Edge Davao 6 Issue 121

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 121• SUNDAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1-2, 2013

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Serving a seamless society

The living light of Pegalongan

Page 3

2 THE BIG NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 121• SUNDAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1-2, 2013

Robbers hunted for P250-T loot

By EMILORD P. CASTROMAYOR

P NATIONAL LANGUAGE MONTH. Students of Fil-Asian Mission Academy perform a dance number which shows that patriotism is still alive in the hearts of every young Filipinos in this digital age during the culmination of “Buwan ng Wika” celebration in Garcia Heights, Davao City on Friday. [Lean Daval Jr.]

DESPITE TRAVEL ADVISORY

US consul: ‘I love Davao’

By EJ DOMINIC FERNANDEZ

A

ejf@edgedavao.net

RANKING United States Embassy official in the Philippines is the latest to be love-struck of Davao City.

Kyle Mills, vice consul of the US embassy in Manila, told Edge Davao on Saturday that he has fallen in love with the city and will be personally selling it to friends and fellow Americans.

“I love Davao and more people (foreigners) should come to Davao when they visit the Philippines, not just Boracay or Palawan,” Mills said.

During the induction

of officers for the first Consular Corps of the Philippines – Davao Chapter at The Marco Polo Davao Saturday, Mills said among the reasons he loves Davao is that “the traffic is light, the air is clean, and the fruits are fresh and delicious.”

Former dean of the Consular Corps of the Philippines Vicente Carlos said that he is glad that Mills came to Davao despite the travel advisory of US advising their nationals not to come to Mindanao, including the cities of Davao, Zamboanga and Cotabato.

FDCP to create Davao film council F

ilm Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) is looking at the possibility of creating a Davao City film council which will unite film-makers in the city into one entity, according to FDCP Davao coordinator Peter Philip Lat. Lat told Edge Davao on Saturday that he had received directive from FDCP chairman Briccio G. Santos to start dialogues with local government authorities and members of the private sector to create a council that would craft filming guidelines and policies.

“I am now starting dialogue with some city councilors, and some members of the private

“The truth is, there are only a few of us (consuls) who came here for the inauguration of the Consular Corps – Davao Chapter because the embassies of other countries did not allow their consuls to come here,” he said.

Carlos said that part of the job of the consul is to make a report of their experience in a locality like Davao, submit it to the security sector, or whatever sector is concerned, then that sector will make a report to the ambassadors, and that ambassador will make a report and submit

it to the ministries or departments in their home countries.

“Hopefully, the travel advisory on Davao will be lifted before the end of this year,” he said.

Dr. Ma. Lourdes G. Monteverde, Consular Corps Davao chapter secretary, who is the honorary consul of Mexico to the Philippines, lauded Mills for coming to Davao, despite the travel ban.

Meanwhile, Indonesian Consul General Eko Hartono was inducted as dean or president of the

FUS CONSUL,10

sector, and later, officials in the mayor’s office,” he said, adding that FDCP has three years to complete this project within the term of President Benigno Aquino.

Lat said the FDCP whose head is a Dabawenyo is selling Davao as an ideal film location, in the hope that the region Davao and other parts of Mindanao be a major player in film and tourism industry.

Part of the agenda of the Davao film council is to extend grants and conduct trainings for the education and development of Dabawenyos who show intense interest and FILMMAKERS. Veteran film director Maryo delos Reyes (right) talks about his extraordinary talents to entry to this year’s Sining Pambansa National Film Festival All-Masters Edition en-

FFDCP,10

titled Bamboo Flowers in yesterday’s press briefing at the lobby of SM Lanang Pre-

OLICE operatives are hunting a notorious group of robbers which reportedly robbed a 50-year-old woman of cash and imported belongings worth P250,000 all in all last Thursday in GSIS subdivision in Matina, Davao City.

Chief Romeo Silagan of the Talomo police station said the name of the group cannot be revealed as yet but the susopects movements are now closely being monitored.

PO3 Roman Agor Jr. and PO2 Romel Boyano, investigators on the case, reported that on August 28, Marie Ann Durano, the victim, complained that her house was ransacked by the culprits.

She told police that when she returned home about 7:45 a.m. from school she noticed that her drawer was forcibly opened and discovered that her cash money amounting to P 40,000 and additional cash of 600 US dollars were missing.

Also discovering missing were her imported watches and earrings estimated to be worth P185,000.

Police said the robbers broke into the lady’s residence by climbing the wall at the back of the house and then destroying the window grill of the victim’s room. After stealing the cash and belonging, they exited through the back door.

HE Davao City Council unanimously elected on Thrsday Councilor Myrna Daloro Ortiz as Davao Chapter President of the Philippine Councilors league (PCLDC).

Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang was elected vice-president, April MArie Dayap as Secretary-General, Joanne Bonguyan as Treasurer, Jimmy Dureza as Auditor, Al Ryan Alejandre as Press Relations Officer and Bernie Al-ag as Business Manager.

Elected as chapter directors were Nilo “Small” Abellera Jr, Victorio Advincula Jr., Louie John Bonguyan, Ma. Belen Acosta, Leah Librado-Yap, Antoinette Principe, Rachel Zozobrado, Edgar Ibuyan Sr. and Diosdado Mahipus Sr. The election was supervised by the City Interior and Local Government Office (DILG) with Vicky Sarsena as representative of the city DILG director.

The election was held at the Councilor’s Lounge.

(VMO PR)

Dalodo-Ortiz is PCL Davao prexy T

mier cinema. With him are director Gil M. Portes (center) and Ted Granados, Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) executive director. Sining Pambansa National Film Festival is presented by the FDCP and SM Cinemas. [Lean Daval Jr.]

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 121• SUNDAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1-2, 2013

BIGGER PICTURE

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The living light of Pegalongan

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO njb@edgedavao.net

“A good teacher is like a candle, it consumes itself to light the way for others.”-anonymous Randy Halasan is a public school teacher. Five days a week, he goes to school, teach his students and at the end of each day, come home and prepare for another day.

He wished life as a teacher is as simple as that.

For Randy, that description is only half the life he has embraced in his seven years as a public school teacher in Pegalongan Elementary School in Sitio Pegalongan, Malamba, Marilog District.

To get to Pegalongan, Randy travels two hours by bus, another hour by ‘habal-habal’ motorcycle, plus around four hours of trekking, which includes crossing two treacherous rivers—Simod River and Davao River--that at times go as high as his chest.

The rivers that separate Pegalongan’s school and the communities spell life and death. Randy says many lives have been lost crossing the rivers including his very own.

Not even that stops Randy. He keeps pushing even if the journey to Pegalongan is life risking. In one of his treks to Marilog, he and some pupils almost lost their lives traversing the raging Davao River. It is a journey he has chosen to take with the community and his students, who also cross the chest-deep river everyday just to be educated.

This has been the life this 30-year old teacher from Mandug embraced ever since he got a teaching assignment. Even his student life was an uphill battle. Through sheer hardwork and determination, he kept his dreams of a college education by working part-time. He dreamt of becoming a doctor or a lawyer but poverty left him no choice but to pursue

teaching.

He finished his Bachelor of Elementary Education at the University of Southeastern Philippines in 2003 and like most fresh graduates, was not able to immediately get a teaching position.

He struggled through odd jobs to live from day to day while taking care of his mother, now 72. In 2006, he was assigned as a substitute teacher in Sixto Babao Elementary School in Tibungco and later in T. Awad Echevarria in Mandug. It was in January 8, 2007 when he was assigned as a permanent teacher in Pegalongan.

“My first grade that I taught is grade one and two and it’s a multi grade class and after that I transfer to grade five and six. I was their adviser when the school held its first closing exercise and it’s a memorable to me because I saw the happiness in their eyes the essence if you are already graduated,” Randy narrated.

For newbie teachers, being assigned in far-flung areas is expected. In the same breath, moving out of such an unenviable assignment is usually first and foremost in the minds of young tutors. After becoming a permanent teacher, they request to be transferred and leave their remote area assignment at the first opportunity.

Not Randy.

He chose to stay at Pegalongan Elementary School where he became Head Teacher on his sixth year.

When Teacher Randy first came to Sitio Pegalongan, he saw a different side of the city, far from the bright lights, crowded malls, fast-paced life and slow-moving traffic he has

INNOVATIONS. Without electricity and cellphone signal in Pegalongan, Randy Halasan used innovations inside the classroom to keep a multi-grade class interested.

grown used to.

He saw people whose only hope is on the fertile soil of Marilog, of anything that grows and can either be eaten or sold. He saw children go to school on foot, sleeping in class out of hunger or fatigue from walking to school and crossing high waters.

“When I became a permanent teacher and was assigned at Pegalongan Elementary School which is one of the farthest school in the Davao City, I said to myself that I will not stay long of this school. I’m not happy here. Imagine a life without signal and electricity,” Randy recounted his early days in Pegalongan.

But all that changed in no time. “As the days passed by when I saw their needs and hunger for education and development I said to myself that I have to do something for the Matigsalug Tribe in Sitio Pegalongan. I felt happy and the belongingness as part of their family even I’m not a tribe.”

Pegalongan is a small sitio nestled in the middle of the mountains. After a great typhoon, tribal folks saw light shine from the area, thus it got its name.

That, too, is how Randy is

like right now to the community--a light that shines and guides the community.

