Edge Davao 5 Issue 141

Kontrata ug kwarta equals problema.

EDGEDAVAO P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

VOL.5 ISSUE 141 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2012

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Science\ Environment

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18 guards disarmed

Tension eases at Davao Doc

By Anthony S. Allada

Property

Page 7

T

ENSION gripped the Davao Doctors Hospital Sunday night until early dawn Monday following the refusal of security guards thereat to vacate their posts in favor of another security agency.

Incoming security agency to take over

The timely arrival of elements of the Philippine National Police – Security Agencies and Guards Supervision Section (PNP-SAGSS) led

by Supt. Joseph Sepulchre, howev-

TRICK. Cris Castro, chairman of Asian Magic Association (right), performs a trick with the help of a young spectator during the Star Magic Show at the University of Mindanao Gymnasium in Matina, Davao City Saturday night. [LEAN

er, prevented escalation of the tension between the two agencies after Sepulchre’s group disarmed the 18 guards of the 8 Silver Security Agency who were on duty.

In all, the hospital’s 18 original guards were divested of 15 .9MM caliber pistols and three 12-gauge shotguns.

Sepulchre said they had to resort to the disarming because the

FTENSION, 11

DAVAL JR. ]

Sports

Page 14

Buyers warned vs dubious housing projects

By Carlo P. Mallo

Follow Us On

I

SlAND Garden City of Samal City administrator Cleto Gales, Jr. has warned lot buyers amid the proliferation of dubious real estate projects in the city.

Recently, the Housing land Use and Regulatory Board 11 chief,

lawyer Miguel Palma Gil, bared that his agency is monitoring several illegal housing development projects on the island. Considered as the premier tourist destination in the region, lot prices in Samal have shot up following the demand

for lots in the area.

“We always remind potential buyers to demand three things from real estate brokers: locational clearance, development permit, and license to sell. The absence of one should be enough for them to

cast doubt on the project,” Cleto said. last August, a project by the First Davao Millennium Property Ventures Services, Inc. also known as Millennium Property, was

FBUYERS, 11

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2

THE BIG NEWS

VOL.5 ISSUE 141 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2012

2nd DFA satellite office now at SM City Davao

By Vicky Berdina M. de Guzman

T

HE Department of Foreign Affairs opened last Friday its second satellite office here at SM City Davao.

This new regional consular office will render consular services to residents of Davao City and of nearby cities and provinces.

According to SM Supermalls president, Annie S. Garcia, SM already has 45 malls in cities around the country and management is pleased to have the DFA’s a satellite office in SM City Davao.

She added that SM has an average of 3.5 million customers visiting their malls daily which have also become they have also become one-stop-shops for Filipinos where they can pay bills, renew their driver’s license and enjoy entertainment.

The first DFA satellite office in the country was opened at SM Megamall and within this year, SM will open satellites offices at SM Manila and SM Baguio.

Garcia said, “because of the private public partnership between SM Prime Holding and DFA, we are proud to help the government save P1.06 billion over a period of 10 years

and help ease the burden of facilitating the consular requirements of over 10,000 people that visit the main passport facility on Macapagal Avenue daily.”

The 3,400 square meter area rented by the DFA is a “rent free” venue.

The officer in charge of the Regional Consular Office Davao, Flora Belinda Bacosa, said there are 28 staff in the new office whose operating hours start from 10:00 in the morning up to 7:00 in the evening.

DFA is also positive that through the new office, they will be able to cater to more applicants and extend better services.

According to Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs Jaime Victor B. ledda, 216,734 passports were issued in Mindanao last year, 68,414 of them from Davao.

He also said Davao City issuances hit 75 percent of their output and they are hopeful that they will exceed last year’s total.

DFA Undersecretary Rafael Seguis said the new DFA office will serve the public and enhance consular services to the people and that by 2013, authentication of documents will be available to the public.

Razon welcomes chance to invest at Sasa Wharf

By Carlo P. Mallo

N

ATIONAl Economic Development Authority 11 chair, Ma. lourdes lim said the government is ready to accept proposals from private investors who would want to upgrade and operate the now dilapidated Sasa Wharf, the region’s primary port of entry and exit for imports and exports.

The expanse of the wharf is pockmarked with holes, exposed steel cables, and dos not have a gantry crane that can expedite the loading and unloading of cargo from vessels.

“We are ready to accept and study their proposals,”

lim said during yesterday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao. lim also bared that her agency is already planning an expansion program for the wharf which will increase its capacity for handling more cargo vessels.

“It is already part of our proposed expansion of the port which we plan to undertake in 2013,” lim said.

Meanwhile, Enrique Razon, the billionaire behind International Container Terminal Services, Inc. plans to bid for Sasa Wharf should the Philippine Ports Authority decide to privatize the

EDGEDAVAO

APPREHENDED. Traffic Management Group (TMG) personnel apprehend a drunk driver and impound his vehicle to prevent accident along J.P. Laurel Ave. yesterday. [LEAN DAVAL JR.]

In Bukidnon

Controversial car dealer wants to run for mayor

By Anthony S. Allada

C

ONTROVERSIAl car dealer lynard Allan Bigcas is throwing his hat in the mayoralty race in his hometown of Talakag, Bukidnon with only two more weeks before the filing of certificate of candidacy (COC) for the May 11, 2012 midterm polls.

Bigcas made headlines after he was arrested by agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Northern Mindanao on August 4 at Rotunda, Cagayan de Oro City. He is out af-

ter posting a bail bond of P320,000 for his temporary liberty. last February 19, he also figured in a shooting incident with lawyer Roberto Mauro Miguel Palma Gil, regional director of the Housing land Use Regulatory Board (HlURB) in Southern Mindanao Region along F. Torres Street. Palma Gil was hospitalized for a gunshot wound and filed a case against Bigkas.

Bigcas is also known for being an alleged dealer of

“hot” luxury cars and “big bikes” (big expensive motorcycles) after his warehouses in Talakag, Bukidnon and Kauswagan in Cagayan de Oro were raided by authorities two years ago.

Bigcas’ candidacy was confirmed by Talakag Vice Mayor Renato R. Sulatan Sr., who will also be running for mayor in the elections under the ruling liberal Party (lP) of President Benigno Aquino.

Sulatan said Bigcas may run as independent since the

incumbent mayor, Nestor B. Macapayag, is seeking re-election under the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) of Vice President Jejomar Binay.

“So tulo mi managan ug mayor karong election,” Sulatan said in an interview Saturday night at Chali Restaurant in Cagayan de Oro City.

Talakag is a first-class municipality and is one of Bukidnon’s major producers of pineapple and Cavendish bananas. [ASA]

FFICIAl documents recently obtained from Cagayan de Oro City Hall appear to bolster public perception that local officials had acted a little too late in taking steps that would have prevented the tragedy brought by floods spawned by tropical storm Sendong in December last year.

In his interviews with various local media outlets, City Mayor Vicente Emano insisted he should not be blamed for the unparalleled loss of lives and destruction of properties caused by

Sendong.

Aside from Cagayan de Oro, Sendong (International codename: Washi) hit Iligan City and libona town in Bukidnon, and claimed 1,257 lives with at least a thousand more reported missing and feared dead. In this city alone, 615 were confirmed dead, 555 have remained missing and at least 225 were injured.

Most of the fatalities were beneficiaries of Emano’s “Piso-piso” Resettlement Program.

One such site of the program—Isla Delta—is a sandbar in the middle

of Cagayan River. While other fatalities resided in low-lying zones mapped by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as geohazard areas or flood-prone areas after flashfloods that hit the city in 2009.

Emano argued that he “already issued an executive order prohibiting anybody (from) living near the river” and that he holds “notarized affidavits of village chairs of riverside barangays stating that people have lived there 40 to 47 years ago.”

However, under Ex-

ecutive Order 022-2012, “An order creating the planning management team (PMT) and technical working group (TWG) for the updating of the comprehensive land use plan (ClUP) and zoning ordinance of Cagayan de Oro City, and mainstreaming disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation into the plan,” City Hall has yet to update its land use plan and zoning ordinance.

Emano issued the order on March 16, 2012 or three months after Sendong. [Cong Corrales/ MindaNews]

Documents show officials unprepared for ‘Sendong’ Access to education, nutrition vital to peace-building efforts O M

ANy people have always equated peace with arms and violence or the lack of it, but peace builders in the Davao Region equate peace with other factors too including access to education and nutrition.

“Nutrition is a right and for as long as there is hunger there will never be peace,” National Nutrition Council 11 regional chief Ma.Teresa Ungson said yesterday during a press conference held at SM City Davao.

On the other hand,

FRAZON, 11

Maya Flaminda J. Vandenbroeck, co-founder of the Tuburan Institute, Inc. said “the best way to start peace is to make education accessible to everyone regardless of religion and language.”

The Nutrition Council and Tuburan Institute are just two of the government organizations, non government organizations and other groups participating in the Davao Peace Fair which will be held at SM Annex on September 21 this year. Other

FACCESS, 11

SUBURBIA 3

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 141 •TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2012

GenSan, Sarangani bracing for another El Niño spell

I

SCRAP FOAM. A motorcycle loaded with scrap foam plies the national highway in Lanang, Davao City, on its way to Kapalong in Davao del Norte, where the foam will be sold. [MiNDANEws/Ruby ThuRsDAy MoRE]

In Bukidnon Province

It’s Zubiri-Calingasan again for gov, vice gov in 2013

I

T’S back to 2001 in 2013 with the return of the Zubiri-Calingasan team for governor and vice governor.

Vice Governor Jose Ma. Zubiri will run again for Governor while Governor Alex Calingasan will run for Vice Governor in the May 2013 polls.

Zubiri, then a threeterm Representative to Congress, and Calingasan, then mayor of libona town, were elected governor and vice governor in 2001, and were reelected in 2004 and in 2007.

Since elected officials are disqualified from running for the same post after three successive terms, Zubiri and Calingasan swapped posts in the 2010 polls.

Zubiri, chair of the

A

local political party, Paglaum (Hope), told MindaNews they have coalesced with the liberal Party and have been talking with Senator Teofisto Guingona III, the lP’s regional coordinator for Northern Mindanao.

He said they have agreed to “respect the primacy of the incumbents” for next year’s line-up.

Paglaum, he said, will support some of lP’s senatorial candidates.

Zubiri said part of the agreement is to field Malou Acosta of liberal Party as the coalition’s candidate for the 1st congressional district presently held by Jesus Emmanuel Paras. He said lP will not field candidates for representatives for the second and third district, where the incumbent represen-

tatives Florencio Flores Jr. and Jose Ma. III, Zubiri’s son, are allies.

But he said Paglaum will give way to the lP in the proposed fourth district, where they are eyeing former Vice Governor and lP leader Winifredo Agripo to run for Representative.

Zubiri said except for Quezon and Kadingilan, which he said will be “free zones,” the same agreement will apply in the rest of the 18 towns and two cities.

But he said “vacant positions” or those where there are no incumbents from the reported coalition “are still being discussed.”

The filing of certificates of candidacy for next year’s polls is on October 1 to 5.

Calingasan and Zubiri were reported to have parted ways in June when Zubiri accused Calingasan of allegedly conniving with his political enemies.

But they made peace in July in a meeting mediated by a group that included businessman John Perrine. The supposed falling out fueled talks of Calingasan allegedly getting support for his candidacy opposite Zubiri for governor in 2013.

Zubiri then declared that Calingasan can run in 2013 but not with him in his political party, the Bukidnon Paglaum Party.

But this changed on August 16 during the convention of party members in Zubiri’s Valle Escondida residence in Maramag, where some 60 members

actually above the expected response that we got from the schools we invited to participate,” he said.

