Edge Davao 5 Issue 178

EDGEDAVAO P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

VOL.5 ISSUE 178 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2012

www.edgedavao.net

Serving a seamless society

Indulge

Science/ Environment

Page A1

Page 4

Dakua na oy!

Smart tops complaints

Casiño hits telcos for ‘nakaw load’ R EP. TEDDY CASIÑO of Bayan Muna raised the issue of “nakaw load” or disappearing prepaid credits with the telco industry leaders during the weekly Kapehan sa Dabaw media forum at SM City Davao annex Monday.

This developed as a quick

opinion survey among reporters and other subscribers registered Smart as the top object of complaints on disappearing loads.

“I intend to push for the reduction by as much as 50% of the value-added tax (VAT) on basic commodities,” Casiño said

as he vowed to help generate livelihood opportunities for his countrymen.

He said his advocacy is to correct malpractices and unfair trade practices which affect the consumers, citing the telecommunications industry as one area that needs strong consum-

er advocacy vis-à-vis the regulatory agencies.

Like other Filipinos, Dabawenyos complain about problems encountered in using their mobile phones, such as contested billings, blocked

Bounty on Baktin increased to P6M

FCASIÑO, 11

By Anthony S. Allada

DCPO says Ryan Yu’s world is getting smaller by the day

Sports

Follow Us On

Page 15

T

HE bounty for the head of fugitive Ryan Cain “Baktin” Yu is now P6-million after Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte added another P1 million should the suspect remain at large until December of this year.

“This is so to fast-track his arrest,” Duterte told reporters in an interview Tuesday night.

He said the additional reward would come from another car dealer, who FBOUNTY, 11

BANANA CONGRESS. Regional Director Marizson Loreto of the Department of Trade and Industry 11, left, and Mary Ann Montemayor, Davao Regional Tourism Council head, check out the variety foods cooked using banana as

Davao officials laud Obama’s reelection D

AVAO officials welcomed the re-election of Unites States President Barrack Obama who handily defeated Gov. Mitt Romney in a tight contest that was primarily fought in just a handful of so-called “battleground states”.

“The re-election of US Pres. Barrack Obama augurs well for Philippine-US relations. What was started by Pres.

Obama and the P-Noy administra-

tion can now proceed and be further strengthened in terms of economic, diplomatic, security and scientific cooperation,” said third district Rep. Isidro Ungab who chairs the powerful house committee on ways and means.

Ungab said that “as long-term partners, the successes of the Obama administration will surely trickle down to the Philippines which has lately shown

FDAVAO, 11

the main ingredient during the Mindanao Banana Congress 2012 at the SMX Convention Center of SM Lanang Premier yesterday. [LEAN DAVAL JR.]

2 THE BIG NEWS

VOL.5 ISSUE 178 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Bartolome to Davao police:

In Paquibato

Bello condemns murder Intensify anti-crime drive of 4 unarmed soldiers P D

AVAO City Councilor Karlo Bello has strongly condemned the ambush by alleged communist rebels who killed four unarmed soldiers in Barangay Mapula, Paquibato district last Sunday afternoon.

Speaking during the Council’s privilege hour of the regular session, Bello, chair of the committee on human rights, condemned the incident.

He said the soldiers were servants of the Filipino people bound by the constitution as its protector.

Bello said every Filipino soldier ki;;rf is worth the uproar and condemnation.

“The sacrifices every soldier has made to ensure a peaceful community is duly commended and honored. That is why I strongly condemn their killing,” he said.

Bello’s condemnation came amid questions why the soldiers were unarmed during the incident despite prior inci-

dents of encounters, grenade throwing incident and complaints of human rights violations by the rebels in Paquibato.

He said the city council human rights committee will continue to act on matters pertaining to human rights violations committed either by rebels or soldiers.

Privates First Class Ahian Vir Dolero, Marvin Lauronal, Noel Sigan and Private Marcelo Himaya were mowed down by their attackers while they were returning to camp aboard three motorcycles after buying goods in Panabo City.

The victims, all members of the 60th Infantry Battalion were in civilian attire and unarmed when gunned down by more or less ten heavily armed men.

A member of the peace panel on the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) is assisting the family

of the four soldiers to file complaints before the office of the Commission on Human Rights following the killing incident.

Lawyer Jaime Arroyo arrived in Davao Tuesday to conduct an investigation on incident which he called “an overkill”.

“An autopsy report reveals that they were mercilessly murdered”, said Maj. Jacob Thaddeus Obligado, commander of 10th Civil Military Operations Battalion.

He said the victims had already surrendered as witnessed by civilians.

[PIA XI]

OLICE Director General Nicanor Bartolome ordered the Police Regional Office 11 to intensify efforts against all forms of criminality.

He issued the order during an executive meeting with all police officers in the Davao region following the awarding of the best security agency in the country to the Dasia Security and Investigative Agency at the Royal Mandaya Hotel Tuesday night.

Bartolome said he wants the police to take note of areas where there are intense political rivalries, illegal logging activities, carnapping incidents and to run after criminal armed groups which can

transform into partisan armed groups during the 2013 mid-term elections.

Chief Superintendent Jaime Morente, director of the PRO 11 said the PNP chief only wants an improved security situation in the Davao region as per instructions from Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas to focus on anti-criminality campaign.

Morente said the police are monitoring closely the situation in Davao del Sur where there is intense political rivalries, adding that PRO 11 is focusing on 12 armed groups in the Davao region. He declined to identify the groups so as not to jeopardize the ongoing investigation.

Precinct commanders have been directed to to pay a visit on firearm license holders whose licenses have not been renewed.

Some of the guns may have been sold to other people who might use them to commit crime.

Morente said the government has a list of all registered firearms from the Firearm and Explosive Division of the PNP as part of the firearms control program.

He said that from time to time, the police are checking on the ports of entry where firearms from other areas like Cebu might be smuggled to Davao City. [PIA 11]

BOC building for Davao port

By Anthony S. Allada

T

HE Bureau of Customs Davao will have new, and much bigger, administration building early next year at the agency’s compound.

BOC Davao district collector Martiniano Bangcoy said the P20-million structure will be funded by the BOC central office as part of its incentives to the Davao port which has consistently surpassed its monthly assigned revenue quota.

“We have a reward

system in the bureau. Instead of a cash award it will be in the form of a project, which is much bigger in terms of value and we are very glad to be informed of this development,” Bangcoy said.

He said the first bidding by two construction firms was done last week spearheaded by customs deputy commissioner for internal administration lawyer Juan Lorenzo Tañada, who is also heads

FWELCOME, 11

Framework agreement to boost Gensan investment conference

T

HE signing of the Framework Agreement between the Philippine Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front last October 15 will be of big help to the upbeat enthusiasm of businessmen in the coming Davao Investment Conference (iCon) 2012.

Sebastian Angliongto Mindanao iCon chair said the framework agreement will be of big help in erasing the negative perceptions about the region.

He said that Davao in the past 15-20 years had not

been in the news except for negative stories such as violence.

For the second staging of the iCon they invited the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao through Governor Hajiv Mutaman to join the conference which aims to attract investments in the area. Aside from pump-priming investments in Davao they would also want neighboring regions to benefit from the gains of the conference

FFRAMEWORK, 11

BRIEFING. High ranking police officers led by Director General Nicanor A. Bartolome, Philippine National Police chief (3rd from left), listen to the presentation of P/SSupt.

Gregorio R. Pimentel, Highway Patrol Group 11 regional director (back to camera) during a closed door meeting at the Royal Mandaya Hotel Tuesday night. [LEAN DAVAL JR.]

JobStreet.com’s biggest career fair slated in Davao this month O

VER 1,000 jobs are up for grabs in Davao City when JobStreet.com brings its biggest career fair to Mindanao via the JobStreet. com Career Fair in Davao City slated on November 22, 2012, 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM at the Abreeza Mall.

GenSanCity

As the leading job site eyes to conquer the “Crown Jewel of Mindanao,” this JobStreet.com even acts as a launch pad to a string of projects that will connect more Dabawenyos and even other Mindanao-based jobseekers to thousands of local and overseas jobs.

The career fair is expected to house 60 hiring companies under one roof.

Among these companies are top ones from the banking/finance and insurance industry such as BPI-Philam Life, Bank of Commerce, CitiSavings Bank, Eastwest Banking Corp, and Malayan In-

surance. Other industry leaders who have signed up as of press time are Columbian Motors Lafarge Cement, Sun Cellular, NCCC Mall (LB Pinnacle), StanFilco (a Division of Dole Philippines), and TAganito HPAL Nickel Corp.

Davao City is also

police director, said police teams are currently holding random checkpoints in various parts of the city to apprehend motorists who are using unlicensed or unregistered motorcycles and other motor vehicles.

He said they are

also checking local motorists who are driving without license and for possible violations of traffic regulations.

“I directed all our field units to make daily apprehension of violators,” Quidilla said.

Since the crackdown

started two weeks ago, the police official said they already netted around some 60 motorcycle drivers for various violations.

Motorcycles apprehended are impounded at the city police headquarters in Camp Fermin Lira.

FJOBSTREET, 11

‘No plate, no travel’ crackdown

P

OLICE in General Santos City are intensifying their crackdown against violators of the “no plate, no travel” policy as part of the renewed implementation of Oplan Sikpaw within the city.

Senior Supt. Froilan Quidilla, acting city

FGENSAN, 11

SUBURBIA 3

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 178 •THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2012

Produkto DavNor opens in Capitol T

HE province of Davao del Norte has now gone to a new sense of excitement for locals and tourists alike with the soft-launching of Produkto DavNor (Pasalubong Center) located at the annex of DTI Davao del Norte Field Office, Government Center, Mankilam, Tagum City, recently.

Through Governor Rodolfo P. del Rosario’s development thrust, private-public partnership has been established between Davao del Norte Investment and Promotion Center (DNPIC) and its first 15 producers of fash-

ion accessories, gift items, art works, handicrafts, food products and more are now readily available at the shop.

With the aim of providing a marketing facility for DavNor products for tourists and individual consumers, this “Pasalubong Center” can now be one of our tourists’ destination whenever they visit the province.

Aside from visiting Davao del Norte, Produkto DavNor (Pasalubong Center) helps our local producers in promoting the products from all over the province; all in one place.

PASALUBONG. Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario together with the first local producers to have filled the shelves of the “Pasalubong Center” with their products. [FMBolipata/ PIO-DavNor]

Produkto DavNor (Pasalubong Center) located at the annex of the Department of Trade and Industry Davao del Norte Field Office, Government Center, Mankilam, Tagum City.

[FMBolipata/PIO-DavNor]

CSC hopes DavSur to produce its outstanding civil servants T

T

HE Civil Service Commission field office in Davao del Sur is hoping to discover potential awardees in the province for the yearly search for outstanding officials and employees in the government service, after recently launching the CSC Honor Awards Program (HAP).

Richard Ortiz, CSC Davao del Sur field office director, called on government workers in the province to nominate public servants with exemplary work performance, integrity and probity, or heroism act to be recognized publicly.

“It is time that they be recognized so that the stories of their lives and the sterling accomplishments they have made shall serve to inspire them to contin-

GenSan sets P167.75M for economic enterprises

ue to manifest the highest standards of public service with no let up,” Ortiz said.

Ortiz lamented that while government entities in other provinces have continued to actively participate in the search, there has been a long absence of awardees from Davao del Sur in the recent past.

He said the launching aimed at creating awareness on HAP, adding that “we want to spur enthusiasm that we expect to result in several nominations being made with each passing year.”

“From these nominations, we ultimately hope to see awardees from this province marching in the historic halls of Malacanang to finally meet in person the President of the Philippines to receive the awards from him,” he

stated.

Ortiz believed that there are more than a few who have shown outstanding performance over the years in many government offices in Davao del Sur, including schools, health facilities, and in the field where public services are delivered.

He said the conferment of honor awards aims to motivate or inspire government workers including appointive barangay officials and employees to improve the quality of their performance and instill deeper involvement in public service.

The recognition and conferment of awards to deserving public servants is given during the celebration of the anniversary of the Philippine Civil Service every September, he

added.

In further promoting CSC’s HAP in the province, Ortiz bared plan of releasing a maiden issue of a newsletter first quarter next year to feature inspiring stories of state workers in Davao del Sur. “My office now begins the search for ordinary people in government who have done extraordinary work. If there is one or more in your agency, in your office, please let me know, and we will validate their accomplishments, and write a story about them,” he urged.

He said CSC Regional Office is set to drumbeat HAP in the early part of next year, adding that “CSC in Davao del Sur will do its part in this pursuit.” [PIA 11/Carina L. Cayon]

mines assumes the post as assistant commander of the 7th Infantry Division in Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija.

Paniza said Colonel Buenaventura Pascual takes the post as head of the 1003rd Infantry Brigade based in Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte, replacing Brig.

General Lysander Suerte who is now the assistant commander of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division in Jamindan, Capiz.

He said De Leon was formerly assigned in the general headquarters of the Philippine Army in Camp Aguinaldo as assistant of chief of staff for operations, a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy class 1984.

