major tennis history (we’re counting the Olympics as a fifth major), shorter only than John Isner and Nicolas Mahut’s

legendary 70-68 epic, which took place just a few steps away from where Tsonga and Raonic battled.

It should be noted that all men’s matches at the Olympics, with the exception of the final, are best-of-three sets, not best-of-five like the Grand Slams.

Tsonga was so tired after the match that he could only perform an abbreviated rendition of his usual post-victory jig. The No. 5 seed will face the winner of Feliciano Lopez and Juan Monaco in the third round.

Tsonga wins longest Olympic tennis match

T

HE men’s marathon came to the London Olympics 12 days early.

In a second-round match played at Wimbledon, France’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga outlasted young Canadian Milos Raonic to win the longest tennis match in Olympic history, 6-3, 3-6, 25-23. The epic third set lasted three hours, longer than any full match played thus far in the Games.

Raonic dug himself into early holes on a number of do-or-die service games in

16 SPORTS

VOL.5 NO. 108 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

MEDAL COUNT