Edge Davao 6 Issue 249 by Edge Davao The Business Paper

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 249 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

www.edgedavao.net

Serving a seamless society

MUTYA FINALISTS. The 15 Mutya ng Dabaw finalists wave to the crowd after they were chosen during the Talent Showcase held at Gaisano Mall of Davao on Monday evening. The 2014 Mutya ng Dabaw will be crowned in the Grand Coronation Night on March 14 at the Davao City Recreation Center. Lean Daval Jr.

NEDA: BACK TO GEN SETS Back up power needed to ease effect of power crisis By CHENEEN R. CAPON crc@edgedavao.net

They’re old-fashioned, noisy, and yes, maybe even costly. But who cares if it works to ease the power crisis?

To address the current rotating brownouts some parts of Mindanao, an official of the National Economic Development Auhority suggested the use of em-

bedded generator sets. “There are built-in generation modalities like generator sets embedded in establishments like hospitals, hotels, and malls.

This refers power that can be tapped during time of outages,” NEDA 11 regional director Ma. Lourdes Lim said. “It’s a matter of sched-

uling. If the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), our main transmission facility, could predict when these ro-

FNEDA, 10

IPs urge GRP, MILF: ‘Respect our rights’ By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

abf@edgedavao.net

HE Aromanon Manobo tribe, an indigenous community in the town of Carmen, North Cotabato, is urging the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to recognize the territory of the Indigenous Community if the Bangsamoro state is approved.

In a statement, the tribe wants the Bangsamoro and the government to determine and identify territories in accordance with the peace pact agreement. The ancestral domain and lands within territories should be recognized as these are the core elements

FIPs, 10

EXECOM MEETING. Davao City Administrator J. Melchor V. Quitain presides one the Araw ng Dabaw executive committee to discuss preparation of the 77th Araw ng Dabaw celebration at City Hall yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

EDGEDAVAO

THE BIG NEWS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 249 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014

REAL MANNEQUINS. These retail outlet sales attendants could be mistaken as mannequins as they stand side by side with the real mannequins while waiting for customers just after the store opened yesterday morning at the Annex of SM City Davao. Lean Daval Jr.

Rody orders center Measles cases in Davao City up to catch more dogs T By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. abf@edgedavao.net

AVAO City Mayor Rodrigo R, Duterte has ordered the Animal Control Center to catch more stray dogs in the streets to mitigate incidents of rabies in the city. Duterte told reporters last Monday night that the center will be given a quota of at least 50 dogs a day. “Kani man gung iro, ang Pilipino ang iro nila dili ginahiktan. Tapos mo adto sa dalan unya matakdan og macontaminate sa iro na naay rabies, ” said Duterte, adding that when a rabid dog bites a person, the lat-

ter will be infected with rabies. He said that if stray dogs are not controlled it will mean additional expenses by the city as anti-rabies vaccines are very expensive. Aside from vaccine, Duterte said that he could not grant the request of Animal Bite Centers in the city to hire a doctor to attend to people bitten by animals with rabies because it would be costly. Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DOH) 11 is urging dog owners in Davao City to have their

WEATHER FORECAST

dogs vaccinated against rabies. It said that they already recorded 14 fatalities in the city from 2010 to 2012 and 10,000 animal bites in 2013. Earlier, councilor Mary Joselle D. Villafuerte asked the city government for more funds for the immunization of animals, purchase of vaccines, impounding of stray dogs, and training of personnel to attain the goal of a rabies-free city in the Philippines by 2020. Villafuerte said that the city government needs to

focus on dog vaccination and dog population control through registration to attain that goal. In 2013 the city veterinarian’s office immunized 70,956 animals compared to 58,939 in 2012. Only half of the approximate population of dogs was immunized last year, which means that they did not hit the target. Villafuerte said that in 2013 there was a decrease in the number of people exposed to animal bites (6,959) compared to 2012 (7,543).

HE cases of suspected measles in Davao City have risen from 226 in February 20 to 280 cases as of March 3, the City Health Office reported. Eight of the suspected cases have been confirmed, according to the monitoring of the City Epidemeology and Surveillance Unit (CESU) in hospitals, health stations and health centers. The confirmed cases are residents of Agdao, Bunawan, Sasa, Talomo North, Toril, and Tugbok districts. The data may reflect either an increase in cases of measles or an increase in surveillance reports, the CESU said. The Department of

Health said recently that there were 14 confirmed measles cases in the region as of February. The CESU data added that there were only 26 confirmed cases for the entire 2013, and only one case in 2012. There were 141 suspected measles cases in 2013 and 159 in 2012. For this year’s confirmed cases, Agdao and Talomo North had two each, while the rest having one each as of Monday. In an interview, Cith Health Officer Josephine J. Villafuerte said the districts were in charge of improving vaccinations of

FMEASLES, 10

REHABILITATION. Telecommunications firm employees emulate spiderman’s moves as they walk through cable wires while doing the company’s ongoing rehabilitation project along E. Quirino Avenue in Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

VOL. 6 ISSUE 249 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

4 NEWS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 249 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014

LITTLE BEAUTY QUEEN. One of these 15 little beauty queen aspirants, who were presented during the Talent Showcase of 2014 of Mutya ng Dabaw held at Gaisano Mall of Davao on Monday evening, will be chosen as the next Munting Mutya ng Dabaw. Lean Daval Jr.

Eye women’s sector representative in SP T

IN REGION 11

Employment rate slightly down in 2013, says DOLE By CHENEEN R. CAPON

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

abf@edgedavao.net

MEMBER of the Davao City council will file a resolution for the appointment of a women’s sector representative in the city council. Councilor Bernard Alag told reporters yesterday during the Women Leaders

Conference at the Davao Episcopal Mission Center that he would file the resolution probably in next week’s regular session. Al-ag said that if it is approved on the first reading they would call all women’s groups in the city to a

public hearing on the matter. “Based on the Local Government Code, kung atong I review, nakabutang didto ang mandatory representation sa women in any council like city council or municipal council,” he

FAITHFUL. Two faithfuls are seen praying to the image of Sto. Niño for guidance and protection at City Hall of Davao yesterday. The Roman Catholic communities worldwide will observe Ash Wednesday today which marks the beginning of the 40-day liturgical period of prayer and fasting. Lean Daval Jr.

said. Al-ag said that the city has not implemented the provision of the law as it has mandatory representation only for the indigenous people sector. “As we celebrate this

FEYE, 10

crc@edgedavao.net

HE employment rate in Region 11 decreased slightly last year compared to 2012. Last year it was 93.1 percent but declined by 0.9 percent compared to the 94 percent in 2012. The total workforce employed in the region in 2012 was 1.874 million, but only 1.851 mil-

lion last year. Department of Labor and Employment 11 regional director Joeffrey Suyao said in an interview yesterday that devastation in the agriculture sector contributed to the displacement of workers last year. He added that the nine percent decline

HILIPPINE policies protecting transportation, logistics, and communication should be reviewed, otherwise these industries would fall short in the 2015 Asean economic integration. Dr. Karl Kendrick Chua, senior country economist from World Bank-Philippines said that the failure may be attributed to the long history of protecting this sector that prohibits companies and government agencies from becoming “performance-driven”. “Now that we are opening up [because of Asean integration], it would be difficult, so it is important, I guess, for the government to look and review this sector and see how they can provide opportunities to make them more competitive without giving them subsidy and incentives that are not performance driven and not transparent,” Chua said. He cited countries like Taiwan and South Korea where the government provides companies a lot of incentives, yet they are transparent and performance-driven but in our country it’s the other way

around. He said during the regional dialogue on “creating more and better jobs” organized by WBP and University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP) yesterday that opening up these sectors would mean more job and economic opportunities for Filipinos. “One of the areas that need to be open under Asean integration as part of the agreement is the logistic sector, transportation in particular, ports shipping and these are very important to the Philippines compared to other countries because we pay almost 30 percent for retailed price for logistics cost in terms of shipping, ports, infrastructures, and roads,” the economist said. Chua added that government should provide opportunities for these sectors that will enable them to maximize opportunities in the integration, adding that higher competition posed by the integration “can serve as incentive to be more productive and a disciplining force” to the Filipinos working in these sectors. [CRC]

FEMPLOYMENT, 10

Reduce ASEAN INTEGRATION poverty ‘Protectionist’policies in 3 sectors need review incidence P to 16.6% T HE Davao City local government is aiming to reach a 16.6 percent poverty incidence rate in the city by 2015. Davao Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte signed on February 26 Executive Order 15 to reconstitute the Local Poverty Reduction Action Team (LPRAT), which is tasked to identify specific poverty reduction strategies and programs, and create a comprehensive “grassroots budgeting approach” to address poverty reduction. The LPRAT will convene every quarter to monitor and evaluate the city’s poverty reduction programs, as well as the monitoring of the program’s implementation. The team comprises the city mayor as chairman, the president of the South Davao Police Retirees cooperative as cochair. The city council’s chairman for the committee on finance, ways and means will represent the

FREDUCE, 10

5 SUBURBIA

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 249 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014

DAVAO DEL NORTE

LGU steps up fire prevention drive T

HE provincial government of Davao del Norte has intensified its fire prevention campaign in order to save lives and properties and mitigate the impact of destructive conflagration. Through Oplan A.N.D.A.M. (Advocacy on Natural Disaster Awareness and Management) program, the province has been equipping communities, including school children, the invaluable knowledge of preventing fires, as well as, the proper techniques in controlling fire. Fire drills and seminars were conducted during ANDAM’s visit to disaster-prone barangays, along with orientation on basic life-saving techniques, water sanitation and hygiene, bio-gas technology and botanical concoction, and earthquake drill. Governor Rodolfo del Rosario said the effort of the province complements this year’s observance of the Fire Prevention Month, with the theme “Isulong ang Kaunlaran, Sunog ay Iwasan, Kaalaman at Pag-iingat ang Kailangan.”

The governor stressed the importance of fire safety, which, he said, must be given equal attention along with the preparation and mitigation efforts against typhoon, earthquake and other calamities. “Dapat maging mas handa tayo sa sunog dahil maaari itong mangyari sa araw-araw,” he said during the March Convocation program at the Bulwagan ng Lalawigan. “The key is awareness and preparedness.” Provincial Fire Marshall F/Supt. Sedney Besana asked the public to be always aware of the potential hazards in their homes and offices. He said the best way to practice fire safety is to make sure a fire doesn’t break out in the first place, by checking their electrical connections and proper handling and storage of hazardous materials and potential ignition sources. He also asked the constituents to be aware of using available fire protection equipment necessary to control fire. The Bureau of Fire Pro-

COMPOSTELA VALLEY

FIRE DRILL. PDRRM Operations Chief Redentor Cardinal coaches a school boy how to use the fire extinguisher, during the Oplan ANDAM caravan in Florida, Kapalong, Davao del Norte. [Ondoy Laguitao/DavNor PIO] tection (BFP)-XI reported a 46.4-percent increase in the number of fire incidents

in the Davao Region in January 2014 as compared to the same period last year.