“He is no longer new to the region since he was assigned in Davao del Norte and Compostela Valley during his lieutenant days,” Paniza said.

He said Pascual was the former chief of Task Force Zamboanga.

Paniza said that prior to his TF Zambo post, Pascual also assumed responsibility as chief of staff for operations of the Philippine Army.

“The revamp will not affect our operation since the two generals who left the command recently were really due for promotion,” he said.

2 Army brigades get new commanders

T

WO Infantry Brigades under the 10th Infantry Division have new commanders, according to Lt. Colonel Lyndon Paniza, spokesperson of the 10th Infantry Division.

Colonel Angelito De Leon replaces newly promoted Brigadier General Roberto Domines as head of the 1001st Infantry Brigade based in Maco, Compostela Valley while Do-

HE General Santos City local government has allocated P167.75 million for the operations of its four economic enterprises next year.

City Councilor Richard Atendido, chair of the council’s appropriations committee, said such allocation comprises the proposed budget for 2013 of the city hospital, public market, slaughterhouse and terminal.

He said the council is currently conducting committee deliberations for the proposed appropriation along with the city’s P1.164 billion budget for 2013.

The city hospital received the bulk of the proposed budget with P130.167 million, followed by the public market with P25.718 million, terminal with P10.5 million and slaughterhouse with P1.374 million.

Atendido said the city hospital’s allocation for next year was up by around P6 million from its P124 million budget this year.

Jose Orlando Acharon, executive assistant for health of the city mayor’s office, said the funds would mainly be utilized for the hospital’s operations and improvements set for 2013.

He said Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio had promised to allocate more funds next year of the city hospital and the City Integrated Health Services Office (CIHSO) to facilitate the upgrading of the area’s health systems.

Under the CIHSO’s five-year development plan, the local government will hire additional health personnel starting next year and acquire new equipment and vehicles.

The official said the development plan includes additional investments for the further expansion and upgrading of the services of the city district hospital, which is operating as an economic enterprise of the local government, as well as other local health facilities.

To further improve the CIHSO’s operations, Acharon said the local government will strengthen the established local health zones within the city.

He was referring to the inter-local health zones (ILHZ) earlier established by the CIHSO as part of its adoption of the Local Area Health Development Zone (LAHDZ) project, which was piloted in nearby South Cotabato several years ago.[PNA]

4 SCIENCE/ENVIRONMENT

VOL.5 ISSUE 178 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

No time to waste The global garbage crisis:

W

ITH approximately 1.3 billion tonnes of municipal waste generated each year, and volumes expected to increase to 2.2 billion tonnes by 2025 according to World Bank figures, urgent action is needed to head off the threat to the environment and human health posed by this global waste crisis.

This growing problem was foremost in the minds of delegates who gathered at the biennium conference of the UNEP-hosted Global Partnership on Waste Management (GPWM), held on November 5 and 6 in Osaka, Japan.

The conference brought together waste experts from around the world to find answers to the global challenge of waste management and reap the economic and environmental benefits through better coordination.

The threat posed by poor waste management is particularly prominent in low-income countries where waste-collection rates are often below 50 per cent. Piles of garbage along river banks; thick smoke from open burning of mixed, and partly toxic, waste; pungent odours; flies and rodents are an all too familiar scene.

Ever-faster population growth, urbanization and economic development are producing increasing quantities of waste that are overburdening existing waste-management systems.

There is no end in sight to this trend: by 2030, the global middle-class will have grown from 2 billion to 4.9 billion, each of these new affluent consumers longing for greater quantities of more sophisticated and resource-intensive goods.

Public waste systems in cities cannot keep pace with urban expansion; rapid industrialization is happening in countries that have not yet developed the appropriate systems to deal with hazardous and special wastes; and the growing trade in waste poses significant challenges. Waste management is one of the most complex and cost-intensive public services, absorbing large chunks of municipal budgets even when organized and operated properly.

Basic human needs such as clean water, clean air and safe food are jeopardized by improper waste management practices, with severe consequences for public health. Poor waste collection can lead to

the spread of disease and improper waste disposal - for example, hazardous waste mixed with household waste can be extremely harmful for workers in the waste sector, adjacent communities, and the environment.

Besides having serious economic, environmental and health implications, unsound waste management has a social dimension. Like most environmental hazards, deficiencies in waste management

disproportionately affect poorer communities as waste is often dumped on land adjacent to slums.

Left with the choice between going hungry and waste picking, one per cent of the urban population in developing countries choose to sift through the detritus on dumps and dirty streets.

Millions of these waste pickers are being exposed to hazardous substances as they try to secure their and their families’ survival.

experts in the field looked at the projected effects of climate change on 22 of the world’s most important agricultural commodities.

- will decrease in many developing countries.

They suggest that the potato, which grows best in cooler climates, could also suffer as temperatures increase and weather becomes more volatile.

The authors argue that these changes “could provide an opening for cultivating certain varieties of bananas” at higher altitudes, even in those places that currently grow potatoes.

Dr Philip Thornton is one of those behind the report. He told BBC News that while bananas and plantains also have limiting factors, they may be a good substitute for potatoes in certain locations.

“It’s not necessarily a silver bullet, but there may be places where as temperatures increase, bananas might be one option that small-holders could start to look at.”

The report describes wheat as the world’s most important plant-derived protein and calorie source.

Bananas eyed to replace potatoes in warming world C

LIMATE change could lead to crops from the banana family becoming a critical food source for millions of people, a new report says.

Researchers from the CGIAR agricultural partnership say the fruit might replace potatoes in some developing countries.

Cassava and the lit-

tle-known cowpea plant could be much more important food crops as temperatures rise.

People will have to adapt to new and varied menus as traditional crops struggle, say the authors.

Responding to a request from the United Nations’ committee on world food security, a group of

Blooming bananas They predict that the world’s three biggest crops in terms of calories provided - maize, rice and wheat

Lead, mercury and infectious agents from healthcare facilities - as well as dioxins and other harmful emissions released during the recovery of valuable materials from e-waste not only affect the health of waste pickers, but further contribute to air, land and water contamination.

Even in countries with proper waste management systems, simply collecting and disposing of waste out of sight is no solution. In waste management, there

is no such thing as ‘throwing away’. Today’s ‘away’ might be your child’s backyard tomorrow or, worse, might have already impaired the health of the next generation. A lot of the waste that we discard can be prevented by changing the design of a product, producing more with fewer resources, reusing, recycling, etc. However, there will always be some waste that cannot be prevented and will require proper handling.

Legarda bats for inclusion of people’s survival fund in country’s 2013 budget Says it is key in improving nation’s resilience to disasters

S

ENATOR Loren Legarda yesterday stressed that it is important and urgent to include the one billion-peso People’s Survival Fund (PSF) in the 2013 National Budget as it will help ensure significant improvements in the disaster resilience of communities in the country.

“We must immediately implement the People’s Survival Fund Act as it will help local governments’ adaptation activities, such as in the areas of land and water resources management, agriculture and fisheries, health, infrastructure development, and natural ecosystems,” said Legarda, sponsor of the PSF Act (Republic Act 10174).

“The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) should take the lead, because as specified in R.A. 10174, undertaking the formulation of the annual national budget

in a way that ensures the appropriate prioritization and allocation of funds to support climate change-related programs and projects in the annual program of government is their responsibility,” she added.

The Senator explained that the PSF will also support the improvement of monitoring, controlling and prevention of diseases triggered by climate change, establishment of forecasting and early warning systems, and strengthening institutional development, for local governments, for preventive measures, planning, preparedness and management of impacts relating to climate change.

In a related matter, Legarda, the Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change, has co-sponsored the 2013 Alternative Budget Senate Presentation Forum by the Social Watch Philippines.

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 178 •THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2012

THE ECONOMY

5

Startup Weekend Davao unfurls Friday I

T’S all systems go for the much-awaited first-ever Startup Weekend Davao on Nov. 9-11 at the Philippine College of Technology (PCT), this city.

Startup Weekend Davao organizer TechTalks.ph has teamed up with innovative groups Kickstart Ventures Inc., Globe Telecom, PCT, and Fluid Software to bring this much-anticipated event to Davao City.

In a show of community collaboration, the TechTalks.ph Cebu community has also extended its wholehearted support to the Startup Weekend Davao organizers to build on the lessons learned from the first Startup Weekend Cebu event earlier organized by TechTalks.ph-Cebu, knitting in specific grassroots Davao community perspectives.

Startup Weekend – a 54-hour competition where developers, designers, marketers, technopreneurs, and venture capitalists come together to share ideas, form teams, build products, and launch startup businesses – is designed for entrepreneurs interested in receiving feedback for an idea, looking for co-founders, or who want to learn a new skill, especially in the field of mobile

and internet applications.

The concept, which started in the US, is now a global movement, taking digital start-up businesses from ideas to investment readiness through intensive mentoring from industry experts and access to markets and investors across Asia.

A total of 200 participants, or approximately 28 teams composed mostly of experienced developers are expected to converge at PCT starting 5:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 9, and begin their high-energy, high-impact, and high-creativity weekend experience.

Exciting and fabulous prizes await the winners in the inaugural Startup Weekend Davao. So, register now athttp://davao. startupweekend.org and be a possible member of the winning team that will compete in the Global Startup Battle, where it will have the chance to earn VIP trips to Rio de Janeiro for the Global Entrepreneurship Congress in Brazil and San Francisco Googleplex plus $15,000 worth of startup support services.

Startup Weekend Davao is made possible through the concerted efforts of TechTalks.ph and the very enthusiastic backing of Startup Weekend Headquarters via the

BANANA CONGRESS. Davao City Investment Promotion Center (DCIPC) chief Jason Magnaye who represented Mayor Sara Z. Duterte addresses the guests and participants of the two-day Mindanao Banana Congress 2012 at the SMX Convention Center of SM Lanang Premier yesterday. [LEAN DAVAL JR.]

arrival of its Bootcamp director Zachary Cohn who is facilitating the event.

Aside from the mentors and judges, also expected to attend the weekend gathering are some investors to whom the participants will be selling their best ideas for a viable product.

Tapped to assist the participants as mentors are Christian Besler of Kickstart, Bert Barriga of

ICT Davao, Tina Amper of TechTalks.ph, Dave Overton of Sym.ph, Wesley Chiongbian of Mynimo. com, Franky Branckaute of theRobbery.com, Mark Buenconsejo of CareSharing, John Rey Naranjo of Ingenuity, George Tujan of Neuraltech Innovations, Marc Gil Medina of Lightweight Solutions, Ray Rubio of CubePixels Design Studio, Christopher John Cubos of Philip-

pine Global Outsourcing, and Franco Liu Eisma and Joseph Ziegler of Amazon Web Services.

Named judges for the event are Kickstart Ventures president Minnette Navarette, Google Southeast Asia head of Outreach Aileen Apolo-de Jesus, ProudCloud CEO Jay Fajardo, and BizzBoost School of Entrepreneurship founder Raf Vlummens.

Startup Weekend Davao is also sponsored

by Ingenuity, Crea8tech Solutions, Lifebit, Pascual PharmaCorp, Try BPO, NICP, Philippine Software Industry Association, PSite, Council of Deans – IT Education, Davao IT, BizzBoost, Shirt Stop, Davao Bloggers, SGEntrepreneurs.com,Rappler.com, WebGeek.com, Newsbytes.ph, E27.sg, Edge Davao and prworks.

6

THE ECONOMY

VOL.5 ISSUE 178 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Casiño urges DOE Sec. Petilla:

‘Heed the Mindanao Power Summit recommendations’ P

ARTY list representative and Makabayan senate bet Teddy Casiño has appealed to newly appointed Department of Energy (DOE) Sec. Jericho Petilla to prioritize the Mindanao power crisis and to act favorably on the recommendations adopted by the Mindanao Power Summit last April.

“DOE can now have a fresh start with Petilla as its new head. Hopefully, he will prove to be an innovative and progressive leader, especially since unlike his predescessor, he seemingly has no conflict of interest within the energy sector. He can start by focusing on the long-standing energy problem of Mindanao,” the progressive lawmaker said at the recent Kapihan sa Davao media forum.

Casiño said among the recommendations that should be looked into by Sec. Petilla are the permanent exemption from privatization of the AgusPulangui hydropower complex, the creation of the Mindanao Power

Corp. to oversee the operations of the existing and future power plants in Mindanao, the deployment of Napocor power barges to Mindanao, the development of renewable energy sources and the amendment of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) especially provisions on privatization.

“Ang nangyayari kasi e nagpulong at nagrecommend pa ang Mindanao Power Summit tapos di naman yata sineryoso. Sayang lang ang oras at pera ng mamamayan kung ganun,” said the solon.

Casiño expressed alarm that the privatization of the energy sector continues in Mindanao, citing the sale of the Napocor power barges that is supposed to be deployed in Mindanao.

