Edge Davao 5 Issue 73

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VOL.5 ISSUE 73 • JUNE 14, 2012

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2 die, 13 missing in R-12 flashfloods F LASHFLOODS swept different parts of Southwestern Mindanao due to heavy rains since Monday night leaving two persons dead and 13 others missing. The floods also displaced thousands of families, officials said on

n

Logging, small-scale mining blamed

Wednesday.

Kalamansig town in Sultan Kudarat province suffered the brunt of the flood, which Mayor Rolando P. Garcia blamed on denuded forests aggravated by small-

scale gold mining operations.

“The town has been declared under a state of calamity because of the flood triggered by a heavy rainfall,” he said.

Garcia noted they had to destroy dikes and culverts to prevent floodwa-

F2 DIE, 13

Science/Environment Page 4 Sports Page 15

RAMPAGING WATERS. Residents retrieve whatever possessions they can find in their houses destroyed by a flood in Kidapawan City. The flood carried away three houses along Nuangan River on June 11. Weathermen have spotted a shallow low pressure area

southwest of Cotabato City triggering thunderstorms throughout Mindanao. [GEONARRI SOLMERANO/MINDANEWS]

PHL mineral worth $874 billion—MGB

By Jade C. Zaldivar

Follow Us On

G

OVERNMENT officials and leaders of the mining sector yesterday said the Philippines remains a top mineral exporter in the world with mineral deposits worth of $874 billion.

During the 2nd Mining Engineers’ Con-

vention, Mines and Geoscience Bureau (MGB) Region 12 director Constancio Paye Jr said the country ranks third in the world in terms of gold exports.

“We are third in the world for gold, fourth for copper, fifth for nickel, and sixth for chromite. We remain as one of the biggest exporters of minerals in the world,” Paye said dur-

ing a press conference at the Insular Waterfront Hotel in Lanang, Davao City.

“The country has mineral deposits worth $874 billion according to the latest MGB data,” he added.

Philippine Society of Mining Engineers (PSME) national vice president Felizardo Gacad Jr said the country’s mineral produc-

FPHL, 13

2

THE BIG NEWS

VOL.5 ISSUE 73 • JUNE 14, 2012

Migs to reach out to Koko

F

ORMER senator Juan Miguel Zubiri on Wednesday said he will continue to reach out to Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, who decided to run for senator as an independent candidate in the 2013 midterm elections.

“I would like to thank the leadership of UNA (United Nationalists Alliance) for the trust and confidence they have given me by allowing me to formally join the senatorial line-up of the alliance.

I will also continue to reach out to Senator Koko Pimentel to have a united stand on issues concerning Visayas and Mindanao. We need to add more voices in the Senate representing our region,” said Zubiri.

“I am hoping that Senator Koko will see it in his heart to accept the decision of UNA so that we may close this particular chapter of our lives,” he added.

Pimentel earlier said he might run as an independent candidate rather than join Zubiri in the UNA senatorial line up in next year’s mid-term elections.

“Running as an independent is one of my options,” he said in a radio interview.

Pimentel said allowing another political party to adopt him as guest candidate is another option he would consider depending on the result of consultations he will make with family members, friends and the 11 million who voted for him in the 2007 elections.

“I have to consult first the public through social media networks because there are 11 million who voted for me in 2007. I’m still consulting my families and friends,” he said.

Pimentel said he will come up with his final decision after two weeks.

The senator said he opposed the inclusion of Zubiri

whom he described as major beneficiary in the 2007 national elections cheating allegedly operated to favor the Team Unity of former President Gloria MacapagalArroyo.

The UNA is a political coalition formed by Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) of former President Joseph Estrada and Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) of Vice President Jejomar Binay.

Meanwhile, Zubiri surged to no. 10 in the latest Pulse Asia survey of 2013 senatorial preferences.

“I am extremely grateful for the tremendous encouragement I have been receiving from our people and our leaders, despite the fact that I am now just an ordinary citizen,” he said.

“I am also very thankful for the wonderful support of former President Joseph Estrada, Vice President Jejomar Binay, and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile. They are contributing in a big way to the greater voter support that I am getting,” he added.

In Pulse Asia’s May 20 to 26 survey of senatorial preferences, ranked no. 1 to 9 were: Francis “Chiz” Escudero III (65.1 percent); Loren Legarda (63.6 percent); Alan Peter Cayetano (50.2 percent); Juan Ponce Enrile Jr. (49.1 percent); Manuel Roxas (47.5 percent); Gregorio Honasan (39.5 percent); Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III (38.9 percent); Joseph Victor “JV” Estrada (36.3 percent); and Antonio Trillanes (34.8 percent).

Zubiri emerged as no. 10 with 30.4 percent of voters rooting for him. He ranked no. 14 in the February 26 to March 9 survey.

“I will do my best not to let my partymates down, and will join them in our fight against poverty, injustice and environmental degradation,” he said. [PNA]

SC okays guidelines for SALNs release

T

HE Supreme Court (SC) en banc on Wednesday unanimously approved the guidelines for the release of the 2011 statements of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALNs) of all the justices and judges of the Judiciary.

The Philippines has some 2,000 justices and judges.

“We will be providing you a copy as soon as the same has been promulgated,” SC Acting Spokesman Atty. Maria Victoria Gleoresty Guerra told reporters in a press conference.

Guerra said that she would not want to speculate as to whether or not the peso or dollar accounts of the justices and judges were also included

in their respective SALNs. “For sure, the guidelines will be released tomorrow (Thursday),” Guerra said.

Guerra said that she could not provide any other details about the SALNS, except that, one had to fill up a request form in order to get a copy of the same.

All the SC magistrates earlier approved the release of the copy of their respective SALNs in accordance with the “principle of transparency”.

They reversed and set aside the 1989 ruling of the SC which barred the release of the copy of the SALNs of the justices and judges in order that the same could not be used as harassment against them.

[PNA]

EDGEDAVAO

A FREE MAN? A day after the commemoration of the 114th Independence Day, a man lies in the cold cement without any protection near a commercial

establishment with a flag waving in its main door. [KARLOS MANLUPIG]

By Lorie A. Cascaro

tablished a partnership in 2011 and committed to construct 67 school buildings all over the country within three years.

Twenty six school buildings were already turned over as of September last year and 20 more will be constructed by 2013 to benefit some 7,300 preschoolers with the new classrooms.

The building model is a one-storey, two-classroom structure: one room for classes and another to serve as library.

Aboitiz, in a press conference after the turnover ceremony, said the policy of the Aboitiz foundation is to construct buildings where the Aboitiz-owned businesses are located as a way of giving back to the community.

He said the company has allotted a total of P75 million for the school buildings.

The Inawayan Elementary School and Binugao Central Elementary School are located within area of operations

of AboitizPower subsidiary Therma South, Inc., while the Catalunan Grande is within the franchise area of Davao Light & Power Company.

In his message during the ceremony, Aboitiz said more than 50% of the company’s annual budget for corporate social responsibility is allocated for programs and projects under the area of education.

“We assure all of you that our advocacy to support students and education will not end here. In fact, our initiatives in education-related programs remain the priority in our desire to assist our communities,” he said.

The elder sister of President Benigno Aquino III said that she is realistic enough to achieve the 1,000 classrooms by the end of his administration, adding that she will be happy to turn over the system and processes that the foundation has developed if the next administration is willing to

adopt AGAPP’s advocacies.

Also at the turnover ceremony, DepEd 11 regional director Susana B. Estigoy expressed her gratitude to the two foundations for the school buildings, saying the classrooms are rooms of fulfillment of a dream of every child to have a home he or she can be proud of.

“Education of every child is an effort and responsibility of the community. It takes a community to build a child,” she added.

In 2011, Aboitiz and AGAPP Foundations turned over a total of 26 schools, particularly seven in Luzon, 12 in Visayas and seven in Mindanao, and this year, seven in Luzon, four in Visayas and seven in Mindanao.

In Mindanao last year, three schools in Davao City benefited from the school buildings, and one each in Iligan, Nasipit, Compostela Valley and Cotabato City.

of the SGP-PA is part of the long-term instrument and commitment to break the vicious poverty cycle affecting our populace. Inter-agency efforts are being harnessed to ensure the sustainability of the Pantawid Pamilya and the SGP-PA demonstrates this convergence,” said DSWD Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman.

Accordingly, the 4Ps is a human development program of the national government and a social protection strategy that invests in the health and education of poor children 0-14 years old.

Through the SGP-PA program, educational grants of poor households now extend up to tertiary education.

Likewise, the SGP-PA program commences this school year and some 4,000 beneficiaries nationwide shall benefit from the financial scholarship grant.

Qualified beneficiaries will come from 609 classified and identified focus municipalities covered by the Pantawid Pamilya and must not be more than 30 years old.

A maximum of P60,000 grant per school year shall

be provided to each studentbeneficiary to cover tuition fee, school fees, textbooks, board and lodging, health and other related educational expenses and support services to complete the degree program.

For the student-beneficiaries to be retained in the program, they must be able to comply with set conditions and responsibilities.

The students are required to carry a full load every semester as prescribed in the curriculum and graduate within the required period of the program. [PNA]

AGAPP, Aboitiz turn over kindergarten buildings

T

HE Aklat, Gabay, Aruga tungos sa Pag-angat at Pag-asa (AGAPP) Foundation, headed by presidential sister Pinky Aquino-Abellada, in partnership with the Aboitiz Foundation turned over 21 kindergarten school buildings to the Department of Education (DepEd) yesterday.

Aboitiz Foundation President Jon Ramon Aboitiz and Abellada also graced the turnover of buildings to the elementary schools in Inawayan, Binugao and Catalunan Grande, Davao City.

Speaking at the national turnover ceremony at The Marco Polo Davao, Abellada said AGAPP’s goal is to provide 1,000 classrooms nationwide by 2016 prioritizing the poorest of the poor communities. She bared that that there were a total of 377 classrooms turned over so far since the project started.

The two foundations es-

T

Scholarship program for college education of CCT beneficiaries

HE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is providing college scholarship program to children of poor families belonging to the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of the government.

These poor students whose families belong to the 4Ps, also known as conditional cash transfer program (CCT), now have the opportunity to avail of the scholarships through the Students Grants-in-Aid Program for Poverty Reduction (SGP-PA).

“The implementation

EDGEDAVAO

THE BIG NEWS

VOL.5 ISSUE 73 • JUNE 14, 2012

3

Landslide hits area not Limso, Unilab pilot new pharmacy proj in hazard list of MGB T

By Jade C. Zaldivar

n Sitio ‘overlooked’ as it is near Cotabato

EGION 11 Director Edilberto Arreza of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) yesterday admitted that Sitio Ladian in Marilog district, where a landslide occurred last June 11, is not among the villages in the region identified as hazardous areas.

As a result, he said, the sitio was not included in their recommendation to relocate the residents. Arreza said the area was “overlooked” in the conduct of geo hazard mapping as it is near the Davao City’s boundary with Arakan, North Cotabato of Region 12.

“Medyo isa sa mga kuan [shortcoming] namo nga wala naapil. Kung naapil siya, na-plot, na warn nato ang residents nga highly susceptible to landslides ang ilang area. So medyo nagkulang kita diha,” Arreza added.

A landslide occurred in

the sitio at 2 a.m. last June 11 causing the death of an 11-year-old girl identified as Sweet Jahira Unad, daughter of Myra Unad, a single mother.

Central 911, Davao City’s emergency response unit, reported that the disaster caused around damage amounting to P312,000, including eight houses which were totally damaged.

A tribal office building was also reported as partially damaged along with two other houses.

Arriza said upon inspection of the area following the landslide incident, the MGB has advised the 40 house owners within the same sitio to move out and relocate.

“We also told 5 houses for immediate relocation sila. Pag landslide prone area we categorize that as risk

By Lorie A. Cascaro

toes from surviving once the solution is diluted.

The OL trap was pilottested last year in Barangay Buhangin, Davao City and two barangays in Digos City, which, according to Solidum, have the highest number of dengue cases in 2010.

Between July and August last year, 324 dengue cases were recorded in Davao City with two deaths, particularly in Tibungco and Poblacion districts.

“It was proven to be effective. Its concept is like a fly trap, because if you can trap the insect especially the females, you will control the population,” she said.

While OL trap primarily serves to trap mosquitoes, Solidum said it will also serve as surveillance mechanism of mosquito population.

“Kasi pag nakita mo na marami, ibig sabihin malaki yung population ng lamok sa iyong locality. It is really a signal for you to turn on efforts in terms of cleaning, in terms of pouring off stagnant water,” she added.

The OL trap has a scent that invites female mosquitoes to the trap where they lay eggs on the stick and on the solution itself. The stick moistened by the solution through capillary action, is highly attractive for mosquitoes to lay eggs on.

As the eggs and the hatched larvae (also called “wrigglers”) get exposed to the solution, they die. The OLtrap’s ovicidal and larvicidal effect prevent the next generation of mosquitoes from reaching adulthood, thus curbing the Aedes mosquito population.

R

boundary

OL Trap vs dengue rolled out to schools

T

HE Mosquito Ovicidal/ Larvicidal (OL) Trap, produced by the Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), will be rolled out to 358 schools in Davao City by the end of June, according to DOST 11 assistant regional director Elsie Mae A. Solidum.

A system used to control the population of the denguecarrying Aedes mosquitoes, OL trap has three important parts: a black container, a small strip of lawanit (1 inch by 5 inches) like an ice drop stick for mosquitoes to lay eggs on, and a larvicide solution to kill the mosquito larvae that will hatch in the strip wood and in the solution.

With elementary schools and selected high schools as priority, the roll out program will be running for six months, said Solidum during the school-based orientation and distribution of mosquito OL trap at the division training center of the Department of Education (DepEd) 11. The program is subsidized by the DOST. “Every classroom will be provided. After six months, it will be a voluntary on the part of institutions, either the schools or the DepEd, should they want to continue because it’s part of their responsibility,” she added.

