Edge Davao 5 Issue 84 by Edge Davao The Business Paper

EDGEDAVAO

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VOL.5 ISSUE 84 • JUNE 29 - 30, 2012

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Davao Punch

Sara apologizes to RTC sheriff

By Jade C. Zaldivar

lmost a year after punching a court sheriff during a demolition of squatters’ houses, Davao City mayor sara Duterte-Carpio yesterday apologized to him and his familyfor what she

did. the mayor admitted that her action had shed a negative light on the city as well as incurred hurt on the part of Regional trial Court (RtC) 11 Court sheriff Abe Andres and his family. “I want to address this to sheriff Andres, and to his family since I know they were also hurt by the incident, I

am apologizing to them,” Duterte-Carpio said in a media briefing at the city hall. “I am also apologizing to the rest of Davao City because at the time the city was placed in a defensive mode. It will not happen again,” she added. Also on June 28 last year, the five villages of matina Pangi, matina

FSARA, 13

Science/Environment Page 4 Sports Page 14

FINISHING TOUCHES. Construction workers put on the finishing touches on the signage of the newly-opened McDonald’s along Sta. Ana Avenue, Davao City. [KARLOS MANLUPIG]

China Bank project Follow Us On

Pay taxi fare by swiping ATM card

oR the first time in the Philippines, Davao City passengers can pay taxi fare by swiping their Atm (automated teller machine) cards. the unique project will be launched by

China Bank in Davao City this weekend. Joselito “Yankee” Crisostomo, head of the China Bank, Bajada branch, said the project will be piloted with the mabuhay taxi company, particularly its recently-launched black taxis.

Crisostomo said the first-ever system is advantageous and convenient to taxi passengers who do not want to bring along cash with them. the project involves the installation of

FCHINA, 13

THE BIG NEWS

VOL.5 ISSUE 84 • JUNE 29 - 30, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Hospital corporatization okay--Dumama By Lorie A. Cascaro

ePARtment of Health (DoH) regional director Abdullah Dumama says corporatization of public hospitals will make services patient-centered. “the government will have supervision while tapping many right minds,” he told reporters. Asked for his reaction to the opposition of women groups in Davao City to House Bill 6069 authored by Bacolod Representative Anthony Golez, Jr., Dumama said it is part of the private-public partnership thrust of the administration. He added that with the benefits from the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), poor people can still avail of health care services despite corporatization.

earlier, different women groups here converged to plan the conduct of their participation in a nationwide protest led by Gabriela against HB 6069, or converting 26 public hospitals to government corporations. Included in the list of the public hospitals are the southern Philippines medical Center and Davao Regional Hospital. senator Franklin Drilon authored a similar bill, senate Bill 3130 which he will file after the opening of the 16th Congress on July 31. meanwhile, Councilor Leah Librado will file a resolution in the sangguniang Panlungsod anytime soon opposing the hospital corporatization bills. Her draft resolution pointed out that corporatization will result in the increase of maternal and infant mortality and morbidity

rate. on the contrary, Dumama told reporters that with the “no balance billing” health program of the government, there should be a decrease in mortality rate among birthing mothers and infants. He cited that the universal health care program is a step toward health sector reforms for all Filipinos without leaving anyone behind. While people’s access to health facilities and hospitals is increasing, he said cases of dengue, malaria and other diseases decrease with the program. He said some 5.3 million families who belong to the poorest of the poor are already registered in the national Health targeting system (nHts). In the Davao region, he said 90% of the 272,933 families under the nHts had been given PhilHealth cards.

region. However, he admitted that in the last five years, more claimants were denied than served, out of some 250 appeal claims both with GsIs and sss in the entire country. He cited that most denied cases include sickness that is found not work-related based on medical evaluations. He said in cases like this, the insurance company will determine whether the sickness is due to claimant’s working condition or lifestyle. Regardless of one’s nature of work, as long as there is an employeremployee relationship, and the accident, sickness, disability or death is work-related, an employee can avail of the employment compensation benefit on top of his or her SSS/GSIS benefits. An employee can still avail of employment compensation regardless if his or her employee has not registered and contributed to the sss, Villasoto said, adding that his or her employer’s liability will be settled by the sss later.

suyao mentioned that during its regular inspections, the Dole helps in checking if an employer registered and contributed to sss for his or her employee/s to employment compensation, and refer the employer to the sss if he or she failed to do so. He said the eCC will put up a desk in the region’s DOLE office this year to advance its advocacy campaign and assistance to employees. Recently, the eCC opened its desks in the Cordillera Administrative Region, Regions 7, 9, and 12 in line with the directive of labor secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz. Its first regional extension unit was opened in Cagayan de oro City in June 2011. ECC desk offices conduct an awareness drive on the eC program; assist claimants pertaining to the necessary documents in filing a claim; and, develop a database of and implement the Katulong at Gabay sa manggagawang may Kapansanan. [LORIe

FteR giving a twoyear grace period to both small and big establishments around the city with regards to the use of non-biodegradable plastic check-out bags and polystyrene foam for food and beverage packages, the City environment and natural Resources office (Cenro) officially implemented the plastic ban yesterday in adherence to Resolution no. 08-2012 of the City Government of Davao. lawyer Joey Felizarta of CenRo said yesterday that they had already formed four teams which will inspect some 29,000 establishments with business permits. establishments for inspection are malls, markets, plastic manufacturers, and small-time vendors. the

four teams will comprised 40 enforcers, 12 members from the IeC, six engineers, and five from Cenro. establishments caught violating the ban will be given a citation ticket with a corresponding fee to be paid to the city treasurer and will also be subject to the same sanctions from the City’s solid Waste management Program. A fine of 500 pesos and a mandatory seminar will be imposed for the first offense; 500 pesos and five days community service for the second offense; 1,000 pesos and a 10-day community service for the third offense. Filing a case in court is also possible if an establishment fails to comply with the ban for the fourth offense. succeeding offenses will also result to

the revocation of the violating establishment’s business permit. A case can also be filed in court if an establishment fails to pay the citation within seven days. An information drive will also be conducted by the Cenro to educate the people on how to identify non-biodegradable plastic bags from the biodegradable ones. A biodegradable bag can also be simply identified, according to Felizarta, if it turns brittle if exposed to heat. He also added that the plastic bag with the biodegradable label is also considered. establishments with other concerns like the exemption of plastics and styrofoam as package for wet products will still be addressed by the sanggunian Panglungsod (sP).

the sports center and assembly hall will house eight levels and include athletic facilities including three basketball courts and locker rooms, with a plan of expansion to include two more courts and a fitness area for dance classes and the like. A stage will also be present at the athletic area, allowing for the space to be used for school func-

tions when necessary. the building will also house the student offices and parking lots will be on two floors with the capacity to accommodate a total of 300 cars. the lobby of the sports center and assembly hall will have space to accommodate large volumes of students for activities and the side of the structure facing Jacinto street will

have commercial spaces for rent. the community center will possess 12 levels and will be devoted mainly to the faculty and staff of the university. A student library that can accommodate 350 students will be in the second floor of the structure but the 3rd floor up to the 6th will be allotted for the academic staff

of the university. the 3rd floor up to the 5th will be faculty areas for the teaching staff and department heads and the 6th floor will house the offices of the Academic Vice-President and the Deputy Academic Vice-President of the university as well as dining areas and faculty rest areas. The 7th and 8th floors

Most workers unaware of compensation benefits

He Department of labor and employment (Dole) 11 yesterday said most workers are not aware of employment compensation (EC) benefits. EC benefits are in addition to employees’ sickness and death benefits from the social security system (sss) or Government service Insurance system (GsIs). Joffey suyao, regional director of Dole 11, said his office is grateful that Dole’s employment Compensation Commission (eCC) sponsored another awareness seminar for employees in the region after the last one in 2008. the eCC conducted the seminar yesterday at the marco Polo Davao, its third stop this year after doing the same in regions 3 and 5. Jonathan t. Villasoto, officer in charge, deputy executive director and concurrent chief of the appeals division of eCC, also at the seminar, said the commission has processed employment compensation benefits in the

A. cAScARO]

DAVAO PUNCH. Davao Mayor Sara Duterte reaches for a glass of juice after expressing her apologies to Regional trial Court 11 Court Sheriff Abe Andres whom she punched in the face almost a year ago when the latter

ordered the demolition at Barangay Soliman, Agdao. It was the same period when Talomo District suffered from a flash flood which killed more than 30 people, most of which were children. [jAde c. zALdIvAR]

Cenro implements plastic ban By Maybelle Anne C. Yutiamco

Final design for Ateneo community center unveiled

By Edward C. Lactaoen the corner of Roxas Avenue

Yes were peeled and expectations were high when Architect Christopher ong unveiled the final design of the upcoming Ateneo Community Center and sports Center and Assembly Hall last June 27 at the Ateneo de Davao University’s Finster Auditorium. the center will rise on

and Padre Zamora street while the sports Center and Assembly Hall will be located along Jacinto street. the two structures will be built beside each other, with the ground floors of each sharing a space in the form of an infinity pool to be placed between the lobbies of each building.

FFINAL, 13

EDGEDAVAO

THE BIG NEWS

VOL.5 ISSUE 84 â&#x20AC;˘ JUNE 29 - 30, 2012

You can now buy your favorite Business Paper from any of these establishments still at Php 15.

Koronadal

Gen. Santos Drive, Koronadal City Telefax No.: (083) 520-0816 Mobile No.: 0922-843-9427 email: manggorio09@yahoo.com

TRAFFIC. Vehicles were ensnared in a traffic jam along Quirino Avenue in Davao City when the traffic lights suddenly switched off on Thursday morning. [KARLOS MANLUPIG]

PhilHealth

Z package cuts cost by up to 82% By Lorie A. Cascaro

General santos

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HELPING YOU MAKE INFORMED BUSINESS DEcISIONS.

He new benefit package case type Z of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) reduces cost of drugs by up to 82%, according to medical specialist Benjamin V. Pague of the PhilHealth

11.

speaking guesting at the Club 888 media Forum last Wednesday at the marco Polo Davao, he said PhilHealth has a partnership with drug manufacturers to lower cost of certain drugs. He said drugs for chemotherapy of patients with acute lymphocytic

leukemia, which normally cost P40,000 per vial may be had for only P7,000. Case type Z package covers four of the most prevalent types of cancer, particularly acute lymphocytic leukemia (All); early stage breast cancer; low to intermediate risk prostate cancer; and end stage renal disease eligi-

ble for kidney transplant (low risk). He said in due time there will be additional diseases covered by this benefit. the package for All is worth P210,000 for the entire course of treatment. For early stage breast

FZ PACKAGE, 13

SCIENCE/ENVIRONMENT

VOL.5 ISSUE 84 • JUNE 29 - 30, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Rice terraces officially removed from heritage sites ‘danger list’

This file photo shows a general view of rice terraces in Bontoc, the Cordillera mountain region of the northern Philippines.

