VOL. 6 ISSUE 153 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2013
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EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society
A resident walks past a building that collapsed during an earthquake in Cebu City yesterday. A strong earthquake measuring 7.2 struck islands popular with tourists in the Philippines on Tuesday killing at least 20 people, some while praying in a centuries-old church, officials said. REUTERS
7.1 QUAKE KILLS 73 Bohol, Cebu provinces placed under state of calamity A
powerful earthquake jolted three popular central Philippine islands on Tuesday, tearing down buildings, triggering landslides and leaving at least 73 people dead, authorities said. The toll rose from an earlier figure of 32. Fifteen of the confirmed fatalities were in Cebu, the second most important city in the Philippines and a gateway to some of the country’s most beautiful beaches, civil defence office spokesman Reynaldo Balido told reporters. The provincial boards of Bohol and Cebu on Tuesday placed their provinces
under a state of calamity due to the devastation suffered from the 7.1-magnitude quake which caused centuries-old churches and modern buildings to crumble. Major roads were also ripped open and blocked by landslides. “I was fast sleep when suddenly I woke up because my bed was shaking. I was so shocked, I could do nothing but hide under the bed,” Janet Maribao, 33, a receptionist in Cebu, told AFP. The governor of Bohol reported that
F7.1 QUAKE, 10
TRADITIONAL MUSLIM DELICACIES. A familly of Muslim partake of the traditional treat of suman, lugaw and pastil after attending the morning prayer for the Eid-Al-adha celebration held at Tionko Football Field in Quimpo Blvd., Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.
INSIDE: DSWD seeks P500M for quake victims Musician charged for molesting Korean girl
Phil to join Azkals vs Pakistan
2 3 15
2 THE BIG NEWS EDGEDAVAO
VOL. 6 ISSUE 153 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2013
Karlo: Where’s the ‘superbody’ to check on erring GOCCs?
D
Chocolate Hills Leaning Tower collapsed following a magnitude 7.2 earthquake that struck the Visayas region yesterday. [PNA photo by Bingo Dejaresco]
AVAO City First District Rep. Karlo Alexei Nograles has cited the need for Congress to revisit Republic Act 10149 which created the Governance Commission for GOCCs (GCG), the oversight body tasked to check on the abuses of Government-owned and Controlled Corporations. The chairman of the house Committee on Labor, Nograles said the decision by the Social Security System (SSS) top brass to allocate for themselves huge and scandalous bonuses while asking for an increase on the contribution of its members would have been prevented if only the GCG has been doing its mandate as the peoples’ guardian against abusive GOCC officials. “The GCG claims that
the P 1-million bonuses of SSS governors are legal and competitive. We should ask GCG how come people are acting negatively to these bonuses? Is it because people cannot understand how they can give bonuses and at the same time declare that SSS has a liquidity problem and need to increase member contributions? Perhaps the people are correct - it doesn’t make sense,” he said. According to the Nograles, the GCG was constituted to act as a “central advisory, monitoring, and oversight body with authority to formulate, implement and coordinate policies” for GOCCs, government financial institutions (GFIS), government instrumentalities
FKARLO, 10
Robber shot dead DSWD seeks P500M
for quake victims T
he Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) disclosed Wednesday it had requested an additional P500 million from the Quick Response Fund (QRF) or President Benigno S. Aquino III’s social fund. According to DSWD Secretary Corazon Soliman, she made the request with President Benigno S. Aquino in a meeting with National Disaster Risk Reduction Management (NDRM-
MC) regarding the scope of the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that struck Visayas region Tuesdaya morning. “The President asked our department if there is a need for a replenishment of fund due to recent calamities that DSWD had recently addressed, since some were already used in affected areas due to typhoon-damaged areas, we had asked for additional funding to facilitate the distribution of more assistance to the
Groups pay tribute to slain Italian priest A
FTeR two years since the killing of the Italian missionary Fr. Fausto “Pops” Tentorio, PIMe, thousands of Lumads, church people, lay workers, and other advocates for justice still demand for the speedy resolution of the case despite their frustrations with the government’s response. In anticipation of Tentorio’s second death anniversary on October 17, the Justice for Fr. Pops Movement (JPM) all throughout Southern Mindanao Region organized series of activities to commemorate the “martyrdom” of the priest. Among the highlights is the forum dubbed as
“Speak Up!: A Forum on Justice and Peace on Fr. Pops’ Second Death Anniversary” to be held tomorrow, 9:00 AM at the Ateneo de Davao University. The forum will feature the life of Fr. Fausto Tentorio and will discuss the updates and the prospects of his case as well as the updates on the services he initiated. Meanwhile, the forum will also tackle extrajudicial killings and the state of impunity in general. JPM aims to come up with a declaration of commitment to continue the quest for justice for Fr. Pops and for all victims of injustices in the country.
affected areas,” said Soliman. She added the President instructed them (government agencies) to ensure that no one is left behind or isolated in terms of the delivery of the immediate assistance. “he (President Aquino) had instructed us to closely coordinate with our Municipal Social Welfare Development Offices (MSWDO) to ensure that all affected victims’ needs are properly addressed.”
Soliman had directed all DSWD Project Development Officers (PDOs) to report a thorough status assessment about the affected victims. She said in Tagbiliran, Bohol about 200 family food packs as well as tents are being distributed. She said some of the affected victims are staying in tents for fear of series of aftershocks with intensity 5 as the highest. “The tents serve as
FDSWD, 10
By Emilord P. Castromayor
T
he end of the road finally came for a notorious robber who was shot dead after police cornered him in a pursuit operation yesterday morning in Purok 12, Quarry, Tugbok Proper. Chief Inspector Ariel Acala, commander of Tugbok Police station said that Abdul Asnain Allian ,42, a resident from Badjao Village, Brgy. Baloing Siguel, General Santos, was declared dead on the spot after sustaining gunshot wounds. “he was determined to attack us and also holding a hand grenade,” Alcala said of Allian who was armed with hand grenade and knife. Acala said that around 10:00 a.m. Allian was seen from a closed circuit television (CCTV) camera attacking a security guard. The security guard iden-
tified as Nelson Agustin, conducted a roving inside the subdivision and saw Allian taking things inside unattended house at Phase 5, Block 87, lot 10 in Deca homes Subdivision that prompted the suspect to attack the security guard. But, Allian managed to escape and placed his loot inside a sack. Alerted, Acala then formed his team and conducted a pursuit operation against the suspect. At around 11:00 a.m., police received another report of an ongoing robbery in Purok 12. Police immediately proceeded to the area and managed to corner the suspect who turned-out to be Allian. Members of the Scene of the Crime Operatives took the recovered items for further investigation.
RESCUE. Rescuers recover an unidentified man under the rubbles at a fish port in Pasil, Cebu yesterday. (AP Photo/Chester Baldicantos)
THE BIG NEWS
VOL. 6 ISSUE 153 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2013
3
DOJ sets probe of tax evasion raps against Napoles couple
T
he panel of prosecutors of the Department of Justice has set the preliminary investigation into the tax evasion charges filed against the alleged pork barrel scam queen Janet Lim Napoles and her husband Jaime Napoles. Napoles is the alleged “brains” behind the P10-billion pork barrel scam and the P900-million Malampaya Fund scam. According to Senior Assistant State Prosecutor edna Valenzuela, a member of the panel, the hearing has been set on October 21 and November 5 at 2 p.m. Aside from the lawyers of the Bureau of Internal Revenue who filed the complaint, also ordered to appear during the hearing are the Napoles couple. Likewise, Valenzuela said they have sent subpoena to the home addresses of the two respon-
dents, as well as to Fort Sto. Domingo, in Sta. Rosa City, Laguna where Janet Napoles is currently incarcerated. Janet Napoles is detained at Fort Sto. Domingo as she is an accused in the case of serious illegal detention filed by pork barrel scam whistle blower Benhur Luy. According to the BIR, Janet Napoles has a total tax liability of P44.68 million, while her husband has tax deficiency of P16.43 million. The case stemmed from the failure of the Napoles couple to pay the proper taxes in taxable years 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. The respondents are also accused of failure to submit the correct and accurate information in their Income Tax Returns for the same taxable years. [PNA]
AVAO City has an estimated 16,826 unregistered tricycles or “payong-payong” and close cabs. According to Traffic Management Center head Ret. Col. Dionisio Abude, who guested at the Kapihan sa Dabaw at SM City, the figures were reported by the different sidecar associations coming from the three districts of Davao City. Abude who assumed as head of the TMC last June said they had devised a scheme for public transportation like the tricycles follow City Ordinance No. 52 that must be followed strictly by tricycles and
similar three-wheeled public conveyance. “Tricycles are allowed to cross the main streets but are not allowed to traverse in main streets and highways,” he said. Abude admitted that the “payong-payong” (trisikads/tricycles) are posing a big problem as far as Davao City’s traffic management is concerned especially in intersections where traffic is heavy. he said managing the traffic here involves three aspects, namely, traffic distribution and control, traffic engineering and traffic education. he said of the three
SHOW OF SUPPORT. Former Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio (wearing cap) shows her support to the Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod barangay election bets led by Anging Librado whom she accompanied when the former Councilor filed her candidacy for Barangay Captain of Brgy. 74-A at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) 11 office yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.
