Edge Davao 5 Issue 116

Nasuko si Batwoman!

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VOL.5 No. 116 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2012

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Conservationists urge boycott of action film

By Vicky Berdina M. de Guzman

Science/ Environment

Property

Sports

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o NoT watch the Hollywood action movie The Expendables 2 when it is shown in Philippine theaters starting august 17.

This is the message of Ms Norma Monfort, chair of the Monfort Bat Cave and Conservation Foundation, who said the filming of the movie had greatly destroyed a portion of a major forest in Bulgaria.

Monfort, who is also known among Dabawenyos as “Batwom-

Explosives used in “The Expendables 2” killed 15 species of European bats. an,” told reporters participating in the Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Monday that the makers of the film, a sequel of the blockbuster “The Expendables” starring Silvester Stallone, Jet Li, Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren, Chuck Nor-

ris, Bruce Willis, Jean Claude van Damme, and arnold Schwarzenegger to name a few, have cleared a portion of a protected and major forest, taking down small trees and shrubs which was beyond the specified area in the permit granted by

the Bulgarian government.

She said excessive explosives were used in making the violent movie and because of this, it has killed 15 species of European bats. according to her, the bats are the major agents of forestation and so it is imperative for people to protect these mammals and all other natural resources.

She said the boycott is important to deliver the message that

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TRADE EXPO. Corn dolls in “tinalak” dress can be seen at the activity area of the Abreeza Mall where the Mindanao Trade Expo 2012 is being held. [LEAN DAVAL JR.]

Mayor Sara says

No imminent threat during Kadayawan

By Jade C. Zaldivar

Follow Us On

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avao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio yesterday said the city faces no imminent threat during the Kadayawan celebration.

She said this following a

But tells DCPO, TFD to intensify security operation

security briefing held August 11 wherein the joint forces of the Davao City Police Office

(DCPo) and the city’s antiterrorist unit Task Force Davao (TFD) updated her on their se-

curity measures.

In an interview at the city hall, Duterte-Carpio said there has been no manifest threat from terrorists and that the

FNO, 11

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THE BIG NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.5 No. 116 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2012

Davao City pours P1.7 M into anti-TB campaign

T SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR Bam Aquino, whose full name is Paolo Benigno A. Aquino IV, a nephew of the late senator “Ninoy” Aquino and first cousin of President “Noynoy”, all named Benigno, tackles several urgent issues in a talk with Davao reporters yesterday. The young

Aquino who’s only in his 30s announced his intention to run for senator next year. Bam is the son of Paul, youngest brother of the late senator, and wife Melanie Aguirre, a Dabawenya. [LEAN DAVAL JR.]

2013 Elections

Dayanghirang to run, but not Avila - mayor

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HILE some former city councilors have manifested their plans to run in next year’s local elections, some have chosen to step out of the limelight. asked in an interview yesterday regarding personalities who have sought her support in next year’s elections, City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said former councilor Danilo Dayanghirang “told me his plan to run last January, but former councilor, now city agriculture office head Leonardo avila III whose term ended in 2010, will not be seeking election.”

The mayor said she

could not confirm talk about other former city councilors seeking election in 2013 as she has not talked to them. on the other hand, she said no businessmen have told her they plan to seek public office.

The mayor also said that her aggrupation, Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod, has not yet met up to discuss their line-up for next year’s elections.

“Hugpong is still finalizing certain legal matters with the Commission on Elections in line with her group’s request for accreditation as a local party list,” she said. [JADE C. ZALDIVAR]

Brgy. 74-A to construct basketball court in 21 days Vicky Berdina M. de Guzman

a

bayanihan-inspired community project sponsored by alaxan FR in partnership with Barangay 74-a (Crossing Matina) has ignited residents’ interest who plan to put up a barangay basketball court in only 21 days—or less.

Together with Edgar C. apag, the project engineer, is Darwin Ramilo, the operations head, who explained to the 93 volunteer members the schedule for building the basketball court. Engr. apag said he would supervise the volunteers who will build the court in only 21 days, after which they would turn it over officially to the barangay.

He told them that it is imperative that they should work together and move as one since this project is already a gift for all of them.

The building of 10 “Courts of Inspiration” will be made

in different cities, Four have already been built while two others are still work in progress.

The four new courts are in in the cities of Butuan, Iloilo, Dumaguete and Bacolod. The on going projects are in Davao City and Saranggani province. other courts will be built in the cities of Tacloban, Tagbilaran, Cagayan de oro and Iligan. apag is positive they could finish each project in 21 days-if the weather cooperates.

However, barangay 74-a captain Joel a. Santes says his volunteers can finish the project in less than 21 days, probably in 10 days and ready as a multi-purpose facility for their special events and meetings.

Ramilo said they are looking forward for the courts to produce future basketball stars.

HE Davao City government has allocated P1.7 million for its anti-tubercolosis program this year. according to ashley Lopez, M.D. medical coordinator of the National Tubercolosis Program of the City Health office and head of the Davao Chest Center said the amount has remained constant the past three years.

The Chest Center has purchased PPT (Purified Protein Derivative) solutions which are skin detection solutions for tracing children who had contacts with TB patients. Part of the funds is spent on purchasing N95 masks to help prevent the spread TB. Citing the achievements of the City in fighting TB. Lo-

pez bared that in 2011 they had examined 16,951 symptomatic patients in the city.

Symptomatic individuals are those who exhibit tuberculosis like symptoms like whooping cough.

The city also achieved a Case Detection Rate of 76% which is above the standard set by the World Health organization target of about 70%. The City posted a Case Detection Rate of 1,510 patients from the 1,980 target, a far cry from Case Detection Rate of 48 recorded in 1976.

There were 2,642 cases enrolled for treatment of which 2,245 were cured. or a cure rate of 85%.

From 2009-2011 ages of Tubercolosis patients referred at the Davao Chest Center were of ages 15 years

old to 64 years old with a sex ration of four males to 1 female.

Lopez said that the City Government has been very active in its tuberculosis programs particularly as there are many ordinances which institutionalize the fight against TB. one of its most recent ordinances the anti-Spitting ordinance passed in 2009 which is aimed at preventing the spread of tuberculosis.

The City also provides free medicines for a regular Drug Susceptible TubercolosisDirectly-observed Treatment Shortcourse (DoTS) treatment which runs up to six months. The total cost of that assistance is estimated at P15,000. [PIA

the Traffic Code is that it allows the city to impose fines on traffic violations through monitoring CCTv (Close Circuit Television) cameras installed in main intersections of the city, also referred to as Nocontact apprehension policy.

CCTv cameras are part of the Public Safety Command Center which serves as the main office for the city’s peace and order.

The amended code also allows the 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). other special features of the Code are: 1. Creation of a Trust Fund from collections of fees fine and penalties to be used for traffic management purposes; 2. 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; 3. The regulation of the operations of motorized fishing vessel three tonnage and below, nonmotorized boat, and other motorized vessel using the City of Davao as port of call; 4. It prohibits illegal fabrication or manufactures or design of public utility vehicles (PUv) such as “uso-uso”, “borabora”, and “payong-payong”, etc.; 5. It provides for other miscellaneous provisions that are of special concern in City of Davao, such as decriminalizing jaywalking and others.

after several public hearings, committee hearings, technical working group meetings and oversight committee meetings,” Councilor Braga said.

Braga said that the IRR of the code will be available “very soon,” adding that the traffic ordinance will not suffer the same fate as that of the Water Code (Water Resources Management and Protection Code of Davao City) which until now could not be implemented in the absence of IRR. The Water Code was first introduced in 1997 and approved in 2002. at least four members of the Sanggunian when it was approved are dead now.

Edge Davao hailed the

approval of the Traffic Code but in an editorial wished it would not suffer the fate of the Water Code for lack of IRR 10 years after its approval.

Councilor Marissa Salvador-abella, chair of the SP committee on environment, said she would initiate a revival of the Water Code with some amendments.

However, abella, whose late father, Councilor Pedro “Pedring” Salvador participated in the approval of the Water Code, said that a new study has to be conducted as new basis for an amended Water Code.

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

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

Sara commends council for Traffic Code approval 11/RG ALAmA]

By Jade C. Zaldivar

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ITy Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio yesterday commended the City Council for passing the Comprehensive Transport and Traffic Management Code of Davao City (Traffic Code).

The mayor said she “hopes the Code will aid the city to improve economically as well as public safety.

“Congratulations to Councilor Braga. Since 2008 pa itong Traffic Code, so congrats to them,” she said referring to Councilor Pilar Braga, author of the Traffic Code along with co-author Councilor victorio U. advincula Jr. one salient feature of

IRR for traffic code in the works

By Antonio M. Ajero

a

GRoUP is now drafting the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Comprehensive Transport and Traffic Management Code of Davao City, also known as the Traffic Code of Davao City, so that it can be enforced as soon as Mayor Sara DuterteCarpio approves it.

This was bared by Dr. Pilar C. Braga, who cosponsored the landmark ordinance with Councilor victorio U. advincula Jr. The code was approved on third and final reading by the Sangguniang Panlungsod during its session of august 7.

“The approval which was unanimous came after years in the making,

FIRR, 11

EDGEDAVAOVOL.5 No. 116 •TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2012

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4 SCIENCE/ENVIRONMENT

VOL.5 No. 116 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Climate change threatens coastal communities

By Jims Vincent T. Capuno

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ISING sea level is seen by many scientists as the most serious likely consequence of global warming. “a continuing rise in average global sea level would inundate parts of many heavily populated river deltas and the cities on them, making them uninhabitable, and would destroy many beaches around the world,” said the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a group of 2,000 scientists which advises the United Nations.

If the current situation continues, the United States-based physicist Dr. Josefino Comiso said the country’s sea levels could rise to seven meters or 23 feet. He knows what he is talking about; he has a 25-year-long research on climate change, which has taken him to the arctic and whose paper correctly predicted the decline of polar ice caps.

“Sea level has been rising 0.2 centimeter per year,” disclosed Dr. Laura David, an oceanographer from the University of the Philippines ’ Marine Science Institute who was invited by a media workshop convened by the Philippine Network of Environmental Journalists.