Solidum said there will one OL trap to be placed outside the classroom to be handled by the teacher and another inside the classroom. The traps will be disposed before seven days to prevent the mosqui-

area, but kung may tao na we call that hazard area. We found visible tension cracks sa Sitio Ladian,” he said.

City Information Office acting head Joseph Lawrence Garcia said heavy rains occurred in the area a few days before the landslide incident.

“There was no rain during the incident but the rains that occurred the past several days reportedly caused stress to the upland soil,” said Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte said that an assistance of P10,000 were distributed to the victims whose houses are totally damaged.

“Lain pa pud ang burial assistance para sa katong namatayan. The CSSDO (City Social Services and Development Office) will also be distributing food assistance sa mga tao,” she said.

HE RICARDO LIMSO Medical Center (RLMC), one of Davao City’s pioneering private hospitals, in cooperation with Filipino-owned United Laboratories, Inc. will launch tomorrow, June 15, a pilot program designed to help hospital pharmacies become more viable and be able to provide much improved service to patients.

According to Patrick James Santos, Unilab customer development specialist, his company recently entered into an agreement with Limso for the medical center, established by the Limso family, to pilot Unilab’s OPD Pharmacy Program in Mindanao.

The Unilab initiative is basically designed to reverse long-held notions that drugs in hospital pharmacies are more expensive and supply of these medicine products easily run out due to limited supply, Santos said.

Carlos C. Tenedero, Unilab geographic business unit head for Mindanao, confirmed this saying that only a measly 3 percent of drugs prescribed by hospital doctors are bought

n Program to combat misconceptions about

hospital out-patient pharmacies

from the out-patient pharmacies, while the remaining 97 percent are purchased from the community drugstores.

He said 99 percent of patients hold a general view that medicines in hospitals are more expensive and that hospital pharmacies usually do not have a complete line of many drugs, or that the pharmacies easily run out of supply.

“The truth is that prices of drugs and medical supplies in hospital pharmacies are reasonably-priced and are competitive contrary to lingering misconception,” he said.

He said if patients buy from hospital drugstores, they are assured of safety and freshness of the drugs, and they can be sure of full management support, reliable monitoring by the hospital of information about the patient and other advantages.

Pursuant to the agreement, Santos said, Unilab will continuously supply the medicines and that under the piloting arrangement, the com-

pany will increase the SKU (stock keeping unit) levels of drugs from 200 to 350. Unilab also assisted in the renovation of the Limso pharmacy.

Friday’s inauguration of the out-patient pharmacy is timed with the 31st anniversary of the RLMC now under the management of the family of businessman Uy Ching Siong of Davao Imports and many other business ventures in Davao City. The medical center is managed by Sammy Uy, son of Mr. Siong.

Free FBS screening, etc.

According to Ms Jean Libiran, RLMC operations head, the anniversary starts with FBS, cholesterol, diabetes, etc. screening open free to the public, from 5 to 6 a.m. in the vicinity of the RLMC on Ilustre St. Fun walk This will be followed with the 1.5-kilometer Limso Fun Walk to be participated in by some 100 medical practitioners and 250 members of the hospital’s medical staff.

TAG-SINGKO NA LANG. With a wide assortment of merchandise within the price range of P5-P10, a man patiently waits for customers to pick whatever catches their fancy in a sidewalk stall along Claveria. [KARLOS MANLUPIG]

Entrepreneurship vs unemployment

T

HE perennial problem of unemployment can be solved by promoting entrepreneurship, according Allan R. Baban, chief of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) 11’s technical support and services division.

Considering the growing gap between the country’s labor force and the demand of local industries, he said students should be encouraged to develop their entrepreneurial skills early in the schools.

He said when students become entrepreneurs themselves they can provide local employment, adding that students taking up vocational courses can likewise become businessmen and employers.

The DOLE 11, in partnership with the Department of Education, included in their career coaching for the tertiary level the development of the students’ entrepreneurial skills.

Teolulo T. Pasawa, Davao City director of the Department of Trade and Industry, agreed saying “yes, we need to develop the entrepreneurial minds of the students.”

Pasawa believes that small and medium enterprises, which comprised the bulk of the city’s industries, help provide employment.

Meanwhile, Councilor Leah Librado said it is alright to encourage entrepreneurship as it will foster self-reliance. But she said it should be pursued without prejudice to

the responsibility of the government to provide employment opportunity.

“But, entrepreneurship in the current situation of our economy will not sustain, especially because the purchasing power of the majority especially the workers is low due to meager wage,” she added.

Romualdo Basilio, Southern Mindanao regional secretary general of Kilusang Mayo Uno, reported that in Southern Mindanao, there are 92,828 unemployed and 315,700 underemployed Filipinos.

Nationwide, the nongovernment IBON Foundation reported that in 2011, there were 4.3 million unemployed and

7.2 million underemployed Filipinos.

Ironically, of the 24,300 vacant jobs at Kalayaan jobs fair last June 12 led by DOLE 11, only 3,166 applicants registered.

The total qualified job application referred/interviewed were 2,136 individuals, with 1,427 for local, 518 for overseas and 191 for both local and overseas employment.

The total hired on the spots were 394, specifically 136 for local and 258 for overseas employment, while 1,560 were for final interview or near hire (1,118 for local and 442 for overseas).

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SCIENCE/ENVIRONMENT

VOL.5 ISSUE 73 • JUNE 14, 2012

Green decline ‘may bring irreversible change’

Climate change threatens to make life worse in areas such as sub-Saharan Africa.

W

ITH forests and fish stocks declining, water demand rising and lack of action on climate change, humanity’s path is anything but sustainable, the UN warns.

The Global Environmental Outlook says significant progress is seen on only four out of 90 environmental goals.

Meanwhile, a team of scientists warns that life on Earth may be on the way to an irreversible «tipping point».

The UN Environment Programme (Unep) urges leaders to agree tough goals at this month›s Rio+20 summit.

Where governments have agreed specific treaties, it says, major change has transpired.

However, negotiations leading up to the summit appear mired in problems, with governments failing to find agreement since January on issues such as eliminating subsidies on fossil fuels, regulating fishing on the high seas and obliging corporations to measure their environmental footprint.

«GEO-5 reminds world leaders and nations meeting at Rio+20 why a decisive and defining transition towards a low-carbon, resource-efficient, job-generating ‹green

economy› is urgently needed,» said Achim Steiner, Unep›s executive director.

«If current trends continue, if current patterns of production and consumption of natural resources prevail and cannot be reversed, then governments will preside over unprecedented levels of damage and degradation.»

Pollution costs This is the fifth edition of the Global Environmental Outlook, Unep›s blue-chip fiveyearly assessment of the natural world.

The last, published in 2007, warned that factors such as rising demand for freshwater were affecting human wellbeing.

For the current edition, researchers assessed progress in 90 important environmental issues.

They concluded that meaningful progress had been made on just four - making petrol lead-free, tackling ozone layer depletion, increasing access to clean water and boosting research on marine pollution.

A further 40 showed

some progress, including the establishment of protected habitat for plants and animals on land and slowing the rate of deforestation.

Little or no progress was noted for 24, including tackling climate change, while clear deterioration was found in eight, including the parlous state of coral reefs around the world.

For the remainder, there was too little data to draw firm conclusions.

This is despite more than 700 international agreements designed to tackle specific aspects of environmental decline, and agreements on alleviating poverty and malnutrition such as the Millennium Development Goals.

Among the report›s «low-lights» are: • air pollution indoors and outdoors is probably causing more than six million premature deaths each year • g r e e n house gas emissions are on track to warm the world by at

least 3C on average by 2100 • m o s t river basins contain places where drinking water standards are below World Health Organization standards • o n l y 1.6% of the world›s oceans are protected.

A few hours after GEO-5›s release, the journal Nature published areview of evidence on environmental change concluding that the biosphere - the part of the planet that supports life - could be heading for rapid, possibly irreversible change.

The authors, headed

by Anthony Barnofsky from the University of California, Berkeley, combined information on major transformations in the Earth›s past (such as mass extinctions) with models incorporating the present and the immediate future.

More than 40% of the Earth›s land is used for human needs, including cities and farms; and with the population set to grow by a further two billion by 2050, that figure could soon exceed 50%.

EDGEDAVAO

Rising demand for resource-expensive foods such as beef could mean it happens by 2025, Prof Barnofsky›s modelling suggests.

«It really will be a new world, biologically, at that point,» he said.

«I think that if we want to avoid the most unpleasant surprises, we want to stay away from the 50% mark.»

Rio calling At the core of the Rio+20 agenda is the idea of changing many of the factors driving this pattern of environmental decline while also raising living standards for the world›s poor.

Unep adds its voice to many others urging world leaders to seize this baton when they assemble in Rio on 20 June.

Population growth, unsustainable consumption in western and fastindustrialising nations, and environmentally destructive subsidies all need urgent action, it says.

A few years ago the World Bank concluded that destructive fishing practices, fuelled largely by subsidies, had depleted stocks so much that society was missing out on $50bn per year worth of fish it could otherwise have eaten.

The G20 has previously agreed to phase out fossil fuel subsidies - calculated at over $400bn per year - without setting firm targets or a timetable. Unep says leaders should make specific moves on this in Rio. The summit - which marks 20 years since the Rio Earth Summit and 40 years since the very first UN environmental gathering in Stockholm - is likely to agree to develop a set of sustainable development goals (SDGs), a concept that Unep endorses.

It points out that factors such as air pollution and climate change are also imposing costs on the global economy - in the US, for example, air pollution is calculated to cut crop yields by $14-26bn each year.

“The moment has come to put away the paralysis of indecision, acknowledge the facts and face up to the common humanity that unites all peoples,” said Mr Steiner.

“Rio+20 is a moment to turn sustainable development from aspiration and patchy implementation into a genuine path to progress and prosperity for this and the next generations to come.”

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 73 • JUNE 14, 2012

5

AirAsia’s new flights to bring in more tourists P

HILIPPINES’ AirAsia launched a daily direct flight between Kuala Lumpur and Clark International Airport with the Davao International Airport as jump-off point in Mindanao, will draw more foreign tourists to the country.

Officials of the low cost carrier (LCC) said that by providing additional flights and cheaper fares, more tourists will be able to visit the country, which can boost the economy.

“If we are able to draw even a fraction of Malaysia’s yearly take of 24.5 million tourists, this will impact on our tourist arrival record for 2012, which means more jobs, more food on the table, and more opportunities for every Filipino,” AirAsia

Mining permits on hold in Davao City

T

HE Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) in the Davao Region has held in abeyance the Declaration of Mining Project Feasibility (DMPF) submitted by a foreign mining firm associated with the Nationwide Development Corporation (Nadecor).

MGB Regional Director Edilberto Arreza said MGB-11 has to set aside the DMPF of St. Augustine Gold and Copper Ltd. (SAGCL) due to some internal problems within the company.

He said each faction of SAGCL submitted its respective DMPF which puts MGB-11 in a quandary as to what document it should evaluate.

Pending the resolution of the internal problems, MGB-11 will continue to hold the DMPF of the mining firm, he said.

“I don’t want to be involved in whatever imbroglio within the mining firm, that’s why MGB decided to freeze the DMPF of SAGCL,” Arreza said.

He said with two DMPFs, it could not be ascertained as to which party is the legitimate one to transact business with MGB. A DMPF refers to the competence of a mining firm and its ability to implement a mining project. The lapses which marked the submission of the document reflected poorly on the professionalism of the firm submitting, according to industry sources.

MGB-11 said the deficiencies of the foreign firm in its DMPF are as follows: no incorporation papers filed with the regional office; nonregistration of SAGCL’s technical services agreement and onshore services with MGB’s Mining Tenement and Record Section; and failure to register SAGCL’s certificate authorizing the person submitting the documents.

Inc. CEO Maan Hontiveros said.

Based on the 2011 figures of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), tourism arrivals in the sub-region alone reached a staggering 74 million, with Malaysia cornering one-third of the arrivals or 24.5 million. Thailand came in second with 15.9 million, followed

by Singapore with 11.6 million, Indonesia with 7 million, and Vietnam with 5 million. The Philippines lagged behind its neighbors with a measly 3.5 million tourist arrivals.

The breakdown of the tourist arrivals in the respective countries would show that 47 percent of the tourists came from neighboring countries in the sub-region, while 10 percent came from the European Union and 7 percent from Mainland China.

“AirAsia is proud to be a truly ASEAN airline with established op-

erations based in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines, plus Japan, servicing a network stretching across all ASEAN nations,” Hontiveros said.

AirAsia Inc. is a joint venture between Filipino investors Antonio O. Cojuangco, Michael L. Romero, and Hontiveros, and Malaysia’s AirAsia International Ltd., a wholly-owned

subsidiary of AirAsiaBerhad.

“When Tony Fernandez, the man who built AirAsia, came here in March to attend our domestic launch, the Philippines, according to Tony, was the last piece on AirAsia’s ASEAN jigsaw puzzle. Indeed, we are, and we are about to shake up air travel and tourism in the region,” Hontiveros said.

Tourist Arrivals in 2011

Malaysia Thailand

Singapore

24.5

15.9 11.6

Indonesia

7

Vietnam

Philippines

5

* Figures in millions

3.5

Sto. Tomas adopts new biz licensing system

T

HE municipal government of Santo Tomas has committed to adopt the Business Permit and Licensing System (BPLS) Streamlining Program starting June this year.

Full implementation will be in January next year in time for the renewal of business permits.

The implementation of BPLS reforms is in consonance with Republic Act 9485 or “An Act to Improve Efficiency in Delivery of Government Service to the Public by Reducing Bureaucratic Red Tape, Preventing Graft and Corruption and Providing Penalties Therefore”. This is a partnership between the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). This took effect in 2010.

Mayor Maximo M. Estela, during the two-day BPLS orientation and workshop conducted

by DTI-11 here last May 23-24, said by adopting and implementing BPLS, he is optimistic about cornering more investments.

