Edge Davao 6 Issue 11 by Edge Davao The Business Paper

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VOL. 6 ISSUE 11 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, MARCH 31 - APRIL 1, 2013

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EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

HOT RIDE By Neil Bravo

Despite increasing road accidents, more Dabawenyos ride motorcycles

here’s a continued increase in the number of motorcycles in the city despite the relative rise in motorcycle-related accidents. The Land Transportation Office (LTO) 11 reported a marked increase in the number of registered motorcycles which now account for half of the city’s vehicle population. From last year’s 48 percent, motorcycles have hit close to 50 percent of registered vehicles and counting. “Motorcycles continue to grow and we expect that to grow a bit higher at the end of the year,” LTO assistant regional director Macario Gonzaga told edge Davao. “It’s the fastest growing vehicle segment despite the accidents associated with it,” Gonzaga added noting that motorcycles have become more accessible with the emergence of Chinese made motorcycles sold at very cheap prices compared to Japanese brands. Gonzaga, however, stressed a conservative estimate of one motorcycle accident every day in Davao City alone. In Metro Manila, the LTO reported that there are five deaths daily associated to vehicular accidents according to the

Philippine National Police-highway Patrol Group (hPG). Call it a Ghost rider thing but the speed that thrills is still the speed that kills. “It’s still the number cause of vehicular accident-related deaths,” Gonzaga said. he noted that the most number of recorded violations of motorcycle owners is still helmet-related. “That explains why the number of motorcycle accidents is high, people still do not ride with safety on their minds,” Gonzaga added. A check with the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) records as of 2011 showed that motorcycles actually rank third among motor vehicles involved in traffic accidents. Of the 6,048 total accidents initially recorded, 39.58 percent involved private vehicles, followed by taxi with 16.87 percent, motorcycles with 11.81 percent and PUJs with 11.23 percent. The main factors causing the vehicular accidents are human and mechanical errors and road defects. 16 MOTOrCYCLes IN eVerY KILOMeTer FHOT RIDE, 11

“It’s the fastest growing vehicle segment despite the accidents associated with it.” LTO assisTanT regiOnaL direcTOr MacariO gOnzaga The Economy

Page 6

Reason why business leaders are happy

Sports

Page A1 16

Rory struggles

2 THE BIG NEWS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 11 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, MARCH 31 - APRIL 1, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

To offset impact of brownouts

Loans available for acquisition of modular generators sets

he national government is set to start a loan scheme that will allow electric cooperatives in Mindanao to acquire their own modular generator sets to help offset the impact of the prolonged daily rotating brownouts. energy secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla told participants of a regional power fo-

rum in General santos on Wednesday afternoon that President Benigno Aquino III has approved the loan program as an alternative solution to the long brownouts triggered by the worsening power shortage in the Mindanao grid. Petilla and secretary Luwalhati Antonino,

chair of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) met with the President in Malacanang last Monday to discuss the Mindanao power crisis and set the strategies to resolve the problem. Petilla said the the Doe will provide the funds to the National

FTO OFFSET IMPACT, 11

Holy Week generally peaceful -- PNP

A CHILD’S PRAYER. A young boy offers a prayer after lighting up a candle at the Shrine of the Holy Infant Jesus of Prague in Shrine Hills, Matina, Davao City on Good Friday. Lean Daval Jr.

he traditional celebration of the holy Week, which began on Palm sunday, was generally peaceful, police authorities said saturday. PNP Director for Operations Alex Paul Monteagudo, in his report to PNP chief Director General Alan LM Purisima, said, except for the condemnable attack by communist New People’s Army insurgents on militiaman guarding a religious activity in Butuan City on Good Friday, no other major untoward incidents were reported by police regional offices. Monteagudo said “Oplan sumVac,” the police

protection plan for holy Week, will remain operational until easter Monday when travelers are expected to trek back to the urban center after the four day holiday. “Public assistance centers put up in strategic locations along major thoroughfares and transport terminals, airports and seaports are under strict orders to remain in their posts until after the last traveler has safely returned,” Monteagudo said. For his part, PNP spokesperson Chief supt. Generoso r. Cerbo, Jr. said continuing law enforcement operations during

the holy Week holiday netted more violators of the COMeLeC-imposed gun ban, including drug law and street crime violators. As of Black saturday, the PNP has arrested 2,032 gun ban violators and confiscated 1,982 firearms, and other deadly weapons more than halfway thru the 150-day gun ban period in connection with the 2013 midterm elections on May 13, Cerbo said. he added regular law enforcement operations including accounting of wanted persons continued without let-up during the holy Week. (PNA)

he Philippine Institute of Volcanology (PhIVOLCs) announced a magnitude-5.2 quake and at least two aftershocks shook the surigao area in Mindanao on Black saturday. While the tremor was initially measured at magnitude 4.2, it updated its bulletin to indicate the quake was magnitude 5.2. PhILVOCs said the initial quake was recorded at 9:50 a.m., with the epicenter at 27 km northeast of Burgos town in surigao Del Norte. It said the quake was felt at:

Intensity IV: General Luna, siargao Intensity III: Burgos, surigao del Norte Intensity II: surigao City An Intensity IV quake is described as “moderately strong” and is “felt generally by people indoors and by some people outdoors.” PhILVOCs recorded an aftershock at 9:54 a.m., with the epicenter at 22 km northeast of Burgos. The aftershock was measured at magnitude 3.8 and was felt at Intensity II in General Luna, siargao, and Burgos in surigao Del Norte. (PNA)

5.2 quake hits Surigao

Robbery, hold-up cases T reported on Holy Week By Cherry Mae D. Palicte

he Davao City Police Office noted only one case of robbery and one hold-up incident in the city during the holy Week break. Police officer 2 roland

Muaña of the san Pedro Police station told edge Davao yesterday that the two incidents were the only reported criminal incident from Maundy Thursday to Good Friday.

Water service interruptions in some areas on April 3-5

here will be three sets of water service interruptions scheduled first week of April to give way to Davao City Water District’s separate systems improvement projects. First set is a seven-hour water cut on April 3 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM affecting Jade Valley Phase III and NCCC Village. DCWD’s engineering and Construction (eC) crew will tap the newly installed 100mm diameter Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) pipeline to the existing 100mm diameter PVC pipeline for the mainline improvement at Abellar Compound in Jade Valley Phase III. Approximately 30 new service connections can be

accommodated once this Php 173,968.96 project is completed. second set is scheduled for eight hours on April 5 from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and will affect the entire Keith Williams in Catalunan Pequeño. The eC crew will tap the newly installed 4-inch diameter PVC pipeline to the existing 4-inch diameter PVC pipeline for the mainline improvement at Purok 20 in Keith Williams. Upon completion of this project which costs Php 64,145.94, approximately 18 new connections can be served. Third set is also on April 5 from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM affecting sitio Felomina and sarpha Village in Catalunan Grande.

he said that the robbery incident happened around 6:30 pm Thursday in rolling hills subdivision, Davao City. The victim, Vanessa Bianca Albacite, reported to police

that her rented house was burglarized by unidentified suspects. “The suspects gained entry at the main door by destroying the metal lock

FROBBERY, 11

PAHALOK. A Catholic devotee kisses the crucified image of Jesus Christ during the traditional “Pahalok” on Good Friday at St. Joseph Parish in Doña Pilar, Sasa,

FWATER SERVICE, 11 Davao City. Lean Daval Jr.

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 11 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, MARCH 31 - APRIL 1, 2013 On Easter Sunday

Casiño calls for renewal, change in political system Urges Filipinos to bring about change in their lives and the nation

s Filipinos celebrate easter sunday, the culmination of a week of prayer and penance, Makabayan senatorial candidate Teddy Casiño called on his fellow citizens to put into action their reflections on life by supporting those who will truly serve the people and the nation. “We say that easter is a time for new beginnings. It is a time for renewal. For me, it is a time for change, on a personal and societal level,” he said. “Filipinos should work collectively to bring justice and hope to the country. We can no longer watch in silence as people suffer while only a few reap the rewards of our hard work and perseverance.” The three-term congressman lamented the poverty of many Filipinos amid supposed improvements in the economy’s growth rate and Fitch

ranking. “Businessmen and investors said it’s ‘an early easter for the market’ but what about the common folk? What the country needs is a government that will ensure that the economy is equitable and will make majority of the people prosperous,” Casiño said, adding that while the country recorded a 6.6% growth last year, surveys show that 54% of families are experiencing poverty. he said he hopes that in the coming elections, the people will also reflect on which candidates to vote, by scrutinizing their track record and their stand on issues. “Lagi natin sinasabing sawa na tayo sa ganitong sistema pero sa atin pa rin manggagaling ang pagbabago. Filipinos should be more discerning and ‘pihikan’ when it comes to the country’s leaders. After all, it is a decision we would have to live with

EARLY BIRD. Posters of Rep. Karlos Nograles dominate over rival Louie Bonguyan’s in most areas in the 1st District of Davao City during the first day of the campaign period for the local positions after Hugpong sa Tawong

Lungsod decided to kick off their campaign on April 1, 2013 in respect of the Holy Week.

for the next few years. Dapat magkaroon tayo ng mga lider na ang primaryang layunin ay mabigyan ng nakabubuhay na

Casiño believes that it is time that senate focuses on the needs of the common folk and other gut issues. his campaign

slogan ‘Karaniwang tao panalo kay Teddy Casino,’ pushes for reforms that will bring change in the lives of the common folk.

N celebrating easter, senator Legarda encouraged Filipinos to reflect and engage in a personal renewal and contemplate on what can be done to protect and “resurrect Mother earth.“ “The Lenten season reminded us of the importance of prayer, penance, and sacrifice. It was the time when we gave up on small indulgences, as we strived for spiritual renewal. Let us find the time to reflect and let us show our love for God and for his creation: the environment,” Legarda said. The senator said that Filipinos should

reflect on their moral and spiritual obligations to keep their personal lifestyles in check as human-induced actions have led to the deplorable state of the environment. “easter is a reminder of the great compassion of our God and Jesus Christ’s ultimate sacrifice. In return, we should respect the gift of God, protect and conserve what has been given to us. No matter how small, slight adjustments in our lifestyle will contribute to a greener and healthier environment for this and the next generation,” Legarda concluded.

Edgardo ‘Sonny’ Angara says

trabaho at sahod ang mga tao, mabigyan ng lupa at suporta ang mga magsasaka at umunlad ang lokal na industriya,” he said.