In his young teaching tour of duty, something developed in the subconscious of Randy—education is not enough.

“Kung education lang talaga ang focus, kulang.

Kahit gaano ka pa kagaling magturo, kahit gaano ka pa kagaling mag visual aid, kahit anong technology ipakita mo, pero kung ang mga tao gutom, kung ang mga bata gutom, wala,” he said.

This is his conviction and the one big reason why he is so passionate about improving the livelihood of the people.

It wasn’t easy. Here is a stranger who wanted to change how the world turns for Pegalongan’s Matigsalug community which literally means “people along the Salug River (now called the Davao River)”. Although often classified under the Manobo tribe, the Matigsalug is a distinct sub-group of indigenous peoples from the Manobos.

Randy had to sacrifice a lot of his time, which means staying in Pagalongan beyond his teaching duties. Because the community is so remote, he

chose to spend most of his weekends and summer vacations with the tribal folks. That means days and weeks of not being able to communicate with his family. The area does not have electricity and cellphone signal.

As he began to immerse himself in the community, he enjoined the tribe to help him establish the Pegalongan Farmers Association with the end view of making them become food sufficient. When he got there, they were only farming corn, mongo and root crops.

Randy asked help from agencies in the city so that the farmers can be trained on planting vegetables and durable crops. He also solicited seedlings to get the people start planting new crops.

In time, the community has nurseries and vegetable gardens in their backyards.

The projects he initiated in the community really helped. “Nung wala pang asosasyon, napakahirap ng buhay dito.” explains Camilo Pandia, Pegalangan Farmers Association president.

He also developed a deeply-rooted bond with

THEN AND NOW. This is Pegalongan Elementary School before (left) and now (right). From a one-classroom building when teacher Randy Halasan arrived in 2006 to two schoolbuildings by 2010.

his students that he looked beyond them as his pupils.

Since Pegalongan only has an elementary level school, most of the children end up stopping after graduating from elementary because high school was very far.

Only a few move on to pursue high school education elsewhere.

This became a personal saga for Randy. His concern for the future of his students encouraged him to lobby for the establishment of a high school in the area so that there is something to look beyond after elementary education.

Randy’s love for Pegalongan has blossomed into a symbiotic relationship.

The young teacher soon became like one of Pegalongan’s very own sons.

Because of his dedication, he is well-loved and respected. The tribal elders and other members of the tribe are very supportive of him.

One of the tribal leaders, Datu Pablo Dacao Sr. explains “Nung dumating si Sir Randy, malaki talaga nagbago. Bukod sa mga bata, buong community tinutulungan.”

Randy is not just a life teacher. In the classroom,

FTHE LIVING LIGHT, 10

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VOL. 6 ISSUE 121• SUNDAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1-2, 2013

5 THE ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 121• SUNDAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1-2, 2013

BPI posts P12-B net income in first half

B

ANK of the Philippine islands (“BPI”) registered a net income of P12 billion in the first half of 2013, a 27% increase over the P9.4 billion made during the same period in 2012.

The increase in earnings was a result of a 14% increase in total revenues coupled with a relatively modest 6% increase in operating expenses.

The increase in total revenues was accounted for by a 6% increase in net interest income and a 23% increase in non-interest income.

Gains were recorded in all major types of non-interest income, with fees and commissions, foreign exchange,

securities trading, insurance income and other operating income growing by 17%, 24%, 14%, 70%, and 34%, respectively, over the same period a year ago.

The bank’s return on equity for the first half of 2013 was 23.7%.

Reflective of the robust expansion of the Philippine economy, the bank’s total assets reached P1.02 trillion at the end of the first half of 2013, a 13% increase yearon-year.

The bank’s loan portfolio grew by 17% year-on-year, well balanced between an 18% growth in corporate loans and a 15% growth in consumer loans.

Shirts printed with “Batang Pinoy 2013” logo are selling like hot cakes during the staging of this year’s edition of Batang Pinoy Mindanao Qualifying Leg at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex in Tagum City. Lean Daval Jr.

Asset quality remains strong, with a gross 30-day non-performing loan ratio of 2.2%. Loan loss reserves covered 117% of the gross amount of 30-day non-performing loans.

The bank’s growth in assets was supported by a 12% increase in deposits, which at the end of the first half of 2013 amounted to P823 billion.

Current account and savings account deposits (CASA) grew by an impressive 25% year-on-year, resulting in a CASA to time deposit ratio of 2:1, unprecedented for the bank.

The bank’s capital adequacy ratio as of June 30,

2013 stood at a strong 14.3%.

With a market capitalization at mid-year of P341 billion, BPI is the most valuable bank in the country.

Commenting of the bank’s first half performance, Cezar Consing, President and Chief Executive Officer said, “BPI’s financial results for the first half of the year are strong. The growth in our loan book is well balanced and funded by a deposit base that is low cost and growing.

We shortened the duration of our securities portfolio to reflect the changing market conditions, and our over-all business is well poised to take advantage of a rising interest rate environment.”

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

EDITORIAL

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VOL. 6 ISSUE 121• SUNDAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1-2, 2013

Running coffins

TOTAL of 15 bus units of the Bachelor Bus Express have been grounded by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) as a result of an accident involving one of the units were four people were killed along the Davao-Agusan Highway in Lasang, Davao City last week.

The suspension of the firm’s operation in this part of Mindanao came after the filing by the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) of charges of reckless imprudence resulting to multiple homicide and damage to property against Restituto Cordoba Jr. All the fatalities in the accident were on the side of the van with which the Bachelor unit collided –the van’s driver Anacleto Perdrosa, his 17-year old daughter Annamarie, a certain Miriam Flores and another lady by the name of Marites Adtuon.

Incensed by the road mishap, especially the death of innocent victims, Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Z. Duterte recommended to LTFRB the grounding of the buses of the company operating in the Davao City route.

The notoriety of Bachelor bus drivers, especially the speed maniacs, is known far and wide. It is only just that the com-

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pany, by its failure to discipline its drivers, should also suffer damage as a result of the suspension of its operation.

For reacting on the sad and infuriating incident with dispatch, Vice Mayor Pulong should be congratulated.

The people are really hoping that local authorities would be decisive and fast in making moves to remove virtual running coffins from the roads. The local government units (LGUs) should not wait for the national government which is not exactly known for expediting action against erring transportation companies whose units are involved in accidents, even if the number of dead and wounded reaches hundreds or even thousands.

This is particularly true in the case of shipping companies which are known for operating floating coffins. Thousands have drowned and gone missing due to the irresponsibility of the shipping companies and their ship captains, but we still have to hear of any man going to jail for causing death, destruction and untold misery due to irresponsibility and incompetence.

ARLENE D. PASAJE Cartoons

RAMON M. MAXEY Consultant

GREGORIO G. DELIGERO Associate Editor

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

EJ DOMINIC C. FERNANDEZ Reporter

Columnists: CARLOS MUNDA • MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO A. PEÑA • MARY ANN “ADI” C. QUISIDO • LEANDRO B. DAVAL SR., • NICASIO AGUSTIN • VIDA A. MIA VALVERDE • Economic ENRICO“ADDIE” “GICO” G. Columnists: MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER ANGELO C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO PEÑA • ZHAUN ORTEGA Analysts: • BERNADETTE B. DAYANGIRANG M.QUISIDO PEREZ • Lifestyle Columnists: BAISR., FAUZIAH SINSUAT •AMBOLODTO • MEGHANN STA. INES BORBON • MARY• JONALLIER ANN “ADI” C. • LEANDRO B. DAVAL • NIKKIFATIMA GOTIANSE-TAN NICASIO ANGELO AGUSTIN • EMILY •ZEN NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN CHUA • CARLOS MUNDA Economic Analyst: ENRICO “GICO” G. DAYANGIRANG • JONALLIER M. PEREZ

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EDGEDAVAO

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A pork barrel full of monkeys

ITH all this talk about the misuse of pork barrel funds, I’m thinking - where was the Commission on Audit while all these billions were being stolen? Isn’t it their job to make sure government funds are used properly?

It’s not enough that they tell us now how much of the people’s money was stolen, they should have been there to prevent it in the first place.

Their failure to do their jobs properly makes the COA either incompetent or accomplice to the crime.

And speaking of incompetence, Senator Jinggoy Estrada has redefined the term when he said that it is not part of his job to check if the NGO’s that he gives hundreds of millions of our money to are legitimate or not.

Really Mr. Senator?

Then there’s the case of acting Senator Bong Revilla who is now struggling to deny any personal connection to Napoles, even as reports (and pictures, too) show that not only has he given her hundreds of millions through her bogus foundations but that their sons are also business partner. Good luck selling that in 2016 Mr. Senator.

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VANTAGE POINTS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 121• SUNDAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1-2, 2013

But even as the public outrage mounts, the question is how long can we sustain it? We Filipinos are notorious for our short memories (think Marcos) and odds are that the indignation we feel right now will simply go the way of other indignities we have had to suffer from the people we voted into office. Wag naman sana.

While I hope that things would be different this time, still there is this sense of resignation from most of the people I talk to. People who look at the majority of Filipino voters with despair and cynically assume that same crooks will be voted in again and again and again ad nauseam.

The sad fact is, we can finger point all we want but so long as we are not willing to take on the burden of educating ourselves and our countrymen about the true costs of our terrible

political choices, then we might as well get used to it because it is never going to change.

