Edge Davao 7 Issue 155

VOL. 7 ISSUE 155 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, OCTOBER 19-20, 2014

www.edgedavao.net

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

Retailing in Davao By the Edge Davao staff

SM: Raising the bar in Davao NCCC soars to greater heights What’s new at Abreeza Mall: Fashion, food, gadgets, and more Nova Tierra Square: Convenience and quality Shop ‘till you drop!

T

HE RETAILING market of Davao City and its burgeoning adjacent cities and towns, buoyed by the Dabawenyos’ ever-growing purchasing power, continues to be a force in the local economy and a formidable source of tax revenues of local government units.

A recent government report indicated that the growth in retailing is boosted by the country ’s booming economy which soared to new heights in 2014 after the country was again granted investment ratings.

In Davao, as in most of the country’s capital cities, the people’s purchasing power continued to grow stronger partly due to a number of factors – higher remittances from Overseas Filipino workers and incomes from growing employment by the business processing outsourcing (BPO) companies.

Added to this is the fast recovery of the area’s Cavendish banana plantations which have been destroyed by recent natural disasters such as the super typhoon Pablo (international code-

name Bopha) and the rise of new agricultural products such as coffee, cacao, corn and coconut. Money in circulation from the plantations’ wages every month is in the billions of pesos.

This impacts tremendously on the workers’ purchasing power and disposable income.

RETAILING 101 “Retail is the sale of goods and services from individuals or businesses to the end-users,” according to former Edge Davao associate editor in an article written for the first special supplement on retailing in Davao on March 6, 2013. “Retailers are part of an integrated system called the supply chain,” he said, adding that “a retail purchases goods or products

FRETAILING, S13

Inside SM Ecoland

Page 2

NCCC

Page 5

Abreeza

Tierra Page 6 Nova Square

Page 8

S2 RETAILING

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 155 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, OCTOBER 19-20, 2014

SM: Raising the bar in Davao

W

HEN SM City Davao opened its doors in November 2001, it brought with it the latest in mall design and store layouts as well as better mall facilities. It was able to bring in popular new brands not yet open in competitor malls and brought in new investments and businesses to enter and see the huge potential of Davao City as an investment hub.

SM CITY DAVAO SM City Davao raised the bar in retailing with its assorted tenant mix and strong affiliate stores, achieving its aim to “bring Manila to Davao” and completing the mall experience with its “one-stop-shop” mall concept.

The mall’s aggressive promotion of its 3-Day Supermall-wide sale has also raised the

standard of merchandise offerings and discount promos to shoppers in the region. This twice-a-year activity has long been institutionalized and still remains a strong crowd-drawer for the mall and sales-driver for tenants.

Currently, the mall has the largest occupancy of BPO players in Davao City, occupying 18,000 square meters in area and catering to 3,000 employees. It also houses the Regional Office of the Department of Foreign Affairs. It was the first mall to integrate a van terminal facility within its property, providing another level of service convenience for locals and out-of-towners.

With SM Prime Holding, Inc.’s strong environment advocacy on operational sustainability, the mall integrated the processing of waste water for use in its air

conditioning system and CR flushing in its day-today operation which has significantly saved on the usage of fresh water.

The clerestories/skylights installed as part of mall design lessens usage of power, and the installation of variable speed drive in air-handling units regulates power consumption, thereby decreasing the carbon footprint of the mall.

Positioned as a community mall, SM City Davao is strategically located in the southern part of the city.

The mall is surrounded by the middle- and high-end residence subdivisions of Juna, Doña Luisa, Ecoland, Matina, and Davao Executive Homes. Across the mall by the Eco West Drive is Ecoland 4000, a highclass leisure living

residence in condominium units, and Filinvest’s One Oasis, a five-level residence and leisure condominium with around 370 modern and stylish units.

SM City Davao is also accessible to students of Ateneo De Davao University-Elementary and High School campuses and the Philippine Women’s College of Davao just within Juna Subdivision. The San Pablo parish is also conveniently located in the same subdivision. Just along Quimpo Boulevard, offices of the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA), Philhealth and the Civil Service Commission are also easily reached via jeepney.

SM City Davao will continue to upgrade its tenant mix and mall facil-

ities and is committed to delivering the highest level of malling experience to answer the ever-changing needs of its market. It will continue to strengthen its Corporate Social Responsibility programs and continue to engage the community it serves to create a richer and better quality of life.

SM LANANG PREMIER SM Lanang Premier has been steadfast in its commitment to be the premier lifestyle destination mall in Davao City and the whole of Mindanao. Its worldclass design is at par with international standards and trends and is comparable with many modern malls abroad.

The biggest SM mall in Mindanao is pioneering in many ways. From stateof-the-art facilities such as the IMAX Theatre and the SMX Convention Center, the mall’s green features and sustainable operations, to services like the Tourist Privilege Card, it has changed the landscape of retail, mall and property industry in Southern Philippines.

SM Lanang Premier also brings to the local market global brands such as Forever 21, Aeropostale, and American Eagle Outfitters, to name a few, thereby inspiring even local and national brands to follow suit and be world-class themselves, as can be seen in their first-rate store designs, merchandising and services.

SM Lanang Premier was conceptualized to give

FSM, S11

VOL. 7 ISSUE 155 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, OCTOBER 19-20, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

RETAILING S3

S4 RETAILING

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 155 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, OCTOBER 19-20, 2014

VOL. 7 ISSUE 155 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, OCTOBER 19-20, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

RETAILING S5

NCCC soars to greater heights

N

EW City Commercial Corporation (formerly called New City Commercial Center) was built by Lim Tian Siu, a former cigarette sales agent, who migrated from Chin Kang, Fukien, China to Manila in 1919. When war broke out in Manila, he and his

wife Ko Giok Loo moved to Cotabato City where they put up a small trading business. In 1952, they decided to transfer to Davao City to venture into the textile business.

In 1978, their eldest son, Henry, added a supermarket as well as a department store at Ramon

Magsaysay Avenue where NCCC Main Magsaysay now stands.

NCCC has since expanded not just in Davao City but in other areas as well: NCCC Mall Tagum was built in 1987 and NCCC Mall Palawan in 1991. In December of 2003, the company decid-

ed to take its boldest step and opened its biggest branch, the NCCC Mall Davao. This established NCCC as the top of mind of its loyal customers and target market when it comes to the retailing scene.

Through the years, NCCC has always consid-

ered the small-scale store owners as its top customers, and as part of its mission to provide all its customers’ needs and to offer them service from the heart, the company treats and supports them as business partners. As

FNCCC, S12

S6 RETAILING

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 155 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, OCTOBER 19-20, 2014

What’s new at Abreeza Mall: Fashion, food, gadgets, and more

A

breeza Mall, the first Ayala mall in Mindanao, strengthens its impressive listing of over 300 stores with new offerings that truly make it Davaoeños’ top destination for the best in shopping, dining, and lifestyle. From first-in-Davao footwear and apparel brands to showrooms featuring luxurious home finds to well-loved dining spots in the city, Metro Davao’s discerning denizens have more to look forward to whenever they step inside the sprawling lifestyle center that is Abreeza Mall.

New fashion finds Among the new entrants is footwear brand Yosi Samra at the 2nd floor.

Pioneering the foldable ballet flat to give women comfort, practicality, and style all in one shoe, Yosi Samra has gained fans among stylish stars such as Jessica Alba, Charlize Theron, Halle Berry, and more.

Also debuting in Davao is Fox, located at the 2nd floor. This Californiabased action sports brand boasts premium men’s and women’s sports and casual apparel, as well as accessories designed for enthusiasts of motocross, biking, surfing, BMX, and wakeboarding.

Also at the 2nd floor is classic American sportswear company Izod, which recently introduced its colorful yet clean, solid yet energetic designs to Abreeza mall-goers.

At the 3rd floor of the Abreeza Corporate Center is Virtuosity, a homegrown fashion retailer with a focus on offering the urban male youthful, fresh, and unique designs—all at affordable prices.

Home essentials Furn One looms large at Abreeza Mall’s 3rd floor, the first specialty retailer of high quality home furnishings in the city. The space houses contemporary pieces in unique designs and equally bold accents from both foreign and local brands that are sure to catch discriminating homeowners’ fancy.

