Edge Davao 5 Issue 192

EDGEDAVAO P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

VOL.5 ISSUE 192 • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2012

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Serving a seamless society

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Environment

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Sports

City Hall declared as historical site M

ayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and Ludivico Badoy, chair of the National Historical Commission unveiled yesterday the marker declaring the city hall of Davao a historical site.

Wow naman!

The building was built in 1926

The simple rite in front of the city hall building was witnessed by department heads of the city government, members of the city council, re-

gional directors of line-government-agencies and members of the diplomatic corps.

The building was built to

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Page 15

Follow Us On UNVEILED. Mayor Sara Duterte Carpio and Ludovico D. Badoy, executive director of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, unveil the Davao City Hall Historical Marker yesterday. The simple

Although not consulted

Bishops-Ulama Forum throws support to Framework accord

D

espite not being officially consulted by the government on the peace process with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the Bishops-Ulama Conference (BUC) will continue its activities for peace in Mindanao and support the Framework agreement on Bangsamoro (FaB).

Ustadz Mahmod Mala L. adilao, BUC regional chairperson, said Monday in the regular Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao that he does not know why the BUC has not received any official invitation from the

government despite being an adviser or consultant in the peace process during former President Gloria Macapagal-arroyo’s term. adilao said the entire country knew when the BUC, a dialogue forum, was established in 1996 and yet the aquino administration has not involved it in the peace process between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the MILF. “But it does not mean we won’t help in the Framework agreement,” he told reporters.

He said, however, that while

FBISHOPS-ULAMA, 11

rite was witnessed by department heads of the city government, members of the city council, regional directors of line-government-agencies and members of the diplomatic corps. LEAN DAVAL JR.

FDAVAO’S, 11

2 THE BIG NEWS

VOL.5 ISSUE 192 • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2012

DCPO deploying policemen today

EDGEDAVAO

By Anthony S. Allada

T

HE Davao City Police office starts deploying today 50 uniformed personnel in preparation for the celebration of Pasko Fiesta which kicks off on December 7.

DCPo chief Sr. Supt. ronald dela rosa said that aside from uniformed personnel, non-uniformed policemen will serve as augmentation force whose members will be assigned in places of convergence, like malls, markets, churches and schools.

Dela rosa’s men had undergone special training, including actual shooting practice to hone their marksmanship in

Power problem

case the need arises.

“They have to hone their skills in shooting so that they would know what to do in case of responding to crime incidents,” he said. organizers of the Pasko Fiesta are expecting the influx of local and foreign tourists as more spectacular activities have been lined up for the Christmas celebration.

Dela rosa said that it is also during the Christmas time holidays when thieves prey on their victims, especially non-residents of Davao City.

“We have to anticipate rather than be just reactive,” he said.

VIGILANT. Two Task Force Davao (TFD) personnel stand guard in front of a “No Entry” sign outside the City Hall of Davao City while top local officials led by Mayor Sara

Petition to ERC readied to help Mindanao grid

T

HE Mindanao Power Monitoring Committee is set to file a petition before the Energy regulatory Commission to raise the recovery cost of the alternative program aimed at helping

the Mindanao power grid. romeo M. Montenegro, Mindanao Development authority director for investment promotion and public affairs, said the petition is being drafted that will address the need

to raise the recovery cost for interruptible load program. although he did not mention whether there was already a specific rate

is the second most dangerous country to cover based on the report of the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) with at least 140 journalists killed since 1986, next only to Iraq with 151. Majority of those killed were covering politics, corruption and crime. an overwhelming majority were murdered because of their work while the rest died during dangerous assignments. only a handful of cases have been partially resolved,” Casiño added.

“Isa sa matitingkad na halimbawa e ang nangyayari sa trial ng Maguindanao Massacre na inaabot ng siyam-siyam. Kawawa din

ang mga kapamilya at kamag-anak ng mga biktima na walang ibang inaasahan kundi ang mga namatay nilang mahal sa buhay. Sa ganitong sitwasyon kaya ko itinutulak ang Journalist Insurance Bill,” he said.

“With this bill media practitioners and/or their families can get P200,000 death and disability benefits and P100,000 reimbursement for their medical expenses when injuries are acquired in the line of duty. at the very least, families of slain journalists or those disabled may receive temporary relief while awaiting the resolution of their cases,” Casiño said.

As impunity continues

FPOWER, 11

Teddy Casiño pushes for Journalist Insurance Act

E

vEN as the country commemorates the third anniversary of the Maguindanao Massacre, party list representative Teddy Casiño is pushing for the immediate approval of House Bill 2842 or the Journalist Insurance Bill.

“Tumitindi at dumadami na po talaga ang atake sa mga mamamahayag sa ilalim ng adminsitrasyon ni aquino at kailangang agad itong mapigilan pero habang ito ay ginagawa, dapat din na may insurance ang mga mamahayag at kanilang mga pamilya,” said the lawmaker. “as it is the Philippines

INDIGENOUS. Regional Director Art Boncato of the Department of Tourism (right) and Rouel Guanzon, general manager of The Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao (3rd from right), lead the

lighting of the hotel’s Christmas tree made of different native products like t’nalak and banig Monday night. LEAN DAVAL JR.

Duterte Carpio and guests from various sectors attend the unveiling ceremony of the Davao City Hall Historical Marker yesterday. LEAN DAVAL JR.

Ungab hopeful okay of sin tax next week

By Antonio M. Ajero

D

avao CITy rep.

Isidro T. Ungab said he is hopeful the bicameral conference committee of Congress will be able to hammer out a common version of the sin tax reform bill.

In a text message to Edge Davao yesterday, the Davao lawmaker however admitted that the bicam body is still ironing out some contentious provisions of the Senate version.

Ungab, who was born in Mintal but grew up in Calinan, is the head of the House bicameral panel, being chairman of the House committee on ways and means responsible for approving the reform sin tax proposal which had languished in previous Congresses due to a strong tobacco and liquor lobby. For this feat, President aquino had earlier lauded Ungab for having steered the controversial bill from his committee into the plenary approval.

Earlier in an interview with a Manila daily , Ungab was quoted to have said the House of representatives bicameral panel will likely go for the Senate version of the sin tax reform bill, saying he found the senators’ version “workable.”

“It is acceptable since this is in line with the health and revenue objectives of the government,” Ungab told Philippine Star reporter Jess Diaz.

“I will be amenable to whatever is the best measure that Congress can pass that will truly address the health concerns of the youth, the women and the poor sectors of our society.

Rep. Sid Ungab with Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile

The excise tax on cigarettes can be a good measure to control smoking and excessive drinking,” he said.

He added that the Senate bill is the better version since it would bring in additional revenues amounting to P40 billion, compared to the House revenue goal of only P31 billion. voting 15-2 Tuesday night, the Senate approved on final reading Senate Bill 3299, which aims to generate P40 billion in additional revenues by hiking tobacco and liquor taxes. The bill now goes to the bicameral conference committee that will reconcile the Senate and the House versions of

the bill.

Ungab, who will head the House panel in the bicameral conference committee, said he is optimistic that the Senate and the House could approve the final version of the sin tax bill before yearend.

“We are all aware that we have a deadline to meet in March 2013, the date the World Trade organization (WTo) set for us to act on its ruling which requires the Philippine government to make corrective measures as to the excise taxes on distilled spirits, which the WTo ruled as discriminatory against imported products,” he said. AMA

SUBURBIA

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 192 •WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2012

3

MinDA announces vacant posts for expansion plans T

o effectively implement and monitor Mindanao-wide programs and projects, the Mindanao Development authority (MinDa) is putting up four area management offices (aMos) across the island-region and will start hiring area management offices’ staff starting December.

Janet Lopoz, MinDa executive director, said the specific locations of aMos are yet to be identified as MinDa is still in the process of looking at placing said offices in strategic areas of Western Mindanao, Northern Mindanao, South-Central Mindanao, and North-Eastern Mindanao.

“I invite Mindanawon professionals, especially those who have backgrounds in peace-building, monitoring and evaluation and development work, to be part of the MinDa family as we are hiring for our aMos,” Lopoz said. applicants may e-mail their application letter and

updated resume to hr@ minda.gov.ph on or before 29 November 2012.

MinDa will hold a series of examinations for its aMos in North-Eastern and Northern Mindanao in Butuan City and Cagayan de oro City on December 4 and 5, respectively.

Short-listed applicants from Western Mindanao and South-Central Mindanao will be notified through text or e-mail for their examination schedules.

Twenty posts ranging from administrative to technical and managerial positions are up for grabs. “among the vacant positions are Development Management officers (managerial and technical) and administrative assistants”, she said, adding that the aMos shall serve as MinDa’s direct links to various sectors and stakeholders in Mindanao.

She pointed out that aMos ensures fast and stronger coordination with regional line agen-

LANDMARK. Mana Davao’s iconic Christmas decorations, a much awaited attraction and one of Davao City’s landmarks during the Yuletide season, are being installed and

expected to be completed before December 15. Mana Davao is located along J.P. Laurel Ave., in Bajada. LEAN DAVAL JR.

cies, Local Government Units (LGUs) and congressional district representatives.

Created by virtue of

to effect the socioeconomic development of Mindanao.

The law provides that MinDa shall formulate an integrated development

framework for Mindanao that is consistent with the peace and development initiatives of the national government.

Legislators and Local Governments Units(PaLLGU) program in the area.

He said the program mainly helps stabilize the buying prices of palay within the province, especially during the harvest season.

“The (augmentation) fund will allow the NFa to increase its buying price for palay in case the commercial trading prices will go down,” Legaste said.

Under the program, the NFa raises its palay buying prices to provide farmers

with a viable marketing alternative and at the same time beef up further the agency palay stocks.

In the past, the agency offered additional subsidies of P1.50 to P2.50 per kilogram for palay stocks that were purchased under the PaLLGU program.