This is especially true for those of us living in Mindanao. If there was one area of the country that needed that money the most, we were it. But now, instead of it being used to build roads, and schools, and hospitals, it’s in the pockets of God knows where because those monkeys in the national government couldn’t and wouldn’t do their jobs.

of a string of financial scandals embroiling the highly controversial Priority D e ve l o p m e n t Assistance Fund (PDAF), circumstances were bound to seem like a millstone tightly tied around the government’s neck. Unchecked corruption in the Bureau of Customs (BoC), the sensational P10-billion pork barrel fund scam, impending upward fuel price adjustments and other interlocking problems are seen to be the reason for the economy to gradually slowdown. If that happens, an unstable economy will spook local and foreign investors and if foreign investment dries up, the country must look for new sources.

Of course, even with the impending slowdown the Philippines still remained one of the fastest growing economies in Southeast Asia and the ASEAN region. The previous economic gains can only be sustained if the Aquino leadership will be able to cushion the impact caused by mounting problems blamed for pulling the economy down. However, no one is predicting that the country will soon experience a financial panic despite the type of change of direction that leads to the kind of economic slowdown we’re seeing – collapse of the peso and destabilized stock market.

The way out of this situation often involves orderly workout arrangements by

getting the government, financial institutions and investors together to formulate schemes that may soon see the resurgence in growth led by a stronger exports adding to consumer and business confidence. Then there is clearly a case for better ability to respond to economic free fall. When a country has a bad economic condition, it needs some orderly workout mechanism aimed at helping to prevent a panic, and that means confidence-building measures. This is the start to provide some cushion but not that everything’s solved and the economic slowdown is over.

The most convincing approach is to see government taking more responsibility. It needs to make sure that it is treading on the right direction. What seems to be calming the people are things like stabilizing the currency and the stock market, provide more job opportunities and efficient delivery of basic social services? Well, the past several months were a go-go period and government people have known nothing but growth. They have not calculated the adverse impact of an economic slowdown. So where does the country go from here?

For a start, we must learn to live with more sustainable growth. There has been the obsession of government with high GDP growth - a steady 6 to 7% rate, which people can’t understand. But there is no such thing as never-ending boom. The trick is for the government to treat the slowdown as a breather to map out new strategies for the next leap forward. In other words, continue moving forward – but do it with a deliberate planned speed.

‘

While I hope that things would be different this time, still there is this sense of resignation from most of the people I talk to.

People who look at the majority of Filipino voters with despair and cynically assume that same crooks will be voted in again and again and again ad nauseam.

Change of direction

EED FOR ORDERLY MECHANISM – Minor fluctuation in the exchange rates and stock market index are the center of both idle chit-chat and intelligent debate. Already, some economists say it’s about time to reach for sunglasses as the country’s economic mood is starting to blur. A gloomy outlook of the remainder of the third-quarter pushed the stock market to slide down below the 6,000 mark after posting a remarkable record of over the 7,000 level two months ago. More than that, trading showed a weakened peso at P44.50 against the US dollar. While the peso and the stock market hit the skid, there’s a bit of consolation after all. Despite slithering by a fraction from the previous 7.5% growth, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) remained firm at 7%, still within government target of 6 to 7% growth rate to avert dangerous levels of unemployment.

The general economic mood has slowed down the past two weeks and might seem especially galling to top government officials and high-profile economists and financial managers in both government and private sectors. Make no mistake about it. Remember, too, that some private economists have been warning against an overheating economy as a result of continued rapid growth.

But government think-tanks dismissed the observation stressing such notions of an overheating economy are baseless. Maybe, but the idea of economic slowdown has some basis – circumstances that go out of bounds and beyond government control.

The country’s glum economic tone is partly due to the fact that, after the unveiling

‘

7

Seaweeds as good source of iodine SPECIAL FEATURE

BY HONOR BLANCO CABIE

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(1st of two Parts)

ESSIE and her cousin Evelyn stood flagpole stiff on the shoreline of Barangay Maglaoi in the northwest Philippine town of Currimao one morning before sunrise, waiting for fishermen to return from the sea with their night catch.

Elsewhere in the country, in the coastal city of Sagay in Negros Occidental, Rosemarie and her daughter Jeanie looked at the hazy distance, trying to catch a glimpse of returning fishermen who sailed out of Barangay Makiling for their overnight catch of the sea’s marine resources.

In Bato, Leyte, Perlita and Lenie take turns preparing “lato” for their father, who gets upbeat every time they serve him seaweeds on his plate.

Up north, Tessie and her cousin Evelyn call the seaweeds variously as”pokpoklo,” “ar-arusip,” “or-ormot,” “aragan,” and “kulot,” among others while Rosemarie and Jeanie call the seaweeds as “guso.”

But more than just the fish catch, the expectant women share a common denominator: seaweeds which are a bonus -– and particularly abundant in summer -– and, according to oral tradition in these areas, eventually validated by nutrition and health experts, a good source of iodine, necessary for thyroid function and to prevent goiter.

Seaweeds are relished by many Filipinos living in coastal communities and even those near them as well as in other countries, sometimes as part of a subsistence living, sometimes as a regular ingredient of salad-type preparations, the latter especially in Hawaii and the warmer countries of Southeast Asia like Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand.

These products are collected and sold on a local basis and their volume and value are not known.

The three most important seaweeds used as human food are species of porphyra (common Japanese name, nori), laminaria (kombu) and undaria (wakame).

In recent years, porphyra has frequently appeared in the Japanese Fisheries Statistics as the third largest catch.

All three algae were originally obtained from wild crops but today it is only possible to meet demand by large-scale cultivation methods.

Porphyra is classed as a red seaweed, while laminaria and undaria are brown seaweeds.

But some raise warning signals on high consumption of seaweeds, pointing to what they call an excess of iodine is suspected in the heightened cancer risk in Japanese who consume a lot of the plant, and even bigger risks in post-menopausal women.

While seaweeds have become a booming industry in some parts of this Southeast Asian archipelago, there are still areas of the country where seaweeds have yet to become part of the sunshine industry – a euphemism for the industry that brings in wads for the country’s coffers.

In other areas, seaweeds are also harvested or cultivated for the extraction of alginate, agar and carrageenan, gelatinous substances collectively known as hydrocolloids or phycocolloids.

Nutritionists and health experts say hydrocolloids have attained commercial significance as food additives, adding the food industry takes advantage of their gelling, water-retention, emulsifying and other physical properties.

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EDGEDAVAO

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 121• SUNDAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1-2, 2013

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10 NEWS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 121• SUNDAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1-2, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

P300K bounty offered for Iligan radioman’s killers

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EXCEMPTED. This trader of religious items inside San Pedro Cathedral can afford to smile as she is safe from the series of demolition implemented by the

The living light... FFROM 3

city government of Davao against sidewalk vendors who violated the 1/3-2/3 sidewalk policy. Lean Daval Jr.

remote schools, he developed his pupils to be competitive in academic and non-academic endeavors and win in district competitions.

And now, it’s Randy’s turn to shine.

This year, as the National Teachers Month celebration nears, Bato Balani Foundation Inc. (BBFI) announces its finalists for this year’s The Many Faces of the Teacher (TMFT) advocacy campaign, and Randy is one of two Dabawenyos who made it.

For his inspiring works, Randy could be one of four honorees who will be chosen and presented to the country as the ideals of commitment to mold the country’s youth and the community for other educators to emulate.

Davao’s unique breed

of teachers has won the rare recognition in the past and the legacy of service by Dabawenyo teachers have been among the bright footnotes to the compilation of TMFT. In 2011, it told the story of Anabel Ponce Ungcad of Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur. Her life purpose was to help her fellow Bagobos overcome illiteracy.

Ungcad, the first Bagobo to graduate from college, travels three kilometers on a habal-habal up a mountain to get to the school where she teaches. She also helped raise funds for the building of learning centers and the development of basic literacy and livelihood programs for her tribe.

And for Randy’s predecessors in the lives of the Matigsalug tribal folks,

Bryan Rex Carreon and Brimbhot Eyas have foregone the comforts of teaching in the plain lands and trek hours to help them.

Last year, the two teachers were honored for their work as a team at Dumalogdog Primary School in Davao City.

Bryan and Brimbhot slept on chairs in classrooms during the week and go home to their families on weekends. For unselfishly putting their school and their students above themselves, they were enshrined in the TMFT’s annals of teaching heroes.

Randy could be the next Dabawenyo hero teacher like Anabel, Bryan and Brimbhot. But that will have to wait. For now, he is the shining light after a storm—the living impersonation of Pegalongan.

Consular Corps of the Philippines –Davao Chapter.

Consul General of Malaysia to the Philippines Abdullah Zawawir Tahir was inducted as treasurer.

The members of the corps are Rowena Vida-Lisbona the honorary consul of Denmark to the Philippines; Japanese Consul Koichi Ibarra; Federico Puyod, honorary consul of Palau to the Philippines ; Rodrigo Rivera, honorary consul to

the Philippines of Papua New Guinea; Fransisco Genaro Lon, honorary consul to the Philippines of Spain; and Flora Bacosa, officer-in-charge of the Department of Foreign Affairs in Region 11 represented by Nuere.