Legarda: Easter, a chance to ‘resurrect mother earth’

Be wary of ‘cyprus contagion,’ I trust the PHL banking system

he wealthiest Filipinos should be wary of the “Cyprus Contagion” and do their country a great service by trusting the Philippine banking system and keep their wealth here, Team PNoy senatorial candidate edgardo “sonny” Angara said today. “Trust the Philippine banking system. It is safer here,” said Angara he said that that while tax havens like

Cyprus have banking secrecy and no regulations, things could always go wrong . The outsized banking system of Cyprus, propped up by foreign deposits mostly from russians, had wobbled after it lent heavily to Greece - its now bankrupt neighbor - and the real estate sector . eurozone countries have agreed on a 10 billion euro bailout after

Cyprus ‘s own parliament rejected a proposal to heavily tax small and large deposits to save the banking system and hopefully save the business of the small country as a banking/tax haven. Angara said that tax havens such as Cyprus are not as safe as advertised and its collapse should serve as a warning to wealthy Filipinos who might

want to deposit their wealth in tax havens to avoid paying taxes and banking regulations . Angara added that the declaration and payment of the right taxes is “ by itself love of country.” supporting the banking system will also result in increased lending and stepped-up economic activities , which in turn would translate into more jobs and growth, he added. (30)

er is one of the executive leaders of the UNA coalition together with Vice President Jejomar Binay and former President Joseph estrada. “No, he will not be going back to the campaign (trail). Unfortunately, he has to slow down. The reality of being an 89-yearold is that your body is already sort of deteriorating, for lack of a better word,” enrile said. Because of his eye ailment, the veteran lawmaker has to be very careful with his steps, his

son added. “his eyesight is not as good as it was once, and he has a hard time gauging his steps now. his body is typically very, very strong. his problem is with his vision so his steps are tentative. so the hazards of the campaign trail are quite extensive,” he said. The Vice President, he said, would be more visible than the two UNA stalwarts especially in the coming days. Nevertheless, he said campaigning around the

country even without the complete attendance of the so-called ‘three kings’ of the coalition does not posit any problems to the group. “By now the voters know who the candidates are, alam na siguro ngayon ng mga botante kung sino yung kandidatong estrada na tumatakbo, sino po yung kandidatong Binay na tumatakbo, kung sino yung enrile na kandidatong tumatakbo. so by now I’m sure alam na alam napo ‘yan n gating mga botante,” he said.

Enrile may no longer join UNA big sorties

eNATe President Juan Ponce enrile may no longer join the big rallies organized by the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) in the provinces because of his ailing vision, his son Cagayan rep. Jack enrile said. The younger enrile, who is running for senator under the UNA slate, said unfortunately, his father would have to take the back seat in running the affairs of the UNA coalition due to his eye problem. The veteran lawmak-

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‘WHAT else could be the reason? Although that is being investigated, most probably there’s money involved here –never-ending corruption, bribery.’ --Justice Secretary Leila de Lima on the hasty flight

from the country of a South Korean wanted for a $25-million investment scam in Seoul. PhiLiPPine sTar, March 27, 2013.

4 SUBURBIA

VOL. 6 ISSUE 11 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, MARCH 31 - APRIL 1, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

Evacuees from Sabah: 4,439 T

he number of evacuees who have arrived from sabah since March 6 has reached 4,439 as of 11 a.m. on March 27, more than twice the March 17 total of 1,677, records from the regional human rights Commission (rhrC) of the Autonomous region

in Muslim Mindanao (ArMM) showed. “It (evacuation) hasn’t stopped,” rhrC chair Laisa Alamia told MindaNews. Thousands had been fleeing sabah for fear of getting caught in the crossfire in the operations Malaysian au-

IN BLOOM. Poinsettias are a common sight during Christmas season but in Barangay Andap in New Bataan, Compostela Valley, they are a welcome sight

thorities launched against members of the “royal security Forces of the sultanate of sulu and Northern Borneo” to flush them out of Lahad Datu in sabah. The figure 4,439 does not include the 288 persons persons on board a commercial ferry who ar-

rived in Zamboanga City on March 2 following their deportation from sabah and whose deportation had nothing to do with the standoff in Lahad Datu. The rhrC’s “sabah evacuee Map” shows a total of 4,727 evacuees, 288 classified under “orga-

in summer. Andap was the village hardest hit by super typhoon Pablo last December 4. [MindaNews/Toto Lozano]

Fr. Peter Geremia on 50 years as priest

“A chance to serve the people as long as I can’ h

e was once a target for assassination, was arrested thrice and has been a recipient of death threats for taking the side of indigenous peoples in their struggles against human rights violations and in their assertions of their right to self-determination. These are the dramatic episodes of Italian priest Peter Geremia’s missionary life as he marks his 50th year as priest on March 30, a Black saturday. “My experience in the Philippines has been very dramatic,” says Geremia, a member of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIMe) who has spent 41 of his 50 year-priesthood in the Philippines, 36 of those years in Mindanao. “When I came to Philippines, I was faced with the same challenges that the people were also facing,” the 74-year old missionary said. After he was ordained as a priest in Detroit City in Michigan in 1963, Ger-

emia taught history before he was assigned in sta. Cruz, Laguna in 1972, the year martial law was declared. “We experienced flooding when I was in sta. Cruz, Laguna” he recalled. Four years later, he was assigned in Tondo, Manila where he was involved in community organizing among informal settlers resisting relocation and pushing for recognition of their rights. That same year, he was arrested along with other religious leaders for supporting the protesting La Tondeña workers In 1977, Geremia was assigned to siocon, Zamboanga del Norte where he spent the next three years until his transfer to the Diocese of Kidapawan in North Cotabato. In his early years at the Diocese, Geremia said then Bishop Federico escaler, assigned him to Arakan town as his mission area. “My special interest became the organizing of Indigenous Peoples (IP),”

he told MindaNews last Tuesday. Along with missionaries and Lumad leaders, Geremia founded the Tribal Filipino Program (TFP) in 1984 and served as its coordinator for 25 years. Within the first decade of his stint at the Diocese of Kidapawan, Geremia witnessed the struggles of his parishioners against human rights abuses allegedly perpetrated by government forces. he served as parish priest of Tulunan in North Cotabato from 1980 to 1985 but also served neighboring Columbio town as part of his mission work. While in Columbio, Geremia stood up for the Lumads in their fight against the entry of a large-scale mining company. In 1992, he landed in jail after he was accused to be behind the raid on the National Food Authority (NFA) at the height of the drought, when Lumads were facing near

death from starvation. But after spending nearly a month at the provincial jail in Isulan, also in sultan Kudarat, Geremia and 19 others were released on bail. When his fellow missionary Fausto “Pops” Tentorio was killed in Arakan on October 17, 2011, Geremia volunteered in May 2012 to continue his pastoral work in Arakan where he now serves as the assistant parish priest of Our Mother of Perpetual help. he also serves as coordinator of the Tribal Filipinos Apostolate of the diocese. *happy and Grateful* Lory Obal, executive director of the Intercultural Organizations Network for solidarity and Peace in Columbio, who worked with Geremia for years says they are very happy and grateful because “he is an exceptional servant” and is “very consistent in his vows and commitment to the poor.” [Keith Bacongco / MindaNews]

nized” or those officially deported by sabah, and the remaining 4,439 classified under “self” or voluntary evacuation. Between March 23 and 26 alone, a total of 287 persons arrived from sandakan and semporna, according to the rhrC’s evacuee map. The 4,439 evacuees evacuees arrived on 50 boats from sabah, Tawau, sandakan, semporna, Lahad Datu. sulu posted the highest number of arrivals at 3,211 on board 18 boats, followed by Tawi-tawi’s 974 on board 31 boats and Basilan at 254 on board one boat. The biggest number of passengers -523 -- were on board M/L Fatima editha III (earlier reported at 512). According to Ibrahim, a passenger interviewed by MindaNews when the boat docked at a private port in Mauboh, Patikul, sulu on March 15, the boat carried 512 passengers when it left sandakan at 3 p.m. on March 9, nearly thrice its passenger capacity of 180, he said. The boat arrived in Ta-

ganak evening of March 9 but was not allowed to proceed to Bongao in Tawi-tawi because it was overloaded. some passengers had to be transferred to a naval boat. The National Disaster risk reduction and Management Council (NDrrMC) website as of 6 a.m. March28 said a total of 944 families or 4,721 persons comprising 2,861 adults and 1,860 children arrived from sabah. There is no accompanying breakdown of the data posted on the NDrrMC website. But it said the Department of social Welfare and Development (DsWD) set up a mobile humanitarian Desk/Team in Tawi-tawi “to complement the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs)-led rapid response Teams to address the needs” of the evacuees. It said food and-food items amounting to P10.39 million had been provided to the evacuees and an additional P13.403 million for the ongoing humanitarian operations. [Carolyn O. Arguillas/ MindaNews]

Relatives, devotees to celebrate Calungsod feast day in Pikit, Davao

eLATIVes and devotees of st. Pedro Calungsod, the second Filipino saint, will celebrate his first feast day in Pikit town, North Cotabato and in Davao City on April 2. Visminda Calungsod Filipinas, a fourth generation descendant of the Visayan saint, said she will lead a feast in Ginatilan village in Pikit, where the descendants of Calungsod from Ginatilan in Cebu have migrated. The clan will hold a mass in a chapel that was named after st. Calungsod, built in Barangay Ginatilan after his canonization. A young catechist and martyred in the 17th century, st. Calungsod was canonized last October 21 by Pope emeritus Benedict XVI at the st. Peter’s

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Basilica in rome. he was martyred together with Blessed Padre Diego Luís de san Vitores on April 2, 1672 in Guam. Catholics worldwide celebrated st. Calungsod’s first memorial feast last March 23, instead of April 2, the original memorial date. April 2 falls within the easter octave, or eight days after easter sunday. easter octave takes precedence over feast days and memorials of saints, according to an article at the website of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines. Along with church members in the village, Filipinas said her family will prepare various food dishes to be shared with everyone who will celebrate with them. [Lorie Ann Cascaro/MindaNews]

‘THE sultan asked me to come here in order to share with him the importance of helping Filipinos who are imprisoned in Sabah. They have no lawyers.’

--former Tarlac governor and now UNA senatorial candidate Margarita “Tingting” Cojuangco, who bared plans of sending volunteer lawyers to assist the jailed Filipinos in Sabah. The PhiLiPPine sTar, March 28,2013

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 11 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, MARCH 31 - APRIL 1, 2013

THE ECONOMY

Manufacturing sector dominates Davao City’s industrial landscape By Greg G. Deligero

ITh the availability of quality manpower and raw materials, the manufacturing sector continues to dominate the industrial landscape in terms of local tax payments and business permit issuances. Manufacturing is one of the four categories under industrial sector which refers to the basic economic activity concerned with the processing of raw materials. The others are sand and gravel concessionaries, producers and processors and mining products. Data obtained from the city government’s business bureau showed that of the P118.59 million local revenues generated from industrial establishments last year, businesses engaged in manufacturing comprised 87.86 per cent followed by producers and processors (12 percent). The remaining minuscule belongs to mining products (.14 per cent). similarly, of the 2,475 total number of business permits issued last year, businesses engaged in manufacturing cornered 71.35 per cent followed by producers and processors (22.82 percent), quarry yard (2.78 percent) and sand and grav-

el concessionaries (3.05 percent). There are 2,420 firms engaged in manufacturing in Davao City. exactly 84.38 per cent are comprised by businesses engaged in baking with 692, fabrication with 552, production with 317, food processing with 266 and extraction with 215. Others include businesses engaged in motor vehicle assembly, food processing, water

purification, repacking, handicraft, carbonation, canning, feeds processing and tobacco fermentation. Businesses engaged in fabrication topped in terms of capitalization with a total of P11.68 billion. Fabrication involves hollow block making, steel processing, metal crafting, garment making, cement processing and charcoal making. It is followed by ex-

traction with P1.32 billion and production with P1.14 billion. While it has the most number of establishments, baking is one of the lowest in terms of capitalization posting only a total of P220.71 million. In terms of employment, fabrication is the city’s top employer with 17,725 followed by production with 7,305, baking with 4,542 and canning with 4, 166.

ENTERPRISING. This group of enterprising teenagers sells “puto bumbong” to Catholic faithful who join the traditional station of the cross at the foothills of Shrine Hills in Matina, Davao City on Friday. Lean Daval Jr.

