Edge Davao 5 Issue 211

EDGEDAVAO P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

VOL.5 ISSUE 211 • TUESDAY - WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25-26, 2012

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Reta vs Castigador

Ombudsman fires customs collector

By Antonio Ajero

T

HE OMBUDSMAN dismissed from the service an acting district collector of customs in the Port of Davao, after finding him guilty of grave misconduct in an administrative complaint filed by a Davao City businessman.

Wharfinger also dismissed Failure of collector to charge consignee in rice smuggling scored Ordered dismissed from the service is lawyer Anju Nereo

Kastigado si Castigador

Concepcion Castigador after be-

FRETA, 12

Page 15

Follow Us On ATTRACTION. People watch as the colorful Christmas lights of the Grand Lights Show, one of the main attractions of this year’s Pasko Fiesta, illuminate the People’s Park grounds every night this Yuletide season.

LEAN DAVAL JR.

After ’Pablo’

Guvnor denies logging charge

D

AVAO ORIENTAL Gov. Corazon N. Malanyaon vehemently denied accusations she has been involved in logging activities in the province which have been blamed for the loss of many lives and damage to property and people’s livelihood triggered by Typhoon Pablo.

“I was never involved in logging, I am not involved in it, and will never be. As a matter of fact, my advocacy

Malanyaon cites advocacy against illegal logging has always been for a total log ban since my days in Congress. I strongly pursued total log ban at the Sanggunang Panlalawigan, and that ‘s why

FAFTER, 12

2 THE BIG NEWS

Metrobank open during holidays

S

OME branches of Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company (Metrobank) in the Davao region are open on certain days during the Christmas season, in anticipation of higher demand for cash and an increase in customer traffic at its branches.

Selected Metrobank branches nationwide will be open to serve the banking public on all Saturdays of December, all declared public holidays.

System and hardware checks are also being conducted to ensure that all of its 1,200 Automated Teller Machines nationwide are loaded with sufficient cash to meet the requirements of its customers over the long weekend. Metrobank operation support teams will be on duty 24/7 to ensure continuity of ATM and electronic banking services.

As an alternative to waiting in line to withdraw cash from ATMs, Metrobank Metrobank ATM accountholders can pay for their purchases in over 20,000 department stores, supermarkets and other

T

EDGEDAVAO

establishments nationwide through the BancNet point-of-sale (POS) terminals.

Customers can also make use of Metrobank Direct via http://www. metrobank.com.ph to inquire about their balance, transfer funds or pay celphone, credit card, insurance and other utility bills.

*December 2012 holiday schedule Dec. 29 (Sat.) Davao - Matina 9:00AM - 4:00PM Davao - Damosa 10:00AM - 3:00PM Davao - Bajada 9:00AM - 12:00NN Davao - Buhangin9:00AM 12:00NN Davao - Center 9:00AM - 12:00NN Davao - Sta. Ana 9:00AM - 3:00PM Dec. 30 (Sun.) Davao - Sta. Ana 9:00AM - 3:00PM Dec. 31 (Mon.) Davao - Toril 9:00AM - 12:00NN Davao - Tagum 9:00AM - 12:00NN Davao - Panabo 9:00AM - 12:00NN

Damage to agri now at P29.1-B HE damage wrought by Typhoon Pablo on agriculture and fisheries has reached P29.1 billion, according to Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala.

Crop production losses are estimated at P27.4 billion; livestock and poultry losses at P361 million; and fisheries at P124 million. Damage to agriculture infrastructure, facilities and equipment is valued at P1.2 billion.

VOL.5 ISSUE 211 • TUESDAY - WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25-26, 2012

The banana sector has obtained the largest total damage of P50,096, followed by the corn sector with a total damage of P41,942; high value crops sector with a total damage of P29, 808; rice sector with a total damage of P25,724; and coconut P15,156.

Region XI, composed of Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte and Davao Oriental, has suffered the largest total damage of about

FDAMAGE, 12

YOUNG PATIENTS. Vice Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte distributes Christmas gifts and monetary assistance to young patients as part of his “Pahalipay sa Pasko” program at the Southern Philippines Medical Center Saturday afternoon. LEAN DAVAL JR.

To fast-track farm rehab

Davao Oriental to go crop zoning D

AVAO Oriental will go into crop zoning to maximize immediate rehabilitation of the livelihood of the 35,000 families left destitute by Typhoon Pablo.

Gov. Corazon N.

Malanyaon said crop zoning is the result of consultation between her office and the Department of Agriculture, with the latter committing to pour resources into the province whose three municipalities—

Baganga, Cateel, Boston—being the hardest hit.

The identification of crop zones maximizes production and helps farms withstand calamities.

“We need first to

identify cash crops that have shorter gestation periods so that we can start providing livelihood to these families,” Malanyaon said. Among these crops are corn, rice and vegetables.

them money, but we were in a hurry to go to a place so we had no choice but to hand over the cash,” she said.

Hataman told the radio station that traffic inspection has not yet been devolved to the ARMM regional government.

“It is still the LTO that is tasked to do highway check. I have not given an order to any of our

personnel or employees to perform such task,” he said.

After learning of the complaint, Hataman said he would ask the regional director of the LTO-ARMM to look into the matter, The alleged extortion took place along the highway in Datu Paglas town in Maguindanao, the complainant said. [Malu Cadelina Manar/MindaNews]

tary Joseph Emilio Abaya and Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo signed the measure last December 10.

The guideline took effect December 21, Valte said.

The passengers’ rights under this guideline include the right to be provided with accurate information before ticket purchase, right to receive the full value of the service purchased,

and the right to compensation.

Passengers also have the right to be processed for check-in, and the right to sufficient processing time, Valte said.

The DOTC has been receiving complaints that airline companies do not open check-in counters on time that result to long lines of passengers, which prompted the government to issue this guideline, she said. [PNA]

FDAVAO, 12

ARMM guv hits kotong cops, LTO agents

E

XTORTION on the highways of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), particularly in Maguindanao province, is still rampant, with acting ARMM governor, Mujiv Hataman, warning policemen and Land Transportation Office (LTO) agents of sanctions once proven guilty of engaging in “kotong.”

H

ataman issued the warning after a traveler, who requested anonymity, told local radio station DXND that she was flagged down by uniformed police and LTO personnel and was asked to pay penalties for a traffic violation.

“At first, I was told to pay them P1,500, then P1,000, then later P300.

I told myself I won’t give

Gov’t okays guidelines protecting air travelers

T ROUTINE. Police officers conduct a routine patrol along San Pedro Street in Davao City where a large volume of people gather to witness various activities of Pasko Fiesta 2012 in the city. LEAN DAVAL JR.

HE Department of Transportation and Communication and the Department of Trade and Industry recently approved the Rights of an Air Passenger that will protect air travelers from unfair practices.

In a radio interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan Saturday, Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said Transportation Secre-

EDGEDAVAOVOL.5 ISSUE 211 •TUESDAY -WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25-26, 2012

SUBURBIA

3

4 AGRITRENDS

VOL.5 ISSUE 211 • TUESDAY - WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25-26, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

High nutritional value of all-season avocado

By Honor Blanco Cabie

I

T is available anytime of the year, and the fruit -– with either green or violet rinds -– is popular in vegetarian cuisine as substitute for meats in sandwiches and salads due to their high but healthy fat content, according to dietitians.

Called alligator pear, midshipman’s butter or avocado in English, “aguacate palta” or plain “aguacate” in Spanish and “abokado” in practically all corners of the Philippines, the fruit of the tree belongs to the family Lauraceae including camphor, cinnamon and bay laurel.

The tree was introduced into the Philippines in 1890 by the Spaniards through seeds from Mexico. However, it was only from 1902 to 1907 that avocado was introduced successfully into the Philippines by the Americans.

Documents suggest that through the Bureau of Agriculture (now the Bureau of Plant Industry which is under the Department of Agriculture), planting materials were received from Hawaii, Costa Rica and the United States.

In 1913, the Bureau of Agriculture, with the College of Agriculture of the University of the Philippines Los Baños, started

the countrywide spreading of avocado trees. Now, avocados are found growing all over the country, most of which are cultivated in backyards from Batanes to Tawi Tawi.

The name “avocado” is derived from the Aztec or Nahuatl word ‘ahuacatl‘, meaning ‘testicle‘ due to the fruit resemblance to the male reproductive gland.

The Aztec people were ethnic groups of central Mexico, particularly those groups who spoke the Nahuatl language and dominated large parts of Mesoamerica from the 14th to 16th centuries.

The Nahuatl words mean “people from Aztlan,” a mythological place for the Nahuatl-speaking culture of the time, and later adopted as the word to define the Mexican people.

Avocado is used as the base for the popular Mexican dip known as guacamole, as well as a filling for several kinds of sushi, including California rolls and is popular in chicken dishes and as a spread on toast, served with salt and pepper.

While avocados originated in Mexico and Central America, today, avocados are being planted and harvested in countries like Indonesia,

Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, USA, Sri Lanka, Brazil, India, China, Japan, Peru, Uruguay, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Ethiopia, Spain, Palestine, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, and Hawaii.

In some countries like Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, and Brazil, avocados are frequently used for milkshakes and occasionally added to ice cream and other desserts. The dessert drink

is made with milk, sugar and crushed ice. Chocolate syrup is sometimes added, dietitians say.

But beyond all this, avocados are also considered as one of the healthiest foods in the planet because they contain in excess of 25 essential nutrients, including vitamins A, B, C, E, and K, copper, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, and potassium.

Some nutritionists and dietitians say one would need to eat two or three bananas to obtain the potassium content of one avocado, which also contains fiber, protein and beneficial phytochemicals such as beta-sitosterol, glutathione and lutein, which help protect against various disease and illness.

They say that while avocado is high in fat content, it is mostly the monounsaturated fat which is a healthy fat variety.

There are at least a dozen health benefits that may be derived from eating avocados, according to dietitians.

One, it can help maintain a healthy heart because an avocado contains vitamin B6 and folic acid, which help regulate homocysteine levels, associated with an increased risk of heart disease.

An avocado also contains vitamin E, Glutathione and monounsaturated fat which help in maintaining a healthy heart.

Two, the fruit can help lower cholesterol levels since it is rich in a compound called beta-sitosterol which has been shown to be effective in lowering blood cholesterol levels.

