VOL. 6 ISSUE 104 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 2013
P 15.00 • 20 PAGES
www.edgedavao.net
EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society
BONDING. A 3-month old tiger cub compassionately stares at its trainer at the Davao Crocodile Park yesterday. The Serbian-Bengal cross-bred tiger cub is one of three under the care of the park. Lean Daval jr.
KADAYAWAN IN PERIL
Rody may cancel Kadayawan, ‘if’…. By EJ DOMINIC FERNANDEZ ejf@edgedavao.net
D
AVAO City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte would order the cancellation of the Kadayawan Festival set to open this Friday if he sees that there is an imminent danger to public security after the recent series of bombings in Mindanao that as of this writing killed 16 people and injured dozens of others in the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Cotabato. Speaking to members of the media at the Yellow Fin restaurant in Ecoland yesterday, Duterte said he that he would come up with a decision to cancel or push through with the festival on August 13. “If I feel in my gut that there is danger, I will scrub the whole festival,” he said, adding that they are assessing and reevaluating the various intelligence reports collated. He said he will consult the police and the military to rate the safety and security of the festival from 1 to 10, and if the rating will be below 7.5, then he would
cancel the Kadayawan. If ever a bomb explodes during the festival, then he would run the city the marshal law way. “I have no power to do that, but I will put the city under a very tight watch,” he said. He said the United States of America, Australia and Canada are in a better position to validate terrorist threats. They released a travel advisory reminding their nationals not to go to Zamboanga, Cotabato and Davao City, and indeed bombs exploded in Mindanao, he said. He believes that the bombings in Cagayan de Oro and Cotabato City are connected, done by terrorist entities, and are not politically motivated. He said that if he is forced to cancel the Ladayawan, “it would not be because I am afraid, but because I would not want to put people’s lives in peril.”
President here for MinBizCon P
RESIDENT Aquino and 12 cabinet secretaries are slated to attend this morning opening of the 22nd Mindanao Business Conference, the biggest gathering of business leaders and organizations in the island-region to date. “We are really excited of the President and the cabinet secretaries’ partic-
ipation in the conference,” said Daniel Lim, president of the hosting Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII). Malacanang’s “powerhouse” participation in the event indicates the strong commitment of the national government to push for the Mindanao agenda and
FPRESIDENT,10
BOC-Davao exceeds target anew By ANTONIO M. AJERO
F
ama@edgedavao.net
OR the nth time, the District Port of Davao of the Bureau of Customs surpassed its monthly collection target in July. This was bared by acting District Collector Edward James A. Dy Buco, who has jurisdiction over the ports of Davao, General Santos City, Parang and Mati City. Lawyer Dy Buco reported that the district notched a total collection of
P573.462 million from July 1-31, surpassing by P74.425 million or 15 percent it target for the month of P499 million. He said the bulk of the collection of P501.1 million was contributed by the Port of Davao, followed by General Santos with P72.27 million. Davao’s collection in July surpassed target by 11 percent, but General Santos surpassed its goal by 52 percent, Dy Buco bared.
FBOC,10
INSIDE:
7 soldiers wounded in ambush
2 3
Chot: ‘We just need to find a way’
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No FPIC, no mining - NCIP
2 THE BIG NEWS EDGEDAVAO
VOL. 6 ISSUE 104 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 2013
Roxas names suspect in CDO bombing I
NTERIOR and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II on Wednesday identified one of the suspects in the July 26 Cagayan de Oro City bombing that killed eight people and wounded more than 40 others. Roxas, during a Senate hearing, named a certain Usman Hapids as one of the perpetrators of the bomb attack at the Kyla’s Bistro in Cagayan de Oro City. The DILG chief said that authorities are also trying to establish the identities of the other perpetrators in the bombing that killed eight people. Criminal charges, Roxas said, were being readied by the police against the perpetrators of the
deadly bombing. The identification of Hapids was based on the computerized facial composite which was produced following accounts of the witnesses who described the man who supposedly seen leaving a bag at the bistro minutes before the explosion shortly before midnight on July 26. Operations are still ongoing to capture the perpetrators. 3 Cotabato bombing suspects arrested In Cotabato City, three persons believed to have carried out the Monday bombing here which left eight people dead and more than 30 others wounded have been ar-
FROXAS, 10
POSSIBLE POSTPONEMENT. Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte announces the possibility of postponing some Kadayawan Festival highlights if security threats worsen. The mayor met the press yesterday to discuss the recent
bomb attacks in other key cities of Mindanao, at Yellow Fin Restaurant along Quimpo Blvd., Davao City. Lean Daval Jr.
DCPO, PSSCC to make No FPIC, no mining - NCIP Kadayawan safe, secure By EJ DOMINIC FERNANDEZ ejf@edgedavao.net
A
S long as the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) has not issued a Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), Alberto Gold Corporation’s and Penson Corporation’s applications for permit to explore will not be approved by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB). NCIP chief administrative officer Geroncio Aguio told Edge Davao that MBG 11 has not endorsed any memorandum of agreement (MOA) or any docu-
ment that proves that the indigenous people (IPs) of Paquibato have allowed the mining companies to explore thereat. In Tuesday’s city council session, NCIP provincial officer of Davao Cristito Ingay said, “it’s one thing that MGB missed, there was no official endorsement.” Aguio said once the NCIP receives a document showing that the IPs of Paquibato would allow the mining companies to explore, then the NCIP will conduct
an inquiry in the IP community in the area to confirm that the IPs understand what they approved. If NCIP finds out that the IP community approves of the proposed mining activity, it would issue an FPIC, which is one of the requirements the MGB needs from mining companies applying to mine an area. If mining companies do not have an FPIC the MGB can’t issue a permit to them since it is among the requirements, and they would
just return the endorsement to the local level, said Aguio. He said, ”Our (NCIP) main concern is whether the IP community would allow the mining activity or not, if they allow it, then there is nothing we can do, as long as they understand what they are permitting. But as of now, our office has not yet received any endorsement showing that the IP community has given its consent to the exploration or any mining activity,” he said.
T
HE Davao City Police Office (DCPO) and Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC) are prepared to make Kadayawan 2013 (August 9-18) safe and secure against any threat from terrorists. Some 2,500 police and military personnel will be deployed in the city, according to a report from the DCPO and PSSCC. “Yes, we are ready,” DCPO chief Ronald dela Rosa confirmed to Edge Davao yesterday. PSSCC chief Francisco Villaroman, on the other hand, told Edge, “we are trying to secure Davao
NO CAUSE FOR PANIC. Davao City Police Office KADAYAWAN MATTERS. Acting City Tourism head Lisette Marques consults Oca Casaysay before the start of the final Kadayawan (DCPO) chief Ronald Dela Rosa talks to the perFestival executive committee meeting yesterday at the Davao City Hall. Lean Daval Jr. sonnel of Gaisano South Mall along Ilustre Street
City, as best as we can,” adding that they are coordinating well with the DCPO. Last July 27, eight people were killed when a car bomb exploded in Cagayan de Oro City and August 5, eight more people died while 30 others were injured in another explosion in Cotabato city. These bombings happened after the United States of America, Canada and Australia, issued a travel advisory reminding their nationals not to go to certain cities in Mindanao, including Cotabato, Zamboanga and Davao City.’ EJF
after a water pipe inside the establishment blasted which caused panic in the area yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.
EDGEDAVAO
SUBURBIA
VOL. 6 ISSUE 104 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 2013
3
COTABATO CITY
BIFF admits responsibility
7 soldiers wounded in ambush S
EVEN soldiers from 12th Mechanized Company were hurt when a roadside bomb reportedly exploded in crossing Datu Kilay-Datu Bakal, Brgy. Nabundas, Shariff Saydona Mustapha Maguindanao at around 9:35am this morning. But Abu Misry Mama, spokesperson of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) claimed responsibility for the attack and said they did not use a roadside bomb but M-79 grenade launchers and a volley of gunfire. He said he received reports that at least five soldiers were killed and two others were wounded in the ambush they initiated. Col. Dickson Hermoso, spokesperson of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said the soldiers are all safe and sustained
only slight wounds. Major Jocelyn Mangadlao, spokesperson of 1st Mechanized brigade said the troops were moving from Rajah Buayan where the soldiers were stationed, en route to their headquarters in Shariff Aguak in a convoy of V-150 armored personnel carrier and KM vehicle when the bomb went off on the side of the road. The BIFF broke away from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) around March 2010, three months after Ustadz Amiril Umra Kato tendered his resignation as commander of the 105th Base Command of the MILF’s Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF). Kato, however, suffered a stroke in November 2011. [Ferdinandh B. Cabrera / MindaNews]
APPRECIATION. Monkayo Mayor Joselito B. Brillantes awards a Certificate of Appreciation to Director Priscilla N. Razon of DSWD for the department’s support to the Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan Farmers’Training Program, a project of SM Foundation in partnership with Harbest Agribusiness Corp., Depart-
ment of Agriculture, Monkayo LGU and DSWD. Some 154 professional and non-professional farmer-beneficiaries and Typhoon Pablo victims from 10 barangays in Monkayo recently graduated from the training. [DSWD/Carmela Cadigal-Duron]
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EDGEDAVAO
NATION/WORLD
VOL. 6 ISSUE 104 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 2013
DOF files raps against Mindanao Customs officer I
T is business as usual for the anti-corruption arm of the Department of Finance, as it confronts a Customs official for his failure to account for several assets and business interest in his sworn Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs). The Revenue Integrity Protection Service (RIPS) initiated administrative and criminal complaints with the Office of the Ombudsman on August 2, 2013 against Liling Domato Comayog, currently assigned as Assistant Customs Operations Officer at the Bureau of Customs’ (BOC) Mindanao International Container Terminal (MICT), Cargo Control Section, who failed to report his real properties, private vehicles, a firearm, and his taxi service business, in violation of Section 7, Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act; Section 8 of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards of Public Officials and Employees; and Falsification of Official Documents and Perjury under the Revised Penal Code. An examination of Comayog’s SALNs filed for the years 2004 to 2010 revealed that he consistently reported a house and lot located in Cagayan De Oro City. However, in the course of the investigation, it was established that Comayog only declared for tax purposes a two-story residential building located at Block 3, Lot 9, Barra,Macabalan, Cagayan De Oro City, since the lot upon which the house was erected was
MANILA
