Edge Davao 5 Issue 59

EDGEDAVAO

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

VOL.5 ISSUE 59 • MAY 25 - 26 , 2012

www.edgedavao.net

Serving a seamless society

For SMI man’s murder

Indulge Page A1

Rody offers P1-M reward

Agritrends Page 7

n Bounty upped to identify suspect

A

who was gunned down in Davao City last September 16.

The reward, increased from the original P500,000, was announced by Davao

P1-million reward awaits anyone who can give information leading to the arrest of the killer of Sagittarius Mines Inc. (SMI) executive Cristituto Bual

Sports Page 15

Follow Us On

By Jade C. Zaldivar

City Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte yesterday in a press conference at the Grand Men Seng Hotel.

“We are raising the ante, raising the reward to P1 million. Kung sino man ang makakapagturo kung saan nagtatago ang

FRODY, 13

RENEWED STRATEGY. Nokia Philippines General Manager and Head of Sales, Dharmesh Goshalia presents to the members of the press in Davao City on Thursday the company’s renewed strategy. He revealed that the future of the company is bright in the country. [KARLOS MANLUPIG]

Huge surplus

Banana firms to chop down trees

By Lorie A. Cascaro

D

uring this peak season, when China’s demand for bananas is high, their overly strict measures

on the entry of Philippine bananas have resulted in a huge surplus of the fruit, thereby forcing big corporations to decide to chop down their banana trees.

While some plantations are still un-

decided whether to chop or not, others have already begun cutting down their trees, said Stephen A. Antig, president and executive director of the Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Associa-

FBANANA FORMS, 13

2

THE BIG NEWS

NPA ‘child warrior’ ‘rescued’ by NGOs

By Lorie A. Cascaro

L

imping due to a gunshot wound in his left thigh, “Jessie” (not his real name), 16, entered the room, glad to be reunited with his family in a press conference yesterday at the Karapatan headquarters in Torres St., Davao City.

After more than two weeks of detention in the military medical facility inside Camp Evangelista of the 4thInfantry Division, Philippine Army in Cagayan de Oro City, he was released by the military to Karapatan and KABIBA Alliance for Children’s Concerns, Inc., last Tuesday.

After an armed encounter between the soldiers and elements of the New People’s Army (NPA) that caused the evacuation of the community in Barangay New Visayas, Trento, Agusan del Sur, the wounded “Jessie” showed up limping at the evacuation center last May 8.

Karapatan said soldiers at the evacuation center arrested Jessie, branding him a one of the “child warriors” of the NPA. “Dili ko NPA (I’m not a member of the NPA),” he told reporters, adding that he was an active member of a church’s youth group in his village before the encounter.

Lovey Caragao, advocacy officer of KABIBA, said Jessie’s arrest and detention violated the United Nations Convention on Children’s Rights signed by the Philippine government because he is still a minor, and that “it was not necessary for the military to bring him to their camp to treat his wound,” she added.

Jessie was confined in a hospital room where he was subjected to interrogation by the military.

Melchor Malimbasao, Jessie’s father, said he hopes his son would no longer bear the tag “NPA child warrior”.

T

Idris said BFAR, early this year, made initial funding releases for the cooperating SUCs to start implementing the program designed to “ensure resource sustainability, attain food security and alleviate poverty.”

PNAP binds together the mandate of BFAR which is tasked to “promote sustainable development of fisheries resources and reduce poverty incidence among fisher-folks”, and CHED which has the capability to “direct or redirect purposive research to meet the needs of agro-industrialization and development.”

PNAP implementing guidelines define “Aquasilviculture” as environmentally- friendly enhanced production in the wild that involves the growing of fish and other aquatic organisms within a mangrove area without cutting down a single tree.

Among implementing strategies of PNAP include the creation of a National Steering Committee, Regional Steering Committee and a Project Management Office.

It also includes capacity building or training component that the Regional Steering Committee will conduct for community organizers, project coordinators, SUC coordinators and program beneficiaries. [PIA 11/ JEANEVIVE DURONABANGAN]

EDGEDAVAO

HEAVY LOAD. “Kargadors” who are also known as the kings of the narrow alleys of Bankerohan Public Market take a break after a day of hard labor carrying various types of merchandise in their improvised pushcarts. [KARLOS MANLUPIG]

Plastic ban

Emergency meet held to clear the air for unprepared plastic bag suppliers

By Jade C. Zaldivar

P3.4 M allotted A for Davao SUCs HREE state universities and colleges (SUCs) in the Davao region will be receive P3.4 million funding each for fisheries production and mangrove rehabilitation through the Philippine National Aquasilviculture Program (PNAP).

Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) regional director Fatma Edris said that the Southern Philippines Agribusiness and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology (SPAMAST) in Davao del Sur, the Davao del Norte State College (DNSC) in Davao del Norte and the Davao Oriental State College of Science and Technology are among the SUCs identified as beneficiaries of PNAP. PNAP funding per SUC covers the implementation of Community-based Multi-Species Hatchery Project allocated with P1.2 million; Aquasilviculture Project , P1.099 million; and Mangrove Rehabilitation, P1.154 million. DNSC will get double funding allocation from the program, Idris said.

BFAR and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) inked their agreement to implement the PNAP on December 16, 2011, and that the implementing rules and regulations had already been released for the program to take off.

VOL.5 ISSUE 59 • MAY 25 - 26, 2012

N emergency meeting was held last May 23 regarding the city’s ban on plastic and polystyrene foam, commonly known by the brand name Styrofoam, as manufacturers and suppliers of said products were unprepared.

A staff from City Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro) yesterday admitted that the businessmen ‘pleaded’ for the nullification or postponement of the ban.

Engr. Fortunato de Castro, Cenro’s head for IEC (information, education, and communication), said he was surprised by the reaction as the office “did its job to inform.”

“Hindi kami nag-kulang sa pag-inform,” De Castro said during the ISpeak Media Forum at the city hall.

The matter stems from ‘Davao City Ecological Solid Waste Management Ordinance of 2009’ (SWM Ordinance) which was passed by the City Council June 28 of 2010.

Articles 4 and 5 of the ordinance state “non-biodegradable plastic bags

n Plastics with handles banned by June 28,

Styrofoam ban postponed n Cenro advice to re-manufacture plastics to become biodegradable and polystyrene foam as food containers shall be banned two years after the approval of the ordinancel.”

During the meeting between the City’s Waste Management Board and plastic manufacturers, the Board gave in to the latter’s request that implementation of certain provisions shall be delayed.

“Some asked for excemption and we told them to submit a position paper. The resolution reached at the meeting was that plastic bags used as food containers shall be banned by June 28 but there will be an extension in the enforcement of the ban on Styrofoams,” he said.

“The Board agreed that there is still an ample quantity of Styrofoams which will not be immediately disposed of. Plastic bags may still be sold and used but by June 28 it will be prohibited,” he added.

Re-manufacture The Cenro representative said manufacturers and suppliers of plasrics

were advised to re-manufacture their plastic products and convert them from non-biodegradable to biodegradable.

“There is a way to make plastics biodegradable. By adding an oxo additive to the plastic it deteriorates quickly, unlike non-biodegradable plastics which will not decompose for 100 years,” he said.

“It’s very cheap. The oxo biodegradable additive would cost only 0.035 cents per plastic and the manufacturing would cost 15 centavos per plastic,” he said.

Asked about the economic implications of the ban to the citym from manufacturers to the vendors who would have to adjust, De Castro was unable to provide a figure.

If manufacturers produce biodegradable plastics, the implication is that their prices will go up, eventually affecting the buying public.

The matter was brought into public attention following City Councilor Melchor Quitain’s

organic ventures of FARMCoop which he said is in the process of introducing organic farming to its 21 members which are primary agrarian reform beneficiary (ARB) cooperatives.

“Eventually, (our) synthetic farms will be converted into organic or low

Quips

privilege speech weeks previous to remind of the provision’s effectivity.

Mayor Sara DuterteCarpio on Monday said there is a “gray area” as to the scope of plastics to be banned, making the clarification that not all plastics will be banned but only those with handles which are used as food containers.

Article 4 of the SWM Ordinance, titled Reduction of Use of Non-biodegradable and Single-Use Plastic Bags states that all stores in Davao City shall provide only the following check-out bags or containers to customers: - Recycled or recyclable paper bags; - Biodegradable plastic bags; - Bags made of indigenous materials, such as buri, abaca, anahaw, bamboo, and pineapple; or - Used corrugated boxes or cartons.

Meanwhile, Article 5 Ban of Non-biodegradable Plastic Bags and Polystyrene Bags and Polystyrene Foam as Food Containers states that “Only recyclable, biodegradable, or reusable containers are allowed to be used as a food and beverage containers.”

Banana coops go organic to match market needs

S

OME banana-based cooperatives are now going organic triggered by the growing health consciousness of its overseas consumers.

Roseller M. Adlawan, training coordinator of the Foundation for Agrarian Reform Cooperatives in Mindanao (FARM-Coop) bared the

FBANANA COOPS, 13

‘THERE is no requirement that we open up our bank deposits. Because if that’s the case it would be disastrous to the banking system.’

--Senator Franklin Drilon on the challenge of Chief Justice Renato Corona for him and the 188 Impeachment congressmen to sign a waiver for the opening of their bank accounts.

EDGEDAVAO

THE BIG NEWS

VOL.5 ISSUE 59 • MAY 25 - 26, 2012

3

Soldiers cited for heroism B

VOLUNTEERS. Employees of Holcim Davao construct mini bleachers for students of Sixto Babao Elementary School in Brgy. Ilang, Tibungco, Davao City on Thursday. [LEAN DAVAL, JR.]

RIG. Gen. Ariel B. Bernardo, commander of 10th Infantry Division, awarded three of his men who survived the sneak attack conducted by the New People’s Army in two separate incidents this month.

Bernardo awarded the Wounded Personnel Medal to Private First Class Efren V. Lacuesta of 69th Infantry Battalion when he was sniped by a member of OCG – NPA on May 19 at Brgy. Malabog, Paquibato District, this city.

Two other soldiers were also cited for their heroism. Staff Sergeant Nepomuceno B. Danga Jr. and Corporal Robert J. Aquino, also from 69th IB, received the Wounded Personal Medal after being wounded in action during a landmine explosion followed by sporadic

gun fires from undetermined number of OCG – NPAs at Sitio Maripon, Paradise Embac, also in Paquibato District.

“We recognize the courage of our soldiers who have risk their lives in line with their duties.

What happened will even boost the desire of our men to protect and serve the people,” Brig. Gen. Bernardo said.

“We will continue to fight in diminishing insurgency especially in remote areas which is why we continue to promote and implement our Peace and Development Program (PDOP),” he added.

He also added that sneaky attacks from OCG – NPAs will not hamper the will of the Army to outreach far-flung areas to deliver the basic services needed in order to address social issues. [10TH ID PA]

OFW who fell to her death in Singapore, laid to rest DOT woos last-minute

By Lorie A. Cascaro

A

N overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who died after falling from a building in Singapore last May 11, was buried yesterday in her hometown of Lupon, Davao Oriental.

Apple Gamale’s body was autopsied last Wednesday at St. Peter’s Chapel, Km. 14 National Highway, Davao City.

It was her family’s initiative to conduct their own investigation on her death to disprove the report of Singaporean police and the Philippine Embassy that she may have committed suicide.

Rey Gamale, her elder

W

n Kin hope autopsy Fernandez said the de-

will solve mystery

brother, together with Migrante Davao Chapter, requested the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) 11 last Monday for a recommendation letter required by the local government of Davao Oriental to facilitate the autopsy.

He said they are hopeful that the autopsy results, expected to be released in two to three weeks, will lead to achieving justice for Apple’s death.

In an interview yesterday, DFA 11 administrative officer Conegundo

partment does not have the authority to issue recommendation letter for autopsy.

“It’s the family’s prerogative to conduct the autopsy as part of their own investigation. No need for recommendation letter from the DFA,” he told Edge Davao.

Asked whether or not the Philippine government is conducting an independent investigation on Gamale’s case, he said the Philippine Embassy is there to monitor the investigation by the Singaporean government.

Lani Oñada, spokesperson of Migrante Davao, said the Philip-

pine government must conduct its own investigation.

“Dili man ta dapat magpakaigo sa kung unsa ang resulta sa investigation sa receiving countries kay normally pagdapig man gyud na didto base sa kasinatian (We don’t have to rely on the results of the investigation by the receiving country because, normally, they are bias based on experience),” she added.

Meanwhile, Fernandez said, if ever Gamale’s family will file a complaint based on the autopsy results, the DFA 11 will immediately inform the Singaporean government.

Davao Oriental gears for fisheries sufficiency

ITH three tilapia hatcheries already established in the province, the provincial government is bent on expanding and strengthening the tilapia village enterprise program.

The province is focusing in areas with potential for fresh water culture as it gears towards fish sufficiency. The tilapia village enterprise program was implemented last year, the program has produced 1,300 tilapia fish farmers including a Gawad Saka Awardee.

The three tilapia hatcheries were established Brgy. Tibanban in the municipality of Gov. Generoso, with the Gawad Saka Awardee Mr. Rudy

Rubio, in Brgy. Cocornon and Calapagan in the municipality of Lupon, and another tilapia hatchery will soon be launched in the municipality of Manay, with two barangays suitable for tilapia production, Barangay Rizal and Taocanga.

This is in consonance to the program of the Dept. of Education, particularly in Manay Division, urging schools to have a tilapia hatchery.

Seeing also the potential of the two lakes in Manay, the provincial government is now making a development plan for Diomabuc Lake and Lake Danao.

