Edge Davao 6 Issue 107 by Edge Davao The Business Paper

VOL. 6 ISSUE 107• TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2013

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

www.edgedavao.net

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

RARE FINDS. These rare full-blown Gervera flowers from Thailand are one of the many attractions of this year’s Kadayawan Agri-trade Fair being held at SM City Davao car park. Lean Daval Jr.

Waterways closely watched By GREGORIO G. DELIGERO

greg@edgedavao.net

OVERNMENT emergency responders kept close watch of Davao City’s rivers and other waterways as major roads in the city were hit by floods

following heavy rains on Monday night. As of 8: 12 p.m. yesterday, personnel of the Davao City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council

FROZEN LOLONG. Davao Crocodile Park president Philip “Sonny” Dizon notes some damages in the frozen remains of Lolong’s head due to freezer burn prior to being turned over to the National Museum for taxidermy yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

has yet to issue an advisory, saying they are still conducting field monitoring in the entire city, particularly in areas along rivers and other waterways.

In major thoroughfares in the downtown area including Along Quirino Avenue, floodwaters reached knee-deep in some sections, stranding hundreds of mo-

torists and commuters who opted to stay inside offices and malls. Taxi cabs are commonly scarce during heavy downpour and high waters as

most drivers opt to stay off flooded roads. As of 5 p.m. Monday, PAGASA’s weather forecast for Davao Region is “cloudy with

FWATERWAYS,10

‘Lolong’ custody settled First to National Museum for taxidermy, then Bunawan for his final home By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO

njb@edgedavao.net

VEN with only his frozen remains left, “Lolong” is making

news. Custody over the world’s largest crocodile in captivity was finally settled yesterday where the transfer of his head and skin to the National Museum was readied. “Lolong”, who died in captivity last February 10 in a park made by the local government of Bunawan to promote the influx of tourists in what was then marketed as “crocodile tourism,”

was to be fetched from the Davao Crocodile Park for the eventual taxidermy process in the National Museum. The process will preserve the crocodile’s remains. Davao Crocodile Park president Philip “Sonny” Dizon yesterday prepared the head of “Lolong” and its skin which was preserved in large freezers of the animal conservation park since March. “Lolong will be pulled

FLOLONG,10

INSIDE:

Bomb found in Cotabato dumpsite Davao still a city of fruits Gilas’ triumph could fan national unity

2 4 15

2 THE BIG NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 107• TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2013

Kadayawan’s agri-fair to be a regular feature By EJ DOMINIC FERNANDEZ

ejf@edgedavao.net

ALING-waling, a.k.a. the “Queen of Philippine Orchids,” will soon become a daily sight at SM City Davao, Ecoland along with the national flower Sampaguita with the mall’s recent move to become the regular home of the agriculture trade fair. SM City Davao assistant mall manager Jonathan Nick Santos, speaking at the Kapehan as Dabaw at SM Annex, Ecoland Monday, said they had a talk with the Floriculture Industry Council of Southern Mindanao, Inc.

(FICSMIN) regarding the regularization of the annual trade fair. He said, they plan to put up ten booths that will sell flora and fruit products at SM City Davao everyday beginning in September. The fair is an event organized by FICSMIN and SM City Davao twice a year every Araw ng Dabaw and Kadayawan Festival. There are 450 booths during this event occupying 2,000 square meters of SM’s parking lot, said Santos.

OTABATO CITY– A few teenaged kids scavenging garbage here were rejoicing upon seeing three Nokia cellphones inside a white bag amid a pile of trash dumped by the garbage truck at the city’s sanitary landfill Sunday afternoon. But upon closer inspection, the boys backed away as they also saw a box with protruding wires aside from the three Nokia 3310 phones. One of the boys, Toto (not his real name), said they immediately reported their find to the security guard of the city hall, dubbed “People’s Palace,” which is only 500 meters away from the dumpsite. “There was something inside the bag tightly packed inside a cellophane, wrapped in scotch tape,” said Toto. “There was something sharp, there were wires, and three

Nokia 3310 phones,” he said in the vernacular. The police and the Army immediately sent explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) teams. Aside from the cellphones and the wires, they saw a blasting cap and three mortar rounds, ingredients for an improvised explosive device (IED). But it took them hours to disarm the bomb. PO2 Reynaldo Bayal, police bomb technician, said the mortar shells were connected to a blasting cap, but the wires were not connected to the cellphones yet. He said that if the blasting cap catches fire, even if not yet connected to the cellphones, would already cause the IED to explode. “Our assessment – the bomb has not been fully assembled yet,” said Bayal. Senior Supt. Rolen

FKADAYAWAN’S, 10

Boys discover bomb Karlo pushes for signing in Cotabato dumpsite of wealth-sharing deal C R BANGSAMORO SPOTTERS. Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte is welcomed by members of Bangsamoro Spotters for Peace and Development Mindanao, Inc.

ep. Karlo Alexei Nograles wants the peace agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to push forward as the two parties are scheduled to sign the historic wealth-sharing deal next month. The city’s First District solon described the wealth-sharing deal as a historic effort to end the cycle of violence in the region. “This could be the last chance that Mindanao will ever have in its quest for meaningful and lasting peace.” Nograles said. “If this wealth-sharing deal doesn’t work, I don’t think anything will. We should all work together in our effort to end this cycle

Davao City chapter during its meeting at the Davao City Recreation Center yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

of violence that has brought so much pain and anguish to Mindanaoans. The possibilities for Mindanao will be endless after this wealth-sharing agreement is finalized,” Nograles explained. “With the on-going peace negotiation between the government and MILF panels anchored on mutual trust and a common desire for meaningful peace in Mindanao, there is no reason to fail. We must support peace all the way,” he added. Nograles said that this proposed wealth-sharing arrangement between the government and the people within the so-called Bangsamoro Framework “will definitely erase all doubts on the government’s sincerity

and determination to provide a solution to the peace and order problem in Mindanao.” This deal, he said, could turn the entire Southern Philippines into one of the world’s biggest boom areas especially in the field of mining, agriculture, fisheries and even oil and natural gas exploration. It is estimated that Mindanao, including areas that are within the ambit of the so-called Bangsamoro framework, sits on a cauldron of untapped minerals worth worth between US$840 billion and US$1 trillion and a still unknown quantities of oil and gas deposits. “Mindanao could be one of the world’s most important investment hubs as soon as we can guarantee the

conducted planting activities, and undertake pocket environmental initiatives with our dependents and other program partners throughout the year,” Davao Brewery Plant Manager Roger dela Cruz expalins as he read the message of SMB President Roberto Huang. “By 2015, we aim to double the number of trees that we have planted,” he adds. Last Saturday, our colleagues in Manila planted 2,000 coffee plants in San Mateo, Rizal. On August 17, the project will be implemented in Tayak Hill in Laguna and Brgy. Tawason in Mandaue City; to be followed by Brgy. Balite

in Arayat, Pampanga on August 24, and at Brgy. Estafania in Bacolod City on August 31. “Whilw we step up and make our social responsibility efforts much more effective, we trust that our company’s greater purpose in doing good and giving back is doing the right thing today so that the future generation will have a better life and a sustainable future,” he said. SMB’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives have adopted the holistic approach by focusing on education, enterprise, health and basic services, and the environment with the ultimate objective of

safety of investors and we can truly say that peace has been finally achieved,” he added. Nograles said many of his colleagues in Congress are anticipating an open public debate on the expected proposed Bangsamoro Basic law which will govern the vision of the peace pact but expressed confidence that this will be backed by the majority. Government peace panel chairman Miriam Coronel-Ferrer was recently quoted as saying that the government is hoping to finish the two remaining annexes on power sharing and normalization of the proposed peace agreement by September this year.

FBOYS, 10

SMB plants 1,000 seedlings in Matina Pangi

EER market leader San Miguesl Brewery Inc. (SMB) holds on Saturday the fourth run of the month-long celebration of its “Buhayin ang Kalikasan” nationwide program that started with a ceremonial tree-planting activity in Manila. SMB is joined by the local government units (LGUs) of Matina Pangi led by Brgy. Captain Benjamin Badon and Davao Centro’s chief of Natural Resources Operations Division Christopher Asibal in planting 1,000 seedlings of Malibago, Narra and Mahogany. “This year, we will continue to expand our program by revisiting areas where we have already

FSMB PLANTS, 10

BREWING LIFE. San Miguel Brewery Inc. Davao City plant manager Rogelio dela Cruz flashes a thumbs up sign after planting Malibago seedling, a variety of tree which is known for its ability to protect river banks from soil erosion, during the company’s corporate social responsibility activity dubbed ‘Trees brew life: Tree planting’ in Matina Pangi over the weekend. Lean Daval Jr.