Dunlopillo, a leading luxury mattress brand worldwide, enters the Davao market through its showroom at Abreeza Mall’s 3rd floor. Delivering the perfect sleep experience through its trademark latex foam, Dunlopillo is the solution for people who crave the best quality rest.

Long-time food favorites Sunburst Fried Chicken, famous for its fried chicken since 1971, sets up shop at Abreeza Mall this October.

Sunburst also offers its traditional dishes such as Rice Noodles, Sotanghon, Calamares, and Kinilaw, as well as recently added Filipino favorites like Crispy Pata, Sizzling Bangus, and Sizzling Squid.

Homegrown coffee concept Blugre Coffee has also reopened at the ground floor of the Abreeza Corporate Center, this time boasting a warm yet modern new look that is sure to keep coffee enthusiasts coming—and staying.

Gadgets and appliances Technophiles have more shops to visit at Abreeza Mall as new concepts open at the 3rd floor. One is the Lenovo Smartphone Exclusive Store, which showcases the brand’s cutting-edge smartphones and tablets.

Another is O+, an American handset brand boasting the Air Shuffle feature for a touch-less touch phone experience. Also open at the 3rd floor is Colours, a one-stop-shop for camera and photo needs.

Also making its way to the Davao market is Robinsons Appliances at the 2nd floor, which offers great deals on the latest video and audio appliances.

Soon to open Abreeza Mall will soon welcome popular Indonesian donut cafe J.CO, the first Davao branch of convenience store chain 7- Eleven, and homegrown Latin American food place Qibus. Also opening its doors at Abreeza Mall soon is the S & R New York Style Pizza parlor, which will offer its quick service favorites to diners with no need for a membership.

Also set to open in the coming months are outdoor superstore R.O.X., Brazilian flip-flop brand Ipanema,

outdoor footwear and apparel brand Timberland, French mountain sports company Salomon, Dermax Professional Laser Center, and dermatological center Belo Medical Group.

Abreeza Mall is located along J.P. Laurel Ave., Davao City. For more information on Abreeza Mall, please visit the Main Concierge at the ground floor or call (082) 321-9332. Stay updated by liking www.facebook.com/ AbreezaMall and following @abreezatweets on Twitter and @iloveabreezamall on Instagram.

VOL. 7 ISSUE 155 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, OCTOBER 19-20, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

RETAILING S7

S8 RETAILING EDGEDAVAO Nova Tierra Square: Convenience and quality VOL. 7 ISSUE 155 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, OCTOBER 19-20, 2014

N

OVA Tierra Square is the latest landmark in Davao City, boasting of 14 outlets that cater to the needs of residents living nearby.

Located in Barrio Pampanga at the corner of Nova Tierra Subdivision, Lanang, the two-story building is a one-stop shop that offers both convenience and quality to customers.

The square’s 14 tenants range from drugstores, food outlets, banks, clinics, spas, and much more.

The ground floor is occupied by Mercury Drug, Maybank, Julies Bakeshoppe, Homadaki Buffet House, Buhangin Medical Clinic and Diagnostic Center, and NCCC Choice.

Up on the second floor

are Patwood Inc., Fourlinq Windows/OPPEIN, Belissi Salon & Spa, Scents & Oil, 3 Diamonds Internet Café, Ikon Solution, RYJ Beauty Product, and Seawhale Custom Broker.

With a total of 4.2 hectares, Nova Tierra Square is a spacious property with ample parking area and a courtyard.

It has a sidewalk ramp and is protected by security guards 24 hours a day and a CCTV system.

Nova Tierra Square was opened to the public little over a year ago on September 25, 2013, and since then has been giving residents in the northern part of Davao City a convenient, safe, and pleasant place in which to shop and avail themselves of various services.

VOL. 7 ISSUE 155 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, OCTOBER 19-20, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

RETAILING S9

S10 RETAILING

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 155 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, OCTOBER 19-20, 2014

Shop ‘till you drop!

FOR an idea how Americans do their shopping in the land of milk and honey, let’s read this article from award-winning feature writer Henrylito D. Tacio. –The editors

Text and photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO

F

OUR out of every 10 people who come to the Mall of America are visitors. For international visitors, it is the most convenient place to go at it is located near the Lindbergh International Airport in Minneapolis.

“More than 28 million people live within a day’s drive to Mall of America,” says the brochure I took from the hotel where I stayed for a night. “Despite the temperature extremes of Minnesota,

the weather inside Mall of America is always a perfect 70 degrees Fahrenheit.”

Welcoming over 42 million guests each year, it is America’s no. 1 visited attraction since it opened in 1992. In a two-hour documentary, the Discovery Channel featured the mall as one of the Seven American Wonders.

According to the New York Times, the Mall of America attracts more visitors annually than

Disney World, Graceland (of Elvis Presley) and the Grand Canyon combined.

Another startling fact: if you spend only 10 minutes in every store inside the mall, it would take you more than 86 hours to complete your visit – that’s about four days of non-stop walking around the mall.

If you care to know, the gross building area is 4.2 million square feet – that’s big enough to hold 32 Boeing 747 aircraft!

And its 13,300 short tons

of steel is nearly twice the amount in the Eiffel Tower.

Mind-boggling, isn’t it?

The catchy line, “Shop till you drop,” is fitting here. In fact, a study made by FutureBrand, an international brand consultancy, considered the Mall of America as “more than a shopping center.”

Its reputation is stronger than Las Vegas, New York City and Downtown Chicago.

What is even more interesting about the mall

is that four of America’s nationally recognized department stores are together under one roof: Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, Nordstrom and Sears.

There are specialty shops lining three stories of mall “avenues” linking these four department stores.

At the heart of the Mall of America is Knott’s Camp Snoopy – named after the Peanuts character created by Charles Schultz, a native of Saint

FSHOP, S13

VOL. 7 ISSUE 155 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, OCTOBER 19-20, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

RETAILING S11

Damosa Land recognizes top sellers and brokers for 2013

SM... FFROM S2

Cary F. Lagdameo, Vice President of Damosa Land, Inc.-Residential honors the top sellers and brokers for their hard work and dedication in hitting their target sales.

a fresh perspective and an elevated malling experience for Davaoeños and Mindanaoans. From the way the mall is designed – the environment-friendly features, the generous spaces and greenery – to the services offered and the tenant mix, it is geared to both satisfy the expectations of the shoppers’ changing lifestyles.

SM Lanang Premier’s architectural design is all about environmental sustainability. Skylights for natural lighting, landscaping, and open spaces are abound. Grass pavers in its parking spaces help reduce surface runoff and absorb rainwater directly to the ground. A rainwater catchment system has also been installed to help mitigate floods in nearby communities in case of heavy rains.

All toilets also use recycled water. Guests would feel a sense of comfort knowing that they are shopping in an environment-friendly facility.

The tenant mix is focused on global brands – both local and interna-

tional, with the intention of bringing quality, worldclass shopping experience that is affordable and easily within reach. By making these products and brands accessible to the Davao Market, SM Lanang Premier makes them realize that being world-class doesn’t have to be expensive. It’s really a matter of quality and experience.

SM Lanang Premier is also committed in promoting tourism in Davao and in Mindanao as a whole.

With facilities like the SMX Convention Center and Park Inn by Radisson, the mall has established Davao City as the foremost venue for MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibits) events. Davao has become even more exposed to more cultures and best practices in the international scene, prompting the development of even better offerings of allied services and facilities.

SM Lanang Premier will constantly update the tenant mix by introducing new brands in the next couple of years. New

SM Lanang Premier Exterior 2

international brands are being introduced in other SM Malls in Manila, and will eventually be brought here. New dining concepts are also being developed both by local restaurateurs and those from areas like Cebu and Manila, and they will open in SM Lanang Premier.

SMX CONVENTION CENTER Davao City has long been a favorite destination of tourists, and the tourism growth in recent years has been more remarkable with SMX which offers a first-class facility that can be an appropriate and a big enough venue for many MICE events. Davao City has become host to many of the national conventions and trade shows and even some international events with the opening of the SMX Convention Center in SM Lanang Premier. It is about time that Davao City and the rest of Mindanao gets its share of the MICE industry, and SM Lanang Premier is proud to be one of the passionate stakeholders of tourism in the region.

