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VOL.5 ISSUE 129 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, AUG. 31 - SEPT. 1, 2012

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Gaisano Mall hit for discrimination By Carlo P. Mallo

Mall rejects deaf-mute lady employed by city government as cinema ticket inspector Victim of discrimination is widowed mother of 2 kids Management admits but justifies discriminatory act

Agritrends

Sports

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DEAF-MUTE female employee of the Davao City government employed by the City Treasurer’s Office as cinema ticket inspector is mulling to file criminal charges against the management of Gaisano Mall of Davao after she was prevented from doing her work on account of her disability. In an affidavit, Grace Sarrion, a resident of Arroyo Compound in 74-A Matina Crossing, said she was “rejected” by the Gaisano Mall of Davao when the City Treasurer’s Office assigned her to be ticket checker at the Gaisano cinema. The primary duty of Sarrion is to collect the first and last ticket at a specific cinema, as well as, to monitor that the tickets surrendered by the customers are actually torn in half. This is part of the system put in place by the city government to stop tax cheating rampart among theater owners in the past. Sarrion said that last August 16, she was deployed as movie ticket checker at the Gaisano Mall of Davao. She was accompanied by

Esperanza Pariñas, movie house inspector of the city government, who formally introduced her to Jessica Canasa, the officer in charge of the cinema. However, Canasa refused to accept her due to her disability, pointing out that her being deaf would make it impossible for her to interact with the cinemas’ customers. Canasa’s action was later justified by the Gaisano Mall management in a letter in reply to a letter complaint sent by the president of the association of differently abled persons. In another letter, Rodrigo Riola, city treasurer, branding the action of Gaisano Mall as “disturbing, considering that management has no business limiting or refusing the City Government (employee) who is going to act as movie ticket checker, not to mention also the patent disregard of the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons. “ Riola clarified that Sarrion and other personnel are paid by the city

FGAISANO, 11 MURDER SUSPECT. Former Police Officer 1 Basser Bato Ampatuan is led to his detention cell

Two others arrested

in Sta. Ana Police Station after his arrest in a buy-bust operation Wednesday night. It was later discovered that he is a suspect in the killing of two top lawyers of the legal department of the Commission on Elections in Manila in 2007 and 2008.

Cops kill suspect in gym trainor’s slay By Anthony S. Allada

HE alleged prime suspect in the stabbing to death of a 31-year-old gym instructress was killed when he reportedly attempted to shoot it out with elements of the San Pedro police station who tried to arrest him yester-

Suspects are users of “Vulcaseal” and other solvents before committing crimes day morning, Thursday, at the back of Harana Restaurant, Panganiban Street, Barangay 11-B, this city. Supt. Antonio Rivera, chief of the San Pedro police station, iden-

tified the suspect as Charemae Fuertes, alias Dodong Long Hair, 24, a resident of the place. Rivera said they were about to arrest Fuertes and his compan-

ions at around 7:30 a.m. when he grabbed his .38 caliber revolver, prompting arresting operatives to shoot him dead. Two other suspects, Renante Sereño, 32, and Edre Galladora, 22,

FCOPS, 11

THE BIG NEWS

VOL.5 ISSUE 129 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, AUG. 31 - SEPT. 1, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

After 31 years

Davao City to have 2nd mobile library

HE Davao City Council has approved a P4.9 million budget for the purchase of a new bus that will be used as a mobile library, City librarian Nora Fe Alajar said. “This is part of the first supplemental budget for this year amounting to P458.4 million,” Alajar said, adding that the project took 31 years to be realized. The City’s second second mobile library will reach more barangays that are seldom provided with educational services. “It is the wish of Mayor Sara to reach out to all barangays. With the allocation of the budget, a newer and state-of-theart mobile library will not be an impossible dream,” she said.

The city acquired its first mobile library in 1981 from the National Library as a donation from the Japanese government. “However, not all areas in the city are accessible. Some areas can only be reached by buses,” she explained Alajar said they have already come up with the design for the new mobile library which will have hard copies of books and equipped with laptop and desktop computer. “We want to provide the latest learning trends and facilities to Dabawenyos living in far-flung areas,” she added, assuring that the purchase of the bus will go through the proper bidding process. [PNA]

Reduced height requirement ups number of PMA hopefuls

HE new minimum height requirement of five feet for male and female applying for entry to the elite Philippine Military Academy (PMA) has increased the number of PMA applicants this year. In his powerpoint presentation during the AFP-PNP Press Corps conference Thursday morning, Maj. Jake Obligado, commander of the CMO Battalion of the 10th Infantry Division, said that from an average of about 500 applicants in years, this time the number reached a whopping 1,600 in Region 11. Obligado said the height requirement before for male applicant was 5’4” and 5’2” for female. This was changed only this year to give chance to those who only measure five feet flat. However, only 1,100 were qualified to take the entrance examina-

tion last August 26 at the University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP) campus here. The entrance examination is only the first requirement an applicant must hurdle followed by a series of examinations, like physical and psychological. After the written examination, successful applicants will be notified of the results and will be advised to report for the Complete Physical Examination (CPE) at the AFP Medical Center, Quezon City. Obligado said the number of applicants in the region are part of the 14,540 examinees all over the country, from whom 350 will eventually make it to the academy in Baguio City.. As mandated, five percent of the quota is the slot intended for applicants belonging to the Indigeous People (IPs) or lumads . [ASA]

DEALLY, the city health office should have a staff of about 500 doctors, nurses, staff, midwives, and sanitation inspectors, but in reality it is understaffed. “We need at least 100 doctors, ideally, but right now, there are only about 28 doctors,” Edward B. Ladrido of the city health office said during the i-Speak forum Thursday at the City Hall. Meanwhile, newly installed Human Resource Management Office chief, Erwin P. Alparaque, said that they are already evaluating the needs and demands of the City Health Office. “The staff allocated for

the City Health Office is still based on the population of the past years, but the city has been growing fast economically with more and more people also moving to the city,” Alparaque said, adding that they are looking at creating more plantilla positions for the City Health Office. “To put it bluntly, the workforce of the health office is not at par with the population growth of the city.” “We will have to hire doctors, nurses, dentists, and midwives and make sure that the salary they are getting is commensurate to

City Health Office understaffed

FCITY, 11

ARENA. Gov. Cora Malanyaon of Davao Oriental thanks her participating agencies who poured in huge amount of assistance and services during the

Association of Regional Executives of National Agencies (ARENA) XI’s Serbisyo Caravan in Gov. Generoso, Davao Oriental on Thursday. [LEAN DAVAL JR.]

Suspect in murder of 2 Comelec execs falls By Anthony S. Allada

HE intensified antidrug operations of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) has netted a big fish. Former Police Officer 1 Basser Bato Ampatuan’s arrest during a buy-bust operation led to the discovery of his high-profile cases that happened in 2007 and 2008. Ampatuan, 39, a resident of General Luna Street, Cotabato City, was wanted for the deaths of two former chiefs of the legal department of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), who were murdered in two separate incidents in Metro Manila. Lawyer Alioden Dalaig, the then Comelec law department head, was shot dead in an ambush at the corner of M.H. del Pilar and Pedro Gil Streets in Ermita, Manila past 7 p.m. on November 10, 2007. The motive for Dalaig’s killing was

connected to the controversial election cases he handled after investigators ruled out robbery since his money and other personal belongings were still intact. The other victim was Wynne Asdala, who succumbed to gunshot wounds when he was attacked by motorcycleriding gunmen near the Chowking fastfood outlet along A. Soriano Street in Intramuros, Manila on March 29, 2008. Asdala died hours later at the Manila Doctors Hospital. Ampatuan was arrested by elements of the Shariff Kabunsuan provincial police office and was immediately flown to Manila to face the twin murder cases. However, on June 8, 2008, while in detention at Camp Bagong Diwa, Ampatuan reportedly walked out of an air-conditioned room where he

was confined under restricted custody. Camp guards last saw him at 1 a.m. when he went to the facility’s comfort room. However at 7 a.m., Ampatuan was nowhere to be found. Police said there was no indication he escaped through the window, adding that the back of his room is a cement wall. The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology explained that Ampatuan could not be detained in a regular prison cell because he was under restricted custody and could not be lawfully detained inside a regular jail cell. This was confirmed by Ampatuan to Sr. Supt. Ronald dela Rosa Thursday noon at the detention center of the Sta. Ana police station. Dela Rosa said he was told by sources in Manila that after a regular filing of the case,

an arrest warrant was issued on Ampatuan. “That’s what I am telling you. That our campaign against illegal drugs could result to the solution of different crimes,” Dela Rosa told reporters. Sr. Insp. Ronald Lao, chief of the Sta. Ana police station, said Ampatuan was arrested in a buybust operation at around 9:54 p.m. Wednesday at the Tart’s Dinner along corner Juan Luna and Juan dela Cruz Streets. Initial investigation showed that the suspect was only a transient in the city and staying with friends and relatives. Ampatuan joined the PNP sometime in 1999 and was declared “absent without official leave” (AWOL) on 2008, the time when he was already the subject of a police manhunt. Lao said charges of

approved Alparaque’s appointment as head of the office.. Alparaque was initially posted as Human Resource Management Office officerin-charge last April 2011 after Laperacion Daplin retired from the post in March 2011. “It is required for appointees of the city mayor to

have the concurrence of the city council before we can assume office,” Alparaque said during the iSpeak Forum at the City Hall Thursday. While no longer new to the post, Alparaque still welcomed his appointment after serving as OIC since April of 2011.

“We will continue with our drive to create a more professional, efficient, and effective work force for the city government,” Alparaque said. “To create a culture among city hall employes who will be accountable to achieve the goals of the city government.”

