Edge Davao 6 Issue 182 by Edge Davao The Business Paper

VOL. 6 ISSUE 182 • TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2013

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

www.edgedavao.net

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

MORE AMBULANCES FOR 911. Antonio Mendoza (right), Kia Motors Davao manager, turns over to Philip Henry Ilagan, administrative officer of Central 911, the 10 ambulance units purchased by the city government of Davao to augment the current fleet of Central 911 office along Lanang, Davao City. Lean Daval Jr.

‘PASKO’ BUDGET CUT

Mayor Rody reduces Pasko Fiesta budget By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. abf@edgedavao.net

HE city government of Davao has reduced its budget for the coming ‘Pasko Fiesta’ celebration out of respect for the victims of typhoon Yolanda. Lawyer Jhopee A. Avanceña, assistant city administrator for economic enterprises, revealed during the regular department heads meeting yesterday that they reduced the budget for the said event from P7 million to P3 million. Avanceña said that they reduced the budget following statements pf Mayor Rodrigo Duterte

regarding the typhoon victims. She said that the budget is only intended for the prizes of the event but did not elaborate because the city has yet to sign the executive order for the event. She added that they removed the ‘Lamdag Parada’ event because they assume that no companies would participate as these companies have already helped the victims of ‘Yolanda.’ Avanceña announced that the opening of the event will be on December 6 in a venue yet to be set.

OVERJOYED PACQUIAO FAN. A hotel nurse checks a guest’s blood pressure who felt discomfort after watching the fight between Rep. Manny Pacquiao and Brandon Rios at the Royal Mandaya Hotel Sunday afternoon. Lean Daval Jr.

EDGEDAVAO

THE BIG NEWS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 182 • TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2013

PDEA agent fires gun, is detained By EMILORD P. CASTROMAYOR epc@edgedavao.net

37-year-old member of the Philippine Drugs Enforcement Agency in Region 12 is detained in jail after he indiscriminately fired his pistol on Neon St. Emily Subdivision, Cabantian early Sunday morning. One Alvin Ramos is now held at the Buhangin police station after neighbors reported the incident to the police. Ramos is a resident of the

CELEBRATION. Dabawenyos celebrate after Manny Pacquiao won his fight by unanimous decision against Brandon Rios on Sunday afternoon at the Royal Mandaya Hotel, one of the many establishments which offered pay-per-view broadcast. Lean Daval Jr.

crc@edgedavao.net

HE Land Transportation Office in Region 11 will be acquiring 10 speed guns by next year in line with the implementation of Executive Order No. 39 which sets the allowable speed limit for all types of motor vehicles within the downtown area. Eleonor Calderon, chief of the Operation division, speaking at the Kapehan sa Dabaw, SM City Annex, said that they

have requested for 10 high-end speed guns from the LTO central office. Each unit has costs an estimated P250,000. The speed guns will be used to detect over-speeding by motor vehicles. “How can we be very objective kung wala kaming speed guns para talagang macharge ng over-speeding,” she said, adding that the newly implemented executive

PDOP in rebel areas planned A

N additional 170 personnel for the Davao region Peace and Development Outreach Program (PDOP) will be immersed in barangays that are hotspots of the New People’s Army (NPA) starting today. Lt. Col. Robert F. Rivas, deputy commander of Task Force Davao said yesterday this is to penetrate areas to help improve their peace and development status. Graduation rites were held yesterday for the PDOP composed of personnel from Task Force

Davao, Davao City Police Office (DCPO), and from the Philippine Navy and Philippine Air Force. The PDOP seminar was spearheaded by the 10th Infantry Battalion. Rivas said that through PDOP they will know the situation in the communities, including far areas so they can help them address problems like peace and order. He said that barangays that are influenced by the NPA cannot implement well their peace and order and development

FPDOP, 10

order has significantly lessened the number of over-speeding vehicles. Calderon added that the number of “uso-uso” (public utility vehicles which use truck engines for an increase speed capacity, but clarified that the performance of the engine depends on the driver’s attitude not on the engine itself. “Sukad nigawas ang E.O.29 which sets the allowed speed limit of ve-

hicles in the downtown area wala nami nadakpan, nag behave na ang mga drivers nato,” she said. Prior to the implementation, violators apprehended by uso-uso vehicles reached 10 to 20 daily. Most of these apprehensions were in Calinan and Toril. She commended the speed limit ordinance as it lessens accidents and traffic violations.

FPDEA, 10

Mayor’s EO expands membership in LPRA By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

LTO to acquire speed guns T By CHENEEN R. CAPON

place. P/Supt. Ruben Ramos, commander of the Buhangin police station said that he is waiting advice from, Sr. Supt. Vicente Danao Jr. for the filing of charges against the suspect since there is no complainant or witness against Ramos. Police said Ramos caused alarm and scandal in his neighborhood after he fired his .45 caliber

abf@edgedavao.net

HE city mayor’s office has issued an order for the expansion of membership in the local poverty reduction action team. Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte issued the Executive Order (EO) 41 or “An Order Implementing The Creation, Reconstitution And Expansion Of Membership Of The Local Poverty Reduction Team As Stipulated In DBM – DILG – DSWD – DSWD-NAPC Joint Memorandum Circular No. 01 Series Of 2012” on November 21, 2013. The EO aims to create a Local Poverty Reduction Action Team

(LPRAT) which will organize and facilitate the conduct planning workshop for the formulation of an action plan. The team is composed of local officials, with the mayor as chairman, the civil society group, particularly the Mainland Development Center as his co –chair, and department heads and different CSO’s from the three districts as members. The order also states that the team will agree on the list of priority poverty reduction projects for 2014 based on the action plan and submit it to the Regional Poverty

FMAYOR’S, 10

DELAYED HOUSING PROJECTS. Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 11 director Priscilla Razon reveals during Kapehan sa Dabaw at the Annex of SM City Davao yesterday that the past two elections contributed greatly to the delay of the completion of the housing projects in the areas affected by typhoon Pablo. Lean Daval Jr.

VOL. 6 ISSUE 182 • TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

Ciudades: A city within a city

By CHENEEN R. CAPON crc@edgedavao.net

PHOTOS BY LEAN DAVAL JR.

ith a booming market for real estate development in Davao City, the key strength of a developer is the ability to know what the market truly desires and the capability to provide a complete escapade where one can live, play, work, shop and grow. No wonder, Lapanday Properties Philippines Inc.,(LPPPI) bring “Ciudades”- a city within a city, where business, commercial and residential meet in one. The 200-hectare Ciudades, located in Buhangin District in Davao City, is the first master-planned development in the region. It promises a lush and scenic landscape assuring a safe, flood-free and secure environment for growing families and businesses. Its terrain offers endless choices to locators from building houses to offices, from warehouses to factories which are just 15 minutes away from the city. This hassle-free living would invite OFWs to come home and start life with. Featuring the first Mindanao Industrial Park, this project presents an attractive proposition for next generation’s investors and entrepreneurs, especially to our “kababayan” who came home with enough savings for investments. Indeed, it is a place where one can live and work. Ciudades is not just a development for business and living. It is also a place where its neigborhood can enjoy, explore, and experience Nature at its best. Coming up with the city’s first central park- “El Centro”, residents will no longer need to travel far to find a place for convergence and a rendezvous to play and connect to each other. Tomas Lorenzo, LPPI president bared during the launching of “El Centro” at Cafe Laguna, Abreeza-Ayala Mall that the it will be a commercial park big enough to cater sports events like biking, running, and other family sports activity. He said that it will be the township’s unifying element, serving as an exclusive and unique destination park.

Lorenzo said that they will be building access road leading to Ciudades. The three-kilometer road will be stretching from Indangan to Mandug. This is to avoid the traffic congestion along Buhangin Road. He said that they would like to offer a haven to their residents and business entrepreneurs through easy access. The construction of the road is expected to start by the second quarter of next year. Nestled near Davao River, Ciudades will also build a bridge and walkways along the riverbanks. He said that LPPPI plans to make the river a focal point to its residents especially to the kids and the young at hearts. Ciudades will also provide quality education to the children of residents through their partnership with Philippine Women’s College(PWC), which will hold its ground breaking in 2016. Aside from El Centro, FMIP, PWC, Ciudades will not be self-sufficient community without the Commercio Marquella, past president of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Incorporated (DCCCII) Simeon Marfori II. It is envisioned as the market hub of the north and the convergence point for traders from the north. “This is will be a market place where they will not just shop but play,it will be in native and traditional theme”he said adding that it will be a transport hub and an alternative to the now crowded Bankerohan. Current locators in Ciudades are Las Palmas Verdes and Altea of Sta. Lucia Land Inc., and Nizanta of Robinson Homes. These three residential and commercial developers are offering affordable lots ensuring value for money and potential for property appreciation. Incoming developments are construction of NCCC Choice Supermarket, hardware chain and pharmacy. Meanwhile, sets of activities are lined-up for the launching of El Centro on December 14 and 15. Indeed, there’s no other place in the city where one can live, work, play, shop and grow at the same time.

