Edge Davao 5 Issue 63

EDGEDAVAO

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

VOL.5 ISSUE 63 • MAY 31, 2012

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Serving a seamless society

Hall of Fame

City wins 3rd Orchid Award D

Indulge Page A4

AVAO City added another feather to its cap, so to speak, after it bagged its third Red Orchid Award last Wednesday in Manila.

The award, annually bestowed by the Department of the Health on Local Government

Units, Centers for Health Development, Government Hospitals and Government Offices for advocating 100% Tobacco-free environments, placed Davao City in its Hall of Fame. Other third time awardees were Maasin City in Eastern Visayas and Legaspi City in Bicol.

Mayor Sara Duterte received the award together with members of the Davao City Anti Smoking Task Force, led by Dr. Domilyn Villarreiz.

Aside from trophies and certificates, the Hall of Fame awardees received a P500,000

FCITY, 13

Science/Environment Page 4

2012 RED ORCHID AWARDS DAVAO CITY. Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio receives the city’s third Red Orchid Award during the awarding ceremonies in Manila last Wednesday. With Mayor “Inday” are members of the Davao City Anti-Smoking Task Force led by Dr. Domilyn Villarreiz and City Health Office

Sports Page 14

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head Dr. Josephine Villafuerte. Davao City has been elevated to the hall of fame of the annual awards being given by the Department of Health to LGUs with comprehensive anti-smoking programs. [CIO]

On Sid’s committee’s approval of ‘sin tax’

President commends Rep. Ungab

P

RESIDENT Aquino lauded last week Davao City Rep. Isidro T. Ungab for the passage by his committee of a Malacanang-supported bill on taxes on tobacco and liquor.

In a letter dated May 22, the President said “I commend you and the other

members of your committee for the successful passage of HB (House Bill) 5727 through the House Committee on Ways and Means.”

The Davao City lawmaker is the chairman of the powerful House ways and means committee which tackled HB

No. 5727, as amended, which involves “Restructuring the Excise Tax on Alcohol and Tobacco Products” or “sin tax.”

The bill, co-authored by Ungab and Cavite Rep. Emilio Abaya and consolidated with 10 other bills, was approved by the committee on ways and means last

FPRESIDENT, 13

EDGEDAVAO 2 THE BIG NEWS In Davao City City-waste facility MOA Two investors from mainland China for Council voting June 5 eye veggie farm, dried mango facility A A VOL.5 ISSUE 63 • MAY 31, 2012

By Jade C. Zaldivar

FTER months of deferment, the City Council is set to vote next session on a resolution that will engage cooperation between the city government and medical waste treatment facility inventors’ group RAD Solutions.

First proposed to the city’s Solid Waste Management Board (SWMB) in 2010, the medical waste treatment facility invented

by RAD Solutions chief scientist Davao-born Roderick “Ricky” Dayot has the capability to disinfect, reduce mass and volume by 95 % all types of medical wastes including body parts, chemical and pharmacological wastes.

“All legal impediments were resolved, so we’re set to vote on it next week,” said resolution proponent committee on health chair Bernard Al-Ag. “On estimate, Davao City’s hospitals produce about 2 to 3 tons of medical waste every day. As discussed in previous sessions, all hospitals in the city through their managers have manifested that a medical waste treatment facility is much needed,” Alag told Edge Davao.

A recipient of recognition during the national 2011 ON3 Pitching Competition, Dayot is one of two inventors in the country (the other one also from Davao) who have the privilege of attending Silicon Valley, California, home to many of the world’s largest technology corporations.

He was cited for his invention – the Pyroclave Medwaste Solution.

“Other technologies in the Philippines, even in the world, go to unhealthy measures to burn medical waste without as much success rate as Pyrcoclave,” Information and Communication Technology (ICT)Davao executive vice president Erriberto Barriga Jr. said in an earlier interview.

Barriga said that while Pyroclave can reduce waste mass and volume by 95%, other waste treatment facilities using the technologies of autoclave and microwave can only reduce this by 85 percent.

“At lahat ng klasing medical waste, yung needle sa mga injection, or body parts from operations, kaya nitong ma-totally disinfect.

Other technologies can only burn up to 160 celcius as much as five hours at hindi pa ito total disinfection, ang Pyroclave it can burn up to 1000 celcius at the quickest time of an hour with total disinfection,” Barriga said.

“It’s not a matter kung sino ang mas maraming kliyente sa Pilipinas o kung sino ang mas nauna mag-introduce, it’s a matter of efficiency with the safest means possible for the environment at the best results possible. Pyroclave is the best option we have and we should be proud of it because it comes from a Davao inventor,” he added.

Barriga also said that Pyroclave received a year of scrutiny from the SWMB along with the Department of Science and Technology and other agencies.

“Remember it wasn’t just Pyroclave which received deliberation. Rather it was Pyroclave which presented the best product proposal. To question the capability of Pyroclave would be to question all those who deliberated on their product,” he said.

Objections Delays in the approval of the resolutions authorizing the MOA are rooted in several arguments presented by the city councilors, two of which are: - that the city has no right to lease a property it does not own; and - that the local government should not permit ‘exclusivity’ to one private entity.

Once signed, the MOA allows the city government to lease a parcel of land to RAD Solutions, with a monthly payment of P5,000, within the city’s sanitary landfill are in New Carmen, Tugbok District.

This was contested earlier by the legal representative of one Pedro Pascua, owner of the New Carmen land property, saying the site was merely “lent” to the city government, and that the latter has no right to lease.

To this the city legal officer, Al-ag said, released a legal opinion stating that the agreement between Pascua and the city government, then represented by former city mayor incumbent Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, was a ‘usufruct’ agreement.

By legal terms this means the city government

has the right of enjoying the property, and to draw from the same all the profit.

“They’ve (Pascua) already withdrawn their contention and agreed to the interpretation of the city legal that it is usufruct. This is not anymore an issue,” Al-ag said.

“The property where the landfill is located is not owned by the city government. We are using it because of the usufruct agreement from the Pascua family for 40 years. The contract expires on year 2038,” he added.

Several City Councilors raised that the local government should not permit ‘exclusivity’ to one private entity.

“Why are we so into having this fast-tracked?

We should also hear the proposals of other medical waste facilities. We might be accused of favoring one private entity over another offering the same service,” said Councilor Arnolfo Cabling.

This was raised repeatedly in past sessions to which Al-ag also repeatedly answered: “We are not granting exclusivity. That much has been clarified.”

“We are even encouraging an open market for other medical waste facilities. After all it is up to the hospitals to decide which will be their clients,” he added.

Before the City Council finished discussing the resolution item, the city councilors requested that they be given one more week before voting in order to consult with the Solid Waste Management Board.

Even so, Cabling expressed that he is not in favor of the resolution.

“I am not against it but I am not willing to vote on it,” Cabling said.

By Lorie A. Cascaro

MID the strict quarantine policy of China with Philippine bananas, two Chinese investors plan to put up a 100-hectare vegetable farm and dried mango facility in Davao City, city agriculturist Leo Avila III said yesterday during the Club 888 Forum at The Marco Polo Davao.

Avila said the Chinese nationals are in the city to inspect available agricultural lands here for growing vegetables.

The city agriculturist’s office took them yesterday afternoon to Waan, Mandug and Tigatto to inspect the areas.

“After their visit,

they will send technical people to inspect the determine the type of soil, sources of water and the like,” he said, adding that the city government is only acting as “middleman”, introducing investors to the barangays.

Avila noted that only less than half of the total number of mango trees that were planted in about 4,000 hectares seven to 10 years ago under an upland development project are commercially productive.

With an average of 100 trees per hectare, there are 400,000 mango trees in the city.

The production from 4,000 hectares of mango trees in the city will be the basis of the Chinese investors to set up a

plant for dried mangoes for export.

He said dried mango is a hit in China, Korea and other Asian countries, adding that the mangoes used for dried mango production in Cebu come from the city.

“We have a lot of mango trees here but most have been neglected, while some farms were converted to other commodities such as bananas,” he said.

Avila said to make a tree commercially productive takes P7,000 to P15,000, which upland farmers cannot afford to sustain production.

“With investors coming in, the farmers will have a chance to uplift their lives,” he added. [LO-

n Valenzuela mayor

alian said the Phase II of the project was made possible through the partnership with the National Housing Authority (NHA) under Pres. Benigno Simeon Aquino III›s «P10-billion fund to relocate informal settler families residing along danger areas in Metro Manila.»

Binay cited Mayor Win Gatchalian›s concept of Disiplina Village, the first initiative in the country to address the devastating impact of typhoon Ondoy.

Gatchalian is also the first local chief executive to fight for «in-city relocation» of families displaced by the Northrail project.

RIE A. CASCARO]

Binay, Win Gatchalian open ‘Disiplina Village’ V ICE President Jejomar Binay recently inaugurated the just completed twelve 16-unit housing buildings at Disiplina Village, a project of Valenzuela City for the victims of typhoon Ondoy.

Binay, chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), lauded the uniqueness of Valenzuela City›s housing project as its construction development has been conducted through the joint efforts of the city government under Mayor Sherwin «Win» Gatchalian and the private sector like the San Miguel Brewery, Inc. The housing buildings in the village now totals to

advocates ‘in-city relocation’ of calamity victims

15, with 41 more currently erected to accommodate 900 family relocatees. At least 192 second batch of beneficiary families were awarded with certificates of occupancy, bringing the total residents in the village to 238 families now.

Likewise, Binay, Gatchalian and representatives of private sector partners led the ground braking of the Disiplina Village Phase II, which will accommodate the remaining 960 families out of 1,860 Ondoy victims in the city.

Mayor Sherwin Gatch-

FBINAY, 13

Quips

‘I CATEGORICALLY deny having anything to do with the breakup of a relationship.’

--Rep. Anthony Rolando Golez Jr. on the breakup of the marriage of Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III and former beauty queen Jewel May Lobaton.

FIRE ALARM. Firefighters immediately responded to a fire that razed at least 3 houses in Barangay 25-C on Wednesday morning. The incident is still being investigated. [KARLOS MANLUPIG]

EDGEDAVAO

THE BIG NEWS

VOL.5 ISSUE 63 • MAY 31, 2012

DTI website caters to investors’ needs

T

O better serve potential investors across the globe, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Davao Region initiated the setting up of a website that will cater to their needs.

DTI 11 Regional Director Marizon S. Loreto said the setting up of the National Economic Research and Business Assistance Center (NERBAC) portal www.nerbac11.com was anchored on the idea of making investment infusion easier for investors since everything they want to know about the region’s competitive advantage is right at their fingertips.

The NERBAC was created through Republic Act 7470 of 1992. It specifically aims to provide comprehensive and highly integrated business support services to prospective investors.

Davao Region was the very first to implement it.

In the region, NERBAC is housed in the DTI Field Offices where investment-relevant agencies such as Home Mutual Development Fund (Pagibig Fund), Social Security System (SSS), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Securities and Exchange Commission

(SEC), Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Bureau of Customs (BOC), Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (Philexport), and DTI are pooled together under one venue for easier and faster transaction.

“As information and communications technology (ICT) strides, the government must really look for ways on how to join the bandwagon. This means that we have to be visible on the web so that investors wouldn’t experience a hard time knowing the competitive edge of the region and why they should pour in their investments here,” she said.

The NERBAC website provides important information on business registration and licensing requirements, frequently asked questions about doing business in the Philippines, provincial profiles, investment priority areas, investment opportunities, investment project briefs, industry profiles, and project feasibility studies.(DTI11/JENMENDOZA)

By Jade C. Zaldivar

will be studied’ admitting that the Philippine government cannot act on all requests due to shortage of resources.

It may be recalled that during the Arroyo administration the Philippines underwent UN reviewin 2008, drawing attention to murders and forced disappearances.

UN reactions UPR Watch-Philippines relayed several reactions from various foreign delegates: Australia – called for the arrest of former military general Jovito Palparan who is wanted for the abduction of two activists from the University of the Philippines.

Spain and Canada – called for the dismantling of paramilitary groups and militias, which had evident participation in the Maguindanao massacre in 2009 and despite training programs on human rights attended by security forces, human rights violations are still serious and all too widespread.

Denmark - called for the full implementation of an anti-torture law, saying that state forces are still involved in abuses.

Other country delegates that expressed EJK re-

UN delegates show concern over reports on EJK in PHL

U

NITED Nations (UN) delegates last May 29 showed concern over alleged extrajudicial killings (EJK) in the Philippines.

According to statement from the UPR Watch-Philippines participating in the second cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the UN Human Rights Council, which gathered representatives from 69 countries, activists from the Philippines presented their record of human rights violations in the country.

“We counted 76 victims of extrajudicial killings since President Aquino took office,” said activist group Karapatan chair Marie Enriquez after the convention held in Geneva, Switzerland.

As a closure to the convention, the UN decided to schedule a human rights review on the Philippines on whether the country complies with its human rights treaty obligations.

At least six countries asked the Philippines to act on requests of the UN to visit the Philippines to examine the human rights situation in the country.