The NFa presently buys palay at P17 per kilo and with an additional incentive of 70 centavos for farmers group, 20 centavos as delivery fee and 20 centavos drying fee for individual farmers.

task force, together with his companion ronald B. reyes, reported to Police Station 3 in Barangay ambago here that several high-powered firearms kept inside a room in the regional Training Center Hostel building in the DENr regional office compound were stolen.

SPo4 abelito relatorres, spokesman of Station 4, said that they are still conducting the investigation and look-

ing at the possibility of an inside job. “although we cannot conclude it yet, but an inside job is a big possibility, said relattores. He noted, too, that the main door does not have any signs of forced entry, but the padlock of the room where the firearms were placed was jammed. relatorres said they are still waiting fom the DENr the footage from

republic act 9996, MinDa is mandated to promote, coordinate and facilitate the active and extensive participation of all sectors

South Cot allots P10M for palay buying subsidy

T

HE provincial government of South Cotabato plans to inject around P10 million into the National Food authority’s (NFa) palay procurement budget for the province next year in a bid to protect farmers from unstable trading prices in thelocal markets. reynaldo Legaste, South Cotabato provincial agriculturist, said the move is part of the local government’s continuing implementation of the NFa’s Palay assistance for

DENR-Caraga arms robbery possibly an inside job– PNP

T

HE Butuan City Police office is looking into a possible inside job in the recent robbery inside the Department of Environment Natural resources (DENr) regional office compound in high-powered firearms were reported stolen Wednesday last week. around 8:35 a.m. of Nov. 21, Ireneo Supan Salvador, designated as the logistics officer of the anti-illegal logging

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4 SCIENCE/ENVIRONMENT

VOL.5 ISSUE 192 • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

First gas tanker crosses Arctic a

large tanker carrying liquified natural gas (LNG) is set to become the first ship of its type to sail across the arctic.

The carrier, ob river, left Norway in November and has sailed north of russia on its way to Japan.

The specially equipped tanker is due to arrive in early December and will shave 20 days off the regular journey.

The owners say that changing climate conditions and a volatile gas market make the arctic transit profitable.

Long-term preparation Built in 2007 with a strengthened hull, the ob river can carry up to 150,000 cubic metres of gas. The tanker was loaded with LNG at Hammerfest in the north of Norway on 7 November and set sail across the Barents Sea. It has been accompanied by a russian nuclear-powered icebreaker for much of its voyage.

The ship, with an international crew of 40, has been chartered from its Greek owners Dynagas by the russian Gazprom

energy giant. It says it has been preparing for the trip for over a year.

“It’s an extraordinarily interesting adventure,” Tony Lauritzen, commercial director at Dynagas, told BBC News.

“The people on board have been seeing polar bears on the route. We’ve had the plans for a long time and everything has gone well.”

Mr Lauritzen says that a key factor in the decision to use the northern route was the recent scientific record on melting in the arctic.

“We have studied lots of observation data - there is an observable trend that the ice conditions are becoming more and more favourable for transiting this route. you are able to reach a highly profitable market by saving 40% of the distance, that’s 40% less fuel used as well.”

But melting ice is not the only factor. a major element is the emergence of shale gas in the US. The Norwegian LNG plant at Hammerfest was developed with exports to the US in mind. But the

Icebreakers are required to escort the tanker

rapid uptake of shale in america has curbed the demand for imported gas.

Meanwhile in Japan, in the wake of the Fukushima nuclear disaster, there has been a growing interest in alternative power sources, especially gas.

“The major point about gas is that it now goes east and not west,” says Gunnar Sander, senior adviser at the Norwe-

gian Polar Institute and an expert on how climate change impacts economic activity in the arctic.

“The shale gas revolution has turned the market upside down; that plus the rapid melting of the polar ice.”

He stresses that the changes in climate are less important than the growing demand for oil and gas.

“The major driver is the export of resources from the arctic region, not the fact that you can transit across the arctic sea.”

There is an expectation that because of changing climactic conditions, sea traffic across the northern sea route will increase rapidly. 2012 has been a record year both for the length of the

sailing season and also for the amount of cargo that has been shipped.

But Gunnar Sander says there are limits to the growth and some perspective is required.

“Nineteen thousand ships went through the Suez canal last year; around 40 went through the northern sea route.

There’s a huge difference.”

xPErTS offered clarification on reported dangers of genetically modifying crops, assuring government is implementing protocols to ensure such activity’s safety.

“There’s a multi-agency biosafety committee assessing every phase of the activity,” the science department’s research and Information Technology Transfer Div. Chief Dr. virginia Novenario Enriquez said Monday during a noontime press conference at the 8th National Biotechnology Week in Manila.

The assessment is part of protocols government established for its biotechnology program.

Environment watchdog Greenpeace Southeast asia continues advocating ban of crops’ genetic modification. aside from health impacts, Greenpeace said contamination is among the top issues against genetically modified crops.

Greenpeace raised the possibility of GM crops’ cross-pollination with normal crops in the field.

Such cross-pollination

can’t be controlled, Greenpeace warned.

Earlier, fears also surfaced about possible emergence ofherbicide-tolerant superweeds and mutation of pests into those that are resistant to toxins in GM crops.

GM crops and organisms “have no place in our country’s agriculture and food systems,” said Greenpeace sustainable agriculture campaigner Daniel ocampo.

He’s campaigning for sustainable and organic agricultural practices.

He said an initial 30 information technology personnel coming from member-agencies of the Provincial Disaster risk reduction and Management Council recently joined a four-day training on GPS-GIS application.

“The training focused on providing our disaster workers with a better understanding on the use of GPS and GIS as a tool for hazard, risk and vulnerability assessment,” he said.

With the assistance of experts from the Provincial Planning and Development office (PPDo), de Pedro said the participants were trained on using GPS equipment or gadgets in

the preparation of the data for the GIS application.

He said the participants also learned about the preparation of severity of consequence tables and consequence maps for hydrometeorological hazards, risk estimation and cartography.

De Pedro said they are set to train barangays officials and members of barangay disaster action teams of the province’s 199 barangays regarding the use and application of GPS and GIS. “This is imperative because it will help our disaster teams immediately respond to any eventuality or disaster,” he said.

Disaster mitigation Experts allay fears on GM crops project underway E T

HE Department of Science and Technology (DoST) has recently launched a flood mitigation project seen as a long-term solution to perennial floods problem being experienced in many parts of the country, including Central Luzon.

The DoST’s Nationwide operational assessment of Hazards (NoaH) is President Benigno aquino’s “determination” to start the long-term plan to stop the effects of natural calamities and climate change, said Science and Technology Director raymond Liboro during the launching of the Disaster risk and Exposure assessment for Mitigation (DrEaM) program.

The DoST, led by its secretary, Mario Montejo, and the University of the Philippines (UP) started the Disaster risk and Exposure assessment for Mitigation (DrEaM), which is part of NoaH. Liboro said the NoaH and its DrEaM project will also be designed to warn residents “in every household” of impending natural disasters through internet connections and cellphones.

To jumpstart the country’s first extensive three

dimensional (3D) mapping program, DrEaM’s two aircrafts carrying state-of-the-art Light Detection and ranging (LIDar) instruments took off to begin the scanning of the Pampanga river basin.

DrEaM’s will create stunning 3D images-reliable, detailed, and up to date flood models of the country’s 22 major river basins, and later will include all other flood-prone areas in the country.

In two years, DrEaM will complete all flood models of the major river basins, which is roughly 33 percent of the country’s total land area.

“This is one of the most, if not the most, extensive three dimensional mappings in South East asia. We are also proud to say that the DrEaM program is composed of Filipino engineers and scientists,” Program Leader Dr. Enrico Paringit said in a statement.

DrEaM employs a technology called LiDar to create 3D datasets to base the intended flood hazard models.

LiDar technology has been around for 10 years, Paringit said, adding that it is the most effective technique to accurately mea-

sure elevation and depth critical to flood modelling.

“This is what Google maps or Google Earth lacks: a 3D coordinate. It has a few 3D maps but only for select cities, like New york in the US,” Paringit said.

“LiDar maps also have vertical accuracy of plus and minus 20 centimeters.

Philippine base maps and 2D Google Maps, on the other hand, have plus and minus 10 and 20 meters, respectively, and cannot be used for effective flood modelling,” he added.

The DrEaM 3D maps have many other uses, such as in the areas of forest inventory, environmental monitoring, infrastructure planning, fault line mapping, archaeological surveys, agricultural assessment and even government revenue management.

“The maps to be generated by DrEaM will be very beneficial for government agencies. after the initial mapping and flood modelling program, we can always use the LiDar instruments for other purposes, including post disaster damage assessments like earthquakes, tsunamis, and others,” Paringit added. [PNa]

South Cot adopts use of GPS, GIS for disaster preparation

T

HE provincial government of South Cotabato plans to mainstream the application of Global Positioning System and Geographical Information System (GPSGIS) among barangay disaster teams in a bid to improve the province’s disaster management systems.

Lawyer Hilario de Pedro III, Provincial Disaster risk reduction and Management office chief, said Tuesday they have launched a training program on GPS-GIS application for local disaster personnel as part of its planned province-wide rollout.

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 192 •WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2012

THE ECONOMY

5

Davao business academy for dropouts opens January BETA to offer 6-month entrepreneurial program School to be incubation lab for new business ideas

a

BELGIaN expatriate and his Filipina wife is set to open BETa (Business and Entrepreneurial academy) for college drop-outs early next January. raf vlummens told newsmen attending the Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao in Matina last Monday that “BETa will offer them new career opportunities with a six-month (400-hour) entrepreneurial training focused on English communication skills( 200 hours) to bring the participants to IELTS 5.5-6 level needed by them if they want to pursue their studies at our partner school in Sydney (australia), aside from landing a job in the business process outsourcing (BPo) industry in Davao and neighboring areas.”

