Edge Davao 5 Issue 201

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VOL.5 ISSUE 201 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2012

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$65M not enough

UN agencies launch Pablo recovery plan Kulang gyud!

By ANTONIO M. AJERO and CHE PALICTE

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YPHOON PABLO (international name - Bopha), was three times stronger than last year’s Sendong which hit the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, and twice deadlier than Sandy which affected more than 20 of the 50 states of the United States of America last October.

Davao typhoon three times deadlier than Sendong, twice stronger than Sandy This was learned from Ms Luiza Carvalho, United Nations humani-

tatian coordinator, who spoke during the launch of the Typhoon Pablo Response: Action for Recovery at the Grand Men Seng Hotel in Davao City yesterday.

During the launch, wherein Social Welfare Secretary Corazon

F$65M, 11

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Follow Us On AID. Relief goods from USAID are being hauled by laborers with the help of United States Marines personnel unto a ten-wheeler truck and will be transported and distributed to the victims of typhoon Pablo in Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental at the old Davao Airport yesterday. LEAN DAVAL JR.

Racing against time

Foreign aid arrives to save communities hit by ‘Pablo’

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ORe relief assistance arrived from Indonesia and the United States of America as government races against time in search, rescue and retrieval operations and sending more help to areas affected by Typhoon Pablo.

The Indonesian National Defense Force handed relief goods and cash assistance to the government at 8:00 am Monday at the Davao International Airport.

The delegation was welcomed by Lt. General Jorge Segovia, commander of the eastern Mindanao Command.

Brian Goldbeck, charge d’affaires of

the American embassy also gave away Monday, an initial $100,000-worth of water, sanitation and hygiene support and provision of emergency relief at the tarmac of the Old Davao Airport where his delegation was welcomed by Secretary Lualhati Antonino, chair of the Mindanao Development Authority.

Goldbeck assured of more assistance to the affected areas as the US Agency for International Development continues to assess typhoon affected areas not only in Mindanao but also in the Visayas.

He said the US Armed Forces has deployed FRACING, 11

2 THE BIG NEWS

PNP intel chief cites 28 assets

VOL.5 ISSUE 201 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

By Anthony S. Allada

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HILIPPINe National Police – Intelligence Group (PNP-IG) director Chief Supt. Charles Calima cited 28 civilians who had contributed to the successful accomplishments of the Regional Intelligence Unit (RIU), Davao region.

In a simple ceremony Saturday at the RIU 11 office on Candelaria Street, ecoland here, Calima handed certificates of recognition to “Action Agents” for their bravery and dedication in helping the intelligence department of the PNP to effec-

tively carry out its mission and vision.

“You have a very vital role in helping us not just to provide us intelligence information, but in actual successful operations during the year,” he said.

The PNP-IG is the counterpart of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) where both take charge of monitoring threat groups that may endanger national security.

For his part, RIU 11 chief Supt. Leonardo Fe-

FPNP, 11

Inter-agency relief operations center established in Panacan

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He eastern M i n d a n a o Command, (eMC) AFP in cooperation with the DSWD Region 11, DPWH Region 11 and all and other government agencies and non-government and volunteer organization initiated the establishment of the Disaster Response Task Group Operations Center at the DPWH, Panacan Davao City called “Inter-Agency Relief Operations Center”, to facilitate centralized and coordinated delivery of assistance to calamity stricken areas.

“We would like to call all stakeholders, volunteer organizations to join us in extending help to our fellow Filipinos battered by Typhoon

Pablo.

These InterAgency Relief Operations Center started yesterday with more than twenty volunteer organizations who signified to join”, Col Galon, Civil Relation Group Commander said. On December 5, 2012, The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley Province, and Davao del Norte declared their respective provinces under state of calamity. Based on the consolidated report of the Office of Civil Defense Regional Center (OCDRC XI), there is already a total of 43 Municipalities and 6 Cities with 1,162 Barangays affected in Regions 11 and 12.

In Davao Oriental, 276 were recorded

FINTER-AGENCY, 11

IPO survey says

SHELTERBOX HELPS PABLO VICTIMS. Davao Rotarians headed by RI 3860 past district governor Leoncio “Nonoy” VillaAbrille (center in black shirt) pose for posterity with ShelterBox Response Team members John Cordell (right foreground) and Sonny Ongkiko who discussed the renown organization’s operation worldwide and how Rotarians can assist the group in its mission. ShelterBox, which built 1,500 emergency

For Pablo victims

ShelterBox to provide 3T emergency houses S

HeLTeRBOX, a world renown service group organized by a Rotary club in Great Britain 12 years ago will provide emergency shelters to 3,000 families rendered homeless by typhoon Pablo.

This was learned from Sonny Ongkiko, a member of the ShelterBox Response Team, who said the same group built 1,500 emergency shelters for Sendong victims in the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan.

Ongkiko came to Davao with a team headed by John Cordell of ShelterBox

USA to assess the devastation of typhoon Pablo.

Cordell said ShelterBox has earmarked to build about 50,000 emergency shelters. He said his group is mandated to build only emergency shelter, not transition or permanent shelters. However the shelters that they have provided which are supposed to be good for six months have been proven to last longer as in Haiti.

He said last year the number of shelters provided by ShelterBox reached 48,000. He said in Haiti alone, their organization

Majority of Dabawenyos are prepared for disaster M

ORe than half of Davao City residents believe they can brace themselves against typhoons.

This was the result of a survey conducted by the University of Mindanao’s Institute of Public Opinion which ran from November 20-28.

Dr. Linda Arquiza, director of the IPO said that the survey involved around 1,400 respondents from Davao City’s 162 barangays using a 3% margin of error. In the survey, about 52 out

of 100 Dabawenyos believe that they are ready for a storm, 19/100 would be frantic amidst the horrendous effect while 30/100 needed a little help as they consider themselves as somewhat ready.

Ironically, typhoon Pablo would hit Davao City along with nearby provinces a week after the completion of the survey.

However the residents reveal that the occurrence of earthquake is one disaster they feel

shelters in the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan in the aftermath of typhoon Sendong last year, will provide 3,000 emergency homes for Pablo victims in the towns of Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental. Also in photo are Antonio M. Ajero of Edge Davao, past president of RC South Davao Arthur Uy, RC Downtown Davao past president Irene Aquino, and RC South Davao president Scott Nimmo. LEAN DAVAO JR.

they are least ready for.

Only 44 out of 100 respondents believe they are prepared in case a strong quake would rock the city while 24/100 said they are not ready and 32/100 consider themselves as somewhat prepared.

According to Arquiza, it appeared from the survey that Davao City is readying itself for a typhoon and its accompanying strong winds and consequential floods and this could be impressed as a direct response to

climate-change related disasters and not for earthquakes.

Another result of the survey is the people’s trust in the City Government towards it capability to respond quickly towards disaster of which 83% of the respondents are certain that the City could dispatch an immediate and effective first responders.

Also 82% believe that the Davao City have the vehicles ready for use during emergencies

FIPO, 11

built a total 28,000 homes after they were hit by a strong earthquake.

Ongkiko said ShelterBox would need the assistance of local Rotary clubs in building homes for disaster victims all over the world.

When they were in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, the some 10 Rotary clubs in the area raised $23,000 for contribution to ShelterBox after speaking to the clubs during their weekly meetings.

Past District Governor of Rotary International District 3860 Leoncio “No-

noy” Villafuerte said the close to 20 Rotary clubs in Davao could easily raise some amounts to be donated to ShelterBox. PDG Villafuerte raised closed to $300,000 contribution for The Rotary Foundation when he was district governor.

Cordell said ShelterBox was started in 2000 by the Rotary Club of Helston, U.K. headed by president Tom Henderson as a millennium impact project.

He said 55 percent of the fund of ShelterBox came from Rotarians. AMA

Concede defeat, legislators asked

A

FTeR three days devoted to amendments in the House of Representatives, the academics supporting the passage of the Reproductive Health (RH) bill are confident that the opposition to the bill is on the losing end.

The academics, who issued a final challenge for a debate to the anti-RH camp, said that the defeated amendments proved that the opposition to the RH bill is founded on the “pseudo-science,” medieval Catholic teachings, and decades-old anti-women beliefs.

“The votes in Congress shot down every ridiculous argument against the Reproductive Health bill. Clearly, the opposition to RH is untenable and indefensible, it is based on out-dated and conservative conceptions of sexuality and relations between persons and has absolutely no respect for the rights of women over our own bodies,” Dr. Sylvia estrada-Claudio, the group’s spokesperson, said.

For them, this is also consistent with the anti-RH side’s refusal to acknowledge the debate challenge that academ-

FCONCEDE, 11

SUBURBIA

EDGEDAVAOVOL.5 ISSUE 201 •TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2012

Rice shortage looms in remote Laak town Rice shortage is looming in Laak, Compostela Valley as Typhoon Pablo has devastated 2,000 hectares (ha) of rice fields in Barangay Kidawa, considered the town’s rice granary.

Jay Alvin Luardo, municipal agriculture officer, told MindaNews Saturday that it would take at least six months to rehabilitate the mud-draped rice fields.

The town has a total rice production area of around 2,500 ha, he said.

Luardo said the mud is about two to four feet deep, making it impossible for farmers to quickly replant palay (rice plant) in the flood-affected area.

Owing to this, farmers are in dire need of vegetable seeds as an alternative source of living while waiting for the mud to be scraped from their rice fields, he said.

“Vegetables are the easiest and perhaps the quickest source of income for the farmers for them to be able to feed their families,” the local agriculture chief said.

The initial estimate on damage to rice fields in Kidawa costs around P40 million, Luardo disclosed.

Records from the local disaster office showed that Typhoon Pablo has affected 17,460 households or 87,300 persons.

“This means that 95 percent of our population in all the 40 barangays is affected by the storm,” engr. Pedrito Hibaya, local disaster head, told MindaNews.

Records also showed that 11 persons were also killed. But Hibaya clarified that only six were directly killed by the typhoon’s fury.

“They were the ones who were drowned, hit by debris or fallen trees. The rest died due to heart attacks and natural causes triggered by the typhoon,” he explained.

The initial estimate to damage on the town’s agriculture sector is around P750 million, the report added.

The town also hosts banana plantations, rubber, coconut and other

high-value crops, Hibaya said.

At the town proper, several houses and government structures were totally or partially damaged, with roofs and walls seen blown away.

Trees in the surrounding mountains and along the roads were still standing, but like match sticks.

“Before the storm, our surroundings look green. But now, all you can see are just the tree trunks,“ Hibaya noted.

Need food, water and medicine Since the town’s power lines have been toppled by strong winds, Hibaya said they are suffering from water crisis too.

He noted that the town’s water system was crippled due to lack of electricity.

The affected villagers have received initial relief assistance from the local and provincial governments and several individuals here.

“Our immediate needs are food, water and medicines,” said Hibaya, ap-

ASSISTANCE. A typhoon victim in Boston, Davao Oriental who lost two family members receives Friday P20,000 financial assistance from DSWD team leader for Davao Oriental Gemma Dela Cruz. Some 3648 families were affected in Boston with

pealing to humanitarian groups.

Well-placed disaster preparedness Of the town’s 40 barangays, Hibaya said that Barangay Kidawa was the most affected, but no fatality has been reported there even as the entire village was submerged in mud and water after Ty-

South Cot, GenSan to give P2M for ‘Pablo’ victims in ComVal, Davao Oriental towns

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He local governments of South Cotabato and General Santos City have allocated a combined financial assistance of P2 million to augment the continuing relief operations for the victims of typhoon “Pablo” in the provinces of Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental.

City Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio said the city government is set to deliver this week an initial P1 million cash assistance to the two provinces, portions of which were almost flattened by the onslaught

of the super typhoon last Dec. 4.

