Edge Davao 5 Issue 264 by Edge Davao The Business Paper

VOL.6 ISSUE 264 • TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2013

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AFP monitors NPA’s PTC By EJ Dominic Fernandez

No report yet on NPA imposing Permit To Campaign on candidates -- Comelec

It’s Da Gov!

HE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has yet to hear about a case of the communist New People’s Army or any other armed group imposing a permit to campaign (PTC) in exchange of money on political candidates in any part of the Davao Region. This was learned from lawyer

Wilfred “Jay” Balisado, Comelec regional director for the Davao Region, in a text message to this reporter yesterday. This developed as units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police in the region have reportedly begun monitoring insurgents

FAFP MONITORS PTC, 11

CANINE FASHION. (Top photo) Clad in anime costume, a pet owner and his dog walk the ramp during the Davao Dog Summit cos-play competition at the Abreeza Mall on Sunday. Several dog owners showed up with their anime-costumed pets for this rare fashion show, including this young girl (below) and her costume-clad dog. (Photos courtesy of Abreeza Mall)

2 THE BIG NEWS

VOL.6 ISSUE 264 • TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

Only 20% are durian eaters By Che Palicte

ARAW NG DABAW PROMO. SM City Davao’s Russel Alaba, assistant vice president (left), Jonathan Nick Santos, assistant mall manager (center), and Lara Celine Tonogbanua, marketing officer, invite Dabawenyos to avail them-

selves the mall’s promos and to witness the activities lined up in time for the celebration of the 76th Araw ng Dabaw during Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

Militant studes to protest TFI Vow repeat of ‘Pablo’ rally at CHED today

By EJ Dominic Fernandez

ILITANT students will troop to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) regional office today to protest the impending tuition fee increases. The League of Filipino Students (LFS) said it will lead this afternoon’s protest march to the CHED, vowing a repeat of last month’s Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) incident where victims of typhoon Pablo stormed the government agency carting away packed relief goods. But, while there apparently is nothing to take away at the CHED office, the LFS stressed that schools should not increase matriculation fees, especially in areas affected by typhoon Pablo. LFS Davao spokesperson Rendell Cagula told Edge Davao that “CHED

should not approve tuition fee increase applications that the schools are applying for, especially those in ‘Pablo’-stricken areas, because people in those areas have lost their livelihood and will not be able to afford education anymore.” He warned, “if tuition fees will be approved, and there will be no dialogue, especially with CHED 11 Director Raul Alvarez, then the students are willing to take militant measures.” He did not elaborate. “The commotion at the DSWD 11 office last month could have been avoided if their demands had been given, and if there was a proper dialogue,” he said, adding, “CHED has no inherent mechanism and is toothless in regulating school tuition fees.” Edge Davao tried to reach Director Alvarez yesterday but he could not

be reached for comment, being reportedly in Manila and would not be back in Davao in time. CHED 11 earlier reported that there were 30 higher education institutions (HEIs) applying for increase in tuition and other fees for school year 2013-2014. The 26 HEIs that applied for tuition and other fee increase in Region 11 are: Assumption College of Davao; Ateneo de Davao University; Agro-Industrial Foundation College; AMA Computer College; Brokenshire College; Davao Doctors College; DMMA College of Southern Philippines; Davao Medical School Foundation; Holy Cross College of Sasa; Jose Maria College, John Paul II; Mindanao Kokusai Daigaku; Mindanao Medical Foundation College; Philippine Women’s College; San

was held. Boncato said the mere fact of hosting the MICE Conference indicated that Davao City is ready to host more anc bigger conferences. The DOT 11 chief said the MICE Conference 2913 was a high-level event with 600 delegates and no less than President Benigno Aquino III and Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez gracing the opening program of the event. Also, during the event several tourism buyers from across the Asia-Pacific region, particularly

India, China and even as far as Russia were in attendance. Boncato said that during the business-to-business (B2B) sessions held on the last day (March 9), one participant told him that the sessions were very productive. The B2B involves meetings between sellers and buyers in the MICE industry. Another benefit would be that the tourism industry will be gearing up with Davao City being eyed to host more international events. “Now, FDOT 11 CITES MICECON, 11

DOT 11 cites MICECon gains

HE recently concluded MICE Con 2013 (Meetings Incentives Conventions Exhibits Conference) brought tangible benefits to Davao City, according to the regional office of the Department of Tourism. “We are now regarded as the next generation destination for MICE,” said Art Boncato, regional director of the Department of Tourism, at a luncheon held for MICE participants at Park Inn Davao in the SM Lanang Premiere complex where the three-day conference

Pedro College; St. Peter’s College of Toril; STI College of Davao; Tecarro College Foundation and University of the Immaculate Conception in Davao City. In Davao del Sur, the HEIs that applied for increase were Serapion Basalo Memorial Foundation College and South Philippines Adventist College; (Tagum City) Arriesgado College Foundation; ACLC College of Tagum City and Liceo de Davao; (Davao del Norte) Kapalong College of Agriculture, Sciences and Technology; (Compostela Valley Province) Kolehiyo ng Pantukan. Meantime, Holy Cross College of Calinan applied only for tuition fee while Holy Cross of Davao College, Holy Cross of Davao College Babak, and Assumption College of Nabunturan applied for increase in “other fees” only.

ASTES like heaven, smells like hell. Some things never change. Out of the Philppines’100 million population, only 20 percent are durian eaters and for that, the Durian Industry Council of Davao City will try to turn things around. The group will host the Durian Summit 2013 on March 13-14 to promote the fruit that Davao City is famous for. Davao City Durian

Council chairman, Candelario Miculob, said in yesterday’s weekly Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM Annex that there has been a problem with the demand for durian consumption, not only in the city but in the rest if country as well. “Only 20 percent of the population eat durian, and 80 percent of the 20 percent come from Mindanao, hence, with this summit we will address

FONLY 20%, 11

Davao wants to boost production of durian

HE Durian Industry Council of Davao City wants to increase the city’s durian production this year to promote and institutionalize Davao as the “major durian producing city of the country.” Jacinto Adlaon Jr., the council’s public information officer, said in a media forum at SM City Davao Monday that the industry’s goal will be discussed in the Durian Summit 2013 to be held on March 13-14 at the Grand Men Seng Hotel here. He cited that the city produces around 6,000 metric tons (mt) of durian a year or 2,000 mt durian per hectare (ha). He said a total of 3,000 ha here are planted to durian.

But he added that a hectare of durian trees can produce up to 10 mt durian fruits if appropriate technology and practices are being implemented. “We need to revive the durian industry here as our city is originally known for it,” Adlaon told reporters. He cited that one of the sector’s challenges was in the cultivation, particularly at the nurseries, adding that some durian nursery operators lack the knowledge of whether the seeds or seedlings will have greater yields. He noted that it will take five years after planting for a durian tree to bear fruit. Acting city agricul-

FDAVAO WANTS, 11

YOUNG FIRE VICTIM. With a blank stare, this young girl is still obviously shaken while her neighbors are busy selling whatever is left of their burnt houses scrap metal buyers. Another fire razed houses were in Fr. Selga, Bankerohan, Davao City Sunday night. The incident left three persons dead and destroyed 27 houses, 24 of which were totally damaged. Lean Daval Jr.

EDGEDAVAOVOL.6 ISSUE 264 •TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2013

JV thankful to public for keeping 5th spot in latest Pulse Asia survey

NITED Nationalist Alliance (UNA) senatorial candidate San Juan City Rep. JV Ejercito Estrada expressed his gratitude to the public after the latest Pulse Asia survey

showed that he remained in 5th place among the so-called “Magic 12” or list of senatorial candidates preferred by Filipinos. Pulse Asia released today (Mar. 11) its Feb-

ruary 2013 Pre-Election Survey fielded from February 24-28, 2013. Ejercito Estrada placed 5th among the 33 senatorial candidates and was favored by 43.8 per cent of the survey re-

spondents. “The sustained strong trust being given to me by Filipino voters inspires me to do more for them,” said Ejercito Estrada. The San Juan so-

lon has vowed to pursue measures that will ensure that economic growth rates being posted by the Philippines would translate into more decent jobs for Filipinos.

Ejercito Estrada, son of former President Joseph Estrada, is a consistent top performer in pre-election surveys conducted by Pulse Asia and the Social Weather Stations

with the various sectors of the Philippine society where he listened to their concerns related to PTK: Presyo, Trabaho, Kita. The Senator has had the chance to hold discussions with market vendors, fishermen, farmers, factory workers, shoemakers, construction workers, furniture makers, drivers, senior citizens, and typhoon victims as he went around the country. Among the places he has visited include Taguig, Marikina, Bulacan, Tondo, Cubao, Makati, Baguio, Dagupan, Legazpi, and Cagayan de Oro. “As a Senator, I learned that in order to craft legislation that captures the true

essence of what our people really need, you have to know their needs and in essence truly know them personally. That is why I began my campaign with the PTK: Presyo, Trabaho, Kita Listening Tour,” he explained. Cayetano recalls how the problems of all the sectors he had visited were all rooted in PTK: Presyo, Trabaho, Kita. “Not enough capital available for small and medium enterprises, lack of government support for local products, high prices, low wages, not enough jobs – these are all they’ve told me. And yes, these are the problems I’ll be fighting to solve,” he stressed.