Present at the convention, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said ‘the requests

FUN REPORT, 13

TOMATOES. Members of Kilusang Mayo Uno and Samahan ng Maralitang Kababaihang Nagkakaisa throw tomatoes to the signage of the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board- Region XI to express their outrage

3

against labor contractualization and the alleged poor labor condition in the region. [KARLOS MANLUPIG]

More LGUs to adopt streamlined business permit, licensing system

By Lorie A. Cascaro

M

ORE local government units (LGUs) in the Davao region are adopting the business permit and licensing system (BPLS) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), according to Sarry L. Kinoc, Jr., DTI trade and industry development specialist and BPLS point person.

In partnership with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), DTI 11 will

Payback time

be training 11 LGUs on BPLS for the year 2012, while three more LGUs voluntarily requested to undergo the training.

Three LGUs--Maragusan in Compostela Valley province, Kapalong, Sto. Tomas and Asuncion in Davao del Norte.

Other LGUs set to undergo training this year are Sta. Cruz, Hagonoy, Malita, and Bansalan in Davao del Sur; and, Monkayo, Pantukan, and Maco in Compostela Valley.

Aside from streamlining the licensing and

business permit processing in an LGU, Kinoc said the purpose of BPLS is to prevent “under the table” transactions.

The basis of this new processing system is Republic Act No. 9485 or the Anti-Red Tape Act (ARTA) of 2007.

The ARTA mandates LGUs to provide efficient delivery of services to the public by reducing bureaucratic red tape and preventing graft and corruption, and providing penalties thereof.

Three standards are streamlined with BPLS,

particularly in the processing steps, which involve actual interaction with institutions; processing time, including travel time from one office to another; and, unified forms, which will be used by all LGUs that adopt BPLS. “They are not allowed to erase or change columns, but they can add rows in the unified form.

Basically, the LGUs will completely replace their old forms,” Kinoc said, adding that all items in the form are similar except for fees.

FMORE, 13

Axed court worker glad over CJ’s guilty verdict

F

ORMER court interpreter, Delsa Flores, expressed gladness over the Senate’s impeachment trial “guilty” verdict against Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato C. Corona last May 29.

Flores, who lost her job in 1997 for the same reason Corona has lost his--betrayal of public trust—said she is “relieved” that the law treated her and Corona equally.

“I’m so happy na hindi pala kami lang maliliit ang pwedeng matanggalan ng trabaho. Patas lang pala ang batas na parang pantay lang pala kami,” Flores said on national and local television.

“I thought he (Corona) would be acquitted. Hindi ko inakala. Napakalaking (tulong) ito. Naging pantay ang batas,” she added.

Flores was fired from her job as court interpreter of the Regional Trial Court Branch IV of Panabo City, Davao del Norte for her non-declaration of a public market stall she owns.

n Her case was benchmark of Corona’s im-

peachment

“Masakit ang nangyari sa akin, talagang masakit dahil tinggal nila ako agad sa trabaho. Sangayon ako sa desisyon ng Senado. Talagang ang saya ko. Hindi ko inasahan. Overwhelming ang desisyon,” she added.

Although both Corona and Flores were removed from office for their failure to fully disclose their Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN).

“Mahirap kasi noong time na yun. Ako lang isa nagpapalaki ng mga anak ko. Single mother ako kaya mahirap talagang mawalan ka ng trabaho ng ganoon ka bilis,” Flores said.

At least six senator judges mentioned Flores’ case as among the reasons they voted for conviction of Corona.

“The Supreme Court dismissed Delsa Flores, a lowly court interpreter, for not reporting in her SALN her stall in a public market,” said Senator

Franklin Drilon before delivering a “guilty” vote.

“The failure to declare 2.4 million dollars and some P80 Million pesos is not minor. In decided cases, the Supreme Court has ordered the dismissal from service of public officials and employees for failure to declare a sari-sari store…as in Rabe vs. Delsa Flores,” Senator Pia Cayetano said before also voting guilty.

In an en banc decision by the Supreme Court dated May 14, 1997, Flores is guilty of ‘failure to perform her legal obligation to disclose her business interests… that she

Quips

had been receiving rental payments from one Rodolfo Luay for the use of (her) market stall.’

“The Court must reiterate that a public office is a public trust. A public servant is expected to exhibit, at all times, the highest degree of honesty and integrity and should be made accountable to all those whom he serves,” the Flores case decision read.

Flores was tried on the basis of the charges filed by one Narita Rabe.

The SC rule also stripped Flores of her retirement benefits, and prohibited her from re-employment in any government office or corporation.

[JADE C. ZALDIVAR]

‘BUT given his broad experience in public law and practice in investment advisory services, his willful and deliberate omission, together with the magnitude of the subject matter, amounts to culpable violation –thus a failure meriting condemnation.’

--Sen. Edgardo Angara (in the Impeachment Trial)

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SCIENCE/ENVIRONMENT

VOL.5 ISSUE 63 • MAY 31, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Tuatara reptile slices food with ‘steak-knife teeth’ N EW Zealand’s tuatara has a unique way of chewing its food, say scientists who have studied its jaws in detail.

This beak-headed reptile uses a “steak-knife sawing motion” as it chews.

This could help explain how the species has continued to adapt to a changing world - and changes in available prey - over more than 200 million years.

A computer model of the tuatara, recreating its jaws as it munched on prey, has revealed that it chews like no other land animal.

The tuatara’s lower jaw slides forward “to slice food apart like a saw” This seems to allow it to “slice up” food that is too big for its mouth.

In their paper in the journal The Anatomical Record, the researchers describe how the teeth of the tuatara’s lower jaw close between two upper rows of teeth “before sliding forward to slice food apart like a draw-cut saw”.

Lead researcher Marc Jones from University Col-

lege London said this was very unlike any living lizard or snake, which used “more of a simple opening and closing” motion.

The UK-based researchers were able to observe and film chewing tuataras at Chester Zoo. Dr Jones and his colleagues from the universities of Hull and York then used this footage to accurately digitise and simulate the creature’s characteristic chomp.

Dr Jones said that the “slicing jaws” of the tuatara allowed it to eat a wide range of prey including beetles, spiders, crickets and small lizards.

But he added that this study helped to explain some rather gruesome discoveries in the reptile’s habitat.

“People have described finding seabirds with their heads sawn off,” he told BBC Nature.

“Tuatara will tend to go for hatchlings if they can, but as far as I can make out [they] do sometimes take

small adults.

“We think] they change their diet seasonally - eating lots more seabirds during the summer.”

Close relatives?

Although the tuatara looks very much like a liz-

ard, it actually belongs to a group of animals commonly known as beak heads, orRhynchocephalia in the formal terminology.

The reptile, found wild only in New Zealand, is the last surviving species of its

group. Its relatives died out more than 200 million years ago.

At that time, the creatures were spread throughout the globe; scientists have found some the fossilised remains of the tuatara’s

extinct relatives in the UK. It is not entirely clear how and why the rest of these ancient reptiles became extinct, but the tuatara’s ability to saw up its food could be a secret to its continued survival.

interventions and the reality was “getting bigger.”

And the International Energy Agency said CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion reached a new high last year, providing “further evidence that the door to a 2 deg C trajectory is about to close.”

The Earth Summit had yielded the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, which in turn led to the Kyoto Protocol binding 37 rich nations to curbing greenhouse gas emissions.

“I would say that the climate negotiations at their twentieth anniversary are definitely moving in the right direction, but not at the speed and not at the scale” required, UN climate chief Christiana Figueres said in Bonn.

Scientists who monitor progress under the name Climate Action Tracker (CAT) say warming of 3.5 deg C could cause many plant and animal species to die out, deserts to expand and agricultural production to plummet.

They say the scenario can be avoided if governments raise their commitments considerably, and fast – cutting fossil fuel subsidies and boosting renewable energy production.

“The only thing that is creating the gap is a lack of political will,” said Hmaidan.

Alden Meyer, director of strategy and policy with

the Union of Concerned Scientists, said climate change posed the greatest threat to the well-being of people and ecosystems 20 years after the Rio conference.

“It is not too late to address this threat, but scientists tell us the window for effective action is rapidly closing. Without much more ambitious action now, we will be condemning our children and grandchildren to suffer the consequences of truly dangerous levels of climate change.”

Countries agreed at UN climate talks in Durban, South Africa last December to draft a new climate pact by 2015.

Due to take effect from 2020, it should bind all countries to greenhouse gas emission cuts.

But gathered in Bonn for the past 11 days, negotiators tasked with laying the groundwork for the new deal got stuck in procedural bickering as battle lines were redrawn between rich nations and some in the developing world over apportioning responsibility for tackling global warming.

“The now-predictable drama and upheavals at the United Nations climate treaty talks underscored the precarious state of multilateral efforts to reach a new agreement to protect the world’s climate,” observed the Environmental Defense Fund.

DENR orders Bukidnon forest Slow progress since Earth company to stop cutting trees Summit 20 years ago

E

NVIRONMENT Secretary Ramon Paje has directed the Bukidnon Forest, Inc. (BFI) management to stop its tree harvesting operations effective this month, but BFI general manager Reynaldo Abordo insists it does not mean they have to stop cutting immediately as they are still allowed to cut 7,000 cubic meters worth of wood in the next three months to honor previous contractual obligations.

Paje, who also chairs the board of directors of BFI, ordered the stop “until further notice,” according to Abordo. The order was reportedly pursuant to the instruction of President Benigno Aquino III, who earlier ordered a total log ban in the country and launched a National Greening Program.

The BFI manager told the Bukidnon Sangguniang Panlalawigan about the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) order Wednesday during a hearing on a supply contract between BFI and Chinese-owned Luda Chemicals, Inc. (LCI) to tap resin from Malaybalay pine tree plantations inside the 38,000-hectare plantation area.

Abordo said the order was a result of the May 17 meeting of the BFI board in Quezon City. The board also ordered BFI management to “establish around 8,000 hectares of forest plantation inside the BFI area of responsibility this year.

BFI, previously the Bukidnon Industrial Tree Plantation Project (BIPP), obtained a 25-year BFI Industrial Forest Management Agreement, due to expire in 2016. BFI is a government-owned and controlled corporation (GOCC) under the National Resources Development Corporation. As BIPP, it was funded by the national government of New Zealand until it was terminated as a foreignassisted project of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in 1998.

Abordo clarified to MindaNews that the “effectivity” of Paje’s order does not really mean immediate stop of cutting. He said they are still allowed to cut until August to comply with their previous contractual obligations amounting to 7,000 cubic meters worth of wood.

Felix Mirasol, DENR-Bukidnon chief, admits this is still a huge volume, which translates to 389 truck loads worth of timber.

Abordo told the provincial board they already had customers who deposited payments for orders previously made.

He said there is no sign DENR’s order to stop cutting is permanent but he said the experimental deal with Luda Chemicals is a transition to BFI’s alternative source of income.

The supply contract drew the ire of provincial board

members over reports that the tapping of pine trees’ resin or sap like those done on rubber trees could lead to early aging and result in pine trees being cut earlier than its lifespan of 50 years.

Huang Ming Xing, a resource person from LCI, said in a PowerPoint presentation that extraction is not harmful to pine trees.

Mirasol pointed out that the danger is in overtapping, so the extraction has to be done by skilled workers.

Last January, Vice Gov. Jose Ma. R. Zubiri Jr. said BFI must be asked to stop operating ahead of the expiration of its 25-year industrial forest management agreement (IFMA) in 2016.

He cited BFI in his speech during a convocation program in January where he reacted to accusations that massive deforestation in Bukidnon should be blamed for the flashfloods brought by tropical storm Sendong that hit the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan in December.

Zubiri cited that there are no illegal loggers in the province. But he said instead there is “legal logging” with BFI allegedly as the biggest operator. He said the firm is cutting more trees than it is planting.

He added in an interview that only one portion of the 38,000 hectares had been reforested, referring to only 6,000 hectares in Manolo Fortich. [WALTER I. BALANE/ MINDANEWS]

T

WENTY years after the Earth Summit in Rio pledged to save the environment for future generations, observers and policy makers agree swifter action is required to avert climate catastrophe.

But even as new warnings were issued this week of impending disaster – more severe droughts, disease spread and land-effacing sea level rises – climate negotiators gathered in Bonn continued to bicker over procedure.

“Let’s consider climate change like you are in a car trying to stop before reaching a ledge. We are applying the brakes but we are still far away from decelerating enough not to fall from the ledge,” Wael Hmaidan, director of activist group Climate Action Network, told Agence France-Presse on the sidelines of the talks which ended Friday.

On Thursday, climate researchers said the planet could warm by more than 3.5 degrees Celsius (6.3 degrees Fahrenheit) by 2100 if countries do not raise their game.

The UN’s target is a 2 C (3.6 degree Fahrenheit) limit on warming from pre-industrial levels for manageable climate change.

Paul Hare from German policy research group Climate Analytics said the gap between countries’ promised

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 63 • MAY 31, 2012

5

Team effort for Philippine bananas T

HE Department of Agriculture, the Department of Trade and Industry alongside the Department of Foreign Affairs is joining hands to create a package of presentation for banana growers affected by China’s imposition of strict quarantine requirements.

Describing the linkage as a Filipino team effort, DA Assistant Secretary Salvador Salacop said that among this package of presentation will be shown to President Benigno Aquino III. The three departments would work on developing new markets, monitoring good agricultural practices and upgrading of export facilities.

