VOL. 7 ISSUE 128 • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2014
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TEACHER OR TERRORIST? Counsel wants voluntary exit for Dr. Philips
By FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA
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he legal counsel of Canadian professor Abu Ameen Bilal Philips, who was detained in Davao City on suspicion of having ties with a terrorist movement, filed for a voluntary exit for his client. In an interview with 105.9 Balita FM, lawyer Glocelito Jayma said he filed the petition on Tuesday afternoon to let his client leave the country of his own will. “In order to avoid misunderstanding, he just wants to leave the country voluntarily. We are now processing that,” Jayma said. Jayma said he strongly believes the allegations that Philips is involved with a terrorist group is “just a misunderstanding” since the latter teaches traditional Muslim culture. “He is just an educator, so it is just a misunderstanding… he even has a website in which his writings can be seen,” he said. Jayma said they are ex-
pecting the answer to their petition within the week. He insisted that his client has no criminal record in the country. Bilal has been banned in several countries, including the US, US, Australia, Kenya, and Bangladesh. Jayma said the voluntary exit they are requesting is still a form of deportation. “Actually a voluntary exit is a voluntary deportation on the part of the alien. It is still a deportation but a voluntary one. That will still be on record as far as the BI (Bureau of Immigration) is concerned,” Jayma said. If their petition is granted, Philips will be put into the watch list order of the BI. Jayma, however, said
that can still be changed. Jayma said Philips had visited the Philippines several times and does not have any bad record here. The Mercy Islamic Center strongly believes Philips is not a threat to national security. Center manager Eisa Javier said the 68-year-old scholar was just invited to Davao City by an organization to conduct lectures for some parents on how to raise their children in an Islamic culture. Javier also said the teachings of Philips have nothing to do with political issues or radicalism. “Ang pagpunta rito ni Dr. Bilal walang kinalaman sa political issues o radicalism. Inimbitahan siya dito ng isang organisasyon na mayroon ding Islamic school dito sa Davao to lecture kung paano mag palaki ng bata in Islamic way (Dr.
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IS HE A TERRORIST? Dr. Bilal Philips, suspected terror movement supporter, is shown in his website photo during one of his lectures.
INSIDE EDGE
DCPO TO SUE MALL PROTESTERS THE BIG NEWS Page2
ARE THE GILAS STILL HEALTHY? SPORTS page 16
Now it’s ‘Miriam-Rody’ for 2016
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ENATOR Miriam Defensor-Santiago yesterday had netizens abuzz when she said she was eyeing Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte as her running mate if she makes a run for the presidency in 2016. “I would love to run with Rudy Duterte. He would make an excellent VP for enforcement. Maybe we can make him change his mind,” Santiago said in a tweet just before noon yesterday.
She quickly added, however, that she was also considering former Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro and Senator Grace Poe. “I am considering Rudy Duterte, Gilbert Teodoro, or maybe we can have two women running together - Miriam and Grace.It sounds like a restaurant,” she said. Mayor Duterte, however, quickly rejected the idea. His executive assistant, Christopher Lawrence Go,
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2 THE BIG NEWS EDGEDAVAO
VOL. 7 ISSUE 128 • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2014
SNAIL-PACED. Downtown-bound vehicles passing the Sasa and Bo. Pampanga areas form a long queue caused by the snail-paced road widening and drainage system project in Lanang, Davao City. Lean Daval Jr.
DCPO to sue mall protesters By CHENEEN R. CAPON
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crc@edgedavao.net
HE Davao City Police Office (DCPO) will file a formal complaint before the City Prosecutors Office against members of different progressive groups who staged a lightning strike inside SM Lanang Premier during President Aquino’s visit last Monday. Speaking to reporters yesterday at the AFPPNP Press Corps press conference at The Royal Mandaya Hotel, DCPO officer-in-charge Superintendent Marvin Pepino said the members of progressive will face charges of
alarm and scandal. “We are still investigating the incident and charges to filed will be based on the report of Sasa Police Station commander RoyinaGarma,” Pepino said. He said that the unit of Garma was in charge of the area. Pepino said he already ordered the identification of the protesters involved in the protest, including the students who were seen shouting with other members of progressive groups to air their concerns to Mr. Aquino.
Police Regional Office (PRO) 11 director Chief Superintendent Wendy Rosario ordered the DCPO to file a case against the members of the progressive groups. Pepino also said Mayor Rodrigo Duterte was informed of the plan to file a case against the protesters, adding that the mayor agreed. The lightning strike was staged just as President Aquino was entering the SMX Convention Center to attend a meeting of the Philippine Business for Social Progress
(PBSP). Those who participated were allegedly from Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, Bayan Muna, Gabriela-Davao, PASAKA, Kilusang Mayo Uno, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, Anakbayan, Anakpawis, and Karapatan. “We already identified the leaders of the progressive groups but we still have to identify other people involved in the incident,” Pepino said. Asked if filing the case against protesters is a form of repression of their freedom of expres-
Yap proposes ordinance backing law vs trafficking By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.
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abf@edgedavao.net
HE Davao City Council yesterday passed on first reading a proposed ordinance implementing and enforcing Republic Act No. 9208 or the “Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003.” The local legislation proposed by councilor Leah Librado-Yap aims to implement its rules and
regulation, to impose prescribe penalties for the unlawful under the ordinance, and the creation of a local committee and task force. In her privilege speech yesterday, Librado-Yap said Trafficking in Persons (TIP) convictions since 2007 are to be seen in the light of how local initiatives
contribute to the speedy disposition of such cases. She said in December 2013, a Regional Trial Court judge in Davao City handed the first conviction for Attempted Qualified Trafficking in Persons. “This points to more collaborative efforts on our part, being local stakeholders and considering the
fact that just more than a hundred trafficking cases are being heard in courts with many more still in the preliminary investigation phase,” she said.
Librado-Yap said a US-government sponsored research pegs the number of transnational trafficking
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sion, Pepino said it does not apply since the group staged the protest inside a private establishment without any permit from the mall management and chief of security. “The aggrieved party here is the management of the mall and mall-goers who were surprised when these people start shouting,” he said. Pepino said the case to be filed was a prerogative of DCPO and not yet of the mall management. “We are still waiting for the result of the coordination made by commander
Garma to the management of the mall,” Pepino said, adding he gave the police commander until afternoon of yesterday. As of press time, the report has not been submitted to Pepino. A member of SM Lanang Premier management who asked not to be identified would not comment on the matter because it is still being investigated by the DCPO. The source said SM also cannot yet claim to be an aggrieved party pending the result of the investigation.
Dads want to cut publication of some ordinances to 1 day
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HE Davao City Council has approved on first reading a proposed ordinance to publish a non-revenue generating ordinance only once instead of three consecutive days after 10 days of its approval. Committee on finance, ways and means, and appropriation chair councilor Danilo Dayanghirang told reporters yesterday after the session that there is a need to enact the proposal since the Council is going to publish the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance. He said the publication
of this ordinance would be expensive since it is a book-like ordinance for which a P4-million budget will not be enough if it is published for three days. “We appropriated P4 million, sayang man gud ang kwarta,” he said. He said the resolution will not only apply to the publication of the Zoning Ordinance but to other non-revenue generating ordinances as well. Dayanghirang said the proposal will ensure a more economically efficient production and circulation of ordinances. ABF
VOL. 7 ISSUE 128 • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2014
NEWS
EDGEDAVAO
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DCCCII to invite PNoy to DATE to talk about inclusive growth
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HE Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII) will seek to invite President Benigno Aquino to attend the Davao Trade Expo (DATE) which will be held in November to talk more about the inclusive agribusiness program which was launched in Davao City last Monday by the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) with the President in attendance. DCCCII president Antonio dela Cruz told Edge Davao that the President had already spoken about inclusive growth during the 2013 Mindanao Business Conference (MinBizCon) which was held in Davao City. “We will endeavor to invite him to enlighten us
more on this,” dela Cruz said. He also said the DCCCII had always been mindful of including all stakeholders in its programs to push not just Davao City but Mindanao and the whole country to economic progress. “We’ve always done that. Our mandate is to promote agriculture, tourism, and ICT (information communication technology) and we will not stop there,” he said. Earlier during the Club 888 Forum at The Marco Polo, Davao, dela Cruz said the President had endorsed DATE slated on November 19 to 22 at the SMX Convention Center in SM Lanang Premier. “I am confident that this expo, which features
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IT’S A DATE. Davao Trade Expo (DATE) 2014 chair and vice president for agribusiness Luciano Frederick “Dicky” Puyod III (right) and Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII) president Antonio Dela Cruz talk
about the upcoming DATE to be staged back to back with an international banana synposium. DATE 2014 is slated on November 19 to 22 at SM Lanang Premier’s SMX Convention Center. Lean Daval Jr.
BBL won’t be prioritized - Ilagan By CHENEEN R. CAPON
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crc@edgedavao.net
ELAYED enough as it is, the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) which was submitted to Congress by President Aquino yesterday morning will not be prioritized in the next weeks even if it is certified as urgent by the President. “Starting next week until September 26, Congress will be focusing on budget session,” Gabriela Party-list Rep. Luzviminda C. Ilagan told Edge Davao in a phone interview yesterday. Ilagan said the bill that will create the Bangsamoro and abolish the Autonomous Region in Mus-
lim Mindanao (ARMM) can be taken up by legislators “probably by October this year.” Asked if the law will be passed this year, Ilagan chose not to comment. “They said they already submitted the draft but I and the other congressmen don’t have the copy yet. I still have to see the content of the bill,” she said. She said the committee on rules will still have to schedule the hearing for the BBL. After deliberation in Congress, the bill will proceed to Senate, then to the bicameral. “It will be a long process and it’s still too early
to comment,” Ilagan said. Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles and Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) chair Mohagher Iqbal handed over a copy each to Senate President Franklin Drilon and House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr., in the presence of President Aquino in ceremonies in Malacañang at 10 am. In his 10-minute speech after the handover, President Aquino gave assurance that the draft BBL was crafted to be“makatwiran, makatarungan, at katanggap-tanggap sa la-
hat, Moro man, Lumad, o Kristiyano” (fair, just, and acceptable to all, whether they are Moros, Lumads, or Christians). The 119-page draft law has 18 articles and an additional three-page appendix on a proposed ordinance providing for the “parliamentary districts composing the provinces, cities, municipalities and geographic areas of the Bangsamoro.” Aquino urged Congress to examine the draft bill, which he certified as “urgent” and asked that it be passed “sa lalong madaling panahon” (as soon as possible).” Ilagan, however, said
Congress still has to deliberate whether the provisions are constitutional or unconstitutional. “It was delayed in the executive branch precisely because they did not want anything to be declared unconstitutional,” she added. Ilagan cited a congressional session when members of Indigenous People from Mindanao said they were not included in the drafting of the BBL. Illagan said all Mindanao legislators are supporters of efforts that will create lasting peace in the region-island. However, her support
DCPO keeping cops on the line
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FIXIN’ IT UP. A lineman fixes cables of Davao Light and Power Company, Inc. as part of the power distributor’s rehabilitation and maintenance project along Ponciano Reyes Street in Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.
