Edge Davao 5 Issue 45 by Edge Davao The Business Paper

EDGEDAVAO

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

VOL.5 ISSUE 45 • MAY 8 , 2012

www.edgedavao.net

Serving a seamless society

Indulge Page A4

Science/Environment Page 4

GSIS, SSS assistance

Education loans released May 10 By Jade C. Zaldivar

HE P11.2 billion educational assistance fund program (EAFP) will be released starting May 10, Thursday, by the Aquino government in time

n 65,000 GSIS members in Davao

Region may borrow n But critics call amount “too

small”

for the opening of classes.

Members of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) may receive P4,000 while qualified members of the Social Security System (SSS), specifically those with monthly salaries of P10,000 and below, may receive P15,000.

FEDUCATION, 13

Sports Page 15

HI-TECH. A tribal leader wearing the traditional garb of the Matigsalug Tribe sports a pair of dark sunglasses while using a handy digital video camera in Kitaotao, Bukidnon on Monday. [KARLOS MANLUPIG]

Hedcor promise

Bukidnon hydro won’t dislocate homes Follow Us On

By Lorie A. Cascaro

HE run-of-river hydroelectric power projects of Hedcor Bukidnon, Inc. at the Sita and Simod rivers in Kitaotao,

Bukidnon will not involve the relocation of homes in the areas, according to Gregorio Jabonillo, vice president for business development of Hedcor, Inc. last Monday during the signing of memorandum of agreement (MOA) with ba-

rangay council of Sinuda, Kitaotao, Bukidnon. “Run-of-river type, wala tay impounding. Ang ato lang kung unsay tubig sa sapa mao ray atong gamiton as mandated by the National Water Resources

FBUKIDNON, 13

THE BIG NEWS

VOL.5 ISSUE 45 • MAY 8, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

division of ancestral domain 21-truckloads of hot logs No with Davao tribesmen: Gawilan turned over to Mayor Uy D A By Lorie A. Cascaro

By Jade C. Zaldivar

total of 2,461 pieces (490.21 cubic meters) of illegallycut lauan logs aboard 21 trucks were intercepted and confiscated by the Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force (AILTF) headed by Louie Ceniza, last May 6 in barangay Kasapa, Loreto, Agusan. The logs, valued at P3.4 million, were turned over to Tagum City Mayor Rey, presumably to be converted into school fur-

niture. “The apprehension of the logs was made possible through the joint efforts of the National Illegal Logging Task Force, the Community Environment and Natural Resources Officers of Nabunturan and Tagum, the regional task force of Caraga Region, and the local government units of Tagum City and the Province of Compostela Valley,” Ceniza said. Uy said the logs will be utilized by the local government of Tagum through its Care for

School Chairs (CFSC) Program which fabricates school furniture, like armchairs, desks, tables and kiddie chairs for students. Uy estimates that the logs will make about 7,000 pieces of chairs “which will be of great benefit to students in Region 11 as the CFSC Program does not limit its beneficiaries to Tagum City alone. The program, Uy’s brainchild, has already distributed 40,022 chairs since August 2011.

ATU Roelito Gawilan, chairperson of the Federation of Matigsalog-Manobo Tribal Council (Femmatrics) said last Monday he would not allow division of their ancestral domain among fellow tribes in Davao City as requested by the MatigsalogManobo Tribal Leaders of Davao City. The tribe’s ancestral domain covers Cotabato, Kitaotao in Bukidnon and Davao City and some tribe members want ar-

HYDROPOWER. Hedcor Vice-President for its Business Department Gregorio Jabonillo (right) and Barangay Sinuda in Kitaotao Chairman Roelito Gawilan (left) lead the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement for the 28.2 MW Bukidnon Hydroelectric Power Project. [KARLOS MANLUPIG]

House to prioritize bill integrating all land administration agencies

EVERAL measures seeking to institute reforms in land administration in the country and eliminate wastages in resources and manpower are now included in the priority bills . The consolidated bill had been referred to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and other stakeholders for their respective position papers to help fine tune the delicate provisions of the measure. “The reform measure seeks to integrate all land administration functions currently dispersed among multiple agencies into a single agency and to enable the lands sector to contribute to economic growth and poverty alleviation,” said Rep. Cesar Jalosjos, Chairman of the House Committee on Government Reorganization. The authors of the bill are Reps. Juan Ed-

gardo Angara (Lone District, Aurora), Diosdado Arroyo (1st District, Camarines Sur), Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (2nd District, Pampanga), Rufus Rodriguez (2nd District, Cagayan de Oro), Maximo Rodriguez (Partylist, Abante Mindanao) and Salvador Escudero III (1st District, Sorsogon). “The Philippines is unusual, compared to its neighboring countries. The government’s land administration functions are currently dispersed across multiple agencies,” Angara said. “The utilization of our land resources for national and local development is crucial to maximize the benefits derived from utilization, management and ownership of land,” Arroyo said. The five bills have been the basis for the Committees on Government Reorganization,

Natural Resources and Justice in coming up with a substitute measure, which has been referred to the Committee on Appropriations chaired by Rep.Joseph Emilio Abaya (1st District, Cavite) relative to its funding provisions. Key provisions include that the Land Administration Authority (LAA) be attached to the Office of the President and shall be the primary government agency responsible for land administration and public land management, Rodriguez said. Escudero said the proposed reform statute also vests adjudicatory powers on the Land Adjudication Board over all land administration and public land management cases. Escudero said the powers and functions of the LAA vested by law in the DENR, DOJ, the Land

Registration Authority, Register of Deeds, the Land Management Bureau, Land Management Service, the DENR and CARP National Secretariat or any office within or attached to these agencies are transferred to the Office of the Director General. Under the bill, the LAA shall formulate land administration and management policies in accordance with existing national laws. It shall also conduct, integrate and regulate the functions of geodetic and geophysical surveys, land classification surveys, mapping, aerial photography, remote sensing, mangement of resource information needed by both public and private sectors, and research development in accordance with existing laws and internationally accepted norms, procedures and standards.

eas in Davao City to be managed separately from the Femmatrics after noting that most projects for indigenous people have been given to those in the Bukidnon area. Saying that the city council has taken up the matter, Gawilan is optimistic that he would be able to unite the tribes and maintain their ancestral domain intact. “Dako akong paglaum nga matibuok gihapon sila, tapos dili sila maglantaw nga taga Davao na sila, dili sila magtan-aw nga taga Bukidnon, nga dili nila paryente, pero kung tan-awon nimo ang ilang mga gikagikan, susama sa usa ka kahoy, we are the leaves of the same tree, we are the fruits of the same tree,” he told Edge Davao. He said Femmatrics had tried not to discuss political boundaries, which is the government’s responsibility, but they are still united in one culture, and ancestral domain. “Sa wala pa nahimong probinsiya ang Davao, wala pa may probinsiya ang Cotabato, wala pa ang Bukidnon, nahiusa mi pagpuyo dinhi. Tungod kay ang gobyerno man ang nagdesisyon sa mga political boundaries, wala

ginalantaw kung unsa ba ning mga tawhana ni. Tungod ang political boundaries dili nato malikayan nga magamit ang Matigsalog ug Manobo sa politika nga hisgutanan. Pero kung hisgutanang kultura, yutang kabilin, diha mi nagkahiusa,” he said. Pertaining to the claim of some members that most projects were focused in Bukidnon area, Gawilan said, “Dili kana tinuod, kay sama diri karon kung unsay kalambuan moabot diri karon, kung pirmahan nako ang kasabutan sa Hedcor, duna gihapon silay kalabutan didto ka yang ilang mga paryente naa diri sa Bukidnon.” He signed the memorandum of agreement (MOA) as barangay captain of Sinuda with Hedcor, Inc. last Monday for the Bukidnon Hydroelectric power project. He will also be representing the Femmatrics in the next MOA signing, which is also one of the requirements of Hedcor to secure permits from government agencies before starting the project. “Kung aduna may kalambuan dinhi, ang ilang mga pamilya ilang mga anak makabenipisyo gihapon kay usa ra man

FNO DIVISION, 13

NEDA underscores good governance

OCIOECONOMIC Planning Secretary and NEDA Director-General Cayetano W. Paderanga, Jr., during the Philippine Corporate and Investment Pavilion and 45th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), said good governance is the Philippine government’s guiding principle to “ensure that public-private agreements are mutually advantageous and would safeguard the public’s interest.” Paderanga also cited the country’s accomplishments in the area of governance. The Philippines, he said, has improved its competitiveness ranking based on the Transparency International Corruption Perception index and World Economic Forum Competitiveness Rankings. “With this, the Philippines is considered an emerging market economy in the region and is poised to become an

influential economy in the coming years. The country’s potential lies in the key growth areas of agribusiness, business process outsourcing and tourism,” he said. In the same seminar, dubbed as “Building Infrastructure, Driving Growth: PPP as a Catalyst for Transformation,” Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center Executive Director Cosette Canilao stressed that PPP gained momentum with the approval of the DaangHari SLEX Link Road. “It only took 13 months to get this project tendered,” Canilao said,adding that the government worked on laying the foundations to build productive partnerships and instituted mechanisms and facilities that helped implementing agencies to undertake projects that are properly prepared, relevant and economically viable for both government and the private sector.

EDGEDAVAO

THE BIG NEWS

VOL.5 ISSUE 45 • MAY 8, 2012

Music culture makes waves in Davao City

O celebrate Davao’s widely diverse music culture and showcase the inherent talent of its home-grown musicians, the Davao music community is launching a website to increase awareness and support for Davao music culture and Davao musicians. Davao Music Nation (DMN) is an internet magazine created by the Davao music community for the fans and for anyone looking for good music. “We have all this talent in Davao City and most of us who live here aren’t even aware that they exist,” says entrepreneur and website co-founder, Jessica Madrazo. “There’s actually more to Davao than just show bands and ethnic music. We have reggae, hip hop, metal, folk, acoustic, jazz and many more. We have tons of great original music just waiting for an audience. And we have lots of great music places that could rival any bar or club in the country.” Efforts like this have been done before, but the founders believe that this time, Davao City is ready to appreciate its own music. Johann Calderon, member of the band Austronauts and co-founder of the DMN, adds, “We know there are people in Davao looking for good, original music but they just don’t know where to find it. And with the population of the city growing at such a fast pace, the demand for good music is increasing. And unlike the websites that came before us, we’re armed with the knowledge and skills to make these musicians more visible on the internet. We have a massive social media following. We have great online resources now that make it easier for fans and musicians to interact with one another.”

In addition to being an online resource for Davao music talent, Jessica sees the website as a means to a bigger goal. “By showing fellow Filipinos and the world how great Davao music is, we’re giving them more reasons to come and stay in Davao. We see this website as the first big step in strengthening the Davao music community so it can eventually make a mark in the local and music market. We have all the means to create and produce great music. DMN is simply the avenue to help musicians make their music more accessible to the public without changing their identity.” To show Davao City that DMN is intent on making its presence known, the website will celebrate its launch this May 26 with not just one, but two concerts which will occur simultaneously and these concerts will be streamed live on its website. Why two concerts? “That’s how big the Davao music community is,” says JR de Castro, band member of Astronauts and cofounder of the DMN. “We have so much talent in Davao City that one concert is not enough.” The first concert will be at D-Bar located inside the Madrazo Compund, Bangoy Street. The second concert will be at Sales Diner and Moozika, located at Sales cor. Monteverde. Details of the concert will be released through DMN’s Facebook and Twitter accounts. Both concerts will be streamed live on the website, DavaoMusicaNation. com. Some of the local bands expected to perform in the event include We Ride Dynamite, As the City Sleeps, Alto Indio, Anne and The 50s, Kwatro Medya, Maybe Someday, Pigflu, Simple lang and Villain. [PR]

By Jade C. Zaldivar

From July 20 to August 18 this year, Ramadan is the Islamic month of fasting, during which participating Muslims refrain from eating and drinking during daylight hours. The practice is intended to teach Muslims about patience, spirituality, humility and submissiveness to God. Applicants for nursing positions should be graduates of Bachelor of Science in Nursing, with or without board license, not more than 40 years of age, and with at least two years experience in hospital work or one year hospital experience but with Prometric Exams. Female nurses are paid 3,150 Saudi Riyal or P35,532 per month. Agdamag said the KSA will also be hiring as many as 500 doctors,

SUPERMOON. Despite the downpour on Sunday evening, the rare occurrence in the solar system called “Supermoon”, where the moon is in its closest point to Earth, was witnessed by the residents of Davao. [KARLOS MANLUPIG]

Saudi Arabia needs 800 nurses, 500 doctors, medical specialists

HE Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) Ministry of Health says the country needs the services of more medical workers. The Ministry says it has vacancies for 800 female Muslim nurses and 500 physicians and medical specialists. Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Davao region chief Carolina Agdamag said in an interview that the KSA always has a high demand for medical workers, but noted this is the first time such a high number are needed. “Siguro dahil malapit na rin ang Ramadan. Their medical workers will need replacements as they observe Ramadan,” Agdamad told Edge Davao.

physicians, and medical specialists. Applicants for these positions can be male or female, not more than 60 years old, with Bachelor of Science diploma and board licensed, with at least one year hospital work experience. Salary offered is SR10,000 to SR25,000 or P112,800 to P282,000. Other benefits include free food and accommodation, paid annual vacation with free roundtrip economy ticket, and free tickets for the family. Agdamag advises qualified applicants to register online at www. poea.gov.ph or www.eregister.poea.gov.ph and to submit a detailed resume with job description, school credentials, and employment certificates among others.

