Edge Davao 5 Issue 215 by Edge Davao The Business Paper

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VOL.5 ISSUE 215 • TUESDAY - WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 01-02, 2012

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Yearender report

City enterprises exceed target by EJ Dominic C. Fernandez

Culture

Sports

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T was still November, but the earnings of Davao City’s economic enterprises had already exceeded its income target for the entire year by 4.6 percent. This was reported by Jose Elmario P. Guintadcan, CEEB (City Economic Enterprises Bureau) manager in a yearend interview he granted to Edge Davao.

By 4.6 percent as of November yet As of end of November, the total collection of CEEB units reached P109,468,289, Guintadcan told this reporter. This indi-

cates an excess of P4,810,376, or 4.6 percent, of the January-December 2012 target of only P104,657,913. If the collection trend continues, Guintadcan expects total earnings from city enterprises to reach P119 million by the end of DeFYEARENDER REPORT, 11 cember.

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PROSPERITY. Dabawenyos rush to buy different varieties of round-shaped fruits for the New Year’s Eve celebration along Monteverde Street, Davao City Monday afternoon. Many believe that round-shaped

Yearender

fruits bring good luck and prosperity to the family for the coming year according to Chinese lore and instilled in Filipino tradition. Lean Daval Jr.

Happy New Year sa tanan

Davao: A city on the go

012 was definitely a busy year for the business sector in Davao City with the rise of multi-storey structures and other similar developments, with the city creating its own niche as the

next hub for high-rise infrastructures while it continues to enjoy its reputation as one of the most preferred investment destinations in the country. Below are the top business sto-

ries in 2012 exemplifying the city’s vibrant economy reinforced by burgeoning business activities: City exceeds target in biz permit renewal (January, 2012)

FYEARENDER, 11

2 THE BIG NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.5 ISSUE 215 • TUESDAY - WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 01-02, 2012

Gov’t vows to sustain public optimism in 2013

hE government wants to ensure that inclusive growth benefits everyone in 2013 through job generation and pro-poor programs, a Palace official said Saturday. A recent Social Weather Station survey showed that nine out of 10 Filipinos are looking forward to 2013 with hope. In a radio interview over state-run dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the administration is still focusing on job generation as well inclusive growth. “We see that the GDP (gross domestic product) has been surprising everybody; it seemed to be candid about it in the sense na the third quarter was really a very pleasant surprise for everybody,” she said. The survey results indicated that 92 percent of those surveyed were hopeful rather than fearful of the coming year. This was the predominant sentiment among respon-

TyphoonPablo

dents in Luzon (96 percent), Metro Manila (93 percent), and the Visayas (93 percent). The survey was conducted from December 8 to 11. Mindanao residents, however, were less enthusiastic about the coming year’s prospects. Only 85 percent of those polled in Mindanao said they were hopeful. Also, with 2013 being an election year, Valte said the administration wants to do away with too much politicking so it could focus on governance. “On the part of the executive, while it may be an election year, the work in government still goes on. The work in government will continue despite the fact that it is an election year,” Valte said. The Commission on Elections (Election) has already come up with the list of the dates that are important particularly the start of the campaign period for the local and national levels. [PNA]

DPWH donates 300 water purifiers in Comval, DavOr By Anthony S. Allada

hE Department of Public Works and highways has donated more than 300 water purifiers to typhoon-devastated towns of Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental. Dennis Flores, spokesperson of DPWh 11, said the money used to buy the purifiers came from the one-day salary of every DPWh 11 employee in the country. “We saw the need for these, so we found it practical to provide

them to typhoon victims in the two provinces,” Flores said. he said each water purifier could purify a drum of water that would be a big help in preventing water-related diseases like diarrhea, amoeba, among others. “The last time we delivered the purifiers was on Saturday, December 22,” he said, adding that while some of them were busy rehabilitat-

FTYPHOON, 11

YELLOW BOX. Hardheaded motorists are seen parking their vehicles within a yellow box intended for loading and unloading only along Magallanes Street in Davao City yesterday. LEAN DAVAL JR.

AMRECO task force assists in restoration of power By Che Palicte

hE Association of Mindanao Rural Electric Cooperatives, Inc. (AMRECO) has organized Task Force Pablo: Tabang Katalagman which tenders calamity assistance to Mindanao electric cooperatives (EC), employees and Typhoon Pablo survivors. The program is a modern day bayanihan by which volunteers from electric cooperatives render free service to other ECs which need technical help, either in times of

calamities for immediate power restoration, construction of additional lines in far-flung least viable barangays/sitios and for the upgrading of dilapidated distribution lines. Sergio Dagooc, president of AMRECO, said their team is helping the best way it can for power restoration in Pablo-hit areas. The restoration of electricity throughout the entire province of Davao Oriental poses the most

difficult challenge. The four member electric cooperatives of AMRECO were badly hit: (1) Davao del Norte Electric Cooperative Inc. (DANECO), (2) Davao Oriental Electric Cooperative Inc. (DORECO), (3) Surigao del Sur Electric Cooperative Inc. (SuRSECO 1) and (4) Agusan del Sur Electric Cooperative Inc. (ASELCO). The member ECs are working together through different teams with six linemen each headed by a foreman, equipped with

Power blues

service and emergency vehicles, boom trucks, tools and equipment with complete linemen’s gear. The Task Force has dispatched a workforce and field team from member ECs to rehabilitate backbone lines and restore power soon after the Typhoon Pablo left the country. Dagooc added that they will push for an ordinance that prohibits the planting of trees beside electric lines to avoid damage like what Pablo caused.

Lack of materials prolonging restoration in Pablo hit areas

EMULATING. A boy hits a homemade punching bag emulating the moves of the great Manny Pacquiao while an older man holds it steady in Barangay 76-A, Bucana, Davao City yesterday. LEAN DAVAL JR.

M M A N u E L Galarse, deneral manager of the Agusan del Sur Electric Cooperative (ASELCO) bared that there has been a shortage of materials for power restoration in the Pablohit areas, both in Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley. “Our contractors and crews are always prepared for power restoration, but the only problem is the shortage of materials,” Galarse said. he added that the supply of materials in Mindanao, specifically in their cooperatives, are not enough for the ongoing power

restoration efforts. “We still have to buy in Metro Manila the structure materials we need and it might take a month before we can operate again because of the delayed delivered. “habang naghihintay sa materyales yung crew, we still utilize those materials that our cooperatives contributed, kahit paunti-unti at least may naayos kami,” Galarse explained. In Davao Oriental there are 67 out of 183 barangays where power has not been restored and 185 out of 374 barangays are in Compostela Valley.

EDGEDAVAOVOL.5 ISSUE 215 •TUESDAY -WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 01-02, 2012 Cultural yearender

CULTURE

Every great city must have a soul by EJ Dominic C. Fernandez

VERy great city must have a soul. These were the words of the late Soledad Roa Duterte, more popularly called “Nanay Soling” and mother of Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. her words gave birth to Museo Dabawenyo which shows the rich heritage of Davao City’s culture, tradition and history. Museo Dabawenyo guide Amor Rey Puno encourages every department to have their own scheduled tour of the museum, in the belief that locals and tourists still have so much more to learn and discover about Davao City that the museum offers. People, according to Puno, usually think that museums are boring places, however, Museo Dabawenyo will give its visitors a very exciting experience with the wonderful story it offers about

Davao by giving people a deeper look into the background and history of the city. This was exactly what Nanay Soling had in mind when she said “a great city needs a Soul.” According to Puno, a lot of people who visit Museo Dabawenyo are amazed by the beautiful culture and rich history of Davao City. Even Dabawenyos who visit the Museum are still surprised by the stories exhibited by the museum about Davao City. The museum has a number of antique items and works of art that tell more about Davao City that meets the eye of the beholder. Puno explained the need, before one goes to explore different sections of a particular city, to first visit it’s museum. As the soul of Davao City, the museum serves as a guide to visitors. Tourists who visit the museum will get

an extensive print out guide of Davao City which includes interesting places to go, important events on the city’s calendar, and the city’s background. Museo Dabawenyo, which opened in March of 2008 and is accessible to anyone, is funded by the City Government of Davao and the business sector. headed by Orly Escarrilla as acting administrative officer, the museum is located at corner A. Pichon and C.M. Recto Streets, Dacao City. It is divided into galleries, each gallery showcasing one particular aspect of Davao City. Gallery 1-A shows the ten distinctive tribes and communities of the indigenous people of Davo City. Gallery 1-B shows glimpses of the history of Davao City which guides succeeding generations of Dabawenyos in shaping the city’s future. Gallery 1-C, also known as The hall of Fame, shows how Datu Bago and Don Jose Oyanguren influenced the development of Davao City into what it is now. This section also includes photos of Dabawenyos who have received the Datu Bago Award which is the most coveted honor bestowed on deserving Dabawenyos. Gallery 2-A is known as the Nanay Soling Duterte hall which shows vintage photos of the undivided Davao. Gallery 2-B is called the Bahaghari Space where local artists and artisans may exhibit their works of art for sale to interested buyers. The Dabawenyo Tsino is located at Gallery 2-C, showcasing the Chinese history and heritage of Davao City. Gallery 2-D, known as The hall of Peace, can be utilized to host book launchings by homegrown and international authors. Besides the Galleries,

Museo Dabawenyo also has a tent workshop and waiting area that can be used by the youth and other groups for the development of their potentials. The public can use this area as long as they are granted permission to do so from the museum. At the museum lobby is a souvenir shop called the handumanan (memoirs).

4 SCIENCE/ENVIRONMENT

VOL.5 ISSUE 215 • TUESDAY - WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 01-02, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Antarctic drilling project called off

N ambitious mission to drill through 3km (1.8 miles) of Antarctic ice to a lake that has been sealed off for thousands of years has been cut short. The team at Lake Ellsworth decided to call off the mission in the early hours of Christmas Day uK time. They were unable to join the main borehole with a parallel hole that was to be used to recover drilling water. The team is now “weatherising” the equipment and it is unclear when they will be able to resume the project.

