Edge Davao 5 Issue 119

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EDGEDAVAO P 15.00 • 32 PAGES

VOL.5 ISSUE 119 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, AUGUST 17 - 18, 2012

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ATTENTION. A souvenir shop displays an “I Love Davao” signage to catch the attention of the tourists who are here for the Kadayawan Festival. [LEAN DAVAL JR.]

The Big News Page 3

No improvement in BSP gold-buying

By Vicky Berdina M. De Guzman

Sports

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EllING of gold to the Davao branch of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has not improved bit. It is still down to only 8-10 percent of what used to be sold here by miners from various gold-producing parts of the Davao Region.

This was bared by lawyer Demetrio E. Casipong, BSP Davao director, in an exclusive interview with Edge Davao.

Casipong confirmed an earlier report by the regional offices of the National Economic Development authority headed by Regional Director ma. lourdes D. lim and the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) headed by Regional Director Estrella R. Turingan during a press briefing at the Davao City Hall.

The two lady regional directors

said that the slump in the volume of gold sold to BSP started in 2011.

They said that the decline registered in the income of the Davao Region from gold production after many small scale miners and mining cooperatives stopped selling gold to the BSP in 2011. lim said the mining sector suffered the decline in recorded gold production from small-scale min-

ers, a sector that used to contribute 98 percent of the gold output of the region as shown in the volume sold to the BSP. Casipong also confirmed that the small-scale miners and mining cooperatives in Composltela Valley and neighboring areas stopped selling to BSP when the Bureau of Internal Revenue started impos-

ricultural products at farm gate prices, transport and sell these to public markets, malls, restaurants and other traders.

Ray acain, president of the Vegetable Industry Council of Southern mindanao (VICSmIN),

said Thursday that vegetable farmers in the cities of Tagum and Cagayan de Oro (CDO) are already organized in formal associations and are able to hire their marketing officer to look for direct markets.

“This is what we are trying to do with our farmers in Davao, and they are still looking for a center that will serve as their outlet,” he told mindaNews.

Val Turtur, VICSmIN vice

To access direct market

FNO, 11

Small vegetable farmers organized

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mall vegetable farmers in mindanao are being organized in their areas to have a direct access to markets and thus reap the profits instead of the middlemen, who have financial capital to buy ag-

FSMALL, 11

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THE BIG NEWS

VOL.5 ISSUE 119 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, AUGUST 17 - 18, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

SME Summit in Davao City T

By Vicky Berdina M. de Guzman HE world’s largest enterprise software application company conducted the 3rd leg of the SmE Summit at The marco Polo Davao on august 16.

SaP is a market leader in enterprise application software which helps companies of all sizes and industries run better. SaP applications and services enable more than 109,000 customers to operate profitably, adapt continuously, and grow sustainably.

This summit was an excellent chance for small-andmedium-enterprise (SmE) owners and managers to meet each other and their SaP partners. The event, themed “Innovation Starts Now” was made possible by the cooperation of key SaP partners aBm Global Solutions, Cisco Philippines, Dell Philippines, KaISa Consulting, mustard Seed Systems Corporation, Orix metro

leasing and Finance Corporation, Panduit lamco, and Questronix. attendees, including their old clients and prospects, can learn more about trends and developments in the SmE (small-and medium-enterprise) sector from 11 sessions and experience SaP through eight partner exhibitors.

Newly appointed managing director of SaP Philippines and the Emerging markets, Darren Rushworth said, “I am excited to be part of the SaP Summit Davao. This is where the growth is. We are looking forward to working with the dynamic SmEs in this part of the country as these businesses represent growth and development for the country’s economy.”

He also said that in the midyear, there were around 50 new clients, but in the entire year they will be serving more than a hundred.

Lawmakers seek creation of strategic studies body

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N the wake of the emerging intense competition for scarce resources in the asia Pacific region, lawmakers join the growing clamor for the creation and establishment of an Institute for Strategic Studies.

Reps. Diosdado macapagal arroyo (2nd District, Camarines Sur) and Gloria macapagal-arroyo (2nd District, Pampanga) filed House Bill 6126, which stresses the need to conduct policy research and strategic studies in the wake of the present turn of events in the international scene.

“The current emerging friction resulting from the contending claims over the Spratly portion of the South China Sea, particularly the Panatag Shoal between China and the Philippines, among others, may result in armed confrontation if not addressed diplomatically,” arroyo stressed.

The conduct of policy research and strategic studies should arm the country with all possible options to address the range of events from domestic and international, political, economic and other significant challenges facing the nation, arroyo added. aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo angara, author of HB 441, which is a similar measure, said “there is clearly an urgent need to conduct scientific and continuing policy research and strategic studies as basis for addressing our fundamental and critical national concerns.”

In many parts of asia, outstanding territorial conflicts may fuel many inter-

state tensions, while some states continue to build vast arsenals of weapons which may bring about another arms race, angara noted. another similar measure, HB 1666, was also filed earlier by Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez.

The lawmakers noted that the country is beset by a continuing insurgency problem even as government continues its current peace negotiations with the moro Islamic liberation Front (mIlF).

“The local communist movement remains a clear and present danger to national security. On the other side, we find the mIlF, together with terrorist organizations, like the break-away bandit group, abu Sayyaf, whose activities continue to shake the country’s political stability,” the lawmakers said.

The proposed statute mandates the conduct of strategic study work which includes, among others, the conduct of strategic research on national and international concerns; formulation of various policy options on various concerns; and recommendation of appropriate actions to support such policies and strategies.

The measure also specifies that a selected expert/ scholar-members’ group shall be mandated to be the lead in the conduct of such strategic study work.

The three separate measures are now pending with the House Committee on Government Reorganization. [PNA]

Students check out the photographs of the past Kadayawan Festivals on display at SM City Mall Davao. [LEAN DAVAL JR.]

USEP gym inaugurated today T

HE largest indoor area for sports, concerts, conventions and other events in Davao City will be inaugurated today, august 17.)

The P145-million airconditioned University of Southeastern Philippines Gymnasium and Cultural Center is an 8,000 seating capacity facility located in a 3,500 square meter portion of the USEP campus in Obrero, where the former Davao Trade School once stood.

It was pursued through the initiative of then House

Speaker and first district congressman Prospero Nograles alongside the efforts of USEP President Perfecto alibin. The project started with a P60-million funding allocated from the General appropriations act in 2009. an additional P30million fund from the Priority Development assistance Fund was also added in the same year. In 2010, another P30-million budget was released followed by another P25-million budget to finish the structure.

Slated to attend the in-

auguration is Puwersa ng Bayaning atleta (PBa) Party-list Representative mark aeron H. Sambar, former Speaker Prospero Nograles.

Rep. Karlo alexei Nograles of the first congressional district Davao City, who also sits as a member of the USeP Board, will represent Congressman Juan Edgardo m. angara, chair, committee of education.

With its completion several big concerts have been lined-up in the gymnasium while comedian and television personality Vice Ganda

had earlier held her in the facility. movie and television star anne Curtis will stage her concert at the gymnasium on Saturday, august 18.

The gym can also host Philippine Basketball association games as Davao City doesn’t have a modern and large gymnasium that can hold professional basketball events. aside from hosting large events, the gymnasium is aimed at being a revenue earner for the host university. [PIA 11/RG Alama]

RaNKlIN Baker Co. of the Philippines which turns 90-year old next week, has just spent P800 million ona three-yeard rehabilitation program of its two processing plants in San Pablo, laguna and Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur. It is spending about P90 million this year in expanding its processing plant in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur. During its advance anniversary celebration in Davao City last Friday, company president Juan armando J. Patag said the company will set up a coconut water facility in its plant in Sta. Cruz, similar to what it set up in its other plant in laguna.

The expansion is part of the efforts of the company

to continue competing with other coconut processing plants in the country, said Patag, adding that before the construction of the new facilities, the company in three years invested heavily on other processing in its desire to compete with other companies.

Its three-year investments, excluding those spent for coconut water facilities, amounted to about P800 million, he said.

Sharon Chandran, director of the US-based company and daughter of its late chair, Robert Chandran, said these new investments are directed at continuing to come up with new products.

“We hope to bring it to new heights,” she said of the

company whose Philippinebased subsidiary started in 1922 when company founder and namesake Franklin Baker visited the country a year earlier and decided to set up a processing plant for dessicated coconut.

Its Davao del Sur plant was opened in 1968.

Patag said the company is innovating as it wants to come up with new products and compete head-on with other companies in its sector.

He said during its first 60 years, the company only concentrated on processing of dessicated coconut and that before thinking of updating its facilities, it was spending about $500,000 a year just to maintain its processing

plants.

During that period, he pointed out, the company noticed that its revenue gradually declined as some of its customers decided to patronize other companies.

So its officials decided not to allow let the company to die a slow death,” Patag said, pointing out that it was only in 2006 when management decided to modernize its processing plants.

The company thought of venturing into coconut water production after President Benigno aquino III promoted the product during his visit to the US last year when two american companies expressed their interest to invest in the product

Franklin Baker embarks on P90-M expansion in DavSur F

3 Davao nurses divided on RH bill

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 119 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, AUGUST 17 - 18, 2012

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HE Philippine Nurses association, Inc. (PNaI) here is not keen of coming up with a stand on the controversial Reproductive Health (RH) bill, according to Roger Tong-an, RN, governor of PNaI in Region 11.

Tong-an said the association still stick on upholding the code of ethics of the Philippine nurses.

He said the association is not likely to make a stand on RH bill until it will be passed or otherwise because of so many reasons, most of which are provided in the association’s code of ethics, and its Preamble.

Tong-an cited religion and morality as among the reasons as to why PNaI opts to remain silent over the RH bill. In view of the various religions of nurses in the association, each has its own perspective of the RH bill, in which the association should respect. Coming up with a united stand on RH bill would violate the provisions stipulated in the code and preamble, he said.

“Personally, Tong-an said: “I go for the RH bill.”

In small groups meeting of nurses, he said that four out of 10 are in favor of RH bill.

There are over 5,000

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PNaI members in Davao City and about 100,000 nationwide, he said.

Tong-an said RH bill is a big issue among the professionals, including the PNaI. He, however, said a num-

ber of nurses are in favor of the bill especially those coming from big families.

When asked, if the PNaI is pro-life, Tong-an also said the association don’t have a stand on it. [PNA]

RICH HISTORY. The Know Our Culture booth at SM City Mall Davao encourages Davaoeños to revisit the rich history of Davao City. [LEAN DAVAL JR.]