“Former DOE Sec. Jose Rene Almendras promised five (5) power barges that would be deployed to Mindanao but they are still nowhere to be seen because the DOE wants to sell them first. We should

INVESTMENT CONFERENCE. Architect Agatha Ellen Valencia, 2012 Davao Investments Conference programme committee head, says that the Davao iCon slated on November 15-17, at SM Lanang Premier’s SMX Convention Center aims to showcase current investment trends and opportunities when she appeared in weekly Club 888

media forum at Marco Polo Hotel yesterday. With her are Davao iCon conference director Sebastian Angliongto (center) and Carlos Vargas, co-chair of Davao iCon Golf Tournament. [LEAN DAVAL JR.]

not wait for these barges to be privatized since NAPOCOR can operate them so that the cost would not be too high,” he added.

He also expressed ap-

prehension on the proposed Interim Electricity Market in Mindanao (IMEM) which aims to bring into the grid some 360MW of embedded

supply but which would require a 30 centavo hike in prices just to set up.

The IMEM is similar to the existing wholesale electricity spot market

fuels (4.9% from 5.0%) and transport services (1.4% from 1.5%) in October 2012 stopped further upward price pressures.

Also, lower annual gains in the prices of unleaded gasoline (ULG) (0.3% in October 2012 from 0.7% in September 2012, kerosene (3.5% from 5.7%), and diesel (3.1% from 5.6%) were registered even though higher electricity charges in October 2012 along with higher price adjustments for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

“These lower price increments caused housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels and transport costs to rise at a steady pace of 4.5 percent and 1.7 percent, respectively,” said Edillon.

Meanwhile, headline inflation in Metro Manila also further eased to 2.9 percent in October 2012 from 3.5 percent in September 2012.

“This slide was due to mainly lower year-onyear price increases in major commodity groups such as food and non-alcoholic beverages (1.7%

from 4.3%) and restaurant and miscellaneous goods and services (3.7% from 3.8%),” she said.

Also, inflation rate outside Metro Manila dipped in October 2012 to 3.3 percent from the previous month’s 3.7 percent. This was due to small price increases of food and non-alcoholic beverages (2.7% from 3.5%), alcoholic beverages and tobacco (4.8% from 4.9%), clothing and footwear (4.2% from 4.3%), housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels (4.9% from 5.1%), and recreation and culture (1.9% from 2.0%).

But from January to October 2012, the yearto-date inflation in Metro Manila stood at 2.9 percent, which is still slower compared to 3.2 percent outside the capital.

“This problem may have to do with inefficient distribution systems outside Metro Manila,” Edillon said. “Metro Manila also has the advantage of agglomeration of consumers, which attracts many producers and more competition unlike those outside the Metro.”

Inflation slows down to 3.1% in October

C

HEAPER prices of agriculture and fish products slowed down headline inflation to 3.1 percent in October 2012 from 3.6 percent in September, bringing average inflation in the first three quarters at the low-end of government’s target, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

“The year-to-date headline inflation is at a stable rate of 3.2 percent, which is still within the DBCC’s target range of 3.0 to 5.0 percent for 2012,” said Dr. Rosemarie G. Edillon of NEDA’s National Planning and Policy Staff.

According to the National Statistics Office, major food items that experienced slower increases in their prices include oils and fats (-4.5% in October 2012 from -4.9% in September 2012), vegetables (-0.1% from 9.9%), fruit (5.2% from 6.2%), fish (6.0% from revised rate of 6.9%), and bread and cereals (2.1% from 2.3%).

October 2012’s headline inflation is also significantly lower than the

rate recorded in the same month in 2011 of 5.2 percent. Likewise, core inflation slowed to 3.6 percent relative to the 3.8 percent recorded in September 2012 and 4.7 percent in October 2011.

“The continued benign inflation for the period suggests an easing of demand pressures on consumer prices. This should be able to contain inflation for the rest of the year,” the NEDA official said.

Inflation rate is the percent increase in the prices of goods and services commonly purchased by households, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Meanwhile, core inflation represents a more long-term inflation trend, as it excludes certain items that have short-term and volatile price movements.

Aside from agriculture and fish products, price gains in petroleum related products were generally subdued, contributed to lower inflation for the period.

Slower annual increases in the price indices of electricity, gas and other

(WESM) in Luzon and is said to be also very dangerous because it may easily be manipulated by power players.

Bayantel to benefit from Globe debt purchase

G

LOBE Telecom’s tender offer to acquire at least 70% of Bayan Telecommunications Inc.’s (BTI) outstanding debt will strengthen BTI’s operations and will ultimately benefit its customers, said Globe chief financial officer Albert de Larrazabal.

“The tender offer is representative of Globe’s belief in the value of BTI as a nationally enfranchised entity,” said de Larrazabal, adding that BTI’s debt load has hindered its performance. “Potentially combining Globe’s assets and capabilities with BTI through collaborative business efforts will enable both companies to become more competitive and help accelerate the completion of BTI’s rehabilitation.”

Globe recently disclosed that it launched a tender offer to purchase for cash any and all of the 13.5% Senior Notes originally due 2006 issued by BTI. If the tender offer succeeds, Globe will become the major creditor of BTI, and will

perform a role similar to current roles of BTI’s creditors in respect to its rehabilitation plan, including representation in the monitoring committee.

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) also recently approved Globe’s application for the joint use by Globe and BTI of the frequencies 1750-1760MHz/18451855MHz assigned to Bayantel.

The joint use agreement will allow Globe to address increasing demand for voice, SMS and mobile data services, and will allow BTI to offer its mobile telecommunications services to customers.

“Our long term collaboration with BTI is a strategic initiative that will enable BTI to unlock and maximize the potential of its key business assets and capabilities,” stated de Larrazabal. “I believe this is consistent with the objectives of the NTC, and is in the best interests of BTI’s stakeholders and customers,” he said further.

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 178 •THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2012

COMMUNITY SENSE

7

GenSan to distribute 250 more PCs to public schools T

HE General Santos City local government is set to distribute around 250 more personal computers (PCs) to various public schools here as part of the continuing implementation of its enhanced computer literacy program (CLP).

Percival Pasuelo, executive assistant for information technology of the city mayor’s office, said 11 more public high schools will receive 10 to 20 PCs in December and in January to facilitate the establishment of their computer and speech laboratories.

He said the distribution of the additional PCs was aimed at further improving the capacities of the computer laboratories of local public schools as conduits of the city’s SHEEP-CLP initiative.

SHEEP stands for Social Transformation, Human Empowerment, Economic Diversification, Environment Security and Regeneration and Participatory Governance and Transparency, which are the city’s main development thrusts.

The city government earlier launched the CLP as a major component of the SHEEP program’s education-related initiatives.

He said the recipients of the brand new PCs are

Banisil High School, Buayan High School, Bawing High School, Buscano High School in Barangay Oympog, Johnny Ang High School in Barangay Katangawan, Ligaya High School, Paopao High School in Barangay Sinawal, Samboang-Ngilay High School in Barangay Batomelong, SPED Integrated School in Barangay San Isidro, Upper Labay National High School and Valdomar High School in Barangay Mabuhay.

“The remaining computers will be earmarked for the elementary schools’ speech and computer laboratories,” Pasuelo said.

Based on SHEEP-CLP’s records, the city government’s continuing PC distribution program will reach 485 units by January next year.

Pasuelo said the local government started providing local high schools with computers for their speech and computer laboratories in July 2011.

Three high schools initially received 40 PCs and two more schools were granted with 25 units last February, he said.

The official said that from April to November this year, the city government distributed 165 PCs to 11 public high schools and the offices of the city’s persons with disabilities

JOINING HANDS. Second District Representative Mylene Garcia recently organized a medical mission in barangay Malabog, Paquibato with Davao Light & Power Co. (DLPC) and the Aboitiz Foundation providing the medicines and volunteers led by Vic Sumalinog, DLPC community relations head. A team of doctors headed by Dr. Anto-

and senior citizens.

Pasuelo said SHEEPCLP was launched by the local government in 1999 as implementing arm for its information technology programs.

He said it has helped local public schools in putting their own computer laboratories as well as provided consultancy and training to pupils, students and teachers on basic computer operations.

The city government earlier introduced a “re-engineered” SHEEPCLP in a bid to mainstream information and communication technology (ICT) education among residents within the city’s 26 barangays.

Through its partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd), the local government introduced a series of ICT trainings and seminars

featuring various computer-based technologies and skills in the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry.

In April, the local government launched a month-long ICT summer training program dubbed “Summer 2012 Multimedia Boot Camp.”

The boot camp included sessions on call center training, AutoCAD drafting and design, computer ani-

mation, digital caricature and comic strip making, web and video blogging, basic computer programming, audio-visual presentation making, digital recording for bands, electronic music integration and “Facebook for senior netizens.”

Pasuelo said they recently introduced additional computer training modules, among them the robotics for high schools.

BOUT a hundred Comvalenyos availed the free surgical procedures performed by a team of medical specialists on October 20-24, 2012 at Compostela Valley Provincial Hospi-

tal (CVPH)- Montevista.

The provincial government has partnered with the Alfonso Yuchengco Foundation, Inc (AY Foundation), a non-profit, service-oriented organization that has various

social development programs focusing particularly in education, health, and nutrition sector.

Two (2) medical teams came composed of the Screening Team and the Medical Expert Team.

America affected by Hurricane Sandy,” US envoy to the Philippines Harry Thomas Jr. said during the US Embassy’s “US Elections Watch” event in Quezon City.

Thomas even took pictures of Filipinos who attended the event using his iPad, supposedly to give a face to the Philippines’ donation to the US. “I’d like to do something you do with me all the time: take a photo. I’d

like to take some pictures that I can send to my relatives to show the generous people who helped donate to victims of Hurricane Sandy,” he said.

Over 120 lives were claimed when Hurricane Sandy—the largest Atlantic hurricane in history—hit the US East Coast. The Philippine Embassy in the US said over 50,000 Filipinos in the area were affected by the superstorm.

Yuchengco Foundation holds medical mission in Comval

Sun Cellular keeps OFW family values A S

UN Cellular, through its International Services, has partnered with Lipa Archdiocesan Commission on Migrants and Mission (LACCMI), to keep family ties and relationships of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) intact through constant and affordable communication.

LACCMI is the migrant commission in the province of Batangas. It provides pastoral care to Batangueño OFWs and their families left behind in the Philippines including issues in marital relationships, upbringing of children and financial management.

Staying true to its promise to keep OFW family values through its services, Sun Cellular has officially established the

partnership with LACCMI last October 23.

Through this partnership, LACCMI will now have free Sun-powered hotlines in their main parish in Lipa City and contact centers all over Batangas, and two desktop computers with Sun broadband wireless services to ensure seamless, reliable and affordable communication among its members here and abroad.

“Laking pasalamat namin sa pakikipag-partner sa ‘min ng Sun”, said Father Pantoja.

“We are a family of OFWs also, so I understand the feeling of OFW families,” shared Sun Cellular Assistant Vice President for International Services Edith Gomez.

“That’s why,” Gomez add-

ed “I know that our partnership with LACCMI will be a huge help and support to the OFW families in Batangas.”

Sun Cellular offers the lowest IDD rates in the market. With its Sun Todo IDD Tawag card, subscribers can enjoy calling their loved ones abroad for as low as P2.00 minute including the US (Main), Canada, Hong Kong, and Singapore. It is available via call card, Sun Xpress Load or load conversion by texting TODO IDD 50 / TODO IDD 100 / TODO IDD to 247.

Gomez added, “We are thankful that LACCMI accepted Sun Cellular as a partner. In the future, they can expect more partner activities with us.”

nio Solar Jr. (inset), Roxanne Bongcawil, Fasl Buenaflor and Arnold Dinopol treated over 200 residents of the remote village. Also on hand were councilor Tomasing Monteverde, former Councilor Rally Bangoy and Brgy. Captain Lemuel Tonog.

PHL donates P10 million to Hurricane Sandy victims

T

HE United States’ Ambassador to the Philippines on Wednesday expressed his gratitude to the Philippine government for donating $250,000 (over P10 million) to victims of Hurricane Sandy, which battered the US East Coast last week.

“We want to thank the people of the Philippines and the government of the Philippines for your generous support to those in

8 VANTAGE POINTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 178 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

How the U.S. poll results will affect Pinoys COMMENTARY

By Ramon CaSiple

Y

EDITORIAL

T

Presidential election--American style

HE electoral system of the United States is simply too radical from our own system for every Juan to understand. Nevertheless, we take to elections in the United States like they are our very own, as if we were involved.

Like our very own elections, Filipinos took sides, too, between re-electionist Barack Obama and challenger, the Republican Party’s Governor Mitt Romney.

As it turned out, Obama won another mandate in an election that was seen by the world as too close to call before Election Day. So, what made Obama win?

No matter how close it may have seemed before the votes were counted, to the Obama camp, however, it went the way they expected it to be. They had a game plan carried out to perfection.

Obama did not look like a shoo-in to win the elections against Romney, what with the wave of disappointments over his approach to critical issues like the economy, taxes, gay marriage and status of young illegals.

