Edge Davao 5 Issue 209

EDGEDAVAO P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

VOL.5 ISSUE 209 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21-22, 2012

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Before New Year

DCWD to fix water problem T

HE DAVAO City Water District has assured consumers in affected areas of a partial, temporary restoration of water distribution before the end of the year.

Water distribution was cut

Tanan problema naay solusyon

Temporary bypass lines to be constructed in lieu of damaged water main

in several areas in Davao City after transmission lines along

Gov. Generoso Bridge were damaged by strong water cur-

rent in the Davao River last week.

Edwin Regalado, acting general manager, said that the DCWD board of directors and

FBEFORE, 11

Page 14

Follow Us On TEMPORARY ANCHOR. A huge oceangoing cargo ship owned by Dockwise dropped anchor at midsea just off Piapi in Davao City. The vessel was scheduled to deliver gantry cranes at the port of Hijo in Madaum, Tagum City but was forced to stop the operation as some of its cargoes moved to unusual

Typhoon Pablo

Damage to coconuts reached P8B: PCA A

top official of the Philippine Coconut Authority estimated a total of eight billion pesos lost to the devastation wrought by Typhoon Pablo to the coconut industry in the Davao region.

Undersecretary Euclides Forbes, administrator of the PCA said the destruction of coconut plantations in Davao Oriental will affect the overall annual production of coconut products nationwide since the province had always been the number one producer of copra prior to the storm.

He said that per record, there are

314 million coconut trees all over the country.

Forbes said it is possible that other provinces in the country may be able to make up for the loss of Davao Oriental’s copra production next year.

The region has about 376,000 hectares of farms planted to coconut, with half of the total area located in Davao Oriental according to a report by the PCA. From these farms, the region produces about three million nuts annually.

“We need massive rehabilitation, like replanting immediately, given that many

FTYPHOON, 11

positions threatening the ship to tilt over and run aground. The ship captain decided to proceed to Subic which is better equipped to safely land the special cranes. LEAN DAVAL JR.

2 THE BIG NEWS

VOL.5 ISSUE 209 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21-22, 2012

IGaCoS, BJMP exchange land

T

HE Island Garden City of Samal, represented

by Mayor Aniano P. Antalan, and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology’s chief, Supt. Diony D. Mamaril represented by Jail Senior Supt Amelia Vega Talento, TLPE inked a Deed of Exchange of Parcels of land at the pffice of the city mayor last December 14.

The city government of Samal, owner of a lot located in Brgy. Toril, Sitio Bucaran, Babak district, IGaCoS with an estimated land area of 12,000 square meters and the BJMP 11, owner of a lot located in Barangay Licup, Samal district, IGaCoS with an estimated land area of 12,675 square meters, vol-

untarily agreed to exchange respective properties including the buildings and improvements existing on each of the sites.

The idea to exchange lots came about when BJMP started to build its structure in the area and met much difficulty to complete it along with the problem of accessibility.

The city government offered an area in Barangay Toril, Babak district which BJMP also found place suitable to build their jail building on.

Aside from giving BJMP the area, the city government will also give BJMP a donation of P1 million for the construction of building.

CHOIR. Members of Socio Cultural Ensembles choir sing their Christmas piece in the senior category of Pasko Fiesta 2012’s Panaygon competition along San Pedro Street Wednesday night. LEAN DAVAL JR.

Senate, House support EO on Bangsamoro TransCom

T

HE Senate and the House of Representatives on Wednesday passed resolutions supporting the December 17 Executive Order creating the Transition Commission that would pave the way for a new autonomous political entity called “Bangsamoro”

by June 30, 2016.

EO 120, signed last Monday, provides for the creation of a 15-member all-Bangsamoro Transition Commission (TransCom) that is tasked, among others, to draft the Bangsamoro Basic Law of the future “Bangsamoro,” the political entity that would replace the five-province, two-city Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Government peace panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer and Moro Islamic Liberation Front

peace panel chair Mohagher Iqbal welcomed the resolutions.

“The Transition Commission will need a lot of goodwill and support from Congress. The resolutions passed a mere two days from the issuance of the EO and before Congress closes shop for the holidays, bring good tidings to all,” the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) quoted Ferrer as saying.

“It’s a good sign of what lies ahead for the peace process. We appreciate the gesture very much,” Iqbal told MindaNews in a text message.

President Aquino is expected to name the TransCom members, soon.

Support The 15-member body is composed of seven

S&P revises outlook on PHL to ‘positive’

I

MPROVEMENT of the Philippines’ political and institutional aspects vis-à-vis the credit rating made Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (S&P) upgrade Thursday its outlook on the economy from ‘stable’ to ‘positive’.

Similarly, S&P affirmed the country’s ‘BB+’ longterm and ‘B’ short-term sovereign credit ratings, the ASEAN regional scale rating of ‘axBBB+/axA-2’, the ratings on the Philippines’ senior unsecured debt and the ‘BBB-’ rating on transfer and convertibility assessment.

To date, S&P has a ‘BB+’ rating for the country, a notch below investment grade. This is the same lev-

el Moody’s Investors Service and Fitch Ratings have for the country.

The outlook upgrade was made on the same day President Benigno Aquino III signed into law the Sin Tax Reform Act or Republic Act (RA) No. 10351.

It was also announced two days after Moody’s Investors Service further upgraded its growth forecast for the Philippines for 2012 to 6.3 percent from 3.2 percent and the 2013 projection to 5.5 percent from five percent previously on back of continued robust expansion of the domestic economy.

Similarly, the outlook upgrade was made after

FS&P, 11

EDGEDAVAO

representatives from the government and eight from the MILF. It will be chaired by the MILF. House Resolution No. 971 introduced by Mindanawon representatives Jesus Sacdalan of North Cotabato, Tupay Loong of Sulu, Simeon Datumanong of Maguindanao and Acmad Tomawis (Ang Laban ng Indiginong Filipino partylist) expressed “support for the 2012 Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and its implementation, including the creation of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission.”

A similarly worded resolution at the Senate – Senate Resolution 922 – was introduced by Mindanawon senator Teofisto Guingona III.

FSENATE, 11

DavOr power co-op lost P139M to Pablo

By Anthony S. Allada

D

AVAO Oriental’s electric cooperative has placed the damage caused by Typhoon Pablo to its power lines and posts at P139 million.

Davao Oriental Electric Cooperative (DORECO), which provides power in the entire province, said the damage could still go up once the estimates from damages to its barangay power lines are consolidated.

“This was our over-all assessment on the damage of our backbone lines, but we have still to evaluate those in the barangays,” said Engr. Gregory Dukil, Doreco chief executive officer.

Dukil said that the

province was left in total darkness when the typhoon struck at dawn last December 4 and destroyed the main power station in Mati City as well as the two major sub-stations in Baganga and Cateel.

He said that with the help of Aboitiz Power-Davao Light and other nine electric cooperatives, power supply has been gradually restored in Mati City, Banaybanay, Lupon, San Isidro, Tarragona, Manay and Governor Generoso.

“We hope that by December 23, we can also restore power in Caraga, Baganga, Cateel and Boston,” he added.

The cooperative lost P7-million revenue in Ba-

ganga and another P5-million in Cateel where they have thousands of connections.

Baganga was the erstwhile top power consuming town in Davao Oriental prior to Pablo.

“But we are optimistic we can recover from this crisis in the months to come. What is more important is for life to go on,” Dukil said.

Aside from restoring the power supply, Dukil’s office is launching Operation Tabang to help typhoon victims.

He said that through Doreco, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), has delivered relief goods to Cateel.

DepEd 11 seeks ‘tent classrooms’

W

ITHOUT even a tree to shade under and attend class, schoolchildren in Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley will have to learn their lessons under tents.

Tent classrooms will temporarily serve as learning spaces to take the place of damaged school buildings in typhoon-hit areas, according to the Department of Education.

As this developed, the Deped Region XI office is appealing to the public to donate more tents to temporarily replace some 1,600 damaged classrooms.

Jenielito Atillo, spokesperson of DepEd-11, said Pablo’s devastation in Compostela Valley (Com-

1,600 classrooms damaged in Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley Val) and Davao Oriental left school children with nothing, not even a tree, where they could hold classes.

The two provinces had a total of 85,893 school children as recorded by DepEd-11 before the calamity, Atillo said, adding that the figure could be lower in Pablo’s aftermath.

He cited that in Davao Oriental, 307 classrooms need rehabilitation and repair with an estimated amount of P87,483,000, and 769 classrooms need replacement or new construction with a total cost of P502,990,000.

The costs do not include hauling materials yet as engineers in the field are still digging more data, he added.

In ComVal, 96 damaged classrooms need rehabilitation, 300 need replacement of roofing and ceiling, and 144 need repair of roofs, partition and ceiling.

All rehabilitations cost a total of P78,435,000, while hauling materials cost P60,530,000, he cited.

But the DepEd, along with humanitarian partners in the cluster for education and psychosocial intervention for Pablo

victims, will not wait for classrooms to be repaired before holding classes, Atillo said.

The cluster, he added, will provide a venue for children using tents or “learning spaces” to bring back their sense of normal thinking as they suffer worse from the effects of Pablo.

He said there are 56 tents to be sent in the two affected provinces starting Thursday. Some members of the cluster will provide other needs such as chairs for the learning spaces.

Out of 56, 40 tents will arrive here on Thursday from the National Capital Region, while 16 tents already arrived here on Wednesday.

FDEPED, 11

EDGEDAVAOVOL.5 ISSUE 209 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21-22, 2012

DavOr folk starts rebuilding lives

T

yPHOON-affected families in Davao Oriental especially in the three badly-hit towns of Baganga, Cateel and Boston are seen getting off to start anew as some are now erecting makeshifts, tents while a few are opening up their small stores to sell few stuff of food.

However, the widescale damage that typhoon-Pablo took a toll Davao Oriental can still be seen: totally wrecked houses, warehouses, school buildings; gone to wastes farmlands; toppled communication lines; collapsed bridges and flood control structures, among others.

In a recent briefing by Davao Oriental Provincial Gov. Corazon N. Malanyaon, she bared that as of December 18, more than P8.6 billion damages to agriculture and P4.6 billion damages to infrastructure.

On agriculture, damages to crops are valued the highest at P8.3 billion. Livestock and poultry came next, contributing P296 million; fisheries, P14.5 million; and post-harvest facilities at P17.7 million.

Though much lower than the damages to agriculture, the infra damages cover major facilities on communications and water and flood control structures. Other damaged infra are bridges and roads, government buildings which include schools, parks and playgrounds.

Damages to government building run the highest, estimated at P2.5 billion. Damages to communications came next with P210 million; flood control structure at P190 million; bridges, P178 million; water facilities, P150 million; and roads at P105 million.