4 THE ECONOMY FIGURES OF ThE wEEk STOCk MARkET PERFORMANCE

PhIlIPPIne Stock Index As of August 16, 2012

US dollAR = PhIlIPPIne PeSo As of August 9, 2012

A & A Securities, Inc.

JIFFYCAR Bldg., Ecowest Drive (Beside SM City Davao), Davao City

Tel. Nos.: 299-0199, 297-7233, 303-0555, 297-8090, 0917-7000911, 0922-8831358 Important: The information contained herein is based on sources which we believe are reliable but is not guaranteed by edgedavao and A & A SecuritieS, inc. This report is provided for information purposes only and should not be construed as an offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell the security mentioned herein.

VOL.5 ISSUE 119 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, AUGUST 17 - 18, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Tampakan miner eyeing Sarangani town for power, docking facilities F

OREIGN-backed Sagittarius mines, Inc. is now considering maasim town in Sarangani as a potential site for its coal-fired power plant and port facilities in support of its Tampakan copper-gold project, a company official confirmed on Wednesday.

John arnaldo, Sagittarius mines external communications and media relations manager, said they have commenced early this week the public consultation for its off lease infrastructure projects that also include the concentrate pipeline and the filter plant.

Sagittarius mines earlier identified malalag town in Davao del Sur province as the site of its power plant and port facilities. “maasim is now part of the option although we are not abandoning malalag.

What we are doing is assessing which is the best option,” he told mindaNews after the company’s launching of its interactive Community Information Resource Center here. maasim is also the site of the $450-million, 200-megawatt coal-fired power plant of the alcantara-led Sarangani Energy Corp., which is now gearing DECREASE. Prices of fruits in Davao City start to decrease as the Kadayawan Festival is fast approaching. LEAN DAVAL JR. for the construction phase.

The town hosts one of the country’s Tampakan copper-gold project. at least when the mining company applies for a best scuba diving spots, and critics, in- $900 million have been allotted for this separate ECC for its off lease infrastructure projects. cluding the local Catholic Church, have dedicated power station.

The company plans to go on commerFrom the mining site in Tampakan, feared that a coal power plant would destroy the diverse marine ecosystem and cial stream in 2016 but the environment South Cotabato, arnaldo said they will code of South Cotabato that bans open build an underground pipeline that will endanger human health. mindaNews sources said that officials pit mining poses a hindrance to this tar- would ferry the minerals towards maasim for loading to the ships. from Sagittarius mines have been hold- get.

Sagittarius mines’ application for an alongside the pipeline, which will be ing meetings in maasim town in line with environmental compliance certificate one meter deep from the surface, will its planned infrastructure projects there.

(ECC) had been trashed by the Departbe the transmission lines of the power Sagittarius mines had disclosed that it needs some 500 mW to support its ment of Environment and Natural Re- plant, he added. sources, as well as its ensuing appeal for This would span a length of 100 kireconsideration, on the basis of the open- lometers, arnaldo said. The Tampakan pit ban. project is touted as the largest known The company has already appealed undeveloped copper and gold reserve in the DENR decision to the Office of the Southeast asia.

President.

The estimated contained copper at arnaldo said they have started the Tampakan in total resources has risen public scoping or consultation as part of from 13.9 million metric tons to 15 milthe firm’s environmental impact assess- lion mT while estimated contained gold ment (EIa) for the firm’s off lease facili- has risen from 16.2 million ounces to ties.

17.9 moz, according to a company study.

Results of the EIa will form part of [Bong S. Sarmiento / MindaNews] the document that will be submitted

Mindanao to lead national rural development program

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World Bank expert said mindanao would lead the national implementation of Department of agriculture’s (Da) rural development program. as Da is in the thick of preparing its proposed WB loan of the $500-million Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP), WB lead rural development specialist Carolina F. Geron said that the experience of mindanao lGUs in the mindanao Rural Development Program (mRDP) has put them in the better and most viable position to lead in the implementation.

PRDP is the upscale program of the mRDP, which will cover 12 regions in the country including CalBaRZON (Region 4a) mImaROPa (Region 4B), Bicol Region (Region 5), Western Visayas (Region 6), Central Visayas (Region 7) and

eastern Visayas (region 8) and all six regions in mindanao. It will have a total fund of $627 million including the equity share of the national government and the lGUs. “Since PRDP is demand-driven, mindanao is expected to get most of the investments since it has already prepared ready project feasibility studies and project designs as excess demands from the mRDP proposals,” Geron said during the wrap up of the 8th World Bank support mission to mRDP yesterday. mRDP has been effective in mindanao for over 12 years aimed at helping poor communities by capacitating lGUs, implementing infrastructure projects, livelihood and environmental projects. mRDP Deputy director arnel V. De mesa said that the program has a total excess of P6.8-billion worth

infrastructure projects waiting for funding.

“I understand the first P2.5-billion worth of infrastructure projects of the mRDP excess will be the first projects to be funded under PRDP,” Geron said.

She added that the PRDP will be the platform for a modern and climatesmart agriculture in the country.

In his previous statement, agriculture secretary Proceso J. alcala said the implementation of PRDP is expected to be smoother as the program’s guidelines have incorporated lessons learned from mRDP. Da is expected to submit a proposal on the initiative to the National Economic and Development authority (NEDa) Technical Board soon. Once approved, the PRDP will be implemented for six years from 2013 to 2019. [Sherwin B. Manual/DAMRDP]

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 119 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, AUGUST 17 - 18, 2012

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6 THE ECONOMY

VOL.5 ISSUE 119 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, AUGUST 17 - 18, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Minda leaders hail creation of power monitoring body K

Ey government and business leaders in mindanao welcomed the recent signing of Executive Order No. 81 by President Benigno S. aquino III creating the mindanao Power monitoring Committee.

The mindanao Business Council (minBC) lauded malacañang for the creation of the committee which will make way for the review of policies and processes to accelerate private investments for additional generating capacities to the mindanao grid.

“This is a welcome development and we expect greater collaboration between the government and the mindanao business sector in addressing the mindanao power situation,” said Vicente lao, minBC and mindanao Electric Power alliance (mEPa) chair. lao said that mindanao needs to put up at least 1,000 mW of new capacities in the next ten years and another 1,500 mW from 2021-2030 to support its growing economy.

The committee, which shall be headed by the mindanao Development authority (minDa), is tasked to put forward and coordinate the efforts of national, regional and local governments, and power industry stakeholders to improve the power situation in mindanao.

“I am thankful that the President approved the creation of mPmC which will monitor, harmonize, and integrate measures to address the island-region’s power situation,” said minDa chair Secretary luwalhati antonino, who represented President aquino at the closing of the 21st mindanao Business Conference (minBizCon) recently in Butuan City. minBizCon is the largest annual gathering of business leaders in mindanao.

antonino noted that as early as January this year, minDa had initiated series of advocacies to push for measures and policies aimed at bringing to an end the recurring power problem mindanao. at the height of the power problem in april, minDa, in collaboration with the Department of Energy (DoE), convened the mindanao Power Summit in Davao City and rallied the mindanao stakeholders around short and long-term solutions to the problem.

“The committee will be working on the recommendations presented by the mindanao power stakeholders to President aquino during the summit,” said antonino, adding that the President has been earnest in his desire to address the power situation in mindanao.

She said that mPmC shall also ensure the establishment of a power monitoring mechanism that regularly generates information on mindanao power generation and distribution, including status of efforts to add new generating capacities to the grid.

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) puts the islandregion’s system capacity at only 1027 megawatts (mW) in its latest weekly power outlook bulletin, 133 mW short of the mindanao grid’s 1160 mW system load. antonino also said mPmC shall study the power summit proposals such as the creation of a mindanao Power Corporation, which shall take on the operation and maintenance of the agus and Pulangi hydro power complexes. Such proposal is now gaining ground in Congress with the filing of House Bill No. 6308, proposing for the creation of a mindanao Power Corporation, authored by House

WARM AFTERNOON. A mother and her child buy ice cream to help suppress the warm afternoon weather. [LEAN DAVAL JR.]

Deputy Speaker for mindanao, Rep. ma. Isabel Climaco of Zamboanga City. meanwhile, the Special House Committee on mindanao affairs chaired

by Rep. arnulfo Go of the second district of Sultan Kudarat, will be working closely with the Committee on Government Enterprises and Privatization and the Committee on Energy on the proposed measure.

“I believe that the creation of mPmC will ensure a dynamic and efficient performance of all electric cooperatives and power alliances in mindanao”, said Go. He added that the creation of a monitoring body will help bolster a more effective generation and delivery of power in the island-region. “Together with the mindanao lawmakers bloc in Congress, I will support measures that will address the energy needs of mindanao”, he said.

ASEAN business learns to maximize

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EaRly 100 trade officials and business executives attended a training course on maximizing business opportunities by taking part in exhibitions when aSEaN members form a common market, the aSEaN Economic Community, in 2015.

Organized in HCm City on Tuesday by the Viet Nam Trade Promotion agency and the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), the training sought to boost Vietnamese firms’ confidence in exhibiting their products at trade shows abroad, according to Su-

pawan Teerarat of TCEB. It was also aimed at strengthening trade between Viet Nam and Thailand, enhancing awareness of business opportunities in Thailand, and opening the door to the aSEaN market through Thailand’s exhibition platform, she added.

It was held as part of a mICE (meeting, incentives, conventions, exhibitions) co-operation program among aSEaN members.

Vietrade took the opportunity to highlight the Government’s policies to support Vietnamese business associations and

enterprises with promotions to expand their export markets.

But it admitted that Viet Nam’s budget for trade promotions is low compared to that of other countries in the region.

Thailand is one of larger investors in Viet Nam with more than US$ 6 billion.

Viet Nam’s exports to Thailand in the first five months of the year were worth $ 900 million, a year-on-year increase of 45 per cent.

Thai exports to Viet Nam in the period topped $ 2.6 billion. [PNA/VNS]

moreover, mPmC shall lay the ground for the setting up of a One-Stop-Shop Processing Center (OSSPC) for mini hydro power plant applications in mindanao, with support from the DoE. mindanao has a big potential in mini hydro power projects but the tedious application process draws back investors.

“The establishment of OSSPC, like the one-stop shops of the Department

of Trade and Industry (DTI), will help fast track processing of applications for new generation capacities in mindanao.”

