Edge Davao 5 Issue 80 by Edge Davao The Business Paper

EDGEDAVAO

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

VOL.5 ISSUE 80 • JUNE 24 - 25, 2012

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Serving a seamless society

Dabawenyos oppose

Indulge Page A1

Conversion of SPMC, DRH to corporations By Lorie A. Cascaro

ABAWENYOS are joining the nationwide opposition to convert 26 government hospitals, including awardwinning medical centers in Davao, into gov-

ernment-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs). For one, representatives from various women organizations in Davao converged last Friday to discuss their participation in the nationwide protest against the House

Bill (HB) 6069 or converting 26 government hospitals into government corporations. The opposition is being spearheaded in Congress by the progressive women’s group Gabriela. Sponsored by Bacolod Rep. Anthony

FCONVERSION, 13

Science/Environment Page 7 Sports Page 15

SEIZED TRICYCLES. Appearing like a parade, Land Transportation Office personnel drive impounded tricycles in a single line along the Ecoland and Sandawa intersection on Friday afternoon. [KARLOS MANLUPIG]

3 cemeteries atop aquifer alarm WMC By Antonio M. Ajero

EMBERS of the Davao City Watershed Council (WMC) headed by Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio expressed concern over the cavalier attitude of the public, especially businessmen and government officials, on the protection and management of the aquifer in barangay Dumoy and neighboring areas, as main source of potable water of the city’s more than a million people.

The topic came up during last Wednesday’s monthly meeting of the WMC presided over by forester Christopher Asibal of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro). The council expressed alarm over the application for the establishment of three private memorial parks in the vicinity of the Dumoy aquifer. The three are Fair Fields Memorial Park in a six-hectare land owned by Francis Ledesma, in barangay Baliok, said

to be near a production well of the Davao City Water District; the Eternal Gardens Memorial Park owned by a cooperative, on a 1.6-hectare lot in barangay Lubogan, and the Forest Lake Memorial Park in sitio Ulas, barangay Talomo. Fairfields’s approval is being pushed by no less than Councilor Bernardo Al-ag, chairman of the city council committee on health, F3 CEMETERIES, 13

THE BIG NEWS

87 firms violate safety standards

By Edward Lactaoen

EPARTMENT of Labor and Employment (DOLE) regional director Joffrey M. Suyao says that 87 out of the 599 establishments in the Davao region have violated occupational safety and health regulations. Suyao made the revelation during the Kapihan sa PIA press forum at the Philippine Information Agency office last June 22. He said the inspection, which began last March, will end in November, this year. Of the 87 erring establishments, 47 were construction industries. The most common of their violations were the lack of safety wear in construction sites, such as hardhats, safety shoes and harnesses when working in elevated areas. Other violations were the lack of onsite nurses and doctors, resulting in the issuance of a stoppage order to the violating

By Maybelle Anne C. Yutiamco

Wanted

EDGEDAVAO

construction industry. In explaining how stoppage orders affect the companies, Suyao said the companies are still obliged to pay their workers their wages, even if construction was halted, resulting in loss of money without any progress on the building. Work-related accidents in construction sites happen mostly during the finishing phases of construction. “Pag patapos na, ‘yun ang time na maraming aksidente kasi nagmamadali na, kampante na.” (When it’s almost done, that’s the time that there are more accidents because they start to rush, they become less concerned). DOLE schedules these inspections with the establishments, but prioritizes those whom they’ve received complaints about. Suyao hopes to establish a “culture of voluntary compliance” by establishments and for the workers not to view DOLE inspections as a sort of policing activity.

CRO training guros to register births he Civil Registration Office recently trained ten more public school teachers who will be deputized to accept birth registration in remote areas of Davao City, Lawyer Leo Anthony R. Braceros, CRO chief, said the ten teachers are prepared to settle parents’ concerns on errors found in their children’s birth certificates, like erroneous surnames, as well as legitimation concerns. Such mistakes hamper the qualification of some graduating students. The trained teachers will be accessible to parents during the enrollment period, and can handle problems concerning students’ records throughout the school year. This program has been in effect for over a year and has trained teachers as well as social workers to enhance their skills in dealing with civil registration problems. The program initially

VOL.5 ISSUE 80 • JUNE 24 - 25, 2012

started in only eleven central district schools, like Sta. Ana and Marilog districts, but is today serving over thirty schools. The program is part of the Service Caravan with Mobile Registration, initiated by Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio that gives citizens, especially those in remote areas, access to managing and correcting records held by the CRO. The Caravan, usually held during the Araw ng Barangay celebration in each area, van, according to Braceros, uses the same process and requirements so that residents of each area will have no need to go to the main office in order to manage their records. Currently in its infancy phase, the program will later be involved in providing equipment like computers with direct database, digital certification with the corresponding bar code and printers.

DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION. Customers view the display mounted in SM City Davao which is part of the 10th Mindanao Design and Construction Fair.

DILG allots P47M Challenge Fund for Davao Region LGUs [KARLOS MANLUPIG]

HE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has allotted P47 million Performance Challenge Fund (PCF) as incentives for good governance-compliant local government units (LGUs) of Region XI. For this year’s PCF release, priorities are the LGUs belonging to the 1st3rdincome class municipalities and cities. Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse M. Robredo said, “In this region, I am so pleased to announce that all local government units passed the Seal of Good Housekeeping (SGH). Because without the SGH, there will never be PCF.” “Meaning, to be able to qualify and avail of the PCF

funds, LCEs must comply with the government’s full disclosure policy on the use of public funds, exemplary governance and delivery of basic services,” Robredo explained. The SGH for LGUs is in line with the Department’s commitment to aggressively scale up interventions to elevate the practice of good, accountable, participatory and transparent governance; commitment to public interest; and development. Regional Director Francisco C. Jose said that SGHcompliant and PCF recipient LGUs may use the fund to jumpstart local development initiatives that are aligned with the national government’s program for the attainment of the Mil-

lennium Development Goals such as on tourism and economic development, disaster risk reduction and management and solid waste management. The PCF may also be used to finance projects such as school buildings, rural health units, water and sanitation system, local roads and bridges, slaughterhouses, flood control, reforestation, postharvest facilities, cold storage facilities and other programs and projects that would enhance local government services. More importantly, the PCF is not intended as competition among LGUs but to reward them for helping the government attain the MDG of reducing poverty and improving the opportunities for poor households to rise

above their current conditions. Congress earlier allotted some P500 million for the DILG’s PCF funds for the various SGH-compliant LGUs nationwide, giving out P1 to P7 million each to qualified recipients. Robredo said DILG also intends to set aside funds for those LGUs who will be awarded with the Seal of Disaster Preparedness (SDP). “Through the SDP program, we will not only provide incentives to LGUs that fared well on disaster preparedness, we will also be able to assess performance gaps, provide policy or program intervention based on the identified gaps, and monitor performance progress,” Robredo explained.

Aside from recognizing outstanding OFW families, the MOFYA aims to promote best practices in achieving optimal success in all aspects of life in the face of overseas migration of one or more members of the household. All 17 regions will have two MOFYA winners, one from land-based category and one from the sea-based category, thus a total of 34 MOFYA regional winners. Among the regional winners, two national winners, one each from land-based and sea-based categories, will be chosen as the MOFYA.

Two more regional winners shall be cited for Special Awards namely Outstanding Achievement in Community Projects and Outstanding Achievement in Entrepreneurship, thus a total of four MOFYA national awardees. Since its inception, two national awardees have come from the region, namely Virgencita Maizarah Ambrusio Lagunsay, an OFW in Saudi Arabia, who was the 2007 MOFYA natonal winne; and, Capt. Norberto C. Bajenting, the Outstanding Entrepreneur for the Special Award. Nomination of an OFW family may be done

by any non-government organization; people’s organization; religious organization or association; community-based socio civic organizations/associations; and, local government units. To be qualified, an OFW family should meet the following criteria: The family is headed by an OFW (land- or sea-based), formerly or presently working abroad with a formal or informal contract of employment or work permit, and with proof of OWWA membership; It is important that the OFW’s migration is not

Fishery and marine More nominees wanted for model OFW family biology graduates By Lorie A. Cascaro

HE lack of manpower to protect and conserve the coastal areas beyond municipal waters has led the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) of the Department of Agriculture (DA) to create a quick response team (QRT) in each region. This is the objective of the capability building and skills training on fishery resource protection and law enforcement for quick response team (BFAR FRPLE-QRT) being conducted since June 18 until June 27 at the Royal

Mandaya Hotel, Davao City. BFAR Director Asis Perez, in an interview last Friday, said nine individuals were hired under job orders to compose the QRT for each region, although the bureau intends to increase the team members to 20. Wanted are graduates of, and licensed in fisheries, marine biologists, criminologists, and legal officers. He said the program aims to create opportunities for fisheries graduates, thus, the BFAR is encouraging local government units to employ them.

FFISHERY, 13

HE Davao region’s Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) is calling for more nominees for the regional search for the Model Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) Family of the Year Award (MOFYA). Model families are those who have maintained strong family relations; properly managed financial benefits from OFW’s overseas employment; have educational achievements and exemplary performance in their respective professions; and, at the same time have a positive impact on their community.

[DILG 11/MIKA-ChAN S. MAGtULIS]

FMORE, 13

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.5 ISSUE 80 • JUNE 24 - 25, 2012

ONB CENTER INAUGURATED

One Network Bank, the widest and most modern rural banking network in the country today, further raises the bar for rural banking as it inaugurated its multi-storey corporate structure last May 21, 2012. Dubbed as the ONB Center, the P117.4 million worth edifice with 9,670 square meters of space is the new home of ONB Head Office staff of more than 300 professionals. ONB Center now counts among the major landmarks of Davao City. In a momentous event, a gathering of 16 bishops and 9 priests joined the stockholders, officers and staff of ONB in the inaugural rites of the 7-storey ONB Center last Monday, May 21. Davao Archbishop Fernando R. Capalla officiated the blessing rites which started at 10am. He was assisted by Archbishop Romulo Valles, Bishop Romulo Dela Cruz, Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos, Fr. Jess Esparagoza, Fr. Gus Nazareno, Fr. Mervin Maglana, Fr. Reiner Franke, Fr. Alfredo Palomar and Msgr. Julius Rodulfa. After the blessing rites, a Thanksgiving Mass was concelebrated with more bishops and priests, namely: Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, Archbishop Orlando Quevedo, Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, Bishop Patricio Alo, Bishop Wilfredo Manlapaz, Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez, Bishop Emmanuel Cabajar, Bishop Julius Tonel, Bishop Antonieto Cabajog, Bishop Jose Romeo Lazo, Bishop Antonio P. Palang, Auxiliary Bishop George Rimando, Fr. Ritsche Gamaya, Fr. Junar dela Victoria and Msgr. Paul Cuison. The inauguration of the ONB Center was graced by special guests Mrs. Fredesvinda A. Consunji, Mrs. Josefa Consunji-Reyes, BSP Davao Regional Office Director Atty. Demetrio Casipong and Davao City Councilor April Marie Dayap. Also present in the event were ONB’s Board of Directors, led by Chairman Victor A. Consunji and President Alex V. Buenaventura. ONB Center located along Km. 9, Sasa, Davao City was constructed by DMCI, recognized as the prime “Builder of Landmarks” in the country and a pioneer of advanced engineering technology application

ONE NETWORK BANK A Rural Bank www.onenetworkbank.com.ph

in Philippine construction. The building is rendered in a modern design and places a premium on efficient energy use. As a primary undertaking towards streamlining the Bank’s branch support system and increasing back office efficiency, the ONB Center is a dedicated space for backstopping all of One Network Bank’s branch and offsite operations. It substantially enhances the workspace of the head office units of the Bank with its spacious, comfortable and multi-functional features complete with state-of-the-art training facilities and a roof deck with a chapel, a fitness gym and a basketball/badminton court. Shortly after establishing its presence in the Visayas through a partnership agreement with Rural Bank of San Enrique in Iloilo last April 21, 2012, ONB continued its expansion mode meant to deliver modern banking services in the countryside. The bank inaugurated three (3) more branches in Butuan City, Balingasag, Misamis Oriental and Sangali, Zamboanga City last April 25-27, 2012, increasing its total branch count to 86. The bank also inaugurated its newly renovated Compostela branch last April 25, 2012. With the inauguration of ONB Center, ONB strengthens its pursuit of being the prime provider of modern banking services to progressive communities. ONB continues to redefine rural banking, providing countryside clients with cost efficient and hassle-free transactions. Today, the bank operates with 85 branches in Mindanao, 1 branch in Makati and a fleet of 121 ATMs. For the second quarter of 2012, the bank is set to deploy 10 more PeraAgad ATMs and open 5 Micro Banking Offices (MBOs) in growth centers within the Davao City area.

The Widest and Most Modern Banking Network in Countryside Mindanao with 86* branches and 119* PeraAgad ATMs *as of May 2012

THE BIG NEWS

PHL to regain tuna fishing ground by December 2012 By Lorie A. Cascaro

Y December, a minimum of 70,000 to 80,000 metric tons that can go up to 150,000 metric tons will be added to the volume of tuna fishing in the Philippines following its exclusive access to portions of international fishing waters. Director Asis Perez of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) bared the good news Friday after a successful negotiation last March with the Regional Fisheries Management Organization composed of 25 countries in the Asia Pacific. Perez said the Philippines has a major tuna spawning ground and that fishing inside its territorial waters will include catching tuna’s larvae that will basi-

cally lead to the extinction of tuna. This explanation, he added, convinced the international organization to allow the country to fish in the high-sea pocket 1, where fishing by any country, including the Philippines, was banned three years ago.

