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Page 4 YACHT RALLY. Participants of Sail Morotai yacht rally, an international marine event, start to cruise the waters of Davao Gulf on their way to Morotai, Indonesia during the flag off event yesterday. [LEAN DAVAL JR.]

Plate shortage snarls LTO 11 For 40,000 motorcycles

Agritrends

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By Vicky Berdina M. de Guzman

Sports

Page 15

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HE Land Transportation Office (LTO) 11 admits a shortage of 40,000 motorcycle registration plates because the machine in its central office which manufactures plates is about 50 years old and cannot keep up with the demand.

The shortage problem started in the year 2004 even as there is

Plate-making machine is 50 yrs. Old ‘No plate-no travel’ policy modified

an increase in demand of about 5.4 percent every year. according to LTO 11 regional director Gomer Dy, another reason for the shortage is that the procurement of supplies needed for producing motorcycle registration

plates takes time. The LTO central office can only produce 1,000 plates a day, much less 40,000.

He also added that this is one of the reasons why the “no plate, no travel” policy was modified into a rule that a vehicle owner may trav-

uled 14th national Tuna Congress, which is considered as the country’s biggest gathering of tuna industry stakeholders.

“We will tackle the latest developments in the industry at the international, domestic and regional levels as well as issues affecting the industry [that] prevent its optimum growth and development,” he said.

Lu said around 400 foreign and domestic delegates have confirmed to attend the annual

gathering, which will be held at the Family Country Hotel and Convention Center here.

The 14th national Tuna Congress is among the highlights of the city’s 44th charter anniversary and 14th Tuna Festival.

The theme for this year’s congress is “Opening new grounds and strengthening commitments: a resilient tuna industry.”

The congress proper is scheduled Friday but prelim-

el without the registration plate as long as he brings with him his vehicle registration from LTO or he can present documents that the vehicle is registered with the LTO. In that case, no penalty will be enforced.

Currently, the problem the regional office is facing is the problem with the IT system being down and

FPLATE, 11

Tuna congress to tackle fishing access

Follow Us On

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una industry players will gather in General Santos City today to explore strategies towards gaining more fishing access in the international waters and opportunities for further expansions in the growing global tuna market.

Joaquin Lu, president of the Socsksargen Federation of Fishing and allied Industries, Inc. (SFFaII), said Thursday such concerns will mainly highlight the discussions in the sched-

inary activities that include a tuna culinary challenge and opening of a two-day fishery trade fair and exhibit were held at the city’s fishport complex Thursday. among those expected to attend Friday’s congress were Senator Francis Pangilinan, Bureau of Fisheries and aquatic Resources Director asis Perez, Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission Executive

FTUNA, 11

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THE BIG NEWS

VOL.5 ISSUE 134 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7- 8, 2012

3 senators predict close vote on RH bill

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HILE most of the senators remain mum about their respective stand on the Reproductive Health (RH) bill, at least three of them predicted how their colleagues will vote on the controversial measure.

Senate President Pro-Tempore Jinggoy Estrada revealed that anti-RH senator told him that 10 will support its passage and 10 will vote against while the three, including him, are still weighing their option.

Estrada refused to name the anti-RH senator but his source based his 10-10-3 prediction on the body languages and statements of the senators in a huddle at the Senate lounge last Wednesday. ”We were discussing the possible numbers. I was just quiet in one corner, listening to the discussion of the senators. It was not a meeting. I was not the one who made the count. I will not mention who that senator is but he said 10-10,” Estrada told the media.

Estrada also refused to name the two other undecided senators but described them as re-electionists in 2013. among the re-electionists are Senators Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Loren Legarda, Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan II, antonio Trillanes IV, alan Peter

Cayetano and aquilino “Koko” Pangilinan.

Meanwhile, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile also made his own prediction, giving anti-RH senators an edge, 9-8, with the remaining six still undecided. ”What I know is that nine are committed anti.

Committed pro is eight.

Six remain undecided.

That’s my position. That’s my analysis,” he said.

Like Estrada, Enrile also refused to name the senators who have already made up their mind and those who are still weighing their option.

Enrile and Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III have been openly opposing the passage of the present version of the Senate Bill 2865, calling it anti-poor which aims to control the population of the country.

Last Monday, Senator Panfilo Lacson said that at least 14 senators will support the passage of the bill.

Lacson said he is supporting the RH bill which is one of the priority measures of the administration of President Benigno aquino III. Senators Pia Cayetano and Miriam Defensor Santiago are the co-sponsors of the measure which is now in the period of amendments at the plenary. [PNa]

Food-for-work project next target is plastics

“P

lastik ka, paliton ta ka” (You’re a plastic, I’ll buy you).

Mayor Sara Duterte said Thursday that would be the battle cry for the second type of food-forwork program that the city government would soon launch as a way to reduce plastic wastes in the city.

In a text message, Duterte said the city government will buy all non-biodegradable plastic wastes as a way to reinforce the plastic ban.

The banning of non-biodegradable plastic and polystyrene foam as food and beverage containers began last June 28, as stipulated in the Davao City Ecological Solid Waste Management Ordinance of 2009.

Duterte said the “Plastik ka, paliton ta ka” food-for-work project will include plastics that are non-recyclable such as sachets and junk food wrappers, among others.

“It will be rolled out soon, given that type 1 has been successful and widely accepted. We’ll move to the non-recycla-

ble plastic wraps. Isa ni nakita nila nga bulk sa basura (This has been determined to comprise the bulk of wastes),” she said.

In the type 1 foodfor-work program, a beneficiary, selected by the City Social Services and Development Office, receives P150 worth of grocery items for three hours of work a day.

Beneficiaries clean up clogged canals near coastal areas that were identified by the City Engineer’s Office as floodprone areas. The City Environment and natural Resources Office (CEnRO) is part of the project.

Duterte said the implementing guidelines for the type 2 food-forwork program are still being crafted.

Lawyer Joseph Dominic Felizarta, CEnRO chief, said at the regular I-Speak forum Thursday that many people had benefited from the type 1 food-for-work program.

The program, which aims to help the poor and at the same time promote proper waste disposal and cleanliness in

FDAVAO’S, 11

EDGEDAVAO

REST. After a hard day’s work, two employees of a coconut lumber store take their well deserve rest atop the lumbers they are selling in Sasa, Davao City yesterday. [LEAN DAVAL JR.]

Tesda to help grads in employment quest T

HE Technical Education and Skills Development authority is focusing on finding ways to raise the level of employment of its graduates as well as providing better tools to market their skills.

During his visit to Davao City Friday, Emmanuel Joel J. Villanueva, Tesda director general, said President aquino is set to sign this week Philippine national Qualification Framework that will harmonize the curricula in all school levels includ-

ing those skills offered to graduates of the authority. under this mechanism, those who will finish high school and then opt to take skills trainings offered by the agency, the courses they shall have completed will have an equivalent competency if they decide to pursue degree courses.

Villanueva said the national Economic and Development authority already approved the program as he pointed out that this was anchored on

the intention of the government to improve its educational system by implementing the K+12 program for education which allows a child to complete a kindergarten level and 12 years in elementary and high school levels.

The K+12 program was developed with a mindset of improving the knowledge of a child before he or she decides to either enroll in technical-vocational education or pursue a degree course.

Mr. Villanueva added

that he has also done discussions with employers so that graduates of the authority will automatically get employed.

He said what he has done to ask the employers of the kinds of skills their companies need. He even assured them that the authority will carry the burden for the tuition of the students, provided “you (employers) are committed to employ” those that finish the trainings.

The agency hopes that it will be able to address

ter”, said Danny C. Montaña, DaCS President.

“We preserve the environment and truly become steward of the gift of God. We will not just adopt but visit the place and see what we can do still, in order that our expression of support and partnership is not just on the adoption side but more of a hands-on thing in terms of saving our water” he added.

During the MOa signing, DCWD Community Relations and External affairs Department manager Imelda T. Magsuci gave an overview about the utility’s adopt–a-site project and shared responsi-

bility of both parties.

The adopter shall annually donate 6,000 pesos per hectare for five years and which will be utilized in the reforestation and maintenance activities. These include procurement of seedlings, brushing, staking, holing, planting, weeding, fertilization and administration cost.

DCWD’s counterpart will be to subsidize the other monetary requirements and take charge of the rehabilitation and maintenance of the site. Likewise, the utility will assist adopters in area visits and tree planting activities,

provide annual progress report, enlist adopter’s name in the roster of adopters and recognition in the publications.

The adopt-a-site project was initiated by DCWD to enable all sectors of the society to take active part in saving the watersheds. The DaCS, as the 77th adopter, has augmented five hectares to the existing 120 hectares adopted in Mt. Talomo-Lipadas watershed. Interested adopters may call the Environment and Watershed Protection Division through (082) 2219400 local 210. (SyLViA MAy L.

FTESDA, 11

DACS marks environmental stewardship with DCWD

T

HE Davao association of Colleges and Schools, Inc. (DaCS) has adopted s five hectare sres inside the Mt. Talomo-Lipadas watershed. Last September 4, the DaCS signed a memorandum of agreement (MOa) with the Davao City Water District marking partnership for environmental protection though the adopta-site project. “adopting a watershed site is a significant and historical moment for us because protecting our watershed is to protect life as well, securing what we have, the cleanest and the abundance of wa-

VoSotRoS)

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 134 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7- 8, 2012

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4 SCIENCE/ENVIRONMENT

VOL.5 ISSUE 134 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7- 8, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Arctic ice melt ‘like adding 20 years of CO2 emissions’ L

OSS of arctic ice is effectively doubling mankind’s contribution to global warming, ice scientist Professor Peter Wadhams has told BBC newsnight.

White ice reflects more sunlight than open water, acting like a parasol.

Melting of white arctic ice, currently at its lowest level in recent history, is causing more absorption.

Prof Wadhams calculates that this increased absorption of the sun’s rays is “the equivalent of about 20 years of additional CO2 being added by man”.

The Cambridge university expert says that the arctic ice cap is “heading for oblivion”.

