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VOL.5 ISSUE 179 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9-10, 2012
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Autopsy shows 4 soldiers tortured Paquibato massacre
By Anthony S. Allada
The Economy
Page 6
Sports
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T
HE AUTOPSY report on four soldiers killed by communist rebels in Paquibato district, Davao City last November 4 shows torture marks and stab as well as gunshot wounds on the victims, according to a military official.
NPA says the four were killed when they “fought it out” against the members of the 1st PBC-NPA “It shows that the victims were tortured before they were brutally killed. One of them was
LANTERNS. A boy together with his father, younger sister and grandmother are seen roaming around various subdivisions in Lanang and Sasa riding a modified motorcycle commonly called “payong-pay-
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Court martial of 13 soldiers to proceed A
MILITARY official said there was no intention to delay court-martial proceedings for the 13 soldiers accused of the death of B’laan tribal leader Daguil Capion’s wife and two sons on October 18 in remote Kimlawis village in Kiblawan, Davao del Sur. Lt. Col. Lyndon Paniza, spokesperson of the 10th Infantry Division, said they want higher headquarters of the Philippine Army to compose the military tri-
bunal and not the 10th ID itself to dispel suspicions of a whitewash. “Our request is still pending there, but we expect the answer soonest possible time to start the court-martial,” Paniza said. He said the 10th ID has direct supervision over the 27th Infantry Battalion, the unit to which the accused soldiers—Lt. Dante Jimenez, Sergeants Dennis Murillo
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even stabbed in the neck, said Major Jake Obligado, commander of the Civil Military Operation (CMO)
Battalion of the 10th Infantry Division. Obligado said this revelation is to counter the denial by the New People’s Army (NPA) that the four members of the 60th Infantry Battalion’s Peace
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ong” to sell Christmas lanterns 45 days before Christmas day. [LEAN DAVAL JR.]
2 THE BIG NEWS
Dabawenyos score visit of Rep. Alcover The mayor, a councilor and militant leaders in Davao City are protesting the upcoming visit here of ANAD (Alliance for Nationalism and Democracy) partylist Rep. Pastor “Jun” Alcover after he was declared “persona non grata” by the city council in 2010. Alcover is scheduled to join a congressional inquiry on human rights to be held in the city on November 8-9 (see separate story), according to Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan, who will also be attending the hearing. “Dili siya dapat maka-
Need of the hour
tunob og yuta sa Davao (He is not supposed to step on Davao’s soil)”, she said. She noted that the city council did the right move to declare Alcover, together with Jovito Palparan, persona non grata. The two partylist representatives were quoted in a local newspaper back in 2009 as having said that Davao had become a breeding ground of the New People’s Army, leading to more violence in the city. Asked for a comment, Mayor Sara Duterte was quick to joke with her
VOL.5 ISSUE 179 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9-10, 2012
EDGEDAVAO
Counsellor says continuity in US econ policy expected W
HOEVER is the president of the United States, there will be relative continuity in America’s foreign economic policy and how it impacts the Philippines and other emerging economies. This was bared by Joel Ehrendreich, economic counsellor of the US Embassy in Manila,
in a speech before Davao businessmen , professionals and civic leaders a day before the just-concluded election in the US which saw the reelection of President Barack Obama. Ehrendreich was guest of honor and speaker of the joint meeting of Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. under Dr. Ma. Lourdes G.
Monteverde, Ambassador Club Davao headed by Edge Davao editor Antonio M. Ajero, Rotary Club of South Davao led by Scott Nimmo, and the International Visitors Program Davao under businessman Leonilo G. Claudio at The Marco Polo Davao. The diplomat spoke on the theme: US Elections - Its Impact on Emerging
Economies. “The signs of this (continuity) are pretty clear,” Ehrendreich said. First of all, he said, as Europe’s economy continues to lag and the Middle East continues a period of political transition, not just America, but most of the international commu-
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FDABAWENYOS, 11
More aggressive marketing of bananas to foreign lands
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HE banana industry in the Davao region is urging the Philippine government to push the marketability of bananas to key international buyers, particularly Japan, South Korea and Australia. In his speech Wednesday at the Mindanao Banana Forum, Alexander N. Valoria, president of the Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association, urged the Philippine government to be decisive in dealing with these markets, particularly in pushing its bananas into these markets. “For example, our gov-
ernment should declare that if Philippine bananas are not allowed into Australia, we will then import our dairy needs from New Zealand, the country that welcomes Philippine bananas,” Valoria said. The Philippines and Australia have been at odds over the refusal of the latter to buy bananas from the former, using phyto-sanitary issues as the reason. But both the banana industry and the Philippine government believe the real reason for this is that Australia is protecting its ba-
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Rep. Ungab lauds measure
Joel Ehrendreich, economic counsellor of the United States Embassy in Manila, discusses the impact of last Wednesday’s US elections on the Philippines and other emerging economies. Ehrendreich was guest of honor and speaker of the joint meeting of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc., the Ambassa-
dor Club-Davao, the Rotary Club of South Davao and International Visitors Program Davao. Sitting at right are IVP Davao president Nilo Claudio and Ambassador Club president Antonio M. Ajero.
City Council okays program to develop Third district gets 26T-hectare Matigsalog ancestral land bulk of road budget Site of most mountain resorts
By Antonio M. Ajero
T
HE Davao City Council headed by Vice Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte unanimously approved last Tuesday the Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development Plans and Programs (ADSDPP) covering 26,000 hectares
By Anthony S. Allada
of lands six barangays in the city’s third legislative district. This was bared by Councilor Berino Libayao Mambo-o, who sponsored the measure as representative of the indigenous peoples (IPs) in the city
WINNER. Edge Davao photojournalist Lean Daval, Jr. (raising box of San Miguel beers)is the top prize winner of the Scarevenger Haunt photo contest at the Annex of SM City Davao recently. Present during the awarding ceremony are (from left) Car-
council. The ADSDPP is for the Matigsalog Manobo Tribal People Council of Elders Davao, Inc. (MAMATRIPCEDI) to manage. The 26,000 hectares will cover six barangays in the third district, namely
Buda, Salumay, Baganihan, Gumitan and portions of Marilog and Malamba. REP. Isidro T. Ungab of Davao City’s third congressional district said the resolution of the Davao City
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melito Q. Francisco, Edge Davao editor Tony Ajero, San Miguel Corp.’s Meg Macion, Amy Cabusao, Prix Banzon and Apple Legario, public relations officer of SM City Davao.
T
HE third congressional district represented by Isidro T. Ungab will get the bulk of the huge budget set aside by the national government in developing a road network leading to tourist destinations starting next year. This was bared by regional director Mariano Alquiza of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Region 11 who said the department is appropriating P1.5-billion worth of projects geared towards developing a road network connecting the region’s various tourist destinations in 2013. Alquiza said the amount is part of the agency’s P7.7-billion budget appropriation for its 2013 infrastructure projects in the Davao region. Rep. Ungab said the hard work of Davao City lawmakers in fighting for the tourism road budget had paid off.
Ungab said the road projects were identified by the city government, his congressional office and endorsed by the Regional Development Council headed by Davao City Mayor Sara D. Carpio, in so far as the third legislative district is concerned. According to the Davao lawmaker, who used to be assistant chairman of the House appropriations committee and now chairman of the committee on ways and means, majority of the city’s most attractive highland resorts are found in the third district, composed of the administrative districts of Toril, Tugbok, Calinan, Baguio and Marilog. Alquiza said Davao City gets P305-million from the bulk, P261-million of which goes to the city’s third district, Davao del Norte gets P395-million, Davao del Sur P365-million and Davao Oriental P470-million. The
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EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 179 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9-10, 2012
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4 SCIENCE/ENVIRONMENT
VOL.5 ISSUE 179 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9-10, 2012
EDGEDAVAO
Sharing a bike? More fun in Davao City D
ABAWENYOS can ditch carpools, as they will soon have a more environment-friendly way of sharing modes of transportation--using bicycles. Davao City has been chosen as one of the three areas in Asia-Pacific where a new bicycle-sharing scheme launched by the Asian Development Bank and the Japanese government will be tested. “This initiative will show that urban transport conditions can be improved through the lowcost and zero-emission solution of bicycle-sharing systems,” ADB senior transportation specialist Lloyd Wright said in a statement. Aside from Davao, also chosen as demonstration sites for the new project are Vientiane in Lao PDR and another city yet to be named in Indonesia. The cities were selected after consultations with local, national and international stakeholders, ADB said.
“The project will help improve air quality, as well as reduce the rate of pedestrian accidents and fatalities linked with too many private vehicles on the road,” it added. Bicycle-sharing will also allow users to travel on short trips that are too long to walk. It is also “a way to close the gaps between public transport and a rider’s final destination--otherwise known as the ‘last-mile’ issue,” ADB said. The project will be assessed for possible replication across developing Asia-Pacific countries, ADB said further. The effort project was launched in anticipation of a vehicle boom in Asia-Pacific. “By 2030, it is estimated that nearly half of the world’s projected 1.5 billion vehicles will be in the region,” ADB said. The $2-million project is funded on a grant basis by the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction and administered by ADB. [Yahoo!]