SP okays appointment of Alparaque HR chief

FSUSPECT, 11

By Carlo P. Mallo

FTER more than a year of being the city government’s human resource chief in acting capacity, Erwin P. Alparaque is now officially appointed to the position. During it special session last Wednesday, the City Council, unanimously

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 129 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, AUG. 31 - SEPT. 1, 2012

THE BIG NEWS

DOE to improve lighting systems of 12 Minda LGUs, public schools

HE Department of Energy (DOE) is set to improve lighting systems of 12 local government units and public schools in Mindanao in an effort to save electricity expenditures and reduce carbon emissions. DOE recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement with three city government units and nine educational institutions for the implementation of a retrofitting initiative of selected government office buildings under DOE’s Philippine Energy Efficiency Project (PEEP). Evelyn N. Reyes, officerin-charge director of DOE Energy Utilization Management Bureau, said the project aims to reduce energy wasted from the use of inefficient lighting equipment through the installation of Energy Efficient Lighting Systems (EELs). The lighting retrofit involves replacement of inefficient fluorescent lamps (FLs) and magnetic ballasts with energy efficient alternatives such as T5 (28 watts and 14 watts) fluorescent tubes, electronic ballasts and efficient luminaires), Reyes explained during the MOA signing on August 24 at Grand Regal Hotel, this city. She said 135 government offices nationwide are targeted as recipients with 35 from the National Capital Region already completed in February this year. The second batch of beneficiaries composes of 100 gov-

ernment offices from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao which covers the 12 LGUs and public schools. From the LGU offices, Cagayan de Oro City, General Santos City and Zamboanga City will benefit from the efficient lighting retrofitting program. The school beneficiaries are: Bukidnon National High School, Bukidnon State University, Central Mindanao University, Davao del Norte State College, Mindanao State University, Southern Philippines Agri-Business and Maritime and Aquatic School, University of Southeastern Philippines, Western Mindanao State University and Zamboanga City State Polytechnic College. Reyes said the target buildings in Mindanao alone is expected to generate potential energy savings of about 247.90 megawatt hours which is equivalent to P2.5 million in monetary savings and 133 tCO2 annual reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The implementation of the project has a six-month duration starting September this year, and is expected to be completed in February 2013. DOE said the retrofitting of government building is part of the Efficient Lighting Initiative component of PEEP, which also includes national residential lighting, public lighting retrofit such as streetlights, traffic lights, and solar-powered LEDs in off-grid areas. [PIA 11/ CARINA L. CAYON]

TOYS. A vendor sells toys and stickers instead of school supplies outside Kapitan Tomas Monteverde Sr. Elementary School on Thursday. [LEAN DAVAL JR.]

PHILIPS Surgical LED light now in Davao City By Vicky Berdina M. de Guzman ROKENSHIRE Memo- porated’s (BIHMI) blessing rial Hospital, a private of their operating room’s medical facility, is the new state of the art medifirst in the Philippines to use cal equipment, Dr. Henry the PHILIPS Burton model D. Derla, OR chairperson, OR 160 with 160 lux (air said apart from their new sensor). During the Broken- surgical equipment and inshire struments, BIHM has also During the Integrated acquired a MERIVAARA OpHealth Ministries, Incor- erating Table model OP1650

with special adjustment ranges in terms of its side tilt, leg section, back section, trendelenburg and antitrendelenburg, headrest, with kidney elevator to a maximum patient weight of 245 kilograms and orthopedic extension device. Other pieces of equip-

ment are an Infinium Medical Inc. Omni II Patient Monitor with NIBP (blood pressure monitoring), SPO2 (oxygen saturation in the blood), ECG (3 or 5 leads), Temperature, IBP, and ETCO2 (touch screen); Infinium Medical Inc. Omni II Patient Moni-

FPHILIPS, 11

4 SCIENCE/ENVIRONMENT

VOL.5 ISSUE 129 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, AUG. 31 - SEPT. 1, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Chimpanzee grooming is a ‘postcode lottery’ C

HIMPANZEE grooming habits are influenced more by where they live than by genetic or ecological influences. That is the conclusion of a study in Proceedings of the Royal Society B. Previous studies had shown that a specific style of grooming - grooming hand clasp (GHC) - was restricted to specific populations of chimpanzees. By studying distinct communities of semi-wild chimps, the team identified different styles of GHC and showed they were learned by social convention. These studies provide insights into how differences in social behaviours in human cultures and populations might have arisen. GHC was first observed in the K(ajabala)-Group of chimpanzees living in the Mahale mountains of Tanzania. During GHC, two chimpanzees raise one arm overhead and clasp each other’s hands, whilst grooming one another with their free hand. But not all chimpanzees groom in this way - animals in the nearby Gombe field-site never engage in GHC. Why GHC is not pervasive throughout chimpanzee communities was the key question that Prof Edwin van Leeuwen from the Max Plank Institute for Psycholinguistics, the Netherlands, and his colleagues addressed. Previous studies had shown natural variation in GHC style - including palmto-palm, wrist-to-wrist and forearm-toforearm clasping. Prof van Leeuwen posited that a preference for a particular style would be “a strong indication that this behaviour follows cultural patterns”. The researchers recorded GHC behaviour in four social groups of semiwild chimpanzees living in the Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage Trust (CWOT) in the north west of Zambia. Half of the chimpanzees were wildborn, whilst half were reared in the orphanage. The chimpanzees originated from all over Africa and groups were

formed based on their date of arrival at the orphanage. This meant that any differences in behaviour would unlikely be due to genetic or ecological influences. Commenting on the study design Prof Lydia Luncz from the Max Plank Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Germany, told BBC News: “In recent years, research has shifted from debating the existence of culture in great apes to trying to understand its underlying mechanisms. This study uses one of the rare opportunities to study wild animals in a semi-wild setting.” Of the four groups studied, two engaged in GHC behaviour - one had a preference for wrist-to-wrist GHC whilst the other preferred palm-topalm. Whilst not included in the published data, Prof van Leeuwen said: “Most, if not all, individuals engaged in almost all styles (palm, wrist, forearm, other) at least once. “This is actually part of our argument against genetic influences: if all individuals/pairs can do everything, but just prefer one style over the other, then genetics are ruled out as an explaining factor.” Asked why chimpanzees engage in this unusual behaviour, he said: “There are many hypotheses out there as to why the chimpanzees (and some bonobos) engage in GHC behaviour, one of which is to (re-)establish close social bonds.” But, just as in human cultures, the behaviour isn’t fixed. There is at least one published example of an individual in a non-GHC community who spontaneously started engaging in GHC and, over time, transferred this to other members of the group. Commenting on the new findings, Prof Frans de Waal, director of the Living Links Centre at at Emory University’s Yerkes Primate Centre, said: “This is a very nice study that

contributes to the field by looking in more detail at a defined behaviour. “The idea of chimpanzee ‘culture’ was originally supported by experimental studies in captivity that show how behaviour can spread by social learning. “The present study goes beyond this in taking neighbouring communities (where genetics and ecology are the same) and finding substantial differences from group to group. This is an extra argument for social learning.” According to Prof Luncz, the findings also provide insight into how human social behaviour has evolved: “In many ways, chimpanzees are very similar to us humans and by studying the similarities to our closest living re l a tives, w e have the unique opportunity to learn more about the evo l u t i o n ary roots of culture, which is one of the key elements of our identity”.

Groomin g establish hand clasp behav es close s io ocial bon ur ds

The different styles of grooming behaviour were learned by social convention

Antarctic may host methane stores L

ARGE volumes of methane - a potent greenhouse gas could be locked beneath the ice-covered regions of Antarctica, according to a new study. It says this methane could be released into the atmosphere as ice retreats, contributing to climate warming. The findings indicate that ancient deposits of organic matter may have been converted to methane by microbes under the ice. An international team reported the results in Nature journal. Study leader Jemima Wadham, from Bristol University, said: “This is an immense amount

of organic carbon, more than ten times the size of carbon stocks in northern permafrost regions. “Our laboratory experiments tell us that these sub-ice environments are also biologically active, meaning that this organic carbon is probably being metabolised to carbon dioxide and methane gas by microbes.” They estimate that there could be hundreds of billions of tonnes of carbon stored in methane reservoirs under the ice sheet. The authors say that the predicted shallow depth of these methane reserves means that they could be destabilised by climate change, and might

act as a positive feedback on global warming. Co-author Dr Sandra Arndt, also from the University of Bristol, said: “It’s not surprising that you might expect to find significant amounts of methane hydrate trapped beneath the ice sheet. “Just like in sub-seafloor sediments, it is cold and pressures are high which are important conditions for methane hydrate formation.” In their Nature paper, the authors comment that their “findings suggest that the Antarctic Ice Sheet may be a neglected but important component of the global methane budget”.