may vary once she has a copy of the bill at hand, she said. Meanwhile, Captain Alberto Caber, spokesperson of the Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom), said the submission of the BBL yesterday was good news for all. “The EastMinCom supports the national government’s initiative not only in establishing a Bangsamoro region but in every peace and development programs. We are hopeful that these talks will finally be implemented. Our soldiers long for peace,” Caber said in a text message.
avao City Police Office (DCPO) officer-in-charge Superintendent Marvin Pepino yesterday said no police officer under him is involved in crimes like “hulidap” (holdup in the guise of arrest) and that the personnel are monitored closely to keep them on the line. “We are closely monitoring the whereabouts of our personnel na gaya nung ginagawa nating program like the conduct of random drug test sa PNP personnel and background check time to time,” Pepino said in a press conference at The Royal Mandaya Hotel yesterday. Pepino said officers who tested positive for drugs were issued dismissal orders by the Police Regional Office (PRO) 11 and personalities involved in illegal activities were already marked absent without official leave
(AWOL). He said in the past two years, a total of seven officers were dismissed because they tested positive in random drug tests. “It is just last year they were dismissed because it is also last year that the decision came out,” Pepino said, without disclosing the names of the dismissed police officers. He said PRO 11 regional director Chief Superintendent Wendy Rosario instructed different station commanders in the city to conduct police information and education to all police personnel. Pepino said Rosario also tasked them to conduct moral recovery program for the value formation and moral conduct of more than 1,000 police personnel deployed in 12 different police stations in Davao City. “The director is very strict and he keeps on
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4 THE ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO
VOL. 7 ISSUE 128 • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2014
ARMM investments reach record high of P3.3 billion I
NVESTMENTS in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has reached P3.3 billion as of the third quarter of this year, doubling the agency’s registered investments of P1.463 billion in 2013. In its latest report, the Regional Board of Investments (RBOI) said job generation has also reached 2,994 compared to 1,743 over the same period last year. Since July this year, the RBOI said three firms, namely the Darussalam Mining Corporation (DMC), Al Mujahidun Agro-Resources and Development, Inc. (AMARDI) and Bangsamoro Oil and Fuels Corporation (BOFC) posted a combined P848-million worth of investment projects and generated 1,210 jobs in the ARMM. The DMC based in Tumbagaan, Languyan, Tawi-tawi is engaged in a P192.87-million mining and quarrying operation of nickel ore for export to
China. The company generated 310 local jobs. The BOFC with investments totaling P85.85 million is expected to produce 33 jobs engaged in importation, distribution and sales of petroleum products. The company also plans to construct an oil depot in Polloc Port, Parang, Maguindanao. In addition, the AMARDI, a neophyte in the region’s banana industry has initially planted 550-hectares of Cavendish banana out of its targeted 1,500-hectare plantation in Barangay Salman, Ampatuan, Maguindanao. The banana conglomerate has infused P570 million in the project and is expected to generate 867 jobs. The firm is seen to produce 2 million boxes every year at 13.5 kg/box to be exported to United Arab Emirates, Middle East and Europe. “We have achieved our investment target for this
year and we hope that we will continue to attract more businessmen to invest given our strong agribased economy. Other than our rich agricultural resources, the impending submission of the draft
Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) to Congress is anticipated to effect positive signals to the business community that the peace process is on track,” RBOI chair Ishak V. Mastura said.
cess for business registration and minimizes the opportunities for corruption. The President said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) also optimized the bidding process and reduced the required bidding documents. “Simply by plugging the leaks in their system, their agency has saved nearly P28 billion, on the way to building, upgrading, and improving our infrastructure, like the 12,184 kilometers of national roads – which, if they were put together, is equivalent to four roads connecting Laoag to Zamboanga City,” he said. President Aquino said his administration’s reforms also supported the economy which grew by 7.2 percent last year, making the Philippines one of the best performing economies in Asia.
He said credit rating agencies from all over the world also announced a total of 20 positive credit ratings actions for the Philippines in the past four years, with the most significant upgrades coming from Moody’s, Fitch and Standard & Poor’s last year. Likewise, the Chief Executive said the Philippines has consistently climbed global competitiveness ranking, the latest was the country’s leap to 52nd place on the World Economic Forum’s 2014 Global Competitiveness Report from a ranking of 85th in 2010. “All this was a result of our belief in our people, and in our efforts to put them in the global spotlight. The resurgence of the Philippines is a result of striving for success in the face of challenge,” President Aquino said. (PNA)
NO LONGER FOR VEHICLES? An entire road in Barangay Taytay, El Salvador City, Misamis Oriental becomes a solar drier for rice and corn grains. MindaNews photo by Erwin Mascarinas Seven multinational business firms are currently operating in the ARMM. ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman said the regional government would continue to uphold open
governance and transparency in the region to provide a conducive business atmosphere by proposing fiscal incentives and technical assistance as granted by RBOI. (PNA)
leader of a private think tank on policy, law reform, advocacy and governance will share expert knowledge on private-public partnership (PPP) with members and guests of Davao City of Chamber of Commerce and Industries Inc. (DCCCII) during its ninth monthly General Membership Meeting (GMM) on Septmeber 26, at 8:30 a.m. at the Davao Convention Center in F. Torres Street, Davao City. This was announced by DCCCII President An-
tonio T. dela Cruz during yesterday’s Club 888 media forum at Marco Polo Davao’s Eagle’s Bar. Dela Cruz attended the media forum with DCCCII Vice President for Agribusiness and this year’s Chairman of Davao Trade Expo Luciano Frederick ‘Dicky’ Puyod III to discus with reporters preparation for the Davao Trade Exposition on November. The keynote speaker is lawyer Alberto Agra, currently head of emerging fields of law and political of
the Ateneo De Manila University’s law School. Agra is a PPP specialist certified by both the Institute for Public-Private Partnership (IP3) in Virginia, USA and the Water, Engineering Development Centre (WEDC) of LoughboroughUnivesity in United Kingdom. He is the president of Forensic Law and Policy Strategies Inc., also known as Forensic Solutions, a private policy think tank offering services in the fields of policy, law reform, advocacy and governance.
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The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) yesterday reported that the value of merchandise exports grew to US$5.5 billion during the period from US$4.9 billion in July 2013. The Philippines posted the second highest exports growth among
the major economies in East and Southeast Asia in July 2014, next only to China. For the first seven months of 2014, exports sales grew by 8.5 percent to US$35.1 billion, higher than US$32.4 billion in the same period last year.
Aquino says reforms PPP expert to keynote attracting investments DCCCII Sept. 26 meeting
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RESIDENT Benigno Aquino on Tuesday said his administration’s reform efforts are attracting more investments and are supporting the country’s robust economic growth. “Our message to investors is clear: The Philippines is once again open for business. We have leveled the playing field, and are giving the investors the assurances that matter -- that as they deal with the commercial risk that naturally comes with enterprise, our government will do its utmost to minimize regulatory risk,” he said in a speech delivered at the ASEAN Business Awards Philippines 2014. To create a more conducive investment climate, President Aquino cited the establishment of the Philippine Business Registry that provides a faster pro-
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Phl exports sustain strong double-digit growth in July ERCHANDISE exports grew by 12.4 percent in July 2014, with higher revenues from manufactures and agro-based products, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).
ECONOMY
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Tuna exporters urged to increase shipments to ME, North Africa T
HE Department of Agriculture (DA) urged producers and exporters of canned tuna here to increase their shipments to the Middle East and the North African (MENA) region in the wake of the rising demand in its markets. Gil Herico, agriculture attaché of the Philippine embassy in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), said the MENA region appears to be the best option for local canned tuna exporters in terms of market expansion as the demand for the product in the area has been steadily increasing in the past several years. He said the surge in the demand for canned tuna could be attributed to the continuing growth of the region’s agriculture-based food supply imports, especially among members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The GCC – a regional intergovernmental political and economic union consisting of all Arab states of the Persian Gulf – comprise Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and the UAE. In the MENA region, he said the food retail sector,
which is currently valued at US$5 billion, has been also growing at a faster pace. He said it could be seen with the opening of an average 80 hypermarkets every year within the region. “MENA’s estimated retail sales in the packaged food market, which is dominated by processed seafood products, could reach around US$2 billion by the end of the year,” Herico said at the recent 16th National Tuna Congress here. He said the top products in the packaged food market are canned processed tuna and other related food brands, dried processed fruit, noodles, chilled processed food like fresh tuna and other meats and confectionery. In terms of population, Herico said the MENA region’s 380 million people offer tremendous promise to the food retail market, especially for canned tuna. He said the region’s per capita consumption for seafood products is currently at around 50 kilograms a year. In Dubai alone, he said 66 percent of its 4.5 mil-
AGRI PRESENTATION. Doron Hemo, head of Israel’s Economic and Trade Mission in the Philippines, gives a presentation during the Focused Discussion on Agri and Agri Technology at The Marco Polo, Davao last Tuesday. He lion population consume fish or seafood products at least once a week. Herico said MENA’s canned tuna market is
currently dominated by products from Thailand, which ships around 100 40-footer container vans every month.
discussed how his country became a major exporter of fresh produce and a world-leader in agricultural technologies despite its geography which is not naturally conducive to agriculture. Lean Daval Jr. “If we can just get 10 percent of that, it would be huge for our canned tuna industry,” he said. He said canned tuna
exporters could initially tap the growing Filipino population within the MENA region as the main market.
6 PROPERTY EDGEDAVAO
Hijo Resources Company to join SMGC Forum
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ijo Resources Company will take part in the upcoming Southern Mindanao Growth Corridor (SMGC) Investment Forum hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Inc.-Davao (AMCHAM-Davao), European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Inc. (ECCP), and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce in Mindanao, Inc. (JCCM). Based in Tagum City, HRC is on the roll as it expands local services on property development, agribusiness, port and logistics, and leisure and tourism to other potential regions in Mindanao. HRC has had its share of great success in the development of the Hijo Industrial Estate and Plantation Villas in its pursuit of being the leading property developer. Hijo is one of the pi-
oneer companies that grow, process, and export Cavendish bananas, mangosteen, and other fruits grown in the southern locality. Recently, HRC expanded its banana plantations to satisfy global demands, while still providing fresh products to retail markets. Hijo International Ports Services (HIPS), in partnership with the International Container Terminal Services (ICTS), is nearing the completion of a renovated Davao shipment port that will also aid in the growing demand for shipping services. The port is 54 hectares and is strategically located to easily connect Mindanao to potential Asian markets. Envisioned to be the country’s second largest port, it will be completed in 2015.