The Asian Development Bank and the Japanese government launch a bicycle-sharing scheme which will be tested in three cities Asia-Pacific cities including Davao. [Photo from ADB website]
Efficient disaster management plan in Davao being mapped out
M
EMBERS of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management in Davao Region are mapping out plans to effectively mitigate, prevent and respond to natural and man-made calamities in a three-day session
at the Apo View Hotel. Liza Mazo, director of the Office of Civil Defense said the activity participated in by more than 39 partner government agencies revolves on the discussions on prevention and mitigation, disaster prepared-
ness, disaster response anchored on the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Plan for 2011-2028. She looked forward that a three-year working program and set of activities relative to risk reduc-
tion and management will come out of the discussion. “It covers prevention and mitigation, preparedness, response and rehabilitation, all aspects of the government‘s working plan to cope with disasters,” Mazo said.
the utilization of large amounts of energy for their operations. Composed of hundreds of temperature-sensitive servers, data centers are large energy consumers by design making an eco-friendly data center a rare find. DataOne Asia, the leading independent provider
of managed technology services for enterprises, has proven that it is possible for tech firms to be concerned about the environment while improving their services and ROI by managing their energy and carbon efficiency. DataOne Asia is the first locally-based data
center awardee in the recently concluded 2012 Ecoswitch Awards. The firm was given the Ecoswitch Performance Award, which is handed to companies across industries that implement efficient processes to significantly save energy. DataOne Asia was also recognized for their success in implementing measures to lessen environmental impacts in operations, reduce business cost, and provide better workplace for employees “When we built our Tier 3, enterprise-class data center from day one back in 2000, we have already put in place the best energy-conserving practices basically for our system efficiency and our clients’ peace of mind knowing that the equipment we use have high performance delivery levels,” said Cyril Rocke, DataOne Asia President and CEO.
DataOne Asia goes green with Ecoswitch Award
T
HE recent boom of technology facilities worldwide has created a wide array of ecological problems from energy overconsumption to increased carbon emissions. Data centers, for one, are notorious for large carbon emissions due to
Photo shows DataOne Asia President and CEO Cyril Rocke (center) receiving the Ecoswitch Performance Award for DataOne.
Joining him are (from left) Ecoswitch Project Director Dr. Alena Labodova and Ecoswitch Project Leader Dr. Thomas Dielacher.
Ecosavers crediting guidelines out soon
A
UTHORITIES intend to finalize this year guidelines for crediting public elementary and high school enrollees who will participate in the government’s National Ecosavers Program. NEP aims to help address the country’s existing garbage problem and authorities have projected 40 percent increase in waste generation during the next decade. NEP encourages the enrollees to gather recyclable trash in their homes then bring the materials to their respective schools for weighing and collecting by accredited junkshops and recyclers. This will enable these youngsters to help clean up the environment while earning corresponding credits for their efforts. “Our aim is to come up with guidelines for helping the enrollees open respective bank savings accounts using such credits,” NEP consultant Vener Garcia said Thursday. Vener was talking with reporters on the side of the program’s Metro Manila launch which the environment and education departments spearheaded in Manila’s Arroceros Forest Park. He said NEP’s steering committee will review, for possible ap-
proval, the guidelines’ draft which a technical working group prepared earlier. Dept. of Education Sec. Armin Luistro said talks with Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas already commenced to pursue the matter. “We’re coordinating with BSP so each enrollee can have bank savings of some PhP200 at the school year’s end,” he reported during the launch. He estimated such savings based on the assumption an enrollee will earn PhP1 from collecting recyclables during each school day. The Philippines has an average 200 school days per year, DepEd noted. “With credits earned from collecting recyclables, public school enrollees in Metro Manila alone can collectively accummulate bank savings of about PhP420 million annually,” Luistro said, citing earlier projections for NEP. He said Metro Manila has nearly 2.1 million public school enrollees in government’s 517 elementary and 246 high schools there. Government is initially implementing NEP in Metro Manila but targets covering other areas as well once the program’s steering committee approves the guidelines’ final version, Garcia said.
EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 179 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9-10, 2012
THE ECONOMY
NEGOTIATE. A lady tries to get a discount by negotiating with a sales representative of a store selling products made out of different parts banana plant during the 2nd day of Banana
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Congress 2012 at SM Lanang Premier’s SMX Convention Center yesterday. [LEAN DAVAL JR.]
DTI Davao partners with private sector in creating banana recipes
T
HE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here has partnered with the private sector in creating a number of banana recipes in a bid to widen the industry’s opportunities for investors. The various banana food creations were introduced to the public, especially to the potential investors, during the opening Wednesday of the two-day Mindanao Banana Congress at the SMX Convention Center here. DTI Davao Regional Director Marizon S. Loreto said by value-adding,
more consumers will be enticed to patronize banana products since they will get to enjoy products other than the traditional ones such as banana chips and banana crunch. “Recently, we have trained a number of women in the processing of banana,” she said, adding that the department has asked the help of Mary Ann M. Montemayor, owner of Villa Margarita Hotel and Davao Industry Cluster Capacity Enhancement Project (DICCEP) tourism industry cluster chair. Loreto said more women in the region will
be trained to produce food derivatives like banana chicken salad wrap, banana chocolate cake with banana chip streusel, banana choco cream trifle, banana rum brownies, fresh fruit taco, and banana oatmeal cookies. Per data of the National Statistics Office (NSO), the dominant product forms of banana are fresh (Cavendish) and banana chips (saba/cardava), which generated aggregate earnings of US$ 360 million in 2010, or about 99 percent of the total banana export earnings. [PNA]
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THE ECONOMY
Stat Watch
1. Gross National Income Growth Rate (At Constant 2000 Prices)
5.8% 1st Qtr 2012
2. Gross Domestic Product Growth Rate (At Constant 2000 Prices)
6.4 % 1st Qtr 2012
3. Exports 1/ 4. Imports 1/ 5. Trade Balance 6. Balance of Payments 2/ 7. Broad Money Liabilities
USD 4,931 million May 2012 USD 4,770 million Apr 2012 USD -135 million Apr 2012 USD -209 million Mar 2012 P 4,580,674 million Apr 2012
8. Interest Rates 4/
4.1 % May 2012 P131,403 million May 2012 P 5,075 billion Apr 2012
9. National Government Revenues 10. National government outstanding debt 11. Peso per US $ 5/
P 42.78 Jun 2012
12. Stocks Composite Index 6/
5,091.2 May 2012
13. Consumer Price Index 2006=100
130.1 Jun 2012
14. Headline Inflation Rate 2006=100
2.8 Jun 2012
15. Core Inflation Rate 2006=100
3.7 Jun 2012
16. Visitor Arrivals
349,779 Apr 2012
17. Underemployment Rate 7/
18.8 % Jan 2012
18. Unemployment Rate 7/
7.2 % Jan 2012
MONTHLY AVERAGE EXCHANGE RATE (January 2009 - December 2011) Month Average December November October September August July June May April March February January
2012
2011
2010
42.85 42.70 42.86 42.66 43.62
43.31 43.64 43.27 43.45 43.02 42.42 42.81 43.37 43.13 43.24 43.52 43.70 44.17
45.11 43.95 43.49 43.44 44.31 45.18 46.32 46.30 45.60 44.63 45.74 46.31 46.03
VOL.5 ISSUE 179 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9-10, 2012
EDGEDAVAO
DA frowns upon practice of growers’pole-vaulting T
HE Philippine government will impose stringent measures to stop banana pole-vaulting, the practice of growers in selling their produce to buyers outside of those they have marketing contracts with. This was revealed by Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala in a speech read for him by DA Davao Region Executive Director Constancio U. Maghanoy Jr. during the opening Wednesday of the Mindanao Banana Congress at the SMC Convention Center in Davao City. Secretary Alcala said the department has started implementing an order that would require exporters to get accreditation from the agency. Alacala said pole-vaulting activities have “sacrificed” the qualities of bananas reaching the foreign markets “in exchange of meeting the volume requirements of fly-by-night spot buy-
Government discourages banana growers in selling to “fly-by night” consolidators ers.” He said the imposition of the order will ensure that qualities of bananas reaching the foreign markets will be better. “Continuous monitoring of production areas will be done by our quarantine officers to make sure that only traders with validated volume of exports will be approved for export,” he added. Big banana exporters, through the Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association, have sought the help of the government in preventing pole-vaulting described by Stephen A. Antig, executive director of the association, as a “big problem.” “Government must help the industry solve this problem before it gets out of hand,” Antig
told Davao business writers. Pole-vaulting activities started about five years ago when the Iran market, which imported a sizeable volume of bananas from the Philippines, started to slowdown after it got entangled with the United States as it continued to pursue its nuclear programs. Some foreign buyers, taking advantage of the reduction in prices on the part of the traditional buyers, decided to tap some consolidators whom they tasked to buy from growers, many of them were able to sign long-term marketing contracts with their buyers. As a result of the pole-vaulting activities, a big company even sued its growers, members of a cooperative created after
they became agrarian reform beneficiaries, it accused them of selling their produce to others even when they already signed up a contract with the company. The problem has continued to beset the industry after the China market, the growing market for Philippine bananas, imposed stringent measures on the product early this year. Based on the report, the problem with the China market started when some insects were found on a load of Philippine banana reaching the country. As a result, China required Philippine exporters to implement stringent protocols like better packing houses. Although big companies under PBGEA were already complying with the new requirements, small banana growers could hardly do it, prompting the national government to subsidize them.