High-sea Pocket 1 “covers Palau, Micronesia, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia, which are areas closest to the Philippines and where local tuna fishers frequently operate.

He pointed out that the closure of international waters did not only result in economic crisis, but also social problems. Since the closure, vessels had been crowding at Philippine ports, mostly in

the Southern part, causing conflicts between fishermen. With 18 deaths due to sporadic killings, Perez said the situation was too much to handle. Since the closure of highsea Pocket 1 due to massive extraction, the Philippines lost 30% of its average tuna catch of 300,000 to 350,000 metric tons a year. Perez said although the exclusive access was given last March, actual fishing will start by September until December, and by that time the Philippines is expected to regain all its losses of the last three years. As long as Filipino vessels will abide with the rules and policies imposed by the Regional Fisheries Management Organization, he said, the Philippines will continue to have more tuna catches.

P3.8M farm-to-market road finished in DavOr By Jade C. Zaldivar

farm-to-market worth P3.8 million was recently completed through the joint efforts of the provincial government of Davao Oriental and the 28th Infantry Battalion (IB), 10th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army. The road benefits Baranggays Magsaysay and New Visayas, Lupon, Davao Oriental, said Col. Leopoldo Imbang Jr., commander of 28th IB, through a statement.

The construction of the farm-to-market road is part of the national government program Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) Project, as well as the Philippine Army’s Peace and Development Outreach Program (PDOP) in Davao Oriental. “We thank Governor Cora Malanyaon for her continuous trust and confidence by using the Army to support her program in the delivery of basic services to the people in the Province

Davao Oriental”, said commander of 701st Infantry Brigade Col. Rey Leonardo Guerrero, formerly commander of the Davao City Task Force. Imbang stressed that the military ‘remains as the protector of the people.’ “We continued in our efforts in building trust and confidence of different stakeholders in the pursuit of peace and development in localities,” he said.

FP3.8M, 13

VOL.5 ISSUE 80 • JUNE 24 - 25, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Medical wastes facility re-applies with Council M

EDICAL waste facility treatment provider RAD Green Solutions (RAD) will re-apply for special use permit from the Davao City Council. Committee on Health chair Bernard Al-ag told Edge Davao that RAD had withdrawn their application to the supposed memorandum of agreement (MOA) between them and the city government wherein the latter would agree to lease a portion of the new sanitary landfill where RAD will situate their facilities. The withdrawal is in line with the discussions in the City Council where it was stressed that the sanitary landfill in New Carmen, Tugbok District is not owned by the local government. The area where the sanitary landfill is situated belongs to a private individual who lent his property to the city government, thus the latter has no right to lease the same to a third party. To avoid delays in legal matters, RAD will instead situate their facilities outside of the new sanitary landfill prop-

Fearless forecast

erty and form an agreement with a different land owner. But in order for RAD to operate, it needs a special use permit from the City Council. “The revised committee report was approved last Monday (June 18),” Al-ag said. During council session, Alag said, the council passed (a) a resolution ‘interposing no objection’ to the RAD’s medical waste facility proposal, and (b) a resolution closing the item regarding the proposed MOA between RAD and the city government. “This way hindi na nila (RAD) kailangan magkaroon ng MOA with the local government. They will provide their services but they will be situated outside the new sanitary landfill,” he said. New technology Pyroclave Medwaste Solution (Pyroclave), the invention of RAD Green Solutions, has the capability to reduce mass and volume by 95% of all types of medical wastes, including body parts, chemical and pharmacological wastes. It can also cause total disinfection with the end result of

turning waste into char. Composed of Davao-scientists, RAD is led by chief scientist Roderick “Ricky” Dayot. Dayot earlier said that within a year since earning nationwide acclaim, the new technology of Pyroclave received offers from big ticket companies in Britain, Dubai, the Netherlands, and Singapore but which have been declined. This is mainly because other known technologies in the world which deal with medical waste, the autoclave and microwave technologies, could only reduce mass and volume of medical waste by 85% without total disinfection. As pyroclave does not need a lot of space, ICT (Information, communication, technology) Davao executive vice president Erriberto Barriga foresees hospitals abroad owning this facility. “Talagang this could go global. We’re looking forward to having Davao City flagship this invention, that before anywhere else in the world we had this technology here,” he said in an interview. [JADe ZALDIvAR]

nical Committee on Organic Agriculture/Organic Agriculture Management Council (TCOA-OAMC). Deadline for the organic farming mainstreaming plan is end of this year. “The most pressing questions include how to sustain the production of high quality organic products, and how to make organic farm produce more accessible to the pub-

lic,” said Go Organic network member Ling Castro, of the Interface Development Interventions (Idis). Castro said the project aims to have organic farming communities in the city wherein a sufficient supply of affordable organic products will be produced with the local government and the public supporting their endeavors. This includes the development and popularization of indigenous based organic farming techniques as well as the integration of organic agriculture promotion in local school curricula. As a start, the TCOA-OAMC has started identifying areas which will become organic farming zones as well as host organic centers. Meanwhile, Chinese investors have expressed their interest in establishing organic farms in the city. Castro said CAO head Leonardo Avila III had confided to TCOA-OAMC in May that these investors are planning to set up vegetable farms in the areas of Waan, Mandug and Tigatto, all in this city. The investors are also planning to establish a dried mango processing plant. Currently, Davao City has more than 100 farmers practicing organic agriculture, excluding the indigenous upland farmers who grow crops using traditional techniques without the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. That number is expected to increase with the implementation of the strategic plan as it will pave the way for the institutionalization of local government support for organic farming, Castro said. [JADe

Mainstream organic farming in Davao City within 5 years

HE city government aims to mainstream organic farming within years. A strategic plan is currently being laid out at the City Agriculturist Office (CAO),according to environmentalist group Go Organic Davao City (Go Organic) last June 22. The group is among those invited by the local government to form part of the Tech-

FILM FESTIVAL. A mall-goer passes by the poster of the announcing the screening dates and the featured films in the National Film Festival that will be screened in the cinemas in the city. [KARLOS MANLUPIG]

ZALDIvAR]

EDGEDAVAO

87 construction sites violate safety code

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

PROPERTY

VOL.5 ISSUE 80 • JUNE 24 - 25, 2012

By Edward Lactaoen

F the 599 establishments that the Occupational Safety and Health Center of the Department of Labor and Employment inspected since March, 14.5% or 87 of the establishments have been found violating the Occupational Safety and Health regulations. Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Director Joffrey M. Suyao, together with officials from the Occupational Safety and Health Center, said that out of the 87 establishments, which incurred violations, 47 of them were construction industries. The most common of their violations were

patapos na, ‘yun ang time na maraming aksidente kasi nagmamadali na, kampante na.” (When it’s almost done, that’s the time that there are more accidents because they start to rush, they become less concerned.) DOLE schedules these inspections with the establishments, but says that they prioritize those whom they’ve received complaints about. Suyao hopes to establish a “culture of voluntary compliance” within establishments and for the workers not to view the DOLE inspections as a sort of policing activity. DOLE will continue their inspection up to November of this year.

TATE-owned Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) is stepping up its assistance to the transport and logistics sector with its flagship infrastructure and transportation initiative, the Connecting Rural and Urban Intermodal Systems Efficiently (CRUISE) program. DBP president & chief executive officer Francisco F. Del Rosario, Jr. said that the bank had approved 14 projects amounting P1.4 billion under the program, with projects ranging from roads, packaging, transport and distribution facilities to cold chain facilities. The projects are located in Isabela, Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Batangas, Sorsogon. Cebu, Negros Oriental, Negros Occi-

dental, Eastern Samar, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, and Surigao del Sur. He also said that DBP evaluates 31 other projects totaling P2.6-billion, with nine prospective accounts totaling another P705-million. Del Rosario said that DBP continuously coordinated with concerned government and private agencies and institutions in establishing inter-agency partnerships and in identifying investment opportunities in the transport sector, supply chain mainly in post-harvest technologies and facilities and logistics. He said that the bank DBP would also conduct a series of road shows and seminars in several regions in the second half of the year to encourage

more investments for the program. DBP has earmarked P22 billion for the CRUISE program which was launched this year. The CRUISE program is aligned with the Philippine Development Plan 2011-2016 for infrastructure investments, which prioritizes the creation of an integrated and multimodal national transport and logistic system. It also seeks to promote rural-urban integration and physical connectivity, promote decentralization and reduce urban congestion, and accelerate economic growth particularly in high potential growth sectors, and leverage limited public resources for infrastructure through PublicPrivate Partnerships.

UV Rheinland Philippines, a third-party auditing firm specializing in international standards accreditation, has awarded the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) its Integrated Management System (IMS) certification. NGCP, the country’s sole transmission service provider and power system operator, was certified in three management systems: Quality Management System – ISO 9001: 2008, Occupational Health & Safety Management System – OHSAS 18001:2007 and Environmental Management System – ISO 14001: 2004. The three management systems ensure consistency in implementing procedures and policies on the corporation’s technical and non-technical operations.

With the IMS certification, power customers and the public are assured that NGCP’s services are delivered with utmost quality, with due consideration to the environment and the safety of its employees and stakeholders. The certification, received on June 19, covers the operation, maintenance, and expansion of the nationwide transmission network including support functions performed by NGCP’s Office of the President, Administration, Finance, Operation & Maintenance, System Operation, and Planning and Engineering Groups. Tristan Arwen G. Loveres, TUV Rheiland Philippines chief operating officer presented the three certificates to NGCP president and chief executive Henry T. Sy, Jr. at the awarding ceremo-

ny held at the NGCP Head Office in Quezon City. “As an IMS-certified company, NGCP moves one step closer towards its goal of becoming the strongest power transmission facility in Southeast Asia.,” Sy said after accepting the award on behalf of management and employees. He also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to NGCP employees, “particularly the IMS Technical Working Group, for their tireless cooperation and dedication in complying with the technical and documentary requirements.” At the awarding ceremony, NGCP chief technical officer Wen Bo also hailed the certification as a tool for “continuous improvement of business processes and overall performance.”

DBP allots P1.4 B for infra S

T least 25 rubber technicians from the Municipal Agriculture Office in Makilala, North Cotabato will undergo training on rubber production at the town’s newly opened Vocational and Technical Skills Training Center. The training center on rubber production, considered the country’s first, can accommodate at least 50 students, according to Makilala Mayor Rudy Caoagdan. The training starts on June 25, Caoagdan said. Courses at the training center focus on rubber production and are accredited by the Technical Education Skills Development Authority (Tesda) in Region 12, the mayor said. Tesda-12 regional director Zios Ampoas said the center would provide appropriate skills and technology that will boost the rubber industry in the province. He said the plan to put up the center was the idea of the local government. The project study started in late 2010 and underwent series of consultations with various sectors. During the study, he said, the agency created training regulations for competencies that must be acquired by a rubber tapper. Tesda employs experts from the Department of Agriculture and other institutions to teach the needed skills. Ampoas is hopeful the facility would produce skilled workers the industry needs to keep it going. “The opportunity is there. We have limited products of rubber. So there’s a need to assist our rubber industry by providing them the needed technology and skills,” he said.

NGCP is now IMS certified T D

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

NoCot to train rubber technicians

the lack of safety wear in the construction sites, such as hardhats, safety shoes and harnesses when working in elevated areas. Other violations were the lack of onsite nurses and doctors, resulting in the issuance of a stoppage order to the violating construction industry. In explaining how stoppage orders affect the companies, Suyao said that the companies are still obliged to pay their workers their wages, even if construction was halted, resulting in loss of money without any progress on the building. Suyao also said that workrelated accidents in construction happen mostly during the finishing phases of construction. “’Pag

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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

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

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

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

DA inaugurate irrigation projects in NoCot

EPARTMENT of Agriculture Secretay Proceso Alcala inaugurated two irrigation projects in Pikit, North Cotabato during his visit to the province last Tuesday, June 19. The said irrigation projects are the Panicupan Chrislam Dam and the Nalapaan Stream Check, which are implemented by the Malitubog-Maridagao (MalMar) Irrigation Project Management Office. According to the aforementioned office, the Panicupan Chrislam Dam can service 430 hectares of farmlands benefiting 100 farmers. On the other hand, the Nalapaan Stream Check can help more than 50 farmers as it can serve 100 hectares of farmland.

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

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

THE ECONOMY

VOL.5 ISSUE 80 • JUNE 24 - 25, 2012

What is the future of oil?