4 SUBURBIA EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 182 • TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2013

TAGUM CITY

DavNor to help rebuild Yolanda-hit areas T

HE Davao del Norte provincial government and the various local government units of Davao del Norte will pool their resources together to help in reconstructing areas hit by Super Typhoon Yolanda in Eastern Visayas. The province and the League of Cities/Municipalities in the Philippines-Davao del Norte Chapter resolved to chip in some amount to put up shelters for survivors, in addition to sending more relief assistance to the ravaged areas. This is in response to the call of Governor Rodolfo del Rosario for more donations from the LGUs intended for rebuilding efforts. During the LCP/ LMP-DavNor meeting at the Tahanan ng Lalawigan last Friday, the mayors also settled to augment

TAGUM CITY

the recovery contingent that the province is sending to Leyte this week. The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council will be meeting this Monday to map out the details of the relief and recovery aid that will be dispatched. The provincial officials and employees have individually given their cash donations for the survivors in Tacloban City. As of Friday, partial tally of their contributions have already reached P244,750. It can be recalled that the provincial government and the Diocese of Tagum collaborated to bring relief assistance to Leyte last November 12, 2013. The province has also earlier sent P1-million check to the provincial government of Bohol as aid for the victims of the 7.2 magnitude earthquake last October. [Noel Baguio]

CONTRIBUTION. LMP/LCP President Mayor Edgardo Timbol of Kapalong presides over the meeting of the mayors at the Bulwagan ng Lalawigan.

Job-seekers hired on-the-spot A

total of 238 job-seekers were hired on the spot during the recently-concluded Career Fair spearheaded by the City Government of Tagum through the Public Employment Services (PESO) Office last November 22 at NCCC Mall Activity Center. Data released by PESO through its manager Rogeneth Pagdilao Llanos showed that 229 job-seekers were immediately hired for local employment while nine others qualified for overseas employment.

This is a big score in the employment agenda of Mayor Allan L. Rellon, which is among the local chief executive’s development thrusts as included in the EAGLE WINGS Program. 826 others will undergo further interview, Llanos said. Friday’s job fair posted another record in terms of total jobs solicited—which ballooned to 11, 965 jobs both local and overseas. While there are too many jobs available, but

the battleground is on the job-seekers’ qualification and eligibility to take on the job, according to Regional Director Joffrey Suyao of the Department of Labor and Employment XI. He added that it is important that the local government should equip its human resource with the necessary skills that are in-demand on the local and global market. Llanos bared that among the thrusts of PESO Tagum is to enlighten students on their

career path through the series of career guidance and counseling seminars that they will be conducting. Other services offered during the Career Fair, with corresponding beneficiaries, are as follows: mobile renewal of professional licenses by the Professional Regulation Commission (38), mobile NSO authentication (137), legal services (9) and mobile passporting (60). [Louie Lapat/CIO Tagum]

ON-THE-SPOT. The Career Fair spearheaded by the City Government of Tagum through the Public Employment Services Office reported that there are 238 job-seekers who were hired-on-the-spot last November 22, 2013 at the Activity Area of NCCC Mall Tagum. A total of 1,360 job-seekers participated during the event. Photo by Louie Lapat of CIO Tagum

MALALAG, DAVAO DEL SUR

DAR 11 enlists 31 farmers as agrarian reform beneficiaries

HE municipal office of the Department of Agrarian Reform in Malalag, Davao del Sur recently enlisted some 31 landless farmers in a barangay here as beneficiaries of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reforms (CARPER). Esther Geyrozaga, OIC-municipal agrarian reform officer of Malalag, said the farmers who are mostly into vegetable production are from Barangay Pitu of said municipality. George Melga, one of the 31 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs), expressed his gratitude to the Almighty and to DAR for giving them the opportunity to own a land which they would nurture to make their life better. Geyrozaga said Melga now owns a half-hectare farm lot which was formerly part of the 20-hectare Marcial Estate which was subjected to Mandatory Land Acquisition in early 2009. She said the ARBs received photocopies of their Certificates of Landownership Award (CLOAs) in a simple distribution ceremony, adding that original copies of the titles were deposited at the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) being the

paying arm of all compensable CARP-covered areas. She explained that the original copies of CLOAs will be handed over to the ARBs as soon as full-payment of the land value is already secured which is pursuant to DAR Administrative Order No. 5 series of 2005. Prior to the distribution, Geyrozaga said she comprehensively explained the duties and obligations of the ARBs as the new small land holders, the obligation to pay annual amortization to the LBP and the transfer of tax declaration and payment of annual real estate taxes. She also urged the recipients to take good care and make the land productive because “however small the parcel is, if properly cultivated, it can sustain generations.” She emphasized that acquiring the land from its former owners was never easy. After assessing the needed support services for agri-production, a non-traditional type of irrigation system was identified as priority need and a crop house (an indigenous green house) model was also recommended to be put up in the area, Geyrozaga stated. [PIA 11/Carina L. Cayon]

EDGEDAVAO

PROPERTY

VOL. 6 ISSUE 182 • TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2013

Damosa Fairlane lights up for Christmas

HRISTMAS is already felt in Damosa Fairlane as beaming lights and twinkling ornaments took center stage during the Christmas tree lighting event last November 16, 2013. People gathered in excitement at the Continental Club of Damosa Fairlane to witness the lighting of the community Christmas tree beckoning the celebration of the yuletide season. No less than the future homeowners, Anflocor executives and special guests personally witnessed this early Christmas treat from Damosa Fairlane. The 6-meter tall

Christmas tree was adorned with colorful and bright decors topped with a shining star – a sight to behold as the tree is perched at the highest point of the Damosa Fairlane community. The perfect complement to this sight came in as the Voices of the South Children’s Choir filled the air with Christmas carols. Meanwhile, the kids, themselves, had their DIY (doit-yourself) Christmas tree decoration, with prizes and surprises for the best tree. It was a night captivating the warmth and spirit of Christmas, bringing the future homeowners of Damosa Fairlane into a closely knit community.

Kids unleash their artistic skills in decorating their own Christmas Tree

Mr. Ricardo R. Floirendo , SVP of Anflocor (2nd from right), the managing company of Damosa Land, Inc., presses the button to light up the 6-meter Christmas Tree as the Voices of the South Children’s Choir serenades the crowd with their Christmas carols.

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

7.1 1st Qtr 2013

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

7.8 1st Qtr 2013

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

USD 3,741 million Feb 2013 USD 4,708 million Feb 2013 USD -967 million Feb 2013 USD -640 million Dec 2012 P 4,964,560 million Feb 2013

8. Interest Rates 4/

2.4 % Mar 2013 P113,609 million Mar 2013 P 5,281 billion Mar 2013

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

P 41.14 Apr 2013

12. Stocks Composite Index 6/

6,847.5 Mar 2013

13. Consumer Price Index 2006=100

132.8 Apr 2013

14. Headline Inflation Rate 2006=100

2.6 Apr 2013

15. Core Inflation Rate 2006=100

3.1 Apr 2013

16. Visitor Arrivals

418,108 Feb 2013

17. Underemployment Rate 7/

20.9% Jan 2013

18. Unemployment Rate 7/

7.1% Jan 2013

MONTHLY AVERAGE EXCHANGE RATE (January 2012-April 2013) Month Average December November October September August July June May April March February January

2013

2012

2011

40.67 40.73

42.23 41.01 41.12 41.45 41.75 42.04 41.91 42.78 42.85 42.70 42.86 42.66 43.62

43.31 43.64 43.27 43.45 43.02 42.42 42.81 43.37 43.13 43.24 43.52 43.70 44.17

VOL. 6 ISSUE 182 • TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2013

BPO firm to offer thousands of jobs By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

N international Business Processing Outsourcing Company (BPO) is expected to generate thousands of jobs in Davao City by next year. Resi Cayabyab, Davao City site director of IBEX Global, said during the company’s inauguration at SM Lanang Premiere last Saturday that by April or May next year they are going to hire up to 6,000 agents seats for the company’s full operation. Cayabyab said that the company pays three times higher the overall package to employees as compared to the compensation level of other BPOs operating in the city. He said that one of the benefits that they can give to their employees is the extended health benefits covering up to four dependents. They also plan to double the allowances of their employees. Cayabyab said that one of the company’s standards in hiring call center agents is the experience of least six

80TH ANNIVERSARY JOB FAIR. Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) 11 director Atty. Jofrey Suyao announces the upcoming Dole Job Fair set on December 4 at Abreeza Mall in time for its 80th anniversary during Kapehan sa Dabaw at the Annex of SM City Davao yesterday. Lean Daval Jr. months experience. Yet, even if agents have gained an experience, they still need to undergo training of up to nine weeks. He said that while an agent is still on training,

he or she will already receive the basic salary. On the other hand, Cayabyab added that IBEX Davao is the first provincial branch in the Philippines. He said Davao City was chosen because of

Security Bank Tacloban opens

“government stability” and the “assurance” that the people doing business in the city are really safe. IBEX Global is a business process outsourcer offering an integrated suite of services that sup-

US-based BPO company opens its first provincial branch in Davao City

ATM fees in Tacloban, Ormoc waived A

ECURITY BANK’s Tacloban branch begins full operations today, November 25, Monday. The bank has also announced that it will temporarily waive ATM fees on all their clients’ ATM transactions in both Tacloban and Ormoc, including those who have been displaced and will be using other bank ATM’s. Security Bank’s branches in the swath of central Visayas af-

fected by typhoon Yolanda have been reported to also be fully operational and serving the public. These branches include: Ormoc Branch (Leyte), Tagbilaran Branch (Bohol), Roxas City Branch (Capiz) Cebu Branches inCebu Business Park, Mandaue, Mandaue North Road, Juan Luna, Lapu-Lapu and Osmena, Dumaguete (Negros Oriental), Bacolod and Bacolod-Rizal (Negros Occidental), Iloilo City

and Iloilo – Iznart (Iloilo), Catarman (Samar), Puerto Princesa (Palawan), and Calapan (Mindoro). Security Bank ATM services in the areas aforementioned have also been in operational for cash withdrawals and other client transactions. For further assistance and inquiries, please call the Security Bank Customer Service Helpline at 88791-88, 09178864429 and 09209748647.

