Edge Davao 7 Issue 153

VOL. 7 ISSUE 153 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2014

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

www.edgedavao.net

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

WANTED. The image of a certain Wrenster Azarcon, wanted for allegedly killing Tagum City-based radio commentator Rogelio “Tata” Butalid, is circulated among media practitioners yesterday. Butalid, 42, was shot dead on December 11,

2013. Lean Daval Jr.

SCION BUSTED Dakudao arrested for guns, marijuana

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

A

abf@edgedavao.net

member of a prominent family in Davao City was arrested yesterday for alleged illegal possession of firearms and cultivation of marijuana in the family’s compound.

Santiago Jose Ebro Dakudao III, 56, businessman, was arrested by operatives of Sta. Ana Police Station inside his house in Dakudao Compound in Km. 6, Lanang.

The arrest was imple-

mented at 10 a.m. through three search warrants issued

by Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 17 Judge Virginia H. Europa.

Two search warrants were for illegal possession of firearms and the other one was for illegal cultivation of marijuana inside the compound Police confiscated three firearms and large amounts of ammunition and paraphernalia as well as seven pots of mar-

ijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Chief investigator Police Officer (PO)3 Virgilio M. Arrubio told Edge Davao in an interview yesterday that a brother of the suspect (whom he did not name) told their office last August about the presence of firearms and marijuana.

Police then made a surveillance of the area.

“After we validated, we applied for search warrant

yesterday (Tuesday),” Arrubio said.

Arrubio said the brother opted to report the matter to the police because he did not want to be dragged into the illegal cultivation of prohibited drugs.

He said they applied for the search warrants only last Tuesday because the witness was not available during the time he revealed the information to them.

DRIVER CHARGED THE BIG NEWS page 2

Lin over Nash at LA starting five

INSIDE EDGE

2 THE BIG NEWS EDGEDAVAO

FIRE AID. Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte (center), accompanied by his executive assistant Christopher “Bong”Go (rightmost) and Barangay Panacan chieftain Dante Apostol (second from right), hands over financial assistance to fire

VOL. 7 ISSUE 153 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2014

victims of Jasa community in Panacan, Davao City on Tuesday afternoon. Lean Daval Jr.

Duterte backs new DRIVER CHARGED jeepney route in Toril

Raps filed vs bus driver in fatal mishap

By FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA

T

he bus driver involved in a fatal road accident in Sirawan, Toril, Davao City last Friday is now facing a case of reckless imprudence resulting in double homicide filed through inquest proceeding by the Toril Police Station.

The driver was identified as Jaigencio Juyad Cabalang, 46, and a resident of Bansalan, Davao del Sur.

Cabalang was the driver of the bus with plate number RLL-978 that collided headon with a closed cab tricycle along the national highway in Toril in front of the Task Force Davao checkpoint.

The incident was captured in the closed circuit television (CCTV) of the city government. The collision killed tricycle driver Manolito Balagon and passenger

2 rebels killed, 2 others captured in encounter

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

T

crc@edgedavao.net

wo members of New People’s Army (NPA) were killed, while another two were arrested in an encounter with members of the 73rd Infantry Battalion (73IB) in Barangay Kinangan, Malita, Davao Occidental at 2:05 p.m. on October 14.

The fatalities were identified as Mark Bryle Garduque, whom the military said was the son of NPA leader Manuel Garduque alias Lucas, and a certain alias Daniel.

Arrested were Marilyn Magpatoc alias Tonyang, 31, and Ritchie Abrenica, 26.

The military said Magpatoc is the niece of Loida Magpatoc, an NPA group sec-

retary who was arrested in Digos City on July 28, 2013.

The military said the soldiers were on patrol when they were fired upon by the rebels, prompting them to return fire.

The firefight lasted 45 minutes. No casualties were reported on the government side.

Soldiers recovered ten high-powered firearms: five M16, one M653 (baby Armalite), one M14, and three AK-47 rifles.

Some civilians reported that there were more rebels who were wounded and were carried off by their comrades.

Manuel Mercado.

The case against Cabalang is now with the City Prosecutor’s Office under prosecutor Panfilo Lovitos.

Following the said incident last Friday, the City Council’s floor leader councilor Bernard Al-ag urged the Traffic Management Center (TMC) and Highway Patrol Group (HPG) to prohibit tricycles from passing through

the national highways.

He also passed a resolution urging the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to put up a new route for jeepneys travelling from crossing Baracatan to Toril Poblacion.

He said the lack of jeepneys is what forces people to take tricycles along the highway.

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

D

abf@edgedavao.net

AVAO City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte expressed support for the call of councilor Bernard E. Al-ag to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to open a new jeepney route from Toril Poblacion to Baracatan following an accident last Friday which killed two people.

“Ako naman if that is the

reason why, then I would have no objections adding franchises in that area,” Duterte told reporters in an interview last Tuesday afternoon during the distribution of financial assistance to fire victims in Kilometer 12 Sasa.

He said the matter should be directed to the LTFRB. In last Tuesday’s regular

event Sta. Cruz will get more than one-third? Where will the taxpayer get its money?”

Delgra said.

Delgra said they are already paying more than P350,000 in tax to the Davao City government which covers gross receipts for last year’s income.

The BVIP is one of the service providers of TSI providing engineering consultancy services in the construction of the coal-fired power generation facility to serve the Mindanao grid. Its principal office is registered in Makati City.

On Tuesday, the Davao

City Council deferred the approval of its position on the local business tax (LBT) sharing from the income of TSI. During the discussion, some councilors asked committee of finance, ways and means, and appropriations chair councilor Danilo C. Dayanghirang for further study on his proposed 7030 sharing of the remaining 70 percent of TSI’s business tax.

Thirty percent of the tax automatically goes to Davao City since its main office is located here.

FDUTERTE, 10

Contractor urges Davao, Sta. Cruz to settle coal plant tax sharing issue T

HE contractor of the AboitizPower owned Therma South Inc. (TSI) coal-fired power plant is appealing to the local government units (LGUs) of Davao City and Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur to resolve the issue of tax sharing as early as possible to determine their tax payments.

Black and Veach International Philippines (BVIP) legal counsel Martin Delgra III told reporters that until now the LGUs have not yet come up with an agreement as to how they will divide the tax.

“The problem is we do

not know how much to pay Sta. Cruz and how much to pay Davao City,” Delgra said.

“This is a tax measure, and being a tax measure as I have said, it has to go through the approval both Sanggunians (councils),” he added.

Delgra said based on an interim agreement, onethird of the payment goes to Sta. Cruz and the two-thirds go to Davao City.

“Until now, we do not know how much. For example, right now we are in the interim or temporary agreement to pay Sta. Cruz onethird. What if in the final

FCONTRACTOR, 10

VOL. 7 ISSUE 153 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2014

NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

3

AFP reshuffles Westmincom troops T

THE SMELL TEST. A guest examines the quality of coffee on display at the ongoing Coffee Origins 2014, the Philippine Coffee Board, Inc. ’s 12th Coffee

RCWWD hosts foundation and membership dev’t seminar

Festival, at Abreeza Mall. Lean Daval Jr.

HE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has initiated a rotation of troops in the area of responsibility of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom).

This came after the AFP reassigned two Army battalions as well as an infantry brigade from Luzon to the Westmincom area and placed them under the Army’s First Infantry Division.

Among the troops that were rotated and reassigned were the Army’s 21st, 41st, 32nd, and 35th Infantry Battalion, and the 501st Infantry Brigade.

The Army’s 21st, and 41st Infantry Battalions came from Luzon and have replaced the 32nd and 35th Infantry Battalions in Zam-

boanga del Sur and Lanao del Norte, respectively.

The soldiers of 21st and 41st Infantry Battalions underwent a series of orientations to familiarize them with their new area of operation to include cultural sensitivity seminars “to inform our soldiers of the custom and traditions of the different tribes in Western Mindanao.”

The Army’s 32nd and 35th Infantry Battalions were deployed to Sulu as they have replaced the Marine Battalions that were reassigned to Palawan.

The Army’s 32nd and 35th Infantry Battalions were placed under the command of the 501st Infantry Brigade that was reassigned

del Rosario as municipalities with high poverty incidence,” Ugto said.

The proposed priority fourth to sixth class municipalities in Region 11 are Jose Abad Santos, Saranggani, Don Marcelino, Kiblawan, and Malita in Davao del Sur; Talaingod in Davao del Norte; and Taragona, Manay, Caraga, and Governor Generoso in Davao Oriental.

The list may go up as the ICTO continues to identify more areas in Davao Region and SOCCKSARGEN (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat,Saran-

gani and General Santos City).

“We are still waiting for the recommendation in areas in SOCCKSARGEN that will be endorsed by their RDC,” Ugto said.

The project seeks to provide local government unit offices with internet connectivity and allow them to give WiFi Internet hubs in town plazas where people can have free access.

DOST Secretary Mario Montejo said the national rollout of the TVWS proj-

FAFP, 10

10 towns in Region 11 to get free WiFi connection

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

A

RCWWD Free medical care. Annual medical examination, vaccination and anti-polio drive is given for free at the RCWWD Day Care Center in Tibungco

T

HE Rotary Club of Waling-Waling Davao (RCWWD) will host this year’s The Rotary Foundation (TRF) and Membership Development seminar on October 18 at the Grand Men Seng Hotel, Davao City.

Expected to attend are key officers of the 44 Rotary Clubs in Mindanao under RI District 3860 who will tackle current issues on membership as well as updates on TRF Global Grants and other project grant facilities.

RI District 3860 governor Remegio “Boy” Salanatin invited six nationally known Rotary officers from Manila and Cebu as resource speakers. They are past district governors Roland Villanueva, Ernesto Choa and Ramon Dacayo; past assistant governor Michael Sherwin Macatangay; and past presidents Raymond Ciriaco and Ibarra Panopio.

In preparing for this im-

portant Rotary seminar, host club RCWWD under president Janet Valderosa embarked on active promotion among Rotary Clubs in Mindanao to ensure large attendance. With a wide membership base as one of the strengths of Rotary, the clubs are able to implement projects funded through The Rotary Foundation.

Rotary has focused its efforts in six areas which reflect some of the most critical and widespread humanitarian needs. These are peace and conflict prevention/resolution, disease prevention and treatment, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy, and economic and community development. It is a noteworthy recall that Rotary’s program on the eradication of polio worldwide, which was started in the Philippines in 1979, resulted to making the world 99% polio-free.

crc@edgedavao.net

N initial 10 municipalities in Davao Region will have free WiFi internet connection next year, an official of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said yesterday.

Leo Ugto, chief of technical coordination and support division for Mindanao Cluster III of the DOST-Information and Communication Technology Office (ICTO), told Edge Davao that the project is part of the agency’s nationwide implementation of the Television

White Space (TVWS) Internet technology project.

TVWS technology taps the unused TV broadcast frequencies to provide broadband internet connectivity to target areas.

Earlier reports said the program has a P300 million budget from the 2015 appropriation of the DOST and will be implemented in a total of 600 municipalities nationwide.

“For the region, municipalities were identified by the Regional Development Council (RDC) 11 headed

by Davao del Norte Rodolfo

ICE CREAM TREAT. Children and adults alike get some free ice cream from the city government in time during the distribution of financial and food

F10 TOWNS, 10

assistance to fire victims of Jasa community in Panacan, Davao City led by Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte on Tuesday afternoon. Lean Daval Jr.

4 SUBURBIA EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 153 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2014

Mayors propose holding of education summit E T

WENTY mayors from different municipalities in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) are proposing the conduct of a summit to help improve the quality and professionalize education system in the region ahead of the coming of the Bangsamoro government.

The mayors made the proposal in a meeting on Tuesday with ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman and DepEd-ARMM Secretary Jamar Kulayan, which was facilitated by Synergeia, “a coalition of individuals, institutions, and organizations working to improve the quality of basic education.”

The summit is expected to bring together officials in the region’s Department of Education (DepEd) and local government units and members of civil society groups to highlight innovations and best practices and address the role every stakeholder in the field of education.

“The education summit will help improve the educational system services of the region,” Hataman said.