Dr. David explained on the impacts and challenges of climate change among coastal communities. Climate change, she lamented, is usually associated with land because it is where the people live. as such, coastal areas are hardly taken into account so that even the Philippine agenda on climate change adaptation has only one line on marine resources.

“We usually associate climate change with typhoons and destroyed houses rather than what is happening in the sea. But climate change is actually beyond destruction and structures. It also pertains to food security contributed by coastal areas,” she said. according to the National Framework Strategy on Climate Change 2010-2022, fisheries account for about four percent of the country’s gross domestic product. The fisheries sector employs an estimated million people – 26 percent in aquaculture operations, 6 percent in commercial fishing and 68 percent in marine and freshwater municipal fishing.

Most of the fishes harvested in the Philippines rely much on three coastal environments: coral reefs, seagrasses, and mangroves. all three are likely to suffer from the impacts caused by sea level rise and changes in ocean temperature.

The Philippine coral reefs, the second largest in Southeast asia , are estimated to cover an area of 26,000 square kilometers and hold 2,177 species of fish. Much of these are critical to survival of coastal communities.

Coral reefs are sensitive to global warming because the organisms living within them would leave once the temperature within their environment increases. Without these organisms, Dr. David pointed out, the corals will die.

In fact, increased temperature is one stressor that can cause coral reefs to bleach, which in turn diminish their growth and threaten critical habitat for fish and other marine resources. “an increase of one to two degrees Centigrade can cause corals to bleach, as they expel the algae that provide them with food and lend them their vibrant colors,” explained Molly o’Meara, a staff researcher at the Washington-based Worldwatch Institute. “Sustained increase of 3-4 degrees Centigrade can cause significant coral death.” on their growing stage, fish rely so much on seagrasses as sources of food. The Philippines has 18 species along its coasts, making the country with the second highest (after Western australia ‘s more than 30 species) in terms of the number of seagrasses in the world.

Unfortunately, seagrasses are fast disappearing from Philippine waters. “My present estimate of seagrass areas in the country is roughly 978 square kilometers; but this is only from 48 sites nationwide comprising only about 13% of the entire length of its coastline,” says Dr. Miguel Fortes, the country’s foremost expert on seagrasses. “So you can imagine its huge extent if the entire coastline of the country surveyed?”

Strong typhoons, as a result of climate change, will suffocate seagrasses by silts washed away from the mountains. according

Coastal areas to Dr. David, murky waters are also bad to sea grasses because they prevent the sunlight from reaching the seagrasses. although when the water gets clearer, the grasses may recover but some of them may die also.

“In corals and seagrasses, sea level rise will affect amount and wavelength of light that can penetrate the water and consequently affect primary productivity,” Dr. David pointed out.

Dr. Fortes said coral reefs with their associated seagrasses could potentially supply more than 20 percent of the fish catch in the Philippines . “a total of 1,384 individuals and 55 species from 25 fish families were identified from five seagrass sites in the country,” he reports. “Five times as many fish live over seagrass beds than over sea floors made up of mud, shells, and sand.”

In short, where there’s seagrass, there’s fish, and for the average Filipino, where there’s fish, there is food and livelihood.

The resilient mangroves are not spared from the consequences of climate change. Quoting data from the United Nations, Dr. David said that 13 percent of the world’s mangroves “will be drowned by 2100.”

“There are 25 to 30 species of true mangrove trees and an equal number of associated species,” says Dr. Fortes. all of them are very important to marine life. They serve as sanctuaries and feeding grounds

for fish that nibble on detritus (fallen and decaying leaves) trapped in the vegetation, and on the bark and leaves of living trees. “(Mangroves) are important feeding sites for many commercially important fish species (mullet, tilapia, eel, and especially milkfish), shrimps, prawns, mollusks, crabs, and sea cucumbers,” a World Bank report notes.

“Fry that gather in mangrove areas are very important for aquaculture.”

The three coastal ecosystems are very important to various fish species. There are those that will be greatly affected if one habitat is destroyed. Most likely to suffer from the perils of climate change is lapulapu (grouper) as it grows in different stages in the three ecosystems.

When young, the grouper lives in mangroves and goes to sea grass areas

when it’s bigger. It lives in coral bed upon maturity.

“So when one of these systems is destroyed, it is the first one to vanish,” Dr. David said.

She urged Filipinos to protect these ecologically-fragile ecosystems, which she considers as allies. They are not only sources of food, but they also help in protecting people living near the seashore.

“Coral reefs, seagrasses and mangrove provide protection to coastal communities as they naturally buffer against high-energy waves, even under the scenario of sea level rise,” Dr. David declared.

Global warming refers to an increase in average global temperatures, which in turn cause climate change. “To completely understand why global warming happens, it is important to know that our atmosphere,

which is made up of gases such as nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide as well as water vapor, has a profound influence on Earth’s surface temperature,” explains the Washingtonbased Worldwatch Institute.

Gases such as carbon dioxide and methane absorb heat, thus reducing the amount that escapes back to space. “as the atmosphere absorbs heat energy,” Worldwatch notes, “it warms the oceans and the surface of the Earth. This process is called the greenhouse effect. Without this effect, the Earth’s atmosphere would average about 50 degrees Fahrenheit colder, making it impossible to sustain life on Earth. Rising levels of heat absorbing greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will increase global temperatures (called global warming).”

EDGEDAVAOVOL.5 No. 116 •TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2012

THE ECONOMY

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BPI posts P9.4 billion net income T

HE Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) reported a net income of P9.4 billion for the first half of the year, 52% higher than the P6.2 billion realized in the same period last year.

This translated to a 21% Return on Equity and a 2.3% Return on assets.

Net income for the second quarter was P3.6 billion, 8% higher than a year ago due to the 9.4% increase in net interest income but tempered by the higher tax line.

Both non interest income and operating expenses were relatively flat against the same quarter last year.

Addressing the media on the Bank’s first half 2012 operating results and significant growth in profits are (from left to right) Antonio V. Paner, EVP and Head of Global Banking; Jose Teodoro Limcaoco, BPI Family

For the first semester, the significant growth in profits was mainly driven by the 24% improvement in revenues. Net interest income rose by 9% while noninterest income surged by 51%.

Improvement in net interest income was due to the

Savings Bank President; Gil A. Buenaventura, SEVP and Chief Operating Officer; Natividad Alejo, SVP and Head of Consumer Banking; and Alfonso Salcedo, EVP and Head of Corporate Banking.

combined effect of a P32 billion increase in average asset base and a 14 bps improvement in net spreads. Noninterest income was boosted by the extraordinary level of trading gains realized in the first quarter of the year as the Bank sold down its securities inventory. operating expense growth slowed down to 9% with increases registered across all categories of expenses. Impairment loss and income taxes remained to be ahead of the previous year

by P438 million and P159 million, respectively.

Loan growth from all segments was sustained as net loan portfolio reached P480 billion, 17% higher than a year ago. Both the middle market and SME segments contributed a 19% growth while the top corporate segment went up by 15%. Consumer lending increased by 17%. Despite the double-digit growth in portfolio, asset quality continued to improve with net 30-day NPL ratio at 1.4% from last

year’s 1.8%. Reserve cover was 140.8%.

Total intermediated funds amounted to P1.46 trillion as the Bank’s total deposits stood at P734 billion with growth coming largely from low cost deposits. assets under management was P730 billion, a 15% growth from last year.

BPI’s market capitalization was P265 billion at end of June and remains the largest among domestic banks. Its Basel 2 Capital adequacy Ratio (CaR) was 14.5%.

Mr. Gil a. Buenaventura, Senior Executive vice President and Chief operating

officer of BPI commented, “We are happy to see that loan growth has remained resilient though slightly below the first quarter performance.

We expect challenges going forward especially on our net interest margin with the recent cut in the BSP overnight borrowing rate.

We will however try to seize opportunities given the continued domestic economic growth, notwithstanding the impact of the Eurozone slowdown. at this point in time, we are on track with our target of delivering a sustainable 15% return on equity.”

Globe cash dividend payments to reach P8.6 billion by 3Q 2012

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oTaL cash dividend payments of leading telecommunications company Globe Telecom will reach P8.6 billion by September this year, representing about 86% of its 2011 core net income.

Globe Telecom’s Board of Directors recently approved the declaration of the second semi-annual cash dividend of P32.50 per common share payable on September 18, 2012 to shareholders on record as of august 28, 2012.

Last March 16, Globe also issued a cash dividend of P32.50, bringing total cash dividend payments this year to P65 per common share.

This year’s payout is also higher by P400 million compared to P8.2 billion dividends in 2011 which was equivalent to 84% of prior year’s net income.

“We at Globe take pride in the company’s consistent performance over the years and in increasing shareholder value. It has always been our aim to provide superior returns to our shareholders and these cash dividends show our com-

SMUGGLED. A man along Roxas Ave. lures passersby to buy his products by telling them what he sells are smuggled goods. [LEAN DAVAL JR].

mitment to achieving this vision,” said Ernest L. Cu, President and CEo. Earlier, data from Thomson Reuters StarMine showed that Globe was able to offer the highest dividend yield of 8.3 among 39 stocks in the Philippines.

Under the amended Globe dividend policy, shareholders will receive 75% to 90% of prior year’s core net income instead of reported net income.

Core net income excludes all foreign exchange and mark-to-market charges, as well as nonrecurring items such as accelerated depreciation charges arising from its IT transformation and network modernization programs.

The policy change ensures that dividends and yields remain competitive. over the years, Globe continues to provide one of the highest dividend yields in the local market and among telecom companies in the region, thereby, earning it the top spot in the Most Consistent Dividend Policy award of alpha Southeast asia and Commitment to a Strong Dividend Policy award of Financeasia last June 2012.

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THE ECONOMY

VOL.5 No. 116 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

PBGEA recomeneds

Stop exporting bananas to China

By Carlo P. Mallo

I

SEEDLINGS. One of the stalls in the on going 8th Mindanao Vegetable Congress at Grand Men Seng Hotel sells different varieties of rare vegetable seedlings.

[LEAN DAVAL JR.]