ONB surpasses forecast of 3rd quarter net income
PHL to achieve ‘massive growth’ through analytics, says IBM exec O
T
HE Philippines must strengthen its focus on improving academic excellence in analytics as this will allow the country to achieve massive economic growth. In opening its 13th facility in the Philippines Tuesday, Mariels Almeda-Winhoffer, IBM-Philippines Mariels Almeda-Winhoffer,
IBM Philippines president and country manager, said the Philippine education must provide focus on how to develop the analytical skills of the workforce because this will give a push to the country’s economy. “I truly believe that they (Philippine human resources) will not only be known for
SHOWCASE. Richard Torres, PhilExport Davao consultant (rightmost), and staff of SAGREX Foods, Inc. pose for a photograph at the company’s booth which showcases different food products using banana as a main ingredi-
their BPO (business process outsourcing) capacity,“ said Ms. Winhoffer, adding that her company has partnered with the academe, particularly the Commission on Higher Education, in developing curriculum on analytics as job opportunities have continued to emerge in this area of expertise.
ent in the 2012 Banana Congress at SM Lanang Premier’s SMX Convention Center yesterday. [LEAN DAVAL JR.]
NE NETWORK BANK registered a 118% growth in its net income during the first three quarters of the year to P478 million. The net income during the first nine months of the year, based on the report of the bank released Tuesday afternoon, even surpassed the P437 million annual forecast. It was during the first seven months of the year when it surpassed its total net income last year of P315 million. It had a net income of P336 million during the first seven months of 2012. The report said the net income raised the earnings per share ratio during the period to P3.47 from P2.74 during the same period last year. “This illustrates the bank’s profitability,” said Alex V. Buenaventura, president of the bank, which has 86 branches with one of them in Makati City. Because of the increase in income, considering that the bank principle is to plow back its earnings, its capital got a boost of P2.91 billion. “(This is a) feat for a rural bank as the figure way exceeds minimum capital requisite for commercial banks,” he added. The increase in net income was “driven by an improving trend in interest income derived from loans,” the report said, pointing out that loans resulted in gross income of P944 million, 31% higher than last year.
as of august 2010
Cebu Pacific Daily Zest Air Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Philippine Airlines Daily Philippine Airlines Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri/Sun Philippine Airlines Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Silk Air Mon/Wed/Sat Cebu Pacific Thu Cebu Pacific Tue/Wed//Sat
5J961 / 5J962 Z2390 / Z2390 5J593 / 5J348 PR809 / PR810 PR819 / PR820 5J394 / 5J393 5J599 / 5J594 5J347 / 5J596 5J963 / 5J964 PR811 / PR812 5J595 / 5J966 MI588 / MI588 5J965 / 5J968 5J965 / 5J968
5:45 5:45 6:00 6:10 7:50 7:50 8:00 9:10 9:40 11:30 12:00 18:55 12:55 13:35
Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Cebu-Davao-Iloilo Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Zamboanga-Davao-Zamboanga Cebu-Davao-Cebu Iloilo-Davao-Cebu Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Cebu-Davao-Manila Davao-Cebu-Singapore Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila
6:15 6:25 6:30 7:00 8:50 8:10 8:30 9:40 10:10 12:20 12:30 13:35 13:25 14:05
Silk Air Thu/Sun Cebu Pacific Mon/Tue/Wed/Fri Philippine Airlines August Zest Air Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Philippines Airlines Daily Cebu Pacific Mon/Tue/Thu/Sat Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Tue/Sat/Sun Cebu Pacific Daily Airphil Express Daily Philippine Airlines Daily except Sunday Philippine Airlines Sunday
MI566 / MI566 5J507 / 5J598 15:55 Z2524 / Z2525 5J967 / 5J600 PR813 / PR814 5J215 / 5J216 5971 / 5J970 5J973 / 5J974 5J969 / 5J972 2P987 / 2P988 PR821 / PR822 PR821 / PR822
18:55 15:00 Mani2Mani 16:05 16:35 16:55 18:00 18:40 20:00 20:30 20:30 21:20 22:20
Davao-Singapore Cebu-Davao-Cebu 16:50 Cebu-Davao-Cebu Manila-Davao-Cebu Manila-Davao-Manila Cagayan de Oro-Davao-Cagayan de Oro Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila
15:20 15:30 16:45 17:05 17:45 18:20 19:10 20:30 21:00 21:00 21:50 22:50
EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 179 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9-10, 2012
AGRITRENDS
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P950 M earmarked for organic farming T
HE Dept. of Agriculture has earmarked more than P950 million for next year to promote, implement and further develop the practice of organic agriculture in the Philippines. Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said majority of the budget will be used in expanding organic agriculture practice, particularly in the transfer of technology, to make local farmers and organizations more competitive once the country open its doors to other Asean nations by 2015. “By that time, we can no longer stop the entry of cheaper products from our neighbors. That’s why we need to boost our organic farming practice by lowering production cost,” Alcala told reporters on the sideline of the 9th National Organic Agriculture Congress in Cebu City. The DA chief said he is optimistic organic agriculture is the key to Philippine farmers’ success because it will elevate skills among field workers. He affirmed that the DA is continuously conducting trainors’ training programs simultaneous with the strengthening of
organic agriculture policies through the help of the National Organic Agriculture Board. Alcala also said they are now looking into the strategies being implemented by Cuba, considered one of the most successful countries when it comes to organic agriculture. “The case of Cuba can be considered as ‘accidental’ organic agriculture due to the economic embargo imposed against them. But now that they have seen the value of going organic, they no longer want to go back,” he said. Alcala said Cuban representatives will be coming to the country to provide the DA with valuable technical support in the use of biological control agents. To prepare farmers to transition from traditional farming to organic farming, DA will conduct information campaigns and provide technical assistance to interested farmers. “At this point, they should understand the program so it will not go to waste, so we have to work doubly hard to disseminate information and introduce them to tech-
nologies,” he said. Aside from technical support, the DA will also expand the directory of farmers engaging in organic farming, as well as suppliers and traders, to provide a communication highway for the industry. The Organic Agriculture Act of 2010 provides for the creation of policy
on regulation, registration , accreditation, certification and labeling of organic produce; carry out research for the development of organic agriculture; promote the establishment of facilities and equipment that would accelerate the production and commercialization of organic farm in-
puts; and provide support services to farmers. The government, under the National Organic Agriculture Program for 2012 to 2016, which was created as mandated by the law, aims to increase farm productivity by reducing farm inputs, improve the health of consumers, and enhance soil
fertility and farm biodiversity. Compared to other countries in Asia, the organic agriculture sector in the Philippines is still in its formative stage. Data from the DA shows that less than one prevent of the country’s agricultural lands used for organic farming.
8 VANTAGE POINTS
EDGEDAVAO Culture of tourism in local conflict resolution
VOL.5 ISSUE 179 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9-10, 2012
( 1st of two parts )
S
EDITORIAL
People, or birds?
T
HERE is a uniquely difficult problem faced by the authorities and people of Paranaque City: the existence of a sanctuary for migratory birds near the country’s premier airport, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia). Sometime this week, some of the birds were sucked into an engine of a Philippine Airlines plane that nearly caused an accident. Bird strikes, or avian ingestion, are a real threat to flight safety. Admittedly, the situation is worrisome, since bird strikes have spawned deadly plane crashes in some places of the world. In the USA, “ the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) estimates the problem costs US aviation 400 million dollars annually and has resulted in over 200 worldwide deaths since 1988. In the United Kingdom, the Central Science Laboratory estimates that, worldwide, the cost of bird strikes to airlines is around US$1.2 billion annually. “ “Estimating that 80% of bird strikes are unreported, there were 4,300 bird strikes listed by the United States Air
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Force and 5,900 by US civil aircraft in 2003,” Wikipedia says. Here at home, Manila International Airport Authority general manager Jose Angel Honrado said they have recorded some 50 bird strikes in the skies around the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) this year. No wonder many Philippine authorities, including Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, want the bird sanctuary, which is home to more than a hundred species from other countries, removed. This is the same bird sanctuary in Paranaque that the family of Senator Manny Villar had sought to be protected from a reclamation project. The Villars have gone to court to stop the project, claiming it would destroy the sanctuary. We have news for Mr. Jimenez. Removing the bird sanctuary by drastic means would raise a howl among millions of bird, nay, animal lovers for that matter, around the world. Is this a virtual Gordian knot problem that would need a modern day Solomon to solve? 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
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OMETIME last year, I had an intensive exchange of ideas with Julia, a consultant of forumZFD, a non-government organization in Germany and working on the peace process. forumZFD is conducting series of collaborative talks, attempting to identify sources of conflict. It is rather a proactive approach, aiming to address the problem at the grassroots level. Conventional approach appears to be reactive, sometimes becoming merely as palliative solutions, without necessarily nipping the bud. Julia was very insightful. She showed how unchecked tourism development could potentially be a rich source of conflicts in the future. I do not see such thing brewing at the moment in Davao region. In many other areas in Mindanao, however, some destinations have already become potential sources of conflicts of interest. Usually, these are between tourism investors, who are mostly from other areas, and the local community.