She said the assistance, which will be shared equally by the two local government units, was drawn from the city’s calamity funds.

“We’ve already dispatched a medical team to the area to help address the health-related needs of the victims,” the mayor said.

In South Cotabato province, provincial administrator Hilario de Pedro III said the Sangguniang Panlalawigan approved during its regular session on Monday the release of P1 million

IMMEDIATE NEEDS. Bottled waters are distributed to homeless victims in New Bataan, the hardest hit in Compostela valley on Tuesday’s Typhoon Pablo. Potable water and food are the immediate needs of the victims addressed by the provincial

cash assistance for the areas that were affected by the weather disturbance.

Based on a directive from Gov. Arthur Pingoy Jr., he said the local government will deliver P500,000 each to the local governments of Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley.

“The governor will personally hand over the assistance to the affected local government units,” de Pedro said.

Koronadal City Mayor Peter Miguel said they have allocated some P250,000 worth of relief goods as

initial assistance for the victims.

He said the city government has also launched a massive donation drive for various relief goods among local residents.

Miguel said they have designated the city hall building’s lobby as the main operations center for the relief drive.

In Sarangani province, the provincial government launched late last week a massive relief donation drive for the typhoon victims. [Allen V. estabillo/ MindaNews]

government of Comval with the help of various national agencies and private sectors. [IDS COMVA]

3

27 casualties and 208 injured. To date, the department has delivered P16.4 million-worth of relief goods to the province.

Also in photo are LGU and DSWD officials. [DSWD/Carmela Cadigal-Duron]

phoon Pablo struck last Tuesday.

“They have a disaster preparedness system in place since the barangay is a flood-prone area because of the nearby river.

So whenever the water level rises in the river, they know what to do and where to go,” he stressed.

The villagers have

evacuated to safer grounds when the typhoon came, Hibaya said.

First time in Laak Seventy-year old Pacita Okoka, who belongs to Tigbabawon tribe, told MindaNews that she had never experienced a typhoon’s fury in all her life.

[Keith Bacongco/MindaNews]

Agusan Sur ‘Pablo’ victims need more relief assistance

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URVIVORS of typhoon Pablo may die of hunger and starvation if no additional relief aid would arrive soon, an official warned.

Agusan del Sur vice governor Santiago Cane of Agusan del Sur said the province’s disaster fund could not sustain all the affected families in the area in the next few weeks.

“Among all the affected towns here in Agusan del Sur, Veruela suffered the most. We fear that unless additional external aid won’t arrive, people especially children will die of hunger,” he said.

The vice governor explained that the municipal budget of Veruela has already been exhausted and that over 4,000 families are now relying on relief goods for their food.

Cane said all of the town’s 20 barangays were affected, and 10 of these are isolated and virtually impassable.

He added close to 5,000 houses were either totally or partially damaged, forcing many families to live in makeshift tents scattered throughout the town.

He said the typhoon claimed 19 lives all over the province, and seven of the casualties came from Veruela.

“The minimal loss of lives during the storm is attributed to our pre-

paredness. Our barangays were trained for such kind of disasters. But what we did not expect was the destruction it brought to the homes, crops and livelihood. People might have survived the storm but our biggest fear is when hunger, starvation and diseases start to kill more,” the official said.

Several families tried to salvage the corn and rice grains that got wet during the storm by drying them even if a foul smell had already set in.

“We just harvested most of our crops. We did not save anything. All we can think of that time was saving our lives,” evangelito Asis said, recounting how he and his wife and grandson managed to run and hide under a bridge to save their lives.

“We only have food to sustain for several days.

Our neighbors are drying the sacks they managed to pull out of the flood, [but] we are not sure if those are still safe to eat,” Asis said.

As of December 7, the provincial government estimated the damage to crops and livestock at P378 million and the damage to homes and public infrastructure at P221 million.

A total of 28,779 families or 140,340 individuals were affected, it added. [erwin Mascarinas/ MindaNews]

4 SCIENCE/ENVIRONMENT

VOL.5 ISSUE 201 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Global climate change predictions on target

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ReDICTIONS of global climate change made to a United Nations-organized panel more than 20 years ago have proved to be accurate, a New Zealand-U.S. academic study has found The study compared predictions of global temperature rises to 2030 from the first Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Assessment Report published in 1990, with global climate change data gathered over the past 20 years.

Authors Professor David Frame, director of the New Zealand Climate Change Research Institute at Victoria University, and Dr Daithi Stone, of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California, found the global climate was responding largely as predicted by the first IPCC report.

Two decades later, data showed the actual global mean surface temperature increase was 0.35 to 0.39 degrees Celsius, which was in reason-

able agreement with the 1990 predictions, Frame said in a statement.

This was in spite of unforeseen climate-altering events, such as the eruption of the Philippines’ Mount Pinatubo in 1991, the collapse of the Soviet bloc industry in the 1990s, and the recent rapid, fossil-intensive growth in economies such as Asia.

They concluded that natural variability alone seemed highly unlikely to account for recent changes, even if the forecasting systems significantly underestimated natural variations.

Frame said a sufficient period had elapsed since the 1990 predictions to allow for a scientific evaluation of them.

“What we’ve found is that these early predictions seem pretty good, and this is likely due to the climate responding to concentrations of greenhouse gases in the earth’s atmosphere at a rate broadly in line with what scientists in 1990 expect-

ed,” he said.

Frame is also one of the lead authors for the IPCC’s fifth Assessment

Report.

The IPCC was established by the United Nations environment

Program and the World Meteorological Organization in 1988 to provide a clear scientific view on

its maximum limit,” Sr. Stella Matutina, OSB, Panalipdan Mindanao secretary-general, said in a statement.

The group said President Benigno Aquino III’s visit last Friday to disaster-stricken areas “should compel him to stop largescale mining and other extractive industries that caused the tragedy.”

Aquino and eight Cabinet secretaries made a short visit to areas affected by Pablo in Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley on board six choppers.

Matutina said her group “hopes Aquino’s trip is not just for mere photo ops or top-level meetings but rather let him get to see the picture

of the devastation so he can make a decisive move to stop mining policies he is pushing such as executive Order 79.”

She cited a report made

by Panalipdan Southern Mindanao that both provinces are swamped with many large-scale mining and logging companies, with Davao Oriental accounting for 31 mining tenements, application and operations while Compostela Valley has 43.

Matutina added that these activities involved cutting down trees, destroying farms, rivers and bio-diversity areas that surely contributed to the massive floods in the area.

“Already, there have been many landslide in-

cidents in the past which were triggered by these operations but the government hasn’t done anything to stop them,” she stressed.

In a meeting with Cabinet members after the visit at the Davao International Airport here, Aquino said: “I want concrete basis of what happened.”

The President ordered the departments of the Interior and Local Government, Justice and environment and Natural Resources to investigate the mishaps of two evacuation centers in Barangay Andap, New Bataan in ComVal and Cateel in Davao Oriental. [Lorie Ann A. Cascaro/MindaNews]

visions in flood-prone areas or construct buildings along a fault line. We must use these maps to avoid exposing our homes and our people to disaster risks,” she said.

In the geo-hazard map, many parts of Compostela Valley are shaded in red, which means these areas are highly susceptible to landslides.

“It is important that we have these geo-hazard maps, and that these maps should be applied, not only to the regional and provincial level, but

also to the local municipalities. Maybe it would even be prudent to ensure that citizens are aware of the vulnerabilities of the communities they live in.

It is their right to know the risks present so that they can decide to move to safer places, which should be supported by the local government. In fact, LGUs should already be relocating to safer ground those families and communities in high-risk areas,” the Senator stressed.

“We knew about Typhoon Pablo and we were

warned. It is a matter of making our laws work and implementing the disaster mitigation plans and programs on the ground. We also have to update the geo-hazard maps and integrate risk information in development planning, increase investments in improving critical infrastructure, and institutionalize effective and efficient early warning systems that will allow people at risk to respond immediately, therefore averting deaths in disasters,” Legarda concluded.

OLLOWING the devastating flashfloods that swept through Mindanao this week brought about by typhoon “Pablo,” at least 6,000 trees would be planted all over Mindanao by the Mindanao Alliance of Self-Help Societies-Southern Philippines educational Cooperative Center (MASS-SPeCC) Cooperative Development Center on Monday.

The move hopes to curb future incidence of flash floods and landslides and to raise the awareness on Mindanao Nurturing Our Waters (MindanaNOW) program of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA).

“We have been planting trees before. But now we thought of tying up with MinDA under its MindaNOW program, in order to align our efforts with the national government’s thrust on the National Greening Program (NGP),” Bernadette Toledo, MASSSPeCC chief executive officer, said.

MASS-SPeCC is a group of 300 primary cooperatives all over Mindanao, holding at least P11 billion assets with more than 1.5 million individual members and has recently pledged support for MindaNOW, which consolidates all efforts for the development and management of the island-region’s watersheds and river basins.

While the primary role of a cooperative is to erad-

climate change and its potential environmental and socio-economic impacts.

[PNA/Xinhua]

Envi group blames mining, logging Coops, MinDA to for massive devastation of ‘Pablo’ plant more trees

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N environmental group has blamed large-scale mining and logging operations to the widespread destruction and deaths wrought

by Typhoon Pablo in Compostela Valley (ComVal) and Davao Oriental.

As of 5 a.m. Sunday, 540 persons were reported dead, 1,088 injured and 827 still missing, majority from Region XI, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said.

“The heartbreaking reports of deaths and destruction in New Bataan, Compostela Valley and several Davao Oriental towns and elsewhere show how Mindanao’s environment has reached

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Importance of geo-hazard maps in averting disasters stressed

eNATOR Loren Legarda has stressed on the importance of disseminating, using, heeding and updating geo-hazard maps to avoid exposing communities to disasters.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change, made the call following reports that geo-hazard maps were ignored in some areas, thus resulting to a large number of casualties.

“Geo-hazard maps will tell us where it is unsafe to build homes. It is only logical not to build subdi-

F

icate poverty, MASS-SPeCC has embarked into a program called “Co-ops Love Green earth” since flash floods and landslides have become serious threats not just to Mindanao’s economy but most especially for the lives of its people.

“We’ve learned our lessons—from Typhoon Sendong to Pablo---we at MASS-SPeCC see the need for a long-term solution to these problems,” said Toledo, adding that the Mindanao people must restore its environment if it wants to be spared from natural calamities.

She said many of their members were also victims of Typhoons Sendong and Pablo.

“A MASS-SPeCC member-cooperative in Davao del Norte with 1,000 hectare of banana plantation was badly hit by Typhoon Pablo”, Toledo said, adding that more than 80 percent of the said plantation was gone to waste.

While they hope to contribute to making the country achieve its millennium development goals on eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, Toledo said the cooperative principles had also expanded to ensuring environmental sustainability.

She pointed out that cooperatives were mandated to allot a maximum of 10 percent of their net surplus for community development fund, which includes allocation for green projects. (PNA)

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 201 •TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2012

THE ECONOMY

DBM releases P933M to DOTC to bolster 14 airports nationwide I

N line with the Aquino administration’s goal of ramping up the country’s swiftly expanding airline and tourism industries, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) released P933.8 million for a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project that will allow night landing operations in 14 airports across the country.

The funds, which were released to the Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC), are chargeable against the agency’s lump-sum appropriation for PPP Transport Infrastructure Projects under the 2012 budget.

“Because there’s greater tourist interest in our local destinations, our airports are busier than ever. We’re seeing a larger volume of human traffic and more flights weaving their way in and out of our runways.

The night-rating of these 14 airports will enable them to accommodate additional flights in the evening, so that their operations are no longer

limited to the daytime,” Budget and Management Secretary Florencio B. Abad said.