Diomabuc Lake has a 20-hectare area, while Lake Danao has a 6-hect-

are area, all bound for aqua culture production.

The municipality of Boston is set to start with its tilapia hatchery in Brgy. Ca-atihan, covering 2 hectares. The local government unit allocated 50 thousand financial assistance for the establishment of the hatchery, also designed to sustain the fingerling requirement for tilapia. The proponent also agreed to give his counterpart.

“The Province already validated the area, but it will be for the final validation of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. The BFAR just wanted to be sure everything is in place,” said Mr. Felipe Montera, Chief of the Provincial Agriculture

Office Fisheries Division.

He disclosed that the province is now looking into areas that are potential for aqua culture, while the province now has 72 hectares of productive area for tilapia.

It also aims to be instrumental in reducing the price of tilapia, through keen focus in the fish village enterprise.

“Each of our farmers in the tilapia village enterprise takes care of 500 to 2 thousand square meter hatchery, while the provincial government relentlessly works on coping its target production of 3 tons a year for every hectare,” he explained.

Such undertaking is designed to make the

FDAVAO, 13

summer bakasyonistas

T

HE Department of Tourism in Region 11 is still wooing tourists or bakasyonistas going on their last-minute summer holidays.

May panahon pa naman (there is still time) says Art Boncato, regional director of DOT11 urging people to visit varied tourism destinations in the region as the month of May comes to an end.

Meron pa tayong twoweeks bago mag-opening ang classes in June (We still have two-weeks before classes opens in June) Boncato said adding that it would be a perfect time for last-minute travels.

The DOT is in its last phase of One Summer Fun regional tourism program.

According to Boncato various summer presentations of the provinces began last April with the Davao Oriental showcase as its last.

Boncato said that the province of Davao Oriental who held a summer tourism presentation at the Abreeza Mall in Davao City last Wednesday is an ideal lastminute destination for summer.

“Davao Oriental best exemplifies our positioning as an Island-to-Highland Destination.” Boncato said. He

Quips

adds that a large part of the province faces the Pacific Ocean which provides a variety of eco-adventure activities for tourists like surfing and skimboarding.

Dashielle Indelible Jr. City Tourism Officer of Mati City in Davao Oriental said that the city government is currently prioritizing tourism infrastructure. Among the projects include the completion of the Mati City Baywalk, the development of the Dahican-Lawigan Road network and the setting up of the Tourism Information Center in Dahican.

The P20-million Tourism Information Center aims to develop Mati City’s main tourism attraction which is Dahican, a long stretch of white-sand beach which faces the Pacific Ocean, popular among skim boarders, surfers and other adventurous tourists.

Indelible said that the city is hoping to sustain a 1015% increase in tourism arrivals for this year. He bared that last year’s tourism arrivals to the city reached 60,000 visitors. As of recorded arrivals for this year, it registered a total of 40,000 visitors. Indelible is confident of reaching the 100,000 visitors mark. [PIA/RG ALAMA]

‘THE ISSUANCE of the warrants of arrest against Delfin Lee and his co-accused just shows that the law is on the side of ordinary workers duped bu Globe Asiatique.’

--Vice President Jejomar Binay

4

SCIENCE/ENVIRONMENT

VOL.5 ISSUE 59 • MAY 25 - 26, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

UN convention outlines measures to halt land degradation by 2030 T

HE United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) on Wednesday launched a report that focuses on achieving zero net land degradation by 2030.

The policy brief says the time is ripe to agree on a sustainable development goal at the upcoming Rio+20 summit on zero net land degradation to secure productive land for present and future generations.

The report notes achieving zero net land degradation by 2030 “will require the commitment, the support and the active investment of all public and private sectors.”

“When we consider the trend of land degradation and the need for us to preserve forest and land, it will be mission impossible unless at Rio+20 the international community commits a sustainable goal for land use,” UNCCD Executive Secretary Luc Gnacadja told Xinhua.

Zero net land degradation is achieved by avoiding land degradation and offsetting it by land restoration.

The report also outlines drought policies and preparedness measures in

drought-prone regions and countries by 2020.

UNCCD, the sole legally-binding international agreement linking environment and development issues to sustainable land

management, says an additional 120 million hectares of productive land will be needed to support the demand for food production, which will grow by 50 percent in 2030.

However, each year 12 million hectares of productive land are lost due to land degradation and desertification. Globally, 1.5 billion people are directly affected by land degrada-

Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago.

She and colleagues were studying lifeforms living around hydrothermal vents off the northwest coast of the United States.

Such vents are among the key study targets of modern oceanographic science - places where amazing collections of animals and other organisms thrive in mineralrich, hot waters that gush up from volcanic cracks in the seabed.

Indeed, it was Alvin that first discovered these ecosystems in 1977.

On one dive to a depth of 2.7km on the Gorda Ridge, the team gathered various specimens with the submersible’s sampling tools.

The group then climbed back up the water column and moved Alvin, via its support ship, to a new dive location 600km to the north, on the Juan De Fuca Ridge, to take yet more specimens.

When the scientists examined their haul back in the lab, they found examples of a limpet (Lep-

etodrilus gordensis) thought to live only on the Gorda Ridge existing also on the Juan De Fuca Ridge. The team thought it had discovered an entirely new population.

But doubts started to creep in when the researchers realised conditions at the second site could not have met the limpets’ nutritional requirements.

Chemical analysis then confirmed the two populations were in fact one - Alvin, despite being cleaned en route to the second dive, had carried stowaways in its sampling gear.

“It remains a mystery, but we suspect we didn’t fully clean the suction sampler,” Dr Voight told BBC News.

“Perhaps they were in a little crack somewhere.

The hose on the suction sampler looks much like the hose on your vacuum cleaner, and perhaps they were hiding in the corrugations. We were late coming up from the dive and it was a bit dark maybe they just weren’t seen.

N Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Tuesday called attention to the fragile state of the world’s oceans and the importance of marine diversity for global survival, pressing for strengthened protection of marine life.

“Oceans cover almost three-quarters of the surface of the globe. They are home to the largest animal known to have lived on the planet -- the blue whale,” said the UN chief on the International World Biodiversity Day. “From sandy shores to the darkest depths of the sea, oceans and coasts support the rich tapestry of life on which human communities rely on,” Ban added.

The UN General Assembly marked International Day for Biological Diversity last May 22 to increase awareness of issues affecting global marine life. With its theme on marine diversity this year, the UN chief emphasized on the impact of

Warning over deep-ocean stowaways

C

ARE must be taken not to spread deep-sea creatures around the world during exploration of the remote ocean floor.

Scientists using the famous Alvin sub say the vehicle picked up limpets from a depth of almost 3,000m and inadvertently transferred them alive to another location more than 600km away.

It is surprising because the animals had to cope with huge pressure changes as Alvin conducted its dives.

The researchers report the event in the journal Conservation Biology.

Spreading organisms artificially beyond their range in this way could have damaging effects on marine ecosystems, they warn, either by introducing competitors or even disease.

The team urges other deep-sea explorers to exercise extreme caution, and to assume hardy stowaways could be hanging on to their vehicles.

The curious case of the limpets is described

by Janet Voight, from the

U

tion.

Established in 1994, Bonn-based UNCCD addresses specifically the arid, semi-arid and dry subhumid areas, known as the drylands. The Convention’s

195 Parties work together to improve the living conditions in the drylands, to maintain and restore land and soil productivity, and to mitigate the effects of drought. [PNA/XINHUA]

commercial exploitation of fish stock.

In his message, Ban said, more than half of world’s fisheries have exhausted their stock, with an additional third of the world’s fisheries in complete depletion.

Moreover, an estimated 30 to 34 percent of marine environment consisting of coral reefs, mangroves, and sea grasses have been destroyed.

“Increased burning of fossil fuels is affecting the global climate, making the sea surface warmer, causing sea level to rise and increasing ocean acidity, with consequences we are only beginning to comprehend,” said the

UN chief.

While concerns over marine life for the future were raised, the UN chief remains positive on the overall outlook for the future. “There is hope,” he said, noting that despite the damages done to the marine wildlife and habitats, an estimated 50 percent have shown recovery once the threat imposed by human presence was decreased.

“Lately, some progress is being made, particularly with the establishment of large-scale marine reserves and documenting areas of ecological or biological significance in open-ocean and deep- sea habitats,” Ban said. [PNA/XINHUA]

World’s oceans need greater protection: UN

Quips

‘SMALL people in rural areas now have access to modernized banking.’

--President Alex V. Buenaventura of One Network Bank

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

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

THE ECONOMY

VOL.5 ISSUE 59 • MAY 25 - 26, 2012

5

Hedcor to add 54 MW in Mindanao

H

EDCOR, a subsidiary of AboitizPower, is now on its 34th year of generating clean energy through its run-of-river hydropower systems in Benguet, Davao

and Ilocos Sur. In Davao, it currently generates 47 megawatts (MW).

The energy crisis Mindanao is currently facing encouraged Hedcor to build five (5) more

POWERHOUSE. This Talomo Hydro Power Plant in Davao City is one of the oldest hydro plants of Hedcor, producing clean energy for over 30 years now.

NGCP upgrades power monitoring system

plants with a total capacity of 54 MW to help address the situation.

The Tudaya project, an ex pansion of the 42.5 MW Sibulan Hydropower Plant in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur Hedcor, will soon start its construction after the Renewable Energy contract of Department of Energy will be given.

In the province of Bukidnon, necessary permits are presently applied for by the company for the 28.2 MW Sita-Simod project. The project will harness the Sita and Simod rivers. The two host barangays and the Municipality of Kitaotao already endorsed the proposed project after signing the memorandum of agreement with Hedcor officials.

Another project is in Davao City with 12 megawatts.

“We feel very strongly that we are part of the solution to

Mindanao’s power woes rather than the problem,” AboitizPower President and CEO Erramon I. Aboitiz said.

Hedcor is the largest developer of run-of-river hydropower in the country, which owns and operates 19 hydropower plants in Benguet, Ilocos Sur, and Davao with a total capacity of 154 megawatts.

AboitizPower is the holding company for the Aboitiz Group’s investments in power generation, distribution, retail and power services. It is a major producer of Cleanergy, its brand for clean and renewable energy in the Philippines with several hydroelectric and geothermal assets in its generation portfolio, and also has non-renewable power plants located across the country.

The company owns distribution utilities that operate in high-growth areas in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

T

HE Sy-led National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) has upgraded its power dispatch and monitoring systems at its System Operations (SO)-National Control Center (NCC).

The facility, located at NGCP’s head office in Quezon City, serves as the nerve center of power grid operations for the entire country.

This is where monitoring and controlling the operations of the grid, distribution system or user system, and balancing of power supply and demand are done. Simultaneous upgrades were also done at the Visayas and Mindanao Regional Control Centers.

SO-NCC acts as a power hub that dispatches all generation facilities and loads directly or indirectly connected to the transmission system. This is done in accordance with the Dispatch Schedule submitted by the Market Operator, the rules of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM), Grid Code, and the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).

SO-NCC uses the SCADA/EMS system in its day-to-day operations of the nationwide power grid. An upgraded version of this system called the OPEN3000 replaced the old GE System previously used at the Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao Regional Control Centers.

This will translate to more efficient, reliable, and secure grid operations -– consistent with NGCP’s goal of building “stronger transmission for a stronger nation.”

SCADA or Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition refers to a collection of computers, equipment and application software integrated into a system to acquire real-time data on power system parameters and to provide monitoring and control facility for remote devices such as breakers.

EMS or Energy Management System, on the other hand, is basically composed of a SCADA system with integrated advanced applications used in the management of the power grid. (PNA)

as of august 2010

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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

6

THE ECONOMY

In the Region

P3.6-B investments poured in 1st quarter

T

HE Davao Region (Region XI) registered P3.6 billion worth of investments in the first quarter of 2012.

Department of Trade and Industry-XI regional director Marizon Loreto said that the investments accounted for about 43% of the 2012 investment target of P8.4 billion.

If the amount of investments were sustained in the next three quarters it could surpass the 2011 investment figure for the Davao Region (Region XI) which registered P10.9 billion, she added.

Much of the investments were centered in Davao City and poured on property development, resorts, hotels and restaurants. In other provinces investments were geared towards agri-business.

Loreto credited the region’s favorable investment climate for this accomplishment, adding that the goals were not of DTI’s sole doing but also of the local government and the private sector.

She also said that the launching of the the Busi-

ness Permits and Licensing System which cuts down business processing time to as early as 12 minutes has encouraged businessmen to venture into businesses in the region. BPLS enacts a standard that limits the processing time in which local governments would issue business permits to a maximum of 10 days from the date of the submission of the application form.

Loreto said that many local governments are interested in implementing BPLS, among these include Davao City which has declared it as a priority program of the City Government.

Other initiatives undertaken in conjunction with the Board of Investments is the pursuit of CEO dialogues where the DTI and BOI meets with chief executive officers (CEOs) of companies to discuss plans and business expansions. Among those tackled in the CEO discussion is the possible government interventions these businesses would need. (PIA/RG ALAMA)

AirAsia posts 11% increase in revenue

S

OUTHEAST Asia’s largest budget carrier, AirAsia Berhad posted in the first quarter an 11 percent increase in revenue at 1.17 billion ringgit (371.95 million U.S. dollars), from the 1.05 million ringgit (333,809.7 U. S. dollars) recorded last year.

The airline said the revenue growth came on the back of 12 percent growth in passenger volume and higher capacity.