Equally emphasized is the need to preserve and nurture the social fabric in areas where tourism is a substantial industry. Balancing of interest, if others would like to put it that way.
The Tourism Act of 2009 does not only recognize tourism as an engine of economic growth. Equally emphasized is the need to preserve and nurture the social fabric in areas where tourism is a substantial industry. Balancing of interest, if others would like to put it that way. I am looking at it from a different angle though. It is not easy to balance interests which are, by their very nature, contradictory to one another. Better approach, I opine, is the integration of those seemingly opposite interests and the resulting synthesis is a merger and developed set of interests beneficial to all parties involve. Of course, compromises are a sine qua non. A massive development in a beach front requiring use of space and water resources may lead to decreased fish catch among the local fishers who are wholly dependent on rudimentary fishing methods and minimal equipment. A modern factory producing pasalubong items using better technology may mean cheaper products and eventually threaten the livelihood of local residents who rely on manual labor producing the same. Bigger and faster boats may mean lesser passengers for smaller bancas. Since we operate under the free market system, not using a state-led economic model, there is greater reason that those interests be integrated as a whole.
EDGEDAVAO
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VOL.5 ISSUE 179 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9-10, 2012
Lagundi’s therapeutic value
N a rolling hill in Barangay Upon in Pinili, Ilocos Norte, Bernardo Cabralda looked intently at an upland area of his farm that breathes with “dangla,” or what Tagalogs refer to as “lagundi” – the native five-leaved chaste tree abundant in the Philippines. ”Dangla” (scientific name: Vitex negundo) is a large native shrub that grows in the Philippines and popular in the Ilocos region as herbal medicine. ”Dangla,” also found in other areas of the Philippines at low and medium altitudes, in waste places and thickets, also grows in tropical East Africa, Madagascar, India, Japan, and southward through Malaya to western Polynesia. The Department of Health has conducted a research on “lagundi” and has suggested the erect, branched tree, which grows to as high as 5 meters, has several verifiable therapeutic value. As for Cabralda, his interest is in the single, woody stems which he and family use for their wood-stoked flue-curing barn for different varieties of tobacco, the veritable cash crop of the region – ironic in his case because he does not smoke despite some hectares of his land planted to tobacco introduced in the Ilocos region in the 1950s by American business tycoon Harry Stonehill. Stonehill introduced in the market a cigarette brand called “Puppies” which became a hit, outselling competitors that time which confirmed his reputation as the new Tobacco king of the Philippines. He did this by introducing Virginia tobacco to Ilocos, the loamy but narrow strip of land sandwiched by the Ilocos Mountain ranges and Luzon Bay.
SPECIAl FEATuRE By Honor Blanco caBie He encouraged the farmers of the region to grow this kind of tobacco, hiring experts to help the tobacco farmers and then buying back their crops – the Ilocanos eventually erecting barns and planting “dangla” shrubs for their stems. The stems are used to hold sticks of arranged tobacco leaves the family hangs inside the 2,000-stick barn for five days – from the yellowing to fixing to drying stage. His older brother Silvestre, an herb man or “erbolario” among the villagers, has always had a soft spot for the leaves, which appear palmately, in the form of five-pointed leaves which splay out like the fingers of a hand. ”Dangla” leaves are 5-foliate, rarely with 3 leaflets only; the leaves are 4-10 cm long, slightly hairy beneath and the flowers are blue to lavender, 6-7mm long bearing fruit globose of about 4mm in diameter that turns black when ripe. Health care sources in the region as well as those based in the metropolis say “dangla” or “lagundi” has been traditionally used as herbal medicine by many Filipinos, its efficacy verified by the Department of Health and other Philippine-based scientists who concentrated on its use to ease respiratory complaints. ”Dangla,” generally used for the treatment of coughs, asthma symptoms, and other respiratory problems, is also known for its analgesic effect
that helps alleviate pain and discomfort. According to health care sources, “dangla” has also other traditional benefits which include relief of asthma and pharyngitis; relief of rheumatism, dyspepsia, boils, diarrhea; treatment of cough, colds, fever and flu and other bronchopulmonary disorders; alleviate symptoms of chicken pox; and removal of worms, and boils. Health care sources add “dangla”or “lagundi” syrup is now commonly formulated as cough medicine and can now be bought in leading drugstores and supermarkets. But while “dangla” or “lagundi” is widely acceptable for use by children and adults, health care sources say moderate use is recommended for pregnant women, and treatment should not exceed one week. Some research studies suggest “dangla” leaves contain a colorless essential oil of odor of the drug, and a resin; while the fruit contains an acid resin, an astringent organic acid, mallic acid, and coloring matter. The shrub’s flowers are used in diarrhea, cholera, fever, and diseases of the liver, and are also recommended as a cardiac tonic. The flowers and stalks, reduced to powder, are administered in cases of discharge of blood from the stomach and bowels. The seeds are claimed to make a cooling medicine for skin diseases and leprosy, and for inflammation of the mouth. These, and more, according to fans. And Cabralda has a knowing smile beneath the mist in his eyes. [PNA]
VANTAGE POINTS
9
Migrant power in US politics
S
URVEYS had suggested it would be a tight race between President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney, the Republican Party bet for the White House. Obama, however, came out roaring even in the so-called battleground states for a second term as US president. Like in a frenzied boxing match where neither fighter likes to give quarters, it was all over as soon as the polls closed. And Romney could do nothing else but raise the hand of the winner. Analysts predicted a close contest mainly because many Americans thought the Obama administration was not doing enough for the economy, which slowed down to a level surpassed only by the stagnation during the Great Depression. When former company executives find themselves selling burgers after being thrown out of jobs, do you think it would be easy to convince the voters to give the incumbent a second chance? It was this factor that endangered Obama’s reelection bid. Fortunately for Obama, Romney failed to articulate clear prescriptions for the faltering economy except to say that the incumbent has failed. His proposal to intensify outsourcing sounded illogical vis-à-vis the rate of domestic unemployment. In the field of foreign policy, Romney appeared as too hawkish, suggesting more aggressive measures against foreign states perceived to be threats to American interests. It was an unwise thing to say to a nation that knows all too well the meaning of Iraq and Afghanistan. These miscalculations by the GOP led to the post-mortem that the outcome was not really a vote for Obama but a vote against Romney. Stated more bluntly, it means the voters did not like Obama but they were also wary of Romney. They felt it was time to replace Obama, but Romney did not look and speak like the right alternative. The cure appeared worse than the disease. Many analysts were unanimous in saying that Romney leaned too far on the right and found it hard to tilt back to the center when his conservative pronouncements backfired. He – or his strategists – seemed to live in a bygone world and to not realize their country’s changing demographics. For example, Romney voiced his opposition to planned parenthood as well as his conservative stance on matters related to women’s reproductive health rights in general. The result: the women’s vote turned out to be 50 percent to 48 percent in favor of Obama. On the other hand, 71 percent of the Latinos, who comprised 10 percent of the voting population, went for Obama. Romney had said he would go hard against illegal migrants [if elected president]. That means that for every million votes cast 100,000 were by the Latinos, and of this number, 71,000 were for Obama. It would appear that the Republican Party campaigned as if this was the US where the migrants were still a nonfactor in politics. Reports even pointed out that years from now the US will have a lesser number of whites compared to the African-Americans, Asians, Latinos and other non-whites. This is not farfetched given the white Americans’ tendency toward a small-sized family.
10 SuBuRBIA
VOL.5 ISSUE 179 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9-10, 2012
DavNor Girl Scout grabs I grand slam nat’l awards T
HE Davao del Norte Girls Scout Council this year has been named as the grand slam winner of national awards. For two consecutive years, Davao del Norte Girl Scout Council has been recognized nationally as the Outstanding Girl Scout Council outsmarting 98 other Girl Scout councils in the entire country. Along with the highest recognition for the Girl Scout Council category, Council President Providencia P. Nunez and Council Executive Leah Joy D. Gonzaga also reaped
DOLE 12 heightens campaign vs illegal recruitment, trafficking
for two consecutive years, the recognition as the national Outstanding Girl Scout Council President and Outstanding Girl Scout Council Executive respectively. In an interview, Gonzaga gave credit to the 37 Davao del Norte Girl Scout Council board members whose active involvement resulted in generation of dynamic support from members down to the troop levels. Meanwhile, Gonzaga revealed that three other individuals from Davao del Norte Girls Scout Council recently emerged as national
awardees: Geraldine Canlas of Mangga Elementary School as Outstanding Girls Scout District Field Adviser; Michelle Dano of La Filipina National High School as Outstanding Troop Leader; and 15-year-old Julienne Marie San Jose Batingal of the University of Mindanao, Tagum City campus as Outstanding Girl Scout. Aside from the plaque of recognition, medals and pins, the three bagged P50,000 worth of travel grant to next year’s international gathering of Girls Scout. They chose to attend the Giggles 2013 International Camp
which is a Girl Guiding activity slated in North East England, International Camp from July 27 to Aug. 3, 2013. Gonzaga bared that the bunch of awardees from the same Girl Scout Council rarely emerged in the history of GSP recognition of highest achievers. Meanwhile, Batingal is also among the 43 Girl Scouts from Davao del Norte council due to receive the Chief Girl Scout Medal considered as the highest award for high school Girl Scout members.[PIA 11/Jeanevive Duron-Abangan]
used in the production of canned tuna, and had it not been for foreign catches, the six tuna canneries here would barely have such raw materials to process, PFDA data reflected. Foreign frozen tuna landings at the fish port complex in the three months to March reached 11,639 MT and climbed to 15,902 MT in the succeeding quarter, said the data from PFDA, which operates the fish port complex here. “Fish supplies [for the canneries] have become smaller nowadays,” Mariano Fernandez, president of the local tuna canners association, said earlier.
