Edge Davao 7 Issue 121

VOL. 7 ISSUE 121 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 02, 2014

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EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

RANDY ADORED LIKE A HERO PNoy: We’ll work on that bridge LAUREATE. President Benigno Aquino III confers the Ramon Magsaysay Award to Dabawenyo teacher Randy Halasan (right) as Ramon Magsaysay Foundation chairman Jose Santos (left) applauds. EDGE DAVAO will be publishing a special supplement on Randy Halasan on September 7.

AT A GLANCE:

City Council to honor Halasan on Sept. 9 Fellow laureate Hu Shuli to work on solar power for Pegalongan

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO

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njb@edgedavao.net

ABAWENYO public school teacher Randy Halasan was adored like a superhero and mobbed like a rock star when he was formally enshrined as one of the year’s six Ramon Magsaysay Award laureates in elaborate ceremonies on Sunday at the CCP Main Theater.

No less than President Benigno Aquino III heaped praises for the 31-year old Halasan and four other laureates from China, Afghanistan, Indonesia and a Pakistani non-government organization during the hour-long presentation ceremonies of the prestigious award known as Asia’s

equivalent to the Nobel Peace Prize.

President Aquino cited the works of Halasan and another awardee, indigenous community teacher Saur Marlina Manurong of Indonesia for their efforts at educating marginalized communities.

FRANDY, 10

2 THE BIG NEWS Duterte slams Danao’s relief as DCPO chief EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 121 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 02, 2014

By Armando B. Fenequito Jr. and Cheneen R. Capon

M

AYOR Rodrigo Duterte yesterday expressed disappointment after Davao City Police Office (DCPO) director Senior Superintendent Vicente D. Danao Jr. was temporarily relieved from his post after a complaint was filed against him by his wife.

“Let Danao face his case here. Alam mo yang PNP (Philippine National Police), dapat huwag kayo masyadong makialam kasi there are rules to be followed (The PNP should not meddle in the case because there are rules to be followed),” Duterte told reporters yesterday at Grand Men Seng Hotel.

He said there are rules and laws with regards to battery, child abuse, and abuse of women.

“Ang problema diyan (The problem is), why would you relieve a person? Sino ang mga general diyan na hindi nag-aaway sa asawa nila (Who among the generals do not quarrel with their wives)?”

BEACONS OF ASIA. Dabawenyo teacher Randy Halasan (third from left) with Edge Davao managing editor Neil Bravo (second from left), city councilor Mabel Sunga-Acosta (fourth from left) and China’s Hu Shuli (second

from right), and the two representatives from The Citizens Foundation of Pakistan during the Ramon Magsaysay Awards gala dinner at the Ramon Magsaysay Center.

Draft Bangsamoro Basic Law ‘99.99% done’ T

HE Philippine government (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will not meet their self-imposed deadline of “end of August” for the submission of the draft Bangsamoro Basic law to Congress but MILF peace panel chair Mohagher Iqbal is confident the submission will be “soon” as they are now “99.99 percent done” with the final text.

Notes are still being exchanged to resolve the remaining issue which Iqbal declined to name but which he told MindaNews is “no longer as problematic” as the other issues that were finally resolved between August 10 and 27 with Iqbal’s team and Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa.

Iqbal declined to cite a date for submission to

Duterte said.

Duterte said PNP officials in Camp Crame should let the case be filed in Davao City.

Danao’s trouble began when a video of him apparently acting violently towards his wife was uploaded on Youtube last month.

Duterte, however, said the video only showed a domestic case between a husband and wife.

“Lahat na lang ng domestic problems ay violence against women?

Sumobra kayo (Are all domestic problems considered violence against women? You’re overreacting),” he said.

“We have laws and he (Danao) is supposed to be innocent until proven otherwise. Doon sa video nagsisigawan sila (In the video, they were shouting at each other),” he said.

“This is an exercise of hypocrisy,” Duterte said, referring to PNP officials.

The PNP national office implemented the relieve

order on Danao effective yesterday due to the pending complaint filed against him by his wife.

The Police Regional Office (PRO) 11 assigned Superintendent Marvin Pepino as the officer-in-charge of DCPO. Pepino was the city deputy director for Administration of DCPO Duterte, however, said he can do nothing if Danao is removed from his post.

He said he will let the PNP choose a new city director.

“Bahala sila sa taas.

Wala akong ipalit, ibalik nila si Danao (Let the national headquarters do it. I will not choose a replacement, they should reinstate Danao),” he said.

Duterte said Danao had been his choice to run the peace and order here in the city.

Earlier, Gabriela party-list Rep. Luzviminda C. Ilagan called for the ouster of Danao in the aftermath of the video showing the police officer apparently abusing his wife physically and verbally.

2007, themed “Mindanao Resources Integration and Opportunities” and “One. Global. Filipino: Turning Big Challenges Into Best Opportunities,” respectively.

This year’s Minbizcon, co-hosted by the chambers of commerce of General Santos City and Sarangani

province, carries the theme “Growth Beyond Convergence” and will end on September 3.

Minbizcon is the largest annual gathering of business leaders and government trade leaders in Mindanao.

President Benigno

Minbizcon touts Mindanao’s role in national economy F

OR the third time in 23 years, this city hosted again Monday the Mindanao Business Conference (Minbizcon), and this time, officials underlined the island’s contribution to the national economy.

General Santos hosted the Minbizcon in 1995 and

FMINBIZCON, 10

Congress. “It’s not good to give a fixed date. Even the President did not give a date (in his recent interview),” he said.

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles on August 15 said the consolidated draft BBL would be submitted to President Aquino before end of the following week (August 22) and to Congress before end of the month.

Congress has less than 50 actual workdays until the end of the year. It goes on recess by September 27 and will resume sessions on October 19, will go on recess again from November 1 to 16 and resume sessions by November 17 until the Christmas break from December 20 to January 18.

President Aquino, in an exclusive interview with

CLASSY. Renowned magician James Infiesto wows the members of the Ambassador Club with his classy magic act during the organization’s national confer-

FDRAFT, 10 ence at The Marco Polo, Davao over the weekend. Lean Daval Jr.

VOL. 7 ISSUE 121 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 02, 2014

NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

SPMC to put up isolation facility for Ebola, SARS

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By CHENEEN R. CAPON

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crc@edgedavao.net

P 5.9-million isolation facility for emerging and reemerging diseases will be established in the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) in Davao City to treat cases like Ebola and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

Department of Health (DOH) 11 regional director Dr. Abdullah Dumama said in a recent press conference that the budget was requested by SPMC medical director Dr. Leopoldo Vega.

The fund will be used for the renovation of two rooms. The center will be the region’s first isolation room for Ebola, SARS and other emerging and reemerging disease.

Dumama, however, said the equipment emerging and reemerging diseases is not included in the P 5.9 million budget.

“The central office is still trying to procure

needed equipment,” Dumama said, but he gave assurance that basic protective items like multi-layered face masks will be provided to health workers who will have direct contact with patients.

Dumama said the equipment to be procured is still not state-of-the art but can still cater to the future needs of patients.

DOH 11 will also not be training new health workers who will be assigned in the isolation center, which will employ health workers previously trained for SARS. “We continuously train these people so that their capabilities will be upgraded,” Dumama said.

Authorities in the Philippines have announced a high alert status in all airports and seaports that can serve as possible entry point of patients with Ebola, which has been spreading in many areas in Africa.

MR. PRESIDENT. Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte covers his face in apparent embarrassment with a printed program after being introduced as “the next Philippine President” during the plenary session of the Ambassador Club

Philippines’ national conference at The Marco Polo, Davao over the weekend.

Lean Daval Jr.

City Council to discuss P200M SB No 1 today

Central 911 gets CSC Pag-asa Award T

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

D

AVAO City Central 911 (Central Communication and Emergency Response Center) was one of the recipients of the Pag-asa Awards category for this year’s Civil Service Commission (CSC)’s Search for Outstanding Public Officials and Employees.

Speaking to reporters in yesterday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao Annex, CSC regional director Annabelle B. Rosell said Cen-

tral 911 got the award because of its work on emergency and medical rescue operations.

“Those were cited and those were also validated,” Rosel said.

Central 911 is one of 11 awardees composed of seven individuals and four groups.

The awardees will receive a cash award of P100,000, a gold-gilded medallion, and a glass trophy containing the

FCENTRAL, 10

abf@edgedavao.net

HE Davao City Council is set to discuss on first reading today the P200-million Supplemental Budget (SB) No.1 of the city for this year.

Councilor Bernard Alag told reporters yesterday that the Local Finance Council (LFC) already finalized the budget during its meeting last Friday.

“Baka isulod na nila siguro ugma sa first reading (They may discuss it for first reading tomorrow [Tuesday]),” Al-ag said He said the city allocated more than P200 million for SB No. 1, with the big-

gest chunk to go to the City Mayor’s Office (CMO) for projects and programs for the city.

“The mayor is asking for more funds for his programs, in his peace and order programs, Central 911, and upgrading the disaster risk reduction projects,” he said.

Al-ag said Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is asking for the budget to fund the salaries and other expenses of his Barangay Police Auxiliary Program.

“Para mapakusgan ang atong peace and order, i-involve nato ang mga auxil-

iary groups samatag-barangay (To strengthen our peace and order, we must involve the auxiliary groups in every barangay), ” he said.

Aside from the budget for peace and order of the CMO, SB No. 1 also allocates P4 million for the publication of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance and Comprehensive Land Use Plan of the city.

Al-ag said the city needs to publish the new Zoning Ordinance to enact this since there are many developments in the city.

He said many develop-

New PHL-Indonesia trade route to pull down freight cost

G PAG-ASA AWARDEE. Civil Service Commission (CSC) 11 director Annabelle B. Rosell tells the media during yesterday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao Annex that the Davao City Central Communication and Emergency Re-

sponse Team (Central 911) was chosen as one of the recipients of the Pag-asa Awards in the CSC’s 2014 Search for Outstanding Public Officials and Employees. Lean Daval Jr.

ers who cannot proceed with their projects because of the delay in the publication of the ordinance.

Al-ag said as of yesterday, the LFC was still waiting for the signature of the mayor so that the supplemental budget can be endorsed to the City Council.

He said the supplemental budget came from the savings of the city which will be used for other programs of the city.

In 2013, the city passed three supplemental budgets: SB 1 at P159.9 million, SB 2 at P235 million, and SB 3 at P245 million.

ENERAL SANTOS CITY – The newly-established sea route in the BIMP-EAGA (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines - East Asean Growth area) region will pull down sea freight cost by up to 15 percent, a business leader said.

Alfredo M. Yao, president of Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc., was referring to the Davao-GenSanBitung (Indonesia) sea route, the commercial operation of which is expected in October.

An Indonesian sea vessel will be used to

transport goods to and from Indonesia and Philippines.

PCCI regional governor Rey Billena earlier said not less than 30 local companies will participate in the first sail-off of the Indonesian vessel using the new sea route.

“Through this RoRo (roll-on- roll-off), it is expected that transportation cost will be reduced from five percent up or more and the time will be cut from three days to just one-and-a-half days,” Yao said during the first day of the three-day 23rd Mindanao Business Con-

FNEW, 10

4 THE ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 121 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 02, 2014

DOTC to bid out MRT-3 maintenance contract T HE Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) is raising efforts to bid out a P2.25 billion three-year contract for maintenance of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) 3.

In an invitation to bid, the DOTC said foreign and local companies interested have until October 13 to submit their bids with pre-bid conference set on September 9.

“The DOTC MRT-3 is inviting bidders for a threeyear maintenance service provider contract,” DOTC undersecretary Catherine Gonzales said in a statement.