6 THE ECONOMY Stat Watch

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

5.4 4th Qtr 2012

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

6.8 4th Qtr 2012

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

USD 3,969.51 million Dec 2012 USD 5,135.46 million Nov 2012 USD -1,585 million Nov 2012 USD -209 million Mar 2012 P 5,171,689 million Dec 2012

8. Interest Rates 4/

3.6 % Jan 2013 P155,308 million Nov 2012 P 5,381 billion Nov 2012

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

P 40.67 Feb 2013

12. Stocks Composite Index 6/

6,242.7 Jan 2013

13. Consumer Price Index 2006=100

132.4 Feb 2013

14. Headline Inflation Rate 2006=100

3.4 Feb 2013

15. Core Inflation Rate 2006=100

3.8 Feb 2013

16. Visitor Arrivals

352,438 Nov 2012

17. Underemployment Rate 7/

20.9% Jan 2013

18. Unemployment Rate 7/

7.1% Jan 2013

MONTHLY AVERAGE EXCHANGE RATE (January 2012-February 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

It figures

VOL. 6 ISSUE 11 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, MARCH 31 - APRIL 1, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

Davao business leaders happy over investment grade status Lao, Lim explain impact, implications of Finch rating

By ANTONIO M. AJERO

Davao by the numbers Holcim Philippines, Inc. posted

P4.27 billion

gross sales in 2012 and paid

P8.82 million DANIEL LIM

VICENTE LAO

AVAO business leaders Vicente T. Lao and Daniel T. Lim said that the investment grade rating earned by the Philippines from Fitch last week is beneficial to the country and its people. Lao, a prominent contractor and agribusiness capitalist, is the chairman of the Mindanao Business Council (MBC), while Lim,who heads his own architectural company, is the newly inducted president of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. Architect Lim said the “investment grade means a lot of things no wonder it is cause for euphoria to many people who understand economics.” “ratings firms like Fitch, standard and Poor, and Moody’s are world renowned companies that assess the capacity, capabilities, progress, or performance of an economy or a company,” he said.“In globalized economies where profit seeking behavior rules, risk management comes at the spotlight. A ratings firm’s poor assessment

can mean that extra premium one country has to pay for say being below investment grade. This system identifies whether a country’s macroeconomic policies or structures are sound enough to carry on economic and business growth, Lim said. On the other hand, Lao said “this (investment grade status) is the best news in a long time.” “Investment grade rating for a country will bring in cheaper cost of money for the public and private sector,” the MBC head said, adding that the status “will redound to a lot of savings for the government which can be diverted to provide more basic services.” The upgrade means that the government of the Philippines could seek loans from foreign institutions at a lower cost (because of the premium reduction).this may lead to further pump priming of the economy since it capital to fund for the slated projects of the government will be cheaper. this may then lead to a more robust spending

A TOTAL of P23.63 billion in loans and grants was pledged by the Japanese government in support for various publicprivate partnership (PPP) and development projects in the Philippines.BusinessWorld, March 26, 2013

sOurce: Business Bureau

that may lead to faster multiplier effects in the economy.. Lao said that the upgrade “means cheaper loans which will encourage more investment into the country’s economy.” Lim said that greatest hope one optimist can have is that this ratings upgrade will translate to more upbeat business sector. “Improvements in transport and logistics system, human capital, and telecommunications are most welcomed from the government to help push for a better and more competitive Philippine economy,” he added. The business sector is in the wings, cautiously optimistic that the next move of the Aquino administration will lead to an economic landscape of bet-

Anti-poverty fund? (1st of two parts)

ONsIsTeNT with its promise to make economic growth more inclusive, the P-Noy government has recently announced that it is setting aside P25 billion for a war against rural poverty. The amount is to be used to fund pre-schools, health centers, water supplies, reforestation and flood mitigation projects. This antipoverty fund has been appropriately described as a drinking session. Indeed, it is expected to be a drinking session where

P23.63

in local taxes, making it one of the top taxpayers in Davao City.

the fun is only until the liquor lasts. I wish this P20B rural pump priming fund is complemented by accelerated implementation of agrarian reform in order to ensure sustainability. But I’m not sure whether government understands this. The selected projects to be undertaken in the rural areas are expected to provide employment but only temporarily. As soon as the projects are completed and the money earned by those who have worked on them is spent, it’s

10.5

TOURISM Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. said the Philippines had 854, 187 international arrivals in January and February, 2013, or 10.5 percent higher compared to the same period in 2012. Philippine Star, March 27, 2013

back to being poor. This type of pump priming works well in the urban areas but not in the rural areas. In the urban areas, government spending for infrastructure projects provides employment which leads to an increase in personal consumption expenditure by those directly and indirectly employed in the projects. The increase in personal consumption expenditure then leads to an increase in the production of goods and services. As pro-

160

ONLY 160 Philippine exporters have complied with China’s General Administration of Quality Standard Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIO) for the on-line listing of food products that can enter China. In contrast, record of the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) in Beijing shows that Malaysia has 841 registrations; Thailand, 778; Vietnam, 536; Singapore, 468; and Indonesia, 400.

ter ease of doing business, the architect said. Lao said the investment grade status of the country is also expected to also “generate more employment and other downstream industries.” Lim said that private enterprises specifically the sMes are those who need the support; they are the ones who employ the most number of people; and they will be the channels of inclusive growth. “The Fitch investment grade is good news, yet much is to be proven. It is a signal, not an end,” the DCCCII president cautioned. entrepreneurs will continue to do their best and enjoy the positive news, the ball is in the hands of the Aquino administration, he said. AMA

ECONOMIC ANAlYSIS

ducers increase capacity to accommodate the increase in consumer demand, they employ more people. The cycle repeats itself leading to sustainable growth.

IN the Philippines, an estimated 26 percent of Filipinos do not have improved sanitation, translating to more than 24 million people. Almost 8 million Filipinos defecate in open spaces, which is the third highest total in the Asia-Pacific region.

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 11 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, MARCH 31 - APRIL 1, 2013 SCIENCE/ENVIRONMENT

Tagging and satellite tracking reveals mystery of blue whales B

ALANCING in small boats in choppy Antarctic waters, sometimes for hours and covered in ice, Australian researchers shot at endangered blue whales with an airgun to tag the giant creature with satellite tracking equipment. During a seven-week voyage the scientists from the Australian Antarctic Division tagged the world’s largest creature and then tracked the rarely seen whales using sonar attached to special buoys to gain an insight into the threatened species. Little has been known up to now about the habits of blue whales, which despite their huge bodies - the heart of a full grown adult is the size of a small car - were hunted to the brink of extinction in the 1900s and still remain endangered. “This kind of detailed movement hasn’t been collected yet, so that’s really important,” Virginia Andrews-Goff, a member of the research team and expert in whale tagging, told reuters. “We’re using the biopsy samples and the pho-

tos to work out individual identities. In the future that individual information will lead to getting an idea of the abundance of Antarctic blue whale and how well they’re recovering from whaling.” Among the many mysteries surrounding blue whales - which can grow up to 30 metres (98 ft) long and weigh 170 tonnes (374,800 lbs) is their number. several thousand are believed to exist throughout the world, but more precise data is lacking. The mechanics of the scientific venture were challenging, as tagging could only be deployed using air guns at closer range. Taggers underwent intensive firearms training and a fitness program to build core strength and thigh muscles in order to stabilise themselves in the small boats and shoot accurately. “We were tagging, taking biopsy samples and taking photos...so you could be out on the water for four hours at a time,” said Andrews-Goff. “We were heading out in conditions that were

base of one of Manila’s largest landfills, which was the first in the country to have its methane gas converted into power as part of a United Nations’ programme aimed at tackling climate change. Decomposing rubbish

below 0 degrees Celsius (32 Fahrenheit). sometimes it was snowing, sometimes the ice would actually freeze on you.” The method, which is non-lethal and has the

potential to be adapted for use with other whale species, was announced on Wednesday at a news conference in the southern island of Tasmania. “The achievements of

this non-lethal research method clearly show it is not necessary to kill whales in order to study them,” environment Minister Tony Burke said in a statement.

The group plans to present their results at this year’s meeting of the International Whaling Commission, the international body set up to manage whales.[reuters]

produces methane, which is one of the greenhouse gases that scientists blame for global warming, and turning it into electricity saves it from rising up into the atmosphere while reducing the need to burn fossil fuels. The methane is cap-

tured with pipes that are dug into the landfill, similar to wells that extract gas from under the ground or ocean. Methane is then sucked down to a power station at the bottom of the dumpsite and pumped into generators to make electricity.

For the past few years Mabignay and other housewives from the slum community at the bottom of the Payatas landfill have been given free access to the power at a hall built at the dumpsite. “It really helps because it cuts down on our electricity bills... sometimes we use the savings to buy food,” said Mabignay, 50, whose husband earns the equivalent of about $200 a month working as a security guard at the dumpsite. The company behind the project, Pangea Green energy Philippines, could afford to be generous with its electricity as it was earning hundreds of thousands dollars to capture and convert the gas. Under the UN pro-

gramme, industrialised countries can meet their Kyoto Protocol commitments to cut greenhouse gas output by funding projects that reduce emissions in developing nations such as the Philippines. Companies in developing countries earn credits for reducing emissions, each equivalent to one tonne of carbon dioxide. The credits are then sold to companies, institutions or governments in industrialised countries to offset their emissions. Pangea president Jennifer Fernan Campos said the Payatas energy project was set up to take advantage of the UN scheme, with the first kilowatts generated in 2008. [AFP]

Philippines turns trash into clean energy windfall eresITA Mabignay does her ironing using free electricity on the slope of a garbage dump, an unlikely beneficiary of efforts to turn the Philippines’ growing rubbish problems into a clean-energy windfall. Mabignay lives at the

CHappy 55th heers!

Birthday,

Atty. Ramon Edison C. Batacan! CONVERSION. Scavengers collect recyclable materials at a temporary landfill in Payatas village, Quezon City, March 5, 2013. The Payatas dumpsite is Manila’s largest landfill, which was the first in the country to have its meth-

ane gas converted into power as part of a United Nations’ programme aimed at tackling climate change . [AFP]

From

EDGEDAVAO

8 VANTAGE POINTS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 11 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, MARCH 31 - APRIL 1, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

Cyprus deal best of a very bad job COMMENTARY

By Hugo Dixon

(Conclusion)

EDITORIAL

Empowering the supporters

he campaign period is on for local elective positions effective yesterday, Black saturday, or sabado de Gloria in Pinoy Catholic tradition. The sabado de Gloria is called such because it marks the first time the “Gloria” will be sung in church since holy Wednesday. In this election, former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is running for reelection in the midst of a stack of criminal cases filed against her. But that is not the “Gloria” we are talking about. The singing of “Gloria” will come in time with the singing of campaign glorifications everywhere for those running for office. More than 44,500 candidates will vie for over 18,000 elective posts in the local level nationwide, and that’s a pretty tall order for the Commission on elections (Comelec) which is expected to be on tight watch over expected violations of the Omnibus election Code and the rules laid down by the Comelec. Comelec chairman sixto Brillantes will surely have his hands full as he expects to have more headaches in the local level than in the national (senatorial) level. The regional Comelec headed by Wilfred Jay Balisado will have the unenviable task of containing the candidates. The problem area here is not much on how candidates will observe election laws and Comelec rules but on how informed the supporters of these candidates are as far as the rules are concerned. empowering the candidates’ supporters is where everything starts. When supporters

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are well informed of the rules, the candidates whom they support will largely benefit from that. That means no brushes with the Comelec and projecting a good image of the candidates. It is the other way around when you have a weak support staff ignorant of the rules. It puts the candidates in trouble with the Comelec and the ramifications to their candidacy. Among the notable violations cited by the Comelec are common poster areas and the required limits for advertising. Of the 33 senatorial candidates, 22 were reported to have violated the common poster area prohibitions. Now, who gets the blame for that? Naturally,the candidates or the party under the dictum of command responsibility. The rash of violations should be an eye opener not only for candidates and political parties but also for the Comelec. There is still a dearth of information on election rules. It is also very difficult to identify common poster areas unless these are clearly delineated for the purpose by the Comelec. The duty of informing supporters falls in the hands of the candidates themselves or the party which they belong to. That is where good governance begins. It’s an oft-neglected aspect of preparing for an election campaign. however, it is also something that has a lot of implications. It’s a very basic rule, although we know for a fact that in this country, the very basic ones are often ignored. It’s a simple reminder that should not be taken for granted.