Estela said while the municipal government conducts one-stop-shop for business and investment registration, this is somehow limiting since it’s only being done every January.

With BPLS in place, the local government unit (LGU) adopting it operates a one-stop-shop year-round.

DTI trade and industry development specialist (TIDS) and BPLS point person Sarry L. Kinoc, Jr. said the commitment of the municipal mayor to integrate BPLS into their operation is a good start.

As an implementer of BPLS, LGUs get to enjoy some benefits particularly on generating more revenues, savings in resources, better information on business profiles, and improved image.

“Why improved image, then?

Let’s put it this way. When you are implementing BPLS, your LGU can be a model of good governance,” he said.

Meanwhile, Acting Municipal Administrator Charlemagne C. Fernandez said BPLS will definitely help the local government sustain investments. The municipal government recorded 1,800 business registrants last year.

“Kung naay BPLS, mas dali ang pagkuha’g business permit mao nang ma-sustain nato ang investments. Dako sya nga tabang sa performance sa LGUs (If BPLS is in place, getting business permit is easier, thus, investments will be sustained.

This will help a lot to the LGUs’ performance),” he said.

For the BPLS to be more efficient, DTI-Davao del Norte trade and industry development specialist Elmer Gingos said a Joint Inspection Team

(JIT) must be organized. It shall be composed of the Planning and Development Office, Building Office, Health Office, Fire Protection, Treasurer’s Office, and Mayor’s Office of the concerned city or municipality and some other agencies which the concerned LGU deems necessary.

“There are two things that can be done for the JIT to have a legal personality. First, an Executive Order may be issued by the Mayor. Second, an ordinance may be passed by the Sannguniang Panlungsod or Sangguniang Bayan,” he said.

By forming a JIT, Gingos said, red tape will be less as steps and signatories in processing a business permit will be streamlined. For instance, Digos City’s BPLS implementation has resulted to five steps from the previous years’ 17 steps. And the signatories have been reduced from two to one, since a unified form has already been used.

Since red tape will reduced, delivery of public service will be regarded as better. This therefore translates to higher collection of revenues and better investment climate.

Since its implementation in the region in 2010, DTI and DILG have already conducted 23 road shows and trainings throughout the region.

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

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

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

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

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

6

THE ECONOMY

Water hyacinth venture brings livelihood, peace

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RUE to their faith, a couple in this rustic first-class town of Pigcawayan in North Cotabato has proven their worth as the “reformers.”

They live ordinary lives, a hint of affluent lifestyle glaringly absent as they go on with their daily routine Barangay Capayuran, a farming village.

Meet Remegio and Julie Matalubos, the husband-andwife tandem who has been driving conflict-affected communities in the fringes of Liguasan Marsh to bolt in for peace. And through an ingenious way—by turning the menacing water hyacinths into organic fertilizers.

Water hyacinth is a major headache in Southwestern Mindanao and in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. An estimated 20 hectares of water hyacinth accumulated last year along the Rio Grande de Mindanao, causing massive flooding in Cotabato City and the provinces of North Cotabato and Maguindanao. The floods sent tens of thousands of people to evacuation centers with agricultural damage estimated to be at least P332 million.

For the couple, however, water hyacinths should not be considered a curse but a source of hope to alleviate poverty and help establish peace in conflict-affected communities.

Both members of the Seventh Day Adventists, they run the Grassroots Integral Development Initiative (GIDI) Natural Organic Fertilizer as part of their missionary works in the area.

Describing themselves as “reformers,” Mr. Matalubos said their venture involves the participation of rebels belonging to either the Moro Islamic Liberation Front or the Moro National Liberation Front.

“We coordinate with the commanders of both groups to gather water hyacinths in the Liguasan Marsh. In fact, some of the laborers are Moro rebels,” he said.

GIDI sources the water hyacinths from at least seven communities within Liguasan Marsh in the portions of the towns of Pigcawayan and Midsayap.

“It’s a big help to the community. It brings not only productivity but also unity among the residents,” Mr. Matalubos said.

Zayda Indayla, one of the suppliers of water hyacinths, hailed GIDI as a social enterprise that augurs well for the community, having involved husbands and wives and their children.

“It tremendously helped in making the communities peaceful. There’s not much trouble because people earn incomes,” Indayla said, noting that theft or robbery has also been reduced because residents have become productive.

GIDI’s organic venture also benefits the differently-abled persons as they are hired in the production of water hya-

cinths, said Ms. Indayla, whose husband is a soldier.

Children as young as 12 years old, with the consent of their parents, are also involved in the water hyacinth production chain.

“They seem to enjoy gathering the water hyacinths in the marsh. To them it’s like playing because they also swim,” she said.

A dried water hyacinth fetches P60 per sack.

Water hyacinth is the major component (about 60 to 70 percent) of the organic fertilizer that GIDI produces.

It is mixed with other organic materials like guano and phosphate rocks.

Those other ingredients are also abundant in North Cotabato, said Mr. Matalubos, noting the reserves have largely remained untapped for a century.

There are seventeen caves in the province, and we have only tapped three caves where we can get 200 bags from each daily, he said.

GIDI Natural Organic Fertilizer is a high-grade natural organic fertilizer made up of water hyacinth compost and century-old guano mined from the caves, a product briefer said.

It has high organic matter contents capable of supplying complete nutrients needed by a plant, it added.

The briefer also noted that besides giving long lasting nourishment to the plant, it improves the physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil.

GIDI sells the water hyacinth organic fertilizers for P250 per bag.

Mr. Matalubos, who formulated the mixture, said their main buyers so far are banana and sugar plantations operating in different provinces in Mindanao.

Its production plant is capable of producing at least 10,000 bags of organic fertilizers from water hyacinth a month.

The government, through the Department of Science and Technology, has extended technical and financial assistance to enhance the operation of GIDI. Using the water hyacinth organic fertilizers, GIDI also embarks on vermin-composting, which it sells at a much higher price of up to P400 per sack.

Mr. Matalubos said they are happy that they have become an instrument of peace even in just some conflict-affected communities in North Cotabato.

With the continued support from the communities and demand from the market, he expressed optimism on the sustainability of the venture.

And perhaps, GIDI’s venture, once replicated by others, may just be the answer in solving the water hyacinth menace that had submerged many communities in the region in floodwaters in the past. (BONG SARMIENTO/MINDANEWS)

VOL.5 ISSUE 73 • JUNE 14, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Solon urges gov’t to invest on SMEs to reduce poverty

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HE best way for Filipinos to reap the fruits of the country’s steady economic growth and reverse the rising number of unemployment is for the government to shun exclusive economic policies and invest more in creating an army of small and medium scale entrepreneurs, Ang Kasangga Partylist Rep. Teodorico Haresco said.

Haresco, vice-chair of the House Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship Development noted reports that the country’s unemployment rate grew by 10 points or about 4.1 million individuals in the last three months should already raise the alarm bells for economic policy makers as this is an ominous sign that the country’s economic growth is not being spread enough to the people.

“This report only shows that there is a disparity between economic growth and its actual benefit for our people. We can only spread the benefits of economic progress if we provide our people the opportunity to improve their way of life by giving them decent liveli-

Thousands flock to I-Day job fairs

T

HE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Independence Day job fair, dubbed ‘Kalayaan Job Fair’ held Tuesday at the Rizal Park in Manila, attracted thousands of job seekers.

Vice President Jejomar S. Binay, assisted by Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, cut the ceremonial ribbon officially opening the job fair right after the Freedom Day rites held at the Rizal Monument.

Job hopefuls, braving the early morning downpour, trooped to the Lagoon area of the Rizal Park as early as sunrise to grab the first opportunity of getting hired.

DOLE-NCR Director Andrea Cabansag said as of 9:30 in the morning, 1,600 applicants have registered to the DOLE registration booth, and 113 local and 36 overseas employers have thus far participated.

Cabansag also said at that same time, 25 have already been hired as customer service, production worker, cadet engineer, data encoder, office staff warehouse man and driver.

For overseas employment opportunities, the top destinations include Australia, Brunei, Singapore, Taiwan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Oman, Mozambique, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

hood,” Haresco said.

Haresco made this position as he unveiled Ang Kasangga’s latest innovation to provide livelihood to a greater number of people called the “ Rolling Kusina” project, a credit facility program which would be extended for those who want to run mobile eateries.

The “rolling kusina” kiosks are not only mobile which allows owners to reach their own desired market but would be also equipped with the basic amenities of a full-fledged restaurant.

“This project was launched by Ang Kasangga to provide rolling food kiosks for small entrepreneurs at very flexible loan arrangements. These projects are the things that we need to do to address unemployment,” Haresco said citing the latest SWS poll which shows the number of unemployed Filipinos went up from 9.7 Million in December last year to 13.8 Million in March this year.

The latest unemployment rate surpassed the previous record of 34.2 percent in February 2009.

According to the SWS, the

unemployed consisted of 13 percent retrenched, 15 percent resigned and six percent first-time job seekers.

Haresco said that government should embark on projects similar to Ang Kasangga›s “Rolling Kusina” as these types of small businesses have a good success rate.

He added that the Rolling Kusina business would suit women entrepreneurs, especially those familiar with the traditional household roles of budgeting, marketing, and cooking. This jives with further findings of the SWS survey, which showed that while unemployment rose by 12% for men - from 15.2% in December 2011 to 27.2% in March 2012 – the figures for women were much higher, going from 35.6% to 43% in the same period.

Haresco said each Rolling Kusina unit can be operated by up to three persons, “but the staff required to run the business will mean employment for at least another two more persons.”

“The Rolling Kusina

combines food business, and mobility. This allows it to go to where people and demand is, instead of viceversa. The idea is to extend the reach of a restaurant, increase the capacity utilization of its kitchen unit, and serve more people. In so doing, entrepreneurs can maximize income. This represents a new business opportunity and livelihood program aimed to benefit the partylist’s constituents, who are composed of entrepreneurs, micro, and small businessmen,” said Haresco.

As such, the earning potential is greater than that of a restaurant, carinderia, or sari-sari store since overhead is limited to gasoline, maintenance, and kitchen operations.

“These projects are practically immune even to the worst kind of recession,” said Haresco. He said that while President Aquino has been doing excellently well in managing the economy, his administration has to work really hard to make sure that the country›s steady economic growth would trickle down to the people.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.5 ISSUE 73 • JUNE 14, 2012

GAMECHANGERS

7

“We continue to learn as we grow.

There is always room for growth, and one cannot be too learned.”

Of bratwurst and frankfurters D

ABAWENYOS now enjoy sausages with names anyone can hardly pronounce like they have enjoyed it all their lives. They enjoy it too much that its no longer served exclusively during breakfast, like its distant relative, the redder than red hotdog. Even guests who come to the city search for this deli on both ends of town to horde their favorite cold cuts or indulge in an, err, sausage fest.

But that wasn’t the case a couple of decades ago. Bratwurst, franfurters, breakfast sausages, and what not were names that only those who have embarked on European trips or have reached a level of pretensiousness as to use the term. There was nothing like that in Davao or in its neighboring environs.

It was way back in 1997 when theater actress Rochelle and her husband Romano Venuti, decided to embark on introducing authentic European sausages to the Davao market.

“It was originally a collaboration, but eventually we decided to go our separate ways. It took a while to introduce it to the market but once it started, it just kept on going,” Rochelle said.

While a lot of people have yet to appreciate or even taste what they would refer to as humungous hotdogs, the number of Dabawenyos who have fallen in love with the wide array that

Swiss Deli offers continues to grow.

“Looking back at where we started, I can say that we have really come a long way. Now, we have lots of followers and ‘suki’,” Rochelle added.

But what made their products stand out in the market is the process involved in making it.

“Romano knows the recipes by heart and how it should taste like. We started the business to give Dabawenyos the opportunity to taste what the real sausages in Europe taste like. That’s why we try to make the sausages in the most authentic manner possible, as close as it could possibly get to the original. And we don’t put preservatives in it,” Rochelle said. “We are making a name for the company by the products that we have. We want our name to be synonymous with quality, and our products convey that message well.”

Now, Swiss Deli products are available as far as Pampanga and Manila in Luzon,

By Carlo P. Mallo Photo by Wrap Meting

Cebu, Bacolod, Boracay, Iloilo, and Bohol in the Visayas, and throughout the whole of Mindanao.

“It is very challenging to run a business, and to grow the business. It is very important that you have people who will help you take care

of it. It is impossible to run a company without you taking care of your own people,” Rochelle said.

Aside from the deli products, Swiss Deli has also two restaurants now in Davao City.

“We continue to learn

as we grow. There is always room for growth, and one cannot be too learned,” Rochelle said.

And if you are wondering which of the many sausages they have that she likes best, it’s the schublig. “It’s fat and juicy.”

8

VANTAGE POINTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 73 • JUNE 14, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Spy vs. spy at NYU OPINION

1

EDITORIAL

I

Animating the Lupang Hinirang

N CELEBRATION of the nation’s 114th Independence Day, the National Historical Commission released for public viewing and usage (for free), a one minute 38-second video of the “Lupang Hinirang.”

What makes this new version unique is that it is an animation of the national anthem depicting the history of the Philippines is its most simple yet significant way. The major events in history from our awakening to Christianity to the first and second world wars.

The new video is beautiful. It uses no political image nor highlighted a particular hero.

It shows the Filipinos’ rich

EDGEDAVAO

Providing solutions to a seamless global village.

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OLIVIA D. VELASCO General Manager

ALBERTO DALILAN Managing NEILWIN L. BRAVO Sports and Motoring ARLENE D. PASAJE Cartoons

heritage and our aspirations, captured in animated images.

The project was directed and animated by noted graphic novelist Arnold Arre and performed by Radioactive Sago Project.

The cadence of the anthem was retained according to its original make, with the extended introduction of percussions.

The animated video is a «gift» of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and Rock Ed Radio for the nation›s historic day.

Remarkably, the producers allow use of the video in appropriate ceremonies and bearing in mind the proper and due respect accorded the flag.

