Edge Davao 5 Issue 199

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VOL.5 ISSUE 199 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7-8, 2012

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Sports

Typhoon Pablo

Kaluoy!

322 now dead; City gives P9.5M S

earch and rescue operations yielded more bodies on the third day in the aftermath of Typhoon Pablo while authorities continue the search for missing residents in the hardest

592 injured, 169 still missing

hit areas--Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental.

Liza Mazo, director of the Of-

fice of Civil Defense 11, in her report to the National Risk Reduction and Management Council

said that as of 6:00 am Thursday, the death toll in the provinces of Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental had risen to 322, with 194 in Compostela Valley and

FTYPHOON, 11

Page 13

LOOKING. Residents who are looking for their missing relatives gather to identify bodies of villagers killed by the flash floods caused by typhoon Pablo in New Bataan, Compostela Valley Province on Wednesday.

LEAN DAVAL JR.

396 fishing boat crewmembers missing

By Aquiles Z. Zonio

Follow Us On

A

N estimated 396 crewmembers of six fishing companies based in General Santos City remained miss-

ing as of Thursday afternoon.

Fishing magnate Marfin Tan, former president of Socsksargen Federation of Fishing & Allied In-

dustries, Inc. (SFFAII), told Edge Davao that they came up with such figures during their meeting on Thursday morning.

“Fishing operators met and we came up with such figures as of Thursday afternoon,” Tan said.

F396 11

2 THE BIG NEWS

VOL.5 ISSUE 199 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7-8, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

In Caraga

P96-M bridge to replace what ‘Pablo’ destroyed

By Anthony S. Allada

D

EPARTMENT of Public Works and Highways assistant secretary Dimas Juguilon and DPWH 11 regional director Mariano Alquiza and Davao Oriental 1 District Engineer Joselito Caballero inspected Wednesday the collapsed Teodoro Palma Gil Bridge in San Antonio, Caraga, Davao Oriental to assess the damage caused by Typhoon Pablo.

Dennis Flores, DPWH 11 spokesperson, said that the officials contemplate building a new bridge as replacement for the bridge whose five spans were destroyed.

Flores said commuters will have to bear the inconvenience of waiting

until a new bridge is in place.

“The Bureau of Designs which is under DPWH has first to approve the layout of the replacement bridge, and we are hoping that the budgetary requirement of P96-million will be included in our 2013 infrastructure projects,” he said.

However, even if it will not be included in its 2013 infra projects, other sources of funding, like maintenance or calamity fund, could be used to construct the bridge.

The collapse of the bridge has caused problems in the delivery of relief goods and in the

FCARAGA, 11

DSWD intensifies relief operations

T

HE regional office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development has intensified its relief assistance to those affected by the rampaging typhoon Pablo even as its teams are trying to reach isolated areas.

The office has so far released about P12.8 million worth of food and

non-food goods to affected families in the Davao region.

Meanwhile, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman is set to visit areas still reeling from the impact of the super typhoon.

Soliman is expected to join the entourage of

FDSWD, 11

MEETING. Davao City Watershed Management Council (WMC) members led by acting city administrator Zulieka Lopez, its co-chair, discuss environmental concerns and issues during the WMC monthly meeting at City Hall yesterday. LEAN DAVAL JR.

In Davao del Norte

Zero casualty but P1billion in agriculture, infra damaged T

yPHOON Pablo left Davao del Norte province with zero casualty, but with almost P1-billion worth of damage in agriculture and infrastructure.

“The zero casualty status is an indication of how well-prepared the disaster workers in the province are,” Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) executive officer Sonio J. Sanchez said

New Zealander recounts ComVal ‘Pablo’ experience

A

New Zealander law student on an integration program with banana plantation workers in Compostela Valley experienced Typhoon “Pablo” firsthand, and lived to tell the tale.

Cameron Walker, 25, of the University of Auckland, was hosted by the Nagkahiusang Mamumuo sa OsMiguel (NAMAOS), a labor group affiliated with the Kilusang Mayo Uno with 117 members among banana farm workers in the villages of Osmeña and Miguel in the municipality of Compostela.

Walker attended a commemoration on the International Day of Political Prisoners at Compostela Valley Provincial Rehabilitation Center in Tagum City last Monday afternoon. (ComVal used to be part of Davao del Norte, whose capital is Tagum.)

He was informed that Compostela Valley would be placed under public storm signal no.

2 by Tuesday and would be experiencing “strong winds,” which he thought was manageable like the strong winds in his country.

From Tagum he travelled to Compostela town, some 40 km away, and arrived at Barangay Osmeña in the evening. He was being hosted by the family of NAMAOS member Tommy Atamosa, whose house is situated 10 meters away from a stream.

“When I woke up at 4 a.m. the next day, I saw the stream getting wider and wider and flowing in a direction towards the house. The water was ankle-level,” Walker recalled.

At that time, Typhoon Pablo was about to make landfall in the coastal municipality of Baganga in neighboring Davao Oriental, just 50 km away.

By then, coconut trees were swaying violently so Walker and Atamosa’s family could not get out the house. They all hid under the table together.

“They didn’t know what to do. They’re not used to it. They said the last time a storm hit the area was in 1960s,” Walker said.

Suddenly, the water level rose to knee-high and they all had to leave the house. He was separated from the group and later found a sturdy house about 50 meters from the stream and stayed there with 50 strangers.

Despite the flooding and the danger around them, he said it was funny because the strangers were treating him with hospitality, asking him if he wanted coffee, tea or mango.

Determined to find his way home, Walker waded through the knee-high flood amid the strong current, until he reached a banana packing plant where he slept among hundreds of evacuees from 9 p.m. Tuesday until 6 a.m. Wednesday.

“I heard the crying of children all through

FNEW, 11

yesterday.

However, he said, the province’s agriculture and infrastructure have not been spared with P60,000 worth of irrigation damaged, P205,000 worth of infrastructure destroyed and P996,736,740 worth of crops, particularly banana and rice destroyed.

Hardest hit in terms of crop damage are the 14 barangays in the municipality of Kapalong, Davao

del Norte where majority of the banana plantations are.

The local government has yet to determine the total number of hectares planted to banana and rice crops affected by the typhoon.

Sanchez said a total of P205,000 worth of church structures have been damaged by the typhoon, including two structures worth P45,000 (partially damaged) and P135,000

(totally damaged) in barangays Maniki and Katipunan in the municipality of Kapalong and one structure worth P25,000 (partially damaged) in barangay Sawata, municipality of San Isidro.

A total of 4,357 families equivalent to 13,945 persons are in various evacuation centers of the province, like gymnasiums, churches, barangay halls and public schools.

[PIA 11]

HE Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has recently approved the distribution rates of Davao Light and Power for Regulatory year 2013 covering the period July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013.

Following the order, Davao Light will be implementing the said rates starting December 2012 billing rate cycle. The average increase is 0.0309 P/kWh. However, the increase per customer

schedule is different.

For example, for residential customers the average distribution increase is P0.0508 per kWh. The impact to a residential customer whose monthly usage is 175 kWhrs is an increase in his total distribution charges of P8.89/month. Including the effect of VAT and franchise tax, the increase will be P0.0574 per kWhr or P10.04/month.

The details of the increase by customer sched-

ule will be shown in the message box of the customer’s December bill.

Customers consuming 100kWhrs and below will still enjoy the lifeline subsidy. Of Davao Light’s 301,339 customers, 36% or 109,518 customers avail of the lifeline subsidy discounts. An estimated 12% or 12,601 of these 109,518 customers whose consumption is 0 to 20 kWhrs enjoy 100% discount and pay only the fixed charge of P5.00 a month.

I

Oriental, and Davao Oriental on December 4.

“At least P33.6 million worth of bangus and fish cages have been destroyed, and this is only a conservative and partial estimate,” said Maria Lourdes Campeon of

the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)-11, Wednesday.

The Mariculture Park is the main money-earner of Panabo City generating an income-seed money of P601.65 million as of

ERC approves DLPC’s new distribution rates

T

In Panabo City

P33.6M in bangus, fish cages destroyed

NVESTORS in Panabo City’s Mariculture Park are facing a bleak Christmas after they suffered millions of pesos in losses as a result of typhoon Pablo which ravaged the provinces of Davao del Norte, Davao

FPANABO, 11

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 199 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7-8, 2012

3

4 SUBURBIA

VOL.5 ISSUE 199 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7-8, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

DENR 12, university put up center for biodiversity rescue, research S

OCCKSARGEN Region’s Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR 12) and government-run University of Southern Mindanao (USM) in North Cotabato have agreed to establish a center that would push for the protection of the region’s biodiversity.

DENR 12 regional executive director Datu Tungko Saikol and USM President Jesus Antonio Derije signed a memorandum agreement for the establishment of the facility, which shall be called the Biodiversity Rescue and Research Center inside USM’s main campus in Kabacan town.

The MOA signing was held at the USM Agricultural Research Center (USMARC) auditorium on November 28 and was witnessed by the state university’s faculty, staff and students and DENR officials and employees.

Through the MOA, both parties vowed to work together for the establishment and operation of the biodiversity center.

USM, being a premier state university involved in four-fold function of instruction, research, extension and production, shall provide the physical facil-

ity equipped with laboratory and wildlife holding areas.

DENR, on the other hand, shall provide the center’s office equipment and technical personnel, among others.

Dr. Evangeline Tangonan, dean of USM’s College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), told PIA 12 that the establishment of the biodiversity center is an offshoot of several conservation studies recently conducted by the faculty members of the college’s Department of Biological Sciences.

These studies included R&D activities on crocodile, birds and algae in Mt. Apo, and bats in Kabacan town’s Pisan Caves, to name a few. She said the facility will be manned by the faculty members of the Department of Biological Sciences.

In his message, Director Saikol underscored the importance of the agreement in conserving the biological diversity of Liguasan Marsh.

“The MOA envisions to sustain the gains of the Liguasan Marsh Biodiversity Conservation (LMBC) Project, a five-year initiative implemented by the DENR in 11 municipalities, seven of which are in

VIRTUAL LAKE. What used to be a vast rice field in Carmen, Davao del Norte turned into a virtual lake after super typhoon Pablo wrecked havoc in Davao Region with flashfloods and landslides resulting from strong wind and heavy downpour.

Maguindanao while four are in North Cotabato,” Director Saikol said.

At the same occasion, Saikol turned over some P2 million-worth of equipment to the University President for use in the biodiversity center.

Meanwhile, Dr. Derije, in his acceptance speech, thanked the DENR for the donation while expressing the readiness of the

university in doing wildlife rescue and research in terms of human resource and facilities.