The Davao Oriental Schools Division monitored 166 elementary and secondary schools affected in the public and private sectors but it has yet to give an estimated value of the damages caused by Typhoon Pablo.

Damages to health-related infrastructure particularly rural health units and birthing facilities is estimated at P206 million including medical equipment destroyed. [PIA 11/ Jeanevive D. Abangan]

SUBURBIA

3

P10-M farm implements for Davao Norte farmers

Governor Rodolfo del Rosario examine a power tiller during the turn-over of agri machineries to farmers associations of Davao del Norte. [nobags/davnor pio]

D

AVAO del Norte, December 19, 2012 – The food security program of the province got a boost from the P10 million worth of farm machineries, equipment, and post-harvest facilities given by the national government to the farmers.

Governor Rodolfo del Rosario led the turning over of the farm tools to 24 farmer associations

and cooperatives, during a simple ceremony at the Bulwagan ng Lalawigan.

He said the arrival of the implements is very timely as they came in handy for the rehabilitation of thousands of hectares of agricultural lands ravaged by Typhoon Pablo in the province.

The production of over 5,000 farmers stands to gain from the farm equip-

release of the computer sets for the use of the SRS. “We intend to immediately capture the labor market information of the recipient-LGUs through these computers,” she said.

Jimelito Marquez, DOLE 12’s Technical Support Services Division head, said they are currently working for the full rollout of the SRS from the municipal and city levels down to the 1,194 barangays in the region.

He said the move was aimed at providing residents with greater access to various employment opportunities and other related government programs.

Marquez said it is also part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to address the region’s employment concerns, among them the rising underemployment and the mismatch of available manpower with the requirements of local industries.

“Mainstreaming the SRS at the barangay level will increase the level of opportunities for our jobseekers,” he said.

[Allen V. Estabillo / MindaNews]

T

ment that include hand tractors, mobile threshers, corn shellers, drum seeders, floating tillers and combine harvesters, among others.

The governor was all praises for the government of President Benigno Aquino for delivering its promise of speeding up the delivery of agricultural services and provision of vital interventions

to meet national food sufficiency.

Saturnino Simbajon Jr., President of both the Provincial and Regional Federations of Irrigators Associations, expressed his heartfelt thanks to the government on behalf of the farmers organizations, even as he assured their commitment to take good care of the farm implements. [Noel Baguio]

Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) is a process that prevents or limits the development of post-traumatic stress in people exposed to critical incidents.

Professionally conducted debriefings help survivors cope with, and recover from the after effects of the calamity.

Fr. Abelardo explained that sessions enable survivors to understand that they are not alone in their reactions to the typhoon and provides them with an opportunity to discuss their thoughts and feelings

in a controlled, safe environment.

“We prioritized New Bataan because it was identified by the DSWD and the local government unit as one of the severely affected towns in Compostela Valley which resulted to high number of casualties,” Fr. Abelardo added.

He continued that they will also conduct stress debriefing sessions in other typhoon-affected areas which will be identified by the DSWD and the local government units. [DSWD/ Social Marketing Service]

Nelson Dayanghirang and Thelma Almario.

“The creation of the task force will provide focus with respect to the rehabilitation and rebuilding of the devastated areas,” Rep. Zamora said.

The Compostela Valley solon, the prime mover of the resolution, initiated through her proposed H.R. 2973 jointly authored by Rep. Amatong of the second district, also said that the intended task force, if constituted by the President, will unify inter-agency efforts in bringing the affected families and survi-

vors to normalcy.

“We hope that President Aquino will favorably respond to this urgent plea of the legislature and immediately convene the task force. This will provide a strong framework and the operational structure needed to implement much-needed government services and interventions in the affected areas.

This will likewise complement the gallant effort of the LGUs headed by the provincial governments to provide for our calamity-stricken people,” she added.

DOLE rolls out more computers DSWD, pastoral care volunteers for enhanced skills registry system conduct stress debriefing sessions

T

HE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has rolled out 12 more new personal computer (PC) sets to selected local government units (LGUs) in Region 12 to facilitate the implementation of its enhanced skills registry system (SRS).

Chona Mantilla, Dole Region 12 director, said the computer sets were earlier allotted by the agency’s Bureau of Local Employment (BLE) for the third wave of implementation of the computerized SRS in the region.

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

Mantilla said the beneficiaries of the 12 computers are the municipalities of Kiamba, Malungon and Maitum in Sarangani Province; Columbio and Kalamansig in Sultan Kudarat; Tboli, Tampakan and Surallah in South Cotabato; and, Mlang, Magpet, Kabacan and Pigcawayan in North Cotabato.

She said the recipi-

ent-LGUs and their local chief executives had signed a memorandum of undertaking with DOLE for the implementation of the program, which would be handled by their public employment service offices (PESO).

SRS, which is a key component of DOLE’s generation program, is a repository of manpower information that is used by the agency in circulating job opportunities within a specific area or locality when demands arise and become available.

A DOLE briefer said the registry features a roster of active manpower supply that shows information on the qualifications and skills of registrants that were either acquired in school or gained through experience.

The skills registry may be readily accessed by employers through the Phil-Jobnet website, which serves as the government’s main job portal. During the second SRS national validation held in Cebu City in September, Mantilla said DOLE-BLE chief Ma. Criselda Sy cited the need for the immediate

HE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Claretian Pastoral Care of the Sick deployed volunteers to conduct stress debriefing to families affected by typhoon ‘Pablo’ in New Bataan, Compostela Valley Monday.

Thirteen Pastoral Care Volunteers led by Fr. Arnold M. Abelardo, conducted stress debriefing sessions to typhoon-victims to help them cope with the trauma brought by the calamity.

House adopts resolution creating new task force for Pablo victims

T

HE House of Representatives adopted House Concurrent Resolution No. 22 on December 19, 2012 urging President Aquino to create a Presidential Task Force for the aid, relief, resettlement, rehabilitation and livelihood services as well as infrastructure support for the victims of Typhoon Pablo in the provinces of Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental. The measure is principally authored by House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. and Reps. Maria Carmen Zamora, Rommel Amatong,

4 SCIENCE / ENVIRONMENT

VOL.5 ISSUE 209 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21-22, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Diatryma was ‘gentle herbivore’, study finds F

OOTPRINTS believed to have been made by the giant bird Diatryma indicate that it was a “gentle herbivore” and not a fierce carnivore, scientists say.

A team of researchers from Washington, US, examined tracks uncovered in a landslide in 2009.

Previous investigations have suggested the giant bird was a carnivorous predator or scavenger.

But the absence of raptor-like claws in the footprints supports the theory that Diatryma was not a meat-eater.

Measuring 7ft (2.13m) tall and with a huge head and beak, the giant flightless bird Diatryma(believed by some experts to belong to the genus Gastornis) is commonly portrayed as a fierce predator in both scientific works and popular media.

The animal is frequently thought as “the bird that replaced dinosaurs as the top predator”, said geologist and team member George Mustoe, from Western Washington University in Bellingham, US. “Let’s be honest: scary, fierce meat-eaters attract a lot more attention than gentle herbivores.”

The study, published in the journal Paleontology, analysed a set of footprints made 55.8 to 48.6 million

years ago in the Lower Eocene. Preserved in sandstone, the prints formed part of the Chuckanut Formation in northwest Washington, US. The team concluded that the multiple, well-preserved tracks were most likely to have been made

by Diatryma.

That would make them the only known footprints left behind by this giant bird, and they provide new evidence about what it ate. “[The tracks] clearly show that the animals did not have long talons, but rather short toenails,” said David Tucker, from Western Washington University, who also worked on the study.

“This argues against an animal that catches prey and uses claws to hold it down. Carnivorous birds all have sharp, long talons.”

Early palaeontologists studying Diatryma fossils concluded that the giant bird was a predator because of its size, huge head and large beak.

The first Diatryma skeleton found in the US was preserved alongside bones of tiny horses and other small mammals. Some scientists posited that these must have been the bird’s prey, explained Mr Mustoe.

However, Diatryma also had relatively short legs, leading others

to suggest it could not have run fast enough to capture prey, and was therefore a herbivore.

Further analysis has shown that the bird did not have a hook on the end of its beak - a feature found in all raptors which helps them to hold prey and tear

into carcasses.

The research team’s conclusion that the animal did not have talons “[adds] ammunition to the herbivory diet hypothesis”, Mr Tucker told BBC Nature.

“A more likely scenario [than being a carnivore] would be a gentle Diatry-

ma that used its beak to harvest foliage, fruits, and seeds from the subtropical forests that it inhabited,” Mr Mustoe added.

The team believe that the similarities ofDiatryma to those of the carnivorous South American Phorusracids or “terror birds”

led early palaeontologists to assume that the two were ecologically similar.

According to the study: “The common belief that Diatryma... was likewise a carnivore is more a result of guilt by association than actual anatomical evidence”.

high-level government representatives of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Islamic Republic of Iran, Russian Federation, the Republic of Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan met in Moscow for the Fourth Meeting of the Convention’s Conference of the Parties (COP4).

The COP was hosted by the Government of the Russian Federation and included representatives from the European Union, UNEP, UNDP, IMO, FAO, and other international observers.

This remarkable progress follows the 2011 adoption and signing of the Aktau Protocol on Regional Preparedness, Response and Cooperation in Combating Oil Pollution Incidents, at COP3 in Kazakhstan.

The Caspian environmental process, supported for many years by UNDP, GEF, the European Union and other international donors, led to the signing of the landmark Tehran Convention in 2003 and its entry into force in Au-

gust 2006. This resulted in increasing cooperation amongst the five Caspian states and comes at a crucial time when the Caspian region is witnessing unprecedented growth in oil and gas exploration, exploitation and transportation.

The signing of the LBSA Protocol in Moscow is an important step forward in the process as it addresses one of the major ecological threats to the Caspian environment and aims to

safeguard coasts and waters from the detrimental effects of pollution from land-based sources such as agriculture, industry and urban settlements.

The Moscow COP further laid the groundwork for implementing a sound environmental monitoring and reporting programme in the region, providing for harmonized and regular information and data exchange between the countries.

Assessing the progress

achieved by the Caspian States throughout the years, and in particular at COP4, the UN Under-Secretary General and UNEP Executive Director Mr. Achim Steiner reiterated that: ‘Environmental cooperation is an essential basis for the overall economic and social development of the region, a crucial first step on the road to a green economy, equitable management of resources, and a sustainable future for all Caspian states.’

Protocol signed at Caspian environmental conference

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HE Caspian countries have reached another crucial milestone by adopting and signing one more protocol to the Framework Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea (Tehran Convention) - The Protocol for the Protection of the Caspian Sea against Pollution from Land-based Sources and Activities (LBSA Protocol).