In line with entrepreneurial skills, vlummens said “we believe that entrepreneurship is more than business; its everyone’s ability ‘to put ideas into action’.”

He said BETa will offer subjects such as idea and business model development, marketing, financial literacy (with stock exchange game), management skills, basic accounting, basic law and regulations ( corporate law, incorporation of companies, contracts, practical startup regulations....), financial management and IT, including social networks, and blogging.

The program culminates in the presentation of an action plan, or business plan, or the planning of an event which simply mean putting ideas into action, he said.

LEADING COMPANY. Magsaysay Maritime Corp. (MMC) Davao Branch Manager Annaliza Claveria (leftmost) poses for a photograph together with the company’s top executives led by Jun Fua, fleet director – P&O Cruises (3rd from right), Alfonso Pablo Jr., Crew and Family Relations head (2nd from right), and Alexander Querol, chief op-

erating officer (rightmost), during the MMC Family Day and Christmas Party at Nobi’s Restaurant along Quimpo Blvd. last Sunday. MMC is a leading global human resource and shipping company. Established in 1948 and considered as one of the pillars of the Philippine maritime and cruise industries. LEAN DAVAL JR.

The program starts on January 7, 2013 and the classes/ workshops are on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8am to 12pm. as said before, BETa

their way’ over there. at BETa we care for our students after they graduate. When they opt to go to Sydney our team and the staff of our counterpart will help and

partnered with australian academy of Commerce in Sydney, where our graduates, can pursue their studies with a study/work visa and have the opportunity to ‘make

assist them in the choice of their study program, in finding a place to stay and to find them a job so they are ‹self-supporting› during their stay in australia.

6 VANTAGE POINTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 192 • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2012

I

EDITORIAL

Emulated

I

MITaTIoN, they say, is the most subtle form of flattery, and it is heartening to note that many cities in other countries are emulating Davao City in pioneering to pass a comprehensive anti-smoking ordinance. actually, the desire to regulate smoking in Davao City, where the rate of lung cancer and other vice-related life-threatening diseases is quite high, had started way back in the sixties when the first city ordinances were passed.

But the legislative measures failed to make a dent in the nagging problem. Some lawmakers were resigned to the belief than it is hard to break bad habits, much less change the well-entrenched vice of smoking as it was then associated with machismo and other forms of vanity. at the instance of then Mayor rodrigo r.

Duterte, as part of his passion for law and order, the City Council passed the first comprehensive anti-smoking ordinance, with then councilor Bonifacio Militar as principal author.

The local government unit’s heroic effort to become truly a smoke-free city has long caught the attention of other countries, a reason Dr. Domilyn villareiz, action officer of Davao’s anti-Smoking Task Force, has been

EDGEDAVAO

Providing solutions to a seamless global village.

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going places literally, to testify on Davao City’s experiences in its campaign against the vice.

Given free-reign by Mayor Sara D. Carpio, the young doctor is now in the thick of fine-tuning the implementing rules and regulations (Irr) of the amended ordinance, designed for stricter but more effective enforcement of the local law.

The claim that we pioneered in advocating smoke-free environment is not an empty one.

By surfing the Internet, one finds that Davao City antedated most of the some 100 countries now having anti-smoking laws of their own. While Davao City already had a comprehensive ordinance against smoking as early in 2002, data shows that most of the countries are currently still crafting their own. No wonder Dr. villareiz’ booklet “your Guide to a Smoke-free City: Lessons Learned from Davao City Philippines” is a hit with officials of Seoul, capital of South Korea. Classified a mega city with a population of more than 10 million, Seoul city government has decreed to ban smoking in all indoor facilities by 2020. aside from being proclaimed a hall famer recipient of the prestigious red orchids award, Davao City is certainly doing us proud in this important and healthful aspect of law and order.

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

ALBERTO DALILAN Managing NEILWIN L. BRAVO Sports and Motoring ARLENE D. PASAJE Cartoons

RAMON M. MAXEy Consultant

kENNETH IRVING k. ONG Creative Solutions

GREGORIO G. DELIGERO Associate

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

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

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

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance AGuSTIN V. MIAGAN JR Circulation

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EDGEDAVAO Condom in their minds

am against the reproductive Health Bill because it is a stupid piece of legislation that should not be made into law.

The bill calls for an appropriation of one billion pesos for the purchase of condoms that would be given free to women who don’t want to get pregnant either for health reason, or for economic consideration.

Imagine, one billion pesos for condoms! Now you know why this bill is stupid.

I will not say the same think about the proponents of the bill, but if some people say that they are, I must agree with them.

No right-thinking citizen would question spending one billion pesos for social welfare and economic development. But condoms?

It’s anti-poor and anti-progress.

It’s not just wasteful spending, it’s insensitive spending.

The authors of the bill assert that the bill is not a population control measure. But in the same breath, they argue that condom will help check population growth.

Now, that is a mere assertion, not an accepted fact. The truth of the matter is that condom is not the solution to over-population. It is a contraceptive device designed solely to prevent the transmission of STD. It has nothing to do with population explosion.

Condom is not a guarantee against pregnancy. It is an instrument for unrestrained ecstacy. The more condoms you give away, the more explosion there will be. and you will make the condom makers extremely grateful and happy. our lawmakers should keep condom out of their minds. Instead, they should use one billion peso annually to: 1) Build more classrooms, hospitals, health centers, roads and bridges; 2) Buy more ambulances and firetrucks; 3) Hire more forest guards to check illegal logging; 4) Increase salaries of nurses and teachers; 5) Upgrade government laboratories and medical equipment.

Pro-rH Bill congressmen should better abandon their fight for the passage of the bill. This bill is absolutely unnecessary. The objective of the bill is primarily to help our women and mothers understand better their health and their bodies.

The DOH can very well fulfill this role. The women can just go to the government health centers all over the country for the proper guidance and advice regarding health and pregnancies.

Sen. Pia Cayetano, principal proponent of the rH Bill in the Senate and rep. Edcel Lagman, her counterpart in the Lower House, should crack their heads together, and maybe they can come up with a piece of legislation dealing with political dynasty.

How about it, your Honors? It could be your greatest legacy to the nation.`

EDGEDAVAO

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VOL.5 ISSUE 192 • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2012

Things can go horribly wrong

roSIoN oF vaLUES – The aquino administration’s effort to get the economy back into shape has to include a return to the values that made some neighboring economies world-renowned. Clearly, large amount of money and drastic policy shifts are needed to heal a sick economy but they won’t work without the right values guiding people. as we contemplate, the litany of ‘I-toldyou-so’ prescription for the country’s economic malaise, spare a thought for good, old Filipino values.

Many economists and financial experts were simply trying to draw attention to the gloomy state of the country’s economy. They are passionately concerned about the prevailing business climate, so concerned that they have urged the government and the public to return to timeworn principles. No, not the authoritarian kind, but the likes of thrift, learning, hard work, perseverance and humility, which played as much a role in the surge as technology, export, capital outlay and productivity. In the finger-pointing between the leadership and the opposition over the alleged slumping economic growth and slipping competitiveness, the erosion of enriching values ranks high in the list of ultimate whys.

But over the past years, however, more and more of the country’s filthy rich and owners of giant conglomerates, particularly the nouveau variety have sought to impress with wasteful displays of wealth: from nightly bottles of bubbly expensive wines and liquors to exclusive vIP entertainment, fleet of luxury cars and closets bulging with every “in thing” importable and fashionable. What all that profligacy has done for inflation and the current state of the economy –

S

Exy. The word usually conjures up images of bare flesh and voluptuous bodies; men and women cavorting in delight; or lusts given free reign. From giggling and whispering of the uninitiated to the blasé or devil-maycare attitude of the jaded, what is sexy will always elicit a gut reaction within us. at the very least, it makes for interesting and amusing conversations. But more than the base bodily instincts, sexiness actually rounds up the total human person. It is like a brand that encompasses how something or someone is experienced. It is not always about the electrifying flesh. The electrifying flesh plus the finer points ----- now that is definitely sexy.

Fine point #1: a sexy person is physically fit. This is not the stereotypical jock who lives for the scoreboard and perennially flexes his muscles. But this person knows the value of proper diet and exercise and actually applies it in his life. Knowledge does not remain as something filed away in the head. Mens sana in corpore sano. a healthy mind in a healthy body. How you treat your body is very telling of who you are. Think Barack obama and Erap Estrada. one is known for taking early morning jogs; the other for the constant feasting of his midnight cabinet. Who would you rather bed? Whose government would you

financial experts and economists know only too well. one glaring example is that from free-spending yuppies who made one of our neighboring economies the largest buyer of luxurious and highly expensive top-of-the-line items some years back to a bankrupt corporation who piled up debt 20 times its equity – not a few Filipino entrepreneurs have lost the traits underpinning the economic rise and the country is paying for it. remember thrift, hard work, learning, determination and humbleness?

These and other ethics have slipped out a bit of fashion among Filipinos. For one thing, producing quality, durable, affordable goods and services used to be the main ticket to wealth, but a growing number of Filipino entrepreneurs notably the younger set now dream of instant riches from property market and stock trading – the kind of attitude twirling speculative spirals and, unluckily many lost their corporate shirts. Many people in business have remarked that matching words with action means doing something about the country’s staggering economic situation.

Unfortunately, there are government bureaucrats who are not so pro-active.

They seemed to shrug off the prevailing economic problem. Queries to the present economic condition were met with the why ‘are-you-so-concerned’ response that the economy is “all right today,” but what about tomorrow and the day after tomorrow? at the same time these government functionaries swallowed the

hype about the country’s “economic miracle” and probably assumed there would be endless miraculous times ahead.