owned by the National Housing Authority (NHA), as evidenced by a tax declaration and certification from the City Assessor’s Office of the said locality. “Hence, respondent has falsely declared that he owns a parcel of land in Cagayan de Oro City when no such real property is declared under his name for taxation purposes. Worse, respondent failed to declare the two-story residential building in his SALN for 2011,” RIPS statedin its complaint. On the other hand, Comayog’s house and lot in Johndorf, Barra, Opol, Misamis Oriental was discovered to have been owned by Comayog since 2008 but which was only declared in his SALN filed for 2011. Supporting documents obtained from the Municipal Assessor of Opol confirmed that the same residential property was previously registered to the Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) but which was conveyed to Comayog by virtue of a 2008 Deed of Absolute Sale. Said RIPS in its complaint, “Considering that said residential land and building were sold to respondent in 2008, he should have declared them in his SALNs for 2008 to 2011.” Aside from undeclared real properties, Comayog likewise made it appear in his 2009 to 2011 SALNs that he only owned a Honda CRV worth P700,000, when it was discovered that there were six other motor vehicles which were registered under
TAX REVIEW. Senator Antonio ‘Sonny’ Trillanes IV (left) calls for the review of the taxes and expenses passed-on to consumers by Maynilad and Manila Water in a privilege speech he delivered on Tuesday (Aug. 6, 2013) at his name and his spouse, Sonaya A. Comayog, comprising of four units of Toyota Vios, a Honda CRV, and a Toyota Hilux, based on the official records from the Land Transportation Office (LTO), and all of which were not duly reported in his SALNs in the said years. Incidentally, as borne from the LTO records, four Toyota Vios sedans which belonged to Comayog were classified “for hire”. As RIPS observed in its complaint,
“Undoubtedly, respondent and his wife, who is the registered owner of said motor vehicles, are engaged in thebusiness of common carriage. Hence, respondent should have also declared it as a business interest and financial connection in his SALNs and disclosed therein when they acquired the same.” There was nary an indication that Comayog’s taxi service was declared as business interest in his SALNs. Comayog also failed to
the Senate Session Hall. Meanwhile, Senator Juan Ponce Enrile (right) asks Trillanes about who has the franchise to distribute water in Metro Manila and other related questions. (PNA photos by Jess Escaros Jr.) declare in his SALNs a caliber .45 BRSA Mini Thunder DT pistol which was verified to be his on the basis of a certification issued by the Firearms and Explosives Office of the Philippine National Police (PNP-FEO). Comayog is facing additional administrative charges for Grave Misconduct and Dishonesty under pertinent Civil Service Rules for the same offenses. Considerably, the Office of the Ombudsman
may place Comayog under preventive suspension without pay pending investigation of the administrative and criminal cases against the latter pursuant to Section 24, Republic Act 6770, or the Ombudsman Act of 1989. As mandated by Executive Order No. 259, series of 2003, RIPS, at present, has initiated 143 graft and lifestyle cases against 186 personalities and 62 suspensions from office and 22 dismissals from the service. (PNA)
Palace assures probe on Solons alarmed over spying claims against Chinese firms Mindanao bombings ongoing
T
WO Visayan lawmakers yesterday expressed deep concern on the integrity of the country’s national defense and security infrastructure which may have been compromised amid the raging controversy over spying claims against China’s electronics and communication firms Huwaie and ZTE. According to Samar Congressman Mel Senen Sarmiento, there might be a need to conduct a through inventory on the country’s defense and security-related assets and equipment which may have components that can be exploited for espionage, sabotage and other activities that may undermine the country’s national security. “These revelations made by former Central Intelligence Agency chief Michael Hayden that telecoms giant Huwaei has been spying in Western countries on behalf of China should also concern us. Our present
Says PHL could also be a target territorial dispute with China makes us primary target for espionage or even sabotage. As early as now, we should be able to identify and isolate defense assets and equipment that use Chinese components,” Sarmiento said. Sarmiento however stressed that such inventory should only involve electronics and communication equipment that can have an impact on the country’s security and defense as he noted that there is no reason for the Department of Education (DepEd) to be pulling out computer donations that are only intended for educational purposes. DepEd Undersecretary Mario Deriquito has indicated that DepEd might reject a donation of cloud-based computers from telecoms giant Huawei because of Hayden’s spying claims. “I think that this proposed inventory should only involve security-related electronics, com-
munication, computers and other gadgets which may impact on our defense capabilities. A single GPS (global positioning system) device that goes haywire due to sabotage can cost the lives of our soldiers in the field,” Sarmiento said as he noted that the country’s special forces units are already using GPS during long-range combat patrols and in calling artillery support during combat operations. Iloilo City Congressman Jerry Trenas on the other hand revealed that most if not all of the equipment used by the country’s telecommunication companies are made by Huwaie, ZTE and other China-made electronic and communication firms. He said that only recently, telecommunications giant Globe Telecoms underwent a major upgrade on all of its equipment and is now using Huwaie for all of its major communication
components, from its a base transceiver stations (BTS) and Base Station Controls (BSC) up to its Mobile Switching Centers for its 3G core network elements, down to its transport components such as microwave and fiber optic cables. “They were using Nokia before but decided to replace them with Huwaie. I was told that this this is one of the reasons why Globe has all sorts of problems nowadays but what really concerns me now is the fact that Globe’s network security may have been compromised because of this migration to Huwaie equipment,” Trenas said. As a major telecommunications company and a recipient of a congressional franchise, Trenas said that it is Globe’s responsibility to ensure not only the privacy of its subscribers but is its also its obligation to protect the country’s defense and security,” Trenas said.
A
UTHORITIES are exhausting all means to identify the culprits in the spate of deadly bombings in several areas in Mindanao where at least 10 persons have died and scores injured for the past two weeks, a Palace official assured Wednesday. Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said authorities are on top of the situation and that the government has intensified intelligence gathering to identify the perpetrators in the deadly attacks in the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Cotabato two weeks ago and Wednesday’s explosions in Midsayap, North Cotabato and Maguindanao. “Kahit saan mangyari ‘yon, we’ve always mentioned na we’ve intensified intelligence gathering. We’re looking into all situations (It does not matter where the explosion occurs, we’ve always mentioned that we’ve in-
tensified intelligence gathering.We’re looking into all situations),” Lacierda told reporters in a media briefing. On Tuesday, Pres. Aquino met with the Cabinet security cluster to discuss the situation in Mindanao but Lacierda failed to give details of the meeting. “Di pa namin masabi ngayon kung ano napag-usapan sa meeting ng security cluster but the government is well aware of the incidents, (I still cannot say what were talked about during the meeting of the security cluster but the government is well aware of the incidents),” he said. The first explosion in Midsayap occurred around 3:30 a.m. Wednesday and caused no casualties but suspected Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF)set off another improvised explosive device in Maguindanao that left seven soldiers wounded. (PNA)
THE ECONOMY 5
EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 104 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 2013
ETHNIC. A lady who belongs to the B’laan tribe is seen behind the ethnic products she sells at the Davao Crocodile Park in Ma-a, Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.
Under new zoning and land use plan:
No room for mining in Paquibato By GREGORIO G. DELIGERO greg@edgedavao.net
T
HERE is actually no place for mining operations in the largely mountainous district of Paquibato, based on the land use capability classification embodied in the comprehensive land use plan (CLUP) and the corresponding amended comprehensive zoning ordinance of Davao City enacted by the city council last June 24. Paquibato’s total land area is 65,240 hectares, but 96.88 percent of the area cannot be utilized for other purposes other than non-tillage agriculture, forest and conservation use. CLUP defines agricultural non-tillage as areas that should not be tilled due to environmental constraints and significance to adjacent areas. These areas should at best be developed as agro-forest areas. Lands delineated as conservation areas are also characterized with “serious environmental constraints and their extreme importance to maintaining environmental balance.” These areas are either highly prone to mass movements, important to maintaining surface water supply, or are important recharge areas for groundwater. According to CLUP, agriculture practices, es-
pecially agri-forestry and non-tillage agriculture, will be allowed in 41,327 hectares of Paquibato while the conservation areas where development is not allowed cover 12,894 hectares. Another 9,030 hectares are devoted to forest use. In all, only 2,034 hectares are left for other purposes. On June 30, 2011, the regional office of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) endorsed for favorable action of its central office the applications for exploration permits of Pensons Mining Corporation and Alberto Mining Corporation in barangays Lumiad, Mapula, Salapawan and Tapak in Paquibato district covering a total of 16,867 hectares. Penson Mining covers 8,391 hectares while Alberto Mining applied for 8,475 hectares. MGB’s favorable recommendation stemmed from information that the proposed mining projects appear to be acceptable to the indigenous cultural communities as evidenced by the memorandum of agreement (MoA) with indigenous cultural communities. The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) has issued Certificate of Ancestral
Domain Title (CADT) to indigenous communities, mostly Ata, in Paquibato covering 59,578 hectares. Of the total, 36,383 hectares are classified as agricultural while 12,604 hectares are classified for conservation. Another 8,785 hectares are classified as forest zone. Under the CLUP, Paquibato is designated as center for community-based agro-forestry development and upland agricultural development. “The district with its potential as a major agriculture production area will serve as the supplier of food and agricultural products for processing plants in Bunawan and Toril. Fresh produce from the district will be consolidated in Toril as well as in warehouses of the Agdao district. As in the Marilog area, permanent crops like rubber, durian, cacao, coffee and banana will be prioritized as agri forestry crops,” it said. According to the plan, road systems that will connect Paquibato to Calinan and Buhangin districts will be built so that farm produce can be transported directly to local markets. At present, the lack of all-weather roads in the district makes it difficult for the transport of farm produce to the markets
of Davao City. More often, farmers market their products to Panabo City since it is more accessible. As Davao City relies primarily on agriculture for food, feeds and raw materials for agricultural industries and other in-
dustries, the CLUP said “it is encouraged to optimize the viability of the agriculture sector by protecting the agricultural areas from incompatible uses that would adversely affect the long-term economic viability of the
area.” Among the declared policies is to prevent incompatible activity by applying stricter controls to forms of development not directly related to agriculture production or its value-adding activities.
