Edge Davao 5 Issue 180

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VOL.5 ISSUE 180 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11-12, 2012

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Sara asked to change stand Davao schools merging

T

he National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP) us strongly appealing to City Mayor Sara Duterte to reconsider her support of the merging of four State Universities and Colleges

The mayor supports merging to “improve the quality of education”.

(SUC) in the Davao region.

The Commission on higher education conducted an advo-

cacy forum Friday (November 9) regarding the National Development Roadmap on Re-

constructing of the Philippine higher education Institutions wherein the discussion on the implementation of DRSUS was emphasized.

The Aquino government is

FDAVAO, 11

UNVEILED. Dabawenyos troop to witness the unveiling and lighting ceremony of SM City Davao’s Christmas tree at the Annex Friday afternoon. SM City Davao’s theme for this year is Christmas in Paradise. [LEAN DAVAL JR.]

Dynasties: Slammed, defended

Follow Us On

D

AbAweNyoS have different views on political dynasties being practiced by some influential families in the country.

Former Gov. Jose Cabal-

lero of Compostela Valley agrees that a law on the matter should be enacted, but this cannot restrict qualified and potential good leaders.

“I agree that a law be en-

acted to define the parameters. It is not bad per se. we cannot curtail the right of any member of a family, especially if qualified and a potential good leader. but the strictest

qualification is needed for candidates, including their mental frame,” he said.

Rolly Pellingon, businessman, said there is nothing

FDYNASTIES, 11

2 THE BIG NEWS

VOL.5 ISSUE 180 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11-12, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Charges readied against Operation Kandado Paquibatoambushsuspects BIR padlocks hardware store

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olICe and military authorities are helping one another to expedite the investigation and filing of cases against those involved in the ambush that killed four soldiers in barangay Mapula, Paquibato District last November 4.

Superintendent Johnson Almazan, chief of the Investigation and Detection Management Service of the Davao City Police office said their operatives are working closely with the military in filing murder charges against the killers. he said police investigation shows that the reb-

Police urge heightened vigilance

els acted on orders of their commanders given their own leadership hierarchy, thus the rebel leader will be included in the complaint.

Paquibato is the known lair of rebel leader leoncio Pitao, alias Kumander Parago of the Pulang bagani Command 1 of the New People’s Army.

Almazan said complaints against the rebel leader in Paquibato have been piling up about harassments perpetrated by the rebel movement against residents and soldiers.

“They can be literally covered by the arrest warrants due to the complaints

filed against them,” he said.

Almazan said the ambush warrants the filing of murder charges, especially that the soldiers were unarmed and performing a legitimate errand when killed. Privates First Class Ahian Vir Dolero, Marvin lauronal, Noel Sigan and Private Marcelo himaya were mowed down by their assailants as they returned to camp from buying goods in Panabo City on board three motorcycles.

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

T

he bureau of Internal Revenue (bIR) padlocked last Thursday a hardware store for under declaration of sales. bIR Region 19 regional director Glen Geraldino said they closed the Davao Datan hardware located at the Atlantic export bldg. corner of Sta. Ana Ave. and lizada St., Davao City. bIR records show the store had under-declared their sales in 2010 and 2011, valued at P59 million.

The establishment also had no cash register and cash machine. The

store accepts payments manually which is in violation of bIR rules and regulations.

Geraldino said the store was placed under surveillance for 11 days before it was finally padlocked. The store, however, has been given five days to pay five percent of the total P59 million under declared sales equivalent to the amount of P7.1 million.

The store will only be allowed to operate anew provided it complies with the five percent payment and upon correction of other violations, such as the acquisition of cash

register and machine.

Geraldino added that next week, about three stores are due for closure for similar violations, but declined to name them pending the actual implementation of the bIR order. he said bIR’s oplan Kandado will continue to curb the number of tax violators in the country to improve government’s tax revenues.

The bIR’s RR No. 19 here, in its 2012 Priority Programs, has targeted to achieve its P10.2-billion revenue goal this year.

[PNA]

T

he Davao City Police office is urging the public to be more vigilant this coming yuletide season which may see a hike in criminal activities.

Police Senior Superintendent Ronald dela Rosa said they are focusing on the proliferation of counterfeit money. he said the circulation of counterfeit bills will increase with the coming season when people will want to ndulge in shopping, assing that last November 1 police in Toril district are handling a case involving fake P500 bills used to buy balloons.

The police chief said that criminals are particularly active at this time of the year looking for opportunities to take advantage of stealing from, or holding up, people in the streets coming from their Christmas shopping.

STAKEHOLDERS. Mayor Vicente D. Orencia of Gov. Generoso, Davao Oriental (rightmost) addresses the guests and beneficiaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s poverty reduction programs – KALAHI-CIDSS and the Sustainable Livelihood Program during a one day Stakeholders’ Visit in Barangay Pundaguitan, Gov. Generoso, Davao Oriental Thursday afternoon. Also in the photo are Lt. Col.

Francisco F. Lorenzo, chief of the 28th Infantry Battalion (leftmost), Yvette T. Sunga, Department of Interior and Local Government acting local government operations officer (2nd from left) and Brgy. Captain Gerald F. Arquiza of Brgy. Pundaguitan. [LEAN DAVAL JR.]

Anti-marijuana drive up in NorthCot Once more, with feeling

A

UThoRITIeS raided a marijuana plantation Thursday in a remote village of Magpet, North Cotabato, leading to the arrest of two persons, a police of-

ficial said.

Sr. Insp. Sunny leoncito, Magpet police chief, said they uprooted at least 450 marijuana plants in barangay Salab, following a tip from

village officials.

Nabbed in the marijuana plantation was caretaker, John Paul Artinero, 20, a farmer, who admitted during inter-

FANTI-MARIJUANA, 11

STARTUP. Tina Amper of TechTalks.ph (left) gives out the details of the first-ever Startup Weekend Davao while Emmanuel Alpha Sicam of the Philippine College of Technology listens during a press conference at PCT Friday afternoon. [LEAN DAVAL JR.]

Campaign readied against firecrackers in Region 12

T

he Department of health (Doh) in Region 12 (Soccsksargen) is set to launch a massive advocacy and information campaign in various parts of the region against the use of firecrackers during the Christmas season.

Dr. Marilyn Convocar, Doh Region 12 director, said they have started their preparations for the campaign, which is mainly aimed at reducing cases of firecracker and firework injuries in the area during the Christmas and New year revelries.

She said they are coordinating with local government health offices and rural health units in the region for

the launching of the campaign.

Region 12 covers the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, North Cotabato and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato.

“As early as now, we’re already making the necessary preparations, especially the formulation of strategies to make our campaign more effective,” she said in a radio interview.

The Doh launched “Aksyon: Paputok Injury Reduction” or APIR in December last year to highlight its campaign against the use of firecrackers and fireworks towards a safe

holiday celebration.

The campaign reiterates the Doh’s oplan Iwas Paputok that was started in 1994 to monitor the use of firecrackers, particularly from December 21 to January 4, to minimize the morbidity and mortality from firecracker and firework injuries.

In South Cotabato, local health personnel are also planning to launch their campaign much earlier.

Dr. Rogelio Aturdido, South Cotabato health officer, said they are currently preparing the distribution of information and education materials for the cam-

FONCE, 11

SUBURBIA

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 180 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11-12, 2012

3

P1.2 billion infra in six DavNor towns U

P to P1.2 billion worth of infrastructure projects under the Department of Public works and highways have been completed in District 1 of Davao del Norte between 2010 and July 2012.

“The infrastructure projects are spread in six local government units in the province including Tagum City, San Isidro, Kapalong, Talaingod and Panabo,” First District Representative Antonio del Rosario said Thursday during the Kapihan sa Kapitolyo held at the Provincial Government Center.

Del Rosario has pointed out two flagship projects still being developed including the two main highways from Asuncion-San Isidro-laak and

from Davao del NorteKapalong-bukidnon. while his focus is on the completion of the various construction projects in the province, he said that he has up to 31 house bills pending in Congress, most of which are health-related. he said his District is lucky because of the many infrastructure projects approved by the national government for implementation.

Del Rosario’s office is set to release a publication containing all the infrastructure projects completed and ongoing in the District from the time he was elected into office in 2010 up to the present. [lovely Carillo/ PIA Davao Norte]`

“I also talked to DANeCo NeA manager here and he’s telling me that they’re going to follow it up in Manila,” he said in an separate interview after the Kapihan.

Though he could not offhand count the number of areas to be illumed through his project, Del Rosario said five towns of District I (Kapalong, Asuncion, New Corella, Talaingod and San Isidro) will be getting a share of the electrification funding.

Among the recipient towns, Talaingod which lies at the border of bukidnon and Davao del Norte, will be receiving a bulk share of P9 million.

Meanwhile, Del Rosario revealed that Davao del Norte and Compostela are the only provinces in the countries where rural electrification projects have yet to take off due to on-going rift between the Davao del Norte Cooperative (DANeCo) Cooperative Development Authority and DANeCo NeA group.

DANeCo covers the entire province of Compostela Valley and of Davao del Norte except for the Panabo City and Sto. Tomas.

“Few months ago, I was told that other provinces were already 90 percent in their electrification projects. It could be that they

have already completed their projects by now,” he told the media after the Kapihan. having known of the persisting rift between DANeCo-NeA and DANeCo CDA groups, Del Rosario said he will talking to agencies at the national office as his way of finding possible solution to the problem. but offhand, he said the legal entity has the right to collect electric bill payment which has become a point of confusion among electric consumers in Davao del Norte as they are in quandary as to where to pay their electric bills.

“It is a critical and serious issue confronting us now,” bioco said in a text message.

The bKCCII, organized in July this year, lined up seven presentations delving on the topic “Mindanao power sector situation, program, projects and activities to address the power crisis in Mindanao.”

Invited to give presentations to the forum were energy Undersecretary Jose layug; energy Regulatory Commission exec-

utive director Francisco Saturnino C. Juan; Rudy brioso, vice president for Mindanao of the National Power Corporation; engr. eugene bicar, head of the Mindanao Systems operations of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines; Maria Theresa Alegrio, community relations manager of STeAG State Power Inc; and Fr. Pedro walpole, chair of the environmental Science for Social Change.

lourdes ellen N, Kionisala, Cagayan de oro board of Investments officer in-charge, is expected to give a presentation on fiscal incentives for alternative and renewable energy projects.