Net operating profit expanded by four percent to 167.97 million ringgit (53.4 million U.S. dollars) year-onyear while profit after tax rose slightly to 172.43 million ringgit (54.81 million U. S. dollars) year-on-year.

“This remarkable performance, relative to our peers, signifies our resilient business model in the volatile and cyclical airline business coupled with the current stubborn high oil prices,” group CEO Tony Fernandes commented on the company’s positive result.

It figures

“We have reduced our net gearing further to 1.26 times with a healthy cash balance of 2.06 billion ringgit (654.9 million U.S. dollars) through strong revenue production, efficient cost and fleet management,” he added.

The airline currently has 57 aircraft operating in Malaysia.

The airline carried 4.8 million passengers in the quarter, 12 percent more than it did the previous corresponding quarter.

Cost, measured by total expenses before interest and tax divided by available seat per kilometer was six percent higher year-onyear at 13.44 sen.

AirAsia’s Thai affiliated meanwhile posted a 22 percent lower year-on-year net profit of 621.6 million Thai Baht (19.72 million U.S. dollars) in the first quarter but revenue increased 18 percent to 4.87 billion Thai Baht (154.5 million U.S. dollars).

122

NUMBER of right-of-way claims of Mindanao landowners with the National Transmission Corp. (Transco) for immediate settlement. According to Pilipinas Para sa Pilipino (PPP), a non-governmental organization. The landowners are asking for just compensation and or rentals for the use and occupation of their lands used for transmission facilities.

P100 billion

SELLING PRICE of GMA Network Inc. according to GMA Network chair Felipe Gozon. This as officials confirmed that the group of Manuel V. Pangilinan was one of the groups seriously interested in buying the network.

VOL.5 ISSUE 59 • MAY 25 - 26, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Infra to boost PHL econ: WB A

MIDST weakening markets for exports, the best prospects for the Philippines to maintain high growth rates, create more jobs, and reduce poverty are through greater investments in productivity-enhancing infrastructure and further economic integration with its trading partners, says the World Bank in its latest East Asia and Pacific Economic Update released on Wednesday.

The report, entitled “Capturing New Sources of Growth” projects that 2012 annual growth in the East Asia and the Pacific region will moderate to 7.6 percent with slower expansion in China pulling down the regional aggregate. Excluding China, growth will increase to 5.2 percent as Thailand returns to normal levels of production. Commodity exporters, which experienced a boom in 2011, may be vulnerable in the event of a faster than anticipated slowdown in China, which could trigger an unexpected drop in commodity prices.

In 2011, East Asia and the Pacific Region grew by 8.2 percent (4.3 percent excluding China), a sharp decline from the nearly 10 percent growth rate recorded in 2010 (7.0 percent excluding China).

In the same year, growth was about 2 percentage points higher than the developing country average world-wide, and poverty continues to fall.

“The number of people living on less than US$ 1 a day is expected to decrease in 2012 by 24 million. Overall, the number of people living in poverty has been cut in half in the last decade in East Asia and Pacific,” said Pamela Cox, World Bank East Asia and Pacific Regional Vice President. “Despite this success, about one-third of the people in the region, roughly half a billion men, women and children still live in poverty. In an uncertain global environment, more needs to be done to create new sources of growth that provide opportunities for all.”

The slowdown in 2011 was largely due to lower than expected growth in manufacturing exports as well as supply disruptions in the wake of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, and severe flooding in Thailand.

Domestic demand and investment were generally strong, aided by loosening of monetary policy in some countries.

The EU, along with the US and Japan, accounts for more than 40 percent of the region’s exports, and European banks pro-

vide one-third of trade and project finance in Asia.

As external demand is likely to remain weak, countries in developing East Asia and Pacific need to rely less on exports and more on domestic demand to maintain high growth. Already, many countries are moving in this direction, but there is further scope for rebalancing.

“Some countries will need to stimulate household consumption. In others, enhanced investment, particularly in infrastructure, offers the potential to sustain growth provided this does not exacerbate domestic demand pressures,” said Bryce Quillin, World Bank Economist and lead author of the report. “With a changing financial sector in the aftermath of the financial crisis, new ways to finance higher levels of infrastructure investment need to be developed. Governments would need to focus on accelerating the preparation of infrastructure projects.”

The report says that the Philippines needs to address the key impediments to accelerating inclusive growth through strengthening public financial management, improving tax revenues

efficiently and equitably, ramping up investments in infrastructure, and enhancing competitiveness to attract more investments.

“Successful implementation of these key reforms would allow the Philippines to take advantage of new opportunities arising from the global economic rebalancing, given rising production costs in the rest of the region,” said World Bank Lead Economist for the Philippines Rogier van den Brink.

In East Asia and the Pacific Region as a whole, more investment will enhance productivity and drive growth through higher value-added activities and innovation in the medium-term. Although large gains have been made in labor productivity across the region since the Asian financial crisis of 1997-98, there is still large room for further gains.

Policies to support the movement of labor among countries can also be improved, suggests the Report. Improved regional migration policies could enhance the gains from regional economic integration and allow countries with declining working age populations to meet labor demand.

celerated implementation of major peace and development initiatives in Mindanao,” Antonino said.

A cumulative amount of $127.7 million is allocated through the agreement to strengthen the Mindanao Peace and Development Program (MPAD) implemented in six conflict-affected areas in Mindanao: Cotabato City, Isabela City, Zamboanga City, Marawi City, Jolo, and Southern Basilan.

MPAD, a USAID grant assistance currently under the oversight of MinDA, aims to promote economic growth in the identified areas through expansion of economic opportunities, infrastructure development, improvement

in governance and social services.

Antoniono said that the USAID-MinDA partnership has been one of the most formidable tandems in the sphere of collaboration between the Philippine government and official development assistance.

Some of the MPAD projects under the oversight of MinDA are Growth with Equity in Mindanao Program, Microenterprise Access to Banking Services, Transparent and Accountable Governance Project, Barangay Justice Service System Project, and Credit Union Empowerment and Strengthening (CUES) Project. Barangay Justice for Peace Project and

CUES ended in February 2010 and December 2011, respectively, while the three other ongoing projects will all close in September 2012.

Bilateral agreements were also signed between the USAID and the Department of Health. The allocated funds will be used for the implementation of universal health care and family health programs.

These assistance agreements are inline with the priorities outlined in President Benigno Aquino’s Social Contract with the Filipino People as well as with the Mindanao 2020 Peace and Development Framework Plan and the Philippine Development Plan.

(PNA)

MinDA, USAID sign pact on peace and development A

FFIRMING its support to the peace and development initiatives in Mindanao, the US government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), recently signed a bilateral assistance agreement with the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) for the implementation of its major activities in Mindanao.

The agreement was signed by USAID Deputy Administrator Donald Steinberg, USAID Philippines Mission Director Gloria Steele, and MinDA Chairperson Luwalhati Antonino.

“This bilateral signing comes at an opportune time as we all gear up for an ac-

31 percent

PERCENTAGE growth in vehicle sales in the first four months of the year in the country. According to the Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors Inc. (Avid), a total of 10,633 units were sold from January to April, compared to only 8,119 units a year ago.

97,000 NUMBER of Filipinos across the world who have registered during the past six months in order to be able to vote in the elections next year, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs. Of these, 62,312 are new overseas absentee voters (OAVs).

P546 billion CONSUMER loans at end-December 2011 which showing a growth rate 15.5 percent annually, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. Of the amount, P508.37 billion are current or performing loans while another P37.32 billion are past due or non-performing loans (NPLs).

29,314

NUMBER of bank accounts placed in the Export & Industry Bank, whose depositors will be paid by rthe Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp., after EIB was ordered closed by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas last month. PDIC said depositors with accounts of P10,000 and below could expect to receive deposit insurance payments through postal money orders.

EDGEDAVAO

AGRITRENDS

VOL.5 ISSUE 59 • MAY 25 - 26, 2012

7

Guava: The ‘apple’ of the tropics

By Jims Vincent T. Capuno

“It has more vitamin C than citrus; the edible rind alone has five times the vitamin C of an orange.» That is how Bill Daley describes guava in an article which appeared in Chicago Tribune.

Nutrition experts claim that vitamin C -- mainly in the skin, secondly in the firm flesh, and little in the central pulp -- varies from 56 to 600 milligrams. It may range up to 350-450 milligrams in nearly ripe fruit. When it is fully ripe and soft, the vitamin C content may decline to 50-100 milligrams.

Aside from vitamin C, guava is also rich in potassium, calcium and iron. Likewise, guava contains both carotenoids and polyphenols – the major classes of antioxidant pigments -- giving them relatively high dietary antioxidant value among plant foods. As these pigments produce the fruits› color, guavas that are red or orange in color have more potential value as antioxidants sources than yelllowish-green ones.

Raw guavas are eaten out-of-hand, but are preferred seeded and served sliced as dessert or in salads. There are innumerable recipes for utilizing guavas in pies, cakes, puddings, sauce, ice cream, jam, butter, marmalade, chutney, relish, catsup, and other products.

Dehydrated guavas may be reduced to a powder which can be used to flavor ice cream, confections and fruit juices, or boiled with sugar to make jelly, or utilized as pectin to make jelly of low-pectin fruits. In the Philippines, guava is used in dishes like sinigang.

A report from the Bureau of Plant Industry, a line agency of the Department of Agriculture, carries this information: «Guava has a great potential for extensive commercial production because of its ease of culture, high nutritional value and popularity of processed products. Most common areas where guavas are grown in abundance are: open ar-

eas, second-growth forests, backyard, or as a part of a mixed orchard.»

Currently, however, there are no existing records for big planting and production of guava in the country. To think of, guava has an international market and waiting to be tapped as long as we know what and how much they need.

Since 1975, Brazil has been exporting large quantities of guava paste, concentrated guava pulp, and guava shells not only to the United States but to Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Japan. Canned, frozen guava nectar is an important product in Hawaii and Puerto Rico. In South Africa, a baby-food manufacturer markets a guava-tapioca product, and a guava extract prepared from small and overripe fruits is used as ascorbic-acid enrichment for soft drinks and various foods.

Like most tropical fruits, guava has a thousand uses. In fact, guava has been touted as an all-purpose medicinal plant. If it is «an apple a day keeps the doctor away» in Europe and the United States, it must be «a few guavas in the season keeps the doctor away for the whole year» in the Philippines and other countries where guavas grow.

The roots, bark, leaves and immature fruits, because of their astringency, are commonly employed to halt gastroenteritis, diarrhea and dysentery, throughout the tropics. Crushed leaves are applied on wounds and ulcers. The leaf decoction is taken as a remedy for coughs, throat and chest ailments.

The bark and leaf extracts of guava have shown to have in vitro toxic action against numerous bacteria.

The leaves of guava are rich in flavonoids, which have demonstrated anti-bacterial activity. This anti-bacterial property of guava leaves is what causes benefit to the teeth and gums.

Because of this rea-

AGRICULTURAL SUPPORT. Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala (left) and Compostela Valley Governor Arturo T. Uy ride on a power tiller, which is part of more than P6-million worth of agricultural projects, farm machinery and equipment, inputs and fruit tree seedlings provided by the Department of Agriculture as its coun-

son, guava has been used for centuries to cure problems related to the teeth and gums. Leaves are chewed to relieve toothache and to cure bleeding gums and bad breath.Guava leaf decoction is gargled to relieve mouth sores and inflamed and bleeding gums.

Julia F. Morton, in Fruits of Warm Climates, writes: “Guava has been effective in halting vomiting and diarrhea in cholera patients. It is also applied on skin diseases. A decoction of the new shoots is taken as a febrifuge. The leaf infusion is prescribed in India in cerebral ailments and nephritis. An extract is given in epilepsy and chorea and a tincture is rubbed on the spine of children in convulsions. A combined decoction of leaves and bark is given to expel the placenta after childbirth.”

Guava helps reduce cholesterol in blood and prevents it from thickening, thereby maintaining fluidity of blood and reducing blood pressure. Studies have shown that foods which lack fiber (such a refined flour) add to blood pressure, due

terpart with the Provincial Government of Compostela Valley to increase the productivity and incomes of small farmers and fisherfolk. The DA is also eyeing to develop a 6,000-hectare cluster in Compostela into a production area for fancy rice like Basmati, and other high value crops. [ALAN JAY JACALAN, DA INFORMATION SERVICE]

to quick conversion to sugar. Guava, being very rich in fiber and hypoglycemic in nature, helps reduce blood pressure.

Guava is also very helpful for those who want to lose weight without compromising with their intake of proteins, vitamins and fiber. Guava, being very high in roughage and very rich in vitamins, proteins and minerals, but with no cholesterol and less digestible carbohydrates, is very filling and satisfies appetite very easily. Ironically, guava helps gain weight among lean and thin people. This is probably due to its richness in nutrients, which keeps their metabolism right helping proper absorption of nutrients.

Those who want to look younger should eat guava. «Guavas can help improve your skin texture and avoid skin problems more than the best of beauty creams or skin toner gels can do,» a beauty expert said. This is chiefly due to the abundance of astringents in its fruits (more in immature ones) and in leaves.

Guava has several other

Study urges

uses. Morton, in her book, cited the following: Wood: The wood is yellow to reddish, fine-grained, compact, moderately strong, weighs 650-750 kilograms per cubic meter; is durable indoors; used in carpentry and turnery. In India, it is valued for engravings. Guatemalans use guava wood to make spinning tops, and in El Salvador it is fashioned into hair combs which are perishable when wet. It is good fuelwood and also a source of charcoal.