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

RAMON M. MAXEY Consultant

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

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

JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance

RICHARD C. EBONA IMELDA P. LEE Advertising Specialists

AGUSTIN V. MIAGAN JR Circulation

CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING OFFICE

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

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BY STEVEN BRILL

. Chen spy-versus-spy game: I’m guessing there must be a fun, streets-of-New-York story about Chinese spies (maybe people from the Chinese U.N. delegation) following New York University’s most famous student, Chen Guangcheng, as he makes his way around Manhattan – and about how American security personnel are not only guarding Chen but also keeping tabs on those spies. This could, after all, be a good way of flushing out Chinese operatives in the U.S. And I’m wondering what steps and countersteps have been taken having to do with the security of Chen’s computer, cell phone and any other digital devices he uses to communicate with friends and followers.

2. Troop suicide surge: What happens to the families?

AP’s disheartening report that suicides among U.S. troops this year came at the rate of nearly one a day and outpaced combat deaths in Afghanistan raises the question of what benefits the families of these fallen soldiers get. Standard life insurance usually doesn’t cover suicides.

What about death benefits for members of the military? What exactly are the benefits given to military families whose loved one dies while on active duty, whether through suicide or in battle?

And while we’re on the subject, if suicides are typically the result of mental illness, what are the policy arguments around whether they should be covered, in or outside the military?

3. The Big Board against Nasdaq: I’ve been waiting to read a story about how the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE Euronext) is moving to take market share from Nasdaq in the wake of the Facebook IPO fiasco. Beyond attacking Nasdaq’s $40 million plan to make up for traders’ Facebook losses by offering trading discounts to clients – with the claim that it’s inadequate and will give Nasdaq a marketing advantage – is the Big Board sending its sales force out to claim it could never screw things up the way Nasdaq did? Or is it simply laying back, assuming it doesn’t need to dance in Nasdaq’s end zone?

With that in mind, Nasdaq has obviously decided that the best defense is a good offense; last week it announced in a triumphant press release that it had lured Kraft Foods into switching to Nasdaq from the NYSE. I’d love to know what goodies Kraft got for making the switch, let alone for announcing it in the midst of Nasdaq’s troubles. Was this switch in the works before the blowup of the Facebook IPO? If so, what, if anything, did Nasdaq then do to save the deal?

I’ve always wanted to see a story about how these exchanges compete over a service that seems like a commodity; the Facebook aftermath obviously presents a great hook.

4. Jockeying over debate rules: Although aficionados of presidential politics tend to be mired in speculation over the mini-flap of the day (such as last week’s slip by President Obama that the private sector is “doing fine”), it’s time some reporter checked in on an infinitely more important story: What’s happening with the negotiations over the three scheduled presidential debates? With the first one scheduled for October 3 and the last for October 22 (with a vice-presidential showdown slated for October 11), and with the race likely to be too close to call by then, these debates, run by the bipartisan Commission on Presidential Debates, are almost certain to be decisive.

So which side is pushing for what kind of rules aimed at favoring their guy, and what’s the likely outcome?

EDGEDAVAO

Y

EARS ago the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) issued a pastoral letter about stealing. I could not remember the exact context of that pastoral letter, but it sort of argued that stealing, though illegal, may be morally justified if it is done to feed one’s starving family members.

My memory may have failed me, and I ask for apology from the CBCP for any inaccuracies in my recollection. But the point I like to raise is that there are acts of stealing whose motives are not intrinsically evil, and there are those that are unconscionable from their inception. As in other aspects of existence and relationships among mortals, there are situations where absolute rules have to be followed, and there are those that must be weighed based on circumstances.

R

EAD the Pacquiao articles of Edwin Espejo and Allen Estabillo, columnist and correspondent of MindaNews, respectively, writing in MindaNews online yesterday. They wrote on how Pacquiao lost and how the loss has been received locally. The loss should also be viewed from another angle.

Espejo had a detailed analysis of the fight and reported the reactions of the boxing fans in Las Vegas right after the announcement of the decision, of the boxing personalities and in international media showing how the loss was considered “a casino strip stick up” or more popularly, “a highway robbery”. Briefly, Pacquiao’s loss is that of the unbelievable case of a clear winner losing.

Of this Espejo said it well: “But sometimes that is how all boxing stories and personal glories are being played in the world stage.” Just a fight back, even among disappointed Filipinos, Pacquiao won by a split decision even if he was seen to have lost to Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez.

Just to add to Espejo’s observation on how surprises play in boxing, here’s how boxing analyst and commentator Patrick L. Stumberg of “Boxing News and Results” saw the fight. He used a “10-9” round-byround scoring – giving “10” to the winner, “9” to the loser – obviously, the standard scoring of the judges.

The running score by the rounds, all were won by Pacquiao except those in brackets: Round One: 10-9, Pacquiao (P); Two:[19-19]; Three: 29-28 (P); Four: 3937 (P); Five: 49-46 (P); Six: 59-55 (P); Seven: 69-64 (P); Eight: 79-73 (P); Nine: 89-82 (P); Ten: [98-92] (P); Eleven: [107102] (P); Twelve: [116-112] (P).

By the end of Round Twelve, Stumberg summed up the fight: “Good work late from Pacquiao, but methinks Bradley won the round but lost the fight.” [Bold supplied] The judges disagreed. The article ended: “Final Result: Bradley def. Pacquiao by split decision.”

Yet, before the announcement of the decision, Bradley himself told fight promoter Bob Arum he tried his best but failed to win and his trainer scored the fight giving eight rounds to Pacquiao. Of sports online reports we’ve downloaded, only that in the New York Times did not comment on the unfair decision.

Estabillo described how the more than 7,000 free live viewers at the Lagao gymnasium, including General Santos City

Monkey Business

VANTAGE POINTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 73 • JUNE 14, 2012

The eighth commandment That’s why the law judges the act of stealing or theft by the gravity of its effects on the parties wronged. As such, stealing another person’s money or belongings carries a penalty that is lesser compared to the crimes of corruption and plunder. When one robs his neighbor, he wrongs one man or one family. When a public official pockets government funds, he wrongs a whole nation.

There are acts of stealing too that may be worse than either corruption or plunder. It has had happened many times in this country. But perhaps nothing compares to the brazenness of what happened in 2004 and 2007, perpetrated by the same administration and for the same purpose – to steal an elective position from its rightful owner.

In 2004, the thievery left its mark in illegal phone calls to an election official.

The thief went on to rule for six more years, shielded by the same institution

that said not all thievery is immoral. They forgot that the culprit did not steal to feed a hungry family; she stole to feed her hunger for power.

In 2007, the thievery left its mark on election results that showed an improbable 12-0 sweep in Maguindanao in favor of the candidates sponsored by the same administration that maintained itself in power by stealing the vote in 2004. He sat on the stolen seat for four years, leaving less than two years for the legitimate owner to enjoy its warmth. He would then say that he never knew about the plot.

Indeed, even absurd excuses can be useful at times. Congressman Rodolfo Farinas has a word for it – palusot.

But last time I heard, it didn’t work with twenty senators. Maybe it will work with the voters in 2013? [MindaViews is the opinion section of MindaNews. H. Marcos C. Mordeno can be reached at hmcmordeno@gmail.com]

Pacquiao Lost; What Now? COMMENT PATRICIO P. DIAZ

Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio and South Cotabato First District Rep. Pedro Acharon Jr., cheered as Pacquiao dominated the fight but went out stunned by the split decision in favor of Bradley. They felt robbed and demanded a return match. By media reports that was the feeling nationwide.

Mayor Antonino-Custodio said “Pacquiao … [has] remained the champion in the eyes and hearts of residents here [who] believe he [has] successfully defended his World Boxing Organization welterweight belt against controversial winner American Timothy Bradley”. The city will give him a hero’s welcome when he comes home.

From this viewpoint, Pacquiao’s loss is sobering. He was cheered by the boxing fans when he scaled the ropes to express his respect for the judges’ decision.

He went down the ring on his feet unhurt.

Bradley, the champion of the two judges only, was in a wheel chair for a check-up at the hospital.

This is the other angle at which the loss must be viewed. So, what now?

The national clamor is for a rematch.

Pride is at the driver’s seat. Pacquiao’s mother, Dionisia, is furious; she has sounded the bugle call: Charge! That is not a problem; there is a rematch clause in the contract of this last fight.

What for is the rematch? For Pacquiao to knock out Bradley – to prove he is the real champion. Pacquiao promised that in appeasing his angry fans.

What is there to prove? It is Bradley, not Pacquiao, who has to prove he is the real champion. Virtually all, except the two judges, consider Pacquiao still the champion. Why give Bradley that chance? Let that two-judge championship belt hang on his neck like the legendary albatross.

Is Pacquiao sure to knock out Bradley in a rematch? He promised to do that in their first fight. He failed! What assurance does he have to do it in the rematch? Bradley also has pride. And, he has the youth and hunger for glory. In the rematch, he will prepare hard to prove the two judges right – he is the real champion, not Pacquiao.

Only one person is the sure winner in the rematch: Bob Arum. He will earn more

millions of dollars. He brazenly said that when he announced to the press there will be a rematch.

What now? Pacquiao should sober down. His mother and fans should sober down. They must all weigh the wisdom of retirement.

First: He will retire as still the champion in the eyes, hearts and minds of the boxing fans and the world – leaving Bradley to carry for life the stigma of being the champion of the two judges only.

Second: At 32 or 33, he is at the ripe age to retire from boxing and young enough to chart a new life with the billions of pesos he has rightfully earned.

On retiring from boxing, Pacquiao must take a leave from politics and away from his fawning and scheming so-called political advisers to discern whether to continue or abandon the political path. He should be wise and humble enough to admit his failure as congressman. What has he done? With his billions and immense popularity, he may be reelected or win as governor of Sarangani. But what can he do?

Perhaps, it’s best for him to retire from boxing and politics and with his billions go into private life and business freed, as he has avowed, from the vices which he himself has admitted – obviously bred by the bad and opportunistic association that sudden wealth and popularity has brought. It might be best for him to promote boxing among the youth of General Santos City and Sarangani.

He is gifted as a boxer. He developed this gift and became the best in the world not by accident but by rigorous training for each fight.

Is he gifted as a political leader? If he is, he can develop this only by learning – learning from the academe, the practical art of leadership, and the actual immersion in the social, economic and political problems of the people and the country.

Getting elected through sheer popularity then spending his time not in Congress and with his constituents but training to defend his world boxing titles is not the way to develop political leadership even if he is gifted with one.

Of Pacquiao’s loss, President Aquino III said that “defeat is an opportunity to become better and reach greater heights”.

Obviously, the President is referring to boxing. We hope he means more. [Patricio P.Diaz/MindaNews]

9

Saving our kids’ lives SPECIAL FEATURE

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BY LUE THI THUC

HE child survival gap within and between countries can be narrowed if proven and cost-effective interventions for pneumonia and diarrhea are scaled up to reach the most disadvantaged children, according to a new report from UNICEF. The report, Pneumonia and diarrhea: Tackling the deadliest diseases for the world’s poorest children, focuses on the two diseases as two primary killers of children under the age of five.

“Scaling up simple interventions could overcome two of the biggest obstacles to increasing child survival, help give every child a fair chance to grow and thrive,” said Anthony Lake, UNICEF Executive Director.

In Viet Nam, as many as 7 per cent of children under five had diarrhea in the past two weeks. More than a half of the children with diarrhea received oral rehydration salts (ORS), and 70 per cent received ORS or homemade treatment.

Meanwhile, over 3 per cent of children age 0-59 months were reported to have had symptoms of pneumonia during the last two weeks. Of these children, 73 per cent were taken to an appropriate healthcare provider, and 68 per cent received antibiotics for suspected pneumonia.

A simple and effective way to safeguard babies from disease is exclusive breastfeeding. Yet less than one in five infants younger than six months of age in the country are exclusively breastfed, depriving them of this critical protection.

Limited access to decent sanitation also continues to put millions of children at risk of contracting diarrheal diseases.

In Viet Nam, an estimated 6.5 per cent of the population resort to open defecation and close to half of the population in rural areas do not use sanitation facilities.

In addition, only 70 per cent of poorest households in Viet Nam have a handwashing place where water and soap is available in their homes, while close to 98 per cent of the richest households have a hand-washing place available.

“Child deaths from pneumonia and diarrhea can be significantly reduced by tackling these problems and focusing efforts on the poorest communities,” said Lotta Sylwander, UNICEF Viet Nam Representative.

“Through this, the tremendous progress in reducing the number of child deaths each year in Viet Nam can be accelerated, saving even more lives.”

Luu Thi My Thuc, a doctor at the National Hospital of Pediatrics, said changeable weather recently made children suffering from respiratory diseases increased.

On peak days, each doctor must examine nearly 100 children per day whereas on normal days he/she examine about 20 only.

“Parents let their children stay in rooms with air conditioners thus the children cannot adapt to hot weather when they get out of the rooms,” she said.

As many as 80 per cent of children having examines for respiratory diseases must be hospitalized for pneumonia.

The country’s mortality rates among children under five decreased dramatically from 51 per 1,000 births in 1990 to 23 per 1,000 births in 2010. Pneumonia and diarrhea was accounted for 12 per cent and 10 per cent of the under-5 deaths, respectively. [PNA/VNS]

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SUBURBIA

VOL.5 ISSUE 73 • JUNE 14, 2012

SM Foundation launches Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan at GenSan

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Turnover of seedling from SM and HarBest to the local government of General Santos City marked the official start of the Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan Farmers Training Program in Brgy. Ligaya, General Santos City last June 7, 2012. In the photo are (L-R): City Agriculturist Merlinda Donasco, DA Area Program Region XII Coordinator Jocelyn Mysterio, Hon. Romy Pagaduan of

Brgy. Ligaya, Chairperson on Committee of Food and Agriculture Councilor Eduardo Leyson IV, SM Asst. Vice-President for Operations in Mindanao Ms. Debby A. Go, SMFI. Asst. Vice-President for Livelihood and Outreach Program Cristie S. Angeles and HarBest Agribusiness Corporation President Arsenio Barcelona.

