Edge Davao 5 Issue 82

EDGEDAVAO

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

VOL.5 ISSUE 82 • JUNE 27, 2012

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Serving a seamless society

Ban on plastics starts June 28

By Lorie A. Cascaro

T

Indulge Page A1

here’s no turning back.

The City environment and Natural resources Office (Cenro) will stick to the full implementation of the ban on nonbiodegradable plastic bags and polystyrene foam as food and beverage containers on June 28.

Dolly remojo, division chief of Cenro’s environmental and waste management board, said Mayor sara Duterte-Carpio had already signed resolution No. 08-2012, serving notices to all business establishments of the implementation of the plastic ban.

Approved by all members of the Davao City ecological solid Waste Management Board (DCesWMB) last June 8, the resolution

states that the city is also conducting an information drive or campaign on the ban, including all legal consequences should there be violations.

Further, it is also stated that all appeals/ requests of mall owners for additional period to dispose of the banned materials and exemption of food packaging of wet prod-

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Science/Environment Page 4 Sports Page 15

TRAINING YOUNG LEADERS. Ferry Paralan from the University of Immaculate Concepcion (left), Rob Nazal, head of the Corporate Social Responsibility of Globe Telecom and Mario Deriquito, senior director of Ayala Foundation Inc. present the Leadership

Communities program in Davao City. At least 100 college students from nine colleges and universities in the city will participate in the LeadCom 3-day Camp that will begin on Wednesday. [KARLOS MANLUPIG]

Sara creates task force ‘payong-payong’

By Jade C. Zaldivar

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M

ayor sara-Duterte-Carpio yesterday created a task force that will craft an ordinance pertaining to motorcycle units called payongpayong that have been rendering trans-

port service in Davao City.

Composing the task force is lawyer Lawrence Bantiding, officer in charge of the City Legal Office (CLO) transportation regulation division, Traffic Management Center (TMC) head retired colonel Desiderio Cloribel, City Planning and De-

velopment Office head robert Alabado, and Assistant City Administrator erwin Alparaque. heading the group is the city mayor herself.

The mayor said the task force will

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THE BIG NEWS

VOL.5 ISSUE 82 • JUNE 27, 2012

911 to create hotline for non-emergencies

By Jade C. Zaldivar

F

MOBILE BANKING. Bank of the Philippine Islands vice president and head of transaction banking division Bess Basa (left) and Alfonso Salcedo, Jr. explain to Davao

reporters the new ExpressLink Mobile banking service offered by the bank that aims to help bolster the operations of the businesses in the city. [KARLOS MANLUPIG]

OIC execs to join MILF meeting

T

he Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is all set to host an important gathering in line with the bid to achieve a negotiated political settlement of the Mindanao conflict, with a top-level delegation from the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) expected to grace the event, a senior rebel official said on Tuesday.

Ghazali Jaafar, MILF vice chairman for political affairs, said OIC secretary General Prof. ekmeleddin ehsanoglu has been invited to attend the fourday Bangsamoro Leaders’ summit next week at Camp Darapanan, the rebels’ headquarters in sultan Kudarat town in Maguindanao. slated on July 6 to 9, the event is themed “strengthening Bangsamoro Unity and solidarity.”

“The main objective of the summit is to listen to the views of Bangsamoro leaders in achieving a negotiated political solution to the Mindanao problem,” Jaafar told a local radio station in Filipino. ehsanoglu is expected to be accompanied by sayed Kassem el-Masry, OIC special envoy for

EDGEDAVAO

Peace to the southern Philippines, jaafar said, adding that Malaysian facilitator, Dato’ Tengku Ab’ Ghafar bin Tengku Mohamed, was also invited.

Malaysia is the thirdparty mediator in peace talks with the government.

The government and the MILF peace panels agreed in March to have the OIC sit as an observer in the peace process.

Jaafar said they also invited the government peace panel, headed by Mario Victor F. Leonen, and Peace Process secretary Teresita Quintos Deles.

The rebel official estimated that some one million people will join the four-day summit.

The Moro National Liberation Front, which forged a final peace deal with the government in 1996, will also be represented by Muslimin sema, vice mayor of Cotabato City, Jaafar said.

The MNLF was the main rebel group in the 1970s until salamat hashim and some leaders broke away to form what is now known as the MILF. Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Quevedo will de-

liver a message during the summit, Jaafar said.

After having bogged down several times in the past, peace negotiations between the government and the Moro rebels have resumed under the Aquino administration. Two months ago, the two parties signed the Decision Points on Principle.

The document, signed during the 27th exploratory talks in Malaysia in April, shall serve as the framework in the discussion and formulation of the comprehensive peace compact.

Jaafar also sought the help of officials of the Autonomous region in Muslim Mindanao, as well as religious groups, non-government organizations and the media in helping find a just and lasting political solution to the Mindanao conflict.

Acting ArMM Gov. Mujiv s. hataman earlier assured support to the amity talks between the government and the MILF, saying that peace is essential to attract investments in the impoverished region wracked by intermittent war between the government and the Moro rebels. [BONG SARMIeNtO/MINdANewS]

city hall media affairs officer, said.

“It will have a positive impact as more jobs will be generated, it will be good for region 12,” he said.

Manansala said they have information that sM General santos will have its grand opening on August 10, with the day before scheduled for the blessing of the shopping store. sought for comment, a company source said they

will announce the opening date in due time, adding they can’t yet divulge the list of tenants.

Manansala said that local fruit and vegetable producers would benefit from the operation of the sM Mall as they have been tapped as suppliers.

The entry of sM in the city was likewise seen to attract more investors. recently, executives

OLLOWING the results of an internal audit of the effectiveness of the Central 911, Davao City Mayor sara Duterte-Carpio has directed the creation of a separate hotline number for non-emergency calls.

The mayor said the local emergency response unit’s call center is consistently receiving calls categorized as ‘non-emergency.’ she says the function of the Central 911 is not clear to the populace, thus ‘even non-emergency calls are directed to the unit.’ “I have ordered Central 911 action officer emmanuel Jaldon to create a separate hotline for non-emergency calls.

They are now working on it,” she said last Monday, adding that the hotline will also be a 3-digit special number accessible through landline and mobile phones.

“The audit showed that the people do not know what is the function of the Central 911 thus the latter is bombarded with calls which in effect causes traffic, cancelling out calls which are more important)” she said.

The mayor defines an emergency as “striking, earth-shattering, and a

Foundation says

matter of life and death.” examples are natural disasters, occurrence of fire, accidents, and other life threatening events such as the presence of an armed person, threatening the security of persons or a community.

In addition to the task of the Central 911, is to educate people of what are situations which are categorized as an emergency and what are not which should be directed to the new hotline number. “some people call because there’s a mentally challenged person outside their store, is that an emergency?

No. That should not be directed to 911)” she said. “That’s why there has to be an information education and communication drive so that people will know what is the function of Central 911,” she added.

Survey The comprehensive audit of Central 911 was conducted by a group from the academe tasked by the on the functions, effectiveness, equipment supply, and personnel efficiency. The study started March this year following the city mayor’s observation of the unit’s inefficiency as well as in response to complaints from the locality. A poor

public awareness of Central 911’s services was among several conclusions reached by the study.

The audit showed that there was an “increase in emergencies in Davao City, especially medicalrelated emergencies, that the unit has a poor communication system, and that there is insufficient work resources and materials.” The mayor said, the Central 911 will be undergoing improvement in its equipment, particularly by centralizing its call center at the Public safety Command Center in sandawa.

As to its personnel, it was found that there is: absence of health benefits, absence of employee performance appraisal, increase in training needs, practice of improper sanitation, demotivating working conditions, and absence of proper inventory of materials and information logging. however, Central 911 employees were also found to have a high spirit of volunteerism, dedication and commitment to their work, and high level of resourcefulness. The mayor said the Central 911 unit will be undergoing ‘several actions to improve its performance in the service of the locality.’

“We are overly family-oriented now,” he said, citing the case of former Chief Justice renato Corona who “forgot his duty to the country because of his too much love for his family.”

Gavino also said that the emphasis of Philippine educational today is more in pursuit of employment, adding that no one improves financially by employment alone, but through entrepreneurship.

Inviting members of the

Davao media to join the foundation’s “The New Filipino” advocacy, Gavino said one can start changing within his own circle by studying the advocacy well. he underscored the importance of being concerned with one’s neighbors---a term, which, according to him, goes beyond the family. he acknowledges the existence of national patriotic youth organizations, such as

landslides on sunday blocked the river’s pathway. he said local residents and workers sent by the municipal government of Tampakan are presently clearing the area to stop the water from further building up.

“We’re closely watching the area because there’s a possibility that flashfloods may occur in case of heavy rains,” he said in a radio interview.

Janita said the PDrrMO sent a team to conduct an ocular inspection on Monday but the area was inaccessible.

south Cotabato Gov. Arthur Pingoy Jr., who received a report regarding the landslides Monday morning, ordered the PDrrMO to immediately send a team to the area and commissioned some heavy equipment to help in the clearing operation. he also directed the province’s search and rescue teams to closely monitor the situation, specifically the river’s water flow.

Tampakan Mayor Leonardo escobillo said their workers were able to reach

PHL educational system kills patriotism of Filipino youth

By Lorie A. Cascaro

T

he Davao Press Foundation, Inc. (DPFI) says the Philippine educational system is one of the reasons why the Filipino youth have lost their sense of patriotism or love of country.

Architect Chito Gavino, DPF vice chair, said teaching in the present educational system has overlooked patriotism as part of values formation.

FPHL, 13 SM GenSan to open inAugust; local economy seen to perk up SouthCot issues flood alert

T

he opening of the sy-led sM Mall branch in General santos City, the “Tuna Capital of the Philippines,” is expected to further invigorate the local economy, a city hall official said on Tuesday.

The local government unit is bullish the entry of sM Mall will attract more investors to the city, the economic hub of region 12, Avelmar Manansala,

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T

he Provincial Disaster risk reduction and Management Office (PDrrMO) of south Cotabato has alerted residents situated in the lowlands of Tampakan town against the possible occurrence of flashfloods following the confirmed landslides in an upland river.

Isidro Janita, PDrrMO head, said Tuesday huge volumes of waters have impounded at a portion of the Topland river in sitio Kolon Datal, Barangay Lampitak in Tampakan town after stone boulders brought down by

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EDGEDAVAO

THE BIG NEWS

VOL.5 ISSUE 82 • JUNE 27, 2012

Boosting tourism thru Cinematheque

By Lorie A. Cascaro

C

INeMATheQUe, a 120-seater cinema located next to the Pasalubong Center on Palma Gil street here, will add to the list of things to do in Davao City, a city official said yesterday.

Jason Magnaye, chief of the Davao City Investment Promotion Center, said the project will help promote the city’s tourism industry.

A brainchild of the city government and the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), Cinematheque will host showings of independent (indie) films, local theatre plays and learning sessions for film students.

The concept behind this mini-cinema is for the city to have a laboratory for films,Magnaye said, adding that Mayor sara Duterte-Carpio wants to develop Cinematheque as the cultural center of the city.

The city government will come up with a short documentary on film about the city which will be shown to tourists before they begin their tour of the city. “so, they will start their city tour at the Cinematheque and end it at the Pasalubong center for souvenir items,” Magnaye added.

Lunhaw Awards

The first and only Cinematheque in Mindanao, it will be graced by a statue of the late great Filipino movie producer Lino Brocka in front of the building, formerly the training center of the Department of education.

The statue will be unveiled during the launching of this new indie film cinema on June 29.

“We hope that (indie) filmmakers will take advantage of the facility,” Magnaye said, adding that their films could highlight the culture of Davao as well as that of Mindanao.

The city government is lending the facility to the FDCP for 50 years through a usufruct agreement.

This means that the land ownership is still with the city government, while the facility will be run by the FDCP. he said the film projector is donated by the sM City Davao, which is starting to transform its cinemas into digital. he also cited that by July, the FDCP will also provide a mobile cinema that can reach remote areas in the city where cinemas are inaccessible.

Through the FDCP’s projects, the city will become a hub of the indie film industry in Mindanao.

Launch best green practices contest

By Jade C. Zaldivar

A

search for the best green practices in the city was launched last June 25 with the aim of promoting environmental preservation and protection. Fifteen winners will be named for having the best practices in the city under the categories of individual household, community-based/barangays/associations, and institutions/malls/hotels.

Winners of the contest, dubbed ‘Lunhaw Awards’, will be recognized in December this year during the celebration of Organic Day, and will be included in the roster of stories promoted

by Davao City. entries will be judged according to the following criteria: environmental benefits, economic benefits, use of renewable energy, replicability, durability and continuity, and innovation. Interested entities can nominate themselves or nominate others.