Feed safety, efficient livestock production to highlight Livestock Philippines 2013
F
EED safety and its impact on livestock productivity will be the main highlight of LIVESTOCK PHILIPPINES 2013, the country’s official livestock and feed expo which is set to take place on August 7-9, 2013 at the SMX Convention Centre in Pasay City. Over 200 exhibitors from 20 countries have confirmed participation. The expo will be opened by President Benigno S. Aquino III and attended by no less than 5000 professionals from the livestock, feed, meat processing, and veterinarians not only from the Philippines but throughout ASEAN. As its initial staging in 2011 gained much prominence in the global agribusiness community, LIVESTOCK PHILIPPINES 2013 will have international pavilions that will
gather major stakeholders from Singapore, mainland China, Taiwan, South Korea and the UK. With the theme “Food Security through Feeds Safety”, LIVESTOCK PHILIPPINES 2013 will focus on the daily struggles of farmers in providing cost-efficient healthy feeds for their swine, poultry and ruminants. Moreover, the show’s business-to-business ambiance will be an ideal venue in sealing business transactions between existing and potential trade partners. Co-located with the event is FEED EXPO 2013 where all aspects of feed management such as feed quality control, manufacturing and processing will be emphasized. FEED EXPO 2013 will also take the spotlight on distinguished organizations with the FEED EXPO IN-
DUSTRY RECOGNITION where companies and personalities will be given recognition for their contribution to the development of the Philippine feed industry. The three-day event will surely delight industry professionals with the broad showcase of advanced machinery and equipment to accommodate the evolving needs of the livestock sector. Endorsed and supported by the Department of Agriculture, LIVESTOCK PHILIPPINES 2013 is organized by UBM Exhibitions Philippines, a subsidiary of UBM PLC Company. To know more of LIVESTOCK PHILIPPINES 2013, visit www.livestockphilippines.com or contact Michael Blancas at +632-8860348, 8860333, email: michael.blancas@ ubm.com
6
THE ECONOMY
Stat Watch 1. Gross National Income Growth Rate (At Constant 2000 Prices)
7.1 1st Qtr 2013
2. Gross Domestic Product Growth Rate (At Constant 2000 Prices)
7.8 1st Qtr 2013
3. Exports 1/ 4. Imports 1/ 5. Trade Balance 6. Balance of Payments 2/ 7. Broad Money Liabilities
USD 3,741 million Feb 2013 USD 4,708 million Feb 2013 USD -967 million Feb 2013 USD -640 million Dec 2012 P 4,964,560 million Feb 2013
8. Interest Rates 4/
2.4 % Mar 2013 P113,609 million Mar 2013 P 5,281 billion Mar 2013
9. National Government Revenues 10. National government outstanding debt 11. Peso per US $ 5/
P 41.14 Apr 2013
12. Stocks Composite Index 6/
6,847.5 Mar 2013
13. Consumer Price Index 2006=100
132.8 Apr 2013
14. Headline Inflation Rate 2006=100
2.6 Apr 2013
15. Core Inflation Rate 2006=100
3.1 Apr 2013
16. Visitor Arrivals
418,108 Feb 2013
17. Underemployment Rate 7/
20.9% Jan 2013
18. Unemployment Rate 7/
7.1% Jan 2013
MONTHLY AVERAGE EXCHANGE RATE (January 2012-April 2013) Month Average December November October September August July June May April March February January
2013
2012
2011
40.67 40.73
42.23 41.01 41.12 41.45 41.75 42.04 41.91 42.78 42.85 42.70 42.86 42.66 43.62
43.31 43.64 43.27 43.45 43.02 42.42 42.81 43.37 43.13 43.24 43.52 43.70 44.17
VOL. 6 ISSUE 104 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 2013
EDGEDAVAO
Japan commits to help SMEs T
HE Japanese government is committed to continuously help the Philippine small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Philippines Chief Representative Takahiro Sasaki said JICA is determined to provide assistance on the gaps being experienced and identified by the local SMEs by sharing its expertise through various programs it is implementing with different organizations. In the case of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), JICA is extending some assistance to SMEs through the National Industry Cluster Capacity Enhancement Project (NICCEP). The NICCEP, which is a three-year technical cooperation funded by JICA and started last year, strives to enhance the capacity of selected industry clusters throughout the country to plan, implement, facilitate service delivery, evaluate projects, and improve industry competitiveness and business environment. The priority industry clusters are: milkfish, dairy, coffee, bamboo, tourism, information and communications technology (ICT), health and wellness, and wearables and homestyles for Luzon; gifts, decors, and housewares (GDH), tourism, ICT, and health and wellness for Visayas; and, banana, man-
go, coconut, seaweeds, wood, mining, tourism, ICT, rubber, poultry, tuna, and palm oil for Mindanao. Sasaki recognized the NICCEP for its contribution to the country’s economic development as it generates income and jobs for the middle class business sector. Among the project’s major contributions are the generation of 97,000 jobs and P2.6 billion worth of investments. Meanwhile, DTI 11 Regional Director Marizon S. Loreto said she’s optimistic that JICA’s commitment will bring about positive results in the economic performance of the country, especially in Davao Region. “Most of the identified priority industry clusters under NICCEP are vastly produced in the region. Therefore, we already have the opportunity for these industries to further capture success, especially economically speaking,” she said. The Davao Industry Cluster Capacity Enhancement Project (DICCEP), which is the predecessor of NICCEP and implemented from 2008 until 2010, was able to facilitate the preparation of 69 action plans/project implementation plans, reaching out about 4,700 beneficiaries upon implementation. Some of the projects implemented under DICCEP became showcase of collabora-
tive action and innovation. For instance, the pilot projects for the enhancement of banana industry cluster in Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte, model cooperative seaweeds farming of the Island Garden City of Samal, mango dwarfing (rejuvenation) project of Southern Philippines Agri-Business and
Marine and Aquatic School of Technology (SPAMAST), and tourism databank and web-marketing were considered showcases that can be replicated. Many practitioners, researchers, investors and industry players visited these projects. [DTI 11/JenMendoza]
“If you compare the economy to a pie, we recognize that the pie has grown. Mahalaga ‘yon. Lumalaki ang pie, lumalaki ang ekonomiya,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda told a media briefing.
Lacierda said the Aquino administration would continue to improve the economy to ensure that the gains are felt by the poor. “But what’s important for us is that more people get a slice of
the pie. That’s inclusive growth as stated by the President in his State of the Nation Address,” he said. In his SONA, Pres. Aquino vowed to focus on improving the lives of the poor as it works toward achieving inclusive growth. “Our strategy is to maximize opportunities for all, especially for those most in need. We are not content to wait for the trickle-down effect,” Aquino said in his SONA last month. In May, the S&P upgraded the Philippines to investment grade from “BB+” to “BBB-” and assigned a stable outlook on the country’s new rating. In terms of gross domestic product (GDP), the country grew by 7.8 percent in the first half of the year, the highest recorded economic expansion in Asean. The Philippines is also projected to grow at 6.9 percent for 2013, 6.1 percent for next year and 6.5 percent for 2015. This is faster than the projected ASEAN growth of 5.5 percent, 5.6 percent and 5.4 percent during similar periods. [PNA]
BY THE NUMBERS Data from the National Statistics Offic e (NSO) showed
July inflation ea sed to
2.5% the lowest sinc e September 2009, when in flation stood at
2.3%.
SOURCE: CITY NSO
Palace welcomes S&P report on PH economic status M
ALACAÑANG welcomed the latest Standard and Poor’s report saying the Philippines is now the ‘leader’ among Southeast Asian nations in terms of economic growth.
OUTDOOR PARLOR. An enterprising beautician at the park trims a woman’s eyebrow in front of Sangguniang Panlungsod along San Pedro Street in Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.
as of May 2013 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 Cebu Pacific Thu
5J961 / 5J962 Z2390 / Z2390 5J593 / 5J348 PR809 / PR810 PR819 / PR820 5J394 / 5J393 5J599 / 5J594 5J347 / 5J596 5J963 / 5J964 PR811 / PR812 5J595 / 5J966 5J965 / 5J968
5:45 5:45 6:00 6:10 7:50 7:50 8:00 9:10 9:40 11:30 12:00 12:55
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 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 13:25
Cebu Pacific Tue/Wed//Sat 5J965 / 5J968 13:35 Silk Air Mon/Sat MI588 / MI588 13:35 Silk Air Wed/Sun MI566 / MI566 15:20 Silk Air Thurs MI551 / MI551 12:05 Cebu Pacific Mon/Tue/Wed/Fri 5J507 / 5J598 15:00 Philippine Airlines August 15:55 Mani2Mani 16:50 Zest Air Daily Z2524 / Z2525 16:05
Manila-Davao-Manila Davao-Singapore Davao-Singapore Davao-Singapore Cebu-Davao-Cebu
14:05 18:55 18:55 15:45 15:30
Cebu-Davao-Cebu
16:45
7 PROPERTY
EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 104 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 2013
Northpoint’s limited edition 2BR units up for huge discounts I
NVESTING in real estate has never been this easy with Northpoint’s limited edition condo rush. For this month only, selected Liverpool two-bedroom units are offered at a special promotion that investors and homebuyers alike will find very hard to resist. Buyers of some Liverpool two-bedroom units will be given huge outright discounts that can reach as high as P750,000. Also available are flexible financing schemes that will make buying a Liverpool unit a breeze. Regular down payment of 15 percent can be made in 34 months, making it easy on the pocket of homebuyers, even those on a budget. More discounts are given to those who opt to make a spot payment, and that’s on top of outright discounts already given. Add it all up and homebuyers will realize they have already incurred substantial savings even at the time of purchase. That’s an unbeatable proposition for homebuyers and investors out to make the best value for their money. And with Liverpool’s unique features, the deal is even sweeter. Liverpool is Northpoint’s fourth and tallest tower at 15 storeys high and its greenest building so far. Designed to principles of green architecture, Liverpool has the least impact to the environment and its inhabitants. The building is designed
to harness natural light and breeze, making the structure energy efficient as it needs less artificial lighting and air-conditioning. It will have Sky Gardens, a feature unique to Liverpool, that are openings within the building that will allow it to breathe. The gardens will have natural, live plants that will emit fresh oxygen, provide a pleasant place for some downtime, and bring the green outdoor inside the building.
Which is not to say that the Liverpool needs to enhance its greenery. Planted across Northpoint’s undulating grounds are hundreds of imported Caribbean pine trees that emit the refreshingly sweet scent of pine. These can grow to almost a hundred feet high, providing cooling shade and a natural barrier for nature’s elements such as strong winds, heavy rains, and fierce sunlight.
Liverpool also enjoys the prestige of sharing Northpoint’s premier address. Located at the junction of Buhangin and JP Laurel Avenue in Bajada, it is a stone’s throw away from everything its unit owners might want and need. Liverpool residents will also have the privilege to enjoy Northpoint’s worldclass facilities, such as a fitness gym, multi-purpose hall, grill pits, cabanas, and
a salinated wellness pool and kiddie splash pool, all housed inside its majestic clubhouse, Wakefield Manor. It has a jogging track, playground, nature park, pocket gardens, 24/7 security with CCTV, and even a shuttle service to ferry homeowners around the property. With all these features, Liverpool is the best thing that will happen to homebuyers and investors
looking to buy real estate. Whether they choose to live in or rent out their Liverpool unit, they are assured of a making a wise and profitable investment for the future. More details on the Liverpool promo is available at the Camella offices at Delgar Bldg., JP Laurel Avenue, Bajada, telephone 295-3973, http://www.camella.com. ph/. Like “Camella Official” on Facebook and follow “@ CamellaOfficial” on Twitter.