HRC converted an estate that was originally meant to be another banana plantation to a tourist destination. With its luxurious native inspired accommodations, exciting nature tours, and different land and water sports activities, HRC contributes much to Mindanao’s tourism. SMGC, in its drive to encourage investments in the southern regions of the Philippines, will bring together companies in the First Investment Forum onSeptember 19, 2014 at the Marco Polo, Davao. For more information, please contact (082) 226-2144 and (+63929) 318343. Office is located at 2/F, Don Cesareo Villa-Abrillo Building, Jacinto Street, Davao City, Philippines. Tariff: P1,500 for members and P1,800 for non-members.
VOL. 7 ISSUE 128 • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2014
7 AGRITRENDS
EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 128 • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2014
Bamboo: The green grass of hope Text and Photos By HENRYLITO D. TACIO
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AMBOO, the world’s tallest grass and member of the family that also includes rice and corn, can help boost the country’s economy and also sustain the income of those who plant it. According to Councilor Leonardo Avila III, who used to be with Davao City Agriculture Office, the bamboo industry in the Philippines has the potential to grow “but it needs proper research and government support for it to prosper.” “The bamboo industry can be another good source of livelihood to our local farmers in the next few years,” the former city agriculture officer said, adding they are planning to include bamboo in the city’s Agro-Industry Program. “The grass of hope” is how some economic experts are calling bamboo. Although bamboo has been part of their art and culture, it was only recently that Chinese leaders took the plant seriously and is now building a massive bamboo industry. Avila said bamboo is really a good industry in China, which he visited recently. “Bamboo is regarded as one of the major industries in China,” he said. “It comprises at least 15 percent of the total gross domestic product (GDP) there.” In China, bamboo is one of the four noblest plants. The others are orchid, the plum tree, and of course the chrysanthemum. Bamboo plantations are so vast that they cover mountainous terrain. “It shows the development of bamboo in China is very
crucial,” Avila said. “Bamboo is not a weed, it’s a flowering plant. Bamboo is a magnificent plant,” commented Steve Lacy. Thomas Edison supposedly used a carbonized bamboo filament in his experiments in developing the light bulb. Alexander Graham Bell also used bamboo for his first phonograph needle. “You can eat, wear, and build with bamboo,” said Michael Block. All parts of the bamboo are utilized to produce sub-products such as foods, charcoal, bamboo fiber, and even bamboo beer. Thailand is one of its main buyers of bamboo charcoal while Japan purchases huge volumes of bamboo shoots. Avila urged farmers and businessmen with farms to plant bamboo in their farm lots. There’s no need to worry about its market. Domestic market for bamboo alone will be enough to keep the industry going. In Davao Region, for instance, bamboo poles are very useful in many banana plantations. “That alone will keep the industry alive,” Avila said. Roy C. Alimoane, the director of the Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center (MBRLC) Foundation, Inc. in Kinuskusan, Bansalan, Davao del Sur, agreed. “We have an abundance of bamboo but we don’t know what to do with it,” he said. “It is so common that we ignore its potentials. Other countries have already seen not only the beauty but the potentials of bamboo.” Renowned furniture designer Kenneth Cobonpue from Cebu has
seen that, too. In fact, he designed “Phoenix,” the world’s first and only car made from bamboo and rattan, which was showcased in a furniture fair in Milan recently. The car, which looked like a bird about to take flight, was created in just 10 days with the use of bamboo, rattan, steel, and nylon. According to Inhabitat, an environmental web blog, “Phoenix” is designed to last the average length of time a person keeps a car – about five to 20 years. There are so many potentials from bamboo. Furniture makers and wood craftsmen who shift from wood to bamboo are expected to share in the huge export bonanza from a growing demand for bamboo furniture and bamboo handicrafts in the global market. “We’re not talking here of raw bamboo for export, but finished products made from bamboo. From roots to tip, you can make soap, medicines, cosmetics, furniture, bricks, clothing, paper, floor tiles, wall panels, drinks, vegetables – even surf boards from bamboo,” said an official from the Department of Trade and Industry. There are a million uses of bamboo. According to an article which appeared in Reader’s Digest, bamboo “is delicate enough to be used in phonograph needles, yet strong enough to be used in bridge construction.” As such, bamboo can replace or indirectly decrease consumption of three critically scarce re-
sources: wood, metal, and oil. Already, bamboo is being used as scaffolding and concrete reinforcement in the construction of buildings. In Bangladesh, where 73 percent of the population lives in bamboo houses, bamboo provides pillars, walls, window frames, rafters, room separators, ceilings, and roofs. Throughout rural Asia it is used for building bridges, from the sophisticated technology of suspension bridges to the simpler pontoon bridges. In the Philippines, bamboo is also indispensable in the fishing and banana industry. Fishermen use bamboo as material for making rafts, fishing rods, outriggers for bancas, and for fishpens. In salt-water areas, bamboo is used as stakes in the culture of mussels and oysters. Bamboo is also used in the manufacture of musical instruments like horns, clarinets, saxophones, flutes, piccolos, xylophones, and drums. In Java, Indonesia, 20 different musical instruments have been fashioned of bamboo. The world-famous bamboo organ at the Roman Catholic Church of Las Piñas is a historic example of the importance of bamboo. There are also sophisticated uses of bamboos – charcoal for electric batteries, liquid diesel fuel obtained by distillation, and enzymes and media for shoot extracts used for culturing disease-causing bacteria. The white powder produced on the outer space of young culms
for the isolation of a crystalline compound its medicinally useful. The young shoots are a good source of vitamins and minerals. Nutritionists claim that bamboo shoot is low in carbohydrates and crude fat, and it has plenty of crude fiber, making it an ideal vegetable for people who want to reduce. Eighteen amino acids are reportedly present in bamboo shoot. Just a health warning: shoots of some species contain toxins that need to be leached or boiled out before they can be eaten safely. In terms of exports, the bamboo’s potential remains in the areas of furniture and handicrafts, whose global market grows at an annual average of US$8 billion. The exports of bamboo furniture in the Philippines rose from US$625,000 to US$1.2 million in the mid80s until the mid-90s. Both bamboo furniture and handicrafts racked up US$438 million from 1991 to 2000. Total exports of bamboo furniture in 2000 were recorded at only US$3.2 million. Bamboo is a superb reforestation species due to its varied utility and importance in controlling soil erosion and stabilizing riverbanks. There are three main reasons why bamboo is a superb crop for cogonal areas: both bamboo and cogon belong to the same plant family and so are compatible; bamboo grows faster and taller than cogon, and can quickly shade out the later; and bamboo is not killed when the cogonal area is burned accidental-
ly or deliberately. The bamboo business is labor intensive, more so during the first two years of operation. Studies have shown that labor alone eats around 90 percent of the total production cost. But the beauty of bamboo growing lies in passing the first two critical growing years. “If the bamboos survive, you are assured of money for the next 30 to 50 years,” says a bamboo grower. Another good thing: the price of bamboo does not suffer from severe fluctuations unlike pork and chicken. In fact, they are priced depending on the diameter, volume and distance traveled. In the Philippines, bamboo grows anywhere. Often, it will grow on marginal farm areas not much good for anything else. “It is a pity that we have neglected this important crop for so long,” Alimoane said. All over the globe, there are 91 genera and about 1,000 species of bamboo, generally known as kawayan in the Philippines. Until now, no one knows how vast the areas planted to bamboo are. Major producing provinces are Abra in the North, Pampanga in Central Luzon, and Iloilo, Davao, and Bukidnon in the South. Bamboo is widely distributed all over the country. The major genera are Arundinaria, Bambusa, Dendrocalamus, Gigantochloa, Guadua, Schizostachyum, Thysostachys, Lalebra, Phyllostachys, Cophalostachyum, and Dinochloa.
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VOL. 7 ISSUE 128 • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2014
The biggest loser
RESIDENTIAL elections 2016 is still a good two years away but this very early, we can already feel the anticipation rising notch by notch. What makes the 2016 presidential elections exciting is that there are so many interesting twists. For one, there is a legitimate Mindanao contender in Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte if he so decides to give Malacañang a shot. Then there s VP Jejomar Binay, Secretary Mar Roxas, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano and Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago. An outsider could be Senator Grace Poe. What do we have in here? It’s good mix of politicians. Each bringing to the table their brand of politics. This early, the contenders and their backers are already starting to make some moves. The biggest loser in the early punch-trading could be VP Binay as he struggles in the midst of the administration’s machinery to pin the Binays down in the Makati City Hall mess. Binay himself could be facing impeachment raps.