The contest is through the initiative of several groups, with the support of the local government

through the City Agriculturist’s Office (CAO), and the City environment and Natural resources Office (CeNrO). heading the promotion if the Interface Development Interventions, Inc. (IDIs), the Davao Association of Colleges and schools (DACs) as well as the Davao City Water District (DCWD).

Named after the Cebuano word for ‘green’, the Lunhaw Awards seeks to recognize individuals, groups or communities which use innovative and sustainable ways of living which protect and nurture the environment, IDIs executive director Mary Ann Fuentes told edge Davao.

“This is in line with the vision of the city of a Green, seeking to honor the initiatives of the ordinary Dabawenyo for self-preservation and love of country,” she said. Fuentes said the local government also seeks to have a roster of Davao City’s hall of Fame for Best Practitioners in environmentally sound and sustainable Lifestyles.

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COOKING WITH STYLE. With a sudden burst of flames, a cook in ZAB’S buffet restaurant along Roxas Avenue, Davao City performs with dexterity and artistry his craft. [KARLOS MANLUPIG]

Approval for cemeteries over Dumoy aquifer depends on DCWD consent

By Greg G. Deligero

T

he approval for special use zone applications over the Dumoy aquifer will now mainly depend on the consent of the Davao City Water District (DCWD).

According to Davao City Planning and Development Coordinator roberto P. Alabado III, the city government’s executive department—through the City Development Council chaired

by Davao City Mayor sara Z. Duterte—endorsed the applications to the sanggu-

niang Panlungsod after the project proponents complied with all the “documentary requirements” in reclassifying the lands for memorial park development.

Three memorial parks are being proposed to be established over the Davao City’s biggest source of drinking water—the Dumoy aquifer and its vicinity.

One of three proposed cemeteries is the Fair Fields Memorial Park (FFMP) whose application covers a six-hectare property owned

by Francis Ledesma, a top hotel executive, in Barangay

Baliok. The other two proposed cemeteries are the eternal Gardens Memorial Park owned by a cooperative on a 1.6-hectare area in Barangay Lubogan and the Forest Lake Memorial Park in sitio Ulas in Barangay Talomo.

Alabado said the applicants for land reclassification—from protected residential zone to protected special use zone—have all secured the necessary documentary requirements, including clearances from the City health Office, City environment and Natural resources Office, Mines and

Geosciences Bureau and certificates of no objection from the barangays and neighboring property owners.

The DCWD has also issued three separate certifications that the proposed cemeteries are “located on ground where the water table is not higher than 4.5 meters (13.5 feet) below the ground surface” in compliance with the allowable limit set by the housing and Land Use regulatory Board (hLUrB).

A typical burial ground (grave) is only 6 feet deep.

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SCIENCE/ENVIRONMENT

VOL.5 ISSUE 82 • JUNE 27, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

World loses species with death of Lonesome George

L

ONesOMe George has died, leaving the world one species poorer.

The only remaining Pinta Island tortoise and celebrated conservation icon passed away sunday, the Galapagos National Park service said in a statement. estimated to be more than 100 years old, the creature’s cause of death remains unclear and a necropsy is planned.

Lonesome George’s longtime caretaker, Fausto Llerena, found the tortoise’s remains stretched out in the “direction of his watering hole” on santa Cruz Island, the statement said.

Lonesome George was discovered on Pinta Island in 1972 at a time when tortoises of his type were al-

ready believed to be extinct. since then, the animal had been part of the park service’s tortoise program. repeated efforts to breed Lonesome George failed.

“Later two females from the espanola tortoise population (the species most closely related to Pinta tortoises genetically) were with George until the end,” the park service said.

In honor of Lonesome George, the park service said it was convening an international workshop in July on management strategies for restoring tortoise populations over the next decade.

The Galapagos Islands, situated about 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) off ecuador’s coast, is considered a haven for tortoises.

Lonesome George, the last known Pinta Island Tortoise, has died, leaving the world one species poorer. Estimated to be more than 100 years old, the creature’s cause of death remains unclear and a necropsy is planned.

Rising sea level puts US Atlantic coast at risk T

he sea level on a stretch of the Us Atlantic coast that features the cities of New York, Norfolk and Boston is rising up to four times faster than the global average, a report said sunday.

This increases the flood risk for one of the world’s most densely-populated coastal areas and threatens wetland habitats, said a study reported in the journal Nature Climate Change. since about 1990,

the sea level along the 1,000-kilometre (620-mile) “hotspot” zone has risen by two to 3.7 millimetres (0.08 to 0.15 inches) per year.

The global rise over the same period was between 0.6 and one millimetre per year, said the study by the Us Geological survey (UsGs).

If global temperatures continue to rise, the sea level on this portion of the coast by 2100 could rise up to 30 centimetres over and above the one-metre global surge

projected by scientists, it added.

The localised acceleration is thought to be caused by a disruption of Atlantic current circulation.

“As fresh water from the melting of the Greenland Ice sheet enters the ocean, it disrupts this circulation, causing the currents to slow down,” UsGs research oceanographer and study co-author Kara Doran explained.

“When the Gulf stream

Buildings are seen near the ocean as reports indicate that Miami-Dade County in Florida in the future could be one of the most susceptible places when it comes to rising water levels due to

current weakens, sea levels rise along the coast and the greatest amount of rise happens north of where the Gulf stream leaves the coast (near Cape hatteras).”

The hotspot stretches from Cape hatteras, Northern Carolina to north of Boston, Massachusetts and also includes other big cities like Philadelphia and Baltimore. “extreme water levels that happen during winter or tropical storms, perhaps

once or twice a year, may happen more frequently as sea level rise is added to storm surge,” Doran told AFP. “scientists predict that this will lead to increased beach erosion and more frequent coastal flooding.”

Another study has shown a one-metre sea level rise to increase New York’s severe flooding risk from one incident every century to one every three years.

The UsGs report was

global warming. The sea level on a stretch of the US Atlantic coast that features the cities of New York, Norfolk and Boston is also rising up to four times faster than the global average.

based on actual tide level measurements, said Doran.

Other studies have shown a similar hotspot using climate models.

In a 2007 assessment report, the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change said global warming would cause the sea level to rise by up to 59 centimetres by century’s end. even this relatively modest projection would render several island nations unlivable and wreak havoc in low-lying deltas home to hundreds of millions.

But reports since then have said that melting Arctic ice plays a greater role in sea level rise than previously suspected, and most climate change scientists now project the ocean will rise roughly a metre by century’s end.

Climate warming causes sea levels to rise by melting land-ice and through the thermal expansion of water.

In a separate study in Nature Climate Change, european scientists said a 1.5-degree-Celsius rise in global temperatures would see sea levels peak at about 1.5 metres above 2000 levels.

But warming of two degrees would result in sea levels reaching 2.7 metres -nearly double.

The UN is targeting a 2 C (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) limit on warming from pre-industrial levels for manageable climate change.

“Due to the long time it takes for the world’s ice and water masses to react to global warming, our emissions today determine sea levels for centuries to come,” said lead author Michiel schaeffer of Wageningen University in the Netherlands.

EDGEDAVAO

Stat Watch

1. Gross National Income Growth Rate (At Constant 2000 Prices)

3.5% 4th Qtr 2011

2. Gross Domestic Product Growth Rate (At Constant 2000 Prices)

3.7% 4th Qtr 2011 USD 3,342 Million Nov 2011 USD 4,985 Million Nov 2011 USD -1,643 Million Nov 2011 USD -114 Million Dec 2011 P4,442,355 Million Nov 2011

3. Exports 1/ 4. Imports 1/ 5. Trade Balance 6. Balance of Payments 2/ 7. Broad Money Liabilities 8. Interest Rates 4/

4.71% Oct 2011 P128,745 Million Nov 2011 P 4,898 Billion Oct 2011

9. National Government Revenues 10. National government outstanding debt 11. Peso per US $ 5/

P 43.65 Dec 2011

12. Stocks Composite Index 6/

3,999.7 Sept 2011

13. Consumer Price Index 2006=100

128.1 Jan 2012

14. Headline Inflation Rate 2006=100

3.9 Jan 2012

15. Core Inflation Rate 2006=100

3.4 Dec 2011

16. Visitor Arrivals

284,040 Sept 2011

17. Underemployment Rate 7/

19.1% Oct 2011

18. Unemployment Rate 7/

6.4% Oct 2011

MONTHLY AVERAGE EXCHANGE RATE (January 2009 - December 2011) Month

2011

2010

2009

Average December November October September August July June May April March

43.31 43.64 43.27 43.45 43.02 42.42 42.81 43.37 43.13 43.24 43.52

45.11 43.95 43.49 43.44 44.31 45.18 46.32 46.30 45.60 44.63 45.74

47.637 46.421

February

43.70

46.31

January

44.17

46.03

47.032 46.851 48.139

48.161 48.146 47.905 47.524 48.217

48.458 47.585 47.207

THE ECONOMY

VOL.5 ISSUE 82 • JUNE 27, 2012

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City gov’t plans to boost livestock, poultry industry

By Greg G. Deligero

T

he Davao City government plans to strengthen the local livestock and poultry industry—from production up to post production and marketing levels— to avoid experiencing shortage of meat supply in the city of 1.4 million people.

While livestock and poultry farmers from outside Davao City bring in their produce to the city “because of better selling prices and marketability,” City Planning and Development Coordinator roberto P. Alabado III stressed the need to ensure the continued supply stability. “since production of livestock mostly comes from backyard farms, there is a need to improve manpower support and technical know-how of the producers.

Inability to access financial assistance due to lack of organizations’ viability or organizational affiliation should be attended to help farmers in capital generation,” he said.

Among the programs and projects identified for fund allocation include the conduct of trainings among organized farmers and raisers, enhancement of animal health care program, establishment of diagnostic laboratories in the administrative districts and the provision of livelihood support and financial

assistance.

For the post production level, Alabado cited the need to promote hog manure as alternative source of energy and valuable source of nutrients to improve soil quality for crop or vegetable production.

Data culled from the Davao City Comprehensive Development Plan 2012-2021 recently submitted for review to the sangguniang Panlungsod showed that in 2010, 56% of 226, 000 hog production in Davao City comes from backyard producers while 44% are produced by commercial raisers.

Davao City accounts for 26.06% of the total hog inventory in Davao region recorded at 867,193. The total hog inventory of the city is only 5.7% of the entire Mindanao production put at 3,956,979.

In the area of cattle production, only 3% are produced by commercial cattle raisers as most come from backyard farms. Davao City’s 44,000 cattle inventory accounts for 31.64% of Davao region’s 140,144 total production and 4.91% of Mindanao’s 902,543.

In terms of carabao production, all the 38,456 total number of heads are produced by backyard raisers. Davao City accounts for 21.54% of Davao region’s 140,070 total production and 3.59% of Mindanao’s 1,071,876.

In the area of goat production, 98.5 % of the 53,000 heads of goat comes from backyard farming. Only 1.5 % are produced by commercial raisers.

The city’s production corners 31.64% of Davao region’s 140,144 and 4.91% of Mind-

Inventory of Hogs (heads/thousands)

anao’s 902,543 total production.

On the other hand, chicken remains the second most in demand meat product in Davao City. The annual per capita consumption of chicken is 7.85 kg.

Of the 36,550,000 total production of chicken in 2010, 31% are broilers, 31% are layers and 38% are natives. The total number of chicken produced from dressing plants based in Davao City corners 42.96% of Davao region’s 8.5 million total production and 8.83% of Mindanao’s 41.3 million. Meat recovery of chicken is estimated at 0.77% of 1.45 kg. average weight of a live chicken.

Alabado said the high costs, poor quality and insufficiency of supply and production of farm inputs such as feed grains and root crops resulted in the decreasing production.

“In the marketing side, issues that affect the supply of meat are the lack of marketing information such as prices and buyers and weak marketing channels. Furthermore, poor slaughterhouse facilities, limited number of meat inspectors, illegal slaughtering and the inflow of smuggled meat and its by-products are the post- production concerns that need to be addressed,” he said.

Department of Fisheries being sought

T

he Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic resources (BFAr) is being eyed to become a department of the national government so it can substantially carry out its duties as caretaker of the country’s marine resources.

In an interview with the media, BFAr National Director Attorney Asis Perez said the bill proposing the leveling up of BFAr to a department had already passed committee level deliberations at the house of representatives. he is hoping that the senate would take it up as its priority. he added he is looking forward to the fisheries bureau finally becoming a department before the term of President Benigno s. Aquino III ends in 2016.

The conversion of BFAr into a regular executive department of the national government was among the major agenda of national fisherfolk director Natividad C. Gunayan of Lupon, Davao Oriental.

