Edge Davao 6 Issue 16 by Edge Davao The Business Paper

EDGEDAVAO

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VOL. 6 ISSUE 16 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, APRIL 7-8, 2013 www.edgedavao.net

Serving a seamless society

race Sarion woke up one September morning last year to take on the fight of her life. eight months of fighting for her right against discrimination came tantalizingly close to triumph for the born deaf mute city government employee reportedly refused by a mall establishment from doing her assignment as movie checker because of her physical condition. On Friday, Sarion realized breaking her silence could only lead her to more trouble. Just that, Grace dropped the charges in a wink of an eye. Sarion’s 8-month saga which began on august 30, 2012 with the filing of her complaint with the city prosecutor’s office ended abruptly a day after the two mall officials posted bail on charges of violating republic act 7277 or the Magna carta for Persons with Disability. On april 1, criminal charges were formally filed before the Municipal Trial court (MTc) against the Gaisano mall executives Jessica canasa and Joe choaShi who rejected Sarion as cinema ticket checker for being deaf-mute. The filing of the said charges raised hopes for the physically challenged, according to the association of Differently able Persons (aDaP). It came at a time President aquino is set to sign a bill promoting equal employment opportunities for persons with disability. Sarion instantly became the ‘voice’ of the deaf mute and others with physical handicap. However, the case was dismissed after she accepted an amicable settlement offered by the respondents in the amount of P6,000. aDaP president redondo Martinez expressed disappointment while reading the copy of the acknowledgement receipt of the amount agreed upon in the settlement to dismiss the case. Sarion executed an affidavit of desistance dated april 4, 2013 assisted by lawyer richard Patriarca and Teogenes

FTHE SILENCE, 11

By EJ Dominic Fernandez

2 THEBIGNEWS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 16 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, APRIL 7-8, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

Colina, broadcaster, ex-councilor, signs off

TOAST. Marlon Niño Escalicas, general manager of Camella Davao and Tagum (right) offers a toast to Sen. Manny Villar, founder of Vista Land and Lifescapes Corp. (3rd from left), Jerryle Luz Quismundo, president of Camella (left), Fermin Sta. Teresa, Pag-IBIG Home Development Fund vice president for Mindanao (2nd from left), Dra. Ma. Lourdes Monteverde, hon-

orary consul to Mexico (4th from right), Rowena Reclosado, senior officer for business development (3rd from right) and Rodelio Racadio, Vista Land technical services head (2nd from right) during the opening of “A Showcase of Camella Lifestyle” at SM Lanang Premier’s SMX Convention Center in Lanang, Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

Comelec says power outages damaged 11 PCOS machines By Che Palicte

He commission on elections (comelec) in Davao del Sur said power fluctuations caused the damage to 11 precinct count optical scan (PcOS) machines in Digos city. In a text message sent to edge Davao, edgardo Sadili assistant election supervisor in Davao del Sur said that it’s not alarm-

ing and that the damage is “manageable.” He also added that the machines were used extensively during the training where it was switched on and off several times to acquaint the trainees with the machines. Sadili said that a total of 43 PcOS machines including the 11 which has

been reported as damaged will be returned to Manila for reconfiguration. “That is actually intended for the purpose of training only, not for the election Day,” he explained. Meanwhile, comelec director in region 11 lawyer Wilfred Jay Balisado said that it is normal for

Batik: Indonesian cultural icon

the PcOS machines to get damaged because it is used in the training for an average of 30 days. “all PcOS used in training will be sent back to Manila for calibration and repair, rest assured that new PcOS machines from Manila will be arriving for the elections,” he explained.

L O r e N c I O “FLOr” P. cOLINa, a pillar of local broadcasting and one-time appointed member of the post-martial law Davao city council, died of cardiac arrest Friday morning. Flor was 69. colina was Davao chairman and regional officer of the Kapisanan ng mgaBrodkaster sa Pilipinas in the 90s during which time he conducted seminars and accreditation examinations to aspiring broadcasters in southern and northern Mindanao. He worked closely under the then Information Secretary Serge remonde. Flor first joined station DXaW of the pre-martial law aBScBN in Davao city as reporter and newswriter of the local radyo Patrol. He was president of the station’s labor union. after aBS-cBN was padlocked by dictator President Ferdinand Marcos, he joined

COLINA Southern Broadcasting Network as news director and anchorman of station DXSS. He also headed by the labor union there. He was a member of the Local School Board by virtue of his being president of the federation of Parent-Teacher community association. Tentative schedule of Flor’s interment is april 9. His remains lie in state in his family residence along ruby St. in sitioSto. Nino in Matina, fronting the GSIS regional Office building.

By EJ Dominic Fernandez

ISTOrIcaLLy, Indonesia has been sharing close ties with Mindanao. This was way before the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines (BIMP) east asean Growth area on March 24, 1994. On Friday, Indonesia celebrated a special friendship with Mindanao when it showcased one of its most important cultural icon—the batik fabric—and some novel handicraft. Batik, which means tattoo from the Malay word of Javanese origin batek, is a cloth made through manual wax-resist dyeing. The beautiful colors of batik promote creativity through indigenous designs. It also instills the value of patience among the people who create this craft which involves a very intricate process. Indonesia consul general eko Hartono explained the batik as Indonesia’s heritage treasure

during a promotional activity at the atrium of SM Lanang Premier from april 5 to 7 dubbed as “Batik Workshop and Handicraft 2013: The Quality Design of Indonesian Handicrafts.” The traditional colors of batik are indigo, dark brown, and white representing the three main Hindu Gods who are Brahma, Vishnu and Siva. In October 2009, the United Nations educational, Scientific and cultural Organization (UNeScO) designated the Batik of Indonesia as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. “Batik is very important to Indonesians because it is our current cultural achievement and heritage that is why we are exerting great effort to preserve and promote it,” Hartono said. He said that it helps the economy of Indonesia because in 2011 it

accumulated a total of US $500 million in domestic sales. The finest batik silk can be sold up to $1,000 for every 2.2 meters. He said that there is an exponential growth in export of batik to $72.2 million in 2012 from $14.6 million in 2006. By promoting batik, he expects the export to continue to grow as people will be buying it. “However, what is more important is that people will not just buy, but understand and appreciate the culture of batik,” Hartono said. Indonesia vice consul Hermawan Janu Wibowo said that if batik is hand-made and authentic, people are more proud to wear it. “In Indonesia, civil servants or government employees are mandated to wear Batik clothes to work every Friday to preserve and promote the cultural icon,” Wibowo said.

INDOCRAFT. Hermawan Janu Wibowo, vice consul of Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia, presents a showcase of Indonesian crafts during the 1st day of Batik Workshop and Indocrafts 2013 at the Atrium of SM Lanang Premier in Lanang, Davao City Friday afternoon. Lean Daval Jr.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 16 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, APRIL 7-8, 2013

Sports Garments SMEs:

SPECIAL REPORT

Cashing in on summer

By Greg G. Deligero

raNKLIN adran II was fixing newly-printed basketball jerseys neatly laid on long benches outside his tailoring business along Quezon Boulevard. In half an hour, adran will be placing a new batch of uniforms in the same benches. Thanks to the summer heat, the jerseys will dry fast. and thanks to summer, adran’s business is just as brisk as the jerseys dry. In a span of five days, adran’s co-owned rJ Tailors finish five sets of basketball uniforms. In Quezon Boulevard, rows of sports tailoring business are abuzz with machines sewing up basketball kits. Finished sets

SUMMER HIT. Sports uniforms business is brisk this summer season with sports activities in barangays, villages and LGUs. From a meager order of one set per week, a sports tailoring outfit averages five to ten sets a week this summer. Lean Daval Jr. meantime hang on walls outside these establishments, virtually curtaining the entire space. you can tell, sports garments business are as hot as summer and the city’s sports garments SMes are cashing in on the high demand of the season. “This is our peak season,” adran said, noting that the influx of sports uniforms jobbing started to grow during the last week of March. He refused to give the exact profit they raked in but bared that there were a couple of weeks when they received orders from six to ten basketball teams. “about three orders are added to our average number of jobbing

per week,” echoed ergie Banancilla, whose family owns the cordovan tailoring shop. Both adran and Banancilla attributed the surge in demand to the holding of basketball tournaments which notably proliferate in barangays and villages around Davao city during summer. Summer leagues in this basketball-crazy country are held practically in almost towns, barangays, villages and even subdivisions as students take the long school break to engage in sporting activities to while away their time and keep themselves fit. Staying outdoors too is a way to keep refreshed from the heat these days which could reach as high as 35-degrees. This is perhaps the reason why the best selling type of garment being used for uniform is either the “dry fit” or “tri fit” variety--the cheapest and most comfortable materials. a set of jersey and short using a “dry fit” fabric costs only P500 or P6,000 for a team of 12 players. adran said this kind of fabric is preferred by younger players who belong to the mini mosquito (14 years old below) and mosquito (18 years old below) brackets. Midget (19 years old and above) teams usually prefer the “square net” fabric which cost P550 per a set of jersey and short or P6,600 per a team of 12 players. community teams are supported by parents who

shell out money for their children’s uniforms. For some, a local business establishment in their community bankroll the uniforms with their corporate logo emblazoned on the kits. There are some, too, who get their uniforms from solicitations to politicians during this election season. “Some sponsors directly made the transaction. The players would only drop by for size fitting,” he said. Both adran and Banancilla require a deposit of 50 percent from the customers to cover the materials to be used, a normal practice to those who are engaged in this kind of business. “at least we would only lose the cost of labor in case they will not come back,” Banancilla said. adran shared the same observation, hinting that some members of the teams under this bracket are already earning an income and capable to contribute in the payment of their uniform. “They can afford,” he said. Banancilla said the least preferred during summer is the “micro shiny” fabric which is superior in terms of quality but is also the most expensive with a set of jersey and short costing as much as P900 or P10,800 for a team of 12 members. He said that this fabric is more marketable to school varsity and commercial teams during the

school season and bigtime basketball tournaments.

adran and the rest of the tailoring operators are cashing in on the high demand. But they are also wary that this is going to be short-lived. after summer, the next time demand would be high again is in august to September during the season for school

uips

intramurals. In between months, he said, their clientele would mainly come from school varsity and commercial teams. adran said the leanest season for their business is on the months of December to February, which is ironically, the period of festivity and celebrations in the country. “We will just have to seize the opportunity now,” he said.