Previously, tuna unloading in the city would reach 2,000 MT, but lately the volume is between 300 to 400 metric tons per unloading, he added. But Ambutong Pautong, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources acting director for Region 12, said the agency is expecting the yield of local fishing companies to improve towards the end of the year. “Some of the fishing companies have already deployed their fleet to a limited portion [of the Pacific Ocean],” he told MindaNews on Thursday. They have already unloaded tuna totaling
around 300 MT, said Pautong, noting they have been deployed just late October to a previously closed international fishing ground. Earlier this year, the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) allocated access to 36 Philippine purse seine vessels to catch tuna in pockets of the Pacific Ocean until February 2013. Prior to this, the WCPFC closed pockets 1 and 2 of the Pacific Ocean to purse seine fishing to member nations for two years that ended last December to allow tuna species to replenish.
PH tuna fishing firms’ harvest down by 85% U
NLOADING of frozen tuna for canned production by Philippine fishing companies has been in a steep downtrend in the first two quarters, but a fisheries official said Thursday the catch is expected to improve towards the end of the year. From 1,771 metric tons (MT) in the first quarter, unloading of skipjack tuna by local fishing companies at the fish port complex here fell by 85 percent to 271 MT, data from the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) here showed. Skipjack is generally
DPWH DavSur to get P181-M
T
HE DPWH in Davao del Sur particularly the 1st District Engineering Office has been allotted P181.277 Million for the construction and maintenance of various infrastructure projects for 2013. In his report to DPWH Secretary Rogelio L. Singson, DPWH 11 regional director Mariano R. Alquiza bared that these projects are set for implementation next year, starting as early as January 2013. The regional office will also implement infra projects in the first district worth Php306,065 million. “We are set, ready and prepared to implement the projects starting early next year,” Engr.Zenaida T. Tan, DPWH - District Engineer
said. She added to say that barring fortuitous events they would be able to finish these projects on time. “We are profoundly thankful to the people of Davao del Sur lead by their leaders who gave us their all-out support and cooperation that made it possible for us to successfully implement these projects for the benefit of the people.” Engr. Tan said. Alquiza on the other hand assured the people of Region XI that the DPWH is currently on track and even ahead of schedule in the implementation of its 2012 infra projects. “We will try our best to maintain our number one ranking nationwide as top infra implementor,” Alquiza said.[PIA 11]
EDGEDAVAO
SALUTE TO THE FLAG. Riding on a command vehicle, Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Bautista salutes as they pass by the colors during a review of the troops at
N a bid to address the cases of illegal recruitment and human trafficking in Region 12, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is set to launch a series of awareness and advocacy campaigns next week in various parts of the region. Chona Mantilla, DOLE Region 12 director, said a team from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) central office will visit the region on Nov. 14 to 16 to conduct trainings and awareness sessions on the agency’s enhanced anti-illegal recruitment and human trafficking drive. She said the POEA team will specifically hold capability-enhancement trainings for personnel of the region’s local government units as well as pre-employment seminars for local residents. Mantilla said they will also sign a memorandum of understanding with the Tacurong City government for the strengthening of the campaign in the area. “POEA is coming in to reinforce our campaigns (on illegal recruitment and human trafficking),” she said in a radio interview. Region 12, which is also known as the Soccsksargen Region, comprises the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, North Cotabato and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato. Mantilla said the present cases of human trafficking in the region is not considered alarming but noted that there is a need to clamp down
on the rampant illegal recruitment activities in the area, especially in remote areas. “There are still some residents who are lured by these sweet-talking illegal recruiters, who usually promise lucrative jobs abroad that are non-existent,” she said. In June, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and concerned government agencies rescued 71 victims of human trafficking, 30 of whom came from the region, from a recruitment agency operating in Davao and Butuan cities. Mantilla said the rescue was facilitated by members of the area’s regional interagency council against trafficking (RIACAT). Earlier this year, NBI agents also rescued 16 human trafficking victims while their recruiter was trying to secure their clearances at the NBI regional office in Koronadal City. Mantilla said the usual victims of illegal recruitment in the region were residents who were desperate to work abroad but were not aware of the legal procedures and related government regulations. She cautioned residents who want to work overseas to refrain from entertaining offers from recruiters who require placement fees and other payments but could not present official receipts. “You can easily verify with our office if a certain recruitment agency and their overseas job offers are legal and actually exist. We have a list of accredited recruiters and agencies that carry existing job orders,” she said.
the 4th Infantry Division in Camp Edilberto Evangelista in Barangay Patag, Cagayan de Oro City on Nov. 6, 2012. [MindaNews/Froilan Gallardo]
EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 179 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9-10, 2012
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and Development Team were massacred but were killed in a legitimate encounter. In a statement, the NPA cited that the four were killed when they “fought it out” against the members of the 1st PBC-NPA who mounted a check point in Purok 5, Barko-Barko, Mapula, Paquibato district. The NPA cited that one of the troopers “died several meters from the scene, while an NPA member was wounded in the ensuing engagement.”
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It even claimed that three .45 caliber pistols were also confiscated by the NPA from the soldiers in the incident, including a 7.45 limited with serial number 974502), a Colt .45 with serial number 184419, and a Norimco .45 (SN: 4234).” Lt. Col. Lyndon Paniza, spokesperson of the 10th ID, dared the NPA to produce the alleged recovered firearms as proof that the slain soldiers were armed during the incident. Besides that, Paniza said, even if the
soldiers were armed at the time, they had still no capability to fight since they were on board motorcycles. “We condemn this barbaric act of the notorious New People’s Army that massacred four of our men without considering that they were non-combatants at the time,” Paniza said in a statement. He added that the military is gaining momentum in harmonizing with the community and “that’s what the NPA is afraid of.”
accused are also entitled to have legal counsels of their own for fair trial. Last week, the Board of Inquiry formed by the 10th ID said it found probable cause to charge the soldiers with violations of the Articles of War in a court-martial for the deaths of Juvy Capion and her sons, Pop, 13 and John, 8, during a military operation. While maintaining that the deaths of Capion’s wife and sons stemmed from a legitimate encounter, the BOI said Jimenez and his
men committed tactical lapses. While 27th Infantry Battalion commander Lt. Col. Alexis Bravo was not included on the list of those to be charged, Paniza said Bravo has resigned his post “to allow other third-party groups to investigate freely and to prove that there is no cover-up in the search for truth in this incident.” He said Bravo’s resignation took effect immediately and he was replaced by Lt. Col. Shalimar Imperial.
Philippine bananas in the Japanese market. Valoria added that the Philippines must also negotiate with the South Korean market considering that the latter imposes a 30% tariff on Philippine bananas while only collecting 5% on bananas coming from Peru. He laments that while the situation favors other competitors of the country in the banana industry, the Philippine trade deficit with South Korea is at $2 billion. One bright spot for industry, he said, is the possibility of Philippine bananas entering the American market. Government representatives, among them Agriculture Proceso J. Alcala, confirmed that by next year, Americans will be able to
taste Philippine bananas. Valoria believes that both the Chinese and the Iranian markets will soon return. On the Chinese market, he said that its proximity to the country will eventually lead its importers to start buying again from the country. The Iranian market, on the other hand, has been experiencing a slump after the United States imposed sanctions following the insistence of the Middle Eastern country to pursue its nuclear ambition. Valoria believes the Iranian market return the market is about half of the entire Middle East and that it will need supplies from its traditional sources.
Panabo City coastal road. In Davao del Sur, tourism roads from Barangay Cogon to Kapatagan in Digos City will be paved along with the concreting of the Padada-Piapi, the proposed area for the Crocodile Park of the province. In Davao Oriental, the roads connecting Pusan Point in Caraga town and Mt. Hamiguitan in San Isidro will also be paved. Alquiza said that aside from tourism road networks, the department’s main infrastructure proj-
ects are the paving of national arterial and secondary roads where the total appropriation for 2013 is more than P5-billion. Other infrastructure projects include construction of bridges with a budget allocation of P508-million distributed among all provinces and Davao City, flood control projects amounting to P137-million, basic education facilities with a budget of P512-million.