The £8m ($13m) project, headed by the British Antarctic Survey (Bas), aimed to drill carefully down using near-boiling water to pierce the lake, which has been untouched for as much as half a million years. The hope had been to find hints of simple life forms existing in the extreme conditions of pressure and temperature, and to find a record of climate in the lake’s sediments. The programme ran into trouble last week as the main boiler used to heat drilling water broke down, with a replacement

part being flown from the uK reaching the remote site last Friday. With the boiler working, the team aimed to make two parallel boreholes, intended to join 300m below the surface. A first borehole was drilled and left for 12 hours to create a hot-water cavity. This was to be used to re-circulate drilling water and to balance pressures when the sequestered lake was finally breached. however, the team were unable to reach the cavity during the course of drilling the second,

main borehole. “We kept trying for over 24 hours to reach that connection but we couldn’t do it,” said principal investigator of the project Martin Siegert, from the university of Bristol. “All that time we were losing fuel and water from the ice sheet surface and we got to a critical condition where our calculations showed us we simply didn’t have enough fuel to continue any further down into the ice sheet to hit the top of the lake,” he told BBC News. The team is now starting the long process of

gathering up its equipment for eventual return to the uK, where it will be serviced. Once back on uK soil, the team will have to develop a report on what went wrong, and only then can the thought of a return trip be considered. “It will take a season or two to get all of our equipment out of Antarctica and back to the uK, so at a minimum we’re looking at three to four, maybe five years I would have thought,” Prof Siegert said. But he remained hopeful about the future, and said that this year’s mission was far from a com-

plete loss. “We still want to do that testing, they were compelling scientific drivers a few years ago and they remain so. It’s very important that we take stock of what we achieved here,” he said. Given the long time that it may take to fund and mount another mission to Ellsworth, it may be that other nations aim for other sealed-off Antarctic lakes in the nearer term. “We have never depicted it as a race, but it may well happen that others get there first,” Audrey Stevens, Bas spokesperson, said. [BBC News]

ENATOR Loren Legarda, a leading environmental advocate, yesterday welcomed the results of a recent Pulse Asia survey showing Filipinos’ growing awareness on protecting the environment and increasing approval of government’s environmental programs. “The results of the recent Pulse Asia survey indicate that efforts of government policy makers, including legislators, are paying off. Environmental protection is a gut issue and I am glad that many Filipinos are now more aware of this fact,” said Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change and uN Regional Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation for Asia-Pacific. The survey, conducted from November 23 to 29 among 1,200 respondents, showed that protecting the environment was among the national issues that received majority approval ratings. The government’s campaign to stop the destruction and abuse of the environment gained an approval rating of +60 percent, a 10 percent increase compared to last September. Legarda said more devastating and frequent

natural hazards that hit the country in recent years have increased people’s awareness to care for and protect the environment. She said legislators also contributed much to the cause by enacting landmark environmental laws like the Clean Air Act, Solid Waste Management Act, Renewable Energy Act – of which she is among the major authors – as well as the Clean Water Act. The Senator has also been pushing for the protection of the environment and advocating for increased awareness on disaster risk reduction and management, authoring laws such as the Climate Change Act of 2009 and the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, both cited by Margareta Wahlstrom, Special Representative of the uN Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, as among the best laws in the world. She also sponsored the amendatory law to the Climate Change Act, the People’s Survival Fund Law, which mandates the appropriation of one billion pesos annually for the financing of climate change adaptation projects of local governments and organizations.

China mulls South China Sea tsunami warning system S

hINA is leading a plan to set up a system that will provide warnings for tsunamis and other destructive weather in the South China Sea region, an official with the State Oceanic Administration said. “Tsunamis don’t occur frequently, but they always result in significant damage. In the South China Sea, occurrence of earthquakes and tsunamis

in the Manila Trench near the Philippines is highly possible,” said Zhang Zhanhai, head of the SOA’s international cooperation department, at a Thursday press conference. According to Zhang, China is now capable of sending tsunami warnings to other countries around the South China Sea, adding that these countries have reached a consensus on China lead-

ing the construction of the warning system. The move came after the SOA released an international cooperation framework for the South China Sea and other neighboring sea areas in January this year. The framework included plans for China to cooperate with neighboring countries to explore and utilize maritime resources, reduce oceanic

disasters and develop the maritime economy. In addition, SOA spokesman Shi Qingfeng mentioned multiple cooperative programs, including a monsoon monitoring project launched in cooperation with Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia, as well as research on the connection between oceanic disasters and climate change. [PNA/Xinhua]

hE Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) is set to expand by next year its continuing detailed geohazard mapping program to eight more municipalities in Region 12 or the Soccsksargen Region. Constancio Paye Jr., MGB-Region 12 director, said the upcoming detailed geohazard mapping, which is set at 1:10,000 scale, is part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to enhance the

region’s preparedness and implementation of various mitigation measures against possible disasters that may occur in the area. he said the mapping will cover the municipalities of Magpet, President Roxas and Alamada in North Cotabato; Polomolok, Sto. Nino and Surallah in South Cotabato; and, Isulan and Lambayong in Sultan Kudarat. Aside from the detailed geohazard mapping, Paye said MGB-12 will also con-

duct a groundwater assessment in the municipalities of Polomolok, Sto. Nino, Surallah and Banga towns in South Cotabato. The official said the agency has so far completed the initial assessments and surveys for the detailed geohazard mapping of the eight municipalities. he said the initiative aims to produce geohazard maps at more detailed or condensed scale covering their disaster-prone areas. Two years ago, the

MGB-12 completed the region’s initial geohazard mapping program at a scale of 1:50,000. “We will be taking a closer look on these areas so we can have a clearer view or assessment of their vulnerabilities,” he said. Of the areas that will be covered by the detailed mapping, Isulan and Lambayong were considered as among the most vulnerable to disasters, specifically flashfloods, in the past several years.

MGB to expand geohazard mapping in Soccsksargen T

Pinoys now more aware about environment issues

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 215 •TUESDAY -WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 01-02, 2012

THE ECONOMY 5

Multimillion investment fund competition closes January 7

Ou still have time to think and work on that tech business idea this holiday season. IdeaSpace Foundation, Inc. (IdeaSpace) is making a final call for entries for its national search for the top ten science and technology ideas in the country for a chance to form their own startup companies and receive more than PhP5-million investment funding. Deadline for submission of entries is January 7, 2013. Interested applicants may go to the IdeaSpace website (ideaspace.ph) to register and submit their entries. up to ten tech-based ideas will receive funding and support worth PhP2M for the first phase and up to PhP5M funding during or after six months into the program. IdeaSpace runs an incubator and accelerator program to support technology entrepreneurs in the Philippines and for the global market through partnerships between the MVP Group of

companies and global IT companies. A non-profit foundation, it is supported by the following companies: First Pacific, Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC), Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), MPIC hospital group, Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT), Meralco, Smart Communications, Inc (Smart), Digitel, Sun Cellular, SPI Global, ePLDT, Indofood, Philex Mining, First Pacific Leadership Academy, Maynilad, MediaQuest, and TV5. The companies all contributed half a billion pesos funding for five years for the foundation, the largest private sector commitment for technology entrepreneurship in the country. Aside from the initial seed money of PhP500,000 per startup, winners will receive mentorship from executives from the group companies, access to resources including legal

EXPANSION. An almost finished Abreeza Technopod soars over J.P. Laurel Avenue, one of the busiest thoroughfares in Davao City. Abreeza Mall’s expansion building will house leading business process outsourcing (BPO) companies and retail stores. LEAN DAVAL JR.

assistance and advice, operational control, free office spaces, housing provisions for those from

outside Metro Manila and a clear partner route to markets served by any company in the group –

whose range of business translate to millions of households, subscribers, motorists and others.

Winners will be announced by April 2013 and they will undergo incubation for six months.

6 THE ECONOMY

VOL.5 ISSUE 215 • TUESDAY - WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 01-02, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Imports up by 4.3% in October 2012 T

STATE OF THE ART. Several financially stable advertising companies have revolutionized the billboard industry in Davao City by using state of the art LED television boards for the advertising needs of their clients. Despite its higher cost, will it overshadow the traditional and more economical billboard advertising this year? LEAN DAVAL JR.

OTAL merchandise imports grew by 4.3 percent to uS$5.2 billion in October 2012 from uS$5.0 billion in the same month last year due to higher purchases of raw materials and intermediate goods, consumer and capital goods, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). Inward shipments of major commodities such as raw materials and intermediate goods increased by 13.0 percent, consumer goods by 9.8 percent, and capital goods by 1.9 percent year-on-year in October 2012. “The modest improvement in imports performance during the period reflected the generally more upbeat sentiments of both business and consumers,” said Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan. The growth for raw materials and intermediate goods was due to annual gains from both unprocessed (107.4%) and semi-processed (1.2%) raw inputs. unprocessed raw materials were supported by higher payments for metalliferous ores (326.4%), wheat (89.6%), synthetic fibers (141.4%), corn (390.6%) and un-

milled cereals(48.2%). Meanwhile, imports growth of semi-processed raw materials was supported by the strong performance of materials/ accessories for electrical equipment (37.7%), non-metallic mineral manufactures (43.9%), animal feeds (8.4%), fertilizers excluding urea (14.2%), urea (8.0%), and embroideries (11.5%). Also, imports of capital goods went up as increased payments were recorded for land transportation equipment (29.6%), aircraft, ships and boats (21.3%), telecommunication equipment and electrical machinery (1.3%), photographic equipment and optical goods (11.0%) and power generating and specialized machines (0.4%). “The higher importation of capital goods, raw materials and intermediate goods was partly due to the anticipated increase in volume of production on account of improved orders and projects as well as the expansion of businesses and new product lines. These expansion plans, on the other hand, are backed by the country’s strong macroeconomic fundamentals,” the Cabinet official said.

More communities in SouthCot to get electricity in 2013--Daisy

hirty-nine more communities in South Cotabato province will be energized by next year under the national government’s continuing rural electrification program. South Cotabato Second District Rep. Daisy Avance-Fuentes said Friday the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has approved the release of a P38.67 million grant to fund the planned expansion to more communities in the province of the government’s Sitio Electrification Program (SEP). She said such grant is part of the initial P40 million allocated by the national government for SEP’s implementation in the province in 2013. Fuentes said the initiative will mainly cover non-energized portions of various barangays in Koronadal City and in the municipalities of Tampakan, Tantangan, Banga, Sto. Nino, Lake Sebu, T’boli, Surallah and Norala. “These are sitios, puroks and other extension areas that were not yet reached by the power distribution lines,” she said. The official said the projects will be implemented through power

distribution utility South Cotabato I Electric Cooperative. The national government earlier tapped local electric cooperatives as the main implementers of SEP, with the Department of Energy and the National Electrification Administration (NEA) as supervising agencies. NEA had earmarked some P6.27 billion for the implementation of SEP this year, with P3.70 billion coming from its 2012 budget and P2.57 billion from the national government. Fuentes said the electrification projects will benefit around 10 to 40 households in each of the 39 target communities. She said most of these households were not covered by the previous electrification programs due to the lack of power distribution facilities in the area. “Some of the target areas have existing solar power system and we will just upgrade and connect them to the main power grid,” she said. Aside from the identified 39 project areas, Fuentes said they are presently validating 17 more communities as expansion beneficiaries of the SEP. [Allen V. Estabillo/MindaNews]

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 215 •TUESDAY -WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 01-02, 2012 COMMUNITY SENSE