Derije who is a veterinarian by profession, boasted that the university has a pool of experts in animal science, veterinary medicine, and biology backed up with research and animal care facilities.

This 60-year old university also boast of an

animal hospital and diagnostic facility.

The Liguasan Marsh is one of the priority sites under the National Program Support – Environment and Natural Resources Project (NPS-ENRMP) which is funded by an almost US1 million grant from the World Bank – Global Environment Facility .

It is among the larg-

est wetlands in the country with an area of about 220,000 hectares. Composed of three marshes, namely: Liguasan proper, Libungan, and Ebpanan marshes, it comprises about 10 percent of the Mindanao River Basin.

In 1979, about 30,000 ha of Liguasan Marsh was declared a game refuge and bird sanctuary. [PIA/ DENR 12]

HE Police Regional Office (PRO) 12 recently honored three courageous policemen who fought lawless elements in the city and put their lives at risk in the name of service.

PRO 12 Public Information Officer (PIO), PSInsp. Benjamin Mauricio, Jr. said that awards, recommendations, and honors for gallantry were given to PO1 Mark Anthony Santillan, PO2 Peter Quinzon, and a SWAT member of the General Santos City Police Office (GSCPO) whose identity is withheld for security reason.

Mauricio said PRO 12 Director PCSupt Alex Paul Monteagudo personally conferred the “Medalya ng Kasanayan” and “Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting” to the these brave policemen who brought not only pride and honor to the police forces in the region, but also uplifted their morale in the midst of grief over the loss of two police officers last week.

These police officers, he said, were killed separately on the same day by “riding in tandem” crimi-

nals who were using motorcycles with “no plate.”

Mauricio narrated that the said SWAT member killed one of the suspects on the act of committing the crime, and wounding another who is now at the custody of the PNP for tactical interrogation.

In a press conference Thursday, Police Community Relations Officer, PCInsp. Reynaldo Denila Jr. revealed that the GSCPO has intensified its crackdown against “no plate, no travel” violators to avert carnapping incidences and address the proliferation of motorcycles riding in tandem criminals.

Denila advised owners to register their single motorcycles to avoid being used for criminal activities.

“We should not only own motorcycles for comfort, but we should also be responsible owners,” he emphasized.

Denila also disclosed that the local PNP is strengthening its forces by tapping the help of the community, the local intelligence units, and other force multipliers to deter criminal acts. [PGFruylan/ PIA-Gensan]

LGU Tagum, private sector 3 cops honored T extend help to ‘Pablo’ victims T HOUSANDS of residents from the disaster-stricken town of New Bataan, Montevista and Compostela in the Province of Compostela Valley flee to Tagum City on the night of December 5, 2012 in fear of yet another avalanche of mud and flashfloods coming from the mountains that prompted the local government of Tagum City to readily extend a helping hand.

Tagum City Mayor Rey T. Uy facilitated the evacuees who camped inside the gymnasium in the city’s Rotary Park (Basketball Court and also at Beach Vollleydrome) that were later given medical assistance courtesy of the City Health Office and the Rotary Club of Tagum, Rotary Club of Tagum Golden Laces and the LyR Group of Companies.

The local government also provided City Bus and Metro Shuttle buses that fetched the residents from New Bataan who requested for transportation.

Another sizeable group

was also seen gathering in Curvada in Barangay Magdum hours before midnight yesterday which prompted Mayor to decide to settle them in the Rotary Park.

In interviews, residents said they flee away from their hometown since rumors have circulated that

another flashflood and surge of mud will strike once more, a thing Mayor Uy labeled as mere hearsay in his talk with residents.

Some of them said they don’t have no more homes to return to since their houses were destroyed by the storm that hit their

UPDATING. DILG Secretary Mar Roxas updates local media Wednesday morning on the status and relief operations undertaken by both local and national agencies relative to the devastation wrought by Typhoon Pablo. Also present at the Davao Oriental Capitol gymnasium for the briefing was DSWD OIC Di-

town last Tuesday.

He then facilitated the return of the residents to its Municipality in New Bataan Montevista and Compostela through the trucks commissioned by the local government and Metro Shuttle buses. [Louie Lapat/CIO Tagum]

rector Priscilla N. Razon along with other officials and volunteer groups. To date, DSWD has released over P12 million-worth of food and non-food goods to affected families in Davao Region.

(DSWD/Carmela Cadigal-Duron)

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 199 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7-8, 2012 SCIENCE/ENVIRONMENT

5

Prehistoric rhino reveals secret

Did deep snow eventually do for the woolly rhino?

T

HE preserved body of a woolly rhinoceros has revealed new insights into how this now extinct giant animal once lived.

The woolly rhino was once one of the most abundant large mammals living in Eurasia, but only a handful of preserved carcasses have been found.

Now an analysis of a female woolly rhino found preserved in Siberia reveals that the animal was a herbivore that grazed mainly on cereals, and was similar in size to today’s Javan rhino.

However, it was slow to reproduce, had a short stubby tail and ears, and was likely driven to ex-

tinction in part due to its inability to wade through deeper blankets of snow, which became more common as the climate changed, say scientists.

Details of the discovery are published in the journal Biology Bulletin.

Woolly rhino (Coelodonta antiquitatis) remains have been found spanning Eurasia, from the UK in the west to Chukotka and Kamchatka in the Russian far east.

But few whole skeletons have been discovered and only four whole carcasses, including the animal’s soft tissues as well as the bones, have survived.

These remains allowed scientists to determine

that the woolly rhino had a long body and short legs, a flattened front horn and thick skin covered by a coat of thick fur.

Those insights have now been added to, following a study by Gennady Boeskorov from the Russian Academy of Sciences in yakutsk.

He analysed a woolly rhino carcass first discovered in 2007, in the lower reaches of the Kolyma River. The animal was found buried at a depth of five to nine metres from the surface of the opening of a gold mine.

The female rhino lived 39,000 years ago.

Her head, with two horns, remains together

with much of her trunk and all four legs. Most internal organs have been lost, but her stomach and its contents are intact.

Dr Boeskorov studied the woolly rhino’s features, comparing it to those of modern rhinos.

His study confirms that the woolly rhino had thick brown skin and fur, and was a heavy lumbering animal, weighing around 1.5 tons, with dimensions similar to that of a modern Javan rhino.

Its feet would have placed a pressure on the ground of 1.8kg per square centimetre, more than three times that of a modern moose.

The female rhino had an udder with two nipples,

making it likely that woolly rhinos gave birth to one, or occasionally two calves.

It also had a short, fur-covered tail compared to modern rhinos and short, lancet-shaped ears - much narrower than those of its living relatives. The ears match the shape of those drawn in artwork by Palaeolithic humans on cave walls.

These shortened extremities are likely to have been adaptations to a cold climate.

But the snow in which the woolly rhino lived ultimately proved its undoing.

The rhino’s thick skin and long fur made it initially well adapted to the cold, dry climate of the

late Pleistocene.

However, its considerable body weight, short legs and the huge pressures imposed by its feet would have made tackling deep snow difficult.

Modern ungulates such as the saiga and musk ox find it difficult to move in snow layers thicker than 30cm.

If the snow reaches their bellies, these animals become almost helpless.

As the late Pleistocene gave way to the early Holocene, climate warming and moistening created deeper layers of snow in winter, and a similar fate is likely to have befallen the woolly rhino, said Dr Boeskorov. [BBC Nature]

Cave art depicting a woolly rhino in the Chauvet cave, France.

Ice Age warmth wiped out lemmings, study finds

L

EMMINGS became “regionally extinct” five times due to rapid climate change during the last Ice Age, scientists have found.

Each extinction was followed by a re-colonisation of genetically different lemmings, according to the study.

It investigated how Europe’s small mammals fared during the era when large numbers of megafauna became extinct.

Previously, experts believed that small mammals were largely unaffected during the Late Pleistocene.

But when the international research team analysed ancient DNA sequenc-

es from fossilised remains of collared lemmings (Dicrostonyx torquarus) from cave sites in Belgium, they were surprised by the results.

“What we’d expected is that there’d be pretty much just a single population that was there all the way through,” said research team member Dr Ian Barnes from the school of biological sciences at Royal Holloway University in Surrey.

Instead the tests revealed that genetically distinct populations of lemmings were “present at different points in time” during the Late Pleistocene, 11,700 to around

126,000 years ago, meaning that the lemming population had been wiped out multiple times and then re-colonised some time after, possibly from populations in eastern Europe or Russia.

The study, published in the journal Proceedings of the Natural Academy of Sciences, found that these “regional extinctions” occurred during periods of rapid warming within the last Ice Age. Scientists suggest such climate fluctuations may have left lemmings unable to adapt to the changes in the vegetation they relied on as a food source. [BBC Nature]

6 THE ECONOMY 5.8% 1st Qtr 2012

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

6.4 % 1st Qtr 2012

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

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

8. Interest Rates 4/

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

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

P 42.78 Jun 2012

12. Stocks Composite Index 6/

5,091.2 May 2012

13. Consumer Price Index 2006=100

130.1 Jun 2012

14. Headline Inflation Rate 2006=100

2.8 Jun 2012

15. Core Inflation Rate 2006=100

3.7 Jun 2012

16. Visitor Arrivals

349,779 Apr 2012

17. Underemployment Rate 7/

18.8 % Jan 2012

18. Unemployment Rate 7/

7.2 % Jan 2012

By Sherwin B. Manual

T

HE Department of Agriculture is utilizing the value-chain marketing approach to provide more opportunities for smallholder farmers.

DA undersecretary Joel S. Rudinas said the concept of value-chain approach would help push for the promotion of farmers’ produce into the higher level of the market.

“The value-chain approach will be a vehicle of the Philippine Rural Development Program (PRPD),” Rudinas said.

DA is now preparing PRDP, a six-year national government platform for an inclusive growth, value-chain oriented, and climate-resilient agriculture and fisheries sector expected to pool total funds of $671.59 million or close to P28

billion from a World Bank (WB) loan portfolio and equity share of national and local government units (LGUs).

“There are production surplus but they are seasonal and some volumes of this surplus just get rotten or perished and accounts for harvest losses,” Rudinas said.

“With PRDP as the platform, we want to create a chain of economic opportunities to bring farmers’ produce in the higher level of the value-chain to generate more income, and more opportunities and reduce our harvest losses,” Rudinas added.

Value chain refers to the full range of activities that are required to bring a produce or services through the different phases of production, including

physical transformation and the inputs of various producer services and response to the consumer demand stated in a separate presentation of World Bank Marketing Specialist Flordeliza Lantican.

