Edge Davao 5 Issue 67 by Edge Davao The Business Paper

EDGEDAVAO

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VOL.5 ISSUE 67 • JUNE 06, 2012

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Serving a seamless society

Indulge Page A1

Number of dads not enough

Vote deferred on toxic waste plant By Jade C. Zaldivar

ICT HUB Page 7

HE Davao City Council deferred yesterday voting for the establishment of an infectious waste processing facility developed by local scientists in New

n Mayor Sara says she support to the facility Carmen, Tugbok District. The councilors would have voted on an ordinance authorizing the city mayor to enter into and sign the memorandum of agree-

ment (MOA) with RAD Green Solutions, Inc. for the establishment of the toxic waste processing plant. However, voting was deferred when there were only 20 councilors present during he regular session, as the 21st , Councilor

FVOTE, 13

Sports Page 15

FLAGS FOR SALE. A few days before the commemoration of Independence Day, flag vendors are now visible in the major streets of the city to offer flags to motorists, commuters and passers by. [KARLOS MANLUPIG]

P1M for barangay with best solid waste management By Jade C. Zaldivar

HE DAVAO CITY government yesterday launched a unique environmental contest which will recognize and bestow awards to barangays with the best solid waste management (SWM) practices.

n P500,000 2nd best; P300,000 to 3rd placer

The city’s 182 barangays are given one year to implement SWM projects in their localities aiming to reduce their waste and come up with best envi-

ronmental practices. The barangay with the best solid waste management will be awarded P1 million as 1st Prize. The second placer will get P500,000, while P300,000 will go to the third placer. “This is our challenge to our barangays, protecting their environment, and for the people to

FP1M, 13

THE BIG NEWS

VOL.5 ISSUE 67 • JUNE 06, 2012

Movement organized vs water privatization By Lorie A. Cascaro

TRANSPORTATION TO SCHOOL. Cramped in a bicycle, a father ensures that he brings his two children to school every morning to give them a better life by providing them education. [KARLOS MANLUPIG]

P751T worth drugs seized Jan-Apr n Seized were 136.1 grams of marijuana

By Jade C. Zaldicar

XACTLY P751,867.73 worth of illegal drugs were seized by government authorities from January to April this year, according to the summary report of the City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (CADAC) submitted to the City Mayor’s Office. Yet, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio yesterday said the figures still indicate that ‘this is not enough.’ “Gamay pa lang ni siya. Kinanglan pa nato pakusgan ang atong campaign against drugs. It’s a given na kung unsa man ang nadakpan sa atong mga pulis ug sa PDEA (Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency) mas daghan pa na ang existing gyud nga amount of drugs nga naa sa syuydad,” she said in a June 4 interview at the Grand Men Seng Hotel. The city mayor said the drugs were seized through

EDGEDAVAO

leaves n 80 grams of shabu among others the combined operations of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) and PDEA in Davao Region. “Sa kadako sa syudad, we’re at 1.5 million population, naa man gyud gud nay mu-lakas loob nga musulod diri ug drugs ug mamaligya tungod sa kadako nga area nga gina-handle sa atong mga pulis. But this should not be reason nga dili sila madakpan,” the city mayor said. “We continue in our efforts against drugs and we expect our police and PDEA to do their job,” she added. Seized drugs from January to April were of 136.1 grams of marijuana leaves, 2 marijuana plants, 80 grams of shabu and 8 grams of ecstasy. These were seized from a

total of 71 operations wherein 87 persons were arrested. The DCPO and PDEA 11 filed 152 cases before the Regional Trial Court 11. During the same period, CADAC also received from concerned citizens 3 reports on illegal drugs activities which were immediately referred and endorsed to PDEA and the Heinous Crime Division of DCPO. Meanwhile, CADAC has conducted education seminars to 33 public elementary and high schools in the city participated by a total of 3,654 students. The agency also conducted seminars to the Boy Scouts of the Philippines and barangays Bago Aplaya, Lubogan, Biao Escuela, Tacunan, Los Amigos, Angalan, Bankas Heights, Malagos,

a Philippine vessel have withdrawn from a lagoon in the disputed area. A brief statement of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) released on Tuesday

said: “Following our consultations, the two Chinese maritime vessels and our BFAR (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources) vessel are no longer in the lagoon.” The DFA said it continues consultations with China “to address the remaining issues in Bajo de Masinloc,” the name given by the Philippines to Scarborough Shoal. In an interview, Foreign Affairs Spokesman Raul Hernandez said there are no more Chinese and Philippine government vessels inside the shoal’s lagoon. However, 30 Chinese

39-D, Bunawan, Tibungco, Lasang, Mahayag, Callawa, and Panalum with a total of 841 participants. CADAC, which oversees the operation of the Davao Treatment and Rehabilitation Center for Drug Dependents (DCTRCDD), also offered assistance and referrals to psychiatrists and psychologists and prepare legal documents necessary to obtain court orders for voluntary rehabilitation. As among the key agencies involved in the campaign against illegal drugs, CADAC implements a threepronged approach in the campaign against dangerous. These approaches are: a) prevention of drugs through education campaign; b) prevention through a rehabilitation program; and c) prevention through intelligence gathering.

2 Chinese ships, PHL vessel withdraw from Panatag Shoal

FTER a two-month standoff between the Philippines and China over the Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal off Zambales, two Chinese government ships and

Quips

‘AT the moment, our policy rates remain appropriate specially as our forecasts continue to show full-year average inflation to be closer to the lower end of the target range.’

--Gov. Amando Tetangco Jr. on interest rate levels

fishing vessels have remained there. “Outside the lagoon, there are eight Chinese government ships and two Philippine government ships,” Hernandez said. Manila and Beijing both claim ownership of the Panatag (Scaroborough) Shoal. Both countries have stationed vessels there since the standoff erupted on April 10 when Chinese vessels prevented Philippine authorities from arresting Chinese fishermen allegedly poaching in the shoal. [PNA]

N time of the celebration of World Environment Day yesterday, the Mindanawons against Privatization of Water and Energy Resources or M-POWER was launched at the Grand Menseng Hotel, Davao City, with some 70 representatives from different organizations. Opposing the water privatization bill proposed by Senator Edgardo Angara (Senate Bill 2997), the M-POWER is a broad movement of various organizations, institutions and individuals “who adhere to principles of people’s sovereignty over natural resources such as water and energy.” During the program, Rudy Aranjuez, chairman of the Nagkahiusang Mamumuo sa Davao City Water District (DCWD), facilitated the review and analysis of the SB 2997. Amado So of the Filipino-Chinese Heritage and Cultural Society, one of the initiators of M-POWER, said that it is high time for private sectors to be aware of social issues, especially on privatization of water resource. He pointed out the importance of intensive study on the proposed policy than allowing its enactment without thorough review and discussion.

Some policies, he said, were arbitrarily implemented without even passing the Congress. Calling on the public to make a stand on the issue, So noted that the “culture of apathy” among Filipinos has “gradually evolved” since the impeachment of former Chief Justice Renato Corona. He said that during the impeachment trial, ordinary people, including tricycle drivers and sari-sari store vendors, had been keen on the issue. “All the more they will be concerned about the issue on privatization of our water resources,” he said. DCWD spokesperson Imelda Magsuci the bill basically gives away the natural resource to private investors aside from being an “antigovernment employees.” Representatives of the Metro Kidaapawan Water District also registered their support to the group, saying that they are collecting resolutions from all barangays in Kidapawan City stating their stand against the privatization bill. Former city councilor Danilo Dayanghirang encouraged the group to raise their call to Malacañang, saying, “Our challenge is how to reach this to the mind of President Aquino.”

IBP nat’l convention slated in Davao City

OME 5,000 lawyers across the country are expected to participate in the 40th national convention of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) set on January 18-20, 2013 in Davao City, said Carlos Isagani Zarate, secretary general of the Union of People’s Lawyer in Mindanao (UPLM) and oe-time Davao City IBP chapter president. To hold the convention in the city is a promise of IBP incumbent president Roan I. Libarios, former vice governor of Agusan del Norte (1992-1995) and representative of his province’s second district (1998-2001), according to Zarate. Aside from Libarios’ promise that when he becomes the IBP president he will conduct the national convention in Davao City, Zarate pointed out that the city is also emerging as “convention capital.” The theme of the 40th national convention will be focused on the ideals and philosophy that the group’s creation was anchored. Zarate said it was former President Ferdinand Marcos who mandated to establish an organization of lawyers “due to his angst against active lawyers.” “It is for us to honor the lawyers who are active during the martial law years,” he said, adding that another objective of the convention is to continue to promote legal education.

He cited the “historical imprisonment” of Mindanao-based human rights lawyers Laurente Ilagan, Marcos Resonar, and Antonio Arellano who were arrested for being allegedly involved in subversive activities during the martial law years. The IBP was established under Republic Act No. 6397, which became effective September 17, 1971, mandating the Supreme Court to adopt rules of court to effect the integration of the Philippine Bar. Pursuant to its mandate, the Supreme Court ordained the integration of the Bar in accordance with its Rule 139-A, effective January 16, 1973, and a few months later, IBP was organized. On February 17, 1973, local chapters all over the country were formed and elections for chapters were held. The first batch of representatives to the IBP House of Delegates composed of 104 delegates representing the IBP Chapters nationwide convened in Manila and elected its first set of IBP Governors on March 17, 1973. Zarate said they are inviting a lot of people to attend the national convention, including the new chief justice to open the event, with the presence of President Benigno Aquino III. [LORIE A. CASCARO]

EDGEDAVAO

Business one-stop shop in the offing By Lorie A.Cascaro

O hasten the business registration and licensing process in Davao City, the city government and national agencies will enter into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to establish the Business OneStop Shop (BOSS). Submitted to the city council for first reading yesterday, the MOA will be reviewed for issuance of legislative authority authorizing the city mayor to sign the document for and in behalf of the city government. It is mentioned in the document that the convergence of the national government agencies and the local government unit is necessary for the successful operation of BOSS. The BOSS shall provide business friendly promotion, registration and licensing system through the simplification of business registration, issuance of permits and licenses and availing of incentives. Jason Magnaye, officerin-charge of the Davao City Investment Promotion Center, said the BOSS will function like a local version of the National Economic Research and Business Assistance Center (NERBAC) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 11. He said that DTI has expressed appreciation to the

THE BIG NEWS

VOL.5 ISSUE 67 • JUNE 06, 2012

decision of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio to host a one-stop business registration, investment promotion and information center. Section 16 of the Local Government Code of 1991embodies the mandate of the city government to promote trade and investment to enhance economic prosperity and full employment. The draft MOA said the city government aims to accelerate the creation of more job and business opportunities in Davao City, as well as disseminate relevant data and information needed by the business community. “With a proactive trade investment promotion, efficient business registration process and information dissemination, there will be more entry of domestic and foreign investors in the city,” it said. Aside from DTI 11, the MOA signatories will include the regional offices of the Department of Labor and Employment, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Cooperative Development Authority, the Bureau of Internal Revenue, the Social Security System, the Security Exchange Commission, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, the Home Development Mutual Fund, the Bureau of Fire Protection and the Department of Health.

Rad Green to char 50,000 sharps a month for free A

research and development company, the Rad Green Solutions, Inc., will collect and char 50,000 sharps waste from health centers in 182 barangays in the city using its pyroclave facility, free of charge. Engineer Ricky Dayot of Rad Green Solutions bared this Monday at the Kapehan sa Dabaw in SM City Davao. Also at the Kapehan, ICT Davao president Bert Barriga said by practice, most barangays buried these sharps waste at the backyard that might be dug out later in case of building construction. “It is a danger looming in the horizon, waiting to happen,” he added. Sharps waste is a form of medical waste composed of used sharps which include

any device or object used to puncture or lacerate the skin. Sharps waste is classified as biohazardous waste which must be carefully handled. Common medical materials treated as sharps waste are syringes and injection devices, blades, contaminated glass and some plastics. Citing that most hospitals admitted that they bury their medical infectious wastes in cemeteries, which is now banned alongside with incineration, Dayot said “the more infectious wastes are left untreated, the more diseases will occur in the city.” “This is also a concern of the World Health Organization, especially for third world countries to have safe and low-cost form of disposal of infectious wastes,” he added.

Barriga pointed out that the pyroclave facility aims to revolutionize management of medical wastes, using pyrolysis process, a non-burn technology that works like “a big pressure cooker.” Pyroclave can sterilize and disintegrate pathogens and infectious medical wastes without incineration or direct contact between the flame and the wastes, Dayot said. When Rad Green Solutions introduced the pyroclave technology to hospital owners in Davao City last February, Dayot said “most of them claimed they cannot afford a P15-million autoclaving facility.” “Nobody would like to invest in it,” he said, adding that these services are already existing in Manila.