Goodness gracious! Such fantasies led some of the government’s high-profile economic planners and financial managers to talk about multi-million investments – foreign and domestic amid nationwide shortages. If there is one lesson our current leaders should learn from the ongoing economic slowdown, it is the one that their predecessors knew painfully well: things can go horribly wrong.

Has government gone far in the struggle against economic downtrend? as we’ve stated, lots of money and radical economic policy shifts are urgently needed to heal our sickening economy, but they won’t work without the right values guiding people. Those principles, of course, have to be observed and strictly carried out to the letter. Moreover, there may be also some reasons that tend to discourage certain Filipino ways of doing business. Cronyism and corruption, in particular, rob business people of opportunities for enterprise, add to business costs and create rapacious monopolies. a well-planned and determined government effort to strengthen the country’s economic structure will eventually help diminish the current woes and harmful values while enhancing helpful ones.

To the extent that it increases the public’s expectations of a robust and vibrant economy – and generates measures to alleviate socio-economic condition, a well-meaning ethical formation can work wondrously. Inevitably, no pain, no gain: recovery for both the economy and values will be a long, difficult struggle. That too will help teach another wealth-creating principle lost in the economic labyrinth – patience.

rather support?

Fine point #2: a sexy person knows how to swim. Just imagine a lean and mean fighting machine in the person of current James Bond, Daniel Craig.

Then imagine him unable to swim and struggling in deep waters. It somehow destroys his image and turns you off. But it is not just swimming per se. a sexy person has usable skills that make him productive and interesting. as a friend of mine succinctly put it, “Physique and skills. Sexy”. a sexy person does not sink in troubled waters and will still look good afterwards.

Fine point #3: a sexy person appreciates art and nature. The soul and the sensitivity that go into appreciating art and nature translate into a human being more attuned to the subtle rhythm and needs of the other and the world. It also means that he could see himself as a work of art and nature and thus live accordingly, without succumbing to the drudgery and pettiness that life oftentimes brings.

Fine point #4: a sexy person stands up for his own country. I used to have

a suitor who everybody said was good boyfriend material. But when I asked him why he was taking up Nursing, he just answered because he wants to work and earn abroad. Sure, I understand the lure of the greenback and the wealth and opportunities it affords. But there is something in the person who chooses to live and toil for the motherland.

Fine point #5: a sexy person is conversant on many topics. The attraction to the bombshell soon wanes when all she can talk about is her beauty regimen or how many men she has hooked; even the high-powered businessman can become uninteresting when all he can talk about are his investments; even the brilliant scientist becomes dull when all he can talk about is his discovery. The self-absorption of the “I” or the lack of grasp on the myriad of things that is life makes for a one-dimensional person that is definitely unsexy.

In the final analysis, the sexy human being is one that whets your appetite for living and stimulates you on so many levels. He or she gets you hot or cold, never lukewarm. This is the person who manifests his inside with the outside. This is the person who marries his being a body with his being a soul. This is the person you would want to be with, seen with, talk with, live with, or make love with. This is also the person you could actually be.

What is sexy

VANTAGE POINTS

7

Sacrificing speed for power

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EPorTS from the training camp of Juan Manuel Marquez say the Mexican is bulking up and now more into weights to add power to his lethal punches.

If accurate, this can only mean he is either giving up chasing Manny Pacquiao atop the ring when they collide for the fourth time in 12 days from now or his camp sees the only way to victory is for Marquez to reduce the judges into irrelevance by going all in – score a knockout.

I have always been told that lifting weights will make one stronger but there is also a downside to it if you are into the sports of boxing. Prolonged weight lifting will make a boxer’s muscles stiff and lose their dexterity, some trainers are saying. In short, it will have some memory effect to the muscles.

When Manny moved up in weight to challenge David Diaz, he was introduced to a more rigid training regimen that, instead of muscling up, took advantage of his already superior skill levels – improving on his speed even more through intense plyometric exercise. The results were not only impressive. They were spectacular against a lumbering Diaz, devastating against a washed up oscar de la Hoya, lethal against ricky Hatton and merciless versus Miguel angel Cotto.

I have always been told that lifting weights will make one stronger but there is also a downside to it if you are into the sports of boxing.

In his last three fights, however, Pacquiao is said to have eased on the plyometric component of his training. as a result, he was remarkably slower against Shane Mosley, Marquez (in their third fight) and in a recent controversial loss to Timothy Bradley.

I can only empathize with the camp of Juan Manuel Marquez. The Mexican and his team knew that it is futile to match steps with Pacquiao. They also saw how Pacquiao ate the best punches of Marquez but never went down. They long ago realized that Pacquiao, because of his trademark style and coupled with Marquez’s skill set, is very hittable. Trouble is no one has even knocked Pacquiao down since losing his flyweight title to Medgoen Singsurat in 1999.

So packing more power to his punches is likely the reason why Marquez is beefing up his muscles.

Team Pacquiao already has a battle plan in their minds. and they see no other way around but regain some, if not all, of his lost speed. although he has not scored a knockout victory in his last fight, it is disastrous to dismiss outright Pacquiao’s power as a vanishing weapon.

Boxers tend to be economical as they add years to their boxing life. But the power will still be there. When one becomes reckless against Pacquiao’s power, he will commit a devastating mistake.

Just ask ricky Hatton. [Edwin G. Espejo writes for MindaNews and www. asiancorrespondent.com.]

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EDGEDAVAO

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 192 •WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2012

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COMMUNITY SENSE 10 NATION/WORLD

VOL.5 ISSUE 192 • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

PBGEA at 36 goes MORE for life a

MORE @ 36! Now in its 36th year of existence as the umbrella organization of 31 banana-exporting companies, the Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association, Inc. (PBGEA) is giving back more health services to banana citizenry as it hopes to be more significant in improving quality of lives. The Medical OutReach

Expansion (MORE) program launched in Panabo City last November 22, Thursday, was just the opening salvo of a series of expanded medical missions in 15 provinces of Southern Philippines. [Photos courtesy of Tadeco]

East-West Seed celebrates 30 years of empowering Filipino farmers Honors 30 regional champs in davao del norte

a

SIa’S leading vegetable seed company East-West Seed awarded 30 regional Champs representing the finalists from regions 11 and 13a in the nationwide ‘Search for 30 Farmer Heroes’, who will be awarded in December.

Marking its three-decade milestone, East-West Seed recently announced its nationwide search for 30 Farmer-Heroes to honor Filipino farmers who have achieved success, shown innovativeness in adopting improved technologies, contributed significantly to their community’s development, and improved consumer welfare with the help of East-West Seed varieties.

East-West Seed is the leader in tropical vegetable varieties with higher yields, better tolerance to disease and pests, longer shelf life, extended growing seasons and better

eating quality. These qualities have made vegetable farming a sustainable, high-value enterprise for thousands of Filipino farmers.

“We couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate our 30th anniversary than to recognize the hard work and extremely valuable – but often underappreciated – contribution of our local ‘farmer-heroes’ to their bigger communities,” said Mary ann Sayoc, East-West Seed Philippines General Manager. “For the past 30 years, East-West Seed Philippines has collaborated with local vegetable growers, and we have always been inspired by their ingenuity and innovativeness. Farmers face a different challenge now: they must feed more people with the same amount of land. We realize the critical role that farmers play in food security and

nutrition, and we do our part by producing vegetable seed varieties that thrive in varying conditions and challenges.”

East-West Seed’s search for 30 Farmer-Heroes will span 15 regions nationwide with 30 nominees per region. The nominees will be evaluated on their unique success story as a vegetable farmer; their positive influence in their farming communities such as promoting the growth of vegetable farming, creating jobs and uplifting the livelihood of others; and their exemplary adaptation of improved technologies for vegetable production. “a good seed can change the lives of millions,” added Sayoc. “We believe that a good seed is the starting point of a long chain of value creation: by using high quality, high performing seeds, farmers harvest better yields and earn more from their land and

labor. This also means tastier, more attractive and nutritious vegetables for consumers and households.” alongside agricultural sustainability and farmer productivity, the company also promotes nutrition through greater vegetable consumption.

East-West Seed gives training and provides hybrid seeds to public elementary schools and typhoon-affected areas for the establishment of school vegetable gardens. These school gardens are managed by the school children, teachers and parents.

“We advocate healthy eating in schools because this means better learning and greater productivity in the community. Every Filipino can support this advocacy too,” said Sayoc. “Lastly, choose locally-grown vegetables. That’s the best way we can show appreciation and tip our hat to Filipino farmers.”

roUND 1,700 residents of Panabo City and adjacent barangays availed of free medical, dental and ophthalmic services during the one-day medical mission conducted by the member-companies of the Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters association (PBGEa) last Thursday, November 22, as a launch activity of the Medical outreach Expansion Program (MorE).

The beneficiaries crowded the aoF covered court in Panabo City where consultations, tooth extraction, eye examination, distribution of reading glasses, medicines and supplements were done by company retainers, government doctors from the Panabo city health center, the Eastern Mindanao Command and 10th Infantry Division of the Philippine army as well as private volunteers. other major partners include the TUCP Party List, 911 Movement Save our Sagingan (SoS) and the Kiwanis Club of Panabo.

MorE is one of the innovations initiated by the Banana Export Industry Foundation, Inc. (BEIF), the corporate social responsibility (CSr) arm of PBGEa, and is aimed at upgrading the delivery of free health services in banana

communities. It is a major component of the Sagip Kalusugan program.

The CSr projects implemented by BEIF through the community development officers of its members are all intended to institute support mechanisms in the community to achieve inclusive growth in banana production and trading. aside from health development interventions through Sagip Kalusugan, the other components focus on environmental protection (Sagip Kalikasan), educational assistance(Sagip Karunungeneration of gan), livelihood opportunities (Sagip Pangkabuhayan), disaster mitigation and relief assistance (Sagip Pamayanan),and infrastructure support. over the years, the PBGEa has championed for the concerns of the industry while the BEIF delivered the gains through socio-economic interventions in areas where member-companies are operating spread out in 15 provinces in Southern Philippines.