He said they see education as a long term solution to the illiteracy and poverty problem besetting the region.

“We will not stop banking on the education of the youth in the region,” he said.

Synergeia foundation, acting as third party between the ARMM government and local government units, has

helped build the capacity of LGUs in expanding the role of the local school board and empowering all stakeholders to improve basic education in the country through good governance.

In the ARMM, the foundation has facilitated regular meetings between ARMM’s regional government and different LGUs to strengthen and improved communication and relationship between the two parties to pave the way for progressive changes in the region’s education sector.

The working government of ARMM wants to increase the role of local government units in improving the quality of education and the performance of students in the region following some of the best practices set by Sarangani province, which has consistently shown impressive performance in the National Achievement Test (NAT).

Performance in the NAT measures students’ competence in elementary and high school.

Hataman led the DepEdARMM delegation to Saranggani Monday.

Sarangani has outdone four other provinces and the five cities in Region 12 in terms of NAT result for two consecutive school years.

Hataman said ARMM will try to replicate the lessons learned from the Sarangani experience in fostering quality education. “We will start

with Basilan to initially revolutionize the education model.

Then, we will replicate all over ARMM.” He said the regional government will be adopting a system to boost education programs that can be sustained through local government support.

The ARMM delegation visited the town of Malungon in the province and discussed with Mayor Reynaldo Constantino the best practices that have contributed to the performance of students in the town in the NAT. “Education is a great equalizer, our best weapon against the protracted war on illiteracy and poverty,” Constantino said.

ARMM, foreign partners join Global Handwashing Day

He said it takes political will to improve the quality of education.

Kulayan said they want to expose government officials in the ARMM to draw inspiration from the Malungon experience, learn from their interventions and apply their best practices.

Kulayan said they had conducted a similar educational visit involving education officials of Basilan province in the second week of August this year.

Meanwhile, Tahira Ismael, Basilan provincial administrator, is optimistic the experience will inspire local officials to improve interventions for educational advancement. (PNA)

ducation officials of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and representatives from the Australian AID (AUSAid) yesterday inspected the Sarmiento West Elementary School which was lauded as the best implementer of the government’s Essential Health Care Program (EHCP) for children.

The stopover, joined in by two other international organizations namely the Deutsche Gesellschaft Fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and Fit for School, Inc. coincided with Wednesday’s observance of the Global Handwashing Day. The handwashing practice will be extended to

255 other schools across the region with the foreign partners helping in the construction of handwashing facilities.

The ARMM is composed of the cities of Lamitan and Basilan and the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Sulu, Tawi-tawi and Basilan.

“Proper hand washing practice simply intends to protect the children from various diseases,” DepEdARMM Secretary Jamar Kulayan told reporters covering the event.

The EHCP forms part of the Basic Education Assistance of Muslim Mindanao (BEAM) program funded by Australia through AUSAid and its health program partners. (PNA)

filmmaking has a potential to bring in people and boost local tourism.

Nabifilmex is one of the official events of the town’s Simballay festival.

This second edition of Nabifilmex will be screening 15 competing films from Davao and Tagum cities, Nabunturan, as well as other municipalities of Compostela Valley province.

All of the entries are vying for the Gimadyawan Award, the highest honor for

best film. The same award gives the winner a cash prize of P10,000 and a trophy.

Nabifilmex will also feature films from National Commission for Culture and the Arts’ national film festival Cinema Rehiyon 5 and 6.

The films to be featured were curated by award-winning filmmaker Arnel Mardoquio, who will speak in a forum during the exhibit, along with film scholars Kei Tan and Ed Cabagnot, and NCCA’s film committee vice

chair Teddy Co. Nabifilmex will take place on October 16-19 at the town plaza, where an open air cinema and an inflatable movie screen will be erected by the Open Air Cinema Foundation, an international film organization.

The film festival is organized by the Municipal Tourism Council of Nabunturan Inc. in coordination with the local government with support from the NCCA. (MindaNews)

Nabunturan film fair to feature local stories S

TORIES and realities of neighboring regions will take center stage in the upcoming Nabunturan Indie Film Exhibition (Nabifilmex).

Festival director and lawyer Karen Santiago-Malaki said Nabifilmex does not have an official theme, and will focus instead on the realities and stories of nearby regions.

She said they will institutionalize Nabifilmex by the end of the year through a municipal ordinance, adding

ComVal wins 6 Pearl Awards T

HIS province garnered six Pearl Awards during the 15th Annual Convention of the Association of the Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) held at L’ Fisher Pavillion, Bacolod City on October 2 to 6, 2014.

The awards, received in a ceremony on October 4, were given by the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines. DOT Secretary Ramon Jimenez was represented by Senior Officer of the Tourism Promotions Board Dominggo Ramon C. Enerio III. According to Provincial Tourism Officer Christine Dompor, the awards include being the 1st Runnerup in “Best Tourism Month Celebration-Provincial Level Category,” Montevista’s “Diwanag Festival” as the 1st Runner-Up in “Best in Cultural Festival- Municipal

Level Category,” “Most Outstanding Tourism Officer of the Philippines” 2nd Runner-up in the person of Rodel Bautista of Maco.

Included also in the Top 5 Awardees are the 6th Summer Beach Feast of ComVal held at its coastal municipalities- Maco, Mabini, and Pantukan under the “Sports and Wellness Province Category,” the 1st Cross Country Mountain Bike Competition of Montevista under the “Sports and Wellness Municipal Level Category,” and the Kaimonan Festival of Maco under the “Cultural Festival Municipal Level Category.”

The awards were formally turned over by Dompor to Governor Arturo T. Uy and Provincial Administrator Virgilia S. Allones in a ceremony at the Capitol in the presence of the province’s officials, heads and employees. (grace almedilla, ids-comval)

GRAND MOSQUE. The Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Masjid in Barangay Kalangan II in Cotabato City on Oct. 9. 2014. Also called the Grand Mosque, the place of worship was constructed by a US$ 43 million donation from Brunei Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and is located inside a five-hectare lot owned by the family of former Maguindanao representative Didagen “Digs” Dilangalen. MindaNews photo by Froilan Gallardo

5 THE ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 153 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2014

Equal access to opportunities crucial to poverty reduction in PH, East Asia: NEDA W

ASHINGTON, D.C. — Success in reducing inequality and poverty in the Philippines and other East Asian countries hinges on providing the poor and the vulnerable with equal access to economic opportunities and basic services such as health and education, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan made this statement during the World Bank’s high-level panel on Shared Prosperity, Inequality, and Poverty in East Asia and Pacific on October 10 at the World Bank Headquarters in Washington, D.C. “Our country has made a deliberate effort to substantially increase spending for health and education, including the conditional cash transfer program. Our current fiscal space, which is a direct result of our institutional reforms, has allowed us to channel resources into human capital and support social protection programs,” said Balisacan, who is also NEDA Director-General.

He noted that the Philip-

pine government’s interventions to improve the quality of its regulatory structure presents a lot of opportunities for the local economy, especially in the upcoming ASEAN market integration in 2015.

“We have been moving up in the ease of doing business and world competitiveness indicators quite significantly in the last couple of years and we have also substantially increased our investment in infrastructure. By increasing it from about two percent of GDP in 2012, to five percent by 2016, we are addressing one of the country’s biggest constraints to development and opening up for a bigger market,” Balisacan said.

He also underscored the need to keep up with the rapidly changing labor market, which have become more skill-intensive across the various sectors. He cited the impact of technologies which has changed the mix of jobs and required better quality of education and skill content from the labor force.

“A much easier and faster way of addressing inequality is mobility and enhanced capacity of people to choose any sector or location of employ-

ment. This is why education is such a powerful equalizer.

It explains why Filipinos are everywhere. When they can’t find opportunities near them, they move elsewhere if they have human capital,” Balisacan said.

The World Bank session

discussed how countries in developing East Asia and the Pacific can address the challenges of promoting shared prosperity, reducing inequality and eliminating poverty and the lessons they can use from their past successes.

The high-level panel dis-

From left: World Bank Vice President of the East Asia and Pacific Region Axel van Trotsenburg, Economic Planning Secretary ArsenioBalisacan, Cornell University Professor of Economics Ravi Kanbur, Global Economy and Development Program Senior Fellow and Deputy Director HomiKharas, and

cussion was opened by World Bank’s Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer Sri Mulyani Indrawati and moderated by The Wall Street Journal’s Washington Bureau Economics Editor Sudeep Reddy. Panelists who joined Balisacan were: Ravi Kan-

bur, Professor of Economics at Cornell University; Homi Kharas, a Senior Fellow and Deputy Director in the Global Economy and Development program; and Axel van Trotsenburg, Vice President of the East Asia and Pacific Region of the World Bank.

The Wall Street Journal’s Washington Bureau Economics Editor Sudeep Reddy during the World Bank’s high-level panel on Shared Prosperity, Inequality, and Poverty in East Asia and Pacific on October 10, 2014 at the World Bank Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

6 THE ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 153 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2014

DA 11 lowers budget for 2015 Spoilage bogs down T

HE Department of Agriculture (DA) in Davao Region has proposed a P1.46 billion budget for 2015, lower than the department’s P2 billion approved budget this year.

In an interview yesterday, DA 11 regional director Remelyn Recoter said this was caused by the reduction in half of the budget for the construction of farm-to-market roads (FMR).

“It was realigned to proposed road projects leading to coconut plantations in the region by the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA),” she said.

From the P800-mil-

lion approved budget for FMR last year, DA 11 only allotted P400 million which will be shared by the four provinces and one city in the region.

The remaining the P1.06 billion will proceed to the projects of the agriculture agency on production support, construction of irrigation system for rice production areas and post-harvest facilities, extension training services, and research and development studies.

Recoter was not able to provide details on the projects but gave assurance that the budget will be equally distributed among the four provinces

in support of the agriculture sector.

Last year, DA got a P2 billion chunk of the national budget for the construction of more farmto-market roads and bottom-up budgeting for 2014.

The agriculture sector, as cited by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) 11, is one of the main economic drivers in the Davao region in the past years.

However, the sector posted negative growth in 2013 because of devastation by natural calamities like typhoons.

The agriculture sector got a -8 percent growth

compared with the target of 2.2 percent.

NEDA 11 regional director Maria Lourdes D. Lim said the production of banana and coconut declined by 16 percent; coffee by 35 percent; rubber by 48 percent; abaca by 18 percent; palay by 6 percent; and sugarcane by 3 percent.

Davao Region, however, remained the Philippine’s top producer of cacao at 79 percent, bananas at 42 percent, and coconut at 15 percent of the country’s total.

The region also ranked as the country’s second highest producer of coffee and third in abaca. CRC

tuna industry group S

By Aurelio A. Pena

MALL-TIME processors of tuna products are still trying to cope with the problem of spoilage in General Santos City, the tuna capital of the Philippines.

Industry specialist Edgar Soguilon of the Department of Trade and Industry regional office said tuna spoilage is becoming prevalent among small-time tuna processors.

“Most of this spoilage in our tuna value-added products can be traced to the lack of skill of processors in selecting raw material – the fresh tuna they select in the market,” Soguilon said.

In a recent industry workshop in Davao, Soguilon also pointed to “malfunctioning freezers” that caused the increasing number of spoilage cases.

Soguilon cited other factors including the “poor quality of fresh tuna in the market” and no available laboratory equipment to analyze the quality of fish.

These factors were identified by the tuna industry team to help them come up with some plans and strategies to solve these problems of smalltime tuna processors who produce such tuna delicacies like tuna hot dogs, tuna sausages, tuna longganiza, and others.

Problems of big tuna exporters who are shipping fresh tuna, frozen tuna, chilled tuna, canned tuna, and others regularly to global markets were excluded since “they can take care of themselves” being large and well-established in the industry.

The tuna industry team was advised by consultants of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to focus its plans and strategies only on the local market, since tuna processors in the region are mostly small-to-medium enterprises which need the most help in industry clustering and development.