In 1980, the arctic ice in summer made up some 2% of the Earth’s surface. But since then the ice has roughly halved in area, and the volume of ice

has dropped to just a quarter of what it was.

“The volume of ice in the summer is only a quarter of what it was 30 years ago and that’s really the prelude to this final collapse,” Prof Wadhams said.

The polar ice cap acts as a giant parasol, reflecting sunlight back into the atmosphere in what is known as the albedo effect.

But white ice and snow reflect far more of the sun’s energy than the open water that is replacing it as the ice melts.

Instead of being reflected away from the Earth, this energy is absorbed, and contributes to warming.

Parts of the arctic Ocean are now as warm in summer as the north Sea is in winter, Prof Wadhams said.

uK weather effect The melting ice could have knockon effects in the uK. adam Scaife, from the Met Office Hadley Centre told newsnight it could help explain this year’s miserable wet summer, by altering the course of the jet stream.

“Some studies suggest that there is increased risk of wet, low pressure summers over the uK as the ice melts.”

There may be an effect for our winters too: “Winter weather could become more easterly cold and snowy as the ice declines,” Mr Scaife said.

Opinions vary on the date of the demise of summer sea ice. The Met Office says it is not expecting the arctic to be completely ice-free in summer until after 2030.

With abundant bamboos, wag says Filipinos can celebrate life

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HEn the monsoon rains begin to sweep the Philippine archipelago, many farmers from up north in Ilocos norte and Cagayan down to the hinterlands of Mindanao share a smile. as abundant as the rains tumble down from June, soon after summer, bamboo shoots start to be plentiful, traditionally used as vegetable food among them and as well in other Southeast asian countries. a cultural quipster says that with bamboos in abundance Filipinos can truly celebrate life.

Officials from the Philippine Council for agriculture, aquatic and natural Resources Research and Development (PCaaRRD) say the demand at present in the world market for bamboo shoots is “increasing because of their nutritional and health benefits.”

The bamboo shoots -– “rabong” in the north of the country and “labong” elsewhere and described as the King of Forest Vegetables in Japan -– have been a traditional forest vegetable in most parts of this archipelago of 98 million.

In China, the bamboo shoots have been considered a forest vegetable too for the past more than 2,500 years -– delicious and rich in nutrients and rank among the five most popular healthcare foods in the world. agriculture sources say

modern research suggests the bamboo shoots have several medicinal benefits, from cancer prevention and weight loss to improving appetite and digestion.

It is also low in sugar and therefore can be used for treating hypertension, hyperlipemia and hyperglycemia, according to these sources.

Japanese scientists recently discovered that bamboo shoots contain anti-cancer agents and making them a regular part of the diet effectively eliminates the free radicals that can produce dangerous carcinogens.

They add that with the economic development and the improvement of people’s living standards, demand for natural foods, especially organic food, has greatly increased.

For instance, Moso bamboo does not contain toxic substances and its products are made in strict accordance with the food safety standards, which makes it an ideal resource for natural foods. agriculture sources say the main nutrients in bamboo shoots are protein, amino acid, fat, sugar and inorganic salt.

They are rich in protein, containing between 1.49 and 4.04 grams (average 2.65g) per 100g of fresh bamboo shoots. The bamboo protein produces eight essential and two semi-essential amino acids.

although the fat content is comparatively low (0.260.94 percent), it is still higher than in many other vegetables, and the shoots contain rich essential fatty acids.

The total sugar content, 2.5 percent on average, is lower than that in other vegetables. The water content is 90 percent or more. according to PCaaRRD, bamboo shoots offer what it calls “promising livelihood opportunities,” and, when mature, “can be extensively grown in a wide range of habitats from lowland to mountain forests in both dry and humid tropics, even on wastelands, swamps, and dry or regularly flooded river banks.”

PCaaRRD sources say growing bamboos, which require less effort and capital, can even be an export earner if cultivated and processed on a commercial scale.

They note that in the Philippines, where bamboo architecture can beautify even the posh residential landscape of some upscale subdivision, most of the commercial bamboo species grown primarily for pole production are also being harvested for their edible shoots.

In the Ilocos region, for instance, and even in the Cagayan Valley, the Cordilleras, and the Iluko-speaking parts of Central Luzon, “rabong” cooked with bamboo mushrooms, garlic bulbs and jute mallow leaves is a

perennial delicacy that always flirts with the Ilocano palate.

The importance of bamboo is expected to come under sharp focus in September when the Department of Trade and Industry-created bamboo industry development council in negros Oriental will hold a bamboo

forum in Dumaguete City to promote bamboo as good livelihood and as means to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change.

Officials say the forum aims to gather stakeholders of the bamboo industry in the province as well as in the region to draw plans for bamboos which are among

the fastest growing plants in the world, due to a unique rhizome-dependent system.

Officials add bamboos are of notable economic and cultural significance in South asia, South East asia and East asia, being used for building materials, as a food source, and as a versatile raw product. [PNa]

day. The TM ASTIGCOMBOALL promo likewise offers 100 call minutes to Globe or TM numbers and 100 texts to all networks for only P10, valid for a day’s use. Both offers are exclusive for the whole Davao Region only, specifically Davao Del Sur, Davao Oriental, Davao Del Norte, Compostela Valley and Davao City Since March 2012, subscriber take-up for Globe and TM in the Davao Gulf and South Mindanao area has been growing at double-digit levels—with Globe Prepaid subscribers increasing 36%, and TM growing 45%.

The facility modernization of Globe in the Davao Gulf area significantly enhances its 3G footprint in more Mindanao towns and municipalities, translating to more stable 3G signal for customers, increasing capacity, resiliency and better traffic management to accommodate and protect more voice, SMS and data traffic. With the network modernization, Davaoeños are experiencing much improved call quality; instantaneous texts messaging capabilities, as well as richer, fuller web browsing experience.

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 134 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7- 8, 2012

For a list of Globe Stores and distributors carrying the offer, visit http://www.globe.com.ph/blackberryblisterpack or http://ph.blackberry.com/blisterpack.

5

Globe and RIM offer BlackBerry Curve smartphones in prepaid kits Bundled with free unlimited access to BlackBerry Messenger and accessories Proactively responding to the growing demand for BlackBerry devices among prepaid users in the country, Globe Telecom and Research In Motion (RIM), the makers of BlackBerry®, once again joined forces in offering the BlackBerry® Curve™ 9220 and BlackBerry® Curve™ 8520 smartphones in prepaid kits.

Globe subscribers can avail of a BlackBerry Curve 9220 prepaid package for P9,990, which comes with a Globe Prepaid SIM, free three (3) months of BlackBerry Chat subscription offering users unlimited access to BlackBerry® Messenger (BBM™), and a premium BlackBerry smartphone skin for free. The popular BlackBerry Curve 8520 is also available in a prepaid kit for only P6,990 complete with a Globe Prepaid SIM, free three (3) months of BlackBerry Chat subscription, and two premium smartphone skins.

On top of the bundled freebies, Globe prepaid subscribers purchasing the devices from participating Globe Stores can get another free P100 worth of Globe Prepaid load for call, text, and data services,

giving them total freebies worth over P2,000.00. The BlackBerry prepaid kits are available in selected Globe stores and authorized distributors nationwide until November 30, 2012.

Hastings Singh, Managing Director, South Asia at RIM said: “We are excited to partner with Globe to introduce these new attractive offers on the highly popular BlackBerry Curve models for prepaid customers. The BlackBerry Curve 8520 and BlackBerry Curve 9220 are affordable smartphone choices which provide an amazing user experience with all the unique social networking benefits needed to help Philippine customers stay connected throughout the day. We will continue making BlackBerry products and services more accessible to customers in the Philippines.”

KD Dizon, Head of Globe Prepaid added: “Once again, Globe marks another industry milestone with this new and exciting prepaid offer, where we bundled two of the most popular BlackBerry Curve smartphones, the BlackBerry Curve 8520

and BlackBerry Curve 9220, with free unlimited access to BBM and accessories in one complete and compelling package at a price that’s within reach of our prepaid market. What’s exciting about the packages is that we’re making these easily available and accessible to our prepaid subscribers by offering them in selected Globe stores and retailers nationwide.”

The partnership between Globe and RIM started in 2004. The two companies have worked closely together over the years to grow the subscriber base in the Philippines.

To date, RIM has over 78 million subscribers and 650 carriers in 175 countries, giving users around the world access to its BlackBerry solution. Meanwhile, Globe sustained growth for its prepaid subscriber base after posting an 11% increase from last year’s 27.2 million to 30.1 million subscribers as of end-June 2012. Prepaid subscribers currently make up 92% of total mobile phone users in the Philippines.

The newly launched

BlackBerry Curve 9220 features a dedicated BBM key which brings the power of RIM’s popular mobile social network up in an instant, making it incredibly easy to have BBM conversations with family and friends across the world.

Utilizing the BlackBerry® 7.1 OS, the BlackBerry Curve 9220 includes a built-in FM radio, allowing users to tune in to their favorite radio stations without using data services.

With a long lasting battery life, customers can get up to 7 hours of talk time or up to 28 hours of FM radio listening or music playback with headphones.

The user-friendly BlackBerry Curve 8520 is a powerful multimedia and social-networking smartphone that has become one of the best-selling smartphones in the Philippines. It features a full QWERTY keyboard that makes typing quick and easy, as well as dedicated multimedia keys which are smoothly integrated along the top of the handset, giving customers a convenient way to control their music and videos.

Globe posts double digit growth in Davao with unli offers Globe Telecom launches exclusive offers in Davao on the back of strong subscriber growth in the area as well as the increased capacity and capabilities of the Globe network in the Davao Gulf area following the completion of its network modernization upgrades early this year. The new Globe Prepaid and TM offers were launched in time for Davao’s Kadayawan Festival.

“Our latest offers exclusively for Davaoeños and their immediate neighbors are the best prepaid promos in the Philippines, giving subscribers the ultimate valuefor-money experience,” said Bernard Llamzon, Head of the Consumer Sales Group of Globe Telecom.