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and Rommel Ballenas; Corporals Robert Godio, Ayiha Namla, Brucekhan Sahali, Bashir Said, Julah Majid and Jemson Jadjuli; and Privates 1st Class Marlowe Gayamot, Joel Lopez, Darryl Tayamora and Richard Julian—belong. He said the venue of the trial is the 10th ID headquarters in Camp Manuel Yan in Mawab town in Compostela Valley. “Once the jury is already constituted we expect it to be as speedy as other trials,” Paniza said, adding all
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nana industry even when, based on Valoria’s data, the trade deficit of the Philippines with Australia is at $700 million. As for Japan, the executive of the Floirendo-owned Tagum Agricultural Development Co., one of the biggest banana exporters in this part of the country, said even the Japanese market can still be maximized. He said “it is ironic” that the Philippines has reduced its import duties on Japanese goods, while import tariffs on Philippine bananas are between 10-20%. He said he is hopeful that the inclusion of the Philippine commodity in the Philippine-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement will result in a better position for
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province of Compostela Valley did not identify projects for tourism roads. Among the projects in the city to be paved are the concreting of the Lacson-Lamanan-Inayangan-Megkawayan road and Mintal-Bago Oshiro-Bago Gallera road, and the asphalting to concreting of Bayabas-Eden road. Davao del Norte’s priorities for tourism road network are the completion of the concreting of the Island Garden City of Samal circumferential Road and the
11
nity are turning to Asia for economic growth. “Certainly, the size of the China market and its performance in recent decades makes it attractive to foreign investors, but Southeast Asia, and ASEAN in particular, are seen as future drivers of global economic growth,” he said. It’s not just the Philippines that is making this region attractive to investors, he said, adding that Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia are also putting in place sound macroeconomic policies. “Singapore continues to be a bastion of free trade, attracting more foreign investment than India or all of Africa. Burma is opening for business. And ASEAN integration set for 2015 is moving the whole region forward toward a more investment-friendly model, one that America and others would be foolish to ignore. In addition, the Trans-Pacific Partnership or TPP is shaping up to be the free trade agreement of the 21st century, and we will be working with the Philippines to encourage reforms that will allow it to be a contender for the TPP in the future. “I recall back in February, I was in Washington for a conference put on by a local think tank studying US-Singapore relations, the same think tank that recently put on a similar conference for US-Phil-
ippine relations. At that conference were senior members of the Obama administration’s foreign policy team, such as Assistant Secretary Kurt Campbell, as well as senior republican officials such as former Deputy Secretary of State Rich Armitage. One of the most striking things that I saw at the conference, I keep in mind this took place in a very divided Washington DC, was the unanimity over America’s policy toward Asia, often called our “pivot” or “Rebalance” to the region. Both republican and democrat pundits in the room supported President Clinton, President Bush and President Obama alike for their broader strategy to increase American engagement in, and focus on, the Asia-Pacific region. “So, the point I’m making here is no matter who is elected, it is likely that they will continue to look to Southeast Asia for greater economic integration, intra-regionally through multi-lateral forums such as APEC, and bilaterally with the United States.” There are other signs that America’s economic policy will continue to be favorable towards emerging economies and to this region, he said, noting that President Obama concluded free trade agreements with Colombia and
South Korea, negotiations for which began under the Bush administration. President Obama committed the United States to the Trans-Pacific Partnership, Ehrendreich added. According to Ehrendreich, the relationship between the U.S. and the Philippines is strong and always getting stronger. “It has thrived under multiple U.S. presidents of different political parties, and it is girded by multiple social, economic and professional ties between our peoples.” “Regardless of who wins, we will seek to enhance our economic relationship, and to promote free trade, free markets, and sustainable, inclusive growth for the benefit of the American and Filipino economies, companies and people,” he said. To put it in the simplest form, he said, “I want to quote our Deputy US Trade Representative, Demetrius Morantis, who spoke in Manila earlier this year, when he said ‘While $22 billion remains a lot of trade with the Philippines, the overall trend is not what we want to see in one of our oldest and closest trade relationships. What we want is simple: we want to regain our place as the Philippines’s number one trading partner and to stay there for years to come.’ [ASA]
the city,” she said. Duterte added: “And the best way to make him feel like an idiot is to ignore him.” Councilor Karlo Bello, chair of the Sangguniang Panlungsod’s committee on civil, political and human rights, said the council maintains its stand as stated in the 2010 resolution.
While it is a privilege of the council to issue a resolution, they (Alcover and Palparan) also have the right to come here, he told reporters before he presided the regular session. He said he will attend the congressional inquiry if he would be invited although he has not received an invitation yet.
ownership of ancestral lands even those situated in Marilog district. The NCIP then issued an en banc resolution separating management of the ancestraldomian of Davao City to be administered by the Matigsalog tribe of Davao City. Supported by congressman Ungab, the Matigsalog Manobo Tribe Council of Elders, or MAMATRICEDI, as the rightful representatives of the Matigsalog tribe. Ungab’s office was instrumental in looking for the funds to finance the ADSTPP study. “The city council resolution was the last resolution was the last require-
ment needed to make the NCIP en banc resolution effective and implemented,” the solon said. Ungab expressed optimism that the City council resolution “will hopefully solve the unending land conflicts in Marilog district.” The absence of of conflict will lure businessmen to invest in the area, he said. Ungab also thanked Vice Mayor Rody Duterte and the councilors, specially Councilor Tomas “Tomasing” Monteverde IV and Councilor Arnolfo Cabling, for arriving at the decision to unanimously approve the resolution last Tuesday.
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reply: “Magprepare mi og banda and red carpet (We will prepare a band and red carpet).” “Joke lang to ganina (The statement earlier was a joke). Unfortunately, we don’t have legal basis to prevent him from doing his job. It is enough that he knows he is undesirable and not welcome in
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Council is a big help to the indigenous peoples of his jurisdiction. Lauding the action of the councilors, Ungab’s resolution was a formal acceptance of the city government of the ADSPP of the Matigsalog tribe of Davao City. Sometime in 2007, during the first term of Ungab as congressman, the National Commission for the Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) sent a team called Task Force Matigsalog tribe to study the tribe. The team’s study concluded that the Matigsalog of Davao City is unique, distinct and separate from the Matigsalog tribe of Bukidnon which claimed
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EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 179 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9-10, 2012
COMPETITIVE EDGE13
CEB pioneers int’l D flights from Iloilo T
HE Philippines’ largest national flag carrier, Cebu Pacific (PSE:CEB) launched Iloilo as one of its hubs on November 8, 2012, with its maiden Iloilo – Hong Kong flight, the first international flight out of the Iloilo International Airport. The Thursday, Sunday Iloilo – Hong Kong service kicked off with the inaugural flight departing Iloilo at
11:10pm on November 8, 2012. It is set to arrive in Hong Kong at 1:35am on November 9, 2012. After a 45-minute turnaround, the return flight will then depart Hong Kong at 2:20am. Iloilo will welcome its first international passengers from Hong Kong at 4:45am on November 9, 2012, including Consul General Noel Servigon
from the Philippine embassy in Hong Kong, who is a native of Iloilo, and key overseas Filipino group leaders in Hong Kong. CEB will also send off the maiden Iloilo-Singapore flight on November 9, 2012. The Monday, Wednesday, Friday Iloilo-Singapore service departs Iloilo at 10:40pm and arrives in Singapore at 1:55am the next day. The
return flight departs Singapore at 2:40am and arrives at 6:10am. “With these new routes, Cebu Pacific affirms its commitment to provide connectivity to Iloilo and Western Visayas, by basing an aircraft here, and making Iloilo one of the airline’s operational hubs,” said CEB VP for Marketing and Distribution Candice Iyog at the launch event at Plazuela de Iloilo, a few hours before the maiden flight to Hong Kong. Other CEB operational hubs in the Philippines are Manila, Cebu, Clark, Kalibo and Davao. “Whenever Cebu Pacific opens a new route, we grow and stimulate travel with our trademark lowest fares. We believe that these new international routes will open a lot of tourism and business opportunities to and from Iloilo and its surrounding areas, and we couldn’t be prouder of our contribution to this regional growth,” she added.
DLPC employees run for a cause AVAO Light and Power Co. employees will spearhead a fun run for a cause on November 18. It will be held at Victoria Plaza parking area and will start at 4:30 AM. The proceeds are intended for the employees’ annual sharing activity with a beneficiary organization during the Christmas season. This year’s charitable event dubbed as “DLPC Kaibigan Gives Back - Run for Hope” is for the benefit of the House of Hope Foundation. House of Hope
hosts cancer kid patients together with their families, currently undergoing treatments in Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC). SPMC is the only hospital in Mindanao that caters to cancer kid patients. The fun run is open to all interested runners who are willing to participate in the 3K, 5K and 10K races. Registration fee is at P150 for all races which comes with a light snack but without singlet. Registration period is until November 16 at all Davao Light offices.
USJR law grads slate grand homecoming, Nov. 10
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HE University of San Jose-Recoletos School of Law and Recoletos de Cebu Law Alumni Association Inc. invite all graduates of the USJ-R Law to a Grand Alumni Homecoming this coming Saturday, November 10, @ 6:00 pm at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Cebu North Reclamation Area, Cebu City. From its inception in the early 50’s, USJR School of Law has produced bar topnotchers and close to 2,000 graduates -- many of whom have become law practitioners in government and private sectors.
While a few others who did not become lawyers have already occupied elective and appointive posts in many areas in the Philippines, while others are now gainfully working overseas. The primary goal of USJ-R School of Law is the preparation and development of good Christian and socially-oriented lawyers by providing a comprehensive legal education program through proper instruction and guidance on the principles of law and the system of administration of justice in the country and abroad.