Leaves and bark : The leaves and bark are rich in tannin (10% in the leaves on a dry weight basis, 11-30% in the bark). The bark is used in Central America for tanning hides. In Southeast Asia, the leaves are employed to give a black color to cotton; and in Indonesia, they serve to dye

matting.

Wood flowers: In Mexico, the tree may be parasitized by the mistletoe producing the rosette-like malformations called “wood flowers” which are sold as ornamental curiosities.

One of the most gregarious of fruit trees, the guava (known in the science world as Psidium guajava) is almost universally called by its common English name or its equivalent in other languages.

In Spanish, the tree is guayabo, or guayavo, the fruit guayaba or guyava. The French call it goyave or goyavier; the Dutch, guyaba, goeajaaba; the Surinamese, guave orgoejaba; and the Portuguese, goiaba or goaibeira. Hawaiians call it guava or kuawa. In the Philippines, it is known as bayabas.

have a scarcity of future food producers.

Results gathered from youth in Aurora and Albay revealed that young farmers’ children have expressed desire to go abroad, but this does not disconnect them from farming as respondents expressed that they have “heart for the farming family and vision for the farm.”

Manalo, a development communication specialist, further said that many of his research participants wanted to be connected to rice farming in various capacities but actions

are yet to be implemented for them to be actively engaged.

“There’s this belief that younger generation is not interested in farming, which resulted in almost zero efforts to engage the youth on rice farming. This needs rethinking as many of my research participants said, ‘Once a farmer, always a farmer,” Manalo emphasized.

He recommended that initiatives enabling youth to perform their tasks in school, while they remain connected to rice farming, must be crafted.

Engage youth in farming

A

study of Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhlRice) had recommended the indirect engagement of youth in rice farming as results revealed that farmers’ children care about the livelihood that had supported their family.

The study of Jaime A. Manalo IV titled, Really, they don’t want to farm?: Challenging existing orthodoxies on youth perceptions on rice farming in the Philippines challenged wide perception on youth wanting to leave the farm. This perception resulted in fears that the country might

8

VANTAGE POINTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 59 • MAY 25 - 26, 2012

A lateral solution to unemployment

W

EDITORIAL

Imperiousness

T

HE five-month impeachment trial of Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato C. Corona on his fitness to remain in office is about to end, with the senator-judges on the verge of casting their votes for acquittal or conviction, as the case may be.

Covered by media, particularly by obstreperous cameras of television networks, it has been a gripping courtroom drama like no other.

The reality show, watched by millions of Filipinos here and abroad, will reach its climactic phase today, Friday, when Corona takes the witness stand once more, this time to answer pointed questions from his accusers, members of the prosecution panel from the House of Representatives.

There’s no use belaboring here what happened in his first appearance before the impeachment court last Tuesday. Everybody knows what

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transpired. Suffice it to say that the highest magistrate of the country certainly was not at his best. He was at his worst.

Ordered by the impeachment court’s presiding officer, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, to return to the witness stand, Corona, no longer showing the slightest hint of bombast, was returned in a wheelchair, looking meek and helpless after reportedly suffering from the effects of his two-decade bout with diabetes.

Corona’s earlier show of imperiousness by walking out of the courtroom without asking the permission of the court was doused with cold water when the man he insulted by his walkout exacted a measure of revenge by ordering all exits closed, thereby preventing the leader of the country’s judicial system and his family from leaving. Tit for tat!

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

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ill the results of the new Social Weather Station (SWS) survey make the hopes of the labor sector dimmer?

SWShas released the results of its latest survey. It says that the country’s unemployment rate grew by 10 points or about 4.1 million individuals from December 2011 to March 2012.

In more precise terms, the survey found 34.4 percent of about 18.8 million unemployed Filipinos!

This result of the survey might be a welcome development. It somehow justifies the fears and alleged insensitivity of the leadership.

On May 1, 2012, the President rejected the demand of the labor sector for a P125 increase in the daily minimum wage. He cited that such proposal would be detrimental to the economy as it could lead to mass layoffs and business closures. In short, the result would be unemployment and less economic activities.

Nobody seemed to believethe calculation of the President that the demanded wage increase will benefit 40 million workers and will cost P1.43 trillion. Research institutions and labor organizations said that the figures cited by the President are quite bloated, and alleged that the intention is to unleash fear and confusion. Otherwise figures, further calculations and economic assumptions were circulated to prove their point. And for those who might have missed it, the corrected figures as presented by labor organizations indicated only less than 4 million employed workers that stand to benefit from the proposal and it will cost P194.9 million, which represents only 12 percent of the country’s total corporate earnings.

The point is that the long-standing demand for a P125 minimum wage increase is urgent and necessary. What could be more dreadful than outright unemployment – at least from the perspective of the administration - is the potent adversarial reactions of the private sector and these might have been the reason for the seeming inaction of our legislators (read: politicians). Like the labor sector, the private and business groups also have their own lobbyists and allies in congress; only, they are more quiet yet equally or even more powerful than the legislators. They can make things happen, and if further put into the losing end they can make things happen through most of our legislators.

While the proposal is now in congress, it might be more beneficial to mobilize groups that could help forward the cause of the labor sector. At this time, it is no longer a matter of the whole economy; it’s about allowing ordinary Filipinos to live in dignity. It’s about sharing and distributing the wealth that this so-called economy generates. A vibrant economy, i.e., more investments, more products produced and more profits, does not necessary mean lesser people living in poverty. This is particularly true for economies, like the Philippines, where the middle-income group is lessening, and where the lowest income group is thickening, while 90 percent of the wealth resides in only about 10 percent of the population.

The more significant challenge that we have to face however should the proposal gets the nod of the legislators and eventually the President – just keeping our fingers crossed - is layoffs and retrenchments of workers. Hopefully this will not happen all at once. Yet the good side of it – if it will indeed happen - is that we allow businesses to employ only the right size and the right kind of labor. We then improve the quality and productivity of labor.

In the long term, this will benefit the whole economy.

What then would we do with retrenched, laid off workers? And what about the rising level of unemployment in the Philippines?

Again, my answer to that at this time is not a matter of economics neither a matter of the number of new investment coming into the country to accommodate these people. I don’t really expect a small country (in geographic sense) like the Philippines to have a congestion of business and manufacturing establishments, food processing facilities, BPO centers, etc. Each country has its own carrying capacity.

What I expect is the right size of population in such a small country, and this calls for a genuine and workable policy framework - not on labor economics but on demography.

EDGEDAVAO

I

STILL can’t imagine that simply planting trees to save our environment and reduce the effects of global warming can also be a multi-million peso business venture for anyone who is keen on doing commercial tree planting.

One of my climbing buddies, Herbie Molina, who has a 15 hectare piece of coconut land in the hinterlands of Magsaysay town, Davao del Sur is bent on turning that land into a forest of commercial trees that could be sold five years later to ready buyers of raw logs to supply lumber and plywood factories in Davao.

Right now, Herbie is still trying to figure out what type of trees to plant on that piece of land that covers both mountainous and flat farm areas, all planted to coconut trees, as well as some fruit trees like durian and marang. What he has in mind is either gmelina or falcatta, but lately he bought some seedlings of lawaan or mahogany and other indigenous trees that he wants to plant in some smaller areas of his farm.

But another friend of mine, Jojo Doromal, who runs a rather successful banana farm somewhere in Calinan, had already made up his mind several years ago to turn his 28-hectare farmland in Laac, Davao del Norte into a commercial tree farm. When this banana farmer chose to plant 40,000 falcatta trees and nothing else, he didn’t waver and stuck to his plan with the help of foresters from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

It is so easy to see that Jojo is also succeeding in his five-year old falcatta tree plantation by the way he laughs and jokes

E

Tree farmer laughs all the way to the bank

with his friends all the time these days.

To him, planting falcatta is a protective “hedge” just in case something terrible happens to the banana industry. A large fellow with a round, jolly face, this new tree farmer would make a perfect Santa Claus during Christmas even without a white beard.

Jojo knows his falcatta trees are ready for harvest when he can no longer embrace the trunks of the trees. When they were still young, he treated his falcattas like his children, embracing them one by one whenever he visited Laac.

“Now, when I embrace my falcatta trees, the fingers of my two hands cannot reach out to each other,” he laughed aloud.

“Three years ago I could shake my own hands around the trees. Now, I can’t!”

Of course, when Jojo laughs out loud, it means he’s ready to laugh all the way to the bank if and when he starts harvesting his five-year old falcattas. This could easily mean a couple of million in his bank account, but Jojo told me he’s not in a hurry to rake his few millions because he can still make more if he could only wait a little longer, say three more years, or a total of eight years for all his falcatta trees in Laac to mature to their right harvesting age.

Waiting that long will mean something like five million or more pesos in his bank account from plywood factories which pay more than log traders which supply the raw logs to factories in Mindanao. When I asked him how much they pay for falcatta trees, he couldn’t remember the exact figure per cubic meter at the plywood factory in Lanang, this city.

“I really don’t mind that much as long as I get the total amount into my bank account,” he laughed. “Anyway, these falcattas grow on their own. After planting, we just leave them. No need to fertilize or to

spray pesticides. They just grow wild, fast and tall.”

This tree planting business, Jojo pointed out, isn’t like the banana export business where he need to look after his farm all the time, everyday. It’s a very tedious business with so many things to do at the farm to keep the plants and fruits healthy at all times. On top of that, he has to know how much he’s paid per carton box by his Japanese clients who buy from him directly.

Since my friend Herbie, at this stage, is still planning to go into tree planting like Jojo, he wants to know where he can buy falcatta seedlings so he could start planting in Magsaysay.

“Go to Nabunturan, look for them alongside the highway, they’re all over the place. Maybe you can get them for one peso or two pesos a seedling,” Jojo said, still grinning.

Well, I just passed this little info to Herbie last week and he seemed more worried than excited, knowing where he can buy falcatta seedlings and for how much, complaining that he needs to hire a small truck to buy all those seedlings in Nabunturan.

“Why can’t the DENR make these seedlings available at their forestry offices in Digos or Bansalan for people out there who want to plant falcatta as a full time farming venture?” griped Herbie over a cup of herbal tea.

Just to calm him down, I bought him a piece of hot French cinnamon bread to go with his tea. “You see, pare ko, Digos and Bansalan are only good for rice, sugar and mango,” I said, trying to convince him.

“Most farmers there want crops with fast returns after planting. They’ll laugh at you if you plant falcatta.”

(Comments? Email me : tradingpost_ davao@yahoo.com)

Dragon fruit, an all-cure natural healer?

VER heard of a fruit that enhances metabolism, improves memory, digestion and immune system?

Although not popularly known to Filipinos before its introduction in the 90s, dragon fruit, commonly known as “saniata” or “pitahaya” from Central and South America has

‘She said dragon fruit can be processed as meat replacement in lumpia, burger patties, longganisa and bola-bola. In addition, the flowers of the fruit can be turned into a potent flower tea.’

several uses, according to original Dragon Lady propagator Editha Dacuycuy’s daughter, Nini.

Dacuycuy, an outstanding rural woman

Monkey Business

VANTAGE POINTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 59 • MAY 25 - 26, 2012

SPECIAL FEATURE

BY CARMINA GEENE N. MALLARI and an awardee for high value crops, said during the recent “National Convergence Initiative for Sustainable Rural Development Summit”, organized by the Department of Agriculture, Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Environment and Natural Resources and Department of Interior and Local Government spoke of dragon fruit’s several benefits.

She said researchers have discovered that dragon fruit also helps maintain clear vision, reduces fat, bad cholesterol, normalizes hypertension and blood glucose, strengthens bones and teeth development, promotes tissue development, improves appetite, moisturizes, prevents constipation and good for urinary tract infection, and smoothens skin.

Dacuycuy also mentioned that the fruit also has a relaxing effect on cerebral palsy as experienced by one of her relatives.

Her mother, Editha, recommended dragon fruit to a relative based in Macau to re-

duce her daughter’s frequent constipation which is common among cerebral palsy patients with much success.

She said dragon fruit can be processed as meat replacement in lumpia, burger patties, longganisa and bola-bola. In addition, the flowers of the fruit can be turned into a potent flower tea.

The fruit, which is covered by greentipped overlapping scales in pink or red, is said to be also helpful in bringing down blood sugar levels in type II diabetes.

Its taste is similar to pear, watermelon and kiwi that is sweet and juicy.

Named as Queen of the Night or Moonflower, dragon fruit is oblong in shape and contains tiny black seeds which can bloom at evening just before daybreak.

It commands a rainfall between 600 to 1,300 millimeters with 38 to 40 degrees Celsius temperature.

The fruit has three variants: Hylocereus Undatus with red-colored skin and whitecolored flesh, Hylocereus Polyrhizus with both red colored skin and flesh, and Selenicerus Megalanthus with yellow-colored skin and white-flesh. [PNA]

9

Bastos

C

HIEF Justice Renato Corona has a lot to thank the Senate for. Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile was too lenient in letting him read an opening statement, and later to proceed to a narration of facts with the aid of a PowerPoint presentation, instead of subjecting him to the standard question-and-answer format for witnesses, when he appeared on Tuesday for his trial at the impeachment court.

The opening statement allowed Corona to lash at President Benigno Aquino III, the prosecutors, the media, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, and even a departed relative of his wife in relation to an intra-family feud over a piece of property and a family-controlled corporation that has become an issue in the impeachment trial.

If one is to make a quantitative appraisal of the impeached Chief Justice’s opening statement, much of it dwelt not on facts that can either be refuted or validated in a crossexamination. In a manner of speaking, he was speaking like he was addressing loyal, subservient court employees in one of the several rallies and masses held in his turf, the Supreme Court.