Last December 1012, 2012, ministers and

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 209 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21-22, 2012

THE ECONOMY

5

Fiorgelato opens Davao store F

IORGELATO, a leading Italian ice cream brand produced

by Milkin Corporation, opened its franchise at Victoria Plaza last Tuesday.

Ricardo Z. Cuna President and CEO, and Dennis Plaza branch OIC spearheaded the formal opening of the ice cream parlor and stressed the quality of Fiorgelato’s products to guests who were among the first to sample the delectable ice cream brand.

Cuna and Plaza said Fiorgelato brand is made from 100 percent pure Italian ingredients and processing which is its distinct selling point.

Fiorgelato also serves coffee and pastries.

According to Cuna, the construction and recruit-

ment of the new branch is only 3 weeks before its opening and he’s still amazed at how his team did it.

The Fiorgelato Marketing and Promotion Officer Angel Francisco trained eight Davawenyo crew members in order to assure a good service.

“Ang bilis matuto ng mga taga Davao at mababait pa” Francisco said.

The Fiorgelato team is hopeful of the success of their newly opened branch. Plans for 2013 include the 24-hour operation of the branch and a mini-drive thru. The branch is planning to conduct contest and promotions in 2013 so that the client will be more interested in patronizing their products.

ICE CREAM FRANCHISE. Ricardo Z. Cuna, president and chief executive officer of Milkin Corporation (3rd from right), and the crew of the newly opened Fiorgelato branch at Victoria Plaza car park proudly pose for a photograph Tuesday night. Milkin

Corporation is the company behind the successful Fiorgelato ice cream franchise.

LEAN DAVAL JR.

and creditors of EIB accounting for 48% of the bank’s ordinary credits have signified their consent to the rehabilitation of EIB. The consent from the uninsured depositors and

with uninsured deposits before they can undertake to perform the acts required to approve and implement the rehabilitation of EIB. Likewise, strategic third party investors in-

Export bank depositors, creditors consent to rehab

T

HE Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation said consent to the rehabilitation of the Export and Industry Bank had come from less than half of the depositors and uninsured

creditors of the bank.

Executive Vice President Cristina Q. Orbeta disclosed, in a press statement, that as of end November 2012, only about 44% of the total number of uninsured depositors

creditors is one of the critical requirements in order for EIB’s rehabilitation to proceed.

The major stockholders raised the need for consent from 100% of the creditors and depositors

terested in acquiring EIB also indicated that the consent of depositors and creditors is critical considering that the assets of EIB is much less compared to the total amount of its liabilities.[PNA]

6 THE ECONOMY

VOL.5 ISSUE 209 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21-22, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Aquino signs sin tax into law P

AHEAD OF TIME. Anticipating a price hike during Christmas Day, a mother purchases different variety of fruits ahead of time to avail a much lower price along Bolton Street last night. LEAN DAVAL JR.

resident Benigno Aquino III on Thursday signed into law the “Sin Tax Reform Act”.

“Sa araw pong ito, nilagdaan natin, sa wakas -- ulitin ko lang po, sa wakas -- ang isang batas na magsisilbing maagang Pamasko sa milyun-milyong Pilipino -- mga Pilipinong masasaklaw sa abot-kamay ng Universal Health Care program; mga Pilipinong makikinabang sa mga bagong klinika at ospital na mapopondohan at maipapatayo; mga Pilipinong maililihis sa bisyo ng paninigarilyo at labis na pag-inom. Batas na po ang ipinaglaban nating Sin Tax Reform Act,” the President said in his speech.

The new sin tax aims to restructure the existing taxes imposed on alcohol and tobacco goods.

Duties on these products are a potential revenue source that will help fund the Universal Health Care Program of the administration.

Likewise, higher taxes -- and consequently higher costs -- are seen as a deterrent to the consumption of “sin” products, whose

adverse effects are mostly borne by the poorer segments of society.

“Malinaw po ang batayang prinsipyo ng batas na ito: Hangad nating gawing abot-kamay para sa lahat ang benepisyong pangkalusugan, mayaman man o mahirap. Sagrado po kasi ang buhay ng Pilipino,” the President said.

According to the Department of Health (DOH), the Philippines has an estimated 17.3 million tobacco consumers, the most number of smokers in Southeast Asia. Filipinos on average consume 1, 073 cigarette sticks annually, while the smokers in the region consume less than a thousand sticks yearly. This high consumption rate is seen as a result, among others, of the very low cigarette prices in the country.

Experts said smoking is responsible for 71 percent of lung cancer deaths in the world. Consequently, lung cancer is the leading form of cancer in the Philippines. DOH statistics reveal that 10 Filipinos die every hour because of smoking. [PNA]

Bill exempting condo dues from income tax and VAT

B

AyAN Muna Rep. Neri J. Colmenares and Rep. Teddy Casino filed this week House Bill 6768 exempting condominium dues and housing association dues from income tax and value added tax arguing that such will increase the cost of housing and discourage people from buying or acquiring their own homes.

The bill is a response to recent attempt of BIR through RMC 65-2012, to impose income tax and VAT on association dues including those from socialized housing and lowcost housing homeowners.

“The executive department always have a simple solution to its budgetary needs and its chronic fiscal deficit—taxation.

Government does not seem to notice that the BIR and the Customs Bureau continue to fail in meeting their revenue targets due to corruption and inefficiency, that billions of pesos in income are lost due to sweetheart deals with foreign investors and favored cronies, that hundreds of billions of pesos in public funds are lost in corrupt transactions and projects, that billions more are lost because of inefficiency, incompetence and red tape, and another round of hundreds of billions are lost in the payment of

debts that were spent on overpriced projects that are crippled by corruption and irregularities” said Rep. Colmenares.

“A government that has failed to address misplaced profligacy, i n c o m p e t e n c e , inefficiency and corruption has no moral authority to impose taxes on the people already crippled by rising prices and unemployment.

This lack of moral authority is never more pronounced than government attempts to tax a basic need of the people enshrined it is constitutional right to shelter—housing” Colmenares added.

The bill amends Section 32 (f) of RA 8424 or the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) which provides for the exemption from income tax of GSIS, SSS, Medicare, and union contributions, by including “amounts paid as association dues or membership fees” by tenants of a housing tenement. It also amends Section 109 (t) of the RA 8424 which exempts from VAT gross receipts of multi-purpose cooperatives to include “gross receipts of condominium corporations or homeowners associations for amounts paid as association dues or membership fees”.

7 The joy of gift giving in Tambobong EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 209 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21-22, 2012 COMMUNITY SENSE Text by Jesame Rubio Moises Photos by Jeepy Pacis Compio

C

HRISTMAS is just around the corner.

While many people are so busy preparing for this yuletide Season, it is important for us to realize the prosperous results of gift giving.

Filipinos are much more familiar with the tradition of gift-giving especially this holiday season. One of the primary benefits of gift giving is the good feeling you get when you do something good for others.

That magical feeling of joy was felt by this group of teachers from Sta. Ana National High School (SANHS) when they went to Tambobong National High School (TNHS), Saturday morning of December 8 for a gift giving activity, “Hatid Pamasko Para Sa Kapwa.”

As the teachers were approaching the school premises, well-behaved students lined-up at the school lobby eager and excited to meet the teachers.

School In-charge Raul Cabilogan and TNHS students welcomed the group with a short program where students sang Christmas in Our Hearts and Liwanag ng Pasko.

In his welcome remarks, Cabilogan said that it was his first time to welcome a group of teachers for a gift-giving activity and he was hoping that it would not be the last.

“I hope every year, I will always be welcoming this group of teachers

from Sta. Ana National High School,” Cabilogan said.

He further added that, “it is a great joy to us here in TNHS to see teachers sacrificing to come to our hilly place to bring gifts to our students for Christmas. It is really overwhelming.”

Mr. Cabilogan said to his students to be grateful to this opportunity and told them to treasure the sacrifice made by the teachers of coming to their place for a wonderful gift-giving activity in this Christmastime.

He then stressed out that the true meaning of Christmas is the act of sharing. He said that giving gifts reminded us of the true “Gift” – Jesus and that life is not only receiving but also giving and sharing of one’s blessings.

President Pstr. Bernard I. Balla Sr. of School Governing Council (SGC), was very overwhelmed and grateful to see teachers bringing gifts to their students for Christmas.

“Nagpasalamat ko ug dako nga kalayo-layo sa amo na lugar ug kadaghan sa mga eskwelahan kami ang inyong napili nga tagaan ining mga gasa,” Pstr. Balla Sr. said.

He added that, “Manghinaot ko nga e bless mo sa atong Ginoo sa inyong gibuhat kay matod pa, bulahan ang nagahatag kay sa nagadawat.”

Susana A. Bacolod, one of the Outreach Program Coordinators, said that this group of teach-

ers had been doing this gift-giving activity since last year. She said that the teachers voluntarily spared their own money to raise funds for the said activity.

Bacolod stressed out that this group of teachers discovered an excitement in giving. She said that living is giving.

“We live life best when we give ourselves, our resources and our time in service to others.”

Luisita P. Sabater, a Filipino teacher, said that it was a great feeling to see how the students felt upon receiving the gifts.

“I am so touched and honored to bring joy to these Indigenous People (IP) students in this mountainous place,” Sabater said.

Doris Teresa R. Flojo, an English teacher, also said that, “It feels good because you’re making a difference in somebody else’s life because you’re giving them presents they don’t usually get.”

Petra Albacite, a Science teacher, revealed her

great feeling when she watched the students opened the package.

“Looking at them receiving and opening the package, I experience this warm glow from my inner spirit. Their eyes speak how blessed are they,” teary-eyed Mrs. Albacite said.

Helen G. Reyno, school in-charge of Marahan National High School, felt proud of what the teachers had done to the IP students.

“Thank you teachers for taking part in the DepEd adopt-a-school program by reaching out to the IP students of Tambobong National High School for two years especially in this Christmas Season,” she said.

It was December 19, 2011 that this group of teachers went to TNHS for the said gift giving where Reyno, who was then the School Incharge, welcomed the group with grateful heart during their Christmas Festival celebration.

The group was able to purchase 6 sacks of rice, 5 boxes of sardines, 9 boxes of noodles, 200 packs of sugar, 8 packs of

energy drinks and coffee.

“We are able to give 200 packs of goods to the (IP) students of Tambobong National High School,” said Edith L. Natividad, Values teacher.

The joy of gift giving embedded in everyone’s heart as they received little notes from the students upon leaving their mountainous place.

“Thank you visitors

sa walang sawa ninyong pagbigay pamasko sa amin kahit na nasa above of the mountain kami hindi parin kayo sumusuko para sa amin.

Alam naming mahirap ang panahon natin ngayon. Alam ninyo kayo ang nagbibigay sa amin ng lakas ng loob para kami ay mag-aral nang mabuti. Thank you talaga and God bless you.” She said.