4Ps scheme didn’t increase enrollment, says principal

By Lorie A. Cascaro

HE principal of the SIR Elementary School, Matina, Davao City, Ronaldo Seras said the government’s conditional cash transfer (CCT) scheme under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) had not resulted in an increase in the number of enrollees as had been expected. However, he said the number of enrollees in the last three years since the implementation of 4Ps, cannot be correlated with the expected result of the program since the community’s population has not increased appreciably. “Daghan diri sa surrounding puro na boarders, wala na gyud nadungagan ang mga naay pamilya,” he

Principal Ronald Seras of the SIR Elementary School, Davao City added. School records show that in the academic year 2008-2009, the total number of pupils from kinder and grades one to six was 1,484. In school year 20092010, there were 1,487 pupils; in 2010-2011, there were 1,500 pupils; and, in 2011-2012, 1,484. The minimal decrease or increase in the number of pupils may be attributed

to the transfer of a pupil from one school to another because of sudden change of address, either due to demolition or that their parents found a new job in another location. Seras recalled the time when some pupils who used to be informal settlers in front of World Palace at Juna Subdivision, Matina, stopped schooling after their makeshift houses were demolished. He said an increase in population of a community means more pupils are enrolled in a public school with or without 4Ps, citing Kabacan Elementary School in Ecoland where there was a new batch of informal settlers. Most of the studentbeneficiaries of 4Ps had been enrolled in the school prior to the program’s implementation. At the SIR Elementary School last year, some 200

F4PS SCHEME, 13

4 SCIENCE/ENVIRONMENT

VOL.5 ISSUE 45 • MAY 8, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Davao waters: Home to new crab species By Jims Vincent T. Capuno

HE Philippines , touted to be the Pearl of the Orient Seas , has the richest concentration of marine life on the entire planet, according to a study conducted by Kent Carpenter, Old Dominion University associate professor of biological sciences in Virginia , USA . “Scientists have long known that the area in Southeast Asia that includes Indonesia , Malaysia and the Philippines hold the richest marine biodiversity. I was amazed to discover that the extreme center of this biodiversity is in the Philippines , rather than closer to the equator,” said Prof. Carpenter. “However, a geographical information system analysis of this extensive database clearly shows this pattern.” A multidisciplinary project headed by Carpenter that lasted more than a decade and involved 101 of the world’s foremost authorities on marine life produced 2,983 maps of marine species for the western Pacific Ocean . The study was conducted for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. The computer analysis was done with the support of Conservation International. The results of these findings were published in the journal Environmental Biology of Fishes under the title, “The Center of the Center of Marine Shorefish Biodiversity : The Philippine Islands.” Dr. Victor Springer of the National Museum of Natural History in Washington , D.C. co-authored the article. Most of the species found in the Philippine waters are endemic and threatened with extinction. “The livelihood of many Filipinos depends on the health of their marine ecosystem,” Prof. Carpenter said. “There is a big dilemma however, in that the use of this valuable resource is often at odds with its conservation, and without conservation the resource will soon loose its value.” Scientists are still at a loss to the total number of marine species as to the continuing discovery and description of new species. In fact, some of them may soon join the extinct dodo and vanish from this part of the world without being named. In the waters of Punta Dumalag in Matina Aplaya, Davao City , a new species of crab has been identified by Dr. Jose P. Naval. Actually, it is a sponge crab similar to the one identified in Australia by a scientist in 1923. The crabs

are called as such because of their habit of carrying a sponge at the back of their shells to avoid predators. Dr. Naval is not a marine scientist but a medical doctor. How he discovered the crab is an interesting story in itself. On March 17, he left his clinic and drove some 20 minutes to Punta Dumalag to see Jerry Gumadane, a diver who had multiple body injuries due to mugging incident. On entering the stilt house of the patient, he saw an unusual crab inside a pail of water. It caught his attention but since he was there for the patient, he didn’t bother to examine it well. But after treating the patient, he requested to see the crab closely. “I became inquisitive because it was no ordinary crab,” he recalled. “Unlike the common crabs, it has no big pincers to defend itself.” Dr. Naval suspected the crab was female due to its wide abdominal cover. “The tips of the second and third pair of legs are distinct claws,” he described. “The crab has two pairs of pointed pincer-like hooks at the back which hold something like a net to cover its shell as its way of a camouflage to distract predators.” During their conversation, Dr. Naval found out that the man brings such kind of crabs to his family for food consumption. A crab weighs from half a kilogram to more than a kilogram. Jerry, who is married with four kids, calls the crab kargador because it looks like a porter carrying a luggage for money. Dr. Naval, who has seen a lot of crabs since childhood and has eaten various species, was excited to see a crab which has a unique form. He asked the diver if he could bring the crab. At home, he took photos of the crab. He had no trouble doing research on it since biology was his pre-medical course. “One of our subjects was taxonomy, the science of the classification and identification of animals,” he said. Dr. Naval found a similar species named Dromidia australis. “Is it one and the same species?” he wondered. He made a comparative study based on the descriptions of the Australian species and the pictures in the book. He also checked on the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature regarding the classification of the crab. After his thorough research using the Zoological Catalogue of Australia by P.J. Davie, Dr. Naval concluded that what he found

White-sand beach at Punta Dumalag in the Davao waters was a new species of sponge crab. “Unlike the Australian species, I discovered that the Davao species has bigger pincer-like structures for males and they are hairy like velvet on their exoskeleton, like the ones described on mitten crabs.” Since the new crab species was found in the waters of Davao , Dr. Naval named it scientifically as Dromidia davawensis. “This is in honor of our city, which is the site of the discovery,” he says. Indeed, Dr. Naval has gone a long, long way in his passion for the protection of the environment. To think of, it was only in early 2000 that he started his advocacy. “I saw a narra wood bought by my father from Kapalong, Davao del Norte in 1968,” he recalled. “I transformed it into a beautiful ornamental dragon table, which is now displayed in our house.” Seeing the narra wood transformed into something beautiful completely changed his outlook towards the environment. He now buys reject logs and turns them into some sculptured masterpieces. He displays some of them in his clinic and if you have the opportunity of visiting his house, you will see other beautiful carvings made from rejected logs. During his spare time, he writes environmental issues and concerns in his newsletter, Environmental Watch, a project of the southern Mindanao chapter of Philippine College of Occupational Medicine . He was its former past president and now a member of its advisory council.

The new crab species In one of the newsletter’s issues, Dr. Naval wrote about the environmental problems in Punta Dumalag, a turtle sanctuary. The area is supposed to be home to some of Davao ’s beautiful beaches as it has white sand scattered all over its seashores. But its beauty is spoiled by congested houses, growing population, and marine pollution. “As you drive along towards Punta Dumalag, you will see the shorelines on both sides teemed with houses that congested the road,” he wrote. Not only that, the waters are contaminated with Escherichia coli bacteria which made the city government to declare the shorelines not fit for swimming and dangerous to health. In some of his recent trips, he noticed that some fishing boats coming from the different barangays of Davao City are using the west side of the shorelines of Punta

Dumalag for cleaning, repairing, and repainting of their commercial fishing boats as ‘wet-docks.’ “They come here as they please,” Dr. Naval deplores. In the ‘wet-dockings,’ the workers of fishing boats would scrape the rusts and paints of their boats. They make the sea water as a free source of cleansing water, “but their toxic waste is deposited in the shorelines and the sea bed.” There are more concerns: “The seawater is also being polluted by the crude oil leaking from the boat’s engine,” Dr. Naval claims. “The whirlpool on the propeller side of the fishing boats likewise

Quips

disturbs the marine life beneath it causing marine habitat destructions.” Dr. Naval wants Punta Dumalag to be protected from further pollution and destruction. He believes if nothing is done soon, the newly discovered crab species may become extinct. “I would like to encourage everyone to do their respective responsibilities in the protection of our natural resources in general and the marine habitat in particular,” he points out. “By doing so, we would be able to protect the new and the old species of flora and fauna, especially the newlyidentified crab of Davao , the Dromidia davawensis.”

‘WE recently held a meeting and shared the same apprehension that we may lose the valuable market in China as a result of the dispute over the shoal.’

--Stephen Antig, president of the Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA). PDI

EDGEDAVAO

Stat Watch

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

3.5% 4th Qtr 2011

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

3.7% 4th Qtr 2011 USD 3,342 Million Nov 2011 USD 4,985 Million Nov 2011 USD -1,643 Million Nov 2011 USD -114 Million Dec 2011 P4,442,355 Million Nov 2011

3. Exports 1/ 4. Imports 1/ 5. Trade Balance 6. Balance of Payments 2/ 7. Broad Money Liabilities 8. Interest Rates 4/

4.71% Oct 2011 P128,745 Million Nov 2011 P 4,898 Billion Oct 2011

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

P 43.65 Dec 2011

12. Stocks Composite Index 6/

3,999.7 Sept 2011

13. Consumer Price Index 2006=100

128.1 Jan 2012

14. Headline Inflation Rate 2006=100

3.9 Jan 2012

15. Core Inflation Rate 2006=100

3.4 Dec 2011

16. Visitor Arrivals

284,040 Sept 2011

17. Underemployment Rate 7/

19.1% Oct 2011

18. Unemployment Rate 7/

6.4% Oct 2011

THE ECONOMY

VOL.5 ISSUE 45 • MAY 8, 2012

PBGEA: Plantations in Bukidnon do good agricultural practices T

HE Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA) said that the agricultural plantations in the town of Malaybalay, Bukidnon are owned and operated by some of the world’s most acclaimed agricultural companies that have complied with the strictest international agricultural standards. This came as a reaction to the news that Malaybalay has passed a resolution stopping plantation expansion. The companies operating in Bukidnon are composed of Sumifru, Dole, and Unifrutti. “These companies have ISO Green certifications or are accredited by the Rainforest Alliance, which shows that the agricultural practices that they are doing are sustainable and not harmful to the environment, contrary to what some non-government organizations’ claimed,” PBGEA executive director Stephen Antig said.Moreover, Antig said that the resolution passed by the

Malaybalay council prohibiting the expansion of agricultural plantations is something that will drive away additional investments in the area, which is primarily dependent on agriculture. While the operations of the agricultural plantations in the area will continue, the plantations will no longer be able to expand with the resolution in place. Antig also said that it is not only illogical for banana industries to destroy the soil quality but also detrimental to their own operations as well, given that the produce of the banana plantations is heavily dependent on the soil quality. The banana industry, one of the top employers in the countryside, contributes significantly to the economic development of areas where it is operating. In April, the Malaybalay city council passed a resolution imposing a moratorium on the expansion of agricultural plantations citing environmental and agricultural concerns.

City Councilor Anthony Canuto Barroso, chair of the committees on agriculture and environmental protection, said that the resolution was in response to complaints from barangay councils against the fast conversion of farms into plantations and its effects on the environment and agricultural practices. The city council noted the expansion of plantations in barangays Bangcud, Cabangahan, Casisang, Imbayao, Laguitas, Magsaysay, Mapayag, and San Jose. Barroso said the fruit companies would deal directly with the land owners without bothering to obtain the prior consent of the barangay councils and the City Environment and Natural Resources Office. He said the resolution came after the committee hearings on the impact of the expansion on the environment and agriculture. “They have yet to convince us also about their flood control and damage control systems,” Barroso said, adding the

City ENRO is yet to form a technical working group to study the actual impact. City Councilor Roland Deticio, who filed a similar resolution, argued that the resolution must be imposed already while the study is being conducted to stop the fast rate of expansion that endangers the city’s flood control system and food security. Barroso clarified that they are open to dialogue with the fruit companies. He cited a fruit company, which has scheduled an audience with the city council. “We will hear their position. They have to convince us about what their protection systems are (for the environment and agriculture),” he added. He noted that they may lift the moratorium if they obtain the prior informed consent of the barangays, and “if they convince us about their mechanisms.” “But if they can’t, the moratorium will stay for a long time,” he said.