Mindanao traders group urged to ‘give back’ for environment D

ELEGaTES to the recently-concluded largest annual gathering of business leaders from across Mindanao were urged to take active stance in helping save the island-region’s environment from further degradation. at the closing of the 21st Mindanao Business Conference held here recently, Mindanao Development authority (MinDa) chair Secretary Luwalhatiantonino sought the active participation of the business sector in setting industry standards for green technology. antonino also asked Mindanao’s key business players to sustain efforts for environmental initiatives through their corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs, during her speech at the con-

cluding day of the conference, “Mindanao is host to eight of the major river basins in the country,” said antonino, adding that major industries in Mindanao rely on these bodies of water for commercial and other purposes.

She said that Mindanao’s environment is now facing serious challenges over decades of wanton logging, unregulated mining activities, illegal fishing practices, and unsustainable manufacturing activities by extractive industries.

“Damage brought on Mindanao’s rich natural environment range from moderate to severe, some of which are irreparable,” said antonino, citing data from the Mindanao 2020 Peace and Development Framework Plan (Mindanao 2020), Mindanao’s

long-term peace and development roadmap formulated

by MinDa in partnership with key line government agencies, private sector, and civil society groups across the island-region.

Furthermore, antonino stressed that Mindanao suffers from rotating brownouts owing to the critical condition of watersheds in Lanao del Norte and Bukidnon where the agus and Pulangihydro power plants are located.

With only 23% forest cover left as of 2003, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) disclosed earlier that Mindanao has already lost two thirds of its total forest cover over the years.

This problem has long been neglected, according to antonino, pushing MinDa to

put together the MindaNoW Nurturing our Waters (MindaNoW) Program that seeks to integrate and harmonize a ridge-to-reef approach in managing and developing the island-region’s watersheds and river basins.

“The MindaNoW Program provides platforms for publicprivate convergence and this is where multi-national companies and local business players can come in,” said antonino. antonino added that MindaNoW stakeholders all over Mindanao have started to plant trees in support to the National Greening Program of President Benigno S. aquino III being led by DENR. The program aims to plant 1.5-billion trees covering about 1.5-million hectares nationwide by 2016. [mINDA]

LoNG the 9-km stretch of ortigas avenue from Cainta, Rizal in Manila’s eastern outskirts to San Juan City, at least five hawkers separately clamber up air conditioned buses to sell their spotted quail eggs in plastic packets.

They compete with peddlers of peanuts fried in vegetable oil and cashew nuts – between P5 and P10 per small pack. at Metro Manila provincial bus terminals, quail eggs, said to be good sources of protein, vendors go through nearly sleepless nights waiting for buyers of their items sold as – according to

them – homecoming gifts or to address hunger along the expressway.

Up north, time was when quails, the common small and tailless bird of the Phasianidae family under the order of Galliformes, were a frequent sight in the region’s wooded hills The quail –- “pugo” up north and in most parts of the archipelago -- is a small (17 cm) rotund bird, essentially streaked brown with a white eyestripe and, in the male, a white chin.

Given its migratory nature, it has long wings, unlike the typically shortwinged game birds.

When a quail gets to be six to eight weeks old, it breeds on open arable farmland and grassland across most of the country and across other nations in asia, laying 6-12 eggs in a ground nest which take 16 to 18 days to hatch. official sources say the quail industry in the Philippines has for years become more than a backyard business because of its economical production cost and easy-to-learn raising techniques.

Those who have had their passports stamped by immigration authorities abroad would tell their friends back home

the French and Italians take delight in serving quail meat on their dining tables.

Elsewhere, asians variedly sell fresh, packed, shelled, canned or boxed quail eggs -- considerably a scrumptious entree and a well-known ingredient for elegant food items like cakes, mayonnaise, breads, leche flan and other pastries.

Sometimes, on busy pavements in Manila’s University Belt, students and other passers-by revel in the hawked kwek kwek, perhaps as popular as the hard-boiled five quail eggs in a plastic sachet. [PNA]

Quail raising, a promising backyard industry in PHL a

F the Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters association could have its way, it would cease all exports of Cavendish bananas to China.

“If only we could stop our exports to China, we would. But it is impossible to do that, especially with the small players who only have China as their market,” Stephen antig, PBGEa executive director, said.

Currently, the Chinese market is being penetrated by South american countries.

There are also reports that some officials are being bribed by exporters so that their shipments would be allowed entry into China.

“Ecuador is not feasible for the Chinese market in the long run. It is too far and too costly to ship from there. China can ban us only for so long. But we should be the one teaching them a lesson, we should stop all shipments of Cavendish bananas to China,” antig said.

The ban being imposed by China continues to pose a threat to the country’s banana export-

ing industry. Several companies are in tight financial straits as the ban goes into its fifth month.

While China has not formally announced a ban on Cavendish bananas from the Philippines, the requirements that the Chinese government issued for Philippine exports were drafted in such manner that it would be impossible for exporters to comply with.

Just last week, antig said that two of their members, mainly largescale banana exporters, are thinking of shutting down their operations.

“The industry is in deep trouble,” antig said.

“We faced many problems before, but none as serious as what we are facing right now. It is very difficult for most of them have rolling capital only. 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 different government agencies have promised to help the industry in both technical and financial support.

Drilling begins for coal plant project

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RILLING activities are now underway for the construction of the alcantara-led $450 million coal-fired power plant in Maasim, Sarangani, a company official said. oscar Benedict E. Contreras III, alsons Power BusinessUnit manager for communications and stakeholder relations, said that South Korean firm Daelim Industrial Co. Ltd is supervising the drilling operations.

“The drilling activity is part of the geotechnical engineering study being conducted under the supervision of Daelim in order to determine the condition of the soil underneath where the plant is to be built,” Contreras told MindaNews.

Daelim was earlier awarded the right to construct the200-megawatt coal power plant of Sarangani Energy Corp. that is expected to go on stream in 2015.

In late June, Sarangani Energy hiked its authorized capital to P4.25 billion ($100 million). “The increase in capital stock will cover equity in the development, construction and operation of the SEC Power Plant in Maa-

sim, Sarangani,” an earlier company statement said.

The company’s equity represents 4.25 billion shares at P1per share.

The alcantara Group is the controlling investor in Sarangani Energy, which also includes the Electricity Generating Public Co. Ltd of Thailand.

Sarangani Energy took over as the implementing company of the power plant project from Conal Holdings Corp. with an initial paid up capital of P5 million.

The increase in authorized capital came following a company pronouncement that Daelim has been cleared to proceed with work on the plant’s first phase.

Daelim’s contract covers the plant’s engineering, procurement, and construction.

Contreras earlier said that the detailed design and engineering of the power station will run through the third quarter of 2012, leading to the actual erection and installation works of the power plant.

Sarangani Energy had acquired an environmental compliance certificate in 2009 from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. [BoNG SARmIENto/mINDANEwS]

THE ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAOVOL.5 No. 116 •TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2012

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Is your house safe from flooding?

Here are FaQs you should read about flooding

a

SM City GenSan’s interactive fountain draws crowds

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HoPPERS at the newly opened SM City General Santos at the corner of Santiago Boulevard and San Miguel avenue can’t help but notice the interactive fountain located in the al Fresco strip at the mall’s first level.

The first of its kind in the city, the fountain is a wonderful interplay of lights and water.

The approximately 400 square meter fountain has one huge spray of water in

the middle which can reach up to 12 meters, as well as smaller spurts of the side.

People immediately gathered around the area the moment it was turned on, making it a favorite photo op area.

The row of dining establishments along the twostory al Fresco Strip is the best place to see the fountain while dining. SM City General Santos will also have events for shoppers in the al Fresco area, making it a perfect lei-

sure and entertainment destination.

SM City General Santos, which opened last august 10, is SM Prime Holdings 45th Supermall, and the third in Mindanao. The 125,000 square meter mall will serve shoppers in the Tuna Capital of the Philippines as well as the rest of the SoCSaRGEN region.

Mixing great retail with great design, it brings many innovative design features

to GenSan including the first scenic elevators in the city wrapped in a Cinderella staircase, its al fresco dining area, and eco-friendly elements.

It is a shopping, leisure, and entertainment haven with major anchors like the SM Department Store, SM Supermarket, 4 digital cinemas, a food court, and exciting shops and restaurants. It has a five storey parking building and transport area for customer convenience.

HE budget department has already released the money that will fund the removal of informal settlers from danger zones that are often affected by natural disasters such as massive floods and landslides.

“Nagbigay na ng pondo ang DBM para sa housing for the relocation of informal settlers in danger

areas. Kaya ito ang inuna kasi sila ang talagang delikado dahil sa kinalalagyan ng kanilang mga bahay,” Deputy Presidential spokesperson abigail valte said on Saturday (aug. 11).

The money has been given to the National Housing authority and the government will soon work to immediately remove the informal settlers from dan-

ger zones.

In the meantime, the focus of government agencies is relief and evacuation of flood-affected residents, valte said. after the relief and evacuation phase, the government will proceed to the resettlement phase, she added. as of this time, however, the government has yet to receive final reports

on damage infrastructure, proposed resettlement projects, dredging, flood control and solid waste management measures, valte said.

During President aquino’s visits to flooded areas this week, he vowed to address the flooding problem in Metro Manila and in nearby provinces. In Pampanga, he promised to help the local government of the province to build dikes that will protect it from flood water.

While in valenzuela also this week, the President mentioned building an eight-kilometer road dike that will shield the CaMaNava area and some places in Bulacan from flood.

He said that these projects may cost more than P2 billion and will require two to three years to complete.

The President instructed Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson to assess damaged infrastructure and oversee rebuilding efforts.

Palace to relocate informal settlers in danger zones T

RE you looking for ways to protect your home from flooding?

There are many things you can do, depending on the flood hazard in your area, the characteristics of your property, and the zoning and building codes in your community. Some methods are fairly simple and inexpensive; others will require a professional contractor.

This homeowner’s checklist will help you become familiar with what you can do. For more information about the costs and benefits of each method, talk to a professional builder, architect or contractor.

Do you know your flood risk?