ports an expansive array of customer facing solutions. They already have 27 branches around the world particularly in USA, United Kingdom, Senegal, Pakistan and Philippines.

business process outsourcing (BPO) company with headquarters in Washington, DC, USA formally opened its first provincial branch in Davao City at SM Lanang Premier over the weekend. Brian Hiener, IBEX Global vice president for Philippine operations, said even if it already occupies some 3,600-square meter floor area, they are already considering expanding the area to the adjacent available space where they are currently operating. Heiner, in a press conference, noted for a time Davao City was overlooked but then he said “we are in the right place because this is the saf-

est city”. He said their office may not be the biggest “but we want to be the best employer”. The Davao office he said, is a step toward redirecting themselves, making this a new model given the best location from the structure, the environment and the view that workers get. “We put our workers first by providing them with employee-friendly sites,” he said. “We have a lot of options in the Southern part of Manila, North of the Metro and even Cebu but we chose Davao because we believe in the local talent,” he said. [PNA]

as of May 2013 Cebu Pacific Daily Zest Air Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Philippine Airlines Daily Philippine Airlines Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri/Sun Philippine Airlines Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Thu

5J961 / 5J962 Z2390 / Z2390 5J593 / 5J348 PR809 / PR810 PR819 / PR820 5J394 / 5J393 5J599 / 5J594 5J347 / 5J596 5J963 / 5J964 PR811 / PR812 5J595 / 5J966 5J965 / 5J968

5:45 5:45 6:00 6:10 7:50 7:50 8:00 9:10 9:40 11:30 12:00 12:55

Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Cebu-Davao-Iloilo Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Zamboanga-Davao-Zamboanga Cebu-Davao-Cebu Iloilo-Davao-Cebu Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Cebu-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila

6:15 6:25 6:30 7:00 8:50 8:10 8:30 9:40 10:10 12:20 12:30 13:25

Cebu Pacific Tue/Wed//Sat 5J965 / 5J968 13:35 Silk Air Mon/Sat MI588 / MI588 13:35 Silk Air Wed/Sun MI566 / MI566 15:20 Silk Air Thurs MI551 / MI551 12:05 Cebu Pacific Mon/Tue/Wed/Fri 5J507 / 5J598 15:00 Philippine Airlines August 15:55 Mani2Mani 16:50 Zest Air Daily Z2524 / Z2525 16:05

Manila-Davao-Manila Davao-Singapore Davao-Singapore Davao-Singapore Cebu-Davao-Cebu

14:05 18:55 18:55 15:45 15:30

Cebu-Davao-Cebu

16:45

7 ENVIRONMENT

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 182 • TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2013

DENR told: Devise comprehensive environment protection program P

RESIDENT Benigno S. Aquino III has directed Environment Secretary Ramon Paje to devise a comprehensive environment protection program to minimize the impact of storm surges, floodings and calamities following the devastation brought by super-typhoon “Yolanda” (internationally known as Haiyan), Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio B. Coloma Jr. said. “Ang pagbulusok ng alon bunsod ng bagyo o storm surge ay nagdulot ng matinding hagupit sa mga libu-libong mamamayang naninirahan sa baybaying-dagat o coastline ng Tacloban City at sa iba pang mga bayan ng Leyte, Samar, at marami pang lugar,” Coloma said. “Dahil dito, inatasan ni Pangulong Aquino si DENR Secretary Ramon Paje na maghanda ng komprehensibong programa ng environment protection bilang tugon sa storm surge at mga peligrong dulot ng bagyo, baha, at iba pang kalamidad,” he said. The President also directed Paje to impose a rule prohibiting building commercial and residential structures along the

seashore. “Bahagi sa kautusan ng Pangulo sa DENR ay ang pagtatakda ng mga ‘no build zone’ sa baybaying-dagat para matiyak ang paglipat ng mga dating naninirahan doon sa mga ligtas na resettlement area. Hatid ni bagyong ‘Yolanda’ ang storm surge na tila hindi ganap na napaghandaan dahil sa kakulangan ng pag-unawa at tuwirang karanasan hinggil dito,” he said. The Communications Secretary said Yolanda’s destruction was no different from what typhoon Sendong (international name Washi) did to the country in late 2011. “Hawig ito sa ating mga nakaraang karanasan nang hinampas ng bagyong ‘Sendong’ ang mga lungsod ng Iligan at Cagayan de Oro noong Disyembre 2011. Daandaan ang nasawi dahil nakatira sila sa mga natuyong bahagi ng ilog at inland waterways na minarkahan nang danger zones batay sa siyentipikong geohazard mapping na isinagawa ng Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) ng DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources),” he said.

Coloma said typhoon “Pablo” (Bopha) also caused catastrophic damage in the Philippines. Pablo was the strongest tropical cyclone to ever hit the southern Philippine island of Mindanao in December, 2012. “Dahil sa bagyong ‘Pablo’ na humagupit sa Davao Oriental at Compostela Valley, natutunan natin ang hinggil sa de-

bris flow, ang malakas at mabilis na pagdaloy ng mga malalaking bato o boulder, mula sa kabundukan na nagpalala sa pagguho at paglubog ng mga komunidad na nauna nang tinukoy bilang lugar ng panganib sa landslides batay din sa geohazard mapping,” he said. “Kasama rin sa direktiba ng Pangulo sa DENR ang pagpapabalik

“Odette” last September of 215 kph, which was previously the strongest cyclone that entered the Philippines this year. “So far, ito (Yolanda) na ang pinakamalakas na bagyo na pumasok sa ating bansa ngayong taon. Kino-consider din itong one of the strongest typhoons in the world history according to US,” Loiz said. He said “Yolanda”, the second storm name in 2013 to be retired from PAGASA’s list, after “Labuyo” in August. “Labuyo” (international name: Utor) killed 11, but inflicted P1.42-billion worth of damages to crops and infrastructure. He added that “Labuyo” and “Yolanda” will soon be replaced by new names that also start with the letter “L” and “Y”. Loiz said the weather agency has set of names for cyclones entering the country’s area of responsibility. He added there are 140 names, grouped into 4 sets of 25 regular names and 10 auxiliary names, with each

set used every 4 years. “So ‘yung ginamit na pangalan ng mga bagyo this year ay gagamitin ulit by year 2017 except kay Labuyo and Yolanda,” he explained adding that these names were chosen from thousands of submissions to a contest PAGASA conducted in 1999. He also said that the agency choose name for tropical cyclones without letters like “ng,ñ x”; also the names related to the culture of Filipino, and not too long names. Meanwhile, the 10 latest typhoon names retired by PAGASA were: Pablo (2012) replaced by Pepito, Sendong (2011) replaced by Sarah, Pedring (2011) replaced by Perla, Mina (2011) replaced by Marilyn, Juaning (2011) replaced by Jenny, Bebeng (2011) replaced by Betty, Juan (2010) replaced by Jose, Pepeng (2009) replaced by Paolo, Ondoy (2009) replaced by Odette and Cosme (2008) replaced by Carina [PNA]

he participants in the recently-concluded 19th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change have approved a new procedure of compensation for the damage and losses from climate change. One of the final documents adopted at the conference said that the Warsaw international mechanism was created to indemnify the damage and losses caused by gradually coming aftermath of climate change as well as emergency situations in the countries under development, which are particularly vulnerable due to unfavourable climate change. According to this decision an executive committee will be formed that should represent highly industrialized countries and countries under development on the basis of equity. During the debates on a new committee highly in-

BIOTECHNOLOGY. Education Undersecretary Dina S. Ocampo explains the impact of biotechnology on the challenges brought about by climate change such as food security, health care, energy sufficiency and clean environment during the 9th National Biotechnology Week at Universidad De Manila, City Schools Division of Manila on Monday (November 25, 2013). Also in photo (from left) are Director Patricia G. Lapitan, DENR-Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau; Philip Shull, Agricultural Counselor of U.S. Embassy; Oscar Guttierez, Food and Drug Administration (FDA); Sol Theresa Logo, Information Officer of CHED; and Dr. Marlon Padilla, dean at Universidad De Manila. [PNA photo Roland Nablo] ng mga mangrove, ang natural na proteksyon sa mga baybaying-dagat. Inihahanda na ang mga mangrove plantation at agarang sisimulan ang pagtatanim dahil mula lima hanggang pitong taon ang pagpapalaki dito,” he said. Aquino directed on Thursday to form a task group to hasten the transition of relief efforts

into the full-scale rehabilitation and rebuilding of the areas damaged by Yolanda. The task group will focus on five priorities namely, shelter and reconstruction, livelihood and employment, resettlement and psycho-social care, environmental protection, and resource generation and allocation. [PNA]

dustrialized countries, particularly the United States called for this mechanism to work for prevention, combating the negative climate change and acting in the conditions of adaptation to it. Meanwhile, the countries under development insisted on its climate rehabilitation functions. Speaking on behalf of the most underdeveloped countries, an official from Nepal, a country in the Himalayas in South Asia, stated that “the mechanism cannot be fulfilled as ordinary adaptation.” “The compensation of damage and losses and adaptation are different things,” he stated. A delegate from Bolivia, South America, stated that “many losses are inevitable and we cannot adapt to some things.” “All countries should protect the land, but those, who are responsible for harmful aftermath of climate change, should

assume more liabilities for funding,” he said. Despite the protest of the countries under development, the specific changes were not included in the document, but the negotiating parties fix an option in it to revise the Warsaw international mechanism, including its structure, mandate and efficiency at the 22nd World Climate Change Conference in 2016. The participants in the conference did not set in the document a concrete sum of funding that the developed countries should allocate for the protection of the climate up to 2020. The countries under development insisted that the conference should agree on allocating 70 billion dollars for the period from 2013 until 2016, but they had to give up these requirements, showing the spirit of compromise and flexibility. [PNA/ItarTass]