8 VANTAGE pOINTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 209 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21-22, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Is Japan set to lead after 20 years of torpor? ( 1st of two parts ) OpINION

By AnAtole KAletSKy

A EDITORIAL

Another Pinoy pride

A

day before what was to be the end of the universe, Janine Tugonon became the Universe’s second best.

Naah, forget about the predictions. The Philippines has another source of national pride after the Pinay beauty finished just a breath away from winning the Miss Universe title. Just the same, a runner-up finish is as good as the title itself. Miss Tugonon wowed everyone in attendance in Las Vegas and the millions watching around the world with her natural charms, wit and confidence.

Filipinos followed Miss Tugonon’s journey every step of the contest yesterday from the initial presentation to the Final 15, then Final 10, Final 5 and the breath-taking one-on-one wait-like-eternity for the ver-

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dict with eventual winner Miss United States Olivia Culpo.

With every stage in the contest, Filipinos cheered and prayed, crossed fingers, jumped in joy, and in the final moment, broke into tears and reveled in national pride.

Miss Tugonon not only made us forget, even for a fleeting moment, the pain and the devastation of the recent disaster that struck us—add to that losses in some competitions, and the division created by the now-decided debate on the Reproductive Health bill.

Miss Tugonon is like a whiff of fresh air this Christmas.

So, why worry? Even if the universe ends today, the world is talking about a Filipino. It certainly gives all of us a winning feeling.

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

ALBERTO DALILAN Managing

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

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kENNETH IRVING k. ONG Creative Solutions

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S 2012 draws to a conclusion, it’s likely that the fiscal cliff will be averted, U.S. politics and monetary policy are irrevocably set, European politics are suspended until September’s German election and the Chinese leadership transition is over. In short, the political and monetary uncertainties that have obsessed financial markets and paralyzed business have all been dispelled. As a result, 2013 promises to be a year for businesses and investors to focus again on economic fundamentals and corporate performance instead of delaying decisions while they waited with bated breath for the next euro summit, or election, or meeting of the Federal Reserve and European Central Bank. In one part of the world, however, events are moving the other way.

In Japan, economic and business conditions remain as dull as ever, but politics and monetary policy are suddenly exciting. And while the world has largely lost interest in Japan, the gestalt shift in the world’s third-largest economy could have big implications for global business and for the way voters think about governments and central banks.

Last weekend’s landslide election of Shinzo Abe, a potentially powerful prime minister, was largely a result of his promise of a revolution in monetary policy designed to jolt the Japanese economy out of its 20-year stupor. If Abe delivers on his election rhetoric – still a big “if”, especially in a country where power is wielded mainly by bureaucrats rather than elected politicians – the global impact could be huge.

At a practical level, Abe has promised to force the Bank of Japan to print money and weaken the yen until Japan’s inflation rate accelerates to 2 percent and growth is restored. If he acts on this promise, the effect will be to strengthen the dollar, not only against the yen but also against the euro and other major currencies. If the yen weakens substantially, high-end exporters in Germany and the rest of Europe will stop gaining market share from Japanese rivals to offset their loss of competitiveness in the U.S. market. The same will be true for Korean and Chinese exporters, which have been crushing Japanese competitors hobbled by the strong yen.

Less obvious, but even more important, could be Japan’s impact on the global debate about macroeconomic management. The era when monetary policy was simply about controlling inflation is over. The consensus on macroeconomics created by the Reagan-Thatcher political revolution and the near-simultaneous monetarist revolution in economic thinking has broken down.

The singular focus on inflation made sense in the 1980s, when rapidly rising prices were the biggest problem facing most economies. Politicians, led by Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher, realized that the only sure way to stop inflation was to create previously unthinkable levels of unemployment by relentlessly raising interest rates. Since nobody wanted to take political responsibility for firing workers, economists had strong incentives to come up with theories that proved unemployment was natural and inevitable, that macroeconomic policy could do nothing about it and that the sole effect of monetary policy was on inflation. A natural and convenient corollary was to absolve governments of responsibility for monetary management and shift this to politically independent central banks.

EDGEDAVAO

P

VOL.5 ISSUE 209 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21-22, 2012

EO 120, s. 2012 and the Impasse

RESIDENT Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III signed Executing Order No. 120, s. 2012 last December 17 creating the Bangsamoro Transition Commission as provided in the Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro. The Government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front are ready with their lists of members; the President can appoint them any time to constitute the Commission.

Could it be said that progress on the FAB roadmap is on track and on time – meaning, the Commission can start drafting the Bangsamoro Basic Law in January for possible submission to the 16th Congress in July 2013?

Two circumstances are to be considered: First: EO 120 must be “supported by a Congressional Resolution [FAB VII.3]”. The Congress will recess on December 22 and resumes session in the third week of January 2013. Until the Resolution is passed, if the FAB is to be strictly followed, the Commission cannot operate.

Second: With the Resolution -- if by a miracle Congress can pass it before going on recess – supporting its creation, the Commission can start drafting the BBL in January, if it were not for the “technical impasse” that has snagged the negotiation of the four annexes to the FAB during the 34th Exploratory Talks. As FAB provides, these annexes are parts “of this Framework Agreement”. The FAB plus the four annexes constitute the Comprehensive Compact or Agreement.

Part V, 4.a of the FAB states the first function of the Commission: “To work on the drafting of the Bangsamoro Basic Law with provisions consistent with all agreements entered and that may be entered into by the Parties.” The annexes are within the context of “all agreements”. The

MINDA DA NEWS

By PAtriCio P. DiAz Commission’s “work” must be “consistent” with the Comprehensive Agreement.

What does the impasse imply? The Commission cannot start its work until the FAB has been completed, with the annexes agreed, and signed as the Comprehensive Agreement.

This derails and delays the peace talks.

The peace process is already in a tight race against time. The FAB roadmap is so crammed that, at the longest, the real transition period for Bangsamoro is only one and a half years. A delay in the passage of the BBL – including unforeseen snags in Congress – will delay the creation of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority and shorten further the transition period, the real one.

With the looming delays, it may be asked: Can Bangsamoro be properly established during President Aquino III’s term?

In fact, it could be seriously questioned if within the one and a half year transition period Bangsamoro can be properly established?

Is the Government Panel bothered about the impending delays? Chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer is surprisingly cavalier about the implications of the intervening circumstances.

Of the first, she went on record telling MindaNews that “congressional resolution is not a prerequisite to setting up Transcom”. She surely knows FAB VII.3.

Is she saying this because E0 120 is silent about the Resolution? yet, she must have read the “Whereas” clauses of the EO stating that “the Government entered into the 2012 Framework

Agreement” and “Government acknowledges its commitment to exert all efforts towards the full implementation of the Agreement”. By this Government agrees to what FAB VII.3 provides and is committed to implement it.

Of the second, she dismisses the “impasse” as within the “flexibility” of the negotiation process and is confident no “difficult issues” are “insurmountable” (OPAPP Website, 16 December 2012). The Palace echoes Ferrer, considering the “impasse in the peace talk not a problem” (Philippine Daily Inquirer, December 18, 2012).

Agreed on the second but the evaded issue is: What is the impact of the delay on the establishment of Bangsamoro?

Ferrer’s rationalization must be the position of the government Panel. Its echo from the Palace tends to belie MILF Panel Chair Mohagher Iqbal’s magnanimous assumption, his belief, that “this position of the government peace panel [does not reflect] the thinking of President Benigno Aquino III” (Luwaran, December 16, 2012).

The issuance of EO 120, s. 2012 must be a most welcome development in the peace process. However, Ferrer’s statement that a Congressional Resolution to support the EO is not a requisite for the setting up of the Transcom is puzzling.

Dismissing FAB VII.3 is an act of arbitrariness, a gesture to be discouraged.

The impasse is a fact. The Government panel chair downplays it. The MILF panel chair had seen it coming and “forewarned the parties”. Its adverse impact on the Transcom must not be taken for granted.

The earlier the impasse is resolved, the earlier the Transcom can draft the BBL and pass on to the Congress the burden of averting further the delay in establishing the Bangsamoro. [MindaNews]

Instagram unleashes a thousand words

I

NSTAGRAM surely didn’t expect to stir up a hornet’s nest with changes to its terms of service announced two days ago. But it was met with an Internet flash mob: high-profile tech writers who had adored the service abandoning it and thousands of angry words from the rest of us about what Instagram’s pictures are really worth.

The issue was joined with these 115 words: Some or all of the Service may be supported by advertising revenue. To help us deliver interesting paid or sponsored content or promotions, you agree that a business or other entity may pay us to display your username, likeness, photos (along with any associated metadata), and/or actions you take, in connection with paid or sponsored content or promotions, without any compensation to you. If you are under the age of eighteen (18), or under any other applicable age of majority, you represent that at least one of your parents or legal guardians has also agreed to this provision (and the use of your name, likeness, username, and/or photos (along with any associated metadata)) on your behalf.

The next day, Instagram had a bit more to say:

( 1st of two parts)

COMMENTARY

By John C ABell Our intention in updating the terms was to communicate that we’d like to experiment with innovative advertising that feels appropriate on Instagram. Instead it was interpreted by many that we were going to sell your photos to others without any compensation. This is not true and it is our mistake that this language is confusing. To be clear: it is not our intention to sell your photos. We are working on updated language in the terms to make sure this is clear.

It’s a fast-moving story — something may have already changed by the time you read this. The changes don’t take effect until Jan. 16, and they are not retroactive: Everything you share on Instagram until that date is exempt from the new policy. But the terms as originally described — and not yet retracted — were pretty expansive. They spoke of revenue and ads that may not look like ads. you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to see what that might allow the company to do.

Saying you don’t “intend” to do anything means nothing. It is what politicians say when they intend to do the opposite but

can’t yet go public.

Instagram deserves to make money.

It should be lauded for thinking outside the box. And nobody has figured out the perfect way to subsidize mobile sharing services. But like Netflix did with its disastrous Qwikster idea, Instagram needs to reverse course quickly and think about what it has done.

A face-saving way out comes in a careful reading of what the digerati have made into a cause célèbre. It’s a matter of respect toward the people who actually made the service successful by sharing in such huge numbers.

Wired’s Mat Honan has left the service, but he’s willing to go back “if it does walk its terms back significantly and permanently.” His biggest beef was how cavalierly the service acted — “without offering any other option to the very users and data that built it.”

Once it has reversed course, Instagram would be wise to go one step further: start a paid service. The problem: Facebook bought the service for data, not subscription fees. Still, some sort of quid pro quo for the user, other than the thrill of uploading pictures that Instagram may then monetize, has to be part of the solution.

VANTAGE pOINTS

9

Crossroad to history as AFP marks 75th year ( 1st of two parts)

SpECIAl FEATURE

By Ben CAl

T

HE Armed Forces of the Philippines will mark its 77th anniversary Friday with a historic past that withstood security threats both from within and without.