Cayetano to present platform

ENATOR Alan Cayetano will formally launch his reelection platform of PTK: Presyo, Trabaho, Kita at a simple gathering at the Taguig City University (TCU) on Wednesday, March 13. Cayetano will be announcing at the Grand PTK Launch how he intends to address the peoples’ concerns. “After completing the first half of my Listening Tour where I’ve heard the true needs and concerns of the masses, I am excited to present my plan of action to the people,” Cayetano said. Cayetano has been on a Listening Tour since the start of the campaign period. He has held discussions

HEALTH SERVICES. Dr. Salve Estipona (dentist) assisted by a barangay health worker of Brgy. Panacan in Davao City examines a young patient, one of over 60 residents who were served by a team of 3 dentists organized by

2nd district Congresswoman Mylene Garcia. The dental clinic was held at Upper Malagamot, a sitio of Brgy. Panacan.

4 THE ECONOMY 5.8% 1st Qtr 2012

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

6.4 % 1st Qtr 2012

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

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

8. Interest Rates 4/

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

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

P 42.78 Jun 2012

12. Stocks Composite Index 6/

5,091.2 May 2012

13. Consumer Price Index 2006=100

130.1 Jun 2012

14. Headline Inflation Rate 2006=100

2.8 Jun 2012

15. Core Inflation Rate 2006=100

3.7 Jun 2012

16. Visitor Arrivals

349,779 Apr 2012

17. Underemployment Rate 7/

18.8 % Jan 2012

18. Unemployment Rate 7/

7.2 % Jan 2012

ENATOR Chiz Escudero urged the Aquino administration to upgrade Mindanao’s ailing Mindanao hydropower plants to balance the power mix and pull down electricity rates that would be enticing for investors to share in the development of the southern Philippines. Escudero vehemently opposed the government’s plan to privatize hydropower plant operations in Mindanao saying that the consumers would be susceptible to trade abuse of unscrupulous power stakeholders.

“Again, I am against the privatization of these hydropower plants. The government should instead upgrade these so as to improve their capacities to provide cheap electricity,” Escudero said during a recent forum in Cagayan de Oro City. Escudero, also a member of the Joint Congressional Power Commission, said that building more coal-fired power plants in Mindanao would not help the island’s development as it would push power rates higher to the detriment of people of Mindanao.

He explained that the energy department was pushing for a coal-fired power plants because the government does not want to spend for the upgrading of the hydropower plants in Mindanao. Mindanao has at present the Agus-Pulangi hydropower complexes in the provinces of Lanao Del Sur and Bukidnon, which supplies more than 50 percent of the island’s total power requirements. Mindanao has a total potential of 2,519.29 MW of hydro sources as against the 1,163.30 from coal, according

to the Philippine Energy Plan (PEP) 2003-2012. He said it is the duty of the government to help in Mindanao’s development by taking full advantage of its cheap electricity rates. “If this comparative advantage of Mindanao is no longer there, what then would entice investors to invest here?” he asked. Mindanao’s power rates are lower by 30-40 percent than the mixed generation costs of Luzon and the Visayas because of the island’s hydro-power. [PNA]

HE detailed design and engineering studies for the proposed $806-million coal-fired power plant that would supply the needs of the controversial Tampakan copper-gold project of foreign-backed Sagittarius Mines, Inc. (SMI) has commenced, an industry executive said on Monday. Oscar Benedict Contreras III, Alsons Power Business Unit manager for communications and stakeholder relations, re-

vealed that Alsons Energy Development Corp. (AEDC) is already undertaking the preliminary development work for the prospective 400-megawatt (MW) power plant. “They have conducted public scoping and will be holding a public consultation within the year,” he told MindaNews. Contreras said that AEDC and SMI have reached an agreement for the construction of a new power plant dedicated solely for the planned mining

operation of the latter. Under the agreement, it shall be SMI that will secure the necessary community, government and shareholders approvals for the Tampakan power project, he said. The Alsons Group, through Sarangani Energy Corp., is currently constructing a 210 MW coal-fired power plant that will serve the needs of consumers in this city, Sarangani province and neighboring areas. The project is located in a

world-class diving spot and is staunchly opposed by the local Catholic Church and environment group Greenpeace on concerns over human health and the environment. The Alsons Group has a stake at the Tampakan copper-gold project through Australian firm Indophil Resources NL, where the Filipino conglomerate holds a 19.99 percent stake. Indophil owns 37.5 percent of the 40 percent controlling equity at SMI, whose majority equity holder is Xstrata Copper (62.5 percent), the world’s fourth largest copper producer. Indophil’s share in the Tampakan project is its flagship asset under its portfolio. The Tampakan project was given a conditional environmental compliance certificate last month by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) despite the open-pit mining ban imposed by the South Cotabato provincial government. Among the conditions cited in the ECC were the settlement of the question on social acceptability, protection of the rights of indigenous people, land access under the Department of Agrarian Reform and the willingness to assume continuing liability over any environmental damage. Last year, the DENR thrashed the ECC application of SMI, as well as its ensuing appeal, on the basis of the provincial open-pit mining ban. [Bong S. Sarmiento/MindaNews]

Study for Tampakan mine project’s coal-fired power plant underway T

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

2012

2011

2010

42.85 42.70 42.86 42.66 43.62

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

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

EDGEDAVAO

Gov’t urged to upgrade Mindanao hydro plants

Stat Watch

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

VOL.6 ISSUE 264 • TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2013

Noel Daquioag, provincial tourism officer of Davao del Norte (left), said that New Corella was chosen as the venue of the 13th Philippine Speleological Society National Caving Congress because the town is considered as the water basin of the province and it has 100 caves, 70

of which are still unexplored, during yesterday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao. Also in the photo are Dorina F. Ararao, president of Speleo Davao (center), and Joel Guinahan, tourism officer of New Corella . Lean Daval Jr.

as of august 2010

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

13:35 15:20 12:05 15:00 Mani2Mani 16:05 16:35 16:55 18:00 18:40 20:00 20:30 20:30 21:20 22:20

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

18:55 18:55 15:45 15:30 16:45 17:05 17:45 18:20 19:10 20:30 21:00 21:00 21:50 22:50

EDGEDAVAOVOL.6 ISSUE 264 •TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2013

THE ECONOMY

PHL asks Japan, Sokor to lift restrictions on air operations

HE Philippine government has asked air authorities in Japan and South Korea to lift the restrictions preventing Philippine carriers from expanding air operations in their

respective jurisdictions now that the safety concerns raised by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) have been removed. The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines

DURIAN SUMMIT. Farmer leader Candelario “Larry” Miculob of Mindanao Fruit Council, who leads the newly formed Durian Council says that China is an emerging market for Davao’s durian products. Miculob (left) promoted the upcoming Durian Summit 2013 set on March

13-14, 2013 at the Grand Men Seng Hotel during yesterday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao yesterday. With him are Val Turtur, officer in charge of City Agriculturist’s Office (center) and Jun Adlawan, public information officer of Durian Council. Lean Daval Jr.

wrote separate letters to counterparts in Tokyo and Seoul asking for the lifting of restrictions that for many years prevented carriers such as Cebu Air Inc. or Cebu Pacific as well as the Philippine Airlines or PAL to engage in expanded air operations in Japan and South Korea. As long as the restrictions remain in place, no Philippine-registered airline may expand air operations in either Japan or South Korea. “The Philippines has successfully addressed and resolved the SSCs that were previously identified by the ICAO-Universal Safety Oversight Audit Program,” the letter the CAAP sent to South Korea’s director of the Office of Civil Aviation, Hye Ryong Yu, said. The same letter was sent to Hirohishi Narahira, director of international transport at the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau. “In view of this development, it is our candid view that this positive report of the ICAO should pave the way for the prompt lifting/removal of any technical and economic restrictions that were imposed by the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau to Philippine carriers,” the ICAO letter said. [PNA]

Globe Kamustahan in Davao: CEO credits loyal subscribers for company’s successes

OYAL Globe patrons from Davao City and its adjacent provinces recently displayed a show of force during the company’s “Kamustahan,” a series of customer caravans across the country as its way of updating them and showing its appreciation for their many years of patronage. Individual customers, high-end Platinum subscribers, retailers as well as representatives from the local media were treated to a night of fun, good food, fanfare and first-hand information from company officials led by Globe President & CEO Ernest Cu, who on behalf of the company acknowledged their patronage and support through the years. “This is actually our first time to do this in Davao which is an important market for us, that is why we endeavored to ground-break our network modernization in your area, as well as have the initial leg of the “Kamustahan” in your midst,” said the Globe chief. He disclosed that “as a utility company, we want to go beyond just delivering the basic services and try to build stronger, genuine relationships

with you. To us, you are important and not just merely subscribers.” “We want our products to go beyond just texting, calling and providing connections between you, your family, and your businesses. And by simply being here, it goes to show that we mean more to you than a simple phone or internet connection. To that, we are truly grateful,” Cu said. He told the attendees that a company cannot simply have a relationship without great offerings and services, that is why over the years, Globe has strived to improve its product line. “We are particularly proud of the offerings we have introduced to the market. Foremost of which is our Globe Super Plan, which has redefined the face of postpaid marketing. Our plans and offers that you availed of were instrumental in our multiple quarters of growth in terms of garnering significant market share over the last two and a half years for the company.” “It’s an amazing feat for industry like telecommunications, and we have you to thank for that. All credit goes out to you, our loyal Globe subscrib-

ers,” Cu said to the Mindanaoans on hand in the event. He also shared that another area where the company is growing is its subscriber base which has now breached the 33 million mark. “In postpaid, we remain the undisputed leader. When I assumed office, it was just at 700,000, mostly on the high-end. Today, we are closing in at 1.8 million. And speaking of which, Globe postpaid was able to bring smartphones much more affordable to a wider chunk of the population. Imagine getting one at P299 a month – that is truly a game-changer.” Speaking of smartphones, the highestranking Globe official disclosed that the Davao region and the rest of Mindanao is ready for the anticipated “onslaught of data” to be processed by these gadgets, thanks to their new network in place. “We could have simply performed a business-as-usual capacity upgrade and spent less, but we decided to bite the bullet to bring to you – our subscribers – the best network possible in the market. Thus, we spent

GLOBE CEO Ernest Cu thanked Globe customers in Davao with a toast during the “Kamustahan” customer caravan recently held there. $700 million on a completely new network by replacing our over 7,500 base stations located around the country with brand new equipment. On top of that, Globe has also invested $90 million in IT systems to provide you superior customer service: better billing processes, promo enrolment, and so much more,” Mr. Cu pointed out. The Globe CEO said that the Kamustahan is the company’s manifestation

to get to know its patrons on a deeper level: “We would like to get to know and interact with you on a more regular basis. An emotional bond is what we would like to continue to build with you.” “It is important for us in the company, on behalf of each and every one of our employees, to know that you love Globe. It is as much as we at Globe love you, our dear subscribers…” he told the Davao City audience.