RUDE oil kept dropping after hitting new lows Thursday. Analysts were less optimistic and predicted further declines in oil prices as supplies remained high and demand tended to weaken amid global economic worries. The New York crude benchmark WTI Thursday tumbled 4 percent to settle at 78.20 dollars a barrel. It was the first time for WTI to dip below 79 dollars a barrel since Oct. 4, 2011. Brent crude, the European benchmark, plunged 3.73 percent and closed at 89.23 dollars, piercing the psychologically important level of 90 dollars a barrel and hitting the lowest settlement since December 2010. “The market is under pressure and it is looking for a bottom to slide to,” said Gene McGillian, a broker with Tradition Energy. The big plunge came after economic data released Thursday pointed to a weakening global economy. The U.S. initial jobless claims missed market’s estimates. Its less volatile four-week average

rose to the highest level of the year, showing a sluggish job market. Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia’s general business conditions index surprisingly fell to minus 16.6 from minus 5.8 in May, indicating a sharp contraction in the manufacture of Philadelphia region. And the U.S. existing home sales fell 1.5 percent in May compared with April. Economic data from Europe and China added to the weak tone. The factory sector both in Europe and China kept shrinking in June, causing worries about the world oil demand. Amid a worsening debt crisis, eurozone’s economic recession was looming, while more and more investors were worrying about a so-called hard landing in China. Traders said that fears about the economy were making people “very leery.” “People are just killing everything on global economic concern,” said Phil Flynn, senior market analyst at the Price Futures Group in Chicago. U.S. stocks experi-

enced the worst day in three weeks, posting the second biggest decline this year. Silver plunged over 5 percent. Analysts also pointed out that a lack of aggressive stimuli from the Federal Reserve also contributed to Thursday’s plunge and offered no help to restore market confidence. The Fed decided on Wednesday to extend current “Operation Twist” into the end of this year, disappointing the investors that had expected QE3. The most powerful central bank in the world failed to play the role of a rescuing helicopter, triggering a sell-off. Commodities analyst Matthew Bradbard said that with Thursday’s slides, the bears have been back in the crude markets. He advised his clients to exit remaining longs and move to cash. And another key bearish sign for crude is the high U.S. and global supplies. “Supply is just overwhelming right now. There’s not a lot of reasons to be aggressive on the long side,”

2011 with close to 89.5 million kilos carried for the full year. The airline increased domestic capacity in Q1 2012, with the arrival of one more brand-new Airbus A320 aircraft last January. At present, CEB operates 52 routes to 32 domestic destinations, the most extensive network in the Philippines. Network expansion plans include the arrival of three more Airbus A320 aircraft in the 2nd half of 2012, as well as the launch of four times weekly Davao-Kalibo and Davao-Puerto Princesa flights. “CEB currently services more than 2,000 accounts, tailor-fitting cargo products to our clients’ domestic and international cargo needs. This includes express cargo service, seamless transshipment and 16 interline partnerships for world-

wide reach,” Iyog added. To inquire more about CEB cargo, forwarders and shippers can call 2905321 or 22 or visit www. cebupacificaircargo.com. CEB currently operates 10 Airbus A319, 20 Airbus A320 and 8 ATR72 500 aircraft. Its fleet of 38 aircraft – with an average age of 3.6 years – is the largest aircraft fleet in the Philippines. Between 2012 and 2021, Cebu Pacific will take delivery of 22 more Airbus A320 and 30 Airbus A321neo aircraft orders. It is slated to begin long-haul services in the 3rd quarter of 2013. About Cebu Air Inc. (PSE: CEB) Cebu Air Inc. is the largest carrier in the Philippine air transportation industry, offering its lowcost services to more destinations and routes with higher flight frequency within the Philippines than any other airline.

Cebu Pacific is top cargo carrier

HE Philippines’ largest national flag carrier, Cebu Pacific (PSE:CEB) transported more domestic cargo than other airlines in the 1st quarter (Q1) of 2012, according to recently released Civil Aeronautics Board data. CEB carried 22.1 million kilograms in cargo in Q1, besting the combined cargo loads carried by both Philippine Airlines and Airphil Express. “We captured 48% of the domestic cargo market in Q1. This highlights Cebu Pacific’s extensive domestic network. With multiple daily flights to most key cities in the Philippines, cargo forwarders and shippers trust CEB to bring their valuable cargo in the soonest possible time,” said CEB VP for Marketing and Distribution Candice Iyog. CEB also led the domestic cargo market in

said Stephen Schork, editor of the Schork Report. The U.S. crude inventories added another 2.9 million barrels last week, hitting the highest level since 1990. Meanwhile, the supplies in the Middle East, especially Saudi Arabia -- the world’s biggest oil exporter -also remained record high. At the latest OPEC meeting, the oil cartel decided to keep the output targets unchanged for the rest of this year, showing no intention to reduce production. Schork also predicted the crude has entered a new bear market and could go further lower. “It is not clear where the bottom is,” said Raymond Carbone, president of oil brokerage Paramount Options, adding the only bullish reason for crude was that Israel could attack Iran. “After breaking through 80 dollars, the next level will be 75 dollars.” (XINhUA)

EDGEDAVAO

American Chamber commends country’s fiscal discipline

MERICAN representatives of various American Chambers of Commerce (AmCham) in the Asia-Pacific, including those from the Philippines, gathered at the Philippine embassy in Washington recently for a briefing on the latest economic inroads of the Philippines. The delegations were members of the Asia-Pacific Council of American Chambers of Commerce (APCAC), who came together for a seminar on “2012 APCAC Washington Doorknock” in D.C. The APCAC delegations also represented Bangladesh, Cambodia, Japan, Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam, and was headed by Tom Clark, GE Capital (Asia) vice president. Clark said that the Philippine government’s successful economic policies, especially in terms of fiscal discipline and consolidation. “The Philippines’ case is a good model to follow,” he said. Embassy officers Ariel R. Peñaranda and Angelito Nayan briefed the guests about the Philippine economy and the global economic outlook, according to the Department of Foreign

Affairs (DFA). Peñaranda said Philippine–American bilateral relations had been further strengthened with the successful official visit of President Benigno S. Aquino III to the United States two weeks ago. In his presentation, Nayan showcased the Philippines’ resilient economy and the many trade and investment opportunities in the country and reiterated the Aquino administration’s robust economic policies and good governance agenda. APCAC was founded in 1968 as a way for the 28 American Chambers (AmChams) of Commerce in the Asia-Pacific region to address issues of mutual concern and share best practices. APCAC AmChams represent the growing interests of over 50,000 executives and over 10,000 businesses in the region. DFA said that APCAC’s membership encompasses trade volumes in excess of US$ 400 billion and foreign direct investments (FDI) of nearly US 300 billion. APCAC’s mission is to improve the competitiveness of American business in the Asia-Pacific region.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.5 ISSUE 80 • JUNE 24 - 25, 2012

SCIENCE/ENVIRONMENT

The sharks’ speed might be limited by the energy costs of swimming in near-freezing water.

Slowest sharks hunts sleeping prey D

ATA-logging tags revealed that Greenland sharks “cruise” at 0.34m per second - less than 1mph. The study showed that, even when the languid fish embarks on a burst of speed in order to hunt, it is far too slow to catch a swimming seal. Since the species is known to eat seals, the scientists think it probably “sneaks up on them” as they sleep under the water. The Greenland shark was already known to be the world’s slowest swimming shark, but its sluggishness surprised the scientists. Yuuki Watanabe from the National Institute of Polar Research in Tokyo, who took part in the study, said that, when you account for the size of its body, it is the slowest fish in the ocean. Previous research had revealed seal remains in the stomachs of the sharks. “It was hard to understand,” he told BBC Nature, “because [it would seem] impossible for them to catch fast-swimming seals.” The researcher joined Dr Kit Kovacs and Dr Christian Lydersen from the Norwegian Polar Institute, to tag Greenland sharks in the waters off Svarlbard. The study, published in the Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, was the latest part of an ongoing mission by the Norwegian researchers to find out what has been killing the harbour seals off Svarlbard’s coast. It was thought that Greenland sharks simply fed on the carcasses of dead seals on the seafloor, but the team recently discovered evidence that they were taking live seals. The tagging study found that, while seals swim at about 1m

per second (2mph/3km/h), the sharks’ maximum bursts of speed reached only 0.7m per second - far too slow to catch a swimming seal. “The [tags also] told us how fast the shark moves its tail,” said Dr Watanabe. It takes seven seconds for a single full tail sweep that propels the shark forwards. The scientists also recorded the temperature of the water that the fish were swimming in, which were an icy average of 2C (36F). The energy cost of regulating their body temperature in the almost freezing depths could be the reason for the sharks’ very limited speed. These Arctic fish live further north than any other shark species. In this frozen habitat, the researchers explained in their paper: “Arctic seals sleep in water to avoid predation by polar bears. “This may leave them vulnerable to the cryptic slow-swimming predators.”

Vincent Gallucci, a shark expert from the University of Washington, US, explained that Greenland sharks may not need “to get 100% of its mouth onto its prey” in order to eat it. “It can get an assist from a sucking action as part of its feeding process,” he told BBC Nature. “This does make it a bit easier for a lie in wait ambush predator to consume prey that pass near its mouth.” In the future, the scientists who embarked on this study hope to use underwater cameras, in order to record what could be the world’s slowest chase scene. Ali Hood from the Shark Trust pointed out that, historically, Greenland sharks were targeted for oil and meat. “It’s a long-lived species considered highly vulnerable to fishing pressure,” she told BBC Nature. “[We] welcome further research to illuminate the behaviour of this elusive species.”

Researchers have measured the swimming speed of the ocean’s slowest shark.

That the fastest shark is thought to be the shortfin mako? The species has been recorded in excess of 20mph and can chase down some faster bony fish, such as tuna. That the world’s largest shark is the whale shark which can grow to over 13m long? This huge filter-feeder shark sifts zooplankton from the water. That the smallest shark is the dwarf lantern shark? This deepwater species is found in the Caribbean Sea and reaches a maximum length of just 21cm. That the shark with the largest teeth relative to its size is the largetooth cookiecutter? At only 42cm in length, this species has 17-19 rows of large lower teeth and feeds by cutting circular pieces of flesh from larger marine mammals, fish and other sharks. It has even caused problems for submarines.

VANTAGE POINTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 80 • JUNE 24 - 25, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

The three questions of global importance AnAlysis

EDITORIALS

The pledge

HE PLEDGE of the Philippine government to lend $ 1billion to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as part of its efforts to bail out tumbling economies in Europe has drawn flak from militants. Predictably, the Kilusang Mayo Uno argues that the huge amount should be spent instead for Filipinos suffering poverty, unemployment, malnutrition and hunger. It is easy to agree with critics when one does not consider the facts. First off, the amount will come from the country’s international reserves. Second, it is a loan to the IMF, not a donation, and would logically earn interests. That the IMF has asked the Philippines to

End of madness

FTER earning so much flak and condemnation for his highly controversial proposal, Kabataan party-list Rep. Raymond Palatino withdrew his bill seeking to ban religious rites and icons in government offices and buildings purportedly in line with the muchballyhooed separation of Church and State.

EDGEDAVAO

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help is a glaring proof that the country is no longer a basket case which was needing assistance from all comers for the longest time. Besides, when we help floundering European economies, we are in reality also helping ourselves. When their economies collapse we will not be spared by the adverse effects considering that the Philippines is a trading partner to many of them. If they resuscitate, they’ll be able to continue giving jobs to our overseas Filipino workers and doing business with us. The pledge will tremendously enhance our national image and credit standing in the community of nations. Mabuhay ang Pilipino! In withdrawing House Bill No. 6330, Palatino apologized for the hurt his bill might have caused, especially to the religious. We hope that the Kabataan will now realize that it’s not advisable to tinker with harmless and time-honored cultural practices in their future quest for cute legislative proposals. ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

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By ChrySTia Freeland

OLSTOY may have been right about families – “All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way” – but the opposite of his famous first line is true when it comes to countries: The world’s disparate unhappy nations are very much alike when it comes to the causes of their unhappiness. That’s not immediately apparent – austerity-strangled Greece, cheap-money America and military-ruled Egypt are all exhibiting quite different symptoms. But it is no accident that so many of the world’s economies are sputtering at the same time, or that so many people around the globe are angry. One reason for the synchronized gloom, of course, is the synchronization of the global economy. But the world is suffering from more than a shared summer cold. Rather, we are all, both together and apart, trying to figure out three big questions. Our answers to them will shape the 21st century. The first is how nation-states fit into a globalized world economy. Different countries are wrestling with different versions of this problem. Small states with their own currencies and open trade policies have just endured a version of the Asian crisis of 1998, and they have come to similar conclusions – survival requires a fortresslike national balance sheet and export-led growth. That’s why Baltic leaders, these days, sound an awful lot like Southeast Asian ones. The rub, as Lawrence H. Summers, the former U.S. Treasury secretary, likes to point out, is that there are no Martians. Export-led growth can’t work as a policy for the whole world: Someone needs to be the net importer. The truth of this observation is being experienced very painfully today by south Europeans, whose economies are constrained not only by inflexible labor markets – which are being reformed – but also by a currency union that has lifted north European exporters, particularly Germans, and weakened everyone else. And so the euro, which was attractive to smaller European states in part as a shelter from global economic storms like the Asian tsunami of 1998, turns out to be a perilous haven indeed. An effective global economy will require more than a World Trade Organization and free and fair commerce between companies. What shapes trade most of all is currencies, and those are guided by national policies on exports, credit and government surpluses or deficits. If we want a global economy – and most of us seem to – we need to devise a way for the currencies of the world to work, and to work together. Call it the 21st century’s Bretton Woods moment. The second question is even knottier. Global capitalism is the best economic system humanity has devised so far: Worldwide growth in the three decades before the financial crisis was astonishing – delivering, most strikingly, a huge rise in incomes to poor people in countries like India and China that, just a generation ago, development economists had all but given up on. Latin America has benefited, too, and even Africa, the perpetual bridesmaid, seems to be on the rise. But 21st-century capitalism is failing at one very important task – delivering jobs and rising incomes to the middle class in rich countries. U.S. families are no better off today than they were in 1992. For ordinary Americans, it is as if the post-Cold War windfall and the technology boom never happened. Much of Europe is in the same fix, only worse, with even higher unemployment rates and a less forgiving mortgage default system. From today’s vantage point, the rise of European tigers like Iceland, Ireland and Spain feels like a mirage. A popular meme in Western societies at the moment is to lament the mulish unwillingness of democratic majorities to support sober, centrist political leaders. Much of this refusal to follow the erstwhile wise men can surely be traced to the failure of the policies of the past few decades to deliver for the middle class.