As it turned out, Obama’s win was anchored on the broad support of the moderates, women and minorities, including the Hispanic-Americans and Asian-Americans

EDGEDAVAO

ALBERTO DALILAN Managing

Printed by Zion Accuprint Publishing Inc.

NEILWIN L. BRAVO Sports and Motoring

Providing solutions to a seamless global village.

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

OLIVIA D. VELASCO General Manager

RICHARD C. EBONA Advertising Specialist

JOCELyN S. PANES Director of Sales

JANE E. CARO Marketing Assistant

ARLENE D. PASAJE Cartoons

who are a growing sector in the US. There is also the so-called Millenial Generation whose radical culture supports same sex marriage.

The Democrats embraced these sectors which they believed were the key to the elections. They stuck to this gameplan despite the backlash from the whites.

Simply put, Obama went with the minorities, moderates and the marginalized to win this one. In a system as unique as America’s, this election gameplan can win an election.

Not in our country, though. And that’s where the difference lies.

Despite its complexities, the message of the US elections to us is not as complex or as radical as their electoral system. America’s election went like clockwork. Systematic.

Inexorable. No hitches. The media coverage was state-of-the art and the results known immediately, no hassle. Loser Romney was gracious in defeat, urging fellow-Americans to close ranks behind winner Obama who looked at his reelection as the victory of the American people.

The real big winner in that electoral exercise is democracy. Makes us wonder how our own 2013 mid-year elections will fare in comparison.

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

RAMON M. MAXEy Consultant kENNETH IRVING k. ONG Creative Solutions

GREGORIO G. DELIGERO CARLO P. MALLO Associate Special Project Consultant LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. • JOSEPH LAWRENCE P. GARCIA Photography

JADE C. ZALDIVAR • VICky BERDINA M. DE GuZMAN ANTHONy S. ALLADA • AQuILES Z. ZONIO 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

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance AGuSTIN V. MIAGAN JR Circulation

CAGAyAN DE ORO MARkETING OFFICE

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

MANILA MARkETING OFFICE

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

esterday, Americans voted for their president, vice-president, 33 senators, and all of their congressmen.

The whole world awaits the outcome with bated breath, with U.S. President Barack Obama already deemed the winner knowing that the leadership choice in the world’s only superpower will have a major, if not decisive, impact on the rest of the world. The Philippines, with more than enough historical, economic, political and social ties with its former colonizer, is no exception.

In a personal way and also within the context of state affairs, Filipinos will be affected. For one, there are already at least 3.4 million Filipino-Americans or 1.1 percent of the U.S. population, making them the second largest Asian minority group.

These Fil-Ams also remits to the Philippines a substantial percentage of their income, providing a major source of spending money to their families, and incidentally fuelling a large Philippine service business sector and real estate boom, and cushioning the effects of the global financial crisis.

Other major economic ties are the rapidly developing business process outsourcing (BPO) industry, tourism, electronics, and the other businesses in the Philippines that cater to the US market or trade.

In terms of political ties, the US and Philippine governments have always been close to each other whether a Republican or Democrat is at the helm of the former. Or, for that matter, whoever is at the head of the Philippine government. American support or approval, among the political elite, is still a muchsought-after political capital, though not as strong as four decades ago.

In the present border dispute with China, the U.S. stance of support for an ally and its own power projection in the Southeast Asian region enjoys the popular approval of many Filipinos and is greatly appreciated by the Aquino government. After all, it allows for elbow room for negotiating with China.

Culturally, many Filipinos consider the country, wistfully it seems, as a special friend of the United States and therefore allow wide latitude for the latter’s behavior in the country. The American Dream is still a relevant aspiration for many Filipinos despite the nationalistic pride that remain at the core of its national identity.

Within the context of a historically bipartisan foreign policy regarding Philippines by the Democrats and the Republicans, there is not much change that the U.S. presidential election outcome will have on the country. The winning president will still pursue American global interests based on its superpower status and its appraisal of its own interests in the country and the Southeast Asia region.

However, there will be changes in the nuances of this policy. An expected major change had the Republicans won is the return to a more aggressive stance akin to the Bush doctrine of preemptive strikes against potential enemies and promoting democratic regime change. The present Obama stress on diplomacy and building coalitions will be put on the back-burner.

The Philippine government and the ordinary Filipino will have to respond to the nuances and act accordingly from the point of view of the country’s interests.

Will the Aquino government do it? [Parallaxis]

EDGEDAVAO

I

Timing in tourism promotions

T is not the tool that we use in tourism promotions which is most critical. It is the timing. Many areas in Mindanao already have fairly developed local tourism industry. Most of them, however, suffer from sluggish tourist traffic growth, considering the amount of limited resources local governments pour in to promote their tourism products. These products may include a destination, attraction, activity or the tangible product itself. If LGUs were to behave like a business unit, it must always bring in cost in the equation. The Tourism Act of 2009 recognizes, as a matter of state policy, that tourism must be an engine of socio-economic growth. Admittedly, there is no perfect tourism data banking tool that will help establish accurate tourist traffic and receipts. DOT relies heavily on periodic occupancy reports from hotels, resorts and other accommodation facilities, many of them remain unaccredited. In many areas in Mindanao, existing measuring tools for tourist arrival do not always include arrivals through overland terminals, seaports and home stay establishments. I suggest that another 20% should be added on top of the reported arrivals to include those accommodated in facilities not reporting their monthly occupancy data.

Many destination managers in Mindanao, with limited resources or with still developing tourism industry, do not seriously consider the significance of efficient, not just effective, tourism promotion strategies. Without a clearer understanding on how an individual forms a decision to travel, many destination managers end up wasting their meager budget. Study-

W

VANTAGE POINTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 178 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2012

ing consumer behavior of tourists is as important as building support infrastructures that will ensure accessibility and convenience for them.

Consider this particular government-run eco-tourism village in northern Mindanao.

The cost alone of maintaining the entire area amounts to millions of public funds.

After a little more than a decade since it was put up, the investment returns remain unexciting. Tourist arrivals may have slightly increased for a limited period. Incorporating the cost in the analysis reveals a depressing state. Marketing strategies are largely limited to mass-produced brochures and few tarpaulin streamers scattered in the vicinity.

If we are to dissect the consumer behavior of the tourists, we begin to realize that the most significant and critical phase would be the first stage. It is at this stage when would-be tourists form an image of a destination, becoming aware of it and start to gather pertinent information. Awareness among would-be tourists may be through excellent promotional efforts, word-of-mouth referrals and online search. Note that 70% of today’s tourists get information from the internet, according to a New York-based research center.

Only after such image was built when consumers, if convinced, commence in making

travel arrangements and eventually visit the area. Only then do they become your tourists. Logic and common sense, therefore, dictate that bombarding your potential consumers should be done at the time when they are still undergoing a purchase decision process, not after when they are done with it. Limiting your promotions through noisy brochures mainly kept at the resort front desk, for example, or large tarpaulin streamers unnecessarily scattered around a rather pristine environment, ruining the view in the process, is an anathema. That is when common sense has become truly uncommon. I had been repeatedly emphatic about it through this column, papers I wrote or spoke about it in various speaking engagements I was invited. Destination managers need to craft well working promotion strategies and maximize their limited budgets.

Sarangani Bay Festival, always my favorite example of an excellent marketing coup, is a very young tourism product. In just five years since it was introduced to the market, increase in tourist traffic is astounding. Dissecting its success is no rocket science. Of course, the festival is a good product itself. The venue is superb and component events deliver a single, powerful and iconic marketing message: real party at the beach at a quarter of typical Boracay price. But what largely explains the rapid and huge increase in arrivals is how organizers time their promotional tools, most of them are digitized and are online, allowing wider audience and easier sharing of information. It is fair to state, then, that Sarangani Bay Fest has already attained brand recognition status.

ing newm government inspectors found some portions of the edifice were built using sub-standard materials and the operational date had to be moved another two yearsr.

Moreover, the facilities and services of NAIA 3 still pale in comparison to NAIA 2 or the Centennial Airport.

To businessmen and frequent travelers, the Estrada and Arroyo administrations achieved so much less than they promised – to provide the traveling public with rated Category 1 airports.

Many visitors likewise noticed that the country’s airports, especially the premier aerodromes, lack state-of-the-art conveniences, modern communication network and services that could provide safety and comfort to travelers. To make a place better and beautiful, government therefore should define its efforts in pursuing a commitment to establish airports that are world-class. This is supposedly the aim of whoever is in power.

Superb infrastructures like airports are among the best travel bargains of any leisure or business destination. So, how can we entice tourists and frequent travelers – foreign or domestic alike -- if our airports’ restrooms have no water, disinfectants and hand-wash fixtures at all?

It is a shame on the part of our tourism officials to present new ideas and promotional packages designed to inspire prospective visitors to include the country in their itinerary if our airports are

insanitary, specifically comfort rooms in the arrival and departure areas.

Administration officials say that no leadership has made big strides by being too cautious especially in dealing with government undertakings that are considered income-generating. And there is obsession with the magical phrase “Daang Matuwid” (Straight Path) which most people can’t fully understand. In fairness, though, the Aquino administration has done something to restore the beauty and grandeur of our airports notably NAIA 1, which in the yesteryears was the country’s showcase infrastructure. Yes, it has a vision and the desire to do something big – but less than remarkable.

We believe that high-profile Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and Department of Tourism (DOT) officials are wondering to see tourists and frequent travelers flock in hordes to other destinations that are conducive to both business and leisure. They must see to it that our airports from now on should adapt new technologies, maintain cleanliness and intensify safety measures in order to be competitive with most major airports and tourist destinations in the BIMP-EAGA region and Asia. The idea is to treat the setback as a breather to map out strategies for the next step forward.

In other words, continue moving forward, restore the image and condition of our airports – but do it with deliberate speed, otherwise we are inclined to say that “it’s no longer fun in the Philippines.” Sorry gentlemen and ladies, but we are lagging far behind in terms of businessmen and tourist arrivals.

Doing it with deliberate speed

ORRIES OVER THE COUNTRY’S AIRPORTS – A few years ago, then President Joseph “Erap”Estrada said the country should showcase infrastructure when hosting international conventions and sports events, including the construction of modern airports, especially in economically stable cities across the Philippines. Before his terms ends, he further bragged that the country should be well-developed with world-class structures such as airports of international standards.

Some mega-projects were completed during the “assumed term” of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo after “Erap’s” tenure was cut following his ouster by People Power II. Among the completed airport projects is the Davao International Airport (DIA) a.k.a the Francisco Bangoy International Airport. Other projects undertaken by the Estrada administration are facing delays – and even scrapping. Foreign lending institutions are becoming wary as the government fights off speculative attacks on its currency and contemplate postponing big-ticket items like infrastructures.

Even so, many economists and financial specialists wonder about the condition of the country’s various airports.

The Aquino administration poured in a huge capital outlay for major rehabilitation, particularly the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA I), which today is still rated Category 2 due to its deficient facilities and amenities. There was even a time when the government squabbled with foreign financiers and contractors of NAIA 3 that caused a major delay in its scheduled opening. Despite its be-

9

Speed, speed and speed

M

any have said it before.

Speed kills.

In a game that is dictated by power, speed is one great equalizer.

Eight-division world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao is a gifted prize fighter who possesses both. That was until he stopped shedding weight before a fight by depriving himself of two or three meals before weighing time.

In his last three fights, Pacquiao had shown a remarkable dip in his speed. No thanks to his erratic training regimen and the many distractions that attended his training camp. Of course, Pacquiao has also aged and speed is the first casualty of the aging process.

Pacquiao has not knocked out any of his last five opponents, one of them the same guy he will face for the fourth time on December 8 (December 9 Philippine time), Juan Manuel Marquez.

The last time Pacquiao checked in for a fight, he looked too flabby from his sinewy but ripped body of yore – when he was a hungry predator moving up to the top of the food chain. Of course we knew he lost that fight, albeit a sacrilegious defeat for the sports of boxing because, come to think of it, Pacquiao was robbed big time.

The degeneration of Pacquiao’s speed was evident on the night he did everything but knock out Timothy Bradley.

He was also a changed man that night. When he lost to Erik Morales in their first fight in 2005, Pacquiao was a picture of a dejected but defiant loser. With Bradley, he looked more like a forgiving preacher, his disbelief masked by his dry smile.

Something that night suggested Pacquiao had lost some of his zeal and hunger.

Once zeal and hunger disappear, the drive and the push also slow down.

Lethargy comes in. These Pacquiao cannot afford to lose in a pivotal fourth encounter with Marquez.

Marquez had already proven he got Pacquiao’s number. Nobody has ever given Pacquiao the fits than Marquez. Their first three fights were so close they could have gone either way. On record, however, Pacquiao holds the edge with 2 wins and a draw. Pacquiao also had the edge in highlight reel moments, knocking down Marquez four times in those three fights. But Marquez also demonstrated he can keep up with Pacquiao. What he lacked in foot speed, he more than made up with his piston-like punches that often times troubled Pacquiao if not untracked the Filipino boxing icon.