TRONG demand for residential properties in Metro Manila fringe areas shows that the residential market still hasn’t reached its full potential. The residential market in regions outside the Metro has been overlooked for quite some time, but demand in these areas, particularly for single-detached houses, is continuously growing. The average monthly take-up of horizontal residential properties excluding socialized housing for 2012 is 816 units for Central Luzon (Region III) and 1,914 units for Calabarzon (Region IV). The growth potential in Metro fringe areas remains high, given the stellar take-up in these regions, driven predominantly by overseas workers. Economic developments priced at around P400,000 to P1.25 million are the most pop-
ular in Region IV, while units priced above P4.0 million are more saleable in Region III. Region IV had the most number of units given license to sell by HLURB, with a large portion of supply in 2011 and 2012 from economic housing developments. Data from HUDCC (Housing and Urban Coordinating Council) shows that the total housing needs in 2013 amounts to 646,128, where 57 percent will come from new households who can afford to own/lease a residential property. This number will balloon to 7.5 million in 2016. The growing number of OFWs and BPO employees will drive the demand for horizontal developments, particularly for the economic housing developments. BPO full-time employees alone grow by approximately 30,000 ev-
ery year. Jan Custodio, head of CBRE Global Research & Consultancy, shared during the latest briefing that, “Metro Manila’s fringes continue to present a viable opportunity for quality residential developments.” Rick Santos, CBRE Philippines chairman and founder, shared that there is a sustainable demand in the residential market. “This is the best property market we had in the past 20 years. The democratization of the housing sector, brought about by low interest rates and affordable payment schemes, is converting more Filipinos from renters to owners. Solid macroeconomic fundamentals, investor confidence, sound fiscal policies and record low interest rates will sustain demand in the property market.”
ONG KONG -- With its pounding construction sites and constant roar of traffic, Hong Kong is a cacophony of noise with experts and residents calling on authorities to keep a lid on the din for the sake of public health. In a densely packed city with a shortage of housing, older buildings are frequently torn down and replaced as developers snap up prime real estate. On the roads the battle between buses, trams and cars is won by the piercing drone of continuous car horns. For banker Kenny Chen, 35, the last 15 months have been a nightmare as the area around his apartment block in the upmarket central Mid-Levels neigh-
borhood has surrendered to juddering construction sites. “To lay the foundations they have to pound steel into the ground which happens twice a day -- the noise and the vibrations are really affecting us,” he told AFP, saying that as one construction project finished, another two began. “My wife had twins a month ago -- she was on maternity leave at home but because of all the noise she became very anxious and possibly the babies did too. She ended up giving birth two and a half months early.” His neighbor Debra Rull, a 60-year-old homemaker from Hong Kong who has lived in the city for 50 years, says the noise has got markedly worse in the last decade.
“The construction and roadworks are getting quite something to put up with -- it’s continuous. I think the government is concentrating too much on urban renewal.” Hong Kong may boast some of the world’s most expensive apartments, but rapid growth in the past 30 years means residents live cheek by jowl even on the outskirts of the city beside busy main roads. While air pollution continues to be a major concern in the city, noise is also affecting lifestyles. “Noise is a major environmental problem -- it’s an important aspect of our quality of life that is being compromised,” TW Wong, a research professor specializing in public health at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, told AFP. [AFP]
CBRE Philippines: Residential units Noise and the city in Metro Manila periphery growing HK’s struggle for quiet S H
8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO
EDITORIAL
S
VOL. 6 ISSUE 104 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 2013
Mayor Rody knows
AFETY first before celebration. Mayor Rodrigo Duterte knows danger like the back of his hand. After the recent string of three bombings that hit Cagayan de Oro, Cotabato City and Midsayap within a span of 12 days, the mayor yesterday pushed the alert button just ahead of the formal opening on Friday of this year’s edition of the annual Kadayawan Festival. Duterte told members of the media that he may have to order the cancellation of the popular event if the police and military cannot assure a safety rating above a grade of 7.5 on a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 as the most ideal score). The spate of bombings in Mindanao which has already claimed 16 lives and injured dozens of others came on the heels of an earlier advisory cautioning against travel to key Mindanao cities, including Davao, due to threats of terrorism. Although there is no apparent link to that advisory of the three bombings, still the mayor is not throwing away caution to the wind. The segurista
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that he is, Mayor Rody will decide on August 13, the day of reckoning: whether or not the 28th celebration of the Kadayawan should push through. For now, that’s the word. The Kadayawan is set to formally open virtually at a time when the two-day 22nd Mindanao Business Conference (Minbizcon), the biggest gathering of Mindanao businessmen which opens today is coming to a close on Friday. President Aquino is gracing the event. If at all, that is a statement that it is safe to travel to Davao City. If the President thinks that it is safe to come here, anyone should feel safe, too, including the 1,000 or so businessmen attending the Minbizcon. Kadayawan or not, it’s still business as usual in Davao City. Whatever the decision on the Kadayawan will be, it will for sure be in the best interest of the public. After all, that old adage “better safe than sorry” is still the most reliable rule of thumb given the circumstances. Mayor Rody knows best. ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief
NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor
KENNETH IRVING K. ONG Creative Solutions ARLENE D. PASAJE Cartoons
RAMON M. MAXEY Consultant
GREGORIO G. DELIGERO Associate Editor
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EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 104 •THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 2013
F
Improving foreign economic relations
DIS REINVIGORATE THE BUSINESS CLIMATE – The country’s economic relations with foreign investors have been resilient for quite some time that any renewed concessions can be considered significant. The Philippine government is now reasonably confident that foreign investors aren’t about to abandon their basic position in the domestic market. Government economists and financial managers say the big factor in strengthening economic relations, which had given the country guarantees that foreign entrepreneurs will stick to their previous commitments is that more have interest in the Philippine’s economic environment. Helping to reinvigorate the country’s economic activities were the commitment of some foreign investors and their governments to pour in more capital for infrastructure development, information technology, manufacturing and agricultural expansion. Still, the renewed investment guarantee was an achievement. Lead by the U.S., British Virgin Island, Japan, Netherlands and Australia, the country will benefit from a combined foreign investment worth P300 billion. Any fresh business negotiations are seen by the Aquino administration as very encouraging because foreign capitalists don’t seem to care about what the rabid critics and political detractors say about the country’s present socio-economic and political situation. However, other private economists are pessimistic still, and they are not so sure about the country’s recent economic improvement. For one, they noted that in terms of foreign direct investments (FDI), the country still lagged behind its neighboring regional economies. Maybe, but their observation has some basis. Here are the numbers: what the country obtained from FDI is still not substantial. It’s actually a pittance compared to what Singa-
T er.
VANTAGE POINTS
pore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and other countries in the ASEAN region acquired. Singapore, for example, received a significant portion of the FDI amounting to staggering $56 billion while the Philippines only got a tiny slice of the investment pie amounting to just $2.6 billion. What a difference! Of late, though, government was focusing too much on the trading floor and forgot about the rest, say some inquisitive economic experts. Foreign investors are interested in fast-growing sector. Aside from infrastructure and agricultural development, information technology and electronics manufacturing are two sectors that global fund managers understand. Both sectors are hungry for capital. Elsewhere, foreign investors are pumping their money into energy development and consumer-based stocks while others find some ways around investing heavily in modern agricultural technology and mass food production not to mention mine and oil explorations. But among nations, economic expansions mostly FDI dependents continued to endure. The country presently is facing minor economic difficulties, but the currency remained relatively stable, the GDP growth rate consistently looks sound and government’s overall performance has impressed somewhat. Well, the corporate outlook may not look so good and the economy may be slowing down a bit,
but that’s only temporary. The long-term economic viewpoint for the country is superb. Indeed, foreign investors persist and expectant that our national leaders, President Benigno Aquino III above all, have the political will and determination to carry out reforms and solve the country’s slackening economic fundamentals. The most encouraging development is that FDI poured in into the country although not as substantial compared to those of Singapore and other regional economies are positioned primarily as income and job-generating endeavor. Though official government forecasts call for modest economic growth in the remaining two quarters, confidence was high that FDI would continue to stream in. FDI are key elements that fuel a country’s economy and the potential benefits and impact of capital inflow may lead to permanent upsurge in economic growth. The most important thing, noted some reputable economists was that government is now able to disseminate information about FDI on a real-time basis. With up-tothe-minute progress, foreign investors are more eager to pour in more capital. Nevertheless, in any relationship, people express diverse views and some are negative. Some prefer to think that foreign capitalists have a commitment to invest in all emerging markets in the region not just because it’s a developing country like the Philippines. Their question particularly for the government is how it can make sure the economic pursuits it undertake are actually adding a bit of value to the lives of the marginal sector. The FDI is something that we are to be proud of, but only adds little comfort to the “built-in” critics and political adversaries of the present leadership. And for the country to fully emerge economically with FDI, it has to first address theirs and the people’s priority concerns.
Long live the movie business!
HE movie business is melting down. The film theater is dying. It’s a terrible time to be a movie studio. But it’s a great time to be a movie view-
George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, on a panel in June, predicted this is just the beginning. Soon there will be no more classy movies in theaters. Except for the most mega of blockbusters, we will watch everything on home screens. Film tickets soon will cost as much as a Broadway show, anywhere from $50 to $150. Then last week, Spike Lee announced a Kickstarter campaign for his next film, an untitled gore-fest of some stripe. Lee’s $1.25 million crowd-fund-raising enterprise quickly incited critics wondering why one of America’s more famous directors was going to fans for money. And a string of the most expensive films of this summer all flopped. These were clearly apocalyptic signs. The end of traditional moviemaking, financing and viewing is underway. But this future is something to celebrate rather than bemoan. For starters, consumers won’t need to go to stickyfloored, ad-laden multiplexes to watch films. Suddenly, a range of new distribution channels — neither television nor cable — are upon us. Spielberg championed the streaming company Netflix as the true wave of the future of moviemaking. And it’s true that we can now count Netflix as a first-rate creator and distributor of content. Consider Netflix’s new series Orange is the New Black, about inmates in a minimum-security prison. The 13-part series prominently features a very complex and honorable trans-female inmate, Sophia Burset, played by a real-life trans-woman, Laverne Cox, and a cast of predominantly black, Latino and gay female characters. The show easily bested most independent films and cable television shows in
OPINION BY ALISSA QUART both quality and political freshness. (And House of Cards, while not as innovative, was as competent as any of the nasty Usual Suspects-era indie film that usually starred Kevin Spacey, anyway.) As for bootstrapping, in the independent film world it makes total sense. In recent years money offers for films shown at festivals have hit new lows; at festivals some distribution companies don’t purchase anything. While a theatrical market for independent films still exists, it suffers, like the rest of the film market, from the rise of other kinds of technology: over the past decade, the specialty film divisions Picturehouse, Warner Independent Pictures, and Paramount Vantage shuttered their offices or reduced their budgets to slivers. For years independent filmmakers have struggled to raise their money from foundations and wealthy suckers — I mean friends. It’s just that in the past they weren’t audacious enough to ask the crowd for a million bucks, as Spike Lee did. Certainly, Lee’s Kickstarter campaign — to which Steven Soderbergh contributed $10,000 – may seem a little gauche. It begs the question: Who are these Goliaths in David-drag? But don’t write the rest of the Kickstarter-ites and Indiegogos as the self-indulgent fallen famous or the useless bedroom auteurs. Those using Kickstarter also include great independent filmmakers who have never had a large budget, directors like Andrew Bujalski. His most recent film is the deeply clever Computer Chess, set at a 1980 chess competition that was shot with cameras of the period, a new kind of effect in a “history” film. (The
Chilean film No!, also proudly technologically primordial with its ugly imagery via old school video cameras, is another recent example). Bujalski crowd-sourced his funding: His friends were asked to help pay for a film set to start shooting a month after the request was sent out. They were offered tax deductions, “goofy prizes at different price breaks including, most relevantly, a DVD of the finished film.” The result was something good and distinct, better than a film that would have depended on the green light of the old mini-major “indie” film studios like Miramax back in the 1990s. “There’s not a lot of room in the mainstream for much I’d be interested in,” Bujalski told me when I interviewed him a few years ago, back when he was raising funds for the film. Bujalski had made three terrific films previously and is considered the founder and the most talented of the so-called Mumblecore film movement, a rough-hewn hipster-verite trend popular in the ‘00s. Like most of the people I interviewed for Republic of Outsiders, Bujalski thinks of the established framework — in his case, Hollywood — as “a broken model.” This has long been the refrain of the truly independent, of course. It’s just that Lucas and Spielberg, the ultimate insiders, now concur. According to Lucas, it’s goodbye DreamWorks: hello DreamControl. “The next step is to be able to control your dreams,” Lucas said at the end-of-cinema panel. “You’re going to put a hat on or plug into the computer and create your own world.” First, we’ll watch flicks in kooky, immersive film environments (a giant padded cell of screens). Then, as Lucas predicts, our dreams will be invaded by film technology. First, let’s stay true to the dream of fine, disruptive content.
