Edge Davao 5 Issue 112

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VOL.5 No. 112 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

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GOOD OR BAD? Smoke emits from the smokestacks of the Davao Light and Power Company plant along J.P.Laurel Ave., Davao City yesterday. The plant is currently operating to lessen the effects of rotational brownouts that affect some parts of Mindanao. While Davao City

consumers are spared from brownouts they will be paying more aside from pollution coming from enerating machines. [LEAN DAVAL JR.]

Drug raid nets ex-cop, former gov’t employee

By Anthony S. Allada

Sports

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P

OLICE operatives arrested a former colleague and a government employee in a drug raid Monday night in Purok 6, Barangay 39-D, this city.

Supt. Antonio Rivera, head of the San Pedro police station, identified the suspects as former PO3 Rodel Asupan and Federico Boiser, formerly working with the City Engineer’s Office.

Rivera said Asupan, who used to be assigned with the Sta. Ana police station, was discharged from service after he was tested positive for illegal drugs in a random drug test last year.

It was not certain if Boiser resigned from the CEO or was also terminated.

According to Rivera, their operation was by virtue of a search

By Antonio M. Ajero (Conclusion)

n Consul general explains Malaysia’s “Look East” policy

Kadayawan special

warrant issued by Judge Pelagio Paguican of the Regional Trial Court Branch 11 against the residence of Boiser.

Seized from Boiser’s house were two big and 18 small sachets of methamphytamine hydrochloride or shabu estimated to be worth P40,000 along with assorted pieces of paraphernalia.

Asupan was arrested during

the raid when Boiser informed the raiding team that the former policeman had just bought shabu from him.

Sr. Supt. Ronald dela Rosa expressed dismay on the arrest of Asupan who allegedly still continued with his illegal activity.

“We do not tolerate drug addicts in the police organization,” dela Rosa said.

Malaysia learns from rich neighbors

O

NE OF THE secrets of Malaysia’s success in its economy and other important fields is its willingness and determination to emulate the good governance policies and best practices of its well-off neighboring countries in Asia.

Malaysian consul general in Davao City, Mohammad Azhar Mazlan, said it’s called the “Look East” policy, pursued by his country up to these days.

‘Look east’ policy

Much like Davao whose economy relies on banana and coconut, Malaysia used to have a commodity-based economy, relying on rubber and tin mining.

This was Malaysia’s situation in the 70’s, according to Congen Mazlan, but from the 1980’s onward, Malaysia under the watch of Dr, Mahathir, became industrialized.

“Today, we are one of the largest producers of air-conditioners in

the world, through a joint venture with Japan’s Panasonic,” he said.

“We brought in investors from Japan, such as Mitsubishi. We now have our own national car, the Proton. ” “Malaysians persevere, work hard as one people and we look at our neighbors and study how they succeeded,” he said. Instead of looking to the west, he said “we look to the Koreans, the Taiwanese,

especially the Japanese who managed to come out and triumphed over the ruins of World War II and became the world’s second largest economy without gas, without any natural resources whatsoever.”

On February 8, 1982, Dr. Mahathir announced the “Look East Policy.”

This policy is aimed to direct the government towards studying and researching and subsequently,

FMALAYSIA, 10

2 THE BIG NEWS No bikinis for Miss Gay

VOL.5 No. 112 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

By Jade C. Zaldivar

N

O skimpy two-piece bikinis will be allowed in the Miss Gay Universe pageant set August 10 at the Almendras gym.

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio made clarification Monday amidst opposition to the first major gay pageant in the city.

Having expressed support for gay rights time and again, Duterte-Carpio said the city government has no problem holding a pageant for gays on the condition that they do not wear bikinis.

“Some of them have the bodies of women,” she said, referring to contestants

Since 2010 yet

who have undergone transgender operations.

In fact Mayor Sara has applied the “no bikini” rule to the annual Mutya ng Dabaw pageants.

She also rapped the view that gays are an eyesore. “If they’re gay, so what? It’s the same as the question whether men are an eyesore,” she said, adding that people have to learn how to respect other people’s rights.

“It won’t be the first time that there’re gays dancing in the streets. For years Indakindak sa Kadalanan have had gay participants, not to mention that some choreographers are gay,” she added.

SOLAR ENERGY. Rotarians listen to Winston Lorenzana Mendoza (inset), former CEO and founder of Mendoza Solar, LLC and Lim Solar Philippines who

Sara says Davao City has free RH services

W

HILE the Senate and House of Representatives still have to pass the Reproductive Health (RH) Bill, Davao City is already in the spotlight for having been the first city to have passed a Reproductive Health Clinic ordinance in 2010.

But even before the local law was passed, the city government has for years offered free vasectomy and ligation procedures, and continues to do so.

The city government had privy to this in order not to offend those in the religious sector who are strongly against artificial birth control measures.

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio bared last August 6 that she has not thoroughly read the RH Bill since even without it the city had been ahead

Senate’s 2nd reading

in the country in providing birth control services to the poor.

“The truth is I have not read the RH Bill. We just don’t announce it but we already have am RH program here,” she said told reporters in her office.

“I told the CHO (City Health Office), we have never announced in public your accomplishments in vasectomy and ligation The CHO also holds family planning seminars.”

A matter of mathematics The mayor stressed that a couple should know how many children they can afford to support. “It’s all about mathematics.

If you can support them, then ok. But if not, then you have to limit the number of your children,” she said.

“What’s happening to Filipino families is that they may have as many as 7, 8 or 9 children although what they earn can only support two or three. Instead of having enough for a family of five, their income has to be shared among 11,” she added.

She said the local government’s aim is to teach Dabawenyos to become responsible parents by using either natural or artificial means to prevent pregnancy.

“But once a wife becomes pregnant, she is sometimes left to protect and rear her child,” the mayor said. “What I want people to understand is they have an obligation to feed, provide education, and love their children.”

If finally approved on third reading, the creation of two additional RTC branches will hopefully end the administrative and operational nightmares being experienced by the lone RTC branch in Nabunturan, capital town of Compostela valley.

“The establishment of the proposed two additional Regional Trial Court branches in Compostela and Mabini towns will not only de-clog the docket of the sole RTC Branch 3 in Nabunturan, but will also literally bring justice administration closer to the

people of the first and second legislative districts of the province,” the young lawmaker said.

Compostela town is within the district of Rep. Zamora-Apsay, while Mabini is in the second district.

“We are confident that with this development, the proposal has gone over the last major obstacle in the legislative process and will now be smoothly and expeditiously passed on 3rd reading by the Senate, and submitted to the Office of the President for signature into law,” she added.

[JADE C. ZALDiVAR]

2 more RTCs proposed

by Zamora-Apsay okayed

T

HE Senate has approved on second reading House Bill No. 4521 proposing to establish two more Regional Trial Court branches in Compostela valley province during its recent plenary session under Committee Report No. 120.

This was gathered from Rep. Maria Carmen Zamora-Apsay, the bill’s principal author.

Senator Francis “Chiz” G. Escudero, chairman of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, reported this development to Rep. Zamora- Apsay.

talks about the benefits of using solar energy during the 6th regular meeting of Rotary Club of East Davao at Marco Polo Hotel yesterday. [LEAN DAVAL JR.]

9-hectare solar farm proposed for Davao

By Vicky Berdina M. de Guzman

A

N ENERGY COMPANY is offering the city government of Davao to develop a nine-hectare solar farm as alternative source of clean energy.

Winston Lorenzana Mendoza, CEO and chairman of Mendoza Solar LLC and Lim Solar Philippines presented the project to members of the Davao City Council after he was introduced by Councilor Pilar C. Baraga, chair of the council committee on energy, transportation and communication.

The project involves the development of a 9-hectare solar farm that will be installed in Davao City.

“I am starting with the great city of Davao, our city here, with a 15 MW solution, that way the city will continue to have free electricity for 15 years,” he said.

Mendoza said the solar farm will generate approximately 8 million kwh per year.

“I am proposing a 15year build-operate-transfer (BOT) to the city of Davao and I will bring financing

Amelioration fund

n No cash out from the city government as the proponent will finance the project under the BuildOperate-Transfer scheme. here and after 15 years, Davao City will have free electricity for 15 more years,” Mendoza said.

Earlier, Mendoza discussed the project with some 40 members, spouses and children of Rotary Club of East Davao on invitation of Edge Davao editor Antonio M. Ajero.

Mendoza said the solar farm that he proposes “will offset the very expensive electricity that you pay for every month.”

He said the multi-million project will use local labor.

With the solar energy facility that he is proposing, Mendoza said the city will generate its own electricity and “you will have total control of your energy.”

He told city councilors and Rotarians, “I am propos-

ing it to electric cooperatives and electric distributors and we can immediately put a solution to Mindanao’s energy woes before the year ends.”

During the presentation, he showed how solar panels can be placed at different areas of the city. He said solar panels can be placed on roofs, in parking lots, in malls, hospitals and can itself become the roof of any other structure.

“Davao Light actually likes the idea because during the day you go to work, your house is basically empty and your electric fan is not actually working but the God-given sun continues to generate energy which can be bought and resold by Davao Light.”

Mendoza assured that solar energy is safe.

the city government,” Duterte told the recipients during the short program at the BFP 11 Regional Office.

Mayor Sara assured the budget for the said fund has been included in the program of the City Treasurer’s Office up to the end of this year.

“Daku kaayo ug tabang ang gihatag ni Mayor Sara nga amelioration fund ilabina sa mga galastuhan sa eskwela sa mga bata,” according to FO1 Gil Silvano of Lanang Fire Station. The allowance for this month was released in time for the agency’s 22nd

anniversary The City Government of Davao also released cash incentives to the personnel of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) just last week.

The incentive is part of the city government’s anti-crime program and the LGU’s commitment to provide financial support to the prime law enforcers in the city.

Mayor Sara also announced that the social amelioration fund for next year would be included in the annual budget for 2013. [City Information Office]

BFP workforce receives P250T

D

AvAO Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio yesterday distributed a total of P250, 000 to Bureau of Fire Protection personnel in Davao City.

The said amount is part of the Social Amelioration Allowance the city government has allocated for every police and fire personnel in the city.

They will be receiving each P1, 000 per month.

“We hope this little amount could help you with your needs at home. We also hope that you would continue supporting the projects of

EDGEDAVAO

THE BIG NEWS

VOL.5 No. 112 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

3

Five die, thousands suffer as monsoon rains pound Manila, nearby provinces

A

T least five people were killed and over 800,000 persons have been affected by floods caused by the Southwest Monsoon in Metro Manila and nearby provinces, official government data showed.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Center (NDRRMC) was quoted in reports as saying that a family perished amid heavy downpour in the capital.

The NDRRMC said

808, 697 persons (179, 026 families) are in areas where there is “widespread flooding,” including Metro Manila and the provinces of Bataan, Bulacan, Cavite, Ilocos, La Union, Laguna and Pangasinan, Tarlac and Zambales.

Of this number, over half a million individuals are currently provided with basic needs and services--some evacuation centers and others by their relatives and friends.

Residents wade in flooded Las Pinas streetl Metro Manila, August 7, 2012. Monsoon rains swamped the Philippine capital and nearby provinces, forcing the government to

The NDRRMC also said about P13 million worth of relief assistance has been deployed as of Aug. 6. The Social Welfare Department provided P6.1 million of this total, while local governments shelled out P6.2 million and non-govermental organizations, P654, 500.

Regional centers have meanwhile been directed to “undertake precautionary measures in their respective areas of responsibility” and to “initiate

FFIVE, 10

suspend classes, public and private offices and financial markets, even as emergency workers rushed to move thousands of people to higher ground. [REUTERS]

4 SCIENCE/ENVIRONMENT

VOL.5 No. 112 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Greenland’s ice ‘melts’ in spurts I

CE loss from Greenland’s vast sheet may happen mainly in short bursts, research

by Danish scientists suggests.

They used aerial photos dating back to the 1980s to plot shrinking of glaciers around the island’s northwest coast.

In the journal Science, they show that most of the ice loss happened in two periods - 1985-1993 and 200510 - with relative stability in between.

They say it will be hard to project sea level changes from Greenland ice melt until these patterns are deciphered.

A complete melt of the ice sheet would raise sea levels globally by about 7m, but it could take centuries for this to occur.

Last month, Nasa released evidence showing that ice melting had been observed across virtually the whole extent of the Greenland ice sheet, unprecedented in the satellite era.

Days earlier, an iceberg twice the size of Manhattan broke away from the Petermann glacier in northwest Greenland.

Dramatic though those events were, neither means much on its own for the long-term picture.

The last global climate

Science vs law

assessment by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 2007 said that “dynamic” melting - where ice loss suddenly accelerates, for example because sea temperatures rise - was too poorly understood to be accurately modelled.

The new Danish paper is one of a number that have emerged since in an attempt to improve understanding.

Thin data In recent years, satellites have found fast rates of retreat in a number of Greenlandic glaciers, as well as an overall loss of mass as measured by the Grace mission, which detects minuscule changes in the Earth’s gravitational field.