3 SUBURBIA

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 107• TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2013

TAGUM CITY

LGU revives scouting T

AGUM City Mayor Allan L. Rellon is banking on the scouting movement as an effective avenue for character-building and citizenship training of the Tagumeño youth, thus fueling his desire to revive the spirit of scouting in the city. This was emphasized by the local chief executive during the blessing and inauguration of the new office of the Tagum City Associate Council of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines that is situated in Freedom Park last August 10, 2013. Rellon, who also served as the council chairman of BSP Tagum, said the emergence of a scouting office that is appropriately situated in the heart of the city, where many youngsters convene every afternoon or during weekends, would be a perfect opportunity for them to appreciate the benefits of the scouting movement. Vice President and BSP National President Jejomar Binay, represent-

ed by the movement’s secretary general Atty. Wendel Avisado, extended his congratulations to the council for coming up in full shape. “With the inauguration of your new office, you can now fully plan ahead and move forward in a very purposive and deliberate passion,” the vice president said in his prepared remarks read by Avisado. With this in mind, Tagum City is poised to become the next scouting capital in Mindanao or even in the entire country. Calling the movement as an “antidote” to the undesirable actions of some youth like the proliferation of gangs and even drugs, the mayor stressed the need for intensifying the activities so as to create a more disciplined, patriotic, God-loving and God-fearing society of scouts. In an interview, the mayor said the council will now focus on hyping-up the activities intended for the scouts as well as to find ways to

CATEEL, DAVAO ORIENTAL

Pablo-hit towns get fresh aid from MVP Group of Companies

HE disaster response arm of Manny V. Pangilinan Group of Companies distributed Wednesday last week 700 school kits, teachers’ kit and books in Cateel Central Elementary School and signed livelihood assistance with the provincial government. Serving as the consolidated disaster response office under the MVP Group of Companies, Tulong Kapatid brought to Cateel, Davao Oriental its executives headed by PLDT-Smart Foundation President Ester O. Santos who personally handed over school supplies to pupils and teachers. Santos revealed the school supplies to have been donated by employees of PLDT and other companies under the MVP Group. Aside from turning over school supplies, Santos and her team together with partners from the Philippine Construction’s Association, also inspected the new eight-classroom Tulong Kapatid-funded school

building which is already on the last phase of construction and due for turn-over. After the school building, Tulong Kapatid will immediately start constructing its initial housing project in Brgy. Lambajon in the municipality Baganga, Santos said while revealing MVP’s intention to finish such project before the year ends. During the distribution of school kits, the team also handed over vegetable seeds in support to the Gulayan sa Paaralan program of the Department of Interior and Local Governance (DILG). Livelihood assistance On top of the school kit distribution, the Tulong Kapatid visit resulted in a signing of a memorandum of agreement between the provincial government of Davao Oriental and three MVP companies particularly One Meralco, PLDT-Smart Foundation, TV5 Alagang Kapatid. [Karen Lou Deloso-PIO/JMDA-PIA 11]

INAUGURATION. As a proof of Mayor Allan Rellon’s ardent desire to revive the scouting movement in Tagum City, he put up the office of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines-Tagum City Council at the heart of the city. Last August 10, 2013, the mayor led in the inauguration of the building located at the Free-

dom Park. With him are (from left to right) BSP Secretary General Wendel Avisado, DepEd Superintendent Cristy Epe, Vice Mayor Geterito Gementiza, Councilor Agripino Coquilla, Jr., among others. [Leo Timogan/CIO Tagum]

integrate them to assist in the government’s programs on environment, security and traffic as part of their training.

Meanwhile, Rellon congratulated the official contingent of the city to the recently-concluded Eastern Mindanao Re-

gional Jamboree held at Makilala, North Cotabato where the team was adjudged second runner up and first runner up in the

fancy drill competition for both boy scouts and senior scouts section, respectively. [Louie Lapat/ CIO Tagum]

HE modern aquatic facility of the Davao del Norte Sports Complex will be featured in “No Breathing” South Korean film which will be shown this year. “In our film, Davao is very famous in the world because of its swimming club, where our characters will compete.” says Sung-Jun Yang head of production and project department of 9ers Entertainment- a film distribution company current-

ly helping out the Korean film in their Davao shoot. The swimming club scenes were shot in the aquatic facility of the new Davao del Norte Sports Complex located in Tagum City. The modern aquatic facility features a 10lane Olympic-sized pool, warm-up pool, bleachers and a clubhouse and is touted as the most modern aquatic center in the region. The 11-hectare Sports Complex was

opened of February of this year. Built at a cost of P248-million it also boasts of tartan tracks, a 5,000 seater capacity grandstand, basketball gym and a modern lighting facility which enables night games. Meanwhile the film “No Breathing” is said to be a highly-anticipated South Korean film as it stars popular Korean singer actress Kwon Yuri and equally famous Korean actors Lee Jong-suk

and Seo-In-guk. It is said to be Korea’s first swimming film as it story revolves around two top national swimmers who falls for the same girl. It is estimated that about 3-million people will be watching the film once it will be screened in theaters later this year. Yang said Davao will be the opening scenes of the film which will see the two male leads competing in the swimming club competition. [PIA 11]

Balquin said scavengers found the IED placed inside a sack and alerted village watchmen who in turn reported to the police. “The presence of police and Marines who were placed on alert following intelligence reports that IEDs are on its way to the city force the bomb courier to abandon it at the garbage site,” Balquin said. The IEDs, two of them fashioned from two 60 mm mortars while the other was

made of an 81 mm mortar, were found at about 9:30 p.m. at Barangay Rosary Heights 10, about 50 meters away from the city hall, also known as Peoples Palace. Balquin could not say whether the IEDs are intended for city officials who earlier claimed they have been the subject of the rash of bombings in the city, including the deadly car bomb attack on August 5 that killed eight persons and wounded more than

30 others. Mayor Japal Guiani said he and his sister, city administrator Cynthia Guiani Sayadi, were the object of car bomb and other bombing attempts the past weeks. The August 5 car bomb attack occurred as a convoy led by Guiani-Sayadi was passing by. She survived the attack with very minor injuries but her two motorcycle-riding escorts were not as lucky. [PNA]

DAVAO DEL NORTE

Sports complex gets featured in Korean film T COTABATO CITY

3 IEDs found abandoned near City Hall A

N extra alert law enforcers composed of Marines and police forced suspected bombers to abandon three improvised explosive devices at a garbage dump site in Cotabato City Sunday night, police said. Senior Supt. Rolen Balquin, city police director, said Army and Marine bomb experts safely deactivated three IEDs found by scavengers at a garbage dump site near the Cotabato City hall.

EDGEDAVAO

FIESTA! DESPITE MODERNIZATION

VOL. 6 ISSUE 107• TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2013

Davao still a city of fruits By GREGORIO G. DELIGERO

greg@edgedavao.net

LTHOUGH a highly-urbanized city, more than 60 percent of Davao City’s total land area is classified as agricultural land, making it among the top producers of agricultural products in the region. Unlike the other parts of the country, the city also enjoys a mild tropical climate where there is no distinct hot and wet season, thereby further enhancing its production potentials. But among major agricultural products, fruits continue to be the city’s best draw in terms of volume of production and value. Records from the City Agriculturist’s Office (CAO) showed that for the past five years, fruits yielded the highest volume of production at an average of 353, 902 metric tons annually. Industrial crops are a far second with 145,933 metric tons average annual production, corn with 10,997 metric tons and rice with 7,615 metric tons per year. In terms of production value, fruits posted an average of P4.18 billion annually. It is followed by industrial crops with P3.48 billion, corn with P121. 76 million and rice with P95.58 million. However, durian--the acknowledged “King of Fruits” of Davao--is not the city’s top earner. That distinction belongs to Cavendish banana. Among the five major fruits being produced in Davao City, Cavendish banana topped both in production volume and value.

Davao City produced an average of 264,018 metric tons of Cavendish banana per year with P2.48 billion production value. Banana is the leading fruit grown in the Philippines and a consistent top dollar earner. The Cavendish variety of Davao City is considered one of the best in the world and is mostly planted in Marilog, Calinan, Paquibato, Tugbok and Toril. Durian, which has become the iconic symbol of Davao, recorded a five-year volume of production average of 48,461 metric tons per year with P1.05 billion production value. Durian plantations occupy vast areas in Calinan, Baguio and Torial. Another major fruit being produced in Davao City is mango, the country’s national fruit and considered the apple of the tropics. Davao mangoes are classified as export quality, local and premium grade. Two varieties are commonly grown: the sweeter manggang piko, and the fleshier ‘manggang kalabaw’ (Carabao mango) - the ripe ones having yellow skin and flesh, which is said to be at their sweetest. The city produced an average of 22,423 metric tons of mango per year with a production value put at P493.09 million. The key production areas of mango are found in Tugbok, Toril, Calinan, Buhangin and Bunawan. Davao City is also one of the top producers of pineapples in the country. Locally-grown pineapples are bright orange in color and not the usual pale yellow. They are

small but sweet, and are exported in countries such as Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea, Middle East, and New Zealand. The average annual production of pineap-

ple in the city reached 16,871 metric tons with P116.59 million production value. The main production area of pineapple is Baguio district. The other major fruit

A feast of the senses at SM Lanang Premier

Davao Gourmet Collective on Aug 16-18

HIS August 16 to 18, foodies from all over the metropolis will be the main treat at SM Lanang Premier as Davao City’s premier shopping and dining hub presents this massive, gastronomic celebration in time for Kadayawan Festival 2013. Dubbed ‘The Davao Gourmet Collective,’ this food festival brings together the metro’s top chefs and restaurateurs to showcase exceptional eats and the tastiest specialties at the mall Atrium. Dabawenyos would enjoy the various gourmet selec-

tions prepared byparticipating restaurant suppliers and purveyorssuch as Blugré, Bangkok Wok, Villa Margarita, Osvaldo’s, Cellar de Boca, Malagos Farms, Hog’s Breath Café, Morisco Ristorante Italiano, Beko’s Biik, JR. by Jonathan’s Cupcakery, Monica Floirendo, Crazy Cook, and many more. Be at the most talked about foodie event this Kadayawan! Like SM Lanang Premier on Facebook and follow @SMLanangPremier on Twitter for news and event updates.

being produced in Davao City is pomelo, which belongs to the citrus family, and is one of the largest and juiciest fruits in the world. Davao is a major exporter of Pomelo in the world.