Bayanihan marks freedom day

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ITY OF TAGUM, DAVAO DEL NORTE - Volunteerism is the new heroism.

Employees of the city government here engaged in a whole day bayanihan to mark the celebration of the 114th year of the declaration of Philippine Independence last June 12, 2012 at the Fabrication Section of the Tagum City Motorpool, Tipaz, Barangay East.

Mayor Rey T. Uy led the city hall employees from all the departments and other civic society organizations in sandpapering and painting of chairs in support of his Care for School Chairs (CFSC) program which was able to distribute more than 45,000 pieces of chairs from August 2011 up to this writing.

The local chief executive stressed that one of the bedrocks of genuine independence is quality education and the chairs that are produced through the CFSC program is a key factor towards reaching it.

“We are happy because the chairs that we painted today will make a lot of children happy and even though it’s a holiday, at least we had made our little contribution in making

EDGEDAVAO

a difference in the learning of these children,” said Venus Araneta, one of the many employees who took part in the event.

Meanwhile, dark clouds enveloped the sky causing intermittent rains last June 12 but this did not hamper Tagumeños to join the whole nation in the observance of the 114th year of the declaration of Philippine Independence.

Organized by the Department of EducationDivision of Tagum City, this year’s celebration kicked off with a Holy Mass at the Parish of Christ the Eucharistic King which was immediately followed by a mammoth parade participated by elementary and high school students coming from selected schools in the city.

Mayor Uy along with other city officials led in the wreath-laying ceremony in front of the city seal and during the flag-raising ceremony, which was witnessed by a huge crowd who assembled in front of the old city hall along Rizal Street.

Relatives of the war veterans based in Tagum also took part in the event.

This year’s celebration is anchored on the theme:

A huge crowd coming from the different sectors of the society assembled in front of the City Hall of Tagum for this year’s celebration of the 114th year of Philippine Independence. This was taken during the Wreath Laying “Pag Alay ng Bulaklak” at the Tagum City Seal. [PHOTO BY LEO TIMOGAN OF CIO TAGUM.]

“Kalayaan: Pananagutan ng Bayan para sa Tuwid na Daan.” “Freedom: The Accountability of a Sovereign Nation of Responsible Citizentry.”

City Councilor Maria Lina F. Baura served as the program’s guest speaker, urging the crowd to set a good example so that this country can move forward.

The lady solon shared to the students the main points stated in the “12 Little Things Every Filipino Can Do to Help our Country” penned by Atty. Alex Lacson.

A battery of nationalistic performances— makabayang awitin, tula, balagtasan and sayaw— were exhibited during the program held at the city’s freedom park with school children taking the center stage.

The program was capped with the planting of national flags led by Mayor Uy and DepEd Schools Division Superintendent Nenita E. Lumaad in the artistically-structured Philippine map using banana chunks.

Prior to the June 12 festivities, a Pre-Kalayaan Job Fair was also held June 11, 2012 at the NCCC Mall Tagum which was spearheaded by the City Government of Tagum through the Public Employment Service Office (PESO).

The said job fair resulted to 348 qualified and hired-on-the-spot applicants out from the 1, 168 registered applicants. PESO Tagum said the whole day event offered 7, 856 combined local and overseas job vacancies from 32 local agencies and 13 overseas recruiters. [LOUIE LAPAT/EDWIN OF CIO TAGUM]

AST June 7, SM Foundation Inc., the social of SM Group of companies, launched its 43rd Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan Farmers Training at Brgy. Ligaya, General Santos City. The livelihood program headed

by SMFI AVP Cristie Angeles is among the other programs of the SM Foundation which includes projects on Health and Medical, Scholarship and Education, and Religious.

“The Farmers Training here in Brgy Ligaya in General Santos City is and expression of SM’s commitment in bringing about growth and development in the city,” says SM AVP for Mindanao Operations Debby Go. SM City General Santos is one of the most anticipated development in the city which is expected to open soon.

The livelihood program will afford over a hundred local famers 12 weeks of technical and

hands-on training from HarBest Agribusiness Corporation. The farmerparticipants will learn new technology on application of fertilizers, soil amendments, and the use of other water-soluble products through an irrigation system. Efficient use of water, lower labor cost and better yield are some of its benefits.

The program ultimately aims to equip farmers with not only modern farming practices for high-value crop farming but also the business aspect of the industry. Farmer participants are from different Barangays in General Santos City such as Brgy. Batomelong, Brgy. Katangawan, and Brgy. Olympog.

The training, which is also made possible by the Department of Agriculture, City Agriculturist’s Office and the local government of General Santos, will start on June 19 and will be culminated first week of September.

Happy with a Huge Smile - School children jubilate as they wave Philippine flags during the “Parada ng Kalayaan” marking the city’s observance of the 114th Philip-

pine Independence Day last June 12, 2012 at the main street of the city. [PHOTO BY LEO TIMOGAN OF CIO TAGUM]

City of Mayor Rey T. Uy and Vice Mayor Allan L. Rellon led in the flag-raising ceremony during the city’s observance of the 114th Philippine Independence Day last June 12,

2012 in front of the City Hall in Rizal Street.

City of Tagum Mayor Rey T. Uy led in the planting of flags in the artistically-structured Philippine Map using banana chunks. Also shown here are Vice Mayor Allan L. Rellon, City Councilors De Carlo “Oyo” Uy and Maria Lina

F. Baura, City DILG Director Eliza P. Mendoza, Mrs. Delia B. dela Cruz and personnel from the Department of Education. [PHOTO BY LEO TIMOGAN OF CIO TAGUM]

[PHOTO BY

LEO TIMOGAN OF CIO TAGUM]

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VOL.5 ISSUE 73 • JUNE 14, 2012

Eden Nature Park celebrates Dad’s Day

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IVE back some love to your dad on Father’s Day, June 17 (Sunday) with Eden Nature Park and Resort’s great outdoor adventures.

Treat your dad - and the rest of the family with an al fresco dining and fishing at the Fishing Village; go gliding on rocket-speed at the Sky Rider; trek the woods along the Boulder Trail;

and explore the 80-hectare nature reserve while on a shuttle tour.

After an actionpacked day, treat your dad with a buffet feast at the Vista Restaurant and an overnight stay at any of the resort’s worldclass accommodations.

Make this Father’s Day the ultimate funfilled bonding moment with the man of the

house, only at Eden Nature Park and Resort.

For reservations, call or visit the Sales Office at Matina Town Square, Matina or call tel. nos.

299.0313/299.1020/ 296.0791, mobile no.

918.930.7590, email info@edennaturepark.com.ph. Check out their website at www. edennaturepark.com.ph.

Like us on Facebook.

erations in Region 11. (Left photo) PRO11 Regional Director, PCSUPT JAIME H MORENTE graces the opening ceremony of the training held at MAPIO Function Room, Catitipan, Davao City on June 11, 2012.(Right photo) PSUPT. NINO DAVID RABAYA, Asst.

Team Leader of the NHQ PNP Mobile Training Team,

gives lecture on LOI 35/10 “Saklolo Revised” and PNP Disaster Response Checklist. Said event was participated by the representatives from different Police Provincial Offices of PRO 11. The well-timed training’s highlight will be the Disaster Response Drill Competition on June 15, 2012.

Pro11 conducts a five-day disaster preparedness, rescue and relief operations training.

P

OLICE Regional Office 11 conducts a Five-Day Disaster Preparedness, Rescue and Relief Operations Training, which runs from June 11, 2012 to June 15, 2012.

Said training is purposely designed to prepare Police Rescue Units for disaster response and deployment in search and rescue op-

COMMUNITY SENSE 11

12 NATION/WORLD NATION BRIEFS

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Visit

UEEN Sofia of Spain is set to visit the country next month, Spanish Ambassador Jorge Domecq said yesterday.

In an interview with government-run television PTV-4, Domecq said the Queen will meet with President Aquino and check on the Spanish government’s development programs in the country during her visit.

US assistance

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HE US military said Tuesday it planned to help the Philippines monitor its coastal waters as Manila faces an escalating dispute with China over territorial claims.

The Pentagon revised earlier comments and said there was no firm plan to deliver a land-based radar to the Philippines, but that a radar could be part of future assistance.

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Scholarship

scholarship program of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) offers 200 slots for children of low-salaried government workers for school year 2012-2113.

GSIS president and general manager Robert Vergara has invited low-income government workers to nominate their children for inclusion in the GSIS College Scholarship Program. The deadline for the filing of applications for the scholarship is June 30.

Straight path

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RESIDENT Benigno S. Aquino III called Tuesday on all Filipinos to help his administration work for progress and prosperity through the straight and righteous path. Aquino also called on nations in the region to cooperate and work together for peace and prosperity.

During his message at the Vin d’Honneur in celebration of the 114th anniversary of Philippine Independence held at Malacanang, the President said: “Today, we renew our commitment to work for the good of the country. And it falls on us-from those of us in government to our countrymen on the streets of our cities-to work together so we can realize our shared goals.”

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Canadian boy on a mission to build schools for Filipinos B

WORLD TODAY

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OMEO Berard II of Winnipeg, Canada may only be 16, but he already has a life mission --- i.e., to make sure that every Filipino child will be able to go to school.

Berard is currently embarking on a five-month tour of the Philippines and other Asian countries to raise awareness for his education campaign. The other countries listed in his itinerary are South Korea, Vietnam, China, Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Thailand, Cambodia and Laos.

He said his parents were at first skeptical of his idea. “They told me that if I could get a job and prove my maturity, they would allow me to go.”

With that challenge in mind, Berard worked part-time for an international Internet streaming company. This he did even while studying at the University of Winnipeg’s high school program.

After working for five months, he was able to save enough money to push through with his original plan.

Interviewed in Quezon City recently, Berard said being surrounded by older people (he is an only son) throughout his life made him more mature.

Interested in history and world affairs, Berard plans to take up political

Romeo Berard (second from right) in a neighborhood he has immersed with. science before pursuing a law degree. He considers himself liberal politically although he lists former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, a conservative, as one of his life inspirations.

Berard said having Filipino friends from his hometown sparked his interest in the Philippines, adding that he has “never met a happier race!”

“I have always admired the Philippines,” he explained, making particular mention of the Filipinos’ hospitality. “I have read a lot about its culture, history, politics, and geography.”

A few weeks before Berard began his five-month

sojourn to Asia, he established The Shining Leaders Foundation (TSLF), a charity organization that aims to address the issues facing children in the developing world, with emphasis on education.

The foundation intends to put up at least one education facility per year in such countries, beginning with the Philippines.

TSLF plans to enlist the help of private companies, schools, government officials, non-government organizations, and ordinary people.

“We are going to accept contributions from anyone, regardless of religious or political affiliation,” Berard said. “If the person’s inten-

tion is to help, why not?”

TSLF will soon have a website, and Berard plans to have it officially registered once he returns to Canada by September.

Berard has toured a number of provinces to speak to government officials, school leaders, and other community stakeholders about his project.

Among those he spoke to were Senator Aquilino Pimentel III and Governor Arthur Defensor of Iloilo.

Maasin, Iloilo Mayor Mariano Malones for his part pledged to match 50 percent of whatever money Berard’s group can raise for his constituency. Berard left for Vietnam last June 7.

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D

milestone in the political changes that have swept through the country formerly known as Burma since decades of outright military rule ended last year, bringing to power a new quasi-civilian government.

“I would like to do my

best for the interests of the people,” Suu Kyitold reporters before her plane left Yangon airport.

She will visit Switzerland, Norway, Britain, France and Ireland on her more than two week tour, which will include a speech in Oslo for her 1991 Nobel

Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi (C) is surrounded by media representatives ahead of her departure at Yangon International Airport, on June 13. Suu

Kyi left Myanmar on her first trip to Europe since 1988 to formally accept the Nobel Peace Prize that thrust her into the global limelight two decades ago.

[VERA FILES]

Peace Prize.

She leaves as western Myanmar is rocked by sectarian tensions between Buddhists and Muslim Rohingya that President Thein Seinhas warned could disrupt the country’s fragile reform process.

A spokesman for Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy partysaid the former political prisoner had instructed him to work “to help both sides equally” before she left for Europe.

Suu Kyi is due to speak at an International Labour Organization conference, address Britain’s parliament and receive an Amnesty International human rights award in Dublin from rock star Bono.

Suu Kyi will also join a “family reunion” in Britain, according to her party.

For years, the opposition leader did not dare leave the country -- even to see her sons or British husband before his death from cancer in 1999 -- fearing the ruling generals would not let her return.

Asking

O far, President Barack Obama has not been able to convince most Americans that they are better off than they were four years ago. His next step may be to try to convince them that they would be worse off under his Republican rival, Mitt Romney.

In an economic speech on Thursday that could set the tone for months of campaigning, Obama is not likely to unveil new ideas to boost the economy and create new jobs, according to Democrats familiar with the preparations for the address.

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Winner

HOT US lawmaker Gabrielle Giffords’s former aide Ron Barber won an election to succeed her in Congress, in a disappointment for Republicans hoping for an upset ahead of November ballots.

With 86 percent of votes counted Barber, a Democrat like Giffords, had won 52 percent against 45 for Republican Jesse Kelly in the election, triggered by Giffords’s decision to step down after last year’s deadly shooting rampage.

Suu Kyi leaves Myanmar on historic Europe trip C

E M O C R A C Y icon Aung San Suu Kyi left Myanmar Wednesday on her first trip to Europe since 1988 to formally accept the Nobel Peace Prize that thrust her into the global limelight two decades ago.

Her visit marks a new

Attacks

OMBINGS and shootings in and around Baghdad killed at least 12 people on Wednesday, while two car bombs in the central Iraq city of Hilla killed 13, officials said.

Security and medical officials said the Baghdad victims died in a spate of nine bombings and two shootings, which also left dozens of people wounded.