Call your the Emergency Preparedness Division for information about flooding. Ask to see a flood map of your community. There may be a projected flood elevation for your neighborhood. This information will help you determine how much water is likely to come in.

Do you have enough flood insurance?

Even if you have taken steps to protect your home from flooding, you still need flood insurance if you live in a floodplain.

Homeowners’ policies do not cover flood damage, so you will probably need to purchase a separate policy.

It takes 30 days for a flood policy to take effect.

This is why you need to purchase flood insurance before flooding occurs.

Is the main electric switch-box located above potential flood waters?

The main electric panel board (electric fuses or circuit breakers) should be at least 12” above the projected flood elevation for your home. The panel board height is regulated by code. all electrical work should be done by a licensed electrician. are electric outlets and switches located above potential flood waters?

Consider elevating all electric outlets, switches, light sockets, baseboard heaters and wiring at least 12” above the projected flood elevation for your home. you may also want to elevate electric service lines (at the point they enter your home) at least 12” above the projected flood elevation.

In areas that could get wet, connect all receptacles to a ground fault interrupter (GFI) circuit to avoid the risk of shock or electrocution.

Have electrical wiring done by a licensed electrician. are the washer and dryer above potential flood waters?

For protection against shallow flood waters, the washer and dryer can sometimes be elevated on masonry or pressure-treated lumber at least 12” above the projected flood elevation. other options are moving the washer and dryer to a higher floor, or building a floodwall around the appliances. are the furnace and water heater above potential flood waters?

The furnace and water heater can be placed on masonry blocks or concrete at least 12” above the projected flood elevation, moved to inside a floodwall or moved to a higher floor. (you have more options for protecting a new furnace. ask your utility about rebates for new energy efficient furnaces.

The rebate plus the savings in fuel costs could make the purchase feasible.)

Furnaces that operate horizontally can be suspended from ceiling joists if the joists are strong enough to hold the weight. Installing a draft-down furnace in the attic may be an option if allowed by local codes. Some heating vents can be located above the projected flood elevation. outside air conditioning compressors, heat pumps or package units (single units that include a furnace and air conditioner) can be placed on a base of masonry, concrete or pressure treated lumber. all work must conform to state and local building codes.

Is the fuel tank anchored securely? a fuel tank can tip over or float in a flood, causing fuel to spill or catch fire. Cleaning up a house that has been inundated with flood waters containing fuel oil can be extremely difficult and costly.

Fuel tanks should be securely anchored to the floor.

Make sure vents and fill line openings are above projected flood levels. Propane tanks are the property of the propane company. you’ll need written permission to anchor them. ask whether the company can do it first.

Be sure all work conforms to state and local building codes.

Does the floor drain have a float plug?

Install a floating floor drain plug at the current drain location. If the floor drain pipe backs up, the float will rise and plug the drain.

Does the sewer system have a backflow valve?

If flood waters enter the sewer system, sewage can back up and enter your home. To prevent this, have a licensed plumber install an interior or exterior backflow valve.

8 VANTAGE POINTS

VOL.5 No. 116 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Starbucks want your phone to be your wallet COMMEnTARY

By John C. ABell

a

EDITORIAL

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Questioning development

N eminent Filipino environmentalist was reported yesterday to have claimed that rapid development of Metro Manila was partly if not mainly the reason for the crazy behavior of the weather that caused two weeks of severe flooding in the national capital region and neighboring areas.

The floods as reported in media claimed the lives of close to 100 people, destroyed property worth billions of pesos and virtually paralyzed the metropolitan area of 14 million people.

In a story carried by the Philippine Daily Inquirer yesterday, Jose Ma. Lorenzo Tan, chief operating officer of Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF)-Philippines, said that “Filipinos, not the monsoon rains, are to blame for the deluge.”

Tan argued that disaster was a “result of unfettered and mindless march to urbanization.”

Tan said the problem lies in Metro Manila’s poor planning, political gridlock, inadequate or inappropriate urban management, inadequate implementation of zoning rules and land use plans, haphazard real estate development, among others.

“Like most megacities in asia, Metro Manila has adopted the long outdated Western development model referred to as ‘the urban

EDGEDAVAO

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

Providing solutions to a seamless global village.

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Door 14 ALCREJ Building, Quirino Avenue, 8000, Davao City, Philippines Tel: (082) 301-6235 Telefax: (082) 221-3601 www.edgedavao.net editorial@edgedavao.net marketing@edgedavao.net

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sprawl,“ according to the expert who has lectured on the clear and imminent dangers of climate change a number of times in Davao.

In one meeting where he was a lecturer together with former Environment secretary Elizea G. Gozun, a Dabawenya, Tan was reported to have said that if climate change will not be arrested, seawater in Davao City will rise from five to seven meters in 2050. observant Dabawenyos certainly may have noticed that the urbanization phenomenon taking place in Manila is already happening here. We only have to look around us to confirm this. Urbanization is here, so is urban sprawl.

Tan’s analysis could well apply to our situation here. It’s high time we learn from the Metro Manila experience to spare ourselves and future Dabawenyos the terrible consequences of mindless over-development.

Davao City’s political, economic leaders and development planners ought to learn from recent natural disasters that have wrought havoc in most parts of Luzon and act accordingly while we still have the luxury of time to reassess the situation and do what is right.

Climate change is here to stay, we better believe it.

ARLENE D. PASAJE Cartoons

RAMON M. MAXEY Consultant

GREGORIO G. DELIGERO Associate

CARLO P. MALLO Features and Lifestyle

KENNETH IRVING K. ONG LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR., • JOSEPH LAWRENCE P. GARCIA Photography Creative Solutions LORIE ANN A. CASCARO • JADE C. ZALDIVAR • MOSES C. BILLACURA Staff Writers

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

JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance

RICHARD C. EBONA IMELDA P. LEE Advertising Specialists

AGUSTIN V. MIAGAN JR Circulation

CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING OFFICE

LEIZEL A. DELOSO | Marketing Manager Unit 6, Southbank Plaza Velez-Yacapin Sts. Cagayan de Oro City Tel: (088) 852-4894

MANILA MARKETING OFFICE

ANGELICA R. GARCIA | Marketing Manager Blk. 1, Lot 10, La Mar Townhomes, Apitong St., Marikina Heights, Marikina City Tel: (02) 942-1503

(Conclusion)

NoTHER NFC player, Isis, has signed up such big chains as Macy’s, aéropostale, Dillard’s and Foot Locker. PayPal, the original virtual payments company, is getting in the game with another NFC alternative. apple waits on the sidelines. We’ll see soon enough whether apple will finally incorporate an NFC chip in the iPhone 5. But we do know that apple will be introducing its own virtual wallet, “Passbook,” which is neither NFC or GPS but serves up bar codes a retailer can scan (the technique the Starbucks app currently employs and the one used in the initial implementation of Square at Starbucks). apple might be even less inclined to include NFC because of its own strategic plans – it already has hundreds of millions of credit cards stored via iTunes – and because of its increasingly sharp rivalry with NFC-backer Google. But even if the iPhone 5 introduces NFC, no older versions of the handset will have it, and there will be plenty of those models in use for some time to come.

So, if you were betting on which technology was going to win, which would it be? NFC or GPS? I’d say the latter.

Despite NFC’s head start and heavyweight supporters, the Square approach can undercut NFC on both hardware and recurring costs.

The hardware is a computer or tablet a retailer already has, and Square only charges a 2.75 percent fee on each transaction, less than the typical charge other credit-card-processing companies impose on the seller. Consumers don’t have to buy anything: They just have to download an app and sign up for the service.

For retailers, the allure of GPS lies not only in dead-simple adoption – no new equipment required – but in the marketing potential. Pay with Square’s directory lists establishments that use it – and the ones close to you. Stores can display specials offers, a menu, contact information and even offer pre-ordering, all within the app, which then “pays” when you’ve picked up your purchase. It’s a mashup of yelp and Foursquare and Google Local, with the added ease of a borderline non-existent checkout process.

Strong brands like Starbucks count for a lot, of course, but most things (just like coffee) are commodities: Service is the ultimate differentiator in a world where people choose among like items based primarily on price.

Tech like Square allows a merchant to greet Ms. Jones by name the first time she shows up – your picture is part of the “Pay with Square” profile you set up. It makes it possible (eventually) to ask Ms. Jones if she’d like another of the same when she becomes a return customer weeks later. NFC doesn’t know you’re there until you pay.

Retailers, not consumers, will determine who comes out on top in this revolution. and they like the path of least resistance. Point of sale is the most delicate part of the bricks-andmortar shopping experience – I’m convinced that a big reason the apple stores do so well is that the cash register comes to you, in the back pocket of the person who’s been helping you the moment you entered the store.

Unless NFC quickly becomes as common as a phone camera, there may not be enough time to counter the buzz from a strong GPS public beta. Starbucks has some 7,000 U.S. locations, and its customers are already hip to paying with their phones: Starbucks has processed more than 42 million transactions since its app went national in January 2011, and the pace has been accelerating.

The challenge for Square is not just to make GPS work on a huge scale and stay ahead of rival tech pushed by Google and other big players. With this high-profile partnership, Square needs to quickly implement the most dazzling of its features at Starbucks, so far pushed to some indeterminate future date. and it needs to continue to innovate so it can keep potential GPS – and NFC – rivals off balance.

EDGEDAVAOVOL.5 No. 116 •TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2012

VANTAGE POINTS

Piglets source of pride and pesos for Manong Pitoy, until…

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CoRES of piglets in a spacious pigsty at the back of Manong Pitoy’s capacious compound off the national highway in the rice-growing town of Moncada used to give incessant rings to his cash register. and the health of his piglets had given him, a practicing dental surgeon, an added income, not to mention his take home pay as an elected local government official.

Income from his clinic along the busy highway and from his pigpen, away from clusters of town houses, has enabled him to send his five children to some of the best universities in the metropolis.

Until one day, the piglets, one after the other, started showing signs of what a veterinarian relative told him was edema, a complicated but rather frequent gastrointestinal disorder affecting millions of piglets each year. veterinarians say the major symptoms include disorders of the nervous system, puffy eyelids, sometimes diarrhea, lameness, loss of appetite, depressed performance, poor overall condition and raised mortality.