Rudinas noted that most of the value-adding activities are done in the urban areas far from the production areas of the farmers.

“We want to link this gap by building the social and physical infrastructure for the continuous flow of product to the value-chain,” Rudinas said.

PRDP aims to increase farmers’ income in agri-fishery sector in the program area and develop a more market-oriented and climate resilient agriculture and fishery sector.

Rudinas added that for sus-

tainable agri-fishery to generate income for smallholders for further investments, all stakeholders share in the investment and utilize climate-smart approaches to farming activities.

Rudinas further said PRDP did not start from scratch; its springboard is the successful implementation of the Mindanao Rural Development Program.

PRDP is expected to roll out its first set of projects next year.

The program’s components include I-Plan (Investments in agriculture and fisheries modernization plan); I-BUILD (intensified building up of infrastructure and logistics for development); I-REAP (investments in rural enterprises and agriculture and fisheries productivity); I-SUPPORT (implementation program support).

is ready to exploit its hydrocarbon resources.

“Once we are ready to open for (oil and gas) exploration, then Petronas can be one of the companies that we are looking to,” he told Bernama in an exclusive interview here.

There was no immediate reaction from the Philippine government. He said Petronas had established its presence in the Mindanao region a few years ago, carrying out early stage explora-

tion works.

Petronas had partnered with the Philippines National Oil Company to search for oil and gas deposits in several potential blocks in the country, without achieving much success.

Murad, the head of southern Philippines’ largest armed rebel groups, was in Johor Baharu to attend the 8th World Islamic Economic Forum at the Persada Johor International Convention Center.

The MILF and the Philippine

government recently entered a historic Framework of Agreement on the Bangsamoro, ending years of conflict between the two parties. The framework agreement, brokered by Malaysia, was signed at the Malacanang Palace in Manila and witnessed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Philippine President Benigno Aquino III. Murad said oil and gas was one of the natural resources it wanted to exploit for economic purposes, as a means to uplift the economic status of the Bangsamoro people. He cited an area in central Mindanao called the “Liguasan Marsh”, claimed to contain huge hydrocarbon reserves.

The MILF chief said before any oil and gas exploration could begin, the group and the Manila government would have to iron out details concerning the issue of natural resources ownership.

“On the government side, it seems that they are agreeable for the ownership of the natural resources to be given to the Bangsamoro, but then they wanted to exclude oil and natural gas. So it is still subject to further negotiations,” he said.

Nevertheless, Murad expects the Bangsamoro people to have significant control over the natural resources in the area. Besides oil and gas deposits, the Mindanao region is also blessed with huge untapped amount of highly-valued minerals such as gold, copper, iron, chromite ore and nickel. [PNA/Bernama]

MILF welcomes Petronas investment in Mindanao

T

HE Malaysian national oil firm, Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) is welcome to return to explore oil and gas deposits in Mindanao, once the issue of natural resources ownership, under negotiations between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Philippine government, is completed.

MILF chairman Al-Haj Murad Ebrahim said Petronas is one of the oil and gas companies the MILF is looking at, once Mindanao

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

RELIEF GOODS. Student volunteers pack rice for the relief goods which will be distributed to the victims of typhoon Pablo in Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley Province at the Department of Social Welfare and Devel-

opment (DSWD) XI office in Suazo Street corner R. Magsaysay Ave., Davao City yesterday. LEAN DAVAL JR.

as of august 2010

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

EDGEDAVAO

DA introduces value-chain approach to uplift farmers

Stat Watch

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

VOL.5 ISSUE 199 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7-8, 2012

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

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

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

6:15 6:25 6:30 7:00 8:50 8:10 8:30 9:40 10:10 12:20 12:30 09:05 13:25 14:05

Silk Air Mon/Sat Silk Air Wed/Sun Silk Air Thurs 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

MI588 / MI588 MI566 / MI566 MI551 / MI551 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 18:55 15:45 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 Davao-Singapore 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

13:35 15:20 12:05 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 199 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7-8, 2012

COMPETITIVE EDGE 7

Philconstruct and HVAC/R exhibit:

In the land of opportunities and possibilities T

HE biggest industrial and business trade exhibition ever in the region, Philconstruct and HVAC/R Mindanao, successfully debuted at the new SMX Convention Center, SM Lanang Premier last November 29 to December 2.

Now on its third year in Davao, the exhibit was simultaneously held with the Manufacturing Technology Davao (MTD) and its own complementary show, Pack Print Plus.

Organized by the Phil-

their upbeat sentiments. “I think there are few places in the country that you can label with these two words—opportunities and possibilities—and Davao as a city has these two aspects that are very clearly engraved in the minds of business people who are here,” enthused Tan. Giving his assessment on the business outlook, Tan said, “As a country, we are getting fantastic ratings; we are the only country in the world that the IMF has upgraded this

Segway Philippines Pres and CEO Wilson Lei

ippine Constructors Association, Inc. (PCA) and the Davao Constructors Association Center Inc. (DCACI) together with their event organizer, Global Link MP Events International, Inc., the exhibit showcased the best in the industry, including 80 new exhibitors and attracted record participants to its seminars.

“We hope to prove that you need not travel far to find technologies, products, and services that meet international standards. Here in Davao City, we already have the best,” shared Lito Madrasto, executive director of the PCA. “This show has helped the region prove its worth as the business destination of choice for the construction industry. This year, together with the PCA, we have put in our best efforts to give exhibitors and buyers an even more impressive show,” said Manuel Gonzalez, Immediate Past President of the DCACI. Patrick Lawrence Tan, CEO of Global Link, echoed

year. The investor’s confidence is back; businessmen’s confidence is back and that’s very important.

“The projection, especially for Davao, should be easily a forecast of five years of consistent safe growth.

“There are more exhibitors right now and the show has grown 50%. The buyers are back, and more importantly, they are not just from Davao but from all over. There is excitement in the air,” Tan disclosed.

“The biggest need we see for construction is infrastructure like roads and energy development,” Tan observes. “There are some areas here wherein if you develop the roads, growth will take place. Once you take care of the basics, confidence cones back and you will have bigger requirements. For manufacturers, it would be factories. you have a lot of land, so you have a lot of investment opportunities,” he added.

Two first-time exhibitors at the Philconstruct

exhibit were Segway Philippines and Lianco Sun Energy--two new companies that have brought in green technology to the country.

Wilson Lei, President and CEO of Segway Philippines, related that his company wanted to give the public an alternative mode of transportation to lessen carbon emissions of gas-powered vehicles. “We wanted to start bringing in green transportation using electric vehicles,” said Lei, whose company belongs to the Electric Vehicles Association of the Philippines (EVAP).

Just a year after transporting them into the country, Segway Philippines already has units patrolling around Makati, the Ayala malls and Mind Museum.

Here in Davao, Paradise Resort, Pearl Farm Resort, and D’Leonor Resort are the first to use them.

“It helps in the efficiency of responding to the security personnel and the guards aren’t tired in going around. They can also be used by big factories, malls, villages, and concerts,” explained Lei. Using a lithium-ion battery, the self-balancing light electric vehicle can last for three years with eight hours continuous usage and uses only one kilowatt of power for every 38 kilometers.

Lianco Sun Energy is not only a first-time exhibitor at Philconstruct, it is also the first ever this startup company has joined, which is test marketing their solar equipment in the hopes of putting up a factory in Manila and a storage warehouse here in

Lianco Sun Energy Owner and Manager Ricky Jay Cheong

Davao.

Owner and Manager, Ricky Jay Cheong, believes that solar energy can help address the electricity shortage in Mindanao. Because costs in solar energy production have gone down, it has become more affordable.

“We can accommodate all budgets because we’re also pushing for DIy or do it yourself, even for those with just a little knowledge of electricals. I’m not an electrical engineer but I

Cheonsia Ind. Co.Ltd. VP Young K. Paik (left, holding the wireless control)

was able to do it myself,” he says.

“People are into renewable energy now, so we want to give them a full line-up of equipment, from panels to converters to installation kits so that it would be easier to do it themselves. We also teach people how to do it themselves so it’s cheaper for home installations.

“But we can also equip a solar power plant,” Cheong said. “Our US panels work in a way that even

without full sunshine it still collects electricity efficiently,” he explained. He has already received inquiries for distributorship and plans to come back next year to properly introduce his product.

Another new entrant to the Philconstruct exhibit is the Cheonsai Ind. Co. Ltd., which has chosen Davao City to introduce its wireless control for metering water pumps to the Philippines, the first wireless control in the industry.

8 VANTAGE POINTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 199 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7-8, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

The deadliest image COMMENTARY

By Jack Shafer

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EDITORIAL

Urgent help needed

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ANy of the multitude of television viewers who saw footages capturing the untold misery being experienced by victims of super storm Pablo in the provinces of Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental could not help but shed tears in pity. These hapless men, women and children will have a very bleak Christmas, even a bleaker new year considering the longtime effects of the widespread devastation that destroyed their homes and wiped out their farms and other sources of livelihood.

Now, their future is not even that important. What is immediately needed now are things urgent for their survival, basic needs that the government with its limited resources could not even provide satisfactorily.

These are food, water, medicine

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and shelter.

The victims need our urgent help now, not tomorrow. We are their nearest neighbors and as such, we are expected to be the first ones to come to their succor.

Mercifully, the city government of Davao is showing a good example. yesterday, the Davao City Council, upon the request of Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, allocated P9,543,450 as food assistance for Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley. The urgently needed assistance in grocery packs of P300 per person will be delivered without delay to the typhoon victims starting today.

However, the city of Davao can only do so much. We, the residents who have been spared by typhoon Pablo must do our share. Not tomorrow but now.

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F the photograph that R. Umar Abbasi shot and the New york Post ran on its cover Tuesday of a subway car bearing down on Ki-Suck Han doesn’t make you shudder, you’re probably a little dead inside. And if, after looking at the cover once or twice, you didn’t return for another quick glance, or replay the image in your mind’s eye, you might be a cyborg.

The subway photograph conveys a kind of terror that’s different from the terror produced by red-meat shots from the battlefield, photos of monks self-immolating, or even surveillance video of car bombs detonating and blasting people over like bowling pins. The subway photo doesn’t document human destruction, it documents the anticipation of destruction, and that rattles a separate part our psyche, explains media scholar Barbie Zelizer in her 2010 book, About to Die: How News Images Move the Public.

“About-to-die images tweak the landscape on which images and public response work,” Zelizer told me two years ago in an interview. “[I]mages of impending death play to the emotions, the imagination, and the contingent and qualified aspects of what they depict.”