But other studies suggested the rapid retreat was not consistent.

With the two most important satellite missions - Grace and ICESat - dating back less than a decade, there is obviously a danger that scientists will decipher accurately what is happening now and assume this is a constant pattern.

The Danish team realised they could effectively extend the measurement record back in time, by using images obtained during aerial survey missions to compile a model of how the coastal region of the ice sheet behaved over time.

“We’ve used a combination of old aerial photographs from the 1980s to construct a digital elevation map, and recent satellite data,” said Shfaqat Abbas Khan of the Technical University of Denmark, one of the project team.

“In this way we’ve been able to gain an overview of the thinning of the ice sheet over the last 30 years in northwestern Greenland.”

The overall trend is a “pronounced” thinning - by 100-150m in most of the glacier outlets, by much less in between them.

In parallel, the glacier snouts have retreated by up to 12km.

Within that there is a lot of variation, with many examples where one glacier has thinned much more than its neighbour.

About three-quarters of the ice mass lost across the northwest region during the second period of rapid decline - 2005-10 - occurred in the coastal zone.

The researchers were able to show that there was a relatively stable spell in between the two periods of rapid loss, and suggest that this part of Greenland may be entering another stable interlude.

Until the long-term pattern is resolved, they suggest, it will not be possible to

forecast sea level rise from Greenland’s water store with any accuracy.

“These variations in the amount of thinning that we are able to document since the 1980s make it difficult to predict how much the world’s oceans will rise over a longer period of time - a century for instance - as a result of Greenland glacial melt-water runoff,” said

study leader Prof Kurt Kjaer of the University of Copenhagen.

“However, it is certain that many of the present calculations and computer models of ice sheet conditions that built upon a short range of years since 2000 must be reassessed.

“It is too early to proclaim the ‘ice sheet’s future doom’ and subsequent con-

tribution to serious water problems for the world.”

However, they conclude, it is likely that the Greenland ice is “becoming more sensitive” to rises in air temperature.

One avenue the Danish team wants to explore is extending the analysis further back in time using aerial photos, possibly as far back as the 1930s.

ness of the evening (it was past 10:00 PM, past the bedtime of an septogenarian) “so that the Yes votes for the Lubogan and Baliok cemeteries could be defeated and that he could sleep well that night knowing he did everything he could for the people.”

In a hastily prepared speech, Judge Quitain said: “In the 1980s, during the international water district conferences, Davao was declared twice as one of five cities in the world with the best water; the only Asian City, two were in Switzerland, one in Sweden and one in Ireland.”

“The Dumoy aquifer is the biggest in the nation. The DCWD engineering department has a map showing the Davao water supply/aquifer stretching from Sta. Cruz, Astorga, (in Davao de Sur), Sibulan, Coronon, Binugao, Lugoban, Baliok, Levy up to Ulas. (in Davao City)” “This aquifer is like a basin/palanggana. Everytime

it rains in the foothills of Sta Cruz, Sibulan, Catigan, Baracatan, Eden, Bangkas, Daliaon, Tagakpan, Baguio, Calinan, Paquibato, Marilog, Mt. Apo and Mt. Talomo, all the water that sink in the ground by gravity, flow, crawl…all are deposited in the Dumoy Aquifer” “Up to the 1980s, if you drive a pipe/tubo in Toril, Levy, Puan after just a depth of 15 feet, fresh, clear, cool sweet water will spout nonstop.”

“Our aquifer is like a giant underground lake. The water starting from Coca Cola (the bottling plant in Ulas, Talomo district), up to Sibulan (a barangay of Toril district) and Sta Cruz, (the first municipality of Davao del Sur from the Davao City boundary) is the aquifer. But in the North, Buhangin, Sasa, Panacan, etc., the water is brackish (a mixture of fresh and salt water) and is not safe to drink.

Judge Quitain, in effect, was systematically demol-

ishing the line of pro cemeteries that the whole of Davao City sits on top of an aquifer.

At this juncture, after Quitain’s talk, Al-ag took to the floor and manifested that he will be filing in the next session (July 3rd) a resolution calling for “the moratorium on all future applications pertaining to memorial parks, except for Fairfield (Baliok), Eternal Gardens (Lubogan) and Forest Lake (Ulas), pending the final interpretation of the said (Water Code) ordinance.”

Exuding extreme confidence, the cemetery proponent was cocksure his pet bills would pass in the council voting which he planned to call in seven days.

But Councilor Melchor v.

Quitain, younger brother of retired Judge Jess, had something else in mind. He spoke next, proposing to file a resolution convening the Davao City Water Management and Protection Council (with the current Mayor Sara Z.

Duterte sitting as the chair).

Al-ag informed him that the Hon. Councilor Marissa S. Abella, environment committee chair, would be filing the same during suspended rules.

On motion of Abella, duly seconded by all the councilors present, Resolution 0202712 was approved, requesting the City Mayor to convene the Davao City Water Management and Protection Council.

This body with the Mayor as council chair would once and for all resolve the remaining kinks in the Water Code, and once the water resources areas are completely identified, the people of Davao City can sleep in peace that there will be no more new memorial parks to rise where they get their drinking water.

Part 4 of this 6-part article will dwell on the actual voting on the two items (Lubogan and Baliok cemeteries). Find out who among the councilors voted yes, no and abstained. The answer would be interesting.

Battle over the Dumoy water resource (Part 3)

By Ricardo Jr. A. Jimenez

W

HAT really is the Dumoy Water Resource? What is its extent? Where does it begin? How does it end up to be in the Dumoy aquifer? If indeed, as often alleged, the whole of Davao City sits on top of an aquifer, how come it is only in the Dumoy aquifer that potable, quality and sweet tasting water is found?

What are the vulnerabilities of the Dumoy aquifer?

Many of the above questions are answered in the research study commissioned by the DCWD and prepared by two scholarly and science-based individuals in the middle 2000s. They are: Dr. Edmund Prantilla, former NEDA XI regional director and USEP president and Dr. Ma. Delia Moran-Morados, former Department of Science and Technology regional director.

In their “The Final Report: Safeguarding The Davao City Talomo-Lipadas Ground Water Recharge Areas,” the two professors

enumerated the threats to the health of the aquifer and the recharge areas. They are “vulnerability to soil erosion, flooding due to loss of vegetation and forest cover, wastes, garbage, pesticides and chemicals and other pollutants caused by households, farming, commercial, industrial, individual and urban activities and over extraction of ground water.”

With the foregoing information, this article proceeds with the surprise appearance of retired regional trial court Judge Jesus v. Quitain in the June 26 council session. He introduced himself as having been an assistant legal consultant of the DCWD from 1981 to 1985.

He found a way to be recognized in the session through the help of two young councilors, Tomas Monteverde Iv and Dr. Rene Elias Lopez., whose fathers were his friends and had his high respects for. He said he wanted to speak before the councilors even at the late-

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

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

THE ECONOMY

VOL.5 No. 112 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

5

Banana companies consider closure

By Carlo P. Mallo

A

T least two members of the Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association, the umbrella group of large local and multinational banana exporting companies, are considering packing up and closing down their operations due to the difficult times that the industry is facing right now.

Aside from the stringent measures that make it impossible to export to China, the industry is also facing continued threats from diseases, especially the dreaded sigatoka disease.

“The industry is in deep trouble,” Stephen Antig, executive director of PBGEA, told Edge Davao.

“We have faced many problems before but none as serious as what we are facing right now.”

More than the members of PBGEA, the small banana exporters are carrying the heaviest burden.

“It is very difficult for them as

most of them have rolling capital only,” Antig said. “When the market is bad, they lose their bananas, and they won’t be able to catch up once the market recovers. It’s a vicious cycle.”

Antig said that the different government agencies have promised to help the industry in both technical and financial support.

Last month, the Department of Agriculture in partnership with small banana growers and exporters, mostly based in Davao region, said that they will put up common packing facilities that comply with required export standards.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala said the DA in tandem with the Mindanao Banana Farmers and Exporters Association (MBFEA) will initially put up two banana packing facility at barangays Kinnamon and Casigan, both in Sto. Tomas, Davao del

Norte, worth P3.1 million (M) each. The DA chief visited the prospective sites on June 20, 2012, accompanied by MBFEA officers, led by its president Romeo Garcia, chairman, and DA officials.

Secretary Alcala said the amount will come from the President Aquino’s Social Fund which allotted P50M to construct new packing facilities and upgrade existing ones to enable small banana farmers comply with international sanitary and phytosanitary standards (SPS).

He said the DA through the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) is currently inspecting small banana packing facilities in Davao region, and subsequently accredit those that meet required standards.

Secretary Alcala urged the members of the MBFEA to form themselves into clusters so they could be served by common or central accredited packing fa-

cility. He made the call during a consultation with small and multinational banana growers and exporters, along with Davao local government officials, led by vice Governor victorio Suaybaguio, Jr., in Tagum City.

During the forum, the DA chief urged the ‘big players’ — or members of the Philippine Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA), headed by its executive director Stephen Antig — to share their technologies and good agricultural practices with the small growers and exporters, so they could be more productive and meet the stringent export standards.

He said the DA will also provide them technical and marketing assistance, and training through the BPI, Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS), and High value Crops Development Program (HvCDP).

P-Noy asked to support families affected by log ban

B

USINESSMEN in Butuan City are urging President Benigno Aquino III to provide financial support to families affected by the implementation of his Executive Order 23 or the total log ban in natural and residual forests, at least during the transition period.

Joseph Omar O. Andaya, president of the Butuan City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc., said during the 21st Mindanao Business Conference here that the chamber will submit an open letter to the President to air their concern within the next two weeks.

He said people in Butuan City are economically affected with the total log ban, especially workers in the wood industry.

Andaya said that 4,000 families in Butuan have been affected with the folding up of companies in the wood industry.

Developing the wood industry in Mindanao was one of the issues discussed during the MinBizCon held here from Aug. 2-4.

Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III, who attended the conference, said he is in favor of the log ban but will keep an open mind.

Asked whether or not Mr. Aquino will grant the chamber’s demand, he said he does not want to preempt the President’s decision.

Andaya clarified that they are for a total log ban, but pointed out that the government’s support is needed to help the people affected. One way, he said, is increasing the amount for conditional cash transfer (CCT).

CCT is under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pili-

pino Program (4Ps) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

He said it would be better to provide the affected families with P5,000 a month for two years until they are able to find new livelihood.

But employees of companies under the Philippine Wood Producers Association (PWPA) do not quality under the 4Ps program because they used to have salaries,

according to PWPA executive director Leonardo D. Angeles.

He said since the log ban began Feb. 1 last year, at least 130,000 of the total 650,000 direct and indirect employees, or 20 percent, in the wood industry lost their jobs.

Ten out of the 46 companies in the PWPA are directly affected by the log ban, Angeles said, noting that 50 percent of its members are from Caraga region. [MiNDANEwS]

CUPCAKES. A chef from Gourmet Bites teaches aspiring entrepreneurs the techniques to decorate cakes and cupcakes at the activity area of Abreeza Mall yesterday. [LEAN DAVAL JR.]

as of august 2010

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MI566 / MI566 5J507 / 5J598 15:55 Z2524 / Z2525 5J967 / 5J600 PR813 / PR814 5J215 / 5J216 5971 / 5J970 5J973 / 5J974 5J969 / 5J972 2P987 / 2P988 PR821 / PR822 PR821 / PR822

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

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

15:20 15:30 16:45 17:05 17:45 18:20 19:10 20:30 21:00 21:00 21:50 22:50

6

THE ECONOMY

VOL.5 No. 112 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Traders support responsible mining

I

FREE TASTE. A booth that sells herbal energy drink offers a free taste test during the Kadayawan Youth Festival at the activity area of Abreeza Mall yesterday. [LEAN DAVAL JR.]

3 flyovers mulled T

HE City Government of Davao is expecting the construction of three flyovers in the national highways within the next two years which will be implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways.

According to City Planning and Development Office chief Roberto Alabado III, these flyovers will be located in Ulas crossing, Matina crossing and Panacan-Diversion Road junction. However the Ulas junction flyover will be the first to be built with construction works to be started in January of 2014.

n Flyovers to be located in Ulas crossing, Matina crossing, and Panacan - Diversion road junction

“Sure na sure” (very sure) Alabado said of the Ulas, flyover project. The other two flyovers are slated to be constructed in the next two years.

The City Planner said that preparatory works such as road widening and the transfer of electric posts and other structures will soon be started.

The City Government is currently preparing the Annual Investment Plan (AIP) of these three flyovers so that it could be included in the priority projects of the city. The AIP is expected to be sub-

mitted this week to the City Council.

“The national government is now strict; they want these projects to be the priority projects of the local government before they could fund it.” Alabado said.

These flyovers are part of the Presidential Bridge program (Mega Bridges for Urban and Rural Development Project) each flyover is costing around P250million. They are modular steel bridges faster to build but smaller compared to regular flyovers. “These are just two-lane flyovers.”