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 129 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, AUG. 31 - SEPT. 1, 2012

6 THE ECONOMY Stat Watch

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

5.8% 1st Qtr 2012

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

6.4 % 1st Qtr 2012

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

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

8. Interest Rates 4/

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

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

P 42.78 Jun 2012

12. Stocks Composite Index 6/

5,091.2 May 2012

13. Consumer Price Index 2006=100

130.1 Jun 2012

14. Headline Inflation Rate 2006=100

2.8 Jun 2012

15. Core Inflation Rate 2006=100

3.7 Jun 2012

16. Visitor Arrivals

349,779 Apr 2012

17. Underemployment Rate 7/

18.8 % Jan 2012

18. Unemployment Rate 7/

7.2 % Jan 2012

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

2012

2011

2010

42.85 42.70 42.86 42.66 43.62

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

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

VOL.5 ISSUE 129 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, AUG. 31 - SEPT. 1, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

MinDA says

Bright prospects for Mindanao in single ASEAN economy M

INDANAO is poised to benefit from the 2015 ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) economic integration, the island being a focus area in the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-the Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) subregional cooperation. Secretary Luwalhati R. Antonino, chairperson of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), voiced such optimism last Friday during an ASEAN 2015 Regional Integration forum here. The forum was capped by the launching of the Mindanao Trade Policy Center (MTPC), a body formed to act as a link for business chambers in Mindanao to face the ASEAN bloc as one market in Asia

The center is a brainchild of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry – Mindanao, headed by Ricardo C. Juliano, who stressed it will also act as the information center for the ASEAN integration programs and initiatives. “We have aspired for many years for bigger markets in trade, tourism, and investments. Therefore, we have to be prepared when ASEAN member countries integrate their economies into one ASEAN community and become more globally competitive, Antonino said in her message to the forum. She stressed that the opening of a single ASEAN market and production base characterized by freer flow of goods, services, investment, capital, and skilled labor presents tre-

West Philippine Sea rich in oil deposit

mendous opportunities for the country, especially for Mindanao. Citing the International Monetary Fund World Economic Outlook Data and Estimates for 2011, George Manzano, economist at the University of Asia and the Pacific, pointed out that the 10-member ASEAN bloc has a market of almost 610 million people, with an aggregate gross domestic product of U$2,339 billion. With ASEAN looking closely at regional sub-groupings, now is the best time for the BIMPEAGA to put its best foot forward, according to Antonino. Mindanao, being a focus area to this sub-regional cooperation, is in the best position to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the ASE-

AN integration, she said. Already, BIMP-EAGA initiatives have been integrated into ASEAN’s Master Plan for ASEAN Connectivity, establishing meaningful physical, institutional, and people-to-people linkages between member countries. This connectivity will allow for increased trade, tourism, and investments between the Philippines and the rest of the BIMP-EAGA countries, and to the bigger ASEAN community, Antonino said. She urged the public and private sectors to focus on Mindanao’s key competitive and comparative advantages in assessing the island’s readiness and in firming up goals for this regional economic integration. [BONG S. SARMIENTO/MINDANEWS]

N official of the Department of Energy (DOE) believes that the West Philippine Sea from Northern Luzon, all the way to Palawan, including the Scarborough Shoal being contested by the Philippines and China, are potential areas for oil exploration. Director Zenaida Monsada of DOE’s Oil Industry Management Bureau (OIMB) revealed this in a talk during the Multi-Sectoral Advocacy in the Downstream Oil Industry held Tuesday morning at Star Plaza Hotel in Dagupan City. This is the area in the country, she said, where DOE is offering many blocks for exploration and development to interested multi-national companies that have the capacity to drill oil offshore. Monsada said DOE sent invitations to various companies that intend to offer their bids to conduct oil exploration in these areas and so far many have responded. At this stage, she said, her office is evaluating these offers, seeing to it that these companies have the capacity and are qualified to conduct oil exploration. “We have to be very careful in this evaluation as the applicants for bidding might only be spying on us,” she said. Monsada said these areas in west Philippine Sea are where Nido and Malampaya are currently undertaking oil and natural gas exploration and have so far been successful. She said Malampaya has already extracted oil but the oil it had so far extracted contained some metals that can not be processed by local refineries, so it was sent abroad where they have bigger refineries, for processing. On the other hand, the natural gas from Malampaya is now being harnessed by three power plants in the country, in addition to 40 buses plying from Batangas to Metro Manila and vice versa. “Hopefully, we can find more oil from our territories in order to reduce our importation of oil from other countries,” Monsada said.[PNA]

TAKING A NAP. A balloon vendor covers himself with balloons while taking a nap outside San Pedro Cathedral yesterday. [LEAN DAVAL JR.]

as of august 2010

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 129 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, AUG. 31 - SEPT. 1, 2012

Gov’t eyes export of yellow corn

HE government is now studying the possibility of commercially exporting yellow corn within this year amid high grain prices as a result of the worst drought that hit the United States, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Wednesday. Edilberto de Luna, DA assistant secretary and National Corn Program director, told reporters that the inter-agency committee is now reviewing the appeal of the Philippine Maize Federation, Inc. (Phil-

Maize) for the commercial export of corn. “Within the next two weeks, the committee expects to complete the final recommendation to the National Food Authority (NFA) Council,” de Luna said. The IAC –composed of the NFA Council, hog growers, poultry raisers and other industry stakeholders– is tasked to come out with the final volume for the corn exports. Meanwhile, the DA official said that farmers and traders may start exporting corn and corn grits as they wait for the approval from the NFA Council of the total volume to be

ship to t h e world market. Under an existing res-

olution, the NFA administrator is authorized to issue transport permits for locally produced corn for the purpose of research, market testing and experimentation. “Based on the resolution, individual farmers, traders, and cooperatives are allowed to export as much as 100 MT of corn at any given time,” de Luna said. “This will be a good way to test our exports capability as we inch closer to self-sufficiency by next year,” he added. The Philippines expects to corn production to reach a record-high of 7.819 million MT in 2012, and about 8.450 million MT by 2013. “By next year, we are projecting a surplus of 149,000 MT of corn,” de Luna said. “We’re advised by Secretary [Proceso] Alcala not to wait for the surplus. He said that we need to start exporting corn, even in small amount, for us to test the international market,” he added. In a text message, Roger Navarro, Philmaize president, said that they

Philrice, French company collaborate for power generation from rice straw

TATE-RUN Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) has signed an agreement with French firm Enertime to assess the feasibility in using rice straw for power generation. Eufemio Rasco Jr., PhilRice executive director, said that the use of rice straw in power generation could help farmers reduce production cost amid rising petroleum prices. “It’s important to develop a new energy system that will serve as an alternative to the non-renewable, highly centralized, and not diversified system. The exact opposite of that is what we’d like to do, which means utilizing local sources of energy,” Rasco said. In the Philippines, an average of 15.2 million metric tons of rice were harvested, leaving behind some 11.3 million tons of rice straw a year. After harvest, farmers usually burn rice straw in the open field, causing air pollutants such as carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxide,

and sulfur dioxide. To minimize the postharvest waste, the two-year collaboration will explore the possibility of collecting, transporting, and conditioning rice straw to be used as feedstock or raw material in generating electricity. The initiative, a part of the project Use of Rice Straw as Fuel to Generate Electricity Using Organic Rankine Cycle Technology in the Philippines, will cover Nueva Ecija and Laguna. About 10,000 MT of rice straw per year is targeted to be acquired from these major rice-producing provinces. Under the agreement, Enertime, a specialist on energy production using renewable resources, will finance the feasibility study once funds are granted by the French Economic Ministry’s Fund for Studies and Private Sector Support Program. The company will also assess the biomass supply, estimate power plant cost, and

help find project investors. PhilRice will provide rice production data and technical support in collecting and transporting rice straw, contracting rice straw supply organizing site visits, and validating sites feasible for biomass energy production. The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and University of the Philippines-Los Baños (UPLB) are also part of this project. IRRI will lead the study on biomass supply organization and greenhouse gas mitigation analysis while UPLB will collect power plant site data and layout for the project. A 2010 study titled, Energy and Food System, concluded that as the inputs needed to support yields increase, agriculture is becoming more dependent on fossil fuels…. Renewable energy will play important role in increasing the energy efficiency of agriculture and reducing its reliance on fossil resources. [PNA]

AGRITRENDS

are now negotiating with Taiwan and Korea for the corn export, saying that they have already sent a group to the Southeast Asian countries to discuss the shipment. Navarro said they expect no shortage of supply as a result of the corn exportation, noting that 1.4 million MT of feedwheat, which was imported earlier by feed millers, will cover the requirement for this year. “International corn price will increase due to drought experience by US, should this scenario prevail then we can have export opportunities,” he said. Not allowing the export of corn products, Navarro said, runs contrary to open market as agreed under the World Trade Organization. “The government only allows corn imports, however, restricted corn exports, of which we feel contrary to open market,” he said. [PNA]

WB to DA: improve value chain of agri products

T is time to bring farmers produce to the next level. World Bank’s (WB) lead rural development specialist Carolina Geron underscored the need for the Department of Agriculture (DA) to look into the value chain of various commodities to boost farmers’ productivity. Speaking during recent wrap-up meeting of the Bank’s review mission for the Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP), Geron stressed the need to integrate value chain approach in agriculture sector for growth to be more inclusive and broad-based. A value chain is a connected string of companies, groups and other players working together to satisfy market demands for a particular product or group of products. In agricultural value chain marketing system, farmers are linked to consumers’ needs, working closely with suppliers and processors to produce the specific goods consumers demand. In traditional marketing system, farmers produce commodities that are “pushed” into the marketplace and or on independent transactions. The farmers are largely isolated

from the consumer, and from the demands and preferences of consumers. “Oftentimes our farmers function more as consumers rather producers. They produce goods for their own consumption for failure of meeting production surplus to supply marketing demands,” Geron said. To integrate supply chain approach in rural areas, Geron said DA must focus on building capacities in rural areas and ensure the provision of s strategic network of rural logistics infrastructure within the priority value chains. She said infrastructures such as farm-to-market roads and post harvest facilities should be within the identified priority value chain in a particular province or region. “We have to discern at the lower part of the ladder wherein farmers should be engaged in livelihood na hindi pwedeng ibenta , kailangan maiiangat natin para makabenta (that cannot be sold, we have to make it marketable),” she added. Geron said the proposed up scaling of MRDP into the expanded Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP)

aims on enhancement of value chain to strengthen and develop viable rural enterprise. Meanwhile, MRDP program director Lealyn Ramos said program is now pushing for big-ticket projects where farmers’ association can access bigger funding from P5 million to P10 million not only to expand production but also integrate value chain approach in their production. Ramos said these projects include sago flour production in Veruela, Agusan del Sur where a group of Manobo tribe will be expanding sago flour production to supply the increasing demand of their product. “In Mati City, a group of rural women are engaged in coco twine production considering that there is a huge demand in international market for coco fiber,” she said. “These are just some of our initial projects. We enjoin the support of other agencies and the private sectors to help us in strengthening commodity value chains as these requires appropriate technologies and linkages with other agricultural key players,” she said. [NOEL T. PROVIDO/DA-MRDP]

8 VANTAGE POINTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 129 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, AUG. 31 - SEPT. 1, 2012

ICS in tourism promotions

EDITORIALS

Criminals in government

HE CONTROVERSIAL ESCAPE from the country of fugitives from justice Mario Joel T. Reyes, former Palawan governor, and his brother Mario T. Reyes Jr., former mayor of Coron, Palawan, who are suspects in the murder of environmental activist Grerry Ortega, had front page treatment in the country’s major news dailies yesterday. The escape was old stuff since it happened a long time ago, actually in March this year yet. What was front page material was the revelation that the murder suspects were aided by no less than Bureau of Immigration agents in their flight to Vietnam. The erring BI agents were identitifed as Wesley Gutierrez and Rodelio Udarde, said to be a friend of Hermie Aban, the lawyer of the escapees, who himself has reportedly disappeared, too.