Among the identified markets is Russia particularly the port of Vladivostok which has

expressed interests in bananas from Mindanao. As for the distance of the country which can be a factor for the viability of the market Salacop said that Vladivostok is just two hours away from China.

Another potential market being identified is Iran which is being explored. Although Iran is facing sanctions, food products like bananas are exempted from foreign sanctions.

He also added that they are studying a counter-trade proposal in which bananas can be exchanged for oil as foreign currencies particularly US dollars are scarce in Iran due to the embargo.

A trade mission is being planned to Iran in June according to Salacop and among

those to be discussed is the export of bananas.

Aside from finding export markets, the DA is looking to the upgrading of export facilities for small growers, they are also looking for ways to show that Filipino farmers are practicing good agricultural practices.

Salacop said that despite China’s crackdown on Philippine bananas they cannot just ignore the large market.

He added that the country is a net importer of agricultural produce from China.

The country exports annually $180-million to China of which $70-million are from bananas.

While the country imports $350-million worth of agricultural commodities.

The DA assistant secretary said that most of the banana exports to China are “Class B” bananas and cannot just be sold to other foreign markets which are used to receiving Class A bananas.

Meanwhile DTI-XI Regional Director Marizon Loreto in an earlier interview said they are looking into developing markets for different banana products like banana chips, banana flour, banana ketchup and banana fiber.

Loreto cited that banana fiber which is made into a fashion accessory has a potential demand in the Japanese market as banana fiber is made into fashionable shawls worn

by Japanese women. (PIA 11/RG

tal terminal area of 13.9 hectares, and is planning to expand this to 16.8 hectares by 2013.

Moreover, the 518-meter berth controlling depth, which was already lowered from 10.7 meters to 11.6 meters last year, will be further enhanced with the construction of the new 320-meter berth with a controlling depth of 14.5 meters

by June next year.

In information technology, AGCT invested in the NAVIS terminal operating system, successfully rolling it out last year.

New safety standards were implemented even as manpower skills were upgraded through

the rollout of various training programs in operations and systems.

AGCT will also beef up its equipment fleet, ordering two post Panamax quay cranes, eight rubber tired gantries and two rail mounted gantries from Chinese equipment manufacturer ZPMC. These new equipment will augment AGCT’s current fleet composed of two quay cranes, seven reach stackers, nine prime movers, 13 chassis and four forklifts.

Aside from serving the international trade of Croatia, AGCT is being primed to become the international trading

gateway for central and southeastern Europe serving Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, south Poland, Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, all of which are natural hinterlands of the Port of Rijeka.

The Port of Rijeka, situated in the northern part of the Kvarner Bay, is the largest seaport in Croatia, the second economic center and third largest Croatian city. Its strategic location, a point in which the Adriatic Sea reaches the northernmost into the European continent, makes Rijeka the most suitable and natural connection to the Central European markets.

ALAMA)

ICTSI Croatia gears up for increased activity

A

year after taking over operation of Adriatic Gate Container Terminal (AGCT) in the Port of Rijeka in Croatia, International Container Terminal Services, Inc. has developed and upgraded facilities and systems at the terminal as AGCT gears up for increased port activity, expending HR23 million in 2011 alone.

ICTSI is the mother company of the Davao Integrated Ports Stevedoring and Services Corp, one of the service providers at the Sasa Wharf.

Apart from the improvements implemented last year, AGCT has further earmarked HRK 133 million for development of the terminal in 2012 and another HRK 88 million in 2013 as AGCT foresees increased activity starting this year. AGCT took over operation of the Brajdica Container Terminal, later renaming it to AGCT in April 2011.

Among the more significant achievements as a result of the initial development program were greatly improved crane productivity, truck dwell time and equipment availability at the terminal.

Infrastructure improvements included repairs in the container yard and roads, reconstruction of the rail yard, cleaning of the seabed in the southern pier. Utilities improvements included the installation of an autonomous fuel and power supply system.

Apart from these, AGCT is preparing to further upgrade facilities with the planned reconstruction of the existing yard, construction of new gates and the installation of European Union border inspection posts.

Currently, AGCT has a to-

as of august 2010

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

6

THE ECONOMY

VOL.5 ISSUE 63 • MAY 31, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

San Miguel is still Pinoy’s beer of choice S

AN Miguel Brewery Inc. said sustained efforts to increase patronage of its products and enhancements in productivity and cost management, have boosted its domestic and overseas volumes last year and in the first quarter of this year.

At the company’s annual stockholders meeting, Roberto N. Huang, president of SMB, said it retained its domestic beer market leadership at 96 percent in 2011.

Its contribution to the total alcoholic beverage category also exceeded targets, reaching 67 percent in 2011.

“We fulfilled our promise to grow our business and protect our market leadership in the Philippines. We implemented programs to boost awareness and patronage for our products as we pursued enhancements in productivity and cost management,” Huang said.

He also said that full utilization of its Santa Rosa, Laguna plant in 2011 also enabled it to meet growing demand in the domestic market.

In 2011, the company posted sales volumes of 223.8 million cases, a 1.4 percent increase from the previous year. Sales

revenue grew 6.4 percent to P72 billion.

Operating income rose to P20 billion, up 10.4 percent from the previous year, resulting in a 28.5 percent operating margin.

SMB’s consolidated revenues reached P18.3 billion in the first three months of 2012, a 5 percent increase vis-a-vis last year.

Operating income grew by 5 percent over the previous year to P5.3 billion. International volumes also grew 9 percent.

Red Horse, the country’s leading extra strong beer, grew its volume by

1.6 percent in 2011 while San Mig Light retained its number 1 status in the low-calorie beer segment.

Gold Eagle Beer continued to conquer Visayas and Mindanao with a volume growth of 6 percent while Cerveza Negra volumes increased by 16 percent.

San Miguel Super Dry grew 8 percent and San Miguel Premium All-Malt improved 3 percent.

San Miguel Pale Pilsen enjoyed steady growth and widened its appeal with the release of a premium, long neck 330 mL paper label format in select upscale outlets in

Another concern to talk about is the unauthorized refilling of LPG cylinders at Auto-LPG dispensing stations, Llaneza bared.

The participants to the summit are expected to come up with a common stance to deter the proliferation of these illegal/unsafe practices to ensure the safety and welfare of the consuming public, he said.

The officials and representatives from the government agencies to include DOE, Depart-

ment of Trade and Industry, Bureau of Product Standards (BPS), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the Local Government Units (LGUs) of Mindanao, will be gathered in the morning session of the summit.

The afternoon session will be joined by invited representatives from the business sector to comprise of LPG cylinder manufacturers, LPG bulk suppliers, LPG refilling plants, LPG dealers/retailers, and the consumers.

Llaneza said the summit which is free of registration will start at 10:00 a.m. at the Phela Grande Hotel, in Gen. Santos City.

Among the invited speakers include Director Zenaida Y. Monsada of DOE-Oil Industry Management Bureau (DOE-OIMB), Alvin David T. Lim of the Retail Market Monitoring and Special Concerns Division-OIMB (RMMSCDOIMB), and Robert Cardinales of LPG SectionRMMSCD.

the board.

The PCA, DA and the SRA had been into expansion of the country’s plantations to support the biofuel industry needs.

Coconut is a main source of coco-methyl ester (CME), a component for biodiesel; and sugarcane bagasse is a major source of biomass, from which biofuel is extracted, according to the PCA and SRA. To date, the country’s liquid fuel contains 2 percent biofuel for diesel and 10% bio-ethanol, as mandated by law, the National Biofuel Board (NBB) said the over-all plan is increasing it to 20

percent by 2030.

Biofuel as defined refers to bioethanol and biodiesel, or other fuels made from biomass and primarily used for motive, thermal and power generation, with quality specifications in accordance with the Philippine National Standards (PNS).

A clean fuel source, Biofuel is being developed as part of the country’s effort to wean away from expensive imported fossil fuel by using indigenous, sustainablysourced out indigenous and renewable energy.

Since the Biofuel Act of 2006 took effect, all liquid fuels sold for mo-

tors and engines in the country have contained increasing amounts of locally sourced bio-fuel blends, DOE’s Renewable Energy Management Bureau (REMB) director Mario Marasigan said.

At the recently concluded NBB workshop at the Bohol Tropics, Marasigan said all liquid fuels in the country today have 1 percent to 2 percent bio-fuel blend in biodiesel.

Also, there is already some 10 percent bioethanol blended in gasoline, and as planned, it would hit the 85 percent target by 2030 as stated in the National Renewable Energy Plan.

Mindanao LPG forum on March 5

T

HE Department of Energy is set to convene various stakeholders in the Mindanao liquified gas petroleum (LPG) Summit slated on June 5 in General Santos City that aims to tackle issues and concerns currently confronting the LPG sector.

DOE Director Manuel M. Llaneza said the summit will particularly discuss the issue regarding the proliferation of refilling/selling of LPG using Butane canisters as containers.

20% biofuel mix in diesel by 2030

M

EMBERS of the National Biofuel Board (NBB) is optimistic that by 2030, the country will attain a 20 percent biofuel mix for its diesel fuel.

During its recent five day planning workshop at the Bohol Tropics Resort on May 21-25, representatives from the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Sugar Regulatory Authority (SRA) agreed that this can only be possible if NBB member agencies and institutions stick to their commitments and aggressively pursue the plans and programs of

It figures 20-3

NUMBERS of senators who voted “guilty” and “not guilty” in the Impeachment Trial of Chief Justice Renato C. Corona who was convicted of culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust for failing to include in his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth several millions of pesos and dollars. Only three –Joker Arroyo, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Miriam Defensor-Santiago voted to acquit Corona.

18 percent

LISTED Philippine companies were less profitable in 2011, with combined net incomes of 253 companies declining 1.9 percent to P429.96 billion, Revenues during the period, however, rose 17.5 percent to P3.8 trillion, led by mining and oil companies as commodities like mineral prices hit record highs.

BM

P25 billion

INFRASTRUCTURE fund being put up by the Government Service Insurance System. The fund is expected to have a significant impact on economic growth, especially since it will be dedicated to capital outlays, according to Budget Secretary Florencio Abad. BM

GMA and Luzon.

San Mig Strong Ice meanwhile grew its market share in GMA in the premium beer segment.

New brand San Miguel Flavored Beer in lemon and apple variants surpassed volume targets by 61 percent in its first year.

“Alongside our success in the country, our international operations, through the San Miguel Brewing International, capped the year with exceptional results mainly by better operational efficiencies and cost manage-

Telcos have yet to refund almost P3-B in unauthorized text charges

S

AYING that mobile phone companies now owe their subscribers P3 billion from failing to lower interconnection charges as ordered by the National Telecommunications Commission last November, partylist Rep. Teddy Casiño today urged the House of Representatives to immediately pass House Bill 5653 or the Mobile Phone Subcribers bill to protect the rights of mobile phone subscribers.

Casiño said that “among the numerous instances where these telecommunication service providers (telcos) defied NTC was when they refused to implement a 20-centavos deduction on interconnection charges for SMS (text messages) which the NTC ordered effective on November 30, 2011.”

House Bill No. 5653 seeks to promote the rights of mobile phone subscribers by regulating prices, requiring telecommunications service companies to provide detailed billing of both prepaid credits and postpaid consumption, number portability, lowered pulse rate and other service improvements for the benefit of our consuming public.

“The true costs of mobile phone services are hidden in the untransparent pricing of Smart and Globe, which enables them to impose onerous charges. Prepaid subscribers often are left blind as to how

their credits were consumed, if they were indeed consumed at all prior to the load expiration, which in itself is a dubious practice.

Postpaid subscribers meanwhile bewail a lack of transparency on the charges levied against them as found in billing statements. These issues among others have to be addressed and it has to be done now,” he added.

“To date the estimate is almost P3 billion have yet to be refunded by the telcos to their subscribers due to unauthorized text charges. This data is extrapolated from the latest financial reports provided by the telcos themselves reveal a gross income of at least P200 million per day from text messaging services. Assuming half of the text messages are between telcos and subject to interconnection fees, the 20-centavo reduction in said fees would mean the telcos have been overcharging their consumers by P20 million per day, or a total of P3 billion for the 4 and a half months that the NTC order remains unimplemented,” said the progressive solon.

“This is a conservative estimate considering the fact that as text capital of the world, some 1.5 to 1.8 billion text messages a day are sent in the Philippines.

In some of our computations, the overprice even reached five times this amount,” Casiño ended.

SHIPPING investment in Surigao del Norte approved by the Board of Investments, in line with the Aquino government’s efforts to improve the movement of goods in the country.The project of local shipping company Aviva Shipping Corp. would provide a much needed boost in transportation infrastructure in the Northern Mindanao region.

P147- million

P700 million

P1.13 billion NET INCOME of the Philippine Ports Authorityfor the first three months of the year, up by nearly 30 percent or about P259.1 million from last year’s profit of P1.07 billion.

ment programs,” Huang said.

He said that Anker and San Miguel Beer premium brands contributed to double-digit volume growth and expanded profit in Indonesia, while San Miguel and premium brands enjoyed higher sales in Hong Kong.