S

ellers and brokers of Damosa Fairlane enjoyed a night of glitz and glamor at the Damosa Fairlane Annual Sales Awards Night where top performers for 2013 were recognized.

On its second year, Damosa Fairlane honored their top sellers and brokers who went all out to hit their target sales for the year.

Top Property Specialists Mark Jones Malhin and Rose Anne Nobleza were awarded with cash prizes.

Together with other top performing property specialists, they also received plaques, premium gifts and an all-expense-paid trip to Singapore.

When asked about her strategy for becoming one of the top property specialists, Rose Anne Nobleza said, “It is my passion for my work, confidence and the

people who surround me that keep me going.”

Top brokers, Omar Soriano and Apryl Astillo, were also awarded with plaques and cash prizes.

“At Damosa Land, we value our property specialists and brokers. Just like with other Anflocor companies, we treat our team like family. We also want to see 2nd and 3rd generation employees working for Damosa Land. Here, all their hard work and dedication is recognized. We want them to know that not only did they choose to sell the best products in the market today, but that they have chosen to be part of one of the best developers in Davao as well,” said Cary F. Lagdameo, VP for Damosa Land, Inc. The Sales Awards Night was regaled with an array of sumptuous food,

open bar & cocktails, and a whole evening of partying and celebration for the achievements of the sales and brokers team.

“We hope our team had a good time, not just at the party, but for the successful year they had selling Fairlane. As we embark on new projects between now and 2015, we’re actually looking at beefing up our sales team so anyone who thinks they have what it takes to share our vision of being the next best developer in Mindanao is more than welcome to join Damosa Land. I envision that next year’s sales award night will be even bigger!, ” added Cary Lagdameo.

Damosa Land is the real estate and property development company of the Anflocor Group – the company that is responsible for developing business and lifestyle oriented commercial center, Damosa District.

S12 RETAILING

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 155 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, OCTOBER 19-20, 2014

NCCC... FFROM S5

these stores grow, NCCC also grows. Whatever growth they have, the company also takes it as its own.

The company’s brand of service led to the creation of the Cool Customer Club Fair in 2000, which is now known as the Kanegosyo Congress.

It has been an annual event held every September to recognize the loyalty and patronage of the NCCC Rewards Club Members and Kanegosyo Partners.

Within 30 years, NCCC has expanded with diverse services offered through HB1 and Choice Mart, to name a few.

Tagged as “much more than your neighborhood store,” HB1 (Health & Beauty in 1) answers the everyday convenience of the mass market by providing them with staples like food, school and office supplies, medicines, and grocery items. Because of its smaller format, it is more easily deployed in areas farther from the bigger branches.

Choice Mart, on the other hand, is a bigger format but not as big as the mall branches. It offers a wider variety of products in subdivisions and other similar commu-

nities with bigger shopping space and accessible locations. In early 2013, Grocer-Ring was introduced so that consumers may be able to shop in the comfort of their homes just by calling in their orders using the store’s delivery service.

NCCC also promotes goodwill to the community, its market, business partners, and to its employees by instilling and upholding its core values of humility, care, hard work, self discipline, integrity, excellence, and fun. To manifest the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility, NCCC Cares has implemented programs for education, environment, and the community.

In order to support employees and other external beneficiaries, NCCC has redirected its funds to education through the Educational Assistance Program (EAP). Qualified children of associates are granted up to 75 percent of tuition fees.

Financial assistance is also granted to indigent and deserving children who have a strong desire to complete basic education but are unable to get one due to their family’s financial incapability. It

is open to all qualified applicants in elementary, high school, and college preparing to enter or are already enrolled in partner institutions. As of School Year 2014-2015, NCCC Cares’ EAP has188 grantees in Davao;,62 in Tagum, and 49 in Palawan, excluding the 46 grantees who have already finished college.

For more than three decades, NCCC has been devoted to its aim to cater to the mass market with better shopping experience through convenient and quality services, unique product offerings with complete assortment, and of course, best value for their money. The company is pouring efforts to contribute to the community and to be the destination of choice in areas where it operates.

NCCC Supermarket has already revamped its area and launched its new look in December 2013. As it soars to greater heights, the company is also looking forward for the renovation of NCCC Department Store, the opening of more tenants like McDonald’s in NCCC Mall Davao, and expansion projects to fuel growth in more places where it can offer NCCC stores.

VOL. 7 ISSUE 155 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, OCTOBER 19-20, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

Retailing... FFROM S1 in large quantities from manufacturers directly or through wholesalers, and then sells them in smaller quantities to consumers for a profit.”

Data obtained from the City Treasurer’s Office covering June-December 2011 to January-July 2012 showed that retailers contributed P223.36 M or 27.02 percent to the total P826.56 M total tax revenue generated from commerce and trade.

In terms of employment, retailers cornered 33.31 percent of the 219,014 total employment generated by commerce and trade establishments. It is second only to services which employed 77,970 or 35.19 percent. Other top employers are wholesalers with 31, 535 or 14.39

percent, importers with 11,957 or 5.45 percent and banks and financial institutions with 9,974 or 4.55 percent.

INTERMEDIARIES Retailers, characterized as intermediaries between manufacturers or wholesalers and consumers, mainly buy goods from manufacturers and wholesalers and resell them to consumers.

These goods include general merchandise, auto parts, hardware, beauty products, animal feeds, books and magazines, drugs and medicines, jewelries, wet and dry goods, flowers, cell phones, mineral water and carbonated drinks.

At present, there are 13, 733 retail establishments located all over

Paul. It is considered the largest indoor family theme park in the US with 400 live plants.

If the mystery of the deep blue sea is your thing, don’t miss to visit the Underwater Adventures. It’s the world’s largest underground aquarium populated with over 3,000 fish. Now imagine yourself traveling 14 feet underwater where sharks, stingrays and giant sea turtles swim so close that you feel like you can reach out and touch them!

You will never go hungry in the Mall of America. Its flavor is enhanced with some of the most unique dining found anywhere. Choose from sophisticated, contem-

porary cuisine, or an entertaining casual dining experience.

Mall of America has also been described as a city within a city. Along with an extensive range of retail, restaurants and entertainment, there are many unique features to Mall of America. There’s the National American University (the first-ever college campus in a mall offering courses in 17 study areas), Metropolitan Learning Alliance (a mall campus available for high school students from five Minneapolis-area school districts), Postmark America (the only full-service post office located in a mall in the US), and Chapel of Love (more than 4,000

Shop... FFROM S10

the Davao City or 47.19 percent of the 29,101 total number of commercial establishments recorded during the covered period.

The retail trade in Davao City already flourished even before the advent of shopping malls, the most iconic and ubiquitous examples of the modern retail establishment.

POPULAR Already popular during the Japanese are the bazaars and the pioneering department stores some of which operate up to 1970s and 1980s like the Magno’s Department Store, Manila Textile, Datu Lima, Hermandas Department Store, Borgaileys and Laila Department Store.

couples from around the world have exchanged vows in the privacy of this elegant wedding chapel).

If you still have a hard time figuring out how the Mall of America looks like, try renting the following flicks: Jingle All The Way, Scenes from a Mall, and Mighty Ducks. All three movies were filmed partly in the Mall of America.

On The Drew Carey Show, a segment described heaven and stated, “It’s the only place other than the Mall of America that actually lives up to the hype.”

Thus, putting an end to those discussions claiming Mall of America would never succeed.

RETAILING S13

S14 RETAILING

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 155 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, OCTOBER 19-20, 2014

VOL. 7 ISSUE 155 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, OCTOBER 19-20, 2014

www.edgedavao.net

P 15.00 • 34 PAGES

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

THE SAGA OF MAAN CHUA

2 COVER STORY EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 155 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, OCTOBER 19-20, 2014

THE SAGA OF MAAN CHUA

Musicians should be given the chance to perform in public or visible areas during festivals and important occasions where there would be purely local talents, whatever the genre of music is. It may be Reggae, Rap, Ethnic, or Rock. People would know the local artists more if they would be able to advertise events going on around the city, which include the local artists.