Gonzales said this will help ensure that the MRT-3 operates under safe running conditions with on-time and reliable performance in providing convenience to all passengers.

At the same time, it would allow effective maintaining cost at a minimum level.

DOTC secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya said in an earlier interview that the maintenance contract was extended because service providers find the current one-year contract too short.

DOTC expressed plans to extend the contract of the current maintenance service provider, Autre Potre Technical Global Inc. (APT) until November 5 this year.

The agency is meanwhile upgrading the signaling and power systems.

In addition, the agency is speeding up the buyout of the Metro Rail Transit Corporation (MRTC) so that its controlling shareholder, MRT Holdings II, can no longer block its improvement efforts.

Abaya said that this move will free the rail facility from long-standing legal issues and will also allow the upgrade of the rail line without disruptions caused by MRT Holdings II. (PNA)

TIME OUT. A vendor finds time to feed the pigeons while selling ice cream at Rizal Park along San Pedro Street in Davao City. Lean Daval Jr.

Banks eye above 6% growth level for PHL in 2014, 2015 T

HE recovery of the Philippine economy in the second quarter of 2014 made one of Asia’s leading securities and investment brokers maintain its outlook on the possible hitting of the government’s growth target for this year and next year.

In a research note, the company said it is keeping its 6.8 percent growth forecast for the country this year and 7.6 percent for 2015.

The government’s 2014 growth target is a range between 6.5-7.5

percent while it is seven to eight percent for 2015.

The industry sector drove domestic output from April to June this year, which reached 6.4 percent, higher than quarter-ago’s 5.6 percent but lower than year-ago’s 7.98 percent.

The research note expects the continued six percent-level growth for the domestic economy in the second half of the year as it expects the recovery in government spending among others.

It also noted that problems caused by port con-

gestion issue, due mainly to the expanded truck ban in the City of Manila that started last February, will be addressed. ”Thus, we believe the composition of growth will revert to one led by domestic demand, supported by net primary income, mostly remittances from overseas Filipinos,” it added.

Bank of the Philippine Island (BPI) lead economist Emilio Neri Jr. maintained the bank’s 6.2 percent growth forecast for the country this year on back of projected

sustainable, but he targets to fill in the 647 MW reserve as mandated by the Philippine Grid Code.

He said it is certain that 240 MWs will be delivered from First Gen’s 100 MWs Avion Power Plant and Petron Corporation’s four new coal power plants, which have a total capacity of 140 MWs. He noted that Petron’s capacity was not yet been added to the grid. ”The 140 MWs from Petron is not yet in the picture, I can use it for 2015.

It doesn’t exist in our sup-

ply-chain. Avion is 100 MWs, coming in April,” he said.

Petilla also said there will be no withdrawal of his recommendation for President Benigno Aquino to invoke Section 71 of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) in order to rent a power plant, until he sees the 600 MWs reserve figure. ”I’m not changing my tune until such time that I’m confident that it can really be handled,” he said.

(PNA)

improvements in domestic financial conditions, which in turn will support consumption.

“The faster-than-expected print for second quarter of helps reduce uncertainty about the sustainability of the Philippine economy’s surprisingly strong performance in the last few years,” Neri said in a research note.

The research note cited that growth in the second quarter of the year was led by the agriculture, manufacturing and exports while construction and retail trade

slowed. ”We will not be surprised if this will actually lead to an improvement in employment and poverty statistics this year vs.

2013,” it said.

With the expected sustained growth of the domestic economy, Neri said this gives the central bank’s policy-making Monetary Board (MB) leeway to further increase the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) key rates on their September 11, 2014 meeting to keep inflation within target.

Rate of price increas-

es last July surged to 4.9 percent, almost hitting the upper end of the government’s three to five percent target for 2014, while average for the year stood at 4.3 percent. For 2015, the inflation target is a range between two to four percent. ”We are even more confident that both SDA (special deposit account) and RRP (reverse repurchase) rates will be (up) by 25 bps (basis points) to 2.5 percent and four percent, respectively before the end of 2014,” it added. (PNA)

starting to feel the impact of Manila’s city-wide truck ban with the delayed arrival of goods to the area.

He said it mainly affected the delivery of imported goods coming in through Manila’s south harbor and those manufactured in parts of Luzon that are shipped out from the north harbor.

Manila’s south harbor is the country’s main entry point for imported commodities while the north harbor caters to domestic

shipping operations.

In February, the city government of Manila banned cargo trucks from its main thoroughfares from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., a move that triggered backlogs in deliveries to, through, and from the ports of Manila.

Covered by the ban are cargo trucks, gravel and sand trucks, cement mixers, eight-wheelers, and any truck with a gross vehicle weight of at least 4,500 kilograms. (MindaNews)

Luzon power for summer Manila truck ban feared to 2015 showing momentum affect prices of goods in GenSan

T

HE Luzon power situation outlook for summer 2015 is showing momentum following the revelation of Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla that new additional capacity will fill in the target reserve of 647 Megawatts (MWs). ”I’m not (becoming) impatient, because little by little I’m finding more additional capacity,” Petilla told reporters.

Petilla earlier said the 9,100 MWs estimated power demand for 2015 is

B

USINESS leaders here warned of drastic increases in the coming months in the prices of various commodities that are shipped through the ports of Manila if the continuing truck ban in the area was not lifted or resolved.

Manuel Yaphockun, former president of the General Santos City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (GSCCCII), yesterday said a number of local businesses are now

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THE ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO

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Importers, brokers ordered to remove container boxes in all Manila ports T

HE Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) on Sunday announced that it is giving all importers and brokers with overstaying customs-cleared cargoes inside the Manila ports the opportunity to withdraw their boxes on or before September 8.

Containers that will be left unclaimed will be immediately transferred to Subic and Batangas ports or any other location identified by the Cabinet Cluster on Port Congestion and all costs associated with the transfer of said containers will be shouldered solely by the cargo owner upon their release.

PPA general manager Juan C. Sta. Ana said this measure is aimed to further decongest the two Manila ports of overstaying customs-cleared and ready-to-go containers of erring importers that use the ports as their virtual warehouses.

“This will serve as notice to all importers and brokers to withdraw their customs-cleared cargoes from the ports, otherwise, we will immediately transfer these cargoes to any of the said

destinations at their own expense,” Sta. Ana said.

He said the PPA also came up with a notice published in different newspapers with general circulation on this initiative.

“We already identified and reasonably informed the owners of these containers, which vary from big-time to small-time, and we will no longer notify them if they fail to meet the September 8 deadline,” he said.

Based on inventory, there is a significant number of customs-cleared and customs-cleared with gate pass cargoes stacked up at the Manila ports.

Customs-cleared containers are boxes that already paid the proper duties and taxes to the Bureau of Customs (BOC) but have yet to pay the cargo-handling fees.

Customs-cleared cargoes with gate pass are boxes that already paid both the duties and taxes and the cargo-handling fees but remain stored at the ports for one reason or another.

“Please understand that this is not to punish our importers but only to clear as much space as

possible in preparation for the influx of cargoes due to the peak season and reduce pressure on inflation,” Sta. Ana said.

As of the moment, yard utilization at the two Manila Ports has jumped back to 90 percent brought about by the long weekend.

Productivity and efficiency at MICT, on the other hand, remained at 20 moves an hour, a significant improvement from the 10 to 12 moves an hour two months ago while Manila South Harbor productivity has soared to 15 moves an hour from only eight moves an hour during the same period.

The PPA, along with the port operators, are also trying to maintain the number of empties inside the ports as it also slowly take in the 20,000 held-up containers at foreign ports.

As of end June, the number of laden containers piled up at the Manila ports totaled 85,000 TEUs which occupied about 104 percent of the yard of the ports while the total of empty containers also reached a high of 22,000 TEUs. (PNA)

P

PAL welcomes final Boeing 747 flight

HILIPPINE Airlines (PAL) yesterday welcomed the final arrival flight of its flagship aircraft – the Boeing 747-400 – at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 (NAIA T2) in Pasay City before the plane was retired.

The flight from San Francisco, California was the final one of the flagship aircraft after 35 years of service since 1979.

The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) gave a water-cannon salute ceremony for the inbound flight at the ramp area of NAIA Terminal 2.

PAL began retiring the last remaining 747

aircraft in the fleet after the United States Federal Aviation Administration restored the Category 1 status to the Philippines.

The designation allowed PAL to begin deploying new and modern and fuel-efficient Boeing 777 fleet to the United States, gradually replacing the Boeing 747 fleet.

Last May 12, the flagship aircraft title was transferred from the B747 to the B777 at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.

PAL placed an order for Boeing 777 aircraft in 2006 with the intention of deploying it to the US but was banned from using it in the US

for more than six years after the Philippines was downgraded to Category 2 status.

Because of this, B747 has been used primarily as flagship aircraft in long-haul routes to North America, Australia, Europe, and the Middle East for 35 years.

Aside from PAL, other carriers to begin retiring the older aircraft include Eva Airways and Cathay Pacific.

At present, PAL has six Boeing 777 aircraft in the fleet, which currently operates daily flights to Los Angeles, San Francisco, and select flights to Vancouver and Toronto. (PNA)

6 SUBURBIA EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 121 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 02, 2014

Davao-Samal bridge seen to boost tourism in Talikud A

bridge linking the Island Garden City of Samal and this city will mean more tourists coming to Talikud Island, Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo P. Del Rosario said.

In a speech at the Ambassador’s Club Convention at The Marco Polo, Davao last Saturday night, del Rosario said the bridge and other infrastructures that would improve accessibility to the island from other parts of the Davao Gulf would lead to increased tourist arrivals at the 3,000-hectare island located behind Samal.

Talikud Island boasts of kilometers-long white sand beaches, coral gardens, and a rich marine ecosystem, del Rosario said.

“It has been a favorite stopover of tourists and considered as one of the best diving sites in the world,” he added.

“The most viable solution which we already laid down before our national planners is the construction of the bridge connecting Samal Island to Davao City. We expect that trip to Talikud then would be a walk in the park,” he said.

The governor said the

Talakag, Malitbog win Kaamulan 2014 street dancing competitions

T

HE contingent from the municipality of Talakag was declared champion of the two-day Kaamulan 2014 street dancing competition here.

According to their storyline, the group performed the “Panumaid ‘hu Talaandig daw Higaonon” which features Binatula, a practice of driving away bad entities, marking the start of preparation for the next cropping season.

The Talaandigs thrive in Talakag and are described as a proud, peace-loving, and culturally rich people. According to their storyline, “the tribe co-existed in the community along with the Maranaos of Lanao region.”

“Years of economic contact with its neigh-

boring community led to inter-marriages and acculturation that produced a blend of distinct Talaandig culture, making them notable among all other tribes in Bukidnon,” the storyline provided by the contingent said.

The Talakag group performed as contingent no.

10 on August 30, the first day of presentations.

Quezon town was first runner up for street dancing with its performance featuring Tulalang, the leader of a tribe who lives in mythical Nalandangan. San Fernando placed second runner up with its performance on Bangkakawan, a traditional thanksgiving celebration among the Tigwahanons inTigua river. (Walter I. Balane/MindaNews)

DILG gives livelihood aid to 66 ex-rebels in Bukidnon

A

total of 66 former rebels and their families in Bukidnon received livelihood assistance worth P65,000 each under the government’s Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) last Sunday.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II and Bukidnon Governor Jose Maria Zubiri Jr. handed the checks to the former rebels during simple rites held at Camp Osito Bahian, the home of the 403rd Infantry Brigade, also known as Peacemaker Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Philippine Army Twenty-six of the for-

mer rebels returned to the fold of the law as early as 2009 while the latest batch of 40 were among those who laid down their arms on March 22, 2014, Roxas said.