Over 16,000 tricycles Musician charged for in city unregistered molesting Korean girl D FOVER, 10
By Emilord P. Castromayor
F
OR allegedly molesting a female Korean student, a 31-year old musician has been detained at the Talomo Police Station. The suspect, Jorsan Narte Camahalan, was detained by police after he allegedly tried to molest a 22-year old Korean student yesterday early dawn inside his house in San Antonio, Matina, according to P/Supt. Julius
Silagan, commander of the Talomo police station. “We are still waiting the complainant before we pursue the filling of case,” he said. Police reported that the victim and another Korean friend had some drinks inside the compound of Bricklane Square along Palma Gil St. including the suspect. Around 2:00 a.m. Camahalan allegedly took
advantage of the victim who was already drunk and took her to his residence. The victim allegedly said that the suspect hit her head using blunt object causing her to lose consciousness. When she came to, the suspect was allegedly already on top of her. Camahalan reportedly asked the victim to have sex with him but
Organic farm provides more jobs
T
GOING UP AGAIN. A store attendant scoops out commercial rice now selling for P38 per kilo at Bankerohan Public Market yesterday. Prices of commercial rice continue to soar apparently caused by the low supply of the much cheaper National Food Authority (NFA) rice. Lean Daval Jr.
she begged and offered money instead to let go of her. PO2 Reiner Gahito, team leader of the Mobile 23 patrol of the Sta Ana police station, responded to the area where they had last seen after receiving a report seeking assistance to find the victim. Camahalan was later endorsed at Talomo police station.
he multi-awarded Lao Integrated Farms, Inc., the country’s top producer of coconut sugar and cyrup, continue providing jobs to the people living in the neighborhood. With only 19 regular employees and 30 coconut sap (tuba) suppliers since its incorporation on November 2009, the number has risen to 67 employees and 86 suppliers. “We employ indigenous peoples (IPs), men and woman and other local individuals, to do the processing activities and other jobs. We expect to employ more as we continue to expand in producing organic and natural food,” said Benjamin
Lao, owner of the farm. Lao said apart from giving employment, the farm also provides employees free coconut sugar for their households. he said to-date, the farm located in Bansalan, Davao del Sur caters to an average of 1,000 visitors per month. The farm has been dubbed as the major educational field and side trips to various groups of people, making it one of the tourist destinations in the province. One of the farm’s main products –coconut syrup– is produced mainly for export markets including United States, Australia, Germany and Canada. [PNA]
4 SUBURBIA EDGEDAVAO
VOL. 6 ISSUE 153 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2013
GENERAL SANTOS CITY
Residents in danger zones to be relocated T
he General Santos City local government is working for the relocation of around 1,800 families here living in various flood-prone areas and other declared calamity danger zones. City Mayor Ronnel Rivera said the local government recently acquired a 40-hectare site in Barangay Bawing that will be developed as relocation area for informal settlers and residents who were earlier displaced by various calamities that hit the area. “Our main priority is the informal settlers situated along the danger zones,” the mayor said. Based on the site’s development plan, Rivera said they are planning to build housing units that will be offered to the beneficiaries through a socialized scheme. Citing a report from the City housing and Land Management Office, he said a total of 1,818 households will benefit from the project. he said the city government is presently screening the potential beneficiaries to make sure that they are really residents of the city. The mayor said they had received reports a number of residents of the city’s neighboring provinc-
SOUTH COTABATO
es have signified interest to also avail of the housing program. Owing to this, Rivera said he has commissioned experts from the Mindanao State University here to conduct a study to help identify the qualified families for the scheme. The city government has facilitated the resettlement in the past several years of around 6,000 families through various private and government-led socialized housing programs. The beneficiaries of the earlier housing programs were identified based on the requirements set by Republic Act 7279 or the Urban Development and housing Act (UDhA) of 1992. UDhA is a government framework that provides security and housing tenure for poor residents, especially the informal settlers. It mandated local government units to provide socialized housing projects for the relocation of informal settlers and allocate funds to address squatting and other related housing problems. Rivera earlier said the city government will pursue the relocation this year of residents situated in several calamity dangers
he Police Regional Office 12 has approved the assignment of additional 50 policemen to South Cotabato province to augment the area’s security pool for the Oct. 28 barangay elections. Supt. James Gulmatico, South Cotabato deputy provincial police director for administration, said the fresh deployment was based on a request that they earlier submitted to the regional police office in preparation for the upcoming polls.
“The 50 additional policemen will complete our deployment requirement for the elections,” he said in a media forum. Gulmatico said the additional policemen, who will come from the Regional Public Safety Battalion, will be deployed in the province a week before the elections. he said they will be assigned to assist the mobile security teams of each of the province’s 10 municipal and lone city police stations.
EID’L ADHA. Congregation prayers for Eid’l Adha at the compound of the Office of the Regional Government of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in Cotabato City early Tuesday morning, October 15. [Photo courtesy of ARMM Executive Secretary Laisa Masuhud Alamia] zones, especially those who were affected by the perennial flooding along the Silway River. hundreds of families that were situated in com-
munities near the Silway River were forced to evacuate several times in the last three years due to the swelling of the river’s waters.
Silway River, which flows to Sarangani Bay, is the main outlet of several river-tributaries from the upland areas in nearby South Cotabato province.
SARANGANI
Several portions of the dike along the Silway River earlier suffered breaches and eventually collapsed following heavy rains in the area. [MindaNews]
he provincial government of Sarangani has released around P2.57 million for the upgrading and rehabilitation of the province’s day care centers. Raquel Panal, Sarangani early Childhood Care and Development (eCCD) officer, said the funds will mainly be utilized to improve the basic amenities and provide for the other needed facilities and equipment of the day care centers. She said the local government has tapped the eCCD offices of the province’s seven municipalities to spearhead the initiative. Under the program, Panal said the coastal town of Glan received the biggest allocation with P745,000 followed by Alabel with P450,000; Malapatan with 430,000; Malungon with 420,000; Maitum with P325,000; Maasim with P280,000; and, Kiamba with P210,000. The funds were drawn from the Annual Investment Plan (AIP) budget for this year of the provincial government, she said. Panal said Sarangani Gov. Steve Chiongbian-Solon released the funds on
Monday during the eCCD Worker’s 2013 Conference and Assembly held at the provincial gymnasium in Alabel town. The event, which was hosted by the provincial government, was attended by day care center workers and other local stakeholders in the area. “All municipal eCCD units also received various learning materials for their day care centers,” she said. Gov. Solon, in his message during the gathering, expressed gratefulness to the dedication of the daycare center workers in the province. he specifically cited the important roles in the formative years of the children in Sarangani. “I congratulate and thank you for your commitment. You play a very important role in educating the children. Being the out-of-home parents, the values that you impart among the innocent kids would be the very foundation of character that would strongly shape their personalities as they grow up and face the challenges in life,” he said. [PNA]
More cops to be deployedfor barangay polls Day care centers rehab starts T T NORTH COTABATO
“As in the last May election, we will also assign a minimum of two policemen in every polling center,” he said. The official said they will deploy their personnel to polling centers a day before the barangay elections on Oct. 28. As of Monday, Gulmatico said all police units in the area are already on full alert as part of their poll security preparations. “We will sustain that alert status after the end of the election period,” he
said. Policemen are not allowed to go on leave or file leaves of absence when their areas are under the full alert status. The Philippine National Police central office has set the same policy for all police units in the May 13 local and national midterm elections. The South Cotabato police earlier “cleared” the province of any potential watchlist area or hotspot for the barangay elections. [MindaNews]
Two towns tagged as areas of concern T
WO towns tagged as areas of concern Police officials in North Cotabato identified two municipalities as “areas of concern” for the upcoming Oct. 28 barangay polls. Sr. Supt. Danilo Peralta, provincial police chief, has pointed to the towns of Midsayap and
Banisilan as having the need for strict security measures this coming elections. This came following recent atrocities between government forces and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters(BIFF)in the outskirts of the two municipalities.
Peralta said two platoons from the Philippine national Police - Regional Public Safety Battalion (PNP-RPSB) Region 12 would be sent to Midsayap and Banisilan to augment the existing police and Army forces in the area. The province will also have additional
140 police personnel from the PNP-Region 12 to meet the two policemen-per-polling precinct requirement earlier set up by the Comelec. Peralta said no election related violence were reported so far in North Cotabato two weeks after election period started. [PNA]
5 THE ECONOMY
EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 153 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2013
Nadecor, St. Augustine strengthen partnership N
ATIONWIDe Development Corporation (“Nadecor”) announced yesterday that they have signed an agreement with their partner, St. Augustine Gold and Copper Ltd. (“St. Augustine”) to restructure (the “Restructuring”) their interests in the King-king Project (the “Project”). Once approved, the Restructuring would result in St. Augustine holding a 100% interest in the joint venture milling company (“Milling Co”) as well as assuming full responsibility for organizing the financing for the Project. The structure of the joint venture mining company (“Mining Co”) would remain the same as was agreed originally between the parties, with Nadecor owning 60% and St. Augustine owning 40% of Mining Co, in accordance with the nationality requirements under
Philippine law. The relationship between Mining Co and Milling Co would remain as originally planned, with Mining Co selling ore to Milling Co pursuant to an ore sales agreement. Milling Co would process the ore and would subsequently sell it to interested buyers. The Restructuring would also result in Nadecor shareholders owning 39.96% of St. Augustine. Nadecor and St. Augustine’s boards have both voted in favor of the Restructuring. St. Augustine’s strategic Philippine partner, Queensberry Mining and Development Corp. (“Queensberry”), has also signed the Restructuring documents and expressed its full support for the Restructuring. Queensberry owns 18% of SAU. “Simplifying the structure of the joint venture
AGREEMENT. Pictured above are Conrado T. Calalang, President of the Nationwide Development Corporation (Nadecor), Ambassador Roberto R. Romulo, Chairman of Nadecor, Manuel A. Paolo Villar, President of Queensberry Mining and Development Corp. and Tom Henderson, COO of St. Augustine Gold and Copper, Ltd. as they sign the Restructuring agreement. is beneficial for a number of reasons,” said Andrew J. Russell, CeO of St. Augustine. “Firstly, it fully aligns the interests of Nadecor, St Augustine and their
respective shareholders in the Project. Secondly, from a strategic perspective, we believe the new structure increases the attractiveness of the Project
to potential strategic partners supportive of bringing King-king into production as soon as possible.” Conrado T. Calalang, President of Nadecor re-
marked, “This is a very important milestone for our partnership and is definitely a positive for both St. Augustine and Nadecor shareholders.”