It said Davao del Norte ranked second, with Davao City leading the number of

TAGUM CITY

incidence among the local government units in the region. [by Noel Baguio]

ComVal town gears up for influx of investments LGUs benchmark local economic enterprises T T HE municipality of Maco is now gearing towards becoming an investment haven following the crafting of the proposed Maco Investment and Incentive Code of 2014. Responding to the need of wooing more foreign and domestic investors, the local government unit (LGU) of

the town presented the proposed municipal ordinance entitled the Maco Investment and Incentive Code of 2014 during a public hearing last January 17 at the Maco Gym. Maco Vice Mayor Arthur Carlos Voltaire R. Rimando said the code “should put Maco as an investment hav-

en and regain its glory days as among the most progressive towns in the region”. During its heydays in the 80’s, Maco was at the center of trade in Davao province, with its port breaming with timber for export. Large corporations such as Aguinaldo Development Corporation (ADECOR) and APEX

Mining Corporation sizzled the town’s economy exceeding even that of Tagum, the capital town of the then undivided province of Davao del Norte. But the decline of logging business in the following decade also started the town’s waning economic activities. [DTI-CV/KimEvangelio/JMM]

TUDAYA HYDRO 2. Hedcor is all set for the commercial operation of the 7 MW Tudaya Hydropower 2 Project in Davao del Sur very soon from now as it only awaits for the ERC’s issuance of Certificate of Compliance. Thus, the team is now constantly conducting its site-inspection to ensure the reliability of the Tudaya Hydro 2 components. Hedcor is presently forging its partnership with the Province of Bukidnon for the company’s proposed 68.8MW Manolo Fortich hydropower plant. Meanwhile, Hedcor’s Sabangan hydropower plant in Mountain Province is under construction.

HREE different local government units from Luzon and Mindanao benchmarked Tagum City’s booming economic enterprises and studied how they can replicate the same in their respective areas of responsibility last February 27 and 28, 2014. Local officials from Masbate City, Valencia City of Bukidnon and the Municipality of Lambayong in the Province of Sultan Kudarat held separate benchmarking activities in the city and carefully studied how the city was able to manage its earning economic enterprises. Answering their queries were no less than Tagum City Mayor Allan L. Rellon and Acting City Economic Enterprises Manager Grace Terante. Mayor Rellon highlighted the participatory governance being imposed in Tagum’s economic enterprises which is composed of the public market, livestock center, overland transport integrated terminal, trade center, slaughterhouse and the public cemetery. The local chief executive said though that the measurement of the suc-

cess of Tagum’s economic enterprises does not only depend on the income it gained but the fulfillment and happiness of the vendors is also being considered, following his agenda on the affordability of taxes under the EAGLE WINGS Program. According to Terante, her office was able to collect 87, 387, 116.49 pesos for 2013, way higher than 2012’s 85, 503, 306.35 pesos. In January this year, total collections amounted to 9, 721, 545.53 pesos. The city government is now working on the revision of the Economic Enterprises Code to make it up-to-date, including the plan of reviving the economic enterprises regulatory board whose membership will be composed of city officials, the private sector, representatives from various economic enterprises-based organizations, among others. Such body will ensure check and balance, the mayor said. Among the sites that were visited by the replicating LGUs are the public market, the night market and the uniquely-Tagum public cemetery. [Louie Lapat/CIO Tagum]

6 THE ECONOMY Stat Watch Indicator

Latest

1. Gross National Income 1. GrossRate National Income Growth Growth Rate2000 Prices) (At Constant

7.1 1st Qtr 2013 6.8

2.2.Gross GrossDomestic DomesticProduct Growth Rate Product (AtGrowth Constant 2000 Prices) Rate

7.8 1st Qtr 2013 7.5

(At Constant 2000 Prices)

3. Exports 1/ 3. Exports

4. Imports 1/ 4. Imports

5. Trade Balance Trade Balance 6.5.Balance of Payments 2/

7.6.Broad Money Liabilities Balance of Payments

2nd Qtr 2013

USD 3,741 million 5,045 FebUSD 2013 million USD 4,708 Sep 2013 million FebUSD 2013 5,711 USD -967 million million Sep 2013 Feb 2013 USD -665 USD -640 million million Sep 2013 Dec 2012 P 4,964,560 USD 692 million million Feb Jun2013 2013 P2.45,980,938 % million Mar 2013 Aug 2013

8. Interest Rates 4/

7. Broad Money Liabilities

P113,609 2.0 % million Sep2013 2013 Mar P P5,281 127,336 billion million Mar Sep2013 2013

9. National Government 8. Revenues Interest Rate 9. National Government

10.Revenues National government outstanding debt outstanding debt

P 5,609 P 41.14 Aprbillion 2013

11.Stocks Peso per US $ 12. Composite Index 6/

6,847.5 P 43.83 Mar Sep2013 2013

12. Stocks Composite

6,191.8 132.8 Sep2013 2013 Apr

13. Consumer Price Index

135.2 Oct2.62013

10.Peso National government 11. per US $ 5/

Sep 2013

13. Consumer Index Price Index 2006=100

2006=100 14. Headline Inflation Rate 14. 2006=100 Headline Inflation

Apr 2013

15. Core Inflation Rate 2006=100 2006=100

Apr 2013

2.9 Oct3.12013

Rate

15. Core Inflation Rate 2006=100 16. Visitor Arrivals

2.5

418,108 Oct 2013 Feb 2013

382,022 Aug 2013 20.9%

16. Visitor Arrivals

17. Underemployment 7/ 17. Rate Underemploymen

Jan 2013 19.2%

18. 18.Unemployment UnemploymentRate Rate7/

7.1% Jan 2013 7.3%

Rate

Jul 2013 Jul 2013

MONTHLY AVERAGE EXCHANGE RATE (January 2011-September 2013) Month Average December November October September August July June May April March February January

2013

2012

2011

43.83 43.86 43.35 42.91 41.30 41.14 40.71 40.67 40.73

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

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

It figures

VOL. 6 ISSUE 249 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014

BDO posts 56% growth to hit a high of P22.6 B B

DO Unibank, Inc. (BDO) posted a record net income of P22.6 billion for full year 2013, exceeding its P20.4 billion earnings guidance, and 56 percent higher than the P14.5 billion profit in 2012. The Bank’s remarkable performance is attributable to increased earnings from its core businesses in conjunction with notable trading gains. Its primary commercial banking businesses continued its robust growth with net interest income leading the way with a 20 percent rise to P43.2 billion. BDO said this consistent progression is at the back of customer loans expanding by 19 percent, going over the P900 billion mark. On the other hand, total deposits ended the year at P1.3 trillion, or an upsurge of 44 percent. The Bank’s continued branch expansion enabled it to keep cost of funds tempered with low cost deposits growing over 20%. In 2013, BDO opened a total of 52 new branches nationwide. Accompanying earnings from its lending and deposit taking activities, the Bank also realized

READY-TO-WEAR. Shoppers browse through the jeans collection of a ready-to-wear outlet at the Annex of SM City Davao yesterday. Lean Daval Jr. an aggregate amount of P12.8 billion in trading and foreign exchange gains. Fee based income continued to show steady improvement as it reached P15.5 billion, or an increase of 15 percent. Even as the Bank maintained its expanding customer coverage around the country, operating expense remained manageable at P43.2 billion, growing by

9.5 percent. Asset quality continued to improve with the Bank’s non-performing loan (NPL) ratio falling to 1.6 percent from 2.8 percent the previous year. However, despite the NPL reduction, the Bank continued to adopt a conservative provisioning strategy by setting aside provisions amounting to P7 billion as a result of continued loan growth. Coverage ratio therefore

currently stands at 171 percent. After its US$ 1 billion rights offering in 2012, the Bank’s capital base currently stands at P164 billion, the largest in the industry as of end-2013. Its Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) and Tier 1 Capital ratio are at 15.8 percent and 14.6 percent, respectively, ready for Basel III implementation that started in January 2014.

The Bank’s Return on Common Equity (ROCE) improved to 14.5 percent from 2012’s 12 percent. With the Philippine economy expected to sustain its growth momentum this year, BDO said it is fully equipped to realize the promising growth opportunities in its customer segments by capitalizing on its established business franchise and wide distribution network. [PNA]

percent and 7.5 percent this year based on the 2014 GDP forecast guidance from the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA). The country is even expected to outperform its regional peers. “As such, we advise our investors to stay the course and take advantage of equity market sell-offs as an opportunity to increase investment exposure -- especially for those who have no exposure in our equity markets yet,” Enriquez said. “We expect the sec-

ond half of the year to be better for the market as we see better guidance on company earnings and GDP growth,” he added. The second half of 2014, Enriquez said, is looking especially promising, and there are plenty of reasons why. “Rehabilitation efforts in areas affected by Typhoon ‘Yolanda’ will begin to reflect improvement on economic activity. More government infrastructure projects will start construction activities; a new casino is expected to bring more

jobs and tourists when it opens in the third quarter; and long awaited investments of companies will becompleted and will contribute to earning expansion,” he enumerated. Enriquez also stated that the Philippines is expected to remain resilient in the medium to long term, due to the continuous infrastructure boom and the healthy balance sheet that the government is managing. “On top of those, we also have a growing young middle class that can sustain domestic con-

sumption,” he explained. “Plus, the expansion of BPOs nationwide and the resurgence of the manufacturing sector can provide a steady and broader job supply.” The Sun Life executive recommends pooled funds which are actually managed funds such a mutual funds and UITFs for those who are keen to continue investing, saying it’s the most efficient way to participate in the equity markets since it offers professional fund management as well asdiversification. [PNA]

Sun Life to investors: Stay the course

VEN with the local stock market experiencing net foreign selling, foreignfunds shifting their focus on developed markets, and despite the news of a weak market, Sun Life of Canada (Philippines) Inc. advises investors to stay the course and continue investing at this time. According to Sun Life’s Chief Investments Officer Michael Enriquez, the Philippine economy continues to be strong, with the gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast to be between 6.5

P1.05 billion

Amount the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) will release to the Commission on Higher Education for college scholarships nationwide, as well as for the implementation of the agency’s key projects.

P600 million

Amount the DBM turned over to the National Housing Authority last month to cover the relocation of 2,069 informal settler families along the rivers and waterways of Pateros.

286

Number of Bohol earthquake worker-survivors that will benefit from financial grants care of the Department of Labor and Employment’s Integrated Livelihood Program. Checks amounting to a total of P732,152.40 were released to five workers organizations to help rehabilitate businesses.