For exports, volume and profit expansion were also evident, especially in proven markets like Sudan, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan and South Korea and in emerging markets in Africa and the Middle East.

AMOUNT being invested by the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) on the construction of a new power control center for the Mindanao grid. The center based in Cagayan de Oro City will serve as nerve center for grid operations in Mindanao. PDI

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.5 ISSUE 63 • MAY 31, 2012

7

8

VANTAGE POINTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 63 • MAY 31, 2012

The Corona ouster: It was all about

R

EDITORIAL

Ban on plastics

T

HE Department of Environment and Natural Resources under Regional Executive Director Director Jim O. Sampulna has reportedly commended the Davao City government’s move to totally ban the use of non-biodegradable plastic products and polystyrene foam as food and beverage containers effective June 28, this year.

The ban of these non-biodegradable containers is spelled out under City Ordinance 361 series of 2010.

Sampulna thinks the ban on nonbiodegradable containers will significantly reduce the city’s burden on managing wastes that are very damaging to the environment.

“Once plastic bags or polystyrene foams are used, most of them go to the landfill or end up littering the environment. And once they become litter, they find their way into the waterways, streets, beaches and seas. Plastics and polystyrene foams clog waterways

EDGEDAVAO

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and pollute our oceans and seas too.

The sad reality is since they are nonbiodegradables their decomposition takes very long years,” Sampulna said.

During the DENR-led coastal cleanup last year, plastic wrappers/containers formed the bulk of the 17,087 kilos of garbage collected. The same kind of waste materials also made up most of the 252 sacks of garbage collected during their succeeding estero or canal cleaning.

All DENR field offices in the country are under instruction to provide technical assistance to local government units like Davao City in their solid waste management efforts.

This environment-friendly campaign, if pursued seriously, bodes well for the all important disaster and risk management readiness that all Philippine communities should have, in view of the real and imminent dangers that climate change poses to all Filipinos wherever they are.

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

RAMON M. MAXEY Consultant

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

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

JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance

RICHARD C. EBONA IMELDA P. LEE Advertising Specialists

AGUSTIN V. MIAGAN JR Circulation

CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING OFFICE

LEIZEL A. DELOSO | Marketing Manager Unit 6, Southbank Plaza Velez-Yacapin Sts. Cagayan de Oro City Tel: (088) 852-4894

MANILA MARKETING OFFICE

ANGELICA R. GARCIA | Marketing Manager Blk. 1, Lot 10, La Mar Townhomes, Apitong St., Marikina Heights, Marikina City Tel: (02) 942-1503

ENATO Corona, now technically the former Supreme Court Chief Justice after he was pronounced guilty in his impeachment trial, quickly morphed from an arrogant and defiant man of immense power to a meek and a very beaten man he could not even muster enough strength and courage to be present on his judgment day in less than five months.

He took a brief rebound after his disastrous and contemptible walkout from the Senate impeachment court. But by then, whatever credibility and believability left in him were already gone.

And so thought 20 of the 23 senators who ruled and said he no longer deserved a day in his former court.

History is replete with lessons how hard and quickly the high and the mighty could fall out of power.

Corona is his own lesson.

More than anything else, his trial was not all about whether he committed impeachable offenses. The verdict was not all about evidences or the lack of it. Nor was it all about the intolerance of one man over the other.

No evil forces can ever subdue and prevail over the virtuous and upright moral man. Invert ably, no one can put a good and righteous man out of his exalted position.

Corona was a wrong man in a wrong time.

He desperately so coveted, to the point of pathetic obsession, a seat in the Supreme Court it took him 10 years to realize it. When he was already there, he wanted nothing less than becoming the primus inter pares – first among equals – its supreme and chief.

He got it from the wrong president at the wrong time. In fact, he should not have gotten it, much more accepted it. But he got it and got away with it anyway, or so he thought.

In the two years that he was in the position to steer the Supreme Court, his only saving grace was to side with the farmer-tenants of Hacienda Luisita for which he got the ire of his supposed co-equal in government. But no mistake about it, he was not impeached because of choosing to break up the economic base of the Cojuangco side of the family of President Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino.

He was impeached because Corona chose to be on the wrong side fairness in almost all major decision of the Supreme Court when he became its chief. He blatantly displayed his gratitude towards his benefactor and benefactors. He may not be faulted for defending his court and himself. But he cannot be forgiven for treating like it was his fiefdom and acting like – well – its fief. He cannot dismantle one’s fief, build his own and yet expect to be beyond reproach and destruction.

Corona could have taken the high ground and prove that he is a man of proven integrity, independence, impartiality and morally fit that are required of his position. He could just have maintained his silence and prove his detractors wrong by steering the Supreme Court into the path of righteousness and not giving them any cloud of doubt. By emulating Cesar’s wife. By administering justice where and when it is due.

Instead he chose to be on the warpath and indulge his accusers in a war of attrition – courting confrontation as often as he blinks his eyes. He cannot even keep peace within his own court – living in his own fears and creating his own ghosts. Yet he acted like he was its indomitable commander in chief.

When he was impeached by the House of Representative, Corona began to live by the day. Instead of taking the high ground, he dug himself in the trenches and ultimately his own graveyard. In war, there will be victors and the vanquished.

Corona fought the war he cannot win because he sorely lacked the character to do it.

Yes, in the end it was all about character.

And Corona was found wanting of it.

EDGEDAVAO

A

S HARD AS a coconut, that’s how we look at stubborn coconut farmers and growers who refused to listen to so many suggestions these past many years from government, business, and foreign advisers---to INTERCROP or to DIVERSIFY. What this simply means is, to plant another kind of crop between those long rows of coconut trees. Example of inter-cropping: plant coffee or bananas between the coconut trees. Example of diversifying: aside from having a coconut farm, set aside another farm area to plant, say, falcatta trees, coffee, or cocoa, or cardaba bananas, etc. etc.

All these suggestions and pieces of advice had already been given countless times, maybe a million times, not only in Davao but to 3.5 million coconut farmers all over the country for so many years. Until now, they still believe only their coconut farms can support them --- and nothing else. They simply refuse to diversify to other crops or refuse to inter-crop.

Hasta karon, gahi ra gihapon ang mga ulo!

Last year (2011), the average buying price for copra was P32 a kilo, more or less, by traders in Bansalan, Malita and Mati. It even reached as high as P40/kilo. This year, however, US, European and Asia-Pacific buyers are resorting to cheaper substitute like soya oil, palm oil, sunflower oil, etc. dampened by the global financial jitters in Europe and the US. Faced by declining global orders for copra and coconut oil, prices started dropping-

R

Coping with the ‘Copra Crash’ of 2012 -to P26 in January this year (2012), then to P25 in February, to P24 in April and even to P20/kilo in May. In some remote places in Mindanao, coconut farmers can hardly even sell copra at P15/kilo!

Anyway you look at it, it’s the “Copra Crash of 2012” as copra price sank nearly 42% this year. Latest export figures show the Philippines shipped a total of 209,256 metric tons covering shipments during the first four months (January-April) this year. This is 148,366 metric tons short of last year’s shipment of 357,622 metric tons covering the same period, according to the Philippine Coconut Authority.

Like a broken record, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri urged the PCA to help coconut farmers “expand their income thru intercropping”. It’s almost like a rehash of an old speech dug from the senator’s archives of many speeches based on reports and recommendations of both PCA and the Department of Agriculture.

It’s a timely statement from Zubiri, but something that has been repeated over and over to coconut farmers, planters and growers for so many years. Of course, some coconut planters listened to this advice several years ago and diversified to other crops while others actually did inter-crop. But still many coconut farmers didn’t care to listen, content and assured that copra prices will always be good to them.

A government subsidy during a copra price slump may sound like a nice idea to the coconut industry, but what’s to prevent the banana industry or the mango industry to also seek subsidies from the government during a price crisis?

This might sound unfair to coconut farmers suffering from low buying price of copra, but coconut oil mills are actually mak-

ing 25% profits these days from cheaper buying prices of copra in April and May this year, according to PCA regional officer Benjamin Yu of Eastern Visayas.

“You may not believe this, but oil millers are sad and make very little money when copra prices are too high and coconut farmers are happy,” Yu said. With this thin 5% margin of profits, oil millers usually pass on the costs to consumers, making cooking oil more expensive by 10% to 15%.

That’s why the PCA is pushing coconut planters to get their cooperatives together and with the help of government banks, put up their own processing plants to produce copra meal or coconut oil so they won’t buckle and fall from erratic global prices.

“Demand for coconut oil will always be there, despite other oil substitutes. Prices will always fluctuate, they will rise and fall depending on demand and supply. So coconut prices are still expected to rise in the coming years,” Yu said.

But this is easier said than done. It’s a kind of nice statement for speeches of senators and congressmen to use when they want to endear coconut farmers to their hearts especially with elections around the corner.

And for most coconut farmers, it’s just a dream that never comes true, even with millions of dollars of funding grants dangled by various foreign donors.

For coconut farmers to survive any crisis, all they need to do is to unite and do things together. They need to help themselves. Government agencies, foreign aid donors, banks, private investors---and even God Himself--will help only if they start helping themselv es.

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

SPECIAL FEATURE

The developer is famous for its stylish and user-centric design, which optimizes space to suit the needs of homeowners. Its developments also emphasize connectivity that provide well-ordered and convenient vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle access.

“We market exceptional and captivating projects in Jubilation New Binan, Laguna as well as Dasmarinas, General Trias and Imus in Cavite. All of these projects are strategically located in prime and gentrified areas and within an hour drive from Makati,” said Manarang.

Earth and Style offers a complete line of products from ‘lot only’ to ‘house and lot’. Its homes come in different sizes, colors and themes to meet customers’ requirements.

“Earth and Style believes that all hardworking Filipinos, especially the overseas Filipino workers deserve to fulfill their dreams and realize their aspirations in life. Our goal is to help these individuals reward themselves by entrusting their life gains with the best in real estate,” said Manarang.

A niche for Filipino retirees in US

EAL estate developer Earth and Style hopes to bring FilipinoAmericans back to their roots.

The niche player in the booming real estate industry has sets its sights on the large population of Filipinos living in the United States, particularly the retirees in California, as a market for its superior developments in Laguna and Cavite.

The developer has appeared on the pages of San Francisco Chronicle, the largest newspaper in Northern California with 1.8 million readers across 11 counties in the San Francisco Designated Market Area alone.

California, the most populous state in the US, is home to 1.2 million of the total 2.5 million Filipinos in North America. Most of the 125,000 businesses owned by the Filipinos in the US are based in California.

Earth and Style president Victor H. Manarang said the developer understood the need of Filipinos in North America that suit the lifestyle requirements of their families in the Philippines.

Earth and Style, which focuses on

Monkey Business

VANTAGE POINTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 63 • MAY 31, 2012

BY LOVELY D. OCAMPO providing superior developments to fulfill the dreams of Filipinos all over the world, has built communities in Binan, Laguna including Jubilation Central, Villaggio di Xavier Mia Vita and Porchview Country.

Its upcoming developments in the Jubilation New Binan township are designed to meet the lifestyle demands of the modern Filipino. An easy drive from Manila, Makati and Ortigas, New Binan lies in the middle of the buzzing metropolis and scenic Tagaytay.

“It is our duty as developers to deliver properties which fulfill this objective. A lot of Filipino ‘Baby Boomers’ are also in the process of retiring and our developments are well suites for retirees,” said Manarang.

Earth and Style expects to complete the development of Jubilation New Binan, which combines modern and traditional styles to depict the unmistakable morphing of the urban landscape and nature.

[PNA]

9

Prelude to a Senate-Supreme Court showdown?

I

N their closing arguments at the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona, the defense lawyers employed an approach that provided a glimpse of what they will do in case of a conviction. Their arguments centered on questions surrounding the process leading to the trial and on whether the allegations brought up by the House of Representatives are impeachable offenses.

Predictably, both sides focused on article 2 of the articles of impeachment, which deals with the non-declaration by the Chief Justice of his dollar accounts and some properties in his statements of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALN).

Lead prosecutor Niel Tupas insisted that the amounts in Corona’s accounts cannot be explained by his salary and other lawful income, although illegal wealth is not among the articles of impeachment. He hastened to add that the issue though is not the amount but the nondisclosure of these assets in the SALN. Congressman Rodolfo Farinas, another prosecutor, cited the inconsistencies in Corona’s actions and pronouncements in relation to the amount of money he actually has. Speaking mostly in Tagalog, Farinas called these actions and pronouncements “palusot” (lame excuses).

For instance, he asked why Corona declared having obtained a loan of P11 million from the firm owned by the family of his wife when he already had tens of millions in the banks.

The congressman pointed out the error in Corona’s recollection of the dollar-peso exchange rate at the time that he supposedly started investing in dollar deposits. He also stressed that Corona was still a student then.

House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. spoke last for the prosecution. Reading from a prepared statement, Belmonte tried to convince the Senate sitting as an impeachment court that the central issue is Corona’s “moral fitness” and credibility. He cited the rulings handed down by the Supreme Court in the case between the Philippine Airlines and its employees, and the temporary restraining order which would have allowed former president Gloria MacapagalArroyo to leave the country and possibly escape prosecution for graft and other crimes.