According to a study, patients with mild hyper-

cholesterolemia who included avocados in their diet for seven days had 17 percent decrease in total blood cholesterol levels, a 22 percent decrease in both LDL (bad cholesterol) and triglyceride levels, and a 11 percent increase in HDL (good cholesterol) levels.

Three, it can be a good control for high blood pressure since it is a great source of potassium, which helps in controlling blood pressure levels.

Four, the fruit has also anti-inflammatory properties. Experts say phytonutrient compound found in avocados, such as polyphenols and flavonoids have been found to have anti-inflammatory properties, thereby reducing the risk of inflammatory and degenerative disorders.

Five, it also helps promote good eye health, the fruit being an excellent source of carotenoid lutein, which known to help protect against age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.

Six, the monounsaturated (good) fats in avocados can reverse insulin resistance, which helping to regulate the blood sugar levels. Avocados also contain more soluble fiber, which keep a steady blood sugar levels.

Seven, avocados can help prevent birth defects since, experts say the fruit is rich in folate, a B vitamin commonly known as folic acid. One cup of avocado provides a person about 23 percent of the daily value for folate.

The high amount of folate in avocado is essential in the prevention of birth defects, such as neural tube defect and

spina bifida, according to the experts.

Eight, the high levels of folate in avocados also protect against stroke. A study has shown individuals who ate a diet rich in folate had a lower risk of stroke than those who do not.

Nine, experts point to studies which, according to them, have shown that avocado can inhibit the growth of prostate cancer. The oleic acid in avocado is also effective in preventing breast cancer.

Ten, being rich in antioxidants, avocado is beneficial in preventing aging symptoms. The glutathione in avocado may boosts immune systems, slows the aging process, and encourages a healthy nervous system.

Eleven, avocados are one of the best natural mouth wash and bad breath remedies. They are said to be effective in cleansing the intestine which is the cause of coated tongue and this unpleasant condition.

Twelve, experts say it is good for weight gain, noting an avocado fruit has 200 calories for 100 grams.

Typically, fruits has approximately 60-80 calories for 100 grams. Due to the high amounts of calories, avocado is a best diet for people who want to gain weight. Avocado is a healthy source of calories, unlike many other calorie-dense foods that may contain excess saturated fats and sugar.

One does not have to wait for seasons.

Throughout the year avocados are available – if not in some upland patch of the farm, in nearby supermarkets in the cities.

[PNA]

THE ECONOMY 5

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 211 •TUESDAY -WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25-26, 2012

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

5.8% 1st Qtr 2012

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

6.4 % 1st Qtr 2012

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

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

8. Interest Rates 4/

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

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

P 42.78 Jun 2012

12. Stocks Composite Index 6/

5,091.2 May 2012

13. Consumer Price Index 2006=100

130.1 Jun 2012

14. Headline Inflation Rate 2006=100

2.8 Jun 2012

15. Core Inflation Rate 2006=100

3.7 Jun 2012

16. Visitor Arrivals

349,779 Apr 2012

17. Underemployment Rate 7/

18.8 % Jan 2012

18. Unemployment Rate 7/

7.2 % Jan 2012

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

2012

2011

2010

42.85 42.70 42.86 42.66 43.62

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

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

T

P140M for electricity in South Cot villages

HE national government has allocated an additional P140 million for the electrification of more remote communities in South Cotabato province next year.

South Cotabato second district Rep. Daisy Avance-Fuentes said Friday such appropriation will mainly fund the construction of additional power distribution lines and the implementation of electrification projects in various sitios in the province.

She said the P40 million allotment will come from the national government’s approved budget for next year while the P100 million will be sourced from the government’s savings for this year.

“These allotments were already approved and due for release early next year,” Fuentes said in her regular radio program.

Citing a recent meeting with Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, she said the release of the electrification funds will be coursed through the government’s Sitio Electrification Program (SEP).

She said her office is presently identifying the areas that would be covered by the project, which will be concentrated in non-energized villages and communities within the province’s upper valley area.

The upper valley area comprises the municipalities of T’boli, Lake Sebu, Banga, Surallah, Norala and Sto. Niño.

Fuentes said which will be

T

BACK TO BUSINESS. This barbershop within the public market of Montevista town, Compostela Valley Province is back to business a couple of weeks after Typhoon Pablo battered the town. Most of the shops in the town

were closed for several days due to flooding and damage in the structures brought by the typhoon. [MindaNews/Ruby Thursday More]

implemented through power distribution utility South Cotabato I Electric Cooperative (Socoteco I).

The national government had tapped local electric cooperatives as the main implementers of SEP, with the Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Electrification Administration (NEA) as supervising agencies.

NEA had earmarked some P6.27 billion for the imple-

mentation of SEP this year, with P3.70 billion coming from its 2012 budget and P2.57 billion from the national government.

Meantime, Fuentes said they are currently working for the inclusion of Barangay Ned in Lake Sebu town into the SEP. “We’re checking with NEA whether our allotment for the SEP could be used to fund the electrification of the entire

barangay Ned,” she said.

Barangay Ned, which hosts several coal mining projects and agribusiness production areas, has remained without electricity due to its inaccessibility and distance to the power transmission lines.

Fuentes said that based on Socoteco I’s estimates, the electrification of the entire Barangay Ned would cost around P93 million. [Allen V. Estabillo/MindaNews]

same date, 129 members having 70.2 percent of the total voting power had accepted the proposed amendment to reform the Fund’s executive board, said the 188- member global lender in a statement.

However, the domestic legislatures of some important members, including the United States, have not approved the reform package, noted the IMF. The IMF Board of Governors approved a quota and governance reform package on Dec. 15, 2010. The package included

a doubling of IMF quotas and a shift in quotas to dynamic emerging markets and under-represented countries, and a proposed amendment to reform the executive board that would facilitate a move to a more representative and all-elected executive board.

The IMF normally adopts a general review of its quota system about every five years. At a September meeting of the Fund’s executive board, directors reaffirmed their commitment to complete the 15th quota formula review by January 2013.

For the quota increases under the 14th General Review of Quotas to become effective, two conditions need to be met: First, the entry into force of the proposed amendment to reform the executive board, which requires acceptance by three-fifths of members having 85 percent of the Fund’s total voting power; second, the consent to the quota increase under the review of quotas by members having not less than 70 percent of total quotas as of Nov. 5, 2010. [PNA/ Xinhua]

IMF: More progress needed on quota reform package

HE International Monetary Fund (IMF) released over the weekend its review of progress toward the implementation of the 2010 quota and governance reform package, admitting that the updated status still falls short of the threshold to bring the reforms into effect.

As of December 14, 145 members having 77.1 percent of Fund quotas had consented to their proposed quota increases under the 14th General Review of Quotas. As of the

as of august 2010

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

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

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

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

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

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

MI588 / MI588 MI566 / MI566 MI551 / MI551 5J507 / 5J598 15:55 Z2524 / Z2525 5J967 / 5J600 PR813 / PR814 5J215 / 5J216 5971 / 5J970 5J973 / 5J974 5J969 / 5J972 2P987 / 2P988 PR821 / PR822 PR821 / PR822

18:55 18:55 15:45 15:00 Mani2Mani 16:05 16:35 16:55 18:00 18:40 20:00 20:30 20:30 21:20 22:20

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

13:35 15:20 12:05 15:30 16:45 17:05 17:45 18:20 19:10 20:30 21:00 21:00 21:50 22:50

6 THE ECONOMY

VOL.5 ISSUE 211 • TUESDAY - WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25-26, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

After ‘Pablo’, Davao Region needs to shift agri landscape – official T

ATTRACTION. Aliwagwag Falls, one of the top tourist destinations in Davao Oriental, had crystal clear waters and lush surroundings before super typhoon Pablo hit Cateel town and neighboring coastal towns of Baganga and Boston on December 4. Photo

taken on December 21 shows Aliwagwag after Pablo. [MindaNews/ Ruby Thursday More]

HE scale of the damage wrought by typhoon Pablo early this month has brought agriculture in the Davao Region to a “tipping point” that it should now shift its agricultural landscape towards climate change resiliency, an official said.

“As agricultural lands were totally wiped out, it is time to change our agricultural landscape,” Constancio Maghanoy, Jr., Department of Agriculture (DA) 11 officer-in-charge regional director, said in an interview Thursday.

He told MindaNews that the region’s total revenue loss in agriculture had reached P28.6 billion as of December 18, adding the data will be updated by Monday (Dec. 24).

He said that so far the estimated damage to rice, corn and high-value crops reached P22.1 billion, coconut P5.1 billion, abaca P232 million, livestock P326 million, fisheries P53 million, and irrigation system P812 million.

He said a total of 18,323 hectares (ha) of rice worth P196 million, and 15,965 ha of corn worth P362 million were damaged by Pablo.

Noting that Davao is known for bananas, he said the region lost P9.7 billion or 13,884 ha of Cavendish bananas, P8 billion or 23,598 ha of Cardava or Saba bananas, and P2.1 billion or 3,963 ha of Lacatan bananas.

Also damaged were 782 ha of coffee worth P27 million and 889 ha of vegetables worth P176 million.

Maghanoy said the loss was more felt for products with high demand in the internation-

QUIPS

al market, particularly 2,070 ha of cacao and 7,333 ha of rubber which damage reached P291 million and P329 million, respectively.

He said the DA-11 and local government units (LGU) of Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental agreed in a meeting Wednesday evening to come up with a climate change-resilient program involving other government agencies.

Areas gravely damaged by Pablo such as Baganga, Boston and Cateel in Davao Oriental will be assessed, while the entire region will be mapped out in terms of appropriate agricultural products with the help of geo-hazard maps, he said.

The official said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) shall be included in the planning as it will help determine the areas for plantation crops and forest products considering the government’s national greening program.

Except for corn, which is a cash crop that is harvested after three months, the region will also shift to varieties of high-value crops that are resistant to typhoons, droughts or heavy rains, he said.

The DA-11, Maghanoy said, will also recommend alternate cropping, adding that banana plantations affected with Fusarium wilt can be planted to cacao or oil palm instead.

He added the department will conduct soil testing in affected areas as Fusarium, a severe disease caused by fungus, is easily spread through flooding.

[Lorie Ann Cascaro/MindaNews]

“Our people entrust us taxes from their hard-earned money; it is only right that we use these funds to help them. This budget shows: we are in power not out of self-interest, but to open doors of opportunity especially for the marginalized.”