He Banawe Rice terraces is officially off the list of world heritage sites in danger, the United nations Information Center in manila said Wednesday. Quoting the World Heritage Committee, UnIC said the Rice terraces—a picturesque stairs of rice paddies built by Ifugao ancestors some 2,000 years ago—has been removed from the “list of World Heritage in Danger.” Apart from the Rice terraces, Pakistan’s Fort and shalamar Gardens had been taken off the danger list, added UnIC.

“the World Heritage Committee commended the Philippines and Pakistan for the conservation measures that were successfully implemented in the respective sites,” the Un statement added. “the preservation of the Rice terraces required better management and development plus the country also needed increased national and international support. Both actions were successfully undertaken, leading to the conservation of the remote high rice fields,” UnIC added. In 1995, the Rice terraces was included in the

The “Bakoko”. From Palawan Council for Sustainable Development

World Heritage list “as an outstanding cultural landscape” but was put on the Danger list in 2000, “following a request from the Philippine government.” the Un educational, scientific, and Cultural organization (UnesCo) had said Ifugao Rice terraces have become endangered because of earthworms and rats that burrow along the walls of the rice paddies. typhoons have also contributed to the destruction. mining activities in the area also posed threats, senator loren legarda said in march.

Forest turtle ‘Bakoko’ in danger of extinction

He world noted the passing of lonesome George, the last Pinta Island tortoise, this week. Few know, however, that a species of turtle living in a small area in Palawan is facing the same danger that lonesome George did. the Philippine Forest turtle, locally known as “bakoko”, was thought extinct until the 2000s, when specimens were

found in pet markets in the Philippines. specimens were found in the wild in 2004 but researchers report they have become rare. According to a 2009 report by the Philippine Freshwater turtle Conservation Project (PFtCP), the turtle’s “rediscovery triggered a high demand for the international pet market. Just months after the rediscovery was published, the species was available on the international pet markets of europe, Japan and the UsA.” earlier this month, 18 baby Philippine Forest turtles--a critically-endangered species and the most endangered turtle species in the Philippines-were released into the wild. some of them had been earlier hidden in a bag and smuggled to Hong Kong with other rare amphibians in February but returned home in April and were handed over to the Katala Foundation Inc., a non-government organization that the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau has authorized to head the PFtCP. “the repatriation of these turtles is very meaningful. not only does it raise public awareness about the status of the species and illegal collec-

tion and trade, it is also a sterling example of improving law enforcement. Hopefully, the knowledge that they have such a special species, will instill pride among the people of Palawan,” Dr. sabine schoppe, KFI’s director for PFtCP said, when the turtles were returned. Dwindling numbers What is clear is that the Philippine Forest turtles were poached from somewhere in northern Palawan, and that poaching poses a danger to their continued existence. once common in Palawan, “the species is facing a combination of threats nowadays,” the PFtCP report said. “In addition to local consumption, habitat destruction and exploitation for the international pet trade are threatening the survival of the species,” it also said. Wildlife trade monitoring network traffic noted that had the turtles rescued in Hong Kong reached pet markets, they would have fetched more than the HK$8,000 (43,655 pesos) fine imposed on the smuggler who hid them in his luggage. traffic also noted that although “poached largely for the exotic pet trade, this turtle is also threatened by demand for exotic meat and medicine.”

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

5 Mindanao power supply still ‘critical’ THE ECONOMY

VOL.5 ISSUE 84 • JUNE 29 - 30, 2012

hile the power outage experienced by more than half of the 300,000 customers of Davao light and Power Co. yesterday is due to a technical problem, the rest of mindanao is experiencing power outages due to the lack of power supply. “our sub-transmission substation is down, affecting areas from Panacan to Puan. Based on our reports, there is a technical problem at the national Grid Corporation’s Davao Area Control Center,” Ross luga, communications head of the Davao light and Power Co., said. But for the rest of mindanao, they just have to brace themselves for another round of power outages due to lack of power supply. Just a few months after President Benigno Aquino III came to visit and speak with the stakeholders of the energy industry in mindanao, parts of mindanao fear to experience anew one to four hours of daily power interruption due to the curtailment implemented by the national Grid Corp. of the Philippines (nGCP). As one electric cooperative general manager would put it, the mindanao power supply is

n Power outage experienced in Davao City was due to technical glitch n Mindanao grid still short of 210 MW

already in a very critical level. santiago tudio, south Cotabato electric Cooperative I (socoteco I) general manager, said the mindanao grid is now in a red alert status, meaning a severe deficiency in power supply. “We have [again] a lack of power supply for the island,” he said, citing a grid advisory sent to cooperatives. on tuesday, a one-hour power outage hit Koronadal city abruptly. tudio blamed tuesday’s brownout to the breakdown of one of the coal-fired power plants of steAG state Power, Inc. in Villanueva, misamis oriental. Jerome soldevilla, steAG public relations officer, confirmed their coal mill unit 2 experienced a problem, forcing them to reduce capacity by 50 megawatts to 150 mW from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. “We’re now back to 200 mW and operating on a normal

level,” he said in a phone interview. “We need to rectify the problem immediately to prevent further damage,” soldevilla added. the steAG power plant, which started operating in november 2006, has an installed capacity of 232 mW, according to its website. tudio told mindanews that consumers besieged them with complaints because of the brownout, lamenting they were not advised beforehand. “What we’re asking is for the nGCP to give as a lead time so we can inform our consumers if there’s a curtailment,” he noted. socoteco I, which serves nine localities in south Cotabato and lutayan in sultan Kudarat, has a projected daily peak demand of 30 to 31 mW. If the shortfall in the mindanao grid is 260 mW, socoteco I gets 24 Wm from the grid, tudio explained, adding they have bought 4 mW from therma

suance. According to the nCIP guidelines for FPIC, to obtain CP, the applicant has to go through the field investigation first, which may result into an issuance of a Certificate of non-overlap. this needs no more FPIC process. But if there is overlap, the applicant then goes through the FPIC process proper. the tribe may or may not give consent to the applicant in the FPIC process. If disapproved, the tribe will issue a resolution of non consent. If they approve, they can proceed to the signing of a memorandum of agreement. After the moA signing, nCIP may then issue the CP. First Gen mindanao Hydropower Corporation has applied for an FPIC process to tap water from the tagoloan River in Impasug-ong and the tumalaong River in sumilao and Baungon towns. the FPIC process is still at field-based investigation (FBI) stage, sario said. FBI refers to the ground investigation to determine whether or not the plan, program, project or activity overlaps with or affects an ances-

tral domain, the extent of the affected area, and the indigenous cultural communities / indigenous peoples (ICCs/IPs) whose FPIC is to be obtained, according to the guidelines. sta. Clara Power Corporation is also seeking consent for the 9-megawatt manupali (River) mini Hydro Project in lurugan, Valencia City. the firm obtained a Certificate of non-overlap (Cno) from nCIP. the Cno is issued by the nCIP regional director to certify that the proposed project does not affect or overlap with any ancestral domain. But the issuance carries a condition that the applicant will go through an FPIC process if found later to have overlapped in part or whole. nCIP Bukidnon already issued a Cno to another company, Genphil Renewable energy, for the Panoon mini hydro project in Poblacion, Impasug-ong town. Hedcor Bukidnon, Inc., a subsidiary of Aboitiz Power, has also applied for FPIC for the 28-megawatt sita-simod hydro power project in Kitaotao, Bukidnon. sario said the status of the project is for

marine, Inc. to help address the gap. tudio said their cooperative now lacks 2 mW to meet the demand of its service area and the option is a rotating brownout to minimize its impact to businesses and residential consumers. For a 24-hour outage, he lamented the cooperative is losing P333,000 or nearly P14,000 per hour. milfrance Capulong, nGCP mindanao corporate communications officer, pegged the curtailment level Wednesday at 260 mW, which was higher than what was posted on their website. At the nGCP website, it said the mindanao grid has a shortfall of 210 mW, given the available capacity of 1059 mW and a peak demand of 1269 mW. Capulong told mindanews that the load curtailment in the island “has not stopped” since it was implemented several months ago, although consumers may not have felt it lately because the cooperatives have bought supply from private power producers. the continuous load curtailment was due to generation deficiency, she said. (WALteR BALANe Of MINdANeWS WIth cARLO P. MALLO)

Hydro power plants seek IP consent in Bukidnon

omPAnIes behind six proposed hydroelectric power projects in Bukidnon have applied for a free and prior informed consent (FPIC) process with the provincial office of the national Commission on Indigenous Peoples (nCIP). ma. shirlene sario, Bukidnon provincial officer, said the list does not include the proposed 300-megawatt Pulangi V hydroelectric power complex in southern Bukidnon and north Cotabato because there has been no application yet from the group behind it. sario told the Bukidnon sangguniang Panlalawigan during her appearance Wednesday they are processing the applications for six proposed hydro plants in the province. the 132-megawatt Bulanog-Batang hydropower project in Cagayan River is so far the biggest proposed by the northern mindanao electric Cooperatives Association (nomreca). the nCIP has already issued the certification pre-condition (CP) to nomreca, one requirement for the firm to obtain permit for the project. With nCIP, this is the final is-

“moA signing” with the Federation of matigsalug-manobo tribal Councils (Femmatrics). nCIP Bukidnon noted the completion of an FPIC process for First Gen mindanao Hydropower Corporation for another hydro project to tap water from Kulaman River in Imbatug and liboran in Baungon and Bubunawan River in Kiliog, libona town. sario said the nCIP en banc already ordered the First Bukidnon electric Cooperative (Fibeco), Pulangi V’s proponent, to apply for an FPIC. nCIP commissioners warned Fibeco officials in a dialogue earlier this month that the firm is risking a temporary restraining order (tRo) from the quasi-court body if they won’t apply for an FPIC process. sario said they have received no information about the firm’s application for FPIC yet. Fibeco officials said they are yet to obtain an endorsement from the Department of energy and the local government units before they could apply for an FPIC. (WALteR I. BALANe / MINdANeWS)

as of august 2010

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

THE ECONOMY

Manufacturers urged to invest in packaging

AnUFACtUReRs are encouraged to invest in packaging equipment and to adopt best practices to reduce the cost of their packaging, which could account for as much as 90 percent of a product’s total cost, and to avoid losses on their exports. Packaging expert Dr. lejo Brana said at a press conference for the launch of “GlobalPack 2012”, an international packaging conference and exhibition to be held on July 25 to 27 at the Central Philippine University Packaging Center in Iloilo City, that exporters can save a lot by complying with international standards. Brana stressed that exports of hazardous materials are no longer allowed if it does not follow the United nations standards and without the Un markings. A Us Packaging Hall of Famer, Brana said the Homeland security of the Us imposes a fine of $ 27,500 fine a day per case on any violation on the shipments of Dangerous materials. “If your damaged exceeds one percent of your total products, your business is in trouble. If an entire container is rejected, then it amounts to 100 percent

loss,” he said. thus, he said, producers must invest in packaging and best industry practices. Joseph Ross Jocson, president of the Packaging Institute of the Philippines (PIP), said the cost of packaging depends on the product. “How much would it cost for a vegetable to keep it fresh, to lengthen its shelf life, what kind of transportation,” Jocson said. But, on the average, the packaging cost is estimated at 70 percent of a product’s total cost. Roberto Bunag, president of systemat-PackeDGe, said the packaging perfumes would account for 90 percent of the entire cost of the product. However, the use of quality equipment, processes and compliance to standards can result to substantial savings. others can reduce cost by 15 percent, Jocson said. Jocson said that PIP, which is the umbrella organization of different packaging materials organization involved in plastic, paper, wood, glass, etc., said they are conducting a lifecycle analysis on plastics following a ban by local government units on the use of plastic. [PNA]