The Kamustahan also was an opportunity for Globe to update their subscribers of the current status of its network transformation’s first phase, which is close to 90%. It also showcased Davao City’s local talents, as well as premier stage artists in Broadway mainstays Robert Sena and Isay Alvarez, as well as comedienne K Brosas. Lucky audience members were also rewarded with the latest gadgets as raffle prizes.

6 SUBURBIA

VOL.6 ISSUE 264 • TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

Tagum women group in New Bataan outreach T HE Tagum City Council of Women headed by Madame Alma L. Uy celebrated the International Women’s Month together with the victims of Typhoon Pablo at the Sports Complex in New Bataan, Compostela Valley Province last March 6, 2013. The event, which banners the theme “Women Helping Women,” is a project of the Tagum City Council of Women, Inc. in coordination with Provincial Government of Compostela Valley, Compostela Valley Province Council of Women, and with the partnership of Lady Local Legislators of Tagum City, Human Resource Management Tagum City, Tagum City Muslim Chamber & Commerce Industry,

Tagum City Gay Association, Tagum City Information Office, Tagum Cooperative, Balik-Sigla Program (Tagum City Mobile Therapists), Philippine Pharmaceuticals Association, and the Women and Children’s Desk of the Tagum City Police Office. As part of the longterm stress debriefing to typhoon victims, the Tagum City Council of Women with their partners conducted several activities that include free massage, haircut, checkup and parlor games with prizes. The parlor games led by the Human Resource Management of Tagum City, included “soldier of fortune,” “bakya,” “marble relay” and “ring relay. A sense of inspiration

ignited when the survivors listen to the internationally-acclaimed Philippine Madrigal Singers which was invited by the council to perform in the typhoon-battered town as part of their 50th anniversary concert tour. After the activity, the group offered flowers and prayers to the dead and missing persons in Barangay Andap. Governor Arturo Uy and Congresswoman Maricar Zamora of the 1st District of Compostela Valley Province extended gratitude to the Tagum City Council of Women and to the rest of the groups and partners who gave time and effort just to be with the victims of Pablo. Jorjan Federiso of CIO Tagum

TAGUM WOMEN. Tagum City Council of Women President Alma L. Uy with members entertain the crowd with a dance moves during the celebration of the women’s

month held at Sports Complex, New Bataan, Compostela Valley Province last March 6, 2013. (Jorjan B. Federiso of CIO Tagum)

Rescue team hailed as ‘Pablo’ heroes

BAYANING LIKAS AWARDS. Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin hailed the commendable acts of heroism and of the Bakas (Bayaning Likas) Parangal awardees during Typhoon Pablo. nobags

HE Reduce ‘D Risk (RDR) Rescue Team of the Province of Davao del Norte received the Bakas Parangal ng Kadakilaan Award for their courage and heroism in assisting the victims of Typhoon Pablo in Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley. The RDR responders were among the 89 individuals, units and organizations who were bestowed the Bakas or “Bayaning Likas” Awards by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) for helping alleviate the sufferings of the victims of the super storm.

Governor Rodolfo del Rosario accepted the recognition during the recent awarding rites led by NDRRMC Chair Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, together with NDRRMC Executive Director Undersecretary Eduardo del Rosario, and Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Lt. General Emmanuel Bautista. Gazmin said the nation treasures the commendable acts of courage, heroism and kindness of the awardees during and after the onslaught of ‘Pablo’ that started on the evening of December 3, 2012. “The nation is proud

of their achievements,” he said. Former Civil Defense Administrator and NDRRMC Executive Director Undersecretary Benito Ramos, led the recipients of the award, for “masterfully managing the rigorous rescue, recovery and relief operations for the pitiful victims of the deadly super typhoon.” The three categories of the Bakas award include the Bakas Kadakilaan, which is given to organizations participating in difficult rescue missions; Bakas Kabayanihan is bestowed to leaders of units respond-

ing to rescue distressed communities. While, Bakas Kagitingan is given to those who risk their lives to save victims of disasters. Besides the RDR Rescue Team, 59 other organizations also received the Bakas Kadakilaan award, including a Korean rescue group. The Bakas Parangal ng Kagitingan award, the highest among the three categories, was conferred to 11 soldiers under the 66th IB who sacrificed their lives during the typhoon. Seven of them died while four are still missing. The same recognition

BAKAS PARANGAL NG KADAKILAAN. Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario, (right), listens intently to NDRRMC Executive Director Undersecretary Eduardo del

was also given to 12 army personnel who were injured while conducting search and rescue operations during Pablo. Noel Baguio Other notable awardees were Lt. General Jorge Segovia, commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command, 10th Infantry Division Commander Major General Ariel Bernardo, Police Regional Office 11 Director Chief Supt. Jaime Morente, the operating units of the 10th Infantry Division, Tactical Operations Group 11, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Coast Guard, Naval Forces Eastern Mindan-

ao, National Bureau of Investigation XI forensic team, Davao City, Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley chapters of the Philippine Red Cross, Davao Firefighter and Rescue Services, Maragusan Emergency Rescue Team, Maco Rescue Team, MMDA Rescue Team, Knight Hawk Foundation Inc., as well as, rescue groups from Davao Oriental, Banay-Banay, Governor Generoso, Lupon, Mati City, San Isidro, Compostela Valley, Montevista, Margusan and New Bataan, Matina 74A, Davao City, and Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur. Noel Baguio

Rosario, as former Civil Defense Administrator and NDRRMC Exec. Dir. Undersecretary Benito Ramos and other officials look on. Nobags

EDGEDAVAO VOL.6 ISSUE 264 •TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2013

8 VANTAGE POINTS

VOL.6 ISSUE 264 • TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

Cult of personalidad ( Conclusion )

COMMENTARY BY JOHN LLOYD

L EDITORIAL

Correcting a disservice

ONCERNED authorities have at long last stopped the disservice some airline companies have been dealing their passengers through the once rampant practice of not using aerobridges (or what we know to be “conveyor tubes”) by which passengers board, or disembark from, planes. The change that favors, especially the elderly and the differently-able, came in the form of a Cease and Desist Order issued January 24, 2013 by Capt. John C. Andrews, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) deputy director general, to stop implementing “any and all corporate policies geared towards evading or avoiding the use of such aerodrome facilities.” In making mandatory the use of aerobridges, wherever they are available, is not only for the convenience of airline passengers but, more importantly, for the promotion of aviation safety and security, the CAAP directive states. Each recorded violation, or deliberate refusal of air carrier personnel to use an aerobridge whenever one is declared available for use will subject the erring airline to a fine of P50,000 payable to the CAAP, as per Section 82 of Republic Act 9497. The CAAP directive benefits passengers departing from, and arriving at, the Davao International Airport where four such aerobridges are available. Before then, only the Philippine Airlines was observed to be using the tube consistently. So-called lowcost carriers did not, arguing that use of aerobridges was one of the frills

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they could drop, precisely because they are “nofrills” airlines, never mind if they expose their passengers, the elderly, disabled and the sick included, to the elements. Now that all of that are water under the (aero)bridge, it’s time to give credit where credit is due. The mandatory use of aerobridges was an advocacy of business leader Vicente T. Lao, vice chairman of the Regional Development Council in Region 11 (RDC 11), in reaction to the complaints of many passengers who felt shortchanged and cheated by erring airlines. The RDC 11 headed by Davao City Mayor Sara D. Carpio carried the fight to the CAAP. Tourism 11 Regional Director Arturo Boncato Jr., Davao City Tourism Officer Jason Magnaye and 2ndDistrict Rep. Mylene Garcia-Albano met with CAAP Director General Charles Hotchkisss Jr. a number of times to discuss the problem. The use of aerobridges for “convenience, safety and security,” is by no means the only reform needed in the multi-billion facility, also called the Francisco Bangoy International Airport. Ask Regional Director Ma. Lourdes D. Lim of the National Economic and Development (NEDA) 11, and she’ll show you a thick book listing and discussing the myriad deficiencies of the DIA. NEDA and the RDC 11 commissioned a study on the uncorrected defects of the P5.7-billion airport, many of which had existed from Day One of its operation. ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

