Edge Davao 5 Issue 195 by Edge Davao The Business Paper

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VOL.5 ISSUE 195 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, DECEMBER 2-3, 2012

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Page165 The Economy Page

DCWD’s assurance

No water hike for home, gov’t users By Antonio M. Ajero

Page 15

Sports

HE Davao City Water District will not increase the water rates for residential and government users. Lawyer Eliseo R. Braganza Jr., DCWD vice chairman of the board, reiterated this assurance during a presentation before business-

Only commercial, industrial, bulk and wholesale users to get increases in water rates starting January 2013 men attending the 10th general membership meeting of the Davao City Chamber of Com-

Hay salamat!

merce and Industry, Inc. at the Royal Mandaya Hotel last Sat-

FDCWD’s, 11

Page 16

LINEMAN. A telecommunications company lineman is seen having a conversation using his cellular phone while at the top of an electric post along E. Quirino Ave. yesterday. Telecommunications com-

panies frequently upgrade their facilities to cope with surging customer demands. LEAN DAVAL JR.

From Saudi with love

P1.96 B allotted for Mindanao infrastructures

HE Philippine government will get an additional P1.96 billion from the Saudia Arabian government for the multi-billion worth of infrastructure projects that will be

implemented in Mindanao next year. The projects include the P709.03-million Cotabato City East Diversion Road; the P421.6-million Lake Lanao Cir-

cumferential Road from Marawi City to Bayang; the P420.3-million Lake Lanao Circumferential Road from Bayang to Ganassi; the P414.9-million Basilan Circumferential Road from

MX3: HITTING TWO BIRDS WITH ONE STONE

Disclaimer:: Garcinia mangostana is a Food Supplement and not a Drug. NO APPROVED THERAPEUTIC CLAIM.

Isabela to Tumahubong; and the P415.2-million Basilan Circumferential Road that will run from Isabela To Sumisip. According to the De-

FFROM, 11

2 THE BIG NEWS

EDGEDAVAO 2 Malabog teachers absent in fear of rebels

VOL.5 ISSUE 195 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, DECEMBER 2-3, 2012

Montevista

Parents claim bodies D of two young rebels By Anthony S. Allada

ARENTS of two slain young rebels surfaced to identify and claim their sons who were among those involved in an encounter with government troops in Montevista town, Compostela Valley early Friday morning. Col. Antonino Florendo, commander of the 66th In-

fantry Battalion, said that parents of rebels Joriben Caipan, 20, of Purok 2-B, barangay San Jose, and Christopher Mawang, 18, of Purok 2, barangay Camantangan, both of Montevista, showed up at the St. Peter’s Funeral Homes in Montevista Friday afternoon to inform the military unit

that the two were their family members. Florendo said both parents presented documents to prove that the slain rebels were their sons, prompting the military to turn over the bodies to them. He said that his men were conducting combat

security patrol at Purok 4 in Brgy. Lebanon after receiving reports on the presence of armed men in the area. Florendo said a firefight ensued that resulted to the death of the two young rebels and the recovery of one.45 caliber pistol and an improvised landmine.

‘Manilakbayan’ starts journey for Minda isues S

OME 60 participants of “Manilakbayan in Mindanao” (Journey from Mindanao to Manila) left Davao City on Friday with a tribal ritual staged by human rights and environmental activists. A tribal dance by members of the Bagobo, Bagobo-Bawa, Ata-Manobo and B’laan tribes, burning of incense and wine offerings to depict their struggles

marked the departure activities. Manilakbayan is “a Mindanao people’s mobilization for the defense of land, the environment and human rights that brings out the voices of concern on mining-affected communities and the attacks on environment defenders.” Participants will converge in Manila on De-

cember 3 to present Karapatan’s 2012 Year-end Human Rights Report the next day. Dulphing Ogan, Kalumaran secretary general, said Manilakbayan is an initiative to knock on the doors of national government offices such as the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples and the Department of Environment and Natural Re-

sources, among others, to take heed of the peoples’ calls. He noted that the “minimum demand” of indigenous peoples (IP) and environment defenders in Mindanao is a moratorium on mining operations while cases of extrajudicial killings and other human rights violations are being resolved. [Lorie Ann A. Cascaro/MindaNews]

UE to fear for their safety, two teachers of a school in barangay Malabog, Marilog district, have been absent from work for more than two weeks now. This according to Lt. Col. Inocencio Pasaporte, commander of the 69th Infantry Battalion (IB), in an interview at the sideline of the installation of the new chief of the Task Force Davao at its headquarters at the Sta. Ana wharf compound on Thursday . Pasaporte said this was triggered by the sudden evacuation 17

families from their homes in Purok 26, Sitio Alon, to Sitio Malikongkong last November 6 where they have remained for fear of the presence of New People’s Army rebels in the area. He said there are elementary school students among the evacuees, and that two teachers in grades 1 and 2 have likewise failed to return because of fear. Pasaporte said this is the result of harassment by the rebel group of Leoncio Pitao alias kumander Parago of the Pulang Bagani command.

Damosa Fairlane Phase 1 a sell-out!

AMOSA Land Inc.’s residential community celebrates with a Thanksgiving Feast and Grand Open House Since starting sales efforts last August, Damosa Fairlane has been successful in selling-out of all its units in Phase 1. And as a gesture of their heartwarming gratitude and appreciation, the management of Damosa Land Inc., the developer of Damosa Fairlane hosted a thanksgiving dinner

for future residents last Thursday, November 29. The feast was shared to exclusive invitees in their Hawaiian getup as they relished the night with cocktails, cheers, exclusive giveaways and surprise entertainment making the beginning of a life well-lived in their newest urban refuge. Limited to some 200 houses, Damosa FAirlane promises to deliver an exclusive living experi-

FDAMOSA, 11

DUERME

CHAMBER ELECTIONS. Canvassers jot down the votes for the 10 candidates for trustees of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (left photo). Second frame shows chamber members casting their

votes, while members of the election committee composed of DCCCII past presidents Sebastian Angliongto, Jose Sevilla and Bonifacio Tan at right watch the proceedings. LEAN DAVAL JR.

Crime prevention Duerme, Ajero top DCCCII elections investments urged

ENATE minority leader Alan Peter Cayetano urged the government to focus its attention on the worsening peace and order situation in the country. Cayetano stressed that at the heart of law enforcement is the swift and efficient meting out of punishment to criminals and would-be criminals. He cited Singapore as an example in explaining that when criminals know that they will be caught, the fear is enough to prevent them from committing crimes. “Underlying all of

these is the belief that they will not be caught. Whether it is one day, one year, one hundred days or the death penalty, if they think that criminals will not get caught then the penalties mean nothing. Even if we had a bigger penalty, if criminals think they can get away with their actions then nothing will happen,” he said. The senator noted that one way to address this problem is to provide our law enforcers with better facilities, equipment and pay. “Even without in-

FCRIME, 11

HILIPPINE AIRLINES (PAL) top executive Domingo T. Duerme and Edge Davao editor Antonio M. Ajero topped the elections of trustees of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc, (DCCCII) during the chamber’s 10th general assembly and 45th annual election of trustees and officers at the Royal Mandaya Hotel last Saturday. Duerme, a lawyer who had served as chamber president and chairman of the board, and an incumbent trustee, and Ajero, who is a first-timer, tied for No. 1 with 46 votes each.

The rest of the five elected trustees are lawyer Enrique M. O. Diola, Yvonne Cabada, also a first-timer, and Antonio dela Cruz, who is an incumbent vice president for trade and commerce. Other candidates were Ronald C. Go, former chamber presidents Simeon P. Marfori and Bienvenido Cariaga, Cresencio Arrieta and Valentina Huab. The five newly-elected trustees will serve for three years. They will join the 10 incumbent trustees whose terms have not yet expired to elect the new officers for 2013 sometime this week.

The committee on elections was headed by lawyer Jose Sevilla, with Bonifacio Tan and Sebastian Angliongto as members. All three are all past presidents. The nominees were screened by a nomination committee composed of past president Delia M. Ladao and trustees Amelia B. Bonifacio and Corazon M. Baylon. This year’s set of officers is composed of Dr. Ma. Lourdes G. Monteverde, president; Sebastian Angliongto, chairman of the board and honorary life chairman; architect Daniel T. Lim, executive vice president; Antonio

AJERO

dela Cruz, VP for trade and commerce; engineer Roberto C. Quinto (former president), VP for industry; Wilfred T. Teves, VP for agribusiness; Lizabel G. Holganza, VP for professional and service ventures; Maria Julieta R. Torres, corporate secretary; Myrna P. Valdez, corporate treasurer; John Y. Gaisano Jr., trustee and immediate past chairman; Bienvenido D. Cariaga, past president and trustee; Domingo T. Duerme, past president and trustee; Amelia B. Bonifacio, trustee; Roberto P. Puentespina Jr., trustee; and architect Agatha Ellen S. Valencia, trustee.

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 195 •SUNDAY - MONDAY, DECEMBER 2-3, 2012

4 SUBURBIA

VOL.5 ISSUE 195 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, DECEMBER 2-3, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

RDR recognizes heroism of rescuers

Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario praised the rescuers for putting their lives on the line to save victims of the recent flooding in Davao del Norte. [Noel Baguio/DavNor PIO]

AVAO del Norte Govervor Rodolfo del Rosario paid tribute to the heroism displayed by the volunteers at the height of the recent flashfloods that hit the province. The calamity affected 22,568 residents in five LGUs, leaving one casualty and a path of destruction

costing P58 million worth of damage to crops and infrastructures. Even with the lone casualty, the governor said responders still managed to have a very good batting average, considering the lack of judgment of the victim, who drowned after ignoring repeated warnings

about crossing the raging Ilog River in Asuncion town. “Allow me to extend my heartfelt congratulations for the courage, sacrifice and hard work that you have shown,” the governor told the responders, at the first-ever Reduce D’ Risk (RDR) Rescuelympics at

the Capitol Grounds. Fresh from saving lives, volunteer rescuers from eight LGUs in the province displayed their superb life-saving skills during the event, which also provided an opportunity for them to get together and foster camaraderie, while enhancing their capacity to