The cinema has been exploiting the power of about-to-die images for more than a century, routinely placing characters in death’s path and extending the anticipatory moment to yank our strings like puppet masters. Inside the cinematic moment, we become the person in peril, especially when the character in peril is an innocent victim, or young, or a “woman in peril.”

When such moments as the Ki-Suck Han moment are photographed in the real world and published in a prominent place like the cover of the New york Post, the first instruction our instincts give us is that his impending death could have been ours. Even if we live hundreds of miles from the nearest subway, we think, I could have been the one shoved into the path of the Q train! The nightmare of being alive but seeing your death approach was precisely the effect theNew york Post‘s editors sought when they unknowingly channeled Zelizer’s thesis into their cover headline: “DOOMED: Pushed on the subway track, this man is about to die.”

As horrific as photos of corpses, splatter shots, and images of body parts may be, they don’t have the psychological effect on us that an about-to-die photograph has. Explicit images of death tend to repel viewers, Zelizer says, and that distance tends to tamp down the terror.

But images ofimpending death tend to attract curiosity and study. “They often draw viewers in, fostering engagement, creating empathy and subjective involvement, inviting debate,” Zelizer told me.

The debate over the New york Post‘s publication of the subway photograph has turned visceral, with experienced journalists writing straight from the gut.

In the New Republic, Tom McGeveran of Capital New york calls the photograph unpleasant and nasty, and its publication “tasteless,” explaining with distaste that tastelessness and the trafficking in “cruelty” of such human circumstance defines the New york Post formula. In the New york Times, David Carr describes the photo’s appearance on the Post‘s cover “sickening to behold,” asserting that “We are all implicated by this photo, not just the man who took it.”

About-to-die images inspire many of us to replay the tragedy in a way that would have avoided the disaster. It’s hard to look at the subway picture and not mentally exhort Han to vault back onto the platform even though you know he is cold dead. The Washington Post‘s Jonathan Capehart was seduced by this urge, obliquely wishing that Abbasi had discarded his camera and rescued Han.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.5 ISSUE 199 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7-8, 2012

Lessons from Pablo

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ROPICAL typhoon Pablo (international codename: Bopha) brought home the message that Mindanao (or at least most of its provinces) is beginning to lose its advantage as a typhoon-free island. Climate change has changed all that; the curse once confined to the rest of the country is now a creeping reality for the South.

In the past, storms and typhoons would only ravage the northeastern and northern part of Mindanao. Surigao, which directly faces the Pacific, took the hardest blows as the area where these weather disturbances would usually make a landfall. From there, storms would swerve towards the Visayas and Luzon regions, leaving the rest of Mindanao free to party outside their homes.

At most, there would be rains and occasional gusts.

In short, the path of these natural events used to be predictable that Mindanaoans could afford to ignore alerts issued by weather forecasters and authorities.

But Pablo came, and from here on the people of Mindanao – in addition to the victims of storm Sendong last year – will have reason to fear storm warn-

T

ing signals.

For one, Pablo made landfall not just in Surigao. Its “arrival area” stretched down to Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental, the provinces with the most number of casualties in Mindanao. Presumably, the residents there were yet to appreciate the dangers of being along the direct path of a typhoon that they – or local officials – must have taken minor preparations.

Indeed, Pablo’s unusual path proved to be something new for Mindanao.

As far as I can remember since moving here in 1989, it was the first time that Pagasa, the state weather agency, hoisted storm signal number 3 over Bukidnon. Perhaps it was the first time too that the local government ordered classes suspended in all levels and all offices closed.

The heightened alert only bothered me a bit. Clouds had gathered the day before the typhoon came, but they drifted away by late afternoon, giving a false sense of security. It was only at dawn on Tuesday that an intermittent rain started to fall. Signal number 3, what’s that again? I reassured myself.

Pablo, however, had the last laugh.

By 8 a.m., the rain had become sustained and heavier. Swirling gusts of wind pummeled the surroundings I thought the roof of our house would yield to it. Jean informed me that the road outside of their hotel in Cagayan de Oro City was already flooded while our daughters texted to say they were fine, although the one in Iligan said she had to make do with burgers as no other food stores were open.

But the real story – aside from the human lives that were lost – is the changing nature of storms and typhoons in the Philippines. What used to be unusual may become normal in the years ahead. A typhoon-free island?

Think again. [MindaViews is the opinion section of MindaNews. H. Marcos C. Mordeno can be reached at hmcmordeno@gmail.com.]

ANAlYSIS

tion and organization.

Though email is powerful and free, it is most useful for reaching those who want to be reached. To bring targeted messaging to a broader audience, including those swing voters who will likely decide the 2014 congressional elections, political leaders and other organizations could turn to the advertisements that people see as they browse the Web. There is a common misconception that these online ads are like billboards, which look the same to everyone driving by. In reality, however, many online ads are selected specifically for the person viewing them, not far from the advertising posters in the sci-fi movie, “Minority Report,” which speak directly to the characters walking by.

Consider, when you access a website, it knows from your IP (Internet protocol) address roughly where you are located, and can show you an ad praising or condemning the member of Congress representing your congressional district. When choosing which ad you should see, this site can also use a variety of techniques to know which websites you frequent, which Google searches you have tried this month, or the value of homes in your neighborhood — all to get a better idea of where you stand on the big issue of the day.

If targeted messaging becomes an important force in policy debates, the impact will depend on which groups are being targeted. As both sides seek to reach beyond their base to swing voters in contested congressional districts, this may even give our leaders a newfound incentive to work together toward shared solutions.

While many activists like to hear the kind of tough rhetoric that leaves little room for compromise, a politician usually gets more support from swing voters with pragmatic proposals that actually can get things done.

Policy debates in the Internet Age

ECHNOLOGy is changing how power struggles are waged between the White House and Congress. For the last few years, negotiations between Democratic and Republican leaders have too often led to stalemate. The battle over how to avert the “fiscal cliff” is the latest example.

Since President Barack Obama’s reelection, he has begun to shift strategies — taking his case directly to the American people as a way to pressure Congress.

After all, members of Congress ignore their president without penalty, but ignoring the opinions of their constituents can cost them their jobs.

Presidents Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton both effectively used television to address the nation when facing off against a House of Representatives controlled by the opposing party. While TV will remain important, going directly to the American people continue to morph in the era of the Internet. Political messages can be customized and narrowly targeted.

Much of the political broadcasting of the past may ultimately be replaced by political narrowcasting. We saw this already during the 2012 presidential campaign — candidates began with broad appeals to the nation and ended up focusing on a relatively few undecided and therefore persuadable groups living in key swing states like Ohio and Virginia.

We may even see specific groups of American citizens playing the role of jury, as they are bombarded with carefully tailored appeals from both sides, while the rest of us remain apart from all the sound and fury.

On the Internet, messages can be customized based on the recipient’s congressional district. This could allow Obama, who never has to run for reelection again, to directly challenge every opposing member of Congress by name during the 2014 elections — especially those who won

By Jon Peha narrowly in 2012.

Political messages can be fitted to the interests and political leanings of each recipient. For example, as the president makes the case for his energy policy, he could emphasize to some the jobs this policy could create, to others the environmental benefits – depending on their interests.

Obama’s targeted messaging probably begins with the treasure-trove of information collected for his re-election campaign. In addition to email addresses, the re-election campaign staff also knows where supporters live, and even which issues interest them most. In supplying information to voters, the re-election team regularly asked about their interests, in addition to basics like their home zip code and perhaps a Facebook account. The team could also have maintained a record of which position papers a voter views, and the campaign events she signs up for.

When a customized email now asks one of these supporters to contact his representative in Congress about tax reform, for example, the request can include the telephone number to call and specifics on what that representative has said and done about tax policy — perhaps affecting that representative’s standing in the polls in the process.

The request could also urge supporters to use social media such as Facebook and Twitter to influence friends and neighbors.

The Republican Party and many other organizations can, of course, use these same techniques. But the Obama re-election campaign reportedly used sophisticated methods of analysis, and it looks like the GOP probably now lags behind the president’s re-election team in informa-

VANTAGE POINTS

9

Filipinos get the chill, but are ready for Christmas dawn Masses ( 1st of two parts )

SPECIAl FEATURE By honor Blanco caBie

A

S the December winds get frosty, with the Siberian winds blowing south to this predominantly Christian country, many Filipino Catholics start preparing for dawn Masses which usher in what many celebrate as the birth anniversary of Jesus.

From up north in San Pablo, Isabela to Moncada in Tarlac to Looc, Romblon and the cities of Silay and Sagay in Negros Occidental in the Visayas to Bislig City in Mindanao, the faithful are separately looking at their budget schedules for the Christmas eve dining table.

In many other Catholic-dominated towns of this archipelago, which received the Cross in 1521, lanterns of different designs and colors make the celebration even brighter at night, not far from giant Christmas trees decked with bulbs and other blinking equipment.

The so-called “noche buena” – as the Christmas eve dinner has become known for scores – has become part of the custom among Filipino Catholics, many persuaded that Mary’s son Jesus was born on Dec 25, a celebration that some theologians say is not historically correct.

To many this is the highlight of the nine Masses – which begin at 4 a.m. Dec 16 in many Catholic parishes nationwide. The dawn mass is called “miatinis” in some towns of northern Philippines, “simbang gabi” (literally Mass at night) in Metro Manila and even in some Visayan towns like Minglanilla in Cebu, San Joaquin in Iloilo and Bato in Leyte.

The “simbang gabi” has become an integral part of a Filipino Christmas tradition which has been highlighted by cheers, gift-giving and parties in the run up to the date itself.

The nine dawn Masses are also seen as a novena to the Blessed Virgin Mary by the Catholic faithful, a reference to the Roman Catholic practice of performing nine days of private or public devotion to obtain special graces.

Some theologians say in traditional Catholic belief, completing the novena is also supposed to mean that God might grant the devotee’s special wish or favor.

This tradition was introduced by the Spanish friars to allow the Filipino farmers to hear mass before going to the fields early in the morning.

In 16th century Philippines, the church bells started ringing as early as 3 a.m. waking people up so they can get ready for the 4 a.m. dawn Mass, when Roman Catholic churches across the nation start to open their doors shortly before the break of dawn to welcome the faithful to the “simbang gabi” Mass.

Today, the tradition has continued – in the urban centers, like Metro Manila, and the far-flung towns of this country of 98 million people, nearly 90 per cent of whom are Christians – in different ways and lights, literally.

Churches are decorated with variegated lights and lanterns of different colors. ”Simbang gabi” is also a tradition among Catholic Filipino communities overseas – in Toronto, Canada, Alberta in Canada’s Calgary, Texas, California and Guam as well as European towns where Filipinos have stamped a living, indicating what observers call the depth of their Catholic faith despite their hectic work schedules.