On the other hand, consistent with their tack that the trial should be treated as akin to a criminal proceeding, the defense lawyers dwelt on the supposed irregularities of the process, legal arguments on which law should prevail with regard to the once concealed accounts, and on whether the allegations lodged against their client fall under the category of high crimes as contemplated by the constitution.

The defense lawyers echoed their contention at the start of the trial that the impeachment complaint was submitted to the Senate without giving Corona due process, and that some of the 188 House members who signed it did not even bother to read its contents. Cuevas had tried to raise this issue, but Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile ruled that it had become moot and academic after the impeachment received the complaint and decided to proceed with the trial.

Atty. Eduardo de los Angeles asserted that Republic Act 6713 (SALN Law) does not do away with the confidentiality of foreign currency deposits as provided under RA 6426.

He further said that such confidentiality is protected by the right to privacy enshrined in the constitution.

De los Angeles added that Corona’s nondisclosure of certain assets in his SALN does not constitute an impeachable offense, citing the law itself provides for a corrective measure in case of errors or omissions. He said the Chief Justice did not declare the controversial amounts in his SALN based on his own interpretation of RA 6426, an omission made in “good faith.”

Moreover, Cuevas dismissed as mere “scrap of paper” the documents from the Anti-money Laundering Council presented by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales the other week at the impeachment trial. “They are mere scrap of papers, the attestation required by law is not present and therefore they are not admissible as evidence. If they are not admissible as evidence, what probative value does it have here?”

But the more telling part was when Cuevas admitted to Enrile that they will ask the Supreme Court to declare the impeachment proceedings null in case Corona was convicted. The lead defense counsel has always maintained that the High Court can intervene in impeachment cases.

The Senate president said that while he respects Cuevas’ position “I just want to remind you that our reading of Article 11 provided that the Senate shall have the sole power to try and decide all impeachment cases.”

Will Corona run to his colleagues in case of a conviction? Nobody can stop him from doing it, but that would be like seeing the Boston Celtics play with Doc Rivers as the referee. [H. Marcos C. Mordeno writes mainly on the environment, human rights and politics. He can be reached at hmcmordeno@gmail.com]

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COMMUNITY SENSE

VOL.5 ISSUE 63 • MAY 31, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Hope in the houses

T

HE family of Romagos used to wake up in a makeshift hut made from bamboo, nipa and other scrap materials in Brgy. Cuambog. Herminigilda said she kept waking up at night especially during high tides and strong winds for fear that their house will get carried away along with their 4 very young children.

It’s now a different story with them having transferred at the newly built “Ang Bag-ong Malamboong Mabini Uswag GK Village” in San Antonio, Mabini. A sturdy concrete wall and landscaping, a home they can call their own. “Mawala na gyud ang akong kahadlok ani ug nindot pa gyud ang among palibot,” she said.

The place itself is breezy with the seaside just a few meters away and Nipa trees growing in a creek that runs within the village. It has 28 houses built from May 8-14, 2012 during the 9th Bayani Challenge by thousands of volunteer builders and generous donors.

The family is among the beneficiaries called “Kapitbahayan” who officially transfer on May 28 to their new homes. The turn-over was opened with a mass and a blessing of each house. After which a starter kit composed of various food supplies and house wares were also given to the families. Likewise,

VOLUNTEERISM. The houses at the “Ang Bag-ong Malamboong Mabini Uswag GK Village” in San Antonio, Mabini where 28 houses were recently built by volunteer builders. the items came from LGU Mabini under Mayor Hadji Amir Munoz and team builders coming from the provincial government employees, municipal LGUs and other private sectors.

Uswag GK Action officer Raul Timogtimog revealed a livelihood project will soon be in place in the village which is the Nipa shingles produc-

tion. This is aside from the vegetables that will soon grow in their “Bayan-anihan” project, a garden plot which was also made possible through a farm build. Once full production is achieved, it is expected that aside from providing nutritious food on their table, these vegetables can also be sold to nearby markets. (FE MAESTRE/ IDS COMVAL)

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.5 ISSUE 63 • MAY 31, 2012

COMMUNITY SENSE 11

SIR Matina - No, these Davao Light employees are not going back to grade school. They are at the SIR Elementary School to participate in the annual Briga-

LOCATION

da Eskwela. They do repairs, repainting, and even cutting of grasses to ensure that the school is ready for the opening of classes this June.

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

Davao Light employees join ‘Brigada’, help schools get ready for opening

C

LOSE to 400 employees of Davao Light coming from the executives down to the ranks, trooped to two schools within the electric utility’s franchise area to help the institutions get ready with the opening of classes in June.

The activity is the company’s participation in the annual “Brigada Eskwela” of the Department of Education (DEPED), a program that engages all education stakeholders in finding ways to address concerns affecting public education. The “Brigada” is usually done in the last week of May shortly before the start of a particular school year.

This year’s recipients of Davao Light employees’ Brigada services were SIR Elementary School at SIR in Davao City, and Pagasa Elementary School in Pag-asa, Kapalong, Davao del Norte.

At SIR Elementary School the more than 300 employees repainted the roof of three buildings as well as outer and inner walls covering10 classrooms. They also repainted the ceiling, cleaned window glasses and jalousies, painted window grills as well as the railings on the gardens fronting the buildings.

Some of the Davao Light Kaibigans led by Asst. Vice President (AVP) for Engineering Mark Valencia cut the tall grasses at the side and back of three buildings on the left side of the school compound.

The path walks leading to the three buildings were also cemented and elevated about 6 inches higher to prevent these from being submerged in water during rains. This way, both students and teachers occupying the classrooms thereat will

not be isolated.

Over at Pag-asa Elementary School in Kapalong, a Davao Light team led by Panabo Branch Manager and AVP Engr. Reynold Felix, and AVP for Special Projects Arzy Sacamos repainted the outer walls of an entire 3-classroom building, its roof and outer ceiling, and window grills.

They also did some minor repairs including the fascia board. The 72 Brigada volunteers consisting of 49 utility’s employees and 23 skilled workers also cleaned up the school surroundings and cut grasses.

The Davao Light employees’ participation in the Brigada activities is not only a manifestation of support to the Department of Education but also their way of engaging themselves in socially relevant projects undertaken by the company.

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

17,940

P2,500

3,831

P1,500

41,408

P800

7,056

P1,200

27,411

P1,000

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: Pag-Asa ES (Kapalong) - Even in distant Pag-asa Elementary School in Barangay Pag-asa, Kapalong, Davao del Norte, the farthest barangay within Davao Light’s franchise area, company employees spend more than half a day to repaint a 3-classroom school building, do

some repairs, and even cut grasses. This is the way they support the Department of Education’s Brigada Eskwela.

This is the way they build “relationship bridges” with the community.

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 Historic trip RESIDENT Benigno

P

S. Aquino III will embark on a three-day official visit to the United Kingdom as “guest of the UK government” starting June 4 to 6. It will be President Aquino’s first visit to the United Kingdom as President of the Philippines since he assumed office in 2010. The UK is also the only European country that will be visited by the President this year.

Among President Aquino’s activities in UK will be a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister David Cameron at 10 Downing Street, where the two leaders are expected to discuss Philippine-UK political and economic cooperation, the UK’s participation in the international contact group (ICG), regional and international issues, and anti-corruption and good governance practices of both governments.

G

Meaningful

OVERNMENT of the Philippines (GPH) peace panel chair Marvic Leonen underlined that “meaningful autonomy,” which the GPH and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have been eyeing to achieve for the Bangsamoro people, is “collective” and “democratic.”

“Meaningful autonomy is and has always been a collective effort of all Moros with the various other identities represented by the national government complementing their roles,” Leonen said in his opening statement during the 28th formal exploratory talks in Kuala Lumpur Tuesday.

VOL.5 ISSUE 63 • MAY 31, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

In Thailand, Suu Kyi vows to help Myanmar migrants T

WORLD TODAY

D

EMOCRACY icon Aung San Suu Kyi on Wednesday told an ecstatic crowd of Myanmar migrants in Thailand she would do all she could to help them, on the first stop of her first trip abroad in 24 years.

“I can give you one promise -- I will try my best for you,” Suu Kyi told a crowd of hundreds who packed a narrow street in Samut Sakhon province south of Bangkok to see the opposition leader, who had not left her homeland since 1988.

Suu Kyi praised the strong “spirit” of workers from Myanmar, also known as Burma, “in spite of the many troubles they have been through” in comments to journalists.

“All of them say one thing -- they want to go back to Burma as soon as possible. That of course is part of our responsibility,” she said, adding that her visit to Mahachai was like being “back in Yangon”.

Cheering Myanmar migrants held up banners with Suu Kyi’s picture and signs in Burmese and English that

Misspoke

HE White House tried to head off a diplomatic spat with Polandafter President Barack Obama mistakenly called a Nazi facility used to process Jews for execution as a “Polish death camp.”

The linguistic faux pas overshadowed Obama’s posthumous award of America’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, to Jan Karski, a former Polish underground officer who provided early eyewitness accounts of the Nazi purge against Jews.

ABROAD. Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi smiles at Myanmar migrant workers outside their community center after meeting community representatives in Samut Sakhon on the outskirts of Bangkok on May 30, 2012. read “Free Burma” and “We want to go home”.

“I am very happy and I want to cry. I feel that we will get democracy in Myanmar,” said Phyu, who has been in Thailand for six years.

Suu Kyi’s foray beyond Myanmar’s borders is a significant show of confidence in dramatic changes that have swept her homeland since a near 50-year military dictatorship was replaced with a quasi-civilian re-

gime last year.

The former political prisoner, who won a seat in parliament in historic April by-elections, is expected to meet Thailand’s prime minister and attend the World Economic Forum on East Asia during several days in the country.

Her decision to begin the trip by meeting some of the hundreds of thousands of Myanmar migrants who work in low paid jobs in Thai homes,

factories and fishing boats, shines a spotlight on a group that has long been marginalised and prone to exploitation.

Thailand’s workforce is heavily reliant on lowcost foreign workers, both legal and trafficked, with Myanmar nationals accounting for around 80 percent of the two million registered migrants in the kingdom. There are thought to be a further one million undocumented foreign workers.

PHL, China ‘to show restraint’ over shoal

C

HINA and the Philippines have agreed to show restraint in their tense standoff over a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, Manila’s defense chief said Tuesday.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said he had held a brief meeting with his Chinese counterpart in the Cambodian capital on Monday during which both sides agreed to tone down the rhetoric and find “a peaceful resolution” to the spat.

“We agreed on three points: to restrain our actions, to restrain our statements so that it does not escalate, and then we continue to open our line

of communication until we come up with a peaceful resolution to the case,” Gazmin told reporters.

Gazmin made the remarks after attending talks with the defense ministers of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Phnom Penh.

Relations between Beijing and Manila have plunged recently with both sides pressing their conflicting claims to the Scarborough Shoal.

The two countries have had ships posted around the shoal since early April, when Chinese vessels prevented a Philippine Navy ship from arresting Chinese fishermen.

RESTRAINT. Defense Secretary Voltair Gazmin takes part in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defense Ministers’ meeting in Phnom Penh. China and the Philippines have agreed to show restraint in their tense standoff over a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, Gazmin said.

Guilty

A

Thai website editor was found guilty on Wednesday of insulting the monarchy but was given a suspended jail sentence, a light punishment in a high-profile case that has renewed the debate over strict royal censorship laws.

Judge Nittaya Yaensri told the Bangkok Criminal Court that some posts on the Prachatai news website had been offensive to the royal family and that Chiranuch Premchaiporn, its editor, had not respected a court order to remove them promptly. At least one had remained on the website for 20 days.

Nomination

M

ITT Romney clinched his Republican party’s White House nomination by winning its Texas primary, vowing to get America “back on the path to prosperity” by defeating Barack Obama in November.

But the milestone was clouded by a rehashed controversy over claims by billionaire tycoon Donald Trump, a high-profile Romney supporter, questioning President Obama’s birthplace.

Kicked out

J

APAN has told the Syrian ambassador in Tokyo to leave the country, the foreign ministry said Wednesday, as international outrage grows over brutal mass slayings blamed on the government in Damascus.

The Japanese government asked Mohamed Ghassan Al Habash to depart “as soon as possible,” an official told AFP.

Tourism leader

T

HE United Nations has appointed Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe as a “leader for tourism,” sparking criticism from human rights activists, the Guardian reported.

The UN World Tourism Organization endorsed Mugabe, 88, along with his political ally, Zambian President Michael Sata, 75, as international envoys for the tourism initiative. The two African leaders will also co-host the organization’s general assembly in August 2013.

EDGEDAVAO

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City...

President...

FFROM 1

project grant each to sustain their tobacco control activities Davao City has been in the forefront of the smoke-free campaign since it enacted its Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance in 2002, which was considered as the first exhaustive anti-smoking law in the country, well ahead of the 2003 Tobacco Regulation Act. This eventually led to the creation of the Davao City Anti-Smoking Task Force, responsible for monitoring compliance and strict implementation of the local antismoking ordinance, conduct advocacy campaigns and support the Davao City Police Office in filing charges for violation.