“The roads are really difficult for our products to be brought down,” Ampoan lamented. Early this week, Ampoan, four other tribal chieftains and several council members gathered at the hall of Barangay Bugsukan for the final touches on data “gaps” gathering in relation to the formulation of their Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development Protection Plan (ADSDPP). Under the Indigenous People’s Rights Act (IPRA) of 1997, indigenous peoples, through the assis-

tance of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), shall formulate the ADSDPP, which serves as the community’s guide to managing its resources, including the mapping and delineation of ancestral claims. The tribal chieftains represent the 16 municipalities covered under Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) 093, which received an assistance amounting to P5 million from the Agusan del Sur provincial last year. But the bad roads, char-

acteristic of most upland barangays in the city, are not the only setbacks that these tribal communities face in their quest for their right to self-determination. Overlapping tenurial rights have become a pestering problem, too. Datu Epifanio “Linintian” Guinsod of Barangay El Rio in Sibagat, Agusan del Sur, said the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has been encroaching on their ancestral domain through the conduct of cadastral surveys that started early this year.

cases of criminal activities in the area. He specifically cited the spate of gun-related violence in the city during the last several weeks, among them the killing of two police officers last Tuesday. The twin murders, one of which was caught on a CCTV camera of a food chain outlet, happened a day after a retired employee lost around P500,000 in cash in a daring robbery incident in the city’s downtown area. Vicente said he will look into possible mea-

sures that would compel local establishments and offices to properly comply with the ordinance, which was passed in 2008. “Since (the ordinance) is already there, we will try to see how it can be implemented by all concerned establishments,” he said in an interview with a local television station. Under the ordinance, local establishments and offices are required to install CCTV security cameras with a digital video recorder to help enhance the anti-criminality campaign in the area.

respond to real-life emergencies. The Sto. Tomas Mobilization and Response Team ruled the first aid and basic life-saving - cardio-vascular resuscitation (BLSCPR) competition, bagging P30,000 in cash prize, plus a spine board. The ‘D Samal Island

Rescue and Emergency (DESIRE) team, together with the Kapalong Rescue and Emergency Services (KARES) team also won the first and second runners-up awards, bringing home cash prizes of P25,000 and P20,000, respectively, also with spine boards.

Bad roads, conflicting tenurial rights Davao Norte opens Pasalubong Center still hound Lumads in Agusan Sur

AD roads and vague national policies on tenurial rights continue to hobble Manobo tribal members in Agusan del Sur amid a backdrop of a pilot undertaking seen to address their decades-old problem on their right to self-determination. Datu Fernando “Ampoan” Igom, tribal chieftain of Sta. Maria, Sibagat, Agusan del Sur, said their community still suffers from the agony of bad dirt roads that made it difficult for them to transport their products to the markets.

GenSan councilor pushing for implementation of CCTV law

General Santos City council member is pushing for the strict enforcement by the city government of an ordinance that requires the installation of closed-circuit television or CCTV security cameras by business establishments as well as private and government offices within the city. City Councilor Dante Vicente, chair of the council’s committee on public order and safety, said the full enforcement of Ordinance 11 is needed to effectively address the rising

HE Provincial Government of Davao del Norte launches on November 26, 2012 the Produkto DavNor Pasalubong Center, which makes the quality homemade products of the province accessible to tourists, visitors, investors and residents, alike. DTI-11 Regional Director Marizon Loreto, together with Governor Rodolfo del Rosario, will grace the inauguration rites at the DTI-Davao del Norte building located at the Government Center, Mankilam, Tagum City. The facility supports

the sales and marketing of the One Town One Product (OTOP) outputs of all LGUs in Davao del Norte, together with the merchandises produced by the Ugmad Komunidad recipient communities. Del Rosario said the Pasalubong Center is not only designed to display souvenirs and gift items to allure tourists to buy. He revealed the store will also provide a venue for trading quality locally-made products and services, as well as, to promote them for domestic and foreign markets.

before the 15th Congress ends its sessions in June 2013. HB 6038, which is co-authored by Fuentes, is “an act reapportioning the composition of the first and second legislative districts in the province of South Cotabato and thereby creating a new legislative district from such reapportionment.” Fuentes said she discussed the matter recently with Negros Oriental Second District Rep. George Arnai, the House’s

local government committee chair, and asked for the bill’s inclusion in the agenda of the committee’s remaining sessions. “Our target now is to have it passed by next year and have the elections for the reconfigured districts in 2016,” she said. Fuentes conceded that they ran out of time with their earlier target to have the measure passed in time for the May 2013 midterm national and local elections as it was filed “quite late.”

House approval on carving another legislative district in SouthCot not lost

OUTH Cotabato officials remained optimistic of getting the approval of the House of Representatives by next year to a pending bill that seeks the separation of this city into a new congressional or legislative district. South Cotabato Second District Rep. Daisy Avance-Fuentes said Friday she had requested the House’s committee on local government to immediately set the hearings for House Bill (HB) 6038 and work on its passage

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 195 •SUNDAY - MONDAY, DECEMBER 2-3, 2012

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THE ECONOMY 5

DOLE chief suspends labor inspection of establishments T

HERE will be no routine labor inspection of establishments for one and a half-months starting December 1, 2012 to January 14, 2013, according to Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz. Baldoz, through Administrative Order No. 406, Series of 2012, directed all Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) regional directors to suspend all labor inspection activities in their areas of jurisdiction, including the conduct of Training and Advisory Visits (TAVs) and Self-Assessment (SA) activities effective Nov. 30, 2012. However, three activities were not covered by the suspension order. These are the investigation of labor standards complaints which shall, in all cases, be speedily disposed of; technical safety inspection (for example, inspection of boilers, pressure vessels, mechanical, and electrical installation); and urgent inspections/TAVs that may be called for because of compelling circumstances. In the case of the third activity, the Regional Office concerned should seek the

TRANSPORT. Bamboo living room set makers from a far-flung barangay of Davao City transport their finish products using a motorcycle along a highway in Mintal yesterday. LEAN DAVAL JR.

approval of the Secretary of Labor and Employment before any such inspection/ TAV activity may be conducted. By official practice, the DOLE suspends routine labor inspection activities to enable labor inspectors, now called labor law compliance officers, to dispose of pending labor standards

cases and prepare for the implementation of the DOLE’s labor enforcement program for the following year. Inspection is also suspended to avoid and minimize any activity that might lead to the abuse by the labor inspector of his inspection power during the Christmas holidays, such as soliciting gifts, or other

forms of graft and corruption. “It is our duty to uphold the integrity of the DOLE’s inspection activities. However, workers and employers alike can be assured that all our labor inspectors are on their feet to respond to any situation that will necessitate such activities,” Baldoz said.

6 THE ECONOMY Stat Watch

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

5.8% 1st Qtr 2012

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

6.4 % 1st Qtr 2012

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

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

8. Interest Rates 4/

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

9. National Government Revenues 10. National government outstanding debt

P 42.78 Jun 2012

11. Peso per US $ 5/ 12. Stocks Composite Index 6/

5,091.2 May 2012

13. Consumer Price Index 2006=100

130.1 Jun 2012

14. Headline Inflation Rate 2006=100

2.8 Jun 2012

15. Core Inflation Rate 2006=100

3.7 Jun 2012

16. Visitor Arrivals

349,779 Apr 2012

17. Underemployment Rate 7/

18.8 % Jan 2012

18. Unemployment Rate 7/

7.2 % Jan 2012

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

2012

2011

2010

42.85 42.70 42.86 42.66 43.62

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

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

Cebu Pacific Daily Zest Air Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Philippine Airlines Daily Philippine Airlines Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri/Sun Philippine Airlines Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Silk Air Mon/Wed/Sat Cebu Pacific Thu Cebu Pacific Tue/Wed//Sat

5J961 / 5J962 Z2390 / Z2390 5J593 / 5J348 PR809 / PR810 PR819 / PR820 5J394 / 5J393 5J599 / 5J594 5J347 / 5J596 5J963 / 5J964 PR811 / PR812 5J595 / 5J966 MI588 / MI588 5J965 / 5J968 5J965 / 5J968

VOL.5 ISSUE 195 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, DECEMBER 2-3, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

DOE provides solarpower to off-grid communities T

HE Philippine Energy Efficiency Project of the Department of Energy continues to implement its National Residential Lighting sub-component with the deployment of solar-powered light emitting diodes (LEDs) to off-grid communities. Undersecretary Loreta G. Ayson, PEEP project director, said the program aims to demonstrate efficient lighting system and technologies to reduce peak electricity demand, thus reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Through this project, identified beneficiaries will be able to utilize safer and more environment-friendly alternatives in lighting their homes. “We will be able to save 10,704 liters a year of kerosene and an emission reduction of 15,502 kilograms of carbon dioxide. In addition, the project can also help reduce instances of accident due to fire because we won’t be using highly combustible kerosene anymore,” Ayson said. A total of 223 households in off-grid areas in Aklan, Antique, Palawan, Davao del

SOCIAL MIX. Dog owners gather to let their canines meet and social mix with other dogs at the Victoria Plaza car park yesterday. Such activity, if

done regularly, can help the dogs develop good attitude and behavior towards other dogs and humans alike. LEAN DAVAL JR.

Norte have already benefited from the project. The PEEP is funded by the Asian Development Bank, which granted a loan of $ 31.1 million to the Philippines, with the government providing US$ 13.9 million counterpart financing.

The PEEP aims to reduce cost in energy production through energy efficient appliance utilization, adoption of energy saving measures in buildings, improvement of equipment testing facilities. PEEP is in partnership with TeaM Energy Founda-

tion Inc., the local governments of Aklan, Antique, Palawan, and Davao del Norte, and the following electric cooperatives: Palawan Electric Cooperative Inc., Aklan Electric Cooperative Inc., and Davao del Norte Electric Cooperative Inc. [PNA]

Expressway) were approved conditionally. There are certain conditions that needed to be approved,” said Carandang. “We wanted to do another verification of the costings because what you get here’s indicative cost. The President wants the numbers to be checked again to see if they can be lowered,” he said. The other projects approved in the more than seven hours NEDA Board meeting were: the P1.14-billion Albay West Coast Road Project (2014-2016); P2.1-billion Tacloban Airport Redevelopment Project (20132016); P8.8-billion Acquisition of Multi-Role Response vessels (2012-2016); P8.87-billion Mactan, Cebu Airport Terminal (Phase 1, 2014-2016); P1.7-billion Contactless Automatic Fare Collection System; P68-million Component A of the Convergence on Chain Enhancement for Rural Growth

and Empowerment (20132019); P7.39-billion Extension of the Mindanao Rural Development Project 2 (2012-2014); P1.16-billion Rehabilitation of Angat Hydroelectric Plant Turbines 4 and 5 (2013-2014); and the P13.14-billion School Infrastructure Project covering 10,679 classrooms (20132014). Carandang explained that the long meeting was necessary “because there are over a dozen projects and we really went over the details of (each of) the projects.” He said some of the approved projects will be internally funded, some will have some debt, some will have some private equity funding. “Iba-iba ‘yung financing schemes for the different projects. (It’s) a combination of sources,” he added. Meanwhile, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said that

with the approval of the MRDP2 extension project, “this will provide boost to the Aquino administration’s goal of promoting inclusive economic growth since MRDP-2 projects are focused on improving incomes of poor communities in the region.” Launched in 2007, the program will supposedly end by December 2012. But with the approval of the proposed twoyear extension, the DA expects to complete more agricultural projects until 2014. On the other hand, the 13-kilometer NLEX-SLEX Connector Road is expected to start early next year and would create 8,000 jobs. The connector road would run along the tracks of stateowned Philippine National Railways. With the approval by the NEDA Board, Carandang said, these projects could now move forward. [PNA]

