Edge Davao 5 Issue 113

Kakulba!

EDGEDAVAO P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

VOL.5 No. 113 • THURSSDAY, AUGUST 9, 2012

www.edgedavao.net

Serving a seamless society

Indulge

Page A2

Deluge in Luzon possible in Davao n ‘Acts of God cannot be averted’ -- Sara n Mayor releases P6.70M cash, food assistance to Pampanga, Luzon victims

By Jade C. Zaldivar and Vicky Berdina M. de Guzman

The Economy

Page 4

“A

CTS of God cannot be averted, they are really beyond human control,” Davao City Mayor Sara DuterteCarpio said yesterday when asked

by Edge Davao what should be done to avert the deluge that has hit Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon.

FDELUGE, 11

The Economy Page 7

Sports

Page 14

SM City General Santos

A new city rises in GenSan Follow Us On

S

M City General Santos, which will officially open its doors to the public on August 10, 2012 at 10am, is SM Prime Holdings’ 45th Supermall and will serve shoppers in General Santos City, neighboring cities and municipali-

ties. Bringing Manila to GenSan City, SM City General Santos will surely give you great enthusiasm and will definitely take shopping, dining and entertainment to the next level.

This mall internally connects

a wide variety of both local and international shops. It also brings large choices of restaurants at its two-storey Al Fresco strip on the other side of the mall. The row of dining establishments promises a refreshing and a more relaxing

ambiance. The open plaza, with a large dancing fountain at the center, will become the City’s newest & ultimate entertainment destination highlighting various shows that will undoubtedly enliven

FA NEW, 11

2

THE BIG NEWS

VOL.5 No. 113 • THURSSDAY, AUGUST 9, 2012

What form of government

EDGEDAVAO

Time to consult the people--SC justice

Azcuna hints Charter Change

By Jade C. Zaldivar

I

WEEKLY FREE CLINIC. Residents of barangay Mabuhay, Paquibato District, line up during the medical mission organized by Congresswoman Mylene J. Garcia and former Congressman Vincent J. Garcia. A team of doctors led by Dr. Antonio Solar Jr., Dr. March Chiongson, Dr. Lois Lumontod

NPAs welcome to join Kadayawan, Sara says

Aug. 16-17

Country’s statisticians to converge in Davao

Vicky Berdina M. de Guzman

T

HE Philippine Statistical Association, the sole scientific society of statisticians in the country will be holding its 2012 PSA Annual Conference on August 16-17 in Davao City.

The conference will bring together statisticians, practitioners, and researchers in the statistical arena or related fields to promote scholarly discussions on urgent and relevant issues needed to be addressed by the statistical system. The event, themed “Strengthening Capacity in Statistics for Food Security”, also aims to provide a forum for producers and users of statistics that creates appreciation, awareness and understand-

ing of statistics and research studies related to the theme.

Estrella Turingan, regional head of NSCB, joined the Club 888 forum last August 8 at The Marco Polo Davao to promote the conference, saying, “We have the statistics; we encourage their use for evidence-based actions.”

There will be 33 papers divided into six sessions which are open to all who are interested to join the conference. Registration fee P2,000 for members and P2,400 for non-members.

The papers and panels are expected to draw out meaningful sharing of experiences in undertaking food

FCOUNTRY’S, 11

World Vision’s sets Caravan in Davao

E

THEL Vera Papasin, technical assistant of World Vision-Operations Mindanao, together with Crislyn Joy Felisilda, field communications specialist of World Vision Media and Communications guested at the 13th Anniversary of Club 888 on August 8 at The Marco Polo Davao to promote their upcoming World Vision’s City Caravan.

The caravan is a weeklong campaign to promote child sponsorship in key cities outside Metro Manila which will be in Davao City on August 13-18. The team

will be looking out for interested and capable individuals here to become part of their community.

They are in search of kind and generous individuals for 50 poor children, their families and communities.

The non-government organization aspires for every child to enjoy good health, be educated, experience love of God and neighbor.

Papasin said their sponsorship for the children is open to all, regardless of religion, adding that World Vision Ambassador Christian

FWORLD, 11

and Dr. Johaira Darimbang attend to the needs of hundreds of patients in the far-flung barangay.

Medicines were also distributed during the visit. The free medical clinic is held every Friday in different barangays of the 2nd Congressional District.

A

S long as they come in peace, members of the New People’s Army (NPA) are welcome to enjoy the activities during the Kadayawan Festival, said Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

She said the festival should not exclude people who want to join the locals.

“The call for peace is always there in Kadayawan. All peace-loving people should be welcome,” she said in a media interview last August 6.

The mayor also invited the rebels to surrender.

“If they decide to surrender during the Kadayawan festival, that would be very welcome,” she

said.

Despite the invitation to the rebels, the mayor said the police will not be prevented from arresting those with warrants of arrest to their name.

“Serving warrants of arrest is part of the duty of the police. It’s a legal process,” she added. [JADE C.

ordinance.

The proposal dubbed the “New Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance of Davao City” was filed yesterday and was referred to the committees on health and rules, privileges, laws and ordinances.

The anti-smoking ordinance was passed in 2002.

Aside from the higher fines and counseling, Villareiz said the amendments include a ban on the use of emerging tobacco products in nonsmoking areas such as ecigarettes and shisa.

Smoking will be disallowed in all enclosed or partially enclosed places.

Designated smoking areas, meanwhile, should be located in open spaces without permanent or temporary roof or walls upon the approval of ASTF. The proposal, she said,

further “allows the city mayor to commission enforcers other then the Philippine National Police who shall have the power to apprehend violators and issue citation tickets.”

Section 10 of the proposed new comprehensive anti-smoking ordinance provides for a no contest provision. It means individuals caught smoking in prohibited places “shall be allowed to pay a penalty in the amount of P500 with the City Treasurer’s Office to avoid being criminally prosecuted within three days from apprehension.”

The no contest provision is for those who are willing to pay voluntarily the administrative penalty. Its proceeds will be placed in a trust fund for the promotion and advancement of the antismoking campaign of the city.

ZALDIVAR]

Bigger fines proposed for breach of anti-smoking ordinance in Davao

T

HE Anti-Smoking Task Force (ASTF) has proposed imposing stiffer fines for violators of the comprehensive anti-smoking ordinance to attain the local government’s goal for a smoke-free city.

Dr. Domilyn C. Villareiz, co-chairperson of ASTF, said fines would be increased to P1,000 for first offense, P2,500 for second offense and P5,000 for third and subsequent offenses, from the current fines ranging between P500 and P2,000.

“The violators should also undergo smoking cessation counseling in accredited clinics,” she said.

The increase in penalties and the need to undergo the counseling in accredited clinics are among the proposed amendments to the comprehensive anti-smoking

FBIGGER, 11

T’S high time to conduct consultations with the people as to what form of government they want, according to Associate Justice Adolfo Azcuna of the Supreme Court yesterday in an interview here.

A member of both the 1971 Constitutional Convention and the1986 Constitutional Commission, Azcuna said it has been “too long” since the leaders of the country asked the people whether they wanted constitutional reform.

“It’s been 26 years since the people were directly consulted. I think it’s about time we have another consultation,” he said at the Ateneo de Davao University where he was a speaker at a forum on International Humanitarian Law. “In 1986, the people were asked and they said they wanted a president they could chose directly, and so we now have a Presidential form of government,” he told Edge Davao.

The issue on whether to change the charter and reform the government into parliamentary has been brought up repeatedly in this country. Only recently, Senator Juan Ponce Enrile said he is for a parliamentary form of government.

A parliamentary form of government is where the members of Parliament choose a Prime Minister.

Asked whether he supports this, Azcuna replied, “Not really, but I am for consulting our people.

We have to listen to our people. Maybe, we could have a mixed form of government, that we have a president chosen by the people as well as a prime minister,” he said.

Last August 6, Davao City Mayor Sara DuterteCarpio said there is no certainty as to how effective a parliamentary form of government would be as “we have no model.”

“We will never know if we do not undergo a charter change. We have no basis for comparison,” she said in an interview.

“Although they say that in countries which are led by prime ministers, there is less corruption in the government, we would not know for sure unless we do it ourselves,” she added.

Last May 31, Senator Enrile said if he had be-

FTIME, 11

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.5 No. 113 • THURSSDAY, AUGUST 9, 2012

THE BIG NEWS

3

4

THE ECONOMY

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

VOL.5 No. 113 • THURSSDAY, AUGUST 9, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Traders urge joint gov’t, MILF action against BIFF A

business group in Mindanao on Tuesday urged the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation (MILF) Front to jointly address the threat posed by the breakaway Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).

Ricardo C. Juliano, Jr., Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry vice president for Mindanao, stressed the need to employ the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) mechanism against the group formed by erstwhile MILF commander Ustadz Amiril Umra Kato.

AHJAG is a joint government and MILF mechanism in the peace process that seeks to interdict and isolate lawless elements that take refuge in or near MILF communities.

“The military and the MILF should act together in addressing this problem and it has to be done in a way that should enhance the peace process,” Juliano told MindaNews.

Kato formed the BIFF in 2010 and was formally expelled by the MILF last year.

He is no longer with the MILF and so the AHJAG mecha-

n Bus firm hikes fare for taking longer route nism should be applied to his group, Juliano said.

But Von Al Haq, MILF spokesman, brushed aside the suggestion of Juliano, saying the AHJAG mechanism “can only be used against criminal elements.”