7 ENVIRONMENT

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 249 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014

DENR 11, POs Ink MOA for CBFM-CARP T

HE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR 11) recently signs a Memorandum of Agreement with 26 Peoples Organizations (POs) in Region 11 in support to the implementation of its Community-Based Forest Management-Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CBFM-CARP) for 2014. The said 32 million-worth project aims for hunger and poverty alleviation and climate change mitigation and adaptation of the upland communities in Region 11. DENR Regional Executive Director Joselin Marcus E. Fragada stressed that among all the regions, Region 11 is given the biggest budget due to the successful implementation and high accomplishments on its CBFM-CARP last year. “I believe that the success of the implementation of the project is the ticket to get more projects in the future. Through this CBFM-CARP, not only are we going to give assistance to these POs and alleviate them from poverty but we will also be rehabilitating our forests and mitigate the effects of climate change,” he said. As stipulated in the MOA, DENR will provide the necessary technical services and capacity building/enhancement to

the POs to facilitate the effective implementation of the project. Trainings on post-harvest technology, product marketing, project management and organizational strengthening will also be provided to the POs. DENR will also identify and delineate 50 hectare area per PO that are suitable for various agro-forestry commodities such as budded rubber, cacao, grafted durian, falcata, coffee, mahogany and banana among others. Among the responsibilities of the POs as stated in the MOA is the construction and development of their nursery building and propagation/procurement of planting materials from supplier of their choice. They will also participate in the identification of suitable area for their nursery establishment as well as assists in the identification and delineation of the 50 hectares within the CBFM project. POs will also have to conduct re-planting, ring weeding, fertilizer application and regular maintenance and protection of their CBFM area until such time it is deemed productive and sustainable. The 26 POs that were given a CBFM-CARP assistance were Boston Mandaya Tribe, Campawan Agro-Forestr De-

CBFM-CARP MOA SIGNING. Malakiba Peoples Improvement Coop. (MAPICO) of Bantol, Marilog District, Davao City is one of the 26 Peoples Organizations in Region XI that was given assistance by the DENR for their agro-forestry development. Signing the MOA are MAPICO Chairman Bernardino C. Regidor (2nd from left), Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Glenn Adonis M. Rico (3rd from left) and Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer (CENRO)-East Bernardino S. Juson (extreme right). With them is the Regional CBFM Coordinator and OIC, Chief of the Forest Resources and Development Division Marylou L. Zarasate (2nd from right) velopment Association, Inc., Binondo Upland Farmers Coop, Lamiawan Forest Developer MPC, Taguibo Tagbinonga, Buso Forestland Association, Ugbo Tarragona Mandaya Planters Association, Kauswagan Pinaragan Haguimitan Planters Association of Davao Oriental; Kibaguio

Upland Farmers Association, Kilagding Upland Farmers Association, Araibo Farmers Multi-Purpose Coop., Las Arenas Farmers MP Coop., Tribal Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Canidkid Upland Farmers Association, Magangit Upland Farmers Association, Casoon Tree Farmers Association,

Financial reason is the main force behind increasing poaching and illegal trading, according to Steiner, saying that individuals in African countries often turned to poaching for money, and officials can be corrupted. He reiterated that the economic value of wildlife in Africa is underestimated in many countries’ national accounting systems. Loss of habitat is also a major contributor, Steiner said. “Human population has grown from 1 billion in 250 years ago to now 7 billion. We are in a major competition with wildlife in terms of sharing the land.” Elephants in Africa are threatened by the increasing loss of habitat in around 29 percent of their range areas, and the figure could rise to 63 percent by 2050, according to Elephants in the Dust, a UNEP partner. [PNA/Xinhua]

N annual report by two Australian agencies released Tuesday confirms that the climate in Australia has warmed since 1910 and predicted more extreme heat and fewer cool extremes. The report, the third biennial State of the Climate report, by the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) and the Commonwealth of Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) said that Australia’ s climate has warmed by 0.9 degree Celsius since 1910 and the frequency of extreme weather has changed, with more extreme heat and fewer cool extremes. “Seven of the 10 warmest years on record in Australia have occurred since 1998. When we compare the past 15 years to the period 1951 to 1980, we find that the frequency of very

Awao Forestland Beneficiaries Association, Inc. of Comval province; Camansa Community Forest Farmers Association of Davao del Norte and; Upper Bala Upland Farmers Association, Inc., Tagaytay Upland Farmers & Workers Association, Nagkahiusang Mag-uuma sa Sitio Tagaytay, Bito, Landun-

gan Farmers Association, MAPALA Greenviewers Farmers Association, Inc., Kibalang Balikatan sa Kaunlaran ng Pagkakaisa Association, Mt. Tipolog Bantay Kinaiyahan Association, Inc., Tapak Farmers Marketing Coop. and Malakiba Peoples Improvement Coop. for Davao del Sur. [DENR 11]

warm months has increased five-fold and the frequency of very cool months has decreased by around a third,” said BoM Chief Executive Dr. Rob Vertessy. The duration, frequency and intensity of heatwaves have increased across large parts of Australia since 1950. Data and analysis from BoM and CSIRO show further warming of the atmosphere and oceans in the Australian region, as is happening globally. “There has been an increase in extreme fire weather, and a longer fire season, across large parts of Australia,” the report says. The report concludes the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is rising, and left unchecked further emissions will cause more warming this cen-

tury. CSIRO Chief Executive Dr Megan Clark said Australia has warmed in every state and territory and in every season. “Australia has one of the most variable climates in the world. Against this backdrop, across the decades, we’re continuing to see increasing temperatures, warmer oceans, changes to when and where rain falls and higher sea levels,” Clark said. Annual average global atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations reached 395 parts per million (ppm) in 2013 and concentrations of the other major greenhouse gases are at their highest levels for at least 800,000 years, the report says. “Limiting the magnitude of future climate change requires large and sustained net global reductions in greenhouse gases,” states the report. [PNA/Xinhua]

UNEP: Global efforts needed to raise Reportconfirmsglobalwarming, public awareness of wildlife protection predicts harsh climate conditions

HE head of the UN Environment Program (UNEP) on Monday called for global efforts to raise the public’s environmental awareness and to curb illicit trade involving wild animals and their products, which is now at US$ 19 billion each year and rising. In an exclusive interview with Xinhua on the occasion of the first World Wildlife Day, which falls on Monday, UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner said the day marks both “a celebration and opportunity.” In December last year, the UN General Assembly decided to proclaim March 3 as World Wildlife Day, calling on the world to use the occasion to celebrate and raise awareness of the world’s wild fauna and flora. The UNEP chief emphasized that it is imperative to “draw public

awareness to not only wildlife, but also plant and animal life, and the biodiversity of our planet.” “The most dramatically increasing threats right now is poaching and the illegal trade,” said Steiner, adding that there has been an escalation in terms of scale the violence involved in poaching on the African continent. Around 1,030 rhinos and some 38,000 elephants are now left in Kenya, where the UNEP’s headquarters locates. The country’s wildlife authorities said it lost at least 59 rhinos last year. Elephant population on the continent is estimated at 500,000, compared with 1.2 million in 1980. A recent INTERPOL report said they had made 18 seizures accounting for some 41.6 tonnes of ivory in 2013, an all-time global high.

EDGEDAVAO

VANTAGE

EDITORIAL

VOL. 6 ISSUE 249 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014

Good riddance

HE subject of yesterday’s editorial was the bill proposed by Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez and his brother, Rep. Maximo Rodriguez of Abante Mindanao party-list, seeking the abolition of 19 under-performing government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs) and government financial institutions (GFIs). However, yesterday’s Philippine Star headlined the fact that President Benigno S. Aquino III had already approved the scrapping of five GOCCs, and is considering the abolition or privatization of seven others for failing to achieve their mandates despite wasting taxpayers’ money amounting to P7 billion annually. All 12 GOCCs – the five already abolished and seven more considered for scrapping – are among the 19 GOCCs and GFIs sought to be abolished by the bill filed by the Rodriguez brothers. We congratulate both Malacanang and the lawmakers from Mindanao for the convergence of their assessment about the inutility of these GOCCs and thus stop the indecent bleeding of the people’s money which has been going on for years now. In fact, a number of the GOCCS in question are implicated in the multi-billion pork barrel scam allegedly mastermind by detained businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles. For the record, the GOCCs approved by President Aquino for abolition are the National Agri-business Corp. (Nabcor), Zamboanga del

EDGEDAVAO

Providing solutions to a seamless global village.

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE

the national association of newspapers

Printed by Zion Accuprint Publishing Inc. 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

Norte Rubber Estate Corp. and Philippine Forest Corp., which have been linked to the misuse of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of several congressmen and senators, the Human Settlements Development Corp. and Cottage Industry Technology Center. The Governance Commission on GOCCs (GCG) recommended the scrapping of the five corporations. Additionally, the GCG also recommended for abolition or privatization of the other seven GOCCs, namely, the Marawi Resort Hotel Inc., Philippine Aerospace Dev’t Corp., NDC-Philippine Infrastructure Corp., Batangas Land Co., Kamayan Realty Corp., GY Real Estate Inc., and Pinagkaisa Realty Corp. The GCG which was created recently, precisely to check the performance excesses of GOCCs and GFIs is doing a good job. However, its mission is far from accomplished, considering that there could be hundreds of GOCCs and GFIs whose usefulness and faithful adherence to their mandates must be watched and carefully evaluated. It should be easy to fold up these useless GOCCs since there seems to be no disagreement on their being a waste of people’s money. Also, henceforth, Congress and the President must be extra careful that government corporations they create from time to time will not become milking cows of avaricious government factotums and their equally greedy cronies.

KENNETH IRVING K. ONG Creative Solutions

ARLENE D. PASAJE Cartoons

RAMON M. MAXEY Consultant

GREGORIO G. DELIGERO Associate Editor

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

ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR./ CHENEEN R. CAPON Reporters

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

GENERAL OFFICE SANTOS CITY CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING OFFICE CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING OLIVIA D. VELASCO OLIVIA D. VELASCO RICHARDRICHARD C. EBONAC. EBONA SOLANI D. MARATAS SOLANI D. MARATAS MARKETING OFFICE | Marketing Manager General Manager General ManagerMarketingAdvertising Supervisor SpecialistFinance FinanceLEIZEL A. DELOSOLEIZEL A. DELOSO | MarketingFLORENCE ManagerS. VILLARIN

JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales

AQUILES Z. ZONIO Correspondent

AGUSTIN V. MIAGAN JR Circulation

Unit 6, Southbank Plaza Velez-Yacapin Sts. Unit 6, Southbank Plaza Velez-Yacapin Sts. Marketing Specialist Cagayan de Oro City c/o PZ Villarin Marketing Cagayan de Oro City Tel: (088) 852-4894

Tel: (088) 852-4894

Salvani St., Oringo Brgy. City Heights Tel: (083) 303-2215

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

EDGEDAVAO

Blackout : we all knew it was coming

O NEED to be “caught by surprise” or simply shocked by that long blackout last week. C’mon, we all knew its going to happen, we were warned by the power sector that Mindanao blackouts will start hitting us in 2014 or even earlier. So what if the blackout hit us in the wee hours of the morning at nearly 4 am, the effect is the same anyway--- you end up not having your usual hot coffee because you’re using an electric stove, or not being able to read your emails because your desktop computer isn’t working. That is why I’ve started to think of doing things in the future that do not need electric power from the Mindanao Grid because everyone in this southern island seem to be under the mercy of this grid. If suddenly one day, it just breaks down without any warning, we all end up the losers. Right now I’ve started thinking of a portable solar power at home that could charge my cellphone and run my desktop computer. I have to stop thinking that my life totally depends only on Davao Light