Airports that will receive a night rating are the Tuguegarao, San Jose (Mindoro), Busuanga, Naga, Legazpi, Roxas, Tagbilaran, Dumaguete, Dipolog, Pagadian, Ozamis, Cotabato, Butuan, and Surigao airports.

These airports will be equipped with facilities necessary for night landing operations, including airfield lighting systems, communications equipment, power supply systems, air disaster management systems, and other systems for managing air traffic services.

Meanwhile, the DBM has approved the creation of 85 new positions under the Bureau of Quarantine to enable better surveillance and improved control measures for infectious diseases and other health concerns.

The positions will be deployed to eight international airports in the country, namely: Ninoy Aquino International Air-

300TH SERVICE STATION. Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Inc. Chief Executive Officer and President Dennis A. Uy (2nd from left) and Vice Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte (2nd from right) lead the ceremonial toast during the 300th Phoenix Service Station Grand

port (NAIA) Terminals I, II, III; Cebu; Clark; Kalibo, Davao; and Laoag. The 85 positions will complement existing Bureau staff, in accordance to the new policy requiring the maintenance of multiple

shifts to allow 24/7 operations in ports and airport terminals.

“Besides ensuring the improvement of our airport facilities, we also need to guarantee the safety and well-being of

5

Opening in Lanang last Saturday. Also in the photo are Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Inc.’s Domingo Uy, chairman (leftmost) and Roemo de Guzman, chief operating officer. LEAN DAVAL JR.

all passengers shuttling in and out of the country.

With more quarantine personnel on the lookout for health hazards, our airports are better-equipped to provide protection not just to

airline passengers, but also to Philippine residents who may be compromised by infectious diseases that could be brought in from other countries,” Abad said.

[PNA]

6 THE ECONOMY

VOL.5 ISSUE 201 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Stat Watch Alcala vows to ask LBP to give special allocation

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

5.8% 1st Qtr 2012

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

6.4 % 1st Qtr 2012

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

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

8. Interest Rates 4/

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

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

P 42.78 Jun 2012

12. Stocks Composite Index 6/

5,091.2 May 2012

13. Consumer Price Index 2006=100

130.1 Jun 2012

14. Headline Inflation Rate 2006=100

2.8 Jun 2012

15. Core Inflation Rate 2006=100

3.7 Jun 2012

16. Visitor Arrivals

349,779 Apr 2012

17. Underemployment Rate 7/

18.8 % Jan 2012

18. Unemployment Rate 7/

7.2 % Jan 2012

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

2012

2011

2010

42.85 42.70 42.86 42.66 43.62

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

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

for Davao banana planters hardest hit by ‘Pablo’

D

ePARTMeNT of Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala has said he will ask the Land Bank of the Philippines to give special allocation specifically to Davao banana planters hardest hit by typhoon “Pablo.”

He admitted that the national government is currently facing an enormous problem on how to raise tens of billions of pesos to fund the damage caused by the typhoon in the significant sectors of agriculture/fisheries and infrastructure, particularly in the hardest hit areas of Compostela Valley province and Davao Oriental.

He said the total cost of damage brought about by “Pablo” in agriculture and fisheries in Davao Region alone was estimated at P7.938 billion. Of this amount, the banana sector suffered the most damage at about P5.6 billion.

Alcala was in Davao City on Friday together with 10 other Cabinet members for the briefing on the impact of typhoon “Pablo” and the corresponding rehabilitation before President Benigno S. Aquino III. The 10 other Cabinet mem-

bers were Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ricky Carandang, Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Transportation Secretary Joseph emilio Abaya, energy Secretary Jericho Petilla, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman, Health Secretary enrique Ona, environment Secretary Ramon Paje and Mindanao Development Authority Secretary Luwalhati Antonino, who helped the President assessed the extent of the damage in the area.

He said the government could allocate an initial quick response funding of less than P300 million to initially fund rehabilitation operations.

The intervention is necessary to prevent foreign buyers from turning on to other suppliers in view of the non-availability of supply of all crops. Alcala expressed fears that if this happens, it would not be good for the industry.

At this point in time, however, the official is confident for-

eign buyers understand the predicament Davao Region is facing in view of the devastating effect of typhoon Pablo.

“Sa ngayon, I know foreign markets can still understand,” he said, adding that for now, no foreign buyers, among them Japan, China, Singapore and Hong Kong, have expressed decision to turn to other suppliers.

On the part of government, it would tap nurseries and tissue laboratories in unaffected areas like the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), Region 12 and Region 10 for the propagation of planting materials.

Alcala said the government is now pre-positioning the provision of certified seed hybrid for rice and yellow corn. It will also provide planting materials for the banana sector.

For coconut, the major crop in Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley, will take two years to produce from the time of replanting.

“To give the farmers livelihood while waiting for the yields, government will help farmers engage to inter-cropping, The

Philippine Coconut Authority board had already met to discuss the decision to give the board the authority to provide fertilizers for the coconut farmers,” he said.

At the briefing, Alcala reported that about 23,000 hectares of rice lands were destroyed by typhoon Pablo valued at about P133.404 million; 16,582 hectares for corn amounting to P28.825 million; and coconut plantations estimated at 14,879 hectares valued at about P763.509 million.

Alcala informed the President that the DA has readied rice and corn seeds for massive replanting at the devastated rice lands in Davao Region, particularly in Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley.

For fish cages, seaweeds and mariculture, the cost of damage was estimated at P24 million. Infrastructure damage was placed at P938 billion Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson said at the briefing that the reported damage in infrastructure in hardest hit two Davao provinces was estimated at P938 billion.

[PNA]

Cebu Pacific sustains cargo lead with 48% market share

T

He Philippines’ largest national flag carrier, Cebu Pacific (PSe:CeB) achieved 48% market share in terms of domestic cargo from January to September 2012, according to recently released Civil Aeronautics Board data.

CeB carried 70.4 million kilograms in cargo in the first nine months of 2012, besting the combined cargo loads (62 million) carried by both Philippine Airlines and Airphil express.

“This highlights Cebu Pacific’s extensive domestic route network and preferred cargo services. With multiple daily flights to most key cities in the Philippines, cargo forwarders and shippers trust CeB to link islands together in the fastest time,” said CeB VP for Marketing and Distribution Candice Iyog.

CeB also led the domestic cargo market in 2011 with close to 89.5 million kilos carried for the full year.

“CeB cargo provides a flexible and straightforward service.

We currently serve more than 2,000 accounts, tailor-fitting cargo products to our clients’ domestic and international cargo needs. This includes express cargo service, seamless transshipment and 16 interline partnerships for worldwide reach,” Iyog added.

More recently, CeB cargo

RICE DONATIONS FOR DAVAO ORIENTAL. Members of the Davao Chinese-Filipino Sectoral Association and the Davao Liok Kui Fraternity of Ang Haw Lok and Ang Liong Kang donate 350 sacks of rice to Davao Oriental Gov. Corazon N. Malanyaon represented by Cynthia Rodriguez for the victims of

partnered with the GMA Kapuso Foundation in shipping relief goods to those affected by Typhoon Pablo in Cebu, Surigao and Compostela Valley. It also remains a consistent partner of the GMA Kapuso Foundation for the foundation’s Give-A-Gift: Alay sa Batang Pinoy project, where customized Christmas

typhoon Pablo. The turnover took place at the Progressive Masons Association building on Monteverde Street , Davao City last Saturday. LEAN DAVAL JR.

packages are given to underprivileged children all over the Philippines.

To inquire more about CeB cargo, forwarders and shippers can call 802-7070 or visitwww. cebupacificaircargo.com.

CeB currently operates 10 Airbus A319, 23 Airbus A320 and 8 ATR-72 500 aircraft. Its

fleet of 41 aircraft is the one of the most modern fleets in the world. Between 2013 and 2021, Cebu Pacific will take delivery of 19 more Airbus A320 and 30 Airbus A321neo aircraft orders.

It is slated to begin long-haul services in the 3rd quarter of 2013, with the arrival of 2 Airbus A330 aircraft.

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

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

PROPERTY

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 201 •TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2012

5 good reasons to invest

7

in Camella Northpoint

Camella Northpoint is a green condo community filled with imported Caribbean pine trees, making it a fresh, cool haven within.

L

OCATION. Camella Northpoint is located on prime, elevated land at the junction of Buhangin Road and J. P. Laurel Avenue in Bajada, giving this British colonial themed condo community a premier location and address.

It is conveniently accessible and close to all major locators in Davao City, such as the international airport, seaport, IT parks and BPO centers, business establishments, recreation and leisure spots, modern commercial areas, and high-end retail and shopping centers.

Within a five- to ten-kilometer radius are the city’s best and biggest malls such as SM Lanang Premier, Abreeza Ayala mall, Robinson’s Cybergate, Victoria Plaza, and Gaisano Mall where one can have a plethora of choices of department stores, supermarkets, cinemas, restaurants, and entertainment centers.

A few minutes’ ride or drive away are public utilities such as hospitals, public markets, banks, worship places, schools and universities, bus and van terminals to outlying municipalities, and jumpoff points to white sand beach resorts.

With a location like this, Camella Northpoint tops the number one criteria for investment real estate, a prerequisite of expert and new investors alike.

DeLUXe AMeNITIeS. As a masterplan development of Camella, Northpoint has all the modern conveniences. It has firstclass facilities and amenities such as a salinated

wellness pool, a fitness gym, open playground, quaint pocket parks, comfortable cabanas with grill pits, shuttle service, 24/7 security system with CCTV, and its crown jewel, Wakefield Manor, the clubhouse with a well-appointed multi-function hall.

GReeN LIVING. Camella Northpoint is located at the heart of the city’s emerging modern enclave, but gives its homeowners the privilege to live a green lifestyle. This modern condo community is nestled within a serene and nature-filled haven replete with lush foliage and scenic green surroundings.

It is the city’s first pine

estate, planted with P4 million worth of imported Caribbean pine trees that can grow to a hundred feet tall, giving Camella Northpoint a cool and crisp, pine-scented freshness found nowhere else in the city.

This landmark condo development has been designed following principles of green architecture, with green buildings that allow natural light enter and air to flow inside, avoiding the sick building syndrome that can be harmful to tenant.

TOP RATeD CONDO MANAGeMeNT. A professional property management team manages the affairs of Camella

Northpoint, from security measures to homeowner activities to building maintenance. The management team takes the load off the homeowners, ensuring the condo buildings, grounds, and facilities are always in tiptop shape.

It spearheads social and recreational activities for its homeowners, encouraging camaraderie and fostering unity that make community living secure, exciting, and pleasant. It ensures security is tight and homeowners are safe and well within the property. eXCePTIONAL DeVeLOPeR RePUTATION. As a condo developer,

Camella’s expertise emanates from the solid track record of its mother company, Vista Land & Lifescapes, the country’s largest homebuilder and forerunner in residential development that offers a fresh take on urban living.

Vista Land’s successful condo projects include the Mosaic in Greenbelt, KL Mosaic in Legaspi Village, The Gallery in Salcedo, Laureano de Trevi in Pasong Tamo, Avant at the Fort, Pacific Residences in Taguig, The Currency in Ortigas, Crown Tower in Manila, Symphony, Pine Crest, Madison Place and Will Tower in Quezon City, Presidio and The Marfori in Sucat.

With over 250,000 homes built in 35 years of building communities, Vista Land clearly dominates the market. Camella carries the same commitment to world-class excellence in all its developments in the region where it has 16 years of success, creating first-class communities such as Solariega, Toscana, Camella Cerritos, and Camella Tagum.

Homebuyers and investors are welcome at Camella offices at 2/F Delgar Building, JP Laurel Ave., Bajada, Davao City, telephone numbers (082) 222-0963 and (082) 2225221, vismin@camella. com.ph, and www.camella.com.ph.