According to Palarca, student-participants learn about the historical significance of the “baoto” or the dug-out canoe, and thehistorical contribution and significance of the traditional boat. For residents around lake Mainit, the baoto “helped shaped the province and the towns around the lake. For decades, it was the mode of transportation that connected people and resources, enriching the lives of small communities

and transforming it to the towns we know today,” he said.

According to Daniel Calo of the provincial tourism office, the objective of the festivity was to promote environmentally sound adventure and teach students around Agusan and Butuan.

“The working principles of protection and conservation of natural assets such as mountains and wildlife, lakes, seas, caves, should be taught to our younger generation.

By doing so, we encourage the next generation to be concerned for the environ-

ment, also by adhering to zero pollution adventure like mountaineering, caving, Single Rope Technique (SRT) and canoeing we build up their enthusiasm into the advocacy,” said Calo.

Calo stressed that for the last 10 years, the festival has shared with at least 6,000 students “the advocacy in the hope that upcoming leaders of the province and region in the future would lead the way in attaining environmental integrity in the management of its natural resources.”(ERwiN MAscARiNAs/MiNDANEws)

Agusan Norte eco festival draws 936 participants

total of 936 students from 13 schools in Caraga region participated in the 11th Baoto Festival which was held in four towns in Agusan del Norte on September 12 to 14. Edgar Palarca, Jr., Festival Director and Information Officer of the province of Agusan del Norte said this is the highest in the history of the Baoto Festival.

“Usually we only get around 500 to 600 students who participate in the sporting activities and games prepared for them but this year we hit a record high of 936. This is

FIT’S, 11

RRIGATION personnel in General Santos City and in nearby Sarangani province have stepped up the repair and maintenance works on the area’s irrigation systems in preparation for the onslaught of another long dry spell or El Niño phenomenon that was foreseen to hit next month.

Engr. Gina lozano, acting chief of the local National Irrigation Administration (NIA), said such move is part of the agency’s ongoing mitigation efforts for the El Niño, which was projected to affect an estimated 1,011 hectares (ha) of palay farms in the city and nearby Sarangani province.

Citing their initial assessment, she said that 419 ha of palay farms in the city and 592 ha in Sarangani were found vulnerable to the impact of the dry spell. lozano said they expect that around 600 farmers in this city and another 494 in Sarangani would be directly affected by the calamity.

In this city, she said the farm areas that would likely be hit hardest by the drought are barangays Katangawan, lagao, ligaya and Baluan.

“These are areas located in the downstream portions of our dams and irrigation canals,” she said.

In Sarangani, lozano said the most vulnerable areas for the drought are farmlands in the municipalities of Malungon, Glan, Alabel and portions of

Kiamba.

Aside from the ongoing irrigation repair and maintenance works, she said they have formulated an allocation scheme for the distribution of irrigation supplies during the predicted El Niño period.

She said they have initially identified the farm areas that would be given priority for the irrigation supplies.

“Some farm areas that are previously getting irrigation supplies on a 24-hour basis will be limited to just eight hours so we can serve other areas that need more supplies,” lozano explained.

As part of their mitigation plan, she said they have started advising farmers in remote areas and those quite far from the irrigation systems to plant alternative crops like vegetables instead of palay to avoid crop losses.

In an advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the El Niño will likely hit various parts of the country beginning October and would last until May 2013. The El Niño, which is caused by an abnormal warming of surface ocean waters in the eastern tropical Pacific, will initially cause below-normal rainfall that would later progress into drier conditions.

In 2010, a mild El Niño caused farmlands in the area to dry up for several months, destroying millions worth of agricultural crops. [Allen V. Estabillo/ MindaNews]

Compostela Valley remains filariasis-free

T

HE province of Compostela Valley takes pride being recognized as filariasis-free for two consecutive years now.

Since 2011, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized the province as a filariasis-free.

Compostela Valley is the second province in Mindanao and the seventh in the country declared as filariasis-free province by WHO,Provincial Health Officer (PHO) Dr. Renato Basanes said.

Apart from being filariasis-free, Dr. Basanes also said that since January this year, the province has not recorded any case on malaria.

Filariasis is an infection caused by microscopic, thread-like worms called filarial worms. This parasitic disease is transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito which develops into adult worms in the

lymphatic vessels.

“The provincial government, in partnership with the DOH, local government units, and Global Fund Malaria with the participation of the Pilipinas Shell Foundation continue to strengthen the Malaria Control Program through various activities such as distribution of long lasting Insecticide Treated Nets (llIN), rivers and canal clean-up drive, medical outreach, boarder operation, and other forms of public health and safety interventions,” he said.

Basanes also noted that the provincial government, through the PHO and Rural Health Units (RHUs), is intensively implementing the program, not only to achieve the goal of turning the province into a malaria-free province, but more importantly to protect the health of the Comvalenos.[PNA]

4 SCIENCE/ENVIRONMENT

VOL.5 ISSUE 141 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

New monkey identified in Africa A

new species of monkey has been identified in Africa, the second one in 28 years, say scientists.

The primate was discovered in the Democratic Republic of Congo where it is known locally as a “lesula”.

The species is separated from its nearest cousins by two rivers: the Congo and the lomami.

Conservationists say the discovery highlights the need to protect the diverse wildlife of the Congo basin.

The discovery was published in the online journal Public library of Science.

The first contact scientists had with the monkey was when they encountered a juvenile female, kept in a cage by a primary school director in the town of Opala.

He referred to the animal as a “lesula”, a common name among local hunters, and it was taken into care and monitored by scientists.

During investigations in the local area the team found further captive monkeys and six months later they finally observed

the long black limbs of the species in the wild.

“When we started our inventories in the [Tshuapa-lomami-lualaba] landscape we knew it was essentially unexplored but we did not imagine how important the biological discoveries would be,” said Dr John Hart of the lukuru Foundation, who led the project.

“We did not expect to find a new species, especially in a group as well known as the African guenons.”

In the paper, the formal description of the species detailed their distinctive facial fea-

tures: “A mane of long grizzled blond hairs frames a protruding pale, naked face and muzzle, with a variably distinct cream-coloured vertical nose stripe.”

After genetic analysis identified the species as a member of the guenon group of Old World monkeys, scientists named it Cercopithecus lomamiensis after the nearby lomami River.

Researchers estimated the monkeys’ range at around 6,500 sq miles in central DR Congo but voiced concerns that this relatively small distribution could make the an-

imals vulnerable to human pressures, such as bushmeat hunting.

“The challenge for conservation now in Congo is to intervene before losses become definitive,” said Dr Hart.

“Species with small ranges like the lesula can move from vulnerable to seriously endangered over the course of just a few years.”

Biologists suggested that the previously unexplored forest could be home to more unidentified species.

“This discovery may be only the first from this remarkable but poorly

ples in the state have been found to be obese.

Accordingly, officials are temple officials are reconfiguring the diets of their temple elephants on the advice of veterinary surgeons.

“The female temple elephant - 15 year-old Parvathi - is overweight by 500kg and efforts are on to reduce it,” said Pon Jayaraman, executive officer of the Madur a i

Meenakshi Amman temple told the BBC Tamil service.

Another elephant in the Kallazagar Temple weighs 700kg more than the optimum for its age, according to Ravindran, the “Mahout” - or custodian - of the 48-yearold female elephant -Madhuravalli.

But veterinary surgeons point out that obesity and captivity go hand in hand.

Elephants eat up to 200 different varieties of food in the jungle, including fruits, flowers, roots and branches, but in captivity their diets often lack variety.

The experts also point out that the elephants in the wilderness are never exposed to foods such as rice, millets, salt and jaggery (an unrefined sugar s e t into

blocks).

Uphill trek Wild elephants wander, trek uphill, cross streams and walk on a variety of terrain. They also compete with other wild animals for resources.

A senior forest veterinary officer in the state observed: “In captivity, elephants eat constantly, and that coupled with lack of exercise makes the animals obese.”

But temple officials say the elephants are taken for walks of at least 5km each day based on vet advice.

But research has shown that in the wilderness an elephant has to walk at least 20 sq km to find its daily food intake of around 250kg of plant matter.

Taking the elephant outside for daily walks raises many issues says Ravindran.

Elephants in the wild live up to 120 years, but in the case of temple elephants, the devotees who visit the temple feed the animal without restrictions, either out of affection or religious reasons.

‘Grave sin’ Dr AJT John Singh, former director the Wildlife Institute of India, called the practice a “grave sin”.

“It’s like confining a solitary person in... the middle of the forest,” he said.

“Elephants are social ani-

known forest, located in the central DRC [DR Congo],” said anthropologist Andrew Burrell from New york University who was also involved in the study.

“Recent surveys have shown that the forest also harbours okapi, bonobos and elephants, as well as 10 other primate species or subspecies.”

Dr Hart added that the

region is now in the final stages of being declared a protected area: the lomami National Park.

“The discovery of the lesula has extended our knowledge of the evolution and ecology of African monkeys, and in particular has confirmed the importance of a previously little-known region for primate diversity,” he said. [bbc NATuRE]

mals and have amazing social bonds with one another.

Breaking that, and keeping the animal alone, is like solitary confinement, the greatest form of punishment to a human being.”

Temple authorities say that a near natural environment has been created for the elephants. But this is strongly disputed by animal rights activists.

Many of the temple elephants throughout India - including 37 in the state of Tamil Nadu - are living in appalling conditions, studies have shown.

Superstitions add to the discomfort of the elephants.

For example, astrologers suggest feeding elephants will ward off evil.

The rea-

sonable option, according to Dr John Singh, would be for several temples to join together to buy a patch of land with natural cover, water and food so that the animals can wander and be brought to the temple on festive occasions.

Activists have long pointed out that keeping an elephant in a temple itself is abuse and a gross violation of animal rights.

Elephants were employed as war machines in India in ancient times, and a detailed account in the 2,000-year-old book Gajasastra even defines the methods for keeping an elephant healthy.

Vets point out that even feeding the temple elephants other than what they eat in their natural habitat indirectly amounts to abuse.

[BBC Nature]

Obese elephants given slimming help A

UTHORITIES in India are being presented with a massive task: managing the weight of obese elephants kept in temples.

In parts of India, elephants are kept in temples for religious reasons - taking part in ceremonies and festivals.

Efforts are on in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu to get these over-pampered tusked animals to slim down, officials have told the BBC. Almost all the elephants kept in tem-

THE ECONOMY 5

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 141 •TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2012 SMEs told to prepare financial records to avail loans faster

S

MAll and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and organizations supporting them must work on their financial documentation to hasten the loan application process, a local bank official said on Friday.

Cynthia Aban, Philippine Savings Bank (PSBank) branch head in Malaybalay City, said a common difficulty among SMEs in accessing loans is the lack of a financial documentation.

Even if they have other requirements, like a credible guarantor, that would not be enough to access loans, she noted.

Many SMEs could not get credit lines because their financial and tax reports are not in order, Aban told MindaNews.

PSBank, a commercial bank, offers its SME business credit line, which is described as a revolving credit line useful for additional capital, business expansion, equipment and inventory acquisition, or as a standby fund.

Aban stressed that many of those who apply for loans with them and

with other institutions prepare their financial documents only when told it is a requirement.

“As business people, financial documentation should be at the forefront of their concerns,” she said.

Aban urged SMEs to learn the value of financial documentation as it adds to their business savvy, aside from readily addressing the need of credit investigators for financial records.

But Aban also admitted that some SMEs could not access loans because they have no collaterals.

Access to financing is one of the four core problems of SMEs in Bukidnon that’s why they continue to organize the local SME caravan, Manny James Cudal II, chair of the Bukidnon Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Council said in July in time then for the Bukidnon SME Caravan.