10 NATION/WORlD NATION BRIEFS

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Easier

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French

atent, trademark and other intellectual property registrations will be easier in the Philippines, the government vowed, as it launched a new information technology system to improve application processes. “[A] fully automated system will now be used to process utility model, industrial design, patent, and trademark applications from end-to-end,” the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) said in a statement.

ore Pinoy students will get a chance to learn French in public schools and become more “globally competitive,” the Department of Education (DepEd) said, as it announced a renewed partnership with the French Embassy.

A new memorandum of agreement has been signed to continue French as a second foreign language and as an elective offered to some high schools including one in Mindanao, the DepEd said in a statement.

A

Fraud ring

t least 17 members of a telecom fraud ring preying on Chinese and Taiwanese were arrested in a raid in a subdivision in Caloocan City before dawn Thursday. National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents arrested the 13 Chinese and four Taiwanese following months of surveillance, according to a report on Balitanghali.

The suspects would allegedly call up victims and claimed the victims were facing charges and had to pay a certain amount of money, the report said. Initial investigation showed the suspects had been in the country for three months.

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New chief

resident Benigno Aquino III has appointed Ateneo law professor Eugenio ‘Toto’ Villareal as the new chairman of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board.

Villareal assumed the post late Wednesday afternoon after receiving his appointment papers dated November 28. He takes over the post vacated by Grace Poe-Llamanzares, who will be seeking a Senate seat in the 2013 polls. Movie director Emmanuel Borlaza was earlier tapped to temporarily head the board.

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Forged

he Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and IBM forged Thursday a pact to configure some Philippine courses and develop Filipino college graduates who will form the world’s first data analytics army.

CHED chairperson Dr. Patricia Licuanan and IBM Philippines president Mariels Almeda Winhoffer signed the agreement on developing an analytics education master plan.

VOL.5 ISSUE 199 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7-8, 2012

Egypt deploys tanks at presidential palace

EDGEDAVAO

Egyptians walk past army tanks deployed near the presidential palace in Cairo on December 6 after five demonstrators died overnight in clashes between supporters and opponents of Islamist President Mohamed Morsi. Morsi was expected to issue a statement on Thursday to address the worst violence since his June election. [AFP]

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GyPT’S army deployed tanks outside the presidential palace on Thursday after five demonstrators died overnight in clashes between supporters and opponents of Islamist President Mohamed Morsi.

Morsi was expected to issue a statement on Thursday to address the worst violence since his June election, which has pitted Islamists against an opposition that has escalated protests since he assumed extensive powers on November 22.

Running street battles that carried on through

the night outside the Itihadiya palace in northern Cairo also left 350 people wounded, many from buckshot, the official MENA news agency reported.

The opposition has said it would organise further marches to the palace as a top presidential aide accused them of coordinating with loyalists of deposed dictator Hosni Mubarak.

Morsi is expected to “reveal that facts and call for a dialogue,” the head of his office Refaa Al-Tahtawy told the official Al-Akbar newspaper.

The stage was set for

Wednesday’s violence when Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood movement announced a march to the palace, where opposition protesters were staging a sit-in a day after tens of thousands surrounded the sprawling complex.

The protesters threw fire bombs and rocks at each other on Wednesday as their simmering standoff over the president’s expanded powers and a draft constitution turned violent.

Bloodied protesters were seen carried away as gunshots rang out and the rivals torched cars and set off fire crackers near the

palace, where opponents of Morsi had set up tents before his supporters drove them away.

Riot police were eventually sent in to break up the violence, but clashes still took place in side streets near the palace in the upscale neighbourhood of Heliopolis.

The opposition says it will not stand down until Morsi discards his new powers, which allow him to take decisions uncontested by courts, and cancel a snap December 15 referendum on a new constitution opposed by liberals and Christians. [AFP]

restore our seas,” it added.

The Esperanza (Spanish for “hope”) was launched in 2002, and is the biggest and latest addition to the Greenpeace fleet. It is 72 meters long and can sail at a speed of up to 16 knots.

This is the ship’s second visit to the Philippines, after Greenpeace’s global “Defending Our Oceans Tour”, which had the Esperanza docking in several bays in the country from August to September 2006.

Its recent arrival coincides with the launch of the Greenpeace Oceans Campaign in the Philippines on Dec. 8.

The ship will also be part of the Manila-hosted meeting of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (also dubbed the Tuna Commission) from Dec. 2 to 6.

Greenpeace meanwhile announced that it will submit to the Tuna Commission a record of violations of fishing rules commit-

ted by the Philippines and Southeast Asian countries.

“While at sea, we saw firsthand that pirate fishing and destructive fishing methods abound in the Pacific,” said Chow yuen Ping, Greenpeace campaigner onboard the Esperanza.

Among the violations recorded were illegal transhipment, vessels operating in the high seas without permits and operating in the high seas without mandatory observers onboard. [yahoo!]

Biggest ‘activist’ ship docks at Manila Bay

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NTERNATIONAL environment campaigner Greenpeace has again brought its newest and biggest ship to Manila to rally Filipinos in protecting local seas which the group said is among the world’s most threatened.

“Greenpeace is sounding the alarm on the crisis currently facing Philippine seas, and is working to promote the conservation, protection and sustained management of the country’s marine resources,” the activist group said in a statement.

This, as it noted that its ship “Esperanza” docked in Manila Bay Dec. 1 and is set to engage in a series of activities in line with marine conservation before it departs Dec. 16.

“The Esperanza will go on a tour within Philippine waters, working with local partners to expose the threats confronting the health of our oceans such as overfishing and destructive fishing, pollution and climate change,” Greepeace said.

“She will also present solutions on how we can all move forward and help

WORLD TODAY

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UPPORTERS and opponents of Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi hurled rocks at each other on Thursday outside the presidential palace, over the heads of soldiers deployed there to protect the building, a Reuters witness said.

Soldiers urged both sides to stop and helped calm the flare-up. Violence outside the palace that erupted on Wednesday had mostly abated by the early hours of Thursday.

At least five people were killed and 350 wounded in the violence, the health ministry said.

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Missing

utch rescue workers on Thursday resumed their search for seven crew missing after their cargo ship sank in the North Sea, but said there was little hope of finding survivors.

“There are still seven missing, we’re now searching with planes and helicopters,” coastguard spokesman Peter Westenberg told AFP after the search resumed early Thursday.

Nanny

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orway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit secretly traveled to India in order to care for infant twins born to the surrogate mother of a gay palace employee unable to get a travel visa, the palace said.

Armed with a diplomatic passport that granted her immediate access, the future queen jumped on a plane in late October when the employee, who is also a friend, and his husband were unable to travel to care for their newborns.

Pretext

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estern powers are whipping up fears of a fateful move to the use of chemical weapons in Syria’s civil war as a “pretext for intervention”, President Bashar al-Assad’s deputy foreign minister said on Thursday.

He spoke as Germany’s cabinet approved stationing Patriot anti-missile batteries on Turkey’s border with Syria, a step requiring deployment of NATO troops that Syria fears could permit imposition of a no-fly zone over its territory.

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International environment campaigner Greenpeace’s ship Esperanza docks at the Port of Manila. [Voltaire Domingo/NPPA Images]

Calmed

Charged

hai authorities charged former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Thursday with giving orders to use live ammunition that led to civilian deaths during a military crackdown on an anti-government protest in May 2010.

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI), part of the Justice Ministry that has a similar role to the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, charged Abhisit and former Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban for their role in the 2010 events.

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128 in Davao Oriental.

She said 169 people remain unaccounted for in the two provinces, 144 missing in Compostela Valley and 25 in Davao Oriental.

“Many of the victims drowned,” Mazo said, adding that 592 people were injured--441 in Compostela Valley and 151 in Davao Oriental.

Mazo said a total of 958,050 families equivalent to 4.7 million people were affected by the storm in the Davao region.

She said that a day after the storm the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of the affected provinces declared a state of calamity in their respective areas and that a total blackout still prevails in the two provinces after many power lines were downed by the storm.

However, services of telecommunication companies are gradually being restored, particularly in New Bataan, Compostela Valley, Mazo said, while the towns of Boston, Cateel and Baganga remain

396...

isolated from the capital, Mati City, due to collapsed bridge in Caraga while another route to Cateel via Compostela town in Comval is impassable due to landslides and fallen trees.

A total of 866 houses in the affected areas of the Davao region were totally destroyed.

Davao del Norte placed the damage to agriculture at P7.9 million, with 633 hectares of rice and corn fields destroyed in Caraga, Davao Oriental but the cost of damage has yet to be determined.

Among the municipalities affected, New Bataan was the hardest hit with six of its 16 barangays, particularly Andap, Camalangan, Cogonon, Cabinuagan, San Roque and Batacan where most of the deaths, injuries, and damage to property happened.

“Andap and Cabinuagan remain inaccessible to all types of vehicles due to landslides and thick mud,” Mazo said, adding that all houses and utili-

ties in New Bataan were destroyed in the storm.

Initial government response included the setting up of a command center headed by the mayor, mobile evacuation hospital by the Comval Provincial government, search, rescue and retrieval operation spearheaded by members of the 10th Infantry Division, and distribution of food packs to the evacuees.

Lt. Colonel Lyndon Paniza, spokesperson of the 10th Infantry Division, said the death toll maybe higher as the search, rescue and retrieval efforts continue. yesterday, the Davao City Council approved a resolution allocating P9.5 million assistance to Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley.

Councilor Pilar Braga said the funds will be used in purchasing grocery packs at P300 per pack.

[PIA 11/Joey Sem G. Dalumpines/ 1Lt. Christy Isis Achanzar/10th Civil-Military Operations Battalion]

(1 mother boat missing), DCG Fishing (1 mother boat confirmed to have sank with 8 crew members missing, one dead and 3 injured), LPS Fishing (3 mother boats and 12 light boats missing) and Trinity Fishing (1 mother boat, 1 carrier boat and 1 light boat missing).

Tan claimed that all these missing fishing vessels are operating in the high seas off Mati, Davao Oriental.

“Affected fishing operators are closely coordinating with the Philippine Coast Guard in region 11 hoping to find and rescue all the missing fishing crewmembers,” Tan said.

Meanwhile, a certain Renato Licayan, a fisherman from Tamba, Mati Oriental, was rescued by the crewmembers of LPS Fishing early Thursday morning while on their way home to Gensan.

Licayan was totally na-

ked and almost exhausted when he was rescued by the LPS Fishing crew.