9
Washington Post buyer knows how to deliver COMMENTARY BY JACK SHAFER
A
(1st of two parts)
S the American newspaper business began its red-ink slide in the late 2000s, I fully expected a billionaire to rescue the financially struggling Washington Post. But I never thought its savior would be Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who recently purchased the paper for $250 million. I put my money on Michael R. Bloomberg’s money, in a July 2012 column titled “How Bloomberg can still run Washington” because he seemed like such a logical buyer. Unlike Bezos, Bloomberg already owned a media empire comprised of a news service, a cable channel, a weekly magazine, and more. Unlike Bezos, Bloomberg had toyed in semi-public with the idea of buying either the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, or the Financial Times. Unlike the 49-year-old Bezos, who has been building spaceships and an eternal clock with his mad money, the aging (71 years old) Bloomberg seemed to need one last great gesture in his career before called to paradise. He wasn’t ever going to be president, a campaign he had gamed out. As for running the World Bank, a job Bloomberg was reportedly shopped to fill, well, that would be a step down from Emperor of New York City. My matchmaking ploy failed. Washington Post Co. CEO Donald E. Graham, whose family owns a controlling interest in the company that owns the paper, humorously rebuffed my proposal in a tart email. Bloomberg didn’t knock on my door offering to pay me a finder’s fee. My idea was completely forgotten — even by me! — until today. How could I have missed Bezos as a candidate for ownership? Bezos has the means. He is worth $25.2 billion to Michael Bloomberg’s $27 billion. Buying and operating the money-losing Post – its newspaper division lost $49.3 million in the first six months of this year — wouldn’t scare him. To paraphrase Charles Foster Kane, Bezos could absorb $100 million a year losses for 250 years before going broke. Bezos’s politics aren’t that different from Graham’s. To cherry-pick a conceit from my summer 2012 column, Graham and Bloomberg are “beyondists,” David Brooks’s clever term for people whose politics appear to be centrist but strive to occupy a political space beyond left and right. Bezos’s non-doctrinaire, fluid politics make him a kind of West Coast beyondist, and as such an acceptable owner for Graham, who has resisted political labeling throughout his career. Although the libertarian movement claims Bezos as one of its own and he runs his company as free of government influence as he can, the political donations made by the Amazon PAC mark Bezos as a very practical beyondist: He contributes to both parties almost equally.
10
VOL. 6 ISSUE 104 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 2013
EDGEDAVAO
Consistently for 5 years
BOC Davao surpasses collection target anew From page 1..
July’s collection was an improvement on its June take of P506.1 million or 2 percent over its target of P486.5 million. The Davao district has consistently overshot its monthly and annual targets, the Customs official said, adding that this was the reason the district received a special award from Customs Commissioner Rozzano Rufino B. Biazon during the BOC’s 111th founding anniversary “in recognition of the port’s commendable performance for consistently exceeding its assigned target continuously for the past five (5) years from calendar year 2008 to 2012.” Dy Buco attributed the port district’s impressive performance to the “vibrant economy of Davao City in particular, and of the regions of Davao and Cotabato in general.”
“Imports come because businessmen have trust in the leadership in the area,” he added, saying that “special recognition must be given to Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and the city officials for this.” Dy Buco also said that his fellow workers in the Bureau “have been collecting the correct duties and taxes on importations, otherwise we wouldn’t be surpassing our targets consistently.” The third reason credited by Dy Buco for the performance is their being “very vigilant against the entry of smuggled goods.” Awards/Reward He said the district has been receiving awards and citations every year, but he considers the special award of the bureau last February and a resolution of commendation passed by the
Davao City Council, also this year, for their performance. Aside from awards and citations, Dy Buco said the port of Davao passed the Civil Service Commission evaluation with an impressive grade of 85.6 percent while the BOC’s own Internal Compliance of Civil Service (ICCS) committee gave it a perfect 10, the highest in the country. For its performance, the district was given a reward in the form of a P20-million extension building which is bigger that its original customs house in Sasa, he bared. Challenges Dy Buco said he and his men are confident that for as long as the economy of the region remains vibrant, if not more so, collections by the district will continue to exceed targets. “In Davao City alone,
one can see malls, new hotels and other evidence of its rising skyline. Because of these and other indications of a dynamic investment climate, importations will increase and with it our collections in the district,” Dy Buco said. He made special mention of Phoenix Petroleum, the region’s No. 1 importer, the coal power plant in Davao City and the hydro electric project of Aboitiz in Sta. Cruz, the one in Malita, Davao del Sur of San Miguel and other big ticket projects in South Cotabato, Sarangani and General Santos which will contribute to the overall economy. He considers as serious challenges “the continued attempts of unscrupulous individuals to avoid payment of correct duties through various schemes of technical smuggling and attempts
MORE ENFORCERS NEEDED. Traffic Management Center (TMC) chief Dionisio Abude says that he will propose the hiring of additional traffic enforcers as vehicles to bring in items not allowed for importation.” “We are likewise aware that the low regard of the public toward the bureau in general is one of the biggest challenges that we employees face, which we try to overcome through a massive information drive and compliance with the requirements of the Civil Service Commission on the Anti-Red Tape Act (ARTA),” Dy Buco said.
President, 12 cabinet secretaries here for Minbizcon
From page 1..
address issues of the island-region’s key sectors such as agriculture, energy, information and technology, tourism, small and medium enterprises, logistics and infrastructure, skills development, and natural resource management, Lim said. “This is by far the biggest event that will take place in Mindanao,” said Lim, adding that never have been in the history of the MinBizCon that it gathered such a large number of national cabinet secretaries. “We already received
more than 400 confirmed pre-registrations a day before the event and we are expecting this number to more than double when the conference opens today,” he added. Lim said that the strong interest of Mindanao’s business sector to participate in the conference signifies the crucial role of the region’s micro and small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in shaping Mindanao’s business climate. He added that Mindanao’s MSMEs provide the backbone of the country’s
economy and that their participation in this event is a step towards achieving inclusive growth in the island-region. Prior to the conference, a team from DCCCII and the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) travelled around the six regions of Mindanao and consulted nearly 250 businessmen and organizations to gather issues, concerns, and recommendations. “The recommendations became the bases for crafting the Mindanao business policy agenda
that will be presented to the President and his secretaries,” he said. The need for the government and private sectors to work together in preparation for the greater ASEAN Integration is also among the key items included in the policy agenda that will be submitted to the President and to his cabinet secretaries during the two-day event. “We anticipate that the President and his cabinet secretaries will respond to these policy agenda and provide us
guidance in preparing the island-region for the 2015 ASEAN integration,” said Lim. About 1,000 senior business leaders, members of the chambers of commerce, government policymakers, investors and foreign trading partners, and international delegates are expected to participate in the conference. This year’s MinBizCon is hosted by DCCCII with the cooperation of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and MinDA.
tion and Detection Group (CIDG). The mayor who claimed he and his sister lawyer Cynthia Guiani Sayadi were the targets of the car bomb attack said police authorities are in possession of documents containing conversations, calls and text messages of personalities who have planned and carried out the bomb attack and previous violent incidents in
the city. The mayor said he would make public the personalities behind the bomb attack once charges had been filed against them. Earlier, he hinted that the attack could be an act of retaliation on his administration’s campaign against illegal drugs. Sr. Supt. Rolen Balquin, city police director, said drugs were one of the
many angles police investigators were looking into, including politics and terrorism. But Balquin said the attack was more of a personal vendetta by those affected by the implementation of law and order in the city. Guiani, since becoming the city’s chief executive, had been receiving death threats when he started cleansing the city govern-
ment with misfits. The most recent was his directive, and carried by his sister Guiani-Sayadi, to clear the tributaries and water ways in the city clogged by informal settlers. Illegal structures in canals and tributaries criss-crossing the city contributed to the frequent floods that displaced thousands of families in low-lying barangays. (PNA)
Sec. Roxas names suspect in CDO bombing
From page 2..
rested and undergoing interrogation by police authorities, Mayor Japal Guiani Jr said on Tuesday. Guiani refused to identify the three male persons captured on close circuit TV cameras (CCTV) of one of the business establishments near the blast site along Sinsuat Avenue, Cotabato City. He said the suspects are now in the custody of the Criminal Investiga-
in Davao City now number 136,000 units. Abude was guest during last Monday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at the Annex of SM City Davao. Lean Daval Jr.
Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation and Communications LAND TRANSPORTATION FRANCHISING AND REGULATORY BOARD Regional Office No. XI Davao City
Petition for Renewal of a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate a SCHOOL TRANSPORT Service ALICIA C. JALANDOON, Petitioner Case No.2008-XI-00454
x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -x NOTICE OF HEARING
Petitioner is a grantee of a Certificate of Public Convenience issued in this case authorizing the operation of a SCHOOL TRANSPORT service exclusively for the transportation of Students/ Pupils from their respective residences to Ateneo de Davao University, Matina Campus, Davao City and vice versa with the use of ONE (1) unit, which Certificate will expire on October 27, 2013. In the petition filed on June 24, 2013, petitioner requests authority to extend the validity of said certificate to operate along the same route with the use of the same unit previously authorized. NOTICE, is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Board on AUGUST 19, 2013 at 09:50 a.m. at this office at the above address.
At least, TEN (10) days prior to the above date petitioner shall publish this Notice once in a one (1) daily newspaper of general circulation in Mindanao Parties opposed to the granting of the petition must file their written opposition supported by documentary evidence on or before the above date furnishing a copy of the same to the petitioner, and may if they so, desire appear on said date and time.
This petition will be acted upon by this Board on the basis of its records and the documentary evidence submitted by the parties, unless the Board deems it necessary to receive additional documentary and/or oral evidence.
WITNESS the Honorable BENJAMIN A. GO, CESO V, Regional Director, this 24th day of July 2013 at Davao City. TERESITA DELA PEÑA-YÑIGUEZ Chief Transport Development Officer
11 COMMUNITY SENSE
EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 104 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 2013
PAL hiring more cabin crew, ground staff
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LAG carrier Philippine Airlines is set to ramp up hiring of new staff as part of an ongoing expansion that will see it open more domestic and international routes and take delivery of new aircraft. On August 17, PAL will hold a job fair for PAL cabin crew at the San Miguel Corporation head office complex in Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City. Registration and screening of applicants will start at 8 am. Processing of applications will go on until 5 pm. Applicants must be Filipino citizens, not more than 27 years old, and hold a college degree. They should be able to communicate well both in English and Filipino. Female applicants must be single and
at least 5’3” in height while male applicants should preferably be single and at least 5’6” tall. Weight should be proportionate to height. Applicants must also have perfect vision (20/20) or wear contact lenses (not beyond 20/30). Physical characteristics such as having a good set of teeth and clear complexion are also part of the criteria. Interested parties are advised to come in business attire and bring their updated resumes with close-up and fullbody photos. PAL will also be hiring PAL Ambassadors, Customer Service Agents, Sales and Service Agents, Customer Relations Officers, and Premiere Guest Services Frontliners. The
flag carrier is likewise looking for applicants to fill up airport ground staff positions such as Work Scheduler, Ground Equipment Operator,
Ramp Equipment Operator, Ramp Services Supervisor, Baggage Master, Load Controller, and Statistics Clerk. The PAL recruitment
tour will move to the Radisson Blu Hotel in Cebu City on August 24. For more information, log on to www.philippineairlines.com/ca-
reers or www.flypalexpress.com/careers. You may also visit and like them at facebook.com/ flyPAL or follow them on twitter.com/flyPAL.
DCWD explains cloudy water
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ONCERNED Davao City Water District customers are worried about their water being sometimes cloudy, milky, hazy and foamy. According to their observation, the cloudiness actually disappears when the water is left to settle for more or less than a minute. Much of their concern is with regards to the safety of the water as most of them believe that the cloudiness is caused by too much chlorine presence, a notion which DCWD affirms to be false. DCWD’s Quality Control Division manager Hydie R. Maspiñas explained that there is no reason to be alarmed when they observe cloudiness in their tap water as this is just caused by millions of dissolved tiny oxygen air bubbles. Maspiñas said that DCWD makes sure that the water that reaches its customers has been treated to ensure safety. DCWD uses gas chlorine of varying dosage to treat its water. According to her, chlorine dosage depends on the quality of water source being treated. Malagos, being a surface water source, gets higher dosage compared to the extracted ground water source of Dumoy. Different dosage also applies to other water sources such as in Panacan and Cabantian, among others. DCWD also conducts hourly monitoring of chlorine residual within the 0.3 to 1.5 mg/L range which is the allowable limit of the Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water. This
level is safe for human consumption. Chlorine residual is the “amount of chlorine remaining in water at the end of a specific contact period following disinfection”. This monitoring is done through the use of state-of-the-art equipment, namely, chlorine residual analyzers to read chlorine residual in the water as it passes through DCWD’s facilities and auto valves to automatically regulate chlorine residual within the prescribed dosage. Furthermore, the water utility conducts daily and bi-monthly microbiological testing to regularly monitor the water quality of 262 identified sampling points in DCWD’s different water systems. Results of the tests will help DCWD assess the cleanliness of water even when it has flowed through the pipes towards the service connections. These sampling points are situated in areas with high population concentration or those that experience low water pressure. To confirm, the DCWD management assures customers that cloudiness in water that disappear more or less than a minute is potable and thus safe for drinking and any domestic uses. Further, they are also advised to contact DCWD’s 24-hour call center thru contact numbers 221-9412, 0927-7988966, 0908441-0653 and 0925-5113293 for queries regarding water quality or any matters related to DCWD services. (Jovana T. Duhaylungsod)
A dozen of mechanical shredders, all lined up for inspection.
ACDI/VODCA donates mechanical shredders to Mindanao areas
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CDI/VOCA, a nonprofit organization focused on agricultural initiatives in Mindanao, released a total of 12 mechanical shredders to key Mindanao areas in Davao, Compostella Valley, and Zamboanga regions. The said organization launched their CoCoPal project last 2009. CoCoPal stands for Cocoa, Coconut and Palayamanan, which puts rice-based integrated farming on center stages. Establishment of organic input facilities are one of the major components of ACDI/VOCA’s CoCoPal. Through this, ACDI/VOCA promotes the use of agricultural waste as input for the Palayamanan systems, which provide greater environmental protection, reduce the costs associated with
petroleum-based and imported inputs, and create microenterprise opportunities. The organization was also able to launch organic fertilizer/pesticide operations. Groups of farmers, farmers in cooperatives, and local government units (LGUs) were targeted for technical assistance, training and materials to set up and operate village-level, farmwaste organic fertilizer facilities. This year, as 1st week of August rolled out, a total of eleven (11) mechanical shredders were ordered and distributed by the organization to different cooperators composed of farmer associations, cooperatives and the academe in Southern Mindanao and Western Mindanao. These cooperators are the follow-
ing: Highlander Ararian Reform Beneficiaries MPC (HARBEMPCO) in ComVal, Technical Education Skills and Development Authority – Davao National Agriculture School (TESDA-DNAS) in ComVal, Linoan Farmers Integrated Cooperative (LIFICO) in ComVal, TESDA – Wangan National Agriculture School (TESDA- WNAS) in Calinan, Davao City, Pangi Women’s Association (Zamboanga Sibugay), Dacanay Upland Farmers Association (Zamboanga Sibugay), Mandih Indigenous People’s Organization (Zamboanga del Norte), Mutia National High School (Zamboanga del Norte), Bacuyong Farmers Association (Zamboanga del Norte), Rebokon Agricultural Vocational High School (Zamboan-
ga del Sur) and Bugloka CoCoPal Growers Association (Zamboanga del Sur). One cooperator, Women’s Sunrise MPC (Davao del Norte) is also in line for the turning over of the 12th shredder. Along with the distribution, hands-on training was also conducted during the same time frame at the facility of Davao Technocraft Corporation in Nabunturan, Compostela Valley, Philippines. ACDI/ VOCA representatives Janoz Laquihon (Training and Extension Coordinator) and Emmanuel Quisol (Agri-Enterprise Development Coordinator) were present in the activity to oversee the preparation of the equipment and the reiteration on the quality standards for release and operation. [Karla Singson]
12 CLASSIFIEDS
There’s a better way to get attention.
VOL. 6 ISSUE 104 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 2013
EDGEDavao Gensan Partners
EDGEDAVAO
Health and Wellness
Tel No. (083) 553-2211 / (083) 877-0019 / (083) 878-0308
EDGEDavao Davao Partners
Realty FOR SALE:
1) 1-hectare commercial lot at P10,000/sq m, along National Highway, facing east, beside NCCC Panacan, Davao City. 2) 17,940sq m commercial lot at P2,500/sq m, along Matina Diversion Road. 3) 3,831 sq m lot along Matina Diversion Road. 4) 41,408 sq m commercial/ industrial lot at P800/sq m along the National Highway, Bunawan. 5) 7,056 sq m at P1,200/sq m commercial/residential lot along Indangan Road, Buhangin District. 6) 27,411 sq m commercial/ industrial lot along the National Highway in Bincungan, Tagum City. 7) 116.15 to 245.92 sq meters , at P5.5M to P12.3M commercial/ office condo units in Bajada, Davao City. 8) 699 to 1,117 sq m at P4,100/sq m commercial lots at Josefina Town Center, along the National Highway, Dumoy, Toril. 9) Ready-for-Occupancy Residential Properties: 4BR/3T&B in a 240 sq m lot with 177.31sqm floor area (2-storey) at P4.8M in an exclusive beachfront community in Dumoy, Toril.; 3BR 2-storey in a 71.25 sq m 2-storey in a 143sq m lot in an exclusive flower village in Maa, Davao City; 180 sq m lots with 71.25sqm to 126.42 sq m floor areas, priced at P3.751M to P5.773M in an exclusive mountain resort community along Matina, Diversion Road. 10) 1BR/2BR residential condo units located in Bolton, Maa, Obrero, Davao City. 11) FOR ASSUME (RUSH): 1BR res’l condo unit in Palmetto, Maa. P600K negotiable. Note: Items 1-9 can be paid in cash, in-house or bank financing. If interested, please call Jay (PRC REB Lic. 8237) at 0922-851-5337 (Sun), 0908-883-8832 (Smart) or send email to propertiesindavao@yahoo.com.
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CFP NO.
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1. MANZO, MARILYN Y. 21040175 192832-3/UUU400423566 2. MANZO, MARILYN Y. 21040176 192833-4/UUU400423570 were lost. Any transaction entered into shall be null and void. 8/ 8, 15, 22
EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 104 •THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 2013
LOT FOR SALE CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY
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CLASSIFIEDS 13
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VOL. 6 ISSUE 104 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 2013
EDGEDAVAO
INdulge!
VOL. 6 ISSUE 104 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 2013
EDGEDAVAO
FOOD
Soft, chewy naan bread is best eaten hot plain or dipped with any sauce.
A fusion of flavors at Al-Sultan Zabadani
Persian Chicken Drumsticks at Al-Sultan Zabadani.