PAGASA decommissions‘Yolanda’from UN Climate Change Conference approves list of names for PHL tropical cyclones new procedure to compensate for damage

HE Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) will now strikeout “Yolanda” from the list of names for Philippine tropical cyclones. In an interview, PAGASA weather forecaster Jori Loiz said that typhoon “Yolanda” wrecked havoc to the municipalities in Eastern Visayas which recorded a maximum sustained winds of 235 km/h and after it surpassed the storm name’s retirement criteria of 300 deaths or P1 billion worth of damages in crops and infrastructure. Citing the official data from the PAGASA, Loiz said “Yolanda” is now the strongest cyclone, so far, to hit the country this year. He noted that “Yolanda” (international name: Haiyan) have made six landfalls as it smashed into the provinces of Leyte and Samar last November 8, with maximum sustained winds of 235 kilometers per hour (kph), surpassing the winds of typhoon

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 182 • TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2013

EDITORIAL A few bad eggs

HE hardest profession to be admitted into in the country is undoubtedly the lawyering profession with its bar examinations the toughest examination to hurdle. This is not to say the other professions are easy, but the traditionally low passing rate of the bar easily makes entry into the legal profession like passing through a virtual eye of the needle. For this reason, those who have passed the bar and practiced law make sure they keep their good standing owing to the rigid test they went through. Correspondingly, the exit rate for lawyers is low. Meaning, disbarment cases are likewise low and brain drain is also not an issue in the profession unlike in other fields. Now, if we hear cases of dismissal of prosecutors, the same may be extremely distinctive cases. Such was the case of a prosecutor from Compostela Valley who was dismissed recently for grave misconduct. The dismissal of prosecutor Graciano Arafol Jr. only tells us how stringent the standards of the legal profession are. Regional State Prosecutor Antonio Arellano admits

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that the dismissal of erring prosecutors may be rare but not remote. Sufficiency of evidence—being the quantum of proof required—must be submitted in order to dismiss prosecutors. In Davao Region, very seldom are complaints filed against prosecutors for various reasons including fear of reprisals. If at all, there are few prosecutors in the Davao region who have pending administrative cases. Arellano believes that prosecutors in the region are generally performing creditably since they are well supported and compensated much higher than in previous years. Save for the few bad eggs. To the consternation of those dismissed, they are the bad eggs spotted on the basket filled with good ones. It’s easy to spot them. The dockets don’t lie and the obvious partiality and wayward ways of a few misbehaving men of the courts should not be allowed to taint the profession regarded as illustrious and high-esteemed.

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 182 • TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2013

Layers of swelling health risk

MPORTED FOOD ITEMS THAT ENDANGERED HEALTH – Consuming public beware! Health authorities and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the lead government agency task to regulate and monitor food and drug products again warned the unknowing consumers about imported food items that risked health. Concerned agencies are now in the thick of investigating the reported proliferation of chemically-altered food items from China, Taiwan and South Korea. However, superficial investigation will not deter unscrupulous local traders from importing unsafe food products and this has been proven in previous times. On FDA’s account, there are evidence some foreign food companies dealing in food thickener and ingredients, health drinks, flavored-juices and other kinds of thirst-quenchers churn out endless varieties of chemically-laced food and drink products. Imported canned goods and infant milk products from China and several brands of Korean noodles likewise are found to have been spiked with harmful compounds. And the layers of increased risk are already passed on to the unsuspecting consumers. Health officials and the FDA started with identifying the doubted food items being sold openly and discovered were those promising to promote better nutritional values. Most of the imported food products believed to contain high level of harmful substance were starch ball, pearl and crystal starch beads that are made from tapioca, commonly used as food thickener, pudding, dessert and ingredients for cold drinks and flavored juices. Results of the probe prompted health officials to immediately order the banning of several brands of food junks, canned goods and noodles. Too bad indeed, the country now becomes the dumping ground of imported

food products that are unfit for human consumption. Of course, health officials and food experts acknowledged that there are causes for concern especially when public health is at stake. Unrecognized, substance-fortified food items attack the body slowly and stealthily. Initially, it produces subtle symptoms so a person getting affected notably the junk food loving children is often unaware that something is wrong. Slowly but increasingly element-mixed food items damages body tissues; clog blood vessels and the internal organs. In such a situation there was no way for the consumers to know that the food they eat endangers their health. It is only appropriate to raise this query: “Are the chemically-tainted food products imported from nearby countries being foisted intentionally on unsuspecting consumers? Is it being done on purpose and for what reason? But is it really wise to put the people’s health in danger?” After the disclosure nobody not even the concerned agency could provide the poor consuming public a correct answer to the surreptitious business undertaking. All of this contributes to a growing and gnawing sense of wariness among Filipino consumers. Immediate health risk aside, the government’s great worries in a case like this is the rampant smuggling of various food items into the country. That’s what one way of looking at it. Another is that, despite much-vaunted strict and tight government regulations, poor and inefficient enforcement of the law still suspiciously

allow unscrupulous local entrepreneurs to illegally import “unhealthy and unsafe” food products from neighboring countries. As may be expected, government efforts should be trained and directed at closely monitoring the illegal inflow of imported but chemically-spiked food products. All this is expected right now. Health officials assured the suspicious consuming public that the proliferation of imported substance-adulterated food commodities is being closely monitored. If the reports and assurance of health authorities and FDA officials are accurate, consumers supposedly would have less fear of poisoning, but the sad thing is that different brands of the banned food items could still be found in many store shelves. These products have no required labeling such as if they contain known toxins, allergens or an entirely new substance. The more consumers don’t have the knowledge about the products, the more fearful they will be. That is sort a of puzzle some consumers’ groups are trying to know how and in what way these “unsafe” foodstuffs gained entry into our seaports and airports without getting detected by law enforcement units notably elements of the Bureau of Customs (BoC). As in this particular case, clandestine activities of unscrupulous businessmen actually happened right under the very noses of authorities who, unfortunately, are all looking at the opposite direction – for obvious reasons. The words imprudence and inefficiency, of course, are the catch. We have laws full of loopholes and law enforcement procedures pockmarked with ineptitude. When it comes to performing their designated task, law enforcement agencies suffer from what can be called a clumsiness problem. And the result of the incompetence - public health in peril?

Antitrust enforcement goes global

S one of the world’s top cops on the antitrust beat, the U.S. has long led the fight to curtail price-fixing, collusion, and other anticompetitive behavior in global commerce. And the Justice Department’s antitrust division has wielded an especially big club of late. In each of the past two years, criminal penalties in antitrust cases have exceeded more than $1 billion, thanks to groundbreaking settlements with DOJ following investigations into collusion in interbank lending rates among banks as well as price-fixing in the global auto parts industry. The $1.4 billion in fines collected in fiscal year 2012 was the largest recovery ever for the antitrust enforcement division in a 12-month span. Fiscal 2013 wasn’t far behind, hitting $1.02 billion. Now that sequester-mandated budget cuts have taken hold, it may be tough for Justice to score another billion-dollar bounty in the year ahead. With fewer staff and tighter resources, trying existing cases and getting new investigations in the pipeline could be a challenge for U.S. antitrust enforcers. That said, companies engaged in international commerce should by no means slacken up on competition compliance, given all the new watchdogs on the beat worldwide. In recent years the number of anti-cartel and fair competition authorities globally has soared as a host of new countries — including China, Mexico, India, and South Korea, to name

COMMENTARY BY JOHN TERZAKEN

Part 1 of 2 a few — have joined the U.S., EU and other established players in going after violators of antitrust laws. In all, more than 115 countries now have antitrust regimes in place. Roughly a third of those are aggressively targeting cartel activity, with nearly a dozen state actors pursuing price-fixing and other anti-competitive activity beyond their own borders. Obviously that takes teamwork. In recent years antitrust authorities have stepped up inter-agency coordination on everything from search warrants to pre-dawn raids, while promoting far greater information-sharing of evidence of wrongdoing. The list of countries engaged in extra-territorial anti-cartel prosecutions continues to grow. Take China’s National Development and Reform Commission. Though the NDRC has traditionally stuck to domestic targets, it has recently expanded its sights to include companies headquartered outside of mainland China. This past January, the NDRC announced criminal penalties of nearly $56 million against Korean and Taiwanese makers

of liquid crystal display panels for televisions and computer screens, in what was not only the agency’s first ever prosecution of foreign-based price-fixing affecting China, but the largest sanctions that the NRDC has ever imposed. The NRDC isn’t the only overseas antitrust authority breaking records. The European Commission has been on a tear, hitting new highs in total penalties collected (including €2.9 billion in sanctions in 2010 alone) as well as the largest single antitrust sanction ever (€1.47 billion) in a 2012 settlement with sellers of cathode ray tubes for televisions and computer screens. Meanwhile, other foreign competition enforcement agencies in Brazil, Japan and South Africa are on track to have their own banner years. As of October, Brazil and Japan had each levied more than $200 million in fines against antitrust violators in 2013. And South Africa, a relative newcomer to competition enforcement, has leveled nearly $150 million in fines in 2013. Not a bad payoff, especially at a time when anemic global economic growth has kept tax revenues down, and left governments with steep budget shortfalls. As more countries find that there’s significant revenue to be had, it’s a good bet that enforcement actions will continue to climb, and already sky-high penalties could easily go up even more.