6
THE ECONOMY
Stat Watch 1. Gross National Income Growth Rate (At Constant 2000 Prices)
7.1 1st Qtr 2013
2. Gross Domestic Product Growth Rate (At Constant 2000 Prices)
7.8 1st Qtr 2013
3. Exports 1/ 4. Imports 1/ 5. Trade Balance 6. Balance of Payments 2/ 7. Broad Money Liabilities
USD 3,741 million Feb 2013 USD 4,708 million Feb 2013 USD -967 million Feb 2013 USD -640 million Dec 2012 P 4,964,560 million Feb 2013
8. Interest Rates 4/
2.4 % Mar 2013 P113,609 million Mar 2013 P 5,281 billion Mar 2013
9. National Government Revenues 10. National government outstanding debt 11. Peso per US $ 5/
P 41.14 Apr 2013
12. Stocks Composite Index 6/
6,847.5 Mar 2013
13. Consumer Price Index 2006=100
132.8 Apr 2013
14. Headline Inflation Rate 2006=100
2.6 Apr 2013
15. Core Inflation Rate 2006=100
3.1 Apr 2013
16. Visitor Arrivals
418,108 Feb 2013
17. Underemployment Rate 7/
20.9% Jan 2013
18. Unemployment Rate 7/
7.1% Jan 2013
MONTHLY AVERAGE EXCHANGE RATE (January 2012-April 2013) Month Average December November October September August July June May April March February January
2013
2012
2011
40.67 40.73
42.23 41.01 41.12 41.45 41.75 42.04 41.91 42.78 42.85 42.70 42.86 42.66 43.62
43.31 43.64 43.27 43.45 43.02 42.42 42.81 43.37 43.13 43.24 43.52 43.70 44.17
VOL. 6 ISSUE 153 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2013
EDGEDAVAO
Smart solution answers mobile, online payment needs of Go Negosyo partners M
obile services leader Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), through its subsidiaries Smart e-Money, Inc. (SMI) and Voyager Innovations (Voyager), has teamed up with entrepreneurship advocacy group GoNegosyo to deliver innovative mobile and online payment solutions to thousands of businesses around the Philippines. Through SMI’s payment gateway solution dubbed Smart Pay, more than 60,000 Go Negosyo stakeholders nationwide will be able to accept and process payments from customers in person and online: first, through a mobile point-of-sale device that involves the use of a card reader attached to a smartphone for secure mobile credit card transactions; and through Tackthis, an innovative e-Commerce storefront solution which will allow online merchants to receive and process payments over the Web. Voyager serves a critical technology role in these solutions and is also the Philippine partner of Tackthis, a Singapore-based social commerce startup. “Small and medium enterprises are the lifeblood of the economy. Smart, in partnership with Go Negosyo, is committed to enable this dynamic sector with relevant wireless technologies and innovative solutions,” said Orlando B. Vea, co-founder and Chief Wireless Advisor at Smart, and Chief executive Officer at Voyager. Through caravans, trade conferences, publications and me-
ELECTION BUSINESS. Candidates for the Barangay election browse the sample election posters and other campaign materials displayed by a tarpaulin printing and election paraphernalia manufacturing company in front of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) 11 office at Magsaysay Park in Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr. dia engagements, Go Negosyo brings a wealth of business resources to Filipinos nationwide with an aim of cultivating a spirit of entrepreneurship that could help propel the country to further economic growth. Put up in 2005 by Joey Concepcion after being appointed as Presidential Consultant for entrepreneurship, Go Negosyo has since tapped an ecosystem of entrepreneurs, academic institutions, non-profit groups, microfinance institutions, business corporations and government agencies to increase Filipinos’ access to what is dubbed as the “negosyo support system.” “Small businesses are often faced with the challenge of limited resources, but technology can help them make the most of what they currently have and enable them to
grow and expand at an exponential rate,” Concepcion said. “Smart Pay’s mobile POS and Tackthis solutions will definitely become competitive advantages to many businesses nationwide as they harness the power of mobility and the Internet to push their business ventures to new heights.” Through Smart Pay’s payment gateways, Go Negosyo’s partner businesses can quickly and securely process transactions from customers whether they are in physical stores or in online shops. “We’re introducing more innovative financial services and payment solutions in various forms – be it through the Web, POS devices or mobile phones. This is just the beginning and we’re excited to have Go Negosyo as our partner,” added Jose Benjamin S. Fernan-
dez, chief operating officer at Voyager and managing director at SMI. Through Smart Pay’s unique mobile POS solution, individuals and businesses of all forms and sizes will be able to accept credit card payments using only their smartphones. With a card reader attached to a mobile device, merchants can simply swipe customers’ credit cards and have all completed transactions recorded on their phones. The service has been piloted earlier in a few of Smart’s trade activities in Manila and Cebu, enabling Smart Store employees to take credit card transactions from paying customers. It is an offshoot of SeMI’s acquisition of a MasterCard license in 2012, which allows it to accept and process MasterCard transactions. SMI is the first
non-bank institution in the country to receive such an authorization from the financial services giant. Tackthis, meanwhile, is a social e-Commerce solution that allows businesses to set up an online shop without having to tinker with the technical details of creating a website. Businesses can also embed these online storefronts to social networking sites such as Facebook, taking them closer to their target customers wherever they are online. Smart Pay will power the payment gateway for online storefronts created using Tackthis, making online payments secure and convenient for both merchants and buyers. Interested merchants can try the service out for themselves by visiting www.tackthis. com.ph.
as of May 2013 Cebu Pacific Daily Zest Air Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Philippine Airlines Daily Philippine Airlines Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri/Sun Philippine Airlines Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Thu
5J961 / 5J962 Z2390 / Z2390 5J593 / 5J348 PR809 / PR810 PR819 / PR820 5J394 / 5J393 5J599 / 5J594 5J347 / 5J596 5J963 / 5J964 PR811 / PR812 5J595 / 5J966 5J965 / 5J968
5:45 5:45 6:00 6:10 7:50 7:50 8:00 9:10 9:40 11:30 12:00 12:55
Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Cebu-Davao-Iloilo Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Zamboanga-Davao-Zamboanga Cebu-Davao-Cebu Iloilo-Davao-Cebu Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Cebu-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila
6:15 6:25 6:30 7:00 8:50 8:10 8:30 9:40 10:10 12:20 12:30 13:25
Cebu Pacific Tue/Wed//Sat 5J965 / 5J968 13:35 Silk Air Mon/Sat MI588 / MI588 13:35 Silk Air Wed/Sun MI566 / MI566 15:20 Silk Air Thurs MI551 / MI551 12:05 Cebu Pacific Mon/Tue/Wed/Fri 5J507 / 5J598 15:00 Philippine Airlines August 15:55 Mani2Mani 16:50 Zest Air Daily Z2524 / Z2525 16:05
Manila-Davao-Manila Davao-Singapore Davao-Singapore Davao-Singapore Cebu-Davao-Cebu
14:05 18:55 18:55 15:45 15:30
Cebu-Davao-Cebu
16:45
7 ENVIRONMENT
EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 153 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2013
New global convention cuts mercury emissions, releases Convention sets up controls on products, mines and industrial plants
J
APAN, a country which has come to epitomize mercury poisoning in modern times, became one of the first countries to sign a historic new international convention to reduce emissions and releases of the toxic metal into air, land and water and to phase out many products that contain mercury. The Minamata Convention on Mercury - a global, legally binding treaty which opened for signature last October 10 - was agreed to by governments in January and formally adopted as international law. The new treaty is the first new global convention on environment and health for close to a decade. Coming at a time when some multilateral negotiations have faced challenges, its successful negotiation, after a fouryear process, provides a new momentum to intergovernmental cooperation on the environment. Its agreement is also significant in that many countries, despite the lingering effects of the global financial crisis, remained prepared to commit resources to combating the harmful effects of mercury. Countries began the recognition for this new treaty at a special ceremonial opening of the Diplomatic Conference in Minamata, the city where many local people were poisoned in the mid-20th Century after eating mercury-contaminated seafood from Minamata Bay. As a consequence, the neurological syndrome caused by severe mercury poisoning has come to be known as Minamata Disease. But the Minamata that delegates visited last week during a special field trip from the main conference venue in nearby Kumamoto City, is a vastly different place to that affected by mercury in the mid-1950s. Since then the city has remodelled itself as an eco-city, receiving international recognition for its wide range of recycling and environmental programmes. The Minamata Convention provides for controls and reductions across a range of products, processes and industries where mercury is used, released or emitted. The treaty also addresses the direct mining of mercury, export and import of the metal, and safe storage of waste mercury.
Pinpointing populations at risk, boosting medical care and better training of health-care professionals in identifying and treating mercury-related effects will all result from adherence to the obligations of the new treaty. “The Minamata Convention will protect people and improve standards of living for millions around the world, especially the most vulnerable,’’ United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said in an address read to the conference. “Let us strive to achieve universal adherence to this valuable new instrument, and advance together toward a safer, more sustainable and healthier planet for all.” “Mercury has some severe effects, both on human health and on the environment. UNeP has been proud to facilitate and support the treaty negotiation over the past four years because almost everyone in the world - be they small-scale gold miners, expectant mothers or waste-handlers in developing countries - will ben-
efit from its provisions,” said Achim Steiner, executive Director of the United Nations environment Programme (UNeP) and Under-Secretary General of the United Nations. Global action on mercury was agreed to in a landmark decision at the United Nations environment Programme’s Governing Council meeting in 2009. Governments unanimously decided to launch negotiations on an international mercury treaty to deal with world-wide emissions and discharges of the pollutant, which threatens the health of millions, from foetuses and babies to small-scale gold miners and their families. Mercury’s impacts on the human nervous system have been known for more than a century: the Mad hatter of Alice in Wonderland fame was so called because hat-makers used the liquid metal to strengthen brims, breathing in the poisonous fumes. Other potential impacts include impaired thyroid and liver func-
tion, irritability, tremors, disturbances to vision, memory loss and cardiovascular problems. “With the signing of the Minamata Convention on Mercury we will be going a long way in protecting the world forever from the devastating health consequences from mercury,” says WhO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan. “Mercury is one of the top ten chemicals of major public health concern and is a substance which disperses into and remains in ecosystems for generations, causing severe ill health and intellectual impairment to exposed populations.” Governments successfully completed their negotiations at the fifth session of the intergovernmental negotiating committee to prepare a global legally binding instrument on mercury, held in Geneva from 13 to 18 January 2013. They agreed to the text of the “Minamata Convention on Mercury”, which has now adopted at the Conference of Plenipotentiaries Diplomatic Confer-
ence, in Minamata, Japan last October 9 to 11 October 2013. The Diplomatic Conference was preceded by an intergovernmental preparatory meeting on 7 and 8 October 2013 in Kumamoto. Treaty provisions Under the provisions of the Minamata Convention, Governments have agreed on a range of mercury-containing products whose production, import and export will be banned by 2020. These items have non-mercury alternatives that will be further phased in as these are phased out. They include: Batteries, except for ‘button cell’ batteries used in implantable medical devices Switches and relays Some compact fluorescent lamps Mercury in cold cathode fluorescent lamps and external electrode fluorescent lamps Soaps and cosmetics (mercury is used in skin-whitening products) Some mercury-con-
taining medical items such as thermometers and blood pressure devices. Mercury from smallscale gold-mining and from coal-fired power stations represent the biggest source of mercury pollution worldwide. Miners inhale mercury during smelting, and mercury run-off into rivers and streams contaminates fish, the food chain and people downstream. Under the Minamata Convention, Governments have agreed that countries will draw up strategies to reduce the amount of mercury used by small-scale miners and that national plans will be drawn up within three years of the treaty entering into force to reduce - and if possible eliminate - mercury. The Convention will also control mercury emission and releases from large-scale industrial plants such as coalfired power stations, industrial boilers, waste incinerators and cement clinkers facilities. [UNEP]
8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO
VOL. 6 ISSUE 153 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2013
EDITORIAL
T
More reason to criticize
he Social Security System is not the last government-owned and -controlled corporation under fire for alleged greed manifested by awarding themselves bonus, described by detractors as “unconscionable.” One front page story indicated that the Governance Commission for GOCCs (GCG) has in fact approved P67.6 million for bonus of 20 GOCCs, including the SSS. The story added that the GCG is likewise studying performance based incentives (PBI) for 10 other government corporations worth P13.8 million. Performance bonuses were also approved for directors of the Development Bank of the Philippines to the tune of P10.5 million, Government Service Insurance System (P10.4 million), Land Bank of the Philippines (P7.8 million), Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (P7.6 million), Bases Conversion Development Authority (P4.4 million), Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (P3.9 million), Clark Development Corp (P3.7 million), Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (P1.7 million), Philippine National Oil Company (P1.4 million), Poro Point Manage-
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ment Corporation (P1.1 million), and National Tobacco Administration (P960,000). Nine other GOCCs have pending application for approval of their own performance bonuses. Also in the news is that directors of the SSS may get another round of bonus, if the system continues to reach their collection target in 2013. To be sure, this is not the first time that GOCCs awarded themselves fat allowances and similar abuses. In fact this kind of abuse was supposed to have caused then newly elected Senator Franklin Drilon to launch an a much publicized investigation culminating in the passage of Republic Act 10149, otherwise known as the GOCC Governance Act of 2011. Now we ask, whatever happened to this law? There seems to be a need to revisit the law and introduce amendments to it in order to be effective. But of course, it might be also asked if our lawmakers are expected to discuss intelligently and pass an amendment to law about fiscal responsibility when most of them stand accused of infidelity in the custody of taxpayer’s money through the demonized pork barrel system?