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And now, for some more twist—an unsolicited advice for VP Binay from a fellow presidential hopeful: Senator Miriam Santiago. Sen. Miriam said the current runaway winner in presidential polls should attend the Senate hearings on the alleged overpriced Makati “parking building.” The feisty Santiago said if VP Binay does not attend the Senate hearing, he will lose a golden opportunity to clear himself. She even used a biblical passage to back up her message, “Even in the Bible [it says that] the innocent are as bold as a lion but the guilty flee.” Now take that from Sen. Miriam, she believes that the Vice President has nothing to fear about attending the Senate hearing since the Constitution and the Senate rules protect the rights of those appearing at the hearings. The ball now is in the hands of VP Binay. Crunch time. Either he takes the shot, or he be the biggest loser. 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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HERE are bridges and there are bridges. Lately, two bridges made news in Davao City. The first one was the bridge requested by public school teacher Randy Halasan of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. This happened when the two met for the first time at the lobby of The Marco Polo Hotel in the early days of August. It was the first time the two personalities met. At the time of their encounter, Halasan was yet to receive the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award – touted to be the Nobel Prize of Asia – for Emergent Leadership. The two shook hands. This was what Duterte told reporters: “He is a Dabawenyo and the only Filipino to win the Magsaysay Award this year and he has brought honor not only for the country but to the city.” Halasan quipped on Mayor Duterte: “Idol gyud nako siya mao nang gusto gyud nako siya ma-meet in person.” During the meeting, Halasan requested for a bridge. “Mauwaw ta mubalibad,” Duterte was quoted by the media as saying. “He won the award because of his sacrifice and care for the human beings diri sa kalibutan. It’s really love. It’s sacrifice. It demands so much of your time and it could only mean one thing, love for your fellow men.” For the uninformed, Halasan teaches at the Pegalongan Elementary School in barangay Malamba of Marilog District. “It is really a remote sitio and very difficult to reach,” he said. From his place in Mintal, Halasan has to travel two hours by bus, another
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A tale of two bridges hour by habal-habalmo- THINK ON THESE! torcycle, plus around four hours of trekking. “Not only that, I have to cross two dangerous rivers,” he said, referring to Simod and Davao Rivers, which at times go as high Henrylito D. Tacio as his chest. The rivers that separate Pegalongan Elementary School and the Matigsalug spell life and death. Although Simod River is not too deep, its current is very strong. Davao River is another story: the water is chest-deep and when there is a flood the depth of the water goes over beyond the height of a person. To cross the river, people have to make rafts made of bamboo. If there is a flood, Halasan has to walk about 45 minutes just to go to the place where there are already houses. “So many lives have been lost crossing the rivers,” Randy said. In fact, he and some of his co-teachers almost lost their lives at one time while crossing the river. But they are not alone. Students, too, have to cross the river everyday just to be educated. When Halasan was conferred the Ramon Magsaysay Award on August 31, he personally met President Benigno Aquino III, who knew of his problem. The two talked for a while. This was what Halasan said after the encounter: “Sabi niya, sumulat
daw ako para sa bridge.” The other bridge is the one that will connect the Island Garden City of Samal to Davao City. It has been a long, long plan made some years ago and we hope it will finally materialize. By constructing the much-awaited bridge, more tourists will come to Talikud Island, according to Governor Rodolfo P. del Rosario of Davao del Norte. “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,” del Rosario said in a speech delivered at the Marco Polo’s Ambassador’s Club Convention. “We expect that trip to Talikud then would be a walk in the park.” These days, vehicles going to Samal from Davao City have to go use various barge services at Sasa port. “However, the barges can no longer handle the rising vehicle volume,” del Rosario was quoted by MindaNews as saying. Now, let’s talk about two more bridges, those that were featured in Hollywood movies. The first one is “A Bridge Too Far,” a 1977 epic war film based on the 1974 book of the same name by Cornelius Ryan, adapted by William Goldman. This Richard Attenborough film tells the story of the failure of Operation Market Garden during World War II. There were some reports that the title for the film comes from an unconfirmed comment attributed to British Lieutenant-General Frederick Browning, deputy commander of the First Allied Airborne Army, who told Field Marshal Ber-
nard Montgomery, the operation’s architect, before the operation: “I think we may be going to a bridge too far.” “The Bridge on the River Kwai” is another World War II film. Released in 1957, this Oscar-winning film directed by David Lean was based on the eponymous French novel (1952) by Pierre Boulle. Although the film was a work of fiction, it borrows the construction of the Burma Railway in 1942–43 for its historical setting. It is widely considered to be one of the greatest films of all time. Then, there’s another bridge that comes to mind: “Bridge over Troubled Waters.” Not too many know that this song was ranked number 48 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Another trivia: The chorus lyrics were partly inspired by Claude Jeter’s line “I’ll be your bridge over deep water if you trust in me,” which Jeter sang with his group, the Swan Silvertones, in the 1958 song “Mary Don’t You Weep.” The song is indeed very popular – even in karaoke bars. Unknown to many, the song brought troubles to the duo who sang it. In fact, it led to the breakup of the duo after the album was completed. It is said that Paul Simon repeatedly expressed regret over his insistence that Art Garfunkel sing his song as a solo, as it focused attention on Garfunkel and relegated Simon to a secondary position. For his part, Art initially did not want to sing lead vocal, feeling it was not right for him. “He felt I should have done it,” Simon told “Rolling Stone” in 1972. Now you know. So think on that!
ingly. Because of China’s incursion into the West Philippine Sea, a delicate diplomatic situation obtains between the two countries now, tension rising, with potential for armed conflict. This makes Manny’s engagement with the Chinese Communists totally inappropriate. He can’t hire himself out to the Communist Chinese for whatever purpose. One, he’s a Congressman—sworn to uphold the territorial integrity of the Philippine Republic. Two, he’s a reserve officer of the Philippine Army (a lieutentant colonel)—sworn to fight and defend the nation’s security. Three, he’s a Filipino citizen—sworn to fight in peace or war for the nation. In other words, Manny Pacquiao is an official of the Philippine Government. As such, it’s his duty to resist incursions or stop trespassers, not help them steal our natural resources or grab our islands and inland waters ***** If he proceeds with this deal, he should resign his commission and rank in the Army’s reserve corps, or be stripped of it. He should also apologize to the people of Saranggani for betraying their trust and abusing their mandate—then resign forthwith as their representative in Congress, or be stripped of his seat and replaced with a trustworthy representative who will not leave the congressional seat for Saranggani vacant again. It’s very important for Manny to understand the gravity of being a hireling of this bullying Chinese Dragon. He must understand how China insults our sovereignty by building structures within our territorial waters. And so it is important for him to know how the Maoist New People’s Army daily assaults our communities in the coun-
tryside—to affirm its commitment to the Chinese Communists and prove its loyalty to the Chinese Communist Government. If Manny doesn’t understand why he should not play ball with Communists—in China or in our provinces—he has no business being a congressman of our Republic. It’s time someone brief him on the case our government has filed with the United Nations against China. Or let him ask House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte to brief him so he will understand how China is a serious threat to our sovereignty with its greed for more territory by grabbing parts of our patrimony—and also China’s arrogance in defying international law—which states that what’s within 200 miles of our shores (our Exclusive Economic Zone) is ours. Then may our Pambansang Kamao awake to his patriotic duty to stand firm and show to the world that where China is concerned, Filipinos act as one nation and speak with one voice. Then if this issue is brought to the agenda of our Congress and of the United Nations, we would know how Manny Pacquiao will vote. Already wealthy many times over, famed beyond anybody’s dreams, universally admired, Manny Pacquiao can afford to be a Statesman and true leader instead of be a treasonous ingrate in the pay of Chinese Communists! [Manny is former UNESCO regional director for Asia-Pacific; secretary-general, Southeast Asia Publishers Association; director, Development Academy of Philippines; member, Philippine Mission to the UN; vice chair, Local Government Academy; member, Cory Government’s Peace Panel; awardee, PPI-UNICEF outstanding columnist. He is president/national convenor, Gising Barangay Movement Inc. valdehuesa@ gmail.com]
Pacman should back away from China’s embrace
AYBE Manny Pacquiao didn’t get to consider the down side of his China deal thoroughly, but it’s not too late for him to back away from the embrace of the Communist Chinese government. When he announced his deal with China (last week in San Francisco) he may not have realized what he was getting into aside from just training Chinese boxers. What he did was to let the Chinese Communists dragoon him into what could be a tangled web of who-knows what motives, intrigues, or objectives are behind the deal. Keep in mind that Chinese politics, governance, and foreign relations evolved from thousands of years of court intrigues, conspiracies, and internecine rivalries. ***** The Chinese authorities know how popular Pacman is. They know what his endorsement, or mere presence, can do to soften Filipino resistance to any project they contemplate in any part of the Philippine archipelago. If Manny thinks he can foil any undesirable Chinese scheme, he’d better think again. Masters in the game of international intrigue and one-upmanship, the Chinese can manipulate anyone like a deck of cards. Such is China’s economic clout today that they’re already challenging America and the world in most areas of competition. Many diplomatic, economic, and political issues face China in the Philippines and in other members of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) today. What role Manny Pacquiao may play in the Chinese game plan at this time or later, no one can tell, maybe not even Manny himself.
THE WORM’S EYEVIEW BY MANNY VALDEHUESA ***** In his arrival interview at San Francisco Airport, Manny sounded confident and cocky. Asked whether he was worried about spreading himself too thinly by undertaking too many projects—being already congressman, family man, playing coach, entertainer, endorser, plus his active boxing schedule—he replied that it was all a matter of “time management.” Wow! Someone should tell him he’ll be better off helping train Filipinos, especially his brother Bobby who has yet to make a name for himself. Whatever motivated him to enter into the China deal, it should be clarified to him now that kowtowing to a hostile China is an unworthy enterprise for a congressman and a reserve officer of the Philippine Army. China’s hostile acts in the West Philippine Sea recklessly placed that country in a position of conflict with our government. If Manny wants to help normalize the situation, he should tell China to stop its trespass of our maritime jurisdiction and stop their fisher-folks from illegally harvesting our marine resources. Then he should tell them to withdraw forces they’ve deployed in Philippine waters and dismantle the infrastructure they’ve erected in strategic islands. ***** If the Communist Chinese use Pacman to soften Filipino anger and resistance to what they’re doing, the trick may backfire. Filipinos may lose their respect for him, declare him a traitor, and treat him accord-
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Bilal’s coming here had nothing to with political issues or radicalism. He was invited here by an organization that also has an Islamic school here in Davao to lecture on how to raise children the Islamic way),” he said. Javier said most of the issues in the countries where Philips was banned are religious in nature and not because he is a security threat. Javier encouraged the people to be open Philips’ teachings to create positive thinking about traditional Muslim culture. Philips was invited by the Police Regional Office (PRO) 11 last Sunday for questioning while he was lecturing in a mosque in Maa, Davao City.
PRO 11 director Chief Superintendent Wendy Rosario said Philips was detained because of a commitment order issued by the BI. He said the authorities are also looking for his possible linkages with terrorist groups outside the country. On Monday, the BI issued a deportation order to Philips for alleged violation of the Commonwealth Act. No. 613 or the Philippine Immigration act of 1940. Prior to the deportation order, the BI already issued a black listed order against Philips, but the latter was not arrested because he arrived before of the issuance of the order.
said Duterte “has no plan of going national.” “He is even planning to retire from public office soon,” Go added. Many netizens, however, said they support the tandem. Reactions ranged from a simple, “Yes” to “This is a team I can definitely support.” Some, however, do not relish the idea – and for different reasons. Edge Davao asked some prominent people for their reactions and here are a few of them: “That would turn the Philippine politics into a deadly farce. Deadly because of Duterte and farce because of Miriam.”
– Akbayan Party-list Rep. Walden Bello “Approved Duterte for President. This is the time. Mindanao na naman, pagbigyan na lang si Miriam if matapos na term niya (Duterte). Mas effective siya (Miriam) as legislator.” – Vice Mayor Arthur Carlos Voltaire R. Rimando of Maco, Compostela Valley Province “It depends kay mayor (Duterte). Anybody puwedeng i-tandem kay mayor basta Duterte for President.” – Davao City of Chamber of Commerce and Industries Inc. (DCCCII) president Antonio T. dela Cruz
victims at around 800,000 people a year, excluding the millions that are trafficked within their own countries. Of the total number of transnational victims, about 640,000 or 80 percent are women and girls and half or 400,000 are minors. She said based on the 2012 data of Department and Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), there were 1,376 individual-victims of various kinds of trafficking nationwide. For the first semester of 2013, the DSWD has recorded 645 cases. The victims were provided with adequate recovery and reintegration services under the
HE Aboitiz Group, through its social development arm Aboitiz Foundation, is continuously assisting in post-rehabilitation efforts in Bohol as it constructs classrooms in schools badly damaged by the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that struck the province nearly a year ago. The construction of classrooms is being done in parallel with the ongoing schools rehabilitation initiatives in North Cebu – one of the hardest hit areas of super typhoon Yolanda. The Foundation said target completion of classrooms in these disaster-stricken areas is by December this year.