VANTAGE POINTS

A little dog escapes Tacloban

Part 1 of 2 FTER t h e

strange visit by that little bird from Tacloban the other week, I thought that was the last creature dropping over from that devastated island in the Visayas--- until I heard this faint rapping on our apartment door the day before Pacman’s fight in Macau. It was a thin, bony little white dog, so dirty he looked like he had just emerged from a flood, still unwashed, dried mud still clinging, almost covering some big brown spots on his scrawny body shaped like the maps of Samar and Leyte. I was shooing him away like I do any other dogs straying in our door when he looked up, tears welling in his eyes, whining,” I’m hungry, I need food, I need water…” Having a talking bird over from Tacloban the other week was the last straw, I thought having a talking dog is too much. “Shooo! Go away! You’re not real! Don’t tell me you’re another survivor from Tacloban!” I growled, threatening to hit the little dog with our broom. “Pleeeasee, I’m hungry…” I took one more look at this helpless little dog, obviously not a foreign breed but just a simple, ordinary street dog, a bisdak, perhaps an askal or “asong kalye” from somewhere. Having some pork bones left over from my sinigang last night, I mixed them with some half-burned rice, put them on a plastic bowl near the door. “OK, OK, but don’t eat too fast, “I said, as he jumped in and grabbed the food mixture on the bowl. “I couldn’t eat over there,” he said, chewing the meat,” the food lines for relief goods are too long,” “Why, are you supposed to line up for food, too?” “I’m just a dog, remember? People shoo me away, just like you!” “Well, I’m sure they also have some leftovers in Tacloban” “They’re so hungry, they don’t have leftovers” “They eat leftovers? They don’t give them to dogs?” “They eat leftovers---and they eat dogs.” “Are there any dogs left in Tacloban ?” “No more---nada! Most of them drowned during the storm surge” “ You’re right, I saw the TV footage of floating dead dogs.” “I survived by clinging to a floating plastic box” “How in heaven’s name did you arrive here?” “I was desperate to live---people started running after dogs on the third day and turn them into lechon aso when food and relief goods were not reaching people in Samar and Leyte” “Almost every country in the world brought food and relief goods--- the relief goods are flooding over there!” I insisted. “But they weren’t reaching the

10 NEWS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 182 • TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

PFEA...FFROM 2 pistol without any reason in the vicinity of his house at Emily subdivision. Ramos said the complaint will be dismissed

before the city prosecution office since police could not present major evidence to indict the suspect.

Reduction Action Team (RPRAT), and also to conduct quarterly meetings to monitor the status of the approved priority poverty reduction projects, the budget of participating agencies as well the status of the projects. “A monitoring and evaluation technical working group/team shall be created and selected from the members of the current year LPRAT,” the order states, adding that the City Planning and Development Office in coordination with the Department of Interior and Local Government Davao City

should be the lead agencies that will monitor and evaluate the approved programs and projects. The order added that the LPRAT should adopt a strategy on bottom-up planning and budgeting used in the formulation of the action plan and prioritization of projects. “An approach/process to formulation plan and budget proposals of agencies taking into consideration the development needs of the poor communities with strong participation of basic sectors and civil society organizations,” said the order.

Mayor’s...FFROM 2

SPEED GUNS. Eleonor Calderon, chief of the Operations Division of Land Transportation Office (LTO) 11, says during this week’s edition of Kapehan sa Dabaw at the Annex of SM City Davao that the agency plans to acquire 10 speed guns by next year in line with the implementation of Executive Order No. 39 which sets the allowable speed limit for all types of motor vehicles within the downtown area. Lean Daval Jr.

RSPO accepts complaints PDOP... against erring prosecutors T

HE Regional State Prosecution office will cater to complaints against prosecutors through its Internal Affairs Unit. Regional State Prosecutor Antonio Arellano said that they will take action on complaints filed in their office on the basis of evidence. But as of now, they have no major pending cases in their office. “If there is no basis to proceed in the investigation, we will tell the

complainant and will not proceed to the next level,” he said. Just recently, a provincial prosecutor of Compostela Valley Province was dismissed after the Office of the Ombudsman found Graciano Arafol Jr. guilty of grave misconduct and abuse of authority. Arellano said that in his previous experienced in regions 7 and 10, he dismissed erring prosecutors after police gathered

enough evidence against them. He allowed the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to conduct entrapments after being convinced there was sufficient evidence against one of his prosecutors. However, in the Davao region, only minor complaints were filed in their office, like prosecutors not giving much attention to the case and unsatisfactory decisions of prosecutors. Arellano added that

DoLE beefs up emergency employment program T

HE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is beefing up its emergency employment program in a bid to alleviate the plight of workers displaced by super typhoon “Yolanda” (internationally known as Haiyan), Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio B. Coloma Jr. said. “Patuloy ang pag-aagapay ng pamahalaan sa pagbabagong-tatag at pagpapanumbalik ng normal na pamumuhay ng ating mga kababayan. Puspusan ang pagpapatupad ng DOLE ng emergency employment program upang bigyan ng pansamantalang pagkakakitaan ang ating mga kababayan,” Coloma said. The emergency employment program aims at helping disaster-stricken families to rebuild their lives

by providing them with better access to sustainable income sources, the Communications Secretary said. “Halos 3,000 residente mula sa 22 barangay sa Tacloban at 70 barangay sa Ormoc ang nakikinabang na sa naturang programa. Kabilang na rin po dito ang mga katulad na programa na cash-for-work o foodfor-work na isinasagawa ng DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) at iba pang ahensya tulad ng Department of Agriculture,” Coloma said. “Ang mga manggagawa ay tumutulong sa paglilinis ng mga daan, palengke at plaza, pag-aalis ng bara sa mga estero at daluyang-tubig, at pagtatayo ng mga mahahalagang pampublikong gusali at paaralan. Ayon sa DOLE, papalawigin pa ang pro-

grama sa iba pang mga bayan at rehiyon sa mga darating na araw,” he said. Coloma pointed out that the International Labor Organization (ILO) is helping the government put in place an emergency employment program to help the Filipinos who lost their livelihoods due to the devastation brought by Yolanda. “Nagpapasalamat din tayo sa inaalok na tulong ng ILO na maglalaan ng hanggang sa 300-milyong dolyar para sa cashfor-work program para sa humigit kumulang na 290,000 katao sa mga bayan ng Tacloban, Roxas, Busuanga sa Palawan, Hilagang Cebu, at mga lalawigan ng Negros Occidental at Bohol na nasalanta ng kalamidad,” he said. [PCOO News Release]

prosecutors in the Davao region are performing well since they are well supported and compensated much higher than in previous years. He said that they have no administrative cases pending in their office, but at the Office of the Ombudsman in Mindanao, according to one of the prosecutors interviewed by Edge Davao, there are pending cases filed against prosecutors in the Davao region.

FFROM 2

project because of fear. In the Davao region, provinces of Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley and some parts of Davao del Norte have been identified as hotspots of the insurgent group. In Davao City, Paquibato and Marilog districts with high presence of NPA elements. He said that they will refrain from putting up detachments near populated areas to avoid any attacks by insurgent groups. Last year a grenade

explosion rocked the gym of Barangay Fatima in Paquibato district where PDOP soldiers were temporarily housed and injured at least 48 people, including children, reportedly done by members of the NPA. Rivas explained that PDOP soldiers will seek permission first from barangay officials before setting up any peace and order outreach program. He said some 1,000 PDOP soldiers are already in place in barangays of the Davao region. [EPC]

Palace mourns June Keithley’s death M

ANILA-- The Palace mourns the death of veteran broadcaster June Keithley-Castro, a prominent figure during the 1986 People Revolution, who died of cancer Sunday. “June Keithley-Castro’s battle with cancer–which she had waged since 2009–is at an end. To her last breath she exemplified courage and

faith,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a statement. “Her courage enabled her to confront her illness, but also that of her husband, Angelo Castro Jr., whose death we all mourned in 2012, with dignity and the kind of serenity that can only come from an uncompromising faith in the good-

ness of God and trust in His plan for all things,” Lacierda said. Castro was the host of Radyo Bandido in the mid1980s at the height of the popular 1986 revolt. As host of Radyo Bandido, keithley called on Filipinos to join the revolt against then President Ferdinand Marcos. [PNA]

HE influential Mindanao bloc, a group of elected representatives in Mindanao, would lobby for the implementation of the impending Mindanao Railyway System in the island, a local official said on Monday. City Councilor Candy Darimbang said that Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, 2nd District of Cagayan de Oro City, has informed her that the Mindanao bloc was drafting the proposal for the implementation of the Mindanao Railway as a fast and convenient transport system in

Mindanao. Darimbang was project director of the Mindanao Railway System prior to her election as City Councilor of Cagayan de Oro during the midterm elections in 2013. She said that Rodriguez has partly financed the feasibility studies of the Mindanao Railway System by allocating some P 50 million of the P 100 million mobilization and creation of Mindanao railway’s office in Cagayan de Oro City. Darimbang said that the draft to pursue the implementation of the

Mindanao Railway System would be submitted to Congress early next year with solons from Northernn Mindanao, the Caraga Region, and Davao who would lobby for the project approval. She said that the initial plan of the Mindanao Railway System was to construct a railway from Laguindingan-Cagayan de Oro-Tagoloan, in Misamis Oriental as the first phase. The second phase would be from Tagolo-an, Misamis Oriental to Butuan City, she added. [PNA]

Mindanao bloc back railway project T

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 182 • TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2013

BIGGER PICTURE

CHASING ICE:

Memory of the Melting Glaciers By ATHENA JILLIAN BRAVO njb@edgedavao.net

RE you not wondering why you’re feeling too much heat and yet storm brings with them heavy loads of water that can wash away buildings and houses in a city? If you say climate change, then you’re right. The German institution Goethe-Institut together with SM Lanang Premier launched the Science Film Festival where students from different schools and universities were invited to a one-time screening of a documentary called Chasing Ice directed by Jeff Orlowski on November 22-24, 2013. The film focused on the efforts of a photographer named James Balog and his Extreme Ice Survey that tracked down the melting and calving of glaciers in Ice land areas. The Extreme Ice Survey is made up of a bunch of cameras installed at different ice land areas all over the country. These cameras captured thousand of frames on how a glacier melted in minutes. James Balog saw the beauty of the ice and felt as if they’re in a different planet or moon but at the same time witnessed it break down to pieces right in front of him. Say for example the Solheim Glacier in Iceland where he first left a camera. In just a span of 6 months the glacier lost almost half its entire mass. Store Glacier which is about the size of five football fields broke down to pieces, and imagine this, Columbia Glacier retreated 2.5 miles for 3 years. That’s how fast the ice melted. One of the biggest calving event shown in the documentary was

Davao Central High School and San Pedro College students show their support for the Science Film Festival at SM Lanang Premier Cinema.