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Immigration Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. has ordered the relief of Udarde and Gutierrez. But this is not enough if the citizens of this country have a say in this absurd case. Bad eggs in the BI, all government agencies for that matter who misbehave like Udarde and Gutierrez, should be fired and prosecuted until they are placed behind bars where they properly belong. It’s time government stopped treating blue and white collar criminals with kid gloves. Being lenient with small and big-time grafters and their ilk is probably the reason government continues to fail to clean up its ranks. Oh, well--the immigration agency is not exactly famous for being peopled by angels. But the “daang matuwid” battlecry of the Aquino administration will be served well if, and when, it can rid itself of hoodlums in government. Hopefully, sooner than later. 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 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

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance AGUSTIN V. MIAGAN JR Circulation

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CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING OFFICE

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

MANILA MARKETING OFFICE

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

HERE are three elements necessary for a successful local tourism promotion: good brand, target audience and brand communication strategy. Among many LGUs in Mindanao, only the first two elements are given serious attention. In most cases, there is no sustained and integrated communication strategy that should connect a good destination to a target audience. Consider this. One town in Caraga region has unique natural attractions. Needed infrastructures were built, select private stakeholders allowed to render support services and tourists started coming in. After five years, there is no significant increase in tourist arrival and tourist receipts, considering the amount of public funds infused to develop and promote the place. Communication strategies are as important as the farm roads that connect the farm and the market. Without an integrated communication strategy for tourism promotions, tourist profile will be limited to locals; many of them do not spend much. Some bring their own food and most of them do not stay overnight for they live nearby. A Negros Occidental study funded by GIZ, the German government funding agency, revealed that many LGUs in the province, eager to develop and promote their tourist destinations, embark on expensive tourism development programs without even identifying their intended market and the way to connect their destinations to a market niche. Many of them ended up wasting limited local government funds for a supposedly promising enterprise. The quintessential question in tourism promotions has always been: “What is attractive to whom with what?” A good number of LGUs in Mindanao still lack the basic know-how knowledge on modern, effective and market-responsive tourism promotion strategies. Tourism officers lack access to national and international arena, where bigger market is found, resulting to poor planning. Some may be effective but most are not truly efficient, that is, if you consider the amount of money, time and effort spent. They continue to produce traditional communication tools, such as flyers and brochures. Many of them have very noisy designs and nonsense rhymes, enlivened monotony, heavily PhotoShopped pictures and tasteless superlatives that look like ancestral creeds. Archaic tools, such as flyers and brochures, are inappropriate for target markets. Efforts to market destinations should not be confined only to tourism information centers or tourism offices. Majority of tourists do not visit them; online search is more popular, according to a New York-based study. Next to Google, FaceBook ranks second in terms of online promotions. Considering that 70% of tourists get information from the internet, LGUs should make their presence felt on those social networking sites. They are free, interactive and easy to administer. Corporate websites are no longer as effective as they used to be, particularly if they do not employ outstanding SEOs (Search Engine Optimization). Tourist attractions should not rely only on tour operators and travel agencies alone. LGUs with significant tourism industry should have a specialized tourism marketing arm. For the love of God, employ those who know the business, not because s/he happens to be close to the appointing officer. Integrated Communications Strategy means only one thing: delivery of a single message to a target audience. The market these days is highly fragmented, which poses a gargantuan challenge on the selection of a communication tool. Mass media approach is becoming less effective. Many companies are beginning to use segmented marketing approaches. The advent of online promotions also require closer encounter between the product and the audience. This is where 2.0 web marketing becomes very essential. This also explains the increasing efficiency of FaceBook, as earlier discussed. Tourism promotions managers may use various promotion mix, such as advertising, personal selling, public relations, direct marketing or sales promotion. ICS does not prefer one tool over the other. In many large companies, for example, many people are employed to handle varying marketing tools. The owner sells the destination to colleagues. A marketing manager uses a different tool. A front desk staff tells another story. Geniuses in their own right and eloquent they may be, they send discordant and dissonant messages. It is a tight competition out there and one destination must make only one impression. A confused audience is simply like that---forever an audience and never a client.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.5 ISSUE 129 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, AUG. 31 - SEPT. 1, 2012

no wrong, hence the stern refusal to issue an apology. It was like telling the author and his critics, “Shut up, you have nothing legally against me. What I did was perfectly right under the circumstances since there is no law that sanctions plagiarism.” Now if that is not bullying, I know not what is. Worse, hiding behind the cloak of legislative immunity and basking before the glare of national television, Sotto brushed aside Ms Pope’s feelings as an aggrieved writer and sought sympathy for himself as the “first senator to become a victim of cyber-bullying.” Here is where the senator, a comedian by profession who is expected to possess a vast reserve of tolerance for what other people may say, revealed

his lack of lenience towards criticisms that come his way as a public official. Had his critics singled him out for an act not remotely related to his lofty position Sotto would have been right in claiming that he was “cyber-bullied”. Yet the reactions, even if coming from tens of thousands of netizens and no matter how rudely worded perhaps, stemmed from an act that has put questions on his integrity as a public official. Moreover, the people’s consciousness is still reeling from earlier reports that a Supreme Court justice and a tycoon had committed acts of plagiarism too. Another instance of a public figure accused of the same offense would be like a new storm entering the country just as another one is about to exit. Sotto taunted the winds. Now the tempest is on him. [MindaNews/ H. Marcos C. Mordeno can be reached at hmcmordeno@gmail.com.]

Finding path to recovery in South Korea

I Seong-ho knew there was no turning back as he pulled himself out of the water and onto the banks of the Chinese side of the Tumen River. He wiped tears from his eyes and quickly glanced at what he had just left behind. “I knew from that point, the next time I go to North Korea will be when reunification finally happens,” he said.Ji is a North Korean refugee who has lived in Seoul since 2006. The 30-year-old now runs a human rights group and studies law at a local university. He is one of about 23,500 North Korean defectors who have resettled here, but Ji’s journey was perhaps more challenging than for any other. The typical escape route that runs from the Tumen River, through China and all the way to Southeast Asia is physically and emotionally demanding. Ji completed the journey, however, after having lost a hand and foot in an accident in North Korea. He may be one of the only North Korean defectors with a disability to escape. Like all other refugees, Ji was given free medical treatment upon arriving in Korea. He says the doctors were shocked when they saw his body. “They said that of all the North Koreans that make it here, someone with such disabilities was rare to see,” Ji said. Ji was not born with disabilities, but lost his left hand and foot in an accident as a teenager during North Korea’s famine in 1996. “I used to help my family make money by stealing coal and selling it in the market. I climbed aboard moving trains and took it,” Ji recalls. But one of those routine scavenging trips did not go as planned. Ji got dizzy, lost his balance and fell off of the train, which then crushed his left hand and foot. North Korean hospitals were ill equipped to save his appendages, the only solution was amputation. “There wasn’t even medicine available in the hospital to stop the infection,” Ji said. “The only way I was healed was by my mother and father rubbing salt water onto my wounds.” Ji says back then he could have never dreamed of the kind of medical support he has received since defecting. He now wears a prosthetic left hand and foot, which he says have given him back a “normal life.” Very little is known about how Pyongyang treats its disabled citizens,