BROUGHT to you by the same people who introduced the Mediterranean gastronomical flare to the palates of Davao, Al-Sultan Zabadani is like an accessory that completes an outfit. This intricately, detailed designed restaurant transports your senses into the crests and folds of your own castle in never, never land. Unlike its predecessor, Zabadani at the Gaisano Mall, The Peak, this restaurant opts to ‘Filipinize’ its already savory Arabic and Mediterranean dishes that we all have grown to crave and love. Not only are we tasting a specific flavor, we get more than the best of both worlds – literally. The moment you step in and read their exhaustive and gustatory enticing menu, you will be treated to an array of dishes that conveys freshness, flavor and satisfaction all to-
gether. From the menu alone, you already are able to foresee and imagine the taste of the dishes because of the description provided -- even more building
A rendering of the vibrant interiors of the restaurant.
the anticipation. Personally, I am a fan of their soft and chewy naan bread. Whether on its own or with a generous spread of hummus, this is just something that you should try when dining in. Have it while it is hot and savor every crumbs of it trickle its way into your mouth. Another is their uberflavorful biryani rice cooked al dente – if there is such a thing. The mixture of flavors enables you to savor the high quality herbs and spices used to
come up with a sensory invigorating and exquisite flavor that is truly delicious. Have it with chicken, beef or lamb and see your plate cleaned in just minutes. Their juicy Persian chicken drumsticks are truly tender and bursting with flavor. At first, you’d think they are your typical fried chicken but as you prick and bite into it, you’d be treated to a scrumptious medley of flavors that takes your breath and senses to a journey to the edge. Also, try their Malookhia (jute and meat soup), Bamia (lady fingers in stock), Salonah (beans, peas and lentils) and Makboos (rice toppings) and you will surely have your seconds without you knowing. Explore your untouched palate and mercilessly undergo a trip to the world of flavors and let Al-Sultan Zabadani show you how. As one of the pioneering Halal restaurants in the city, you are assured of nothing but quality on everything that comes out of their kitchen. More so, they are donors for Habitat for Humanity and several other basic housing and education projects for IP communities with the University of the Philippines.
From the outside of Al-sultan Zabadani.
The Persian Vibe at the Al-Sultan Zabadani
Savory Biryani Rice is a staple fragrant and spicy. What are you waiting for? Invite your family, friends and significant other and have one majestic dining experience at Al-Sultan Zabadani at the 3rd Floor, Roof Garden, Abreeza Mall, Davao City. Visit and like their facebook fanpage (www. facebook.com/alsultan. abreezamall) for upcom-
in Mediterranean dish served ing events and dishes. Do you want to be a part of Davao’s Thursday habit? Send me your recipes, questions, suggestions and comments and be featured. If you are interested, then email me at bffsa457@gmail.com or visit www.chefroyale.com for more recipes. Happy Cooking!
EDGEDAVAO
A2 INdulge! UP AND ABOUT
Suzuki Scooters wrapped off SM City General Santos’ 3-Day Sale WINNERS of Suzuki Scooters capped off SM City General Santos’ 3-Days Sale where up to 70% discount mall wide was given to shoppers and mall hours were extended from 10am to 10pm last August 2-4, 2013. The mechanics for the raffle draw were easy. For every P500 single or accumulated purchase from any mall tenants during the 3-Days Sale gives you a chance to win one of the two (2) Suzuki NEX 115 Scooters. Additional 3 coupons will be issued if SM Supermalls Global Pinoy Card is shown. On August 4, 2013 at 9:45 in the evening, Asst. Mall Manager Engr. Hermon L. Hernandez, with the presence of a DTI representative, picked the lucky winners namely Leizl Labuga from Polomolok, South Cotabato and Faith Libas from General Santos City. Winners will have to wait for an official notification letter and call from SM City General Santos on how to claim their prizes. This raffle draw is per DTI NCR-Permit No. 0764, Series of 2013. For inquiries, call Marketing Department at (083) 8780667.
Get a chance to meet Xian Lim when you get a Globe Cloudfone bundle
CELEBRATING its strong presence in the region, Globe Telecom is extending a special and exclusive offer to its subscribers in Davao as part of the Kadayawan Festival, Davao’s biggest annual festival that celebrates life, culture and thanksgiving. From August 1 to 15, 2013, all Davaoenos who avail of a Cloudfone 352g and Cloudpad bundle FREE at Plan 499 with the Best-Ever mySUPERPLAN will get a chance to win an exclusive Meet and Greet session with one of today’s hottest heartthrobs and Cloudfone endorser Xian Lim. Apart from the phone and tablet bundle, subscribers can choose from other Cloudfone handsets bundled with a Globe postpaid plan. All a subscriber needs to do is to go to any of the participating Globe Davao Stores in Ayala Abreeza, SM City Davao, SM Lanang Premier or Gaisano Mall Davao, apply for a Best-Ever mySUPERPLAN with a Cloudfone of his/her choice, and wait for the approval of the postpaid plan application. Each approved postpaid application will allow the subscriber to pick a prize such as the Meet and Greet Session with Xian Lim as grand prize, Xian Lim’s autographed “It’s So You” CDs as major prizes, and Globe premium items as minor prizes. Eighty grand prize winners or twenty winners per participating Globe Store will have the privilege to meet Xian up close and personal. Meanwhile, there will be forty (40) winners of the limited edition autographed CDs and one hundred winners of Globe premium items. The popular actor, singer and model will fly to Davao on August 18, 2013 to celebrate the Kadayawan Festival with Dabaowenyos and will visit the four participating Globe Stores in the region to meet the lucky winners of the promo. “Davao will always be an important market for Globe so we’re very excited to offer this exclusive promo to our subscribers in the region in celebration of the Kadayawan Festival,” said Raul Macatangay, Head of Globe Postpaid. “We invite all Davaoenos to take advantage of this special offer and avail of the Cloudfone bundle or any Cloudfone handset with the Best-Ever mySUPERPLAN, and get the chance to meet Xian Lim up close and personal or bring home premium items from Globe.” Globe Best-Ever mySUPERPLAN is a next-generation postpaid plan with fully-customizable plan components, a plan value almost twice the value of prepaid load, and more contract periods to choose from, ranging from 6, 12, 18, to 24 months. With the Best-Ever mySUPERPLAN, subscribers get the ultimate flexibility in creating a postpaid plan that best fits their needs, lifestyle, and budget. To know more about the Best-Ever mySUPERPLAN, visit www.globe.com.ph/postpaid or call 730-1010.
VOL. 6 ISSUE 104 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 2013
FOOD
The spicy chicken sandwich shootout
WHO does not love fried chicken? The crispy texture of chicken skin paired with tender and juicy chicken meat never fails to serve as a comforting meal for every tired urban soul, more so if the chicken is served wedged in a toasted bun with a hint of spice for good measure.
For over a decade, KFC’s Zinger was THE the spicy chicken sandwich to eat. I remember when it was introduced back when I was in college and my first taste of the sandwich was, to say the least, quite satisfying and truly comforting. Fast forward to today and there is a new challenger in the arena. Enter McDonald’s McSpicy. With a lower introductory price compared to that of the Zinger and following the Zinger’s sandwich format, the big M hopes to sway some of the Colonel’s followings over to their side. So how do the two sandwiches stack up? I managed to purchase both sandwiches from the mall to do a comparison of the two. Just a disclaimer, I do not endorse either of the two sandwiches and these are just my own humble opinions. The KFC Zinger The original chicken sandwich, the KFC zinger is the first chicken fillet sandwich with a crispy and spicy kick. First introduced in the Philippines in the mid 90’s, the juicy and filling sandwich instantly became a staple comfort food for KFC fans. The McSpicy Firing the initial volley in the chicken sandwich war, the McSpicy is McDonald’s latest offering. Also utilising a chicken fillet, fried crisp and and also with a spicy bite, the McSpicy seems like a clone of KFC’s sandwich but of course there are differences. Round 1: Price The McSpicy was introduced at a much lower price point compared to the Zinger with made it
KFC’s Zinger versus McDonald’s McSpicy.
gain the initial lead but with KFC also matching of the sandwich down to the last centavo, the battle now shifts to taste. Winner: Tie Round 2: The Bun The bread bun of the Zinger used to disintegrate in the hands of diners making a mess of the dining experience but have now since been fixed. But the lightly toasted bread of the McSpicy had a slight better texture and taste. It also helped that the bread had a nice soft texture as compared to the Zinger’s bun. Winner: McSpicy Round 3: The Fillet The Zinger’s chicken fillet is made from boneless chicken thigh that is battered and pressure fried. A dab of mayonnaise, lettuce and a hint of chilli sauce adds a spicy kick that endeared the sandwich to the hearts of many a fried chicken fan. The McSpicy on-theother-hand uses a chicken fillet that is battered in McDonald’s crispy batter and also pressure fried. It is also served with a dab of mayonnaise and lots of greens. For this test, both sandwiches score high on the crispiness factor although, the McSpicy lags a bit on the spicy part. It helped that the fillet was well-
The Zinger
The McSpicy seasoned and was full flavoured in every bite. I also noticed that the Zinger was slightly more juicier than the McSpicy and because of that, I give this round to the Zinger. Winner: Zinger The verdict Although each sandwich had its own strong and weak points, everything actually evened out for me making it hard for me to decide on a winner.
I loved the full-on savoury kick of the Zinger, while the McSpicy had a crispy bite with a hint of heat in every bite. I guess it just all boils down to your individual preferences and where you want to eat. How would you have scored the sandwiches? Who would have won in your own taste test? Sound it out on my Twitter page or on Instagram @kennethkingong.
VOL. 6 ISSUE 104 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 2013
EDGEDAVAO
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ENTERTAINMENT
Alex Gonzaga’s “MMK” debut, PH most-watched weekend TV show ABS-CBN’s undisputed drama anthology “Maalaala Mo Kaya” continues to rule weekend primetime TV as proven by its recent episode last Saturday (August 3) that featured the
“MMK” debut of return- rial will star in the upcoming ing Kapamilya actress- “MMK” episode this Saturhost Alex Gonzaga. day (August 10). Meg will Based on the weekend data from Kantar Media, the Don Cuaresma-directed heavy drama episode garnered an impressive 38.6% national TV ratings, or more than twice the viewers who watched its rival drama anthology in GMA “Magpakailanm a n ” which only scored 17.1%. In the story, Alex portrayed Pinky, a loving daughter who endured all the maltreatment of her foster sister just to ensure that she would finish her studies through the help of her adoptive parents. Meanwhile, new Kapamilya actress Meg Impe-
play the role of Brenda, a hardworking lady who grew up with a lot of insecurities. Her view of self ever got worse when her first boyfriend cheated on her, making her believe that no one will truly love her. Together with Meg in the upcoming “MMK” episode are Brenna Garcia, Bryan Santos, Angeli Gonzales, Melanie Marquez, William Martinez, and KitKat. It was researched by Akeem Jordan del Rosario, written by Mark Duane Angos, and directed by Dado Lumibao. Don’t miss the longestrunning drama anthology in Asia, “Maalaala Mo Kaya” (MMK), Saturday nighs, after “Wansapanataym” on ABSCBN. For more updates, log on to www.mmk.abs-cbn. com, follow MMKOfficial on Twitter, and “like” www.facebook.com/MMKOfficial.