“Another role of the consuls is to promote trade and commerce, as well as culture and traditions of the countries involved,” she said.

Carlos, on the other

hand, said they will be bringing 20 to 30 more delegates next year when they come back.

Also gracing the event were Consular Corps of the Philippines Vice Dean George Yang, honorary consul of Eritrea to the Philippines; Lito Jimenez, honorary consul of Timor Leste to the Philippines; and Ceferino Benedicto, honorary consul of Albania to the Philippines.

to help create a film school here.

A British film producer based in Manila has also shown interest in creating a film school in Davao.

He said, the major

problem of film-making and film-makers is funding, and that is one of the main subjects that will be taught in these film schools, particularly the business of film-making.

US consul... FFROM 2

FDCP...

FFROM 2

become players in the industry.

Lat also said Abe Pagtama, a Hollywood actor who is from Mindanao is willing to support FDCP and convince other Hollywood personalities

LIGAN lone district Rep. Vicente “Varf” Belmonte offered a P300,000 bounty on Friday for the arrest of the killers of radio commentator Fernando “Nanding” Solijon of DXLS-Love Radio.

Solijon was killed Thursday night by two men who escaped on a motorcycle allegedly towards Lanao del Norte.

Senior Supt. Cristito Ray Gonzalo, city police director, told reporters that Task Force Nanding Solijon has been created to investigate the radioman’s killing.

If Solijon’s murder would be proven to be work-related, he would be the 159th media practitioner murdered in the country since 1986 and the 19th since President Benigno Aquino III came to office in

2010, according to the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP).

Solijon was a known supporter of Rep. Belmonte, NUJP added.

NUJP said that police investigators recovered eight spent shells of a .45 caliber handgun from the crime scene.

Gonzalo said that Solijon, who was known for his hard-hitting commentaries on local politics and the illegal drugs trade, was the 35th victim of summary killings in the city since January 2013, of which 11 happened this month.

Cris Dapo, DxLS radio technician, told MindaNews that Solijon was lately tackling controversies about the use of the local intelligence fund. (Vio-

leta M. Gloria/MindaNews)

Solons hit COA over erroneous report, impeachment mulled S EVERAL congressmen criticized Commission on Audit chair Grace Pulido-Tan for her adamant stand on the COA report that accuses some lawmakers of going beyond their pork barrel fund limit.

In particular former Compostela Valley Rep. Manuel “Way Kurat” Zamora whom Tan said received about P3 billion Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) back in 2007.

COA’s report turned out to be flawed though after no less than the Department of Budget and Management admitted some clerical errors in the documents presented by COA. Incumbent Compostela Valley Rep. Maria Carmen Zamora, in her privilege speech Tuesday, said COA should own up its mistake so that the issue could now be put to rest.

“We now patiently

await COAfs recognition of the mistake. People deserve a true accounting.

Damage has been done because of incompetence.

COA, an institution, has made a mistake so glaring. It has shown itself to be incompetent by releasing inaccurate reports. A witch hunt founded on errors isnft going to be of any help.”

ABAKADA Party-list Rep. Jonathan dela Cruz meanwhile suggested that a resolution for impeachment be filed against COA Chair Pulido Tan. As head of a constitutional body, Tan is an impeachable officer.

Rep. Zamora however said that she is not in favor of impeaching the COA chair as this would put Congress in a bad light.

In the wake of this crisis in governance, let us all remember what is at the very center of this storm:

we are all government employees who are trying to make sense of what happened, and at the same time, trying our best to fulfill our duty to one another and to our country.

That being said, the better part of valor is not to simply impeach Commr. Grace Pulido-Tan, but in truth, to allow her to be fully accountable for her work and leadership in the COA, and to be accountable for both the truth and errors in their findings.

We will grant the honorable commissioner that which eluded many of our colleagues: good faith, and the equal opportunity to clarify what may have been erroneously attributed. It is thus in the spirit of fair play that we call for a sober approach to dealing with these matters, and with one another.

Other solons call for the COA chair’s resignation.

AVAO Oriental Vice Governor Joel Mayo Almario has written a five-page brief calling for the abolition of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) because it is “the popular call” and “it has outgrown safety measures for its proper use” but said the needs of the barangays “must be addressed.”

“The Napoles PDAF scam came at the right time when the Aquino administration is in full swing towards the ‘daang matuwid.’ The popular call for the day is abolish

PDAF/pork barrel. It may be rightly so as it has outgrown safety measures for its proper use. Never mind if despite the PDAF’s unpopularity, there are still legislative districts whose PDAF allocations were put into good use. Scrap it to be one with the nation,” Almario said in his five-pager on the PDAF which he emailed to MindaNews shortly before noon Friday.

But while pushing for its abolition, Almario proposed that the purpose for which PDAF was established “should inspire the

administration to immediately find and establish a scheme so as not to lose steam in its effort for countryside development.”

Without PDAF, he asked, “to whom will the barangay people endorse their requests for funding support for needed and vital projects which the local government units cannot afford such as energization of sitios?”

Thousands of Filipinos took to the streets on August 26 to express their outrage over the pork barrel scam. [Carolyn O. Arguillas / MindaNews]

Vice Gov Almario: Scrap PDAF but…

D

11 MOTORING

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 121• SUNDAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1-2, 2013

Goodyear launches new tires

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO

G

njb@edgedavao.net

OODYEAR Tire Philippines has introduced to the Davao motoring community its new line of tires utilizing its street technology in the racing field to create the newly-designed Eagle race tires.

Ronaldo D. Castro, managing director of Goodyear Philippines and ASEAN Distributor Markets, launched during the Davao Car Club engagement at the SMX Convention Center at SM Lanang Premier Davao last August 24 Goodyear’s latest tire technology in the Philippine market—the Eagle F1 Asymetric 2 and the Eagle F1 Directional 5.

The formal launch was attended by ten car clubs of Davao City and nearby Tagum City and Digos City. Also on hand to explain the composition of the new tires was renowned newspaper columnist and talk show host Cito Beltran, Goddyear’s tire ambassador and himself a car connoisseur.

The Eagle F1 Asymetric 2 utilizes the “ActiveBraking Technology” with a spherical shaped thread block surface that provides an increased contact surface as pressure on the block is increased during braking maneuver. It has a 86-degree dual cross ply that provides an increased torsional stiffness during braking

maneuver, transmitting more braking torque by reducing the deformation of the tire under braking loading.

Castro stressed that a key feature of the new EF1 Asymetric is the advanced tread block pitching sequence and specifically engineered tread block geometry which delivers noise emissions lower than its key competitors and much lower than new EU noise limits.

The other new tire launched by the world’s leading tire company is the Eagle F1 with “SportGrip Technology” featuring a combination of rigid rib centerline and shoulder with high weight polymers race type compound.

“This tire provides maximum rigidity to the tread design, reducing the deformation under heavy loading during rapid steering movement and heavy cornering,” Castro said.

The directional design provides a very dominant look to the tire allowing superb styling when performing among other kit-up and or matching to alloy rims. Directional designs also provide maximized water dispersion for optimum performance on wet roads.

The new Goodyear tires are now available in all Goodyear dealers in Davao City.

NEW TIRES. Ronaldo D. Castro, marketing director of Goodyear Philippines introduces the new Eagle F1 tires. Below, with Cito Beltran and a lucky raffle winner. Lean Daval, Jr.

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

VOL. 6 ISSUE 121• SUNDAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1-2, 2013

EDGEDavao Gensan Partners

EDGEDAVAO

Health and Wellness

EDGEDavao Davao Partners Tel No. (083) 553-2211 / (083) 877-0019 / (083) 878-0308

Realty FOR SALE:

1) 1-hectare commercial lot at P10,000/sq m, along National Highway, facing east, beside NCCC Panacan, Davao City. 2) 17,940sq m commercial lot at P2,500/sq m, along Matina Diversion Road. 3) 3,831 sq m lot along Matina Diversion Road. 4) 41,408 sq m commercial/ industrial lot at P800/sq m along the National Highway, Bunawan. 5) 7,056 sq m at P1,200/sq m commercial/residential lot along Indangan Road, Buhangin District. 6) 27,411 sq m commercial/ industrial lot along the National Highway in Bincungan, Tagum City. 7) 116.15 to 245.92 sq meters , at P5.5M to P12.3M commercial/ office condo units in Bajada, Davao City. 8) 699 to 1,117 sq m at P4,100/sq m commercial lots at Josefina Town Center, along the National Highway, Dumoy, Toril. 9) Ready-for-Occupancy Residential Properties: 4BR/3T&B in a 240 sq m lot with 177.31sqm floor area (2-storey) at P4.8M in an exclusive beachfront community in Dumoy, Toril.; 3BR 2-storey in a 71.25 sq m 2-storey in a 143sq m lot in an exclusive flower village in Maa, Davao City; 180 sq m lots with 71.25sqm to 126.42 sq m floor areas, priced at P3.751M to P5.773M in an exclusive mountain resort community along Matina, Diversion Road. 10) 1BR/2BR residential condo units located in Bolton, Maa, Obrero, Davao City. 11) FOR ASSUME (RUSH): 1BR res’l condo unit in Palmetto, Maa. P600K negotiable. Note: Items 1-9 can be paid in cash, in-house or bank financing. If interested, please call Jay (PRC REB Lic. 8237) at 0922-851-5337 (Sun), 0908-883-8832 (Smart) or send email to propertiesindavao@yahoo.com.