DSWD ensures fair share of foreign donations T

hE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is ensuring that Typhoon Pablo displaced families get their fair share of international donations. In an interview, DSWD Assistant Secretary for Institutional Development Vilma Cabrera said DSWD determines the allocation by taking into consideration the number of displaced families visà-vis the number, pieces or units of donated items whether or non-food. “What we did is allocate it in accordance with the percentage share of the municipality so that we will not be judged of giving priority to any specific municipality,” she said specifically referring to donations coming for international humanitarian agencies, foreign groups and foreign governments. Foreign food donations such as rice and canned goods are repacked into family food packs while non-food items are released to towns but DSWD is making sure that allocation of limited items are fairly distributed based on percentage share of the town according to the number of displaced or affected families. Meanwhile, distribution of donations of very limited number such as generator sets depends on the extent of the need and on specific requirements of the local government. “We prioritize (dis-

TURNOVER. DSWD Assistant Secretary Vilma B. Cabrera accepts the 2,001 tons of rice, 2500 pieces of blankets and 2,500 pieces of tarpaulins from the Indonesian Government, represented by Indonesia Coordination Minister for People’s Welfare, Agung Laksono. Also present at the formal turnover Saturday were

tribution of) gen-sets to where the hospitals are to sustain their need,” she said while also explaining that presence of health units in a municipality also calls for entitlement of donations such as generator sets. having worked with previous disaster operations of DSWD, Cabrera bared efforts of DSWD to push forward priority needs of affected communities and typhoon displaced individuals by bringing out such concern during humanitarian agency meetings. “We brief them of the needs, constraints and

gaps,” referring to the united Nations agencies and other international organizations. Meanwhile, DSWD Regional Director Priscilla Razon bared recent foreign donations from the Network of Filipino Churches of Singapore which turned over to DSWD assorted food and non-food items valued at SGD$589,144. She also revealed that the Indonesian and the Malaysian governments are set to do a second round of relief turn-over to DSWD while the united States Agency for International Development

Water, Sanitation and hygiene (WASh), Emergency Financial Sustainable Livelihood (EFSL), Shelter and Camp Coordination Camp Management (CCCM). hRC was initiated by Oxfam even before Typhoon Pablo as immediate responses to any calamity. It involves ASWD or A Single Drop of Water, RDIISK or Rural Development Institute of Sultan Kudarat, PDRRN or People’s Disaster Risk Reduction Inc and KFI or Kadtuntaya Foundation Inc. “under the EFSL program, hRC has also provided cash for work opportunities for 822 people in the affected

provinces at a rate of P250 per day,” Ganir said. These were the people hired for VIP latrine construction. She said out of the 6000 targeted families for the cash for work opportunity for drainage and clean-up campaign, only 35 percent or 2,096 families were given such opportunity at one person per family More than the financial grants, Ganir said it is important to keep the evacuation centers orderly which explains their CCCM thrust. This includes capacity building for camp leaders who will ensure that the rights of the people there are respected.[LAC]

Ambassador of Indonesia to the Philippines Yohanes Kristiarto Soeryo Legowo [left] and Consul General Eko Hartono. Earlier, the Indonesian Government donated $1 million and 4 tons of food and non-food items. [DSWD/Sheryll Jane B. Sanico]

(uSAID) will also be handing over additional donations. DSWD is also expecting donations from the central office of DSWD to be shipped by Green Peace in January next year. On the other hand, DSWD XI data of foreign donations revealed acceptance of donations starting December 7, 2012, coming from the government of Malaysia while donated items from Singapore were received on Dec. 8. Last Dec. 11, DSWD XI received donations from Dubai, united Arab Emir-

ate and from the uSAID; Dec. 13 from Itochu Corp of Japan and from DOLE Korea; Dec. 14, from Malaysia-Royal Malaysian Airforce and from World Food Program-Subang, Malaysia; and on Dec. 15 from Irish Aid-Plan International. On Dec. 16, Itochu Corp of Japan did another round of donation turnover to DSWD XI while DOLE Japan again handed over assorted goods on Dec. 17. The Malaysian government handed over another set of donations on Dec. 18 while on the same day the World Food

Programme delivered additional items of priority needs of affected communities. Other than food and water, donations also included blanket, towels, plastic/ tarpaulin sheets, tents, water filtration machine, water cans, soaps, spades, pickaxes, backpack, emergency kits, shelter tool kits, kitchen sets, mosquito nets, generator sets, flood light with generator set, prefab warehouse, tool kits, aircon unit for prefab house, among others. [PIA 11/Jeanevive D. Abangan]

“will be a way of healing them during their stress debriefing periods.” In exchange, participating artists are encouraged to share donate their talent fees that will be used for the much-needed relief. Nightly celebratory concerts in the New City hall of Tagum’s Atrium will also be used as a fund-raising venue where the audience can share monetary donations while the participating groups perform. Anchored on the “social responsibility” advocacy of Mayor Rey T. uy, this move was conceptualized as the scope of devastation reached record high that it would take a long time for the province to

fully recover. In a statement, City of Tagum Tourism Council Chairperson Mrs. Alma L. uy succinctly explained the urgency to help rebuild Comval. “We have to reconstruct and re-orient our thrusts as we try to reclaim our shared future. Let us therefore help rebuild the devastated Compostela Valley,” she said. During the launch of the Tindog Comval: Walang Iwanan advocacy of the Provincial Government of Compostela Valley last December 19, 2012, Gov. Arturo uy expressed gratitude to all the sectors that extended help to his province. [Louie Lapat of CIO Tagum]

Typhoon-affected families get Tagum invites artists to help P4.2M cash grant from HRC Comval through music fest

hE human Response Consortium-Oxfam has distributed a total of P4,212,000 unconditional cash grants for the 2,808 families affected by Typhoon Pablo in Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental. “The unconditional cash grants were given to vulnerable groups like the elderly, and residents in the affected areas whose houses were badly damaged by the typhoon,” hRC-Oxfam Information Management Officer Eula Ganir said. Ganir said this is just one of the interventions of hRC in the aftermath of the typhoon. hRC’s interventions include the

hE City Government of Tagum and the City of Tagum Tourism Council invite musical artists and musical groups of different disciplines (bands, singers, etc) to take part in a noble cause for the survivors of Typhoon Pablo as the Musikahan sa Tagum Festival elevates a notch higher in utilizing music as a means of giving much-needed assistance to the devastated province of Compostela Valley. As a part of the “Arts for Therapy” component of the city’s official festival, interested groups/ artists will be performing for typhoon survivors in Compostela Valley’s identified evacuation centers that organizers believe

8 VANTAGE POINTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 215 • TUESDAY - WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 01-02, 2012

EDITORIAL

Dream coming true

ABAWENyOS are heartened that their dream of Davao becoming an acknowledged convention city is nearing reality in the New year. This has become a possibility with the opening during the third quarter of year 2012 of the huge SMX convention center in Lanang, some three kilometers from the poblacion, the seat of the city government. SMX, which can house some 5,000 sitting conventionists with enough space to spare for dining and entertainment viewing, is located inside the cavernous SM Lanang Premier and a few steps away from the luxurious Park Inn by Radisson. No wonder, several national gatherings and summits were held there in succession soon after the ideally-located center was inaugurated. The national convention of the Integrated Bar of the Phililippines (IBP) to be attended by close to 2,000 of the country’s practising lawyers is scheduled on January 17 as the first big gathering this year. The most awaited gathering is of course the Philippines Advertising Congress with some 5,000 of the industry players from the advertising sector, commercial media and big business in attendance. The ad congress is the mother of all gatherings of its nature. The country’s major cities salivate at hosting the congress because it is an occasion for the local government and partner sectors to showcase their place’s best attributes as an ideal destination for investment and tourism. As we write this, Davao City already has ample space to accommodate ad congress participants – more than 5,000 hotel rooms available for them. The expense involved in hosting the Congress will, of course, be huge, too. For the uninitiated this is scary. Protecting the participants will also be a security nightmare. In reality, however, hosting the activities can be

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farmed out to various moneyed sponsors, big business corporations which have huge advertising budgets and media companies themselves who will benefit from unlimited exposure to the public. This kind of sponsorship valued millions is customarily in past congresses. Fortunately for Davao, the city is not a stranger to the challenges of big conventions. Davao did the Asean Tourism Forum (ATF) in 2006 and came out of it with flying colors. until today, foreigners who joined it are still marvelling at how the city pulled it off with a lasting good impression. It was done with the city having a lot less capabilities. however, it was done with the city under the same leader, Vice Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte, who would be hizzoner again when the congress unfolds sometime in November. Note that Inday Sara D. Carpio, the incumbent mayor, is gungho over the multi-sectoral effort to win the right to host the iconic gathering, extending all assistance and influence her office can possibly give. There is no doubt that the same level of support will be extended by incoming mayor Rody when he assumes office in July. Still, the all-out cooperation of the local private sector is sine qua non to a successful hosting. The lure of Davao City to conventionists, given its more superior amenities and points of interest, is undoubtedly stronger than that of the others who lost to us in the competition for the right to host, namely Boracay, Subic, Baguio and Cebu. But it is no reason to be complacent, considering that a bigger dream is at stake here – Davao’s being established as a MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibition) City which will elevate us to the level of hong Kong, Singapore, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Macau and Bangkok. ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

ALBERTO DALILAN Managing NEILWIN L. BRAVO Sports and Motoring ARLENE D. PASAJE Cartoons

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Colorful tradition of fairs

A I R S SERVED A PRACTICAL PuRPOSE – What a combination – a five-day holiday, a proliferation of sales and a penchant for shopping here in the city and elsewhere in the country as the year 2012 comes to a close. Expected is a profusion of sweaty, inebriated local residents and visitors descent – sometimes literally – onto the streets to celebrate the onset of 2013, the year of the Water Snake. But before the finale of 2012, Davao City continues to be alive with lots of parties and merrymaking. People are expected to be upbeat, though many express concern about the coming year and their future. As the big hour approaches who can forget the bazaars and fairs in the community? The colorful tradition of local bazaars and, in particular fairs in the city traced its origin in the seasonal agricultural and food fairs held after a bountiful harvest. Although we can’t exactly remember the first recorded trade and agro fair in the city, perhaps we can widely guess that it’s more than three decades ago. Fairs have always served a practical purpose – as a place for business and trade, primarily in crops and other agricultural goods, handicrafts, home-made food products, potteries and lately flowers and other ornamental plants. But as in the past, the principal attraction is as a community celebration - rural-oriented sights and sounds, food, contests and entertainment. One measure of the enduring popularity of fairs is that, in a name – overwhelmingly urban and suburban with every group or tribe has at least a participation usually held during the post-harvest and Christmas season. A typical Christmas fair in the city features exhibits of grain, vegetables, variety of fruits, poultry and dairy products, other field crops, homegrown orchids and flowers, baked and canned goods. In short, fairs offer up just about anything that can be eaten, displayed or judged in a contest. Nevertheless, each participating group brings a different flavor to its exhibition – contests, games, magicians, sideshows and band concerts are just as common at many fairs today – all are part of the experience of traditional fairs whether in Metro Davao, Metro Cebu, Metro Manila, uS, Canada or Europe. Most fairs also take seriously their responsibility to judge prizewinning booths and products and to award either a certain amount of money or trophy to the best durian pies and other baked and processed food from the kitchens of Dabawenyo homes. From their beginnings, local fairs combined the serious business of agricultural trade with traveling carnivals. So, in addition to booths and store spaces with different products and other displays, most fairs have a midway packed with rides, snack and food stands, contests, bright lights and music. Fun houses hold distorting and scary sights; visitors try to pop balloons with darts or throw rings over empty bottles for a small stuffed-animal prizes; clowns and jugglers stroll along and entertain children. Food is everywhere: cold lemonade, fruit-flavored drinks, soft drinks, hot dogs, burgers, pork and chicken barbecue, crushed-ice snow cones, ice cream, popcorn, peanuts – name it they all have it. And no fair is complete without the Ferris wheel, plus an assortment of roller coasters and other spinning, speeding, shaking and stomach-churning rides. But fairs also offer children the chance to see for themselves where the milk or a cloth in a store really comes from. Adults on the other hand come to the midway and become children they used to be and young couples discover the romance of fair grounds lights on a cheerful Christmas nights. Everyone it seems, whether office worker, farmer, student, toddler, parents and grandparents love the city’s traditional Christmas trade fairs. We hope this inspiring piece will allow our readers and city denizens to share in this celebration of life in Davao City, and we wish you all a joyous and celebratory 2013. A Prosperous New year and God speed!