Currently, the awarding of service contracts for mini hydro projects takes several years to be processed. antonino said the main goal is to complete the set-up of small hydro plants within 10 months to one year. mPmC is composed of minDa, DoE, Energy Regu-

latory Commission (ERC), National Electrification administration (NEa), National Power Corporation (NPC), Power Sector assets and liabilities management Corporation (PSalm) and representatives from mEPa and the association of mindanao Rural Electric Cooperatives (amRECO).

The committee is set to convene a Technical Working Group meeting this week. [MinDA]

financially not feasible.

The legislators, led by their presiding officer, city Vice mayor Joseph Evangelista, passed the resolution last month.

Evangelista clarified that section-1 of the resolution states that the EDC enters into an agreement with the Cotabato Electric Cooperative (Cotelco) for a direct supply of electric power through an “embedded connection” to do away with transmission charges and other terms and conditions they may naturally agreed upon.

Tantoco, however, said that if such provision persists, the company would not be able to sell the rest of the available capacity of the mindanao-3 power plant.

He explained that their previous discussions with Cotelco indicated that the co-op would only purchase a maximum of 20mW from the project’s

50-mW capacity.

“If the project is only connected to Cotelco’s distribution system at 20 megawatts and not to the TransCo grid, the project will not be able to sell the rest of its available capacity of 30mW, which Cotelco cannot take. This will make the project unviable,” said Tantoco.

He defined the “embedded generating plant”, using as basis the Philippine Grid Code, as “one that is connected to a distribution system or the system of any user but has no direct connection to the grid.”

“Should the project be classified as ‘embedded’ generator, the Grid Code disallows any other connection to the TransCo grid,” said Tantoco.

The EDC president clarified that it is not within the control of their company to have a direct transmission line connection of the plant to Cotelco facilities.

EDC says ‘no’ to direct power line to Cotabato’s electric co-op

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HE Energy Development Corporation (EDC), the country’s leading producer of geothermal power, has asked members of the city’s legislative council to reconsider their demand for a direct supply of electricity from the plant as this, they believe, would render their project “unviable”.

Instead, the company insists a power supply agreement with North Cotabato’s electric service provider, the Cotabato Electric Cooperative (Cotelco).

The EDC plans to construct its third geothermal power plant with a capacity of 50 megawatts at Barangay Ilomavis here, in addition to two existing facilities.

EDC president and chief operations officer Richard Tantoco said a provision in Resolution Number 12-251 will severely cause the mindanao-3 geothermal power project to be

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 119 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, AUGUST 17 - 18, 2012

VANTAGE POINTS 7 Most common errors in tourism promotions and tips to avoid them

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EDITORIAL

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BOC: Where government failed

EmBERS of the makati Business Club (mBC), the organization of the country’s captains of industry and other top business leaders, have given a high satisfaction rating to the performance of nine government agencies in an mBC’s Second Semester 2012 Executive Outlook Survey.

The results, made public for the first time yesterday, indicated “net satisfaction scores of nine government agencies/offices are at the highest levels since mBC started conducting the annual survey rating government agencies in January 1993.”

The business executives rated Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, 94 percent; Department of Tourism, 81.8 percent; Department of Budget and management, 70.9 percent; Department of labor and Employment, 56.3 percent; the Senate 49.1 percent; Department of Public Works and Highways, 30.8 percent; Department of Science and Technology, 27 percent.

There was only one thing negative about the business executives’ perception-- more than 70 percent of the mBC members surveyed expressed dissatisfaction with the administration’s anti-smuggling campaign. according to the Businessmirror, “the Bureau of Customs ranked 47th with a net score of negative 18.2, reflecting the dismay of the business sector in the government’s antismuggling campaign.

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OLIVIA D. VELASCO General Manager

ARLENE D. PASAJE Cartoons

Commissioner Biazon failed The failure of the government’s drive against smuggling is the failure of the Bureau of Customs (BOC). The failure of the BOC is the failure of its leader –Commissioner Rozzano Rufino Biazon. Sorry about that, Mr. Commissioner, but the buck stops at your doorstep.

Double-whammy Unfortunately for him and his supporters, it is not only in anti-smuggling that the customs bureau under the watch of Biazon failed dismally. Records of the government also point to the consistent failure of the Biazonled bureau in meeting its monthly collection target. another national news report yesterday indicated that only two small ports of the BOC were able to reach collection targets last July, while the rest posted huge collection deficits.

It is perhaps no small consolation that one of the performing customs port is Davao, whose collection surplus last month was P67 million.

Senatoriable Unfortunately, Biazon’s dismal performance in his high profile job militates against his notso secret desire to run for senator next year.

Indeed, unless Biazon can turn around his poor performance in the remaining nine months of his tenure in the BOC, he can kiss his ambition to become senator goodbye.

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

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

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

F we are to attract more tourists to our local destinations, then we must understand their consumer behavior. The first part of this series was emphatic on the need to examine how they make decisions to travel, particularly the motivations and stages in decision-making. again, if we are to trigger an arousal among them, we must convey the message at the time when they are still forming that feeling, not after such stage. as promised, this last part will highlight most common errors in local tourism promotions and tips to avoid them.

ERROR 1: Bombarding your would-be tourists with your message AFTER they have formed decision to travel (somewhere else). Serious tourists make travel arrangements for at least a month. These are your tourists who spend the most. most abrupt travels do not translate to higher tourist receipts. attractions with significant time element, such as festivals, competitions, shows, expos, etc. must commence promoting the event much earlier. Otherwise, your audience will be limited to local tourists. This is most apt for places with new or emerging attractions. activities that already attained wide brand recognition, such as Kadayawan Festival, Siargao Surfing or Sarangani Bay Fest, need not do this, unless the lGUs want to expand audience reach to new markets.

ERROR 2: Misplaced communication tools. Resorts keep their brochures at front desks. Tourism offices confine flyers at their offices. local officials install extremely large billboards in town plazas only. Convey the message to your audience at the time when they are still making a decision to travel and do it in areas where they are likely to recognize it. Resort guests need not be convinced by your brochures; they have already checked in. Only handful tourists actually visit a tourism office; they likely go to travel agencies or check the internet instead. There is no need to excessively promote the activity to your own people; they already know that.

Instead, scatter your collaterals in strategic locations (e.g. brochures of Gumasa resorts displayed at lake Sebu Zip line, T’nalak posters at the Davao International airport or Kagay-an Festival billboards at road junctions in Davao City or Butuan City). Remember that DOT’s prime target is not only to attract more tourists but also to let them stay longer and spend more.

ERROR 3: False advertising. If it is not the longest, grandest, best, most alluring, highest, deepest, widest and all those fancy superlatives, then do not call them as such.

Truth in advertising is as important as delivering quality service. Deceitful description is unethical and simply wrong. Tourism is experiential in nature. People need to feel, see, hear and taste your products, and then they share their experience to others. It is a choice between making them miss your place or regret making the trip. most decent destinations and those which are truly at par with national or world standards responsibly use adjectives in their promotional materials. Try browsing websites of resorts, for example. The louder and more fanciful the descriptions, the poorer are the services and amenities.

ERROR 4: Noisy collaterals. Brochures are not Ny Times bestseller novels to be seriously devoured. most tourists simply glance at them. Only few will keep them, much less share with others; most will be thrown away in few minutes. So, keep them simple. Deliver the message right away. Use minimalist designs. World’s best, most effective and enduring graphics are so simple. Filipino national psyche seems inflicted with fear of vacuum. We cramp all sorts of words, colors and images within a small space.

ERROR 5: Heavily edited photos. Well, I am not a photography guru. But I know my arts. a genuinely passionate photographer is an artist, not a graphics designer. S/he has the skills, keen eyes and artistry and is zealous with them. When designing collaterals, contract only photographers who are truly skilled, not those who heavily rely on adobe Photoshop, for example. They need not be multi-awarded. Brochures need not display their names and accolades; they have been paid anyway and property rights already conveyed to the contractor. many amateur ones come up with truly amazing photos.

8 VANTAGE POINTS

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We should restore trust in credit rating agencies

Kadayawan?

OmE people may wonder why we have to hold a fiesta. It costs a lot of money and the customary parade along the main streets of the city snarls vehicular traffic to no end. Visitors from other provinces also add to the mayhem.

But holding a fiesta is not unique to Davao City. People all over the world have all sorts fiesta and, in some places, even more frequently. They hold a fiesta for just about any reason such as the founding of their city, to commemorate a local historical event, the change of season or when their local athletic team wins a tournament championship.

Here in Davao City, the araw ng Dabaw is

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.5 ISSUE 119 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, AUGUST 17 - 18, 2012

EN years since the start of the Iranian nuclear crisis, we can see how successful Western powers have been in preventing the Islamic Republic from acquiring a bomb.

Diplomacy has achieved little. Facing an international “red line” forbidding any enrichment whatsoever, Iran has stockpiled enough uranium for several bombs, acquired thousands of uranium-enriching centrifuges and now enriches uranium to 20 percent - which involves about 80 percent of the effort to reach weapons-grade levels. many in Washington and Tel aviv see military force as the only option left. mitt Romney’s promise in Jerusalem last month to give Israel a green light for a pre-emptive strike on Iranian nuclear facilities may have been alarming, but it reflected growing international sentiment not least from Israeli Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has repeatedly stated that he views a nuclear-armed Iran as an “existential threat” to the State of Israel. mainstream international exasperation now takes the form of sanctions against Iran’s oil and banking sectors, intensifying three decades of the Islamic Republic’s economic mismanagement. The Bush administration’s repeated threats of “regime change” to prevent a nuclear Iran once served to rally Iranians to the nuclear cause, with many telling me that they would fight if Washington attacked Iran. Today, rising inflation (the rial has lost 50 percent of its value against other currencies in the last year, while consumer prices are rising officially by 25 percent annually) and unemployment (now at around 11 percent) have become a bigger concern than nuclear prowess. The ayatollahs have taken notice. Until april this year, Iran upped its enrichment rate and refused so much as to hold negotiations over its nuclear program for nearly two years. Since then, Iranian officials have met with the P5+1 powers (the U.S., Russia, China, UK, France and Germany) three times.

But they remain defiant. Iranian President mahmoud ahmadinejad and other prominent regime figures have stated repeatedly that nothing will stop Iran’s pursuit of its “inalienable right” to enrich uranium under international law. Iran has responded to international pressure with threats of its own, hinting it might close the Straits of Hormuz ‘(through which around 20 percent of the worlds oil passes).