In five year’s time, the city produced an average 2,127 metric tons of pomelo annually with P38.95 million production value. Pomelo is mostly grown in Calinan, Baguio and Toril.

VOL. 6 ISSUE 107• TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2013

6 SCIENCE/ENVIRONMENT EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 107• TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2013

Camels could be deadly virus source

ROMEDARY camels could be responsible for passing to humans the deadly Mers coronavirus that emerged last year, research suggests. Tests have shown the Mers (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) virus, or one that is very closely related, has been circulating in the animals, offering a potential route for the spread. The study is published in the journal Lancet Infectious Diseases. But the scientists say more research is needed to confirm the findings. The Mers coronavirus first emerged in the Middle East last year. So far, there have been 94 confirmed cases and 46 deaths. While there has been evidence of the virus spreading between humans, most case are thought to have been caused by contact with an animal. But until now, scientists have struggled to work out which one. ‘Smoking gun’ To investigate, an international team looked at blood samples taken from livestock animals, including camels, sheep, goats and cows, from a number of different countries.

They tested them for antibodies - the proteins produced to fight infections - which can remain in the blood long after a virus has gone. Professor Marion Koopmans, from the National Institute of Public Health and the Environment and Erasmus University in The Netherlands, said: “We did find antibodies that we think are specific for the Mers coronavirus or a virus that looks very similar to the Mers coronavirus in dromedary camels.” The team found low levels of antibodies in 15 out of 105 camels from the Canary Islands and high levels in each of the 50 camels tested in Oman, suggesting the virus was circulating more recently. “Antibodies point to exposure at some time in the life of those animals,” Prof Koopmans explained. No human cases of the Mers virus have been reported in Oman or the Canary Islands, and the researchers say they now need to test more widely to see if the infection is present elsewhere. This would include taking samples from camels in Saudi Arabia, the country

where the virus is the most prevalent. ‘Priority search’ Prof Koopmans said: “It is a smoking gun, but it is not definitive proof.” Commenting on the research, Professor Paul Kellam from the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute in Cambridge and University College London, said the research was helping to narrow down the hunt for the source of the virus. But he told BBC News: “The definitive proof would be to isolate the virus from an infected animal or to be able to sequence and characterise the genome from an infected animal.” Health officials say confirming where the virus comes from is important, but then understanding how humans get infected is a priority. Gregory Hartl, from the World Health Organization, said: “Only if we know what actions and interactions by humans lead to infection, can we work to prevent these infections.” Data suggests that it is not yet infectious enough to pose a global threat and is still at a stage were its spread could be halted. [BBC]

DENR okays guidelines for ecotourism dev’t T

HE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has come up with a set of guidelines for planning and managing of ecotourism activities within nationally designated protected areas. DENR Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje said he recently issued Department Administrative Order (DAO) No. 2013-19 to support conservation efforts and sustainable use of natural resources in protected areas with tremendous potential for ecotourism development. “The DAO institutionalizes the entire process of developing ecotourism within our protected areas, applies its concepts and principles, and ensures equal participation and benefits among the community members and other stakeholders,” Paje said. Protected areas, now numbering 240 nationwide, are defined as “portions of land and water set aside for their unique physical and biological significance, managed to enhance biodiversity and protected against destructive human exploitation” as defined under Republic Act 7586, or the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act of 1992. Areas with ecotourism potential may refer to terrestrial, coastal or marine, caves, and wetland ecosystems. According to Paje, other laws such as the

Tourism Act and the Magna Carta for Women have been considered in the crafting of the DAO to ensure that activities within protected areas would be consistent with ecotourism principles. “Ecotourism activities properly planned and managed would promote and guarantee the conservation and sustainable use of all biodiversity found within,” Paje said. “It would provide business opportunities for the local community; involve women, children, indigenous peoples and the informal sector in all undertakings; and promote responsible tourism.” The DAO covers the various phases in the ecotourism planning and management process, including site assessment that will determine whether ecotourism management is the right strategy for a particular protected area. The data will be used by the Protected Area Superintendent in preparing the corresponding Ecotourism Management Plan (EMP) to involve stakeholders like local government unit (LGUs), the community, people’s organizations and other government agencies. The EMP shall consist of five components, namely: zoning to determine how visitors can use certain areas of the park; visitor site planning to limit the impact of visitors on the natural environment; sustainable

infrastructure design to harmonize facilities with ecological processes and natural beauty; visitor management to consider flow and behavior of visitors, as well as support the site’s “carrying capacity”; and revenue generation, including determination of applicable fees. The implementation phase will be in accordance with all timelines, arrangements and budget provided in the EMP. All enterprises, meanwhile, will follow a business plan prepared by the LGUs or a partner from the private sector. All plans will be reviewed by the Regional Ecotourism Committee and subsequently approved by the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB). The final phase of monitoring and evaluation will be two-pronged: 1) determine the progress of the implementation plan; and 2) study the effects of ecotourism development and their benefits on the community. The DAO also calls for building the capacities of concerned implementers, from the national to the community level, through training, site visits and collaboration with partners. The Department of Tourism and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) were identified as lead agencies in ecotourism product development, marketing and promotion.

THE ECONOMY 7

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 107• TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2013

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

Globe Telecom mobile subscriber base reaches 36M G

LOBE Telecom’s total mobile subscriber base reached a fresh record high, exceeding 36 million at the end of the first half, driven by the success of its customizable and value-based product offerings amid rising demand for mobile browsing services. The company’s total subscriber base of 36.1 million at the end of June this year is a 14% increase from a year earlier and a 3% improvement from the previous quarter. “The company’s robust revenue growth in the first half was driven by strong performance of all our business segments complemented by the strong subscriber growth during the period, stemming from aggressive acquisitions in both the postpaid and prepaid business,” Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu said. Overall subscriber net additions remained robust with close to 3 million in the first half, a 76% surge from a year earlier, while keeping blended churn to 5.6%, a slight improvement from 5.7% a year earlier.

Globe Postpaid subscribers are now approaching the 2 million mark, as subscribers reached 1.9 million at the end of the first half, an 18% increase from a year earlier and a 2% hike from the previous quarter. On the other hand, Globe Prepaid subscribers reached a total 16.9 million at the end of the period, a 5% rise from a year earlier while TM subscribers totaled 17.2 million, a 23% jump from a year earlier. On a year to date basis, gross acquisitions increased by over 2.4 million subscribers, a 20% increase from a year earlier. The company said subscriber acquisitions in the second quarter alone remained strong at 7.4 million subscribers, over 85,000 SIMs higher than previous quarter’s level, which came mostly from the company’s mass market brand TM. According to Mr. Cu, the company’s modernized network infrastructure, which is now approaching completion, will lift capacity and boost network performance and thus further enhance Globe branding

BY THE NUMBERS The national go vernment allocating

P399 billion for public infras tr projects in 2014 ucture , which is

35 percent more than the am appropriated th ount is year.

SOURCE: NEDA

moving forward. Globe sustained topline growth momentum in the first half, reporting total revenues of

P44.5 billion, a 9% jump from a year earlier, resulting in a core net income of P6.4 billion, a 13% rise from a year earlier.

made significant investments to expand its branch network, strengthen core businesses and develop new businesses. From 136 branches at the beginning of 2012, the Security Bank group’s network increased by 82 branches to a total of 218 branches as of June 30, 2013. The universal bank has 180 branches and thrift bank subsidiary Security Bank Savings has 38 branches. Further to the aforementioned numbers, Security Bank’s capital further increased to P38 billion, up by 9% year-on-year. The Bank continues to be among the best capitalized banks in the country. Its book value per share is at P75.82 after the P1.00 per share dividend paid in June 2013, up from P73.37 last December 2012. “Further diversity and stability in funding, loans and revenue bases arising from disciplined expansion and a

more established franchise, together with continued strong core capitalisation, sustained risk-adjusted profitability and improvements in asset quality, would be rating-positive for Security Bank.”, the ratings company added. Security Bank underscores its performance as the Bank was recently recognized in June 2013 by Asiamoney as the “Best Domestic Bank in the Philippines in 2013.” as well as in April by The Asian Banker of Singapore as the “Best Managed Bank in the Philippines.” Security Bank President and CEO Mr. Alberto S. Villarosa was awarded as the “Best CEO for the Philippines” in The Asian Banker CEO Leadership Award for the period 20112013 last April in Jakarta, Indonesia. In 2012, The Banker of the Financial Times of London awarded Security Bank as the “Bank of the Year” in the Philippines.