Increase

OREIGN direct investment (FDI) climbed 72.4 percent in the first quarter of the year on the back of the country’s sound macroeconomic fundamentals despite concerns over the deepening sovereign debt crisis in Europe, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported yesterday.

BSP Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said that FDI inflows reached $850 million from January to March or $357 million higher compared to the $493 million recorded in the same period last year as investor sentiment continued to improve.

EDGEDAVAO

Shipped

HINA shipped missile launch vehicles to North Korea last year in breach of UN resolutions, but was never rebuked because the US did not want to embarrass Beijing, a Japanese newspaper said on Wednesday.

The report, based on Japanese government sources, is the most strident of recent claims that China has been involved in helping to arm its wayward ally after earlier allegations Beijing supplied technology.

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Strife-torn

top UN envoy arrived in strife-torn western Myanmar on Wednesday as security forces grappled with sectarian violence that has left dozens dead and hundreds of homes burned down.

A state of emergency has been declared in Rakhine state, which has been rocked by a wave of rioting and arson, posing a major test for the reformist government which took power last year. A dusk-todawn curfew has been imposed in many areas.

13 Old Spanish Fort eyed for preservation EDGEDAVAO

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HE old Spanish fort of Pikit which recently has been declared as a national historical landmark is being eyed for further preservation efforts by the local government of North Cotabato.

Governor Emmylou Taliño said that the municipal local government has put up a memorandum banning the building of new structures inside the fort which was built by the Spanish Army in 1893 part of a series of fortifications aimed to consolidate Spanish control in central Mindanao.

Built by stone it had

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two towers with artillery batteries and a rubble wall 38 meters a side. It was designed to house one Spanish officer, 60 infantrymen and 6 artillerymen.

The towers and the rubble wall can still be seen at the site which is located at the back of the Pikit Municipal Hall.

According to the Governor Taliño there has been many modern interventions introduced in the old Spanish Fort which served as a military camp in recent years.

She likened the Fort as a small intramuros which unfortunately has

been neglected for many years.

Joey E. Recimilla, Technical Working Group Chairman for the preservation of Fort Pikit said that after Spanish troops left it was used as an encampment for American soldiers, a Philippine Constabulary barracks, a garrison for Japanese soldiers in World War II then by the Philippine Army.

A unit of the Philippine Marines occupied the camp until they left in 2007. Currently the old Fort is unoccupied.

Taliño said that she is planning to document the fort and submit the neces-

sary papers to the Spanish embassy hopeful that it could be included in a Spanish government’s program of restoring old Spanish structures in its then colonies.

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) through a Resolution No. 7 series of 2012 declared Fort Pikit a National Historical Landmark. These after a team from the NHCP conducted ground validation, site visit and investigation of historical facts in March of this year.

The Governor is hopeful that the restoration and development of

FFROM 1

ter from impounding and causing massive destruction across town should it overflow.

Floodwaters have already subsided today although officials have yet to assess the damage to crops and properties, he added.

Kalamansig is a coastal town about four hours via Cotabato City or seven hours from Koronadal City, the seat of government of Region 12.

At least 2,460 families have been affected by the flashflood in Kalamansig, according to a report from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

A shallow low-pressure area was spotted Tuesday in Mindanao and was estimated to be at 210 kilometers east of Northern Mindanao as of 2 a.m. Wednesday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.

Pagasa projected cloudy skies with scattered to widespread rainshowers and thunderstorms in Mindanao for the rest of Wednesday, and warned of possible flashfloods and landslides.

In Glan, Sarangani, two persons died while another one remains missing, Mayor Victor James B. Yap said.

He identified the fatalities as Segapo Cabigding, 63, of Barangay Cross in Glan and Rolando Mata, 40, from Barangay Calumpang in General Santos City.

Cabigding reportedly drowned after being carried away by rushing floodwaters that swept a portion of Purok 5 in Barangay Cross at around 6:45 am.

Mata reportedly drowned after a storm surge destroyed their motorized banca while they were fishing off the coast of Glan Tuesday morning.

the fort can help in promoting tourism in the place.

Asik Asik Falls Development Aside from restoring Fort Pikit, the provincial government of North Cotabato is developing the newly discovered AsikAsik Falls in Alamada town.

Governor Taliño said that she has allocated P1.5 million for development of the place. P1.2 million will be for the construction of comfort rooms, spring development, bamboo walkway and relocation of commercial structures to the

PHL...

higher grounds.

P300,000 has been allocated as a subsidy to the barangay and local government for six months as the development is set to commence.

The Provincial Government is also fixing the roads to the site which is 25 kilometers away from the National Highway.

Asik-Asik Falls is actually a vertical spring.

Water gushes out of the cracks in the stone cliff which shields an aquifer, this is unlike traditional waterfalls where a body of water like a river or stream plunges off from a cliff.

FFROM 1 Meantime, Police Officer 2 Ruel Balanag, Glan police station spokesman, said in a radio interview that the storm surge destroyed and capsized a total of five motorized bancas off the town’s coastal waters Tuesday morning.

He said 54 fishermen, who were mostly residents of this city and nearby Maasim town in Sarangani, have been so far rescued by the Philippine Coast Guard and local government rescue teams but five of them remained missing.

An MDRRMC report identified one of the missing fishermen as Rani Pregoner, 15, of Barangay Kabatiol, Maasim.

Maasim Mayor Arturo Lawa said 27 of the rescued fishermen from his town have already returned home late Tuesday night through assistance from the local government of Glan.

Lawa said the Maasim MDRRMC is presently coordinating with officials of Glan and other concerned government agencies to help locate the missing fishermen from his town.

“We’ve also dispatched our patrol boats to the area to assist in the search and rescue operations,” he said, adding he has directed all barangay chairs to inform him of any other fishermen still missing in their barangays.

“The search and rescue operations are presently ongoing as there are still a number of fishermen who remained unaccounted and still missing,” Yap said.

Nearly 600 individuals have been affected by the flashfloods in Glan town, Yap reported.

The flashfloods totally destroyed 162 houses and partially damaged 111 others in Glan, he added.

Floods in Maasim, which was also battered by huge waves, have af-

fected 118 families, Lawa said.

In a media advisory from the Sarangani Information Office released noontime Wednesday, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) reported that 63 fishermen mostly from Maasim were either washed ashore in Glan or rescued by the Coast Guard in different parts of Sarangani Bay as a shallow low pressure area caused heavy rains early Tuesday (June 12).

As of 3pm today, an advisory from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said the number of missing persons reported has reached 88, two in Glan and 86 in Maasim, but 75 were already rescued.

“A total of 568 families in three barangays of Glan (Pangyan, Big Margus and Cross) were affected by flashfloods that occurred in those barangays at around 6am,” said PDRRMO head Ben Solarte.

“Municipal and provincial teams headed by Governor Dominguez and Mayor Tata proceeded to the area affected and distributed emergency food assistance as belongings of affected families including food got soaked with water or contaminated with mud,” Solarte said.

Citing a report from the Glan MDRRMC, Yap said the flashfloods mainly affected Barangays Cross, Small Margus, Pangyan, Big Margus and Poblacion.

He said 192 families in Big Margus, 126 in Pangyan and 250 in Cross or a total of 568 were so far displaced by the floods.

A total of 162 houses, most of which were in Barangay Cross, were totally destroyed while 111 others sustained partial damages, he said.

The MDRRMC initially placed the damage to properties and infrastruc-

ture in the area at about P7.2 million.

Among the damaged infrastructure was the main approach of the Pangyan bridge that was valued at about P1 million.

Yap said the affected residents have taken temporary shelter in barangay halls and gymnasiums and were being assisted

by MDRRMC personnel.

He said the MDRRMC and the provincial government led by Sarangani Gov. Miguel Rene Dominguez initially delivered food and relief items to the affected areas late Tuesday afternoon.

“The floodwaters have so far subsided but our personnel were still checking whether it’s now safe for the evacuees to return to their homes,” Yap said.

The mayor said he has directed the MDRRMC and the municipal council to convene today to further assess the situation in the affected areas and declare the town under the state of calamity.

“We need to make this declaration so we can augment our relief operations and allocate funds for the immediate repair of the damaged infrastructure,” he said.

The PDRRMC advisory issued this afternoon said that Glan has declared a state of calamity.

Yap said the declaration was prompted by reports from barangay captains that 16 more barangays have also been affected, although they were still assessing the situation.

In Kidapawan City in North Cotabato, 126 families have been affected by flashfloods, the NDRRMC said.

Elsewhere in Mindanao, flashfloods also hit Malaybalay City and Lantapan, both in Bukidnon province, it added. [BONG SARMIENTO AND ALLEN ESTABILLO, WITH REPORTS FROM H. MARCOS C. MORDENO/ MINDANEWS]

tion continues to grow.

“In 2010, the mineral production was at P112 billion and in 2011 it grew to P122.5 billion,” he said.

However, Paye also conceded that with the “numerous constraints” faced by the mining sector, the natural resources failed to usher the country’s development.

“Mura tag pulubi nga nagalingkod sa bulawan nga bato,” Paye said.

6-point Agenda Board of Mining Engineers chair Cornelio Casido said the mining sector awaits President Benigno Aquino III’s six-point mining agenda.

“There will be a new revenue sharing scheme between the local and national that would hopefully still encourage mining that is of course in line with social responsibility to the people in mining communities and the environment,” Casido added.

Last April 26, in a meeting hosted by the Makati Business Club, a government policy statement was presented to mining stakeholders, revealing a glimpse into Aquino’s mining policy: • Ensure responsible mining’s contribution to the country’s sustainable development, i.e., economic and social growth and environmental protection; • Adopt international best practices to promote good governance integrity in the sector; • Ensure the protection of the environment by adopting technically and scientifically sound and generally accepted methods, as well as indigenous best practices; • Enforce the primacy of national laws over local issuances to harmonize laws, policies, and regulation; • Ensure a fair, adequate and equitably shared economic benefit for the country and the people; and • Deliver efficient and effective management of the mining sector.

MGB Region 11 director Edilberto Arriza expressed

hope that President Aquino’s new policy on mining would also address the conflicting policies of local governments and the national government.

“We are hoping that by the end of June ma-release na itong policy on mining.

Our main concern is whether it would answer how the country can increase its mining revenue, and itong conflicts between the local laws and itong sa national,” he said.

“We also hope it would address the social problem on small-scale mining without totally banning their practice. It is a wrong perception that the government does not want small-scale miners because we do encourage them for registration and we provide them with assistance on safety precautions,” he added.

PSME national president Ceasar Lao-as said that mining should not be viewed as an ‘evil industry.’

“The fact is mining is essential for any country to progress. Do you think there will be buildings without steel? There is a misconception against mining as environmentally degrading but look at it this way, subdivisions are spreading in the region and they need to cut down trees for space but they are not viewed wrongly,” he said.

“The simple point of communications, we need copper for telecommunications equipments and for making new technologies and these come from mining.

It is a given that there is a need for responsible mining.

Mining can contribute to the economy but this should be with a minimal environmental risk,” he added.

The Mining Engineers’ Convention gathered 34 mining companies and mining service providers based in and outside the region.

A key activity today is a mining symposium with Vice President Jejomar Binay as the identified guest.

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VOL.5 ISSUE 73 • JUNE 14, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Toril wins Powerade Interclub title T

ORIL Tennis Club came out on top of the hotly contested 3rd Powerade Interclub Tennis Tourrnament which recently concluded at the Eco 2 Tennis Club courts.

Toril Tennis Club, led by president Ben Dulla, turned back the challenge of host club Eco 2 under club president and concurrent Philta XI-B regional vice president Engr. Carol Angel. Toril won six matches out of 11 to escape with a 6-5 victory over the Eco netters.

Powerade-backed tournament which began in March was contested by a strong field of ten clubs from all over Davao region.

The Interclub, the big-

gest club tennis tournament in the region, has distinguished itself as the premier club event and is organized

by Davao Association of Tennis Clubs (DATEC) under Col. Palawan Macadindang of Tagum Tennis Club. Backing up the tournament for the

third year is Coca Cola Bottlers Philippines, Inc., makers of Powerade.

Meantime, Angel bared that DATEC will be holding

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ing the midfield to prevent any Matao attack. It didn’t take long for the nationals to score, as Angel Guirado blasted a goal outside the box at the eighth minute, while Carli de Murga fired another one at the 12th minute to give the Philippines an early 2-0 lead.

But things got precarious for the Azkals in the 23rd minute, as they were forced to play with only 10

men after Rob Gier sustained a head injury due to an accidental headbutt with a Guam player. Matao took advantage and had two scoring chances after that, but both misfired.

Gier, however, returned and made his presence immediately felt on the defensive end after preventing a breakaway goal by Guam at the 31st minute.

The Philippines con-

Angel Guirado (12), shown here with Phil Younghusband (10) and Chieffy Caligdong (13), scored two goals against Guam.

Manny Pacquiao’s controversial loss will be probed by US Senator Harry Reid of Nevada.

further strengthen the association and line up our activities and programs for the incoming year,” Angel said.

(NEIL BRAVO)

POWERADE TENNIS. Philta Region XI-B vice president Engr. Carol Angel leads the participants of the recent 3rd Powerade Interclub Tennis Tournament during the awarding ceremonies held at Eco 2 Tennis Club courts. Toril TC won the tournament over Eco 2.

Azkals defeat Guam 3-0 FTER being held to draws in its two last matches, the Philippine national men’s football team didn’t have a hard time against a younger Guam side, pulling away with a 3-0 victory in their friendly Tuesday night at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City.

The Azkals stamped its class throughout the match, attacking in every possession and dominat-

its general assembly and election of officers for 20122013 on June 23.

“It’s a scheduled general assembly and we hope to

tinued to outclass its opponents at the end of the first half, highlighted by the three Azkals engaging in a short passing exhibition at the right flank before passing the ball to Phil Younghusband, who missed what would have been an easy goal.

