Edge Davao 6 Issue 256 by Edge Davao The Business Paper

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 256 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MARCH 14-15, 2014

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Serving a seamless society

ICONIC SYMBOL. Parents, together with their children with physical and mental impairment, walk by the Philippine Eagle statue inside the People’s Park yesterday. The Philippine Eagle is an iconic symbol of Davao City which will celebrate its 77th founding anniversary on March 16. Lean Daval Jr.

MARCH 17 HOLIDAY PNoy proclaims Monday a special holiday in Davao City

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. abf@edgedavao.net

RESIDENT Benigno Aquino III has declared March 17 as a special non-working holiday in Davao City in line with the celebration of the ‘77th Araw ng Dabaw.’ Executive secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. signed Proclamation No. 735 series of 2014 dated March 13 granting the request of the city government. It will grant city residents full opportunity to participate in the activities of this year’s celebration with appropriate ceremonies.’ Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte directed government officials and employees to participate in the celebra-

tion. “It is a sovereign day for us, and for the big boom in Davao City,” said Duterte last Wednesday night. The mayor said that Senators Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla Jr. and Allan Peter Cayetano will visit the city to share in the celebration. The major activities of the ‘Araw’ are the crowning of Mutya ng Dabaw at the Davao City Recreation Center (Almendras gym) tonight. On Saturday will be the Sayawan sa Da’n or street dance competition which will be held on San Pedro, Legaspi, Rizal and Bolton

FHOLIDAY, 11

BUY BUST. Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte examines the hand gun recovered from Crisostomo Dejarme, an alleged illegal drug peddler who was killed in a joint buy bust operation of the Davao City Police Office’s Investigation and Detection Management Branch and Sta. Ana Police Precinct operatives in Mabini, Quezon Boulevard Wednesday afternoon. Also in the photo is Duterte’s executive assistant Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go. Lean Daval Jr.

EDGEDAVAO

THE BIG NEWS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 256 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MARCH 14-15, 2014

DCCCII head supports Paolo on PWDs hiring B USINESS leader supports Davao City Vice Mayor Paulo Duterte’s plan to propose an ordinance that wpuld mandate big private firms in the city to allocate 10 percent of their total workforce for persons with disabilities (PWDs). “This (the proposal) is a very good plan of the vice mayor and is in accordance with the city’s anti-discrimination ordinance. However, every company or employer has its own hiring or recruitment policy,” Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc., president Antonio dela Cruz said. He added that the issue on requirements can be ad-

dressed by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). He said that he will conduct a survey among to the members of the chamber regarding the matter, even as the proposal is still being ironed out by Duterte’s legal team regarding the intricacies in the measure.. The vice mayor said that the proposal is still with the “legal team but if it is applicable, it is readily set for public hearing”. It is not only the local business chamber that lauds the proposal but also Manuel Autida, chairman of the Association of Differently-abled Persons

FDCCCII, 11

ACHIEVEMENT TEST. The Grade VI students of Fil-Asian Mission Academy, Inc. are seen coming out of the testing room after taking part of yesterday’s National Achievement Test (NAT). Millions of elementary students both from public and private schools nationwide took the annual examination

administered by the National Education Testing and Research Center (NETRC) of Department of Education (DepEd) yesterday. It is aimed to help assess knowledge and skills of students in the subjects of Mathematics, English, Science, Filipino, and HEKASI. Lean Daval Jr.

aid to surviving AdDU upbeat on robotics Cash heirs of senior citizens By CHENEEN R. CAPON

crc@edgedavao.net

TENEO de Davao University (AdDU), a leading educational institution in Davao City is planning to integrate robotics in the curriculum of elementary students, specifically those in Grade 6. Engr. Randell U. Espina, dean of the School of Engineering and Architecture, told Edge Davao that this would encourage young students to pursue engineering or any science related course and be able to develop their own technologies. “We already conducted training to the faculty of the grade school of AdDu and we decided na we can start introducing this one because we already won

the high school robotics competition here, siguro maganda na start it with the grade school,” Espina said. “Last year we had a training module for robotics. Before kasi, we only borrowed robotics kits from a company,” he said. The institution started giving training and workshops to high school students two years ago. Espina said that they realized that incorporating it to the secondary curriculum is already late. “Through this early exposure to robotics, young kids will be able to create and innovate a thing and eventually market it instead of being an employee. We need to teach them to be

output-based,” Espina said. “Robotics is symbolic and you can parallelized it with new technology or innovation,” Engr. Michelle Soledad, department chair of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, said. Soledad added, “if you bring a robot to a child, para syang laruan, but mag eenjoy sya at magiging interesado sya. You are actually teaching the child more than just playing, you are actually teaching him or her that he can innovate kasi ang mga robots na ito pwede imanipulate and ask them to do anything. It is both symbolic and educational.” Espina said that ADDU is partnering with the Ate-

neo de Manila on this initiative, adding that this will enhance and train the skills to kids for national and international robotics competition. When asked whether they plan to share it with other schools here, the dean said, yes. “This will start more competitions among schools and students,” he said. Earlier, the school engineering and architecture department conducted one-day robotics workshops for grade school students in Davao City during the two-day ADDU School of Engineering and Architecture Exhibit at SM Lanang Premier Atrium.

to allegation that Cascolan “received an extra settlement of the P2.5 million” in exchange for release of 15 units of dumptruck on undervalued declaration of import duties and taxes. However, Aradanas told Davao reporters last Wednesday that Cascolan is still serving in his post while awaiting decision by the Enforcement and Security Service (ESS) of the BOC Manila headquarters. In the briefing paper given to reporters, the accusation was described as “a serious and grave allegation” though “this Port has no concrete information on it.” Last February 24 a shipment consisting of 15 units of dumptruck

(DAYUN brand) arrived at the port of Davao from China. It was consigned to Goldtech International Machineries Trading Corp. through a licensed customs broker named Christ Lamb Vicente. Four days after, in February 28, the consignee declared the subject shipment as 15 units of dumptruck under Import Entry NO. 02405-14 with an attached Asean-China Free Trade Agreement (ACTFTA) form. It declared duties and taxes in the total amount of P3,188,489. On March 3, 2014 the ESS-Davao headed by Cascolan conducted a “spotcheck” to examine the

Relief of customs police chief asked ALLEGED P2.5-M ‘TARA’EYED

AJOR Camilo Cascolan Jr., customs police commander of the Bureau of Customs,

District Port of Davao, has been recommended for relief by Port District Collector Ernesto Aradanas due

MARANTE, 80. Herminigildo Marante Jr., retired police colonel, who managed a family-owned fleet of taxi cabs in Davao City, died of prostate cancer last Wednesday, March 12.

FRELIEF, 11

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. abf@edgedavao.net

MEMBER of the Davao City council has proposed an ordinance which will give death benefits to the heirs of a bonafide senior citizen of the city. Councilor Danilo C. Dayanghirang, chairman of the committee on finance, ways and means, and appropriations has filed ‘a resolution to enact an ordinance appropriating funds for the implementation of death benefits of P2,000 for each of the surviving heirs of the bonafide senior citizens of Davao City. Dayanghirang stated in his resolution that the pro-

posal is in line with section 4 of Republic Act 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 that the death benefit assistance of P2,000 should be given to the nearest surviving relative of a deceased senior citizen, ‘which amount shall be subject to adjustments due to inflation in accordance with the guidelines to be issued by’ Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). “Davao City will not only recognize the rights of senior citizens to take proper place in society and make it a concern of

FCASH, 11

Women urged to reduce risk, adapt to climate change

OMEN are encouraged to be aware of disaster risks and adapt to climate change for the survival of families. Milagros “Inday” del Rosario, President of the Provincial Officials Spouses Initiative (POSI) of Davao del Norte, said that owing to their influence in the family, women should learn simple knowledge and skills on how to reduce the impact of climate change in every home. “I urge you to use that special place of influence to understand climate change, and adapt to it,” said the better half of Governor Rodolfo del Rosario, at the Women’s Day 2014 celebration of the province on March 12, 2014.

On her keynote address, the First Lady of the province further asked the Dabaonon women to heed the warning and information campaigns of the government and rally the whole household to reduce risks and adjust to climate change. As she puts it, this will “enable the whole household to survive with minimal impact to health, nutrition and education of our children.” Del Rosario said the two phenomena have affected the earning, especially of rural families, making it difficult for women to figure out how to equitably distribute the small family earnings. They have also made

FWOMEN, 11

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 256 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MARCH 14-15, 2014

BIGGER PICTURE

How indie films save the dying movie industry By GERRY T. ESTRERA Contributor

“I’d like to think that after 10 years, the number of indie films to be produced each year will double if not triple. This will happen only if the audience is ready to watch indie films and supports the filmmakers. Because I think that would be the basis of the producers to invest on an

indie film. By that time also, the moviegoers have already learned to scrutinize as to what the movie really is all about than just being spoonfed as to the events of the movie.” – McRobert Nacario, Davao indie film cinematographer

“I

WANT to devote time to it. I may even produce one. I really want to experience it.” That was what Vilma Santos told “Philippine Daily Inquirer” on what she would do if and when would take the plunge to make an independent movie.