VANTAGE POINTS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 249 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014

and Power and the source of its power in the Mindanao Grid For starters, I’m stocking up on those nice fat colored candles with that perfume scent, matches, little powerful flashlights to make our way around the dark corners of our apartment, and thank goodness for cellphones with radios and TVs which are very useful during emergencies. Perhaps I can consider tossing away our electric stove and replace it not with a gas stove, but with a simple smoke-less charcoal stove that can cook rice well and makes the best adobo, sinigang and bulalo at the porch of our apartment. Maybe, just maybe, I could consider hauling off our small ref to the junk shops along Castillo street and dump it there, sell it off to the scrap metal dealers per

kilo. Of course, I would miss the ice cold water, the frozen chicken meat I’ve always forgotten I had in the ref---- which one can easily buy from the corner store. All these I want to do simply because my life is becoming too dependent on electric power provided by Davao Light and the Mindanao Grid at Lanao and Bukidnon. There must be some way we can still survive and stay alive without power. All these sources of power are so vulnerable, not just to bandits, terrorists, pranks, rebels, earthquakes, typhoons but even to this thing called the Murphy’s Law--- the one blamed by Davao Mayor Rody Duterte that caused last week’s island-wide blackout. AND NOW back to reality --- there’s simply not enough power in Mindanao to run all the factories, plants, malls, stores, hotels, offices, homes, etc, etc.. Hours of blackouts will become longer in all the cities and towns in Mindanao in the months ahead. And that includes Davao City. (Comments ? Email > tradingpost_ davao@yahoo.com)

that both the government a n d independent p o w e r producers (IPP) can d e l i v e r . Of course, the figures point to the necessity of power output but unfortunately experts and power cooperatives noted the endeavor is moving at turtle-paced speed. Just recently, the not-so-credible weather forecasters and water officials have been warning that because of the expected return of the El Niño phenomenon and the consequent low water levels, power shortages might resume particularly during the hot summer months. The El Niño will again be doing his mess and the drought will come as predicted. But in the present situation, dry or wet season the lights went out just the same not only in Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon but most particularly in the entire areas in Mindanao which are solely dependent on hydroelectric power. Sad to note, the hydroelectric power plants in Agus, Lanao del Norte and Pulangi in Maramag, Bukidnon continuously undergo maintenance works due to wear and tear with no substitute power supply structure in sight. It’s really deplorable that when power is out, traffic would slow down, generators were put on standby and portable battery-powered lamps were cleaned and recharged even during the daytime as four to six-hour brownouts struck both the urban and rural communities throughout the country. Energy officials say the main problem at this stage was not the lack of power supply but the breakdown of power plants in Luzon and poor maintenance

of hydropower plants in Mindanao. But why is there no immediate relief in sight? They also explained that while there will be power reserves in the coming months, the supply will be thin and scarce, if any of the major power plants breaks down, most of Luzon will experience exasperating power outages. Meanwhile concerned officials said government will be sourcing for backup power reserves from independent producers to support the Mindanao power distributors. However, many IPP’s proved to be unreliable and remiss in their commitment to supply enough electricity, which is a breach in their contract with the government. A severe power crisis, with blackouts lasting from four to six or eight hours daily, would be so crippling it will lead to capital plight and cost thousands of jobs. An impending power crisis will show just how vulnerable the country’s power situation continues to be, and how much work needs to be done before the consuming public can be assured that they will sweat only when they want to and need not to go back to candle power. The previous administrations failed to solve the energy crisis and right now the Aquino leadership similarly has a great deal at stake in ensuring that the days of heat and darkness do not return. Not only must it prevent the irate and disgusted consuming public to label the President as “Prince of Darkness”, an unofficial inherited attribute, but likewise a reversal of the economic turnaround and prevent a fresh wave of capital flight. A continuing power crisis, coming in the midst of widespread disenchantment and bewilderment over the present officials’ lack of concern and neglect could result in the administration’s own political crisis, which it can hardly afford on the advent of a crucial 2016 presidential elections.

No immediate relief in sight

RE WE GOING BACK TO CANDLE POWER? – This has been a vicious cycle continuously haunting the government. I could still vividly remember this lingering problem is worst during the term of the late President Corazon Aquino that earned her the moniker, “Queen of Darkness.” The prevailing critical issue at hand is the impending power crisis that tends to affect the country’s socio-economic activities. It is not getting any better, but instead worsening day after day. Was the disgusting and infuriating power crisis a spontaneous occurrence – an act of Nature? Or was it a result of official negligence or neglect? Some economists noted that we have a Department of Energy (DoE) and an energy program that it seems is not working. While the leadership’s predecessor built not a new single base load power plant in its nine years in office, the Aquino administration on the other hand seemed too slow looking for an alternative power source to lessen the negative impact caused by power shortages. Who should be held accountable for all that? The previous leaderships, Aquino administration? Or Juan de la Cruz? The power crisis scare wasn’t unfounded. Energy officials and power providers admit that power reserves in Luzon areas plunged to almost “zero level” even during the wet season. Several power plants tripped while others were undergoing maintenance and repair work the past months as four to six-hour power outages hit Metro Manila and it neighboring suburban towns and cities. However, present high-profile energy officials and consultants debunked allegations that it is not giving attention to the country’s power situation notably in Mindanao. As a matter of fact during the three-year period year under the Aquino administration, it has already made an audit of the power capacity

Can a conversation contribute to peacemaking? WORM’S EYEVIEW BY MANNY VALDEHUESA

HAVE likened the imminent signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) as a “shotgun wedding,” doing so somewhat facetiously. But in fact I was deadly serious. Knowing how its background involved a brokered “courtship” that took the better part of two generations, the abrogation of an earlier “shotgun wedding” (with MNLF in 1996), and the writing off of the costly “dowry” that is the ARMM, how can I be anything but deadly serious? Not only that, the memory of over 100,000 lives lost (maybe even more than double that!) and knowing about the shattered dreams of millions more—including those who despaired and found survival by working abroad—one can’t possibly treat this matter lightly. Ask Secretary Ging Deles and the peace panels on both sides, Peacemaking is very costly, very delicate, and very exacting. You can’t be cavalier about it. The Real Challenge Anyone who has labored in the minefields of peacemaking knows that the negotiation process is the easy part, being only preliminary to the point where each side signs pieces of paper... or walks away! The real work is Peace Building, which is even more costly, plus it never ends. Knowing this should make one even more determined to ask hard questions until everyone gets really serious about building the peace, starting with removing/eradicating barriers to understanding and harmony and fraternal co-existence. For raising the issue one notch higher, I thank my colleague, Mr. Patricio Diaz, for his kind and copious rejoinder. If there are ruffled feelings about my mention of an undercurrent of distrust, or indeed about my using the term “shotgun wedding,” no need to worry… shotgun weddings have been known to endure and bear good fruit. Lots of real-life proofs of this in the Middle East. Why I Speak Out Just to establish my bona-fides on the issue, let me state once more that I am a local-born son of Mindanaons with ancestry straddling Lumad, Moro, and Christian traditions. I grew up with all three and got to be influenced by all three in fairly equal parts, especially during the years when World War II raged and we were on the run finding shelter in each other’s community. Second, I’m based in Northern Mindanao, where attitudes and sensibilities differ markedly from the mindset of central, western, and island-based Mindanaons, given their differing degrees of experience or exposure to peace-related occurrences. Third, although Christian in upbringing, I grew up aware of cultural differences in a non-judgmental way. It’s what growing up in a multicultural environment does: you know you have differences (in attitudes, habits, or values); but different doesn’t mean better or worse—just not the same, because no two people are the same. It’s an outlook borne of having lived close to each other, then apart to study and work, then abroad in various cultural and religious environments other than Christian, Muslim, or Southeast Asian. I’ve lived in Paris, Israel, and Pakistan and routinely visited other parts of Europe, America, the Middle East, and the Pacific. So I can say that I’m relatively open-minded or free from the biases in less exposed or less-traveled individuals. And because I derive my basic identity from being Mindanaon, I pay attention to what’s happening around Mindanao and to influences on its society, geography, or environment. Then I share my thoughts and outlook in hopes of contributing to the need for mutual understanding and comity. Invitation In this spirit, I invite others who feel the same to light up our lives or buoy up our hopes with a thought, an opinion, an idea, or a suggestion. [Manny is former UNESCO regional director for Asia-Pacific, secretary-general of Southeast Asian Publishers Association, director at Development Academy of the Philippines, vice chair of Local Government Academy, member of the Cory Government’s Peace Panel, and PPI-UNICEF awardee for outstanding columnist. valdehuesa@gmail.com]

NEWS

Neda...FFROM 1

tating brownouts would occur, this reserve power can be tapped,” Lim said, adding that the brownouts will worsen as summer approaches. She said that this can be an immediate response to the crisis since coal-fired power projects will be operational by 2015 and 2016 yet. “I think the issue on the gap of reliable and steady power will be closed in 2015 as we expect the commissioning of the power projects,” the director said, adding that the 300 megawatt Therma Marine Corporation of Aboitiz Power will be operational by next year. She said that it is not only the business sector that will be affected by power outages, but also households, adding that water supply is also affect-

ed by power crisis. Earlier, Davao Light and Power Corporation announced the new power outage scheme yesterday that may take up to two hours of rotating brownouts in Davao City. DLPC, in its official website said that the rotation will run for the whole week. The distribution company implemented the one hour rotating power interruption in its franchise areas in the Davao region after the Mindanao power outage last February 27. DLPC said that it will continue until NGCP lifts its implementation. The rotating brownouts are said to be necessary as they will prevent the total collapse of the entire Mindanao transmission grid which will happen if the demand for power exceeds the power supply.

of their existence and their connection to their land ‘is not merely for economic purpose but the entirety of the environment serves as material bases’ of their culture and it have spiritual significance. Their identity should also be respected, promoted and recognized, including the empowerment of tribal communities in the Bangsamoro government. The indigenous community also wants to exercise their prior rights to natural resources in their ancestral domain for the

benefit of every tribe, as well as a slot in the Bangsamoro Ministerial Government to ensure their representation and right for their concerns to be heard by the state. They want the Bangsamoro state to recognize Republic Act 8371 of the Indigenous People Rights Act of 1997. The statement added that they call for this request for fear that their spiritual and moral values will be affected by the implementation of the Bangsamoro state.

residents in areas with both high and low immunization coverage. However, she added the city would be relying on the Department of Health’s supply. “The department has assured us that there will be an adequate supply for the immunization in different barangays in the city,” Villafuerte said. In the past four years, CESU data said the highest incidence so far was in 2011 with 414 suspected and 72 confirmed measles cases. The highest incidence of measles from among the suspected cases were children aged one to four at 33 percent. Lowest incidence was for children aged 10 to 14, at four percent. Those aged 15 years and above comprised 31 percent of the total The suspected cases comprised 51 percent male and 49 percent female. Villafuerte said that ideally, each barangay should have an immunity percentage of 95 percentage, with the other 5 percent going to private hospitals. Asked where the city was in terms of immunity percentage, Villafuerte said it was only around 80 percent.