President Benigno S. Aquino III, the AFP commander-in-chief, will be the guest of honor and speaker for the third time in a row since he assumed the presidency in 2010.

The AFP was organized by virtue of the National Defense Act of 1935, Commonwealth Act No. 1, passed by the Philippine National Assembly on 21 December 1935. It was initially composed of 10,000-strong fighting force.

Looking back during the past 77 glorious years, the AFP had surmounted numerous challenges from inimical forces from within and without who tried to trample the Filipinos’ cherished freedom and democracy they inherited from their forefathers - many of whom had paid the supreme sacrifice.

The AFP was a fledgling fighting unit when World War II broke out. When Japanese warplanes bombed Northern Luzon on that fateful day of 8th December 1941, the Philippines was practically caught flat-footed. World War II was a horrible experience in living memory in Philippine history, particularly the Filipino war veterans who fought and defended the country against an overwhelming military force.

Outgunned and outnumbered, the Filipino soldiers, nevertheless, proved their worth when they held at bay the invading Japanese Imperial Army for three long months in the ferocious battles in Bataan and Corregidor, disrupting the timetable of the enemy to conquer the Philippines in a month or less in a blitzkrieg fashion which did not happen.

During those trying times, Filipino soldiers, together with their American counterparts, experienced extreme hunger, thirst, and sickness in the battlefields of Bataan and Corregidor. But most of all they had run out of ammunition and fatigue had overcome their physical being. They had no option but to lay down their arms.

But the fall of Bataan did not dampen the fighting spirit of the intrepid Filipino soldiers turned guerrillas. For those who evaded from being captured they hastily formed ragtag guerrilla forces, together with U.S. servicemen, and carried on the battle across the country, keeping the enemy always on their toes for almost four years until Gen. Douglas MacArthur liberated the Philippines, filling his promise of “I shall return” - a statement that resonated across the archipelago that gave great hope to the Filipino people to be free from the bondage of slavery.

After the liberation in 1945, the AFP was reorganized into a brand new fighting machine with the U.S. supplying most of the weapons. After the war, the AFP was one of the best equipped military forces in Asia.

But barely had the AFP breathed a sigh, the Philippines found itself embroiled in the Korean War in 1950. As a signatory to the United Nations, the government sent five Battalion Combat Teams (BCTs) popularly known as the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea (PEFTOK) to help South Korea repel an invasion by North Korean forces.

The Philippine contingent proved as a superb fighting force during the Korean War. Of the total 7,420 AFP troops sent to Korea, 116 were killed in action, 299 wounded and 57 missing (41 repatriated during prisoners of war swaps).

While the Korean War was ongoing, the AFP had its hands full containing the communist insurgency perpetrated by the Huks in Central Luzon even as the military was also busy fighting a band of Muslim brigands headed by Hadji Kamlon, a former guerrilla fighter turned bandit in Sulu.

10 pROpERTY

VOL.5 ISSUE 209 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21-22, 2012

Camella opens Christmas decors at Northpoint to public A

S a way to express their gratitude to Davao and its people for their continued support to Camella and its projects, Camella opens to the public its Christmas lights and decors in three of its masterplan developments in the region.

“We would like to bring cheer to the people by welcoming them to the Christmas decors at Camella Northpoint in Bajada, Camella Cerritos in Mintal, and Camella Tagum to enhance their holiday spirit,” said Marlon Escalicas, GM

of Camella Davao.

It has been an annual tradition of Camella Davao to light up their developments not only to showcase their projects, but more importantly to enhance the Christmas spirit for the public.

“We also offer our efforts to create these cheerful decors to those affected by Typhoon Pablo, to make everyone feel that despite the devastation, there is hope in the coming year,” Escalicas said.

Escalicas added that

the season’s bright lights and colorful decors aim to bring cheer to everyone, symbolizing hope and a better life in the New year.

Camella Northpoint’s festive holiday lights and

decors was designed by Camella Staff headed by Eng. Aaron Chan, Eng. Erwin Anajao, Arch. Ivan Abud and Eng. John Tormis, whose talent and creativity produced a cheerful Christmas tableau admired by the public.

Camella Northpoint won 1st place in the Pasko Fiesta Lighting Competition by the city government last year, with Camella Cerritos coming in at 3rd place. Escalicas said their efforts are not geared towards winning accolades, but to help usher the spirit and true meaning of Christmas.

“We encourage families and friends to visit our sites, especially Camella Northpoint, as this is what Camella is all about, the coming together of families and friends to give life to the real meaning of Christmas,”

China property market revives

A

FTER waiting for a year, accountant Qi youdi has bought a new home in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou, among the millions of buyers bringing the country’s property market back to life.

For the past two years, China has sought to control residential property prices with measures including restrictions on second and third home purchases, higher minimum downpayments, and annual taxes in some cities on multiple and non-locally owned homes.

The moves, announced in the first half of 2010, have cooled the once redhot market, with analysts estimating prices nationwide have risen only 4%7% since then.

But pent-up demand, easing government monetary policy and inflows of speculative funds from overseas betting on a recovery have brought the property market out of the doldrums, analysts said.

Sales volumes have jumped, with the total transaction value up 10.4%

year-on-year in the first 11 months of 2012, the National Bureau of Statistics said.

Prices, though, remain relatively stable, with average home prices in 100 cities rising 0.26% in November to 8,791 yuan ($1,410) per square meter according to research institute the China Index Academy.

It was the sixth consecutive monthly rise, totaling 1.23%, after nine months of falls. At the height of the boom prices were rising at an average of 1.5% every month.

“We’ve been looking for a suitable period of time,” said Ms. Qi, who finally gave up waiting for substantial price drops.

She was looking to buy a flat for her daughter to live in, with no intention of looking to resell at a profit.

“Since our demand is fixed, it doesn’t matter whether home prices rise or fall,” she added, after paying $222,000 for a 90-square-meter (970-square-foot) flat.

The property sector has been a key part of China’s

economic boom in recent years, driving demand for materials such as steel and concrete and with ripple effects spreading far and wide.

Reflecting the more solid picture, ratings agency Moody’s recently upgraded its outlook for China’s property industry to stable from negative.

“While the residential market is policy-sensitive, a sustainable recovery is projected for the next three years,” real estate services firm Cushman and Wakefield said in a report released in November.

But analysts rule out a strong rebound. The new Communist Party leadership is unlikely to scrap policies to make housing affordable, an initiative closely identified with Premier Wen Jiabao who is due to step down in March.

The earlier price boom had pushed costs well above the reach of many people in China’s rapidly emerging urban middle class, sowing widespread frustration, especially as some who bought previ-

ously have been able to parlay their gains into multiple acquisitions.

The government controls have upset some market players, including developers who reaped riches during the boom years and local governments which earn money from land sales and taxes.

“We don’t want constant regulation from the government,” said Wong Chun-hong, chairman of high-end developer Top Spring International Holdings.

But price stability is the watchword for government policy. Beijing fears that spiraling housing costs could fuel discontent and possible social unrest.

“Policy makers have little to gain from adjusting their current stance,” independent research company Capital Economics said in a recent report.

“That means though that a period of stability in real estate investment after the weakness of the past year might be the most we can hope for over the next few quarters.” [AFP]

EDGEDAVAO

Escalicas said.

Camella makes the family celebration of Christmas more meaningful with its “Home for the Holidays” promo which makes it easier for families to acquire a new Camella home this holiday season.

Big discounts are made available to homebuyers, ranging from P125,000 to P150,000 for Camella Northpoint condo units.

Reservation fee has also been pulled down from P30,000 to P20,000.

“We also give promo interest rates for in-house financing. From 18% per annum, we have lowered it to only 16% for five years and 14% for three years,” revealed Anna Mae dela Pena, Camella Davao Marketing Head.

For homebuyers this month, Christmas gift packages like grocery baskets and appliance give-

away also await them, all on top of the outright discount they can avail. The ‘Home for the Holidays’ promo is available until end of December.

Camella Northpoint is a landmark condo development located in JP Laurel in Bajada, a premier condo community in the region with world-class facilities and amenities that give its residents a privileged lifestyle.

It is the city’s first pine estate, being dotted with hundreds of imported Caribbean pine trees, giving Northpoint a Christmas ambiance all year round.

Inquiries 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 http://www. camella.com.ph/.

HK property sector warned of price fall

T

HE International M o n e t a r y Fund (IMF) on Wednesday warned that Hong Kong could see an abrupt fall in property prices after years of dramatic increases in one of the world’s most expensive housing markets.

Home prices in the Asian financial hub have skyrocketed 90% since 2009 due to an influx of wealthy mainland Chinese buyers, pushing home-ownership beyond the reach of many of its seven million people.

“The sharp run-up in house prices raises the risk of an abrupt correction,” the IMF said in its annual review of Hong Kong’s economy.

“A sharp price correction would lead to falling collateral values and negative wealth effects, which could trigger an adverse feedback loop between economy activity, bank lending, and the property market.

“The property sector is the main source of do-

mestic economic risk,” the Washington-based organization said.

However, it said the chances of a price correction that is large enough to generate a major macroeconomic and financial consequences is “fairly low in the near term.”

It also said the city’s government recent bid to slap new taxes on residential properties “should help dampen housing demand” but urged Hong Kong to ensure sufficient supply in order to boost home affordability.

Hong Kong announced a 15% stamp duty on non-permanent residents and corporate buyers as well as a higher stamp duty on the resale of property within three years in late October in an attempt to rein in soaring prices.

With the global economic weakness continuing to impact domestic economy, the IMF said it expects Hong Kong’s economy to grow 1.25% this year, before rebounding to 3% next year. [AFP]

11

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 209 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21-22, 2012 ClASSIFIEDS ADS

Typhoon...

Senate...

FFROM 2

FFROM 1

oil mills rely on the coconut industry in this part of the country,” he said.

Forbes said the total valuation of the destruction of the coconut industry in Davao Oriental may go beyond sixty percent.

He bared that the PCA will realign two million coconut trees intended for Luzon to be planted in Davao Oriental.

Forbes said that for 2013, a total 17 million

Before...

coconut trees are to be planted nationwide, adding that part of the intervention is to add more to the Php1-Million fertilization fund for coconut trees in typhoon-stricken areas.

“We will implement it in the ten thousand hectares of coconut plantations in the Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental areas,” Forbes said.

The PCA will encourage coconut farmers to

do intercropping and livestock-raising in line with the “Kaanib Program” while waiting for the coconut trees to mature It takes seven years after planting to harvest coconut trees.

Forbes said the emerging coconut trees will be of the dwarf variety since climate change has proven that Mindanao is no longer typhoon-free. [PIA 11/ Joey Sem G. Dalumpines]

FFROM 1

management consider the situation an emergency and decided to take immediate action.