National banana council getting full support SALE TIME. SM City Davao mall manager Lynette Lopez promotes the mall’s forthcoming three-day sale set on October 17 to 19 during Club 888 media forum at The Marco Polo, Davao yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

CAPA names Cebu Pacific best low-cost carrier in Asia-Pacific L

eading aviation think tank Centre for Aviation (CAPA) recognized Cebu Pacific Air as the Asia-Pacific Low-Cost Carrier (LCC) of the Year during the recently concluded CAPA Aviation Awards for Excellence in Singapore.

“Our LCC of the Year has endured a tumultuous period in its home market, but maintained its focus and had the highest operating profit margin in the Asian airline industry,” CAPA Executive Chairman Peter Harbison said.

“The carrier has launched a long-haul operation which strategically improves its long-term position by opening up new markets, while quickly responding to the challenges in this segment,” he added.

This year, CEB launched four new long-haul destinations: Dammam, Riyadh, Kuwait and Sydney, and took delivery of four brand-new Airbus A330 aircraft.

It currently operates flights to 62 destinations on 90 routes, utilizing a fleet of 51 aircraft which is one of the most modern fleets in the world. Its network spans Asia, Australia and the Middle East.

CAPA also cited CEB’s alliance with the Tigerair group, and its ability to adapt as competition intensifies. It was also able to turn around Tigerair Philippines, which is now also profitable.

The think tank also recognized CEB’s focus on its home market, and its rapid but scalable expansion that

does not come with excessive aircraft orders and capacity.

Established in 1990, CAPA – Centre for Aviation is the leading provider of independent aviation market intelligence, analysis and data services, covering worldwide developments.

CAPA’s Aviation Awards for Excellence are intended to reward airlines and airports that are not only successful, but have also provided industry leadership in adjusting to a new environment.

According to CAPA, “At a time of industry upheaval, our winners are adopting strategies that offer new directions for others to adopt.”

The CAPA Awards are independently researched

by CAPA’s leading team of analysts, then selected by an independent international panel of advisors. It is not based on customer surveys, popular votes or sponsorship.

“The Cebu Pacific team is honored to be recognized

by CAPA. We will continue to approach growth conservatively and responsibly in order to build a sustainable airline business. Ultimately, this sustainability will allow us to expand to more destinations, making our low fares available to more people,” said CEB President and CEO Lance Gokongwei.

Between 2015 and 2021, Cebu Pacific will take delivery of 11 more brandnew Airbus A320, 30 Airbus A321neo, and 1 Airbus A330 aircraft.

A

PROPOSAL to organize a nationwide banana industry group called the Philippine Banana Industry Development Council or PBIDC has been presented formally to hundreds of banana growers, exporters and industry stakeholders in Davao del Norte province.

A series of roadshows to drumbeat the proposal had been conducted region-wide, including formal presentations to member-companies of the Philippine Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA) as well as farmers, growers and exporters belonging to Mindanao Banana Growers and Exporters Association, according to banana cluster chair Rene Dalayon.

“We’ve been getting good responses, suggestions and support from many banana growers and exporters during our roadshows,” Dalayon said.

Backed by officials of the Department of Agriculture doing all the coordination work, the proposal for this national banana council has been getting more and more

support from various industry stakeholders that included multinational exporters, plantation owners, suppliers of farm inputs, box packaging factories, shipping lines, etc.

The banana industry council is expected to operate like the Malaysian Palm Oil Industry Board and function like the Australian Banana Industry Board which are composed of industry leaders, government officials, private sector, academe, and others.

A final presentation of the PBIDC proposal is expected to be made before hundreds of banana industry stakeholders during the International Banana Summit scheduled on November 19 to 22 this year at the SMX Convention Center in Davao City.

“This national banana council will represent the voices of the whole banana industry. Everyone in the industry will have a voice in this council, especially the small banana farmers and small growers. Everyone will be helping each other in solving the problems of the banana industry,” Dalayon said. Aurelio A. Pena

7 CULTURE & ARTS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 153 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2014

Something from the past Text and Photos by Henrylito D. Tacio

“I

wanted to preserve the memories we had during our childhood days when we used to visit our grandparents. Also, I need a structure that can house various antique pieces that we have collected,” says Warren A. Manilay, owner and chief executive officer of the Goldenstate College in General Santos City (known to the locals as GenSan).

Manilay is referring to the ancestral house that was built at purok Malakas in barangay San Isidro, some four kilometers away from the city’s plaza. The local government is promoting it as one of the city’s tourist attractions.

“Several tourist groups have come to the place as it is very unique to the area,” he says. “As a city, GenSan is still very young and to have Southern Luzon artifacts in its midst is something to be awed with.”

Manilay and his wife, Sara Jane (with whom he has four children: Pia, John, Deck and Jen), were originally from San Pablo City in Laguna. In 1992, the family came to GenSan when he was assigned as personnel manager of the production center of San Miguel Corporation’s agribusiness division in Polomolok, South Cotabato.

Since then, the couple decided to settle in GenSan for good.

Then, something happened. His wife started collecting various antique pieces from religious pieces, chests, chairs, lights, and cabinets, among others.

“Our residence was instantly transformed literally into a museum,” he recalls. “At that time, I had no eye for antiques and thus did not appreciate any of them.”

To get rid of those “trashes and junks,” he suggested to his wife of transferring the items in their half hectare adjacent lot. An idea came out of nowhere: “My wife thought of placing them in a structure that would fit those collections.

It was then that I thought of bringing over our ancestral house in Batangas.”

Fortunately, Manilay started to appreciate the beauty and value of the items he once considered “trash and junks.” Today, he says of them: “They look like gold bars and diamonds to me now.”

But bringing the ancestral house to GenSan was easier said than done. “The basic problem then was locating the parts of the house because it was already torn down since no one was taking care of it anymore (after we left) and were sold to

somebody who intended to use them as firewood and the rest for junk sales,” Manilay says.

Manilay had to buy again those original materials. “I was able to retrieve some lumber parts such as the flooring, beams, windows, doors, jambs, picture frames, chairs, tables, bed, kitchen utensils, and the like,” he says. “I had them loaded in 20 footer vans, 5 of them in a six-month period.”

Arranging for the shipment, how the retrieved materials would fit in the vans and of course the shipping cost made the transfer quite difficult. But the hardship was worth it.

While waiting for all the materials to arrive, he started to build what became later on as the ancestral home. The ground floor area is 8 by 10 meters. The second floor is of the same dimension. The height of the building is 10 meters. “The dimension is only about one fourth of the original structure as we were not able to retrieve all of the materials,” Manilay laments.

The house structure was designed by a professional architect “as we wanted to make sure that it will not fall down,” Manilay says. “But putting in the doors, windows, the ceiling, my wife and I designed them. We incorporated our personal touch on where everything should be placed or installed.”

Actually, I never thought that there is an ancestral home located in the midst of GenSan. But my friend, Michael H. Chan (one of the most promising photographers of this city) brought me to the place.

The ancestral home is a sight to behold. Sort of a museum, priceless collections abound inside the house: typewriters, telephone, radio, bottles, cabinets, paintings, necklaces, and various memorabilia, among others.

Not only that; the home also houses some of vehicles from the past: 1917 White truck (with half of its body made of wood), 1965 red mustang V8/ 289 engine, a Ford Falcon 6 cylinder 1962 car, a 1972 Mini Cooper, and a 1979 Mitsubishi Minica. Also, you will find three units of Lambretta Scooters; a BMW 60R 1960 series; a Villiers motorcycle 1938 series; and two units of Harley Davidson motorcycles (1941 and 1942 series).

But the star among these collections is the 1962 Series II Lambretta scooter, the last unit Warren was able to restore. “We tried to think of something that

would make the unit unique with the rest of the scooters with the same brand and category,” Warren informs.

The thought of immortalizing Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao through a Lambretta came to mind. “Being a resident of GenSan and the hometown of Manny Pacquiao, we thought of depicting his life and sports career by charcoal-sketching him, his boxing contenders and his friends using the body of the Lambretta scooter as the canvass,” he says.

Warren commissioned an artist to do it. “It took almost one and a half year to complete since I had to make sure that the artwork would be appropriate,” he discloses. He also did a lot of research as to what should be painted.

On why he has chosen Manny Pacquiao as the subject of the masterpiece over other personalities, Warren gives this reason: “Pacquiao is a very special person who has characteristics which is very unique from the rest of the world. As a private person, I find him to be very kind-hearted with a very strong will as a sportsman.”

The ancestral home is a work of art in itself – much more those priceless collections that are packed inside.

Aside from being a storehouse of various collections of antiques and memorabilia, what is the use of it?

“We have used the ancestral home to accommodate our visitors especially for dinner or just to show

what our hobbies are,” Manilay says. “We have not actually opened it for commercial basis although we will accept reservations for small group dine-ins, catering, pre-nuptial photo shoots.”

His final words: “The establishment of the ancestral home was founded with passion. Everything in it may look junk to somebody just like how I looked at them before. Now, I look at everything as jewels, all priceless. I want everybody to visit the place to feel the same passion. Feel something new with something old.”

8

EDGEDAVAO

VANTAGE

EDITORIAL

B

VOL. 7 ISSUE 153 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2014

Mangoes and bananas

ANANA growers and exporters in Davao and the rest of Mindanao must be gladdened by the decision of the US government to allow the entry of Philippine bananas to Hawaii, Guam and Northern Marianas. The welcome news was announced by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (Aphis) of the US Department of Agriculture. The announcement followed another heartening rule that allows the importation by Americans of Philippine mangoes from places other than Guimaras Island.

Still, Philippine bananas exported to the US territories have to undergo first a strict systems approach.

The systems approach requires importation of commercial consignments, monitoring of fruit flies, harvesting only of hard green bananas and inspection for quarantine pests by the Bureau of Plant Industry

EDGEDAVAO

Providing solutions to a seamless global village.

Printed by Zion Accuprint Publishing Inc. Door 14 ALCREJ Building, Quirino Avenue, 8000, Davao City, Philippines Tel: (082) 224-1413 301-6235 Telefax: (082) 221-3601 www.edgedavao.net editorial@edgedavao.net marketing@edgedavao.net

(BPI) here in the country.

A banana shipment will have to be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate with a declaration that the fruits were grown, packed and inspected, and found to be free of quarantine pests.

This turn of events bodes well for the country’s mango and banana growers most especially in areas where plantations were flattened by super typhoons and other natural disasters occurring in succession during the last three years.

The Davao region where both fruits of exportable quality are grown in abundance is so lucky that these parts of the American market are now open to our fruits. Of course, the exporters must be always mindful of the rules, if they want to fully benefit from this decidedly positive development.

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:

PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE

the national association of newspapers

GENERAL OFFICE SANTOS CITY CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING OFFICE CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING OLIVIA D. VELASCO JOCELYNRICHARD S. PANES C. EBONA SOLANI D. MARATAS OLIVIA D. VELASCO SOLANI D. MARATAS MARKETING OFFICE | Marketing Manager General Manager of Sales SpecialistFinance General Manager DirectorAdvertising FinanceLEIZEL A. DELOSOLEIZEL A. DELOSO | MarketingFLORENCE ManagerS. VILLARIN

RICHARD C. EBONA AGUSTIN V. MIAGAN JR Circulation Marketing Supervisor

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

Tel: (088) 852-4894

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

MANILA MARKETING OFFICE

ANGELICA R. GARCIA | Marketing Manager Blk. 1, Lot 10, La Mar Townhomes, Apitong St., Marikina Heights, Marikina City Tel: (02) 942-1503

EDGEDAVAO

T

VANTAGE POINTS

9

Goodbye handwritten prescriptions

HREE days after being confined in a small town’s private hospital, sevenyear-old Jonathan was given a go signal by his doctor to go home. The attending physician wrote something in Rx paper and handed it to the mother. “You need to buy these medicines since we don’t have them at the hospital.”

The mother brought her son to their house and returned to the public market to buy the medicines. She gave the handwritten prescription to the pharmacist.

At first, the pharmacist had a hard time deciphering what the doctor had written.

But later on, she gave the mother the medicines and told her what how many times each day the medicines will be given.

The mother went home and gave the medicines as told. Two days later, Jonathan was getting worse instead of getting better.

Then, on the third night, Jonathan’s body temperature went up; he was having chills.