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.5 ISSUE 215 • TUESDAY - WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 01-02, 2012

The thriving seaweeds industry in PHL

ESSIE and her cousin Evelyn stood flagpole stiff on the shoreline of Barangay Maglaoi in the northwest Philippine town of Currimao one morning before sunrise, waiting for fishermen to return with their night catch. Elsewhere in the country, in the coastal city of Sagay in Negros Occidental, Rosemarie and her daughter Jeanie looked at the hazy distance, trying to catch a glimpse of returning fishermen who sailed out of Barangay Makiling for their overnight catch of the sea’s marine resources. up north, Tessie and her cousin Evelyn call the seaweeds variously as ”pokpoklo,” “ar-arusip,” “or-ormot,” “aragan,” and “kulot,” among others while Rosemarie and Jeanie call the seaweeds as “guso.” But more than just the fish catch, the expectant women share a common denominator: seaweeds which are a bonus – and particularly abundant in summer – and, according to oral tradition in these areas, eventually validated by nutrition and health experts, a good source iodine, necessary for thyroid function and to prevent goiter. Seaweeds are relished by many Filipinos living in coastal communities and even those near them as well as in other countries, sometimes as part of a subsistence living, sometimes as a regular ingredient of salad-type preparations, the latter especially in hawaii and the warmer countries of Southeast Asia like Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand. These products are collected and sold on a local basis and their volume and value are not known. The three most important seaweeds used as human food are species of porphyra (common Japanese name, nori), laminaria (kombu) and undaria (wakame). In recent years, porphyra has frequently appeared in the Japanese Fisheries Statistics as the third largest catch. All three algae were originally obtained from wild crops but today it is only possible to meet demand by large-scale cultivation methods. Porphyra is classed as a red seaweed, while laminaria and undaria are brown seaweeds. But some raise warning signals on high consumption of seaweeds, pointing to what they call an excess of iodine is suspected in the heightened cancer risk in Japanese who consume a lot of the plant, and even bigger risks in post-menopausal women. While seaweeds have become a booming industry in some parts of this Southeast Asian archipelago, there are still areas of the country where seaweeds have yet to become part of the sunshine industry – a euphemism for the industry that brings in wads for the country’s coffers. In other areas, seaweeds are also harvested or cultivated for the extraction of

SPECIAL FEATURE By Honor Blanco caBie alginate, agar and carrageenan, gelatinous substances collectively known as hydrocolloids or phycocolloids. Nutritionists and health experts say hydrocolloids have attained commercial significance as food additives, adding the food industry takes advantage of their gelling, water-retention, emulsifying and other physical properties. Agar is used in foods such as confectionery, meat and poultry products, desserts and beverages and molded foods while carrageenan is used in salad dressings and sauces, dietetic foods, and as a preservative in meat and fish products, dairy items and baked goods. Seaweeds are popular in many Asian plates. In at least three countries – Japan, China and Korea – nori, zicai and gim are sheets of dried porphyra used in soups or to wrap sushi. In Japan, seaweed eaten as nori is known as a remedy for radiation poisoning. Chondrus crispus (commonly known as Irish Moss or carrageenan moss) is another red alga used in producing various food additives, along with kappaphycus and different gigartinoid seaweeds. But beyond the dining table, herbalists and dentists separately say alginates are used in wound dressings, and production of dental molds. Others say in microbiology research, agar -- a plant-based goo similar to gelatin and made from seaweed -- is extensively used as culture medium. Carrageenans, alginates and agaroses (the latter are prepared from agar by purification), together with other lesser-known macroalgal polysaccharides, also have several important biological activities or applications in biomedicine, according to experts. Seaweeds may have curative properties for tuberculosis, arthritis, colds and influenza, worm infestations and even tumors. Others say seaweed extract is used in some diet pills.while other seaweed pills exploit the same effect as gastric banding, expanding in the stomach to make the body feel more full. According to experts, other seaweeds may be used as fertilizer, compost for landscaping, or a means of combating beach erosion through burial in beach dunes. They add that alginates enjoy many of the same uses as carrageenan, and are used in industrial products like paper coatings, adhesives, dyes, gels, explosives and in processes such as paper sizing, textile printing, hydro-mulching and drilling.

They underline however some health risks, saying rotting seaweed is a potent source of hydrogen sulfide, a highly toxic gas, and has been implicated in some incidents of apparent hydrogen-sulphide poisoning. Rotting seaweed can also cause vom-

VANTAGE POINTS

The three 2012 themes that matter most COMMENTARY By ian Bremmer

iting and diarrhea. As 2013 breathes in, what are the prospects for seaweed production in the country, given the worldwide demand for processed seaweed and carrageenan? Official sources say seaweed production in the country faces bright prospects, pointing out that the government has allocated more funds in the 2013 budget to provide for technical training and input assistance to farmers, build infrastructure and postharvest facilities, establish seaweed nurseries, and increase the seedlings available to farmers. The Dept. of Agriculture has identified 255,000 hectares nationwide as potential seaweed farms. Its Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, in partnership with the Seaweed Industry Association of the Philippines, is expanding seaweed hectarage. Major seaweed producers are Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, and Sarangani, which harvested a total 686,450 metric tons in 2011. The industry provides livelihood to over 100,000 families nationwide. The sources say the Philippines is the world’s top producer of semi-refined food-grade carrageenan, alkali treated chips, and raw dried seaweed, and fourth biggest producer of refined carrageenan, which are exported to the united States, Europe, China, and France. Seaweeds, however they are called in different areas of the archipelago, come from a mass growth of marine algae from natural stock or from pond culture. Red and brown seaweeds, grown in large commercial quantities, are used to manufacture three seaweed colloids for agricultural use: agar, alginates, and carrageenan. Seaweeds produced commercially are red seaweeds of the indigenous Eucheuma cottonii and Euchema spinosum variety. Sources say they are a good source of colloidal materials for gelling agents , emulsifiers, stabilizers in pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food products, and are an important food item, fertilizer and animal feed. In the meantime, Tessie, Evelyn, Rosemarie and Jeanie wait for the seaweeds to enrich their dining tables. [PNA]

012 – the year of the primary, the election, the Diamond Jubilee, the superstorm, the flying dictator, the escaped dissident, the embassy attack, the empty chair, the tech protest, the Olympics, and dozens of other stories already forgotten. It was a busy year and a terribly volatile one, too. Which of these stories will actually matter five years from now? By my count, three: 1) China rising, 2) The Middle East in turmoil, 3) Europe muddling along. They’re the good, the bad, and the ugly of 2012. The Good: For the sake of our listless global economy, thank goodness for China’s rise. The country’s Commerce Minister is promising that China will hit its GDP growth target of 7.5 percent for the year. (In the first three quarters of 2012, it grew 7.7 percent.) China’s ability to power through the financial crisis provided global markets with much-needed energy, and its momentum, despite the crisis in the Eurozone, a key trade partner, has helped limit the damage. If it wasn’t for the resilience of the world’s second-largest economy, we’d all be a lot worse off. The Bad: In 2012, almost every key story in the Middle East has gotten more complicated and more dangerous. Syria, Israel, Gaza, Iran, Jordan, Iraq, yemen, Egypt. Israel has become increasingly isolated within the region, facing Palestinian rockets, a nuclear-driven Iran, and the prime minister of a former ally dubbing it ‘a terrorist state’. Egypt’s president pulled off a power play, and the Syrian nightmare deepened. Iraqis struggled to build a new society in the wake of u.S. withdrawal, and (supposedly allied) Afghans killed a record number of u.S. troops before they could reach the exits. When the Arab Spring first began to take shape, many observers hoped it would be just that – a rebirth. But you can’t spin it now. It’s bad and getting worse. The ugly: Europe was a mess in 2012. Reform of the euro area is moving in the right direction, but the halting progress that European leaders made in crafting a new eurozone could not avert record unemployment rates and a return to recession. The term ‘Grexit’ was coined in response to the persistent threat of Greece leaving the euro. Widespread protests against tough austerity measures, the rise of nationalist political parties, and huge governance and implementation challenges have compounded the problems of a continent still groping for credible, lasting solutions. In 2012, we’ve seen moderate progress — and a whole lot of ugly. What do these three trends mean for the next five years? In the Middle East, the various emerging conflicts are too expensive, too intractable, and too risky for outsiders to try to manage. Regional powers will have to manage these problems on their own. The bad will remain bad. But for China and Europe, the ugly will slowly become good, and the good is about to get ugly. The Europeans are on track to build a new eurozone, one that addresses many of its original design flaws. That means new banking and credit rules, new roles for old institutions, and a new understanding among governments – if not citizens – that Europe needs more unity. In five years, European integration will become something ‘good’ – for international politics and the global economy. China, meanwhile, will turn ugly, at least for its neighbors – and for the West. China’s new leadership is more of the same. Political and economic reform remain elusive goals. China’s economic growth is slated to continue, but with that growth will come foreign policy disputes as America shifts resources to build new political and commercial ties with those most anxious about China’s expansion. China’s rise, the Middle East’s turmoil, and Europe’s stumbles are all largely independent events. Despite a globalized world, governments are focused overwhelmingly on domestic challenges these days. That doesn’t mean regional problems can’t cause global headaches. Expect that to be the case for the next five years, as well.