When the prosecution tried to stop him from reading further his statement, Corona shot back saying he should be allowed to talk to the Filipino people. And each time Enrile asked how much longer it would take him, the respondent would say “sandali na lang po” (it would not be long).

The “sandali” however proved to be an eternity for the audience that had expected the Chief Justice to answer categorical questions on the floor.

Luckily for Corona, Enrile showed extreme liberality by allowing him to go on with his tirade and irrelevant declarations despite the objections made by the prosecution. The prepared opening statement alone took around two hours, mainly because the Chief Justice proved to lack savvy as a writer as shown by the repetitive, if annoying, narration of his personal angst over what he perceives to be the real motive behind the impeachment. Or maybe, the bad writing was deliberate so as to cause further delay to the proceedings.

Corona’s utter disregard of rules governing testimonies showed his disdain towards the idea of testifying at the Senate, if not at the Senate itself, sitting as an impeachment court. If he appeared at the trial, it was only because he had no option left after his lawyers committed the gross blunder of making Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales testify as hostile witness.

Deep in his mind however Corona remains convinced that as Chief Justice his position is superior to the constitutional authority of the impeachment court. In fact, Chief defense counsel Justice Serafin Cuevas today told the Senate that Corona’s appearance on Tuesday did not mean that he was withdrawing [his] petition at the Supreme Court questioning the jurisdiction of the impeachment court. Cuevas added they have even asked the Supreme Court to expedite its decision on said petition.

No wonder that when he was through with his PowerPoint presentation that sought to refute allegations concerning his dollar accounts that were not disclosed in his statements of assets, liabilities and net worth, he casually declared: “The Chief Justice of the Republic of the Philippines wishes to be excused.” He then stood up, picked up his folder, and left without asking permission from the presiding officer, to the consternation of Enrile and the other senators.

As the Chief Justice, nobody expected Corona to ignore an elementary courtroom courtesy. But arrogance could blind a person to the point of irrationality.

Arrogance aside, many observers opined that the apparent walkout suggested that Corona did not wish to be crossexamined, as he knew his own narration had weak points that can be exploited by the prosecution.

But whatever the reason, Corona was plainly being bastos. [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 59 • MAY 25 - 26, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

15 years of empowering through education T HE Foundation for Development through Education, Incorporated (FDTEI) has changed lives of hundreds of students by empowering the youth through their scholarship programs for the past 15 years.

To celebrate this milestone year, the organization and its scholars, both alumni and existing, recognizes the many people who have helped them make

Lily Grace Barlizo, RN took Nursing at San Pedro College and graduated in 2003. Presently, she is the Head Nurse at Rivera Hospital. Being a self-motivated

ment Field Office, Region XII. Life has been so good to Engr. Jerome Sabdula of Sta. Maria, Davao del Sur. A UIC graduate of BS-Computer Engineering in 2004, he is now an Analyst Engineer at Accenture Philippines, Makati City.

Engr. Jessimer Enriquez of Tagum City “made his dreams happen” while bagging numerous academic awards along the way as he

their dreams a reality, especially Carlos P. Dominguez, its founder. The celebration also paves the perfect opportunity for the organization to look back and recognize the choices, the sacrifices, and the ups and downs of the journey towards excellence.

From General Santos City is Podia Kudanding.

An AB-Economics graduate of NDDC, she is now working as part of the staff of Sarangani Provincial Hall. People are amazed by her passion.

She aims to serve the Sarangani constituents and hope to bring improvements in her work.

Social worker Pasutan Norhata Paglas is a UM graduate who is now working as a teacher at Manindolo, Datu Paglas National High School. Her dreams include educating the youth while encouraging her constituents to improve the lives of their families and community as a social worker graduate.

individual helped her to gain the admiration of the people she worked with and the institution as a whole.

Edres Sacurat from Tagum City is a UIC graduate of 2003. Presently, he is the Supervisor at Mead Johnson, Dubai, KSA. He once worked as a dietitian at Tagum Provincial Hall. He is one person who is optimistic, openminded, and persuasive.

Abdulnasser Salahi of Tibungco, Davao City is an AMACC graduate of BS-Information Technology in 2003.

His expertise in technology allowed him to become an IT Supervisor at Nazrani Group of Companies, Saudi Arabia.

From Paglas, Maguindanao is Noraisa Tudon. She is a graduate of Social Work at the University of Mindanao and is seeking to improve the quality of life and wellbeing of those in need. Presently, she is a Municipal Link Officer at the Department of Social Welfare and Develop-

studied at USEP and passing the Electrical Engineering Licensure Examination in 2004. Presently, he is a Transmission Line Engineer at Aboitiz Power Generation at Navotas City.

Another one from FDTEI’s second batch of scholars is Tammy Kakim Egkayogen from Paglas, Maguindanao. He took Agricultural Engineering at Mindanao State University, General Santos City. He has come a long way and is now a Software Engineer at Mazroe Technical House and Computers, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Odessa (Ulambay) Mamayog from Datu Paglas, Maguindanao graduated with a degree of BS-Agriculture at the University of Southern Mindanao in 2004. However, things took a slight turn when she became a policewoman at Sultan Kudarat.

We also have a Doctor of Medicine. From Davao City, Dr. Wiljun Pangarintao

graduated at Davao Medical School Foundation in 2004.

Presently, he is a Resident Doctor at Mati Provincial Hospital.

Another noble profession is teaching at Madrazah, Pantukan. The teacher’s name is Esnayra Parium of Pantukan, Compostela Valley.

She is a graduate of BS-Computer Science at UM-Tagum.

She hopes to bring his constituents closer to God and make them more responsible and productive citizens.

Monniza Ishmael, RN of General Santos City graduated with a degree in Nursing at NDDC. Presently, she is an ICU Nurse at Medina, Saudi Arabia. Her subtle personality has made her admirable and her courage and enthusiasm brought her success.

From Maitum, Sarangani, we have a graduate of MSU. Her name is Asma Usman-Akmad and she took AB-Economics. She is currently working as the Local Legislative Staff Officer II at the Vice Gov Office, Alabel, Sarangani Province. And she has recently earned her masteral degree on Business Administration at NDDC in 2012.

From Batch 2 of FDTEI, we have a girl who took BSEconomics at the Ateneo de Davao University and graduated in 2004. From Maco, Compostela Valley, Edmee Malepiro Linasa is now an Administrative Officer of the Provincial Budget Office at the Provincial Government of Davao del Norte.

Rene Quibo, a Pharmacist, graduated at UIC in 2004. Presently, she is connected with NCCC-HBI and at the same time an instructor at Mindanao Medical Foundation College.

A smart, female engineer who can work equally with male engineers in a mining industry is Johanny Brillantes. She took Chemical Engineering and graduated in 2006 at the Ateneo de Davao Universty. She is now working as a Metallurgist at Greenstone Resource Corporation, Surigao del Norte.

Another engineer from FDTEI’s fourth batch of scholars graduated at the Ateneo de Davao University in 2006.

She is the resourceful and highly adept Engr. Lolita Estores from Tagum City. She has worked at Wireless DATA Middle East, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Presently, she’s back in the Philippines as a Software Development Engineer at NCR Cebu Development Center, Inc. Another engineer that goes by the name of Joffel Pompong. Engineer Pompong is from Brgy. Manindolo, Datu Paglas, Maguindanao. He graduated at the Mindanao State University, General Santos City with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering.

He is now an Agricultural Technologist at the Depart-

ment of Agriculture-Maguindanao.

To endure sleepless hours of providing compassionate care to patients of all ages is a noble task. This is the kind of life that Cyrian Lumuma, RN from Madaum, Tagum, Karen Andang-Abbas, RN from General Santos City, Jonalyn Asani, RN from Tibungco, Davao City, and Laysa Causing, RN from Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur chose.

Coming from FDTEI’s third and fourth batch of scholars, their keen response towards the needs of others is a manifestation of a responsible and reliable nurse.

Goal-oriented and selfmotivated Karen is presently a nurse and technical assistant at the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office in Alabel, Sarangani. She graduated in 2006 at Notre Dame University, GenSan. When offered a hosting job by GMA Davao, Cyrian turned it down to serve those in need. He is now working as a Staff Nurse of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory (CCL) at King Fahad Medical City in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Annalie Edday of Malungon, Sarangani, a petite but persuasive woman, can penetrate the hearts of her constituents as she has served as a Manager of QUEST (Quality Education for Sarangani Today) Program of Sarangani Province under Gov. Miguel Dominguez.

An unassuming woman of simplicity, Relane Mondelo, a computer Engineer, graduated at UIC in 2006.

Presently, she is a Cadette Engineer at Davao EFSR Farm Corporation.

Another promising lady is Faudzia AdamsAbdullah from Paglas, Maguindanao. She is a Computer Science graduate specifically Cum Laude at AMA Computer University in 2006. Presently, she is a Senior Software Computer Engineer at Accenture, Cebu City.

Hasser Waraji from Samal, is a graduate at UICPharmacy in 2006 and is now a Pharmacist at Riyadh National Hospital.

FDTEI’s sixth batch of scholars includes Sholyn Rose Yagco Mangob, Valenzuela Reygon, RN, and Yaser Darindigon, RN. All of them graduated from Davao Doctors College in 2009. All of them also dedicate their lives to serve those in need by becoming nurses.

Sholyn’s in-depth knowledge and unique skills allowed her not only to assist doctors but to become a preschool teacher as well. She is currently a clinical instructor at Mati Doctors College.

Yasser passed the Philippine Nursing Licensure Exam in 2009 with a PRC rate of 80%. From being a nurse volunteer of Operation Smile at Davao City Chapter to a

trainee at SMH, he is now also a member of Operating Room Nurses Association of the Philippines. Presently, he is connected at Southern Philippine Medical Center Hospital (SPMCH).

Maido Hasim from Paglas, Maguindanao is a graduate of BS-Computer Science at UIC. He is now a segment producer and television ads producer at GMA-7 Network, Magsaysay, Davao City.

Maila Banzil from Laak, Davao Norte, is a graduate of the Ateneo de Davao University in 2010. She took BS-Accountancy and is now a Certified Public Accountant since October 2010. She works as an Auditor at Tagum Cooperative and aims to study Law in the future.

Two graduates of BS-IT are Abskan Abdul and Sofia Labawan. Both of them are from Davao City. Smart and outgoing Abskan is a graduate of UIC in 2010. He is presently working as an EDP Engineer at Call Box, Landco, Davao City. Meanwhile, Sofia Labawan is working as EDP Staff at NCCC, Davao.

Another group of four nurses in Batch 4 are Roldan Diambulang, RN, Dianil Santiago, RN, Junifel Taglos, RN, and Almera Tudon, RN. All of them graduated in 2010 and passed the licensure exam in December of the same year.

Roldan is from Davao City and he is a graduate of BS-Nursing at DDC in 2010.

Now, he works as a Nurse at Rivera General Hospital, Panabo City.

Dianil is a trainee nurse at Bishop Regan Memorial Hospital, Tagum City.

Junifel is a nurse trainee at the Southern Phil. Medical Center, Davao City.

Almera is is now a staff nurse at Dr. Leila H. Medical Center, New Rayyan, DohaQuatar.

The following are three graduates of BS-Management Accounting.

Baihenia Diga from General Santos City is a graduate of the Ateneo de Davao University and is now working as a Staff of Sarangani Capitol, Sarangani Province.

Farida Sandigan from Paglas, Maguindanao is a graduate of the University of the Immaculate Conception and is presently connected with Retail Specialist, Inc., Davao Branch as a bookkeeper.

Irvin Nacito from Asuncion, Davao del Norte is also a graduate of UIC and is now working at CD Technologies Asia, Inc., Davao City as a Marketing/Customer Service Representative.

These brilliant people have grown so much. From them, we learn that scholarship is not merely about getting straight A’s. It is a life-long love of learning and applying these learnings to meaningful and fruitful endeavors. FDTEI aims to embrace more people and change more lives.

EDGEDAVAO

ICHEF launches trainings for Davao tourism industry T HE growing tourism industry in the city and the neighboring provinces has prompted industrialist and trailblazer Joji Ilagan-Bian to launch a series of workshops that will boost businesses in the tourism industry.

“Tourism is growing fast in the city and we need to constantly update ourselves,” IlaganBian told restaurateurs and hoteliers during the launch. “The training never stops.”

The Institute of International Culinary and Hospitality Entrepreneurship (ICHEF) launched a series of workshops designed to develop the personality, communication and management skills of Managers, Supervisors and Service Personnel of Hotels and Restaurants in Davao City. The first ever workshop concept tagged as “Service Excellence Plus” aims to bring about opportunities to hone the necessary skills for hoteliers and restaurateurs initiated by known Personality and Mindanao’s icon, Ms. Joji Ilagan Bian, Chairperson of JIB International Schools and Group of

COMPETITIVE EDGE 11

VOL.5 ISSUE 59 • MAY 25 - 26, 2012

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

Ms. Joji Ilagan Bian Companies. “I would like to share this workshop to all the industry workers of Culinary, Hospitality, Tourism and Management field so that they would be updated of trends and get the chance to develop themselves and become better, effective individuals”, Ms. Bian says.

Mr. Rene Lizada, Training Consultant of JIB Group of Schools and Companies will facilitate the training supported by personality, communication and hospitality experts. Training program may be customized according to the needs and requirements of hotels and restaurants.

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27,411

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LOCATION

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

Villa Josefina Resort Village, Dumoy Toril, Davao City

Minimum of 240 sq.m.