He said they also needed support in better business environment, access to markets, and productivity enhancement. (Walter I. Balane/MindaNews)

OUTDATED. Manang Ging-Ging of Tagum City still uses silk screen t-shirt printing process, an outdated kind of process, while other big and more

modern printing establishments use computer-aided technology.

HE Regional Ecotourism Council (REC) agreed to shoulder the building of a plant nursery to sustain the ecotourism activities of the Camp Manuel T. yan, Sr. Eco Military Park

10th Infantry Division to develop the eco-military park requested the nursery project at the 3rd quarterly meeting of the REC at the conference room of the 100-hectare military camp on September 13.

[LEAN

DAVAL JR.]

Regional ecotourism body to fund plant nursery for eco-military park T and Tribal Village in Brgy.

Tuboran, Mawab, Compostela Valley.

The Technical Working Group (TWG) created

by Gov. Arturo T. Uy and chaired by Col. Ricardo Nepomuceno of the

Presiding officer regional director Arturo Boncato of the Department of Tourism and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) regional techni-

FREGIONAL, 11

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

VOL.5 ISSUE 141 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2012

120,000 bags of Vietnam rice boost NFA stocks in Mindanao T

HE National Food Authority (NFA) has beefed up its buffer rice stocks in General Santos City and the neighboring areas with an additional 120,000 bags of imported rice from Vietnam. lester Malana, NFA manager for Sarangani province and General Santos City, said the imported rice supplies recently arrived at the city’s Makar Wharf and were delivered to NFA warehouses here and in the provinces of Davao del Sur, South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat.

He said this city and Sarangani province received the bulk of the rice stocks with 75,000 bags while the provinces of South Cotabato and Sultan

Kudarat got 20,000 bags each.

Davao del Sur received 5,000 bags to augment the rice requirements of Digos City, he said.

Aside from the imported rice supplies from the NFA central office, Malana said they continually raise their buffer stocks to ensure a steady supply for local markets.

He said they fill up the area’s supply gap by buying palay and rice stocks from surplus areas like South Cotabato and other rice-producing localities in the region.

“We usually stock up to a maximum of 15 percent (of our requirement) during lean months but it’s now down to just one percent because palay

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

harvests in the neighboring areas are ongoing and there are regular sources that we can tap,” he said.

Malana said their standby rice stocks for this city and Sarangani is currently at 106,000 bags, which would last for 15 days based on the area’s requirements.

Data from the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) showed that this city and Sarangani province are considered deficit areas for rice.

Based on the food consumption survey of the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics on the region’s annual per capita rice consumption, the rice require-

ments of this city and Sarangani province stood at 95,809 and 57,579 metric tons (MT), respectively.

In 2011, Sarangani was only 46.9 percent rice self-sufficient after its total rice production just reached 26,996 MT. Sarangani’s seven municipalities have an estimated population of 513,108 and an annual per capita rice consumption of 112.216 kilograms (kgs).

DA and NSCB did not release any production data for palay for this city, which has an estimated population of 604,887 and an annual per capita rice consumption of 158.392 kgs. [Allen V. Estabillo/MindaNews]

Banking sector urged to help promote South Cot’s potentials T

MONTHLY AVERAGE EXCHANGE RATE (January 2009 - December 2011) Month

EDGEDAVAO

NEW MALL. Debbie A. Go, SM Prime Holdings, Inc. assistant vice president for Mindanao operations, presents the features and facilities of the new SM Lanang Premier that will open on September 28, 2012 during a press briefing at SM City Davao’s Roadhouse Restaurant yesterday. [LEAN DAVAL JR.]

HE growing banking sector in South Cotabato is a welcome development that would help the provincial government erase unkind perceptions about the peace and order situation in the province while opening chances of a healthy economy, Governor Arthur y. Pingoy Jr. said.

At the recent blessing of the Development Bank of the Philippines’ (DBP) newly renovated building in Koronadal City, Pingoy urged bank officials from Manila to be ambassadors of goodwill about the “vibrant economy” and peaceful situation of the province.

“In reality, South Cotabato is blessed with natural resources and we [have good] human resources. People here are very warm,” Pingoy said.

Mariela luz Cortez, DBP Marbel branch head, said the bank’s renovation includes expanding the lobby to accommodate more clients. She also noted that there were no service interruptions while the branch was under repair.

“The building’s renovation and expansion is our move to better serve the customers,” Cortez said.

Pingoy said the expansion of DBP in Koronadal indicates

that “South Cotabato is moving progressively.”

He said that DBP has been a partner of the provincial government in many of its financial undertakings for rural improvement projects.

Neogen Chaves, DBP regional head, said that through the years, DBP has been a key player in nation-building by assisting local government units and promoting entrepreneurship in the countryside, helping build more productive communities, and advancing environmental protection.

According to the DBP website, the state-owned bank’s gross loan portfolio increased by 5.82 percent from P169.3 billion last year to P179.17 billion this year, P118 billion of which were intended for loan borrowers.

In South Cotabato, DBP is the financial institution partner of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas in the Credit Surety Fund (CSF) program that helps small entrepreneurs avail loans for their business without a collateral.

Just recently, DBP released a P10 million check to the South Cotabato Medical Cooperative under the CSF program. (AC/MindaNews)

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

PROPERTY 7

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 141 •TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2012

10 tips in buying a house San Pedro St is the heart of downtown Davao City as it is where the seat of power, the Davao City Hall, legislation, the Sangguniang Panglungsod, and religion, the San Pedro Cathedral, are all located. (PhoTo by LEAN DAVAL, JR.)

H

OW often do we hear someone say: “My dream is to own a home.” “I would be happy and contented owning a small house and lot.” This is the simple Filipino dream.

Concurrently, the measure of one’s success is determined by how many pieces of real estate he owns. Truly, for a Filipino, real estate ownership is the barometer of his achievement. It may also be the cause of his downfall, if he does not buy correctly.

The typical Filipino mentality in home buying is that the first home he buys should be his dream home and that is where he is going to stay until the day he dies.

If you are looking for the key to money-wise home ownership for the coming decade, keep this rule in mind: When you buy, make sure you buy with an eye to resell, sooner rather than later. This means that if you are a smart consumer, you’ll look at any house you’re buying with a view to its resale-ability at maximum gain, probably within the next five to seven years. Even if you don’t sell within the average time frame, you will find this buyto-sell perspective will bring you sounder investments.

Simply explained, the first home you buy does not necessarily have to be your dream home. you can use this first purchase as a stepping stone to eventually buying your “castle”? The important thing is for you to make that first step into property ownership: buy

with the intention of selling later, and then buy again a much bigger one, until you reach your dream. Here are some basic rules to consider making this principle work for you: Rule 1: The most important general principle in house-hunting is - location, location, location. your home’s location within the community will be the most important controller to your resale profit. Good schools, proximity to shopping and transportation, and accessibility to the central employment area are factors that make location favorable. A home purchase is the largest investment most families undertake. When you settle in the community of your choice, you gain a stake in its future, its plans and problems. you will develop a sense of responsibility and pride in home ownership and, with your neighbors, will have a strong influence on the growth of the community. If you choose a home in the heart of the metropolis, you’ll enjoy close proximity to shopping areas and convenient transportation.

However, you may want to check on noise and pollution levels. life in a quiet subdivision, which is a little further away from the metropolis, offers a lot more room in peaceful surroundings, but this may require longer travel time into the city. Take time to weigh all the possibilities before you reach a decision to purchase a home in a particular location.

Rule 2: After you have determined the best location for you, the next important factor to check when buying a house in a development project, is to check out the reputation of the builder or developer. Don?t take other people’s words on builder excellence. Check for yourself. See as many houses he has built or projects he has developed. look around for sloppy workmanship, such as rough edges, unfinished carpentry areas, poor plumbing facilities. If you are buying in a development, talk to other homeowners in that development and ask if they have any problems in their houses and community. Are their houses basically sound? Do they have ample water supply? How is the security in the area?

Rule 3: Choose a house whose architectural style places it safely within the mainstream of your area and price range. Highly personalized and dramatic architectural structures may take more time to re-sell later on as you may have to find a buyer with the same personality and tastes as you.

Rule 4: If you are buying an older house, be certain that your house has, or will when you’ve finished renovating it, the value added features considered essential for your location and price bracket. Among these may be an additional bathroom, bedrooms, a carport for at least one car.

Rule 5: Avoid the big value losers. A swimming

pool may be a status symbol for you but for a maintenance-conscious individual, this may become a liability for resale rather than an asset.

Rule 6: Another consideration you should take is how you are going to finance the purchase. For those who are going to pay the whole amount in cash, there is usually no problem because they will buy or build up to the amount of money they have set aside for the purchase. On the other hand, for those who intend to finance their purchase, the most important thing to remember is - do not over-extend yourselves. In simpler words, do not borrow more than you can afford to pay in monthly amortization. The saddest thing to see is losing ones? home to foreclosure.

The rule of thumb in financing is your monthly amortization payments should not exceed 30% of your family income per month. Of course, each lending institution will have their qualifying requirements, so I suggest that you visit your bank and get yourselves pre-qualified first before you start your home search.

If you know your qualifying limit, then you will stick to viewing only the homes in your price range. The wise and prudent buyer will pick the best looking house in his price range, and then move up to a better one later using the equity build-up and appreciation from the re-sale of the old house.

Rule 7: Be prudent in buying or investing in projects or developments being pre-sold. For me, buying real estate during the pre-selling stage is like investing in an idea. It is intangible, just like anything that cannot be appreciated using the five senses, and may just evaporate into thin air. In a normal market, property appreciation is based on supply and demand. In a boom market, speculating in pre-selling may seem attractive because one thinks he is buying at a lower value. But more often than not, this is an artificial property value because it is based on appreciation dictated at whim by the developers. The real estate market will always seek its normal levels, and when this happens, investments made based on artificial value will crash. you would not want to see yourselves in the middle of the debris.

Don’t get me wrong. I am not telling you not to make aggressive investments in real estate. I believe that real estate is still one of the most dependable hedges against inflation in a normal market, and it does a whole lot more in a brisk market. let me illustrate further. If the rate of inflation today is 7%, it is more than likely that the rate of appreciation of your real estate property will go up at least 7% annually.

Rule 8: Determining if the price is right cannot really be formally documented by research unless you hire

a licensed real estate broker or appraiser. But you can do some scouting around and find out what the going rate per square meter is in the area, and then determine if the property you are buying is at least within its fair market value range. A word of caution: It is always good to seek professional advice on this matter; you wouldn’t want to rely on guess-timates, would you?

Rule 9: An educated consumer will realize the value of working with a licensed real estate professional - a formally trained and qualified agent to help him through the process of finding the property, handling the legal paperwork and details, getting the best financing option possible, and eventually closing the transaction. There is value to the peace of mind generated from using the services of a real estate professional.

Commissioning a knowledgeable agent will save you time, provide a greater selection of properties to choose from and will make the buying process less stressful.

Rule 10: Although we have taught you prudence in the home search, please use your heart too. Remember that the home is where the heart is. No matter how well planned your purchase is, but if you’re not happy with your choice, all your preparations will have been in vain. (PhilHomes. net)

8 VANTAGE POINTS

EDGEDAVAO Honoring a slain ambassador

VOL.5 ISSUE 141 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2012

OpiniOn

By DaviD RohDe

( 1st of two parts )

W

EDITORIAL

O

Hotels and ‘warik-warik’

NE INTERESTING news story carried by Manila newspapers yesterday was about the order of the Supreme Court for Makati Shangri-la Hotel to pay more than P50 million in damages to the heirs of a Norwegian guest who was robbed and killed in his hotel room in 1999.