Santos – the Star for All Seasons – is one of the country’s acclaimed actresses, winning several acting awards, including a grand slam for her tour de force performance in “Relasyon” (1982). In the 1970s, she ventured into film production making at least five movies, including the scenic “Pagputi ng Uwak, Pag-Itim ng Tagak” (1978). Why an actress with such stature would make an indie film? “Actually, matagal na talaga akong naiintriga sa indie films. Noon ko pa gustong subukan talaga pero wala lang talagang panahon. This is something new and a different challenge for me,” Santos explained when she did Jeffrey Jeturian’s “Ekstra,” a movie about a bit player. She added, “Sawa na ako playing the usual roles, so this is definitely a different challenge for me. As an artist, I want to experience how they do it.” For her performance, she got her first Cinemalaya Best Actress award. Although she never thought of bagging an award, she thought the movie was “More of fulfillment ko as an artist, e. Ano yung pwede kong gawin na iba ang at the same time may meaning at saka may kaunting conrtribution sa mga ekstra na nakasama ko dati.” Watching movies is one of the favorite pastimes of Filipinos. Having one of Asia’s earliest film industries, the Philippines remains undisputed in terms of the highest level of theater admission in Southeast Asia. But over the years, the film industry has registered a steady decline in the movie viewership from 131 million in 1996 to 63 million in 2004. According to the sta-

tistics by the National Statistics Coordination Board (NSCB), while the average annual number of locally-produced films from the 1960s to the 1990s was over 140, the average number of local films in the first decade of the 21st century went down to 73. Foreign films, mostly from Hollywood, dominated mainstream cinema and fewer than twenty quality local films were being produced and shown yearly. Many producers and production houses later stopped producing films after losing millions of pesos. But a new sense of excitement and trend enveloped the film industry with the coming of digital and experimental cinema. Seemingly indicating this was the winning of the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival 2000 of Raymond Red’s short film “Anino” (Shadows) in 2000. What really pioneered the digital revolution was the 1999 digital feature film “Still Lives” by Jon Red. Many other digital filmmakers soon followed suit. “The emergence of digital cameras and their hightech accessories in the market have spawn the growth of indie films,” observes one film critic. “For anyone now could make his or her own movie films in accordance to one’s own personal styles and way without the influences of the mainstream movie outfits, which indeed have a good effects on movie industry in the world, especially also in the Philippines where these indie films becomes so prominent and have salvage the almost dying Philippine movie industry.”

EDGEDAVAO

BIGGER PICTURE

VOL. 6 ISSUE 256 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MARCH 14-15, 2014

MINDANAO’S FIRST CARDINAL:

Of servanthood and being ‘a man of peace in a broken land’ By CAROLYN O. ARGUILLAS

OTABATO CITY--A phalanx of anti-riot police and a fire truck stood ready near the entrance of PC Hill along Sinsuat Avenue, just across the compound of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral on Tuesday afternoon, where Mindanao’s first Cardinal, Orlando Quevedo talked about servanthood and of being a man for peace in “a land thirsting for peace, for harmonious relations and for integral development.” The anti-riot police were there not on the request of the Archdiocese of Cotabato but on orders of the Presidential Security Group to secure a VIP guest — President Benigno Simeon Aquino III — who arrived some 40 minutes late for the supposed 4 p.m. Thanksgiving mass that finally began at 4:48 p.m. Apparently to explain the delay, inside the Cathedral that had been jampacked by 3 p.m. Quevedo, in the Cardinal’s red wardrobe, walked into the church from the left entrance near the altar at 4:22 p.m. and speaking from his pulpit, cited two reasons for his sudden appearance, the first of which the crowd did not find amusing. “The dignitary who will speak here,” pointing to the podium with the seal of the President of the Philippines to the right of his pulpit, has not yet arrived” but was expected to arrive soon. The other reason amused the thousands of parishioners who came to celebrate the four-in-one affair: Quevedo’s elevation as Cardinal, his 75th birthday that day, his 50th year as priest and 34th as bishop. “This is how a Cardinal looks,” Quevedo, who stands 5 feet tall, said as he moved to the center to let the audience have a full view of him. “More, more,” the crowd egged him on and they laughed some more when the Cardinal obliged after explaining that part of the Cardinal’s wardrobe is the surplice, a white lace garment which reaches below the knee and which he described as “parang kurtina” (like a curtain). He said people can take photographs of him in his layered garments

and joked that he has been “sanitized by the President’s men.” Quevedo left at 4:27 p.m. and returned at 4:48 for the mass, to the relief of those who had waited long, among them elderly bishops. In his 28-minute homily, he thanked the Papal Nuncio to the Philippines, Archbishop Guiseppe Pinto for coming, along with Bishops from Mindanao and the rest of the Philippines, the parishioners and the President of the Philippines for allowing special flights into the airport which is under repair and where flights have not been allowed from Tuesdays to Thursdays since December 2013. “Without the special flights today, many of my brother Bishops will not be able to come, the Papal Nuncio can’t come,” he said. “Cotabato is a chosen place” He said that while being a Cardinal is an honor – “specifically for Mindanao and a very special honor for Cotabato because the Cardinal in Mindanao is the Archbishop of Cotabato,” he still does not know why he was chosen. “Maybe because I am Archbishop of Cotabato,” he said, citing the problem of poverty in his area, its being center of conflict between Bangsamoro rebels and the military, an area of disasters particularly flooding incidents, and the challenge of harmonious relations between faiths. He said the Pope may have chosen someone from Cotabato not only for these reasons but also “because Cotabato is a chosen place.” “That as well as the fact that the Pope is a Pope of surprises and God is also a God of surprises,” Quevedo said. Days after the January 12 announcement of Pope Francis that he was among 19 new Cardinals who would be officially welcomed into the College of Cardinals during rites in the Vatican on February 22, Quevedo told Mindanews he had yet to define his role as Cardinal. He has apparently defined his role. In his homily on Tuesday, he said “the call to a cardinal is a call for a deeper mission.” To be a servant

SELFIE WITH THE CARDINAL. Parishioners, priests and relatives flock to Orlando Cardinal Quevedo to have their pictures taken after a mass celebrated by him at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Cotabato City on March 11, 2014. MindaNews photo by Toto Lozano He said being a Cardinal is “not a position of power and honor but of servanthood, of being called by the Lord to be a servant, to go out and wash the feet of the apostles,” especially “in the context of a broken land, a land that needs to be healed,” a “land of imbalances… a land thirsting for peace, a land thirsting for harmony among Christinsas Muslims, Lumads and other faiths.” “I, as a Cardinal in Mindanao, in Cotabato have to be a servant. I hope to be a man of peace in this broken land.. to promote harmonious relationship not only among the tri-peoples of Mindanao but also with members of other faiths. I have to be a promoter of integral development,” Quevedo said adding the need to “free people from everything that oppresses the people.” He called on other Bishops in Mindanao to support one another and “think of the common good, not only four our diocese.” He ended his homily by reading a Psalm he wrote while in Baguio, while on retreat after he was named Bishop in 1980. After communion, the Papal Nuncio spoke and delighted the crowd with his speech laced with Cebuano and Ilonggo. President Aquino spoke from his podium

from 6:32 p.m. to 6:39 p.m. but his message could hardly be understood from those in the front area. The President was accompanied to the Cathedral by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Local Governments Secretary Mar Roxas, Budget Secretary Butch Abad, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles, ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman and Maguindanao Governor Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu. Former Ilocos Sur Governor Luis “Chavit” Singson was also present. He was governor when Quevedo was assigned as Archbishop of Nueva Segovia in Vigan, Ilocos Sur. Resignation letter At the “Parangal sa Cardinal” testimonial dinner at the South Seas Mall convention center after the mass, the Oblates of Mary Immaculates’ I-watch presented a video titled “The Cardinal from the Margins” and another video from wellwishers, Plastered on the walls of the convention center were a chronicle of photographs of the Bishop across his half-a-century service as priest, Muslims also preformed songs during the intermission. Thanking the guests in a 27-minute speech that showed the Cardinal’s unique sense of humor and his attempts to be discovered as a singer, Quevedo said he went

around the tables for photo sessions with the guests because he would have “hidden under the table listening to these very embarrassing eulogies.” “Is that really who I am?” the Cardinal asked. He announced that “tonight, I will write my letter of resignation to the Pope,” as mandated by Canon Law when a Bishop reaches the age of 75, and would give it to the Papal Nuncio on Wednesday morning. The Papal Nuncio, he said, will forward the letter to Pope Francis with a note on whether or not he is still in good health, and probably the Papal Nuncio will sense the advent of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease in him because he would tell him “I wrote this letter and if he asks what is it, I would tell him I don’t know, I forgot what it is but it must be important nonetheless.” He thanked “in particular my friends in the Bangsamoro,” referring to two representatives from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Bainon Karon, former OIC Vice Governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, from the Moro National Liberation Front. “Pray for me” He urged Mindanawons from all faiths to “pray for me” to be a “holy, wise, humble, generous and zealous Cardinal.”