The nationals quickly recovered from that miss, though, as Guirado scored a header in injury time off a nifty cross from Dennis Cagara to push their edge to a comfortable 3-0 cushion at the end of the first half.

The Azkals blew many chances to score in the second half, with Denis Wolf missing two easy goals and Younghusband missing a breakaway which could have swelled the Philippine lead.

The Matao almost avoided ending the match scoreless, hitting a goal in the 48th minute. The officials, however, voided the goal as a foul was called before the play.

The victory caps off the Azkals’ series of friendly matches this month which affect their world ranking that currently sits at 149th.

They forced a scoreless draw against Suzuki Cup champions Malaysia last June 1 and a 2-2 result against Indonesia last June 5.

Veterans Chieffy Caligdong and Manny Ott both missed the friendly versus Guam after receiving red cards for their role in a melee that happened late in the Azkals’ match against Indonesia.

The victory adds to the memorable matches the Azkals have played at the Panaad Stadium, which many regard as the hotbed of Philippine football. In 2006, the

‘It’s all business,’ Sara says of Manny Pacquaio’s defeat

By Jade C. Zaldivar

W

HILE the country rages over the controversial defeat of pound-for-pound king Pinoy boxer Manny Pacquiao last Sunday (Manila time), Davao City Mayor Sara DuterteCarpio shared her insight on how things could still end up to the satisfaction of everyone.

Duterte-Carpio last June 11 said with Sarangani Representative Manuel ‘Manny’ Pacquiao’s loss will eventually end up in rematch.

“It would mean that there will be another fight which would mean more fun for everybody,” she said in a press briefing in her office.

The mayor said it “makes sense” that the fight judges did not see Pacquiao as the winner against Timothy Bradley Jr. in their World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight showdown at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“Wala man ko kakita.

Dili man gud ko naga-tanaw anang boxing gud. Yes kaibalo ko na supposedly sa iyaha daw to nadaog. Pero nakit-an nako ang cartoons sa isa ka newspaper and nakabutang didto nga boxing is a business and it make s sense,” she said.

“It makes sense nga dili magpadulong sa iyaha ang dula sa karon. The institution, boxing, is negosyo siya for a lot of people. Dili kay ang mga players ilang gi-rig ang dula o unsa,” she said.

True enough, Pacquiao vowed to win the rematch against Bradley.

“I want a rematch,” Pacquiao declared on television after the fight, adding in so many words that he would the rematch quickly. “I don’t want to finish the whole 12 rounds,” he said.

Asked whether he thought he had done enough to win, Pacquiao answered: “Absolutely, yes.”

“I respect the decision, but 100 percent I believe I won the fight,” he said.

nationals recorded one of the most convincing wins in team history by trouncing Timor Leste, 7-0, in the Asean Football Federation championships.

The Azkals also blanked Mongolia, 2-0, in February last year in the Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup qualifiers, which is best remembered for a sensational goal from Caligdong.

With players having

an average age of 22 years, Guam, ranked 194th in the world, is in the country for a week-long training camp which is part of their preparations for the East Asian Football Championships in July.

The Matao will now fly to Manila to face United Football League squads Global FC on June 14 and Stallions FC on June 16 at the Rizal Stadium.

sions in a lot of things they do, including judging fights,” he added.

“But it doesn’t hurt to clear the air and take a look at this.”

The bout saw judge Jerry Roth give Pacquiao the fight 115-113, but C.J. Ross and Duane Ford both had Bradley winning by the same score, despite Pacquiao appearing to land the more damaging blows throughout the contest.

The fight’s promoter, Bob Arum, questioned the competence of the judges, the selection process the Nevada State Athletic Commission used to choose them, and the fact that all came from Nevada.

While Arum said after the fight that the scoring was the result of incompetence and not corruption, on Monday he said he would ask the Nevada attorney general’s office “for a full and complete inquiry.”

US Senator backs Bradley win probe

.

–US senator Harry Reid said Tuesday he backs a probe into the split decision giving Timothy Bradley a win over Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao, but said he believed there was “nothing untoward” in the scoring.

Undefeated American Bradley won the controversial high-profile championship boxing bout Saturday in Las Vegas in Senator Reid’s home state of Nevada, where the

fight’s three judges were under pressure to explain their scoring which many experts have described as flawed.

“If an investigation makes everyone feel better, do the investigation,” Democratic Senate Majority Leader Reid, himself a onetime amateur boxer, told reporters in Washington.

“I am confident that there was nothing untoward, I think people just make bad deci-

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VOL.5 ISSUE 73 • JUNE 14, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

FOOD

It’s not so hard!

by: Bai Fauziah Fatima Sinsuat Ambolodto, MBA

WHEN it comes to cooking or baking even, inspiration can come from the most surprising places. A favorite childhood memory, holiday destination or something that caught your eye in a magazine. It could even be a person whom you love or hate --- inspiration comes in the most unexpected form. Thus, for this week’s recipes, inspiration struck me while watching the FIFA regulated friendly football match between the Indonesia and the Philippines (kudos to the National Team for a 2-2 draw).

Yes, I love sports but I am not one to get myself dragged in the pitch. I watch games, cheer on my favorite teams and admire the skills of the players --- that is how I show my support (for those who know me, yeah I know, I do more than that).

I get way too emotional whenever I am wathing a game. I feel like I am in the stands with the many other spectators --- getting irked when calls are not properly made and cards are not given, pissed whenever goals are not saved by the goalie or whenever one gets kicked and or striked and of course elated when our national team scores a goal! I love the game and I respect the players. Salute!

Have a go at these hotdog variations I came up with during the 90-gut wrenching-action filled-wash board abs exhibition-minute game. Why hotdogs?

Just like our National team, a hotdog can easily adapt to different flavor variations without losing its original taste --- whatever flavor may be added, the hotdog can and will exude its flavor.

To wit, a hotdog is a sausage served in a sliced bun.

It is very often garnished with mustard, ketchup, onions, mayonaise, relish and/ or sauerkraut. Claims about

all Dad, you taught me to be a somebody amidst the many nobody without stepping on anybody. I love you Daddy. Happy Father’s Day! JDJ ADOBO INFUSED HOTDOG Paying homage to one of the best defensive midfielder, Filipino-Dutch born intenational footballer and current captain of the Philippines National U23 foot-

hotdog invention are difficult to asses. The term ‘dog’ has been used as a synonym for sausage since 1884. Accusations that sausage makers used dog meat date to at least 1845. The suspicion that sausages contained such was ‘occasionally justified’. (www.wikipedia.com/ hotdog).

Explore the depths of the magnificent hotdog and try these recipes at home. You can add or vary the flavors depending on your liking.

Your imagination is your limitation. Oh and do keep the beer nearby. Happy Cooking!

Advance Happy Father’s day to my forever King and Superman, my Dad, Samel G. Ambolodto. I may not have been what you have wanted me to be but you and Mama have always been at my back, providing me with anything, everything and more. But best of

ball team, JDJ is literally on fire-- just like this recipe.

I learned from his cousin, Brina, that JDJ loves adobo and so I thought of an adobo infused hotdog that could be eaten anytime and anywhere.

Broil the hotdog of your choice. I do this to lessen the fat in my hotdog and the greasiness of the oil. However, broiling is just an option and thus you can fry or grill your hotdogs to your liking.

In a separate pan, combine soy sauce, vinegar, minced garlic, slivered onions, bay leaf, whole peppercorns, salt, cayenne pepper and freshly ground black pepper. This would be your adobo base. You can adjust the ingredients and do your own adobo. Simmer over low heat until the sauce thickens. Season to taste.

Add your broiled hotdog.

Simmer for a full minute or two or until ypur hotdog

gets plumpy and dark colored. Turn off the heat and place your adobo infused hotdog in a separate plate.

Assemble your hotdog. Butter and toast your bun for a crunchier and smoky taste.

Next, place your hotdog in the middle of the bun, drizzle with mayonnaise, top with grated cheese and toasted garlic. For a more adobo-ish flavor, you can

drizzle some of the thickened sauce on top.

CAGARA DRUNKEN DOGS This Danish born Filipino professional footballer, playing left back, represents the Philippines at International level, having played for Denmark at various youth levels before.

He was the youngest debutant of the Danish Superligaen championship and the fourth youngest debutant in Brondby club history. Accordingly, I learned that he loves the taste of beer (well he is European and a Danish at that). Thus, I though of a way of marrying the rich taste of beer and the subtle flavor of hotdogs.

I marinated the hotdog in beer for three (3) hours. Do not marinate the hotdog for too long, the beer may overpower the flavor of the hotdog. Keep it tightly sealed and refrigerate. Chargrill the hotdog -- do not burn them. The smoky flavor, the taste of the beer and the subtleness of the hotdog makes a fantastic explosion in the palate. Butter and toast the hotdog bun and place chargrilled hotdog in the middle.

Top with mayonnaise, mustard and pickle relish.

MULDERS SMOTHERED BUFFALO DOGS The Filipino-Dutch pro-

fessional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for the Ado Den Haag in the Netherlands and Philippine Azkals, is as silent and sneaky as an assassin on the pitch. Having the opportunity to exchange pleasantries with the guy, I learned that he likes to explore on different dishes and adores the explosion it creates in his palate. A selfconfessed foodie, he eats anything except pork.

Broil your hotdog first.

Get it plumped. Afte such, roll your hotdog in sifted but unflavored flour. Next, dip your coated hotdog in a batter (combine egg whites, flour, salt and pepper, cayenne pepperand safron powder) and coat with Japanese breadcrumbs.

Deep-fry your hotdogs until golden brown.

Toast buttered hotdog bun. Set aside.

In a separate bowl, combine hot sauce, coarse chili seeds and light syrup. Mix well. Toss deep-fried hotdog and coat well. Place coated hotdog in the middle of the bun, top with garlic flavored mayonnaise and grated cheese.

Tell me what you think of this recipe. Email me your questions, suggestions and comments at iamtheroyalchef@gmail.com.

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VOL.5 ISSUE 73 • JUNE 14, 2012

UP & ABOUT ENTERTAINMENT

Show off your style at Abreeza Mall

Waterfront cheers for the main man

AS part of Ayala Malls’ Style Origin, an annual series of fashion events happening across all Ayala Malls, Abreeza Mall has an ongoing search for Davao’s fashionistas in its online contest dubbed as Star Style Picks.

To join, simply shop in style at Abreeza Mall and be photographed in your fashionable ensemble for a chance to win P25,000 worth of Ayala Malls Gift Certificates! You may have your photo taken by Abreeza’s official roving photographer or take one yourself at the Star Style Picks photo wall near the Concierge counter, ground floor, Abreeza Mall.

Submit your entry by uploading

your photo at apps.facebook.com/ starstylepicks.

By sharing with us your stylish look, you can be one of the nine Shoppers Choice winners who will be given P5, 000 worth of Ayala Malls Gift Certificates and 2 movie passes. Or you could be one of the three major winners who will receive P25,000 worth of Ayala Malls Gift Certificates.

Star Style Picks runs until June 21, 2012. Shop in the wide selection of fashionable boutiques In Abreeza Mall and flaunt your style!

To know more about Star Style Picks, visit the Concierge counter at the ground floor Abreeza Mall or download the full mechanics at apps.facebook.com/starstylepicks.

ENJOY the relaxing view of the Davao Gulf at Pirata Bar with a drink in hand.

Toast to the big man in the family with the 5+1 promo on San Miguel Beer for only Php 350.00 nett per bucket and an unlimited supply of selected cocktail drinks! Lucky dads get something extra special on their day! For inquiries and reservations, please call (082) 233-2881 local 8703.

Father’s Day at Marco Polo Davao BOUNTIFUL buffets and exciting gifts await all Dads and their families and friends at Marco Polo Davao’s fine restaurants on June 17.

Dig into the intercontinental delights Café Marco is rightfully famous for. In unhurried ease, come back again and again to the buffet islands for lunch or dinner for only Php 1,200 net per person.

If you are up for an Oriental surprise, treat Dad to a special Lotus Court lunch or dinner buffet featuring roast pig and roast Peking duck for only Php 1,300 net per person.

Choose your favorite seafood selections, among them crabs prepared in sumptuous ways, steamed whole fish, and hot prawn salad. Nibble at dimsum delights, and create your own green salad with everything on it.

If, however, you’re hankering after the easygoing ambience of a family barbecue, bring Dad to Polo Bistro.

Bite into skewers of barbecued tender meats and succulent seafood.

Have unlimited baskets of bread, cheese trays, piping hot soup, rice, and mashed potatoes. Approach the stations for pasta, luscious desserts, salads, and vegetables. The Polo Bistro BBQ dinner buffet is for Php 1,100 net per person.

All buffets come with a free round of iced tea or soda and a 50-percent

discount for kids 12 years old and below.

“Parties of five or six can avail of the 4+1 promo at Lotus Court or the 5+1 promo at Café Marco and Polo Bistro,” said Danilo C. Herrera, the hotel’s Food and Beverage Manager.

“All our dining specials entitle Dad to a complimentary drink and

bottled gift.” Herrera added. “First batch to confirm their reservations shall receive a voucher for a free 15minute massage at Lazuli Spa, plus other discount coupons.”

For inquiries and reservations, please call 221 0888 local 7222 for Café Marco, 7232 for Lotus Court and 7955 for Polo Bistro.

VOL.5 ISSUE 73 • JUNE 14, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

ENTERTAINMENT

Lady Gaga still woozy from concussions EVEN a head injury ain’t gonna be a drag for this queen.

Lady Gaga took to Twitter last night to assure her Little Monsters that she’s doing all right after getting seriously clocked in the noodle onstage with a pole and suffering a concussion.

And she’s willing to offer up photographic proof, vanity be damned.

The “Edge of Glory” songstress tweeted a disheveled pic of her waking up looking pretty disoriented with what appears to be either a black eye or full makeup.

“Thank you so much for all the thoughtful messages,” she wrote. “I feel a bit woozy but a little better everyday. Very happy to be in beautiful Australia.”