ARLENE D. PASAJE Cartoons

RAMON M. MAXEY Consultant

GREGORIO G. DELIGERO Associate Editor

LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. • JOSEPH LAWRENCE P. GARCIA Photography

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AQUILES Z. ZONIO Staff Writer

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

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UT Cyprus will still have big problems. Its offshore banking centre, a huge source of income and employment, has been destroyed. Confidence has been thwacked and businesses will find it hard to get credit. All the old economic forecasts are up in the air. exotix, the broker, is now predicting a 10 percent slump in GDP this year followed by 8 percent next year and a total 23 percent decline before nadir is reached. Using Okun’s law – which translates every one percentage fall in GDP to half a percentage point increase in unemployment – such a depression would push the unemployment rate up 11.5 percentage points, taking it to about 26 percent. Nicosia is getting 10 billion euros, about 60 percent of GDP, from its rescuers to help it over this difficult period. some will be used to finance a fiscal deficit, which will be worse as a result of the coming slump. The rest will be used to roll over maturing debt and bail out some smaller banks. The International Monetary Fund thinks Cyprus’ debt will still hit 100 percent of GDP in 2020, despite the worsening economic outlook. It says the original programme had some wiggle room. But it’s not clear how the IMF has done its sums. If they don’t add up, investors will worry that today’s bailout is just the precursor to another one in six to 12 months. The fear of that will then further dampen economic spirits. The more immediate worry is that Nicosia could impose capital controls when the banks reopen. so far no decision seems to have been taken, beyond the plan to convert CPB’s uninsured deposits into equity and freeze BOC’s uninsured deposits. There will be a temptation to take more extensive action in order to prevent a run on all the remaining deposits. But this would be a mistake. Not only would it further gum up the Cypriot economy. It would send a bad signal to depositors in other vulnerable euro zone countries such as spain, Italy and Greece. The european Central Bank has said it will provide BOC with liquidity “in line with its applicable rules”. It should make clear this means it is prepared to fund a run on deposits and doesn’t want capital controls beyond freezing BOC’s uninsured deposits. The mere act of doing so will settle nerves. The decision to exempt insured depositors from a tax has stopped one channel of potential contagion from Cyprus. The euro zone must now remove any risk of a second possible channel: capital controls.

EDGEDAVAO VOL.6 ISSUE 11 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, MARCH 31 - APRIL 1, 2013

Fast-growth cycle

PrOGrAM Where POLITICs hAs A LOT OF INFLUeNCe – Foreign and local investors are keeping close tabs on the Philippine stock market and government economists and financial mangers quoted a report from prestigious investment rating firm Fitch stating that the country’s investment level was upgraded to BBB-plus from BB-minus – a glaring indication that prospective investors could now confidently engage in a business venture in the country. The rating probably was the result of a steady growth in the stock market posting a remarkable record hitting almost the 7,000 mark, and that is currently the official figure. One of the most encouraging things that came about as a result of the recent fast-growth cycle in the stock market was that it regained investors’ confidence to establish business in the country. From a point of view of an investor looking for safe harbor, it certainly bolstered the notion that with an increasing growth in the stock market the peso will continue to remain stable against the Us dollar and other foreign currencies. Given the stock market’s boosting performance, there is no good justification for the peso’s decline – investors’ would expect it to hold up better. Mindful that all the uncertainties raise the possibility of an unexpected economic slowdown, independent economists and financial experts have something to say about the ac-

celerating growth in the stock market. They noted that the long-term economic outlook is superb therefore gave their unsolicited advice urging government economic planners and financial strategists to closely monitor the promising business development. It will be appropriate if investors should pour in their capital in other line of businesses instead of just investing mainly on stock trading. Many investors actually are interested in fast-growing sectors like technology, electronics and manufacturing, which eventually generate employment. But there are still many things to do. While there has been significant progress in the stock market, some reputable economists observed the much-vaunted economic gains have not trickled down to the people despite the intensifying growth in the stock market. There are huge investments in the stock market yet we absolutely lack investments in commerce and trade. And that is precisely the reason government is not generating enough job opportunities for our kind of unemployment problem especially in the country-

side to minimize the rural-to-urban migration. Government think-tanks therefore should consider the application of long-term strategy and manufacturing and production activities must be uppermost in their minds. Attracting more investors, not just stock traders should be their priority. The scheme is enabling the country to get on the business of running the economy unhampered, spending time to accelerate the stock market growth and at the same time stimulate its job generation program where politics has a lot of influence. right now two of the most powerful factors are working in government’s favor. The stock market growth has peaked and is spinning up. Likewise we have seen a migration of new generation of up-and-coming entrepreneurs into the country. so what can the government do to draw more investors? Well, a good example is stock trading. There are signs that indicate the market will go on protracted expansion stage. For business, a considerable proportion of income comes from manufacturing activities and infrastructure spending. If we look at the composition intently, authorities have shown themselves to be very responsive, far-sighted in responding to mounting challenges. sad to lament, though, detractors, as their wont, refused to open their eyes, lend their ears and admit the present economic realities.

ANAlYSIS By AnAtole KAletSKy

describe as “sub-prime loans.” The government whose excessive prudence has discouraged banks from offering mortgages worth more than 75% of a home’s value, will now guarantee borrowers who have a 5% deposit the additional 20% loans they need to qualify. In doing this, the Treasury will expose itself to any falls in house prices beyond 5% — and this exposure will not be included in national debt statistics. In short, Britain will imitate the off-balance sheet financing of Fannie Mae that helped to trigger the 2008 crisis, and will use this mechanism to create £130 billion of “high loan-to-value mortgages over three years,” which will be much more leveraged than Fannie Mae’s “conforming” loans. (The U.s. equivalent of this sum, in relation to GDP, would be roughly $1.5 trillion.) This new policy can be criticized on several grounds — for example financial imprudence, or inflating house prices or unfairly subsidizing borrowers — but excessive austerity is not among them.

Even Britain has now abandoned austerity

OW for the good news. The British government’s decision to accept huge deficits for the foreseeable future instead of trying vainly to reduce them was strong evidence of a long-awaited policy U-turn from over-zealous fiscal tightening to U.s.-style economic stimulus. But Osborne’s speech contained two even clearer signs of a surprisingly radical “Plan B” to start undoing the deflationary effects of the government’s original economic policies in time for the 2015 election. The first shift away from austerity was predictable, but turned out to be more radical than generally expected: The Bank of england’s mandate was changed, from targeting 2% inflation at all times, to stabilizing inflation at around this level over the “medium term,” while recognizing “the trade-offs between inflation and output variability” and noting that “monetary activism has a vital role to play in the Government’s economic strategy … [and] commitment to fiscal consoli-

(Conclusion) dation.” In other words, Britain has effectively imported the U.s. Federal reserve’s “dual mandate” of managing both inflation and unemployment, with the kicker that the Boe must print money to ensure that government deficits are financed at rock-bottom interest rates. A bigger surprise than this demand for more “activist” monetary policy was the radical new destination proposed for the money to be printed by the Boe. Britain has decided to create a new bubble in house prices and mortgage borrowing. While Osborne repeated his mantra that “you can’t cure a crisis caused by debt with more debt,” he will now do exactly this by creating a British equivalent of government-guaranteed Fannie Mae mortgages to offer what the U.s. would

VANTAGE POINTS

Revisionism in the Gospel?

N Maund y T h u r s d a y, the National G e o g ra p h i c Channel ran a documentary on the possibility that the accounts on the trial of Jesus The Christ, as contained in the Gospel itself, could have been revised to suit political exigencies. It may sound heretical, but the claim rests on what the characters likely did given the role carved out for them by the circumstances of those times. All the Gospel writers– or at least as the versions adopted by Christian churches would have us believe – implied that it was the Jews not Pontius Pilate, and by extension, not the romans, who killed The Christ. The New Testament portrayed Pilate, the roman governor of Judea, as having wanted no part in the Messiah’s death by washing his hands in public after the Jews chose to have a zealot named Barabbas freed. That supposed act of Pilate absolving himself effectively made the Jews the [only] guilty party. Caiaphas, the high priest of Jerusalem at the time, stood out as the principal villain. This, the NGC says, led to the emergence of anti-semitism. however, the documentary points out that such presentation of the most celebrated trial of all times is inconsistent with the situation of Judea and Pilate’s role as governor of a province that was home to one of the fiercest rebellions against Roman rule. his role was simple: maintain order by suppressing all threats to imperial authority. And since it was a job that required ruthlessness, it is not hard to imagine that the governor relied on blood and terror to exact obedience to rome. Furthermore, since The Christ’s enemies presented him as a king, a royal pretender, logic tells us that Pilate would likely see him as a political threat, an assertion that negates the governor’s alleged declaration that he could not impute any crime against his prisoner. NGC contends that given the widespread imposition of death by crucifixion by the romans the trial of Jesus was just another day in office for Pilate, that is, it was unlikely that he gave the lowly Nazarene some form of special treatment. NGC reckons that the revisions on the accounts of the trial were made to ingratiate the Christians with rome, which had made Christianity the empire’s official religion. Presumably, the writers who altered the text and made Pilate look like an unwilling executioner did it for political ends. It would look awkward to not sanitize his image given the religion’s new role in the roman order. In other words, it was the later writers that washed Jesus’s blood off the hands of a murderous Pilate. If this was indeed the case, it is possible that some other accounts in the Bible, the New Testament in particular, had been revised for reasons known only to those who did such revisions. But in the absence of any conclusive evidence we can only speculate. [MindaViews is the opinion section of MindaNews. h. Marcos C. Mordeno can be reached at** **hmcmordeno@gmail.com]

10 NATION/WORlD

VOL. 6 ISSUE 11 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, MARCH 31 - APRIL 1, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

North Korea declares ‘state of war’ with South N

OrTh Korea declared it was in a “state of war” with south Korea and warned seoul and Washington that any provocation

would swiftly escalate into an all-out nuclear conflict. The United states said it took the announcement “seriously”, but noted it followed a familiar pat-