The parents immediately brought Jonathan back to the hospital. It was good that the doctor assigned that night was the same physician who transcribed the handwritten prescription. “What happened,” he asked.

The mother told him the story. “Let me see the medicine you are giving to your son,” the doctor asked. After seeing the medicine, the doctor said, “This is not the medicine I was prescribing to your son.”

The mother went back to the drug store.

It was then that she found that the pharmacist who gave her the medicines had misread the handwritten prescription. “I can’t read what the doctor had written,” she admitted.

In November 1999, medication errors became front page news in the United States with the compelling report from the Institute of Medicine. One newspaper carried this opening statement: “Two people in the United States just died in the last hour. Seventeen more will die in the next 7 to 8 hours.

Over a year, that number will accumulate to about 7,000.”

Cited for those deaths are medical errors that include misread or otherwise misinterpreted handwritten prescriptions.

Does it mean that doctors are being sloppy and pharmacies are making mistakes?

Today’s doctors can now say goodbye to those unreadable handwritten prescriptions. They can do so by using a web-based application developed by a physician himself from Davao City.

M

VOL. 7 ISSUE 153 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2014

AYBE Vice President Jejomar Binay owns the 350-hectare estate in Rosario, Batangas. Maybe he doesn’t.

Or maybe he used to own it but had sold it to another individual or a corporation.

Regardless of what the truth is, from a technical viewpoint, there is as yet to no fool-proof evidence of who really owns – or owned – what. Nothing though may prevent people from forming their own conclusions on whether Binay is innocent or not.

With the systematic – and seemingly well-funded – campaign to destroy his chances in 2016, evidence may surface soon that, indeed, he and his family had amassed wealth beyond their means. But unless and until such evidence comes out they, like any

The software doesn’t THINK ON THESE! convert writing into computer text, but provides an efficient system for directly putting medical information into a computer database.

“The soft- Henrylito D. Tacio ware program henrytacio@gmail.com can computerize the admitting orders,” explained Dr. Richard T. Mata, a paediatrician and a Diplomate of Philippine Pediatrician Society. “It can also digitalize the patient’s records in the clinic. All the information can be saved in the desktop, laptop or even saved to an iPhone, iPad, or Android device.”

Once the information is saved, the doctor can have it anytime, anywhere at the tip of his finger. The days of those old-fashioned patient cards and space-occupying cabinet (where the cards are kept) are numbered.

“The United States has already been shifting to e-prescribing for about a decade now,” Dr. Mata pointed out in his presentation during the recent Regional Forum on eHealth in Davao City. “Handwritten prescriptions are being discouraged because of the findings on the danger of handwritten Rx.” Dr. Mata said he developed the software – Computerization of Prescriptions and Patient Records – as the country’s counterpart of e-prescription. “To strictly define e-prescription, it actually means that the doctor sends the digital Rx via internet to the pharmacists as done in the United States. But in my case I only print the Rx in my clinic and give it to the patient as the country is not yet ready to do e-prescription.”

He further explained: “In the software I developed, speed and being a user-friendly are the two top priorities. I can guarantee that it is faster than writing since the doctor can just choose the prepared database of prescriptions as fast as he can look for a name in his mobile phone book.”

Dr. Mata cited several advantages of the e-prescription than the handwritten ones.

“The clearer the prescriptions, the safer for the patients,” he said. It is also safer for the doctors in terms of the possibility of being

sued, he added.

“One major advantage of the program is that it automatically saves the prescription details under the patient’s name in the database,” he explained. “Unlike in handwritten prescription, what the doctor has written in the paper is not duplicated word for word and be saved as file for future reference.”

Aside from the prescribed medicines, the doctor can also include other information like history, chief complains, diagnosis, and laboratory results, among others.

“To make it even more powerful, the doctor can even synchronize the patient’s data from the personal computer to iPhone, iPad, or Android so he can review needed information anywhere,” he said.

According to him, his main intention of making medical computer program was for his personal clinic use only. He wanted to provide clearer and readable Rx to his patients and simultaneously digitalized his patient records for easier retrieval and to maximize clinic space as well us mobility.

“In 2004, my practice as a pediatrician was booming in Panabo City, but I needed something to make my work faster to accommodate the patients without me getting too exhausted,” he admitted. “So I searched the web for any downloadable software for computerized prescriptions.”

During his search, Dr. Mata realized that the United States was already campaigning to eradicate the unreadable handwritten Rx. He found out that some computer programs were already available but unfortunately they were all designed for American use. “I also noticed that the programs would take lots of clicks to make an output. So it dawned on me that there must be a software that is customized for Filipino doctors which will require fewer clicks to make things faster.”

So, he searched and tried other medical software programs in the web but at the end he felt that his needs were not fully met by what were available. So he opted to do it himself with some professional help. He acquired his computer programming skill when the Palm Pilot became very popular.

This was in 1999.

“My pre-med was biology so basically I don’t know about programming,” Dr. Mata said. “But there’s one thing I am proud of myself. When I was in Grade 3 in Ateneo de Davao, I was the only one who was able to finish the Rubik’s cube in all colors by doing ‘trial and error’ for about 2 weeks. I was a

popular kid in the campus for that reason.

So I know I have a talent. So I decided to read websites on software programming and website developing for newbies.”

A popular software at that time was the award winning HanDBase by DDH Software.

The best thing about it was its “customizable database program” (that runs in Desktop and Mobile Devices). As such, it became a favorite among medical practitioners.

Through long hours of studying the manuals and tutorial videos for several years and communication with David Haupert (the founder of DDH Software himself), Dr. Mata was able to design medical programs which he used in his practice.

After three years of improving the program (through daily application, trial and error and upgrading), Dr. Mata passed it for an international software contest and was chosen the winner of Applet of the Year 2008 by DDH Software.

Recently, Dr. Mata was chosen as one of the nine Outstanding Alumni of the Davao Medical School Foundation because of his high-tech advocacy. Earlier this year, he received another recognition from the Department of Science and Technology and the Department of Health during the First eHealth Philippines Conference.

Aside from doctors and patients, the program Dr. Mata developed also benefits the nurses and pharmacists.

On pharmacists, Dr. Mata said: “Their job will become easier as they won’t have a hard time deciphering a doctor’s hand writing. They will also be safe from the consequences of giving the wrong medicines to patients.”

Nurses don’t seem to complain but like pharmacists, they also have some difficulties in understanding the handwritten prescriptions that comes their way at the emergency room. “High clarity is a must, especially for patients to be admitted because everything relies on what’s being written. The nurses just administer what is being written,” Dr. Mata said.

There are only things a doctor needs to make computerized prescription work.

Aside from being a computer literate, a doctor should do the following: (1) Purchase a personal computer to be placed in his clinic; (2) Connect a compatible printer to the PC; and (3) Use the free software downloadable at www.easyclinicsoftware. com.

other citizen, are entitled to presumption of innocence regardless of what the person on the street thinks about them.

Some reports however were presented in such a way that already suggests guilt on the part of the Vice President.

The reports however all failed to mention that the Senate subcommittee investigating the allegations against Binay and

his family is yet to come up with evidence that can stand in court. If Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Antonio Trillanes IV have been unforgiving in their words against Binay, it is mainly because they wanted to boost their own political stock as presidential contenders. As a lawyer the Vice President knows this, and so appears unfazed by the plunder case that has been filed against him in court by an anti-crime group.

Cayetano and company said Binay’s refusal to appear before the Senate subcommittee suggests guilt, or at least an attempt to hide something from the public. Maybe.

But Binay knows, as all of us know, that these hearings are not really in aid of legislation but a legalized form of demolition job.

As an astute politician, he knows he stands no chance in the Senate hearings where the senators control the proceedings. Again, the issue is not the guilt or innocence of Binay but the real motive behind the move.

Given the web of interests surrounding the issues against Binay, and the self-serving motives of the officials who are ganging up on him, I’d rather see such issues settled in court. If the senators and whoever is masterminding the move are indeed sincere in making the Vice President answer the graft charges, then they should exert effort to unearth evidence that are admissible in court and not rely on testimonies that would amount to nothing (except to affect the ratings of presidential wannabes) in the absence of a credible paper trail.

He owns or owned the Rosario estate?

Show the documents not just aerial photos. The Makati City Hall Building 2 is overpriced? Get a report from the Commission on Audit that it is so. And then hail him to court. That should force Binay to face his accusers and resolve the issue once and for all.

What better way is there to stop graft other than escorting the suspected pork barrel scam mastermind to the police? (MindaViews is the opinion section of MindaNews.

H. Marcos C. Mordeno can be reached at hmcmordeno@gmail.com)

It’s the evidence, stupid

10

NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 153 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2014

Santiago wants probe S of transgender murder S

Comelec finds JV exceeding expenditure limit in 2010

enator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito has exceeded the expenditure limit for local candidated during the campaign period in the 2010 national and local polls, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Based on the complaint of the Comelec’s Campaign Finance Unit (CFU) headed

by Atty. Ferdinand Rafanan before the Law Department, Ejercito, who ran as Representative of the Lone District of San Juan City under the Partido ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) in 2010, went over the limit as he is only allowed to spend P271,083 under Section 13 or RA 7166.

According to the Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) the former San Juan City Congressman submitted to the poll body, he had spent a the total amount of P438,512 during the 2010 election campaign.

“Respondent exceeded the expenditure limit of P271,083 for a candidate for the position of Representative of San Juan City Lone District by P167,429 or 61.76 percent,” said the complaint.

It added, “Hence, respondent should be held liable for violation of Section 100 in relation to Section 262 of the Omnibus Election Code.”

Under the law, a candi-

date who belongs to a political party is allowed to spend P3.00 only per registered voter in the constituency where he seeks to be elected.

Section 100 of the Omnibus Election Code provides that no candidate shall overspend for his election campaign than the amount set by the law.

San Juan City had a total of 90,361 registered voters in 2010.

The Law Department has issued a subpoena to Ejercito directing him to appear before the poll body and submit his counter-affidavit during the case hearing set on November 4.

The lawmaker is the cousin of former Laguna Governor Emilio Ramon Ejercito, who was ousted last May by the Comelec after he was found to have overspent during the 2013 polls.

On the other hand, Ranjit Shahani, who ran and won as board member of the municipality of Asingan, Pangasinan under the Liberal Party in the 2013 polls, was also found to have spent more than the campaign expenditure limit.

The CFU also filed a complaint against Shahani for overspending after exceeding the allowable limit by 263,881, or 34.44 percent.

(PNA)

City Council session, Al-ag had blamed the lack of public transport for the spate of vehicular accidents involving hapless tricycles.

Al-ag came up with a strong plea to the LTFRB to open a new jeepney route franchise from crossing Baracatan to Toril Poblacion.

He also asked the Traffic Management Center (TMC) and PNP Highway Patrol Group to strictly implement the law prohibiting motorized tricycles from plying the national highways.

Al-ag made his plea in the aftermath of a collision between a tricycle and a bus in front of the Task Force Davao checkpoint in Sirawan, Toril last Friday that killed two people riding the tricycle.

“This is not the first incident that happened involv-

ing tricycles specifically in highways. Unfortunately, it does not look like it will be the last,” Al-ag said.

He cited a provision from the Code of Ordinance of Davao City that for “safety reasons, motorized tricycles-for-hire (MTH) are prohibited to operate on national highways utilized by for four-wheel vehicles greater than four tons and where normal speed exceeds 40 kilometers per hour, the MTH regulatory board may provide exceptions, if there is no alternative route.”

He said despite the prohibition, there are still tricycles traversing the highways due to lack of public transportation in certain areas.

One example of this is the route from Toril to Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, he said.

“How can we stop this kind of vehicular accident from happening again if cannot provide enough public transportation?” Al-ag said.

Based on the Investigation report of Toril Police Station, two of the tricycle’s occupants were thrown out after the collision with the bus with plate number RLL-978.

Killed on the spot were tricycle driver Manolito Balagon and passenger Manuel Mercado.