14 SPORTS
EDGEDAVAO
Schrock, Guirado out of Suzuki Cup P
HILIPPINE national men’s football coach Hans Michael Weiss revealed that the Azkals will miss some of its best players who are based abroad during the group stages of the 2012 ASEAN Football Federation Suzuki Cup. Weiss said that the management failed to convince the clubs of Filipino-German midfielder Stephan Schrock and Filipino-Spanish striker Angel Guirado to release them this November for the tournament. Guirado suits up for Salgaocar FC, a team which plays in India’s professional I-League, while Schrock plays for Bundesliga first division squad TSG 1899 Hoffenheim. “Angel Guirado has a verbal agreement with his club that he will be released for the Suzuki Cup,” Weiss said. “(But) the club has refused to release the player because it was not an official FIFA date. “Schrock, I just got information that they will not release him for the first three matches. But maybe they’ll release him for the December period
which would mean, in the most positive scenario, that he would already be available for the semifinals.” Weiss added that the team also faces the same problem with other foreign-based players such as Neil Etheridge, Dennis Cagara and Jerry Lucena, among others. But he is not losing his hope that they could join the lineup, citing an incident in the Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup last March when goalkeeper Etheridge was cleared to play for the Azkals at the last minute after his club initially refused to release him. “We have to be patient,” Weiss said Weiss, however, still believes that the Azkals will still be formidable even without some of the foreign-based players, adding that the core lineup which won the Philippine Football Peace Cup last September will most likely play in the Suzuki Cup. “But good news, we will field a strong team anyway,” Weiss said. “I have a very strong belief
VOL.5 ISSUE 179 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9-10, 2012
that this team will play very good football in Thailand.
The Azkals will play Thailand on November 24, Vietnam on November
27 and Myanmar on November 30 in the group stages of the Suzuki Cup,
where they look to surpass their historic semifinal run two years ago.
Sparks enter UFL semis M
The Meralco-Loyola Sparks are in the semis of the UFL.
ARK Hartmann scored three goals as the Loyola Meralco Sparks drubbed Philippine Army FC, 5-0, to advance to the semifinals of the United Football Cup Thursday night at University of Makati. Hartmann jumped the gun quickly for the Sparks, scoring his first goal at the sixth minute off an assist by Anto Gonzales for an early lead for Loyola. Korean import Jeong Byeong Yeol then sank a header off a corner kick at the 32nd minute to give the Sparks a 2-nil lead at the half. Army had two great chances to score after the break, both of which failed to hit the back of the net. Instead, last year’s tournament runner-up Loyola continued its onslaught. Hartmann dished an assist to Phil Younghusband for a goal at the 69th minute, before scoring back-to-back at the 76th and 80th minutes to bag a hat trick and seal the victory for the Sparks. Loyola will face reigning League champion Global in the Cup semifinals next week.
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EDGEDAVAO
ARTS & CULTURE
COSPLAY goddess Alodia Gosiengfiao
Alodia gives away SIGNED Geekology 101 Book
A cultural phenomenon
Even kids can COSPLAY.
The face of halloween is changing, with many an urbanite opting for less morbid and scary costumes and choosing more funky, contemporary digs. This was more evident at SM City Davao’s latest Mindanao COSPLAY Summit that was held at the Annex that was jointly organized by AMBox.
SM’s Annex was packed with cosplayers.
Costume play or COSPLAY for short (for the uninitiated) is a performance art where participants wear costumes from their favorite anime, comic, movie, and even video game and interact in a form of role play. Although still a young “movement” in Durianburg, one can say that every year, more and more are joining the fun. So with brightly colored
Alodia and the organizers.
DIABLO 3 Group Battle Entry
HON Group Battle Entry
FCOSPLAY, A4
Captain Jack Sparrow and Alodia
Alodia and the youngest COSPLAYER
Together with the AMBOX organizers
Even security persons cosplayed
DOTA 2 Group Battle
A2 INdulge!
EDGEDAVAO
VOL.5 ISSUE 179 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9-10, 2012
Up AND ABoUT
Christmas in Paradise at SM City Davao!
SpoT your favorite feathered friends— peacocks, cockatoos, lovebirds and flamingos at SM City Davao’s Grand Christmas Tree unveiling and light up ceremony on Friday at the Event Centre, The Annex. Welcome the Yuletide season with family and friends as the Manila String Machine plays timeless Christmas carols on the same day at 4pM. Joining the Holiday fun are Nica Tupas and Juliet Bahala who are set to sing Christmas melodies all afternoon. Watch out for your favorite round bearded man in red suit too! To make this year’s celebration more meaningful, SM City Davao and the Davao City Social Service and Development will be hosting 200 kids in this afternoon of gift giving, music and pure Christmas joy. Usher in the merriest season and jumpstart your Holiday this Friday at the city’s hippest hub, SM City Davao. For inquiries, call 297 6998 local 126. Like SM City Davao on Facebook or follow @smcitydavao on Twitter for event and promo updates.
A Royal Christmas in SM Lanang Premier
Canon opens new Mindanao office By Kenneth Irving Ong
CAnOn Marketing Philippines Inc. opened it’s new Mindanao Regional Office along Monteverde Street last november 8. In keeping up with their slogan of “Delighting you always”, Canon’s new office aims to to be the hub of Mindanao to better support Canon’s dealers all over the island.
Present for the momentous occasion was Canon’s President and CeO hisahiro Minokawa, Canon Marketing Philippines President CeO Alan Chong, as well as other heads of department and dealers across Mindanao. A short video presentation by CMP’s Regional Office head Karen Cabonce highlighted the many past events and activities orga-
nized by Canon’s Mindanao regional division. The office opening also served as the venue of the awarding of winners for Canon’s recently concluded 6th Kadayawan Photo Contest. The top three winners of the contest were given Canon IXUS and Powershot cameras as well as certificates of participation.
ExpERiENCE the Christmas that dreams are made of as SM Lanang premier ushers the Holiday season with a lighting ceremony of its 40-foot Christmas tree on November 10, 2012 at 6pM at The Atrium. Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with Ms. Margie Moran along with a serenade by Ms. Rochelle Venuti, the Manila String Machine octet, and a razzle -dazzle Dance of Fairies by the LCB performing Arts Center. The Christmas Season gets even more joyful as you get a chance to meet and strike a pose with Santa Claus himself on November 11, 2012 at the SM Lanang premier Atrium.
Canon president CEO Hisahiro Minokawa.
CMP regional office head Karen Cabonce.
CMP president CEO Alan Chong.
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ENTERTAiNMENT
Nicki Minaj: I’d perform with Mariah Carey on American Idol The Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey drama on American idol may make for good television, but that doesn’t mean it’s all bad blood between the two.
Minaj says she’d be up for performing with Carey on idol. “i would do that,” Minaj told me this morning while promoting Nicki Minaj: My Truth, her new three-part reality special on E! “i think people would be interested in seeing that.” That’s an understatement! i also suggested she open a museum to showcase all her fashions and wigs. “That’s a good idea,” the singer said. “i think you’re on to something.” Cameras started following Nicki’s every move
when she began putting together her upcoming album reissue, pink Friday: Roman Reloaded: The ReUp. “My fans get so excited whenever they get to see what goes on behind the scenes,” she said. “i wanted to show how it is really is.” And nothing was off limits. “Even when i’m doing things like changing wigs or looking raggedy,
fans have never seen that. it’s real,” the idol judge said, adding, “i’m going to tell the truth about a lot of things. There’s a lot of wrong things said about me that i don’t usually say anything about, but now i am.” She’s also ready for some acting. “i want to do something like a small action movie,” she said.
Donald Trump vs. Twitter: Alec Baldwin and more unload after Obama rant
iF his tweets are anything to go by, Donald Trump isn’t a happy camper in the wake of president Barack obama’s victory over Republican challenger Mitt Romney in the 2012 election. “Well, back to the drawing board!” he posted tonight, followed by a series of increasingly disgruntled remarks. “We can’t let this happen. We should march on Washington and stop this travesty,” Trump continued. “our nation is totally divided! Lets fight like hell and stop this great and disgusting injustice! The world is laughing at us. This election is a total sham and a travesty. We are not a democracy! “our country is now in serious and unprecedented trouble...like never before,” he continued. “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! House of
Representatives shouldn’t give anything to obama unless he terminates obamacare.” Cue the opposition. “Donald Trump just called for a Revolution. Doesn’t like democracy i guess,” tweeted Mark Ruffalo. “i’ma run a sedative up to Trump
Tower#BRB,” added Bravo exec and Watch What Happens Live host Andy Cohen. “Hey Trump, did you see Mitt Romney’s concession speech? That’s what graciousness and good hair looks like,” fired back Modern Family executive producer Steve Levitan. Meanwhile, NBC News anchor Brian Williams didn’t tweet, but his election coverage comment was tweeted by many, including Levitan: “Donald Trump has driven well past the last exit to relevance and veered into something closer to irresponsible.” And then there was Alec Baldwin, who tweeted: “@realdonaldtrump. You trust the voters when they choose The Apprentice. But not now?” Trump hasn’t responded personally to Baldwin, et al., but we wonder what’s bothering him more? The general snark, or the fact that Baldwin obviously doesn’t watch The Apprentice? Because if he did, he’d know The Donald hires and fires without any input from viewer votes.