Al Haq said the BIFF claims to be a political group and the “government did not also consider it as a terrorist organization.”

“The central committee of the MILF is very cautious in this aspect in order not to complicate the peace process,” he said on the phone.

Al Haq said that based on their monitoring, skirmishes still continued today in the towns of Datu Unsay and Datu Saudi Ampatuan.

At least 1,000 families have sought refuge at evacuation centers in Crossing Salbo in Datu Saudi Ampatuan, he added.

Col. Prudencio Asto, 6th Infantry Division spokesman, said

the highway from Crossing Salbo to Cotabato City is still close to traffic to avoid endangering the lives of commuters due to continued pursuit operations against the BIFF forces.

He said the military is coordinating with the MILF through the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities to avoid a misencounter with the MILF rebels.

Al Haq said that MILF forces have been ordered to stay put in their positions in the wake of government pursuit operations against the BIFF elements.

On Sunday night, BIFF forces simultaneously attacked at least five military detachments in Maguindanao, rendering a portion of the Cotabato-Isulan-General Santos highway closed to traffic on Monday that stranded hundreds of passengers.

Also important to neutralize the BIFF is the political will of the government, Juliano said.

He said that as far as the

business community is concerned, it does not fear an escalation of hostilities in Maguindanao “since the BIFF is just a small band of armed men.”

Emilio W. Escobillo, Jr., chairman of the Biocrest Multi-Purpose Cooperative and Transport Services, which operates the Husky Bus that serves the General Santos-Koronadal-Cotabato route, said on Tuesday they rerouted their buses to the Buluan-KabacanCotabato highway since Monday afternoon just so they could bring the passengers to their destination.

Since the General SantosB u l u a n - K a b a c a n - C o t a b a to route is longer than the General Santos-Koronadal-Isulan-Cotabato route, they added P60 to the normal fare.

The fare has increased to P340 per passenger to offset the additional fuel cost, Escobillo said.

He complained that land transportation agents of the government have allegedly threatened to impound their units for plying out-ofway.

[BONG SARMIENTO/MINDANEWS]

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

WALK-THROUGH. A popular foodchain store makes its products more accessible to the customers by putting up a walk-through in a pathway of a mall along J.P. Laurel Ave. [LEAN DAVAL JR.] as of august 2010

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

EDGEDAVAO

THE ECONOMY

VOL.5 No. 113 • THURSSDAY, AUGUST 9, 2012

5

Power outage hits Mindanao anew P ARTS of Mindanao suffered power interruptions anew due to declining generation capacity brought about by emergency shutdown and preventive maintenance operations of some plants in the island, industry officials said on Wednesday.

Milfrance Capulong, National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) corporate communications officer for Mindanao, said the power situation in the island is back anew to the red alert status level, meaning a severe deficiency in supply.

“There has been an increase in the curtailment level since August 1. Power deficiency in the Mindanao grid has reached a high of 400 megawatts last Monday,” she said.

Typhoon Gener last week also affected some of the transmission facilities of the NGCP that contributed

to the problem, she added.

Capulong did not identify the power plants that went on emergency shutdown as well as on preventive maintenance.

She could not also say when the power supply would be sufficient that would warrant no load shedding.

Santiago Tudio, South

SHOWCASE. Exhibitors of Lumadnong Gama start to display their products at People’s Park yesterday. Lumadnong Gama is an exhibit every Kadayawan Festival that

Cotabato Electric Cooperative 1 (Socoteco-1) manager, said they implemented a one-hour rotating brownout in their coverage area due to load curtailment.

aims to showcase the products made by the indigeneous people. [LEAN DAVAL JR.]

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THE ECONOMY

VOL.5 No. 113 • THURSSDAY, AUGUST 9, 2012

Traffic code good for city’s economy

T

HE Sangguniang Panlungsod approved on third and final reading the Comprehensive Transport and Traffic Management Code of Davao City during its regular session last August 7.

Members of the 16th City Council hailed the Code as a landmark legislation.

Councilor Pilar C. Braga, author of the Traffic Code and co-author Councilor Victorio U. Advincula Jr., are elated that after years in the making, after several public hearings, committee hearings, technical working group meetings and oversight committee meetings, the Code was passed by a unanimous vote.

“The approval of the traffic code is good for Davao City’s economy,” Braga said.

The Code has 28 articles and 215 sections and has 100 pages.

Some of the special features of the Code are: 1. Creation of the City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) with divisions on Traffic Engineering and Infrastructure Division (TEID), Traffic Enforcement and Street Management Division (TSMD), Transport Planning and Management Division (TPMD), Facilities Management and Operations Division (FMOD), Administrative and Support Division (ASD), Motorized Vehicle Franchising and Regulatory Division (MVFRD); 2. Creation of a Trust Fund from collections of fees fine and penalties to be used for traffic management purposes;

3. The institutionalization of technology as traffic instruments such as the CCTV, traffic signalization, speed gun, breath analyzer and others to be operated by the CTTMO; 4.

The regulation of the operations of motorized fishing vessel three tonnage and below, non-motorized boat, and other motorized vessel using the City of Davao as port of call; 5. It prohibits illegal fabrication or manufactures or design of public utility vehicles (PUV) such as “uso-uso”, “bora-bora”, and “paying-payong”, etc.; 6. It provides for other miscellaneous provisions that are of special concern in City of Davao, such as decriminalizing jaywalking and others; Mayor Sara Z. Duterte in her message said: “This document will be instrumental in the sound management of the city’s road network, and we thank you for your exhaustive efforts to see it through to its completion.

Given our highly-urbanized area, the City Government acknowledges that welldrawn mechanisms need to be undertaken to address the increasing number of vehicles and pedestrians on the city’s streets.”

“Congratulations to Hon. Pilar C. Braga and the City Council Committee on Energy, Transportation and Communication, the members of the Technical Working Group, and all the offices and individuals who contributed towards the completion of this Comprehensive Transport and Traffic Code of Davao City,” the mayor added.

GenSan moves against underweight LPG tanks

I

N a bid to strengthen its ongoing crackdown against the underweight or under-filled liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders, the General Santos City government is pushing for major amendments to an ordinance that regulates the refilling, retailing and distribution of LPG in the area.

Teodorico Dumagan, assistant city administrator, said there is a need to revisit the penal provisions of Ordinance No. 2 or the city’s LPG ordinance to effectively stop the proliferation of underweight LPG cylinders in the local markets.

Ordinance No. 2, which was passed in 2006, specifically regulates the “hauling, refilling, dealing/retailing of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and the manufacture/repair of LPG cylinders, providing penalties for violation and for other purposes.”

“This problem has continued to worsen in

the last several years and I think it’s about time for us to give more teeth to the ordinance and expand the coverage of its penal provisions,” he said in a committee hearing on Monday called by the city council’s consumer protection and welfare committee.

A report released by the city’s LPG Task Force, which is supervised by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), showed that it had seized some 84 under-filled LPG tanks in the last five years.

But based on the ordinance, Dumagan said only the stores or retail outlets where the adulterated LPGs were found would be subjected to penalties, which covers fines of P1,000 to P1,500 and the revocation of permits and licenses.

He said the liability does include the manufacturers based on the “last touch principle” as cited by the DTI. [Allen V. Estabillo/MindaNews]

EDGEDAVAO

ARRAY OF CLOTHES. Young ladies look into an array of clothes during the Kadayawan Youth Festival at the activity area of Abreeza Mall yesterday. [LEAN DAVAL JR.]

ARMM biz group says GPH-MILF peace pact to address BIFM T

HE Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Business Council (ABC) wants the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to immediately sign a final peace agreement as a means to neutralize the threat posed by the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement (BIFM), an official said on Wednesday.

Datu Haron Bandila, ABC chairman, said the offensives launched by the BIFM starting Sunday night have been affecting the business community.

“We want a final peace agreement that would also address the problems posed by this group.

The business sector in the ARMM is worried by this turn of [hostile] events,”

he said on the phone.

Skirmishes between the military and the BIFM members continued until Wednesday in Maguindanao province, leaving thousands of families displaced.

Bandila said the business sector in the towns Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Datu Unsay and Shariff Aguak, the capital of Maguindanao, have been affected by the skirmishes.

“The trade in those towns, like simply going to the markets, has been hampered since roads have been closed,” he said, referring to the national highway that connects these municipalities.

Bandila said the business sector in the impoverished Muslim region strongly condemns the

attacks launched by the BIFM members, noting this happened at a time when Muslims observe the holy month of Ramadhan.

This is a time for reconciliation and forgiveness, he lamented.

By signing a final peace agreement, Bandila said the government and the MILF “can become accountable or responsible to look after lawless groups” that disrupts the peace in the area.

“We really hope that as soon as possible, the two sides can come up with a final peace agreement.

With that in place, we can attract more investments to Mindanao,” he said.

It is difficult to draw investments in Mindanao if we have no final peace

agreement that would give investors that feeling of security that their money would be safe in the area he added.

The peace panels of the government and the MILF resumed formal talks in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, the 30th since both sides restarted the talks during the Arroyo administration.

Ricardo Juliano Jr., Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry vice president for Mindanao, lauded the government and the MILF for trying to resolve the conflict on the negotiating table than in the battlefield.

A final peace agreement in the long run would augur well for Mindanao’s business community, he said. [PNA]

In January, a major fish kill in the area that was also blamed on “kamahong” destroyed some 48.55 metric tons of Tilapia.