The first division of the high court upheld the judgment of the Court of Appeals in 2009 ordering the hotel to pay damages to the widow and son of the victim, 30-year-old Norwegian Christian Fredrick Harper. The CA had affirmed an earlier decision of a Quezon City Regional Trial Court awarding damages to the relatives of the slain hotel guest.

In the decision, the SC justices held that Makati Shangri-la was liable for damages because of its negligence and failure to provide basic and adequate security measures expected of a five-star hotel that was the proximate cause of the victim’s death. They rejected the argument that being mere establishments, hotels were not insurers of the safety of their guests.

In the news report printed by the Philippine Daily Inquirer yesterday, the Supreme Court said that “the hotel business is imbued with public interest. Catering to the public, hotelkeepers are bound to provide not only lodging for the guests but also security to the persons and belongings of their guests.

The twin duty constitutes the essence of their business.”

In Davao City, where there is a mushrooming

EDGEDAVAO

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

Providing solutions to a seamless global village.

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

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of hotels, lodging houses and inns, credited to a booming economy and tourism business, hoteliers should take stock seriously of the above decision as it clearly defines their grave responsibility to secure their guests.

The public should now also understand the position of hotel managements when they become overly conscious about securing their guests and becoming strict in frisking those who enter their establishments and even bar those who do not have any business being in the hotel premises.

Hotelkeepers should be able to use this decision not only in denying entry to trouble-makers and criminals, but also in rejecting aimless loiterers and potential mulcters of their guests.

It is hoped that the decision will be used by private security agencies in preventing “warik-warik,” the term used to describe muclters masquerading as media men, in gaining access to hotel rooms in order to mooch on politicians who are hotel guests.

Every election year, stories about the activities of “warik-warik” in Davao hotels have been told by politicians, especially senatorial candidates and used unfairly to shame not only the legitimate media practitioners, but also the local hotels which are pictured as helpless in securing their guests.

To the credit of the hotels and the Duterte leadership which has ordered a crackdown on the matter, the “warik-warik” problem has been minimized, though not totally eradicated.

ARLENE D. PASAJE Cartoons

RAMON M. MAXEy Consultant KENNETH IRVING K. ONG Creative Solutions

GREGORIO G. DELIGERO Associate

CARLO P. MALLO Features and Lifestyle

LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. • JOSEPH LAWRENCE P. GARCIA Photography

JADE C. ZALDIVAR • VICky BERDINA M. DE GuZMAN Staff Writers

Columnists: MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO A. PEñA • ZHAUN ORTEGA • BERNADETTE “ADDIE” B. BORBON • MARY ANN “ADI” C. QUISIDO • LEANDRO B. DAVAL SR., • NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN • NICASIO ANGELO AGUSTIN • EMILY ZEN CHUA • CARLOS MUNDA Economic Analyst: ENRICO “GICO” G. DAYANGIRANG • JONALLIER M. PEREZ

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HOEVER murdered Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and three of his staff in libya this week is our enemy. And so are the bigots who made a lurid amateur video denigrating Islam.

Whether the video prompted the deadly attack in libya is not yet known. Militant groups may have planned the killings. And the two acts are not equivalent: murdering four people is unjustifiable and incomparably worse than making an insulting video.

But both acts are the products of delusional extremists trying to drive a wedge between the United States and the Islamic world. Muslim and Christian extremists may seem to have nothing in common, but they are united in their desire to divide us. Stevens, an affable 52-year-old diplomat famed for his humility, integrity and willingness to listen, would not want us to help them, according to colleagues and friends.

Mark Ward, a senior USAID and State Department official who worked with Stevens in libya, said his wishes would be clear. “He would say to the American people please don’t turn your back on libya,” Ward said in an interview Wednesday. “They’ve been through 40 terrible years, they’ve just held elections and they’ve rejected extremism. This is absolutely not the time to let a couple of lunatics throw us off our resolve.”

According to Ward, Stevens’ message to libyans would be to arrest the suspected perpetrators, provide them with defense lawyers and give them a fair trial. ’’Do the right thing,’” Ward said of the way to honor Stevens. “If there is one thing [his] life should stand for, let it stand for the rule of law.”

Fred Abrahams, a senior advisor with Human Rights Watch who frequently met with Stevens while working in libya, agreed.

He said the ambassador wasn’t naïve about the country’s vast problems but saw Gaddafi’s overthrow as historic opportunity to establish the rule of law libyans yearned for after 42-years of chaotic Gaddafi rule.

“Just as the U.S. should not be blamed for the offensive film of a few deluded whackos, libya should not be blamed for the unjustified violence of a few ignorant extremists,” Abrahams said in an email Thursday. “And maybe this will spur the libyan government to rein in the militias that have troubled libya since Gaddafi’s fall — Chris would have wanted that.”

Abrahams and Ward pointed out that the libyan government condemned Stevens’ killing and that many libyans – including Islamists – have as well. He and Ward both pointed to the country’s July elections as a more accurate expression of the country’s popular will.

At the ballot box, conservative Islamic religious parties fared comparatively poorly in libya after sweeping post-Arab Spring elections in Tunisia and Egypt. A coalition of libyan liberals led by war-time opposition leader Mahmoud Jibril won 39 of the 80 seats reserved for political parties in the new national assembly. The Muslim Brotherhood’s Justice and Construction party came in second with 17 seats.

To the surprise of many observers, Jibril’s liberals won seat in areas considered conservative strongholds. Thirty-two women won seats as well. The ultimate balance of power, though, will be decided by 120 candidates who won seats reserved for independents.

EDGEDAVAO

Basic fact of life

P

RIORITy BIllS ON RURAl DEVElOPMENT NEEDED – There is no bloom in Metro Manila and in different progressive urban centers throughout the country while our hinterlands are desperately poor.

We can begin to regard our country as fully developed and government fully established only when our economy becomes able to generate social wealth where it counts – in the countryside and for the benefit of the masses of our people.

I think it is time for the national leadership to face up to this basic fact of life: our efforts at development will succeed or fail to the extent that agriculture succeeds or fails.

When the Aquino administration was starting out, I could still remember it swore just like its predecessors to make countryside development the centerpiece of its policies. yet for this year and the past several years, especially in the 80s and 90s our agricultural crops actually suffered declining growth rates.

So what would the government need to do? The leadership, recognizing the neglect of 70 percent of Filipinos who live in the farflung provinces should refocus its attention to consider the sad state of the countryside.

Government policymakers should give top priority to bills on rural development notably agriculture. The present leadership should likewise invoke deregulation and getting the bureaucracy off the people’s back, which is considered one of the main hindrances to the economic alleviation of the poor majority.

Previous governments especially during the time of President Corazon Aquino promised to look into the problems raised by the small farmers. Seeing the need to improve the country’s agriculture, Congress then drafted bills of local and national application for rural development. Thus gave birth to countryside and people-oriented measures like the Kalakalan 20, People’s Mining law and Cooperative Code of the Philippines. Of all the bills filed, Kalakalan 20 caught the people’s attention. A consolidated bill in Congress was approved and becomes a law known as the Magna Karta for Countryside and Barangay Business Enterprises.

A

VANTAGE POINTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 141 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2012

At the outset, the leadership expressed support for farmers assuring that Congress intends to act to the extent of its capabilities to provide relief to the nation’s small farmers. The main purpose of the measure is to spur growth by freeing small farmers from bureaucratic restrictions. It

‘I think it is time for the national leadership to face up to this basic fact of life: our efforts at

development will succeed or fail to the extent that agriculture succeeds or fails. When the Aquino administration was starting out, I could still remember it swore just like its predecessors to make countryside development the centerpiece of its policies. Yet for this year and the past several years, especially in the 80s and 90s our agricultural crops actually suffered declining growth rates.’

also seeks to attract farmers who may have surplus income to venture into other businesses and at the same time entice more investors to the rural communities. Furthermore, it would also give employment to marginal farmers during lean periods and generate economic activity while waiting for their harvest.

But for whatever reasons, the bill has been subjected to too much controversy and failed to sustain its existence. Persistent critics at that time said it would take more than those kinds of bill to reach the main objective of rural economic development. And because of the ceaseless criticism both Houses then agreed against embarking on grandiose programs that are not likely to succeed. Therefore at this stage when our current leaders say they want to improve agriculture as a mean to alleviate mass poverty especially in the countryside, they must see to it that there is no lack of investment for irrigation and post-harvest facilities. It should likewise generate enough jobs for our kind of employment problem, especially in the countryside to minimize the rural-to-urban migration.

Nevertheless there seems to be three basic reasons why the past administrations failed to implement a well-meaning rural economic development program and resolve abject poverty. One is that the small farmers have no access to lands, but if they have one – would be without irrigation and wouldn’t be able to afford either fertilizers or pesticides. Despite three generations of agrarian reform programs our land distribution is still badly skewed. The second reason is high population growth. By the end of the 90s, for instance, the country has at least 3 million more mouths to feed – and most of those babies have been born in the poorest regions, to the least-educated mothers in agricultural households and manual occupation.

Our farms support more people steering to the third reason, which is low productivity. Average income of our farms is very low compared to our neighboring countries in Southeast Asia. The Aquino administration, of course, is fully aware of the prevailing problem and there is no need of convincing our top officials to look deeper into the small farmers’ deplorable situation. It is a commitment of this government to respond to the urgency of the problem and must exhaust all necessary means for immediate remedial action. On that note the poor farming communities are waiting for tangible results – but for how long?

Income gap in America grows

MERICA’S wealthiest citizens got wealthier last year while much of the rest of the nation saw a drop in income, according to 2011 figures released this week by the U.S. Census Bureau.

“The top end took a whack in the recession, but they’ve gotten back on their feet,” Harvard economics professor lawrence Katz told the New york Times. “Everyone else is still down for the count.”

The result is a growing income gap between rich and poor Americans, a trend that began more than three decades ago. The median household income dropped last year to $ 50,054.

Those at the very top of the income bracket - the top five percent of American households who earn above$ 186,000 annually -- saw a jump of almost 5 percent in revenue, and the top 20 percent of households increased their income by 1.6 percent last year.

The figures show women who work full time earn 77 percent of what men earn, unchanged from 2010.

But the vast majority of Americans, those

SpEciaL FEaTUrE

By MaRia young in the middle who earn $ 38,500 to $ 101,600, lost up to 1.9 percent of their annual income from 2010. Statistically, the poorest Americans saw no change.

“It appears the gap between the top income group and the bottom income group is growing,” said Ed Welniak, Chief of Income Statistics for the Census Bureau in an interview. “It’s widened by nearly 15 percent since 2009.”

Economists say the figures are influenced both by personal choices and economic factors, including a recent turnaround for American businesses which helps those at the top.

“In more recent years, the share of company revenues has gone more to business owners and bond holders, and less to their workers,” said Gary Burtless of the Brookings Institution, a nonprofit public policy

organization based in Washington, DC. “When a smaller percentage of company revenue goes to the workers, the family incomes of the workers will suffer a bit in comparison with the family incomes of the company owners and bondholders.”

Burtless also said the gap can be traced to changing marriage and birth patterns in the U.S. “High income people continue to be married when they have and raise children,” he said, noting that a smaller percentage of low-wage and low-education Americans are married when they have children. “This creates families with only a single breadwinner.”

The report is based on figures from 121 million American households. The top 20 percent of households, those making over 1,600, controlled 51.1 percent of all income in the U.S. last year. The bottom 20 percent of households, those making below $ 20,300, controlled just 3.2 percent of all income. [PNA/RIA Novosti]

9

Simplifying the law for Mindanao’s young pHiLSOUTH LinE

By FRencie L. caRReon

I

visited a group of high school students from various schools in Sulu, Basilan, and the Misamis provinces at the lady of the Pillar Retreat House in Mercedes, Zamboanga City where they were attending a three-day training-workshop on Philippine laws in early September.