SPECIAL FEATURE BY JASON STROTHER but their absence within the refugee community in South Korea concerns some advocates. “Even though the road is difficult, there should be some percentage of refugees with disabilities here,” said Joanna Hosaniak, a program officer at the Citizens’ Alliance for North Korean Human Rights in Seoul. “This could show that there is something going on there (in North Korea).” In 2006, a defector named Ri Kwangchol offered a possible explanation. “There are no people with physical defects in North Korea,” said the former physician, who was quoted by Reuters. Ri said the practice of killing disabled newborns was widespread throughout the country. In that same year, Vitit Muntarbhorn, the former United Nations Special Rapporteur on North Korean Human Rights, wrote in a report, “Those with disabilities are sent away from the capital city and particularly those with mental disabilities are detained in areas or camps known as ‘Ward 49’ with harsh and subhuman conditions.” Free North Korea Radio, a broadcaster staffed by defectors here in Seoul, backed up the U.N. findings in 2011. A report citing inside sources revealed that North Korean law forbids disabled people from living in Pyongyang. “We have no way to confirm these stories,” says Lee Seok-young, a defector working for Free North Korea Radio. “But we hear rumors that doctors or parents kill their disabled children rather than move out of Pyongyang.” Ji Seong-ho isn’t sure about these rumors, either, but doesn’t put such a policy past the North Korean government. He says based on his own experience as a disabled person in North Korea, he’s inclined to believe the worst. Four years after the accident, Ji, using a pair of makeshift crutches, illegally traveled to China with some friends, knowing that if found by guards they would be immediately arrested if not shot on the spot. They were in search of food, money or whatever they could carry with them to help their families. After cross-

ing back over the border, Ji was almost home when he was caught red-handed by North Korean police. He believes the authorities dealt him an even harsher punishment because of his disability. “For one week, they beat me more than the others I had crossed the border with,” he said. “They told me I had brought shame on North Korea because I was disabled and that a person with only one foot should not leave his home.” It was that incident in which Ji lost all trust in the North Korean state. His family plotted their escape. It took six more years, but Ji, his brother, sister and mother now all live in South Korea. “The North Korean government wants to hide us from other people,” Ji said. “Our existence is a humiliation to them.” This week, at least one disabled North Korean will become visible to the entire world. For the first time, Pyongyang is sending an athlete to the Paralympic Games in London. Rim Ju-song is a 17-year-old amputee who will compete in two swimming events at the games that begin on Wednesday. He was one of 12 disabled North Korean athletes who took part in a training program earlier this year in Beijing, but was the only one to qualify. “I think that having a disabled person participate in the games will help improve their image in North Korea,” said Kim Kyeong-hwa of Green Tree, an international charity that assists North Koreans with disabilities. Green Tree oversees 11 schools for the disabled in North Korea, all located outside of Pyongyang. The foundation also supports job training programs and helped bring the Paralympic athletes to China to prepare for the competition.Ji Seong-ho is not impressed. “It would be an exaggeration to think that North Korea participating in the Paralympics means an improvement for the lives of the disabled there,” he said. “Without real change in North Korea’s system, sending athletes to the games really doesn’t help anybody.” Ji says that all North Koreans, disabled or not, will only live better once there is democratization. But he knows that might have to wait until reunification, when he hopes to step back into his homeland, but this time with both feet. [PNA/YONHAP]

Twenty reasons not to attack Iran

The plagiarist as bully, the bully as plagiarist

LAGIARISM – an act or instance of using or closely imitating the language and thoughts of another author without authorization and the representation of that author’s work as one’s own, as by not crediting the original author. (Source: www.dictionary.reference.com) This is precisely what Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III did when he lifted some paragraphs from an entry in the blog of Sarah Pope without citing it as the source. But no, Sotto would not concede that he had committed plagiarism by giving a hair-splitting distinction between plagiarism and copyright infringement. Instead of apologizing for his act or maybe saying that he had given his incompetent staff a tongue-lashing, the senator stood his ground and tried to deflect the issue by a mix of arrogance and appeal to pity. Sotto betrayed arrogance by arguing that no law governs his act as yet. He was saying in effect that he had done Ms Pope

VANTAGE POINTS

OPINION BY HOSSEIN MOUSAVIAN

(Conclusion)

ENTH, President Obama’s effort to improve relations with the Muslim world is one of the most important U.S. foreign policy objectives. This was highlighted in his June 4, 2009 Cairo speech, calling for a “new beginning” between the United States and Muslims. Any strike on Iran by the U.S. or Israel would revive anti-American sentiment in the Muslim world and even other parts of the globe. Eleventh, the U.S. budget is already under severe pressure because of the wars in Iraq andAfghanistan. As the United States continues to pull itself back from the brink of an economic collapse, making the case for a third war is totally unrealistic. Twelfth, the safe passage of energy from the strategic Strait of Hormuz would be in danger, and oil prices might hit $200 to $300 per barrel. Thirteenth, America’s standing in the Middle East is already under mounting strain on multiple fronts. The political order in a number of “pro-American” Arab countries such as Egypt, Tunisia, Yemen and Lebanon is shifting away from the United States. In the event of an attack on Iran, this trend will accelerate and may shift the balance of influence and power more toward Tehran. Fourteenth, Iran has extensive reach, influence and assets throughout the Middle East that it can tap in case of any military strikes. Iran’s military will use both its own resources and those assets to rapidly spread the conflict throughout the region and beyond. Fifteenth, Iran would make the situation in Iraq and Afghanistan much more difficult and complicated, at a time when the U.S. military is stretched thin and is attempting to end its presence in both countries. Sixteenth, Israel’s security is of vital interest to the U.S. In case of an Israeli attack, there would be severe consequences for both countries, with domestic pressures due to engagement in the war that would jeopardize relations between Jerusalem and Washington. This friction might shatter the bipartisan unity that supports Israel, further complicating the U.S. domestic political scene and undermining Israel’s security. Seventeenth, Israel is already isolated. A war with Iran would worsen this situation and further strain both U.S. and Israeli relations with countries in the region. Eighteenth, even if Israel takes unilateral military action, the U.S. would be considered complicit in the attack, and its assets, bases and personnel would be targeted by the Iranian retaliation. Nineteenth, an Israeli or U.S. strike could dramatically widen the diplomatic split between the United States and Russia, China, and Non-Alignment Movement countries and may even create divergence with European and regional allies, reminiscent of tensions over the Iraq war. Twentieth, the chance for diplomacy is there but requires the West and Israel to adopt a more realistic position. Iran is prepared to cooperate on major elements to achieve a fair deal. These include continued work with the IAEA and capping uranium enrichment below 5 percent as a further assurance for the international community that Iran is not after a nuclear bomb. In return Iran is asking for the recognition of its legitimate rights under NPT for enrichment, in line with those accorded other member states, and gradual removal of sanctions. This is enough for the U.S. and other major powers to advance a mutually face-saving deal and limit Israeli and other hawkish efforts to derail the process. [Hossein Mousavian is a research scholar at Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. From 1997 to 2005, he was the head of the Foreign Relations Committee of Iran’s National Security Council; from 2003 to 2005, he served as spokesman for Iran in its nuclear negotiations with the European Union.]

10 SUBURBIA

Koronadal to secure P150-M loan to fund terminal project

HE local government of Koronadal City, South Cotabato is planning to secure a P150million loan to fund the construction and development of its proposed integrated transport terminal complex. Marloun Gumbao, Koronadal City treasurer, said City Mayor Peter Miguel has formally sought authority from the city council to negotiate with various banks and other financial institutions in the area for the granting of the loan in time for the targeted commencement of the project before yearend. He said the proposed loan will mainly be utilized for theconstruction of the main terminal building and related structures as well as the installation of the necessary amenities within the facility. “This will be a complete integrated transport terminal and commercial complex,” the official said. For the proposed loan, Gumbao said the local government is initially considering seeking a repayment term of 10 years and with an annual amortization of P25 million. He said they will arrange for the loan repayments to only commence once the terminal complex begins its operations. Gumbao expressed confidence that the local government would be able to meet the projected loan repayments since the terminal complex will be operating as an economic enterprise. “The good thing about the terminal is the fact that it is also an income-generating project. So we’re securing a loan to fund a business venture,” he said. Based on the feasibility study prepared by the local government, Gumbao said the proposed facility is projected to generate an annual

income of around P13.2 million from the terminal fees alone. He said they also expect additional revenues of around P1.7 million from the rentals or leases of its commercial stalls. “Our total revenues could reach as high as P15 million a year, so we will only need to fill in P10 million more for the loan repayment,” Gumbao said. The city government earlier acquired a 5.9-hectare lot worth P40 million in Purok Yellow Bell, Barangay Sta. Cruz here for the proposed terminal complex’s site. The city government approved last year the appropriation for the acquisition of the city terminal’s site through a P60-million supplemental budget, which was sourced from the city’s unutilized appropriation for various projects from 2001 to 2009. Part of such appropriation was set aside by the local government for the purchase of a 10-hectare property in Barangay Paraiso that it plans to develop as a sanitary landfill. Based on the local government’s initial plan, the proposed integrated terminal’s main building will cover two hectares and the rest of the site will serve as buffer area or spot for future developments. It will adopt the “green” concept in terms of architecture and facilities, specifically the use of natural ventilation, natural lighting (skylight) and energy-efficient light-emitting diode or LED lights. The facility will also provide adequate green open spaces and the design would ensure the preservation and integration of the land’s existing natural water bodies and features.[PNA]

VOL.5 ISSUE 129 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, AUG. 31 - SEPT. 1, 2012