MONTHLY AVERAGE EXCHANGE RATE (January 2009 - December 2011) Month

2011

2010

2009

Average December November October September August July June May April March

43.31 43.64 43.27 43.45 43.02 42.42 42.81 43.37 43.13 43.24 43.52

45.11 43.95 43.49 43.44 44.31 45.18 46.32 46.30 45.60 44.63 45.74

47.637 46.421

February

43.70

46.31

January

44.17

46.03

47.032 46.851 48.139

48.161 48.146 47.905 47.524 48.217

48.458 47.585 47.207

COMMEMORATIVE BILL. The Philippine government issued today 500-piso Philippine banknotes with an overprint of the logo of the 45th Annual Meeting of the Asian Development Bank to express solidarity with the ADB’s goal to free Asia and the Pacific from poverty. By ADB’s estimate, about 1.8 billion people in the region are poor and unable to access essential goods, services, and opportunities. The overprint

is on the 500-piso banknote that features the late Senator Benigno Aquino, Jr. who said: “The Filipino is worth dying for.” A total of 10 million pieces of these 500-peso banknotes were printed by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to make it available to the general public through banks across the country.

as of august 2010

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

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

5:45 5:45 6:00 6:10 7:50 7:50 8:00 9:10 9:40 11:30 12:00 18:55 12:55 13:35

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

6:15 6:25 6:30 7:00 8:50 8:10 8:30 9:40 10:10 12:20 12:30 13:35 13:25 14:05

Silk Air Thu/Sun 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

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

18:55 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 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

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

THE ECONOMY

VOL.5 ISSUE 45 • MAY 8, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Franchising to push PHL economy F

RANCHISING will continue to be a strong tool to move the global economy forward, this after international franchise leaders from world umbrella organizations World Franchise Council (WFC) and the Asia Pacific Franchise Confederation (APFC) affirmed the tried-andtested investment benefits of franchising at the twin meetings of the WFC-APFC during Franchise Asia 2011 hosted by the Philippines through the Philippine Franchise Association (PFA). Chairman Emeritus Samie Lim said that franchising, despite the worldwide financial downturn and other economic hurdles, had sustained its core mission of enterprise development and employment generation. According to WFC-APFC Manila Declaration of 2011, many countries that recognized the advantages of franchising had adopted policies which actively supported new franchise business ownership, which in turn promoted MSME (Micro SME) development, the very backbone of any economy. Thus, “the international franchise community is one in calling for a strong and constructive cooperation between and among the government, the banking sector and the franchise

sector to provide an enabling environment which will provide stimulus to economies worldwide,” Lim, who also served as WFC chair, said. Lim said that, based on the WFC country reports presented by national franchise associations for last year, franchising in eight of the top 11 countries created around 2 million franchise outlets, which generated over 17 million employment opportunities worldwide. “Apart from these, franchising achieves other farreaching economic and social benefits, among them wealth creation, advancement of MSMEs, and empowerment of women,” he said. Included in the top 11 performing countries in the WFC report, the Philippines contributed more than a million jobs created from around 125,000 franchise outlets, which in turn accounted for a billion or 30 percent of retail output in 2011. PFA, as the biggest franchise association in the country, continues to be the lead agent in creating programs which serve as catalyst for the entire growth of the Philippine franchise sector. These programs are crafted and implemented through the various committees of the Association, each of which are headed by

the top names in the franchising sector comprising the PFA Board of Trustees. PFA president and Wendy’s Chairman Yvette PardoOrbeta expressed optimism that the local franchising sector will continue to be a main driver for national economic growth, citing record figures achieved by Franchise Asia 2011 last September. “The International Franchise Expo, with its more than 50,000 visitors, is expected to generate P 50 billion worth of businesses in the next three years, which would be equal to around 12,500 actual franchise outlets. These new businesses roughly translate to 200,000 additional job opportunities for the Filipinos. These numbers from the franchising sector will definitely boost the country’s economic activity from 2012 onwards,” Pardo-Orbeta said. Pardo-Orbeta cited PFA member companies’ continuing expansion plans which echo the Association’s positive outlook for the sector, among them Philippine Seven Corp., the local operator of the 7-Eleven convenience store chain, and Jollibee Foods Corp. “7-Eleven has 150 new stores being planned for opening this year to support the company’s target of 1,000 outlets by 2013. Jollibee on the other hand would roll out 300 new stores in

2012, including almost 150 stores within 11 existing international markets,” she said. Aside from national expansion, homegrown franchise companies are opting to use the franchising strategy to penetrate foreign markets. PFA Chairman and Max’s president Robert F. Trota said: “Franchising has now become an important channel for successfully exporting Filipino brands, products and services. Aside from Jollibee, other Pinoy brands are proud flag-carriers overseas, to name a few – Max’s, Red Ribbon, Chowking, Goldilocks, Potato Corner, Pancake House and Waffle Time.” Trota, who sits as chairman for the association’s Committee on Filipino Global Brands, cited PFA’s strong international network and affiliations, giving PFA the opportunity to promote its member franchisors through various trade shows abroad. “With PFA’s bilateral ties with other foreign franchise groups, we are able to introduce our homegrown franchises to international investors who might be interested to bring Philippine brands to their respective countries,” Trota said. The PFA leadership also noted other positive developments in the franchising sector, most important

Just how green is green?

of which is the increased awareness from related industries to support franchising to fully maximize its potentials. “Franchising has now been receiving good feedbacks from enablers, among them IT companies and financial institutions. It is good that we are learning from what other countries are doing, picking up their best practices, to grow the

Money Talks

franchising sector and in turn , the economy as well,” Trota said. “Hopefully, with PFA strengthening its effort of promoting entrepreneurship through wise franchise investments – especially with a series of franchise seminars all over the country – we can secure the sustained growth of Philippine franchising,” said Pardo-Orbeta. (PNA)

April inflation hits 3 percent

EAR-on-year headline inflation rose to 3.0 percent in April from 2.6 percent in March. The year-to-date average of 3.0 percent was within both the Government’s inflation target range of 3-5 percent for 2012 and the BSP’s forecast range for the month of 2.1-3.0 percent. Higher inflation in April was attributed largely to the increase in inflation for housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels due to higher rental rates and electricity charges. Food inflation also went up as prices of fish and vegetables increased as a result of Lenten season demand. Likewise, transport infla-

tion increased owing to the implementation of the jeepney transport fare increase. Governor Amando M. Tetangco, Jr. noted that, while the April inflation rate was within expectations, the BSP remains mindful of the upside risks to the outlook for inflation, particularly the impact of volatility in oil and other commodity prices. For this reason, the BSP will continue to keep a close watch on price pressures over the policy horizon and will ensure that monetary policy settings are consistent with the price stability mandate while being supportive of non-inflationary growth.

5 reasons why Baguio residents need not fret Entrepreneurship caravan kicks off in Compostela

By Armando M. Palijon Arborist/Urban Forestry Practitioner

am writing this simple prognosis in my capacity as a concerned private citizen in order to provide some insights on the issue of balling and transplanting of Benguet Pine (Pinus kesiya) and Alnus (Alnus japonica) trees at the SM City Baguio Expansion Project. Tree Health Assessment. I was commissioned to conduct tree health assessment inside the SM Prime Holdings Property at Luneta Hill, the site identified for the SM City Baguio Expansion project sometime in February 2012. Without hesitation, I did the evaluation of the 140 trees (43 Alnus trees and 97 Pine trees) that were given earthballing permit by the DENR. I intentionally did not include the 42 trees that were marked x (meaning trees to be cut). They were not included in the list of trees that was provided to me prior to the tree health

It figures

P26billion THE staggering economic cost of the more than 400 natural and man-made disasters that devastated the country last year, according to the Citizens’ Disaster Response Center.

assessment. The need to change the Earthballing Permit to Cutting Permit. Permitting for whatever purpose should be science based. Science and practice of balling and transplanting Pines including Benguet Pine and Mindoro Pine have proven the unsuitability of the species. Accordingly, the legal basis that was used in the issuance of the earthballing permit is the Executive Order 23 or the Logging Ban. Earthballing permit should be rectified into cutting permit. What SM is doing is basically compliance of the permit issued by the DENR. SM cannot just refute the earthballing permit because DENR is the agency that has the technical expertise. Therefore, SM assumed that the earthballing permit is correct, without realizing that it will become the source of controversy

and will be the main focus of public outrage On SM City Baguio Expansion Project On SM development, the DENR Secretary cannot subvert the right of the private land owner particularly if the land that will be developed is really legitimate private land. The land is located at Luneta hill and is not a heritage site, not culturally and historically significant area, and not a proclaimed green space. Compensatory activities . The DENR requires SM to replace 30 saplings for every tree that will be removed from site or a total of 5460 saplings for all the 182 trees. A show of sincerity and willingness of SM to compensate the 182 trees to be removed from site, it committed to plant 50,000 saplings of Benguet Pine or other native species in and around Baguio City. Moreover, it is willing to adopt

parks in Baguio City. Accordingly, SM has already planted 2,000 saplings of B Pines at Busol Watershed and is supporting the maintenance of the trees and protection of the area. Green Architecture The SM multi-function building is a green building. It has a sky garden that can compensate for the 182 trees in terms of CO2 sequestration. This skygarden can be a model for Baguio. It has rainwater harvesting, STP, park finders and others. It is, accordingly, an earthquake proof designed multi-function facility. The presence of SM in Baguio City is changing the City’s image from ukayukay city to a more attractive city. Definitely, SM City Baguio is a threat to local businesses. However, it will provide friendly competition- a healthy environment for business and consumers.

P750million P11.1million P1.35billion

INCOME in 2011 of Megawide Construction Corp., a listed building contractor partly owned by billionaire tycoon Heny Sy. The income last year jumped 124 percent over the income the year before.

ESTIMATED number of Filipino households whose members consider themselves poor in March, up from 9.1 million households in December, the latest survey of the Social Weather Stations found.

NET WORTH of Rep. Manny Pacquiao, making him the only billionaire and the richest member of the House of Representatives. Manny’s net worth is shown in his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth that he filed for 2011.

livestock technology and Negosyong Pinoy Caravan has kicked off last May 4 in the province to celebrate the nationwide observance of the Farmers’ and Fisherfolks’ Month. The provincial government of Compostela Valley spearheads the caravan, aiming to gather livestock farmers to foster partnership and collaboration in complementing efforts for a sustainable agriculture. Among the highlights of the caravan include technical presentations covering the field of production, animal health, and exhibits to showcase production efficiency and farmers’ profitability. The first stop of the caravan was done yesterday at the municipality of Montevista. The caravan

P46,946

NET WORTH of Anakpawis party-list Rep. Rafael Mariano, down from the P75,211.57 he reported in 2010. This makes him the poorest member of the House of the Representatives.

will also be held in Maragusan on May 10, to be followed by Maco on May 17, and the last stop will be in Mawab on May 29. More than a hundred farmers in each municipality are expected to join in the event. The Provincial Veterinarian’s Office, headed by Dr. Benjamin S. Reyno, DVM, is leading the event in partnership with the Department of Agriculture-XI. The respective Municipal Agriculturist’s Office and private partners in each town recipient are also supporting the livestock technology and Negosyong Pinoy Caravan. This year’s celebration of the Farmers’ and Fisherfolks’ Month is anchored on the theme “Sapat na pagkain, samasama nating kamtin!”

$51-billion

AMOUNT of money the Sandiganbayan has directed businessman Herminio Disini to return to the government. The amount represented commission received by Disini for brokering the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) deal.