Rad Green Solutions has proposed to put up in the city’s sanitary landfill the medical waste facility which is capable of accommodating 300 to 500 kilos of infectious wastes daily. “It is designed based on the capacity of the city, but it can be expanded as it can be modular,” Dayot said. City Mayor Sara DuterteCarpio already approved and endorsed the proposal to the city council. Should the proposal finally approved, Rad Green Solutions will finance the technology worth P8 million. The company will collect medical wastes from hospital that will need its services for fee of P20 per kilo for disinfection and P25 per kilo for the conversion of waste into charcoal. [LORIE A. CASCARO]

Solon wants Congress to investigate SEC

lawmaker yesterday called for a congressional inquiry into the alleged illegal and unauthorized move to amend the article of incorporation of the Coalition of Associations of Senior Citizens of the Philippines by some people who are not members of the group. Rep. Godofredo Arquiza (Party-list, Senior Citizen), who is also the chairman and president of the coalition filed House Resolution 2300 urging an appropriate House committee to investigate the matter. Arquiza said the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) allowed other parties to amend their charter “although they (SEC) have been cautioned about such move by some unscrupulous persons,” Arquiza said the name and acronym of their group was changed to Allied Coalition of Associations of Senior Citizen of the Philippines, adding that, the “five persons who

illegally represented themselves as trustees of our group were spurious.” “This group of people have caused the registration of a corporation under the same name and misled the public by pretending that they were members of the local chapters of our organization, “Arquiza said. Arquiza said aside from the warning they also sent letters and communication alerting the SEC about the activities of these unscrupulous people. “No stretch of imagination will say that the unwarranted, unauthorized and unlawful amendment speaks of integrity and professionalism. SEC officials should be held accountable for their actions,” Arquiza said. “The very body (SEC) which should protect, regulate and strengthen the corporate and business environment does otherwise. This is indeed alarming,” Arquiza added.

Quips

‘…for the sake of unity and healing of our country, for the sake of upholding government institutions, and for the sake of the next generations and our future, I find Chief Justice Renato C. Corona guilty.’ --Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. (Guilty verdict on CJ Corona)

CONCERT FOR FREE EDUCATION. Progressive youth organizations led by Kabataan Partylist held a protest concert at the city’s Rizal Park on Monday evening versus the implementation of the K-12 program and the recent tuition hikes. The group urged the government to prioritize the allocation of

enough budget for state subsidy to provide enough classrooms, textbooks, teachers and facilities for the upsurging number of students in the country. [KARLOS MANLUPIG]

Mindanao people unite on watershed conservation

HE recently-concluded Mindanao environment summit initiated by the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) has conveyed the message that people in Mindanao can be relied on the conservation, preservation and development of natural resources. This, according to MinDA Secretary Luwalhati Antonino yesterday, the concluding day of the summit themed: “Building Constituency, Managing our River basins – Achieving a Green Economy” at Grand Regal Hotel, Davao City. The summit was attended by around 300 participants from different sectors. “Our watershed areas are in a sad state, due to dreads of

neglect, dreads of abuse,” she said, adding that Mindanao has 262 watersheds and eight major river basins of the 18 total river basins in the country. Noting that cooperation is needed from all Mindanao people to address the problem, she asked the pubic to report illegal logging activities. She said it does not matter how many trees are planted in the forest, if some people still continue cutting trees even after the devastations brought by typhoon Sendong that hit the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan. Rep. Arnulfo Go, chairman of the House of Committee on Mindanao Affairs, said the Mindanao block in

the Congress are discussing House Bill 6023 that calls for the minimizing of marine pollution, harmful, toxic garbage, sewage and pollutants being disposed to the sea and river. He is also supporting House Bill 4468, promoting soil and water management technology for a sustainable land management. “We need sincere and cooperation of everybody to solve this problem,” he said, adding that during budget hearing, representatives from Mindanao could haggle a bigger budget to be poured in Mindanao programs. Romeo Montenegro, MinDA’s head of media affairs, said there was a series of signing of memorandum

of understanding conducted with agencies involved in the conservation of river basins and watershed. “Everything emanates from the riverbasins including power, agricultural activities, irrigation,” he added. He said during the summit, it was agreed to harmonize and integrate all projects of all organizations concerning the riverbasins and watersheds, adding that the efforts have to be interregional. Antonino also mentioned the significant role of media to lead as advocates of preservation, conservation and development of the natural resources “as it is everyone’s responsibility for the benefit of future generations.”

SCIENCE/ENVIRONMENT

VOL.5 ISSUE 67 • JUNE 06, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Curb climate change, plant genetically modified crops By Jims Vincent T. Capuno

F the world wants to mitigate the effects of climate change brought about by global warming, it has to increase its areas for planting genetically modified (GM) crops. Such was the idea of Dr. Wayne Parrot, a crop science expert from the University of Georgia . “The ill effects of global warming is being reversed by the increasing area for genetically modified crops which have been contributing to a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emission,” said in a statement released by Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR). Global warming is believed to be caused by increased concentrations of greenhouse gases emitted by human activities into the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels, methane from landfills and feedlots, and the nitrogen compound, nitrous oxide, from burning fossil fuels and fertilizers. Crop science experts expressed full confidence in the contribution of GM crops in countering predicted increasing global temperature. For instance, GM herbicide resistant crops enable farmers’ omission of tilling of the soil. “This prohibits emission of carbon dioxide to the environment and enhances moisture in the soil,” the statement said. Carbon dioxide makes up only .035 percent of the atmosphere (including moisture). It plays a major role in controlling the earth’s surface temperature. However, the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has considerably increased over the past years. Prevention of emission of carbon dioxide also comes largely from non-razing of more forest lands for agricul-

tural use. As forests are cut down, experts point out, there are fewer trees to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. According to Dr. Parrott, global farmers have been able to triple cereal production from 650 million metric tons (MT) in 1950 to 1.9 billion MT in 2000. “This is without the need for more agricultural land due to higher yield from emerging farm technologies,” he claims. Despite the three times increase in production, land use over the 50-year period was about constant at 660 million hectares as of 2000. Farm technology spared the use of a vast tract of land which could amount to at least one billion hectares. “Land not used for agriculture was 1.1 billion hectares. Since you save on land, you have more land for other uses,” said Parrott in a BARsponsored biotechnology forum. BAR is a line agency of the Department of Agriculture. GM crops are modified through genetic engineering. “(Genetic engineering),” explains Dr. Saturnina C. Halos, chairwoman of the Biotechnology Technical Advisory Team of the Department of Agriculture, “is a procedure that produces a genetically modified organism. “It comprises a set of techniques that transfers desired genes by splicing the genes to a DNA vector and forcing the entry of the vectors with the genes into cells and the stable integration of the genes into the genetic machinery of the host cell.” Aside from mitigating the effects of global warming, GM crops have several other advantages over traditional crops. Take the case of Bt corn. Bt comes from Bacillus

thuringiensis, a common soil microorganism that has been used for decades as bacterial suspension spray to control insects in vegetables. It is naturally present in the Philippine soil and had been in use for years without any harmful effects. By using Bt corn, which is resistant to the pest Asiatic corn borer, a farmer may raise his yield from the conventional five MT per hectare to seven to eight MT per hectare. The Bt corn’s contribution in curtailing carbon dioxide emission: elimination of pesticide spray as it has built-in pest resistance. As a result, the use of fuel for spraying is consequently wipes out. London-based PG Economics estimated that decreased pesticide and fuel use from GM spared carbon dioxide emission by a total of 17.7 billion kilograms. This comes from the elimination of herbicide and insecticide use over the 17.1 percent of total agricultural area now planted to GM crops. The GM crop Roundup Ready, a corn resistant to the herbicide glyphosate, the most widely used herbicide in the United States, enables farmers to obtain high yield from corn without needing to spend for labor cost for weeding. But the most important thing is that the herbicideresistant trait in the gene inserted in the corn, farmers no longer till the soil. This restores moisture and stores up carbon dioxide in the soil. “GM officially started in 1996,” Dr. Parrot recalled. “Now we have 15.4 million farmers in 29 countries planting GM. If organic farmers will use GM, it will make their life easier because in the end organic and GM farming have the same goal of environmental sustainability.”

If GM was not used by 14 million farmers for from 1996 to 2009, PG Economics reported that farmers would have needed to plant on 3.8 million hectares more for soybeans, 5.6 million hectares more for corn, 2.6 million hectares more for cotton and 0.3 million hectares more for canola. “This total area requirement is equivalent to about seven percent of the arable land in the United States , or 24 percent of the arable land in Brazil ,” reported PG Economics. In Asia, the Philippines is at the forefront in GM planting. “Philippineshas been a leader in the region,” Dr. Parrot said. “You have sensible, logical regulations that were put in place early. You have half a million hectares of GM corn this year, and no other country in the region has that.” Aside from corn, four GM crops are currently being tested in the country: the papaya ring spot virus, fruit and shoot borer-resistant eggplant, multiple virusresistant tomato, and the beta-carotene-rich golden rice. Golden rice, the result of a research investment of more than US$100 million over 10 years, is reportedly intended to address the problem of vitamin A deficiency, which is a major form of malnutrition in developing countries. The new rice contains three genes transplanted from daffodils and bacteria that allow rice plants to produce kernels containing beta-carotene, a compound that is converted to vitamin A in the human body. In Davao City , people are more aware of the fruit and shoot borer-resistant eggplant since it has been trial tested at the University of the Philippines in Mindanao . The plants

were uprooted due to some misunderstanding from people doing the study and some government officials. The eggplant fruit and shoot borer (EFSB) has been cited as the most destructive insect pest. Scientifically, it is called Leucinodes orbonalis, a moth specie prevalent in Asia and Africa . The moths’ larvae feed on eggplant shoots and fruits until maturity. “The EFSB can cause as much as 50-75 percent loss of fruits,” says Dr. Emil Q. Javier, president of the National Academy of Science and Technology. “The worm of the insect bore tunnels in the fruit, rendering them unfit for consumption.” Unfortunately, there is no known genetic resistance to EFSB in cultivated and wild eggplants. “The insects are concealed in the shoots and fruits and are difficult to reach,” Dr. Javier explains. “Thus in order to protect their crops, farmers spray their plants almost every other day with insecticides.” Dr. Serge Francisco, who wrote Projected Impacts of Agricultural Biotechnologies for Fruits and Vegetables in the Philippines and Indonesia, said eggplant growers spray as much as 42 times per production period using approximately more than 65 liters of chemicals per hectare. Dr. Parrot believed countries which are not planting GM crops “are no longer food-secure.” Ninety-two percent of globally-traded soybean is now GM. This high saturation level is true also in GM corn which has achieved an 80 percent glob-

al trade level and in cotton, canola, and sugarbeet at 90 percent each. Definitely a more important benefit of GM crops is on human health. By planting GM crops, farmers’ unprotected spraying of pesticide will become “a thing of the past.” Cancer-causing aflatoxin from corn mold and other toxins are eliminated with GM corn. “After insects damage corn, fungus follows which has an effect of causing cancer, birth defects, and it depresses the immune system,” Dr. Parrott said. But GM crops are saved from fungi infestation, he claimed. Another good thing about GM crops: They even cause a flourishing of biological diversity. The presence of beneficial insects have extensively been documented in farms planted to GM. On the other hand, pesticidesprayed farms can never be found with beneficial insects as sprays are non-targeted to pests alone but kill all types of insects. There is a misperception that “gene flow” from GM crops causes harm on conventional crops. “Gene flow is the most misunderstood of all,” Dr. Parrot declares. “People ask, will the genetically engineered plant cross with other plants? The question to ask is, ‘Will there be negative consequence?’ It doesn’t mean just because there’s gene flow, there’s negative consequence.”Dr. Parrot cites the corn production of different varieties near San andres, Xeoul in Guatemala . “They have been crossing for centuries, but there’s no damage,” he says. “Crossing is not automatically destructive.”