By Greg G. Deligero

In support to fishery services sub area, a Fisheries and Aquatic Resource management Council (FARmC) has been organized and functions in accordance with section 75 of Republic Act 8550. “Implementation of fishery laws is a factor to support the fishery sector. the Council has assisted in the enforcement of fishery laws, rules and regulations on city waters. While it is true that there are fishing householdbeneficiaries benefiting from fishery extension and on-site research and facilities, there is still a need for more alternative and innovative assistance to fisher folks. this can come by way of improving credit facilitation services in terms of livelihood programs,” the report said. In support to agriculture sector sub area, the local government has provided agricultural extension services including the conduct of training, Farmers Field school (FFs), establishment of techno demo and information dissemination thru multi-media (print, broadcast and the World Wide Web). “Field exposures are also being used as effective extension strategy to enable the farmers to see for themselves the benefits of various technologies. Production support services such as planting materials, fertilizers, other soil ameliorants and laboratory services are also made

VOL.5 ISSUE 84 • JUNE 29 - 30, 2012

PBGEA propose more stringent measures for export check

By Carlo P. Mallo

HInA may have imposed strict phytosanitary requirements for Philippine Cavendish bananas, but the umbrella group of the Pilipino Banana Growers

and exporters Association is proposing some more requirements. stephen Antig, executive director of PBGeA, said that he proposed to the Department of Agriculture that the quality inspectors of both

government and the respective companies should be retooled. “We need to increase their capacity and the equipment that they use,” Antig said. the PBGeA executive di-

business need. some of their collection products allow clients to collect from customers, subscribers or distributors through an automatic debit arrangement. Viewing and downloading of collection reports can also be done online to help them reconcile and accurately post payments. the account and liquidity management products of BPI also allow customers to monitor their deposit account balances, warehouse post dated checks and transfer funds to and from enrolled deposit accounts online, realtime. they can also view non-deposit transactions such as commercial loans, and trade and money market transactions. And they need not

wait for bank statements to be delivered since they can download their bank statements with just a few clicks of a button. to show that the bank actually value their customers’ time, the bank’s disbursement products, which allow them to pay their employees, utility providers and suppliers without leaving the comfort of their offices. BPI has also partnered with BIR, sss, Pag-IBIG, BoC and PhilHealth for electronic payments of regulatory dues. long lines and late payments will be a thing of the past with BPI expresslink’s government payments facility which allows clients to pay and even submit their payment files to the aforementioned agencies online.

BPI launches more secure banking system

lWAYs at the forefront of harnessing the power of technology to change the way banking is done, the Bank of Philippine Islands have made their cash management system a more convenient and secure banking feature through BPI expresslink. the new banking system requires a two-factor authentication for financial transactions, going beyond the usual user id and password. BPI expresslink offers the widest range of cash management products to suit every

Davao City scores high in economic governance

AVAo City scored a high rating in economic governance according to the state of local Governance Report 2011 (slGR) set for presentation on July 11 before the department heads and chiefs of offices of city hall. slGR is a comprehensive report of the local government highlighting the state of performance and development conditions in Davao City. It is prepared to provide organized and updated information useful in decisions and actions, in legislation, planning, budgeting, project development and external fund sourcing, in communicating to the public and in building partnerships. In formulating the report, baseline data and figures were captured through the use of the local Government Performance management system (lGPms), a self-assessment and development support tool developed for local Government Units (lGUs) by the Bureau of local Government supervision of the Department of Interior and local Government (DIlG). With 5 as the highest and excellent, Davao City posted a rating of 4.64 in economic governance which looks into three sub areas: support to agriculture sector, support to fishery services, and enterprise, business and industry promotion.

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available. In terms of on-site research and market development services, assistance to techno demo cooperators, and market linkages have been extended,” the report said. “the local government has extended support to the agriculture sector. It is also important to note that interventions such as the establishment of infrastructure support are currently done particularly in improving the irrigation system, farm-to-market roads and post-harvest facilities. this will bring about better quality produce reaching the district markets,” it added. In enterprise, business and industry promotion sub area, the local government hastened the process in securing building and occupancy permits by assigning more teams to conduct inspections when requests accumulate to ensure the processing of permits will not go beyond the standard period. “In its drive to promote a business friendly environment, the city government has also established a onestop shop. It is where all the processing of business licenses and other permits are located in one setting. this can save time on the part of the investors as well as make them feel comfortable in their transactions relative to securing the permits,” it said.

rector also proposed that the quality inspectors who conduct sampling of the bananas being exported should also be accredited. “Just like the accreditation that pesticide and chemical applicators go through with the Fertilizers and Pesticides Authority, so should the quality inspectors,” Antig said. Antig added that the accreditation of the quality inspectors would provide the industry another checking system that can strengthen the traceability of the products. “this will really ensure that we only export worldclass bananas as the quality inspectors will be made accountable for any shipment that is not at par with international standards,” Antig said. PBGeA expressed interest in assisting the Department of Agriculture in the process of creating a more credible line of quality inspectors. the banana group has already set a series of seminars and fieldwork that will boost the knowledge of quality inspectors who work for banana companies in the country. last march, the Chinese government banned the entry of several shipments of Cavendish bananas from the Philippines due to the alleged presence of pests. the banana industry has lost several millions of pesos.

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Training a generation of citizen-journalists Commentary By Naomi Wolf

EDITORIAL

Serendipity

AVAo CItY started yesterday enforcing the ban on non-biodegradable plastic bags and polystyrene foam food containers. Initial reports filtering to the newsrooms the whole day yesterday indicated smooth implementation with nary an untoward incident due to defiant stakeholders. Credit this to the vigorous pre-implementation information campaign led no less than by mayor sara Duterte-Carpio, with her usual hands-on style. truth is, the city government had started discussing the plastic ban since two years ago soon after the approval of the solid Waste and ecological management ordinance carrying the prohibition as one of its salient provisions. this proves once more the primacy

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Providing solutions to a seamless global village. Printed by Zion Accuprint Publishing Inc. Door 14 ALCREJ Building, Quirino Avenue, 8000, Davao City, Philippines Tel: (082) 301-6235 Telefax: (082) 221-3601 www.edgedavao.net editorial@edgedavao.net marketing@edgedavao.net

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of information, education and communication (IeC) as a component of any significant program that government or the private sector embarks on. By coincidence, the enforcement of the ban came just hours before the city marked the first anniversary of the killer flashflood at matina-Pangi wherein 30 lives were wasted and millions of pesos worth of property were lost. the horrifying deluge was blamed partly on the clogging of waterways caused by their siltation due to all forms of plastic materials. Who knows, the hype on the role of plastics in the clogging of drainage canals and other waterways might have helped enhance public acceptance of the ban. ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

RAMON M. MAXEY Consultant

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

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

JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance

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AGUSTIN V. MIAGAN JR Circulation

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

MANILA MARKETING OFFICE

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

(Conclusion)

e live in a world in which gatekeepers and governments try to spin and control the flow of information, and the Internet is thus under continual attack. But democracy is strongest everywhere when nothing can happen anywhere that an army of citizens can’t fully document to a global audience – and then organize around. Add training for “ordinary” people around the world and here at home to write and source op-eds and news, and you get a powerful new mix. Already we have heard on DailyCloudt.com the kinds of voices you rarely hear in mainstream opinion pages: A stayat-home mom, Celeste Hayes,rebutted Hilary Rosen’s comments about motherhood; a prolife feminist challenged her own movement to support contraception – that is, if it really cared about lowering abortion rates; a music teacher, Joseph Ciolino, defended the second Amendment; a teacher and mother of a special-needs child revealed that the school testing mania is actually a gift to the lobbyists of test administrator Pearson; and a realtor, Christine mann, explained why obama’s much-ballyhooed Green Jobs initiative is really a gift to the vinyl industry – with toxic results for us. Autumn smith of michigan did some eyewitness reporting and photographing of state legislator lisa Brown and playwright eve ensler’s peformance of The Vagina Monologues on Michigan’s statehouse steps after Brown made her famous comment about anti-abortion legislation. A citizen reporting that made it in turn into the Guardian this week. And smith helped unearth, in a Q&A with Representative Brown on that site, that legislation has been introduced in michigan’s statehouse to prevent conflicts of interest allowing legislators to profit personally – but that the bill has not been signed. All in all, training citizens to shine this kind of light has already made for a better couple of weeks in the effort to strengthen democracy. We’ve layered on top of all of this some software that kicks up remarkable results every day: Developer Greg Podunovich’s legislative search engine crawls the Internet 24/7, scraping data about upcoming bills and presenting them searchably by issue; I call it the “headline factory.” most laws are passed in darkness, since bills like the national Defense Authorization Act weigh in at 1,600 pages, and, while lobbyists and their lawyers are looped in, most people are left out of the discussion. But the comment function on the search engine lets organizations and users explain what a bill means in real english – giving voters, organizations, legislators and journalists a way to actually comprehend what is being done on the Hill – before it is too late. other functions let people start their own political movements, draft and crowdsource their own legislation (24 states have referendums available for citizens to do so) and confront their own legislators’ district offices with their group of (registered, we hope) voters and their own proposed bills in hand. soon, we will offer grassroots fundraising too. Is DailyCloudt.com new, rough and a work in progress? Yes. Can it make a dent in the entrenched obstacles to real democracy? In raising new voices, we think we have already begun. Can it potentially help explain bills whose true meaning is now coded in legalese, possibly help people stop bad laws and launch good ones, and help shift the levers of democracy back into the hands of the people? Yes, yes, and that is up to you.

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ome people say that there is no more justice in our country. W r o n g . There are fifteen justices in the supreme Court, remember? And there are nine justices in the sandigan Bayan. And nine in the Court of Appeals. so, what are they griping about? -othe Philippine government has given to the International monetary Fund (ImF) $1 billion as a loan in response to its call for assistance to european nations experiencing economic crisis or meltdown, or huge debts. so now malacañan Palace is boasting that we are now a “lending” country, no longer a “borrowing” nation. should that be a reason to rejoice? not really, because our gesture of support to the call of the ImF is pure window dressing. It’s only for a show. every Pinoy from Aparri to Jolo (except Aquino’s matuwid na daan boys) knows that our nation has been suffering for so long from economic diarrhea.

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eral. there are more urgent and serious problems that need attention than emphasizing an abstract concept as the separation of Church and state. Can you not think of something better, something closer to the hearts of your fellow youth, Ramond? C’mon, please grow up! -othe Judicial Bar Council (JBC), has been flooded with more than 60 nominees for the position of Chief Justice of the supreme Court. sen. Joker Arroyo has described such nomination frenzy as “ridiculous”. many names simply don’t deserve such honor. the selection of the next Chief Justice has been treated as a coveted trophy pretty much like the PBA championship title. How trivial can we get! my take is that we should continue the practice or is it tradition (?) of choosing the Chief Justice from the rank of the incumbent Associate Justices. let’s not make the selection a ridiculous circus. the JBC should dump the nominees from outside the supreme Court, and restore sanity in naming the new CJ. A Kim Henares (a nominee) presiding as Chief Justice of the supreme Court! Please, JBC.