A total of 48 fish cage owners were affected by the fish kill that left a total damage of P3.8 million based on tilapia’s market price of P80 per kilo.

“Kamahong,” which usually occurs during the rainy season, reportedly triggers the rise of sulfuric acid in the lake’s waters that eventually caused the massive fish kill, provincial fishery coordinator Rex Vargas said.

“It occurs when cold rainwater, which is heavier than warm water, settles at the abyssal zone of the lake.

This causes the water upturn or updwelling of warm water carrying silts, sediments,

and gases such as hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, sulphur and methane gas produced by the decomposing organic matter such as fish feeds,” he explained.

Vargas said such situation results in the reduction of dissolved oxygen in the water, “forcing fishes to take in oxygen directly from the atmosphere and eventually die.”

Following the January fish kill, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) central office recommended a moratorium on the fish cage operations in Lake Sebu, which it described as already over-polluted and on the brink of devastation.

BFAR also noted that the lake is considered overcrowded with fish cages, which already covered 35 percent of

its waters or way beyond the 10 percent allowed by the law.

But the municipal government of Lake Sebu opposed the proposed moratorium due to economic reasons and instead embarked on the dismantling of around 100 fish cages that were considered as over the lake’s limits.

Lake Sebu Mayor Antonio Fungan said the operators themselves voluntarily demolished the fish cages that were covered by such move.

South Cotabato Gov. Arthur Pingoy Jr. earlier directed the local government’s environment and agriculture offices to conduct a comprehensive study on the status of the fish cage operations and formulate regulatory policies that would help properly manage Lake Sebu’s fishery resources. [PNA]

Another fish kill hits Lake Sebu

S

OUTH Cotabato officials are pushing for the regulation of fish cage operations at the critical Lake Sebu following another fish kill destroyed around 8,000 kilograms of tilapia.

Reynaldo Legaste, South Cotabato agriculture officer, said Wednesday the fish kill in Lake Sebu since last week so far affected 14 fish cage operators, who reported combined losses of P656,000 as a result of the incident.

He said the latest fish kill was caused anew by “kamahong,” a phenomenon that is mainly caused by the sudden rise in the water’s temperature.

“The overcrowding at the fish cages and the overutilization of fish feeds also contributed to the fish kill,” Legaste said.

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 No. 113 •THURSSDAY, AUGUST 9, 2012

GAME CHANGERS 7

Bringing arts ‘The hunger for Filipinos for arts outside Metro Manila is there, it is growing.’

to the people

By Carlo P. Mallo

W

HEN Margie Moran-Floirendo was growing up, she once dreamed of becoming a prima ballerina – doing pirouettes on stage, executing the perfect assemblé, or bourreé, but never did she expect to head one of the country’s premier ballet company, Ballet Philippines.

“Bringing ballet to the community or outside Metro Manila is one of our missions. We want more people to be able to enjoy the arts, especially ballet,” Margie said.

Ballet Philippines has traveled around the country to bring ballet to the people.

“The hunger for Filipinos for arts outside Metro Manila is there, it is growing,” Margie said. “It is not like in Manila where one can watch plays and performances at the Cultural Center of the Philippines every week.”

And that is what prompted the former Miss Universe titlist to bring to Davao City a production that can be very well called a Davao production.

“It is an Agnes Locsin original and the music is by Joey Ayala. Even the artistic director is from Davao City, Paul Morales,” Margie said.

“It’s like a homecoming for the production.”

Encantada, which will have its gala show tonight at the Philippine Women’s College, is a multi-awarded prduction. Last year, it won 10 awards at the Gawad Buhay Awards –including Outstanding Modern Dance Production, Outstanding Choreography for a modern Dance Production, Outstanding Musical Composition, and Outstanding Ensemble Performance.

While many people still see ballet as a snooty and elitist form of art, it drives Margie to fight back the perception and strive harder for people to appreciate this particular form of art.

“It is just a perception.

Ballet encompasses all strata of society. More and more

Filipinos now learn to appreciate ballet, even at the CCP, most of the audience are ordinary Filipinos who would come from work, students, some even would travel from as far as Nueva Ecija or Batangas,” Margie said.

“Even here in Davao, selling the show was easy as schools readily grabbed the opportunity to bring their students to see the performance.”

Ballet Philippines is not only about bringing arts to the common Filipino, it is also about changing the lives of the Filipino people.

“The story of our dancers is actually inspiring. We have dancers whom we send through college on scholarship, there are some dancers who walk from their homes to the center – these are our dancers who come from the communities and would want to have a better shot,” Margie said.

Most of the funding of the ballet company comes from grants and sponsorships.

“We always have to find ways to raise money to support the ballet company.

With our 65 employees, it’s a pretty big payroll to balance.

But we find ways,” Margie said.

“I have been working with the communities for quite sometime already – women, peace, social development, with ballet you can integrate all of them together,” Margie said. “Ballet can create a better world for everyone.”

Students who watch ballet, as studies showed, have better grades, better readers. One can only imagine what a community who appreciates ballet can become.

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VANTAGE POINTS

VOL.5 No. 113 • THURSSDAY, AUGUST 9, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

NBC’s Olympic contortions COMMENTARY

BY JOHN C ABELL

I

EDITORIAL

A traffic code at last

I

N METRO MANILA, the traffic nightmare along Edsa (Epifanio delos Santos Avenue) results in economic losses in the hundreds of millions of pesos everyday, not to mention the loss of lives, limbs and properties.

No manager of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has been great enough to make a dint in the horrendous problem, exacerbated by other human and natural factors, like the deluge that has been happening there.

Perhaps, the obtaining situation in Davao City is not even 10 percent as problematic as Metro Manila’s.

Still the importance of a traffic code such as the one approved on third and final reading by the Davao City Council last Tuesday cannot be gainsaid.

The code stipulates the creation of no less than seven traffic-related institutions, the establishment of a trust fund from collections of fines and penalties which will be plowed back into

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investment in traffic management.

There are other interesting measures contained in the 28 articles, including the institutionalization of such innovations in technology as traffic signalization, CCTV (closed circuit television), speed gun and breath analyzer.

In sum, as Dr. Pilar C. Braga, main sponsor of the measure said, the traffic code will not only solve problems but will also bring economic bonanza to the city. We are one with Councilor Braga in her hope for positive economic effects. Unfortunately, we cannot be as euphoric, considering the realities in lawmaking. A great ordinance such as the Traffic Code needs a set of implementing rules and regulations (IRR) before it becomes enforceable. It is our hope though that, unlike the Water Code, which remains unimplemented a decade after it was approved for lack of an IRR, the Traffic Code will have one to make it implementable.

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T’S a toss-up which of this summer’s Olympics controversies will be the one most remembered.Twitter’s censorship (er, enforcement of terms of service) of an NBC critic and Empty Seat-gateare strong contenders. But for me NBC’s decision to tape-delay and edit live events after braggingthat it would provide unprecedented real-time online access takes the gold.

Somehow our emotional attachment to television — and not video — remains incredibly strong. How else to explain the torrent of hate begat by NBC’s online blackout and broadcast delay of the Olympics opening ceremony in a day and age when alternatives and workarounds abound andtimeshifting itself is considered a basic human right?

No, this feels like an “Occupy TV” moment: We, the 99 percent are galled that NBC won’t give us what we want when we want it, and that NBC is doing it because of a profit motive that requires it to manufacture appointment TV. Over the weekend, Dan Levy, of sports site Bleacher Report, tweeted: “Folks, to think NBC cares about our complaints is ridiculous. They don’t care about sports fans. They care about ratings. We knew this.” NYU professor and media watchdog Jay Rosen tweeted in response: “Have you ever noticed how often people use the word ‘ratings’ as a synonym for ‘…so just shut up.’”

NBC can, more or less, do what it wants with the games as it paid $1.2 billion for them. Its goal is to make a profit despite the eye-popping licensing fee and the tens of millions more in production costs. It is about the ratings, like it or not.

But would ratings suffer if NBC unleashed all the video on the Web and aired marquee events live?

The only way to know if ratings wouldn’t suffer is if some gutsy network tried. Aha! One has! CBS has streamed March Madness for years, and still garnered healthy and even record Nielsen ratings, this year reporting its best ratings in 18 years.

So, why is NBC so afraid to go where CBS has already been? Well, the scale of March Madness and that of the Olympics are not comparable, of course. There was a symbiosis between CBS and the NCAA, scheduling an American event for an American audience, while for an international event, U.S. preferences don’t matter. The Olympics present a time-zone problem that the NCAA championship didn’t have – prime time in London is the evening commute in the Eastern time zone, and midafternoon in the Western.

But none of these are NBC’s problems, per se. If the geek uproar is to be believed, there is a hunger for seeing the Olympics as the reality show it is, no matter when the events we want to see are occurring.

It’s our call, not yours, the argument goes, and NBC is alienating the audience by imposing what amount to blackouts.

If it were a matter of one thing or another, that might excuse NBC. But there is a strong argument NBC can have its cake and eat it too. The scant evidence supports the mob: The network was eviscerated for its handling of the opening ceremonies, which it delayed and packaged (and edited) for prime-time viewing in the U.S. time zones. And it scored record ratings not only for Friday’s launch but also throughout the weekend, averaging 35.8 million viewers in prime time, despite streaming all events (but not the opening ceremony) online at NBCOlympics.com.

This tells me that NBC is getting it wrong, but not for the reason it likely thinks. As March Madness taught us, distributing the content on more or less equal footing on and offline (TV) actually boosts TV viewership.