8 VANTAGE POINTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 201 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Of Rosary and Pacquiao’s second straight defeat SPECIAl FEATURE

By Ben Cal

I EDITORIAL

F

Should Manny retire now?

ILIPINOS who became instant analysts of Manny Pacquiao’s defeat at the hands of perennial rival Mexican Juan Manuel “Dinamita” Marquez are now engaged in an amusing national debate on what Manny ought to do in the wake of his humiliating loss defeat.

For one, the pride of many dyed-in-the-wool Manny fans among Filipinos has been bruised. These are the guys who cannot accept defeat for Pacquaio, the guys who were quick to say that it was a lucky punch from the bloodied Juan Manuel Marquez who sent him to dreamland, albeit only for a few seconds.

Some “analysts” say that it is time Mr. Pacman hangs his gloves and concentrate on other

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more important tasks, like serving his Sarangani constituents and perhaps prepare to launch his vice presidential quest against all comers, including Jinggoy estrada and Bong Revilla in 2016.

The more wisened “analysts” view the defeat of Pacquiao, his second in row (Timothy Bradley, remember?), as a normal occurrence in the life of a ring gladiator. They say Manny should continue fighting until nobody wants to fight him anymore.

We say the decision to retire or continue fighting should be left entirely to Manny and his family.

Meanwhile, let’s allow him to go laughing all the way to the bank with his P920-million in prize money. Merry Christmas, Congressman Pacquiao!

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

ALBERTO DALILAN Managing

NEILWIN L. BRAVO Sports and Motoring ARLENE D. PASAJE Cartoons

RAMON M. MAXEy Consultant

kENNETH IRVING k. ONG Creative Solutions

GREGORIO G. DELIGERO Associate

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

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

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

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance AGuSTIN V. MIAGAN JR Circulation

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LEIZEL A. DELOSO | Marketing Manager Unit 6, Southbank Plaza Velez-Yacapin Sts. Cagayan de Oro City Tel: (088) 852-4894

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N almost all of his past fights, especially when he became a boxing legend becoming the only boxer in the world to win eight different world division titles, Manny Pacquiao was seen circling atop the ring wearing the Rosary beads until he lost his welterweight crown to American boxer Timothy Bradley earlier this year.

This was among the comments and observations by many Pacquiao fans now that he lost again -- the second straight in a row -- in the hands of Mexican boxing legend Juan Manuel Marquez in their non-title fight at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday (Sunday in Manila).

Were Pacquiao’s two straight losses just a coincidence, but what a coincidence?

When he fought and lost to Bradley, observers noted that Pacquiao did not wear his Rosary as he used to do.

During all his previous fights, Pacquiao, a devout Catholic, used to make the sign of the cross on the ring, viewed by millions all over the world through the magic of television and the Internet.

When he climbed in the ring Sunday, Pacquiao did not wear a Rosary on the neck.

Sure, he knelt down in prayer for a moment before the fight against Marquez but many observed that Pacquiao did not make a sign of the cross as he used to before in all his fights.

It is hard to correlate his two successive ring losses to not wearing the Rosary but that is the observation made by his countless fans, including those who viewed live pay-per view the Pacquiao-Marquez fourth fight at the Civil Relations Service (CRS) office in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City Sunday.

A twitter reportedly coming from Mommy Dionisia, mother of Pacquiao, quoted her as saying she can accept that his son lost in the ring to Marquez.

However, Mommy Dionisia further said that she hopes her son would not forget the sign of the cross while fighting in the ring because that was the key of all his victories before.

Whether these observations are true or just coincidence -- you be the judge. [PNA]

QUIPS

“Despite what had happened (defeat), Manny Pacquiao remains our champion. He has done great sacrifices for this country and brought honor to Filipino people for several times.

Let’s not forget what he has done.”

--General Santos City Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio in announcing the planned hero’s welcome for Manny Pacquiao despite defeat.

EDGEDAVAO

I

VANTAGE POINTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 201 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2012

Will Pacman rise again?

T’S not unusual for a ring warrior to be knocked out by another ring warrior. That’s normal in the boxing world.

We are not used to seeing Manny Pacquiao lose a fight. This is the reason why his devastating loss to Juan Manuel Marquez on December 8 in Las Vegas, was a shocker.

We are shocked not because his lost, but because of unimaginable way the loss came.

“He dropped like a log.” “He kissed the canvass.” “He was dead to the world.” Are the typical boxing lingo that describe Manny’s defeat.

What happened to Manny is normal in boxing. The same terrible tragedy happened to past boxing greats since boxing became a sports in the early 18th century.

Manny had the aura of invincibility when he climbed the ring that December 8 night. everybody (except the Marquez people) expected him to raise his hands in victory as in the past 12 years.

But, then, the unexpected happened.

Let’s go back in time. Mike Tyson

was the unbeaten heavyweight king in the 90’s.

Invincibility was synonymous to his name. He disposed opponents in matter of minutes, one conked out in 90 seconds.

But a certain Thomas knocked him out in the eighth round. But Mike bounced back and beat Thomas in a rematch.

Of recent memory is the knockout win of Nonito Donaire over defending champion Darchinyan, a proud Australian bantamweight king.

In 1973 in Zaire, Africa, heavy weight title holder George Foreman, who also was considered by many as invincible, was knocked out by the loquacious Muhammad Ali in the seventh round. A decade later, Foreman regained the heavyweight crown by knocking out a much younger Michael Moorer in round five.

Sugar Ray Robinson, voted by ring

experts as the greatest boxer of the 20th century, lost the middleweight title twice and regained it years later. He was champion in the 1950’s and ‘60’s.

Then there is erik Morales, who lost twice to Manny by knockout. He bounced back into the ring just after three years and even went on to win the lightweight crown.

Miguel Cotto lost to Manny, and Floyd Mayweather Jr., but came back to win against Antonio Margarito just last year.

Evander Holyfield won and lost the heavyweight title three times, the last at age 46.

It’s not the end of the boxing world for Manny. He is only 34 years old. His nemesis Marquez is 39, and look what he did to Manny. Foreman regained the heavyweight crown at age 44, and Holyfiend was 46 when became champion again.

Question: Will Manny Pacquiao stop fighting? He said he will come back and fight.

Let’s wait and see.

Filipino aviation hero remembered

N

OT many people are aware of it, but Filipino fighter pilots, flying outmoded Boeing P-26 “Peashooters” pursuit planes, were the first Allied pilots to score against the vaunted Japanese pilots during the early dark days of World War II in Southeast Asia.

Leading the pack and showing that man-for-man, Filipino military pilots are among the best in the world, was Capt.

Jesus Villamor, the commander of the 6th Pursuit Squadron of the then Philippine Army Air Corps (the forerunner of the Philippine Air Force).

The 71st anniversary of Villamor’s gallant stand against the technologically and numerical superior Japanese air force will be marked on Monday, Dec. 10.

On that day in 1941, Villamor, together with Lt. Geronimo Aclan, Lt. Godofredo Juliano, Lt. Jose Gozar, Lt. Manuel Conde, and Lt. Antonio Mondigo, scrambled from their base in Batangas Field, Batangas to intercept a huge Japanese aircraft formation flying over Zablan Field, Quezon City.

Despite being outnumbered and flying planes not to the standards of the Japanese Zeroes, Villamor and his flight, managed to down three Japanese planes that day, with the former gunning down a Zero, with no lost to themselves.

This was no mean feat as the P-26 planes being flown by Villamor and his men only had a top speed of 234 miles per hour and armed only with two .30 caliber machine guns, compared to the

SPECIAl FEATURE

By PRiam F. nePomuCeno Japanese Zeroes which had a maximum speed of 350 miles per hour and armed with two 7.7 caliber machine guns and two 20mm cannons.

Villamor’s second air kill of the war came on Dec. 12, 1941, this time his dogfight took place directly over Batangas Field.

At least 72 Japanese planes composed of 54 bombers and 18 fighters were nearing their base at bombing altitude when Villamor and Lt. Cesar Basa scrambled.

Using the best speed of their aircraft, the two Filipino fighter pilots were able to reach the altitude or height being flown by the enemy aircraft and were able to engage them.

Villamor fired his .30 caliber machine guns in short bursts.

To his astonishment, a Nell attack bomber started to smoke, then descended and broke up.

Seconds later, the escorting Zeroes were on them from out of the sun.

Villamor and Basa did all they could to outfly the enemy fighter planes to no avail.

This encounter ended up with Basa being shot down by the Japanese Zeroes.

Although, Basa was able to bail out, the victorious Japanese fighter pilots machine-gunned him, killing the Filipino

instantly.

For his heroic actions, Villamor was twice cited by the United States Army for bravery, receiving the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) for actions on Dec. 10, 1941 and an Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a second award of the DSC for actions on Dec. 12, 1941, making him the only Filipino to receive the DSC twice.

After his squadron was destroyed, Villamor continued his war against the Japanese as an intelligence officer.

On Dec. 27, 1942 Villamor was part of a team inserted by the submarine USS Gudgeon (SS-211) into the Philippines. establishing a chain of direct communication from the Philippines with General Douglas MacArthur in Australia, he coordinated the activities of various guerrilla movements in Luzon, Mindanao and the Visayas.

Villamor acted as the “clearing house” for information, which helped the United States Armed Forces in the Far east to map out a strategy which will eventually liberate the Philippines.

For his bravery as a pilot and ingenuity as an intelligence officer, President Ramón Magsaysay awarded Villamor the Medal of Valor, the highest Philippine military bravery decoration, on Jan. 21, 1954.

The Philippine Air Force’s principal facility in Metro Manila which was first known as Nichols Field, then later Nichols Air Base, was renamed Col. Jesús Villamor Air Base in his honor. [PNA]

9

The trouble with democracy ( Conclusion )

ANAlYSIS

By DaviD RohDe

C

AROTHeRS said egypt’s struggle mirrors the difficult transition still under way in Bolivia. Seven years after evo Morales was elected that country’s first president of indigenous descent, a tense “fundamental rebalancing of political power” is still playing out in Bolivia.

The country’s traditional elite and the indigenous movement still struggle to trust each other and share power. Bigoted arguments that democracy does not work in the Arab world do not apply in egypt.

“There is nothing particularly Arab about what is happening,” Carothers said.

“It’s not an Islamist issue per se.”

There is another international comparison that should give the Brotherhood pause, according to Carothers. South Africa’s African National Congress gained a monopoly on power after the country’s first post-apartheid elections in 1994.

With no viable opposition, the ANC grew increasingly corrupt as opportunistic figures flocked to the only patronage show in town.

“The party just became a self-sustaining machine,” Carothers said. “People start joining your party out of sheer opportunism.”

That may not matter to the Brotherhood. Its fear of being forced from power it has finally attained it may lead it to become the kind of governing party its members once loathed.

The stark picture painted by Shadi Hamid, the director of research at the Brookings Doha Center, in this excellent piece in Foreign Policy this week, may prove to be true. There may be no common vision in egypt, as Humid argues; there may be no consensus on what the egyptian nation should be.

If there is a common ground, the surest way to reach it is for there to be more democracy in egypt, not less. Yes, the flawed draft constitution is likely to be ratified on Dec. 15. But the opposition should not boycott the vote or subsequent legislative elections. In a best-case scenario, the “no” vote could reach as high as 30 percent, according to Brown. The opposition could then run in subsequent legislative elections. It would not win a majority, but perhaps enough seats to be a viable opposition to the Brotherhood. Two groups that loathe each other would be forced to sit in Parliament together. Time and a desire to win elections might make them compromise and save egypt’s fading chances at democracy.

QUIPS

“How does one celebrate when you know that there is misery when people are missing?