Alegrio, who is also the president of the Cagayan de oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation (CDoCCIF), will present the “Trends and Thrusts of business Development in Northern Mindanao.”

GUEST. Davao de Norte 1st District Rep. Anthony G. del Rosario was the guest speaker at the recent Kapihan sa Kapitolyo. Also in photo are hosts Ms. Aurora Lozada and Mr. Lunesito Gorgonio.

‘Caring’ hospital in Sarangani opens

S

ARANGANI Governor Migs Dominguez has urged hospital personnel to “care” and not merely “serve” patients during the inauguration of a provincial government-run hospital here.

“Kalinga” (care) was the best that any hospital personnel could offer to the patients, the governor stressed. he explained that in merely serving sometimes “we lose our passion”.

Further, he challenged Mayor Reynaldo Constantino and Dr. Cynthia Guevarra, chief of hospital, and the rest of the hospital staff to make the new hospital inaugurated on Monday (November 5) as the “best municipal hospital in Region 12”.

The hospital looks spick and span and was said to be the most modern among the province’s hospitals in the municipalities. but Dominguez said “ang pagsasabi ng top 1 to be the best ay hindi dahil sa maganda ang building.”

“Tamang kalinga mula sa bawat empleyado,” the governor said, would make the hospital as the best in the region.

The Department of health-funded municipal hospital in Malungon is among dozens of health facilities being built or rehabilitated across the

province by the Doh and provincial government.

The infrastructure and equipment cost of the Malungon Municipal hospital was broken down into P1,035,000 for equipment and P11,656,000 for the building. The new building has a 10-bed capacity upgradable to 25 beds and was annexed to the old hospital building.

The hospital was funded under the health Facility enhancement Program which upgrades and rehabilitates public health facilities in line with the Doh’s goal of providing Universal health Care in partnership with the local government units.

As the Malungon municipal hospital is Philhealth accredited, Dr. Guevarra hoped for more Philhealth members to benefit from the hospital.

The main facilities added in the upgraded hospital were three wards, four nurses’ and doctors’ quarters, a radiology room and a dietary room.

Doh representative Rey Santella said the completion of the project was a result of the collaborative effort of the community, end users, the Doh, and the local government units. [Jenny Rose de Guzman/SARANGANI INFoRMATIoN oFFICe]

NEA has P30-million to power DavNor rural brgys--Anthony F

ar-flung localities particularlysitios and puroks in the first district of Davao del Norte will soon be lighted up as the National electrification Administration (NeA) will release before the yearend the P30 million funds allotted for electrification projects. house Representative Antonio Rafael G. del Rosario of the First District of Davao del Norte revealed during last Thursday’s Kapihan sa Kapitolyo saying that NeA Administrator editha bueno called her two weeks ago telling of the ready release of the funds.

Bukidnon businessmen convening forum on electric power situation

A

forum on the power situation in Mindanao is slated in Malaybalay City on November 21, organized by the bukidnon Kaamulan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (bKCCII) as part of its one-day general membership meeting.

Roderico bioco, bKCCII president, said Friday it’s high time to involve the local business community in the electric power issue confronting Mindanao.

4 SCIENCE/ENVIRONMENT

VOL.5 ISSUE 180 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11-12, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Greenpeace seeks more ocean defenders e

NVIRoNMeNT watchdog Greenpeace Southeast Asia is encouraging more people nationwide to join its network of ocean defenders so they can help make a difference in saving the Philippines’ marine environment from further degradation. ”we’re inviting people who can participate in activities aimed at saving our seas,” said Greenpeace oceans campaigner Vince Cinches. he noted such activities can include petitioning action for protecting Philippine marine waters, disseminating information on ocean-related issues, planting mangroves, reporting environmental crimes and practicing solid waste management.

Greenpeace said parties can sign up at www. defendouroceans.org to be registered as ocean defenders.

Filipina model and ac-

tress Angel Aquino earlier joined to be an ocean defender, Greenpeace said.

Cinches noted signing up will be timely as Greenpeace earlier decided to launch in the Philippines this year its international campaign to save and protect the marine environment. he noted the campaign will be particularly significant for archipelagic Philippines where Greenpeace continues monitoring destruction of the marine environment and loss of resources there. ”our seas are in crisis,” he said.

Among evidence of such crisis is decline in mangrove cover from some 400,000 hectares to only around 140,000 hectares, he noted.

Citing available data, he also said only about five percent of Philippine coral reefs are still in good condition.

FRESHLY CAUGHT. A fisherman is seen showing off the different freshly caught fishes he is selling at a fish landing area in Nangan, Gov. Generoso, Davao Oriental Thursday afternoon. [LEAN DAVAL JR.]

Legarda: Help farmers adapt to climate change N I

N light of November being National Rice Awareness Month, Senator loren legarda reiterated her call for 100 percent rice self-sufficiency through public awareness and government incentives and support.

“Irrigation, highyield seeds and modern post-harvest facilities are badly needed if the Philippines is to achieve 100 percent rice sufficiency. by providing incentives and support, the government

Biz risk assessment study road show set

would entice more Filipino farmers who had shifted to high-value crops to plant rice anew,” she explained.

“This National Rice Awareness Month, we should look into providing farmers post-harvest equipment and facilities like threshers and grain dryers in order to reduce their production cost and lessen grain losses,” she said. legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change, also said that

the scarcity of rice supply is being made worse by climatic factors like prolonged dry spell and, on the opposite side, floods, which is why attention must be paid to climate resilience in farming regions.

“Crop yield potential is estimated to decline by 19% in Asia toward the end of the century and rice yield in the Philippines would decline by 75%. These alarming figures alone tell us that the country’s agricultural ad-

aptation program must ensure more investments in agricultural research and infrastructure, improved water governance and land use policies, better forecasting tools and early warning systems, a strengthened extension system that will assist farmers to achieve economic diversification and access to credit to make significant improvements in our food security goals,” she remarked.

tanker MT Glenn Guardian dumped toxic wastes from American ships that joined the recently concluded joint military exercises in the country in Philippine waters.

“Dapat talaga na isuspinde muna ang operasyon ng kumpanyang ito dahil baka dati pa itong nagtatapon ng toxic wastes sa ating karagatan at ngayon lang natin nala-

man. Dapat din na magkaroon ng komprehensibong imbestigasyon dito ang Kongreso at ipatawag ang mga sangkot sa nangyari maging ang kanilang mga kliyente kung alam nila ang ginagawa ng kanilang contractor,” said the solon. based on newspaper reports on oct. 15, SbMA ecology Center personnel inspected Glenn Guardian,

then docked at the Naval Supply Depot area here due to a “hazard call” from another free port locator.

A copy of the SbMA spot report showed that the tanker was carrying some 189,500 liters of domestic waste and about 760 liters of bilge water (a combination of water, oil and grease), all of which were hauled from emory land, a US Navy ship.

Suspension of US contractor dumping wastes in PH sought

P

ARTy list representative and senatorial candidate Teddy Casiño yesterday called for the immediate suspension of the operations of Glenn Defense Marine Asia a Malaysian company operating in several countries which services American ships in the Philippines, when the Subic bay Metropolitan Authority (SbMA) found out that the

on-profit conservation organization world wild Fund for Nature (wwF-Philippines) will spearhead the launching this month of a road show highlighting results of the business risk assessment and climate change impact management study it conducted with the bank of the Philippine Islands (bPI) Foundation Inc. in eight Philippine cities. wwF-Philippines project manager Moncini hinay said such road show will further disseminate the study’s results to help boost action of stakeholders concerned for reducing their vulnerability while improving disaster-resiliency, competitiveness and economic viability of respective cities in a climate-defined future. ”we hope they’ll take the next steps,” he said.

The study analyzes economic and climate trends in the cities while predicting probable scenarios there, wwF-Philippines noted. hinay said the road show’s 10 a.m. kick-off ceremony will be held at lantaka hotel in Zamboanga City on Nov. 20. he noted the road show will proceed afterwards to Cagayan de oro City (Mallberry Suites, Nov. 21), Dagupan City (Star Plaza ho-

tel, Dec. 6) and laoag City (Dec. 7). wwF-Philippines will later announce the road show’s venue in laoag City, he said.

The four cities are subjects of the study’s second phase which wwF-Philippines and bPI conducted from January to September 2012. wwF-Philippines and bPI released the results from such cities this week. ”The study looked at risks and opportunities for partnership and cooperation amidst climate change,” hinay said. he noted the study’s results can be used to define the cities’ respective strategies for development and climate change adaptation. last year, wwF-Philippines and bPI conducted the study’s first phase covering baguio, Cebu, Davao and Iloilo cities.

Reporting on results from the study’s second phase, wwF-Philippines earlier said Zamboanga City in Mindanao is within a typhoon-free zone and registered the lowest average rainfall among the eight cities surveyed.

The area is still vulnerable as people from high-risk communities may eventually emigrate there, however, wwF clarified.

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 180 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11-12, 2012

THE ECONOMY

5

Globe revenues surge by 6% in nine months G

lobe Telecom, Inc. closed the ninemonth period with consolidated service revenues of P61.3 billion, up 6% from last year’s P57.7 illion.

Sustained topline growth was underpinned by strong performances of the mobile, broadband, and fixed line data businesses which grew 6%, 14%, and 9% over last year’s results, respectively.

Mobile revenues outperformed previous year’s levels to end the nine months of the year with P49.9 billion.

Growth was largely driven by the success of the

Company’s revolutionizing customizable postpaid plans, supported by rising demand for mobile browsing and voice services that continued to thrive with the prevalence of unlimited and value promotions.

To date, Globe has a total of 32.1 million mobile subscribers, up by 10% from 29.1 million in the same period last year.

Increasing demand for internet connectivity, fueled in part by the popularity of social networking sites, coupled with technological advancements that bring about improved internet connection speeds con-

tinue to drive growth in the Company’s broadband business. Globe has officially launched its lTe broadband service this period to further trigger sales and enhance its lineup of Tattoo broadband products. As of end-September, Globe has total broadband subscribers of over 1.6 million, up by 20% against 1.4 million in the same period in 2011.

Against the second quarter, Globe extended its gains to once again deliver a record-breaking performance despite a traditionally lean period.