“But there’s such a thing as ‘herd immunity’,” Villafuerte said, referring to a community’s ability to arm itself from diseases from external factors. She added that a herd immunity also helped in the prevention of the spread of disease to other areas because a large majority of the community would no longer be able to carry it outside. Villafuerte said that the district health offices are in charge of case finding and outbreak response immunizations. The CESU reported that the priority for immunizations would be children aged 9-59 months. Villafuerte said some of the vaccines come from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), with the DOH adding to the supply through a bulk procurement. Abdullah Dumama Jr., DOH director for the Center for Health Development, said last week there was a child who died who exhibited symptoms of the virus. The child died from community acquired pneumonia and diarrhea. The baby had the onset of symptoms on Feb. 7 but was only sent to the hospital on Feb. 21. [MindaNews]

IPs...FFROM 1

Measles...FFROM 2

VOL. 6 ISSUE 249 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

Water service interruptions in some city parts March 5 - 6 T

HERE will be three sets of water interruption in some areas on March 5 and 6 for preventive maintenance and service improvement projects. First set is an 8-hour low water pressure to no water on March 5, 2014 from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Affected are areas served by Cabantian Water Supply System; Ananda Marga, Yoga, Holy Trinity Subd., Countryville Executive Homes, Bacahoa Village, Emilia Homes Subd., Cecilia Heights, Remedios Heights, Precilla States, Chalu, Cabantian Country Homes, Greenland Subd. I and II, Medical Mission Group Homeowners, Blue Diamond Village, Communal, Emily Homes, Deca Homes, North Crest Subd., Kasilak Village, Green Or chard I, II and

III, Dacuadao Village, Canaan Village, Indangan, Millenium Village, Nagkahiusa Village. This water cut is needed to allow the DCWD’s Production crew for a Step Drawdown Test (SDT) of Cabantian production well no. 2 for preventive maintenance purposes. Second set is on March 6, 2014, an 8-hour water cut from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and will affect Bangoy Compound, Saavedra St., Doña Manuela Subd., Nakada Subd., Doña Rosa Subd., Kristina Homes, Samantha Homes and Curvada Lizada in Toril. DCWD’s Engineering and Construction Department crew will tap the newly installed 100mm diameter Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) pipeline to the existing 150mm diameter PVC pipeline for the mainline improvement at

Guardian St., Brgy. Lizada, Toril. For the third set, the water service interruption will be on March 6, 2014 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The Davao City Water District’s Engineering and Construction Department crew will tap the newly installed 2-inch diameter Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) pipeline to the existing 2-inch diameter PVC pipeline for the mainline improvement at Gardenia St., Ma-a Peoples Village. This will affect Ma-a Peoples Village, Ma-a City Jail road, Salcedo Village, Diho Village-4, Sitio Mayren and Ma-a Riverside. In behalf of the DCWD management, acting general manager Edwin V. Regalado asks for the understanding and cooperation of would-be affected customers. He advises

them to store enough water prior to the scheduled water interruption as water supply may be restored earlier if work goes smoothly or later if unforeseen problems arise. The general public may visit DCWD website (www.davao-water.gov. ph) and official Facebook account (www.facebook. com/davaocitywaterdistrict) or call the Central Information Unit / Call Center through the new 24-hour hotline 297DCWD (3293) and press “1” on their phone dial to listen to latest daily water updates. They may also call / text 09277988966, 0925-5113293 and 0908-4410653 for other updates, complaints, queries and other matters pertaining to DCWD services. [JJLeonida]

women’s month, mas maqyo na iduso ni siya nga naay full representation ang atong kababaihan diha sa city council,” said Al-ag. Under section 457

paragraph (b) of Repulic Act 7160 or the “Local Government Code of 1991”, the city’s legislative body should have three sectoral representatives: one from

the women; and shall be determined by the sanggunian concerned within 90 days prior to the holding of the local elections There will be also one

from agricultural or industrial workers, and from other sectors, including the urban poor, indigenous cultural communities, or disabled persons.

council, with representatives from the national government, civil society and business sector. The order is in accordance with Memorandum Circular No. 4 series of 2013 issued by the Department of Budget and Management, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the National Anti-Poverty Commission that mandates a “bottom-up” approach to budgeting in order to set

priority projects among national and local government offices. Approved on February 26, the order expands the LPRAT membership. According to a report published by the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB), the country has a “medium probability” of achieving the Millennium Development Goal of eradicating extreme poverty at a national poverty incidence of 19.7 percent as of 2012.

While lower than the 20.5 percent in 2009, NSCB stated it did not make a “significant” statistical difference. The NSCB report said that one out of every four families in the Davao Region was considered poor in 2012, which was a “slight improvement” from a 25.5 percent poverty incidence in 2009. The NSCB data is updated every three years, with 2012 as the latest figure nationwide. Davao Region ranked

ninth highest in poverty incidence among the country’s 17 regions, but was the least poor among Mindanao’s regions. “The amount required for an individual in the region to sustain his basic needs in 2012 was computed at P19,967. This means that a family of five members needed P8,319.60 per month to stay out of poverty. This poverty threshold was the highest in Mindanao,” the NSCB report said. [MindaNews]

includes the 138 thousand displaced workers from industries, especially in the agriculture sector, destroyed by typhoon Pablo in December 2012. It may be recalled that last year, among the industries struck hard by the typhoon was the banana industry, which is currently recovering. However, the agriculture sector remains as the region’s top employment generator, employing around 670,000 people and expected to reach 675,350

by 2016. The wholesale and retail industry follows with 376,650, and is expected to grow by 9.45 percent up to 2016 to employ an estimated 402,280 people. The transportation and communication sector is projected to offer 141,780 jobs until 2016, while manufacturing can bring 126,680 jobs in 2016. The construction sector is also expected to increase available job opportunities by 91,525 up to 2016. Underemployment

in the region also decreased from 391 thousand in 2012 to 385 thousand last year. “This is well for the regional economy because there are more jobs,” regional director for National Economic Development Authority 11 (NEDA 11) Ma. Lourdes Lim said. Suyao, on the other hand, is positive that the labor sector will recover this year, given that the labor department is already partnering with various sectors to address job mismatches,

unemployment and capability building. Meanwhile, Lim said that the labor productivity rate in the region has been growing for the past three years. In her report during a forum, she said that labor productivity in the region showed a “positive surge,” adding that in 2010, labor productivity grew by 4.7 percent, while in 2012 it posted a growth rate of 5.7 percent. Preliminary data for 2013 show that the growth rate stands at 6.3 percent.

Eye...FFROM 4

Reduce...FFROM 4

Employment...FFROM 4

EDGEDAVAO

ICT HUB Smart Bro’s first digital TV tablet bundle lets you enjoy entertainment on the go VOL. 6 ISSUE 249 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014

EVER miss out on your favorite shows, songs, and games as Smart Bro lets you enjoy entertainment virtually anywhere with the launch of the new Starmobile Engage 7TV tablet bundle. Available under Gadget Plus Plan for as low as P499 a month, The Starmobile Engage 7TV is the first Internet-tablet bundle in the country with the future-proof digital TV feature for when broadcasting networks migrate to digital broadcasting in the near future. Aside from this, the Engage 7TV also offers analog TV and online viewing of shows via streaming. The Starmobile Engage 7TV tablet from Smart Bro will also come pre-installed with the SPINNR and Clickplay apps and have access to GameX games so users can enjoy multimedia entertainment wherever they

go.

SPINNR is the online music portal of Smart Music that offers online and offline music streaming and downloads for as low as P2.50 a day or P49 a month. Clickplay, meanwhile, offers streaming movies starting at P60. GameX, on the other hand, allows gamers to buy ePins for online games using their Smart Bro postpaid account so they can gear up for endless play. “Smart Bro is pioneering this entertainment on the go bundle by giving our subscribers their fix of shows, movies, songs or games wherever they are in the country,” said Michele Curran, Data and International Services Marketing head at wireless services leader Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart). With the Starmobile Engage 7TV, users no longer have to idly wait in traf-

fic because they can enjoy their favorite TV shows, movies and music using a very compact device powered by Smart’s most reliable mobile broadband connection. Smart Bro’s first analog and digital TV-ready bundle comes with a free Pocket WiFi device with 30 hours of high-speed Internet surfing of up to 7.2 Mbps every month. This is protected with an Anti-Bill Shock guarantee that ensures subscribers wouldn’t have to pay more than P1,199 on their monthly data bills. “More than just providing a high-speed Internet connection, Smart Bro lives up to Tomorrow’s Internet today with a suite of apps and gadget plans that cater to their various entertainment needs of our subscribers,” Curran added. Smart Broadband, Inc.

to 61.9 percent last year from 45.8 percent in 2012, according to Gartner. “In 2013, tablets became a mainstream phenomenon, with a vast choice of Android-based tablets being within the budget of mainstream consumers while still offering adequate specifications,” Gartner research director Roberta Cozza said in a release. Apple continues to rule the high-end of the market with iPads, but low-cost Android tablets appeal to buyers with slim budgets in emerging markets, according to Gartner.

California-based Apple’s compelling “ecosystem” of music, games, films, and other digital content and services for mobile devices has rivals under pressure to provide similar experiences on tablets, Cozza said. Apple remained the top tablet seller, but sales of Android devices by second-place Samsung more than quadrupled last year to 37.4 million, according to Gartner. Microsoft sold slightly more than four million Windows-powered tablets in a jump from the prior year, but remained far behind the market leaders.[AFP]

Android tops as tablets go mainstream

ABLET computer sales soared last year with Android-powered devices dethroning iPads atop a booming global market, according to figures released by Gartner. Sales of tablet computers surged to 195.4 million last year in a 68 percent jump from what was seen in 2012, the industry tracker reported on Monday. The raw number of iPads sold climbed more than nine million to a total of 70.4 million. Meanwhile, the portion of sales grabbed by tablets running on Google-back Android rose

LEGAL NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late MARIA P. NAVARRA has been the subject of an EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT with affidavit of self-adjudication executed by her heir per Doc. No.158; Page No. 31; Book No. XI; Series of 2010 of the NOTARY PUBLIC NEIL B. JAO, M.A. 2/26/3/5,12

(Smart Bro), a subsidiary of Smart, is the country’s foremost mobile broadband service provider with the widest network of more than 10,000 4G-ca-

pable (HSPA+, LTE/LTE-A) sites backed by four times more fiber power than any other provider in the country. To apply for the Star-

mobile Engage 7TV under Smart Bro’s Gadget Plus Plan 499, interested individuals simply need to proceed to selected Smart Stores nationwide.

An Android 4.0 tablet on display at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas on January 5, 2014.

EDGEDAVAO

BIGGER PICTURE

VOL. VOL.66ISSUE ISSUE249 249••WEDNESDAY, WEDNESDAY,MARCH MARCH5,5,2014 2014 Other crops provide the supplementary nutrients to diets that the major staple foods cannot deliver.