STATE OF WAR. This photo, released by North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on March 29, 2013, shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un signing documents at an undisclosed location. N.Korea announced

tern, while south Korea largely dismissed it as an old threat dressed in new clothing. It was the latest in a string of dire-sounding

pronouncements from Pyongyang that have been matched by tough warnings from seoul and Washington, fuelling international concern that the

on Saturday that it had entered a “state of war” with the South and would deal with every inter-Korean issue accordingly. [AFP]

situation might spiral out of control. “As of now, inter-Korea relations enter a state of war and all matters between the two Koreas will be handled according to wartime protocol,” the North said in a government statement carried by the Korean Central News Agency. “The long-standing situation of the Korean peninsula being neither at peace nor at war is finally over,” the statement said, adding that any Us or south Korean provocation would trigger a “a nuclear war”. The two Koreas have technically remained at war for the past six decades because the 195053 Korean War concluded with an armistice rather than a peace treaty. The North had announced earlier this month that it was ripping up the armistice and other bilateral peace pacts signed with seoul in protest against south Korea-Us joint military exercises. The White house labelled the latest statement from Pyongyang

as “unconstructive” and, while taking it “seriously”, sought to place the immediate threat level in context. “North Korea has a long history of bellicose rhetoric and threats and today’s announcement follows that familiar pattern,” said National security Council spokeswoman Caitlin hayden. In seoul, the Unification Ministry insisted the war threat was “not really new”. The Defence Ministry vowed to “retaliate thoroughly” to any provocation, but added that no notable troop movement had been observed along the border. As with past crises, Pyongyang did not allow the tensions to impact the Kaesong industrial complex, a joint south-North venture that provides the regime with crucial hard currency. “The border crossing to Kaesong is functioning normally,” said Unification Ministry spokeswoman Park soo-Jin. Most observers still believe this will remain a verbal rather than a physical battle. [AFP]

police regional offices. Monteagudo said “Oplan sumVac,” the police protection plan for holy Week, will remain operational until easter Monday when travelers are expected to trek back to the urban center after the four day holiday. “Public assistance centers put up in strategic locations along major thoroughfares and transport terminals, airports and seaports are under strict orders to remain in their posts until after the last traveler has safely returned,” Monteagudo said. [PNA]

‘I love Paris’ may soon be T passe for Chinese tourists M

Ass muggings and attacks on Chinese tourists in Paris have spawned alarm and warnings of a decline in the number of free-spending visitors from the Asian giant who swarm to France. More than one million Chinese visitors come every year to France, a country which for them epitomises luxury, romance and quality products. But that may very well change, said one expert, citing a slew of recent attacks which he says takes the sheen off the “City of Lights” for Chinese visitors. “This has become a scourge. since the past year, we have been seeing attacks almost every day,” said Jean-Francois Zhou, the head of Ansel Travel, which specialises in tours to and from China. On March 20, a group of 23 Chinese visitors were robbed in a restaurant shortly after they landed in Paris’s Charles De Gaulle airport.

Their passports, plane tickets and cash were stolen and the group leader sustained an injury to the face. “The situation is serious. If these attacks continue, we may have to pay the price,” Zhou told AFP. he said about 10 Chinese visitors were robbed on one day in October, mainly in the famed Louvre museum, right in the heart of the city. And in February, “a minibus caught in a traffic jam was attacked, its windows were smashed and hand bags stolen”, he said, adding there was a more recent attack on Chinese nationals at a four-star hotel in Paris. Li Peng, who is in charge of consular affairs at the Chinese embassy in Paris, said: “There has been an increase in the number of complaints filed over the past year. “In a week we could have five to six demands for travel documents” to replace stolen passports, Li said.

Holy Week generally peaceful

French Tourism Minister sylvia Pinel has pledged that “everything will be done to find the perpetrators” of the latest mass mugging, and underscored “the determination of the French government to ensure the security of tourists in France”. Zhou, the travel agency boss, said the Chinese were targeted as they were big spenders, adding: “some of them carry up to 20,000 euros ($25,000) for shopping.” The latest incident has fuelled concern and some anti-French feeling on China’s talkative social media scene, but several Chinese travel agencies declined to comment to AFP on the possible consequences. One municipal travel committee in China’s Jiangsu province urged travellers to take precautions. “Chinese tourists who travel abroad are recommended to take less cash, never show off money or valuables, never talk to

strangers in public places or scenic spots, always keep an eye on personal belongings,” it said on its weibo account, a Chinese website similar to Twitter. They should “take proper care of valuable items including passports” and “avoid going outside alone at night or in any remote places”, it added. Many Chinese Internet users reacted angrily to the attacks. One said the incidents “impinge on the esteem and respect of Chinese people”, adding: “We must demand justice.” Another said: “The French government should give the Chinese people a reasoned explanation, and the criminals should be severely punished.” But other reactions were more nuanced. The incident “shows the dark side of developed countries, but also highlights that Chinese tourists stand out too much”, said one post on weibo. [AFP]

uips

‘PART of that money being infused into PTV4 comes from the taxes we pay the government. We find that unfair. If PTV4 is allowed to compete with us, that’s our money funding our competitor.’

--GMA Network chair Felipe L. Gozon on the law alloting P5 billion to improve the state-run television recently signed by President Aquino.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 11 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, MARCH 31 - APRIL 1, 2013

To offset impact...

FFROM 2

electrification Administration (NeA) “which will then offer them to the electric cooperatives by way of (soft) loans.” Under the scheme, electric cooperatives may avail of the loan but should only utilize them to purchase fuel-fired modular generator sets, he said. Petilla added the loan will be based on the need and capacity of the generator units that will be acquired by the electric cooperative. he said they will offer a grace period of two years for the loan repayment and borrowers will only be required to pay for the interest during the period. After the two-year grace period, borrowers will be required to pay for the interest and the loan principal, he said. “But they will have the option to waive their loan repayments by returning the generator units to NeA after two years,” Petilla explained. he said the projected monthly interest payment for the loan may reach MOTORBIKE DENSITY. There are around 16 motorcycles for every kilometer strech of road in Davao City. Lean Daval Jr. around P150,000 per megawatt (MW) of the acquired generator sets. Based on their estimates, he said consumers will have to pay an FFROM 1 additional P3 per kilowatt-hour for eight hours records obtained from starting 2001. nese-led assemblers not of average daily use the City engineer’s Office JAPANese Vs. ChINA part of MDPPA are fast revealed that there are at BrANDs rising and eating into the least 16 motorcycles in evOver one million mo- market. ery kilometer of the city’s torcycles were sold in the MDPPA members pre1,856.24 kilometers total country in 2011 and 2012 viously held up to 85 perstretch of road composed according to the Motorcy- cent of the market, but the FFROM 2 of national, city and baran- cle Development Program last two years saw their of the window where the gay roads. Participants Association share slip to 70 percent. suspect easily reached the The city’s land trans- (MDPPA), an umbrella recently, Yamaha Mo- doorknob,” Muaña said. port sector started to organization of five top tor Philippines has decidThe suspect looted a change in 2005 when the motorcycle brands in the ed to cut their growth problack and white diamond motorcycles accounted country. jection due to the increasset worth P80,000; Louis for 38 percent of the total MDPPA groups four ing sales of China-made Vuitton jewelry set worth number of motor vehicles, Japanese-led assemblers, brands or “copycats.” a dramatic increase from namely honda Philippines A Yamaha motorcycle P75,000; three pieces of a mere 25 percent in 2000. Inc, Kawasaki Motors Phil- that fetches at a suggest- bangles amounting to In 2010, or ten years ippines Corp, suzuki Phil- ed retail price of P70,000 P295,000; and a necklace after, 48 percent of the ippines Inc and Yamaha is being challenged by a worth P19,000. Muaña said that the 55,858 of registered vehi- Motor Philippines Inc, as Yamaha-looking Chinese cles plying the city’s roads well as Taiwanese-led Ky- motorcycle brand that is suspect remained at large. “Because of the holy are motorcycles. mco Philippines Inc. These sold at P40,000. ranked second are companies are particiskygo, a Cebu-based Week celebration and PUJs with 30 percent, fol- pants in the government’s motorcycle producer, also usually the homeowners lowed by private cars with Motor Vehicle Develop- announced that they have 13 percent and trucks ment Program (MVDP) cornered the Mindanao with 6 percent. The rest under executive Order market for non-Japanese are trailers and buses. No. 156, which provides brands during its recent Despite the alarm- incentives to automotive launch in Davao City of ing number of motorcy- manufacturing. their top carrier motorcy- FFROM 2 cle-related accidents, the MDPPA bared that cle line King. two-wheelers remain as Japanese brands comWhether the Chi- This water cut is needed the hottest vehicle com- prise about 95 percent of nese brands will nose in order to allow DCWD’s modity in the market. MDPPA sales, with honda out the leading Japanese eC crew to condemn the “It’s still the most af- selling the most, followed two-wheelers, the “Big existing 3-inch diameter fordable and most practi- by Kawasaki, Yamaha and Four” Japanese brands PVC pipeline as part of cal means of transporta- suzuki. last December launched DCWD’s pipe re-aligntion,” Gonzaga said. The 2011 sales fig- the “Original na Bida” ment project at sitio FeloThe accessibility and ure was higher as it still campaign to enjoin buy- mina. DCWD acting genaffordability of motorcy- included that of former ers and owners to purcles are identified as key member eastworld Motor chase original motorcy- eral manager edwin V. contributory factors to the Industries Corp, which as- cles, parts and accesso- regalado appeals to the would-be affected cussustained increase in the sembled and distributed ries. number of motor vehicles Chinese brand Motorstar. The campaign is about tomers for their underin Davao City recorded at The MDPPA has ac- providing quality and safe standing and cooperaan annual average growth knowledged in a recent products, superior ser- tion. Likewise, he advisrate of 44.14 percent report that sales of Chi- vice, and value for money. es them to store enough

Hot Ride...

Robbery...

of the generator sets. Petilla said Doe is presently talking with five suppliers of modular generator sets for the possible link-up with the electric cooperatives. Aside from the NeA loan, electric cooperatives have an option to directly deal with the suppliers through direct purchase or a lease agreement, he said. Citing their initial discussions with executives of Monark equipment Corp., the sole authorized dealer of Caterpillar generators in the country, Petilla said the monthly lease or rental fee may reach P1.4 million per MW of the generator set. Petilla clarified that the loan is scheme is just an additional option for the crisis-hit electric cooperatives in Mindanao. he said they will discuss the specific details of the loan scheme with officials and representatives of Mindanao electric cooperatives in a meeting in Manila on Monday. “It will still be the choice of the cooperatives (whether to avail of the loan or not). We will not push for this unless they’re willing to do it,” he said. Distribution utility south Cotabato II electric Cooperative, which serves this city and parts

The electric cooperative is presently implementing two sets of daily rotating brownouts lasting seven hours each or a total of 14 hours daily due to the power shortage, which was mainly attributed to the declining generation capacity of the National Power Corporation’s (NPC) hydroelectric plants in Bukidnon and Lanao del Norte. socoteco II’s technical services department noted that the area’s power deficit has so far dropped to 33 MW from last week’s 42 MW due to increased generation capacity of the NPC’s hydroelectric plants. From 40 MW last week, it said the NPC and the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) increased the area’s power allocation to 49 MW because of the improved situation. Aboitiz-owned Therma Marine Inc. augments the area’s power supplies by 30 MW based on a power sales agreement that it earlier signed with socoteco II. [Allen V. estabillo/MindaNews]

are out, the culprits took advantage of entering their houses,” Muaña said. The other incident was the hold-upping of one Anthony Pimentel, 31, who reported the incident at 11:00 pm on the same day. Muana said the victim was allegedly held up by two unidentified persons while he was walking in Anda street, Davao City. The culprits were able to get his wallet con-

taining: money worth P2,250, driver’s license, Philhealth ID, a company ID, a BPI ATM card and a bag which was forcibly taken from his possession. he added that the culprits hurriedly fled after carting away the said items. Muaña added that there are no reported cases of snatching or hold-up in churches during the holy Week break.

water prior to the scheduled water interruptions as water supply may be restored earlier if work goes smoothly or later if unforeseen problems arise. The general public may call the DCWD trunk line at 221-9400 and press “1” on their phone dial to listen to the latest daily water updates, or contact its call center through the 24hour hotlines 221-9412,

0927-798-8966, 0908441-0653 or 0925-5113293 for updates, complaints, queries and other matters pertaining to DCWD services. This announcement is also posted on the DCWD website (www.davao-water.gov. ph) and official Facebook account (www.facebook. com/davaocitywaterdistrict). It is also recorded in the 221-9400 voicemail. (Jovana T. Duhaylungsod)

Water service...

of sarangani and south Cotabato provinces, had signified willingness to acquire modular generator sets to ease the long daily rotating brownouts in the area.