By VANNAH ANG

D

ABAWENYA artist Maan Chua knows how hard the musician’s life is, especially those who live outside Metro Manila.

“It’s hard to survive as an artist here in Davao, particularly being a musician,” she shares with Edge Davao. Musicians here constantly struggle with lack of venues that showcase local music and performances, little or no airplay on radio, unavailability of music festivals that showcase local artists and their music (because most people would rather listen to bands from outside of the city), and lastly, not being paid enough.

“Musicians should be given the chance to perform in public or visible areas during festivals and important occasions where there would be purely local talents, whatever the genre of music is. It may be Reg-

gae, Rap, Ethnic, or Rock.

People would know the local artists more if they would be able to advertise events going on around the city, which include the local artists,” she says.

Chua thinks Davao offers so much talent but it all boils down to when and where the opportunities are for local artists to come out. It’s difficult to support other artists when legends from Mindanao hardly get any support. Most of them fade away silently or venture to the metropolis that is Manila to find support and to earn a living. It will be a great challenge to survive if local artists do not work it out themselves.

Maan Chua was born and raised in Davao City.

She is an independent singer, songwriter, guitarist, and percussionist and has been playing solo in several pubs and bars in and out of town since 2001. In 2003,

she performed in three different cities in India with the group Mebuyan for the Asian Women’s Festival funded by the National Comission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). Her recent awards include being the grand champion in the Kadayawan Festival’s Tunog Mindanao World Music Competition for the song “Tinalak” last year.

She has finished two self-produced albums:”Happy Thoughts,” which is composed of all the English songs she wrote when she was still in college, and “Sinag,” composed of Tagalog/Visayan songs. Most of her songs are about nature, peace, love, hope, and the beauty of Mindanao.

Chua says Mindanao – its beauty and culture – has inspired her a lot in being an artist. Her band Mebuyan has helped her as well in making music. “I think

I was just lucky enough to have found my group Mebuyan and opportunities that were able to help me sustain my music better than other musicians. I always join songwriting competitions to try my luck and win. Sometimes, I get hired to perform solo and sing my own compositions outside the city. I am also fortunate enough to have a partner who produces decent work because I don’t need to work so hard anymore and just focus on making music,” she says.

Chua finds it very heartwarming when someone sends her a personal message on Facebook about how much they appreciate a song or two of hers, or when she gets opportunities to perform in big events. When someone buys her album and have it signed, it’s all a musician like her could ever ask for, but it took her more than

10 years to reach this stage of appreciation.

She also has other hobbies. She makes lampshades, table runners, and other home accessories by bead-weaving. Engaging the outdoors, she finds backpacking, traveling, and exploring the mountains, waterfalls, and beaches around Mindanao and other countries thrilling as well.

“May you always be inspired in making music no matter how much struggles you have to go through, because at the end of the day you are left with a song of hope, love, oneness, and peace. With that, you would want to live another day and realize that life is worth living because you put beautiful music to it. This the greatest advice I could give young and surviving Dabawenyo artists.” Chua says.

3 THE BIG NEWS

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 155 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, OCTOBER 19-20, 2014

RIGHTS ABUSE VICTIM. Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte listens as a professed human rights abuse victim narrates her story of how the military allegedly killed her father on suspicion of coddling New People’s Army (NPA)

members. The consultation meeting was held at Dencia’s Restaurant along Gen. Luna Street in Davao City Friday night. Lean Daval Jr.

Mayor to call City on high alert ahead Ebola summit of international confab

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

D

AVAO City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte will call a summit on Ebola this week to see how prepared the city is for the disease.

“I will call a summit for that – tanang hospitals, tanang doctors (all hospitals and doctors),” Duterte said.

The mayor said he might schedule the summit on Tuesday.

“Gusto kong mahiba-

lo, preparado ba ta ana (I want to know if we are prepared for that),” he said.

“Ang sunod pangutana, kung di ta preparado, unsa ang kinahanglan para makalikay ta sa pinsala sa Ebola (The next question is,, if we are not prepared, what measures can we take to avoid the damage that Ebola can bring),” he added.

FMAYOR, 10

By CHENEEN R. CAPON and ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

D

AVAO City has been placed on high alert three days before the opening of the 2nd Brunei. Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines-East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) and Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand- Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) Trade Fair and Business Leaders’ Confer-

ence.

In an interview with Edge Davao on Saturday, Task Force (TF) Davao commander Colonel Macairog S. Alberto said the high security alert in the city has been implemented since last week.

“As we move nearer to the date of the event, we also raise higher the alert

Vendors won’t be displaced by Sasa Wharf improvement: DOT T

HE Department of Tourism (11) has given assurance that market vendors in Kilometer 11, Sasa, Davao City will not be displaced despite the ongoing project transforming the area into a prime tourism hub.

DOT-11 Chief Tourism Operations Officer Eden Josephine L. David said the DOT just wants to improve the area because it is very congested.

“As I look at it, it is not conducive for tourism,” David said.

She said the area is ideal for backpacker tourists since the airport is also near.

“The connectivity is really there. So we need to improve the area,” she said.

David said as soon as the city government, particularly the City Engineer’s Office (CEO), finish-

es the design, the renovations will be started.

Last February, national and local agencies signed an agreement to improve Kilometer 11 Sasa Launch Facility located at the Barangay Public Market into a prime tourism hub for visitors going to the Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS), Davao del Norte.

The project is tagged the Sasa Tourism Gateway (STG) Project.

Philippine Ports Authority Port District Office-Southern Mindanao (PDO-SoMin) manager Atty. Christian V. Santillan said it is an offshoot of the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) to increase tourist arrivals by improving market access and connectivity.

Santillan said it was conceptualized after a series of meetings among

FVENDORS, 10

status in the city even in the absence of terror threat,” he added.

Alberto said more than 500 combined forces from TF Davao and the 10th Infantry Division of the Eastern Mindanao Command will be deployed in the city during the five-day event which will start on October 22,

Tuesday, and end on October 26, Sunday.

“Soldiers will be deployed to all entry points in Davao City,” Alberto said, adding that some will be augmented in checkpoints, airports, and piers in the city.

Alberto said some of his men will be deployed

FCITY, 10

Duterte for President caravan returns to Davao

N

O regrets.

This was the response of Barangay Captain Rafsanjani Pendatun Ali from Maguindanao Province when asked by reporters how he would feel if Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte stands pat on his word not to run for President in 2016.

“Wala din naming mawawala sa akin kung hindi siya papayag. Pero at least, ang sa amin, malaman niya na maraming Pilipino ang naghahangad na maging pangulo siya ng bansang ito (I won’t lose anything if he

doesn’t run. It’s enough for us that he knows that many Filipinos want him to become our President),” he said.

Ali was one of the barangay captains who joined the 12-day caravan of the Duterte for President 2016 Movement which started last October 6.

Ali said the constant refusal of the mayor to run in 2106 has not discouraged them from continuing their campaign to seek more signatures to convince him.

“His decision not to

FDUTERTE, 10

4

NEWS

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 155 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, OCTOBER 19-20, 2014

US warns citizens against travel to Central Mindanao

T

POWER PROTEST. Militant groups stage a protest rally along San Pedro Street in Davao City on Friday afternoon in time for the commemoration of the National Day of Action against Coal and to denounce Energy Secretary

Carlos Jericho Petilla’s request of granting emergency powers to President Aquino to address the looming power crisis. Lean Daval Jr.

HE US Department of State has once again warned American citizens against travelling to the Philippines, particularly in Central Mindanao, citing the threat brought by terror groups with ties to Al Qaida.

In an advisory issued October 14, three days before the Abu Sayyaf group freed German nationals Viktor Stefan Okonek and Henrite Dielen in Patikul, Sulu, the US Embassy in Manila said the target of the terror attacks are foreign nationals, including Americans, in the East Asian and Pacific Region.

The travel warning quoted “credible sources” with information that “suggest that there is a continued risk of armed

terrorists and criminal groups operating and planning attacks against foreigners.”

“The Department of State remains concerned about the continued threat of terrorist attacks, demonstrations, and other violent actions against US citizens and interests overseas,” the advisory said.