He was brought here where he was clothed, as well as, given food and first aid treatment by the city social welfare office.

Licayan narrated between sobs that he and his two other colleagues – Dino Matugas and Rowelan Para of Malapatan, Sarangani - were on their way back to Mati when Typhoon Pablo caught up with them.

“Strong wind and giant wave smashed our boat.

My two other colleagues failed to survive. I personally saw how the raging wave gobbled them up but I’m helpless,” Licayan said.

He said that upon hearing on transistor radio that there’s a typhoon coming, they tried to rush back to Mati.

“On our way back, typhoon caught up with us,” he said.

the services of the Philippine Navy to deliver relief assistance to affected families in the three towns.

As of Wedneday afternoon, 31 deaths were registered in Baganga, 30 in Cateel and 15 in Boston while 95 percent of houses in poblacions were destroyed along with municipal buildings,

classrooms, and commercial establishments.

Flores said the newly-constructed DPWH district office in Baganga was not spared the typhoon’s wrath, saying “it is a total wreck.”

He said district engineer Caballero was ordered to construct a temporary facility as its administrative office.

FFROM 1

Tan bared that during their meeting, owners of six fishing companies based in Gensan reported that a total of 11 mother boats, two carrier boats and 27 light boats remained missing as of this date.

“The owners of these six fishing companies absolutely have no contact with their boats,” Tan added.

According to Tan, a mother boat usually has 30 crewmembers, a carrier boat has five to six passengers and a light boat is manned by two persons.

“Based on these figures, we came up with an estimate that at least 396 fishing crew of six fishing companies here remained missing,” Tan said.

Tan identified the fishing firms with missing crewmembers as Rogela Fishing (2 mother boats, 5 light boats and 1 carrier boat missing), RMG Fishing (3 mother boats and 9 light boats), Raffy, Inc.

Caraga...

FFROM 2

rescue and retrieval operations in the three coastal towns of Baganga, Cateel and Boston, all in Davao Oriental.

Another route, the Compostela-Cateel national highway, was also rendered unpassable due to landslides burying and destroying roads.

Governor Corazon Malanyaon has tapped

President Benigno Aquino who is scheduled to visit Boston in Davao Oriental and other areas in the region that were heavily affected by the calamity.

Eleven debriefers are set to arrive Friday from the central office of the agency to help in stress debriefing of victims.

The regional office has also deployed its Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) engineering teams to build bunkhouses in areas where shelters are needed.

“We will continue to do everything to provide help to those who need it the most as soon as possible,” said acting regional director Priscilla N. Ra-

New...

zon, who has been visiting areas devastated by the typhoon.

Razon said the regional office has mobilized not only its regular employees but also employees of its programs and attached agencies to help in the distribution of relief goods and to look into the state of other employees who were stranded in areas where they were deployed.

“We call on our employees in the field to continue holding on because we will eventually reach them, God willing,” she said, noting that some of the project-based employees were in areas that were isolated.

The agency released additional 1,000 family food packs to Mati City and another 2,000 to

Boston, both in Davao Oriental.

Another 2,000 family food packs were also released to displaced residents in New Bataan, a town in Compostela Valley which was among the most devastated areas in the region. The office also sent about 500 food packs to residents of Davao City who left their homes due to the rise in the level of rivers within their area.

The agency also deployed power generating sets and family tents for those needing them in Davao Oriental.

The regional office thanked groups that have sent relief goods through the agency, among them private companies from Cebu.

[DSWD/Leslie Lao-Francisco]

and rode a bus straight to the city.

Walker said he did not see any rescue team in the area, but the people were relying on themselves. He added that only a small truck of soldiers and some policemen along the road, all of them holding rifles, were the only representatives of the government he had seen that day.

Walker is soliciting donations from his countrymen to help the people affected by flashflood, and supporting the Fr. Fausto “Pops” Tentorio Foundation in its ongoing relief missions.

Cirila Anding, president of NAMAOS-KMU, in a phone interview Thursday, said a total of about

2,000 hectares of Sumifru’s banana plantation have been destroyed by flashflood.

“Not a single banana tree was left standing here. Most people have lost their houses and properties,” he said in Cebuano.

Asking for food and water assistance, the residents have evacuated to a public school in anticipation of a landslide, he said, citing that although there was no more flooding, they were surrounded by knee-high mud.

There was still no electricity there as of this writing as their power lines are down. [Lorie Ann A. Cascaro / MindaNews]

frames on one or more sides already destroyed, or the net has already been destroyed.

The destruction wrought by the typhoon has affected 32 private investors and 11 fishers, most of whom have just re-loaned from the banks.

She said one private investor owns between five to 17 fish cages.

One fish cage can cost as much as P100,000, including the shade (payag) and mooring, she said.

“The damage is actually only a conservative estimate because we priced the cages with fish at only P300,000 when it can reach as much as P500,000 each during normal days,” she said.

She said the investors and fishers have started to repair their cages.”We have instructed them to secure their cages and repair those that can still be

repaired the soonest possible time to avoid further losses,” she said. [RGA/ LAC-PIA 11]

FFROM 2

the night,” he said, and demonstrated how he slept with bended knees because there were so many of them in such a small space.

Showing his photos of a ruined packing house and devastated banana plantations owned by the Japanese company Sumifru, he said the village people are not only suffering from their lost homes, but also from their lost livelihood.

Walker said the residents’ main source of income is harvesting banana, and gets paid for P5 per tree. “After the storm, they have nothing left to harvest,” he added.

He managed to reach the highway that morning

Panabo...

FFROM 2

October 2012 from the initial seed money of only P235.8 million in 2006.

Campeon said 318 fish cages in the Park are operational but 110 cages have no fingerlings.

Out of the 208 productive fish cages, she added, 112 have been affected by the strong rains, wind and waves during the typhoon.

“Up to 75 percent or 84 of the 112 fish cages are totally damaged, with the frame totally destroyed and a hundred percent of the fish inside let loose,” Campeon said. The technical staff confirmed that some of the fishes were already ready for harvest or weighing 400 grams and up while others were newly stocked.

She said a total of 28 fish cages have been partially damaged which could mean the fish nets are still intact but the

NOVENA TO ST. CLAIRE

Ask St. Claire for 3 favors: 1 business, 2 impossible, Say 8 Hail Marys for 9 days with lighted candles. Pray whether you believe it or not. Publish on the 9th day.

May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be praised, adored and glorified today and everday.

Reuest will be granted no matter how impossible it seems. St. Claire, St. Jude, St. Therese, Infant of Prague, St. Ann, St. Joseph, PRAy FOR US. Amen

12 SPORTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 199 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7-8, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Davao bets eye Youth Olympics

By Neil Bravo

F

OR 11-year old Chino Tancontian, a stint in the youth Olympics in 2015 will be the realization of a dream.

For his father Paolo, it is the continuing legacy of the rich Tancontian tradition.

Fresh from another swashbuckling performance in Singapore, Chino and sister Sydney are setting their sights on the Olympics in Tbilisi, Georgia two years from now.

“Sana po makapaglaro

sa youth Olympics,” said the double gold medallist Chino during the weekly DSA Sports Forum at Dexter’s Pizza at The Stadium.

Chino won golds in judo and wrestling in the recent Jag Sport Championships in Singapore. His sister Sydney, who could not make yesterday’s forum due to her studies, was awarded most outstanding player of the tournament despite losing the gold in open cat-

egory judo against a male judoka from Uzbekistan.

But the road to the youth Olympics in Georgia will have to go through the Asian Qualifying next year in Nanjing, China.

“We hope to earn our slot to the youth Olympics next year kaya ngayon pa lang training na kami,” said Paolo, himself a gold medallist in judo in the 2001 Arafura Games and in the Southeast Asian Games.

Pacquiao-Marquez at The Stadium

B

OXING fans will be treated to the best seats of the Pacquiao-Marquez 4 fight outside of Las Vegas right inside Dexter’s Pizza at The Stadium.

The only sports-inspired pizza parlor in Davao will be hosting live pay-per-view of the much anticipated fight at a reasonable price of P299 that goes with a free meal combo.

“For all the sports fans out there, we are offering the best place to watch the Pacquiao fight while being in the good company of fellow sports aficionados,” said Bai Lim,

The Stadium manager, during the weekly Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum hosted by Dexter’s Pizza.

Manny Pacquiao, the Filipino boxing star, will cross paths with the Mexican counterpunching artist Juan Manuek Marquez for the fourth time. The two battled to a draw in their first fight before Pacquiao had two close but questionable shaves in the next two.

The Pacquiao-Marquez viewing opens at 9 a.m. at The Stadium located along McArthur Highway (across MTS). (NJB)

Chino Tancontian shows his two gold medals won in Singapore’s Jag Sport Championship. (Lean Daval, Jr.)

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 199 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7-8, 2012

SPORTS 13

Kobe reaches 30k plateau

N

EW ORLEANS — Before Kobe Bryant had even turned in his latest dominant performance, NBA Commissioner David Stern sought him out to offer a congratulatory hand shake for the extraordinary scoring milestone the Lakers star was about to surpass.

Stern assumed Bryant would score the 13 points he needed to become only the fifth player in NBA history to reach 30,000, and who wouldn’t?

Bryant had 17 points by halftime, finished with 29, and Los Angeles snapped a two-game skid with a 103-87 victory over the New Orleans Hornets on Wednesday night (Thursday, Manila time).

“He just congratulated me and told me I was one of the best competitors that he’s seen in this game and I really appreciated that,” Bryant said of his pregame exchange with Stern.

Now Bryant in is elite company. The only other players to score more than 30,000 are Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain.

“It’s pretty awesome,” Bryant said. “These are players I respect tremendously and obviously grew up idolizing and watching and learned a great deal from.”

When Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni was asked before tipoff about Bryant’s impending milestone, the coach joked, “That just means he is old.”

In fact, at 34, Bryant is younger than the other four were when they hit the mark, but Bryant also turned pro at 18, and is in his 17th season.

“Honestly, I don’t know why I’m still working as hard as I am after 17 years,” Bryant said. “I enjoy what I do. I think that’s the thing that I’m most proud of: every year, every day working hard at it. It’s a lot of years, a lot of work.”

Bryant eclipsed the scoring milestone with a short jumper late in the first half that was perhaps the least spectacular of his baskets, which included

the usual array of soaring dunks, demoralizing transition 3-pointers and turnaround, off-balance jumpers.

Dwight Howard added 18 points and five blocked shots for the Lakers, who trailed 48-47 at halftime but seized control with a 13-0 run to open the third quarter, and the lead grew as large as 20 in the fourth.