Handurawan: ‘Dolfo’ @ 78

Rodolfo Paguia Del Rosario 1

998 - 2004 Rodolfo P. del Rosario was elected as the new governor of Davao del Norte and took his oath of office on July 1, 1998. Upon his assumption, he immediately embarked on programs for poverty alleviation and sustainable development. An exemplification of good governance was manifested under the leadership of Governor Del Rosario. All elected provincial officials came together and formed “Hugpong Dabaonon”. The provincial officials made a commitment to work together, setting aside their political affiliation and differences. Observers concluded that the unity and solidarity of the provincial officials was instrumental in effecting the fast-paced development of Davao del Norte. And of course, public officials and employees of Davao del Norte had internalized the provincial government’s core values: “Integrity, Competence, Commitment.” Just before the 2001 elections or on March 31, 2001, Panabo became a city

through Republic Act 1015. Congressman Antonio R. Floirendo, Jr. authored the bill for its cityhood. Three years after or on March 15, 2004, a new municipality was created through Republic Act 9265. Through the efforts of Congressman Arrel R. Olaño, San Isidro became the eighth municipality of Davao del Norte, with six barangays culled out from the municipality of Kapalong and seven barangays from the municipality of Asuncion. 2007 - Present Secretary Dolfo del Rosario resigned from his cabinet post and made a comeback to Davao del Norte by defeating Governor Yayong in the 2007 gubernatorial election. The election campaign propaganda did it! RDR WHEELS! True to his election campaign, Governor del Rosario implemented programs and projects through the RDR WHEELS that stands for: Roads and infrastructure development Development of cooperatives Reforms in governance

and peace and order Water and electricity development Health, sanitation and social services Education, culture and sports development Economic development and protection Livelihood and Skills Development Spiritual and moral recovery Majority of the Davaoeños joined the bandwagon –

riding on a vehicle with RDR maneuvering the WHEELS. There seemed to be no end then of the euphoria - of RDR’s return, of his Response to Davao del Norte’s Rebuilding. After RDR WHEELS’ three-year stint on the road it was rested to give way to P.E.O.P.L.E. – People Empowerment, Education, Optimum Health and Social Services, Public-Private Partnership, Link to the World, Employment and Livelihood Opportunities, a brand new vehicle to serve the Davaoeños, a vehicle loaded with more pro-people programs and carrying at the same time not just projects and resources but the whole provincial government down and into the barangays P.E.O.P.L.E., an Executive-Legislative Agenda has been in the forefront of serving those in the countryside through the Convergence for Peace and Development. It is a manifestation of a down-to-earth leader. A leader who does not think of the next election, but of the next generation – a statesman.

spokesman Von Al Haq said that Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) of the MILF remain in “defensive position” in the peripheries of Datu Piang town. “At present, there are rebel forces build up in the area but we are not anticipating any encounter to take place. You see, long before there are BIAF and BIFF forces in the area,” he said. Al Haq said the MILF leadership has earlier requested BIFF commanders to stop its attacks on military installations in Maguindanao in which the latter responded positively. “The BIFF, through their spokesman Abu Misry has declared to cease its attacks in Maguindanao upon the request of the MILF. At the same time, the MILF has always respected the peace process it is having with the government,” Al Haq stressed. Amid all these assurances, small batches of evacuees were monitored leaving Dapiawan village due to the ongoing tension. In another development, military forces have secured the fringes of Barangay Guiling in Alamada, North Cotabato, following the series of recent ambushes in the area between Ilonggo and Moro settlers. At least four people died and two other wounded in

reprisals between the two groups that emanated from a bad call by the referee over a heavily betted basketball game between the two groups earlier this week. Alamada Mayor Bartolome Latasa identified those killed as Sainudin Mamarinta and Munap Egal on the Moro side while Leo Celeste and his brother Ritchie on the side of the Ilonggos. Latasa said tat following the basketball game last Aug. 28, armed men ambushed the Moros as they were on their way home killing Mamarinta and Egal. Relatives of the slain duo, who happens to be members of the MILF, allegedly retaliated the next day by cutting down the group of the Celeste brothers, both members of the local militiamen, who were then investigating the area of ambuscade in Guiling. A gun battle then ensued, wounding two others, one of them a 24-year-old civilian identified as a certain Andy Garcia who was hit by a stray bullet. Some 50 families evacuated from Guiling and have sought refuge at the town center. Latasa said that apart from military and police officials, MILF representatives are also currently in Guiling on efforts to restore normalcy in the area. [PNA]

Military monitors MILF-BIFF tension buildup in Maguindanao

HE military is closely monitoring the build up of rebel forces between Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) forces in Barangay Dapiawan, Datu Piang, Maguindanao as tension continues to rise in the area. This came about as military forces continued to keep

close watch over the five-kilometer stretch of the highway between Datu Saudi Ampatuan and Datu Unsay towns in the province seized some two week ago by BIFF militants. Datu Piang town is some 20 kilometers away from the municipality of Datu Saudi Ampatuan. In an interview over a local radio station, MILF

FIRE IN THE SKY. The sky is lit up by a beautiful fireworks display on the eve of the Feast of San Agustin in Cagayan de Oro City on August 27, 2012. [MINDANEWS PHOTO BY ERWIN MASCARINAS]

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EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 129 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, AUG. 31 - SEPT. 1, 2012

ASEAN+3 economic ministers to promote economic cooperation

T FAN. A nun buys a fan before attending the twelve noon mass to ease the humidity inside San Pedro Cathedral on Thursday. [LEAN DAVAL JR]

Filipino tuna fishers return to re-opened Pacific area

HIRTY-six tuna catcher vessels will sail from the port of General Santos City on September 25 and head for a pocket of seas that has been closed to tuna fishing since 2010 but opened recently exclusively for Filipino fishermen, according to Joaquin Lu, president of the Socsksargen Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries, Inc. (SFFAII). A sendoff ceremony will be held at the General Santos City Fishport complex to mark the return of Filipino tuna fisherman to an area about 590,000 square kilometers north of Papua New Guinea and east of Indonesia known as Pocket 1 among member countries of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commis-

City... FFROM 2

their profession also,” Alparaque said. The shortage in staff at the City Health Office can be attributed to more lucrative offers for medical experts abroad. Also referred to as “brain drain,” the exodus of professionals is not only limited to medical experts. Even teachers, engineers, hair stylists, chefs, and hotel staff are also being lured to work abroad oftentimes described as “greener pastures.”[CARLO P.

(WCPFC). In 2009, WCPFC agreed to close the area following a steady decline in tuna catches worldwide. It took effect in 2010. The Philippines, however, requested WCPFC to open the area to Filipino fishermen, citing far reaching ramifications of the closure order to the country’s tuna industry. The Philippines is a member of WCPFC and a signatory to the ban. In March this year, the WCPFC granted the Philippines exclusive access to the rich tuna fishing ground. Lu said at least 50 Filipino tuna catchers have applied for the right to fish in the second largest pocket of seas covered by the WCPFC ban. As a result, Lu said they will be raffling the 36 slots among the applicants. The fishermen are expected to reach the fishing ground on October 1, in time for the lifting of a separate but related annual

Suspect... FFROM 2

sion

violation of Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as Comprehensive AntiDangerous Drugs Act of 2002,have been filed before the City Prosecutor’s Office against the suspect, while localpolice await his warrant of arrest for the two murder cases from Manila. [ASA]

tor with NIBP, SPO2, ECG (3 or 5 leads), Temperature, IBP, ETCO2 and Gas Analyzer; the US top of the line HILL-ROM Transporter and Specialty stretchers; PENLON PRIMA SP2 Anesthetic Machine with AV-S Ventilator v.188 Standalone and Remote Screen (touch screen); BOVIE Electrosurgical Machine model IDS400; and complete General

Surgery, OB-Gynecology, Orthopedic, ENT, Vascular and Colo-Rectal surgical instruments. At the blessing, chairperson of the City Council committee on health Bernard Al-ag noted the city’s phenomenal growth in terms of the number of malls rising and the proliferation of food chains, morer investments along

MALLO]

Philips... FFROM 3

three-month ban on tuna fishing using fish aggregating devices (FADs). Filipino tuna catchers are only allowed 40 sets of FADs each. FADs are Filipino inventions which attract schools of fish underneath a shaded area composed of a large bundle of buri (a kind of sturdy palm) leaves held down by an anchor below and kept afloat by a steel buoy above the surface of the sea. These FADs, first deployed by Filipino tuna fishermen in the early 1960s at the mouth of Sarangani Bay, have evolved from bamboo raft floaters to the more durable steel tubes. Lu said the opening of Pocket 1 is exclusive for Philippine-based tuna catchers who will have to comply with stringent WCPFC regulations. Among them is a vessel monitoring system where these tuna catchers will have to plot their location for easy identification. They will also have to allow observers on board and will have to report the volume, time and origin of their catches. In addition, the catchers will have to be landed exclusively in General Santos City only. The WCPFC also limited Filipino tuna catchers to medium-size fishing vessels with gross tonnage not exceeding 250 tons each. These vessels should not have refrigerated hulls. with the widening of roadways and the aggressive pushing of the tourism industry---not to mention the expanding population and subdivision development. Mayor Inday Sara Duterte-Carpio sent message of congratulations to BIHMI on the occasion, and the hospital’s response to the health needs of Dabawenyos.

HE 15th ASEAN Economic Ministers Plus Three (China, Japan and South Korea) consultations were held in Siem Reap, Cambodia Wednesday to deepen cooperation in food and energy security, finance, trade and investment. Addressing the opening session, Cambodian Minister of Commerce Cham Prasidh said that since its inception in 1997, the cooperation among ASEAN+3 countries has steadily broadened and deepened in many areas, including food and energy security, finance, trade facilitation and so on. “The meeting is a good chance for us to review and speed up our coopera-

tion for deeper integration and prosperity to our region,” he said. Addressing the meeting, Chen Deming, Chinese minister of commerce, hailed the good cooperation among the ASEAN+3 countries. He said that ASEAN, Japan and South Korea are all important trade and investment partners of China, and they accounted for 26 percent of China’s total foreign trade. On the investment side, the investment from ASEAN, Japan, and South Korea accounted for 13.7 percent of China’s foreign direct investment inflow, he said. “China attaches great importance to close co-

operation with the 10+3 partners, and we are willing to work on the basis of equality, mutual benefit, openness and inclusiveness to contribute to developing a robust economy and common prosperity for the East Asian region,” he said. At the meeting, both Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Yukio Edano and South Korean Minister for Trade Bark Taeho expressed their satisfactions with the good cooperation among the ASEAN+3 countries. ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. [PNA/Xinhua]

HE National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said on Thursday that 215 NCRPO personnel officially completed the Modified Philippine National Police (PNP) Special Counter Operation Unit Training (SCOUT) for class 2012-02 “Ban-

war”. NCRPO Director Alan Purisima said that the SCOUT training is designed for jungle terrain operations, including responding to emergencies during calamities. Purisima added that aside from maintaining peace and order, it is also

our duty and responsibility to secure public safety, especially in times of calamities. “We make sure that every PNP personnel deployed is ever-ready, capable and efficient in handling his duties and responsibilities,” Purisima said. [PNA]

acceptance of Canasa was on account that the mall was already about to close at the time of the incident and was in no way related to the her status as a differently-abled person. DSG Sons Group, Inc. is the owner and operator of Gaisano Mall of Davao. “Since the operation of our cinema way back in 1998, we have always accommodated our differentlyable employees endorsed by your office provided they can communicate with the customer because in cinema operation, it’s not only the company but also the production and the customers are involved,” the letter of Choa-Shi said.