This is especially true in a time-shifted universe: If we hear of a fantastic outcome at noon, we’ll be dying to see it at 8 p.m.

And the people who saw it at noon on their computers, smartphones and tablets will be your best salespeople. Imagine the word pictures (and real pictures) that would have circulated Friday afternoon, all agreeing “you have to see this on a big screen,” if NBC had allowed full access to the proceedings, with sharing encouraged.

It’s hard to imagine that TV viewership of the spectacle that is always the Olympics opening ceremony would have suffered because it was streamed earlier to a 4-inch phone screen.

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 No. 113 •THURSSDAY, AUGUST 9, 2012

IBP leader opposes JBC Rules amendments August 7, 2012

Acting Chief Justice Hon. Antonio Carpio SUPREME COURT OF THEPHILIPPINES Manila Re: Proposed Amendment of JBC Rules Sir Chief Justice,

I am Atty. Israelito P. Torreon, a lawyer in private practice, the Governor of IBP Eastern Mindanao, and the Dean of Cor Jesu College Law School.

I write out of a deep and honest concern for the esteemed institution that is the Philippine Supreme Court. I am aware that writing this letter will cost me a few friends who espouse a different political view. Nevertheless I write, not for fame or fortune and not out of malice or ill-will, but out of a conscience moved.

This morning, 7th of August 2012, the television and newspapers spoke of nothing but sad news. Different parts of Luzon were flooded causing deaths, displacement of families, and destruction of properties. On the political page, news was as disturbing as the elemental catastrophe.

I most respectfully reproduce hereunder an article posted on Inquirer.net entitled “Tupas Wants JBC Rules to be ‘fair and equitable”: “MANILA, Philippines—Iloilo Representative Niel Tupas Jr. said he made a proposal to the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) to amend the rules of the JBC to make it “fair and equitable” for those aspiring positions in the Judiciary.

“I have a pending proposal to amend the [JBC] rules to make it equitable and fair for the applicants,” Tupas told reporters after the JBC deliberation Monday. “But it would still depend on the decision of the members of the council on what will happen on Wednesday,” he added.

Tupas was referring to Rule 4 Section 5 of the JBC rules which provides that those disqualified from being nominated or appointed to any judicial, Ombudsman or deputy ombudsman position include: 1. those with pending criminal or regular administrative cases; 2. those with pending criminal cases in foreign courts or tribunals; 3, those who have been convicted in any criminal case or in an administrative case where the penalty imposed is at least a fine of more than P10,000 unless he has been granted judicial clemency.

Tupas said aside from De Lima who is facing two disbarment complaints, there are other candidates who also have pending cases.”

I am not against reform and I admire the Aquino administration for its steadfast campaign to eradicate corruption. I am no hypocrite and thus before I write further, I should clarify that I am not wielding some political opposition strategy because in the first place, I was one of the “PNOY LAWYERS” from Mindanao during the 2010 elections. I am but a proactive follower and I weep that the administration I supported has been playing favorites too far.

That the palace had been helping De Lima in her JBC bid is no secret.

Malacanang had admitted that its legal team had been assisting the Secretary of Justice to have her disbarment cases dismissed by the IBP. Perhaps the legal’s team assistance was not sufficient. The IBP Board of Governors, in a unanimous vote, dismissed the motions to dismiss and the motions for reconsideration filed by Secretary de Lima. Despite extensive research conducted by this representation on the matter, there was simply no law nor jurisprudence that allowed us, the IBP Board of Governors, to dismiss her disbarment cases outright.

A day after the August 6 IBP Board Resolution and a day before the August 8, 2012 JBC Deadline to submit the JBC shortlist, Tupas proposed the “amendment” of JBC rules. To me and to a number of lawyers who had raised their concerns to me, the proposed amendment of the JBC Rules at this point of time is not necessary and is perceived by many as a brazen political power play.

From what I have learned in law school and my fourteen (14) years of practice, the Supreme Court is the constitutionally ordained overseer of the Judicial and Bar Council and so far, the disqualification rule under Section 5 Rule 4 of the JBC Rules had been enforced and had caused the disqualification of many an applicant to the offices whose officers the JBC nominates appointees for.

Law might not prohibit the proposed amendment of the JBC Rules by Tupas.

Institutions, even the Supreme Court of the Philippines, are indeed subservient to law. There are however requirements before any amendment will take place. I certainly agree with the Former Chief Justice Davide who made a comment this morning that due to the many stakeholders, a public consultation must first be made by the JBC before the removal of this disqualification rule. Furthermore, like other laws, amendments to the JBC rules must be published in a newspaper of general circulation before the same could become effective such as the amendment made in Rule No. JBC]10 in 2002.

Granting that Tupas can weave his magic wand and make the public consultation and publication happen before the selection of nominees on August 8, 2012, does that leave all of us with no choice than just allow De Lima to be part of the nominees just because those in power favor her?

Secretary Leila de Lima has her qualifications that no one can demean. However, to amend the JBC rules hours too close to the submission of the JBC nominee list without even a public necessity for such sudden amendment speaks of nothing but an already too obvious accommodation of a favorite who just does not fit the list under the present rules. In fact, the proposed amendment goes into the very heart of the rules as Fmr. Chief Justice Davide calls it, because it seeks to change the requirements on INTEGRITY. I, as every other Juan and Juana, have my favorites in the list of Chief Justice applicants. We however have no such power to just amend the rules hours before the submission of nominees to the President just because we want our favorites in. I have no new teaching for the most esteemed court of this land. I seek only to urge you to hear the plea of the many like me who still believe in the authority and supremacy of the Highest Philippine Court. The Supreme Court was founded on the proposition—very old as a moral precept, but startling and innovative as a political insight— that there should be a limit to power.

We look to the Supreme Court as a stalwart line of defense against those who seek to belittle the law, changing it as they desire whenever they desire it. I am deeply worried that if this bend or break policy shall be allowed to prosper, then all other institutions shall fall slave to the wishes of one or a few. If the Supreme Court too shall remain unmoved by what appears to be a highly subjective manipulation of rules and of people, then who are we, ordinary lawyers, not to bend or break?

I pray that the Honorable Court will exercise its supervisory authority over the Judicial and Bar Council by preventing or disallowing any hasty YET SUBSTANTIAL amendment of the JBC Rules specifically the proposal of Cong. Tupas to amend Rule IV (Integrity) Section 5 on disqualifications.

Favor me not but I pray that you favor my cause.

Most respectfully yours, Atty. Israelito P. Torreon Roll No. 42916 Managing Partner- The Law Firm of Torreon & Partners Davao City Governor- IBP Eastern Mindanao Region Dean- Cor Jesu College Law School, Digos City

VANTAGE POINTS

9

A well-known fact

M

AKE NO MISTAKE – Amazingly, many investors are now betting that the country will emerge soon from the current economic crunch. But wait, people have to ask how long a crisis is a crisis, and how fast government would be able to produce results in solving the prevailing predicament.

Still the country is facing difficult economic conditions, but the peso is relatively stable and the government’s performance has impressed somewhat. On the other hand, improving macroeconomic numbers began enticing punters back into the market. While the big picture is improving, analysts say the nitty-gritty, however, hides dangers. The corporate outlook remains fragile, according to noted economists.

Other economic experts likewise are not so sure. They say that the peso even at P41 level or a bit below to the US dollar is still a serious burden for many companies with outstanding foreign debt. Moreover, analysts caution that the country’s dependence on commodities like fuel and other refined petroleum products have increased tremendously so are the prices, and the chronic problem is again knocking at our doorsteps. Maybe, but the impending oil price increases have some basis - circumstances outside government control.

And the end result is the cycle of oil price adjustments dictated by the world market.

Even if the prices of fuel products rise at accelerating pace, the demand remains high.

Different sectors – export, manufacturing, transport and energy are the most directly affected of the oil price hike. Unfortunately for investors, that well-known fact would push their operating costs skyward. However, in the case of the energy providers, the new rounds of oil price adjustments have make power supply more expensive and their operations are doing relatively well because end-users could do nothing about it, but still have to turn on the lights.

Analysts are also keeping close tabs on export and the manufacturing sectors. The country cannot depend too much on traditional exports such as agricultural-based products, which are being required to undergo stringent quarantine measures by importers. Other exports could take up the slack, but growth in overseas sales is crawling and moving at snail-pace. The Philippines is currently far behind in the export ladder so there is a lag effect, explains some economic experts.

Some of the more productive area of the economy supposedly is manufacturing, but fuel and energy costs are also a problem, which is why it takes a lot of investment at the worst of times. To an economist, it’s all part of being in the manufacturing business. With the prevailing high costs of fuel and power supply, they seem to end up drifting in a pool of uncertainties. The more courageous and daring kind probably would just sit temporarily at the back seat and think about the staggering costs of oil and energy source, and the exchange rate.

What to do to emerge from the current economic crisis? Make no mistake at all. If anyone can pull off another economic reform, it is the present leadership with all-out support and cooperation of confident and enthusiastic investors who are betting that a brighter economic prospect lies ahead of us. Looking at long-term results may mean accepting short-term pain and tenacity. Even the Aquino administration knows that a cycle of fuel price adjustments and declining manufacturing and export outputs are mere symptoms of a bigger problem.