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EDGEDAVAO
VOL. 6 ISSUE 153 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2013
Fixing the damage
N
OT YeT TIMe TO LOWeR The GUARD – Time and decision are urgently needed for more significant things in government to be instituted notably in the field of socio-economic endeavor. But most people today are terribly sick of the endless political bickering. Sadly, of course, most people are disgusted and dissatisfied by mere knowledge of knowing what went wrong and what mistakes their officials have gravely committed. Unfortunately, because of the series of upsetting events such the multi-billion Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) otherwise known as “pork barrel” and lately the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) fund anomalies enmeshing some thick-faced and enterprising legislators, the country’s socio-economic undertaking is in the bind. The suspected offenders did not take into consideration the consequences that ultimately alter the noble intention of the government, which is to deliver basic social services to the poor and the downtrodden. The stories are very unpleasant during the past months as highlighted by the mainstream media, in the internet and social media. Charges and countercharges, allegations and counter-allegations are the fare of the day. The pros and cons are always at loggerheads trying to find the right patsies upon whom to fix the blame. The incomparable fund scandals are then quickly thrown overboard by some affected quarters to drown itself perhaps with the hope that its vestiges won’t surface anymore. On its part, the Supreme Court had to pin posthaste a decision to determine whether PDAF is constitutional or not to put the brewing
I
issue finally to rest and eventually fix the extreme damage it had caused. M e a n while, to show their antipathy and disappointment, people from all walks in life stage a series of marches and protest actions simultaneously nationwide calling for the total abolition of the controversial pork barrel funds. It wasn’t enough to know and say anything; the people need tangible results. Ignoring the negative effects of the multi-billion fund scam as clearly shown by some suspected lawmakers by concealing their venalities, we saw the country’s socio-economic condition immediately affected. Imagine the kind of lawmakers, meaning the thick-skinned and hard-nosed specie legislating morality and societal values? Now they are making a vehement denial – another common mischievous act done by men and women on the floor to somehow compensate for the excesses they have committed. What hypocrisy! The Aquino administration therefore needs to pick up, literally speaking, every broken piece that had shattered the bureaucracy caused by the matchless pork barrel scandal. And we presumed it’s heading in the right direction. It now has instituted what political and legal experts call a “good governance reform and anti-corruption program” where the main goal is to stop or suspend the release of
PDAF funds. Money that used to line the deep pockets of unscrupulous legislators and their cohorts who are operating bogus NGOs and fake foundations can now be used to line roads with concrete, provide agriculture lands with irrigation and hospital with medicines and equipment. Well, that’s pretty ambitious; strike with the sting because of the utter destruction of the government he represents, President Benigno Aquino III should remain tough and certain in all his decisions. Remember, the Presidency is not a lark. But with a determination to end or at least reduce corruption in all government levels, in practical reality, there’s a chance he will succeed to a fair degree. however, at this stage of public disclosures of anomalous government transactions involving cash-oriented political freaks, it comes as no surprise at all for the wary public and people in responsible positions to come out in the open to show their displeasure. They always continue to be doubtful about the sincerity of government. Outspoken advocates for the total abolition of the pork barrel funds raise the need for more transparency in government because it would do well to contend with the system and a principal reason for the country’s socio-economic growth and political maturity. They clearly emphasized that the suspension of the PDAF by President PNoy is not a permanent one considering that there is still a vast remaining budget for members of Congress for 2013. They suspect it will surface with a different name, but might just be “the same dog with a different collar.” And with the present temperament lurking in the halls of Congress; there is no way lowering of the guard.
him, his son Rudy who died from drugs, and his daughter who shut him out of her life. he knew why Wall Street was crumbling down and explained it well during a lecture circuit at a university--- naming all the financial instruments and derivatives like MBS, ABS, heLOC, CBS, etc, calling all of them as WMDs---or weapons of mass destruction. It took me several times reading Michael Lewis’ book “The Big Short” in a special issue of Vanity Fair, as well as the book “The Greatest Trade ever” by the Wall Street Journal writer Gregory Zuckerman---- to be able to understand how all these financial “derivatives” work in the market. Another movie on the 2008 Wall Street crash that caught my attention was the DVD movie “Margin Call” directed by an independent Indian director whose father was one of the top executives of the investment bank Merrill Lynch. The cast of hollywood’s heavy weights include Kevin Specey, Jeremy Irons, Demi Moore, Stanley Tucci, etc. To me, it’s the best financial movie I’ve seen on the 2008 Wall Street crash which gives the audience a rare inside view of how
and why an investment bank goes bankrupt after investing in mortgage bond securities. An even better and more dramatic movie, was the BBC special feature titled “The Fall of Lehman Brothers” which show how one of the oldest and strongest financial firm on Wall Street run out of money after investors, fund managers, banks, began dumping its shares as the Dow Jones dropped like a rock when the value of its mortgage bond securities began to sink. Anyone can see the whole BBC feature movie on YouTube. It’s such a complicated subject for guys like me to absorb how it worked and how it failed. As we all know by now, losses run to TRILLIONS of US dollars not only in the US financial markets but also the financial markets of europe and Asia. The Philippines financial market was well prepared for the 2008 global financial disaster after licking its own wounds from the debacle of the 1997 Asian Market Crash which started in Thailand when its real estate sector collapsed under the weight of unsold condo and other property development projects. A lot of lessons were learned from the 2008 Wall Street disaster by the Central Bank, the Securities and exchange Commission, the Philippine Stock exchange--- as well as all the Philippine banks, that today, lots of signs are showing how our economy and our banking system are even getting stronger in a weakening global economy. (Comments ? Email > tradingpost_ davao@yahoo.com)
Collapse of the world’s financial system
F YOU’Re one of very few people who were fascinated how the world’ s strongest financial center, Wall Street collapsed in 2008, bringing down some of the world’s biggest investment banks like a bunch of dominoes falling after each other--- you’d probably be looking around for movies that documented why and how it all happened. You’ve probably seen Oliver Stone’s “Wall Street- Money Never Sleeps”, the sequel to the first “Wall Street” movie which came out some years ago as the first serious financial movie ever made. Stone’s father was a stock broker on Wall Street who had been challenging him for many years to make a good, honest-to-goodness financial movie. In the first “Wall Street” movie, the main character Gordon Gekko (played by Michael Douglas) popularize “greed is good” and turned a young ambitious stock broker Bud Fox (played by Charlie Sheen) into an “insider trader” that later convicted them to serve a number of years in jail. The excesses of Wall Street are highlighted more in the sequel “Money Never Sleeps” with the character Jake Moore (played by Shia LaBeouf) as an investment banker getting caught right in the midst of the financial collapse of his company under the weight of worthless mortgage bonds that were being dumped in the market by every financial firm on the street. Simply put, the company went bankrupt. Gekko finally gets out of jail in this sequel, but loses his family--- his wife who divorced
VANTAGE POINTS
9
Challenge for ‘Mr. Civic Leader’ and ‘Mrs. Concerned Citizen’ WORM’S EYEVIEW By Manny ValdehueSa
T
ODAY’S build up practically everywhere of exclusive habitats (subdivisions, townships, and other gated enclaves) reveals with increasing clarity two contrasting faces of development in our basic community, the barangay. On one hand, an exclusive gated habitat or neighborhood, well-designed and maintained; on the other, the government-administered neighborhood, disorderly, shabby, or chaotic with buzzing slums. Two dissimilar habitats coexisting within the same jurisdiction. The fenced-in, gated, and guarded part is developed and administered privately, with modern facilities and amenities built to standards. They have a civilized, orderly ambience. The other part—the portion administered by the barangay government—provides a glaring contrast with its poorly-maintained, overcrowded, and generally unsightly surroundings. With sub-standard facilities and infrastructure, it has a disorderly feel. This contrast and the disparity it projects is a challenge to solidarity: how to harmonize the inhabitants (all members of the same barangay), how to mobilize them for their mutual benefit? Solidarity is essential for a barangay’s development, which in turn is essential for national development and stability. The juxtaposed contrasting domains, one private, the other public, reflects the national issue of disparity or inequality. They call attention to the gaps in our society between rich and poor, educated and under-educated, productive and non-productive. Both are under the same political jurisdiction but no complementarity or mutuality marks their maintenance or appearance. They have nothing in common except geographic location, their proximity delimited by walls or fences. They are neighborhoods that look like settlements with no sense of community, neither one deriving a sense of security or satisfaction from being neighbors. Their modus: each one to its own affairs. It is an image found up and down our archipelago, magnified many times on the societal scale. One barangay, two constituencies. During elections, the citizens in both parts, in their divided state, are no match against forces that seek to corrupt the community—as vice lords do; or that manipulate it—as trapos do. Without solidarity or cooperation, neither sector gets the government it needs. Rendered vulnerable by mutual unconcern, it sometimes happens that residents wake up one morning to learn that a shabu factory has been operating in the neighborhood, or that gambling syndicates are trashing their backyard with impunity. Too late. Damage has been done. The barangay’s leading lights had better sit up and do something. The lesser mortals, the masses, are in no position to smash this arrangement or enforce order. They can’t resist or defy the Lords (of gambling or of drugs). They can’t grow the local economy, small as it is, to mitigate poverty. They have limited capability and few resources. Sweat equity is practically all they have. The vision, leadership, or standards for local development have to come from somewhere else. But if the leading lights are unconcerned, won’t take the initiative, or won’t provide the leadership, it’s open season for the ambitious, the corrupt, or the incompetent to cannibalize the community. Cleaning up politics is a job for “Mr. Civic Leader” and “Mrs. Concerned Citizen.” They are needed to rouse the neighborhoods of their community and rid it of petty trapos who, playing at governance, lay the community wide open to criminality and disorder. This is the challenge facing every community on October 28, Barangay election Day. Will the voters elect people who will bridge the divide that keeps the two sides from collaborating? Will they choose leaders who know how to bring both parts of the community closer and lead them to collaborate for their mutual development? It is a task essential for solidarity and progress. [MindaViews is the opinion section of MindaNews. Manny Valdehuesa writes from Cagayan de Oro and is the president and national convenor of Gising Barangay Movement Inc. He can be reached at valdehuesa@gmail.com.]