10 NEW YEARS SPECIAL

VOL.5 ISSUE 215 • TUESDAY - WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 01-02, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

What’s in store for 2013?

by Jims Vincent T. Capuno

N the Philippines, the year ended with a big bang – literally and figuratively! The world did not end on December 21, as predicted in the Mayan calendar. But to some of the people in Compostela Valley (particularly New Bataan) and Davao Oriental (Banganga and Cateel), the world seemed to end when typhoon Pablo (international codename: Bhopa) hit these places in the early part of December. More than a thousand people reportedly died and several thousand others were left homeless. Most of those who survived were living on the edge as hunger swept across the affected areas. In the sports world, Filipino boxing legend Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao continues to fall in most poundfor-pound lists (now ranked No. 7 th in ESPN’s rating) after his stunning sixth-round stoppage loss to Mexican rival Juan Manuel Marquez last December 8 in Las Vegas. For his part, Nonito Donaire, Jr. – the current World Boxing Organization bantamweight champion – moved up a notch in The Ring Magazine’s mythical pound-for-pound ranking following his impressive knockout victory over Mexican star Jorge Arce. he is now two spots higher than Pacquiao. On December 20, Janine Tugonon became a source of pride for the Philippines when she finished run-

ner-up to Miss uSA Olivia Culpo. She got applause for her answer to the question, “Do you believe that speaking English should be prerequisite for Miss universe 2012?” her reply: “For me, being Miss universe is not just about knowing how to speak a specific language. It’s about being able to influence and inspire other people.” In the showbiz front, film veteran actor Eddie Garcia won best actor for Jun Robles Lana’s “Bwakaw” at the 55th Asia Pacific Film Festival held at the Venetian Resort hotel in Macau. According to the actor’s wife Lilibeth, who attended the festival, Garcia received a standing ovation from the foreign audience on winning his first international acting award at age 83. On the other hand, comedienne Eugene Domingo won best actress honors at the 3rd Pau International Film Festival held in France for her work in Marlon Rivera’s “Ang Babae sa Septic Tank.” Earlier, in March, she was the People’s Choice for Favorite Actress for the same movie in the 6th Asian Film Awards. So, what’s in store for the Filipinos in 2013? No one knows but we should welcome the New year with gladness. “The merry year is born like the bright berry from the naked thorn,” penned hartley Coleridge. Anne De Lencios contributes, “Today a new sun rises for me; everything lives, everything is animat-

ed, everything seems to speak to me of my passion, everything invites me to cherish it.” henry Ward Beecher has reminded, “Every man should be born again on the first day of January. Start with a fresh page. Take up one hole more in the buckle if necessary, or let down one, according to circumstances; but on the first of January let every man gird himself once more, with his face to the front, and take no interest in the things that were and are past.” The coming of the New year means resolutions to some people. When I was still in high school, every year, when we were back to school, our English and Pilipino teachers usually required something on our New year’s resolutions. “he who breaks a resolution is a weakling,” notes F.M. Knowles. “he who makes one is a fool.” helen Fielding, in her book, Bridget Jones’s Diary, quipped, “I do think New year’s resolutions can’t technically be expected to begin on New year’s Day, don’t you? Since, because it’s an extension of New year’s Eve, smokers are already on a smoking roll and cannot be expected to stop abruptly on the stroke of midnight with so much nicotine in the system. Also dieting on New year’s Day isn’t a good idea as you can’t eat rationally but really need to be free to consume whatever is necessary, moment by moment, in order to ease your hangover. I

think it would be much more sensible if resolutions began generally on January the second.” Perhaps one of the best resolutions I have read was the one written by William Ellery Channing. It goes this way: “I will seek elegance rather than luxury, refinement rather than fashion. I will seek to be worthy more than respectable, wealthy and not rich. I will study hard, think quietly, talk gently, and act frankly. I will listen to stars and birds, babes and sages, with an open heart. I will bear all things cheerfully, do all things bravely await occasions and hurry never. In a word I will let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious grow up through the common.” Ellen Goodman once said, “We spend January 1 walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives – not looking for flaws, but for potential.” Goodman’s statement reminds me of this story. A holy man was having a conversation with the Lord one day and said, “Lord, I would like to know what heaven and hell are like.” The Lord led the holy man to two doors. he opened one of the doors and the holy man looked in. In the middle of the room was a large round table. In the middle of the table was a large pot of stew which smelled delicious and

made the holy man’s mouth water. The people sitting around the table were thin and sickly. They appeared to be famished. They were holding spoons with very long handles that were strapped to their arms and each found it possible to reach into the pot of stew and take a spoonful, but because the handle was longer than their arms, they could not get the spoons back into their mouths. The holy man shuddered at the sight of their misery and suffering. The Lord said, “you have seen hell.” “They went to the next room and opened the door. It was exactly the same as the first one. There was the large round table with the large pot of stew which made the holy man’s mouth water. The people were equipped with the same long-handled spoons, but here the people were well nourished and plump, laughing and talking. The Lord said, “This is heaven.” The holy man was surprised, “I don’t understand.” The Lord answered, “It is simple, it requires but one skill. you see, they have learned to feed each other, while the greedy think only of themselves.” An unknown author once wrote a recipe for a happy New year. If you want to know his recipe, here it is: “Take twelve fine, full-grown months; see that these are thoroughly free from old memories of bitterness, rancor and hate, cleanse them com-

pletely from every clinging spite; pick off all specks of pettiness and littleness; in short, see that these months are freed from all the past—have them fresh and clean as when they first came from the great storehouse of Time. Cut these months into thirty or thirty-one equal parts. Do not attempt to make up the whole batch at one time (so many persons spoil the entire lot this way) but prepare one day at a time. The unknown author continues: “Into each day put equal parts of faith, patience, courage, work (some people omit this ingredient and so spoil the flavor of the rest), hope, fidelity, liberality, kindness, rest (leaving this out is like leaving the oil out of the salad dressing— don’t do it), prayer, meditation, and one well-selected resolution. Put in about one teaspoonful of good spirits, a dash of fun, a pinch of folly, a sprinkling of play, and a heaping cupful of good humor.” “Let this coming year be better than all the others,” Ann Lander suggested. “Vow to do some of the things you’ve always wanted to do but couldn’t find the time. Call up a forgotten friend. Drop an old grudge, and replace it with some pleasant memories. Vow not to make a promise you don’t think you can keep. Walk tall, and smile more. you’ll look ten years younger. Don’t be afraid to say, ‘I love you.’ Say it again. They are the sweetest words in the world.”

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 215 •TUESDAY -WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 01-02, 2012 More bad news

Yearender Report... FFROM 1

The City enterprises are composed of the Davao City Overland Transport Terminal (DCOTT), Sta. Ana Port, public cemeteries, Davao City Recreation Center, Magsaysay Park, slaughter houses and public markets. here is the breakdown of the total collection of each unit from January to November 2012: DCOTT -- P18,782,871 (target P20,400,000); Sta. Ana Port -- P6,658,715 (target P6,000,000); and slaughter houses 11,162,088 (target 16,000,000). The cemeteries, Magsaysay Park and DCRC, however, still lack accounts for November. The cemeteries had a total collection of P239,900 with a target of P1,200,00; DCRC -P609,858 (target P627,732); Magsaysay Park -- P705,730 (target P800,000).

Typhoon...

For the markets, the total collection from January to November 2012 was P71,360,072 (target P59,730,181). These collections came from eight markets all over Davao City and broken down as follows: Agdao -- P21,048,909 (target 17,250,000); Bankerohan -- P22,631,501 (target P26,649,157); Toril -- P17,836,404 (target P9,733,907); Mintal -- P3,143,819 (target P2,466,783); Calinan --P5,407,625 (target P3,604,800); Tibunco -- P763,283 (target P584,946); Bunawan P467,890 (target P482,633); and Lasang -- P60,638 (target of P57,952). Guintadcan said there was a big increase in this year’s collections compared to last year considering that the report still lacks accounts from cemeteries, Magsaysay

Park, and DCRC for the month of November and accounts for the month of December. Guintadcan gave credit for this increase to the effort of the market supervisors, managers of different units, constant reminders to the businesses, improvements of the services, and improvement of the facilities. he said, “with these improvements and the proper cooperation of each unit, hopefully, there will be more increases next year.” The total target of the City Economic Enterprise Bureau for 2012 is P104,657,913 and the total collection of all units as of November is already at 109,468,289. According to Guintadcan, CEEB is expecting a total collection of 119 million when the December report is passed.

ing effort,” he said, referring to donors for construction materials like GI sheets. Flores said they are targeting to acquire 50,000 GI sheets “so we can help bring the children from the affected

areas back to school come January 2013.” Logs carried downstream by flashfloods and destroying coconut trees along the way were turned into lumber to construct temporary classrooms.

City’s bustling domain of downtown Davao City will soon rise the first state-of-the-art mixed-use condominium that will surely bring Dabawenyos’ mode of living a notch higher. Four more int’l BPO firms to locate in BPOs in Davao (April, 2012) AN OFFICIAL of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Davao said four big multinational firms are planning to set up inbound and outbound call centers in the city within this year. Real estate boom in city to continue (November, 2012) ThE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Davao City expressed confidence that the city’s flourishing real estate industry will continue to prosper in the coming years. Diversified banana

raking in millions (January, 2012) EXPORTING bananas is a lucrative business by itself. yet, the AMS Employees Fresh Fruits Producers Cooperative or AMSEFFPCO does not just settle for this one venture. Farmers fear collapse of country’s banana industry (February, 2012) MORE and more banana farmers are convinced that the Philippine banana industry may not survive the slow but devastating effect of Panama wilt plant disease in the next five to ten years. City agriculturist sees city as largest cacao producer (January, 2012) City Agriculture Office (CAO) chief Leonardo Avila III is seeking to make Dauvao City the largest cacao bean producer in the country. 7 foreign firms want to buy Davao cocoa beans

FFROM 2

ing damaged roads and bridges, others were busy in constructing makeshift school buildings. “We are now putting up make-shift school houses and need public support in this rebuild-

Yearender...