12 ClASSIfIEDS ADS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 11 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, MARCH 31 - APRIL 1, 2013

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 11 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, MARCH 31 - APRIL 1, 2013

rePUBLIC OF The PhILIPPINes 11Th JUDICIAL reGION OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT-SHERIFF DAVAO CITY

HOME DEVELOPMENT MUTUAL FUND, OR PAG-IBIG FUND Mortgagee

EJF-REM CASE NO. 14,070-13

-versus-

JAMES O. AUSTRIA Mortgagor/s.

x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - --------x NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE

Upon extra-judicial petition for foreclosure and sale under Act 3135, as amended, filed by the mortgagee home Development Mutual Fund or Pag-ibig Fund against JAMES O. AUSTRIA, with postal address at LOT 28 , BLK. 11,DeCA hOMes sUBD., CABANTIAN, BUhANGIN, Davao City to satisfy the mortgage indebtedness which as of sePTeMBer 20, 2012 amounted to ( P 757,745.37) Philippine Currency, inclusive of interest, penalty charges, plus attorney’s fees equivalent to TeN ( 10%) of the total indebtedness plus other legal expenses incident of foreclosure and sale; the undersigned sheriff IV of the regional Trial Court, Davao City, will sell at public auction on April 26, 2013 at 10:00 A.M. or soon thereafter, at the main entrance of hall of Justice, ecoland,Davao City to the highest bidder for Cash or MANAGer’s CheCK and in Philippine Currency, the following real property together with all the improvements thereon, to wit: Transfer Certificate of Title No. T- 146-2011004883 “ A parcel of land xxx (Lot 28, Blk. 11,PCs-11002129, xxx) situated in theBarangay of Cabantian , City of Davao, Island of Mindanao.xxx Containing an area of NINETY SEVEN (97) SQUARE METERS, more or less” All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above-stated time and date. In the event the public auction should not take place on the said date,it shall be held on May 24, 2013 without further notice. Prospective buyers are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the titles herein described real property/ies and the encumbrances thereon, if any there be. Davao City, Philippines, March 12, 2013

FOr The eX-OFFICIO sherIFF:

Noted by:

(SGD.) ROBERTO C. ESGUERRA sheriff IV

(SGD) ATTY. EDIPOLO P. SARABIA, JR. Clerk of Court VI & ex-Officio Provincial sheriff (edge 3/18/25,4/01)

ClASSIfIEDS ADS13

republic of the Philippines reGIONAL TrIAL COUrT 11th Judicial region BrANCh 14 DAVAO CITY

IN The MATTer OF PeTITION FOr CANCeLLATION OF The CerTIFICATe OF LIVe BIrTh (LATe reGIsTrATION) UNDer reGIsTrY GeNerAL NO. 2001-15549 AND COrreCTION OF eNTrY OF The CerTIFICATe OF LIVe BIrTh reGIsTrY GeNerAL NO. 95-19,562 ( LATe reGIsTrATION) OF JOshUA VINCeNT PULVerA, sP PrOC. NO. 12,407-2013

JOshUA VINCeNT PULVerA assisted by his Uncle ALeXANDer V. PULVerA, Petitioner -versusLOCAL CIVIL reGIsTrAr OF DAVAO CITY respondent

x------------------------------------------------------------------x OrDer OF heArING

A VerIFIeD PeTITION dated January 17, 2013 has been filed by petitioner Joshua Vincent Pulvera assisted by his Uncle Alexander V. Pulvera, assisted by counsel, Atty. Beethoven L. Orcullo praying that after due notice, publication and hearing,an Order be issued for the cancellation of the petitioner’s (second) Cerificate of Live Birth under Registry No. 2001-15549 entered on May 25, 2001 and to correct the following erroneous entries in the (first) Certificate of Live Birth under Registry No. 95-19,562: a. entry No. 1 correcting the name of petitioner from JOshUA TO JOshUA VINCeNT: b. entry No. 1 deleting the term ALONZO (middle family name) since the petitioner is an illegitimate child. ALONZO is the surname of shiela, wife of Alexander Pulvera; c. Deleting the entries in entries No. 13,14,15,16 and 17 since Alexander Pulvera is not the father of the petitioner. Finding the petition to be sufficient in form and substance, set the hearing of the petition on May 15, 2013, at 8:30 o’clock in the morning. Let this Order be published at the expense of the petitioners in a newspaper of general circulation in the city of Davao, once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks. All interested persons may appear before this Court on or before aforesaid date of hearing to show cause, if any why the petition should not be granted. Let this Orde3r be furnished together with a copy of the Petition to the City Prosecution Office, Davao City, the Office of the Solicitor General, Atty. Beethoven L. Orcullo, the Office of the Clerk of Court, Regional Trial Court, Davao City, the Office of the Local Civil registrar, Davao City, as well as the petitioner.

sO OrDereD. GIVeN ThIs 6th day of March ,2013 at Davao City, Philippines. (sGD) GeOrGe e. OMeLIO Presiding Judge

(edge 3/18/25,4/01)

rePUBLIC OF The PhILIPPINes reGIONAL TrIAL COUrT 11Th JUDICIAL reGION OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT-SHERIFF DAVAO CITY

HOME DEVELOPMENT MUTUAL FUND, Mortgagee

EJF-REM CASE NO. 12-328-11

-versus-

Franora C. Lagahit married to Justino Roman D. Lagahit Mortgagor/s.

x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -x NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE

Upon extra-judicial petition for foreclosure and sale under Act 3135, as amended, filed by the mortgagee home Development Mutual Fund or Pag-ibig Fund against Franora C. Lagahit married to Justino Roman D. Lagahit with postal address at LOT 05 B7 L17, Kadayawan homes 4, NhA Bangkal, Davao City to satisfy the mortgage indebtedness which as of March 9, 2011 amounted to Two hundred Ninety Nine Thousand eight hundred sixty Five Pesos & 23/100 ( P 299,865.23) Philippine Currency, inclusive of interest, penalty charges, plus attorney’s fees equivalent to TeN ( 10%) of the total indebtedness plus other legal expenses incident of foreclosure and sale; the undersigned sheriff IV of the regional Trial Court, Davao City, will sell at public auction on April 26, 2013 at 10:00 A.M. or soon thereafter, at the main entrance of hall of Justice, ecoland,Davao City to the highest bidder for Cash or MANAGer’s CheCK and in Philippine Currency, the following real property together with all the improvements thereon, to wit: Transfer Certificate of Title No. T- 214289 “ A parcel of land (Lot 17, Blk. 7 xxx) situated in the City of Davao, Island of Mindanao.xxx Containing an area of THREE HUNDRED (300) SQUARE METERS, more or less” All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above-stated time and date.

In the event the public auction should not take place on the said date,it shall be held on May 24, 2013 without further notice.

Prospective buyers are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the titles herein described real property/ies and the encumbrances thereon, if any there be. Davao City, Philippines, March 12, 2013

FOr The eX-OFFICIO sherIFF:

Noted by:

(SGD.) JAY C. ESPERANZA sheriff IV

(SGD) ATTY. EDIPOLO P. SARABIA, JR. Clerk of Court VI & ex-Officio Provincial sheriff

(edge 3/18/25,4/01)

14 SPORTS 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.

VOL. 6 ISSUE 11 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, MARCH 31 - APRIL 1, 2013

Heat back on track N

eW OrLeANs, Louisiana – The Miami heat rebounded from the end of their 27-game winning streak by clinching the top seed in the eastern Conference with a 108-89 win over the New Orleans hornets on Friday. LeBron James nailed seven three pointers en route to a 36-point effort for the heat who saw the second-longest win streak in National Basketball Association history halted with a defeat to Chicago earlier this week. Dwyane Wade finished with 17 points and nine assists and Norris Cole and Chris Bosh

scored 12 and 10 points respectively for the reigning NBA champions who improved to 57-15 atop the eastern Conference standings. ryan Anderson scored 20 points for the hornets, who fell to 3-3 on a seven-game homestand. eric Gordon had 17 points, Brian roberts scored 13 points and Anthony Davis chipped in 11 points and four steals for the hornets who has won six in a row at home against Miami. Miami lost 101-97 on Wednesday, falling just six wins short of tying the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers record-setting mark.

EDGEDAVAO

STARTING ANEW. Lebron James fired 36 points to lead the Heat past the Hornets. 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 PUJ Ordinary Regular Service ARNEL P. BERSABE, Petitioner

Case No.2003-XI-00384

x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -x NOTICE HEARING

Petitioner is a grantee of a Certificate of Public Convenience issued in this case authorizing the operation of a PUJ Ordinary Regular service on the route: PANACAN VIA CABAGUIO AVENUE ROUTE with the use of ONE (1) unit, which certificate will expire on May 27, 2013. In the petition filed on February 13, 2013, petitioner request authority to extend the validity of said certificate to operate along the same route with the use of the same unit previously authorized. NOTICE, is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Board on APRIL 08, 2013 at 09:10 a.m. at this office at the above address.

At least, FIVe (5) days prior to the above date petitioner shall publish this Notice once in a one (1) daily newspaper of general circulation in Mindanao

Parties opposed to the granting of the petition must file their written opposition supported by documentary evidence on or before the above date furnishing a copy of the same to the petitioner, and may if they so, desire appear on said date and time. This petition will be acted upon by this Board on the basis of its records and the documentary evidence submitted by the parties, unless the Board deems it necessary to receive additional documentary and/or oral evidence.

WITNess the honorable BENJAMIN A. GO, CESO V, regional day of Director, this 13th February 2013 at Davao City. TERESITA DELA PEÑA-YÑIGUEZ Chief Transport Development Officer

Mayweather opponent arrested

eW YOrK – robert Guerrero, set to fight Floyd Mayweather in five weeks, was arrested on Thursday for allegedly trying to take a handgun onto an airplane, prosecutors in New York said. The 30-year-old Guerrero was arrested at John F. Kennedy Airport on gun possession charges while trying to catch a flight to Las Vegas. “I hope Mr Guerrero fights better than he thinks,” said Queens District Attorney richard Brown. “You cannot bring an unlicensed weapon – loaded or unloaded – into this country or this city. And if you do you will be arrested and face felony charges.” Guerrero, 31-1-1 with 18 knockouts, is set to fight fellow American Mayweather, 43-0 with 26 knockouts, for the undefeated star’s World Boxing Council welterweight crown on May 4 at Las Vegas. Guerrero is a former International Boxing Federation super featherweight and featherweight world champion from California, who beat Andre Berto by unanimous decision last November to keep an interim title. After spending several days doing interviews to promote the upcoming fight, Guerrero was heading to Las Vegas when he tried to take an unloaded pistol onto a plane. Guerrero reportedly told a ticket agent at the airline counter during check in that he had the weapon in a locked box and the police were alerted. he also had three unloaded high capacity bullet magazines with him.