10 NEWS
VOL. 6 ISSUE 153 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2013
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DSWD...FFROM 2 their temporary shelter because they do not want yet to go back to their houses as many of them are scared about the aftermath of aftershocks of the quake,” she explained. She cited that as of now, about 44,779 families or more than 200,000 individuals are estimated to be affected in five towns and one municipality in Bohol. In Cebu, she estimated that roughly about 297,770 families or more than one million are affected in its four cities and one town. She said the figures are not yet final and will still be subject to verifi-
cation. The DSWD chief assured they will heed the President’s call to ensure that response and necessary assistance will not be delayed and all areas will be reached to ensure that the problems are being addressed and scope of damage will not be heavier. She said that the department has released this day additional P 10 million assistance for region 7 as additional fund for the on-going relief operation. She said for Wednesday they will utilize some portions of the P 500 million she had requested from QRF.[PNA]
at least 16 people had died there and more than 100 others were injured, while one person was confirmed killed on the neighbouring island of Siquijor. All the areas are famed for their idyllic white sands and turquoise waters. Balido and others involved in the relief and rescue operations warned the death toll would climb, with the full extent of the damage yet to be assessed. Nevertheless, they expressed relief the earthquake occurred on a public holiday, meaning there were fewer people than normal in many of the major buildings that suffered damage. The quake struck at 08:12 (0012 GMT) near Balilihan, a town of about 18,000 people on Bohol, at a depth of 20 kilometres (12 miles), the USGS reported. The town lies across a strait about 60 kilometres from Cebu. Cebu, with a population of 2.5 million people, is the political, economic, educational and cultural centre of the central Philippines. It hosts the country’s busiest port and largest airport outside of the capital Manila. It also has a major ship building industry. A university, a school and two shopping malls sustained major damage in the quake.
Three of the people who died in Cebu were crushed to death in a stampede at a sports complex, where poor people had gathered to collect regular government cash handouts, according to the the provincial disaster council chief, Neil Sanchez. “There was panic when the quake happened and there was a rush toward the exit,” Sanchez told AFP. he said two other people were killed when part of a school collapsed on a car they had parked in, while four others died at a fish market that crumbled. The Philippines’ oldest church, Cebu’s Basilica Minore del Santo Nino, was badly damaged, according to Balido, the civil defence spokesman. It was first built in the 1500s by Spanish colonisers, although its current stone structure dates back to the 1700s. A church on Bohol that was built in the early 1600s also collapsed, according to Robert Michael Poole, a British tourist who was visiting the area. “It’s absolutely devastated... the entire front of the church has collapsed onto the street,” Poole told AFP by telephone. however he said there was nobody in the church at the time of the quake. Aside from its beaches, Bohol is famous for its more than 1,000 small limestone “Chocolate
hills” that turn brown during the dry season. One of the main tourist venues there, the Chocolate hills Complex, was severely damaged and may be beyond repair, according to Delapan Ingleterra, head of a local tourist police unit. “There are huge cracks in the hotel and there was a collapse of the view deck on the second floor,” he told AFP. however he said no-one was injured there. Tuesday’s quake was followed by at least four aftershocks measuring more than 5.0 in magnitude. The epicentre was 629 kilometres from Manila. The Philippines lies on the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, a chain of islands that are prone to quakes and volcanic eruptions. More than 100 people were left dead or missing in February last year after an earthquake struck on Negros island, about 100 kilometres from the epicentre of Tuesday’s quake. The deadliest recorded natural disaster in the Philippines occurred in 1976, when a tsunami triggered by a magnitude 7.9 earthquake devastated the Moro Gulf on the southern island of Mindanao. Between 5,000 and 8,000 people were killed, according to official estimates. [With AFP and PNA]
concerns, it is the enforcement under traffic distribution is the most difficult. however he said education must be strengthened for the public, the pedestrians and the drivers follow strictly traffic rules and regulations. Proper management of the traffic is important even as Abude said that at stake also is concern of the general public.
Abude on the other hand said they are in the process of doing traffic engineering works like repainting of signages, pedestrian lanes, white lane separators and others. On the other hand Abude said they already submitted to City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte several proposals detailing schemes that will address
traffic congestion as well as the proposed sites naming some streets that will be used for the Night Market. he said for the proposed Night Market, they are recommending only one lane be used by the vendors in order for the public jeepneys to be allowed to ply their regular route by using one side of the street. [PNA]
7.1 Quake...FFROM 1
Over...FFROM 3
TRAFFIC WOES. Mayor Rodrigo Duterte meets with the different office heads of City Hall and national agencies concerned with traffic regulation, directing them to apprehend over speeding public utility jeepneys known as Uso-Uso, usually plying the Toril, Mintal and Calinan routes. [CIO]
Legarda renews call to brace vs. earthquakes S
eN. Loren Legarda on Tuesday reiterated her call for preparedness against earthquakes in all parts of the country, following a 7.2-magnitude earthquake that hit Visayas particularly Bohol and Cebu and other areas in Mindanao. “According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), the Marikina Valley Fault Line is ripe for movement but no one can predict the exact time when it will move. This makes preparedness for such eventuality even more important,” Legarda, an environmentalist, said. Legarda also called on affected communities to remain vigilant for possible aftershocks and other effects of the temblor. ”This is a very unfortunate incident. The strong temblor and its effects may
have caused fear among our citizens and it is important that we keep our people aware of what they must do to be safe from the possible after effects,” the lady lawmaker said. Initial reports said that more than 20 people were killed while many structures including century old churches have collapsed in Bohol. The National Disasters Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) is still assessing the damages, casualties and other effects of the strongest earthquake to hit the region in many years. According to Legarda, the Metro Manila earthquake Impact Reduction Study (MMeIRS) conducted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency in 2004 revealed that a 7.2-magnitude earthquake in Metro Manila would
cause the destruction of 40% of the residential buildings, damage 35% of all public buildings, kill 34,000 people, injure 114,000 individuals, and the ensuing fires will also result in 18,000 additional fatalities. “The study also contains priority actions that should have been undertaken 3-6 years after the study was publicized to reduce the impacts of such a strong tremor,” she pointed out. Among the priority steps that must be undertaken include the promotion of disaster-resilient urban development; ensuring the structural integrity of buildings and critical infrastructure; formulating emergency supply system of water, food and other necessities; and determining open spaces for safe refuge when tremors occur. [PNA]
with corporate powers (GICP) and government corporate entities (GCe). “We in Congress created the super-body specifically so that unconscionable perks by GOCCs will be a thing of the past. how come it is still happening? The commission was created to serve as our guardians against and not as collaborators of greed,” Nograles said. Nograles said that this decision of the SSS to increase contributions while awarding themselves with hefty bonuses does not only affect the integrity and credibility of the government’s social security program but it also has wide-ranging effects on
the labor and employment sector because “this means additional expense for both the employer and the employees. “ Nograles appealed to officials of GOCCs to be more circumspect and sensitive to the effects of their actions, no matter their best intentions may be, to the people’s present plight – there’s poverty all over and corruption has destroyed the people’s trust in public institutions. “Why the fat incentives for top officials as the people wallow in poverty?,”Nograles added. “Another irony of things is the claim of good performance, that the SSS earned huge revenues.
But why are SSS officials proposing to increase the SSS contributions of the lowly members if SSS is financially sound?” he asked. Nograles said “it is absurd for SSS executives to claim that they are not using SSS members’ contributions in the grant of their bonuses because any fund injected into the operations and all funds used by SSS in investments and gainful operations are all public money.” “It is not a question of whether their actions are legal. It is a question of whether their actions are morally right that serve public interest,” Nograles concluded.
Karlo...FFROM 2
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NATION
VOL. 6 ISSUE 153 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2013
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MANILA
SC upholds constitutionality of anti-terror law T
he Supreme Court has dismissed a petition assailing the constitutionality of Republic Act No. 9372 or the human Security Act of 2007, better known as the Anti-Terror Law. In an en banc decision, the SC granted the petition filed by the Office of the Solicitor General. The SC reversed and set aside several orders of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court that cleared the way for the petition for declaratory relief filed by the group of human rights lawyer harry Roque with the RTC against the law. The RTC earlier issued orders denying the motion to dismiss filed by the OSG ruling that the court did not pass upon the constitutionality of RA 9372 and that the petition of Roque’s group was properly filed. The OSG filed another petition, however, it did not get a favorable ruling from the RTC. This prompted the OSG to take the case to the SC.