The beauty in these two boxers is that they play to each others’ strength and weaknesses.

Pacquiao needs to go back to his old unpredictable ways and the only way to do it is to regain some of his lost steps.

Marquez is like a rattlesnake which coils before it strikes at his attacker. If Pacquiao has lost some of his speed, you can bet Marquez is also a step or two behind his old self. At 39, Marquez’ thighs and calves could no longer keep up with Pacquiao’s still bouncy steps although the sting of his punches is still lethal.

10 NATION/WORLD NATION BRIEFS Non-duty

P

hilippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome may be put on “non-duty status” before the year ends to allow President Benigno Aquino III to appoint his successor in time for the security preparations for next year’s elections.

Aquino’s plan will virtually put Bartolome at the backburner. In contrast, PNP directorial staff chief Deputy Director General Alan Purisima, touted as the one most likely to replace Bartolome, will get more action as commander of the PNP Task Force Halalan.

A

Wish list

lthough President Benigno Aquino III supports the decriminalization of libel, Senator Gringo Honasan said Tuesday that unless the Chief Executive places the measure in the priority list for the Senate to tackle, it will continue to remain in the wish list.

The senator explained that, as it is, the decriminalization of libel is less likely to be passed into law by this year as the Upper House is swamped with priority bills like the sin tax measure and the 2013 budget.

E

Not special

ven though government peace negotiator Marvic Leonen is admittedly the most visible among the aspirants for the vacant associate justice post at the Supreme Court, a Malacañang spokesman said Wednesday that his current position does not give him an edge over the other nominees.

“It is no secret that the President has dealt with him; has worked with him primarily because of the peace negotiations, but [the President] will give an even chance to all the nominees of the vacancy for the position of associate justice,” presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said at a briefing.

E

Pledge

lated by a preliminary peace deal with Moro rebels, European and Asian leaders have committed to move the peace forward in Mindanao and develop the region, Philippine President Benigno Aquino III said.

Fresh from his attendance at the 9th Asia-Europe Meeting in Laos, the President reported that the financial downturn in some countries in Europe and Asia cast a shadow on the agenda of the two-day summit that ended Tuesday.

L

Record high

ocal stocks hit a new record high for the second straight trading session yesterday and for the 25th time this year.

Analysts said the market was buoyed by benign inflation and upbeat news on third quarter corporate earnings.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi), a basket of 30 stocks regarded as the benchmark of the market’s overall performance, advanced by another 0.29 percent or 15.79 points to settle at 5,473.61 from 5,457.82 a day ago.

VOL.5 ISSUE 178 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Barack Obama wins election for second term as president W

WORLD TODAY First gay

P

RESIDENT Barack Obama handily defeated Gov. Mitt Romney and won himself a second term Tuesday after a bitter and historically expensive race that was primarily fought in just a handful of battleground states. Obama beat Romney after nabbing almost every one of the crucial battleground states.

Romney conceded in Boston in a heartfelt speech early Wednesday morning, at 1:00 AM ET. “Like so many of you, Paul [Ryan] and I have left everything on the field. We have given our all to this campaign,” he said. “I so wish that I had been able to fulfill your hopes to lead your ocuntry in another direction.” Romney congratulated the president and his campaign on their victory.

The Romney campaign’s last-ditch attempt to put blue-leaning Midwestern swing states in play failed as Obama’s Midwestern firewall sent the president back to the White House for four more years. Obama picked up the swing states of New Hampshire, Michigan, New Mexico, Iowa, Virginia, Wisconsin, Colorado, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, and Ohio. Of the swing states, Romney only picked up North Carolina.

Florida is still too close to

call, but even if Romney won the state, Obama still handily beats him in the Electoral College vote. The popular vote will most likely be much narrower than the president’s decisive Electoral College victory.

The Obama victory marks an end to a yearslong campaign that saw historic advertisement spending levels, countless rallies and speeches, and three much-watched debates.

The Romney campaign cast the election as a referendum on Obama’s economic policies, frequently comparing him to former President Jimmy Carter and asking voters the Reagan-esque question of whether they are better off than they were four years ago. But the Obama campaign pushed back on

the referendum framing, blanketing key states such as Ohio early on with ads painting him as a multimillionaire more concerned with profits than people.

The Obama campaign also aggressively attacked Romney on reproductive rights issues, tying Romney to a handful of Republican candidates who made controversial comments about rape and abortion.

These ads were one reason Romney faced a steep likeability problem for most of the race, until his expert performance at the first presidential debate in Denver in October. After that debate, and a near universal panning of Obama’s performance, Romney caught up with Obama in national polls, and almost closed his favoribility gap with the

president. In polls, voters consistently gave him an edge over Obama on who would handle the economy better and create more jobs, even as they rated Obama higher on caring about the middle class.

But the president’s Midwestern firewall--and the campaign’s impressive grassroots operation--carried him through. Ohio tends to vote a bit more Republican than the nation as a whole, but Obama was able to stave off that trend and hold an edge there over Romney, perhaps due to the president’s support of the auto bailout three years ago. Romney and his running mate Paul Ryan all but moved to Ohio in the last weeks of the campaign, trying and ultimately failing to erase Obama’s lead there.

isconsin Democratic Representative Tammy Baldwin made history on Tuesday by becoming the first openly gay U.S. Senator, defeating former governor Tommy Thompson in the most expensive Senate race in state history.

The Senate race was the most expensive in state history with the two candidates raising at least $65 million. The outcome is another blow to Republicans, who needed to make a net gain of four seats to take a majority in the U.S. Senate.

T

T

Circus

S

outh Korea’s conservative presidential frontrunner Park Geun-Hye on Wednesday dismissed the decision of her two left-leaning rivals to merge their campaigns as a political “circus”.

Moon Jae-In from the main opposition Democratic United Party and Ahn Cheol-Soo, a software mogul running as an independent, announced Tuesday a potentially game-changing alliance with a single, unified candidate.

Refugees and stateless P persons welcome in PHL HE Philippines welcomes not only tourists but also refugees and persons who are not claimed by any other government, a United Nations statement showed.

This, as the UN lauded a new government policy enhancing the system of determining refugee status and putting in place a procedure to know if a person is stateless.

“The new mechanism is a testament to the genuine humanitarian spirit

Alliance

wo major Chinese auto manufacturers said they have formed a strategic alliance, as China seeks to consolidate the industry and create national champions able to better compete with foreign players.

China is the world’s largest auto market but foreign brands dominate, helped by better brand recognition and a technological edge.

in the Philippines,” said Bernard Kerblat, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) representative in the Philippines.

“This unified approach provides the widest possible protection net for refugees and the stateless in the most effective way,” he added.

The new rules, implemented through Justice Department Circular No. 58 issued on Oct. 18, took effect Tuesday.

Although refugees

and stateless people are already protected under Philippine law, the circular is seen to ease processes to unite refugees with extended family members such as grandparents.

It also grants asylum-seekers the right to a lawyer and freedom from deportation during legal proceedings.

Other measures protecting asylum-seekers and refugees, especially unaccompanied children, are also included in the

Philippine government representatives and partners assess the protection needs of people at risk of statelessness in Lapu village, South Cotabato. [Photo from UNHCR website]

new procedures.

The new policy on stateless persons meanwhile shares common features with the refugee process, with the UN noting that it”adopted key recommendations” of the international community.

Full implementation of the new rules will allow the Philippines to improve its compliance with the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, the 1967 Protocol and the 1954 Statelessness Convention, the Justice department said in a separate statement.

“The refugees and the stateless persons are the most vulnerable. They fall easily through the cracks of our system,” Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said.

“Consider the challenge of having no government to safeguard your rights. You have no government that will ensure yours and your family’s physical security,” she added.

Determined

rince Charles’s wife Camilla spoke Wednesday of her mother’s death from osteoporosis as she used the royal couple’s Australian tour to highlight a cause close to her heart.

The Duchess of Cornwall said she was determined to bring attention to the crippling bone disease during her first trip Down Under, part of a tour by royals to Commonwealth countries to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s diamond jubilee.

Explosions

M

ultiple bomb explosions on Wednesday hit a hilltop area in Damascus populated by members of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s Alawite sect, marking escalation of sectarian attacks in a conflict that has deepened religious Middle East divides.

The attack occurred a day after deadly tit-fortat attacks in segregated neighbourhoods of the capital, deepening the divide between the Alawite sect, an offshoot of Shi’ite Islam backed by Iran that has ruled Syria since the 1960s, and Sunnis leading the 19-month revolt against the Assad family rule.

11

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 178 •THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2012

BOUNTY...

FFROM 1 was among the victims of the Baktin carnap syndicate.

“He might still be here but the operation is in and out of the country,” he said.

Sr. Supt. Ronald dela Rosa, chief of the Davao City Police Office, said that the new reward offer posed additional challenge for them to work overtime.

“We are really pressured by this, but it can also help to fasttrack the arrest since Baktin’s world is getting smaller by the day,” dela Rosa said.

Another police official claimed that the crack team composed of several law enforcement agencies here and abroad tasked to conduct manhunt operation against Yu has already reportedly a lead as to his where-

DAVAO...

CASIÑO...

FFROM 1 abouts and is only Patrol Group 11 here. waiting for the right Pimentel said the time to arrest him. surrender of Yu’s trusted aide, Mark “Amak” Daquiado, could also help in pinpointing the possible safehouses of the carnap leader.

Meanwhile, PNP chief Gen. Nicanor Bartolome said there is nothing wrong with Duterte offering a big reward for Yu’s death or arrest.

“There is nothing wrong with that. In fact, it can really help to fast-track the arrest.

I am in favor of that. In fact, we are also doing that at the PNP,” Bartolome said.

He said the PNP “We have already a is also conducting its lead but we cannot di- own investigation of vulge yet the details,” the involvement of his said Sr. Supt. Greg Pi- men in the illegal acmentel, regional chief tivities of Yu. of the Philippine National Police-Highway

“We are really pressured by this, but it can also help to fast-track the arrest since Baktin’s world is getting smaller by the day,” Dela Rosa said.

FFROM 1

its vast economic potentials as a rising economic tiger in Asia.”

First district Rep. Karlo B. Nograles congratulated Obama for his hardearmed victory.

“Now that the dust has settled, we hope that President Obama will lend an ear to the voices from multiple sides on the various issues that surfaced during the campaign – on the economy, healthcare and foreign policy, among others,” Nograles said.

“We wish that the President will rise from this election as a unifying force for America to bring a stronger economy, a healthier citizenry and to bring peace. We also hope his administration will benefit the Filipino-American communities, our Filipinos working in the US, our veterans, and of course,

GENSAN...

the Philippines as we pursue various partnerships and collaborations for our mutual economic growth, progress and peace.”

Digos Mayor Joseph Peñas said: “His win was expected. He deserves it.

He is a great leader with a vision.” Peñas said in a text message.

The Romney campaign’s last-ditch attempt to put blue-leaning Midwestern swing states in play failed as Obama’s Midwestern firewall sent the president back to the White House for four more years. Obama picked up the swing states of New Hampshire, Michigan, New Mexico, Iowa, Virginia, Wisconsin, Colorado, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Minnesota and Ohio. Of the swing states, Romney picked up only North Carolina.

Obama said, “Our economy is recovering, a

decade of war is ending, a long campaign is now over,” he told a crowd of cheering supporters in Chicago. “And whether I earned your vote or not, I have listened to you, I have learned from you and you have made me a better president.” Obama added he has “never been more hopeful about America. ... We’re not as divided as our politics suggest. We remain more than a collection of blue states and red states.”

In his speech, he offered clues to the policy goals of his second term, which includes a deficit reduction plan that combines tax increases with spending cuts, a comprehensive overhaul of the nation’s federal immigration laws and tax reform.

He called on Republicans to join him in achieving those goals.

that he is now encouraging his listeners to come out with their sad experiences with telcos and these will be collated and submitted to the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).

Columnist Addie Quisido said she has been a victim of Sun dropped calls.

On the other hand, other Dabawenyos also aired their complaints on “nakaw load.”Lawyer Domingo Duerme, vice president for Mindanao sales of the Philippine Airlines, said he has been a victim of ringtones and promos.

However, Duerme did not identify the telco.

Energy consumer advocate Bong Lim bared that there was need for Dabawenyos and Filipinos to organize themselves against erring telcos, since the NTC does not seem to have the political will to enforce even their own resolutions.

Casiño has filed HB No. 5653, an Act Promoting the Rights of Mobile Phone Subscribers by regulating prices, by requiring Telecoms Service Companies to provide detailed billing of prepaid credits, number portability, lowered pulse rate and other service improvements.

The Davao City-born lawmaker urged Congress to “act now and institute measures to address the issues and ensure a pro-people tele-

communications industry and promote consumer welfare.”

Casino charged that NTC has yet to sanction any telco, for lost load credits, dropped calls, undelivered text messages, unwanted data/promo downloads and atrociously slow broadband service.