What makes its defiance worse is that Iran claims it is enriching uranium to make fuel for nuclear reactors. But Iran only has one nuclear reactor, at Bushehr: Russia built it and will also provide its fuel when the reactor finally comes online. although Iran claims it intends to build up to 20 new reactors at some unspecified time in the future, as it stands now the country is an-

held to celebrate the founding of the city. The Kadayawan seeks to celebrate the culture and bounties of the city. Some say that Kadayawan is one fiesta too many because of the cost and the trouble. But I think more people would be disappointed if it is no longer held next year. a fiesta provides an opportunity for people to come together. Increasing population and specialization of work tend toalienatepeople. The urge to hold a fiesta is perhaps motivated by the need of people to pause and come together and to renew relationships.

Twice a year seems to be just about right.

The challenge for organizers, particularly of Kadayawan, is to make the event as in-

clusive as possible.

I understand that each barangay of the city has some sort of participation. Perhaps civic organizations are also encouraged to participate.

It is also well that shopping malls customarily sponsor events that bring people together. But more than the entertainment, having a fiesta keeps people in society together. It is to my mind its more important reason for being.

Dealing with a nuclear Iran ANALYSIS

By DaviD PatriKaraKoS tagonizing the West to make fuel for reactors that do not exist.

Such a seemingly perverse course of action has convinced a growing number of politicians and analysts that Iran is driving toward a nuclear bomb. and that makes sense. No serious observer could believe that Iran’s program has ever only been for civil purposes. There are too many unanswered questions with military connotations. Iran has experimented with Polonium-210, which is used in the production of nuclear weapons, and documents have been found in its possession explaining how to enrich to weapons-grade uranium and chemically convert this into metal components for use in nuclear weapons.

But there is a further reason for Iranian intransigence that goes beyond the mere military.

For 10 years, Western powers have repeatedly failed to realize what Iran wants and what its nuclear program means to the country. The nuclear crisis has never been just about uranium and centrifuges; they spin within a wider context.

To understand Iran, we must understand Iranian history. Foreign powers have meddled in Iran for almost two centuries. For much of the 19th century, Britain and Russia battled for control of Central asia, playing out their Great Game in an Iranian arena - and meddling in the country in the process. In 1953, Britain and the U.S. collaborated to overthrow democratically elected Iranian Prime minister mohammad mossadegh, replacing him with the autocratic Shah. Iranian diplomacy is thus driven by the belief that the world is fundamentally hostile and must be negotiated from a position of strength.

The question, of course, is how Iran derives this strength. a nuclear bomb would certainly suit. Nuclear weapons and strength are synonymous to many: It has not, for example, escaped Iranian notice that the U.N. Security Council powers are nuclear powers. But it is not yet time to panic. alarmist reports that Iran has enough low-enriched uranium to make several bombs are true, but misleading. To enrich to the necessary levels, Iran would have to throw out inspectors from the International atomic Energy agency, which - the odd grumble aside - it has never shown any serious inclination to do. If they did, as a senior american official told me, Washington would just bomb the enrichment plant at Natanz. The Iranians wouldn’t be that stupid, he said.

But there is something else, too. Iran is undoubtedly a rogue state: It sponsors terrorism and is one of the worst human rights violators in the world. But the term is incomplete. Iran is also a developing country, and in a world where such countries often feel inadequate relative to their developed contemporaries, anything that is seen to level the field has a high premium.

They view civil nuclear power programs as a shortcut to technological advancement and to modernity itself. To become a nuclear state a boast ahmadinejad has made many times - is, for many developing countries, to become a modern state. already paranoid about Western interference, Iran sees attempts to halt its nuclear progress as imperialist attempts to keep an Islamic country down in the best traditions of the “perfidious” West. Its nuclear drive is informed by its own history and by a belief that colonialism has reappeared in the form of “nuclear apartheid.” For many Iranians, the nuclear program remains a totem of national achievement, indicative of the country’s status as a serious power that the world must acknowledge.

Once Iran’s motivation is fully understood, there is hope for a solution. Its desires stem from a single impulse: the need to be accepted. Iran wants more engagement, not less. Its status as international pariah is an affront to its self-image as a great nation with 5,000 years of history behind it. But history has taught Iran that such acceptance must be achieved on its own terms.

The acceptance it seeks may come from having a nuclear bomb, but it may also come from being given the respect it believes it deserves.

The recent engagement with Iran must continue: Combined with biting sanctions, it may compel Iran into compromise. But Iran must be brought back into the international fold for any compromise to work. This is the only hope for a non-military solution. Involving Iran on regional issues, supporting its membership in international organizations (such as recent U.S. and Israeli support for its World Trade Organization membership) must be a priority. Once the country believes it is being treated as it deserves, it may well be more inclined to be reasonable - especially when sanctions are making it suffer. It is in many ways a long shot. But if this is not tried, we may face more, and potentially bloodier, conflict in the middle East.

[David Patrikarakos is the author of Nuclear Iran: The Birth of an Atomic State, forthcoming from I.B. Tauris. A Londonbased writer and journalist, his work has appeared in publications including the Financial Times, London Review of Books, and New Statesman. Follow him on Twitter @ dpatrikarakos.]

COMMENTARY

By JuleS Kroll

I

N recent months, as credit rating agencies issued their statements, more signs are emerging that the agencies are in danger of becoming irrelevant. after moody’s downgraded the ratings of 15 global banks several weeks ago, U.S. bank stocks posted gains. When the sovereign debt of Germany, the Netherlands and luxembourg were downgraded on July 23, U.S. stocks remained largely unchanged. The ratings of the traditional agencies now appear to be lagging indicators.

It is not difficult to find signs that the Big Three credit rating agencies are losing their credibility in the United States and around the globe. Reports across the atlantic of plans by the European Parliament to ban sovereign credit ratings altogether emerged in late 2011.

Just look at the soaring U.S. Treasury bond market following Standard & Poor’s downgrade of the United States. Investors are making key investment decisions using their own analysis.

Time and again, the traditional agencies’ analyses have lacked any foresight, even after the lessons of the subprime mortgage debacle.

It’s hard to trust companies that have repeatedly gotten it so wrong. a year after S&P downgraded long-term U.S. Treasuries, investors are still buying them up, and little else has changed: Interest rates remain low, and Dow Jones industrials are high. Then, take Greece. In 2009, moody’s said that fears about Greece’s financing were “misplaced,” according to the New york Times, only to go on to downgrade Greece’s debt. We all know the fallout from that. These were the same firms that gave Enron an “investment grade” rating back in 2001, just before it filed for bankruptcy. and lest you’ve forgotten by now, they also gave lehman Brothers a favorable rating before its collapse. after spending years defending their reputation following the 2008 financial crisis and again failing to spot any problems in Europe until after the euro zone crisis was already under way, the credibility of and trust for credit ratings are in serious jeopardy. It is no wonder that the watchdog European Securities and markets authority is now investigating whether S&P, moody’s and Fitch are transparent enough and have enough “analytical resources” to accurately evaluate banks.

But the solution is not to banish credit ratings to the scrap heap of history. Nor to eliminate an important tool for valuing debt and keeping capital markets solvent. What we really need is a new model to restore credibility to the industry once again. Put simply, ratings are too important to not be trusted.

Credit rating agencies can offer an important assessment of public-sector institutions, the structured finance sector and other market conditions more broadly. When these analyses are conducted thoroughly and independently, they are valuable. For example, if demand for a state’s general obligation bonds - which credit agencies rate - exceeds the bonds available, a state can reduce interest rates and potentially save millions over the life of the bonds.

Credit rating agencies should adopt a new business model that includes transparency, accountability and strong analytics as its cornerstones. When my firm employed this model, our average report produced anywhere from 30 to 50 percent more content than a firm like moody’s.

We are able to routinely provide timely, forward-looking research so investors and the public can make more informed decisions. If a rating turns out to be wrong, we will say so.

This new approach will work. markets don’t trust the old model, not just because it’s been wrong so often but also because it is conducted in a vacuum. Traditional rating agencies go into a back room and come out with a letter grade that increasingly appears to be chosen out of thin air. But a model that includes full and public disclosure of the methodology used to reach the rating, and long-term accountability for whether the rating was right or wrong, will restore confidence. It won’t happen overnight, but little by little, it will happen.

The creditworthiness of companies and the public sector is something that should be meaningful. It’s time to restore trust in credit rating agencies once again.

[Jules Kroll is the Chairman and CEO of Kroll Bond Rating Agency, Inc.]

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 119 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, AUGUST 17 - 18, 2012

Kadayawan Agri Trade Fair. The Kadayawan Agri Trade Fair formally opened last August 13 at SM City Davao Open Grounds. The annual event spearheaded by FICSMIN will run until the end of the month. Cutting the ribbon are Nancy Binay (2nd from the left), Vice President’s wife Dr. Elenita Binay and Davao City Agriculturist Leo Avila III. Also in the

SUBURBIA 9

photo are Department of Tourism Regional Director Art Boncato (2nd from the right) and SM Davao Asst. Mall Manager Engr. Nick Santos (rightmost).

Panabo farmers receive Gawad Saka award T

HREE Panaboan’s were recipients of the 2012 Regional Gawad Saka agri achievers awards.

Panabo City mayor Jose l. Silvosa, Sr. represented by City agriculturist alejandro mayato cited the Gawad Saka agri achievers during the 2012 Regional Gawad Saka awarding Ceremony and National agricultural & Fishery Council (NaFC XI) general oath taking held at the Grand men Seng Hotel, Davao City last august 3, 2012. awardees are Dr. Francisco P. Dela Peña, one of the Outstanding Panaboan, who was awarded as Outstanding Organic Farmer; a.O. Floi-

rendo RIC - Outstanding Rural Improvement Club; and Dr. Girley S. Gumanao from the Davao del Norte State College who was held as Outstanding agri-Scientist.

The exemplary innovations made by the awardees to improve productivity and income as best practice worthy of immolation in the field of agriculture brought them in the helm of success & recognitions. mayato said the City Government of Panabo is hoping these winners will again dominate the national search and will emerge outstanding agri-achievers in the national level. These

achievements, he said, are important to boost the eagerness of the farmers and fisherfolks in exploring other means for food security and sustainability in Panabo City.

The Gawad Saka award is the most prestigious token given to individuals or groups of farmers and fisherfolks who have done exemplary performance in improving the capability of the agricultural sector to attain the government’s food security program.