Consolidated service revenues improved by about P36 million from the sec-

ond period to settle at P20.6 billion in the third quarter. while mobile business fundamentals remained intact, unrelenting pressures from competition coupled with capacity constraints on the existing network held off mobile revenues at P16.6 billion, slightly lower by 1% from the second quarter peak of P16.7 billion.

Fixed line data and broadband revenues, on the other hand, increased by 4% and 7% to close the third quarter with about P1.1 billion and P2.2 billion, respectively, and countered the decline in mobile and traditional fixed line voice revenues.

6

THE ECONOMY

Stat Watch

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

5.8% 1st Qtr 2012

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

6.4 % 1st Qtr 2012

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

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

8. Interest Rates 4/

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

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

P 42.78 Jun 2012

12. Stocks Composite Index 6/

5,091.2 May 2012

13. Consumer Price Index 2006=100

130.1 Jun 2012

14. Headline Inflation Rate 2006=100

2.8 Jun 2012

15. Core Inflation Rate 2006=100

3.7 Jun 2012

16. Visitor Arrivals

349,779 Apr 2012

17. Underemployment Rate 7/

18.8 % Jan 2012

18. Unemployment Rate 7/

7.2 % Jan 2012

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

2012

2011

2010

42.85 42.70 42.86 42.66 43.62

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

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

IT Figures

5457.82 Closing of the stock market index on Tuesday, october 6, 2012.

This marks the 25th record close for 2012 and the 48th all-time high during the Aquino administration.

VOL.5 ISSUE 180 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11-12, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

DTI bats for banana as potato fries of the future A

N official of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is batting for banana to be the potato fries of the future.

Trade and Industry Undersecretary for Regional operations and Development Group (DTI-RoDG) Merly M. Cruz said with the changing patterns of the world’s climate, it is not impossible that banana, in the long run, will become a food staple.

“with climate change, the banana will eventually become the major food to feed millions of the world’s inhabitants,” she said.

In the region, a Davao Citybased entrepreneur, Sagrex Foods, has been producing various microwavable banana derivatives such as spring roll, tuna with banana, and fries since some five years ago.

Cruz said other entrepreneurs and producers might

OUTSTANDING. Davao Security and Investigation Agency, Inc. and the Royal Mandaya Hotel owners Violeta Escandor (3rd from right) , sons Glen (3rd from left) and Jerome (2nd from right) and Mikmik (4th from left) receive a plaque of merit for winning the Outstanding Private Security Agency of the Year - Nationwide from Dir. General Nicanor A. Bartolome, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief

want to consider producing banana value-added products in order to increase their income. “have you heard of vacuum fried bananas? This can be a new product that can be explored,” she said.

To date, it’s still banana chip products that are dominating the export scorecard of the region.

In 2010, the National Statistics office (NSo) reported that 99 percent of the 360 million

US dollars total banana export earnings were contributed by the fresh Cavendish and banana chips.

Cruz said while exporters are looking for other value-added banana products, compliance to standards and quality requirements must be on top among the considerations.

“The most important factor that must be looked into is the standards and quality compliance,” she said. (PNA)

(rightmost), Herminita B. Chiong, Regional Security Association president (leftmost), and Ramon D. Bergado, national president of PADPAO (2nd from left) during the recognition rites at the Royal Mandaya Hotel recently. [LEAN DAVAL JR.]

For the first nine months

Land Bank posts P7.6 billion income

T

he land bank of the Philippines continued to post higher profits with net income reaching P7.6 billion for the first nine months of this year.

The seven percent growth from the P7.1 billion registered in the same period last year is due to the increase in income on loans and investments, foreign exchange profit, and slight decrease in expenses.

3.1%

The Philippines’ inflation rate in october 2012, a significant decrease from 3.6% in September and 3.8% in August, marking a fourmonth low in the consumer price index (CPI)

In a press statement, the bank said it attained a high return-on-equity of 14.2 percent as of September 2012. “lANDbANK had a solid third quarter as we continued to focus on core businesses of the bank, maintain prudent operations, and remain aggressive in expanding our loan portfolio, all geared towards better serving our priority sectors,” lANDbANK President

$82.093 billion The country’s record high gross international reserves (GIR) in october 2012. The end-october level marked an increase from $82.028 billion posted in the first nine months.

and Ceo Gilda e. Pico said.

The bank’s total assets expanded to P629.2 billion from P590.6 billion in September 2011.

Deposits also increased to P489.5 billion from P459.6 billion, while capital expanded to P73 billion from P65.6 billion in the same period last year.

Gross loan portfolio in turn grew to P241.9 billion from P237.5 billion.

The bank’s bASel II CAR of 20.9 percent as of end-September 2012 remained much higher than the regulatory standard of 10 percent.

The strong capital ratios reflect the bank’s capacity to aggressively expand its loan portfolio as the economic recovery further gains momentum. [PNA]

P41.05

P950 million

The 56-month high of the Philippine peso to the US dollar, reached on Thursday November 8, 2012. This was the peso’s strongest performance since March 7, 2008 when it hit 40.85.

Amount the Department of Agriculture (DA) will be allocating for the expansion of organic farming activities in the country. According to Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, expanding the organic practice in the country could result to significantly lowering the production cost.

This, in turn, will result to lower food prices.

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 180 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11-12, 2012

MOTORING

7

Mitsubishi to launch Mirage

M

ITSUbIShI Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) is pleased to announce the much awaited launch of the all-new Mitsubishi Mirage.

After its recently concluded pre-order promo, MMPC will be treating its valued customers and the general public to a night filled with fun and awesome music as it holds the Mirage Music Festival at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds on November 16, 2012.

Simply as exciting as driving home the all-new Mirage, MMPC promises you to experience an overwhelming night of surprises and an array good music from some of the country’s top oPM bands such as Pupil, General luna, Up Dharma Down, Urbandub and a lot more.

Aside from the superb band lineup for the Mirage Music Festival, MMPC will also give away exciting raffle prizes such as iPads, Toshiba Netbook, Toshiba lCD TVs, and cool Mirage exclusives such as T-shirts,

Mirage USb drives, and wireless PC mouse.

This celebration is entirely FRee to the public.

Just head on to the nearest Mitsubishi Motors Metro Manila or luzon dealerships and avail of the free tickets just by inquiring about the all new Mirage and answering a short survey afterwards.

Meanwhile, for those who have reserved a Mitsubishi Mirage under the Pre-order exclusive, just contact the dealership where you booked your reservation to get the free tickets.

Aside from the Music Festival, MMPC will also hold a Mirage expo where you can test drive the allnew Mirage and other Mitsubishi models plus enjoy exclusive and irresistible offers on other Mitsubishi models.

The Mirage Music Festival and eXPo is MMPC’s way of celebrating the return of the Mirage brand in the Philippines and will be happening from November 16 up until November 18, 2012.

oRD Philippines represented its all-time best monthly performance for october, with strong demand across all nameplates driving overall retail sales up by 50% compared to the same period last year with a total of 1,248 units sold.

The record month was given a significant boost by the all-new Ford Ranger pickup, as it delivered sales figures that jumped 213% from the previous generation truck last year to 282 units. Sales of the all-new Ford Focus also helped in boosting Ford’s sales figures last month by being able to sell a total of 62 units, a 22% increase compared to the month of September. Meanwhile, the iconic Ford Mustang has proved enormously popular since deliveries began in September and registered 45 units in its

second retail month. other Ford vehicles also did well in the sales department, with the Ford everest posting its strongest monthly sales of the year by selling 311 units, the Fiesta turned in another strong performance with sales rising 26% compared from last year by selling 307 units, while sales for the escape increased 67% to 142 units.

“Customer response to our newly launched one Ford vehicles has been exceptional.

Segment leading vehicles like the all-new Ranger, the technology packed all-new Focus, the all-new explorer with ecoboost, and the iconic Ford Mustang, are really helping widen the appeal of the Ford brand to so many new-to-Ford customers,” said Randy Krieger, president, Ford Philippines.

Ford Phl posts record sales F

Volvo commits to customer satisfaction

V

olVo Philippines continues to go full throttle as it takes the concept of customer service to a new level. In addition to the usual offerings from the Volvo workshop – such as Volvo Genuine Parts, Volvo methods and internationally trained Volvo technicians – Volvo dealers have complete service offering where the customer is always in focus.

Volvo Philippines takes the whole service concept to a new level with Volvo Service 2.0 – with an emphasis on customer service rather than car service. Service 2.0 is the collective term

for all of Volvo customer service offerings and represents a new approach based on customer needs.

This direction further reinforces Volvo Philippines’ commitment to deliver the best service that Volvo clients deserve. It focuses on the following six selected customer commitments that all Volvo workshops fulfill to attain the utmost satisfaction from their clients.

• free software updates with each service.

- “A free update of the car’s software to the latest version is always included when we service your Volvo*.”

*Applies to all Volvo models from model year 1999, except S/V40 older than 2004, S/V70 older than 2000 and C70 older than 2006.

• Mobility Solution - “we will always offer you alternative transport solutions when you bring your car for service.”

• Health Check. - “We will always perform a health check of your Volvo, with focus on safety features including battery check, when we service your Volvo” • Car Wash at Every Servicing. - “we will always wash your car in conjunction with servicing.”

• personal Service Contact. - “you will always get a personal contact person who is dedicated to you.” “we have always strived to deliver the best customer service possible and made sure that our client’s enjoyment of their Volvos extend to their post-purchase experience. with Volvo Service 2.0, we strengthen the resolve to make their Volvo ride as smooth as possible, inside and out of their cars”, says Roselyn M. Dimalanta, 1st executive Vice President For Volvo Philippines.

8 VANTAGE POINTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 180 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11-12, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Obama, the superrich and the election COMMENTARY

By ChryStia Freeland

A

EDITORIAL

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SOFVA: Just a means to an end

he Philippine Senate has ratified the Status Visiting Forces Agreement (SoFVA) with Australia making it our new ally in developing our national defense capabilities.

The Senate on Tuesday approved on third and final reading the ratification of the SoFVA between the Philippines and Australia with seventeen senators voting in favor of Senate Resolution No. 788, with only Sen. Joker Arroyo rejecting it and the resolution’s two other vocal oppositors in Sen. Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and Miriam Defensor-Santiago absent. enlisting Australia as our new partner in the development of our military capability ended two years of waiting for this agreement to become a reality. It came in the wake of tension with the People’s Republic of China over the tqo countries’ territorial claims to the Spratly Islands in the west Philippine Sea (a.k.a. South China Sea).