PNKJIS high school students queue to watch the film “Chasing Ice” at SM Lanang Premier Cinema 5.

High school students and teachers from Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai International School share a fun moment at SM Lanang Premier Cinema for the Science Film Fest.

Davao Central High School students, with the writer (extreme left), attend the Science Film Festival.

the Jakobshavn Glacier in Greenland that lasted 75 minutes. Jakobshavn Glacier, if you picture it out, is as wide as Manhattan. Now, what if this happens to that district of New York? You’ll see how horrible it is to witness Manhattan crushed and rolled over to the waters. Well of course, no one wants this to happen. Balog showed to the people everything that could possible happen to these glaciers that increases the sea level. If this happen over and over again, the waters are capable enough to wash out not just a district but also a country. “As a photographer, seeing this is amazing but as a citizen of this world this is horrible and terrifying,” Balog said in the documentary. Balog despite his weak knees, visited the Ice Sheet in the year 2009 where they saw water that flows through the sea. The water came from the Ice Sheet that slowly melted. At the side of the sheet, they saw a crack that could possibly cause a calving event anytime. If that’s in 2009, what’s the appearance of the ice sheet now? Probably it shrunk and still continues to melt nowadays. It had been a long journey where James chased the ice and it’s enough that he had shown to the people climate change. “If my daughter asks me why am I doing all of this then I would say, Guys I’m only doing what I have to do,” James Balog added. He did what he had to do—that is to document the memory of these dying beautiful glaciers.

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VOL. 6 ISSUE 182 • TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 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

General Santos Drive, Koronadal City, South Cotabato 9506

Tel. No. 083-228-2511 ; Fax No. 083-228-2654

General Santos Drive, Koronadal City, South Cotabato 9506 Tel. No. 083-228-2511 ; Fax No. 083-228-2654

WANTED FOR IMMEDIATE HIRING!

BUS DRIVER

Qualifications: Qualifications:

1. Male, 28 – 40 years old 1. least Male, high 28 – school 40 yearsgraduate old 2. At 2. At least high school graduate 3. With 5 years driving experience (bus, trucks) 3. With 5 years driving experience (bus, trucks)

Requirements: Requirements: 1. Driver’s License with Official Receipt License (2 with Official Receipt 2. 21.x Driver’s 2 I.D. picture pcs.) 2. 2 x 2 I.D. (2 pcs.)or clearance from 3. Certificate of picture Employment 3. Certificate of Employment or clearance from previous employment

May apply in person at Human Resource Department, YBLIinOffice, General Santos Resource Drive, May apply person at Human Koronadal City. YBLI Office, General Santos Drive, Department, Koronadal City.

CLASSIFIEDS 13

EDGEDAVAO

MOTORING

VOL. 6 ISSUE 182 • TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

KTM DUKE 390

This eye-catching urban beast By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO njb@edgedavao.net

Photos by LEAN DAVAL JR.

here are motorbikes that make you look small, and there are motorbikes that make you look like the circus elephant on a unicycle. The new KTM Duke 390 is definitely not one of those funny fits. This latest KTM naked bike specie looks and feels playful, and fits perfectly for the urban rider. I got a feel of the 390 courtesy of KTM Davao CEO Jondi Lacson after the bike’s Mindanao launch last month one rainy night in Damosa. First impression of the Duke 390 is its brute, handsome looks that guys are looking for in their two-wheeled wonders and ladies are lining up to ride on. You can stare at this bike for hours and still not have enough of it. Just a little warning though, don’t park this bike elsewhere. It’s just too hot to resist. EYE CANDY Once you’re on this bike, expect the stares. It’s like eye candy—from its signature black-white-orange combo to its amazing styling—turning heads wherever you go. I knew people are right when they say this bike’s visual elements is screaming at you--“Look at me, I’m fast!” While the overall styling cues are the same as the 200, the Duke 390 has been made to paint the town orange. The trellis frame and the wheels are the first visual elements that differentiate the 390 from the 200 – they don the trademark KTM orange shade. Be sure you get a good grip. The bike has big, plastic hand-guards. Then there’s the stickering on the bigger tank and the headlamp fairing that’s a take-it-or-leaveit styling. That makes it even more handsome—like a wide-bodied hunk. I think it’s a head-turner from that element alone. Now, let me tell you this. I think that some motorcycles are just meant to scare the lights out of you. Big sport bikes are definitely capable of taking you right to the edge, from where you can see the pearly gates at a distance. But let’s admit it. No matter how we wish we could, we can’t ride any of those at top speed in the city. You might put short spurts of speed at when the lights go green, but that’s just about it. You need to get out of the city limits to try the big beasts at tops speeds, but then again you need to choose your highways very wisely. It makes a difference really and for those who love a bit of fun riding, there’s the KTM Duke 200. The

THE KTM DUKE 390. If looks could kill.

200, thanks to its not-so-big wheelbase and riding ergonomics, is described as “a playful little thing that you can fling into corners, and comes with a motor that delivers enough power zip you through city traffic and also feel at home on longer runs.” Then again, the 200 is still a baby. Riding gets a little serious in the form of the 200’s bigger cousin, the Duke 390. The Duke 390’s feel is unique. As you get down into it, you will feel at home with the wide handlebars and the straight-backed but aggressive streetfighter stance. I had second thoughts

The writer tries the KTM Duke 390 on Davao’s urban roads.

about sport bikes that run crazy. Despite the adventurous person in me, caution is still my reliable partner. So when I first mounted on the 390, I reminded myself to just go easy. When I shifted from neutral to the first gear and released the rather hard clutch, there was a different rush. This bike boasts of a single-cylinder, 373.2cc, liquid-cooled mill, mated to a claw-shifted six-speed gearbox, that manages to spew out a maximum power of 43bhp at a good 9500rpm mark on the tachometer, and 35Nm @7500rpm. POWER

Feed the Duke 390 some gas (unleaded or special), and it speeds up to sixty in three seconds. If you shift right, you’ll get to the 100 kmph mark in just about six seconds. Speaking strictly for the numbers, this is exactly the performance what you’d expect for an entryto-mid level sports oriented bike. Those in-the-know can open up the bike to up to 160kmph with ease. Not me. I did some spurts to just try the power and torque. I’m sure the 390 could do a bit more especially for the experienced bikers (sadly, I am not one), I couldn’t test it as I kept running out

of road. I ride it from home to office and the volume of traffic at rush hours kept me on second gear most of the time. There’s something strange about the bike and this is its underbelly. It spews heat when it reaches a certain rpm. Make that past the 7,500 rpm mark and from there, the Duke 390’s underbelly silencer starts producing the right kind of music. LEAN IS MEAN I know for sure the experienced riders will take this beast on different positions at different speeds. The reason why many more riders love the Duke 200 so much is because of its playful character. Ace riders can cruise along at slow speeds in the city, and do some serious biking. The Duke 390 possesses the same character, although with a bit more brute force. Corners are faster and deeper, but the bike demands every bit of attention that you can ever give it. This I learned too. KTM has decided to do away with MRFs and give the Duke 390 a pair of Metzeler Sportec M5s. You just have to love the way the rubber interacts with the tarmac. It’s almost like the tires swore that that they’d never let the road. Even the disc brakes come equipped

with ABS as standard fitment. And they do justice to the Bybre name as well, by being crisp and sharp to respond. Ride it in traffic, and you’ll notice that the Duke 390 lacks the low-end power and though you don’t need to shift that much, you’ll still need to be precise about the right gear to ride in. The engine heats up rather quickly, and unless it’s a cold winter night, riding the bike under the Indian Sun for more than an hour can be extremely uncomfortable. Let me put it all together. I like he Duke because it makes me look good, ride easy, and ride fast or slow when I wish to and still not be ashamed that on the mount of such bike, pardon me, but I don’t go as fast. Perhaps, I’d like it better for people to see me on this urban beast than just speed away unseen like a thief on the night. The Duke 390 is not an ideal city bike. It is the motorcycle you keep in your garage to ride on Saturday nights and early Sunday mornings. You take it to the countryside and zoom past picturesque farmhouses. At a price of P299,000 at KTM Davao (visit KTM Davao now for better deals), you can take home this urban beast home.

INdulge!