Alabado said of the structures. However he said these flyovers can help decongest traffic in the area.

Each flyover is expected to be finished within six months owing to the modular approach in building.

Meanwhile Alabado said that aside from flyovers, they are eyeing the construction of steel bridges that would connect the second and third districts in the city particularly in Barangay Callawa.

The sprawling second and third districts host prime agricultural areas in the city. [PiA 11/RG ALAMA]

Vegetable demand up in Luzon

By Anthony S. Allada

D

UE to the bad weather in Luzon areas, the demand for vegetables from Mindanao continues to increase.

This, according to Ray Acain, president of the vegetable Industry of Southern Mindanao, Inc. (vICSMIN), during this week’s edetion of kapehan sa Dabaw at The Atrium Annex, SM City Davao, Matina, Davao City.

Acain said that the region could not cope with the demand even as they keep on encouraging vegetable farmers for a massive vegetable production.

“But there is no price increase of vegetable here

n Vegetable farms converted into banana plantations

in Davao City and other parts of Mindanao,” he added.

He said that some underlying factors of the loss of about 60 percent of vegetable production for the past years were the decrease of land areas to be planted with vegetable.

Kapatagan in Digos City and Maragusan in Compostela valley are two major producers of various kinds of vegetables.

“But since vegetable areas were turned to banana plantation, there is a great reduction of vegetable production,” he said.

Acain said that before there were more than 4,000 hectares that were planted with vegetable in Kapatagan but this time there were only more than 1,000 hectares left.

“Banana plants are now surrounding our vegetables there in Kapatagan,” he said.

This predicament will be part to be discussed in the upcoming 8th Mindanao vegetable Congress on August 13 to 14, 2012 at the Grand Menseng Hotel organized by vICSMIN in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture, Growth with Equity in Mindanao, City Agricultur-

ist’s Office, University of the Philippines-Mindanao and Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Council.

In a statement, the congress also seeks to share best practices in vegetable industry development and agri-entrepreneurship; to determine market opportunities outside Mindanao and link the producers to viable markets; to enhance existing linkages among stakeholders of the vegetable industry in Mindanao and generate funds needed to support the institutional strengthening and market development activities of vICSMIN.

N the wake of President Aquino’s Executive Order (EO) 79 which sought to rationalize conflicting laws on the mining industry, more Mindanao businessmen have come out to say that mining, when done responsibly, will redound to the benefit of the people.

At the 21st Mindanao Business Conference (MinBizCon) early this month, the president of the Butuan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc. (BCCIFI), threw his support to legitimate mining operations in the Caraga Region.

Joseph Omar Andaya said that mining per se is not bad as long as environmental standards are strictly enforced and performance is vigilantly monitored, according to law.

Besides, he said, “mining generates income for the people especially the poor.”

Alfredo Baluyot, BCCIFI ex-president, welcomed EO 79 as a measure that helps push the industry forward.

The president’s order “institutionalizes and implements reforms in the country’s mining sector by providing policies and guidelines to ensure environmental protection and responsible mining in the utilization of mineral resources,” Baluyot was quoted by the press.

Admitting that the EO is not perfectly-crafted, he nonetheless said that “the mining law addresses concerns of the people, espe-

cially the youths who are considered the future of the country, as well as the next generations to come.”

He particularly noted the EO’s partiality to environmental protection, and government’s intent to call miners to task for their safety and environmental lapses.

“Protecting the environment means saving the lives of the people,” he said.

Last month in Davao, two prominent entrepreneurs said mining, when done with utmost care and responsibility, could boost the economy and people’s incomes.

Property developer Philip Dizon said in an interview that while mining may be extractive, its “effects on the environment will be minimized” if it is done the proper way.

One way to ensure this, he said, is to have independent agencies like the ISO (International Organization for Standardization) to certify big firms and their projects.

Putting high standards on large-scale projects is necessary so that it ultimately benefits the industry “that generates employment and gives livelihood for the burgeoning population,” he said.

Businesswoman Joji Ilagan-Bian also affirmed mining is an important economic driver and enjoined government regulating bodies to ensure proper implementation of mining policies.

Investors eyeing to build renewable power plants

F

OREIGN and local investors are eyeing to build renewable power facilities in Butuan City, part of the city’s new public-private partnership projects that would generate an energy capacity of 28 megawatts, vice Mayor Lawrence Fortun said.

He said the biggest projects are two mini-hydropower plants with a total capacity of 13 megawatts in Barangay Tagibo here, proposed by the Eight-Japan Engineering Consultants Inc. Joseph Omar O. Andaya, president of the Butuan City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc., said this Japanese company also proposed for a biomass facility that can generate energy of about five megawatts (MW).

He added that using solid waste to create biomass energy, this project will cover Butuan and Agusan del Norte.

Fortun said that yet another company, the Filipinoowned Infinity, recently proposed a 50-hectare solar energy farm that will generate at least 10 MW. Noting that the city provides incentives for renewable energy projects, Andaya said a solar energy plant in Butuan is not practical at this time as its cost would be three

times more than other renewable energy plants.

Meantime, Fortun said these projects are in the feasibility study stage.

Since its enactment last May, the city’s PPP Code is a major legislation that encourages private sectors to pour in their investments here, he said.

PPP projects are government services or business ventures funded and operated through a partnership between government and one or more private companies.

Other proposed PPP projects are a slaughter house, a “termi-mall” (terminal and mall), and corporate farming in Barangay Salvacion by a Korean company.

“We claim the pride of being the first city in the whole country to have passed a PPP Code,” Fortun said.

He said the PPP Code is a comprehensive ordinance that covers 16 possible modalities of PPP such as buildoperate-transfer, joint venture, and build-and-transfer, among others.

The ordinance also stipulated the creation of PPP regulatory authority, PPP selection committee, and competitive processes that ensure transparency, he added. [MiNDANEwS]

ICT HUB 7

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 No. 112 •WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

Smartphone maker HTC sees third-quarter revenue drop T

aiwanese smartphone maker HTC Corp said on Friday it sees sales growing only in China this quarter while other regions decline, forecasting as much as a 23 percent fall overall in revenue, in a further sign of how tough its road to recovery will be.

The world’s no.5 smartphone maker, once one of the industry’s high flyers but badly hit by competition from apple inc and samsung, sees third-quarter revenue at between T$70 billion and T$80 billion ($2.3 billion and $2.7 billion), compared with T$91 billion in the second quarter.

HTC was expected to earn T$92.51 billion in revenue in the third quarter, according to the median of 18 analysts polled by Thomson Reuters.

“China will continue to see growth in the third quarter, while other markets will have different degrees of decline,” Chief Financial Officer Chialin Chang told an investor conference. “europe, Middle east and africa will face challenges because of macro softness and competition,” Chang said.

HTC, formerly a contract maker, had a fairytale ride in 2010 and early 2011, when its shares more than tripled in the 14 months

to april 2011, reaching T$1,238.10. The company’s sales grew four-fold in 1-1/2 years as consumers snapped up its innovative phones with their distinctive large clock numerals.

But it suffered an equally rapid fall from grace as its phones failed to keep up with apple’s iPhones and samsung’s Galaxy range.

HTC’s shares closed Friday at T$277.50, their lowest in around 2-1/2 years.

Last month, HTC said profit more than halved in the second quarter after european sales disappointed and phones destined for the U.s. market were held up by customs inspections. The results came on the same day that rival samsung reported record second-quarter operating profit.

MaRGins HTC on Friday also said it expects a gross margin and an operating margin of around 25 percent and 7 percent, respectively, in the third quarter, falling from 27 percent and 9 percent in the second quarter.

Chang said the lower gross margin is due to falling product prices and a change in product mixes in different markets.

HTC launched its new One series of models in april, banking on their advanced cameras offering photography on a par with traditional digital cameras, as well as music features such as advanced audio

S

which went on sale on Monday in Germany and the United Arab Emirates, is almost twice as wide as its predecessor and nearly the size of a tablet.

The release comes as Samsung tries to make inroads in the tablet computer market, which is

A man poses with a replica of the HTC Smartphone inside a mobile phone shop in Taipei. technology from U.s. firm Beats electronics to regain market share lost to iPhones and Galaxy.

However, despite generally good reviews by analysts and tech blogs, sales have not taken off. nomura noted that HTC has cut the price of One X to 4,999 yuan ($780) from 5,677 yuan in China and U.s. operator aT&T lowered the contract

Samsung launches super-size Galaxy Note

OUTH Korea’s Samsung Electronics said it had launched a super-size version of its Galaxy Note smartphone, the latest salvo in its battle with Apple for the multibillion-dollar handheld market.

The Galaxy Note 10.1,

This image, released by Samsung Electronics in Seoul, on August 6, shows the Galaxy Note 10.1 -- powered by Google’s Android software -- featuring a 10.1-inch (25.6 centimetre) touchscreen, considerably wider than the 5.3inch screen of the previous Note.

dominated by Apple’s iPad. The two technology giants are also engaged in a bitter court battle over patent infringements.

The firm said the new Note would be officially released in the United States on August 15 and sometime next week in Britain and South Korea.

The Galaxy Note 10.1 -- powered by Google’s Android software -- features a touchscreen which is 10.1-inches (25.6 centimetres) measured diagonally, considerably wider than the 5.3-inch screen of the previous Note.

Like its predecessor, it comes with a stylus called the “S pen” to write notes or draw on the screen. The new version allows users to split the screen in half to view two programs at once.

price of the same model to $99 from $199 last month. “(Cutting prices) in less than three months after its launch, we think is a bad signal as, in the past, HTC has been able to sell 6-12 months before price cuts,” nomura said. “we expect competition will become tougher over the next six to nine months, with the new iPhone5 hit-

ting One X and China branded low-price dual core and quad core phones hitting the new Desire model.”

HTC has also been readjusting as it wrestles with declining sales. it has sold back half of the 50 percent stake in Beats it acquired last year, though it will continue to work with the maker of high-end headphones

and speakers. “we have witnessed HTC conducting a series of cost-downs and restructuring in its R&D team recently to lift the bottom line. However, amazing new models and market position are the key growth factors for the company,” said Robert Cheng, an analyst of Bank of america Merrill Lynch in a report.

A man’s hand is seen on an Acer logo as he pastes a poster below at a computer mart in Taipei.

AIWANESE comber would be “negative puter maker Acer for the worldwide ecohas urged Microsystem” in computing. soft Corp to reconsider Microsoft’s “Surface” its planned venture into tablet would enter the the tablet market, the market in direct compeFinancial Times reporttition with Acer’s “Icoed on Tuesday. nia” or Hewlett-Packard Acer Chairman and Co’s “TouchPad” tablets.

Chief Executive J.T. “We have said think Wang, said Microsoft’s it over. Think twice. plans to launch its own It will create a huge “Surface” tablet in Octo- negative impact for the

ecosystem and other brands may take a negative reaction. It is not something you are good at so please think twice,” Wang is quoted as saying.

For the past two decades, Microsoft and personal computer makers have enjoyed a symbiotic relationship.

Campbell Kan, Acer’s president for personal computer global operations, said the company was debating internally how to respond to the Surface.

“If Microsoft is going to do hardware business, what should we do? Should we still rely on Microsoft, or should we find other alternatives?,” he is quoted as saying.

Acer CEO wants a rethink by Microsoft

T

8

VANTAGE POINTS

EDGEDAVAO NPAs are again on the offensive

VOL.5 No. 112 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

“T

EDITORIAL

Correct fear

T

HE HYPE on the present and imminent danger of weather abnormalities caused by climate change seems to be on the right track in that Dabawenyos no longer act nonchalant to the warning signs.

A survey conducted a month ago by the University of Mindanao Institute of Popular Opinion (IPO) indicates that climate change ranks no. 1 in the hierarchy of Dabawenyos’ worries among the pre-identified major environmental issues.

Of the more than 1,200 Dabawenyos polled, 92 percent said the dangers from climate change worry them most. Next is deforestation, city flooding, energy crisis, air pollution, pollution of drinking water, coastal degradation and loss of marine resources, pollution of rivers and water reservoir, urbanization and loss of open/free spaces and maintenance of the city’s freshwater supply in that order.

Our city fathers ought to consider

EDGEDAVAO

Providing solutions to a seamless global village.

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the study’s findings and use them as valuable reference when they prioritize the city’s projects during the next budgeting season.

The findings simply mean that most Dabawenyos wouldn’t mind if a big chunk of the city’s funds is used to address climate change-related challenges.

Indeed, of what use will projects like infrastructures be if they’ll just be wiped out during natural disasters like typhoons, floods and earthquakes even before people could make full use of them?

Now that people seem fully convinced of the dangers they face, the next best thing to be done by the authorities is for them to educate the people on risk management and disaster-preparedness.

The sooner, the better, given that this piece was being written while monsoon rains were battering Luzon, bringing floods, destruction and death.