According to its Senate backers, ratification of the SoVFA will not only pave the way for the country to improve its defense capabilities it will also help solidify our decades old relationship with Australia, especially in the field of trade and industry.

The Philippine military establishment is fully aware of Australia’s contribution to the overall effort of the western Allies to triumph in this part of the globe in world war II during which thousands of Australian soldiers and sailors

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gave up their lives in defense of democracy. while is is expected that China might consider the SoFVA as the Philippine’s thinly-veiled response to the spat over the Spratlys, we can always argue that it is any country’s right to think of ways to defend itself against external aggression. It just so happens that Australia, a democracy like ours, is also our neighbor who is willing to share its defense expertise with us.

As it is with the Visiting Forces Agreement between the United States and this country, so it is with the SoFVA. but while its oppositors fear a possible China backlash, there is much to be reaped from the agreement with Australia as the SoFVA is seen to be merely an instrument towards a bigger impact on the country in terms of the economy. with institutional safeguards on the implementation of the SoFVA, specifically with the privileges extended to visiting forces as well as prevention of any environmental damage caused to protected areas, ancestral domain areas, critical watersheds and protected forest areas during the conduct of military exercises, this agreement with Australia is an important step in enhancing our national security as well as what the future holds for our country in other fields of human endeavor that have to do with trade, commerce, transfer of technology, education, medicine, science, etcetera. Not necessarily war. Perish the thought.

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MoNG the losers in the United States this week are the super-rich, who spent unprecedented millions to evict President barack obama from the white house. The investing class turned sharply and vociferously against the president many of them had supported in 2008. on Tuesday night, the plutocrats lost their shirts. “boy, they threw away a lot of money,” Theda Skocpol, a harvard professor, told me. “It was very interesting to hear on Tuesday night about all the corporate jets packed in logan Airport” for Mitt Romney’s party in boston. one of the important questions in the United States today – and, eventually, in all democracies where income inequality has risen sharply, which is to say in pretty much all democracies – is what impact the political ineffectiveness of the super-rich at the ballot box will have on how the country is actually governed.

According to Skocpol, the answer will be determined partly by how we collectively choose to explain the president’s second-term victory.

“There will be an attempt to downplay the role economic populism played,” Skocpol said. “I would expect a lot of the wall Street Democratic crowd to place the emphasis on social issues and immigration. There will be an effort to define it that way.”

To put it another way, one emerging explanation of obama’s victory will be that it was about demographics trumping economic policy. whether that argument becomes the dominant narrative matters, because it will shape what sort of a governing mandate obama is deemed to have won. “he clearly got a mandate for using the government to build an opportunity for the middle class,” Skocpol said. “he has a mandate for higher taxes on the wealthy. he has a mandate for obamacare going forward. I think voters understand that these differences were clear.”

David Nasaw, a historian who has written biographies of Andrew Carnegie and Joseph P. Kennedy – two influential plutocrats from earlier eras in U.S. history – agrees.

“The media, with all due respect, is still frighteningly condescending to black and latino voters,” Nasaw said.

“The black and latino voters did not vote for obama simply because he had a black skin. They voted for him because they thought his policies made more sense.”

“This is no longer a nation where white middle-class suburbanites control the destiny of the country,” Nasaw continued. “black voters, latino voters, young voters aren’t going away, and they are going to vote their self-interest. Their self-interest is with a larger government and with a government that recognizes that there has been, over the past couple of decades, a power grab by the wealthy, by corporate interests, by financial interests.” what makes that mandate particularly powerful is the president’s relationship with the 1 percent during the 2012 election campaign. Much of wall Street fell in love with obama in 2008.

The support of some of America’s most admired and forward-thinking financiers had particular impact during the Democratic primaries, when obama, then a relatively obscure Illinois senator, needed all the backing he could get against hillary Rodham Clinton.

EDGEDAVAO

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VOL.5 ISSUE 180 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11-12, 2012

Bayanihan Dance Troupe woes U.S. audience anew

FTeR years of absence in America, the bayanihan, the famed dance troupe of the Philippines, was back on American soil in spectacular shows in washington, D.C. and New york last week.

Grace S. Valera, co-director of the Migrant heritage Commission (MhC), a Filipino-run non-governmental organization based in washington, said in a e-mail to the Philippines News Agency that the sterling performance of the Filipino artists succeeded in putting the country back on American stage wooing their American audience.

Tickets in both shows were sold out, she said.

Valera said the bayanihan dance troupe first performed in New york on Nov. 1 before going to washington on Nov. 3 and 4.

She said the Philippine embassy headed by Ambassador Jose l. Cuisia Jr. de-

SPECIAl FEATURE

By Ben Cal scribed the performances of the 25-member Filipino dance troupe as “a tremendous success.”

“The bayanihan was able to help raise more awareness about the Philippines in the United States,” Valera quoted Cuisia as saying.

“For quite some time, the Philippines seemed to have been forgotten here in the United States and with its performances here, the bayanihan was successful in making our American friends. This is cultural diplomacy at its finest,” Cuisia added.

The performances of the bayanihan at the Jazz at the lincoln Center in New york and at the Kennedy Center in washington, D.C. were the initiatives of the Philippine embassy and the recently formed US-Phil-

ippines Society, an organization made up of prominent Filipinos and Americans whose objective is to raise the profile of the Philippines in the United States.

It was the first cultural undertaking of the group which was formally launched during the visit of President benigno S. Aquino III in washington in June.

“I would like to thank the bayanihan for bringing back to us a recollection of and a heightened awareness of the tremendous cultural richness of the Philippines,” said Ambassador John Negroponte, a former U.S. envoy to Manila, who co-chairs the society together with businessman Manny V. Pangilinan.

“I think this is especially important now that the Asia- Pacific region is again becoming a demographic and economic center of gravity in the world and I think it makes enormous sense to devote more attention to the U.S. relationship with the Philippines,” Negroponte said. “obviously in addition to the political, the strategic and the economic, a key element is cultural,” Negroponte added.

Ambassador John Maisto, President of the U.S. Philippines Society, said the dance troupe, led by its executive Director Suzie Moya benitez, made an impression during its performances in washington and New york. “our job is simply to elevate the profile of the Philippines in the United States across the board so that Americans can appreciate and understand and remember what the Philippines and Filipinos represent to the United States” said Maisto, who was formerly assigned at the U.S. embassy in Manila.

Valera said the bayanihan’s perfomances in the east Coast began the process of recovery following the devastation caused by hurricane Sandy last week.

Valera also said that Anna Gawel, managing editor of the washington Diplomat, described the performances as spectacular as these offered non-Filipinos insights into Philippine culture and history.

“The range of costumes was visually stunning and the choreography and emotions behind the dances were riveting,” Valera quoted Gawel as saying.

Culture of tourism in local conflict resolution

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UlTURe of tourism is a potential tool in facilitating the eventual integration of those interests. Culture of tourism, which is different from cultural tourism, is a community-wide consciousness and sociological map that everyone residing and operating in a given environment is part of the local tourism industry. It also means higher level of awareness among the native residents that tourism actually means additional income without dislodging their centuries-old traditions, native culture or degrading the environment.

In Sagada, caves and mountains are not just components of the physical environment. They are also significant ingredients of the belief system of the indigenous communities in benguet and Mountain Province. Developing a culture of tourism means that people identify themselves with the industry, viewed as a friendly domain from

( Conclusion )

which much may be gained.

In a JICA-funded project I helped undertake in Samal Island two years ago, such apparent lack of culture of tourism was obvious when we had difficulty convincing habal-habal drivers to attend frontline service enhancement seminars. Initially, they did not give so much fuss about the all-expense paid workshops. Numbering a little less than two thousands, many of these drivers are not even registered with the local transportation board. For a long time, they were allowed to ply because the local demand for quick and

cheap transportation is higher than the service supply. eventually, they acceded. Almost a thousand of them finally came. Usual complaints against them were lack of hygiene, discourtesy and, very importantly, absence of standard fare rates. I call that skin tax; cost of travel varies according to the color of the skin (if you are a foreigner assumed to be rich), language used, etc. Apart from addressing these problems, we aimed at converting them to become informal tour guides. better knowledge of their own local destinations may interest a tourist and may mean longer contracted trip and additional income. we cannot impress them with technical tourism terms and concepts. Instead, we developed a formula: better Samal experience means more tourists means more passengers means more income.

The contrary equation was too obvious to emphasize then.

VANTAGE POINTS

9

Why can’t SMI just man up?

SOUTHERN COMFORT By edwin G. eSpejo

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AGITTARIUS Mines, Inc. (SMI) has so far kept its silence over the killing of 27-year old Juvy Capion and her two young sons last october 18 in a remote village in Kiblawan, Davao del Sur, a province in southern Philippines. except for a paragraph or two denying any involvement in the brutal slaying, however, SMI also offered no genuine condolence and sympathy to the victims. It is understandable. The husband of Juvy Capion is a fierce tribal leader who has taken up arms to protest SMI’s mining operations in Tampakan, South Cotabato and nearby Kiblawan in Davao del Sur. but out of the blue, pro-mining tribal chieftains held a press conference Thursday virtually exonerating SMI from any culpability in the heinous crime. whoever planned the press conference is doing grave injustice to the Capion family. while it may be true that SMI did not have a direct hand in the killing, its presence in the area was the only reason it happened. while elements of the Philippine Army’s 27th Infantry battalion were directly responsible for the massacre, blood is also written all over SMI’s hands.

It would have been better if it was SMI who faced the media to deny any direct or indirect involvement and console with remaining relatives of the victims. but by allowing tribal leaders to take the cudgels for them, SMI only showed its callousness and insensitivity. The people behind SMI may only be stoking hatred among and between warring communities of the blaan tribe to which the victims belong as well as majority of the pro-mining tribal leaders present during the press conference. It was cowardly, to say the least, for SMI not to give a face to their denial and to instead thrust blaan tribal leaders into the line of fire. why did the pro-mining tribal leaders, if they believe it was solely the military which was responsible to the massacre, not call for the pullout and immediate prosecution of the officers and men who mercilessly killed Juvy Capion and her sons? why all the fuss about any involvement in the killing when SMI was only reminded, to put it mildly, that the root of all the violence in the mining site is its encroachment of the ancestral lands of the blaans.