The letter also said that their establishment, particularly the cinema, has employees who are differentlyabled. “We have here persons with disability who are charged as movie checker but he/she can communicate and hear with the customers.” “In the case of Ms. Sarion, her incapability to speak and hear might be misunderstood by our customers as non accommodative, which might have a negative impact to us which may prejudice our cinema especially in the instances if she is left alone as a movie checker,” the letter of Choa-Sia added.

before committing crimes, like robberies, sexual abuses and harassments. “Now that the suspect is already dead, his victims surfaced and claimed that they were among those he victimized,” Dela Rosa said, adding that the remaining suspect has no place to hide. Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte had earlier assured Grafilo’s family of justice for Cheryl Gay who was stabbed dead along an alley leading to her house in Jacinto Extension around 5 a.m. last Tuesday.

“I assured the parents that justice would be served,” Duterte was quoted saying. Grafilo was a physical therapist who was a member of Class 1998 of Notre Dame of Midsayap for Girls in North Cotabato. She was working temporarily at the Holiday Gym and Spa and was reportedly due to leave for abroad. The victim’s body was found sprawled on a pavement soaked in her own blood from 17 stab wounds. [ASA]

Metro cops complete 4TH modified PNP SCOUT

Gaisano... FFROM 1

government and is under its administrative supervision.” The complainant is considering filing criminal charges for the mall’s violation of Republic Act 7277 or the Magna Carta for Persons with Disability. “It is not her duty to interact with clients, neither is she an employee of Gaisano Mall,” Rodendo Martinez, president of the Association of Differently-Abled Persons Inc. Federation, told Edge Davao in an interview Thursday. “She was rejected on account of her disability.” Martinez sent a letter to the mall, seeking their side of the story. In their reply, DSG Sons Group, Inc’s comptroller Joe Choa-Shi said that the non-

Cops... FFROM 1

did not resist arrest while another suspect whom the police did not identify was able to escape. They were tagged in the stabbing to death one Cheryl Gay S. Grafilo, of Poblacion 6, Midsayap, North Cotabato. Sr. Supt. Ronald dela Rosa, director of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO), said Fuertes was the identified leader of the group known as the “Vulcaseal Group”, since they fashioned themselves as users of Vulcaseal and other solvents

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VOL.5 ISSUE 129 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, AUG. 31 - SEPT. 1, 2012

US Open: Li survives scare, Hewitt wins

EW YORK (Reuters) - China’s Li Na recovered from a mid-match lapse on Wednesday to beat Australian Casey Dellacqua 6-4 6-4 and reach the third round of the U.S.

Open. The ninth seed, who has never been past the quarter-finals in New York, recovered from 4-0 down in the second set to reach the last 32. Former French Open

champion Li edged the first set but Dellacqua, a left-hander ranked 92nd in the world, blasted a series of winners to move clear in the second. But Li recovered her poise in time to reel off

CHAMPS. (Top) The winning Davao Crocodile FC Under-6 team who bagged the Kadayawan U-6 title with coach Christian Ea and DFA Secretary General Erwin Protacio. (Below) The SOS Girls team pose after winning the Elementary Girls title. (DFA Photo)

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Maria Sharapova wastes little time booking her place in the second round of the US Open with a straightsets defeat of Melinda Czink.

s i x straight games and set up a clash with either three-time champion Kim Clijsters of Belgium or Britain’s Laura Robson. In the men’s draw, eleven years after winning the US Open, Lleyton Hewitt shrugged off his injury-plagued year to reach the second round at Flushing Meadows on Wednesday. The Australian, now ranked 125 and needing wildcards to play in all four Grand Slam events this year, is taking part in his 12th US Open, marking the occasion with a 4-6, 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 win over 90th-ranked German Tobias Kamke. Next up is a second round match-up with unseeded Luxembourg left-hander Gilles Muller who came from

two sets to love down to beat Russian 28th seed Mikhail Youzhny. Two foot operations and a groin problem have not dimmed the 31-year-old Hewitt’s famed fighting spirit. “When you have metal in your feet, you can’t do a lot of rehab,” said Hewitt, playing in his 54th Grand Slam event. Hewitt underwent radical surgery in February this year when he had bone cut from his big toe and two

screws and a metal plate permanently locked in. It was a desperate attempt to prolong a career that had brought him a Wimbledon title 10 years ago as well as the world number one ranking. As a result of the surgery, Hewitt has been limited to just 11 tournaments in 2012, making the final on the Newport grass courts after enduring first round exits at the French Open and Wimbledon.

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VOL.5 ISSUE 129 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, AUG. 31 - SEPT. 1, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

ARTS AND CULTURE

Text by Carlo P. Mallo Photos by Bob Mata

THE three to four pieces of barong tagalog that hang in my closet are usually worn for weddings that require such outfits or to attend some formal gathering that requires the national costume.

Wearing the barong tagalog is actually the more practical choice of formal wear in this tropical city of ours, wherein even the most powerful of air conditioning systems are helpless with the city’s heat. Designed with the Filipino and the country’s weather in mind, the barong tagalog is just the perfect choice. But the usual barong tagalog that we know are, well, very Luzon-ish in style, complete with embroidery inspired by patterns from Laguna.

Not for Dabawenyo Michael Ebro Dakudao and his extensive collection of barong tagalog. Michael’s collection of barong Tagalog started when his Japanese professor in architecture required him to wear the national costume during his graduation at the Tokyo University. From that day on, his collection of barong Tagalog just kept on growing. It doesn’t come as a surprise that Michael loves his collection of barong Tagalog. Looking at it, one would realize that these are actually pieces of art, masterfully executed by the weavers of the fabric, the seamstresses, and the designers, or as Michael would put it, a labor of love. Being the national costume, the

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VOL.5 ISSUE 129 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, AUG. 31 - SEPT. 1, 2012

STYLE

Head over heels for Anne Curtis and Primadonna THIS shoe brand seems to be the latest bywordonthemouths of many of the country’s top fashionistas, its hotness quotient continuously rising when praised by the Philippines’ most famous set of lips. Yes, I am talking about Primadonna and the brand’s image model Anne Curtis.

A Kadayawan Treat from Primadonna During the recently concluded Kadayawan weekend, following her muchawaited concert dubbed “No Other Concert” held on August 18 at the University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP) Gym, the cheekily dubbed “Annebisyosa” herself, Anne Curtis made a personal appearance at Primadonna’s branch in SM City Davao. The meet and greet gave five lucky fans the opportunity to meet the gorgeous Anne in the flesh. The winners who are followers of Primadonna’s official Twitter account @PrimadonnaPH simply had to repost one of the brand’s tweets, like its official Facebook page and submit their e-mail address

AnneCurtisposeswithoneofherfans,GladysOrcasitas, flankedbyvariousimagesofAnne’sSpring/Summer campaign shoot for Primadonna.

OneofAnne’sfiercelyloyalfanswhohailsfromGeneral SantosCity,VerJohnAgbayani,looksonasshesignsvarious photos and magazines at his request.

in order to enter the contest. Ensconced inside Primadonna’s brightly lit and amply stocked SM Davao branch, they excitedly took turns posing with Anne and getting her autograph while a huge number of onlookers swarmed the mall hallway outside. Looking fresh and beautiful in a ladylike ensemble but set off with trendy floral stack-heeled pumps from Primadonna, Anne gamely posed and warmly gave in to requests for photos and autographs. A Shoe-in for Success Primadonna is a proud Philippine brand that started with just 3 stores in 2007 but is a retail force today with over 42 outlets and counting nationwide. This amazing leap can be attributed to the fact that they

TheluckywinnersofPrimadonna’smeetandgreet(fromL-R):KimBrianAwa,CharleneOrcasitas, Ver John Agbayani, Gladys Devecais and Rissa Ricafort.

carry an extensive line of stylish footwear that meets their market’s many fashion moods and personalities. Their vibrant approach is evident in all aspects of their trade – from their rows of shoes that are both trendy and well made, the warm ambience of their stores manned by their friendly staff and enticing in-store promotions.

Finally, to perfectly capture and put a face to their brand identity, Primadonna truly staged a coup when it signed on Anne Curtis as its ambassador and model. Who better to embody the contrasts and characters of their tagline, “Different Shoe. Different you”? As Anne pushes the boundaries of her celebrity and fashion sense,

Anne Curtis arrives to the cheers of throngs of onlookers at SM City Davao.

the brand is proving to be the perfect complement to her multi-faceted life. And as she makes it look both glamorous and attainable with Primadonna’s many styles, it is making the rest of us want to literally walk in her shoes. Visit Primadonna in

Davao at their branches in Gaisano Mall of Davao and SM City Davao. Website: www.primadonna.com.ph. Connect with the brand on Facebook: www.facebook. com/primadonnashoesofficial and on Twitter: www. twitter.com/primadonnaPH.