Manufacturers and exporters at any rate are determined to continue their activities despite the slump caused by the oil price hike and other aggravating factors. One strategic move that will keep us economically afloat is for government to set appropriate policies and implement drastic measures to cushion the impact of oil price increases and at the same time arrest key difficulties especially the fickleness of investors’ confidence.

As it was, many confident foreign and domestic investors identified the country as a potentially good and suitable place to invest, but want to see any evidence that government is going to do what it must and help itself with a policy response to the predicament that has been plucky. Will it work or improve? They’re self-assured in the same way that we’re definite that someone won’t put a gun to our heads and pull the trigger.

10 ARTS AND CULTURE

VOL.5 No. 113 • THURSSDAY, AUGUST 9, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

The fairies and the estranghero of Encantada O N August 9, 2012, Ballet Philippines will perform Encantada at the RSM Events Center at the Philippine Women’s College, Davao City. Created by Davao natives, choreographer Agnes Locsin and musician Joey Ayala, with librettist Al Santos, Davao is a fitting venue for Encantada’s 20th anniversary performance.

Encantada showcases Locsin’s legacy with Ballet Philippines and the rest of the Philippine cultural landscape: the neoethnic style of dance. Set in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era, Encantada depicts man’s destruction of nature and its devastating consequences.

Encantada features the best Filipino dancers of today: Carissa Adea as Encantada, Katherine Trofeo as Babaylan and Jean Marc Cordero as Estranghero.

Principal dancer Carissa Adea just recently won Outstanding Female Featured in a Modern Dance Production for her portrayal of Babaylan in Ballet Philippines’ 2011 staging. Carissa has portrayed principal roles in classical ballets such as “The Nutcracker,” “Coppelia,” “Don Quixote” and “The Sleeping Beauty” and has received rave reviews for her performances in Augustus Damian III’s “Evacuation” and “Carmen.” She has also choreographed for Ballet Philippines’ NeoFilipino series, “Rey-Sing,” which was nominated for Outstanding Choreography in a Dance Production in the 2010 Philstage Gawad Buhay Awards.

Katherine Trofeo, BP’s

Carissa Adea

principal dancer, is a seasoned artist who has garnered a nomination at the Philstage Gawad Buhay Awards for her portrayal of Babaylan in Encantada.

She has collaborated on new pieces with many top choreographers including her mentors Enrico Labayen and Myra Beltran.

Katherine has essayed many lead roles for both Ballet Philippines and Philippine Ballet Theater.

At PBT, she danced Esmeralda in the Asian premiere of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” Kitri in “Don Quixote,” Nikiya in “La Bayadere,” OdetteOdile in “Swan Lake,” Ballerina in “Paquita” and Cio-Cio San in “Madame Butterfly.” For Ballet Philippines, she danced as Maria Clara in “Crisostomo Ibarra,” Swanhilda in “Coppelia,” Marie in “The Nutcracker,” and Aurora in “The Sleeping Beauty,” among others.

Essaying the role of Estranghero is principal dancer Jean Marc Cordero, who has won a Special Jury Award for Best Pas de Deux Technique at the 2012 Helsinki International Ballet Competition.

He also won the 2010 Philstage Gawad Buhay Awards for Outstanding Male Performer in a Modern Dance Production for his title role per-

formance in “Crisostomo Ibarra.” He has essayed principal roles in Coppelia, The Nutcracker, Peter Pan, Crisostomo Ibarra, Don Quixote and Agnes Locsin’s La Revolucion Filipina. In 2011 he won a Lead role in a Russian Ballet performance at the First Boston International Ballet Competition.

Ballet Philippines’ Encantada will be on August 9 at 10am and 7pm (Gala), and August 10 at 2pm at the RSM Events Center at the Philippine Women’s College, Matina, Davao City. For tickets call Villa Margarita Hotel at (082) 221-5675 or PWC at (082) 297-8035. Encantada is also made possible with the support of Globe.

Jean Marc Cordero

Katherine Trofeo

EDGEDAVAO

A new...

Deluge...

FFROM 1

Also yesterday, the mayor ordered the release of P6.70 million in cash and material assistance, mostly food, to an estimated one million victims of widespread flooding as rains continued to batter Manila,neighboring towns and provinces and other parts of Luzon the past several days.

In a press conference yesterday, the mayor said cash assistance amounting to P5,650,000 and 7,000 food packs worth P1,050,000 will be provided to the affected families.

The ten cities comprising Metro Manila, several towns in the rest of Luzon will each receive cash assistance of P100,000.

Some towns which suffered much less based on reported of the Department of

GenSan’s night life. Aside from SM Supermall’s major anchors SM Department Store and SM Supermarket, the mall will also include SM mainstays like SM Cinema, SM Foodcourt, SM Appliance Center, SM Business Center, BDO, Toy kingdom, Global Pinoy Center, ACE Hardware, Cyberzone, Surplus and Watsons.

Everything is already at SM City General Santos.

Get the latest fashion trend from apparel to shoes to bags and accessories for ladies, men, teens, kids and infants at SM Department Store who has grown to be a dynamic group of stores who lead the pack in the retail industry. As the Philippines’ largest supermarket chain, SM Supermarket offers a world-class supermarket shopping experience with lower-priced items - boasting a wide

FFROM 1

Time...

Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as of last August 8 will each get P50,000 qlong with food packs for Bulacan and Pampanga.

Meanwhile, city officials here expressed cobern over a similar disaster befalling Davao City – even worse one than that one that occurred in Matina-Pangi in 2011.

“Yes, it is possible. But I believe Davao City is more prepared than most of the other LGUs (local government units) in Luzon.

“The EMB (Environmental Management Bureau) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources(DENR) should be careful in granting ECCs (environmental compliance certificates), said former councilor and now consultant to the mayor, Danilo Dayanghirang.

“The heavy downpour and consequential flooding and landslides are highly possible in Davao,” said Dr. Adrian Tamayo, economist and researcher of the University of Mindanao Institute of Popular Opinion.

(IPO).

Tamayo said the World Wildlife Forum (WWF) forecasts an increase rainfall in the next few years which would lead to disastrous floods.”While it is a sure-tocome phenomenon, Davao is relatively ready. Disaster mitigation measures are in place; first responders are efficient; and the people are aware of the threats. But the summit is the ability of the LGU to hold them together to ensure readiness and resilience thereafter. We are ready and must always be,” Tamayo said.

FFROM 2

come president, he would have pushed for a parliamentary form of government.

He said that when interviewed by lawyer Adel Tamano on ANC’s “Tamano Perspective.”

“If you have a good

prime minister, he can continue (in power) like in Malaysia for 10, 20, 30 years,” Enrile said, adding, “If you have a bad prime minister, Parliament can easily get rid of him and get a better one.”

“In the case of a presi-

dent, you actually elect a king for 6 years. Sometimes you get a good king or a bad king,” said the senator who gained national prominence when he led the Senate during the impeachment trial of then Chief Justice Renato C. Corona.

Bigger...

FFROM 2

The World Vision’s City Caravan is also part of their 55th Anniversary which was launched in Korea. In the Philippines it began as an orphanage in 1957 and grew into a non-government organization.

Today, the World Vision assists more than 112,000 children and their families in 29 provinces. According to Felisida, one of their sponsored children is the well known Efren Peñaflorida, one of the CNN 2009 Heroes.

Torres...

FFROM 2 City Legal Officer Osmundo P. Villanueva Jr., vice chairperson of the ASTF, explained earlier in an interview that the no contest provision is to give options to the violators to “pay a fine rather than being indicted.”

“The scheme is actually akin to that adopted in our solid waste management ordinance wherein violators may choose to settle by just paying the fine,” he said. [(MINDANEWS]

FFROM 14

Torres.

The 12th qualifier— Veronika Shutkova of Bulgaria—made 6.40 meters on her last attempt, which Torres had achieved several times in two international tournaments she competed in ahead of the London Games.

So Torres ended up a big flop again as she mirrored the same forgettable finish she had during the Beijing Olympics four years ago.

With the loss of Marestella, the 11-member Team Philippines found itself reduced to only two men as it continued

Country’s...

range of fresh produce, sourced directly from the growers, processors, and integrators.

Look good, feel great and have fun at Watsons, your personal store that delivers only the best health, wellness and beauty solutions that every customers need to live beautifully inside and out. The ultimate technology and lifestyle center of SM Supermalls, Cyberzone, is also here at SM City General Santos.

SM City General Santos will also house 4 digital cinemas. So, with SM Cinema’s digital theater technology, color fading, jumping, film scratching, miscued dialogs and sound lapses become obsolete concepts. It also has the turnstile access system, the first to introduce in General Santos City, which allows one person to pass at a time, similar to

the system used in MRT and LRT, and each cinema can accommodate almost over 500 movie goers.

This mall will also serve as a Community mall by bringing in events from various institutions, both public and private, and from civic groups in the City. It will bring in not just local but also world-class events. These events will showcase both national and international artists from solo artists to enchanting orchestras. SM City General Santos assures lots of excitement to the people of General Santos City and its neighboring area.

So what are you waiting for? Be the first to witness the Grand Opening of SM City General Santos on August 10, 2012 at 10am and be part of the history of a new city where shopping is brought to the next level.

Food Security and Nutrition Indicators; Food Security Indicators at the National and Sub-national Levels; Food Security: Biodiversity and Traditional Knowledge among Indigenous Peoples; Food Security: Health and Nutrition Issues; Forecasting Methods and Trends in Food Production; Role of Women in Food Security; Use of New Information Technologies: Remote Sensing, GIS and others.