VOL. 6 ISSUE 182 • TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2013

EDGEDAVAO EVENT

A different kind of sparty at the Marco Polo Davao IT is no small feat that the Marco Polo Davao has been Davao City’s premier hotel of choice when it comes to leisure and business travellers alike for fifteen years running. Understanding that behind every successful The Zumba session energised the crowd. venture are the people who believe and trust the brand, the Marco Polo Davao held a spathemed thanksgiving party for their business partners, bookers as well as friends in the media. Far from being a just a meet and eat event, the party was filled with music coming from the Marco Polo Davao’s very own chorale group, the Voices of Marco Polo, as well as an energetic Zumba session that not only featured

The antics and skill of Marco Polo Davao’s bartenders wowed the guests.

the hotel’s staff, but also involved some of the invited guests as well. Of course, I decided to stay by my comfort zone which is besides the buffet table. The party also showcased the amazing juggling and mixing talents of Marco Polo Davao’s bartenders from the Eagle’s Bar as well as the Pool Deck. “We would like to use this event as a way to thank everyone for making the Marco Polo Davao the preferred hotel in Davao City for the past fifteen years.” says Marco Polo Davao general manager Anthony Tan in his welcome remark “We hope that you will keep on supporting us in many more years to come.” Anthony also high-

The Voices of Marco Polo perform a song number.

lighted the improvements that are happening to the Marco Polo Davao the past year. “We have just finished the renovation of all our rooms and suites and have also added the new premier rooms that promise to provide a better room experience for our guests.” beams Anthony. And given the hotel’s impressive fifteen year record, you can be sure that the Marco Polo Davao will remain as one every traveller’s top premier hotels to stay at when visiting Durianburg. Follow me on Instagram or on Twitter at @kennethkingong for more foodie and travel finds, events and happenings in, around and beyond Durianburg.

Marco Polo Davao’s department heads took the time to thank the hotel’s bookers and valued guests.

Marco Polo Davao’s General Manager Anthony Tan.

Marco Polo Davao’s Director of Sales and Marketing Em Mauhay.

A2 INdulge! UP AND ABOUT

SWEEP Awards finalists take tips from the experts WIRELESS leader Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) held a two-day bootcamp for the 10 finalist-teams of the 10th SWEEP Innovation and Excellence Awards in the First Pacific Leadership Academy in Antipolo City last month. The teams, which represented five state universities with the best 10 entries in this year’s SWEEP Awards, bested over 100 entries. During the bootcamp, the students got tips from Smart executives on how to package their presentations before the final judging that will happen in February next year. With the theme, Transforming lives through technology, Smart will look for the most innovative mobile application or wireless device that helps solve problems in the areas of transportation, agriculture, education, livelihood, and disaster/emergency preparedness. The grand champion of the 10th SWEEP Awards will bring home P500 million and the equivalent amount in the form of grant to their schools. These year’s finalists will also have a chance to transform their prototypes into viable business models as part of Smart’s advocacy to promote technopreneurship. SWEEP, short for Smart Wireless Engineering Education Program, is a groundbreaking partnership between the telco industry and the academe that aims to improve the quality of engineering education in the country. For more info, please visit www.smartsweep.ph.

Joining the SWEEP finalists are Smart executives who are also judges in this year’s competition.

Celebrate the Holidays at The White House Fusion Cuisine and Wine Lounge

THERE is definitely an unmistakable sense of gorgeous place and a sense of delightful flavor at The White House Fusion Cuisine and Wine Lounge perfect for the coming holidays. Dining at the The White House Fusion Cuisine and Wine Lounge is a fabulous experience as it is a landmark that stands picturesquely imposing on top of a verdant hill inside the Camella Northpoint property along J.P. Laurel Avenue here in Davao City. The White House Fusion Cuisine and Wine Lounge is not only the best venue there could ever be because of its lovely setting but most importantly also because of the delectable food choices it offers. Now that the Holidays are just around the corner and for whatever celebration, take at look at what is in store at The White House Fusion Cuisine and Wine Lounge that would help make the event you host extra special and more meaningful for your guests to remember. Whatever the occasion, If you or someone you know is looking for a place to host a Christmas party, a family reunion, birthday or any party, a dream wedding place, rehearsal dinner or bridal shower or even conferences, corporate or private meetings, or just for family gatherings or hangout with friends, look no further because The White House Fusion Cuisine and Wine Lounge is the venue for you. You would be surprised that the rates for the exclusive use of the specified areas are so reasonable as these are food and beverage consumable. For those who want the ground floor indoor dining area, it can seat from 50 to 55 persons, it goes at a minimum of P40,000. And for the VIP rooms at the second floor, VIP 1 room at 30 seating capacity for P20,000 minimum, the Center Room from 35 to 40 persons seating capacity at P20,000 also minimum while VIP2 Room with 15 to 20 seating capacity at P15,000 minimum. For those who want to dine Al Fresco, the outdoor Patio has a seating capacity of 80 people while the standing capacity is placed between 150 to 200 persons with a minimum of P30,000. Be a happy host--- make it The White House Fusion Cuisine and Wine Lounge! Book now so you’ll know how splendid it is to be served by The White House Fusion Cuisine and Wine Lounge team.

VOL. 6 ISSUE 182 • TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

EVENT

Connect. Inform. Inspire.

My GdayX Mindanao experience. THE star-studded GdayX Mindanao is a one of a kind, fun and educational “Googley” experience, spearheaded by Google Business Group (GBG) General Santos and is aimed to inform, inspire and connect people from the business, academe, public, private, NGO’s, and students on the use of Google technologies that are available at the tip of our fingertips, free of charge, how awesome is that?

On Nov. 16, 2013, SM City Gensan opened its doors earlier than usual for this daylong event and the first 150 lucky early birds got free GDayX T-shirts. Less than an hour after the doors were opened, a good number of 400 pre registered participants from all over Mindanao filled up the SM City General Santos’ Trade Hall 1. The master of ceremonies, AUB banker Orman Manansala, GBG GenSan CoManager, kept the Googlefied attendees, in red, blue, green and yellow, giggling with excitement and eager to learn from the fourteen speakers from Google and Google Communities who flew in to make this event possible. The morning started with the welcome speech of social media consultant Avel Manansala, Manager of GBG Gensan, who regaled the eager audience with the history of the group. Avel was followed by keynote speaker, the impressive Ryan Morales, Head of Marketing, of Google Philippines who kicked off the day with

Mapper Rockstar and GDG Iloilo Co-Manager Bernie Arellano. lent prayer of the recent Gensan) and Dulce Rose tragedies in the Visayas. Lada (Manager, GBG He then shared the impor- Davao) to the very eager tance of crisis mapping and students from various colhow a crowdsourced map leges in the region and elseof evacuation centers, crisis where about Google Apps areas, and relief drop zone for their kind. areas has assisted in bringAs the day wound down, ing relief to the victims of exciting Google shwags Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda. were given away via a Before the lunch break thrilling and fun-filled, inspiring videos, statis- an Ask Google panel was laugh-out-loud electrontics and success stories of opened for the participants ic raffle and trivia game people who’ve used vari- for their Google inquiries. hosted by brothers Avel ous Google technologies GdayX’s afternoon ses- and Orman. Surely everythat made a huge impact sion is composed of three one went home geared up in their lives. An Outreach tracks: the Entrepreneurs with enough info and in10x talk was given by the track, Educators track and spiration to take into their divine Aileen Apolo de Student tracks. Johnn network, businesses, classJesus, Head of Outreach Mendoza (Co-Manager, rooms and careers. All in from Google Southeast GBG Cebu), Dr. Remo all, bravo, for a job flawlessAsia that dealt with the dif- Aguilar a Google Map ly executed by the Google ferent Google Communi- Maker advocate, Herald Business Group Gensan, ties that have been estab- Uy a Google Evangelist, the funnest and #1 GBG lished in the region. Then, Ann Olvido (Manager, chapter in the Philippines. brilliant Googler Erica Google Developers GroupGDayX Mindanao was Hanson from California Bacolod) handled the in- presented by GBG- Genshared about the different sightful talks for the Entre- eral Santos, Smart, SM City opportunities for Women preneurs track at the Main General Santos, Greenleaf on the Web (WOW). Hall, while the Educators Hotel, Dole Philippines, The last speaker for the Track was held at Trade Inc. (now celebrating its morning session was Map- Hall 2. Sharing their ex- Golden Year), along with per Rockstar and GDG pertise to the teachers and Voyager, IdeaSpace, DownIloilo Co-Manager Bernie school mentors attending Low Lights and Sounds, Arellano who opened his were, Aileen Apolo, Vin- MP Princess Printers, Gretalk with a minute of si- cent Tabor (Manager, GBG goria Printing Press, JolBaguio), Ariel Lalisan libee, and Ranchero Nue(Manager, Google Educa- vo. Its Media partners are tors Group- GenSan) and ABS-CBN, PIA 12 and the Brunei beauty and Googler SoCCSkSarGen Bloggers. Nee Khern Chee of Com- Special thanks goes to Samunities SEA. rangani Governor Steve Ms. Nee Khern also Solon and his lovely wife joined the Students Track Michelle who hosted the and spoke along with Googlers. Franz Sarmiento (Google For more info on GdayX Student Ambassador, De and Google Business GroupLa Salle Bacolod), Alexis GenSan, visit http://gbggenChua (Co-Manager, GBG san.blogspot.com. You may The hosts of GDayX, Members of GBG Gensan. add them to your circles at Google Plus: http://goo.gl/ UrjKzN. Thank you Danny Sabino for the photos. Follow me on Twitter or Instagram, @kyriekoutre for more adventures in and around my wonderland that is Gensan, Tuna CapiSM City Gensan Trade Hall 1 filled with 400 pre registered participants. tal of the Philippines.