In Bohol, recipients of nine new classrooms include Canmaya Centro Elementary School and Ubujan Elementary School in Sagbayan, and Tubigon West Central Elementary School in Tubigon. These are expected to benefit more than 2,000 students. Aboitiz believes that focusing on the construction of educational facilities can help speed up the province’s recovery. The availability of classrooms is instrumental in encouraging students to go back to school. “The classrooms will be designed to ensure safety and be conducive to learning. We hope that the students who will use
these classrooms will be inspired to do well not only in academics but also in helping people help themselves,” Aboitiz Foundation Chief Operating Officer Sonny Carpio said. As part of the Bohol initiative, the Foundation also took on the construction of new ‘Silid Pangarap’ classrooms in partnership with the Aklat, Gabay, Aruga Tungo sa Pag-angat at Pag-asa (AGAPP) and some minor repairs in Manalongon Elementary School in Sagbayan and Guadalupe Elementary School in Carmen through the assistance of CitySavings Bank. Aboitiz was among the early responders to
organize disaster relief operations in the affected areas in Bohol last year. The Group was able to reach out to about 18,000 families. Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. is the corporate foundation of the Aboitiz Group. Established in 1988, it addresses the social and economic development needs of marginalized members of society. It implements corporate social responsibility interventions especially in areas where Aboitiz companies are located. The foundation focuses on three program components, namely education, enterprise development, and environment.
DSWD’s Recovery and Reintegration Programs for Trafficked Persons. “Talikala, Inc. also reported 45 cases of TIP in the city during the first and second quarters of this year,” she said. Librado-Yap said according to DSWD, “poverty is one of the main root causes of trafficking; in times of crisis, sickness and hunger, families in dire financial needs become easy prey to illegal recruiters who will promise them lucrative jobs in the country’s major cities or abroad.” “True, we recognize exemplary efforts especially by non-government orga-
nization partners to prevent trafficking of migrant workers and to protect those who are exploited abroad but for us to step up in preventing internal sex and labor trafficking, as well as comprehensive response to all forms of slavery and sex trafficking including sweatshop labor, debt bondage and especially domestic servitude and exploitative child labor, all concerned offices, agencies and partners have to work doubly hard to secure convictions for the traffickers and justice for the victims,” she said. She said Inter-Agency Campaign Against Trafficking initiatives now include
a draft ordinance to locally implement RA 9208 and the creation of a local committee and task force. Among other functions, it will formulate comprehensive and integrated programs to suppress trafficking in persons or TIP, establish sex and age-disaggregated data based on TIP cases, as well as intensive monitoring and documentation of cases, convictions and ensure effective prosecution of TIP cases. “Several years after the enactment of the Anti-Trafficking Law or Republic Act 9208, the country has only scored a handful convictions, noting also an alarming trend among
fiscals/judges to downgrade trafficking cases into illegal recruitment for lack of solid evidence (which can either mean victims not willing to testify or their parents already defaulting to desistance),” Librado-Yap said. She said that because trafficking largely remains a “legally challenged” issue in our country, the city must continue to enhance the capacity of law enforcers and service providers in effectively gathering evidentiary documents towards serious build-up of cases against syndicates, especially those behind fraudulent documentation and passport fraud.
She said the government can enhance the attitudes and practices of investigators and case providers in sensitively respecting the rights of trafficked persons, especially their continuing need for protection, confidentiality, post-traumatic counseling, non-discrimination inside centers, skills training and in preparation for court appearances. The concerned Local Government Units must then be pushed in sustaining concrete livelihood and education assistance especially for victims who are willing to file cases within their own communities, she added.
close to a hundred exhibitors from different companies, will help sustain Davao’s growth and development in the coming years,” the President said in an advanced message to the DATE organizers. “This will prove crucial
as we prepare for the ASEAN Economic Community by 2015, with Mindanao serving as the country’s gateway to BIMP-EAGA (Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines East Asean Growth Area) and the rest of Southeast
Asia,” he added. Dela Cruz said the message was received this week by DCCCII chair John Gaisano and himself. This year’s DATE carries the theme “Davao: From Local Agriculture to Global Agribusiness” and
will be staged back to back with the International Banana Symposium 2014. DATE 2014 chair Luciano Frederick Puyod III said the banana symposium will bring to Davao City a dozen of the world’s senior scientists and horticulture
experts who will tackle the prospects and challenges of the multi-billion dollar banana industry. Puyod said top government officials of the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Science and Techonology
(DOST), and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) are expected to attend the gathering, as well as the heads of their concerned bureaus. Local and regional government officials will also grace the event.
telling us to be stricter in the conduct of disciplinary measures in our police force,” he added. To gain back the confidence of the public, Pepino said they are enforcing
appropriate sanctions on erring cops. “Nakikita naman ng publiko na hindi lang DCPO ang seryoso sa mga ganitong pangyayari na kinasasangkutan ng ating
kapulisan, pati rin regional office para mafeel nila na seryoso tayo sa pagpapatupad ng batas,” he added. Last month, eight armed policemen and one
dismissed police inspector were caught in a photo posted by a netizen boxing in a motorist along EDSA. The nine were allegedly involved in a robbery-hold up, known as “hulidap,”
of P2 million from an engineer from Davao. The money was intended for the bidding of a piece of heavy equipment. Last Tuesday, suspect PO2 Jonathan Rodriguez
of La Loma Police Station was arrested while another one was arrested last week. Both underwent inquest proceeding in the city prosecution office. CRC
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11 COMPETITIVE EDGE
EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 128 • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2014
Holcim president recognized for communication excellence
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OLCIM Philippines, Inc. president and CEO Eduardo Sahagun received the prestigious Communication Excellence in Organizations Award which recog-
nizes top management for effective use of communication to achieve business goals. The award was given by the International Association of Business
Communicators (IABC) Philippines, which named 12 other leaders from the public and private sectors, during a ceremony held on September 3 at the Hotel Intercontinental
Manila in Makati City. Sahagun was recognized for his efforts to strengthen the culture of open communication in the company by personally leading initiatives to
of game credits worth P50 to P99; P50 worth of free texts for purchase of game credits worth P100 to P199; and P100 worth of free texts for purchase of game credits worth P200 to P299 – all valid for one day. Gamers may also conveniently contact their teammates for the latest strategies and tactics using the P150 worth of free text that they can get as reward for buying P300 to P399 worth of game credits; P200 worth of free texts for buying P400 to P499 worth of game credits; and P250 worth of free texts for buying P500 to P999 worth of game credits – all valid for two days. Meanwhile, those who buy P1000 or more worth of game credits from GameX will get P500 worth of free texts, valid for three days, which they can maximize by updating their contacts about the latest online gaming tournaments. Smart, Sun and TNT subscribers will automatically get their free SMS credits within 24 hours of their GameX transaction.
LOBE Telecom showcases the latest LTE technologies that will enable the telecommunications provider to stay ahead of its customers’ data requirement amid increasing use of bandwidth-intensive applications during its celebration of Innovation Month in line with its advocacy to promote and develop innovative products and services. During the Globe Innovation Forum (GIF), Globe demonstrated its on-going Proof-of-Concept Trials on LTE- CA (Carrier Aggregation) and LTE eMBMS (enhanced Multimedia Broadcast and Multicast Service) or LTE Broadcast. The LTE CA technology dramatically increases efficient utilization of frequencies, enabling mobile operators to use non-contiguous blocks of spectrum in multiple frequency bands to achieve higher bandwidths to meet grow-
G
ing demand for wireless broadband services. “The LTE CA technology would translate to improved data rates and broadband capacity for Globe wireless broadband network and result to
GameX offers perks for Smart, Sun and TNT subscribers
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REPAID subscribers of Smart, Sun and Talk ‘N Text (TNT) may now get so much more out of their GameX transactions as the gaming portal offers up to P500 worth of SMS for every purchase of online gaming credits. Developed by Smart Communications, Inc., GameX is a one-stop shop that allows users to buy credits for popular mobile and PC games conveniently by using their Smart, Sun and TNT load. As such, gamers no longer have to rely on a credit card for game and app purchases, or leave their homes just to buy additional credits for upgrading their characters and weapons. As a reward for gaming aficionados, GameX purchases now come with free SMS, which they may use to get in touch with their circle of friends on Smart, Sun and TNT. GameX users may get P10 worth of free texts for purchase of game credits worth P20 to P49; P25 worth of free texts for purchase
engage the company’s various stakeholders. Among the communication programs championed by Sahagun are quarterly business briefings for the company’s employees all over the country and customer appreciation activities to strengthen relationships. Communication is also an integral part of the Holcim CEO’s support for the company’s drive for zero harm in its operations and sustainable construction as a framework to improve the lives of the people in its communities. Under Sahagun’s leadership, the company has not only posted record financial performance but was also recognized as among the top employers in the country and for commitment to sustainable practices. Sahagun, a 35-year veteran of the cement industry, thanked IABC Philippines for the honor and said it was a tribute to the company’s commitment to transparency and good governance in engaging its stakeholders. “We believe that open communication is essential to our business suc-
cess. This allows us to set clear expectations to work together to achieve common goals. As important as it is to communicate, we have to make sure we are also connecting. While communication is a function of the mind – connection is essential to reach a person’s heart and drive him to better perform,” he said. Sahagun rose from the ranks to become President and CEO of Holcim Philippines in 2013. Prior to this, he led the company’s Commercial and Finance departments. Sahagun, a Certified Public Accountant, holds a Management Science degree from the Arthur D. Little Management Education Institute in Boston, Massachusetts, now Hult International Business School, and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the Ateneo Graduate School of Business. IABC Philippines is the country chapter of the San Francisco, California-based IABC, one of the largest business communication organizations in the world with some 14,000 member-professionals in over 70 countries.
high-speed mobile data access,” said Emmanuel Estrada, Globe Head of Network Technologies Strategy. “This helps address the demand for data-heavy multimedia applications which are be-
coming more and more popular. This means that our customers will experience faster data connectivity in areas where this will be implemented as LTE CA becomes commercially available in the near future,” he added.
Globe showcases latest tech in Globe Innovation Month
Globe showcases their LTE-CA technology with speeds of up to 220 Mbps and the new LTE Broadcast (eMBMS) in a demo led by Globe Head for Network Technologies
Strategy Manny Estrada and Senior Advisor for Product Planning Ashish Pilani together with Huawei Senior Account Manager Jordy Cao
12 CLASSIFIED
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Billiard Supplies
Cell Nos.
Phone Nos.
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WOMEN
Chocolate unwrapped
Confections by a Dabawenya mom OVER the years, chocolates have changed in form and taste --- from creamy and sweet little nuggets to carefully calibrated mix of different beans and artisanal creations from both imported and locally grown cacao. Food and beverage is still a booming industry and along with it is the growing community of epicurious palates. Gourmet chocolates raised the bar in the chocolate industry, giving the well loved candy a sophistication that got everyone hooked at first bite. While gourmet chocolates may seem synonymous to expensive and imported, Dabawenyos need not run off to the imported goods aisle anymore to get their chocolate fix. Homegrown brand Kai Artisan Chocolates offers decadent chocolates of different types and flavors, boasting of rich Sampler box of various truffles and chocolate bites.