CASIÑO Earlier, NTC Region 11 Director Josue de Villa Go told Edge Davao his team had just completed a round of consultations in the Davao Region about complaints over poor services of the telcos.

He said the regional office was readying a report to the national on his findings. However, Go still has to make good his promise that he will his findings to members of the Davao media. AMA

FRAMEWORK..

FFROM 2

He said that they are glad that the framework agreement has been signed as it would be beneficial to the image of the region as a potential investment destination, although the implementation of the framework will be another step.

About 500-600 participants are expected to join the iCon with delegates from all over the country and the Southeast Asian

region. The two-day conference is slated for November 16-17 at the SM Lanang SMX Convention Center.

Architect Agatha Ellen Valencia, chair of the Davao iCon, said the event is being hosted by the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The two-day plenary event will have 20 resource speakers touching on tourism, regional

connectivity, real estate development, information communication technology (ICT), power and mining.

Aside from plenary sessions there will be business matchings, exhibitions and a golf tournament aimed at promoting fellowship among businessmen. [PIA 11/RG Alama]

“Deputy Commissioner Tañada is coming again next week to fasttrack the bidding process so that we can already start the construction before the election ban for all government projects,” Bangcoy said, adding that the new building will address the lack of offices for

department heads and other officials.

Bangcoy lauded Customs Commissioner Rozzano Rufino Biazon for giving attention to the Davao port, with the new project expected to boost the morale of his employees in serving the public.

WELCOME..

FFROM 2

FFROM 2

Quidilla said he ordered the immediate issuance of traffic offense tickets to prevent “negotiations” between violators and apprehending police officers.

The seized vehicles will be released after compliance by

calls, scams and even unscrupulous practices of mobile phone dealers and shops, the most prevalent of which is “nakaw load”.

Among those who complained over dropped calls and disappearing loads are media practitioners.

One is photo-journalist Rene B. Lumawag of the Mindanao Times and one-time president of the Davao Camera Club.

He identified Smart as among the problematic telcos in tems of “nakaw load.”

“Smart dropped calls,” was the curt reply of Ariel Sebellino, executive director Philippine Press Institute, when asked about his experience with telcos.

“Smart sir, not so much with Globe,” said Aquiles Zonio, Philippine Daily Inquirer correspondent based in General Santos City.

A business reporter who is now a staffwriter of an agency promoting exports texted “Used to be a victim of Smart’s nakaw load. When I loaded a hundred or P300, in just a few calls and texts, inexplicably my load disappears. Have been using Globe and Sun, and even their promos, and haven’t looked back since. No name please.”

Alfonso “Al” Genoguin, veteran broadcaster texted “araw2 tinitira ko ang Smart, Sun and Globe sa aking programa,” adding

their owners with traffic regulations and settlement of their penalties.

The crackdown was launched to counter the rising cases of traffic accidents involving motorcycles, motorcycle thefts and

their use in criminal activities.

“The bigger picture here is to resolve the criminal activities involving riding-in-tandem persons,” Quidilla said. [Allen V. Estabillo/ MindaNews]

the bids and awards committee (BAC).

However, the bidders reportedly failed to comply with the prerequisites and requirements and Tañada had to set another bidding for next week. The first two bidders can still participate as long as they can meet the standard set by BAC.

12 CLASSIFIEDS ADS

There’s a better way to get attention.

Advertise with

EDGEDAVAO CLASSIFIEDS

RATES FOR BOx ADS BLACK AND WHITE SIZE Full Page Half Page 1/4 Page 1/8 Page 1/16 Page per col. cm.

RATES FOR LINE ADS

Classified Page 10,000.00 5,000.00 2,500.00 1,250.00 650.00 55.00

P150.00 per column inch; P55.00 first three lines; P10.00 on succeeding lines

FULL COLOR ADS + 35% color surcharge

3 + 2 bonus

VOL.5 ISSUE 178 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2012

Realty

EDGEDAVAO

Health and Wellness

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.

Edge Davao hiring editor, 3 reporters EDGE DAVAO is in need of an editor and three staffwriters/reporters for its expansion program.

The 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.

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 may send their application 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.

APARTMENT FOR SALE 3 Door Apartment, lot 320 sq. m. located at Bo. obrero near Victoria plaza 10 m, Direct Buyers only Contact: 0932-532-7304

PROPERTY FOR SALE IDEAL FOR INDUSTRIAL / MANUFACTURING PLANT, 3 hectares, Santa Cruz along the National Highway, Direct Buyers only Contact: 0927-706-2510

PRIME PROPERTY FOR SALE ROBINSONS HIGH LANDS, 173 sq. meters, 1.5 M, Direct Buyers only Contact: 0926-305-1555 0942-966-2444

Best for kids ages 1 to 12 years old High in CGF, Taurine, l-lysine Contains Fortified with DHa available at all Drugstore near you

Take 2mg Ener-plus Capsule one hour before your intimate encounter • Improve Blood Circulation • Provide Extra Strength & Sexual Stamina • Increase Libido & Sexdrive

available at all Drugstore near you

multivitamins for Teens & young adults ages 13 to22 years old available at all Drugstore near you

EDGEDavao Gensan Partners

Tel No. (083)- 553-2211

We offer Pasta, Pizza and all Filipino foods and international cuisine

South Osmeña, General Santos City Cell No. 09999923588 Tel. No. (083) 552-3297

LOT FOR SALE 180 sq. meter, Farland Subd., Dumoy, Toril, P 350,000 only Contact: 0927-706-2510

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 221-3601; 301-6235 and ask for Jane or Chay.

CLASSIFIEDS ADS 13

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 178 •THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2012

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 11TH JUDICIAL REGION OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT-SHERIFF DAVAO CITY

HOME DEVELOPMENT MUTUAL FUND, (HDMF) or Pag-ibig Fund, Mortgagee -versus-

EJF-REM CASE NO. 13, 621-12

CRISMARIE N. PAGKALIWAGAN married to Samuel P. Pagkaliwagan Mortgagor/s. x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - x NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE

Upon extra-judicial petition for foreclosure and sale under Act 3135, as amended, filed by the mortgagee Home Development Mutual Fund or Pag-ibig Fund against Crismarie N. Pagkaliwagan married to Samuel P. Pagkaliwagan with postal address at Lot 5 Blk. 53 Rosalina Village 3,Dumoy Toril, Davao City to satisfy the mortgage indebtedness which as of November 15, 2011 amounts to ( Php 309,881.10 ) Philippine Currency, inclusive of interest, penalty charges, plus attorney’s fees equivalent to TEN ( 10%) of the total indebtedness plus other legal expenses incident of foreclosure and sale; the undersigned Sheriff IV of the Regional Trial Court, Davao City, will sell at public auction on December 13, 2012 at 10:00 A.M. or soon thereafter, at the main entrance of Hall of Justice, Ecoland,Davao City to the highest bidder for Cash or MANAGER’S CHECK and in Philippine Currency, the following real property together with all the improvements thereon, to wit: Transfer Certificate of Title No. T- 244571 “ A parcel of land xxx (Lot 5, Blk.53 of the consolidation- subdivision plan Pcs-112402-001850,xxx), situated in the City of Davao, Island of Mindanao.xxx Containing an area of ONE HUNDRED TWENTY (120) SQUARE METERS, more or less” All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above-stated time and date.

In the event the public auction should not take place on the said date,it shall be held on January 17, 2012 without further notice.

Prospective buyers are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the titles herein described real property/ies and the encumbrances thereon, if any there be.

Davao City, Philippines, October18, 2012

FOR THE EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF:

Noted by:

(SGD.) ROBERTO C. ESGUERRA Sheriff IV

(SGD) ATTY. EDIPOLO P. SARABIA, JR. Clerk of Court VI & Ex-Officio Provincial Sheriff (edge 10/25,11/1, 8)

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 11TH JUDICIAL REGION OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT-SHERIFF DAVAO CITY

HOME DEVELOPMENT MUTUAL FUND, (HDMF) or Pag-ibig Fund, Mortgagee -versus-

EJF-REM CASE NO. 13, 620-12

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 11TH JUDICIAL REGION OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT-SHERIFF DAVAO CITY

HOME DEVELOPMENT MUTUAL FUND, (HDMF) or Pag-ibig Fund, Mortgagee -versus-

EJF-REM CASE NO. 13, 657-12

LOEY C. MUTOC Mortgagor/s. x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - x

NESTOR P. SONGCAYAUON, married to ROSALINDA D. SONGCAYAUON Mortgagor/s. x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - x

Upon extra-judicial petition for foreclosure and sale under Act 3135, as amended, filed by the mortgagee Home Development Mutual Fund or Pag-ibig Fund against Loey C. Mutoc with postal address at Lot 004 Blk. 037 Mamay , Vincent Heights Subd. Davao City to satisfy the mortgage indebtedness which as of July 20, 2012 amounts to ( Php 440,855.92 ) Philippine Currency, inclusive of interest, penalty charges, plus attorney’s fees equivalent to TEN ( 10%) of the total indebtedness plus other legal expenses incident of foreclosure and sale; the undersigned Sheriff IV of the Regional Trial Court, Davao City, will sell at public auction on December 13, 2012 at 10:00 A.M. or soon thereafter, at the main entrance of Hall of Justice, Ecoland,Davao City to the highest bidder for Cash or MANAGER’S CHECK and in Philippine Currency, the following real property together with all the improvements thereon, to wit: Transfer Certificate of Title No. T- 267443 “ A parcel of land xxx (Lot 4, Blk. 37xxx) , situated in Barangay of Mamay, City of Davao, Island of Mindanao.xxx Containing an area of NINETY SIX (96) SQUARE METERS, more or less”

Upon extra-judicial petition for foreclosure and sale under Act 3135, as amended, filed by the mortgagee Home Development Mutual Fund or Pag-ibig Fund against NESTOR P. SONGCAYAUON, married to ROSALINDA D. SONGCAYAUON, with postal address at Lot 1, Blk. 19 El Rio Vista Village.Bo. Bacaca, Davao City to satisfy the mortgage indebtedness which as of November 11, 2011 amounted to ( Php 685,597.77 ) Philippine Currency, inclusive of interest, penalty charges, plus attorney’s fees equivalent to TEN ( 10%) of the total indebtedness plus other legal expenses incident of foreclosure and sale; the undersigned Sheriff IV of the Regional Trial Court, Davao City, will sell at public auction on December 13, 2012 at 10:00 A.M. or soon thereafter, at the main entrance of Hall of Justice, Ecoland,Davao City to the highest bidder for Cash or MANAGER’S CHECK and in Philippine Currency, the following real property together with all the improvements thereon, to wit: Transfer Certificate of Title No. T- 243464 “ A parcel of land of the cons. & subd. project (Lot 1, Blk. 19 , of the cons. & subd. Plan Pcs-112402-001797, xxx) situated in Barangay Bacaca; City of Davao, Island of Mindanao.xxx Containing an area of TWO HUNDRED TEN (210) SQUARE METERS, more or less”

NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE

All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above-stated time and date.

In the event the public auction should not take place on the said date,it shall be held on January 17, 2012 without further notice.

Prospective buyers are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the titles herein described real property/ies and the encumbrances thereon, if any there be.

Davao City, Philippines, October 17, 2012

FOR THE EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF:

Noted by:

(SGD.) DEXTER P.SALCEDO Sheriff IV

(SGD) ATTY. EDIPOLO P. SARABIA, JR. Clerk of Court VI & Ex-Officio Provincial Sheriff (edge 10/25,11/1, 8)

NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE

All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above-stated time and date.

In the event the public auction should not take place on the said date,it shall be held on January 17, 2012 without further notice.

Prospective buyers are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the titles herein described real property/ies and the encumbrances thereon, if any there be.

Davao City, Philippines, October 17, 2012

FOR THE EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF:

Noted by:

(SGD.) TERESITA M. CEBALLOS Sheriff IV

(SGD) ATTY. EDIPOLO P. SARABIA, JR. Clerk of Court VI & Ex-Officio Provincial Sheriff (edge 10/25,11/1, 8)

14 SPORTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 178 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Mike Cortez (top, left) is reunited with his La Salle coach Franz Pumaren while rookie Yusef Taha will be filling the void left by the injured Dylan Abbabou at Ginebra.

fuels CORTEz-TAHA trade sealed Westbrook Oklahoma win

T

he PBA has approved the trade that would send Mike Cortez from Barangay Ginebra San Miguel to Air 21 in exchange for Yousef Taha.

News of the trade broke out on Tuesday over the prospects of reunion between the veteran point guard and his college coach at La Salle, Air 21 coach Franz Pumaren. The acquisition of promising center Taha, meanwhile, is expected to bolster Ginebra’s shorthanded frontline.

Fpr Cortez, the trade means a chance at redemption. It’s been 10 years, but the images from the 2002 UAAP finals still remain fresh in the memories of many basketball fans.

Ateneo fans rejoiced

after bringing down Franz Pumaren’s La Salle dynasty, with Green Archers star point guard Mike Cortez submitting a subpar performance.

A year later, Cortez applied for the PBA draft and was selected No. 1 overall.