FFROM 1

ThE city’s Business Bureau recorded a total of 27,452 business permits that have been renewed as of the second week of January, higher than its target set for this year. City launches SPNR (March, 2012) To step up business registration in the country, the Philippine government has launched the Sole Proprietorship New Registration (SPNR) module of the Philippine Business Registry System (PBRS). SM Lanang Premier opens (September, 2012) ThE “Who’s Who” of Davao mingled with members of the media and other VIPs when SM Lanang Premier opened its doors to the community a day before its official public opening on September 28. The rise of Aeon Towers (2012) In the midst of Davao

SPORTS 11

PHL to experience repeat of 2012 weather for 2013 I N a nutshell, the Philippines will experience in 2013 a repeat of the weather conditions experienced this 2012, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration announced. Such conditions include the monsoon rains experienced in August which left a large part of Luzon and Metro Manila submerged. PAGASA also told the public to brace itself for more destructive typhoons similar to Pablo and Quinta which killed thousands of people, destroyed billions of pesos in properties, and caused flashfloods that wiped out entire towns. Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley Province were the worst-hit areas by Pablo as it caused the death of more than 1,000 people and destroyed P36.9 billion in property and agricultural damage. Quinta itself battered the Central Visayas on Christmas Day and caused 12 deaths with damage to agriculture estimated at P146.128 million. With the series of deadly storms, PAGASA administrator Nathaniel V. Servando said all Filipinos, especially those residing in Mindanao, should always be on alert and should know by heart hazardous locations in their region. Servando said those were among the challenging moments of PAGASA in terms of weather prediction this year. But he said “we were able to deliver

(February, 2012) Seven foreign companies have signified interest to buy all cocoa beans produced in the entire Davao region. Davao cacao farmers target export demand (April, 2012) Davao Region cacao farmers are bent on filling the 100,000 tons of cacao demand needed by global chocolate leader Mars. PCA sees P8 billion damage to coconut industry (December, 2012) A top official of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) estimates a total loss of P8 billion to the industry due to the devastation wrecked on it by Typhoon Pablo in the Davao region. Davao banana players seek government help (December, 2012) The Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA) has sought

what was expected of us and we did it in a timely, accurate and effective manner.” he added the PAGASA is continuing its efforts and initiatives to enhance its capabilities such as the formulation and the implementation of the rainfall warning system, installation of more automatic weather stations in coordination with Advanced science and Technology Institute and Dept. of Science and Technology and also adding an operational three doppler radar in Virac, Aparri and Tampakan. PAGASA came out with a two-phase program with which to alert the public. The first part of the program, started in June, was a tri-colored rainfall warning system that drew flak as the colors red, yellow, and green confused many about the actual amount of rainfall to expect. PAGASA’s flood warning system confused many people with its traffic lightlike colors. The green has since been changed to orange in August. It’s rainfall warning system is only applied in Metro Manila. however, PAGASA’s thunderstorm warning system is a nationwide alert system, with the state weather bureau posting thunderstorm forecasts on its Twitter and Facebook accounts as often as necessary. Servando said the agency also supports the implementation of DOST’s NOAh project.

government intervention to help Southern Mindanao’s banana industry recover from the destruction brought about by typhoon Pablo. Savemore Market to open March 15 (March, 2012) ThE Savemore Market had its grand opening in Bangkal last March 15 in time for the 75th Araw ng Dabaw celebration. Professionalizing the real estate industry in Davao (June, 2012) MANy have benefitted from the real estate boom in Davao City for years now. Sadly, there are some who do business in a way prohibited by the law. And so, professionalizing the career in real estate industry has become the primary thrust of Efren Soriano Reyes, a broker who says he practices ethical standards in his work. Subdivision devel-

Project NOAh—short for Nationwide Operational Assessment of hazards—aims to reduce casualties and property loss and make the country more disaster-resilient through research and development and the promotion of solutions via science and technology. Servando said by next year some equipment of the agency will be fully operational. At the same time, they are continuing an information education and communication program, which aims to promote awareness among citizens as well as the local government units on the perils and dangers of extreme weather events. “Well, ongoing pa ang installation ng ibang mga mahahalagang equipment at kapag naging fully operational ang mga ito asahan natin na mas magiging maganda ang weather monitoring natin. Some of these will be operational next year,” Servando added. Meanwhile, the state weather bureau also said the El Niño phenomenon will no longer be felt in the country until early next year. Dr. Flaviana hilario, head of Research and Development of the PAGASA, said the sea surface temperatures throughout the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean have started to gradually cool since October and now returning to its “neutral conditions.” [PNA]

opers ready roadmap to 2030 (September, 2012) ThE Subdivision and housing Developers Association (ShDA) is all set to launch the housing industry roadmap that will direct the industry’s vision from 2012 to 2030, an association officer said on Wednesday. Coal-fired plants to boost Minda power supply (November, 2012) After a month of preventive maintenance, the coal-fired power plants owned by the Steag State Power Inc. (SPI) are now fully operational, boosting Mindanao’s power supply, said a power firm executive. CCTV ordinance approved (December, 2012) ThE Davao City Council on Tuesday passed on third and final reading an ordinance requiring business establishments to install closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras.

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VOL.5 ISSUE 215 • TUESDAY - WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 01-02, 2012

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EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 215 •TUESDAY -WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 01-02, 2012

SPORTS 13

Lakers back in the upswing L

OS ANGELES — Kobe Bryant’s streak of 10 straight 30-point games ended only because he spent the fourth quarter on the bench alongside Dwight howard and Steve Nash in a blowout win. The way the Los Angeles Lakers are playing lately, Bryant has reason to hope he’ll spend less time cramming boxscores and more time riding the pine. howard had 21 points and 14 rebounds, Bryant scored 27 points and the Lakers never trailed in their sixth win in seven games, 104-87 over the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night (Saturday, Manila time). Pau Gasol had 15 points and nine rebounds as the Lakers closed out their 2012 schedule by climbing back to .500 (1515) in their rocky season. Los Angeles had little trouble rolling past the Blazers, taking a 20-point lead in the first half and methodically dissecting Portland’s defense with another fluid offensive performance. “It was just energy,” Bryant said. “We’re playing really well. We’ve just got to keep it going.”

The Lakers earned an easy fourth quarter with dominance in the first three, when they resembled the offensive powerhouse everybody expected to see in purple and gold this year. “I’m a big believer that the ball will find energy,” Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni said. “If you put energy on the floor, you end up with a good game.” Nash’s playmaking again set an impressive tone for the Lakers, who outrebounded the Blazers 52-44 and took a 27-point lead late while scoring 23 fast-break points. Nash had 10 assists and six points while playing just 27 minutes in his fourth game back from a seven-week absence with a small fracture in his leg, the result of a collision with Portland’s Damian Lillard on Oct. 31 in Nash’s second game with the Lakers. “We’re obviously still a new team,” Nash said. “It’s new to me. I’m new to the offense. We’re trying to figure it out. I think we’re growing more and more cohesive, but I’ve got a long way to go.” The biggest impact

Lakers star Kobe Bryant scores 27 points on 9 of 18 shooting in 30 minutes. AP

was made by howard, who played with noticeable urgency on both ends after a lackluster outing in Denver two days ago, blocking three shots and even hitting four straight free throws when Portland briefly played hack-

a-howard with the 50 percent foul shooter in the second quarter. “We just came out and we played hard tonight from the beginning,” howard said. “Our effort was there. We played inside-out, ran the ball, and

our defense was real good tonight. And Pau was looking like (Dirk) Nowitzki out there. Pau Nowitzki hit two 3s.” yes, even Gasol appeared to have little trouble getting open shots — including those two

3-pointers — despite playing with plantar fasciitis in his right foot, a recently diagnosed condition that will only get better with rest. The Lakers have the weekend off before returning Tuesday against Philadelphia.

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VOL.5 ISSUE 215 • TUESDAY - WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 01-02, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Alaska, TNT renew war in Game 5 A

LASKA and Talk N’ Text will try to get the headstart in tonight’s Game 5 of their best-of-seven semifinals series in the PBA Philippine Cup at the SM MOA Arena. The Aces, drawing huge contributions from seven players, turned back Talk ‘N Text, 10499, in Game 4, and even up their on Friday night also at the MOA Arena. JVee Casio finished with 22 points on a steady 6-for-8 shooting clip from the field and held his own anew against probably the best backcourt duo in the league in helping the Aces recover from a sound beating in Game 3. Casio wasn’t the only one who played with a sense of urgency for the Aces. Cyrus Baguio contributed 18 markers, including a key three-pointer in the fourth that helped stave off a late Talk ‘N Text rally. his triple at the 1:15 mark of the fourth stretched Alaska’s lead to five, 99-94. Calvin Abueva had another double-double performance, finishing with 15 points and 11 rebounds, while Dondon hontiveros provided the spark off the bench, tallying 13 points. “It’s just one of those games – a grind-out type of win. We know Talk ‘N Text is an explosive team, but we limited them to 18 third quarter points. We know nothing is going to be easy against this team,” said Trillo. The Aces won despite being beaten on the battle of the boards. The Tropang Texters grabbed 13 more rebounds than their counterparts, a thing that concerns Trillo moving forward. “Our concern is rebounding. We’ll have a

WAR. TNT’s Jimmy Alapag (left) will be putting his speed against the likes of Alaska’s rookie henom Calvin Abueva (center) and veteran Cyrus Baguio (right). Below, the battle of the centers will pit Alaska’s beanpole boss Sonny Thoss against TNT’s round mound Ali Peek.

handful the next couple of games,” added Trillo. Mac Baracael scored 12 while Gabby Espinas and Sonny Thoss each had nine markers in a well-distributed effort for the Aces. The scores: Alaska 104 – Casio 22, Baguio 18, Abueva 15, hontiveros 13, Baracael 12, Espinas 9, Thoss

9, Reyes 2, Jazul 2, Dela Cruz 2, Eman 0. Talk ‘N Text 99 – Alapag 17, Castro 16, De Ocampo 14, Fonacier 12, Carey 12, Williams 11, Reyes 9, Peek 5, Dillinger 2, Aban 1, Raymundo 0, Gamalinda 0, Alvarez 0, Ferriols 0. Quarters: 30-25; 5556; 81-74; 104-99.

The statement came after complaints from the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters and the Alaska Aces about the rising level of physicality in their series. Talk ‘N Text sought suspension on Alaska’s Cyrus Baguio after his hard foul on Tropang Texters guard Jayson Castro in Game Three. Aces coach Luigi Trillo has also repeatedly aired his complaints about what he perceived was rough play allowed against Alaska star rookie Calvin Abueva. “Dirty and rough play will not be condoned and will be sanctioned

accordingly,” said Salud. A day after Salud outlined his position, San Mig Coffee coach Tim Cone also added his voice to the chorus of complaints against the refereeing in the semifinals. “I’m not going to say too much about it because we need our focus elsewhere but in my 24 years, I’ve never seen a superstar like James yap receive so little protection from the referees or the league,” said Cone. “I’m really at a loss what to do and my hearts bleeds for James.”

PBA: Get physical but not dirty

MID questions about the officiating in the Philippine Cup semifinals, PBA commissioner Chito Salud issued a statement Thursday reiterating the league’s policy. “On the firm officiating policy of only clear and obvious contact will be called as permitted by the rule on incidental contact. No ticky tacky fouls,” said the commissioner. “yes, physicality will be allowed, but within certain parameters only. Tough, honest defense is OK. Non-basketball moves, no.”

INdulge!

VOL.5 ISSUE 215 • TUESDAY - WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 01-02, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

SPECIAL FEATURE tertainment centers in the metro. Some blame it on the 2am liquor curfew, but I believe the culprit lies in the uninspired and dulllooking clubs that are devoid of character and are run (pardon the term) like a business, rather than as a passionate endeavor. It also does not help when DJs (the supposed gods of the dance floor) lack culture, insight, and a creative spark. That is why you have dance floors that are as filled with people as a polar ice sheet. Perhaps its time to rethink new forms of entertaining?