Tequila Rose Truffles.
ingredients and quality standards. Independent chocolatier Kai Caguiat, also a mother, spills the beans on her world of chocolates. This Dabawenya and proud mom of two is fast becoming a household name in the local scene
because of her own variety of gourmet Belgian chocolates, confectionary masterpieces slathered in layers over the most delightful fillings. A former mall marketing manager and key accounts specialist for branded consumer goods, Kai found her true calling in growing a business of her own that’s inspired by her love of family and chocolates. “I come from a family who loves chocolates and desserts,” shares Kai. “My grandmother used to indulge us with sweets like Popsicles and colas. My mom is also a baker. As a child, I’d scoop out and lick the batter while watching her work. I inherited the skill and started baking while I was in college. Pretty soon, my taste buds and obsession for anything with chocolate triggered by curiosity in learning how to make them on my own. I used to crave for gourmet chocolates, which were unavailable in Davao at the time. I learned how to make them by reading books and various print materials. I even searched online for video tutorials and easy to do recipes. I’d also do my research whenever and wherever we traveled. I was so eager to know more and tried on new tastes and tips from bonafide chocolate makers. Hands on experience and experimentation were also my best teachers. I went through series of trials and errors and used kilos and kilos of Belgian and French chocolates until I got my techniques right.” Her first product, Pia Mallows, became a hit right away. With the advent of new technology and available resources, Kai was able to develop
Belgian chocolate dipped strawberries. her own line of pralines and truffles under a brand of her namesake --- Kai Artisan Chocolates. “Surprisingly, there are a lot of people who love our liquor infused chocolates. Those are among our best sellers next to the Cacao Nibs Truffles. I used to have this notion that Filipinos, in general, prefer milk over dark chocolate. So, it really came as a surprise for me that our number one bestseller is the Cacao Nibs. We also have Durian Filled Chocolate on the menu, plus Hazelnut Truffle and Salted Caramel and Ube flavored pralines. Some flavors are customized according to what the client prefers, particularly for bulk orders for big events.” At home, Kai makes extra effort to balance family life with business. “I am a breastfeeding mom, which is why I find working from home so convenient. Then again, family has always been my core and I even gave up an opportunity to work in Manila just so I can stay with my family in Davao. I took on the responsibility of helping
Kai Caguiat. out with the administrative side of my husband’s print business. Now that I have my own chocolate brand, family remains top priority. My day starts and ends with family time. I have a 6 hour window in between which I spend on anything work related.” Aside from skill and technique, Kai says her new career helped build her character and kept her aligned with her goals in life. “This chocolate business taught me patience and humility. Chocolates entail a lot of manual labor and creativity. You really just have to love the
process and enjoy every minute of it. There are no shortcuts. Same principles go in raising a family --you just have to take it by the day.” Follow Pia Mallows Chocolate Company on Facebook and @kaiartisanchocolates on Instagram. You may send in your orders through Viber at 09178860167. Discounts are offered to those who will place orders for Christmas goodies by October. Delivery is scheduled every Wednesday. Buyers may also pick up their orders at Kai’s shop and office along Cabuguio, Davao City.
EDGEDAVAO
A2 INdulge! UP AND ABOUT
SM Davao mounts city’s first chocolate festival SM CITY DAVAO along with its partner Cacao Industry Development Association of Mindanao Inc. (CIDAMI) are set to mount the region’s first Chocolate Festival on September 12 to 14 at the Annex Event Center. The festival will gather cacao farmers, processors and other related enterprises in a 3-day showcase. The project aims to invigorate the local cacao industry. Foodies, especially chocolate enthusiasts, will be treated to a gastronomic feast of chocolate goodness at the Chocolate drinks and dessert making competition on Friday and Saturday. Kids will also be given a chance to learn about chocolates from the source tree to the products they enjoy. On Saturday and Sunday, cacao farmers and processors will be given a chance to learn new technologies and techniques in a lecture series featuring experts in cacao farming, food processing and other related fields. Discover world-class chocolates from Chocolate Bean, Kalona Farms, Theo & Philo, Maragos, Cacao de Davao, Chocolatte de Davao, Tsokolate de San Isidro and Coco Dolce. Catch the region’s first Chocolate Festival at SM City Davao on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Interested parties may call 297.6998 for inquiries. Follow SM City Davao on Facebook for event and promo updates.
Consumers to benefit from shift to Digital TV THE country’s impending shift to digital TV is seen to benefit consumers and government agencies alike, as clearer reception and access to more channels can lead to better broadcast service delivery. Steve Macion, president of Broadcast Enterprises and Affiliated Media (BEAM), recently underscored the need to improve on the poor reception of free-to-air television in households throughout the country. “BEAM has been preparing and investing in our Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) network infrastructure precisely for these reasons,” said Macion. He added that DTT will deliver crystal clear pictures and high quality audio even at less than ideal signal strengths. Consumers will also have access to new free and pay TV channels, as well as services such as Electronic Program Guide (EPG) and other interactive features. On the government side, Macion said that agencies will be able to make use of an Integrated Emergency Warning Broadcast System (IEWBS) through digital TV. “This is a method of delivering emergency warning information on the TV screen, something that is sorely needed in a disasterprone country like the Philippines.” The national government can also take advantage of DTT networks to implement social programs, be it in health or education, more cost-effectively. Through DTT, additional frequencies can also be made available for delivery of essential government services. “In addition, DTT will allow broadcasters to launch new and targeted niche channels, to better utilize and monetize their content libraries,” added Macion. The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) issued in November last year Memorandum Circular No. 05-11-2013, adopting Japan’s Integrated Services Digital Broadcast-Terrestrial (ISDB-T) standard for the Philippines’ migration to digital TV. NTC chief Gamaliel Cordoba announced recently that the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for digital TV may be issued within the third quarter of this year to pave the way for the service rollout of TV networks. BEAM is a Philippine broadcast company that operates Free-to-Air Channel 31. While BEAM was initially focused on UHF broadcasting, it is currently expanding its Digital Terrestrial Television platform for use in multimedia convergence.
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EVENT
30th Pearl Knight Jammers celebrate midlife journey THE knights of Ateneo de Davao University (Addu) high school batch ‘84 flew high and mighty last August 15 in a two-day celebration of fun, camaraderie and free spirit.
A good number of batch ‘84 members flew in to reminisce their midlife journey as they triumphed over the toughest obstacles, surpassed the highest expectations and simply pushed their limits to soar the highest. The 30th Pearl Knight Jam Homecoming kicked off with a Holy Mass at the Addu grade school chapel officiated by no less than a member of the batch, Fr. Mario Masangcay. A hearty lunch followed at the Yellow Fin
Seafood Restaurant before the group hied off to the Missionaries of Charity (Home of the Sick and Malnourished Children) in Molave Street, Juna Subdivision. Benevolent sponsors Unilab, Rose Pharmacy, Kalbe Nutribars and Philips Avent Feeding Bottlesdonated more than P50,000 worth of milk products, multivitamins, medicines and goods to the orphanage. Other sponsors Tanduay, Detpack International, Procter & Gamble (Ariel) Philippines and a personal donation from a sponsor who wishes to remain anonymous also helped to make the event a resounding success. The first day capped off with a dinner fellowship at Tio Cococ’s Resto and Barin Legaspi Suites. The fun and laughter never seemed to end as the group eagerly greeted
each familiar face, proving that distance and time are not hindrances to true friendship. The next day saw the group exploring the wonders of the Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos) in an island-hopping escapade with their respective families. Comic relief was always present as they toured Talikud Island, Angel’s Cove, Babu Santa Beach, Coral Garden, Isla Christina, Pacific Little Secret and Wishing Island. The experience was made all the more unique with a mid-sea Holy Mass which culminated the two-day celebration. The Mass was celebrated by Fr. Louie David, S.J., one of the beloved teachers of the batch. As the day came to an end, anticipation was high of the future 40th year homecoming celebration. After all, One of life’s most beautiful discovery is friends grow separately without growing apart. And everyone hails: “One Big Fight”.
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ENTERTAINMENT
Mikael Daez
tertainment is set up to produce entertaining content. We keep in mind that we perform to give our audience a good time. In news, there is an obligation that is behind our every action which is to credibly convey news, facts and information to our viewers. Over time, I’ve learned to adjust my work depending on the project to better fit each one. Q: Apart from acting, what other activities do you engage in? A: I do video games, coffee drinking, basketball, going to the gym, writing, shooting, producing. Just whatever I feel like doing.
Doing it differently
Q: How do you do away
with stress? A: Traveling helps me destress. I’ve always been active to keep my body fit: I hit the gym and play basketball. Q: Do you have an advocacy that’s close to your heart? A: Anything that’s close to education and the environment is close to my heart and I can talk about them in length because that’s what I believe in. Q: If you weren’t acting, what would you be doing today? A: I guess I’ll be in the banking industry. Honestly, I’m so far into this career already that I don’t know what I would have been doing anymore.
WHILE most showbiz personalities give in to the lure of the limelight quite too early, Kapuso hunk Mikael Daez chose a different path. Bred and educated at the Ateneo de Manila University from grade school to college, Mikael proves that he knows his priorities well and did things the other way around. With a degree in BS Management, Mikael originally intended to become a banker but his looks and physique opened other doors of opportunities for him. He started in ramp modeling, doing commercials, and finally acting for both television and film. Mikael has played various roles in his short career, making him one of the most eligible stars of GMA. Some of his shows include Spooky Nights Presents: Bampirella, Amaya, and My Beloved. He also starred in the movies Temptation Island and GMA Films’ Sosy Problems. His biggest break was the afternoon drama series Sana Ay Ikaw na Nga that gave him his first lead project opposite Kapuso actress Andrea Torres. Now, Mikael reunites with Andrea as GMA afternoon prime’s most desired love team star in the upcoming series Ang Lihim ni Annasandra. Read on as Mikael talks about his latest project, his take on the television industry, and how as an actor,
he strives to give the audience the best of what they deserve—a good time. Q: Can you tell us about Ang Lihim ni Annasandra? A: Basically Annasandra (Andrea) is a human who transforms into a baboy ramo at night. So, when the sun goes down she turns into one; when the sun goes up she turns back into a human. Q: What is your role here? A: My role is William Benitez, the one who falls in love with Annasandra. Q: You and Andrea are tagged as GMA afternoon prime’s most desired love team. Can you describe what is it like working with her? A: I know that [the audience] likes a nice Mikael-Andrea pairing. I hope that we are able to level up and show them something more and new. Working with Andrea is great. We are so comfortable and familiar with each other, at the same time we
are always looking for ways to push each other and try to just help each other out and just get better as an individual and as a team. Q: Having played both a protagonist and an antagonist, which do you think best works for you? A: Being a kontrabida is actually pretty fun. I think it’s nice to balance both: be-
ing a bida and sometimes a kontrabida. Whatever they give me, I play it the best way I can. Q: You act for Entertainment TV and do hosting in the newscast Saksi for Midnight Express. Can you give us an idea with regard to their difference? A: From their names come the biggest difference. En-
GMA News TV’s programs finalists at 2014 Japan Prize GMA News TV makes it to the finals of the prestigious Japan Prize with two of its programs – the original series Titser and the documentary program Reel Time. Titser and Reel Time are the only finalists from the Philippines. The Japan Prize was established in 1965 by the NHK as an International Educational Program Contest with the aim of improving the quality of educational programs around the world. This year, Japan Prize received 320 entries from 62
different countries. Titser is one of 7 finalists chosen under the Creative Frontier Category and is a candidate for a special award, the Maeda Prize (for excellent work dealing with issues in a producer’s
country or region) while Reel Time’s “Nibulaysir” documentary is also a candidate for the Maeda Prize. Titser is a dramatic series about a high school valedictorian from a poor barrio school (played by GMA actress Lovi Poe) who dreams of becoming a teacher but whose only option after graduation is to work as a housemaid. The series also discusses Philippine educational issues: lack of books and chairs and classrooms, corruption in the procurement pro-
cess of schools and how majority of the population has only reached a high school level - or less - of education. Reel Time’s Nibulaysir episode documents the fascinating story of 25-year old Maribel, who decides to enroll in Grade 1 upon being called ignorant by her 7-year old daughter. She ends up as a classmate of her own daughter. Through Maribel’s experiences, the program presents a vivid picture of how basic literacy can change a person’s life.