Last Thursday’s medical mission culminated the celebration of the 36th founding anniversary of the PBGEa as an umbrella organization of bananaexporting companies in the Philippines. [PBGEa]

SM City General Santos honors security guard

S

M City General Santos awarded SG. Baltazar a. Dela Cruz of Topwatch Security and Investigation Services, Inc. for his good deed of turning over a bag he found containing cash and checks amounting to one Hundred Twenty Three Thousand Five Hundred Ninety Pesos and other valuable belongings

last November 01, 2012.

SG. Dela Cruz found the bag inside SM Cinema 3 at 11 o’clock in the evening and immediately turned over the bag to the mall Customer Service relations office where the owner, Engr. Egos, claimed it and expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the said security guard.

DLPC set switching power interruptions

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HE National Grid Corporation of the Philippines will conduct a Transmission Line Maintenance along its Davao to Digos 69 kv line on November 30, Friday.

This maintenance work will result to two 10-minute switching power interruptions affecting Davao Light and Power Company customers.

To spare customers from a long duration of power interruption, switching of loads will be performed. Transfer of loads from Davao and Digos lines to nearby lines will be conducted on November 30, Friday. Normalization or return of loads back to its normal set

up will be on the following day, December 1. Both will take place from 5:30 aM to 5:40 aM. affected by these service disruptions are customers near Dumoy Substation going to Bago aplaya areas. Those from UrC up to the entire Toril District will also experience the said outages.

Davao Light apologizes for the inconvenience of these scheduled power interruptions. But, it will exert all efforts to restore electric service as scheduled or earlier. However, there may be instances where restoration may extend beyond the schedule due to unavoidable circumstances.

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 192 •WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2012

City...

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house the municipal government offices by the american government in 1926 eleven years before Davao was declared a chartered city by President Elpidio Quirino in 1937.

Duterte-Carpio thanked the NHC for affirming the city hall building as a historical site.

She said it is the city government’s duty to preserve the city hall building which has sheltered governance offices for the past 86 years.

“The building embodies not only the local governance but everything that represents Davao City,” Duterte-Carpio said, adding that its declaration as a historical site inspires its officials and government workers to work harder in the ser-

vice of the people.

Badoy disclosed that the NHC is willing to provide technical expertise to preserve the building and to restore it to its original make up.

He said the building has been a silent witness to all government processes which government functionaries pursued throughout the years, adding that city hall building is the latest infrastructure in the country declared as a historical site.

“We are grateful that the local government has been able to preserve the building unlike in other areas where original government structures have been outmoded by modernization,” he said.

The conferment is timely with the 75th year

founding anniversary of the city to be celebrated this year and the historical marker serving as a sign and inspiration that in the lives of Dabawenyos the city hall building, which depicts american architecture of the period, has been part of olden times.

“We hope that the people of Davao will continue to preserve the integrity of the building not only for the present, but also for future generations,” Badoy said.

Duterte-Carpio and Badoy formally signed the contract of conferment and was witnessed by atty. Zuleika Lopez, acting city administrator and Carminda arevalo, executive director of the NHC. [PIa 11/Joey Sem G. Dalumpines]

community.

He cited the Mindanao Week of Peace on November 29 to December 5 as one of the activities that the BUC has vowed to continue.

The activities for a week-long celebration include a forum on the theme “Love of God and love of neighbor, a challenge for Mindanao,” on November 29 at the BUC conference hall in Matina in this city.

In the same venue, the BUC will hold a forum on the FaB on December 3, and a workshop dubbed

“Journey to Wholeness” on December 4. also at the Kapehan, antonio apat, chair of agong Network, a partner of the BUC in its activities especially for the grassroots in Mindanao, said the group has set a series of information and education campaigns on the FaB in different areas of Mindanao.

He added that the group supports the FaB,and looks forward to its success. [Lorie ann a.

Cascaro/MindaNews]

plemented in the visayas.

Including the maintenance and depreciation costs to the recoverable cost, he said, will “make the program” attractive to those with generating sets.

Under this program, those with at least one megawatt generating capacity can participate by running their sets so that the grid would be able to have a bigger capacity for other consumers. The remaining power in the grid that will not be drawn by big consumers will be sold to smaller consumers.

Under this mechanism, Mindanao will able to generate about 30 megawatts in additional capacity, he said.

The distributing unit in the city, the Davao Light and Power Co., also welcomed the proposal as the aboitiz company also re-

sorted to the idea during the power problem that hit Mindanao in 2010. rossano C. Luga, corporate communications head of the company, said this proposal “will be able to help” the distributing utilities as they will have additional sources of power, the one that will come from big malls and other industries.

“What will be agreed upon will go through the process,” said Luga, although he also said he did not know details of the proposal.

Mindanao has been in a precarious situation in relation to power because of the reduction of the power being provided by the National Power Corp.owned hydroelectric plants in the agus and Pulangi complexes as these plants provide about 50% of the total capacity in the island.

Bishops-Ulama...

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the Muslim community is happy about the signing of the FaB, most of them do not understand the FaB and where it will take them is still unknown. adilao said they are still reviewing the FaB and find out how exactly they can help.

Noting that the BUC is composed of Muslim and Christian scholars and leaders, adilao said they will continue their objectives for peace and development in Mindanao, the Philippines, and the international

Power...

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agreed upon, Montenegro said that after the proposal is completed, it “will immediately be farmed out to the distributing utilities” which will be convened to finalize the petition for submission to the regulatory body. “(The regulator) welcomes the proposal,” he said, pointing out that the idea of coming up with a petition was agreed upon at a committee meeting held to discuss other ways to solve the power problem.

Montenegro said that under the petition, owners of generators participating in the program will also be able to recover their expenses in fuel, maintenance and depreciation cost.

The petition is necessary because, in the 2009 ruling, the regulator only approved the cost of fuel in a similar program im-

11

No sacred cows in solving cases of extrajudicial killings

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HErE will be no sacred cows in going after those involved in extrajudicial killings and those responsible will be prosecuted, Malacanang said Tuesday.

During a press conference in Malacanang, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson abigail valte assured the families of the victims that a newly created “super body” organized to solve those murders will also go after military and police personnel involved in the killings.

“Whoever is responsible. Makikita naman natin ang composition ng inter-agency committee na ito na it’s composed really of the highest levels in government. We

are doing this in cooperation with not just members of the Executive but also of independent constitutional bodies like the Commission of Human rights, as observers, as well as the office of the ombudsman,” valte said, when asked about the body’s scope of work.

“Makikita na lang din nila ang focus and ang commitment natin na matulungan sila sa paghahanap nila ng hustisya para doon sa kanilang nawawalang mahal sa buhay.”

President Benigno S. aquino III has created a super body that will investigate the old and new cases of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and other grave human

rights violations, prioritizing those committed under the arroyo administration.

The President signed Nov 22 administrative order No. 35 creating the body.

The Chief Executive issued the ao on the eve of the third anniversary of the 2009 Maguindanao massacre where 58 people were allegedly killed by the members of the ampatuan clan and their followers.

Under the new order, the President created a nine-member Inter-agency committee on extra-legal killings, enforced disappearances, torture and other grave violations of the right to life, liberty and security of persons. [PNa]

hopes to identify common approaches that service providers and practitioners can adapt to effectively address violence against women in the asian region,” she said.

The event is participated in by social workers, law enforcement officers and non-government organizations involved in managing cases of victims-survivors of violence against women, from the ten aSEaN member-states.

The gathering aims to provide a venue for participating countries to share their initiatives, strategies, gains, challenges, and recommen-

dations on strengthening capacities of communities, practitioners and policy makers in addressing vaW focusing on victims-survivors, perpetrators, and enabling mechanisms, Soliman said.

“This time, we need to focus on the service providers and stakeholders, particularly on strengthening the capacities of communities, practitioners and policy makers as the next step to eliminate violence against women. We are looking forward to a fruitful sharing of ideas and strategies that will effectively eliminate this social malady in the asian region,” she said.

machine guns and six magazines with undetermined number of ammunitions, and one M-16 Baby armalite and three magazines with 83 ammunitions.

Supt. romy Palgue, Butuan City Police office (BCPo) deputy director, stated that based on the evidence presented during the investigation and reports from the station, there was high possibility of an inside job.

“The compound has security gates and only the people inside the DENr have access into that building and into that

room. a polygraph examination has been recommended and will be conducted to several of the DENr personnel to help us clear things out together with the CCTv footages,” said Palgue.

Nonito Tamayo, newly appointed officer-in-charge of the DENr regional office, said that they will give the PNP all the support it needs for the investigation but declined to comment if it was an inside job and suggested that they would wait for the results of the investigation.

[Erwin Mascarinas / MindaNews]

ASEAN meeting addresses violence against women

a

three-day workshop to address the growing phenomenon of violence against women in aSEaN countries began Tuesday in Manila.

The Training Workshop on Strengthening Capacities of Communities, Practitioners and Policy Makers to address violence against Women is part of the Philippines’ Dept. of Social Welfare and Development’s commitment to advance the goals of the International Day for the Elimination of violence against Women on Nov 25, Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman said.

“The workshop

DENR...

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the close circuit television (CCTv). “Hopefully this will shed light into our investigation and lead us to the suspects,” he said, but said this might take some time because they require footages of scenes recorded oct. 24 to Nov. 20.

Salvador, who reported the robbery, stated that they left the room locked last oct. 24 before leaving for a training in Manila and placed the weapons inside the two bed drawers with padlocks.