He admitted having shed tears while preparing for the Consistory on February 22, when the Filipino community sang during mass the song “Kunin mo o Diyos, at tanggapin mo…” and shared how Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, the Archbishop of Manila who failed to come to Cotabato City because of an ailment, greeted him after that mass in Rome “and he began crying on my shoulders and we were both crying.” He said at certain moments in his life, he is moved to tears, particularly when he hears the song, “Be not afraid.” At the community in the afternoon mass, the Cardinal was at the center aisle giving the hosts to parishioners but a few minutes later, somebody took over. He left the center aisle because “they were singing that song.” He recalled how his first reaction to the news that he was going to be Cardinal was “shock then fear.” “Fear continues even now,” he confessed and again asked the audience to “pray for holiness, wisdom, humility, generosity and zeal.” He then led the singing of Salve Regina and wasn’t able to leave the convention center immediately due to requests for souvenir photos. [MindaNews]

5 THE ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 256 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MARCH 14-15, 2014

SSS expands network of offices to serve increasing membership T

O keep its branch network in step with its increasing membership, the Social Security System (SSS) opened a total of 21 local offices in 2013, most of them stationed in areas with high foot traffic and easy accessibility such as shopping malls. SSS branches that opened last year include SSS Congressional in Quezon City, SSS Guadalupe in Makati City, and SSS Panabo in Davao del Norte. Alongside its branch expansion was the launch of SSS Service Offices last year at the Muntinlupa City Hall and in 17 shopping malls nationwide. This year, SSS plans to expand further its network by setting up 24 additional branches, including new ones in major cities and business districts with a high demand for SSS transactions such as Alabang, Eastwood, Marikina, Mandaluyong, Navotas, Parañaque, Pasig, Taguig, Sta. Rosa, Cebu, Bacolod, Iloilo, Davao and Cagayan de Oro. “The SSS also aims to launch Service Offices in ten malls nationwide this year, and three of these – at Robinsons Place Malabon, Robinsons Place Malolos, and Robinsons Place Roxas-Capiz --- already started operations within the first two months of 2014,” said Gloria Cuisia, Head of the SSS Branch Eval-

uation Services Department. SSS Service Offices are built in partnership with mall operators or local government units, which usually offer the office space to SSS rent-free, as part of shared efforts to make transactions convenient and accessible for their customers and constituents who are also SSS members. The mall-based offices are open on Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., while those in goverment offices are open on Mondays to Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. “We will continue this expansion of our network of Service Offices, as it is still a faster means of increasing SSS presence as compared with building or renovating our own branch sites, which need to go through public bidding,” Cuisia added. “Apart from making SSS more accessible, the creation of new SSS branches and Service Offices also help decongest the volume of members and transactions in our existing offices.” To date, the state-run institution has a total of 135 branches, 63 Service Offices and 33 Representative Offices under its network of local offices. SSS Representative Offices accept SSS applications and forward these to their respective mother branch.

EDGEDavao Davao Partners

BOUND FOR DAVAO. Laborers pile bananas in Barangay Sibsib, Tulunan, North Cotabato before transporting them to Davao City. Banana is one of the major products in Tulunan. [Mindanews Photo by Keith Bacongco]

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 Sep 2013 Apr 2013

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

2.9 Oct3.12013

Rate 15. Core Inflation Rate 2006=100

2006=100

Apr 2013

2006=100 16. Visitor Arrivals

418,108 Oct 2013 Feb 2013

15. Core Inflation Rate

2.5

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

VOL. 6 ISSUE 256 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MARCH 14-15, 2014

Creation of one-stop-shop ‘mining zone’ mulled--DTI T

HE government plans to have a special economic zone for the mining industry which will operate like the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo told reporters in an interview. Similar to PEZA, the mining ecozone will offer one-stop-shop service like issuing of various permits to run a mining venture. ”Parang PEZA (It’s like PEZA); the way PEZA operates, but they will not be regulatory. The regulations will be under MGB (Mines and Geosciences Bureau) and DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources),” said Domingo, who is part of the Mining Industry Coordinating Council (MICC). He added that the administration for the proposed mining ecozone will be under Philippine Mining Development Corporation (PMDC). He noted that this proposed mining ecozone aims to ease the process of doing business in the mining industry as investors will no longer coordinate with other local government agencies. ”In exchange for a much clearer (revenue) sharing, or a more equitable sharing, the government will provide you with all the support,” the Trade chief said. Locators in the min-

IMITATION. Vendors wipe off dust from imitation sunglasses, which they sell for P50 each at the Digos City terminal.[MindaNews Photo by Keith Bacongco] ing industry zone will be under the new revenue sharing which the MICC will soon finalize under the new mining bill of the government. Domingo added that investors of the industry under the old mining schemes may also convert to the new regime. ”Iyong mga old mining firms pwedeng mag-migrate into this new one. Ide-declare mo na mining zone sila. Pero once you declare it, under that, kailangan under the new revenue sharing [Those firms under the old schemes can migrate

into this new one. You will just declare that it is (part of the proposed) mining zone. But once you declare it, under that, it is needed that they will be under the new revenue sharing],” he said. He also clarified that the special economic zone for mining industry will not give tax incentives for the investors in the said sector but will still be entitled for zero-duty on importation of capital equipment. According to Domingo, the proposed mining ecozone will be a provision included in a new

mining bill crafted by MICC. It will also seek for an Executive Order to declare the operation of the proposed special mining industry zone. Further, he mentioned that MICC is now on its “fine tuning” for the new mining bill after its members had a meeting on Monday. He added that the bill will be introduced first to the Office of the President before submitting it to the Congress. ”We have to seek the approval of the palace,” Domingo said. The Trade Secretary

noted that in the new bill, there will only be one scheme for both old and new mining investors. However, Domingo did not disclose how much will be the new revenue sharing. Currently, the mining industry has two schemes: the Financial Technical Assistance Agreement (FTAA) scheme which basically government has share on gross revenue and the Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) scheme where government earns through excise tax. [PNA]

such as detergents, bath soap, and margarine, according to the United Coconut Association of the Philippines. Super Typhoon Haiyan, which killed or left missing about 8,000 people in November last year, also destroyed or severely damaged about 10% of the nation’s coconut trees.

This led to coconut oil exports falling to 143,870 tons in January and February, a drop of 35.2% for the same period last year, the association said, warning a quick turnaround was impossible. “It will take several years for the supply to normalise (even) if we replant what has been lost during the typhoon,”

the association’s executive director, Yvonne Agustin, told the Agence France-Presse. “We are of course projecting a reduction in volume this year, and that would lead to increased prices in the world market.” Agustin said coconut oil prices were already “substantially higher”

than before the typhoon, with the commodity currently trading at $1,445 a ton. While she could not give exact pre-typhoon prices, the Indonesia-based Asian and Pacific Coconut Community reported on its website that coconut oil sold for $810 a ton in June last year. [AFP]

PHL coconut oil exports fall after Yolanda P

HILIPPINE coconut oil exports fell 35% at the start of this year, driving up global prices, after a super typhoon destroyed millions of trees, an industry group said Tuesday. In normal times the Philippines accounts for more than 40% of world exports in the oil, which is used in daily items

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cebu-Davao-Cebu

16:45

VOL. 6 ISSUE 256 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MARCH 14-15, 2014

ROAR! The battlecry is simply put: ROAR! Edge Davao’s sixth year silently passed by but the silence is but how the celebration went—austere but strongly motivating. There’s no need for some chest-beating and rip-roaring pitches. At six, Edge Davao, erstwhile the first and only business paper in Davao City, has evolved to become a fierce competitor in the mainstream daily news publication platform. Whipped from a battery of veteran journalists and promising young talents, Edge Davao is roaring in an industry where competition is as fierce as a jungle reaping some recognition in different journalistic endeavors from award-giving organizations and civic groups. If Edge Davao were human, he is silent, success-driven and hardworking. It thrives on a culture built on respect for the media industry and commitment to the public. This young news organization is barely up on its feet walking by itself and finding its own niche. Yes, we ROAR (Responsible, Objective, Accurate, Reliable)!

OLIVIA D. VELASCO General Manager

LEAN S. DAVAL JR. Photography

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

GREG G. DELIGERO Associate Editor NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO RAM M. MAXEY Managing Editor Consultant

CHENEEN R. CAPON ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. Reporter Reporter

Patronage, readership, and faith—that’s about the best recognition for an organization that exists to fill the demands of a seamless society. To our faithful readers and industry partners, thank you for growing and ROARing with us.

EDGEDAVAO

JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales

RICHARD C. EBONA Marketing Supervisor

KENNETH IRVING K. ONG Creative Solutions

EDGEDAVAO

VANTAGE

VOL. 6 ISSUE 256 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MARCH 14-15, 2014

EDITORIAL The BOC once again

RANKING Customs police official in the Port of Davao is in hot water, ostensibly due to allegations that he received P2.5 million to favor an importer of 15 dumptrucks. The Bureau of Customs intelligence group in Manila has reportedly asked Davao District Collector of Customs Ernesto Aradanas to relieve Maj. Camilo Cascolan, district commander of the BOC’s Enforcement and Security Services (ESS). Expectedly, Cascolan denied the serious allegation, insisting that he and his men were just doing their job, even as he claims that he still has to receive the reported recommendation for his relief, adding that ESS Davao is “open to any probe”. On the other hand, BoC-Davao admits that the “port has no concrete information” on ESS Davao’s alleged move to get extra settlement

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

from Goldtech International Machineries Trading. At this juncture, it would be difficult to predict the outcome of this case. What’s clear is the need to expedite the investigation as it augurs well for the ongoing campaign for reforms in the once graft-ridden government bureau. It is actions like these that convince the public that, indeed, the new leadership at the bureau is serious about reforming the BOC. It is hoped, though, that the probe would be fair to all-- to the taxpayers, and to Major Cascolan--whose family’s honor is at stake. This is one of the challenging events in the life of the port’s leader, District Collector Aradanas, who has a mission to accomplish, and that is to introduce badly needed reforms under his jurisdiction. We say good luck to him.