‘FEWER CROPS’NOW FEEDING THE WORLD

Crop diversity decline ‘threatens food security’

ewer crop species are feeding the world than 50 years ago - raising concerns about the resilience of the global food system, a study has shown. The authors warned a loss of diversity meant more people were dependent on key crops, leaving them more exposed to harvest failures. Higher consumption of energy-dense crops could also contribute to a global rise in heart disease and diabetes, they added. The study appears in the journal PNAS. “Over the past 50 years, we are seeing that diets around the world are changing and they are becoming more similar - what we call the ‘globalised diet’,” co-author Colin Khoury, a scientist from the Colombia-based International Center for Tropical Agriculture, explained. “This diet is composed of big, major crops such as wheat, rice, potatoes and sugar. “It also includes crops that were not important 50 years ago but have become very important now, particularly oil crops like soybean,” he told BBC News. While wheat has long been a staple crop, it is now a key food in more than 97% of countries listed in UN data, the study showed. And from relative obscurity, soybean had become “significant” in the diets of almost three-quarters of nations. He added that while these food crops played

a major role in tackling global hunger, the decline in crop diversity in the globalised diet limited the ability to supplement the energy-dense part of the diet with nutrient-rich foods. Amid the crops recording a decline in recent decades were millets, rye, yams, sweet potatoes and cassava. The study by an international team of scientists also found that the homogenisation of the global diet could be helping accelerate the rise in non-communicable diseases - such as diabetes and heart disease - which are becoming an increasing problem worldwide. Crop failure fears Fellow co-author Luigi Guarino, from the Global Crop Diversity Trust, added: “Another danger of a more homogeneous global food basket is that it makes agriculture more vulnerable to major threats like drought, insect pests and diseases, which are likely to become worse in many parts of the world as a result of climate change. “As the global population rises and the pressure increases on our global food system, so does our dependence on the global crops and production system that feeds us. “The price of failure of any of these crops will become very high,” he warned. Last month, the European Parliament adopted a resolution that called on EU nations to adopt measures to preserve crops’ biological and ge-

A growing reliance on crops like rice help feed a growing population - but at what cost? netic diversity in order for plant breeders to provide adaptable varieties of crops that will be able to cope with projected climatic changes and the need to increase yields. MEPs said they were concerned that the global plant breeding market was currently “dominated by just a few large multinational undertakings which invest only in a limited number of varieties”. They added that estimates from the UN Food

and Agriculture Organization (FAO) suggested that “the diversity of cultivated crops declined by 75% during the 20th Century and a third of today’s diversity could disappear by 2050”. Another study published in February warned there was a risk that the severity of some wheat disease epidemics may increase within the coming decades as a result of the impacts of climate change.

In order to improve the resilience of the global food system to future shocks, Mr Khoury said an expansion in the diversity of the globally important crops was needed. “We also need to ensure the the genetic diversity is available to people,” he suggested. “That diversity comes from old varieties and the wild species that are related to the crops. “A good example is if you are a breeder of

maize (corn) in southern Africa where the crop is the main staple, then the diversity you will want will typically come from where the crop originated, which is Mesoamerica (Mexico to Belize). “It is important already and will be increasingly important in the future that the people producing varieties suitable for southern Africa actually have access to varieties from Mexico.” [BBC]

INdulge!

VOL. 6 ISSUE 249 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

WOMEN

FACE VALUE Makeup artist Carine Bacani talks about the importance of skincare and staying true to your colors. Carine Bacani is more than just a pretty face. At first glance, she may look like any sweet and fragile lady. Well-mannered, graceful and every-inch-so-feminine, you’d be surprised to see this mom of two lifting kettlebells and jumping double-under inside the CrossFit Box. Her take on life is always refreshing and inspiring. As if her beauty and wit are not enough, Carine is also a burgeoning makeup artist in the city. To date, she is one of the most photographed aestheticians in town, trusted by society’s crème de la crème. Beauty call “They say children learn by example. As early as 6 years old, I already became a keen observer of how my mom would put on makeup for work.” “I tinkered around with my mom’s makeup and try them on following instructions in the magazines. When I was in high school, I remember visiting the MAC Cosmetics store in Makati when it first opened. My jaw dropped! Everything looked so beautiful and they even happily gave makeovers! I was still a student at that time and I couldn’t afford to buy my

own makeup, so the free makeovers were a real treat!” “I finished college in Manila and worked in a bank before pursuing a career in beauty. I have always known where my passion lies, so I enrolled in the Professional Makeup Artistry course of the Macquillage Professionnel at the Fort in Manila.” Carine and her husband, Alpi, spent their first few years of married life in Australia and then moved to Davao just three years ago. While Alpi devoted his time in agricultural ventures, Carine finally gained ground in her own field and soon her clientele grew by the numbers. The Look “I don’t use makeup to transform a woman’s face. Rather, I use it to enhance and accentuate her best features and let her distinct beauty shine

through.” Meg: What is it about your style that sets you apart from other makeup artists? Carine: “I think reverse contouring is very flattering especially for us Filipinas. Instead of applying a darker contour powder, I do the opposite which is using a shade lighter on key areas to brighten and highlight the face.” M: What is the easiest/ quickest way to turn a day/ work look into something that works for a night out? C: “Nothing transforms a look quite as obvious as a bright lip. Go for a daring bright lipstick.”

M: Are there any celebrities / influential personalities whom you would like to work with? C: “If I can travel back in time, I would love to work with Marilyn Monroe. There is something about her easy charm and sex appeal, on and off-screen, that catches one’s attention.” Ace of base “My makeup kit is never complete without a good under eye concealer. This quickly brightens and livens up the face, the makeup becoming an equivalent to a good night’s sleep.

FFACE, A4

EDGEDAVAO

A2 INdulge! UP AND ABOUT

Everything’s at SM City Davao including Japanese food! TRADITIONAL Japanese food is based on rice with miso soup. The side dishes often consist of fish, pickled vegetables, and vegetables cooked in broth. Enjoy these Japanese delights and other staples at SM City Davao. Rai-rai Ken In its original form, the word “Rai-Rai” means ‘welcome’ while ‘Ken’ means ‘restaurant’. The idea of a Rai-Rai Ken comes to mind when a person wishes to go to a nice and inviting restaurant where one is expected to be pampered and satiated with delicious and appetizing food. Well known for its oldfashioned steamy bowl of ramen, “Japan’s Famous Ramen!” ™, Rai-rai Ken maintains a unique process of preparing broth soup and proprietary recipe of sauces with freshly-made noodles. This makes every bowlful of ramen a heart-warming experience. For those who love ramen, Rai-rai Ken’s Seafoods Hotpot Ramen, which is a combination of mixed seafood, fish cakes, crab stick, mussels and tofu in thick soup. A must try in the menu are fresh sushi, sashimi, and other concoctions prepared by expert sushi chef (all trained by a Japanese chef) will surely delight one’s palate. Sumo Sam As the legend says, the Sumo wrestling champion Sumo Sam always received a grand banquet in his honor every time he fought with other Japanese Sumo Wrestlers. He is the Champion Eater, Legendary Fighter. He is the icon that is carried by the Sumo Sam, desiring its guests to feel like champions by combining different techniques and elements of international cooking and integrating it to Japanese cuisine. Started in 2005, Sumo Sam was born with the idea of bringing high-quality Japanese cuisine to the Philippines at a price point that is not too expensive. In Davao, Sumo Sam offers signature dishes, like the Mt. Apo roll (sushi with durian). Sumo Sam provides variety of delectable Japanesethemed goodness. With its very humble beginning in 2005 SumoSam takes great pride in the transformation of the freshest ingredients into works of Japanese food art.

Bamboo and Yeng concert cancelled DUE to unforseen events, Crossover Events regrets to inform the public that The BY REQUEST Bamboo & Yeng The Concert scheduled March 8, 2014 at the University of Southeastern Philippines has been cancelled. For ticket refunds please call 222 2931 or visit your corresponding ticket outlets. We apologize for whatever inconvenience this has caused.”

VOL. 6 ISSUE 249 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014

EVENT

Smart showcases future of mobile content delivery at music festival

AMIDST the frenzy of fans and music junkies at the 7107 International Music Festival in Clark, Pampanga over the weekend, wireless leader Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) broke new ground as it successfully conducted the country’s first successful video multicast of a live event over Long Term Evolution (LTE) connection. In an exclusive preview to journalists, Smart transmitted the live feed of a performing band directly to tablets over LTE, the fastest commercially available wireless broadband coverage for mobile devices. When fully developed, the innovation will allow people to watch clear, lag-free video content – whether live or on-demand – on their smartphones and tablets wherever they are, whenever they want. First in Southeast Asia It was the first time the technology was tested during a live event in Southeast Asia according to Huawei Technologies, which provided network equipment for the momentous trial. The same technology was also demonstrated by leading US mobile services provider Verizon during the widely popular Super Bowl last month. Called the evolved Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Services (eMBMS), the emerging technology makes use of the functionality and speed of LTE to deliver rich multimedia content to a large number of consumers efficiently. The content is transmitted wirelessly by LTE-capable cell stations to mobile devices. Aside from live video, the eMBMS is also suitable for delivering pre-loaded content like news, music, software, ads and other data to a mass audience.

Future of mobile content delivery Smart first conducted eMBMS trials in November, but using pre-loaded videos that were multicast via LTE stations from Quezon City to Makati. This time, Smart multicast live video feed of the ongoing concert to ten Huawei tablets equipped

A group of journalists show the clear live feed of a performing band on demo LTE tablets. Called the evolved Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Services (eMBMS), the emerging technology, which was first tested successfully in Southeast Asia on Smart’s LTE network, makes use of the functionality and speed of LTE to deliver rich multimedia content to a large number of consumers. With the media are Smart Center Head for Wireless Access and Transport Operations in Luzon Ma. Hiyasmin Quiñal (second row, fifth from left) and Huawei Managing Principal Consultant Jeffrey Lim (second row, second from right). put Smart at par with industry leaders in relatively more advanced nations, such as Verizon in the United States and Telstra in Australia, which both conducted eMBMS tests after realizing its varied potentials,” said Smart and PLDT Technology Group Head Roland Peña. “As the forerunner of Huawei Managing Principal Consultant Jeffrey Lim (center) LTE technology in the explains before a group of media the emerging technology that, when fully developed, will allow consumers to watch clear, lag- country, Smart is proud to free live or on-demand videos on their Smart LTE devices. The break new ground for this successful trial was conducted on the Smart LTE network during new technology, which not the 7107 International Music Festival in Clark, Pampanga. only extends the capabiliwith LTE SIMs. user individually, which ties of LTE infrastructure For the trial, Smart made could be burdensome the but also opens up a wide use of video signals trans- network load. In contrast, array of possibilities for us mitted by TV5 from Clark eMBMS delivers the video to serve our consumers,” he to Quezon City. The con- content only once to an added. tent was later compressed equal number of users over and converted into a suit- high-speed LTE connec- Widest LTE coverage able format so that Smart tion. Since it pioneered and could multicast it efficiently “EMBMS is set to pro- launched the use of LTE in via its LTE network from vide a much richer mobile the Philippines in August Quezon City back to the experience for smartphone 2012, Smart has developed Smart Hangout tent on the users,” said Huawei Man- the country’s widest LTE concert grounds. aging Principal Consultant network with over 1,200 Aside from the live con- Jeffrey Lim, who demon- sites, across around 180 cert, Smart also multicast strated the new technology cities and municipalities, content from two live chan- to the media. “With it, mo- including all 17 cities and nels of Cignal Digital TV. bile users can enjoy much municipalities that make The sharp and clear videos better content on their de- up Metro Manila. were shown seamlessly vices wherever they are, in Last August, Smart also on the LTE tablets, giving a way that is sustainable to successfully conducted those present at the venue the network,” added Lim. the country’s first trial of a glimpse into the future of Forefront of innovations LTE-Advanced, which mobile content delivery. “Smart has always been at can support data services the forefront of innovations with speeds of from 100 to Richer mobile experience in the mobile industry, 400 Mbps. The eMBMS technology keeping Filipinos abreast Aside from LTE, Smart stands out for its one-to- with the latest technology. also offers HSPA+ and many transmission or This successful preview WiMax as part of its multicast feature and pres- shows Smart’s readiness suite of 4G technologies. ents a viable alternative to in providing consumers In total, Smart has over one-to-one transmission, with the next big thing in 10,000 4G-capable base or unicast, which entails wireless services,” said Ma. stations, which is almost sending similar content to Hiyasmin Quiñal, Smart twice the size of competieach user. Center Head for Wireless tion and covers 85 percent For example, during a Access and Transport Op- of the country’s population, live event, unicast sends the erations in Luzon. or around 78.4 million Filisame video content to each “Our successful trials pinos.