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

RAMON M. MAXEY Consultant

GREGORIO G. DELIGERO Associate

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Columnists: MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO A. PEñA • ZHAUN ORTEGA • BERNADETTE “ADDIE” B. BORBON • MARY ANN “ADI” C. QUISIDO • LEANDRO B. DAVAL SR., • NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN • NICASIO ANGELO AGUSTIN • EMILY ZEN CHUA • CARLOS MUNDA Economic Analyst: ENRICO “GICO” G. DAYANGIRANG

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(Conclusion)

H E Y (NPAs) h a v e even resorted into issuing ‘permits-to-win’ in other areas as if to guarantee victory to some politicians,” said Lt. Gen. Jorge Segovia, commanding general of the AFP’s Eastern Mindanao Command.

Segovia however could not provide intelligence information on how much the rebels were able to raise from their PTCs in the 2010 elections. Ka Simeon said they have established organs of political power in various levels and is believed to have at least a town-level shadow government in some parts of the island where they operate, with their own taxation and “rebel justice” systems.

In private, though, the military has admitted to the increased rebel strength in the eastern and central areas of Mindanao, according to a source who was invited to one of closed-door military briefings.

The NPA raid of Taganito Mines and two other Sumitomo-owned mining companies, which destroyed more than half a billion pesos (US$12 million) worth of equipment and properties without inflicting a single casualty, is too daring to ignore.

With over 32 guerrilla fronts in the island, the NPAs in Mindanao are said to be the strongest throughout the country with at least half of its total armed strength scattered all over the Mindanao main island.

Again, the Davao and Caraga regions are where the rebels are at their strongest strength despite repeatedly downplaying of their capabilities by the military.

Mining Incidentally, it is also in the Caraga region (Agusan and Surigao provinces) where most mining firms already operating are located.

Logging operations used to be the rich supply of rebel funds but with diminishing forests and renewed anti-logging campaign, the rebels have turned into mining as primary revenue source. In contrast with the Aquino government, the rebels appear to be more accommodating to small scale mining operations than large commercial mining companies.

Madlos said mining has replaced logging as the top “destroyer” of the environment in Mindanao and they have issued veiled and direct threats against operations of large scale mining companies in the island.

The Aquino government however considers mining as key to economic development in the country and wants bigger share in the revenues and taxes as a matter of policy while regulating and restricting small scale miners in government designated areas.

Old habits die hard Segovia however said the NPAs are just covering up losses in the battlefield by conducting series of media interviews.

“These are designed to boost the morale of their fighters to cover up atrocities they are committing against the lumads (indigenous tribes),” Segovia said in a phone interview.

Late last month, NPA guerillas waylaid tribal leader Cawsing Ogaw whom they accused of working for the military in a rebel checkpoint in Marilog district, Davao City.

A separate NPA unit also ambushed and killed paramilitary leader Abantas Ansabo alias Kumander Ibon whom the rebels accused of killing at least 19 peasants and lumad supporters in Arakan, Cotabato. Both killings happened on the same day, July 27.

These, according to Segovia, have alienated the NPAs who he claimed have become more and more dogmatic.“ Old habits die hard. This (dogmatism) will be the cause of their downfall,” he said.

Despite increased armed rebel activities which included a raid at a mining firm in Agusan del Sur which netted 17 high powered rifles for the NPAs, Segovia said the NPAs in his area of responsibility are down to less than 1,500 and belied claims the rebels are gaining strength (the Eastern Mindanao Command of the AFP covers the Socsksargen, Davao, Caraga and Central Mindanao regions).

“They have suffered heavy losses nationwide that is why it is giving an impression they are getting stronger in eastern Mindanao,” Segovia explained. [MindaNews/Edwin Espejo writes for the asiancorrespondent.com.]

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 No. 112 •WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

F

by DOLE will greatly help clarify the characteristics of green jobs and what activities fall under it.

‘However, the most

important thing is for government not to treat the millions of unemployed as part of the country’s prevailing problems. It should always treat them as victims of consequences, therefore the DOLE and other concerned agencies have to provide them with jobs and teach additional skills to either acquire a green job or find employment in other sectors.’

Furthermore, it is widely believed that shifting to green jobs will lead to permanently higher employment rate. For a long time many Filipinos grimace just discussing joblessness and they speak about their predicament as if they’d been afflicted with a horrible disease. Noted economists claim that high unemployment is unacceptable because the source of the country’s ills and the economy will not rebound until labor

productivity has greatly improved.

Instead of evolving into an industrial economy, government should focus more on services than manufacturing, or encouraging exports in anything other than OFWs. The government should return to what always worked so well in the past: emphasis on sectors that are expected to yield green jobs. The country has already more environment-friendly jobs that have been made renowned by frequent admiration in the local and national press.

But the DOLE’s current challenge is to expand beyond green jobs and to recognize itself as the country’s labor unit gearing up to generate more employment. The time is right for a lot of growth in the labor sector. At present we have seen a lot of “green jobs” opportunities waiting to be utilize.

Growth in the labor sector really comes on the heels of varied work schemes that are government-sponsored and green jobs are unprecedented opportunity for Filipino jobseekers.

However, the most important thing is for government not to treat the millions of unemployed as part of the country’s prevailing problems. It should always treat them as victims of consequences, therefore the DOLE and other concerned agencies have to provide them with jobs and teach additional skills to either acquire a green job or find employment in other sectors.

The “green jobs” have greater prospects and eventually help jobseekers to make their own choices. Certainly some sectors have not yet been informed of the DOLEsponsored program, but initially it will be agriculture, forestry, fishery and tourism that will lead the pack.

Fruit farmers cautioned on ‘pole vaulting’ contracts

ANANA farmers in the Davao Region were cautioned by Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Proceso J. Alcala not to violate their supply contracts with multinational fruit exporters by cutting off the banana supply artificially.

The farmers then sell the fruit at much higher prices to other competing buyers, mostly Middle East traders and importers in secret, a process called “pole vaulting” in the banana industry.

“Let’s not resort to pole vaulting again, it’s destroying the industry. Reneging on your supply contracts with the big exporters is not a good way to do business, let’s honor our contracts,” Alcala told banana farmers at Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte during a recent gathering prompted by the China ban on Philippine bananas.

Mindanao Banana Farmers and Exporters Association (MBFEA) president Rene Dalayon, who accompanied the DA secretary in a forum with the farmers, also blamed “pole vaulting” as the culprit in making banana farmers lazy, as they skipped, ignored and abandoned all the quality standards they learned from many years of training and experience in banana processing and packing.

“This is what we at the MBFEA wants to stop--this habit and practice of pole vaulting

Monkey Business

Special Feature

By Aurelio A. PeñA when someone comes along offering double the buying price they’re getting from their

‘This is what we at the MBFEA

wants to stop--this habit and practice of pole vaulting when someone comes along offering double the buying price they’re getting from their contracted price with the big exporters,” says Dalayon, who also heads the banana industry cluster team as chairman.’ contracted price with the big exporters,” says

9

Changing the Moscow rules

‘Green jobs’ creation

OCUS MORE ON SERvICES – As countries continue to develop, people are demanding better, stable jobs and products. As might be expected, efforts of the Institute for Labor Studies of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) are directed at seeking help from industries to determine where the so-called “green jobs” may be found.

Just recently the DOLE has set up panels to conduct consultations among industry players to tackle climate-friendly services, products and sustainable practices at the workplace. The DOLE people are increasingly convinced there is a way we can be resilient in climate change and be more proactive through the introduction of green jobs and products. The jobs include but not limited to chores that protect the ecosystem, biodiversity, reducing energy, materials, water consumption and minimizing all forms of waste and pollution.

By the way one might ask what “green jobs” mean? Well, it is defined by the International Labor Organization (ILO) as the “direct employment in economic sectors and activities with reduce negative environmental impacts ultimately resulting in levels that are sustainable.” This probably prompted the Philippine Labor and Employment Plan 2011 to call for the mainstreaming of green jobs creation in labor market policies. Driven by public concern about air pollution and global warming, the DOLE it seems is on the right track in search for green jobs.

The search is proving fruitful although the shift to green jobs won’t happen overnight, but when it comes, it will probably be profound. After all, the sectors now under study that are expected to yield green jobs – agriculture, forestry, fishery, transport, construction and tourism are already integral parts of Filipino life. The series of consultation with industries spearheaded

B

VANTAGE POINTS

Dalayon, who also heads the banana industry cluster team as chairman.

Dalayon said it was easy for them at MBFEA to see why some banana farmers resort to pole vaulting and the reason was basically economics and survival in an industry where the big exporters and multinationals make millions and millions of dollars in export earnings “by buying the fresh bananas from small farmers at a very, very low price” while many farmers wallow in unpaid debts.

In a determined move to lift the standards of quality of Philippine fresh bananas to the strict quality standards of the China banana market, Alcala urged all the farmers in the province to form themselves into clusters, similar to the industry clustering approach of the Davao Industry Cluster Capacity Enhancement Project (DICCEP), a successful award-winning joint project of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

This move, according to Alcala, was to make sure all the banana farmers in the area will be served by a central packing plant facility to be funded and constructed by the DA that will be accredited with the highest standards for export processing of fresh Cavendish bananas from Davao. [PNA]

commentary

By MArk leonArd

A

(Conclusion)

ROUND the time vladimir Putin started his first term as Russia’s president in 2000, a man named Gleb Pavlovsky appeared on the Moscow scene. Pavlovsky was a former dissident in Soviet times who called himself a “political technologist”, a highfalutin term for spin doctor. That isn’t to diminish him: Spin doctors in different administrations all over the world are among the most interesting political figures of contemporary times, because their job is to give a narrative about the government and the leaders they serve.

In doing so, they help give the narrative to the leaders themselves, who may not have worked out quite what they were going to do with power, since they were too busy getting and keeping it. They are the necessary middlemen between political power and the media. The media need a big story, and the spin doctors, or political technologists, are there to provide it. vladimir Putin, the man chosen by former President Boris Yeltsin to succeed him, didn’t know what to do when he arrived. At the time Pavlovsky moved into the Kremlin as his aide, the new president was – as Pavlovsky later said – consumed with anxiety that he would not succeed in imposing his will on a Kremlin still full of aides who were not his choice.

Putin, remember, was still less than a decade away from being a middle-ranking, surplusto-requirements KGB officer.

I spoke to Pavlovsky several times early in his tenure, and the narrative he gave was a persuasive one. It was that Putin, after the roller coaster that was Yeltsin’s Russia, would give security, stability and a chance for the society to recover both from Yeltsin and from Communism, to develop a middle class, to discover the joys of consumption. “It was,” he told the charismatic Bulgarian political scientist Ivan Krastev last May, “about stability as a social construct, as a way of organizing society”.

He was valuable enough to be kept on after Putin’s two terms, as an aide to Dmitry Medvedev in his one-term presidency. But then he went too far, saying openly that it would be “absurd” for Putin to return – and he was out.

Being out may account for the sharpness of a recent remark, reported by the New York Times. Pavlovsky believes that the third Putin presidency is now “selecting the harshest” choices in dealing with dissent, and in doing so, “the system is informing us that it is changing the rules”.

Changing to what? In his new book, Strategic vision, Zbigniew Brzezinski called on the West, especially Europe, to develop a closer relationship with the vast neighbor to the east – but recognized that vladimir Putin’s vision “is a backward looking combination of assertive nationalism, thinly veiled hostility towards America for its victory in the Cold war and nostalgia for …superpower status”. He likened it to Mussolini’s Italy: not a Nazi (or Stalinist) dictatorship, but relentlessly, determinedly authoritarian. If indeed he does make the “harshest choices”, Putin will be writing a new narrative, very much his own, and it will be a disturbing one.

Two of these choices will concern figures who are iconic to our present times – a blogger and a feminist punk rock band. The blogger, Alexei Navalny, has emerged in the past year as a leader of the mainly youthful rebellion against Putin that erupted when his third presidential term was confirmed.

He has been accused of theft of timber worth $500,000 from the Kirov region, whose government he was advising, and the penalty could be 10 years in prison. At the same time, the band Pussy Riot is charged with various counts of hooliganism, after storming into the huge Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow, close to the Kremlin, shouting “Mary!

Get rid of Putin!” and dancing in front of the altar before being removed. That prank could earn them seven years. As the writer Andrei Nekrasov commented, “the trial’s message is simple: an insult to the leader is an insult to God”.

These choices are nominally for the judges on the cases, but no one believes they are anything but Putin’s. Indeed, Putin has already pronounced on the Pussy Riot case, saying while on a visit to London that, “I don’t think they should be judged too severely for this … I hope the court will deliver a correct, well-founded verdict.” In so saying, he shows himself in favor of some kind of punishment – but not an excessive one, which might reflect badly on his regime. Most important, he is underlining that the choice is his to make.

It would be a bold judge who didn’t take note. Navalny’s case is more serious, both in the nature of the charge and the challenge he poses. If the harsh choice ends up being made in his case, then the direction of the Kremlin becomes clearer.