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ATIN American states have ample historic reasons to doubt the intentions of the United States to leaders who, democratically or not, took power on a leftist program: Salvador Allende in Chile was deposed in a coup condoned (though not mounted) by the U.S.; above all, as a kind of symbol of the “Great Satan” to the north, Fidel Castro survived assassination attempts and a 1961 invasion by Cuban exiles trained and backed by President John F. Kennedy’s CIA. Chavez, eager to be in the martyr’s club (without being martyred) would allege assassination plots and U.S. backing for a 2002 coup that temporarily deposed him, but no proof has been discovered and the journalistic and scholarly consensus is that the U.S. now may disapprove, sometimes vocally, of some of its southern neighbors while leaving them (including Chavez) alone. In Chavez’s case, anti-Americanism was more virtual than real: Even as he blasted the United States, Venezuela was and is wholly dependent on America’s purchases of its oil. The spigot of oil wealth meant he could buy lots of friends around the world, and buy himself out of most trouble. The majority, many of them very poor, who voted for him benefited from his social programs. But Chavez didn’t really change the world beyond Venezuela. He had money, charisma and popular support, but he didn’t have an ideology, other than a melodramatic hatred of the United States. His death won’t be the end of that brand of global politics, but it might give serious politicians of whatever stripe, including those who view the U.S. negatively, some pause. U.S. power is great, and is likely to be in the future. But it is declining, and cannot reasonably continue to dominate a world in which two vast states, China and to a presently lesser extent India, are growing economically and strategically. Barack Obama now seeks to have the world’s present and future monitored by coalitions of states, not merely by a Western hegemon. No future U.S. president of either party can escape the American need to cut its huge debt, and to seek allies in creating a global system in which major states find agreements on the myriad of challenges and threats we now face. That’s the serious business of international relations. By contrast, Chavez’s posturings were those of a rich kid with a fast car with nowhere to go. Chavez International was an anachronism afloat on a lake of oil, envied by many but a poor role model for those serious about changing the world. If there is a politics that ensures that the poor of the earth get a better deal from the way the world changes, it will have to be more serious than those proposed by the late President of Venezuela.

EDGEDAVAO VOL.6 ISSUE 264 •TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2013

Lahad Datu impact on peace talks

UST when the trail to peace and reconciliation in the conflict areas in Mindanao is in the offing, the bloody encounter this time between the followers of the Sultanate of Sulu and the Royal Forces of Malaysia erupted without any warning. The Sultanate may have gone overboard landing an ill-equipped ragtag army in Lahad Datu in Sabah. It is sheer adventurism which expectedly will invite aggressive action for Sabah. For centuries seafarers from the southern tip of the country appeared to be moving and trading freely with the Sabahans. Many of them may even be oblivious to the claims and counterclaims between the Philippines and Malaysia, the lease and the rentals that Malaysia pays the sultanate etcetera, etcetera. As we now realize, already there are a number of Tausug who have made Sabah their homes. They are distinct from the undocumented workers who were rounded up by Malaysian authorities for deportation. Apparently those who had lived there spoke the same language as the original Sabahans. No wonder why there were intermarriages amongst them. Before the forces of Sultan Kiram landed in the coasts of Sabah nobody

VANTAGE POINTS

OPINION BY MENARDO WENCESLAO minded them. The situation then is similar to Indonesian nationals from Marori landing in the coastline of Davao City in search for work and other opportunities. Because they are not warlike, they were assimilated in the community even if they cannot speak the local language. The seafarers of Sulu and Tawi-Tawi are no different. They cross borders and we are certain that Sabahans do the same. It is easy to fault President Aquino on this crucial issue. True there are events etched in the annals of history and admittedly Malaysia continue to pay rentals to the Sultanate, resolving the conflict at the point of a gun is a dangerous proposition especially when, like the forces of the sultan, appear like pygmy before the gigantic adversary. The days of David and Goliath are over. The weaponry had evolved although the language of diplomacy had resolved many conflicts. The sultanate should have exercised restraint. They should have badgered Malacanang first and not gave up immediately on the insensitivity of even the President. As it

turned out, their letter appeal was lost in the maze of bureaucracy especially when this was delivered at the time when the transition of power was happening between the exiting Arroyo administration and the entry of Aquino’s. We hope that the Sabah imbroglio will be isolated from the peace process. We do not buy the claim of some quarters that the Sultanate is being left out in the talks of Bangsamoro land. The island provinces of Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Basilan are just too immense as to be ignored in the peace and reconciliation process. If the Sultan fears that, it could only be his apprehension that he might lose sway over his subjects. The fact is we too have our own share of an emerging spring of awareness among the younger Muslim generations. It is very much like the Arab spring. The Sultan may still have a handful of loyal subjects but as the years unravel the sons and daughters of these subjects want to track their own future. Settlements of debts and territorial conflicts are done soberly. These days you don’t do it alone. The community of nations intervenes to stop the conflict from escalating. It is resolve in the international courts of justice and very often by diplomacy. [MW]

‘Tree of life’ gives livelihood to 1/3 of 98 million Filipinos

N the few days to Good Friday in predominantly Christian Philippines, many wives in northern Philippines are on a craze boiling coconut milk – encouraged by their folk belief the cooked coconut oil has virtues for the household. The virtues, so their belief goes, are particularly prominent and effective if the coconut milk were boiled at 3 p.m., in the time stretch of The Seven Last Words.” It is not clear to the younger generation why the coconut oil would be more effective when boiled at that precise time, their religious belief notwithstanding. But they know the coconut tree, (Cocos Nucifera L.) is called “The Tree of Life” because of the endless list of products and by-products derived from its various parts, provides at other times and elsewhere where the tree is abundant food, shelter, fuel, among others. In northern Philippines, there are not many coconut farmers that would qualify them to be major units of the coconut industry, considered a major dollar earner for this Southeast Asian archipelago, that provides livelihood to one-third of the country’s population. Industry old hands say from coco meat can be obtained coco flour, desiccated coconut, coconut milk, coconut chips, candies, “bukayo” or local sweetened shredded coconut meat, “latik” copra and animal feeds. Coco chips, curved and wrinkled coconut meat, is crisply toasted and salted. It is very popular in Hawaii, where Filipinos make up more than 80 per cent of the population. Industry sources also say coconut flour can be used as a wheat extender in baking certain products without affecting their appearance or acceptability. At the same time, the coconut milk is a good protein source. Whole coco milk contains about 22 per cent oil, which accounts for its laxative property. In southern Luzon, Bicol and parts of the Visayas and Mindanao, coconut farmers rely on copra, the dried coconut meat which has a high oil content, as much as

SPECIAL FEATURE BY HONOR BLANCO CABIE 64 per cent. Sources say coconut oil is the most readily digested of all the fats of general use in the world, the oil furnishing about 9,500 calories of energy per kilogram – its chief competitors being soya bean oil, palm oil and palm kernel oil. Sources and some nutrition experts say coconut oil retards aging, counteracts heart, colon, pancreatic and liver tumor inducers, and it is easy to digest. In the detergent industry, coconut oil is very important, its most eminent characteristic being its high saponification value in view of the molecular weight of most of the fatty acid glycerides it contains. Industry sources say an advantageous use of the coconut oil as a detergent was discovered in a May 1951 study wherein a formulation using coconut oil was found to be an effective sanitizer. Other products from coco oil are soap, lard, coco chemicals, crude oil, pomade, shampoo, margarine, butter and cooking oil. Coconut leaves, according to sources, produce good quality paper pulp, midrib brooms, hats and mats, fruit trays, waste baskets, fans, beautiful midrib decors, lamp shades, placemats, bags and utility roof materials. The coconut fruit produces “buko,” often used for salads, halo-halo (crushed ice with sweetened fruit), sweets and pastries. ”Buko” is of three kinds: “mala-kanin,” or “nakilnet” among northerners, the one having the consistency of boiled rice; “mala-uhog,” or “kakalogen” among Ilocanos, or the mucus-like consistency and ready for eating; and “mala-katad,” or “iigaden among northerners, or like leather. The last kind is the one used for making sweets. A mature coconut is used in making

sweets and special Filipino dishes. The “sport fruit” of the coconut, according to sources, is the “makapuno,” popular in the Tagalog-speaking provinces and in the metropolis. This is considered a delightful delicacy and largely used for making preserves and ice-cream, and cannot be kept in storage and will not germinate. It has three layers: semi-acid, soft and hard meat. The coconut water, the sources say, is also called liquid endosperm, thrown away during copra making and becomes a great waste. Uses of coconut water include coconut water vinegar; coconut wine; production of the chewy, fiber-rich nata good as a dessert and as a laxative; as a growth factor; and as a substitute for dextrose. Another breakthrough use is in coconut water therapy to cure renal disorders, according to some medical sources. “Bukolysis”, as it is also called, is the medical process of reducing or dissolving urinary stones of the urinary tract systems using “buko” water from 7 to 9 months old coconuts. The sources say ”bukolysis” is the brainchild of Dr. Eufemio Macalalag Jr., a urologist. They say for preventive medication, water from one mature coconut consumed daily, could almost guarantee that the formation of stones in the urinary tract will be avoided. One who was afflicted with hepatitis A, but speaking on condition he would not be identified, admits the coconut water therapy is effective and inexpensive. His friends, all witnesses to his hospitalization, agree. And they are not yet talking about the uses of coconut husks, coir fiber, coir yarn, coir rope, bags, rugs, husk decor, husk polishes, mannequin wig, brush, coir flex, and fishnets which are other products that can be obtained from coco husk. Out of coir dust can be obtained coco gas, lye insulator, insoflex and plastic materials, industry sources add.[PNA]