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

VOL. 6 ISSUE 256 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MARCH 14-15, 2014

Never-ending political sideshow

T SEEMS MORE LIKE AN UNCONTROLLABLE ADOLESCENT – There are some pretty heavy issues confronting the nation and some of the problems are clearly beyond government’s control, and yet it is in political infighting where the energies of our lawmakers go. Members of Congress are instructed by the Constitution to “maintain highest standards of integrity and credibility,” but that hasn’t prevented some members of the Senate from engaging in a senseless “word war” on the floor. At the height of the discussions about the shameful PDAF or pork barrel scandal some senators displayed outrageous behavior on the floor – hurling bitter side comments, personal insults and baseless allegations. The entire energetic wrath was focused on the involvement of some alleged cash-starved and thick-witted lawmakers and the disgraceful issue has taken the spotlight away from the substance of governance and the business of the Senate. Did anybody care about the role of the Senate specifically in enacting laws of gorgeous foundation until claims of the incomparable PDAF scam made headlines? Never before in the nation’s history that the Senate been in discomfitures – the function continued to turn in disorderly fashion. None of the legislature’s action has helped its standing, which suddenly seems more like an uncontrollable adolescent than a responsible player on the political stage. Moreover, the outlandish accusations and counter-accusations are somewhat an attempt to justify the contending senators’ hidden motives. Most of the senators especially the old-hand hadn’t helped and worked seriously to improve the socio-economic status of the country but rather

their concerns overshadowed their legislative responsibilities. What they were actually guilty of simply may be focusing their attention intently on the political sideshow at the expense of the irate and disgusted people. The pork barrel controversy is expected to drag on and would intensify uncertainties surrounding the 2016 general elections seen as crucial to restoring some credibility and integrity to some power-obsessed senators who are either seeking reelection or keeping a moist eye on higher positions. There is plenty of reason for the disenchanted public to get discouraged: some senators displayed unwillingness or inability to assume accountability for the situation they have created, whether willfully or not. These instances paint a very poor picture of the behavior of our elected leaders. The bar of public opinion has, unfortunately been lowered and the aghast and dissatisfied people are truly disappointed in the performance of the Upper House. However, there’s a twist. The political opposition is blaming the whole mess on what they see as a cynical maneuvering by the Aquino administration. Their anger stemmed in part from the fact that only opposition senators were implicated in the financial scandal. This imbroglio actually is a black eye not only for the opposition but the admin-

istration as well. They cannot but feel sorry to the nation that the situation has reached the point it has. Most damaging for the opposition senators who were spooked by corruption charges is that the serious and exhausting fund controversy will kill off their political ambitions. Meanwhile renowned political analysts observed that the Aquino administration has been beset by scandals and haplessness prompting its political enemies to capitalize with the situation by trying to turn it out of the political sphere. The never-ending rigmarole in the Senate was a political game of chicken – a numbers game in the real sense. Grandstanding and self-aggrandizement are fares of the day primarily designed to gain more media mileage that would eventually further their political interest. And everybody is taking advantage of the pork barrel controversy because it generates much public attention - the more media coverage, the more exposure to the people. What a heck! The country is plunged into a political mess after the revelation of the pork barrel scam and sparks nationwide street protests; outraged by the involvement of some alleged thick-faced lawmakers whom people voted in office. Isn’t it the voters fault to begin with? As the investigation of the pork barrel intensifies, the disenchanted public urged the courts to deliver speedy ruling expressing confidence that the pretext for the enmeshment of some senators was too thick to legally stand. On the other hand, the opposition was put off by the political mess and disgusted by the alleged maneuverings saying it was too hasty, too early and premature to judge. And the senseless disputes continue with no end in sight.

Brownout in Mindanao: What Ails?

N Mindanao, power supply is still too unstable for comfort since the Mindanao-wide brownout last February 27. The only assurances for return to normalcy are that (1) thorough investigations are being done and (2) reports will be released as soon as the investigations are completed; there have been (3) recommendations and (4) vows to prevent the recurrence of power outages. What is the situation? Mindanews reported (March 9, 2014: Still in the dark 10 days after Mindanao-wide blackout) that in Zanboanga City, power outage was from four to five daily, improving from eight to nine hours from the last week of February to March 5; in Kidapawan City, deteriorating to four to five hours daily from two hours; in Bukidnon, fluctuating from six, four or two and a half hours daily except Saturday; in Davao one-hour in rotation; in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City; none. In the absence of an update, situation in General Santos City is “any time, short or long”. Information as to what really had happened and what will happen is not in state of total blackout so it can be said to be just that of “brownout”. While we impatiently wait for the investigation reports, we can assume the situation is not so serious to wor-

MIND DA NEWS BY PATRICIO P. DIAZ

Part 1 of 2 ry about. What really happened? In the DOE (Department of Energy) report, at 5:32 a.m. last February 27, the breaker of Agus 1 hydroelectric plant in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur tripped. Power plants are connected to the transmission network at the switchyard. The breaker is the switch mechanism that trips to disconnect or break the circuit when there is trouble in the line, hence, the term. For circumstances the DOE report did not reveal, in succession 18 units of Agus hydroelectric plants (1, 2, 7, 4, 5, and 6), two units of Pulangi hydroelectric plant, and three other plants (Mt. Apo Geothermal in North Cotabato, STEAG in Misamis Oriental, and SPCC) also tripped. So the Mindanao transmission system collapsed. These plants that tripped have a total capacity of 677.2 megawatts. As reported by NGCP (National Power Grid Corporation) that operates the transmission networks in the Philippines, the Mindanao system’s

“demand stood at 785 megawatts”; while at the time of the blackout, the “supply was 853 megawatts”, the “93 megawatt reserve” could not compensate for the 677.2 megawatt loss. That explained the Mindanao-wide blackout – a most reasonable explanation. NGCP reported to DOE that the Mindanao grid had been fully re-energized by 12:18 noon on the same day. To be honest about it, energy was restored but hour-long outages have been recurring quite regularly since then. Does this mean just the regular tripping of the breakers or the depleted capacity of the plants to produce power? What is being done? Since February 28, NGCP and NPC (National Power Corporation) have been separately looking into the root cause of the “system-wide shutdown”. As of March 9, “they were still completing their respective investigation,” revealed NDCP spokesperson Atty. Cynthia Perez-Alabanza. In the “thorough” investigation, a tri-agency effort, the NGCP and NPC gather data about “the switchyards and power plants” and reconcile their reports; and Transco (National Transmission Commission) will interpret the results. DOE will release the report -when completed.

VANTAGE POINTS

March in the history of the Bangsamoro SPECIAL FEATURE BY CAROLYN O. ARGUILLAS

Part 1 of 2

ILL the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) this month and the submission of the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law by March 31 mark the beginning of a March marked with celebrations for the Bangsamoro? March in the history of the Bangsamoro is a month marked with tragedies. Between March 5 and 7, 1906, some 600 men, women and children (other reports say 900) were massacred by American soldiers on Bud Dajo in Jolo, Sulu. The New Orleans Times-Democrat called it “a frightful atrocity.” Reacting to the newspaper headline, “Women slain in Moro slaughter,” Mark Twain wrote, “’Slaughter’ is a good word. Certainly there is not a better one in the Unabridged Dictionary for this occasion.” The Boston Post screamed, “if this is imperial expansion, heaven save us from any more!” On March 18, 1935, Hadji Abdulhamid Bongabong of Unayan and 189 Maranaos sent a letter of Appeal to the US Congress in what is now referred to as the “Dansalan Declaration of 1935.” A portion of the appeal reads: “Should the American People grant Philippine independence, the Islands of Mindanao and Sulu should not be included in such independence. Our public land should not be given to other people other than the Moro. We should be given time to acquire them, because most of us have no lands. Our people do not yet realize the value of acquiring those lands by the process of law. Where shall we obtain the support of our family if our lands are taken from us? It will be safe to us that a law should be created restricting (the acquisition) of our land by other people.” Thirty three years later, the Jabidah Massacre of March 18, 1968, where at least 23 Moro trainees bound for a mission to reclaim Sabah in Malaysia were killed in Corregidor, triggered protest actions from the Moro population, leading to the formation of what would be the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). It is not clear exactly when the MNLF was established but it reckons its foundation day to March 18, 1968, the day of the massacre. During the negotiations for what would be the Tripoli Agreement of 1976, MNLF chair Nur Misuari of Sulu, then an instructor at the University of the Philippines in Diliman and vice chair Salamat Hashim of Maguindanao, then a student in Cairo, Egypt, sat beside each other in the MNLF peace panel. Hashim in an interview in April 2000 said that during the negotiations for that agreement, he was pushing for autonomy only for the remaining Moro-dominated provinces in Mindanao, but was outvoted by Misuari and his group, who demanded autonomy for 13 of what were then 22 provinces and nine of what were then 16 cities in Mindanao. The Tripoli Agreement was signed 23 December 1976. But invoking his martial law powers, then President Ferdinand Marcos made moves to set up not one but two regional autonomous regions. On March 25, 1977, Marcos issued Proclamation 1628 declaring autonomy in the Provinces of Lanao de Sur, Lanao del Norte, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, North Cotabato, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, Sulu, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, Davao del Sur and South Cotabato in Mindanao and Palawan province and the cities therein: Marawi, Iligan, Cotabato, Pagadian, Zamboanga, Dipolog, Dapitan and General Santos City and the city of Puerto Princesa in Palawan.