10

VOL.5 No. 112 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

Davao’s gay community ups HIV-AIDS awareness advocacy

W

ITH the growing cases of HIv (Human Immuno Deficiency virus) infections, particularly through men having sex with men (MSM), a group of Dabawenyo gays are continuing and intensifying HIv awareness advocacy across the city.

Roy Diaz, executive director of Iwag Davao said they are doing their best to help prevent HIv infection in their community through the conduct of more Information, Education Communication (IEC) campaigns, condom distributions and HIv-AIDS awareness lectures in different barangays of the city.

“Padayon ang education, padayon ang campaign.” (the education continues, the campaign continues) Diaz said during his guesting at Kapihan sa Dabaw held yesterday (August 6) at SM City Davao.

Diaz said the campaign expands to non-members of Iwag Davao, an umbrella group representing some 500 gays in Davao City.

Malaysia...

According to Diaz they have no reports of Iwag members being infected with HIv, but the advocacy is being carried on by Iwag to other Dabawenyo gays outside the group. Diaz said the IEC and the condom distribution program are carried out by the nine Iwag gay communities around Davao City. These gay communities are located in the densely-populated districts and barangays in Tibungco, Agdao, SIR, Maa, Sasa, Panacan, Mandug, Bucana and Boulevard.

Diaz said their HIv- AIDS campaign is conducted with the partnership of the City Health Office- Reproductive Health and Wellness Center (RHWC) along with the Department of Health.

According to RHWC data, about 245 cases of the 262 accumulated HIv cases in Davao City (1993-March 2012) were brought about

by MSM. From January 1 to March 2012 alone there were 42 new cases of HIv, 41 of these were MSM. The high level of HIv in-

fection thru MSM has been attributed to the non-use of condoms during intercourse and those engaging in MSM are prone to having multiple sexual partners.

Diaz said the coming Miss Gay Universe Kadayawan 2012, the first fullscale gay beauty pageant to be held during the Kadayawan festival, will also serve as a vehicle in promoting HIv-AIDS awareness in the community.

“We could perhaps incorporate that in the question-and-answer. We want to get the gays’ views, opinions and awareness on the issue,” Diaz said, adding that there could be also condom distribution during the pageant.

Diaz also said that the group is supporting the reproductive health bill, their reasons aside from being in solidarity with other causeoriented women groups is that they hope that the RH bill would help prevent the rising number of infections of HIv-AIDS in the country.

[PIA 11/RG Alama]

Some 15,000 Malaysians have benefited under the policy, through studies and training at Japanese universities and companies, especially in sectors that require advanced technical skills and technology.

No limit in scholarships Malaysia is very generous in granting scholarships to its brilliant students.

Mazlan said it is Malaysia’s education policy to give full scholarships to bright students to go abroad, not necessarily to Englishspeaking countries only, although we are the largest in America, one of the largest in Australia and New Zealand.

“We send them to Germany, so they learn how to speak German. To France not only to learn French, but most importantly to learn technology, the bullet train, aeronautics and all that,” the

Malaysian congen said, adding that they also send scholars to the United Kingdom and Russia where there are many Malaysian scholars in the Ukraine.

“There is no limit as long as they are good in the university, they are capable, they are bright,” he said.

Developed country by 2020 In its effort to modernize and become fully industrialized by 2020, Mazlan said Malaysians are fast changing in many aspects, in their work ethic, in their doing things.

“We try to be as punctual as the Japanese people,” he said. “We try to be as efficient as the Germans. We try to be disciplined and as gentlemanly as the Bristish people.

Those are the traits that we inculcate in our people. Like in productivity, you have to produce in order to be rel-

Preysler who was the first ever chairman of the PFF Futsal Committee.

Led by eventual most valuable player John Leynes and best keeper Lanzi Borromeo, underdog squad Rabies FC pulled the rug from under the heavy favorites to win the initial staging of the Kia Rio Cup. Rabies FC came from a near elimination after finishing tied for last after three rounds but earned the last ticket to the semis via goal difference.

In the finals, Rabies frustrated Davao Crocodile FC to

win the title and complete the rise-from-nowhere feat.

The event is supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, Phoenix Petroleum Philippines and SM City Davao. The four-day tournament, the first ever held inside the sprawling SM City Davao activity center, is sanctioned by the Davao Football Association and organized by Bravetower.

PTA Boys Juniors won the Boys Under-16 title over an upstart St. Paul College Pasig-Davao Campus.

FFROM 1 choosing policies and implementation examples from Japan and Korea with the intention of localizing such initiatives to suit the situation in Malaysia.

The policy consists of two parts. The first is to send Malaysian students to Japanese universities and institutes of technology. The second is to send trainees to Japanese industries and training institutes. These were funded by the government of Malaysia, and the government of Japan provided support by sending Japanese teachers to Malaysia and also by sharing a part of its costs.

The main objective of “Look East Policy” was to acquire technological knowhow, work ethics and good work values, which are seen to be among of the ingredients for the success of the developed countries in East Asia, especially Japan.

Kia...

EDGEDAVAO

Philippine Senate ratifies domestic workers treaty

T

HE Philippines’ ratification of the Domestic Workers Convention will bring the groundbreaking international treaty into legal force, promising better working conditions and key labor protections for millions of domestic workers, Human Rights Watch said today. The convention takes effect one year after the second ratification.

The Philippine Senate ratified the instrument last Monday. President Benigno Aquino III signed it on May 18, 2012, following the treaty’s first ratification, by Uruguay, on April 30.

“The Philippines’ ratification of the Domestic Workers Convention means that basic labor rights for domestic workers are finally becoming a reality,” said Nisha varia, senior women’s rights researcher at Human Rights Watch. “As the treaty goes into effect, millions of women and girls will have the chance for better working conditions and better lives.”

evant in society.”

In answer to a question from businessmanlawyer Jude Ralph v. Yap, former chief of staff of then Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte who accompanied Edge Davao in the interview, Consul General Mazlan said

n Phl is second country to ratify The Domestic Workers Convention sets the first global standards for the estimated 50 to 100 million domestic workers worldwide, the vast majority of whom are women and girls. Domestic workers face a wide range of serious abuses and labor exploitation, including excessive working hours without rest, nonpayment of wages, forced confinement, physical and sexual abuse, forced labor, and trafficking. Under the treaty, domestic workers are entitled to protections available to other workers, including weekly days off, limits to hours of work, and minimum wage and social security coverage. The convention also obliges governments to protect domestic workers from violence and abuse, and to prevent child labor in domestic work.

The Philippines has approximately two million domestic workers at

home and millions more abroad.

Remittances from Filipino migrant domestic workers, mostly women, constitute a significant source of the country’s foreign exchange. Filipinos working abroad send home over US$20 billion per year.

Migrant domestic workers are often at heightened risk of exploitation due to excessive recruitment fees, language barriers, and national policies that link workers’ immigration status to individual employers. Human Rights Watch has documented abuses against Filipino migrant domestic workers in Jordan, Lebanon, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Singapore, including beatings, confiscation of passports, confinement to the home, overlong working hours with no days off, and in some cases, months or years of unpaid wages.

Malaysia’s mission and goal is to reach the status of a developed nation.

“Like the Philippines, Malaysia wants to be like Sweden, Australia, America, Korea, Singapore, Japan and Taiwan who have earned the status of developed coun-

tries,” he said.

“This means that our Gross Domestic Prouduct, per capita income will increase three-fold, our health services are very good, the educational system should be at par with that of Sweden or Australia,” Mr. Mazlan said.

FFROM 16

in the local football scene.

Bravetower is closely working with the sanctioning body Davao Football Association headed by President Edward “Chaya” Lam. The DFA is the official FA under the umbrella of the Philippine Football Federation.

Bravetower also cited the presence of Joaqui Preysler, the 71-year old former Secretary-General of the PFF who graced the tournament. “He is an authority, an institution in football, we will be consulting him from time to time,” said Bravo of

In photo are lawyer Jude Ralph V. Yap, Malaysian consul general Mohammad Azhar Mazlan and Edge Davao editor Antonio M. Ajero.

Five...

FFROM 3

pre-emptive evacuation of families in low-lying and mountainous areas” if needed.

The Department of Health has meanwhile declared a Code Blue Alert in Metro Manila meaning medical personnel in government hospitals will be

on 24-hour duty in anticipation of casualties from floods and heavy rains.

During a Code Blue Alert, medicine and medical supplies will be ready for distribution to areas affected by the floods, and DOH operation centers will be running round

the clock, the department said in a press statement.

“Close coordination with local government units, emergency and disaster units and also with the Armed Forces are being effected to handle possible calamities,” Janairo said.

EDGEDAVAO

SUBURBIA

VOL.5 No. 112 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

ComVal boosts disaster D preparedness plan

11

DavNor’s convergence program ensures sustainability, peace

W

ITH the approval of the 2012 Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management (PDRRM) Plan, the province strengthens its disaster mitigating measures.

Disaster preparedness activities are conducted regularly to enhance the capabilities of disaster managers and frontliners who will spearhead the emergency response, relief operation and rescue during calamities.

Recently, a rigid fiveday training on water search and rescue was conducted at Mabini Marine Center, Mampising,

Tagnanan, Mabini, with 45 participants coming from the municipalities of Monkayo, Montevista, Mawab, Maco and including the members of the organized Compostela valley emergency response team.

Other mitigation programs include continuing information, education and advocacy campaign to the community and the rehabilitation and repair of horizontal infrastructures.

A province-wide search for best prepared municipal and barangay disaster risk reduction council is also set. DILG

PLAqUE OF APPRECIATION. Martiniano Magdolot, executive director of Mahintana Foundation Inc., receives a plaque of appreciation from Governor Migs Dominguez as Board Member Eleanor Saguiguit looks on Monday,

provincial director Liboria Diana chairs the team who shall evaluate the readiness of the disaster risk reduction councils in the municipal and barangay levels.

Governor Arturo T. Uy is also thankful to the national government for allowing the local government units to use 70 percent of the local disaster funds (calamity fund) so that local government units can best prepare by using it for their predisaster programs and projects.

Meanwhile, a forum on “Building Alliance for Disaster Preparedness”

will be held on August 10 at Camp Manuel T. Yan Eco-Military Camp in Tuburan, Mawab, to be participated in by 11 municipal information officers and concerned national line agencies in the province.

The event is a joint undertaking of the Association of Community Development Information Officers of Compostela valley and the Philippine Information Agency-11. It is aimed at raising awareness on the geohazards in the province and establishing information management system during disaster occurrences.

August 6, during the turnover of 200 wheelchairs from DOLE Philippines to persons with disability and senior citizen beneficiaries of its “Alay Gabay para sa Maginhawang Buhay” program at the Capitol gymnasium.

Samal Island builds socialized housing

A

resettlement area in Samal Island is being developed with the support of the of the Housing Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC).

Nancy Binay Angeles, representing vice President Jejomar Binay, chairman of Housing Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) graced the signing of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the National Housing Authority (NHA)-11 represented

by Carolina Angel, regional director and the city government of Island Garden City of Samal by city mayor Aniano P. Antalan for the Tambo resettlement project worth P20 million at the Peñaplata Freedom Park last July 26.

Earlier in the morning, Binay, together with the officials of HUDCC-11, NHA-

11, and Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS) department heads, joined the ground breaking and laying of time capsule in the 3.7-hectare resettlement area at Barangay Tambo, Babak District, IGaCoS. After the ground breaking in Barangay Tambo, the group proceeded to Peñaplata Freedom Park for the MOA signing in time for Madyaw Hugyaw Samal celebration opening program.

“Saludo kami sa sector ngpabahay ninyo, sa proyektong ito hindi na mapa-alis sa tinitirahan ang ating mamamayan at magkaroon na sila ng sariling tirahan (We salute the local housing sector for this project, citizens won’t be forced from their houses and they would have their own houses),” Nancy Binay Angeles said.

Binay commended the

city government for giving priority to the resettlement program, and that the celebration of Madayaw Hugyaw Samal is timely for its celebration.

Antalan appreciated the presence of Binay and the fund extended by NHA, which is of great help to lessen the housing backlog of the city.

The NHA fund assistance will be used for site development of the area, to cover relocation, subdivision survey and monumenting, earthworks, roadworks, drainage, septic tank provision and water system.

Maria Alma valenciano, architect and NHA manager for Mindanao, lauded the city government of IGaCoS particularly the city housing board for an efficient establishment of housing system.

She hoped that the

city can collect back the amount from the beneficiaries in which only 50 percent of the amount will be given back to NHA, and the other 50 percent will be retained to be used as seed money of the city for another housing project.

The Tambo resettlement project area has 271 lots to accommodate homeless settlers residing along the shoreline of Barangay Pichon and Barangay Tambo of Babak District this city.

The relocation and resettlement of informal settlers residing in danger zones is one of the priority programs of the city. This is to protect settlers from untoward disasters and also to give way for the development of the area. (melrose-Samal CIO.) untoward disasters and also to give way for the development of the city.