Gunayan took a one-month stint as the alter ego of Perez in May this year as part of the observance of Farmers’ and Fisherfolk Month.

Gunayan revealed moves of the fisherfolk sector to bring a position paper in the senate as a show of strong support for the BFAr conversion into a department that had snowballed in 2005 particularly in fishing communities.

At a ratio of one BFAr employee for every six islands in the Philippine archipelago,

Perez said the fisheries bureau with only 1,200 regular employees nationwide is too small to handle the 7,107 total number of Philippine islands. estimating employees to grow to about 4,000 once leveled up to a department status, the structure of the fisheries agency would become strong enough to institute reforms and to handle concerns even at the provincial level.

“We are emasculated at the regional level only. We are fighting for provincial level plantilla (positions),” he told the media.

Once an executive department, the agency would then have direct access to the Office of the President, “can directly talk with the National economic and Development Authority,

can get involved directly with the economic Cluster,” Perez said.

Once leveled as a department secretary, the fisheries head of the Philippines can stand on the same level with fisheries officials of other countries especially in Asia.

“In other countries, their fisheries are departments but in the Philippines, we’re only a bureau,” he said.

The campaign to turn BFAr into a department is supported

by Agriculture secretary Processo Alcala, who, Perez said, “is willing to let us go.”

“Normally, a secretary is not willing to let go of an attached agency, but secretary Alcala is actually lobbying for this,” Perez said.

as of august 2010

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

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

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

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

6

THE ECONOMY

LGUs must have more say in managing mining, Gov. Uy

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OMPOsTeLA Valley Gov. Arthur T. Uy said the national government must ensure that the host local governments will have bigger say on the activities in their areas and bigger share from revenues derived from the industry.

Uy made this statement when asked to comment on the most-awaited executive order on mining that President Aquino will issue.

“The revenues should also go directly go to the local government units,” said the governor, whose province is said to host of the biggest mineral reservation area in the Davao region.

Uy denied he is one of the 40 governors who are against against the proposed eO, although he complained that local government units have not gotten enough share from mining revenues.

Last year, Compostela Valley’s share from mining revenues was barely P23 million, with P5 million coming from excise tax of large mining operations but the larger chunk coming from small scale mining activities.

Comval is host to Apex Mining Corp., one of the only two large scale mining operations in the region. It is located in the municipality of Maco.

Aside from Apex, the province is also known for activities of small scale miners, particularly Diwal-

wal which is part of the 8,000-hectare area that former President Gloria M. Arroyo declared as mineral reservation. Of that area 729 hectares were set aside fot small scale miners.

Other areas in the province known for its small scale mining activities were those in Pantukan.

The Kingking mining area was recently declared for “no habitation” as some small scale miners and members of their families perished due to landslides.

Uy and another governor in the Davao region, Corazon N. Malanyaon of Davao Oriental, have been calling on the national government to also provide more autonomy to LGUs in addressing mining activities.

Local government units are saddled with responsibilities particularly in ensuring that mining activities will not result in destruction of any form, they said.

The national government has yet to release its new policy on mining even when President Benigno simeon C. Aquino III promised to sign the order end of last week.

When the report on the drafting of the new mining policy came out last year, Budget secretary Florencio B. Abad said among those issues to be addressed was the division of revenues between the national and local government units.

VOL.5 ISSUE 82 • JUNE 27, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Coco industry group to make lubricants, biogas, sugar

By Aurelio A. Pena

s

eVerAL new products made from coconuts will be developed this year by the Davao coconut industry cluster team as part of their upgrading plan under the advance stage of Davao Industry Capacity Cluster enhancement Project or DICCeP 2.

Besides developing new coco products with more added value, the cluster team will also set up programs to boost farm productivity and expand new areas for coconut plantations, according to Armando Angsingco, cluster team chairman and president of the Davao region Coconut Industry Cluster Association, Inc. “There are so many

things we can do with coconut to help our farmers cope with the low price of copra.

Coconuts are in big demand especially for new health products like coco sugar, coco milk, coco water and coco flour,” Angsingco said. stepping into the next higher level of the project, the industry cluster team is seriously looking into promoting the production of new and emerging products like lubricants, fiber, sap sugar, biogas, soap, virgin oil, all made from coconuts, according to Angsingco, in his report to consultants of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

To boost productivity of coconut plantations, the cluster team will be pushing for inter-cropping among

coconut farmers to make them diversify to other fastgrowing high-value crops like cacao, coffee, bananas, etc to be planted between rows of coconut trees all over the region.

Angsingco said their cluster team is also looking to expand new coconut farm areas with the planting and growing of dwarf coconut trees and West African coconuts as part of their longterm upgrading program in the coconut industry under the DICCeP 2.

JICA consultant Tetsuo Inooka urged the cluster team to involve technical experts of the Department of science and Technology (DOsT) in all their plans and programs to develop new products from coconuts.

“It’s good to involve the DOsT in your plans. You need to know how to make a new coco product commercial. Ask yourself what’s the most critical? What’s the most in demand? And how do you sustain this product even without any assistance?” the consultant asked.

Impressed with the programs of the cluster team, Inooka said he will “keep in touch” with the coconut industry cluster team to keep track on its progress with its various projects under DICCeP 2, a joint project of JICA and the Department of Trade and Industry supported by government agencies, local government units and the academe. (PhILPReSS NewS)

Loss prevention seminar slated July 4 in Davao City

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he Philippine retailers Association (PrA) in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Davao region will hold a seminar in a bid to prevent losses in retail business.

Tagged as retail Best Practices series: Loss Prevention strategies for the retail and services Industries, the activity is slated on July 4, from 9:00am until 5:00pm, at the Kadayawan hall of the royal Mandaya hotel in Davao City.

DTI regional Director Marizon s. Loreto said this particular seminar is very important for the retail industry players as this will give them inputs on how to improve their operation so that they will prevent losses.

“PrA is a pro in terms of retail industry operation considering that its membership is composed of highly-respected institutions in the industry,” she said.

PrA is the nationally recognized retailers association in the Philippines, counting among its members the major players in the local retail and shopping center industry like sM,

robinsons, rustan’s, shopwise, Mercury Drugstore, National Bookstore, Automatic Center, Ayala Center, Araneta Center, Goldilocks, Penshoppe, Bench, Abenson, rusty Lopez, Celine, Manel’s, to name a few. “since this is the first time for PrA to conduct this kind of seminar in Davao, local entrepreneurs who are into retail business must really take advantage of this rare opportunity,” Loreto said adding that DTI’s support and efforts at helping upgrade the skills and competencies of the retailers are very well-regarded to raise the retailing standards in the region.

Furthermore, PrA secretary general evelyn Balmeo salire said the organization is very optimistic about the impact of the seminar to the local retailers.

“We strongly believe that retailers in this region will benefit from this program and we in the PrA encourage you to participate and benefit from the new learnings you can gain from this offering to help your business grow fast,” salire said.

EGGPLANT THE “GOLDEN EGG LAYER.” Manat Central Elementary School Principal Allan R. Guerta (right) and Gloria C. Poling, GPP school coordinator inspect the plants to ensure some destructive insect pests could not do

serious damage to the top grosser vegetable. Guerta avers that the small eggplant patch has given an average harvest of 2,000 kilograms per week.

By Cristin Rosan Besario ary and elementary schools of

the Deped and the National Nurtrition Council, among other government agencies.

“But more than the mandate, we were encouraged to seriously implement the project in our school because of its noble purpose of producing vegetables for the school feeding program in order to remedy the malnutrition problem of some of our pupils.”

Guerta explained.

“During the initial stage of GPP, the teachers have undergone training on vegetable production and were given starter garden kit, courtesy of the Department of Agriculture and the Local Government Unit.

“The starter garden kit comprises of assorted vegetable seeds, a few pieces of garden tools, and plastic film for the

Pupils’ health promotion and campus beautification – the Manat CES way

Student/on-the-job trainee

U

PON entering the school grounds, the visitor is greeted by a neat display of a wide array of vegetables planted and maintained by the tender but hard-working hands of students under the guidance of the equally diligent teachers.

There lies the evidence, erasing all doubts that Manat Central elementary school is indeed worthy of the title” Best Implementer of the Gulayan sa Paaralan Project (GPP),” of the Davao region.

But more than raising a beautiful, organic, and environmentally friendly garden, planted to different types of vegetables including several indigenous ones. Manat Ces have won the competition., besting the other 151 second-

the entire Davao region because of its excellent performance in bringing down the incidence of malnutrition among its schoolchildren through the school feeding program.

For the school year 2010-2011, prior to the implementation of the GPP and the school feeding program, some 16 pupils were identified as malnourished. Towards the end of the school year, the number of malnourished children had dropped to zero.

Setting the strategy Allan r. Guerta, the school Principal said GPP implementation in public schools is mandated by the Department of education.

It is a collaborative project among the Department of Agriculture,

nursery roof,» he said.

“Then later on, we had the opportunity to collaborate with the east-West Company, and signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the said agricultural company to have a joint undertaking in establishing a more productive school garden using their technology and other garden inputs,” Guerta said.

“Upon knowing that there is going to be a contest for the best GPP implementer in the whole Davao region, we reviewed the criteria and conceptualized some strategies to improve our chances of winning the competition, although the thought of winning is just next in priority to establishing a productive vegetable garden for the feeding program, “ he explained.

EDGEDAVAO

ICT HUB

VOL.5 ISSUE 82 • JUNE 27, 2012

Apple vendors in Iran scoff at US sanctions V

eNDOrs of Apple products in Iran on saturday scoffed at Us media reports that the consumer technology giant was banning Us sales to customers of Iranian background, pointing out that iPads and iPhones are widely available in Tehran.

One salesman who gave only his first name, hossein, told AFP that he had sold 40 iPhones the day before, and explained that prices for Apple items in Iran were only around $50-$60 more than in the United states.

Traders were easily getting around Us sanctions on the export of popular electronic items to Iran, he said.

“All Apple products are smuggled into Iran.

Before, it was mainly from Dubai and european countries, but now we can

get all we need from Iraq,” he said. “We have all of Apple’s products.”

Iranian media noted reports from the United states that a young American woman of Iranian descent, who was speaking Farsi with her uncle, was barred from buying an iPad from an Apple store in the Us state of Georgia. she reportedly wanted to send the iPad to Iran as a gift to cousin.

That falls foul of a Us ban on sending tech products, such as computers and satellite telephones, to Iran without authorisation from the Us Treasury Department.

But salesmen in Tehran said the restriction is pointless, given the unimpeded offer of Apple and other Us brand electronics. several shops are even dressed up to look like official Apple stores.

In the United states, the National Iranian American Council issued a statement calling on Apple “to take immediate steps” to make sure the Us sanctions do not discriminate against Iranian-Americans and Iranians in the United states.

When asked about the issue last Thursday, Us state Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said there was “no Us policy or law that prohibits Apple or any other company from selling products in the United states to anybody whoâ s intending to use the product in the United states, including somebody of Iranian descent or an Iranian citizen.”

But, she added: “If you do want to take hightechnology goods to Iran, you need a licence.”

7

Vendors of Apple products in Iran on Saturday scoffed at US media reports that the consumer technology giant was banning US sales to customers of Iranian background, pointing out that iPads and iPhones are widely available in Tehran.

Smartphones put writing WikiLeaks founder wants on the wall for paid texts full diplomatic guarantee

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T

exT messaging, the simple telecoms service that turned into a global phenomenon, is under threat from free smartphone services and operators need to find alternative revenue streams, analysts say.

The short message service, or sMs, started as a way to use spare telecoms capacity but has become a key cash generator for operators, while offering users a cheap way to keep in touch with friends and family and avoid the expense of voice calls.

But the surge in Internet-enabled smartphones in recent years has led to the rise of free voice, video and text messaging applications that are threatening to send sMs into oblivion.

According to technology research firm Ovum, sMs contributed about 57 percent of non-voice revenues for telecom companies globally in 2009 but this is projected to fall to 47 percent this year.

Ovum estimates the rise of alternative messaging services has slashed $8.7 billion from the revenues of telecom operators worldwide in 2010 and $13.9 billion in 2011. “sMs in the next few years will contribute less and less to non-voice revenue for operators,” said Neha Dharia, a consumer telecoms analyst at Ovum.

“Consumers now have the ability to send text messaging through a variety of ways, such as IM

A person uses a mobile phone touch screen keypad to write a text message in Singapore. Text messaging, the humble telecoms service that turned into a global phenomenon, is under threat from free smartphone services and operators need to find alternative revenue streams, analysts say.