EDGEDAVAO

E A L T H ALERT – While the Greater Manila area and the rest of Luzon have been inundated by heavy rains and thunderstorms in the past few days because of Typhoon Ondoy and Butsoy, Davao City and the entire Mindanao Island experienced exactly the opposite. The dry season is still here and as usual produced a bumper crop of mosquitoes, making for a very buggy and dreary period. The greatest threat at this stage comes from a killer fever. First, a high fever develops suddenly. The muscles and joints ache, and a rash appears on the chest and arms. Chances are anyone with such symptoms is suffering from dengue fever. The bad news: ailment caused by mosquito bites is a fact of life, and as parents of young children, notably those who are studying, will tell you that the best way to treat them is to observe precautionary measures. The country is witnessing a startling upsurge in dengue cases this year. More than 32,000 people are reported to be infected in the middle of this year compared to 31,000 in the same period last year, and about 490 have died so far. With at least 2,000 cases in Davao City, health authorities may have to deal with the rising number of patients, mostly children. In the first three months alone, dengue has claimed several lives and infected a large

HE threeday UN Conference on Sustainable Development, held in the Brazilian capital Rio de Janeiro, officially began on Wednesday, June 20, but observers said the serious business was already concluded the day before. June 21 and 22 will just be speeches by heads of national delegations that won’t make a dent on what has been agreed upon before the opening session. UN chief Ban Ki-moon, in his opening address, warned that progress on the issue tackled at the conference has been slow. He was being too soft in his criticism, if it can be called as such. With a water-down agreement which is expected to be signed off without a hitch by heads of government or ministers, the Rio+20 talks may well be considered an affirmation of the general wish to betray the spirit of the Earth Summit held 20 years ago in the same city. It may be too much to expect too much for the environment from a political gathering, but non-state participants and observers cannot also be faulted for pinning some hopes on it. Environment groups in particular can expound on the science of their cause to underscore the urgency of taking drastic actions now on climate change. At the same time how-

Monkey Business

VANTAGE POINTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 80 • JUNE 24 - 25, 2012

Beware of the killer fever

number of people. And so far there is no definite treatment for the virus, which is carried by the Aedes mosquito, and drugs can only alleviate the symptoms, according to a health alert issued by scientists and health experts. All doctors can do is give patients plenty of rest and fluids to help them fight the virus. Health experts noted that most people recover within five days and are out of danger. However, another threat comes from re-infection. It is called hemorrhagic fever – a much more dangerous form of similar initial symptoms that requires urgent medical attention. This usually occurs in dengue victims who are infected by one of the four strains of virus. Hemorrhagic fever continues with bleeding under the skin or even internally, doctors say. Taking precautions against mosquito bites is all the more important because scientists have yet to come up with a vaccine or drugs for either strain. Unlike other mosquitoes, the Aedes variety is most active during the day, especially in the early morning and late afternoon when many people let their guard down. Exceptional care must be taken to protect infected people from being bitten again. While the virus cannot be passed directly between humans, uninfected mosquitoes can become carriers when they take in the blood of dengue sufferers. And now some pieces of good news although not necessarily vital: whether you are concerned about dengue, malaria or just want to enjoy the outdoors bite-free, there are a variety of products that fight

mosquitoes. There are now traps that emit carbon dioxide, and coils, candles, insectrepellent sprays and creams. To protect the entire school yard from mosquitoes there is a promising option used by health authorities – fogging operation. To date, in Davao City for example, the most common sickness caused by Aedes mosquitoes is dengue. Results in Davao City and its neighboring provinces have shown how dengue affected the health of a lot of people, specifically children. The death of several patients in different public and private medical facilities would later prove to be related to dengue after many of them were tested positive of the virus carried by Aedes mosquitoes. In the past few months, health authorities in the region, Davao City in particular, have investigated possible dengue outbreaks in many remote areas – that were all later determined to be dengue-related cases. The pressure is on health authorities and other concerned government agencies to find a quick, reliable method to protect the public from getting afflicted with the deadly virus. In Davao City, the challenge for officials will be to maintain a sufficient level of information dissemination campaign to inform the public about the dangers of dengue, while ensuring that all surroundings should always remain clean to avoid becoming breeding grounds of mosquitoes. The concern over the deadly dengue virus might be a test of what to expect this coming rainy season.

Betrayal in Rio ever they are aware that in the end it is the governments that decide. And when politics prevails over science, frustration begins – or worsens. One source of frustration is the absence of a commitment to end fossil fuel subsidies. The text of the agreement simply reaffirms previous commitments to phase them out if they are “harmful and inefficient,” without setting a date, according to a report by the BBC. In addition, the agreement does not offer specific solutions to unsustainable production and consumption. It simply makes use of open-ended phrases like “urgent action” but gives no details and timeframe. With these, it is easy to see why critics said that Rio+20 has failed to achieve its purpose of promoting “green economy” as a solution to global economic woes and ecological problems. Green economy, according to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), means “improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities.” In specific terms, it means a low-carbon, resource-efficient, and aims towards eradicating poverty and improving the conservation of the ecological commons, the UNEP adds. But as Rio+20 has shown the green economy concept has been compromised by the context in which it seeks to thrive. It relies on market forces as dem-

onstrated in the system that allows for so-called carbon credits to be treated as a commodity that can either be bought or sold. No less than the UN, through its Framework Convention on Climate Change, has given license to the trading of carbon emissions. As a result of this market-based approach, which I explained in yesterday’s column (The carbon conspiracy), there has been no actual reduction in carbon emissions. Worse, the system may even lead to greater pollution of the atmosphere by allowing developed countries to make use of the Clean Development Mechanisms under the Kyoto Protocol. The green economy concept therefore is nothing more than a reinvention of the system that has pushed the environment to where it is now. It treats nature and people as commodities that can be harnessed for profit. In reality, it does not a way out of ecological destruction; rather, it creates more opportunities for the rich countries to strengthen their hold on the economies and resources of the developing states. More carbon dioxide has brought and will continue to bring incalculable suffering to millions of ordinary people. But for those who control the growing market in emissions trading, nature has never been as generous. [MindaViews is the opinion section of MindaNews. H. Marcos C. Mordeno can be reached at hmcmordeno@gmail.com.]

It’s the son’s turn to be a father speciAl FeAture By honor BlanCo CaBie

ONG, a 29-year-old father, was looking at the high power and water bills just in when his two sons, 4 and 2 years old, chased each other one evening after dinner at the receiving room. The room, where the round dining table and glass top table were, looked like some swathe of typhoon destruction as they stepped on the pillows fronting the big TV screen. Distracted by his sons’ behavior, he raised his lungs against them, calling them by their first names and let them stand beside each other facing the closed wooden door that leads to the street fronting their two-story house. “You stay there until I tell you to abandon your posts,” he shouted, still fuming with anger, like some military commander. The two little boys, silenced by their father’s syllables, stood, unmoving where they were for minutes, their chests rolling like snare drums. The scenario was far off the image he was in more than 25 years ago, when his father, firm but always mild-mannered when he talked with his three children, individually or collectively, when he was raising them up. When Dong, the age of his sons, misbehaved in the eyes of his parents, but particularly his father, his old man would grab his shoulder or his waistline, let him sit on his lap and explain why that should not have been done and why therefore he was being whipped. Parenting experts suggest several tips in rearing an offspring – that the younger generation may eventually become useful and productive units of society. First, having time for the offspring, however busy the parent may well be and however tight the office schedule during the week has been and will be in the next. It is, they say, in this type of bonding that the offspring are raised to be polite and well behaved. After all, what they are outside will be seen in the lessons they have learned in the home. The basic manners they learn at home, including the choice of television programs they are allowed to watch, will define them when the offspring start circulating with other members of their age group level in school. Second, they should always have the sincere capacity to say “please” and “thank you.” The offspring, in any activity they may be involved in, must always have the capacity to say “please” when they want something, however it may seem inconsequential, or when they are seeking permission to play, for instance, in the garden. Saying “please” and “thank you” may well be reinforced during meals, when one plate is needed and is given – passing from one hand to the other in one of the closest family encounters at home. When the offspring start joining their elders at the table, this is, according to experts, just the right opportunity to teach them basic rules that will define them in their later years. A good part of this training is giving the children the capacity to say “I’m sorry” or “excuse me” when they may interrupt someone who has the floor or when they bump without intention a person on their path. When they go on a date with their elders, either at a department store or any affordable restaurant nearby, the offspring must learn to enjoy saying “please” and “thank you.” Parents should not baby-talk their children, according to experts of the years beyond the crib, suggesting that talking with the offspring in the manner the elder talks with fellow adults will give the offspring the space to think he is treated like an adult as well. [PNA]

SUBURBIA

VOL.5 ISSUE 80 • JUNE 24 - 25, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Hedcor lessens amount of trash in Talomo River H

EDCOR, the largest developer of run-ofriver hydropower plants, prevented 412 tons (373, 332 kilograms) of trash flowing into Talomo River in the whole year of 2011 to first quarter of 2012 through a trash rack (composed of a steel grate with narrow gaps) installed as one of the components of a hydropower plant. Eight trash racks are installed within the facilities of the five run-ofriver Talomo Hydropower Plants to prevent trash and debris entering the hydropower system. The turbines are designed solely for water to run. Any trash that enters to the machine can hamper it and might cause the power generation to stop. “Preventing garbage to get into our run-ofriver hydropower facilities will secure the whole process of operations”, Hedcor Vice President for Mindanao Operations Engr. Rolando Pacquiao

said. “Aside from securing our facilities, abiding strictly to RA 9275 and DAO 2005-10 or Clean Water Act is also our top concern”, Pacquiao added. The RA 9275 or the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004 provides a clear policy on water pollution control. Hedcor contracted garbage hauler to regularly ensure the proper segregation or disposal of the hauled trash to the sanitary landfill and even recycled some, as one way of administering quality water management. “After we use the diverted water to run our turbines in Talomo plants, the water will then be returned to river in a cleaner state, zero waste,” Pacquaio said. The Talomo River runs the 5 mini-hydropower plants of Hedcor with a total capacity of 4.47 megawatts. These are the first and oldest plants operated and managed by Hedcor since 1978.

77 ARMM towns to benefit from potable water projects

OME 77 municipalities in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will benefit from potable water projects set to be implemented by the Aquino administration under the region’s Transition Investment Plan. President Benigno S. Aquino III assured this on Wednesday during the gathering of the local government units of ARMM held in Davao City where officials discussed on local governance and reforms in the region. Aquino said initial assessment has been made on the five towns in Basilan, 21 in Lanao del Sur, 34 in Maguindanao, eight in Sulu and nine in TawiTawi as recipients of the projects. “Ito na nga po ang papatid sa uhaw ng mga komunidad na matagal nang natuyuan ng lalamunan,” he stated in his keynote speech during the ARMM Convention on Local Governance. The potable water projects are part of the approved P8.59 billion fund which the President committed to fund various projects apart from

the potable water need placed under the Transition Investment Plan of ARMM being implemented toward the next ARMM election. Aquino said the fund also aims to address the needs for health infrastructure, core shelter assistance for families caught in the middle of the political conflict, farm-to-market roads, repair and rehabilitation of roads and bridges and energization of remote areas. “Makakaasa po kayong nasa likod ninyo ang ating administrasyon, handang alalayan kayo sa inyong pangangailangan,” he assured the ARMM mayors and governors. “Binigyan po tayo ng pagkakataon upang patunayan sa mga taga-ARMM na ang mabuting pamamahala ay nagbubunsod ng tunay na pagginhawa,” Aquino said. The President urged the ARMM people not to waste this good opportunity, saying “Huwag nating ipagpabukas pa ang kaya nating isakatuparan ngayon para sa lalo pa nating pag-usad,” he said. [PIA 11/CARINA L. CAyON]

Apart from the operations’ effort in preventing trash going into the river, Hedcor conducts a regular Eco-market day in its host communities. The Eco-market day serves as a venue for the residents to properly segregate waste and sell it to Hedcor. Hedcor then delivers it to the contracted buy back centers in the city. Hedcor is a whollyowned subsidiary of AboitizPower – the holding company for the Aboitiz Group’s investments in power generation, distribution, retail and power services. It is a major producer of Cleanergy, its brand for clean and renewable energy in the Philippines with several hydroelectric and geothermal assets in its generation portfolio and also has non-renewable power plants located across the country. The company owns distribution utilities that operate in high-growth areas in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

TRASH UNCLOGGED. Trash rack installed in the system of Talomo Hydropower Plant unclogs domestic wastes from the Talomo River. It secures a smooth flow of water before water enters the hydropower turbines.