The basic legal education for some seventy youth from Basilan, Sulu, and even Misamis Oriental was seen as an initial response to address the need for the young in Mindanao to know about fundamental laws, concepts, and legal principles.

Dubbed as the Street law Program and initiated by the U.S. Embassy in Manila in partnership with the Philippine youth leadership Program Alumni Association (PylPAA) and the Western Mindanao State University law Student Association (WMSUlSA), the program takes roots from the same endeavor that hit the streets of America with success.

I spoke with Neil Pacamalan, cultural affairs representative of the State Department here in the Philippines for Mindanao projects. He said the modules for the training included Introduction to Democracy and Rule of law, Human

‘The basic legal education for

some seventy youth from Basilan, Sulu, and even Misamis Oriental was seen as an initial response to address the need for the young in Mindanao to know about fundamental laws, concepts, and legal principles.’ rights, Criminal law and the Justice System, the Barangay System, Barangay Ownership and Properties, legal Documentation and Reporting, among others.

Neil said this is the first time the program is being done in the country, and from the impressions of the teen participants whom I have interviewed, the activity is already serving as an eye-opener if not a wake-up call to the content of our classroom subjects in the basic education, which are the K to 12 years.

Basic legal education is indeed relevant to any citizen. From our Civil Code we learn that “Ignorance of the law excuses no one.” This is based from the legal principle, “Ignorantia legis neminem excusat.” yet how many among those who had been brought behind bars knew not the laws or their existence thereof until they committed the crime or were tagged as offenders? Worse, how many had been made to suffer or made to pay for their lives for offenses they had not at all committed? And the questions go on. “How many among us whose rights have been violated realize that they actually exist as human rights victims?”

The Philippine government should look into the possibility of the inclusion of fundamental legal education into the curriculum—not to augment the academic burdens of the learning child, but for the very purpose of simply letting the child know he has rights to live with, and laws to live by.

And if the laws can be simplified for Mindanao’s young as early as now, then perhaps, lawlessness would be a dying issue in the years to come. [MindaNews/ FrencieCarreon of Zamboanga City is editor of The PhilSouth Angle and a candidate for PhD in Peace Journalism at The University of Sydney].

10 NATION/WORLD EDGEDAVAO NATION BRIEFS Reelectionists top likely 2013 WORLD TODAY Senate winners, says Pulse Asia T W VOL.5 ISSUE 141 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2012

Better

EATHER conditions in the country will begin to improve this week even with the presence of a low pressure area (lPA) near Batanes province on Monday morning.

Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) senior weather forecaster Robert Sawi said good weather conditions will prevail for the rest of the week.

Moving in

J

APANESE manufacturers are making a beeline to the Philippines due to its young, English-speaking labour market following a rising yen at home and risk factors like floods and political changes in other hubs.

Electronics firm Furukawa Electric Co. ltd. and adhesives maker Cemedine Co. ltd. are the latest to invest with a combined 1.016 billion yen (US$12.9 million) in initial capitalisation alone.

This brought new Philippine investments by major Japanese companies to at least 16.51 billion yen so far this year.

Ambassadors

T

HE Palace is determined to end the protracted insurgency led by the Moro-Islamic liberation Front (MIlF) in Mindanao, as it enlisted new forces for a national peace campaign.

The new group will not be armed with rifles but with charm and huge media influence.

President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III witnessed the swearing in of the Philippines’ new “peace ambassadors” at the Malacañan Palace’s Rizal Hall Friday. This, as the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process launched the “I Am For Peace” campaign.

Not blocking

D

ESPITE spreading anti-American violence, the Philippine Palace is not taking steps to block the anti-Islam video “The Innocence of Muslims” in the Philippines.

The police, however, have stepped up security around the US Embassy on Roxas Boulevard, Manila, in anticipation of local protests against the video.

T

Delays

HE government cannot rely on its centerpiece Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiative for growth this year given delays in rolling out big-ticket projects but domestic demand should be enough to fill in the gap, an investment bank said.

“Progress on the PPP projects remain slow and as a result, gross fixed capital formation and construction remain below potential,” Singapore-based DBS Bank ltd. said in its quarterly report released last Friday.

Sanctions

HE mouthpiece of China’s Communist Party warned on Monday that Japan’s economy could suffer for up to 20 years if Beijing chose to impose sanctions over an escalating territorial row.

Anti-Japanese protests have been held across China in recent days over a dispute over a group of small islands in the East China Sea claimed by both countries but controlled

by Tokyo.

I

F elections were held between August and September, 15 out of 36 possible candidates, most of them incumbent officials, have “statistical chance” of winning the senatorial race, Pulse Asia says Monday.

Citing a national survey conducted from August 31 to September 7, Pulse Asia showed that reelectionist senators and first-time senatorial bets running under the liberal Party and United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) will most likely win in the midterm polls in May 2013.

“Virtually all of the probable winners are either former or incumbent members of Congress,” Pulse Asia said in a statement.

Reelectionist Senators loren legarda and Francis “Chiz” Escudero would emerge as top winners of the senatorial race, the latest Pulse Asia survey said. legarda enjoyed 67.3 percent of support from Filipino adults, snatching the top spot from Escudero, who received 61.2 percent support from 1,200 respondents nationwide.

Reelectionist Senator

Senators Francis “Chiz” escudero and Loren Legarda Alan Peter Cayetano (49.9 percent) shared the third spot with San Juan City Rep. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito (49.9 percent), and Cagayan Rep. Juan Ponce Enrile Jr. (47.4 percent).

But Ejercito, son of former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada, enjoyed 96 percent of awareness among respondents than the son of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile’s 93 percent.

Reelectionist Senator Antonio Trillanes IV ranked 6th with 41.2 percent while Senator Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan occupied the 7th place with 40.6 percent rating.

Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III placed one spot higher after receiving 39.2 percent support than former Senator Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, who got 37.4 percent.

Aurora Province Rep. Edgardo M. Angara

ranked 10th with 35.9 percent while former las Piñas City Rep. Cynthia A. Villar is on the 11th spot with 32.7 percent.

Vice President Jejomar Binay’s eldest daughter, Ma. lourdes Nancy Binay (27.4 percent), as well as former senators Richard Gordon (26.2 percent), Ramon Magsaysay (25.2 percent), and Ana “Jamby” Madrigal (23.2 percent) trailed behind on the 12th spot. [Yahoo!]

than 27,000 people have been killed in Syria’s 18-month-old, mainly Sunni Muslim uprising against President Bashar al-Assad, who belongs to the minority Alawite sect that grew out of Shi’ite Islam.

Few Christians, who form about 10 percent of Syria’s population, have joined the uprising, fearing that it could bring hostile Islamists to power in a fight raging just 50 km (30 miles) east of Benedict’s Mass in Beirut.

Addressing worshippers on the Mediterranean seafront, close to the

front-line of Lebanon’s 1975-1990 civil war, Benedict said Lebanese people “know all too well the tragedy of conflict and... the cry of the widow and the orphan”.

“I appeal to the Arab countries that, as brothers, they might propose workable solutions respecting the dignity, the rights and the religion of every human person,” the 85-year-old pontiff said.

Peace between warring factions and among the many religious groups in the Middle east has been a central theme of his visit to Leb-

anon, along with his call to Christians not to leave the region despite war and growing pressure from radical Islamists.

“In a world where violence constantly leaves behind its grim trail of death and destruction, to serve justice and peace is urgently necessary,” Benedict said.

The pope has made no reference during his three-day visit to a U.Smade film depicting the Prophet Mohammad which has caused unrest across the Muslim world, including a protest in north Lebanon on Friday in which one person was killed.

SWeLTeRING Politicians from all sectors of multi-faith Lebanon attended the Mass, including from the militant Shi’ite group Hezbollah. Leaders of the country’s main religions all assured the Vatican of their support for the visit in advance.

The Mass took place on reclaimed land next to the port without any shade for the crowd, despite temperatures of more than 30 degrees centigrade (86 Fahrenheit). [REuTERs]

Pope urges Arab leaders to work for peace in raging Middle East

P

oPe Benedict urged Arab leaders on Sunday at a huge open-air Mass in Lebanon to work for reconciliation in a Middle east riven by Syria’s civil war and blazing with fury over a film mocking the Muslim Prophet Mohammad.

“May God grant to your country, to Syria and to the Middle east, the gift of peaceful hearts, the silencing of weapons and the cessation of all violence,” the pope said in a prayer after Mass that organisers said was attended by 350,000 people.

Activists say more

FAITHFUL. Pope Benedict XVI waves to the faithful from his Popemobile upon his arrival to conduct an open-air mass service at Beirut City Center Waterfront September 16, 2012. [REuTERs]

B

Greeted

RITAIN’S Prince William and wife Catherine were greeted by huge crowds as they landed in the lush, steamy Solomon Islands on Sunday, while a row raged in Europe about topless photos of the Duchess.

Pacific warriors gave the glamorous royal couple a ceremonial welcome as they touched down in the capital Honiara as part of their nine-day Southeast Asian and Pacific tour marking Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee.

A

Bombing

suicide car bomber killed four Iraqis and wounded 11 others close to an entrance to Baghdad’s fortified Green Zone, where several Western embassies are located, three police sources said on Monday.

The central area, known officially as the International Zone, houses diplomatic missions including the U.S. embassy.

The blast was near Baghdad’s July 14th suspension bridge which leads into the zone. Two of the four killed were soldiers, the sources said.

N

Protests

EW yorkers braced for more street protests Monday as Occupy Wall Street marks its first anniversary by attempting to blockade the New york Stock Exchange and re-energize the movement.

The social protest movement has seen a steep drop in support since it was founded a year ago, when hundreds of people camped in Zuccotti Park near Wall Street to protest bank bailouts and what they called the ruling “one percent.”

J

Covered

APAN’S Foreign Minister said on Monday Tokyo and Washington agree that disputed East China Sea islets claimed

by Japan and China are covered by the Japan-U.S. security treaty.

“I did not bring up the topic today, but it is mutually understood between Japan and the United States that (the islands) are covered by the treaty,” Koichiro Gemba told reporters after meeting U.S. Defense Secretary leon Panetta in Tokyo.

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 141 •TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2012

Students and staff of the Ateneo de Davao University give away route signages to Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) drivers plying the Roxas Ave.-Toril and Roxas Ave.-Mintal/Calinan routes initiated by the school’s Institutional Promotions Office in Roxas Ave. yesterday. [LEAN DAVAL JR.]

Tension...

FFROM 1

two groups of guards were already in a fighting mood.

Responding operatives of the San Pedro police station led by Insp. Joel Banosan pacified Joseph Ramirez, operations manager of 8 Silver Security Agency, who said their refusal to let the incoming security agency to take over was based on the contract his agency signed with the

Access...

Regional...

management of the DDH. He said the document showed that their three-year contract was signed on July 16, 2010, which means they still have still a year before the contract’s expiration.

As of press time the DDH had yet to issue an official statement on the incident, but Sepulchre was able to talk to the DDH management and was informed that

the 8 Silver Security Agency had already been given a prior notice for pre-termination of the contract.

Meanwhile, guards of the Seabren Security Agency have been detailed to the DDH, but PNP-SAGSS members are conducting an area site security to prevent the 8 Silver Security Agency from disrupting business as usual in the hospital.

continue its peace efforts specifically through the Peace and Development Program of the 10th Infantry Brigade. Under the Program, the priority of the soldiers has shifted from combat operation to meeting the needs of the communities where they operate.