NEDA Board approves 11 infra projects worth P113.54 billion T HE National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) has approved 11 infrastructure projects totaling P113.54 billion. This was announced by Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ramon Carandang, in a chance interview at the sidelines of the lighting of the giant christmas tree of the Office of the President held Thursday evening at the Kalayaan Grounds in Malacanang. Among the projects approved by the NEDA BOard chaired by President Benigno Aquino III were the P25.56-billion NLEX-SLEX Connector slated from 2013 to 2016, and the P43-billion Cavite-Laguna Expressway from 2012-2017, which were approved “in principle” pending review of their costs. “They (NLEX-SLEX Connector and the Cavite-Laguna

5:45 5:45 6:00 6:10 7:50 7:50 8:00 9:10 9:40 11:30 12:00 18:55 12:55 13:35

Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Cebu-Davao-Iloilo Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Zamboanga-Davao-Zamboanga Cebu-Davao-Cebu Iloilo-Davao-Cebu Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Cebu-Davao-Manila Davao-Cebu-Singapore Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila

as of august 2010

6:15 6:25 6:30 7:00 8:50 8:10 8:30 9:40 10:10 12:20 12:30 13:35 13:25 14:05

Silk Air Thu/Sun Cebu Pacific Mon/Tue/Wed/Fri Philippine Airlines August Zest Air Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Philippines Airlines Daily Cebu Pacific Mon/Tue/Thu/Sat Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Tue/Sat/Sun Cebu Pacific Daily Airphil Express Daily Philippine Airlines Daily except Sunday Philippine Airlines Sunday

MI566 / MI566 5J507 / 5J598 15:55 Z2524 / Z2525 5J967 / 5J600 PR813 / PR814 5J215 / 5J216 5971 / 5J970 5J973 / 5J974 5J969 / 5J972 2P987 / 2P988 PR821 / PR822 PR821 / PR822

18:55 15:00 Mani2Mani 16:05 16:35 16:55 18:00 18:40 20:00 20:30 20:30 21:20 22:20

Davao-Singapore Cebu-Davao-Cebu 16:50 Cebu-Davao-Cebu Manila-Davao-Cebu Manila-Davao-Manila Cagayan de Oro-Davao-Cagayan de Oro Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila

15:20 15:30 16:45 17:05 17:45 18:20 19:10 20:30 21:00 21:00 21:50 22:50

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 195 •SUNDAY - MONDAY, DECEMBER 2-3, 2012

MOTORING

Ferrari California 30 has arrived A

UTOSTRADA Motore, Inc., the Philippines’s official importer and distributor of Ferrari cars in the Philippines is celebrating Christmas extra early this year as they launched a new and faster variant of their award-winning Ferrari California just last week: the Ferrari California 30. Thirty is the operative number of the Ferrari California 30 as the car is 30 kilograms lighter and 30 horsepower more powerful than the standard California, hence the unique name. The California 30’s 4.3-liter V8 engine is now rated at 490 horsepower and 505 Nm of torque thanks to a new exhaust manifold and engine mapping. In addition, the California 30’s torque curve has been modified and is broader throughout the engine’s rev range. As a result, the California 30 can accelerate to 100 km/h from a standstill in just 3.8 seconds. Despite being lighter, the California 30 remains structurally rigid thanks to cutting-edge aluminum fabrication techniques and construction technologies done to its chassis by Scaglietti Centre of Excellence. In fact, the California 30 benefits from a new casting process called CORDIS core technology. The California 30 joins the California which was

first launched in 2008. By itself, the California features many Ferrari innovations such as a midfront engine placement, direct-injection for increased fuel efficiency and high power output, folding metal top, dual clutch transmission for a smoother and more direct driving experience, and a multi-link rear suspension which main-

tains excellent handling while improving ride. “The Ferrari California is very agile and easy to drive hard. The Ferrari bloodline ensures exceptional performance, as well as the California distinction of comfort and practicality in a Grand Tourer,” said Autostrada Motore, Inc. Chairman and President Mr. Wellington Soong.

the steering, the Civic now has a thicker rear stabilizer bar, increased spring rate, and larger front brakes. Inside, the 2013 Civic benefits from additional sound deadening and a thicker windshield for a quieter cabin. Also new in the 2013: new headliner, soft touch plastics on the instrument panel, and revised textures on center console. The Civic also gets a myriad of new available toys such as Bluetooth hands-free, a rear view parking camera, a sliding center arm rest, and so on. In terms of powertrain, the 2013 Civic remains unchanged with its 1.8-liter i-VTEC en-

gine that’s good for 140 horsepower. It’s still mated to a choice between a 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic. Since the Philippines saw the pre-facelifted Civic being launched just this year, it’s safe to assume that the Civic redesign won’t enter the market until mid2013 at the earliest. And that’s assuming that they’re bringing the redesign here. It must be remembered that the Japanese-made Civic (EXi Limited Edition) did have all the fancy toys such as Bluetooth hands-free and rear parking camera only to disappear when production shifted to Thailand.

Honda Civic 2013 redesigned

ANNED for its lackluster design and dynamics, Honda has rushed a redesign of its Civic compact and here it is. The question is: are the changes enough? From the outside, the new Civic wears completely redesigned front and rear ends. The biggest change is the new open-mouth front bumper design which the all-new Accord is also sporting. Underneath, changes have been done to improve the Civic’s electric power steering system which promises a quicker ratio for a more “fluid suspension action” and a “flatter, more responsive cornering attitude”. Aside from

Subaru BRZ is here

OT on the heels of their 59 percent growth rate yearon-year, Motor Image Pilipinas, the country’s official distributor of Subaru automobiles has finally declared that “the wait is over” as they pulled the wraps off their much awaited, much anticipated Subaru BRZ sports car just last night in an edgy, young launch party for owners and media. With a cheeky allusion to the frustration faced by those waiting in line for their Toyota 86 (which is incidentally a twin of the Subaru BRZ), Motor Image Pilipinas General Manager Mike Luyun has revealed that 10 BRZs have already been delivered to owners

with an additional shipment that just left Japan at the night of the launch. Apparently, because of Subaru’s already hot stable of performance cars such as the WRX STI, they seem more capable in handling and managing market expectations (and waiting cues). There are no special tricks to get a BRZ. You want one? They’ll sell it to you at list price and at a promised date. No more, no less. And just look at the car you’re getting. Designed and manufactured under collaboration between Subaru and Toyota, the Subaru BRZ is defined by the concept of “pure handling delight”, and this in turn is further defined by five major char-

acteristics: power, lowest possible center of gravity, light-weight and highly rigid body, advanced incar electronic system, and elegant design with excellent aerodynamics. At the heart of the Subaru BRZ is Subaru’s newly developed FA20 engine which delivers a nice, even 100 horsepower per liter of displacement (200 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 205 Nm from 6,400-6,600 rpm). This new generation of Subaru’s trademark “boxer” engine is highly efficient with superior output and environmental friendliness. This is also Subaru’s first engine to use direct and port injected fuel injection technology (D-4S).

8 VANTAGE POINTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 195 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, DECEMBER 2-3, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

What’s a UN ambassador against hunger doing in a calendar endorsing liquor? MINDANAO ABROAD By Sarah BernaSor-holdSworth

EDITORIAL

Political will?

NVIRONMENTALISTS must be elated with the announced stand of President Noynoy that there will be no compromise on mine tailings in so far as the laws and government regulations are concerned. An example of this exercise in political will is the mineral waste spill in Benguet, one of the big mining issues in the country today. Philex Mining Corp., the country’s biggest producer of copper and gold, was fined by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau P1.034 billion for spilling mine tailings into Balog River, one of the tributaries of the Agno River, the source of water of the San Roque Dam in Pangasinan. The leak happened a couple of months after geologists of Sagittarius Mining Industries (SMI) boasted in Davao City about the safety of the tailings pond of Philex in Benguet, adding that it had never leaked in

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the past more than two decades. People are watching the Philex case, particularly on the government’s determination to impose the fine, considering the mind-boggling amount involved. Note that other giant companies, like the Meralco and the Aboitiz power utilities have also been fined or ordered to refund overcharges also in the billions, but nobody seems to be aware if the fines had been paid or how much, if at all. People are watching not really because of the big amount involved. Rather, they’re watching because such cases are a test of political will on the part of the President. Whatever he does is a reflection of what his government can, or cannot, do. His behavior in these cases is a good gauge of what he can do in the last half of his rule as leader of our country. ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

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am Sarah, a Filipina now based in Australia and mother of a 5 year old girl. It is my role as a mother that makes me unable to resist the urge to write this piece. Like millions of Filipinos my age, I have seen KC Concepcion grow up through print media and TV. The media painted a picture of her as a talented, bright, independent, charming, well-mannered person with a heart for the disadvantaged, especially for the children. I believe most Filipinos never questioned these and simply adore her. As a result, she gets plum projects in all forms of media. Her face is seen everywhere. I have not been to Manila for a long time but I can imagine her face on one or two of those big billboards. In the Filipino psyche, having your face on a billboard, especially in Metro Manila, is a testament of how big a name you have become. I know that fairly recently, the United Nations World Food Programme (UNWFP) named her Philippines Ambassador against Hunger - a role that is bestowed on people committed to using their high profile status to increase global attention on the plight of the hungry and how WFP is addressing the issue. Such UN ambassadorial positions are given to distinguished and renowned individuals carefully selected from various fields. This role has taken KC to places and poor communities, many of them, children. I remember her being photographed with children from Pikit, North Cotabato and she said how uplifting it was to make a difference in the lives of the children. Last Saturday, over breakfast, I chanced upon an interview between her and Boy Abunda. Apparently, she has been causing a stir in the showbiz world for doing a calendar for a local liquor brand. A calendar for a liquor brand in the Philippines traditionally features women photographed in sexually suggestive postures at best (and this is how she may have appeared) and bare bodies, bordering on pornography, at worst. In this interview, she claimed that it is a huge ‘honour’ to do the calendar as an endorsement of a locally made or truly Filipino brand. I was appalled that Boy Abunda, who is known for his frankness and intelligence, would let this pass without probing more. Since when is endorsing a liquor brand an honourable thing to do? Alcohol is potentially socially destructive. Over the last decades, scientific research, health agencies and universities have been able to demonstrate a correlation between alcohol beverage advertising and alcohol consumption. Of course the alcohol industry has been taking advantage of this positive correlation, even targeting young people. Of late, alcohol advertising in some parts of the world is tightly controlled, even banned in a few countries. The European Union and World Health Organization (WHO) have both specified that the advertising and promotion of alcohol needs to be controlled. In September 2005, the WHO Euro Region adopted a Framework for Alcohol Policy for the Region. Foremost of the five ethical principles which states that “All children and adolescents have the right to grow up in an environment protected from the negative consequences of alcohol consumption and, to the extent possible, from the promotion of alcoholic beverages”. I am sure there is similar legislation in the Philippines.