EDGEDAVAO

PROPERTY

VOL.5 ISSUE 45 • MAY 8, 2012

Families enjoy what matters most at Camella Northpoint

PHL aims to become furniture design hub

ntra-ASEAN trade is expected to increase with the planned establishment of furniture pavilion in each ASEAN country, including the Philippines. “With this, we can promote each country’s furniture. And I see that the Philippines will standout because of our unique products and (excellent) design of our furniture,” said Emmanuel Padiernos, vice president for market development of Chamber of Furniture Industries of the Philippines (CFIP). Padiernos bared that the Philippines and five other member countries of the ASEAN Furniture Industries Council (AFIC)

have agreed in principle to create the AFIC pavilion in each country around next year. He said that aside from the Philippines, the pavilion will be also established in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, and Vietnam. Padiernos, the chief delegate of the Philippines to the AFIC, said he proposed the creation of such pavilion which can serve as a venue for trade shows. “They asked me to map out the mechanisms/ details which I am going to present during the next AFIC meeting by September. Our target (for the creation of the pavilions) is March 2013 or 2014,”

he said. Apart from this initiative meant to boost Philippine furniture exports to ASEAN, Padiernos said, industry players are keen on penetrating more markets particularly the huge Chinese market. “China is now becoming a consumption economy rather than an export economy. I think China will become the next economic power in the future because of its large population and high economic growth,” he noted. To this end, Padiernos said the Chamber is working on the possibility of establishing a permanent furniture showroom in China. (DANIELLE VENZ-PIA 10)

re you newlyweds looking for the perfect nest to enjoy your new life as a married couple? Or a young family looking for the perfect home to raise your kids in the right environment? New couples and startup families will find everything they look for in the city’s newest premier address, Camella Northpoint at the corner of JP Laurel Avenue and Buhangin Road. Camella Northpoint is a British colonial themed condo community being developed by Camella, subsidiary of the country’s largest homebuilder, Vista Land & Lifescapes. Camella’s reputation alone is a big draw for newlyweds and young families who prefer a reputable real estate company that can give them their ideal home. With a developer that has a solid reputation like Camella, they know their investments are safe. New couples can opt to get a studio unit that gives them an easy, convenient, and stylish lifestyle within the heart of the urban growth area of north Davao. With Camella’s central location, newlyweds will find everything within close proximity, from markets, to malls, to banks, and public transport. Their studio units are so versatile; it does not require much upkeep and maintenance. As a one-room abode, it allows new couples to clean as they go, and do their daily activities with everything they need within easy reach. Arriving home after a day’s work, they can cook and dine together, and spend the rest of the evening snuggling at the

couch watching their favourite shows on TV or Davao’s scenic nightlights from their window in the evening. They can opt to enjoy Camella Northpoint’s refreshing green outdoors and stroll along the jogging track with imported Caribbean pine trees all around them. Or don their swimwear and dive into the crisp waters of the salinated wellness pool of the clubhouse, Wakefield Manor. What’s more, the intimacy of a single-room dwelling intensifies the bond that newlyweds need to cultivate in the early years of marriage, making living together convenient yet exciting and sweet. Startup families can opt for a two- or threebedroom condo unit, where two children can each have their own room, or little ones can simply share a room. Being adjacent to the master’s bedroom, the children’s room is easily accessible to parents, making monitoring the kids a breeze. While preparing their meals at the kitchen, young moms can keep a close eye on the little tots as they play or watch TV in the living area. For a fun day out, the family does not need to go far. They can simply go to the playground, frolic at the open, green spaces of green grass and sculpted lawns, or enjoy the facilities of Wakefield Manor. The kids can enjoy the kiddie pool while the young parents can grab an hour or two of exercise at the fitness gym, or take a few laps at the wellness pool. Eating out is not a problem as restaurants and other food joints are just a short drive away.

Both newlyweds and young families will benefit from Camella Northpoint’s strategic location, making it close to business establishments, modern offices, shopping outlets, restaurants, bars, supermarkets, department stores, churches, public markets, hospitals, banks, airport, seaport, and public transport. The best shopping and recreational destinations are quite proximate to Northpoint as these are located up north of the city, such as the Abreeza Ayala Mall, Victoria Plaza, Gaisano Mall, and the soonto-open SM in Lanang. In these commercial centres are also located the newest cinemas and indoor family entertainment spots, as well as a wide array of restaurants offering various cuisines, from Filipino, to Chinese, Spanish, Mediterranean, and more. Camella Northpoint has a professional property management group that takes care of the condo community’s maintenance and repairs, allowing newlyweds and startup families to enjoy their studio unit and twoor three-bedroom units to the hilt. These units are easy to acquire with special promos and discounts offered by Camella Davao at 2F Delgar Building, JP Laurel Avenue, Bajada, which is right across Northpoint, with telephone numbers (082) 222-0963 and (082) 2225221. Living in Camella Northpoint allows newlyweds and young families to experience ultimate convenience in life , giving them more time to spend on what matters most to them - each other.

ComVal will work on the Ninth Uswag GK Bayani Challenge slated on May 8 to 15. The provincial government lead by Governor Arturo T. Uy will construct 10 houses while the rest of the 18 houses will be built by other volunteer-builders and partners. The municipality of Mawab will soon host a set of houses to complete Uy’s target of putting up

Uswag GK Villages in all the province’s municipalities. The spirit of volunteerism and bayanihan has been a culture and a way of life for the ComValenyos, making every endeavor easier to achieve by the province. To date, nine out of the 11 municipalities have GK Villages already with Mabini soon to be the 10th. (IDS-COMVAL/GRACE

Gawad Kalinga builds houses in Compostela

OON to rise in Brgy. San Antonio, Mabini of Compostela Valley (ComVal) is a village to be called the “Ang Bag-ong Malambuong Mabini Uswag Gawad Kalinga Village.” Uswag is a Cebuano word that means to make or do progress or prosper, or improve; while Gawad Kalinga is an initiative by the private sector in putting up houses with the help of the beneficiaries themselves.

ALMEDILLA/PIA)

8 VANTAGE POINTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 45 • MAY 8, 2012

Backlash of resentment and anger

EDITORIAL

Public lives

PART from the all-important televised impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato C. Corona, Filipinos are these days also being entertained or irritated (as the case may be), by a surfeit of stories involving conflicts between and among public figures. Amalia Fuentes against mother and daughter Anabelle Rama and Ruffa Gutierrez, Nadia Montenegro against Anabelle Rama, Andi Eigenman versus Albie Casino, et al, Raymart Santiago and Claudine Baretto vs Mon Tulfo. These are just a few of the so many verbal and physically violent conflicts involving people who should be examples of good behavior in public. Majority of those enmeshed in the above-cited tiffs are movie stars. Could it be the influence of the appearance last Sunday of Supermoon, a rare occurrence in solar system, when the moon is nearest

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to the earth, or a logical effect of the extreme summer heat which has already caused heat stroke, especially among senior citizens? Nobody can really tell. What is sure is that breeding has something to do with it. Time was when people who lived public lives were careful about their behavior in public knowing they’re supposed to be more responsible to society than buffoons and criminal elements. However, in time, society had become tolerant and permissive to misdemeanor as mass media, including, and especially, the movie industry, tended to even lionize public figures with deviant and anti-social behavior. This is evidenced by the huge success at the tills of exploits of such dubious characters as Asiong Salonga, Nardong Putik and other notorious murderous characters— and the public laps it up with gusto. That’s entertainment? ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

RAMON M. MAXEY Consultant

GREGORIO G. DELIGERO CARLO P. MALLO Associate Features and Lifestyle KENNETH IRVING K. ONG KARLOS C. MANLUPIG • JOSEPH LAWRENCE P. GARCIA LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR., Creative Solutions Photography LORIE ANN A. CASCARO • JADE C. ZALDIVAR • MOSES C. BILLACURA Staff Writers

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

JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance

RICHARD C. EBONA IMELDA P. LEE Advertising Specialists

AGUSTIN V. MIAGAN JR Circulation

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A N D I D SHOTS – The rich and well-developed countries should view poor and under-developed nations such as the Philippines and their people as partners to be helped in times of financial troubles, and not as golden opportunities for taking over market shares when their assets have collapsed. This is a customary manner among moneyed and influential nations, but a disturbing aspect of the bailout scheme arranged by, who else, the powerful and persuasive International Monetary Fund (IMF). Another is that they are turning out to be a bailout not of the financially troubled countries but of their international creditors. The private losses of foreign creditors seem to be socialized because under the bailouts, their debts are transferred to the government and therefore must be repaid by the poor taxpayers. There have even been reported cases in the past of banks in the country “looted” by their owners and the losses passed on to the government and the taxpaying public. All these are dangerous because they will result in a backlash of resentment and anger from ordinary citizens. oooOooo DISAPPOINTING THING – It comes as no surprise that another bank, the Export and Import Bank (Export Bank), collapsed. The process of a financial collapse under way at said bank strikes at the very core of the country’s banking industry. In a situation like this, the poor depositors have been at the receiving end of a bank’s financial debacle. A certain amount of confusion is always present, especially in crisis like this. Mindful that all the uncertainty raises the possibility of bank runs, the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) immediately takes over and put the affected bank under its receivership. The big worry, however, is that only cash deposits P10,000 and below would be refunded routinely by the PDIC while over P10, 000 will be acted upon only after proper documentations had been done. Unfortunately, that would take place probably by next month, or maybe even beyond, according to PDIC officials. Indeed, the collapse of Export Bank gets depositors in other banking institutions terribly worried about the current situation of the country’s banking system. Worry and poignant, many depositors complained that they are getting conflicting signals and the recent closure of Export Bank has focused their minds on the safety of their bank deposits. Such sentiment from millions of depositors resonates loudly – especially considering that the country is currently facing financial difficulties. To cushion a negative impact, government financial experts and economic managers, and other independent banking analysts have assured the apprehensive public there is nothing to worry about because the Export Bank fiasco affects only about 2% of the operations of the country’s entire banking system. But how about the more than 50, 000 depositors of the affected bank, it might be asked? To what extent can they get back their hard-earned money? A tough question that needs an equally tough answer, isn’t it? One of the disappointing things that came about as a result of the abrupt closure of Export Bank was that the depositors’ money might as well be placed under a “frozen” status while PDIC is still in the process of ironing out problems related to the release of all cash deposits and the payment of insurance claims. From the point of view of a depositor looking for a safe harbor, the latest banking incident certainly dented the notion that the country’s banking system remains strong and stable as what the country’s top financial officials tend the public to believe. The PDIC, through its stabilizing and supportive role to the banking community, is in the position to pay all the insurance claims of depositors of up to P500, 000, and likewise should encourage the public to always have faith and confidence in the country’s banking system. A comprehensive agenda for the stability and resilience of the banking industry with a formula of immediate resolution of the recurrence of a similar incident acceptable to all parties involved is urgently needed.

EDGEDAVAO

L O Y D M a y weather Jr.’s nose and mouth were bloodied, but while pushed to the limit he still came out a clear and convincing winner over the game and competitive Miguel Cotto to wrest the latter’s super welterweight title and probably continue to lay claim to being the best pound for pound boxer, except that Manny Pacquiao has something to say about that. Mayweather was never in danger of absorbing his first career loss, but for the first time in 10 years, he found himself in a competitive fight. Cotto came bent on keeping his crown, but Mayweather simply showed far more superior skills and was far faster than any fighter he had ever met, except for, again, Pacquiao. Cotto came close to going down in the 12th round when a left uppercut by Mayweather found his chin. Cotto had his moments

ROWSING thru a piece of folded paper before it goes to the trash can, I just thought it’s worth our time going over some figures of that paper titled “2010-2011 Socio-Economic Indicators – Davao Region” released by the NEDA Davao Region a few weeks back. Under the sub-title ‘Production”, the first thing that attracted our attention was Sugar which more than doubled its production from 256,802 metric tons in 2010 to 417,059 metric tons the following year 2011 or a whopping increase of 62.4%. Honestly, I really don’t know where all this sugar comes from which ended up being credited to the production statistics of the Davao Region. I’m aware that Davao del Sur had been producing sugar for many years, peaking off and on, but just barely, since everyone knows only Bukidnon is known for its huge sugar plantations, specially the one at Quezon town, right smack in the heart of Mindanao. It’s natural of course, if the expansion of sugar farms had spilled over to Davao del Sur, considering that “moscado” that famous raw brown sugar used as dessert for horses, is being produced for world export in that province. The only plausible reason I could think of, without asking NEDA, is a long production slump of sugar in Davao del Sur for many years before a sugar farm expansion kicked off that sudden surge of 62.4 % for sugar crop last year. Of course, that surge in production could be spurred by surge of interest in sugar due to a surge in global prices for sugar. One distressing sign in that NEDA report was the slump in production for mango which harvested only 29,720 metric tons of fruit in 2010, compared to 33,908 metric tons last year, slipping down by –12.3%, an alarming sign that something’s going wrong with the region’s mango industry. I’ve been at some of the meetings of the mango industry cluster two years ago and I saw the discord, the mistrust among mango farmers, and the reluctance of banks to

Monkey Business

VANTAGE POINTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 45 • MAY 8, 2012