From the 2009 Small Area Estimates (SAE), by the World Bank and the National Statistical Coordination Board, Kapalong in Davao del Norte has the highest reduction of poverty among cities and municipalities in Region 11.

From 2003, the 51.2 percent of Kapalong’s poverty incidence was pulled down to 21.5 percent by 2009.

In the list of the most improved cities/municipalities based on poverty situation, Kapalong was followed

by Talaingod in Davao del Norte, Pantukan in Compostela Valley and Santa Maria in Davao del Sur. According to Turingan, “Poverty incidence as defined by the NSCB in 1997 Philippine Poverty Statistics refers to the proportion of population or families with per capita income less than per capita poverty threshold to the total number of population or families.”

tag.

participant only has to present his/her race bib.

The Kadayawan Phoenix ‘I Recycle’ Run, an accredited event of the 27th Kadayawan Festival, is presented by Phoenix Petroleum Philippines and Pioneer Insurance in partnership with the Davao City Water District, with SM City Davao as venue partner and TV5 as the official media partner.

For more information, go to www.facebook.com/ phoenixdavaorun or dial the Kadayawan Phoenix Run hotlines: 0917-719-9640, 0907-544-4650, and 0933308-8816.

For inquiries on the Kadayawan Phoenix Run 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.

FFROM 2

World...

Bautista, who is also their celebrity sponsor, will be in the city on August 13.

Money raised during the caravan will support children in communities and, through their Child Sponsorship Program, World Vision provides education, healthcare, child protection and community assistance to children and their families in need.

An exhibit will also be installed at the Abreeza Mall on August 13-18 to encourage people of Davao City to sponsor a child.

11

VOL.5 No. 113 • THURSSDAY, AUGUST 9, 2012

to struggle in the face of high-powered opposition in this greatest, toughest sporting show on earth.

These two are Filipino-American BMX rider Danny Caluag and 5,000-meter bet Rene Herrera, who were to see action on Wednesday with the former given a slim chance of figuring in the medal clash and the latter none at all.

Despite the debacle, Torres said retiring is still farthest from her mind.

“Tatalon pa rin. Kung wala pang tatalo sa akin

sa atin, siyempre gusto ko pa ring lumaban sa international tournaments,” said Torres, now on her 12th year as national team member.

Torres found out there was something wrong with her when she jumped to a poor 5.98 in her first attempt, before breaking the six-meter barrier in the second with a 6.21.

Despite the muscle pain, Torres persevered and went for it in her third and final attempt.

Too bad, all she could do was improve by less than an inch.

security analysis and in disseminating food security information for policy planning and decision-making exercises in both private and government sectors.

The suggested topics include, but not limited to: Agricultural Production and Ecological Sustainability; Assessment of Climate Change Impact on Food Security; Capacity Development for Local Governments for Information Sharing on Food Security; Census of Agriculture and Fisheries: Overview and Plans; Crop Production Strategies: Cropping Calendar, Crop Making, Damage and Risk Assessment in Disaster-related events (typhoons floods, earthquakes and others); Distribution/Marketing/Prices; Food Production and Land Use Conversion; Food Safety and Food Quality Control;

All...

“Poverty Threshold or Poverty Line refers to the cost of the basic food and non-food requirements valued in peso. In the Philippine official methodology, the poverty line may be viewed as the minimum income and other non-food basic needs.”

FFROM 15

for a run event in Davao City, will start at 4:30 am to warm up runners. Other fun events include the contest Biggest School, NGO/Corporate and LGU delegations, and JazzUp-Your-Race-Tee. Exciting prizes will also be raffled.

Registration is ongoing at the following Phoenix Run registration centers: Phoenix Petroleum stations in Acacia St. and Damosa, Davao City Water District office in Bajada, Skechers Shop- Ground Floor Abreeza Mall Davao, Skechers Shop- 2nd Floor Gaisano Mall of Davao, and at the Duaw Davao office in Wheels N More Compound, JP Laurel Avenue.

Entry fees are P99 for the 500-meter, P149 for 3K, P249 for 5K, and P299 for the 10K category, inclusive of race tee, race bib, snacks, and loot bag. Finishers of the 10K will each receive a dog

Assembly time is 4:30 am for the 10K, 4:45 am for 5K, 5am for 3K, and 5:30 am for 500-meter. The run will start and end at SM City Davao.

Participants of the Kadayawan Phoenix ‘I Recycle’ Run can also avail of postevent promotions.

Skechers is giving 20% discount on regular priced items, valid until September 16, 2012. A Runner’s Reward Card from RunClub Davao entitles runners to a 10% discount on regular-priced footwear and apparel.

Dencio’s branches at SM City Davao, NCCC, Damosa Gateway- Lanang and Fortune Homes- Lanang will give free bottomless iced tea for every purchase of a Pares meal, valid from July 27 to August 31, 2012.

To avail of the treats, the

12 NATION/WORLD

There’s a better way to get attention.

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VOL.5 No. 113 • THURSSDAY, AUGUST 9, 2012

Realty

EDGEDAVAO

Health and Wellness

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1) 1-hectare commercial lot at P10,000/sq m, along National Highway, facing east, beside NCCC Panacan, Davao City.

2) 17,940sq m commercial lot at P2,500/sq m, along Matina Diversion Road. 3) 3,831 sq m lot along Matina Diversion Road. 4) 41,408 sq m commercial/industrial lot at P800/sq m along the National Highway, Bunawan. 5) 7,056 sq m at P1,200/sq m commercial/residential lot along Indangan Road, Buhangin District. 6) 27,411 sq m commercial/industrial lot along the National Highway in Bincungan, Tagum City. 7) 116.15 to 245.92 sq meters , at P5.5M to P12.3M commercial/ office condo units in Bajada, Davao City. 8) 699 to 1,117 sq m at P4,100/sq m commercial lots at Josefina Town Center, along the National Highway, Dumoy, Toril. 9) Ready-forOccupancy Residential Properties: 4BR/3T&B in a 240 sq m lot with 177.31sqm floor area (2-storey) at P4.8M in an exclusive beachfront community in Dumoy, Toril.; 3BR 2-storey in a 71.25 sq m 2-storey in a 143sq m lot in an exclusive flower village in Maa, Davao City; 180 sq m lots with 71.25sqm to 126.42 sq m floor areas, priced at P3.751M to P5.773M in an exclusive mountain resort community along Matina, Diversion Road. 10) 1BR/2BR residential condo units located in Bolton, Maa, Obrero, Davao City. 11) FOR ASSUME (RUSH): 1BR res’l condo unit in Palmetto, Maa. P600K negotiable. Note: Items 1-9 can be paid in cash, inhouse or bank financing. If interested, please call Jay (PRC REB Lic. 8237) at 0922-851-5337 (Sun), 0908-883-8832 (Smart) or send email to propertiesindavao@yahoo.com.

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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.

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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

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VOL.5 No. 113 • THURSSDAY, AUGUST 9, 2012

Happy Kadayawan! from:

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14 SPORTS

VOL.5 No. 113 • THURSSDAY, AUGUST 9, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

The best Marestella Torres could do was 6.22 meters, way off her personal best of 6.71m and short of the 6.40m that would have been enough to put her through to the finals. Associated Press

Caltex Delo race: Entries reach 700

Torres flops too L

ONDON -- Marestella Torres of Team Philippines missed making the finals in long jump for the second time in a disappointing performance that left her in tears on a rainy Tuesday night in the 30th London Games at the 80,000-seat Olympic Stadium.

Saying she felt some muscle pains as she warmed up for the event,

the 32-year-old Torres jumped to a distance of 6.22 meters in her third and final attempt as she bombed out making the final round in her second Olympic appearance.

Torres eventually finished 22nd in a field of 30, unable to find the form that once made her do a 6.71m in a triumphant campaign last year in the Southeast Asian Games. Shara Proc-

tor of Great Britain topped the qualifying with a 6.83m leap.

“Ewan ko ba nanakit ang mga muscles ko sa warm-up pa lang,” Marestella told a Team Philippines official as swimmer Jasmine Alkhaldi gave her a comforting hug on her way to her room.

Tears started to fall as Torres searched for the answer on why she

jumped nowhere near her personal best, which could have easily landed her a berth in the championship round scheduled Wednesday.

“Parang napasukan ng lamig. Nag-iba na naman kasi ang weather in the last few days. Sayang ang paghahanda ko. Alam ko prepared ako ngayon. Disappointed ako talaga,” said

FTORRES, 11

W

ITH still over a week to go before the race, already 700 runners have listed up for the Caltex Delo Kadayawan Half-Marathon set August 19 at5:00 a.m..

The 21-kilometer race, beginning and ending at Caltex Station along Ecoland West Drive, is expected to draw some 1,500 runners in what is seen as an exciting race set on a new course.

“The turnout has been good so far. We expect the registration to pick up by next week days prior to the race,” said race organizer Kenneth Sai of Vantage Sports.

Already accounted for are group registrants from Team Davao Runners, Team Titans Davao and Manila, Team Koronadal, Tagum Runners and USEP Run-

ners.

The Caltex Delo-sponsored race is an accredited event of the 27th Kadayawan Festival which was formally launched last week at the People’s Park.

Registration for the event is pegged at P250 for the 3K race, P300 for the 5K and 10K races, and P550 for the 21K. Registration includes singlet, race bib, finishers certificate and snacks. Registration is still ongoing at the Gaisano Mall adidas outet.