Lifeline hangs in the balance ( 1st of three parts )

COMMENTARY BY AMINA RASUL

T is indeed timely that the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon has issued a call for a ceasefire and dialogue to end the violence. Sultan Jamalul III has followed the call of the UN Secretary General and has also called for a ceasefire. In Jolo, Sultan Muedzul-Lail Kiram, the son of the late Sultan Mahakuttah Kiram finally spoke the other day, pleading for an end to the fighting in an interview by GMA7’s Kara David. (However, in Malaysia, there was no news as of March 7 on the UN’s call for ceasefire.) Perhaps now the experienced diplomats will lead the dialogue among the contending parties: the Kirams, the Philippine Government and the Malaysian Government. If SecGen Ban Ki Moon’s lifeline is seized, a raft will be afloat in the troubled waters. Will the raft float? Or capsize? That depends on the various interest groups. Over two weeks ago, I wrote about the situation in Lahad Datu (“Sabah Standoff ”, Feb 21) and warned about the possible spiraling of the impasse into violence. I said, “Left unresolved, the standoff in Sabah can escalate into an international incident that could create tension between Malaysia and the Philippines. Worse, there may be vested interests that will fuel an escalation into conflict.” And here we are, in the midst of an international incident that has seized the attention of the UN. To complicate matters, Malaysian politics, with their elections scheduled in June, is in the driver’s seat. The Malaysian opposition led by Datuk Anwar Ibrahim had been pounding away at the ruling party, the Barisan Nasional (BN)/United Malays National Organization (UMNO), led by Prime Minister Najib Razak for the government’s inability to prevent the incursion into Sabah of over a hundred Filipino followers of Sultan Jamalul Kiram III and to protect Malaysian territory. Meanwhile, forced to show strength, the Malaysian government responded by first isolating the Filipinos under Rajah Muda Agbimuddin Kiram, crown prince and brother of Sultan Jamalul. Later, the Malaysian security forces attacked the Rajah Muda’s group, escalating into bombing by fighter planes. Talk about swatting mosquitos with hammers, considering that Kiram’s so-called “Royal Sultanate Army” was armed with rifles, kris and knives. The Malaysian opposition party had also been claiming that the BN used Indonesian and Filipino immigrants to strengthen its electoral base giving them Identity Cards (ICs). An IC legalizes the residency of the immigrants, paving the way for them to vote. Some 800,000 Filipinos are residents of Sabah, many of whom have lived there peacefully for decades. With the Indonesian IC-holders, the immigrant voting-block outnumbers the native Sabahans. This has been a major issue in the campaign. It would therefore seem that Malaysian politics has been the influential factor in the escalation of the siege to armed conflict.

10 NATION/WORLD

VOL.6 ISSUE 264 • TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2013

In tourism

EDGEDAVAO

PHL is Asia-Pacific’s ‘most improved’ I

T is indeed more fun in the Philippines, with the World Economic Forum calling it the “most improved” country in Asia-Pacific in terms of tourism. The Philippines rose 12 places to ranking 82nd out of 140 countries in the WEF 2013 Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report released Friday. Among Asia-Pacific countries in the report, the Philippines ranked 16th. It gained a score of 3.9 out of 7 points in the report, which WEF said “aims to measure the factors and policies that make it attractive to develop the travel and tourism sector in different countries.” The overall index is calculated from scores in three sub-indices: regulatory framework; business environment and infrastructure subindex; and human, cultural, and natural resources. Each of the three sub-indices are meanwhile based on scores in pillars, of which there are 14. The Philippines performed best in terms of prioritizing the tourism sector, where it ranked 15th globally. WEF said the country “is now first in the world” in terms of state spending on the sector as percentage of gross domestic

The sun sets on fishermen on Taal Lake. The lake is known for the maliputo and tawilis harvested from the waters. [Yen Baet] product. “[T]ourism marketing and branding campaigns are seen to be increasingly effective,” the report added. Adding to the country’s gains are its performance in natural resourc-

es and price competitiveness, where it ranked 44th and 24th respectively. The policy environment has also become more conducive for the travel and tourism sector through “better protec-

tion of property rights, more openness toward foreign investments, and few visa requirements for foreign visitors (ranked 7th).” The country’s overall score, however,was dragged down by difficul-

DSWD Region 12 director, said the amount comprises the bulk of the agency’s P3.1 billion for its continuing community-based socio-economic programs in the region this year. “It will mainly cover for the grants and other implementation needs of the program,” she said. The conditional cash transfer program, which is also known as the Pan-

tawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps, is being implemented by DSWD-12 in parts of Region 12 and in Marawi City in the ARMM since 2008. Region 12, comprises the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and North Cotabato as well as the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Cotabato, Kidapawan and

Tacurong. The 4Ps is a poverty reduction and social development strategy of the national government that provides conditional cash grants to “poorest of the poor” households to improve their health, nutrition and education particularly of children aged 0-14 years. (Allen V. Estabillo/ MindaNews)

ning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said. He cited the latest Socioeconomic Report (SER): 2010-2012 recently released by NEDA, which states that only nine (52.94%) out of the 16 cities and one municipality that comprise Metro Manila have submitted complete SWM plans. At the national level, only 414 LGUs have completed their SWM Plans as of May 2012. This is only 25.71 percent of the 1,610 cities and municipalities nationwide.

Balisacan, who is also NEDA Director-General, said high upfront capital costs limit financial capacity of LGUs to invest in SWM projects, such as development of waste disposal site and establishment of materials recycling facilities, among others. “The inadequate financial capacity of LGUs and the perceived low willingness of LGU constituents to pay for SWM services are main reasons we scored low in achieving the objectives of the Ecological Sol-

id Waste Management Act (ESWMA) and Philippine Development Plan (PDP): 2011-2016,” Balisacan said. The PDP 2011-2016 envisions to achieve by 2016, with 2010 data as baseline, a 50-percent increase in solid waste diversion rate from waste disposal facilities through reusing, recycling and composting, and other resource recovery activities. The diversion rate measures how much solid waste is redirected from disposal to recycling.

ty of starting a business in terms of cost (94th) and the length of the process (117th), safety and security (103rd), inadequate health and hygiene (94th). Switzerland topped this year’s travel and

tourism competitiveness ranking, followed by Germany and Austria, and Spain and the United Kingdom. At the bottom of the list, meanwhile, are Haiti, Chad, Burundi, Sierra Leone and Guinea. [Yahoo!]

VEN with the safe release of the 21 Filipino peacekeepers, Western Samar Congressman Mel Senen Sarmiento today urged the United States and the European Union to stop providing assistance to the Syrian rebels as they might be abetting a group that is aligned with fundamentalists and terrorist organizations. Sarmiento said that seizing unarmed United Nations (UN) peacekeepers is not the work of a group with good intentions to Syria and its people. “ Even with the release of our soldiers who are doing a peacekeeping job in Syria, this doesn’t change the fact that the Syrian rebels who are unfortunately getting a lot of help from the US and the EU used the unarmed Filipinos as shield and as hostage. The world is sympathizing with the Syrian rebels because

we thought all along that these rebels are on the side of righteousness. Now it looks like that we are abetting the wrong people, “ Sarmiento, vicechair of the House Committee on National Defense, said. Sarmiento noted that Syria was once a progressive and a peaceful nation but with the onslaught of the civil war that devastated not only their infrastructure and their economy but also the way of life of Syrian civilians. Sarmiento said that he initially thought that the Syrian rebels might be doing the right thing in their bid to topple the administration of Syrian President Bashar Hafez al-Assad due to alleged corruption and wanton disregard to human rights even it meant the displacement of thousands of Filipinos working in Syria, most of whom are domestic helpers and medical professionals.

P2.6-B more for 4Ps in R-12 T E HE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has allocated an additional P2.6 billion for the implementation this year of the national government’s conditional cash transfer program in Region 12 and parts of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). Bai Zorahayda Taha,

On solid waste management

Neda calls for greater LGU compliance

HE National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) is calling for greater participation of Metro Manila local government units (LGUs) in improving waste disposal through the formulation of their respective Solid Waste Management (SWM) Plans. ”Low compliance rate among LGUs in creating their own SWM Plans is a major issue that hampers the establishment of a suitable and sustainable SWM system in Metro Manila,” Socioeconomic Plan-

Solon reiterates call to stop support for Syrian rebs

EDGEDAVAO VOL.6 ISSUE 264 •TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2013

AFP monitors PTC... FFROM 1 operating in the area for possible exaction of millions of pesos before candidates are allowed to campaign in places supposedly under their control. While officially the campaign period starts on March 30, many local politicians have started wooing voters by holding meetings, pumping hands, kissing babies and giving goodies and cash. Col. Lyndon Paniza, spokesman of the Philippine Army’s 10th Infantry Division, said military units in the field are now monitoring these activities. Paniza said that this form of money-making activity of the rebels has been practiced by them for years now. He reminded politicians that giving money to rebels in exchange of PTC or any other reason is a violation of the law. Senior Supt. Ronald dela Rosa, Davao City Police Office chief, echoing-

Only 20%...