They say edema disease is caused by pathogenic strains of Escherichia coli, a Gram-negative rod or coccobacillus which has flagellae, F18 fimbriae (filamentous adhesins) in two forms, F18ab and F18ac and vTIIe, vT2e, SLT IIe or SLT2e toxin (the same thing).

The identity of the disease, which grows aerobically and anaerobically on a wide variety of media, is confirmed by biochemical tests.

E. coli can survive drying for months, is killed by heating to 66°C for 30 minutes and by most disinfectants. It is sensitive to many antimicrobials but resistance has been recorded.

It was a learning experience for the dentist of three decades, who was told by his veterinarian-friends the E. coli strains --

SPECIAL FEATURE By honor BlAnCo CABie which might have been responsible for his piglets’ disease -- usually belong to serotype 0139: K12: H1, 0138 K81 NW, 0141 K85 ab H4 and 0141 K85 ac H4.

They have said these pathogenic E. coli multiply throughout the small intestine and adhere to the epithelial (lining) cells by means of the F18 fimbriae. E. coli levels are greatest two days post-infection.

Toxin is produced and absorbed to the smooth muscle cells of the arterioles to cause hypertension, following which the sub-mucosal arterioles are damaged.

These changes are responsible for the edema and for the nervous signs and central nervous system lesions.

Manong Pitoy, anxious about the future of his piglets, wanted to know more as regards the effects of edema disease, particularly now that the line of patients streaming to his clinic was getting thin. according to the veterinarians, the disease occurs within 10 days of weaning and affects the better piglets in the group. outbreaks begin with one or more pigs being found dead and others developing varying degrees of nervous disturbance -a scenario that rakes up fright in his past middle-age memory. affected pigs appear dull, may appear blind and may show head pressing -- exactly as the dentist noticed in his sounder of piglets about a week back.

General incoordination and loss of balance occur later and may be noted at feeding time. affected animals lag behind others and are less able to reach the trough.

Lateral reclination with paddling movements leading to coma and death, normally follow within 4-36 hours of the onset of clinical signs, according to veterinarians.

affected pigs may have edema of the eyelids, nose and ears and early cases may have a peculiar, squeaky voice.

Body temperature may reach 40°C early on in the disease but rectal temperature is often normal when clinical signs develop.

Neither constipation, nor diarrhea, is a constant feature. affected pigs often die but may recover completely, apart from a check in growth or remain with a head tilt, gait disturbance or paralysis.

Edema disease has occurred in sows as lack of appetite and progressive locomotor disturbance, leading within hours or days to loss of control of the hind limbs and eventual lying back.

Manong Pitoy was immediately advised by his friends to shift quickly to treatment -- a span of 3-5 days –- after clinical signs were noted.

He was advised to give for 10 days infeed medication with chlortetracycline, oxytetracycline, apramycin, neomycin, sulphonamide, trimethoprim: sulphonamide and enrofloxacin. anti-microbial treatment in the drinking water or feed during the period of risk will control while zinc oxide reduces the incidence. at the same time, he was told the disease can be prevented by limiting the feed in recently weaned pigs or by increasing roughage, use of acidifiers, correction of environmental problems and weaning by removal of the sow.

Weaning with scrupulous attention to hygiene and environment, with frequent small feeds of digestible rations after weaning, may prevent the disease.

The man-hours were long and jumpy for Manong Pitoy, and the cost involved made a hefty dent in his savings.

But he wanted to beat the hump. and he was determined. [PNA]

9

Sigh of frustration

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aN LaWS BE ENFoRCED aGaINST CHEaTING aND ovERPRICING TRaDERS? – Time and again high profile officials of concerned government agencies have declared that prices of basic commodities, notably rice, flour, sugar, canned goods, pork, beef, poultry and sea produce and other essential food items have gradually been going down. With the price trending slowly down, if there’s really such a thing, wholesalers and retailers probably are now obliged to follow government directives and immediately implement the ‘suggested retail price’ (SRP) scheme.

The desperate and disgusted poor consumers heave a collective sigh of relief upon learning of the “good news” conveyed by concerned agencies particularly the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) people. on nationwide Tv, newspapers and radio, consumers recurrently learned from government executives about the directive urging traders to lower the prices of their goods because prices of raw stuffs and supplies likewise plummeted in the market.

However, consumers and end-users let out a sigh of frustration because the supposed adjusted prices in the markets and grocery stores have remained unchanged. again, the sad lament is: “why should government people engaged in rhetoric assuring consumers that prices of basic necessities are going down when there are no indications that businessmen actually are following the pricing regulations imposed by the government?”

Will the unscrupulous traders lower the prices of their goods to the pre-oil price increase levels or right now that many areas in the country especially the Greater Manila districts and the rest of Luzon are badly devastated by monsoon rains, landslides and submerged in ravaging floodwaters? But as far as we could remember, poor consumers as always were shockingly the likely victims of thick-faced businessmen who took advantage of the situation – bad or fair weather.

Well, it is not a breach to be repetitive therefore we would like to remind the millions of manipulated poor consumers and end-users that unless government arrests some of the noted cheats and profiteers and execute them in public parks in full view of the irate and aghast people to get rid of price scheming, the most likelihood is they will not.

That’s precisely the reason why many abusive businessmen conduct their trade with impunity and even right under the noses of concerned government agencies.

Government representatives notably the DTI employees want the infuriated consuming public to believe that laws can be imposed against cheats and profiteers that they can even boastfully rattle some names and certain arrests. Goodness gracious! But we are talking about millions of exploited consumers and enforcement setting that is pockmarked with inefficiency and ineptitude. Most of the time or maybe all the time the hapless consumers are always at the losing end.

Concerned government agencies and its well-paid bureaucrats should start admitting the helplessness of government amid its puny effort to curb if not totally eradicate hoarding and profiteering. The government administrators’ way of perking up the exasperated consumers, as their wont, is to impress and assure them that the agencies, DTI in particular intensify it’s no non-sense campaign against cheating and overpricing and to conduct periodic inspection, strictly monitor price movements of basic goods in all establishments.

They even urged consumers to immediately call their hotlines if some business firms are found violating government directives.

With the evasive tactics employed by some cheating and profiteering establishments despite threat by the DTI and law enforcement units to run after violators, there is a very little chance that the prices of basic commodities and other items vital to the lives and survival of the poor majority can be return to their original levels before the oil price adjustments. as we’ve been saying all along, no price hike of basic goods, which were direct offshoot of oil price increases return back to the previous levels before the adjustments were announced.

We’re quite sure that government price monitoring teams are detailed in public markets, grocery stores, supermarkets and other business outlets, but were probably busy eating and collecting goodies from the establishments they are supposed to monitor. Some were probably looking at the opposite direction for obvious reasons. We surmised their philosophy is: if other government agents can engage in “monetary tribute” scheme, why can’t we join the fray? Each to his own ploy, isn’t it? The end result – the drive against hoarding and profiteering ended up in total failure.

EDGEDAVAO 10 COMMUNITY SENSE Construction of P17.3-M Pamacaun dam starts VOL.5 No. 116 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2012

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he National Irrigation Administration (NIA) will soon start the construction of the P17.3-million Pamacaun Communal Irrigation Project, which is touted to dramatically increase rice production in Barangay Pamacaun, Asuncion town, as well as, neighboring villages.

1st District Congressman Anthony del Rosario led the groundbreaking ceremonies of the project that includes building of a diversion dam, canal system and farm facilities.

1st District Congressman Anthony del Rosario (3rd right) leads groundbreaking of the P17-million irrigation project in Pamacaun, Asuncion, Davao del Norte, together with Mayor Joseph Nilo Parenas, NIA-XI Regional Manager

The project intends to cover some 300 hectares of potential irrigable areas and benefit 106 farmer-beneficiaries. other guests present at the occasion include NIa-XI Regional Manager Engr. Julius Maquiling, Mayor Joseph Nilo Parreñas, Division Manager Engr. Cornelio Bautista and other local officials.

Gov. Rodolfo P. del Rosario, who had a previous appointment, was represented

by Executive assistant John Taroy.

Engr. Julius Maquiling, Division Manager Engr. Cornelio Bautista and other guests.

World Vision campaigns for child sponsorship in Davao

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HE World vision’s fundraisers team is opening up a weeklong campaign in the city on august 13-18 to promote its child sponsorship program.

Crislyn Felisilda, World vision communications specialist, said their Davao City Caravan intends to engage capable individuals “to be part of our ministry.”

The caravan seeks to draw more kind and generous individuals for 50 poor children and its families and communities, Felisilda told the media Wednesday in time for the 13th anniversary of Club 888 Forum at Marco Polo Hotel.

She said funds that will be raised during the Caravan, which is part of World vision’s 55th anniversary celebration, will support children in communities assisted by World vision.

Celebrity sponsor and balladeer Christian Bautista will be joining the Davao City Caravan on august 13, Felisilda disclosed.

She added that Bautista will also visit communities in the city where World vision has been supporting the education of the children and the livelihood of their families.

Prior to the community visit, an orientation on the activity will be held at the octane Café, Regency Inn at 12:00 noon, also on august 13.

The international organization will also put up exhibits of its Child Sponsorship program from august 13 to 18 at abreeza Mall, Davao City.

World vision’s Child Sponsorship program provides for the education, healthcare, child protection, and community assistance to children

and their families in need, Felisilda said.

She added that World vision aspires for every child to enjoy good health, be educated for life, experience love of God and their neighbor, be cared for, protected and participating. on its 55th year, which takes the theme “Sharing the Joy of Hope,” the organization aims “to inspire more Filipinos to take on the collective responsibility of sharing hope and reaching out to help their fellow men in poverty.”

Felisilda said the child-focused organization has been working since 1957 to uplift the lives of children in some of the country’s poorest provinces.