Time to end the ‘cold war’ between Turkey and Israel

He middle east’s two strongest economic and military powers, turkey and Israel, are no closer to mending their deteriorating relationship than two years ago, when Israeli commandos intercepted an aid flotilla, killing nine turkish human rights activists aboard the mavi marmara. But ties between the two need to be urgently reset – and can be – for the benefit of these former allies and for a region in turmoil. An urgency to reconcile has been missing up until now, but outside events are conspiring to make the incentives for rapprochement stronger. With Iran nuclear talks at a stalemate, syria on the brink of civil war and shooting down a turkish fighter jet, growing instability in lebanon, and lingering uncertainty following the Arab spring, there has never been a more important time for these two historically friendly countries to end their ‘cold war.’ A reconciliation between turkey and Israel would bring many benefits. turkey could return to its role as facilitator in IsraeliArab peace talks and at the same time ease the distrust of Ankara in the Us Congress. the popularity of turkish Prime minister Recep tayyip erdogan and of his country in the Arab world could help cushion Israel against the uncertainties of the Arab spring. Regionally, renewed ties would put more pressure on Iran to negotiate a peaceful resolution to its nuclear standoff. It would ease tensions related to disputed natural gas claims in the eastern mediterranean that are embroiling lebanon as well, and foster the possibility of an international consensus on syria. A repaired relationship would also promote American interests in the middle east by removing the constant clash of its two close allies. Rapprochment could act as a stabilizing pillar and allow for a resumption of trilateral intelligence sharing, military exercises, and policy coordination. Resetting the turkish-Israeli relationship has proven difficult, but it’s not impossible.

Monkey Business

Quo vadis rice terraces?

The Great Pretender

mr. Aquino is perhaps the greatest show-off among all Philippine presidents. He says we are on the right track to progress; that we have regained our faith in the future; that we now have reason to smile; that there is a ray of hope in the horizon for brighter day ahead; that we can see and walk on the right path. Beautiful. P-noy is not an optimist; he is an illusionist; a great pretender. -oRaymond Palatino, a Kabataan partylist representative filed a bill that would ban the display of the Cross and other religious images or symbols in government buildings and offices. His rationale: to stress the principle of separation of Church and state as guaranteed in the Constitution. the plan or idea immediately drew objection from the Catholic Church which considered the bill as anti-God. of course, the bill is now anti-God. maybe, Palatino is a non-Catholic and doesn’t like religious images. Anyway, he later withdrew his bill and apologized. Palatino should have used his coconut to help provide solutions to economic difficulties and well-being of his constituents and the nation in gen-

analySiS By michael J. KoploW aNd BreNt e. SaSley

true, the refusal of Israel to apologize for the turkish citizens killed on the mavi marmara, combined with Ankara’s deliberate strategy of drawing closer to Arab states and Iran at the expense of ties with Israel, have created an atmosphere of mutual mistrust and anger. But this can be overcome. By focusing on areas that mutually benefit both sides, the issues dividing the two countries can slowly be ratcheted down. In order to achieve a true rapprochement, both sides will need to adjust their expectations and compromise on their positions. Although Israel has already expressed regret, it is probably too late for it to go further and make any meaningful apology to turkey for the deaths on the mavi marmara. But some arrangement of compensation would meet one of Ankara’s key demands and could ease some of the frustration over Israel’s lack of response. It is also an option Israel seems to have agreed to in the past; the two sides were reportedly hammering out language on an agreement last summer when coalition politics in Israel intervened. there should be no return to an inquiry into the mavi marmara events; by now the discussion is too politicized to reconcile the competing versions of what took place. Instead, the two should agree to a joint Israeli-turkish commission, possibly with American participation, to explore the forms of compensation and what other, if any, measures might be taken. the commission should be staffed not by politicians but by legal scholars or practitioners who are free from the constraints of domestic political considerations. trade ties should also be increased as an action separate from the political sphere (this has, in fact, been gradually happening since the outbreak of tensions in 2010). more routinized trade missions should be established, in which select industries take turns traveling to each other’s countries to

meet with counterparts. new mutually beneficial commercial opportunities should be seized, including investment in turkey, construction in Israel, and joint development projects. Given its growing private sector, turkey has a potentially large pool of skilled labor that can be tied to Israel’s biomedical and green-energy sectors. Goodwill gestures and confidence-building measures are also necessary. Given turkish sensitivities overCyprus, Israel should involve turkey in some of the economic decisionmaking when dealing with the development of offshore gas fields in the eastern mediterranean. this would ease turkish suspicions that Israel is out to encircle it. And cancelled defense contracts between the two countries should also be restored. that would provide turkey with the military technology it has been seeking elsewhere while sending the message that Israel does not view turkey as a military foe. In return, Ankara should stop making public demands on Israel regarding mavi marmara and use less accusatory language when referencing Israeli behavior in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It should also resume its bid to be a neutral arbiter and offer to host Israeli and Palestinian negotiators in an effort to make a positive contribution to the peace process. Washington can help this reconciliation process by finding areas of general agreement and encouraging Israelis and turks to coordinate on them. this will restore trust and an effective working relationship between turkey and Israel. American interests are served by a stable middle east, and having the two strongest countries in the region mend their relationship can further that goal. [Michael J. Koplow is a Ph.D. candidate in government at Georgetown University, where he writes on political development and Middle East politics. He blogs at Ottomans and Zionists. You can follow him on Twitter. Brent E. Sasley is assistant professor at the University of Texas at Arlington, where he teaches and writes on Middle East and Israeli politics. He blogs at Mideast Matrix.You can follow him on Twitter.]

SpeCial Feature By lilyBeth G. iSoN

He people of Ifugao are glad that the world renowned Banaue Rice terraces had been removed from the list of World Heritage in Danger. “We›re happy,» said Ifugao Rep. teddy Baguilat in an exclusive interview with the Philippines news Agency on thursday. «this only shows that what we are doing to restore the grandeur of the rice terraces is right in the eyes of the international community.” Baguilat, however, noted that more restoration work still needs to be done to restore the terraces to its grandeur. «(Being removed from the list of World Heritage sites in danger) doesn›t change anything on the ground. still a lot of restoration work to do,» he said. Citing improvements in its conservation efforts, the 36th session of the UnesCo’s World Heritage Committee on tuesday formally removed the rice terraces from the list of World Heritage sites in Danger. the committee noted that the Philippines had successfully met the desired state of conservation through successful landscape restoration and conservation, protection and planning, and proper management. the Banaue Rice terraces, which was described by UnesCo as an outstanding cultural landscape and the only heritage site not made by slave labor, was placed on the list of World Heritage in Danger in 2001 «because of threats which required the development of better management and planning.» Deforestation, climate change, and the lack of young Ifugaos willing to keep the farming tradition had threatened to destroy the terraces built some 2,000 years ago. the Department of Agriculture (DA) was tasked by President Benigno Aquino III to spearhead the rehabilitation and restoration of the rice terraces. A P30-million fund was allocated by the DA for its rehabilitation and restoration effort to regain its status as a «Globally-Important Agricultural Heritage systems» (GIAHs) as declared by the Un Food and Agriculture organization (FAo). Agriculture secretary Proceso J. Alcala said of the P30 million initial fund, some P10 million from the DA’s national Irrigation Administration (nIA) will be used to repair eroded and damaged portions, and reinforce the irrigation systems of the rice terraces at Batad town. the remaining P20 million from the DA’s national rice program will be spent to reinforce and upgrade similar rice terraces in four other locations. these include the picturesque Banaue rice terraces that can be seen at the Dianara Viewpoint, and three other rice terraces in mayoyao, Hapao and Kiangan. «Kailangan nating lutasin ang problema ng rice terraces. Ito po ang utos ni Pangulong Aquino (I was tasked by President Aquino for the restoration of the rice terraces),» he said. Alcala said the DA also allotted an additional P25 million to implement several agricultural projects via counterparting arrangement with the 11 municipalities and the provincial government of Ifugao. Dante Delima, DA national rice program coordinator, alongside restoring the grandeur and legacy of the rice terraces, the DA will also procure from Ifugao and other Cordillera farmers heirloom or upland rice varieties that the DA will maintain, purify and propagate into starter seeds. these will be used for succeeding planting seasons at the rice terraces and other upland areas in the country. (PNA)

COMMUNITY SENSE

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EDGEDAVAO

Hedcor distributes school supplies to over 3000 studes

eDCoR, the largest developer of run-of-river hydropower plants in the country, and the Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. provided free school supplies for nearly 3,500 school children in 10 public schools of Davao del sur during the first week of classes. “For years, we have been giving school supplies to the schools hosting our hydropower plants, I am still moved to see jubilant smiles of these young children when they receive the pack of school materials”, Hedcor vice president Boy Jabonillo said. High school and elementary students from Hedcor’s host communities – tudaya, sibulan, Darong, tibolo, Pogpog and Astorga of sta. Cruz, Davao del sur, accepted packs of pens, notebooks, art materials, rulers, cases, scissors and envelopes from the Hedcor volunteers. According to the

school principals, a high dropout rate was observed in the past. one reason parents cannot send their children to school, consequently increasing the number of school drop-outs is due to lack of basic school necessities. the company wishes to see the increased graduation rate of its host schools, “Hedcor continues to instill the young minds the importance of education”, Jabonillo added. In fact, Hedcor is not only distributing educational materials, the company is giving financial assistance to those deserving students in primary and secondary levels and scholarships grant in college. the hydro firm also donates computer units and school buildings to its host schools when needed. “We support the United nation’s millennium Development Goals, particularly goal number two which is to achieve

BACK TO SCHOOL. Sibulan Grid Maintenance Manager Michael Quidayan and the rest of Hedcor volunteers hand over the set of school supplies to students in public schools of Davao del Sur – home of the 42.5-MW Sibulan Hydropower Plant. universal primary education”, Jabonillo said. Hedcor, an AboitzPower subsidiary, has 19

The first Pasiglahin ang Estudyanteng Pinoy: a supplemental program in Davao City was launched on Friday at Magallanes Elementary School. The program aims to address hunger and health issues of public school children. It also aims to reduce the drop out rates and improve the children’s performance in school. It is implemented in modules or groups of thirty (30) of the most malnourished public school children in selected elementary school nationwide. They will be given nutrition-

run-of-river hydropower plants with a total capacity of 155 megawatts in Benguet, Ilocos sur, and

Davao. the company’s budget allocation on education programs is equally important to health

ally balanced meals and a cup of milk five (5) days a week over a six (6) month period. Mead Johnson Nutrition Philippines through their president, Paul Andrew Richards promises to provide the daily milk ration for the six month implementation of the program. Pasiglahin ang Estudyanteng Pinoy (PEP) is a joint program of Mead Johnson, Kabisig Kalahi, Department of Education (DepEd) and National Competitiveness Council.

care, livelihood, reforestation and infrastructure development to host communities.