‘ACTUALLY, if there is going to be any policy reform, the first reform is to remove what is not needed. The cedula is something we do not need now.’ --Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Henares

EDGEDAVAO

THE ECONOMY

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

5.4 4th Qtr 2012

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

6.8 4th Qtr 2012

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

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

8. Interest Rates 4/

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

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

P 40.67 Feb 2013

12. Stocks Composite Index 6/

6,242.7 Jan 2013

13. Consumer Price Index 2006=100

132.4 Feb 2013

14. Headline Inflation Rate 2006=100

3.4 Feb 2013

15. Core Inflation Rate 2006=100

3.8 Feb 2013

16. Visitor Arrivals

352,438 Nov 2012

17. Underemployment Rate 7/

20.9% Jan 2013

18. Unemployment Rate 7/

7.1% Jan 2013

Average December November October September August July June May April March February January

DTI 11 allocates P700M for food industry MSMEs By Greg G. Deligero

He Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has allocated P700 million for the Shared Service Facility (SSF) of the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMes) engaged in food processing industry. Teolulo T. Pasawa, director of the Department of Trade and Industry Davao city Field Office said the fund will be used in the procurement of equipment for entrepreneurs engaged in meat and fruit processing. SSF is DTI’s flagship program for SMe development which provides facilities to be shared by local beneficiaries, such as cooperatives, institutions and communities. This is aimed at helping micro and small enterprises to be competitive in the local and global markets. “The targeted beneficiaries are the small business who cannot afford to buy the equipment themselves. They will share the equipment (that will be purchased) in a rotating schedule,” said Pasawa who also heads the center Director National eco-

nomic research & Business assistance center (NerBac). Pasawa said the food processing industry is expected to flourish this summer with the onset of the harvest season for fruits like durian and mango which are processed into jam, candies and other delicacies. He said the SSF will also be provided to other sub-industries of the MSMe sector. aside from the shared services, Pasawa said the DTI is also facilitating the access of entrepreneurs to financial institutions like banks and national agencies. “The integrity of our MSMes is very high because of the vibrant economic activities in Davao city. The bank sector become more liberal and financing become more accessible,” Pasawa said. In 2012, there were 32, 510 MSMe investors in Davao city 93.32 percent of whom are engaged into micro enterprises or businesses with capitalization below P3 million. Investments from MSMes reached P35.94 billion, 33 percent of which are from the

Davao by the numbers In 2012, the average monthly consumption of street lights in Davao City reached

2.29 million kWh or an increase of

9.04 percent from the monthly average recorded in the preceding year. source: Dlpc

small enterprises or business establishments with capitalization P3 million to P15 million. employment generated by MSMes totaled to 446, 131 with 88 percent provided by micro enterprises. In the last five years, the

MSMe sector accounted for about 99.6% of the registered businesses in the country by which 63% of the labor force earn a living. around 35.7% of the total sales and value added in the manufacturing come from MSMes as well.

half of 2012. This was spelled out in a recent survey conducted by global consumer research firm Nielsen, which indicated rival network’s subscribers switching to Globe. according to the survey, 49% of total SIM switchers to

the Globe network came from competition. The study, commissioned by Globe and conducted independently by Nielsen Philippines from January 9 to December 2012 was among 12,937 respondents in randomly selected areas nationwide both from urban and rural areas, who currently own a SIM. It helped Globe determine the real impact of its rival’s switching campaigns which ran from July to December 2012. “Leading the market with innovation and customization, Globe continues to reinforce its position as a strong and formidable challenger in the market with sustained subscriber gains despite the aggressive switching campaigns and negative tirades of our competitors. We are bringing in this huge source of inspiration and motivation as we sustain growth momentum this year and in the years to come,” said ernest cu, Globe President and ceO.

Globe attracts 49% switchers

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

OVERSUPPLY. An overflowing supply of Durian fruit continues to flood Davao City months before the regular harvest season in August. Lean Daval Jr.

MONTHLY AVERAGE EXCHANGE RATE (January 2012-February 2013) Month

VOL. 6 ISSUE 16 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, APRIL 7-8, 2013

He full year 2012 financial performance of Globe Telecom saw the company increasing its base and attracting more subscribers, evidently growing across the board in all market segments – mobile or broadband.

It figures

289 THE total approved foreign investments in 2012 went up by 12 percent year-on- year to P298.1—the highest since 1996, the National Statistical Coordination Board said in a report. BusinessMirror, April 5-6, 2013

With game-changing product offers and cornering the latest devices with exclusive privileges, Globe has captured the sweet spot of customers at the height of its competitors’ aggressive switching campaigns launched during the second

AN ESTIMATED P1-billion savings for charity are expected by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) after successfully renegotiating reduced lease rates with a local service provider, Pacific Online Systems Corp. (POSC), which runs lotto games for PCSO in Visayas-Mindanao. BusinessMirror, April 5-6, 2013

1.7 SOUTH African Archbishop Desmond, 81, Tutu received $1.7 million for winning the 2013 Templeton Prize for his “lifelong work in advancing spiritual principles.”

4-6

COSTS to US taxpayers of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan will run between $4 trillion and $6 trillion, making them the most expensive conflicts in US history, according to Harvard University researcher Linda Bilmes in a 21-page report. –BusinessMirror, April 22, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 16 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, APRIL 7-8, 2013

SPECIAL REPORT

Summer heat may cause eye problems By Che Palicte

S summer makes for a fine time for fun in the sun, the heat could lead to a range of summer-related ailments and allergies. The most common target are the eyes. resident Optometrist of Southern Philippines Medical center (SPMc) Ladelle Santillan said that during summer time, it is best to protect your eyes with specially-crafted ultraviolet rays (UV) coated and multi-coated lenses. “We prescribe these lenses especially the multi-coated one because it has anti-radiation, anti-glare and anti-reflection coating which thoroughly protects the eyes,” Santillan explained. She added that the public should look for

sunglasses that have protection level ranging from 99 to 100 percent of both UVa with longer wavelengths that passes through glass easily and UVB rays which is the most dangerous, making sunglasses and sunscreen a must because they don’t go through

glass. “This includes those labeled as “UV 400,” which blocks all light rays with wavelengths up to 400 nanometers,” she added. Santillan said that those who are wearing contact lenses still need to wear protective sunglasses. “con-

tact lenses don’t cover your whole eye, so you still need sunglasses for protection,” she explained. She noted that most people think they’re at risk only when they’re outside on a sunny day, but UV light can go right through clouds, so it doesn’t matter if the sky is overcast. “The sun’s rays are strongest between 10 am and 2 pm,” she said. She also said that children are particularly at risk because they are exposed to the sun more often than adults and their eyes are more sensitive. “UV damage is cumulative over a person’s lifetime, which means they should begin protecting their child’s eyes as soon as possible,” she added.

6 VANTAGEPOINTS

EDGEDAVAO Is a culture of impunity worth the cost of PDAF or pork?

VOL. 6 ISSUE 16 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, APRIL 7-8, 2013

WORM’S EYE VIEW By Manny ValdehueSa

(1st of two parts)

EDITORIAL

Peace more than prize

race Sarion, the PWD who filed charges against executives of the Gaisano Mall Davao, has put herself in silence again. This time for good. Her case of discrimination filed against the mall executives is gone for a measly P6,000. We are not to judge the decision of Grace here. Maybe she does not need the money. Maybe she has embraced the beauty of living in silent harmony. We can only say so much. Grace, the deaf mute city government employee, took all her courage to stand up for her right. She filed charges against a giant like the Gaisano Mall of Davao after she was refused to perform her functions as a cinema ticket checker assigned by the city government. Her saga went on for eight months after she filed the complaint with the city prosecutor’s office. The case is the first ever under republic act 7277 or the Magna carta for Persons with Disability thus generating a heap of interest from the PWD sector not only in Davao city but also in the entire country as well. For eight months, Grace was the voice of the mute and the symbol of courage for PWDs.

EDGEDAVAO

KENNETH IRVING K. ONG Creative Solutions

Printed by Zion Accuprint Publishing Inc.

OLIVIA D. VELASCO General Manager

RICHARD C. EBONA Marketing AdvertisingSupervisor Specialist

JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

Providing solutions to a seamless global village. Door 14 ALCREJ Building, Quirino Avenue, 8000, Davao City, Philippines Tel: (082) 301-6235 Telefax: (082) 221-3601 www.edgedavao.net editorial@edgedavao.net marketing@edgedavao.net

She was ready to fight it all the way to the finish until she realized the case has created so much ripples even her private life has changed. Grace is not used to media interviews, of lawyers asking her questions. She has found solemnity and privacy in her enveloped silence. She was born deaf mute and all her life she appreciated this world in silence. To her, silence is gold. Not until this celebrated case. So, it is no surprise that Grace all of a sudden pulled the plug last Friday. She executed an affidavit of desistance thereby dropping the charges against those whom she accused of discriminating her. She said she has learned to forgive and forget. The case was gone in P6,000 which was the amount Grace received from the respondents. Had Grace fought to the finish, she would have much more than she asked for. But Grace did not ask for a hefty price. Her silence is gold. Now, she is back in her muted silence, at peace that the case is over. Grace will be remembered for putting up a fight despite the odds against her. But she will be emulated for embracing peace and forgiveness without rancor in her heart.