True, chieftains of five tribal communities have expressed support for its operations. but how many, from among the thousands who will be displaced, are also against the operations of SMI? who would not believe and suspect SMI was behind the press conference?

The choice of venue, timing and agenda is simply too amateurish not to put SMI’s spineless hands behind it.

SMIshouldhavejustsimplymanned up, faced the community and called a spade a spade. [MindaNews/edwin G. espejo writes for www.asiancorrespondent.com]

10 NATION/WORlD NATION BRIEFS Not harmful

T

he South Korean government asked the Philippines to lift the ban it imposed against Korean noodle brands that supposedly contained a carcinogen called benzopyrene.

The embassy of South Korea clarified the six banned brands of Korean noodles contained “extremely low” amounts of the level of benzopyrene that pose “no harmful effect on the human body.”

J

Opportunity

ustice Secretary leila de lima sees the arrest of another suspect in the gruesome killing of Ruby Rose barrameda as an opportunity to get the trial rolling once more.

Interviewed on Friday, De lima said she would meet with the prosecutors handling the case to discuss the agency’s next move following the arrest of Robert Ponce in in Isabela province last wednesday.

N

Early

ight bars and clubs should be closed after 1 a.m. This is the proposal of Caloocan Rep. oscar Malapitan, who believes that the enactment of such measure into law would significantly deter crimes not only in Metro Manila but in other major cities in the country as well.

“There is no necessity to provide statistics of crimes occurring in these establishments or as a result of having patronized them. Aside from crimes, lives are lost due to preventable accidents,” Malapitan said.

S

Rivalty

an Juan City Rep. Joseph Victor “JV” ejercito is apparently already getting the ire of an influential member of the Senate, months before the official campaign period can even begin for the 2013 senatorial polls.

Senate President Pro Tempore Jose “Jinggoy” estrada admitted his half-brother’s statements over their reported sibling rivalry have made him “very upset and deeply hurt.”

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VOL.5 ISSUE 180 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11-12, 2012

Canada, Philippines ink WORLD TODAY defense procurement deal I First female

nterpol on Thursday elected a French police commissioner known for her drive against organised crime in bordeaux and Corsica as its first female president at its general assembly in Rome.

“Mireille ballestrazzi of France becomes first woman to be elected president of Interpol,” the world’s top association of crime-fighters said on Twitter.

C

ANADA and the Philippines signed a deal Saturday to help Manila buy military equipment to defend its territory, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen harper and Filipino President benigno Aquino said.

The Philippine defense department and state-run Canadian Commercial Corp. signed the agreement as harper met Aquino at Malacanang Palace in Manila, the two leaders announced at a joint news conference.

The deal was inked amid a territorial dispute between the Philippines and China over islands and waters in the South China Sea. “This memorandum of understanding will enable the Philippines to acquire the equipment and expertise it needs to fulfill the country’s defense and security agenda,” harper said.

Under the deal, Filipino purchases of equipment and expertise from Canada’s $12.6 billion (US$12.6 billion) defense industry are guaranteed by the ottawa government, according to a Canadian government statement.

“This will help us in our efforts to build our defense and security capabilities,”

Philippine President Benigno Aquino (back R) and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper (back L) applaud as Philippine National Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin (front R) and Ed

Aquino said, declining to elaborate.

“I cannot go into specifics lest they be observed by less friendly individuals,” he added.

Faced with communist and Islamist insurgencies and an increasingly assertive China, Aquino noted that the military had just two transport aircraft, no fighter jets and just 132 mainly world war II-era ships.

“The fundamental is-

Fast, Canadian Minister of International Trade, exchange documents after signing a deal Saturday to help Manila buy military equipment to defend its territory.

sue is that we have a lot of outmoded equipment,” he said.

The Canadian Commercial Corp. serves as a go-between between Canadian suppliers and foreign governments to transact defense and security contracts.

The Philippines has been in the market for patrol vessels to protect its waters, including areas that overlap with territory claimed by China.

Manila’s military treaty ally the United States is set this year to deliver a second refurbished hamilton-class cutter, previously used by the US Coast Guard, to the Philippine Navy. last month the Philippine Coast Guard announced it would buy five patrol boats from France for about 90 million euros ($116 million), partly to guard disputed areas in the South China Sea.

Thousands of Syrian refugees flee to Turkey

Doctors

he Philippines will no longer have “doctorless” municipalities by the end of the year, health Secretary enrique ona said yesterday. ona said 32 remaining “doctorless” and “very poor” municipalities in Abra, Ilocos Sur, Cagayan, Palawan, Tawi-Tawi and basilan would have their own physician

by December through the Department of health’s (Doh) Doctors to the barrios (DTTb) programme.

“The good news is that by the end of this year, all of these so-called doctorless municipalities will be filled,” ona told reporters.

EDGEDAVAO

Syrians cross the border into Turkey on November 8. Some 8,000 Syrian refugees have fled to Turkey overnight amid es-

S

oMe 8,000 Syrian refugees fled to Turkey overnight in the face of escalating clashes between rebel forces and troops loyal to Damascus near the border, a foreign ministry official told AFP on Friday.

The latest influx brought the total number of

calating clashes between rebel forces and troops loyal to Damascus near the border, a foreign ministry official told [AFP]

Syrian refugees in Turkey to more than 120,000, the official added on condition of anonymity.

“Five thousand Syrians were taken to a camp in Akcakale town near the Syrian border and the others were to stay with their relatives in Turkey,” he said.

on Friday, dozens of army officers including two generals and 11 colonels also fled to Turkey to join opposition fighters, the state-run Anatolia news agency reported.

Army defectors, flanked by their families, were taken to the Apaydin camp in

hatay province near the Syrian border where security is tighter.

Turkish officials refuse to give an exact number of Syrian generals currently on Turkish soil as some are returning to Syria to join the active fighters inside the conflict-wracked country.

The government said over 110,000 Syrian refugees live in several camps along its volatile border, as well as the exiled Syrian opposition’s political and military leadership, while many more are living in apartments or hotels throughout the country.

It was not immediately clear if the army defectors were among the 8,000 refugees who crossed into Turkey overnight.

The latest exodus was sparked by fierce clashes near the northeastern Syrian border town of Ras alAin, where at least 16 Syrian soldiers and 10 rebels were killed on Thursday, the Syrian observatory for human Rights said.

I

Cancelled

raq has cancelled a $4.2 billion (3.3 billion euro) package of arms deals with Russia over corruption concerns, a spokesman for Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said on Saturday. “The deal was cancelled,” Ali Mussawi told AFP. “when Maliki returned from his trip to Russia, he had some suspicions of corruption, so he decided to review the whole deal...

There is an investigation going on, on this.”

A

Verdict

verdict was expected Saturday in the trial of a Vatican computer technician accused of helping Pope benedict XVI’s butler leak confidential papers.

Claudio Sciarpelletti’s trial comes just weeks after the disgraced former butler, Paolo Gabriele, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for engineering the leak of secret papal documents.

J

Discussing

APAN and the United States have agreed to discuss updating 15-year-old guidelines on their security alliance in view of China’s growing military presence in the region, a Japanese official said.

After meeting high-level US officials, Senior Vice Defense Minister Akihisa Nagashima told Japanese media in washington Friday (Saturday, Japan time) the two countries had “agreed to deepen Japan-US strategic consultations”.

C

Resigned

hief US spymaster David Petraeus, who gained international notoriety as military commander in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, has resigned over an extramarital affair, bringing an abrupt and ignominious end to a brilliant government career.

The revelation shocked washington just three days after the re-election of US President barack obama and shortly before CIA Director Petraeus had been due to testify on the agency’s alleged failure to properly protect a US consulate in libya.

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EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 180 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11-12, 2012

DAVAO...

FFROM 1

determined to push the reconstruction of the country’s educational system through Roadmap for Public higher education Reform (RPheR), its master plan for public tertiary education set to be accomplished by 2016.

Mayor Duterte who was present during the forum expressed her support for the merging saying that this will “improve the quality of education”.

The Davao Regional State University System (DRSUS) or house bill 5311 aims to merge University of Southeastern Philippines, Davao del Norte State College, Davao oriental State College of Science and Technology, and Southern Philippines Agribusiness and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology.

“Contrary to the government’s declaration that it is a road-

map towards a ‘knowledge-based economy’, the thrust of RPheR is to transform public tertiary education system into a source of cheap labor force for the global market. our country will never have a knowledge-based economy if a large population of its citizen remains uneducated”, said Penelope Palma Gil, NUSP Davao coordinator. “we remain steadfast in our position against these reforms—another band-aid solution—that is grossly missing the target of addressing the worsening crisis in the Philippine educational system,” Palma Gil added.

Various regions have already implemented the amalgamation, such as the University of Rizal System (URS) that resulted from the merging of the Rizal Polytechnic College, Rizal State

College, and the Rizal Technological University Antipolo Annex; the URS Tanay that has satellite campuses in Morong, Pililla, Rodriguez, Angono, binangonan, Cainta, Antipolo, Cardona, and Taytay; and Cagayan Valley State University that resulted from the amalgamation of five SUCs. The Union reiterates the call for the government to re-channel the budget from debt servicing and military to education and social services to be able to fund SUCs across the country.

“Prioritizing education and basic social service will bring about genuine reforms. we will strengthen our campaign against DRSUS and will conduct actions to register the call of the students for quality and accessible education,” Palma Gil said.

City Vice Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte, during the recent convention of his political party hugpong sa Tawong lungsod, lashed back at critics who accused him of building a political dynasty.

“Fielding somebody who is not yet strong enough to win might only weaken the new political party,” he said.

At present, his daughter, Sara Duterte-Carpio,

is the city mayor and son, Paolo Duterte, is the president of the Association of barangay Captains (AbC).

Duterte said his tough stance against criminals has been credited for increased investor confidence in the city. hence, he needs to field someone strong enough to win the election. [PNA]

pect pointed to Alex Abbas of Kidapawan City as the source of the marijuana seedlings.

Abbas was arrested in a follow-up operation and seized from him were dried marijuana leaves and a fragmentation grenade, the police official said.

leoncio said they charged Friday Artinero and Abbas with violation of the Comprehensive Drugs Act. Abbas was also charged with illegal possession of explosive, leoncio added. [Malu Cadelina Manar/MindaNews]

last year’s Christmas and New year celebrations, an 18 percent increase from the cases recorded in 2010. of the 54 injury cases, 24 involved children aged 10 years old and below, the Integrated Provincial health office

reported, the youngest being five years old while the oldest was 72.