The bus driver, identified as Jaigencio Juyad Cabalang, 46, and a resident of Bansalan, Davao del Sur, is now facing a case of reckless imprudence resulting in double homicide filed through inquest proceeding by the Toril Police Station.

ect is expected to increase internet penetration dramatically since the project will provide far-flung areas with fast and free WiFi connectivity.

communities.

private telecommunication companies.”

The DOST-ICTO and the Filipino-Singaporean firm NityoInfotech are now undertaking a pilot test of the TVWS technology, which taps the unused TV broadcast frequencies to provide broadband Internet connectivity to target areas, report added. (CRC)

ENATOR Miriam Defensor-Santiago yesterday said she has instructed her staff to draft a resolution that will investigate the murder of a Filipino transgender allegedly by a United States Marine who joined the latest Balikatan exercises in the country.

Santiago, chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, said the case of Jeffrey Laude, a.k.a. Jennifer, presents an opportunity to reevaluate the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).

“I can open it and I can start the hearing as long as I comply with the three-

day notice rule. I have to give them notice in three days’ time,” Santiago told Senate reporters after she delivered her speech on Women Celebrating Life and Faith Forum at the Philippine Christian University in Manila.

When asked if the Senate has the authority to invite foreign witnesses, Santiago said the committee does not have the power to invite nor subpoena foreign officials but she may include witnesses and law enforcers to the probe.

However, she said she would consult with

government agencies first to make sure the Senate’s probe would not hamper their own investigation.

Santiago believes Laude’s murder and a 2006 rape case involving an American soldier – whom the appellate court later acquitted – are enough reasons to revisit the VFA. She admitted that she is not a fan of the VFA because it has many provisions that do not favor Filipinos.

She said the 15-yearold treaty needs to be reviewed and if possible some provisions amended to equal the playing field.

Santiago echoed the

position of Senator Francis Escudero who said the government must assert its jurisdiction over the case and fight for custody of the suspect, Private First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton.

She said Pemberton must be turned over to Filipino authorities and detained in a Philippine jail while his case is being tried.

“I will insist that under the terms of the VFA itself, which was properly negotiated between the two parties involved, automatically we acquire jurisdiction,” Santiago said. (PNA)

In the report, city administrator J. Melchor V. Quitain said that the city should have the biggest share and therefore he was not in favor of equally sharing the remaining 70 per-

cent.

But the Sta. Cruz LGU did not agree with the city’s proposal and instead pushed for a 50-50 share.

AboitizPower Corporation First Vice President for

Mindanao AffairsManuel M. Orig said that they are going to abide by what the two LGUs will agree on regarding the tax sharing.

Orig said 80 percent of the land area of the power

plant is on Davao City while 20 percent lies in Sta. Cruz.

As for the equipment of TSI, 60 percent are in Davao City while 40 percent are in Sta. Cruz. ABF

Contractor... FFROM 2

Duterte... FFROM 2

SIDE EVENTS. National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP)president Wit Holganza discusses the upcoming NICP 6th Summit and the 3rd eGov Award of Excellence in ICT for Good Governance, both side events of the 2nd BIMP-EAGA and IMT-GT Business

Leaders’ Conference slated on October 24 at SM Lanang Premier’s SMX Convention Center. Holganza was a guest in yesterday’s Club 888 media forum at The Marco Polo, Davao. Lean Daval Jr.

AFP... FFROM 3

from Luzon to Sulu.

“As soldiers, we must be used to move from one assignment to the other. I also experienced what you are experiencing right now. It is part and parcel of the military profession,” Army 1st Infantry Division commander Brig. Gen. Gerardo Barrientos, Jr. said as he assured the troops that they will be surprised to know that Mindanao is beautiful, peaceful, and hospitable.

“The Luzon-based units are most welcome to the home of the premier Division (First Infantry Division) of the AFP. The soldiers of 21st and 41st Infantry Battalions will not have hard a

time adjusting to their new area because there are several Ilocanos who opted to settle here in Mindanao,” he added.

Barrientos said their expertise on peace and development activities in Luzon will also be applicable and “I know your skills are at par with 32nd and 35th Infantry Battalions that will certainly sustain the gains of the Division in terms of peace and security.”

“I know that Army units in the country are equally capable in addressing various threats whether man-made or natural such as terrorism, disaster, environmental, and support to law enforcement

and many others,” he said.

He said he is confident that the 32nd and 35th Infantry Battalions can continue the thrust in “Winning the Peace” in the province of Sulu.

“He said the two battalions can sustain the gains that the Marine units established during their stint in Sulu.

He said the Army contingent will work side by side with the remaining Marine units and most importantly with the stakeholders led by the Local Chief Executives and traditional leaders “so that peace and development will reign in every community in the island.” (PNA)

10 towns... FFROM 3

Ugto, for his part, said increasing the internet penetration is expected to boost the economic activity in the areas, creating more employment for the

DOST Undersecretary Louis Napoleon Casambre earlier said the TVWS technology is “emerging as the best solution in providing internet connectivity to the Philippine archipelago as thousands of mountain and island communities are unserved or underserved by

11 BIGGER PICTURE

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 153 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2014

Councilor wants precautionary measures against Ebola

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

T

abf@edgedavao.net

HE outbreak the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in some parts of the globe since March of this year has become a major concern for the health sector of every country.

Davao City Council committee on health chair councilor Mary JoselleVillafuerte,in last Tuesday’s regular session, expressed her worries over the virues, although there are still no reported cases of persons positive with Ebola in the Philippines.

In her privilege speech, Villafuerte said months have passed since the reported outbreak in March 2014 in West Africa. She said persons whoare positive of the virus have had close contact with infected persons in West Africa nations of Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and Nigeria.

Villafuerte said Ebola was first reported in 1976 and has since had several outbreaks these past decades. It is a deadly disease with no cure or vaccine.

“It is believed to come from infected wild animals in West Africa nation where it spread to humans during hunting activities or if humans came in contact with dead carcasses of these animals,” she said.

Symptoms of this disease are fever, headache, muscle pains, vomiting, and diar-

rhea, which are followed by signs of bleeding. It is spread in humans through all bodily fluids such as sweat, saliva blood, semen, and breast milk. Symptoms after contact with an infected individual can manifest as early as two days and up to 21 days.

“At present, treatment is supportive. There are experimental drugs being used in the US, probably anti-flu medicines, and so far we have read two vaccines are being developed,” Villafuerte said.

Although the reported cases of persons infected diagnosed are in the US, Spain and some parts of Europe, Villafuerte said it is better to have some precautionary measures because some Filipinos, particularly Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), might have been in contact with persons infected with the virus, knowing that there some stop overs in other countries before reaching the Philippines.

“As I have observed first hand in our airports serving international flights from all over the world, at the NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airports) 1 and 2, there has been no visible response or screening of incoming passengers, nor did I see any local response at our Davao City International Airport (Francisco Bangoy International Airport),” Villafuerte

said.

She said Department of Health (DOH) regional director Abdullah DumamaJr. informed her last Tuesday morning that there are thermal scanners that have been installed in the airport and seaport to screen incoming passengers for fever.

Villafuerte said Dumama told her that all airport personnel have been briefed to ensure that all arriving passengers fill in the yellow health card information.

“He (Dumama) will soon call a meeting of the Task Force in charge of Emerging and Re-emerging diseases,” she said.

Villafuerte said she is coordinating with DOH and City Health Office (CHO) and will request an urgent meeting with the Local Health Board with the officials of Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) to formulate a unified response.

She said presently there is one isolation room at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) where suspected Ebola patients can be admitted, observed, and treated. The DOH has trained some of its personnel and will soon coordinate with CHO so that health workers serving the community will be properly trained to respond to the disease.

Villafuerte also said

SYMPTOMS. A DOH poster showing the symptoms of Ebola. health providers should be The CDC recommends alert for and evaluate sus- testing for all persons with pected patients for Ebola vi- onset of fever within 21 rus infection who have both days of having a high-risk consistent symptoms and exposure. A high-risk exporisk factors as follows: clin- sure includes any of the folical criteria, which includes lowing: fever greater than 38.6 de• Percutaneous or grees Celsius or 101.5 de- mucous membrane expogree Fahrenheit, and addi- sure or direct skin contional symptoms such as se- tact with body fluids of a vere headache, muscle pain, person with a confirmed vomiting, diarrhea, abdom- or suspected case of EVD inal pain, or unexplained without appropriate perhemorrhage. sonal protective equip-

ment (PPE).

• Laboratory processing of body fluids of suspected or confirmed EVD cases without appropriate PPE or standard biosafety precautions.

• Participation in funeral rites or other direct exposure to human remains in the geographic area where the outbreak is occurring without appropriate PPE.

was already weak before the fishermen brought it ashore.

BFAR officials said the ocean sunfish is the heaviest known bony fish in the world.

Lolong Bernadez, a 69-year-old fisherman of Sitio San Roque, said it was his first time to see that kind of sea creature since he started fishing as a young boy.

“We didn’t know what it was, it was so big and heavy,” he said in the dialect.

Bernadez, along with the other fishermen, said he wanted to get a piece of its flesh, but BFAR personnel told them not to eat it because it might harm them.

“It’s not advisable to eat this kind of fish because it has similarities

with the butete or puffer fish,” Energito B. Balaba said.

But Wikipedia said “the flesh of the ocean sunfish is considered a delicacy in some regions, the largest markets being Taiwan and Japan.”

All of its parts, from the fins to the internal organs, are reportedly used in cuisine, and some parts even used for traditional medicine.

BFAR officials dissected the fish and buried it along the beach.

Balaba said that when they dissected the fish, they di not see foreign objects like plastics inside the stomach.

The BFAR has not categorized the ocean sunfish as endangered. (Roel N. Catoto / MindaNews)

Surigao fishermen catch giant ocean sun fish

S

URIGAO CITY (MindaNews) – Fishermen in a coastal village here caught a rare giant fish early morning Tuesday, which awed residents owing to

the fish’s size.

Energito B. Balaba, law enforcement officer of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR-13), said it was an ocean sunfish, also

known as Mola mola.

He told MindaNews the fish was caught by fishermen in Barangay Ipil and brought them ashore.

Balaba said the gigan-

tic fish, which weighed between 600 and 800 kilos, was already dead when he and colleagues arrived at Sitio San Roque of the said village.

Dominador Maputol, of the Fisheries Production Division of BFAR, said the fish was 2.165 meters long and 1.322 meters high.

Maputol said they never allow the fishermen to cannibalize the fish for fear that it might put them in danger.

Barangay chair Andrea L. Yangzon said the fishermen caught the fish using nets, then used a hook on its mouth to drag it to the beach.

“They caught it accidentally, not knowing what kind of fish it was,” she said.

Yangson said the fish

12 CLASSIFIED

Advertise with EDGEDAVAO

EDGEDAVAO

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

CLASSIFIEDS

DEED OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH WAIVER AND SALE Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late LORNA MAY YAMSON AJERO has been the subject of an EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT with waiver and sale executed among her heirs per Doc. No.147; Page No. 30; Book No. LIV; Series of 2014, of the NOTARY PUBLIC LEO B.DELGRA. 10/2/9/16

NOTICE OF LOSS Notice is hereby given by LOYOLA PLANS CONSOLIDATED INC. that CERTIFICATE OF FULL PAYMENT No.(s) 63974 under Loyola Contract No(s). 297594-1 issued to VIRGINIA LIBRE 1001219 under Loyola Contract No(s). 2983511 issued to COROZON N. FLORIDA 10003216 under Loyola Contract No(s). 192103-1 issued to COROZON N. FLORIDA were lost. Any transaction entered into shall be null and void.

10/2/9/16

NOTICE OF LOSS

Notice is hereby given by LOYOLA PLANS CONSOLIDATED INC. That CERTIFICATE OF FULL PAYMENT No.(s) 1005321 under LOYOLA PLAN Contract No.(s) 32948-0 issued to NANNETTE B. MALALUAN was lost. Any transaction entered into shall be null and void.

10/16/23/30

Billiard Supplies

Phone Nos.

Cell Nos.

VOL. 7 ISSUE 153 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2014

INdulge!