(instant messaging), messaging apps, social networks and so on,” she told AFP. “These products offer greater features and are competitively priced or even free. sMs is a more expensive option in certain markets and the interface is not as user friendly or intuitive as other messaging products in the market.”

The surge in mobile Internet, driven by the explosion in smartphones and tablet computers, was a major topic at the fourday CommunicAsia fair that ended in singapore on Friday.

Mobile devices are on track to replace conventional computers as the primary means to connect to the Internet, speakers said, and offer access to the likes of Yahoo!, Google and Facebook, among others, with their own instant messaging features.

At the same time applications such as What-

sApp, Viber, Tango and the iPhone’s Facetime offer free voice and video calls and message services when there is wireless connection.

The changeover has already begun.

Data from singapore’s Infocomm Development Authority showed users in the tech-savvy city-state sent and received a record 2.46 billion sMss in september 2011 but the number has since been falling and was down to 2.21 billion in March.

“I use it (sMs) a lot less these days,” said Joscelyn Tan, 35, a corporate marketing specialist for an electronics company in the city-state.

“WhatsApp is so convenient. Plus it’s free and a lot more fun with all the ‘emoticons’. I used to have to pay for extra sMs, not anymore,” she added.

But it remains a slow process in some of Asia’s biggest telecommunications markets.

I K I L e A K s founder Julian Assange Monday called for diplomatic guarantees he will not be pursued by the United states for publishing secret documents if he goes to sweden to face criminal allegations.

The Australian, 40, said he is prepared to go to sweden to face questioning over sex assault claims, but fears stockholm will turn him over to the Us where he could face espionage and conspiracy charges over revelations by WikiLeaks.

“Ultimately it may be a matter of what guarantees the United Kingdom, the United states and sweden are willing to provide,” he told the sydney Morning herald from the ecuador embassy in London, where he is seeking asylum.

Assange believes Washington will pursue

him after WikiLeaks published a cache of sensitive documents, including about the Afghan and Iraq wars, and thousands of diplomatic cables which have embarrassed governments worldwide.

“For example, if the Us were to guarantee (it would) drop the grand jury investigation and any further investigation of WikiLeaks publishing activity, that would be an important guarantee ... diplomatic commitments do have some weight,” he said.

Assange, who has been holed up in the ecuador embassy for nearly a week to avoid extradition to sweden, again criticised Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard over Canberra’s handling of his case.

The former computer hacker said his situation was “a serious political matter... (that) the Australian government should

A protester wearing a Guy Fawkes mask demonstrates outside the Ecuadorian embassy in London, on June 23, 2012, where Wikileaks founder Julian Assange is seeking political asylum. Assange Monday called for diplomatic

treat with the seriousness it requires”.

“I have been attacked by the Us, from the vice president down, as a hightech terrorist, and by the swedish prime minister and foreign minister -surely that requires some direct response from the Gillard government.”

Assange has said he chose ecuador’s embassy instead of his home country’s because he felt Canberra had done nothing to protect him, a charge the government has denied.

Canberra has said it has limited capacity to help him because he is not in Australia and has not broken any Australian laws.

Australia has also dismissed the idea that Washington is keen to get Assange, with Foreign Minister Bob Carr saying sunday there was “no hint” of a plan to extradite him to the United states.

guarantees he will not be pursued by the United States for publishing secret documents if he goes to Sweden to face criminal allegations.

8

VANTAGE POINTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 82 • JUNE 27, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Brain drain in the Balkans, the ‘poor cousins’ of Europe AnAlysis

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EDITORIAL

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Security-consciousness

he fledgling Institute of Popular Opinion of the University of Mindanao has come out with its latest survey, one that explores Dabawenyos’ level of consciousness on the related matters of safety and security.

The study results are eye-openers and instructive to local authorities and agencies charged with the responsibility of maintaining law and order in this city with 1.5 million residents.

Safe and secured The IPO, headed by Dr. Ma. Linda Arquiza, for instance found that more than 94 percent of the 1,150 survey respondents feel very secured in their homes. Next to their homes, Dabawenyos find themselves also safe and secured in their church or place of worship (90.35 percent). Third safest place for them is the streets (73.91 percent).They like feel safe in the streets, but only during daytime. During nighttime, the streets become dangerous to them (45.22 percent).

Less secured While seven out of 10 people interviewed said they feel safe inside government buildings, in their schools and places of work, one-half of the respondents are worried about their security

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inside malls and public markets. Also worrisome to them are parks and amusement places, especially bars and watering holes. These findings should be examined by concerned authorities.

Checkpoints okay heartening is the finding that Dabawenyos believe in the effectiveness of checkpoints. Nine of every 10 respondents recognized the important contribution of the checkpoints set up by the police and Task Force Davao as in deterring criminality and movement of illegal goods. Only 3.82 percent consider checkpoint a hazzle.

Hierarchy of threats Most interesting are the findings on what Dabawenyos consider as threats among criminals.

Porch-climbers, popularly called “akyat bahay” in the vernacular, are considered the biggest threat with more than half of those interviewed (52.70 percent) saying so. Next is snatchers, followed by drug addicts, gangs, holdup men, riding in tandem criminals and terrorists in that order. however, only 33.10 percent considered the much-publicized Davao Death squad (DDs) as threats, followed by rapists (31.70 percent) and carnappers (28.30 percent).

Undoubtedly, the study results will be valuable to the enforcers and policy-makers.

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

RAMON M. MAXEY Consultant

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

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

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SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance

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by Milan Radonjic

s the eurozone debt crisis continues to drag on, media outlets across the world have been consumed with reports on the protests by unemployed workers in Greece, spain, and Italy.

Not so much breaking news from “poor cousins” of europe - the Balkans though.

Well, this is not because countries like Albania, Macedonia, Bosnia and herzegovina, and serbia have nothing to be worried about.

Far from it. According to eurostat, the european Union (eU)’s statistics office, unemployment rates of all the working-age population in these countries vary between about 25 percent and 58 percent.

In some parts of the Balkans, the unemployment rates for the youth have risen to a staggering 75 percent.

This is why many of the young people in the Balkans now see their future somewhere else - in their richer eU neighborhood.

Located in the middle of the Balkans, serbia, which is hoping to receive eU approval later this year to open accession talks with the bloc, is experiencing the full wrath of the euro crisis.

The country’s sovereign debt has reached 24.1 billion euros, or about 77.6 percent of its annual economic output, while its unemployment rate hovered at 24.7 percent. serbia’s National employment service said over 76,000 people are now looking for job, among them the more than 50,000 who had high education.

Most of the unemployed are considering leaving country for jobs elsewhere.

Many already have.

“20,000 serbian PhD graduates now live in exile,” said Jovan Filipovic, a professor with the Belgrade Faculty of Management.

The Global Competitiveness report 2011-2012 compiled by the World economic Forum earlier this year ranked serbia 139 out of a pool of 142 countries for the country’s severe brain drain.

Meanwhile, surveys in Albania showed that over 50 percent of all lecturers or researchers have left the country, while 66 percent of students that have undergone PhD studies in Western european countries or the U.s. after 1990s never returned.

In Macedonia, emigration rate of the tertiary educated is 20.9 percent. Between 1995 and 2000, for example, the number of scientists and engineers in research and development has dropped by over 70 percent.

Nevertheless, the countries’ prospect of joining the now 27-member eU seems like the light at the end of tunnel.

Although eU accession to the eU would not end brain drain, the hope is that it would raise the level of foreign investments, increase political stability, and create more jobs at home.

“We believe that joining to eU will create better economic conditions, with more foreign investments,” srdjan sreckovic, serbian minister of religion and diaspora told xinhua.

“More foreign investments will create more jobs, and better standard of living, so hopefully, there will be less need to leave the country,” he said.

But the non-surrendering eurozone crisis, coupled with endemic corruption and slow progress in adopting laws and regulations that comply with eU standards, has diminished chances of any Balkan state, except Croatia, which has signed a treaty of accession with the eU in December, to join the bloc in the near future.

This is perhaps why today, only few people find it funny the once popular joke in which Balkan state officials inform their citizens:”that light at the end of the tunnel will be temporarily switched off - due to the necessary measures of saving.” It just may sound too realistic now. [PNA/XINhUA]

EDGEDAVAO

I

NeFFICIeNT LAW eNFOrCeMeNT – There is strong evidence that some food manufacturers in China who are dealing in health drinks, skimmed and infant milk, and dairy products churn out endless variations of chemically-laced food items and the layers of increased risk are passed on the unknowing consumers. remember that sometime in January 2010 the whole world was jolted when news broke out that the melamine scare escalated in many parts of China.

A series of findings show that the melamine-adulterated infant milk products resulted to the death of many infants in different Chinese provinces prompting health authorities to strictly instruct the manufacturer to pull out all its chemically-laced milk products from stores and distributors. The government later on reported that several people found responsible of the illegal business undertaking were arrested and meted with stringent penalties and appropriate jail terms.

Unrecognized, chemically-tainted food products especially those with high mercury content attack the body slowly and stealthily.

Initially, it produces subtle symptoms, so an affected person notably children and infants are often unaware that anything is wrong. slowly but gradually it damages body tissues, blood vessels and the internal organs. Unknowing consumers are hopelessly unprepared for this kind of health scare, which can be devastating. health and food experts acknowledge that there are causes for concern because it could result in instant death if chemically-laced food items are taken in large quantity. A few Chi-

W

ITh less t h a n a year before the May 2013 elections, re-alignment and consolidation of existing political forces are fast shaping up in southwestern Mindanao (sOCsKsArGeN) area with General santos City likely to be the hotbed of local electoral contest in the region.

Of course, sarangani cannot be far behind with many awaiting what is next with Rep. Manny Pacquiao’s fledging political career.

In south Cotabato, the thorny issue on environment will likely remain as rep. Daisy Avance-Fuentes is poised to reclaim the governorship of the province. elections in the region have so far been spared the attendant violence that marred past electoral exercises elsewhere in the Philippines like the bloody run-up to the Maguindanao gubernatorial contest in 2010 where 58 people, 32 of them journalists and media workers, were killed during the period of the filing of certificates of candidacy.

But like the rest of the Philippines, however, elections have become almost the exclusive domain of people who have the resources to win the votes. Blame or credit it to the Antoninos - and now Pacquiao and rivera.

Billion peso mark?

If things go ahead as they are figuring out, the most expensive and costly elections will be in General santos City where two of the richest political families in the

Monkey Business

VANTAGE POINTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 82 • JUNE 27, 2012

Sort of puzzle

nese food companies, and lately cosmetics and beauty product manufacturers are taking advantage of consumer uneasiness about the health care issue to stress that their products come just as naturally processed with some help perhaps from artificial but strictly regulated elements. sad to note, Chinese health authorities confirmed that studies and findings show some milk brands manufactured in the country pose a number of problems, and an incident similar to the melamine scare of 2010 happened lately in certain areas.

The dominant question right now: are chemically-tainted food products such as infant milk, skimmed milk, health energy drinks and fruit-flavored thirst quenchers are being foisted intentionally on unsuspecting consumers? Is it being done on purpose and for what reasons? Or is it really wise to put public’s health in danger? Until now nobody could provide the consuming public for an appropriate answer to the mysterious business endeavor. All of this contributes to a growing and gnawing sense of wariness among Asian consumers including the Filipino population.

Immediate health risks aside, the government’s greatest worries are over the rampant smuggling of Chinese products into the Philippines. Despite a much-vaunted tight regulation, poor law enforcement allows unscrupulous local traders to illegally import contraband items specifically milk products.

As might be expected, government efforts are directed at closely monitoring the illegal entry of imported and chemically-laced food items. sad to say, it is only being done when there are reports about an escalating health scare. right now, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the lead agency task to strictly monitor the critical issue assured the consuming public that nothing of the so-called

adulterated milk products from China have been found in grocery stores and supermarkets. Well, if the reports of the FDA and other concerned government agencies are accurate, consumers supposedly would have less fear of poisoning, but the sad thing is that different brands of food items such as fruit-flavored energy drinks, thirst quenchers and milk drinks could still be found in many store shelves.

A lot of Chinese products such as cosmetics and beauty treatment items likewise have no required labeling like if they contain known toxins, allergens or an entirely new substance. Another problem is that label instructions of these products are purely in Chinese language, which is considered deceptive. The more people don’t understand it, the more fearful they will be. That is the sort of puzzle some consumers’ advocates are trying to know why and how these illegal products gained entry in our seaports and airports, and under the very noses of authorities notably the Bureau of Customs (BoC).

Unfortunately, some enterprising personnel of concerned government agencies probably are all looking at the opposite direction – for obvious reason. The word inefficiency, of course, is the catch. When it comes to the performance of their designated task, law enforcement agencies suffer from what can be called an inefficiency problem of their own.