2012 has been a year of bright prospects, bold ideas and the occasional flub. Here is my personal top ten lifestyle trends and happenings around Durianburg.

Cosplay becomes m a i n stream We all know Japanese manga and anime has already penetrated the Pinoy psyche, now turn those comic and cartoon characters into real life costumed people playing out scenes from their favorite titles and you have Cosplay. Although Cosplay is not a new phenomenon, it is now more mainstream to the general populace with many a mall event centering on Cosplay parties. Heck, even Halloween and com pay parties have taken the cudgels and went for a Cosplay/anime theme. I can hear the costumed kiddies dancing to Gungnam Style already...

The internet becomes truly mobile With faster 3g and HSPA being rolled out by both Smart and Globe, people are taking to mobile internet more and more. This is also thanks in part to the introduction of better and faster smartphones like Apple’s iPhone 4S

Direct flights to Kalibo and Palawan start while budget flights to Singapore are shelved There used to be a time when it would take Dabawenyos forever just to get to the party island of Boracay or to explore the wilds of Palawan no thanks to connecting flights via Manila.

and 5, Samsung SIII andd NoteII, and Nokia’s Lumia. The mainstreaming of user-friendly tablets like Samsung’s Galaxy Tab and Apple’s iPad and iPad Mini with 3g capabilities also added to the mobile internet charge.

The rise of the artisan burger 2011 was all about buffet restaurants while 2012 is all about the artisan burger, I am not talking about the typical burger you can get from a fast-food chain, I am talking about full-flavored, cooked-on-the-grill, quarter-pound burgers. With the opening of boutique burger joints like, Gino’s, Hollywood Burger, Backyard Burger, and California Diner. The Dabawe-

nyo urbanite has a limitless number of choices to grab a quick and tasty bite.

Gangnam invasion Christmas parties said goodbye to Mariah and said hello to a new anthem. Love it or hate it, 2012 is all about Gangnam style. Korean rapper, Psy’s dance/rap song first hit Durianburg like a flash out of nowhere, with the local radio stations and even dance clubs riding the wave thanks to the catchy tune, crazy dance step, and even crazier music video. So crazy in-fact that the music video went viral and hit epic proportions just recently by garnering over one billion hits over YouTube unseating Justin Bieber’s Baby music video.

The establishment of Cinematheque Davao Imagine a space where one can view art films from all over the world and not pay a single peso, this is the Cinematheque Davao. A project of the Davao City government, the cinematheque serves as a venue where Davao’s film enthusiasts can come together to view various internationally acclaimed movies that are not normally screened on regular in-mall cinemas. The Cinematheque is a boom for culture aficionados in a growing Dabawenyo culture scene.

The fall of Davao’s nightlife One thing I have noticed is the ever shrinking number of en-

Thankfully, Cebu Pacific decided to offer the said routes, liberating Dabawenyos from long waits, and delayed flight no thanks to airport congestion. While the Davao International Airport is seeing more local destinations being added to the list of routes served, 2012 saw the shelving of Tiger Air’s Davao Singapore flights. Call it low load factor or call it lack of promotions, the exit of the budget carrier means that Davao City’s direct international flights still remain at a paltry one.

Plastic bag ban With Durianburg banning plastic and styrofoam, retailers and food establishments opted to other more traditional packaging materials like paper and carton boxes. Initially, you can see urbanites trying to grasp and adjust to the new situation, like how to carry a heavy package in a paper bag without the bag disintegrating. And with the fall of plastic, in come bio-degradable plastics and my favorite, foldable and reusable shopping bags which are now

easily available thanks to retailers that are pro-active for the environment.

The opening of SM Lanang Premier Putting their best foot forward, Henry Sy SM Lanang Premier last September. The flagship mall of SM and the group’s largest mall in Mindanao, SM Lanang Premier does not look like any other typical SM mall and promises to change the way Durianburg shops and enjoy life. Inside the mall is Mindanao’s first IMAX cinema, and SMX, Mindanao’s largest convention center. Another first is a 120-meter long dancing fountain that is touted as the Philippines longest dancing fountain. And if there is any indication, SM Lanang Premier will still have lots of things coming on 2013 with the opening of the Science Discovery Center, and AsiaPacific’s first Park Inn Hotel.

The selection of Davao as host to the 2013 ad congress It may have been a long time coming but the Ad Board finally approves Davao City’s bid to host the 2013 Ad Congress many thanks to the concerted effort of the tourism and business players of the city through the leadership of Region XI’s Department of Tourism director, Art Boncato. Not only will the Ad Congress place Davao in the spotlight as a showcase for business and tourism, but it will also highlight our city’s dynamism and capability to host large conferences and fora. Honorable mention: The establishment of ukay-ukay stalls in the middle of Roxas Avenue was a nuisance, as were the loud bands that were situated last March besides a hotel along the avenue that kept the hotel’s guests up all night. Good thing these were finally discontinued thanks to the many complaints from taxpaying establishments that were affected by the ruckus.

EDGEDAVAO

A2 INdulge! UP AND ABoUT

Home Crest brightens the season with a beautiful light display

VOL.5 ISSUE 215 • TUESDAY - WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 01-02, 2012

hEALTh

10 ways to make a resolution stick

ChRISTMAS is a season for gift-giving. And home Crest Residences hopes to capture the spirit with its bright display of lights showcasing Santa Claus delivering gifts. home Crest showcases Santa Claus riding on a train 2012 is finally here on one side of the building and a sleigh with and what better way his reindeers on the other side. to kick-start the new home Crest wishes to impart a message of hope and year than with a love with our “Belen” amidst a backdrop of shimmering healthier and better new you. Here are lights and some easy tips for snowflakes. you to make sure you our theme keep your new year culminates resolutions. with the Nativity scene, highlighting the holy Family, which for us represents the true meaning of Christmas; God giving mankind a Perfect Gift, a baby in the manger, wrapped in swaddling cloth, his only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ. home Crest Residences is a boutique hotel located along Tulip Drive corner Walnut Ave., Ecoland Phase 7, beside SM City Davao. You may visit our website at www. homecrestresidences.com or call +82.299-2777 for inquiries or reservations.

The battle of college and university bands is ON with Sun Broadband Quest! CALLING all college and university bands! This is your chance to show off those killer riffs and rock the crowd with your highoctane performance at Sun Broadband Quest, a battle of broad music styles between college and university bands all over the country.

open to all unsigned and amateur college bands composed of 3 to 5 members between 16 to 25 years old, Sun Broadband Quest is an opportunity for up-and-coming bands to showcase their talents, share their music and get noticed in the music scene. The winning band will get a staggering cool prize of P150,000 cash, record deal, guaranteed gigs plus their own music video! A project of Sun Broadband and MCA Music, Inc., the competition is powered by the all-new Sun Broadband Entertainment Stick – a revolutionary and first-of-its-kind broadband product in the local market that lets users access the hippest tunes and download chart toppers from their favorite artists for free! To join Sun Broadband Quest, participating band must purchase a Sun Broadband Entertainment Stick, register online at www.sunbroaband.ph/bandquest and upload two videos – one video recording an all-original song and one video recording a cover version of any song. videos should not exceed 5 minutes. Top ten bands will be selected and receive professional coaching through a full-day workshop and one-oneone session with the top oPM bands and artists under MCA Music, Inc. Grand winner will be chosen by way of a big concert where all top ten bands will perform their alloriginal song and be judged by five music professionals based on originality, musicality and showmanship. Deadline of submission of entries is until January 15, 2013. So get your instruments ready and rise up to the music challenge! For more information, visit www.sunbroadband.ph/bandquest.

Write it down. Putting pen to paper is a great way to clarify what it is you want to accomplish. You can use a journal or just write a sentence on an index card that you tape to your mirror. Manage expectations. It’s OK to break your resolution in the first week; you just have to be willing to get back on the horse. For many, January just isn’t the right time. Start fresh in March, or June. Get a buddy to do it with you. Everyone knows it’s easier to do things with a partner - grab a friend or family member and work on your resolutions together. Revisit it. Making a resolution is easy... keeping up with it is another story! You’re going to have to review and revise your goals as you go throughout the year.

2 3 4

Be smart. Rather than just toss off a nonspecific resolution, set a smart goal. These goals are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely. If your goals have measurable and specific ends, you’ll meet them more easily. Don’t remove, add. Replace bad habits with good ones. Framing your resolution positively will make you more likely to want to meet it!

7 8 9 to it.

Make it public. Tell people what you’re up to; you’ll be more likely to stick

Stick to a schedule. If you plan to exercise more, for instance, build no less than three workouts into your calendar at a time when you know you’ll be able to actually do it. Create a vision board. It might sound hokey, but having a visual representation of your goals

can really help! Cut out images and phrases from magazines, write out your favorite inspiring quote, grab some photos. Place them on a poster or corkboard and keep them in plain view. Celebrate! The joy in resolutions is in the journey. Accept that this will be an ongoing process and celebrate yourself and your unique experiences. And if you don’t quite get there, there’s always 2014...

Giving up fatty foods may cause withdrawal YoU’vE tried giving up bacon double-cheeseburgers, but you keep backsliding within days. You might have something in common with people who struggle to quit smoking, stop drinking, or kick heroin: You could be going through withdrawal. Of (fat-addicted) mice and men Past studies in animals showed that a tasty, highfat diet can cause chemical changes in the brain similar to those caused by addictive drugs. Now a new study has shown that giving mice fatty food and then taking it away can lead to behavior that looks an awful lot like drug withdrawal. Researchers from the University of Montreal fed mice either a high-fat diet or a low-fat diet for six weeks. During this time, mice in the high-fat group

not only gained weight, but also acted anxious, apathetic, and hypersensitive to stressful situations. Then both groups of mice were switched to ordinary chow. In mice coming off the high-fat diet, withdrawal only magnified their vulnerability to stress. Just like in people, this seemed to touch off a vicious cycle of poor eating. The mice going through withdrawal became super-motivated to get their paws on fatty, sugary food. Surviving cheeseburger withdrawal Sound a lot like someone you know? The jury is still out on whether

people can become physically addicted to high-fat foods. But if you’re planning to swear off fatty foods for the new year, it can’t hurt—and might help—to arm yourself with strategies for coping with withdrawal. People quitting smoking do this, and you can

borrow a page from their playbook. To manage anxiety caused by withdrawal from nicotine, the National Cancer Institute offers the following recommendations: • Do something physically active. • Limit caffeinated coffee, tea, and soda. • Set aside some quiet time every day. • Practice meditation or deep breathing. • Relax with a massage or hot bath. Your brain and body might protest when you first take away those yummy, fatty treats. Remind yourself that this will pass. In the long run, your brain and body will thank you for it.

VOL.5 ISSUE 215 • TUESDAY - WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 01-02, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

ENTERTAINMENT

Anne Hathaway says her Les Mis performance is ‘Eh’

ANNE hathaway knows modest is the hottest.