Currently, World vision assists more than 112,000 children and their families in 29 provinces in the country, she added. (PIA-11/CARINA L. CAyoN)

aST august 8, Grand Regal Hotel Davao celebrated its 14th Founding anniversary, and 14 years of continuous commitment in providing Davao and its neighboring cities the best service, accommodation, and value-for-money. With the hotel’s growing years, comes experience and maturity in giving its clients a unique and better service. This year marks a significant process for the hotel as it relentlessly pursues development executed by its management team headed by Hotel General Manager, Mr. Ildefonso v. Bontia, Jr. starting off with the hotel’s on-going renovations of all its 217 rooms, en-

tertainment outlets, gym, and pool. as a way to express their gratitude to the supportive city which is a huge part of its success all throughout, Grand Regal Hotel Davao in cooperation with DENR-XI conducted their first Tree Planting project last august 11 at Brgy. Tigatto, Buhangin.

It was attended by more than seventy employees including the hotel’s managers and officers. For the duration of the afternoon, the Grand Regal Hotel group braved the weather but relished the opportunity of giving back to the city’s environment by planting caballero trees which is in line with DENR’s

Urban Greening Program. It is the hotel’s contribution in making the city more liveable and help strengthen its tourism potential.

For 14 years, Grand Regal Hotel has been thriving as part of the city’s hospitality industry and for the past 14 years, the people of Davao City and neighboring provinces continuously believed in Grand Regal’s excellent service and commitment to be the best. There is so much more to look forward to in the next decade as Grand Regal Hotel strives to provide its loyal clients, and corporate accounts better quality of service and reliability, in pursuance of providing the best.

Grand Regal gives back L

115 Students join the 2012 AMC

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012 aUSTRaLIaN MaTHEMaTICS CoMPETITIoN. one hundred fifteen (115) students from the different schools in Davao Region participated in the 2012 australian Mathematics Competition (aMC) held last august 2, 2012 at Davao Central High School in Davao City.

Seven (7) schools participated including Philippine Science High SchoolSouthern Mindanao Campus, ateneo De Davao University, Davao Central High School, Precious International School of Davao, Holy Child School of Davao, assumption College of Davao, and Colegio de San Ignacio.

This event is an annual activity which aims to highlight the importance of mathematics as a curriculum subject. Furthermore, it gives every student an opportunity to discover talents in mathematics. aMC results will be announced in october 2012.

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EDGEDAVAOVOL.5 No. 116 •TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2012 TOMATOES. Boy Fuentes, a vegetable grower from Dujali, Davao del Norte, shows off fresh tomatoes during the 8th Mindanao Vegetable Congress at Grand Men Seng Hotel yesterday. [LEAN DAVAL JR.]

BOC chief says President Aquino gave him info on rice smuggling

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UREaU of Customs Commissioner Rufino Biazon said on Monday that no less than President aquino was the one who gave him tips about the alleged attempt to smuggle nearly P500 million worth of Indian rice at the Subic Bay Metropolitan authority (SBMa) Freeport zone in Zambales. ”President Benigno S. aquino III gave me the information,” Biazon told the Senate committees on agriculture and food, ways and means and trade, blue ribbon, and trade and commerce investigating the recent attempt to smuggle 21,000 tons of rice into the country.

Biazon made the revelation after senators asked the Customs chief who asked him in a text message “to monitor a certain rice shipment that entered the country.”

Biazon was actually hesitant at first to name his informant, even asking for an executive session to respond to the query of Senator Loren Legarda. ”May I know who tipped you of this information about this rice importation?” Legarda asked Biazon. ”Since it is an intelligence matter, Madam, may I share it with the members of the committee in confidence?” Biazon responded.

The senators did not yield to Biazon’s request after the BoC chief described his source as “a

person in the government and very reliable and that there is no reason for me to question the source.” ”The information came to me by way of text message. I personally know the source, so I did not have any reason to doubt,” Biazon said.

In trying to convince Biazon, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said there is no problem if the information of the informant would be given to the panel, adding, “In fact, he should be commended.” ”Whether he is the Senate President, Chief Justice, vice President or the President, or House Speaker, it does not matter, actually, he should be commended in telling the commissioner: ‘Hey, watch out that shipment because they are trying to cheat the government’,” Enrile explained.

Senator Panfilo Lacson asked Biazon in jest: “Can you text him now to ask permission?”

This time, Biazon gave in to the consensus of the committee and identify his tipster as no less than President aquino who instructed him to look into the rice shipment with the help of his trusted men.

Enrile said the President should be commended for complying with his oath to execute faithfully all the laws of the country. ”The President has a wide array of intelligence sources. He is the recipient of all kinds of informa-

tion. He has the duty to tell you in the interest of the nation to watch out this kind of activity because it is going to cheat the government,” Enrile said.

Biazon explained that he was at first hesitant to reveal his source “because he is the highest official of the land and I did not have clearance to reveal.” ”But it’s my duty to yield to the honorable senators to reveal my source.

The President is serious in combating smuggling, he should rightfully be commended for that,” Biazon said.

Seemingly curious, Senator Ralph Recto asked Biazon: “Would you know who tipped the President?” ”Not anymore, Mr. Chairman,” Biazon replied.

The big volume of rice shipment arrived at the SBMa Freeport zone on april 4 and despite having no import permit from the National Food authority, the SBMa officials allowed the unloading of 420,000 bags of rice from India.

SBMa Deputy for operations atty. Redentor Tuazon explained that the SBMa has a memorandum circular allowing the unloading of rice shipment pending the 30-day period to complete all legal documents, including import permit.

Legarda questioned the SBMa circular, insisting that rice shipment should not be unloaded in any port in the country without import permit. (PNA)

Monfort Cave.

She said the bat population in most caves have declined due to the habit of human beings of killing them for food or might have migrated to other caves as a result of the threat to their safety in caves where they used to populate.

She said only the Monfort Cave is known for its increasing bat population.

Ms Miranda, who is community and education of-

ficer of the Philippine Bat Conservation, Inc., said that the group is reaching out to barangays and communities to educate the people on the importance of protecting nature, including conserving and protecting the bats.

The Monfort Bat Cave and Conservation Foundation (MBCCF) and the Philippine Bat Conservation, Inc. (PBCI) are two non-profit organizations based in IGaCoS, Davao del Norte.

Conservationists...

FFROM 1

people are serious about preventing further violations of the remaining flora and fauna adding that this kind of incident should never be allowed to happen again.

Nikola Miranda, bat conservationist who accompanied Ms Monfort to the Kapehan, bared that there are more than 70 bat caves in various sites in the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS) but very few of them still host fruit bats like the

GenSan imposes gun ban for tuna festival

T

HE General Santos City local government has declared the entire city a “gun-free zone” during the celebration of the city’s 44th charter anniversary and 14th Tuna festival.

Executive order 23, issued by Mayor Darlene antonino-Custodio, imposes a total firearms ban within the city’s 26 barangays “in the interest of peace and order” from august 8 to September 18 although the festivities are scheduled for august 18 to September 9.

She said the move is part of the comprehensive security plan adopted by the local government for the three-week festivities. Col. Joselito

No...

FFROM 1

DCPo and TFD anticipate a peaceful Kadayawan celebration which began last august 1.

More than 2000 police and military forces are stationed within the city to maintain security and order.

However, DuterteCarpio said she has given orders to the DCPo, TFD, and augmenting forces from other units from the region to be always on their toes. “always expect something will happen,” she said, adding that a lack of imminent threat does not mean security can relax. “although they say there’s no imminent threat, I told them it would be better that they exceed their efforts rather than to fall short,” she said.

IRR...

Kakilala, Joint Task Force GenSan chief, said Monday the declaration effectively suspends the government-issued permit to carry firearms outside of residence (PTCFoR) of legitimate gun holders until the lifting of the firearms ban. also covered by the total gun ban are military, police and government law enforcement personnel who are not on official duty, he said.

Since last week, Kakilala said they already intercepted nine handguns through the checkpoints that they established in four major entry and exit points of the city.

The festivities will formally open on august 18 with the unveiling of

the “Tuna village” at the city’s oval plaza grounds.

The tuna-themed village will feature a flea market, carnival, art camp, tuna products display area, food stalls and a spot for the nightly shows.

This year’s activities include the Tuna Fest inter-fishing basketball tournament, aqua sports competition, photo contest, coastal clean-up drive, game fishing, Fiscarade or parade of fish cars, tuna float parade, fishtahan sa fishport, street party sa fishport, Bombo Radyo bankarera or boat race, street dancing competition, Karagatan awards and the 2012 National Tuna Congress. [ALLEN V. EStABILLo/mIND-

Meanwhile, the city has been implementing a city-wide gun ban for the second time (in two years) as a security measure for the festival which expects thousands of locals and tourists to flock to the streets.

Thus far three persons have been apprehended for refusal to submit their firearms upon entering the city.

First arrested was Gerry amador Elognon Paller, 39, marketing manager of the Davao Security and Investigation agency (Dasia) who carried with him one caliber .45 pistol, two magazines, and three rounds of ammunition.

Second was Tommy Zafe Go, 39, a businessman and resident of Cagampang Street in General Santos City, who

claimed it was for self defense when he refused to voluntarily surrender his firearm.

Duterte-Carpio said this is contrary to the reports she received from authorities posted at the Sirawan checkpoint where Go was apprehended.

“Go refused to surrender his firearm,” she told reporters.

Recovered from Go was a Taurus Millennium caliber .45 pstol, two magazines, and 14 live ammunitions.

Third to be apprehended was Fructouso Cabilao Rama Jr., 56, barangay police, resident of South San Juan, agdao who had with him an unlicensed Smith and Wesson .357 revolver and three rounds of live ammunition.

such as “uso-uso”, “borabora”, 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; In her message earlier endorsing the Code, Mayor Sara 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 well-drawn 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.”

ANEwS]

FFROM 2

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, nonmotorized 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)

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Uganda bet wins marathon L

oNDoN — Stephen Kiprotich rounded a corner late in the race and simply took off. a surprise surge from a surprise winner.

So swift and unexpected was his move that the runner from Uganda turned the last mile into a victory lap as he easily captured the olympic marathon on Sunday, along with the first medal for his country at the London Games.