“I would like to congratulate the city’s anti-smoking task force for their successful implementation of the 2002 Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance. This has inspired other cities to follow suit and

has brought us citations from national and international organizations, including the Red Orchid Award which was conferred to the city by the Department of Health for the past three years as a 100% Tobacco-free Government Unit,” Mayor Sara Duterte said.

“We are humbled and grateful in sharing our success and challenges to the world as we reaffirm our full commitment in promoting healthier and longer lives by keeping Davao City smokefree after being accorded with our third Red Orchid Award,” the mayor added.

The winners of Red Orchid Award this year were chosen on the strength of their comprehensive efforts to implement a 100% Tobacco-Free Environment following the World Health Organization’s “MPOWER” initiative. Several validation teams were formed and visited the nominees be-

Petition for Approval of Sale and Transfer With Renewal of a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate a PUJ DUAL Ordinary Regular Service with Correction of Chassis Number

Petition for Renewal of a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate a FILCAB Ordinary Regular Service.

Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation and Communications LAND TRANSPORTATION FRANCHISING AND REGULATORY BOARD Regional Office No. XI Davao city

FEDERICO P. ESCALERA, SR. Petitioner-Vendor EMILIA ROSARIO E. PASTORIZA, Petitioner-Vendee Case No.2012-XI-00247 (2003-XI-00112)

x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -x NOTICE OF HEARING

Petitioners request authority for the Approval of Sale and Transfer executed by FEDERICO P. ESCALERA, SR. in favor of EMILIA ROSARIO E. PASTORIZA of a Certificate of Public Convenience with Equipment issued in this case authorizing the operation of a PUJ DUAL Ordinary Regular Service on the route: MULIG ROUTE and for cargoes as dual service from said route to any point in Region XI with the use of ONE (1) unit, which Certificate will expire on July 22, 2013. In the same petition filed on March 20, 2012, petitioners likewise request authority to extend the validity of said certificate as well as to Correct the Chassis Number from SPMM101614 to SPMM 101614-98-C with the use of the same unit previously authorized.

NOTICE, is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Board on June 06, 2012 at 09:30 a. m. at this office at the above address.

At least, FIVE (5) days prior to the above date petitioner shall publish this Notice once in a one (1) daily newspaper of general circulation in Mindanao Parties opposed to the granting of the petition must file their written opposition supported by documentary evidence on or before the above date furnishing a copy of the same to the petitioner, and may if they so, desire appear on said date and time.

This petition will be acted upon by this Board on the basis of its records and the documentary evidence submitted by the parties, unless the Board deems it necessary to receive additional documentary and/or oral evidence.

WITNESS the Honorable BENJAMIN A. GO, CESO V, Regional Director, This 20th day of March 2012 at Davao City.

TERESITA DELA PEÑA-YÑIGUEZ Chief Transport Development Officer /hoc Copy furnished: Petitioner-Vendor, Federico P. Escalera , Sr., Puan, Talomo, Davao City Petitioner-Vendee, Emilia Rosario E. Pastoriza, Puan, Talomo, Davao City Counsel, Atty. Magin C. Natividad, Balusong Ave., Matina, Davao City NOTE: Affidavit of Publication and newspaper where notice was published must be submitted three (3) days before the scheduled hearing.

Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation and Communications LAND TRANSPORTATION FRANCHISING AND REGULATORY BOARD Regional Office No. XI Davao city

JOEL P. SALAC, Petitioner Case No.2002-XI-01107 x- - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - -x NOTICE HEARING Petitioner is a grantee of a Certificate of Public Convenience issued in this case authorizing the operation of a FILCAB Ordinary Regular Service on the route: CIRCULATION ROUTE 4 with the use of ONE (1) unit, which certificate will expire on March 18, 2012. In the petition filed on March 15, 2012, petitioner request authority to extend the validity of said certificate to operate along the same route with the use of the same unit previously authorized.

NOTICE, is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Board on JUNE 04, 2012 at 09:40 a.m. at this office at the above address.

At least, FIVE (5) days prior to the above date petitioner shall publish this Notice once in a one (1) daily newspaper of general circulation in Mindanao Parties opposed to the granting of the petition must file their written opposition supported by documentary evidence on or before the above date furnishing a copy of the same to the petitioner, and may if they so, desire appear on said date and time.

This petition will be acted upon by this Board on the basis of its records and the documentary evidence submitted by the parties, unless the Board deems it necessary to receive additional documentary and/or oral evidence.

WITNESS the Honorable BENJAMIN A. GO, CESO V, Regional Director, this 15th day of March 2012 at Davao City.

TERESITA DELA PEÑA-YÑIGUEZ Chief Transport Development Officer /hoc Copy furnished: Petitioner, Joel P. Salac, B14 L10, Luzville Subd., Panacan, Davao City Counsel, Atty. Lucilo B. Sarona, Jr. JMS Bldg., 88 Maya St., Matina, Ecoland, Davao City NOTE: Affidavit of Publication and newspaper where notice was published must be submitted three (3) days before the scheduled hearing.

UN report...

FFROM 1

May 9.

In his sponsorship speech, Ungab said that House Bill No. 27, as amended, “is a measure designed to respond not only to the need for more revenue for the government, but also to the social development needs of our people.”

Ungab said the Senate version of the bill is co-sponsored by Senators Franklin Drilon and Ralph Recto.

In his letter to Ungab, President Aquino further said “Relevant, responsive legislation--including the reform in our tax code--is the foundation of evolving progress. Marshalling this effort requires dedication and leadership. Your steering this bill out of this

More...

FFROM 3

Since the inception of BPLS in 2010, 20 LGUs have undergone training and adopted the system, including Davao City.

“We are validating if the LGUs are implementing the BPLS through a survey with 10-15 forms distributed to private establishments, and interviews with government officials,” he said.

13

FFROM 1

committee demonstrated both in abundance.

“I acknowledge this endeavor with thanks.

May you continue to take vital steps such as this one, that are necessary in order to move our country forward,” the President concluded The Davao-born lawmaker said his team is hopeful the House could pass the measure by June 7.

“The international community is watching us, how we institute reforms in our tax system,” Ungab said.

“We may be given another upgrade by the credit rating agencies if the ‘sin tax reforms’ Bill is approved,” the Davao solon said. [AMA]

By July or August, the DTI 11 will validate Nabunturan, Panabo and New Corella out of the 20 LGUs trained in 2011.

He noted that part of its validation for confirmation of BPLS implementation is the executive order signed by the mayor that the LGU expressed interest in adopting the new system, and an ordinance on BPLS, including amendments of zoning code and budget

mains a serious problem in the world and called for the Philippine Government “for solutions and real action” are: the United Kingdom, Spain, United States, Ireland, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, France, and Japan.

Fr. Jonash Joyohoy of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) said the reactions made by the foreign delegates were “very telling.”

“They know that the Philippine government has not lived up to its commitment to completely eliminate extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and torture. The language used may have been diplomatic, but clearly the international community wants

the Philippine government to do more,” said Joyohoy, also co-head of the Philippine UPR Watch.

From the Philippines, attendants to the convention were representatives from Karapatan, NCCP, Tanggol Bayi, NUPL, Bayan, KAMP, MCPA-Kawagib, Children’s Rehabilitation Center, Defend Job Philippines, Migrante, Cordillera People’s Alliance, Promotion of Church People’s Response, IFI-Ramento Project for Rights Defenders, Migrante International, International Coordinating Committee on Human Rights in the Philippines (ICCHRP) and Campaign for Human Rights in the Philippines-United Kingdom and CHRP-Switzerland.

allocation.

Also to be validated is the formulation of a joint inspection team mandated under the joint memorandum circular No. 1 series of 2011 between DILG and DTI. This team will be composed of the city’s/municipality’s Bureau of Fire, engineer’s office, health office, environment and natural resources office, police, assessor, treasure and Bureau of Internal

Revenue.

“Organizing the joint inspection team is very vital in implementing the BPLS,” Kinoc said, adding that the team will inspect at once regulatory requirements such as building code, zoning, sanitation and environment.

The DTI committed to provide a tarpaulin signage in the municipality or city that is confirmed to be implementing the BPLS. The LGU will also be included in the list of compliant LGUs in the DTI’s official website.

In Davao City, survey forms were already distributed and an executive order was issued, however, the DTI 11 is still validating if the city has crafted an ordinance on the implementation of BPLS.

Binay...

FFROM 2

Gatchalian said he recognized the impact of displacement only to be worsened by off-city relocation projects.

He said off-city relocation disrupts the living condition of beneficiaries rather than improve them.

Informal settlers are being uprooted with scarce options to livelihood, with other problems commonly being encountered, such as water, sanitation, healthcare and education facilities and these experiences force them to return to or near their previous area of residence and become informal settlers again, Gatchalian said.

«Gusto ng mga tao na maging malapit sa kanilang pinagtatrabahoan. Kapag nilipat kasi sila sa malayo, wala silang pagkakakitaan.

Hindi naman nila kayang kumita sa pagtatanim.

Iyon ang request nila kaya pinagbigyan namin sila,» Gatchalian, a The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) Awardee for Public Service, said.

14

SPORTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 63 • MAY 31, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

11th Shrine Hills Challenge set

T

HE 11th Shrine Hills Challenge hits the road on June 24 at the Jack Ridge’s Resort and Restaurant in Shrine Hills.

The annual event is organized by the Davao Sunday Runners Club headed by re-elected president Willliam “Tata” Haw and sponsored by Zesto, RC Cola, Gatorade, Samsung and Jack’s Ridge.

“This time we will have

the Ekiden or team relay competition,” said race director Tom Tan of Ru Man Racing at the weekly SCOOP of the Royal Mandaya Hotel last Tuesday.

Ekiden is a team relay event for a team composed of three players, who will be running one at a time to complete the separate route from the individual race of 10K and 5K. “Iba ang rota ng 10K

at 5K but the routes are all challenging,” Tan said.

All routes, however, will start and end at the Jack Ridge’s. Registration fee is P350 with free singlet, raffle, certificate and free breakfast from McDonald’s.

The raffle prizes include one brand new 32 inch Samsung LCD TV, a 22 inch Samsung LCD TV and a washing machine.

Cash prizes and medals

James Yap gets his shot up against Allein Maliksi of Ginebra in this bit of action in the PBA Governor’s Cup.

This boxing life

are up for grabs to the winners.Registration is now ongoing at the RunCl Davao. The assembly time on June 24 is at 4:30 a.m. while the last day of registration is on June 20.

Freedom Walk on June 12

M

O U N TA I N E E RING groups will be spearheading the Freedom Walk 2012 set on June 12 at 4 p.m. from the Rizal Park to Times Beach baywalk area.

“We are inviting the civic groups, NGOs or government offices to join us,” said facilitator Danni “Jun” Bacus at the weekly SCOOP of the Royal Mandaya Hotel last Tuesday.

There is no registration fee. Participants, however, must register in order to get their certificate, ID and raffle stub.

“We need to get their names early for their IDs and certificates,” Bacus said.

The Freedom Walk is a a nationwide event with the theme “Let’s Walk United and Be Counted”.

It is organized by the Samahan ng mga Responsableng Mamumundok ng Pilipinas (SRMP) together with the Mountaineering Federation of the Phils. Inc. (MFPI), Mountaineering Federation of Southern Mindanao (MFSM) and Sports Communicators Organization of the Phils.

(SCOOP) Davao.

The walk will start from the Rizal Park, turn left to Magallanes St., turn right Quimpo Boulevard, turn left John Paul II College, Times Beach turn left Queensland and end at the Queensland Baywalk.

T

Breakthroughs in Davao Summerfest

HE month-long Davao Summerfest 2012 formally wrapped up its activities last weekend and what a busy schedule it was for sports in the city for the month of May. 30, 12 From the viewpoint of the organizing body where I sit, the second edition of one of two new festivals added to the calendar of festivals in Davao scored some breakthroughs in the field of arts and sports.

The Davao Summerfest 2012, as conceptualized, was a fusion of arts and sports celebrated on summer and aimed at positioning Davao City as a premier summer sports and arts destination.

Spearheaded by the Duaw Davao Festival Foundation, the Davao Summerfest opened with an international-flavored program graced by participants to the 2nd Mt. Apo International Boulder Face Challenge. Davao’s promising young athletes led by karateka Oona Barnes and football players Jana Barcemo and Nina Arrieta did the ceremonial torch run with standouts from the Frisbee and Sport Climbing.

Then the summer camps for sports—basketball, rugby and football—and arts (Ritmo Dabawenyo) simultaneously opened. Close to 2,000 kids took part in the camps which catered to the 182 barangays of the city.

The competition phase of the Summerfest dubbed as the Davao Summer Games were composed of core events like the Davao Summer Games Football Festival, Davao National Mountain Bike Challenge, Davao Barangames 3-on-3 basketball tournament, Deca Wake Jam, and the Durianman Sprint Triathlon.

The competitions received tremendous support from the local sports community and a good response from the rest of the country as teams and individual athletes from Manila, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Dumaguete, Cotabato City, Bukidnon, Gen. Santos, South Cotabato and neighboring Davao towns and cities.