Inside the drawers were four caliber .45 Thompson sub-

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VOL.5 ISSUE 192 • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2012

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EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 192 •WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2012

COMPETITIVE EDGE 13

Sun Postpaid extends all network texting Power Up service next year S

UN Cellular, one of the country’s leading carriers of mobile postpaid services, announces the extension of the Sun anti-bill Shock Text all Power-up Plan 199 until april 30, 2013. This is Sun

Postpaid’s add-on service which offers 1,000 texts to other networks for only P199 per month.

“Through this best-value text offering, we provide our Sun Postpaid customers a boost in their inter-

connectivity, letting them reach an even larger community of mobile users, including those outside the Sun network,” says ricky Peña, Senior vice President for Postpaid, Broadband, New Business and Market-

Davaoeño competes for global title

a

FTEr winning the SMarT DevNet’s HTML5 Hackathon in Davao, former antonio o. Floirendo Sr. Foundation (aoFF) scholar Iñaki Narciso bagged another remarkable award after his four-man team“Testcovery” won the first

Former AOFF scholar seeks support from fellow Davaoeños Start-Up Weekend in Davao City. This means, they are set to bid for the Global Start-Up Battle to compete with more than 130 other teams worldwide.

The competition is steered to get the pulse of the world for the team with the best pitch of their technology concept through online voting in Facebook. The best 15 teams with the highest vote on November 27, the last day of voting period, will qualify for final judging. The juries are top entrepreneurs worldwide and are tasked to choose the ul-

timate winner from the top 15.

Everyone is encouraged to support the team of Iñaki Narciso. To vote for the team Testcovery, log on to Facebook.

Look for Startup Weekend and ‘like’ the page.

Click Global Startup Battle. Then view submitted entries or look for Testcovery. Then finally, vote for them to win. Winners will get to travel for free to rio de Janeiro and San Francisco with US$5,000 Pr launch package, US$5, 000 for design services, and US$5, 000 for legal support and other exciting prizes.

ing Services of Sun Cellular. on top of the generous text allocation, the Sun Text all Power-up service also includes the Sun-pioneered anti-bill Shock feature. once subscribers exceed the allotted 1,000

tests to other network, they get charged with regular internetwork texting rates, but once the bill for the service reaches P549, charging stops and then the subscriber’s text profile becomes unlimited.

“It’s important for us to guarantee our customers with peace of mind when texting their friends and loved ones using other network carriers,” Peña adds.

“This special bill cap feature will help make sure of that.”

ado explained that said water cut is needed to allow its operation and Maintenance crew to realign the 300mm diameter Mortar Line Coated Steel Pipe (MLCSP) and 150mm diameter Black Iron (B.I.) Pipe Crossing along Ma-a road near Ma-a Barangay Hall as part of the utility’s systems improvement project. regalado appeals for the understanding and cooperation of affected customers and likewise advises them to store enough water prior to the

scheduled water interruptions as water supply may be restored earlier if work goes smoothly or later if unforeseen problems arise.

The general public may call the DCWD trunk line at 221-9400 and press “1” on their phone dial to listen to the latest daily water updates, or contact its call center through the 24-hour hotline 221-9412 or 09277988966 for updates, complaints, queries and other matters pertaining to DCWD services. [Jovana T. Duhaylungsod]

Water interruption in Ma-a Nov. 29,30

D

avao City Water District has scheduled a 12-hour water interruption from 8:00 PM of November 29 until 8:00 aM of November 30 in some areas in Ma-a specifically in Metroville Subd., Pantinople village, Garcia Settlers, Dinaville Subd., anahaw village, Diho village 4, Salcedo village, Ma-a People’s village, Ma-a riverside, Las Terrazas, Purok a, Del Pilar village, New Washington village and roldan village.

DCWD acting general manager Edwin v. regal-

14 SPORTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 192 • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Go sizzles as VMO nears sweep

S

PITFIrE Bong Go had another sizzling night burning the hoops with 37 points including 11 triples and make no mistake about it, the vice Mayor’s office are brandishing the broom ready to sweep the eliminations.

Go’s fiery night ignited vMo past Police regional office (Pro), 90 – 81, in the Mayor Sara Duterte and vice Mayor rody Duterte - 10th aFP-PNP Basketball Tournament at the Goldstar Gym in Bo. obrero on Sunday. one more win against cellar dweller Philippine air Force will formalize vMo’s sweep of the eliminations although the defending champions have booked a ticket to the semi-final round with a bonus twice to beat advantage.

Go’s 11 three-point outburst is a season-high, four of those came in the crucial pay off period.

The SP-based dribblers exploded late in the fourth period, blasting an 13-2 run capped with another Go near half-court shot before the shot clock expire to grab their 10th straigth win in as many games.

The executive assistant to the vice Mayor was accounted eight points on that decisive stretch en route to his fifth 30-plus points performance in the league presented by City Government of Davao.

Greggy Delica chipped

in 22 points as Dioven Braga pumped 10 baskets for vMo which enjoys a twice to beat privilege in the semi-round against the fourth-ranked team for finishing on top of the elimination race.

The game was close before the vMo mounted a pivotal attack down the stretch that kept the Pro at bay the rest of the way.

Pro, last year’s runner-up, made seven unsanswered points to close out the third period and make the count 64-all entering the final canto. vMo had to overcome the determined effort of the Policemen who drew stellar performances from Dominic Delos reyes (21), Joswee Torregosa (18) and Edwin awitin (16).

Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) President Charles Maxey (middle) of Sunstar Davao and EDGE Davao Sports Editor Neil Bravo (right) discuss the hosting agreement making the

ROUNDUP

Bong Go, in file photo, continues to lead all scorers in the AFP-PNP basketball tournament.

WBO and WBC superbantamweight champion Nonito Donaire of the Philippines started sparring for his fight against former champion Jorge Arce of Mexico.

Weiss extension seen B aNGKoK, Thailand – Philippine national men’s football team coach Hans Michael Weiss is optimistic that he will get a contract extension regardless of the result of the azkals’ campaign in the 2012 aSEaN Football Federation Suzuki Cup here.

The contract of Weiss, who was hired shortly after the azkals’ memorable semifinal run in the Suzuki Cup two years ago, is set to expire shortly after the tournament. But he believes that the Philippine Football Federation and the management will still tap him to steer the team in the future.

“The signals from the PFF and the team

manager are clear that we will continue,” Weiss said. “If not, that is the life of a coach. We have to be prepared for that.”

Weiss also thinks that some Filipino fans don’t recognize his efforts in improving the azkals since his tenure as a coach.

“Many people in the country, in my opinion, dream a little too much about going to the semifinals and the finals and sometimes forget the hard work behind it,” he said. “What I know is that I get very positive remarks from outside the Philippines.”

“Inside the country, it is different.”

During his tenure, the azkals achieved

Donaire begins sparring

L

ESS than three weeks before he faces Jorge arce of Mexico, Filipino-american puncher Nonito Donaire will start his sparring session anytime this week after doctors gave him the go-signal.

Cameron Dunkin, Donaire’s chief handler, said the pound-for-pound fighter is deep in training in San Carlos, California, and is right on track for his December 15 encounter with arce at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

Dexter’s Pizza@Stadium as the new official home of the DSA Sports Forum every Thursdays.

While fight fans are expected to wonder why the sparring sessions are taking place so late during training camp, it could be recalled that Donaire injured his left hand when he stopped Japanese Toshiaki Nishioka last oct. 13 in Carson, California.

Still, Donaire said the injury wasn’t that serious and besides he doesn’t engage in heavy sparring during training.

The arce fight will be Donaire’s fourth fight this

year and he intends to do the same in 2013.

Next year, Donaire is angling a megabuck matchup with Guillermo rigondeaux, the multi-awarded Cuban.

Meanwhile, arce is also doing the same thing in his hometown of Los Mochis.

The flamboyant arce said he doesn’t mind being the heavy underdog since he has proven many times in the past that he rises to the occasion when his back is against the wall.

Azkal coach Michael Weiss is likely to get a contract extension.

their highest world ranking at 143rd after playing several international friendlies and competitions this year, including their third place finish in the asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup last March and the Philippine Football Peace Cup last September where they emerged as champion.

Despite that, Weiss still believes that making the azkals one of the strong teams in the region is a gradual process which cannot happen overnight.

“It takes time, it’s very clear,” he said. “We are looking for the overall development, not only the short term win.”

INdulge!

VOL.5 ISSUE 192 • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

STYLE

I’ve seen more and more individuals strutting around Davao looking like they woke up straight right out of a fashion magazine. Some of them are semblance of living mannequins, while some of the other fashionably anonymous walk the talk by sharing style instincts in their blogs. Learning about fashion and design comes easy nowadays with social media and style bibles printed here and there, sharing good news from dictators in the fashion capital. Some people, however, opt to learn the basics by dent use of these in a typigetting hands on excal FiDA class or workshop. perience in school to The lab, lecture room and study more on fash- full-term graduates in Janu- sewing rooms are air-conion, one stitch at a ary 2010. ditioned for a comfortable time.

FiDA boasts of its top- learning atmosphere. The Fashion Institute of Design & Arts opened in Davao in late 2009. It began with a mixed curriculum offering short seminars and workshops, and later on introduced their first batch of

notch facilities. The campus is equipped with a spacious fashion laboratory with full-sized pattern drafting tables and a complete set of rolling dress forms which allow for a one-to-one stu-

sewing room has 10 industrial sewing machines and an edging machine for each student’s hands-on training requirements. The school library is composed of the

FSCHOOL, A4

EDGEDAVAO

A2 INdulge!

UP aND aBoUT

SM Davao Global Pinoy holds franchising seminar, Nov 28

SM CiTY Davao through it corporate social responsibility program for the oWFs and their families, in partnership with Filipino international Franchise association (FiFa) will be bringing together Franchisors and Franchisees in a seminar dubbed “invest for Success” on November 28, 2 PM at The annex.