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NOTICE OF LOSS Notice is hereby given by LOYOLA PLANS CONSOLIDATED INC. that CERTIFICATE OF FULL PAYMENT No(s) 1004835 and 21047488 under LOYOLA PLAN Contract No(s) 294393-4 and 10028049-1 issued to REINA S. ASERIOS was lost. Any transaction entered into shall be null and void.

8/26, 9/2,9

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 121• SUNDAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1-2, 2013

CLASSIFIEDS 13 EDGEDavao

Serving a seamless society

Sales Representatives (2) - Male / Female, not more than 30 years old - Candidate must posses a Bachelor/ College Degree in any Business field.

- Willing to work under pressure, flexible, persuasive, can speak fluently and computer literate - A team player - With Basic Salary, Transportation, Communication, allowance + Commission For interested applicants, you may send your resume to: HR Department EDGEDavao Doors 13 & 14 Alcrej B;dg., Quirino Ave., Davao City Tel. No. (082) 221-3601 Email: edgedavao@gmail.com

Experienced Sales Agent, Advertisement Canvasser wanted for

COMPASS Advertising Magazine on freelance basis

Excellent daily Allowance plus exceptional Commission

Apply to: Jurgen 0920 661 7492 compassdavao@gmail.com

Wolfgang 0915 659 1700 compass-magazine@gmx.com

zion

ACCUPRINT PUBLISHING, INC.

Lay-out Artist

- Male / Female, not more than 30 years old - Knowledgeable in Adobe Photoshop and Indesign application - Willing to work under pressure, flexible and persuasive For interested applicants, you may send your resume to: HR Department ZION Accuprint Publishing, Inc. Doors 13 & 14 Alcrej B;dg., Quirino Ave., Davao City Tel. No. (082) 221-3601 Email: zion_publishing@yahoo.com

14 SPORTS Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF DAVAO CITY 11th Judicial Region Branch 11

IN RE: PETITION FOR CORRECTION OF ENTRIES OF HIS CERTIFICATE OF LIVE BIRTH FROM ABNIR CANOVEDA NADELA TO ABNER CANOBIDA LADERA. SPECIAL PROC. NO.12625-13 ABNER CANOBIDA LADERA Petitioner Versus THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF DAVAO CITY, Respondent

x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -x ORDER

By this verified petition and for the reasons therein stated, the above-named petitioner, assisted By counsel, seeks for an Order of this Court directing the Local City Civil Registrar to cause the following corrections/ changes in his Certificate of Live Birth to wit: His full name from ABNIR CANOVEDA NADELA to ABNER CANOBIDA LADERA; Father’s last name fron NADELA TO LADERA; Mother’s last name from CANOVEDA to CANOBIDA; AND Parents’ Date of Marriage from September 18, 1967 to July 27,1968 Finding the petition to be sufficient in form and substance , the same is hereby set for hearing before this Court, sitting at the Hall of Justice, Candelaria St. Ecoland, Matina, Davao City on October 7, 2013 at 2:00 in the afternoon,at which place ,date and time any interested person may appear and show cause, If any, why the some should not be granted.

Let this Order be published at the expense of the petitioner once a week for three (3) successive weeks in a newspaper published in the city of Davao and of general circulation in the said city and the provinces of Davao as determined by raffle in accordance with law.

Furnish, each with a copy of the petition and of this Order the Honorable Solicitor General, as counsel for the government, the Local Civil Registrar of Davao City and City legal office of Davao City for the City of Davao.

SO ORDERED.

Given this 13th day of August, 2013 in Davao City, Philippines.

8/26/9/2/9

(SGD) VIRGINIA HOFILEÑA-EUROPA Judge

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 11th Judicial Region Branch 14, Davao City

IN THE MATTER OF PETITION FOR THE CORRECTION OF THE CERTIFICATE OF LIVE BIRTH OF MARIA CONCEPCION MAQUIDATO nee LEE UNDER REGISTRY NO. 7106, BY: AMENDING THE FIRST NAME OF HER FATHER, FROM “KUNG “ TO “KONG”; CORRECTING THE FIRST NAME OF HER MOTHER, FROM “VENORNINA” TO “EUFRANCIA”; AND DELETING THE WORD “MARRIED” IN THE CIVIL STATUS ENTRY OF HER PARENTS.

MARIA CONCEPCION LEE MAQUIDATO, Petitioner -versusSP PROC. NO. 12,675-13 THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF DAVAO CITY, Respondent x---------------------------------------------------------x ORDER OF HEARING

A VERIFIED PETITION dated July 19, 2013 has been filed by petitioner Maria Concepcion Lee Maquidato, assisted by counsels, Atty. Janice H. Celestial and Atty. Erna P.O. Donasco praying that after due notice, publication and hearing, an Order be issued for the correction of the Certificate of Live Birth Of maria Concepcion Maquidato nee Lee.

Finding the petition to be sufficient in form and substance, set the hearing of the petition on November 14, 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 the aforesaid date of hearing to show cause, if any, why the petition should not be granted.

Let this Order be furnished together with a copy of the Petition to the City Prosecution Office, Davao City, the Office of the Solicitor General, Atty. Janice H. Celestial and Atty.

Erna P. O. Donasco, 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 day of August, 2013 at Davao City, Philippines.

(8/19/26/9/2)

(SGD) GEORGE F. OMELIO Presiding Judge

VOL. 6 ISSUE 121• SUNDAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1-2, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

Over 1,000 in Hunat Dabaw Fun Run A

HUGE cast of over 1,000 runners see action in the Hunat Dabaw-The Royal Manadaya Hotel 15th Anniverary Fun Run on Sunday (Sept.

1) beginning and ending at the TRMH along Palma Gil St. here.

“As of now, we have already more than 1,000 runners and counting,” said race chairperson Daffodil Martinez-Bahani.

The categories are the 3K, 8K and 15K with more than P50,000 in cash prizes and giveaways at stake. It is also the first footrace that comes with buffet breakfast to all the participants.

The proceeds will go to the Col. Emilio Escandor Community Outreach Program set on Sept. 2 in Calinan.

The race is supported

by Columbia Sports Company, Matina Enclaves, UMBN, Genesis 88, Davao Light and

HUSBAND AND WIFE TANDEM. Glen and Mic-Mic Escandor will lead the Hunat Dabaw-TRMH Run.

Power Company, G Café, Dasia Security, Globe, GES, Karlo Tomas Photography, Mesa, Daily Mirror, SCOOP Davao and ABSCBN.

Expected to lead the opening rites at 4 a.m. are businessman-sportsman Glenn Escandor wife Mic-Mic, and Glen’s brother Gerome. TRMH gener-

al manager Benjie Banzon will also be on his running shoes.

The members of the TRMH-City Mayor’s Office basketball team led by import Devon Sullivan set to compete in the Tuna Festival Open basketball tournament in General Santos City will also be joining.

Zumba and aerobics fitness instructor Vicky Javier of the Beefit Gym and Aerobics will spearhead the warm-up exercises before the start of the race.

The fun run kicks off the week-long celebration of the 15th year anniversary of The Royal Mandaya Hotel. It will also feature the Mandaya Giveaway Special (Sept. 3), Zumba Party (Sept. 4), Media: Medya Day (Sept. 5), The Royal Mardi Gras (Sept. 6), Black and White Party (Sept. 7) and Para Kanato! Employees Day (Sept 8.)

INdulge!

Recognising and cherishing local hand-made crafts

VOL. 6 ISSUE 121• SUNDAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1-2, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

ARTS AND CULTURE

IF you ask me, there is a big difference between manufacturing and crafting. Something is manufactured when the product is just simply made, impassionate and devoid of feelings, while crafting is creating a product with the hands and skills of an artisan, each stitch or knot full of emotions and experiences.

And that is why I laud SM and their latest iteration of the My City My SM campaign.

This year’s iteration features the local craftsmen and artisans of each locale where there is an SM mall. The Mindanao leg of the campaign was kicked-off last August 21 at the Annex Event Center of SM City Davao. In attendance

were guests, SM, Inc. vicepresident for marketing communications Millie Dizon as well as executives from SM. The exhibit featured local producers that not only produce world-class, high-quality, hand-made crafts but these companies also give back to the local communities they serve.

The exhibit area at SM City Davao’s Annex.

Long known for its banana plantations, TADECO or the Tagum Development Corporation, established the TADECO Livelihood and Training Center to assist the families of the plantation workers. At the same time, the company was able to maximise the use of by-products such as banana trunks and fiber.

The centre also aims to revive native artistry and the restoring of customs of Mindanao’s ethnic tribes through traditional abaca and banana fiber weaving which are produced by the T’boli and Mandaya tribes exclusively for TLTC. Many of TLTC’s designs and products are already making waves in the national and international maket.

Aiming to help women in communities, Magnegosyo Ta ‘Day, a project created by former Mayor Sara Duterte, gives workshops on crafting, designing and product marketing. The program’s beneficiaries now produce a whole range of craft products from beaded accessories, to crocheted bags, coco shell decor to processed food items.

Taking inspiration from the way indigenous tribes and migrants of Davao live in harmony with one another, Crystal Seas combines different tribal fabrics with contemporary embellishments to create beautiful shawls, bags, and home accessories some of which are already being featured by international magazines.