Piccolo, which is a banned firecracker, posted the major cause of injuries, accounting for 27 cases. [Allen V. estabillo/MindaNews]

DYNASTIES...

FFROM 1

wrong with political dynasties in the country as long as they are capable and lead their constituents for the common good of all and not for self-interest.

“If political dynasty is to keep family sake (sic) without the ability and the qualities of leadership to lead his/her area of responsibilities, that becomes in itself the bad effect,” he added.

Meanwhile, Davao

ANTI-MARIJUANA...

FFROM 2

rogation that he planted the illegal plants, said leoncito. barangay Salab officials led by chairman Ferdinand Cariaga joined the police during the anti-illegal drug raid at around 7 a.m. Thursday. leoncito said the sus-

ONCE...

FFROM 2

paign. “we’re starting this early to drum up enough awareness and support from various sectors in our local communities,” he said.

Aturdido said the province posted a total of 54 injuries during

DILG releases P24M for peace, development in North Cotabato

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he Department of Interior and local Government (DIlG) in Region 12 has released an initial P24 million for the implementation of peace and development projects in North Cotabato province. buagas Sulaik, DIlG Region 12 director, said the funds comprise the first tranche of the approved grant for 12 local government units (lGUs) in North Cotabato under the DIlG- Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan or PAMANA fund.

“The amount will be used to subsidize programs and projects identified by lGUs, which will eventually address the peace and development needs and challenges, particularly of

the vulnerable sectors in their respective areas,” he said in a statement.

The checks were released to mayors and other officials of recipient-municipalities libungan, Carmen, Midsayap, Arakan, Pigcawan, Aleosan, Kabacan and Pikit.

Sulaik said the fund releases represent 80 percent of the total P30 million grant allotted for Region 12 under the PAMANA program. “The remaining 20 percent or about P6 million will be ready for release this December,” he said.

The PAMANA program was earlier launched by the national government as a framework for intervention in conflict-affected and vulnerable areas

in Mindanao and to complement the ongoing peace efforts.

“This includes investing on agri-industrial enterprises, coastal development initiatives, and infrastructure such as road networks, electrification, postharvest facilities and farm-to-market roads,” a program briefer said.

Sulaik said the fiveyear program (20112016) aims to “contribute to lasting peace by reducing poverty and vulnerability in conflict-affected areas, improving governance and empowering communities and strengthen their capacities to promote social cohesion.” [Allen V. estabillo / MindaNews]

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.

12 ClASSIFIEDS ADS

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3 + 2 bonus Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 11TH Judicial Region Branch 17, Davao City IN THE MATTER OF PETITION FOR CORRECTION OF FIRST NAME FROM “CERILO” TO “CIRILO” T. VILLA, CORRECTION OF AGE OF SPS. CIRILO T. VILLA AND JOSEPHINE M. CUANAN FROM 26 YEARS & 2 MONTHS TO 24 YEARS & 3 MONTHS AND FROM 22 YEARS & 11 MONTHS TO 23 YEARS & 12 DAYS FOR JOSEPHINE M. CUANAN’S MOTHER’S FROM “OLEVIA” TO “OLIVIA” M. CUANAN ALL IN THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT OF SPS. CIRILO T. VILLA AND JOSEPHINE M. CUANAN,

CIRILO T. VILLA AND JOSEPHINE M. CUANAN, Petitioners Versus

SP. PROC. CASE NO. 12,206-12

THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR, Respondent x---------------------------------------------------------x ORDER Petitioners Cirilo T. Villa and Josephine M. Cuanan filed the instant Petition and Amended Petition, praying that after due notice, publication and hearing, an Order be issued directing the Local Civil Registrar of Davao City, to effect the changes and corrections of entries found in petitioners’ Marriage Contract to wit: to correct petitioner Cirilo T. Villa’s first name from “Cerilo” to “Cirilo”; to correct both petitioners’ age from 26 years & 2 months to 24 years & 3 months for the age of Cirilo T. Villa; and from 22 years & 11 months to 23 years & 12 days for the age of Josephine M. Cuanan; and to change the first name of petitioner Josephine M. Cuanan’s mother in the Marriage Contract from “Olevia” to “Olivia” Manga.

Other just and equitable reliefs may be deemed warranted under the premises are likewise prayed for.

Finding, the Petition to be sufficient in form and substance, set hearing of the Petition on January 25, 2013 at 8:30 o’clock in the morning, ordering all interested persons to appear on the said date and show cause, why this Petition should not be granted.

Petitioners are directed to publish this Order, at least once a week for (3) consecutive weeks, prior to the date of hearing in a designated qualified newspaper of general circulation, pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 1079.

Furnish a copy of this Order to the Clerk of Court, Regional Trial Court, Davao City, for raffling of the publication.

SO ORDERED, Given this 15th day of October, 2012 at Davao City, Philippines (Sgd) EVALYN M. ARELLANO-MORALES Presiding Judge Edge 11/5,12,19

VOL.5 ISSUE 180 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11-12, 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), 0908883-8832 (Smart) or send email to propertiesindavao@yahoo.com.

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EDGEDavao Gensan Partners

Tel No. (083)- 553-2211

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.

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

WANTED SALESMAN

NOTICE OF LOSS

For Paper & Tissue Distribution Company

- with previous experience freferred - new graduates welcome to apply Please send resumes to: kelvinlesterlee@yahoo.com

or call 286-9487 or Submit to lee business Corner, Inc. Juan luna cor. Juan dela Cruz Sts., Davao City

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

Notice is hereby given by loyolA PlANS CoNSolIDATeD INC. that CERTIFICATE OF FULL PAYMENT No(s). 28327 under LOYOLA PLAN Contact No(s) NNN 710037901 issued to CINDY L. MALLARI was lost. Any transaction entered into shall be null and void.

11/12,19,26

NOTICE OF LOSS

Notice is hereby given by loyolA PlANS CoNSolIDATeD INC. that CeRTIFICATe oF FUll PAyMeNT No(s). 21005366 under loyolA PlAN Contact No(s) NNN400223860 issued to RyMPhA T. PUlMoNeS was lost. Any transaction entered into shall be null and void.

11/12,19,26

13

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 180 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11-12, 2012 COMPETITIVE EDGE

CEB soon to fly 70 millionth passenger T

he Philippines’ largest national flag carrier, Cebu Pacific (PSe:Ceb) announced it is set to fly its 70 millionth passenger any time in the next seven days.

“Since Ceb started operations in 1996, we have now flown very close to 70 million passengers. This number is a testament to

how much Ceb’s trademark low fares and extensive route network have revolutionized air travel in the Philippines,” said Ceb VP for Marketing and Distribution Candice Iyog.

The countdown started November 9, during the launch of the North Philippine (NorthPhil) Tourism and Travel expo at the

Water interruption November 13 & 15

T

he Davao City water District has scheduled two sets of water service interruption to allow its crews to conduct systems improvement projects.

First set is scheduled on November 13, 2012 from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM at Km. 13, Purok 1, Sto. Niño de Palaboy in Mintal. The engineering and Construction Department will tap the newly installed 3-inch diameter Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) pipeline to the existing 3-inch diameter PVC Pipeline for the mainline improvement project at Purok 1, Sto. Niño de Palaboy in Mintal. Completion of said project can accommodate additional new service connections.

Second set will be on

November 15 from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. The Production Department personnel will be conducting preventive maintenance servicing in lubogan Production well at lubogan water Supply System.

Affected areas are Green Prairie Subd., Purok 7 in bangkas, batulosa Village, Kristina homes, Purok 3, 5 and 6 in lubogan, Toril Country homes, DlF Village, Dacoville Subd., Farlandville Subd., Susan homes III (Pag-ibig City), Rosalina Village 3 (Phase 1 – 3), Mindawide Relocation, IwhA Subd., espina Subd., Ideal Subd., Sto. Rosario Village, Dusnai Village, Green Prairie Subd., balai Village, Villa Josefina Subd. in Dumoy and all its immediate environs.

Marquee Mall in Pampanga, where Ceb is the official airline partner for the 4th year.

“Ceb’s one and only lucky 70 millionth passenger will check in on any of our approximately 2,000 weekly domestic and international flights, within a week from now. That lucky Juan will receive 70 free domestic one-way tick-

ets, so we are very excited to hit this milestone and award our lucky passenger,” Iyog added.

Ceb kicks off the countdown with a PhP7 base fare seat sale to any of the airline’s 32 domestic and 19 international destinations.

Sale period is until November 12, 2012 or until seats last, for travel from June 1

to December 15, 2013, except for osaka which has a travel period from June 1 to october 19, 2013.

The airline also holds a special PhP0 (zero) base fare seat sale for its Clark hub, just in time for the NorthPhil expo where Ceb has a booth. The seat sale period is also until November 12, 2012 or until seats

last, for travel from March 1 to May 30, 2013. Up for grabs are seats from Clark to hong Kong, Singapore, Macau, bangkok and Cebu.

These seat sale fares are available through www.cebupacificair.com only, and are exclusive of check-in baggage allowance, taxes, fuel surcharges and admin fees.

PROFITABLE. Alejandro Melchor, deputy executive director of the Department of Science and Technology-ICTO, believes that the government should make raw ideas from different sectors into profitable businesses during Innovation Expo press conference at Abreeza Mall’s VIPinoy Friday afternoon. [LEAN DAVAL JR.]

14 SPORTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 180 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11-12, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Record field 13,400 in Milo run today

By Neil Bravo

F

RoM the break of day, Davao City’s main streets will be a virtual sea of green today as the biggest ever assembly of runners take to the road for the 36th Milo National Marathon Davao Qualifying Race.

A record 13,400 runners have signed up for historic run with organizers faced with the hard decision of closing the registration two days before race day.

The previous high was 13,057 set in 2008.

“This is the biggest race ever in Davao and we cannot go beyond this number anymore,” said Kenneth Sai, the regional race organizer of the 36th MNM during the press launch at Pop’s Resto-bar. of the 13,400-field, a total of 2,000 will be running in the 3-kilometer category while the bulk of 10,700 runners will compete in the 5-kilometer distance. In the 10-K class, 200 will be gunning for the top prize, while 500 will be attempting to become the next Davao City qualifier or qualifiers to the Nationals set in Manila on December 9. of the 500 contenders, one name stands out among men—bryan lupio.