10 ENVIRONMENT EDGEDAVAO

VOL. VOL.66ISSUE ISSUE256 256••FRIDAY FRIDAY--SATURDAY, SATURDAY,MARCH MARCH14-15, 14-15,2014 2014

Land in the path of nature’s wrath By GERRY T. ESTRERA Contributor

“W

HY do the righteous suffer?” This is an oft-asked question in the book of Job. Job is a righteous man who is very prosperous and has seven sons and three daughters. In Job 1:10-11, Satan told the Lord: “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.” God gives the accuser permission to test Job’s righteousness. All Job’s possessions were destroyed. Worst, his ten children were killed by a mighty wind. His health deteriorated. Still

Job didn’t curse God, but instead shaved his head, tore his clothes, and said, “Naked I came out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return: Lord has given, and Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” Job’s experience came to mind after what Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte told reporters when he arrived after visiting Tacloban City, which was devastated by Yolanda, touted to be the world’s worst cyclone that made landfall in history. “God must have been somewhere else or he forgot that there is a planet called Earth,” Duterte was quoted as saying. “I don’t know if I have to cry. I cannot shout in anger because you cannot be mad at anybody there.” When asked his idea on the possibility of a similar typhoon to hit Davao City, the

mayor replied: “The Pacific Ocean generates the warm and cold. It’s always the typhoon comes from the east of our country. If such kind of typhoon would hit Davao, I would begin my counting at 5,000 dead.” A typhoon is a mature tropical cyclone that develops in the northwestern part of the Pacific Ocean between 180° and 100°E. Again, the Philippines is located in this region which, according to the US National Hurricane Center, is referred to as the northwest Pacific basin. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, shares this information: “The majority of storms form between June and November whilst tropical cyclone formation is at a minimum between December and May. On average, the northwestern Pacific features the most numerous

and intense tropical cyclones globally. The Philippines receive a brunt of the landfalls, with China and Japan being impacted slightly less.” “Each year, about 20 tropical cyclones enter our country,” says Rene Paciente, chief of the weather forecasting and warming system of Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration. Fortunately, only 6 to 9 of these tropical cyclones make landfall. But this year, 25 tropical cyclones have already entered the country’s area of responsibility. Next month, the country will commemorate the two worst typhoons to enter the Philippine area of responsibility. Typhoon “Sendong” hit the northern part of Mindanao on December 16, 2011, killing at least 1,080 people. A year later, on December 2, Typhoon “Pablo” smashed into the main southern island of Mindanao. Rarely hit by storms, the region suffered about 1,900 people dead or missing. But the recent Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) is touted to be the mother of all typhoons to hit the country. Associated Press reported: “Yolanda slammed the island nation with a storm surge two stories high and some of the highest winds ever measured in a tropical cyclone – 314 kilometers per hour as clocked by US satellites, or 237 kilometers per hour based on local reports.” But typhoons are just tip of the iceberg. “The Philippines is one of the most disaster-prone places on Earth,” said Kathleen Tierney, director of the Natural Hazards Center at the University of Colorado. “They’ve got it all. They’ve got earthquakes, volcanoes, floods, tropical cyclones,

landslides.” “The Ring of Fire” – that is how scientists call the area in the basin of the Pacific Ocean where a large number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur. Unfortunately, the Philippines – a country with 7,107 islands – is located in this rim sometimes called the circum-Pacific seismic belt. About 90 percent of the world’s earthquakes and 81 percent of the world’s largest earthquakes occur along the Ring of Fire. The recent earthquake that hit Bohol is a proof of it. In the morning of October 15, 2013, a destructive earthquake shook the island noted for its Chocolate Hills and endangered tarsier. The earthquake was recorded at a magnitude of 7.2, which has an energy “equivalent to 32 Hiroshima bombs.” The Little Boy atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima, Japan on August 6, 1945 packed power equal to 20,000 tons of TNT. But the worst earthquake to hit the country happened on July 16, 1990. A 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck the densely populated island of Luzon, which killed an estimated 1,621 people with most of the fatalities came from Central Luzon and the Cordillera region. Baguio City, one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations, was among the areas hardest hit. It caused 28 collapsed buildings, including hotels, factories, government and university buildings, as well as many private homes and establishments. Kennon Road, the main vehicular route to Baguio, as well as other access routes to the mountain city were shut down due to landslides; it took three days before enough landslide debris

was cleared to allow access by road to the stricken city. According to scientists, the Ring of Fire has 452 volcanoes and is home to over 75 percent of the world’s active and dormant volcanoes. The Philippines, for instance, has around 200 volcanoes scattered all over the archipelago. Fortunately, only 21 are considered active. A volcano is considered active if it has erupted sometime within the last 600 years. If a volcano has not erupted in 600 years, it is regarded as inactive (dormant). There are also volcanoes which are considered extinct. The active volcanoes in the country, according to Philvocs, are Pinatubo in Zambales; Mayon in Legazpi City; Taal in Talisay, Batangas; Canlaon in Negros Oriental; Bulusan in Sorsogon; Smith, Didicas, Babuyan Claro and Camiguin de Babuyanes, all in Babuyan Island Group; Cagua in Cagayan; Banahaw in Laguna/ Quezon; Iriga in Camarines Sur; Biliran in Biliran; and Iraya in Batanes. In Mindanao, the active volcanoes are: Ragang and Matutum, both in Cotabato; Hibok-Hibok in Mambajao, Camiguin; Calayo in Valencia, Bukidnon; Bud Dajo on Jolo Island; Musuan in Bukidnon; and Makaturing in Lanao. “Like ghost and monsters, volcanoes can be scary when they erupt. They rumble, shake and spit out fire, steam, ashes, and rocks. But unlike ghosts and monsters, volcanoes are of this world. As such, they can be studied and understood,” commented the late Raymundo S. Punongbayan, when he was still alive and was heading the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Philvocs).

NEWS 11

VOL. 6 ISSUE 256 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MARCH 14-15, 2014

Holiday...FFROM 1 streets. On Sunday morning will be the ‘Parada Dabawenyo’ or civic parade participated in by private companies, schools, local government offices, national agencies, non-government organizations (NGOs), with groups from the metro are expected to join the parade along with colorful floats. The parade route will

be from Magsaysay Park to Magsaysay Avenue, turning left to C. M. Recto, then right to Bonifacio St. and turn left to Legaspi St., and on to San Pedro St. before exiting to Quimpo Boulevard. In the afternoon, the Banda Hudyaka or Band Competition takes over to entertain crowds of revelers.

(ADAP) Mutipurpose Cooperative. ADAP Multipurpose Cooperative is the economic arm of ADAP Inc. “Happy mi ana na gipropose na sa vice mayor kay mahatagan ang PWDs

a chance to be employed,” Autida said. The cooperative has 169 members and 20 of them are employed by private firms in the city while some work for the coop. [CRC]

shipment of Goldtech before it was released from the port. “During the 100% examination no discrepancy was found with regards to the description and the quantity as declared by the consignee. Consequently, the 15 units dumptruck was cleared for release by the assessment division after reclassifying the same resulting to additional duties and taxes in the aggregate amount of P890,292,” BOC Davao said. The additional amount increased the total duties and taxes to be paid by the consignee to P4,078,781. Earlier, last Feb. 21, Aradanas ordered the seizure of four units of brand new Toyota Prado vehicles from United Arab Emirates which were illegally released by customs officials of the Dadiangas (General Santos City) subport to be bound to North Harbor in Manila. Said shipment consigned to Ayumi Rose Trading is supposed to have a retail value of US$56,000 per unit while the claimant declared it at only US$23,000 per unit. The shipment is still held at the North Harbor. The release caused for the relief of five sub-port officials. BOC Davao said that Ayumi has considered filing a motion to quash the warrant of seizure and detention (WSD) with their expressed waiver relieving the district collector from any liability that maybe attached in connection with the WSD once the motion is granted. “Although Ayumi has denied any deliberate intention on their part to disregard existing customs rules and regulations and undermine the authority of the district collector... it is given a chance to settle to seizure case with the approval of the

Commissioner, pending the proceedings, provided that the claimant is able to show lack of fraud in the importation of their shipment,” BOC Davao further said. During the second press conference that Aradanas held since he assumed his post last Feb. 3, many issues were responded. Asked if he could finally stop smuggling at customs, Aradanas, a retired brigadier general, said “no.” He laboured to add: “It can’t happen overnight. This would take years. Swertihin na tayo if we can stop it in five years’ time.” He pointed out that the problem is a complex one that needs participation of all stakeholders involved and dealing with the customs, inside and outside. He added there is an “internal audience” that must be considered in the current reform moves but “once society will not confirm these, it will take us a long time. This is the reality if we allow ourselves for the things in time to

DCCCII...FFROM 2

Relief...FFROM 2

SSS improves reimbursement system S part of Social Security System’s (SSS) campaign to enhance its service delivery, employers all over the country can now receive their reimbursements for advance payments of employees’ sickness and maternity benefits directly at

their own bank account, instead of waiting for SSS checks from the mail. Agnes San Jose, SSS Vice President for Benefits Administration, said the SSS Sickness and Maternity Benefit Payment thru the Bank (SMB PB) Program provides em-

ployers a safer, faster and more convenient means of reimbursement than its previous system of sending checks thru registered mail, which may take up to a month depending on their mailing address. “Companies, as well as household employers, will

benefit from the SMB PB Program since it addresses concerns regarding lost, misdelivered or stale reimbursement checks that can take several months to replace. It also eliminates the waiting period for mailing and check clearing,” San Jose said.