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 11TH JUDICIAL REGION OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT DAVAO CITY

NICKEL COLLECTION LENDING INVESTOR,INC. REPRESENTED BY MARITESS V. SIANGCO Mortgagee, versus –

BPI FAMILY SAVINGS BANK, INC., Mortgagee,

EJF-REM CASE NO. 13,417-12

PRINCESITA L. COMISO, Mortgagor/s. NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE Upon extra-judicial petition for sale under Act 3135, as amended, filed by the above-mentioned mortgagee against PRINCESITA L. COMISO with address at Blk. 14, Lot 44, Phase 29 85 A Rosa St. La Verna Hills, Brgy. Pampanga, Davao City, to satisfy the mortgage indebtedness which as of date of the petition amounted to FIVE HUNDRED SEVENTY FIVE SEVEN THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED EIGHTY FIVE PESOS AND 55/100 (577,485.55) Philippine Currency, exclusive of penalties,past due interest ,and plus expenses of foreclosure and attorney’s fee representing 25% of the total obligation due ; the undersigned Sheriff of the Regional Trial Court, Davao City, will sell at public auction on July 12, 2012 at 10:00 A.M., or soon thereafter, at the main entrance of Hall of Justice, Ecoland, Davao City, to the highest bidder for CASH and/or Manager’s Check and in Philippine Currency, the following real property/ies mentioned and described below together with all the improvements found thereon , to wit: TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. T-455289 “ A parcel of land of the consolidation-subdivision project (lot 44, Blk. 14, of the consolidation-subdivision plan Pcs-112402-001422,xxx) situated in Barangay of Pampanga; City of Davao; Island of Mindanao. xxx Containing an area of ONE HUNDRED THIRTY FIVE (135) SQUARE METERS, more or less.”And TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. T-453137 “ A parcel of land (Lot 2-A, Psd-11-103533) being a portion of lot 2, Psd-11-042139, situated in the Barrio of Matina, City of Davao, Island of Mindanao.xxx Containing an area of EIGHTY EIGHT (88) SQUARE, more or less.” All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above-stated time and date In the event that the public auction should not take place on the said date, it shall be held on August 9, 2012 without further notice. Prospective buyers are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the titles of the herein-above described real property/ies and encumbrances thereon, if any there be. Davao City, Philippines, June 6, 2012 FOR THE EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF: (SGD) TERESITA M. CEBALLOS Sheriff IV

NOTED BY: ATTY. EDIPOLO P. SARABIA, JR. Clerk of Court VI Ex-Officio Provincial Sheriff (Edge 6/18,25,7/2

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 11TH JUDICIAL REGION OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT DAVAO CITY

versus –

EJF-REM CASE NO. 13,395-12

FELICISIMA O. HILAY AND VICENTE LEONILO R. HILAY, Mortgagor/s. NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE Upon extra-judicial petition for sale under Act 3135, as amended, filed by the above-mentioned mortgagee against Felicisima O. Hilay andVicente Leonilo R. Hilay with postal address at 404 Nidea St., Barrio Obrero, Davao City, to satisfy the mortgage indebtedness which as March 12, 2012, the unpaid indebtedness of the mortgagor, which is to be satisfied out of the proceeds of the foreclosure sale, consists of the total outstanding obligation in the amount of Php 492,030.83, Philippine Currency, plus other interest and charges thereon from March 12, 2012 up to the date of foreclosure sale, cost of publication of the notice of sale, expenses of the foreclosure proceedings, an addition sum equivalent to fifteen percent (15%) of the total amount due as and for attorney’s fees and additional sum equivalent to fifteen percent (15%) of the total amount due as and for liquidated damages and other expenses allowed by law; the undersigned Sheriff of the Regional Trial Court, Davao City, will sell at public auction on July 5, 2012 at 10:00 A.M., or soon thereafter, at the main entrance of Hall of Justice, Ecoland, Davao City, to the highest bidder for CASH and/or Manager’s Check and in Philippine Currency, the real property with all its improvements found thereon particularly described below, to wit: TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. T-321460 A parcel of land (lot 2, Blk. 23, of the conso-subd. Plan (LRC) Pcs-10016,xxx) situated in Barrio of Ma-a; City of Davao; Island of Mindanao. xxx Containing an area of THREE HUNDRED AND THIRTY THREE (333) SQUARE METERS, more or less.” date

All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above-stated time and

In the event that the public auction should not take place on the said date, it shall be held on August 2, 2012 without further notice. Prospective buyers are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the condition of the unit and encumbrances thereon, if any there be. Davao City, Philippines, May 30, 2012

NOTED BY: ATTY. EDIPOLO P. SARABIA, JR. Clerk of Court VI Ex-Officio Provincial Sheriff (Edge 6/18,25,7/2)

FOR THE EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF: (SGD) SERGIO LEONARDO J. TUPAS Sheriff IV

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.5 ISSUE 80 • JUNE 24 - 25, 2012

Pro-poor programs spur community participation, social involvement

ROGRAM participants or beneficiaries of government pro-poor initiatives have demonstrated improved involvement in community events and even expressed enhanced relations with other community members. Moreover, participation in community projects showed a marked increase in self-esteem and family unity among project beneficiaries. Some beneficiaries have even surpassed program expectations realizing and proving to all that they can do more if they just put their mind and heart into it. When people feel trusted and respected, they are happy and they tend to give more of themselves, motivated to achieve more. Learning to grow “Tungod sa kagamay sa akong grado, naningkamot gyud ko makatoon sa seminar atubang sa mga kadagkoan. Nadungagan ang akong kahibalo pinaagi sa seminar. Motambong ko kon dunay ipatawag nga meeting (The fact that I am a mere elementary graduate, I willed myself to learn during seminars which really helped me. Also I attend meetings),” shares Susan Campa, 36, of Palma Gil, Talaingod. A mother of three, Susan is a barangay health worker (BHW). She is also president of Self-Employment Assistance Kaunlaran Association (SKA) , a parent leader of Pantawid Pamilya while her community is a recipient of KALAHICIDSS potable water system. Felix Sotto of Mabuhay, Laak, stressed, “Kinahanglan ang pagsalig sa kaugalingon aron makapadayon. Kon walay disiplina, dili mkapadayon (We need self-confidence to advance. Without discipline, we cannot move forward).” Felix, 60, is a farmer, member of SKA and active in his church. For Marites Reambonanza of Magdum, Tagum City, her involvement in DSWD’s SKA changed her life socially and economically. “Daghan mi’g nakat-onan ug hinay-hinay pud na-develop among self-confidence. Sa among grupo, maminaw mi

sa matag usa aron magkasabot. Kon dunay diperensya, mag-istorya ug motuman pud sa sabot (We learned a lot and gradually developed our self-confidence. We listen to each other and try to patch up whatever our differences).” Started in December 1996, Magdum SKA has evolved from a mere livelihood group into an active community partner that engages in lending, catering and meat processing. Marites serves as treasurer of Magdum SKA which regularly participates in and supports barangay affairs. Marites said the capability building opportunities helped members of Magdum SKA to be proactive. Moreover, they have learned project management and simple accounting, and they have become creative in their management style and in formulating organization policies. Hipolito Molo heads the Garments Services Cooperative of Baguio District, Calinan, Davao City. His group just completed the Module One Basic Business Training conducted by the Philippine Social Enterprise Network (PhilSEN) through DSWD. He is positive his groups will sustain its good record as a SKA whose members have developed socially and economically with their garments and plastic bag production ventures. “Anam-anam naabri ang huna-huna. Nahagit ko nga kahibalo diay ko (Gradually my mind broadened. I was amazed of my ability),” recounts Joan Emely Duran, 28, and a high school graduate from Brgy. Amorcruz, Laak. Joan also receives subsidy from Pantawid Pamilya. Janebeth Engalan, SKA treasurer also of Amorcruz, Laak and secretary of Pantawid shared, “Nadugangan ang akong kahibalo. Kon wala ko kaapil sa SKA, wala ko kahibalo pag-process sa banko (I’ve learned more. Had I not joined SKA, I wouldn’t have known how to transact in a bank).” For Agnes Veñalon, president of SKMS SEA Ka-

bayan, Matina, Davao City, “Sa una, wala gayod mi pagpakabana. Nakalihok kami sa among kaugalingong negosyo tungod sa DSWD. Nahimamat namo ang mga tawo nga wala pa namo mailhan. Karon kahibalo na mi mosayaw, kanta, mo-apil og sports activities ug mo-socialize (We were indifferent at first. Then DSWD taught us basic business skills. We met new people and learned to dance, sing, join sports activities and socialize).” Way of life For most of the recipients, their involvement in government programs and even in non-government initiatives has developed them to really stand up and speak for themselves. Monthly or weekly meetings are a treat they come to look forward to and for some, these events have become a way of life. “Daghan makat-onan sa kada bulan nga FDS (I’ve learned so much from the monthly FDS –Family Development Session of Pantawid Pamilya),” admits Conchita Lagoy, 51. Conchita is a BHW, secretary to SKA Sto. Nino in Talaingod and a Pantawid parent leader. Maribeth Tibay, 31, from Salawao, Talaingod recounts, “Ang eskwelahan napuno og tawo ug and health center napuno pud og tawo. Bisan unsa kalayo baktason para moadto gyud og health center (The school and health center were filled up. Despite the distance, people would hike just to reach the health center).” A farmer, Maribeth is also a Pantawid parent leader and treasurer of Sto. Nino SKA. Her community now enjoys a potable water system through KALAHI-CIDSS which also brought a community library, tribal housing units, corn mills, day care centers, among others to the people of Talaingod. Magdum SKA president, Angelina Birondo admits, they have succeeded because they are always willing to listen and learn from DSWD project development officers assigned in their area. She said she has learned to share and cooperate in a group

FPRO, 13

Members of Magdum Self-Employment Assistance Kaunlaran Association (SKA) in one of their weekly meetings.

COMMUNITY SENSE 11

12 NATION/WORLD NATION BRIEFS

Tied

HE hands of President Benigno Aquino III are tied on declaring comedy king Rodolfo “Dolphy” Quizon as national artist, a Malacanang official said Thursday. Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said President Aquino recognizes the contribution of Quizon in the movie industry but he could not name the 83-year-old actor as national artist due to the existing temporary restraining order (TRO) preventing Malacanang from conferring the Order of National Artists award.

Richest

USINESS tycoon Henry Sy and his family are still the richest in the Philippines, topping the Forbes list of Philippine billionaires with a net worth of $9.1 billion or some P385 billion. The Sys control SM Prime, the largest mall developer in the Philippines, with Henry Sy Jr.’s stake in the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines adding to the family’s fortune, Forbes said. The Sys are 116th in a list of the world’s billionaires topped by Mexican telecoms magnate Carlos Slim, who has $69 billion.

Tightened

HINA has set up a new “prefecture level” city called Sansha to administer three disputed islands in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), according to Chinese state-ownedXinhua news agency. The development has tightened China’s grip on islands that it calls its own in the West Philippine Sea, particularly the Spratlys.

People’s faith

HILIPPINE boxing hero Manny Pacquiao said Thursday that a WBO panel ruling that he had won his controversial bout against Timothy Bradley would help restore people’s faith in the sport. The World Boxing Organization (WBO) on its website Thursday said all five members of a special panel it asked to review the controversial June 9 Las Vegas bout scored it in favour of Pacquiao. The WBO said it could not overturn the result of the fight or ask Bradley to surrender the belt, but that it could authorise a rematch.