The defending champion is all set to reclaim his throne albeit he has some handicap to carry going into race day.

“I am not 100% well-conditioned and well-rested. I spent some sleepless nights last week due to the death of my nephew,” said lupio two days before the race. he won last year’s event in 1 hour 13 minutes and 30

seconds, besting chief rival Anthony Nerza who came in at 1 hour 14 minutes and 28 seconds.

The two are about to renew that rivalry this morning in the race that starts and ends at Roxas Street fronting Ateneo de Davao University.

The 23-year old lupio won last year’s race but did not run in the Nationals as he decided to marry his long-time girlfriend. This time, he vowed to take his first crack at the Nationals and possibly join an elite cast of champions coming from Mindanao—eduardo buenavista (2002, 2008, 2010) and Cresenciano Sabal (2005, 2007, 2009).

“Sana magkaroon uli ako ng chance na manalo,” lupio said. lupio has been running incredibly this year once going on a four-week winning streak in August and winning all major local runs in Davao City.

In the distaff side, Cynthia Jaro, that girl nicknamed “baby Kenya” after winning a race in Cebu last year, is heavily favored to repeat as women’s champion. The 20-year old junior from brokenshire College won last year’s race in 1 hour 31 minutes and 45 seconds.

This year’s run also meant some new pairs of sneakers to 500 kids from erico Nograles elementary School, Sta. Ana National high School, San Roque elementary School, Matina Central elementary School, and Cabantian National high School as beneficiaries of the Davao race.

Digos ‘wonder boy’ beaten U

NheRAlDeD Rondy Naad of Makilala, North Cotabato humbled heavy favorite oliver “Cocoy” Villafuerte of Digos City, 7-1, to barge into the Top 32 late Friday evening in the 5th Sunstar-Phoenix Petroleum 9-ball Challenge which reeled off at the NCCC Mall Davao activity center on Friday.

Villafuerte made quite a stir in the billiards community after stunning efren “bata” Reyes and former world pool champion Alex Pagulayan in separate

exhibition games in Digos City recently.

Naad will next battle Davao City veteran Ronnie Aying who defeated Rutchell Padal, 7-4. Aying advanced after crushing emmanuel olaivar, 7-1, in the opener of the annual event organized by Sun.Star Davao Publishing, Inc, co-presented by Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Inc. and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission.

Agusan del Norte’s larry Diga and Manila’s Richard Aguilar also booked Top 32 berths

after eliminating their respective opponents.

Diga, who ousted veteran internationalist elvis Calasang of butuan City (7-4) in the first round, bested Napoleon labrador of Monkayo, Compostela Valley, 7-4, in the second round.

Diga will face Christopher Sumacle of Digos City, who survived a 7-6 victory over Jonathan Sta. Ana of Davao City. Sumacle whipped Dabawenyo bernard Morada, 7-1, earlier. Quezon City resident Aguilar, for his

part, arranged a Top 32 meeting with Davao City’s Richard delos Reyes. Aguilar crushed Darwin Cero, 7-2, while Delos Reyes subdued Rarynard barcas, 7-4.

Veteran leonardo Didal of the Island Garden City of Samal, however, succumbed to Rayner espejo of Tacloban City, 4-7. espejo will collide with Jerick Palma of Davao City, a 7-5 victor over Cyrus barroca sponsored by Deca homes, Aeon Towers, Alaxan FR, SkyCable and NCCC Mall Davao.

INdulge!

VOL.5 ISSUE 180 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11-12, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

FOOD

TAKe a beautifully-restored turn-of-the-century european-inspired mansion, add a young and talented chef adept in fusion cuisine, sprinkle some delicious and playfully constructed dishes, and you have The White House, Davao’s newest address for fine cuisine.

A dream project of image consultant Cathy Binag, and chef Niño Laus, The White House located at Camella Northpoint, along J.P. Laurel avenue, used to be the

home of abaca businessman Robert Ker. Built atop a hill overlooking Davao City, the Ker house is now reborn as a gastronomer’s delight with a fantastic modern show kitch-

en as the centerpiece and chef Niño Laus as the artist, considered to be among the most talented chefs in the Philippines today.

Chef Niño’s, culinary cre-

Art or food? The White House’s Grilled Wagyu Topblade with Pumpkin Risoni

ativity and artistrywas evident in a recent lunch hosted

by Cathy and Niño.

The 9-course plate-in lunch was a symphony of

FA PLAYFULLY, A4

EDGEDAVAO

A2 INdulge!

UP anD aBOUt

A taste of international cuisine as Café France opens at SM City GenSan

VOL.5 ISSUE 180 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11-12, 2012

Bistro Selera introduces Filipino cuisine with a twist

SM City General SantOS brings the first ever Café France in the City where shoppers can meet and enjoy good, healthy food and freshly baked French breads in a comfortable and relaxing environment.

FiLiPiNo cuisine will never be the same Café France offers not just a pleasant, relaxing environment and excellent service but also provides quality and healthy products and serves wide range of dishes. try out their bestsellers – breads and pasta with their freshly-brewed coffee which also received high commendations from real coffee drinkers. they also offer delightful selection of gourmet treats and tempting sweets that make perfect gifts for everyone on your list such as nutty Chocolate Biscotti, almong tuile, Choco Chunk Mint Cookies and a lot more.

Party tray collections are also available at Café France where each tray is a thoughtfully selected assortment of sandwiches and canapés as well as both sweet and savory tarts. Packed in beautifully designed trays, these add sparkles to any Holiday buffet and give a taste of heaven with each carefully crafted bite.

Visit Café France at the Ground level of SM City General Santos and treat yourself with all these delectable tastes.

Ayala Malls and BPI present the new Amore Visa Card

again as Bistro Selera opens at the second level of The Fountain Court of SM Lanang Premier last November 9.

Setting itself apart form the original Kusina Selera at Paseo de Legaspi, Bistro Selera incorporates new dishes as well as old favorites, Bistro Selera promises to take the Pinoy dining experience to a higher more delicious level.

You can try the tender Bistek Tagalog Roulade served with garlic pasta or the tender Pork Ribs cooked inasal style. old favorites from Kusina Selera are also present like the Crispy Pata and Crispy Tadyang. ever thought of cooking with durian? Try Bistro Selera’s delicious Seafood Durian Curry Soup that is sure to be a hit among the adventur-

ous.

The ones with a sweet tooth can try Bistro Selera’s Buchitaw, a cross between a buchi and a palitaw or the sweet and tart, Mangosteen Mousse that highlights the richness of Davao’s fruits.

Whatever is your liking, a visit to Bistro Selera is like meeting old friends and finding something new.

Bistro Selera is located at the second level of the Fountain Court of SM Lanang Premier and is open from 10am to 9pm daily.

Kusina Selera is located at Paseo de Legaspi, along Pelayo Street and is open from 7am to 10pm daily.

The alfresco dining area.

ayala MallS together with BPi express Credit introduces the BPi ayala Malls aMOre Visa, the first mall lifestyle credit card that gives shoppers access to the ultimate mall and lifestyle experience.

With the BPi ayala Malls aMOre Visa you can earn shopping rebates, discounts and freebies at participating merchants and many more mall perks and privileges in all ayala Malls: Glorietta, Greenbelt, alabang town Center, ayala Center Cebu, Market! Market! Bonifacio High Street, trinoma, Marquee Mall and abreeza Mall.

Shopping rebates of 1, 4 or 3% for every P1000 spent in BPiaccredited ayala Malls establishments await those who use their BPi aMOre Visa: a 1% rebate for drugstores, supermarkets, schools, bookstores, school & office supplies, department & specialty retail stores, home furnishings & improvements, health & personal care, leisure & sports, electronics & household appliances, and services & utilities; a 3% rebate for accessories, shoes, leather goods, and clothing stores and a 4% rebate for restaurants and bars.

With the BPi ayala Malls aMOre Visa card, shoppers can enjoy instant discounts and freebies in participating merchant stores and enjoy unlimited use of customer and family lounges and e-lounges. they also get exclusive invites to sale events, workshops, and promotional activities. Movie aficionados on the other hand get exclusive invitations to movie block screenings and enjoy a cinema express lane and a 5% discount on cinema ticket purchases. application forms for a BPi aMOre Visa are available at the ayala Malls concierge, BPi Bank Branches and express Banking centers or by logging on to bpicards. com.

With the new BPi aMOre Visa card, shopping becomes more convenient and rewarding – another reason to love ‘em all at ayala Malls.

Butchitaw

Seafood durian curry soup.

Modern playful dining area.

Preparing the Pork Ribs Inasal.

VOL.5 ISSUE 180 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11-12, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

entertainMent

Kate Middleton rewears lace Temperley gown to alma mater

Kate Middleton is a major brand loyalist, counting British designers like alexander McQueen, issa, l.K. Bennet, and alice temperley among her favorites.

Clearly the Duchess of Cambridge has a soft spot for one particular black lace temperley gown, as she has now been spotted wearing it on more than one formal occasion. On thursday night, Kate and Prince William attended a black tie dinner gala at Middle temple Hall celebrating the 600th anniversary of their alma mater, the University of St. andrews, in Scotland. the school is very dear to the couple as they first met on campus back in 2002, and they are sure to be amongst the university’s most famous graduates.

For this special event, Middleton wore the same black lace temperley gown she wore to the london premiere of “War Horse” back in January.

She accessorized with a red McQueen bow clutch, and a red poppy flower pin in honor of the upcoming remembrance Day holiday on november 11. the temperley amoret lace gown is currently still available for sale on net-a-Porter for $3,995, though with Middleton’s many fashion admirers we wouldn’t be surprised to see the dress sell out

quickly.

Middleton is not the first celebrity to shop her closet. On election night first lady Michelle Obama re-wore the same red brocade Michael Kors dress she’d worn publicly twice before: once at a november 2010 Medal of Honor Ceremony in Washington, D.C., and earlier at a 2009 holiday event at the White House. in recent years, Vogue’s editor-in-chief, anna Wintour, has been re-wearing her designer

where she caught the eye of a young Prince William by wearing a bikini and sheer cover-up. according to the Daily Mail, she spoke about the memory with other students at the party. “i hope you weren’t involved in the fashion show,” Middleton said to a current undergraduate. “you never know what you are going to be asked to wear!” Supposedly upon seeing Middleton in the fashion show, William turned and told a friend,

clothing all the time. During a recession it feels the the responsible thing to do, even for the wealthy fashion elite. at thursday’s St. andrews gala, the Duchess joked about the nowfamous student fashion show she walked in,

“Wow, Kate’s hot.”