The program aims to facilitate the process of learning and sharing information on franchising and to encourage high standards of conduct involving the franchising industry. The forum will be handled by franchise expert Mr. Rudolf a. Kotik.

Kotik is expected to discuss the History of Franchising, What does a Franchise provide, Benefits of buying a Franchise, Selecting a Franchise Business, advantages and Demands of Franchising, Legal Franchise requirements, DTi Bureau order on Franchising and The Future of Franchising. one lucky Global Pinoy member participant will get a chance to win a Franchise Business unit from Bubi Trampoline. Plus, Prizes await registered participants of the event. admission is free. For inquiries please call 297.6998 local 120.

Sharon Cuneta visits Abreeza Mall on Dec 2

KaSaMa Mo, KaPaTiD! brings Megastar Sharon Cuneta at the abreeza Mall activity Center on Dec. 2, 2012, 4pm.

Come and watch this Thanksgiving Musical.

For every P500 single receipt purchase from abreeza Mall outlet and anchor stores on Nov. 26 - Dec. 2, 2012 the customer get one (1) free event pass to the show.

You may get viP passes at the viPinoy lounge or place your reservations. Call them now at 321-4998. Limited slots only.

VOL.5 ISSUE 192 • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2012

HEaLTH

Hypoactive sexual desire disorder:

Low sexual drive

hYPoACtIve sexual desire disorder (hSDD) is a common sexual difficulty where people have low sexual desire or drive.

The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) said it can be experienced by both sexes, although it’s more prevalent among women.

Individuals with hSDD lack interest in sex, though they get aroused and may orgasm when they do have sex.

Low sexual desire can range from mild to extreme, wrote BermanSexualhealth.com. In mild cases people may go through periods of not thinking about or wanting sex. others don’t long for sex, but enjoy it when it happens.

NCBI wrote that in the extreme form, the person not only lacks sexual desire, but may find sex repulsive.

A wide range of physical changes, psychological causes and medications can cause hSDD. Relationship problems, lack of affection, power struggles and conflicts are common factors, said NCBI. BermanSexualhealth. com wrote that menopause affects sexual desire by decreasing lubrication,

lowering estrogen and testosterone levels, and other changes in the sexual response cycle. hormonal changes during pregnancy, just after childbirth, and during breast-feeding can damper sex drive, said Mayo Clinic.

Numerous nonsexual diseases can cause hSDD, added Mayo Clinic. These include arthritis, cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease and neurological diseases.

Many common medications, such as antihypertensives, antidepressants and birth control pills interfere with sex drive, arousal and orgasm by affecting the balance of sexual hormones and the transmission of chemical messengers, wrote Discovery health.

There are also psychological causes of low sex

drive including anxiety or depression, stress, poor body image, and low selfesteem, said Mayo Clinic.

And any surgery related to the breasts or genital tract can affect body image, sexual function and sexual desire. hDSS can result from painful intercourse, childhood sexual abuse or rape, or unusually high levels of inhibition, wrote BermanSexualhealth.com.

Commonly overlooked factors include insomnia or lack of sleep, which lead to fatigue, added NCBI. There are treatments for hypoactive sexual desire disorder. Some benefit from sex therapists or counselors who help address sexual concerns and low sex drive.

Medications like antidepressants often lower sex

drive. everyday health said that sometimes hSDD can be resolved by changing medications to ones with fewer side effects. estrogen delivered throughout the entire body can have a positive effect on mood factors that affect sexual response, said Mayo Clinic. But this estrogen therapy may increase the risk of heart disease and breast cancer.

Smaller doses of estrogen can increase blood flow to the vagina and help improve sexual desire without the above risks. testosterone also plays an important role in female sexual function. however, replacing testosterone in women is controversial and not approved by the Food and Drug Administration for sexual dysfunction in women.

10 easy ways to beat the common cold WIth the cold December air fast approaching, many of us have been floored by the occasional cold or two and have resorted to popping the cold pill. But it turns out there are other cold-fighting heroes out there, too.

You could:

1

Pop zinc. Research shows taking zinc (the active ingredient in Zicam) lozenges, tablets, or syrup within a day of your first symptoms can reduce both their severity and duration. taking a supplement regularly can help, too.

Find zen. “When you’re under stress, your immune system ends up under-reacting to viral and bacterial infections,” says Sandra Adamson Fryhofer, M.D., internist and past president of the American College of Physicians. Perhaps that’s why University of Wisconsin researchers

2

found mindfulness meditation training reduced the incidence, duration, and severity of a cold by 35 to 60 percent.

Make like Grandpa and gargle. evidence shows gargling with water a few times a day during cold and flu season may also help flush out bugs.

Jack up your H2O intake. “hydration helps keep your nasal passages moist, so they can actually get rid of little particles from bacteria,” Dr. Fryhofer says.

Pop a probiotic. In a recent study, probiotic supplements shortened the duration of a cold from 6 days to 4, made symptoms a third less severe, and halved the number of days subjects stayed home. Look for the strains LGG and BB12.

Try an herbal remedy.

There’s evidence that the little-known herb Pelargonium sidoides can reduce a cold’s severity and dura-

8

3

Get garlic breath. Used as a home remedy for its supposed antimicrobial and antiviral superpowers, garlic hasn’t been formally studied much. however, some evidence shows it may ward off colds. try a supplement or crush a clove with dinner.

Pause your workout.

Regular moderate exercise is best for warding off bugs, research shows. But once you’ve caught a cold, take a rest. “You just need to listen to your body,” Dr. Fryhofer says. “Don’t try to push through it.”

Head to bed. Since sleep boosts immune function, that “precold” may be a good indicator that you haven’t been getting enough lately. A study in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that people who slept less than 7 hours a night were three times more susceptible to colds than those who slept 8 or more hours per night.

4

9

5

10

6

tion. Like zinc, these drops should be taken at the first signs of sniffles. Look for the brand name Umcka in the homeopathic aisle.

7

Hop on the D train. It seems like no coincidence that colds hit hardest when the sun is lowest.

And some research has

supported 800 to 1000 IU of vitamin D3 a day for adults during cold season to reduce risk and speed recovery.

VOL.5 ISSUE 192 • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

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ENTERTaiNMENT

American Idol throwdown: Nicki Minaj unleashes Twitter fury at former judge Steven Tyler iT’S a battle between the old and new american idol judges.

Singer Nicki Minaj, who has never been one to think twice about offering her two cents on an issue, went on a Twitter rant today against former a.i. judge Steven Tyler after he made what the singer felt was a “racist” remark against her.

Here’s how it all went down...

The aerosmith frontman gave an interview to MTv, slamming the new judges on the show, and mentioned, “You just have to give your opinion. it wasn’t hard for me, but i would imagine it’s hard for some people, and they need a manag-

piece of her mind.

“Steven Tyler said i would have sent Bob Dylan to a cornfield???

Steven, you haven’t seen me judge one single solitary contestant yet,” she wrote. “i understand you really wanted to keep your job but take that up with the producers. i haven’t done anything to

er to say ‘Shut the f--- up, and just give them your opinion,’“ Tyler said.

“These kids, they just got out of a car from the Midwest somewhere and they’re in New York City, they’re scared to death; you’re not going to get the best [out of them]. ... if it was Bob Dylan, Nicki

you. That’s a racist comment. You assume that i wouldn’t have liked Bob Dylan??? why? black? rapper? what? go f--k yourself and worry about yourself babe.”

The Barbz leader continued with, “LoL lets make him a shirt that says “No Coloreds allowed” then escort him down 2

Barbara Walters so he can tell how he was threatened w/guns. When Steven 1st went on idol he was ridiculed by his peers & fans alike. Called a sell out. So what does he do?

Ridicule the next judge.”

Tyler hasn’t responded to any of Nicki’s tweets and Fox had no comment on the matter.

Minaj would have had him sent to the cornfield!

Whereas, if it was Bob Dylan with us, we would have brought the best of him out, as we did with Phillip Phillips. Just saying.”

That didn’t sit to well with Minaj, who decided to give the rock star a

Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart spotted together at New York City airport iT looks like Robsten (round 2) is going strong.

Rekindled Hollywood couple Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart were spotted leaving the John F. Kennedy airport in New York City together today, and yes, they aren’t sporting the happiest of faces, but they are at the airport.

The duo both looked super cazh, with R.Pattz layering up in a T-shirt, zip-up hoodie and jack-

et with jeans and a hat, while K. Stew followed suit in jeans, layered jackets and a tee.

Both went for an incognito look, sporting shades, despite the notso-sunny NYC weather.

There’s no definite word what destination Robsten were coming from, but the Breaking Dawn costars reportedly spent the Thanksgiving holiday with Pattinson’s family in London.

Pretty serious.

Simon Cowell’s Beverly Hills Home latest victim to prank police call Do we smell a new celebrity trend here?

X Factor judge Simon Cowell has joined Miley Cyrus, ashton Kutcher, Justin Bieber and the Kardashians in what seems to be an endless string of prank police calls to celebs’ homes.

The Beverly Hills Police Department confirms to E! News that they received a suspicious circumstances

call Sunday afternoon, claiming there was unknown trouble at Cowell’s residence.

Specifically, the caller reported that someone within the house had been tied up with duct tape and needed assistance. officers responded to the Cowell residence and contacted the reality Tv star and confirmed that the call was a false report of an emergency.

When a similar incident happened to Cyrus in august, police confirmed that these types of pranks were called “swatting,” and made sure to share that the caller could face severe repercussions. “if the person is found, they will be arrested and prosecuted because it was a false call, a false allegation,” an LaPD spokesperson told E! News.