VOL.5 ISSUE 80 • JUNE 24 - 25, 2012

China strongly protests E Vietnam claim to islands

WORLD TODAY

HINA said it summoned Vietnam’s ambassador Thursday and strongly protested a law adopted by the Vietnamese parliament that places the disputed Spratly and Paracel islands under Hanoi’s sovereignty. China and Vietnam, as well as other neighbouring nations, are locked in long-standing territorial disputes over the South China Sea, including the mineral-rich Spratly and Paracel islands. “The... actions by the Vietnamese side are illegal and invalid. China expresses its strong protest and firm opposition,” foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei told reporters. “The Vietnamese unilateral actions ... complicate and magnify the issue. China will resolutely safeguard territorial sovereignty.” Hong said Vietnam’s ambassador to China Nguyen Van Tho was summoned to the foreign ministry Thursday and told of Beijing’s displeasure. According to Vietnamese parliamentarian Duong Trung Quoc, the leg-

An aerial photo shows Thitu Island, part of the disputed Spratly group of islands, in the South China Sea in 2011. China said it summoned Vietnam’s ambassador Thursday and strongly

protested a law adopted by the Vietnamese parliament that places the disputed Spratly and Paracel islands under Hanoi’s sovereignty.

islation is a first for Hanoi on what it calls the East Sea. “The adoption of this law on the sea today is very important for Vietnam,” he told AFP. “It helps solidify both how Vietnam will implement its sovereignty over the Paracel and Spratly Islands and its international commitments.” Tensions in the South China Sea have risen sharply recently, with China and the Philippines locked in a maritime dis-

pute over Scarborough Shoal, a reef off the Philippine coast. But tensions eased when the Philippines ordered two of its ships to withdraw from the shoal last week, a move that was welcomed by China. The disputed region is a key trading route for the US, which has expressed concern over sporadic flare-ups between countries. Taiwan, Vietnam, Brunei, China, Malaysia, and the Philippines all claim

parts of the South China Sea. China also announced Thursday it had elevated the administrative status of the Nansha (Spratly) and Xisha (Paracel) islands from a county to a prefectural-level district, the civil affairs ministry said in a statement. It was not immediately clear what the new status would mean for the islands, which boasted a total population of just over 500 people according to China’s census in 2000.

leader received a standing ovation on arrival, introduced as “the conscience of a country and a heroine for humanity”. “We have an opportunity to reestablish true democracy in Burma. It is an opportunity for which we have waited decades,” she told a forum previously reserved for world leaders such as Nelson Mandela and Barack Obama. “If we do not get things

right this time right round, it may be several decades more before a similar opportunity arises again. I would ask Britain, as one of the oldest parliamentary democracies, to consider what it can do to help build the sound institutions needed to build a nascent parliamentary democracy.” Suu Kyi, only the second woman to address both houses of parliament after Queen Elizabeth, is in Brit-

ain as part of a 17-day tour of Europe that has at times been emotional and physically demanding. On Wednesday, she returned to Oxford, where she once lived with her late husband and two sons before returning to Myanmar, also known as Burma, in 1988. The visit, to care for her mother, was supposed to be brief, but Suu Kyi, daughter of assassinated Myanmar independence hero Aung San, was swept into her country’s political turmoil as the military crushed protests. The Oxford graduate spent 15 of the next 24 years under house arrest, becoming an icon of non-violent political resistance. During army rule, Suu Kyi refused offers allowing her to leave the country for fear she would not be allowed to return, costing her the chance to see her children grow up and also the opportunity to be with her husband, Michael Aris, before he died of cancer in 1999. After nearly half a century of direct military rule, in 2011 the junta gave way to a quasi-civilian government stuffed with former generals, and since then current President Thein Sein has startled the world with his appetite for reforms.

Myanmar’s Suu Kyi makes history with British parliament address

YANMAR democracy champion Aung San Suu Kyi became the first non-head of state to address both houses of Britain’s parliament on Thursday in a rare honour she used to ask for help in bringing democracy to the former British colony. Cutting a tiny figure in parliament’s cavernous and historic Westminster Hall, the 67-year-old Nobel Peace laureate and opposition

Siege

LITE Afghan police backed by NATO forces ended a 12hour siege on Friday at a popular lakeside hotel outside Kabul, leaving at least 20 dead after Taliban gunmen stormed the lakeside building, bursting into a party and seizing dozens of hostages. The night-time assault on the hotel with rocket-propelled grenades, suicide vests and machine guns again proved how potent the Islamist insurgency remains after a decade of war.

Backed

ENATE President Juan Ponce Enrile yesterday joined the call for the immediate release from hospital arrest of former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, saying that government may rely on three strong arguments in foregoing of any attempt to block his bid for bail. He also warned that the government may find itself liable if something happens to her.

EDGEDAVAO

Myanmar pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, watched by Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow, delivers an address to both Houses of Parliament, in Westminster Hall, in the Houses of Parliament, central London June 21, 2012. [ReUteRS]

Raid

N Israeli air strike on Gaza killed one Palestinian and wounded two on Saturday, medics said, in a blow to Egyptian-brokered efforts to restore an informal truce. There was no immediate confirmation from the Israeli military of the latest raid which followed several on the territory during the night that drew retaliatory rocket fire into Israel.

Needing

HE number of people needing humanitarian assistance in Syria has risen to 1.5 million from the previous estimate of 1 million as escalating violence drives more people from their homes, the United Nations said on Friday. Aid agencies face “significant” constraints in reaching growing numbers of civilians who need basic goods and protection, it said.

Blast

blast went off outside a nightclub in the Nigerian capital Abuja hours after the national security adviser and defence minister were sacked amid fears over spiralling violence in the country’s north. No casualties were reported in the explosion late Friday. Windows in the nightclub, a bank and a barber shop were shattered and a number of cars were damaged.

Pressure

HE Muslim Brotherhood expects its anticipated presidential election win to be respected, its candidate said Friday, as the group’s supporters packed Cairo’s Tahrir Square to pressure Egypt’s ruling military. The Brotherhood wants neither “confrontation nor violence,” as the country nervously awaits the official result of the divisive June 16-17 poll run-off, its standard bearer Mohamed Morsi said.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.5 ISSUE 80 • JUNE 24 - 25, 2012

Conversion...

FFROM 1

Golez, Jr., HB 6069 was approved in the Lower House last May 16, and will be filed as Senate Bill 3130 authored by Franklin Drilon soon after the opening of the 16th Congress next month. The Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) in Davao City and the Davao Regional Hospital in Tagum City are among the hospitals to be made into corporations, according to Mary Ann Sapar, secretary general of Gabriela-Southern Mindanao. The groups are one in saying that they are against “corporatization” of public hospitals as this will lead to increase of rates of hospital and medical services and the decrease of budget for charity patients now being catered to by these hospitals. GOCC hospitals will be profit-oriented, they charged.

Fishery...

Sapar pointed out that based on the conditions of government-owned and controlled corporation hospitals, poor people have been deprived of access to health care services. She said for instance, 1,600 indigent cardiac patients in a year are waiting to be operated in the Philippine Heart Center because patients who have capacity to pay are prioritized, adding that basically, GOCCs are profit-oriented rather than providing social services. The groups drafted Sangguniang Panglunsod resolution to be filed by Councilor Leah Librado, chairperson of the committee on women and children. The corporatization, according to the resolution, violates the people’s rights to free access to health care services, the rights of public

Pro...

More...

FFROM 2

However, he admitted the lack of graduates from these fields, saying only 500 licensees had so far been recorded since the beginning of the fisheries course in the country. The BFAR will take care of the training and 50% of the salary for the next two years for third, fourth and fifth class municipalities. A monthly salary of P17,000 will be paid to those licensed in fisheries, and P13,000 for criminologists. Next year, the bureau will acquire 27 new 45-footer boats worth of P6 million to P7 million each, made of either steel or fiber glass to be utilized by the QRTs, and the Davao region will have two boats. These new boats are in

health workers to job security and just wages as health services become a business. Sapar also mentioned that as proposed in the bill, the hospitals are allowed to invest in high technology equipment, minimizing the requirement for labor force. She added that HB 6069 and SB 3130 will result in increase of maternal and infant mortality and morbidity rate as poor women and underpaid health workers will not be able to access free health care services. Gabriela Davao Chapter will conduct a big forum in Davao City and invite Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan of the Gabriela Women’s Party. Some 100 women will participate in a protest action to lambast the hospital corporatization bills on June 28 in front of the SPMC at one o’clock in the afternoon.

addition to the existing 10 vessels that BFAR has for the entire country. Further, Perez bared that this is also in preparation for the transformation of BFAR into a department. He said it is high time for the bureau to become a department considering its huge areas of responsibility and the lack of manpower. The BFAR presently has 1,200 regular staff to cover the 7,100 islands in the Philippines. This reality, he said, equates to six islands per employee. Transforming the BFAR into a department will organize its structure and augment the manpower to about 4,000 regular employees with a ratio of one or two islands per person, he added.

permanent, and not irregular. This means that she/ he is a holder of valid Philippine passport and does not have an immigrant status in a foreign country; and, that her/his employment is documented and she/he possesses a valid residency or work permit as well as other employment documents. The OFW has at least four years of work experience as an OFW, and the family is known in the locality as a solid or stable family; and, financially stable. The deadline of nomination will be on July 31, and the awarding for regional winners will be in October, while for national winners in December. [LORIe A. CASCARO]

FFROM 11

atmosphere. Likewise, she has developed high regard for herself and has learned to understand and appreciate her fellow members. Florencia Ponte of Magdum SKA used to raise hogs and was too shy to even just talk to other people much more attend meetings. Her friends in the group helped her overcome this by making her speak out her mind, and giving her the responsibility to manage the funds for their Christmas party. She said she has earned their trust and they earned her respect. Now, she has no reason to be timid. She has improved and her life is much better and she always looks forward to their Tuesday meetings. Giving back As program recipients immerse and learn from community projects, they commit to continue their involvement and support. Maribeth said she’ll work harder, attend trainings, be always active and learn to socialize while Susan promised to conform

to program policy and be a model recipient. Morever, she would encourage others to attend assemblies and not be absent. Conchita Lagoy, a BHW, parent leader for Pantawid and secretary to Sto. Nino SKA in Talaingod, shares Susan’s enthusiasm to adhere to program conditions and remain an active project member. “Magtuman gyud sa mga pamalaod. Kogihan ko motambong ug mopa-ambit sa kauban. Kinahanglan magaktibo sa buluhaton sa barangay aron masayod sa mga kalihokan (I really follow rules, attend meetings and share what I know. We need to be mindful of barangay affairs so we’ll be informed).” Conchita hopes to attend more livelihood seminars. Further, Maribeth assured, “Maningkamot ko nga dili masayang ang hinabang sa gobyerno para sa amoa (I will strive so that government assistance will not be in vain).” Teresita Cadungog of

Palma Gil, Talaingod said she will share her time and be socially active. She says she is mindful of her obligations. Teresita is treasurer of Pantawid and a member of SKA. As GKK president, Pantawid parent leader and SKA president, Lilan Libayao said she will permanently be active in community undertakings. She also promised, “Mapadayon ang maayong prinsipyo ug batasan (Continue to radiate fine attitude and values).” Lilan hails from JBL, Talaingod. Other poor communities in the cities of Tagum and Davao, Laak, Talaingod and other municipalities in Davao Region also enjoy capital assistance through Sustainable Livelihood Program, sub-projects of KALAHI-CIDSS, subsidy from Pantawid Pamilya, hot meals through Supplementary Feeding, Social Pension for indigent senior citizens, Rice Subsidy for farmers and fisherfolks, among others. (DSWD/CARMeLA CADIGAL-DURON)

13 JCI Senate says no to illegal mining

By Lorie A. Cascaro

ES to responsible mining, no to illegal mining. This is the advocacy of the JCI Senate Philippines, which will hold a forum on responsible mining on July 3 at the Grand Men Seng Hotel here in partnership with the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines and the Coalition for Responsible Mining in Mindanao. These institutions expect the forum to bridge the information gap between the minerals industry and its stakeholders. “Through the conduct of a target information campaign,

we hope to bring about better understanding, partnership and cooperation between and among industry players and stakeholders; and, to solicit support for responsible minerals development and against illegal mining in all forms,” the organizers said. Representatives from local governments, the academe, business, media, civil society and church are invited to participate in the forum. Meanwhile, in a press statement, a youth group called Generation Peace raised that government should reform its mining policy and other programs that have been responsible for the

3 cemeteries...

FFROM 1

arguing that private cemetery is not within the city’s famous Dumoy aquifer. He is reported to be vent on reintroducing the measure this week, after failing to do so last month. Al-ag and cemetery proponents are taking advantage of a seemingly infirmity of an existing city ordinance –Ordinance No. 117-01, Series of 2001, known as the “Water Resource Management and Protection Code of Davao City.” The ordinance also referred to as the Water Code failed to include Dumoy and neighboring barangays are “water resource areas” where the establishment of cemeteries or memorial parks is one of the 20 prohibited activities. Article 6 of the 14-page ordinance merely points out the following as water resource area and protected from certain acts of activities as provided for in the local law: “a) Calinan to Dacudao –Latitude 7 deg. 12’30N Longitude 125 deg. 28’45”E; b) Calinan to Malagos –Latitude 7 deg. 10’00’ N Longitude 125 deg. 125 deg. 25’35” E; c) Sirawan –Latitude 6 deg. 59’30”N Longitude 125 deg. 28’45’N d) All other areas as the Council may hereinafter identify and declare as water resource areas.” Councilor Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling, a member of the WMC, had acknowledged the non-inclusion of the Dumoy aquifer in the ordinance and vowed to introduce an amendment to it. The same promise was made by Councilor Marissa Salvador-Abella, the other councilor member of the WMC, during the last month’s citywide consulta-

P3.8M... FFROM 4

Meanwhile, organic farmers last June 19-21 exhibited their produce during the Araw ng Boston celebration at Davao Oriental. Participating in the agroforestry trade fair are the groups of the United Farmers, Fisher folks, Women, and Youth Organizations, and the Youth for Peace Movement of Boston. Said groups were among the beneficiaries to the livelihood training program given by the 67th Infantry Battalion which gave lectures on seaweed production.