During the program, Zubiri pledged to provide additional livelihood support of P50,000 for each of the 66 former rebels.

He appealed to Roxas to help facilitate the resumption of the peace talks between the government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).

On behalf of the government, Roxas welcomed the rebel returnees to the fold of the law. (PNA)

rehabilitation of Talikud Island’s 16-kilometer circumferential road would contribute to better accessibility of the island.

He said the provincial government was bringing investments into the island and has launched interventions to promote “inclusive development,” such as the hiring of locals for jobs in the service industry as well as capacity development programs.

“One is the program dubbed Ugmad Komunidad. It delivers community driven skills training workshops allied to tourism and sports, and pro-

motes socially inclusive sports-tourism through micro-entrepreneurship,” del Rosario said.

Ugmad Komunidad encourages Samal residents to participate more effectively in the development process, he said.

“In two years onwards, we expect Talikud to be a rising premier tourist destination.

We have asked the aid of other national government agencies in pursuing more community preparation programs,” he said.

Del Rosario said tourist arrivals in 2013 reached 375,468 or 7.2

percent higher than the number of visitors in 2012.

The governor, who also chairs the Regional Development Council, said the Samal-Davao bridge would cost around P10 billion.

Currently, vehicles coming from Davao City cross toward Samal Island via several barge services at Sasa port.

“However, the barges can no longer handle the rising vehicle volume,” del Rosario said.

The project is already under the feasibility study stage, along with plans for the creation of

an airport in the island, according to the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC).

Del Rosario said the island depends on Davao City for tourist arrivals from outside Mindanao since it has no airport of its own.

Department of Tourism Assistant Secretary Art Boncato Jr. said the RDC was also considering a proposal by the DOT for the creation of a cruise ship center in the gulf at a technical working group meeting of the RDC last August 27.

(MindaNews)

YMCA CAR RAFFLE. The College Y officers and youth volunteers gather for a pose at the YMCA Multi-Purpose Hall following the drawing of all the prizes including the Grand Prize.

YMCA car raffle results out

T

HE car raffle draw of the Young Men’s Christian Association of Davao was conducted on August 31, Sunday, at the YMCA Multi-Purpose Hall, at Jacinto Extension, Villamor St. Davao City.

The fund drive was intended to augment its scholarship program and the development of a youth training camp in Tuban, Davao del Sur, according to lawyer Leoncio Villa-Abrille, president of YMCA Davao. The purpose is aligned to its mission in molding the youth and young students to be God-fearing, responsible citizens and future leaders in their chosen fields.

The official winners and their ticket numbers of the car raffle draw are the following: Grand prize: Cherry QQ311 – ROSFER Farm, No. 03059; 2nd prize: SkyGo 125 Motorcycle – Carmencita M. Pepito, No. 08844; 3rd prize: Samsung LED TV 32” – Reynato Castañeda, No. 10184; 4th prize: ACER Laptop – Rodrigo Laurete, No. 06774; 5th prize: Window-type Koppel 1.5 HP Aircon – Vasante Rosalem, No. 09189.

6th prize: Window-type Koppel 1 HP Aircon – Teresita M. Busch, No. 08821; 7th prize: Sanyo Washing Machine - Emmanuel Rallos, No. 06849; 8th prize: Kolin Room Refrigerator

– JO2 Purified Water, No. 13863; 9th prize: Sharp Microwave Oven – Residencia de Fernando, No. 10152; and 10th prize: Philips DVD Player – Uy Ching Siong, No. 05434.

Davao PICPA past president Pacencio Rosalem Jr., formerly SGV & Co. senior staff and past national secretary, Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountant, witnessed the entire proceedings of the YMCA raffle.

Car Raffle Committee chairman & past president Jose Custodio said only holders of paid tickets will be recognized as winners. His co-chairs, past president Vicente

Bañes, Jr. and asst. treasurer Jose Valenzuela Jr., assisted him in supervising the conduct of the car raffle. As printed on the face of the raffle tickets, the winners are determined by the drawing of ping pong balls using a tambiolo.

General Secretary Sylvia Piedad, Youth Director Shalom Jepris Mendoza, past Youth Federation of Davao president Era Lagaret, Xenia Tavaro, Cathy Rosel, Karen Salmorin, Joefretch Luga, Archie Espolong, College Y and other volunteers, helped the committee in the conduct of the car raffle. Frances Marian Castaña

7 ENVIRONMENT

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 121 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 02, 2014

COASTAL TOURISM THREATENS MARINE TURTLES Text and Photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO

I

T’S more fun in the Philippines, goes the slogan of the Department of Tourism. But for endangered marine turtles, it’s anything but fun.

“Tourism in natural places that does not take into account the effect they have to the environment is the threat,” explained Dr. Arnel “AA” Yaptinchay, founder and director of the Marine Wildlife Watch of the Philippines. “In the Philippines, where it seems that every inch of our beaches will soon be developed for tourism, this will become a big threat for marine turtles.”

According to Dr. Yaptinchay, development of the coast where buildings are to be constructed will displace marine turtles from the nesting beach, one of their most important life cycle habitats.

“Lights, infrastructure, noise, domestic animals, and pollution will not only disturb those nesting females but also their hatchlings,” he said. “Marine turtles will not nest when disturbed.”

Marine turtles spend most of their life in the sea and get all the things they need there. They even mate in the sea. But when the time comes to lay their eggs, the females return to shore, usually in the same place where they were hatched.

“If you imagine a firsttime nester approaching its place of birth, how much do

you think of its birth place or nesting beach remains over the last 35-50 years?”

Dr. Yaptinchay asked. “I would guess there would be very little space left for it to nest and enough disturbance developed to shoo it away. We are preventing them from fulfilling their life purpose. For me this is very tragic.”

In some instances, some tourism facilities view marine turtles as attractions. “This is fine if you view marine turtles from a distance, but most (beach owners) are greedy and would take a turtle and put it in a tank for secured viewing for their guests,” Dr. Yaptinchay said.

But what he considered as worrisome is when beach owners would tie the turtle to a tree. “This has happened and is still happening,” he said.

Those resorts located in islands sometimes think they are helping marine turtles by keeping hatchlings in containers and allowing them to grow for a few months before releasing them into the open sea.

“What they do not realize is that they have just disrupted the whole life cycle of the turtles,” Dr. Yaptinchay said. “Hatchlings are supposed to be in open pelagic waters for the first decade of their lives. Again an important phase in their lives is affected.”

However, Dr. Yaptinchay believes there are ways to

develop tourism without compromising the integrity of the environment. “Technology and knowledge already exist,” he said. “We just need to learn to give the environment more importance than the money we earn.”

According to Dr. Yaptinchay, his organization is working with the tourism department in developing interaction guidelines for tourists, resorts, and dive operators to prevent disturbance to marine turtles.

Pollution Marine turtles were once seen in abundance in the shallow waters of Manila. But toxic wastes flowing from the Pasig River, ocean-going vessels plying the bay, and the government’s reclamation projects had long ago driven the marine turtles away. Pollution is one of the prime factors why the population of marine turtles is dwindling rapidly in the country.

Many marine turtles die after eating discarded plastic bags. “Plastics are the scourge of our seas,” said Lily Venizelos, who was named by the United Nations Environment Program as one of the recipients of the Global-500 roll of honor for her efforts to save the turtles. “They take over 450 years to degrade.

The impact of small pieces of garbage, like foil sweet and cigarette wrappers, plastic bottle caps, straws,

string, and security tabs are catas t r o p h i c to marine wildlife when swallowed.

A transparent plastic bag looks like jellyfish to a hungry turtle, her favorite food. By eating it she dies a slow painful death through blockage of her intestine, or by suffocation.”

These beautiful, migratory reptiles face danger from the day they are born (they are hunted by monitor lizards or bayawak, dogs, and ghost crabs).

Hatchlings, being inexperienced feeders, ingest plastic waste around them.

They become so buoyant by consuming plastics that, unable to dive for food, they starve.

Dynamite fishing and the use of trawl nets where turtles abound have also threatened the marine turtles. Ditto for the rapid development of beach resorts for the tourism industry as these destroy the nesting beaches of marine turtles.

“Marine turtle prefers isolated islands with warm sandy beaches where it lays an average of 101 eggs two to five times a year,” said Rhodora De Veyra, a biologist of the Pawikan Conservation Project. “Its biological clock dictates that it should lay its eggs only in the dark. But the onslaught of their nesting and feeding grounds make these biological activities

difficult.”

Endangered Marine turtles belong to the order Chelonia, an order of reptiles that has existed and flourished since prehistory with very little change in their basic structure. They are locally known as “pawikan.”

Of the eight species of marine turtles known to man, five of them can be found in the Philippines. These are the Green Sea (“Chelonia mydas”), Hawksbill (“Eretmochelys imbricate”), Loggerhead (“Caretta caretta”), Olive Ridley (“Lepidochelys olivacea”), and Leatherback (“Dermocheyls coriacea”).

The three others are the Kemp’s Ridley (“Lepidochelys kempi”), Flatback (“Chelonia depressa”), and Black Sea (“Chelonia agassizi”).

Unfortunately, all eight species are listed under the Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, which means the trade of these species and subspecies is “strictly prohibited except for educational, scientific, or research and study purposes.”

The Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources has also classified the eight species as endangered. This is so because “their populations are in

danger of extinction and whose survival is unlikely if the causal factors continue to operate.”

Since 2001, hunting, sale, and killing of marine turtles have been banned in the Philippines. The Wildlife Conservation Act, or Republic Act No. 9147, penalizes violators with a fine of up to P100,000 and one year in jail.

Despite sincere efforts by the government and some environmentalist groups to save marine turtles from extinction, the decimation of the endangered species continues unabated.

“All of the species found in our country are endangered except for the Hawksbill which is critically endangered,” Dr. Yaptinchay said. “The only sure thing is that marine turtle populations are under tremendous threats and if these are not stopped, extinction is imminent.”

Haribon Foundation for the Conservation of Natural Resources believes so, too.

“Unless we, Filipinos, seriously take on the task of protecting the much endangered marine turtles, these ancient creatures will soon be gone (from our waters),” Haribon, which is regarded as a pioneer of the environmental movement in the Philippines, said in a statement.

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EDGEDAVAO

VANTAGE

VOL. 7 ISSUE 121 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 02, 2014

EDITORIAL

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The dangers of opening up the constitution

VERY administration since that of President Fidel V. Ramos has sought to amend the Constitution ostensibly to either fix a problematic political system or remove economic restrictive provisions that were allegedly preventing the economy from taking off. Each attempt was blocked by the people themselves who saw that the underlying purpose for the proposed changes was to remove the term limits of elected government officials, thereby benefitting those who were already in power.

The people have always understood that there is a reason the framers of the 1987 Constitution put the term limits in place. Having come from two decades of dictatorship under Marcos, the 1986 Constitutional Commission sought to remove the chances that any person could become leader for an indefinite period of time. Power corrupts, the truism goes, and absolute power corrupts abso-

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lutely. The term limits – one six year term for the President and Vice President, two six-year terms for senators, and three three-year terms for members of Congress and local government officials – were meant to secure the people from those who would lord it over them.

This is why many are flabbergasted that President Benigno Aquino himself is now expressing openness to extending his term through a constitutional amendment. Mr. Aquino’s family is arguably the most prominent victim of the Marcos dictatorship, and for him to say he is willing to amend the charter for his own gain sounds unbelievable. This is not what got him elected, and already he is losing the support of many sectors that helped him in his cash-strapped campaign in 2010. Mr. Aquino had better steel himself for stronger protests as more and more people see the dangers in opening up the constitution.