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 67 • JUNE 06, 2012

Tiangge owners told to register with PBR T

HE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has urged the micro businesses, particularly the “tiangge” and “sari-sari” stores, to register with the Philippine Business Registry (PBR) to legalize their business and reap benefits from government services for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). DTI Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya advised the owners of “tiangge” stalls and sari-sari stores to register with the PBR. “All kinds of businesses, whether large or small scale, should register… they can avail of government services and they can use their registered business name in marketing their business,” she said. Tiangges and sari-sari stores are classified under the micro-enterprises. Microenterprises are defined as any business activity or enterprise engaged in industry, agribusi-

ness, or services, whether single proprietorship, cooperative, partnership or corporation whose total assets amount to P3 million or less and employs about one to nine persons. Tiangges and sari-sari stores are considered informally as part of the “underground economy” due to its small business size and are usually not registered with appropriate government agencies. DTI has made it easier for entrepreneurs to register their businesses through the Philippine Business Registry (PBR), which was launched last March in all DTI field offices to accommodate transactions for new business registrations. A transaction will only take 15 to 30 minutes and will involve only a two-page PBR application form. Owners of micro-business do not have to spend large amount of money to register

their business. Undersecretary Maglaya said a micro-business pays only for the business name registration (BN), in which the amount depends on the preferred business scope. A micro-entrepreneur, for example, who wishes to operate his/her store within a barangay will pay P200 for business name registration, while those who opted to operate within a town or city will pay P500. Maglaya reiterated that micro-businesses will pay only for the business name registration (BN) Certificate from DTI, and there is no additional charge for application for the Taxpayer Identification Number from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), and Employer Registration Numbers (ERNs) from the Social Security System (SSS), Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG) and PhilHealth.

per person, in places as diverse as the Eastern Himalayas and Mekong river basin, shrunk by about two thirds compared to 1970. Tragically, the rate of species loss was about twice the global average over this period.” The new report uses the Living Planet Index (LPI) to measure changes in the health of ecosystems across the AsiaPacific region. The global index fell by 28 per cent from 1970 and 2008, while the Indo-Pacific region saw a shocking 64 per cent decline in key populations of species over the same period. “The Indo-Pacific realm has undergone the most rapid economic and demographic transition of any region in the world since 1970,” said Jonathan Loh from the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), the organization that keeps track of the index. “Across most of tropical Asia and the Pacific, the population grew from about 1.2 billion to 2.6 billion, which alone is enough to double the pressures placed on the area’s natural resources. Coupled with the dramatic increase in per capita consumption across the entire AsiaPacific region, it becomes clear

that reversing this downward trend needs systemic changes to our economies and the way we produce and consume natural resources,” he added. Asia’s biggest footprints: the individual and the nation LPR 2010 LPR 2012 Australia, Singapore, Mongolia, South Korea, New Zealand, Japan, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Thailand and China round out the top 10 Ecological Footprints per capita in the Asia-Pacific region. Asia-Pacific residents still consume on average close to 60 per cent less than the global average of over one and half planets per person, but major disparities exist. The per-capita Ecological Footprint of Australia, for example, is the highest in the region – 14 times larger than Timor-Leste. With an average ecological footprint rating of .98 per person, Filipinos consume far less than other nations – ranking 20th out of 148 studied countries. If everyone on planet Earth consumed at this rate, humanity only needs .55 planets to thrive. Countries like the United States on the other hand, consume four planet’s resources annually.

WWF: Econ development in Asia-Pacific region taking toll on the environment

OOMING economic development and per-capita consumption across the Asia-Pacific region is burning up more natural resources than are available, placing enormous pressure on the region’s already heavily taxed forests, rivers and oceans, says a new WWF report on the value of Asia’s natural capital. Produced in partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Ecological Footprint and Investment in Natural Capital in Asia and the Pacific report – a regional perspective on elements of the recently-released Living Planet Report – focuses on attainable methods of preserving key regional ecosystems including the marine wealth of the Coral Triangle, the unique forests of Borneo, the Mekong region’s diverse habitats, as well as the mountainous Eastern Himalayas. “Across the Asia-Pacific region, the gap between human demand for natural resources and the environment’s ability to replenish those resources is widening,” said WWF’s Director General Jim Leape. “In 2008, the natural resources available

Southeast Asia’s llama breaks into a trot COMMENTARY BY DAVID PILLING, FINANCIAL TIMES

OW much money does the Philippines, that perennial economic laggard, owe the International Monetary Fund? The answer is nothing. After years of being in hock, Manila is now an IMF creditor. Thus the people of the Philippines, impoverished though many remain, are doing their bit to help Europeans maintain the living standards they doubtless deserve. For years, the Philippines has been a bit of a laughing stock in south-east Asia. Gross domestic product of $2,200 per capita puts it in the same league as Bolivia, a poor Andean country. Thailand, with a GDP per capita of $5,400, is out its league. A running joke – admittedly not a very funny one – is that the Philippines accidentally swapped places with Chile, the Latin American economy that most resembles a fast-paced Asian tiger. That makes the Philippines more like a llama, trudging dolefully along a dirt track. Whisper it if you will, but the Philippines may at last be getting its act together. These are early days. But there are definite signs that the country – with its young population of nearly 100m people, the world’s 12th largest – has turned a corner. There are three reasons to be hopeful, if not yet exactly cheerful. First, the external position has improved dramatically. The Philippines, after years of indebtedness, is a net creditor. Overseas remittances from the roughly 8m Filipinos working abroad have steadily added to foreign exchange reserves. At nearly $80bn, these are higher than the external debt. Since 2004, remittances have grown from $7bn-$8bn to $20bn, nearly 10 per cent of GDP. The fact that so many people need to work abroad is a sign of the economy’s inability to generate enough jobs. But remittances are serving a purpose and have held up well since the financial crisis. The Philippines is emerging as a solution to the labour shortages of mature economies the world over.” Some jobs go the other way. Philippine call-centres have grown exponentially, trumping those in India. Revenues from back office businesses have quintupled over six years from $2bn to $11bn.

as of august 2010

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

THE ECONOMY

VOL.5 ISSUE 67 • JUNE 06, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

SM Prime Holding to build P5.5-B to boost th world’s 4 largest mall NHA programs S

M Prime Holding Inc. (SM Prime) has announced they are on track in the development of their third Cebu mall at the South Road Properties (SRP), which is expected to become the world’s fourth largest shopping mall. ”We are confident about this new project, which is why we are going all out. We wanted to build something that Cebuanos will be proud of,” SM Prime president Hans Sy said. Sy led the formal opening Friday of the SM City Consolacion. SM’s first mall in Cebu, the SM City Cebu, is located at the Cebu City north reclamation area. The new mall at the SRP will have 409,000 square meters, compara-

ble to that of the SM Mall of Asia, which is currently the third largest mall in the world. The mall’s footprint is eight hectares. Sy said the estimated project cost for the construction of the mall has gone up from P6 billion to P8.5 billion. ”We have built SM MOA to become a destination area. The new SM mall at the SRP will likewise have the same positioning,” Sy said. The new SM mall at SRP is planned to be a five-level compact shopping mall with an “iconic” 150-meter tall viewing tower. The mall, expected to open by 2014, is part of the 30-hectare mixeduse development project called SM-Seaside City.

”When finished, this will become the fourth largest shopping mall in the world,” Sy said. Sy believes SM’s investment will further make the SRP more bankable. ”Everywhere SM goes, we become a catalyst. When I saw SRP, I saw a big future ahead, given its semblance with SM Mall of Asia,” he said. Aside from the opening of SM City Consolacion, SM Prime is scheduled to open SM malls in San Fernando, Pampanga; Lanang, Davao City; General Santos; and Chongqing, China this year. By the end of the year, SM will have a total of 46 malls in the Philippines. The newly-opened SM City Consolacion is the second SM mall in the

province. It is a three-level shopping mall that sits on a 4 4 , 5 1 5 - s q u a re - m e te r property along the Cebu North Road in Barangay Pitogo, Lamac, Consolacion. Its groSss floor area is 106,857 square meters. Among the mall’s amenities are a food court that can accommodate up to 668 people; four cinemas, with a combined seating capacity of 1,488; and parking slots for over 700 vehicles. ”Cebu remains a key expansion area for SM malls. This reflects our continued confidence in the prospects of Cebu, given its dynamic population and flourishing business landscape, especially its vibrant export sector, which contributes significantly to the country’s economic growth,” Sy said. Over the next three years, the company estimates it will spend P60 billion for the construction of shopping centers and land acquisition.

PSE to introduce subsector classification

HE Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) shall be introducing changes in the sector classification of listed firms under the Industrial and Services indices in line with international best practices. The enhancements involve the creation of new subsectors “Electrical Components & Equipment” and “Other Industrial” under the Industrial Sector to replace the existing “Diversified Industrials” subsector. In addition, the new subsectors “Casinos and Gaming”, “Retail” and “Other Services” shall take the place of the “Diversified Services” subsector under the Services Sector. When the current sector classification was introduced in 2005, the Diversified Industrials and Diversified Services subsectors were created to serve as “catch-all” subsectors in case a listed company does not meet the requirements of other more specific subsectors. Currently there are 11 companies included in the Diversified Industrials and 12 firms in the Diversified Services subsets.

It figures

409,000m

The total floor area of the proposed SM mall in the South Relocation Project in Cebu City. The project will be part of the 30-hectare SM Seaside City project.

11,000 m2 The floor area allocated for BPOs at the soon-to-open SM Lanang here in Davao City.

P683.9M The approved cost for the investment project of Philippine company Aviva Shipping Corporation in Surigao.

P3M

The ceiling value for the assets of a business that falls in the category of micro-enterprise, as classified by the Department of Trade of Industry.

HE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) released P5.5 billion to the National Housing Authority (NHA) for the implementation of the Resettlement Program, in line with the Aquino administration’s drive for better living conditions for poor or at-risk Filipino families. “The recent release will allow the NHA to meet the re-housing requirements of families and communities living as informal settlers or currently in highrisk or calamity-stricken areas. President Aquino understands the urgency of relocating these residents whose safety must be ensured and protected, especially since the rainy season has begun,” Budget and Management Secretary Florencio B. Abad said. According to NHA, the program will cover the provision of 12,227 house and lot packages, 10,188 housing units, and 16,527 lots to beneficiary families nationwide. The release will be charged against the agency’s Corporate Operating Budget as programmed in FY 2012 General Appropriations Act. Of the total fund, at least P4.16 billion will go to NHA-administered rehousing activities, of which around P2.7 billion will be used to relocate informal settler families living in high-risk areas in Metro Manila, Rizal, Laguna, Bulacan, and Pampanga. The fund will likewise cover families displaced from areas earmarked for government infrastructure projects. Under this program, the Administration will provide housing units to beneficiary families—particularly for off-city relocation—and community facilities such as schools, health centers, multipurpose/livelihood centers, and police outputs in new housing sites. In addition, socio-economic and other community support programs will also be rolled out, with the entire program involving local government units (LGUs),

11%

The Thai economy reportedly grew by 11 percent in the first quarter of the year, surpassing most countries in the Southeast Asian region.

other government agencies, affected communities, and non-government organizations. “If we were to merely relocate these communities without accounting for their basic needs, we would be doing the affected families a great disservice. The NHA will see to it that informal settlers will be resettled in homes they can call their own, with schools and community facilities well within reach,” Abad said. Around P905.2 million of the fund for NHA-administered projects will go to rehousing families currently living in condemned buildings or structures. An additional P568 million will be used to relocate poor or informal settler families affected by calamities to safe areas, as well as to provide housing assistance to families whose homes have been damaged by calamities, but who do not need to be transferred to a different location. Meanwhile, P1.006 billion of the total P5.5billion fund will be directed to local government units outside Metro Manila for the Regional Resettlement Program. The fund will support the relocation of families in high-risk areas, those affected by infrastructure projects and calamities, and those subject to court-order eviction. Furthermore, P82.6 million will be devoted to housing support activities, while P252.4 million will be used to deliver critical community support services for relocated families. “Together with various civil society organizations, the NHA will provide community support services to help beneficiary families adjust to their environment, so they can make the most of the new opportunities ahead of them. Ultimately, the Aquino administration aims to lead these communities away from poverty and toward full socio-economic growth,” Abad said.

P60 B The expected cost for the LRT1Cavite extension project, which is expected to decongest Metro Manila and provide more efficient public transportation in the outskirts of the greater Manila area.

EDGEDAVAO

ICT HUB

VOL.5 ISSUE 67 • JUNE 06, 2012

Japan firm unveils new smartphone M

OBILE phone operator Softbank on Tuesday unveiled a smartphone that can measure radiation as consumers in Japan clamour for reassurance following last year’s Fukushima nuclear disaster. The latest model in the firm’s Pantone series comes complete with a sensor that enables users to see at the touch of a button how much radiation they are being exposed to. The phone, which the company is putting on general sale from July, can also keep a record of exposure in every location the phone has been to, Softbank said in a statement, adding that it can detect gamma rays in

a range of 0.05-9.99 microsieverts per hour. Japan’s top operator NTT DoCoMo at a tech fair last year showcased a smartphone with a changeable “jacket” that measures radiation levels. DoCoMo at that time said they were undecided on the product’s commercial launch. Many people in Japan remain concerned about radiation since the 9.0-magnitude quake and tsunami of March 2011 sparked the world’s worst nuclear crisis in a generation at the Fukushima atomic plant. Worries over the health implications of the radioactive leak have sent demand for radiation-measuring devices soaring in Japan.

Japan’s Internet and mobile giant Softbank president Masayoshi Son introduces the world’s first smartphone featuring a nuclear radiation detector,

named ‘Pantone 5,’ produced by electronics giant Sharp, on May 29.

Facebook explores new Microsoft rolls out more Bing search access for kids under 13 M

ACEBOOK is working on technology that would permit children under the age of 13 to use the social network site with parental supervision, people familiar with the effort said Monday. Facebook currently requires members to be at least 13, but the new effort is being made because many children lie about their age to get access Facebook and its 900 million members, a source told AFP. A Facebook spokesman told AFP no decision has been made on any policy change. But a statement from the spokesman said the California company was exploring ways to handle children using Facebook. “Many recent reports

have highlighted just how difficult it is to enforce age restrictions on the Internet, especially when parents want their children to access online content and services,” the statement said. “We are in continuous dialogue with stakeholders, regulators and other policymakers about how best to help parents keep their kids safe in an evolving online environment.” The effort by Facebook to allow younger children, first reported by the Wall Street Journal, would use technology to allow parents to determine who their children can friend and what applications they could use. The report noted that that many youngsters lie about their age,

Indonesian children log on a Facebook page at an internet shop in Kuta in the resort island of Bali in February 2012. Facebook is working on technology that would

putting the company in an awkward position regarding a federal requirement to obtain parental consent before collecting personal data. The Journal said the move may exacerbate privacy concerns about the massive social network, but that the company has little choice but to look into ways to establish controls that would take into account the site’s use by younger children. A source familiar with the effort said Facebook would comply with laws in the United States and other countries on child protections. These laws vary for country to country, with some being similar to US law and others having no law on online use by minors.

permit children under the age of 13 to use the social network site with parental supervision, people familiar with the effort said.