One of the most heart warming and inspiring stories though was Pablo Crafts which was formed in partnership with the Department of Tourism and Department

Clutch bags by Crystal Seas.

Home accessories by Maria Vinecraft. of Trade and Industry as a response to the onslaught of typhoon Pablo in December 2012 that wiped away much of Compostela Valley’s livelihood.

The program conducted workshops for out-of-school youth who were taught to carve stones and craft wood.

Although the survivor-artisans learned their craft in

Various banig bags.

only a short time, the memories and experiences from the disaster lent to their artistic awareness and creativity.

Other companies featured were Yvette’s Bags & Beads Collection, known for their crocheted plastic straw bags in happy designs; Maria Vinecraft which uses woven bago-bago vines in creating world class home furnish-

ings and accessories that are unique and highly detailed; and Davao Ecocrafts which is a project of the Department of Tourism in partnership with a private group of Davao manufacturers. Part of the Tindahang Pinoy program, it features authentic regional products that are world class and environmentally sustainable.

SM City Davao mall manager Lynette Lopez, Jinggoy Salvador and Marilyn Roque.

Sonny and Jacky Dizon, SM Inc. VP for marketing communications Millie Dizon and Davao City Tourism officer Lisette Davao City Tourism officer Lisette Marques and SM Inc. VP for marketing communications Millie Dizon.

Marques.

A2 INdulge!

VOL. 6 ISSUE 121• SUNDAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1-2, 2013

UP AND ABOUT

EVENTS

Globe Telecom unveils first unlimited bundle in the world

Damosa Fairlane’s Hong Kong vacay:

GLOBE TELECOM becomes the first telecom company in the world to offer all major global overthe-top (OTT) messaging services for free as part of its core call and text bundle. Its unlimited call and text service will now include Viber with 200 million users around the world, Facebook Messenger with 60 million users, Kakao Talk with 90 million users, and major OTT players with over 650 users all for free.

Today, Globe launches Globe Prepaid GoUNLI30, a bundled prepaid offer which provides subscribers with unlimited texts to all networks, unlimited calls to Globe & TM users, and unlimited access to instant messaging and chat applications Viber, Facebook Messenger, KakaoTalk, and major OTT players without the need for Wi-Fi or additional data charges.

Available for only P30 valid for 1 day, Globe Prepaid GoUNLI30 allows subscribers to connect with Globe/TM network via unlimited calls and texts, with subscribers from other Philippine mobile networks via unlimited texts, and with over 1 billion users from all over the world via access to the different instant messaging apps.

In addition, Globe is launching another globally innovative service: a dedicated mobile internet promo for customers who use messaging applications frequently. Subscribers

who prefer pure messaging apps and want to get access to over 1 billion users around the world can register to UNLICHAT25, a mobile internet promo which offers uninterrupted use of Viber, Facebook Messenger, KakaoTalk, and major OTT players for only P25 valid for 1 day, without the need for Wi-Fi. With these mobile internet promos, subscribers can connect with more than a billion users around the world regardless of mobile networks or even location, for as long as they have accounts from the chat applications.

“Globe is at the forefront of innovation once again as the first telco in the world to bundle our unlimited call and text service with free access to the world’s major messaging applications. With our modernized network, we now have the capability to do first-to-market offers like these that give our subscribers access to bandwidth-heavy services such as data and apps, making their mobile experience better than ever before. True to our promise of enjoying Globe your way, we allow our customers to communicate via OTT players for free their own way,” said Peter Bithos, Senior Advisor for Consumer Business at Globe. “Our customers are social, technologysavvy users, who constantly look for new ways to connect with their contacts and friend circles – here and overseas. It is our job to allow them to do so at a reasonable price.”

Bithos added, “With GoUNLI30 and UNLICHAT25, subscribers can enjoy the biggest wonderful digital world and a richer messaging, calling, and sharing experience with the different features and functionalities of the chat applications – anytime, anywhere. Connect with your friends and contacts from all over the world minus the hassle of looking for a Wi-Fi spot or worries of additional data charges. Only Globe lets you liven up your conversations, deepen your connections, and widen your reach by giving you more ways to stay connected with all your friends, no matter where they are.”

To register, subscribers can text GOUNLI30 and UNLICHAT25 to 8888, or call *143# for free. Both GoUNLI30 and UNLICHAT25 support major OTT players.

As of end-June 2013, cumulative mobile subscribers stood at 36.1 million. Globe prepaid subscribers stood at about 34.2 million, 14% above last year’s 30.1 million and 3% higher than previous quarter’s 33.3 million.

Treats for the Topsellers

IT WAS supposed to be a week of sales and promotion but no less than 10 sales personnel of Damosa Fairlane were recently endowed with ‘Trip to Hongkong’ for free!

Damosa Fairlane, Damosa Land Inc’s residential community project honored their In-House Sales representatives and a few of their real estate brokers with travel incentives for their outstanding contribution to sales and marketing.

On the roll for fun and Hongkong adventure were Mae Jean Tabares, Ann Marie Labio, Macy Martinez, Jumar Galdo, Daisy Joy Morales, Mark Jones Malhin, John Carl Palting, Ritchie Lequigan, Elvie Calonia, and Edsel Dolores.

The team together with Damosa Land Inc.’s VP and GM Mr. Edgardo O. Villaver, DLI’s project head Mr. Alex G. Gocotano visited Macau on their first day and flew in to Hong Kong and stayed there for four days. They originally planned on visiting Hong Kong alone but Macau was too tempting to pass off.

They crammed as much sights during their visit and personally experienced more of the major destinations and the off-the-beaten path attractions.

“Our Hongkong trip is

Perhaps the most exciting part of their trip is the groups’ bonding and their stroll at HK and Macau’s picturesque tourist spots.

Macau trip was an eye candy luring their eyes, a visual tonic for their limbs and truly an energizer for all their hardwork.

“Plans for more travel and gift incentives are also on hand for Damosa Fairlane’s dynamic team of in-house sellers and brokers. So we are extending our invitation to all sellers who want to be part of the Imitating Bruce Lee at HongKong. team to visit our marketboth relaxing and tiring, to inspire others too. We ing office or our booth at but it’s all worth it. This invite others to join our Abreeza Mall or contact gives us so much motiva- team and get to experience us at 234-2888 to schedule tion and hopefully gets additional advantages,” a site visit. All interested said Ritchie Lequigan, top sellers may contact Jumar seller of Damosa Fairlane’s Galdo at 09122673812 or in-house sales representa- 09234267649 for a product tives. presentation or accreditaTheir Hongkong and tion” adds Lequigan.

Seamlessly blending with the vibrant sea and skyscrapers is their excitement to roam around HK.

Bringing back all the kiddo spirits at the Hongkong Disneyland.

At one of the attractions of HK Disneyland.

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

VOL. 6 ISSUE 121• SUNDAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1-2, 2013

EVNTERTAINMENT

GMA Network pulls off an ensemble cast via Akin Pa Rin Ang Bukas AS GMA Network continues to bring superior and world-class entertainment to its viewers, another compelling drama masterpiece is primed to dominate the airwaves and captivate the hearts of Filipinos via AKIN PA RIN ANG BUKAS. It premieres on September 9 replacing Mundo Mo’y Akin on GMA Telebabad.

The drama series features the country’s most respected and talented artists in plum roles headlined by no less than Kapuso Station’s Premiere Actress – Lovi Poe – as she takes on a winning lead role as Lovelia Villacorta, a woman who turns vengeful against the people who betrayed her. Lovelia is out to prove that everyone deserves equal rights for genuine and real love despite being born out of wedlock.

Lovi has quickly earned her laurels with the recognition and awards from different award giving bodies in the industry and established herself as one of the country’s most in-demand and finest actresses in film and television. She is hungry to make it far and ready to showcase her depth and versatility via her meaty role in the series.

Sought-after leading man Rocco Nacino reunites with Lovi in Akin Pa Rin Ang Bukas as he portrays the role of Jerry, a man who will be trapped in a game of lies and deceit orchestrated by his childhood love Agatha played by Charee Pineda.

One of the industry’s most versatile actors Cesar Montano joins the powerhouse cast of Akin Pa Rin Ang Bukas as Conrad Alperos, most trusted lawyer of Lovelia’s father, Roel Villacorta to be played by Gary Estrada. Conrad Alperos will eventually fall in love will Lovelia and will become her protector.

Cesar is very happy to be back on GMA and feels very excited working alongside some of the network’s finest artists via the primetime series.

Playing equally important roles in the program are two of the industry’s most esteemed veteran actresses: The Original Queen of Philippine Movies, Actress Ms Gloria Romero as Cristina Alperos, mother to Conrad Alperos and Ms Liza Lorena as Beatrice Villacorta, mother of Roel Villacorta.

The beautiful Kapuso star

Solenn Heussaff is set to show a new dimension to her acting ability in the series as Jade, the girlfriend of Conrad Alperos. Jade is out to take revenge after being ditched by Conrad. Solenn is very honoured to be part of the formidable cast of Akin Pa Rin Ang Bukas.

Set to portray the role of Agatha Morales is newest Kapuso Charee Pineda.

With her challenging role as one of the antagonists in the series, Charee is ready to deliver an exceptional performance as the ambitious woman who is willing to compromise her integrity and morals for her selfish motives.