- President Benigno S. Aquino III, in his speech during the Signing of the 2013 General Appropriations Act, December 19, 2012

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 211 •TUESDAY -WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25-26, 2012

MOTORING 7

Malita hosts National Motocross MX M

OTOCROSS riders from across the country, including celebrities, trooped to the town of Malita in Davao del Sur last Friday for the Malita National Motocross MX. The event was one of the highlights for the town’s celebration of its 75th foundation day.

National motocross racing teams like Sel-J Sports headed by Jay Lacnit and his ridersGlenn Aguilar, Pepo Rubi, Don-Don Yuzon, Jacob Orbe, and Dexter Bacabac made the event an exciting one. The event was also graced by famous motocross riders Jovie Saulog, Bebet dela Cruz, Winsor Famorca, Jeven Lagrada, Atong and Bornok Mangosong, Peping Mar and Ambo Yaparcon.

International motocross rider James Robo Robinson was also a participant in the race.

The extremely challenging race track was

made by well known rider Winsor Famorca.

Glenn Aguilar was declared over-all champion.

An estimated 20,000 people trooped to the racetrack Culaman, Malita. Despite the scorching heat in the morning and the torrential rains in the afternoon, the crowd did not thin out. Spectators from all over Davao del Sur and other provinces like South Cotabato, Zamboanga, Davao Oriental, Davao City, Gensan also witnessed the event.

It was a game of man and machine on one side versus mud and the elements of nature on the other. It being a race, it was also a game of man against man. At the end of the race, it showed not only who the best rider was but also who was able to maximize his machine most, and turned the elements of nature and mud to his favor.

Celebrities like Jordan Herrera, Joseph Bitangcol,

It’s mud versus machine during the Malita National Motocross MX.

Motocross riders wait for the go-signal.

Carlos Agassi, and Joross Gamboa were also present during the event.

The Malita National Motocross MX was made possible by Pilipinas Shell, Phoenix Petroluem, Petron, Claude Bautista, Congressman Franklin Bautista, Mayor Joseph Bautista, Aileen Almendras, Dinand Racing Team, Rural Bank of Digos, San Miguel Brewery, Crown Malita Builders, SMI, ECJ Farms, Dasureco, Goldwin Pawnshop 1, Kag. Jojo Calma of Kiblawan, Dimsum Diner Digos, Davao Diamond Hardware, Lifestyle Davao, Rural Bank of Digos, Regenti Corp, Waterscapes, CEWEE, MyPhone, Sun Cellular, AMTRAC, and Carl’s Pension Inn.

James Robo Robinson does a cordova.

The crowd gasps as motocross riders do exhibitions on the race track.

Celebrity, Jordan Herrera is flanked by fans Glenn Aguilar and Don-Don Yuzon are neck to neck for the championship trophy. during the motocross.

8 VANTAGE pOINTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 211 • TUESDAY - WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25-26, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Greed, justice and deception OpINION

By Edward HadaS

G

EDITORIAL

To rise from the ruins

B

Y the time this paper hits the streets, it shall be Christmas Day. The Christmas season occurs towards the end of the year, so it is not unusual for people to be thinking about the last 12 months and the many events that unfolded during the period. 2012 was an unusually eventful year, made so because of the many catastrophes that left hundreds of people dead and billions of pesos in damage to property and crops.

The most horrible disaster this year was easily the one that befell several towns of three provinces in the Davao region that were ravaged by super Typhoon Pablo. As of this writing, some 1, 700 people have been considered dead, only a little over 700 of them identified. On the other hand, more than P34 bil-

EDGEDAVAO

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OLIVIA D. VELASCO General Manager

RICHARD C. EBONA Advertising Specialist

JOCELyN S. PANES Director of Sales

JANE E. CARO Marketing Assistant

lion worth of crops and property were destroyed by Pablo.

The destruction and the trauma caused by the howler will linger for a long time to come.

In sum, rising from the incalculable physical and psychological destruction wrought by the storm is the greatest challenge not only to the elected leaders of the provinces of Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley, but also to the private sector whose partnership and cooperation will be indispensable in rebuilding the communities levelled by Pablo, namely Montevista, New Bataan and Monkayo in Compostela Valley and Cateel, Boston and Baganga in Davao Oriental.

Will the communities and their leaders be equal to the great task? We can only hope for the best.

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

ALBERTO DALILAN Managing

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REED contributes to all the economic and financial woes of prosperous societies. The United States and other rich countries produce much more than is needed to support all of their people in comfort, so if desires were all truly modest, there would be few problems.

Greed encourages people to decide that their own share is too small. Greed influences the popular desire for GDP growth (more, faster), financial gains (higher house prices as a human right) and total economic security (guaranteed pension, come what may). Voters’ greed encourages governments to spend more and tax less.

During the boom years, politicians and economists consistently underestimated greed’s disruptive power. While few endorsed the extremist view that greed is actually good, even fewer acted as if it were dangerous. The rhetoric changed during the crisis. It has become fashionable to add “greedy” to the description of any unpopular group – bankers, highly paid executives, rich people in general, welfare cheats.

In theory, the entry of greed into the public discourse ought to be helpful. If those subject to immoderate desire could be identified with certainty, then society might take up arms against them. While we might never win the battle, we could at least hope to shame and restrain the malefactors.

As a political agenda-item, though, “the fight against greed” has a big problem; greed is much easier to identify in other people than in ourselves. The current debate on raising U.S. taxes on the very rich is typical. Few people have any doubt over who is being greedy about the tax system: it’s someone else. Yes, there is the odd Warren Buffett, a multi-billionaire who thinks he is under-taxed.

However, the tiny platoon of the self-accusing is up against two large armies of the self-justifying. The privileged force, small but powerful, is certain that the government is already getting at least a fair share of their incomes. The poor, the middle class and the old, who make up the much larger tax-them-more brigades, fight among themselves, but they are all certain that their motivation is justice, not greed.

The problem is profound, and not merely economic. In all domains, greed can be crude – think of a toddler reaching for a sibling’s toy or slice of cake – but it often masquerades as a virtuous desire for deal that is “only fair”.

Lest I be accused of hypocrisy in this matter, I will accuse myself first of all. For example, a few months ago I decided that Reuters.com had not given my weekly column its fair share of attention. I sent off an indignant missive, explaining that I did not want special treatment, only what justice demanded. In reply, my editor said that he received many similar complaints from writers, but was still waiting for one about having too much display on the website.

Had I thought to protest the injustice to my peers when I thought they were shortchanged? The answer: of course not. I would not have noticed that imbalance, because my supposed sense of justice was essentially selfish. It was greed, in this case for attention, dressed up as righteousness.

I am not alone, of course. Greed distorts everyone’s perceptions and judgements. The rich are particularly easy targets in a society which is theoretically committed to equality. Consider how bankers responded to their boom-time bonuses – almost all measured in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. On most trading floors the mood on announcement-day was funereal. To a man (there were few women traders), they were persuaded that their rewards were unjustly low. Only members of their charmed circle could possibly see anything other than greed at work.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.5 ISSUE 211 • TUESDAY - WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25-26, 2012

Critics’ stern warning

I

GNORING THE RULE ON MORALITY – One thing seems clear: Top leaders of the assertive and influential Catholic Church, pro-life advocates, women’s groups and the Bible-thumping Christian conservatives are not likely to give up from the argument over the recently approved Reproductive Health Bill (RH Bill). In such a situation, they have yet to demonstrate their mettle by training their sights on the Supreme Court probably to make an appeal urging the highest court to reconsider the decision of both chambers of Congress, which legal experts say is already highly improbable.

After months of grueling and intense debates between the pros and cons, the controversial RH Bill finally gained the nod of Congress. A bicameral conference committee hearing has been scheduled to put the final touch of the draft before being submitted to President Benigno Aquino III for signing into law before the end of the year. Recent perceptions reflect the factual situation: it clearly showed that more people than ever are satisfied with decision of the House of Representatives and the Senate in dealing with the RH Bill.

But before the disappointment and disgust raised by anti-RH Bill forces simmers down, the House leadership now talks about the divorce law. Yes, folks, what is there to prevent Congress from passing and approving a divorce law, or samesex marriage law, or even a law allowing abortion - moralist groups, self-professed upright people, pro-life advocates and

L

church leaders, might asked?

In the opinion of harsh critics the declaration of the House leadership set off a chain of reaction across the country that is putting lawmakers on the spot.

Unexpectedly the House leadership hints that the divorce bill might follow suit. Meanwhile severe critics and political adversaries issued stern warnings to lawmakers to heed the proposed divorce law and church leaders even accused the Aquino administration of alleged “dictatorial tendency.” Is the present dispensation traveling the dangerous path of ignoring the rule of law or to be precise the rule on morality? Funny politicians who strongly opposed the RH Bill for sure would again dispute any move related to divorce law and are presuming that the May 2013 midterm elections is a bad time for the Aquino leadership to take a principled but potentially unpopular stand on issues that might hurt the ruling party’s chances in next year’s polls. Nonetheless, throughout all the controversy, the PNoy leadership remains almost preternaturally calm.

Schemers and proponents of the RH Bill voiced enthusiasm for a divorce law

and at this early stage had already agitated people who likewise pride themselves as God-fearing and God-believing. These groups were incensed by the government’s decision allegedly ignoring the rights to preserve the sanctity of traditional marriage. But the dominant question right now: “Is it not uncomfortable to have a shaky relationship and continues to live together in hate and misery or to engage in illicit relationship simply because couples remain married to their original spouses?”

One thing sure is that moralists, upright pretenders, various religious congregations and church leaders including Christian conformists would begged to disagree. As their wont, they would again stage a sit-in at different government offices and march protest rallies to protest the impending divorce law. What’s next, they might ask? Legalized same-sex marriage law after a divorce law? Allow abortion, prostitution, polygamy and drugs?

Most likely scenario if a divorce law is in effect – you had to navigate your way through a discontent sea of married couples applying for divorce in different law offices. And the only thing curious people were surprised by will be the dense number of married people involved – they hadn’t expected so many couples are showing interest to end their unstable and irreconcilable marriages Of course, it’s a scene people who are against divorce ought not to see and expect to happen.

Gloom haunts Europe amid crisis, austerity

OLA Olmedo, a divorced single mother in southern Spanish city of Seville, finds herself hardly in a festive mood as Christmas draws near.