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Vice Gov. Victorio Suaybaguio, Jr. and OIC-Provincial Administrator respond to questions fielded by the media at a press conference held as highlight of the launch of the new studio of the Provincial Information Office of Davao del Norte

New DavNor PIO studio for devt info purposes only t He new studio of the Provincial Information office of Davao del norte will merely serve as a channel of relevant and timely development information, and not be used for political purposes. oIC-Provincial Information officer Romulo tagalo debunked certain suspicions alleging the PIo studio is meant to boost the popularity of administration candidates in the upcoming 2013 elections. “that is definitely untrue, as this is for the programs of the government,” he said, specifically alluding to Governor Rodolfo P. del Rosario’s development agenda, P.e.o.P.l.e., which stands for people empowerment, education, optimum health and social services, publicprivate partnership, link to the world, and, employment and livelihood opportunities. He made it clear at the launch of the studio last June 26, 2012 that the

studio intends to boost the immediate release of relevant development information to media outlets for the benefit of the general public. Politicians, according to him, will be accommodated for interviews at the studio, not for the sake of politics, but “because they as public officials have the obligation to inform the public of their respective advocacies.” tagalo also revealed that journalists and the people can now access information on the development undertakings of the province by logging on to PIo’s Facebook account: Davnor Press Release, FB fan page: Dabaonon news Update, or through Davao del norte’s website www. davaonorte.gov.ph, as well as through text messages. He assured the PIo office is very much accessible to the members of the press, adding Gov. del Rosario directed him to make Davao del norte

Capitol media-friendly. With the new studio, daily interviews with functionaries shall now be conducted at the provincial media center, where journalists will be invited to engage in indepth discussions. these shall be aired live, initially to one each Am and Fm radio stations in tagum City, as well as, via internet livestream at www.ustream.tv/idavaodelnorte. While other stations and the cable channels will air the programs on delayed broadcast. A press conference was held as a highlight of the event, where Vice Governor Victorio suaybaguio, Jr. and oIC-Provincial Administrator norma lumain sat as panel of guests to talk about the details of the 45th founding anniversary of Davao del norte. Board members shirley Belen Aala, Atty. Joey millan ang Vicente eliot were also present to grace the occasion.

An acolyte administers the blessing ceremony of the new studio of the Provincial Information Office of Davao del Norte.

SUBURBIA 11

12 NATION/WORLD NATION BRIEFS

Lift

He Philippines will lift on July 15 the fishing ban it imposed last may at the Panatag (scarborough) shoal off the coast of Zambales, half a month earlier than the scheduled lifting of a similar ban imposed by China. Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) national director Asis Perez yesterday said the fishing ban had nothing to do with the territorial dispute with China over Panatag.

Sobriety test

FteR reports of boozing on the job, traffic police in the Philippine capital will be required to undergo breathalyser tests, an official said thursday. the new policy covering the 1,400 metro manila traffic enforcers was imposed following complaints about some personnel, said Yves Gonzales, director of manila’s traffic discipline office.

Left

enAtoR Aquilino Pimentel III will not run under the United nationalist Alliance in 2013, but will stay with PDP-laban, which is part of UnA.

Pimentel told reporters thursday that he met with former President Joseph estrada, whose Pwersa ng masang Pilipino forms the other half of UnA, to convey his decision. Pimentel has also sent word to Vice President Jejomar Binay, PDPlaban chairman, he said.

Top smokers

esPIte the existence of laws that limit smoking, male Filipino smokers are among the top smokers in the world occupying the ninth spot following India and China among others, data from the American Cancer society and World lung Foundation revealed. the 2008 data was revealed by the Department of Health (DoH) as it sought to emphasize the urgency of the passage of the sin tax bill.

Declined

enAtoR miriam Defensor santiago has declined her nomination to become the next chief justice, saying she preferred to sit as judge of the International Criminal Court (ICC). santiago issued the statement after she was nominated for chief justice before the Judicial Bar and Council (JBC) by a private individual.

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EDGEDAVAO

US sees momentum on South China Sea code of conduct I

WORLD TODAy

He United states said it saw momentum in talks between China and southeast Asia on agreeing to a code of conduct to ease deep friction over competing claims in the south China sea. the south China sea is likely to be high on the agenda when Us secretary of state Hillary Clinton heads next month to Cambodia for talks of the Association of southeast Asian nations and regional powers including China. Kurt Campbell, the Us assistant secretary of state for east Asia, said he understood that a draft proposal on a code of conduct was being discussed and that the United states expected to hear more details while in Cambodia. “What we have seen of late has been an increase in diplomacy between AseAn and China about aspects associated with a potential code of conduct,” Campbell told a conference at the Center for strategic and International studies. “I will say that we are frankly impressed with the level of focus that particularly AseAn has given to this,” Campbell said. Campbell did not give

Media target

Chinese surveillance ships patrol in April 2012 near Scarborough Shoal, a reef claimed by the Philippines. The Philippines and Vietnam accuse China of aggressively asserting its claims in recent years, leading to minor clashes that diplomats and military commanders fear could quickly escalate into major conflicts. more details on the potential code of conduct and acknowledged that disputes over the south China sea are “fraught with difficulty.” “they spur nationalist sentiment across the region as a whole and it is extraordinarily important to deal with them with great delicacy,” he said. AseAn and China agreed in 2002 to negotiate a code of conduct. But there has been little visible progress, with a rising China preferring to negotiate with each country individually instead of dealing with a unified bloc.

AseAn foreign ministers, meeting in April in Phnom Penh, said they hoped to narrow differences and sign a code of conduct with China by the end of the year. the Philippines and Vietnam accuse China of aggressively asserting its claims in recent years, leading to minor clashes that diplomats and military commanders fear could quickly escalate into major conflicts. the United states has recently expanded military relations with the Philippines and Vietnam, part of what President Barack obama’s adminis-

tration has cast as a growing Us focus on relations with Asia. the details of the code of conduct remained murky. Us Defense secretary leon Panetta, speaking to the annual shangrila Dialogue in singapore on June 2, said the code should set a binding “rules-based framework” to prevent and manage disputes. At the annual AseAn talks in 2010 in Vietnam, Clinton said the United states had a “national interest” in open access to the south China sea, through which half of the world’s trade flows.

covered and three people went down with the vessel. the incident came just days after another boat capsized, with 110 people saved but an estimated 90 killed. “I am calling on each and every senator to look into their conscience, to think deeply about this,” Gillard said, adding that if the bill did not pass, there would be no effective message of deterrence to people-smugglers. “What it will mean is people will get on boats,” she said in a radio interview. “What we know is if

people get on boats, unfortunately, tragically, awfully, some get into trouble and people lose their lives.” But the bill is unlikely to succeed with the conservative opposition and the Australian Greens vowing to block it, sparking scathing criticism from the media. “Paralysis in Parliament,” the sydney morning Herald said in a front-page headline. “the Australian parliament is failing us. It is putting politicking ahead of human life,” it said. the Australian newspa-

per said in an editorial that the expected senate failure would lead to more inaction. “Around the nation there will be much stunned silence,” it said. Gillard’s fragile labor coalition government supports the private member’s bill from independent mP Rob oakeshott which is attempting to revive a deal clinched last year to send 800 boatpeople to malaysia. In exchange, Canberra would take 4,000 of that country’s refugees. the government was unable to pass the required legislation through parliament without the support of the opposition, amid concerns malaysia was not a signatory to Un refugee conventions. the oakeshott bill, seen as a compromise, would allow an immigration minister to designate any nation as an “offshore assessment country” if it was party to the Bali Process -- a framework for dealing with asylum-seekers involving more than 40 countries.

Australia debates offshore asylum-seeker processing

UstRAlIAn Prime minister Julia Gillard thursday urged politicians to “look into their conscience” as a bill to allow boatpeople to be sent offshore for processing was debated in the senate. the bill passed the House of Representatives, or lower house, on Wednesday after an angry and emotional debate sparked by another crowded asylumseeker boat sinking off the remote Australian territory of Christmas Island. some 130 people were rescued, one body was re-

Low tariff

nDIA urged its vast private sector to invest in Afghanistan as a low tariff destination, saying that could help stabilize the country as Western nations begin to pull back troops after nearly 11 years of support. Foreign minister s.m. Krishna said on thursday he recognized Indian businesses’ concerns about Afghanistan, especially in the run-up to 2014 when most foreign troops will leave, but if companies invested together there would be security in numbers.

Photo taken by the MV Bison after arriving at the asylum-seeker boat before it capsized. Rescuers plucked 130 people from the ocean after the boat sank en route to

Australia, barely a week after another vessel went down in the same area, killing up to 90.

emonIZeD in europe’s media as a red-eyed terminator robot, a flabby centre-fold pinup and a fleshy Roman god eating Greeks, German Chancellor Angela merkel has become the subject of a new wave of vitriol for her tough stance on the euro zone crisis. Already a figure of hate in Greece for insisting on austerity in exchange for aid, merkel has long endured montages of herself in a nazi uniform, but the run up to this week’s eU summit has unleashed particularly savage images and headlines.

Deployed

URKeY is deploying troops along its border with syria after one of its jets was shot down by syria over the mediterranean last week, a turkish official said on thursday. “I can confirm there are troops being deployed along the border in Hatay province. turkey is taking precautions after its jet was shot down,” the official said on condition of anonymity.

Swearing-in

HInese President Hu Jintao oversees the swearing-in of Hong Kong’s embattled leader on sunday, stepping beyond his comfort zone of staid oneparty rule in Beijing into a former British colony used to scandal and raucous protest. Hong Kong is a liberal, global financial centre agitating for full democracy in 2017, making it both an asset and a potentially dangerous precedent for China where people are becoming increasingly intolerant of rights abuses and curtailed freedoms.

Destroyed

ens of thousands of Americans nervously awaited word thursday of whether their homes had been destroyed when a wildfire tore into the outskirts of this western Us city. summer wildfires are common in the mountains of arid Colorado but rarely burst into residential areas, as the Waldo Canyon Fire did earlier this week, forcing some 36,000 people to flee.

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DaLight apologizes Under Pres. Aquino for power outage Rights group says abuses go unpunished

AVAo light & Power Company apologizes for the power outage yesterday, which has affected the customers in most part of its Davao City franchise area. the power interruption which started at 10:53 Am resulted after a technical problem occurred at the national Grid Corporation of the Philippines’ (nGCP) substation in new loon, mintal according to the transmission operator. the problem at nGCP’s substation sent the electric distribution company’s subtransmission lines to trip namely, eRA 1 & 2, Davao and tagum. this has resulted to a no power supply situation in the entire downtown area going to the northern areas up to Panacan and areas in the south going to Bago Aplaya and to Calinan. Davao light immediately implemented its contingency measures, and within minutes power supply were re-

Sara...

ceived from its embedded power sources, the standby Power Plant in Bajada and Hedcor’s sibulan Hydro power plant. Also, to lessen the duration of the power interruption in the affected areas, loads were transferred to nearby lines. Gradual restoration of power supply started at 11:22 Am in downtown and northern areas and at 12:09 Pm in the southern areas. eventually, power in all areas was fully restored at 12:50 Pm. However, a short power interruption was experienced, again by the affected customers to facilitate the normalization or return of loads back to its normal set-up after the repairs at nGCP substation were done. Although the power outage was beyond, Davao light’s control, it expressed its deepest apology to its customers for the inconvenience that they experienced.