William told attendees that he had “happy, happy memories” at St. andrews.

He also referred to Kate, whom he studied art history with, as his “art guru.”

“She was much better at it than me,” William said.

Matthew McConaughey’s weight loss:

Looking thinner than ever for Dallas Buyer’s Club HOly, skin and bones!

We know Matthew McConaughey has been losing weight for his starring role as a man with aiDS in the Dallas Buyer’s Club, but it looks like he’s really gone all Christian Bale on us now. the Magic Mike hottie was spotted at laX earlier today looking more gaunt than ever. adding to the dramatic transformation are his pale skin and seemingly dyed black hair and mustache. as of last month, McConaughey reportedly had lost about 30 pounds for the role.

Meanwhile, Jennifer Garner joined the cast last week as McConaughey’s doctor, as did Jared leto, who will mark his return to acting by playing a cross-dresser with aiDS.

INdulge! A3

A4 INdulge!

FOOD entertainMent

You can now buy your favorite Business Paper from any of these establishments still at Php 15.

Koronadal

Gen. Santos Drive, Koronadal City Telefax No.: (083) 520-0816 Mobile No.: 0922-843-9427 email: manggorio09@yahoo.com

General Santos

EDGEDAVAO AFroMPLAYFULLY...

A1 styles, scents, and flavors, that are as varied as the strokes of an artist’s brush. each dish beautifully prepared, cooked and plated to delight the diner’s senses.

Lunch started with a beautiful Smoked Toro Tempura Roll amuse bouche that was served inside an overturned glass filled with smoke. Consumed in one delicious bite, the dish highlighted the fattiness of the toro while accentuating it with a smoky flavor.

Another of my favorites for lunch was the Tomato Soup served in a tomato bread bowl that was baked in-house. “We bake all of our breads ourselves,” says Cathy “this ensures that we only serve the highest quality products to our guests.”

And it shows, as the tomato bread matched perfectly with the creamy and tart Tomato Soup that was served with a light basil shiso foam.

Although not a part of the original tasting menu, Cathy insisted that we try the super decadent Trilogy of Fois Gras and who as i not to say yes with a big smile on my face right? Deliciously fatty and rich, The White House’s fois gras platter was simply divine especially the pan seared foie gras set on grilled eggplant and the torchon of fois gras (which takes days to make).

For the fish course, we had a delicately flavored Soy Honey Glazed Grilled Salmon that was set with deliciously punchy mashed

VOL.5 ISSUE 180 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11-12, 2012

potato with wasabi. Die hard sushi fans will be happy to note that the wasabi used at The White House is the real thing, unlike the wasabi you can buy in tubes that are usually made of horseradish.

Since Dabawenyos love meat, we were served two different meat courses, a beautiful Rack of Lamb that was served with a ratatouille, fried green tea soba, walnuts and a lamb dumpling; and a tender Grilled Wagyu Topblade that was first cooked sous vide (The White House is the only restaurant in the city that prepares food sous vide) then grilled served with a rich Pumpkin Risoni. i loved the Wagyu stake as did i the paired Pumpking Risoni that was luxuriously nutty and creamy. it also helped that there was also a little piece of pan seared fois gras on the side for good measure. i love my fatty liver.

And just when we thought the meal was over, in came the delicious Vanilla Cheesecake that was topped with a Yamamomo and mixed berry compote with a bit of green tea cookie and yoghurt caviar.

Now all these French terms may seem daunting and some foods items like the fois gras may sound expensive, even extravagant, but you definitely get your money’s worth as the food and experience at The White House is simply special and divine.

HELPING YOU MAKE INFORMED BUSINESS DEcISIONS.

Trilogy of fois gras.

Rack of Lamb

Cathy Binag

The main dinning area.

WorLd TodAY Serving

Serving a seamless society

You can now buy your weekly paper fill of in-depth business news and features from any of these establishments still at Php 15.

HAVEN BODY WORKS SPA & SALON Door 5 Kaykay Baloons Bldg., Laurel North Cor. Bayabas St. General Santos City Tel # (083) 301- 1991

Vanilla Cheesecake with berry compote and yoghurt caviar.

Chef Niño Laus

a

Seamless

society

You can now buy your favorite Business Paper from any of these establishments still at Php 15.

Davao

Tulip Drive, Ecoland, Davao City

F. Torres St., Davao City Tel No. 227-3773 - (72) Fax: 295-3485

HELPING YOU MAKE INFORMED BUSINESS DEcISIONS.

SPORTS15

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 180 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11-12, 2012

VMO drubs EastMin 81-72 I

By Neil Bravo

T’S getting to be a magical habit. with the game way too early to call easy, spitfirish guard bong Go had time for some magical shot. how about hitting another near half-court shot which he has done before but this time with a little twist—do it at the buzzer of the first period.

Go got just what he wanted and then some.

More than sinking the magical shot, his team Vice Mayor’s office went past Naval Forces eastern Mindanao (NFeM), 81 72, in the ongoing 2012 Mayor Sara Duterte and Vice Mayor Rody Duterte 10th AFP-PNP basketball Tournament on Thursday at the Davao City Recreation Center Almendras Gym. Go made the shot just before the end of the first period to give VMo a double digit lead and his team was never threatened from there to clinch its

second straight win.

The firebrand executive assistant to Vice Mayor Duterte finished the game with 28 points, accounting six trifectas, as the three-peat seeking SP-based dribblers dictated the tempo of the match all through out.

Ryan lomotos and Rodel bantilan chipped in 12 and 10 baskets respectively for VMo which drubbed Task Force Davao in the opening day behind the 34 points output of Go. NFeM tried hard to keep the game close, making big plays down the stretch behind Robert Munag, but to no avail as VMo played compose in every step of the way.

Munag paced NFeM with 23 points. Joebelyn Ruiz had 14 baskets.

A baseline jumper by Go late in the third canto marked the biggest lead of the game at 17, 67 - 50.

VMo took a 68 - 55 lead at

the half.

Meanwhile, Davao City Police office barged its way to the winning column with a 90 - 87 win over 10th Infantry Division - eastMinCom. The wards of Police Senior Superintendent Ronald Dela Rosa, the DCPo chief, survived a fiery late surge of the Army to notch its first win.

Anthony Padua led the charge for DCPo with 26 points, including 15 straights points to close the third canto. 10th ID absorbed its first setback despite the 18 points production of eduardo Mahilum.

In the other match, bureau of Fire Protection defeated bureau of Jail Management and Penology, 77 - 76, behind the buzzer-beating trey of reigning MVP warlito Castillo as Regional Public Safety batallion downed National Support Unit, 79 - 52.

Paging Phil e

VeRyoNe remembers the glorious Phil Jackson, the championships, the genius, and they forget the way they had watched him so tired, so beaten in his final season with the los Angeles lakers. They forget the way the work ethic had eroded within the franchise, the way that he lost discipline within the roster. lakers owner Jerry buss wants to bring Jackson back to coach again, and perhaps he’s holding onto something that left long ago: the coach’s drive and determination to withstand the grind of the job. he’ll come back, cash those checks and leave everyone unsure whether he’s still hell-bent on molding championship teams. his old assistants – Jim Cleamons and Kurt Rambis – are out of coaching jobs

and anxious to come back to the bench with history’s greatest coach. everyone’s going to get paid again, but you wonder: Do they have the stomach to chase championships again?

The old band could get back together, and it is fair to suspect that one of those staggering $10 million-a-season salaries could be the most compelling reason for Jackson to return to the bench in los Angeles. Jackson has the lakers right where he wants them: desperate, needy and perhaps willing to pay a steep price to bring him back a third time.

Mike brown had arrived at the lakers’ practice facility for the morning shootaround believing he needed a victory over the Golden State warriors on

Friday night to spare his job. ownership and management had been meeting about him his future throughout Thursday, and general manager Mitch Kupchak advocated to give the beleaguered brown longer than five games before firing him, sources said.

Jim buss, the lakers’ executive vice president, had gone along with the plan on Thursday, but something changed overnight into Friday. Jerry buss wanted brown out, and wanted him out now.

As brown gathered his assistants to plan for Friday night’s game, a request came for him to step outside the room. The forever chipper, eager brown returned to his coaching staff 10 minutes later with a decidedly different disposition.

Lakers win after firing coach

l

oS ANGeleS (AP) -A few hours after the los Angeles lakers’ top brass abruptly fired coach Mike brown and threw their season into turmoil before mid-November, brown’s former players demonstrated why there’s still ample reason to think this team can be saved.

The lakers should find out soon whether Phil Jackson gets the chance to do the saving - again.

Kobe bryant scored 27 points, Pau Gasol added 14 points and 16 rebounds, and the lakers doubled their win total with a 101-

77 victory over the Golden State warriors on Friday night.

Jordan hill scored 14 points for the lakers, who were uniformly stunned by brown’s dismissal after just 18 months on the job.

Following a bumpy first half against Golden State under interim coach bernie bickerstaff, they pulled away in the third quarter with a 25-9 run led by bryant, who also had nine rebounds and seven assists. ‘’I think everybody didn’t know how to react to it emotionally,’’ bryant said. ‘’everybody had to just go about their busi-

ness and play basketball. ... A lot of the emotion that was picked up was kind of unleashed when we played.’’

The comfortable victory capped one of the most tumultuous days in recent history for a franchise that’s never short on drama. with the high-priced veteran club off to a western Conference-worst 1-4 start following a winless preseason, lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak and owner Jim buss abruptly dismissed brown, informing players during their morning shootaround.

GS CUP 2012. Gaisano Grand Citimall Davao Ad and Promo head Karla Giorgia Corcino made the ceremonial toss in the first game of the GS Cup 2012 College Division which opened yesterday (Nov. 10) in simple rights at the Skygym. Joining her

was Rowena Go-Oczon of the St. Alexius Rehabilation and Orthopedic Center, the official sports medic of the league. Agro routed RMC, 98 – 68.

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VOL.5 ISSUE 180 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11-12, 2012

EDGEDAVAO