Globe Prepaid’s SUPERLAHAT20 promo gives subscribers unlimited texts to all networks and 100 call minutes to any Globe or TM number for only P20, valid for one day. The TM ASTIGCOMBOALL promo likewise offers 100 call minutes to Globe or TM numbers and 100 texts to all networks for only P10, valid for a day’s use.

Both offers are exclusive for the whole Davao Region only, specifically Davao Del Sur, Davao Oriental, Davao Del Norte, Compostela Valley and Davao City Since March 2012, subscriber take-up for Globe and TM in the Davao Gulf and South Mindanao area has been growing at double-digit levels—with Globe Prepaid subscribers increasing 36%, and TM growing 45%.

The facility modernization of Globe in the Davao Gulf area significantly enhances its 3G footprint in more Mindanao towns and municipalities, translating to more stable 3G signal for customers, increasing capacity, resiliency and better traffic management to accommodate and protect more voice, SMS and data traffic. With the network modernization, Davaoeños are experiencing much improved call quality; instantaneous texts messaging capabilities, as well as richer, fuller web browsing experience.

For a list of Globe Stores and distributors carrying the offer, visit http://www.globe.com.ph/blackberryblisterpack or http://ph.blackberry.com/blisterpack.

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 134 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7- 8, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

SSS contributions post P46.68 B in first sem

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HE Social Security System (SSS) collected a total of P46.68 billion in contributions during the first half of the year, which was higher by nine percent compared with P42.72 billion over the same period in 2011.

SSS president and chief executive Emilio de Quiros, Jr. said about 39 percent of the total were from over-the-counter (OTC) payments at SSS-accredited banks, which collected P18.12 billion in contributions during the first six months of 2012.

“Other popular payment channels for contributions are SSS branch tellers and the SSSnet facility, which enables companies, especially those with hundreds of employees, to pay monthly premiums conveniently and accurately via the Internet,” he said.

Premiums from employees and household helpers during the first half of 2012 amounted to P40.66 billion, up by nine percent from P37.23 billion collected from January to June 2011.

Meanwhile, contributions remitted by overseas Filipino workers rose 14 percent for a six-month total of P1.25 billion.

Contributions from self-employed members, such as entrepreneurs, professionals, informal sector workers, farmers and fisherfolk, likewise increased by six percent to P2.5 billion, while premiums from voluntary members jumped by 11 percent to nearly P2.3 billion.

De Quiros urged members to enroll in the SSS website (www.sss.gov.ph) to gain access to their records such as membership data and posted

contributions. Registered web users can also perform online SSS transactions including loan applications and maternity notifications.

“By giving members open access to their records through the website, they can monitor discrepancies and refer them to us for correction early on, instead of waiting until retirement age to amend inaccuracies that can affect the processing of their benefits,” he said. among SSS projects in the pipeline is the automated Tellering System (aTS), which will prevent “unpostable” or missing contributions caused by incorrect social security (SS) numbers provided by members paying at SSS branch tellers.

The agency, which receives payments in more than 90 SSS

branches nationwide, piloted the aTS last May 2012 at branch tellers in SSS Cubao, SSS Commonwealth and the SSS main office in Quezon City.

“The aTS will alert our frontline personnel if the member’s name does not match the given SS number.

This over-the-counter verification ensures accurate posting of contributions and reduces the need to reconcile members’ records for immediate release of benefits,” he explained.

SSS also accepts contributions through auto-Debit arrangements and OTC payments at Bayad Centers and SM Business Centers. Overseas members can remit premiums via Ventaja, iRemit, PnB Overseas Bills Payment System, and Worldwide Delivery Services. [PNA]

APEC economies create technology partnership

a

T its closing meeting, the Business advisory Council approved Russia’s initiative to establish a partnership between government and business leaders on discussing cooperation in the field of technology, aBaC Chairman Ziyavudin Magomedov told journalists on Wednesday, September 5.

Meeting participants worked out economic incentives for both developed and emerging economies to distribute technology, as well as a way of protecting their intellectual property. This requires standard agreements on how technology should be transferred, Magomedov said. a system of standards for trade in technology needs to be introduced, similar to the one already in place for international trade in goods.

The aBaC Chairman said this initiative is especially relevant for Russia because in 2011, machinery and equipment accounted for 48 percent of Russia’s imports.

Simpler intellectual policy protection rules will enable foreign companies to be more active in building licensed high-tech facilities in Russian regions and enable Russian high-tech companies to protect their products from illegal copying in emerging markets, thereby increasing export opportunities. aBaC member Cher Wang, chairman and cofounder of the Chinese Taipei mobile giant HTC, said at the meeting that she viewed the technology transfer initiatives as one of the council’s major successes in 2012, and something that the aBaC absolutely had to continue working on.

The promotion of technology innovation initiatives is an effective mechanism for accelerating Russia’s development.

This kind of cooperation is definitely attractive for the region and its economies, Shi

Ze, Senior Research Fellow with the China Institute of International Studies, said.

Over the course of Magomedov’s chairmanship of aBaC, the council has been working on a package of recommendations to be handed over to the leaders of the aPEC economies following the end of the aBaC meeting. apart from technology issues, these

recommendations also cover food security, transport and supply chains, and environmentally friendly urban development.

The closing meeting of aBaC will take place on Thursday, September 6, and will be followed by a news conference where the results of its work in 2012 will be summarized. [PNa/itartass]

LIVESTOCK. Livestock for sale are being transported using motorcycle from a remote area of Davao City’s Paquibato District to Panabo City. [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 134 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7- 8, 2012 FIGURES OF THE WEEk STOCk MARkET PERFORMANCE

PhIlIPPIne Stock Index As of September 7, 2012

As of September 7, 2012

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T

7

Local corn prices stable T

HE Department of agriculture (Da) on Wednesday urged traders and livestock producers to take advantage of lower corn prices in the local market as global grains indexes surged as a result of the worst drought that hit the united States. agriculture Secretary Proceso alcala told reporters that local corn prices remained relatively stable with the expected bumper harvest this year, offsetting rising prices and demand for alternative feedstock in the global market.

“They should buy their corn stocks now that prices are still low,” alcala said.

The Da chief also said that prices of corn in the world market, along with other feedstocks like feed wheat and soybean, is expected to surge further if the uS will fail to replant by October – before start of the winter season.

“They really have no choice but to buy corn from our farmers. This will also encourage them to replant in order to keep up with the demand of feed millers,” the official said. alcala said that they are continuing discussions with traders, hog raisers and poultry producers to ensure that new planting intentions before the end of the year will be reciprocated by the industry.

“Hindi na sila pwedeng magreklamo ngayon na mataas ang presyo ng mais dahil wala na din silang pagkukunan, hindi na sila pwedeng manakot ngayon na magpapasok sila ng mas murang feed stock,” the official said.

“They no longer have an alternative, so the best way is to help the farmers and buy corn at right prices so that they will be encouraged to replant by

PCA to invest P1.75B to export emerging coconut products HE aquino government will invest more to further increase exports of non-traditional coconut products like coconut water and virgin coconut oil (VCO).

“President aquino is confident that the coconut industry has the potentials to make it big in the world market, and instructed that assistance be given to coconut farmers especially now that there is big hype on coconut water,” agriculture Secretary Proceso J. alcala said during the 26th national Coconut Week celebration, august 30, 2012, spearheaded by the Da’s Philippine Coconut authority (PCa).

He said the Da-PCa is proposing a P1.75-billion budget for 2013, which is 47 percent more than this year’s budget of P1.2 billion.

“We will devise and implement strategies to take advantage of the growing export demand on coco water, VCO and coconut sap sugar,” the Da chief added.

For his part, PCa administrator Euclides Forbes said exports of coconut water during the first six months of the year have increased to 10.2 mil-

AGRITRENDS

lion liters (worth $11.2 million), doubling from 5.7 million liters (worth $ 5.6M) during the same sixmonth period in 2011.

He said the Da-PCa is working with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) to develop respective processing and postharvest technologies that would further lengthen the shelf life of coconut water for domestic and export markets.

Further, Forbes said exports of VCO also doubled to 4,422 metric tons (MT), worth $18.2M, from 2,072 MT (worth $8.4M), from January to June 2012 versus the same period last year.

Secretary alcala said the coconut industry should take advantage of available matured technologies to enable coconut farmers and entrepreneurs create new and innovative by-products from the “tree of life.”

Further, to sustain the productivity and further increase the incomes of small coconut farmers and their families, the Da through the PCa is vigorously implementing a nationwide coco-

nut planting and replanting program, where as of July 31, 2012, some 14.6 million seed nuts were planted, accounting for 71% of this year’s total target.

The PCa also aims to fertilize up to 25 million coconut trees in 2013, and will vigorously implement a coconut livelihood and intercropping program, called Kasaganaan sa niyugan ay Kaunlaran ng Bayan (KaanIB), in 300 sites throughout the country.

Forbes said coconut products and by-products remain as the country’s leading agricultural exports, totaling $1.96 billion (B) last year, 20 per cent more than in 2010, worth $1.63B. He said some 39 coconut products and by-products are exported to at least 100 countries.

Last year, the top export was coconut oil worth $1.4B, followed by desiccated coconut ($287 million), and coco chemicals ($35M). Other coconut export products are VCO, coco water, chips, jam, vinegar, frozen coco meat, liquid coco milk, coconut milk powder, makapuno, coco liquor, coco coir and coconut handicraft, among other by-products. (Da information service & PCa)

the end of this year,” he added.

Meanwhile, alcala said that he has instructed Da assistant Secretary Edilberto de Luna, who is also the national Corn Program director, to study the possibility of commercial corn export.

“If the prices of local corn is right and the feed miller are willing to invest, then why bother to export?”alcala said.

“The bottomline, it will be up to the farmers if they want to take advantage of the higher prices in the world market. If corn traders will not buy, then these farmers will look somewhere else to sell their produce,” he added.

Earlier, de Luna said they are studying the possibility of commercially ex-

porting yellow corn within this year.