ResIDent Benigno s. Aquino III has failed to fulfill his promise to hold accountable the security forces responsible for serious abuses since taking office two years ago, Human Rights Watch said yesterday. In a statement issued days before he enters his third year in office, Human Rights Watch said Aquino “has not successfully prosecuted a single case of extrajudicial killing or enforced disappearance, including those committed during his presidency.” Upon assuming the presidency, Aquino gave “marching orders” to the Justice department to “begin the process of providing true and complete justice for all. Five months later, at an event to commemorate human rights, he said that, ‘the culture of silence, injustice and impunity that once reigned is now a thing of the past’,” the new York-based human rights monitor said.

to stay the demolition, the mayor punched him several times on the head which was recorded by media cameras, especially television, which were there to cover the demolition. Footage of the punching incident went viral and attracted instant national and international attention to Davao City putting in on a defensive mode. In reaction, many Dabawenyos wore green ribbons and attached these on vehicles and public places signifying their support of their mayor’s action. However, in reply to a question from media, the mayor said she would not apologize to Judge Carpio who issued the demolition order. “Dili. Dili gyud (no, never!),” she said. tough the mayor told edge Davao that she needs to be tough. “my role in this world, starting from my family, is to be a trouble shooter, and I learned in this role there’s no time to cry, only to take charge when needed,” she said. she expanded her earlier statement that the situation in her family taught her how to handle problems decisively.

“I come from a broken family. Usually, when there are issues, I don’t know why but they (family members) come to me,” she said. “I got used to taking charge of things. I think that’s what influences me most as a mayor,” she added. In memoriam meanwhile, the city is also holding memorial services for the flood victims in matina Pangi. Yesterday, Barangay matina Crossing captain Joel santes headed a tree planting ceremony while a mass is set today. “since majority of the victims who died lived there, we will be holding a mass to pray for them,” the mayor said. Duterte-Carpio added these barangays which suffered flooding are better equipped. “It is regrettable that if there was only an early warning system, what happened would have been avoided. But after that, the barangay is better equipped. they’re already on alert at the slightest rain,” she said. the barangays of matina Pangi, matina Aplaya, matina Crossing, talomo Proper, and maa are areas in the path of the Pangi River which overflowed at the time due to heavy rains.

It added that during his 2011 state of the nation

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Aplaya, matina Crossing, talomo Proper, and maa were placed under a state of calamity following flash floods triggered by torrential rain which destroyed dozens of houses, killing at least 30 people, mostly children. then on July 1, 2011, the houses of more than 200 illegal settlers in Barangay soliman, Agdao district, this city, were set for demolition by a court order issued by Judge emmanuel Carpio of RtC 11 Branch 16. the mayor who was then attending to flood victims, requested sheriff Andres through via phone call for a two-hour reprieve and to wait for her to witness the demolition as provided by law. Andres, however, ordered the demolition team to do its task according to the schedule given by Judge Carpio. that triggered a clash between residents, policemen and the demolition team, several of whom were injured. In the midst of the chaos, Duterte-Carpio arrived in Barangay soliman and immediately calmed down the residents and restrained the policemen and demolition team. Fuming mad that Andres had not acceded to her request

Address, Aquino reiterated this commitment, saying, “We are aware that the attainment of true justice does not end in the filing of cases, but in the conviction of criminals.” elaine Pearson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch, said “concrete measures – rather than more promises – are needed now.” “As President Aquino himself pointed out, the conviction of those implicated in abuses is the true test of his commitment to his promise,” Pearson said. “so the government needs to move beyond simply identifying suspects and obtaining warrants to actually apprehending the suspects and putting them on trial.” the group said it has also monitored progress on cases of killings and enforced disappearances under the previous administration of Gloria macapagal-Arroyo. However, it noted that if progress

has been made, “it is often because of the perseverance and courage of family members, rather than aggressive action by police and prosecutors.” Human Rights Watch cited the 2006 disappearance of two university students, Karen Cadapan and sherlyn empeno, where family action was crucial in bringing the two soldiers to trial for their kidnapping and illegal detention. “the trial for the two soldiers started in may. However, the men are not in civilian custody but are being held in a military camp. two others implicated in the students’ disappearance, including retired maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan, the commander in the area at the time, have evaded arrest,” it said. Philippine human rights groups have called Palparan “the Butcher” for his alleged role in several extrajudicial killings and “disappearances” of

China...

Final...

gadgets similar to credit card swipe machines in participating taxi units. Instead of credit cards, China Ban Atm card will be used. However, Atm cards of depositors of banks affiliated with Bancnet and megalink may also be used. Crisostomo said in the future, it is possible that credit cards can also be used. He said piloting the project in Davao City is ideal due to the good reputation of taxi drivers here of giving back the exact change to passengers, unlike in other urban centers wherein taxi drivers expect tips from passengers instead.

will be devoted to outreach and research, respectively. The 9th and 10th floors of the community center will be allotted for sleeping quarters of the university’s guests and the Jesuits, with the guests occupying the 9th floor and the Jesuits occupying the 10th. solar panels will be placed on the community center’s roof deck to power the lighting of the building and ceiling fans for the ventilation of the entire building. A communications tower will also be present on the building’s roof. Another feature of the community center will be the new Chapel of the university, as the old one is set to be demol-

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Z package...

FFROM 3 cancer patient, the package is P100,000 also for the entire course of treatment. For low to intermediate risk prostate cancer, the package is worth P100,000 for the entire course of treatment. this is for male patient age up to 70 years old with localized prostate cancer and has no uncontrolled comorbid conditions. the package for end stage renal disease eligible for kidney transplant (low risk) is P600,000 for the entire course of treatment. this is for patients more than 10 years old but less than 70 years old with single organ transplant. Pague noted that PhilHealth contracted with reference hospitals,

left-wing activists. they are suspecting that the retired general is being coddled by his supporters in the military. “the number of killings and disappearances implicating the military has gone down under the Aquino administration, but they continue,” Human Rights Watch said. last month, the country’s human rights record was scrutinized at the United nations Human Rights Council in Geneva during its Universal Periodic Review. several countries – including the United states, Australia, Germany, the United Kingdom, spain, the netherlands, and the Holy see – raised alarm over the continuing killings, enforced disappearances, and torture. During the sessions, several countries urged the Aquino administration to end impunity for these abuses. [h. MARcOS c. MORdeNO / MINdANeWS]

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which are carefully chosen according to the critical mass of patients with these identified types of cancer, and based on the standard cost. In the Davao region, the reference hospitals are the southern Philippines medical Center and Davao Regional Hospital only. However, he mentioned that private hospitals may facilitate beneficiaries of case type Z but they should follow the PhilHealth rules of “no balance billing”. Also at the Club 888 forum, Johanna t. Blason, PhilHealth 11 social insurance officer III, said high survival rate from these cases is one of the objectives of this benefit package, as well as to en-

ished to give way to the new structures. the new buildings will be made mostly of steel and glass. ong explained the recyclability and reusability of steel as one of the factors in its usage in the building, and the heavy use of glass as a safety measure as they would help stop the spread of fire in the case of an emergency. Demolition of the buildings currently taking up the space of the proposed buildings will take place sometime next month. ong says that he estimates the construction of the two buildings to be completed within 18 to 24 months’ time.

sure total care from diagnosis to treatment. the universal health care program of PhilHealth, she said, aims to achieve member empowerment that he or she should be well-informed about the benefits, treatment, health risks, schedules of visits, and medicines among others. she added that as of December 2011, the region had a total of 1.4 million members, and the rate of membership is at 100 new members per day. Pague said PhilHealth began the preauthorization or validation of patients who can avail of case type Z benefit package last June 21, adding that the formal launching will be on July 18.

SPORTS

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EDGEDAVAO

Lone hope Mark Anthony Barriga will be the only boxing entry for the Philippines in London.

By Neil Bravo

t’s down to just one. one last ditch effort to squeeze in another Filipino boxer to the olympics did not materialize and the Philippines is left with just one solitary hope at the sport where the best chance of the elusive gold medal could come for this country. Davao’s mark Anthony Barriga will have to do it alone after the International Boxing Association (AIBA) recently informed the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines that its request for lightweight boxer Charly suarez to be accorded an invitation to the london olympics has been denied. Both Barriga and suarez hail from Panabo City and are products of the famed Barangay Una boxing program of businessman-sports patron tonyboy Floirendo. Reports have it that an email response was sent to ABAP president Ricky Var-

gas from AIBA executive director Ho Kim the email read: “after numerous discussions with IoC, the quota in the weight category which you requested was returned to AIBA since IoC could not find a suitable place in the tripartite selection. therefore, following the olympic Qualifying Guidelines approved by the IoC executive Board, the next Best Boxer from the 2011 AIBA World Boxing Championships is supposed to be selected.” “Following the Competition Protocol list, we regrettably found out that your boxer does not meet the qualification to be the next Best Boxer in your continent. We would like to truly express our regret to inform you on such matter”, Kim added. the ABAP had earlier written a formal request to AIBA president Ching Kuo-

Wu to consider suarez based on his performance as a finalist in the Asian Qualifying tournament in Astana, Kazakhstan (he lost an unpopular decision to China’s Qiang liu). He also turned in spectacular results as a boxer for the mumbai Fighters of India in the AIBAorganized World series of Boxing (WsB). Filipino boxing legend manny Pacquiao chimed in his support for the request in a personal letter to Wu as did Philippine olympic Committee president Jose Cojuangco Jr. Barriga fights in the light Flyweight category (49 Kg.), the same weight class which won an olympic silver (mansueto Velasco Jr, Atlanta ‘96) and bronze (Roel Velasco, Barcelona, ‘92) for the Philippines. Bronze medalist Velasco will act as Barriga’s coach in london. (WIth PNA RePORtS)

Enemy unknown as Manny takes a break s

Holy sabbatical for Manny and family before deciding on next foe ettInG aside the latest controversy that marred his welterweight title fight, manny Pacquiao gets a chance to think things over as he left for europe on thursday with his entire family. the Filipino boxing star was accompanied in the trip by wife Jinkee and children Jimuel, emmanuel, Princess and Queenie in a european tour that will also mtake them to the Holy land together for the first time. Before their departure, Pacquiao had a din-

ner meeting with promoter Bob Arum in los Angeles on tuesday, although nothing concrete came out of it except for an agreement for a return to the ring in november. Arum expects Pacquiao to come up with a name for a possible opponent after his long-delayed vacation with the family. Pacquiao is coming off a stunning 12-round split decision loss to timothy Bradley three weeks ago which left him without his World Boxing

organization (WBo) welterweight title. In light of the WBo’s unofficial findings that Pacquiao was the clear winner of the 12-round fight, a rematch with the 28-year-old Bradley appears to be the most viable option for the boxing icon. But Arum said Bradley is just one of the many possible opponents for the Pacman, putting the names of mexican Juan manuel marquez, Puerto Rican miguel Cotto, and rival Floyd mayweather Jr. in the mix.