National agricultural and Fishery Council (NaFC) Executive Director, Engr. ariel T. Canayan said that

emphasis is given to production than those who consume; lifting than those who lean; those who look for ways and means than stagnate and those who move on despite physical set up couldn’t make it. more important is the determined spirit of the farmers and fisherfolks that fueled the human limitations to never surrender & move on to the finishing line despite of the undertaking that the government encounter yet volunteered them and worked hard for rice/food sufficiency. This year’s good news however is that DBm increased

school.

The ceremony was done simultaneously with another school building project funded by the Panabo City government in the same school.

“Education is important in addressing both the economic and peace and order situation in the barangays.

The responsibility of giving education to our children must be shared not only by teachers who supervise formal instructions in our schools but also with the parents, community leaders and other stakeholders. all of these must work hand-inhand if we are to make progress in our quality of education especially in the public schools,” lagdameo said in a speech delivered by his representative.

The Consolacion Elementary School building

project is the latest of lagdameo’s set of Barangayanihan Education Projects under his Priority Development assistance Fund (PDaF) being implemented this year which also include similar projects in New Visayas Elementary School, Panabo City; Dujali Central Elementary School, municipality of Braulio E. Dujali and Esperanza Elementary School in Sto.Tomas.

The Department of Budget and management has also released the P8-million budget through a Special allotment Release Order (SaRO) intended for another set of school building projects as prioritized by lagdameo.

This include two prefabricated classroom school buildings each for Salvacion National High School and San

Jose Elementary School both in Sto.Tomas; Rizal Elementary School in Panabo City; Balisong Elementary School in Braulio E. Dujali; Carmen CES in Ising, Carmen; and Dadatan Elementary School in Brgy. Dadatan, Kaputian District of the Island Garden City of Samal. lagdameo also earmarked P3 million for the construction of a science building at the Davao del Norte State College located in Brgy. New Visayas, Panabo City. lagdameo also continuously supports the education of 79 boxer and scholars under the Barangay Una Boxing Program who are individually enrolled from elementary to college as part of its Barangayanihan Grassroots Sports Development Program.

New classroom inaugurated in DavNor

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P690,000-classroom building has been inaugurated last week in Consolacion Elementary School located in the interior barangays of Panabo City.

The building is one of Davao Del Norte second district Representative anton F. lagdameo Jr.’s classroom projects in the school.

The legislator, represented by one of his senior political aide, mando Navales, led the blessing and inauguration of the classroom building. also gracing the ceremony were Panabo City mayor Jose l. Silvosa Sr., Department of Education Panabo City Schools Division Superintendent Josephine S. Fadul, Consolacion Brgy.

Capt. antonio aton, school heads, teachers, parents and students of the said public

NaFC’s budget up to 18%, Canayan added.

OIC-Regional Executive Director Department of agriculture RFU XI Constancio maghanoy, Jr. led in honoring the contribution of the Gawad Saka awardees to the agriculture-based economy of Panabo City. Nineteen (19) individuals and organizations emerged as winners of this year’s Gawad Saka Regional Search for Outstanding agri-achievers.

Davao del Sur, Davao City and Compostela Valley Province copped the 2nd Place in Region XI Ranking, while the Province of Davao del Norte won 1st

Place as Davao Oriental was crowned as the Champion of the said search.

Region XI was judged as Hall of Famer of Gawad Saka Search last year, after winning grand slam for three consecutive years.

Subsequently, the province of Davao del Norte won two National Gawad Saka awards in 2011. anna C. Cagulada of Braulio E. Dujali won as best integrated rice farmer and the Four Seasons Fruits Corporation from Tagum City as the most outstanding agri-entrepreneur in the country. (mark anthony Gellor – Panabo City Information Office)

Fun run for the Mt. Talomo-Lipadas watershed. Compostela Valley governor Arturo T. Uy (3rd from L) together with Davao City Water District official spokesperson Imelda T. Magsuci (4th from L) at the starting line of the 5K race. (Photo taken by Jonas A. Capute Jr.)

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EDGEDAVAO

PHL coco oil exports up 43% in July ‘12

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OCONUT oil (CNO) exports grew for the third consecutive month in July this year as copra supply and demand from traditional markets continued to recover, the United Coconut association of the Philippines (UCaP) said on Tuesday. yvonne agustin, UCaP executive director, in a telephone interview, said that CNO shipments rose to 113,610 metric tons (mT) in July 2012, higher by 43.55 percent from 79,143 mT recorded a year ago.

“There has been a stable supply of copra, as well as demand from our major markets abroad,” said agustin.

She noted that buyers have shifted to CNO anew, following an increase in the prices of palm kernel oil.

“Coconut oil is now at a discount against palm kernel oil, which may have caused demand to shift. Early this year, coconut oil was priced higher than palm kernel oil, but since march, the premium between both began to narrow,” she said. at the start of the year, CNO remained to be a tough

sell for the Philippines with prices averaging US$ 1,451 per mT as compared to US$ 1,366 per mT for palm kernel oil. But local CNO producers managed to increase productivity and exports over the last three months, with prices stabilizing at an average of US$ 1,064 per mT as compared to US$ 1,065 per mT for palm kernel oil.

Despite the industry’s strong performance, agustin noted that last year was a relatively low-average year, which provided a low base comparison.

“We normally export an average of 80,000 to 100,000 mT of coconut oil monthly. last month’s exports were at the high end of this average,” she said.

In 2011, the industry fell short of its coconut oil export target of 900,000 mT because of the persistent tight supply of coconut in the domestic market. Coconut oil exports last year dropped nearly 39 percent to 823,381 mT. For this year, the Philippines has increased its coconut oil export target to 925,000 mT as production of copra starts to pick up. [PNA]

NorthCot rubber farmers urged to plant palay too

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GRICUlTURE assistant Secretary Dante Delima has urged farmers in magpet, North Cotabato to venture into other agricultural crops aside from rubber and banana.

Speaking during the opening of agricultural-industrial exhibit on monday, Delima, who was the guest of honor and speaker, encouraged farmers and the local government unit, headed by mayor Efren Pinol, to engage on rice production because the country needs more rice from the region instead of taking it from asian countries.

This town celebrated its 49th foundation anniversary on today with various activities that showcase the economically improving municipality as food basket of North Cotabato.

“While magpet is known for its high value crops like rubber and other agricultural products, farmers should also focus on palay production so that magpet can help the country fight hunger and famine,” he said.

Since magpet sits at the foot of the country’s highest peak –mt. apo, Delima said it has been abundant with fresh water. “you are rich here with freshwater and nature provided water, I encourage you to put up Small Water Impounding Facilities (SWIFs) to ensure sustainability of nature’s gift,” Delima said.

Pinol, visibly elated by Delima’s comments, and wel-

comed the Da official’s challenged.

Farmers’ organization then brought to Delima’s attention the problem besetting them that the Da official listened carefully.

One of these problems was the irrigation canal in Barangay Binay which had been damaged by heavy rains and has affected agricultural production.

Determined to help, Delima instructed Da-12 Regional Director amalia Datukan to bring in the regional engineering group to do the necessary repair and rehabilitation.

Speaking also during the opening program of agroindustrial trade fair, Datukan lauded the town’s agriculture office and the farmers for the “very productive partnership.”

The trade fair showcased how agriculture was developed in this former village which was transformed from rebel-infested village to a bustling highly agricultural town in Central mindanao region.

Pinol humbly appreciated the awards two villages of maget earned from the Gawad Saka search of the agriculture department.

The two Barangay Food Terminals (BFTs) of Barangay Pangao-an was finalist of the annual search. appreciating his efforts to come over and addressed farmer’s issues and concerns, Pinol handed over to Delima a plaque of appreciation. [PNA]

Bt corn dominates output, gets 60% yellow corn share B

IOTECH corn now accounts for 60 percent of yellow corn production in the country, an official of the Dept. of agriculture bared.

Da assistant Secretary Edilberto de luna, also the chief of the National Corn Program, said the pest and disease-resistant Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn is now preferred by farmers owing to its durability and its higher yield.

He noted farmers in

Northern luzon have opted for the geneticallymodified Bt corn in spite of earlier resistance by many quarters that feared the crop’s impact on human health and the environment.

De luna said out of the 3.47 million metric tons of corn harvested for the first semester, yellow corn comprised 2.082 mmT. Thus, Bt corn accounted for 1.2492 mmT of the total output.

Of the projected total corn output of 7.46 mmT for the entire year, yellow corn would be 4.476 mmT, of which 2.6856 mmT would be Bt corn.

The projected output is 7 percent better than the 2011 output of 6.97 mmT. De luna said while the cultivation of Bt corn has been widespread in luzon, many farmers in the Visayas and other regions are hindered from planting the crop due to existing

prohibitions at the provincial and city levels.

Negros Occidental has a provincial ordinance banning the introduction of any genetically-modified organism, which prevents the entry of Bt corn and other crops.

Under existing protocols, the government approves GmOs only if they are safe to humans and the environment and would not harm traditional varieties. [PNA]

the proliferation of local commercial feeds.”

Result of Dr. Doton’s study pointed out that growth performance of home mixed feeds posted an average weight gain of 80.48 kilograms compared to that of the local commercial feeds which 65.52 kilograms. average daily gain (aDG) for home mixed feed is 0.772 kgs compared to 0.645 kgs for local commercial feed. aDG indicated the average gained weight per day. also cited in the study, the Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) of home mixed feeds was lower than the local Commercial feed. FCR indicates

the amount of feed needed to produce one kilogram of meat.

Home-mixed feeds include corn, rice bran, soybean, fish meal, molasses, dicalcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, salt, copra meal, vitamin/mineral premix & lysine.

Doton said home-mixed feeds are less expensive compared to commercially produced feeds.

“The project on homemixed feeds was steered to promote swine production through home-mixed feeds in terms of weight gain and feed conversion efficiency,” said Dr. Doton during the Farm-

er’s Pork Barbecue Festival on monday at Da Dairy Center, Balindog, Kidapawan City.

Doton said this scheme should be the priority of backyard swine producers and even swine production center in the region.

He also urged meat vendors to prefer the swine fed with home-mixed ingredients because they are more organic and chemical free.

Central mindanao is composed of the provinces of North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato, Saranggani and the cities of Cotabato, Kidapawan, Koronadal, Tacurong and Gen. Santos City.[PNA]

Hog raisers in Central Mindanao urged to use home-mixed feeds

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WINE raisers in Central mindanao Region 12 have been encouraged to use low-cost yet high quality and home-mixed feeds to their hogs because of its economic viability and good effects to its growth performance.