The result of all that inefficiency - levels of increased fear are passed on to anxious consumers who face one of the dangers, which in turn gravely affect their health.

The saddest thing is that reports about certain arrest of violators and the crackdown against unscrupulous traders engaged in illegal importation being shown on nationwide television are nothing but purely an image enhancing strategy. They’re good at it, isn’t it?

Pacquiao factor in Gensan, Sarangani politics (1st of 2 Parts)

city are poised to slug it out in the mayoralty contest.

Incumbent Mayor Darlene AntoninoCustodio will have her hands full as 2010 top city councilor ronnel rivera has already forged an alliance with rep. Manny Pacquiao, also the richest man in the region.

Pacquiao, who ran and lost to Custodio in the 2007 congressional race in the 1st District of south Cotabato (which includes General Santos), is fielding his younger brother rogelio for the same position he miserably lost to Custodio. rogelio (roel) will try to unseat rep. Pedro ‘Jun’ Acharon, a partymate of Custodio.

The General santos City mayoralty contest will have old money against the nouveau rich.

Custodio is the eldest of two daughters of Adelbert Antonino whose father and mother were once senators of the Philippines. The Antoninos built their business empire through their logging business in Kiamba and Maitum in sarangani, once part of south Cotabato, in the late 50s. They have since diversified into real estate, banking, distributorship, printing, fishing and several other business activities. When Adelbert divested his interests at the rizal Commercial Banking Corporation after winning in the 1987 congressional race, he reportedly received at least P500 million for his shares alone.

Together with their political allies in the Acharon family, the Antoninos have been in uninterrupted political power in the city since 1987, except in 1995 when an overconfident Adelbert lost to Rosalita Nuñez for the mayoralty race. he regained it in 1998 and Nuñez would never recover from that political setback.

Rivera is the third child of fishing magnate rodrigo rivera sr. whose family owns the largest General santos Citybased tuna fishing fleet in the country today. rivera sr. built his business empire in the early 80’s and is now into banking, financing, real estate and real estate development, hotel and resorts, hardware chain, manufacturing, aquaculture, food processing and other businesses. The net worth of the riveras is easily way above the billion peso mark. ryan, eldest son of rivera, once ran against Darlene in 2001 but lost miserably.

Councilor rivera however crashed into the local political scene by topping the 2010 race for councillorship despite running as an independent. In alliance with rep. Pacquiao, rivera was able to consolidate all anti-Antonino forces and will likely field a slate to include personalities identified with the Nuñezes and others who unsuccessfully tried to dislodge the Antoninos.

When Manny Pacquiao lost to Darlene in 2007, he reportedly spent more than P120 million while the Antoninos allegedly spent almost double the amount.

The money that will flow in next year’s local elections will largely depend on how local politics will shape up in sarangani. If both camps will go for the jugulars, their combined electoral spending could top the billion peso mark.

To be or not to be Pacquiao had already declared his intention to trade places with Gov. Miguel rene Dominguez who is on his last term.

In 2010, Manny overwhelmingly won over roy Chiongbian, a member of the Chiongbian family who are long-time allies of Dominguez.

9

Questions in a multi-lingual nation speciAl FeAture

by HonoR blanco cabie

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he Philippines, a multi-lingual nation of 98 million people from Basco to Bongao, is preparing yet again for the annual celebration in August of “Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa.”

This early, the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino has launched a contest with the title “Mananaysay ng Taon 2012” (essayist of the Year 2012) at stake.

Cash prizes are up for the first top three placers and three honorable mention placers in the essay writing contest – in Filipino, of course – with entries not less than 12 pages and not more than 30 pages typewritten or encoded on an 8 ½” x 11” and submitted in four copies.

The deadline for the contest – whose topic is “Tatag ng Wikang Filipino, Lakas ng Pagka-Filipino” (sturdiness of the Filipino Language, strength of Being Filipino) -- has been set on July 20.

This is the only government body which sponsors such contest, intended to arouse awareness among the different generations of Filipinos on the importance of Filipino as the national language of a country that has no less than 120 distinct languages but many are marginalized, wittingly or unwittingly by some Tagalog speakers and writers.

Tagalog, the language of Metro Manila and surrounding provinces, became in 1937 the basis of a national language ordered by then President Manuel Quezon, a Tagalog, through his executive Order 134.

By 1940, the Tagalog-based national language was taught in all public and private schools, which was eventually called Pilipino and dubbed as also the official language, the language for teaching and subject in national language starting in 1959.

Pilipino eventually metamorphosed into Filipino when the 1987 Constitution, written by a presidential-appointed Constitutional Commission, approved the change from letter P to letter F to call the country’s national language.

But the official language remained Pilipino, which many linguists and scholars from non-Tagalog speaking provinces said was also Tagalog with just another name.

There was a time when Tagalog was considered the only language of the Philippines, and the others were dialects – immediately corrected by language scholars in the Committee on Literary Arts of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

These scholars argue that the others, often previously unnecessarily marginalized by what they call “an imperial attitude” are in fact languages and not dialects.

They have referred to these languages, but not limited to them, as Iluko, Pampango, Bikol, Waray, Bisaya or Cebuano, hiligaynon, Ibanag, and the other languages of the Cordilleras and those in Mindanao, apart from Maranaw, Maguindanaon, Yakan and Bahasa sug.

Time was when the Institute of National Language was tasked to incorporate words, spoken and written in the other regions to make a substantive Filipino language or language of the country.

But instead of adding words from the other languages north and south of the capital to Tagalog which was the basis of a national language to be crafted, a new breed of language imperialists was born: Tagalog purists.

Understandably, this did not sit well with non-Tagalog writers and speakers.

Neither did the manner census questions were worded – done by teachers in Metro Manila years back – whether anyone “from the household spoke Pilipino.” Period.

There was no qualifying nor clarifying follow-up whether members of the household were native speakers of what language, what other languages spoken in the household if at all. scholars have pointed to misconceptions on the inclusion of the letter F in the national language Filipino, a letter that did not pop up from the english alphabet, but is a sound very native in several languages of the Philippines.

The same scholars point to “afuy” (fire) and “kofun” (friend) in Ibanag; “afyu flafus” (good morning) of the Bilaan; “fidu” (pestilence) of the Manobos of south Cotabato. simply because there is no F sound in the Tagalog – despite Francisco Balagtas – that the F in other languages should now be replaced by the letter P, smacks, some language scholars posit, of barren unreason.

As the country prepares yet again for the annual celebration of “Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa,” many raise questions they claim were valid as from the 1940s as they are today, given what they say is the improper handling of the other languages that are part of what can well be the Filipino national language. [PNA]

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SUBURBIA

VOL.5 ISSUE 82 • JUNE 27, 2012

Lagdameo unveil projects in Carmen A s the Municipality of Carmen celebrated its 44th Founding Anniversary last June 18, 2012, Cong.

Anton F. Lagdameo, Jr. of the 2nd District of Davao del Norte fulfills his commitment of doing his best for the good of the people by inaugurating several significant projects benefiting not only the residents of this fast improving municipality but also its adjoining localities.

In a simple unveiling ceremony done during the municipality’s founding anniversary culmi-

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nation program, Cong.

Anton F. Lagdameo, Jr. led the cutting of ribbon showing the perspective and pictures of accomplished projects, duly assisted by Carmen Municipal Mayor Marcelino Perandos and Vice Mayor Abet sarin along with sanguniang Bayan Members, provincial officials, investors, guests and residents of the locality.

Lagdameo, through his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), initiated in the successful implementation of projects such as the 5M

concreting of the Public Market-Terminal to Carmen National high school Avenue, 3M Lapaz resettlement Project, over 100M worth of Drainage, river & Irrigation projects thru the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), the distribution of one (1) mini-ambulance unit per barangay for the 20 barangays of Carmen, including the forthcoming Construction of the ABC hall among several projects lined up for the municipality.

The congressman is

for health infrastructure projects, acquisition of hospital equipment, ambulances, and health service vehicles.

Dr. Basañes further said that the most factors why the province gains high respect from DOh officials are its best health practices and innovations as lead by Governor Arturo T. Uy. DOh pilot programs and projects implemented in the province are successfully carried out like the Family health Book and Quality Assurance Partnership to mention a few.

Governor Uy then au-

thorized that the P13.0 M. health grant be divided equally for the province’s 11 municipalities.

PhO Planning OfficerDesignate, Ms. Gladys Bantilan shared that Municipal health Officers in a meeting revealed that each of the municipalities of Monkayo, Montevista, Mawab, and Maco are planning to acquire an Ambulance while Laak, Mabini, Pantukan, Nabunturan, Maragusan, Compostela, and New Bataan will be constructing and upgrading their respective health facilities. (GRAce

also instrumental in finally getting a 20M funding from the National housing Authority headed by Vice President Jejomar Binay for the purchase and development of a 10 hectare lot relocation Project also in the municipality.

These projects along with other notable projects from the national government, provincial and non-government or-

EDGEDAVAO

ganizations helped a lot in upgrading the status of the locality into a 1st Class municipality.

During the program, Carmen Mayor Marcelino Perandos gave a Plaque of Appreciation to the congressman for his various implemented Barangayanihan projects

which magnanimously contributed to the progress of Carmen.

The mayor also gave a brief yet meaningful message thanking all offices who have in one way or another helped in the realization of Carmen’s development aspirations.

ComVal receives P13-M Spanish Health Grant

OMPOsTeLA Valley is the only province in region xI chosen by the Department of health (DOh) to receive the P13.0 Million health grant from the spanish Government under the Agencia española de Cooperacion Internacional para el Desarrollo (spanish Agency of International Development Cooperation).

According to Provincial health Officer Dr. renato Basañes that the fund can be used under the condition of the spanish Government that it must be intended either

PNP Provincial Dir. PS/Supt Timoteo Pacleb thanked Comval LGU under Gov. Arturo Uy for the 12 computer sets given to them on June 18. Said equipment is for

ALMedILLA, IdS-cOMvAL)

the PNP Electronic Blotter Program turned over to the PPO and all Chiefs of Police in the 11 municipalities in the province. (A. dAyAO/IdS cOMvAL)

The provincial Chorale named ComVal Minstrels celebrates its 10th Year Anniversary on June 18, 2012 where they performed an Anniversary Special Musical

presentations during the employees regular convocation on June 18. (A. dAyAO/IdS cOMvAL)

Chorale group celebrate 10th year

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he provincial Chorale named ComVal Minstrels celebrates its 10th Year Anniversary on June 18, 2012.

An Anniversary special Musical presentation was performed by the group during the employees convocation program.

With the ladies dressed in their beautiful Filipiniana outfit and the guys in their Barong, they filled the air with warmhearted voices as they sang at the Capitol Lobby.

Jonas B. Templaza, alternate Trainer, conducted

the Opening salvo with the song “rosas Pandan” respectively followed by the group’s past and present trainers and conductors: Mr. Ulysses L. Casas (20022005) with “Mangadto Ta sa Apo,” Mr. Alejandro B. Tabino (2005-2008) with the song “Only You” and Mr. Mario T. sabello (2008 up to the present) with the song “Kruhay,” an Ilonggo term which means harvest.

Governor Arturo T. Uy, who shared that the Minstrels always inspires him, also inducted the new set

of officers with Mr. Jomar L. Palma as the President and Ms. Clarita C. reterba as the Adviser. Certificates of recognition and Plaques & Tokens of Appreciation were also given.

Those who are in their 10 years of membership were also honored including the past and present Coordinators, Ms. Lara Zaphire Kristy N. Bermejo and Ms. Teresa C. rimando. recognized as well, were the former members who have been part of the journey of the Minstrels. (GRAce ALMedILLA, IdS-cOMvAL)

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.5 ISSUE 82 • JUNE 27, 2012

BPI prepaid receives Banking and Payments Asia awards

B

ANKING and Payments Asia (BPA), Asia’s leading journal for retail banking and payments recently announced the winners of the Banking and Payments Asia Trailblazer Awards.

The Bank of the Philippine Islands grabbed 3 awards in various categories. BPI won the Product excellence Award in Government Prepaid through DOe’s Pantawid

Pasada, a government subsidized program that aims to alleviate the cost of rising fuel among over 150,000 jeepney drivers. Last July 2011, BPI became the infrastructure provider of the DOe by powering the Prepaid Cashless Disbursement system where jeepney drivers with the Pantawid Pasada card can visit fuel stations nationwide and gas-up using the subsidy given by the government.

Debit and Prepaid Head, VP Aileen Lamasuta and Usage Head AM Lovely Joy de Leon accepts the awards in behalf of BPI in the recently concluded Banking & Pay-

This program helped the public by keeping public transport costs stabled.