Paniza’s view, also called on candidates not to give in to the rebels. “Reminders to the candidates not to give to these people (rebels), dela Rosa said. However, both officials did not specify what actions will their respective agencies take against those who will succumb to the rebels, although Paniza said in an earlier interview that the military will provide security to the candidates campaigning in rebel-infested areas. Just before the 2010 elections, a military official then stationed in the city threatened to file cases against candidates who would pay the PTC and those businesses who would pay the revolutionary taxes. Then Task Force Davao commander Oscar Lactao said in a forum that he created a team gathering pieces of evidence against those behind the logistics

pipeline in Paquibato, a known lair of the rebels. But the business sector chided Lactao for making the threat. Simeon Marfori II, then the president of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said those who paid the revolutionary taxes were forced to do so because of circumstances. “If the military can eradicate the NPAs and protect legitimate businesses who pay their taxes to the BIR (Bureau of Internal Revenue), no businessman will be paying NPAs anything,” Marfori was then quoted as saying. Based on the data of the military, in 2008 the rebels were able to collect about P25.73 million, all coming from businesses. In the first quarter of 2009, the rebels collected about P6.6 million. In 2009, the national government gave the military a year to completely neutralize the rebels.

FFROM 2 not only the problem of production but also of consumption as well,” he said. Miculob said, Luzon and the Visayas have a lot of potential for increasing the durian market, but they have a problem with regards durian growers in the city. “We also planned to conduct a durian summit in Metro Manila but our growers here hesitate to venture in those areas,” he added. He added that there has been a demand from China of 300 tons of durian per month, but he admits that they cannot provide such a volume. “It is so difficult for us to raise the volume that China wants because we can two tons per month and it’s a struggle for us to reach our target of 10 tons,” the chairman added. Miculob bared that through the summit they may be able to study fig-

ures and data that can be of help in increasing the production of durian. “The summit is really a good venue for the durian council to provide statistical data on which we can base our concerns as to whether the demand is increasing or not,” he said, adding that the twoday event will showcase technical sessions on marketing; durian industry issues and concerns; production technology updates and farm tours. As part of the summit they will also have ‘Patikim ng Durian’ in front of the City Hall of Davao for Luzon and Visayas guests of the city. “They only have to present a proof that they come from those areas. With this, we will be able to teach them how to appreciate and love our durian,” Miculob explained. Valente Turtur, officer in-charge of the City Agriculturist office said

they fully support the durian summit because Davao City is known for durian and it’s time for Davao City to host such an event. “When you say “durian,” the first thing that comes into mind is Davao City, and I guess we must have our own durian festival here because that’s what we are known for,” Turtur said, adding that they have established a program for some of the durian growers through “plant now, pay later program” wherein their agency gives new varieties of durian seedlings to poor farmers and by the time the plants grow and bear fruits they will be paying for those durian seedlings. “This is our way of helping durian growers to increase the market and production and, hopefully, generate successful growers as well,” he added.

the World Ecotourism Forum.” Meanwhile, the DOT 11 chief also said that MICE Con Davao had many notable milestones. “First time na ang President ang nag keynote (it was the first time that the President gave the keynote ad-

dress), the first time that all the sessions were in the plenary instead of having break-out sessions, because of the quality of the speakers, where everyone wanted to hear them, and the first time that the number of delegates reached 600. [PIA 11/RG Alama]

DOT 11 cites MICECon... FFROM 2 we will be bidding for small meetings which are international in nature, and we are looking at the Asia-Pacific region. “ Boncato said, adding that Davao City will be hosting a Technical Working Group for Climate Change meeting next month and “we are also bidding for

TESDA and DSWD launch cash for training project I

N support of the government’s thrust to provide sustainable intervention to improve the condition of disadvantaged youth and empower them through skills training and assistance towards gainful employment and entrepreneurial activities, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will implement the Cash for Training Project (C4TP) in two independent components---Training for Wage Employment (Trabaho) and Training for Self-Employment (Hanapbuhay). Lorela M. Ramos, re-

gional youth focal person of DSWD, said the project aims to train the youth for possible employment in targeted communities and provide them the basic requirements to enable them to practice their trade in gainful occupations. She said the cash will cover training voucher, toolkits (for self-employment), assessment fee and allowance in the amount of P20,000 per beneficiary. Ramos added that the target beneficiaries are youth participants who have been assessed as eligible under the Expanded Government Internship Program (EGIP) of the

DSWD, and the Pantawid Pamilya youth identified in coordination with the local government units. In the Davao region, 3,291 youth participants will benefit from the project, she said. “The DSWD regional office has already downloaded the P65,820,000 total project cost to TESDA.” TESDA has started the training in some areas while other youth participants are currently being processed for profiling of skills, and counseling is also being conducted to guide the participants in choosing the program/course most appropriate for them, Ramos added.

lives wherever they are. Even as Congress initiates an investigation to the reports of abuse committed against our nationals, all concerned agencies must already take immediate steps to ensure the safety of our countrymen in the area especially those considered ‘stateless’ or undocumented,” Bello said. Bello said that if there were clear violations committed against Filipino citizens, the Philippine government must exact justice from its Malaysian counterpart. “The Malaysian government must not mistake our commitment to a peaceful solution to the conflict as an invitation

for their security forces to take advantage of our citizens by wantonly violating their rights. All those that will be proven to have participated in such abuses should be made accountable,” Bello asserted. Bello, who is also a renowned international political analyst, feared that with the militarist solution carried out by the Malaysian government to end the crisis, arrests and incarceration of undocumented Filipinos in Sabah might escalate and become more abusive. He said that even legitimate Filipino residents and workers might become vulnerable to abuses.

dustry stakeholders “to disseminate new farming technologies, share relevant market information and discuss crucial issues and concerns affecting Mindanao durian sector.” Inviting some 300 participants nationwide, the organizers said the summit will “focus on best practices on durian production, and emerging challenges and trends in the industry such as climate change adaptation, organic farming, integrated pest and disease management and the latest marketing and supply chain models.” Candelario Miculob of the Mindanao Fruit Council, also at the media

forum, said that aside from the lack of technology, the shift of farmers’ focus to other crops such as banana and pineapple caused the low production of durian in the city. Miculob said participants of the summit will be invited to visit durian farms here on March 13. He also cited that they wanted the summit to be a yearly event for Mindanao fruit growers to hold dialogues with government agencies to discuss policy reforms and government supports for the development of the Mindanao fruit industry. [Lorie Ann A. Cascaro / MindaNews]

Solon calls for inquiry on plight of Pinoys in Sabah

KBAYAN Party-list Representative Walden Bello today called for a congressional investigation to look into the plight of the Filipinos in Sabah as the Malaysian government rejected a ceasefire offered by the Sultan of Sulu. Bello, who is the Chairperson of the Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs, said he will investigate reports of alleged cases of abuse against Filipino citizens working and residing in Sabah from Malaysian security forces as a result of the crisis. “It is the responsibility of the Philippine government to protect Filipino

Davao wants...

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turist Val Turtur said the summit will be a venue for durian farmers or growers, contractors, processors and buyers to discuss ways on how to support the growth of the durian industry in the city and the Davao Region. The summit is being organized by the city’s Durian Industry Council in cooperation with the city government, City Agriculturist’s Office, Davao City Investment and Promotions Office, and the Department of Agriculture. He said the summit, which is the first to be led by the city’s durian sector, will be a venue for local durian in-

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EDGEDAVAO VOL.6 ISSUE 264 •TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2013

WOODS WINS AT DORAL

Fear the Tiger D

ORAL, Fla. (AP) -- That red shirt is starting to look ruthless on Sunday again. One year after Tiger Woods hobbled off the Blue Monster, he picked u p the pace in h i s

march to the Masters. Woods delivered two quick birdies to take the drama out of Doral, and two late bogeys only made his victory in the Cadillac Championship seem closer than it really was. Woods had full control of his game and never let anyone get closer than three

CHAMP AGAIN. Tiger Woods wins another title at Doral.

s h o t s until he had locked up his 17th Wo rl d G o l f

Championship title. With a conservative bogey that didn’t matter on the final hole, he closed with a 1-under 71. For the first time in five years, Woods has two wins before the Masters. And both of them were dominant. ‘’That’s how I know I can play,’’ Woods said. ‘’That’s the thing. To be able to bring it out a couple times so far this year - and then be able to close and get the Ws on top of that - that’s nice. Any time I can win prior to Augusta, it always feels good.’’ And to think it was one year ago Sunday that Woods withdrew after 11 holes in the final round at Doral because of tightness in his left Achilles tendon, the same injury that had cost him to sit out most of the previous summer. It created uncertainty about his health and whether he could ever get his game back. False alarm. Woods now has five wins in the last year, the most of anyone in the world, and he can return to No. 1 with a win at Bay Hill in two weeks.