EDGEDAVAO

Economic and social peace

AST REACTION – Critical groups and their worn-out statements had a familiar tone to the annoyed public. When I mentioned about groups, I’m referring to leaders of the church, human rights advocates, student activists, transport organizations, progressive labor and peasant groups and militant factions of different colors and stripes. This time the object of their moral indignation was no less than President Benigno Aquino III. Actually the friction between President PNoy and his adversaries, the same groups perhaps with an additional few who are steadfastly critical of whoever is in power is nothing new. Ever since PNoy became the country’s first bachelor president in 2010, he and his “built-in” detractors have crossed swords over a number of issues both social and political. But the critics’ latest statement about the country’s pressing issues was the strongest attack on PNoy yet. The President, they charged, was seeking to lead the country back into the ages of political dynasties, nepotism, warlord era, corruption, sham democracy and debilitating poverty. What’s the triggering factor behind the outburst? First, the move for a passage and approval of the Reproductive Health Bill or RH Bill, which critics alleged as promoting abortion, anti-life and anti-family laws. Second, the approval of the controversial Cybercrime Law, where opposition to the measure charged it would effectively curtail the freedom of expression and information and violates a person’s right to privacy. Third, a litany of old, inherited issues such as joblessness, homelessness, landlessness, lack of food, shelter, proper education and medical care and health services.

However, the crucial issues that has been on the boil for some time with the transport groups, student activists, militants and workers movement loudly making their cases heard in the streets is the unabated oil price and tuition fee increases. The Aquino administration, though, has consistently stated that the passage and approval of vital measures such as the RH Bill is extremely necessary to ease out the country’s economic burden instigated by crushing poverty due to overpopulation. At the center of controversy is another measure, the Cybercrime Law, which seeks to protect internet subscribers from cyber bullying. Not only does the Cybercrime Law have a legion of harsh critics, not least due to being hastily done and critics say it has allegedly constitutes certain provisions that are highly detrimental to the millions of end-users. This is just the beginning as the debate on the issue is heating up. With both sides weighing in, an element has been injected into the issue – amendments of the hotly contested provisions enabling lawmakers to consider at least nine proposed changes to the law. Some of the changes deal with the omission of the provision on libel and violation of a person’s right to privacy. Notwithstanding the number of obstacles, the Aquino leadership believes the prevailing issues on the people’s basic needs and the fluctuation of prices of oil and other refined petroleum products have a good chance of being address

posthaste and given priority concern. Fortunately, the Aquino administration has not been slow in reacting to the slew of criticisms. The President’s spokespersons stressed that PNoy is not likely to back down from a cause he strongly believes it to be beneficial to the nation. The vast majority according to the present dispensation would eventually support programs and policies of the government if all are deeply rooted into the country’s economic and social peace. Public dissatisfaction has risen with the perception that the government has been unable to tackle, in particular - rising crime, unabated oil price adjustments and failure to deliver the basic services. The criticisms had even eaten into the personal popularity of the PNoy, who in the same period last year was overwhelmingly rated high by various survey and rating agencies. As it is, PNoy and his teams of think-tanks, administrative and technical personnel are working hard to get the economy back into shape and that has to include a return to the values that made the Philippines a new haven for investments. President Aquino’s trademark broad grin and press-friendly attitude had earned him praises, but he may be able to do more than put a smiling face to the mounting challenges he would encounter along the way. He will be judged on how well he manages the economy and the fight against crime and other pressing problems, as well the relations with his adversaries and political detractors. For all the mutual animosity and the current bad blood, PNoy and his multitude of critics are actually not so alienated therefore they still could maintain a certain level of civility toward each other.

The untold story of the Ampatuans’ fall from political grace

VANTAGE POINTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 195 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, DECEMBER 2-3, 2012

HE whole nation was still raging and indignant on a Wednesday morning three years ago in 2009 when Gov. Miguel Rene Dominguez, then president of Lakas-CMD, called former defense secretary Gilberto Teodoro. His voice was firm but filled with utmost urgency. Dominguez asked Teodoro to call a press conference by mid-afternoon. “What for Migs?” Dominguez recalled Teodoro asking. At that time, Teodoro was already the proclaimed Lakas-Kampi presidential candidate for the 2010 election. “You announce we are expelling the Ampatuans from Lakas-Kampi,” Dominguez replied from the other end of the conversation. “Totoo ka (Are you sure) Migs?” Teodoro asked Dominguez, who had become a close confidant. After all, it was Dominguez who nominated Teodoro as standard bearer of Lakas-Kampi. Day of Infamy Less than 48 hours before Dominguez made the call that may have helped alter the course of history of local politics in Mindanao, he was in Malacañang for a meeting with former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo together with other governors and leaders of the Lakas-Kampi, preparing for the elections the following year and monitoring the first day of the filing of certificates of candidacies

( 1st of two parts )

for local elective posts. All attentions were focused on that day as 2010 would be the first time the country will hold a nationwide automated election. Dominguez recalled seeing former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao governor Zaldy Ampatuan at the meeting. By noon, however, Dominguez was already receiving frantic text messages and calls from close friends advising him that some 630 miles south from where he was seated, more than a dozen of close media friends had gone missing and were believed, then, to have been kidnapped by heavily armed men somewhere in Maguindanao. Later in the afternoon, reports began filtering in that some of the missing journalists and media workers have been found dead. He called former Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita to ask if the Palace was aware of what then was happening in Maguindanao only for the latter to ask him what was it all about. The Sarangani governor also called the president who, at around 4 p.m. that day, according to him, was still clueless

that her favorite allies in Magindanao had just committed wholesale murder of journalists and media workers, innocent motorists and members of a rival political clan. In the evening, it dawned to everybody that the killings would exceed human comprehension as reports from the military and police dispatched to track down what happened were already suggesting that dozens may have been killed and that retrieval operations were still ongoing late into the night. When Dominguez was able to confirm that some of the journalists and media workers who were found brutalized were the very same group of reporters who he has been meeting day in day out whenever he is at the provincial capitol, it enraged him no end. When it also became clear the powerful political clan of the Ampatuans were involved in the gruesome mass murders, Dominguez was incensed even more. For on the very moment he and Zaldy Ampatuan were just few seats apart in Malacañang, the latter’s brothers, in-laws and henchmen were pumping bullets into the heads and bodies of the victims, 58 in all of which 32 were members of the press, who were crying for mercy and begging for their dear lives. Not a single one of them was spared. It was a scene that brought memories from Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather II.

Tatay-Nanay Tawagan Nila! THE VOICE By aveen acuna-Gulo

have always loved family in all shapes and sizes, economic status and types of crises. But I’m never so sure if at first glance the relationships discussed are about celebrities – showbiz or political. But if family tells me there’s something worth viewing on the internet, it should be something special. I saw Ram’s post on FB about Zoren-Carmina’s wedding. I asked Raj if he can share the link? Oh-kay… When you got highly wired boys in the Gulo household who I suppose are of marrying age (or shall I say at least one is) it shouldn’t be a problem especially if Tatay and Nanay beckon for some further advancement in their computer-internet education. Ho-hum. I’ve must have seen all those surprises on TV and YouTube that nothing surprises me anymore. Or maybe if it did, the moments were fleeting and it is comforting to note that reality always sinks back in. After almost two weeks that many netizens have swooned and shed tears, I gave in to my skeptical self to check out if there’s really something in the video that makes it stand out. The rock version of growing old together seemed awry; but credit good editing, the entertainment value went to the back seat as I later would realize. “Tatay-Nanay tawagan nila!” My thoughts sort of jumped to my throat as I took my Pikit coffee when Carmina called Zoren Tatay. What could be sweeter in this early Wednesday dawn than this very homegrown term of endearment. I might have missed Zoren calling the mother of his twins “Nanay” in the clip – though he mentioned Honey more than once. But it really didn’t matter. Mommy is to Daddy as Mama is to Papa as Inâ is to Amâ as Oma is to Opa in tune with the latest Gangnam fashion. These guys seem like they are very very good friends, what can I say. They laugh and cry; share good humor and are joyful with hugs and kisses. And I’m sure they quarrel too; but they must have done a lot of work to be able to grow into this level of relationship. Their showbiz veneer must have shielded the real people in them, people who go through heartaches and pains like many of us do. The little more that I know of the couple are them with those two adorable well-behaved twins on TV commercials; and it’s also nice to know that there’s a Tatay Reggie in the picture, who sheds tears of joy seeing his daughter raise a family of her own and passing the love to the next generation. However this marriage would go in the next fifty years, I say a prayer in my heart that they remain strong together; and so with billions of other families around the world. As it is said, let’s take care of the family; and society will take care of itself. [MindaViews is the opinion section of MindaNews. Aveen Acuña-Gulo posts in her Facebook as the Monumental Operations Manager (MOM) who is a Bukidnon-born Cebuano mother of three (3) Maguindanao-Ilonggo-Cotabateño children; who will always be a child at heart even if she is a hundred years old].

10 NATION/WORLD NATION BRIEFS

New law

Rich

o address the perceived shortcomings of Republic Act No. 10175 (RA 10175) or the Philippine Cybercrime Law, Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago has filed a bill that she calls “Cybercrime Law version 2.0.” Senate Bill 3327 (SB 3327), also known as the Magna Carta for Philippine Internet Freedom (MCPIF), aims to protect the rights and freedoms of Filipino netizens, while acting on cybercrimes. ESPITE the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) aggressive purging of party-list hopefuls seeking congressional seats in the 2013 elections, some groups linked to individuals who can hardly be described as belonging to the marginalized and underrepresented were able to make it to the list. No less than Comelec chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. had expressed disappointment with the list, even saying that if he could have his way, he’d rather that the party-list system be “abolished.”