Ungson said the local government units in the Davao Region are working together to improve the nutrition level in the region. From a high prevalence rate of 20% years

ago, Southern Mindanao’s underweight prevalence rate has gone down below the 10% rate.

NNC XI data shows an underweight prevalence rate of only 6.20% for children zero to 71 months old for 2011.

The lowest prevalence rate is in Tagum City with 3.54%, followed by Panabo City with 3.97%, Mati City with 4.42%, Island Garden City of Tagum with 5.25% and Davao City with 5.26%.

[LAC]

Park and Tribal Village as an ecotourism site.

Speaking for the TWG, Dompor said REC’s approval of the three resolutions marks a “big step” in promoting Compostela Valley as a centre for “peace tourism” and eco-tourism.

“This is a major development for the province, a big step in our campaign to promote the province as a peaceful place and as a learning, leisure, and adventure destination in Mindanao,” Dompor said.

Early this year, the Tourism Infrastructure Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) of the Department of Tourism recommended to the board of directors a PhP10 million grant requested by the provincial government through the provincial tourism office to develop the military park.

REC is the regional arm of the National Ecotourism Development Council to

help implement approved programs and activities. Its functions are: review, evaluate, approve and monitor ecotourism projects in their region; implement policies, guidelines, programs, projects and activities formulated by the Council; identify network of ecotourism sites in the region; and recommend plans and programs for ecotourism.

The provincial government of Compostela Valley through Gov. Arturo T. Uy, the 10th ID Command through then 10th ID commander Maj. Gen. Jorge V Segovia, and the municipal government of Mawab through Mayor Evalina Jampayas signed a Memorandum of Understanding last year to develop the site as an eco-tourism destination to promote their joint peace, environment protection and conservation, and income generation initiatives.

FFROM 5

cal director Emmanuel Isip agreed with the presentation of Compostela Valley provincial tourism officer Christine Dompor that the nursery was important to sustain the reforestation component of the eco-military park project.

Since the operation of the park early last year, the military command and eco-tourists have already planted more than 10,000 seedlings of various species like narra and mahogany in identified sites within the military park.

The request for a nursery was one of three resolutions passed by the TWG in their meeting last June to speed up the improvement of the eco-military park.

The other two, which REC also approved, are a request to REC to endorse the Mahayahay cave A boardwalk project and to recognize the Camp Manuel T. yan, Sr. Eco Military

Neda 10 questions accuracy of NCSB’s GRDP statistics

T

HE National Economic and Development Authority (Neda 10) In Cagayan De Oro City, through its Macro and Development Administration Committee, has questioned the accuracy of the National Statistical Coordination Board’s (NSCB) latest fig-

Buyers...

ures on the gross regional domestic product of Northern Mindanao.

In an interview Monday, Engr. Cecilio Clarete, chief economic development specialist of Neda 10’s Knowledge Management Division was hopeful that with the Regional Develop-

ment Council (RDC 10) Resolution 5 passed last week “urging the NSCB to re-estimate the gross regional domestic product,” the NSCB would correct its figures since “their current data does not reflect the real situation of the construction sector in the region.”

The project, which is located in limao, Penaplata, has no development permit or registration from the city government of IGaCoS. He said the company has been selling portions of the property without (a) a development permit, (b) a certificate of registration, and (c) a license to sell.

Aside from a robust real estate industry, most

of which consist of resort residences, the island is also home to over 70 registered resorts.

“We expect tourism and the real estate industry to even grow as more and more people see the wonders of Samal, especially if the proposed Davao to Kota Kinabalu flights push through,” Cleto said.

SI chairman and president Enrique K. Razon Jr. stressed when asked about his company’s plan to bid for the Davao Port.

ICTSI’s subsidiary, the Davao Integrated Port Stevedoring Service Corporation (DIPSSCOR), handles cargo handling at the port.

The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) prepared the terms of reference for the port’s privatization.

PPA Davao said volume growth at Sasa wharf is at a

rate of seven to 10 percent every year for the last eight years.

The Port of Davao had handled a total cargo of 5.194 million metric tons in 2010.

Shipping lines such as American President lines (APl) and Maersk lines are pushing for the port’s privatization due to congestion.

A vessel’s average waiting time before discharging at the port is around 40 hours and they spend extra time, tantamount to additional bunker fuel cost.

said Zubiri had advised him against running but he told MindaNews he would continue the fight “win or lose.”

He said he was banking on Zubiri’s earlier speech vowing to replace senior politicians with the younger breed.

But Beltran acknowledged that the vow cannot apply to Zubiri because “no one can replace him as of now.”

Beltran, however, noted that the public, including those active in the social networks, “are clamoring for homegrown, qualified, and talented leaders to replace those who have overstayed their tour of duty.”

Beltran launched his candidacy for vice governor through the internet last week. [Walter I. Balane/MindaNews]

FFROM 1

FFROM 2

related events that will be held during the Peace Fair are the Peace Circle and the Peace Concert also in the same venue.

“This is the first time for a large group like this to group together for peace and we hope it will be the start of a more comprehensive peace plan that will culminate into a peace conference,” Ungson said.

The Philippine Army, one of the organizations participating in the Peace Fair, has committed to

11

stopped by the HlURB 11.

The real estate company is allegedly developing and selling lots located in barangay limao, IGaCoS without the necessary permits. lawyer Palma Gil said Millennium Property does not even have a pending application before the housing agency, but it has gone ahead with selling lots.

Razon...

FFROM 2

port.

ICTSI, which has proven to be a trailblazer in the Philippines and abroad, plans to bid for the operation of the Davao Port, more commonly known as Sasa Wharf.

PPA General Manager Juan Sta. Ana said the Davao port modernization project is submitted to the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) board’s Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) for approval.

“We want to bid. We don’t want no bidding,” ICT-

It’s...

FFROM 3

chose Zubiri and Calingasan to run for the top posts. Only three voters were reported to have picked Nemesio Beltran Jr. as their choice for Zubiri’s running mate.

Beltran, who was not in the gathering, was dismayed with the choice.

He was in the House of Representatives for the hearing on the proposed fourth district at the time of the vote. Beltran

Edge Davao hiring editor, 3 reporters

EDGE DAVAO is in need for an editor and three staffwriters/reporters for its expansion program.

The three reporters will be assigned to the business, science/environment and political beats.

On the other hand, the editor will supervise the reporters and do gate-keeping tasks.

An applicant must be a graduate of a four- year college course. For reporters, experience is not needed although preferable. The editor should have at least one-year experience in editing.

Interested parties are requested to send their applicant letter to Mr. Antonio M. Ajero, Edge Davao editor thru email address ajero_antonio@yahoo. com. For inquiries, please call Mr. Ajero thru mobile phone 09052422686 or landline 221-3601.

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VOL.5 ISSUE 141 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2012

Realty

FOR SALE: 1) 1-hectare commercial lot at P10,000/sq m, along national highway, facing east, beside nccc Panacan, Davao City. 2) 17,940sq m commercial lot at P2,500/sq m, along Matina Diversion Road.

3) 3,831 sq m lot along Matina Diversion Road. 4) 41,408 sq m commercial/industrial lot at P800/sq m along the national highway, Bunawan. 5) 7,056 sq m at P1,200/sq m commercial/residential lot along indangan Road, Buhangin District. 6) 27,411 sq m commercial/industrial lot along the National highway in Bincungan, Tagum city. 7) 116.15 to 245.92 sq meters , at P5.5M to P12.3M commercial/ office condo units in Bajada, Davao city. 8) 699 to 1,117 sq m at P4,100/sq m commercial lots at Josefina Town center, along the national highway, Dumoy, Toril. 9) Ready-for-Occupancy Residential Properties: 4BR/3T&B in a 240 sq m lot with 177.31sqm floor area (2-storey) at P4.8M in an exclusive beachfront community in Dumoy, Toril.; 3BR 2-storey in a 71.25 sq m 2-storey in a 143sq m lot in an exclusive flower village in Maa, Davao City; 180 sq m lots with 71.25sqm to 126.42 sq m floor areas, priced at P3.751M to P5.773M in an exclusive mountain resort community along Matina, Diversion Road. 10) 1BR/2BR residential condo units located in Bolton, Maa, obrero, Davao city.

11) FOR ASSUME (RUSH): 1BR res’l condo unit in Palmetto, Maa. P600K negotiable. Note: Items 1-9 can be paid in cash, in-house or bank financing. If interested, please call Jay (PRC REB Lic. 8237) at 0922-851-5337 (Sun), 0908-883-8832 (Smart) or send email to propertiesindavao@yahoo.com.

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Deadline for submission of materials is 12:00 NN. Deadline for Friday and Saturday issues is 5:00 PM. Deadline for Sunday and Monday issues is Saturday 12:00 NN. For more information, please call our Advertising Office 2213601; 301-6235 and ask for Jane or Chay.

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EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 141 •TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2012

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VOL.5 ISSUE 141 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Gilas dominates Macau, 98-46 M

Gary David of the Philippines (center) scores against four Macau players during their FIBA Asia Cup match in Tokyo, Japan.

ANIlA – Five players scored in double figures as the Philippine men’s national basketball team completely dominated Macau, 98-46, to gain their third win in the FIBA Asia Cup Monday in Tokyo, Japan.

Jeff Chan (18), Jay-R Reyes (12 points), Jared Dillinger (11), Gary David (12) and Matthew Ganuelas (11) all finished in double-figures as Smart Gilas Pilipinas encountered little difficulty against the overmatched Macau side.

It was the Philippines’ last assignment in the preliminary round of the tournament, and their third straight victory after losing their tour-

nament opener against powerhouse China.

Gilas finished with a 3-1 record in Group A, good for second place. They qualified for the knockout stage of the tournament after their rout of Uzbekistan yesterday.

Ganuelas was particularly effective against Macau, as the 22-year-old guard finished with a near triple double after adding nine rebounds and nine assists to his 11 points in almost 29 minutes of action.

But it was a balanced effort for the Philippines, with every player fielded in by coach Chot Reyes scoring at least two points.

The Philippines did not even miss the services of naturalized center Marcus Douthit,

who was given the night off.

Gilas raced off to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter and never looked back. Macau did not score their first basket until the 5:34 mark of the first, and the points were few and far between for the tournament rookies, with Gilas eventually leading by as much as 52 points in the final period.

Gilas now has a day off before beginning the knockout stages of the tournament on Wednesday. They will be up against either Qatar and Chinese-Taipei. “looks like whichever team it is, it will be a tough one,” Reyes said in an interview with FIBAAsia.net.

“Both are as good or as tough as the other.”

Marquez surprised to be fighting Pacman again

M Korea’s Jiyai Shin kisses the trophy after winning the Women’s British Open golf championships at Royal Liverpool Golf Club, Hoylake, England, Sunday.

(AP PhoTo/JoN suPER)

Shin captures Women’s British Open by 9 shots

H

OylAKE, England (AP) -- Jiyai Shin avoided mistakes in miserable weather conditions Sunday to cruise to a record nine-stroke victory in the Women’s British Open.

In the 36-hole finish Sunday in the wind-delayed tournament, Shin took a three-shot lead into the final round after shooting a 1-under 71 in the morning. She stayed calm while strong wind and heavy showers sent scores soaring at Royal liverpool in the afternoon, closing with a 73 to finish at 9-under 279. ‘’It was a long, very, very tough day out there,’’ Shin said. ‘’But I kept my focus and concentrated on every shot, and when I made the winning putt, it was great.

The 24-year-old South Korean player won the major championship for the second time in five years and also won for the second time in seven days on the lPGA Tour. last Monday morning in Virginia, she finished off Paula Creamer on the ninth hole of a playoff in the Kingsmill Championship. ‘’When I won at Sunningdale, it was a totally different kind of course, but I finally think I’ve got the right tempo with my swing

for links golf,’’ Shin said.