ARLENE D. PASAJE Cartoons

RAMON M. MAXEY Consultant

GREGORIO G. DELIGERO Associate Editor

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

EJ DOMINIC C. FERNANDEZ • CHERRY MAE D. PALICTE Reporters

AQUILES Z. ZONIO Staff Writer

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

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance

AGUSTIN V. MIAGAN JR Circulation

CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING OFFICE

LEIZEL A. DELOSO | Marketing Manager Unit 6, Southbank Plaza Velez-Yacapin Sts. Cagayan de Oro City Tel: (088) 852-4894

MANILA MARKETING OFFICE

ANGELICA R. GARCIA | Marketing Manager Blk. 1, Lot 10, La Mar Townhomes, Apitong St., Marikina Heights, Marikina City Tel: (02) 942-1503

aGayaN De OrO cITy (MindaNews/06 april) -- Pork Barrel, or simply Pork, is the so-called “Priority Development assistance Fund” which is spent at the discretion of a congressman or senator. It is also a generic term for any government fund meant to serve a personal political agenda. and it is notorious for the ease of its abuse, especially for self-enrichment— as when a portion of it lands in the congressman’s or senator’s pocket. Because no member of congress honestly owns up to its abuse and corruption, Pork, along with related allowances, has become so bloated that no one who has had a taste of it wants it abolished. Pork Barrel as conspiracy With P70 million++ awaiting a congressman’s distributive skills and P200 million a senator’s, the allure of Pork Barrel rivals that of Lotto, jueteng, or masiao combined. Just win the election, and you get to play with amounts many times larger than that miserable fellow at the lotto counter ever dreams of! Not only that, you’re guaranteed to win this Grand Lotto several times every year—and without having to work at that. Just make important-sounding statements when ambushed by the press, give the appearance that you’re always working, dress appropriately at all times, attend socials often, and get invited to be guest-of-honor everywhere! People often ask: What law authorizes or governs Pork Barrel allocations? Good question. In fact, there is no law; the term Pork Barrel doesn’t even appear in any document. But everybody uses it because it’s the term generally used for taxpayer money that’s sets aside to support a politician’s personal interest or agenda. There’s no law; it’s simply by arreglo—between Malacanang and congress, and both will tell you it’s traditional practice. What else would traditional politicians, trapos, be guided by except traditional practice? every year congressmen and senators list down projects they want to undertake, cost estimates, locations, specifications, etc. The lists are collated by the Speaker in the Lower House and by the Senate President in the Upper House, then submitted to Malacanang for inclusion in the President’s proposed budget for the next year. There may be some bargaining in-between as the list is further consolidated by the department of budget and management. It is this department that goes over the lists and cubbyholes them into the budgets of the appropriate line units—e.g. public works projects under DPWH, farm projects under Da, or forestry and environment programs under the DeNr, scholarships under the Deped— depending on the type of project or service indicated. Once the President signs and signals the submission of the consolidated budget, it goes back to congress for enactment as the General appropriations act (Gaa). Throughout this process, there is an unspoken understanding that in consideration of Malacanang’s act of integrating the Pork Barrel projects into the Gaa, congress will, among others, facilitate the approval of its nominees by the commission on appointments, approve or support the President’s priority bills, and undertake fishing expeditions or investigations into the executive branch. That’s basically the quid pro quo. It’s important to note that congress cannot add budget items or increase amounts indicated in the proposed Gaa. However, it can reduce it or remove items proposed in it.

EDGEDAVAO

VANTAGEPOINTS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 16 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, APRIL 7-8, 2013

New strings attached

HINa’S influence in Africa goes so deep that african leaders are starting to shape their own agendas after china’s. In February 2012, South african President Jacob Zuma gave his “state of the nation” speech in cape Town, but he might as well have been in Beijing. “For the year 2012 and beyond,” he said, “we invite the nation to join government in a massive infrastructure development drive.” By October, Zuma was vowing $100 billion in chinese-style infrastructure investment to help create jobs. In welcoming Xi Jinping, china’s new president, to South africa last month for a BrIcS conference, Zuma gushed, “We view china’s success as a source of hope and inspiration.” apparently, he also views china as a model for his country’s development. The infatuation is mutual. Xi Jinping recently made his first major foreign diplomacy trip, choosing to go to africa (after a brief visit to Moscow), stopping in Tanzania, South africa and the republic of congo as he made the rounds of one of china’s most important regions for investment. after all,china’s foreign direct investment in africa stood at less than $100 million in 2003; today, it’s more than $12 billion. china is already responsible for more than a quarter of all foreign investment in africa — and commerce is still growing at a rapid clip. at the BrIcS summit in South africa, Xi explained that african leaders need not worry that china is the same kind of benefactor as the U.S. “china will continue to offer, as always, necessary assistance to africa with no political strings attached,” he said. Of course, there may not be political strings attached, but there are plenty of economic strings, and china is keen to pull them. It’s true that china doesn’t care what kind of government its investment partners have, or whether there’s systemic corruption, or if the balance of power between corporation and citizen is, well, balanced. But china cares very much

COMMENTARY By ian BreMMer what these countries can offer china and its emerging economy. For african countries, many of which are governed by authoritarian regimes, china might as well be an aTM. Despite china’s friendly rhetoric, however, there are expectations of what it means to be a chinese economic partner. and those expectations are leading some on the continent to wonder whether china is a new colonial power, conquering with its money instead of its military. It was one thing when Hillary clinton called china’s exploits a “new colonialism in africa” in 2011. But just last month the governor of Nigeria’s central bank, Lamido Sanusi, wrote an op-ed in the Financial Times that argued: china takes our primary goods and sells us manufactured ones. This was also the essence of colonialism. The British went to africa and India to secure raw materials and markets. africa is now willingly opening itself up to a new form of imperialism. Not everyone shares this view. a few weeks ago, I met with Shamsuddeen Usman, the Nigerian minister for national planning, who told me the exact opposite. He said Nigeria loves the chinese because china actually writes checks. So which is it? Is china a pillager or an enabler? The answer is tangled in those economic strings. Beijing is interested in these deals not just because they’re profitable but because they provide the oil, gas, metals and minerals needed to fuel china’s growth engine — and by extension, help china’s leaders maintain their hold on power. In addition, china can send its citizens to work on some of these infrastructure projects and can import surplus food from african countries. as long as china can have all that, everything’s great. But if a country wants to employ its own people instead of chinese, or wants

to send its surplus elsewhere rather than china, or can get a better oil price from another country … china might be less pleased and start pulling on some of the strings. What about the West, where governments offer deals with political preconditions? The United States is handicapped because government and the private sector aren’t as in sync as they are in china. Government and corporations aren’t always working toward the same goals. That means the United States is playing the long game — it gives aid to Sub-Saharan africa in the hope that eventually the countries thee will become stable enough to allow U.S. multinational corporations to set up shop. The chinese, meanwhile, wouldn’t bother to put money into a country if it didn’t generate immediate returns. There are downsides to the chinese approach. Look at Sudan, where china has invested billions in oil pipelines to transport crude from the southern fields to the northern ports — and on to china. But recently china discovered that, when investing, there actually are political strings attached — for china. after Sudan split into two countries in 2011, giving birth to South Sudan, war threatened to derail the country — and china’s supply of oil. after all, 75 percent of the countries’ oil production takes place in landlocked South Sudan, but all ports that could bring that oil to market are north of the border. china was forced to step in to try to mediate the conflict between the two countries. It was an interventionist diplomatic effort we aren’t used to seeing from china. Why did china have to get involved in the first place? It was the only non-African power that had a stake in Sudan. It was an economic stake, but with political implications. economy and politics are almost always tied together, even if not by string. as Beijing’s investments grow in africa, it will leave it increasingly tied to political shocks across the continent.

Guava bounteous in backyard Filipino homes

Guava is common in all localities of this Southeast asian archipelago, a sight popular in country backyards and settled areas, in thickets and secondary forests at low altitudes, ascending to at least 1,500 meters. among Ilocanos, the guava leaf is also an important remedy for some ailments and, for their young boys passing through the ancient ritual to manhood, the chewed guava leaves can be an effective pain reliever and can accelerate healing of the wound. Health care experts say the leaf products have isolated more than 20 compounds, including alkaloids, anthocyanins, carotenoids, essential oils, fatty acids, lectins, phenols, saponins, tannins, triterpenes, and vitamin c. They say the leaves contain a fixed oil (6 percent) and volatile oil (0.365 percent) while the fruit contains “glykosen” 4.14 to 4.3 percent, saccharose 1.62 to 3.4 percent, protein 0.3

SPECIAL FEATURE By honor Blanco caBie

(Conclusion) percent. Guava’s bark contains 12 to 30 percent tannin. roots are also rich in tannin. The tree contains catequinic components and flavonoids. Major constituents of guava’s leaves are tannins, ß-sitosterol, maslinic acid, essential oils, triterpenoids and flavonoids. Health care experts say the fruit is high in vitamin c (80 mg in 100 gm of fruit) with large amounts of vitamin a. Filipino folk traditions suggest the astringent, unripe fruit, the leaves, bark cortex, and roots -- although

more often the leaves only -- are used in decoction for washing ulcers and wounds, with the fresh leaves used for wounds and toothache. according to them, decoction or infusion of fresh leaves is used for wound cleaning to prevent infection and to facilitate healing while warm decoction of leaves is for aromatic baths. Decoction of root bark is also used as mouthwash for swollen gums while the root bark has been has been recommended for chronic diarrhea. They say guava has properties that are antidiarrheal, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antioxidant hepatoprotective, anti-allergy, antimicrobial, antigenotoxic, antiplasmodial, cardioactive, anticough, antidiabetic, antiinflammatory, antinociceptive. Jeanie has good reasons to be protective of the guava in the home she lives in. [PNa]