To arrest the impending water crisis, DCWD will build 400-mm and 750-mm bypass lines from Matina to Bankerohan in order to temporarily connect its transmission lines (water main) for Line 1 of Dumoy Water Supply System.

In a press statement, Regalado said that first to be constructed will be the 400-mm bypass line which will take approximately one week. Though the DCWD admits this will not normalize water supply, Regalado said “it will already be of big help.”

The next phase will be the construction of the 750-mm bypass line which will take some 60 days to complete.

“Hopefully, with the two bypass lines in place, water supply will nor-

S&P...

malize by then,” Regalado said.

In behalf of the water utility, Regalado extended his apologies to all affected consumers, “Much as we want to immediately reconstruct the structure and mainlines, there are technical considerations and procedures to undertake.”

To alleviate the suffering of affected residents, the DCWD management has sought the assistance of the Volunteer Fire Brigade for water delivery.

Also, water from Dumoy Water Supply System Line 2 has been redirected to flow to the affected areas which were originally served by Line 1.

“We cannot do water deliveries to all areas affected because of limited resources. That is why we prioritized those areas that did not have water supply ever since the start of the water supply

problem last December 16,” Regalado explained.

He continued, “some areas in Poblacion, Agdao, Obrero, Bajada, Lanang, Pampanga, Diversion and Buhangin may experience low pressure to no water during the day. However, water supply resumes anytime during the night or dawn.”

He advised consumers that there are several faucets available in the DCWD Matina office where they can get water for their daily needs.

Regalado appealed for understanding and cooperation of the affected customers. Rest assured that we are continuously looking for ways to ease your burden of lack of water as we keep committed to serve you and all our customers with outmost sincerely and dedication,” he said.

[Jovana T. Duhaylungsod]

ternal profile, as shown in a net external creditor position and strong liquidity ratios, as well as a consistent track record of moderately strong growth,” it said.

It explained that the latest outlook on the economy “reflects our more favorable assessment of the prevailing political conditions and of the administration’s improved capacity to pursue its reform agenda.”

“We may raise the ratings next year on an improved government revenue structure, a continued diminished reliance on foreign currency government debt financing, or a lower government debt burden.

We may also raise the ratings if institutional and structural reforms lead to improved investment environment, and thus better growth potential,” it said.

“Conversely, we may revise the outlook back to stable if the Philippines’ commitment to fiscal consolidation weakens or if the country’s external liquidity position deteriorates significantly,” it added.

Meanwhile, Finance

Secretary Cesar Purisima thanked S&P “for recognizing the continued improvement of the country’s fundamentals.”

“With this action, we are now only half a step towards formally gaining investment grade, which the market has already given us by rating the Philippines at least two notches above investment grade. This outlook upgrade is another example that good governance is good economics,” he said.

Purisima said that administration’s commitment to put in transformational change “serve only to reinforce our message that the Philippines is truly gaining legitimacy to offer lasting structural change and that the Philippines is open for business under new management.”

“By focusing on the fiscal and macroeconomic stability of the country, reducing the infrastructure gap, and making doing business in the Philippines even more fun, we are confident that we will attain investment grade sooner rather than later,” he added. [PNA]

FFROM 2

the debt watcher upgraded last July 4 the country’s credit rating to ‘BB+’ with ‘Stable’ outlook from ‘BB’ after noting the continued improvement in the country’s fiscal flexibility.

S&P credit analyst Agost Benard said the change in the outlook was made “to reflect our reappraisal of the political and institutional factors underlying the ratings.”

“In our view, the current administration possesses a level of legitimacy, support, and stability that reduces political uncertainty and allows for improved legislative efficiency. This conducive political setting enables the administration to focus on its key policy objectives of fiscal consolidation, increased infrastructure provision, and poverty reduction,” he said.

S&P, in a statement said, the domestic economy’s ratings “encompass the country’s relatively low income, weak fiscal profile, and high, albeit improving, public debt and interest burden.”

“These constraints are balanced by a robust ex-

Senate Resolution 922 said the signing of the FAB “has inspired optimism and hope that a just framework for peace in the Muslim Mindanao region through a partnership with the Bangsamoro has been achieved” and that this “partnership and mutual recognition among our peoples are

DepEd...

crucial in the process of nation building by providing spaces for our diverse cultures and traditions, under one sovereign Philippine Republic.”

House Resolution 971 provides for the “empowerment of the Bangsamoro people by creating the space for their meaningful participation in the

process of enacting the Bangsamoro Basic law through the creation of the Transition Commission.”

The FAB provides that the TransCom shall be created “through an Executive Order and supported by Congressional Resolutions.” [Carolyn O. Arguillas / MindaNews]

in Boston, Davao Oriental last Dec. 8 with 111 recipients, second was in ComVal last Dec. 12 with 572 recipients, and third was in Baganga, Davao Oriental last Wednesday. (The number of recipients has yet to be counted as the relief team was still in the area as of this writing).

“Teachers have the tendency not to join queues for relief goods at evacuation centers,” he said.

Buffer DepEd-11 regional director Gloria Benigno has requested the central office to provide all buffer stocks of textbooks and teachers’ manuals for the two provinces.

The region’s buffer stocks comprise of only 4,509 pieces of assorted textbooks and 30 pieces of teachers’ manual for elementary education, and 1,853 textbooks and 30 manuals for secondary education, according to Atillo.

He said so far no donated books had been coursed through the department, noting that donated books should be in line with the learning competencies set by the DepEd. He mentioned that alternative delivery modes will also be employed in the affected areas.

Priority schools Schools prioritized by the DepEd-11 for psychosocial interventions are Cabuniangan Central and Andap Elementary Schools in New Bataan; Canidkid and Alimadmad Elementary Schools in Montevis-

ta; Diwalwal, Depot, Baylo, Anagasi Elementary Schools in Monkayo; Kidawa, Limot, Kaligutan, Kilagbing, Banbanon, Mangloy, Imelda, Tuk-an and Bullokan in Laac, ComVal. In the municipality of Compostela, ComVal, prioritized schools for psychosocial interventions are Compostela Central, Valderama, Ngan, Mangagon, Diosdado Macapagal, Aurora, Osmeña, Tamia, Mapaca, Lagab and Bangongon Elementary Schools.

Schools, too Atillo said all schools in Davao Oriental have to function regularly by January 13, 2013, while some schools in ComVal have already started holding classes since Dec. 17 except in New Bataan, where the school ground still has mud.

The DepEd-11 asked the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to include the schools among structures that will be cleaned up under the latter’s cash-forwork program.

The program, which began last Dec. 16, provides employment for Pablo victims who will be paid P218 a day for clearing areas destroyed

by Pablo, according to Rebecca Santamaria, chief of DSWD-11 protective services unit.

She said earlier some 28,000 victims can benefit from the program. [Lorie Ann A. Cascaro / MindaNews]

FFROM 2

Atillo said each of the two provinces will have 20 tents from a batch of 40 tents, and the cluster has yet to decide how to distribute the other batch of 16 tents.

To be divided into two classrooms, he said a tent can house about 70 children grouped by age brackets.

It will be set up as much as possible within a school campus, otherwise it will be outside where the local government unit could provide, he added.

Psychosocial activities will be integrated in the learning sessions, which will be an “informal” mode of teaching, which according to him, aims to arrest traumatic experiences and provide a sense of normalcy and balance among children.

The tent will also be used as a venue for feeding programs, stress debriefing and medical missions, among other activities for recovery of the victims.

Big role The teachers will play a big role in operating the “learning spaces”, Atillo said, as they are the ones to facilitate informal classes that will be in a form of shifting to accommodate all children.

He said the department has conducted three deliveries of relief goods, prioritizing the teachers, as other divisions were requested to offer any help for their co-educators in the affected areas.

The first delivery was

Edge Davao hiring editor, 3 reporters

EDGE DAVAO is in need of an editor and three staffwriters/reporters for its expansion program.

The reporters will be assigned to the business, science/ environment and political beats.

On the other hand, the editor will supervise the reporters and do gate-keeping tasks.

Applicant must be a graduate of a four- year college course. For reporters, experience is not needed although preferable. The editor should have at least one-year experience in editing.

Interested parties may send their application letter to Mr. Antonio M. Ajero, Edge Davao editor, thru email address ajero_antonio@yahoo.com. For inquiries, please call Mr. Ajero thru mobile phone 09052422686 or landline 221-3601.

12 ClASSIFIEDS ADS There’s a better way to get attention.

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VOL.5 ISSUE 209 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21-22, 2012

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13

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 209 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21-22, 2012 ClASSIFIEDS ADS Realty Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 11TH Judicial Region BRANCH 11

IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION TO CORRECT THE DATE OF BIRTH OF JEFFREy SEPE TE WITH REGISTRy NO. 90-24, 893 PARTICULARLy:

SPECIAL. PROC. NO. 12,261-12 A. ITEM NO. 3 FROM NOVEMBER 15, 1990 TO NOVEMBER 15, 1989, AND; B. ITEM NO. 45 FROM 151190 TO 151189 JEFFREy SEPE TE, Petitioner, -versusTHE OFFICE OF THE CITy CIVIL, REGISTRAR OF DAVAO Respondent, x-----------------------------------------------------------------------x

ORDER By this verified petition and for the reasons therein stated, the above-named petitioner,assisted by counsel, seeks for an Order of this Court directing the Local City Civil Registrar and the Civil Registrar General to cause the correction in the following entries of the certificate of live birth of petitioner Jeffrey Sepe Te to wit:

A. ITEM NO. 3 FROM NOVEMBER 15, 1990 TO NOVEMEBER 15, 1989, AND; B. ITEM NO. 45 FROM 151189.

Finding the petition to be sufficient in form and substance, the same is hereby set for hearing before this Court, sitting at the Hall of Justice, Candelaria St., Ecoland, Matina, Davao City, on February 13, 2013 at 2:00 in the afternoon at which place, date and time any interested person may appear and show cause, if any, why the same should not be granted.

Let this Order be published at the expense of the petitioner once a week for three (3) successive weeks in a newspaper published in the city of Davao and of general circulation in the said city and the provinces of Davao as determined by raffle in accordance with law.

Furnish, each with a copy of the petition and of this Order the Honorable Solicitor General, as counsel for the government, the Local Civil Registrar of Davao City and City legal Office of Davao City for the City of Davao.

SO ORDERED.

Given this 23rd day of November 2012, in Davao City, Philippines.