The official said that the interagency committee is now reviewing the appeal of the Philippine Maize Federation, Inc. (PhilMaize) for the commercial export of corn. He added that the recommendation will be approved by the national Food authority (nFa) Council.

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.

The Philippines expects corn production to reach a record-high of 7.819 million MT in 2012, and about 8.450 million MT by 2013. [PNA]

DA eyes US$ 400-B market for natural ingredients

a

GRICuLTuRE Secretary Proceso alcala is promoting the planting of fruit-bearing trees like tamarind or sampaloc to boost the country’s natural ingredients industry. alcala said it is high time for Filipino farmers to cash in on the uS$ 400-billion global market for natural ingredients. natural ingredients are derived from crops and plants that are indigenous to the Philippine soil and climatic conditions and even from plants that could be introduced and produced in substantial volumes. These crops and plants are easy to manage and require minimum inputs. alcala said the industry has been earning foreign exchange for the past decade using only the most basic manufacturing processes and the least overhead, and has been helping reduce the imports of health and wellness products and expanding the market for domestic goods. as such, he said the Department of agriculture (Da) is encouraging farmers to start producing crops, plants and herbs noted for their natural ingredients.

Two such plants -- la-

gundi and turmeric or “luyang dilaw” -- need to be propagated nationwide to supply the demands of the industry.

Tamarind, which is abundant in the country, needs to be cultured systematically to supply the requirements of instant sour broth manufacturers.

“It’s actually being looked at now (by government) because it provides an opportunity to our farmers for additional income, particularly those in the uplands,” said Dr. Candida adalla, program director of the Da-Biotech Implementation unit (Da-BIu). adalla said there is a niche for Philippine natural ingredients globally and Filipino entrepreneurs must go for it. unfortunately, the country’s biggest food ingredient company still imports 8,000 metric tons (MT) of sampaloc for its “broth.” alcala said there is a growing demand of natural ingredients for the wellness market and this should attract more farmers to produce such crops with a variety of applications. according to a study conducted by Hybrid-gim Consulting Inc. (HGI), it showed that there is a big

global market for natural ingredients. alcala has seen the growth of the industry for the past few years as it responds to shifting consumer trends and new market opportunities.

The global market for natural ingredients was forecast to reach uS$ 18 billion by next year.

Cosmetics that use natural ingredients which confer health or wellness benefits are projected to grow by 8.1 percent, with the demand for the ingredients outstripping the demand for products.

In the last three decades, there has been substantial growth in herbal medicine market globally.

Today, around 80 percent of the people in developing countries reportedly rely on plant-based products for health care that are widely available and more affordable.

Tamarind or sampaloc is rich in vitamins and minerals and said to be an essential source of nutrition for fewer options. It is a good source of antioxidant fighting against cancer, lowers cholesterol, promotes healthy heart, and is being used as blood purifier, among others. [PNa]

8 VANTAGE POINTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 134 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7- 8, 2012

I

EDITORIALS

The stork is coming

T

HE announced pregnancy of Inday Sara made headlines yesterday. To be sure, in the annals of contemporary journalism in this corner of the universe, it was the first news about a pregnancy that hogged the headlines.

Inday Sara, of course, is Sara Duterte-Carpio, Davao City’s first ever elected lady mayor. at 32 then, she was also this city’s youngest elected mayor, and with the biggest winning margin ever, to boot.

The coming of the stork is fraught with both motherhood and political implications, Sara being not only the most important mother-to-be hereabouts, but also the holder of the highest elective position in the city. Her pregnancy spawns a flurry of questions, most especially on the pregnancy’s political significance.

Sara is reportedly seven weeks in the family way, which means that, with God’s blessing, she will give birth sometime in March or april, next year. Will she run for re-election, given that she will be in the most critical period of her pregnancy at

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the height of the campaign period? If she opts to rest from political activity during her pregnancy, who will run in her stead?

If Vice Mayor Rody, her father, runs again for mayor, who’ll be his running mate?

Will it be Councilor Paolo Duterte, the lady mayor’s elder brother? Who will then run for congressman of the First District to face former House Speaker Prospero nograles, said to be preparing for a comeback after a reported successful operation in the united States? If Speaker nograles runs for a House seat again, will incumbent Rep. Karlo nograles run for vice mayor as rumored? Who in the Team nograles will run for mayor? If not Karlo, former congressman Ruy Elias Lopez of the 3rd District? Former mayor Benjamin de Guzman? What will be the role of former vice mayor Luis Bonguyan?

These questions, ad infinitum, have suddenly cropped up, and all because Inday Sara is infanticipating.

Whatever, it’s going to be a very interesting election.

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EDGEDAVAO

Why China bullies us?

F China wants to be the new big brother in asia, then it has to responsibly act like one. If it can afford to bully its equally powerful neighbor Japan, there is no reason why it cannot bully weaker and smaller countries, such as the Philippines.

Double talk is what defines Chinese foreign policies now, particularly those pertaining to territorial disputes. On the one hand, we hear the polite Chinese ambassador explaining her government’s firm adherence to international law and peaceful resolution of conflicts. On the other hand, we are appalled listening to Chinese foreign ministry pronouncements and saber-rattling short of unofficially declaring war in the West Philippine Sea. until now, I cannot fathom the sheer absurdity of the basis of Chinese claim---the use of ancient maps showing the contested areas under the imperial realm. If that is so, Italy should lay claims to practically all of Europe and asia Minor on the basis of maps of the ancient Roman Empire.

Bear with my little history this time. It is always best to understand this problem by reviewing a little of some significant upheavals in Chinese history. China has always been a proud nation. Its history extends far back in the past, even long before Jesus Christ was born. We owe the ancient Chinese many of the boons of the modern world; many of them changed civilizations forever.

Every civilization has its own share of internal squabbles. In the case of China, various dynasties rose and fell because of shifting allegiances of the generals. Was it not Mao Zedong who once said that power comes out from the barrel of the gun? at the turn of the 20th century, Western powers began looting the Chinese empire. The elevation of the child emperor to the heavenly throne was of no help. nothing practically prevented the land grabbers from the West, including Japan, from slicing the socalled Chinese melon. In addition to present leadership struggle within the Chinese Communist Party, many China watchers agree that, at least, there is a psychosocial explanation to its bullying behavior---a bully was once bullaied. Emerging from the traumatic experience over the Chinese melon, the Chinese people are adamant in overcoming the trauma and redeem their once mighty position in the world politico-economic arena. Lest we forget, China’s ancient name, translated into English, actually means the “Middle Kingdom.” all other civilizations occupied the periphery.

The fall of the Soviet union ushered the re-emergence of the united States as the sole world power. no longer was uS confronted by the desire to demolish the Iron Curtain. That was short lived though.

China is only politically communist. all economic infrastructures are essentially capitalistic. The rejection of the original Maoist Thought and the emergence of new breed of leaders after Mao’s death eventually transformed China from a backward country of docile peasants into a military and economic might in asia. If uS wants to effectively contain Chinese designs over the Pacific region, it has to recognize China first as its own equal. It has to share the world stage and rethink its approach by considering that there is now a bipolar world.

Yes, our relationship with the united States has been always a special one and it is especially advantageous to uS interests. american foreign policy towards the Philippines has never been always immaculate. american economic and private commercial interests were always deeply entrenched in almost every State Department policies. Democratic ideals, highlighted just like ancient creeds, are only secondary.

Realpolitik, come on! america is keenly interested in the region because it is home to a leading sea lane and trade route. Ship terminals in Hong Kong and Singapore are now the world’s largest in terms of gross tonnage. The total dollar reserves of China exceeds that of the uS government---always in perpetual debt since the creation of the Federal Reserve, an anomalous creature that functions more as a money lender to the uS government than as a central bank.

We need to finally abandon our mendicant foreign policy. Since our nominal political independence, we had always been a country of beggars, always seeking manna from our rich neighbors.

EDGEDAVAO

B

VOL.5 ISSUE 134 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7- 8, 2012

Italy’s unelected democrat

uT the beasts in the political circus were chosen by the people.

Pierluigi Bersani, leader of the main center-left party, Partito Democratico, said in an interview with Repubblica last week that Monti had done a fine job but must stand aside in the spring -- for “if the idea catches on that politics is not able to take us out of the crisis, we will put ourselves on the margins of the democracies.” Bersani sometimes struggles to present himself as a credible premier if the left were to win the next elections, but he spoke well here. For Italy to continue under the tutelage of the professors would both further weaken the party system and raise deeper doubts than ever that it could produce an elected, efficient, clean ruling class.

But suppose the political class of any color really is incapable of taking the country out of the crisis? In a speech last week in Rimini to a Catholic youth group, Monti spoke about the need to restore Italians’ faith in the state -- a faith that can be regained only if the many Italians who now cheat the taxman cease to do so, and others, including the public broadcaster RaI, stop regarding the avoiders as merely crafty, even admirable, for being so. The country, he said -- in a rare flash of drama, even melodrama -- was “at war” with the tax cheats. “We can’t broadcast, even subliminally, the degraded values which are destroying our society” The belief that he seeks to invoke is less in the state and more in a citizen-

H

cOMMeNtarY

By John LLoyd

( Conclusion) ship where everyone exercises mutual responsibilities. This unelected, precise, rather lofty man presents the nature and obligations of democracy better than any elected Italian politician I have heard. Many of these will, indeed, share this thought, but the daily battle for power and attention in a political system as complex and fragmented as the Italian, which gives so many privileges to the elected, leaves too little time and will for the observance of democratic ideals.

Italy has put in place a dictator-expert to make politics safe for elected politicians once more. The paradox is that he is better at articulating democratic necessities than the latter have been. The capacity for these politicians to rise to his level and to make politics serve the electorate, through the bad times which will roll on after Monti, is the test of tests before this country -- even, given its size and importance, before Europe. The signs that they will are, as yet, fragile: The shadows of doubts about the future fell across the scorching beaches this summer, and are likely to remain.