BPI also won the award for “Process excellence in Customer Centricity” through BPI express Assist (BeA) and received a special Commendation for “Channel excellence in Internet Banking” through BPI express Online.

Overall, BPI won in the product, channel and service categories.

ments Asia’s Trailblazer Awards for 2012 at the Grand Copthorne WaterFront Hotel, Singapore

DLPC apologizes for power outage

D

AVAO Light & Power Company apologizes for the power outage yesterday, June 26, which resulted due to a broken grounding line along Circumferential road.

Davao Light’s Corporate Communications Officer, Ross Luga, said that the outage which started at 9:13 AM has affected customers in some parts of downtown areas and those residing from Bacaca going

to Diversion road.

Also affected by the service disruption were the electric utility’s main offices; Ponciano Office, Rondez engineering Center and its erA substation. hospital lines serving Limso, Davao Doctors, Brokenshire and Davao Medical school Foundation have also experienced the power interruption.

Gradual restoration of power supply began at

9:59 AM and at 11:47 AM all affected areas have been fully energized.

Davao Light deeply apologizes to its customers for the inconvenience brought about by the emergency service interruption, hence, was not able to make prior notice.

The company’s emergency maintenance crew has exerted all efforts to restore power within the least possible time.

COMMUNITY SENSE 11

12 NATION/WORLD NATION BRIEfS

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Abroad

here are at least 2.2 million Filipinos who opted to work abroad in April to september 2011 alone, a figure higher than the estimated 2 million OFWs for the same period in 2010, the NsO said.

Of this number, over half (52.2 percent) are male overseas workers, and most are relatively young coming from the age group 25-29 years old (23.6 percent) and 30 to 34 years old (22.6 percent), NsO said in a statement released Tuesday.

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Rammed

he Philippines said on Monday they believed a hong Kong vessel may have rammed a Filipino fishing boat, leaving one person dead and four missing, after initially suspecting China over the accident.

In a statement the country’s coast guard said, the fishing boat “was accidentally hit by a hong Kong-registered bulk vessel, the MV Peach Mountain which was passing the area... with some of the fishermen falling overboard”.

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Banned

OMAN Catholic prelates are now looking to have smoking banned outside school premises to keep the youth away from the deadly vice.

“There has to be strict implementation of policies to create a supportive environment that will protect the youth,” Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP)–episcopal Commission on Youth (eCY) executive secretary Father Conegundo Garganta said.

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Depreciate

he peso may not always maintain a strong stance, as seen in recent weeks, and is expected to depreciate in the coming months, eventually trading at 45 against the Us dollar by yearend, according to analysts.

Based on the latest projections of DBs Group and the partnership of First Metro Investment Corp. and the University of Asia and the Pacific, the peso is expected to return to the range of 43 against the greenback mainly due to domestic development problems, as well as lingering uncertainties abroad.

VOL.5 ISSUE 82 • JUNE 27, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

PHL budget deficit shoots up T

he Philippines’ budget deficit soared in May, the government said on Tuesday, but a senior economic official insisted there was still room to pursue higher spending to sustain economic growth.

The government spent 19.90 billion pesos ($468.31 million) more than it earned in May, Finance secretary Cesar Purisima said in a statement. he insisted the deficit was manageable, expressing confidence the full-year fund shortfall would stay within 2.6 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP), or 279 billion pesos.

“We are pleased with the continued rise in revenue collections, especially since this allows us to pursue our spending programme for the year while making sure that our fiscal position remains under control,” Purisima said.

“The wide fiscal space will now give us an advantage to finance infrastructure projects and social programmes

s

Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima gestures during a press conference at the Department of Finance office in Manila on July 8, 2010. As part of a plan to crackdown on smugglers and tax evaders, Purisima said he was imposing a that shall in the long term curb poverty and promote equality.”

The January-May deficit reached 22.79 billion pesos, well within the government’s self-imposed first-half ceiling of 109.34 billion pesos.

The government said it spent 668.43 billion pesos in the first five months of the year, up 13.1 percent compared

quota for the agencies to file one criminal case a week against a smuggler or tax evader to show how serious their programme was. [AFP]

to the same period last year.

Over the same period, revenues reached 645.64 billion pesos.

For May, revenue grew 9.4 percent to 131.40 billion pesos, while spending reached 151.30 billion pesos.

Purisima said the government remains committed to reaching its 5.0-6.0 percent

growth target this year, having recorded 6.4 percent expansion in the first three months.

The Philippines suffered a 197.8 billionpeso budget deficit last year, equivalent to 2.0 percent of GDP. Officials have said the government will step up its spending this year in order to spur growth.

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LEGAL NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that pursuant to Rule 74, Section 1 of the Revised Rules of Court, JULIA SUSAN B. CASTILLO issued an AFFIDAVIT OF ADJUDICATION BY SOLE HEIR OF ESTATE OF DECEASED PERSON ,as the only surviving heir of VALERIANA B. CASTILLO who died intestate in the City of Davao, on January 18, 2012,executed per Doc. No. 53; Page No. 11; Book No. IX; Series of 2012 OF THE NOTARY PUBLIC ANTHONY P. BANZALI

fresh blow

PAIN suffered a fresh blow as 28 of its banks were hit with credit downgrades while Cyprus became the latest eurozone country to request a rescue loan, days ahead of a pivotal european Union summit.

The Moody’s decision to slash the spanish lenders’ ratings came just hours after Madrid made a formal request for cash to bail out its troubled banking sector.

Russia’s Putin in rare West Bank trip

UssIAN President Vladimir Putin was to meet Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas in the West Bank town of Bethlehem on Tuesday during a rare trip aimed at boosting russia’s regional role.

The talks with Abbas, a frequent visitor to russia, were expected to focus on the stalled Middle east peace process, and follow Putin’s 24-hour visit to Israel where his discussions focused on violence in syria and Iran’s nuclear programme.

Ahead of Putin’s ar-

WORLD TODAY

Activists from the left wing Israeli party Meretz, call for visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin to take action in stopping violence in neighboring Syria as they protest rival, security was heavy in Bethlehem, with Abbas’s residence guarded by gun-toting security officials in black.

An AFP photographer said the russian leader took a few moments out of his schedule for a side trip to the Church of the Nativity, which Christians revere as the birthplace of Jesus Christ.

Putin’s discussions with Abbas were likely to touch on repeated international efforts to nudge Israel and the Palestinians back to direct talks, which have been on hold since late 2010.

in front of Israeli President Shimon Peres’s home in Jerusalem, on June 25, 2012. [AFP]

russia is a member of the peacemaking Quartet, which also includes the United states, european Union and the United Nations.

The grouping tried to plot a path back to direct negotiations late last year, but the efforts have so far yielded little success, with the Palestinians insisting on an Israeli settlement freeze before talks resume.

The Israelis want negotiations to begin without preconditions.

In Jerusalem on Monday, Putin discussed the crises in syria and Iran with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netan-

yahu and President shimon Peres, who urged the russian leader to use his influence with Tehran to protect the Jewish state against nuclear threats.

After his talks with Abbas, Putin was due to unveil a russian cultural centre in Bethlehem, before travelling on to Jordan for a meeting with King Abdullah II. Putin last travelled to the Palestinian territories in 2005 when Abbas hosted him in ramallah. Putin’s predecessor in the Kremlin, Dmitry Medvedev, visited Jericho on a trip to the West Bank last year.

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Denounced

UrKeY has told the UN security Council that syria’s downing of one of its fighter jets poses a “serious threat to peace and security”, as Damascus insisted the plane had violated its airspace.

The United states meanwhile denounced the UN’s “colossal failure” to protect civilians inside syria as the death toll there continued to mount.

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Increasing

he Arab spring uprisings have given Al-Qaeda new arenas in which to rebuild, increasing the chances of home-grown terrorist attacks in Britain, the head of its domestic intelligence agency warned Monday.

Instability in the region had created “a permissive environment for Al-Qaeda”, Jonathan evans, director general of MI5 said in a lecture in London on Monday.

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forced back

hINese authorities have forced back into Myanmar some ethnic Kachin refugees who have fled across the border to escape civil war, and China is denying basic care to many who remain, a human rights group said on Tuesday.

Myanmar’s government is in talks with autonomy-seeking Kachin rebels, and more than a dozen other ethnic minority rebel groups, to try to end all its decades-old conflicts.

I

Arrested

srAeLI police said on Tuesday they had arrested three ultra-Orthodox Jews on suspicion of having spray-painted anti-Zionist slogans at the national Yad Vashem holocaust memorial two weeks ago.

The men, aged 18, 26 and 27, belong to an ultraOrthodox group opposed to Israel’s existence and admitted to the vandalism, police spokesman Micky rosenfeld said.

They were due to be arraigned in court later in the day.

EDGEDAVAO

Ban...

FfROM 1

ucts, should be forwarded to the sangguniang Panlungsod (sP).

“Penalizing the violators will also begin on June 28,” remojo said, adding that the Cenro will start its massive monitoring on the same day.

The ban is pursuant to the provision of section 5 and 7 of the City Ordinance No. 0361-10 series of 2010, known as the Davao City ecological solid Waste Management Ordinance.

The DCesWMB has vested policy and decision-making authority concerning the implementation of the city ordinance, however, in terms of the delay of the ban and exemption of some banned materials as requested by mall owners and manufactures are up to the sP.

PHL...

SM...

Sara...

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craft a law mandating that payong-payong motorcycle units be convert into tricycles, and have them registered with the CLO which oversees tricycle franchises in the city, as well as prohibit and penalize habal-habal drivers. effective Monday, June 25, was Duterte-Carpio’s 30-day moratorium on the confiscation of modified motorcycle units of payong-payong which have sidecars to accommodate passengers, and habal-habal, motorcycles whose drivers offer transportation to anywhere in the city.

The mayor told City Police Office Office (DCPO) chief ssupt. ron-

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Anakbayan, League of Filipino students, and Kabataan Partylist that are known to be vigilant on vital national issues, especially the Philippine educational system. he said the transformation to a “New Filipino” should be a holistic approach, which is not only in political awareness but also includes financial resources management.

“These values should be incorporated in the educational curriculum,” he added. he cited that the bottom pillars of the New Filipino are moral renewal, patriotism revival, and entrepreneurship mindset and behavior.

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VOL.5 ISSUE 82 • JUNE 27, 2012

“The New Filipino thinks and acts rich because he or she has a strong desire to overcome poverty and will really struggle to succeed in life,” as stated in the DPFI primer.

An ideal transformed individual is described as time conscious; innovative; resultoriented; prepared to sacrifice; work hard; willing to take reasonable risks; and, thrifty but generous.

The DPFI wants this advocacy to go a little further beyond giving training in journalism to aspiring masscom students and leave a legacy for the new generation, Gavino said.

ald dela rosa to stop their confiscation operations together with the Traffic Management Council.

More than 200 unregistered motorcyle units which provided transport service were impounded local authorities last week.

This, the city mayor said, is not the solution to the perennial problem of payong-payong units traversing busy thoroughfares which endanger the lives of their passengers as well as the driver’s.

“Kay kung dakop ang solusyon, pasabot kadaadlaw ta man-dakop.

Dili ang pag-dakop ang solusyon (Because if confiscation is the solution it would only mean we

South...

have to confiscate everyday; confiscation is not the solution)” she told reporters in a media briefing. “so mag-moratorium sa ta. Kung within one month, wala mi mapangita nga solusyon, mag-padayon sila ug dakop (so we’ll have this moratorium. If within one month we (city government) cannot find a solution, then they (DCPO and TMC) will continue confiscation operations)” she added.

Prior to the moratorium, confiscation operations were conducted by the DCPO through its traffic group in coordination with the City Traffic Management Council.

Approval...

The Gaisano Mall here has likewise renovated and expanded its shopping store.

In late 2009, robinsons Place General santos, reportedly with an investment of P2 billion, opened its doors to the public.

From the outside, the view of the sM Mall here, which sits in an eighthectare property leased from the salazar family, is almost complete.

Last september, the city government suspended construction works when a portion of the car park building collapsed, which left four workers injured.

(BONG SARMIeNtO/MINdANewS)

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the landslide area on Monday and initially cleared a portion of the blocked river.

“They made an artificial canal to drain some of the impounded water,” he said. escobillo said they are presently working double time to immediately to clear the area and allow the river’s water flow to normalize.

Constancio Paye Jr., Mines and Geosciences Bureau-region 12 chief, said they are also sending a team to check on the areas that were affected by the landslides. he said they will also de-

from Ayala Land, Inc. were in town for an “exploratory visit” and paid a courtesy call to Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio, Manansala said.