MANILA
In its ruling, the SC said the RTC “exceeded its jurisdiction when it ruled that private respondents’ petition had met all the requisites for an action for declaratory relief.” “Consequently, its denial of the subject motion to dismiss was altogether improper,” the SC added. “[I]n the same light that the court dismissed the SC petitions in the Southern hemisphere cases on the basis of, among others, lack of actual justifiable controversy (of the ripening seeds of one), the RTC should have dismissed private respondents’ petition for declaratory relief all the same,” it said. The SC dismissed in 2011 a similar petition against the Anti-Terror Law saying “petitioners did not even allege with any modicum of particularity how respondents acted without or in excess of their respective jurisdictions, or with grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction.” The SC had it that RA 9372 is a penal statute and
COLLAPSED LOBOC CHURCH IN BOHOL. The collapsed San Pedro Catholic Church in Loboc, Bohol, in utter destruction after a magnitude-7.2 earthquake jolted the Visayas region Tuesday morning. At least 49 people have been reported killed when the earthquake destroyed buildings including historic stone churches in Cebu and Bohol, in the heart of the country’s tourist haven. [PNA photo Luis Dejaresco] does not even provide for any appropriation from
Congress for its implementation, while none of
the petitioners had alleged any direct and personal
MANILA
interest in the implementation of the same. [PNA]
Senators confident Pnoy’s low rating will bounce back PhilHealth debunks COA report
S
eNATORS have expressed that the net satisfaction rating of President Benigno Aquino III will bounce back as Malacanang continued to institute reforms that address graft and corruption in the government. ”I am confident the ratings will move back to where it was before,” Senate President Franklin Drilon said in a cable television ANC interview. According to Business World-Social Weather Station survey, the net satis-
faction rating of the President dropped by 15 points in September with 68 percent of Filipino adults saying they are satisfied with Aquino’s performance. ”These are perceptions at the moment. I am sure as we move along in the next several months, they will see how serious the President is in instituting reforms which are not easy,” Drilon said. Neophyte Sen. Juan edgardo Angara agreed with Drilon, saying the President’s ratings “will go up
lEGal NotiCE
Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late SeRAPIO S. BABATUAN has been the subject of an eXTRAJUDICIAL SeTTLeMeNT with partition among heirs per Doc. No.374; Page No. 7; Book No. XCI; Series of 2013 of the NOTARY PUBLIC ANGeLA A. LIBRADO 10/2,9,16
at some point once people realize everything he has done to make sure the people’s money is spent properly.” Despite 19 percent saying they were dissatisfied, Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto said “no need to worry” because the President’s rating is very good at 68 percent. ”That’s two out of three approved of his leadership. That’s more than a simple majority. You must remember that in 2010 he
only got 42 percent of the vote. Three years after, he is doing very well at 68 percent,” Recto said. Minority member Sen. Vicente Sotto III also believed the satisfaction rating of the President will ‘most probably’ bounce back. ”Although it went down, the level of satisfaction rating of President PNoy remains acceptable as compared to the other Presidents who suffered negative rating,” Sotto said. [PNA]
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on P1.448 B worth of bonuses
T
he Philippine health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth) is debunking a Commission on Audit (COA) report claiming the the state-run health insurance system gave its officials and employees P1.448 billion worth of bonuses and allowances last year. On October 10, the commission revealed that officials and employees of Philhealth were given bonuses and allowances totaling P1.448 billion despite a P3.8-billion shortfall in its reserve fund requirement for 2012. COA, which labeled itself as “The Philippines’ Supreme Audit Institution,” gave Philhealth until Nov. 12 to respond to its report. “We’re going to challenge COA’s findings,” Alexander A. Padilla, Philhealth president and CeO, told GMA News Online in a phone interview Tuesday. “Our response is being readied and will be submitted earlier than November 12,” Padilla noted. The Philhealth official said P1.448 billion included bonuses and expenses, noting the insurer received the initial COA report last week. COA claimed its did not allow the Philhealth bo-
nuses “for lack of legal basis,” but the management disregarded the state auditor’s notices by awarding incentives based on resolutions passed by the Philhealth board of directors. “Despite issuance of notices of disallowance and denial of the consolidated appeal of (Philhealth) management by the Cluster Director, Corporate Government Sector (CGS-CoA), management continuously granted the aforementioned benefits and allowances without obtaining the required approval of the Office of the President,” CoA said. Padilla said Philhealth has been giving out bonuses and benefits in the past, and no questions have been raised. “We have our legal basis, as stated in Sec. 16 n of RA (Republic Act) 7875. Past allowances ‘to, ‘di na bago,” he noted. ‘Mali and COA’ RA 7875, Sec. 16 n. states that Philhealth has the power and function “to organize its office, fix the compensation of and appoint personnel as may be deemed necessary and upon the recommendation of the president of the Corporation.”
12 CLASSIFIEDS There’s a better way to get attention.
EDGEDAVAO
VOL. 6 ISSUE 153 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2013
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EDGEDAVAO
VOL. 6 ISSUE 153 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2013
UM students’ short docu wins 2nd prize in BFAR nat’l contest L
AKBAY Dagat, a short documentary created by Jay-Ar M. Aringo and his team from the University of Mindanao, got the second place in the Bureau of Fisheries and Natural Resources (BFAR) 11 MuSeA, SeAnema, Likhang Kabataan Para sa Yamang-Pangisdaan MTV and Short Documentary Contest. Two entries from the region made it to the national finals including Agos by Lanika Frances B. Villamor of the holy Cross of Davao College. The top spot went to Region 6 for its entry “Lapus-Lapus” while third place went to Region 4-A for its entry “Tikin: Sa Akong Paglingap”. “This only shows that the region’s youth sector is very talented; they are a very strong force when it comes to
informing the people about our fish conservation efforts,’ BFAR 11 Regional Director Fatma Idris said yesterday immediately after being informed of the result. Three winners were chosen from the region, two of which made it to the national finals. The entries of the ten national finalists were uploaded to BFAR’s Facebook p a g e ( w w w. f a c e b o o k . com/BFARFishCon) for Online Voting. The Facebook Likes constituted 20% of the total score while 80% came from the scores given by the panel of judges. Aringo and his teacher are set to leave for Manila to receive his P20,000 cash prize during the awarding ceremonies on Friday, October 18. All the expenses of the winner going to Manila will be sponsored by BFAR 11.
WINNERS. Jay-Ar M. Aringo (right) and his team from the University of Mindanao shows off the P15,000 check they won for their entry Lakbay Dagat, which also bagged 2nd place in the National BFAR Short Documentary Competition.
14 SPORTS
VOL. 6 ISSUE 153 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2013
EDGEDAVAO
Pacquiao moves up in SI rankings A
LThOUGh it’s still over a month before his crucial fight against Brandon Rios, Filipino boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao inched a notch in the pound-forpound rankings of magazine Sports Illustrated after Mexican boxer Juan Manuel Marquez lost to Timothy Bradley over the weekend. In its latest rankings released on Monday, Pacquiao moved to third place from No. 4, taking over the spot previously occupied by Marquez, who slipped three notches to No. 6. Bradley, who now has defeated both Pacquiao and Marquez, jumped into the Top 10 at No. 9 from 11th place in the previous rankings ending September 15. The brash Bradley, however, believes he should now be ranked in the world’s top three after his victory over Marquez. “I have to be considered top three in the world now,” Bradley was quoted to have said. “There is Floyd Mayweather, there is Andre Ward and there is Tim Bradley.”
“Say what you want about Bradley-Pacquiao, but Bradley now officially owns wins over Pacquiao, Marquez and Devon Alexander and was in a Fight of the Year candidate against Ruslan Provodnikov. Bradley made a guaranteed $4.1 million to fight Marquez and is in line for another big payday against Pacquiao, Brandon Rios or Mike Alvarado sometime next year,” SI’s Chris Mannix said about the American boxer, who defeated Marquez via split decision in Las Vegas last Saturday. As for Marquez, Mannix said: “If Manny Pacquiao is an ideal opponent for Marquez, Bradley is one of the worst. The counterpunching Marquez struggles against fighters with a similar style (see Mayweather, Floyd) and against Bradley, Marquez had to be the aggressor more often than he likely would have liked. Marquez hardly embarrassed himself though, and at 40 there are still plenty of possibilities for him.” Mayweather remained on top of the magazine’s
Road closed for ALA-COBRA Tunay na Lakas Boxing
D
Ue to the massive crowd reception of ALA-Cobra Tunay na Lakas monthly boxing, streets had to be shut down for motorists in Pagsanjan, Laguna last October 12, 2013. The free-to-the-public fight gathered over 5,000 boxing fans and was a huge hit in the scenic district of Laguna. The Laguna Town Plaza was jam-packed as Pagsanjeño’s gathered around to witness boxers of ALA-Cobra fight battle it out in the ring. Victors of the night were ernesto Saulong of the Brusmick Boxing Stable, who won by split verdict against MP Gym’s Alie Laurel in
the ten-round main event and stable mate Jerwin Lorenzo who won by TKO in the opening round against Danny Manosa of Muntinlupa. Lester Abutan of Binan, Laguna also out-slugged Jeven Villaceti of Ordaneta Gym by split decision after six rounds. held simultaneously with ALA-Cobra Tunay na Lakas boxing in Vismin, these cards are held monthly nationwide to sustain the talent pool of new boxing prospects. The event was made possible with the support of the city government of Pagsanjan in cooperation with the provincial government of Laguna.
NO PAIN NO GAIN. Manny Pacquiao works hard in training ahead of his fight against Brandon Rios. pound-for-pound rankings, followed by Andre Ward, who also kept his position at No. 2.
Meanwhile, Filipino fighter Nonito Donaire Jr. remained at No. 7 on the list.
After losing to Guillermo Rigondeaux in April, Donaire is also looking to return to his winning ways
in a rematch against Vic Darchinyan in November, a few weeks before the Pacquiao-Rios fight.
and trimmed its deficit to 2-1 in the best-of-seven series. ‘’The playoffs are oneday momentum swings,’’ Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said. ‘’Right now I feel like we’ve kind of grabbed it.’’ Puig’s youthful exuberance, which energized the Dodgers as they surged from last place to first during a torrid midseason stretch, was on full display in the fourth inning. The 22-year-old Cuban defector was so excited when he connected that he raised his arms immediately and stood in the batter’s box to watch the flight of the ball toward right field, clearly
thinking it was going out of the park. Once he realized it wasn’t, Puig started charging. he roared into third base and clapped his hands before raising them again as the sellout crowd of 53,940 cheered. Puig had reason to exult, having struck out seven times in the series before getting his first hit. ‘’he brings unbelievable energy every day,’’ Ramirez said. ‘’When we spoke to him, he told me, ‘I got it today,’ and he did. he’s a great player.’’ Game 4 is Tuesday at Dodger Stadium, with Ricky Nolasco scheduled to start against St. Louis right-hander Lance Lynn. But there was specula-
tion the Dodgers might switch to Zack Greinke, especially after they passed over Nolasco with short notice in the previous round. ‘’everybody’s trying to do the best they can to get to the World Series,’’ Puig said through a translator. Los Angeles got Ramirez and center fielder Andre ethier back in the lineup after both proved in batting practice they were healthy enough to play. Ramirez wore a lightweight flak jacket to protect his broken left rib - having been hit by a pitch from Joe Kelly in Game 1 - while ethier has been bothered by shin splints.