Peace is ripe for the picking OPINION By Menardo WenceSlao

Here is no reason to suspend or even delay the peace process in the conflict areas of Mindanao. Both the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Government including the inhabitants and stakeholders in the region that have long been displaced and deprived of their livelihood and peaceful environment wanted this process to be concluded. Some unforeseen events had taken place, among them the conflict in Sabah and pocket belligerence of the breakaway group of Kummander Umbra Kato. Despite these the determination of the peace negotiators has neither dissipated nor destructed by these incidents. Peace is now ripe for the picking and only documentary formalities are awaited. In fact the venue of the negotiations can already be done within the Philippine jurisdiction since most of the contentious issues had already been ironed out. The negotiators are now proceeding with the legal nitty-gritties which have already been defined. There are no more confrontational issues and what remain are nothing but legal niceties. It is good for the MILF and the government to now come to the fore and say we have reached an agreement and we are ready to sign a permanent accord for peace. Then let it happen as it should happen. The next steps are for the combatants to return their arms in the armory, go home to their families, take up the plowshares or when possible have a much needed respite and maybe a pilgrimage to Mecca or to Jerusalem. Mindanao, despite the energy problem that beset the region today, is set to take off in terms of economic development. The anticipated Bangsamoro land which shall emerged from a more meaningful and well-defined autonomous region, is in fact better situated because the moment the final peace accord is signed copious amount of committed foreign funding from donor countries will pump-prime the region’s engines of growth. This, excluding what the government have earmarked for the development of the region. It is the postulate of political scientists and economists that where progress and development are burgeoning in a region, the seeds of rebellion and secessionism will die a natural death. For the rest of the stakeholders of Mindanao therefore and for those who are eyeing the region as a new destination for investments, peace and stability in what used to be a discordant land would mean a safe haven for their capital. One has to simply join the movement for economic development otherwise lag behind the momentum of progress that peace shall bring about. If such is the desire for all, then who will attempt to derail the final covenant for peace? Only those who cannot live in the atmosphere of peace will try to deter it. But if the overwhelming majority wants it then there is no reason why those who supports peace will not triumph.

VOL. 6 ISSUE 16 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, APRIL 7-8, 2013

OOTeD in the vision of its founder, Don antonio O. Floirendo, Sr. to uplift the quality of life of the people of Mindanao, Damosa Land, Inc. proudly celebrates a culminating point in its history-- marking 65 years of service excellence. Taking roots on april 14, 1948 in the automotive business as Davao Motor Sales (DaMOSa) during the early decades, built on its founder’s values of hard work, diligence and perseverance, DaMOSa has adeptly evolved, into a dynamic and fast-growing Mindanaobuilt real estate company today.

Early years In 1946, Don antonio O. Floirendo Sr. ventured into a dealership with the owners of Manila Trading and Supply co. (Mantrade), one of the top corporations in the Philippines that handled the distribution of motor vehicles and spare parts in the early times. Don antonio resettled in Davao city and started his Ford dealership business through DaVaO MOTOr SaLeS or DaMOSa on april 14, 1948. Davao Motor Sales was founded in a vacant lot in Bankerohan, which was then chartered from the Marforis of Davao. The Ford dealership business in Bankerohan was then the

first automotive business and vehicle dealership that flourished in Davao city and in the entire Mindanao. at the turn of the decade, Don antonio was the biggest and the only dealer of Ford vehicles in Mindanao. The business flourished and was made known to various customers in different places in the area. During the 60s, Don antonio started acquiring lots from leasing agreements and land collaterals from his clients. among these was his property in Lanang, Davao city and other areas in Davao and nearby places. 1970s proved to be the decade of a booming expansion in the Ford dealership business and automobile industry. Davao Motor Sales moved to a better location in Lanang and put

The late founder of DAMOSA and ANFLOCOR patriarch Don Antonio O. Floirendo, Sr. (middle, in checkered polo) with the employees of DAMOSA in its early years.

up their branches in General Santos city through Valley Motors Sales Inc. and Mindanao Motors corporation in cagayan de Oro city. There were also satellite offices in Butuan, Mati,

Ford Fiera which was selling like pancakes. It started its production using a Ford Kent gasoline engine and was made to be simple, robust, tough, and dirt cheap for the buying market. It was later equipped with a diesel engine which was very popular in every mid-class family and vehicle operators. Other businesses

DAMOSA put up its first headquarters in Bankerohan in 1948 where it used to distribute Ford vehicles like Fiera, which enjoyed brisk sales, in 1948.

and cotabato to cater those who are in distant areas. With DaMOSa at its peak in 1970s, it enjoyed wide reception of the public towards

from agriculture and industrial to trading of the Floirendo’s started to grow that it required a management and holding office for the entire business empire. Thus, anflo Management and Investment corporation or aNFLOcOr was built in 1977 to manage the growing businesses with Davao Motor Sales on its vanguard.

From automotive to real estate In 1985, DaMOSa halted its distribution of Ford vehicles as Ford Philippines also ceased its operation in the country. This event paved the way for a change in the business thrust of Damosa from automotive dealership to property development and leasing of real estate properties. The Lanang property started to house offices

EDGEDAVAO

and companies under the aNFLOcOr Group of companies. The former pre delivery inspection (PDI) of DaMOSa was converted into an automotive shop providing services solely for the company-owned vehicles.

More offices were built in the Lanang property during the 90s. The management produced a detailed “site plan” displaying the proposed improvement for the entire area, which paved the way for the institution of what is now known as Damosa District in Lanang. real estate and property development boomed in the year 2000. This development prompted the management to change the name of the company from DaMOSa to Damosa Land, Inc., which now functions as the property development arm of the aNFLOcOr Group of companies. The renowned mixed-use complex billeting Damosa Gateway, Damosa Market Basket, Damosa Business center, and the PeZaaccredited Damosa IT Park were placed in synergy with the Microtel Davao to tailor the modern way of living in Davao. a decade after, Damosa Land, Inc. went grandiose with the establishment of more developments: Sasa Onse, a mixed-use complex in Sasa; the commercial McPod Building in Mcarthur Highway; Topaz Tower which houses BPOs

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 16 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, APRIL 7-8, 2013 Damosa IT Park

Microtel Davao

Damosa Business Center

and corporate offices in Damosa IT Park; and the expansion of Microtel in General Santos city. Damosa Land, Inc. indeed extends beyond the need for convenience as it has evolved into a company with intense pursuits of achieving valuable innovations in real estate industry. Today, Damosa Land, Inc. takes a major leap forward as it develops the fast-rising urban residential community which will soon become the residence of Davao’s discerning market – the Damosa Fairlane. Strategically located within the center of the fast-growing Lanang area in the neighborhood of restaurants, schools, corporate offices and leisure destinations, is actually inspired by the nostalgia of the DaMOSa heritage. Taking from its roots in automotive dealership, the model houses are named after Ford vehicle models that DaMOSa used to distribute in the past. Damosa Fairlane is part of a series of residential projects of Damosa Land, Inc. here in Davao city and soon in Davao del Norte that are all designed to provide families a home in a nurturing community. Damosa at 65 as it celebrates its 65th Blue Sapphire anniversary, a showcase of the long fruitful years of Damosa Land, Inc. can be enjoyed by the public in an exhibit in abreeza ayala Mall with similar structures

installed in the headquarters of aNFLOcOr Group of companies in DaMOSa and at the Damosa Market Basket from april 12 to 13. a motorcade will jumpstart the series of activities lined-up for the anniversary celebration on april 12. Damosa Land, Inc. will also host an exclusive cocktail gala at the newly opened Seda Hotel to give a toss for achieving productive milestones over the years. Both events will feature the classical father and daughter tandem of singers Hajji and rachel alejandro. Damosa Land, Inc. also prepared fun-filled activities open for everybody to take part of. Damosa Market Basket car Park will be filled with sights and sounds treasure-trove vintage models of Ford vehicles on the duration of the event. adding up to the vibrancy of the celebration are the outdoor bazaars with live entertainment up until 12 midnight. On april 13, Damosa Land, Inc. will likewise gather more than a thousand employees of the aNFLOcOr Group of companies for the 65th Damosa anniversary Fun run at the Damosa Parking Lot. This fun run is organized to involve all its employees and promote bigger and stronger bond to achieve a more fruitful organizational operation in the coming years. The celebration, of course,

Damosa Land, Inc. recently opened its second Microtel franchise in General Santos City.

wouldn’t be complete without treating the public with a whole day of blissful activities all for free. Guests will enjoy and spin round and round as Damosa Land, Inc. brings carnival revelry with rapid rides and other awe-inspiring carnival games on april 14 at e. ramos, Mamay road, Davao city. Families can also expect the entertaining Dog agility Show that will be featured on the same day.

Damosa Fairlane, with its recently inaugurated entrance complex. The Legacy continues… anchored on very sound Photo below shows its actual model house - Lincoln. macro-economic fundamentals, Damosa Land, Inc., aims to develop innovatively-designed boutique communities and lifestyle commercial centers. Powered by an inspired, dynamic and proactive organization, espousing the legacy of values of its founder, Mindanao is assured of enhanced real estate experiences for the years to come.

VOL. 6 ISSUE 16 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, APRIL 7-8, 2013

eaM PNoy senatorial candidate edgardo “Sonny” angara emerged as the top choice of the readers of a best-selling women’s magazine based on its survey of winnable candidates in the May 13 elections. “It is so flattering to win the hearts of Filipinas. I’m very thankful for their support. This goes to show that our efforts to promote women empowerment and gender equality are paying off,” he said. angara, who gained 33 percent of the online votes, topped the survey conducted by cosmo.ph, the online edition of cosmopolitan Philippines magazine, from February 19 to March 11 with over 300 women respondents. The lawmaker from aurora is the principal author of the Magna carta of Women, a comprehensive women’s human rights law that seeks to eliminate discrimination against women by recognizing, protecting, fulfilling and promoting the

rights of Filipino women. On top of his advocacies for gender equality, angara was recently dubbed, “a New Pinoy Heart Throb” because his boyish, good looks were said to have helped captivate the imagination and support of voters on the campaign trail. completing cosmo. ph list of seven senatoriables were chiz escudero (31%), risa Hontiveros (19%), Teddy casino (6%), alan Peter cayetano (5%), Loren Legarda (3%) and Jack enrile (3%). “Our purple-tinged hearts soared when these seven politicians voted yes on the reproductive Health (rH) Bill,” said cosmopolitan in the article “Who Gets your Vote?” in its april 2013 issue. aside from supporting the controversial rH Bill, angara’s other pro-women bills include House Bill 421 or the act expanding The Prohibited acts Of Discrimination against Women On ac-

Angara tops women’s survey

ENDORSEMENT. Team PNoy Senatorial candidate Cynthia Villar’s receives her endorsement from Davao del Norte Gov. Rodolfo Del Rosario (ext. left) and Mayor Rey. T. Uy of Tagum City (3rd from right) during campaign rally at the Freedom Park in Tagum City Thursday night. With them are Rep. Anthony del Rosario who himself is seeking reelection (2nd from right) and Tagum City mayoral candidate De Carlo Uy. Lean Daval Jr. count Of Sex, and House Bill 620 or the Women’s Higher education act, which seeks to provide higher educational op-

uips

leaders during Kapihan sa PIA at the Philippine Information Agency office in Quimpo Blvd., Davao City on Friday. Also in the photo is Davao City 2nd District congressional candidate Jojie Ilagan-Bian. Lean Daval Jr.