Super balance In Stan Lee’s Superhumans THE SEARCH for humans with extraordinary abilities continues on “Stan Lee’s Superhumans” this Friday night on GMA News TV. Norwegian Eskil Ronningsbakken appears to have a superhuman ability to switch off fear, enabling him to over-ride the innate reactions our brain would normally have in the face of deadly heights. He is a balance artist who devises his own balances at extreme heights, as he says, “without limits”. Daniel BrowningSmith witnesses an incredible demonstration as Eskil balances upside down on three chairs, inches from a 1,000 ft. drop, with no safety net. Like the Marvel comic character Hellion, Miroslaw Magola, originally from Poland and now living in Germany, claims to be able to harness the power of
psycho kinesis to lift objects off the floor, transport them through the air and force them to stick to his body – using only the power of his mind. To see if he’s a genuine superhuman, Daniel investigates what’s going on in his brain while he performs these amazing mental feats. Feared for their aggression and territoriality, wolf packs can take down an animal ten times their size. But,
unbelievably, it’s rumored that Shaun Ellis, from the UK, has become wolf-like by living, sleeping, bathing and feeding with a deadly pack of wolves. Daniel witnesses this affinity first hand as Shaun takes a fifty pound calf carcass into a den full of hungry, snarling wolves. Dubbed in Filipino, this episode of “Stan Lee’s Superhumans” airs this Friday, August 9, at 8PM on GMA News TV Channel 11.
“BOTTOMLINE” EXPOSES THE STORY BEHIND THE P10-B PORK BARREL SCAM. Fashion designer Eddie Baddeo will bravely take the spotlight in “The Bottomline With Boy Abunda” this Saturday (August 10) to share what he knows about the controversial alleged mastermind of the P10-billion pork barrel scam Janet Lim-Napoles. Being Napoles’ former agent, what made Baddeo decide to testify against her? Is it true that he only wants to ruin his former friend’s reputation because of a serious conflict? With the revelation of the Napoles family’s illegal transactions, how will the Aquino administration stop the misuse of the government’s fund? Don’t miss the 2013 USTv Awards Best Public Affairs Talk Show “The Bottomline with Boy Abunda” this Saturday, 11:30 pm after “Banana Split.” For more updates, log on to www.abs-cbn.com or follow @abscbndotcom on Twitter.
BAKIT HINDI KA CRUSH NG CRUSH MO? 2D Kim Chiu, Xian Lim PG 13
12:40 | 3:00 | 5:20 | 7:40 | 10:00 LFS
THE SMURFS 2 2D Hank Azaria Neil, Patrick Harris GP
12:00 | 2:00 | 4:00 | 6:00 | 7:00 | 10:00 LFS
PERCY JACKSON SEA OF MONSTERS 2D Logan Lerman, Brandon Jackson PG 13
12:00 | 2:00 | 4:00 | 6:00 | 7:00 | 10:00 LFS
R-16 RED 2 / *THE WOLVERINE 2D Bruce Willis/ *Hugh Jackman R13/ *PG13
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A4 INdulge!
EDGEDAVAO
VOL. 6 ISSUE 104 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 2013
FOOD
EDGEDavao Davao Partners
The White House Fusion Cuisine’s Kadayawan sa Dabaw Feast
THE Kadayawan sa Dabaw Festival is definitely a feast of the senses as Dabawenyos thank the gods for nature’s bountiful harvest of the land and the seas which happens every month of August. Davao City then comes alive with sights and sounds so colorful and delightful that draw crowds from near and far to take part in the much-anticipated Kadayawan festivity. The Kadayawan spirit takes dancers to the streets beating to the rich bass sound of the Agung and the indigenous music of Davao City’s ethnic diversity Kadayawan colors beautifully leap into one’s eyes in a joyful prayer of offering to the gods for a continued harvest of blessings for the Dabawenyos. And this August, The White House Fusion Cuisine and Wine Lounge joins in the month-long festivity with a food festival so special that would make Kadayawan sa Dabaw more memorable both for visitors and locals alike. Aside from its delectable degustation, ala carte and even Bento Boxes menu, The White House Fusion Cuisine and Wine Lounge has been known for, this time it treats diners to an array of sumptuous and delicious Filipino fare that would make one want for more for its Kadayawan sa Dabaw Feast offering. Ms. Cathy Binag, coowner of The White House Fuision Cuisine and Wine Lounge, says diners could delighfully sink their teeth into the wonderful taste of the “Real Kare-Kare” made with sautéed roasted rice, Ox tail, Ox tripe, with separate peanut sauce and steamed vegetables. “It is not your every day Kare-Kare as it is homecooked and made from scratch. The process is too tedious and time-consuming but it is, of course, cooked with so much passion and love so that you would really taste the difference of a Kare-Kare that is traditional and authentic,” says Ms. Binag. Then there is the ‘not your usual abodo’ fare as
The White House Fuision Cuisine and Wine Lounge presents the ‘TwiceCooked Adobo ala TBF’ which consists of Pork Pata Front with Pork Belly and Mashed Liver. Davao City has been known for its Tuna Kinilaw but at The White House Fusion Cuisine and Wine Lounge, the Kinilaw comes with a beautiful twist and an aromatic kick as it is known as ‘The White House Kinilaw. Taste also The White House Fuision Cuisine’s All Veggie Fried Lumpia in Pinakurat Vinegar, which is good for those who want a fill of their vegetables. Ms. Binag said the Daing Na Bangus Belly with Salted Egg is also another winner as it best brings out the flavour and taste of Bangus that is also produced here in Southern Mindanao. The White House Fusion Cuisine and Wine Lounge likewise offers diners this Kadayawan month the Classic Binagoongang Baboy that tastes like no other. Diners would also be in for a delightful surprise with the desserts that The White House Fuision Cuisine and Wine Lounge has for the Kadayawan month of August aside from its famous Cheesecake, French Toast and Banoffee Tart that Chef Justin Sison creatively prepares. Come and celebrate Kadayawan Festival at The White House Fusion Cuisine and Wine Lounge located at North Point along J.P. Laurel Avenue. For inquiries and reservation please contact The White House Fusion Cuisine and Wine Lounge through telephone numbers (082) 2824540 or 09154483601 or visit The White House Fusion Cuisine and Wine Lounge Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/thewhitehousecuisine).
EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 104 •THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 2013
SPORTS 15
Chot: ‘We just need to find a way’
T Coach Chot Reyes
HE Philippine national men’s basketball team still went all out on Tuesday night against Qatar, even though a win made it likely that the team could face perennial Asian powerhouse China in the knockout quarterfinals. “Pending a miracle, I think we just arranged a date against China in the quarterfinals. So we were fully aware of this but there was no way we weren’t coming out with our best tonight. Not with all those people in the stands with all the expectations,” said Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes after his team’s 80-70 victory. With the win, the Philippines will finish second in its group if Qatar loses its final assignment on Wednesday against Chinese Taipei. If the Qataris want to avoid a knockout date with China, they could just drop the game and finish third in the group. China may end up fin-
ishing third in its group by virtue of losses to South Korea and Iran in the opening round of the tournament. The Chinese have struggled in the competition, but are expected to get back star player Yi Jianlian in the playoffs. “You know if it so happens that we play China in the quarterfinals then so be it. We just have to find a way to come out and play a game like this to give us a chance,” said Reyes. For the second straight game, Gilas displayed a gallant defensive stand, forcing the bigger Qataris to struggle from the field. The Philippines will have one more battle against lightweight Hong Kong on Wednesday, but Reyes said the team is already looking forward to its date in the playoffs. “Now we gotta prepare and prepare hard for what is going to be the biggest battle of our tournament. The quarterfinal match,” he said.
FIBA ASIA ROUNDUP
Iran completes sweep I RAN continued to showcase dominant form in the FIBA Asia Championship, completing its group campaign with an easy 85-53 victory over Kazakhstan on Wednesday. Hamed Haddadi finished with 16 points and nine rebounds for Iran, which went undefeated in the first two rounds of the tournament to top Group F. The two-time Asian champions have not won by less than 11 points in its six wins in the competition. Naturalized point guard Jerry Johnson sat the game out for Kazakhstan, which had just little more than 12 hours of rest since the conclusion of its last match against South Korea. The Persians will head into the knockout stages on Friday brimming with confidence against fourth-seed Jordan from Group E. The two nations have a long history of rivalry, having battled each other in the playofs in the last two editions of the tournament. In 2009, Iran defeated Jordan in the semifinals.
Two years after that, Jordan pulled off the biggest upset of the tournament by knocking Iran out of the quarterfinals. After sweeping the preliminaries, Kazakhstan lost its third straight assignment in the second round to finish fourth in its group. It will await the top team from Group E, with Chinese Taipei, Qatar, and the Philippines still in the running for the first seed. The knockout stages of the tournament begin on Friday. Jordan books last ticket Jordan booked the last ticket to the knockout stages in Group E with a 65-56 victory over Japan on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena. Naturalized swingman Jimmy Baxter paced Jordan with 16 points, while Mohammed Hussein had the game of his life, finishing with 15 points and 19 rebounds off the bench. Jordan finished the group stages with a 2-4 record, which was good enough to give them fourth place and a seat in the crossover quarterfinals.
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champion China, but their coach Panagiotis Giannakis is satisfied with how his players are performing so far, especially with the injuries plaguing his team. “We’re getting better. We’re waiting for two players. How many teams are playing without two of their good players in their roster? W e control the situation until
now,” said Giannakis, whose team is still missing former NBA player Yi Jianlian and point guard Liu Xiaoyu, who was injured in their game against Kazakhstan. Despite the low finish in their group after to losses to Iran and Korea in the
Gilas could be playing China in quarters
W
ITH just one game left in its second round schedule, China seems destined to finish in third place in Group F to loom as a likely quarterfinal opponent of the Philippine national men’s basketball team in the FIBA Asia Championship. Third place is not quite the situation expected of defending
AGAINST THE GREAT WALL
first round, China’s coach is looking at things positively heading into the knockout rounds.
“ I want to tell m y
ify for the knockout rounds and to learn which players can be a help to them moving forward, and he feels content that the Chinese team did that. “Even if you win all the games (in the group phase), still you have to face the knockout games.” (AKTV)
EDGEDAVAO Sports
players to feel comfortable with their skills, with their talent and to play strong until the last second. To me, this is important,” he said. “With a clear mind, and a clear view of the situation which you are in, you take the best result.” The coach said his team’s goal in the preliminaries was to qual-
‘I’M OK.’ The Philippines’ center Marcus Douthit limps in the match against Qatar but he says he is alright and is ready for the tough grind ahead.