ICROSOFT on Friday rolled out a revamped Bing that includes insights from Facebook and Twitter in the biggest overhaul of the search service since its launch three years ago. “Most things in life are better with people you trust,” Microsoft said in a release announcing that the changes promise in May have arrived. “The new social features in Bing make it easy to exchange ideas, share

Microsoft search web engine Bing

opinions and take action, giving searchers the same confidence they get from bouncing an idea off a friend.” Google in January meshed posts from its social network into search results based on a similar belief that people value input from friends or others they respect. The new version of Bing features a “social sidebar” that will list Facebook friends who may know something about a query topic, ac-

cording to Microsoft. Microsoft has been doggedly working to increase its share of a lucrative Internet search market dominated for years by California-based Google. Microsoft in late 2007 paid $240 million for a 1.6 percent stake in Facebook. The investment put Microsoft in a position to build a relationship with Facebook, which has a stated mission of making the Internet more social.

VANTAGE POINTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 67 • JUNE 06, 2012

EDGEDAVAO The Facebook in our lives OPINION BY KATE OTTO

“D

EDITORIAL

Total compliance

AVAO CITY’s accolades on account of its anti-smoking ordinance, the latest of which is the third-in-arow Red Orchid Award, installing the city as a hall-of-famer, are well-deserved. It feels good for “patriotic” Dabawenyos to take note that the anti-smoking ordinance actually anti-dated the other smoking ordinances in many other parts of the country. Now, anti-smoking champions, chiefly Vice Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and Dr. Domilyn Villareiz of the antui-smoking task force, want compliance to the ordinance total. This means that there will no longer be smoking areas in commercial establishment, wherein their customers and clients are allowed to smoke. These smoking areas were authorized by the city government. Those who allowed smoking without local government authority found themselves in trouble as their owners were charged criminaly for violating the ordinance. This reminds us of of the acts of defiance of Liquid Bar, a watering hole inside Apo

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View Hotel, and much later, the Koreanoperated casino also inside Apo View. The operators questioned the legality of the ordinance. However, the cases became moot and academic when both business establishments went bankrupt and folded. In a way, the aspiration for total compliance of the ordinance is no big deal, considering that there are only 20 authorized smoking areas in all 34,000 business establishments licensed to operate in the city. It will only take a gentle rap on the knuckle, if moral suasion won’t work, to achieve this ideal situation. Twenty is peanuts to an enforcer with political will, so to speak. As to people who think that the smoking ban is bad for tourism, they only need to be reminded that plane passengers all over the world do not mind not being able to smoke in flights that last as long as 18 hours. Also, there is a race among posh hotels worldwide as to the number no-smoking floors they can offer to tourists and they openly advertise this like any other come-ons. 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

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ID you join Facebook yet?” It was a question I fielded several times in 2004, the summer before I began college, as the fledgling social network was expanding beyond a handful of elite colleges. I felt unsure about joining, at first: Isn’t college about making real relationships? Yet as Facebook began influencing my life, and my communities at home and abroad, I came to see its value in a new light. There was the summer I spent in Tanzania developing a teenage health program with local high school students like Glory, a brilliant but financially poor young woman. Since then, via online fundraising advertised on Facebook, my friends have funded Glory’s college education, thereby transforming her life and enabling her to raise herself out of poverty. She continues to keep us regularly updated through her Facebook posts. When I moved to Bandung, Indonesia, to work with a local drug rehabilitation center, I saw Facebook empowering its entire cadre of peer support counselors, who spent hours on the site, via desktop or hand-held device. Facebook helped them track transient clients – young drug users or sex workers who lived with, or were at risk of contracting, HIV – and their virtual connectivity resulted in lives saved off-line. When Facebook made its much-discussed initial public offering recently, it had engaged almost 1 billion members in less than a decade. It isn’t far-fetched to project that Facebook will soon become a standard means for interpersonal interaction. Yet the universalization of a Facebookpowered world is also worrisome. For all the good that comes when we take control of our Facebook accounts and use them for proactive outreach and connection, just as much damage occurs when we allow our accounts to control us, pulling us further apart from the people who are very close by. For me, and most others of my generation, Facebook strengthened my ability to forge countless “weak ties” at the expense of fewer, but stronger, relationships. Posting regular updates coached me to write rapidly for a faceless mass audience and craft my publicly promoted identity as if it were a brand. Reading the similarly constructed updates of friends fostered seeds of inadequacy, and an oddly isolating desire for constant monitoring that negated the need to ask questions in person. Like other college students, Facebook allowed me to distract myself from the important by remaining fixated on the irrelevant. This translated into nearly disastrous results when I finally logged off and stepped into the “real” world through my public service assignments in Tanzania, Indonesia, and beyond – and I was not alone. I noticed a characteristic impatience in myself and other volunteers. Though our goals were well intentioned, we moved quickly through multiple projects on unreasonably short timelines. Disappointment reigned when things rarely went as planned, and I came face to face with my Facebook-enabled obsession with control: controlling what others think of me through the content I choose to post and how others can interact with me through deliberate account and privacy settings. But in-person interaction demanded something different: the time and vulnerability it takes to build trust and the focus and depth required for service efforts to be meaningful. My pre-Facebook instinct was right. College, and life, is about cultivating relationships, which become the cornerstone of strong societies. If Facebook becomes our most common interaction space in the future, the deceptive dynamics of digital connectivity make me wonder: Are we destroying our capacity for lasting human relationships? [Kate Otto is currently writing “Everyday Ambassador,” a book about the impact of technology on human relationships, in the pursuit of a better world.]

Quips

‘And so, with full trust that the Almighty will see us through the aftermath of this chapter in our nation’s history, I vote to hold the Chief Justice, Renato C. Corona, GUILTY as charged…’

--Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile (Guilty verdict on CJ Corona)

EDGEDAVAO

A N D I D SHOTS What the electorate warns about is the likelihood of current TV ads in the guise of commercial presentation becoming a pulpit for self-promotion and grandstanding by prospective political pretenders who are eyeing different national positions in next year’s mid-term elections. Poll watchdogs and thoughtful observers expressed alarm at this undue advantage, which may be abused to further their personal and political interests. There’s a violated sense of ethics and propriety in this early “posturing,” whichever way one looks at it. oooOooo ECONOMIC “SOFT LANDING” – Government financial managers and economic analysts are pleased with the country’s fair economic condition these days, and of course, with good reasons. Under the present situation, the Philippines had so far weathered the economic storm with a stable currency and positive economic growth. And the good news keeps coming. Just about every government economic experts and financial planners, and even some private sector economists were crowing about the country’s Gross Domestic Products (GDP) growth rate of 6.4% in the first quarter of 2012 – the same robust performance the country has been pulling off since President Benigno “PNoy” Aquino III assumed the

T’S a relief that the impeachment trial of former Chief Justice Renato Corona is finally over. Now Filipino NBA fans like me can focus on enjoying the exciting conference finals that will determine the two teams that will get to play the championship series. The outcomes so far in the Eastern Conference and Western Conference Finals have taken similar turns. In the Eastern Conference the Miami Heat grabbed two straight games at home, but the Boston Celtics managed to bounce back to even the series at 2-2. In the Western Conference, the Oklahoma Thunder also won two successive games at home after losing two games on the road against four-time champion San Antonio Spurs. For the Spurs-Thunder playoff, it’s basically youth versus experience. Thunder’s offensive players – Kevin Durant, James Harden and Russell Westbrook – are hard to contain with their allaround game. They can handle the ball and shoot from any distance and angle, including from beyond the arc. With his skill, fast legs and long arms, Durant in particular poses a problem to

Monkey Business

VANTAGE POINTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 67 • JUNE 06, 2012

Conflicting signals presidency. While government think-tanks insist its 7.5% GDP growth target for the year is attainable even after an underachieving growth last year, avid critics thought otherwise. Other private economists, on the other hand, are more pessimistic still, predicting a growth rate of just 6%. As expected, the government’s positive outlook of the economy and the boast about an improving GDP growth may sound hollow to some especially to groups adversarial to the present dispensation who have nothing to do except to find fault. Meanwhile, some foreign and local investors are wary of the country’s growth story because they are getting conflicting signals. On one hand, they have the government people citing prudent policies and sound fundamentals as the main rationale behind the country’s progressing GDP growth rate. On the other hand several unfavorable groups are trying to picture a bleak economy under the Aquino administration. Maybe, but the idea of economic slowdown has some basis. There are circumstances outside government’s control – the speculative attack of the peso and other prevailing bigger symptoms such as high unemployment rate, slowdown of domestic productivity and export activities. Remember too, that local stock and property markets are sluggish, intermediate and capital goods destined largely for export have actually dropped and domestic demand

has been chilled by consumer fears over unemployment. The short-term outlook, however, is getting brighter. Government financial analysts and economic managers firmly believed the country stood a good chance of engineering an economic “soft landing” through tight money measures to stabilize the financial system. Indeed, they had been talking repeatedly of accelerating GDP growth. They are confident that if fully and consistently maintained, the favorable economic situation could provide a strong basis for the country to recover from its present difficulties and move to more rapid rates of growth even over the medium term. Though official government forecast calls for modest GDP growth rate this year, private sector economists especially the more distrustful say a mild recession is imminent. But most importantly, Filipinos must learn to live with more sustainable growth. There has been this government obsession with the 7% or magical 8% GDP growth, which ordinary people in the streets can hardly understand. By the way, what’s wrong with growing at a steady 6% or 7% rate for a few years? Remember, there is no such thing as never-ending economic boom. The idea is to treat any slowdown as an indicator of preparedness for the next leap forward. In other words, continue moving forward – but do it with deliberate speed.

The hunger games the Spurs’ defense. He is a clutch shooter too. Harden and Westbrook on the other hand never hesitate to take perimeter shots or drive to the basket. In the first two games in the Western Conference finals, the Spurs looked overpowering with the explosive performance of Tim Duncan and wily guards Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. Put three defenders against Parker, and he can still daze them with his unpredictable moves and patented “teardrop” shots. And never underestimate Ginobili’s uncanny ability to slip past defenders like a ghost. No wonder that coach Gregg Popovich would simultaneously field Parker and Ginobili in crucial minutes to give the opponent a bigger headache. But with the series now tied at 2-2, the past statistics will hardly matter. Hunger will be the main factor. Will the veteran Spurs fight to the last man to barge into another championship series and possibly win their fifth title? Or will Thunder coach Scott Brooks be able to motivate his wards to fight tooth and nail for a first finals appearance? The “hunger factor” also holds true for the Heat and Celtics. I have no doubt that Lebron James has always dreamt of wearing a championship ring, or that

Olympian Dwyane Wade wants another title for the team after getting it in 2006 together with Shaquille O’Neal. However, the storied Celtics proved in Games 3 and 4 that they are no hasbeens. Point guard Rajon Rondo has pushed the limits with his superb court generalship. His clever assists remind one of Larry Bird’s inimitable no-look passes. But their tall players have difficulty matching up with the Heat’s big men in the paint. Thus even Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett prefer to score from the medium range most of the time. Fortunately for them, the Celtics’ zone defense has worked wonders, offsetting their deficiency in a man-toman matchup with the bigger Heat lineup. But Doc Rivers needs to remind his boys that they have to overcome their bad habit of giving up unnecessary and unwise fouls. Mickael Pietrus in particular needs to be more disciplined in his defensive chores; he easily bites the fakes thrown at him. Let’s see what happens in Game 5. Like Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales did during the impeachment trial, the teams may yet spring a surprise or two. [H. Marcos C. Mordeno is rooting for the Boston Celtics. He can be reached at hmcmordeno@gmail.com]

Coping up with suicidal tendencies SPECIAL FEATURE BY LADY MARIE S. DELA TORRE

ANT to know how to recognize a depressed person, or if one is on the brink of committing suicide? Dr. Bhabes Arcena, psychiatrist and consultant at the St. Luke’s Medical Center, said a person who is about to commit suicide or planning to commit suicide should tell himself or herself that such act will not solve his or her problem, and should think of people he/she has met or people close to him/her like members of the family who need him/her, as well as think that they will be there to support him/her no matter what happens. “You have to think that you can do a lot of things and resorting to ending one’s life will not solve your problems; in fact it would bring you even more problems,” Arcena said in a health forum held Tuesday at the Annabel’s in Quezon City. She noted that the incidence of suicide is at its peak among persons in adolescent years or those in the 15-24 age bracket. Arcena, who was invited to talk on the topic “Suicide Can’t Be Far Off” mentioned peer pressure, dysfunctional families, problems in relationship, and bullying as among the reasons for going into suicide, and placed family and relational problem as among the top reasons for suicidal attempts and completed suicide. Those threatening to commit suicide, especially due to failed boy or girl relationship, may commit it just to get the attention of the partner, Arcena explained. She also noted that those adolescents or youths into depression and heading towards suicide include those having both parents working outside the country and without parental figure to care for and support them. Arcena said that these so-called rich kids feel they are abandoned with the absence of their loved ones, adding, “We really can say that nothing can replace the love of the family, not even money. And at times, happiness is when you have peace in yourself that money can’t buy.” Likewise, Arcena noted the World Health Organization (WHO) 2007 report estimating that about 1.2 million people die of suicide every year worldwide, or about one death every 40 seconds and one attempt every three seconds. In the Philippine setting, more women than men attempt suicide, but as seen in most other countries’ case, fatality is higher in males, in part due to males’ preference for more violent or lethal methods of suicide such as using guns or hanging. “It is more common on females for suicidal attempt, but more common on males for fatal suicide because they use weapons while females tend to overdose themselves on drugs,” Arcena said, citing a male-to-female ratio of 3:1 per 100,000 persons. A person with a suicidal tendency already has a fixed plan, and if family members do not know that something is wrong, he or she may do it (suicide) otherwise, she added. Meanwhile, she said most of the suicidal cases admitted in hospitals had taken overdoses of drugs, such as isoniazid, a known vitamin or medication for tuberculosis or weak lungs, and paracetamol, which can be purchased in unlimited quantities without prescription.[PNA]

Quips

‘NANIWALA po ako na dapat pantay-pantay ang implementasyon ng batas na ito, mayaman man o mahirap, miyembro man ng Korte Suprema o pangkaraniwang mamamayn kaya po ako ay bumoto ng guilty.’