“I could be fired as early as next year. I might have to do odd jobs, such as cooking meals for other people, or whatever else I can manage,” said the 53-year-old who now works for a public company planning on redundancy.

“My salary dropped from 2,000 to 900 euros, and I am saving for my kids’ university fees. The future is completely black,” she added.

Her frustration was shared by many others from eurozone countries in the middle of a three-year-old sovereign debt crisis and unpopular austerity measures.

For the past months, the single currency zone was on track to establish a fiscal union and a banking union as a long-run solution for the debt crisis, while Athens was granted 50-billion-worth new aid to avert a catastrophic default.

But still, high unemployment and welfare cuts had triggered widespread social discontent over austerity and economic recession over recent years.

Dozens of large-scale protests took place in 2012, particularly in such countries as Greece, Spain, Italy, Portugal, France and Belgium. Most of them failed to block governments’ austerity plans, but led to massive economic losses nevertheless in the process of venting public anger.

November 14 saw a European-wide protest organized by labor unions, during which protesters in Madrid clashed with police, Portugal was nearly paralyzed by a general strike, while Italian police arrest-

COMMENTARY

By Miao Xiaojuan, raHul VEnkit ed a few people, among others.

Austerity measures, often imposed upon troubled economies in exchange for bailout funds from the EU, were accused of aggravating recession and mass unemployment through salary and welfare cuts, investment shrink, tax hike among others.

In fact, an increasing number of eurozone countries were trying to shift their focus from spending cuts to economic growth and structural reforms this year, as they realized the function of austerity as a double-edged sword that could hurt investment, jobs and consumption.

The current unemployment rate, increasingly high and yet disproportionate among eurozone countries, largely resulted from tough austerity measures and labor market reforms as well as economic stagnation.

“It is hard to find a job in Brussels, but in my home country Spain, it is seen as a miracle... Going back is no longer an option or solution for me,” said Esteban Perez Resina, a graduate student in Belgium.

EU statistics showed the eurozone’s unemployment rate, expected to peak by next year, stood at 11.7 percent last month, while youth unemployment rate was nearly 24 percent on average. The figure is even higher in southern Europe.

According to Dr. Stephanie Hare, senior analyst with global consulting firm Oxford Analytica, unemployment will continue to rise next year, mainly hurting those under

age 25 and women who tend to work in public sectors.

“There is a rise in poverty levels, a widening gap between the haves and the have nots... There will be further protests,” she said in an interview with Xinhua.

The eurozone is forecast to remain in recession and the 17-member bloc’s GDP is expected to mildly contract next year.

Even the economic powerhouse of Germany is likely to witness flat growth in 2013.

Earlier this month, European Central Bank president Mario Draghi also warned that Europe would not leave the crisis until the second half of next year by the earliest.

“It depends on whether Europe gets its act together on the reforms and finds innovative ways to get people working again...

It also depends on growth prospect in the US and emerging economies,” Hare said.

In the year 2013, EU leaders are scheduled to continue hard negotiations on the 2014-2020 budget plan as well as on completing fiscal and banking union, while two heavyweight member states -- Germany and Italy -- will go through national elections.

The bloc is also expanding itself in spite of crisis and skepticism, as Croatia is set to become the EU’s 28th member state next year and Latvia will be preparing to join the eurozone in 2014.

Olmedo, as the only breadwinner in her family and with little clue of EU economic and political affairs at the highest level, put all her hope on the next generation.

“I don’t see prospects for 2013... All I want is a better future for my children,” she said. [PNA/Xinhua]

VANTAGE pOINTS

9

Mideast upheavals hamper U.S. pivoting to Asia ( 1st of two parts ) ANAlYSIS

By XinHua writEr ran wEi

A

FTER taking office in 2009, U. S. President Barack Obama vowed to pivot his administration’s foreign policy focus from the Middle East to Asia.

In the span of almost four years, the pivoting has been underscored by Washington ‘ s high-profile activities in Asia and deep involvement in regional affairs.

However, with numerous crises still boiling in the Middle East, such as Iran’s nuclear standoff, Syria’s civil war, political upheavals in Egypt, escalating Palestinian-Israeli tensions, and so on, analysts argue that troubles in that volatile region are hampering Obama’s ability to pivot to Asia.

ASIA AS THE PIVOT? During the Bush administration, the United States was bogged down with the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan which consumed much of its strategic resources.

As a result, Washington has somewhat ignored Asia. But as the region has been increasingly reshaping global dynamics, America’s political elite decided to pivot to Asia in order to maintain its predominant role amid the shifting of global geopolitical and economic gravity center.

During his first presidential term, Obama, along with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, made frequent and high-profile appearances in the Asia-Pacific. He set Thailand, Myanmar and Cambodia as destinations for his first foreign travel after winning re-election in November, a move widely interpreted as a firm bid to showcase his commitment to the “pivot-to-Asia” strategy.

However, since the unveiling of Obama’s Asia policy, its phrasing has evolved from the earliest “back-to-Asia,” and then to “pivot-to-Asia” and to the latest “re-balancing-in-Asia,” the change of which, in the eyes of many, has reflected an internal policy adjustment.

DRAG FROM THE MIDEAST Now, many analysts doubt whether Washington has sufficient strategic resources to implement its so-called “pivoting” or “re- balancing,” given the enormous upheavals in the Middle East, and the pressing need for widespread spending cuts, even in U.S. defense and diplomatic operations. Some critics bluntly point out that rhetoric outweighs substance in the “pivot-to-Asia” strategy.

Admittedly, the Obama administration has shown a declining interest in Middle East affairs, compared to its diplomatic fanfare in the Asia-Pacific. However, the reality of a turbulent Middle East keeps on preventing Obama from pivoting away.

“The irony, of course, is that every time the Obama administration tries to turn toward Asia, the Middle East drags it back,” Robert Kagan, senior fellow at the Washington-based Brookings Institution, commented in a recent article.

As a case in point, in order to avert an all-out war between Palestine’s Hamas and Israel, Obama urgently dispatched Clinton after the East Asia Summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, to the Middle East for mediation.

“Thank goodness, President Barack Obama overcame his pivot penchant to Asia and has sent Secretary of State Hillary Clinton back to the Middle East. Her arrival can come none too soon,” Brookings’ Vice President Martin Indyk, who served as the two-time former U.S. ambassador to Israel, wrote immediately after the diplomatic move.

In the end, under influences from Washington and Cairo, Hamas and Israel grudgingly reached a cease-fire and hence averted a full-scale war.

10 COMMUNITY SENSE

VOL.5 ISSUE 211 • TUESDAY - WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25-26, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

2 Aboitiz companies in Davao, LGU turn over new 6-classroom school building A

BOITIZ Power Corporation (AP), its wholly-owned subsidiary in the distribution group Davao Light & Power Co., in cooperation with its social development arm, the Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (AFI), turned over last Wednesday, December 19, 2012, a new 6-classroom building to the Department of Education (DepEd), Davao City Division. It is constructed at the Catalunan Grande Elementary School campus at Catalunan Grande, Davao City.

The project cost about P5.4 million shared by Aboitiz Power and Davao Light and drawn from the Aboitiz Foundation with the

Davao City government providing P710 thousand as its counterpart fund. Each room has its own lavatory, with tiled floors including the veranda and installed with ready-to-tap electric and water connections. It is also provided with low power consuming compact fluorescent lighting bulbs and rotating ceiling fans.

In addition, the Aboitiz-owned electric utility also donated to the Department a total of three hundred (300) wooden armchairs for the classes that will occupy the six rooms in the newly constructed building. Each room will also be provided with teacher’s chairs and tables.

Davao City Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Davao City Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Helen D. Paguican cut the ceremonial ribbon during formal turnover of the 6-classroom building at Catalunan Grande, Davao City. They were assisted by Aboitiz Power’s Manuel “Bobby” Orig, Arturo Milan of Davao Light, Mrs.

The near full view of the 6-classroom P5.4 million one-storey school building that was turned over at the Catalunan Grande Elementary School in Catalunan Grande, City last December 19.

AP First Vice President for Mindanao Affairs Manuel “Bobby” Orig who did the official turn-over together with

Nenita Fabros of the DepEd Regional Office,.Witnesses to the ribbon-cutting are barangay officials, Parents Teacher Association officers, and Engr. Jaime Adalem who represented the office of the City Mayor.

Davao Light Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (EVPCOO) Arturo M. Milan and City Vice Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte, told DepEd officials and the school administration that donation of school buildings is only one of several projects that the Aboitiz companies are undertaking to support the government’s “Adopt-a-School Program”.

Orig encouraged the teachers and students to make the most out of the new classroom facilities.

He said the additional classrooms surely enhance the quality of education of the elementary students of the school.

He added that the new rooms are conducive to improving teachers’ performance. Orig also cited a survey conducted by the Social Weather

SSS offers calamity relief to members affected by Pablo A BOUT 3.6 million members of the Social Security System (SSS) can avail themselves of the SSS calamity relief package to help them and their families recover from the devastation caused by Typhoon Pablo, which is the strongest typhoon to hit the country so far this year.

SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Emilio de Quiros, Jr. said the threepart relief package offers early renewal of salary loans, advance release of three-months’ worth of pensions, and a two-percent cut in interest rates of the SSS Direct House Repair and Improvement Loan.

“Members in declared calamity areas can use their loan proceeds and advance pensions for basic and immediate needs such

as food, clothing, shelter and medicines. The funds can also serve as capital for members whose source of livelihood was disrupted by the typhoon,” he added.

The relief package is extended to members in the “declared and may be declared” calamity areas identified by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). These currently include: Palawan (Region IV-B); Siquijor and Cebu (Region VII); Lanao del Norte and Misamis Oriental (Region X); Compostela Valley, Davao Oriental and Davao del Norte (Region XI); Surigao del Sur and Agusan del Sur (Region XIII).

De Quiros said the package offers the Salary Loan Early Renewal Program (SLERP), which allows current borrowers to

renew their loan ahead of the prescribed schedule.

To be eligible, members must have at least six posted contributions within the past 12 months prior to the month of application.

“Members with sanctions on loan renewal due to their availment of the SSS condonation program are also allowed to apply for SLERP, as long as they live or work in a declared calamity area. We will also waive the one percent service fee under the SLERP,” he said.

The second component of the relief package is the three-month advance pensions for SSS pensioners in typhoon-affected areas. Their applications for early pensions must be certified by their local Barangay Chairman as proof of their residence in a declared calamity

area.