P5,985

St. Joseph Homes, Sirawan, Toril,Davao City

Minimum of 150 sq.m.

P3,600

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: 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

12

NATION/WORLD

NATION BRIEFS

A

Suing

Filipina former nanny of Sharon Stone is suing the US film star for wrongful dismissal and harassment, including by allegedly making derogatory remarks about her ethnicity and religion.

But the star’s publicist slammed the lawsuit as “absurd,” claiming the exnanny was simply trying to “cash in” on Stone.

F

Arrest

ORMER Isabela governor Grace Padaca, a founder of Kaya Natin, said she trusts the Supreme Court will treat her fairly in a petition she will file asking it to review a warrant issued for her arrest over alleged graft.

This, despite her group’s involvement in the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona. Harvey Keh, lead convenor of Kaya Natin, was a witness at the impeachment trial, and was even castigated by senator-judges for “trying to influence the court” by handing Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile an envelope of documents. The documents were purportedly records of Corona’s bank accounts.

D

Revenue

IVERSIFIED conglomerate San Miguel Corp.(SMC) said it expects to hit its $20-billion revenue target for 2015 this year on increased contributions from new acquisitions.

“We believe by end of 2012, we will have $20-billion sales revenue,” said SMC president Ramon Ang, adding that SMC initially aimed to hit the $20-billion target by 2015 but now sees reaching this level by the end of this year, or three years ahead of schedule, through its acquisitions.

A

Charged

member of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) was charged with murder yesterday after he was positively identified by witnesses as the one who allegedly planted the bomb that exploded inside a bus in Makati Citythat killed five passengers last year.

Chief Superintendent Benito Estipona, director of the Southern Police District (SPD), said murder raps have been filed against Police Officer 2 Arnold Mayo before the Department of Justice (DOJ).

T

VOL.5 ISSUE 59 • MAY 25 - 26, 2012

China sends more M ships to Scarborough

WORLD TODAY

C

HINA has deployed more ships to a disputed shoal in the South China Sea amid a tense stand-off with the Philippines, officials and state media said on Wednesday.

As of Monday night, there were five Chinese government vessels -- up from three -- and 16 fishing boats in the area, the Philippine foreign department said.

Manila has lodged a fresh protest with the Chinese embassy over the build-up, department spokesman Raul Hernandez said.

Using the shoal’s Philippine name, Hernandez added: “The Philippines, therefore, demands that China’s vessels immediately pull out from Bajo de Masinloc and the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.”

China’s official Xinhua news agency said controls have been “strengthened” in the area and quoted a foreign ministry spokesman as saying it had “about 20 fishing boats” near the disputed Scarborough Shoal, “roughly

PROTEST. Anti-China protesters gather outside of the Consulate General of China in San Francisco on May 11. China has deployed more ships to a disputed shoal in the South China Sea. [AFP] the same number as in previous years”.

China claims the shoal along with most of the South China Sea, even up to the coasts of its Asian neighbours, while the Philippines says the shoal is well within its 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone.

Cranking up tensions, both countries have had ships posted around the

shoal since early April, when Chinese vessels prevented a Philippine Navy ship from arresting Chinese fishermen.

The two claimants had vowed to de-escalate the tensions and both imposed separate fishing bans in the area from May 16, while Philippine President Aquino stopped a planned protest trip to the shoal by a Philippine

ex-soldier.

Hernandez said Chinese fishermen appeared to be breaking their own ban.

“They are fishing and collecting corals,” he said.

He said the two governments were still in talks over the dispute, and the alleged Chinese build-up only served to “escalate tension” around the shoal.

finalists.

The winner was announced at the end of a two-hour finale on Wednesday featuring performances by Rihanna, Neil Diamond, Reba McEntire as well as “Idol” judge Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler’s band Aerosmith, which closed the show by going back to their hard rock roots with the 1976 classic “Walk This Way”.

Phillips looked stunned as Seacrest announced his name, and could not finish his performance of his new single “Home” as he

fought back tears. Instead, he unstrapped his guitar and with eyes brimming walked off the stage to hug his family in the front row of the audience.

Sanchez, bidding to become the youngest ever winner of “American Idol,” was thought to have the edge after dominating social media and Twitter mentions in the last few days.

But Phillips’ goofball humor and individual style earned him a large, young female fan base, and he had never appeared in the bot-

tom three in public votes during earlier stage of the Fox TV show.

The “Idol” judges also raved over his singing at Tuesday night’sperformance show finale of what will now be his first single - the folkrock ballad “Home.”

VULNERABLE AND REAL “He’s real, we watched him pull out of his soul ... he can really sing a melody right. He’s just really evolved and he’s been vulnerable and I think America loves that,” Tyler told reporters after the finale.

Phillips, who worked in his father’s pawn shop before auditioning for “Idol” also won sympathy for a recurrent kidney problem that has plagued his health during the season.

Sanchez was praised in the contest for her big voice but sometimes faulted for lacking the emotion needed to deliver power ballads such as those made famous by Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Celine Dion.

She was saved by the judges from elimination in April after placing at the bottom in public voting, and the show’s judges disliked her third song in Tuesday night’s performance finale.

Phillips crowned ‘American Idol’

I

NDIE artist Phillip Phillips won “American Idol” on Wednesday, becoming the fifth male singer in a row to take the title and a guaranteed recording contract.

The 21-year-old guitar player from Georgia, who brought an indie vibe to the top-rated TV contest, beat ballad singer Jessica Sanchez, 16, of California in the public vote.

“American Idol” host Ryan Seacrest said a world record 132 million votes were cast by phone, text and online for the two

Travel

YANMAR prodemocracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi will travel overseas next week for the first time in more than two decades to attend an economic forum in Bangkok, according to her party.

The former political prisoner’s plan to leave her homeland for the first time since 1988 is the latest sign of dramatic political change sweeping through the country, where decades of outright military rule ended last year.

No ban

HE acceptance

by China of at least 30 containers of Philippine bananas has given some relief to small and big growers in Mindanao.

For the team of Filipino experts led by director Dr. Clarito Barron of the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), it means redemption for the top fruit export to China, which earned more than $366 million in revenues in that market last year. The Philippines supplies practically 83 percent of bananas in the Chinese market.

EDGEDAVAO

WINNER. Phillip Phillips holds the winner’s trophy after being named the winner during the 11th season finale of “American Idol” in Los Angeles, California May 23, 2012.

R

Lambasted

IGHTS group Amnesty International lambasted the United Nations Security Council on Thursday as “tired, out of step and increasingly unfit for purpose”.

In its annual report, Amnesty said the failure of world powers to take stronger action on Syria was evidence that a sclerotic security council was hamstrung by vested interests, and also warned of abuses arising from Europe’s economic crisis.

A

Bold debut

T his first meeting of EU leaders, with the hotly contested issue of shared euro-zone debt top of his discussion list, France’s new president made it clear on Wednesday that he intends to stand up to Berlin on European policy.

As Francois Hollande arrived for the summit in Brussels, the Socialist leader told reporters that euro bonds would be up for discussion. Moments later, Chancellor Angela Merkel stepped out of her limousine and said curtly that she did not think such bonds were a good idea or would help to boost growth.

T

Secret visit

WO senior US officials made a secret visit to North Korea last month in an apparent attempt to persuade it to cancel an upcoming longrange rocket launch, according to a South Korean report.

A US Air Force Boeing 737 flew from Guam to Pyongyang with the officials via the Yellow Sea on April 7, six days before the launch went ahead, Chosun Ilbo newspaper cited a diplomatic source in Seoul as saying.

Rebel bastion

S

YRIAN forces tried to storm the rebel bastion of Rastan under cover of gunfire and shelling, reports said, as Damascus admitted sanctions were biting and the head of the main opposition bloc resigned.

The rebel Free Syrian Army (FSA) meanwhile denied it was behind the abduction of Lebanese Shiite pilgrims, an incident stoking tensions in neighbouring Lebanon which is divided between pro- and anti-Damascus camps.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.5 ISSUE 59 • MAY 25 - 26, 2012

Banana firms...

Rody...

FFROM 1

FFROM 1 ungoy na yan, ito ang reward. And I guarantee you that I will protect you (the informer),” Duterte said.

Bual was shot dead while he was jogging with his wife early in the morning at Isarug Street, Central Park, Bangkal, Davao City.

“Ang puno’t dulo nito is sa Davao del Sur. Ang kalain lang kay diri sa atoa nahitabo ang pagpatay. We already know who the suspect is but what we want to know is where he is hiding,” Duterte said.

Duterte refused to give further information to prevent pre-empting the hunt for the killer and whoever was the mastermind behind the murder.

According to reports, it was Bual who worked to secure consent for SMI to operate in its concession area in Davao del Sur. “Alam na nila lahat yan sa Davao del Sur kung sino yan (the murderer). The underground knows. There are co-conspirators behind the murder,” he said.

Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) for the Davao region chief SSupt. Albert Ignatius Ferro said they have filed a case against the suspect before the Regional Trial

Court 11.

“Yes, we have a name and the face of the suspect but as of now we cannot divulge these data. We still need to strengthen on casebuilding. We need more confessions pointing to the prime suspect,” said Ferro who was with Duterte.

Meanwhile, Davao City Police Office (DCPO) chief SSupt. Ronald dela Rosa said they will continue to keep tabs on the suspect as part of their Wanted List.

Case filed Last month, Melani Bual, wife of the victim, filed a murder case before the City Prosecutor’s Office (CPO) against a suspected gun-for-hire.

The murder charge was filed against Dennis Bacus, alias Jojo, identified by witnesses to have gunned down Cristituto Bual.

Allegedly a gun-forhire man, Bacus is resident of Malalag, Davao del Sur. SMI is a multinational mining company developing the Tampakan CopperGold Project in Tampakan, South Cotabato.

The SMI is planning to build port facilities in Malalag town from where copper and gold ore will be shipped out, the metals

coming from SMI’s mine sites in Tampakan.

The so-called Tampakan Project has for years received opposition from religious and environment groups.

Bual’s murder has raised suspicion it was the handiwork of the New People’s Army (NPA) which has also opposed the project.

However, the rebel group released a statement denying involvement in the murder.

Crucial Duterte said it is “crucial” for the city government to act on the murder of Bual as it affects the city’s peace and economy.

He said the murder is affecting the city’s potential as an investment hub in Mindanao.

“Pati kami nasuko sa pagpatay kaniya (Bual). Kinsay mu-invest dinhi kung gubot imong syudad?” he said.

“It affects the community and it affects the economy. Eventually mag duhaduha ang investor kung mupadayon pa siya diri. When a serious murder happens related to the person’s work in an investment, you put to a standstill a billion worth of investment,” he added.

To influence member cooperatives to go into organic farming, FARM Coop disseminate and shares results of researches done and lessons learned in running the organic farms in Sibulan and in Hinatuan.

However, Adlawan admits that member-coops are having a hard time adopting organic farming because their plantations are surrounded by nonorganic farms.

“FARM-coop areas are not in a block. It would be hard for some to go organic if nearby plantations are using synthetic,” he explained.

Cooperative farms that FARM-Coop covers, run about 2,600 hectares located mostly in Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Davao del Sur, South Cotabato, Surigao and Davao City.

Other member-coops are also concerned about achieving maximum return of investments (ROI) which they can hardly

raise if they abruptly go into organic farming, he said.

“But they are little by little applying organic materials into their farms,” he said.

Meanwhile, Adlawan noted the improvement in the economic status of countryside farmers who have become agrarian reform beneficiaries because they now have sustainable income from the farms they own.

Citing an instance, he said the average production of a banana-based cooperative reaches about 4,600 box per hectare per year which, when multiplied by the foreign exchange rate would mean substantial income.

Adlawan bared no threat to markets by bananas produced

by FARM-Coop members, saying Sumifru Philippines Corporation is their main buyer which exports bananas primarily to Japan. [PIA-11/ JEANEVIVE

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Banana coops...

FFROM 2

dose (of farm chemicals),” he said, which is the longterm goal of FARM-Coop.

“The market is getting health-conscious. There might come a time when nobody will be eating synthetically-produced bananas,” he said in explaining the need for FARM-Coop members to prepare for that scenario.

Adlawan said FARMCoop has been producing since five years ago organic bananas exported to Japan through its 18-hectare organic model farm in Sibulan, Toril, Davao City.

Certified by Germanybased Ecocert, FARMCoop produced organic bananas hit US$7 per box which is much higher than the US$2.85 per box of synthetically produced ones.

Adlawan also revealed another organic farming venture in Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur where FARM-Coop is developing a 50-hectare organic banana farm.

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tion (PBGEA).

“Sooner or later, they have to chop,” he said, adding that they cannot ship their surplus fruits to other markets unless they lower the price.

Generally, he said the small growers are mostly affected by the situation as they produce 90% of the country’s bananas bound for China.

But, although they are considered “small” growers, Antig said their plantations are about 35,000 hectares, while PBGEA has 42,000 hectares of the total 79,000 hectares Cavendish banana farms in the Philippines.

“We meet every time there is a problem,” he said, referring to smallscale banana farmers, admitting that the PBGEA cannot accommodate their products for other markets, “We cannot supply more than the demand, as in the case of

Davao...

FFROM 3

province fish sufficient, with its fish sufficiency at 60% as yet, and as the fish consumption requirement for every resident is estimated at 36 kilos every year.

For the tilapia village

Japan where the market is already saturated.”

Considering recommendations from stakeholders, such as tapping the domestic market, he said the local market can only absorb so much.