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

AGAPITO JOAQUIN JR. Associate Editor

KENNETH IRVING K. ONG ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. CHENEEN R. CAPON BAI FAUZIAH FATIMA SINSUAT AMBOLODTO Reporters MEGHANN STA. INES AQUILES Z. ZONIO NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. FUNNY PEARL GAJUNERA Lifestyle Photography CHA MONFORTE JOSEPH LAWRENCE P. GARCIA Correspondents ARLENE D. PASAJE Contributing Photographer Cartoons MUNDA • HENRYLITO TACIO • MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER C. ESCUDERO AURELIO A. PEÑA • MARY Columnists: CARLOS MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO A. PEÑA • ZHAUN ORTEGA • BERNADETTE “ADDIE” B. ANN “ADI”• C. QUISIDO • LEANDRO B. DAVAL SR., • NICASIO ANGELO AGUSTIN • VIDA MIA VALVERDE • Economic Analysts:• ENRICO BORBON MARY ANN “ADI” C. QUISIDO • LEANDRO B. DAVAL SR., • NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN • NICASIO ANGELO AGUSTIN EMILY “GICO” G. DAYANGIRANG • JONALLIER PEREZENRICO “GICO” G. DAYANGIRANG • JONALLIER M. PEREZ ZEN CHUA • CARLOS MUNDA EconomicM. Analyst:

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VOL. 7 ISSUE 121 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 02, 2014

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Trapo mentality and winnability

ITH politics heating up in anticipation of the 2016 elections, it may be useful to review the playing field and the tricks of the game, including the mindset of traditional politicians (trapos).

A trapo looks at politics the same way he views cockfights, beauty pageants, and sports-fests. His yardstick is “winnability” – a concept having less to do with competence or character as with name-recall, wealth, popularity, or connections.

Generally it doesn’t matter to a trapo whether a candidate is incompetent, a crook, or lives a scandalous life; if his name rings bells and cash registers, and he’s willing to spend, he’s the man!

Watch how this mindset plays out as the line-ups for the 2016 election are decided by the so-called parties; parties that are not really parties in the proper sense of the term but personal-convenience vehicles for ambitious trapos.

Apart from wealth and the willingness to spend it generously, connections and charisma also count of course. But the overarching consideration is the candidate’s skill in prying the public coffers loose when in office and his readiness to spread the loot around. ***** In the trapo’s calculus, these are what make for winnability in a candidate. Bet on him and earn lots of balato!

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VANTAGE POINTS

ROM being ranked No. 2 in the country in 2010 to No. 5, that’s the status of Davao Region (composed of Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley, and Davao Occidental) this year. I am referring to HIV/AIDS (Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) cases.

That may be a big improvement, but it is still very alarming. After all, AIDS does matter!

In a recent news report, Edge Davao reporter Cheneen R. Capon quoted data released by the National Epidemiology Center of the Department of Health which showed that as of July 2014, the region “contributed 6 percent of the total 585 confirmed cases of HIV/ AIDS in the country.” That’s equivalent to 35 new recorded cases.

In a survey I conducted a few years back in Davao City, I asked some female sex workers if they asked their customers to wear condoms – which is said to be one of the measures that lessen the transmission of the dreaded virus – during their bed sessions. Some of them answered positively. “But most customers reject the idea because they told us condoms lessen the sexual satisfaction,” Kristine, a 19-year-old girl, said.

As for male sex workers, they tell their partners that they (the sexual worker) have to wear condom before they engage in sexual act. “There are a few who don’t like it, especially those in the early twenties,” informed Paul, a model who moonlights in the sex trade.

However, the health department said it has monitored several of those in the MSM community (particularly those working in call centers) joining orgies. “They get participants through

Think of deposed President Erap with Chavit Singson (before their falling out), Atong Ang, Mark Jimenez, the gang that made his candidacy bankable, and their army of sycophants.

As with the buccaneers of yore or the modern-day pirates of Somalia, a share of the loot is the reward for sycophancy.

Patronage and sycophancy are the Gemini twins in the political firmament.

Like Mafia or Yakuza enforcers, these twins patrol the neighborhoods, ensure that local officials are loyal, and scoop up the neighborhood votes for safekeeping.

That’s the way their bosses in the capital (big-time trapos) corner the votes of the masses. ***** It would be interesting to see what gimmicks the incumbents will devise now that the pork barrel is supposed to be abolished.

Imaginative deployment of pork barrel funds used to be their mainstay.

For example, pork barrel-funded projects were the major source of kickbacks before—which they could give away without using their own money to repay favors and political debts as well as feather the nests of their sycophants

and supporters. What will replace these practices this time around is the question.

As the Napoles scam reveals, pork was virtually a bottomless well for the enterprising scammer, an unending source of easy money for unscrupulous congressmen and senators.

There was so much to skim from their allowances that the bathtubs in Napoles condo apartments had to do double-duty as cash receptacles. Can you imagine bathtubs full of bundled cash! ***** To be sure, the congressmen and senators have always known that there were kickbacks galore from public works projects, infrastructure, unsolicited grants, and gifts from contractors, outright skimming from their budgets, and other sleight-of-hand financial tricks.

To cover their tracks, their operatives and ward leaders served as conduits of the pay-offs and themselves became bigtime players and patronage dispensers.

That’s how their loyalty and gratitude became inexorably intertwined with their bosses, the wayward lawmakers.

In turn, the lawmakers used the loyalty and debt of gratitude owed them as chips in their power games, leveraging them. ***** Ferdinand Marcos was the consum-

mate practitioner of the art of buying loyalty and sowing patronage to harvest sycophancy—which he then converted into political capital.

It was the sycophancy of the bogus “citizens assemblies” and the KBL’s Kabataang Barangay which enabled him to simulate public support for Martial Law, the conjugal dictatorship, and his socalled “constitutional authoritarianism.”

Since many of the trapos in Congress today were incubated and grew up in the Marcos political hatchery, they are virtually unbeatable in the game of patronage today.

And they have the confidence of gaming operators who know that gambling odds always favor the house.

They know they can’t lose as long as grassroots votes are securely corralled in precincts that are controlled by their operatives. And of course they’re right; so we had better be forewarned!

(MindaViews is the opinion section of MindaNews.Manny is former UNESCO regional director for Asia-Pacific; secretary-general, Southeast Asia Publishers Association; director, development academy of Philippines; member, Phil Permanent Mission to the U.N.; vice chair, Local Government Academy; member, Cory Govt’s Peace Panel; and PPI-UNICEF awardee, most outstanding columnist. Today he is President, Gising Barangay Movement Inc. valdehuesa@gmail.com)

social media and they do it THINK ON THESE! in their homes.

They don’t use condoms. They have a term for it – bareback,” said Dr. Enrique Tayag, assistant health secretary.

“We urge everyone: if Henrylito D. Tacio you cannot abstain (from sex), maintain your relationship inside marriage, or be mutually faithful, use a condom to save your life,” the health official urged. “Don’t believe those who say that condoms have holes and you cannot benefit from them. And always carry it with you.”

I know some friends who are carrying condoms – some of them with flavor! – in their bags or even in their wallets. When I asked them why, they have one common answer: “Just in case.”

Better safe than sorry! Or, as Dr. Tayag puts it: “It doesn’t mean that when you have one always, you are a bad person. It’s like carrying an umbrella.

If you have an umbrella, it does not mean that you want it to rain. You only want to have one just in case it does.”

Ahead of Davao Region in terms of HIV/AIDS cases were the National Capital Region with 41 percent (240 news cases), Region 4-A (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon) with 17 percent (99 news cases), Region 7 with 11 percent (64 new cases), and Region 3 with 8 percent (47 new cases).

HIV is a stage where there are no

physical symptoms visible yet. In AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome), the disease is manifested with malignancies and infections. “Between HIV and AIDS, there is a window period of as much as five years,” said Dr. Jordana Ramiterre, of the Davao City Health Office’s Reproductive Health and Wellness Center.

AIDS is caused by a deficiency in the body’s immune system. “It is a syndrome because there are a range of different symptoms which are not always found in each case,” explains Dr. John Hubley, author of The AIDS Handbook. “It is acquired because AIDS is an infectious disease caused by a virus which is spread from person to person through a variety of routes. This makes it different from immune deficiency from other causes such as treatment with anti-cancer drugs or immune system suppressing drugs given to persons receiving transplant operations.”

The HIV is present in all body fluids of an infected person but is concentrated in blood, semen, and vaginal fluids. Virtually, it is present in all body tissues and organs, including the brain and spinal cord. It can be found in tears, saliva, and breast milk, although these last three are not considered significant routes of infection.

As a matter of fact, you don’t get HIV from kissing. To be infected, you need to imbibe 32 liters of an infected person’s saliva, according to Health Action Information Network (HAIN).

“That would be enough saliva to fill up the gasoline tank of six-by-six truck.

And the transfer should happen in one kissing session!” HAIN said.

“A single sexual encounter can be sufficient to transmit HIV,” Dr. Hubley

wrote. “Although the risk from an individual sexual act may be low, the more times a person has sex, the greater the likelihood that transmission will take place. Women appear to be more at risk than men from heterosexual sex.

The transmission of HIV from man to woman is believed to take place more easily than from woman to man.”

“HIV is like the modern leprosy, except it is hidden,” said Humphrey Gorriceta, who contracted HIV after having unprotected sex with multiple male partners. He now campaigns to raise public awareness about the dangers of unsafe sex and help other people infected with HIV. People who are positive of HIV should not lose hope. Dr. Josephine Villafuerte, of Davao’s City’s Health Office, said HIV must not be associated with death since there are now medicines that can prolong their lives.

Philhealth members who test positive for HIV can get up to P30,000 a year in anti-retroviral drugs.

A “lifelong treatment” is how Dr. Gerard Belimac, program manager of the DOH National AIDS/STI Prevention and Control, describes of treatment for people living with HIV. Dr. Belimac said outpatients or those receiving therapy in their own homes would have to get the anti-retroviral drugs from one of the 26 treatment hubs in the country. He urged them to see their doctors consistently.

“HIV is highly preventable,” said Dr. Belimac. “The government can only provide you information, diagnosis, and treatment. But the most effective way of preventing HIV still heavily depends on the practices of informed individuals.”

THE WORM’S EYEVIEW

BY MANNY VALDEHUESA

Yes, aids does matter!

10 NEWS

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 121 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 02, 2014

Randy...FFROM 1 “To all those of us who try to make this place a more inclusive place, the road to empowerment begins in the place of learning. It is here where we can share knowledge that individuals may maximize to make opportunities as they come. The innovations of Ms. Saur Marlina Manurong and Mr. Randy Halasan who have poured their hearts and souls in their work to educate indigenous communities bare witness to this,” Aquino said in his speech.

“Truly whenever one feels overcomed by cynicism, one can count on the Ramon Magsaysay Awards to point towards hope, towards stories of individuals who, confronted by the darkness of despair, have chosen to serve as beacons of light,” the President stressed.

Halasan revealed to Edge Davao after the ceremonies that the President had asked him to write a letter for his bridge project in Pegalongan. “Sabi niya, sumulat daw ako para sa bridge,” Halasan said.

Halasan, a graduate of the University of Southeastern Philippines, is now head teacher of Pegalongan Elementary School in the hills of Marilog and serves not only the Matigsalogs of Davao City but also some from neighboring Bukidnon province.

In his response be-

fore an exclusive crowd of 2,000 mostly from the academe and civil society organizations, the soft-spoken teacher recalled his life as a teacher as one that typically starts at the most undesirable and challenging of assignments.