VOL. 7 ISSUE 153 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

FOOD

Paris, the Eiffel Tower and me BONJOUR! For most of us, the Eiffel Tower deserves a special seat in our bucket list. Just like Tiny Tea Shop owners, they too want to visit the tower in all of its glory. Yes, and Paris too – can you say no to a vacation where fashion, food and fabulousity reigns supreme? I thought so too!

Tiny Tea Shop is all about Milktea (thé au lait) and Paris. “The idea was too cute to ignore”, says one of the owners.

Hence, the Parisian inspired interiors. From an idea, they are now serving more than just their circle of friends. They might be new to the game but they’d surely leave a mark in your heart, mind and tummy!

Their menu is simple, delectably good and gastronomique!. You won’t have a hard time deciding on what to have. To give you an idea, here are some #RoyalChef recommends: Their Chicken Buffalo Wings is now a personal favorite-- tender and juicy with just the right kick.

You can have it plain or spicy. Spicy Chicken Gizzard was a discovery! It Bubbly couple owner.

Fries and Burger Steak unde the Eiffel Tower.

tasted really delicious with a spicy kick. Best dipped in vinegar and then white sauce…yes, in that order! Cheese Sticks were packed and crispy and really cheesy. Love the powdered cheese on top too. Burger Steak was beefy in every bite.

They also serve Chips and Dips, French Fries, Popcorn, Nacho Chips and Tuna Bread best shared with family and friends.

Cheese Sticks and Chicken Gizzard.

As for the Milktea, the Pandan flavor is divine.

They also have them in Caramel, Chocolate, Vanilla, Taro and Mocha. If you want it with rock salt and cheese, they also have that.

If milk tea is too cute for you, then take on their Frappe Tea and Iced Mocha Cappuccino. Both are addictingly delicious!

They also serve Milkshakes in Strawberry and Cookies and Cream flavors.

Lemonande, anyone?

They serve it in two colors: Pink and Blue. So, what’s your take?

Dine in Parisian style with a cup of Hot Choco or Coffee under the Eiffel Tower. Have a bite (or two) of their cookies and revel bars to complete with travel-without-hassle experience.

If you want to experience Paris minus the long queues at the airport, then head on to Tiny Tea Shop and satisfy your eyes and palate all at once. Visit them at Phase 1 4th Street, #82 Ecoland Subdivision, Davao City. Like their facebook fanpage www.facebook.com/tinyteashop, follow them on instagram @tinyteashop and twitter @tinyteashop for the latest food favorites in the metro. For reservations, you may contact them at 082 295 3596 and 0933 2380542.

Make #TheRoyalChef your Thursday habit! Email me at leeb a y 4 5 7@ y a h o o . c o m (subject:RoyalChef) or tag me on instagram (herroyalheiress) for your delicious pics and food finds!

Tiny Tea Shop’s menu.

Tiny Tea Shop Cupcakes and Revel Bars.

A2 INdulge!

UP AND ABOUT

Month-long Oktoberfest promos at Marco Polo Davao MARCO POLO DAVAO kicks off it’s month-long Oktoberfest celebration.

Beginning October 1, raise your beer mugs for the world’s greatest beer festival and enjoy happy hours at Marco Polo Davao’s Lobby Lounge, Eagles Bar and Polo Bistro Pool Lounge.

For inquiries and reservations please call (082) 221-0888 loc.

7608 for Lobby Lounge, 7255 at Eagles and 7164 for Pool Bar.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 153 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2014

Wine and dine at Park Inn by Radisson Davao

Buy books and magazines from Buqo at 50% off exclusive to Smart subscribers THE Manila International Book Fair may be over, but did you know that you can still get the best deals on your soughtafter books and favorite magazine issues using only your mobile phone?

From now until November 9, 2014, users can get their hands on the digital editions of their favorite Summit Media magazines and books from Buqo for half the price!

All you have to do is use your Smart, Talk ‘N Text or Sun Cellular prepaid loads or postpaid accounts to purchase from Buqo so you can get the exclusive discount.

Buqo is the digital bookstore of Hand Interactive, Inc., a subsidiary of Summit Media, where users can download books and magazines and read them on their iOS and Android phones and tablets. Buqo, through Summit Media, recently struck a deal to allow Smart and Sun Cellular subscribers to buy content from Buqo using only their prepaid loads, or charge the purchases to their postpaid accounts.

“Now, Smart, Talk ‘N Text, and Sun Cellular subscribers can read a whole lot more for much, much less thanks to this promo from Smart and Buqo,” said Mellissa Limcaoco, Innovations and Product Development Head at Smart.

“Bookworms and magazine fanatics should take advantage of this deal to get their hands on their favorite books and magazines from Summit Media even without a credit card.”

Does your magazine play music? Do you want to listen to the two new singles before they hit the music bars? Then download the September issue of Esquire Magazine (for only P87.50) and turn to page 16 where you’ll notice two blinking dots. Tap the first dot to play “Sabado”, one of the band’s new singles. Tap the second dot and enjoy “1995”, the second new single. You also get to follow editor in chief Erwin Romulo’s journey with the iconic 90’s OPM rock band all around London to find out about the group’s latest adventures.

Your favorite glossies If you want to keep yourself strong and healthy, then let fit and fab celebrities Derek Ramsay and Maja Salvador teach you how in this month’s issue of Men’s Health and Women’s Health (both at P60 each), respectively.

But if ogling at the latest and most advanced cars is your cup of tea, then go ahead and download the latest issue of Top Gear’s 10th Anniversary Issue (now just P60) this month, which features the fiery red BMW X4 on its September cover.

Other Summit Media titles include Candy, Entrepreneur, Yes! Magazine, Real Living, Yummy, Smart Parenting, and Preview, among others. Users can also download a host of books published by Summit that include “Stylized: Liz Uy’s Ten Style Essentials” by celebrity stylist Liz Uy, “The Best of Chico, Delamar, and Gino’s The Morning Rush Top 10” from RX 93.1’s hit morning show, The Morning Rush, and pop fiction title “She’s Dating The Gangster,” among many others.

All current and past issues of Summit Media titles available on Buqo are part of the promotion.

Buqo is the localized version of Ookbee, the number one eBookstore app in Thailand, and was co-developed by Summit subsidiary Hand.Interactive, Inc.

Buffalo Wings.

LOOKING for fun after work? Head off to Park Inn

by Radisson Davao’s pool lounge, a modern space where you can socialize, sip and nibble amidst the cool, fresh air and glistening moonlight.

“Busy urbanites nowadays look for a place to hang out after office hours,” shares General Manager, Mr. Pavan Kakar. “The pool lounge is the ideal hideaway to catch up and unwind with friends. The al fresco scenery alone inspires a light and cheery mood that can soothe any weary soul.”

“Some prefer to cap their day with a bottle of beer or a glass of wine. Here, we offer a great variety of cocktail drinks, wines and local and international beers. For guests who crave for something to eat before drinking, we now offer a Bar Chow menu featuring sizzlers, skewers and meat chops which go well with any drink.”

Selections in the menu include Grilled pork Belly, Sizzling Pork Maskara, RBG Grill Platter, Seafood Kebab, Tandoori Grilled Vegetables and Buffalo Wings, plus all-time favorites such as the RBG Sinuglaw, Calamari, Tuna Sashimi, Gambas, Nachos, Fries, Cheese Sticks and many more.

“Everyone is welcome to visit our pool lounge any night of the week,” says Mr. Kakar. “We’ll set the evening mood for you with urban dub and funky beats, to make your wining and dining experience more fun and enjoyable.

Cheers!”

Bar chow is offered daily from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Pool hours of operation is from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM. For reservations and inquiries, call 63 82 272 7600.

Sizzling Pork Maskara.

RBG Grill Platter.

RBG Sinuglaw.

RBG Burger.

VOL. 7 ISSUE 153 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

ENTERTAINMENT

Anak TV award-winning kiddie game show returns to GMA TV

Drew Arellano to host new season of “Ready Set Laban”

FOLLOWING the success of the first season, Bonakid Pre-School’s Ready Set Laban is back with an even bigger actionpacked game show for moms and kids.

After hitting the airwaves and receiving the prestigious Anak TV Seal Award, GMA and Bonakid Pre-School have renewed their partnership, with the addition of Drew Arellano as the host of the much-anticipated TV show.

“Drew is one of the most sought after hosts under GMA 7. He’s very energetic and enthusiastic, which is perfect for a fun and lively game show like Ready Set Laban,”

says Claudine Serrano, Product Manager of Bonakid Pre-School.

Arellano also expressed his excitement for the show. “A lot of people have asked me what’s on my wish list. I always say I want to host a show with kids!” The energetic actor is finally having his wish fulfilled as he steps in to host the second season of Bonakid Pre-School’s Ready Set Laban. “I enjoy the company of kids because they have so much energy! In fact, I’m also like a kid!” he adds.

The challenges, based on popular Filipino games, will challenge kids’ strength, energy, and resilience, to bring

out the “Batang May Laban” in them.

Joining Drew to host the 8-episode-season are celebrity mommies: Julia Clarete, Ruby Rodriguez, Nina Ricci Alagao, and Donita Rose.

“The moms on the show have a very significant role. I’m excited to be sharing my hosting duties with these four lovely moms,” Adds Drew.

Ready, Set, Laban season 2 airs every Sunday at 10:45 am after iBilib, only on GMA Network.

“PBB All In” runner-up Maris Racal goes for heavy drama in “MMK” “PINOY Big Brother All In” second big placer Maris Racal will put her acting skills to test as she stars in her first “Maalaala Mo Kaya” episode on ABS-CBN this Saturday.

Maris will play the role of Myla, the loving and hardworking daughter of a seaman, Dionisio (to be portrayed by Nonie Buencamino).

Being the only daughter in the family, Myla is considered to be her father Dionisio’s favorite. Despite working abroad, Dionisio remains close to her daughter. He always reminds Myla to work hard to finish school and earn a degree. However,

their solid father-daughter relationship is tested when Dionisio’s marriage to his wife takes the rough road.

Amid the most trying times, can a daughter turn

her back on her beloved father who inspired her to strive harder and achieve her dreams?

Also part of the upcoming “MMK” episode are Dexie Daulat, Mickey Ferriols, Eva Darren, Tony Mabesa, Encar Benedicto, Jong Cuenco, Alfred Labatos, Yogo Singh, and Lui Manansala. It is directed by Garry Fernando and written by Arah Jell Badayos and Joan Habana. “MMK” is led by business unit head Malou Santos and creative manager Mel Mendoza-del Rosario.

Capturing the hearts of Filipino viewers all over the

world for the past 23 years, “Maalaala Mo Kaya” has legions of fans from different generations who cried, laughed, fell in love, and got inspired through the reallife narratives of the show’s letter-senders.

Don’t miss the longestrunning drama anthology in Asia, “MMK” every Saturday, 8PM, after “Wansapanataym” on ABS-CBN. For more updates, log on to MMK.abscbn.com, follow @MMKOfficial on Twitter, and “like” Facebook.com/MMKOfficial.

Tweet your thoughts about this Saturday’s episode by using the hashtag #MMKAFathersPromise.

“Superbook Reimagined” Season 2 world premiere on ABS-CBN FOR THE FIRST TIME in the world, the second season of “Superbook Reimagined” will air first on Philippine television via ABS-CBN this Saturday.

Catch all new episodes of your favorite Bible stories in 3D and join Chris, Joy, and Gizmo in their all new adventures.

“Superbook Reiimagined” is the new installment of the “Superbook” series that aims to revolutionize kids’ viewing experience by using state-of-the-art animation, ef-

fects, and graphics in narrating accounts from the Bible where they can learn many life-changing values and principles.

Its first season started airing ABS-CBN last July, after ABS-CBN bagged the rights to air the series and inked a partnership with CBN Asia.

Don’t miss the world premiere of “Superbook Reimagined” season two this Saturday (Oct 11), 9:30 AM on ABS-CBN. “Superbook Classic,” meanwhile, airs every Sunday at the same time.

BOOK OF LIFE Diego Luna, Zoe Saldana, Channing Tatum GP

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

THE TRIAL John Lloyd Cruz, Jessy Mendiola, Gretchen Barretto, Richard Gomez R 13

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

ALEXANDER & THE TERRIBLE HORRIBLE NO GOOD VERY BAD DAY Jennifer Garner, Steve Carell PG 13

R-16

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

DRACULA UNTOLD Luke Evans, Dominic Cooper R 13

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

EDGEDAVAO

A4 INdulge!