With president Barack obama a self-proclaimed fan, Minaj joked that she’ll probably send him an early release of Re-Up before it goes on sale later this month. “My fans are so crazy,” she said with a laugh.
“They were saying they wanted the president to come out last night with my song ‘Freedom’ playing.” That may not have happened, but at least we know it’ll probably end up on his ipod.
The second installment of Nicki Minaj: My Truth airs on E! on Sunday at 10:30 p.m./9:30 p.m. CT. Now we want to hear from you. Should Nicki and Mariah perform together on idol? Sound off below.
EDGEDAVAO
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VOL.5 ISSUE 179 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9-10, 2012
ARTS & CULTURE ENTERTAiNMENT
Cosplayers parade around SM City Davao.
Alodia and the Gods of War
COSPLAY...
FFROM A1
wigs, magical staves, and amazing masks, cosplayers young and old slowly filled up the atrium of the Annex. It was an amazing sight to behold as every year, hundreds of Dabawenyo cosplayers came in costumes that are fast becoming more and more elaborate. Call it a revolution of sorts, but thanks to the strong influence of Japanese anime, video games, and comic book pop culture that the geeky kids of the 80’s and 90’s finally grew up and embraced the COSPLAY culture along with it. And having COSPLAY ambassador and goddess Alodia Gosiengfiao, who was also present to support the Mindanao COSPLAY Summit, helped
Dissidia Final Fantasy Entry
Geeky chic.
Misty and Alodia
democratize COSPLAY by showing that everyone can come up with a costume and just let their hair down and have fun. Too bad I was not able to come in costume again this year, but there is always next year. Should I come as Darth Vader, or perhaps just as a troll? Follow me on Twitter @ kennethkingong for more happenings around Durianburg.
Meeting the AMBOX mascot
SPORTS15
Heat now 4-0 EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 179 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9-10, 2012
M
IAMI (AP) -- In 25 seasons of Miami Heat basketball, the club had never won its first four home games of any season. That is, until now. And the Heat are making it look easy. Dwyane Wade scored 22 points on 10 for 14 shooting, LeBron James finished two assists shy of a triple-double and the Heat clamped down defensively again to beat the
Brooklyn Nets 103-73 on Wednesday night. Miami scored 31 points off Brooklyn turnovers, and starting with the final minute of the first half, the Heat outscored the Nets 57-32. ‘’When we get stops, we’re going to break open a lot of games because we can score,’’ James said. ‘’So that’s the No. 1 key.’’ James had 20 points and 12 rebounds in only 30 minutes, and Rashard
Kobe Bryant of the LA Lakers bites his jersey after another Laker loss.
Azkals climb to 143rd
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HE Philippines climbed to its highest place in the global football ladder once again, emerging as the second best team in Southeast Asia according to the latest FIFA world rankings released Wednesday. From 147th, which last October became the country’s all-time high in the rankings, the Azkals jumped to 143rd to become 20th in Asia and only trail regional powerhouse Vietnam, which ranked 138th, as the best squad in Southeast Asia. The country’s ranking was boosted by the national team’s impressive performance during its Middle East tour last month, where they forced Bahrain in a nil-nil draw last October 12 and lost narrowly to Kuwait, 2-1, last October 16. Thailand, which held the top spot in Southeast Asia for quite some time, dropped seven points to slip to 146th to be behind Vietnam and Philippines. Myanmar, meanwhile, became the fourth best team in the region after taking the 156th spot in the ladder.
Vietnam, Thailand and Myanmar will play the Azkals in the group stages of the 2012 ASEAN Football Federation Suzuki Cup this November. Aside from the Philippines, five other countries enjoyed its highest FIFA ranking in history, namely Algeria (19th), Haiti (57th), Dominican Republic (92nd), St. Kitts and Nevis (106th) and Timor-Leste (187th). Reigning World Cup champion Spain continues its reign as the best football team in the world after taking the top spot once again in the world rankings, followed by Germany, Argentina, Portugal and Italy in the top five. Japan (24th), meanwhile, remains the best team in the Asia zone, followed by South Korea (32nd), Australia (33rd), Iran (44th) and Uzbekistan (69th). World governing body FIFA calculates every month the world ranking of every country based on the result of matches (a win, a loss or a draw), its importance (i.e. a friendly or a World Cup match), and the strength of the opponent ranking-wise.
Lewis came off the bench to score 13 points on 6 for 9 shooting for the Heat (4-1). Miami - which plays its next six games on the road - has won its four home games by an average of 17.8 points. Kris Humphries had a double-double by halftime, then was silent in the second half and finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds for the Nets (1-2). Deron Williams scored 14 for Brooklyn,
which got 12 off the bench from MarShon Brooks. ‘’It was just an offnight because we had a lot of open looks,’’ said Nets guard Joe Johnson, who finished 4 for 14 with nine points. ‘’I know I did and I missed a few myself. Other than that it was just shots that we normally make that we didn’t make tonight. Against a good team like Miami, you have to make them pay.’’ Miami started 3-0 at home in four other seasons, always falling in the fourth game. Not this time. The Nets held the lead four times in the opening quarter, but all by one point and lasting a total of 2:33. Other than that, all Miami. The Heat started 3 for 12 from 3-point range, then made seven of their last 12, giving them 40 makes from beyond the arc in their last three games. ‘’They’re tough when you’re turning the ball over,’’ Nets coach Avery Johnson said. ‘’I thought there were times when we got our half-court defense set that we were decent. We got the ball out of LeBron’s hands some, out of Wade’s hands
Calvin Abueva of Alaska in action against Rain or Shine. Alaska lost this one.
some, but then we didn’t recognize their shooters and their shooters made shots tonight.’’ The Heat shot 52 percent, holding New Jersey to 38 percent. Miami finished with 25 assists and 12 turnovers; New Jersey finished with 12 assists and 19 turnovers. ‘’It was good to see another game, sub-40 percent,’’ Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. ‘’Our guys were, for the most part, committed to try to make an impact on that side of the floor.’’ Brooklyn didn’t lose sight of Miami in the first half, still being within five with less than a minute remaining until the break, before the Heat got late scores from Wade and James to take a 50-41 edge into the locker room. And as was the case against Phoenix (with a 23-6 run) on Monday, the Heat used the third quarter as the springboard. It was a 54-46 game after Keith Bogans made a 3-pointer for Brooklyn early in the third, but after that, all Heat. Miami needed just 91 seconds to put together a 10-0 run - two baskets by Wade started it, and 3-pointers
from Shane Battier and Mario Chalmers finished it, putting the Heat up 6446. ‘’We know there’s going to be moments when you’re not going to be able to shoot the ball as well as you want to,’’ Wade said. ‘’It averages out for this team. ... That’s why you have to be a good defensive team to be successful in this league.’’ The outcome was never again in doubt. Chalmers extended the lead to 20 when he sliced down the lane for a nifty layup with 3:45 left in the third, and James made a stepback 3-pointer as time was running out in the period for what was then Miami’s largest lead, 7956. By then, the only drama was whether James would get his 33rd regular-season triple-double, which would have been his first since March 29, 2011. Instead, he remained on the bench in the fourth, the Heat comfortably ahead the whole way. ‘’One, I didn’t know,’’ Spoelstra said. ‘’Two, that’s not the time to put him back in. We’re thinking big picture.’’
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EDGEDAVAO
Barrera picks Pacquiao T
hree-division world champion Marco Antonio Barrera was all praises after witnessing the sharp form displayed by boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao against three sparring partners on Tuesday (Wednesday, manila time) at the Wildcard gym along Vine Street in West Hollywood. Pacquiao, who skipped his short morning run in favor of a long sleep, was quick on his feet and firing on all cylinders in a performance that left Barrera amazed as he witnessed the training session as chief boxing correspondent
for Television Azteca in Mexico. Pacquiao responded to the Mexican legend’s presence by putting up what trainer Freddie Roach described as their “best day of training camp” to date for the Filipino’s December 8 (December 9, Manila time) meeting with Mexican warrior Juan Manuel Marquez. The 33-year-old Pacquiao, an eight-division world champion, battered Barrera in the two times they met, including a sensational 11thround stoppage in 2003 that propelled the Filipino to boxing superstardom.
Watching Pacquiao pounding a hapless Vladimir Saurhankan left Barrera still convinced that his former tormentor remains the world’s top fighter, pound-forpound. “He is still number one pound for pound best boxer,” Barrera said as he waited in line to get Pacquiao for a sitdown interview. The former World Boxing Council featherweight king stressed Pacquiao does not look a bit like the washed-up fighter many had pictured him to be in the wake of his stunning 12-round split decision loss to Timothy Bradley
last June. “He is looking very good. He is still very strong. He is working hard because of his fourth meeting with Marquez,” Barrera told GMA News after watching Pacman in eight rounds of sparring. Saurhankan, one of three Russian sparmates tapped by Roach, got a rude welcome from the Filipino southpaw, who put on a blistering first three rounds that had the Russian amateur boxer gasping for air after nine minutes inside the ring with the best fighter in the world today.