“Since SSS pensions for January 2013 were already released to our partner banks, pensioners who apply for calamity relief within December 2012 will get their February to April 2013 pensions in advance,” de Quiros explained.

“Those who submit their applications within January 2013 will receive early their March to May 2013 SSS pensions.”

The package’s last component, which is the two-percent cut in interest rates for house repair and improvement loans, is open to members whose homes were destroyed by Typhoon Pablo. The reduced interest rates per annum are six percent for loans of P400,000 and below, and seven percent for loans above P400,000 to P1 million.

Station in Maguindanao where it was revealed that residents in the area find educating the children is most difficult in that Muslim-dominated province, and that while the interest to send the children to school is there, there is a huge gap in the availability of education facilities. Thus, Orig said, students and parents in Davao City, among them in Catalunan Grande, are luckier since the private sector, especially big businesses, are helping fill the gap.

In her own turnover message read for her

by City Building Official Engr. Jaime Adalem, Davao City mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio said that the new classrooms will help in a long way the Catalunan Grande Elementary School accommodate the growing number of students coming from the community. She also thanked the Aboitiz-owned Davao Light and Aboitiz Power for leading the way in helping government address the lack of classrooms.

Meanwhile, Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte in his speech said he wished he could thank the Aboitiz companies enough for helping solve problems that should be the primary concern of government. The vice mayor added that he did not expect that when he intimated to the Aboitiz executives in Davao the need for assistance to provide new classroom facilities in Catalunan Grande middle of September the school will be up and ready for classes this December.

He however, added that he is not surprised of the speed by which the problem is addressed. The vice mayor said the Local Government of Davao City has long been in partner-

ship with Davao Light in many social projects and all these worked well up to completion.

For his part Barangay captain Paulo Z. Duterte in his message read for him by Barangay Councilor Jun Macahig, thanked Davao Light and Aboitiz Power, and the Aboitiz families for that matter, for their generosity and continuing support in efforts to improve the quality of education offered by the public educational system in Davao City specifically in his barangay. He said it is this support by stakeholders like the Aboitiz Power and its distribution utility Davao Light that encouraged the LGU of Davao City over the past years to work even harder despite the perennial problem of lack of resources.

Meanwhile, City Division Superintendent Dr. Helen D. Paguican lauded Aboitiz Power, Davao Light, Aboitiz Foundation, and the city government for jointly implementing the school building project.

She said that by pooling their resources to be able to construct a new building the four entities just proved that a government-private partnership is viable even at the local level.

The Division Superintendent added that since the DepEd and the Aboitiz companies started its partnership on education projects some 30 school building with about 102 classrooms have been constructed and turned over in Davao City alone. Other than thanking Davao Light, Aboitiz Power and Aboitiz Foundation Paguican also thanked the city government and the Local School Board (LSB) for providing budget to meet the funding counterpart requirement.

SUBURBIA 11

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 211 •TUESDAY -WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25-26, 2012

Aid pours into Compostela Valley

A

ID is pouring in to the province of Compostela Valley which is waging a massive effort to rise again amid the devastation wrought

by Typhoon Pablo.

The list of donors from the Incident Command Post of Compostela Valley shows not less than 360 individuals, families, corporations, small and medium entrepreneurs, academe, civic and non-government organizations have extended relief assistance to displaced families and individuals.

The ICP of Compostela Valley has yet to cite the total value of various goods donated, but a separate list of financial assistance bares the figure of P5.837 million from various local government units (LGUs) nationwide, from national government agencies and from individuals.

Compostela Valley ICP data show that 88,198 family food packs were distributed, a total of 3,300 hot meals served and 10,632 bottled water distributed.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the United Nations and the World Food Program (WFP) are taking part in serving the food packs and in seeing to it that these reach the 117,733 displaced families in 238 affected barangays in Compostela Valley.

A report of DSWD 11 shows that a total of P101,323,317 in as-

sistance had been extended to a 199,991 typhoon-displaced and affected families in the entire region of Southern Mindanao. Of the total assistance in cash and in kind, P57,396,750.00 came from DSWD; P33,876,840.00 came from various local government units (LGUs) and P10,049,727.00 came from NGOs and other GOs. Of the total assistance to the affected areas in the Davao region, P58,517,890 has reached Compostela Valley, serving a total of 120,620 families (DSWD data) with 498,192 individuals (DSWD data) in 238 affected barangays all in the 11 towns of the province.

The local government of Compostela Valley also attends to the families of casualties totalling 588, 404 missing and 1,001 injured (data from Comppostela Valley ICP).

Part of the campaign of rebuilding Compostela Valley drummed up through “Tindog Comval” advocacy, is the provision of shelter assistance that Gov. Arturo T. Uy said has also drawn out a number of support from various organizations, particularly Gawad Kalinga and the National Housing Authority which have committed to build houses for the displaced.

Typhoon Pablo totally damaged 31,261 houses and partially damaged 51,581 others. [PIA 11/ Jeanevive Duron-Abangan]

DavNor gets P8.5 M for livestock rehab T

HE province of Davao del Norte will receive an P8.528 million grant for the rehabilitation of livestock in towns worst hit by Typhoon Pablo, according to Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario.

Del Rosario recently signed a contract of donation that the Davao del Norte provincial government entered into with the Department of Agriculture (DA) to restock lost livestock.

The grant is part of the short-term and long-term action plans of the Department of Agriculture

for families affected by Typhoon Pablo to provide a starter source source of income and food for typhoon-affected families.

The grant will be used to procure 525 native chickens with feed worth P1 million; 91 heads of carabao along with P3 million worth of plows; 597 goats along with P3 million worth of feed.

Part of it is funding for the 24-hectare pasture development worth P528,000, and for the rehabilitation of multiplier farms in the towns of Kapalong and New Corella

REFRESHING. Survivors of Typhoon Pablo in an evacuation center in Compostela town, Compostela Valley province get a free shower from a Tagum City firetruck. The project, done in different evacuation centers in Compostela, Monkayo, Montevista and New Bataan, was initiated by youth volunteers and the provincial government,

DPWH asked to install weighbridges

T

HE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has been asked to install at least seven more weighbridges (truck scales) in Northern Mindanao, including four in Bukidnon, to make the campaign against cargo overloading among trucks more effective.

This was contained in a resolution passed by the Regional Development Council (RDC) in Region 10, which was presented to the Bukidnon Provincial Development Council.

The proposal is among the recommendations by the RDC Infrastructure and Utilities Development Committee (InfraCom) to address at least six issues and concerns raised before them this year.

The committee recommended building weighbridges in the following “proposed strategic locations:” Magsaysay, Misamis Oriental (Caraga side); Sapang Dalaga, Misamis Occidental (Western Min-

danao side); Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte (Western Mindanao side); Kalilangan, Bukidnon (ARMM side); Damulog, Bukidnon (Southwestern Mindanao side); Kitaotao, Bukidnon (Southern Mindanao side); and in Aglayan, Malaybalay City (for cargoes coming from Bukidnon towns).

The InfraCom also recommended that the weighbridge in El Salvador, Misamis Oriental be repaired, while the weighbridge in Puerto, Cagayan de Oro City be relocated to a “flat” location.

The committee cited that the heavy loads of trucks and trailers from other regions going to the Mindanao Container Terminal and the Cagayan de Oro Port “put much tension in the road network of Region 10, which essentially shortens the life of the roads.”

The committee also recommended that the weighbridges shall be located prior to entering Cagayan de Oro, so that

trucks coming from outside the city are weighed only prior to entering the city.

The InfraCom also noted that excess cargoes are not unloaded because the DPWH has no warehouse facilities or unloading equipment.

It recommended to the DPWH to explore the possibility of putting warehouses and unloading equipment at the proposed weighbridge locations.

The committee also recommended that the Department of Transportation and Communications’ (DOTC) Land Transportation Office (LTO) implements strict monitoring or checking of axle modifications made on trucks and trailers upon registration to reflect the exact Motor Vehicle User’s Charge.

Because of the observation that violating truck operators have less responsibility, the committee also recommended for the DPWH, the DOTC, and

the LTO that the citation in the temporary owner’s permit shall not only mention the driver’s name but also the truck operator.

To stop the problem of overloaded inbound shipping cargoes, the committee also recommended putting weighbridges in the ports.

“Overloaded containers could be stored at the warehouses of the cargo handlers, with the consignee paying the required storage fees,” it added.

The committee particularly recommended for the DOTC and the Philippine Ports Authority to put up weighbridges in Iligan and Ozamis ports, and for drafting policy and guidelines on this proposed weighing in ports.

The DOTC was also asked to do regular calibration of weighbridges and portable axle load weighing stations to keep them stick to standards.

[Walter I. Balane/MindaNews]

that would entail expenses of about P500,000.

The DA will soon download the P8.528 million grant and turn over ownership, operation, management and maintenance of the livestock that will be purchased to provide livelihood assistance to typhoon-affected families.

The grant is on top of the P 1-million subsidy that the DA earlier had turned over to Gov. del Rosario during the visit of DA Sec. Proceso Alcala to conduct a consultation in Nabunturan, Compostela

Valley, with typhoon-affected farmers.

The provincial information office of Davao del Norte said the subsidy includes 5,000 bags of certified rice seeds, 1,000 bags of open-pollinated and hybrid corn seeds, and four bags of ammonium sulfate per hectare of devastated farm lands.

The DA is also giving P1,500 financial assistance per hectare for clearing of damaged banana plantations, aside from supplying tissue-cultured banana plantlets. [PIA 11/ Jeanevive Duron-Abangan]

and includes distribution of health kits for children aged two to 12 prior to the bathing, a change of new clothes from among the relief goods, and feeding them after the refreshing shower. [J. Clarion/IDS ComVal]

This Christmas season

Take care of your kidneys I

T’S the holiday season and time to watch what you eat and drink.

Kidney transplant surgeon Dr. Ismael Crisostomo of the Davao Regional Hospital (DRH) Saturday (Dec. 21) urged people to be conscious about what they are eating and drinking, especially during the holiday season to spare vital body organs, especially the kidney, from malfunctioning.

Guesting in the yearend edition of the Kapihan sa Kapitoloyo of Davao del Norte, he explained the relationship of hypertension , which usually occurs during holiday season, to the destruction of the kidney, as well as, the relationship of diabetes to kidney disease.