--Sen. Manuel Villar (Guilty verdict on CJ Corona)

SUBURBIA

VOL.5 ISSUE 67 â&#x20AC;˘ JUNE 06, 2012

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Sarangani in Photos

SCHOOL BUILDING. Governor Migs Dominguez and barangay chairman Herminigildo Olog lead the cutting of ribbon during the inauguration and blessing of KALAHI-CIDSS funded two-classroom school building Monday, June 4, for Daan Suyan Integrated School.

HAPPY WITH BANANAS. Students of Rizal Elementary School flash their smile as they show the Cavendish bananas which are given to them for free by the Local Government of Tagum last June 4, 2012 during the formal opening of

classes. These bananas are donated by one of the banana company in Davao del Norte. [PHOTO BY LEO TIMOGAN OF CIO TAGUM]

Tagum kids get free bananas on the first day of school S

TUDENTS in Tagum City are literally going bananas. The Local Government of Tagum led by City Mayor Rey T. Uy welcomed the formal opening of classes for public schools by distributing free Cavendish Bananas last June 4, 2012, starting at Rizal and Magugpo Pilot Imelda Elementary Schools both in Sobrecary St., Barangay Poblacion, Tagum City. At least 2,500 boxes of these bananas, which were donated by one of the banana companies in Davao del Norte, are to be

given away by the local government to all public elementary schools in the city. The said bananas were the same fruit which were not exported to China after the latter has imposed a stricter regulation in its banana importation. Mayor Uy stressed in an interview that this company has requested the local government to distribute it to students instead of letting it go to waste. Aside from schools, 500 boxes were already distributed last week to

GOING BANANAS. City of Tagum Mayor Rey T. Uy distributes free Cavendish bananas to the Grade III students of Rizal Elementary School during the opening of classes last June 4, 2012. [PHOTO BY LOUIE LAPAT OF CIO TAGUM]

different Barangays in Tagum City. This move would lead to yet another nutrition program that will be spearheaded by the local government of Tagum. Public Services Officer II Engr. Cicero O. Tiamson of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office shared that Mayor Uyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s administration is now planning to acquire refrigerated van which will be used by the LGU to store donated bananas from the different banana companies based in Tagum.

Bananas consist mainly of sugars (glucose, fructose and sucrose) and fiber, which make it ideal for an immediate and slightly prolonged source of energy. Bananas are high in potassium and low salt, a perfect combination to help keep blood pressure healthy. Another mineral that is found in the banana is magnesium, which is involved in more than 300 enzyme systems in the body, and is especially important in energy generation in the muscles. [Louie Lapat/Edwin

PARENTS ASSOCIATION. Governor Migs Dominguez challenges parents of Daan Suyan Integrated School students to do their part in educating their children by giving one hour per day in assisting them in their homework. The governor issued the challenge Monday, June 4, during the inauguration ceremony of a two-classroom school building funded by KALAHI-CIDSS with counterpart funds from the provincial government, barangay council and the community.

of CIO Tagum]

HAULING. Workers rush the hauling of several boxes of Cavendish bananas which will be distributed by the local government of Tagum to students of different public elementary schools in the city last June 4, 2012 prior to the opening of the classes. These bananas are donated by one of the banana company in Davao del Norte. [PHOTO BY LEO TIMOGAN OF CIO TAGUM]

SCHOOL INSPECTION. Municipal councilor Toting Maguan, Governor Migs Dominguez and school head Judy Mio Mio inspect the KALAHI-CIDSS funded two-classroom school building inaugurated Monday, June 4, at Daan Suyan Integrated School campus.

EDGEDAVAO

SUBURBIA 11

VOL.5 ISSUE 67 • JUNE 06, 2012

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

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

P2,500

3,831

P1,500

41,408

P800

7,056

P1,200

27,411

P1,000

NEW CLASSROOMS. Children find time to relax as their first day of classes is suspended to give way for parents, barangay, municipal and provincial officials to formally

EDUCATORS. Governor Migs Dominguez with barangay and municipal officials pose with the teaching staff of Daan Suyan Integrated School after the turnover

LOCATION

open a KALAHI-CIDSS funded two-classroom school building Monday, June 4, at Daan Suyan Integrated School campus.

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

ceremony of the KALAHI-CIDSS funded two-classroom school building Monday, June 4, in time for the first day of classes.

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: CLASSROOM REHABILITATION. Governor Migs Dominguez (in white polo shirt) discusses with barangay officials how to access funds for the rehabilitation of the dilapidated makeshift classrooms of Daan Suyan Integrated School Monday, June 4. The governor in his speech pledged cash assistance as additional funds for the construction materials needed. Governor Dominguez also led the turnover ceremony to the community of KALAHI-CIDSS funded two-classroom school building.

SCHOOL CROSSING. Barangay chairman Herminigildo Olog (in green polo shirt) guides Governor Migs Dominguez and staff as they cross the footbridge enroute to Daan Suyan Integrated School to turnover to the community the two-classroom school building funded by KALAHI-CIDSS program of the national government Monday, June 4, built with counterpart funds from the provincial government, barangay council and 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

NATION/WORLD

NATION BRIEFS

Unstable

ENATOR Miriam Defensor Santiago dismissed an online petition calling for her removal from the International Criminal Court over grounds that she is “psychologically unstable.” The petition seeks to “reconsider and reject” Santiago’s election to the judicial body. The senator called the petition a “black propaganda” meant to discredit her.

Losing

HE Catholic Church is losing some of its faithful to charismatic movements, retired Novaliches Bishop Teodoro Bacani admitted on Monday. The prelate said some of the faithful now prefer going to Catholic charismatic movements instead of the church mainly due to the lively speeches of the preachers.

Waiver

ANDIDATES for the next Supreme Court chief justice are now required to submit a waiver on bank deposits, the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) said Monday. Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, the Senate representative to the JBC, proposed the new application requirement which was unanimously agreed upon by the collegial body.

Visit

RESIDENT Benigno S. Aquino III will find this city in a festive mood as starts his threeday official visit to the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. All of the kingdom and its dominions are in the middle of celebrating Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee. Aquino is accompanied by an 89-member delegation that includes Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario, Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, Transportation Secretary Manuel Roxas II, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr., and Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO) Secretary Ramon Carandang.

VOL.5 ISSUE 67 • JUNE 06, 2012

WORLD TODAY

Libyan authorities take back A Tripoli airport from militia L

IBYAN authorities wrested back control of Tripoli International Airport from ex-rebels who seized the runway, surrounding planes and grounding all flights after their leader’s apparent arrest, officials said. It took until evening for the authorities to regain control of the airport when loyalist forces stormed it after negotiations with the militiamen broke down, deputy interior minister Omar alKhadrawi told journalists. Flights were not expected to resume for at least 24 hours because of the damage caused to the airport’s infrastructure. The assault by the militiamen on the Libyan capital’s main gateway to the outside world underlined the massive task facing the authorities in reintegrating the disparate armed groups that took part in the overthrow of now slain dictator Moamer Kadhafi’s regime last year. The raid was carried out by gunmen who fired into the air and slightly wounded an airport employee, causing panic among travellers, according to the official LANA news agency. “It is total confusion. Everyone is fleeing,” an

Halted

USTRALIA on Tuesday halted the approval process for Indian infrastructure giant GVK’s huge US$6.3 billion coal mine amid a dispute over environmental assessments affecting the Great Barrier Reef. The Alpha Coal Project in the northeastern Galilee Basin was given the green light last week by Queensland state authorities, who then gave the national government 30 days to approve it.

WRESTED BACK. Libyan government forces arrive at Tripoli international airport to join in negotiations with the Al-Awfya brigade. Libyan authorities wrested back control of Tripoli In-

official at the airport told AFP, adding that several armoured vehicles were positioned on the tarmac blocking traffic. “Cars mounted with anti-aircraft guns and armed men are surrounding the aircraft and preventing them from moving,” another official said, adding that some passengers were forced to leave planes. The motive of the gunmen was to pressure the government to explain the whereabouts of their leader, Abu Ajila al-Habshi, according to LANA. Tripoli’s security commission, which answers

ternational Airport from ex-rebels who seized the runway, surrounding planes and grounding all flights after their leader’s apparent arrest, officials said.

to the interior ministry, said it had nothing to do with “the disappearance and abduction of Colonel Abu Ajila al-Habshi” and that it was still tracking those responsible. The attack forced the diversion to Tripoli’s Matiga military air base of some flights, including to and from Amman, Istanbul, Rome and Vienna, according to officials and flight monitoring websites. Trucks mounted with heavy weapons were parked under some airliners and gunmen shuttled in and out of the luggage hall which opens out onto

the tarmac, an AFP correspondent reported. “Members of the AlAwfya brigade entered the plane. They were fully armed and they forced us off,” Ahmed Loshta, a Tripoli resident who had been due to fly to Italy, told AFP. Dozens of pickup trucks mounted with antiaircraft guns arrived on the scene shortly before sunset. Their arrival was followed by intermittent salvos of gunfire, an AFP journalist at the scene reported. Loyalist forces took action after negotiations broke down, the deputy interior minister said.

Wind down

OUR days of nationwide celebrations during which millions of people have turned out to mark Queen Elizabeth’s 60 years on the throne conclude on Tuesday with a church service and carriage procession through central London. The 86-year-old British monarch will cut a lonely figure as the Diamond Jubilee draws to a close, however, after her husband of 64 years, Prince Philip, was taken to hospital on Monday with a bladder infection.

Psycho

OLICE in Berlin on Monday arrested a porn actor suspected of dismembering a Chinese student and filming the grisly killing, ending a global manhunt for the man dubbed the “Canadian psycho.” Luka Rocco Magnotta, 29, offered little resistance when he was picked up in an Internet cafe in Neukoelln, a working-class district of the German capital, saying simply, “You got me,” said a police spokesman.

New Singapore rules to stop More bodies maids falling from windows N S

INGAPORE said Monday foreign maids must be supervised when cleaning windows following a rise in the number of fatal work-related falls from high-rise flats. The Manpower Ministry said nine foreign domestic workers (FDWs) had fallen to their deaths so

far in 2012, including five who were cleaning windows in an unsafe manner and another two who were hanging out laundry when they fell. Last year there were only four cases of “heights fatalities” involving maids, the ministry said in a press statement.

“This tragic and unnecessary loss of lives could have been prevented if FDWs and FDW employers took safe work practices seriously,” the ministry said as it launched new guidelines for employers. “With immediate effect, employers of FDWs shall not allow their FDWs to

Packing

UPREME Court employees hugged and cried before former Chief Justice Renato Corona as he cleared his desk on Monday, nearly a week after he was removed from office by the Senate impeachment court. Corona, along with wife Cristina and daughter Carla, went to his spacious office in the Supreme Court’s second floor to pack his things. The Coronas stayed for at least three hours, busily receiving employees who brought T-shirts and photos of the magistrate for him to sign.

EDGEDAVAO

HIGH-RISE FLATS. Singapore said Monday foreign maids must be supervised when cleaning windows following a rise in the number of fatal work-related falls from high-rise flats.

clean the exterior of windows unless strict safety conditions are in place.” The ministry said grilles must be installed over windows and locked allowing maids to reach through and clean the glass safely if employers expected them to carry out the chore. Over 80 percent of Singapore’s 5.2 million population live in governmentbuilt high rise flats. Employers who are caught flouting the rules will be permanently banned from hiring a maid, the ministry said. It said it was also planning to double the maximum penalty for employers who fail to provide a safe working environment for maids to a fine of Sg$10,000 ($7,800) and a 12-month jail term. Thousands of women, many of them from impoverished villages in Indonesia, the Philippines and India, work as domestic helpers in affluent Singapore.