In a recent interview with with the Los Angeles Times, the Les Misérables star rated her final “I Dreamed a Dream” performance as “eh.” The 30-year-old actress said the film’s director, Tom hooper, let her perform over a dozen takes of the famed Les Mis song, even after he thought she did it perfectly on Take 4. After 20 takes, hooper told the Golden Globe nominee she needed to move on. “And I was like, ‘Fair enough,’” she recalled. “I never bettered it.” And while she felt “eh” about her final rendition, others have certainly lauded her moving performance in the film. Including, perhaps Anne’s most important critic, her

mother, Kate, who said her daughter made “the

perfect Fantine.” We’d have to agree.

Brangelina spend Christmas vacation on private Caribbean island with their kids

NoThING like getting away from it all for the holidays. Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt and their six children took off for the Caribbean last Friday and spent their Christmas vacation on Parrot Cay, a private resort island and noted celebrity haunt that’s part of Turks and Caicos, E! News confirms. What they got up to once they touched down in paradise is anybody’s guess—hence the key word, private—but knowing the Jolie-Pitts, mom, pop and kids are enjoying the posh outdoors. The New York Post reports that the family was bunking at Donna Karan’s beachfront villa, located

on a stretch of real estate where the figurative names on the mailboxes include Bruce Willis, Christie Brinkley and Keith Richards. “It’s like a private yoga retreat,” Karan said of the exclusive retreat in August on vanityFair.com. In this case, however,

it may be more like a private sandy zoo! According to the Post, there were 22 people (not counting staff) in the Jolie-Pitt party, including Pitt’s parents, his brother and sister, and their spouses and children. But the more, the merrier for Christmas, right?!

Matthew McConaughey welcomes baby No. 3 with Camila Alves MATThEW McConaughey’s wife just keeps deliverin’. The Killer Joe star and Camila Alves welcomed their third child this morning in Austin, Texas, a source confirms to E! News. The newborn—whose name (and gender, for that matter!) has not yet been released—joins big brother Levi, 4, and sis-

ter vida, 2, on the family homestead. McConaughey nonchalantly revealed via Twitter that he was going to be a father of three back in July, about a month after he and Alves tied the knot at their home in Austin. Not that their nuptials were the average backyard wedding: Guests camped out overnight

before the ceremony in deluxe tents and then partied into the wee hours with the newlyweds. Ironically, as Alves’ midsection was growing, McConaughey was shrinking all over for his role as a heterosexual lothario who contracts AIDS in The Dallas Buyers Club, based on a true story. Congrats to the proud parents!

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VOL.5 ISSUE 215 • TUESDAY - WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 01-02, 2012

WoMEN

PATTY Basa-Tan has definitely bloomed into a beautiful and hands on mommy.

She was better known as the playmate to our kids. My Tatiana coveted her Tita Patty’s iTouch as she claimed it has more games for kids than mine. At 26, she still enjoys the company of kids and exudes an angelic and innocent feel even with her humor and antics. The birth of Mischa Danelle “Dani” Basa Tan on September 12, 2012 made a mommy out of our baby-friend/colleague. In pictures and animated narration, Patty proudly displays motherly affection on her new bundle of joy with husband Michael Paul Palma Tan. Baby Dani had her first coming out party last December 27, as the Basa and Tan family celebrated the blessing of the little one into the Christian world. The proud parents chose a couple of their closest friends and relatives to stand as godparents to their first child. Pat’s sister, cousins, and friends from college and high school make up the list of Ninangs, namely Christia

Alice Basa, Lace Guy, Ina Abella Limpin, Aisha Gutierrez Hemandas, Allison Cadena, Anna Bahala, and Teresa Jalotjot. The chosen Ninongs are the tight-knit pack from Michael’s childhood as represented by Jonee Abella, Jeff Reyes, Noel Uy, Al David Uy, Jason Tan, Dodie Villafuerte, and Reggie Reyes. Patty’s only brother, Jose Basa, is also one of the Ninongs. Watching her enjoy her role as mommy during her baby’s baptismal party, I couldn’t help but smile at the wonderful picture motherhood has made of Patty. The youthful glow and playful vibe remains as this wide eyed dreamy gal, who still fancies Disney

The Tan Family. Jason Tan, Florencio Tan michael Tan, mafe Carlos Tan, Patty Basa Tan and lilian Palma Tan with mischa Danelle.

The Basa Family. Christia Basa, Teresita Basa, Patty Basa Tan, arch. Renato Basa, Jose Basa with mischa Basa Danelle

Nona Uy, Purita Llamas Aala, Patty Tan, Teresita Basa, Siony Abella, Lilian Tan, Florencio Tan and Dr. Linda Tan

Mafe Carlos Tan, Patty Basa Tan, Michael Paul Tan and Jason Tan with Mischa Danelle.

Mischa Danelle with her Ninongs and Ninangs.

fairytales, pranced and carried around her 3-month old “Dani” for snap shots with friends and family. The cherubic cheeks and “air-balloon” muscles of the little princess were far too cute, and Patty never goes amiss in happily telling tales of her baby’s heavy weight charms and appetite. The muscle-healing

patch on Patty’s hand is proof alone of how inseparable mom and baby are. To Patty, here’s wishing for many blessed years of good health and happiness for your family. And yes, welcome to the world of kiddie parties and doit-yourself paper crafts. Cheers to you, pretty mommy!

Mischa Danelle with ninang Aisha Gutierrez Hemandas.

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 215 •TUESDAY -WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 01-02, 2012

YEARENDER

SPORTS 15

NBA’s Top 5 stories in 2012 5. NETS MOVE TO BROOKLYN The Brooklyn Dodgers were the pride of the New york borough until 1957 when they left for Los Angeles. No major professional sport had been there since until the arrival of the Nets from neighboring New Jersey during the 201112 season. The Nets moved into the brandnew, 17,732-seat Barclays Center to officially bring pro sports back to Brooklyn. With

co-owner Jay-Z sitting courtside for the Nov. 3 opener, loud chants of “Brook-Lynn” rang

through the venue as the Nets defeated the Toronto Raptors 107100.

1. LINSANITY At this time a year ago, not many had a clue who Jeremy Lin was. In fact, in December of 2011, Lin was waived twice (first by Golden State Warriors, then by the houston Rockets). Then February arrived and Lin put together an epic 13-game stretch in which he averaged 22.3 points and 7.4 assists. The Taiwanese-American’s heroics were celebrated from Manhattan to China, was highlighted on the cover of Time and Sports Illustrated, was mentioned by President Obama and made him as big a celebrity at All-Star weekend as any other player.

3. DWIGHT HOWARD MOVES TO LAKERS

2. LEBRON GET HIS RING Ever since James announced he would “take [his] talents to South Beach,” he became Public Enemy No. 1, not just in Cleveland, but around the NBA. The heat’s loss to the Dallas Mavericks in the 2010 Finals was celebrated, not so much for what the Mavericks accomplished, but for what James didn’t. The loss humbled James, who entered the 2011-12 season much more aggressive and physical. he played at an MVP level and, more importantly, led the heat past the Oklahoma City Thunder to win his first-ever NBA championship.

Coined the “Dwightmare” and “The Indecision,” howard couldn’t make up his mind if he wanted to stay in Orlando or take his talents elsewhere. At different points of last season, he opted into his contract through the 2012-13 campaign, then asked to be traded to the Brooklyn Nets. After a trade couldn’t be consummated with Brooklyn, the Los Angeles Lakers swooped in to make a blockbuster deal to land howard on Aug. 10. howard, however, didn’t sign a contract extension before the season, will be an unrestricted free agent next summer and has made no commitment to the Lakers. The rebuilding Magic’s “Dwightmare” is now the Lakers’ problem.

4. LAKERS COACHING SEARCH

The Los Angeles Lakers fired coach Mike Brown just five games into the season after the team started the season 1-4. The expectation was that Brown would be replaced by Phil Jackson, who won five titles coaching the Lakers. Jackson was interested in the job, but there were questions about how much power he wanted, money and staff members. The Lakers, however, went a different direction, hiring up-tempo coach Mike D’Antoni. Things haven’t gone very well with D’Antoni at the helm, though, as the Lakers continue to struggle despite the offseason acquisition of Dwight howard.

16SPORTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 215 • TUESDAY - WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 01-02, 2012

DUNLOP-ZESTO JUNIOR TENNIS

EDGEDAVAO

Amazona bags 2 titles By Neil Bravo

ICTORy came in pairs for second seed Jeleardo “Jelic” Amazona on a day a pair of unlikely finalists contested a pair of two major boys titles. The 15-year old Amazona, son of former pro standout Ricardo Amazona, twice frustrated the giant run of Angelo Factora to bag the 18 and 16 under titles in the upset-riddled Dunlop-Zesto Junior Tennis Championship at the GSIS Tennis Center. Amazona, the pride of Davao Oriental, stopped the upset-conscious Factora, seeded fourth in the 16-under, taking only 15 games to eke out a 6-0 6-3 win. Both players came back later to contest the 18-under title and a rested Factora, unseeded in the boys 18-under, gave the steady Amazona some fitting moments before bowing out 6-4 6-4. Factora was almost spent after two gruelling semifinals encounter where he twice showed the exit to hard-luck top-seeded Mikko Ringia of Koronadal City. Factora first dropped the upset axe on Ringia with a 7-5 7-5 win in the 16-un-

der then came back later to prove his win was no fluke with a 7-5 6-2 repeat. In the girls 18-under finals, Lenelyn Milo buckes a first set loss then endured a tough sudden death tiebreak in the third set to beat Jenni Celine Dizon 5-7, 6-2, 10-8. Dizon earlier took the girls 16-under plum with a convincing 6-4 6-4 triumph. In other fronts, boys 14-under third seed Jeric Delos Santos completed his giant-killing run by taking the title with a 6-1 7-5 straight sets win over no. 2 AJ Alejandre. Delos Santos advanced to the finals by booting out top seed and heavy favourite Janus Ringia 6-0 6-3 in the semis. The spate of reversals rubbed in on the girls 14-under as fourth seed Trina Factora shook off top seed Sharyl delos Santos 7-5 6-1 for the crown. Carlyn Bless Guarde made the girls 12-under true to form though as she won the title with a hard-earned 6-4 7-5 over no. 2 Patricia Velez. In the 12-under class, top seed Janus Ringia won the title over no. 4 Stephen

CHAMPS. Jelic Amazona of Davao Oriental bagged the 18 and 16 under boys title while Jeni Celine Dizon of Davao City took the girls under 16 title in the Dunlop-Zesto Junior Tennis Championship.

Tubbs, 6-4 6-0 while top seed Mark Directo defeated second seed Eric Comen-

dador 6-0 6-2 to take home the 10-under unisex title. The Group 3 event,

sponsored by Dunlop Fort balls and Zesto Juice Drinks, is sanctioned by

Philta and organized by Philta Region XI-B director Titong Cansino.