Meeting

Multilateral

resident Aquino will discuss the controversial Reproductive Health (RH) bill, which he is supporting, with members of the House of Representatives in a luncheon meeting in Malacañang on Monday. Both supporters and critics of the measure were invited to the Palace meeting. However, not all opposed to the bill will attend, like Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez who has already begged off. HILIPPINES-China’s announcement that it would expel all foreign ships entering disputed areas in the South China Sea, including parts known as the West Philippine Sea, gives the Philippines more reason to seek a multilateral approach to resolve the problem, former Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Rodolfo Biazon said. Biazon, now chairman of the House committee on national defense, said China’s move was bound to affect the national interest of countries such as the United States and those in Europe, which all use the disputed waters for trade and commerce.

VOL.5 ISSUE 195 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, DECEMBER 2-3, 2012

Palestinians win UN status upgrade

HE UN General Assembly overwhelmingly voted to make Palestine a non-member state, inflicting a major diplomatic defeat on the United States and Israel. The victory for president Mahmud Abbas triggered scenes of joy in the occupied West Bank, where thousands celebrated with bursts of gunfire and cheers in the city of Ramallah. Abbas claimed what he called a UN “birth certificate” for a Palestinian state and got the backing of 138 countries in the 193-member assembly. Nine voted against and 41 abstained, while five did not participate. The limited diplomatic upgrade came on the 65th anniversary of the UN partition vote, when the world body first divided the Holy Land between Jews and Arabs, who have battled over it ever since, most recently in this month’s deadly Gaza fighting. A Palestinian flag was unfurled in the General Assembly as the victory was pronounced. But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned what he called a “venomous” speech by the Palestin-

Palestinians celebrate in the West Bank city of Ramallah on November 29. The UN General Assembly has overwhelmingly voted to make Palestine a non-member state, inflicting a major diplomatic defeat on the United States and Israel. [AFP]

ian leader. The vote lifts the Palestinian Authority from an observer entity to a “non-member observer state” on a par with the Vatican. Palestine has no vote in the General Assembly but can now join UN agencies and potentially the International Criminal Court (ICC), where it could ask for a probe of Israeli actions,

including during the recent fighting in Gaza. Abbas said he hoped to use the status upgrade as a launchpad for renewed direct talks with Israel -- frozen for more than two years -- calling the resolution “the last chance to save the twostate solution.” In a 22-minute speech laced with references to Israel’s battle with Gaza’s Hamas rulers this month,

Abbas said time for an accord is running out. “The rope of patience is shortening and hope is withering.” Afterwards, he said the vote had been “historic.” “Tomorrow we begin the real war,” Abbas said at a celebration reception. “We have a long road and difficult road ahead of us. I don’t want to spoil our victory tonight, but the road ahead is still difficult.”

Filipina jigsaw puzzler sets Guinness record

ROM Mona Lisa to Mickey Mouse, a Philippine guesthouse owner has pieced together over a thousand jigsaw puzzles, and on

WORLD TODAy

Thursday her collection was officially declared the world’s largest. “It was just a hobby at first. It takes away my stress,” Gina Gil Lacuna,

61, told AFP as she was awarded her certificate of recognition by Guinness World Records. But the pastime, which she took up 26 years ago,

Georgina Gil-Lacuna (L), Philippine Guiness World Record holder of the largest collection of jigsaw puzzles in Tagaytay City on November 29, 2012. [AFP]

turned into an obsession that has seen her collect a total of 1,028 different puzzles, framed wall to wall at her two-story bed and breakfast. The puzzles form pictures of religious figures, animals and landscapes, and even Philippine President Benigno Aquino, with the largest containing over 18,000 pieces. Her guesthouse, in the resort city of Tagaytay just outside the Philippine capital, is known as “Puzzle Mansion”. “She is very disciplined lady. Every day, she spends three or four hours doing puzzles,” said Guinness adjudicator Seyda Subasi Gemici, adding that all the jigsaws had to be different and with all the pieces complete to count towards the total. Her collection surpasses the previous record of 238 puzzles held by a Brazilian woman, Guinness officials said, and she is already working on 20 new puzzles so she can retain her title. [AFP]

Alarm

hina’s plan to board and search ships that illegally enter what it considers its territory in the disputed South China Sea could spark naval clashes and hurt the region’s economy, Southeast Asia’s top diplomat warned on Friday. Surin Pitsuwan, secretary-general of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), said the Chinese plan was a “very serious turn of events”.

Improved

he government’s revenue effort improved to 14.7 percent as of end-September, higher than the 14.5 percent recorded in the same period last year, latest data from the Department of Finance (DOF) showed. The revenue effort is the measure of the government’s ability to collect revenues that are commensurate with the growth of the economy. It is an indicator of how well the government is doing in terms of revenue collection, relative to what could be expected given the economy’s potential.

EDGEDAVAO

Cyber war

lobal hacking network Anonymous said it will shut down Syrian government websites around the world in response to a countrywide Internet blackout believe aimed at silencing the opposition to President Bashar al-Assad. Syria was plunged into communication darkness on Thursday when Internet connectivity stopped at midday. Land lines and mobile phones networks were also seriously disrupted.

Rocket launch

orth Korea is to carry out its second rocket launch this year in December as South Korea holds its presidential election in a move that will likely trigger diplomatic tensions between the two Koreas and censure from the United States and Japan. State news agency KCNA said on Saturday that the launch of a rocket carrying a satellite would take place between December 10 and December 22.

Review

gypt’s President Mohamed Morsi is set to review a controversial draft constitution on Saturday amid rival rallies that will kick off following afternoon prayers, the Muslim Brotherhood said. The marches of “Islamist and nationalist revolutionary forces” will set off from mosques in Cairo and head for Al-Nadha square, said the Freedom and Justice Party, the Brotherhood’s political wing.

Protest

UDDHIST monks marched in Myanmar’s two biggest cities on Saturday to protest at police violence during a crackdown on demonstrators at a copper mine, while Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and a rights group called for an official inquiry. Activists said at least 50 people had been injured on Thursday, including more than 20 monks who had ended up in hospital, after riot police raided camps set up round the Monywa copper mine by villagers protesting against their forced eviction to make way for an expansion of the project.

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 195 •SUNDAY - MONDAY, DECEMBER 2-3, 2012

DCWD...

From...

FFROM 1

urday. Date effective The increase in rates, also called water rate adjustment, will only affect commercial, industrial, and bulk/wholesale consumers, according to Braganza, who said the increases will take effect in January 2013 and to appear on the billing for the following month ( February 2013). As a result of rate adjustment, commercial and industrial users will pay as much as twice the rates paid by residential users and government facilities. On the other hand, bulk and wholesale consumers will be billed three times more than residential and government users. Braganza said the water rate adjustment is legally based on Presidential Decree 198 as amended, Letter of Instructions 700, Local Water Utilities Administration (LUWA) Manual of Water Rates and Related Practices and the Philippine Standard of Industrial Classification of 2009. Commercial categories Braganza said commercial consumers are further categorized into three classes (Commercial A, Commercial B and Commercial C) and will be paying different rate increases. The DCWD vice chairman said that all decisions of the DCWD to increase water rates are with the approval of the leadership of the Davao City government after a series of consultations. In deference to the city mayor’s request, the DCWD postponed on several occasions price adjustments and even reduced the amount of rates adjustment, he said. “This is because we see to it that DCWD’s plans and programs always jibe with the programs of the LGU,” Braganza said. Mayor Sara intervenes He said that as early as 1994, the water district had applied for a 60-percent increase in water rates. This was reduced to 30-per cent and very recently, the board decided to implement the hike at the rate of only 10 percent every year during the next three years upon the request of Mayor Sara D. Carpio.

Braganza said DCWD continues to follow socialized pricing as a principle in pegging water rates. This means that heavy users pay more than the minimal water users, he said. “Water districts are directed to impose differential rates/charges for different users, categories and different quantity blocks,” Braganza bared. Lowest water rate For the sake of transparency, the books of account of the water district are open for scrutiny anytime it is requested, Braganza said in answer to a comment of businessman Bonifacio Tan, past president of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce, who suggested that the DCWD should open its books for the public to determine how it is earning and whether its application for rate adjustment is called for. Braganza informed Tan that consumers may also install their own meters instead of renting the ones that the water district provides. Tan also expressed the fear that increasing water rates might turn off investors who plan to locate in Davao. Earlier in his presentation, Braganza said water rates imposed by the DCWD are the lowest among all big cities in the country. Commercial 2.0 Commercial establishments which will be paying twice the rate of water consumed by residential and government customers are the following: shopping malls, crop and animal production, hunting and related services (like poultry raising, livestock raising, etc.), forestry and logging (production of firewood, charcoal, wood chips, etc.), fishing and aquaculture, mining and quarrying, manufacturing, electricity, gas, steam and air-conditioning supply, sewerage, construction, remediation and other waste management services, carwash shops, gasoline stations, transport services, support activities for transportation (emission centers, piers, wharfs), private hospitals, gambling and betting activities like casino and lotto, waste collection, treatment and

disposal, theaters, video showing, sound recording, hotels and other accommodations, restaurants, fast-food chains, cafeterias, refreshment stands/kiosks/counters, dining cars, event catering, bars, cocktail lounges, coffee shops, night clubs, sports, amusement and recreational activities, real estate activities, except renting of apartments/dwelling units, private education, and other personal services, like funeral parlor, spas, steam baths, body building, laundry, dry cleaning, domestic services, pet boarding. Commercial A 1.75 Establishments classified as Commercial A will pay 1.75 times the residential rates. They are: wholesale and retail, retail trade except gasoline stations and sara-sari stores, warehousing and storage, financial and insurance activities, professional, scientific and technical services, administrative and support services, private clinics, creative arts and entertainment activities, libraries, archives, museums and other cultural activities, activities of membership organizations except religious organizations, repair of computer and personal goods and embassies, international organizations and foreign diplomatic missions. Commercial B 1.50 Those classified under Commercial B will be charged 1.50 times residential or government rates. They are: maintenance and repair of motor vehicles, postal and courier activities and publishing of books, newspapers, periodicals, software development and website hosting. Commercial C 1.25 On the other hand, Commercial C will pay 1.25 times the residential or government rates. These establishments are: residential condominiums, residential compounds, apartments and other multiple dwelling units with one central water meter. Bulk 3.0 Meanwhile, activities categorized under Bulk will pay three times the rates of residential or government rates. These are: water collection, treatment and supply, like ship chandlers and private water service providers.