AvAO del Norte has partnered with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) through the 1003rd Infantry Brigade in rolling out the Convergence for Peace and Development program, with sustainability as a principal objective.

Guesting in the Kapihan sa Kapitolyo, Convergence secretariat head Josie Jean Rabanoz, who is also department head of the Provincial Planning and Development (PPDO), said Governor Rodolfo P. del Rosario has ordered that projects and interventions brought to barangays on convergence day are sustainable.

Rabanoz made clear the perception of some sectors that viewed the program as a “one shot deal,” leaving the area after it hauled and pooled together government services to depressed farflung barangays.

She cited the milkfeeding activity done by the provincial health office (PHO) during Convergence Day. She said the PHO, through the municipal health office, takes focus on malnourished children by pushing through the feeding activity even after Convergence Day. “Even with Gulayan sa Barangay, the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAGRO) checks whether the distributed seeds have been planted. We make it a point to go back to the areas where we held the Convergence,” she said.

Along with sustainability is monitoring that the provincial government is instituting to determine the impact of Convergence to the lives of residents in recipient barangays.

The Convergence for Peace and Development is a joint venture of Governor del Rosario and the 1003rd Infantry Brigade under commanding officer Col. Lysander Suerte.

The program brings together the agenda of Del Rosario to “put human in development” and the thrust of the AFP Philippine Army 10th Infantry Division to wage “peace and development.”

Conceptualized in April 2011 and rolled off in August last year, the Convergence Program hauls a menu of services to barangays identified as depressed and far-flung areas. It brings together heads of key provincial government office, local chief executives of the province and military officials and ground troop commanders of the 1003rd IB to personally know the concerns of barangay officials.

After it served eight barangays last year, the Convergence hauled the caravan of government services to 14 more barangays from January to June this year.

Rabanoz said a total of 32 barangays in the 1st and 2nd districts of Davao del Norte are targeted to benefit from the program this 2012.

On Convergence Day, the PHO, the Provincial Economic Enterprise and Development Office (PEEDO), the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO), the Provincial veterinarian’s Office (PvO), the PAGRO, the Provincial Legal Office (PLO), the Provincial Engineer’s Office, PPDO, the AFP and the Philippine National Police (PNP) haul their services for residents of target barangays to freely avail them.

The AFP and PNP provide security, assist in the conduct of medical and dental services, offer free hair-cut services, issue police clearance, provide entertainment through the AFP Raptor Band, augment manpower needs and accommodates community consultation.

PHO conducts and offers services under its program on family health care, dental, environmental health and sanitation, nutrition, renal disease control, population management and malaria control. It also conducts laboratory services and offers massage therapy services.

Data provided by PPDO shows that PHO served a total of 17,588 from January to June this year.

PSWDO provides free porridge (lugaw), distributes slippers for day care children and instructional materials for daycare teachers, gives free haircut services, conducts counseling on social issues and provides burial assistance.

PSWDO delivered its services to a total of 8,651 residents in 14 barangays where Convergence visited within the first semester this year.

Rabanoz explained that PENRO usually goes a day before to the barangay where Convergence is set to take place to conduct information and education campaign on climate change and solid waste management in schools. It also regularly conducts the tree-growing activity before the Convergence so residents can avail of social and medical services offered during Convergence Day.

12 NATION/WORLD NATION BRIEFS Terminated

P

HILIPPINE legislators voted to terminate heated debates on a controversial birth control law after President Benigno Aquino urged its speedy passage.

A “voice vote” at the 285-member House of Representatives ended further debates on the bill which has polarised the largely Catholic nation of almost 100 million.

Suspended

T

HE Philippines has indefinitely suspended the operations of the country’s largest gold mine after a waste spillage near a major river, according to officials.

Philex Mining’s Padcal facility will remain closed until a government investigation determines the extent of the spill and why it happened, said Leo Jasareno, head of the government’s Mines and Geosciences Board.

T

Urged

HE Business Processing Association of the Philippines (BPAP) urges its members to ensure workers’ safety, amid reports that some companies refuse to heed a Palace memorandum canceling work in private offices.

At the same time, BPAP says employees who will work amid the cancellation must be given extra pay, as required by labor laws, a ranking official said.

T

Sold

HE Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) sold P7.1 billion worth of 91, 182 and 364-day Treasury bills (T-bills) in yesterday’s auction.

This was below the planned debt sale of P7.5 billion because the government’s auction committee opted to do a partial sale of the one-year debt paper. Buyers of the 364-day T-bill sought higher returns for their money.

T

VOL.5 No. 112 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

Standard Chartered T hid huge Iran trade

WORLD TODAY

N

EW York regulators accused Standard Chartered Bank of hiding $250 billion in transactions with Iranian banks for almost a decade in violation of US sanctions.

Branding the Londonbased global financial giant a “rogue bank,” state regulators said Standard Chartered systematically disguised foreign exchange deals with Iran in a breach of controls that potentially opened up the US banking system to terrorists and criminals.

New York’s Department of Financial Services threatened the bank with fines and possible suspension of its license to operate in the state, hub of the US financial industry, in the latest US move against foreign banks trading with Tehran.

Standard Chartered was ordered to appear on August 15 “to explain these apparent violations of law and to demonstrate why SCB’s license to operate in the State of New York should not be revoked.”

“For almost 10 years, SCB schemed with the government of Iran and hid from regulators roughly 60,000 secret transactions, involving at least $250 billion,” it said.

The transactions mainly involved handling US dollar transfers for major state-owned Iranian banks, including the

Killed

HE gunman who killed six worshipers at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin was identified as a 40-year-old U.S. Army veteran and authorities said they were investigating possible links to white supremacist groups and his membership in skinhead rock bands.

The assailant, shot dead by police at the scene on Sunday, was identified as Wade Michael Page. He served as a soldier in the Army from 1992 to 1998, police chief John Edwards said in the Milwaukee suburb of Oak Creek where the 400-member temple is located.

New York regulators have accused Standard Chartered Bank of hiding $250 billion in transactions with Iranian banks for almost a decade in violation of US sanctions. central bank, that fell under strict US government controls aimed at blocking finance for Tehran’s alleged nuclear weapons program.

The regulator said Standard Chartered falsified transaction reports and obstructed oversight “in its evident zeal to make hundreds of millions of dollars at almost any cost.”

The transactions “left the US financial system vulnerable to terrorists, weapons dealers, drug kingpins and corrupt regimes, and deprived law enforcement investigators of crucial information used to track all manner of criminal activity,” it said.

The department said it also had found evidence of possible illegal transac-

tions with Libya, Myanmar and Sudan while those countries were under US sanctions.

In London, Standard Chartered said in a statement that it “is conducting a review of its historical US sanctions compliance and is discussing that review with US enforcement agencies and regulators.

“The Group cannot predict when this review and these discussions will be completed or what the outcome will be.”

The bank could face steep fines over its Iran business.

In July, a US Senate report accused HSBC, also based in London, of concealing more than $16 billion in sensitive transactions with Iran and

Mexican drug lords over 2001-2007.

Last week HSBC set a provision of $700 million to cover possible fines related to the transactions and warned the overall cost could be “significantly higher.”

And in June ING Bank was fined $619 million for its role in processing $1.6 billion through the US financial system for Cuba, Iran, Myanmar, Sudan and Libya.

The New York regulator said Standard Chartered’s illicit Iran business involved thousands of so-called U-turn transactions, in which dollar-denominated payments and transfers are routed into and then out of the United States by non-US entities.

A

Demanded

state prosecutor demanded a threeyear jail sentence for three women from the punk band Pussy Riot who stormed the altar of Moscow’s main cathedral and sang a “punk prayer” denouncing vladimir Putin’s close links to the Russian Orthodox Church.

The three had been charged with hooliganism motivated by religious hatred in a trial that has focused attention on a crackdown on dissent since Putin’s return to the presidency in May.

Visit

I

RANIAN Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi is to visit Turkey on Tuesday for previously unscheduled talks expected to focus on Syria and a group of Iranians seized by rebels there, an Iranian diplomat in Ankara said.

Meanwhile, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Saeed Jalili, arrived in Syria for talks with President Bashar al-Assad and other officials, Iranian state television IRIB said.

Worshippers

Navy gets new PH-made attack craft G

Dialogue

HE Southern Police District (SPD) is planning to hold a dialogue with pawnshop owners to prevent attempts by robbers to tunnel into their establishments, an official said yesterday.

Chief Inspector Danilo Mendoza, head of SPD’s special operation unit, said officials came up with the idea after police officers thwarted an attempt to rob the DM Pawnshop in Las Piñas on July 7.

EDGEDAVAO

A soldier looks at two new coastal patrol boats as they are delivered to the Philippine Navy headquarters in Manila August 6, 2012.

[REUTERS]

A

MID a growing rift with China over sea territory disputes, the Philippine Navy has two new multi-purpose attack craft (MPAC) and here’s the best part:

they’re proudly Filipino designed and made.

The two MPACs, constructed by Manila-based Propmech Corp., were brought to the Navy headquarters in Manila

on Monday.

The two boats, BA 486 and BA 487, are classified as landing assault craft and are “capable of providing a platform for fast interdiction of hos-

tile targets, and rapid deployment and insertion of troops anywhere in the Philippines,” the Navy Public Affairs Office said. They join a sister vessel that was delivered to the Navy in May. According to Propmech, the MPACs can cruise at speeds of up to 42 knots and can carry 20 soldiers. They are armed with mounted .50-caliber machine guns.

They may be the newest, but MPACs are not the first nor the largest locally-made ships in the Navy, however. Propmech turned over the BRP Tagbanua, a locally-made landing utility craft, to the Navy in December last year.

The Tagbanua is 51 meters long, can seat 200 soldiers, and has cargo space for six 6x6 trucks or three humvees, Propmech said.

UNMEN killed 16 people when they fired on worshippers at a church in Nigeria’s central Kogi state during a Monday evening service, police said on Tuesday.

“A group of three unidentified gunmen stormed the Deeper Life Church in Okene and opened fire on them, killing 16,” Simeon Ille, spokesman for the Kogi state police, told Reuters by phone.

Restructured

Y

EMEN’S president ordered the restructuring of some military units on Monday, aiming to curb the powers of a son of former leader Ali Abdullah Saleh and stabilise a country where Saleh’s legacy still looms large.

The move coincided with an air strike that killed two suspected militants linked to al Qaeda, still a major threat to Yemen despite being driven out of its main southern strongholds by a U.S.backed military offensive in June.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.5 No. 112 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

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FULL COLOR ADS + 35% color surcharge

3 + 2 bonus

PRIME PROPERTY FOR SALE ROBINSONS HIGH LANDS, 173 sq. meters, 1.5 M, Direct Buyers only Contact: 0926-305-1555 0942-966-2444

PROPERTY FOR SALE

APARTMENT FOR SALE 3 Door Apartment, lot 320 sq. m. located at Bo. obrero near Victoria Plaza 10 M, direct Buyers only Contact: 0932-532-7304

LOT FOR SALE

IDEAL FOR INDUSTRIAL / MANUFACTURING PLANT, 3 hectares, Santa Cruz along the National Highway, Direct Buyers only Contact: 0927-706-2510

180 sq. meter, Farland Subd., Dumoy, Toril, P 350,000 only Contact: 0927-706-2510

deadline for submission of materials is 12:00 NN. deadline for Friday and Saturday issues is 5:00 PM. deadline for Sunday and Monday issues is Saturday 12:00 NN. For more information, please call our Advertising office 221-3601; 301-6235 and ask for Jane or Chay.

EDGEDavao

EDGEDavao Gensan Partners

Serving a seamless society

Reporters (4) - Male / Female, not more than 30 years old - Preferably a graduate of BS Mass Communication or related courses - Experience not necessary - Can work under pressure and within deadlines - Good command of the English language - A team player

Tel No. (083)- 553-2211

We offer Pasta, Pizza and all Filipino foods

7. HEALTH PACKAGES 8. DRUG TESTING

CLINIC HOURS: 6:00 AM – 5:00 PM

For interested applicants, you may send your resume to: HR Department EDGEDavao Doors 13 & 14 Alcrej B;dg., Quirino Ave., Davao City Tel. No. (082) 221-3601 Email: edgedavao@gmail.com

1. DOCTOR’S CLINIC 2. MOBILE ON-SITE SERVICES 3. DENTAL SERVICES 4. VACCINATION 5. LABORATORY SERVICES 6. IMAGING SERVICES

(Ultrasound, 2D-Echo,ECG, X-RAY)

Account Executives (2) - Male / Female, not more than 30 years old - Candidate must posses a Bachelor/College Degree in any Business field.

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

DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES

South Osmeña, General Santos City Cell No. 09999923588 Tel. No. (083) 552-3297

Address: door 3 & 4 Ground floor CVA & Sons Bldg. along Quirino & JP laurel Ave., davao City Telephone no.: (082) 284-1978, 295-6894 email Add: med_laboratory@yahoo.com Website: www.meddiagnosticslab.com

INdulge!