Fitch Rating affirms Security Bank at‘BB’ratings with a stable outlook F

ITCH Ratings, a leading global rating agency committed to providing the world’s credit markets with accurate, timely and prospective credit opinions, affirmed Security Bank Corporation’s (SBC) Long-Term Issuer Default Ratings (“IDRs”) at Double B (‘BB’) and its Viability Ratings (VR) at ‘bb’ with a Stable Outlook. “The VR and IDRs as well as the National Rating of Security Bank reflects its strong core capitalization, improving loan loss reserves, as well as its sound funding, liquidity and domestic franchise,” Fitch said in a press statement released last August 2, 2013. The rating agency added the Stable Outlook on Security Bank reflects Fitch’s expectation that the bank will largely maintain its steady credit profile over the near- to medium-term, underpinned by a buoyant domestic economy,

manageable corporate leverage and low interest rates. The statement from Fitch was supported by Security Bank’s announcement of its first half financial results. The Bank’s business volumes continued to grow, paced by total deposits which increased by 37% year-on-year to P179 billion. Low-cost deposits likewise increased by 37%. Loans grew by 21% to P133 billion from year-ago level. Loans went to power, utilities, infrastructure, wholesale and retail trade, food and agriculture, consumer goods and other key sectors of the economy. Total assets reached P294 billion, up by 25% year-on-year. Since last year, the bank has been undergoing an expansion program both from an organic and acquisition perspective. Eight more Security Bank branches were opened during the second quarter of 2013. In 2012, Security Bank 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

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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

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VOL. 6 ISSUE 107• TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2013

EDITORIAL

United by a driving passion for sports

AKE no mistake about it, basketball is still the country’s national pastime. This first eleven days of August renewed the Filipinos’ romance with the sport of basketball as the country’s national team, known as the Gilas Pilipinas, embarked on a journey towards returning to the world stage. The venue of this journey was the 27th FIBA Asia basketball championships held in Manila for the first time in 40 years. The last time we hosted the same tournament in 1973, the country won the championship behind a team built around now basketball Hall of Famers Robert Jaworski, Ramon Fernandez, Freddie Webb, Danny Florencio, and Rosalio Martirez. For four decades, this basketball-crazy country tailspin from champs to chumps. The Philippines plummeted in the amateur stage while it flourished in building the first ever professional basketball league in Asia. At one stage, we finished 15th place, and things got even worse when the country was suspended by the FIBA because of inner squabble in the country’s basketball leadership. Basketball’s journey is one that is typical of our country’s democratic struggles. There was also a basketball leadership much like the Marcos dictatorship that needed to be toppled down in order to rebuild the country’s basketball organization. When the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas (SBP) finally slew the old Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP), the foundation of the country’s journey back to the basketball glory road was laid down. The first Gilas program had a foreign coach and a bunch of amateur stand-

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outs carry the fight for the country. It wasn’t easy. They started as whipping boys, then later on became an emerging force again. It was not quite enough still. There was more work cut out for the SBP. The second edition of the Gilas team was next created and it was built around the country’s best basketball professionals. The possibility of gathering the best of the pro league happened because of selfless dedication and sacrifice made by the Philippine Basketball Association. And then everything fell into place. Lebanon lost its right to host the tournament and we were tapped to take their place. With a homecourt advantage going our way, the rest was, as they say, history. We fell short of beating Iran and winning the championships. But that will have to come another time. What is important is that we are back in the world stage. Next year, the country will be playing against the likes of basketball superpowers United States, Spain, Germany, France and Argentina. This is a stage much bigger than it was back in 1978 which was the last time we were in this elite company. We can only be awed by such magnitude of a competition and the galaxy of greatness we are facing. What brought us here was not the advantage of physical built and national wealth and influence. It was sheer heart, courage, sacrifice and the love of a nation who once again proved that her people can be united by the driving passion of sports—simply, life’s greatest equalizer.

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EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 107•TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2013

VANTAGE POINTS

Fragile road map to peace

GROWING SENSE OF FUTILITY – No one in some war-ravaged provinces of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and North Cotabato really believed the cease-fire position that has been declared by the leadership of the breakaway rebel group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in the observance of the month of Ramadan would hold. That hardly mitigated the shudder at the renewed attacks perpetrated by the outrageous and dreaded BIFF combatants against government troops and public infrastructures. As a result, thousands of poor farmers and their families in the far-flung farming communities of Maguindanao and North Cotabato evacuated to safer grounds to avoid being caught in the crossfire after several days of armed encounters. As the BIFF forces intensified their simultaneous assaults against soldiers and government facilities, government forces likewise retaliated with the same intensity resulting to casualties and injuring scores on both sides. That’s the punch-counterpunch of hostilities that has ruined hopes of peace for decades in the Bangsamoro homeland. And this latest round of armed conflicts shredded holes in the fragile road map to peace the government (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) put forward several months ago to bring the two sides to a permanent peace settlement that could lead to the realization and establishment of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB). While top officials on both camps struggled to salvage peace prospects, some groups particularly the notorious BIFF are trying to muddle the peace talks purposely to stalemate progress. There is never a precise beginning for these spasms of violence, but the latest attacks on government soldiers and innocent

civilians seem to have been set in motion immediately right after the month of Ramadan, when the GRP and MILF peace panels expect a peaceful environment thereafter. What is less clear is why the BIFF leadership would have ordered such dastardly act at this time when the peace talk between the GRP and MILF is in progress. The series of attacks may have been one in their hidden agenda: vested interest. Some inside sources revealed that the BIFF’s heat and distrust grew out of differences with the MILF leadership. Meanwhile government reaffirmed that the BIFF is now considered a terrorist group and the administration and MILF insist it must be destroyed for the peace plan to go forward. At this point, the government and MILF hope to regain its peace policy by taking down the BIFF radicals once and for all: capture and jail their haughty leaders, clamp down on their operatives, confiscate their weapons and shut down their bomb shops. What it takes is for leaders on both sides to have the political clout and military muscle to clash with the terror band and crush it permanently. In the view of some security experts, the extremist movement had just been using the cease-fire accord to rest and rearm. The BIFF has spent the past weeks planning surprise attacks, stockpiling explosives and improving its capability in jungle warfare. The government has spent more than four decades attempting to achieve a lasting

and meaningful peace program in the Bangsamoro homeland through peaceful negotiations. In those years that have passed, it’s become painfully obvious that the government’s road map to peace remained hanging on the balance. Instead of supporting the peace process and abandon its covert agenda, the BIFF today is more isolated, armed and dangerous than ever before. And once again, the government tried to horse-trade with the BIFF leadership in hopes of convincing them to back away from their hostile activities. This time government won’t be alone: future negotiations it there’s any, will include the MILF leadership probably there to help with the “arm twisting.” But underlying hopes that the BIFF-initiated hostilities can be defuse with more peaceful dialogues and a security guarantees to the BIFF leaders is a growing sense of futility about negotiating with them. The fanatical revolutionary group is waging a distinct and separate scuffle for peace. But its offensive approach of choice – sowing terror through armed struggle is destabilizing to the government and its people. Indeed, to the vast majority, it would seem in the BIFF’s best interest to move swiftly to peaceful settlement. Even the MILF, once an ally is losing patience and has admonished the BIFF to disarm. Still, in the past when BIFF snotty leaders have emerged from their hardened bunkers, they have proven to be maddeningly immovable negotiators. Ultimately, many believe the government wants to topple the BIFF. So what happens if the group continues to wreak havoc? “At the end of the road lays the fate of other similar fanatical groups,” noted a peace and security expert. That’s a far different path than the peaceful byway envisioned by the GRP and MILF.

Why were these Abu Sayyaf bombers released from jail?

N behalf of the bereaved families and victims of bombings and kidnappings in Mindanao and in the interest truth and justice, the undersigned civil society organizations, human rights defenders and peace advocates strongly call for an immediate and impartial investigation over the suspicious release from detention of high-valued Abu Sayyaf inmates from the Special Intensive Care Area (SICA) of Bicutan Jail sometime in February 2013 through the alleged “facilitation” of a very powerful politician from Sulu. While Mindanaoans are terrorized with the spate of bombings now rocking the fledgling peace in Mindanao, it is highly repulsive and mind-boggling why national agencies of government like the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), which is under the Office of the President, and the Task Force on Anti-Terrorism of the Department of Justice allowed the release of highly dangerous terrorists who made no qualms that they are involved in bombings and kidnappings. On February 7, 2013, national print and online media outfits reported the order of the Department of Justice to release 18 suspected Abu Sayyaf men allegedly wrongfully accused of kidnapping as “There appears to be no proof of their participation in the kidnapping much less evidence of their purported membership in the Abu Sayyaf Group.” The 18 were charged for the kidnapping and beheading of Jehovah’s Witness/Almeda Group members in 2002. Because of the dropping

(First of Two Parts) STATEMENT of their criminal charges by the DOJ, these 18 walked to freedom on February 15, 2013. What is shocking is that barely a month from their release from prison, four of these 18 suspects, namely Muhammad Sali Said, Robin Sahiyal, Julhamad Ahad and Mujibar Amon were presented before the Regional Trial Court of Manila-Branch 19 as witnesses of Governor Abdusakur Tan in criminal cases which he has filed against a known human rights defender from Sulu. In open court, these men have admitted that they are bombers, kidnappers and proud active members of the Abu Sayyaf Group. Sali Said, the star witness produced by the Governor, admitted that he was released from prison through the help of the lawyer of the governor who offered to help him “process (his) papers for release” on the condition that his group will agree to stand as false witnesses for the governor. Why these Abu Sayyaf inmates released from prison is the biggest question that up to now the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos and the Department of Justice refuse to answer. Who repackaged these highly dangerous terrorists to fall under the legal assistance program of the NCMF and made them appear as innocent Muslims wrongly arrested due to mistaken identity? While

we are of course supportive of this type of programs as there are indeed hundreds of innocent detainees now languishing in jail, we strongly condemn the act of “inserting” into the list of innocent Muslims wrongly arrested due to mistaken identity—the names of at least four Abu Sayyaf bombers and kidnappers, namely Robin Sahiyal, Muhammad Sali Said and Julhamad Ahadi who walked to freedom last February 15, 2013. While our young soldiers are risking their lives and limbs running after the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu, it is simply sickening to the senses and a complete mockery of justice to find our own national agencies like the NCMF and DOJ providing free legal assistance to high-valued terrorists, bombers and kidnappers? How can we ever reconcile the use of taxpayers’ money to set free the Abu Sayyaf Group? How can NCMF and DOJ ever miss the sea of difference between an innocent Muslim wrongly arrested due to mistaken identity and the solid intelligence dossier of these hard core terrorists? Who placed the names of these terrorists into the list of innocent Muslims wrongly arrested due to mistaken identity? Who made the deal so that the four ASG witnesses of the Governor will be categorized as innocent Muslims? Who closed his eyes on the glaring fact that these four are Abu Sayyaf members? Who repackaged the four terrorists to become innocent, wrongly arrested Muslims so they can qualify into the NCMF legal assistance program?