Tested, Floyd wins convincingly—so, what now? but once more fell short against an elite fighter. If anything, Cotto at least survived Mayweather. That cannot be said of his fight with Pacquiao who put him down twice before being rescued by the referee from further punishment in the last round. Cotto, likewise, exposed some holes and cracks in Mayweather’s defenses that work against right handed fighters. Mayweather looks very vulnerable against left hooks and straights from a southpaw where his shoulder roll defense will be ineffective. Take note of that, Coach Freddie Roach. And while Mayweather basks in the glory of picking up Pacquiao leftovers, his greatness will always be suspect against the Filipino boxing champion. Before, during and after the Cotto fight, Pacquiao was always mentioned in the equation of future fights involving Mayweather. But as the color commentators of the Mayweather-Cotto fight said, one wonders if that will ever happen. Despite all the Mayweather ranting

and diatribes, boxing fans and aficionados will always view him as the sole obstacle to making the Pacquiao fight a reality. Mayweather will repeatedly find excuses to torpedo any fight deal with Pacquiao despite the huge financial bonanza that awaits both fighters. When pressed by Larry Merchant in the post-Cotto fight, Mayweather again paid lip service to such a fight but did not categorically say when he is going to take up the challenge. Come to think of it, if Mayweather wants the fight all he has to do is fight – no ifs and buts. But then again, why risk losing all the future money he could get fighting handpicked opponents if he losses to Pacquiao? For as long as Pacquiao keeps fighting, Mayweather will always find ways for the gullible among us to believe that he will one day fight the Filipino boxing idol. As for Pacquiao, with or without Mayweather, 2013 will be the last year of his colorful and spectacular boxing career. Let us wait and see if Mayweather will continue to be a PPV attraction once Pacquiao is gone from the boxing scene.

help mango farmers with production loans. “Gubot kaayo, wala sila’y nagsinabot !” one mango grower told me. From my vantage point, the mango industry groups composed of buyers, traders, growers and farmers are not as united as the banana industry cluster, the group where I spent time with coops working together on training programs and strategic planning to reach their goals. Within the banana industry group, we don’t have members who are hard-headed and stubborn and refuse to adjust to the rest of the group in seeking practical solutions to problems facing the industry. Of course, this is natural in any organization whose members have their own ideas how to make things work--- and that’s good if they’re only flexible enough to keep harmony within the industry cluster. Not all is well, however, within the banana industry which is still buckling under the same problems of low buying prices for bananas, the threat of Panama disease wiping out whole farms, the millions of unpaid loans of farmers to government banks and rural banks, all of which are forcing many banana farmers to diversify their farm areas to other crops like cacao, coffee and oil palm. Banana production rose slightly from 3,804,460 metric tons to 3,855,000 metric tons from 2010 to 2011, an increase of only 1.3% which is actually better to previous years when the industry faced output slumps due to various traditional problems of bad weather, over supply, global competition, etc. One banana grower kept telling me, “Mubu kaayo ang presyo! Naipit na gyud me sa mga utang! Daghan gi pang deduct, wala nay nabilin!” Pineapple production looks promising for Davao since we all know that this fruit comes only from Polomolok, South Cotabato and Malaybalay, Bukidnon where the world’s biggest pineapple plantations are located, Dole and Del Monte. We don’t know if they’re running out of farm areas out there to plant pineapple, to bother with the smaller farm areas in Davao. Although the figures are small, they’re enough to grab our attention with 22,840 metric tons in 2010, rising to 25,306 in

2011, an increase of 10.8%, a good sign that pineapple is on its way to become one of the region’s fast-growing industries. With foreign importers in China, New Zealand, Australia, Iran, United Arab Emirates, etc, all eager to buy our Davao-grown pineapples, we’re no longer surprised to see new farm areas in Calinan. Davao Del Sur, Davao del Norte, all opening up to pineapple growing for export. We’re keeping an eye for cacao, coffee and oil palm, but the figures we got from NEDA aren’t promising yet as the output for coffee crop dropped from 22,681 metric tons to 20,465 metric tons declining by –9.8 % from 2011 to 2010. Cacao on the other hand, has started to move up from 3,506 metric tons to 3,617 metric tons from 2010 to 2011, rising slightly by 3.2% as more and more farmers are shifting to cacao from bananas, coffee and rice. With the funding support of the US Department of Agriculture and some of the world’s biggest chocolate makers like Mars, etc, we expect to see cacao output rise steadily in the years ahead as the momentum for cacao production is now in full swing. We’ve met global buyers and traders telling us that they’re bent on making Davao one of the world’s biggest cacao producer because they want to quit dealing with wartorn, unstable Sierra Leone, West Africa, the world’s biggest cacao supplier. Not on the NEDA list yet is oil palm since its current output comes from Agusan del Sur which has the largest areas planted to oil palms by Filipino-Malaysian partners. With millions of pesos approved by Land Bank for oil palm plantations to be run by big farmers’ cooperatives in Davao del Norte, farm areas are now being set aside for large scale plantations in Asuncion, Monkayo, Banaybanay, Compostela, etc. Soon , we’ll start to see the figures for palm oil production in metric tons, inching up on the NEDA data board, alongside the output for other crops like bananas, cacao, coffee, pineapple, sugar, coconut, rubber, etc. Things are moving fast in Davao these days, we’re looking at a brighter future for our children… [Comment? Email me: tradingpost_ davao@yahoo.com]

Is sugar replacing banana as Davao’s main crop?

Like Charles Lindbergh

RWIN Mascarinas’ article on retired Air Force general William Hotchkiss was rather too short for the long vision of this rare breed of an officer and gentleman. I’d like to think that Hotchkiss holds a wisdom that has enabled him to break free from the mental straitjacket that strangles people in the profession of arms. His sister Emma and brother Charles, the first Air Force pilot to defect to the rebel soldiers’ side during the 1986 Edsa People Power Revolt, are also active in the anti-mining cause. An encounter with these wonderful siblings would be great. Someday. But what have they got to do with Charles Lindbergh? Interestingly, brothers William and Charles and the latter’s American namesake are all aviators, although it should be in the past tense for Lindbergh – he died on August 26, 1974. Although a civilian, Lindbergh saw action as a combat pilot in the Pacific War and was appointed as an Air Force brigadier general by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1954. And like the Hotchkiss brothers, Lindbergh became a conservationist after he felt he had had enough of flying. Maybe it’s the privilege of frequently seeing the world from above that made these three aviators love the beauty of creation. They must have rued those days that duty to fatherland forced them to drop bombs that laid to waste the gifts of Nature below them. It wasn’t the combat missions however that made Lindbergh famous but his 33½-hour flight from New York to Paris, on May 20-21, 1927. Being the first to accomplish a solo, nonstop flight across the Atlantic – many before him had tried but failed (read died) – the feat made him an international sensation and revolutionized the aviation industry. In 1953, Lindbergh wrote The Spirit of St. Louis, after the name of the plane that brought him fame – and a small fortune. He received $25,000 promised by a New York hotel owner named Raymond Orteig to the first pilot to conquer the ocean’s breadth. The book brought him more fame, as it won the Pulitzer Prize the year after it was published. In the twilight of his years, Lindbergh traveled to Africa and the Philippines and became deeply involved in conservation issues. The sight of a Philippine Eagle in flight so amazed him that he called it “the air’s noblest flier.” A fitting tribute to the world’s largest yet endangered raptor from the “Lone Eagle” himself. It’s refreshing to know that Lindbergh wasn’t the last of his kind. The Hotchkiss siblings may not be celebrities like “Lucky Lindy.” What counts though is not the stature but the spirit to pursue what one has set out to do. After all, true greatness lies in sincerity and humility even if one is able to soar above the rest. If eagles can talk, they would call it grace in flight. [MindaNews/H. Marcos C. Mordeno writes mainly on the environment, human rights and politics. He can be reached at hmcmordeno@gmail.com]

10 COMMUNITY SENSE

VOL.5 ISSUE 45 • MAY 8, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Gatchalian urges civic leaders to focus on education projects S

HERWIN “WIN” T. Gatchalian, multiawarded youthful mayor of Valenzuela City, has urged civic clubs and all other groups of dogooders to pursue projects aimed at giving educational opportunities to children of the poor. Gatchalian, still in his thirties, made education the theme of his talk before JCI Central Davao, Inc. during its recent 11th installation of officers and new members and third Jaycee Senate investiture at the Pinnacle Hotel and Suites. Chosen one of the 2011 Outstanding Young Men of the Philippines (TOYM) by the JCI for his impressive projects in Valenzuela, Gatchalian told young civic leaders led by newly inducted JCI Central Davao president Porfirio “Jojo” Caronan III that because his father, industrialist William Gatchalian, was a school dropout, he has made education an advocacy in his private and public life. He said that the advise of his father was to give priority to education, whatever he planned to do with his life. “Di baling magkaroon ka ng anak, mag-asawa ka, ano pamang plano mong gawin sa buhay mo, seguraduhin mo lang na makatapos ng iyong pagaaral, seguraduhin mo na may diploma ka pag-uwi mo,” was the advise of the

(L-R) 2012 JCI Central Davao Secretary General JCI Member Chris Silda, Hon. Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian, 2012 JCI Central Davao President JCI Member Jojo Caronan elder Gatchalian which stuck to the mind of the young Sherwin when he was about to go to college. Gatchalian graduated from Boston University in Massachusetts with a bachelor of science in finance and operations, advance language course from the Beijing Language

2012 JCI Philippines President JCI Senator Ivan Ruste

and Culture University and advanced corporate finance from the Euromoney Institute of Finance. As congressman from 2001 to 2004, Win figured in sponsoring and cosponsoring laws on education, money-laundering, anti-drug campaign, preneed and 15 other bills

and laws on various other issues. In his three terms as mayor of Valenzuela whose population is more than 500,000 people, he prioritized projects on education as well as reforms in the bureaucracy of his city. Believing that “education is the ultimate tool to

reduce poverty,” the new mayor immediately tackled education and education-related problems in his city. He said Valenzuela is facing five big problems related to education. “Due to the rapid growth of the population, we have to keep on building

schools, hiring new teachers and buying new books,” Gatchalian said, adding that poverty was behind the high school dropout rate. “Malnutrition was also very high in Valenuela,” he said, as 80 percent of schoolchildren, aged zero to 12 years were found malnourished.

(L-R) 2012Area 5 Vice President JCI Senator Steve Arquiza, 2012 JCI Philippines President JCI Senator Ivan Ruste, 2012 JCI Central Davao Outgoing President JCI Senator Lito Oasan

EDGEDAVAO

SouthCot officials attend Singapore water summit O

FFICIALS of General Santos City and Polomolok, South Cotabato town were are in Singapore to attend a program on water resource management. Tacurong City Mayor Lina O. Montilla and other officials attended the 2nd Temasek Foundation Water Leadership Program from April 23 to May 4 at the National University of Singapore. The two-week executive program was designed by the Temasek Foundation, the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore and Public Utilities Board, Singapore’s national water agency. There organizing institutions selected distinguished teams of academics and policymakers from all over Asia who would benefit from the program. Selected recipients are those who are committed in devising innovative thinking to address a critical health sustainability issue that is currently hampering Asia’s progress, “the growing water and sanitation needs of 3.7 billion

people.” Having passed a couple of assessments and interviews, Montilla, and other members of the Philippine team obtained free full tuition expenses and hotel accommodation from the program. Other members of the Philippine team were are General Santos City general manager Engr. Arn B. Gellangarin, Polomolok Water District general manager Engr. Andresito J. Degilla, Prof. Faustino Jerome Babate also General Santos City; Prof. Ma. Adela A. Fiesta from Cotabato City, and Ferdinand Ferrer, division manager of Gen Santos Water District. Other countries also eligible for the scholarship are Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Timor Leste, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, and China. The program was designed for water leaders coming from Asia where increasing water and sanitation demands are

currently becoming a challenge. It exposed them to the best practices in water utilities governance, practical guidance on managing water utilities effectively and potential strategies to deal with existing and future challenges in their respective countries and localities. For a convenient and effective learning, the program was conducted in a state-of-the-art classroom setting with the use of a combination of lectures, case studies and panel discussions among practitioners. The teams also had the opportunity to go on site visits, which immersed them in the real scenario on how Singapore has dealt with challenges on its water resource management. Montilla, along with the other members of the Philippine team, is expected to come home with advanced and improved knowledge on water resource management that would benefit not just the local government of Tacurong but the entire country as a [DED/JBILLANO-PIA12/ whole.

government. Mayor Reynaldo Constantino repeatedly explained that a lot of benefits can be enjoyed by “live-in couples” from the municipal government if they get married such as free education, PhilHealth medical assistance, livelihood and other programs for the family members. Constantino clarified that the only requirement of the municipal government to avail of the different programs is to present the marriage contract or marriage certificate of the wedded couple as he encouraged other un-

LOCATION Matina, Davao City Matina(Diversion) Davao City Bunawan, Davao City Indangan, Davao City Bincungan, Tagum City

AREA (sq.m.) PRICE/sq.m. 17,940

P2,500

3,831

P1,500

41,408

P800

7,056

P1,200

27,411

P1,000

TACURONG LGU]

3,000 couples join Kasalan ng Bayan in Malungon town

ROUND 3,000 couples have already been wed through the “Kasalan ng Bayan” as part of the weekly ‘Lingap sa Barangay’ program of the local government. Reports from the Municipal Information Office (MIO), Local Civil Registrar Lydia Erasmo revealed that the number of “live-in” couples getting married from the 31 barangays in the area has increased because of the intensified campaign of the administration on the importance of matrimony and the benefits they could get from the local

SUBURBIA 11

VOL.5 ISSUE 45 • MAY 8, 2012

married partners to take advantage of the said program for the benefit of their family. “Kasalan ng Bayan” is one of the services of the local government for the residents of the municipality where Constantino, along with other representatives from different agencies of the government visit even the remote areas of the town to deliver basic public services especially to the least served people in Malungon. (PGFruylan with reports from MIO Malungon-PIA 12, Sarangani)

LOCATION

AREA (sq.m.) PRICE/sq.m.