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

VOL. 6 ISSUE 249 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014

ENTERTAINMENT

Ellen DeGeneres says she lost her cell phone (with the epic selfie!) at the Oscars AN understandably tired Ellen DeGeneres appeared on her daytime talk show today, less than 24 hours after her successful stint hosting the 86th Annual Academy Awards. “I don’t know what did y’all do last night, but I think I hosted the Oscars,” the funnylady quipped to the audience on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. “Welcome to the live show. Anything can happen. I might fall asleep now. Or in 5 minutes I could fall asleep. I might already be asleep and this is just a beautiful dream. I don’t know.” Luckily, the 56-year-old comedian made it through the afternoon and even dished on her post-Oscars partying experience. “I went to two parties after the show so technically this is my third afterparty. Shh. Can we dim the lights? This is too much...I might need sunglasses,” she quipped as the audience roared with applause. “Ac-

tually, I feel OK. It was really fun last night. I mean three amazing guests. We have Jared Leto, Cate Blanchett and Lupita Nyong’o. And the biggest winner of the night—Edgar, the pizza guy is here.” (In case you had any doubts, Edgar really was the hero of the night for many a hungry celeb). “So we’re gonna talk

about what happened last night,” the host continued. “And between the five of us, I’m hoping somebody can remember where I left my cell phone. I lost that.” Of course, her cell phone, which Ellen put to darn good use during the show, is presumably now worth more than Pharrell Williams’ Grammy hat, as it contains the original pic of the most

epic (and star-studded!) selfie ever, featuring Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Leto, Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Kevin Spacey, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Nyong’o and her brother Peter. “We made history. We broke Twitter. We actually shut Twitter down,” she boasted, referring to the shot which temporarily shut down the social media

site. “I didn’t know it was breakable but sometimes you don’t know your own strength.” “We took a selfie and asked people to retweet it,” she continued (the pic was tweeted 1.1 million times within just 30 minutes after Ellen posted it). “And you did. And you did. And you did. And you did. Long story short, 3 million retweets, 3 million. Most retweets ever. By a longshot.” “So, as I said we crashed Twitter and they fixed it with duct tape,” the TV personality added. “I think. I don’t know.” An exhausted Ellen ended

her monologue by sitting on the floor before she realized she should “sit on the chair.” And while she may be back to work, DeGeneres still has lots to celebrate as the awards show (and her impromptu antics!) pulled in 43 million viewers. She took to Twitter today to share a silly shot of herself holding two soda cans under her eyes prior to her day time show before tweeting her thanks for a wonderful Oscar night. “What a night. Thank you again to everyone at @TheAcademy.” Portia De Rossis other half wrote. “I had a wonderful time.”

Jessy Mendiola salutes the class of 2014 in chalk magazine

IT’S TIME to celebrate this March as graduation fast approaches—and none other than actress and role model Jessy Mendiola stands proud to salute the victory of the batch of 2014 in Chalk magazine’s latest issue. In Chalk magazine’s cover story “A Class of Her Own,” Jessy portrays the different student stereotypes, showing how being different is actually the coolest thing of all. This multi-faceted girl, a perfect example of confidence and self-respect, shows that no matter what one person’s style is, all they need to do to survive is to have the heart to stay true to who they are. Jessy, a survivor herself, details how she got past school bullies to online bashers with flying colors, even stepping up to become the woman she is today. Chalk also welcomes the break ahead this month, letting readers in on the me-

tallic trend that’s set to take over the season of summer. The magazine this month also looks ahead to entering the big world, showing the key items to have in the beauty editorial “Get Grown-Up Style Right!”. This month, Chalk also

tackles how to get past worries on handling long distance relationships after college in its “Friends Forever” story. Apart from all these, Chalk lets inspiration in to help readers plan their future careers through a story featuring six girls who have amazing jobs worth drooling over. There’s really no better

way to end such a great academic experience than learning new things and backing things up when embarking on a whole new journey—so let Chalk be the

ultimate guide to take on this adventure together in its March 2014 issue with the gorgeous Jessy Mendiola, out on newsstands and magazine stores now.

Barbara Miguel bags Best Actress nomination in New York

GMA Artist Center salutes multi-awarded child star Barbara Miguel for being nominated as Best Actress at the 2014 Queens World Film Festival (QWFF) in New York City. 2014 Queens World Film Festival honours films and filmmakers who take chances to bring the audiences challenging stories and thoughtprovoking films. After being named as Best Actress in the recently concluded Harlem International Film Festival in New York, the Kapuso child actress once again earned nods from QWFF jurors for her remarkable portrayal as one of the youngest moms in Philippine history via Joseph Israel Laban’s film ‘Nuwebe’. Barbara Miguel is the only child star nominated in the

Best Actress category of the said festival this year and she’s currently part of GMA’s primetime series Carmela. She became a household name in the Philippines via Kapuso Network’s top rating programs Munting Heredera and Biritera.

STARTING OVER AGAIN 2D / * 12 YEARS A SLAVE 2D Piolo Pascual, Toni Gonzaga / * Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender PG 13 / * R 13

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

POMPEII 2D Kit Harington, Emily Browning PG 13

12:00 | 2:00 | 4:00 | 6:00 | 8:00 | 10:00 LFS

NON-STOP 2D Liam Neeson, Julianne Moore R 13

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

R-16 THIRD EYE 2D Carla Abellana, Ejay Falcon PG 13

12:25 | 2:20 | 4:15 | 6:10 | 8:05 | 10:00 LFS

A4 INdulge!

VOL. 6 ISSUE 249 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

WOMEN

Face...FFROM A1 Bobbi Brown calls it the ‘secret of the universe.’” “The perfect under eye concealer is one that is one to three shades lighter than your foundation. This should be set with powder in order to last the whole day.” M: What are some common beauty mistakes most women make? C: “Do you notice how women’s faces sometimes look a bit ashen in pictures? Choosing a wrong undertone of foundation usually causes this to happen. You have to remember that the undertone is different from the shade of foundation. The shade dictates your color – light, medium, or dark - whereas the undertone dictates your complexion. A cool complexion will have undertones of pink, red, or blue while a warm complexion will have undertones of yellow, gold, or peach. Filipinas and Asians, in general, have warm complexion with yellow undertone so it’s best to choose a yellow based foundation in your shade.” M: How to achieve the dewyfresh face look? C: “It’s all about the skin. If

you take extra care of your skin, your face will always look fresh with or without makeup.” “Skin care should be part of your everyday routine. I understand that today’s busy woman is tired

at end of the day but this is no excuse to sleep with makeup on. Always remove your makeup and cleanse the face thoroughly at the end of the day. Moisturize, put on a good eye cream, drink a lot of water

and get 8 hours of sleep. Your 70 year old self will thank you for it.” For makeup services and consultation, contact Carine at 0917 528 4373. You may also email her at carine.bacani@gmail.com.

UP AND ABOUT

Cebu Pacific gets on board as KidZania Manila’s industry partner KIDZANIA, the fastest growing leader in children’s edutainment globally, has entered into a sponsorship agreement with Cebu Pacific that will enable the country’s largest national flag-carrier to bring aviation-themed activities in a real airplane to KidZania Manila, a 9,000sqm, Php1 billion interactive kid-sized play city set to rise within a new mall at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig. The sponsorship agreement was signed by Play Innovations Inc. President & CEO Maricel PangilinanArenas, Play Innovations Industry Partners Director Cecille Mariño and Cebu Pacific Vice President for Marketing and Distribution Candice Iyog. Play Innovations Inc. is the local franchise owner of KIdZania Manila. “We are very excited about this partnership with Cebu Pacific. Fun is a value KidZania and Cebu Pacific share; we both understand the value FUN brings to building memories. Now we share a vision – to in-

spire and introduce kids to the thrill of aviation and the fascinating world of travel. After all, this is the brand that made it possible for more Filipino families to fly than ever before,” said Pangilinan-Arenas. At KidZania, children ages four to 14 can freely explore a world their size and choose from over 100 role-playing activities in different establishments through hyperreal role-play of grown-up jobs. This provides them with an interactive, immersive, and memorable experience that is greatly enhanced by real-world brands like Cebu Pacific. To enter the country’s first-

of-its-kind indoor play center, kids will check in at the arrival counter of KidZania International Airport where they will be welcomed by a Cebu Pacific aircraft. Inside KidZania Manila, at the aviation academy, children can role-play as pilots to learn about the cockpit and the plane control panels using state-of-the-art flight simulators. They can also play the roles of members of the cabin crew or passengers. “Cebu Pacific has always believed in the importance of education and in this case, fun in education. After all, through travel, we gain new insights and our lives

are enriched by the people we meet. This is why we are very excited about our newest partner (and destination), Kidzania Philippines,” Iyog said. “We are optimistic that more companies will realize the value of what we are offering them, an uninterrupted personal brand encounter with the kids during role-playing activities that builds deeper, more meaningful affinity and loyalty with their brand from here on. No other medium can offer this,” Mariño said. Expected to cater to more than 600,000 visitors annually when it opens in 2015, KidZania will also feature a hospital, university, television station, and a variety of establishments where kids can role-play over 100 jobs—from doctors, engineers and bank tellers, to even actors and artists—to learn about different careers, the inner-workings of a city, and the concept of managing money, enabling them to ‘get ready for a better world.’