“Too much of the salt and the sweet is not good for your kidney,” he said

while also giving caution on eating of too much fats causing hypertension which can lead to kidney failure.

Crisostomo also warned of the danger to health that frequent eating of ready-to-eat foods, such as instant noodles, canned goods and other food of high salt content , can bring to the kidney.

He has noticed that people in urban areas usually make ready-to-eat food come in handy because of their fast-paced lifestyle which prompts them to indiscriminately eat food that can unwittingly lead to so-called such “lifestyle disease” as renal disease.

“Because they don’t have time to prepare their food,” he said. [PIA 11/ Jeanevive Duron-Abangan]

12 ClASSIFIEDS ADS

VOL.5 ISSUE 211 • TUESDAY - WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25-26, 2012

After...

FFROM 1

we have the log ban implemented now. Our move was way ahead of the Executive Order 23 of President Benigno Aquino,” she explained.

Malanyaon said that their relentless crusade against illegal logging cost the life of former Environment and Natural Resources officer Eulogio “Baltic “ Baltazar who was shot in a restaurant which coincided with a festivity two years ago.

“Undeniably, there are some permittees, but the permits were issued by the DENR. With permits, the activity is legal, and as such, you cannot question legal operations,” she added.

To maximize compliance with President Aquino’s directive, she said the provincial government established the Provincial Illegal Logging Task Force. The multi-sectoral composition of the Task Force is

Davao...

ernment also established the tree nursery in Sitio Magay, Brgy.

Don Martin Marundan, City of Mati. It has been the standing order of Malanyaon to ensure availability of seedlings to address requests from barangays, schools, offices, and interested individuals to plant more trees.

Malanyaon said that it was the strong winds of Pablo and their gustiness that claimed hundreds of lives, toppled structures, destroyed schools, houses, and swept away crops, animals, and other agricultural products as affirmed by concerned national agencies.

“What is important is I know that the provincial government has fought against illegal logging and they can never put a good intention down,” the governor said. [With a report by Neela Duallo]

Davao Oriental, which sustained about P8 billion in damage to crops, was the top producer of coconut in the country with the three severely-affected towns among the big producers. Based on the assessment of government officials, only about 10% of the total land area planted to coconut was spared by the typhoon.

Despite the devastation, Malanyaon said the coconut industry will not be abandoned as it is “a sentimental crop,” being the crop of the older generation.

What would be done, she added, is the plant-

ing of hybrid coconuts so that farmers will be able to start harvesting in the next five years. “There are areas that cannot be planted to coconut, so the crop zoning plan is very important,” she added.

At present, the province needs more temporary shelters for families who lost their houses.

More tarpaulins, tents and other materials are needed for the victims, the governo added, even as Soliman earlier said that the government will eventually build core shelters which will become permanent homes. [AD]

ture and equipment has reached P162,884.

Rice production losses of 9.6 thousand metric tons will account for only 0.47% reduction to the forecast production of 4.2 million metric tons for the first quarter of 2013 made by the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics.

The corn production losses of 112 thousand metric tons are estimat-

ed to cause a 5.6% reduction to the 2 million metric tons forecast for the first quarter next year.

As of now, the regional field staff of the Dept. of Agriculture are continuously conducting damage and needs assessment and validating earlier reports to prepare for the rehabilitation of the affected areas. [PNA]

Damage..

FFROM 2

P18,324; followed by region X, composed of Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental and Misamis Occidental with a total damage of P4,340; Region XIII or CARAGA, composed of Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur, with a total damage of P2,197.

Total damage of facilities and infrastruc-

Reta...

FFROM 1 tasked, among others, to monitor cargoes of cut trees at the entry and exit points of the province.

Malanyaon said that her first move in the pursuit of ecological balance and in addressing climate change was the launching of her Million Trees Movement (MTM) on June 22, 2009 in Brgy.

Pintatagan, municipality of Banaybanay where the governor was able to mobilize all sectors to participate in the simultaneous early morning planting of trees, particularly along national highways of the province.

After the launching, the Million Trees Movement planting was institutionalized through an ordinance approved by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, making June 22 of every year a tree-planting day in the province.

The provincial gov-

FFROM 2

She said those affected will be employed through the government’s food-for-work program and avail of the cash-for- work program.

On the cash-forwork, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon J. Soliman earlier said that workers will be paid P218 a day. The scheme will also be used in the building of shelters for affected victims, said Soliman.

Malanyaon added that both the agriculture department and other groups have already lent 12 tractors being used to clear debris from the farms.

EDGEDAVAO

ing convicted in the case filed by businessman Rodolfo C. Reta almost three years ago for “grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, and violation of Republic Act No. 6713, also known as The Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.”

Also dismissed for the same offense in a 24-page decision by the Office of the Ombudsman Mindanao signed by graft investigator and prosecution officer 1 Marilou B. Unabia was acting assistant wharfinger Alicodsaman P. Dimasicil.

The decision was approved by Deputy Ombudsman for Mindanao Humphrey T. Monteroso after the same was reviewed by Assistant Ombudsman Rodolfo M. Elman and Director IV Maria Iluminada S. Lapid-Viva.

The same decision also meted the penalty of suspension for six months on acting customs examiners Lerrie L. Natividad and Moctar S. Amir, co-accused, for committing “conduct prejudicial to the interest of the service.”

“All these penalties are pursuant to Rule 10 of the Revised Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service,” according the decision.

The Ombudsman directed the Customs Commissioner (Rozzano Rufino Biazon) to immediately implement the penalties in accordance with Memorandum Circular No. 01, Series of 2006 of the Ombudsman.

The case filed by Reta stemmed from the sudden closure by Castigador of the Designated Examination Area (DEA) contracted by the Bureau of Customs inside the Acquarius Contrainer Yard solely owned by Reta. The DEA operation in a portion of Reta’s container yard is covered by a memorandum of agreement between him and the BOC. The MOA was signed on January 9, 2009 between Reta and then BOC commissioner Napoleon L. Morales for a term of 25 years, free of charge.

The dispute between Reta and Castigador was triggered by the arrival on February 20, 2010 of 40 containers said to contain 320 bags per container of construction materials from Thai-

land on board the vessel Matthias Claudi.

On February 26, 2010, complainant Reta instructed his counsel Manuel Quibod to report to Castigador that the cargo had been granted gate passes despite the fact that they have not been examined yet as recommended by customs inspector and x-ray operator Nilo Lim. Instead of acting on the irregularities reported to him by Reta’s lawyer, Castigador handed a letter stopping the examination of cargoes by the DEA inside Reta’s container yard and thus transferring the examination of cargo to the area of the Philippine Ports Authority. Castigador’s letter accused Reta of refusing to allow the examination of the cargo at his container yard. This was denied by Reta, saying that it was absurb for him to do so since it was his business to examine and strip the cargo.

As a result of the closure of the DEA in his yard, Reta petitioned the court for a temporary restraining order and filed an administrative complaint with the Ombudsman. He accused Castigador and his men of eliminating him in order to cover up for smuggling and other illegal activities in the port.

At one-time, the Court ordered Castigador arrested for contempt of court for defying its order to use the DEA inside Reta’s container yard again.

The cargo from Thailand which was misdeclared as construction materials turned out to be contraband rice.

In finding Castigador guilty of the administrative charges levelled against him and the three others by Reta, the Ombudsman found certain questionable acts involved in the case.

It said that the issuance of the gate passes even before the 100-percent examination recommended by x-ray inspector Nilo Lim was irregular.

The record shows the shipment arrived at the DEA only on February 26, 2010 and yet, the gate passes were prepared two days ahead of the receipt of the shipment in the DEA for examination and were already signed as received

by the consignee’s representative- a certain Michael Corong, broker of consignee Rapzel General Merchandise, even before the conduct of the 100-percent examination as recommended.

“Respondent Castigador, in allowing this irregular practice of preparing gate passes prior to inspection of the shipment allegedly to facilitate the process within the ACY DEA in effect agrees with such irregular practice. The control mechanism at the Port of Davao then leaves much to be desired,” the Mindanao Ombudsman stated.

The act of Dimasicil in signing on the four gate passes amounts to grave misconduct, the Ombudsman said.

It noted that the shipment consigned to RAPZEL was not released on account of the four gate passes, as records would show that respondents, with the use of force, effected the release of the shipment from Reta’s ACY premises to the PPA area where the examination was done.

The Ombudsman added that the letter of Castigador transferring the DEA from the ACY to PPA was done without lawful authority. It said that Castigador on his own cannot suspend or revoke the MOA which was signed by the BOC commissioner and Reta.

The Ombudsman also said that Castigador’s failure to file a criminal case against consignee Rapzel for violation of the Tariff and Customs Code is tantamount to giving unwarranted benefits to the company.

“It is grave misconduct as the act complained of is inspired by an intention to violate the law, or constitute a flagrant disregard of well-known legal rules,” the decision said.

“It is a transgression of some established and definite rule of action, a forbidden act, a dereliction of duty, wilful in character and implies wrongful intent and not a mere error of judgment,” it added.

The Ombudsman also castigated Castigador for failure to file the case in court, saying it was an act that sends the wrong signal to the importers and runs counter to the government’s drive to run after smugglers.

13

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 211 •TUESDAY -WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25-26, 2012 COMpETITIVE EDGE

Sun Cellular wins Frost & Sullivan award M

OBILE operator Sun Cellular has been recognized once again as Philippines’ Mobile Service Provider of the Year for 2012 by Frost & Sullivan Asia Pacific Best Practices Awards. This is the second straight year that Sun Cellular got the distinction from the global research and consultancy firm.

“We are happy to be acknowledged as the best for two years in a row, and now that we are part of the PLDT Group, we expect things to get even better,” says Orlando Vea, Sun Cellular’s President and Chief Executive Officer.

Coming from its intensive research and rigorous rating process, Frost & Sullivan lauded Sun Cellular for its consistent and robust growth in terms of market share, revenues and subscriber acquisition rate.

“Serving over 14 million mobile subscribers in 2011, Sun Cellular had outperformed the market average with an annual revenue growth of 14.4%.

Sun Cellular is instrumental in injecting competition in the Philippines mobile market with best value offerings. Its ‘Call and Text Unlimited’ services have been popular and effective

in gaining market share,” says Ms. Serene Chan, Industry Analyst – Telecom Sector, Asia Pacific ICT Practice of Frost & Sullivan.