Last Tuesday, the two men became part of the same team once again, after Pumaren’s Air 21 Express traded for Cortez. With 2002 still in the minds of many fans, people couldn’t help but wonder how that would affect their new working relationship.

“We haven’t talked about that,” Cortez said.

“When we lost to Ateneo in 2002, everybody felt down.”

Prior to the season, Cortez seemed to be cool

to the idea of moving from Ginebra to Air 21.

But with the trade finalized, the ‘Cool Cat’ is embracing the chance at exorcising some ghosts.

“Probably, this reunion of sorts will give me an opportunity to redeem myself in a way, by helping Air 21 win more games and doing everything I can to get them to the playoffs,” said Cortez.

But Pumaren contends that 2002 is long past the two of them. Instead, he is looking forward to helping Cortez recover his status as a top floor general in the league.

“Opportunity for him to be recognized as one of the top point guards in the PBA,” said Pumaren.

Cortez was scheduled to join the Expressa practice on Wednesday

afternoon. He turns 32 in a couple of days, and he hopes that his veteran experience could help Air 21.

“I haven’t been in game shape because I was not getting enough minutes inside the court this conference. Game shape is different from practice shape. Hopefully, If I can get myself back in game shape, I will be able to help my new team,” he said.

“We have a formidable team in Air 21 with guys like KG (Canaleta), Ren Ren (Ritualo), Noy Baclao and Rob Reyes in the lineup and veteran guard Wynne Arboleda bringing the leadership. I hope we can turn things around in our next games and make the playoffs.”

sive exploits, either, but his defensive intensity as well. He also added 10 rebounds. ‘’He was a presence everywhere, on every part of the court,’’ Danilo Gallinari said. ‘’He’s great for us when he plays like that.’’

The Nuggets broke out their new canary yellow uniforms for their home opener and played pretty snazzy, especially late in the third quarter when they began opening up a 17-point lead. The Pistons rallied in the final quarter, before Iguodala closed the door with two baskets and a pair of free throws.

Greg Monroe scored 27 points and 10 rebounds for the Pistons, who dropped their fourth straight. Detroit and Washington (0-2) are the only winless teams left in the NBA this season. ‘’We showed a lot of fight,’’ Monroe said. ‘’We have to push through. At that point, three minutes left, seven-point game, that’s definitely a winnable game. We have to find

a way to win tight games like that.’’

Early in the fourth, Iguodala and Corey Brewer hit back-to-back 3-pointers to give the Nuggets a 96-80 lead. Moments later, JaVale McGee brought the crowd to its feet with a thunderous dunk off a lob from Andre Miller.

The Nuggets appeared to be cruising to the win with 7:41 remaining, but the Pistons made things interesting when Jonas Jerebko stole the ball from Iguodala and went in for the dunk.

Iguodala turned the ball over again when he couldn’t find anyone to pass the ball to and traveled.

Then, he began his scoring spree, leading coach George Karl to quip after the game that he would be all right with Iguodala doing that all the time, earlier in the game even.

But Karl understands why Iguodala is slowly integrating his way into the offense. It’s just his style.

‘’He’s not going to shake the boat,’’ Karl said. ‘’He’s going to figure out how we like to play, and figure out what’s a good shot and what’s not a good shot.’’

McGee finished with 16 points while Ty Lawson and Kenneth Faried each added 15.

Iguodala leads Nuggets past Magic

D

ENVER (AP) -- First, Andre Iguodala threw a bad pass. Then, he took too many steps.

Two costly turnovers late in a close game. In his Denver home debut, no less.

Miffed by his miscues, Iguodala went to work, scoring six of his 17 points over the final three minutes to help the Denver Nuggets hold off the Detroit Pistons 109-97 on Tuesday night. ‘’When I make a mistake, I really want to make it up,’’ Iguodala said.

And make it up he certainly did as he played a big role in the Nuggets snapping a three-game skid.

Even before tipoff, Iguodala got the capacity crowd riled up by grabbing the microphone and giving an impassioned speech to the fans: ‘’This is a big year for us! We need your support!’’

Then, he came through at crunch time.

Not just with his offen-

O

KLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Thunder coach Scott Brooks was happy to see his team get off to a fast start that made his job easy at the end.

Russell Westbrook shrugged off a sore shoulder to score 19 points and Oklahoma City cruised past the Toronto Raptors 108-88 on Tuesday night.

Serge Ibaka added 17 points for the Thunder, who led by as many as 29 before a sellout crowd of 18,203. They opened the game on a 30-17 run and never looked back. ‘’I thought the start was a big part of our win tonight,’’ Brooks said. ‘’We’ve talked about this the last few days. We’re just starting to get in a defensive mindset.’’

Two nights after a ninepoint loss to Atlanta, when the Thunder gave up 31 points off 20 turnovers, Oklahoma City controlled the tempo, packed the lane and forced Toronto to try and score from the outside. ‘’We had good ball pressure and our bigs did a good job,’’ Brooks said. ‘’Any time we can have four hands involved in a pickand-roll we put ourselves

Russel Westbrook of the Oklahoma Thunder led his team past the Raptors.

in a position to have some success. I thought our activity and our deflections were good. We moved. We were all over the floor.’’

Wearing a black padded sleeve to protect his bruised left shoulder, Westbrook held Toronto’s leading scorer, Kyle Lowry, to two points on 1-of-4 shooting. Lowry exited with 1:29 left in the second quarter with a right ankle sprain and did not return.

Raptors coach Dwane Casey turned the offense over to seventh-year guard Jose Calderon. ‘’Jose is a veteran player and he’ll be ready to go,’’ said Casey, whose team plays at Dallas on Wednesday night. ‘’That’s why I kept his minutes to a minimum tonight. He’ll have to play big minutes and John (Lucas III) is a capable point guard, so they’ll have to be ready to go. Knowing Kyle, he’s a tough guy and he’ll get back as soon as he can.’’

Lowry entered averaging 23.7 points per game.

He also led the Raptors with 22 rebounds and 21 assists. His replacement, Calderon, had eight points and four steals in 19 minutes.

INdulge!

VOL.5 ISSUE 178 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

FOOD

Grilled Steak

Tuna Sisig

Pritong Paksiw na Buntot

WHENEvEr I ask my friends for a good dining experience here in the Metro, I always end up with one answer: Ellen’s Tuna at Ma-a road. Satisfied by the many gushes from my friends, I was treated to a sumptuous lunch with my MBA classmates that one fine day. However, because I was emotionally distraught that time, I was not able to engulf the goodness of the food.

However, because I cannot help but seek for the good food that everyone is talking about, me, Elle, Mark, Jacob and Ivan decided to have our dinner over at Ellen’s Tuna – minus the emotional distraught the first time around.

Greeted by the Queen herself, Tita Ellen made us feel loved the moment we stepped in her busy restaurant. People from all walks of life filled the place – from officemates, family with their kids and even Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Managing Director Sir Jerry Tison with Sir Glenn Gadia and Sir Antonio Ferwelo from BSP Davao, were in attendance.

Indeed, Ellen’s Tuna is one must-try place whenever you are in Davao.

The dinner turned into a feast as we were served her majesties best sellers.

Yes, that was with an “S” because everything that comes out of her kitchen is incomparably delicious.

Seated with Tita Ellen during dinner made us all in awe of her presence as she is one Queen that made us all at ease. She gushed about her infamous Laing that was authentic to its core. I can still taste its richness in my mouth. In addition, she wanted us to taste her Santol Appetizer that could be paired with anything in her menu.

We took turns digging our forks into her dishes.

First off was her Tuna Sisig with Salted Egg. She taught us the proper way of eating it – not with ketchup but with Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce. The

flavors of tuna exploded like atomic bombs in our palates. It was inevitably one tasty dish.

More so, her Pork Cracklings, which her friend makes, was a delightful addition to the bountiful feast on the table. Elle and Mark were taking turns popping those crispy cracklings all night long.

Not a Kinilaw fan but Tita Ellen’s take on the Filipino staple made me change my mind and was turned into a lover before the night ended. It was refreshing to the palate and an explosion in the mouth.

We were taking turns with this one.

Her Grilled Steak was so big we were in admiration all night long. It boasts of meat – not fat, that was delightedly eye catching and tummy satisfying. Perfect with mustard, the steak was definitely not for the faint hearts.

I am biased to the Beef Caldereta as I love to cook

Beef Caldereta

and eat them. Wherever I go, I always look for one and tonight, I was not

disappointed. Tita Ellen’s take on the caldereta was perfect! The selfish in me

hoarded the whole plate and was not sharing.

Her banana leaf wrapped Lechon Kawali took Jacob and Ivan’s breath away.

Certified lechon kawali lovers, they cannot help but appreciate the yummyness of the dish. Unrivaled and unmatched was how they described the dish.

The highlight of the night came in the form of her best seller, the Pri-

FA ROYAL, A4

EDGEDAVAO

A2 INdulge!

UP AnD ABOUT

Experience an Androidcrazed world twice over with Sun Cellular’s Alcatel smartphone + tablet bundle offer KnOwn to launch many firsts in the market, leading network provider Sun Cellular sets another game changer that will rock the industry with its newest Sundroid Rush postpaid offering that gives subscribers the opportunity to own not one, but two Android-powered gadgets in just one plan! This staggering cool bundle, Alcatel One Touch 903D smartphone and Alcatel One Touch Tab T10, is offered for FREE under Sun Plan 600 and Call & Surf 999!

Sundroid Rush is a first-of-its-kind in the market featuring two of the most popular and often-used gadgets today in one affordable package. A mustown for tech savvies and social media savants, both devices run on Android OS which continues to trend in most smartphones and tablets because of its sheer performance, power and flexibility.

The Alcatel One Touch 903D is a compact smartphone big on features. Its handy size easily fits into one’s pocket or evening purse, while users will surely appreciate the phone’s 2-megapixel camera for impromptu photo sessions. Also on board is the Android 2.3 operating system which gives users access to a myriad of applic at i o n s via the Google P l a y shop.

A p e r fe c t complem e n t to Alcatel One To u c h 903D is the Alcatel One To u c h Tab T10, another smart gadget that delivers a great performance and the same efficiency as other pricier tablets in the market. Feel the rush as you glide your fingers on its impressive 7-inch display touch screen.

More portable than a laptop and packs more power than a netbook, the Alcatel One Touch Tab T10 is powered by a 4.0 Android operating system. Enjoy the latest Android apps and games, or watch movies or videos on the Alcatel One Touch T10 tablet with its built-in functionality to play AVI videos including DAT formatted files. You can’t find this must-have tablet anywhere else since this is EXCLUSIVE TO SUn! Sounds like a real insane deal? Get into the latest craze in the Android world with TwO free Alcatel gadgets starting at Sun Plan 600 at a 30-month holding period. This means that a qualified subscriber, only need to pay the monthly subscription fee of P600 a month to get both gadgets and start enjoying their online universe at a new level. Sun Cellular also throws in its popular postpaid services such as unlimited Sun call and texts, 350 texts to other networks, P250 consumable to give you the complete mobile experience.

Sun Cellular is also offering the bundle perfect for families and barkada. Avail of three units of Alcatel One Touch 903D plus one Alcatel One Touch Tab T10 by enrolling to Group Plan 999. with SunDroid Rush, Sun Cellular gives more reasons why it is The Good Choice for Postpaid.

Join the Sundroid Rush and visit the nearest The Sun Shop today! You may also dial the Sun Hotline 200 using a Sun-powered phone or (02) 395-8000 from any landline. Visit <suncellular.com.ph> or Facebook page <facebook.com/suncellularph>. Follow @ suncelldeals on Twitter.

VOL.5 ISSUE 178 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2012

T-Tech by Tumi introduces Fall 2012 collection T-TECH by Tumi, the trend-focused brand of travel, business and day bag designs for the hightech lifestyle, makes its mark down south at The Travel Club in Abreeza Mall, Davao City. Its latest Fall 2012 collection promises a cool color palette and an array of new designs.

Network Stay connected wherever you work and travel with the arrival of the Network Collection. Designed specifically for today’s wireless warrior, Network brings superior modernday functionality, durability and maneuverability to classic designs. Available in black, this collection is made up of four-wheeled travel cases, wheeled split duffels, small travel accessories, and a variety of day bag styles including brief cases and brief packs.

Civilian Like the city itself, the Civilian Collection layers its day bag and business case styles with hidden details and surprises of color.

Fall offers Indigo, accented in grey, in select styles to complement the black and green core colors. With ultra-functional pockets and compartments to organize your essential gear, Civilian welcomes two new styles ideal for both work and the weekend: the Oliver Laptop Messenger and the vincent Shoulder Tote, appealing to both men and women.

Forge The Forge collection is crafted from natural materials of wax cotton and leather with styles that take you from business to gym to overnight.

This collection is designed for those who appreciate heritage detailing, and living a high-tech, low touch lifestyle. Navy wax cotton is introduced for fall, trimmed in bruin cowhide leather.