Dodgers blank Cardinals L
OS ANGeLeS (AP) -- Led by a pair of precocious rookies, the Los Angeles Dodgers got themselves right back into the NL championship series. hyun-Jin Ryu outpitched Adam Wainwright with seven innings of three-hit ball, and Yasiel Puig celebrated twice on his RBI triple that helped Los Angeles beat the St. Louis Cardinals 3-0 Monday night in Game 3. Adrian Gonzalez’s RBI double ended a 1-for-17 drought for the Dodgers with runners in scoring position. An ailing hanley Ramirez added a run-scoring hit as Los Angeles handed Wainwright his first postseason loss
Kings crush Clippers S
INTERNATIONAL ARBITER FROM DAVAO. James Infiesto shows Mayor Rody Duterte the print out from our World Chess Federation (FIDE) website which approved his International Arbiter's title, the highest title given to any chess arbiter or referee from FIDE. The title was approved by the FIDE Executive Board last Oct7-8, 2013 in the recently concluded 84th FIDE Congress held in Tallinn, Estonia.
ACRAMeNTO, Calif. (AP) -- DeMarcus Cousins had 31 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Sacramento Kings to a 99-88 preseason victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night. Clippers coach Doc Rivers sat starters Blake Griffin, Chris Paul and DeAndre Jordan for the entire game. The Clippers (2-1) play Tuesday night in Phoenix, their third exhibition game in four days. Cousins had 25 points and nine rebounds as the Kings (2-1) took a 56-47 halftime lead. he added six points in the third quarter when the Kings outscored
Los Angeles 26-18 and took a 17-point lead into the fourth. Isaiah Thomas had 16 points and John Salmons and Marcus Thornton added 10 each for Sacramento. Greivis Vasquez, a point guard who was acquired from New Orleans, played his first preseason game, getting two points in 11 first-quarter minutes. Jamal Crawford scored 25 points and Darren Collison had 20 points and 10 assists for the Clippers. Center Byron Mullens had 16 points and seven rebounds and Willie Green had 12 points.
INdulge!
VOL. 6 ISSUE 153 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2013
EDGEDAVAO
STYLE
Lights, camera, food!
Mark Floro gives a brief introduction on food styling.
I guess I’ve said this a thousand times: Photography is one of my greatest passions. I consider it as a creative outlet, be it for work or leisure. Sometimes, I even find myself romancing my DSLR and phone camera to get a better understanding of how I can achieve dramatic effects with just one click. As much as I want to work on my style and technique, I plead guilty for not
A test shot.
practicing proper camerawork beyond my own comfort zone, aka motherhood. Time is such a luxury I cannot afford these days. I only have enough to allow me to enjoy hobbies and interests within the confines of work and mommy duties. For friends and colleagues who are connected to me on social media, my usual
choice of subjects is evident in most of my posts: if not my daughter, it’s about fashion, career, and shameless selfie’s. Looking back, I have always been fascinated with food photography. Straight out of college, I walked the streets of Makati in dire hope of landing a job in an advertising agency. With that goal in mind, I knew I had to train my eye and learn more about product and food photography. Both required specialized techniques focused highly on superlatives and sensation through details and colors. Less than a year after college, fate led me to a slightly different path, regions away from the advertising capital of the Philippines. Despite the turn of events, I’m lucky that I found my true calling in public relations and multimedia. I get to work on projects that require photography and design, thus the opportunity to touch base with my background in film and audio-visual communication. For years that I have worked on food photography for special menus, flyers, and print ads, I’d say I have made quite an achievement, but I am still far from being a pro or an expert. Practice makes perfect, so they say. To this very day, I believe I am still a neophyte. If there is any opportunity to learn more,
I’d take it. And so that great opportunity came when I was invited to sit in a workshop directed by none other than Mark Floro, master in food photography for advertising. He flew to Davao last weekend to take part of the 3-day Travel Foto Expo in SMX Convention Center. I consider that 3-hour workshop a privilege, seeing the master in action, showing us the tricks of the trade.
Aside from giving tips and lecture, he welcomed us to his “makeshift” studio and called for our participation in an actual photo shoot. A graduate of Art Center College of Design in California, Mark is one of the most sought after food photographers in the country and he has been doing advertising / commercial photography for over 30 years. His clientele include some of the biggest names
in the food industry. He is a past president of the Advertising Photographers of the Philippines, and former director of the Advertising Suppliers Association of the Philippines (through the photography sector). On the side, he is one of the instructors at Philippine Center for Creative Imaging (PCCI) where he teaches food photography, business in photography,
FLIGHTS, A4
A2 INdulge! UP And ABOUT
Find stylish accessories at Claire’s at SM City General Santos Find the latest trends in fashion accessories at CLAiRE’S, now open at SM City General Santos. Enjoy all the stylish jewellery - earrings, necklaces, bracelets and even body jewellery. Claire’s also has hair accessories such as party hair, faux hair, clips and grips and all the hair tools that help girls get their desired look. Be awed with the different kinds of bags, purses, tech accessories, colorful socks, hats and a whole lot more. Even gift sets are also readily available at Claire’s. Everything a girl would want can only be found at the newest store located at the ground level of SM City General Santos. Hurry! Visit Claire’s and pamper yourself with all those cutesy stuffs!
Jericho Rosales live at Abreeza on Oct 19
CATCH one of the country’s hottest hunks, Jericho Rosales as he performs live at the Abreeza Activity Center this October 19 at 6 in the afternoon. For ticket inquiries, visit the main concierge located at the ground floor near the Activity Center.
BALLS AIRS UFC 166: VELASQUEZ VS DOS SANTOS LIVE ON OCT 20 After two memorable battles, the two best heavyweights in combat sports today meet for the third time to settle the score once and for all. Fresh from a first round knockout of Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva, champion Cain Velasquez defends his title against the man he has waged war against twice, Brazilian knockout artist Junior Dos Santos, who earned his shot at redemption with ah highlight reel finish of Mark Hunt. On October 20, the best in the business complete their trilogy on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage. Plus, Roy “Big Country” Nelson takes on unbeaten Daniel Cormier and Gilbert Menendez squares off with Diego Sanchez. UFC 166: Velasquez versus Dos Santos will be available live and commercial free on Sky Cable Pay-Per-View (PPV) airing on October 20 at 10:00 am. Balls (SkyCable Channel 34 and Destiny Cable Channel 36) will be airing UFC 166 via satellite on Sunday, October 20 at 10:30 am.
VOL. 6 ISSUE 153 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2013
EDGEDAVAO
EVEnTS
Career and school options at SM Davao University Fair
Ten schools from different parts of the country were gathered at SM City Davao last October 3 to 5 for the first ever SM City Davao University Fair.
The Event Center at the Annex Atrium was filled with so much youth and positive vibes as the fair opened on Thursday morning with City Council Committee Chair on Education Hon. Mabel Acosta, SM Supermalls AVP for Mindanao Operations Debby Go, SM City Davao Mall Manager Lynette Lopez, Assistant Mall Manager Engr. Warren Bautista and National Youth Commission Davao Area Officer Julius Gutierrez. “We laud SM City Davao for spearheading this kind of event. It will help the students save their time and effort. When they decide what course to take, they will not need to shift programs. When the student have carefully chosen what they really want to do as a career, it will also help the parents save on education expenses,” Acosta said. The first day showcased the musical talents of High School students in an acoustic competition where the Davao City National High School ranked top from among the entries. Erico Nograles High School bested the Dance Showdown on the second day. The 3-day event was also filled forums on scholarships from the Department of Science and Technology, trends on employment from the Department of Labor and Employment
Fashion designer Emi Englis shares to the audience what it takes to be a designer.
Students pose at the photo wall.
SM City Davao mall manager Lynette Lopez, National Youth Commission Davao Area officer Julius Gutierrez, Hon. Councilor Mabel Acosta and SM Supermalls AVP for Mindanao operations Debby Go at the ribbon cutting ceremony of the PSSupt Ronald Dela Rosa at the University Fair. University Fair Career Talk. and a career talk by select professionals in the city. The speakers on the third day were ‘registered nurse’-turned-‘fashion designer’ Emi Englis, dermatology expert Dra. Karen Alabado, celebrity lawyer and educator Atty. Geraldine Tiu, ‘civil engineer’turned-‘IT man’ Bert Barriga and PMA graduate Dancers from Philippine Women’s College and their dance DCPO Chief PSSupt Ron- number. ald Dela Rosa. University of Immaculate their career options after Among the schools that Conception, Philippine graduation. showcased their programs Women’s College, Tecarro Everything’s here at SM and facilities were the At- and the University of the City Davao! For inquieneo University group, Philippines in Mindanao. ries, call 297.6698 local College of St. Benilde, The first-of-its-kind ex- 126. Like SM City Davao Center for Culinary Arts, hibition at SM City Davao on Facebook or follow @ MOST Institute, Philippine provided high school stu- smcitydavao on Twitter for College of Technology, dents a venue to explore event and promo updates.
EDGEDAVAO
INdulge! A3
VOL. 6 ISSUE 153 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2013
EnTERTAinMEnT
Thor, Radha, Eva and Kimpoy at SM Davao 3 Day Sale! THE VOiCE of the Philippines’ finalists Thor, Radha, Eva and Kimpoy will kick off SM City davao’s 3 day Sale on October 18, Friday. Thor dulay is a choirboy from Panabo City who graduated from Ateneo de davao University. His debut album was released in 2004 under Evolution Music and distributed by Warner. He effortlessly gained 4 chair turns in his The Voice Philippines audition where he chose Apl.d.Ap as a coach. Granddaughter of the legendary Filipino actress Lolita Rodriguez and 1/3 of the trio Kulay, Radha started her singing career at the age of five. Her dramatic coloratura mezzo soprano vocal range earned her a spot in The Voice Philippines where she became part on Lea Salonga’s team. Bohol-born but adopted Cebuana Eva delos Santos is a 50-year old Philippine’s Tina Turner. Eva’s performance of Proud Mary in her auditions commanded Sara Geronimo and Apl.d.Ap to turn their chairs. Eva chose the former to be her coach.
Sixteen year-old Kimpoy Mainit from Bohol impressed his coach Lea Salonga with the sheer rawness of his voice. Mainit performed Jeff Buckley’s widely-covered gospel song Hallelujah as his audition piece. Catch the brilliant voice talents of Thor, Radha, Eva and Kimpoy at SM City davao’s 3 day Sale on October 18, 6 PM at the Event
Center, Annex. SM City davao 3 day Sale will run until October 20 with extended mall hours until midnight on Friday and Saturday. Great discounts of up to 70% off on amazing selections await shoppers. For inquiries, call 297.6998. Like SM City Davao on Facebook and follow @smcitydavao on Twitter for event and promo updates.