FFROM 1

partment

of Public works and Highways (DPWH), the contracts for the aforementioned projects are still under process. The World Bank has also allocated funds for seven other road improvement projects in Mindanao, the agency disclosed. Of the seven projects, the 53-kilometer Digos-Cotabato City Road (Kidapawan City section)

Crime...

and the 50-kilometer Digos-Cotabato City Road (Pagalungan section) projects are already underway. Three other Asian Development Bank-assisted projects, namely, the P175.5 million, 20-7-kilometer Dipolog-Oroquieta City Road; the P471.1-million, 20-kilometer Butuan City-Cagayan de Oro-Iligan City Road; and the P315-million, 38-kilometer

B u k i d n o n - C o t a b a to City road project will be rolled out next year, according to the DPWH. Mindanao gets the preponderance of the P106 million budget allocated by the agency for infrastructure projects next year. Its total allocation amounts to P27.6 million or 26.09 percent of the pie, almost twice the P14.6 billion budget allocated for Metro Manila.

sion (CCTV) to stop crime and to prevent it from happening in the future. “We can also address our problems by turning to technology. CCTVs are now devices that are getting us the results we want. Merely having a CCTV deters crime. Just having lights and CCTVs addresses the issue of crime,” he said. He explained that there is a need to address the root causes

of the rising incidence of crime and that until we do so crime will never be truly prevented. “One is poverty that we should address through good economic poverty alleviation. The other one is drugs. Most crimes are drug-related. Lastly, greed. Unless you go after the root cause, we will never be rid of crimes,” he said.

harder to allow us provide the community as promised to our buyers”, said Alex Gocotano, project head. The Damosa Fairlane is meticulously-planned to harmoniously confine the richness of nature merging it to the dynamic movement of the city through its landscaped gardens, exclusive countryclub-like environment, and unmatched provisions of private garden and greeneries. Damosa Fairlane truly complements the needs of the fast-rising families for a well-planned, efficient and conveniently located urban haven that balances spaces with comfort. With its unparalleled urban living experience that takes advantage of the scenic view of nature for immediate escape and luxury of serenity, Damosa Fairlane truly engages the home-

owners to move up to a better life. Damosa Fairlane is part of a series of residential projects of Damosa Land, Inc. that are all designed to provide today’s discerning family a home in a nurturing community. Part of the highly respected conglomerate – Anflo Group of Companies of the Floirendos, Damosa Land, Inc. , is known for developing what has become a lifestyle commercial landmark to Davaoeños – the Damosa District – within which are Damosa Market Basket, Damosa Gateway, Damosa Business Center, and the PEZA- registered Damosa IT Park. Damosa Land, Inc. likewise fully owns and operates the franchise of Microtel by Wyndham in Davao and in General Santos which will open soon in January 2013.

FFROM 2

creasing the number of policemen, we can address the issues of the present crop of policemen and law enforcers by increasing their benefits and pay. By doing this, we can actually indirectly address the peace and order situation and save money at the same time,” he said. The minority leader suggested that the country’s officials also turn to the use of closed circuit telev-

Damosa... FFROM 2

ence with its detached home units, giving homeowners an opportunity to have their own private spaces. A distinct feature of the development is the city living experience it offers – with convenient access to major city landmarks and commercial establishments like the Damosa District, SM Lanang Premier, Abreeza Ayala Mall, Robinsons Cybergate, Davao International airport and other key city destinations just within the neighborhood. This gives homeowners endless possibilities for both business and leisure activities. With the quality rapid construction activities on site, the development aims to unveil soon three model houses to give buyers a glimpse of the full potential of their future homes. “The robust sales take-up has inspired the team to work

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VOL.5 ISSUE 195 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, DECEMBER 2-3, 2012

Realty

EDGEDAVAO

Health and Wellness

FOR SALE:

1) 1-hectare commercial lot at P10,000/sq m, along national highway, facing east, beside nccc Panacan, davao city. 2) 17,940sq m commercial lot at P2,500/sq m, along Matina diversion road. 3) 3,831 sq m lot along Matina diversion road. 4) 41,408 sq m commercial/ industrial lot at P800/sq m along the national highway, Bunawan. 5) 7,056 sq m at P1,200/sq m commercial/residential lot along Indangan road, Buhangin district. 6) 27,411 sq m commercial/ industrial lot along the national highway in Bincungan, tagum city. 7) 116.15 to 245.92 sq meters , at P5.5M to P12.3M commercial/ office condo units in Bajada, davao city. 8) 699 to 1,117 sq m at P4,100/sq m commercial lots at Josefina town center, along the national highway, dumoy, toril. 9) ready-for-occupancy residential Properties: 4Br/3t&B in a 240 sq m lot with 177.31sqm floor area (2-storey) at P4.8M in an exclusive beachfront community in dumoy, toril.; 3Br 2-storey in a 71.25 sq m 2-storey in a 143sq m lot in an exclusive flower village in Maa, davao city; 180 sq m lots with 71.25sqm to 126.42 sq m floor areas, priced at P3.751M to P5.773M in an exclusive mountain resort community along Matina, diversion road. 10) 1Br/2Br residential condo units located in Bolton, Maa, obrero, davao city. 11) For aSSuMe (ruSh): 1Br res’l condo unit in Palmetto, Maa. P600K negotiable. note: Items 1-9 can be paid in cash, in-house or bank financing. If interested, please call Jay (Prc reB lic. 8237) at 0922-851-5337 (Sun), 0908-883-8832 (Smart) or send email to propertiesindavao@yahoo.com.

deadline for submission of materials is 12:00 NN. deadline for Friday and Saturday issues is 5:00 PM. deadline for Sunday and Monday issues is Saturday 12:00 NN. For more information, please call our advertising office 221-3601; 301-6235 and ask for Jane or chay.

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EDGE DAVAO is in need of an editor and three staffwriters/reporters for its expansion program. The reporters will be assigned to the business, science/environment and political beats. On the other hand, the editor will supervise the reporters and do gate-keeping tasks. Applicant must be a graduate of a four- year college course. For reporters, experience is not needed although preferable. The editor should have at least one-year experience in editing. Interested parties may send their application letter to Mr. Antonio M. Ajero, Edge Davao editor, thru email address ajero_antonio@yahoo.com. For inquiries, please call Mr. Ajero thru mobile phone 09052422686 or landline 2213601.

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EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 195 •SUNDAY - MONDAY, DECEMBER 2-3, 2012

COMPETITIVE EDGE

Welcomed by Dabawenyos

Radyo Singko 101.9 NewsFM D

AVAO City added a few notches on its happy scale as it welcomed some of TV5’s brightest stars with the launch of Radyo Singko 101.9 NewsFM, which will hit the local airwaves on December 3 (Monday). The launch comes at a time when the Kapatid Network reported that it is gaining momentum in six different key cities in the Philippines, including Davao. “We at Radyo Singko Davao are excited that we will finally be able to serve our fellow Davaoeños. It is our goal to cater to the needs of the community with TV5’s unique brand of journalism and public service,” shared TV% station manager for Davao Tayna Miclat. She added that in putting together the programs for Radyo Singko Davao, the station received the endorsements of the Office of Mayor Sara Duterte, Police Superintendent Dionisio Abude and Davao Chief of Police Ronald dela Rosa. To support TV5’s continued growth in the

region, Radyo Singko offers local programs that are characteristically Davaoeño. Kapatid Robert Teo heads Buena Mano Salvo sa Singko which features up-tothe-minute reports on the weather (obtained straight from weather bureau (PAG-ASA), community news, police updates and market price information. On the other hand, Mike Pasco recaps the nation’s headlines and police reports with Police Round Up sa Singko. Aside from this program, Kapatid Mike Anchors Saturday show Pangkabuhayan sa Singko where listeners get to know more about the current job market and find out financial management tips. Kapatid Rose Ramos anchors Health Line sa Singko, which discusses health and medical concerns. On the other hand, Heartline sa Singko is hosted by Sally Sanglay that features family and legal issues as raised through letters sent in by avid listeners. During this program, Kapatid

LAUNCHING. TV5’s Raffy Tulfo (center), Raul dela Cruz, Provincial Operation head (right), and Tayna Miclat, station manager for Davao (left), present the Radyo Singko

101.9 News FM team during its grand launching at Nanay Bebeng Restaurant yesterday. LEAN DAVAL JR.

Sally will be joined by legal experts and counselors who will help solve the concerns raised. Rose Ramos and Ching Amor also update Davao with 30-minute news report program Intensity Five sa Singko. Last and certain-

motorcade across the city featuring Kapatid Stars Derek Ramsay, Ritz Azul and Nadine Samonte who then led the Kapatid Network contingent during the Radyo Singko Todo Radyo Serbiso event at SM City Davao. The audience

ly not least, join Mikey Aportadera on Mga Komentaryo sa Singko to discuss the day’s relevant issues and events. To celebrate this milestone, TV% greeted the first weekend of December with a star-studded

was also treated to a great show supported by Eula Caballero and The Amazing Race Philippines’ Team Amigas Saida and Jervi. The Tulfo Brothers were also at the event to support TV5’s expansion in their beloved city.

14 SPORTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 195 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, DECEMBER 2-3, 2012

WORLD TODAy Serving

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Cho Leonor pitches from the fringe during the 3rd Durian Tee Invitational Golf Championship hosted by Apo Golf and Country Club. (Boy Lim)

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

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Army boosts semis bid

HE 10th Infantry Agila Division routed Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, 93 – 69, to boost its chances for a spot to the semi-final round in the Mayor Sara Duterte and Vice Mayor Rody Duterte – 10th AFPPNP Basketball Tournament at the Davao City Recreation Center Almendras Gym. Eduardo Mahilum sparked the Armymen with his 27 points output as they took the fourth spot

in the standings. Joseph Decena contributed 12 baskets for the 10th ID which is now one game ahead of the Regional Public Safety Batallion and Philippine Navy at 5-3 win-loss record. RPSB and PN both sporting with 4-3 record. In the other match, Bureau of Fire Protection clobbered Philippine Coast Guard, 94 – 72. It was a tough contest at the start but the Armymen broke away for good

midway of the final half to seal the victory. Abraham Campomanes and playing official Isabelo Cartin scored 12 points apiece for the Jailmen who bid goodbye to their quest for final four slot with 4-5 slate. After a long break, BFP came back to the playing court with a 94 – 72 drubbing of the lowly Philippine Coast Guard. Robert Namuag canned in 26 points and Donald Conception and Earl

Angsinco provided ample support as the Firemen clinched their seventh win in eight outings. Conception and Angsinco had 12 and 11 points respectively for the BFP, which is at solo third place in the race behind Vice Mayor’s Office (11-0) and Davao City Police Office (81). In the other match, PNP-National Support Unit copped its second straight win at the expense of Philippine Air Force, 91 – 72.