A US-led military offensive was launched against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) on September 22. In response to these airstrikes, the terror group called for counterattacks on foreigners.

“Authorities believe there is an increased likelihood of reprisal attacks against US, Western and coalition partner interests throughout the world, es-

with only 85.35 percent.

There were also health districts in the city that were able to hit above the 95 percent target for OPV like Tugbok (98.85 percent), Calinan (97.94 percent), and Poblacion D (96.19 percent). The district of Sasa had the lowest coverage for OPV with only 84.03 percent.

The district of Sasa had the 7th highest measles cases as of August 8 record of CHO. Next to Sasa were Talomo North District with 201 cases, followed by Buhangin District with 133, Talomo South with 116, Po-

blacion District A with 95, and Agdao with 88 cases.

Hilario, meanwhile said as of September 15, there have been13 deaths attributed to measles, with 2,688 suspected cases and 210 confirmed to be positive of the disease.

In an earlier report, DOH 11 regional director Abdullah Dumama said immunization coverage regionwide has reached 95 percent for measles rubella and 92 percent for vaccination against polio. (CRC/ with reports from Mindanews)

FUS, 10

City misses immunization target

By CHENEEN R. CAPON crc@edgedavao.net

D

AVAO City was not able to reach the 95 percent target coverage for mass immunization for polio and measles of children zero to five years old.

This even after the immunization period was extended by two weeks from October 1 to October 14 in order to hit the 95-100 percent immunization coverage as prescribed by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The Measles Rubella Oral Polio Vaccine (MROPV) Supplemental Immunization Activity is a one-month activi-

ty of the Department of Health (DOH) under the nationwide Ligtas saTigdas at Polio Mass Immunization Campaign.

City Health Officer Dr. Josephine Villafuerte said based on the final report for the activity dated October 14, Davao City only reached 94.03 percent for measles and rubella and 91.14 percent for oral polio vaccines.

Records showed that 94.03 percent or 171,606 of the total 182,392 children aged nine months to five years old were vaccinated with MR vaccines, while the coverage

Poverty, wrong diagnoses still hound dengue cases

W

HEN two-yearold Jenny (real name withheld) got sick one day last August, her parents brought her to a “manghihilot” in the mistaken belief that she had a minor bone dislocation. Her fever did recede for a while, but it came back a day later.

It was only then that her parents brought her to the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), and she could have been saved had the doctor given the right diagnosis. The doctor told them Jenny had Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), but she didn’t.

What she had was dengue. Five days later, Jenny

passed away.

Sadly, this true story is becoming more and more common among the poorest of the poor in the city.

“Jenny” was the youngest victim of dengue during the third quarter of the year, and she died largely because, like many other poor families, her parents did not prioritizing seeking health assistance from clinics and hospitals because of the fee.

However, in Jenny’s case, the doctor who made the diagnosis was also at fault.

“It’s not a new thing and this has been on-going for several years,” Melodi-

for OPV reached 91.14 percent or 198,181 of the 214,112 children aged zero to five.

“Most of the children who were not immunized were those living in big and fist-class subdivisions whose parents did not allow health workers in. They also may have had private physicians,” Villafuerte said.

She said the Department of Health (DOH) was informed of this.

Public health information officer Mary Divene Hilario said in a report that among the factors of the low im-

munization rate in the city are the “absence of either the children or the parents at home and the refusal of caretakers to have their wards vaccinated in the parents’ absence.”

Villafuerte said some far-flung areas in the area actually reached more than 100 percent in immunization coverage for MR. The districts of Calinan and Tugbok both reached 102 percent, while Poblacion A reached 100.92 percent for MR immunization coverage. The district of Sasa recorded the lowest

BETTER, CLEANER. Former street vendors enjoy better – and cleaner – conditions after being given slots at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC)

FPOVERTY, 10 Food Centrum. Lean Daval Jr.

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 155 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, OCTOBER 19-20, 2014

5 THE ECONOMY

Butuan folk raise concerns on alleged mining operation disguised as quarry B

UTUAN CITY – Concerned citizens here have raised concerns over reports of an alleged mining operation in a hinterland village disguised as quarry a year after the same area was raided twice by authorities because of illegal mining operation.

Residents of Purok 8 in Barangay Taligaman, meanwhile, are afraid to come out in the open, fearing for their safety.

But a few interviewed

by MindaNews who requested anonymity said the quarry operators have prohibited them from venturing into Taligaman River, where the supposed quarry operation is ongoing. “We even heard of statements saying that trespassers will be shot,” said one.

Concerned organizations in this city are just as worried.

“I can’t believe that they would give permits to the quarry operation when in fact the very same area was raided twice, where two Chinese nationals were arrested and two backhoes, along with other mining equipment, were confis-

cated in that area last year,” said Jody Navarra, trustee and chairman of the education committee of the Butuan Global Forum, Inc. Michael Leo Torralba, regional coordinator of Samahang Magdalo in Butuan City, pointed out that the same area has been known for several years where illegal mining operations thrive.

He lamented why the same people in the same area are still being issued the same sand-and-gravel quarry permit despite the raids where it was found out that there were illegal mining operations there.

The area in Purok 8, Barangay Taligaman was first raided Sept. 18 last year, where two Chinese nationals were apprehended but were able to post bail.

It was raided again on Nov. 5, where several mining equipment and two backhoes were seized and workers allegedly working for a Chinese national were apprehended.

Navarra stressed that even though it has been fully proven that there are mining operations in Taligaman, he could not understand why the Community

QUARRY OR MINING? An aerial picture of the claimed quarry operation along the Taligaman River in Butuan City taken October 8, 2014. Residents

are suspecting that there is a mining operation here based on what two raids by the authorities found last year. MindaNews photo by Erwin Mascarinas

Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) and the Sangguniang Panlungsod keep on entertaining and accepting quarry applications there. “We

Environmental Natural Resources Officer (CENRO), said that there are two existing quarry permits in the area, but stressed that there is no mining in-

know that such application can and might be used as a cover for mining as what we have experienced in the past,” he added.

Alexander Alaan, City

volved.

But he said that the one issued to Francisco Supangan is the only one operational as of now. (MindaNews)

6

THE ECONOMY

127 indigents get livelihood package from Koronadal LGU, DOLE-12

C

OTABATO CITY – The local government of Koronadal, in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) 12 last Friday provided 127 indigents with Kabuhayan Starter Kits for them to have new decent sources of livelihood.

The project aims to alleviate poverty by providing alternative livelihood to qualified residents.

Starter Kits for balut vending, barbecue vending, motor repair shop, bamboo crafting, inland fish cage business, massage business, and many others were turned over during simple ceremonies at the City Hall lobby.

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 155 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, OCTOBER 19-20, 2014

Locally produced Davao chocolate to hit malls

DOLE 12 assistant regional director Yahya Centi and Koronadal City Mayor Peter Miguel led the turn over rites.

Centi appealed to the beneficiaries to make the assistance grow.

“What you received today is a blessing, you must take care of it,” he told the participants.

For his part, Miguel reminded them to save part of their earnings. “I advise all of you to save at least 30 percent of your income and let earn interest in the bank,” he said.

At least P695,200 was allocated for the project, 20 percent of which came from the city government and the rest from DOLE-12. (PNA)

AVAO CITY – A local chocolate manufacturer has signed a distribution partnership with malls in the city after a good reception during the recently held Chocolate Festival here.

Francisco Gonzales, chief operating officer of Coco Dulce, told MindaNews that the initial distribution will hit the shelves of Gaisano Mall of Davao within the month.

He said the chocolate company will also be running a small booth at Abreeza Ayala Mall and is in negotiations with SM

City Davao for additional spaces.

Coco Dulce was well received during September’s chocolate festival, according to Gonzales.

“In three days alone, we sold P100,000 worth of chocolates,” he said.

The rising chocolate manufacturer made waves at the SM City Annex in Ecoland, where the chocolate festival was held, as a healthy chocolate that uses coco sugar instead of synthetic sugar.

Gonzales said the low glycemic content in his

product was a hit among the health-conscious customers, especially those who were suffering from diabetes.