“Processed bananas, yes. But, how can the market catch up with a supply of 1.2 million boxes of bananas a week? Before banana chips can dry, there will be another batch coming up,” he said.

Cavendish bananas mature three days after harvest without air-conditioning. Later than that, even pigs will not feed on them, according to Antig.

Bleak Christmas If the current situation were to continue three to four months more,, Antig said, many farmers and their families will experience a bleak Christmas.

Aside from being non-operational, farms

enterprise program, the provincial government is giving technical support to the fish farmers, with free fingerlings.

The provincial government is now planning to give another training on the formulation of local feeds for tilapia.

will also be destroyed by pests as farmers lack the finance to maintain the farms, Antig added.

As collateral damage, some financial institutions, especially rural banks that have large exposure to banana plantations, mayl eventually fold up when farmers can no longer pay for their amortization.

Agrarian reform beneficiaries may turn over their lands to the government if they fail to pay the amortization for a certain number of months.

“It’s not as simple…

Assuming this problem started in March, by July one can start counting the number of unemployed,” Antig continued, adding that the casualties will include not only farm workers, but also their dependents, especially their children who are about to enroll in school.

“We need not buy our feeds elsewhere because it will be very costly for the fish farmers, that is why we will be doing this to help them. This will be in coordination with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR),” Montera added.

14

SPORTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 59 • MAY 25 - 26, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Summerfest 3-on-3 winners bared T

HE City Sports Development Office bared the winners of the recent Davao Summer Games 3-on-3 Barangay Basketball Tournament held at the NCC Mall’s Kadayawan Hall recently.

Barangay 21-C captured the 12 years old and under boys and girls division to lead the winners of the tournament serving as one of the highlights of this year’s Davao Summerfest.

The 21-C boys and girls teams won the championship at the expense of separate foes to earn the top prize of P8,000. Barangay 40-D took the runner-up honors in the girls 12 years old and under worth P5,000 while Matina Aplaya was second runner-up to take home P3,500.

Barangay 21-C boys team is composed of Seiya Taga, Rafael Cambongga, Ricky John Sasa, and Merlito Enhambre Jr. The girls team is bannered by Hannah Rebekkah Alagon, Reyca Estrever, Joyce Diane Cresencio and Mae Magallano.

Barangay 1-A meantime finished second in the boys 12 years and under with Barangay 19-B coming in third and Barangay Sto. Nino in fourth.

In the girls 16 years old and under, Barangay Sasa won the title over Barangay Talomo. The Sasa cagers won P10,000 and Talomo took home P7,000. Barangay San Antonio finished 3rd and won P5,000 while Catalunan Grande was fourth and got P3,000.

Barangay Sasa is bannered by Mary Ann Teofilo, Liza Mae Rosique, Mary France Abing and Inlayn Mae Oyanib.

Barangay Lapu-Lapu also joined the winner’s circle after it took the boys 16 years and under title at

the expense of Barangay 22-C. Lapu-Lapu took home P10,000 for the victory while Barangay 22-C got P7,000.

Lapu-Lapu is composed of Jcarrlovic Tarranza, Jvannesic Tarranza, Rayven Tecson and Rey Pahati.

Rounding up the winners are Barangay San Antonio (3rd) with P5,000 and Matina Crossing (4th) with P3,000.

“Congratulations to all the winners. Truly, we are proud to have produced these barangay talents,” said City Sports Development Division officer-in-charge Cholo Elegino.

The Davao Summerfest 2012 is organized by the Duaw Davao Festival Foundation and backed up by Davao Light and Power, International Pharmaceuticals Inc., H2Zero Water, AMA Computer College Davao, Nature Spring Water, and SM City Davao.

The complete list of winners: Girls 12 yrs. old & under CHAMPION - Brgy. 21 - C Hannah Rebekkah Alagon Reyca Estrever Joyce Diane Cresencio Mae Magallano 1st Runner up - 40 D Lalaine Dinaguit Jess’s Mae Matunhay Michelle Anne Porisima Chelsie Panio 2nd Runner up - Brgy.

Martina Aplaya Jennifer Ebanalo Maribel Salazar Renalyn Labrador Mary Grace Flores Boys 12 yrs. old & under CHAMPION - Brgy. 21 - C Seiya Taga Rafael Cambongga Ricky John Sasa Merlito Enhambre Jr. 1st runner up - Brgy. 1- A Ian Greg Pojardo Reymon Rey Balcos Janfel Ross Ganiolon Lance Allen Eder

POMELO TEE BENEFICIARY. Herminda Guerrero, Principal of Pablo Lorenzo National High School, receives the 5 units computers from Hermie Martin as beneficiary of the recent 7th Pomelo Tee golf tournament during the awarding program at the Rancho Palos Verdes. (BOY LIM) 2nd runner up - Brgy. 19 -B Edrian Guimacod Basti Coras Aljohn Camban Abdul - Ajed Interno 3rd Runner up - Brgy. Sto. Niño Richvelle Jez Tan Mario Gumabal Jr. Arzumes Jay Lascuna Marsyl Jesse Abrio Girls 16 yrs. old & under CHAMPION - Brgy. Sasa Mary Ann Teofilo

Liza Mae Rosique Mary France Abing Inlayn Mae Oyanib 1st runner up - Brgy Talomo Elaisa Crisa Adriano Joregen Trono Angel Pamolino Marian Crizabel Ontulan 2nd runner up - San Antonio Mary Grace Morales Shein Carl Barrot Shein Eda Barrot Kimberly Sean Renegado

Jay-ar Hanginon Brian Jules Ong Eulo Ramos 2nd Runner up - Brgy. San Antonio Christian Paul Rojas Randy Galido Richard Bujiyan Al Zachary Bacangallo 3rd Runner up - Matina Crossing Stephen Curada Eric Luke Buluran Angelou Dalion Jericho Feliciano

panel voted for Defensive Player of the Year, while the all-defensive team vote was conducted by the league’s 30 head coaches, who voted for a first and second team by position and were not allowed to pick their own players.

They favored Orlando’s Dwight Howard, the NBA’s leading rebounder and its top defensive player three straight years before Chandler, as their center.

Also on the first team were Thunder forward Serge Ibaka, who led the league in blocks and was runner-up to Chandler

for Defensive Player of the Year; Clippers guard Chris Paul, the league leader in steals; and Grizzlies guard Tony Allen.

Ibaka and Allen earned first-team honors for the first time.

James totaled 53 points, including 24 firstteam votes. He averaged 1.9 steals and 7.9 rebounds as Miami ranked fourth in the league in opponent scoring.

Joining on Chandler on the second team were Rajon Rondo and Kevin Garnett of the Celtics, Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, and Chicago forward Luol Deng.

James leads All Defensive Team

N BEAUTY OF YOUTH. The inexperienced 76ers show no fear with their backs against the wall in Game 6, earning a final shot against the Celtics on Saturday for a berth in the Eastern finals.

3rd Runner up - Catalunan Grande Erlianne Marie Martines Mary Jean Millan April May Rafael May Ann Valencia Boys 16 Yrs. old & under CHAMPION - LapuJcarrlovic Tarranza Jvannesic Tarranza Rayven Tecson Rey Pahati 1st Runner up- Brgy. 22 -C Harry Dumagan

EW YORK -- NBA Most Valuable Player LeBron James was the leading vote-getter for the league’s all-defensive squad Wednesday, while Defensive Player of the Year Tyson Chandler didn’t even crack the first team.

Confused? So were plenty of others - even a Harvard graduate.

Jeremy Lin, Chandler’s teammate in New York, took to Twitter to ask for an explanation of how that was possible.

The answer is because the voting is done by different parties. A media

INdulge!

VOL.5 ISSUE 59 • MAY 25 - 26, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

STYLE

Meeting a dream weaver

MEETING fashion designer Junnie Artajo and hearing him talk of design techniques and the rewarding journey he embarked on in Japan two fateful years ago makes it hard to believe he is only 22 years old. Fashion waits for no man these days and Junnie is part of the proud race of individuals who choose to make every minute count.

Keeping the world apace with his minute wardrobe choices and thoughts on style in his Lookbook page and personal blog, one catches a glimpse of Junnie’s ardor for fashion and his eye for what works. But talking to him and seeing the fruits of his labors, which this gadget aficionado cared to share with me via images in his iPad, he transformed before my eyes from active fashion fan to someone whose serious talent should not be contained.

From birth, it would seem that working with fabric and a foray into fashion loomed in Junnie’s future.

He was born into a family of tailors, and his parents still run Adam’s Square Tailoring & Dressshop along Ponce Street till this very day. His true inclination was always towards the arts. The telltale signs were all there – how his classmates always asked his advice on what to wear to prom and how his sketchbook became his reprieve during idle moments.

But it was only after feeling unproductive upon enrolling in the Computer Science program of one of Davao’s local universities did Junnie feel that he couldn’t ignore his calling in fashion any longer. After asking permission from his parents, he decided to pursue a Fine Arts

degree in Fashion Illustration in Philippine Women’s College of Davao.

Junnie’s eyes light up at this point, signaling that I have touched upon a momentous couple of years in his young life. He remembers much about his time in fashion school, especially the bond he shared with his classmates and the lessons imparted by his mentors.

He regales me with a few of them – “avante garde… ending staggered” was a favorite that rung true - and I am particularly struck by how well Junnie internalized both the good and the critical that he has heard said about himself. It gave him a solid foundation upon which to start showing the world what he can do and lofty as it seemed, he decided to start by joining the prestigious 49th Japan Fashion Design Competition in 2010. It was in this world-class contest that he showed off his stunning creation dubbed “Dreamweaver” which won him 2nd Place in the competition and special recognition from Japan-based newspaper Senken Shimbun.

Winning in Japan has not since stopped Junnie from showing strength after strength in whatever he takes part of. He has joined local fashion shows and competitions such as Moda Mindanao in 2010, demonstrating an able hand in interpreting different themes while displaying his signature monochromatic and edgy sensibilities. From clothes, he has also ventured into accessory design, particularly prompted by an

Whimsical sketch of a vest presented at Manila FAME 2012

“Dreamweaver”, Artajo’s award-winning entry at the 49th Japan Fashion Design Competition made of abaca twine, jute sack and cotton spandex.

invitation to join the ranks of other like-minded artisans in Manila FAME 2012.

Junnie described his experience in one of the country’s foremost platforms for Filipino creativity as one that never stopped being surreal. Clearly, his resolve to succeed has not taken away the fact that he still feels giddy with excitement and remembers to bask in these blessed moments.

Having taken part in the rigors of different events has lent Junnie a certain

maturity and sense of practicality in his outlook and approach towards his career. It has also toughened his creative fibers, making “Dreamweaver” far what you could call the peak of his abilities. It did however speak volumes of the techniques he currently favors, namely experimenting with dyes and fabric manipulation. More recent showings of his works are of a more limb lengthening kind but induced by the same thread of influence, namely a line

of footwear that features bespoke ethnic prints.

Seeing his clothes and the initial pairs of wedges he has fresh from production already transports me to a time when Junnie Artajo’s name is already more widely known and his works even more so. How he has managed to take each moment and make them a visually arresting one suggests how far he will go in conquering fashion’s many fronts.

Suddenly, I am glad that he is still 22 and still possesses enough time to make it all happen. For someone like Junnie who weaves big beautiful dreams, it is reality that needs to do the catching up.

Junnie Artajo (by appointment), Adam’s Square Tailoring & Dresshop, Door 3 Afable Building, Ponce Street, Davao City. Mobile: +63932-8434483, Email: rodino.882005@gmail.com, Website: http://junnieartajo.tk.

EDGED

A2 INdulge!

ENTERTAINMENT

Philip Phillips is the American Idol Jessica Sanchez steals the show with Jennifer Holiday duet

10 Pinoy Moments on Am Rappler.com compiled the top 10 Pinoy moments on the cu FILIPINOS are undeniably so into American Idol that the Philippines has become an extended market for the show. Weekly shows are shown in multiple channels at multiple time slots – with full advertisement load. Idol graduates have come and gone to perform, record, endorse and even take acting gigs in the country and last year’s batch even held their traditional Idol concert tour in the Philippines – the only leg outside of the USA apart from Canada.

The Filipinos’ love affair with American Idol started long before Jessica’s Idol journey and Pinoys -- both contestants and fans -- have been making their presence felt in the American Idol universe since the very first season.

Here are 10 memorable Pinoy moments on Idol that led to Filipinos becoming deeply engaged and involved, embracing this American singing show as their own.

10. He started it all. American Idol exploded into the Filipino consciousness only in Season 3 when two Filipino-Americans entered the final stages. But in Idol’s inaugural season, it was Brad Estrin who first represented Fil-Ams on the show. He entered

the first semi-final voting rounds but failed to get enough votes to break into the finals. The following year, Jordan Segundo competed for Season 2’s semi-finals but also suffered the same fate.

9. Sway hits high note. When you say Pinoys in AI, it’s the girls that will first come to mind but there are also some guys who showed Pinoy singing prowess on the Idol stage. In Season 5, FilAm R&B singer Jose “Sway” Penala performed “Reasons” by Earth, Wind and Fire, literally hitting a high note that amazed judges Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul and earned him a spot in the second semi-final rounds. Unfortunately, he was eliminated before

the finals, and in the next season, another Fil-Am AJ Tabaldo followed the same pattern of being “almost there.”

8. From Smokey Mountain to Hollywood Hills. Ryan Cayabyab protégé and Smokey Mountain singer Zhar Santos disappeared from the Filipino consciousness when the group disbanded some time in the ’90s.