INdulge!

VOL.5 ISSUE 195 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, DECEMBER 2-3, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

EVENTS

Waterfront Insular Davao General Manager Rouel Guanzon leads the lighting ceremony

Growing blessings on Christmas trees The event was a first for the hotel as they purposely veered away from traditional run-of-the mill Christmas decor and and pine tree but instead went

Waterfront Insular Davao General Manager Rouel Guanzon

The Christmas season is on full-blast and many of Davao’s malls and hotels are already spruced up with tinsel and lights, ready to welcome the holiday of love and sharing. This was the theme of the Waterfront Insular hotel’s annual Christmas lighting ceremony last November 26.

The choir sang Christmas songs to entertain the guests.

Even the children can help raise funds for the House of Hope.

DOT XI regional director Art Boncato.

for a more Mindanao look and feel. Themed “Colors of the South” Waterfront Insular hotel’s Christmas decor uses colors that are taken from indigenous

materials. Bold and striking, the three trees at the hotel’s lobby are accentuated with batik, tnalak, and amakan to emphasize the

FGROWING, A4

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.5 ISSUE 195 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, DECEMBER 2-3, 2012

UP AND ABOUT

An early Christmas Pinoy film selections from Cine treat from Globe Experimental de Madrid 2012 now and BlackBerry showing at Cinematheque Davao!

Manila, PhiliPPines - Research In Motion (RIM), the makers of BlackBerry® smartphones, and Globe Telecom team up once again to make it easier for Filipinos to stay connected with their loved ones this Christmas season, no matter where they are in the world.

From December 1 to 31, 2012, customers who purchase a new BlackBerry® 7 smartphone from participating Globe dealers and retailers get a Globe prepaid SIM that gives them free and unlimited access to Facebook® and BBM™ (BlackBerry® Messenger) for 30 days. “This offer is our early Christmas gift to our Filipino customers so they can get in on the action of staying in touch with their loved ones this holiday season. Not only will they enjoy up to 35% off on BlackBerry smartphones this holiday season, they can also instantly share their status and photos with their Facebook friends and take full advantage of BBM’s robust unlimited local and international messaging for free,” Hastings Singh, RIM Managing Director, South Asia, said. “Now is the perfect time to get a BlackBerry device from Globe with this special promo that allows users to enjoy unlimited access to Facebook and BBM for free, allowing them to share those precious Yuletide moments and happenings without having to worry about excessive data charges,” said Peter Bithos, Senior Advisor for Consumer Business at Globe Telecom. “With the Free Facebook and BBM promo brought to you by Globe and BlackBerry, you get the exclusive privilege of staying connected with your social circles and loved ones worry-free this holiday season,” said Peter Bithos, Senior Advisor for Consumer Business at Globe Telecom. The special promo is on the back of Filipinos’ growing penchant for Facebook as a means to connect with the rest of the world. According to SocialBakers. com, a global social media analytics platform, the Philippines ranks eighth in the list of countries worldwide with the biggest Facebook population with nearly 30 million users. BlackBerry Messaging, or BBM, is an instant messaging application that allows BlackBerry users to add friends, engage in unlimited group chats, send unlimited pictures, videos, files, and voice notes, and get instant confirmation once messages are delivered and read. BlackBerry 7 smartphones included in this special promo are the BlackBerry® Curve™ 9220, BlackBerry® Curve™ 9320, BlackBerry® Curve™ 9360, BlackBerry® Curve™ 9380, BlackBerry® Torch™ 9810, BlackBerry® Torch™ 9860, BlackBerry® Bold™ 9790, and BlackBerry® Bold™ 9900. Get a list of participating Globe and BlackBerry authorized dealers from http://surf.globe.com.ph/plan/ exclusive-globe. Find out more by texting BB FREEFB to 8888.

The schedule is out for 28 November to 9 December at Cinematheque Davao, and it’s hot!

Beginning Wednesday, 28 November, Davao film lovers will have a chance to view ten selections from the Filipino films exhibited at the Cine experimental de Madrid 2012. These films are Insiang; Batad sa PaangPalay; Baler; Serafin Geronimo: Ang Kriminal ng Baryo Concepcion; The Red Shoes; Sister Stella L.; Urduja; halaw; Imburnal; and Ang Damgo ni eleuteria.

Insiang (1976) Directed by Lino Brocka, one of three foremost directors of the second golden age of Philippine movies (Ishmael Bernal and Mike de Leon were the other two), from a screenplay by Lamberto e. Antonio and Mario O’hara and, in turn, written from a story by O’hara, the film stars the luminous hilda Koronel. It is the second Filipino film exhibited in the Cannes International Film Festival. Batad sa Paang Palay [Before Harvest] (2006) Directed by Vic Acedillo and Benji Garcia from a screenplay by Acedillo, the film stars Gina Alajar and Noni Buencamino and is about a fourteen-yearold Batad boy who is a high school dropout. he is forced to sell produce at the Banawe market to augment the family income while his father pursues his mission of repairing the rice terraces of adjoining Ifugao villages. It is also about a boy’s dream of owning a pair of sneakers. (Running time: 90 mins.) Baler (2008) Directed by Mark Meily from a screenplay by Roy Iglesias, the film stars Jericho Rosales, Anne Curtis, and Phillip Salvador and was produced by Viva Films and Bida Productions. The film is set in Baler in 1898 and is built around the historical siege of Baler that lasted for 337 days, during which

half of the pair to his mother and the other half to his playmate and first love, the young ballet dancer Bettina. The film takes the viewer to ten years later, in the life of Lucas, and in the life of the red shoes. (Running time: 100 mins.) Sister Stella L. (1984) Possibly the best work of Mike de Leon, direca group of Spanish soldiers defended Baler against Philippine forces. Meanwhile, romance blooms between a Filipino mestiza and a soldier. Serafin Geronimo: Ang Kriminal ng Baryo Concepcion [Serafin Geronimo: The Criminal of Barrio Concepcion] (1998) Directed by Lav Diaz and starring Raymond Bagatsing, Tonton Gutierrez, and Angel Aquino, the film was produced by Joey Gosiengfiao. A man goes to a female journalist, claiming to be the infamous kidnapper who has the world astir. he will turn himself in if she but listens to his story. (Running time: 121 mins.) The Red Shoes Directed by Raul Jorolan from a screenplay by James Ladioray and produced by Tony Gloria, the film stars Marvin Agustin, Nikki Gil, Tessie Tomas, Liza Lorena, and Tetchie Agbayani. The film begins at the height of the 1986 People Power Revolution, a.k.a. eDSA. The Marcoses have fled the Philippines, and mobs descend on Malacañang. Lucas, a ten-year-old Filipino, sneaks into the presidential quarters and gets a pair of red shoes from the cabinet of Imelda Marcos. he gives

tor, from a screenplay by Jose F. Lacaba, the film was produced by Lily Y. Monteverde and stars Vilma Santos, Jay Ilagan, Laurice Guillen, and Tony Santos. Sister Stella Legaspi, played by Santos, is a conservative nun who is a counselor at Caritas. The film is about her growth in political consciousness after a visit to her friend and namesake, Sister Stella Bautista, played by Guillen. Jay Ilagan plays her ex-boyfriend journalist, Nick Fajardo, and the late venerable Tony Santos plays Dencio, a union president. (Running time: 96 mins.) Urduja (2008) Directed by Reggie entienza from a screenplay cowritten with Michael had and featuring the voices of Regine Velasquez, Cesar Montano, eddie Garcia, Johnny Delgado, and epy Quizon, among others, this animation film is set in the 13th century in the central

plains of Luzon. Urduja is a warrior-princess of the Tawilisi tribe inhabiting the area. An only child, she is raised like a man by her father Lakanpati, the king of the tribe. Political expediency soon pushes her father to marry her off to someone for whom she feels no love. Urdujaproceeds to chart her own destiny. (Running time: 100 mins.) Halaw [Ways of the Sea] (2010) Directed by Sheron Dayoc from his own screenplay, this film stars John Arcilla, Arnalyn Ismael, and Maria Isabel Lopez. The film is about the dream of a better life that makes Filipinos take the southern backdoor route to neighboring foreign lands of promise— in this film, Malaysia. Jahid, an illiterate Badjao, is in search of his lost wife who is believed to be in Sabah, and brings along Daying, his nine-year-old daughter. (Running time: 78 mins.) Imburnal [Sewer] (2008) Directed by Sherad Anthony Sanchez from his own screenplay, the film stars Brian Monterola, Jelieta Ruta, Joel San Juan, and Allen Lumanog. The film is set in the coastal slums of Davao City. The closest the film gets to an approximation of narrative is in the wanderings by the riverside of Allen (played by Lumanog) and Joel (played by San Juan). The boys serve as witness to much that goes on in the film. (Running time: 209 mins.)

Ang Damgo ni Eleuteria [The Dream of Eleuteria] (2010) Directed by Remton Siega Zuasola and produced by Ronald Arguelles of Cinema One Originals, the film stars Donna Gimeno, Gregg Tecson, and Lucia Juezan. The lead character, Terya, is a simple island girl about to leave home to marry a foreigner. The setting isOlongapo Island, and its Baliw-baliw festival mirrors Terya’s state of mind. (Running Time: 90 mins.)

VOL.5 ISSUE 195 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, DECEMBER 2-3, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

ENTERTAINMENT

Carrie Underwood cast as Maria in new ‘Sound of Music’ NExT year’s holiday season will have televisions everywhere alive with “The Sound of Music” -- as sung by Carrie Underwood.

How do you solve a problem like casting Maria, a role made so iconic by Julie Andrews, in the new NBC version of the musical? Only by tapping a singer as popular as Underwood, a country superstar and “American Idol” winner. “Speaking for everyone at NBC, we couldn’t be happier to have the gifted Carrie Underwood take up the mantle of the great Maria von Trapp,” said head of NBC Entertainment Robert Greenblatt. Based on a true story, “Sound of Music” revolves around Maria, a nun who becomes a governess for the seven children of widower Captain von Trapp. They fall in love, but the shadow of World War II threatens their future. Maria von Trapp “was an iconic woman who will now be played by an iconic artist,” Greenblatt said. This will be Under-

wood’s first major lead acting role; she’s appeared on “How I Met Your Mother” and in the film “Soul Surfer.” She isn’t the only “Idol” alum to graduate to acting. Jennifer Hudson won an Oscar for her role in the movie “Dreamgirls,” and will be starring on NBC’s “Smash” with Katharine McPhee. Constantine Maroulis and Clay Aiken have both enjoyed stage suc-

cess. And recent season contestants Paul McDonald and Jessica Sanchez appeared on“Parenthood” and “Glee,” respectively. NBC’s take on the Rogers and Hammerstein classic will be based on the original Broadway show, which starred Mary Martin. It will premiere sometime in the 2013 holiday season. Wonder who’ll play the captain?