VOL.5 No. 112 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

Boho chic

EDGEDAVAO

WOMEN

THE effortless charm of twenty-two year old Cheyser Pedregosa reminds me of Serena Van Der Woodsen from the TV show, Gossip Girl. Just like the fashionably famous TV character, Cheyser’s volume of hair looks as if it was styled straight out of bed, her sunkissed skin glows in neutral palette, and her carefree getup is at every inch oh-so-fashionable. She walks the street with much poise, and exudes an air of affluence despite her sense of practicality in shopping and styling.

In the cyber world, she is better known as TWR, short for The Walking Recessionista, the top rated fashion blogger from North Cotabato. Cheyser’s penchant for fashion is a story that has become more evident in a photo diary of her daily wear, posted online via Lookbook.nu and Blogspot. The birth of her account in Lookbook.nu back in the year 2011 was, actually, her friendly attempt in expanding her social network, which soon became her ticket to internet fame. Her unique flair and Boho chic elegance kept her anonymous for only a brief period as thousands of clicks kept adding to her blog’s hits and view count, linking her posts to other trending topics on world wide web.

While she earned her birth right by winning thousands of votes for each post on Lookbook, she made The Walking Recessionista Blogspot address ( HYPERLINK “http://www. thewalkingrecessionista.com” http://www.thewalkingrecessionista.com) the mother ship of her satellites in cyberspace.

There, one finds a collective display of Cheyser’s fashion intuition, plus the full narrative for each wardrobe inspiration.

Her strong presence on Facebook and Twitter supplements her regime and introduces her to virtual minions who find a

connection to her personality.

Her network grew even bigger as she started Instagram-min’ herself in various ensembles, sorting out photos like she was putting them on scrapbook.

What makes Cheyser stand out from the rest of the fashionably anonymous? I guess it is her unorthodox approach to styling. She maintains her non-allegiance to the do’ and don’ts most people dictate, rules she oftentimes bend in search of her own comfort and identity. Some may call her Miss-Print, but she proves them wrong with her seamless combination of different patterns, which others originally thought of as a fashion no-no.

She follows her gut-feel, which comes as a gift on its own, and dresses to her own persona: Not excessively chic; Street smart and relaxed, but not too shabby; Sexy, but not too revealing.

Add to her merit her natural finesse in front of the camera.

She consciously poses to look as if she is unconscious of the camera clicks, so each photo would draw more attention to the outfit instead of the person wearing it. She knows her angles and which pose would best highlight the elements that make up her style for the day. Another edge she has over the others is her ability to look insta-glam within budget. She infuses cheap finds (Recessionista find, as she would put it) into each getup, sharing her insights on how personal styl-

ing need not be expensive or dictated by brands.

Maybe it is because of her non-conformity to “what’s safe to wear” and her nononsense rule of “shopping within means” that made her noticeable, and helped capture the interest of marketing specialists for staple brands and online shopping sites.

Advertising and PR strategists knock on her door, offering her the latest samples of different labels --- fresh from their headquarters. To them, she is a person of influence and they are not awarding it for nothing. Cheyser’s stronghold of her own identity rewarded her with an influx of brand endorsements and sponsors from local and international brands.

She is the image model of Soul Lifestyle, a Davao-based clothing brand which she regularly wears with much Mindanawon pride. Her collaboration with the cyber-active marketing officers of Soul Lifestyle reinforced Cheyser’s reign in social media. From posing as a living mannequin, she has surpassed “still life” advertising,

and discovered the artist in her through short films produced for Soul by its resident 18-year old photographer, Aidx Paredes. To date, Cheyser’s value continues to increase, deserving of endorsements for established brands likes Canon IXUS and So! Fab.

The business in blogging is booming and millions have taken bold attempts to attain a solid standing and acquire a good following. Many aspire to enjoy the perks of being a blogger which also takes one to greater heights, winning front row seats, gifts, freebies, magazine features, VIP treatment, etc. However, value and influence over the social media are not measured by the quantity of posts, but of quality instead. Blogging about fashion is not just for everyone. Oftentimes, people think it’s as easy as taking a snapshot of expensive labels that come with each outfit. You need to

have that eye for style and a creative imagination that goes beyond the confines of rules, labels, and trends. You have to make a stand on who you are and which style best describes your character. Credibility is the backbone for each success story of all fashion bloggers, and this is only attained by being your own unique self.

It is your true blue personality that will earn you recognition, make you a topic of each conversation, and a bookmark in every online search engine.

And Cheyser Pedregosa, the girl who never dreamed of sky rocketing fame, is no stranger to this formula.

A2 INdulge!

ENTERTAINMENT UP AND ABOUT

VOL.5 No. 112 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Last Phl leg before going international TGIFriday’s Davao introduces All BBQ Party

TGIFRIDAY’S spices up the Kadayawan season with our ALL BBQ Party, an exclusively developed menu for our Davao branch consisting of grill items which are popular to our Davao guests.

Try our Prime Tuna Belly Platter, tuna belly marinated in garlic and sweet soy sauce, perfectly grilled and topped with green chilies and served with white rice topped with Annatto oil and roasted garlic dip.

Chicken lovers may want to try the Filipino Chicken Barbecue, a quarter bone-in grilled chicken marinated in Filipino herb and spices and served with ensalada and white rice.

Of course those with big appetites can try both with our Grilled Chicken and Tuna Belly Platter which is sure to become a Dabawenyo favorite that comes in a big portion and can be shared by 3-4 persons, PLUS, unlimited rice is complimentary!

So head over to TGIFriday’s at the ground floor of Abreeza Mall and experience Friday’s ALL BBQ Party.

CEB slashes fares to Japan, Korea, and China for the holiday season

THE Philippines’ largest national flag carrier, Cebu Pacific (PSE:CEB) announced a seat sale to Japan (Osaka), Korea (Incheon and Pusan), and China routes starting at the All-in Lite Fare of P1288. This seat sale is available from August 6 to 9, 2012 or until seats last; and valid for travel from October 1 to December 31, 2012.

Guests can grab seats from Manila to Hong Kong, Macau, or Xiamen for the all-in LiteFare of P1288. Reduced fares are also available for seats from Manila to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, or Taipei for as low as P1988.

For guests travelling from Manila to Osaka, discounted seats begin at P4588. The same fare is also available to CEB guests from Manila or Cebu who will fly to Korea via Incheon or Pusan.

“Travelling throughout the holiday season need not be stressful or expensive, if you’re able to book flights and arrangements early on. We encourage all our guests to take advantage of this seat sale whether they’d like to spend the holidays in CEB’s popular shopping and leisure destinations in Asia or around the Philippines,” said Candice Iyog, CEB VP for Marketing and Distribution.

New domestic inter-island routes are also featured in this seat sale. For the travel period October 4 to December 31, 2012 CEB guests may avail of the same allin LiteFare P488 for seats from Cebu to Busuanga; Iloilo to General Santos, Puerto Princesa or Tacloban; Davao to Butuan or Dipolog; Legazpi to Tacloban; or from Cagayan de Oro to Bacolod or Zamboanga.

Other discounted domestic routes covered in this seat sale include fares from from Cebu to Bacolod, Caticlan, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Siargao or Tacloban for the Allin LiteFare of P688.

The same reduced fare is available for those travelling Manila to Bacolod, Cebu, Caticlan, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Kalibo, Roxas, Tacloban or Tagbilaran are available for the All-in LiteFare of P888.

On a separate travel period: November 8 to December 31, 2012, travelers from Iloilo to Puerto Princesa, or General Santos; or from Cagayan de Oro to Bacolod, can grab discounted seats also starting at P488.

For bookings and inquiries, guests can go to www. cebupacificair.com, or call the reservation hotlines (02) 7020-888 or (032) 230-8888. The latest seat sales can also be found on CEB’s official Twitter and Facebook pages.

Annebisyosa concert flies south to Davao PRINCESS of All Media Anne Curtis will be staging in Davao her last Annebisyosa gig in the country before moving into the international concert scene.

After her successful first major concert at Araneta last Jan. 28, Anne staged the “Annebisyosa: No Other Concert” in different provinces, performing to sold-out crown in the cities of Cebu, Cagayan de Oro General Santos and Bacolod.

And this month, the most popular AustralianFilipina TV actress-model in the country will stage the fifth leg of the tour in Davao on Aug. 18.

While she is set to visit a lot more places in the country, the unexpected top-selling recording artist and concer performer is going international after her Davao concert.

Viva Entertainment, Curtis’ mother studio, has confirmed that Annebisyosa will be performing in Hongkong this November. The “Annebisyosa: No Other Concert” will also be bringing entertainment to our kababayan’s in the US and Europe!

In a youtube post promoting her Davao concert, the Showtime host has invited all “Davao dreamers” for a night of “kantahan, sayawan and everything” at the Univerity of Southeastern Philippines gym on Aug. 18.

Like her Aranate and the earlier provincial concerts, Davaoeño viewers can expect fabulous costume changes, breathtaking dance performances, and mind blowing song numbers! Plus, her special guests will surely spice up this incredible night!

In the list of special guests are long-time bestfriend Luis Manzano, singing champ Rachelle Ann Go, comedian Jon Santos amd the G-Force Dancers.

Anne’s Annebisyosa World Tour is a dream come true for the National Sweetheart who is a selfconfessed non-singer. And now her singing career is indeed unstoppable.

After harnessing her singing skill in Showtime, the ambitious karaoke singer released her debut album “Annebisyosa” which become an unex-

pected top-seller last year.

The influential Guillerno Mendoza Memorial Foundation (GGMF) has named Anne the Most Popular Female Novelty Singer of the year, aside from giving the title Box Office Queen for the 2011 megahit No Other Woman.

Early this year, Anne took a break from Showtime to do a Hollywood production titled Blood Ransom, which is scheduled for a 2013 release.

Curtis’ concert at USEP Davao is co-poduced by Viva Entertainment and Davao party ogarnizer Gatchi Gatchalian.

Proceeds of the show will go to Gatchi’s table and chair project for Magtuod High School in Talomo district.

Preshow starts at 7 p.m. and concert proper will be at 8 p.m.

Tickets are now available at all Greenwich branches in Davao (Gaisano Mall, SM City, NCCC Mall, Abreeza, Ilustre) and Gatchi and Gatchi Office (Valencia Compound at the back of Central Back, corner Arellano Street and Jacinto Extension)

Hukad opens at SM Davao The Annex!

SM Davao’s wide array of dining choices just got bigger as Cebu’s pride Hukad (sa Golden Cowrie) recently set its tables for the Davao diners at The Annex.

Hukad, deeply rooted in regional flavor, offers modern Filipino dining experience by serving native cuisine for the whole family. SM Davao’s new joint promises prompt and efficient service to its diners in a clean, convenient and comfortable ambience which is sure to evoke the comforting feeling of Sunday luncheons with loved ones.

From the sophisticated foodie favorite baked scallops to all-time Pinoy delight crispy pata, Hukad is sure to satiate your gustatory cravings. Also a must-try is their famed Golden Cowrie halohalo.

Bring the whole family for a gastronomic feast.

Check out Hukad at the ground Floor of SM Davao the Annex and experience the warmth of home with its delightfully familiar, yet special Filipino dishes.

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

VOL.5 No. 112 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

ENTERTAINMENT

Robert Pattinson ready Madonna vs.

Elton John to break his silence!

What did he call her this time?

MARK your Robert Pattinson calendars (which, if you’re like us, you keep separately from your regular calendars)!

The actor’s first interview since being outed as a scorned boyfriend will air Aug. 15 on Good Morning America. Better yet, it will be a live sit-down, a rep for the show confirms to E! News.

Ostensibly, he’ll be there to talk about his latest film, Cosmopolis, but... ABC sure scored with this one.

Any interview with Pattinson is a get, but this will be the first anyone has heard from the Twilight heartthrob since Kristen Stewart admitted to cheating on him with Snow White and the Huntsman director Rupert Sanders—a fling that was partially captured on camera by an industrious paparazzo, resulting in tearfulsounding statements from the self-proclaimed guilty parties.

While Summit Entertainment has said the current scandal won’t affect the studio’s plans to promote Breaking Dawn Part 2, in theaters Nov. 16, Pattinson hadn’t been pinned down for any Cosmopolis publicity until now.

There’s no word yet on who will be helming the Q&A with R.Pattz.

In the wake of the scandal, Pattinson ditched his Hollywood-area home in favor of refuge at Water for Elephants costar Reese Witherspoon’s Ojai, Calif., ranch, about 90 miles northwest of Los Angeles.

Being out of the public eye (if not out of their thoughts for more than a few minutes at a time) at least seems to be helping the 26-year-old Brit’s mentality—he was spotted Saturday night partying with friends at Deer Lodge in Ojai, the restaurant confirms to E! News.