EDGEDavao Davao Partners

13 COMMUNITY SENSE

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 249 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014

GLOBE CLASSROOM ON THE GO:

Creating a wonderful experience for kids in typhoon-stricken provinces O

NE Wednesday morning, 78 Grade 3 pupils from Cabilao Elementary School waited excitedly for a bright blue truck which traveled three hours from Iloilo City to visit their typhoon-damaged school. The truck aptly called “Classroom on the Go” was one of Globe Telecom’s mobile stores outfitted to accommodate various art and learning materials to help the children with their school lessons. By providing school supplies and engagements, Globe hopes to encourage the students to stay in school and participate more in class. “It was a very fulfilling experience since we got the chance to impart something to the kids even if it was just a short period of time. It was a struggle making 78 kids to listen but it was all worth it especially when we saw their happy faces. We hope that we were able to make a difference in their lives,” said Grace Feraer of Globe ISG Solutions Delivery, one of the skill-based volunteers tapped by Globe for the project. Even a new management trainee of Globe, Jonan Regalario, already found time

to be a volunteer. “This is a concrete example of how we can take part in nation-building. It shows that we are not only people who work in the office but who also do something impactful to the lives of others. “ Initially, Globe employee volunteers from Manila, Bacolod, Iloilo, and Capiz visited three schools in Panay group of islands, namely Cabilao Elementary School in Carles, Iloilo; Camburanan Elementary School in Tapaz, Capiz; and Hacienda Conchita Elementary School in San Dionisio, Iloilo tocreate wonderful experiences for students in Typhoon Yolanda-affected schools by helping them get their academics back on track. The schools were chosen with the help of the Department of Education. The three schools were badly hit by Typhoon Yolanda and many of the classrooms were totally damaged, thus, school supplies got wet or lost. Two of the schools hold classes in shifts, making teachers worry about how students can keep up with the lessons especially now that the school year is winding down. Chris Manguera, a Man-

Globe Classroom on the Go goes to Cabilao Elementary School

agement Associate from Globe Human Resources Group who aspires to be a teacher, was a good fit forClassroom on the Go which encourages participation from employee volunteers with strong background in education and working with youth. For Cabilao, the volunteers assisted with the National Assessment Test review sessions

while art workshops were held in Camburanan and Hacienda Conchitain line with the schools’ curriculum. “It was a refreshing break from work. One of the reasons why I joined Globe is not only to deliver service to the customers but eventually to the society itself. I feel that this is an avenue for wholistic growth. People have suffered. Even if several

months have already passed since Typhoon Yolanda, we can always find a way to help out. I hope everyone can experience how fulfilling it is to help rebuild the lives of the children,” said Chris. Sheryl Barbasa of National Retail added: “I really enjoyed the process. It was fun teaching the kids. I hope somehow when they pass the NAT or when they grow

up and get jobs, they will also pay it forward. Maybe with just sharing our time and a little talent, we could help them in our own little way.” Classroom on the Go is part of the education component of Rebuild, one of the pillars of Globe Telecom’s Project Wonderful which aims to assist in nation-building and to help Filipinos live better lives.

14 CLASSIFIED EDGEDavao Davao Partners

VOL. 6 ISSUE 249 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

HEALTH

Best for kids ages 1 to 12 years old High in CGF, Taurine, L-Lysine Contains Fortified with DHA Available at all Drugstore near you

Multivitamins for Teens & young adults ages 13 to22 years old Available at all Drugstore near you

Take 2mg Ener-plus Capsule one hour before your intimate encounter • Improve Blood Circulation • Provide Extra Strength & Sexual Stamina • Increase Libido & Sexdrive

Available at all Drugstore near you

EDGEDavao Gensan Partners

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

EDGEDAVAO

PERFECT NIGHT M

Lebron fires 61, leads Heat past Bobcats

IAMI (AP) — Best player. Best game of his career. LeBron James clearly isn’t ready to concede his

MVP award to anyone yet. Dazzling from inside and out, James put on the best scoring show of his NBA life Monday night, pouring in 61

points — a career high and franchise record — as the Miami Heat beat the Charlotte Bobcats 124-107. It was the eighth straight win for the

HOT NIGHT. Miami Heat’s LeBron James reacts to the crowd after setting a team record during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Miami, Monday, March 3, 2014, against the Charlotte Bobcats. LeBron James fired 61 points.

Duterte Cycling Challenge set TWO-DAY cycling event billed as the Mayor Rody& Vice Mayor PulongDuterte Cycling Challenge is set on March 15 and 16 in celebration of this year’s ArawngDabaw in Davao City. Organizer Salvador “Jun” Paholio Jr. said the eventwill start with the 27-kilometer mountain bike cross country race for categories in the Junior (23 Under) and Midget (18 Under). “The junior is for those born 1991 while the midget is those born 1996,”said Paholio. The champion will earn P3,000 plus a medal, while the second and third will pocket P2,000 and P1,000 with medals, respectively. On March 16, the event will be a grueling 160-kilometer Massed Start race for team and individual competition. Each team shall be composed of one or two Elite riders and three to four Juniors (23 under) for a maximum of six members per team. “There will also be a separate race for the Midget (18 under) with a distance of 25-kilometers only,”Paholio said. The top three individual finishers from the teams will get win P3,000, P2,000 and P1,000 with

SPORTS 15

VOL. 6 ISSUE 249 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014

medals in that order. The team champion will be awarded P6,000 and a trophy, while the first and second runners-up will earn P4,000 and P2,500 with trophies. The third and fourth runners-up will pocket P2,000 and P1,500. The top three winners in the Midget will get P3,000, P2,000 and P1,000 with medals. “Riders with no team may compete in the individual classification,” said Paholio. The event is presented by the city government of Davao in coordination with Philcycling and Davao City Sports Consumer Cooperative. It is sponsored by Emperador Brandy and Ideal Vision Center and supported by One Radio102.7 FM and RMC Broadcasting Corporation. “This is free with no registration. But strictly no helmet, no ride,”he added. The mandatory documents are birth certificate certififiedtru copy from NSO or local civil registrar and Philcycling-UCI Licence. Entry forms are available at Philcycling office at Jaltan Building II, Magallanes St., Davao City. Call tel. no. 321-0231 or email: junpaholio@rocketmail.com

two-time defending champions, who are starting to roll as the playoffs get near. James made 22 of 33 shots from the field, including his first eight 3-point attempts. “The man above has given me some unbelievable abilities to play the game of basketball,” James said. “I just try to take advantage of it every night. I got the trust of my teammates and my coaching staff to go in there and let it go.” His career best had been 56 points, on March 20, 2005, for Cleveland against Toronto. Glen Rice scored 56 to set the Heat record on April 15, 1995, against Orlando. James had 24 points at halftime, then added 25 in the third quarter. The record-breaker came with 5:46 left, when James spun through three defenders for a layup that fell as he tumbled to the court.

Home fans welcome Collins

EW YORK (AP) -- Jason Collins started walking from the bench to the scorer’s table, fans rising out of their seats all around Barclays Center. He committed a foul five seconds after entering. His only shot barely hit the rim. Collins’ performance may not have been pretty, but everything else was great. Collins played the final minutes of a winning home debut with the Brooklyn Nets, who cooled off the Chicago Bulls with a 96-80 victory Monday night. ‘’It was cool. It was a lot of fun to go into the game,’’ Collins said. ‘’The most important thing was that we got the win. Chicago’s been playing really well as of late and for us to come out and really be - I think we played more physical than they did tonight.’’ Finally playing at home more than a week after returning to the NBA as the league’s first openly gay player, Collins checked in to a standing ovation from a sellout crowd of 17,732 that included former NBA Com-

TAKE A BOW. Paula Creamer bows after sinking a 75-foot putt to win her first title iafter 17 tournaments.

missioner David Stern with 2:41 remaining. He grabbed a rebound and had one of the Nets’ NBA season high-tying 19 steals in their third straight victory. Deron Williams scored 20 points and Joe Johnson had 19 for the Nets (2929), who got back to .500 for the first time since they were 2-2 after beating Utah on Nov. 5. D.J. Augustin scored 16 points off the bench for the sloppy Bulls, who turned it over 28 times, leading to 30 Nets points, and had their four-game winning streak snapped. The Bulls had a franchise-low three turnovers in their 109-90 victory over the New York Knicks on Sunday and had won nine of 10. But the Nets were too good in this one, building a series of comfortable leads and making the only intrigue down the stretch whether Collins would get in during his first home appearance for the Nets since Jan. 29, 2008, against Milwaukee in East Rutherford, N.J.

Creamer vaults to No. 8 in Rolex Rankings P

AULA Creamer vaulted three spots to No. 8 in the Rolex Rankings a day after draining a 75-foot putt on the second sudden death hole in Singapore for her first LPGA victory since 2010. “It might be one of my favorite wins, and that’s going -- taking a pretty big leap right there,” said Creamer. “But you know, it has, it’s been almost (four) years and you know, so

much has happened ... It has been coming and it just shows you perseverance. That’s why I love the game. I work hard for this reason. And holding that trophy, gosh, it was so nice.” The top five spots remained unchanged, with second-ranked Suzann Pettersen missing a second consecutive opportunity to knock Inbee Park out of the top spot. Stacy Lewis remained

No. 3, followed by Lydia Ko and So Yeon Ryu. Karrie Webb, who faltered down the stretch Sunday after holding the lead after each of the first three rounds, moved up one spot to No. 6, followed by Shanshan Feng and Creamer. Na Yeon Choi, a former top 5 player, and Lexi Thompson round out the top 10. The biggest movers of the week were Azahara Munoz, who is No. 24 after losing out to Creamer

in the playoff, and 34thranked Morgan Pressel. Both climbed eight spots with their performance in Singapore. Former No. 1 Yani Tseng was among the biggest drops, falling three spots to No. 42. The LPGA takes a twoweek break before the first tournament of the year in the United States, the LPGA Founders Cup in in Phoenix from March 20-23.

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. VOL.66ISSUE ISSUE249 249••WEDNESDAY, WEDNESDAY,MARCH MARCH5,5,2014 2014

All set for 6th Phoenix Open Golf By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO

njb@edgedavao.net

LL is set for the much-anticipated golfing event in Davao City—the 6th Phoneix Open set this Saturday at the rolling layout of Rancho Palos Verdes in Cabantian. A special edition Phoenix tablet will be given to each registered player and one million pesos in cash await the winners of the hole-in-one in the tournament hosted and organized by Phoenix Petroleum Philippines. The tournament is an accredited official event of the 76th Araw ng Davao celebrated during the whole month of March. “It’s all set and we hope

TEE OFF. Phoenix Petroleum president Dennis Uy will be presiding over the ceremonial tee off on Saturday for the 6th Phoenix Open at the Rancho Palos Verdes Golf and Country Club.

to see everyone on the golf course this Saturday,” said Phoenix corporate affairs manager Ben Sur, recently reelected president of the Davao City Sports Council Inc. Sur said the lucky winners shall receive Royal Selangor Pewter Plates and Phoenix Petroleum Fuel cards. Champions will receive limited edition Phoenix signature golf bags. “Registration is still ongoing until March 2, 2014, Tuesday, up to 5 pm. Participants can register at Rancho Palos Verdes, Apo Golf and Country Club, and Davao City Golf Club,” said Sur. Entry fee is P5,000 per

player inclusive of one free tablet. Players can participate in the team, partner, or individual categories. Phoenix Open players are entitled to one practice round on any day between March 4 to 7, 2014 at the Rancho Palos Verdes Golf and Country Club upon presentation of the tournament receipt at the club’s front office. Online registration is also available. Complete the entry form online at http://phoenixopen.site50.net/. Pay the registration fee to BDO under Phoenix Philippines Foundation, Inc., account number – 244-011-5688. E-mail the copy of the deposit slip to

phoenix.opengolf@phoenixfuels.ph or sent it through fax at (082) 305-1088. For confirmation of the receipt of payment, players can coordinate with the Head of Secretariat Ms. Lani Diaz at 0917-720-4893. The 6th Phoenix Open is presented by Phoenix Petroleum Philippines and Pioneer Insurance. Proceeds from the 6th Phoenix Open will go to the advocacies of the Phoenix Philippines Foundation, Inc. For more information, please call tournament organizer Ms. Liloh Evangelista at 0917-362-0880 or e-mail phoenix.opengolf@phoenixfuels.ph.

SCOOP AT THE RMH. Guests Rizza Angara, Tom Macintosh of the Hike 4 Heroes Part 2 and Rodrigo Gajitos (with mic) of Table Tennis Spin Davao SportsCenter during yesterday’s SCOOP Forum at The Royal Mandaya Hotel. Jimmy Javier