Chan also pointed out to Sun Cellular’s innovativeness in launching new services in the age of social media, making it a very resilient player in the fastpaced mobile industry.

“With a strong market penetration strategy, it comes as no surprise that Sun Cellular has been growing above the market average rate. Between 2007 and 2011, Sun Cellular’s mobile subscribers had grown substantially over the last five years. By the end of last year, the operator held 15.6% share in the market,” Chan said.

Reporting a strong net service revenue growth of 17%, for the first half of 2012, Sun Cellular has enjoyed not only a positive and upward business movement but also attained leadership in the industry in terms of growth. It attained a 15% growth for its Prepaid segment and a 46% growth for its broadband business for the same period.

“Part of Sun’s success is its ability to come up with exciting offers that makes it the good choice for consumers given its best val-

WINNER. Sun Cellular Senior Vice President for Postpaid, Broadband, New Business Marketing and Marketing Services Ricky Peña (middle), and Sun Cellular Vice Presi-

dent for Customer Relationship Management Reuben S.J. Pangan (right), accept the award from Frost & Sullivan Vice President for ICT Asia Pacific, Andrew Milroy.

ue-for-money proposition,” said Charles A. Lim, Sun Cellular COO. “For example, we now have the ‘Sundroid Promo’ wherein for only P600 per month, you get not only an Android smartphone but a WiFi Android tablet computer as well” Lim enthused.

Frost & Sullivan is a growth partnership company that has been working closely with some of the world’s leading busi-

Provider of the Year Award from the same award-giving firm. After its integration into the country’s largest telecommunications conglomerate, Sun Cellular is now looking at further growing its business to better serve its over 16 million subscribers and intensify even more the quality of its services nationwide.

“As we seek to address more consumer demands and face even tougher

nesses for the creation of solutions and dynamic industry strategies. Being a steadfast advocate of growth and business development, Frost & Sullivan presents various awards to companies that show exemplary performance in terms of market leadership, innovation and business strategies.

In 2009, Sun Cellular first garnered the Most Promising Telecom Service

business challenges, we will always be grounded by the call to consistently outshine our own performance year over year – through continuous innovation, network enhancement and betterment of overall service delivery,” shares Lim. “All these, to enhance the customer experience at the end of the day.”

Sun Cellular is a member of the PLDT Group.

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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 2213601.

VOL.5 ISSUE 211 • TUESDAY - WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25-26, 2012

Realty

EDGEDAVAO

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LOT FOR SALE 180 sq. meter, Farland Subd., Dumoy, Toril, P 350,000 only Contact: 0927-706-2510

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INdulge!

VOL.5 ISSUE 211 • TUESDAY - WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25-26, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

EVENTS

A magical afternoon of dance

EvEry family has a Christmas tradition that is practiced year-by-year. In my family, we often celebrate Christmas by coming together for dinner, all wearing red to celebrate luck and good fortune.

There are also establishments who practice their own Christmas traditions, like Mana Davao and Marco Polo Davao’s Christmas light displays. But none are more spectacular than SM’s yearly Christmas ballet presentations and this year features Ballet Philippines and their performance of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker at

The Dance of the Flowers.

SM Lanang Premier and Sleeping Beauty at SM City Davao.

I was able to attend the presentation at SM Lanang Premier and was pleasantly surprised to see that Dabawenyos came out in force to witness the presentation, showing that the Dabawenyo urbanite truly appreci-

FMAGICAL, A4

The Chinese dance left everyone smiling.

The energy of the Russian dance envigorated the crowd.

A2 INdulge!

UP & ABOUT

Trade Hall now open at SM City General Santos

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.5 ISSUE 211 • TUESDAY - WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25-26, 2012

ARTS & CULTURE

Cinematheque Davao showcases family films on December 26 and 27

SM City General Santos opens its newest anchor for conventions, shows, corporate activities, business functions and social events. Located, at the 3rd level of the mall, is a spacious Trade Hall with a total floor area of 3,131 square meters. The Trade Hall is also convertible to two exhibit halls, with an average of 1,300 square meters each, making it possible to have several events For two days in Deand functions at the same time. cember 2012, after For smaller group gatherings, the Trade Hall has two Christmas Day, CinDavao meeting rooms to choose from, for your specific needs. ematheque will screen films Meeting rooms 1 and 2, with a floor area of 116sqm and geared for the fam195sqm respectively, is also an ideal venue for Christily, as well as an Italmas parties, wedding receptions and other special ocian film.

The famcasions.

The Trade Hall is fully air-conditioned rooms, with ad- ily films are Urduja equate fire protection and emergency exits, lightning and Dayo: Sa Munand power, sound systems, voice and data ports, and do ng Elementalia, WiFi. It also has its own toilet area, lobby and separate both animated, and Pepot Artista. The preparation areas.

The opening of the Trade Hall attests that SM City Italian film is LeonGeneral Santos does not just take shopping, dining and ardo Di Costanzo’s entertainment to the next level, but it is also a perfect L’Intervallo. venue for bazaars, trade fairs, company sales, conventions, conferences, fashion shows, and exhibits, among others.

While you and your guests enjoy your family affair, you can also enjoy shopping, recreation and entertainment whenever you want... in the mall that has it all! For details and reservations, call our leasing department at (083) 878 0667.

How to be a wrap star with SM Stationery ONE of the ways we can make our presents meaningful is adding a personal touch with the way we package our gifts. And with Christmas fast approaching, here are some tips on how you can be a wrap star with a little help from SM Stationery.

1. Add some dazzle to your wrapped presents by using specialized wrappers and ribbons. You can also add some dazzling embellishments for a festive touch.

2. Just as you choose gifts, choose a wrap that suits the recipient’s personality. Also, opt for small patterned wraps for smaller boxes and large patterned wraps for bigger boxes, so that the nice pattern will be seen.

3. Go ecofriendly with the use kraft wrappers, gift bags and kraft-inspired gift boxes and add some ornaments as decorations for a more festive look; 4. If you have a multiple gifts to wrap for the same person, wrap them in coordinating colors and stack them into a tower and tie a ribbon around the stack of multiple gifts.

5. Gift totes with gift tags make stylish packages. These are also convenient to use and best for instant wrapping solutions this holiday frenzy. Add some embellishments and elegant tissue wraps to make these even more festive 6. Be Creative! There are no cut and dried rules in giftwrapping so learn how to experiment.

Find out more gift wrapping ideas at the Stationery section of all SM Stores. Also, visit our website at www. stationery.com.ph

For more information, please call Cinematheque Davao at 282-4579 or find us at www.facebook.com/ cinematheque.davao The following are brief introductions to the films: Dayo: Sa Mundo ng Elementalia (2008) Directed by robert Quilao from a screenplay

by Artemio Abad and Eric Cabahug, and produced by Cutting Edge Productions, this is the Philippines’ first full-length animated feature film. The “tra-digital” animation technique is used, or a mix of traditional animation and 3D animation. The film was screened as an official entry in the 34th Metro Manila Film Festival in December 2008.

The film’s narrative is based on data from Maximo ramos’ Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology and revolves around a boy who has to save his grandparents who are abducted and brought to Elementalia. Elementalia is home to various creatures adapted from Philippine mythology.

Among the acting voices are those of Peque Gallaga, Noel Trinidad, Nova villa, and Pokwang. (running time: 92 mins.)

Urduja (2008) This is the first of two animated films produced in the country in 2008, the other being the abovementioned Dayo: Sa Mundo ng Elementalia.

Although Urduja’s existence has been debunked historically, the film is an adaptation of the legend of the warrior-princess of a tiny kingdom in 13th century Pangasinan in Northern Luzon.

An all-Filipino group of animators is behind this production, using the traditional hand-drawn

animation process. An all-Filipino cast of voice actors animates the film as well, including regine velasquez, Cesar Montano, Eddie Garcia, and Jay Manalo. (running time: 100 mins.)

Pepot Artista

Directed by Clodualdo del Mundo, Jr., this comedy-musical is about a ten-year-old Filipino boy and his dream of becoming a movie star. His lineage is not show-biz, he is not a relative or the son of somebody connected to

the Philippine movie business, and he comes from a poor family. What happens to someone like Pepot is what makes a movie that is hilarious in many parts an ironic commentary on Philippine show business.

L’Intervallo [The Interval] (2012) Directed by Leonardo Di Costanzo, this film has won a variety of awards from award-giving organizations of film in Italy. It is about a boy and a girl who find themselves locked in an abandoned building in a working class district.

She is his prisoner because he is forced by the “boss” to act as her jailer. Both are victims and yet both blame the other for the situation.

VOL.5 ISSUE 211 • TUESDAY - WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25-26, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

ENTERTAINMENT

The X Factor winner is revealed!

Plus, the best of Britney’s faces, One Direction & awkward technical difficulties WHAT are a few technical difficulties when a $5 million prize is at stake?

Sure, The X Factor began and Carly Rose Sonenclar, Tate Stevens and Fifth Harmony didn’t appear when hosts Mario Lopez and Khloé Kardashian Odom first announced them—but one of them was ultimately declared the winner roughly two hours later.

“They’re a little nervous to come out here and it’s that close,” Mario said, killing a little time. “They’re going over probably making a deal when one of them wins!”

Cue back to the red carpet outside the theater, where three SUVs pulled up and, one by one, expelled Tate, Carly Rose and Fifth Harmony for a joint performance of a popped-up (and, at moments, seemingly lipsynced) version of the Beatles’ “All You Need Is Love.”

The grand finale righted itself once the top three returned to the X Factor stage, Tate kicking off the solos with “Please Come Home for Christmas.” Variety wasn’t exactly the spice of life, with Fifth Harmony taking on “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” next, but the two together certainly got us in the spirit.

They aired the requisite Simon Cowell-in-

the rest of One Direction— take heart, Fifth Harmony, they finished third on the U.K. X Factor—performed “Kiss You” and sent many pulses racing. (For the record, there was no sign of Taylor Swift in their SUV when they pulled up to the red carpet.)

Next up, the top two teamed up for a duet on “The Climb”—and then, the moment of truth, time to declare either Tate

sults montage, a carryover from his American Idol days, starting with “I’m not being rude” and including, as always, the Brit comparing someone’s singing to a screeching cat.

This marked the first year, however, for the montage of Britney Spears’ reaction faces, many of them quite priceless!