G U N - W I E L D I N G, nipple-baring, swastika-flashing Madonna has a new person to add to her list of detractors. Or rather, an old one: Elton John.

Eyewitnesses indicated that Pattinson appeared to be in good

spirits. He did “a good job of just blending in,” a source says.

The “Rocket Man” singer has once again fired up his ongoing feud with the controversy-courting pop star, slamming her for her on- and offstage antics while labeling her a “f-king fairground stripper.”

Oof. During an interview with Australian TV show Sunday Night, John bristled at the mere mention of Madonna’s name, saying, “She’s such a nightmare. Her career’s over.”

He didn’t stop there, later ranting that “she looks like a f--king fairground stripper.”

“If Madonna had any common sense she would have made a record like Ray of Light,” he reportedly added, “and stayed away from the dance stuff and just been a great pop singer and make great

pop records, which she does brilliantly.”

John’s beef seemed to stem from Madonna’s various digs at Lady Gaga, who is the godmother of his and husband David Furnish’s 19-month-old son, Zachary.

In May, Madonna performed a curious mashup of “Born This Way” and “Express Yourself” that many saw as a sharp jab at Mama Monster “[Madonna’s] been so horrible to Gaga,” John told Sunday Night.

John’s feud with Madge goes back to 2004, when—while accepting an award onstage—he accused her of lip-syncing He dissed her again earlier this year during an interview with Good Morning America, in which he offered some advice to Madge as she prepped for her performance at the Super Bowl halftime show. “Make sure you lipsync good,” he said.

All right, Madge: Your move.

A4 INdulge!

EVENTS ENTERTAINMENT

VOL.5 No. 112 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Meeting the girls that spin

THE 75th Kadayawan Festival will officially be in full swing this coming August 18, 2012 and with that, Fishtank Productions and INCOGNITO have REVELRY in store for Davao’s hippest party goers. A full on, no holds barred, take no prisoners pool party with free flowing premium drinks and intensely sexy music that will surely get Davao’s “Crème dela Crème” crowd going. Revelry will be the biggest and coolest pool party to hit the city with 400-500 of Davao finest expected to make a splash.

Headlining this year’s event and highlight of the evening are Manila’s sexiest DJ trio ORNUSA CADNESS, MIA AYESA and SANYA SMITH collectively known as The ZOMBETTES. These models turned DJs will be churning out Electro, HipHop and RnB Mash-Ups, taking it even further with some old school influences and rock anthems.

After the success of their Dirty Blondes Club Tour in 2011, The Zombettes are excited to bring their music and amp up the heat down south.

Fuelling the crowd all night with nothing but premium liquor, sexy music and even sexier DJs will definitely make for one

After the success of their Dirty Blondes Club Tour in 2011, The Zombettes are excited to bring their music and amp up the heat down south. epic pool party.

“DJ Miaow” Mia Ayesa One of the fashion world’s favourite runway models due to her statuesque figure, the 25-year old Mia Ayesa, actually began realizing that spinning tracks was meant for her since age 19. Does music really run in a person’s genes (because she is a cousin of Rockstar INXS’ Mig Ayesa)?

“Either you like it or you don’t. But I happen to LOVE IT because I like it that the crowd is feeding off of my energy”, Mia responded when asked on her thoughts of being a professional DJ. “We started totally for the fun of it, but when people started to react nicely about our tunes and performances at Cuisine and Nuvo, we decided to have a go at it, and here we are!”

“DJ SaNinja”Sanya Smith If there was a member of The Zombettes destined for Musical Greatness since birth, it would be Sanya Smith. The daughter of Local Rock Living Legend Pepe Smith of the Juan De La Cruz band, this 26 year-old 1/4 American,

¾ Filipina is one cool rock chick.

“I’ve never felt the pressure of living up to my Dad’s rep, mainly because he’s so cool about it; it’s as if he never existed in the scene”. - Sanya Smith.

Sanya was born in the Philippines but raised in Singapore and Malaysia until the age of 14.

A runway/commercial model, former MYX VJ & Radio DJ, Event host and rock advocate, her humility never ceases to amaze.

Yet another reason to appreciate The Zombettes!

“DJ Flex” Ornusa Cadness Half-Thai, Half-Kiwi, this fashion model-in-demand has consistenly been in FHM’s top 100 sexiest women in the Philippines.

Perennial cover girl, brand endorser (Pond’s, Maldita clothing, Hotpink Lingerie) and one of the top runway models that we have, it was no surprise that she started becoming a serious DJ, after all, this 28-year old has an inclination to arts and music. Little known is the fact that she also is a serious painter and an animal rights activist. Form and substance epitomized.

EDGEDAVAO

SPORTS

VOL.5 No. 112 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

15

Electrifying Bolt still world’s fastest L

ONDON – It was past midnight here, long after Usain Bolt electrified the Olympics again, having emerged from a slow start to not merely defeat but also break the will of the fastest group of humans ever assembled en route to another gold in the 100 meters.

He sat in a jammed news conference, talking about how the reality of losing in the Jamaican trials had awoken him. He talked about how a confidence borne from his own greatness had made him calm no matter how often he lumbered from starting blocks not built for his 6-foot-5-inch frame.

He talked about how the energy from 80,000-plus onlookers left him in the optimum mood to run: calm, relaxed, and ready.

He talked about how he’d eaten McDonald’s before the race. “Don’t judge me,” he said.

And then Usain Bolt was asked how desperately he wanted to be known, now and forever, as a legend.

“Do I really need to answer that question?” he said.

He already had. Over 9.63 blistering seconds in a heavily hyped race packed with challengers desperate to unseat him, Usain Bolt answered whatever ridiculous doubts existed about his drive for greatness.

Jamaica’s Yohan Blake finished second at 9.75.

America’s Justin Gatlin was third at 9.79. Neither Blake

nor Gatlin ever ran faster than they did Sunday. This was the second- and thirdfastest men on Earth running as well as they ever have.

And neither stood a legitimate chance against the Lightning Bolt.

Legend? There is no other word.

“I went out to challenge a mountain,” Gatlin said later. “To challenge the odds.”

Fellow American Tyson Gay, who finished fourth at 9.80 and then wept and wept at the realization he wasn’t even close, was more direct.

“I tried, man,” Gay said, spent and emotional. “I tried my best.”

Legend? This is legend.

This is a giant among children, a man who doesn’t just run past his peers but leaves them in a huddled mess. His rivals don’t wonder what if. They marvel at what happened. There were no second-guesses here, not even among the uber-confident set that made up the 100-meter final.

“Best man won,” Gatlin said. “And that was Bolt.”

They all came to London thinking the champ was vulnerable. Bolt had some injuries. He claimed he was just 95 percent fit.

Blake had even beaten him straight up in Jamaica’s nationals.

And suddenly, seven challengers were left in the dust, some stumbling across the finish line wondering how they could run so fast and never come

close to catching the man in lane seven.

“I just ran,” Bolt explained. “Pretty much.”

Pretty much?

Legend? Who else says pretty much?

Bolt believed enough in himself to write off the first 30 meters. He’s slow at the start. The other sprinters are 5-8, maybe 5-10. They spring out of the blocks with grace and ease and hit full throttle early. Bolt stumbles a bit because he’s too large for the attempt. On Sunday he didn’t even start at the precise moment.

LIGHTNING BOLT. Usain Bolt of Jamaica streaks to the finish in a new Olympic record.

Kadayawan Hot Races set

G

ET ready for some hot racing action as the 2012 Kadayawan Hot August Races: The Mayor Inday Sara Duterte Drag Racing Championship wheels off on August 11 and 12 at the Speed City inside the sprawling Riverfront Corporate City Complex.

A select line-up of top 60 cars will be at the pits for the event which is an official event of the 27th Kadayawan Festival.

The 1/8 mile drag races is co-presented by Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, AM/ FM Productions, City Government of Davao, Holcim Philippines and HKS Super

Oil.

Davao teams W-Autosports Racing, Team Classic, Ground Image, Drift Tech and Phat Speed Racing will be defending the homefront as they field entries in the Class A, B, C and Quick 8 categories.

Time trials will be on August 11 from 9 a.m. onwards while race proper will be on August 12 starting at 10 a.m.

The other backers of the Kadayawan Hot Races are JLL Engineering Services, JD Alvarado Architects, Syncom Janitorial and Allied Services, Tomas Electrical Supply, CCO Engineering Construction and Supply, Palermo

MY GOODNESS, THAT’S MICHAEL JACKSON. The Russian pair did their routine to a mix of the King of Pop’s songs, so the costumes are perfect. He brought them

Builders, Jinyl Import and Export and Ulticon Builders, Ramtrade, Herrera Brothers, Prestone Brake Fluid and Ensport Motors, Eddie Cinco, Eco Edge Home Interiors and Supplies Incorporated, Palermo Builders, Metropolitan Insurance Company, Davao Golden, Ronel Jay Aggregates, Davao Golden Hardware, Optein and Gonuts Donuts.

For inquiries on the Kadayawan Hot August Races as well as other accredited Kadayawan events, please contact Duaw Davao Festival Foundation at 286-4183 and 305-7970 or email at duawdavao@yahoo.com.

luck, too. They won the technical round with a score of 98.200. They will have another qualification round on Monday before Tuesday’s duet final.

Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce (right) of Jamaica won the women’s 100-meter finals in 10.75 seconds.

Durant leads US past Argentina

K

EvIN DURANT scored 28 points and LeBron James added 18 as Team USA whipped Argentina 126-97 on Tuesday at the London Olympic Park Basketball Arena.

The USA faces Australia in the quarterfinals and is on course for a semifinal clash with the winner of the South American showdown between Argentina and Brazil.

Chris Paul had 17 points for the US, Andre Iguodala and Kevin Love had 13 apiece while Kobe Bryant added 11.

Argentina was led by Manu Ginobili’s 16 points, Carlos Delfino had 13, while Andres Nocioni and Juan Gutierrez had 12 each.

Patrick Mills drained a three-pointer at the buzzer to lift the Aussies to an 82-80 win over Russia.

Brazil erased a doubledigit deficit to edge Spain 88-82.

Leandro Barbosa led the comeback, hitting two

straight triples in an 8-0 tear that gave Brazil a 75-73 lead.

Spain takes on France while Russia battles Lithuania in the last quarterfinal.

France nipped Nigeria 79-73, while Great Britain bowed out in style with a 9058 rout of China.

Jennifer Suhr of the US won women’s pole vault gold, while two-time champion Yelena Isinbayeva of Russia settled for bronze.

The 30-year-old Suhr, silver medalist in the 2008 Beijing Games, cleared 4.75 meters on her second attempts for the gold and Yarisley Silva, who earlier had a failed attempt, matched that height for silver.

Isinbayeva, however, cleared only 4.70.

In the 400 meter hurdles, Felix Sanchez of the Dominican Republic got back on top of the podium eight years after first winning the gold in the Athens Olympics.

The 34-year-old Sanchez clocked 47.63 seconds

followed by Michael Tinsley of the US in 47.91 and Puerto Rico’s Javier Culson in 48.1.

World champion Dai Greene of Britain placed fourth and Beijing Games winner Angelo Taylor fifth.

19-year-old Kirani James of Grenada topped the 400 meters in 43.94 seconds and Luguelin Santos of the Dominican Republic, also 19, clocked 44.46 in winning silver. Trinidad and Tobago’s Lalonde Gordon, 23, placed third in 44.52.

Beijing Games winner LaShawn Merritt of the US injured his hamstring in the heats two days ago.

At Old Trafford, Alex Morgan scored in the dying seconds of extra time to lift defending women’s football champion US to a 4-3 win over Canada and the finals of the women’s football tournament.

The Americans dispute the title with the Japanese, who defeated France 2-1.

16 SPORTS

VOL.5 No. 112 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

Roquin Estonilo of SVDB is sandwiched by Kim Panaguiton and Jun Mapula of Davao Crocodile FC in one of the action-packed matches in the recent Kia Rio Cup Davao Interclub Futsal Tournament at The Annex of SM City Davao.

(Joey Fernandez)

Kia, Bravetower to bring more futsal tourneys

W

ITH the huge success of the first ever Kia Rio Cup 5:30 2D Davao Interclub Futsal Tournament at The Annex of SM City Davao which ended Sunday night, the partnership of Kia Motors and Bravetower is poised to draw up plans for more local tournaments.

Kia Motors Davao manager Paco Mendoza, a dyedin-the-wool football fanatic himself, expressed his elation over the successful staging of the first ever venture of the football-associated car brand in Davao.

“It was great. Considering the short preparation, the tournament was able to carry the message of the Kia brand of its global presence in sports especially football,” Mendoza said.

Kia is exclusively distributed in Davao by AB&T Resources whose vice president for operations Tobi Ang is another true-blue sports fan.

Neil Bravo of Bravetower said the sports organizing outfit will continue its partnership with Kia Motors Davao for more tournaments

FKIA, 10

EDGEDAVAO