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

VOL. 6 ISSUE 182 • TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2013

ENTERTAINMENT

GMA scores seven nominations in 2013 Asian Television Awards

THE Asian Television Awards (ATA) recently released the roll of finalists for its 18th year run and top broadcasting company, GMA Network, obtained seven of only nine nominations from the Philippines. GMA Network’s flagship newscast 24 Oras made the cut for the Best News Programme category with its extensive coverage of the aftermath of typhoon Pablo. Anchored by Mel Tiangco and Mike Enriquez, “24 Oras: Bagyong Pablo” depicted the effects of Pablo’s onslaught in Compostela Valley and in Davao Oriental. Late-night newscast Saksi, headlined by Arnold Clavio and Vicky Morales, in turn, came out as one of the finalists for the same category with its entry “Typhoon Pablo’s Trail of Death.” Reporter’s Notebook, hosted by Jiggy Manicad and Maki Pulido, made it to the list of programs that will vie in the Best Current Affairs Programme category for another detailed account of the said catastrophe titled “Bagyong Pablo.” Environmental program Born Impact was short listed under the Best Natural History or Wildlife Programme category for its episode “When Whales Strand.” Here, veterinarian-hosts Doc Ferds Recio and Doc Nielsen Donato

documented the phenomenon of “drowning” among whales and dolphins in the Philippines, or whale stranding. The episode featured never-before-seen videos and new findings from past stranding incidents. Primetime Queen Marian Rivera was nominated under the Best Actress in a Leading Role category for her outstanding portrayal of the main protagonist Angeline in GMA Network’s Pinoy adaptation of the hit Koreanovela Temptation of Wife. Multi-awarded actress Lorna Tolentino was, likewise, nominated for the same category for her exceptional performance in the primetime drama Pahiram ng Sandali (Chasing Moments). Multitalented and versa-

tile comedian and TV host Michael V. was again included in the nominees for Best Comedy Performance by an Actor/Actress category in the longest running gag show Bubble Gang. Michael V. already won three Asian TV Awards for the same category in 2004, 2005, and 2006. Founded in 1996, ATA recognizes “excellence in programming, production and performance as determined by an expert panel of over 50 judges from across the region.” The announcement of winners which will come from a total of 238 entries across 12 countries will commence during the Asian TV Awards Gala Dinner and Award Ceremony on December 5 at Singapore’s Resorts World Sentosa.

Powerplant operator’s family wins Php1M grand prize on ‘Bet On Your Baby’ THE grand prize of P1 million on ABS-CBN’s top-rating game show “Bet On Your Baby” went to the Tol family after last Saturday’s (November 23) episode, making them the first family to go home as millionaires after the show opened its doors to regular contestants. The Tol family, represented by Baby Denroe, his Mommy Lhette, and his Daddy Denz, a powerplant operator, hails from Mandaluyong City. In the show’s exciting first round, the family also won themselves an addition P10,000 after guessing the results of a baseball-related game that Baby Denroe and Daddy Denz played inside the Baby Dome. Mommy Lhette was then quick to solve the puzzle in the show’s second round, taking them to an exciting tearjerker jackpot round. There, on Daddy Denz’s second try at choosing the pig-

THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE 2D Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson

PG 13

gybanks that contained different amounts in prize money, he successfully broke open the one which contained the grand prize. He and his wife had decided on choosing piggybank number ten because it was in the year 2010 that their wedding was held and it was also the year that Baby Denroe was born. With their winnings, the couple has chosen to save up for Baby Denroe’s future

education and to renovate the family’s home. “Bet On Your Baby” airs on Saturdays on ABS-CBN. For updates, visit and like “Bet On Your Baby” on Facebook ( www.facebook.com/betonyourbabyph ) and follow @ betonyourbabyph on Twitter or betonyourbabyphilippines on Instagram. For comments on the show, don’t forget to use the hashtag #BetOnYourBabyPH.

11:20 | 2:00 | 4:40 | 7:20 | 10:00 LFS

THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE 2D Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson

PG 13

1:00 | 3:40 | 6:20 | 9:00 LFS

THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE 2D Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson

PG 13

12:10 | 2:50 | 5:30 | 8:10 LFS

R-16 THOR: THE DARK WORLD 2D Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman PG 13

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

A4 INdulge!

VOL. 6 ISSUE 182 • TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

SPORTS 15

VOL. 6 ISSUE 182 • TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2013

Next up for Pacman:

Gumapac-Galicia pair wins Durian Tee

INCENT Gumapac and partner Ronald Galicia carded an aggregate 131 points to win the overall gross team title in the 24th Durian Tee Golf Tournament at the Apo Golf and Country Club course over the weekend. The long-hitting Gumapac fired a two-day total of 63 points while Galicia added 68 in the Modified Stableford System of scoring to run

Not Floyd, but Tacloban

ACAU (AP) -- Manny Pacquiao is preparing for a visit to the typhoon-devastated city of Tacloban in the coming days, returning to the Philippines with his boxing career back on the upswing after an impressive victory over Brandon Rios. Pacquiao said after his win at The Venetian casino in Macau on Sunday that he planned to travel to the epicenter of this month’s Typhoon Haiyan, which killed more than 5,000 people and displaced an estimated 3 million. ‘’I promised them that after the fight I would go to Tacloban to visit them,’’ Pacquiao said. ‘’As soon as possible we will finalize the date, what day.’’ Despite the devastation, big screens were set up in the city’s plaza to allow fans to watch Sunday’s fight, and their spirits received a much-needed boost from the victory for the Filipino star. When the storm hit, Pacquiao was already in a training camp at the southern city of General Santos, and while the boxer and lawmaker’s first instinct was to go to the affected areas to help, he was talked out of it by trainer Freddie Roach and others who advised him that the best thing he could do for the nation’s spirits was to win the fight. ‘’It was very difficult for me, I felt so bad for what happened,’’ Pacquiao said after Sunday’s fight. ‘’I wanted to visit there but because of my training I could not, so I was just praying for them and sent my staff to bring them help.

away with the championship of this annual member-guest tournament hosted by the AGCC. Galicia’s 68 also won for him the overall individual gross title. Denden de Castro and guest Chris Tan took the gross team runner up honors with a 120 while best-dressed tandem Tsiko Saavedra and Monchit Mackay came through with a 117 to

settle for gross second runner-up. The duo of Randy Arevalo and Wendell Adlao combined for a 174 to win the team net overall title over John Gross and partner Jeff Ramirez with a 159, and Bong Cabang and Kim Jae Tung with a 156. Arevalo also romped away with the overall net title after carding a 100. The division champions are Toffee Tionko

for Class A gross, Benjie Leparto for Cass A net, Edwin Cayamanda for the Class B gross, Ariel Roca for the Class B net, Ed De Guzman for the Class C gross, and Rolly Espino for the Class C net. In the Ladies division, Maricel Kim won the individual gross title with a 43, beating Gemma Bokawachi with a 41 while Gelisa Weckler won the Ladies

net champion with an 85 besting Park Myong Seon via countback. In the individual awards, Saavedra took the longest drive title, Kim Tae Jong won the nearest the line, Rodrigo Rizon won nearest the pin, Gumapac had the most birdies, Paul Garcia had the most pars, Richard Dorado with the most bogeys and Elmer Monsale is most exercised. (NJB)

DURIAN TEE. (L-R) Boy Arriba, Jeffrey Ebreo, John Gross and Jeff Ramirez pose before teeing off in the recent 24th Durian Tee. Boy Lim)

Thunder breeze past Jazz Clippers drub

GOING UNDER. Oklahoma Thunder forward Kevin Durant is fouled from behind by Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors in the second quarter of their NBA game in Oklahoma on Monday (PHL Time). (AP)

KLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Oklahoma City is having no problem adjusting to the occasional game without All-Start Russell Westbrook. The Thunder cruised to a 95-73 win over struggling Utah on Sunday night while their star point guard took the night off to rest his surgically repaired right knee. They did so behind 19 points from Kevin Durant, as well as a 17-point, 11-rebound effort from Serge Ibaka - stretching their lead to as many as 37 points in the third quarter before finishing the game out with reserves. ‘’We just wanted to play our game,’’ Durant said. ‘’No matter who’s on the floor, we want to execute a game plan on both ends. ‘’... Of course, we would love to have Russell out, but everybody stepped up.’’ Durant sat out the fourth quarter for Okla-

homa City (9-3), which won its fifth straight overall and sixth straight at home to open the season, its best opening stretch since moving from Seattle. Westbrook missed his first action since sitting for the season’s opening two games while recovering from the second of two offseason knee surgeries. He’s expected back when the Thunder host Western Conference leader San Antonio on Wednesday. Utah (1-14), which has lost six straight games, was led by 10 points apiece from Enes Kanter and Rudy Gobert. The Jazz looked for a spark in the lineup by starting former Michigan standout Trey Burke, the ninth overall pick in the June draft. Burke, playing in his third game since returning from surgery on his right index finger, struggled throughout - finishing with four points on 2-of-9 shooting.

Rose-less Bulls

OS ANGELES (AP) -While Derrick Rose headed home to Chicago for knee surgery, the Bulls began life without their superstar guard again. The Los Angeles Clippers showed them just how ugly that life could be. Jared Dudley scored a season-high 21 points, Chris Paul added 16 points and 17 assists, and the Clippers jumped all over the Bulls in Rose’s absence for a 121-82 victory Sunday. J.J. Redick scored 19 points and Blake Griffin had 15 points and 12 rebounds in the Pacific Division-leading Clippers’ seventh win in nine games. This was no ordinary blowout, either: The Clippers’ 39-point margin of victory was the largest in franchise history. The Clippers figured Rose’s latest injury was weighing on the Bulls’ minds. Los Angeles led for all but the first two minutes, and even the reserves surged ahead by 42 points in the fourth quarter.