This was recommended

by Dr. Neil Doton, Veterinarian II of Department of agriculture–Central mindanao Integrated Research Center (Da-CEmIaRC), in Barangay amas, Kidapawan City after the conduct of her study which generally indicated “home-mixed feeds yield better results on the growth and quality of swine compared to

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EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 119 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, AUGUST 17 - 18, 2012

PWD-friendly elections sought

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N advocate for the welfare of persons with disabilities (PWD) said Wednesday the Philippine government census is not PWD-sensitive and that is why it does not have the exact count of PWDs in the country today.

Emily abrera, president of the Foundation for CommunicationsInitiatives, which helped organize the Fully abled Nation (FaN) day, said people who do the census never ask questions if there is a PWD in a family and they get to list one only when they notice a person with orthopedic disability in a wheelchair.

“But, a deaf person looks normal unless you engage him or her in a conversation,” she said, adding that very few of them were registered as PWD precisely because the census is never friendly. areas in mindanao where people suffered from armed conflict, she continued, probably have more PWDs, as well as areas where there is high poverty level because more children were born with disabilities due to their mothers’ malnutrition.

She pointed out that questions to identify PWDs should be included in the census so that the country will have an exact data and will be able to address their needs appropriately, especially in the 2013 midterm elections.

“We hope to double the number of PWD voters from that of the previous elections because if the

No...

precincts are PWD friendly and personnel are better trained, they will come to vote,” she said.

Emil Tapnio, assistant program officer of the asia Foundation, said only 435,000 PWDs voted in 2010 elections, or 2.3 percent of the total population of registered PWDs. He cited that the three factors for the low turnout were accessibility, being ashamed of their condition and transportation.

He noted that through the FaN, which is a banner campaign to increase awareness of the Commission on Elections and local government units on the needs and concerns of PWDs, the COmElEC issued Resolution No. 9485.

Stipulated in the resolution are rules and regulations for voting of PWDs and for the establishment of accessible polling places for the may 13, 2013 national and local elections.

He said some of the requirements for PWDs during the elections include providing ramps, precincts at the ground floor, signages and special assistance.

He also mentioned that PWDs, disabled people’s organizations, and other non-government organizations raised the need for the COmElEC to update records, particularly on registration data that specify the kinds of assistance needed on election day.

Redendo martinez, president of the association of Differently abled Persons and is currently

employed at the office of the city mayor, said he is seeking accessibility to his voting precinct at Banganga Elementary School in Cabantian where there is a 150-meter steep portion of the road and a few stairs at the building’s threshold.

He also said that he wanted to include PWDs in absentee voting either with teachers or the military to mitigate the hassles PWDs get when voting along with the majority.

For her part, Carmen R. Zubiaga, acting executive director of the National Council on Disability affairs, said she is calling on the COmElEC to provide a voting machine designed to fully allow the participation of blind people.

“I always practice my rights and I have been voting for years. I always demand for help during elections because the precincts are not accessible,” she said, noting that physical accessibility is a major problem mostly of PWDs like her who have orthopedic disabilities.

Further, abrera said they are urging the COmElEC to involve PWDs in its election committees and to require candidates to make their campaign materials accessible to PWDs, such as using sign language.

Increasing the participation of PWDs in the 2013 elections is part of the three-year program of the asia Foundation with support from the australian agency for International Development (ausaID). [Lorie Ann A. Cascaro / MindaNews]

Casipong said.

“However, when the BIR revoked the exemption in January, 2012, and the miners stopped selling tehri gold to the bank again,” he said. actually, it is not only miners from the Davao Region who stopped selling to the BSP. Casipong said the miners from the nearby Caraga Region (Surigao and agusan provinces) also stopped their gold the BSP here.

When asked where the miners are now selling gold, Casipong said the BSP is clueless about the new buyer of the gold produced by Davao miners.

The NEDa and NSCB of-

ficials admitted having heard that the miners have turned to the informal buyers, or the black market in selling their gold.

Casipong said that the miners have proposed to the Department of Finance that they pay only 5-percent creditable withhold tax which should be based on presumptive income from gold trading with the BSP and not on gross sale.

He said as far as he knows, the DoF has not yet responded to the miners’ proposal.

Casipong said that BSP itself is helpless about the situation. He said the bank is limited to paying for the gold

FFROM, 1 ing a two-percent excise and 10-percent withholding tax imposed on gold in July 2011.

“There is actually no improvement in the situation.

Our gold buying still very low,” Casipong said, adding that the miners stopped selling to the bank starting about July 2011.”

He said the situation improved for a while when about November last year, the BIR granted the miners the miners exemption from the 2 percent excise tax and 10 creditable withholding tax. “at that time, about 50 percent of miners resumed selling their gold to the BSP,”

Solon proposes transfer custody of JDF to Bureau of Treasury

I

N a move intended to insulate the position of the Chief Justice (CJ) of the Supreme Court (SC) from unwarranted criticisms and false accusations of corruption arising in the administration of the Judicial Development Fund (JDF), a lady lawmaker from the House of Representatives has filed a bill that seeks to transfer the custody of the fund to the Bureau of Treasury (BoT). manila Rep. Rosenda ann Ocampo filed House Bill 6441, otherwise known as the “act mandating the Transfer of the administration of the Judiciary Development Fund (JDF) from the Supreme Court to the Bureau of Treasury,” to ensure transparency in the custody, accounting and disbursement of the JDF. The JDF was established by law -- thru Presidential Decree 1949 -- to augment the allowances of the members and personnel of the Judiciary and to finance the acquisition, maintenance and repair of court offices, equipment and facilities.

Small...

The JDF is derived from legal fees paid by the people who avail of court services and from other sources of revenues identified by the SC. Pursuant to the said law, the Chief Justice administers and allocates the JDF and has the sole exclusive power and duty to approve disbursement and expenditures of the fund.

Critics of the SC, however, have continuously pointed out the lack of transparency and accountability in the disbursement of the JDF. This alleged failure and refusal to account for the JDF was one of the grounds for impeachment against former Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Ocampo noted that with judicial reforms underway due to the impeachment of Corona and with the release of the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) shortlist on the next chief justice nominee, “the criteria in the search for the next chief magistrate do not include competence in fund custodianship or financial management.”

She said the chief justice presides as the highest magistrate of the land and acts as the chief executive officer of the entire judicial system.

“Such a huge financial and accounting responsibility as the JDF for a nonfinancial legal luminary is an unfair burden and a discipline beyond the competence required of a Chief Justice,” she said.

However, Ocampo asserted that if approved, HB 6441 would not remove the SC’s independence in the use and disbursement of the JDF. “Under the proposed bill, the SC will continue its exclusive powers to identify the expenditures to be paid from the JDF. The fund would only be held in trust by the BoT for the Judiciary and would be allocated and used exclusively for the purpose intended in PD 1949,” she stressed.

“Ultimately, HB 6441 would promote public accountability and transparency in handling the JDF and will prevent future abuse of discretion in its administration,” she noted. [PNA]

president, said during the mindanao Vegetable Congress held here august 13-14 that a great number of vegetable farmers have difficulty in market accessibility.

“The middlemen are still in control. That’s why the income of farmers remain very low and they continue to suffer from poverty,” he said, citing that currently they go through two to three intermediaries such as the “jambolero”, “biyahero” and trader.

He noted that the vegetable congress aimed to teach farmers how to access institutional markets such as supermarkets, hospitals, big canteens and public markets, among others.

Teolulo Pasawa, city director of trade and industry, said it is the middlemen getting most of the profit, noting that government can look on the experience of North mindanao in addressing this, where farmers were organized into marketing associations and the association now serves as middlemen. Dr. Rodolfo Estigoy, chief science research specialist of the Department of agriculture-Philippine Center for Post-Harvest Development and mechanization (Da-Philmech), agreed that middlemen still dominate the marketing system of vegetables, espe-

cially in semi-temperate areas like Benguet.

He said as a response, Philmech established a cold chain center in Benguet to provide custom services for cold storage and transport, adding that similar technology was set up in the Northern mindanao region.

“The Northern mindanao vegetables in CDO have a cold chain system so farmers can also avail of the services. Bukidnon vegetable farmers now have better leverage over middlemen,” he said.

He also cited the supply chain study of vegetables in mindanao conducted by Dr. Sylvia Concepcion of the University of the Philippines mindanao, which further describes the existing marketing system of vegetables. aside from middlemen, there are also consolidators or capitalists who buy their products to supply institutional markets who dictate the prices of vegetables, according to artemio Dungog, 46, a wholesale retailer of vegetables in Bankerohan public market here.

He said farmers and retailers like him are mostly at a losing end when there is an oversupply of vegetables because consolidators can demand to buy their

products at lower prices.

City agriculturist leo avila earlier said the city government is looking at improving vegetable recipes to increase the vegetable consumption, especially of children, as a way to address the marketability of small farmers’ products.

Citing the marketing and technical needs of vegetable farmers in rural areas, he said there should be an increase of awareness on vegetable consumption so there would be more market for the farmers’ produce. antonio Flores, spokesperson of Kilusang magbubukid ng Pilipinas, a national organization of farmers, said vegetable farmers continue to struggle with low income and are being burdened with high prices of farm inputs, while big capitalists dictate the prices of their products.

He said the government has to continue its subsidy to local farmers in terms of farm inputs and technical services, adding that the Genuine agrarian Reform Bill, which is being lobbied by the progressive bloc in the House of Representatives, has to be enacted to help poor farmers by implementing a genuine agrarian reform in order to achieve sustainable agriculture. [Lorie Ann A. Cascaro / MindaNews]

FFROM, 1

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VOL.5 ISSUE 119 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, AUGUST 17 - 18, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

ROOKIE DRAFT. Chris Tiu (middle) and June Mar Fajardo (right) lead the exciting batch of rookies in the PBA Draft. Tiu could land no. 4 and Fajardo possibly the top pick.

Ginebra hopes to land Tiu T HE most popular team is hoping the most popular player in this Sunday’s rookie draft would fall on its lap.

“I hope Chris Tiu will still be available,” Ginebra coach Siot Tanquingcen said in a television interview.

Ginebra is picking sixth and eighth in the first round, and Tanquingcen said the team is hoping to get a guard and a frontliner to boost the squad, making Tiu a perfect fit.

The former SmaRT-Gilas Pilipinas team captain seems to like the idea too.