IGERIAN rescuers searching for victims after a plane crashed into a densely populated area of Lagos killing all 153 people on board said they expected to recover more bodies in the ruins of a residential building. The Dana Air MD83 flight from capital Abuja on Sunday reported both of its engines had failed moments before it went down in a poor neighbourhood in the west African nation’s largest city, the nation’s civil aviation chief said.

Deadly clashes

YRIAN government troops fought deadly battles with armed rebels as the European Union pushed for an end to a split with Russia over how to end the 15-month bloodshed. In talks in Saint Petersburg with Russian President Vladimir Putin,EU President Herman Van Rompuy said the EU and Russia “might have some divergent assessments” of the situation in Syria.

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J. Melchor Quitain, as acting as the presiding officer. Present were Nilo Abellera Jr, Victorio Advincula Jr, Bernard Al-ag, Al Ryan Alejandre, Dante Apostol Sr, Conrado Baluran, Joanne Bonguyan, Louie John Bonguyan, Pilar Braga, Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling, April Marie Dayap, Jimmy Dureza, Jashera Gonzales, Edgar Ibuyan, Leah Librado, Rene Elias Lopez, Tomas Monteverde IV (floor leader), Myrna L’Dalodo-Ortiz, Marissa Salvador-Abella and Jose Louie Villafuerte. Absent on official business were Councilor Karlo Bello (acting vice mayor) and Liga ng mga Barangay president Paolo Duterte. On domestic emergency leave were Councilors Emmanuel Galicia Sr. and Indigenous People’s representative Berino Libayao Mamboo. On the other hand, CounRepublic of the Philippines Department of Transportation and Communications LAND TRANSPORTATION FRANCHISING AND REGULATORY BOARD Regional Office No. XI Davao city Petition for Renewal of a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate an AIRCONDITIONED TAXI Service. NELDA L. KATO, Petitioner Case No.2007-XI-00163 x- - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - -x NOTICE HEARING Petitioner is a grantee of a Certificate of Public Convenience issued in this case authorizing the operation of an AIRCONDITIONED TAXI Service on the route: WITHIN DAVAO CITY to any point in Region XI with the use of FOUR (4) units, which Certificate will expire on May 17, 2012. In the petition filed on April 11, 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 13, 2012 at 10:00 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 11th day of April 2012 at Davao City. TERESITA DELA PEÑA-YÑIGUEZ Chief Transport Development Officer /hoc Copy furnished: Petitioner,Nelda L. Kato, 127 Mutya St., Doña Paz Subd., Sasa, Davao City Counsel, Atty. Ernesto Raphael V. Robillo, 58 F. Iñigo St., Davao City NOTE: Affidavit of Publication and newspaper where notice was published must be submitted three (3) days before the scheduled hearing.

VOL.5 ISSUE 67 • JUNE 06, 2012 cilor Rachel P. Zozobrado was on sick leave. Support First proposed to the city’s Solid Waste Management Board (SWMB) in 2010, the medical waste treatment facility has the capability to disinfect and reduce mass and volume by 95 % of all types of medical wastes including body parts, chemical and pharmacological wastes. It is invented by RAD Solutions chief scientist Davao-born Roderick “Ricky” Dayot RAD Solutions is among several service providers deliberated upon SWMB from 2010 to 2011. Its proposed facility is considered by SWMB as the most efficient and cost-effective for the hospitals operating in Davao City. Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has earlier stressed that the city ‘badly needs a medical waste facility.’ Dayot and Davao City ICT (Information Technology and Communication) executive vice president Erriberto Barriga Jr. expressed disappointment on the deferment. But they remain hopeful as, they said, as Mayor Duterte-Carpio has earlier expressed her strong support to the Davao-invented facility. “There is to some extent disappointment on our part since it has already been decided for voting today (Tues-

day) but we remain hopeful,” Barriga said in an interview. “We’re thankful that the city mayor is very supportive. She texted me yesterday expressing her support,” Dayot said. Duterte-Carpio has pointed out to reporters last Monday that the city has an “immediate need” for the facility. “Kami (city government) gusto namo ni kay ang atong landfill para sa medical waste kulang na iyang capacity,” she said. ICT head Barriga said the city’s landfill at Marilog where medical sharps wastes are dumped will soon deplete its holding capacity. “Hapit na daw magoverflow ang landfill para sa sharps sulti ni Dr. Josephine J. Villafuerte (Davao City Health Office department head),” he said. Councilor Al-ag, chair of the Committee on health, gave his assurance that the matter has received support from his fellow councilors. “There’s no discussion anymore to the restraints presented by the councilors. Councilor Arnolfo Cabling has also told me that he has spoken to the city mayor and CENRO (City environment and natural resources office) head attorney Joseph Felizarta about his concerns,” Al-ag said in an interview. Cabling in previous session strongly expressed that the city should not grant

“exclusivity” to one private enterprise, saying the proposal between the city government and RAD Solutions showed this perception. Al-ag said the city government is “not fixing its support to one entity but encourages more proposals.” The city mayor told reporters that she would be happy to see more proposals. “The offer of RAD Solutions was that they’d be the ones to finance the construction of their facility which will be near our sanitary landfill area in New Carmen. Plus their advanced technology we see their proposal as the best,” she said in vernacular. “If other service providers of the same nature can provide the same conditions, that they’d be the ones to pay for the construction, then they’re very much welcome. The more the merrier,” Duterte-Carpio added. Alteration An alteration will be made on the agreement between the city government and RAD Solutions which needs approval of the City Council. Unlike the original proposal that a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) be signed between the two parties, Councilor Al-ag said a resolution will now be passed. “Hindi na MOA which requires an ordinance, resolution na lang ang ipa-pasa.

Previously sa ordinance the proposal was for the city government to lease a portion of the landfill area to RAD Solutions, but we’re forwarding now that the city government just grant RAD Solutions a special use permit which also needs approval from the City Council,” Al-ag said. RAD Solutions, Al-ag said, be signing a MOA with the owner of the lot right outside the city’s landfill area. “This means the hospitals, which will deliver their waste to RAD Solutions will no longer have to enter the landfill area. The city government as well will not have to travel far to get to their facilities,” he said. “This solves the question on the right of the city government to lease as property to RAD Solutions. Although the matter has been cleared, at least there’s no need any more for legal provisions,” Al-ag added. 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, issued a legal opinion stating that the agreement between Pascua and the city government, then represented by former city mayor incumbent Vice

P1M... FFROM 1

have the discipline and concern for the environment,” City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said in an interview yesterday at the Grand Men Seng Hotel where the launching was held. The contest is in line with Republic Act No. 9003 Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of the Philippines and City Ordinance No 0361-10 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Ordinance of 2009. Duterte-Carpio said population should not be hindrance for a barangay to win as some barangays have bigger population than others. “Diri mugawas ang ilahang ingenuity and perseverance. After one year we expect our barangays to come up with projects that would keep their barangays clean, the waste collected low, and for their environment well-preserved and cultivated,” the city mayor said. “It is said that the 3rd World War will be for oil and water. The issues we will leave today will be the concerns of tomorrow. We need to start doing something about the environment now or regret it later,” she said in vernacular to barangay officials. The launching was held as part of the city government’s commemoration to the Philippine Environment Day 2012. A forum on the city’s Watershed Code Implementation was held with the attendance of barangay leaders of the city who also had the chance to voice out their environmental concerns directly to the city’s public officials. Present in the forum were City Councilor Arnolfo Cabling who crafted the city’s Watershed Code along with former councilor current City Agriculture acting head Leonardo Avila III. Also present in the forum was City Councilor Marissa Salvador-Abella who heads the Committee on environment.

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.” On estimate, Davao City’s hospitals produce about 2 to 3 tons of medical waste every day, Al-ag earlier told Edge Davao. All hospitals in the city through their managers have manifested during City Council session that a medical waste treatment facility is much needed. 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. “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,” Barriga said in an earlier interview. “Pyroclave is the best option we have and we should be proud of it because it comes from a Davao inventor,” he added.

Local government heads present were Joseph Felizarta of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office, Acting City Administrator Zuleika Lopez, Assistant City Administrator Erwin Alparaque, and City Planning and Development Office acting department head Robert Alabado, Best Practices Salvador-Abella emphasized that everyone in the household can contribute in protecting the environment. “It is part of self-preservation. There’s one person I’d like to introduce in the future. Hindi niya alam na ang ginagawa niya pala ay recycling na. Ni-recycle niya ang mga reusable na mga gamit for gardening. Ang ganda nga nagawa niya,” she said. The barangays’ initiative will be judged on (a) how they implement the existing BSWM system – either written & visual / photo evidence; (b) how they sustain the implementation of the BSWM system – also can be shown through written or photo evidence; and (c) percentage of collection of household garbage fee or record of collection. Judging will be based on cleanliness & orderliness (40%), innovation (35%), and initiative (25%) through indicators of their observance of solid waste management (SWM) in their areas. Under cleanliness and orderliness indicators are: (a) litter-free barangay; (b) having a Barangay Solid Waste Management (BSWM) Plan; (c) the presence and effectivity of the BSWM Committee; (d) a BSWM Ordinance; having (e) Material Recovery Facility (MFR) or buyback center; and (f) a composting facility. Barangays are also expected to have their own innovations: (a) Existence of SWM system either funded or non-funded; (b) Proof of generated income from solid waste - it shall be the output of BSWM system and it shall be indicated in the income statement of the participating barangays; and (c) Existence of BSWM projects and its beneficial effect to the it constituents.

SPORTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 67 • JUNE 06, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Pacquiao-Bradley winner:

Faster, stronger By Eddie G. Alinea

LOS ANGELES, Cal. (PNA) -– Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley have two things in common. Both are strong and fast. But whoever is stronger and faster between them would still be decided on June 9 when they try to erase each other for the Filipino ring hero’s World Boxing Organization welterweight crown at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas. For a fellow reigning world champion, a pair former titleholders and an Olympic bronze medalist, the 33-year-old Pacquiao, known to his countrymen as the Pambansang Kamao or the Pacman or simply Manny and many more, seems to have the edge. ”Manny is too fast, too strong for Bradley,” Filipino WBO flyweight champion Brian Viloria said in an assessment shared by fellow multi-titled Gerry Peñalosa and Luisito Espinosa and 1996 Olympic Games bronze medalist Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco. “Bradley is strong, too, and fast, but Manny is a lot better in those categories,” Viloria, told this reporter in one of his frequent visits to Pacquiao’s Wild Card training camp in downtown Hollywood here.

“Manny’s too fast, in fact, that I couldn’t think how Bradley could keep pace with him,” Viloria added. Penalosa, a former bantamweight and featherweight world crown-holder, agreed, saying “Manny is one of the quickest fighters that wore a boxing gloves and one of the powerful punchers, too.” “Mabilis din si Bradley, pero mahihilo siya sa kahahabol kay Manny. And if finally he catches up with Manny, pagod na siya at magiging biktima na siya ng power ni Manny,” Peñalosa, who could have, perhaps, won the country’s first Olympic gold medal had he been given a chance when still an amateur, said. “Sabi nila, malakas din daw ako noong kapanahunan ko,” the San Francisco-based Espinosa, for his part, butted in. “Pero inaamin ko, hindi ako kasing lakas ni Manny.“ “And definitely, hindi ako mabilis at kung mabilis man ako, hindi ako kasimbilis ni Manny,” he added with a smile. “Walang kaduda-duda may power ang suntok ni Manny at mabils din siya. Ganun din si Bradley, pero aminin niya, hindi siya mas lalakas pa kay Manny at lalong hindi siya bibilis pa sa bata natin,” concurred in by Velasco, who, like Pacquiao, is an entertainment figure. All four Filipino fight-

ers who brought honors to the country and name Filipino in their times, picked the ‘Fighter of the Decade” via the short route. “I think Manny is not only the stronger and the faster fighter between the two, he also has more experience having in the fight business for a longer time,” Viloria remarked. “Manny has fought all the greatest fighters in this generation in all the divisions he had been fighting,” Viloria continued. “And, I think he, too, has brain.” Viloria cautioned though that to win, Pacquiao must come up in shape and focused when fight time comes, saying the unbeaten Bradley also has what it takes to emerge victor in their encounter. Like Viloria, Peñalosa and Espinosa think Bradley’s style is made to order to Pacquiao’s fighting mode. “Gustong-gousto ni Manny ang sugod nang sugod style in Bradley kaya malamang hindi tumagal ng 12 rounds ang laban,” the duo chorused. “After four to six rounds, tapos na ang laban,” Peñalosa projected. “Kayang-kaya ni Manny si Bradley. Grabe and kondisyon ngayon ng kababayan natin. Parang walang kapaguran at ‘yun ang ikatatalo ng kalaban,” Velasco said. (PNA VIA PLDT)

(DSA) Forum at the Tower Inn. “We are proud to have in our fold, these young and promising players who are already rated high in the Asian chess scene,” said Infiesto. Litaratus, a senior at the Dona Carmen Dena National High School, is hoping to get back at his tormentor last year Lu Chang Hung of Vietnam who is the reigning champion in their age category. Another rival to watch is Vietnamese Lee Tuan Minh. “I think they are my toughest rivals. I did not make it last year but I hope this year will be my turn,” said Lietaratus, a nephew of IM Marlo Micayabas, a veteran in the World Chess Olympiad. Moulic, for her part, is facing a tough challenge from her archrival Vu Thai Dieu Ai

of Vietnam. “We will be watching each other,” Moulic, a sophomore of Holy Cross od Davao College, said. The 12-year old Misiano, meantime, is already in Manila on training after winning the recent Palarong Pambansa. His father Johnny said his son is doing well on training and looks forward to winning gold. Supporting the players is Councilor Jackson Reyes who will be shouldering the allowances of the players. Mayor Inday Sara Duterte has also allocated the airfare of the three players to Vietnam and Sri Lanka. “We are grateful for the Mayor and for Councilor Reyes for their support,” said Infiesto.