‘WHY are these companies spending their own money to conduct surveys? They are supposedly non-profit and non-stock companies.’ --Chairman SixtoBrillantes Jr. of the Commission on Elections in calling for a clarificatory hearing.

portunities for women by establishing a women’s higher education scholarship fund. “It is my goal to purge

from the Filipino culture the myth of a weaker gender. We must realize the indispensable role of Filipino women in nation

building. I can assure you that I will continue to fight for the rights, protection and equal opportunities of women,” angara said.

“This is another indication that the country is finally taking off under the aquino administration. The Philippines’ gross international reserves (GIr) climbed to $84.1 billion last month from P83.6 billion in February, according to the BSP. The central bank expects it to hit P86 billion this year. The March reserves, explained BSP Governor amando Tetangco Jr. is enough to cover 11.9 months worth of import goods and payments of

services and income. It is also equivalent to 9.9 times the country’s short-term external debt based on original maturity and 6.3 times based on residual maturity. “Higher reserves mean a country is rather powerful from the economical and financial point of view,” Magsaysay said. “Having a strong back up, a country can provide negotiations concerning reduced interest rates on its debt and close negotiations with huge international

partners on much better terms.” Magsaysay explained that with higher reserves, the Philippines can choose whatever strategy it wants to further improve its economic footing. “To attract more foreign potential customers and investors, the Philippines , with its strong market reserve, can weaken the peso on purpose as what the BSP is now doing, keeping it at the P40 to the US dollar level,” Magsaysay said.

colleges and universities in the country are set to increase tuition fees. “If we are to address the dilemma of escalating tuition rates, we have to include in our electoral agenda concrete steps to help those who want to go to school but cannot afford such.” Based on the data from student consultations would show that the average tuition rate in higher education institutions (HeIs) nationwide climbed from P257.41 in 2001 to P536.31 in 2012, amount-

ing to a 108.35 percent increase. “More likely than not, cHeD always approves petitions of school to hike tuition despite opposition from the students and even parents. In the last academic year, the commission on Higher education approved the proposals of 367 HeIs across the country, to the continuing dismay of the people,” she lamented. However, wage levels and generation of decent, stable jobs lagged far behind the rate of tuition increase. Many Filipinos

could not simply keep up with the cost of education, including Davaoenos. “education is supposedly a constitutionally guaranteed right, and accessibility became limited to those who can afford. We have heard many stories of student dropping out of universities or student engaging in jobs like prostitution to pay for their tuition. Of late, a UP student even died for failing to keep herself in school. These stories should not remain as tales – it should inspire action,” said Librado.

High forex reserves, boon for PHL economy, says Magsaysay

eaM PNoy senatorial candidate former Sen. ramon “Jun” Magsaysay Jr. on Saturday 6 lauded the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas for the continued rise of the country’s foreign gross international reserves, pointing out that this is another powerful tool which the government can use to further boost the economy. “Such reserves can impact on the exchange rates and on the import-export economy as well,” said Magsaysay. MORE WOMEN POLITICIANS. Davao City Council candidate Mabel Sunga-Acosta (front) says that the dramatic increase in the number of women in politics will do well for the country because she believes that women are better

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Librado says no to increase in tuition in universities, colleges

DUcaTION chairperson of the SP committee on education Leah Librado made known her stand on the recent tuition fee hikes following consultations among youth advocates since February. “I join the call for an electoral platform against unjust tuition increases as more and more of our youth are deprived of the right to an accessible and affordable education,” atty. Librado was quoted saying after the commission on Higher education (cHeD) revealed recently that 451

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VOL. 6 ISSUE 16 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, APRIL 7-8, 2013

SPECIAL REPORT 11

This PWD operates a mall elevator By EJ Dominic Fernandez

IS duty starts at six o’clock in the morning, but he arrives at his work place as early as five o’clock in the morning. His colleagues are very happy with his performance because he is very responsible and he works efficiently. His co-workers also say that he is very resourceful. When there is not much work to do, he mops floors and keeps his workplace clean. Sounds like a typical hard working employee, right? His parents are very happy that he has gained employment and helps with the house bills. They said he sets aside money from his salary for his bank savings. He also invests his salary on a cell phone loading business to earn extra cash. He fancies anime costumes and is a certified cos-play enthusiast. Speaks of a normal yuppie, right? Think again. His name is Juan carlo “cJ” Tejada and he has autism. He does not only lift himself, he also operates a lift. The reed-thin Tejada works as a freight elevator operator at SM city Davao deployed by his employer Davao Janitorial allied Services agency. He has worked since November 26, 2012 and swears he is enjoying his job. Tejada finished Office Systems Management course at Samson Technical Institute in

2008. after graduation, he applied with several companies but was never hired. “Normal people find it hard to get hired, how much more someone like me,” he said as he flashed his ID in an uncanny manner. Tejada never gave up hope he will land a job. He enrolled in a job readiness program at the Independent Living Learning center (ILLc), Davao and graduated in 2012. This allowed him to get hired by the Davao Janitorial allied Services agency and was deployed at SM. cJ said, “I am very thankful to ILLc, because they opened an opportunity for me to work here at SM.” He said, “Persons with Disability (PWD) should not be discriminated because the person who trained me on operating the elevator walks with a limp because he has polio, but he is really good at what he does.” PWDs will soon be treated equally when it comes to employment as lawmakers are expecting President Benigno aquino to sign into law a bill that will raise their rights. House Bill 5475, as amended by Senate Bill 3371, will amend republic act 7277 known as the Magna carta for Persons with Disability. This bill states that one percent of all positions in government agencies, corporations, and companies, that

has more than 100 employees whether casual, or contractual shall reserve at least one percent of its job positions to PWDs.

and choa-Shi) and forgive them and to ask the court to dismiss the case.” SHe cOULD HaVe receIVeD MOre according to Martinez, based on the ra 7277, if the case continued, the accused could have paid P50,000 for moral damages, P25,000 for exemplary damages, and P50,000 as penalty for violating the said law. Martinez said, the case of Sarion is closely watched by persons with disability (PWDs) in Davao city because it is the first time that a criminal case will be charged for violation of ra 7277. “PWDs felt hopeful that they can uphold their rights with the case of Sarion as inspiration, but all

hopes were lost and we saw that PWDs are very vulnerable to discrimination and abuse after the case was dismissed,” he said. aDaP SIDeTracKeD? Martinez said he could not understand why he was not informed about the filing of the affidavit of desistance because from the very start, it was aDaP that was assisting Sarion with the case. Instead, the complainant was accompanied and assisted by comiling who represented PWD-FeD formed through the assistance of the Davao city Social Service and Development Office (cSSDO). Martinez said that PWD-FeD does not have

This will promote equal opportunities for employment to both able and disabled persons. It also states that an employed PWD shall be subject to the same terms and conditions that an able-bodied person gets, including the same compensation privileges, benefits, fringe benefits, incentives, or allowance. For now, Tejada will be a living symbol of hope while there are employers like DJaS and establishments like SM city Davao that have a heart for PWDs.

COS-PLAYING. In his free time, CJ Tejada plays superhero in cos-play acts. At work, he operates a mall elevator.

The Silence...

Photo on cover by Lean Daval Jr. Artwork by Randy Bureros

FFROM 1

comiling, president of Persons with Disabilities Federation of Davao city (PWD-FeD). In executing the affidavit of desistance last april 4, Sarion wrote that she has forgiven the respondents and is praying for the dismissal of the case. She added that she is no longer interested to continue the case. With the help of interpreter Myrna Fe Grecia, Sarion told edge Davao that she decided to settle because she does not want any more trouble. In the affidavit of desistance signed by assistant prosecutor Jose Garcia Jr., Sarion wrote that she wants to make the affidavit because, “I want to settle with them (canasa

authority to stand on behalf of Sarion because it does not have any legal personality and is not registered with the Security of exchange commission. “The person who assisted her does not have an idea about the case, because aDaP is the proper office that should have assisted her, and we were not able to represent her, with that I fear that her rights were not properly protected,” he said. Martinez questioned ra 7277 saying, “where is the Margna carta for Persons with Disability now?” SILeNT MeeTING The sudden twist of Sarion’s case began when she was reportedly called

to a private meeting at the office of Vice Mayor rodrigo Duterte at noontime last april 4. The staff at the Vice Mayor’s Office confirmed the meeting but could not disclose details as it was held closed doors. after the meeting, news of Sarion’s possible dropping of charges circulated. However, Sarion did not appear before the Municipal Trial court Branch 3 on the same day. It was learned that she was preparing her affidavit of desistance late Thursday at the IBP Legal aid Office inside the Hall of Justice. She filed the document on Friday. 30 yearS OF MUTeD SILeNce

Sarion had lived 30 years in enveloped silence. She overcame that handicap and armed herself for life’s grind with a degree in college. Her employment with the city Treasurer’s Office brought a ray of hope to the widow and her two kids. To her dismay, the new chapter of her life also brought her to a new battle—this time for society’s recognition despite her physical handicap. Last april 1, city prosecutor Marte Melchor Velasco formally filed the charges against the two officials of Gaisano Mall for violation of the Magna carta for Persons with Disability after finding probable cause.