12/14/21/28

(Sgd) VIRGINIA HOFILEÑA-EUROPA Judge

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 11TH JUDICIAL REGION OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT-SHERIFF DAVAO CITy

BALIKATAN PROPERTY HOLDINGS, INC., Mortgagee/Assignee,

EJF-REM CASE NO. 13678-12

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

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

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

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

Davao City, Philippines, November 12, 2012

FOR THE EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF:

Noted by:

(SGD.) JOSEPH T. CASTRO Sheriff IV

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

FOR SALE:

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

14 SpORTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 209 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21-22, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

UM judokas eye Universiade stint

By Neil Bravo

A

FTER a breakthrough stint in the recent 2012 Philippines-Singapore Friendship Judo Games, the University of Mindanao Judo Team is eyeing a stint in the World Universiade Games next year.

The UM judokas, who won four gold medals, five silvers and five bronzes in the Manila meet hosted by De La Salle University last week, will try to make it past the qualifiers of the Universiade slated in July 6-17, 2013 in Kazan, Russia.

The Universiade is an international sporting and cultural festival which is staged every two years in a different city and which is second in importance only to the Olympic Games.

Governed by the International University Sports Federation (FISU), the aim of the Universiade is to promote international peace and cultural exchange among young people through sport.

“We are aiming the Universiade in 2013 and we believe we have the talents with good chances of making it,” UM head coach Edwin Pelaez told local sportswriters on Thursday during the formal team presentation.

The UM gold medallists in the Philippines-Singapore event participated by 14 clubs and varsity teams are Dulce Amor Herdiles in the minus 48-kg women’s seniors category, Geromae Roldan in the minus 54 kg women’s senior, Christian Ly Rondina in the minus 55-kg seniors, and Chello Tinga in the minus 78-kg

novice.

“They are our top bets although we still have many talents who are also capable of beating the best from Manila,” Pelaez said.

Winning silver medals are Cyndi Amor Rodriguez and Sheila Mae Tanlocsin, both with two silvers in juniors and seniors, and Damanique Dioquino, while the bronze medal winners are Jackielou Escarpe, Johvanne Bacorta, Chello Tinga, Desiree Inciso and Damanique Dioquino.

Should the Davao bets qualify, a stint in the Universiade will be a first for local judokas.

The Universiade was coined from university and Olympiad and means Olympic Games for students. The Universiade is second in importance only to the Olympic Games on a true multisport international scale.

According to the Universiade website, numerous Olympic Games athletes have participated at Universiades and the events share much in common - the communal village, a games mascot, sporting conferences and cultural festivals that take place while the games are in progress.

The protocol systems for the Olympics and Universiades are similar with both events also sharing an opening and closing ceremony.

The summer Universiade consists of 12 compulsory sports composed of athletics, basketball, fencing, football, gymnastics, judo, swimming, diving, water polo, table tennis, tennis and volleyball.

Alaska guard Calvin Abueva is sandwiched by Talk N’ Text’s Ryan Reyes and Larry Fonacier in Game 1 of their PBA semis series. TNT took a 1-0 lead.

University of Mindanao judoka Dulce Amor Herdiles (left) with UM coach Edwin Pelaez (center) discuss the future competitions lined up for the squad while Titong Cansino (right), Philta Region XI-B regional director, announces the Dunlop-Zesto Junior Tennis Championship at the Calle 5 Resto-Bar. (NJB)

Top bets in Dunlop-Zesto Junior Tennis

T

HE region’s top age group netters will once more pit their skills in the Dunlop-Zesto Junior Tennis Championship set December 26-29.

Juanito “Titong” Cansino, Philta Region XI-B regional coordinator, said the Group 3 Philta-sanctioned event will gather the best

junior players especially that it comes during the Christmas break.

“We are expecting the best junior players in the region to play in this tournament. It will be an exciting event to watch,” said Cansino.

The tournament, sponsored by official ball Dun-

lop Fort Elite and Zesto fun drinks, will stake titles in the 10-Under, 12-Under, 14-Under, 16-Under and 18-Under. Winners will receive tennis equipment from sponsoring Dunlop.

Meantime, Cansino said Dunlop will be officially signing up its new protégé Mark Alfred Direc-

to during the opening of the tournament. Directo, a 10-year old phenom from Kabacan will receive Dunlop tennis equipment. He becomes the fourth Dunlop-sponsored standout after Davao Oriental’s Jelic Amazona and Davao’s Jenny Dizon and Carlene Bless Guarte. (Neil Bravo)

in Houston. ‘’He combines size, strength and shooting, and he loves to make contact.’’

Harden played up to Collins’ description, finishing with 33 points and seven assists to lead the Rockets to a 125-103 victory over Philadelphia.

Collins mentored Hard-

en when he played at Arizona State and said he frequently told the young player that he had ‘’no motor.’’ ‘’(Collins) taught me a lot,’’ Harden said. ‘’I was too nonchalant and just chill. That’s how I still am, but I have a little motor in me now. That’s the differ-

ence.’’

Harden topped 20 points for the seventh straight game to send the 76ers to their fifth straight loss. He made a career-high 17 of 18 free throws, including six in the fourth quarter, as Houston improved to 9-2 in its last 11 home games.

Harden stars as Rockets trip Sixers

James Harden (right) led the Houston Rockets in the win against the Philadelphia 76ers.

H

OUSTON (AP) -Philadelphia 76ers coach Doug Collins knew what was coming before James Harden even stepped on the court. ‘’To me, when he’s coming down the floor, he’s very similar to LeBron James,’’ Collins said before Wednesday night’s game

INdulge!

VOL.5 ISSUE 209 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21-22, 2012

STYLE

EDGEDAVAO

Anne, Richard, Georgina and Xian for SM Accessories

It was a well-kept secret for many months. And the fashion crowd cheered when SM Accessories finally announced that Anne Curtis, Richard Gutierrez, Georgina Wilson and Xian Lim officially joined the SM Accessories family recently at the Republiq Club.

All four are not only some of the country’s hottest celebrities, but also style icons whose individual fashion tastes have influenced a whole generation of young fashionistas. And with that, SM Accessories has truly become the Fashion Accessory Authority.

FANNE, A4

Colors and prints highlight the SM Accessories collection for men

Cheers to the new SM Accessories team: Xian Lim, Anne Curtis, Richard Gutierrez and Georgina Wilson with SM Accessories Head John Kenner Chua

EDGEDAVAO

A2 INdulge!

VOL.5 ISSUE 209 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21-22, 2012

STYLE

Sledgers presents Davao ‘ambassadors’

SLedGeRS proudly presents the Ambassadors from davao--department of tourism regional director Art Boncato, Group 101 president Jasper Huang and Waterfront Insular Hotel davao general manager Rouel Guanzon.

The search for the davao Ambassadors of the French shoe brand was a long and arduous task. A handful of candidates were considered until it was narrowed down to these three ----Boncato, Huang, and Guanzon.

They are the epitome of elegance, grace and confidence---which is what Sledgers is all about.

Art Boncato, Jasper Huang, and Rouel Guanzon have varied interests, careers and hobbies, but all of them agree on one thing----a pair of stylish and comfortable leather shoes is a hardworking man’s best friend.

As In the words of director Art Boncato, “It is important to have a strong foothold on all things we do in a day to take us where we desire to go. Shoe wear that is tops in form and function will definitely help bring you there.”

Boncato’s day would mostly constitute hopping from one meeting to another---meeting myriads of guests of different nationalities. This is what entails of his post as the director for the department of tourism for Region XI. Upon accepting this responsibility, he was well aware of the pressure

and demands of this prestigious job. He even jokingly chides that his friends and family were even surprised as to why he left as a marketing executive of a five-star hotel to salvage the struggling tourism industry. But in all sincerity, he relates that after working for a private corporation for a decade, he was ripe enough to serve his hometown. He was ready to take-on the challenge of alleviating the tourism industry. And indeed, he is true to this commitment.

And in all his endeavors, Boncato keeps a “strong foothold” on all things figuratively and----literally.

In order to literally have a “strong foothold”, he keeps an elegant pair of French collection Sledgers shoes wherever he goes, whatever he does.

For entrepreneur-race car driver-full-time-dadand-husband---Jasper Huang, everyday he juggles a lot of responsibilities.

He is always on the move from operating an auto-

ROUEL GUANZON, general manager of Waterfront Davao

ART BONCATO, Tourism regional director

JASPER HUANG, president of Group 101

shop business, to meeting his business partners, to attending social events and to going home to his family at the end of the day. Whew! Is that tiring or what? That’s why a re-

UP AND ABOUT

liable and versatile pair of leather shoes like Sledgers is something he can’t do without. He can go from place to place with the same pair of shoes without feeling or looking out

of place. Huang even adds that his feet just feels heavenly even when he’s already been on-foot all day. to look his impeccable best is Mr. Rouel Guanzon’s daily mantra. As the General Manager of a five-star hotel, he believes that his appearance is very significant being the hotel’s representative. He does not only represent the hotel but he also presents the hotel to the world. And this is a job he takes seriously starting with his appearance. eighty-percent of the time of is typical workday would entail socializing and interacting with and in front of people----from the hotel staff, to in-house guests, to corporate clienteles. This is why he chooses carefully what he wears

from head to toe, especially the toe. As Guanzon emphasizes, shoes is the accessory that he is most particular with because, as he says, the shoes exudes a man’s personality. Shoes, therefore, is vital in earning respect. “You are what your shoes are.” The comfort, elegance, and versatility are what he likes about his new pair of Sledgers. He believes this will give him more ease when he makes his daily hotel rounds on foot.

Be one of them. Visit your nearest Sledgers boutique now (SM City davao Annex, SM Northwing Cebu, SM Mall of Asia, and SM trinoma)! Subscribe on our facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/ sledgersphilippines.

Ballet Philippines performs at SM Lanang Premier

DABAWENYO CELEBrATE the Yuletide season at SM Lanang Premier tonight as Ballet Philippines presents excerpts of The Nutcracker, the famous and audience favorite, Christmas ballet.

It was the turn of SM Annex last night.

It showcased the story of Marie and her Nutcracker Prince and their battle with the rat King. They go on a magical journey to the

Kingdom of Sweets as delicacies including Arabian coffee, Chinese tea and russian marzipans dance before their eyes.

The 45-minute show features two anticipated pas de deux. On the first night, expect a visual feast as BP principal dancer Katherine Trofeo and soloist Earl John Arisola essay the regal Sleeping Beauty pas deux and on the second night, watch the dance duet of The Nutcracker Prince and

Marie to be performed

by Timothy Paul Cabrera and Sayoko Kato.

It was a special performance by Ballet Philippines in partnership with SM Supermalls as Filipinos dwell in Christmas spirit and Holiday cheer!

Ballet Philippines flew to Davao through its official carrier, Philippines’ AirAsia. Visit their website at www. airasia.com and find Ballet Philippines on Facebook or at www. ballet.ph.