Villa Josefina Resort Village, Dumoy Toril, Davao City

Minimum of 240 sq.m.

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LOCATION Lot Area Flr. Area Blk. 4, Lot 10 Villa Josefina Resort Village 240 sq.m. 177.31 sq.m Dumoy, Toril, Davao City

For Inquiries: BARGE. Passengers riding in a motorcycle who are taking the short barge ride from Davao to Samal Island pay the basic fare in the booth along the coast of Davao City. [KARLOS MANLUPIG]

Please Call : PRYCE CORPORATION c/o SONNY MOLE Contact No. : 0922-‐879-‐0036 / (082) 224-‐2686 Email ADD : sonitomole1223@yahoo.com

PRICE P4.8 M

NATION/WORLD

NATION BRIEFS

Website

N an effort to spur interest among Filipinos regarding the Palarong Pambansa 2012, the Department of Education (DepEd) has activated a website (http://www.palarongpambansa2012.com/) specifically for the upcoming event. This will be the first time that DepEd launched a website for the annual Palaro, which is attended by some 10,000 student athletes in different sporting categories.

Rehydrate

ITH summer temperature in the Metro rising above 36 degrees, the Department of Health (DOH) urged the public, especially senior citizens, to drink at least 13 glasses of water to avoid dehydration and heat stroke. The regular eight glasses of water daily intake is not enough during the warm season especially with high temperatures that can cause heat stroke and other heatrelated illnesses, said DOH assistant secretary and chief of the National Epidemiology Center Eric Tayag.

Slashed

survey conducted by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed that economists of foreign and local private banks slashed anew their inflation forecast for the Philippines despite soaring oil prices and possible second round effects such as higher food prices, transport fare hikes, and clamor of wage increases. Based on the central bank’s Private Sector Economists’ Inflation Forecast for the first quarter of 2012, inflation would average 3.5 percent instead of 4.2 percent this year and fall within the target of three percent to five percent set by the BSP.

Charged

N inter-agency fact-finding panel found probable cause to file criminal and administrative charges against Bureau of Corrections chief Gaudencio Pangilinan and six other BuCor officials over an allegedly anomalous renovation project at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP). The panel recommended that Pangilinan and the other officials be held responsible for violating the government procurement and anti-graft laws for the P1.4-million renovation of the NBP administration building, which was done without a proper public bidding.

VOL.5 ISSUE 45 • MAY 8, 2012

Clinton presses India to cut Iranian oil imports

EDGEDAVAO

S Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged India on Monday to further cut its imports of Iranian oil, saying New Delhi should use its growing clout to help isolate the Islamic republic. “India... is certainly working towards lowering purchases of Iranian oil. We commend the steps they have taken thus far,” she told an audience in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata. “We hope they will do even more and we think there is an adequate supply (from other exporters) in the market place ... We think this is part of India’s role in the international community.” India, which depended on Iran for 12 percent of its imports last year, says it has reduced Iranian imports “substantially” despite initially saying it would not join US and European-led efforts to cut off oil revenues for Tehran. Clinton, speaking ahead of meetings with India’s leaders, said that it was essential that pressure remained on Iran over its disputed nuclear programme and she said a new round of negotiations were the fruits of previous efforts.

REINVIGORATE. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (C) of reinvigorating a relationship seen as losing steam holds a sari during an Anti-Human Trafficking event in despite efforts to bring the world’s two largest democraKolkata, on May 6. Clinton landed in India with hopes cies closer. [AFP] posed on them in case of an In New Delhi later Mon- have stunted progress. day, Clinton will sit down Relations were reset by accident. State-backed compawith Indian Prime Minister former US president Bill Manmohan Singh aiming Clinton in the 1990s and nies from France and Rusto re-spark a bilateral re- invigorated by his succes- sia have profited at their lationship hailed as “one of sor George W. Bush, who expense. “We’ve made it clear to the defining partnerships signed a landmark nucleof the 21st century” by ar energy deal that was the government that under President Barack Obama. meant to hand business to the legislation that was passed it would be difficult The world’s two largest US companies. democracies have rapidly Legislation passed in for US companies to parexpanded ties since over- India since then is seen by ticipate,” Clinton said. “We coming mutual mistrust Washington as penalising are still discussing this and during the Cold War, but its private nuclear com- we’re hoping there will be tension over Iran and dif- panies, who are unable a way to work out the reficulties in their trade ties to take on the liability im- maining kinks in this.”

to 2011 from the operations of its power facilities in Mindanao. PSALM made the statement to ensure utmost transparency to all relevant sectors as to the actual financial position of the Mindanao plants’ operations. According to PSALM

President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel R. Ledesma Jr., while operation of hydro plants results in operating profits, losses from coal, geothermal, and dieselfired plants significantly exceed the revenues generated from the hydro plants. In fact, the cost of pro-

ducing electricity from these facilities is more than the time-of-use rate imposed on Mindanao consumers. Ledesma pointed out that the revenues generated from the hydro plants are being used to cover the operating losses from these facilities.

RANCE’S presidentelect Francois Hollande set about the task of building his government and ties with allies on Monday as world markets eyed political developments in the eurozone with concern. The 57-year-old Socialist won power Sunday in a close race against France’s outgoing rightwing leader Nicolas Sarkozy, triggering joyful street parties, and now faces the immediate challenge of dealing with Europe’s debt crisis.

BENEFICIARY. A beneficiary of government’s Conditional Cash Transfer program tends vegetable she is selling in her garden to augment her family income in Pateros, Metro Manila April 30, 2012. Through the Pantawid

Pamilya (Family Subsistence) program in the Philippines, about 3 million poor households get small grants from the government if they take their children to health centers regularly and keep them in school. [REUTERS]

Asia trip

TBCV President Ollanta Humala will set off this week on his first official trip to Asia, seeking to sell his country as an ideal hub for trade between Latin America and the Asia-Pacific. Humala, who will be accompanied by several key ministers and a number of business leaders, on Tuesday will make his first stop inJapan, Peru’s number five trading partner.

Ready

FGHAN forces are ready to take responsibility for security in 2013, the defence ministry said Monday, reacting to a pledge to withdrawFrench troops early by president-elect Francois Hollande. “For us a NATO stance is more important than individual decisions by individual nations,” ministry spokesman General Mohammad Zahir Azimi told AFP. “And Afghanistan is well prepared to take over all security responsibilities in 2013.”

Successful

FTER the hugely successful rollout of the first official TV ad of the Department of Tourism’s (DoT) ‘It’s More Fun in the Philippines’ campaign on the Cable News Network (CNN), airing to more than 280 million households around the world, the Philippines is, quite literally, everywhere these days. The ad is currently airing on CNN, which is very timely as CNN also features the country through a special segment called ‘’Eye on the Philippines.’’

Third term

LADIMIR Putin takes office on Monday as Russian president for a historic third term in a glittering Kremlin ceremony shadowed bybloody clashes between police and the protest movement against his rule. Putin will officially take over from outgoing President Dmitry Medvedev after swearing in his oath to protect the rights of Russian citizens and defend the country’s integrity.

President-elect

PSALM incurs P15-B losses in Mindanao

ONTRARY to claims that the government has been generating profits from power sales in the Mindanao grid, the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) actually incurred accumulated losses amounting to P15 billion from 2001

WORLD TODAY

Bullish

ERMANY has always been the cornerstone of the European economy but Europe is not as important to Germany as it used to be. For the first time China has become German companies’ top foreign investment destination, totaling $1.36 billion by the end of last year, according to a survey by the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce. The amount was more than the combined German investment in France, Spain and Italy.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.5 ISSUE 45 • MAY 8, 2012

Education...

Bukidnon...

FFROM 1

Applications for the loan will run until December 28 this year. In the Davao region, the GSIS last Friday began accepting applications for the EAFP while the SSS will begin the accommodation as soon as they receive their version of the application form. GSIS Davao regional manager Deity Manampan in an interview said GSIS members have been inquiring about the EAFP since President Benigno Aquino III mentioned it during his Labor Day commemoration speech last May 1. “It’s quite understandable why people would be very interested in the educational loan. We too welcome this. We are glad na merong available na tulong para sa ating mga miyembro,” he said in his Matina. “We received info that the release may start by Thursday, in the meantime we have set up a special lane for the educational assistance, four attendants will be happy to accommodate your in-

FFROM 1

quiries and applications,” he added. The GSIS has 30,000 members from Davao City, 65,000 within the region and 1.3 million members nationwide. “We are ready to accommodate the 65,000 members from the region. We are expecting that all of the 1.3 million GSIS members nationwide will apply for the educational fund as this would be of great help to them. It’s five years to pay at 6% interest which means they would be paying only P20 per month which is very low,” he said. Meanwhile, the SSS is yet to receive the implementing rules and regulations for the release of the EAFP from their agency. SSS public information officer for Southern Mindanao Mario Daray asked for the understanding of the public saying they will make an announcement once they are ready to receive applicants to the EAFP. “Hulat lang sa mo gamay but we are expecting that by [this week]

we’ll receive the necessary guidelines for us to start the releasing of the loan. We will announce it as soon as possible,” he said in an interview in his office. “We are encouraging our members to avail of the loan and we do hope that next year merong educational assistance as we know it would be for the good of all concerned. Malaking tulong po ito sa pagpapaaral ng kabataan,” Daray added. Of the P11.2 billion EAFP fund, P5 billion is provided by the Department of Budget and Management, an amount certified by the Bureau of Treasury as part of the excess dividend collections remitted by government-owned or -controlled corporations (GOCCs). The GSIS and SSS, on the other hand, will provide P6.2 billion in counterpart funding. Under the EAFP, P4.2 billion will go to GSIS members, while P7 billion will be allotted to SSS.

saying “there is one politician” meddling in the issue. He refused to name the politician. Meanwhile, he acknowledged the efforts of the city council in helping them through consultations, one of which was held last March 30

in Bukidnon. Councilor Datu Benino Libayao Mambuo earlier said that based on the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997, certificates of ancestral domain title cannot be divided, however, division of management may be allowed.

Attendance Since the implementation of 4Ps, students have been attending classes regularly and maintain their grades, said Seras. A beneficiary student should have 85% of attendance the whole school year. Last year there were 202 school days, thus a pupil should be present at least 172 days; and, is only allowed a maximum of 30 absences, or three to four absences a month. Attendance per quarter is monitored by way of CB Form 2, an evaluation form that will be the basis of stopping the subsidy if the student fails to meet the conditions. “Naa pud mga names nga dili na ma-locate sa mga teachers kay wala nisulod pero nagpa-enrol,” he added. Nutrition In a highly urbanized city, malnutrition of children is typically high like in Davao. “Ang mga ginikanan

man gud diri sa siyudad maong dili makaprepare og pagkaon sa ilang mga anak pirme tungod sa ilang mga trabaho. Ang uban sayo pa kaayo moadto sa isdaan, bilinan na lang ang bata og pagkaon,” said Seras. Last year at the SIR Elementary School, some 200 children were either “severely wasted” or “wasted”---the terms used for those who are malnourished. To address the problem, the school conducted feeding programs supported by the community. With 4Ps, children are expected to be properly nourished, he said, but cash transfer is not enough for parents to provide good health and education to their children. “Dapat naa pud gyud livelihood. Pero before man gud ta moingon nga tagaan natog livelihood pakaona sa. Wala man ta nag ingon nga wala na silay trabaho. Wala lang gyud silay kasudlan nga trabaho,” he said.

No division... FFROM 2

among teritoryo, usa ra mig ancestral domain, usa ra mi sa genealogy, mga paryente gihapon nako na sila,” Gawilan said. At press time, the conflict among tribe members remained unresolved, said Gawilan,

4PS scheme... FFROM 3

students were under 4Ps, he said, adding that he can only monitor the number based on the certifications released which are among one of the requirements of a household to avail of the CCT. Parents should ask for certification from the school principal, testifying to the fact that their children are enrolled, so that they can avail of P3,000 per year for the education of one child, from three to five years old for preschool, and six to 14 years old for elementary and high school. During the school year, there is an additional P1,400 monthly subsidy for each student. Another P6,000 per year is provided per household for health and nutrition of children. “Kining mga bataa sa una makaeskwela gyud pero walay kaon. Pag abot sa 4Ps, nagdahum ta nga naa na silay kaon ug mas makapalit na og mga lapis ug papel kaysa sa una,” he told Edge Davao.