INdulge!

VOL. 6 ISSUE 11 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, MARCH 31 - APRIL 1, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

LIVING

The journey of an iPhone 4s How I lost my smartphone and found it MArch 22 was a busy day for me. Given the fact that I had to attend four events strung up one after the other, this was not including my design duties for clients who need items designed and laid-out ready before the holy Week break. As usual, I was taking the cab from one place to the other since I don’t drive and besides, the convenience of having a taxi and not needing to find a nearby parking space far outweighs the need to have a car. The first two events I attended went on smoothly and as I arrived at the third event at the Pearl Farm Marina, I can’t help but feel that something was missing. After the obligatory his and hellos to the hosts and friends, I suddenly realised that I accidentally left my iPhone 4s inside the cab. remembering the company name (lucky for me it was a taxi chain) and

vaguely remembering the number of the cab (which was thankfully stitched onto the back portion of the passenger side’s headrest) the front office of the Pearl Farm Marina started calling up the taxi’s dispatch centre. My phone was still ringing but no one is picking it up, and since my phone was not

on silent, it was impossible for the driver not to notice. Unfortunately for me though, not having the exact number of the taxi was a problem, given that there were so many taxis around Durianburg to begin with and the dispatch centre cannot guarantee that they can pinpoint which taxi I took (this was despite me

offering a reward and to pay the flag down for the cab to bring my phone back). It was only then that I realised that I still had my second iPhone (I keep a second iPhone that is unlocked for use when travelling, that way I have access to cheap internet and calls abroad) in my pocket. I

remember that Apple has an app named Find My iPhone made specifically for users to locate, lock and, when worse comes to worse, wipe all the data that is stored in the lost or stolen device. Using my 3g access, I was able to quickly download the app and log in using my Apple ID. An Apple

ID is the email address and password you use to register and download Apps onto your iPhone (for those with laptops, you can download and use the free app from the iTunes store and track it on your laptop). It is the first thing you will actually set up on your new device so it is re-

FTHE JOURNEY, A4

EDGEDAVAO

A2 INdulge! UP AND ABOUT

Plug-and-play with the Lenovo P770 and USB On-The-Go WhEN it comes to smartphone performance, today’s mobile warriors share the same problems: battery life and the lack of connectivity options. Lenovo Mobile answers these needs with a handset that matches their dynamic lifestyles—the P770 that comes with a Universal Serial Bus (USB) On-the-Go (OTG) accessory cable. With the Lenovo P770’s USB OTG cable, users can seamlessly integrate their smartphones with other devices as it allows them toaccess, copy, and edit files from gadgetssuch as flash drives, external hard drives, and even storage modules in tablets.Transferring office documents, travel photos, and other valuable data becomesan easy plug-and-play experience. From city-hopping for business meetings to going on a vacation, the P770 can also power up other devicesalong the way.It comes with a 3500 mAh battery with an immense lifespan that allows users to actually charge other phones or USB-powered devices through the USB OTG cable, converting the phone into a portable battery sourceon the go. The Lenovo P770 also boasts of a dual-core processor that caneasily handle all media and app requirements, as well as a huge 4.5-inch qhD IPS screen for crystal-clear image and movie viewing. The USB OTG cable accessory comes bundled with the LenovoP770. Feel the power of on-the-go connectivity anThe Lenovo P770, perfect for on-the-go dexceptional professionals, now comes with an On-TheGo USB that helps copy and store files as battery life, only from Lenovo. well as act as a charger for other phones.

The P770’s USB On-The-Go is the perfect partner – Use it to access files from USB flash drives, hard drives, and other devices as well use it to charge other mobile phones.

VOL. 6 ISSUE 11 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, MARCH 31 - APRIL 1, 2013

ENTERTAINMENT

TV’ s top easter eggs: The Walking Dead, Teen Wolf, Once Upon a Time, Smallville and More!

Did you see that?!

We’ve all had that moment while watching our favorite TV show, you know, when they subtly (or sometimes not so subtly) reference another series, be it through a line of dialogue or a random prop in the background. These are what we call TV Easter eggs, people. And because Easter is this Sunday, we decided to compile a list of some of our favorite Easter eggs of the TV-variety, which includes references to Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Vampire Diaries, The Dukes of Hazzard and more! So let the nerdiest Easter egg hunt ever begin! Boy Meets World: Did you know that the series’ high school was named John Adams high because William Daniels, who played Mr. Feeny, played John Adams in The rebels? The Walking Dead: AMc cross-pollination FTW! The zombie survivors came across some blue meth, aka the color of Walter White’s crystal meth on Breaking Bad. The Office: In the season-two episode “Halloween,” Michael says, “You’ve Been X Punk’d! ryan was in on it.” ryan is played by B.J. Novak, who worked alongside Ashton Kutcher on

1 2 3 A PASIRIAN SUMMER: Parisian sets the trend for the rising temperatures of summer! Check-out the season’s heel options, quirky shapes and nautical designs and prepare to beat the heat with these stylish shoes and bags at SM Department Stores nationwide!

MTV’s prank show Punk’d. Arrow: The most recent egg on the list: After Oliver’s girlfriend is shot, she says she’s moving to a city with the best physical therapy. And guess which city that is? coast city, where fellow Dc comics hero Green Lantern, aka hal Jordan, lives! Once Upon a Time: We won’t even begin to try and list the show’s endless Disney references. It’s also hard to keep track of all of the ABc hit’s references to Lost, which creators Edward Kitsis and Adam horowitz worked on. There are the Apollo candy bars and the nods to Lost’s infamous numbers (4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42), including the clock stopping at 8:15 and regina’s house number is 108 (the sum of the numbers). Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s Jane Espenson

is a producer on OUAT, which explains what might be our favorite Easter egg from a show currently on the air: Buffy’s scythe from the final season is one of the items in Mr. Gold’s pawn shop. Nerdgasm! Heroes: The NBc drama had quite the treat for Marvel comics fans when Stan Lee, the creator of SpiderMan and X-Men to name a few, made a quick cameo as a bus driver in “Unexpected.” Also, Star Trek’s George Takei character’s license plate number was “Ncc-1701,” the service number for the USS Enterprise. Dawson’s Creek: Ducks fly together…or get referenced by The Mighty Ducks’ star Joshua Jackson on his WB hit show. When a character knocks the hockey series, Jackson’s Pacey says, “hey, I

6 7

liked those movies!” Also, Michelle Williams’ character goes on a date to see Halloween H20, which she starred in. Teen Wolf: The MTV hit series paid a bit of respect to The Vampire Diaries, another supernatural teen drama that also features werewolves, when the lacrosse team played the team from Mystic Falls high, the school Elena, Stefan and the gang attend. Lost: The gold standard of TV Easter eggs, that’s what Lost was! There’s the ever-present number (4,8,15,16,23,42), which were probably referenced 4,815,162,342 times throughout the series. There were the countless anagrams. Books the characters read provided important clues. We could go on and on, but instead, we urge you to watch the six seasons of awesomeness. You’re welcome. Smallville: Let’s ignore the endless references to Superman, shall we? A season-three episode features an email address, cNh320@instamail.com, which is clark’s parents’ account. his father is played by John Schneider, who starred on The Dukes of Hazzard. The General Lee’s license plate number on Dukes? cNh 320.

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VOL. 6 ISSUE 11 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, MARCH 31 - APRIL 1, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux can’t get enough of furniture shopping

WhEN do we get the grand tour?

Jennifer Aniston and fiancé Justin Theroux were spotted indulging in their new favorite pastime again yesterday as their Bel-Air move-in date approaches. you guessed it: They were out shopping for antique furniture! Six days after boutiquehopping between Lee Stanton, Therien, and Ralf’s Antiques in West hollywood, they were in the neighborhood again Thursday to peruse 18th- and 19th-century items for the nearly 13,000-square-foot mansion they’re gearing up to relocate to any day now. Which is funny, because the house—at least

before the couple started ripping into it—had a modern facade. No matter, of course.

We’re just hoping that the couple that coos over credenzas together is the one that stays together.

Dwayne Johnson can’t stop gushing about costar Channing Tatum’s sexiest man alive title DWAyNE Johnson had nothing but great things to say about costar Channing Tatum at the G.I. Joe: Retaliation premiere last night in Los Angeles. The Rock—who plays the Joes’ second in command, Roadblock, in the upcoming blockbuster— told E! News that the 32-year-old thesp more than deserved the honor of being named People magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive. “Channing’s like a brother to me. I love him. I’m so happy for his success. he’s very sexy by the way, according to People magazine,” said the

40-year-old pro-wrestling legend turned hollywood star. As for himself? “I’m confident in my manhood,” Johnson added. “No, he’s a sexy guy... he’s off having a baby. I’d rather just practice making babies because I already have a child. I’m

already a daddy.” These proud papas must have quite a bromance going on because just this week the 40-yearold actor also couldn’t resist telling E! News that he thought Channing had “nice eyes.” G.I. Joe: Retaliation is now in theaters.

Ryan Gosling “freaked out” by Ryan Gosling hotline WE know at least one person who won’t be calling the Ryan Gosling hotline: Ryan Gosling. In fact, the 32-year-old actor didn’t even know the fan-made dial service existed until last night! “Are you kidding?” Gosling responded when our own Alicia Quarles asked him about the hotline at last night’s NyC premiere

of The Place Beyond the Pines. “I’m feeling a little freaked out,” he said. “I’m feeling feelings of freakedoutness, yeah.” Also at the premiere was Gosling’s costar and real-life love Eva Mendes. The gorgeous actress dished on her most gritty performance yet. “I’ve always wanted to go to those places,”

Mendes said. “[Director] Derek [Cianfrance] was very much there pushing me to just get deeper and deeper.” Mendes even worked as a waitress in a real restaurant during filming to get into character. She said, “yeah, Derek suggested that, because my character Romina is a waitress., Derek suggested that I work as a waitress.”

IT TAKES A MAN AND A WOMAN John Lloyd Cruz , Sarah Geronimo GP

12:40 | 3:00 | 5:20 | 7:40 | 10:00 LFS

G. I. JOE RETALIATION-3D Bruce Willis , Dwayne Johnson PG-13

12:00 | 2:30 | 5:00 | 7:30 |10:00 LFS

THE HOST *IT TAKES A MAN AND A WOMAN R-16

PG-13 GP

Gerard Butler /*John Lloyd Cruz 12:40 | 3:00 | * 6:30 | 08:50 LFS

G. I. JOE RETALIATION Bruce Willis, Dwayne Johnson PG-13

12:40 | 3:00 | 5:20 | 7:40 | 10:00 LFS

A4 INdulge! LIVING

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 11 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, MARCH 31 - APRIL 1, 2013

The journey...

After logging on to Find My iPhone, lo and behold, I saw where my iPhone is on the map of Davao. Although not real time, the app shows the approximate area where my iPhone was.