Asked if there was a plan to expand outside the city and the country, Gonzales said he wanted to first perfect his niche locally before venturing into other markets.

Local demand for chocolates has made the news last year when public officials in the city said cacao farmers need to take advantage of a rising demand for cacao in markets such as Europe

tex (Chevron’s gas brand) and Petron had lowered gas prices by P1.65, while Total had reduced its prices by P1.55.

For diesel products, the four companies had decreased their prices by P1.30.

On the other hand, CPI’s and Petron’s kerosene products dropped by as much as P1.30 per liter.

Total has applied the price movements as of 6 a.m., while the rest of the companies lowered prices at 12:01 a.m. Saturday.

As the Philippines rely on foreign oil supply, local petroleum prices are vulnerable to international market trends whether for favorable or unfavorable conditions.

After nearing below

the $80 per barrel mark trading, light and sweet West Texas Intermediate (WTI) Crude Oil had bounced back to $82.75 per barrel, an increase of .06 percent from the previous day.

Europe’s blend, Brent Crude Oil, has also traded slightly better by .08 percent Friday, as it closes at $84.54 per barrel. (PNA)

M

D

4 oil companies roll back pump prices M

ANILA – Four oil companies reduced the prices of their petroleum products yesterday.

Petron Corporation, PTT Philippines, Chevron Petroleum Incorporated (CPI), and Total Philippines issued rollbacks Saturday in all their primary crude products.

PTT Philippines, Cal-

as awareness regarding “conflict chocolates” sourced from Africa is rising.

Last year, Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte said he has tasked the City Agriculturist’s Office to partner with cacao farmers for the distribution of seedlings and training regarding the raw material.

Gonzales, meanwhile, said he was primarily a coco sugar producer, with another partner supplying him with the other ingredients for the coco sugar chocolate.

(MindaNews)

NAIA no longer world’s worst airport, survey shows ANILA – While the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) did not exactly make it out of the world’s worst airports list, its rankings lowered from being first for the past three years to fourth place this year.

According to the popular website The Guide to Sleeping in Airports (www.sleepinginairports.

net), NAIA saw a slight “improvement” in its ranking as a result of increased positive votes for its Terminal 3.

To recall, full airline operations at NAIA Terminal 3 began August with most of the airport renovation works already completed.

Five foreign airlines from Terminal 1 were also transferred to Terminal 3. (PNA)

BIGGER PICTURE 7

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 155 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, OCTOBER 19-20, 2014

LOST AND LOVING IT

By DIANA LHYD SUELTO

G

ETTING lost is fun.

Since Davao City has 2,444 square kilometers of land area to get lost in, I suggest you slip on your most comfortable pair of shoes or slippers (whichever you prefer, really), charge your phone, pack a bottle of water, and get wonderfully lost in the city.

Here’s my new placeto-get-lost-in discovery: Purok 4, Battalion.

My sister Leah, who is more adventurous than I am (in Bisaya: mas laagan) had been there ages ago. She has been telling me about it and I had always wanted to go, but because her directions were murkier than Bankerohan River, I could never find the place.

A few days ago, she and her friend Roxan decided they wanted to go to the hanging bridge in Mandug to “jog” (jog = picture taking) and I tagged along because I got tired of staring at my laptop. Since I had just explored the area across the bridge a week before, I convinced them to go to the ranch farther up the river instead.

Technically, Battalion is part of Tugbok District, but because it is easier to get there by crossing the Davao River in Mandug, I declare, by virtue of proximity, that it is part of District 2.

Crossing the river is part of the adventure. It is not for the faint-hearted. It rained the night before, so the river was chocolate brown, in contrast to its usual clear.

The current was strong, and I had strong doubts that manong bangkero could take us across in his humble boat because my sister and I are a little on the chubby side (yes, just a little) and he looked like he needed a few more cups of rice.

However, he was able to skillfully maneuver the small boat upriver against the current. Kudos to manong.

Across the river, we met another manong who explained that the place is called Battalion because it used to be a Japanese garrison.

He was in a hurry, so I was not able to ask him more questions. Judging by what he wore and his female companion›s dress, I think they were going on a date. I am getting off topic here.

Back to my story.

There in the middle of

nowhere, across the raging Davao River and over the mountains of Tugbok, was a ranch. An actual ranch. With cows.

Lots of cows. Brown cows, black cows, white cows, spotted cows, cows with horns, cows with no horns. It was a cow land. Just like the ranches I see in movies.

A ranch!

You can just imagine our delight in seeing the cows. We all wanted to jump over the fence and pet them and their cute little calves. Good thing we were warned

by Mary, a high school student who became our instant guide just because she rode the bangka with us, not to go over the fence because the nursing mother cows are aggressive. We had to content ourselves with taking pictures from afar.

Mary said the ranch is owned by the Ybanez

family. Two of the interesting things that we saw there were a vintage tractor and a Range Rover. I wondered though how those vehicles got there. There is no passable road from Tugbok, just a narrow path wide enough for a horse to pass through. They certainly can’t drive those across the river, even on its calmest days. The boats are small. I doubt the boatman, strong as he is, can paddle it through.

I wanted to ask the ranch hand about it, but my sister’s concern was more pressing. She wanted to know if there were snakes around the area, because it is the only thing that she is scared of. She will jump off cliffs, but will never face a snake. Of course there are snakes around, the guy said. I think my sister got a little more

careful in stepping over the grass after that.

The ranch was very charming especially with the sun was just setting.

I felt like I was a damsel in one of those Western movies and I was looking for my handsome cowboy to gallop by. But it was just a horse lazily grazing I saw.

We got there late, and we were hurrying to go back home before it got too dark for us to cross the river, so we ran about 50 meters. It was the farthest jog my sister had in a year. We stayed there for a few more minutes because it was getting dark already, so we were not able to talk to the people there. We just took some pictures and pretended for a while that we owned the place. But we are definitely going back -- with a picnic basket.

8

EDGEDAVAO

VANTAGE

EDITORIAL

A

VOL. 7 ISSUE 155 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, OCTOBER 19-20, 2014

Use our coconuts

very informative article came out on Manila Bulletin detailing that part of the coconut that’s often ignored but could well be the future golden egg of the coconut industry. The oft-ignored husk—that part of the coconut that’s fibrous and hairy is the future of this sunset industry.

The Davao region used to be one of the top coconut producers in the country until typhoon Pablo toppled down thousands of coconuts in Davao Oriental in 2012. With the coconut industry almost obliterated by the massive destruction of Pablo, Dabawenyo coconut farmers scampered for quick fix crops. But nothing comes close to coconuts. They are the lifeblood of most Dabawenyo farmers and the yardstick of local economy.

In the past, local economy is directly proportional to the buying price of coconut byproducts like copra. If the price is high, the economy is good. The opposite if the price is low.

But all is not lost. There’s hope in coconuts and it’s not even the flesh or the water. Not the shell nor the timber. It’s the husk.

Now, what’s about the husk that we need to be excited about?

Coconut husks are the external shells of coconut. The report said that while the husks are not used as food, there is a natural fiber known as coir extracted from the husk of coconut. The coir fibers are found between the hard internal shell and outer coat of a coconut.

The husk contains about 30 percent fiber and 70 percent coir dust sometimes called coco peat or pith with biodegradable properties.

Coconut coir has multiple applications. It is used for upholstery cushion, car seat stuffing, mat, carpet, rope and cordage, fishing net, flooring material, filtration pads, insulation materials – and lately as geotextiles or erosion control nets.