VOL. 7 ISSUE 153 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2014

EVENT

THROWBACK

PARTY!

Text and Photos by Henrylito D. Tacio

“SEE YOU SOON!” said the text message coming from Wilfredo Rodolfo III. Willie, as we call him, used to write for Business Mirror. He was my constant roommate whenever there was a seminar organized by the Philippine Network of Environmental Journalists, of which both of us were members.

Now, he is with AboitizPower Corporation. The text was for the party which his company was convening for media practitioners in Mindanao. Usually, it is done on the 10th month of the year and so it is touted as Christmas in October.

The recent one was my fourth time to attend. Just like last year, it was held at SMX Convention Center of SM Lanang Premier.

This year’s theme was “Let’s Groove,” a throwback of the 1980s.

“We in Aboitiz are known for our passion for better ways, but we are also known for our passion for having fun,” said Jaime Jose Y. Aboitiz, the executive vice president and chief operating officer of the Aboitiz Power Corporation, in his welcome remarks.

“For us, looking back across time always brings inspiring thoughts of how invaluable you guys have been to the success of our endeavors, including our commitment to becoming a truly sustainable organization that can be entrusted to future generations,” the debonair and dashing looking Aboitiz further said.

He also said: “We are glad to have all of you, our friends in media, as our partners in seeing this through because, after all is said and done, we all want to lay the foundations of a bright future for our children.”

In his keynote message, chief operating officer of Power Generation Group Antonio R. Moraza shared some thoughts on what Aboitiz has done so far and what its future directions will be. “Our focused strategic initiatives, key acquisitions, strong partnerships, and good corpo-

rate governance led us not only to create economic value, but also earned us the recognition of being one of the best-managed companies in the Philippines.

“The most significant highlight of AEV’s growth story,” Moraza said, referring to Aboitiz Equity Ventures, “has been the robust expansion of our power business, especially over the past 7 years, and Aboitiz Power will continue to spearhead the group’s future growth.”

When all was said, it was party time! Of course, there was the usual eating, talking, and taking photos. It was a gathering of the veteran and neophyte journalists. The whole area was filled with laughter and flashing of cameras.

Picture here, picture there.

Then the program, which was hosted by the ever beautiful and eyecatching Ferina Santos, started. She explained what would happen that night. She also told everyone to find the group where they belong. There were seven groups all in all. She also announced

“We in Aboitiz are known for our passion for better ways, but we are also known for our passion for having

that Aboitiz would be giving away prizes for Best Selfie and Best Groupie.

Yes, all of us danced to the tune of the 1980s.

It was fun moving your body, swaying your hips, clapping your hands, and tipping your feet with such music as YMCA, Macarena, and Ice, Ice Bay, to name a few hit songs from the past.

Of course, every group wanted to win. But at the

end of the contest, only three emerged winners.

The best among the best was Hot Legs, which got the P21,000 cash prize.

Our group, Solid Gold, settled for P16,000 as we were the first runner-up.

The second runner-up was Abztract, which got a cash prize of P12,000.

The following groups got consolation prizes (with cash prize of P9,000 each): Octo Arts, Univer-

sal Motion Dancers, VIP Dancers, and Bellestar Dancers.

Named Retro girl was Marilyn Roque – yes, the Miss Marilyn (Mon)roque – who is a lifestyle columnist of Mindanao Times.

Her counterpart, the Retro boy was Armando B. Fenequito, Jr., a reporter of Edge Davao.

The Best Groupie picture was the Solid Gold Dancers group, whose

photo was taken by Antonio L. Colina IV of Sunstar Davao. The youthful Ian Ray Garcia, the editorin-chief of M magazine, took the Best Selfie.

Declared Groovy of the Night was Amalia Cabusao, the indefatigable editor-in-chief of Mindanao Times.

Not to be outdone, however, was Antonio Ajero, who was richer by P10,000 that night for being the top

winner of the raffle.

Yes, everyone had fun that night. As we left the convention center, the last words of Jaime Jose Aboitiz in his welcome address came back: “Thank you once again for coming and I hope you have a good, memorable time spent with us. Tonight, we take the liberty of setting aside business for pleasure.”

Indeed, it was!

VOL. 7 ISSUE 153 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2014

EDGE

EDGEDAVAO

Serving a seamless society

DAVAO

WANTS YOU!

CLASSIFIED 13

ZION

ACCUPRINT PUBLISHING, INC.

Is in need of:

MACHINE OPERATOR (Printing Press)

Qualifications:

Account Executives (3) - Male / Female, not more than 30 years old - Candidate must posses a Bachelor/ College Degree in any Business field.

- Willing to work under pressure, flexible, persuasive, can speak fluently and computer literate - A team player - With Basic Salary, Transportation, Communication, allowance + Commission For interested applicants, you may send your resume to: HR Department EDGEDavao

Doors 13 & 14 Alcrej B;dg., Quirino Ave., Davao City Tel. No. (082) 221-3601 Email: edgedavao@gmail.com

- 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

14 SPORTS

VOL. 7 ISSUE 153 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2014

Pacman to move back to junior welter

M

ANNY Pacquiao’s upcoming title defense against Chris Algieri, at a 144-pound catchweight, is simply a chance for Manny to test out how he feels before he eventually moves back to junior welterweight, says trainer Freddie Roach.

“That’s the only reason we’re going to ‘44, that’s our choice, not theirs,” Roach said Monday at the Pacman Wild Card Gym. By moving back to 140lbs. Roach expects the knockouts to return for Manny, while also opening up more interesting fights, such as a possible Danny Garcia match that has been mentioned.

Danny Garcia has already announced his plans to stick around 140lbs, and is set to take a voluntary title defense before meeting up with Viktor Postol, thus it doesn’t seem like he really fits in the Pacquiao picture at the moment. Then again, this is boxing and nothing is ever set in stone...

“There’s a lot of competition in the 140-pound division, a lot of them are

going to 147 because they want to fight Manny for the bigger money but as soon as Manny goes to 140 all of those will come back down,” said Roach.

“He’s never been a big puncher at 147,” said Roach. “I don’t think he’s lost his punch or his killer instinct; he’s just been fighting bigger, stronger guys. I think the knockouts will still start coming again at 140.”

As far as training is concerned, conditioning coach Justin Fortune says Manny is already in good condition and the only issues they’ve had is the need to scale Pacquiao back a bit. Freddie has also given Manny the green light to play limited minutes in the Kia Sorentos season opener where he’ll also double as the coach.

“He likes to do it and it helps his conditioning but doesn’t replace his roadwork,” said Roach.

“He told me he’s going to go into the game, make an appearance and coach most of the game. As long as that’s the way it is, I told him he can do that, I have no problem.”

Manny Pacquiao fires a combination on the punch mitts with Freddie Roach.

Woods is reportedly ‘all in’on Ryder Cup task force

Ferrer eyes World O Tour finals D

AVID Ferrer’s determination to qualify for the season ending World Tour finals is such is he has opted to play in the Vienna Open for the first time in 10 years.

The 32-year-old -- seeded top here -- has decided to compete in Vienna as has British number one Andy Murray as they search to accrue enough points to get in the top eight which entitles them to a place in the finals in London in November.

Ferrer and Murray are ninth and 10th respectively in the race for places in London, for which three remain unfilled.

Canadian Milos Raonic -- who is playing in Moscow this week -- in eighth spot at the moment, the Spaniard is just 35 points adrift of him and the Briton 95 in arrears.

Ferrer, who will play the winner of either Simone Bolelli and Tobias Kamke after he benefited from a first-round bye, said that he would battle till the end of the qualifying process to secure his place.

“Of course it is my goal, I’m fighting for,” said Fer-

rer, who played in Shanghai last week losing to Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals.

“It’s important for me.

We don’t have too many tournaments. We have only three tournaments more to be in London.”

Murray, seeded second, only springs into action on Thursday against against Canadian Vasek Pospisil, who beat German Daniel Brands 6-3, 6-7 (3/7), 7-6 (7/2).

Murray, who flew into the Austrian capital in a private jet after receiving his wild card entry, is due also to compete in Valencia again on a wild card entry next week and the Paris Masters.

Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Stan Wawrinka have already qualified for the finals.

One will go to Marin Cilic as a Grand slam winner this season, leaving three available.

On the court spectators witnessed the first elimination of a seed as German Jan-Lennard Struff beat number seven seed Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain 6-3, 6-4.

ver his career, Woods has often been accused of not caring about the Ryder Cup as some kind of explanation for his lackluster 13-17-3 overall record. He’s been called seflish, with critics saying he only cares about individual honors and achievements, which clearly don’t jibe in a team situation.

Whether it’s to prove

something or a display of his Ryder Cup passion, Woods is reportedly gungho for this task force.

“What’s comedy over years from certain reporters is this doesn’t mean anything to him,” said Steve Stricker, another member of the task force, according to Golf World. “Quite the opposite, I’ve been partners with him. He wants to be on

the winning side more than anybody. He brings enthusiasm to the table and that competitive fire that he has.”

Former captain Davis Love III also praised Woods’ early involvement in the task force.

“Tiger’s been unbelievable with input and interest already,” said Love.

While Woods wasn’t on the 2014 team at Glenea-

gles, he has plenty of reason to be part of the Ryder Cup solution. Woods has only been on one winning team (1999 at Brookline) in his seven Ryder Cup appearances. The 14-time major winner will no doubt captain the American side someday as well, so any playbook he can help establish now may well help him out down the line.

Walters (24-0, 20 KOs), of Montego Bay, Jamaica, enters this fight having won 10 of his last 11 fights by knockout.

WhileDonaire (33-2, 21 KOs), a native of General Santos City, Philippines, is still riding high from his victory last May 31 at The Venetian Macao by dethroning defending WBA featherweight champion SimpiweVetyeka via a vicious fiveround technical decision.

Since 2007, three of Donaire’slast four victories have been by way of knockout.

Watch “The Filipino Flash” battle it out with the “The Axe Man” on October 19, 2014, 8:00am, live and commercial-free on SKYcable PAY-PERVIEW. Experience the boxing thrill in High Defi-

nition or Standard Definition for only P399.

SKYcable continues to offer subscribers the widest selection of premium entertainment.

Plus, discover more ways of enjoying your digital cable TV withSKYcable’s over 190 channels, flexible subscription options via SELECT, iRECORD feature that records, pauses and rewinds live TV, and real-time exclusive coverage of live concerts and sporting events via PAYPER-VIEW and FREE VIEW. Experience the hottest boxing match of the season from the country’s leading and innovative cable TV provider.

Bringing you live coverage of boxing championship events like never

before!

To subscribe to this PAY-PER-VIEW, and know more about SKYcable’s digital cable TV plans, log on to www. mysky.com.ph, or call the 24-hour customer service hotlines at 02 381-0000 for Metro Manila, CAMANAVA, and Rizal; 046-484-4701 for Cavite; 049-534-2814 for Calamba and Binan, Laguna; 02-520-8560 for San Pedro, Laguna and Carmona, Cavite; 044-693-5877 for Bulacan; 032-421-1818 for Cebu; 082-305-5456 for Davao; 074-4424841 for Baguio; 034432-0051 for Bacolod; 033-300-1210 for Iloilo; 035-225-1010 for Dumaguete; and 083-3013134 for Gen. Santos City.

Donaire all set for title fight vs Walters

N

ONITO “The Filipino Flash”Donaire Jr. will face Jamaica’s Nicholas “The Axe Man” Walters to determine the undisputed WBA Featherweight World Championat the StubHubCenter in Carson, California. The Donaire-Walters bout is a co-featurefor the Gennady “GGG”Golovkin vs. Marco Antonio “El Veneno” Rubio 12-round world middleweight title fight.This boxing doubleheader will air on October 19, 2014, Sunday, starting 8:00am (Philippine Standard Time).

Both world-class titleholders in their own right, Donaire and Walters boast a combined winning percentage of 97% and a victory by knockout ratio of 72%.