3 Davao woodpushers in Asian, ASEAN tilts T By Neil Bravo

HREE of Davao’s most promising chess players will be pitting their skills against Asia’s best youth woodpushers in two tough competitions this month. Austin Jacob Literatus, Ella Grace Moulic and John Marvin Misiano will carry the country’s colors when they see action in the forthcoming ASEAN Age Group Chess Championships on June 1118 in Hue, Vietnam and in the Asian Age Group Chess Championships on June 24-July 3 in Sri Lanka. NCFP regional vice president James Infiesto announced the stints of the three Davao players on Tuesday during the weekly Davao Sportswriters Association

DSA FORUM. (L-r) Councilor Jackson Reyes, Johnny Misiano, and chess players Ella Grace Moulic and Austin Jacob Literatus talk about their forthcoming stint in the Asian Age Group and ASEAN Age Group chess tournaments. (NJB)

Manny Pacquiao is stretched by strength and conditioning trainer Alex Ariza at a media workout in preparation for his upcoming boxing match against Timothy Bradley, at Roach’s Wild Card Boxing Club in Los Angeles. Below, Pacquiao arrives at the gym with his flashy Ferrari.

15 teams in Shrine Hills Challenge Trisikad, Tricycle

5 teams have signed up for the Ekiden category in the 11th Shrine Hills Challenge set hit the road on June 24. Race director Tom Tan of Run Man Racing said the early birds are from the Rizal Commercial Bank Corp., Metrobank, China Bank, Security Bank, Petron Corp; Phoenix Petroleum Phils., Nexen Tire, Kim Guan Hardware, Golden Hardware, Holcim Phils. Inc., Stanfilco, Rodsy Marketing, Union Galvasteel, Image World and the Davao Light and Power Co. “We’re expecting more teams to sign up before their briefing on June 6 at 6:30 p.m. at the Barrio Bristo in Obrero,” Tan said. Each team is composed

of three runners, who will be running a designated distance to complete the race. Ekiden is a popular long-distance relay footrace in Japan which was recently introduced here by the organizing Davao Sunday Runners Club. This year’s Shrine Hills Challenge will also have an individual race in the 10K and 5K categories where cash prizes and medals are up for grabs. Registration is on-going at the RunClub Davao. Tan said the assembly time on June 24 is 4:30 a.m. for the 5:30 a.m race. The last day of registration is on June 20 with registration fee pegged at P350 inclusive of a free singlet, raffle, certificate and free breakfast from McDonald’s. (PNA)

drivers cagefest set

league of their own. Davao City Councilor Jackson Reyes has organized a basketball league solely for tri-sikad and tricycle drivers. The unique basketball tournament will be staged initially in four barangays and will kick off on June 17 in Barangay Bucana. Reyes said he is allocating a cash prize of P5,000 to the champion, P3,000 to the second placer and P2,000 to the third placer. “I thought of organizing this league because I believe even our tricycle and tri-sikad drivers also deserve some break and some physical fitness programs,” Reyes told the DSA Forum at the Tower Inn on Tuesday.

INdulge!

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EDGEDAVAO

WOMEN

Life after the pageant:

MJ Lastimosa tells her story

Was she promised the Bb. Pilipinas-Universe crown? By Carlo P. Mallo Photo by Ariel Balofinos

AS she stood on the stage during the last few minutes of this year’s Binibining Pilipinas, former Mutya ng Dabaw MJ Lastimosa was resisting all the urge to pinch herself and wake up from the nightmare she thought her dream has become – she wasn’t the one being crowned Binibining Pilipinas-Universe.

“I was expecting to win the crown,” MJ said in an interview with INdulge last week during the opening of her new business venture, En Forma, a spa and slimming center. “But it was never promised to me by anyone.” From the die-hard pageant fans, parloristas, makeup artists, fashion designers, the social climbers, and up to the intellectual becky, and oh, the women who are becky at heart, have heard of rumors that Madame Stella Araneta has allegedly promised the Dabawenya beauty the crown and title to represent the country in the Miss Universe pageant. “When I joined this year, after being a runnerup last year, it was a decision I made on my own. Last year, I was still unsure of myself, I still lacked the confidence,” MJ said. “I really prepared for this year’s pageant, during the pageant night I gave it my 200 percent. I gave my all,” MJ said. Seeing another contestant being crowned Binibining Pilipinas-Universe wasn’t the most painful part of the night – it was seeing the dismal look on her fans who flew all the way from Davao, General Santos, Cebu, and even as far as Australia, just to show their support for her that night in Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. “It was that time on stage when I just wanted to disappear. All eyes were on me, especially those who expected that I will be taking home the crown,” MJ said. “When I got backstage after the show, there were several fans there who were

crying for me, that was the most painful part – I feel I disappointed them.” After not being able to sleep that night, it took MJ two weeks before she finally saw the light of day after locking herself in her condominium unit. “I’m grateful that everyone understood my decision to lock up for two weeks, even my commitments were put on hold,” MJ said. Upon stepping out of her room, MJ immediately flew to Boracay just to stay away from everything. But even the beauty of the island could not conceal the beauty that MJ is. Men, boys, their wives and girlfriends ogled at the sight of the morena-skinned beauty. “Random people would approach me and ask if I am MJ Lastimosa, the one who joined Binibining Pilipinas. It’s flattering that people actually recognize me,” MJ said. Now back in perfect shape, MJ simply wants to provide other aspiring beauty queens in Mindanao the same opportunity that she had – a shot at representing the country in the world’s most prestigious beauty tilt. “There are many beautiful women here in Davao and Mindanao, but we do not have all the equipment

that is available in Manila. I decided to bring these equipment here so that aspiring beauty queens and those who want to have a better body can do it here in Davao,” MJ said on the slimming machines that she has at En Forme. Standing at 5’7” and with a waistline of 21” MJ is, well, at her sexiest. But does she consider herself sexy? “A sexy body for me is not about the size, as long as

I know that I worked hard for the body that I have, then I think it is sexy. I only compete with myself and that helps me push beyond the limits,” MJ said, adding that when she discovered that she was already having a 21-inch waistline, she actually panicked thinking that she was too thin for her frame. “I never go hungry; I eat every 3 to 4 hours. When I feel hunger, it’s a bad sign

for me,” MJ said. Having gone on a vegetarian diet also helped MJ achieve the form that she is in right now. The same form that has fueled rumors that she had a pair of ribs removed to give her svelte form. “Hindi ba pwede maganda na lang yung tao? Kailangan ba talaga nagparetoke agad?” MJ candidly asks when asked if she has undergone the knife. “I

don’t believe in shortcuts, the body that I have now is something that I worked hard for. I don’t go on diets, it’s my lifestyle. I work out in the gym and I am aided by the equipment that we have here in the spa.” So, will MJ give the Binibining Pilipias-Universe crown a third shot next year? “If I were to answer that question today, it will be no. Hindi muna,” MJ said.

A2 INdulge! ENTERTAINMENT EVENTS

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Fit for a beauty queen:

En Forma Spa and Slimming Center opens LAST May 28, 2012 friends and media men were invited for the opening of the latest Spa and Slimming Center to hit Davao: En Forma. Owned by one of the city’s most revered beauty queens, Bb. Pilipinas 2011 2nd Runner-Up , Bb. Pilipinas 2012 Finalist, and former Mutya ng Davao, MJ Lastimosa, this wellness and beauty hub is definitely one to watch.

Unlike most spas that focus solely on providing relaxing experiences through massages and scrubs, En Forma also takes advantage of modern technology to provide their clients with services to make them look better and feel better. Their services are divided into three major categories. The first is the ‘spa’ section of their services which include Body Scrub, Body Masque, Foot Spa, Foot Masque, Paradip Therapy, Manicures and Pedicures. The second part of their service-menu is dedicated for ‘beauty’ which include their signature Eternal Glow Facial, Eyelash Perming and Extensions, Underarm Whitening, Body Bleaching, Skin Whitening, Underarm Whitening, Lip

Scrubs, and Ear Candling. The final part of their service menu is probably the one that sets them most apart from other spas as they provide a comprehensive line of slimming services which include their Slimming Massage which improves one’s metabolism and fights fatty deposits; RF Therapy, popularly referred to as

non-surgical liposuction, is a non-surgical cosmetic procedure that contours, firms, tones, and tightens the skin; and Sculpta Slim that breaks down fat and promotes muscle toning. So if you want to pamper yourself and leave feeling

slimmer, more beautiful, and more radiant, visit En Forma Spa and Slimming Center at Door 5 Grand Menseng Hotel, Mgallanes Street Davao City. You may also contact them through 0915-539-4185 or 0947332-8615.

ENTERTAINMENT UP & ABOUT

School’s cool at SM! GOING back to school means going back to wearing uniforms. But these do not have to be drab when worn with school stuff from SM Kids Fashion and Accessories.

Kids can make school cool with preppy inspired cardigans for girls and varsity jackets for boys Hoodies are also hot especially with rainy weather ahead. They can also bring their favorite characters to school in their trolley bags and knapsacks with lots of room for books and learning fun from the Fashion Girls, My Fairy Princess, and Sophie collections for girls and Hey Dude and Puffy and Spark lines for boys. There are also matching lunch bags that will keep their food warm

and protected during school breaks. These cool school mates are available at the Children’s Wear and Children’s Accessories Departments of all SM Stores.

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EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

ENTERTAINMENT

Return of the comeback Lindsay Lohan is Elizabeth Taylor in new biopic READY for an Elizabeth Taylor double take?

Earlier we showed you an unofficial pic of Lindsay Lohan looking fierce in a leopard swimsuit while on-set filming the Lifetime biopic, Liz & Dick. The flick started principal photography in Los Angeles today. And now? The first official pic has finally hit the web and we must say we’re thoroughly impressed with LiLo’s spoton Liz look. And don’t even get us started on the ever-sexy Grant Bowler (as Richard Burton) featured in the shot. Now that we have photo confirmation that this film’s really happening, we must ‘fess, we’re totally shocked by what we’ve seen thus far. We love the photo of Lindsay in her cat-eye shades and curve-hugging suit and we almost didn’t recog-

nize Lindsay in the photo above. According to a Lifetime source, the pic was shot last Tuesday at Lifetime

studios and they went with black and white to portray a “classic” look. And we think they did an excellent job channeling

Royal emergency: Prince Philip rushed to the hospital

THERE are very few ways to successfully steal the spotlight from Queen Elizabeth this week, but Prince Philip unintentionally did just that this morning, when word broke that the queen’s husband was hospitalized in the midst of her Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

So what happened? And is he OK? Fortunately, the royal hubby is going to be right as London’s currently downpouring rain; however, the 90-year-old (who turns 91 next Sunday) was hospitalized after suffering a bladder infection. We’re guessing spending several hours in yesterday’s drizzly conditions for the Thames River Pageant didn’t help matters. The prince was taken to the King Edward VII Hospital in London today as a precautionary measure against the condition, and is expected to remain under observation for several days this week. All of which means that, yes, he will indeed miss out

on tonight’s star-studded Jubilee concert held outside Buckingham Palace, as well as tomorrow’s culmination in the festivities, the citywide carriage procession and national service of thanksgiving in honor of the queen at St. Paul’s Cathedral. A spokesperson for Buckingham Palace said

that Philip was, “understandably, disappointed about missing this evening’s Diamond Jubilee Concert and tomorrow’s engagements.” Sadly, it’s not the first time the Duke of Edinburgh has suffered a health scare, as last December he underwent heart surgery.

that old Hollywood glam! Oh, and can we just talk about the chemistry between LiLo and Bowler

in the steamy shot?! You can practically feel the sexual tension between these two (remember,

producer Larry Thompson said their chemistry “exploded” in early screen tests) and we’re totally on board with Bowler as Lindsay’s Burton. The more we see, the more convinced we are that Lindsay’s comeback is totally full-swing, and we’re thrilled to spot the oft-troubled babe channel some of her, er, energy into her work for a change. As for some inside info on the first pic? Thompson tells E! News that the first scenes were shot this morning starting around 9:30 AM and they were of Liz and Dick on a yacht (docked at Marina del Rey). He also reveals that the cast was in good spirits: “A little first-day jitters for everyone, but it went well,” he revealed, while adding that Lindsay was in a good mood as well.