But in 2005, Zhar reappered in the 4th season of Idol as Sharon Galvez, a waitress from Las Vegas who auditioned with a Whitney power ballad. She reached the Hollywood rounds before being cut in the Top 24 selection – a greater feat than that of Carol Banawa who was reportedly turned down in the Season 5 auditions.

7. Thia shines. When Idol lowered its age requirement, a number of young singing wonders emerged, including then 16-year-old Thia Megia. The Fil-Am teen vocalist impressed the judges during her auditions in Season 10 with her unique voice reminiscent of pop superstar Adele, but it was her performance in the semifinal rounds of the Fame classic “Out Here on My Own” that gained her fans who adored her perfect pitch and crystal clear voice. As the show

progressed, she was criticized for always selecting ballads, and was voted off in the 4th elimination round of the finals.

6. Ready or not, here she comes. Fil-Am pancake waitress Camile Velasco from Hawaii turned up during Season 3’s auditions with her unique voice and style unheard of in Idol’s earlier seasons. Singing “Ready or Not” by the Fugees, she got lavish praise even from then Idol judge Simon Cowell, known for his acerbic critique and high standards. She was even compared

by Jackson to her Idol Lauryn Hill.

Camile went on to become one of Season 3’s two Fil-Am finalists

(with Jasmine Trias) and ended her journey in the 9th spot.

5. Jasmine cries. After singing two disco hits in Season 3’s Top 4 rounds – Everlasting Love and It’s Raining Men – Fil-Am Jasmine Trias received heavy criticisms from the judging panel, leaving her unable to speak when Seacrest was already engaging her in the usual post-judging chit-chat. While giving out her number, Jasmine uncontrollably burst into tears. The next day, she was declared safe and one of the frontrunners, La Toya London, was sent home. Jasmine finished 3rd that season, the highest place for a Fil-Am before Jessica

Sanchez 4. W Among tions ar audition memora Season naldo La odd cost a silver compos Forever. (he’s also it), his so ral hit, an the final accomp band.

3. Pin the resul 9 round, bets Cam Trias we

DAVAO

VOL.5 ISSUE 59 • MAY 25 - 26, 2012

THE winner of American Idol has been revealed.

First, Jennifer Lopez debuted her new single, “Going In,” on what was most likely her last night as an Idol judge. Aerosmith performed. There were tributes to Donna Summer and Robin Gibb. All of the finalists got to sing with previous Idol champs and the occasional legend. Ace Young asked Diana DeGarmo to marry him.

But it came down to that last minute, to the result based on the record 132.3 million votes cast in favor of either Phillip Phillips or Jessica Sanchez. Did the 21-year-old pawn-shop worker take it all, or did the 16year-old powerhouse finally the break the guys’ winning streak?

It is still a man’s world in these parts.

Phillip Phillips was named the winner of the 11th season of American Idol tonight—and was immediately engulfed in hugs and back-pats from his fellow finalists before last year’s winner, Scotty McCreery, handed the trophy over.

“It’s been such an honor to be up on this stage playing with everybody...and to the fans, thank you for voting for us,” the Georgia native (and favorite from day one) said before hearing Ryan Seacrest announce his name.

But after he had been declared the winner, all he had to

do was grab his guitar and make himself right at “Home,” what will be his first official single as Idol champ.

But even if your horse didn’t win, Phillip and Jessica will ultimately both have record deals—

merican Idol ult we know as American Idol

z.

We’re brothers forever.

American Idol’s attracre the funny and crazy ns and one of the most able is the zany act of 7’s Philippine-born Reapuz. Fully garbed in an tume of a feather hat and cape, he sang his own sition – We’re Brothers Though he didn’t pass o way above the age limong became an online vind he was invited back to le night to sing his song panied by a full marching

nay 2 are Bottom 2. In ults night of Season 3’s Top , both Fil-Am community mile Velasco and Jasmine ere sent to the Bottom 2

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in the Elton John-themed week.

After performing an encore of their respective songs, it was announced that Camile was voted off and the two Pinays embraced each other in probably the longest elimination hug ever in the show’s run. Jasmine also wiped Camile’s tears, a gesture that touched their Pinoy fans everywhere.

2. Malubay is Proudly Pinay.

There has already been a number of Filipino Americans who rocked the Idol stage but Season 7’s 9th place finisher Ramiele Malubay has got to be the one who showed the most Pinoy flavor. Her behind-the-scene clips are absolute Pinoy moments, declaring Regine Velasquez as her favorite singer (she also listed Lani Misalucha and Nina as influ-

ences in her Idol site bio). She also declared that she’s in the competition to represent Asians and during her auditions, she said she would like to replicate “Jasmania,” a term coined to refer to the Jasmin Trias craze in the Philippines. If there’s still doubt that she’s Pinay, know that during her run in the show, she would repeatedly exclaim, “Oh my vegetable!”which is of course a translation of you-know-whatthis-expression-is.

1. The next Whitney is Filipina. Considered by many as one of Idol’s best moments in its 11 seasons, Jessica Sanchez’s performance of the Whitney Houston anthem, I Will Always Love You, excited Pinoys tremendously as it is the performance that proved the Filipina who has a real strong shot of winning the Idol crown has finally arrived. Attacking the monster song at 16, this performance made believers out of the judges who willingly stood on their feet. In a few days, Jessica will attempt to become the first Asian to be crowned American Idol, the youngest Idol champion and the girl to break the show’s four-year, all-male winner streak.

If that happens, you already know what deserves to be on this list’s number one spot.

and both had already been living the dream all night.

Phillip got to jam with Creedence Clearwater Revival’s John Fogerty on “Have You Ever Seen the Rain” and “Bad Moon Rising,” the newbie’s voice meld-

ing seamlessly with Fogerty’s iconic rough-around-the edges sound.

Original Dreamgirls star Jennifer Holliday joined forces with Jessica on “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going,” and the resulting chills and goosies were plentiful.

Heck, even we needed oxygen afterward.

The rest of the top 12 didn’t do too badly in the duet department, either, with Skylar Laine stomping out “Turn on the Radio” with Reba McEntire; Joshua Ledet being joined by his “biggest inspiration,” Fantasia Barrino; Chaka Khan doing “I’m Every Woman” with the top girls; and Neil Diamond leading the whole theater, let alone the final guys, in “Sweet Caroline.”

A4 INdulge!

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.5 ISSUE 59 • MAY 25 - 26, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

SPORTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 59 • MAY 25 - 26, 2012

15

Parker to Westbrook: You ain’t played someone like me yet S

AN ANTONIO -- It’s the main event of the Western Conference finals: Tony Parker and Russell Westbrook, All-Star point guards having their best seasons yet.

One going for a fourth NBA championship, the other still chasing his first.

This is the series where things change. ‘’We’re definitely going to go at him. It’s not going to be like Dallas or the Lakers,’’ Parker said Wednesday, referring to the first two teams the Oklahoma City Thunder demolished in the playoffs. ‘’Their point guards are not as aggressive. It’s going to be a little bit different. We’re going to go at him.’’

Parker scored 42 points on the Thunder doing just that already this year.

And, yes - that February showcase still bothers Westbrook. ‘’A little bit, yeah.’’

The rematch begins Sunday.

That gives both the Thunder and San Antonio Spurs - the only teams who occupied first place in the Western Conference since the second week of the season - plenty of rest before for Game 1 between the two most dominating teams of the

playoffs so far.

The Spurs have won 18 in a row and swept Utah and the Los Angeles Clippers, winning by an average of nearly 14 points. The Thunder clobbered the defending champion Mavericks in four games and lost just once to the Lakers, when Westbrook averaged 25.6 points opposite Lakers point guard Ramon Sessions.

Against Jason Kidd and the Mavericks, Westbrook averaged 22.2.

But as Parker reminded, Westbrook wasn’t tasked with chasing or stopping a scorer on the other end of the floor. Now, Westbrook will be playing opposite the Spurs’ leading scorer, who is averaging 19.1 points and a career playoff-best 7.1 assists.

It wasn’t trash talk from Parker. Moments earlier, he sized up Westbrook as Oklahoma City’s ‘’head of the snake’’ and declared that the 23-yearold will be another ‘’great challenge’’ after having just squared off with another elite point guard in Chris Paul.

But going from one All-Star to another is about the only similarity Parker is expecting. ‘’Chris is more looking to get his teammates involves,’’ Parker said.

San Antonio Spurs Tony Parker drives past Russel Westbrook of Oklahoma. The two begin their rivalry in the NBA Western Finals.

‘’Westbrook is going to be taking a lot of shots and be super aggressive.’’

Westbrook is 23, an age when Parker had already won two NBA titles.

They arrived in the NBA under vastly different circumstances, with the Spurs taking a chance on a

then-19-year-old Frenchmen at the bottom of the first round in 2001, and Westbrook getting drafted fourth overall in 2008, three spots behind former MVP Derrick Rose.

Parker walked onto a team already with one championship, and the

Spurs mostly needed him to simply be a sidekick during Tim Duncan’s prime. Westbrook, on the other hand, needed to team with Kevin Durant and rebuild a franchise that just uprooted from Seattle and was 20-62 the year before.

Now 30 and a onetime NBA Finals MVP, Parker is in position to make Westbrook go through him if the Thunder are going to make the most remarkable franchise turnaround that’s possible in a span of just four seasons.

tomatic ejection. Hansbrough struck Wade in the head, opening a cut over his right eye. Moments later, Haslem committed a flagrant foul against Hansbrough, clearly in response to the play against Wade.

So while Haslem sits Thursday, Hansbrough may play. ‘’It’s very disappointing, obviously,’’ Miami forward Shane Battier said Wednesday night. ‘’But we’re a resilient group. ... The verdict process is a mystery to players, and so we don’t get caught up in it. We can’t control it. We know the NBA’s going to do what they feel they need to do and we need to live with the consequences. So it’s really out of our hands, not worth getting riled up. We’re going to put together an effort that will make Udonis and Dexter proud.’’

The Heat lead the series 3-2, after a 115-83 win Tuesday night in a game that had the three flagrant fouls on the

court, accusations of dirty play afterward and finally with Pacers team president Larry Bird telling The Indianapolis Star that his team was ‘’soft’’ in Game 5. ‘’I agree with his assessment. We did play soft,’’ Indiana’s Danny Granger said Wednesday. ‘’We got smacked around. We got beat up, we got bullied, and we really didn’t respond well.’’

Countered Miami’s LeBron James, the NBA’s reigning MVP: ‘’He’s just trying to amp them up. That’s all. That’s all it is. He knows his team isn’t soft. But with them, with their backs against the wall at this point, he knows what he’s doing. He’s not the executive of the year for no reason.’’

Pittman logged only six minutes in the playoffs anyway, his presence in the postseason barely noticed until he laid out Stephenson - who made at least one choke sign toward James earlier in the series - with a forearm to the chin and shoulder areas.

Haslem suspended for Game 6

M

IAMI -- Udonis Haslem insists he meant no harm. The NBA deemed otherwise, and the Miami Heat will be without one of their co-captains when they try to close out the Indiana Pacers on Thursday night.

Haslem was suspended for Game 6 of the MiamiIndiana Eastern Conference semifinal series, a matchup where emotions boiled over in a runaway Heat victory on Tuesday night. The NBA also said Miami reserve center Dexter Pittman will miss three games in response to his flagrant foul against Indiana backup guard Lance Stephenson in the final seconds of Game 5.

Indiana’s Tyler Hansbrough was not suspended, although the league upgraded his foul against Miami’s Dwyane Wade to a flagrant-2 on Wednesday - which, if called that way during Game 5, would have brought an au-

16

SPORTS

Nerza, Avergonzago rule first Bankers Fun Run

D

AVAO Veteran runner Anthony Nerza of Brokenshire College finished on top at the first Bankers Fun Run, held Sunday at the People’s Park, Davao City, and joined by more than a thousand runners.

Nerza took just 28 minutes and nine seconds to run 10K from People’s Park and back, while female winner Emily Avergonzago took 37 minutes and 49 seconds to finish.

Male 10K second placer James Castillo crossed the finish line 27 seconds behind Nerza, followed by third placer Mario Ecalner (29:43).

Among the 10K women racers, Ma. Stella Diaz finished second with a time of 39:40. Coming in third was Tiny Buenaventura (44:03).

Michael Jan Constantino was first to cross the 5K finish line among the men, with a gun time of 15:25, followed by second placer Elmer Bartolo (16:06), then Jaime Valleneia (16:54).

In the 5K race among women, Vivian Avergonzado took the top spot with 20:21, with runner #5430 second with the time of 21:39, and Katherine Ber-

mudes third with 26:02.

The 3K race was finished quickly by winners Rolly Paderna (6:53) for the boys and Dyana Mae Memoracion (8:24) for the girls. They were followed by Michael Barrosa (6:57) and Azlan Pagay (7:29) for the boys, and Meezel Cabriros (9:27) and Sacred Panerio (10:31) for the girls.

A cash prize of 3,000 was given to each of the 10K, 5K and 3K category first place winners. The 2nd placers received P2,000, and third P1,000.

The first Bankers Fun Run was spearheaded by the Davao City Bankers Association, Inc. (DCBAI) led by its president Larry Ignacio, and organized by Runman Racing.

33 of the 40 member banks of the DCBAI participated. The delegation from Banco De Oro was the largest among the DCBAI member banks with 153 participants.

Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Inc. was the presenter of the event, organized to benefit children cancer patients at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (formerly Davao Medical Center).[PR]

VOL.5 ISSUE 59 • MAY 25 - 26, 2012

EDGEDAVAO