How can one celebrate and fully enjoy knowing that there are fellow brethren who have family members that cannot be found, cannot be accounted for?’’

--Presidential spokesman Secretary Edwin Lacierda in announcing the cancellation of Chirtmas party in Malacanang.

CHRISTMAS SPECIAl 10 NATION/WORlD

VOL.5 ISSUE 201 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2012

Soon it will be Christmas

EDGEDAVAO

By Jims Vincent T. Capuno

“I

T is the one season of the year when we can lay aside all gnawing worry, indulge in sentiment without censure, assume the carefree faith of childhood, and just plain “have fun.”

Whether they call it Yuletide, Noel, Weinachten, or Christmas, people around the earth thirst for its refreshment as the desert traveller for the oasis,” observed D.D. Monroe of Christmas.

In contrast to the heat of the sun during the summer months, we experience the balmy, cool air as Christmas season is fast approaching in the Philippines. Sooner than we think, the birthday of Christ will be upon. Some people are even counting down to that day. “A few more sleeps,” as my father told us when we were still kids.

You can’t ignore it.

You hear Christmas carols being played in the radio.

“Soon it will be Christmas Day,” reminds one song.

Also, people start greeting with the usual “Merry Christmas” and end it with the most-often quoted remark, “Just don’t wrap my gift, okay?”

Some people bring out their Christmas decorations as early as October.

Christmas tree is neatly decorated. Poinsettia is

a common motif. Christmas lantern, called parol, is hung near the window, with matching Christmas lights inside. Green and red are the colors of the season.

We take pride as the country that celebrates the longest Christmas season in the world. Celebrating Christmas in this country is quiet and experience and memorable as family members are reunited. Those from far away places come home to celebrate the season with their loved ones.

“The Yuletide season is the time when, arriving home, you embrace and kiss the little old woman who keeps wiping her tears with her apron as she cooks the best food for her brood,” writes Gil G. Fernandez, a magazine columnist. “This is the time too when you greet the grand old man ‘Mano po, Itay’ as he sits quietly in one corner of the house.”

This year, we will be celebrating Christmas without the presence of my two sisters who are now married and living in the United States: elena in Minnesota and Marilou in Florida. Both have families of their own. But we know that even if they are physically absent, they will be mentally present.

Yes, I admit that I love Christmas. It is the time of the year when almost all people are happy. After all, December 25 was the day when our Savior Jesus Christ came into this world to save us. “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people,” the angel of the Lord said to the shepherds (Luke 2:10).

Christmas is no time for crying and pain.

“Christmas is the time of peace and goodwill,” explains Derrick Nichols, a Canadian church minister. “There is no room for bitterness at Christmas.

If we have been recipients of God’s goodwill, then we will have goodwill toward God and others.”

Francis C. Farley reminds, “Instead of being a time of unusual behavior, Christmas is perhaps the only time in the year when people can obey their natural impulses and express their true sentiments without feeling self-conscious and, perhaps, foolish. Christmas, in short, is about the only chance a man has to be himself.”

But Christmas is more than just a cele-

bration. It is also a time when people should ponder the reason for the season.

“I sometimes think we expect too much of Christmas Day,” David Grayson states. “We try to crowd into it the long arrears of kindliness and humanity of the whole year.

As for me, I like to take my Christmas a little at a time, all through the year. And thus I drift along into

hearts,” Joan Winmill Brown commented. “No matter how we may dread the rush, the long Christmas lists for gifts and cards to be bought and given-when Christmas Day comes there is still the same warm feeling we had as children, the same warmth that enfolds our hearts and our homes.”

Christmas is the time of giving and receiving gifts.

Carolyn Wells shares, “I love the Christmas-tide, and yet, I notice this, each year I live; I always like the gifts I get, but how I love the gifts I give!”

George Matthew Adams was right then when he said, “Let us remember that the Christmas heart is a giving heart, a wide open heart that thinks of others first. The birth of the baby Jesus stands as the most significant event in all history, because it has meant the pouring into a sick world the healing medicine of love which has transformed all manner of hearts for almost two thousand years.”

Most children, however, equate Christmas

with Santa Claus. In fact, one child wrote New York Times if Santa Claus is for real. Francis P. Church answered, “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus.”

This brings us to this anecdote.

Just before Christmas, an honest politician, a generous lawyer and Santa Claus all got into the elevator at a famous hotel in Manila. As the elevator traveled from the 5th floor down to the ground level, one-by-one they noticed a 1,000-peso bill note lying on the elevator’s floor.

Which one picked up the 1,000-peso bill, and handed it in at reception?

Answer: Santa of course, the other two don’t actually exist!

Kidding aside, Christmas is more than all the observations.

Perhaps the words of Robert Lynd

should be a reminder: “There are some people who want to throw their arms round you simply because it is Christmas.

There are other people who want to strangle you simply because it is Christmas.”

In recent years, Christmas has been hugely commercialized.

Comedian Dave Barry has given us a glimpse of it when he admitted, “Once again we find ourselves enmeshed in the Holiday Season, that very special time of year when we join with our loved ones in sharing centuries-old traditions such as trying to find a parking space at the mall. We traditionally do this in my family by driving around the parking lot until we see a shopper emerge from the mall, then we follow her, in very much the same spirit as the Three Wise Men, who 2,000 years ago followed a star, week after week, until it led them to a parking space.”

But Christmas should be a season of love and giving, of peace and understanding. “Fail not to call to

FSOON, 13

Let Christmas be your blessing this season L

et us keep Christmas beautiful without a thought of greed that it might live forevermore. To fill our every need that it shall not be just a day, but last a lifetime through. The miracle of Christmastime that brings God close to you.” -- Garnett Ann Schultz What is Christmas? If you pose this question to people, you will definitely receive different answers. To office workers, it means bonus and 13th month pay. To children, it is the time of receiving gifts from parents. To teachers, it’s a break from work. To businessmen, it is the season of sales and more sales.

To most people, however, Christmas is the time of eating, drinking, and merry-making. “For centuries men have kept an appointment with Christmas. Christmas means fellowship, feasting, giving and receiving, a time of good cheer, home,” said W.J. Ronald Tucker.

“Christmas! The very word brings joy to our

“

mind, in the course of the twenty-fifth of this month, that the Divinest Heart that ever walked the earth was born on that day; and then smile and enjoy yourselves for the rest of it; for mirth is also of Heaven’s making.”

That statement comes from the mouth of Leigh Hunt.

However, the observation of Charles Dickens, the author of A Christmas Carol, is more apt. He wrote: “I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round, as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys.”

While Christmas is the time for celebration, there are times when you feel something is wrong and you don’t know why. As Kate L. Bosher commented, “Isn’t it funny that at

Christmas something in you gets so lonely for - I don’t know what exactly, but it’s something that you don’t mind so much not having at other times.”

Carol Nelson has another view: “Christmas is a time when you get homesick even when you’re home.”

“Ang Disyembre ko ay malungkot, pagkat miss kita.” I recalled this line of a popular Filipino song, Miss Kita Kung Christmas, some years back while spending my Christmas in the United States. Although I was with my sister and her family, I still felt lonely since I missed celebrating Christmas in the Philippines.

We should celebrate Christmas not only this season but throughout the years. As Norman Wesley Brooks puts it: “Christmas is forever, not for just one day, for loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf.

The good you do for others is good you do yourself.”

May peace be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through.

[Jims Vincent T. Capuno]

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 201 •TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2012

$65M...

Inter-agency...

FFROM 1

“Dinky” Juliano-Soliman also discussed the extent of damage and deprivation in the typhoon-ravaged towns Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental, Calvalho admitted that the $66 million initially set aside may not be enough for the plan’s funding requirements. However, she said humanitarian agencies will gather to revise the recovery plan in January 2013 make it more responsive to the real needs on the ground.

Latest figures As of yesterday afternoon, government statistics indicated that 647 people had died as a result of the freak storm, 1,482 were injured and 780 others missing.

The data was provided by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), National Disaster Risk Reduction Manage-

Racing...

FFROM 2 ment Council, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration and Global administrative Areas, Pablo affected a total of 487,364 families or 5.4 million persons. A total of 9,362 families or 302,586 persons are in evacuation centers.

The action plan for recovery outlines a sixmonth plan for response, to be provided by UN agencies, international and local NGOs working alongside with the government. A press statement from UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs indicated that the plan will deliver urgently-needed food, water and emergency shelter, and other urgent assistance to seriously affected people in the worst hit areas.

“In the weeks and months to come, support will be provided to assist emotional as well as physical recovery, with particular attention to the needs of the most vulnerable.

Calvalho, who has visited the worst hit areas and saw the miserable state of the victims, praised the quick response of the local government leaders, the people, and their determination to help each other at this time.

She urged media to help the victims by informing them how to avoid getting sick due to scarce food, water and sanitation facilities in the evacuation centers and temporary shelters.

Welfare Secretary Soliman said that systems of delivering emergency help are being strengthened to avoid duplication and confusion.

a C-130 Hercules cargo plane 7:00 pm Friday at the Tactical Operations Group 11 Headquarters at the Davao International Airport.

Lt. General Paklauan Razak, head of the Malaysian delegation handed over three six by six truckloads of goods to Undersecretary Benito Ramos, executive director of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council at the reception hall of the 3rd Philippine Air Force Division, witnessed by Lt. General Jorge Segovia, commander of the eastern Mindanao Command, Liza Mazo, director of the Office of Civil Defense 11, Mila Segovia, assistant regional director for administration of the Department of Social Welfare and Development 11, disaster and consular officers of the Malaysian government and officers of the 10th Infantry Division and eastern Mindanao Command.

Lt. General Segovia thanked the Malaysian government for the assistance which came at the time when the affected populace needed.

“You came at the right

time when we are undergoing difficult times and many people need help,” Segovia said.

Usec Ramos said the gesture of the Malaysian government shows that they are not just our neighbors but our brothers.

Lt. General Razak said the goods comprise mainly of rice, biscuits, milk powder, blankets and towels.

He said the ten ton-cargo will just be the first shipment of assistance from Malaysia and more good are expected to be sent here until the situation normalizes.

Razak said Malaysia is always ready to help neighboring countries which in need.

Mila Segovia of the DSWD 11 said the distribution of the Malaysian assistance commenced yesterday, December 10.

She assured that there is no longer a municipality isolated from government reach.

“Our social workers are already in place in every distress municipality to assist in the distribution of assistance,” Segovia said. [PIA 11/Joey Sem G. Dalumpines]

ings, not just in Mindanao but also in Metro Manila.

Felonia said one major operation resulted to the arrest of an Abu Sayyaf leader last month in Palimbang Sultan Kudarat, who has been the sub-

ject of a manhunt for over a decade, and the arrest of the mayor of Jose Abad Santos in Davao del Sur and members of so-called private armies or members of partisan armed group (PAG).

FFROM 1

two of its cargo planes from Okinawa, Japan to assist in the delivery of relief goods from Manila to Davao City.

As of 11:00 am Monday, Liza Mazo, director of the Office of Civil Defense 11 reported that the death toll had reached 655 with 552 missing and 1,792 injured in the provinces of Compostela Valley, Davao Oriental and Davao del Norte.

In her report to the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, she said that a total of 43,112 families or 198,287 remain in evacuation centers.

Mazo said blackout still prevails in Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley, while service of telecommunication companies are gradually being restored in ComVal but none in many areas of Davao Oriental. earlier, a Malaysian Humanitarian Assistance Mission delivered ten tons of food and nonfood items Friday night.

The first international assistance to the typhoon stricken areas in the Davao region arrived from Malaysia on-board

PNP...