The accredited events were composed of the Prince Next Gen Tennis Tourrnament, the Milo Junior Tennis Cup and the AAK Davao Karate Cup. To complement the development of athletes and competitions, the capability-building component of the Summerfest featured the first ever Davao Sports Conference themed SWEAT or

Sports Wellness, Exercise, Acclimatization and Training where the country’s top woman athlete in Elma Muros and the country’s most respected sports doctor, Dr. Alejandro Pineda, spearheaded the roster of resource speakers.

To provide sports the opportunity to promote itself as a viable business enterprise, local brands, clubs and sports services outfits banner the exhibitors in the first ever Davao Sports Expo at SM City Annex.

The variety of activities and the complementing components made the Davao Summerfest 2012 a complete package.

Congratulations to all those who made the Davao Summerfest a hit—To the city government officials from Mayor Sara Duterte, Vice Mayor Rody Duterte, the councilors and all heads of office.

To the various government offices from the PNP, TF Davao, and DOT. To the Duaw Davao Festival Foundation family led by chairperson Gene Bangayan, Board of Directors Susabel Reta, Sonny Dizon et al, and of course to he hardworking executive director Lisette Marques and her staff Almera, Misty, Shang, Jay, Ian, Jobert, et al., to Mikey Aportadera and Meloy Escudero. To spokesperson Orly Escarilla, sports development division officer-in-charge Cholo Elegino and his staff, City Tourism officer Jason Magnaye, and CIO incharge Bambam Garcia.

Thank you too to the Philippine ports Commission, Philippine Rugby Union, BONE Mountain Bike Club, Davao Crocodile Park Football Academy, Davao Football Association, Philippine Lawn Tennis Association XI-B, Association for the Advancement of Karatedo, SEALS, Mulatto, Vantage Sports, TRIAD, and to all our media friends.

See y’all next Summerfest.

By Jims Vincent T. Capuno

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HERE’S no sport as tragic as boxing. Like cockfighting, it is brutal and horrendous.

In November 1982, at the Caesar’s Palace, Korean lightweight champion Duk Koo Kim was knocked out in the 14th round by Ray “Boom Boom” Macini in a nationally televised match. Five days later, Kim died at the age of 23. In his room prior to the fight, Kim reportedly wrote he had only one goal: kill or be killed. The tragedy did not end there; his mother later committed suicide.

Heavyweight Joe Bugner also was never regarded

as a big puncher, but a journeyman from Trinidad named Ulrich Regis died after being outpointed by Bugner at Shoreditch Town Hall. Bugner was winning the rounds, but he did not seem to be hitting Regis terribly hard. In fact, the fans booed the passivity shown

by Bugner. Yet Regis suffered a brain injury and never recovered.

The Philippines has its shares of tragic bouts. Andy Balaba, from General Santos City, was viewed as one of the more promising fighters in his time. In 1982, he died at the age of 28 after a match in Korea where he lost via a

tenth round knockout to Korean Shin Hee Sup. Just recently, young boxer Karlo Maquinto was brought to the medical center in West Fairview in an ambulance after figuring in an eight-round majority draw with Mark Joseph Costa at the Amparo Village in Caloocan City. He suddenly collapsed on the mat after the fight.

A CT scan showed that a blood clot has pushed the right side of Maquinto’s brain to the left because of swelling, resulting in a coma. The boxer went comatose for several days and was declared clinically

Boxer Paul Williams was paralyzed from hip down after a motorcycle crash. His was an accident outside the ring. brain dead by a neurosurgeon. Two days later, he was declared dead.

The origin of boxing Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people engage in a contest using only their fists. There are two forms of boxing: amateur and profes-

sional. Amateur boxing is an Olympic and Commonwealth sport and is a common fixture in most of the major international games; it also has its own World Championships.

Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute

intervals called rounds. The result is decided when an opponent is deemed incapable to continue match by a referee or if an opponent is disqualified for breaking a rule, resigning by throwing in a towel or by judges’ scorecards at the end of the bout.

INdulge!

VOL.5 ISSUE 63 • MAY 31, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Tofu: FOOD

Not just a side dish!

By Bai Fauziah Fatima Sinsuat Ambolodto, MBA

TAKING time to bond with my best girlfriend/ sister from another family Freah Ramos is something I always look forward to. Nightcaps turned early morning talk at my porch whilst the many insects flying above us, hot coffee from Starbucks turned cold and humor pouring in from all directions made me realize that grand things do come in simple packages. Loveyoumost!

Our first official work bonding experience felt nothing like work. It was so much fun that we almost forgot about the time and that we had other commitments after the corporate event. Dennis, me and Prof Bambi were all smiles -- evident with our photos and state of mind after the said event. Until the next event….

Fun filled night with three (3) amazing guys during the Edge Party at the Marco Polo Davao was one of the best nights of my life.

Jeff, Jacob and Ivan, though informed at the very last minute, made sure that the night begun and ended with a bang. And it did! Thank you guys…

Undeniable happiness is when you get to spend time with your family and friends all in one night --not minding the place or the crowd of nobodies behind and around us, sharing those lame and corny jokes, endless teasing and debate over nonsensical details, singing our hearts out and munching on everything on the table is but the perfect way to end a week.

Till next time!!

Tofu is low in calories, fat, sodium and carbohydrates. Made from soy milk, it has no cholesterol and is a good source of protein, calcium and other nutrients.

Furthermore, all tofu products should be refrigerated.

To preserve freshness after opening, place remaining tofu in a container with a lid, fill with distilled or spring water, cover and refrigerate.

Protein about 10.1 g of protein Calories about 94 cal (Tofu is low in calories vs Protein) Fat and Cholesterol about 5 g of fat

Calcium about 227 mg of calcium or about 22% of the RDA (Tofu may contain a little bit less calcium depending on the brand and the way it was made so sure to read the label if your concerned.)

Iron about 1.82 mg of iron *Based on a ½ cup serving of raw tofu Tell me what you think of this week’s recipe. Email me your questions, suggestions and comments at iamtheroyalchef@gmail.com .

Happy Cooking!

Tofu Bursts A guilt-free drink perfect any time of the day!

In a blender, mix 1 cup silken tofu (taho), ½ cup low fat milk and 1 cup diced ripe mango. Blend for 10 seconds. Add another ½ cup of diced ripe mango, 5 tbsp light syrup, a dash of cinnamon powder and 2 cups of shaved ice. Blend altogether until smooth.

Serve with sago or fruit toppings.

Note: You can use any other fruits in season. Your imagination is your limitation.

Braised Water Spinach and Tofu One taste and you’ll love it!

Drain tofu on paper towel and cut into squares. Heat a pan over high heat, add oil and swirl to coat the bottom of the pan. Add the tofu and cook until lightly browned.

Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.

Heat the remaining oil in the pan, add minced garlic and julienned ginger and stir-fry for a good minute.

Add in the water spinach (Kangkong), light soy sauce, and water. Toss well and add tofu until water spinach wilted. Season to taste and sprinkle with sesame oil.

Tofu and Mussels in Peanut Sauce A figure friendly dish

with an irresistible taste mix? Possible!

Ingredients Oil A knob of butter 1 red onion, chopped 2 garlic, minced 1 thumb-size ginger, julienned

½ cup firm tofu, diced ½ cup mussels, blanched and shelled ½ cup peanuts, crushed and mashed 2 tbsp rice powder (Toast rice grains in a pan without oil until it turns brown but not burned and then mash)

3 tbsp chili sauce (I used Bleu Chili Sauce – thank you Freah) 2 cups tepid water 1 red bell pepper, quartered 1 carrot, sliced Salt and Pepper to taste For the batter: Mix altogether 2 egg whites,

2 pieces ice cubes, 1 cup of flour, salt and pepper.

1 cup Japanese breadcrumbs Procedure Season tofu and mussels.

Prepare the batter mixture and dip tofu and mussels one at a time. Roll in breadcrumbs before frying. Pat in paper towels.

In a pan, heat oil and butter. Sauté ginger, onion and garlic. Add crushed peanut and stir constantly.

Throw in red bell pepper, carrots, fried tofu, fried mussels and chili sauce. Stir constantly. Season with salt and pepper.

Pour 2 cups of tepid water and simmer for a minute or two. Add rice powder.

Stir constantly.

Simmer until sauce thickens. Serve hot over rice or as appetizer.

EDGEDAVAO

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VOL.5 ISSUE 63 • MAY 31, 2012

ENTERTAINMENT UP AND ABOUT

Blackbeard’s Seafood opens at SM Annex

INSPIRED by the famous pirate, Blackbeard, who travelled all over the world, Blackbeard’s Seafood Island is known for the freshest seafood, barbeque favourites and the ultimate island cooking.

In a fictional story, one can imagine Blackbeard’s Oriental conquest. He docks in islands, taking with him treasures like island’s spices and the different island recipes and cooking techniques!

What makes Blackbeard’s menu special?

For starters, there is the boodle feasts patterned after the boodle meals in the army-- everything is placed at the table centre with banana leaves as mats, and, the crew eat with their hands!

Other bite-worthy dishes on the menu are the hot plates

like sisig Kapampangan, tuna and crabmeat sisig, gambas galera, crazy chili calamari and baby squid sisig. Among the best- sellers are Palayukan islands, bulalo Batangas, bulalo kansi, pirates’ seafood chowder, chicken binakol, sinigang ulo ng salmon and sinigang ulo ng maya maya.

Barbecue–holics can also indulge in pork liempo, chicken inasal, garlic-smothered and classic crispy pata, pork barbecue, seafood island fried chicken, salt and pepper lechon kawali, pinaputok na tilapia, deep-fried whole fish, Manila and teriyaki barbecue, and a whole lot more!

The island life is now at SM City Davao!

Get a taste of island goodness at Blackbeard’s Seafood Island at The Annex Ground Floor

ENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINING

Pool party dos and donts

THIS Friday, June 1, Confessions of a Partyphile is conquering new territory by throwing its first-ever pool party. Burn: The Summer-Ender Sunset Party. Happening at the poolside of Marco Polo Davao, this party will hopefully end the season of the sun with enough oomph to keep people talking until the next Confessions of a Partyphile event. However, being in a new venue and a totally different atmosphere means that people must act to roll with the whole vibe of the event. For natural partyphiles, switching from party personas to fit the theme is a cinch, but for newbie partyphiles, discovering how to act in a laid back poolside party may not be as easy. Thus we present to you the do’s and don’ts of pool parties.

DO: Maintain a carefree attitude and a laid-back vibe. Remember, this is a pool party. Anything intense wouldn’t be appreciated. Thus, extreme make-up, extreme-flirting, extreme-drinking, and extreme-rowdiness may not be as welcome as in a club

everyone you come across at the party.

setting.

DON’T: Push your friends into the pool. First of all, it gives the host a mini heart attack. Secondly, you may ruin stuff in the process.

Throwing an unknowing friend into a pool may destroy a cell phone kept in his pocket, a perfect pack of fresh cigarettes, wads of cash, a leather wallet, or his waning pride. Plus, it’s very High School. If you can, please abstain from any poolside horsing.

DO: Try to make new friends. That is essentially one of the main purposes for partying. Part of the fun in attending events and parties is meeting new people. Whether to expand your network, clout, or your social circle; it is always an exciting activity to meet new friends. So go on and mingle with other people. Don’t stay in your own little secluded area with your friends. Try to make some small talk with

DON’T: Drown in the pool. The last thing you would want to happen is to drown in the pool because you are too drunk. I know it may seem silly to have this on the list but please trust me when I say some people need this friendly reminder.

DO: Come up to the host.

Any host would appreciate their guests coming up to them for small talk. It builds rapport and gives the host a sense of how the crowd is enjoying the party.

DON’T: Come in jeans.

Come on! It’s a pool party.

Although I am not one for strictly implementing a dress code during my events (because it just puts everyone in a flurry to find the perfect outfit) I think poolside party-wear shouldn’t involve jeans.

Why? DO: Handle your drinks well. Alright, alright. I know my parties are infamous for serving really strong cocktails disguised by sweet flavours but hear me out.

No matter how hard the drink, or how strong the alcohol, it is always a must that you try to hold it in as well as you can. Drink only as much as you can handle

and please drink some water in between glasses of alcohol. This is extraimportant when in a pool party because a lot more accidents can happen by the pool.

DON’T: Play too rough.

I know some of my partyphile guests find it fun to break stuff and push people around; but it isn’t very attractive and makes everybody else uncomfortable.

Seriously, you should have left all those in pre-school.

DO: Try to be respectful to others. Pool parties and skimpy clothes always come hand-in-hand. This does not give you permission to stare at people; although I am sure it may be very difficult to help. Just try your best to keep your urges contained and be content with a few stolen glances unless you want other party attendees to get freaked out.

Catch Confessions of a Partyphile on the radio every Wednesday evenings from 6 to 9. For comments, suggestions, and more confessions from this partyphile log on to http://confessionsofapartyphile.blogspot.com or follow the columnist on http://twitter.com/zhaun

VOL.5 ISSUE 63 • MAY 31, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

ENTERTAINMENT

Kate Middleton recycles dress!

It ain’t that bad...