Carly Rose closed out the caroling round with “All I Want for Christmas Is You”—and then it was time to announce who had finished two places short of the winner’s circle.

Just as Simon optimistically predicted, Fifth Harmony did not win the whole thing, instead coming in third following what was a surprising appearance in the finale in the first place. Calling last year’s effort with groups (Paula Abdul was the first mentor cleaned out of contestants) a “disaster,” Simon said his favorite part of this season was shepherding a group into the finals.

“We’ve gained more than $5 million could [give us],” said Karla Camila Cabello—and we hope that she and Ally Brooke Hernandez, Lauren Jauregui, Normani Hamilton and Dinah Hansen maintain that optimism as they head off into their future.

With Tate and Carly Rose left to ponder their fate, Pitbull got the joint dancing with “Don’t Stop the Party” and then smooth operator Harry Styles and

Michelle Obama writes open letter mourning Sandy Hook victims MICHELLE Obama is paying tribute to a grieving community in the depths of a senseless tragedy.

The first lady has penned an open letter remembering the victims of the horrific shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., as she shares her anguish over the unspeakable loss while honoring the strength of their families and loved ones.

“I know that I cannot begin to imagine the depths of your grief,” she writes in the Hartford Courant.

“As a mother of two young daughters, my heart aches for you and your families. Like so many Americans, I wish there were something— anything—I could do or say to ease your anguish.”

She also wonders,“How

can we go on—as families and as a community?”

Obama, however, puts her deep faith in the resilience of a united community, and in a nation filled with resolve.

“I also know that we have already begun to see the answer to that question in the countless acts of courage, kindness and love here in Newtown and across America,” she adds.

“In the months and

years ahead, may the memories of those beautiful children and those heroic adults be a blessing for their families, for your community and for our country, and may God bless you all.”

The first lady’s words come on the heels of a string of moving memorials across the nation and throughout Hollywood, including tributes from Ellen DeGeneres and The Voice.

Stevens or Carly Rose Sonenclar the winner of the second season of The X Factor.

And—way to go out on a high note, L.A. Reid— it was Tate Stevens who won it all!

As the 37-year-old highway worker from Belton, Mo., embraced his mentor in a big bear hug, Britney could be seen consoling her 13-year-old protégée (who, we were happy to

see, remained composed and positive and immediately crossed the stage to give Tate a big hug).

“First and foremost, I’ve got to thank the man upstairs for taking care of me,” Tate said, his voice cracking with emotion.

“My family, all the country music fans, God bless you, and thank you so very much for all the votes.

And this is the best day of my life.”

A4 INdulge!

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.5 ISSUE 211 • TUESDAY - WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25-26, 2012

EVENTS

Clara and the nutcracker.

Magical...

Flowers dance for the finale.

The Spanish dancers.

FFROM A1

ates culture (I heard that the show at SM City Davao the night before was also jampacked) and such cultural performances are to be commended, especially since the show was free for everyone to experience.

The mall show was a condensed version of the ticketed full show at the Cultural Center of the Philippines but for me, the magical 45-minute presentation was still well-worth the trip to the mall on a holiday shopping weekend. From the opening of the show, to the dancing dolls, to the energetic russian dance, the adorable Chinese dancers, to the fantastic pirouettes in Dance of the Flowers, I was riveted to my seat, anticipating every leap and step and just like that, the lights came back on and 45 minutes breezed by like mere seconds.

I really have to commend SM and Ballet Philippines for bringing a piece of culture to Davao’s scene and creating a new holiday tradition that can be enjoyed by everyone.

A blessed and merry Christmas to all my readers!

Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @kennethkingong for more foodie finds and happenings in and around the city.

Clara and the nutcracker prince.

Another beautiful scene from The Nutcracker.

The spring activated dolls.

The Sugar Plum Fairy.

The Danish dancers.

SpORTS 15

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 211 •TUESDAY -WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25-26, 2012

Davao shotmaker is Tour’s best D

Winning is a vice

Tony Lascuna emerges as the lone three-leg winner in the 15-stage Philippine Golf Tour.

V

ICTORIES are fast getting to be a vice.

For the third straight year, Vice Mayor’s Office will be spending Christmas with the championship trophy of the annual Mayor Sara Duterte and Vice Mayor Rody Duterte –AFP-PNP Basketball Tournament.

VMO closed out the season with a mighty showing, sweeping DCPO in the championship series, 10288, to complete its journey to become the first team to achieve unprecedented three-peat in the 10-year history of the league.

Greggy Delica, Rodel Bantilan and hotshot Christopher “Bong” Go took the scoring cudgels for VMO

which came out robust in the final half to pull away with the title-clincher victory.

Delica poured in 21 points as he went too hot to handle at the paint while Bantilan scored 19 markers, eleven of which came in the second half.

Go, the sweet-shooting executive assistant of Vice Mayor Rody Duterte, wound up 18 baskets in limited minutes than usual, including two of his total 4 treys in the pivotal third period.

After a see-saw battle in the first two periods, the SP-based dribblers strike hard in the second half outscoring the Policemen 34 – 20 in the third canto

– to swiftly establish an 18 points lead, 89 – 71, entering the pay off period.

The Policemen fought hard in yearn of getting back in the game, jumping out a 6-0 run at the start of the fourth period. But the SP five managed to answer back with a triple from Bantilan and a three point play courtesy of Delica that folds downed the Policemen’s chances.

From there, DCPO showed traces of giving up as the Policemen started to bid goodbye to their wonderful season, which ended with 11 wins and 3 defeats.

Playing official Anthony Padua paced DCPO with 23 points. Janwed Cagape

Fil-Am PG hopes to land Gilas spot

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Dustin Melton is trying out for a spot in the Gilas line-up. The 5-11 guard plays import n Brazil.

and Estong Uganap had 15 and 12 baskets for the losing cause of the Policemen who were trailing by just 4, 51 – 55, at the half. The opening canto ended 27 – 23 for VMO. Roy Bangkas scored 14 points and Art Atablanco had 13 baskets for VMO which won Game 1, 115 94.

Meanwhile, Regional Public Safety Batallion defeated Bureau of Fire Protection, 109 – 101, to cop the third place honors.

A total of 12 teams took part in this year’s season of the league presented by City Government of Davao and sanctioned by Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) Region XI. (RJB)

UST three days after returning for the first time to the land of his birth, Justin Melton has buckled down to work in his quest for a bigger purpose.

The 25-year-old point guard, who was born in Angeles, Pampanga but raised in the United States, is among a handful of players who showed up for Smart Gilas 2.0’s first practice on Friday night at the Meralco Gym. If he succeeds in impressing national coach Chot Reyes, the 5-11 Melton could earn a spot in the national team bound for a pair of tournaments overseas early next year and, beyond that, the Fiba Asia Men in Beirut in late August.

He wants the shot bad-

ly enough to sacrifice his Christmas holidays to join Gilas’ three-week practice where he competes for spots in the team against a sprinkling of pros as well as amateur players from the national team’s cadet pool.

“I feel blessed (and this is) a great opportunity,” he said. “I’m just thankful to coach Chot for the chance to be here so I don’t mind missing out on the holidays because of the practice.”

Born to Cecilia Fortes and military man Donnie Melton, the guard played Division II basketball in the US NCAA for Mount Olive College in North Carolina and has spent most of his time playing as an import in Brazil since he graduated in 2009.

AVAO’S Tony Lascuna turned the final round of the P2.5 million ICTSI Wack Wack Championship into a victory walk, firing a 72 on Saturday to score a ninestroke victory over Elmer Salvador and win the Order or Merit title of the Philippine Golf Tour.

With the title virtually bagged after posting a huge seven-point lead over fellow Dabawenyo Salvador and Que after three rounds, Lascuna just went through the motions and settled for two birdies and the same number of bogeys at Wack Wack’s East course.

He wound up with an eight-under 280 total, pocketed the top prize of P450,000 and topped the money list with total earnings of P2.25 million.

The Apo-bred shot-

maker, also the highest-ranked Filipino on the Asian Tour at No. 12, was joined by his wife Sheryl and seven-year-old daughter Shnaryl as he received the prize from Wack Wack Golf and Country Club president Dr. Philip Ella Juico during awards rites graced by ICTSI PR manager Narlene Soriano and PGTI general manager Colo Ventosa.

“This is definitely the best year of my life since I started to play golf at 12,” said Lascuna, who also topped the ICTSI Eagle Ridge and Manila Southwoods legs this year.

Salvador ended up with a birdie-less 74 after matching Lascuna’s opening 37 but still finished solo second at 289 as Que hobbled with a closing 40 for a 78 and tumbled down to joint sixth at 293.

Manny V. Pangilinan won another mandate a president of the Samahang Basketbol sa Pilipinas.

MVP re-elected SBP president

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HE Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas yesterday elected by acclimation to a fresh fouryear term the current SBP Board of Trustees led by president Manuel V. Pangilinan, who immediately called for a more aggressive grassroots development program.

SBP chairman Oscar Moreno, the Misamis Oriental governor, moved for the acclimation of the nominees and a seconded motion drew a loud applause from those present, including FIBA technical officer Ben Turner.

The board is to go through a formal election of officers later in the day although no major changes are expected, with Moreno getting retained as chairman; Maynilad Water president Victorico P. Vargas, vice chairman; Atty. Marievic Anonuevo, board secretary; and Dr. Jay Adalem, treasurer.

“We may need another strategic planning session to plan more grassroots projects,” said Pangilinan, who is also the chairman of the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines.

‘Amare Project’ could ship Knicks star out

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T’S just a matter of time now before Amar’e Stoudemire rejoins the New York Knicks. After practicing with the Erie BayHawks, the team’s D-League affiliate, and reportedly looking good and explosive in his scrimmage work, the 30-year-old power forward appears to be nearing the end of his rehabilitation from surgery to remove dead tissue in his surgically repaired left knee.

He’s not ready yet, but he’s close to once again donning a Knicks uniform ... which, according to Howard Beck at the New York

Times, is something that New York’s front office worked very hard this offseason (and even before that) to prevent from happening again: This past summer, the Knicks offered Stoudemire to nearly every team in the league — “available for free,” as one rival executive put it. But they found no takers because of his diminished production, his health and his contract, which has three years and $65 million remaining (counting this season) and which is uninsured against a career-ending knee injury.

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VOL.5 ISSUE 211 • TUESDAY - WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25-26, 2012

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