“I would love to play for Ginebra. It’s a historical team where some of the greatest players played,”

Tiu wrote in a text message.

“I appreciate the trust of the coaches and management. We don’t know what will happen on Sunday. I’m excited and nervous.”

But Tiu might not be available for Ginebra on Sunday, with four teams picking ahead of Ginebra. apart from his on-court ability, he brings a sizeable following among fans that should help boost any squad in the league.

Barako Bull, which picks one spot ahead of Ginebra, has also expressed interest on Tiu. “Nabanggit din namin sa discussion ng coaches si Chris Tiu and in my opinion, if ever he will be available at No. 5, we might

consider him as well,” said Barako Bull assistant coach Bong Ramos. another player who has caught Tanquingcen’s eye is Keith Jensen, a rugged Filipino-american forward who has spent the past season with the PBa D-league’s Big Chill squad.

But Tanquingcen said that the team could still engage in trades that might end up including one of Ginebra’s picks.

“It’s a possibility considering we need to unload players,” said Tanquingcen. “There are redundancies in position, so we really have to move players. Don’t be surprised if trades will be worked out during draft day.”

INdulge! uP AND ABout

Four DJs one party at Vibetribe Not one, not two, not even three...

City tourism office of Davao, Kadayawan Foundation, Inc. and San Miguel Beer PRESENt DJ Clyde Harris: Nominated as Guam’s Best DJ in 2009 & 2010, and a resident artist of Los Angeles’ 6AM Group.

DJ Ron of 7th High: top finalist of Dubai Palme’s International DJ Competition in 2010, and a resident DJ of 7th High DJ Arra Pascual: official Brand Ambassador of Pioneer DJ Philippines & one of FHM’s resident Hotties DJ Ital Art: Breakout DJ in the Reggae and Dub Dance Scene, and a resident DJ of Casa Guam Four internationally-acclaimed DJs, all in the first of an Annual Kadayawan Dance Party Series you wouldn’t want to miss!

VIBEtRIBE: 4DJs, 1 VIBE the party is on August 17, 2012, Friday at 9 PM Wheels N’ More Strip, Davao City.

For free invites, RSVP as “Going” in our event page at https://www.facebook.com/events/502567103090708/ permalink/503773916303360.

A no-holds-barred pool Revelry with the Zombettes

A FuLL oN, no holds barred, take no prisoners pool party with free flowing premium drinks and intensely sexy music that will surely get Davao’s “Crème dela Crème” crowd going. Revelry will be the biggest and baddest pool party to hit the city with 400-500 of Davao finest expected to make a splash.

Headlining this year’s event and highlight of the evening are Manila’s sexiest DJ trio oRNuSA CADNESS, MIA AYESA and SANYA SMItH collectively known as the ZoMBEttES. these models turned DJs will be churning out Electro, Hip-Hop and RnB Mash-ups, taking it even further with some old school influences and rock anthems. After the success of their Dirty Blondes Club tour in 2011, the Zombettes are excited to bring their music and amp up the heat down south.

Fueling the crowd all night with nothing but premium liquor, sexy music and even sexier DJs will definitely make for one epic pool party.

August 18, 2012 9PM at Rachos Palos Verdes Pool Side. tickets are available at all Dimsum Diner branches, Casa Leticia, Pops, Hanoi, tsuru, Isuzu Davao at Php750 each pre-selling and Php900 at the door with free flowing Captain Morgan and Smirnoff Vodka all night!

For table Reservations call 09228381600 Get them early, there are limited tickets and even more limited tables.

Make way for REVELRY!

VOL.5 ISSUE 119 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, AUGUST 17 - 18, 2012

EDGEDAVAO uP AND ABout

Icons of faith and beauty

WiTh ThE CROSS as the central and focal theme, the Divine Mercy Apostolate Archdiocese of Davao in cooperation with Emilia’s Jewelry Collection launched Crocifisso on August 8, 2012. italian for crucifix, Crocifisso showcases the different interpretations of the cross by Emilia’s Jewelry’s in-house jewelry designers, Emil Vincent Sitjar and Maria Eileen Sitjar.

By using various natural colored gemstones such as sapphires, spinels, beryls, topazes, spessartites, tsavorites and quartz in brilliant, rose, step and varied cuts, and incorporating them with non-traditional materials such as shagreens, bull horns, mink furs, stingray leather and silicone, the collection aims to juxtapose the different ways one interprets faith

in an item of natural beauty.

The cross interpretations on the other hand were as varied as the different colored stones used. The pieces designed come off as whimsical, geometric, irregular, simple, classic, oldworld to the outright modern.

Also part of the Crocifisso collection is the usage of raw and natural diamonds and the rose cuts. Most of the crosses were likewise created using recycled metals from old jewelry.

Also at the event, the Divine Mercy Apostolate Archdiocese of

Davao unveiled through guests of honor Mrs. Mercy Evangelista and Mrs. Marietta Roldan a special limited edition plate titled SEASON 1 by Davao-born artist Manuel “Boy” Montoya. With only 750 plates produced, the plate, in hard fire porcelain, is a true collector’s item.

Proceeds from the Crocifisso endeavor will be for the benefit of the Divine Mercy Davao’s hosting of the 7th Mindanao Apostolic Congress of Mercy on September 2012.

Follow me on Twitter @kennethkingong for more foodie finds, culture tweets, and travel picks.

A2 INdulge!

VOL.5 ISSUE 119 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, AUGUST 17 - 18, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

ENtERtAINMENt ENtERtAINMENt

Jodie tells Kristen: Don’t panic!

JoDIE FoStER is not one to judge.

In fact, the 49-year-old actress thinks we should all show a little compassion when it comes to the personal lives of celebrities. In particular? Let’s give Kristen Stewart a break.

In an op-ed for the Daily Beast, Foster addresses our culture’s obsession with fame and how we “seldom consider the childhoods we unknowingly destroy in the process.”

Foster recalls shooting Panic Room with Stewart in 2001. “We talked and laughed for hours, sharing spontaneous myster-

ies and venting our boredom. I grew to love that kid,” she says, reminiscing about a then 11-year-old, carefree Stewart playing a basketball game on set.

“I was pregnant at the time and found myself daydreaming of the child I might have soon. Would she be just like Kristen? All that beautiful talent and fearlessness…would she jump and dunk and make me so proud?”

“Actors who become celebrities are supposed to be grateful for the public interest,” Foster says, noting that she wouldn’t have been able to withstand growing up in today’s saturated star

culture. “After all, they’re getting paid. Just to set

the record straight, a salary for a given on-screen

performance does not include the right to invade

anyone’s privacy, to destroy someone’s sense of self.” Her advice for Stewart? Remember that “this too shall pass.” “the public horrors of today eventually blow away. And yes, you are changed by the awful wake of reckoning they leave behind. You trust less. You calculate your steps. You survive,” she says. “Hopefully in the process you don’t lose your ability to throw your arms in the air again and spin in wild abandon. that is the ultimate F.u. and— finally—the most beautiful survival tool of all.

Don’t let them take that away from you.”

What say you?

Ryan Gosling gets a coloring book CoLoR uS impressed with this one!

Die-hard fans who’ve been salivating for a piece of the Gos can get the next best thing: their very own Ryan Gosling coloring book. that’s right, the Crazy, Stupid, Love star has now been immor talized in all manner of sketches just waiting for you to fill them in with all sorts of love and color. the 15-page booklet, titled Colour Me Good: Ryan Gosling, was created by I Love Mel and is being sold by British retailer Maiden. on its back page, it urges customers to “use your felt tips to colour in Ryan Gosling driving, eating, kissing, standing, walking, and all manner of handsome activities!”

(Keep it G-rated, peeps!

Coloring is a perfectly wholesome kiddie activity, in case your lusty pen got the better of you.)

So what kind of Ryan are you in the mood to color today?

take your pick: there’s Scruffy Ryan, SmartGlasses Ryan, Dapper Ryan, Pet-Lover Ryan, Aw-Shucks Ryan and— but of course!—Shirtless Ryan.

Whichever sketch you choose to color, just try to not get too green with envy, red with embarrassment or blue with…yeah,

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.5 ISSUE 119 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, AUGUST 17 - 18, 2012

Kadayawan fun at Trust Home Depot kicks off today.

It’s trust Home Depot’s first Kadayawan celebration and it’s going to be all fun! trust Home Depot, the latest and the biggest outlet of the growing trust Hardware family, is proving to be “more than just a hardware.” After it’s trendsetting in-store events of art and cooking lessons to promote the depot’s school and kitchen sections, tHD is hosting another event this Kadayawan with Pofta Buna, the traveling food fiesta, as its partner.

“At trust Home Depot, we try to innovate and Pofta Buna aims to do the same. this is not only a food festival but also a venue where you can pick up gardening essentials, organic items and even get tips on entertaining at home. this event is not

limited to a select few but offers something exciting for each member of the family,” said Stephanie ong, trust Home Depot’s Marketing Manager. the three-day unique Eats and Shabby treats festivity that starts today, August 17th, Friday, to August 19th, Sunday, from 10AM to 8PM, will be at the parking area of trust Home Depot along Ecoland Drive and Quimpo Boulevard in Matina (former task Force Davao).

Pofta Buna will be presenting Davao’s culinary secrets along with the popular ones. other exciting activities aside from the food fiesta will be dedicated to the homemakers, and kids as well, are scheduled as follows: August 17, 2012, Friday.

10 - 11 AM table Skirting 11 – 11:15 AM Napkin

Folding 11:15 AM -12:15 PM table setup 3-4 PM Cooking Demo August 18, 2012, Saturday.

4 PM Cooking Demo by Chef Aileen Asilom of Manoy’s Sukang Dabaw.

August 19, 2012, Sunday.

10 AM – Kiddie Gardening Seminar by Aloha organic Garden Ms ong extends her invitation, “We would like to invite all the Dabawenyos to join Pofta Buna’s unique Eats and Shabby treats at trust Home Depot and savor the distinctive flavors of Davao.”

For more information, please call 298-7878, 2953588. or visit trust Home Depot on Facebook. tRuSt Home Depot is at Ecoland Drive, Quimpo Boulevard, Matina (formerly task Force Davao).

INdulge! A3

A4 INdulge!

ENtERtAINING ENtERtAINMENt

VOL.5 ISSUE 119 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, AUGUST 17 - 18, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

What’s trending on the Twitterverse?