‘MMK’ and ‘Wansapanataym’ earn nods from international award-giving bodies ABS-CBn recently scored two international nods as “Maalaala Mo Kaya” (MMK) clinched a nomination from international Emmy Awards 2013, while “Wansapanataym” was named finalist in the AsiaPacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) Prizes 2013.
Upholding 60 years of greatness of Philippine television, “MMK” is nominated in the Best drama Series category for its episodes titled “Manika” (starring Jane Oineza and Angel Aquino) and “Pulang Laso” (starring Carlo Aquino and Joem Bascon), which were both directed by nuel naval. “MMK” is the only nominated TV program from the Philippines. Meanwhile, “Wansapanataym’s” episode titled “number One Father and Son” is finalist under ABU Prizes 2013’s Television Special Jury PrizesChildren’s category. The Sponky Villarin-directed episode starred Kapami-
GRAVITY 2D Sandra Bullock, George Clooney PG 13
12:25 | 2:20 | 4:15 | 6:10 | 8:05 | 10:00 LFS
SHE'S THE ONE 2D Bea Alonzo, Dingdong Dantes, Enrique Gil PG 13
12:00 | 2:00 | 4:00 | 6:00 | 8:00 | 10:00 LFS
GETAWAY 2D Ethan Hawke, Selena Gomez PG 13
12:25 | 2:20 | 4:15 | 6:10 | 8:05 | 10:00 LFS
R-16 ESCAPE PLAN 2D Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger
lya child wonder Zaijian Jaranilla and Epy Quizon. The 41st international Emmy Awards Gala will happen on november 25 at Hilton new York Hotel; while the finals of ABU Prizes 2013 will take place on October 28 at Hanoi, Vietnam. Continue to watch every Saturday night
the longest-running fantasy-drama anthology “Wansapanataym,” back-to-back with Asia’s longest-running drama anthology “Maalaala Mo Kaya” (MMK) on ABSCBn’s ‘Yes Weekend.’ For more updates, log on to http://www.abs-cbn. com/ or follow @abscbndotcom on Twitter.
R 13
12:40 | 3:00 | 5:20 | 7:40 | 10:00 LFS
A4 INdulge!
VOL. 6 ISSUE 153 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2013
EDGEDAVAO
STYLE
EDGEDavao Davao Partners
It’s important to capture the character and colors of your subject.
Lights...FFROM A1 and basic studio lighting. Mark Floro’s images come alive with the help of his favorite food stylist: his wife, Linda. She has made a name for herself with her trademark ingenuity in adding “movement and texture” to any food shot. She has, over the years, dug deeper into trade secrets and developed her own techniques in enhancing and maintaining consistency of any food or beverage product during a shoot. Challenging, I must say. Imagine shooting an ice cream or halo-halo under the scorching heat of studio lights. Mashed potato disguised as ice cream used to be the trick in the old days. Mark proudly says that his wife has discovered a new “secret” technique for ice cream shoots. “My philosophy in photography is ‘Get it right the first time,’” Mark said. “Photoshop is just a secondary tool I use if there are instrumental factors in the environment which I cannot control and manipulate to my favor during the actual shoot.” “I use continuous light for most of my photo shoots, depending on the intent. Personally, I like shadows and drama in food shots… Telenovela, as I put it. Advertising is a totally different story and clients would usually stick to cheery and happy mood lighting. But, please, whatever you do, never ever, ever, ever, ever use your pop up flash. It’ll just give you a flat and washed out image.” “For food, I prefer the look of a natural light. It’s best to shoot at lunchtime and position yourself next to a window. Window lights are the most romantic—they’re free and of the best quality. It may be challenging to shoot in a studio since you need to achieve the look of a natural daylight. But there, you are in control. You can move and filter your light, evade stark
shadows, and do some little tricks to add motion to your food.” “It would be easier for you to visualize your frames if you talk to your client and graphic designer to discuss shot list and selling point. Light your subject according to your intent. Go for texture, separation, colors, and character. Always look for an angle that will speak strongly and convincingly about your subject. Your shot should provoke emotion from the audience, therefore you should give them texture and movement. By movement we mean caramel syrup dripping from an ice cream, strings of cheese peeling off the slice of pizza from a pan, or cream dripping off a strawberry. These movements are best achieved with a professional food stylist at bay.” “It’s highly recommended to shoot food on earthtoned or white plates, or those with very little or no design at all. You don’t want the color of the plate to compete with the color of the food. Try to get more full shots than tight ones. Most likely, the graphic designer would need space allowance for the copy. Give your client variety and freedom to crop the photo according to their requirement. Never shoot your food on a 50-50 ratio. Play around the rule of thirds and give the image a good depth. Use selective focusing if needed.” “Experiment on different lighting and angles first before you attack the subject. You can either move your light or your plate, until you find that moment wherein you can already imagine and taste the food. Focus on that angle and shoot it dead on. I like straight-to-yourface food shots --- luring you to take a bite.” For more about Mark Floros ’s works and profile, please visit http://ph.shop.88db. com/markfloro/.
EDGEDAVAO
VOL. 6 ISSUE 153 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2013
SPORTS 15
Donaire’s home wrecked T
he original home of Filipino boxing superstar Nonito Donaire Jr. was among those that were destroyed in Tuesday morning’s 7.2-magnitude earthquake that hit Bohol and other provinces in the Visayas. Donaire took to social media to ask for prayers. “Please send prayers to Bohol and Cebu for the earthquake that affected many lives. #GodhelpUs,” he wrote in his official Facebook account. his succeeding posts had the same message in various languages, including Filipino, Spanish and even Japanese.
“If I flooded your timeline w/ different languages I’m sorry but Bohol and Cebu need our prayers. A 7.2 earthquake hit destroying buildings and they have no power,” he later explained. Donaire, who is currently in Las Vegas, then explained the reason for his posts. “For all of you that don’t know, the earthquake hit my birthplace of Bohol. here’s a video taken in 2009 of the house I was born in that is now destroyed,” he said, posting a link to a news segment from April 2009 that showed his homecoming visit to Talibon in Bohol.
Gensan boxer upsets Olympianin World tourney
A
LMATY, Kazakhstan-Gen. Santos City’s Roldan Boncales, who came in as a substitute for injured Asian Games gold medalist Rey Saludar, started his campaign in the AIBA World elite Men's Championships here with an upset of Beijing Olympian eddie Barillas of Guatemala in their flyweight match. Boncales, the second of five children of a tricycle driver in Pacquiao-town, used quick in-and-out moves to frustrate his opponent who was 10 years his senior in their 52-kilogram bout at the modern Baluan Sholak Palace of Sports. ”he tried to use one upmanship and he is very strong but I just played my game,” the 20-year-old Boncales said.
Boncales got into the PLDT-ABAP team only last year. he earned all three judges (from Ukraine, hungary and Finland) nod, 3027 (twice) and 29-28. In his first international stint January 2013, he won the gold medal in the Kuala Lumpur City Day Cup where he was also adjudged the tournament's "Boxer with Most Potential". his next opponent is North Korea's Ri Chung Il, who recently won the gold medal in the Korotkov Memorial Tournament in Khabarovsk, Russia. On Tuesday (Wednesday Manila), the second Filipino to see action is light welterweight (64 kg.) is Dennis Galvan of Bago City against 10th seed Gaybatullah Gadzhialiyev of Azerbaijan. (PNA)
PSC Chairman’s Baseball Classic November 9-17
M
ANILA-- The death of longtime Philippine Amateur Baseball Association’s leader hector Navasero has spawned more interest in baseball with more and more prominent people like former male model and hacienda owner Arsenic Laurel and some foreign expats who prefer to love the sport. even the Philippine Sports Commission is now in the act with its PSC Chairman’s Baseball Classic on Nov. 9-17 at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Field Classic with Laurel as the tournament director. The tournament rules says the championship is open to players who are 16 years of age and above. Regular baseball rules will be used where there will be elimination games of seven
innings and semifinal and championship games will be played in nine innings Format is double knockout and the winners’ bracket shall have twice to beat advantage. Teams must always be in complete uniform and in the elimination round, a team leading by 10 runs after five innings will be declared the winner. The 'no mercy' rule must be strictly employed in the semis and finals where games must start 15 minutes after the previous game has ended. Rain outs must be discussed in a managers’ meeting. The best part is PSC will provide the champion’s prize of P50,000 and P25,000 for the runner-up while the third and fourth placers will receive team equipment like bats and balls, said Laurel.
NEVER TOO YOUNG TO GIVE. A four-year old runner crosses the finish of the Davao leg of the 37th National Milo Marathon on Sunday morning at Roxas Avenue as a way of helping out give new pair of shoes to needy children. Lean Daval Jr.
Phil to join Azkals vs Pakistan P
hILIPPINe Azkals striker Phil Younghusband is set to re-join the football team in its crucial match against Pakistan in the 2013 Philippine Football Peace Cup in Bacolod on Tuesday night. ABS-CBNnews.com learned that Younghusband was among the eight Azkals player who suffered from gastric irritation because of something they ate, along with Jason De Jong and Juani Guirado. But in a report from Bacolod on Tuesday afternoon, ABS-CBN’s Dyan Castillejo reported that the football players are now okay from that episode, as well as this morning’s 7.2-magnitude earthquake that shook the neighboring provinces of Bohol and Cebu. Younghusband missed last Friday’s opening match against Chinese Taipei due to an injury. The Azkals are hoping to bounce back and beat Pakistan tonight. The Azkals, who won last year’s tournament, suffered a stunning 2-1 loss at the hands of Chinese Taipei in the tournament opener at the Panaad Stadium last Friday. The hosts though got a big boost last Sunday as Pakistan defeated the Chinese Taipei, 1-0, making it possible for the Azkals to still repeat as champions. Pakistan, which is
RETURNING TO DUTY. Phil Younghusband will be back in the line-up for national duty against Pakistan.
ranked 170th by FIFA, is no pushover as the team is bannered by eight players
who suited up for Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) FC, which blanked the UFL’s
Global FC, 2-0, in the AFC Presidents Cup in Cebu last May.
16 EDGEDAVAO Sports
VOL. 6 ISSUE 153 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2013
AND THEY’RE OFF. Sporting eager faces, runners of all ages spring off the starter’s gate setting off another record-breaking season for the National Milo Marathon. And if we go by the numbers--all of close to 14,000--the biggest winners yet are the recipients of this year’s theme “Takbo Na! Help give a child a pair of shoes.” Lean Daval Jr.