Past to present: Brand CdeO MINDAVIEWS BY A. PAULITA R. ROA

few years ago, when I was detailed at the City Tourism Office, I was assigned to meet a group from Manila who came to Cagayan de Oro City on a study tour. Upon their arrival, two of the visitors requested me to arrange a trip to the “CDO Carne Norte Factory. I was momentarily stunned by their request. I then informed them that there is no such factory in the city. It was their turn to be surprised. They told me that since Cagayan de Oro City is also known as CDO, they presumed that this is the place where the CDO meat products are made! This erroneous perception bothered me for a while because I then realized that Cagayan de Oro did not have its own brand initials that can serve as its distinct identity. Our city’s name is composed of twelve letters and this is one of the reasons why many simply use CDO to refer to our city. But are we conscious of the fact that CDO refers to the official brand name of a nationally known food company? That the initials CDO do not legally belong to Cagayan de Oro at all? I made a research on the sanmarino.com. ph/news where there is a brief article by Dindo A. Danao about Corazon Dayro - Ong, nutritionist and a housewife from Valenzuela City, Bulacan. She was known to make good longanisas and who experimented with the skinless variety. She started to sell them at a small scale, and it did not take long for it to become popular. In 1981, her thriving business was registered at the Securities and Exchange Commission as Foodsphere Inc. However, Corazonn Dayro Ong’s initials - CDO is used as the flagship brand of the company’s food products like CDO carne norte, hot dog and many more. The use of the initials CDO to denote Cagayan de Oro, probably started when the CDO meat products entered the local market. I guess that the company’s marketing arm may not want to admonish us for the misuse of their brand name for this is a big way to promote their products. In 2008, the Cagayan de Oro Historical and Cultural Commission, after doing research and much discussion among its members, recommended to the City Council, the adoption of a new set of initials of the city as a way to stop the prevalent use of CDO which is not legally ours. Also, we deemed it unethical to be borrowing the corporate identity of a prominent food manufacturer and adopt it as the city’s own. Being in charge of the research section of the City’s Historical and Cultural Commission, I found two important laws that gave Cagayan two different names during the Spanish colonial period and in 1950. The first one was a decree issued on February 27,1871, by Governor General Carlos Maria de la Torre that made Cagayan the official capital of the Misamis Province, also known as the the Segundo Distrito de Mindanao. This huge province consisted of the present provinces of Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Camiguin and Bukidnon and the cities of Iligan and Dapitan. The capital town was henceforth known as Cagayan de Misamis. Decades later, on June 15, 1950, President Elpidio Quirino signed Republic Act 521 - creating the City of Cagayan de Oro. Note that in these two laws, the word “de” was used. The word “de” in English means “of” and in case of place names, it means “that is” and is used to signify an important thing. Like “Cagayan that is in or of Misamis” - probably to differentiate it from Cagayan Valley of Northern Luzon. And our city’s name since 1950 means - Cagayan of Gold. On April 21, 2008, the City Council passed Ordinance No. 10962 - 2008, adopting “CdeO” as the official initials of the City of Cagayan de Oro. The principal author of this ordinance is Councilor Alden Bacal. The use of CdeO as the distinct initials of the city is to be used for all official and semi-officials activities of the city. In Section 2 of this ordinance, it says that the official initials “CdeO” should be printed and stamped in all city government stationaries, IDs, official documents, banners, signs, posters and other similar materials authorized by the City Mayor or the City Council. In Section 3, it enjoined the tri-media, national offices and agencies and other private agencies located and stationed in the city as well as the barangay officials to use CdeO in their websites and other official communications, posters, signs and other similar materials. [MindaNews is the opinion section of MindaViews. A. Paulita R. Roa is a member of the Cagayan de Oro Historical and Cultural Commission and Deputy of the National Museum in Cagayan de Oro]

VOL. 6 ISSUE 107• TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

Raps filed vs 30 suspects in CDO blast T

HE Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) on Monday announced that it has filed criminal charges against 30 persons implicated in the July 26 Limketkai Center, Cagayan De Oro blast which killed eight persons and left 46 wounded. Some of those charged are reportedly members of the terror groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda. Chief Insp. Elizabeth Jasmin, CIDG spokesperson, said murder charges were

filed last Aug. 6 at the Cagayan De Oro City Prosecutor’s Office. Charged were Usman Hapdis alias “Mam Man”, a known member of the Khilafa Islamiah Mindao (KIM), an affiliate of Al-Qaeda. Six other KIM members, along with 23 others, on the other hand, were charged with frustrated murder and malicious mischief after they were identified by complainants and witnesses. Based on the reports of

Senior Supt. Eliseo Rasco, Region 10 Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit chief, Jasmin said Hapdis has some 40 regular members—eight of whom were said to be his “hardcore” followers. While on the other hand, 15 others were said to have been taking Arabic language course since last month. Apart from Hapdis, still undetermined number of his group members was also slapped with multiple murder charges. (PNA)

HE reported 200 kilos of shabu seized by the authorities turned out to be 400 kilos of the high grade drugs worth P2-billion as the authorities conducted inventory on the illegal drug. The Philippine National Police-Anti Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force (PNP-AIDSOTF) and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) arrested six people caught loading them in a parked van in Subic, Zam-

bales. Task force commander Senior Supt. Bartolome Tobias conducted the raid at Block 10 Lot 5 and 7 in Sta. Monica Subdivision on Sunday afternoon. Tobias identified the suspect Joselito Esqueta, resident of Pasay City; Coronel Disierto 33, also from of Pasay City; Emmanuel Erwin Tobias, from Pasay and Dennis Domingo form Antipolo City . The police confiscated

and seized during raid were two balikbayan boxes cotaining more or less 50 kgs each of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as shabu; 22 pieces travelling bag containing more or less 15 kgs of suspected each of suspected shabu with a total weight of more or less 400 kgs of suspected shabu worth P2 billion, and a color white Nizzan urban with plate number XBX507. (PNA)

According to SM Supermalls Mindanao assistant vice president for marketing, Russel Alaba, this event showcases the beauty and quality of the flora and fruit products of Davao City, highlighting the

city’s very own Waling-waling. He said this event has become the prime destination of tourists who come to enjoy Kadayawan, adding that he talked to some vendors who

said they are doing good in their sales, as the event brings in a lot of foreigners, even visitors from neighboring provinces and people from Manila and Cebu and pumps up the foot traffic in the malls.”

Balquin, city police director, immediately called for a command conference today to further discuss beefing up security of the city. A week ago, a powerful bomb went off in the busy area along Sinsuat Avenue right downtown, killing eight persons and wounding 32 others, supposedly targeting the convoy of city administrator Cynthia Sayadi-Guaini, sister of Mayor Japal Guiani. Both admitted they have received death threats from kidnapping and drug syndicates.

The series of threats was followed by Saturday night’s throwing of grenade near a Marine post in the supermarket area. In a phone interview Balquin said they are not discounting that the explosives found were meant to be picked up by experts in assembling IEDs, but garbage collectors unintentionally gathered the mortars. “We are not discounting that possibility but we are also investigating deeper on these new wave of bombing attempts,” he said.

In 2007, a garbage collector here died and another was wounded when they accidentally collected an unexploded IED. In a statement, Sayadi said: “Let karma work to the ruthless people behind these evil attacks. She called on Cotabateños to be vigilant, and to report to authorities when they see suspicious people. Cotabato has declared a month-long mourning to show sympathy to the families of those who perished in the August 5 car bomb attack. (Ferdinandh Cabrera / MindaNews)

developing self-reliant and vibrant communities. Since its inception in 2010, under the Trees Brew Life project, the company has planted more than 150,000 samplings of harwood, mangrove and fruit bearing trees in Cagayan Valley, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Camarines Sur, Tacloban and Iloilo on top of customary regions where the company’s facilities are located. The Buhayin ang Kalikasan flagship environmental program reemains

to be a top priority in SMB’s social development agenda. Co-implemented with the Department Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and LGUs; and in partnership with NGOs, people organizations, civic associations, business groups, media partners and surrounding communities, SMB aspires to be able to contribute in ensuring the availability of water supply by protecting, preserving and rehabilitating selected forest covers, regeneration of mangrove

areas and propagation of planting materials for an eco-friendly environment. Likewise, the company aims to help in reforestation, increasing mangrove density, nursery development, capability-building and conduct of a sustained environmental information drive. SMB’s particiaption in this environmental program is in support of the National Greening Program of President Benigno S. Aquino III and the DENR.