TWiTTER is fast becoming the best basis of ‘current events’. A quick scan of any Filipino Tweeter’s timeline would tell you what topics are most relevant to the youth. What does this mean? it means that it gives columnists (because i dare not say i am a journalist) like me an idea of what people would like to read; what people are talking about; what people are interested in. here are two Trending Topics on Twitter and my views on the matter.

Mark Mabasa Exits X-Factor, Viewers Protest Alright, so here’s the deal.

ABS-CBN franchised the international hit X-Factor which is now approaching its third week into the finals. Last episode, Mark Mabasa, a 25-year old crooner under the mentorship of Pilita Corales, got the boot and netizens have been complaining about it.

A lot of people are displeased with one particular judge’s decision to give Mabasa a negative vote. You see, in X-Factor, there are four judges: Pilita Corales who voted in favour of Mabasa, Gary Valenciano who voted in favour of Take Off—a boyband under his mentorship that was also in danger of being eliminated, Martin Nievera who voted in favour of Mabasa for the reason that he saw Mark’s career to have more potential longevity, and Charice who obviously preferred Mabasa more than the Take Off but decided to vote for the latter. Why? Because according to X-Factor rules, when the judges’ votes would result in a dead lock (2 to 2) the text votes would be the basis of the elimination. Thus, as if cleaning her hands in the elimination process, Charice voted to ensue a dead lock. The text votes were followed and Mabasa, who got the lowest votes for the evening, had to leave the show. if the tweets are any basis, the reason why netizens are so irked by Charice’s decision to vote for a dead lock was that Mabasa was obviously better than the boyband he was up against. But we must remember that Charice only gave the power to the voting public.

She chose the dead lock because any decision she’d make would put her in hot water. if she decided to vote against the boy band, Take Off supporters would turn against her. Thus, she tried to evade more hate (as she is seemingly the current apple of everyone’s dislike) by voting for a dead lock. Obvi-

ously, it still put her in an uncomfortable spot because she could have exercised the power to keep the more talented contender in the contest; and that is where all the hate comes from. i think, the problem isn’t even with Charice. it was with Mabasa. The thing about Mabasa is he does not seem authentic; his moves seem too rehearsed, he has a way of being overly flamboyant, and he has an air of fakeness. i think he does not come across as genuine thus losing any iota of charm and charisma. Sure, he is talented; one of the best vocalists in the competition, but this is not enough to get votes.

The bigger problem here is that the competition does not rely on votes; it is not one that plays on mass appeal as much as other reality shows these days. it relies on the decision of the judges, which apparently, could flip the whole game with a tie.

Although i do not particularly care for Mark Mabasa or Charice, what i dislike most is that people complain about things they could have changed. if you’re obsessed with the guy so much that it would push you to complain all over Twitter and make all your followers read tweet after tweet after tweet about how Mabasa is so much better than the boy band or how much you hate how Charice didn’t have the balls to pick her favorite, then why didn’t you vote for him?

Oh right. You were too busy tweeting.

Donations for Flood Victims Tweeted Twitter played an important role when the recent monsoon hit Luzon. People used the micro-blogging site to disseminate information such as hotlines for rescuers as well as information on how people could donate. Although this is probably the best use for the site, fame monsters used this in a way that leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

Unfortunately, some Tweeters (including some celebrities and personalities) posted photos of the donations they were making more often than necessary. it just seemed like they were doing this just to seem

like a good citizen. i mean, i’m all for helping, and it is good that they took time out to help, but do you really need to tell everybody about it?

One comedienne was bombarded with hate tweets, for posting too many photos of her donations, from netizens who thought it was better to give with as much sound as silence.

To her defense, she posted another tweet saying that she was doing this to show people the different ways they could help.

Seriously, couldn’t you just have posted information on how they could do that instead of screaming to the world that you spent a fortune on your bountiful donations?

Of course, there are also companies that thought this was the best way to improve good will through positive marketing. A popular cosmetic company’s endorser announced that they donated hundreds of boxes of FACiAL WASh to the victims of the monsoon. Yes, because when you lose your belongings, have no food to eat, and water to drink, the first thing you would clamour for is facial wash that you can use while cleansing your face in flood water. Congratulations to the genius that thought this would be the best way to get on the good graces of Filipinos.

The sadder thing about this is even journalists are writing about it with headlines that read “(name of reality show) contestants donate from their own pockets”. Slow news day? i think someone forgot to turn their brain on while writing the news. First of all, would it really be considered their donation if it weren’t from their own pockets? Second, why would people want to know this? if that is news worthy, then why not go ahead and write about how a teacher from your alma mater donated some old shoes? Or how your yaya gave away her old clothes?

Or how your neighbourhood sari-sari store owner donated money through donate-a-load schemes? i get that this is all a marketing strategy, but seriously, can you all grow even just a smidgen of shame?

We appreciate that people are donating, but we could only hope that it comes from a good place and not from a selfserving one.

For comments, suggestions, or more confessions from the columnist follow @zhaun on Twitter or go to http://confessionsofapartyphile.blogspot. com. Listen to Confessions of a Partyphile on the radio every Wednesday evenings from 6 to 9PM on 105.9 Mix FM.

SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 119 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, AUGUST 17 - 18, 2012

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Adidas, Timex back Caltex Delo Run

By Neil Bravo

T

OP sports brands adidas and Timex have thrown their support to the Caltex Delo Kadayawan Half-marathon set this Sunday. adidas and Timex are the respective official sportswear and timer of the Kadayawan race. By far, registration have swelled beyond expectation.

With the overwhelming response to the race managed by Vantage Sports, organizes have already closed the registration for the premier 21-kilometer division as the total number of participants have swelled to 1,200.

The Caltex Delo Kadayawan race flags off at 5:00

a.m. this Sunday beginning and ending at Caltex Station along Ecoland West Drive.

“We have decided to close the registration for the 21-K as we have already reached the limit.

Other categories are still open though,” said race organizer Kenneth Sai of Vantage Sports.

Early birds included group runners from Team Davao Runners, Team Titans Davao and manila, Team Koronadal, Tagum Runners and USEP Runners.

The Caltex Delo-sponsored race is an accredited event of the 27th Kadayawan Festival which will

also culminate with the Pamulak sa Kadayawan this Sunday at the city’s main streets.

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

For inquiries on the Caltex Delo Half-marathon as well as other accredited Kadayawan events, please contact Duaw Davao Festival Foundation at 2864183 and 305-7970 or email at duawdavao@yahoo.com.

Nly the strongest haters had much bad to say about the los angeles lakers’ trade for Dwight Howard. It’s the kind of deal that pretty much instantaneously vaults a good playoff team to the ranks of the NBa’s few legitimate title contenders.

Still, not everything is a world of puppy dogs and ice cream for l.a.’s preeminent franchise. Due to Howard’s $19.26 million salary for 2012-13 and the increases he’d see should he sign an extension next summer (which seems likely), the lakers are facing a very large luxury tax payment in future seasons. Cap guru larry Coon emailed Henry abbott of TrueHoop with an explanation: The lakers will have a tax bill of around $30 million next July, and in retrospect, will view this season as their salad days -- it’s the last one where the tax rate is dollar-for-dollar. Starting in 2013-14 the new “incremental” tax takes

over, where being $30 million above the tax line will mean paying a whopping $85 million tax bill. and it gets worse. Starting in 2014-15 teams will pay an even higher rate for being repeat offenders -defined as paying tax in at least three of the four previous seasons. a team $30 million over the tax line will pay -- brace yourself -an additional $115 million in luxury tax. after adding up their payroll, luxury tax bill and revenue sharing contribution (projected to be $49.4 million in 2013-14), even the lakers have to stop to consider whether this simply can be written off as the cost of doing business -- and that’s the future if they’re paying players with salaries like Bryant, Howard, Gasol and Nash.

That’s a lot of money, obviously, and it would certainly affect the lakers’ decision to keep all those players. Of course, it’s also likely they knew those things when they agreed

to trade for Howard, so it’s not as if this will come as a huge surprise. They think they can pay the tax and have already built those costs into their budget.

There’s a general tendency to think of the luxury tax as a penalty, and it is in the sense that anything past a future salary threshold has a negative financial cost. But the key here is that it only affects those who live in luxury, i.e. the very rich franchises who only pay these sorts of salaries because it’s financially viable in the first place. The luxury tax acts as a deterrent, but almost as a byproduct, a sort of warning sign for those who cannot pass a certain level of salary without inching towards financial destitution. The lakers are going to pay a serious luxury tax because they can afford it. all other teams that pay an eightfigure tax in the future (likely the Knicks and very few others) will do so for the same reasons. They pay it because they can.

ThepriceLakershave to pay for Howard O TOP STAG. Calvin Abueva of San Sebastian College, who played for Phoenix Petroleum in the last Araw ng Davao Invitational here, could be the second pick in the PBA Draft.

Rafael Nadal will be out of the US Open.

Missing Nadal R

Dwight Howard (middle) with Lakers owner Jerry Buss and his wife.

aFaEl Nadal will miss the upcoming U.S. Open due to ongoing knee issues, it was announced Wednesday.

The 2010 champion has not played a match since his stunning secondround loss at Wimbledon to lukas Rosol. He had previously withdrawn from the london Olympics and U.S. hard court season.

“I am very sad to announce that I am not ready to play the US Open in Ny,” Nadal tweeted. “Thanks to my fans for their support and especially, the New yorkers.”

The Spaniard has won

11 Grand Slams in his career. He’s played in 25 of the last 26 Grand Slam events, winning 10 and playing in five other finals.

He has never missed the U.S. Open.

It’s a huge blow to the year’s final major. Nadal and Novak Djokovic played epic finals at both last year’s U.S. Open and this year’s australian. and this summer’s wins by Roger Federer and andy murray at Wimbledon and the Olympics, respectively, were setting up for a riveting fortnight in Queens.

Nadal’s aggressive style of play has led to issues with

his knees before. He took a break to rehab in 2009 after feeling pain during his loss to Robin Soderling at the French Open, but later admitted that strife in his parent’s marriage played a large role in his decision to skip Wimbledon that year.

Now, three years later, after another upset loss, Nadal is out again. He didn’t appear to show any lingering issues during the loss to Rosol. Indeed, he was as good as ever during his usual run through the clay court season.

Nadal has been a vocal critic of the aTP’s rigorous calendar.

l

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VOL.5 ISSUE 119 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, AUGUST 17 - 18, 2012

EDGEDAVAO