GMA Network is proud to present a stellar cast of the country’s most prized artists: Ina Feleo as Emma Ignacio; Glenda Garcia as Jenny; Tia Pusit as Nanay Selya; Steven Silva as Tisoy; Kier Legaspi as SPO 2 Brando Morales; Ruru Madrid as Junior and Freddie Webb as Jaime Villacorta.

And to helm this primetime masterpiece is one of Philippine Cinema’s all-time best actresses and directors Ms Laurice Guillen. GMA takes pride in producing a program with Ms Guillen as the director who is known in the industry for her outstanding directing style and technique.

In Akin Pa Rin Ang Bukas, viewers will witness how Lovelia will reclaim what’s

rightfully hers after being deceived by the people close to her. She will learn how to take matters into her own hands and seek revenge against Jerry and Agatha who destroyed her life and acquired all her possessions.

With Conrad on her side, will Lovelia’s love for Jerry eventually fade away? Will Lovelia succeed in her quest for vengeance?

Akin Pa Rin Ang Bukas is created by the GMA Drama group headed by Lilybeth G. Rasonable, Officer-in-charge for Entertainment TV; Redgie A. Magno, Vice President for Drama; Cheryl Ching-Sy, Assistant Vice President for Drama; Helen Rose-Sese, Program Manager and Meann Regala, Executive Producer.

The creative team is composed of Creative Director for DRAMA, Jun Lana; Creative Head for Primetime, RJ Nuevas; Creative Consultant, Suzette Doctolero; and Headwriter, Denoy Navarro Punio.

Akin Pa Rin Ang Bukas will again give the KAPUSO viewers another primetime viewing experience beginning September 9 on GMA Telebabad.

Akin Pa Rin Ang Bukas can also be seen worldwide starting September 10 on GMA’s flagship international channel, GMA Pinoy TV.

THE CONJURING 2D / *THE FROZEN GROUND 2D R 13 / *R 16

Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson / * Nicolas Cage, John Cusack 12:40 | 3:00 LFS / *5:20 | 7:40 | 10:00 LFS

OTJ 2D Piolo Pascual, Gerald Anderson R 16

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

MORTAL INSTRUMENTS CITY OF BONES 2D Lily Collins, Jamie Campbell Bower PG 13

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

R-16 PEE MAK 2D Mario Maurer PG 13

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

A4 INdulge!

ENTERTAINMENT

VOL. 6 ISSUE 121• SUNDAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1-2, 2013

EDGEDavao Davao Partners

EDGEDAVAO

Kris Aquino, Vice Ganda and other big stars, all praises for the realistic theme of OTJ KRIS AQUINO, Vice Ganda, and other popular Filipino celebrities have nothing but praises to the international appeal and social relevance of Star Cinema and Reality Entertainment’s crimedrama movie “OTJ” (On The Job) that stars Piolo Pascual, Gerald Anderson, Joey Marquez and Joel Torre.

According to Kris, she and her best friend Vice are amazed with the newest masterpiece of award-winning director si Erik Matti because its theme is very timely and relevant to what the country is experiencing right now.

“The movie is very real. Sa gitna ng galit at disappointment sa mga panahong ito, ang innate na kabutihan at pag-asa ang kakapitan ng mga tao ngayon,” said Kris.

“May kausap nga akong pulis at sabi niya, natutuwa daw sila dahil sa ‘OTJ’ ay may nagre-represent sa kabutihan despite na may mga masasama (sa ranks).”

“Sabi nga namin ni Vice: the script was excellent, the camerawork is world-class.

It’s gritty yet powerful. All the actors are excellent.

Gerald and Piolo should be really proud of this movie,” further shared by Kris about the film that was graded ‘A’ by the Cinema Evaluation Board (CEB).

Award-winning actress Dawn Zulueta was hooked with the film’s creative and innovative scenes. “I was focused on how the film was shot. It was so compelling and I love it! It was more focused on the craft. The performance of the actors was superb,” she said Like Kris, Vice and Dawn, top caliber actresses Dina Bonnevie and Carmina Villarroel salute the realistic theme of “OTJ” that reflects the real happenings in the lives of ordinary Filipinos.

“Watching ‘OTJ’ is an experience that I cannot forget. It’s the first time I’ve really seen a movie that was filmed so close to reality. It really mirrors what happens in society,” said Dina.

“Congratulations kay Direk Erik at sa lahat ng cast dahil nakaka-tense, ang ganda, ang galing, at napapanahon talaga ang ‘OTJ,” Carmina commended.

More famous personalities proudly admitted that they were stunned with the great visuals of the film

and effective portrayal of its cast.

“Dugong Buhay” stars Ejay Falcon and Ketchup Eusebio said, “Ang intense ng mga eksena! Sobrang nakaka-inspire ang lahat ng aspeto ng pelikula--acting, story, cinematography at music. Hanggang ngayon, speechless kami.”

Like many of those who watched it, the timely narrative of “OTJ” caught the attention of director Onat Diaz, singer Rachel Alejandro and fashion designer Rajo Laurel.

“It’s very timely, very well-crafted. Napakaraming pwedeng pagkapitan ng kahit sinong manonood sa pelikulang ito,” uttered Direk Onat.

Rachel shared, “It’s different from anything we’ve ever seen. ‘OTJ’ is a very exciting movie. Napaka-relevant.”

“It’s the best film I’ve ever seen. I think this is gonna be a classic. Magigising ang mga puso at damdamin ng lahat ng mga taong manonood nito,” said Rajo.

Don’t be left behind in the most talked about action-packed crime-drama in the country today--”OTJ,” still showing on cinemas nationwide.

For more information and latest updates about “OTJ” and other Star Cinema’s 20th anniversary movie offerings, simply visit www.StarCinema.com. ph, http://facebook.com/ StarCinema and http://twitter.com/StarCinema.

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 121• SUNDAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1-2, 2013

SPORTS 15

DAVAO GOLD SQUAD

Davao City bets dominate Batang Pinoy Mindanao T

AGUM CITY—Call them the Davao Gold Squad.

Hitting hard on a virtual goldmine in the pool and contact sports, Davao City reclaimed supremacy in youth sports, at least in Mindanao, capping a week of glorious campaign in the 2013 Batang Pinoy Mindanao qualifying leg with 77 gold medals on top of 58 silvers and 31 bronzes.

General Santos City stuck to second overall with a medal tally of 35-24-24 followed by host Davao del Norte, which produced 14 gold medals that went along with 14 silvers and 32 bronzes after five days of competition in the games organized by the Philippine Sports Commission.

The Davao City athletes, enjoying the full support of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and vice Mayor son Paolo, struck hard in contact sports wrestling, arnis and karatedo yesterday as it sealed the overall title of the week-long 15 years and under sports conclave at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Center here.

Wrestlers Christian Badiang (53kg), Ronald Glenn Occena (66kg), Jhanine Marcos (40kg) and Sydney Sy Tancontian (62kg) set the tone for Davao’s 19 gold medals in the sport after dominating their respective weight categories in the 14-15 years old division.

Fernan Santoso (boys -49kg), Ridio Sumang (boys -58kg) and Lya Mae Carillo (girls 54kg) also shone for Southern Mindanao’s economic hub in the karatedo kumite events.

Davao City’s trio of Ethel Flores, Maridel Flores and Carrillo also ruled the girls kata team event, a triumph duplicated by the squad of Izzan Nugraha, Santoso and Sumang in boys kata.

In full-contact arnis, bantamweight Klein Mataverde, lightweight Michael Adolfo, Amena Madid (pin), Mary Joy Sajulan (bantam), Dianalyn Alcain (feather) and Catherine

GOLD FOR DAVNOR. Davao del Norte’s Chriszelle Anne Caasi, 13, smashes the ball, with sister Anne Krizzia Caasi, 11, to crush Cebu team during the girls volleyball elimination round at the Tagum City Volleydrome during the 5-day Batang Pinoy beach volleyball competitions which was also the national finals of the event. Noel Baguio/DavNor PIO

MEDAL STANDINGS

Segura (light) also delivered, boosting Davao City’s stock in the overall medal tally.

Other wrestlers who won for Davao City were Allan Cris Alisoso, Boy Orilla Evangelio, Ryan Ang, Charisse Aseneta, Marmon Billena, Cristel Aseneta, James Ryan, Jay Bernal and Ezra Abad.

Davao City also scored victories in badminton and soft tennis. Arthur Salvado Jr. of Ateneo de Davao seized the badminton boys’ under-12 title and Deon Ronald Omana pocketed the under-15 gold.

Clarizza Caorte won the girls’ soft tennis singles plum.

Cagayan de Oro cornered six gold medals in arnis anyo with Britney Josh Abines winding up victorious in three events—girls’ single weapon, double identical weapons and sword and dagger. Marlouie Dalaguan (boys’ single weapon) and Roland Dela Cruz (boys’ double identical weapon) also won in their respective events before taking the gold in the single weapon team event with Saron Jules Cantal.

Over at the Rotary Gym,

Nabunturan, Compostela Valley ruled futsal after blanking Butuan A, 3-0, while General Santos City copped the bronze with a 6-2 victory over Maco, Compostela Valley.