[John Lloyd is a Reuters columnist and co-founded the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at the university of Oxford.]

dictator-expert to make politics safe for elected politicians once more. The paradox is that he is better at articulating democratic necessities than the latter have been. The capacity for these politicians to rise to his level and to make politics serve the electorate, through the bad times which will roll on after Monti, is the test of tests before this country -- even, given its size and importance, before Europe. The signs that they will are, as yet, fragile: The shadows of doubts about the future fell across the scorching beaches this summer, and are likely to remain.’

Special Feature

By SaraSwathi Muniappan

( Conclusion)

to see medieval warriors dressed in their battle gear, retelling the stories of old wars with their enemies. although it is located only at a distance of 72 kilometers from Thimphu, the journey takes around three hours owing to the bumpy and narrow roads.

‘It is not surprising then, that

out of a total of 65,756 visitors that came to Bhutan in 2011, a significant number were above 60 years old, as Bhutan is an expensive place to visit.’

The Mask Dance of the Drums or ‘Drametse ngacham,’ is a sacred, cultural and religious dance and should not to be missed.

During the performance, dancers are fully clad in monastic robes and wooden masks, which feature real and mythical animals.

In november 2005, the unESCO proclaimed the dance as a ‘Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.’

HAPPINESS IS A PLACE

It is not surprising then, that out of a total of 65,756 visitors that came to Bhutan in 2011, a significant number were above 60 years old, as Bhutan is an expensive place to visit.

“We want rich old people to visit who will really want to appreciate and admire our country and also don’t have the capacity to do any real damage to our culture and environment,” Prime Minister Jigme Y.Thinley told Bernama. as far as tourism is concerned, Bhutan only wants high value and low impact tourism.

“We can’t see our environment suffering on account of various social issues,” Jigme said, adding that Bhutan is striving to develop and maintain its culture and traditions at the same time.

To achieve that end, Bhutan has started a rating system for its hotels. unless hotels have a certain score they are not allowed to book tourists and that is the only way to sustain high-end tourism, Jigme pointed out.

Bhutan has become famous in recent years for its economic growth yardstick, which is the Gross national Happiness Index.

The Tourism Council of Bhutan also promotes the country with the tagline ‘Happiness Is a Place’.

Whether a traveler finds happiness in this tiny nation or not depends very much on what he or she is seeking, but Bhutan is sure to cast a spell on anyone with its pristine beauty and rich cultural legacy. [PNA/BERNAMA]

9

The trust of a rogue aNalYSiS

‘Italy has put in place a

Making a sacred tour in the ‘happiness place’

OWEVER, for a novice this ride can turn out to be a frightening experience, especially if your horse turns suddenly towards the edge of the cliff to graze on some grass.

The horse ride only covers the first half of the journey, as the second half, which is even more difficult, involves climbing around 750 narrow and steep steps.

It takes between three to five hours for the whole trip, but for those that do manage to reach the monastery, be prepared to be mesmerized by the breathtaking view.

THE PANORAMA OF DOCHULA PASS The Dochula pass is located en route to Punakha from Thimphu. The pass is popular among tourists as its passage provides a 360 degree panoramic view of the Himalayan range on a clear day.

The beauty of this place is further enhanced by the Druk Wangyal Chortens, literally translated as the ‘108 stupas’, which were built by the eldest Queen Mother Her Majesty ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk.

The pass is also a popular spiritual destination both for locals and tourists, because an important place of worship is located on the crest of Dochula pass, and thanks to the easy access to this spot via a road that leads right up to the end, no hiking needed here, it is wonderful to walk around the place.

Punakha, where the Palace of Great Happiness or ‘Pungthang Dewachen Phodrang’ is situated, and where most of the major events take place.

While visiting Punakha, tourists are able

VANTAGE POINTS

By Mike doLan

“T

( Conclusion)

HEY don’t want to be dictated to, but they sure like using the markets to push other countries in directions the Germans want to go,” he told Reuters Insider television.

So is the German position toward free markets, their regulation and the need for routine government or central bank intervention just Machiavellian or does it have its own logic?

Bernhard Speyer, joint head of Deutsche Bank Research, reckons the stance is highly reflective of German public opinion - that finance and free markets are useful only up to a point and are there solely to serve industry rather than being wealth-generating industries in their own right.

“There are two views at work. First is that financial markets do not understand the constraints of policy or respect the primacy of democratic developments and governments must therefore enforce the latter.

“The second is financial markets by themselves are not able to find a stable equilibrium and that’s another justification for constant government intervention, albeit one with a consequence of making markets even more volatile.”

Speyer reckons this idea of using market forces to some extent, but in tandem with government direction or intervention, has been around since the euro was first devised. The monetary union treaty has both a “no-bailout” clause and a government administered “stability and growth” pact.

This dual thread persists today. Germany demands reform and cuts to gain market trust while developing an intergovernmental fiscal pact and agreeing intervention by the ECB or European Stability Mechanism to correct market skews.

“I think there’s a grain of truth on both sides and if you take that as a foundation for the ‘muddle through’ approach of European institutions in this crisis, then it all starts to appear more strategic than at first sight.”

‘Speyer reckons

this idea of using market forces to some extent, but in tandem with government direction or intervention, has been around since the euro was first devised. The monetary union treaty has both a “no-bailout” clause and a government administered “stability and growth” pact.’

10 SUBURBIA

VOL.5 ISSUE 134 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7- 8, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Sta. Cruz prepares to become hub for Minda railway system

By Carlo P. Mallo

a

RETIRED. Outgoing 4th Infantry Division chief, Major Gen. Victor Felix (on the 1st jeep), reviews for the last time his troops in Camp Evangelista in Cagayan de Oro City on Sept 4, 2012. Felix retired yesterday and was replaced by Brig.

Gen. Romeo Gapuz who assumed as temporary division chief. [MiNDANEwS/ FRoiLAN GALLARDo]

Mindanao railway system may seem a long way to go yet, but Santa Cruz town mayor Joel Rey Lopez is already preparing his town to become the hub for the island-wide railway system.

Lopez said investors in the railway system are eyeing his town as the railway’s main center and depot.

“The Mindanao railway system will start in the Davao region and will progress outward even as the investors are thinking of starting the project next year,” Lopez said, adding that the investors are Chinese citizens. The project will be privately funded, the town mayor added. an estimated 100 hectare property is being eyed by the investors to serve as depot, motor pool and a coal-fired power plant that will power the railway sys-

tem.

Lopez said he welcomes the development as it will boost the economy of his town, which is also home to several investors who have shied away from Davao City.

The town mayor attributes the investment to the strategic location and sound governance of the town.

Sta. Cruz is located right next to Davao City and is connected to it by a national highway. The town is also the gateway to other cities like Digos, General Santos, Kidapawan, Koronadal, and Marbel. a railway system that traverses Mindanao is a long awaited infrastructure development that will provide a more efficient mode of transportation.

The entire railway system is expected to be completed within the next 10 to 15 years.

HE 100-member Valencia Taxi and Van Transport Operation Inc. (VTVOI) has accused the Rural Transit of Mindanao, Inc. (RTMI) of unfair competition, after the company allegedly reduced on its own the fare in the Valencia City, Bukidnon to Wao, Lanao del Sur route.

Victoria Besa, a VTVOI representative, told the Bukidnon province Sangguniang Panlalawigan on Wednesday the bus company allegedly violated a memorandum of agreement signed by the parties in 2005 that sets a uniform fare from Bukidnon to neighboring towns.

In a letter to the provincial board on august 23, Rogelio Garcia, VTVOI president, said that RTMI cut its fare from P80 to P60 in the Valencia-Wao route.

Danilo Garnosa, RTMI operations manager, denied they violated the agreement, but admitted that they cut the fares after an oil price roll back.

Garnosa told Mindanews it was the van operators who first reduced the rate, adding that the operators must make a lot of explaining because they don’t issue tickets to passengers.

Besa said the alleged violation by the bus company led to the “hardship of the small players” plying the said route.

She noted that “it was meant to boot the van operators out of business.”

Besa also denied they lowered the rate first, and added that the operators issue tickets if the passengers asked for it.

Besa said the operators will invoke the agreement and will push for the suspension of RTMI’s franchise to operate in the route due to the alleged

violation, if the problem persists.

Vice Gov. Jose Ma. R. Zubiri Jr, provincial board presiding officer, said he will ask the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to appear in the next session so the issue can be clarified.

Last year RTMI also figured in another inquiry at the provincial board. after its public hearings on vehicular accidents involving buses in October 2011, the board required safety measures from RTMI and other bus companies plying the province.

In a resolution passed on October 26, 2011, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan urged the bus companies to take measures to reduce vehicular accidents in the province after the series of hearings conducted by the provincial board attended by representatives and officers of the RTMI, LTFRB, and the Land Transportation Office.

On top of the eight suggestions in SP Resolution no. 2011-073 is for the bus companies to limit the driving time of any bus driver to a maximum of four continuous hours.

The resolution said the suggestion emanates from the “fatigue kills” campaign of the International Transport Federation and the International Labor Organization Hours of Work and Rest Periods (Road Transport) Convention, 1979 (no. 153).

The provincial board also urged RTMI and other bus firms to impose sanctions on bus drivers reaching their destinations earlier than the prescribed travel time to discourage over-speeding. [Walter i.

Balane/ MindaNews]

GenSan mayor orders study on tuna vessels T

Van operators accuse Rural Transit of unfair competition

G

EnERaL Santos City Mayor Darlene antonino-Custodio has instructed the City Economic Management and Cooperative Development Office to study the impact of the proposed reduction in the number of tuna catcher vessels on the local tuna industry and the local economy.

Custodio is also seeking more scientific studies on the continuing decline of tuna stocks in the Western and Central

D

Pacific region. at a press conference Wednesday announcing the formal opening of this year’s edition of the Tuna Festival as well as the 14th national Tuna Congress, Custodio said she wants more scientific data before considering reducton in the number of tuna catcher vessels.

Conservation as well as management of the country’s tuna resources continue to be the top agenda in this year’s congress that is expected to

gather at least 400 guests and delegates from all over the country and delegations from other tuna producing countries.