Board nga mo-retain ta for aquatic resources kay bisan layo kaayo ng sapaa, naa gihapoy mga isda gamay diha. Mao nay among gitan-aw una mi mosugod nga walay marelocate,” he said. He cited the Sibulan hydro power plant in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, where no community has been relocated since the beginning of the project. “Sa among tan-aw bisan sa ubang mga project sa Hedcor, adto mi mobutang sa diversion nga walay mga tao. Wala pa gyuy nagpuyo. Sapa ra man tapos 1.5 meters lang man unya wala siyay hazard,” he added. The Bukidnon hydroelectric power will harness the water running from the Sita River and Simod River, generating a total capacity of 28.2 megawatts (MW), with 16.4 MW from Sita Hydroelectric Power Project, and 11.8 MW from Simod Hydroelectric Power Project. Using the water to run its turbines for power generation, Hedcor will return the water to the

river in a cleaner state, and expected to generate 159 million kilowatt per hour (kwh) annually. Datu Roelito Gawilan, barangay captain of Sinuda, said his constituents are glad with the Hedcor’s project upon knowing that it will augment the village’s internal revenue. As agreed in the MOA, the barangay will receive 1 centavo per kwh generated from the Bukidnon hydroelectric power. Having spoken with the communities where Hedcor’s projects are located, Gawilan said, “Sa edukasyon motabang sila, farm to market road, livelihood, ingon ana ang akong gusto makita nga kalambuan para sa akong mga katawhan dinhi sa Brgy. Sinuda ug sa Brgy. Kipilas, kay wala koy nakita nga ubang investors nga ingon ani ka pursigido nga mohatag og proyekto ug ginarespeto ang proseso kung unsa ang nalatid dinha sa IPRA law. Wala gyud lipud lipud.” Gawilan signed the MOA between Barangay Sinuda Council and Hed-

cor, Inc., together with barangay councilors Aquino Uban, Roque Lacubay, Dionesio Pangcat, Ceasar Mangado, Jr., Dindo Banggaan, and Bernabe Pandia. Jabonillo said the company is in the process of completing all permits which may take a year, and will begin the project by 2014. Having completed the MOA signing with Barangay Kipilas last April 30, Hedcor will have to sign MOA with the Federation of Matigsalog-Manobo Tribal Council, Municipality of Kitaotao, and Provincial Government of Bukidnon to manifest social acceptability of the project. After that, he said Hedcor will secure permit from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, environmental compliance certificate, and building permit, among others, adding that they wanted to complete all permits before starting the project; however the process takes longer with the Aquino administration.

SPORTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 45 • MAY 8, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Tim Cone gestures the no. 1 sign after the B-MEG Llamados closed out the PBA Commissioners Cup against Talk ‘N Text in Game 7.

A player from Davao’s Medvil FC ducks as a Compostela Valley FC standout kicks the ball in their encounter in the Suzuki U23 National Cup eliminations in Compostela Valley recenty. Medvil FC won 5-0. [DAPOY DIAMANTE]

Cone closes in on Baby’s record

Abella, Jaro top Eco Run I A

NTHONY Abella and Cynthia Jaro asserted their supremacy in the Eco Green Run held last Sunday at the out-and-back course in Abreeza Mall. Abella negotiated the 12-kilometer race in 40 minutes, 42 seconds to win the event sponsored by Smashville Fitness Center and Matina South Health Studio. Checking in second was Arnie Macaneras in 40:58 while Gilbert Maluyo finished third in 41:53.

In the distaff side, the multi-titled Jaro beat her own coach Monalisa Ambasa in 50 minutes and 48 seconds. Ambasa settled for second in 51 minutes and 27 seconds. Yvette Go was third in 1:05:14. The other winners in the race officiated by Vantage Sports were Michael Barrosa and Ardeen Abella in the 8-k category and Rolly Paderna and Diana Mae Memoracion in the 4-k category. The complete results:

4K MALE PLACE 1st 2nd 3rd 1st

2nd 3rd 2nd 3rd 1st 2nd 3rd 1st 2nd 3rd 1st

2nd 3rd

NAME ROLLY PADERNA GASPER JUNE DOMINADO JESSMAR LOPEZ DIANA MAE MEMORACION

EMILY ONG CHARMAINE VILLAFLOR SONNY WAGDOS ELMER BARTOLO ARDEEN ABELLA RUVY BARNES SHERYL LOO

ANTHONY ABELLA ARNIE MACANERAS GILBERT MALUYO

CYNTHIA JARO MONALISA AMBASA YVETTE GO

Unstoppa-Bowles

OR 23-year-old Denzel Bowles, the two free throws to send Game Seven of the Commissioner’s Cup finals into overtime were the biggest challenge of his young basketball career. His coach, Tim Cone, had his doubts if he’ll pull through. “For some reasons, I had doubts Denzel would make his free throws, so I put in two big guys there just in case he misses it,” he said. But Bowles was confident after his intial shot hit nothing but net. “When I made the first free throw, I knew I was going to make the second one,” he said. “I’ve never been in this situation before, but these shots were the biggest shots of my career. I’m glad that I

TIME 13:30 14:08 14:22 18:12

26:33:00 27:31:00 28:37:00 29:57:00 44:42:00 57:53:00 1:08:23 44:42:00 40:58:00 41:53:00 50:48:00 51:27:00 1:05:14

Denzel Bowles was very emotional after the championship win by B MEG. got an opportunity to win a championship.” Bowles ran back to the bench in tears, overcome with emotion with those two shots

that had the mammoth Sunday crowd of 21,046 at the SMARTAraneta Coliseum. But instead of shrinking, the tourna-

ment’s Best Import came through in the overtime period, scoring 11 of his team’s 14 points to finish with 39 points along with 21

N his fruitful 23-year coaching career, BMEG coach Tim Cone doesn’t want for much. “I have two goals left in life: send my kids to college, and catch up with Baby,” he said. “Baby” would be the PBA’s “Maestro” Virgilio Dalupan, the legendary coach who holds the record for most titles in the league at 15. After leading the Llamados to the Commissioner’s Cup crown on Sunday, Cone moved just one championship short of tying Dalupan’s record. Ironically, Cone was a Toyota fan who grew up hating Dalupan, the architect of Crispa’s dynasty in the early years of the PBA. “Man, I really hated him because he was coaching the wrong team being the arch nemesis of my favorite team Toyota. And he and his team was so successful,” said Cone. The early days of the PBA played a big role in shaping Cone’s basketball sense, and Dalupan

rebounds, to lead the B-MEG Llamados past the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters, 90-84. At the end of the game, Bowles was overcome with emotion, embraced the basketball while lying on the Big Dome floor. After the game, he confessed he had doubts about his team winning the championship. “With six minutes left, I don’t think we’re winning, but when

played a big part in that. “People don’t realize, I grew up in the Philippines. I learned my basketball here,” he said. He soon developed a grudging admiration for Dalupan as he got older. “When two teams with equal talent like Crispa and Toyota go at it, one thing you will realize is it will boil down the leadership and Crispa was so successful because of Dalupan’s leadership.” As fate would have it, Cone’s first championship appearance as a coach in the PBA came against Dalupan in the 1990 Third Conference. “He beat me up,” said Cone with a laugh. That was Dalupan’s last title in the league, and it came with the same Purefoods franchise that Cone coaches today — a curious twist of fate. As for his other goal? “This championship will help me send my kids to college,” quipped Cone shortly after his Commissioner’s Cup victory.

[Talk ‘N Text import Donnell] Harvey fouled out, that gave us life. I didn’t want us to lose championship. I didn’t want to mess up like in Game 2,” he added. He dedicated his victory to his mother, his biggest fan who flew all the way from the United States to watch him earlier in the series. “I know my mom is crying now, because this victory is a breakthrough for my family.”

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STYLE

Siem Reap by neon light THE trendy scene outside ANGKOR What?

ANY adventure is not complete without a visit to the local watering holes and my recent trip to Siem Reap was no different.

To be honest, I really did not expect Pub Street to be such a happening place as for sure what I thought of Siem Reap was that the Angkor Temples are located here, nothing follows. Good thing I was so wrong. In fact, Pub Street was lined with so many different bars and night spots, it was difficult to take a pick. Me and fellow travelers, Ian Garcia, Jojie Alcantara and Maya Padillo decided to go around first and explore the many side streets that radiate from the main Pub Street. These are lit alleyways that lead to smaller and quieter bars and restaurants that remind me of scenes from French paintings of sidebars in Paris, and are a nice contrast to the glare and blare of the main road. We eventually made our way along Pub Street for some dancing at Temple Bar where the party was al-

DANCING is de riguer at Temple.

NEON lights signal the way to Pub Street.

ready in high gear. Drinks were cheap at around US$1.50(Ian, and Maya ordered some Angkor Beer while I chose to down a bucket of long island ice tea which cost US$8.50), and the crowd was energetic to say the least many thanks to the four Airbus-ful of Spaniards who just flew in in the morning. I just wish they had a better DJ (or maybe a Pinoy DJ?) to make sure the dance tracks spun are more current. But when in Siem Reap any club music is good enough. The following night we visited Red Piano, the bar made famous as being the local haunt of Angelina Jolie when she was filming scenes for her movie, Tomb Raider. As a tribute to the superstar, Red Piano named a drink after it was concocted by Angie herself in 2000. I, of course had to try the drink which was a bit on the sour and sweet side with a hint of spice that is sure to make your lips pout. All in all, Siem Reap’s night life was a blast, it was just too bad that we had to leave early. Perhaps coming

back soon is in order many thanks to Cebu Pacific’s easier direct connection from Manila. Cebu Pacific flies direct to Siem Reap, Cambodia three times a week. Check out www.cebupacificair. com. Many thanks also to Cambodia Airports for showing us the sights and sounds of Siem Reap. Follow me on twitter @ kennekingong for more travel tips, foodie finds, fun events, and random crazy thoughts.

THE Red Piano was Angelina Jolie’s hangout of choice.

ORDERING and aping Angelina Jolie while trying Red Piano’s signature Tomb Raider Cocktail.

ONE of the many side streets of Pub Street.

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Happy 51st, ENTERTAINMENT

George!

Some things (and people) just get better with age.

George Clooney, for example. The charitable Descendants star, who turned the big 5-1 Sunday, wrapped up a monumental milestone year chock full of awards-show accolades, humanitarian efforts and strong political statements. And it doesn’t look like he’s slowing down any time soon. To say the least, it’s been quite the 365 days for Clooney—and we’re not just talking career-wise. Shortly after his 50th birthday, the seasoned thesp was back on the market after an “amicable split” with Italian actress/model Elisabetta Canalis in late June. But, before too many ladies could get excited about the prospect of a single-again Clooney, the actor coupled up again, canoodling with Dancing

With the Stars alum Stacey Keibler in September. While the pair tried to keep their romance under wraps at first, they made their red carpet debut in October, showing up arm-in-arm at Clooney’s Descendants premiere in NYC. And Clooney’s newfound relationship with Keibler wasn’t the only thing sizzling. The Academy Award-winning actor found himself back in the midst of awards show fodder for his roles in The Ides of March and The Descendants. While he didn’t snap up an Oscar this year (Clooney was nominated for best actor for The Descendants and for best adapted screenplay for The Ides of March), the twice-over “Sexiest Man Alive” was considered the frontrunner of this year’s awards

season, snapping up a Critics Choice Award and a Golden Globe award, among many other accolades. After awards season came to an end, we saw Clooney re-focus on humanitarian and political efforts. In March, the actor testified against violence and human-rights abuses in Sudan, and went on to get arrested after demanding humanitarian aid for the African country outside of the Sudanese Embassy in Washington D.C. Then, after hobnobbing with the press, politicians and other celebs at the White House Correspondents’ dinner in April, Clooney is expected to raise a whopping $12 million for President Barack Obama’s re-election campaign May 10. Not a shabby way to ring in a 51st birthday, if we do say so ourselves. (E! Online)

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ENTERTAINMENT

The Avengers smashes US box office THE Avengers is the new king of the opening weekend.