the family, community and government but also to encourage their families and community they live with to reaffirm the valued Filipino tradition of caring for senior citizens, ” the resolution states. The legal spouse can receive the assistance, but if the latter is already dead, it will go to the nearest surviving relatives such as

children, parents, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, if the proposal is approved. “In the event that no one from the above mentioned relatives are still living, the benefactor, whether related or not to the senior citizen, who provided care or who gave any form of assistance to him or her, and whom the senior citi-

zen was dependent on for the primary care and material support, as certified to by the City Social Services Development Officer (CSSDO), ” the proposal states. The CSSDO should formulate and adopt implementing rules and regulations to carry out the objectives of the ordinance, in consultation with the City Mayor’s Office, City

Legal Office, City Treasurer’s Office, City Budget Office, City Planning and Development Office, and OSCA. The proposal was part of last Tuesday’s agenda but it was deferred by the body since they don’t have enough time to discuss it since city council were busy discussing the road closure ordinances.

change.” He also defined tara as the amount that does not go to the government. He said that a long time ago tara technically meant taxes and duties given to the government and through the years it had changed in meaning, which means the “extra money” that goes to “collection outside.” Others long dealing with customs said that tara evolved to be a bribe money for under-the-table deals given out of seeking approval from corrupt customs officials for special treatment such as undervaluing of shipment, non- or misdeclaration. This results to technical smuggling and loss of government revenues. Aradanas vowed to make “radical innovation” that the other side of stakeholders like the brokers of importers and exporters will pay to the government and “no more extra money to be given to collection outside”. “It’s not an easy job. It’s a job to be done by all of us,” he told reporters. [Cha Monforte]

house chores for women more difficult, such as gathering of firewood that are becoming scarcer or fetching drinking water from nearby springs that are drying up. Add to this burden the threats to lives and properties at the onslaught of tropical depressions. Del Rosario bared government interventions have largely targeted wom-

en because they are usually concerned about household welfare, and are likely to remember, and adopt simple knowledge and skills on how to reduce the impact of climate change to every home. In Davao del Norte, mothers were enlisted as among the principal partners in the implementation of the Oplan A.N.D.A.M. (Advocacy

on Natural Disasters Awareness and Management) program that was launched by the governor last December. The initiative has been teaching mothers and other stakeholders in identified communities simple technologies that reduce their vulnerability to calamities and allow them to build back better. [Noel Baguio]

Cash... FFROM 2

LEGAL NOTICE

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VOL. 6 ISSUE 256 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MARCH 14-15, 2014

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ARTS & CULTURE

A tale told through dance

The Locsin Dance Workshop’s 67th Annual Recital

F my friend Anavi had not informed me about it, I would have missed one of the Durianburg’s annual spectacle, the Locsin Dance Workshop’s Annual Recital. Already on it’s 67th year, the recital brings together the Locsin Dance WorkFA TALE, A4

The finale of Engkanto.

A2 INdulge! UP AND ABOUT

SM Lanang Premier to hold Street Food Fest on weekends IN CELEBRATION of Araw ng Dabaw and in support of the Big Davao Fun Sale, SM Lanang Premier will be mounting a unique foodie event called ‘The Davao Gourmet Collective: STREET FOOD FEST’ on March 14-16 and March 21-23, 2014, from 4pm to 10 pm at The Fountain Court. This is the third wave of the Davao Gourmet Collective, which was first organized at last year’s Kadayawan Festival. Drawing from the success of the two preceding events, it is expected to attract thousands of food lovers from across the Philippines who are in Davao City to celebrate Araw ng Dabaw and be part of the Big Davao Fun Sale. The Street Food Fest will showcase must-try global street eats crafted by Davao City’s top gourmands. Among participating food purveyors include Malagos Farmhouse and Cheeses, Manna, Bangkok Wok, Ineng’s, Kushiya, Cucina Ilocana, Monica Floirendo, Bistro Selera, Cacao de Davao, Cellar de Boca, JR Pastry, Bleu Chili, Mexican and Crocodile Ice Cream and Shakes. Kicking off on Friday, March 14, at 6pm, the Street Food Fest will be held at The Fountain Court grounds. Feast on world-class street food at the Davao Gourmet Collective. Check out SM Lanang Premier on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for news and event updates.

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ENTERTAINMENT

Dingdong, Marian, Dennis, and Regine V. lead Kapuso stars to Araw ng Dabaw

DAVAO is about to experience premium entertainment as GMA’s A-listers Dingdong Dantes, Marian Rivera, Dennis Trillo, and Regine Velasquez lead a star-studded entourage and make their way to the Crown Jewel of Mindanao for its annual Araw ng Dabaw celebration. On March 14, Friday, Jennylyn Mercado, Yasmien Kurdi, and Ervic Vijandre from the primetime series Rhodora X invade Gaisano Mall of Toril at 3PM and Gaisano Mall of Davao at 5pm. GMA Primetime King Dingdong Dantes joins them in the Gaisano Mall of Davao for a Kapuso Fans Day after coming from an outreach activity in Zonta Elementary School, Isla Verde, Sta. THIS MARCH, as the cool weather quickly turns into swelter- Ana District, Davao City. ing heat, the upcoming summer season gets even hotter The next day, March with the release of Metro Society’s annual men’s issue. 15, the unparalled singing The magazine this month prowess of Asia’s Songbird turns the temperature up Regine Velasquez is set to by turning the spotlight on conquer the Activity Area men found making waves of the Abreeza Mall as she

Metro Society launches Men’s Issue this March

in the kitchen. With the local food industry having gained popularity in the last decade, the Philippines has become an international culinary destination and these men have played a crucial role in transforming not only the country’s views, but tastes as well. Leading the pack are four men who have piqued curiosity, whet appetites, and satisfied palates: Green Pastures’ Robby Goco, Sensei Sushi’s Bruce Ricketts, Hungry Hound’s Rob Pengson, and Hatch22 and Pink Panda’s Erwan Heusaff. Metro Society believes that these men are the future of the food industry in the Philippines--each of them having their own views when it comes to preparing, cooking, and plating dishes, possessing a personal style about things that sets each of them apart and an undeniable passion that makes what they do memorable. The Men’s issue also presents the annual hall of fame--the country’s top list of men who are consistently polished and impeccably dressed. The magazine’s Men in Suits section is a real treat, selecting men in the culinary scene, including chefs, restauranteurs, connoisseurs, bloggers, and critics. All these and more can be found in Metro Society’s Men’s Issue this March. Grab a copy now at leading bookstores and newsstands nationwide.

CELEBRATE ARAW NG DABAW AT THE WATERFRONT INSULAR HOTEL. It is a weekend culinary extravaganza at Cafe Uno Restaurant as the Waterfron Insular Hotel Davao cooks up your favourite local Dabawenyo dishes for only Php750 nett per person. For every group of five on March 16, two will enjoy their buffet lunch for free! For more information call 082-300-8881 or 233-2881 to 83.

takes on her first ever Kapuso Fans’ Day at 4PM all for her Dabawenyo supporters to witness. Come 6PM, the NCCC Mall of Davao welcomes GMA Primetime Queen Marian Rivera together

with her Carmela Ang Pinakamagandang Babae sa Mundong Ibabaw leading man Alden Richards in a mall show to be hosted by Boobay. With them is James Wright, the voice behind the show’s theme music Sana’y Ikaw. On March 16, Sunday, a stellar parade awaits the Dabawenyos as Marian and Alden, together with stars from GMA’s Afternoon Prime block tour Davao City’s major streets beginning at 7AM. Present in the float parade are The Borrowed Wife’s Camille Prats and Rafael Rosell; Paraiso Ko’y Ikaw’s Kim Rodriguez and Kristoffer Martin; Innamorata’s Max Collins and Luis Alandy; and Villa Quinatana’s Janine Gutierrez, Sunshine

Dizon, and Lucho Ayala. Back-to-back Kapuso mall shows follow with Camille, Rafael, Kim, and Kristoffer at 2PM in SM City Davao; and with Janine, Sunshine, Max, Luis, and Lucho at 4PM in Gaisano Grand Citimall Davao. Capping the celebration is a Kapuso Night with Dennis and Lauren Young, which starts at 6PM in SM City Davao.

Jason and Dominic to play brothers in “MMK” BS-CBN’s “Maalaala Mo Kaya” will inspire TV viewers to value their loved ones through the touching tale of inseparable brothers, Okoy and Luman, who will be portrayed by Jason Abalos and Dominic Roque. Okoy and Luman have a promise to be at each other’s side for the rest of their lives. Driven by their dream of building their own house, Okoy works hard and sacrifices almost everything

to help his younger brother finish his studies. How will Okoy accept that fact that his beloved brother, whom he has taken care of all his life, has given up on him at his most trying time? Also part of Jason and Dominic’s “MMK” are Malik-

si Morales, JM Ibañez, Dianne Medina, Mymy Davao, and Mike Austria. It is directed by Garry Fernando, written by Arlene Tamayo and Arah Jell Badayos, and researched by Akeem del Rosario. “MMK” is led by business

unit head Malou Santos, production manager Roda Dela Cerna, and executive producer Lindsay Anne Dizon. Don’t miss Asia’s longestrunning drama anthology, “MMK” this Saturday (March 15) after “Wansapanataym” on ABS-CBN. For more updates, log on to MMK.abs-cbn.com, follow @MMKOfficial on Twitter, like Facebook.com/MMKOfficial.