P2 B shabu seized in Subic

MINDANAO TRADE EXPO. Department of Trade and Industry 11 director Marizon S. Loreto (2nd from right) beats the gong to mark the opening of Mindanao Trade Expo 2013 yesterday at the activity center of Abreeza Mall in Davao City. With her are Mindanao Trade Expo

Waterways.. rainshowers or thunderstorms.” Also last night, Talomo Police chief Julius Silagan told Edge Davao that the 120-strong personnel of the police station are put on standby for possible emergencies. Two rivers, the Talomo River and Matina Pangi River, pass along areas within the jurisdiction of the station. Bucana, Ma-a, Matina Pangi, Tigatto, Talomo, Ma-

FFROM 1

Lolong... FFROM 1 out by Bunawan Municipality before 12 o’clock so we’re checking yong kanyang ulo and kanyang balat kung anong situation. It seems like it’s still in good shape dahil sa asin and its been capped in the freezer,” Dizon said. Dizon noted, however, that there are damages noted on the left side of the crocodile’s face due to freezer burn. According to Dizon, Lolong will end up in the National Museum for the required taxidermy procedure. After that, the crocodile will be displayed at the National Museum until April next year after that it will be transported back to its permanent home in Bunawan, Agusan del Sur. Last July, Bunawan councilor Ronald Nuer, chairman of the special committee for the preservation of the remains of Lolong, announced that the local government, the National Museum and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) have entered into a memorandum of agreement assuring the return of the crocodile’s remains to their town.

Foundation Inc.’s (MTEFI)chairman Benjamin Kalolo (3rd from right) and president Ann T. Pamintuan (2nd from left), and Chamber of Furniture Industry of the Philippines (CFIP) president Nicolas Delange (ext. Right). Lean Daval Jr.

tina Crossing and Matina Aplaya are on top of the list of monitored areas. These barangays are located along the major water ways of the city---the Davao River, Talomo River and Matina Pangi River. In Metro Manila, typhoon “Labuyo” (Utor) has accelerated and intensified slightly as it moves over to the West Philippine Sea Monday afternoon. The state weather foreBunawan Mayor Edwin Elorde said they are currently developing the Bunawan eco-park to further attract tourists to the area, like the improvement of the road from the highway to the park. A building where Lolong’s remains would be displayed will be constructed inside the eco-park according to specifications from the National Museum. While the two parties have quite settled among themselves with the custody of the crocodile’s remains, Dizon said the Davao Crocodile Park will also have a “Lolong” occupying its own museum. Dizon revealed that they have a silicon mold of “Lolong” which they will use for what he describes as a “perfect replica” of the crocodile. “Since kami ang nagskin kay Lolong, we are allowed by the mayor to take a silicon mold of it. Because we have the silicon mold we can make an exact replica of Lolong. We are just checking on the dimension of mouth niya which is 9 inches so, yes, we will have perfect

caster PAGASA has lifted public storm warning signal no.3 in some parts of Luzon but at least seven provinces in Luzon are still under public storm warning signal no.2 while 12 areas under signal no.1. PAGASA said Typhoon “Labuyo” will enhance the southwest monsoon which will bring moderate to occasionally heavy rains over the rest of Southern Luzon, Visayas Mindanao. replica of Lolong. People could still enjoy it and admire the size of the beast,” Dizon said. Likewise, Dizon disclosed that he will be donating two crocodiles to the Bunawan eco park--a saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) and an endangered freshwater Philippine Crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis). “The two crocodiles will be a male and a female and with our guidance, we hope to successfully breed the crocodiles to help the dwindling crocodile population in Agusan Marsh,” Dizon said. “May dalawa silang pens doon na walang laman. If allowed by the Park and Wildlife Bureau, of course they have to request. But we have to correct the mistakes of the park.” Lolong was officially certified by the Guinness Book of World Records as the “world’s biggest crocodile in captivity” at 20.25 ft (6.17 meters). The crocodile died at around 8 p.m. last February 10. The necropsy concluded the reptile died because of pneumonia and cardiac arrest.

Kadayawan’s.. FFROM 2

Boys..

FFROM 2

SMB plants.. FFROM 2

11 COMMUNITY SENSE

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 107• TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2013

Education of 20 lumads assured with Davao Light fund assistance T

WENTY “lumad” or indigenous people college scholars will continue to enjoy their educational subsidy for school

year 2013-20124 from Davao Light & Power Co., the Aboitiz-owned electric utility distributing power in Davao City, Panabo City, and

ASSISTANCE. Davao Light Asst. VP for Corporate Communications and Branding Ross Luga (left at center) hands over to Fr. Albert Alejo SJ, Mindanawon Foundation Chair the P150 thousand check representing the company’s financial subsidy to the Lumad college scholars studying at various universities

the towns of Carmen, Dujali and Sto. Tomas in Davao del Norte. The subsidy which amounts to P150 thousand

annually is coursed through the Mindanawon Foundation, Inc., a Jesuit-run non-government organization (NGO) based at the Ateneo de Davao

and colleges in Davao City under its Lumad education program implemented by the Jesuit-run foundation. To Mr. Luga’s right is Davao Light Comrel Manager Vic Sumalinog, while to Fr. Alejo’s left is Mindanawon Executive Director Ms. Pery Tio. With them are some of the scholars.

University (ADDU) in Davao City. It is donated by the electric utility through Aboitiz Foundation, Inc., the social development arm of all companies under the Aboitiz Group. The 20 “Lumad” scholars consist of those already enrolled in the higher grade level and those recruited by Mindanawon only this school year and are now in their freshman in college.Davao Light which is one of the college scholarship program’s major supporters, has committed to provide financial subsidy for the books and other research requirements of the “lumad” beneficiaries. Arturo M. Milan, Davao Light’s Exec. Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (EVP-COO), was represented by Community Relations Manager Vic N. Sumalinog and Asst. Vice President for Corporate Communications and Branding during the check turnover to Mindanawon chair Rev. Fr. Albert Alejo last August 8 at the company’s office along C. bangoy st., Davao City. He was accompanied by Mindanawon Executive Director Ms. Perpy C. Tio and some of

the Lumad scholars. The Lumad college scholarship program is implemented by Mindanawon, in cooperation with other private colleges and universities in Davao, and supported mostly by corporations and generous individuals. The scholars are housed in a residential place in downtown Davao closer to the schools they are studying. They are being brought to the city from their respective upland residences. Participating schools provide tuition privileges to the scholars while some corporations and individuals give subsidies to the lumad students’ other requirements in their studies and stay in the city. Meanwhile, a good number of lumad graduates under the Mindanawon scholarship program are now gainfully employed in various institutions. Some are teaching in public and private schools, some in non-government organization (NGO) work, and in call centers. One scholar is now in the Middle East doing social work, and one is connected with the Islamic Bank of the Philippines (formerly Amanah Bank) based in Cotabato City .

12 CLASSIFIEDS There’s a better way to get attention.

VOL. 6 ISSUE 107• TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2013

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CLASSIFIEDS

14 SPORTS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 107• TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2013

Douthit loss and Iran’s size too much to overcome I

N the end, the Philippine national men’s basketball team’s big fighting heart could not overcome the loss of Marcus Douthit. Without its best post scorer and top rebounder, Gilas Pilipinas succumbed to Iran, 85-71, in the gold medal game. “Obviously, we would all have wanted to come out

with a gold but in the end without Marcus, it was just too difficult,” said Reyes. “We fought for 20 minutes but with superior size and good players and great coaching, it was just too much to ask of our players. ” Gilas pulled off a victory in the semifinals despite losing Douthit to an injury midway through the match. But

the smaller Filipinos couldn’t repeat the feat against the powerhouse Persians led by 7-foot-2 behemoth Hamed Haddadi, who finished with 29 points and 16 rebounds. “(Haddadi) played a good game. Big guy. I just wish I could have been out there to fight with the team, to help them. He’s a big guy and Iran definitely went to him when

they needed to,” Douthit told reporters after the game. Having to sit out the game was tough on Douthit, especially with the effort he saw his teammates – especially big men Japeth Aguilar, Ranidel De Ocampo, Marc Pingris, and June Mar Fajardo – having to deal with

Haddadi. Douthit admitted thoughts of suiting ran through his head for most of the game. “It hurts more than the injury itself, you know what I’m saying? I’m seeing my guys out there fighting so hard, and I can’t do nothing to help them or support

ONE ON FOUR. The Philippines’ Jayson Castro William drives against Asghar Kardoust, Mahdi Kamrany, Oshin Sahakian and Hamed Sorabnejad in the fourth

them. It’s definitely tough.” “Every single second I see Haddadi getting to the basket, and pushing guys down low, of course it did.” But in the end, Douthit is still happy as the team was able to clinch one of the three tickets to the FIBA World Cup next year.

quarter of the Philippines-Iran finals in the 27th FIBA Asia championships. Iran took the gold against a hardfighting Pinoys. Nuki Sabio

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VOL. 6 ISSUE 107• TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

EVENT

A day at the racetrack of San Antonio Park

IF YOU are one who regularly follow my column, you know my love for parks and open spaces run deep. It is just sad though that parks are a rarity here in Durianburg no thanks to lack of planning or could it be foresight. So you could imagine the foresight of the late Don Antonio Floirendo when he pioneered exporting bananas and setting up one of the first horse breeding centres in the Philippines at Marapangi, Toril in the 1960’s.