The 14th national Tuna Congress opens its plenary session on Friday (September 7).

The Bureau of Fisheries and aquatic Resources (BFaR) earlier proposed a 165,000-metric ton (MT) ceiling on annual tuna catch to arrest the declining tuna stocks in Philippine waters.

Marfenio Tan, former

Socsksargen Federation of Fishing and allied Industry (SFFaI) president, said reducing the city’s tuna catcher vessels to not more than 50 will help in the management of tuna stocks in Philippine waters.

Tan is among the pioneers of the tuna industry and one of the city’s biggest tuna producers.

SFFaI members have a total of 162 tuna catcher vessels. [Edwin G. Espejo/MindaNews contributor]

eration with the Philippine army 1003rd Infantry “Raptor” Brigade, of the 10th Infantry “agila” Division.

Rabanoz who also sits as the Convergence coordinator, said the Davao del norte leg of aREna Serbisyo Caravan will maximize the delivery of government services through the joint forces and resources of both the aREna and the local government.

Rabanoz said the Provincial Health Office (PHO) will augment resources and manpower for the medical services of the Serbisyo Caravan which will haul P10,000 to P15,000 worth of common medicines aside from influenza vaccine injections for 200 senior citizens.

The 10th Infantry Division will also be conducting medical and dental services aside from providing security and entertaining the crowd of beneficiaries through the musical rendition of the agila Marching

Band.

In its trip to Kapalong, Davao del norte, Serbisyo Caravan will tag along 32 heads of offices from 28 national line agencie, and will mobilize 168 staff members of the participating agencies.

Other than the medical-dental services, the aREna Serbisyo Caravan will also be delivering P3.5 million worth of services from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) XI which will be paying out in cash a total of P915,7000 cash grants to 636 household beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilya Program.

DSWD XI will also be disbursing P288,000 worth of monthly stipend to 192 senior citizens and will be turning over P2.3 million worth of check for supplementary feeding program that will benefit 1,861 children in 55 daycare centers in

Davao del norte.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will be awarding financial assistance checks to the local government of Kapalong for banana chips production and peeling, and to aMS Employees Fresh Fruit Producers Cooperative (aMSEFFPCO) for common facilities on banana flour delicacies making.

The labor department will also be awarding certificates of entitlement for livelihood projects particularly on banana peeling and banana chips production, native chicken raising and ice cream-making and on micro enterprise called negosyoto-go.

It will also be turning over starter kits on fashion jewelry and tribal accessories to a group of persons with disabilities, and a starter kit on cosmetology to a local association of gays. [Pia 11/ Jeanevive Duron-abangan]

Davao del Norte welcomes ARENA to join Convergence

aVaO del norte Provincial Governor Rodolfo P. del Rosario welcomes the visit of aREna Serbisyo Caravan which will stop over at the municipality of Kapalong having gone to other provinces in the Davao Region.

Gov. Del Rosario looks at the entry of the aREna Serbisyo Caravan as a gesture of support of the association of Regional Executives of national agencies (aREna) XI to his PEOPLE agenda which basically aims to focus on advancing the welfare of constituents at the grassroots level.

In an interview, Engr.

Josie Jean Rabanoz , chief of the Provincial Planning and Development Office said the Governor is glad of the Serbisyo Caravan as this also runs in line with the Convergence for Peace and Development which is an outreach initiative of the provincial government done in coop-

11

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 134 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7- 8, 2012 PHL views with ‘guarded optimism’ China’s stand on West Philippine Sea

T

HE Philippine government on Thursday said it views with “guarded optimism” China’s pledge to ensure freedom of navigation in the disputed West Philippine Sea. Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi told uS Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in a meeting in Beijing on Wednesday that China supports unimpeded access to the strategic waters, where the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also have competing claims.

China’s assurance appeared to have met skepticism from Manila, which asked Beijing to clarify its statement.

“We note, with guarded optimism, China’s recent statement ‘that the freedom and safety of navigation in the South China Sea is assured,’” the DFa said in a statement on Thursday.

“What if China refuses or withdraws such assurance, does that mean that the freedom of navigation does not exist in the West Philippine Sea?” the DFa said. “We wish to seek a clarification on this.”

Manila, along with Vietnam, have complained of China’s allegedly expanding its claims in the sea, also known by its international name as the South China Sea -- a busy

Tuna...

shipping region that is also believed to be rich in gas and oil aside from its rich fishing areas.

China has claimed it has sovereignty in those areas on historical grounds.

Chinese and Philippine government ships separately figured in a standoff starting in april at Scarborough Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc, a sprawling offshore area north of the Spratlys and off the country’s northeastern province of Zambales that both countries claim.

President Benigno S. aquino III has ordered the withdrawal of two Philippine ships from the shoal amid the typhoon season to ensure the safety of Filipino crewmen. Chinese ships, however, have remained there.

“If by their statement, China is indicating that it recognizes and will abide by its obligation under international law, particularly united nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (unCLOS), with regard to the exercise of freedom of navigation in the high seas, and accordingly respect the exclusive economic zones of all the littoral states in the West Philippine Sea, then, as earlier said, such statement should be welcomed,” the DFa said.

[Pna]

FFROM 1

Director Glenn Hurry and Palau’s Bureau of Fishery Management Director nanette Malsol.

Lawyer Rene Barrion, chair of the congress’ program and resolution committee, said this year’s gathering will

showcase the recent positive developments in the tuna industry that “give us reason to look forward with anticipation for an upbeat prospect of our industry.” [allen V. Estabillo/MindaNews]

Davao’s...

FFROM 2

the city, has some 60,000 beneficiaries from 90 barangays, an earlier report said.

Felizarta said that non-recyclable plastics and other residual wastes compose 18 percent of the total 410 tons of wastes collected daily in the city.

There is a slight increase in the total amount of wastes from 380 tons daily since the implementation of waste segregation because malls in the city have expanded, he added.

But generally, there has been a significant decrease from the previous 500 to 700 tons of wastes collected daily, Felizarta noted. at least 430 plastic ban violators had been apprehended since its implementation, he said.

To ensure that plastic manufacturers are complying with the law, CEnRO plans to purchase a machine worth at least P1 million that can distinguish non-biodegradable from biodegradable plastics, Felizarta said.

CEnRO will propose it during the meeting of the solid waste management board next month, he added.

Currently, the local government is determining bio-plastics through a laboratory test that yields results in three to six months.

Felizarta said that Holcim Philippines, Inc. has expressed an interest to build a processing plant here that will mix non-recyclable plastics with the ingredients use to produce cement. [LoRiE ANN A. CASCARo/MiNDANEwS]

An unhygienic lady durian vendor is seen opening the fruit on the surface of the road unmindful of the bacteria that may contaminate it. [LEAN DAVAL JR. ]

Landmark treaty for domestic workers to come into force T HE Philippines has become the second country to ratify the ILO Convention 189 on Decent Work for Domestic Workers, allowing the first global standard for domestic workers to come into force in 12 months.

ILO Director-General Juan Somavia said: “To-

Plate...

day’s ratification by the Philippines sends a powerful signal to the millions of domestic workers who will be protected when the Convention comes into force.

“I hope it will also send a signal to other member States and that we will soon see more and more

countries committing to protect the rights of domestic workers.”

The Convention extends the ILO standards to a sector which continues to be poorly regulated and remains largely part of the informal economy.

Recent ILO estimates based on national sur-

veys and/or censuses in 117 countries place the global number of domestic workers at around 53 million.

But since this kind of work is often hidden and unregistered, experts believe the total number could be as high as 100 million.[PNa]

helmets while driving; the law also applies to motorcycle passengers. among the immediate effects is the pull-out of substandard motorcycle helmets being sold in the market and the processing of ICC stickers for in-use helmets or those purchased before the helmet law.

Dy said that the stickers for in use helmets are secured at the Department of Trade and Industry, the main agency which certifies if the helmets are up to standards. Dy said that current-

ly there is an average of 150 motorcyclists securing for permits and if the number will remain constant till the deadline they would only have processed 15,000 motorcyclists.

Dy said that there are about 66,000 registered motorcycle units in the region. “There is a chance that we will have to sacrifice our Christmas holidays just to accommodate those who would try to beat the deadline.” Dy added.

If implemented the LTO will slap offenders with a

P1, 500 fine for the first offense, and P3, 000 for second-time offenders. For the fourth offense the LTO will be revoking the offending motorcyclist’s driver’s license.

He said that apprehensions for motorcyclists driving without helmets have drastically dropped to about five to 10 apprehensions a day in January to June 2012 as compared to 250- 300 apprehensions daily in the previous years. [With RG alama]

Sen. Franklin Drilon even suggested the coming up with a survey that will map the courses offered as well as find out the need of the companies.

What must be done, the senator said, is for the Labor department to coordinate with the Professional Regulation Commission and the Commission on Higher Education to look into

how this could be addressed. another program that Mr. Villanueva is pushing for the institutionalization of an enterprised-based training that will provide higher time for students to spend in actual practice of the skills they are acquiring. at present, the agency is implementing a similar program, the dual train-

ing program, that allows the student to spend 70% of his or her time in actual workplace, while the remainder is devoted to classroom training.

In this way, Mr. Villanueva added, the student acquires the skills in a faster manner because of the exposure to the actual work.

“But we also need to institutionalize this,” he added.

FFROM 1

causing delay in processing. according to Dy, the renewal of a driver’s license should only take 30 minutes while application for driver’s license should only take 48 hours.

Meanwhile, Dy has urged the motorcycling public to secure their import commodity clearance (ICC) stickers for protective helmets before the imposed deadline on January 1, 2013.

He said that the helmet law (Ra 10054) mandates all motorcycle riders to wear standard motorcycle

Tesda...

FFROM 2

the job-skill mismatch because it will only produce skills that the job market is looking for, he added.

The House of Representatives already passed the corresponding bill for the program, but the Senate has yet to do so, Mr. Villanueva added.

The Department of Labor and Employment has been called on to address the job-skill mismatch to absorb the unemployed.