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EDGEDAVAO

TRAVEL

Pride of identity Hotel Vicente exudes Filipino pride DAVAo City is on a construction boom with office, residential, and hotel towers sprouting everywhere with designs that are leaning more towards cutting edge and modern, so modern at times that sometimes the Filipino soul of the spaces get lost in translation.

Hotel Vicente’s lobby and reception desk.

The wood and capiz shell details.

One of the three function rooms on the 5th floor of Hotel Vicente.

Hotel Vicente’s rooms are well-appointed and well designed with beautiful Filipino accents.

one day, while I was in transit along F. Torres Street, from what used to be the old Calma residence, now stands a grand five-story hotel with amazing attention to design and detail which got me excited. Unfortunately, on the day of the hotel’s soft opening, I was not able to visit, but many thanks to Carlo and his mom, Sylvia C. Lorenzana, I was given a special guided tour of their beautiful boutique hotel. Named after her father, Vicente T. Calma. The hotel stands out like a beacon along Torres Street. Upon entering Hotel Vicente, I immediately felt right at home with its cozy lobby with exquisite wood and capiz shell details that are neither gaudy nor boring. Added to the mix are original antique furniture that used to be part of the ancestral Calma house which add character and history to the spaces. To the side and behind the lobby is Cristobal, a Filipino restaurant that features recipes that were passed on by Virgina Cristobal Calma, the wife of Vicente T. Calma and mother of the Calma siblings. Cristobal also has a sidebar that also serves beautiful Argentinean wines by Lagarde. All 27 rooms of the hotel are beautifully appointed and detailed. From the capiz shell headboards to the beautifully crafted vanity tables, every room of Hotel Vicente is unique and have an air of Filipino pride. I personally love the beautifully finished bathrooms that are like those that can normally be found on bigger, more expensive hotels abroad. on the fifth level of the hotel are its function rooms which are named after three municipalities of Bulacan where the Calma family originated from. And like

the lobby and the restaurant, the function rooms also carry the wood and capiz details. I also loved the fact that they were also able to recycle parts of the old Calma house into the structure itself, from the accent beams in the corridors to the steps of the stairway, the new structure pays tribute to the old family home. Although small in scale, Hotel Vicente carries all the marks and breeding of a proper boutique hotel. Whatever it may lack in size, it truly makes up for in character and a unique stay in Davao City. Hotel Vicente is located along F. Torres Street and can be contacted at (82)2957053, 2957389 or visit their website at www. hotelvicentedavao.com Follow me on twitter @ kennethkingong for happenings around the city, foodie finds, and travel tips.

Hotel Vicente’s cozy and welcoming lobby.

Cristobal, the restaurant of Hotel Vicente.

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VOL.5 ISSUE 84 • JUNE 29 -30, 2012

STYLE ENTERTAINMENT

Ana Celine Estrada Go as photographed by Bob Mata on her wedding day

A brush with an artist

Model Kate Bautista as photographed by Paul Borromeo

IN the realm of personal style, nothing is trickier for me than makeup. Even the thought of keeping up a routine for daily wear exhausts me. Calvin Klein explained it best when he said, “The best thing is to look natural. But it takes makeup to look natural.” Paying heed to this paradox of exerting effort to look effortless might seem needless, but I would beg to differ as these days it is not only about how great your frame of mind is but also how well you frame your face. If just for that boost in confidence that a perfectly groomed brow or a tincture of well-applied blush can lend, I would gladly continue to demystify makeup. As my luck would have it, my fascination for those who can wield makeup brushes masterfully and my leanings towards more naturallooking makeup were positively stoked

after interviewing on-the-rise Davao makeup artist, Mae Ann Cortez.

Being former schoolmates in high school, Mae Ann shared with me some milestones in her life that occurred since the time we last saw each other nearly fifteen years ago. She graduated in 2003 with a degree in Biology and Nursing in 2007 but did not really pursue any passions of the medical sort. Actively involving herself in her family’s businesses in Davao and Cebu throughout those years, she decided to enroll in a six-week course in Beauty and High Fashion Photographic Makeup in L.A.’s Cinema Makeup School in 2009 to make something of the unshakeable makeup habit she picked up during her college years. Accord-

Makeup Artist Mae Ann Cortez as photographed by Ayie Hernandez

ing to the school’s website, the Cinema Makeup School is a private institution that is considered one of Hollywood’s top makeup schools specializing in beauty makeup for film and television as well as fashion and editorial purposes. Here, Mae Ann picked up the right highdefinition and in-depth education she needed. Upon returning to Davao, she immediately became entrenched in the world of

fashion photography and got right down to booking clients. Mae Ann largely credits her early exposure to her would-be clients in Davao through collaborations with local photographer Paul Borromeo and others in his group that made the rounds in networking sites like Facebook. Shortly after, she met fellow makeup artist Tiny Pinili with whom she would set up Luxelab Makeup Artistry

with. She admits that her stage of fully focusing on doing makeup for shoots of hobby photographers was a short one as she is more inclined towards the natural side of makeup. Whereas shoots can run high on the conceptual and demand a more theatrical aesthetic, Mae Ann couldn’t deny that her passions lied in creating timeless looks of a more classic strain. Mae Ann’s brand of doing makeup is one that many women can identify with and it quickly felt like we were sharing makeup tips rather than talking shop. She points out that most of her clients are more conservative but that it suits her just fine. If truth be told, the colors in her makeup kit are mostly neutrals, pinks and browns. Upon further probing, I discover she takes painstaking efforts to perfect the foundations of the face that she believes goes a long way in itself. Especially obsessed with getting the eye makeup just right, she admits to having about four different products for prepping just the eyebrows alone. As she meets me sans lipstick and devoid of heavy makeup herself with just her eyes made up with a hint of mascara, I become convinced that she knows what she is talking about. onto the concept of beauty, which I believe, is the overriding principle that women abide by when they think of makeup, Mae Ann shares how it makes her happy that people’s idea of what makes them beautiful is slowly changing and how many have learned to embrace their natural complexion rather than demand to appear overly fair. Although her job as makeup artist is a sideline more than anything, her bookings have been steady

and it doesn’t seem like the demand for what she does is showing signs of waning. She is grateful when one trial makeup session leads to two more with the very same client and that she has accumulated her own roster of regulars such as a medical student of Indian descent who frequently calls on her services when she has parties to attend. Throughout our conversation, I can’t help but feel that she makes what she does sound maybe a little too simple when I know it is anything but. As she humbly tells me though, she likes to invite people to view her work and let her portfolio speak for itself. The territory that she has chosen to inhabit along with her makeup palette is highly challenging but other like-minded makeup gurus such as Chechel Joson continue to give her inspiration. There is something beautifully discreet and uncomplicated about Mae Ann’s work and her makeup philosophy that allows her to put her clients’ best face forward. To borrow the words of makeup mogul and style doyenne Helena Rubenstein, “Whether you are sixteen or over sixty, remember, understatement is the rule of a fine makeup artist.” It seems that Mae Ann has just the right idea. Mae Ann Cortez for Luxelab Makeup Artistry can be contacted through mobile no. +639177003699 or through e-mail address charm_skul_reject@yahoo.com. Standard rates: Bridal – P4,000 (conventional makeup) / P6,000 (airbrush); P1,500/person add on for each member of the entourage. Trial make-up or regular makeup booking – P1,500. Pre-nuptial shoots – P2,500 (half day) / P4,000 (whole day).

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EDGEDAVAO

ENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT

Jon Voight gives his blessings for Brangelina wedding WE’RE happy to report that Angelina Jolie’s dad Jon Voight is over the moon about her engagement to Brad Pitt.

We caught up with the proud papa at the Savages premiere in L.A. where he gushed to us all about his daughter’s impending nuptials. Cue the wedding bells! “I’m always excited for Angelina and Brad and my grandchildren,” Voight, 73, told us. “I’m always happy when my children are happy, as every father is,” he told reporters. “I’ve seen the kids recently and everybody’s healthy. So it’s wonderful.”

“We truly have no [wedding] date,” Pitt recently told reporters at the Cannes Film Festival. “We actually, really, truly have no date. We’re still hoping we figure out marriage equality in the States before then,” adding that the couple’s engagement was “something that made sense.” Jolie, 37, and Pitt, 48, have been together for seven years but got engaged just over two months ago. So what kind of wedding gift do you get the couple that already has it all?! Voight laughed, “They’re just folks.” Is he trying to tell us they’re registered at Bed Bath & Beyond?

guys’ night out entail? A source tells us that Clooney chowed down on seafood pasta and sipped gin-and-tonics, and while we don’t know what Pitt ordered to kill those hunger pangs, he was drinking martinis. “They were so polite to the waitress and giggling away,” the insider said. “They were relaxed as if it was their local restaurant,

Paparazzi run-ins

Blake Lively scolds paparazzo in NYC

SAVAgES star Blake Lively may not have gotten, well, savage on the streets of New York City today. But she did seem to give a paparazzo a bit of a scolding nevertheless. After promoting her upcoming film on good Morning America on Wednesday, the 24-year-old actress reportedly left the studio in an SUV. However, upon noticing that she was being followed by a photog, Lively allegedly jumped out of the vehicle and insisted the pap stop tailing her. And while Lively may have been reprimanding him by waving her index finger, we certainly wouldn’t have blamed her if she had opted to use a different one instead.

Paris Hilton hits paparazzo in LA

Brad Pitt and George Clooney hang out in London oh, to be the martini olives at that table. george Clooney, Brad Pitt and another male friend enjoyed dinner and drinks Tuesday night on the outskirts of London at Pazzia, a cozy Italian restaurant with a reputation for fine food and apparently celeb-worthy service, a source exclusively tells E! News. So, what exactly did this

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like normal people.” Tell that to the “normal people’s” fellow diners! The Berkshire restaurant isn’t too far from the White House-reminiscent home that Pitt and Angelina Jolie are leasing while she shoots Maleficent. Clooney popped into town fresh from time spent at his Lake Como home with girlfriend Stacy Keibler. MEET AND GREET THE AMAZING SPIDERMAN AT SM CITY DAVAO. The Amazing Spider-Man hits cinemas in Davao City today. To complete the movie experience, SM City Davao is not only bringing you the movie in 3D and 2D but is actually bringing SpiderMan to town to meet and greet his legion of fans. Kids and the kids-atheart will definitely enjoy this amazing experience that only Spider-Man and SM City Davao can give you.

FoR socialite Paris Hilton, her socializing took a turn for the worse on Tuesday evening. While heading out of David Arquette’s new Hollywood nightclub Bootsy Bellows, a paparazzo apparently got a little too close for one of her friends’ liking. As a result, the pal proceeded to grab the camera out of the photog’s hands, according to the photo agency. And that’s when things got a bit ugly. A scuffle soon ensued and Hilton, wearing a skimpy blue minidress, subsequently found herself being knocked into a wall. Thankfully, the 31-year-old heiress was not injured. While police were not called to the scene, the pap claimed that a member of Hilton’s entourage stole not only his camera but his jacket as well. No word if he intends to contact authorities.