“This is the realisation of my father’s dream and passion” says Ricardo “Ricky” Floirendo, senior vice president of Anflocor. “My father love horses, he would breed horses here at Marapangi and race the horses in Manila.”

Fast forward to 2013 and the dream of Don Antonio remind bright as ever as Anflocor officially opens the San Antonio Park, an international standard 1800 meter horse racetrack that is open for horse riding clubs and enthusiasts. It is the first and

only horse racetrack in Visayas and Mindanao and also features a regulation size polo field for those who would also like to play the “game of kings.” “This is the realisation of my father’s dream

and passion” says Ricardo “Ricky” Floirendo, senior vice president of Anflocor. “My father love horses, he would breed horses here at Marapangi and race the horses in Manila.” And from the entire

A2 INdulge! UP AND ABOUT

Apo View Hotel celebrates Kadayawan

THE abundance of fresh fruits and colorful blooms all around Davao can only mean that the King of Festivals is just around the corner, and at Apo View Hotel, a festive line-up of promos, exhibits and events keep the spirit of Kadayawan very much alive. Make the most of your Kadayawan experience by staying at Apo View Hotel. Book two nights from August 5 to 18 and get a gift certificate for a free overnight stay valid for one month. Your stay includes daily breakfast buffet at Entrée, welcome drinks at Blue Room, and complimentary in-room Wi-Fi. Kadayawan Fiesta While the hotel’s strategic location at the heart of city’s vibrant downtown district makes it an ideal base for sightseeing and witnessing the city’s famed street dancing and floral float parades, you may opt to check out the Kadayawan Fiesta at Apo View Hotel, a much-anticipated annual showcase of the best of Kadayawan right at the hotel. From August 5 to 18, the hotel’s main lobby will feature a Floral and Fruit Exhibit to pay tribute to the season’s bountiful harvest. The hotel’s main lobby becomes even more abuzz on August 12 to 18 with exhibits and demonstrations that promote Davao’s unique brand of artistry, such as the dagmay weaving demonstration by the women of the Mandaya tribe, an art exhibit featuring the works of acclaimed Ti-

boli artist, Ronald Tamfalan, as well as tattooing and jewelrymaking demonstrations by local artist, Nazancino Laping, Jr. On August 12 to 18, the Entrée hallway will feature a photo exhibit by the Davao Photographers for Peace entitled Hulagway sa Kadayawan (Images of Kadayawan), as well as the Parade of Mannequins, which flaunts ethnic-inspired creations of celebrated local fashion designer, Juliet Pamintuan. The highlight of the Kadayawan Fiesta is the Kaagan Theater Group’s cultural performances, which showcase the music and ritual dances of Davao’s ethnic tribes. The hour-long show happens at the Lobby and the Entrée Hallway at 12:00 noon and at 6:00 PM daily from August 12 to 18. Of course no fiesta would be complete without shopping! The Kadayawan Fiesta Bazaar at the Lobby and Sales Foyer is not to be missed. Local goods, fresh fruits and delectable delicacies are on display from August 12 to 18 so guests can conveniently shop to their heart’s content. Kadayawan Food Festival Taking advantage of the abundance of fresh produce, the hotel will be whipping up a culinary feast of the best local cuisine for their Kadayawan Food Festival. This runs from August 14 to 18 at Entrée and Café Josefina. Savor an extensive buffet spread of popular Davao dishes at Entrée, where local fruits, crisp salads, artisan cheeses, and fresh seafood take center stage. Enjoy your meal with the Entrée Wine Quartet, a set of four small glasses of different wines, to accentuate the flavors of your meal. Café Josefina, the hotel’s lobby café, will be serving a classic Filipino merienda buffet, which includes comfort food and popular native delicacies that will surely fill your tummies and warm your hearts. Razorback at Blue Room August is also an exciting time for Blue Room, the hotel’s newly renovated bar. After the recent launching of Prohibition Saturdays, the bar’s weekly soiree featuring the city’s best indie acts and guest DJs, Blue Room once again makes waves with the Razorback gig slated on August 17. Razorback is one of the country’s most solid and respected rock bands and will be flying to Davao to play exclusively at Blue Room. A cover charge of P250 gets you in and includes one free beer. Indeed, there’s no better place to enjoy Kadayawan than at Apo View Hotel. Recently celebrating 65 years in the business, the hotel remains to be one of the city’s best. For inquiries and reservations, contact Apo View Hotel at (082) 221-6430.

VOL. 6 ISSUE 107• TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

Globe Business brings BlackBerry Q10 smartphone to enterprise clientele AS A highly-preferred mobility device, the new BlackBerry Q10 smartphone is now being offered by Globe Business to heighten the BlackBerry experience further for enterprises. It is now boosted with better deals, along with the BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10 to power BlackBerry smartphones.

Globe Business recently announced that its new and current clients can now avail of BlackBerry Q10 smartphones with a re-designed and re-invented BlackBerry 10 platform. Meanwhile, Globe Business is ready to provide full technical assistance to enterprises which would like to sync BlackBerry Q10 smartphones to their current email platform via Microsoft ActiveSync, as well as guidance on procedures to upgrade to BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10 free of charge until end of this year. If a company defers to deploy BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10, BlackBerry 10 smartphones such as the Q10 will still be able to support Microsoft ActiveSync. On a two-year contract, enterprise clients of Globe Business can now maximize their work efficiencies with the BlackBerry Q10 smartphone starting at P1,900 a month with unlimited data and calls, plus P500 worth of consumable credits which may be used at special discounted rates on IDD calls as well as international and local texts which are 50% lower than regular rates. Globe is the first carrier in the Philippines to offer the BlackBerry Q10.

Enterprise clients will appreciate the full functionality of the BlackBerry Q10, the first BlackBerry 10 smartphone to feature a classic physical yet re-engineered BlackBerry QWERTY keyboard which features a wider layout and larger sculpted keys, ideal for performing e-mail and SMS. It has a stunning touchscreen display for viewing files as well as making video calls. The BlackBerry Q10 smartphone also has longer battery life to keep up with daylong business activities. Globe Business Head of Enterprise Group Nikko Acosta pointed out that “BlackBerry smartphones have always been part of the Globe Business device portfolio primarily because of its enterprise-grade manageability and security. We would like our enterprise clientele to be among the first to experience the BlackBerry Q10 smartphone especially

with our LTE network, where they can surf the Internet with speeds of up to 42 Mbps. Likewise, we would like to empower them with the newest BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10 server to take full advantage of their BlackBerry experience.” “Globe Business has always been a preferred partner for enterprise clients in the Philippines and has established a formidable collaboration with BlackBerry. Globe also offers the entire range of BlackBerry smartphones and has one of the largest BlackBerry Enterprise Server client bases. We also have a dedicated BlackBerry support team who can assist clients in scoping their system requirements so they can really harness the power of their BlackBerry smartphones. In totality, the best BlackBerry experience for enterprises is with Globe Business,” Acosta added. The BlackBerry 10 platform includes the ever-present BlackBerry Hub which brings all conversations together in one easy-to-manage place that is accessible at any time from any app with a simple “peek”; the BlackBerry® Balance™ technology, which elegantly separates and secures work applications and data from personal content; the built-in BBM™ BlackBerry® Messenger which includes voice calling and video chat plus screen sharing with another BlackBerry 10 smartphone contact; and BlackBerry® Remember, which helps tackle tasks quickly with a new way to collect, organize and action all the information sitting in different places across the smartphone.

SM Davao sets Kadayawan Sale, August 12-18! THIS Kadayawan month, celebrate the colors of Davao at SM City as it showcases everything uniquely Davao this Kadayawan season. Be awed by the beauty of Philippines’ prime blossom and the contained landscaping expertise of Davao’s best plant enthusiasts. Beginning August 1, the country’s biggest Agri Trade Fair opens its doors at the Open Parking C, featuring Mindanao’s bests in agriculture, floriculture and horticulture. Marvel at the richness of Davao’s rich flora at the Waling-waling Exhibition by FICSMIN and the Dish Garden Showcase at the Annex. Exhibits will open on August 9 and 12, respectively. Highlighting Davao’s rich peoples, authentic indigenous groups of different tribes are also set to perform at the Annex for the Lumadnong Bantawan on August 13. Also, catch ethnic-inspired creative story-telling at Sayaw Mindanaw on August 14-15 and the grand Moda Mindanaw on August 18. Plus, the brightest stars join the Kadayawan festival frenzy at the GMA Kapuso

Night on August 16 at the Annex and the ABS CBN Kapamilya Caravan on the 17th, at the SM Davao Parking C. Along with the colorful cultural festivities, SM City Davao treats Davaoeños and its guests to a weeklong Kadayawan Sale on August 12-18. Amazing dis-

counts await everyone, as much as 70% off on great selections mall-wide. Plus, to give its valued shoppers more time to shop, the city’s hippest hub is extending its mall hours until 10 PM on August 16(Friday) and until midnight on August 17(Saturday) for the Kadayawan Sale.

Spectacular events, exciting exhibits, fun activities and great discounts are all at SM City Davao this Kadayawan season! For inquiries, please call 297.6998 local 126. Like SM City Davao on Facebook and follow @smcitydavao on Twitter for event and promo updates.