FFROM 2

lonia said that the intelligence community or the civilians are their partners in the arrest of most wanted persons in the region as well as the neutralization of terrorist members who were involved in bomb-

11

dead, 778 were injured, and 61 are still missing.

In Compostela Valley Province, 307 were recorded dead, 348 were injured and 461 were still missing. A total of 583 dead, 1,126 injured and 641 are missing as of this time.

“The Armed Force of

IPO...

the Philippines together with the different agencies and organizations has established a centralized relief operations center to organize and fast track the delivery of relief goods for the victims”, Lieutenant General Jorge Segovia, the eastern Mindanao Command (eMC)

Commander said. The Malaysian Humanitarian Assistance Mission had already transported 10 tons of food and non-food items last December 7, 2012 and was received

by USeC Benito T Ramos at the Tactical Operations Group (TOG 11), Sasa, Davao City.

ment (82.12%) barangay councilman (72. 26%).

When disaster strikes, the survey revealed that Dabawenyos expect their barangay captain as their first responders with a rating of 37.18% followed by the Mayor (23.27%) and the 911 emergency Response (18.51%).

According to Arquiza, the finding is an important information useful for disaster preparedness to post-disaster relief and rehabilitation efforts. To successfully conduct rescue, rehab and reconstruction efforts the barangay captain must be taken into the layers of communication and into the set-

up of coordination.

On the whole about 50% of the people are self-assured about their personal preparedness for disasters and calamities however they have high trust in the City Government’s capacity for quick response and they see that the government is ready with the needed resources.

Arquiza said that based on the survey it can be gleamed that the Davao City with its Public Safety Unit, support of the local government and the resources for rehabilitation and reconstruction is perceived as a disaster-ready city.

[PIA 11/RG Alama]

this puts the legislators on track to fulfill their promise to the Filipino people to pass the RH law in time for Christmas.

“We congratulate the senators and congress representatives whose votes are reflective of the wisdom of the people who have fought long and hard for the RH bill,” said UP College of Law Professor, Atty. elizabeth Pangalangan.

The group however said that they are well aware of the dirty tricks and delay tactics that the anti-RH camp may resort to in order to prevent the RH bill’s passage, which makes the vigilance of the people very important in securing a victory.

“We are very happy that the House of Representatives is at its best performance for the RH bill; with session attendance at its height, even as several hours of amendments go into the night. But we know ‘it ain’t over till it’s over,’” added Atty. Pangalangan.

“We have a very short window of time for the passage of the RH bill.

And from now until recess, this whole December, we will stand watch, we will be in the gallery, reminding our legislators that it is not the false imitation of the voice of God, but the genuine voice of the people they must heed,” UP School of economics professor Dr. ernesto Pernia added.

Thus the academics for RH expressed their strong and unflinching commitment to see the reproductive health bill through in both chambers of Congress.

The group said that the fifty signatories, along with the RH supporters, will remain vigilant to ensure that legislators present the Reproductive Health law to the Filipino people in time for Christmas.

“The positive momentum needs to be sustained by us all to avoid the impending ‘RH Cliff,” Pernia concluded.

FFROM 2

(82%) which could reduce if not zero out casualties during disaster of any kind. They also believe that the City has an emergency fund which could be utilized for relief operations and eventual rehabilitation and reconstruction of damage homes and communities.

Dabawenyos also have faith in their local leaders capacity to handle disasters. Ratings were significantly high ranging from 72% to a high of 92.24%. The Mayor has a high readiness rating of 92.24% followed by the Vice Mayor (91.15%), the barangay captain (83.87%), police (83.11%), fire depart-

Concede..

FFROM 2

ics issued on Monday.

The open debate challenge has gained almost 50 signatories from the academe since it was announced at the start of the week, and despite the unresponsive opposition, the group agreed that the result of the amendments process thus far is already a partial victory.

“We have consistently challenged the anti-RH camp to a debate, we have always asked them to prove wrong the cold, hard facts that make the very strong case for the reproductive health bill, and they respond by misquoting scientific studies and twisting expert opinions. We are not surprised that they did not want to face us in a final debate, and the clear vote against their ridiculous amendments proves us right,” Claudio added.

Pass RH para maligaya ang Pasko.

The group lauded the developments at the Senate and Congress, as

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VOL.5 ISSUE 201 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2012

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CHRISTMAS SPECIAl

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 201 •TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2012

Soon...

13

FFROM 10

the holidays - let them overtake me unexpectedly - waking up some find morning and suddenly saying to myself: ‘Why, this is Christmas Day!’” The answer to that question: The world celebrates Christmas because of the Son of God.

Jesus Christ came into this world with one thing in mind: To love us and wash us from our sins by His blood. He appeared for that reason in a baby in Bethlehem, a lad in Nazareth, a preacher in Judea, a lamb in Calvary.

J.J. Packer, author

of Knowing God, wrote: “’The Word became flesh’ (john 1:14); God became man; the divine Son became a Jew; the Almighty appeared in earth as a helpless human baby, unable to do more than lie and state and wiggle and make noises, needing to

be fed and changed and taught to talk like any other child. And there was no illusion or deception in this: the baby of the Son of God was a reality. The more you think about it, the more staggering it gets. Nothing is fiction is so fantastic as this truth of the incarnation.”

Another authority, C.H. Spurgeon, explained it this way: “Infinite, and an infant. eternal, and yet born of a woman…

Supporting a universe, and yet needing to be carried in a mother’s arms. King of angels, and yet the reputed son of Joseph. Heir of all things, and yet the carpenter’s despised son.”

If we have to summarize the life of Jesus Christ in this world, it would be this way: God became incarnate in Jesus Christ.

Through Him all things were created, the character of God is revealed, the salvation of humanity is accomplished, and the world is judged. Forever truly God, He became also truly man, Jesus Christ.

He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived and experienced temptation as a human being, but perfectly exemplified

the righteousness and love of God. He suffered and died voluntarily on the cross for our sins and in our place, was raised from the dead and ascended to minister in the heavenly sanctuary on our behalf. He will come again in glory for the final deliverance of His people and the restoration of all

things.

This holiday season, think of what Jesus Christ has done for you. An unknown author reminds: “May the spirit of Christmas bring you peace, the gladness of Christmas give you hope, and the warmth of Christmas grant you love.” [Jims Vincent T. Capuno]

14 SPORTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 201 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

VMO enters AFP-PNP Finals T

HREE-PEaT seeking Vice Mayor’s Office trounced Regional Public Safety Batallion, 87 – 70, to clinch the first final’s berth in the Mayor Sara Duterte and Vice Mayor Rody Duterte-10th AFP-PNP Basketball Tournament on Sunday night at the Davao City Recreation Center Almendras Gym. Picking up from where they left off in an amazing 11-game elimination sweep, VMO broke away early and dictated the tempo of the semifinals match for that convincing win that set the VMO cagers to the threshold of a third straight title.

VMO went to work early erecting a 24 – 11 lead in the second canto and kept that cushion intact on the way to a 51-36 lead at the half.

League scoring king Christopher “Bong” Go dropped 19 points for VMO, whose core owns four titles in the last 5 years, including two championships under the City Mayor’s Office banner.

Roy Bangkas provided ample support as he came out alive for the first time in VMO victory with his 14 baskets and superb hustle plays in both ends of the court.

RPSB, the No. 4 seed, battled hard at the start,

keeping the count close before VMO came out firing on all cylinders halfway of the second period to establish a comfortable gap.

Mark Innocentes and the rest of RPSB squad did not roll over and die as they kept on pounding to get back on track.

Down by 13 entering the final period, RPSB unleashed an 6-0 run to cut the deficit to 7, 59 – 66 as VMO misfired and committed unforced errors.

But the SP-based dribblers came back hard with their own 7-0 spurt to restore order and secure the victory as they begin to set their sights to the finals.

Innocentes scored 18 points as Cameros, who was a non-factor in the second-half after a huge first period, had 12 baskets.

VMO now awaits the winner of the other semi-final match between No. 2 seed Davao City Police Office and Bureau of Fire Protection.

Rodel Bantilan and Ryan Lomotos chipped in 16 and 13 points respectively for VMO which was up by just 2 points, 27 – 25 at the end of the opening period.

CMO won the titles in 2007 and 2008 before finishing runner-up to Police Regional Office-XI in 2009.

‘Spark’ ready for battle

A

hurting ankle won’t be enough to stop Barangay Ginebra San Miguel superstar Mark “The Spark” Caguioa as his team heads into what is expected to be a heated Philippine Cup quarterfinals affair against Rain or Shine.

The reigning Most Valuable Player admits playing in pain, but is not about to complain.

“I’ve played through a bum knee, came back, and won a championship for us. I’ve played through different pains in some parts of my career,” said Caguioa.

“Unless may bali na talaga rito sa katawan ko, that’s the only time na sasabihin ko sa kanila na hindi ako

maglalaro.”

Starting Wednesday, Caguioa’s aching body will once again put to a test as the Gin Kings face the elasto Painters in a best-ofthree series.

“I’m ready for the physicality,” said Caguioa, who suffered a bruise near his left eyebrow after being hit

by Ranidel de Ocampo in Sunday’s night’s encounter against Talk ‘N Text.

Caguioa expects more of the same against the elasto Painters.

“Matagal na rin kami rito and we’re used to the physical game. I think in the end, it’s a matter of which team can play best,” he said.

Malditas climb in world rankings

T

He Philippine national women’s football team climbed two notches higher in the latest FIFA Women’s World Ranking released this month.

The Malditas reached the 83rd spot this December from 85th last August following their performance in the 2012 ASeAN Football Federation Women’s Championship last September, where they walloped Singapore, 7-2, but failed to advance to the next round after suffering losses

to Myanmar and eventual champion Vietnam during the group stages.

The Filipinas are also coming off a championship run in the 2012 LA Viking Cup in the United States last November, topping the preliminary stages before beating American squad California Cosmos for the title. This performance, however, was not counted in the world rankings as they are only up against clubs and not national teams.

Jazz hand Lakers another loss LOSING HOPE? Kobe Bryant could no longer hide his frustration.

L

OS ANGeLeS — Paul Millsap scored 24 points, Mo Williams added 22 and the Utah Jazz defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 117-110 on Sunday night (Monday, Manila time) for their third straight victory.

Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 34 points, making 12 of 14 free throws, as they fell to 4-7 in their last 11 games.

Al Jefferson and reserves Gordon Hayward and enes Kanter added 14 points each for the Jazz, which improved to 4-9 on the road in ending a two-game skid away from home.

The Lakers never led in the second half while

losing their second in a row. They trailed by three to start the fourth quarter only to get outscored 20-8 and fall behind by 15. Hayward had seven points and Kanter six in Utah’s spurt.

Bryant, who shot 9 of 24 while playing 43 minutes, engineered one last charge. He had seven points in a 17-7 run that got the Lakers to 115-110 with 1:10 to play. But he missed two 3-pointers in the final 33 seconds.

Jordan Hill added 17 points and Jodie Meeks 16 off the Lakers’ bench.

The Jazz owned a 5434 edge in the paint and outscored the Lakers 19-4 on fast breaks.

Bryant took over in

the third with 14 points as the Lakers outscored the Jazz 34-28. He made four straight free throws to leave the Lakers trailing 88-85 going into the fourth.

Dwight Howard’s dunk had the Lakers down by one, but the Jazz responded again with another scoring burst to extend their lead. Williams had four of their nine points before Bryant’s free throw binge.

Howard finished with 11 points and 16 rebounds.

Los Angeles closed within one midway through the second quarter. The Jazz responded with a 14-3 run, including 11 in a row, to go up 5543. DeMarre Carroll scored

six points, including a fastbreak reverse layup and a dunk made possible when Hayward found the streaking Carroll on the break.