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Liberalia, The Neon Glow Party set to make Davao party history this March 15 GET READY to party and glow this March 15 as Manic Nightings, the team behind successful EDM parties such as Carte Blance, Elements and Reverie, together with Smart Telecom is set to hold the biggest Araw ng Dabaw party this year titled Liberalia, The Neon Glow Party at the Crocodile Park concert grounds. Liberalia, The Neon Glow Party will feature a roster of some of the biggest-named DJs in the country such as DJ Clyde Harris, DJ Aliana Jimenez, DJ Erwin Edralin DJ Reo Mendoza and Curse & Bless together with local DJs Wack Masbad, Niel Recinto, Antonio Tupas and DJ Torch. Making the evening hotter will be the Godfather of Philippine house music and resident DJ of Manila’s Republiq, Ace Ramos with his own mash ups that mix hip hop, rnb, elektro rock, charttopping hits, and upcoming tracks. DJ Ace Ramos always keeps each set fresh and he will definitely keep the party crowd on the dance floor until the wee hours of the morning and has has shared the stage with international

DJs such as Tiesto, Steve Aoki, Jermaine Dupri, Lil Jon, Vice, Qbert, Stonerokk, Yves V, Laidback Luke, Dirty South, Paul Van Dyk, Bassjackers, Porter Robinson, John Dahlback, Swanky Tunes, David Morales, Avicii, Calvin Harris, Benny Benassi, Fedde Le Grand, R3Hab, Erick Morillo and Afrojack. DJ Ace Ramos was also voted as the 2010 Club DJ of the Year by Wave 89.1 in the Urban Music Awards. Performing together with Ace Ramos is Boracay’s very own DJ Surf, a.k.a. ‘thetoplessdj’ who’s influence

comes from Ibiza’s style of house music, listening to DJs such as Carl Cox, Pete Tong and the electronic sound of Deadmau5. The half English, half Filipino DJ played in many of the Philippines’ most iconic clubs and is the DJ of choice for visiting international acts, consistently impressing crowds with his style, preparation, distinctly unique mixing and incomparable energy behind the decks. Tying everything together and taking the party to the next level is the participation of UniversoROBOT,

an international group of performers consisting of three-meter high humanoid robots fitted with with LED lights and advanced special pyrotechnic effects as CO2 cannons. UniversoRobot regularly performs in the most exiting “clubbing” events worldwide such as at the FIB 2010 and 2011, during the Amnesia Ibiza World Tour, the POP STAR tour with Brian Cross, the Supermartxe World Tour, Space Ibiza on Tour, MTV EMA in Madrid, the Opening Amnesia Ibiza 2011 and the closing Party at Space Ibiza

2011. General admission tickets to Liberalia, The Neon

Glow Party are available for Php500 while VIP stage-side tickets with unlimited drinks from Bacardi are available for Php1,500. Tickets are now available at Soul Lifestyle stores at Gaisano Mall of Davao and Abreeza Mall, Cellar de Boca at SM Lanang Premier, and at Backyard Burger outlets at Quimpo Blvd. and Quirino Avenue. Rides to Liberalia are available on March 15 from 2PM to 12 midnight at S&R Matina at the gate fronting NCCC, Gaisano Mall of Dabao near the van terminal, the back parking of Abreeza Mall and at the back parking of SM Lanang Premier.

Everyone’s a VIP at the Araw ng Dabaw Step Up street party EVERYONE’S a VIP this March 15, Saturday, as clubs Starr and Moon, in partnership with Hybrid, Cork & Barrel, Club Aurum World K-Box and Edong’s Resto Bar, in cooperation with SMART and Colt 45, bring you the Araw ng Dabaw Step Up Street Party. The 1st Araw ng Dabaw Step Up Street Party will feature top international guest DJ Ingo Vogelmann from Germany. Ingo Vogelmann runs three successful shows on FRISKY — the number 1 radio station in its field — the 8 hours marathon show “LIGHTWORKS”, the legendary Ambient show “TIME OUT” and the “Release Promo Hype Chart Essentials” where Ingo showcases the best new material from the most significant promo pool for progressive dance music. From over 200 shows on the station, “LIGHTWORKS” has been ranked #4 in 2011, after Nick Warren, Dave Seaman and the “Artist Of The Week”. 7 albums and over 150 singles and remixes marking his way, he is currently working on his 8th artist al-

bum for which he teamed up with the Danish classical/ crossover singer Helene Hørlyck as well as New York City based singer Jane Silence, to create another pioneering work in the field of advanced eletronic music. Also out in 2013 are remixes for the award-winning producer Lee Fletcher and the German label Cirque Du Son. He is joined by the coun-

try’s top celebrity DJs, DJ Kirby Yu from Cebu, DJ Coki and Cherry Summer of Apl. de.Ap’s Jeepney Music, as well as Davao’s very own DJ Patrick, DJ James, Kevin Rage, DJ Enzo, DJ Robert and DJ Cindy. As they set the Davao crowd with the coolest dance music, fun and surprises also await all party attendees as confetti bazoo-

kas, water cannons, water guns, jello shots, glow in the dark paints, colored powders, glow sticks and whistles will be set-up and given away for everyone’s enjoyment. Lots of games and prizes, as well as free WiFi connection, will be provided for the whole street, made possible by SMART. A FREE, fun, up and happening street party coming this Araw ng Dabaw weekend, March 15, 2014, Saturday, you definitely don’t want to miss. Gates open at 1:00 PM, while party starts at 3:00 PM - 1:00 AM Entrance and exit gates will be at Bajada St. (by the Central Convenience Store). For inquiries, contact Ms. Angel Abella at 0932-4562146 / 0926-171-2161

NEED FOR SPEED 2D Aaron Paul, Dominic Cooper PG 13

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

WEDDING PALACE 2D / * MAKE YOUR MOVE 2D PG 13 / * PG 13

Brian Tee, Hye-jeong Kang / *BoA Kwon, Derek Hough 12:00 | 1:55 | 3:50 LFS / * 5:50 | 7:55 | 10:00 LFS

MANNY 2D / *NON-STOP 2D Manny Pacquiao / *Liam Neeson

R-16

PG 13 / *R 13

12:00 | 1:50 | 3:40 LFS / *5:30 | 7:45 | 10:00 LFS

300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE 2D Sullivan Stapleton, Eva Green R 16

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

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ARTS & CULTURE

The finale of Ballet Filipiniana.

A tale... FFROM A1

shop’s ballet students from all grades for a performance that kicks off the studio’s summer season classes. The first part of the programme was an enchanting number titled Engkanto which tells the story of a farmer who mistakenly takes firewood from the enchanted garden on an engkanto. Cursed by the engkanto his daughter went on a journey to find a cure for her father’s ailment meeting many spiritual beings that populate Filipino folklore as the Nuno sa Punso, the Tik-

balang, the Babaeng Nakaputi, the Kapre, and the Mananggal as creatively portrayed in dance by the dancers. Engkanto was like a modern storybook come to life and riddled funny moments and values every Filipino parent and child can take home with. Of course this was thanks to the wonderful choreography that can only come from Agnes Locsin together with her proteges, Biag Gaongen, Monique Uy and Abigail Alejandro. While the first part of the program was playful and enchanting, the sec-

ond part was truly spectacular with the senior ballet dancers taking to the stage to perform Ballet Filipiniana which features ballet movements to the tune of classic Original Filipino Music. From the very first Pas de Deux to the breathstopping solo performance of Monique Uy, I was sure everyone in the audience was captivated by the beauty, strength and grace of the dancers and their precise movements. Being that the Annual Recital is just a preview of things to come, I annoy wait for the Locsin Dance Workshop’s Sum-

Mga Bulaklak (the flowers).

Mga Ibon (the birds). mer Showcase that will be held on May 14 at the CAP Grand Auditorium which will feature La Revolucion Filipina together with eleven dancers from Ballet Philippines who will be in training under Agnes.

Individuals those who want to join or learn more about ballet, jazz or modern dance at the Locsin Summer Dance Workshop to be held this April 7 to May 14 one can contact them at 2274753 or email

them at locsindanceworkshop@yahoo.com. Follow me on Instagram or on Twitter at @kennethkingong for more travel tales, foodie finds, as well as happenings in, around and beyond Durianburg.