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VOL. 6 ISSUE 16 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, APRIL 7-8, 2013

EDGEDavao

Serving a seamless society

Sales Representatives (2) - Male / Female, not more than 30 years old - Candidate must posses a Bachelor/ College Degree in any Business field. - Willing to work under pressure, flexible, persuasive, can speak fluently and computer literate - A team player - With Basic Salary, Transportation, Communication, allowance + Commission For interested applicants, you may send your resume to: HR Department EDGEDavao Doors 13 & 14 Alcrej B;dg., Quirino Ave., Davao City Tel. No. (082) 221-3601 Email: edgedavao@gmail.com

N 8-year old boy died on Wednesday in an alleged strafing incident a village in Mabini town, compostela Valley that a human rights group blamed on soldiers. Karapatan Southern Mindanao identified the victim as roque antivo, of Sitio Kidaraan, Barangay Maskareg, who sustained a gunshot wound in his left chest. The other victims were Jeffrey Hernan, 13, who was wounded in his chin and left shoulder, and earl John antivo, 12, who was hit with shrapnel in his left cheek, according to Karapatan’s Hanimay Suazo. Suazo, who joined a fact-finding mission to the site, said that around 6:30 pm of april 3, 18 elements of the 71st Infantry Battalion alpha company led by 2nd Lt. Llorca “indiscriminately fired” at the three children. She said the victims’ accounts “clearly stated that there was no encounter that happened and they heard only sev-

SUBURBIA

en shots of gunfire from the military.” “There was no presence of the New People’s army (NPa) in the area,” she added. Ka Simon Santiago, director general of the NPa Southern Mindanao’s political department, told MindaNews in a text message on Friday that no encounter occurred between them and the military in Kidaraan on Wednesday. He admitted though that the NPa’s Front Guerilla Unit-Front 2 ambushed elements of the 2nd Scout ranger Battalion at 4pm of april 3 in candinuyan, Barangay Libudon, Mabini, killing two soldiers. col. angelito de Leon, commander of the 1001st Brigade denied in a phone interview Friday that the government troops fired indiscriminately at civilians. He said an encounter ensued after the NPa ambushed the Scout rangers killing two of them and wounding two others.

He added that troops from the 71IB led by Llorca were sent to reinforce and retrieve the casualties of the encounter in Libudon, which is adjacent to Kidaraan.

De Leon said a brief firefight erupted after Llorca’s team was fired upon by an NPa blocking force in Kidaraan. He said the army troops recovered unexploded landmines at the scenes of the encounters. “We’ll subject ourselves to investigation,” he told MindaNews. capt. Jeffry Balingao, civil military operations officer of the 1001st Brigade, said in a press statement that financial assistance has been given to the children and their families. He added that the police in Mabini as well as the 10th Infantry Division were investigating the incident. Hernan was being treated at the Davao regional Hospital in Tagum city. [Lorie ann cascaro/ MindaNews]

14 NATION/WORLD EDGEDAVAO PHL asking $1.4 million from US for reef damage VOL. 6 ISSUE 16 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, APRIL 7-8, 2013

COMPENSATION. This file photo shows USS Guardian warship, on January 22, 2013, sitting aground on the Tubbataha Reef in the Sulu Sea, Philippines, where it ran aground five days earlier. The Philippines will ask the US to pay

$1.4 million in compensation for damage caused by the ship to a protected coral reef, according to the manager of the reef. [AFP]

He Philippines will ask the United States to pay 58 million pesos ($1.4 million) in compensation for damage caused by a US warship to a protected coral reef, the manager of the reef said Saturday. The amount is based on studies by Philippine agencies including the coast guard that found the USS Guardian damaged at least 2,345 square metres (25,240 square feet) of the protected Tubbataha reef, park superintendent angelique Songco said. She said a letter requesting compensation would be sent to the US embassy next week, stressing this is the amount required by a law passed to protect the reef, a UNeScO World Heritage site in a remote area of the Sulu Sea. “We don’t want to be dishonest. It is just a simple process: measure it correctly and then they pay. That is all. It is very straightforward,” she told aFP. earlier estimates said as much as 4,000 square metres of the reef had been destroyed when the USS Guardian minesweeper ran aground on Tubbataha on January 17 but Songco said their studies found the damage was less than feared. It took the salvage teams until March 29 to remove the last of the 223-foot (68-metre) USS Guardian, which had to be cut into pieces so it could be lifted clear without damaging the reef

further. The incident stirred nationalist anger with demands that the United States pay a large amount of compensation for damaging the reef, which is world renowned for its rich marine life. But Songco said they would only ask for the required amount based on the affected area. “I am not worried about criticism (for the small amount). We are not trying to put one over them and we hope they will do the same with us,” she said. She said the last of the salvage ships had left Tubbataha but a team of US Navy divers and a US vessel remained in the area, assessing the damage. The United States has apologised for the mishap and has said it would cooperate in addressing the damage. The US Navy said in a statement Saturday that it did not want to speculate about the liability but would coordinate with the Philippine government to assess the damage to the reef. “The republic of the Philippines may submit to the Navy any and all information it believes relevant to determinations of coral reef damage,” the statement said. The commanding officer and three crew of the USS Guardian were relieved of their duties over the grounding, the US Navy announced earlier this week. [aFP]

North Korea crisis: How did it come to this?

eNSIONS have soared in recent weeks over North Korea, which has threatened a nuclear strike against the United States and has allegedly moved missiles to its east coast. How did it come to this? The latest crisis erupted when North Korea fired a long-range rocket on December 12 that splashed down near the Philippines. Pyongyang said it was a peaceful satellite launch and US experts acknowledge that the regime put a small object into orbit. The United States and its allies said that the launch was aimed at developing ballistic missile capabilities and moved at the United Nations to tighten sanctions. North Korea voiced anger and carried out its third nuclear test on February 12, defying even its main ally china. The UN Security council on March 7 unanimously approved new sanctions that include greater scrutiny of shady financial dealings by the

impoverished regime. North Korea had warned of consequences for the UN vote and afterward renounced a 1953 armistice that ended the Korean War and declared itself at war with the US-allied South. North Korea’s military has said it has final approval for a nuclear strike on the United States. What does North Korea want? experts know little about North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, who is believed to be in his late 20s and who succeeded his father Kim Jong-Il in December 2011. North Korea has indicated that it wants recognition as a nuclear weapons state -- seen as a guarantor of the regime’s survival. The United States has refused. Some experts believe North Korea is operating from a playbook of steadily upping the ante and had planned out actions to coincide with the inauguration of conservative South Korean President Park Geun-Hye. [aFP]

INdulge!

VOL. 6 ISSUE 16 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, APRIL 7-8, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

LIVING

Finding green gems at Davao’s agri-trade fairs

With Davao’s tropical climate and rich soil, it is no wonder that Dabawenyos are fond gardeners. This is evident by the number of growing nurseries and garden supply stores that dot the city, offering everything from herbs, to hybrid fruit trees, ornamentals, bonsai, and even stone garden accessories. Of course going from one supplier to another around Durianburg can be an arduous task, that is why i love dropping by the many agri-trade fairs that pop-up every once

in a while like the one at SM City Davao during the Araw ng Dabaw celebrations. The fair literally transformed SM City Davao’s carpark into a garden oa-

sis filled with all types of plants. There are booths that specialise in cacti, there are those who cater to the foodie and offer kitchen herbs such as different types of basil and

mint, and there are some who specialise in palms, while even other specialise in ornamentals like orchids and bromeliads. And just like any agricultural and horticultural fair abroad, this fair also had a competition, this time it was a bonsai competition, where the best bonsai growers competed for top ribbons based on their creativity and the way they grew their plants. My personal favourite would be the colorful bougainvillaea bonsais that cascade drown from their pots that literally defy gravity. i also loved the bonsais that incorporated miniature figurines, creating miniaturised scenes from Chinese paintings. The fair also had garden accessories such as stone fountains, sculptures and stone lanterns as well as wooden furniture that are sure to create great conversation pieces in a garden. i was also surprised to find a stall that sold ornamental chickens with curly and cute feathers and are raised primarily for show. Davao’s agri-trade fairs are an experience not to be missed whenever there is one (the next one should be around August when the Kadawayan Festival swings around) and you can be sure that every time you visit the fair, there is always a gem waiting to be found even if you don’t have a green thumb like me.

by Kenneth Irving Ong

EDGEDAVAO

A2 INdulge! UP AND ABOUT

Anvil recognizes groundbreaking Globe Annual & Sustainability Report ThE Globe Telecom 2011 Integrated Annual & Sustainability Report (ASR) was conferred an Anvil Award by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP) for its ground-breaking combined annual & sustainability report. Recognized in the 48th Anvil Awards, the Globe 2011 Annual & Sustainability Report is considered a milestone in the industry as the first externally assured telco sustainability report. The Globe ASR used the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards in preparing the report, to make sure that all information disclosed in the report were accurate and reliable. Globe owns the distinction of being the first Philippine telco to meet the international standards in the preparation of its sustainability report. “This award is an affirmation of how the Globe Annual and Sustainability Report has become a positive voice for the Company, reassuring our subscribers and stakeholders that Globe is doing its best in keeping its customers, employees, partners and shareholders happy, and that Globe is retaining its profitability through the years,” said Globe Corporate Communications head Yoly Crisanto. “We will continuously try to innovate and make our annual & sustainability report more engaging for our customers.” The Globe ASR is a also game-changer in the industry as it is packed with new features including the Quick Response (QR) game at the end of the report. To access the game, readers are asked to scan an image found at the back of the report using a webcam in the ASR website (www.globe.com.ph/annualreport2011). The QR innovation made the 2011 ASR more engaging and served as a feedback system and a ‘selfhelp’ portion for readers to know more about the various Globe products and services. In addition, Globe also received a Merit Award in the PR Projects Category for its augmented reality ‘Globe Gets Me’ print campaign. The campaign is considered a landmark in the industry as well as the Philippines’ first augmented reality print campaign. The campaign is a three-themed ad intended to convey the Globe brand essence of doing things ‘Your Way’—showing how Globe gives diversity to every subscriber with its customized plans and services. The three ads tackled subjects close to Filipinos’ hearts like Christmas, Pinoy food, and love. The ads were published in national and provincial newspapers, tabloids and select magazines from December 2011 to February 2012. To experience augmented reality, the readers were asked to scan the AR icon found in the lower left portion of the ad using a webcam in the Globe Gets Me website (www.globe.com.ph/globegetsme). This enabled the readers to the see the ‘Do it Yourself’ element in each ad content, making the online component more engaging for the readers.