Kiprotich finished in two hours, eight minutes, one second, holding off the Kenyan duo of abel Kirui and Wilson Kipsang. Kirui finished 26 seconds behind Kiprotich, while Kipsang, the leader much of the race, faded late but held on for bronze just ahead of american Meb Keflezighi. on an extremely warm afternoon, the marathoners wound their way through a scenic route packed with swarms of fans. Kiprotich had such a big lead near the finish that he grabbed a flag from the stands and wore it on his way to the finish. after finishing, he dropped to his knees, bowed and then raised his hands high over his head.

The Kenyans, who were looking at a possible podium sweep, just couldn’t keep up.

Kirui and Kipsang were competing in memory of the late Sammy Wanjiru, who won the country’s first olympic marathon crown four years ago in Beijing. Wanjiru died last year after a fall from a second-story balcony during a domestic dispute.

Kipsang — who was listed by his full name of Wilson Kiprotich Kipsang for the race — was seemingly in control early in the day. He was out front and running all alone, before fading back to the pack. Kirui caught up with him while Kiprotich followed just behind. at the 23-mile mark, Kiprotich turned the corner and was gone. No one could catch him as he won only the third medal ever for Uganda in track and field and the first since 1996.

Kiprotich sure had plenty of crowd support. Spectators lined the course 10 rows deep in some sections, waving signs and ringing cowbells.

The runners took in the sights, breezing past Big Ben, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Trafalgar Square, London Bridge

and the Tower of London before finishing near Buckingham Palace.

The weather was ideal — at least for the spectators.

It was bright and sunny but grew hot, especially late in the race — quite a contrast to the women’s race

last Sunday that began in a steady downpour.

While other runners wore the colors of their countries, Guor Marial donned a predominantly gray and black uniform with “I.o.a.” printed on it. He wound up 47th, 11:31 behind the win-

ning time.

Marial competed as an independent runner under the banner of the International olympic Committee after fleeing a refugee camp in what is now South Sudan during a civil war more than a decade ago.

The 28-year-old landed in the United States, seeking asylum. The IoC cleared him last month to compete in the olympics as an independent athlete after he didn’t qualify for Sudan, South Sudan or the United States under its rules.

Fireworks explode over the stadium during the Closing Ceremony on Day 16 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on August 12, 2012 in London, England. (Photo By mIkE hEwItt/GEtty ImAGES)

INdulge!

VOL.5 ISSUE 116 • AUGUST 14, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

TRAVEL

People watching at Hong Kong’s SoHo

LEt’S FacE it, everyone loves to people watch. Whether it is to ogle at some hottie walking down the street, or to ogle at why that hottie is with someone, uhmn, let’s say, interesting. People watching can be called a social art as fashion ideas, design concepts, and even basic social skills can be learned just by observing basic human interactions.

Of course there are skills that are essential for the wanna be people watcher.

One such skill is identifying the best vantage points to ogle and stare at people, without causing undue stress to the persons being watched. Much like when a wildlife photographer takes

At the roof deck area of Sirocco.

photos of unsuspecting animals. That is why when in Hong Kong, i would highly suggest to would be professional people watchers the corner of Shelley Street and Staunton Road in Hong Kong.

Located just a short walk and escalator ride from the central MtR station. This area (called Soho), is one of Hong Kong’s most vibrant areas with chic restaurants, edgy art galleries, artsy furniture shops, and relaxing

bars are located. The upper floors of the buildings are tenements where expatriates usually live.

The area is highly pedestrian, which means walking is the best way to get around from home to the offices and shopping areas in central and vice versa.

This allows for a veritable fashion show of fashionable individuals and of course the occasional fashion disaster tourist.

The best place for people watching is at Staunton’s.

Located exactly at the corner where the escalators of Soho are located, one can enjoy the parade of different people going up and down the area with a glass of wine in hand while also enjoying the views within and around the wine bar.

Staunton’s also has a roof deck called Siccoro that

People moving about at the corner of Shelley and Staunton. And yes, that is indeed a flying whale.

serves Middle-Eastern fare and allows for a nice vantage above street level.

So what are the best times to head on over to Soho you ask? Well, best times would be after the

Otoy’sreactionuponseeingthissummeryget-upattheescalators.

working hours of the locals since that is when they take a glass or fine or beer before heading back up to their flats. Sunday brunch would also be a sure bet as locals wake late after an evening

Ground level at Staunton’s.

of partying at nearby Lan Kwai Fong and Pottinger Street.

Follow me on twitter @ kennethkingong for more travel finds and foodie tips in and around Durianburg.

A2 INdulge!

VOL.5 ISSUE 116 • AUGUST 14, 2012

ENTERTAINMENT EVENTS

EDGEDAVAO

Olympics 2012 The best and worst of the closing ceremonies IT’S bEEN 17 days of unforgettable moments (except for those of us who are not impressed).

We’ve watched Gabby Douglas make history; David beckham make the ladies swoon, and Ryan Lochte emerge as the most promising reality TV candidate of the year.

So how did it all end?

With a very colorful, very british ceremony that was pure fun. Think lots of british bands (old, older and new), plus a few royals, a (complete) Spice Girls reunion, thousands of sexy athletes and—why not?—a good half-dozen supermodels. best PSA for Recycling: Crooner Emeli Sandé opened the, um, closing, by singing atop a truck plastered in newspapers. Then a whole set emerged, and bunches of performers, and they were all covered in newspapers too. Now we feel guilty about that Starbucks cup we just threw in the trash.

Well Played, QE2: The helicopter-diving Queen Elizabeth didn’t show this time, but she sent her hotter grandson, Harry, and her new granddaughterin-law, Kate, just in time for the british national anthem. best Random Thing We’re Gonna Have Trouble Describing: While Madness sang its hit, “Our House,” and thousands of fans sang along, a saxophonist, dress in a kilt decked out with the Union Jack, flew up above the stage on wires. You had to be there.

OK, Forget We Said That: because right afterward, the Pet Shop boys rode out on bikes shaped like giant orange origami cranes, singing “West End Girls.” best Use of One Direction: Just by putting these five cuties on stage, the Olympic organizers could do no wrong. The boys performed just as well as the previous singers—all pros who had been in the biz for decades longer.

best Use of Athletic Talent: French gymnasts treated viewers to spontaneous backflips in the middle of the ceremony.

You know. Just because they’re gymnasts. best Nod to the Geeks: Crowd-control volunteers were dressed in blue hats with working light bulbs on top. The get-ups were a nod to old british police call boxes...but nowadays, the look is more commonly associated with the TARDIS, Doctor Who’s timetraveling vehicle of choice. best Retro Moment of Squeeeee! OK, so he was not accompanied by Linda Evangelista or Naomi Campbell or any of the other supermodels who made his 1990 video so great, but George Michael sang “Freedom”! Live!

Sqeeeeeee!

Worst Tease Ever: During one fashion-inspired medley, we got to see David bowie on a screen and supermodels Campbell, Lily Cole, Lily Donaldson, Stella Tennant, Kate Moss and others on giant photos. Then the models appeared live. but David bowie left us hanging. Not cool, man.

Worst Pairing: Russell brand covering (mouthing?) the beatles for a tribute to the psychedelic era.

Katy Perry’s ex performed

“I Am the Walrus.” We’re crying, too.

Honorable Mention: That giant inflatable octopus where Fatboy Slim spun his decks. We didn’t even know we needed to see a giant inflatable octopus. Now it’s already gone, and we miss it.

Worst Message to Send to Impressionable Little Children: Jessie J and Taio Cruz singing inside moving cars. Without wearing their seat belts. Tsk tsk! best Reunion Ever: The Spice Girls broke up a while ago, but they never really lost it. Sporty, Scary, baby, Posh—and, yes, Ginger—all returned for one special performance at the closing ceremony, singing “Wannabe” and “Spice Up Your Life.” best Recovery? She may have suffered a breakdown on the Today show just a few days ago, but we could’ve sworn that was Lolo Jones happily singing along to beady Eye’s performance of “Wonderwall.” best Introduction: The summer Olympics next moves to Rio de Janeiro for 2016. Tonight, the torch-passing wouldn’t be complete without a performance by brazil’s best, including, of course, a supermodel. Hi, Alessandra Ambrosio! (E! Online)

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

VOL.5 ISSUE 116 • AUGUST 14, 2012

ENTERTAINMENT

Bourne bumps off Dark Knight Jennifer Aniston

is now engaged!

THE DARK KNIGHT Rises’ box office domination came to a close this weekend, courtesy of The bourne Legacy, which nabbed the top spot at $40.3 million.

The box office numbers for the action-packed bourne series reboot were below those of the last two bourne movies, but still high enough for Universal execs to “breathe a sigh of relief” according to the Los Angeles Times, considering their risky new take on the series (which replaced bourne star Matt Damon with Jeremy Renner).

Zack Galifianakis and Will Ferrell’s The Campaign also fared well, knocking The Dark Knight Rises a little further down by grabbing the second spot at $27.4 million in its debut weekend. While the opening was a little weaker than expected, the political comedy still had a solid start, especially considering Warner bros. spent “only” about $60 million to make it.

Dark Knight Rises landed in third this go-round with $19.5 million, down about 45 percent from last weekend, according to box Office Mojo.

ExCITEMENT doesn’t even begin to describe it.

From the moment Jennifer Aniston’s love with boyfriend Justin Theroux flourished, fans were anxiously waiting for the actor to pop the question so we could see Aniston get her happily ever after (and maybe watch them strut leather down the aisle).

Well, it’s happened, and the duo are engaged, E! News has confirmed.

“Justin Theroux had an amazing birthday on Friday, receiving an extraordinary gift when his girlfriend, Jennifer Aniston,

Elsewhere, rom-com Hope Springs, starring Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones, de-

buted in fourth with $15.6 million.

It was a less-thanstellar box office number for Streep who has had three straight wide-release openers of $20-million plus, but it wasn’t a bad spot for the older-skewing comedy (which didn’t have a particular brand behind it like Mamma Mia).

According to the Los Angeles Times, Streep’s 2009 film Julia grossed about the same amount in its first three days, but went on to rake in $94.1 million.

accepted his proposal of marriage,” his rep told People.