In sepak takraw, Bin Omar Maybano, Stephen Styling, Dominic Sagosoy, Jay Minoza and Diether Cadayano of Mati City won the regu event over Davao City’s Christian John Altovar, Haron Matindo, Jason San Luis, John Paul Caraga and Jerryco Catamora.

Mati City also scored in soft tennis courtesy of Prince Bernaldez (boys’ singles).

Bernaldez paired with Earl Bestes for the boys’ doubles gold, while Maria Bestes and Mary Jane Bestes won the girls’ tandem.

Davao del Norte’s Rofel Angelo Pendon (flyweight) and welter William Louie Gloriane, Iligan City’s Kharl Aldefolla (feather) and General Santos City’s Keith Dexter Mier (middle) were the other winners in full contact arnis.

The host province dominated volleyball (boys and girls) after convincing wins over Davao City.

CDO also secured victories in karatedo with Marc Ian Naguita (boys -63kg), Nick Austin Mistula (63kg) and Monique Aberia (girls -39kg) getting the job done in the kumite.

Naguita duplicated his feat in the 53kg advance kata while Justin Eyog and Alexandra Savaria won in the boys intermediate and -53kg advance, respectively.

Other winners in karatedo kumite were Surigao City’s Jay Paul Maglasang (-30kg) and Louie Jane Remojo (-47kg), Mati City’s Kizhmar Cabaron (-40kg) and Jonamil Prado (-28kg), Myoa Cozo (50kg) and Daisy Fajardo (-32kg) of Misamis Oriental.

Davao del Norte’s Karl Reales (boys’ novice) and Mitchael Villegas (girls’ intermediate), Marjorie Ledesma of Compostela Valley (girls’ novice), Malaybalay’s Caesar Madera Buhawi, JC Anne Quimanhan of Antipas, Iligan City’s Clinton Payao, Aliya Gonzales of Surigao City and Mark Gil Yriarte of Agusan del Sur made it on the top of podium in kata.

Lumanas struck out the side for the final out, the girls hugged each other and ran towards coach Willie Bayocboc to celebrate their golden feat.

Bayocboc said they girls were ecstatic with the victory and he credited them for winning the gold for Davao City in the meet organized by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) for athletes 15 years old and below.

It was a magnificent run for the Davao clouters as they ended the tournarnament with an unblemish record of six wins without a single de-

feat.

The team scored a total of 46 runs while giving up only five runs behind the power pitching of Lumanas, the fivefoot-four right hander.

With the victory, the Davao clouters earned a trip to the Batang Pinoy national championship slated in Zamboanga City this November.

“It’s back to training when he get back to Davao,” Bayocboc said in the vernacular. “We will adopt new techniques.”

General Santos City settled for the silver while South Cotabato earned the bronze

medal.

Over at the University of Mindanao-Tagum along Mabini St., the Davao spikers absorbed devastating losses to settle for the silver.

The boys squad, represented by Pablo Lorenzo National High School, won the firt set but lost steam in bowing to Davao del Norte, 14-25, 25-21, 25-19, 25-23.

The girls team, composed of players from the Davao City National High School, also lost to Davao del Norte, 23-25, 1825, 11-25.

Gold for Davao girls T

AGUM CITY, Davao del Norte--Davao City repeated over General Santos City to complete its golden run in girls softball as the curtains fell for the Mindanao qaulifying leg of the 2013 Batang Pinoy at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex here Saturday.

The girls from Crossing Bayabas National High School defeated General Santos City for the third straight time, 4-2, to bag the gold medal under the sweltering heat.

After ace pitcher Irene

LGU DAVAO CITY GENERAL SANTOS CITY DAVAO DEL NORTE ILIGAN CITY SURIGAO DEL NORTE PROVINCE CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY MATI CITY KORONADAL CITY GINGOOG CITY SOUTH COTABATO PROVINCE DAVAO DEL SUR PROVINCE ZAMBOANGA CITY SURIGAO CITY ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY PROVINCE LAMBAJON, DAVAO ORIENTAL PANABO CITY MISAMIS ORIENTAL KIDAPAWAN CITY ANTIPAS, NORTH COTABATO BRGY. 21-C, DAVAO CITY BRGY. GUIASAN, BUTUAN CITY KABACAN, PROVINCE OF COTABATO MATANAO, DAVAL DEL SUR NABUNTURAN, COMPOSTELA VALLEY SISON, SURIGAO DEL NORTE BARANGAY LASANG, DAVAO CITY MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON SARANGANI PROVINCE TBOLI SOUTH COTABATO ASUNCION, DAVAO DEL NORTE COTABATO PROVINCE TAGUM CITY AGUSAN DEL SUR BRGY. DATU SILUNGAN, BUTUAN CITY BRGY. MANKILAM, TAGUM CITY PLARIDEL, MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL POLOMOLOK, SOUTH COTABATO DIGOS CITY, DAVAO DEL SUR ANIBONGAN, MACO, COMPOSTELA VALLEY MANOLO FORTICH, BUKIDNON COMPOSTELA VALLEY PROVINCE NEW CORELLA, DAVAO DEL NORTE ARMM BARANGAY ZONE II, DIGOS CITY BITAOGAN, SAN ISIDRO DAVAO ORIENTAL BRGY. A. O. FLOIRENDO BRGY. APOPONG, GEN. SANTOS CITY BRGY. BUHANGIN PROPER DISTRICT II, DAVAO CITY BRGY. GREDU, PANABO CITY BRGY. MAGUINDA, BUTUAN CITY BRGY. POBLACION BANAY-BANAY DAVAO ORIENTAL BRGY. TRES DE MAYO, DIGOS CITY BUHANGIN, PROPER DISTRICT II, DAVAO CABADBARAN CITY CARMEN, DAVAO DEL NORTE CLAVERIA, MISAMIS ORIENTAL COMPOSTELA, COMPOSTELA VALLEY IGACOS KAPALONG, DAVAO DEL NORTE LEBAK, SULTAN KUDARAT LIBUNGAN, COTABATO LUTAYAN, SULTAN KUDARAT MACO CITY, COMPOSTELA VALLEY MALABANG, LANAO DEL SUR MIDSAYAP, NORTH COTABATO MLANG, COTABATO MONKAYO, COMPOSTELA VALLEY NEW PANDAN, PANABO CITY NORTH COTABATO POBLACION KAPUTIAN SAN ISIDRO, DAVAO DEL NORTE SAN MIGUEL, TAGUM STA CRUZ, DAVAO DEL SUR TACURONG CITY TALAGUTON, DAVAO DEL SUR TALAINGOD, DAVAO DEL NORTE TIGATTO, BUHANGIN DIST. DAVAO CITY VALENCIA ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR PROVINCE

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VOL. 6 ISSUE 121• SUNDAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1-2, 2013

This girl is on fire

T

AGUM CITY, Davao del Norte—She can kill with her fastballs. She can deceive with her smiles.

But don’t tell us we haven’t warned you, she can demolish a team with her pitches alone.

That’s Irene Lumanas, starting pitcher of the Davao City girls softball team currently creating waves in the Mindanao qualifying leg of the Batang Pinoy Games here. Making heads turn is no other than this wonder girl whose sweet smile can easily touch even the opposition’s fierce hearts.

Behind that angelic face is a ferocious competitor, a wrecking machine on the mound who blows away opponents with her sizzling fastballs.

There was no speedometer to check the speed of her fastballs, but Irene Lumanas is a power hurler who relies on the velocity of her pitches. Fastball after fastball after fastball, she has dominated batters--and even scared some of them-to push Davao City within two victories of nailing the gold medal and earning a

slot to the Batang Pinoy national finals in Zamboanga City this November.

“I’ve never seen anything like that. For a high school to throw the ball like that is something special,” says one technical official in Filipino. “She’s playing at a very high level.”

Lumanas is only on her eight grade, but she hurls the baseball like a college student. With her at the mound, Davao City, represented here by the Crossing Bayabas National High School, had been overpowering other teams on the to a perfect 4-0 record and on top of the standings after the elimination phase.

After four games, Lumanas, just 13, had recorded 34 strikeouts while giving up only two runs.

Offensively, the team scored a total of 38 runs, with Lumanas herself delivering some of those runs as she is also a power hitter.

Davao first crushed Tacurong, 14-0, before dismantling South Cotabato, 8-0. Both teams actually conceded defeat in those two games highlighted by a

LUMANAS. Wonder girl of the mound.

couple of home runs from Lunanas, including a threerun homer, The team’s real rest came in the match against General Santos City Thursday morning as Davao fell behind earl;y but scored two runs in the bottom of the final frame to hack out a 3-2 victory. Against Davao del

Norte in the afternoon, the five-foot-four Lumanas was again at her best as Davao City fashioned out a lopsided 13-0 win that stunned the hometown crowd.

The team’s coach Willie Bayocboc said the girls had been together since elementary and played in numerous competitions. In

2011 Palarong Pambansa in Pangasinan, the team won the bronze medal in the elementary division.

Bayocboc revealed that Crossing Bayabas National High School is this year’s defending champion in the Kadayawan Open Softball Tournament and had beaten University of Mindanao

(UM) College Tagum in its first assignment.

The high school team won the crown last year at the expense of a more tougher foe in UM-Davao College of coach Joaquin “Boy” Sarabia via a stunning 6-0 victory in the finals.

(Charles Raymond A. Maxey/DSA)