The 10-time lPGA Tour winner entered the day with a five-stroke lead after shooting a 64 - the lowest competitive round ever at Hoylake - on Saturday. She broke the record for margin of victory of five set by Karen Stupples in 2004 at Sunningdale. ‘’My goal was 1-under par every single day. So my goal was 4 under. I think it was enough score,’’ Shin said. ‘’So, I’m really surprised even from yesterday and then also today, I hit even par with 36 holes with this weather, so I’m really surprised and inspired by myself. Because really tough course here, so when I finished it today, I’m just like, ‘Wow, I can play good score any, any other course, I’m pretty sure of that.’’

Shin completed an Asian sweep of the four majors. South Korea’s Sun young yoo won the Kraft Nabisco, China’s Shanshan Feng took the lPGA Championship, and South Korea’s Na yeon Choi won the U.S. Women’s Open. Asian players have won nine of the last 12 majors.

Shin missed the lPGA Championship and U.S. Women’s Open after having surgery on her left wrist.

ANIlA – Mexican legend Juan Manuel Marquez admitted that he is surprised to be getting a fourth shot against his greatest rival, Filipino boxing icon Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao.

After their first three fights ended in controversy, Pacquiao and Marquez will meet for the fourth time on December 8 in las Vegas.

Pacquiao took his time before deciding to fight Marquez again. The Filipino boxer was supposed to return to the ring on November 10, but the date was twice moved back, first to December 1 and then to December 8.

“I always thought that Pacquiao wouldn’t fight me again,” Marquez told Boxing Scene. “I was worried about it, and I was surprised he accepted the fight with me, but now I am very happy.”

It was revealed that Pacquiao originally wanted a rematch with Puerto Rican boxer Miguel Cotto, but the two camps could not agree on the weight. The Filipino champion then chose between a fourth bout against Marquez or a rematch against unbeaten American Timothy Bradley Jr. Despite losing to Bradley in their June 9 clash, Pacquiao opted for a fourth encounter against Marquez.

The “Pacman” explained

that there was no need for a rematch with Bradley, since a great majority of boxing media and fans believe he was the true winner of their bout anyway.

“Ano ba kailangang i-prove ko? In-analyze ko ang laban namin, at kitang-kita ng lahat na talagang one-sided fight,” Pacquiao said last week before going to the United States.

A bout with Marquez is considered to be more risky than a rematch against Bradley, as the Mexican has given Pacquiao three of the toughest battles of his professional career.

Their last bout, a majority decision victory for Pacquiao last November, failed to put a definitive end to their saga. Though Pacquiao gained the judges’ nod, many boxing pundits believe Marquez should have been the winner.

“I will train very hard for this fight,” Marquez said.

“Pacquiao knows me, and I know him... I thought I won the first three fights but they were close.”

The Mexican said he will work on his speed for the fourth bout as he hopes for a decisive result.

“I need to add a new wrinkle in this fight and make it decisive this time,” Marquez said. “Everybody will see the best Juan Manuel Marquez on December 8th.”

Juan Manuel Marquez

Real Madrid meets Man City in clash of champs

T

HE Champions league group stage returns on Tuesday with a dream matchup.

Manchester City, the champion of England, meets Real Madrid, the champion of Spain, at the Santiago Bernabeau in front of 80,000 screaming fans. Although this game may look great on paper, neither team has looked like a side that won silverware last season.

After four rounds of la liga, the unthinkable has happened. Real Madrid is

in the latter half of the table and eight points back of table-toppers Barcelona. Eight points is a massive deficit when considering Real Madrid only dropped 14 points all of last season en route to winning the Spanish league.

Some in Spain are already etching Barcelona’s name on the trophy. Even with 34 rounds to go, that’s probably not a bad bet.

Despite a dismal display last weekend, Real Madrid is still unbeaten at the Santiago Bernabeu for the

2012-13 campaign. In three matches, los blancos have managed two wins and one draw, including an impressive 2-1 win over Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup. Real Madrid at home is tough to beat, and Manchester City is shaky on the road.

City is unbeaten in four Premier league matches, but the Citizens have yet to record an away win. The defending English Premier league champion has developed a habit of falling

behind, and three of Man City’s four Premiership matches have required the Blues to claw back from a deficit and recover points.

Regardless of either team’s recent form, both teams possess supreme talent. This type of marquee fixture is exactly what gives Europe’s premier club competition its name. The champion of England versus the champion of Spain to kick of the 2012-13 Champions league group play … brilliant!

INdulge!

VOL.5 ISSUE 141 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

TRAVEL

Sail Morotai Davao’s first international sail event Funny how Davao Gulf is such an idyllic spot yet the sight of sailboats and yachts frolicking on its azure waves are such a rare occurrence.

All this is about to change with the debut of Davao City on the international sailing map, many thanks to the city’s inclusion as a jump-off point in Sail Indonesia’s Sail Morotai Rally.

Thanks to the city’s beautiful typhoon-free climate, world-class Holiday Oceanview Marina, and proximity to the Island of Morotai, 11 yachts from all over the world sailed off towards Imam Lastori harbor in the Morotai Island,

north Maluku, Indonesia.

Event organizer Gene Bangayan shared that the Indonesian organizers included Davao as a way to promote friendship the sailing culture between the two countries. Gene also added an interesting fact, that Molokai island was where American General Douglas McArthur

planned his island campaign for the liberation of Mindanao during World War 2. “In a sense we are re-establishing the exciting history that happened between Davao and Molokai” says Gene.

The cruisers (what they call yachting enthusiasts) will take roughly 3 days to get to the midpoint between Molokai and Davao, and another 4 to 5 days to reach the final destination across the Celebes Sea. Regional tourism director Art Boncato hopes the Sail Morotai event, which is part of the annual Sail Indonesia event, will lead to the eventual establishment of an annual Sail

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UP AND ABOUT

SM Lanang Premier to open on Sept 28! sm PRImE’s biggest and first-ofits-kind premier mall development project in mindanao, sm Lanang Premier opens its doors on september 28.

Located along JP Laurel Avenue in the northern part of the city, the elegant origami-inspired structure will house first in mindanao state-of-the-art amenities such as the ImAX Theatre, sm Center stage, and the skygarden. Also making a landmark is the country’s longest dancing fountain with 122-meter stretch of water jets.

Responding to the city’s need for a modern convention facility, the mall will have the Davao smX Convention Center at its 3rd floor.

Along with the sm mall mainstays sm Department store, sm supermarket and other major sm Retail affiliates, the American chain of trendy clothing and accessory retailer Forever21 is opening with the mall. sm Lanang Premier’s world-class entertainment and convention facilities raise the bar in the “malling” league not only in Davao City but to the rest of the island as well.

Sun Cellular supports White Cane Safety Day celebration for the blind mOBILE Phone operator sun Cellular has joined Visually Impaired Brotherhood for Excellent services Incorporated (VIBEs), a growing organization of blind massage therapists, in celebrating the White Cane Day through sports and a series of wellness activities for its hundreds of members from different parts of the country.

Republic Act No. 6759 declares August 1 as the “White Cane safety Day”, aimed at raising awareness on the plight of the blind and promote the duty of every individual to uphold the rights of members of this community.

“We are happy to take part in this year’s White Cane Day by partnering with VIBEs to put up this sports festival for the blind. Through this, we hope to help strengthen fellowship among our blind brothers and sisters and foster their camaraderie as a whole community,” says Jocel Adorable, Assistant Vice President for marketing services of sun Cellular.

As a thriving business that is operated for and by the blind, VIBEs Incorporated has been a long-time partner of sun Cellular, as the former makes use of sun’s bestvalue mobile services for its nationwide operations.

“Because of our condition, our operations are a bit more complex than most businesses. With this, sun Cellular has always been a big help, providing an easy and reliable communication channel for our employees through its Double Unlimited service,” says Dante Tiosan, President of VIBEs. “We do unlimited teleconferencing internally and with our clients via landline and mobile and even get to text using a special software. All these, without us having to worry about incurring high costs,” he adds.

Established from a meager starting capital of P8,000 and eight massage therapists, VIBEs Incorporated now has over 450 employees and around P23 million in net worth. As it goes on in creating more livelihood opportunities for the blind, Adorable has expressed sun’s continued support for the organization.

“It has always been our vision to help individuals and organizations achieve success and do more for the society by providing them with innovative, reliable and best-value communication services. We’ve always been inspired by the story of VIBEs and we look forward to being partners with them as they continue to soar high in their business and in their noble commitment for our blind brothers and sisters,” concludes Adorable. sun Cellular is a member of the PLDT Group.

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VOL.5 ISSUE 141 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2012

Café del Mar resident DJ Vadim spins at Starr on September 22 T E m P E R AT U R E s will rise and pulses will raise on september 22, saturday, as international model, actor and turntable maestro DJ Vadim will grace the land of Davao City for the first time to play fist-pump inducing beats for the sure-to-be eager crowd.

DJ Vadim, or Vadim Nabivanets in real life, started his DJ career since 2005, after graduating from the 1st DJ school in Kiev, Ukraine. since then, he has played in the best clubs in Ukraine and India, and is presently a resident DJ of the worldrenowned Café del mar.

But he isn’t just talented on the turntables.

He has quite made the appearance on several commercials, runways and movies in different countries too, wrapping up recently two foreign films shot here in southeast Asia.

This eyecandy of a DJ will be playing this september 22, saturday, at starr Club Davao.

Entrance/Door charge is only P350, including drinks. For queries, contact Angel Abella at 09324562146.

Tuna float of SM City GenSan wins 2nd place SM CIty General Santos together with SM Department Store joined, for the first time, the tuna Float Parade on September 5, 2012 in celebration of the tuna Festival. This float won Second placer among more than 15 float entries. Companies from the fishing, academic, and private sectors tried to outdo each other in terms of coming up with the float that best represents their take on the festival theme which was: “tuna Fest, tuna Fun in Magandang Gensan“. The 14th tuna Festival which coincides with the 44th Charter Anniversary of General Santos

City on September 5, 2012

was launched via a simple

programme last week.

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ENTERTAINmENT

Paparazzo to face jail time, huge fines

DID the paparazzo who zoomed in on Kate middleton and her naked chest commit a crime?

sacre bleu—quite possibly!

A French attorney tells E! News that the Duchess of Cambridge—who, with the weight of the royal family behind her, has already sued the tabloid that published topless photos of her—has the option of lodging a criminal complaint.

The pics that ended up on the cover (and within the pages) of French mag Closer were allegedly taken from half a mile away while Kate was sunning herself with husband Prince William

at what they presumably thought was a private chateau in Provence.

“If photographs of Kate middleton have been taken and published without her consent during her holidays, she may file a complaint on the basis of article 9 of the French civil code and article 226-1 of the penal code,” says attorney Pierre Hourcade (who is not associated with the royal).

Hourcade says that French law dictates that people have the right to respect for their private lives and, as a picture of a person is considered an attribute of that person, photographic images fall under that pro-

tection.

If convicted of violating a person’s right to privacy, punishment is up to a year in jail and a fine of 45,000 euros, or almost $60,000. And even the fact that Kate and her hubby were on vacation factors into what is or isn’t legal, according to Hourcade.

He says that public figures like Will and Kate can be photographed by anyone without personal authorization only so long as they are in a public space performing their official duties.

But, he adds, if they are in a public space and on holiday when photographed, that can constitute a violation of the

American Idol unveils season’s new judges

FEAsT your eyes on what you will soon see on your small screen. sunday morning, American Idol fans were introduced to their new judging panel, and shortly after, Ryan seacrest shared the first official photo (and seats) for mariah Carey, Keith Urban, Nicki minaj and Randy Jackson.