EDGEDAVAO

ICT HUB

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4 Filipino research papers compete in Kaspersky Lab’s CyberSecurity

N online security game, an Android device-based log-in system, an access control for personal health record systems and an open source-based cellular system. These are research projects designed by Filipino students which are among the 15 finalists currently competing for the top three prizes in the Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa Cup of Kaspersky Lab’s CyberSecurity for the Next Generation 2014. This year’s regional competition, which is expected to be attended by the company’s founder Eugene Kaspersky, is being held from March 12-13 at the University of Korea in Seoul, South Korea. All four research papers are authored by Computer Science students from the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City. Teammates Adelen Victoria Festin, Camille Salazar and Flor Marie Carmeli Sison submitted two qualified research papers. One of their papers is about SecuriThief, an alternative tool to teach children online security in the form of a computer game

using true-to-life simulations. “We believe that through gaming, children will be able to learn faster and in a more efficient way because of its fun factor and its personal approach to things,” Festin and her group said. Their second paper introduced Communect, a low-cost, easy-to-deploy, alternative and secure open source-based (OpenBTS) communication system where mobile phone users can connect to make calls and send messages particularly in areas that do not have access to conventional mobile networks or areas with damaged telecommunication systems. The group said Communect can also be used for community development such as organization of disaster risk management activities and centralization of information dissemination. The group of Dan Antonio Reyes, John Smith Paraggua and Ray Torres presented Binary Login using Android Device or what they call BLADE System, an easy-to-deploy solution using a two-factor authentication system. BLADE requires the

use of an Android device as a security token on top of the typical username-password security scheme for a person to successfully login and prevent security attacks on his online account. The fourth paper from the Philippines is solely-authored by 26-year-old Rose Ann Sale-Zuniga, who is taking up her master’s degree in Computer Science. Zuniga is proposing a usable, secure and dynamic design for a task-rolebased access control for Personal Health Record (PHR) systems. A PHR is a health record that a patient owns and manages. “What it does is it limits a user’s access to the system based on the task assigned to him, while tasks are based on his role. For example, a person with role of a nurse should not be able to access sensitive medical information unless he is authorized. He can only access a patient’s medication list if, say, a doctor gives him the task to print it. After printing the list, the task ends and he should not be able to access it again unless another task gives him that privilege,” Zuniga explained.

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SPORTS 15 SPORTS

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Dapoba to join Araw bikefest 1

4 YR. old biker to join THE Davao Pobre Bikers Association (Dapoba) will also see action in the Mayor Rody & Vice Mayor Pulong Duterte Cycling Challenge slated on March 15 and 16 in separate routes. Dapoba will be spearheaded by elite riders Ronnie Urdaneta and April John Maniyog according to its former president Dominic Carpio. “We will still finalize the final line-up,” Carpio, a former Southeast Asian Games gold medalist. Aside from the two elite riders, each team must also have three to four 23 under riders to complete the team for the team category. Meanwhile, 14-year old Raven Chris Candog of Toril is also joining in the mountain bike cross country race which will start and finish near at the Maa firing range. Candog was the youngest participant during the 2010 Kadayawan MTB at the age of 8 years old. The 23 Under will have three laps for a total of 27 kilometers while the 18 below will have two laps for 18 kilometers. The 160-kilometer

STILL POSSIBLE

Road Race will start and end at the SM Ecoland West. The two-day event is organized by the Davao City Sports Consumer Cooperative and Philcycling and sponsored by the city government in coordination with the City Sports Development Division. It is supported by Emperador Brandy, Ideal Vision, One Radio 102.7 FM and RMC Broadcasting Corporation. The MTB cross country will have categories in the Junior (18 under) and the 23 under only, while the Road Race has categories in the team and Junior (18 under). Each team in the road race shall be composed of only one or two elite riders plus three to four 23 under those born 1991 for a maximum of six riders. Organizer Salvador “Jun” Paholio Jr., deputy secretary general for Mindanao of Philcycling said that cash prizes, trophies and medals are up for grabs. Registration is free but the mandatory documents include a certified true copy of birth certificate from NSO and Philcycling-UCI license.

Manny and Floyd may yet agree to fight

HARD ON TRAINING. Manny Pacuiao is dead serious at training camp.

ANNY Pacquiao is in Los Angeles preparing for his upcoming fight with Timothy Bradley Jr., but he may have a bigger target in mind — Floyd Mayweather Jr. The Filipino fighter is preparing for a rematch against Bradley, and those around Pacquiao believe a win should set him up for what has been an elusive fight against Mayweather. So far the two fighters have been unable to com to terms on a match, but it’s looking increasingly inevitable that they meet. “As far as I’m concerned, Mayweather can’t go around saying he’s the best until he fights the best and for me, Manny’s the best,” said Justin Fortune, who is

back as Pacquiao’s strength and conditioning coach. If he does defeat Bradley when they meet April 12, Manny Pacquiao may still have another step before he can meet Floyd Mayweather Jr. It’s likely that he would fight Juan Manuel Marquez later in 2014, which would set up what could be the fight of the century. As long as both Pacquiao and Mayweather can keep winning, it’s likely that both fighters would command $50 million each when they finally meet, insiders believe. Pacquiao’s camp has been publicly pushing for a Mayweather fight for months. After his comeback win against Brandon Rios, Pacquiao promoter Bob

PITCH AND PUTT. Phoenix Petroleum Philippines presidenty Dennis Uy pitches from the fringe during the 6th Phoenix Open golf tournament at Rancho Palos Verdes. Boy Lim

Nets repeat over Heat 96-95 M

IAMI (AP) — Something about facing the Miami Heat still brings out the best in Paul Pierce. Jason Kidd isn't half-bad against them, either. Pierce scored 17 of his 29 points in the third quarter and delivered two crucial scores late, Shaun Livingston created a turnover on the game's final play and the Brooklyn Nets topped the Heat 96-95 on Wednesday night — moving to 3-0 this season against the twotime defending NBA champions, two of those wins coming by a single point and the other in overtime. "We haven't had any success," Kidd said of Brooklyn's perfect mark against the Heat. "We've just been lucky to win some games." Maybe, maybe not. In Kidd's past 24 games against the Heat as a coach or player, his teams are 19-5. And this was just the latest entry in Brooklyn's surge, with the Nets now an Eastern Conference-best 23-9 since Jan. 1. Mirza Teletovic scored 17 off the bench. Livingston finished with 13 points and Andray Blatche scored 11 for the Nets. Chris Bosh scored 24 points for Miami, giving him 15,003 for his career. Dwyane Wade scored 22, LeBron James finished with 19 and Mario Chalmers scored 14 for the Heat, who gave up 22 points off turnovers and were hit with two technicals (on Wade and Chalmers) for arguing calls within a 92-second span of the third quarter. "It's competition," said Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, whose team has dropped four of its past five games.

"It's survival of the strongest right now. ... We still feel confident about our game. We just need to put it together." Miami had a chance at the end. Deron Williams missed a jumper with about 8 seconds left, and Wade grabbed the rebound. He took a couple steps downcourt, then called time out with 3.5 seconds remaining, and Miami had to burn another one in order to advance the ball into the frontcourt for the final play. Whatever Spoelstra drew up never got off the ground. Bosh tried to get the ball to James in the lane, but Livingston knocked it away and time expired. "Losing four of five," James said, "that's pretty bad." Pierce was 5 for 5 from the field, 3 for 3 from 3-point range and got fouled on another try from beyond the arc in the third quarter, his biggest-scoring period of the season. "I'm sure his antenna is raised in games like this, against us," Spoelstra said. Chalmers made a 3-pointer to get Miami within 84-81 with 6:57 left, but Teletovic — who hadn't had a double-digit scoring game in exactly a month before Wednesday — answered from several feet beyond the arc on the next Brooklyn possession to restore a six-point lead. Miami never got the lead back. Pierce had a 3 to make it 90-86, then a drive to snap a 92-all tie with 1:45 remaining. "Paul's got too much left in the tank to be a role player," Williams said. The Nets were without Kevin Garnett (back) and

Andrei Kirilenko (ankle). Garnett is expected to miss at least one more game, while Kirilenko tested his ankle in a morning shootaround practice before the Nets figured he wasn't ready to play. Miami beat every other team in the league last season, and still could repeat

the feat this year. The Heat entered Wednesday having beaten 26 of the 29 opposing clubs, the three holdouts being Houston (who visits Sunday), Memphis (who Miami hasn't faced yet) — and the Nets, who won the first two meetings against the Heat this season in Brooklyn.

Smart runners shine E

MPLOYEES of Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) conquered five local and international marathons in the past few weeks, two of which were ultramarathons or races spanning more than the standard 42.195 kilometers. Senior training supervisor Carl Balagot, corporate wireless consultant Carlo Gonzalez, and security officer Sandy Alentajan finished the first-ever 250-kilometer ultramarathon from Rizal Park in Manila to Baguio in just three days. They covered 90 km on the first day, another 90 km on the second day, and 70 km on the last day. Meanwhile, senior engineers Alfeus delos Santos and Arvin Arcilla, administrative assistant Marian Mera, and senior supervisor Felipe Mascareñas braved even the uphill challenges of the Luneta-to-Tagaytay ultramarathon which stretched for 62 km. Arcilla also finished the 42.195-km Standard Chartered Hong Kong marathon, which is recognized as one of the leading road races in the world by the International Associ-

ation of Athletics Federations. Even Smart’s firsttime marathoners finished the Bull Runner Dream Marathon in Sta. Rosa, Laguna with flying colors. The 42.195-km event is the only marathon in the world that caters to first- or second-time marathoners. Among the finishers were public affairs manager Jill Lava, infrastructure and operations manager Marvin Cabataña, senior specialist Delia Majam, and project management officer Patrick Peig. Meanwhile, channel communications supervisor Karen Macapagal finished third in the 8 km category of the Amway Fun Run held recently in Davao City. All the ultramarathon and marathon finishers are members of the SMS or Samahang Mananakbo ng Smart, which aims to encourage Smart employees to discover and improve their running skills. SMS is one of 20 employee clubs at Smart which seek to promote active wellness in the company so its workforce can live by the “Live More” manifesto.

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