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notice is hereby given that the estate of the late ALVIN P. REYES has been EXTRA-JUDICIALLY SETTLED executed by his heirs per Doc. no. 394; Page no.

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notice is hereby given that the estate of the late GAUDENCIA C. CHAVEZ has been EXTRAJUDICIALLY SETTLED executed by her heirs per Doc. no. 42; Page no. 22; Book no. IX; Series of 2012 of the NOTARY PUBLIC MELCHOR B. QUITAIN, JR.

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14 SUBURBIA

VOL.5 ISSUE 134 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7- 8, 2012

TUNA FESTIVAL. Fireworks light up the sky of the Philippine’s Tuna Capital during the grand opening celebration of Tuna Festival 2012 Wednesday, September 5. Tuna Festival coincides with the 44th charter anniversary of General Santos City which shares Sarangani Bay as a

EDGEDAVAO

common waterway and source of fishing resources. The late Congressman James L. Chiongbian is the founding father of General Santos City and Sarangani Province, which celebrates its 20th anniversary in November this year with the annual Munato Festival. [CoCoy SExCioN]

DA urges project beneficiaries to fast track documents for fund release

T

HE Department of agriculture 12 has recently called the attention of the beneficiaries of various agricultural projects, particularly farmto-market roads (FMRs) to hasten the processing of their papers for the fund transfer, if and when they opted to adopt the modality.

This after the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has ordered all government agencies to fast track the consumption of government funds by September 30 of this year.

Da 12 Regional Executive Director amalia Jayag-Datukan said the DBM has set September 30 as the

deadline for the obligation of funds.

“If we can’t obligate our allotments before the said cut-off date, DBM will be forced to negate the said allocations and will be given to other agencies,” Datukan explained. addressing the project recipients, Datukan said, “you need to finish all the requirements for publication and have the Memorandum of agreements (MOas) signed by the involved and authorized parties.

“Strict implementation of these projects is urged since we have time frame to catch up,” Datukan said encouraging all the local government units (LGus) iden-

tified to have allocations for FMRs. This, she added would also give time for Da 12 to prepare its annual procurement plan for 2013.

LGus were given until September 15 to complete and submit all the requirements, otherwise, they will be included in the waiting list of the DBM for next year.

Da 12 has a total budget allotment of more than P700 million for this year and P1.2 billion for 2013 for the implementation of the agri-Pinoy banner programs for rice, corn, livestock and high value commercial crops as well as Da’s special projects. [PiA 12]

ly would like to support Madgao as a new tourism site,” Tagalo said, for which the Provincial Government is initially committing P250,000. “This is our way of supporting the bamboo industry,” he added.

When asked of his impression as regards the subsidy, asuncion Tourism and Investment Promotion Officer Engr. Servando Lawas who participated in the forum was appreciative.

“I am happy,” Engr. Lawas said in an interview. The subsidy will really help not only in the development of Madgao as an income-generating eco-tourism adventure site but also in their “riverbank protection and climate change mitigation” efforts, he added. apart from preventing soil erosion, bamboo is a potential agent in absorbing carbon in the atmosphere.

The united nations Industrial Development Orga-

nization (unIDO) reported “a grove of bamboo release 35 per cent more oxygen than an equivalent stand of trees and absorbs four times as much carbon.”

Moreover, Engr. Lawas said bamboo shall also spur livelihood opportunities in the area as the plants can be harvested and made into handicrafts among other uses that show increasing demand. according to the Department of Trade and Industry OIC-Provincial Director Engr. Vedastito C. Galvez, there is a global demand for bamboo but the supply is not sufficient to meet the demand.

Galvez said there have been laws passed promoting the Philippine Bamboo Industry and other provinces have already felt its positive impact.

“We wanted this program to be felt” also here in the province, said Galvez.

RDR supports bamboo eco-industry

D

aVaO del norte Gov. Rodolfo P. del Rosario bared his support to the bamboo eco-industry in an instruction meted out giving P250,000 subsidy to asuncion.

In a forum on Bamboo Eco-Industry the Provincial Government spearheaded, assistant Provincial administrator Romulo D. Tagalo conveyed the instruction of the governor.

Tagalo said in his welcome remarks that Gov. del Rosario has instructed him to establish three tourism sites in the province early next year, which include Madgao River in asuncion town. as the river is being groomed to be like Loboc River in Bohol, the local government has planned to develop it also as a park with bamboo plants as a distinct feature surrounding the river.

“The governor real-

INdulge!

VOL.5 ISSUE 134 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7-8, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

FOOD

Mindanao Commission on Women chair Margie Moran-Floirendo stands proudly with the T’boli master dreamweavers.

Moda Mindanaw The T’nalak evolution Photos by Kenneth Hao

T’NALAK has come a long way from the traditional hand-woven T’boli textiles of yesteryear. Together with the Mindanao Commission on Women and SM City Davao, this year’s Moda Mindanao highlighted the indigenous fabric by the T’boli weavers of Lake Sebu, South Cotabato.

With patterns dreamed up by the master dream weavers themselves, the T’nalak took on many modern fantastic shapes and forms thanks to the wonderful visions of Mindanao’s young designers, each

design trying their best to integrate and highlight the beauty of the indigenous fabric in many ways.

The designers mixed T’nalak with other textiles to form a cacophony of textures and shapes. While some chose to use T’nalak as an accent pattern, some worked with the T’nalak itself to form dresses that are truly one-of-a-kind.

The show also had a tribute to Davao fashion designer, Emi Alexander Englis, with his beautifully designed and crafted pieces that, although contrasts from details of the T’nalak, are as timeless and romantic.

What touched me more about this year’s Moda Min-

danao though is the presence of the T’boli dream weavers themselves, there to witness the evolution and elevation of their dreams to the higher realm of high fashion.

Follow me on Twitter @ kennethkingong for more happenings in and around Durianburg.

ModaMindanaw2012’stopwinner,KennyLogadaandhisbeautifulcreation.

EmiAlexanderEnglis’2012HolidayCollection

EDGEDAVAO

A2 INdulge!

VOL.5 ISSUE 134 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7-8, 2012

UP AND ABOUT

Wear to work What to wear to work? In the 80s, when women were starting to make inroads into the corporate world, this would mean power dressing. Stiff suits with padded shoulders defined the 9 to 5 way of life.

But in a world where the corporate hotshots like Mark Zuckerberg rule wearing hoodies; where offices could be virtual or anywhere else; and where 24/7 has replaced 9 to 5, dressing for work is more relaxed.

After all, mergers and partnerships are sealed over business lunch. New accounts are acquired during cocktail hours. And the boom of new career choices and a

Etude, every young girls’ best friend

constantly changing work environment makes way for creative work clothes from SM Ladies Fashion.

Get down to business with modern suits, blazers, slim pants, and pencil skirts – all tailored to perfection. While black, neutrals, and white shirts will always be classic corporate staples, deal making brights and power prints bring a fresh look to boardroom dressing.

With women now more confident of their place in the professional scheme of things, they are not afraid to celebrate their femininity in flattering dresses with trendy touches and textures.

The Work Wear Essentials are available at the SM Ladies’ Fashion of the SM Store.

“Uchusentai NOIZ” set for Philippine Tour

Japanese Visual Kei Band to perform in Davao and Manila

THE Japan Foundation, Manila (JFM), in cooperation with Creative Connections & Commons, Inc., MKD Nihongo Radio Station, Primetrade Asia, Inc., with the support of All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd., Smart Communications, Inc. and the Embassy of Japan, extends an invitation to a rare encounter with the third kind as the Japanese visual kei band “Uchusentai NOIZ” lands in Davao and Manila for a series of concerts this September!

Formed in 1999, the five-member band composed of Angel Taka (vocals), Kotaro (guitar), Kyo (bass), Masato (guitar/vocals), and Yamato (drums), claims to hail from outerspace and is here on earth for a mission to protect peace through live performances and tours. The band is identified with the “visual kei” genre, a type of fashion characterized by heavy make-up as well as flashy hairstyles and costumes. They have 7 albums to their credit, and have toured across Japan, the USA, as well as the Philippines - as a featured act at the Mindanao Cos-play Summit 2011 in Davao City.

The band recently made news across social networking sites Facebook and Twitter, and was also mentioned in several online articles, when their cover video of smash hit “Narda” by OPM band Kamikazee was uploaded on YouTube. The said YouTube video, which can be viewed on the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lde76arEmGA), has received more than 400,000 views so far.

Uchusentai NOIZ concerts will be held on September 7 (Friday): 6:30 p.m., Station 91, Davao City, September 8 & 9 (Saturday & Sunday): 6:00

p.m., SM City Davao, September 15 & 16 (Saturday & Sunday): 6:00 p.m., Best of Anime 2012, and Function Room 4&5, 3rd Level, SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City For inquiries/details, please contact Davao– Creative Connections & Commons Inc. 0999-9902860 / noizdavao2012@ccciph.com. FaceBook: www.facebook.com/UchusentaiNoizinDavao2012 / www.cccjph. com/ in Manila – Primetrade Asia, Inc.- 896-0661 or 896-0662 / info@primetradeasia.com / www. primetradeasia.com

KOREAN cosmetic brand Etude believes makeup should be playful and exciting! This propels them to develop products that reflect the brand’s four basic concepts: high quality, affordability, lovely design and a diverse color range.

Etude loves to promote fun make-up play for all girls around the world to be sweet.

Here are some of Etude favorites every girl should have in her kit: Precious Mineral BB Cream Get that flawless look with this magic cream! BB Cream is formulated with Pearl Powder with an improved adhesive texture to promote moist, radiant looking skin. Plus, it protects skin against UV damage and wrinkles.

Moistfull Collagen Cream Fight that dryness.

Firming moisture cream with baobab tree and collagen extract improves dermal structure leaving skin tight and moist.

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Talk Lip Mood? Express It with Color! Lipstick bloom with emotion to supply moist, cream textured color and shine for long wear comfort.

Grab your Etude products now! Visit them at the ground floor of SM City Davao’s main mall.