There are some interesting information about coco coir and coco dust: •Do know that the Word “coir” comes from the Malayan word “kayar”; •Do you know that in horticulture, coir is a substitute for sphagnum moss because it is free of bacteria and fungal spores; •Do you know that coir is a growing agent in intensive glasshouse (greenhouse) horticulture; •Do you know that coco pith is a soil treatment and a hydroponic growth medium; •Do you know that as early as the 11th century A.D., Arab writers already referred to the

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

extensive use of coir for ship ropes and rigging confirming the belief that ropes and cordage have been in use from ancient times; •Do you know that the total world coir production is 250,000 long tons (or 280,000 short tons); •Do you know that over 50 percent of the coir fiber produced worldwide is consumed by the countries of origin, mainly India; •Do you know that India and Sri Lanka alone produce 90 percent of the coir produce every year; •Do you know that the car seat stuffing of Mercedes Benz is made of coco coir imported from India. Coco coir is a high-end car seat material compared to foam; •Do you know that the Philippines has more than three million hectares of coconut (compared to India’s 2 million hectares) and that 300 million coconut trees are planted in 60 of 79 provinces. Annually, we get 1.5 billion husks from our 300 million coconut trees planted in the different provinces. This figure is based on the estimate that 100 trees are planted per hectare – compared to Indonesia’s 350,000 million trees and India’s 300,000 million trees; •Do you know that the Philippines produces five million tons annually of coconut husk; •Do you know that the coir exports of India is about 500,000 tons compared to the 20,000 tons coir export of the Philippines; •Do you know that both the Philippines and India produce about 1.5 billion husks annually. India harvests this quantity with an area of only two million hectares while the Philippines harvest the same quantity of husks in a bigger area totaling three million hectares; •Do you know that the world’s biggest export of coconut coir is in Europe and North America compared to the main market of Philippine coir exporter which is China; •Do you know that a single kilogram of coir pith/coco peat/coir dust will expand (with the addition of water) to 15 liters of moist coco peat; •Do you know that the biggest markets for coco coir and coir products are China and Korea? Other markets are Japan, Australia, Malaysia and Singapore.

Think about that. Now, let’s use our coconuts.

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

A

S an entrepreneur, best-selling author and peak performance trainer, Singaporean Adam Khoo has traveled to various parts of Asia. On a plane to Kuala Lumpur, someone came to him and with a shocked look inquired, “How come a millionaire like you is traveling economy?”

Without much ado, he replied, “That’s why I am a millionaire.”

His answer baffled the man – along with others who have read his Secrets of Self-Made Millionaire. Oftentimes, they wonder, “What’s the point in making so much money if you don’t enjoy it?”

In his blog, Khoo posted this timely thought: “The thing is that I don’t really find happiness in buying branded clothes, jewelry, or sitting in first class. Even if buying something makes me happy, it is only for a while, it does not last.

Material happiness never lasts, it just gives you a quick fix.”

When it comes to materials things, happiness is elusive. In fact, a study done in the United States showed that happiness is not having what you want, but wanting what you have.

The result, which appeared in Psychological Science, found that people can grow accustomed to their possessions and thereby derive less happiness from them.

The researchers claim that people can continue to want the things they have and that those who do so can achieve greater happiness.

“Simply having a bunch of things is not the key to happiness,” said Texas Tech University psychologist Jeff Larsen, who headed the study.

“Our data show that you also need to appreciate those things you have. It’s also important to keep your desire for things you don’t own in check.”

Who doesn’t know Abraham Lincoln, one of the most beloved American presidents? At one time, he said, “Most people are about as happy as they choose to be.” I couldn’t agree more. He should know. He went through much anguish in his life – the death of his fiancée, lost elections, the Civil War, and other major dis-

A

S a republic, our social order still has quite a long way to get its act together or, as some would put it, to political maturity. Citizens and officials alike still behave like the colonial society our founders and heroes fought and revolted against.

As in colonial times we still look to the central government and its local extensions for instructions or guidance in conducting our local affairs, along with handouts and trickle-down benefits.

So autonomy or self-governance continues be a meaningless concept, as is the principle of subsidiarity, even at the most basic level of the polity, the barangay.

We pay taxes but have no say in how these are spent and, as if this isn’t bad enough, officials don’t take transparency or accountability seriously.

But neither do the citizens chide them for it, even when it concerns their immediate community or neighborhood. So it’s a symmetrical failure.

Just as before, our officials are picked or designated by the people at the top, doing so as if handing out personal favors or as part of patronage and party favors. ***** If royal favors were dispensed in colonial times to buy support or loyalty, so also do today’s politicians parcel them out personally and for personal reasons. Or else, they look for the highest bidders and deal.

That’s why those who win public office view it as something they own rather than owe to the public.

When the Americans took over, they

VOL. 7 ISSUE 155 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, OCTOBER 19-20, 2014

VANTAGE POINTS

9

In search of happiness appointments.

But he chose to THINK ON THESE! be happy and obtained inner joy and peace in those last years before he was assassinated.

In a recent survey I conducted, family, health, and religion are the top three Henrylito D. Tacio most important things that henrytacio@gmail.com make Asians happy. This is particularly true in the Philippines, according to a study conducted by the National Statistical Coordination Board. The study showed that Filipinos ranked family as the most important source of happiness, giving it a score of 9.45 on a scale of 1 to 10. Health came next, with a score of 8.95, while religion ranked third with 8.59.

Clarence C. Martinez works in a ship building company about 60 kilometers away from his home in Cebu City. “I go home only on weekends or on Wednesday evening,” says the Filipino executive. “So after a long work at the office, I drive almost two hours and honk the horn of my car to announce my arrival and also as a signal to open the driveway. You can just imagine my happiness when I see my son coming out and hugging me.”

Some Asians find inner joy from their works. “Examining newborn babies” is a dose of happiness for Professor Zulkifli Ismail. “Babies are so lovable and I am grateful that my job actually lets me look at and cuddle them everyday,” says the pediatrician at the Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur.

Work also tops the list of Dr Gerard Chuah, a senior consultant eye surgeon at the Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre. “Being able to save someone’s eyesight and allow them to lead a

normal life – that gives me a sense of fulfillment and lets me feel my existence on this planet.”

People become happier with age, according to findings from a three-decade-long survey conducted in the United States. “With age comes happiness,” wrote University of Chicago sociologist Yang Yang, who wrote report published in the American Sociological Review.

When asked what makes her happy the most, Dr Emmanuela L. Gutierrez said it is being 70 years old, healthy, and with her senses still intact. “I can still read and comprehend, see the beauty of nature, hear well, smell the aroma of foods and flowers and plants, and can talk and feel,” explained the Filipino physician who now lives in the United States.

Really, happiness is a matter of choice. An ancient proverb suggests: “Dance as if no one were watching, sing as if no one were listening, and live each day as if there were no tomorrow.”

And remember, “Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence,” reminds philosopher Aristotle.

Who doesn’t want to be happy anyway? In these days of financial woes, crass materialism, information highway, and high technologies, it seems too hard to find happiness anymore. But there are simple things that can make you happy. Consider these 10 strategies shared to me by medical doctor, Dr. Willie T. Ong: 1. Decide to be happy. Make a plan. Think of ways and things that bring you happiness. Set happy goals not just for yourself but include others, too. Then, think of what to do next. Life is what we make it.

2. Use your talents. Identify your strengths.

Can you sing, dance, draw, paint, write, or speak? Find and cultivate these strengths. Focus on them and they will bring you confidence and satisfaction. Do what you were meant to do in this world.

3. Do something enjoyable. If you’re married, play with your kids. Have fun with friends like watching movies together or singing in karaoke bars. Take time to relax and play. There’s

nothing wrong with having fun and liking your work. Go through your normal day in an easy and light manner.

4. Be curious. Try to see happiness around you. Watch the sunrise, feel the cool breeze, listen to the birds chirping, smell the newly-bloomed flowers, touch the raindrops, and see people smiling. Nature is full of happiness.

5. Count your blessings. Be grateful and happy with what you have. Accept the blessings that you have and think positively on the things you do not have. One sage man told me once: “Appreciate every moment and take from it everything that you possibly can, for you may never be able to experience it again.”

6. Like yourself. Everybody commits a mistake at some point in their lives. It’s part of our learning process, whether it’s because of our youth or ignorance. Try to make amends on the mistakes you made and then let it go. It’s the things we didn’t do that we later regret and not the things and mistakes that we did.

7. Pamper yourself. After a long work day, treat yourself to a warm refreshing bath. Enjoy your favorite magazine. Tinker around your hobbies. And when you feel like a kid, bring out the child in you.

8. Enjoy close relationships. A unique study shows that talking to a supportive friend is as effective as taking a tablet of pain reliever.

There is something heavenly in true and caring friends. Invest your time in building close relationships. They are as good as money in the bank.