“On January 8, 2007, as newly appointed public school teacher, I was sent to Pegalongan Elementary School, the farthest school in all of Davao City, inaccessible, poor and isolated from any communication.

At that time, we were only two teachers handling all grade levels. I told myself, I have to transfer immediately. I knew I wouldn’t be happy there,” Halasan said.

“But as the days passed, when I saw the poverty, when I saw the people’s eyes and gestures that they needed me, I began to love who they are and their simple lives,” Halasan said, adding that his vision for the Matigsalogs in Pegalongan is to uplift their lives from poverty. “This was also the vision of the late President Magsaysay who showed his passion and commitment to serve everyone equally.”

Being a Ramon Magsaysay awardee, according to Halasan, is not about being popular. He said that it is a calling to serve fellow Filipinos and to become a true role model and inspiration for others—rich or

poor. “I believe there are no limitations in helping our fellowmen especially the poor.”

Halasan refrained what he has overly emphasized since he was announced one of the six laureates for 2014. “Nobody got rich from the teaching profession but a teacher like me gets rich from sharing knowledge, values and positive attitude from the community.”

Speaking last, he was lustily applauded after his five-minute response.

Halasan was mobbed at the lobby during the photo-ops and autograph signing session following the presentation ceremonies.

“He’s larger than life now but very much grounded and humble.

That’s Randy. He has not changed since I met him for the first time last year,” said Kelly Austria, PR counselor of the Bato Balani Foundation who recognized Halasan’s life-changing works last year.

Department of Education (DepEd) secretary Armin Luistro, who was at the presentation ceremonies and at the gala dinner, commended Halasan for his feat. “We are very proud of him.”

City councilor Mabel Sunga-Acosta, who represented the city government in the presentation ceremonies, said the city will be conferring its rec-

Aquino did not appear as key note speaker, unlike last year in Davao City, but in a message read by Secretary Luwalhati Antonino, he noted the role of Mindanao in nation building and in the BIMP EAGA economic grouping.

“With its active participation in the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-the Philippines - East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), Mindanao plays such an important role in the nation’s economic well-being,” Aquino said.

Aquino added that it is worthy to note how Mindanao will also fare in the coming ASEAN Economic Integration next year.

“As ASEAN starts to look closely at regional sub-groupings, now is the best time for the BIMP-EAGA to put its best foot forward, and Mindanao is in

the best position to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the ASEAN integration,” he noted.

Aquino said the country has aspired for many years to have bigger markets in trade, tourism, and investments, which “will become a reality in 2015 when ASEAN member countries integrate their economies into one ASEAN community to make it more globally competitive.”

For Mindanao, which plays a big role in the nation’s economy, the opening of a single ASEAN market and production base characterized by free flow of goods, services, investment, capital and skilled labor pose tremendous opportunities, he said.

Aquino also expressed confidence that more direct investments will come to the island, and that glob-

ally competitive industries will be established in the area that will spawn more business activities, provide employment opportunities to the people, increase the region’s productivity, and drive economic growth.

The President was supposed to personally address the hundreds of conference participants that include representatives from Malaysia and Indonesia.

In her presentation later Monday afternoon, Antonino also stressed that Mindanao’s competitiveness plays a critical role in its contribution to the national economy.

The island-region’s economy grew by 6.3 per cent last year, pegged at over P900 billion and accounted for 14.32 per cent of the total Philippine economy, she said. (MindaNews)

citation and signature of CSC chair Francisco T. Duque III as incentives.

The Pagasa Award is conferred on an individual or group of individuals for outstanding contributions resulting from an idea or performance that directly benefits more than one department of the government.

The award is one of the three categories in the Honor Awards Program (HAP) of the commission.

HAP recognizes gov-

ernment officials and employees who have displayed outstanding work performance.

The other award categories are the Lingkod Bayan Award and the Dangal ng Bayan.

The Lingkod Bayan Award is conferred on an individual or group of individuals for extraordinary contributions resulting from an idea or performance that had nationwide impact on public interest, security, and patrimony.

The Dangal ng Bayan

Award is conferred on an individual or group of individuals for performance of extraordinary act or public service and consistent demonstration of exemplary ethical behavior on the basis of the observance of the eight norms of conduct.

A total of 28 nominees nationwide made it as semi-finalists to the three award categories.

The award will be conferred this month in line with the celebration of the 114th Civil Service Anniversary. ABF

Minbizcon...FFROM 2

Central... FFROM 3

ognition os Halasan when he returns to Davao on September 9.

“We have passed a commendatory resolution at the council, we are only awaiting Randy’s return,” Acosta told Edge Davao.

Juan Santos, chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF) formally presented the five individuals and one organization from Afghanistan, China, Indonesia, Pakistan, and the Philippines who were accorded Asia’s premier prize, the Ramon Magsaysay Award.

The other 2014 Awardees are: China’s Hu Shuli, Indonesia’s Manurong, Afghanistan’s Omara Khan Masoudi, China’s Wang Canfa and The Citizens Foundation of Pakistan.

Hu Shuli of China who is recognized for “her unrelenting commitment to truthful, relevant, and unassailable journalism, her fearless promotion of transparency and accountability in business and public governance, and her leadership in blazing the way for more professional and independent-minded media practices in China.”

Saur Marlina Manurung of Indonesiawho is recognized for “her ennobling passion to protect and improve the lives of Indonesia’s forest peo-

ple, and her energizing leadership of volunteers in SOKOLA’s customized education program that is sensitive to the lifeways of indigenous communities and the unique development challenges they face.”

Omara Khan Masoudi of Afghanistan is recognized for “his courage, labor, and leadership in protecting Afghan cultural heritage, rebuilding an institution vital for Afghanistan’s future, and reminding his countrymen and peoples everywhere that in recognizing humanity’s shared patrimony, we can be inspired to stand together in peace.”

The Citizens Foundation of Pakistan is recognized for “the social vision and high-level professionalism of its founders and those who run its schools, in successfully pursuing their conviction that, with sustained civic responsiveness, quality education made available to all—irrespective of religion, gender, or economic status—is the key to Pakistan’s brighter future.”

Finally, Wang Canfa of China is recognized for “his discerning and forceful leadership— through scholarly work, disciplined advocacy, and pro bono public interest litigation—in ensuring that the enlightened and competent practice of environmental law in China

effectively protects the rights and lives of victims of environmental abuse, especially the poor and the powerless.”

Halasan was cited for Emergent Leadership for “his purposeful dedication in nurturing his Matigsalug students and their community to transform their lives through quality education and sustainable livelihoods, doing so in ways that respect their uniqueness and preserve their integrity as indigenous peoples in a modernizing Philippines.”

Established in 1957, the Ramon Magsaysay Award is Asia’s highest honor and is widely regarded as the region’s equivalent of the Nobel Prize. It celebrates the memory and leadership example of the third Philippine president after whom the award is named, and is given every year to individuals or organizations in Asia who manifest the same selfless service that ruled the life of the late and beloved Filipino leader.

The six 2014 Magsaysay awardees joined the community of 301 other Magsaysay laureates who have received Asia’s highest honor to date. This year’s Magsaysay Award winners each received a certificate, a medallion bearing the likeness of the late President, and a cash prize.

Bombo Radyo on August 27, expressed hope the draft BBL would be submitted to Congress at the soonest possible.

He said the finalization of the draft has taken long because “talagang masusing inaaral bawat isang section at bahagi nitong Bangsamoro Basic Law dahil hinahabol nga natin isang panukalang batas na maibibigay sa ating mga kapatid sa Bangsamoro iyong kanilang inaasam-asam at binibigyan din naman ng kapanatagan ng loob iyong mga kapit-bahay nila na— sa maapektuhan nitong batas na ito (Each section and provision of the Bangsamoro Basic Law are being carefully studied because we want a basic law that will give our siblings in the Bangsamoro what they aspire for and give assurance as well to the neighbors

who will be affected by this law).”

The President said there is no issue on the basic principles but transferring those basic principles into the specifications of the law, “iyon medyo nagkaroon ng konting mas matinding negosasyon (that’s where the negotiation is intense).”

But the President said he believes “malaki na ang na-resolve mula noong isang lingo (so much has been resolved since the other week).”

He did not cite a date for submission to Congress but said “ang laki ng inabante” (there has been much progress).”

The President said he is hopeful that “isang panukalang batas na sinasangayunan ng lahat ng stakeholders (a basic law acceptable to all stakehold-

ers)” will be submitted to Congress at the soonest possible.

The President said he hopes a plebiscite can be conducted at the end of the year “kung pupwede (if possible)” but that would depend on the deliberations of Congress.

He said they are working for a “one year and a half” period to allow the Bangsamoro Transition Authority enough time to prove that the kind of governance system (ministerial form) that they are proposing is more appropriate in running the Bangsamoro.

Under the Annex on Transitional Arrangements and Modalities, the plebiscite shall be held “not later than 120 days” from the enactment of the BBL. (Carolyn O. Arguillas / MindaNews)

ference at KCC Mall here.

Yao said a 5 to 10 percent reduction in cost is a conservative projection because he is expecting it to be up to 30 percent.

Currently, transporting 20-footer container vans from Manila to Davao costs $1,200. Yao said transporting from Indonesia to Davao will be much cheaper because the two areas are nearer to each other.

“This will not only enhance Asean connectivity but also expand trade, tourism and investment in the BIMP-EAGA area and the Asean as a whole, “ he added.

In a speech delivered for him by Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) chair Luwalhati Antonino, President Benigno Aquino said once operational, the route “certainly augurs well for achieving econom-

ic interchange between Mindanao and North Sulawesi, Indonesia in the greater context of Asean integration.”

The route was made possible by the private sector composed of Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc., PCCI, Reid Foundation, Asean Business Advisory Cpuncil (ABAC), and the Sarangani Chamber of Commerce and Industry. CRC

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EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 121 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 02, 2014

DISASTER WAITING TO HAPPEN Text and Photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO

T

HE last time it erupted was about 450 years ago. With the long span of time, people in Zambales province had almost forgotten that Mount Pinatubo was a volcano.

After all, the Pinatubo mountain was lush and teeming with trees.

Farmers were planting various crops as the soil was fertile. Some people lived on the slopes of the mountain, but most settled in the nutrient-laden flatlands.

Then the sleeping giant awoke and changed the lives of the people living near the volcano.

Mount Pinatubo stood at 1,780 meters before it erupted on June 9, 1991.

After the eruption, the volcano was reduced to only 1,400 meters. A chunk of more than 300 meters was sliced off the top.

During the eruption, volcanic ash and hot sand rained down in thick sheets over many towns, blanketing the rooftops of houses. But most of the erupted materials were deposited on the slopes of Mount Pinatubo.

But disaster did not end after the eruption.

Dislodged by rain, lahar (volcanic ash) washed away bridges and engulfed more lands.

More than four thousand people were killed by mudflows since the volcano erupted.

Mount Pinatubo is just one of the 200 volcanoes found in the Philippines.

The country is located in

what scientists call the “Pacific Ring of Fire,” a halo of seismic hotspots around the Pacific Ocean.

In fact, the Philippines has more than 7,100 islands. Most of these islands are of volcanic origin, but fortunately, of the many volcanoes found in the country, 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 that are considered extinct.

“It is difficult to distinguish an extinct volcano from a dormant one,” an American volcano expert says. Extinct volcanoes are those that scientists consider unlikely to erupt again, because the volcano no longer has a lava supply. Examples of extinct volcanoes are many volcanoes in Hawaii. Edinburgh Castle in Scotland is famously located atop an extinct volcano.

Aside from Pinatubo, the active volcanoes in the country, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Philvocs), are 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.