VOL. 7 ISSUE 153 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2014

SPORTS 15

EDGEDAVAO

Lin over Nash at LA starting five H

OPE reigns supreme in the offseason, which is why many early assessments of the Los Angeles Lakers suggested that oft-injured point guard Steve Nash would be able to contribute significantly in 201415. Even Nash claimed that it would likely be his last season, but that didn’t stop trainer Gary Vitti from professing optimism that he would have a relatively healthy year.

A few weeks into training camp, though, it looks like the player who missed 32 games in 2012-13 and 67 games in 2013-14 is headed for another season of frustration. As such, head coach Byron Scott is heavily considering turning Nash into a permanent backup for Jeremy Lin at the point guard spot. From Mike Bresnahan for the Los Angeles Times (via PBT): Lakers Coach Byron Scott indicated that Jeremy Lin might become the starting point guard because of Nash’s recurring back problems, a switch that makes sense due to Nash’s onagain, off-again availability.

Nash played well in the Lakers’ exhibition opener but sat out their second game and took himself out of their third because he didn’t feel right. [...]

“I have no doubt in my mind that if I went to Steve and said tomorrow, ‘You know what, I’m going to start Jeremy and the games that you’re available, we’re going to bring you off the bench,’ he’s such a professional that I don’t think it would be a problem whatsoever,” Scott said.

Lin might not be able to play in Thursday’s exhibition against Utah because of a sprained ankle, but he should be ready to go against Phoenix on Sunday in the fifth of the Lakers’ eight preseason games.

As noted by Lakers. com reporter Mike Trudell on Twitter, Nash has not specified his health issues.

However, it’s believed that he’s dealing with the same problems that kept him sidelined in recent years: Moving forward with a partially healthy or sidelined Nash is obviously a blow to the Lakers. While the team’s postseason goals

were always a little unlikely regardless of health, Nash would have played an important role as a facilitator given the number of players on the roster — to name a few: Kobe Bryant, Nick Young, Carlos Boozer, and Julius Randle — who require a reasonable or large number of shots to succeed.

Lin excels in the pick-androll, but he is a score-first point who certainly can’t match the output of the man with the third-most assists in NBA history. The Lakers were always going to need a lot of luck to have a good season, and it now looks like they’re already playing without a full deck.

Apart from the impact on the team, it is unfortunate that the basketball world will have to say goodbye to Nash when he’s not at his best. That doesn’t make him unique — very few players are lucky enough to leave the game on their own terms. Regardless, fans should be on the lookout for the handful of vintage performances we get from Nash this season, because they might be few and far between.

Jackson and Fisher have decided to change former coach Mike Woodson’s staid isolation offense, which drew influence from Bob Knight’s sometimes laughably-titled motion offense, to the triple post or “sideline triangle” attack that Basketball Hall of Famer Tex Winter created decades ago.

That was the driving offense for each of Jackson’s 11 NBA titles as coach, the offense that helped Fisher to five rings as a player, and most importantly to Knick fans, a variation on the spacing and ball movement that helped the Knicks to their two titles

in the 1970s.

It is also an offense that is rarely used and often derided by NBA head coaches, even though its precepts stand as the pillars for great pro offenses, utilizing many of the elements that the San Antonio Spurs ran with last spring. Attempts in the mid1990s in Dallas (twice) and Phoenix to adopt the triangle failed miserably, and the tired go-to joke being that the triangle was a good enough offense just as long as you have Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Shaquille O’Neal or Kobe Bryant on your roster.

Melo struggles with the triangle

STARTER. Los Angeles Lakers point guard Jeremy Lin is reportedly getting tips from Kobe Bryant on how to become a great defensive player. (Getty)

GOAL. Argentina’s Lionel Messi (centre) scores his first goal during their international friendly soccer match against Hong Kong, in Hong Kong on Tuesday. Argentina strolled to a 7-0 friendly win over Hong Kong on Tuesday, with superstar Messi and Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain both netting a brace. REUTERS

Messi scores brace vs HK side

H

ONG KONG (AP) — Lionel Messi needed just six minutes to make his mark in Argentina’s 7-0 rout of Hong Kong in a friendly at Hong Kong Stadium on Tuesday.

The Barcelona star Messi scored twice after going on as a substitute for the last 30 minutes of the game to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Hong Kong Football Association.

Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain and Benfica’s Nicolas Gaitan also scored two goals each after Sevilla’s Ever Banega had opened scoring in the 19th minute.

Argentina started the

match with many of its stars, including Messi and English Premier League players Angel Di Maria, Sergio Aguero and Pablo Zabaleta all on the bench.

But it hardly made a difference as the Argentina attack shredded the hapless Hong Kong defense, showing no ill effects from the loss to Brazil in smog-ridden Beijing three nights earlier.

“The match against Brazil was important and it gave us some questions which we will need to answer in the future.

But tonight the teams are on a different level and we played the way we are supposed to,” Argentina coach Gerardo Martino.

T

New York Knicks will not win a championship this year, and their hopes for acquiring a second or third star to place alongside Carmelo Anthony may have been scuttled by Kevin Love’s trade to Cleveland, and the rising salary cap that will allow several other teams to vie for free agents in the years following 2015.

They are heading into this campaign mindful of the idea that this is a placeholder season, one meant to once again lean on Anthony in his prime, while launching Derek Fisher’s coaching career. he

SHOW ME HOW. Carmelo points to the part where the triangle went. (Getty Images)

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports Kobe Paras, who was named after the Lakers’ Kobe Bryant, came to L.A. to prepare for college and see if he was good enough to earn a college basketball scholarship.

(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

VOL. 7 ISSUE 153 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2014

There’s a new Kobe in town

By ERIC SONDHEIMER Los Angeles Times

D

ON’T be surprised if Filipino flags are being waved en masse this winter in the gym at Los Angeles Cathedral High. There are more than 375,000 Filipinos living in Los Angeles County, and a 17-year-old basketball prodigy with more than 50,000 Twitter and 67,000 Instagram followers is set to make his high school debut in the United States.

Kobe Paras is no ordinary foreign exchange student. As a 15-year-old in 2013, Paras participated in a Nike exhibition in Manila, and with LeBron James on the court, Paras dunked.

That moment was captured on video, and in the era of YouTube, Facebook and Twitter, Paras’ life changed.

“They’re calling me the kid who dunked on LeBron,” Paras recalled.

Last week, UCLA Coach Steve Alford showed up at Cathedral to watch Paras practice and ended up making a scholarship offer. On Saturday, Paras committed to the Bruins. In 24 hours, he picked up 1,000 more Twitter followers.

“Pinoys in L.A. will go nuts to see Kobe as a Bruin,” said TJ Manotoc, a sports broadcaster for ABS-CBN in the Philippines.

In the Philippines, Paras and his family were celebrities long before his LeBron moment. His father, Benjie, in 1989 became the only player in the history of

Execs muffs clutch free throws, absorb second straight loss

C

ITY Hall Executives wasted a pretty chance to pull away with a dramatic come from behind victory and get back in the winning track in the series.

Eugene Labor muffed a potential game-winning free throws in closing seconds allowing Everball Columbia to escape a 90 – 87 win in Game No. 8 of their basketball friendly series at the Davao City Recreation Center Almendras Gym on Tuesday night.

Downed by a point, 87 – 88, Labor took a pass at the shaded lane and got fouled on his way to the basket with 4 seconds remaining of the neck-to-

neck encounter.

But the beanpole forward missed the two crucial shots at the foul line that enabled the Everball Columbia to seize the win.

Everball Columbia converted at the stripes to in the next play to settle the final score.

The heartbreaking loss was the second straight for the Executives and came three days after the Christopher “Bong” Go-led squad bagged the 2014 IBP-CMO Basketball Tournament title.

Rico Kwan Tiu came through with 25 points for Everball Columbia that withstood all adversity down the stretch to snatch

the win.

Martinez chipped in 12 while Angsinco and Macatabog had 10 apiece to help Everball Columbia improved its card in the series, 2 – 6.

Go, who was recently awarded MVP of the IBPCMO hoopfest, scattered for 33 points with the bulk of which came in the second half.

It was Go who sparked the Executives rally in the final half that kept them in the game, trailing only by 2, 66 – 68, entering the final period.

Joel Aberilla made 12 as Rcky Sumagang and Erick John Flores had 11 and 10 respectively.

Everball Columbia blewout the Executives, 93 – 75, in the last outing (Game No. 7) to taste its first win and snap the City Hall-based dribblers six game winning streak.

(Rico Biliran) Box scores: Everball Columbia – 90 – Kwan Tiu 25, Martinez 12, Angsinco 10, Macatabog 10, De Felix 7, Macarandang 7, Caballero 6, Maligro 6, Balisalisa 4, Deveza 3, Chium 0, Mending 0, Avinante 0.

City Hall Executives – 87 – Go 33, Aberilla 12, Sumagang 11, Flores 10, Cloribel 9, Labor 6, Escandor 3, Apostol 2, Peloton 0, Poliquit 0, Bredol 0

the country’s professional basketball league to be the rookie of the year and the MVP in the same season. He became an actor and businessman. Paras’ brother, Andre, also plays basketball and went into acting.

Then it was decided Paras, who was named after the Lakers’ Kobe Bryant, should come to Los Angeles to prepare for college and see if he was good enough to earn a college basketball scholarship. He’s living with a host family.

“I always remind him to continue working hard and to focus on his studies,” his father told Philstar.com on Friday.

With his youthful looks and willingness to be playful and entertain fans through postings on Instagram and Twitter, Paras has a gained a large following among teenage girls in the Philippines.

Whenever Paras does just about anything noteworthy, Filipino media report it.

“I liken him in his country to what LeBron was here” as a high school star, Cathedral Coach William Middlebrooks said.

Paras is 6 feet 6. He was a center in his country, but he was playing guard last summer for a travel team in Southern California and picked up scholarship offers from Arizona State, California, Fresno State, UC Santa Barbara and UC Irvine even though he’s going into his junior year. Then UCLA en-

tered the picture.

“While all of this is new to me, I realize that I can only go to one college, so I felt it was not necessary to continue the recruitment process with so many very good schools and coaches already at the table,” Paras said in a statement released by Cathedral.

“Most know him for his dunking, but he can shoot the three, dribbles and passes,” Middlebrooks said. “He’s highly skilled and is adapting to the style of play in America.”

Clearly, Paras’ leaping ability will make him a crowd favorite this season.

He hasn’t measured his vertical leap, but it’s so explosive that you can count on Cathedral statisticians to start keeping track of dunks.

There’s little doubt the attention he received for his LeBron moment had a huge influence.

“He was my idol since I was a kid, and getting to do that with him is something that changed something in me big time,” Paras said.

Of course, basketball is more than just dunking, and the focus on Paras’ dunks takes away from his other strengths. He really is a terrific shooter and his work ethic is outstanding.

“I want to show everybody it’s not all about dunking or highlights,” he said.

“It’s about what you do on the court.”

NBA tests shorter games

T

HE Brooklyn Nets and Boston Celtics will experiment with a 44-minute preseason game on Sunday, four minutes shorter than a standard game, the NBA said on Tuesday.

The teams will play four 11-minutes quarters at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, one minute shorter than the normal, while mandatory timeouts will be reduced, the NBA said in a statement.

“At our recent coaches’ meeting, we had a discussion about the length of our games, and it was suggested that we consider experimenting with a shorter format,” NBA president of basketball operations Rod Thorn said in a statement.

“After consulting with our Competition Committee, we

agreed to allow the Nets and Celtics to play a 44-minute preseason game in order to give us some preliminary data that will help us to further analyze game-time lengths.”

During Sunday’s game, there will be two mandatory timeouts per quarter. In a typical 48-minute NBA game, the second and fourth quarters have three mandatory timeouts.

“When this idea came up at the coaches’ meeting, I thought it was a unique experiment that was worth participating in,” said Nets head coach Lionel Hollins.

“I’m looking forward to gauging its impact on the flow of the game. Since there is a shorter clock, it affects playing time, so it’ll be interesting to see how it plays into substitution patterns.”