THE GIFTED Anne Curtis, Cristine Reyes and Sam Milby PG 13
12:40 | 3:00 | 5:20 | 7:40 | 10:00 LFS
IF I STAY / * BEAUTY AND THE BEAST PG 13 / * PG 13
Chloe Grace Moretz, Mireille Enos / * Vincent Cassel, Lea Seydoux 12:40 | 3:00 LFS / *5:20 | 7:40 | 10:00 LFS
THE PRINCE Jason Patric, Bruce Willis, John Cusack R 16
12:00 | 2:00 | 4:00 | 6:00 | 8:00 | 10:00 LFS
R-16 THE ANOMALY Noel Clarke, Ian Somerhalder R 16
12:00 | 2:00 | 4:00 | 6:00 | 8:00 | 10:00 LFS
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GENSAN
Mutya ng Mindanao to hold coronation night on Sept 12 By Kyrie Eleison Baños
SEPTEMBER 3 2014 marked the beginning of the Mutya ng Mindanao 2014, as beauties representing various cities and provinces from all over Mindanao arrived at their official residence here in this years host city, General Santos City. The Mutya ng Mindanao aims to promote culture, tourism and peace in Mindanao by this pageant, as lovely ladies will carry the banner of their locality’s culture depicted on the showcase of clothes. The pageant consisted of a series of events that will culminate on the coronation night at Pandan Grand Ballroom at Greenleaf Hotel on Sept 12. The Mindanao beauties went on a Sarangani and Pacman tour on Sept. 4&5,
joined in on the Parade of Tuna Mardi Gras also on Sept. 5, and a Swimsuit and Press Presentation at the pool side at Greenleaf Hotel last Sept 8. “The Mutya of Mindanao must be someone who can speak for Mindanao and can represent the island in national or international events, she must be a balance of beauty and substance” said Meg Balucanag head of Kreativ | Events and Production Management which or-
ganised the event. The candidates are, Chariss Manuel of Bislig City, Kate Fernandez of Compostela Valley, Goldilaine Flores of Davao del Norte, Grapes Pacara of Davao Occidental, Dahlia Solis of Digos City, Fecel Mae Salandanan of Kidapawan City, Arielle Jazmine Roque of Koronadal City, Yvonne Napao of Lamitan City, Basilan, Jenny Grace Tenizo of Nort Cotabato, Arianne Shane Buenviaje of Mati
City-Davao Oriental, Meryll Joyce Sepe of Panabo City, Darl Minaling of Samal (Igacos), Nina Alba of Sarangani, Princess Nedy Betita of Sultan Kudarat, Criss Ann Leyson of Surigao City, Mary Claire Dodo of Surigao del Sur, Nina Grace Sartagoda of Tagum City, Marissa Jade Koh of Zamboanga Sibugay, Chariss Manuel of Bislig City , Carlita Lasquite of Butuan City, and Gensan’s Madonna Galang. Witness these beauties as they bring pride to their cities. VIP and general admision tickets for the coronation night are available at the Greenleaf Hotel. For more info, photos and updates, like their Facebook page, Mutya ng Mindanao.
Call: 224-0733 • Tionko St., Davao City
VOL. 7 ISSUE 128 • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2014
ZION
EDGEDAVAO
ACCUPRINT PUBLISHING, INC.
Is in need of:
MACHINE OPERATOR (Printing Press)
Qualifications:
- At least high school graduate, not more than 30 years old - Physically and mentally fit - Can handle minor repairs of the machine - Has the ability to be cool under pressure of deadlines and complex projects - Experience of at least one year
Send application letter & resume to: HR Supervisor ZION Accuprint Publishing, Inc. Door 14 Alcrej Building, Quirino Ave., 8000 Davao City, Philippines E-mail: marketing@edgedavao.net zion_publishing@yahoo.com Telefax: (082) 2213601 Website: www.edgedavao.net
CLASSIFIED 13 FOR IMMEDIATE HIRING STAFF ENGINEER Qualifications:
Male, Single, 22 to 28 years old Computer Literate Licensed Mechanical Engineer At least one (1) year exposure in an automotive industry Knowledge in driving and must possess a Driver’s License
MARKETING OFFICER QUALIFICATIONS:
Female, 24 to 30 years old Single, with pleasing personality Computer Literate Graduate of BS-Mktg.or any business related course At least two (2) years experience in Sales and Marketing Preferably, with Driver’s License
You may apply in person, via E-mail or send application letter, comprehensive resume and copy of transcript of records to: Personnel Department
MOTORMALL DAVAO CORPORATION
Km. 8, Barrio Pampanga, Davao City Tel. Nos. 233-1140 / 234-0390 E-mail address: ggparing@motormalldavao.com.ph
14 SPORTS
LA: We can win without Blatche F
RESH from the airport, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel point guard LA Tenorio went straight to the Smart-Araneta Coliseum to join the Kings in their exhibition match against the LG Sakers of South Korea. The point guard wore Ginebra’s new jersey but didn’t compete in the game. Instead he joined the halftime three-point shoot-out where the Kings outscored the Sakers. After the game, all conversations with Tenorio led back to his stint with Gilas and the upcoming 2014 Incheon Asian Games. “Nagulat rin ako sa decision nila na hindi nga daw pwedeng sumama si Andray Blatche,” Tenorio said. “Pero iba kasi yung rules ng FIBA at ng Asian Games pero I think pina-
EDGEDAVAO
glalaban pa rin nila.” It will be Tenorio’s first time to represent the country in the Asiad and although he is excited to wear the Gilas jersey again, he knows that the competition will be more difficult. “Kung mahirap na yung FIBA Asia, I think mas mahirap ito,” Tenorio said. “Wala ka namang ibang pinaglalaban dito kung hindi yung medal e. Wala namang bearing sa FIBA rankings or spot sa Olympics kahit manalo ka. Pride lang talaga for the country kapag nakuha mo yung gold medal.” As of the moment, the lineup for Gilas is still up in the air. It is still not known if Marcus Douthit would be allowed to replace Blatche if the SBP’s appeal is thumbed down. Tenorio, however, said that Gilas is still good enough to win a medal
even without a naturalized player in their lineup. “Mas malakas talaga tayo pag may Blatche or Douthit pero kaya pa rin naman nating manalo kahit wala tayong naturalized player,” Tenorio said. Even though he’s still not sure whom he’ll team up with Tenorio knows that they will have a target on their backs. “Pinaghahandaan nila iyan, specially Korea kasi host sila. Iran rin full force yan, kung ano yung nilaro nila sa World Cup, same lineup na iyan,” he said. “Yung Korea iba e. Lima lang ata yung pinadala nila sa World Cup,” Tenorio added, baring that Korea sent a weaker team to the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup so they could prepare better for the Asian Games.
to players who have represented another country in the past which Blatche has not done. In its decision not to allow Blatche to play despite a formal letter from FIBA secretary general Patrick Baumann who is also a member of the IOC, clearly stating that OCA had no basis to deny him a chance to represent the Philippines, OCA has shown inconsistency to say the least. Sheikh Fahad Al-Sabah conveniently forgets that OCA allowed Nigeria’s Femi Seun Ogunode, who moved to Qatar in October 2009, to compete in the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China where he won gold medals in the 200 and 400 meters. In fact, another athlete also from Nigeria, sprinter
Samuel Francis who transferred to Qatar in 2007, began representing his new country in July that same year and won in several international athletics events including winning a gold medal in the Asian championships in Kobe, Japan. Ethiopia’s Biusuma Shugi Gelassa transferred to Bahrain at the end of 2009 and represented Bahrain in the 2010 Asian Games in China and won a gold medal in the 10,000 meters. Bahrain also recruited Tareq Mubarak Taher from Kenya in 2005 and after a lengthy investigation by the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) was found guilty in 2007 of cheating on his age so he could compete in the Youth Championships.
that can win it all – and he doesn’t think that the non-participation of Blatche will take them off that list. “He was watching the (FIBA Basketball World Cup) games without sleep. He watched all the games. Korea lost all of their games so he was quite disappointed,” said the Korean legend’s translator during the “Asian Basketball Showdown” match between the Changwon LG Sakers of the Korean Basketball
League and the PBA’s Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings on Tuesday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum. “But then he also watched the Philippine game that they won (against) Senegal. He doesn’t understand why everybody was celebrating in the ceremony because he thinks the Filipinos had the skills to beat that team. He thinks the Filipino team’s individual skill, one-on-one, is very good.”
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The Philippines' LA Tenorio during the 2014 FIBA World basketball championships group B match.