EDGEDAVAO

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VOL. 6 ISSUE 107• TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2013

ENTERTAINMENT

Marian Rivera renews exclusive contract with GMA Network FORMALLY quelling persistent rumors of transferring to another network, Primetime Queen Marian Rivera renewed her ties with GMA Network, Inc. after signing another exclusive three-year contract with the Kapuso Network. Present in the contract signing were GMA Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Felipe S. Yalong, GMA President and Chief Operating Officer Gilberto R. Duavit, Jr., Marian, GMA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, President of All Access to Artists Rams David, GMA Entertainment TV’s Officer-in-Charge Lilybeth G. Rasonable, GMA Films President Atty. Annette Gozon-Abrogar, GMA Vice President for Entertainment Marivin T. Arayata, GMA Vice President for Drama Productions Redgie Acuña-Magno, GMA Assistant Vice President for Alternative Productions Gigi Santiago-Lara, and GMA Assistant Vice President for Corporate Communications Angela Javier-Cruz. During the contract signing held at the Manila Golf & Country Club, Atty. Gozon was delighted that Marian chose to remain loyal to her Kapuso family, “Mahal namin siya hindi lang bilang artista kundi bilang tao dahil napakabait ni Marian. Malayo pa ang mararating ni Marian.” Marian reveals she is very thankful to GMA for continuously giving her good projects since she became part of the Kapuso Network seven years ago, “Napak-

asarap ng pakiramdam na muli akong pumirma sa GMA dahil alam naman nating napakalaki ng utang na loob ko sa GMA dahil kung hindi naman dahil sa GMA wala namang Marian Rivera ngayon.” “Wala akong ibang pupuntahan kundi ang GMA at dito ako nabibilang, Kapuso ako at dito nagsimula ang lahat, ang Marimar, at GMA ang nagbigay sa akin nun. Walang rason na umalis ako sa GMA dahil isa lang naman ang gusto ko: ang maramdaman ang pagmamahal nila at binigay nila sa akin ‘yon. Palagi kong sasabihin na proud ako na maging Kapuso.” adds Marian. Marian became a household name after topbilling GMA’s remake of the hit Mexican series Marimar in 2007. Since then, Marian was given numerous proj-

ects that catapulted her to stardom and elevated her status as one of the country’s sought-after, multitalented and most admired actresses in the entertainment industry. On the other hand, Mr. Duavit says that with Marian’s renewal of contract, the network will focus on her evolution with close cooperation and coordination with her management team so that her career further grows, “Inspirasyon naming lahat ang sense of loyalty ni Marian at sa pagkakataong ito ay ibig naming iparating sa kanya ang aming taospusong pasasalamat dahil sa patuloy niyang pagtitiwala at nakakasiguro naman si Marian na aming isinasapuso ang kanyang mas lalong pagsulong at paglago as an entertainer and an artist. We are very happy and proud.”

Kim and Xian’s first movie teamup hits P100M in PH box-office STAR CINEMA’S funny film about moving on, “Bakit Hindi Ka Crush Ng Crush Mo” earned P100 million in less than three weeks in the boxoffice. The certified blockbuster hit is the first movie team-up of Kim Chiu and Xian Lim. It was the film adaptation of the best-selling ‘self-help’ humor book by self-proclaimed ‘Internet action star’ Ramon Bautista and directed by blockbuster director Bb. Joyce Bernal. “Bakit Hindi Ka Crush Ng Crush Mo” is a a self-help comedy movie that tells the moving on experience of a brainy ‘ugly duckling’ employee Sandy Veloso (Kim) through the help of her rich and dashing boss Alex Prieto (Xian). Know the answer to the ultimate question of the brokenhearteds, watch “Bakit Hindi Ka Crush Ng Crush Mo,” still showing in cinemas nationwide. For latest updates about “Bakit Hindi Ka Crush Ng Crush Mo” and other Star Cinema’s 20th anniversary movie offerings, simply visit www.StarCinema. com.ph, http://facebook.com/StarCinema and http://twitter.com/StarCinema.

BAKIT HINDI KA CRUSH NG CRUSH MO? 2D Kim Chiu, Xian Lim PG 13

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THE SMURFS 2 2D Hank Azaria Neil, Patrick Harris GP

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PERCY JACKSON SEA OF MONSTERS 2D Logan Lerman, Brandon Jackson PG 13

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R-16 RED 2 / *THE WOLVERINE 2D Bruce Willis/ *Hugh Jackman R13/ *PG13

12:00 | 2:20 / * 5:00 | 7:30 | 10:00 LFS

A4 INdulge!

VOL. 6 ISSUE 107• TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

EVENTS

EDGEDavao Davao Partners

family that was in attendance for the blessing and dedication of the park, you can feel that the passion and love for horses runs deep in the family, all the way to the youngest Floirendo. The event also featured an exhibit of all the businesses of the Anflo Group of companies, from the luxurious Pearl Farm Beach Resort, to Tadeco’s bananas, all the way to the spanking new international container port, you can see that Don Antonio was way ahead of his time. Present also for the momentous occasion are the members and families of the Davao Horse Club, Bukidnon Horse Club and

even some riders from General Santos City. “We hope the park will attract more riders and horse clubs from all over and beyond the region to come together for some friendly racing.” beams Ricky. “The San Antonio Park shall be a legacy of my father’s passion.” And from the way the crowd cheered during the inaugural races it can be felt that everyone shared the passion and love that one of Mindanao’s visionaries had. Follow me on Instagram or on Twitter @kennethkingong for more foodie finds, travel tips and happenings in, around and beyond Durianburg.

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 107•TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2013

15 EDGEDAVAO Sports

BACK TO THE WORLD CUP. The Philippines will be back to the FIBA World Cup next year in Spain after a strong second place finish.

INSPIRE Gilas’triumph could fan national unity

FACING THE GIANT. The Philippines’ Jayson Castro William drives against 7-2 Iran center Hamed Haddadi in the fourth quarter of the Philippines-Iran finals in the 27th FIBA Asia championships. Iran took the gold against a hard-fighting Pinoys. Nuki Sabio

HIS may just be basketball but there’s more to the triumphant campaign of the national basketball team than just balls. A f te r the Philippine n a -

tional men’s basketball team completed its campaign in the FIBA Asia Championship, coach Chot Reyes hopes the success of his squad will be a living lesson to inspire the nation. In a report by television network InterAKTV through its website, Reyes said the unity of Gilas Pilipinas was the main reason for its success the tournament, which saw them book a return trip to the world stages for the first time in four decades. “Yung value ng pa-

giging isang team, yung pagbubuklodbuklod. Nothing in this life that’s worth achieving can be achieved by one man or one person alone. Everything that’s worth achieving is achieved through a team effort,” said Reyes. “Sana nakita niyo sa team na ito, maski isa tayo sa pinakamaliit, pinakakulang sa preparasyon, pinakakulang sa international exposure, I think we were one of the best teams. “We don’t have the seven years, eight years experience ng Iran or Chinese Taipei. Pero yung mga players na ito were willing to sacrifice all their personal interests for the good of the team.” With Gilas capturing the imagination of Filipino fans in its run to the finals, Reyes hopes the same values can be applied in everyday life.

“In the end, yun ang storya ng Gilas. Basta hindi ka bibitaw o basta magsasama kayong lahat, magkakapitbisig, then a lot of great things can be achieved.” PALACE HAILS GILAS’ BIG HEART Meantime, Malacañang hailed the big fighting heart of the Philippine national men’s basketball team that finished second in the FIBA Asia Championship. “This victory is the culmination of years of hard work, belief, and perseverance,” presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda read a statement. The Palace congratulated the players and their families, the coaching staff, and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Manuel V. Pangilinan, who was also responsible for bringing the

event to the Philippines. President Benigno Aquino III attended Sunday’s championship match between Gilas Pilipinas and Iran. The team fell short of winning the Asian title, but still booked a seat for the FIBA World Cup next year in Spain. “In unison, the nation urged our team forward, and with consummate ‘puso,’ they laid everything on the line for flag and country. “Gilas Pilipinas has shown the world that no one can outsize the heart of the Filipino. May their performance inspire every Filipino to relentlessly pursue excellence, no matter what field they find themselves in, so that, together, we may fulfill our shared aspiration of a Philippine nation greater than ever before.”

“We have been longing for this dream to be realized, to chart an honest-to-goodness sports program for the city, and Thursday will be an important day for all of us,” City Sports Development Office (CSDO) officer-in-charge William “Butch” Ramirez said of the assembly that will take place at the function room of the S|P located at the third floor from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Registration starts at 7 a.m. and the program commences at 8 a.m. Ramirez said the output from the consultative meeting will set in motion the crafting of the Davao City Comprehensive Sports Development Pro-

gram. “This blue print will set the direction of the city’s sports not only in competitions but its development, towards a healthy and active community,” Ramirez said. To emphasize the significance of the meeting, Ramirez has invited all stakeholders for them to speak out and share their ideas. Among those invited are the Department of Education, national sports associations (NSAs), barangay captains, tribal groups, Muslim community, city councilors and other local government officials, private sector, academe, religious sector and the media.

Sports consultative workshop aims to craft sports program S

PORTS stakeholders gather for the Davao City Sports Consultative Workshop, a significant event in the history of the metropolis that will pave the way for the realization of a comprehensive sports program, on August 15 at the SP Building.

VOL. 6 ISSUE 107• TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2013