tion with more than 180 barangay captains. The opposition against memorial parks on top of the city’s aquifer is being led by Dumoy barangay captain Jessie Mar Culaste and the United Residents and Homeowners Association of Dacoville, Inc. (Urhadi) led by Conrado Vidanes. The WMC has included discussion on the three private cemeteries in the next meeting of the multi-sectoral council. Asibal said that a group of members are now looking into relevant documents while another group is preparing a statement of concern. He said that it would be ironic to allow the destruction of the Dumoy aquifer when there are ongoing concerted efforts to manage and protect the city’s all important watersheds by the administration of Mayor Sara Duterte. Earlier, Cabling said that water kept in the watershed in Davao City’s mountain fastnesses takes 50 years to arrive in the Dumoy aquifer. The WMC is headed by Mayor Sara as chairperson and acting administration Zulieka Lopez as vice chair. The council’s spokespersons or champions are Councilors Cabling and Abella, acting city agriculturist Leonardo Avila III and CENRO chief Dominic Joseph Felizarta. Other members are heads of the DCWD, DENR, Davao City Chamber of Commerce, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, the academe, nongovernment organizations, medical society, Integrated Bar of the Philippines, the media, and certain city government offices. Col. Rueben Basiao of the 67th IB also shared that his unit is working in cooperation with the Boston Municipal Agriculture Officer Victoria Pagaduan in creating a Community Development Team in the municipality. “We pushed these livelihood projects, together with the local government units, to address the needs of every community ensuring that the residents can then sustain the program in the long run”, Col. Basiao said.

plunder of Mindanao’s resources. The youth group blames large-scale mining and plantations for floods last December in the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, killing thousands of people. “There should be no repeat of such disaster, when government prioritizes ecological justice along with economic justice for the people,” the group said. Generation Peace also demands to include environmentally-sound reforms in the economic agenda of the peace talks between the Government of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines. During his recent visit here, President Benigno Aquino III said he is still doing some fine tuning on the executive order on mining policy reforms, which will include regulating small-scale mining in the light of establishing “minahan ng bayan” or a government-owned mining industry. Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation and Communications LAND TRANSPORTATION FRANCHISING AND REGULATORY BOARD Regional Office No. XI Davao city Petition for Renewal of a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate A PUB MINI BUS Ordinary Regular Service TERESITA M. ROSALEJOS, Petitioner Case No.2002-XI-00087-DP x- - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - -x NOTICE HEARING Petitioner is a grantee of a Certificate of Public Convenience issued in this case authorizing the operation of a PUB MINI BUS Ordinary Regular Service on the route: TAGUM CITY-MASARA VIA BRGY. ANDILI, ELIZALDE, COMPOSTELA VALLEY and vice versa with the use of ONE (1) unit, which Certificate expired last February 12, 2012. In the petition filed on April 23, 2012, petitioner request authority to extend the validity of said certificate to operate along the same route with the use of the same unit previously authorized. NOTICE, is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Board on JULY 10, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at this office at the above address. At least, FIVE (5) days prior to the above date petitioner shall publish this Notice once in a one (1) daily newspaper of general circulation in Mindanao Parties opposed to the granting of the petition must file their written opposition supported by documentary evidence on or before the above date furnishing a copy of the same to the petitioner, and may if they so, desire appear on said date and time. This petition will be acted upon by this Board on the basis of its records and the documentary evidence submitted by the parties, unless the Board deems it necessary to receive additional documentary and/or oral evidence. WITNESS the Honorable BENJAMIN A. GO, CESO V, Regional Director, this 23rd day of April 2012 at Davao City. TERESITA DELA PEÑA-YÑIGUEZ Chief Transport Development Officer /hoc Copy furnished: Petitioner, Teresita M. Rosalejos, Panibasan, Maco, Compostela Valley Counsel, Atty. Lucilo B. Sarona, Jr., JMS Bldg., 88 Maya St., Matina, Ecoland, Davao City NOTE: Affidavit of Publication and newspaper where notice was published must be submitted three (3) days before the scheduled hearing.

VOL.5 ISSUE 80 • JUNE 24 - 25, 2012

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VOL.5 ISSUE 80 • JUNE 24 - 25, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

ARTS & CULTURE

Dolphy does it all By Edward C. Lactaoen

Diverse. if there’s any single word that could be used to describe the roles Dolphy has portrayed throughout his career, diverse would probably be one of the most fitting words for it. Born rodolfo vera Quizon, and more wellknown by his nickname Dolphy, is an icon in the Philippine art of acting. With a career spanning several decades, taking on a diverse variety of roles throughout, Dolphy is nothing short of a treasure that represents the best of acting in film and television. in his breakout role, Dolphy was cast as Gorio, a gay character in 1954’s Jack en Jill. Dolphy’s role as Gorio, would pave the way for him to portray more gay roles in comedies at various other times in his career. The “Philippine King of Comedy” also had several stints in films spoofing secret agent films when they proliferated in the 60’s. Taking the moniker Agent 1-2-3 as inspired by Agent 007, Dolphy strengthened his comedic reputation over the years he spent in film. in 1973, in what would be the first of his major roles in television, Dolphy portrayed John Puruntong in the Tv series John en Marsha. in this sitcom, Dolphy was able to portray the plight of the Filipino everyman trying to make ends meet. even given the character’s grave situation, Dolphy remained successful in bringing smiles to the households who watched the story of John Puruntong unfold. Dolphy would later be cast once again as a Filipino everyman in the series Home Along Da riles. These two series combined ran for over two decades, reinforcing the legacy of the career that pays testament to the ability of Dolphy to entertain the Filipino peo-

ple. Dolphy’s illustrious career may be filled with his track record of comedy films, but ventures into other genres have shown that he is not a one-dimensional actor. Dolphy departed from his regular comedic portrayal of gays when he played the role of Walter Dempster Jr. or Walterina Markova in the film Markova: Comfort Gay. in the film, Dolphy was successful in showing a more serious side in his acting, ably portraying the struggle that Markova went through in his days as a comfort gay during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines. His performance in the film earned him nominations for Best Actor during the FAMAs

Awards and Gawad Urian Awards. With a career spanning many decades, Dolphy has received numerous awards over the years. His only FAMAs Award is being the Best Actor for the film Omeng satanasia, but many of the other award-giving bodies in the country have awarded him with Lifetime Achievement awards for his innumerable contributions to the Philippine entertainment industry. in November of 2010, Dolphy was awarded the Grand Collar of the Order of the Golden Heart by the president himself, giving recognition to his work in the entertainment industry as well as his philanthropic works. Dolphy is a single man

who has taken up many names and roles in his career in the entertainment industry, but his best role is he as himself. Dolphy continues to be an icon for the Filipnos, one that has shown them over the years that no matter what happens in life, there will always be a reason to smile. Edward is a senior Communications student of the Ateneo de Davao University.

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VOL.5 ISSUE 80 • JUNE 24 - 25, 2012

SPECIAL FEATURE ENTERTAINMENT

There shall never be another Dolphy

siNCe this afternoon we have all remained restless. And sad. Although we have heard about his physical condition for some time, we are still struck with such loneliness when we hear the updates regarding his health. This time it looks bad. As i write this, everyone is quiet and speculating. We all love the man. The nation has always loved this man. We love him because for decades — nay, generations — he never ceased to give us the joys of laughter. His was a most imperfect life but he never made any claims of sainthood nor did he use himself as an example of perfection. He shunned invitations to join politics ... and instead preserved that oh-soawesome disposition that had remained unchanging through so many years that we have known him. What was it about him that made him so different — and so loved? it certainly was not his reputation as a Lothario. it was not the sheer power of his comedic talent. it was his humanity. it was his humility. it was because they don’t make people like him any more. There shall never be another Dolphy. We are in tears because we do not know a life in this country — with our obsession for stars and show business — without that single icon whose very image embodies all of what we know as Philippine comedy. if Fernando Poe Jr was Da King ... then Dolphy owned the other half of the kingdom. if FPJ shared the throne with the equally iconic Joseph estrada, Dolphy reigned unquestioned and unchallenged as the emperor of Comedy. For he, together with only a handful left, represent the entire evolution of popular entertainment in the country as we understand it today. Dolphy is living history. For the career of rodolfo Quizon was not as privileged as the “stars” of today who become overnight sensations because of the availability, accessibility and the power of media. Dolphy rose from the ranks. He honed his talents through years of hard work together with some of the legends whose names shall forever remain etched in the annals of entertainment doctrines in our country. To trace the history of

Dolphy’s career is to create a map of what was Philippine entertainment through decades of the twentieth and the early twenty-first century. From the bit player of stage shows called bodabil where the likes of Mary Walter, Bayani Casimiro, Katy de la Cruz, German Moreno, Pugo, Tugo, Lupito and Patsy — and, yes, the young Gloria romero — found their footing into the world of music, applause and laughter, Dolphy evolved into more than just an icon — but a personification of the Filipino immortalized by stage, television and films. Anyone Filipino familiar with local mass media, its images and elements cannever talk about television without mentioning the name of John Puruntong. For who of that Tv generation escaped the years of amusement that Ading Fernando’s seminal Filipino family in the persons of John, his wife Marsha (played by the late Nida Blanca) and their children rolly (performed by his real life son rolly Quizon) and shirley (embodied by a child star named Maricel soriano at the start of the series). John en Marsha holds the record of being one of the longest running sitcoms in Philippine television. The family evolved right front of the eyes of the viewer — and, to this day, the Filipino everyman has been and will always be John Puruntong. For the younger generation, Dolphy is Kevin Cosme of Home Along Da riles.A carry-over of the John Puruntong character, Kevin Cosme provided the same image of the Pinoy tatay who dealt with fate with an open heart and who never lost his humanity amid the foibles and complexities offered by life. One thing notable about Dolphy’s seminal portrayals and characters: they are funny in a Chaplin-esque way: it is the vulnerability of the portrayal that makes him lovable. He is never harsh, he is never impolite — and he does not resort of vulgarity to win his laughs. He is a gentleman as much as he is a

comedian. He dignified the power to generate laughter ... never resorting to the lowest techniques and strategies just to elicit a chuckle. Unlike comedy as it is understood today (founded more on profanity, insulting and macabre forms of aggression), Dolphy was the master of timing, wit and even underacting. Whereas others resort to in-your-face slapstick even to the point of vulgarity or brutality just for laughs, Dolphy was the original Mister suave who earned his laughs by being real and human and never insulting the dignity of his co-actors just to pander to an audience. it is this humanity that has made his other most memorable characters go far beyond the superficiality of slapstick. remember Facifica Falayfay or Fefita Fofonggay? Whereas there are still those who feel that the actor made a mockery of the flamboyant gay image, a closer look would reveal that never did he assume a condescending nor an insulting attitude toward the characters he played. On the contrary, despite the fact that he was going for the laughs, Dolphy showed affection and love for the characters because he made them human and not mere shrill caricatures as others of less talent and nobility of intention would tend to do. He never made his gay characters abrasive — loud perhaps and excessive — but never consciously malicious nor indecent. That is what made them funny ... yet endearing. And in that movie where Dolphy worked with another legend of Philippine cinema Lino Brocka, in a film entitled Ang Tatay Kong Nanay with then child superstar Nino Muhlach, the master comedian proved that behind the perfection in comedic timing lived an actor whose sensibilities and sensitivities could easily elicit tears from the audience as well. For more than anything else, Dolphy was an artist. During his Buhay Artista days in the old ABsCBN, Dolphy displayed his smooth moves on the dance

floor as well as his perfect chemistry with then sidekick Panchito Alba. To this day, we of that generation recall all those somewhat tired but still funny weekly routines when Dolphy and Panchito translated english songs into Pilipino. The humor was actually a one-note number but still we succumbed to fits of hysterical laughter as the duo massacred their musical translations. But perhaps for the people in the industry, Dolphy means so much more than the other half of the symbol of the business: the mask that flaunted laughter, he who is the quiet and gentle clown. Dolphy is loved by his colleagues because of legendary generosity — but more so, his endearing ability to listen to others. Despite his stature, Dolphy never lost his sense of reality — and humility. He would always be the first to give a helping hand even before anybody asked for it. He would lavish people with what was within his reach ... inasmuch as he would make sure that he took care of everything and everyone around him. That was his sense of high. That was what kept his humanity. Whereas nowadays we are surrounded by instant celebrities who think they are stars and behave as if the entire universe revolved around them, a man of such magnitude and stature like our Mang Dolphy remained the same simple, feet-onthe-ground gentleman with a soft voice and immacu-

lately garbed. Unlike today when “stars” enter a room with their intimidating entourage as if demanding everyone within peripheral view to turn around and look while declaring, “Look, you mortals ... i am here!” Dolphy would slip in quietly, take his seat and make himself as inconspicuous as possible — as if he of the stuff that make legends is wary that he would disturb the peace. i never had a chance to work with Dolphy as a director — but what i hold dearest was the opportunity to work for him as a writer. And considering all the volumes of work i have written for television and screen, that single television script i created for a made-for-tv movie starring the King of Comedy should prove to be one of the closest to my heart. entitled “Love, Daddy”, it was directed by Peque Gallaga. Aside from Dolphy, this obscure piece of work also featured the late Charito solis and his son eric Quizon as well as Dawn Zulueta. When i was approached to write for this project, i immediately thought of a story i was yearning to see onscreen and i knew Mang Pidol would be the perfect actor to portray the role. it was about my father’s year right after his retirement: even before Jack Nicholson did About schmidt, i wrote a teleplay about the pain, agony and frustrations of a freshly retired man who has worked all his life and is now

compelled to stay home and feel absolutely useless. i guess the story was just too close to my real life because when my parents — as well as my other relatives — saw the telecast, the reactions were varied. some of my cousins were on the floor laughing as Dolphy faithfully captured the pagkabugnutin of my father as he found himself at home doing nothing except nitpicking on all the details of running a household and looking over my Mommy’s shoulders while she underwent her own therapy to cope with my Dad’s omnipresence: making endless kalderos of mango jam. My mother was not too happy because she said i did not characterize her correctly (and i still laugh each time i remember how my mother berated me for making her look somewhat like a contravida — and worse, when she went completely ballistic and said, “Hindi ko iniwan ang tatay mo, ano? Bakit mo pinalabas na hiniwalayan ko ang Daddy mo?!”) But it was my Dad who was the best sport. That is why to this day i miss him. Amid all the flurry of reactions, my Dad said: “How much more honor can i get? somebody portrayed me ... and it was no less than Dolphy.” i never had the chance to tell Mang Dolphy the happiness he gave my father for unwittingly portraying his role. But now that i think of it, i feel bad ... i feel sad when i hear all the news about Mang Dolphy’s state of health. i guess the affinity is there. Like so many of us in the entertainment business, we are so afraid — so terrified — to be left behind by a man who we all consider as our father. i have said it once and i will say it again: rodolfo Quizon may not have been given the honor of being a National Artist (for some reason or another to which i will refuse to even think about or discuss because the deed has been done) — but to a number of us, nay, a great number of us not only in show business — Dolphy is more than a National Artist appointed by a committee and anointed by a Palace. The man who made us laugh is a national treasure. And no simple decision of men or laws can make some as priceless. We love you, Mang Dolphy. We cannot imagine Philippine entertainment without you. (As published on the blog of Direk Joey Reyes, chokingonmyadobo.blogspot.com, last June 20, 2012.)