14 SPORTS Sharapova tested, Kirilenko wins

VOL.6 ISSUE 264 • TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2013

ECOND seed and 2006 champion Maria Sharapova was tested in her third-round BNP Paribas Open match on Sunday at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, defeating Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain 7-5, 6-3. The Russian squandered an early break lead in the first set before breaking again in the 11th game. She fended off break point before closing out the opener in 58 minutes. Sharapova saved two break points in the second game of the second set before taking control and reeling off four straight games from 2-3 to claim victory in one hour and 40 minutes. “I thought it was a tough one,” admitted Sharapova. “She’s dangerous. She’s beaten top players in Grand Slams

before. She has a really solid game, a lot of variety, but she can hit the ball, as well. A few things that I definitely want to improve for the next one. But I was happy I got through on not a great day. The 25-year-old Sharapova is bidding to win her first WTA title of the season after semifinal finishes at the Australian Open (l. to Li) and Doha (l. to S. Williams). Sixth seed Sara Errani cruised into the fourth round, dismissing Sweden’s Johanna Larsson 6-3, 6-1 in 81 minutes. The Italian converted five of her six break points and won 67 per cent of points on serve. The 25-year-old Errani notched her 20th win of the season. She is playing her ninth tournament

of 2013 and is coming off victory in Acapulco (d. Suarez-Navarro), while also finishing runner-up in Paris (l. to Barthel) and Dubai (l. to Kvitova). Errani will face either ninth seed Marion Bartoli or Svetlana Kuznetsova, who contest the last match of the day on Stadium 1. Russian No. 13 seed Maria Kirilenko ended the campaign of American qualifier Mallory Burdette with a 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 victory. World No. 125 Burdette had won four matches to reach the third round and was contesting the main draw in Indian Wells for the first time. “It’s just been a great experience and also I feel a little bit more like I belong here,” said Burdette. “It’s always something I

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think that you question sometimes when you’re surrounded by such great players. Just learning how to relax and go with the flow at these tournaments I think is going to be a big part of me doing well and moving forward.” The 26-year-old Kirilenko won the Pattaya City title last month (d. Lisicki) and has a 12-3 match record on the season. The Moscow native achieved her best Indian Wells result last year, reaching the quarterfinals (l. to Sharapova). Czech No. 19 seed Klara Zakopalova defeated the diminutive Dominika Cibulkova 6-4, 7-5 in just under two hours. She goes on to face either fifth seed Petra Kvitova or qualifier Lesia Tsurenko. SWINGING BEAUTIES. Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark (top) and Maria Kirilenko of Russia in action at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament in Indian Wells, Calif.

Lakers now in playoff position L

OS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Lakers got to find out how the other side lives on Sunday afternoon at Staples Center. How’s that? Legs kicked up, arms behind the head, chair reclined, iced tea on the table. They like it better this way. After two huge, draining comebacks in a week, the Los Angeles Lakers lived easy Sunday in a 90-81 win over the visiting Chicago Bulls. The victory moved the Lakers into playoff position in the Western Conference, a half-game better than idle Utah for the No. 8 seed. Four days after a 25-point comeback in a

win at New Orleans and two days after a 15-point comeback against the Toronto Raptors, Los Angeles glided to the win behind a balanced offensive effort and the defense of Dwight Howard. Six Lakers scored in double figures, led by Kobe Bryant’s 19, and Howard scored 16 points, grabbed 21 rebounds and blocked four shots. “His activity is unbelievable,” Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni said of Howard. “He controls the paint, grabs every rebound and stops the pick-and-roll. And he and Kobe are learning to get on the same page offensively. A little bit of chemistry is developing.”

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VOL.5 ISSUE 264 â&#x20AC;˘ TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

TRAVEL

An unexpected find Food trucks at the Glorietta Park WHAT makes life and traveling more fun is when you find the unexpected and totally unplanned. Such was the case of my last romp with friends JP, Cy and Joe. JP was supposed to go to Manila for an appointment and we decided to tag along just to have an excuse to fly. The weekend proceeded as scheduled and we decided to take a walk around Glorietta to check out the new wing of the mall. We also decided to go around Glorietta park around the area in front of 6750 and Shangrila Makati and were pleasantly greeted by food trucks and food stalls serving a cacophony of food from Bagnet to Sisig and Paella. The area buzzed with locals and tourists alike, each trying out the many different offerings available in the area.

Makeshift tents shaded the crowd and provided areas where monoblock tables and chairs allowed diners to sit down, relax, and enjoy their spoils. This was not a place to emote or be a fashionista, this place was all about the love for food. Good thing the skies were overcast that day we passed by else we would have melted away like the Wicked Witch of the West. After a quick visit and a passing bite or two or three, we were again on our way, but something tells me that we will be back again for another bite soon.

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A2 INdulge! UP AND ABOUT

Sun Broadband promotes music among Filipino youth Wireless internet provider Sun Broadband encourages young people all over the country to freely express themselves through the most universal language – music!

To help promote original Filipino music by showcasing local and homegrown talents, Sun Broadband recently kicked off its nationwide roadshow tours in Cebu and Davao featuring promising artists such as Mike Chan and his band from Manila, Promissory Note from University of Southern Philippines in Cebu and Muses Acoustic Band from University of Southeastern Philippines in Davao. The roadshows also aim to encourage students to join Sun Broadband Quest, the battle to be the country’s top all-original band of 2013. The competition is open to all unsigned and amateur college bands composed of three to five members. To join, interested bands simply need to purchase any Sun Broadband product and submit their entries that include a home video of their band playing an original song and a cover of any song from their favorite artist. Deadline of entries is until June 15, 2013. The winning band will be guaranteed P150,000 cash prize, an album produced and released by MCA Universal, own music video, and paid gigs at Sun and MCA Universal-sponsored events. For more information, visit www.sunbroadband.ph/bandquest. You can also catch the Sun Broadband Quest in Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Baguio and Pangasinan! Mike Chan and his band rocking it all out at the Sun Broadband Quest roadshow! Cebu-based Promissory Note performing at Parkmall in the Queen City of South Muses Acoustic Band serenading the students of University of Southeastern Philippines, Davao.

CALLING ALL MOMS AND DADS! Great deals await you in Baby Company’s Baby Sale. From March 1 to 31, enjoy up to 50% discount on a wide selection of your favorite brands plus get a free Zoo Bin to organize toys, books and more for a minimum single-receipt purchase of P3,000 only. Hurry and shop at your nearest Baby Company store at SM Department Store. Don’t forget your Mom Card to earn points while shopping. Connect with us on our website at www.babycompany.com.ph and Facebook at babycompanyph to know more of our promo.

VOL.5 ISSUE 264 • TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2013

MOVIES

Oz the Great and Powerful conjures up $80.3 million

AS expected, Oz the Great and Powerful worked its magic on a slumping box office, grossing an estimated $80.3 million in its Friday-Sunday debut, its studio reported.

The opening-weekend number is easily the biggest of the year, and the third-largest ever for a March release, behind only The Hunger Games and Johnny Depp’s Alice in Wonderland. The massively expensive Wizard of Oz prequel, starring James Franco, was graded a B-plus by audiences polled by CinemaScore. Overseas, Oz picked up just shy of $70 million, and brought its three-day, worldwide total to $150.2 million. The start puts the 3-Dpowered fantasy well on the road toward exceeding its reputed $215 million budget; it gets it about halfway toward the eye-popping $325 million number that reportedly represented its combined production and marketing costs. For Hollywood, Oz is a welcome change of pace. “An event film like this can act as a catalyst,” said Dave Hollis, executive vice president of distribution for Disney, which released Oz. Heading into Friday, the box office was running 15 percent behind last year’s. With Oz drawing well among both couples and families, ticket sales were up about 40 percent from last weekend, and about

8 percent from the same three-day period in 2012, according to Exhibitor Relations stats. Oz didn’t meet the mostoutsized projections that had it heading into $100 million, Alice in Wonderland territory, but Hollis said the movie exceeded the studio’s own pre-release tracking surveys, which are more conservative by nature, and had Oz pegged for a $70-$75 million opening weekend. Among the top films, Oz accounted for nearly two of every three tickets sold. That was bad news, or rather, more bad news, for Jack the Giant Slayer, another film made for in the neighborhood of $200 million. Business was down 63 percent from its disappointing opening weekend. The film’s domestic total now stands at just $43.8 million.

The Colin Farrell thriller Dead Man Down, the only other new movie in wide release, aside from Oz, debuted in fourth place with a weak $5.4 million. Here’s a complete look at the weekend’s top movies, per Friday-Sunday studio estimates and stats as compiled by Exhibitor Relations. Oz the Great and Powerful, $80.3 million

Jack the Giant Slayer, $10 million Identity Thief, $6.3 million Dead Man Down, $5.4 million Snitch, $5.1 million 21 and Over, $5.06 million Safe Haven, $3.8 million Silver Linings Playbook, $3.7 million Escape From Planet Earth, $3.2 million The Last Exorcism Part II, $3.1 million SCHOOL FAIR AND TECHNICAL EXHIBIT. It was a full house at the two-day Engineering and Architecture Fair at Abreeza Mall on 8-9 March 2013. Booths showcased Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU) student engineering research project prototypes and poster presentations. Participating ADDU departments included Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Industrial Engineering and Mechanical Engineering. The ADDU Architecture Department exhibited scale models of biomimicrythemed student thesis projects. Scale models of structures and spaces looked to nature for inspiration in designing sustainable solutions. Other activities included a battle of the bands competition and a raffle draw for the benefit of Rainbow Intervention Center for Autism Foundation, Inc.

VOL.5 ISSUE 264 • TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

ENTERTAINMENT

Ben Affleck on Jennifer Garner, life after Oscars

“It’s been a really nice time to hang out with my wife” BEN Affleck should be having the time of his life right now, having just won the Best Picture Oscar for his film, Argo. And he is, despite recent speculative tabloid reports that claim his marriage with wife Jennifer Garner is on the rocks.