A4 INdulge! MOMS ENTERTAINMENT

EDGEDAVAO

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Born legacy I

have to admit this story is one of the most difficult that I’ve written. I sort of held back tears as I established the storyline in my head. It’s not that I found the subject too complicated for my brain cells to absorb. It’s actually the opposite of difficult, knowledge-wise. As much as this article is convenient and informative, the person I am writing about reminds me so much of my mom. My mother lived and breathed every single day of her life, preaching about natural childbirth via Lamaze method, until the last few months before she passed away. My mom dedicated her weekends to expectant parents, to share with them all the wonders of pregnancy. She was driven to empower mothers with knowledge, and to contradict the horrifying images a new mom would have after having watched movies and heard horror stories of childbirth pains. It seemed as if it was my mom’s calling to help families and to foster a community of learned moms. I’d say her legacy in this field are the success stories of her students, and the book she authored and wrote in Filipino, to further raise awareness on the Lamaze method. Her life may have ended at the early age of 44, but it’s heart-warming to see her advocacy being carried on by one of her own students in Davao City. Alexandra Morris-Hao was my mother’s first pupil in her Lamaze childbirth preparation class, which began sometime in the year 1997. Alex was in the middle of her college years when she stepped in my mom’s classroom at home, pregnant with her first child, Amber. Still labelled as boyfriend, Bion religiously supported Alex throughout the 6 sessions of the class, and coached her during the physical exercises and breathing techniques. I remember Alex never even sensed that she was already centimeters away to pushing, as was focused on shopping for baby clothes on the day her contractions became more frequent. Mom assisted the couple during labor, and was able to document the dramatic entrance of Amber in this world. The rosy pink baby girl became my mom’s first claim to success, being the first baby born via Lamaze method under her tutelage. Bion married Alex soon after she finished college. As a gift, my mom gave them a life-time worth of free Lamaze classes for their future babies, which came

in handy with their second child, Ashley. Alex was left to do self study / review with her 3rd and 4th babies, due to my family’s migration back to Manila in 2002. Years after we left, Alex opened her mind to the possibility of becoming a Lamaze teacher, herself. “I just came from an accident at that time and I had to look for other options in order to earn my own income.” Not that money was a huge problem. Her businessman-husband is more than capable in providing for their family. However, she longed for a profession she can proudly claim as her own. Out of a casual conversation with one of her trusted doctors, she picked up the suggestion of accepting a one on one tutorial with some expectant parents. What started as a one on one tutorial eventually grew into a class of 6 couples per batch. Then came the need for a bigger space to accommodate her students. “My husband saw that I needed a proper and convenient venue for my classes. I used to rent out a conference room in Brokenshire Hospital, and I had to carry all my teaching gears to the hospital every time I have a class. The Pod became the answer to this question of venue. It was built for women. It’s a conducive environment where mommies meet and learn more about their pregnancy. With this new chapter in my teaching, I also touched on other areas in childbirth preparation such as prenatal yoga, breastfeeding, educating nannies, and other

mommy concerns.” To sum it all, she has added more to what she has learned from her own episodes in the delivery room. “Primarily, we have the Childbirth Preparation Class which is offered to 6 couples per batch. We meet for 5 sessions, and we have a hospital tour which serves as the 6th session. During the tour, we try to simulate the scenarios in the labor and delivery rooms, all the way to the post-delivery conditions for mom, dad, and baby.” “I also teach Prenatal Yoga for women, which runs for an hour and half. Then there’s a session called Mommy Meet Ups, which I organize once a month. In these gatherings, moms get to meet other moms, and voice out their experiences and significant tales in caring for their family. For the most recent Mommy Meet Up we had, we were lucky to have Jenny Ong as guest speaker, as she is a breastfeeding advocate and peer councilor of the Chronicles of a Nursing Mom.” From the birth of her mommy school in 2004 to her present day growth as educator, she has this to say about her crusade in life. “I meet and interact with the parents before the expected delivery period. In a way, I relate to them as friends. So far, it has been amazing. I hope I have more years ahead of me, so I can continue doing what I love. I feel a sense of fulfilment when I see the babies of my students. I am looking forward to seeing them again when they get older, so I can have a chance to share with them how their parents showered them with care and attention, even before they were born.” For more information about childbirth preparation classes, please visit The Pod, Door 4 of Plaza del Carmen, Loyola Street, Obrero, Davao City. You may also call (63 82) 302 2737, or visit ThePOD on Facebook.

EDGEDAVAO

SPORTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 67 • JUNE 06, 2012

Maria Sharapova of Russia takes a fall during her women’s singles fourth round match against Klara Zakopalova of Czech Republic.

Spain’s Rafael Nadal returns the ball to Argentina’s Juan Monaco in their fourth round match. Nadal won 6-2, 6-0, 6-0.

Down, but not out Sharapova moves to French Open quarters

ARIS -- On days like these, when so little goes right and so much goes awry, Maria Sharapova tosses away the strategies and scouting reports her coach devises and, well, does whatever it takes to win. Locked in a three-set, 3-hour struggle at a wet and windy French Open on Monday, Sharapova’s right, racket-swinging wrist was aching - and that, she insisted, was the least of her problems. There was the tumble to her backside that Sharapova could laugh about later. The exasperating line calls, and what the second-seeded Russian considered an obstinate chair umpire. The 12 double-faults, plus 41

other errors of Sharapova’s own doing. The nine breaks she allowed, including three while serving for the match. The unseeded foe who wouldn’t go away. ‘’It was,’’ Sharapova summed up, ‘’a good test for me.’’ Certainly the first she’s faced at Roland Garros this year. After dropping a total of five games in three matches that averaged less than an hour each, Sharapova moved into the quarterfinals at the only Grand Slam tournament she hasn’t won by dispensing with tactics and swinging away until she finally pulled out a 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-2 victory over 44thranked Klara Zakopalova of the Czech Republic.

Rafa rocks, Masha rolls

Nadal well on his way to another Finals

ARIS--As is his wont, Rafael Nadal declined to assess whether the 2012 French Open is his best French Open yet. Perhaps the question was too narrow. Truth is, Nadal is putting together one of the most dominant runs ever at the clay-court Grand Slam tournament - or any major tournament, for that matter. So far, he’s lost a total of 19 games through four matches,

Dragon boat squad break SEA mark T

HE Philippines’ men’s dragon boat team ripped its own Southeast Asian Games record on a day a pair of twins and two teenage kayak rowers made their presence felt in the dragon boat and canoekayak competitions of the second POC-PSC National Games staged at Lake Caliraya in Laguna. The men’s dragon boat squad in the 20-seat event clocked one minute and 48.82 seconds in winning the games’ 500 meters gold medal, and more importantly in the process surpassing the SEA Games record of 1:54.00 it set in Indonesia last November. A total of 768 rowers in all three disciplines took part in the games supervised by the Philippine Canoe Kayak Federation, Inc. headed by Dr. Sim Chi Tat, the most among the 38 national sports associations in the PNG that was staged in different parts of the country. The nationals were so over-

powering in the 500-meter event that Philippine Navy could only clock 1:54.10 for the silver and Lake Buhi 1:55.35 for the bronze in the event backed by the PSC, the POC, Laguna Gov. ER Ejercito, Pagsanjan Mayor Maita Ejercito, Lumban Mayor Freddie Paraiso and the Caliraya Resorts Club. Also witnessing the event was Col. Agane Adriatico of the Special Service Unit of the AFP But if the nationals rowed to expectations, twins Alvin and Alex Genaro, a prized find by national coach Lenlen Escolante from Masbate who are now 22 years old, drew attention, as well as 16-year-old Hermie Macaranas and 13-year-old Ojay Fuentes. Alvin (2:20.64) and Alex (2:30.55) Generalo finished 1-2 in the men’s 500 meters of kayak’s touring single, where Macaranas showed potential by bagging the bronze with 2:36.18. The twins also bagged gold and silver in kayak’s sprint single—Alvin with 2:02.09 and Alex with 2:07.10. Daniel Ortega, with

2:13.74, clinched the bronze in the competitions that, becase of the enthusiasm and the sheer numbers of the participants, became more of a festival. Alvin Generalo bagged a third gold medal in kayak’s 200 meters touring single with a time of 53.12 and a fourth mint in doubles with Manalo with 1:06.40. Macaranas also showed his potential in men’s canoe singles by clinching silver with 2:30.41, behind national Dany Funelas (2:21.60). Cebu’s Fuentes bagged bronze with 2:44.55 to also share the spotlight. The other national teams also reigned supreme in the other dragon boat events—in the women’s 500 meters 10-seater with 2:14.19 (Navy was second with 2:25.07 and Boracay Bumshells third with 2:42.60), women’s 250 meters 10-seater with 1:01.14 (Navy second 1:09.59 and Boracay Bumshell third 1:10.14) and men’s 250 meters 10-seater with 43.82 seconds (Lake Buhi second 46.02 and Laguna Rapids 47.82).

including Monday’s 6-2, 6-0, 6-0 victory over 13th-seeded Juan Monaco of Argentina. That’s the fewest to this point at Roland Garros since 1982, when Guillermo Vilas dropped only 16. Like Nadal, John McEnroe also made it through four rounds while losing only 19 games at the 1984 U.S. Open. ‘’I feel really comfortable, really at ease,’’ said Nadal, who is tied with Bjorn Borg with a record

six French Open championships. ‘’When the tournament is over, I’ll tell you if this was my best Roland Garros or not. For the time being, I’m still playing. So far, so good. But we’ll see. Things could change.’’ He trailed 2-1 at the start against Monaco, one of Nadal’s best friends on tour, before reeling off the last 17 games in a row. ‘’I feel very, very sorry for him,’’ the No. 2-seeded Nadal said after improving to 49-1 in the French

Yaroslava Shvedova of Kazakhstan reacts during her women’s singles fourth round match against Na Li of China. Shvedova booted out the defending champion.

Open over his career. The only loss came in the fourth round in 2009 against Sweden’s Robin Soderling. Against Monaco, Nadal faced two break points and saved them both. He broke Monaco eight times. He made only 13 unforced errors. That raised his total for the tournament to 64 - or 13 fewer than No. 1-seeded Novak Djokovic made in his fourth-round match alone.

Li Na bows out

ARIS -- Defending champion Li Na was at a loss to explain why she was knocked out by a qualifier in the fourth round of the French Open. Last year, Li became the first player from China to earn a Grand Slam singles title when she won at Roland Garros. On Monday, she lost 3-6, 6-2, 6-0 to the 142ndranked Yaroslava Shvedova of Kazakhstan. ‘’I have to find the reason why I lose the match,’’ Li said. ‘’I will find out. But not today. Otherwise, for sure, I can win the match. ... I can’t find why I couldn’t put the ball back on the court.’’ The seventh-seeded Li dropped the last 10 games and made 41 unforced errors, compared to 21 for Shvedova. ‘’I need some time to recover,’’ Li said. ‘’I’m not (a) machine.’’ Shvedova, a doubles specialist who teamed with Vania King to win Wimbledon and the U.S. Open in 2010, offered a theory for Monday’s outcome. ‘’I felt she was nervous a little bit,’’ Shvedova said. ‘’She didn’t play maybe like she was playing last year. She was doing some mistakes.’’

SPORTS

Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder shoots over Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs in Game Five of the Western Conference Finals of the 2012 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center.

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EDGEDAVAO

Thunder pulls off Game 5 win S

AN ANTONIO -- Look who’s unstoppable now. Forget that incredible San Antonio streak of 20 straight wins. That’s ancient history, and the way the Oklahoma City Thunder have taken complete command of the Western Conference finals, the Spurs might soon be finished themselves. Kevin Durant scored 27 points and the Thunder are on the brink of the NBA Finals, beating the Spurs 108103 in Game 5 on Monday night and going from an 0-2 hole to moving within a victory of a series knockout. Their first chance will be Wednesday night at home, where they haven’t lost all season. ‘’We never thought we’re supposed to wait our

turn,’’ Durant said. ‘’Coach always emphasizes that with every opportunity that you step on the floor. It’s a great opportunity to get better. To get to our dream.’’ Russell Westbrook added 23 and the Thunder took a 3-2 lead in a wildly entertaining Western Conference finals. Looking invincible while carrying a 20-game winning streak a week ago - the fourth-longest in NBA history - the Spurs have lost three straight and are on the verge of a stunning collapse. Manu Ginobili scored 34 in a smashing return to the starting lineup, and the switch showed just how much Spurs coach Gregg Popovich knew his team might be in trouble. The only way the Spurs would have considered it a success

is had they won, and that chance went clanging off the back of the rim with 4.9 seconds left with Ginobili missed an off-balance 3. Ginobili then walked to the scorer’s table, made a fist and hammered it down. ‘’It wasn’t a great shot, but it wasn’t a bad one,’’ Ginobili said. ‘’It just didn’t go in.’’ It was the Spurs first loss at home since April 11. Popovich said he removed Danny Green from the starting lineup and plugged in Ginobili - who had started only seven previous times this season - to give the Spurs ‘’an energy boost.’’ But that didn’t solve a third straight uneven game for the Spurs, particularly another languid second quarter that put them in a 14-point deficit.