Receiving the Globe Annual & Sustainability Report’s Anvil Award from Anvil Committee Member Leah Caringal are Corporate Brand Management Head Cris Lacuna (center) and Sr. Specialist Kristel Or (far left).

VOL. 6 ISSUE 16 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, APRIL 7-8, 2013

MOVIES

Roger Ebert’s 13 best, most scathing, LOL-worthy and infamous movies reviews

ROgeR ebert passed away yesterday, leaving the world with years and years of movie reviews to remember him by. When ebert liked a movie, he was well spoken, complimentary and often poignant. When he didn’t like a movie, he was scathing, relentless and all around funny as hell.

So we’ve rounded up 13 of his best (bad) reviews and organized them by category, for your easy reading. With ebert, it didn’t even matter if you’d seen the movie to enjoy his review. But read on and you’ll see that for yourself: he was a master of similes and metaphors: On The Twilight Saga: New Moon: “Sitting through this experience is like driving a tractor in low gear though a sullen sea of Brylcreem.” On Battlefield Earth: “Battlefield earth is like taking a bus trip with someone who has needed a bath for a long time. it’s not merely bad; it’s unpleasant in a hostile way.” On Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen: “if you want to save yourself the ticket price, go into the kitchen, cue up a male choir singing the music of hell, and get a kid to start banging pots and pans together. Then close your eyes and use your imagination.” On Mad Dog Time: “Mad Dog time is the first movie i have seen that does not improve on the sight of a blank screen viewed for the same length of time... Watching Mad Dog time is like waiting for the bus in a city where you’re not sure they have a bus line.” he’d often include things he’d rather be doing: On Seven Days in Utopia: “i would rather eat a golf ball than see this movie again.” On The Brown Bunny: “i had a colonoscopy once, and they let me watch it on tV. it was more entertaining than The Brown Bunny.” On Masterminds: “i stopped taking notes on my Palm Pilot and started

playing the little chess game.” he’s sometimes slip in some dating advice: On Valentines Days: “Valentine’s Day is being marketed as a Date Movie. i think it’s more of a First-Date Movie. if your date likes it, do not date that person again. And if you like it, there may not be a second date.” On Battle: Los Angeles: “Young men: if you attend this crap with friends

who admire it, tactfully inform them they are idiots. Young women: if your date likes this movie, tell him you’ve been thinking it over, and you think you should consider spending some time apart.” And sometimes he was simply scathing: On Freddy Got Fingered: “This movie doesn’t scrape the bottom of the barrel. This movie isn’t the bottom of the barrel. This movie isn’t below the

bottom of the barrel. This movie doesn’t deserve to be mentioned in the same sentence with barrels.” On A Lot Like Love: “to call A Lot like Love dead in the water is an insult to water.” On North: “i hated this movie. hated, hated, hated, hated, hated this movie. hated it...hated the sensibility that thought anyone would like it. hated the implied insult to the audience by its belief that anyone would be entertained by it.” Last but certainly not least, this double whammy, which not only ripped the movie that he was reviewing but Britney Spears’ cinematic debut: “Sorority Boys will be the worst movie playing in any multiplex in America this weekend, and, yes, i realize Crossroads is still out there.” it’s a shame we’ll never hear what he has to say about Fifty Shades of Grey.

VOL. 6 ISSUE 16 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, APRIL 7-8, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

ENTERTAINMENT

Chris Brown looks nervous but lawyer smiles after probation hearing ChRIS Brown isn’t out of the probation weeds yet. The embattled R&B star, clad in khakis and an untucked white buttondown shirt, was in court today for a hearing pertaining to the L.A. County District Attorney’s Office’s concerns that he didn’t properly complete the community labor requirement of his felony sentence for beating up Rihanna in 2009. And while attorney Mark Geragos was smiling, his arm around Brown, as he and his client emerged from judge’s chambers after a 25-minute consult, the singer later looked nervous on his way out of the courtroom. L.A. Superior Court Judge James Bradlin kicked off the ultimately brief hearing by announcing that all parties “had a fairly lengthy discussion in chambers,” where they re-

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viewed motions from the D.A. and Geragos, as well as supplemental probation reports. Bradlin explained that new discovery had just come in in the form of two thick envelopes, one from the probation department in Brown’s native Virginia, where he and his attorney say he sufficiently completed his 180 days of

service, and another from the state of New York. The contents of both envelopes remain sealed at this time. Meanwhile, Bradlin granted a continuance until June 10. With Rihanna off on her Diamonds World Tour, Brown’s mother and a bodyguard were left to accompany him to court today.

he or she gets here. “The Brits don’t do baby showers. It is not what they do,” Victoria

Arbiter, ABC’s royals contributor and daughter of the queen’s former press secretary Dickie Arbiter, explained to E! News. “There is a little superstition involved,” she added, pinpointing a major reason as to why many women—royal and civilian alike—choose not to count their diapers before they themselves have hatched. “Plus, William and Kate are very well aware they are wealthy and they don’t want anything,” Arbiter said. “They can afford their own stuff.” And, oh, how we cannot wait to see their stuff!

G.I JOE 2: RETALIATION 2D (PG-13)

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Pregnant Kate Middleton not having a baby shower

WhO doesn’t love a good baby shower, that time-honored tradition in which an expectant mom’s lady friends and lady family members gather round to, well, shower her with gifts? If we started counting the ways in which Kate Middleton and Prince William’s son or daughter is going to be an exceptionally privileged little tyke, we would be counting all day, but Queen Elizabeth II’s first great-grandchild isn’t going to be feted with finger foods and a rattle-shaped cake before

IT TAKES A MAN AND A WOMAN

Wesley Snipes released from prison early

WESLEY Snipes is home, if not exactly home free.

The 50-year-old actor was released from a federal prison Tuesday after serving nearly 28 months of a 36-month sentence for failing to pay millions of dollars in taxes, the Federal Bureau of Prisons confirms to E! News.

But the early release doesn’t mean Snipes is done paying the piper— he’ll be under house arrested monitored by the New York Community Corrections Office until July 19. Snipes, aka Inmate #43355-018, did his time at the medium-security Federal Correctional Insti-

tution, McKean, in northwest Pennsylvania. The Blade star was convicted in 2008 of three misdemeanor counts of failing to file tax returns but remained free, pending appeal, until he ultimately surrendered to start serving his threeyear sentence on Dec. 9, 2010.

John Lloyd Cruz , Sarah Geronimo GP

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A4 INdulge!

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 16 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, APRIL 7-8, 2013

UP AND ABOUT

All set for SM City Davao’s Fashion Edge Summer Lookbook Photos by Vitto Navidad and Jewl Belen as directed by Eight Espino

CAtCh Davao’s bright, young faces as they hit the runway at the Fashion edge 2013 Summer Lookbook on April 13, 6PM at SM City Davao, featuring styling by fashion bloggers Cheyser Pedregosa and Lance de Ocampo and ViP models Alfred, Stephen, enzo, Fern, LA, Astrid, Vanna, Nica, Pauleen and Yani. Fashion edge 2013 Sum-

mer Lookbook also features the collections from SM Store Brands by Sunkissed, SM Ladies Fashion, gtW, Cococabana, tank; tee Culture, Markus, SM Men’s Fashion, SM Accessories, Parisian and Milanos; as well as the latest collections from Folded and hung, Levi’s Roxy, South Shores, Artwork, Nike Athletic Shop, Mags, Jag, Sledgers and Surplus Shop. Summer’s hottest fashion event is also sponsored by DermPath and Pizza hut.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 16 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, APRIL 7-8, 2013

MOTORING

Mitsubishi recalls Mirage GLS units

ITSUBISHI Motors Philippines corp. (MMPc) has announced that it is going to recall more than 1,000 units of its subcompact Mirage GLS after finding a flaw in its brake system, t h e

Japanese carmaker said in a statement on Friday. T h e defect, according to Mitsubishi Motors

Philippines, could allow penetration by water amid rain or during carwash, causing the aBS system “not to function correctly”. It clarified that the affecte d

Hyundai, Kia recall 1.9M units in US W

aSHINGTON — South Korean automakers Hyundai and Kia are recalling nearly 1.9 million vehicles in the United States to fix brake lights and airbags, the US government said Wednesday. The brake light recall affects Hyundai and Kia vehicles in model years between 2007 and 2011, the National Highway Traffic Safety administration said. Hyundai Motor company, South Korea’s largest automaker, notified the NHTSa it was recalling about one million vehicles to fix a faulty stop light switch that increases the risk of a crash. The malfunction may prevent the brake lights from illuminating when the brake pedal is de-

pressed or may prevent deactivation of the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Hyundai said it was recalling recalling certain accent, Tucson, elantra, Santa Fe, Veracruz, Genesis coupe, and Sonata vehicles in model years ranging from 2007 to 2011. Hyundai’s affiliate, Kia Motors corporation, is recalling some model year 2007-2010 rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles to fix the brake light switch. In addition, Hyundai recalled certain model-year 2011-2013 Hyundai elantra vehicles to fix an airbag support bracket

that may become displaced when a side airbag deploys, potentially causing a laceration injury. Hyundai Motor america said there had been no accidents, injuries, or fatalities involved with the “intermittent” stop light switch malfunction. regarding the air bag issue, “we are aware of just one minor injury when a customer sustained a cut to his ear after a significant collision in a 2011 elantra that caused his side curtain air bag to deploy,” the US unit said in a statement. repairs of the affected vehicles will be free of charge, the companies said. Hyundai, together with its smaller affiliate Kia, is the world’s fifth-largest automaker.

ator.” He’s performed his fair share of car chases, 180’s, and near misses, so he knows a thing or two about crashing cars. “you have to remember all this is very choreographed. It’s done by professionals. It’s done on a road that has been locked down. and we control the environment,” Barndt said. “It’s much different in the real world,” he added. “When you’re going drive in the real world you got to drive defensively. conventional wisdom says it’s not just one individual’s actions behind the wheel that keep roads safe, but also those of other drivers. In

order to stay safe, motor operators must stay alert, aware, and in the moment when behind the wheel. Barndt offers three basic defensive driving tips he suggests all drivers should follow to ensure their safety. rule #1: Do Not Tailgate The stuntman says the first thing to consider is how closely you follow other cars on the road. He says most people do not leave enough room between their car and the car in front of them. If the person makes an abrupt stop and you’re too close, you could easily hit them in the back and have an accident.