Yes, Little Monsters, you can breathe easy: Mama’s on the mend.

She also poked fun at herself, adding: “Emerging from hours of sleep.

Still remiss if I should go outside, with this clonker I may be of questionable styling.”

Gaga was struck with a pole onstage Sunday during the New Zealand leg of her tour. But after vowing to “finish this show,” she soldiered forth and

sang another 16 songs.

Poor Gaga, who seems to be under siege these days.

When she’s not avoiding swipes from wayward poles or weathering protests from outraged conservative groups, she’s taking hits from Madonna, who recently dissed Gaga by performing a mash-up of “Born This Way” and “Express Yourself” in concert.

Has Gaga finally had enough? During her New Zealand show last week, she addressed her detractors, in what observers pegged as a thinly veiled dig at nip-slipping Madge.

“It sometimes makes people feel better about themselves [to], you know, put other people down or make fun of them or maybe make mockery of their work,” she said in between songs. “And that doesn’t make me feel good at all, that just makes me feel like I’m not being a good human being...I feel like if you’re a really good human being, you can try to find something beautiful in every single person, no matter what.”

She also added, “I don’t even want to fight back, because it’s more important to me to keep writing music.”

The most revealing tidbit, though, was this: “Things are really different than they were 25 years ago”—”Express Yourself” debuted in 1988—”and that’s what makes ‘Born This Way’ so relevant for me,” she said. “We’re just socially in a different place and it’s OK—we don’t have to all slice and hate each other anymore.”

You go tell ‘em, girl.

What did Tom Cruise bring home from Rock of Ages?

TOM CRUISE took more than that hot bod and his rock star moves home from the Rock of Ages set.

He tells us he brought a very special Stacee Jaxx accessory to wife Katie Holmes after filming the musical flick.

So what’s the sexy memento Cruise is talking about?

Cruise walked away with a bejeweled, dragonshaped—get this!—codpiece, which we get to see via an extreme closeup while Cruise is in bed with two women.

“Yeah, I wear it and I keep it,” Cruise, 49, told us at the Hollywood premiere of the flick (in theaters on Friday).

So what did Holmes think of the rock star wear?

“She laughed,” Cruise smiled. “It’s hilarious.”

FYI: Holmes wasn’t at the premiere because she was working in China, Cruise told E! News.

Rock of Ages director Adam Shankman says he could very much see doing a sequel to the flick, but it wouldn’t be about Stacee Jaxx. Instead, it would be more about Alec Baldwin and Russell Brand’s very close relationship in the film.

“I think the sequel would be about Alec and Russell,” Shankman told us. “They would be the center couple of the sequel.”

Sounds like a good time to us!

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FOOD ENTERTAINMENT

VOL.5 ISSUE 73 • JUNE 14, 2012

Fiesta Sorpresa’s festival on the palate

I

love road trips, especially when it involves quaint places, good company, and great food.

I was on a road trip to and around Digos City just recently on the invitation of blogger and fellow foodie Ria Abella, and since it had been over two years since I last went down south, I said yes.

The trip going to Digos was a quick one thanks to the now wider roads going out from Davao City towards Davao del Sur’s provincial capital. Much has changed in the center of the city with many new buildings flanking the city’s streets.

Also invading Digos are fast food chains with their standardized, tastethe-same-eveywhere food, which I really don’t mind eating sine it is still good food most of the time, but when traveling, I would always say, go local! And along Digos’ Rizal Street, which is currently chock full of roast chicken joints,

Fiesta Sorpresa’s Humba

is Fiesta Sorpresa.

Fiesta Sorpresa was a nice surprise as it serves Pinoy favorites coming from all over the Philippines. Top of the list for me was it’s version of Humba which brings me back home. The humba was sweet and has the savory taste of star anise, garlic, and peppercorn, just like what my mom makes at home.

I also loved the Binagoongang Bagnet which features crispy fried, fatty, pork belly with a pungent bagoong sauce. And as we all know when it comes to food, fat is good (in moderation of course.)

I wanted to love the Sinampalukang Manok or

chicken soup with tamarind leaves, but I guess the cooks were a bit too excited and served it too early, hence it was no longer piping hot.

It really would have been a home run for me had it been since I just adore and love sour soups.

Speaking of adoration, I just love stuffed foods, relleno in particular. Why you ask? Its because of the amount of time and skill to make such foods. Be it rellenong manok or the rellenong bangus I had at Fiesta Sorpresa, it is just a treat and a delicacy to experience.

And on that dish I said goodbye to Digos and say hello to a couple of inches on my waistline. Happi-

Fiesta Sorpresa’s bright yellow building along Rizal Ave., Digos City.

Rellenong bangus.

Binagoongang bagnet.

Charisse, Gary V, and Pilita C. are just some of the celebrity diners here.

Looks like everyone is crazy about chili wings.

EDGEDAVAO

Game 1: Big second half did it

Any which way, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook’s combined 41 points in the second half was good enough for the Oklahoma City Thunder to open up with a 105-94 win to go up 1-0 in the NBA finals that will surely be a test of toughness to determine if it’s goes a long stretch.

Durant scored 23 of his game-high 36 points in the second half and Westbrook had 12 third-quarter points for the Thunder, who kept

Brooks: Alot of toughness will do it.

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big second half did the job for the young Oklahoma Thunder in Game 1. Scott Brooks aid tribute to his boys’ toughness while his rival Eric Spoelstra thinks it’s still a long series.

O

KLAHOMA CITY -- Kevin Durant delivered the fourth quarter LeBron James never could last year.

So forget those NBA Finals jitters at the start. Durant and the young Thunder showed they have already figured out how to finish.

Durant scored 17 of his 36 points in another nightmarish final period for James and his team, leading a Thunder storm that overwhelmed the Heat and gave Oklahoma City a 105-94 victory over Miami in Game 1 on Tuesday night. ‘’That’s what they do, they keep on coming,’’ Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. ‘’They’re relentless.’’

Teaming with Russell Westbrook to outscore the Heat in the second half by themselves, Durant struck first in his head-to-head matchup with James, who had seven points in the final quarter and was helpless to stop the league’s three-time scoring champion. ‘’Well, those guys, they came out on fire. They were passing the ball well, knocking down shots. We just wanted to continue to keep playing,’’ Durant said. ‘’It’s a long game, and every time our coach was just saying play harder, play harder, and that’s what we did.’’

Westbrook turned around a poor shooting start to finish with 27 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds for the Thunder, keying a strong finish to the third period that gave the Thunder the lead for good.

Durant took over from there.

Scoring in nearly every way possible, Durant finished 12 of 20 from the field and added eight rebounds.

He and Westbrook outscored the Heat 41-40 over the final two periods, showing that maybe this time it will be offense that wins championships.

James finished with 30 points, his most in any of his 11 finals games, but had only one basket over the first 8:15 of the fourth, when the Thunder seized control of a game they trailed for all but the final few seconds of the first three quarters.

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VOL.5 ISSUE 73 • JUNE 14, 2012

their home record perfect in the playoffs with their ninth win in a row at Chesapeake Energy Arena.

“I am just playing off my teammates and not trying to force anything,” Durant said.

“Everybody came to play and we stuck together.”

Westbrook finished with 27 points and 11 assists while Serge Ibaka had 10 points and six rebounds for the Thunder, who are making their first NBA Finals appearance since 1996 when they were based in Seattle as the SuperSonics.

Game two of the best-ofseven series is set for Thursday in Oklahoma City.

“We showed a lot of toughness in the second half,”

said Thunder coach Scott Brooks. “Really battling and fighting for every possession.

I give our guys a lot of credit.

They did a great job of competing in the second half.”

LeBron James had a team-high 30 points and Dwyane Wade finished with 19 points and eight assists for the Heat, who lost to the Dallas Mavericks in last year’s finals. The Heat are chasing Miami’s first NBA title since 2006.

Oklahoma City’s 8-0 home mark over the first three rounds saw the Thunder storm through the Western Conference by sweeping the Mavericks, ousting the Los Angeles Lakers in five games

R

Spoelstra: It will be a long series.

Thunder knows

James averaged just three points in the fourth quarters of the Heat’s six-game loss to Dallas last year, taking almost all the heat for Miami’s finals failure. He was good in this one, Durant was just better. ‘’They didn’t make many mistakes in the fourth quarter,’’ James said.

And when fans chanted ‘’MVP! MVP!’’ late in the game, they weren’t talking about James, the guy who won the regular-season award.

They meant Durant, who

Serge Ibaka, Kendrick Oerkins, Thabo Sefolosha, Kevin Durant and Russel Westbrook of Oklahoma celebrate their Game 1 win.

EDGE SCOREBORD

1

0

have to beat the Czechs in their final match on Saturday.

The Poles, though, may well be boosted by the fact there are serious doubts over whether Czech captain Tomas Rosicky will be fit for the match as he was unable to play in the second-half because of a suspected Achilles tendon problem.

Russia, who had their national day cel-

ebrations dampened by the draw, just need a point against the Greeks, whose hopes hang by a thread.

The Russians looked as if they were well set for the last eight when their young star 21-year-old Alan Dzagoev headed in a first-half goal - his third of the tournament - only for a stunning effort by Polish captain ‘Kuba’ Blaszczykowski in the 57th minute to give the Poles a deserved point.

the critics and prove they are capable of winning the titles expected of them when James, Wade and Chris Bosh came together in Miami in 2010.

the Thunder’s comeback, relieving Durant of the burden so he could focus on his scoring.

And right now, nobody does it better.

Spoelstra said his team, pushed to seven games against Boston in a grueling conference finals the Heat finally won Saturday, preferred this quick turnaround.

But perhaps they ran out of gas against the young Thunder, whose core players are all 23 and younger and look as if they could keep playing all night. ‘’Honestly, I think we just came out with a lot more intensity on the defensive end.

Made them feel us a little bit,’’ Westbrook said of the second half, when the Thunder outscored the Heat 58-40.

James and Wade both were bent over, hands on knees, during one stoppage with about 7 minutes remaining. Durant kept pouring it on, racing down the court to throw down a fastbreak dunk and later adding a 3-pointer that pushed it to 87-81 with 6 1-2 minutes remaining.

The Heat got within four points, but Durant hit two quick baskets and Westbrook added another for a 10-point lead with 3:35 to go. ‘’They just made more plays than us,’’ Wade said. ‘’They got a couple offensive rebounds that kind of hurt us. Got a couple of open shots and from that point we were kind of playing from behind.’’

It’s been a rapid rise toward the top for the Thunder, who started 3-29 in 2008-09, their first season here after moving from Seattle. Fans were clearly embracing the is in a race with James for his finals’ arrival in Oklahoma first ring - and maybe the title City, where cars, buildings of best player in the game. and even fans’ hair seemed Game 2 is Thursday night to be painted some form of in Oklahoma City. orange or blue.

Dwyane Wade had 19 Fans standing until the points but shot just 7 of 19 Thunder’s first basket didn’t for the Heat, while Shane have to wait long, Durant Battier provided some rare knocking down a baseline offense by scoring 17 points, jumper 70 seconds in. He his high this postseason. made his first three shots, Turning to a small lineup including two 3-pointers, but late in the third quarter, the his teammates missed their Thunder improved to 9-0 at first six attempts in falling home in the postseason. De- into an early hole. fensive ace Thabo Sefolosha Durant made sure they helped defend James during were fine at the end.

EURO 2012. Poland fans show their color in the EURO 2012 match between Poland and Russia. Fans had reason to celebrate as Poland levelled with the Russians 1-all.

Youngblood OKC gets it done in Game 1

Poland draws Russia, Czechs bounce back USSIA’S hopes of becoming the first side to make it into the Euro 2012 quarter-finals were dashed on Tuesday as co-hosts Poland fought back to draw 1-1 in their Group A clash.

With Czech Republic keeping their hopes alive with a 2-1 win over Greece, gaining some revenge for their painful semi-final loss to the Greeks in Euro 2004, it means that the Poles will

and polishing off the San Antonio Spurs in six.

Durant, making his first a p p e a ra n c e in the NBA finals, put on a shooting clinic in the second half, scoring 17 points in the fourth quarter.

The series is billed as three-time NBA Most Valuable Player James against three-time scoring champion Durant, who has bragging rights at least for now.

The Heat hope to silence

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SPORTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 73 • JUNE 14, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Violence erupts in Euro 2012 W

ARSAW – Poles were happy and Russians disappointed after their 1-1 draw in Tuesday’s Euro 2012 football duel in Warsaw, a high-voltage face-off preceded by clashes between hooligans and police.

“The main thing is that we didn’t lose, even though it would have been worth more to win,” Jerzy Borowczak, a former Solidarity union leader at the freedom fighting Gdansk Shipyard turned member of parliament told AFP. “We’ll win against the Czechs, we’ll have five points and we’ll make it into the quarter-finals,” he added enthusiastically at the stadium exit.

The union’s iconic leader Lech Walesa decked out in a red-and-white Poland scarf was also cheering in the stands, as were Poland’s similarly dressed President Bronislaw Komorowski and football savvy Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

For 30-year-old Poland fan Slawek from the eastern city of Lublin, “the Polish team was transformed, they fought till the end.” He too is convinced Poland will

win against the Czech Republic.

The fans od tournament co-hosts Poland left the stadium singing, appearing almost as elated as if they had won.

Even more optimistic was student Marcin from Plonsk, a town near Warsaw, who said “we were this close to winning. We’ll clobber the Czechs.”

Russian supporters, who were much harder to spot at the stadium exits, did not hide their disappointment.

The majority of the fans at the 50,000-seat stadium were Poles.

Security was the major concern off the pitch as tension was stoked by centuries of bad blood and suspicion between the two countries, coupled with pockets of fans on both sides with a reputation for violence.

Police used an arsenal of tear gas, water cannon, rubber bullets and pepper spray and detained dozens of brawling fans from both sides ahead of the match but no major incidents were reported after the final whistle.