The Philippines is home to some of the most beautiful volcanoes.

Mount Mayon in Albay is world famous for its near-perfect cone. It has erupted almost 50 times.

Its most violent and destructive eruption was in 1814, its ash and mudflows burying villages and towns around it.

Taal Volcano is located inside a lake that is itself a collapsed prehistoric volcano. It is considered “one of the lower (400 meters above sea level) but among the deadliest in the world.” In fact, it is listed as one of the 16 Deadliest Volcanoes identified by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth’s Interior.

With an altitude of 2,954 meters (9,692 feet), Mount Apo is indeed the country’s highest mountain. “A potentially-active volcano” is how some experts call it. The date of its most recent eruption is unknown, and none are verified in historical times.

Among the most historical volcanoes in the country are Mount Canlaon and Mount Hibok-Hibok. Mount Canlaon, the only active volcano in the Visayas, has erupted 14

times. Its last eruption was during June to September 1978.

Mount Hibok-Hibok (it is called such because, people say, the ground shakes when you step on it) is also known as Catarman. Its most recent eruption was on December 4 and 6, 1953. Earlier eruptions were reported in 1897 and during 18481852.

The word “volcano” is derived from the name of Vulcano, a volcanic island in the Aeolian Islands of Italy whose name in turn originates from Vulcan, the name of a god of fire in Roman mythology.

Many ancient accounts ascribe volcanic eruptions to supernatural causes, such as the actions of gods or demigods. To the ancient Greeks, volcanoes’ capricious power could only be explained as acts of the gods, while 16th/17th-century German astronomer Johannes Kepler believed they were ducts for the Earth’s tears. One early idea counter to this was proposed by Jesuit Athanasius Kircher, who witnessed eruptions of Mount Etna and Stromboli, then visited the crater of Vesuvius and published his view of an Earth with a central fire connected to numerous others caused by the burning of sulfur, bitumen and coal.

Actually, a volcano is a vent in the Earth from which molten rock (called magma) and gas erupt.

The molten rock that

erupts from the volcano (known as lava) forms a hill or mountain around the vent. The lava may flow out as a viscous liquid, or it may explode from the vent as solid or liquid particles.

Magmas with high gas and high viscosities are usually more explosive than those flowing from shield volcanoes.

In many instances, these gas-rich magmas, experts say, are blown high into the air during an eruption. The magma falls as volcanic bombs, which accumulate around the vent and form steep-sided but relatively small cinder cones.

Most of the tallest volcanoes are composite volcanoes or stratovolcanoes. These form from a cycle of quiet eruptions of fluid lava followed by explosive eruptions of viscous lava. The fluid lava creates an erosion-resistant shell over the explosive debris, forming strong, steep-sided volcanic cones.

While volcanoes can be dangerous, they are not always destructive.

After several years, volcanic ashes and other materials ejected in an eruption become fertile soil. The land then becomes a good area for farming.

Recently, volcanic areas have become important sources of geothermal energy. In fact, the Philippines is one of the very few countries in the world which use geothermal power plants.

Although geologists are known to study the Earth, they also observe volcanoes. With the aid of seismographs and other instruments, they can predict volcanic eruptions weeks or even months ahead.

Philvocs is the government agency dedicated to provide information on the activities of volcanoes, earthquakes, and tsunamis, as well as other specialized information and services primarily for the protection of life and property and in support of economic, productivity, and sustainable development. It is one of the service agencies of the Department of Science and Technology.

Currently, the Philippines has a total of 65 seismic stations, 29 of which are manned, 30 are unmanned, and 6 volcano stations. The central operating station is located at PHIVOLCS main office in Diliman, Quezon City. All information is received at the Data Receiving Center, which is operated 24/7 by the Seismological Observation and Prediction Division.

“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,” said Dr. Raymundo S. Punongbayan, who headed Philvocs from 1982 to 2003.

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Billiard Supplies

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EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 121 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 02, 2014

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VOL. 7 ISSUE 121 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

GENSAN

What to look forward to in this year’s

Tunafest Festival photos by James Michael Montaño

Tuna FesTival is held every year in september in General santos a thanksgiving and celebration of Gensan being the Tuna Capital of the Philippines, it also happens to coincide with the city’s charter anniversary .

This year marks the 16th year of the festival, that will officially open on the 5th of september.

With a flag raising ceremony at the City Hall at 8:00 aM City followed by a Tuna Float Parade around 2:00 PM at sMPlaza, and the grand opening on 6:00 PM at the Oval Grandstand Here are some of the events to look forward to, along with a few places that you have to visit when you’re in Gensan this september.

First, visit the Carnival, located at the Oval Plaza, after you’ve enjoyed the gut dropping rides, drop

by Beestop, located just a few steps away from the plaza, to have the best chicken in town. if the night is still young and you fancy a few cold beers, chill out at valley High, just along the national Highway, you could enjoy a sub zero chilled

beer with a side of fresh seafood from Red Trellis for that Tuna fest feel. Or with a plate of spaghetti di avola from Only Goodfellas Resto, a marriage between a pizza and pasta on a plat, definitely a must try. if beers and rides aren’t your thing, and more of an artist than a foodie, drop

by KCC mall on sept. 1421 and marvel at the Tuna Fest Photo exhibit, where the rich fishing industry in Gensan would be reflected on photos.

For the fitness and

sports buffs on aug.30, 2014 the 2nd Mayor Ronnel C. Rivera Cup 7aM at the ngilay shooting Range, aug. 31 the 13th Yellowfin Bike Challenge 6aM at the Oval Grandstand., sept. 7 there’s the Tuna Fest Run 2014 3:30 aM Oval Plaza, on sept.

9-11 a Beach volleyball event at the Queen Tuna Park, a Boxing Tournament (Friendship Game) on sept. 6-7 at the Oval Covered Court, MiO Motor Race sept. 6-7 at Mabuhay Road, Beach volleyball sept. 9-11 at Queen Tuna Park.

For the party goers, we have Foam Part on sept. 6, 8pm at east asia Royal Hotel parking lot.

Fish Port street Party on sep.10 around 6-m at the Gensan Fish Port. Zumba lovers out there on sept.

13, there will be a Get Zweat while Getting’ Wet, Foam, Fun, Zumba party at the Robinsons Place Center from 6-8pm. How awesome is that?

More events to look forward to as Gensan will be hosting the national Tuna

Congress on sept. 4-5 at sM City Gensan and Mutya ng Mindanao for the first time, on sept. 12, 7pm at Greenleaf Hotel. a Guiness World Record attempt will take place on the Fish Port around 6aM for the “largest Fish Display”.

Check out the complete list of activities this aug-sept and updates regarding the Tuna Festival, visit: Gensan’s Tuna Festival 2014, Facebook page.

Follow me on Twitter or Instagram, @kyriekoutre for more adventures in and around my wonderland that is Gensan, Tuna Capital of the Philippines.

EDGEDAVAO

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UP AND ABOUT

The Pahiyas Festival is in Seda Abreeza

CElEBrATE this thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest this September with a culinary feast in Misto highlighting specialties from lucban, Quezon and other Tagalod classics.

Choose from our set lunch or dinner for only Php680 nett from September 1 to 30. Or have a festive dinner buffet feast with live music on September 5 with live entertainment for only Php880 nett per adult with one non-alcoholic beverage and Php480 for kids aged 7 to 12 years old. Kids 6 years and below eat free.

For reservations, please call (82) 3228888 or email dvo@sedahotels. com.

THE SM BABY SALE IS ON! It’s the perfect time to stock up on clothes!

Enjoy up to 70% off on babies and toddlers clothes. Visit any SM Store branch from Sept. 1 – 30 to avail of this great discount!

VOL. 7 ISSUE 121 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2014

EVENT

Skyzone brings fun and excitement to Davao’s mall-goers

THe CiTY of Davao was as vibrant as ever as it celebrated life, culture, and a bountiful harvest during the Kadayawan Festival. it is one of the most anticipated festivals in the country held during the month of august. sKYcable, home of the festivals through exclusive and HD coverage of the most colorful and liveliest Filipino “fiesta”, joined in on the fun and festivities with sKY Zone.

Through sKY Zone, Davaoenos were treated to a week-long mall event held from august 11 to 17, 2014 at the G/F annex of sM ecoland. sKY Zone 2014 showcased the newest dimensions in family home entertainment from sKYcable, the country’s leading cable Tv provider, and sKYbroadband, high speed internet with access to the widest range of online content.

One of the highlights of the event was sKYcable Dual Def which featured 40 high definition (HD) channels in one plan. sKYcable Dual Def combines regular standard definition (sD) digital channels and HD channels at a superior value.

With its 40 HD channels, it offers the widest, most diverse collection of programs catering to various viewing preference - all your favorite shows brought to life in excellent high-definition features.

Tech-savvy mall goers were also treated to a first-hand experience of surfing, streaming, and downloading through sKYbroadband’s superior services with access to a wide array of online entertainment through HBO GO, Fox Movies Play and iWantTv. With its unlimited plans of up to 55Mbps and ultra High-speed plans of up to 112Mbps, you can defi-

SKYZone showcased the latest innovations in family home entertainment.

Techie mall goers got a first-hand experience of surfing, streaming, and downloading through SKYbroadband’s RTL CBS Entertainment featured its family-oriented high speed internet with access to the programs and top-rating shows. widest range of online content.

SKYZone event goers enjoyed the Under the Dome photo booth sponsored by RTL CBS Entertainment, the event’s official channel partner. nitely enjoy infinite ways aged event-goers to have of-the-art leD Tv sets of maximizing your inter- their photos taken at the during the 3-day event. net subscription. under the Dome photo Festive, exciting, and To further spice up the booth to have their very a whole lot of premium celebration and festivities, own sKY Zone souvenir. entertainment truly sums RTl CBs entertainment, RTl CBs entertain- up the sKY Zone experithis year’s event channel ment provides family- ence in Davao. Check out partner, conducted excit- oriented programs and other innovative proding games and activities top-rating shows such ucts, wide-range of supefrom august 15 to 17. as under the Dome, The rior content offerings and Great prizes were given Millers, elementary, The more in upcoming sKY out to lucky sKY Zone X Factor uK, Beauty and Zone mall events. visitors who joined the the Beast, entertainment For more information fun games such as the un- Tonight, and a whole lot on SKYcable and SKYder the Cube game, where more. RTl CBs enter- broadband, log on to www. participants needed to tainment is available in mysky.com.ph, or call the finish a game cube puzzle sD on Ch 616 and HD on 24-hour customer service within a minute. Plus as Ch739. Meanwhile, sony, hotlines at 082-305-5456 an added treat, sKY am- a valued partner for the for Davao or email us at bassadors also encour- third year, provided state- skyserves@mysky.com.ph.

VOL. 7 ISSUE 121 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

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ENTErTAINMENT

GMA’s prime leading men heat up Kadayawan GMA pulled off a stellar participation in the recent Kadayawan Festival when it brought not just one, not two, but three of its most bankable leading men to celebrate Southern Mindanao’s biggest fete—Kapuso primetime king Dingdong Dantes, drama king Dennis Trillo, and platinum recording artist Tom rodriguez.

The cast of Ang Dalawang Mrs. real enjoyed the warm welcome given by their Dabawenyo supporters whose presence overwhelmed Dingdong, lovi Poe, rodjun Cruz, and Marc Abaya. An estiTom Rodriguez. mate of 3,000 people at- Kristoffer Martin, Rocco Nacino, and Rafael Rosell. tended the Kapuso Fiesta gether with Thea Tolen- It really matters to us, (Because the Dabawenin SM City Davao last Au- tino, Andre Paras, and JC knowing na napapasaya yos are really very entergust 17.