Tumi T-Tech Network Tumi T-Pass Brief Pack

T-Tech Civilian Enzos N-S Slim Crossbody

T-Tech Network Tri-Fold Garment Bag

T-Tech Network Tumi T-Pass Slim Laptop Brief

T-Tech Forge Pittsburgh Small Crossbody

VOL.5 ISSUE 178 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

EnTERTAInMEnT

President Barack Obama reelected:

Alec Baldwin, Donald Trump and more Tweet reactions PRESIDEnT Barack Obama has been reelected, the commander-inchief topping former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney in a contest that was close—but not nearly as close as many experts had predicted.

Do you think Hollywood had something to say about that, all the while the Romney campaign refusing to concede Ohio and its 18 electoral votes? within seconds of the race being called for Obama by most major news networks (including Fox news, though some of its own pundits resisted), the celebrity corner of the Twitterverse was on fire with reactions. Here’s a mere sampling: Alec Baldwin: “Fox news is hurting the Republican Party.....”

Dianna Agron: Congratulations, Mr. President, our president.

Donald Trump: Our nation is a once great nation divided!...The electoral college is a disaster for a democracy...Hopefully the House of Representatives can hold our country together for four more years...stay strong and never give up!

Kimora Lee Simmons: #4MoreYears!

Congratulations Mr President Sir.-> Jesse Tyler Ferguson: Celebrating #equality with@TieTheKnotOrg! Jose Canseco: what is there to celebrate. United states is a mess and no clown is qualified to get us back on track. All candidates are a joke Ronan Farrow: Fox

news hastily packing up their vast smugness reserves for another four years.

Rob Thomas: Everyone just keep hateful comments to yourself. If romney had won, I would have congratulated him as well and still said we need to move on

THAnK YOU! Simon Pegg: Today’s Sesame Street is brought to you by the number 2 and the phrase ‘f--k you’.

Demi Lovato: YAYYY!!!

Proud to be an American!!! woo hoo!!!!!

MC Hammer: America is making a huge statement !!! Humanity is pri-

Shonda Rhimes: FOX news is amazing. Like they live in a magic land far far away from reality.

You can not stop watching!

John Cusack: Real pressure from left will move the center back from far right --dem victory was less an endorsement of O but a repeal of far right Olivia Wilde: AMERICA! You have spoken! women! You have been heard! Young people! You proved them wrong! Tireless Obama volunteers! I

mary.The people need access to medical care and we Appreciate and Respect women !!!

Aubrey O’Day: Right????!!! God I admire her @maddow! #truth “@ cmore2g: I’m LOVInG how aggressive her tone is getting hehe” Aziz Ansari: Karl Rove bout to give a Suge Knight style BEAT DOwn to the dude who was supposed to rig the machines.

Aisha Tyler: Tonight America smells like cookies and freedom, my friends. Cookies and

Diane Sawyer’s election coverage has Twitter abuzz wHAT’S going on with Diane Sawyer? while celebs tweet how anxious this close presidential election between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney is making them, the ABC news anchor seems extremely relaxed while delivering coverage on-air, and it’s caused quite a buzz (get it?) on the Twitterverse.

“Diane Sawyer is

waaaaaaassted right now,” Real Housewives of new Jersey star Albie Manzo tweeted, and added, “@BravoAndy did you see her slump over in her chair when they went to commercial?!?!”

RHOnJ costar Greg Bennett also tweeted, “Seriously, one of Dianne Sawyer’s eyes is closed,” while Dina Manzo wrote, “I want whatever Diane

Sawyer is taking or drinking tonight.”

“Everyone, let’s switch to ABC. I think Diane Sawyer is drunk,” writer John Gruber tweeted.

Big Bird even chimed in on the social media site. what do you think of Diane Sawyer’s behavior during the election coverage? Sound off in the comments!

freedom.#forward Sandra Bernhard: “its been so hard on the children” #annromney imagine how it is tonight. will.i.am: All that travel, hard work and campaigning was worth it... and now its time to work even harder...

Bill Maher: Tea Party

has now cost the Republicans 5 senate seats. My next donation is going to them.

Lea Michele: Amazing election party tonight at@MrRPMurphy’s house!

And so glad we got to celebrate the re-election of OBAMA!!!#GObama Melissa George: In

Australia, just heard the great news about our president Obama ! You deserve to re-elected... you had me at hello...

Ashlee Simpson: Speech! Speech! #democracy.

Eva Longoria: haha! @ Deswanderer Big Bird is smiling.

A4 INdulge!

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.5 ISSUE 178 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2012

FOOD EnTERTAInMEnT

Kinilaw

Sir Jerry, Tita Ellen, Sir Antonio, Me and Sir Glen.

A ROYAL...

FFROM A1

tong Paksiw na Buntot.

It was like no other. The creaminess of the buntot is beyond definition. It was good on its own and could be munched on even on your own. I never imagined that the buntot tastes so good. Now I know why everybody loves Tita Ellen’s Pritong Paksiw na Buntot – it captivates your palate and succumbs you to a gastronomical adventure like no other.

The night ended with Tita Ellen’s creamy HaloHalo. Packed with flavors, the sweetness of the dessert came from the fruits thus it is not overpowering in the

Tita Ellen and her staff.

Tita ellen with the Unilab people.

taste buds. It was delectably appetizing to the eyes and more so in the tummy.

A perfect feast ender.

The next time you crave for good food, dine with the Queen and be amazed. visit Ellen’s Tuna Queen at South Street, DBP village, Maa road, Davao City. Call them up at 09228147063 for reservations.

Do you want to be a part of Davao’s Thursday habit?

Send me your recipes, questions, suggestions and comments and be featured.

If you are interested, then email me at iamtheroyalchef@gmail.com. Happy Cooking!

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 178 •THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2012

James Harden:

James “The Beard” Harden has been likened to Kobe Bryant in his huge impact with the Houston Rockets.

H

OUSTON – Even with the rapid embrace of life as the franchise player for the Houston Rockets, something still troubles All-Star guard James Harden about the way his departure unfolded with the Oklahoma City Thunder: Why didn’t officials give him longer than an hour to consider a final fouryear, $54 million offer

before trading him?

“After everything we established – everything we had done – you give me an hour?” Harden told Yahoo! Sports on Monday afternoon. “This was one of the biggest decisions of my life. I wanted to go home and pray about it. It hurt me.

It hurt.”

Asked if additional time might have caused him to accept a deal

SPORTS15

Road to Redemption

several million dollars short of the $60 million maximum contract Harden had long sought, he responded: “Who knows? Another day, who knows what another day would’ve done?”

Looking back a week later, Harden believes he likely had to leave his sixth-man role in Oklahoma City and become what Houston general manager Daryl Morey calls the Rockets’ “foundational player” for the public to truly understand the depth of Harden’s abilities.

“I was there with talented guys in Oklahoma City, some All-Star guys, and I would’ve been in the back seat there – which I was fine with – but I wouldn’t have gotten the chance to show how talented I really am,” Harden said. “It’s a different opportunity for me here.”

Thunder and Rockets executives give the same explanation for the timing of the trade four days prior to the Oct. 31 deadline for contract extensions: Houston needed a deal done on that Saturday, because Rockets officials felt that was the bare minimum to assure they could get their eventual five-year, $80 million deal with Harden into place.

Houston had been pressing hard to complete the trade on that Friday, but Thunder GM Sam Presti waited until Saturday to present

his final offer with a 60-minute deadline to accept. Presti believed the Thunder would’ve lost leverage in potential trade packages if rivals weren’t sure they could keep Harden off the restricted freeagent market next summer.

Oklahoma City traded Harden, Cole Aldrich, Daequan Cook and Lazar Hayward to the Rockets for Kevin Martin, Jeremy Lamb and two first-round draft picks. For the Thunder, the trading of Harden was a financial decision.

The organization wasn’t willing to deal with the punishing luxury-tax consequences and restricted roster flexibility that would come with paying a third player beyond Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook a maximum contract.

Oklahoma City had drafted Harden with the third overall pick in the 2009 NBA draft, and he rapidly developed into a 2012 All-Star and gold-medal-winning player for Team USA in the London Olympics.

“I think they valued my talent there,” Harden said. “They built me there: my work ethic, my body.

They changed my life. I think they know how good I can be.”

Harden has made an immense impact on the Rockets: Back-toback games of 37 and 45 points in victories earned him Western Conference Player of the Week

honors. Most of all, the performances affirmed his readiness to be a leading man. Harden insists he’s embraced the role of franchise player, of team builder, of the star responsible for setting the tone.

“That’s why they brought me here for: to embrace the leadership, to embrace building the camaraderie,” Harden said.

On the way out of Oklahoma City, Harden has been naturally aware of the public debate his contract talks and eventual trade inspired.

“I heard a lot of those things,” Harden said. “I heard that I was greedy; that I didn’t care about winning; heard the questioning of my loyalty. And I’m thinking: ‘Of course I want to win. I’ve been winning my entire life.’

“Everybody has their own opinion about me [as a role player and focus of a team]. I can do both: I’m versatile. Growing up in college, in high school, I was the focal point. I was the leader. I was the go-to guy.

I was the third overall pick. I took a back seat and did whatever it took for the team to win. Some nights I scored, some nights I passed.

Whatever was needed to win.

“Now, I’m back to my old ways: Needing to be the leader, needing to score. In any situation, I’m going to be good.”

Obama cools election nerves playing basketball

C

HICAGO – US President Barack Obama on Tuesday burned off his election-day nerves in traditional fashion, with a game of basketball with close friends, as millions of Americans went to the polls.

Obama gathered an all-star line-up including Chicago Bulls great Scottie Pippen, his brotherin-law Craig Robinson, who is a college basketball coach, White House chef Sam Kass and Education Secretary Arne Duncan.

The president started his election day tradition during his 2008 primary run against Democratic foe Hillary Clinton, as a way to burn off the long hours between the end of the campaign and the counting of votes.

Alexi Giannoulias, a former Illinois state treasurer who also played in the game, said

two five-player teams played four 12-minute quarters in the game, and swapped out periodically with substitutes.

He said the president, who is known to be a competitive player who trash talks teammates and opponents alike, led his team to victory, though wouldn’t say how many points Obama posted.

After the game, in an athletic center near the president’s Kenwood neighborhood in Chicago, Obama returned to his house, where he was to eat dinner with his family and wait for the results to pour in.

He and his wife Michelle were due to be joined by their daughters, Malia, 14 and Sasha, 11, for election night events, after they finished their school day at the private Sidwell Friends school in Washington.

President Barack Obama of the United States played hoops with former Chicago Bulls forward Scottie Pippen on election day.

16 SPORTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 178 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

VMO, BFP draw first blood T

Vice Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte leads the ceremonial jump to open the Mayor Inday Sara Duterte and Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte 10th AFP-PNP Basketball Tournament 2012 at the Davao City Recreation Center on Tuesday.

LEAN DAVAL JR.

hree-peat seeking Vice Mayor’s Office opened their bid on the right track disposing Task Force Davao in dominating fashion, 95 - 69, at the start of the 2012 Mayor Sara and Vice Mayor Rody Duterte - 10th AFP-PNP Basketball Tournament late Tuesday at the Davao City Recreation Center (Almendras Gym).

Spitfirish Christopher “Bong” Go was spectacular all game long and appeared unstoppable at times in the perimeter to lead an almost one man rally as VMO edged the TFD i all fronts.

Go, the firebrand executive assistant to Vice Mayor Duterte, fired 34 points, including eight baskets from behind the arc, for the three-peat seeking SP-based dribblers who were up as much as 20 points in the opening period.

Rodel Bantilan and Ryan Lomotos had 13 and 12 points each for VMO. TFD played at its best, trying to keep on fighting, but just could not keep pace to the much quicker and more talented VMO squad whose core was behind the championship in the past two season.

Global FC earns UFL semis

R

EIGNING League champion Global FC needed extra time to escape Kaya FC in the quarterfinals, 2-1, to earn a berth to the next round of the United Football Cup Tuesday night at the University of Makati.

National team members Demit Omphroy and Misagh Bahadoran provided the scoring for Global, which will face the winner of the match between the Loyola Meralco Sparks and Philippine Army FC in the semifinals.

Kaya controlled the match early, with African

forward Eric Dagroh creating multiple chances at the goal which failed to hit the net.

But Global was the first to score as Omphroy slotted the ball inside the goal off a Bahadoran miss at the 33rd minute to give his team a 1-nil edge.

Eddie Mallari then blasted a shot from way beyond the box just before the first half ended to help Kaya tie the match at 1-1 at the break.

Both teams struggled to finish on the attack in the second half. Jonah Romero then had a great

chance of giving his team the lead late in the match, only to be deflected by Global’s Carli de Murga to bring the match to extra time.

Just over a minute into the first added period, Bahadoran then sped fast his defenders and nailed a goal to bring the lead back to Global.

Kaya had several chances to score in the second extra time, but attempts by Romero, Armand del Rosario and Nate Burkey failed to find the mark.

Azkals standout Misagh Bahadoran (left) of Global FC leads his team past Kaya FC in the UFL.