CLOSED FOR SYSTEM UPGRADE OPERATION SHALL RESUME ON NOVEMBER 29,2012

RISE OF THE GUARDIANS 2D Hugh Jackman , Alec Baldwin GP

12:00 | 2:00 | | 4:00 | 6:00 | 8:00 |10:00 LFS

24/7 IN LOVE John Lloyd Cruz, Bea Alonzo PG-13

12:40 | 3:00 | 5:20 | 7:40 | 10:00 LFS

SILENT HILL REVELATION *TWILIGHT:BREAKING DAWN 2 Adelaide Clemens /* Robert Pattinson R-16 *PG-13

12:30 | 3:00 I 5:30 | 8:00 |10:30 LFS

A4 INdulge!

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.5 ISSUE 192 • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2012

STYLE ENTERTaiNMENT

School...

FROM A1

latest fashion education textbooks and other supplementary materials gathered from attendance in fashion classes and workshops all over the world.

The school’s Director of Academics, Christine Munda, is a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles, USA. The Misha Boutique in Makati City was her first venture in the fashion industry. She then taught at the University of the Philippines, St. BenildeDe La Salle taft, and the De La Salle College International. Christine was also instrumental in the creation of the SoFA- Manila where she developed the school’s curriculum as its academic director.

Under Christine’s leadership, FiDA’s population of talented students continued to grow over the years.

The school is now on its 5th trimester. FiDA offers a full

fashion curriculum on design, merchandising and clothing technology. other programs offered at FiDA are the following: 2-year Associate Arts Degree course on Fashion Design & Merchandising, 1-year Diploma courses on Fashion Design & Apparel technology, 1-year Diploma course on Fashion Merchandising, 6-month certificate courses on Fashion Merchandising, Fashion Design, and Apparel technology, 3-month Introductory Course on Fashion Business, and 12-session Modular course on Sewing & on Pattern making.

FiDA is located at 544 Manga st. cor. Ricardo st.

Juna Subd. Matina, Davao City. For more information, please visit their website at www.fidarts.com or call (082)304-3007 / 0922-8119696. You may also email them for inquiries at fidadavao@gmail.com.

SPORTS15

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 192 •WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2012

Azkals stay alive, rip Vietnam 1-0

By Neil Bravo

H

ISTory repeated itself last night as the Miracle of 2010 reprised itself with the Philippines beating vietnam 1-0 to stay alive in the 2012 aFF Suzuki Cup at the rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. veteran Chieffy Caligdong, coming in as a substitute up front, took a lob pass from angel Guirado then smashed home a half volley to the far post in the 85th minute. Caligdong ran towards the gallery where a motley group of Filipino fans waived azkals banners.

That goal was all the azkals needed to repeat over the former champions and stay alive in the tournament after a painful 1-2 loss to host Thailand in their first outing. The azkals will now meet dangerous qualifier Myanmar for its final outing and a crack at another semis appearance.

Moments before Caligdong’s goal, Guirado himself came close to scoring after a spectacular coastto-coast run but his roller was blocked by the vietnamese goalie Bui Than Truong. Phil younghusband had two decent looks at the goal but ended up with a caution and had to be replaced by Caligdong.

The ploy to place Guirado and Caligdong as subs paid off for coach Michael Weiss who had to sit from the stands after he was slapped with a suspension following a ball-tossing incident in the Thailand match.

But the man of the moment should well be substitute keeper Ed Sacapano who had a fingertip save in the dying minutes to preserve the win. Sacapano took the spot of Neil Etheridge who was recalled by Fullham in the English Premier League days before the tournament.

Nets win Battle Cats hit by roaring Thunder of New York o

N

EW yorK – The Brooklyn Nets beat the New york Knicks 96-89 in an overtime thriller on Monday in the first battle for New york bragging rights between the city rivals.

The victory at the new Barclays Center in Brooklyn lifted the Nets (9-4), formerly of New Jersey, into a tie with the Knicks (9-4) for first place in the atlantic Division.

Tied 84-84 after regulation, the Knicks scored the first points of the extra period, but the Nets countered with eight points in a row, the last three from hustling plays by Gerald Wallace to surge to a 9286 lead and were never threatened.

Center Brook Lopez led the Nets with 22

points, with Deron Williams and Wallace scoring 16 points each.

Carmelo anthony, the Knicks’ scoring leader who was born in Brooklyn, led New york with 35 points, while center Tyson Chandler had 28 points on 12-of-13 shooting with his hoops coming from tipins, follow-ups and slam dunks.

The game had been originally set to kick off the NBa season for the New york teams but was postponed due to the damage in the area caused superstorm Sandy.

While that thrill was gone from this initial clash between the teams, the tension was heightened by the great start enjoyed by both in the early days of the season.

Angel Guirado of the Philippine Azkals set up the winning goal for Chieffy Caligdong against Vietnam last night.

KLaHoMa CITy — Kevin Durant scored 18 points and the oklahoma City Thunder opened a 40-point halftime lead in one of the most lopsided first halves in NBa history on their way to a 114-69 blowout of the Charlotte Bobcats on Monday night (Tuesday, Manila time). russell Westbrook had 12 points and 11 assists before he and the rest of oklahoma City’s starters were pulled less than 5 minutes into the second half with the Thunder leading 79-25.

Westbrook powered home a right-handed slam to put an exclamation point on the first half and

put oklahoma City up 6424. It was the fifth-biggest halftime lead in NBa’s shot clock era and the largest since Golden State set the record with an 88-41 edge on Sacramento on Nov. 2, 1991, according to STaTS. It was the largest blowout ever for Charlotte, which had shown promise with seven early wins — the same number it had last season while setting an NBa record for futility.

NETS 96, KNICKS 89, oT NEW yorK — The Nets worked overtime to pull out the opener of their new-look rivalry with the Knicks, winning to tie their city rivals for first place.

Jerry Stackhouse, wear-

ing the No. 42 Jackie robinson made famous in Brooklyn, made the tiebreaking three-pointer with 3:31 left in overtime as the Nets controlled the extra period of a playoff-like game that neither team led by more than seven.

Brook Lopez had 22 points and 11 rebounds, and Deron Williams added 16 points and 14 assists as the Nets improved to 7-1 in their new home and tied the Knicks atop the atlantic Division at 9-4.

Carmelo anthony had 35 points and 13 rebounds, but was only 10 of 16 at the free throw line. Tyson Chandler finished with 28 points and 10 boards, but no other

Japeth nixes Warriors offer

J

aPETH aguilar is set to fly back to Chicago to rejoin his family after declining an offer to be a practice player for NBa D-League Santa Cruz Warriors, according to his Philippine-based agent.

Player-agent Marvin Espiritu said his 6-9 ward will be rejoining his family sometime between November 30 and December 3 before deciding on whether to rebuild his PBa career with Talk ’N Text or explore options of playing overseas after failing to make the Warriors’ final roster in

the NBa Developmental League.

“Nag-usap kami online ni Japeth nung Sunday and basically, sa pagbalik niya sa Chicago, pinapakita niya lang dun na di na niya tatanggapin yung offer sa kanya na practice player ng Santa Cruz. May option din naman siya maglaro sa China or sa australia, though at this point, gusto niya pag-usapan with his family sa Chicago kung ano ang magiging decision niya,” Espiritu relayed to Philippine online sports network Spin.ph.

Kevin Durant (35) and Russel Westbrook (0) of the Oklahoma Thunder celebrate after a 114-69 demolition of the Charlotte Bobcats.

Knicks player was in double figures.

PISToNS 108, TraIL BLaZErS 101 aUBUrN HILLS, Mich.

— Brandon Knight scored 16 of his 26 points in the first half, outplaying Damian Lillard in a matchup of young guards and leading the Pistons to a victory over the Trail Blazers.

Lillard entered the day as the NBa’s top rookie scorer, averaging 19.6 points per game. He missed his first 12 shots from the field against the Pistons.

Detroit is 4-3 since dropping its first eight games. The Pistons won for the first time when allowing more than 90 points.

16 SPORTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 192 • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

RDR eyes Palaro 2015 The 12-hectare Davao del Norte Sports Complex in Mankilam, Tagum City. (NJB)

By Neil Bravo

I

N 2008 in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Davao del Norte made its first pitch at the hosting of the Palarong Pambansa.

The target then was 2011 after the province unveiled a P350-Million project to build the country’s most modern facility.

Economic crisis hit asia and the cost of materials to erect the stateof-the-art complex skyrocketed. The project had to give way to other paramount services.

Last year, Governor rodolfo Del rosario revived the project with a new design and a trimmed budget pegged at P243 Million. on Monday, Governor Del rosario toured the project and boldly declared the province’s readiness to host the big events.

“Bring ‘em on. We are ready,” Governor Del rosario said.

The governor is setting his sights on the major regional sports events—the PrISaa regional Games in January, the Davraa in February, the Batang Pinoy eliminations and on top of that wish list—the Palarong Pambansa in 2015.

That revives the shelved proposal to host the annual school-based sports conclave. Why

Governor Rodolfo Del Rosario of Davao del Norte in a conference at the Governor’s House at the Davao del Norte Provincial

2015 yet? That’s the Mindanao hosting year in a four-year Palaro cycle.

This early, there is a looming battle between two frontrunners in the hosting for the 2015 edition of the Palarong Pambansa—Davao del Sur and Davao del Norte.

Davao del Sur has also started construction of its mega sports and business complex project worth a

The Davao del Sur Coliseum in Digos City, Davao del Sur.

Capitol after he toured the soon-to-be-completed Provincial Sports Complex. (NJB)

whopping P505 Million or more than double the cost of the Davao del Norte facility.

The Davao del Sur sports facility has been eyed earlier by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) as Mindanao Training Center for national athletes. The 5,000-seat Coliseum located inside the sprawling complex has also hosted several

out-of-town games of the Philippine Basketball association (PBa) and is set to host the PBa all-Stars next year. asked about the expected head-on clash for the 2015 Palaro hosting, Governor del rosario can only flash a smile.

The Davao del Norte project is due for completion by 12-12-12 or December 12, 2012.