The Lakers made a little run of their own, led by seven straight points from Hill and a free throw by Bryant to end the half trailing 60-51 despite shooting 36 percent.

The Jazz scored the game’s first eight points while the Lakers were missing their first four shots and turning the ball over three times. Bryant got them on the board with a 3-pointer and another basket and it was left to him to score the Lakers’ last basket that put them ahead 27-25.

that drafted him and later dealt him in the package for Anthony in February 2011.

Anthony decided to play after working out before the game, shooting 10 of 24 while adjusting to playing with the finger covered. He beat the Nuggets for the first time after the Knicks dropped a dou-

ble-overtime game here last season.

Corey Brewer made the first two baskets of the fourth to give Denver an 88-80 lead, but the Knicks came right back with consecutive 3-pointers by Steve Novak and a dunk by Chandler to tie it.

Ronnie Brewer scored the next four points to make it

a 12-0 run, and after a basket by Kenneth Faried, Anthony made a jumper and a 3-pointer as the Knicks opened a 97-90 advantage.

Denver from there could get it down as close as four, Anthony nailing a jumper on one occasion and driving into the lane for another to keep the Nuggets away.

Melo returns, lifts Knicks N

eW YORK — Carmelo Anthony returned from a twogame absence with 34 points against his former team, and the New York Knicks beat the Denver Nuggets 112-106 on Sunday night (Monday, Manila time) to remain the NBA’s lone unbeaten team at home.

Back in the starting lineup after missing two games with a cut on the middle finger of his left hand that required stitches, Anthony twice made baskets in the final 2:08 after Denver had pulled within four points.

Jason Kidd scored 17 points for the Knicks, who bounced back from their worst offensive performance of the season a night earlier in Chicago and improved to 8-0 at Madison Square Garden.

Tyson Chandler and J.R. Smith each had 15 points.

Ty Lawson had 23 points and Danilo Gallinari had 21 points and nine rebounds against the team

Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks fights his way past Denver Nuggets forward Andre Iguodala. AP

INdulge!

VOL.5 ISSUE 201 •TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

TRAVEL

Whenever I travel, I make sure I try to taste the local dishes that are special for a particular city or country I am visiting. Be it the hainan Chicken rice of Singapore or the myriad dim sum of hong Kong, every experience is a treat and a beautiful footnote on my travel diary.

Then there are the unexpected bites, delicious morsels that are totally unexpected and out of my stereotype of the place I am visiting. And there area few of those treats that are specially good yet totally out of the blue.

French breads and croissants They say Cambodia is where one would find the origins of Thai cuisine, so I was expecting some heady curries to come my way on my last visit there. So imag-

ine my surprise when I was served beautifully baked breads and croissants for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Little India’s masala tea

Me and my bread

Taro pudding.

KFC egg tart anyone?

Cold taho.

The croissants I had were light and buttery and crumbled with the slightest touch while the baguettes were crisp on the outside and nice and chewy on the inside. This was when I then remembered that Cambodia was once a French colony and that answered all my questions on why their breads are so good!

Fast food egg tart When in hong Kong, dine out. The former British-crown colony has so many different restaurants serving a cacophony of different cuisines so why go to any ordinary fast food chain right? But head over to KFC for the crustiest, most decadent, egg tart.

Yes, I would dare say that these egg tarts concocted by the colonel can stand up to those of Macau. Too bad KFC has no plans yet of introducing these delicious pies to the local market.

A spicy sweet treat Tea is oftentimes served without sugar or in some other cases drowned in sugar and milk, but the masala tea I had in Singapore’s Little India was an unexpected spicy treat.

Croissants for breakfast at the Sofitel Angkor.

It was sweet, savory, and spicy at the same time which was a good match to the chickpea doughnut that was paired with a cooling yoghurt dip.

Singaporean taho and taro

Singapore is so near the equator that it really feels good to take in cold desserts and their version of taho really hits the spot.

Made of curdled soy milk, and ever-so slightly sweet, Singapore’s taho is chilled

with a beautiful custard texture that never fails to bring me back to simpler days.

And while the taho is light, the opposite can be said for the steamed taro pudding. Made of creamy taro and flavored with coconut milk, the taro pudding is served warm and has a rich and sweet flavor.

I was surprised with how the taro paste was made so fine and silky, far from the normal taro we have here in Davao. I had another surprise when, I bit one of the orange cubes I assumed to be sweet potato, which turned out to be pumpkin which added a nutty finish to the dessert.

These are just a few of the unexpected bites I had in just the past twelve months. What are some unexpected bites you had during your travels? Tweet me on Twitter @kennethkingong or follow me on Instagram also @kennethkingong. Til then happy travels and good eating!

EDGEDAVAO

A2 INdulge!

UP AnD ABOUT

VOL.5 ISSUE 201 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2012

EnTERTAinMEnT

What A Girl Wants launches Davao’s Young Ambassadors of Style WhAT A GiRL WAnTs, every fashionista’s haven, revealed the Young Ambassadors of style campaign during the official opening of their newly renovated flagship store at the Ayala Center Cebu last saturday, December 8, 2012. The Young Ambassadors of style is an annual selection of the city’s fresh new faces and stunning style setters, individuals who epitomize the brand’s image of style, substance and youthful exuberance. Featured in the campaign’s debut are Davao’s eco-advocate Lorenzo Rabat,, fashionable future doctor Milen Aquino and preppy aspiring dentist Ccia Ang.

WAGW Founder and CEO Diane Uy enthuses “it has always been a dream for us to open here since Davao is known to be home to some of the most elegant, stylish and fashion forward people in the country. This dream was realized when we opened our doors to the Davaoeños last year in May right here in the heart of Davao - the Abreeza Mall. We have been very grateful

The Hobbit early reviews are in...

and they’re mixed!

IT couldn’t be that The hobbit: An Unexpected Journey isn’t a trip worth taking... could it?

and blessed to have received such a warm welcome since then.” Marketing Director Jacklyn Uy continues “To mark what has been over a year in the Land of Promise and to unveil the much awaited holiday Collection, WAGW launched the first annual Young Ambassadors of style Davao, which celebrates and recognizes some of Davao’s most stylish and promising young personalities who epitomize the WAGW’s image of style, substance and youthful exuberance.”

WAGW”s Young style Ambassadors of Davao were featured wearing the brand’s holiday collection. inspired by oriental high-build embroideries, opulent fabric and immensely decorative details, a collection of ornate grunge is born. According to WAGW’s Creative Director Kryz Uy “This collection brings about feelings of luxury and elegance juxtaposed with rawness and distressed modernity, making use of stunning brocades against laser cut leather, metallic spikes on elegant satin, heavy embellishments on figure skating spandex, giving the wearer a sense of refinement, excessiveness and class with today’s edge and sense of self-power.”

The ladies behind What A Girl Wants, the Uy sistersJacklyn, Kryz and founder Diane Uy-Ang - continue to stand behind their vision to satisfy the shopping needs of vibrant and edgy girls and boys ages 18 to 30 who exude street chic by providing them with a wide selection of apparel, bags, footwear and accessories to further emphasize their personal style. With new arrivals in limited pieces in store every Friday, collections are always up-to-date with current fashion trends. From what started as a corner stall in Cebu in 2004, What A Girl Wants will have a total of 10 boutiques in the key cities of Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Davao City, Bacolod, and Metro Manila by January 2013.

WAGW is located in Abreeza Mall Davao and is open from 10am-10pm. Other branches can be found in in sM City Cebu, Ayala Center Cebu, sM Consolacion, LimKetKai Mall CDO, Centrio Mall CDO, and inside The Ramp Crossings in Trinoma, shang, Glorietta. To shop online, go to http://www.shopwagw.com/ or https:// www.facebook.com/WAGWOnline.

While, according to a smattering of early reviews, there is plenty to love about the first of three (an unexpected twist in and of itself!) films through which Peter Jackson is bringing the J.r.r. Tolkien classic The hobbit: There and Back Again to the big screen, critics aren’t kvelling over everything.

In fact, maybe the exhaustively thorough filmmaker would have done himself a favor by practicing a little brevity when it came to the tale of Bilbo Baggins and how he came to acquire that dastardly ring.

“The hobbit alternately rewards and abuses auds’ appetite for all things Middle-earth,” writes variety’s Peter Debruge, who opines that the entire epic’s biggest achievement is technological.

The film, which opens in U.S. theaters Dec. 14, “doesn’t offer nearly enough novelty to justify the three-film, nine-hour treatment, at least on the basis of this overlong first installment, dubbed An Unexpected Journey,” Debruge further laments, writing that the movie also suffers from “a surfeit of characters.”

And that much-buzzedabout 48-frames-per-second cinematography in 3-D? “Consequently, everything takes on an overblown, artificial quality in which the phoniness of the

sets and costumes becomes obvious, while well-lit areas bleed into their surroundings, like watching a high-end home movie,” Debruge concludes.

The hollywood reporter’s Todd McCarthy, meanwhile, acknowledges that Jackson’s fastidiousness has created “a purist’s delight,” albeit not quite a Festivus for the rest-of-us.

McCarthy doesn’t doubt that the movie will have the yellow bricks piling up at the box office, but he also writes that “it’s as if The Wizard of Oz had taken nearly an hour just to get out of Kansas.”

“There might be an appetite for a ‘Condensed Director’s Cut’ in a single normal-length film,” he jokes. Both he and Debruge (and pretty much all the other critics) agree, though, that as far as consistency with the look and feel of The Lord of the rings is concerned, The hobbit is top-notch.

And russell Baillie, of the close-to-home new Zealand herald, calls it “a ripper of a film.. he, too, is of the opinion that An Unexpected Journey starts sloooowly, but he writes that its last hour “just flies by.”

“While it’s arguable that it’s a better film than the previous Tolkien epic starter, The Fellowship of the ring, it’s surely a better theme park ride,” Baillie notes, and he was “com-

pletely dazzled, in a good way,” by the 3-D. The Playlist’s rodrigo Perez similarly laments the beginning (“slow-going and tepidly genteel”) and applauds the ending, “when the action is at its thunderous peak.”

The reviews were unanimously favorable, meanwhile, when it came to Martin Freeman as Bilbo and Andy Serkis, back as Gollum. even reviewer Garfeimao of rabid fan site The One ring admitted there are “bits that are a bit confusing and may feel misplaced.” But the primedto-love-it reviewer had only the best things to say about Freeman: “You feel everything he feels.”

“A nicely flustered and quick-witted presence,” Cinema Blend calls the Sherlock star.

“At times, the story

could maybe have been told a tad faster, but we’re talking Peter Jackson here,” writes Jule Scherer of Stuff. co.nz.

“When the credits start to roll to neil Finn’s ‘Song of the Lonely Mountain,’ after nearly three hours, the theatre burst into applause and nobody I talked to complained of sickness or drowsiness after the 48fps experience, but felt perfectly emerged into Middle-earth.”

Though it’s still technically “coming soon,” The hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’s rotten Tomatoes score currently rests at 75 percent—better than most, but, as yet, it’s no Lincoln (90 percent) or Skyfall (92 percent).

So, the moral of this story is: Take your bathroom breaks during the first hour and save the popcorn for the Middle and beyond.

VOL.5 ISSUE 201 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

Pregnant Kate Middleton suffers acute morning sickness again PSY apologizes for anti-America rap

KATE MiDDLETOn has come down with another bout of acute morning sickness, just days after checking out of King Edward Vii hospital.

While the Duchess of Cambridge won’t be heading back to the hospital this time, Prince William reportedly canceled his appearance at the British Military Tournament sunday to be by her side at Kensington Palace as she recovers, a rep for the royals confirms to E! news.