The newly engaged couple, who have been dating for a little over a year, met on the set of the movie Wanderlust. Aniston described the experience in InStyle’s March issue as one of the most “idyllic” shoots she’s ever had, and adds that she’s at a “joyful and peaceful” place right now and knows what she’s looking for when it comes to love.

Everyone is just glad Theroux decided to take Patti Stanger (and everyone else’s) advice.

Congratulations!

A4 INdulge!

VOL.5 ISSUE 116 • AUGUST 14, 2012 EDGEDAVAO A4 INdulge!

UP AND AbOUT ENTERTAINMENT uP AND ABOuTENTERTAINMENT

SM City Davao accepts donations for flood victims Thousands of Filipinos have been displaced because of the nonstop monsoon rains which left 80 per cent of Metro Manila flooded last week.

Although the country’s capital has seen sunshine over the weekend, rain threats are looming with another typhoon entering the country.

In response to the urgent need to attend to the plight of flood victims in Metro Manila, SM Supermalls, in cooperation with SM Foundation, are calling for volunteers and for donations in cash or in kind. Operation Tulong Express booths have been set up in SM Supermalls nationwide since August 8.

In SM City Davao, the booth is located at second floor of the main mall, near Ace Hardware.

Operation Tulong Express will be accepting donations needed by the flood victims, such as canned goods, bottled water, medicines, clothes, towels, blankets, toiletries and cleaning materials.

For inquiries, please call 297.6998.

Cebu Pacific takes delivery of 39th aircraft The Philippines’ largest national flag carrier, Cebu Pacific Air (PSE:CEb) accepted delivery of its 39th aircraft last August 12, 2012, as part of its expa sion plans in the Asia-Pacific region.

This is CEb’s 21st Airbus A320, acquired brandnew from Toulouse, France. CEb’s aircraft fleet is also composed of 10 Airbus A319 and 8 ATR 72-500 aircraft.

With the brand-new A320, CEb retains its distinction as having one of the most modern aircraft fleet in Asia. between 2012 and 2021, Cebu Pacific will take delivery of 21 more Airbus A320 and 30 Airbus A321neo aircraft orders. It is slated to begin long-haul services in the 3rd quarter of 2013, with the arrival of 4 Airbus A330 aircraft from 2013 to 2014.

CEb flew more than 6.9 million passengers in the 1st half of 2012, a 17% system-wide growth compared to the same period last year. It aims to serve a total of 14 million passengers for the full year 2012.

ED

SPORTS

EDGEDAVAOVOL.5 No. 116 •TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2012

15

Russia takes volleyball gold L

ONDON -- Russia won the volleyball gold medal for the first time since 1980 with a come-frombehind five-set victory over Brazil in the Olympic final on Sunday.

Second-ranked Russia dropped the first two sets before denying top-ranked Brazil match point twice to spark a comeback in the 19-25, 2025, 29-27, 25-22, 15-9 victory, paced by 7-foot-2 middle blocker Dmitriy Muserskiy

with 31 points.

The Russian celebration was delayed at the end when the team thought they’d won it on Muserskiy’s kill, but the officials awarded the point to Brazil. Muserskiy came right back to spike match point.

The win gives the Russians four gold medals in volleyball, most of any nation.

But the last time Russia was atop the podium was in Moscow, when the former Soviet Union won gold on home soil.

Scrappy but still golden win for US Brazil’s Wallace de Souza (4) spikes the ball between Russia defenders Taras Khtey (4) and Dmitriy Muserskiy (13) during the men’s volleyball gold medal match. AP

HCDC shows way in Kadayawan hoops

L

EaGUE-leading Holy Cross of Davao College beat agro Industrial Foundation College, 97 – 87, in overtime to grab their second straight win and take a solo lead in Group a on Friday in the ongoing Mayor Sara and vice Mayor Rody Duterte - 27th Kadayawan Sports Festival Men’s Inter-Collegiate Basketball Tournament at the Ladislawa Gym. The Crusaders leaned on its vaunted pressure defense in the extra period as they cashed in on a barrage of turnover points that kept the Sailors off the groove.

The Sailors were limited to a single field goal in overtime as they had a hard time to break the press and execute their plays.

Leo Bordas and Glenn Manlangit bailed Holy Cross out in the extra period with their superb sniping and hussle plays in the defensive end.

Bordas and Manlangit finished the game with 20 points each as Lloyd Lacida chipped in 12 markers.

Agro absorbed its first setback in two games despite another tremendous showing of Gabriel Dagangon who canned in 19 points.

The Sailors climbed from a 12 points deficit under five minutes to play to keep the game close.

They even took a hairline lead before a see-saw battle occurred in the final seconds of the match.

Both teams had the chance to win the game in their respective final position but they came out short as the game went into overtime at 82-all.

Shrugging of its endgame lackluster, Holy Cross came out big time in the extra period to pull away with the win in the tournament sanctioned

by Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) Davao City chapter.

In the other match, aMa University stamped its class over EMaR Human and Environmental College, 76 – 60, to bounce back from a opening day defeat.

Rocky Tabanag led the charge for Roi Josol-mentored aMa squad with 22 points, including baskets from behind the arc. aMa improved its record to 1-1.

John Paull II College Saints downed MaTS College of Technology, 8261, to register their second consecutive win and take a solo lead in Group B.

tEAm StANDINGS GRoUP a HCDC aGRo aMaCC UM EMaR GRoUP B JPIIC JMC aTENEo MaTS DSCP

W 2 1 1 0 0 W 2 1 0 0 0

L 0 1 1 1 1 L 0 0 1 1 1

G

REaT for most of the olympics, just good enough for gold.

The US men’s basketball team retained its title by fighting off another huge challenge from Spain, pulling away in the final minutes for a 107-100 victory on Sunday that gave the americans their second straight gold medal. and just like 2008, they had to work for this one.

LeBron James capped off one of basketball’s most brilliant individual years with a monster dunk and a huge three-pointer in the final 2:50, helping the americans win the competitive game that few would have seen coming after they had been so dominant for so long in London. yet four years after beating Spain 118-107 in a classic in Beijing, the americans found themselves in another tight one, unable to ever really slow the Spanish down until the closing minutes.

Kevin Durant scored 30 points and James had 19 on a day he joined Michael Jordan as the only players to win the NBa title, regular-season MvP, NBa Finals MvP and olympic gold.

Coach Mike Krzyzewski, who has said he’s retiring

Team USA gather at mid-court with their gold medals after holding off Spain to retain the basketball title. AP

as national team coach after restoring the americans to their place atop world basketball, emptied his bench in the final minute James stood with both arms in the air, then held Durant in a long hug before they both headed to the bench.

The americans, who insisted they were better than their 2008 version and even good enough to take a game from the 1992 Dream Team, may not have been at that level.

But they were better again than Spain — though not by much.

The americans hugged at midcourt, and then after being handed flags, this group of NBa players — and one kid just out of college — who grew into a tight-knit group during their time together, paraded around the floor, the Stars and Stripes flowing off their backs like capes. yes, they were olympic super heroes again, but they had to fight until the finish.

Kobe Bryant, now with a second gold medal to go with his five NBa championships, added 17 points for the americans.

Pau Gasol scored 24 points and Juan Carlos Navarro had 21 for Spain.

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SPORTS

VOL.5 No. 116 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Inferno grills Azkals ‘Light’ 3-1 Canada national pool member Carl Haworth helps the Chicago Inferno defeat the Philippine Azkals.

P

LayING without its prolific scorers and top goalkeeper, a watered-down version of the Philippine azkals looked aweful in its first stint before an american audience.

Like a diet softdrink, the undermanned azkals lacked the energy and power as they fared miserably against the Chicago Inferno, bowing 3-1 in their friendly at Wheaton College’s Joe Bean Stadium on Sunday.

Ranged against a younger and bigger Inferno side, the understrength azkals dug themselves a huge hole in the first half and never recovered in a disappointing performance. andrew Jeskey starred for the Premier Development League squad, scoring a brace, while Carl Haworth also struck for the Inferno, whose goals came in the first half.

Carli de Murga provided a measure of respect for the Filipino booters, scoring a late goal in the second half.

The azkals will next play the US virgin Islands on august 18 in a Fifa-sanctioned friendly in Indianapolis as part of a month-long US training that was skipped by popular brothers Phil and James younghusband as well as several Europebased regulars.

The Inferno, whose oldest player is only 21, pounced on the azkals early on and also banked on a sturdy defense anchored on 6-foot-5 goalkeeper Reece Richardson.

Haworth opened up the scoring fray for the Inferno, firing a long bomb in the seventh minute, before Jeskey scored twice, a looper in the 14th minute and off a free-kick in the 33rd. after having just a week of training to prepare and familiarize with their new teammates, the

azkals failed to find any groove early on and relied only on long, uncharacteristic passes and strikes that were easily thwarted by the Inferno defense.

The azkals’ best chance in the first half was a Chieffy Caligdong header off a pass from De Murga that went straight to the chest of Richardson.

With Philippine team first-timers Matthew Uy, Demitrius omphroy, and Patrick Reichelt substituting for Caligdong, Marwin angeles, and Ian araneta in the second half, the azkals played a more organized set with more short, combination passes in the final 45 minutes.

The rejuvenated play was finally rewarded in the 73rd minute with a goal from De Murga, a Filipino-Spanish who scored his first goal for the azkals against Guam last June.

It was the most fluid sequence for the azkals in the entire match, with the result a Reichelt long cross pass finding De Murga, who struck from the right side of the box.

“Physicality and toughness of the U.S. game got the better of us.

Great effort and much better 2nd half by the boys!” tweeted azkals skipper aly Borromeo, whose return to the national team was delayed once again as he was yet to be ruled in perfect shape.

The azkals actually had more shots, 9-7, shots on target, 7-4, and corners, 7-2, but the Inferno proved to be more efficient.

The national team fielded a starting XI of Ed Sacapaño at the goal, De Murga, Jason de Jong, Jason Sabio, and Jeff Christiaens defending, Misagh Bahadoran, Chris Greatwich, Marwin angeles, and Caligdong at the midfield, and Denis Wolf and Ian araneta on the attack.

Stephen Kiprotich crosses the finish line to win the men’s marathon and give Uganda its first gold. AP