CLEARLY, if there’s one thing HRH Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, RAF Flight Lieutenant, Earl of Strathearn and Royal Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter is lacking, its lofty and pinky-raising titles. Ahem.

Well, spare a tear (and maybe some ink) today for the royal stationer, because Queen Elizabeth II just gifted her eldest grandson with another sobriquet for the record books.

Round tables at the ready, everyone…

Buckingham Palace has announced that Prince William is now a Royal Knight of the Order of the Thistle, an honor bestowed upon him by his grandmother, who, unlike is the case for other such titles of peerage which require consultation with the government, is the sole decider for the appointments.

A rep for the royal said William was “very honored.”

“It’s his 30th birthday this year and also the Diamond Jubilee and the Queen felt it was an appropriate time to bestow the honor.”

The Order of the Thistle, incidentally, is Scotland’s order of chivalry, and is second in precedence and seniority only to England’s

Order of the Garter, of which William is already a knight.

And for those keeping track at home, Prince Harry is so far a member of neither, though time may very well change that: typically, only the most senior members of the royal family are made knights and ladies.

William’s new status will be formalized with a ceremony taking place in July, during the queen’s official weeklong summer residence at Edinburgh’s Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Meanwhile, as William prepares to raise a sword (or whatever it is knights do these days), Kate Middleton spent the day flying the flag for the royal family at Buckingham Palace, where she seemed—as always—to be the star attraction at a garden tea

party held on the grounds in honor of Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee.

The event, which included 8,000 of the family’s closest friends, brought out not only Kate and Queen Elizabeth, but Prince Philip, Prince Charles, Camilla, Princess Anne and Prince Edward, as well as Kate’s wedding dress designer, Sarah Burton. William, currently on search and rescue duty in Wales, was unable to make it.

And perhaps it was the outdoor setting that put Kate in a recycling state of mind, as the style icon once again wore the pink pleated Emilia Wickstead coat dress she wore less than two weeks ago at the sovereigns luncheon held at Windsor Castle.

Hey, if the dress fits, wear it. And then wear it again.

Iron Man 3 starts shooting Hot off the megasuccess of The Avengers, now the fourth-highest-grossing film of all time, it’s no surprise Marvel has put the pedal to the metal with Iron Man 3.

Production got under way today in Wilmington, N.C., on the studio’s highly anticipated sequel, and we’ve got the rundown on everything you need to know about Robert Downey Jr.’s third solo outing as billionaire playboy Tony Stark, aka Iron Man. Like what’s he doing down South, for starters.

Per the local NBC affiliate, security kept fans and onlookers at bay as Iron Man 3 crews set up shop this morning inside the Cape Fear Club in the downtown Wilmington area. There, they filmed scenes featuring two castmembers and about 20 extras, though no word on plot details.

While Marvel and helmer Shane Black have remained tight-lipped about the plot and cast, more than a few tidbits have leaked out: • Story-wise, the latest

installment is said to mirror the comic thanks to the addition of a geneticist named Aldrich Killian, played by Guy Pearce, who invents the so-called Extremis serum, a nanovirus that both Iron Man and terrorists battle for control over.

• Ben Kingsley is aboard to play a supervillain who at one point was rumored to be The Mandarin but Marvel has yet to confirm the character’s identity.

• Giving credence to the Mandarin theory, however, the production is slated to head to China once filming is completed in North Carolina.

• When it comes to Tony Stark’s leading lady, Gwyneth Paltrow’s Pepper Potts is going to have some competition this time around: Franchise newcomer Rebecca Hall (The Town) has signed on for the part of a “sexy scientist” that was originally supposed to be played by Oscar nominee Jessica Chastain.

• Jon Favreau, who helmed the original Iron Man and its 2010 sequel, will not be back in the di-

rector’s chair for this goaround, handing the reins over to The Kiss Kiss Bang Bang filmmaker. But he is returning as Tony Stark’s bodyguard and de facto sidekick, Happy Hogan.

• Don Cheadle is also back as Col. James Rhodes, otherwise known as War Machine, while The Pacific’s James Badge Dale joins the cast as Lt. Col. Eric Savin.

He ends up stepping on a landmine only to be resurrected as a cyborg villain named Coldblood, who presents a clear and present danger to our cast-iron hero. Ashley Hamilton is supposedly in negotiations to play the government cyborg baddie Firepower.

• With the whopping $50 million payday Downey reportedly took home for his work on The Avengers, you can be sure he’ll make out with a similarly huge take on this flick in the form of a heavy back-end percentage of the box office (after all, that’s why they call him the Iron Man!).

Iron Man 3 is scheduled to hit theaters on May 3, 2013.

A4 INdulge!

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.5 ISSUE 63 • MAY 31, 2012

EVENTS ENTERTAINMENT

Flowers of summers past

By Carlo P. Mallo Photos by Ariel Balofinos

THE end of summer wasn’t always marked with the entry of the country’s first storm, which would signal the June is just around the corner. For most Filipinos, the end of summer was marked by the grandest fiesta in town – the Santacruzan.

Ladies in their finest garb – silk dresses sewn with gold threads, butterfly sleeves adorned with sequins, and their hair perfectly coiffed – while the men don their barongs made with the best jusi and piña fibers, their hair put in place by pomade, as they walk hand in hand behind the carosa bearing the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary. And oh, don’t forget the flowers of spring that bloomed out of the first rains of May or Agua de Mayo.

The scene on the streets of Tagum City was as surreal as it was nostalgic.

Hordes of people lined up the streets watching the beautiful maidens and their escorts walk by while silently saying their prayers – the Santacruzan, after all, is a religious event that gives tribute to Queen Helena, the mother of Constantine the Great.

The procession itself commemorates the search of the Holy Cross by Reyna Elena and her son, the newly-converted emperor

Constantine. After the Holy Cross was found in Jerusalem and brought back to Constantinople, there was a joyful celebration for thanksgiving.

Even as a light shower started to fall, everyone stood in place and continued with their prayers. It was like seeing a replay of my childhood when my abuela would require us to attend if not watch the Santacruzan in our village, listening to her say her prayers in latin.

“Dios te salve Maria Llena eres de gracia El senor es

contigo Bendita tu eres Entre todas las mujeres Y bendito es el fruto Y bendito es el fruto De tu vientre Jesus.

Santa Maria Madre de Dios Ruega por nosotros Pecadores ahora Y en la hora De nuestra muerte amen,” the abuela would pray.

While most city folks no longer remember what the Santacruzan is all about, except as another fashion show, it is good to see that, at least in Tagum City, the Santacruzan is still a religious affair, just like the flowers of summers past.

EDGEDAVAO

SPORTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 63 • MAY 31, 2012

Getting nastier

15

Serge Ibaka of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs battle for the ball on the floor in the second quarter in Game Two of the Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas.

Spurs take 2-0 lead

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AN ANTONIO -- Tony Parker has found balance in his role as a scoring point guard. Two more wins, and the San Antonio Spurs will find themselves playing for another NBA championship.

Parker had 34 points and eight assists, Manu Ginobili added 20 points and the Spurs stayed perfect in the playoffs with a 120-111 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals Tuesday night.

The Spurs set an NBA record with their 20th consecutive victory bridging the regular season and the playoffs. They came in sharing the longest such streak with the 2000-01 Lakers, who won 19 straight before losing to Philadelphia in the first game of the finals.

Those Lakers went on to win the championship and Parker’s performance is yet another reason to think the Spurs will do the same.

Guided by their All-Star point guard, San Antonio shredded Oklahoma City’s

defense with pinpoint passes for three quarters. The Spurs were shooting 63 percent from the field and 64 percent from 3-point range at one point in the third quarter and stretched the lead to 22 points in the second half.

Parker went 16 for 21 from the field, including a 3-pointer. ‘’Tony’s been great all year,’’ Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. ‘’He’s been really focused the entire season.’’

Parker had his highest scoring average since 200809 (18.3 points), but he also averaged 7.7 assists in the regular season, a career high.

In his 11th season, Parker finally feels comfortable knowing when his demanding coach wants him to pass and when to shoot. ‘’It’s always been a battle my whole career,’’ Parker said, ‘’when you’re a scoring point guard and Pop wants you to score, then he wants you to pass, and he wants you to score, and he wants you to pass. You go back and forth.

Sharapova looking ‘cow on ice’ again

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ARIS -- It was after a second-round victory at the 2007 French Open that Maria Sharapova famously compared her movement on red clay to a ‘’cow on ice.’’

And nowadays? ‘’I do occasionally still feel like it,’’ Sharapova said Tuesday, ‘’and I’m sure I look like it, too.’’

Not quite. Certainly not in the first round of this

year’s French Open, anyway.

Looking rather comfortable moving around on the slow surface and getting off to a quick start at the only Grand Slam tournament she’s never won, Sharapova produced a perfect score at Roland Garros on Tuesday, beating 78th-ranked Alexandra Cadantu of Romania 6-0, 6-0 in 48 minutes.

Truth is, the second-

seeded Sharapova never gave her opponent much of a chance, compiling an 18-0 edge in winners. Sharapova won 51 points and lost only 18.

She didn’t need to expend much energy out there, but she figures that she’s in good enough condition to handle what can be a grueling place to play the seven matches required to earn a Grand

P

Always.

Until Tuesday at the French Open. Until Williams came within two points of victory nine times, yet remarkably failed to close the deal against unheralded and 111th-ranked Virginie

Serena out in 1 round ARIS -- For more than a decade, whatever the state of her health or her game, no matter the opponent or arena, Serena Williams always won first-round matches at Grand Slam tournaments.

Russia’s Maria Sharapova hits a return to Romania’s Alexandra Cadantu during their Women’s Singles 1st Round tennis match of the French Open. (Right, top) Serena Williams of USA shows her frustration as she rests her head on her racquet during her women’s singles first

round match against Virginie Razzano of France during day three of the French Open at Roland Garros. (Below) Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki hits a return to Germany’s Eleni Daniilidou.

Slam title.

Sharapova won Wimbledon in 2004, the U.S. Open in 2006, and the Australian Open in 2008.

The best she’s done at the French Open, however, was the semifinals twice, in 2007 and last year.

Getting more and more efficient on clay, Sharapova is coming off a second consecutive Italian Open title on the surface last week.

st

Razzano of France.

Until a theatrical, 23-minute final game filled with 30 points, more than enough for an entire set, featuring ebbs and flows, high-pressure shotmaking and nerves - and even thunderous protests from the crowd when the chair umpire docked Razzano a point. That look-away-andyou-miss-something game included five wasted break points for Williams, and seven match points that she saved, until Razzano finally converted her eighth, 3 hours and 3 minutes after they began playing.

All told, until Tuesday, Williams was 46 for 46 in openers at tennis’ top venues, and those encounters tended to be routine and drama-free, befitting a woman so good that the goal - and 13 times, the end result - was a major championship.

Not this time. Now Williams’ first-round Grand Slam record is 46-1 after as stunning a denouement as could be in a 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-3 loss to Razzano on the red clay at Roland Garros.

The fifth-seeded Williams, considered by many a pre-tournament favorite, led 5-1 in the second-set tiebreaker, before dropping the next 13 points in a row. Suddenly, her shots didn’t always carry their usual oomph; her court coverage was ordinary.

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SPORTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 63 • MAY 31, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

DAVAO SUMMERFEST. One of the most memorable events of the recent Davao Summerfest—the Davao Summer Games Football Festival—featured players from below 6 years old to playing professionals and executives. Shown here are the Blue Monkeys and the Davao Crocodile FC players-6 teams (left) and the Bravetower-Davao Crocodile FC men’s squad (right). (JOEY FERNANDEZ)

Undermanned Azkals

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Azkals play Malaysia sans Younghusbands, Etheridge

HE Philippine national men’s football team will be playing without some of its key players in its upcoming friendly match against reigning Suzuki Cup champions Malaysia at the Stadium Shah Alam in Selangor on June 1.

Brothers Phil and James

Younghusband had earlier begged off because of prior commitments, while goalkeeper Neil Etheridge will serve his one-game suspension due to his actions way back in the AFC Challenge Cup last March.

Expected to spearhead the Philippine booters are

2011 Long Teng Cup Golden Boot awardee Chieffy Caligdong, Fil-Spanish Angel Guirado and super-sub Ian Araneta, according to the official website of the Azkals.

Other players called up by Coach Hans Michael Weiss are Eduard Saca-

pano, Roland Muller, Paul Mulders, Rob Gier, Jason Sabio, Juan Luis Guirado, Roxy Dorlas, Carli De Murga, Stephan Schrock, Manny Ott, Misagh Bahadoran, Patrick Reichelt, Marwin Angeles, Lexton Moy, Jason De Jong, Ian Araneta, Denis Wolf, Jeffrey Christiaens

and OJ Clarino.

The Philippines-Malaysia clash serves as a rematch of their encounter last February that ended in a 1-1 draw.

The Azkals are coming off a runner-up finish in a four-team tournament in Bacolod, which is part of

the team’s preparations for its upcoming FIFA international matches.

Aside from Malaysia, the Azkals will face Indonesia on June 5 and Guam on June 12 in matches that will affect the Philippines’ world ranking that currently sits at 148th.