“The Duke of Cambridge will no longer attend the British Military Tournament at Earl’s Court this evening,” the rep said in a statement. “But will spend sunday privately with the Duchess instead.” “it is well known that hyperemesis gravidarum often recurs and, until further notice, to allow the Duchess a degree of privacy during her pregnancy, we do not intend

to offer regular condition checks or advise of routine developments associated with it.” saturday, Prince William commented about his wife’s health to former Centrepoint chariman Michael O’higgins at the Winter Whites Gala, saying “i don’t know why they call it morning sickness— they should call it all day

and all night sickness. it’s a long old process but she is getting there. she feels like it is going to go on forever,” according to Gossip Cop. After announcing her pregnancy Monday, Middleton was admitted to the UK hospital for treatment for this acute form of morning sickness and was released Thursday.

PsY is backtracking on that invisible horse of his.

The hugely successful “Gangnam style” rapper shocked many earlier today when anti-American statements he made at a protest concert in 2004 came to light. Among the incendiary lyrics: “Kill those f--king Yankees who have been torturing iraqi captives/Kill those f--king Yankees who ordered them to torture/Kill their daughters, mothers, daughter-inlaw and fathers/Kill them all slowly and painfully.”

But now the rapper, who has performed for U.s. troops and is scheduled to perform later this month for President Barack Obama, is ready to set the record straight, releasing a statement to E! news.

“As a proud south Korean who was educated in the United states and lived there for a very significant part of my life, i understand the sacrifices Ameri-

can servicemen and women have made to protect freedom and democracy in my country and around the world,” he said.

The 34-year-old pop star said the words came at a heated time, following the killing of two Korean schoolgirls.

“The song i was featured in—eight years ago—was part of a deeply emotional reaction to the war in iraq and the killing of two Korean schoolgirls that was part of the overall antiwar sentiment shared by others around the world at that time. While i’m grateful for the freedom to express one’s self, i’ve learned there are limits to what language is appropriate and i’m deeply sorry for how these lyrics could be interpreted. i will forever be sorry for any pain i have caused by those words,” he added.

The rapper, whose goofy video became the

most-watched YouTube clip ever, continued his attempt to make amends. “i have been honored to perform in front of American soldiers in recent months—including an appearance on the Jay Leno show specifically for them—and i hope they and all Americans can accept my apology. While it’s important that we express our opinions, i deeply regret the inflammatory and inappropriate language i used to do so. in my music, i try to give people a release, a reason to smile. i have learned that thru music, our universal language we can all come together as a culture of humanity and i hope that you will accept my apology.” he will soon find out. A White house spokesman said that the Obama family still plans to attend the Dec. 21 Christmas in Washington concert where Psy is scheduled to appear.

EDGEDAVAO

A4 INdulge!

EVEnTs

VOL.5 ISSUE 201 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2012

COSPLAY party launches Samurai X live action movie at SM Lanang Premier

SM CIneMA and SM Lanang Premier recently held a samurai COSPLAY party in celebration of the screening of the Samurai X live-action movie last December 5 at the cinema lobby of SM Cinema at SM Lanang Premier. Fans of the Samurai X anime series flocked to the event as cosplayers came in wearing costumes of their favorite anime samurai.

A trivia game featuring questions from Samurai X as well as a COSPLAY competition highlighted the event with winners taking home loot bags from IMAX while COSPLAY winners went home with loot bags from IMAX as well as free movie passes for the screening of Samurai X. Samurai X is adapted from a popular anime series, about an Ishin assassin known only as the hitokiri Battousai, whose skill and brutality became near legendary in the age of restoration he helped to build. however, as the time of fighting drew to a close, he vanished without a trace, only to resurface eleven years later as a wandering swordsman, himura Kenshin. now staying at a kenjutsu dojo maintained by a fiery-tempered woman named Kamiya Kaoru, and surrounded by newfound friends like the streetfighter Sagara Sanosuke, ex-samurai’s son Myoujin Yahiko, and the shrewd doctor Takani Megumi, he seeks to carry out his vow to protect the weak without killing in order to atone for the lives he’s taken. It’s not long, though, before this vow is put to the test, and the shadows of his past return to haunt him and everyone he holds dear.

Samurai X the live action movie is still showing exclusively at all SM Cinemas until December 19.

SM Cinema staff together with Samurai COSPLAYERS.

Name these characters from Samurai X.

Competing entries to the COSPLAY event.

Samurai in full regalia.

SPORTS15

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 201 •TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2012

Win or scoring draw P

HILIPPINeS coach Michael Weiss reckons the compact Jalan Besar Stadium, venue for the return leg of their AFF Suzuki Cup semi-final with Singapore on Wednesday, could suit his team.

He said that the 8,000 capacity stadium with its artificial pitch “just might work to our advantage” after the 0-0 draw in the home leg on Saturday left the tie wide open.

“We will not risk much, the pitch in Jalan Besar is pretty tight,” he said. “We have to be patient because we expect to see Singapore more active on their (home) turf.”

“A victory or a draw with goals that is what we are working on,” added Weiss, whose team vanquished the Lions 2-0 in a friendly match staged at the Jurong West Stadium on September 7.

Weiss also said that the short recovery period between games would give the Philippines an edge as most of the squad was injury free.

With the Azkals boasting a deep bench, he did not rule out making two to three changes to his starting line-up on Wednesday.

Among those who either have been used sparingly or not at all are defender Jason Sabio, midfielder Chris Greatwich, who scored the late equaliser against the Lions in their group match in Vietnam two years ago, and striker Denis Wolf, who was hindered by an ankle sprain during the Group A campaign in Bangkok.

Phil Younghusband will have to battle the defense of the Singapore Lions in another physical match in the second leg on Wednesday in Singapore.

Also waiting for the opportunity to contribute to the Azkals’ cause is former US Youth team standout, Filipino-American winger Demit Omphroy, who did not see group action because of flu.

Playing an AFF Suzuki Cup match in front of a hometown crowd for the first time, the Azkals seemed to be more jittery than inspired on Saturday and barely managed to escape with the draw following a dominant first half from Singapore.

Still, the 52-year-old

Weiss, who became the Philippine coach at the start of 2010, was upbeat about their chances in Singapore.

He attributed his confidence to “a very solid defence. Against this defence it will not be easy for Singapore to score even on home soil.”

Weiss added that the return of Jerry Lucena, who is set to rejoin the team in Singapore on Monday, would steady the midfield and keep the team “calmer in the buildup time.”

Tickets sold out for Singapore leg

T

He Football Association of Singapore has announced that the tickets allocated for Filipinos for the second leg of the Asean Football Federation Suzuki Cup semifinals on Wednesday at the Jalan Besar Stadium have been sold out.

Supporters of the visiting team were given two days (Tuesday and Wednesday) to buy 375 tickets for the Philippines-Singapore return

leg after their scoreless draw on Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

But just a few minutes after the sale started at the game venue at noon on Monday, the Singapore FA announced that the allocation was already snapped up by away supporters. “[TICKeT UPDATe] All tickets allocated for AWAY (Philippines) fans are SOLD OUT!!!!,” read the FAS posting on its Twitter

and Facebook accounts a little half past noon.

According to the Singapore FA, the Jalan Besar Stadium has a seating capacity of 7,500 - five percent of which was allocated to home fans.

Philippine supporters who lined up for tickets were allowed to buy up to four tickets at a time.

Singapore is home to a huge population of Filipino workers, most of them domestic helpers.

was going to be tough against a physical team.

But I think they know when they come to Singapore it is going to be even harder for them. We are waiting for them in Singapore, I think it is going to be a tough game for them.”

Khairul Amri was outstanding for three-time champions Singapore and coach Radojko Avramovic will be hoping that an ankle injury that caused the front man to leave the field near the end of the game is not too serious.

Avramovic said he could not confirm at this stage if midfielder Shi Jiayi, who left the squad because of a family emergency, would be available for the return leg.

Philippine coach Mi-

chael Weiss bemoaned the lack of creativity in the midfield against Singapore and will likely start Jerry Lucena, who played two matches in Group A before rejoining his club side esbjerg in the Danish Superliga, on Wednesday.

“We have Jerry Lucena available for the second leg, which will definitely help us in midfield,” he said.

He added that, with the away goals rule in operation, the Philippines were in a strong position heading to the Lion City.

“We start from zero (in Singapore) but a score draw or a victory and we are through. I am positive that we will play better in Singapore than we did today,” he said.

Azkals will play better in Lion’s den I

T’S all to play for in the AFF Suzuki Cup semi-final between the Philippines and Singapore after a goalless draw between the teams in the first leg at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila on Saturday.

Both sides had chances to break the deadlock although the defences were mostly on top during a physical encounter that threatened to boil over on several occasions.

Shahril Ishak, who tops the AFF Suzuki Cup scoring charts with four goals, missed a glorious opportunity for Singapore in the first half, with a swerving free kick from Paul Mulders after the break proving the best effort by the Philippines.

The Singapore trio of

Safuwan Baharudin, Isa Halim and Daniel Bennett were booked along with Filipino defender Dennis Cagara and they need to tread carefully at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Wednesday as a further yellow card would result in them missing the final if their team progresses.

Bennett was disappointed that Singapore did not get on the scoresheet but predicted that the Lions would make it tough for the Philippines in the return leg.

“Away goals count in this tournament so we wanted to score,” he said.

“In the first half, I thought we had three or four wonderful chances - we really had them on the back foot.

“We always knew it

16 SPORTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 201 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Is it over?

Manny’s first words after the knockout?

H

eRe is a heart-rending story that was obscured by the pall of gloom that enveloped the country after its boxing hero fell like a storm-hit log.

It’s one story that speaks of a bond that ties real friends.

That is the story of Manny Pacquiao and Buboy Fernandez—a bond so strong it was his childhood friend whom the boxing superstar first looked for the moment he regained consciousness after being knocked out cold inside the ring on Saturday night

(Sunday, Manila time).

“Boy, ‘san ka?” were the very first words Pacquiao uttered, according to Fernandez, when he finally came to his senses as he lied face down on the mat minutes after being dropped like a log by a solid Juan Manuel Marquez counter right in the sixth round of their welterweight showdown at the MGM Grand.

As the boxing great recognized his close pal, Fernandez took out Pacquiao’s mouthpiece to enable him to breath easily.

Pacquiao then rattled his

WHAT MANY OBSERVED FROM MANNY. (Clockwise) Manny Pacquiao takes off his shirt before the fight no longer baring the silver rosary that has been very prominent around his neck in his previous fights; Manny in the Margarito weigh-in with his rosary; Manny with Juan Manuek Marquez who had his rosary in the weigh-in

pal with one question after another.

“Ano nangyari?,” asked the fallen boxer. “Tapos na ang laban?”

To which a teary-eyed Fernandez replied amidst the wild celebration inside the ring by the Marquez camp, “Oo, nasingitan tayo, brod.”

Fernandez had been there with Pacquiao from the start, from the time they were teens struggling to find their luck in the Big City, all the way to becoming one of the most successful tandems in bigtime boxing.

As his close friend lay motionless on the canvas, Buboy only wanted to be there for Manny.

“Pikit talaga ang mata niya,” he vividly remembered. “Pero nung niluwagan na yung shorts niya, yung sapatos niya, tapos gumalaw na siya, alam ko hindi siya gaano nasaktan.

“Pinapatabi ako nung mga ringside doctors, pero wala akong pakialam. Sabi ko kaibigan ko ito, ako ang aalalay dito,” he recalled of the heart-tugging moment as he tried to help Pacquiao get on his stool.

MANNY PACQUIAO: THEN AND NOW

and on fight night; the same rosary was last seen during the weigh-in in the fight against Shane Moseley, the last man Pacquiao defeated; for the second straight fight, Pacquiao did not have the rosary with him, and for the second straight fight, he lost.