Ryan Anderson scored 31, hitting 5 of 8 3-pointers for the Hornets, who were playing their ninth straight game without top overall draft choice Anthony Davis. Greivis Vasquez added 16 points, while Robin Lopez scored 15 points and blocked five shots.

Anderson said Bryant “deserves all the recognition that he gets.”

“He’s a special guy to play against. Unfortunately, we didn’t get the win,” Anderson added. “I would have liked him to get the 30,000, but for us to get the win.”

Antawn Jamison scored 15 and Metta World Peace 11, and Chris Duhon had 10 assists for Los Angeles, which is playing without Steve Nash and Pau Gasol and won for only the second time on the road this season. The Hornets fell to 3-7 at home and lost for the 10th time in 12 games overall.

The Hornets led from early in the first quarter until halftime, going up by as many as eight points when Al-Farouq Aminu slammed down an alley-oop lob from Vasquez, energizing the largest crowd of the season at the New Orleans Arena.

Bryant helped the Lakers trim their deficit after that, hitting five free throws and his milestone on 3-foot jumper in the last 2:15 of the second quarter.

Jamison opened the third-quarter onslaught with 3-pointer, Howard followed with a fast-break layup and Bryant had two straight fast-break dunks, one of which he created himself with a steal. Howard finished the surge with a layup.

“I just didn’t think our defense was there, espe-

cially that first five or six minutes of the third quarter,” Hornets coach Monty Williams said. “Our defense was really poor, and we can’t afford those lapses.”

cember 12, will be made available for Filipino fans on December 10 and 11, while Singapore fans can already buy their tickets starting on Friday.

Prices are pegged at S$18 for grandstand seats, S$10 for the gallery and King George’s Stand, and S$3 for the concession section.

However, Filipino fans can only avail of seats

from the gallery section.

Each person are only allowed to buy up to four tickets.

Fans are also advised to occupy the designated sections in the stadium for the teams they will support.

The Azkals will play Singapore in the first leg of the semifinals on Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.

Kobe Bryant is 34. Wilt Chamberlain was 35 when he hit the mark, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Karl Malone were each 36 and Michael Jordan was 38. AP

Pinoy fans’ seats limited in Singapore leg

T

HE Football Association of Singapore has released details for securing tickets for the second leg of the semifinal encounter between the Philippines and the city-state in the 2012 ASEAN Football Federation Suzuki Cup. Tickets for the second leg, which will be played at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore on De-

Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) President Charles Maxey (left) inducts the new members of the DSA during the General Assembly of the longest-running sports media organization in Davao at Dexter’s Pizza at The Stadium. Inducted were

Robinson Ninal of the Mindanao Daily Mirror, Marizz Robilla of Sunstar Davao, Lean Daval of Edge Davao, and King Gutierrez of Sunstar Davao. Not in photo is Ruji Peter Abat of Sunstar. (NJB)

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NOTICE OF LOSS Notice is hereby given by LOYOLA PLANS CONSOLIDATED INC. that CERTIFICATE OF FULL PAYMENT No(s). 1005982 under LOYOLA PLAN Contract No(s) NNN430000209 issued to EVA L. LUNTAO was lost.

Any transaction entered into shall be null and void.

12/7, 14, 21 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 11TH JUDICIAL REGION OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT-SHERIFF DAVAO CITy

BALIKATAN PROPERTY HOLDINGS, INC., Mortgagee/Assignee,

EJF-REM CASE NO. 13678-12

ELIAS C. GAMOROT III, Mortgagor/s. x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - x NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE

Upon extra-judicial petition for foreclosure and sale under Act 3135, as amended, filed by Balikatan Property Holdings, Inc., with postal address at the 24th Floor, BPI Buendia Center, Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City, against ELIAS C. GAMOROT III, with postal addresses at Aquino St., Sto. Domingo, Pampanga, DAVAO CITy, and Lot 19, Blk 7, Ph. V. yakal, Hillside Subd., Brgy. Buhangin,Davao City , DAVAO DEL SUR, the mortgagor/s, to satisfy the mortgage indebtedness which as of August 9, 2012 amounts to Three Hundred Eighty One Thousand Seven Hundred Sixty Seven Pesos and 75/100 (381,767.75),Philippine Currency, exclusive of interest, penalties and charges, plus attorney’s fees equivalent to 25% of the total indebtedness plus other legal expenses incident of foreclosure and sale;the undersigned will sell at public auction on December 20, 2012 at 10:00 A.M.., or soon thereafter, at the main entrance of Hall of Justice, Ecoland,Davao City to the highest bidder for Cash or MANAGER’S CHECK and in Philippine Currency, the following real property together with all the improvements thereon, to wit: Transfer Certificate/s of Title No/s. T-176210 “ A parcel of land of land of the consolidation-subdivision project(Lot 19,Blk.7 of the consolidation and subdivision plan , situated in the Barangay of Buhangin ; City of Davao,Island of Mindanao.xxx containing an area of ONE HUNDRED FIFTy (150) SQUARE METERS, MORE OR LESS. xxx” All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above-stated time and date.

In the event the public auction should not take place on the said date,it shall be held on January 24, 2013 without further notice.

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

Davao City, Philippines, November 12, 2012

FOR THE EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF:

Noted by:

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.

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1. YSALINA, BONIFACIO 2. YSALINA, ESTERLITA 3. YSALINA, EMERALD VONN

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were lost. any transaction entered into shall be null and void.

11/30, 12/7, 12/ 14 NOTICE OF LOSS notice is hereby given by loyola PlanS conSoliDaTeD inc. that cerTificaTe of fUll PayMenT no(s) under loyola Plan issued to the following

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planholders, to wit; Ph naMe

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1. MaDraZo, eDMUnDo

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(SGD.) JOSEPH T. CASTRO Sheriff IV

(SGD) ATTY. EDIPOLO P. SARABIA, JR. Clerk of Court VI & Ex-Officio Provincial Sheriff ( Edge 11/30,12/7,14

VOL.5 ISSUE 199 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7-8, 2012

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

INdulge!

VOL.5 ISSUE 199 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7-8, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

EVENTS

Damosa Fairlane fetes Phase I sell-out!

Damosa Fairlane celebrated the successful sellout of all its units in Phase 1, a result of their sales efforts starting last August.

Microtel Davao General Manager Rene Jorolan with Capt. Ronald Go, Florante Santiago of RCBC, and Tony Ajero of Edge Davao.

Dr. Miguel P. Niez, Norman L. Clemente, and Edgardo O. Villaver of Damosa Land, Inc.

Ricky Pineda (middle) enjoys the party with ANFLOCOR’s Oscar V. Grapa, Alexander N. Valoria, Jesse G. Chiongson, and Edgardo B. Espiritu.

And as a gesture of its heartwarming gratitude and appreciation, the management of Damosa Land Inc., the developer of Damosa Fairlane hosted a thanksgiving dinner for future residents and selected guests last November 29. The feast shared with these exclusive invitees in their Hawaiian getup as they relished the night with cocktails, cheers, exclusive giveaways and surprise entertainment marking the beginning of a life welllived in their newest urban refuge.

Limited to around 200 houses, Damosa Fairlane promises to deliver an exclusive living experience 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 such as 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 equally rapid

Damosa Fairlane Staff enliven the crowd with their Hawaiian-themed ANFLOCOR’s Board of Director Anthony B. Sasin is joined by his lovely dance. family (l-r) Angelita P. Sasin, Jennifer Sasin-Floirendo, and Yvonne Sasin.

Damosa Fairlane homeowner Rizaldy Clapis with property Patrick Villana, Ellena Marcelo, and Michael R. Reyes of NewTHINK! Property, specialists Jumar Galdo and Mark Jones Malhin Inc.

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 takeup has inspired the team to work 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

country-club-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 homeowners 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.

EDGEDAVAO

A2 INdulge!

UP aND aBOUT

VOL.5 ISSUE 199 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7-8, 2012

STYlE

Cebu Pacific Air and CAE inaugurate Philippine Academy for Aviation Training Clark, PamPaNga, PhiliPPiNES – Cebu Pacific air (PSE: CEB), the Philippines’ largest national flag carrier, and CaE (NYSE: CaE; TSX: CaE), world leader in aviation training, today inaugurated their new aviation training center in the Clark Freeport Zone, northwest of the national capital of manila.

The joint venture, known as the Philippine academy for aviation Training, inc. (PaaT), will initially cater to airbus a319/320/321 series pilot type-rating training requirements and will provide “wet” instructor-led type-rating training to CEB’s current and new-hire pilots, and to other aircraft operators of the region.

“PaaT will definitely put the Philippines on the map when it comes to world-class, state-of-the-art aviation training,” said Cebu Pacific air President and CEO lance gokongwei.

“This is the first CaE aviation training center in the Philippines, and we are very proud of this joint venture. it will be essential in meeting the training requirements not only of our growing number of aviation professionals at Cebu Pacific air, but also of other aircraft operators in the region.”

CEB will take delivery of a total of 50 airbus a320, a321neo and a330 aircraft until 2021. it is scheduled to launch its long-haul flights in the 3rd quarter of 2013.

“CaE is very pleased to partner with Cebu Pacific air to offer the highest-quality aviation training in the Philippines,” said Jeff roberts, CaE’s group President of Civil Simulation Products, Training and Services. “Our global network of training locations provides airlines and other aircraft operators a complete training solution for their personnel. The PaaT is equipped with the latest simulation and training technology, and the training is delivered by well-qualified, experienced instructors. We are confident that this new facility will enhance aviation safety and operational efficiency in the region.”

The state-of-the-art training center is currently equipped with one airbus a320 full-flight simulator. Delivery of a second a320 simulator is planned for 2013, and the facility can accommodate two additional simulators. The center will have the capacity to train over 2,500 pilots annually, as well as other aviation professionals, offering initial, recurrent, conversion and jet indoctrination training to airbus operators. Training for other aviation personnel such as cabin crew, dispatch, ground handling personnel and cadets is also planned for the future.

This is the 45th location in CaE’s global network of training locations for commercial aircraft, business aircraft and civil helicopter operators. PaaT is also part of the CaE-airbus Training Cooperation Network.

One Down 88 to Go! party on December 8

aTENEO DE DaVaO Batch 84 (gS)/88 (hS) is invites you to One Down, 88 to go! an ultimate 80’s Disco Party on December 8, 2012 at 8:00Pm at Damosa gateway Complex.

The party features Juan miguel Salvador together with the music authority Band.

Tickets to the One Down, 88 to go! party is at P500 each with a free drink. The event will benefit the healing hands Center for Brain injured Children Tickets are available at Dimsum Diner (guerrero & Damosa) branches and Pops restobar. You may also call (082)2842552 and (0922)8833996 for more information.