Tiuseco of The Half Sisters namin sila.” taining. I could really feel “We’re very thrilled on the same day. All four leyte-born Tom, for his the warmth of their welthat we got to be part of them were grateful for part, felt the same elation come. The last time, they of this very special event the success of the event as he witnessed for him- were cheering so loud for Davao and share with held in Abreeza Mall. self the almost frenzied and it feels great.) them the cast of Ang DalDennis appreciated welcome the DabawenTom was joined by his awang Mrs. real. We had the crowd and acknowl- yos accorded the GMA co-stars in My Destiny a great time celebrating edged their importance stars. rhian ramos and ruru and bringing entertain- saying, “Masaya ako na “When I saw the peo- Madrid, as well as Gabment to our Kapuso here. naging part kami ng Ka- ple I knew it was gonna by Eigenmann, Chynna My past experiences here dayawan Festival celebra- be even better than last Ortaleza, and Glaiza de were always pleasant and tion this year. Hindi ko time. Kasi mga taga- Castro from Dading in a it just gets better and makakalimutan ‘yung ap- Davao kay grabe, lami Kapuso Mall Show and better,” shared Dingdong preciation ng mga Kapu- gyud kaayo mu-enter- promo tour at the Gaiof his Kadayawan experi- so nating Dabawenyo sa tain; lami kaayo ang ilang sano Mall of Davao last ence. atin na hindi nagbabago, pag-accept. The last time August 16. They also Sa Puso ni Dok’s Den- particularly ‘yung energy grabe ilang siyagit, lami experienced the Kadaynis, meanwhile, bannered nila na nagpapagana sa kaayo ang feeling,” ex- awan high in the Kapuso a Kapuso Mall Show to- aming mag-perform. pressed Tom in Bisaya. Meet & Greet and Kapuso

Street Party at San Pedro St. cor. Bolton St., Davao City.

Gabby, Chynna, and Glaiza also went to see their fans in the Gaisano Mall of Toril prior to their joint show with the cast of My Destiny.

Also present in the said festival was Taste Buddies’ Solenn Heussaff who, with her singing talent, amazed the crowd in a Kapuso Meet Greet at the SM lanang Premier; while Kapuso actors rocco Nacino, rafael rosell, and Kristoffer Martin made girls shriek with delight in a mall show at

the NCCC Mall of Davao last August 15. ”It’s a great privilege for us at GMA Network to be a part of Davao City’s Kadayawan Festival once again. We owe the high ratings of our local programs to the unwavering support of our kapusong Dabawenyos and we hope that by bringing some of our brightest stars to join them in their celebration, we have rewarded them somehow,” shared Oliver Amoroso, GMA Network’s Head for Integrated Marketing Services (IMS) Division / AVP for regional TV.

GMA Network airs the hit romancedrama Koreanovela ‘May Queen’ BEGINNING this week, experience afternoon drama viewing at its finest as GMA Network airs the newest Koreanovela offering, May Queen, on the Afternoon Prime block.

Following the successful rerun of the country’s well-loved Asianovela, Jewel in the Palace, GMA Network brings another phenomenal Koreanovela series to Filipino homes. Kapuso viewers will have another reason to enjoy their weekday afternoons with May Queen’s combination of romance and drama.

Making this Koreanovela extraordinary despite its usual genre is the heartfelt portrayal of the cast, making their characters endearing to the viewers. The moving storyline and intense scenes, veering away from the traditional melodramatic plot, even add excitement in every

episode.

May Queen will definitely capture the interest and captivate the hearts of Kapuso viewers as it showcases the

unique story of ambition, revenge, betrayal, and love. The story revolves around the life of Delmar (Han Ji-hye), a charming and bubbly young lady,

who bravely reaches for her dreams and fulfills her goals despite her gloomy past to make a name for herself in the shipbuilding industry.

Conflict arises when Charlie (Jae Hee) and Sam (Kim Jae-won) who are friends will eventually turn out to be rivals in Delmar’s heart. Charlie is Delmar’s childhood sweetheart who rises above his humble beginnings to become a successful prosecutor.

Meanwhile, the rich and cheerful guy Sam also shares the same affection for Delmar since their childhood days.

After several years, he reunites with Delmar and finds himself falling deeply in love with her again.

Catch the premiere of the hit romance/drama Koreanovela May Queen starting Monday before My BFF only on GMA Afternoon Prime.

TALK BACK AND YOU'RE DEAD / *TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES PG 13/ *PG13

James Reid, Nadine Lustre/ *Megan Fox, Johnny Knoxville 12:40 | 3:00 LFS / * 5:20 | 7:40 | 10:00 LFS

THE GIVER Jeff Bridges, Meryl Streep PG 13

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

THE PURGE ANARCHY Frank Grillo, Carmen Ejogo

R-16

R 18

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

RUROUNI KENSHIN 2 Takeru Satoh R 13

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

EDGEDAVAO

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VOL. 7 ISSUE 121 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2014

TrAVEl

Lost and loving it at the Flower Market eveRY time i travel, i make sure i set aside a day or two to explore parts of any destination i have not visited yet. My Hong Kong travel with my travel buddy Otoi this year was no exception as we looked for Hong Kong’s famous Flower Market at Prince edward in Kowloon.

a little oasis within an urban jungle, Hong Kong’s Flower Market is composed of a city block where you can find rows upon rows of stalls, shops, and stands that are filled with exotic tropical flowers, bonsai trees, fresh cut blooms, and foliage of every colour, shape and variety. The moment i was near the market, the air around me smelled sweet and fragrant thanks to the many flowers concentrated around the area.

For Dabawenyo plant lovers, this is the place to visit when in Hong Kong as orchids, bougan-

Walking along Flower Market Road.

villas, sunflowers, lotus blossoms, and all other sorts of plants and blooms compete to get one’s attention. The huge flower stores as well as stores that sell gardening accessories, containers, seeds, and floral supplies add to the many different spots where one can get lost. Most of the shops at the Flower Market are open early at seven in the morning making it a must visit before heading to the malls to shop since malls in Hong Kong usually open late at around 11.

To get to the Flow-

er Market, take the MTR to the Prince edward station and find the B1 exit. Walk east along Prince edward Road West until you reach the market.

Follow me on Instagram or on Twitter @kennethkingong for more travel stories, foodie finds, and happenings in, around, and beyond Durianburg.

Blooms of all kinds fill the sidewalk and perfume the air.

Inside one of the many flower shops.

Call: 224-0733 • Tionko St., Davao City

Locals shopping for blooms.

13 COMPETITIVE EDGE

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 121 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 02, 2014

8th Mindanao Franchise Expo set September 12-14

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STABLISHED and competitive franchise comapnies and related services will be featured in the 8th Mindanao Franchise Expo organized by the Filipino International Franchise Association (FIFA) on September 12 to 14 at the Abreeza Mall in Davao City.

Franchising in the Philippines has proven to be the most promising and effective way in expanding business. It has played an essential role in boosting the Philippine economy, in generating job opportunities, and influencing the majority to practice entrepreneurship.

For business owners, it is the easiest way to make their business more profitable. Franchisings let aspiring entrepreneurs be their own bosses.

Companies participating in the expo are the following: Columbia Business Machines, Inc., LTY Group Philippines, Inc., Montage Skin Science, Lov-

er’s Tea Zone, Citibank Philippines, BN Whitening Shoppe, Small Business Development Center, Medicus Philippines, Inc., Generika Drugstore, Bread Delight, Premium Graphics Asia Center, Inc., YSA Skin Care Corporation, Touchpay, GlobalPOS Solutions Inc., Crystal Clear – Solerex Water Technologies, Inc.), Metrobank Card, Botoy’s Lechon Manok, BBQ and Liempo, Ystilo Salon, LTY Group Philippines, Inc., Nice day! Carwash, Technolux Equipment Supply Co., Penong’s Barbeque Seafoods and Grill, Bialleti Café, CT Concepts Enterprises, and Le’Ondell Enterprise.

The official hotel partner of the expo is Infinity Suites while media partners are Edge Davao, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Malaya Business Insight, FranchisingPH Magazine, Sun Star Davao, Mindanao Times, and Business Mirror.

The franchise expo is also sponsored by 2go Group, Inc., Globe Telecom, CMA Classical

Mental Arithmetic , Murang Generics Pharmacy, Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Inc., RK Franchise Consultancy, My Face ‘n My Nails Salon, and O’ Hair Salon.

A seminar titled “All About Franchising” will also be conducted by Rudolk Kotik, the founder of FIFA and RK Franchise Consultancy, on September 15 at 1:30 p.m. at the Grand Regal Hotel Davao’s Mai King Function Room.

The seminar topics will be the following: History of Franchising, Defining Franchising, Franchising 101, Benefits of buying a Franchise, Points in Selecting a Franchise, Advantages and Demands of Franchising, Mistakes by Franchise Buyers, Points in Buying a Franchise, Franchising your Own Business, Legal Franchise Requirements, Franchise Operations Manual, Franchise Disclosure Information, The Future of Franchising, and Introduction to Franchise Opportunities.

Moms be proud: Shout ‘You The Mom!’

B

Y the time a child reaches his second birthday, his mother would have changed his diaper 7,300 times. By his 18th birthday, she would have prepared for him 19,710 meals – and spent more than 100,000 hours to his care, granted that she gets to sleep eight hours every day, that is, which is doubtful. Motherhood truly is an all-encompassing vocation, which can sometimes overwhelm mothers themselves.

But what makes moms so good at what they do is that they absolutely love what they’re doing. Caring for baby while running her home, making sure healthy meals are prepared at home, and all the children’s needs are met.

They do the groceries,

take the kids to the dentist, and in most households, moms hold 9 to 5 jobs or run successful businesses too!

Mommy Mundo Founder Janice Villanueva says, “We admire moms for their almost superhuman qualities, their powers in time management and multitasking alongside their ability to do anything and everything for their loved ones, and they all do these things wholeheartedly and passionately at that! And because most moms do all these tasks with grace and usually with flair even, we may sometimes forget to show her some appreciation and affirmation.

Even moms themselves sometimes don’t seem to recognize their own efforts. That’s be-

cause taking on numerous responsibilities and caring for those we love come natural to us. Still, we should take pride in who we are and the important roles we play not only in our own families, but also in our communities and country.

This Expo Mom 2014, we shout out YOU THE MOM! – this is a campaign to recognize the many big and small accomplishments of all moms. Through various planned activities online and at the Expo Mom event, we affirm and appreciate all the awesome things that moms do every single day, whether they’re taking care of their babies at home, doing volunteer work for a cause they believe in, or helping out a friend in need.

14 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 121 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 02, 2014

Go wins in JSAD Invit’l V WINNERS ALL. Bong Go (fourth from left) with the rest of the winners in the pdoum during the awarding rites of the JSAD Invitational.

ETERAN jet-skier Christopher “Bong” Go pulled off the biggest and dramatic victory as Bobby Galvez ruled the center-piece open category at the close of the 1st JSAD Invitational Jet-Ski Racing Competition on Sunday at the Sunset Beach in Samal.

Battling underdog by using much-lower horsepower ski and a hurting back injury, Go finished at the top of 4-Stroke 300hp stock category to run away with the championship in one of the most-coveted

and hardly-contested class in the race.

Go, who maneuvered a Yamaha 260hp FZS SVHO with a maximum hp of 252 owned by Johnny Ng, took his seven youthful and seasoned rivals from Ormoc and Gen. Santos cities by surprise.