VOL.5 ISSUE 129 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, AUG. 31 - SEPT. 1, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

ENTERTAINMENT

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Ryan Gosling is now a director RYAN GOSLING: Academy Award-nominated actor, possessor of an unnaturally perfect jawline and now...director! The Drive star will make his debut behind the camera in the “fantasy noir” drama How to Catch a Monster, The Hollywood Reporter reveals. Gosling also wrote the script, which will star Mad M e n ’ s Christina Hendricks (who just so happened to

Is Kim marrying Kanye? IS KIM KARDASHIAN getting ready to walk down the aisle with Kanye West?

The E! star certainly added fuel to all the wedding rumors on Tuesday night when she posted this pic of herself wear-

ing a beautiful backless white gown. “Late night fitting,” she tweeted. Sure, Kardashian’s divorce from Kris Humphries has not been finalized yet, but it’s certainly never too soon to start

preparing for another goround, right? Or, in the case of West, rapping about it. A few months back, Us Weekly reported that in an upcoming song titled, yep, “White Dress,” West is said to recite the lines, “I saw you in the club in a white dress/Now I want to put you in a white dress.” Hmmm. Of course, if and when these two lovebirds ever decide to take the plunge, Kardashian already has her family’s blessing, including that of mom Kris Jenner. “A n y t h i n g that makes Kim happy, I’m thrilled,” Jenner told us earlier this month.

also appear in Drive). The movie centers on Billy, a single mother of two (Hendricks), who lives in a vanishing city and is brought into a dark underworld when her son discovers a road that leads to an underwater village. Sounds, well, just about right for the kind of bizarre fare Gosling is into. The movie is set to film in spring of next year but will seek buyers at the upcoming Toronto International Film Festival. And speaking of buying: Can we preorder our tickets yet?!

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VOL.5 ISSUE 129 â&#x20AC;˘ FRIDAY-SATURDAY, AUG. 31 - SEPT. 1, 2012

ARTS AND CULTURE ENTERTAINMENT

barong Tagalog is as versatile as the 7,107 islands that make up our archipelago. There are no black and white rules that would dictate or limit how the barong Tagalog should be like, which allows the designer or the wearer to tweak it to his own preference. And in this case, Michael opted for his barong Tagalog to reflect Mindanao. As shown in the photos, these set of barongs are inspired by Mindanao from the style to the fabric, and even the accents used. The use of brass buttons, hand painted indigenous woman, Muslim-inspired patterns or patterns similar to weaves of the local tribes, are some of the unique attributes of the barong tagalog of Michael â&#x20AC;&#x201C; attributes that would make it apt to call it barong Mindanao. Now, its not only your heart that you can wear on your sleeve, even your culture and heritage, too.

SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 129 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, AUG. 31 - SEPT. 1, 2012

PHL men, women teams win opener

By Eddie G. Alinea

HE Philippine men’s and women’s teams opened their campaign on a bright note by shutting out their respective opponents at the start of 40th FIDE World Chess Olympiad late Tuesday at the WOW Convention Center in Istanbul, Turkey. The No. 35th seed Philippine men’s team blasted No. 112 Libya, 4-0, the same whitewashing the 57th ranked women’s side dealt to No. 121 Pakistan. Grandmaster Wesley So used his superior ELO rating 2652 to annihilate Elarbi Abobker (2259) in

48 moves of Caro-Kann defense on Board 1, while fellow GM Oliver Barbosa (2554) nipped FM AlZayat Ahmed (1977) in a slightly easier 42-move Queen’s Pawn Game on Board 2. GM Mark Paragua (2508) waylaid FM Asabri Hussien (2211) after 30 moves of King’s Indian defense on Board 3 and GM candidate Oliver Dimakiling (2428) completed the opening day route on Board 4 by beating Asabri Hussan (2179) in 30 moves of an English Opening. The still grieving GM Eugene Torre, the first

Filipino and Asian GM did not see action in deference to his mother, Dona Vicenta Torre’s death. Woman International Master Catherine Perena (2091) led the Filipinas’ onslaught in the distaff side by crushing unrated Wasif Zenubia on Board 1, a win duplicated by FIDE Master Rulp Ylem Jose (2061) over Siddiqui Nida Mishraz (1670) on Board 2, WNM Jannelle Mae Frayna (1991) over Khuaja Ghazala Shabbir on Board 3 and National Master Jedara Docena (2061) at the expense of Khuaja Fatima Shabbir on Board 4.

Members of the Smart Gilas national team celebrate after winning the Jones Cup against the United States.

Tenorio may miss FIBA Asia

A Tenorio, hero of Smart-Gilas 2.0’s stirring triumph in the recent Jones Cup basketball tournament, is in danger of missing the national team’s Fiba Asia Cup campaign in Tokyo next month. Suiting up for the Nationals in the Septem-

ber 14-22 tournament formerly known as the Stankovic Cup, may mean Tenorio missing a big chunk of Alaska’s preseason buildup -- a scenario an Uytengsu franchise coming off one of the worst seasons in its long history is not prepared to accept.

Alaska already began training for the PBA season kicking off on September 30, or just eight days after the end of the Japan tournament, as early as two weeks ago at a time when Tenorio and Alaska teammates Mac Baracael and Sonny Thoss, were busy with their stints with Gilas. And with the Fiba Asia Cup again expected to run for more than week, the Aces can’t afford to hold training without the man considered as the present face of the franchise.

Tessa’s acclamations forHenry

ETERAN sports scribe Tessa Jazmines recently wrote on Yahoo! Sports an article on our very own Henry Renzar Asilum entitled “There’s a new kid in town.” Henry is just 16 years old but is playing like a veteran in the UAAP wars were the boys are turned into men in Philippine basketball. Tessa has been in sports for some time (although she does not look that old) and she definitely knows her basketball. A few weeks ago she sent me an email saying how impressed she was of Henry, whose father is a former member of the coaching staff of the defunct Davao Eagles in the MBA. From his beginnings in Assumption College of Davao, Henry now plays for the UP Maroons and has risen up to be the State U’s starting PG. I wanted to reprint the entire story here but it it will surely eat up space. So let me just pick up some of the excerpts from Tessa’s article: “Born and raised in Davao, Nxoi’s (short for Ensoy) falling-in-love-withbasketball story seemed typical. His dad managed a tournament there, so, he and all his older siblings practically fell into the sport. But this guard’s story was far from the usual.

One might ask why someone his age would be living without family in Manila. But Nxoi is very used to moving around. He attended three different high schools - Assumption College and Holy Child in Davao before being recruited by Ateneo de Cebu.” “The heavily-recruited point guard definitely had a handful of options in choosing his which college to attend. But for Nxoi, there was no competition. “Nung nag-offer yung UP, diretso ako dun, kahit takot iyong parents ko sa academics,” he laughs. And so far, it hasn’t been a decision he’s regretted. Attribute it to his being young and carefree, but Nxoi claims he feels no pressure at all when he is tasked to carry the sometimes struggling Maroons on his shoulders. “Gusto ko lang talaga mag-enjoy sa basketball,”

he says, explaining how this helps him perform better. If this formula holds true, it would be safe to say that Nxoi had the time of his life playing during the Maroons’ last game against the Red Warriors, where he top scored, and they finally came out victorious. Surprisingly, with all his talent on the court, Nxoi’s biggest dream is to start his own company. In fact, the Sports Science major is working extra hard to be able to shift to Business Administration.” Henry must have really caught Tessa’s admiration to deserve this special feature and on Yahoo! Sports even. Tessa capped her story with this: “Nxoi may not be the biggest and the best player out there, but he’s certainly displayed that he’s more than ready for the big dogs. And even more so, he’s definitely got a lot of room to grow both in size and in basketball knowledge and skill.” Coming from Tessa, that is something big. NOTES: This is rather late but I would like to say “Thank you” to all those who remembered me on my special day this month. I have to admit, I have stopped counting the years and simply counted on the blessings. To borrow a line from Ace of Base, indeed, it’s a beautiful life.

rests on the player. “As long as gusto ng player, then we will allow him to play for SMART-Gilas,” Pardo said in a telephone interview. SMART-Gilas coach Chot Reyes, who said Pingris could play a key role for the team in the upcoming FIBA Asia Cup slated on September 14 to 22 in Tokyo, seemed thrilled by the idea of the man nicknamed Sakuragi’ joining the team in Japan. “Game! All he needs is to sign letter of commitment and give it to

me before Friday,” Reyes reportedly told PBA TV carrier AKTV. Pardo, however, voiced some concerns about Pingris’ condition. “Pingris has not played since the Governors’ Cup championship and during that time, he was used in limited minutes because of his neck injury,” Pardo said. Pingris sustained a stiff neck injury in the finals after a hard foul by Ryan Arana, an ailment that caused him to miss a crucial game. “I have a feeling na

baka maka-disrupt siya sa team chemistry ng SMART-Gilas at hindi niya rin kilala yung mga kalaban niya doon sa Tokyo,” added Pardo, who also expressed surprise by Reyes’ desire to include Pingris in the lineup. “The team has just won the championship in the Jones Cup, why fix it if ain’t broke?” A response from Pingris, meanwhile, will have to wait, since he is currently abroad on vacation with his family in Singapore, according to Pardo.

Team says Pingirs may join Smart Gilas

ON’T look now but just a day after Smart Gilas coach wished for Marc Pingris, his wish might just becme true. San Mig Coffee (formerly the B-MEG Llamados), Pingris’ team in the PBA, said they will allow star forward Marc Pingris to join the SMART-Gilas Pilipinas national team — if he wants to do it. Team executive Rene Pardo said that the squad will not stand in the way of anyone joining the Philippine team, but said the decision

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VOL.5 ISSUE 129 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, AUG. 31 - SEPT. 1, 2012

EDGEDAVAO