In Mindanao, Ayala Land operates the Abreeza Mall in Davao City.

The mayor told the Ayala executives that local mall players are also becoming aggressive with the entry of big Manila-based mall operators in the city, he said.

Currently, local mall operator KCC is building Veranza, an expansion of the KCC Mall of Gensan, and is reportedly set to open later this year.

termine whether the landslides were connected to the continuing illegal “banlas” or sluice mining operations there.

Tampakan authorities earlier confirmed the resurgence of sluice mining activities, a method which employs the pouring of large amounts of water on a mountain’s surface to extract the rocks containing the gold ore, in the upland portions of the town.

In April last year, four miners were killed following a landslide that hit a riverside sluice mining site. [ALLeN v. eStABILLO/MINdANewS]

The water table in the Dumoy aquifer and its vicinity starts 60 feet from the surface.

The DCWD, however, stated in its certifications that “more solid and liquid waste disposal facilities are to be constructed in such a way that they will not infiltrate the aquifer region and that all water conveyances will all be water tight.”

Alabado said the paramount concern of the city government “is to protect the area from any kind of development that will contaminate the water sources.”

3M Pinoy kids engaged in hazardous child labor

M

Ore than three million Filipino children are engaged in hazardous labor, a National statistics Office survey showed.

The NsO’s 2011 survey on Children show that of the 29 million Filipino children, three million were in hazardous child labor.

The survey also showed that more boys are employed in dangerous work compared to girls.

International Labor Organization Country Director Lawrence Jeff Johnson said the root of child labor is linked with poverty and lack of decent work.

“While we strive to keep children in school and away from child labor, we need to ensure decent and productive work for parents and basic social protection for families,” Johnson said.

Johnson said the government should monitor the progress in reducing child labor on a regular basis.

“One of the recommendations is to conduct the survey every

five years to immediately find solutions and provide interventions,” he said. “results of this survey will be used as targets for interventions... it is not just the role of the government, employers’ and workers’ organizations, but also local communities,” he added. hazardous child work, as defined by ILO, is “being likely to harm children’s health, safety, or morals by its nature or circumstances.”

In 2001, there were four million working children, of which 2.4 million were in hazardous child labor.

While in 1995, there were 3.6 million working children, of which 2.2 were in hazardous child labor.

The figures, ILO said, were not comparable to the new findings of the NsO since there were revisions in capturing the overall picture of child labor in the country.

The NsO released its findings today during the Philippine Celebration of World Day Against Child Labor in Pasig City. [PNA]

But determining whether development will contaminate the water, according to Alabado, will rely mainly on the authority and expertise of DCWD, the main stakeholder, “being the owner of water production wells and is into the water business.”

“It is now up to the DCWD to tell us how there will be contamination, what are the mitigating measures against contamination, whether the measures are adequate or not, and what needs to be done otherwise,” he added.

Dolphy’s health condition improving

T

he health condition of comedy king rodolfo “Dolphy” V. Quizon sr. has improved as it responds to stimulus, doctors of Makati Medical Center (MMC) said on Tuesday. eric Nubla, director of MMC’s Patients relations Office said that responding to stimulus meant that Dolphy’s senses were improving.

Nubla said that Dolphy’s platelets also improved but still not in normal level that’s why he continued to undergo blood transfusion. “he’s recovering. Mahirap i-quantify iyon kung full o hindi. Like they say, critical but stable and it’s one day at a time,” Nubla said adding that Dolphy will also have another dialysis session on Wednesday. he said more strict visitation privileges were being enforced to protect Dolphy’s health.

The Quizon family appealed to the media to respect their privacy after tabloid reporter allegedly caught to take pictures of Dolphy inside the hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU).

One of the sons of veteran actor said that there was no need to violate his father’s privacy because they were regularly giving updates to the public regarding Dolphy’s health.

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SPORTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 82 • JUNE 27, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Another

Elmer Bartolo, shown here in action in a Cebu race, once more dominated the Dagan City High 2012.

Bartolo weekend show I

T was another elmer Bartolo sunday show at the rizal Park, this time for the Dagan City high run 2012.

The top-seeded Bartolo, fast turning the local running circuit into his own weekend show, won the premier 10-kilometer men’s race in the absence of more worthy rivals. running in front from the get-go in a commanding pace, the holy Cross of Davao College standout broke away in the final three kilometres to add another title to his rich collection. Bartolo clocked 35 minutes and 19 seconds to win the premier 10-kilometer men’s division with rolly Paderna (36:59) check-

ing in second. Joselito Dugos (37:35) finished third.

In the women’s race, veteran Judelyn Miranda turned back the tough challenge of youthful Cresely Jaro who stuck to her like a leech through most part of the race. Miranda’s final burst barely beat the younger Jaro as she timed 46 minutes, 19 seconds to win the distaff side. Jaro wound up second in 46:21 followed in third by veteran Monalisa Ambasa in 47:05.

In other categories, Jomar rasay negotiated the 5-kilometer distance in 18:17 to pocket the men’s 5-K race beating Kim Orbita (19:42) and robert Pilapil (21:08) who finished second and third.

Gelie roe Jaro shared the limelight by topping the women’s class in 21:07 with Diana Mae Memoracion (21:56) and Tina Millonaga (33:54) completing the top 3.

In the 3-K race, Junel rasay (12:57) and Imee rose Jaro (14:35) shared the limelight. rasay won the men’s crown with rogin espina (12:58) second and Miguel Crisostomo (13:51) third. Jaro won the women’s plum over second placer Fiona Cabe (21:16) and third placer Vanessa Fuentes (24:26).

The race, which attracted a field of over 1,000 runners, was organized by the Davao City National high school Batch 88 and managed by Vantage sports. (NeIL BRAvO)

INdulge!

VOL.5 ISSUE 82 • JUNE 27, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

TRAVEL

Adventures on a Japanese bike

During my quick romp around Siem reap, Cambodia with Cepu Pacific, i was lucky enough to be given some free time to do whatever i want to do around town. With the hot afternoon sun and the humid Siem reap climate relegating most in our group to the salt water pool of the Sohka Angkor resort, i gladly chose to go on an excursion using the local means of transport, the bike.

Many were skeptical and even found it funny that a whale can actually ride a bike, but hey, what can be more Cambodian than a ride on reconditioned Japanese bikes (complete with basket up front) through the streets of Siem reap with the city’s Old Market as the turning point.

i was glad that Cebu Pacific’s Michelle de guzman accompanied me on my crazy ride (else who would i ask to help me take my photos right?).

From the Sohka Angkor resort, Michelle and i were able to rent bikes just across the hotel for two dollars each just for the afternoon. in just a couple of minutes, we arrived at the royal gardens with its beautiful formal gardens. We then

forged ahead past the raffles grand Hotel D’Angkor and onto Charles De gaulle Avenue.

We then decided to take the tree-lined biking lane just beside the Siem reap river to cool off before heading straight to Pokambour Avenue. it is nice to cycle along Pokambour thanks to the trees lining the thoroughfare plus the many park benches that dot the area provide a welcome respite on a sunny day. Michelle and i decided to drop by the Foreign Corespondents Centre Angkor for something to drink before quickly pedaling a bit more arrive at the Old Market along Street 11.

The Old Market of Siem reap is just buzzing with activity and is a heaven for

every pinoy byahero, with many things for sale, from silk, and jewelry, to food, and even hi-brand overruns. With time against us, we had to grudgingly pedal up along Sivatha road, past Pub Street and back towards our hotel (with a cool drink break before ending our adventure of course.)

The bike ride was an exhilarating adventure, although i do have to admit that it would have been better to bike around town at 4:30 in the afternoon rather than at 3 to avoid becoming a sweaty mess.

Every travel is an adventure and oftentimes, the simplest of activities can

turn out to be the most exciting and memorable ones.

Who would have known a simple bike ride beside the Siem reap river can reveal so much about this charming city.

Follow me on twitter for more foodie finds, random thoughts, travel adventures, and misadventures.

EDGEDAVAO

A2 INdulge!

VOL.5 ISSUE 82 • JUNE 27, 2012

WOMEN ENTERTAINMENT

Dressing up baby fashionistas i

first met gleizl Ann “Donya” Versola-To when we were classmates back in grade school. We were not close, but everyone in our batch knew her because of her fabulous birthday parties, for which everyone, even those from other classrooms, were regularly invited. Despite everyone’s grandiose impression of her childhood, she was never the bratty nor the braggy type.

She just had a doting mom who, just like any mother, wanted the best for her daughter.

Fast forward to almost 2 decades, Donya is now a mother of two adorable little kids. growing up without siblings (thus, the petname Donya), she

showered her son, Henri, and daughter, Sophie, with all the love and care that’s probably twice the amount her own mother gave her. it’s just a misfortune that Donya’s mother never got to see her grandchildren grow. nevertheless, Donya stepped into the role of motherhood with her late mom as her benchmark, never thinking twice when it comes to guiding her kids to discover their purpose in life.

Of course, a boyfriend and girlfriend are out of the

question. Donya confesses that she is very protective of her kids, and she refuses to contemplate thoughts of them getting into the love zone when they reach their teens. This is quite normal for any parent, i guess. “i engage them in activities that can enhance their talent, and things that will help them discover their inner self. i allow them to enjoy whatever privileges we have and, at the same time, i make it a point that they share their blessings. i am a full time mommy and i specifically enjoy the times when my kids involve me in their hobbies and interests.”

Fashion plays a big part in Donya and Sophies’s mother-daughter bonding. “if you are a proud parent of a baby girl, you’ll realize that there is nothing more fun than dressing her up!

Kids are lucky nowadays

because they have more choices in clothing than we had when we were young. i gave Sophie the freedom to discover her personal style, and to learn how to mix and match pieces all by herself. i just make sure that the fabrics are comfortable on her, given the activities she has everyday.

After all, fashion is also about comfort.”

Their mutual love for fashion led them to discover Baby Fashionistas, a clothing brand which originated in cyberspace.

“The brand was created

by Primrose Co-Chua. it was originally an online showroom for made to order pieces, which little girls can wear on special occasions. You see, Prim is also a stage mom. Her personal desire to dress up her child in unique and trendy clothes inspired her to translate it into a brand,

which, i can say, does not carry the typical designs found in other local retail shops.” “i usually order pieces from Prim for Sophie’s birthday parties. My daughter and i fell in love with the custom made dress that Prim designed Sophie’s birthday. We became her loyal clients as the brand grew over the years.

Eventually, what started as a client-seller relationship turned into a business venture, when Prim granted my proposal to bring Baby Fashionistas to Davao.”

“More and more mothers get hooked to versatility in children’s clothing.

My girl friends would buy their kid some dresses from Baby Fashionistas, whenever they are in Manila. So, i thought, maybe i should take the initiative to bring the brand to Davao for all mothers and daughters to enjoy.”

Donya leased a space within the robinson’s department store in AbreezaAyala Mall. “i share ownership with my sister in law. i’m lucky that my daughter is more than willing to model the clothes for us. in a way, she is involved in this business, too. As my daughter would plug it, ‘Baby Fashionistas has the chic-est clothes ever!’”

“We also have shoes and accessories under our brand. i can proudly say our shoes are stylish and of great quality. Where else can you find lace covered platforms for little girls?” “i made sure the dresses we got in stock are those that are easily wearable by

little girls. Yes, the cuts are not the usual ones we see on kids, but the dresses are still comfortable. The designs still suit their age.

Our clothing line is a mix of classy and chic, with colors ranging from sweet pastels to bold colors.”

“We have dresses for all occasions. For your little girl’s recognition day, i’d recommend you get her the tulle dress and pair it with our strappy sandals.

For her birthday party, i’d say go for the dress with a bit of lace appliqué and a pair peep toe platform shoes to make her stand out. if you’re going to a park or mall, she’ll enjoy running around in our jumpsuit and sandals.”

Visit Baby Fashionistas at the 3rd level of robinsons Department Store in Abreeza. For inquiries on custom made clothes for boys and girls, please call or text Donya at 0928 799 9951. You may also check their Facebook page, or order online via http://www. babyfashionistas.multiply. com.

VOL.5 ISSUE 82 • JUNE 27, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

ENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT

John Travolta’s woes continue

JOhN Travolta is facing another lawsuit.

Fabian Zanzi, the former Royal Caribbean employee who threw his own hat into the accusation arena when two masseurs accused the actor of sexual misconduct during respective appointments, has now filed his own lawsuit against Travolta, claiming inappropriate behavior during a cruise back in 2009.

“This is another ludicrous lawsuit with inane claims,” Travolta’s attorney, Marty Singer, said in a statement to E! News. “It is obvious that Mr. Zanzi and his lawyers are looking for their 15 minutes of fame.”