Inconsistency clouds OCA decision on Blatche T
HE Olympic Council of Asia headed by Sheikh Fahad Al-Sabah of Kuwait has demonstrated terrible inconsistency in denying naturalized player Andray Blatche the right to suit up for the Philippine national men’s basketball team in the forthcoming Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea. The Sheikh cited specific provisions in the rules of OCA, governing the eligibility of naturalized athletes which requires three years of residency which is a rule ignored by the International Olympic Committee as well as the international governing body for basketball, FIBA. Both the IOC and FIBA have categorically stated that the three-year residency rules applies only
Korean legend picks Gilas in Asiad S
OUTH Korean basketball legend Shin Dong Pa said that the Philippine national men’s basketball team will be among the favorites to win the gold medal in the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, Korea even if naturalized NBA player Andray Blatche is unable to compete. Shin, the deadly sharpshooter who starred for Korea in the 1960s, said that the Gilas Pilipinas national team is among five teams
Floyd prepares for ‘dirty’ encounter with Maidana L
OS ANGELES (Reuters) - Undefeated welterweight Floyd Mayweather Jr. says he expects Argentina’s Marcos Maidana to be “once again extremely dirty and wild” in their heavily anticipated re-match in Las Vegas on Saturday. Mayweather improved his perfect professional record to 46-0 with a majority decision victory when they first clashed in the ring on May 4, a fight in which the American felt
the Argentine did “a little bit of everything.” While Maidana has urged his opponent “to stop crying and just fight” in their re-match, Mayweather plans to go about his business as usual when he defends his World Boxing Association belt and his World Boxing Council title. “I just have to go out there and just be me and be first,” five-division world champion Mayweather, 37, told reporters while preparing for the scheduled
12-round bout at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. “I can’t really say how the fight is going to play out, but I’m pretty sure he’s going to be once again extremely dirty and wild. My job is to keep everything under control the best way that I can.” Maidana made a fast start to their May 4 bout, launching a blizzard of punches and trapping his opponent against the ropes at every turn in the first few rounds.
more runner--up showings over the past four seasons, returned to his home-region club in July. That prompted the Cavaliers to swing a trade deal for star big man Kevin Love, giving James a “Big Three” along with guard Kyrie Irving in much the way he had a star trio in Miami with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.
But the Cavaliers have also added a strong supporting cast, including sharpshooter Mike Miller, James Jones and now Marion. “I can see the hunger and mentality of everyone in the organization and l look forward to being a part of it,” Marion said. “The goal is to win a championship and that’s what I want.”
Cavs add ‘champion’Marion A
DDING championship experience in the wake of landing superstar LeBron James, the Cleveland Cavaliers announced Tuesday they have signed forward Shawn Marion, who helped Dallas win the 2011 NBA crown. The Cavaliers were revitalized when James, who led the Miami Heat to two NBA titles and two
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EDGEDAVAO
SPORTS 15 SANDIWCH. James Harden of the USA drives through the Slovenian defense.
MOUTH-WATERING
USA routs Slovenia, reaches semis Lithuania earns semis ticket vs US B
ARCELONA, Spain (AP) — James Harden and Stephen Curry went into halftime with no points and no panic. “We just stick to the program. We know it’s tough for any team to run with us for 40 minutes because of how deep we are and how hard we work on the floor,” Curry said. “I think we understand we didn’t make many shots in the first half but our defense was pretty solid and if we kept the pressure on them, things would open up.” They did. Quickly. Klay Thompson scored 20 points and Harden had 12 of his 14 in the third quarter, helping the U.S. turn a close game into a 119-76 rout of Slovenia on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the World Cup. Kenneth Faried added 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Americans, who will play Lithuania on Thursday in Barcelona for a spot in Sunday’s gold-medal game in Madrid. Lithuania beat Turkey 73-61 earlier Tuesday. The U.S. led 49-42 at halftime despite shooting just 36 percent, with Harden and Curry, two of the NBA’s top seven scorers, combining to miss all 12 shots. “I said, ‘I don’t think that’ll happen in the second half’ and it didn’t,” U.S. coach Mike Krzyzewski said. Derrick Rose finished with 12 points after coming into the game shoot-
ing 8 for 37 in the World Cup. Anthony Davis had 13 points and 11 rebounds. Goran Dragic of the Phoenix Suns led Slovenia with 13 points. “We prepare but it’s easy to prepare on the paper,” Slovenia coach Zdovic Jure said. “Definitely they were so athletic, they were more aggressive second half and actually they punish every mistake.” The Americans led by only five points early in the third quarter before tearing off a 27-10 run. That made it 76-54 with about two minutes left in the period, and the game turned altogether lopsided after the Americans scored the first 10 points of the fourth quarter to lead 96-64. “I thought we played really hard the whole game and we just couldn’t finish in the first half some of those plays,” Krzyzewski said, “and then they stayed with it and then the floodgates opened in the second half.” So the scoreboard ended up looking much like the Americans’ 10171 exhibition rout the week the tournament opened, when they had huge advantages in points in the paint and at the free-throw line. But it didn’t look that way for a while for a U.S. team that had been mostly unchallenged in the tournament while beating opponents by 31.5 points a game.
B
ARCELONA Spain (Reuters) - Lithuania beat Turkey 7361 on Tuesday to set up a mouth-watering basketball World Cup semi-final against the United States. The US squad ran riot in another quarterfinals match in a 119-76 win over Slovenia to be on the same semis box with Lithuania. Hosts Spain take on European champions France and Brazil clash with dark horses Serbia in the other two quarter-finals in Madrid on Wednesday. The Slovenians held their own valiantly in the opening half against the Americans and were only 49-42 down at the interval as forward Domen Lorbek produced a superb performance.
The champions at times looked pedestrian in the first half as their captain James Harden missed his first seven shots, with fellow guard Klay Thompson and athletic centre Anthony Davis pulling the strings to keep them in the driving seat. But the second period produced one-way traffic as the U.S. hit top gear with six players finishing in double scoring digits. Thompson had a game-high 20 points while Harden and Kenneth Faried added 14 each. Having arrived in Spain with a squad missing top NBA talent who turned down invitations to play, long-serving U.S. coach Mike Krzyzewski was pleased with the effort. “We played hard but we
just couldn’t finish in the first half and then the floodgates opened after that,” he told a news conference. “We are beatable there is no doubt about that and that is why I am pleased how we handled it. Normally you get frustrated but we kept our composure and were mature. “The team is not a powerhouse and we know from previous experience that it is not easy with a young team.” Slovenia coach Jure Zdovc said: “We tried and for the first 23 minutes or so we were close but the power that they have was too much for us. “They are a good team but they are not unbeatable and I think that the semi-final will be very dif-
ferent.” Former European champions Lithuania, who finished third in the 2010 World Cup, needed a strong final quarter to see off Turkey who made a brighter start and took a 14-6 lead. Lethal long-range shooting hauled the Lithuanians back into the game as they nailed 10 of 19 three-pointers to turn a 40-36 deficit early in the second half into an unassailable 12-point lead in the closing stages. Shooting guard Renaldas Seibutis led Lithuania with 19 points, Martynas Pocius added 13 and towering centre Jonas Valanciunas amassed 12 to go with 13 commanding rebounds.
choose. Aldeguer told the Manila Standard/Viva Sports that he “hopefully expects a list of possible rated opponents this week.” Aldeguer also mentioned plans for Nietes to move up to flyweight to challenge Juan Francisco Estrada who won the WBO/WBA flyweight titles via a split decision over Brian Viloria and then successfully defended it against two other
Filipino contenders Milan Melindo and Richie Mepranum before scoring a lopsided 11th round TKO over former world light flyweight champion and one time No. 8 on the Ring Magazine pound for pound rankings, Giovani Segura. Also seeing action on the “Pinoy Pride XXVIII” November card in cooperation with the giant broadcast networks ABSCBN will be Milan Melin-
do, AJ “Bazooka” Banal and the exciting Prince Albert Pagara, the undefeated IBF super bantamweight Intercontinental champion. Aldeguer said that he plans to bring in American strength and conditioning coach Nick Curson who did a terrific job with Nietes prior to his demolition of Mexico’s Moises Fuentes via a 9th round TKO last May 10 in a rematch at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Nietes to defend title Nov. 15 W
BO light flyweight champion Donnie “Ahas” Nietes will make a voluntary defense of his title at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu on November 15. ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer has communicated with Zanfer Promotions of Mexico requesting for the names of possible opponents since the Nietes title defense is not a mandatory and ALA has the option to
16 EDGEDAVAO Sports
VOL. 7 ISSUE 128 • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2014
AAK Davao bets in Singapore joust TOP BET. Gabriel Quiñones of Brokenshire College.
A
AK Davao will be leaving tomorrow to compete in the 2014 Singapore Gojukai Kartedo Annual Championships at Bishan Community Club in Singapore on September 13. The team is composed of 2014 So Kim Cheng Athlete Of The Year awardee Gabriel Quinones (Brokenshire College) boys cadets kata and kumite, John Paul Ponce (Precious International School) 8-10
boys kata and kumite, Julian Ambrose Ramirez (Precious International School) 11-13 boys kata and kumite, Darlene Ross Maramara (DCNHS) 1113 girls kata and kumite, Mitsuki Hide Kawano (Holy Child) 11-13 boys kata and kumite and Airina Kawano (SPED Rizal) 8-10 girls kata and kumite. The team is going to accompanied by Richard Anthony Lim, former member of the Philippine
national karate team as the head of delegation and Rommel Tan as coach. “This tournament is part of our tune up game before competing in the 2014 Vietnam Open this coming October,” Tan said. AAK Davao won 5 golds, 2 silvers and 2 bronze medals in the 15th Malaysian Milo Karatedo Open Championships last June 6-8, 2014 in Kuala Lumpur, Malay-
sia.
“AAK Davao would like to thank the Philippine Sports Commision, Atty. Guillermo Iroy Jr., Amabelle Moore, Lailani Itturalde, Calvin Mangubat, Izrafel Nakan, Jay and Joanne Ramirez, Edgar and Maethel Ponce, Doods and Rachelle Maramara, Robert and Jovita Quinones, Lyn Kawano, Beefit Gym and Andrew and Anne Worsley for supporting the team,” Tan said.
BANGED UP Gilas a banged up team after World Cup “W
E ’ R E n o t healthy at all. We’re a banged up team.” That’s the condition of the Philippine national men’s basketball team after some bone-wearying matches in their recently-concluded stint in the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain, according to their head coach, Chot Reyes. Several of their members finished the tournament playing at less than full health – from naturalized NBA player Andray
Blatche to frontliners Marc Pingris and Ranidel De Ocampo to guards Jayson Castro and Paul Lee. Reyes said that at this point, all the team is focused on is getting some much-needed recovery time from its many aches and pains. “We’re tired and we miss our families. Now is not the time to ask about our preparedness for the Asian Games mainly because after that grueling trip, we’re in no frame of mind at all,” Reyes told InterAksyon.com shortly after arriving in the country on Tuesday afternoon. Gilas Pilipinas, which participated in the World Cup for the first time since
1978, made a strong showing in the tournament, nearly pulling off upsets against European squad Croatia and Argentina, the third-best team in the FIBA World Rankings. They will be looking to keep the momentum going in the Asian Games, where they will bid to become the first Filipino team to win the gold medal in 50 years. But that’s the furthest thing from Reyes’ mind right now as the team looks to rest up before gearing up for their next challenge. “In five games or one week, it will be different, but if you’re asking me now, our main objective is to rest and recover,” the coach said.
The Philippines' center Andray Blatche helps out teammate Ranidel de Ocampo during the 2014 FIBA World basketball championships group B match.