The superhero movie grossed a unprecedented $200.3 million in its FridaySunday box-office debut, its studio estimated. The film is the first to break $200 million in three days. It destroyed the mark held by the previous weekend record-holder, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2. The Avengers started out big—taking in $18.7 million in midnight screenings—and got bigger: $80.5 million for all of Friday; $69.7 million on Saturday, a new record for that day; and, a projected $50.1 million on Sunday. The film easily bested the opening-weekend performances of the Marvel Studios movies whose hero-stars were assembled for The Avengers: Iron Man ($99 million) and Iron Man 2 ($128 million); Thor ($66 million); and, Captain America ($65 million). It blew away even the

superhero-record $158.4 million posted by The Dark Knight, and raised the bar considerably for the Batman franchise’s upcoming adventure, The Dark Knight Rises, due out July 20. The Avengers made money the old-fashioned way: Everybody bought tickets. The opening-weekend audience was evenly split between the young (un-

der age 25) and the older (over age 25), polling data showed. It was watched by women (40 percent) almost as much as men. It worked as a date-night movie (55 percent of ticket-buyers were part of couples), and a family movie (24 percent were part of a family group). And then there was perhaps the most quaint thing of all: People went to see it in 3-D.

Is Justin Bieber now Floyd Mayweather’s bff?

WHO knew Justin Bieber was on the money team.

Shortly after Floyd Mayweather defeated Miguel Cotto for the junior middleweight title Saturday night in Las Vegas, the Biebs was spotted cheering in the boxing ring with the likes of 50 Cent and Lil Wayne. So, how did this odd posse come together? We’re not exactly sure. But the 18-year-old pop superstar and the boxing champ known as “Money” made sure to tweet each other prior to the match-up, and it was clear Bieber was excited about getting in on the action. He even carried Mayweather’s weight belts (next to a money-toting 50 Cent) as he walked into the MGM Grand’s Garden arena. “cinco de mayo.... #MayweatherCotto yeah @FloydMayweather today is a BIG day,” Bieber wrote Saturday. “#FIGHTNIGHT.” Mayweather responded shortly after, tweeting, “@justinbieber keep up the great work and thanks for the support #TheMoneyTeam. Enjoy the fight.” But, that wasn’t all. Bieber continued to show love to Mayweather via Twitter post-fight, writing, “@ FloydMayweather Hard Work & Dedication. congrats champ. glad i could be a part of it.” We suppose the “Boyfriend” crooner’s friendship with the 35-year-old boxer

shouldn’t come as that much of a surprise, however. In the February issue of V Magazine, Bieber compared himself to the sports star, saying, “Now that I’m on top, everyone wants to bring me down…Everyone’s trying to tug at me and take my spot. Like Floyd Mayweather, he’s the best boxer in the world. Now he is a champion. Every time he goes to a fight now, people are like, ‘He’s going to lose this time.’” The haters were wrong again!

The once-promising, then presumed-dead format represented slightly more than half of all ticket sales. In IMAX, the movie grossed about $15 million, roughly tying it for that format’s biggest-ever opening weekend. “IMAX had one big issue,” IMAX exec Greg Foster said in an email. “We ran out of seats to sell!” The people who saw

the movie liked the movie, and, if possible, liked it more than critics. The Joss Whedon-directed film was graded an A-plus by audiences. After just over a week in release worldwide, The Avengers has grossed $641.8 million overall. Elsewhere, there was no elsewhere. The Avengers outgrossed the weekend’s second-place movie, Think Like a Man,

which held well all things considered, by 2,500 percent, and the new Kate Hudson movie, A Little Bit of Heaven, which averaged $894 at 11 theaters, by $200.3 million. Here’s an Avengers-revised rundown of the top 10 all-time opening weekends, as compiled per BoxOfficeMojo.com stats: 1. The Avengers, $200.3 million 2. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, $169.2 million 3. The Dark Knight, $158.4 million 4. The Hunger Games, $152.5 million 5. Spider-Man 3, $151.1 million 6. The Twilight Saga: New Moon, $142.8 million 7. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn—Part 1, $138.1 million 8. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest, $135.6 million 9. Iron Man 2, $128.1 million 10. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, $125 million

A4 INdulge! TRAVEL

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Samal celebrates Pigkaysan Festival

EXPECT the wonderful rhythm of drum beats and Agongs to soothe your ears and your sights be filled with a variety of colors as Igacos launches the Pigkaysan Festival this afternoon at the Peñaplata Elementary School Grounds, Samal District, Island Garden City of Samal.

Presented by the offices of Cong. Anton F. Lagdameo, Jr., FABC President Vincent R. Floirendo and SKF President Maiki Ferrazzini, the Pigkaysan Festival, is an environmental, music, arts and culture fair which will be held from May 4 to 6, 2012 as part of the Visit Samal 2012 Campaign program of the Department of Tourism and the LGU. Various activities have been lined-up as part of the festival highlighting the culture and traditions of the different tribal minorities in this paradisaical island. Traditional Tribal houses of the Sama’l and Muslim Tribe will be presented throughout the festivities with various cultural presentations galore at night time. Davao-born musician and composer Eric Dalisay and the Samal Sound Project is the composer/arranger of the Pigkaysan Music that will be the official sound of the festival. Among the expected guests during the opening ceremonies include DOT R-XI Regional Director Arturo Boncato, Igacos City Mayor Aniano P. Antalan, Davao del Norte 2nd District Congressman Anton F. Lagdameo, Jr., FABC Prexy Enteng Floirendo and SKF President Maiki Ferrazzini.

There will be an Agong and Kulintang playing demonstration on the 2nd day (May 5) as well as a variety show to be led by the Isla Dancers together with various bands. Then the Mebuyan Band, an all-female rock & roll band also based in Davao City, will serenade the night with their engaging music, a fusion of ethnic, pop and alternative. On its 3rd day, UndakUndak Contest and tribal presentations will be held which will be concluded with a Tribal Ritual of

Prayer calling for unity, abundance and peace among the Samal tribes. Pigkaysan sa Samal Festival is being sponsored by the ANFLOCOR Group of Companies and Davao Light & Power Company as well as Felcris Supermart, Dapacor, and L. Arizola Construction. Minor sponsors include Merco, Daneco, BRLL Electric Systems, Engr. Arthur Abad, Boardmembers Ely Dacalus and Dr. Daniel Lu, Engr. Darwin Ravelo and Ms. Jean Lao. (Edwin C. Lagumbay, Jr.)

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SPORTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 45 • MAY 8, 2012

Super sidekicks Steve Blake of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates his three point shot with 18 seconds remaining in the game against the Denver Nuggets with Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers and Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Four of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2012 NBA Playoffs at Pepsi Center on Moday in Denver, Colorado. The Lakers defeated the Nuggets 92-88 to take a 3-1 lead in the series.

Supporting cast carry LA Lakers to 3-1 lead

ENVER (AP)-Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum put up their usual big numbers. Their supporting cast came up even bigger, sealing the Los Angeles Lakers’ 9288 victory over Denver on Sunday night that put the Nuggets on the brink of elimination. Bryant had 22 points and Bynum added 19 to help the Lakers overcome a sixpoint halftime deficit and take a 3-1 lead in the first-round playoff series that they can wrap up Tuesday night when the series shifts back to Staples Center for Game 5. Sixth-man Jordan Hill had 12 points and 11 rebounds, and recently acquired guard Ramon Sessions and reserve point guard Steve Blake each hit crucial 3-pointers in the final minute as the Lakers broke free. Those were the players the Nuggets preferred had the ball in crunch time, and Bryant wasn’t at all

Money talks, Money balks

hesitant to oblige. ‘’Sessions has hit big 3s. Even when I was out he hit some big 3s to win games. He did it again tonight. I have confidence in him,’’ Bryant said. ‘’If you’re observing the game in the third quarter I hit Sessions for an open shot, Blake for an open shot and (Matt) Barnes for an open shot and they missed all three of them. George (Karl), being observant as he is, saw I was (ticked). I was and didn’t think I would trust them at the end of the game to knock down those shots, but they stepped up and knocked them down.’’ With the game tied at 86, Danilo Gallinari was covering Bryant when a hard screen from Pau Gasol sent the Italian to the floor grabbing his throat. While Gallinari stayed down, Sessions’ 3-pointer from just in front of the Nuggets bench put the Lakers ahead 89-86 with 48 seconds remaining.

‘’It was a tough pick, you’ve got to expect that in the playoffs,’’ Gallinari said. ‘’I’ve got to be ready and play defense. Unfortunately, they hit a big shot out of that.’’ Andre Miller was whistled for basket interference at the other end, and Bryant found Blake for a 3-pointer from the left corner with 18.9 seconds left for a six-point cushion, L.A.’s biggest of the night. Blake got a bear hug from Bryant during the 20-second timeout. ‘’Those moments don’t scare him,’’ Bryant said. ‘’It’s always good when you get a hug from Kobe. It means you did something right,’’ Blake said. ‘’It was a total team effort for us tonight.’’ Sessions, whose acquisition from Cleveland this spring led to the trade of five-time NBA champion Derek Fisher, finished with 12 points, and Blake had 10.

Mayweather says fight with Pacquiao won’t happen

AS VEGAS (AP)-Floyd Mayweather Jr. was getting ready to make his ring walk about the time Manny Pacquiao arrived at Los Angeles International Airport on Philippine Airlines Flight 102. He’ll be occupying a cell at the Clark County Detention Center by the time Pacquiao makes his way to this gambling city for his June 9 fight with Timothy Bradley. The two are seemingly destined never to be in the same spot at the same time. Certainly not in the ring, something Mayweather made clear Saturday night after taking on Miguel Cotto in a bruising fight that, if not his best, was certainly

among his most exciting. ‘’The Pacquiao-Mayweather fight is not going to happen,’’ Mayweather said. ‘’It’s not my fault.’’ More on that later, though Mayweather could be called out for using some convoluted logic about why the fight won’t happen. Suffice it to say he believes he’s in the driver’s seat for any mega-fight, and is both suspicious of Pacquiao and unwilling to take equal money for the bout. After making a minimum $32 million in an impressive performance Saturday night against Cotto, Mayweather could be excused for dismissing what would be the richest fight in boxing history. But, with

jail time coming up for a domestic abuse charge, there will be plenty of time for reflection about his future ‘’I don’t know where we’re going to go from here because we basically have fought everybody in this sport,’’ Mayweather said. ‘’I don’t have to fight if I don’t want to.’’ Indeed, Mayweather hinted of retirement following his tough battle with Cotto, which ended with Mayweather claiming a piece of the 154-pound title with a unanimous decision. But there’s huge money still to be made, and he’s a fighter who burns through cash with a Money Team entourage that seems to grow with each fight.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. (L) and Puerto Rico’s Miguel Cotto (R) duel it out last Sunday in Las Vegas, Nevada, during their Super Welterweight Championship fight. Mayweather Jr. defeated Cotto on a unanimous decision in the 12-roud bout.

SPORTS

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DAVID VS. GOLIATH. The Philippines Little Azkals led by team captain Jed Diamante of Davao City shake hands with players from Inter Reggio during their current tour in Palermo, Italy. The Little Azkals also have Javi Romero-Salas (right) who starred in their win against Panormus.

Little Azkals chalk up 5 wins in Italy

HE Philippines’ Under-14 boys football team, also known as the Little Azkals, has chalked up five wins in six matches so far in Italy. Captained by Davao City’s Jed Diamante, the Little Azkals beat their taller opponents in Italy, the last one coming in Balistrate against Regina Calcio which they pummelled with a one-sided 8-0 scoreline. Earlier, the team also beat Panormus

98 where another Davao standout Javi RomeroSalas led the Little Azkals’ attack with two big goals that made the difference in their 6-1 win. “We are very proud of Javi and the rest of the Little Azkals. Their experience in Italy will surely be a big help to the team,” said Javi’s mother Marie Georgette Romero-Salas. The Little Azkals other victories were against Inter Reggio in Reggio

Calabria via a 10-0 demolition, Giacomo Tedesco Scuola Calcio, 5-0, Cristina Scuola Calcio 2-1. Their only loss came at the hands of Mezzojuso Scuola Calcio, 0-3. The boys also got a treat when they were visited in their training camp by Italian football star Giacomo Tedesco, a standout in the Italian Serie A league. The Little Azkals will be returning home on May 10.

Phil, James lead Loyola vs Stallion

AMES and Phil Younghusband starred in the Loyola Meralco Sparks’ dominant 3-0 win over Stallion Giligan’s, while Philippine Air Force Phoenix and Philippine Army Fritz & Macziol battled to a 2-2 draw in a pair of heated United Football League encounters Saturday at University of Makati.

Loyola dominated a shorthanded Stallion squad, which began the game without starters Baek Seong Kab, Ruben Doctora Jr, and Park Bo Bae, who were serving match suspensions. James Younghusband opened the scoring at the 10th minute before his brother gave Loyola a 2-0 edge 29 minutes into the

game. Stallion could not get going in the second half, and the match once again turned physical between the two squads. Stallion caught a terrible break when goalkeeper Wilson Muñoz was sent off at 59th minute for his second yellow card for a handball outside the penalty box.