South Side Performance skipper Marchael Vient Buhisan, who reportedly used the ski he reportedly bought from national champion Paul del Rosario, settled for second place. Marcos Larrazabal of

MPL Racing of Ormoc City placed third in the field.

The executive assistant of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, who was suffering a painful back muscle strain entering the second day that needs him to take pain reliever and muscle relaxant, glided the waves and slithered the challenging curbs to win on a sizzling fashion.

Most of his opponents rode a 300hp ski that includes early favorites Joseph Allan del Socorro of MPL and CD Daquil of South Side who placed be-

low far.

Adding up to Go’s belt was the third place finish in the 4-stroke 260hp category which topped by Del Socorro. Buhisan placed second.

Sharing the spotlight was Bobby Galvez of SJSA-Gen. San who topped the Stage 4 Open class, a no limit horsepower category where most of the ski’s were modified.

Larrazabal placed second as Buhisan took his second third place finish in the two-day event

Federer advances

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EW YORK – It was a dark and stormy ... late afternoon on Arthur Ashe Stadium as the expected thunderstorms finally were about to hit.

Roger Federer and Marcel Granollers were hustled off the court before it even began to rain, with a possibility of lightning looming.

Perhaps it was the gods of tennis letting loose their wrath, because Federer was very slow out of the gate – and Granollers was on fire.

He was down 2-5 in the first set when play was stopped, and that simply wouldn’t do.

Two hours later, almost to the minute, Federer and Granollers returned to the stadium court and despite losing the first set, Federer restored order in rather short order in a 4-6, 6-1, 6-1, 6-1 victory that was, after that first 19 minutes, dominant and emphatic.

“I thought it was a good match, I was able to come back and turn it around because Marcel started really on fire. We knew there was maybe going to be rain in the

air. I’m happy the break helped me,” Federer said in an on-court interview with Tennis Channel.

The players returned to a nearly-empty Arthur Ashe Stadium, as the decision was made that this day-session match was now going to be part of the night session. That was a major bonus for the night-session ticket holders; for those who had waited patiently through the rain delay to see the rest of the Federer match, not so much.

It’s not often Federer plays in an empty stadium, beyond his morning practice sessions on stadium courts around the world. The changeovers were a madhouse as the fans rushed to get to their seats.

As it was, the 7 p.m. start was moved up some 20 minutes and with no tennis around the grounds to arrive early to see, the crowd wasn’t expecting it.

Granollers broke Federer to take the first set 6-4, after Federer had retrieved the break he left on court during the break.

But after the first few games of the second set, it

was all Federer. He ended up with 57 winners and 27 unforced errors, moving like the younger self CBS was showing highlights of during the rain delay.

The humidity was oppressive. Players in action Sunday night once play resumed, including the likes of Austrian youngster Dominic Thiem and veteran Spanish lefty

Roger Federer caught fire when play resumed after a rain delay, even though there weren’t many yet in the stadium to witness it. (AP Photo/ Elise Amendola)

Feliciano Lopez on the Grandstand court, looked as though their shirts were painted on and they had just hopped out of the shower.

Even Federer looked like a drowned rat – or as close to that as the unflappable Swiss can get.

This happens so rarely you almost wanted to look up to see if donkeys were flying.

which needed to hold the race under the scorching morning sun due to afternoon low tide.

Daquil, on the other hand, took his championship by topping the Slalom Race followed by Yanick Elnar of South Side and Galvez.

Ng, a standout of JSAD, participated in the slalom race in the first day but suffered a foot injury that prompted him to skip the other events.

Renette Militante of Stingray Davao won the

All Ladies Class with Sky Diola of South Side and Trisha Mae Babila of JSAD settling for second and third place.

JSAD commissioned the Racing Line to manage the two-day race which came to a close without a glitch in all aspects, especially on the technical matter.

In general, the race was conducted successfully, affirming the Racing Line’s area of expertise in the field of race organizing. (Rico Biliran)

Wozniacki upsets Sharapova

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IVE-TIME Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova joined the exodus of US Open top seeds on Sunday, succumbing in three sets to former world number one Caroline Wozniacki.

2014 U.S. Open bracket update: Caroline Wozniacki upsets Maria Sharapova, David Ferrer loses SB Nation The 10th-seeded Dane booked a quarter-final berth with a 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 triumph on a steamy Arthur Ashe Stadium court,

not long before thunderstorms stopped play for some two hours.

The conditions were so oppressive that the players were granted a break in the locker room before the third set, and when they returned to the court Wozniacki wasted little time, breaking Sharapova to love in the fourth game for a 3-1 lead.

She broke the Russian superstar again in the final game to seal the victory -- smacking a backhand winner on match point.

VOL. 7 ISSUE 121 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 02, 2014

SPORTS 15

EDGEDAVAO

Dominicans, Finns, USA clinch Group C triumphs T

HE Dominican Republic, Finland and the United States all claimed wins in Group C of the FIBA Basketball World Cup and France scraped a one-point triumph over Serbia in an important Group A clash.

On the second day of tournament action in Spain, the Dominicans prevailed in their battle of 0-1 teams against New Zealand in Bilbao with Francisco Garcia pouring in the points and Juan Coronado providing plenty of defense.

Garcia connected on five shots from long range and finished with 29 points in a 76-63 win over the Tall Blacks.

Coronado was a major spark off the bench for Orlando Antigua’s team, which was tied at 54-54 early in the fourth quarter but then went in front to stay after a basket from Garcia and a three-ball from James Feldeine.

Finland bounced back from their heavy blowout to the United States on Saturday to beat Ukraine 81-76.

Shawn Huff had a terrific game for the Finns with 23 points. He nailed five of his eight shots from long range.

Ukraine lost shooting guard Sergii Gladyr to

a foot injury in the first half and his status for the remainder of the tournament is in question.

Turkey thrilled the Bilbao crowd in the last game of the night against the defending champions USA. Ergin Ataman’s team led 40-35 at half-time with their defense making it difficult for the Americans. Center Omer Asik was particularly impressive on defense while on offense, the Turks controlled the tempo.

The USA, with Kenneth Faried leading the way, finally caught fire in the third quarter.

They opened up a 6660 lead by the end of the frame and then pulled away for a 98-77 victory.

In Group A in Granada, France hit back from their narrow setback to Brazil by edging Serbia 74-73.

Joffrey Lauvergne, who spent the past two seasons with Partizan Belgrade, had 19 points and six rebounds for France.

Brazil and Spain both improved to 2-0 in the group with the former defeating Iran 79-50 and the tournament hosts hammering Egypt 91-54.

In Group B, in Sevilla, Senegal rode the back of Gorgui Dieng to an 82-

75 win over Puerto Rico, who dropped to 0-2.

Greece defeated the Philippines 82-70, with Georgios Printezis scoring 25 points and pulling down eight rebounds.

Croatia, who needed overtime to beat the Philippines on opening night, recorded a 90-85 win over Argentina.

Krunoslav Simon had 18 points and Bojan Bogdanovic 16 for the Croatians as they overcame a 30-point, nine-rebound effort from Luis Scola.

Argentina fell to 1-1 with the defeat.

Group D action in Gran Canaria saw Slovenia and Lithuania each win for the second straight day while Australia tasted victory for the first time.

The Slovenians got 22 points from Zoran Dragic and rolled to an 8968 victory over Mexico, dropping last year’s FIBA Americas Championship winners to 0-2.

Jonas Valanciunas finished with 11 points and 13 rebounds for Lithuania as the Baltic side clinched a 75-62 win over Angola, a result that evened the African champions’ record at 1-1.

Australia cruised to an 89-55 victory over Korea (0-2) with Joe Ingles scoring 17 points.

NBA VETERAN. Ricky Rubio in action for Spain.

FIBA World Cup on SkyCable HD

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XCITING courtside action, heart-stopping buzzer beaters, and world-class athletes… catch all these and more at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup happening in Spain. From August 30 to September 15, this action-packed basketball tournament will be aired live and in high definition on SKYcable PAY-PER-VIEW. The 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup is a world tournament for men’s national teams held every four years. The winner will automatically qualify for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Check out our very own Gilas Pilipinas as they play their hearts out to bring home basketball glory. Get full coverage of 41 matches including all games of Gilas Pilipinas, USA and Spain teams.

Enjoy all the games live and in high definition right in your own living rooms.

Witness the breath-taking action from jump shots to three-pointers, high-flying dunks to momentum-stopping defense all come alive as if watching real-time basketball action. Catch all the games 24/7 in 2 HD channels, allowing you to watch all games back-toback.

Subscribe now to the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup on SKYcable PAY-PER-VIEW for only Php999. Never again miss out on any of your favorite live sporting events with the access that SKYcable PAY-PER-VIEW gives you.

SKYcable, the country’s leading cable TV provider, continues to enhance your viewing habit with top of the line innovations. Plus, discover more ways of en-

joying your digital cable TV with SKYcable’s widest choice of over 190 channels, flexible subscription options via SELECT, iRECORD feature that records, pauses and rewinds live TV, and real-time coverage of live concerts and sporting events via FREE VIEW and PAY-PER-VIEW. For more information on SKYcable, simply call the Customer Service hotlines at (02) 381-0000 for Metro Manila, CAMANAVA, and Rizal; (046) 484-4701 for Cavite; (049) 534-2814 for Calamba, Binan and Sta. Rosa, Laguna; (02) 5208560 for San Pedro, Laguna; (044) 693-5877 for Bulacan; (032) 421-1818 for Cebu; (082) 305-5456 for Davao; (074) 442-4841 for Baguio; (034) 432-0051 for Bacolod; (033) 3001210 for Iloilo or log on to www.mysky.com.ph.

Kenneth Faried (7) of the USA Basketball Men’s National Team dunks the ball against the Turkey Basketball Men’s National Team during the 2014 FIBA World Cup at Bizkaia

Arena in Bilbao Exhibition Centre on Sunday in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. 7 ISSUE 121 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 02, 2014

HUDDLE. Coach Chot Reyes will be taking a big gamble in not resting his key players.

NOT RESTING Coach Chot will not rest key players in big game W

HEN the Philippine national men’s basketball team’s game against Greece seemed to have gone out of reach in the fourth quarter, no one could blame Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes if he decided to rest some of his key players – naturalized NBA player Andray Blatche, in particular – in preparation for a huge clash against Argentina on Monday.

But Reyes said that he

could not make that call, which would go against the team’s attitude of playing hard and never giving up until the final buzzer of every game.

“I kept asking my players, looking in their eyes and even in the last four minutes, last five minutes, we were down 12 or 13, my players were saying, ‘Last push, last push,’ including Andray,” the coach said after the game.

“That’s just the kind

of spirit they have.

The spirit we have and the way we play the game will not allow us to slacken off.”

Reyes knows that might come back to haunt them if fatigue becomes a factor in their next contest – their third game in three days so far – but is willing to pay that price to stay true to his team’s identity.

Turkey.

This must have surely rankled head coach Mike Krzyzewski’s mind when he called upon his team to pull up their socks and “stop taking things for granted.”

“We allowed them (Turkey) to control the tempo of the game for the entire first half. We never really attacked the way we were able to in the second half. I think we played a very poor first half,” he said after the USA took charge of the proceedings in the third quarter and

went o n t o win 9877.

USA in scary win B

ILBAO (FIBA Basketball World Cup) When the USA headed to the locker-room trailing Turkey 40-35 in their Group C game on Sunday night, there was an air of familiarity about the situation the Americans found themseves in.

It was four years and one day ago, on 30 August 2010, that they trailed 4643 at the break against Brazil, before rallying in the second half for a 7068 win in their third outing in Group B at the FIBA World Championship in

“We played an outstanding second half.

SLAM. USA center Antonio Davis slams against Turkey.