VOL.5 ISSUE 134 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7-8, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

ENTERTAINMENT

Michelle Obama Ryan Gosling is top choice for Christian Grey wows at DNC AS IF Ryan Gosling could get any hotter, now comes word that the super-sexy actor might be up for his most sizzling role yet—Christian Grey!

According to reports, the husband of Fifty Shades of Grey author E. L. James is dishing that Gosling is in talks for the lead role in the upcoming big screen adaptation of the erotic novel.

Cue the swooning.

James’ hubby Niall Leonard tells the U.K.’s Now magazine that the “last he heard” Gosling is the No. 1 choice to play Christian Grey.

Reps for the 31-year-old Drive star did not immediately comment on the casting rumors, but we’re sure every lady around is saying, “Yes!” to this idea.

Since it was announced there was a Fifty Shades of Grey flick in the works, the Internet has been buzzing with possible celeb casting ideas. Vampire Diaries hunk Ian Somerhalder has even very publically expressed interest in playing the role of Grey.

“I absolutely would be up for that,” Somerhalder has said. “Absolutely. That would be a pretty incredible thing. And hopefully that could pan out, I think.”

Meanwhile, Leonard denied to Now that his wife based the character of Grey on him. “I’m glad I’m not him because he’s actually damaged,” Leonard said. “I wouldn’t have liked to go through what he went through.”

Now the question is: Who should play Anastasia Steele to Gosling’s Grey?!

(E! Online)

Judging from Wednesday’s (Manila time) barnburner of an appearance

by Michelle Obama, fashion’s love affair with with the first lady just might continue...for four more years maybe?

The keynote speaker for the first night of the Democratic National Convention wore a stunning sleeveless Tracy

Reese frock with a deep pink, printed bodice that gave way to silver at the skirt hem.

The first lady finished the look—and stuck to her famous high-fashion-butbudget-savvy sense of style—with a set of matching J.Crew rose pumps and what looked like a cool silver mani to boot.

A4 INdulge!

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.5 ISSUE 134 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7-8, 2012

EVENTS ENTERTAINMENT

Tuna Fest, Tuna Fun

By Carlo P. Mallo Photos by Kitz Rendon

GENERAL SANTOS CITY is not called the tuna capital of the country for nothing.

This weekend, the city is celebrating the festival that pays tribute to one of the biggest industries that has propelled the city into the economic power that it is now.

Home to a large number of canneries and fishing vessel fleets, General Santos has become one of the most robust economies in Mindanao, alongside Davao and Cagayan de Oro. The floral float parade kicked-off last September 5, 2012 with a large number of contingents.

Quick facts showed that the Philippines annually produce approximately 400,000 metric tons of tuna with a value of P18 billion.

At least a third of the produce is from General Santos City.

The local tuna industry provides direct and indirect employment to at least 100,000 fisherfolk, laborers and factory workers. Six of the country’s eight tuna canneries are based in this city.

The event was graced by Mayor Darlene A. Custodio,

Congresswoman Cynthia Villar, Mayor Peter Miguel of Koronadal, Mayor Elena Montilla of Tacurong, Vice Mayor Shirley B. Nograles, Vice Governnor Steve Solon of Sarangani Province, businessman Marfino Tan, Festival Director Carlos Hagosojos.

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 134 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7- 8, 2012

Goodbye, Andy

a

S the end came, neither andy Roddick nor his loved ones could hold back the tears.

Roddick announced last week that this u.S. Open would signal the end of his long career. Having prolonged the final farewell by winning three straight matches, Roddick, the best tennis player the united States has produced since Pete Sampras and andre agassi, finally ran out of steam against argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro in Round 4.

Even before the final ball was struck, Roddick had tears in his eyes, while his wife Brooklyn Decker and his mother Blanche openly wept in the stands, as del Potro moved towards a 6-7, 6-6, 6-2, 6-4 victory.

“It has been a road of a lot of ups and downs and great moments,” Roddick said in his courtside interview minutes after the match. “For the first time in my career I’m not sure what to say. Since I was a kid I have been coming here to this tournament and I felt lucky just to be at there in the stands. I have loved every minute of it.”

The u.S. Open has seen many great fairytale runs from legends on the brink of retirement, from Jimmy Connors to Sampras and agassi. against del Potro, however, Roddick simply came up against an opponent who was younger (del Potro is just 23), fresher and in far better form.

Roddick, 30, had come out with all guns blazing on Tuesday night, racing to a 5-2 lead in the opening set before being

pegged back to 6-6. Then the rains started to tumble over Flushing Meadows, this tournament plagued by the weather for yet another year.

When play resumed Wednesday, Roddick started brilliantly, surging through the tiebreak while losing just a single point as del Potro struggled to shake off the overnight cobwebs.

When the second set headed to a tiebreak after a glut of huge serving, Roddick, the no. 20 seed in the tournament to del Potro’s seven, was in real contention. However, the argentinean held strong to clinch it, and it was oneway traffic from then on.

Del Potro broke Roddick’s serve in the first game of the third set, then streaked clear to win it 6-2. The fourth was a similar story. Roddick lost his serve in the fifth game and the end was approaching. Even though Roddick staved off one match point in the ninth game, del Potro comfortably served out the match to love.

“He was just too good,” Roddick said. “He is one heck of a player and he has as good a chance as anybody here.”

[Related: andy Roddick’s most memorable moments] Friday will mark exactly nine years since Roddick celebrated the finest moment of his career, when he brushed aside Juan Carlos Ferrero to win the 2003 u.S. Open in what looked certain to be the first of many majors. as he strode up into the stands, kissed his then-girlfriend Mandy

Moore and contemplated his new-found status as world no.1, he could not have imagined that he would never again scale to those heights.

But then along came Roger Federer to dominate the sport like no one before him, with Rafael nadal and eventually novak Djokovic emerging as the only other men capable of regularly challenging for major silverware. aside from those three, del Potro, the 2009 u.S. Open champion, is the only other player to have lifted a Grand Slam trophy since Roddick’s triumph in ‘03.

The american continued to be competitive, reaching three Wimbledon finals and another u.S. Open final, losing to Federer on each occasion. The most memorable, that epic showdown on the London grass in 2009 that saw Roddick lose 16-14 in the fifth set, will always occupy his mind as the one that got away.

Roddick has continued to be a fine ambassador for the sport, but as the years have rolled on his level has become distanced from the game’s very elite. Perhaps it was that reality, as much as anything else, that prompted his decision to move away from the tour now.

Despite a glamorous lifestyle, complete with a supermodel wife and a luxury mansion, Roddick cannot be accused of failing to devote himself to his trade.

He hired Larry Stefanki in 2009, and soon shed 15 pounds as part of a grueling fitness regime aimed at improving his stamina.

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American tennis star Andy Roddick finally walks away from the tennis court in his final match. He has retired.

Roddick bids goodbye, Federer crashes out n EW YORK (Reuters) - Roger Federer was knocked out of the u.S. Open on Wednesday when he lost a quarter-final thriller to Tomas Berdych just hours after his old rival andy Roddick bid a tearful farewell to his tennis career.

Federer was unable to conjure up any of his old magic as Berdych stormed to a surprise victory, 7-6 6-4 3-6 6-3, handing the world number one his earliest exit from Flushing Meadows in nine years.

“It couldn’t be better,” Berdych said in a courtside interview. “There is no better feeling. There is no better moment than this one.”

Federer could not hide his disappointment after arriving in the Big apple full of hope following his

win at Wimbledon in July.

“There were so many moments I thought, man, it’s just not happening for me,” said the five-times u.S. Open champion. “It was just a very disappointing match for me.”

Roddick made his final appearance at arthur ashe Stadium when he lost to Juan Martin del Potro in the fourth round, while andy Murray and Maria Sharapova both dug themselves out of trouble to stay alive on a drama-charged day at the last grand slam of the year.

TOuRnaMEnT FaVOuRITES Only Serena Williams and novak Djokovic had an easy time, both romping to comfortable victories to enhance their status as the favourites for the singles titles.

Djokovic was in complete control of his fourth round match against Stanislas Wawrinka, leading 6-4 6-1 3-1, when the Swiss called it quits in one of five matches that were held over from Tuesday because of rain.

“I really don’t know exactly what it was but by the look of it, I think it was probably a dizziness or something,” said Djokovic, the only man yet to drop a set in the tournament.

“He served well, he played well, but you could see that he didn’t feel great on the court.”

Sharapova needed all her fighting qualities to come from behind and beat Marion Bartoli of France 3-6 6-3 6-4 and reach the semi-finals for the first time since she won in new York in 2006.

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Sharapova in semis n

EW YORK (Reuters) - Maria Sharapova clawed her way out of trouble to beat Marion Bartoli 3-6 6-3 6-4 on Wednesday and reach the semi-finals of the u.S. Open for the first time in six years.

The Russian fought back after losing the rain-interrupted first set and opening service game in the second set to win a two and half hour match that began Tuesday afternoon and took 24 hours to complete.

“I tried not to think about it too much,” said Sharapova. “It was good to have that period of time just to get a good night’s sleep and come back.”

Frenchwoman Bartoli, a Wimbledon finalist

five years ago seeded 11 in new York, threatened to pull off the upset when she led 4-0 overnight and wrapped up the first set.

Sharapova, who won the u.S. Open in 2006 and completed her grand slam collection by winning the French Open in June, was initially struggling with her own serve in blustery conditions at Flushing Meadows.

The world number three dropped serve at the start of the second set when she made three double faults but regained her composure and recovered to force a deciding third set.

The pair traded breaks early in third set before Sharapova, who hit an impressive 44 winners in

Maria Sharapova of Russia reaches for the return against Marion Bartoli of France during their women’s sin-

gles quarterfinal match on Day Ten of the 2012 U.S. Open.

the match, got the decisive break in the ninth game then served out victory.

Sharapova has not been beaten this year in any match that has gone three sets.

“It’s not always a good feeling to come into a match to knowing that you’re down 0-4,” she said.

“It’s like you’re going to try to win that set, but if you don’t you’re down 0-1.