The graphically worded, 16-page lawsuit alleges that Travolta approached Zanzi on the afternoon of June 9, 2009.

The plaintiff states that he was appointed the Grease s t a r ’s personal suite a t tendant during his

cruise and, while delivering room service, Travolta complained of discomfort in his neck.

When Zanzi reached for the neck of the robe, Travolta instead removed the robe and “proceeded to forcefully embrace” Zanzi while naked, the lawsuit continues. Zanzi claims that he “pleaded” with Travolta to let him go, but that the actor didn’t do so immediately, engaging in contact that was “nonconsensual, inappropriate, extreme and outrageous.

The lawsuit also charges that Travolta offered Zanzi $12,000 to keep quiet about the incident, after which Zanzi immediately reported the incident to “at least three” superiors.

(The suit does not explicitly state whether Zanzi ac-

cepted or refused Travolta’s money.)

Zanzi’s lawsuit claims the ship’s human resources manager, Lorena Alvarez, instructed him to fill out paperwork regarding what happened, but said that if he was “not bleeding or bruised,” he was not eligible to seek treatment “or any other type of attention.” he also noted that he requested to fill out the paperwork in his native language, Spanish, but that Alvarez said he must do it in English.

Afterward, Zanzi claims, he was forced to stay in a room for five days until Travolta left the ship, then was placed on indefinite “sick leave” following the cruise. The suit states that Zanzi pursued his complaint with Royal Caribbean through 2011, but was continuously told to check back at a later time. he is asking for unspecified damages for claims of assault and battery and intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress.

Travolta’s attorney, meanwhile, says he is prepared to fight Zanzi’s lawsuit and win.

“The lawsuit’s ridiculous claims are completely contradicted by what Mr. Zanzi told his employer back in 2009 when he was being disciplined for his own violations of company policy,” Singer’s statement to E! News continued.

“In his handwritten report three years ago, the only physical contact he claimed

occurred was allegedly touching my client’s neck.

The inappropriate conduct he alleges in his lawsuit is absent from his written report he submitted at the time. That glaring omission speaks volumes.

“Also calling his credibility into question is his dubious allegation that his employer supposedly restrained him in a room on the cruise ship for five days, yet after that supposedly occurred, Mr. Zanzi continued to work for Royal Caribbean for years, on multiple ships.

Now, after waiting three years...Mr. Zanzi has filed this absurd lawsuit.

“We are confident that my client will prevail on the merits and that he will be completely vindicated

Lindsay Lohan’s 911 call released

LISTEN, if we’d worked 85 hours in four days, we would’ve overslept, too.

Earlier this month, paramedics were called to Lindsay Lohan’s hotel room at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Marina del Rey, Calif., when the actress was believed to be unconscious inside. Fortunately, Lindsay was fine, just exhausted and dehydrated from Liz & Dick’s grueling shooting schedule.

E! News obtained the 911 call made by “Ben,” a nurse working with the production. Calmly but concernedly, he asked for paramedics to be sent to the scene right away.

“It’s a code 3,” he said, which is emergency terminology for “life-threat response.” Per privacy laws, however, specific details regarding Lohan’s physical condition were bleeped out before the call was released.

The caller told the operator he and Lohan were in the penthouse of the posh hotel. he added that members

from the film’s crew would meet the paramedics when they got off the elevator.

The actress later quipped on Twitter that when you put in the crazy hours and stay “up all night shooting,” there’s a chance “you might pass out from exhaustion & 7 paramedics MIGhT show up @ your door.”

Not without a sense of humor, she noted, “hopefully theyre cute. Otherwise it would be a real let down.”

A4 INdulge! hEALTh ENTERTAINMENT

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.5 ISSUE 82 • JUNE 27, 2012

On herbal remedies, cancer and kidney failure A toxic component of a plant used in certain types of herbal remedies can cause kidney failure and upper urinary tract cancer, researchers warn. Aristolochic acid is found in Aristolochia herbal remedies, which have been used for centuries and still are used in many countries.

This study of 151 patients with upper ease in the Balkans. The officials need to take nary tract cancer relaturinary tract cancer findings of the studies action to stop kidney ed to aristolochic acid, in Taiwan concluded show that public health damage and upper uri- grollman said. that aristolochic acid is a primary contributor to the incidence of this cancer in Taiwan, where the incidence is the highest reported anywhere in the world and where Aristolochia herbal remedies are widely used.

The researchers found that 83 percent of the patients had evidence in their kidneys of DnA changes that are related to the plant toxin and associated with the development of cancer. “We believe our latest research highlights the importance of a longoverlooked disease that affects many individuals in Taiwan, and, by extension, in China and other countries worldwide, where Aristolochia herbal remedies traditionally have been used for medicinal purposes,� Dr. Arthur grollman, a professor of pharmacological sciences at Stony Brook university School of Medicine, in new York, said in a university news release. in previous research, grollman and his colleagues linked the ingestion of Aristolochia clematitis (commonly known as birthwort) to widespread kidney dis-

EDGEDAVAO

SPORTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 82 • JUNE 27, 2012

Sharp as ever

15

Sharapova moves to second round, Venus exits

W

IMBLeDON, england -- French Open champion Maria sharapova picked up right where she left off at roland Garros, cruising into the second round at Wimbledon on Monday by beating Anastasia rodionova of Australia 6-2, 6-3.

The top-ranked sharapova completed a career Grand slam by winning her first French Open title this month. she’s looking for her second title at the All england club after winning as a 17-year-old in 2004 and losing in the final to Petra Kvitova last year. she had little trouble getting past rodionova on Centre Court, breaking the Australian five times - although she was broken once in each set, including when trying to serve out the match at 5-1 in the second. she seized her next chance, however, clinching the victory with an ace.

Venus Williams loses in first round racket bag slung over her shoulder, resignation written across her face, Venus Williams weaved through fans milling about on the sidewalks that players must traverse to get from Court 2 to the Wim-

bledon locker rooms.

The 32-year-old Williams had just absorbed a lopsided first-round loss at the Grand slam tournament she once ruled, a poor performance that raised questions about how much longer she will keep playing tennis while dealing with an energy-sapping illness. she trudged by as her hitting partner, David Witt, was saying: ‘’It’s tough to watch sometimes. I think everybody sees it. I don’t know what else to say.’’

Looking lethargic, and rarely showing off the power-based game that carried her to five Wimbledon titles and seven majors overall, Williams departed meekly Monday with a 6-1, 6-3 defeat against 79thranked elena Vesnina of russia. Only once before - as a teenager making her Wimbledon debut in 1997 - had Williams exited so early at the All england Club. she hadn’t lost in the first round at any Grand slam tournament in 6 1/2 years. still, Williams said she’ll be at the London Olympics next month and is ‘’planning’’ to be back at Wimbledon next year.

Maria Sharapova waves to the crowd after her first round win at Wimbledon.

Roger, Novak breeze through

W

Roger Federer hits a forward. Federer cruised through the second round at Wimbledon.

Miami Heat forward Dwyane Wade raises the Larry O’Brien trophy during the championship parade.

IMBLEDON, England -- Roger Federer swatted a stray ball toward a ball girl but misjudged the distance, and his leisurely lob bounced past her and over the backstop into a photo pit, drawing titters from the Wimbledon crowd.

Federer’s first-round match was a laugher. Aside from the errant lob, he had few lapses and drubbed Spaniard Albert Ramos with stylish symmetry Monday, 6-1, 6-1, 6-1.

Consigned to Court 1, an unusual setting for a six-time champion, Federer played with his characteristic verve on grass. Ramos has never won a match on the surface, and it showed. ‘’Maybe he isn’t the most expe-

rienced grass-court player out there, that’s for sure,’’ Federer said. ‘’I was able to take advantage of it and play a very clean match. It’s always nice to save energy, and it gives you confidence as well to close out matches easily. Things worked out perfectly.’’

The winner of a record 16 Grand Slam championships, Federer has gone 2 1/2 years without one, and at age 30 he’s eager to show he can still mount a title run. He has a chance to equal the Wimbledon record of seven titles set by William Renshaw in the 1880s and tied by Pete Sampras in 2000.

For the first time since 2003, Federer didn’t play his opening-round match on Centre Court. Seeded third behind Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, he declined to interpret

the court assignment as a slight. ‘’I expected it,’’ he said. ‘’I figured if I won, they would have to put me on Centre Court. That’s how I tried to understand the situation. I don’t mind it. ‘’You want to get to Centre Court.

If you make it down the stretch, you will get your Centre Court matches.

But it was as nice on Court 1 today.’’

As defending champion, Djokovic opened on Centre Court and beat former No. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero 6-3, 6-3, 6-1. Nadal, a twotime Wimbledon champion, plays his first match Tuesday on Centre Court against Thomaz Bellucci.

For Federer, the Court 1 stands were full, and lines formed outside as fans waited to replace departing spectators.

And with that, two years after Wade, James and Bosh opened their time together with a celebration, they got the party they really wanted on Monday. An estimated 400,000 people filled the streets of Miami for the Heat championship parade, and then 15,000 more got into the arena afterward for a long, loud reception for the NBA’s new kings. ‘’It’s the best feeling I’ve ever had. ... This was my dream, right here, to be able to hoist that Larry O’Brien Trophy up, hug it, grab it, never want to let it go,’’ James said.

During the parade, players and coaches were on double-decker buses with friends and family, most of them taking photos and video of the crowd. Other Heat staff were on flatbed trucks, as confetti fell and horns blared every step of the way.

Wade cradled the championship trophy in his arms for much of the ride.

‘’I appreciate all our fans for sticking with us,’’ said the now twotime NBA champion Wade, adding, ‘’Best fans in the world.’’

And then the party moved inside, with a similar setup to the event that welcomed James and Bosh to Miami to play alongside Wade in July 2010. Music blared for nearly an hour as fans danced for joy, before the arena went dark briefly - and the trophy was sneaked onto the stage.

For nearly 90 minutes afterward, the Heat relived so many aspects of the season, from Haslem’s flagrant foul against Indiana’s Tyler Hansbrough in the Eastern Conference semifinals (‘’the greatest flagrant foul in team history,’’ Heat broadcaster Eric Reid told the crowd) to countless highlights from the NBA Finals against Oklahoma City, the Heat left few stones unturned.

Party time for Miami Heat

M

IAMI -- The NBA championship trophy was center stage, bathed in white light and sitting on a pedestal. And each Miami Heat player offered it a different greeting.

Mike Miller bowed. Udonis Haslem kissed it three times. Chris Bosh hugged it, and LeBron James strolled past before waving at the crowd.

Dwyane Wade did something different. In a nod to his preferred postgame fashion style throughout the playoffs, he emerged with a pair of faux eyeglasses and slipped the frames onto the neck of the trophy.

Heat president Pat Riley, coach Erik Spoelstra and team managing general partner Micky Arison all donned the black spectacles as well at various points during the party.

The glasses were fake. The sentiments were all real.

16

SPORTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 82 • JUNE 27, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Members of the Ateneo de Davao University U-12 team with coach Ronoel Garfin (second from left) and Intermed events coordinator Stef Perez (extreme left).

Ateneo won the U-12 boys title in the recent Cherifer 7-a-side football tournament. (dFA)

Ateneo in near football sweep

By Neil Bravo

P

OWerhOUse Ateneo de Davao University turned the recent Cherifer 7-a-side Football Tournament into an almost one-sided affair as they ran over the opposition by ruling four of five titles at stake.

Ateneo pocketed the titles in the U-10, U-12, U-14 boys and U-14 girls to the delight of the huge Ateneo crowd who turned the Tion-

ko Field into a picnic ground.

The only other title that escaped the Ateneo’s rampage was the U-8 crown which went to the Crocs Football Club.

Ateneo initially collected the U-10 crown at the expense of Black Knights FC to begin the title harvest. It later added the U-12 crown by defeating Mintal United, crushed Catalunan Grande for the U-14 boys title then capped its dominating run

by turning back a fighting sakya FC in the U-14 girls finals.

As if the team titles were not enough, the Ateneo standouts also collared all but one of the most valuable player honors in Jasper Lim (10 under), Kahlil Jikiri (12 under), Venz Abella (14 under boys) and Johanna Marie Adao (14 under girls). Crocs FC’s Christian Osog (8 under) prevented an Ateneo sweep of the individual awards.

stefanie Perez, events Coordinator of Intermed Marketing Phils. Inc., makers of Cherifer Vitamins, awarded the trophies and medals with Davao Football Association general secretary erwin Protacio and DFA directors Michael Co, Dapoy Diamante and rachelle de los reyes.

A total of 46 teams took part in the one-day event organized by DFA and supported by UP Mindanao-CWTs class.