FFROM, A1

ally important for you to remember it. After logging on to Find My iPhone, lo and behold, I saw where my iPhone is on the map of Davao. Although not real time, the app shows the approximate area where my iPhone was. A few seconds along Magallanes Street, turning left towards Anda, another left towards San Pedro Street, the app amazed me as to how it was able to track my lost phone. Given the time and distance covered by the phone, I concluded that my phone was still in the taxi, and was honestly considering driving around town to chase it (thank you Dina for

the crazy and adventurous offer, I really would have taken it up!). I must have stirred up a ruckus as Marissa, who was also at the party, even called up Debbie who actually owns the taxi company for help. Suddenly after 30 minutes, I noticed that the taxi enter a gated village where Marissa and husband Toffy are living in, then it hit me. I asked Toffee to call the village security at the guardhouse and to kindly ask the driver of the taxi that just entered the village matching my description (a yellow Toyota Vios) to kindly return my iPhone before he

felt the village. I was patched through the guardhouse phone to talk to taxi driver. At first the taxi driver denied that he saw my phone and that perhaps a passenger had took it since I was seated at the back seat. But when I told him that I have a phone tracker on him and told him how I was able to locate that he was several locations at the right times, he conceded and surrendered my phone to the guards on duty. call it stupid luck or the power of technology, but to have a phone returned after losing it on a taxi is not a common thing (of course

Lost and found

there are those honest taxi drivers in Davao who actually outnumber the manong in my taxi cab that evening), but to be able to trace every move it makes is a godsend. So whenever you have a smartphone or even a tablet, always remember your username and password as these will really help you when you need it. Many thanks to the heroes of my ordeal, the staff of Pearl Farm Marina, Dina, Marissa, Toffee, Tricie, Vince, and Debbie. Follow me on Twitter and Instagram for more foodie finds, travel tips, and happenings in and around Durianburg.

By Kenneth Irving Ong

SMArTPhONES are expensive to replace and it is a real concern when you lose one, especially when you factor in the private data that you have stored in them. here is a list of some free apps that can be used to lock, track, and hopefully find your missing or lost smartphone. Find My iPhone APPLE’S Find My iPhone works for all iOS products and can also be installed onto your Mac or Pc whenever you need to find your phone. Using your icloud account and password, you will be able to lock your phone, send a message to the phone for instructions to whoever found it, find the phone’s nearest GPS location, or when worse comes to worse, wipe all the data you have stored on your phone. The user interface is easy and does what a phone tracker is supposed to do flawlessly. The app is free and can be downloaded from the iTunes store.

Where’s my Droid WhErE’S my Droid is the bestknown Android phone locator app in the Android Market. Many praise the app for its range of options although they are typically standard for this type of application. The latest version the Where’s My Droid app can be triggered through text and email, to either make your smartphone ring or to retrieve its coordinates. These are nifty options and pretty much all you need in an Android phone locator app, especially if you don’t want to get involved with online accounts. The Where’s My Droid app is well thought out and relatively simple to use. It does what a phone BuddyGuard locator app needs to do and is esBLAcKBErrY’S BuddyGuard allows you to remotely lock your missing BlackBerry via SMS sential for those that do not want to or email and to direct the finder to contact the owner. The app also allows you to play a loud find their phone through an online alert even when the phone is set on silent mode. account as many other apps do.

EDGEDAVAO

SPORTS 15

VOL. 6 ISSUE 11 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, MARCH 31 - APRIL 1, 2013

Jr. NBA camp opens Monday T

he Jr. NBA Philippines 2013 presented by Alaska will be in town beginning Monday for the regional selection Camp at the University of southeastern Philippines. The two-day camp is made possible by event partner and local host Phoenix Petroleum Philippines. The Jr. NBA’s return to Davao after a record-breaking attendance of 1013 participants in school clinics held last January now enables young players aged 10 to 14 try for the chance of becoming this year’s Jr. NBA All stars. Participants will participate in a learn-andachieve camp that will test their physical and basketball smarts through NBA style skills tests and basketball drills. The two-day selection camp starts at 9 a.m. on April 1 and ends April 2. The first day is de-

voted to skills tests and drills and the selection of the Top 40 performers. The second day will consist of more drills and scrimmages among the Top 40, and as much as 10 players who will represent the region in the National Training Camp in April will be chosen at the end of the day by Jr. NBA coaches led by Coach sefu Bernard, Director of Basketball Operations, NBA Asia and local Jr. NBA coaches led by PBA Legend Jojo Lastimosa. At the camp, young players will undergo skills, aptitude and endurance challenges designed to steep them in basketball fundamentals and the s.T.A.r. (sportsmanship, Teamwork, Attitude, respect) values.Besides getting their vitals measured, campers will also encounter shooting skills challenges, dribbling, footwork and passing drills, endurance tests, fitness and agility tests and com-

JR. NBA. Coaches from all over Davao City pose during the opening of the coaching camp last January. The Jr. NBA regional camp opens on Monday at the USEP Gym. petitive games.The top campers selected in Davao will join the 6 National Training Camp qualifiers previously selected in Dagupan City on March 16 and 17. More campers will be selected on April 6-7 in Lucena City and April

13-14 in Manila. More National Campers will be culled from the Alaska Power Camp to make up the total 50 participants in the National Training Camp which will be held in Manila on April 26-28. The highlight of Jr. NBA

Philippines 2013 presented by Alaska is the selection of this year’s ten Jr. NBA Philippines 2013 All stars who will be rewarded with an authentic NBA experience later in the year and the chance to play against a counterpart

Murray faces Ferrer for title

Sharapova meets Serena in finals

BIsCAYNe, Fla. (AP) -- Maria sharapova keeps drawing a different opponent in the Key Biscayne final, and has yet to find one she can beat. Now she’ll give it a try against serena Williams. sharapova, a fourtime runner-up, earned another berth in the final by beating Jelena Jankovic 6-2, 6-1 Thursday at the sony Open. eight hours later, five-time champion Williams advanced when she beat defending champion Agnieszka radwanska 6-0, 6-3. sharapova has lost the Key Biscayne final to four different players -Kim Clijsters in 2005, svetlana Kuznetsova in ‘06, Victoria Azarenka in ‘11 and radwanska last year. The No. 1-ranked Williams might be the toughest matchup for her yet. sharapova is 2-11 against Williams, with

both of the wins way back in 2004. Williams has won their past 10 meetings and their past 13 sets. ‘’They have been pretty quick matches,’’ sharapova said. ‘’she’s a tremendous athlete, has so much power, and a confident player as well. so if you have a few games where you’re not stepping in and not playing the way you should be, she takes really good advantage of it.’’ With a victory saturday, the No. 3-seeded sharapova would plug one of the few holes in her resume. she completed a career Grand slam by winning the French Open last year but has never won the tournament near downtown Miami. ‘’It would mean so much to me,’’ the russian said. ‘’I absolutely love this city. It’s the first city I landed in when I came to the United states as a little girl.’’

Maria Sharapova (top) stretches to hit a return while Serena Williams (below) returns a shot from Agnieszka Radwanska, of Poland, during a semifinal match in the Sony Open tennis tournament last Friday in Key Biscayne, Fla. The two will meet in the finals. (AP)

Jr. NBA team abroad.The Coach of the Year award winner will be announced at the National Training Camp. An NBA legend will join the coaching staff of the NTC and lead the postNTC NBA Cares community outreach.

IAMI (reuters) - Britain’s Andy Murray fought back for a 6-7 6-1 6-2 win over France’s richard Gasquet to reach the final of the sony Open where he will face spaniard David Ferrer on sunday. Murray recovered after making a mess of the first set where he was serving for it at 5-4 but double-faulted on break point and ended up losing out in the tie-break. Gasquet had been playing some inspired tennis but he was outplayed in the second set and the scotsman never looked in danger in the third. “The first set was a tough one to lose, because I obviously served for the set and then at the end of the set you kind of look up at the stats and I had hit over 20 winners and lost the set,” the scotsman told reporters. “so I realized I had to cut out the unforced errors. I did a good job of that. halfway through the second set I started to find the right way to play, the right shots to go for and I did well after that,” he said. Gasquet had to receive treatment for a blisters and an ankle problem but refused to blame his ailments for his defeat. “I didn’t lose because of that. I lost because he was better,” said the

Frenchman. “he serves well. he returns very good. he runs a lot. he defends. he’s the best defender in the world and he never misses. he’s a very good player.” A victory over Ferrer in the final would move Murray above roger Federer into second place in the world rankings. Ferrer ended German Tommy haas’s dream of reaching the sony Open final with a 4-6 6-2 6-3 victory in Friday’s semi-final. The 34-year-old haas, whose career looked close to finished after a series of injuries, beat world number one Novak Djokovic on his way to the last four and threatened another upset at Key Biscayne. After the German clinched the first set, Ferrer turned things around in the second but trailed 3-1 in the third with haas sensing a real chance of his first Masters series final in 11 years. But Ferrer fought back, taking advantage of some unforced errors from the fading German to secure the victory and his first place in a final at Miami. Ferrer is bidding to lift his second Masters 1000 victory, having triumphed over Jerzy Janowicz in Paris last November. The spaniard was a beaten semi-finalist in Miami in 2005 and 2006.

VOL. 6 ISSUE 11 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, MARCH 31 - APRIL 1, 2013

Rory struggles h

UMBLe, Texas (AP) -steve Wheatcroft hates going to Monday qualifiers. he was reminded Friday why they can be worth it. Wheatcroft, who narrowly qualified for the houston Open at the start of the week, ran off three straight birdies early in his round and kept bogeys off his card for a second straight 5-under 67. That gave him a one-shot lead over D.A. Points and Jason Kokrak going into the weekend at redstone Golf Club. rory McIlroy also will be around for two more days, but just barely. In only his 10th full round of the year, McIlroy walked onto the seventh green - his 16th hole of the day - and saw that he was tied for 77th. he two-putted from 85 feet on the fringe for birdie on his next hole, and then safely found the green at the par-3 ninth for a 70. By the end of the day, McIlroy made the cut on the number. ‘’It a weekend where I can have a couple more rounds and try and get confidence in

what I’m doing,’’ McIlroy. his big surprise came later. McIlroy, feeling as though he needs more rounds to get ready for the Masters, decided to enter the Texas Open next week. Phil Mickelson also made the cut on the number after a bogey on the last hole for a 71. Mickelson, who has played the Masters with two drivers in the bag, decided to play redstone on Friday with two 3-woods in the bag, though one of them is so strong it acts like a driver. ‘’If I can play like I did the back nine, I’m going to give myself a lot of birdie chances,’’ Mickelson said. Wheatcroft can’t bank on anything. Not only does he have no status on the PGA Tour, he has only conditional status in the minor leagues. Af-

EDGEDAVAO Sports STRUGGLING. Rory McIlroy hits his tee shot in a round that barely made him past the cut.

t e r

missing out on a Web.com Tour event last week in Louisiana, he figured he might as well enter the houston Open qualifier Monday. ‘’Monday qualifiers are terrible. They’re just not fun, plain and simple,’’ Wheatcroft said. ‘’I was on the PGA Tour in ‘07, played terribly. I had no status. so I had to be back to Monday qualifiers and pre-qualifiers

the next year. I hate them.’’ Wheatcroft had some good sessions with swing coach Matt Killen, felt his game was getting better in the last month, and figured it was all about timing. he made it by one shot into the field, and he’s playing well against a strong field at redstone. he was at 10-under 134, the first time he has ever been atop the leaderboard on the PGA Tour. The tournament is only halfway over, and Wheatcroft has been around long enough to not look too far ahead. even so, this has Cinderella ramifications.