Kate Middleton swats at pregnancy rumor with a field hockey stick

IF Kate Middleton’s goal (pun intended) was to quash pregnancy rumors, a quick round of field hockey at her alma mater should do the trick.

For this week, anyway. The Duchess of Cambridge, still wearing her Alexander McQueen coat and high-heeled boots, took to the turf for a few strokes today to help officially open the new playing field at St. Andrew’s School in Pangbourne, England, the preparatory school she attended from 1986 to 1995. It wasn’t exactly a rugby scrum, but the future mother of Prince William’s children probably would be taking it a bit easier if she were carrying an heir to the British throne in her womb, right? Then again, moms-tobe are certainly entitled to their exercise!

“It was while I was here at school that I realized my love of sport,” Middleton told those assembled at St. Andrew’s. “Sport has been a huge part of my life, and I feel incredibly grateful for the opportunities I had to get outside

and play in such wonderful open spaces— though, sadly, there was nothing quite as glamorous as this in my time!” Made all the more glamorous by the royal alumna’s appearance today.

INdulge! A3

A4 INdulge! EVENTS ENTERTAINMENT

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.5 ISSUE 195 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, DECEMBER 2-3, 2012

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hotel’s pride and Southern heritage. Present for the Christmas kick-off were Department of Tourism XI Regional Director, Art Boncato of the DOT, Mr. Jason Magnaye, of the City Mayor’s Investment Planning Office and most importantly, Dra. Mae Dolendo, Program Director of the house of hope as well as members of Davao City’s tour operators. The event also served as the launch of Waterfront Insular hotel’s “Christmas Trees of hope” fundraising drive. “It is a privilege to reach out and be a source of hope to others, especially to children. This is why; Waterfront is joyful in welcoming Christmas 2012 by setting up these specially-made Christmas trees that could be a channel of generosity and hope for our chosen beneficiary, the children at house of hope.” beams Waterfront Insular hotel general manager Rouel Guanzon. The Trees of hope allow individuals and companies a chance to purchase and hang specially made Christmas tree ornaments on the hotel’s Christmas

Dr. Mae Dolendo, Program Director of the House of Hope

Trees. All the proceeds of the sale go to the children who are suffering from cancer at house of hope foundation. “Waterfront Insular continues to live up to its legacy of being Davao’s icon of hospitality and the beacon of sharing and spreading cheers in the city.” adds Mr. Guanzon “We reach out to your generosity spare a little this evening and hang up a circle of hope on our Christmas trees as your own little way of sharing this Yuletide Season.”

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EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 195 •SUNDAY - MONDAY, DECEMBER 2-3, 2012

Raining Threes

Lakers drop Nuggets 122-103

OS ANGELES (AP) -By the time Dwight Howard stepped back and oh-so-coolly hit just the second 3-pointer of his entire career in the closing seconds, it didn’t even seem weird to the Los Angeles Lakers. With so many unlikely numbers in improbable places on that bulging scoresheet, what was one last long-distance shot for a team that finally discovered its elusive rhythm? Antawn Jamison scored 33 points while leading an outstanding game by the Lakers’ reserves, and Howard had 28 points and 20 rebounds before hitting Los Angeles’ 17th 3-pointer to close a 122-103 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Friday night.

Jodie Meeks scored 21 points on a career high-tying seven 3-pointers for the Lakers, who improved to 3-3 under Mike D’Antoni while playing at the furious tempo favored by their new coach. After managing just 77 points against Indiana three nights earlier in their third loss in four games, the Lakers’ dazzling offensive display suggested D’Antoni is making progress after all. ‘’It’s the way we want to play,’’ D’Antoni said. ‘’We’ve got a lot of talent out there, and it’s got to mesh, and the ball has got to move. ... So many guys had good games. I just thought the ball was moving better - just a lot of good things happening.’’ Kobe Bryant had 14 points and eight as-

Dwight Howard (12) of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the match against the Denver Nuggets at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

sists for the Lakers, who moved the ball to the tune of 33 assists while making 54 percent of their shots. They also tied the club record for 3-pointers in a regulation game, getting five from Jamison in the first 30-point game by a Lakers reserve since Shaquille O’Neal did it in 1998.

ROUNDUP

Thailand ousts Vietnam 3-1 T

en-man Thailand ushered Vietnam out of the AFF Suzuki Cup on Friday, two goals from stand-in striker Kirati Keawsombut setting up a 3-1 victory that saw the three-time champions top Group A on nine points. Thailand will play the second-placed team in Group B in the semi-finals with the Philippines, who took second spot after beating Myanmar 2-0 in the simultaneous kick off, meeting the group winners. Coach Winfried Schafer was delighted to qualify with full points after wins over Philippines (21), Myanmar (4-0) and Vietnam. “After these three matches I take my hat off to the team for their fight and spirit,” he said. “Nine points, nine goals, fantastic.” He also praised the virtual second-string team he fielded against

the 2008 champions at Bangkok’s Rajamangala Stadium. “We could not play everyone we wanted today because of the risk of suspension,” he added. “But I still wanted a win and this team fought even when a player was sent off. “I am very happy with the work rate and spirit. It was not easy but we prepared well and that paid off. In training the other players played in the Vietnam style so the team today knew what to expect.” Vietnam failed to reach the knock-out stage for just the second time in the history of the AFF Suzuki Cup and team manager Ngo Le Bang apologised to the fans. “We are very disappointed at the result of the game and the tournament,” he said. “We were a bit unlucky today as we had a lot of chances to score. “Coach Phan Thanh Hung was happy with the

performance of the players today and he has said that he bears responsibility for our failure to qualify. “We are very sorry for not bringing happiness to the fans.” Vietnam, needing a win to have any chance of qualifying, dropped star striker Le Cong Vinh in favour of attacking midfielder Nguyen Van Quyet, the 21-year-old who scored 12 goals for Hanoi T&T in the V-League last season. Schafer made sweeping changes with goalkeeper Kawin Thamsatchanan, Piyaphon Bunta, Sumanya Purisai and Anucha Kitpongsri the only survivors from the starting line up against Myanmar in the last game. Teerasil Dangda, Thailand’s hat-trick hero in the 4-0 win over Myanmar, was not risked as he was on one yellow card with Schafer handing Kirati the striking role.

Same sports leaders, same promises

HE Philippines, still gold-less in the Olympics and middle-tier performer in the Southeast Asian region, will spend the next four years with the same sports leader with the same promises. Nothing changed. With a fresh four-year mandate, Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose ‘Peping’ Cojuangco has vowed to produce results — specifically a fighting chance of ending the country’s gold medal

drought in the Olympics. Oh, we heard that before. Cojuangco, who ran unopposed Friday’s elections held at the Alabang Country Club, swept to a third third term as POC president as his group clinched all the seats in the country’s Olympic body. Cojuangco, who tallied 32 out of the 43 votes in the POC general assembly, said that he will make sure that he will be productive in his final term. “I’ve been given anoth-

er four years and I’d like to make sure that in the last four years as president of the POC, I can finally produce that result which people are expecting,” Cojuangco told a group of sportswriters after the polls. When asked by a sports scribe if he is referring to an Olympic gold, Cojuangco said: “Well, I guess so… One of the things that the Philippines lacks is an Olympic gold medal. That will be our number one target, I guess.”

87 victory Friday night (Saturday, Manila time), their 10th straight over the NBA’s worst team. “With teams like that who are struggling, you’ve got to jump on them early so you don’t give them any confidence, because at the end of the day they are NBA players,” point guard Raymond Felton said. Tyson Chandler and Ronnie Brewer each added 12 points for the

Knicks, who improved to 6-0 at home and beat the Wizards for the ninth straight time at Madison Square Garden. Both winning streaks are their longest active against one team. New York improved to 11-4, its most wins in a month since going 11-6 in March 2000. The Knicks hadn’t won 11 in November since winning 12 in 1972 on the way to their last NBA championship.

Knicks send Wizards further down

EW YORK — Shot after shot clanged off the rim, the crowd growing restless and eventually booing the home team. Luckily for the Knicks, the bad shooter was just an actor in a movie scene being filmed at halftime. The real players had absolutely no problem with the dismal Washington Wizards. Carmelo Anthony and JR Smith each scored 20 points in the Knicks’ 108-

Billy Parilla, AGCC Manager, Atty. Butch Jocom, AGCC Director, Jimmy Larrabaster, AGCC President, Edgar Ang, Kia Cars Davao President, John Oropesa, Phoenix Petroleum, and , Coca Cola

Bottlers Regional Director, take a pose after the ceremonial tee of the 3rd Durian Tee Invitational Golf Championship at the Apo Golf and Country Club. (Boy Lim)

16 SPORTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 195 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, DECEMBER 2-3, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Azkals march to the semis

Angel Guirado of the Philippines struck for a goal in injury time to seal the deal for the Azkals’ march to the semifinals.

HE Philippines stormed into the semi-finals of the AFF Suzuki Cup for the second straight time after a 2-0 victory over a fighing Myanmar side at Bangkok’s Supachalasai Stadium in Thailand on Friday. Well-taken goals from the two outstanding players on the pitch, Philip Younghusband and Angel Guirado, ensured the Phil-

ippines reached the last four for the second successive time after their dream run in 2010. They will play the winners of Group B with Thailand, who topped Group A on nine points after beating Vietnam 3-1 in the night’s other match, meeting the second placed team. After a goalless first half, Younghusband

scored just after the break and Guirado rounded things off seconds before the final whistle. It was the first time the Philippines had beaten Myanmar in the AFF Suzuki Cup. Myanmar battled hard but in the end could not contain the physically stronger Philippines. Philippines coach Michael Weiss could not hide his delight.

“I’m very, very happy,’’ he said. “I congratulate the team which has shown top discipline and great communication.’’ His added that his own role was secondary. “The team has shown great Filipino spirit. We are really looking forward to the semi-final having come through such a tough group,” he said. He picked out goalscor-

er Philip Younghusband as “man of the match” for his fine all-round performance. “He played brilliantly,” he said. Myanmar assistant coach Tin Myunt Aung said it was a close game. ‘’We tried our best. If we had taken our chances we could have won,” he said. He said his players

were very tired after just finishing the league season in Myanmar. ‘’Physically, the Philippines were stronger,’’ he said. The Philippines made two changes, forced on them by the injury to holding midfielder Ray Jonsson and the absence of Jerry Lucena who has returned to his Danish club side Esberg.