VOL.5 ISSUE 80 • JUNE 24 - 25, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

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ENTERTAINMENT SNEAk PEEk

The Amazing Spider-Man: Look what Spidey’s snagged in his web: some early-bird reviews!

The Amazing SpiderMan doesn’t open Stateside until this weekend, but a handful of critics have already swung into action with their verdict on the highly anticipated reboot. And although the friendly neighborhood webslinger has proven to be one of pop culture’s most beloved superheroes, the flick is anything but a sure bet: It’s got an untested leading man (Andrew Garfield) and a first-time big-budget director (Marc Webber). Not to mention the fact that this do-over comes just five years after Tobey Maguire hung up his Spidey suit from Sam Raimi’s trio of Spider-Man blockbusters. So has this new webslinger spun gold? Sure looks like it: Many reviewers seem sold on the reboot, singling out its fresh cast and darker tone, with just a few holdouts

Swinging good or all bugged out?

dinging the flick for failing to live up to its predecessors. “Leaping back onto the screen with a new cast, crew, costume and a whole new array of daddy issues, The Amazing Spider-Man reboots the top-grossing Marvel franchise to altogether satisfying results,” praises Jordan Mintzer of The Hollywood Reporter. “Directed with emotional depth and plenty of comedic touches, this somewhat darker depiction inserts a touching portrait of ado-

lescent angst into an otherwise predictable dose of CGI-fueled action.” “Webb successfully treads a fine line between keeping the hardcore superhero-movie fans happy and injecting a dose of meaningful affect,” writes The Guardian’s Andrew Pulver, noting that the director is “aided by a terrific performance from Andrew Garfield, who brings a genial unflappability…It’s the successful synthesis of the two—action and emotion—that means this

Spider-Man is as enjoyable as it is impressive: Webb’s control of mood and texture is near faultless as his film switches from teenage sulks to exhilarating airborne pyrotechnics.” “Swinging from fresh to faithful-to-source, Marc Webb’s reboot is a sparky, well-cast, often punchy Spidey spin” observes Total Film’s kevin Harley, “but it’s also Spider-Man Begins Again, struggling in places to assert its own identity…. [Webb] gets enough right to sign us up for a sequel.” “The film’s second half offers more than enough bungee-swinging through Manhattan’s concrete canyons, immaculately rendered in vertiginous, silky-smooth 3D, to satisfy thrill-seekers of either sex,” writes The Telegraph’s Robbie Colin. “What’s refreshing is how Webb makes those action sequences count: with a plot that rests almost entirely on the romance between his two leads.” The Daily Mail’s Chris Tookey, meanwhile, derided the film as “an efficient piece of corporate filmmaking, but nothing more,” adding that “there isn’t a lot that hasn’t been seen before, and although the special effects are impressive, they’re no improvement on Spider-Man 2, which remains by far the best of the franchise. Webb. does a competent job, helped by his two talented leading actors, but doesn’t bring anything fresh to the party. “Webb’s film is slow on plot, skimpy on character development,” writes the Evening Standard’s Nick Curtis. “The ‘RealD 3D’ is fine for the flying sequences, confusing in the fights, and gives that awful cardboard-cutout look to narrative scenes. Webb saves up most of the emotional punch for a downbeat, wet-eyed ending in which Garfield and Emma Stone are superb.”

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VOL.5 ISSUE 80 • JUNE 24 - 25, 2012

Olympic countdown

What will be on the playlist come opening night? DANNy Boyle is going for gold!

The oscar-winning Slumdog Millionaire director, who’ll be helming the vaunted opening ceremony at the 2012 olympics in London, has already revealed his head-scratching plans for the blockbuster bonanza. (Brace yourself for livestock, meadows and village cricket!) Now, the musical playlist for the opening has supposedly leaked, giving olympics watchers a preemptive glimpse at what the brazenly singular director might have in the works. Is it a perfect 10? Depends on how you look at it. The full list, as reported by The Telegraph, offers a sweeping survey of the British musical canon that spans eras and genres. There are classics from the Beatles (“She Loves you”) and The kinks (“All Day and All of the Night”), along with, er, all-out classics: Handel’s “Arrival of the Queen of Sheba” supposedly makes an arrival. Punk rock gets a shoutout with the Sex Pistols’ “God Save the Queen” and The Clash’s “London Calling,” while glam-rock is am-

ply repped by David Bowie (who reportedly gets three tunes—”Starman,” “Heroes” and “Absolute Beginners”) and Queen (“Bohemian Rhapsody”—natch!). you’ve also got British rock royalty, with the Rolling Stones’ “Satisfaction,” Led Zeppelin’s “Trampled Under Foot” and The Who’s “My Generation.” The playlist also gives props to New Wave— Duran Duran and New order are in there—as well as Top 40 hitmakers, with ditties from Adele and Coldplay. Noticeably absent, however, are tunes from British musical icons Elton John and Tom Jones, who recently played at Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee concert. (Guess Boyle didn’t want this playlist on “repeat”?) Speaking of the monarch, the queen herself will be attending the opening ceremony, which should make for a very interesting situation if one particular song, which is also on the reported lineup, actually gets played: “Relax” by Frankie Goes to Hollywood. Looks like Boyle’s ready to score a new world record for testing the queen’s poker face!

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SPORTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 80 • JUNE 24 - 25, 2012

The

King

gets his crown

IAMI – Lebron James can now enshrine his name King James. After his coronation on Friday, the boy who would be King, has finally sat on his rightful throne. It didn’t come easy as 1,2, 3. Not even with the Big Three in Miami. A year ago, with an easier path, the Miami Heat fell short of their championship goal. This time, things seemed much tougher to the Heat which made the reward only that much sweeter. The Heat are the NBA champions, after taking an unlikely, uneasy road to the top of the pro basketball world. They were down against Indiana in the second round, down and facing elimination against Boston in the Eastern Conference title series, down yet again against Oklahoma City in the NBA Finals. And strange as this would seem, when the Heat looked most vulnerable, it turned out they were at their best. Down 2-1 to Indiana, the Heat won three straight. Down 3-2 to Boston, they won two straight. Down 1-0 to the Thunder, they swept the last four games. ‘’You come together,’’ Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. ‘’You can either go the other way or come closer together, and you start to build some toughness. Last year’s pain that we went through, even for the new guys, they inherited that pain. We told them that. And you go through those experiences together, and you’re able to survive it, it’s a great teacher and motivator, and I think that helped us in all the tough times this year.’’ Miami was rolling to the title a year ago, going 12-3 in the East playoffs and playing

the role of favorite heading into the finals against the Dallas Mavericks. The Heat won Game 1, were cruising to a win late in Game 2, and then the wheels came off - not only did Miami drop that second game, that started a stretch of four losses in five games to cost them the championship. After that, this year was championship or bust. They didn’t bust. ‘’Last year it wasn’t as hard and we lost the championship,’’ Heat guard Dwyane Wade said. ‘’But we knew it was going to be hard to become champions.’’ There came a point this season when the Heat just knew they were built to last. Wade was dogged by injuries at times in the regular season, and the team never had more than even a three-game slide. In the playoffs, Chris Bosh went down in Game 1 against Indiana. The Heat lost Games 2 and 3 without him and trailed in Game 4 before rallying to pull out that series. And against Boston, Miami was in serious trouble, facing a winor-else Game 6 on the road. LeBron James had 45 points and 15 rebounds that night. The Heat won the game, won the next one to close out the Celtics and then took four of five against the Thunder. James got his long-awaited ring with a Finals MVP performance, Wade and Udonis Haslem got their second championships, and every other player on the Heat roster got to enjoy celebrating with the Larry O’Brien Trophy for the first time. ‘’The Celtics series, man, that was the most challenging series that I’ve ever played in - and I’ve played against the Detroit Pistons,’’ Wade said. ‘’It was the very thing we dealt with last year. We had to deal with being again under the mi-

croscope against the Boston Celtics, and they got us ready. Our backs were against the wall many times. But I knew, when we went into Boston and won Game 6, at that point right there I knew we could be world champions.’’ He was right. James, Wade, Bosh and Mario Chalmers exited together with 3:01 left to play Thursday night, Miami by that point well on the way to a title-clinching 121-106 victory over the Thunder. It was much different from Wade’s first title, the one in Dallas where he watched Jason Terry’s 3-pointer to tie the game bounce off the rim and into his hands as the clock ran out. Wade and James had a chat before Game 5, just silly talk about how they would envision the perfect finish. Wade said he wanted to be on the court for the clincher. James said he would rather be on the bench and celebrating by that point. James’ vision was the way it turned out. For the first time in a while, at least a few minutes seemed easy. ‘’It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done as a basketball player, since I picked up a basketball when I was 9 years old,’’ James said, referring to Miami’s postseason run. ‘’It’s the hardest thing I ever done. It’s not easy at all. You just put a lot of hard work into it, and hopefully one day you hope that it pays off for you. You know, this was a testament to that. I gave it my all, and it paid off.’’ In the end, Wade didn’t mind getting a three-minute head start on the offseason, either. ‘’We won and we’re world champions,’’ Wade said. ‘’One thing about this team, we saved our best for last.’’

SPORTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 80 • JUNE 24 - 25, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Little Azkals finish 3rd in Japan By Neil Bravo

Koronadal

HELPING YOU MAKE INFORMED BUSINESS DEcISIONS.

N the young careers of these two football talents from Davao, the summer of 2012 will be unforgettable. With their exploits, anyone can tell them now “I know what you did last summer.” Darius Joseph Diamante and Javi Romero-Salas keyed the Philippines’ Little Azkals to an impressive third place finish in the six-nation Japan-

East Asean Football Exchange Programme U-14 Youth Football Festival at the sprawling J-Green Sakai football complex in Osaka, Japan. The Little Azkals gained the respectable finish with a scoreless draw against a tough Singapore squad in their final assignment. The draw came after the fighting Philippines side bowed 0-4 to host Japan which went on to win the title. “The scoreline did not reflect the tough stand of the boys, they fought hard against the Japanese kids who were simply the superior team,” narrated one team iinsider. The U-14 Little Azkals, needing at least a draw to salvage third, accomplished their target when they came back in the afternoon and gave their all against the charging Singaporeans. Indonesia, the other team which beat the Philippines, finished second while Singapore wound up fourth behind the Philippines, followed by Malaysia (5th) and Brunei (6th). The Philippines thus finished their stint with 2 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses. They opened their campaign on Tuesday by beating Brunei

3-0 on goals by Marco Casambre, Javi Romero-Salas and Mason Vergara, lost to Indonesia 2-0 before coming back on Wednesday with a win over Malaysia 2-1 on team captain Darius Joseph “Jed” Diamante’s 2-goal explosion. “It’s a great experience playing in this level, we learned a lot here especially when playing against the tough teams like Japan and Indonesia,” said the Davaoborn Diamante. The Little Azkals’ are composed of Cebu’s Lawrence Colina, Major Dean Ebarle, Kintaro Miyagi, and Vincent Erik Lovitos; Manila’s Marco Alessandro Casambre, Harrel Rainier Dayan, Josh Albert Miller, Ray Vincent Sanciangco and John William Abraham; Cagayan de Oro’s Jeremiah Borlongan and Dimitri Lionel Limbo; Davao’s Darius Joseph Diamante and Javier RomeroSalas; Dumaguete’s Christian Floren Lapas and Jose Anton Yared, Dipolog’s Sebastian Rafael Patangan; San Carlos City’s Mason Trent Vergara; and Italy’s Lorenzo Genco. Coaching the squad is Oliver Colina. The team will spend the day shopping in Japan on Friday before returning to Manila on Sunday via Hongkong.