EDGEDAVAO

A4 INdulge! EVENTS ENTERTAINMENT

VOL.5 ISSUE 84 • JUNE 29 -30, 2012

GREE air conditioner gives back through its “Agree sa Summer ni Mr. GREE” promo WINNERS of gREE Air Conditioner’s “agREE sa Summer ni Mr. gREE” sales promo were in for the CooLEST summer treat! In cooperation with EMCoR Inc., one of the leading appliance stores in the country, gREE Air conditioner recently awarded the winners of its summer promo at EMCoR head office in Bajada, Davao City.

The promo ran from March up to May of this year which aims to help establish gREE as the primary aide of every household when it comes to air conditioning and thank its loyal customers for their continuous patronage through these years. We, Filipino’s, are very much acquainted with the summer heat. Living in a tropical country like the Philippines, we’d usually look for anything that will soothe us for this blistering season and gREE knows just how to serve us all right. The promo also introduces Mr. gREE as one of the brand ambassadors. Having Mr. gREE depicts gREE’s unwavering commitment to service and unrivaled air conditioning experience. Mr. gREE is designed to answer ANY of our air conditioning queries and hitches. So as long as Mr. gREE is around we are assured that we can always keep our cool. 10 winners from all over Mindanao were given different air conditioning units from gREE. 5 of them won one gREE KC-15P each which boasts of its rapid and quiet cooling feature. Being the most basic unit in the whole of gREE AC line up with .6 HP, KC-15P is doing well in the market and is selling like pancakes. “I have been using gREE ever since and I’ve never been happier. My unit has been with me for years now and it’s still functioning well so when I needed to set up another unit for our new room, gREE was a no-brainer choice. For me, joining and winning the promo was just a bonus. Thank you gREE!”said Jovita Jamero, one of the gREE KC15P winners. gracing the awarding event was no other than EMCoR Inc.’s President, Mr. Celso Villegas and Mr. Boy

Pictured from Left: Melende Ferraren (Bajada Store Manager), Armando D. Enero (Senior Consultant) Celso Villegas (President and COO of EMCOR Incorporated), Sheila Dusaban from Kidapawan City (winner of KC-15P), Back row from Left: Glenn Beni-Dy (Business Development/Operations Manager of UTHINC), Carlo M. Pineda (Executive Vice President of UTHINC), Danilo M. Talaban (Senior Consultant), Archie Escuadro (Panabo Highway Manager), Oneil R. Santa Cruz (Regional Sales Manager of EMCOR) Front row from Left: Annalie S. Diao from Panabo City (winner of KC-15P), Mary Cris Sevilla and her mother from Mintal Davao City (winner of KW-23AP)

Arriba VP for Marketing together with Ugong Trade & Holdings Inc.’s (UTHINC) front runner Mr. Juan Carlos M. Pineda and its Business Development Head Mr. glenn Beni Dy. UTHINC is the sole distributor of gREE Air Conditioner here in the Philippines importing directly from its principal, gREE Electric Appliances of Zuhai in China. “This promo couldn’t have been this successful without our valued customers who continuously support all our efforts to bring gREE closer to the people and of course our trade partners like EMCoR who serve as our medium,” Pineda said. “You can be assured that it all doesn’t end here and it’s definitely going to get better next year,” he added. Three of the 10 winners got to take home one gREE KC-19AP unit each with .8 HP. one of its winners, Rainier Mariano from Davao City was literally jumping up and down when told about the good news. “I couldn’t believe it at first. After a minute, that’s when it all came down on me. I am very thankful to gREE for the coolest summer treat ever,”said Mariano when asked about how he felt when he was informed that he won the promo. Just like Mr. Tobias, Ms. Mary Cris Sevilla of Mintal Davao City was speechless when she was told about it, only twice as much because she won a gREE KW-23AP unit with 1HP which is best for her living room that can keep their family bonding cool and at ease. Aside from the gift of efficient and formidable air conditioning experience, the winners were also

treated to a special gastronomical delight together with EMCoR and UTHINC’s officers because no celebration can be complete without feasting. This has been truly a one-of-a-kind experience for the winners of “agREE sa Summer ni Mr. gREE”. “We would like to thank all of those who participat-

ed in the promo, who now turned out to be gREE’s raving fans, for allowing us to be their air conditioning partner. Let this be our way of giving back to you for sharing with us your complete trust and confidence,” said glenn Beni Dy, Business Development Head of UTHINC to everyone who joined the promo.

EDGEDAVAO

SPORTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 84 • JUNE 29 - 30, 2012

Dreamed Team

A team the rest of the world can only dream By Neil Bravo

lRIGHt, Dwight Howard is out. lamarcus Aldridge is out. And possibly, Dwyane Wade will be out. But heck, this team still got Kobe Bryant, newlycrowned nBA champ and mVP lebron James, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant, Russel Westbrook. Add Blake Griffin and college phenom Anthony Davis. man, this is a team everybody dreams about. so what does coack mike Kryzweski still had to worry about? With the 2012 summer olympics rapidly approaching and the UsA men’s basketball training camp set to begin on July 5, Coach K will be spending the Fourth of July trying out a few big men to give the team additional size. Krzyzewski is reported to be heading to las Vegas to take a look at Griffin, Dallas mavericks lamar odom, and draft prospect Davis in an attempt to replace a couple of injured stars who will be unavailable for the olympics. An additional roster spot became available when orlando magic C Dwight Howard underwent back surgery late in the 2012 nBA season. Krzyzewski initially turned to Portland Blazers lamarcus Aldridge in anticipation of a long recovery period. However, Aldridge too went down with an injury, this one to his knee, and will miss the olympics as well. As a result, Coach K is down to three big men: miami Heat’s Chris Bosh, n.Y. Knicks’ tyson Chandler, and minnesota timberwolves’ Kevin love. now, if you have only a Chandler as the only true center on the roster, you got to retool your team and find additional size to counter the opposition such as spain, which boasts brothers marc and Pau Gasol. Griffin could be a good choice. He is an explosive 23-year-old forward and an excellent scorer and rebounder who has been improving his range since entering the league. He is a monster facing the rim with the ball in his hands,

as he has piled up numerous highlight-reel dunks. Griffin’s defense is a sore spot though according to observers. He is also inconsistent at the free throw line. For his part, odom is a veteran forward with 2 nBA titles and played on the men’s team at the 2004 olympics and the 2010 FIBA World Championship. He’s a versatile scorer and ballhandler, who played center for the 2010 team. However, odom’s mental condition is suspect as he is coming off his worst season ever. From the lakers, he was sent to the mavericks where he was nary a shadow of his old self and was relegated at one point to the D-league. For a player of odom’s caliber, that is an insult. If there is something that could light up the talks here it is Davis, the reigning collegiate player of the year. Davis is just 19 years old, yet possesses great basketball acumen. He’s a defensive genius, averaging over four blocks per game as a freshman at Kentucky. He also has winning pedigree, as he led the Wildcats to the nCAA title. Davis handles the ball very well for a boy his size. His offensive game needs polishing though, although he can score from beyond the arc. Question is, will he mix it well with the veterans like Bryant? Davis took a shot at Bryant recently as he was destined to be tabbed no. 1 in the draft. that does not sit well for a rookie. there’s also the question of whether he’s too young to make the team, although he is a lock to be selected no. 1 overall in the nBA Draft. He would be the first olympian without nBA experience since emeka okafor made the 2004 team. the men’s olympic team continues to scramble for players as injuries have mounted. Already out of the team were Chicago Bulls’ Derrick Rose and the Clippers’ Chauncy Billups. It’s a close call as the olympics draw near. But knowing the vast talent landscape the UsA Basketball has to choose from, the UsA team remains everybody’s dream of a team. Lebron James will try to add the Olympic gold to his NBA title.

Federer, Djokovic advance in Wimbledon

oGeR Federer clobbered Fabio Fognini, 6-1, 6-3, 6-2, in the second round of the Wimbledon Championships while defend-

ing champion novak Djokovic kept abreast by defeating American Ryan Harrison, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 as both reached the third round

A little while later, Andy Roddick, a three-time Wimbledon runner-up, finally completed his first-round match against British wild

card Jamie Baker, winning, 7-6 (1), 6-4, 7-5. tamira Paszek upset former world no. 1 Caroline

FFEDERER, 16 Roger Federer in action in the second round.

SPORTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 84 • JUNE 29 - 30, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Cesc Fabregas (left) of Spain celebrates after the Spaniards defeated Protugal on penalties.(Right) Portugal’s star Cristiano Ronaldo bows his head after the defeat.

Viva Espana Spain stops Ronaldo, beats Portugal in penalties

onetsK - spain’s ‘tiki taka’ passing was off-tempo at the Donbass Arena but the holders, unable to hurt Portugal in 120 minutes of stalemate, broke their hearts in a penalty shootout to reach the final of euro 2012 on Wednesday. substitute Cesc Fabregas converted the winning spot-kick, off the inside of the post, to set off wild celebrations from the spanish players. “When I stepped up to take the penalty I said to the ball that we had to

make history and that it shouldn’t let me down,” said an ecstatic Fabregas after spain’s 4-2 spot-kick victory following a 0-0 draw after extra time. For Portugal, who had fought hard all night, questions will be asked why their top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo did not take a kick as they fell to their third semi-final defeat in four appearances at the stage. Portugal had won their previous two penalty shootouts in major tournament matches. But coach Paulo Ben-

to was proud of the way his team went toe-to-toe with the world champions, even outdoing them in terms of possession. “If I had to choose a way of losing I wouldn’t choose this way... spain is a great team but we can leave with our heads high,” he said. “We can be sure that we can compete with any team at any tournament.” spain have now equaled West Germany’s european record from the early 1970s by reaching three consecutive major tournament finals and

victory in Kiev on sunday would make them the first team to win three in a row. But the watching Germans and Italians, who meet in Warsaw on thursday, will have taken heart from a below-par performance from the spaniards against a pressing Portugal team. the aura of invincibility that once surrounded them has gradually faded in this tournament and while they still remain the team to beat, their ‘tiki taka’ passing did not hurt Portugal.

Federer... FFROM 15

Wozniacki, 5-7, 7-6 (4), 6-4, while 2011 Us open champion samantha stosur and 2011 French open champion li na also bowed out. 72nd-ranked Arantxa Rus beat fifth seed stosur, 6-2, 0-6, 6-4, and world no. 52 sorana Cirstea won, 6-3, 6-4, over 11th seed li. World no. 31 Klara Zakopalova beat 13th seed Dominika Cibulkova, 6-4, 6-1. Former no. 1 Ana Ivanovic defeated maria

Jose martinez sanchez 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 and Kim Clijsters, also a former topranked player, reached the third round with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Andrea Hlavackova. several matches on the open courts were suspended, including the match featuring topranked maria sharapova, who was leading tsvetana Pironkova, 7-6 (3), 3-1, when play was stopped because of darkness.