EDGy, and creative, TOUGH Jeansmith introduces its latest Fall Winter collection.

TOUGH Ladies FW 2012 is themed “Sweet military” with designs that are military inspired but given a sweet twist like fur elements or slim silhouettes in army jackets. This season also highlights animal and checkered prints with the combination of contrast colors, giving a modern and glamorous look. In line with the element of “Sweet military”, colors include army green and black as the spotlights, whereas beige, khaki, camel and cream colors make the looks more modern and stylish.

The TOUGH Men FW12 collection features denim that is strong and resilient. It retains the masculine feel with a strong vintage workwear style.

Fabrics and treatments give an authentic raw finish, from studs and buttons embellishment on sleeveless jackets and shirts, to vintage look washed denims. Printed tees and checked shirts make a statement this season, creating a twist of playful and stylish look.

The Fall Winter collection will not be complete without TOUGH’s trademark leather and down jacket collection. The collection’s palette is enriched

in vivid hues like red, yellow, blue and orange harmonized by basics like black and brown to capture the autumn mood. For Ladies’ wear, red, pink and purple are the highlighted colors in the collection and army green color is specially designed for menswear collection. For both ladies’ and men’s down jackets, the colors of royal blue, orange, red, shocking pink, yellow and dark purple make complete contrast with camouflage and other cool patterns like snowflakes and trees to create a unique winter style.

Of course what is TOUGH without jeans? In the most famous denim series of TOUGH Jeansmith, the jeans have innovative processing techniques that brings out the unique style of TOUGH Ladies and TOUGH Men. Skinny Jeans by adding patchwork embellishment or torn-out effect are the highlight of TOUGH Ladies FW12 collection, which make a perfect match with a leather jacket for an understated style. For TOUGH Men, the straight cut jeans with patchwork design and stone washing are the highlighted items.

It’s easy to mix and match and will also bring a new unique style to customers.

TOUGH Jeansmith is available exclusively at Bauhaus, on the second floor of Abreeza Mall.

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ENTErTaiNmENT

Who and what to watch for:

The 2013 Grammy nominations

Will Psy be the new adele? Will Carly rae Jepsen be the new Taylor Swift? Will the old Taylor Swift and the young harry Styles have an excuse to walk the red carpet together?

Stars and storylines to look for from tonight’s scheduled 2013 grammy nominations announcement: Actually, Frank Ocean Could Be the New Adele: he came out, and he broke out. look for his statement- and careermaking Channel Orange to be a talking point, and maybe a front-runner in album of the Year.

Will Grammy Voters Dare Deny “Gangham Style”? and deny themselves a Psy performance at the grammys? impossible. Even for the grammys.

Carly Rae Jepsen vs. Taylor Swift: The singer-songwriter showdown could occur in record of the Year, with Jepsen’s “Call me maybe” in one corner, and Swift’s “We are Never Ever getting Back Together” in the other. Overall, though, 2013 is going to be Jepsen’s grammy year more than Swift’s, as Jepsen probably will compete for a host of other awards, including Best New artist, while Swift will have to wait until the 2014 show for all of her red period to be eligible.

Nicki Minaj vs.

Mariah Carey: guess which american idol judge could be a major grammys winner by the time idol’s live shows roll around? a hint and a prediction: (1) it won’t be the

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career five-time winner, who only has a couple of singles eligible this time out, and (2) this turn of events will be noted on air by someone whose name rhymes with ricki rinaj.

Most Likely to Be Snubbed: One Direction: Boy bands and the grammys don’t go together. it’s not that they, the boy bands,

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don’t win, although they don’t; it’s that they, the boy bands, rarely even rate nominations. So, if you were hoping for a Best New artist nod for the gang from the United kingdom, then you’re probably going to be crushed tonight. Nomination or no, we suppose Styles can still walk the red carpet with Swift. he does, after all, have a lot of practice walking in and out of her hotel.

Will Justin Bieber’s “Boyfriend” Be the Ticket? Bieber’s

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never won a grammy, which given that his recording career is still only of preschool age is not the same as saying that the Beach Boys have never won, but still...”Boyfriend” was his bid to prove he was more than a haircut; if it ends up in the record of the Year category, we’ll know he’s going to last longer than, well, a haircut.

The Lana Del Rey Live-Performance Watch: if the “Video games”

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singer and unacclaimed Saturday Night live musical guest breaks through in Best New artist, she’ll have a shot at bringing her moves to the grammy telecast, and that could be interesting—or not. Either way, we’ll have Brian Williams’ commentary to look forward to.

How Sick Will You Be of “Somebody That I Used to Know” by February? Possibly a lot depending on your love, of lack thereof, for the gotye smash, which should figure prominently in the

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

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

TWILIGHT: BREAKING DAWN PART II Robert Pattinson , Kristen Stewart PG-13

12:00 | 2:30 | | 5:00 | 7:30 |10:00 LFS

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

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

CLOUD ATLAS Tom Hanks , Halle Berry R-13

12:30 | 3:40 | | 6:50 | 10:00 LFS

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Sharing Christmas cheer!

The management and staff of Edge Davao and its sister company, Zion accuprint Publishing inc., are shown sharing a memorable Christmas experience last Wednesday with some of the the staff of The marco Polo Davao led by its general manager, Bruno Simeoni, and director of sales and marketing, Emelyn mauhay.

The hotel’s choral group of 14 male and female singers rendered several lively Christmas songs befitting the spirit of the festive season. The hotel’s annual dropin visit to the business daily during the Christmas holidays culminated with a merienda of mouthwatering pasta, cake, cookies, lumpia and mango juice straight from the hotel’s culinary department served by a couple of uniformed waiters. it was truly an occasion to remember for those who shared the wonderful moment. Cheers!

Bruno Simeoni, The Marco Polo Davao general manager (2nd from left) expresses his appreciation for the support the hotel received from Edge Davao while editor-in-

The Marco Polo Davao choral group, led by Emelyn Mauhay, director for sales and marketing (3rd from right), serenades with Christmas songs the management and staff of Edge Davao and its sister company, Zion Accuprint Publishing,

Edge Davao and Zion Accuprint Publishing GM Olivia D. Velaso (2nd from right) and Edge Davao editor-in-chief Antonio M. Ajero (2nd from left) are shown with The Marco Polo Davao’s Bruno Simeoni, general manager (rightmost), and Emelyn Mauhay, director for sales and

The Marco Polo Davao choral group regales with Christmas songs the management and staff of Edge Davao and its sister company, Zion Publishing, while Bruno Simeoni, TMPD general

chief Antonio M. Ajero (rightmost) listens during the hotel’s annual Christmas caroling activity at the Edge Davao office on Quirino Ave. Wednesday afternoon. LEAN DAVAL JR.

Inc. during the hotel’s annual Christmas caroling activity at the Edge Davao office on Quirino Ave. Wednesday afternoon. LEAN DAVAL JR.

marketing during the hotel’s annual Christmas caroling activity at the Edge Davao office on Quirino Ave. Wednesday afternoon. LEAN DAVAL JR.

manager, rightmost, beams proudly. The hotel’s annual Christmas carol activity took place at the Edge Davao office on Quirino Ave. Wednesday afternoon. LEAN DAVAL JR.

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Manny wants all-out action

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Manny Pacquiao (left) and Juan Manuel Marquez are joined by the Philippines’ entry to Miss Universe 2012 Janine Tugonon (second from left) and Mexican counterpart Karina Gonzales. AP

AS VEGAS – Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez wage another war set for 12 rounds to once again prove who’s better.

Three days before their fight, both are already claiming they’re the one.

“I know he trained hard for this fight because he needs to prove something.

And I’m ready for that,” said Pacquiao, wearing an all-white suit, at the podium as he spoke during the final press conference for his fourth meeting with

Marquez on Wednesday (Thursday, Manila time).

The bout is set Saturday at the MGM Grand.

This being the fourth time he will be meeting his old rival, Marquez, 39, said he expects the same action-packed fight that typified the first three matches, which until now, the Mexican believes he did win.

“Manny Pacquiao knows me, and I know him.

This is going to be another war,” Marquez said when it was his turn to speak on stage.

All three fights ended in controversial fashion.

The first in 2004 was a draw even though Pacquiao knocked down Marquez three times in the first round.

Their rematch in 2008 was a split decision in favor of the Filipino boxing star, while their last fight in 2001 was a majority decision, also for Pacquiao.

“I feel good, I feel great.

I just don’t know what happened in the last fight,” said Marquez, a four-time world champion known as one of the best counter-punchers in boxing history, referring to their meeting last year that had a highly-debatable outcome.

That’s why Pacquiao challenges Marquez to go toe-to-toe with him at the center of the ring to see who’s really tougher between them.

Defense is Azkals’ best offense

Here’s a picture of the scene in Times Square during the exclusive Manny Pacquiao The MGM Grand will once again be the venue of this epic rivalry. workout.

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S the saying goes, defense is the best offense.

That adage will be the guiding principle of the Philippine Azkals which came from no less than its most potent offensive weapon.

Star striker Phil younghusband, whose marksmanship is now the object of the opponent’s defensive strategies, is himself convinced that the key to the Azkals’ progress in the AFF Suzuki Cup is defense.

Now facing Singapore in the two-legged semifinals, younghusband knows what he’s talking about.

“That’s one of our strengths, defense,” younghusband said.

Singapore, which scored seven goals during

the group stages en route to notching the top spot in Group B, boasts of midfielder/striker Shahril Ishak, who leads the tournament with four goals, and 42-year-old striker Aleksandar Duric, who has been one of the Lions’ deadly threats on the attack over the years.

Knowing that, younghusband knows that the Azkals have to stifle their opponents’ attack, which he believes they did to nail victories against Vietnam and Myanmar during the group stages which earned them a second straight trip to the semifinals of the Suzuki Cup. “Once we get our goal, we are difficult to break down,” he said. “There’s no space. They can’t find any space to get a shot.”

The Azkals, now beefed up with more seasoned players based abroad, were expected to deviate to a more attacking strategy this year after

being known for parking the bus on defense and counterattacking on offense in their memorable semifinal run in the tournament in 2010.

The Azkals have transformed into a feared defensive unit.

But the Filipinos have shown toughness on the defensive side, so far only giving up two goals in the tournament which came in a 2-1 loss to Thailand

thanks to the superb goalkeeping of veteran Eduard Sacapaño and the backline composed of Dennis Cagara, Rob Gier, Juani Guirado and Ray Jonsson.

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