Timex is the official timer of the race.

For inquiries on the Caltex Delo Half-Marathon 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.

INdulge!

VOL.5 No. 113 • THURSSDAY, AUGUST 9, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

FOOD

Crispy catfish and green mango salad

Spicy chit-chat at the Jatujak I don’t visit Manila that often anymore, not because I don’t want to, but mainly because my workload does not permit me as of late, much to the disappointment of my friends in the Metro.

Luckily, I was able to escape for a weekend romp and after a quick flight, I was finally checked at the Linden Suites located at bustling Ortigas Center. As fate had it, Mark Sablan’s office was a short walk away and we quickly made plans for lunch the following day with fellow Globe Racing Amplified racer Alden Cedo. Good thing food choices were all around since the Linden Suites was smack dab in the middle of three huge malls which I dare say is every foodie and shopaholic’s dream come true.

It was decided to meet up at SM Megamall to look for someplace to lunch since it is just a short

Horsing around with Alden

8-minute walk awake with more than enough choices for us to pick and decide what to eat.

SM Megamall was no longer the mall that I remembered during my high school and college days. It was hard to imagine how such a big mall became even bigger with an additional parking building plus a new glitzy atrium with even more food options.

We finally settled on going thai at Jatujak, I guess it was so that the food would match the spicy topics and chismis we will be having along with the food.

I ordered the crispy catfish and mango salad which is always my favorite. The catfish was flakey and crispy and paired well with the tart green mango that opened my tastebuds for more tasty treats of the Thai food kind. The salad was followed up by Mark’s order of tom yum that was generous with the shrimps and on flavor.

Of course when having Thai food, one cannot forget the stir fried chicken and Basil and the delicious Beef in green curry that made me and Mark sigh since it paired so well with so much rice. Of course Alden would have none of that and happily finished all of his rice.

I would have wanted to have dessert but the bout with great tasting Thai food made me so full I had to pass. Of course the delicious gossip and catching up made-up for the lack of sweets so I don’t really mind at all.

Follow me on Twitter @

Mark and his tom yum.

kennethkingong for foodie and travel finds, plus random thoughts and ramblings from in and around Durianburg.

Chicken and basil stir fry

Beef in green curry

A2 INdulge!

VOL.5 No. 113 • THURSSDAY, AUGUST 9, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

ENTERTAINMENT FOOD

Very vegetable treats!

by Bai Fauziah Fatima Sinsuat Ambolodto, MBA

COOKING vegetables has always been tricky. It could get all messy and hard when not handled properly. There is no one great secret in cooking the perfect vegetable. It takes time, patience, and even perseverance to get those greenish yellow or other colored vegetables according to your own preference.

Tricks of the trade includes chopping them small, marinating with tenderizers and even the use of regulated heat to get them cooking just the way you want them to be.

Whatever your choice is, just make sure that they stay crunchy and moist and there is balance of flavor in the palate. Explore the versatility of vegetables and go beyond your usual recipes. Set your mouth in a never-ending adventure of flavors with these vegetable side dishes recipes that could be enjoyed even under the sun. Combine flavors and spices for a more refreshing taste.

Cucumber and Tomato Salad Ingredients 2 cucumbers 3 ripe tomatoes 1 small red onion 1 1/2 tablespoons sea salt Freshly cracked black pepper 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon grape wine vinegar 1 teaspoon white sugar Olive oil Directions Slice the cucumber lengthwise, remove the seeds, and slice thinly. Thinly slice the onion.

In a colander, toss the cucumber and onion with the salt and let it sit and drain for 20 minutes.

Press the liquid out of the vegetables and rinse well with cold water.

In a medium bowl combine the vinegar, olive oil and sugar

FOOD 411: Okra is typically known as lady’s fingers or gumbo in other countries. It is rendered as a health food – okra is high in fiber, vitamin C and antioxidants. More so, it is a good source of calcium and potassium.

and stir well. Add the cucumber mixture and toss to coat. Stir in the dill.

Carrots and Snow Peas in rum Ingredients 1-3/4 cups sliced fresh carrots 2 tablespoons butter 2-3/4 cups fresh snow peas 1 shallot, minced 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon rum or chicken broth

FOOD 411: Cucumber is a fruit. Much like tomatoes and squash, cucumbers are often perceived and eaten as a vegetable. More so, there are three (3) kinds of cucumbers, namely: (1) Slicing or those which are grown to be eaten fresh, (2) Pickling or those which are commercially and specially bred cucumbers for uniformity of length and lack of voids in the flesh; and (3) English or those which are sweeter and have a thinner skin the other varieties.

Curried Tempura Okra Ingredients 3cups oil, for frying 1/2 cup cornstarch 1 cup sifted all-purpose flour 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper fresh okra, sliced 1/2-inch thick 1 egg Ice cubes ½ tablespoon curry powder Salt and pepper to taste

Directions In a large skillet or wok, stirfry carrots in butter for 3 minutes Add the snow peas, shallot and salt; stir-fry 2 minutes longer or until vegetables are crisp-tender.

Stir in rum; heat through.

Directions Heat oil in a large, heavybottomed skillet or Dutch oven to 350 degrees F. (You may not need to use this much oil; do not fill the pan more than halfway up the sides with oil.)

In a medium bowl, combine cornstarch, flour, seasoning and cayenne pepper. Dip okra in

egg and ice cube mix and then dredge in cornstarch-flour mixture to coat well. Carefully add okra to the hot oil and cook until golden brown.

(It may be necessary to fry the okra in batches.) Remove from oil, drain on paper towels, and then serve immediately.

FOOD 411: Snow peas (chicharo) are legumes and are a variety of peas – usually eaten whole in its pod while unripe.

The green shoots could be cut and served especially in stir-fried with garlic, meat, sea foods or any other vegetables.

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

Happy Cooking!

Coffee and cakes all you can at Grand Regal Hotel AS they celebrate their 14th Anniversary in the hotel business, Grand Regal Hotel is giving everyone a chance to enjoy Montmartre Cafe’s specialties – a wide variety of cakes and coffee. This August, Montmartre Cafe is offering Unlimited Cakes and Unlimited Coffee to everyone who craves for that extra delight. Montmartre Cafe’s selection of cakes are especially made to satisfy Davao’s unique tastes that are exemplified in its signature dessert—the Napoleone de Dabaw. This

pastry creation is definitely a must-try for durian lovers as it represents a taste of the fruit minus the controversial smell but in a layered creation of soft biscuit and creamy filling, topped with glazed sugar and chocolates. Partner it with our best selling Durian Coffee, and you are definitely in for a goody.

Aside from this, there’s a sugar-free cake selection available in an assortment of known Filipino desserts but with an added twist using coco sugar, and malag-

kit. For coffee lovers, the classic brewed is never out of the picture as it compliments the sweetness of the selection of cakes offered.

But if you crave for your favorites, there’s macchiato, americano, espresso, capuccino, mochaccino, or cafe latte. It does not matter if you want all it because you can have it... It is Unlimited!

For inquiries and reservations, please call: 235 0888 Local 8352/8353. Email: sales_marketing@grandregalhotels.com

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

VOL.5 No. 113 • THURSSDAY, AUGUST 9, 2012

ENTERTAINMENT

Have you seen K.Stew?

WE know where Robert Pattinson is. And come next week and his first TV interview since Kristen Stewart’s dalliance with director Rupert Sanders made headlines, we know exactly where he’s going to be (with the eyes of the world’s media on him, no doubt).

But no one’s kept a lower profile than K.Stew herself in the wake of the scandal, as no one seemed to know exactly where the Twilight heroine was hiding out.

Until now, that is...maybe. Several sources claim to have spotted her over the past few days at Gold’s Gym in Venice, Calif., but others insist the sightings couldn’t possibly be true.

Employees of the facility confirm to E! News that Kristen has been in “here and there,” usually accompanied by her new (male) trainer as she works on core training and muscular endurance, but that the actress hasn’t dropped by for a while.

The increasing assembly of media outside the gym might have a little something to do with that.

Prior to that, however, a source tells E! News that Stewart had been turning up almost every day last week in the late morning or early afternoon. While the sweat sessions would no doubt helping her get out her frustration, she might want to hit the gym in preparation for her next role, Cali. At Comic-Con last month, she said she would soon begin training for the part, as she plays a convict on the run.

And that’s where things get fuzzy.

A source with knowledge of the situation tells E! News that the recent gym sightings are entirely false, and that Kristen hasn’t been there since before the Rupert news broke. And keep in mind that no new photos of

Ashton, Mila make out in Bali JUST friends, really?

Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis were spotted holding hands Sunday as they boarded a plane in Bali. The attractive twosome, who were snapped making out last month at the wrap party for Jobs, still haven’t opened up about their status as (what appears to be) a couple.

But Kutcher, 34, and Kunis, 28, certainly look at ease with one another. The

Kristen—slinging barbells or otherwise—have surfaced, either.

So what do you believe? Has Kristen been sweating in Venice, or is she still planning just the right first post-scandal appear-

ance?

Meanwhile, things don’t seem to be faring any better for Sanders, as his wife Liberty Ross was spotted out today without her wedding ring.

former That ‘70s Show costars have been rumored to be dating since April.

Kunis told British Elle’s August issue she is “totally single.”

“Listen, [Ashton and I] hang out. We’ve known each other for 15 years. We have mutual friends. We’re comfortable with one another. That’s it! There’s no crazy love story, nothing more.”