Driving defensively F

rOM the moment teenagers hit the legal age, driving becomes a privilege that gets taken for granted. as people become more comfortable in cars, operating them daily for the most mindless tasks, it becomes second nature. That, however, is when things can get dangerous. according to Perry Barndt, a car “artist” at Flat 12 Gallery and star of cNBc Prime’s “The car chasers,” becoming lax behind the wheel is one of the most ill-advised things a driver can do. Barndt is also a stuntman who has appeared in movies like “Terminator 2, “Due Date” and “Pred-

units were those sold only from November 2012 to March 2013. “Mitsubishi Motors Philippines corp. ...will conduct a safety recall of the Mitsubishi Mirage GLS models equipped with antilock brake system (aBS) both for manual and automatic transmission variants,” the statement read. “The p u r pose o f this safety recall is to replace t h e front wheel

speed sensors. These sensors were found to have insufficient waterproofing,” it added. The car company said while it has not received any report of accidents due to this “problem”, it was directed by its principal, Japan-based Mitsubishi Motors corp., to voluntarily conduct a safety recall “as its proactive commitment to quality and consumer safety”. MMPc President and chief executive Officer Hikosaburo Shibata said in the same statement that the company’s customer relations Department will contact owners with covered Mirage GLS units and that service centers nationwide have been directed to in-

The Manila International Auto Show, MIAS holds together the toughest and the fiercest parts and rides in this one grandest gathering of cars, car lovers and drivers. With over 500, 000 attendees since 2005, nearly 200 participating companies from the automotive sectors, 500 exhibitors and 400 car display units in the show’s 30,000sqm exhibit area, MIAS is the biggest motoring and driving event in the Philippines held every summer. Features brand new cars, hybrid cars and

spect and repair affected vehicles. The company said the recall involves 1,420 Mirage GLS vehicles and that it will post affected units’ vehicle identification numbers (VIN) on its Web site at www.mitsubishi-motors.com.ph. There, customers may enter their VIN to check if their units are covered by the recall. The replacement procedure itself is estimated to take an hour and is free of charge. affected owners may contact the Mitsubishi customer care center at (+632) 658-0673 Monday to Friday, 7 a.m.-4 p.m. to schedule repair of their cars in any authorized Mitsubishi Service center.

concept car launches from the country’s top automotive brands, state of the art auto parts and electronic gadgets exhibits, motorsports clinic and demos and on road and off road test drives, Manila International Auto Show is a car enthusiast’s ticket of to cloud nine. MIAS also covers car contests and recognitions to distinguish cutthroat efforts of car owners and exhibitors, such as car of the year awards, MIAS classic and custom car competitions. MIAS also exposes the latest stories and happenings in the car and parts industry.

Toyota i-ROAD revives the three-wheel microcar

N Terry Gilliam’s classic movie “Brazil,” Sam Lowry drives around a dystopian future cityscape in a threewheel Messerschmitt Kr200, a 1950s-era european microcar that looks equal parts cool and ridiculous. For this year’s Geneva Motor Show, Toyota has taken the idea of a three-wheel, tandem-seat microcar to a modern extreme in a concept it calls i-rOaD,

and because the future has more in common with “Brazil” than we might prefer. Most major automakers are working on ideas of vehicles that fill the space between a small car and a motorcycle — something small enough to fit in tight urban environments, but sizable enough to provide weather and crash protection so that passengers wouldn’t have to

wear helmets. None has advanced to the point of production, and the slow progress of a few start-ups has made such vehicles seem an answer to a question not many people have thought to ask yet. But the trend lines say rising fuel prices and crowded metropolises will eventually demand a replacement for the four-wheel compact car. In the i-rOaD, Toyota combines an electric motor and battery that can travel 30 miles on a charge with a stability system to keep the trike upright; its front wheels raise and lower in turns to lean the body without toppling it. By seating two people in tandem, Toyota says the i-rOaD is no wider than a conventional motorcycle, and would require no special training to drive.

EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. 6 ISSUE 16 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, APRIL 7-8, 2013

Saved by an ‘angel’ By Neil Bravo

e had already given up all hope to keep his national title and get another crack at asian glory, when an “angel” came to rescue just in the nick of time.

title at the 2013 National age-Group chess championships (NaGcc) set in Taguig city, Metro Manila afterall and juts like that, his hopes for another title in the 14th asean ageGroup chess championships (aaGcc) is alive again. The NaGcc, the qualifying school for the aaGcc, opens today until april 14 and by now, Literatus will have been in Manila after catching a flight on Saturday. The accidental “angel” is Kingking Gold and copper Mines Inc. which answered to the call of Davao Sportswriters association (DSa) to salvage Literatus’ stint.

clyde Gillespie, the firm’s director for environmental Permitting, turned over the P12,000 check to the young chess prodigy from Toril who will also celebrate his 16th birthday on Monday. “Masaya ako. Sobrang Masaya na makalaro ako. Thank you sa KGcMI,” said a beaming Literatus after he received the check at the KGcMI office on Saturday. The turnover was witnessed by DSa officials and May Puyat-Kirkconnel, the firm’s Pr coordinator. “I wish him good luck and hopefully he comes home with the title,” Gillespie, who is also a chess enthusiast, said. “Bring home the bacon, aJ.” Literatus, who just graduated from Doña carmen Denia National High School, won three gold

medals and two silvers in the 13th edition of the asean joust in Hue city, Vietnam last year. The aaGcc is set in Thailand in June this year. Before that, Literatus will have to hurdle the nationals in the Under-16 category where he is the heavy favorite to win. “Gusto ko sanang umakyat na sa Under-20 para may chance makuha ang International Master’s norm,” said Literatus. However, he was prevailed upon by coach alfred Moulic to stay in the Under-16 group. Literatus bagged a silver in the 2012 NaGcc held in Batangas, two silvers in the Philippine Olympic committee-Philippine Sports commission (POc-PSc) Batang Pinoy National championships in Iloilo city, six golds in

CHESS PHENOM. FIDE Master Austin Jacob Literatus (left) will be defending his national age group title afterall. His stint was saved by his “angel” in Kingking Gold and Copper Mines, Inc. (Right) Clyde Gillespie, director for environmental permitting of KGCMI turns over the check which will be funding Literatus’ stint in Manila. Lean Daval Jr.

the Batang Pinoy Mindanao Qualifying in Dapitan city, and a bronze in the Palarong Pambansa. Literatus and the rest of the Davao players’ stint was placed in limbo after they received the invitation from the organizing National chess Federation of the Philippines (NcFP) during the Holy Week. “There was no way we can put up the funds. The city cannot fund us anymore because of the election ban,” said Moulic, father of player ella Grace, who will also compete in the tournament. Moulic, who earlier

guested at the DSa Forum along with brothers Neptali III and John ray Batucan, said the city Government of Davao could have supported them if only the invitation came earlier. This forced Literatus, Dhona yngayo, Bhing Joel Gimony and exiquila apao to forego their stints. Luckily for Literatus, KGcMI came to his rescue. For his part, Moulic was able to seek help from Holy cross of Davao college and from other friends and supporters to bankroll his daughter’s trip to Manila.

is fend-

FIDe Master (FM) austin Jac o b Literatus deing h i s

Tickets out for Boom Boom fight

IcKeTS are already on sale and reservations are open for the best seats of Pinoy Pride XIX set at the USeP Gymnasium on april 20, 2013. aLa Promotions invades Davao city for Pinoy Pride XIX “Mexican Invasion” featuring the reigining WBO International Featherweight campion rey “Boomboom” Bautista. The ring is all set for aLa Promotions’ and aBS-cBN’s

phenomenal boxing series PINOy PrIDe on its’ first venture in Mindanao. Pinoy Pride XIX “Mexican Invasion” will feature a fight between two knock out artist rey “Boomboom” Bautista and Jesus ramirez of Mexico. also featured in this event is the reigning OPBF Flyweight champion rocky “the road Warrior” Fuentes who would also be facing another tough Mexican op-

ponent, King arthur Villanueva against Marco Singwancha and Lorenzo “Thunderbolt” Villanueva against Indonesian arief “The Ice” Blader. Tickets are available at the following outlets: SM Davao, SM Lanang, rise Management 4/f central Plaza Bldg, Toryano’s chicken House and at the USeP Gymnasium. Tickets are priced at: VIP 1st rOW Php 3,000/ VIP 2nd rOW 2,000/VIP 3rd rOW 1,500/VIP 4th

rOW 1,000/courtside Seats 500/General admission 150. For more information and ticket reservations, call phone no. (032) 5059513 or mobile numbers 0923-1072890, 09158690905, 09275612059 or visit our website www.alaboxing.com/ like us on facebook http://www. facebook.com/pages/ aLa-Boxing and follow us on twitter.