“I’ve been able to really just enjoy my good fortune in the last couple of weeks and sit back and kind of just take it in and not do anything, just eat ice cream on the couch,” Ben told reporters at today’s 10th Annual John Varvatos Stuart House Benefit about life post-Oscar. “It’s been a really nice time to hang out with my wife and that sort of thing, so we’re just enjoying it.” Doesn’t sound very rocky to us. Both Ben and Jennifer stepped out as honorary co-chairs for the fundraiser in support of the Rape Treatment Center. “There’s a good period of time that I see as an extension of the movie and

the work that you put into the movie continues through that time and it’s great in a lot of different ways. And then it ends,” Ben told us about things returning to normal after the chaos of awards season. He continued, “And now when I spend my time coming out to do events, I choose events like this that have some

cause or some benefit other than just trying to go after something for my movie or what have you. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but it’s also important to balance it with this kind of activity too. It just feels good.” In fact, Ben wasn’t just supporting the Stuart House today, but also his wife, who was the reason he got involved with the organization in the first place and who, for the record, he gushed is “great”: “This is an organization that my wife got involved with. She hosted this event eight years ago. She told me about it and what she saw at Stuart House,” he explained. “That really stuck with me and I wanted to support it. Particularly, because these kind of causes are thought of largely as women’s issues…If it is just women that stay supporting that and they don’t get any support from men it will always be a little bit marginalized as a women’s thing. And violence, sexual or otherwise, against our fellow human beings is a crime against all of us.”

cia Raisa, perform a choreographed dance routine to Dustin Tavella’s “Everybody Knows.” A sample lyric? “Everyone knows...your boyfriend is a douchebag.” Other lyrics include, “You know he’s got somebody on the side, girl, and the way he talks to us is a sin. He just keep sinnin’ on. I really think it’s time girl you quit defending him.” So is the video a dig at Bieber? Charity Lynne Bar-

oni, the choreographer, tweeted, “We danced tonight. It was awesome. Especially because we dedicated it to someone .... and then ate Chinese food after.” (The tweet has since been deleted.) As for Gomez, she posted, “Me and my girls just doin what we do...dancin! haha... Big thanks to @ DustinTavella for making such a sick anthem! And to @ChaeLynne for her amazing choreography : )”

the iconic main character of Sex and the City, Parker told Net-a-Porter, “I’m not sure…You know, I think it’s one of those tests of your generosity. She [AnnaSophia Robb] is a lovely girl and I want her to feel good about it, but it’s…odd.” While Robb has kept mum on Parker’s comments about the CW show, she hasn’t been qui-

et about the show itself, dishing to fans on Twitter Thursday that shooting for The Carrie Diaries’ first season was complete. “Last day on set! Our incredible wardrobe dpt dressed in full 80s!!! And did a flash mob in one of our scenes,” Robb tweeted Thursday. “That’s a wrap on season 1 of #thecarriediaries.”

Did Selena Gomez diss Justin Bieber in new dance video?

AND the hits just keep on coming for Justin Bieber.

After his less than great week in London, which included starting a concert two hours late, collapsing on stage and lunging at a photographer, the pop star’s ex-girlfriend Selena Gomez is now adding fuel to the fire. In a new YouTube video, Gomez and several friends, including Secret Life of the American Teenager star Fran-

Sarah Jessica Parker on The Carrie Diaries: “It’s odd”

SOMETHING tells us Sarah Jessica Parker isn’t a huge fan of the Carrie Diaries.

The Sex and the City star gave her rather blunt opinion about the showturned-movie’s prequel recently, and let’s just say it wasn’t a rave review. When asked how she felt about another actress playing Carrie Bradshaw,

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.5 ISSUE 264 • TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2013

TRAVEL

PIADI GROUNDBREAKING. Officers and members of Printing Industries Association of Davao, Inc. (PIADI) led by chairman Lands Aviola (7th from left) offer a prayer during the blessing and groundbreaking ceremony of PIADI Multi-Purpose Cooperative building project in General Santos City. The said building will house the cooperative’s Gen. Santos City branch and

will have a 4-door warehouse which will be available for leasing. Also in the photo are (from L-R) director Armand Lim, Edna Ramirez, Pacita Aviola, director Marissa Atega, director Olivia Velasco, Dominic Carpio, treasurer Jon-Jon Ramirez, Bashir Husain, director Nenita Milana and officiating priest Rev. Fr. Jeniño D. Agudulo . Lean Daval Jr.

SPORTS 15

EDGEDAVAO VOL.6 ISSUE 264 •TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2013

5TH PHOENIX OPEN GOLF

It’s Da Gov!

By Neil Bravo

Women’s tandem wins Partners title

AKING a time out from work, Sarangani Governor Miguel Dominguez sure

knows why golf is a best respite from governance. For a change, the youthful Governor took

guidance from his caddie and followed the instructions like an executive order. At day’s end, Dominguez happily signed a one-under par scorecard good for 37 points to win the overall individual gross title of the 5th Phoenix Open golf tournament. After swinging one of the ceremonial balls along with Phoenix President and CEO Dennis Uy early in the morning, Dominguez tamed the par-72 Rancho Palos Verdes layout and fired the day’s only sub-par round. Sharing the limelight with Dominguez were women’s tandem Evelyn Quinsay and Virgie Hermeston, Joe Elises, Mark Oropeza, Ninot Galicia, Renato Sanchez, Archie Moralizon, Rolly Lazarte, Jericho Bajo, Doming Lanoy and Ed De Guzman. The Quinsay-Hermeston duo combined for an aggregate 87 after piecing together 46 and 41 to beat the men’s tandem of Oscar Garcia and Greg Del Monte (77) and Dieny Monadero and Victor Co (76). Elises won the overall net title with a 47, Oropeza won the Class A net with a 39, Galicia took the Class A gross with an even par 36, Sanchez won the Class B net,

Moralizon took the Class B gross, Bajon won the Class C net, Bajo got the Class C gross, De Guzman bagged the Class D net and Lanoy went home with the Class D gross. Uy thanked the 240 golfers who answered the twin tee times and the strong support of the tournament partners. “We are glad that this tournament that we started five years ago is now one of the most awaited golf events in Davao, Phoenix will continue to provide you with this brand of tournament,” said Uy in his speech during the awarding ceremonies which featured celebrity host Ethel Booba and the television coverage team of television network AKTV composed of Erika Padilla, Lian Cruz, Mara Aquino and Jake Gonzales. In the team division, Eagle 3 with Elises, Jorge Segovia, Tony Batao, Apo Luna and Alvin Tesado, won the team title with a combined scores of 167. Pioneer 1 of Joe Lafuente, Cesar Sulaik, Obet Canilao, Richmond Alejo, and Roy Quemada with 156 points finished second. Pomelo Verde 1 composed of Martin Sara, Richard Dorado, Jeffrey Abijay, Jun Canedo and Hermie Martin with 154 was third.

HE 76th Araw ng Dabaw basketball tournament opens today with a two-game bill at the Davao City Recreation Center. Mayor Sara Duterte and Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte have been invited to grace the opening ceremonies this afternoon with the organizing Liga Dabaw officials led by chairman Willie Torres and league commissioner Butch Ramirez. Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas regional director Boy Cua will also be present.

Defending champion Montana Pawnshop with import Jamel Comley is the sentimental pick to retain the title although the strongest team on paper is the 2012 Kadayawan champion Royal Mandaya Hotel-VMO which will possibly bring in Global Port import Justin Williams. Goldstar Hardware with the San Beda connection of Sam Ekwe and Pong Escobal is the tournament darkhorse. The fourth team is Team Villar from Manila. (Neil Bravo)

AnD cagefest opens today T

CHAMP. Sarangani Governor Migz Dominguez (top) shows fine for off the tee en route to winning the gross overall title. (Below left) Joe Marfori watches his putt roll. PCSupt Alden Delvo (right) pitches from the apron and

the winning tandem of Evelyn Quinsay and Virgie Hermeston in the partner division of the 5th Phoenix Open. Boy Lim

16 SPORTS

VOL.6 ISSUE 264 • TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

Iligan bet upstages Nerza By Neil Bravo

PHOENIX OPEN. Phoenix Petroleum CEO Dennis Uy (left) swings the ceremonial ball of the 5th Phoenix Open golf tournament. Joel Yamyamin (right) blasts out of the trap. Story on page 15. (Boy Lim)

EFFREY Sotto of Iligan weathered a mad chase by title favorite Anthony Nerza to score a wire-to-wire win in the 2nd Araw ng Dabaw Phoenix Marathon on Sunday. Sotto broke away from the pack right from the bark of gun at SM City Davao in Ecoland and for a visiting runner, it looked like that was quite a big risk. He proved the experts wrong when he sustained his pace despite the final push by the reigning Milo regional champion Nerza in the final three kilometers. Nerza poured on the heat on the descent from Buhangin but that proved to be futile as he lost steam and finished a mere ten strides adrift of Sotto when the Iligan champion crossed the arc at SM Lanang Premier. Sotto negotiated the 42.195 kilometer distance in 2 hours37 minutes and 48 seconds. Nerza checked in four seconds behind for second place. Brian Quiamco came in third with a time of 2:47:57, followed by Rodel Quilab (2:53:11) and Jen-

sen Lloyd Pasaporte (2:56:49). More than 3,000 runners from Mindanao and Manila joined the “SM to SM Run” which also featured races in 3K, 5K, 10K and 21K. Nerza will have to be content celebrating a rousing win by girlfriend Emily Avergonzado . Avergonzado won the women’s title with a time of 3:27:15 besting top bet and Borkenshire teammate Cynthia Jaro (3:33:13) and her coach Mona Lisa Ambasa (3:33:35). Cristy Sevellino (3:37:07) and Michelle Batac (3:39:24) rounded out the top five. Sotto and Avergonzado each received a grand prize of P25,000 in cash. Second placers received P15,000, third placers P10,000, fourth P5,000, and fifth P3,000. In the 21K race, Rafael Poliquit led the men with a time of 1:13:30. Philip Dueñas (1:14:06) finished second, followed by Joebert Carolino (1:15:29) at third, Gilbert Maluyo (1:20:12) at fourth, and Arnie Macañeras (1:32:21) at fifth.