Finally, the judges have been announced!

“After some musical chairs, here’s how the new American Idol judges will be seated,” seacrest wrote on his Facebook.

The four judges and Ryan made an appearance in New York today to kick off auditions for

season 12. seacrest tweeted earlier, “It’s official, your new #IdolJudges are @mariahCarey, @Nickiminaj, @ KeithUrban & @Yo_RandyJackson! http://instagr. am/p/Po5T3JFWf1/.” He then added, “Everyone gave a heartfelt toast about being on the show after we ate last night.

Cant wait to see the first contestants today. #IdolJudges.”

aforementioned codes because there has been a theft of private image. moreover, if the sneaky shutterbug who took the photos of Kate is convicted, the magazine that published the images could end up having the photos seized or be compelled to publish the result of the duchess’ legal action on its cover.

Now that sounds sexy.

Laurence Pieau, the editor of the under-thegun Closer, defended the decision to publish the photos—which have since been removed from the French publication’s website— calling them “beautiful” and “not in the least bit shocking.”

The photos disappeared from their site hours after the magazine’s brand owner, the U.K.-based Bauer media, demanded that they pull the photos down and desist from publishing any further pictures, calling the so-called scoop a “gross intrusion of their Royal Highnesses’ privacy.”

Lea Michelle removes tattoo

One down, 13 more to go?

Lea michele visited laser tattoo removal clinic Dr. Tattoff in Beverly Hills saturday to have a tiny heart removed from her left middle finger, later emerging wearing a bandage on the finger. mThe 26-year-old Glee star was accompanied by her cousin as she endured the procedure, according to the Daily mail. mBut, t h e teensy finger ink is just one of michele’s many tattoos. mBack in may, the actress told David Letterman she has 14 tattoos in “hidden spots”…but that her tatting days are over. m“They’re all so little that you don’t see it,” michele said on the Late show With David Letterman. “That’s why I’m done, though, because all my secret hidden spots are done. Like, my real estate is over.” mmichele’s collection of tattoos also includes a butterfly on her right foot, two musical notes from Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” on her left shoulder, and ‘Our City, our love,’ inscribed on her right foot, according to the Daily mail.

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EVENTs ENTERTAINmENT

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VOL.5 ISSUE 141 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2012

Sail...

FFROM A1

Philippines event that would enhance tourism in the region.

“We hope this initial sail event will open to doors for us to establish our own Sail Philippines event which will compliment the Sail Indonesia and Sail Malaysia events.” says Bongcato.

And from the Venue Partyboat we arrived at the Holiday Oceanview Marina to send off the cruisers through a traditional “sail pass” where the smaller boats are escorted by a bigger boat on their way to open water.

It was a magical feeling of finally seeing a small but lively flotilla of sailboats passing by the bigger boat, finally making Davao sailboat history. I cannot wait for the actual launch of Sail Philippines where hope-

fully, we get to see the Gulf of Davao there on the international cruiser’s list of destinations of choice.

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

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EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 141 •TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2012

Yamyamin, Nitorreda win

By Neil Bravo

J

OEl yamyamin added another title to his rich collection while lawyer Manny Nitorreda summoned

Phl routs Macau by 5 A

FTER rounding out its preliminary-round campaign in Group A with a 98-46 rout of winless Macau, the Nationals will have to cool their heels as they have no scheduled game on the final day of the elims on Tuesday before the tournament takes its customary break on Wednesday.

But more than the question on which team Smart Gilas 2.0 will face in the quarterfinals of the Fiba Asia Cup championship, Chot Reyes is more worried about the twoday break his team will have prior to the knockout stage.

That leaves Reyes with a tough balancing act, needing to keep his team sharp for the tougher matches in the knockout stage but at the same time fresh enough to hopefully win three straight games for the title.

“Our biggest concern is we have two days off,” said Reyes, who had a late lunch with the team on Monday after the high-noon massacre of Macau.

“Right now, the challenge is to keep the players sharp while fresh at the same time.

“It’s also important that they (players) remain driven.”

That was the reason

Reyes’ team headed straight to a hard one-hour practice after the easy victory over Macau, which saw naturalized player Marcus Douthit work out a good sweat going through drills after sitting out the Macau romp.

But at the same time, Reyes gave his team the Tuesday off to spend for some sightseeing and shopping.

Gilas finished the eliminations tied at the top of Group A with China and lebanon on 3-1 cards, but wound up as the No. 2 seed behind lebanon when the tiebreak was applied.

Orcollo climbs to world no. 5

D

ENNIS Orcollo climbed to fifth in the World Pool Association rankings after his title conquest in the China Open 9-ball tournament in Shanghai over the weekend.

Orcollo gained 600 ranking points for a total of 1,790 points, rising from 11th to break into the top five of the list following his 11-9 win

over lu Hui Chan of Chinese Taipei on Sunday.

Orcollo can gain more points if he competes in the US Open 9-ball championships in October. lee Van Corteza stayed in seventh with 1,566 points after reaching the knockout stages of the China Open.

Reigning world 9-ball champion Darren Appleton of

Great Britain remained on top followed by Huidji See of Netherlands, yukio Akagariyama of Japan, and Ko Pin yi of Chinese Taipei.

Orcollo played a near flawless game en route to the China Open crown as the former 8-ball champion was facing elimination ever since his first match of the tournament but still went on to win the crown.

his old form to lead the winners in the recent 10th Anselmo Ferrazzini Memorial Golf Tournament at the Apo Golf

ad Country Club. yamyamin, playing comfortably at the Apo, fired a gross 37 to win the overall gross title while Nitorreda, whose passion for golf is as intense as his passion with basketball, carded a 41 to claim the overall net crown.

The other Gross class titles in the tournament held in honor of the late Ferrazzini patriarch went to Benhur Villarosa for Class A with a 35, Edward Herrera for Class B with a 33, Ariel Roca in Class C with a 33, and Felix Ian Dagatan in Class D with a 21.

The Class net championships were won by Jorge Martinez (40) in Class A, Koich Mihara (42) in Class B, Shin Bokawachi (42) in Class C, and Jericho Bajo (44) in Class D. In team play, lawyer Bal Sarabia teamed up with Edwin Cayamanda to win the title with an aggregate 93.

Sarabia fired a 47 while Cayamanda had a 46 to win by 5 over the tandem of Monito Santos (48) and Joe lafuente (40).

Joel Yamyamin hits his approach shot in the recent 10th Ansemo Ferrazzini Memorial Golf Tournament. Yamyamin carded a gross 37 to win. Right, Anthony Sasin piches from around the green. (boy LiM)

Jeff Chan topscored for the Smart Gilas.

Lakers’ Howard not read for camp

l

OS ANGElES (AP) -- Dwight Howard won’t finish his rehabilitation from back surgery in time for the start of the los Angeles lakers’ training camp or their first preseason game next month.

The lakers provided an update on the newly acquired center’s condition on their website Thursday night, confirming their long-anticipated decision to take it easy in Howard’s return from spinal surgery.

The team doesn’t intend to announce a timetable for Howard’s recovery, but

says he won’t participate in the start of training camp on Oct. 2, or the preseason opener in Fresno five days later.

The six-time All-Star has said he hopes to be ready for the start of the regular season Oct. 30, but the team isn’t speculating.

Howard recently began working with the lakers’ training staff on his recovery from surgery last April repairing a herniated disc and doing additional cleanup. Howard’s personal trainer is working alongside the lakers’ staff, and the center has experienced no

setbacks.

Howard is doing core stabilization training while also getting in a little light running and shooting.

The lakers can afford to be cautious with their new big man, acquired from Orlando in a four-team trade on Aug. 10 that sent All-Star center Andrew Bynum to Philadelphia.

Pau Gasol will be ready to play in the middle when training camp opens in two weeks, and the lakers have years of experience in dealing with injured centers during Bynum’s injury struggles.

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VOL.5 ISSUE 141 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

911 Movement stages st 1 Banana Night Run

By Lean Daval Jr.

T

HE 911 Movement staged the 1st Banana Night Run in connection with its third anniversary last Saturday night in Panabo City.

Renante Bangoy, chairman of the Save Our Saging (SOS) Movement, said at least 1,200 runners registered for the city’s first ever night run.

The run, which was participated in by banana industry stakeholders, growers, employees of banana companies and banana cooperatives, employees of trucking companies and residents of Panabo City and nearby provinces, was divided into three categories--five kilometers and

three kilometers.

The proceeds from the event will be used to buy medicines that will be donated to the city of Panabo and for the graduating students’ modules in the Alternative learning System (AlS) of the city’s 52 barangays.

The race was fired off from the ARF covered court in Brgy. New Pandan and ended at the Panabo City Hall and back for the 5K while the 3K run was up to Km. 31 in Brgy. Kaganguhan and back.

Awe Mahinay ruled the men’s 5K, followed in second by Erwin Gubal and Ronald Dagaang in third while Judelyn

Miranda edged lara June Gayamara and Princess Joy Robles for first and second places, respectively, in the women’s 5K. Gasper Jun Dominado dominated his rivals in the men’s 3-kilometer race crossing the finish line with a time of 7:56 followed by Azlan Pagay and Jomer Bacalso times of 8:03 and 8:06, in that order.

In the women’s 3K, Roselyn Depillo bested other runners with a time of 9:21 to win the crown. Vivian Avergonzado placed second and Annie Mary Depone settled for third.

The youngest runner was 6-year old Jespher

Amper while Ma. Fe Talaboc at 63 years was the oldest.

Winners of the race took home P3,000 each while the second and third placers received P2,000 and P1,000, respectively.

The event was made possible by ANFlOCOR, TADECO, TUCP, AOF Foundation, PBGEA, Cong. Antonio F. lagdameo, Vicente “Enteng” Floirendo, City Government of Panabo, Solo Fresh, Vizcaya Plantation, Inc. Renante Bangoy, Ronald Ang, Unifrutti, Sumifru, DOLE, Stanfilco, Aim Global, DavCo, NEH Phils., Diamond Farms, Inc. and Whid Ranain.

Williams, Washington win 2nd straight WTT title C

HARlESTON, S.C. (AP) -- Venus Williams helped Washington catch up, then beat Coco Vandeweghe in a last-game tiebreaker as the Kastles completed their second straight undefeated championship WTT season with a 20-19 victory over Sacramento on Sunday.

The triumph capped a long, hard season for Williams, who has learned to compete while living with the auto-immune disease, Sjrogren’s syndrome, that kept her out of the game from September 2011 through last March.

Williams felt fit, confident and ready to dig in and do whatever it took to succeed. ‘’I really felt like I came out on fire in all my matches,’’ said Williams, named the WTT finals MVP. Williams got plenty of work at the Family Circle Tennis Center to wrap up Washington’s second consecutive, 16-0 season and third title in four years.

She and teammate Anastasia Rodionova won the women’s doubles match

to put Washington in front 8-6. After Sacramento took the men’s doubles match to lead 11-10, Williams and leander Paes won the mixed doubles competition in a last-game tiebreaker and sent the championship into a final women’s singles showdown tied at 15-games apiece.

Vandeweghe broke Williams’ serve to lead 3-2, but Williams broke right back and the match eventually went to the WTT’s bestof-9 point, super tiebreaker. Vandeweghe quickly led 2-0 when Washington called time out. Paes jogged over talk with the seven-time Grand Slam champion. ‘’I just told her she’s one of the greatest of all time,’’ Paes said. ‘’Go have fun and hit your shots.’’

That’s what Williams did, winning the next five points including an ace down the middle to set up match point. Vandeweghe sent a final forehand long to start Washington’s celebration, Williams swarmed by teammates before doing her own little happy dance to the delight of the fans.

Venus Williams