Whatever you say!

A4 INdulge!

VOL.5 No. 113 • THURSSDAY, AUGUST 9, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

UP AND ABOUT ENTERTAINMENT

A teenage-dream cometrue at Abreeza Mall

PANDEMONIUM is the apt word to describe this teen-age phenom’s recent visit to Abreeza Mall in Davao City. Fast rising young star Daniel Padilla, who performed a crowdpleasing sampler from his record breaking (it sold more than 20,000 copies, equivalent to Platinum status, in less than two months) self-titled debut album, undoubtedly caused a major tween commotion when visited the City of Durian.

Like the Pied Piper of Hamelin, the 17 year old Daniel successfully lured his fans from all over Davao Region and nearby provinces to troop to Abreeza Mall and watch his mini-show at the mall’s activity center.

Most of them, between the ages of 8 to 18, screamed, sang and even cried their hearts out just to see their young idol.

Thanks to his portrayal of good-boy-with-a-badboy swagger role of Gino in ABS-CBN’s top-rating teleserye “Princess and I”, Daniel has etched a name for himself in local showbizdom.

“I actually started with ‘Gimik 2010’, then ‘Growing Up’. I practically began my career with those shows,” recalls Daniel during an interview just right before his show at Abreeza Mall about his previous youth-oriented shows that helped catapulted his fastrising popularity.

However, with or without those shows, Daniel was hell-bent to become famous. Aside from being the son of character actor Rommel Padilla and actress/singer Karla Estrada, Daniel comes from the talented clan of the Padillas, whose kins include Philippine showbiz royalties such as Zsazsa Padilla, Rudy Fernandez, Robin Padilla, among many others.

Often the young Daniel is likened to his uncle Robin Padilla, with their similar moves and magnetism to their rabid female (and otherwise) followers, as well as to their street-smart fashion sense.

“I don’t have a stylist when I am not at work. I am not really very fashionable.

I simply wear what I love to wear, which I describe as something really simple and unfussy,” he divulges as tried to fit some of the clothes he shopped at Billabong located at the second level of Abreeza Mall.

Billabong, a sportswear

and casual clothing manufacturer, is one of most popular global brands that have gone beyond sports.

Billabong, which lifestyle apparels fit Daniel quite well, also has clothes and accessories that are both functional and fashionable.

“I love wearing shirts with ¾ length sleeves, you know, sports-inspired wear.

I also enjoy wearing beannies and bonnets,” he shares while fitting on a charcoal and black Billabong hoodie, which he wore during the show. He also got himself a Billabong beanie which he plans to wear in his future gigs.

“Indie or sports shirt, sometimes rock and grunge-inspired top, in black, white or grey,” his reply when asked what he wears when he is on his personal time or when he goes out with his friends.

“And I love wearing skinny jeans, too,” he adds.

Rugged, raw and real, that’s how Daniel is, whether on or off-screen.

He may be the most famous 17 year old in the country today, but his

meek, unassuming ways has kept his feet firmly planted on the ground. TV host Boy Abunda once said that “in 5 years, Daniel Padilla is going to be one of the biggest stars of Philippine showbiz”. Well, that is actually not far from possibility.

With a cult-like following, talents that are both genetic and learned, and natural fashion style, Daniel is out to carve his own niche in Philippine pop culture - and fast, like a bolt of lightning. No wonder this young star continues to shine even brighter each day.

Abreeza Mall, Daniel ‘s host during his visit to Davao City, has provided a truly unique and rewarding shopping experience to Dabawenyos since it opened in 2011 with its wide array of retail choices, from popular local brands to global fashion concepts. The now iconic landmark is part of a master planned urban development that includes modern office buildings, residential towers, and a world-class hotel.

EDGEDAVAO

SPORTS

VOL.5 No. 113 • THURSSDAY, AUGUST 9, 2012

15

Liu Xiang: From heartbreak to hero L

ONDON – The sight was both pathetic and ennobling, depressing and uplifting.

There was Liu Xiang, his second consecutive Olympics ruined almost immediately by catastrophic injury, hopping toward the finish line on his one good leg. The right one, the one that betrayed him in Beijing four years ago and shockingly again here Tuesday morning, could bear no weight.

So Liu hopped. And an Olympic Stadium crowd of 80,000 that had gasped just moments earlier when the Chinese hero crashed on the very first hurdle of his 110-meter preliminary heat began to applaud.

When Liu hopped to the final hurdle, he put both hands on it and bent over – in pain, dejection or a combination of the two. That’s when Hungarian competitor Balazs Baji came to Liu’s side and lifted his arm in the air, the way a boxing referee would acknowledge the winner of a fight.

“I’m so sorry for him, because I respect very much what he’s doing and I like him,” Baji said later. “I was just so sorry.

“I didn’t say anything, because I just couldn’t. I just couldn’t say. I think I showed my respect.”

As the entire stadium showed its respect, Liu hopped on to the finish line in symbolic completion of a competition gone badly wrong.

“We think that’s the truly spirit of the Olympics,” Chinese team leader Feng Shu Yong said. “Winning is important, but he [was] still determined to go to the end line.”

Once there, two more members of his heat stepped in. Jackson Quinonez of Spain and Andy Turner of Great Britain helped him hobble off the track.

“Liu Xiang is very important for the Olympic Games,” Quinonez said. “I am sorry for him.”

Said Turner: “I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy.”

After seeing the 2004 gold medalist fail to clear a single hurdle in the next two Olympic Games, you wonder whether the burden of

being Liu Xiang is more than his body can bear. He’s gone from national hero to heartbreak kid.

The 29-year-old is an athletic star on par in China with basketball icon Yao Ming, and greatness has been expected from him since before he captured the 110 hurdles in Olympic record time in Athens.

But in a sadistic twist of fate and tendon, the saddest sight of the Beijing Olympics repeated itself here Tuesday morning. Four years ago, Liu felt his right China’s Liu Xiang falls in the first hurdle of the men’s 110-meter hurdles, got up and hopped to the fin-

Holy Cross, JMC win Games on Friday (August 10) @ Ladislawa Gym 1:00 PM JPIIC VS MATS 2:30 PM AMA VS EMAR 4:00 PM - HCDC VS AGRO OLY Cross of Davao away.

College Crusaders The Wildcats lost their turned back Univer- first game but they have sity of Mindanao Wildcats played like a true formidable 81 – 74 as John Paul II Col- title contenter in the tournalege Saints defeated Ateneo ment sanctioned by the Sade Davao U Blue Knights 86 – mahang Basketbol ng Pilipi82 in the ongoing 2012 May- nas - Davao City chapter. or Sara and Vice Mayor Rody Rivera brothers, Reggie Duterte - 27th Kadayawan and Reymark, pulled off with sa Dabaw Inter-Collegiate a remarkable performance Men’s Basketball Tourna- as they combined for 29 ment at the Davao City Rec- points for UM which was up reation Center on Tuesday.

16-15 at the end of the first Rookie Kim Rosique, canto.

Francis Espiritu and Lloyd Meanwhile, the Saints Lacida came out big as the clawed back and leaned on a Crusaders, the returning pivotal third quarter to beat runners-up and one of the the William “Butch” Ramirezsentimental picks to win this mentored Blue Knights in year, opened their title cam- their Group B match. paign on a high note.

The Blue Knights were Rosique, a prolific cen- ahead 43-34 after the first ter from Assumption High half behind their fast break School, poured in 15 points plays and superb outside while Espiritu and Lacida sniping of Paulo Dailisan and registered 14 and 13 points Nico Te. respecitvely to help Holy They increased the lead Cross barged to the win- to 14, 50 – 36, in the early ning column in Group A and going of the third before the shared an early lead with Saints mounted a huge comeAgro Sailors. back en route to a 59-58 lead It was only after three entering the final canto. and half quarters that Holy An 8-0 run midway of Cross finally shrugged off the the fourth quarter gave the pesky Wildcats, who kept on Saints a double digit lead, 72 striking back everytime the – 68, and never looked back Crusaders poised to break to seal the victory.

H The United States’s Misty May Treanor, right, dives over her teammate Kerri Walsh Jennings during a women’s semi-final beach volleyball match against China at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. (AP Photo/ Dave Martin)

All set for Phoenix Kadayawan Run

E

VERYTHING is set for this Sunday’s Kadayawan Phoenix Run which boasts of a star-studded field of over 1,000 runners.

Expected to answer the starting gun from the SM City Davao grounds are celebrity runners Alice Dixson, Eula Caballero, Victor Si-

layan, Makata Tanawan, Pat Fernandez, and April ‘Congratulations’ Gustilo who are all mainstays of the run’s television partner TV5.

Likewise, runners from Davao and from Tagum, Compostela Valley, and Manila are among the early birds who have signed up for the race.

ish, kissing the last hurdle and whatever is left of his shattered Olympic dreams.

The Kadayawan Phoenix Run will be staged for the benefit of the Talomo-Lipadas watershed, one of two watersheds that serve as the main source of water supply in Davao City. For every runner, one tree shall be planted to help protect and conserve the watershed. The run is also a tribute to Ninoy Aqui-

no and his ideals of freedom and love of country.

The categories are 500-meter, 3K, 5K, and 10K, with winners each for men and women. Registration has been extended to August 10 to accommodate late registrants.

A Zumba party, a first

FALL, 11

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VOL.5 No. 113 • THURSSDAY, AUGUST 9, 2012

EDGEDAVAO