VOL.5 ISSUE 209 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21-22, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

ENTErTAINMENT

INdulge! A3

Miss Philippines Janine Tugonon is Miss Universe 1st runner-up But not all Pinoys happy JANINE Tugonon may have won a much-deserved first runner-up finish on the prestigious beauty pageant but it may seem that a lot of Pinoys feel angry, frustrated, bitter and disgusted about Miss USA beating Miss Philippines and have taken to Facebook and Twitter to air out their comments.

While there are those

who expressed praise for the beauty queen, saying that she is the deserving winner, there are also those who have only mad tweets for the winner and pageant’s organizers.

One Twitter user told Donald Trump he’d never buy property from him.

One said it’s perfectly fine because Miss USA’s reign would only be for a day — the world is ending tomorrow, according to the Mayan Calendar.

Another crazy tweet is

from one user who said that the local, delayed telecast isn’t done yet, so maybe there’s still a chance for Miss Philippines to win!

Best comment is from someone who’s wishing for Miss USA to get pregnant so Philippines can get the crown.

But whatever the beliefs , praises, groans and complaints are, we are all glad Janine Tugonon made the Filipino nation proud.

Congratulations and well done!

The bitter and the sweet: The twitterverse is abuzz on Miss Universe 2012 THE Miss Universe pageant may be over and the winner is already crowned but the twitterverse is still chattering with tweets, some c o n g r a t u l a t o r y, some bitter, and were some outright hilarious.

Some of the tweets may sound bitter but quite a few of them do make some sense.

Congratulations @ janina_tugonon Miss Universe 2012 1st runner Up! We are so proud of you!!!

- @annecurtissmith Sa lahat ng kamag-anak ko at kaibigan: Subukan nyo lang bumili ng unit sa Trump Tower ni Donald sa Paranaque. Seryoso ako. #Nyetaswell – @sweetjohnlapus Maybe the hosts did a “Take it, take it” part 2???

- @harold_geronimo Philippines start investigating if you can find nude pictures of miss USA the bejeweled tiara is yours – @Sgboy01 Dear miss USA. U are very beautiful inside and out. Congrats! .... But.... miss Philippines is very beautifuler. - @paolovalenciano Buntisin si Ms. USA! Para kay Janine ang crown! – @ PotterUnplugged A little bit upset with the result...but congrats Miss USA...I love Miss Philippines... - @michael5inco

Sa vegas ginanap. Si Donald Trump may pakana. Americano mga judges.

What can you expect? HIMALA? – @theACEoverall Could anyone check if there’s truth to rumors that Miss Philippines Janine Tugonon changed her religion? - Mommy Dionisia Pacquiao - @HecklerForever Sana mabuntis si Ms. USA para maipasa kay Miss Philippines ang crown.

Charot! #Bitter #Luto – @ iam_bluejay Miss Universe is USA. Miss Philippines is first runner up! (Home court

advantage) tsk ! – @nhoj_ auxtine MISS Philippines 1st runner up/ Many many here felt miss phils shouldve won - @DYANCASTILLEJO BrEAKING NEWS!!

TRUMP may statement na. wala na daw #MissUniverse gagawin ng #masterchefuniverse – @ sergiecat_dolls #MissUniverse2012 QUESTION: What point in the competition did Miss USA had a lead over Miss Philippines? ... ANSWEr: PAGEANT LOCATION! - @ claraquiambao BrEAKING NEWS: MISS USA IS ACTUALLY A MAN! Winner by default is PHILIPPINES! Please rT! - @ericfloyd Apparently sibling rivalries is more important than influence and inspiration daw! – @supermorgy Next time, sa HACIENDA ko na gaganapin para sure win! – @DonyaAngelica Cooking contest ata sinalihan ni Janine ee .. )) HAHAHAHa – @sOooiNCxAne Miss USA’s answer is not even concise. I can’t believe how they let that happen!!! – @iheartyouSHArM Isang araw lang magiging Ms. Universe si Ms. USA kasi end of the world na daw bukas. Aww – @imbernieignacio

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A4 INdulge!

VOL.5 ISSUE 209 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21-22, 2012

STYLE

Anne...

FFROM A1

And they were all also “so happy we were able to finally spill the news”, as Anne put it. Xian, on the other hand, breathed a sigh of a relief,” It feels good to finally be launched, and now we can all enjoy being the endorsers of SM Accessories”.

Georgina Wilson considered it a “huge honor to represent the fashion authority and to be with the other endorsers. So many people look up to SM Accessories and now I can show my style with it”.

Richard Gutierrez “looks forward to sharing this opportunity with everyone, to share how good the accessories from SM are. Accessories are now necessities, they complete one’s look.” Anne adds, “Accessories add variety to what you wear and with SM Accessories, I have many new ways to update and enhance the way I dress.”

The buzz was on the bling during the fashion show featuring SM Accessories’ Holiday collection.

One couldn’t get enough of the necklaces, bracelets, rings, clutch bags, belts, scarves, hats and plenty of other accessories showcased in the show.

The best part was that the items from SM Accessories, the Fashion Accessory Authority, are now available at all SM stores.

GMA 7 Artists Frencheska Farr, Sarah Lahbati and Kylie Padilla

Eddie Gutierrez and Annabelle Rama were in full support for their son Richard, the new SM Accessories

International Supermodel Magpantay in SM Accessories

Fashion force Tessa Prieto-Valdes.

Danica

Stylist Ram de Vera

Now trending: Bloggers Bec San Diego, Paul Chuapoco, Ana Gonzales, Sarah Tirona and Tin Iglesias

SpORTS 15

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 209 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21-22, 2012

AFF SUZUKI CUP

Lions take Singapore leg 3-1 S

The Singapore Lions celebrate their 3-1 win over Thailand in the Singapore leg of the AFF Suzuki Cup.

SG coach pleased with team spirit

S

INGAPORE coach Radojko Avramovic believes that he may not have had as many players to choose from for the current edition of the AFF Suzuki Cup but the team spirit that has been fostered in the squad has served them well on their unexpected run to the final against Thailand.

The Lions flopped in the competition two years ago when they bowed out at the group stage after drawing 1-1 with the Philippines and losing 1-0 to hosts Vietnam.

However, they have enjoyed a revival this year and reached the final for a fourth time after a campaign that included a memorable 3-0 victory over defending champions Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur and a hard-fought 1-0 aggregate triumph over the Philippines in the last four.

And Avramovic believes that much of the improvement has come down to the players, who have shown a strong togetherness throughout the tournament.

“In 2010, I think that

we had a lot more players available. This time, we don’t have so many but I think that we have a really good selection of players in our squad,” said the Serbian ahead of Wednesday’s first leg of the final at the Jalan Besar Stadium.

“For me, the best players in Singapore are here and they came together and they built a good team spirit and the results have been okay. Now, we just hope to go all the way.”

The final pits the Lions

Carmelo Anthony returned to the New York Knicks fold and led his team against Brooklyn Nets.

against a Thai side hungry for their first regional title in a decade. While the War Elephants also failed to get past the group stage two years ago, Avramovic said that he fancied them as finalists from early in the competition.

“I think that the best two teams in the competition are in the final.

Each team has some good players and I think that Thailand are especially well organised with some model players there and they fully deserve to be in the final,” he said.

INGAPORE – Singapore took control of the AFF Suzuki Cup final as second-half goals by Khairul Amri and Baihakki Khaizan gave the Lions a 3-1 victory over Thailand in the first leg at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Wednesday.

Amri fired home his third goal of the tournament in the 61st minute, two minutes after Thai midfielder Adul Lahso had cancelled out Fahrudin Mustafic’s twice-taken first-half penalty to give Singapore a 2-1 lead.

And Baihakki then turned the ball in from close range in stoppage time to give the Lions a two-goal lead heading into the return match at the Supachalasai Stadium in Bangkok on Saturday.

With Singapore midfielder Fahrudin passed fit after being taken off in the second leg of the semi-final against the Philippines with a groin injury, both teams were able to name unchanged line-ups for the third game in succession.

The home side were quickly out of the blocks with Amri firing wide from 30 metres and Aleksandar Duric heading over the crossbar within the first two minutes.

Thailand had a sighter as well after four minutes when Datsakorn Thonglao’s in-swinging free-kick

from the left bounced just in front of the lurking Teerasil Dangda and straight into the arms of a grateful Izwan Mahbud.

The Lions were clearly up for the match and their early pressure was rewarded when they were awarded a penalty after Duric was pulled down in the box by Piyaphon Buntao as he tried to get on the end of Shahril Ishak’s dangerous ball from the right.

Fahrudin sent goalkeeper Kawin Thammasatchanan the wrong way from the spot but his celebrations were interrupted

by Japanese referee Masaaki Toma who ordered the kick to be retaken because of encroachment by the Singapore players.

However, the midfielder kept his cool to put the ball into the other corner to give the hosts a 1-0 lead and become only the second player after Amri to score in two AFF Suzuki Cup finals.

There was plenty of robust play by the home side early on as they sought to stifle the attack of the Thais, which had scored 12 goals in their previous five games.

Baihakki Khaizan got a stern warning for a foul on Datsakorn and Fahrudin was then booked in the 20th minute for chopping down the Thai midfielder in the centre circle.

EW yORK (AP) -- Carmelo Anthony and the Knicks know they can’t entirely dismiss the rivalry talk, not with the Nets just a few miles away.

On the court and in the standings, the distance keeps growing.

Anthony scored 31 points in his return to the lineup, and New york beat Brooklyn 100-86 on Wednesday night in the third meeting this season between the city rivals.

After two tight games in Brooklyn, the Knicks turned the first one at Madison Square Garden into a rout by dominating the second half. Anthony, who missed two games with a sprained left ankle, moved fine and shot well, though his scoring average against the Nets this season actually dropped to 37 points per game. ‘’At the end of the day, these are statement games, these are big games, divisional games,’’ Anthony said. ‘’They’re right across the bridge, so these games definitely mean a lot.’’

J.R. Smith added 19

points and Tyson Chandler had 16 points and 12 rebounds for the Knicks, who bounced back from their first home loss Monday against Jeremy Lin and Houston, improving to 11-1 at MSG. Chandler scored 12 on 6-of-8 shooting in the second half. ‘’I just wanted to close the game. I wanted to make a statement,’’ Chandler said. ‘’Tonight was a big game for us, a game in our division, an opportunity to gain a full game as far as the lead goes, and we have to make statements like that.’’

Joe Johnson scored 17 points for the Nets, who have lost three straight and eight of 10. What once was a deadlock for the Atlantic Division lead after the first meeting is now a six-game advantage for the Knicks. ‘’We have a lot of season left. We’ll get it turned around,’’ Nets coach Avery Johnson said. ‘’We’re going to get back in the lab on Friday and work on some parts of our game and get this bad taste out.’’

Knicks win in Melo return N

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VOL.5 ISSUE 209 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21-22, 2012

EDGEDAVAO