9. Find positive people. Surround yourself with positive and happy people. Find good mentors. They can be the keys to your success.

Some believe the other person’s good influence and good karma will also bring you luck. Happy people also tend to be more supportive of others, too.

10. Volunteer to help someone in need. If you want to receive US$40 worth of happiness, donate US$40 to your favorite charity. Studies show that the more people who gives, the happier they become.

able, but we take their improprieties sitting down!

It’s appalling that this primitive mentality, a Neanderthal attitude characteristic of the trapos, persists to this day; unbecoming to a nation that has claimed to be a democracy for more than a century already.

In other words, despite over a century of public-private education, human resources development, vigorous political exercises, and 66 years of membership in the United Nations, it is ridiculous that we are unable to apprehend the essence of a republic—of which we were the very first to declare our society to be in all of Asia.

When will we learn? ***** There have been well-meaning leaders, civil society groups, and institutions that tried to make democracy work (demos=people;kratus=rule).

But entrenched trapos with tradition-bound habits, dynastic sensibilities, greed for power, and utter selfishness made our polity highly resistant to reforms or modernization.

We tried decentralization, then devolution, then autonomy, and even People Power literally. To no avail. But the initiatives all came from the top, and that’s what was wrong with them.

Like trickle-down economics, none of them worked out. The power did not, has not, trickled to the base and the grassroots remain essentially untouched and unmoved by reforms. We Filipinos are powerless for the most part.

***** Although we are the source of political power and authority, it is co-opted by political brokers and power players at the top who bastardize elections, the party system, and democracy itself. It is why our society is basically passive, apathetic, or cynical. This is not supposed to be the way democracy works.

For all our claims of being a democratic republic, in reality our country is ruled by an oligarchy dominated by political dynasties from top to bottom; the subdivisions of power down to the barangay but extensions of the national oligarchy.

And so what we have is a nominal democracy, just as we have nominal Christians, nominal Muslims, and fake democrats.

Trapos engage in demagoguery when they use “democracy” and refer to democratic processes, intoning them like a mantra that makes them sound like they’re talking sense. When will we learn to abhor, stigmatize, and exorcise them from our society?

(Manny is former UNESCO regional director for Asia-Pacific; secretary-general, Southeast Asia Publishers Association; director, Development Academy of Philippines; member, Philippine Mission to the UN; vice chair, Local Government Academy; member, Cory Government’s Peace Panel; awardee, PPI-UNICEF outstanding columnist. He is president/national convenor, Gising Barangay Movement Inc. valdehuesa@ gmail.com)

When will we learn?

THE WORM’S EYEVIEW

BY MANNY VALDEHUESA sought to implant their concept of democracy on the Filipino sensibility. They tried to demonstrate how democracy works, even introduced universal education so people could participate intelligently.

Unfortunately, three and a half centuries of Spanish imperial rule effectively conditioned Filipinos to believe that public office is a franchise held by traditional politicians, or trapos, and that to aspire to public office one must have political pedigree or powerful patrons.

Thus we never really learned what it means to have a government of the people, by the people, or for the people. Or rather, we never got to exemplify or practice it because the trapos never gave us a chance. ***** Consider for instance how we take no offense when elective officials—our public servants!—scold us for “Interfering” when we speak out or express disapproval of their crooked ways.Huwag kayo makialam…mag Mayor muna kayo! Or, as Erap was wont to exclaim: “Mag Presidente muna kayo!”

This misplaced arrogance in an autocrat exemplifies what discerning people mean when they refer to the central government as “Imperial Manila.” We’re supposed to be the sovereign citizens to whom such impertinent officials are responsible and answer-

10

NEWS

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 155 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, OCTOBER 19-20, 2014

City... FFROM 3 in different areas where around 200 business leaders from Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines will convene to conduct their business meetings.

Mayor Rodrigo Duterte had earlier ordered security forces in the city to ensure the safety of all delegates.

The three-day trade fair will showcase different agricultural and processed products from the

Mindanao and countries in the East Asean region and is expected to draw 200,000 visitors.

The trade fair will have 200 booths and will run from October 24 to 26 at the SMX Convention Center at SM Lanang Premier.

Asked if TF Davao will deploy its drones especially during the arrival of President Aquino on October 23, Alberto said TF Davao still has to coordi-

nate with the Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC) headed by Frank Villaroman.

“It’s up to PSSCC if they will allow us to deploy our drones,” Alberto said. Drones are used to capture real-time aerial images and videos that can be used by the security forces of the city.

Alberto said TF Davao will give support to the Presidential Security Group (PSG). CRC

The mayor said he will also ask the hospitals if they have isolated shelters to quarantine possible Ebola-infected persons. He will also ask for volunteers to assist the health sector.

City Tourism Officer Lisette Marques said her office has not yet formulated any preventive measure on Ebola which could be brought in by tourists or travelers to the city.

She said tourists the origins of tourists could be checked upon their arrival in the city’s ports.

Ebola is acquired by contact with blood or other body fluids of an infected human or animal. This may also occur by direct contact with a recently contaminated item.

A total of 9,216 suspected cases have been documented as of October 14, resulting in the

deaths of 4,555.

Earlier, City Council committee on health chair councilor Mary Joselle Villafuerte said health providers should be alert for and evaluate suspected patients for Ebola virus infection who have both consistent symptoms and risk factors as follows: clinical criteria, which includes fever greater than 38.6 degrees Celsius or 101.5 degree Fahrenheit, and additional symptoms such as severe headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, or unexplained hemorrhage.

Villafuerte said Department of Health (DOH) regional director Abdullah Dumama Jr. informed her that thermal scanners 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.

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 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.

stakeholders who saw the need to upgrade the existing makeshift wooden boat landing to welcome guests in a secure, safe, and stable platform in the city.

He said they encouraged the improvement project as the area is part of the Port Zone Delineation (PZD) of the Davao Port which requires multi-sectoral cooperation.

DOT Assistant Secretary Art Boncato has urged the city government, being the main proponent of the project, to expedite the submission of the detailed plan to the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), which has already approved the P25-million budget for the upgrading of the pathway and lighting fixtures leading to the existing wooden wharf.

The City Tourism Operation Office (CTOO) and City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) have initially expressed the inclusion of a travelers’ nook in its proposal which will be prepared by the CEO. The nook will include a modern passenger terminal, comfort rooms, and kiosks for food/beverage to boost tourist services.

ABF

run for President will be finalized after the deadline of the filing of candidacy,” he said.

“We from Maguindanao are very eager to help him and we are also urging him to listen to the clamor of the people,” he added.

Ali said during their caravan, many people from Luzon told them they want Duterte to run and be the president of the country.

Duterte for President 2016 Movement national vice president Barangay Captain Alimodin Usman of Davao City’s Barangay 23-C said the fatigue they felt on their travel to Manila vanished when they saw the “overwhelming welcome” of the people in every town they dropped by.

Usman said they spent almost P200,000 for their fuel expenses, which came from their own pockets.

Usman said a busi-

nessman from Pampanga approached them and handed a P3,000 cash donation to them for their fuel expenses on the condition that they give him a tarpaulin with the image of Duterte.

Usman said while they were in Manila, they left 500 signature forms with some leaders. Each page can generate 50 signatures.

He said they convened the Muslim community, especially the Maranao Businessmen in Greenhills, San Juan, and the latter pledged to support Duterte for President.

Aside from the cities in Metro Manila, Usman said they also visited Cainta, Rizal; Naga City; and Legaspi City, Albay.

A few minutes before midnight of October 17, the caravan arrived at the Grand Men Seng Hotel and were elated to report their accomplishment to Duterte himself.

The mayor, however, still refused to say yes to their call.

Duterte said he was also worried about the caravan because it was a long ride and anything could happen to them.

“I said hopefully, no one will be harmed. That is the only thing I prayed for. I did not pray that the people will believe their call. I do not even believe them how, much more the other people,” Duterte said.

When was asked for his reaction on the reports of the movement regarding the overwhelming support to him, Duterte said he was thankful to the people who believed he has the capability to run the country.

Duterte said as he had said before, he was not interested in the Presidency and has no money to fund a campaign. By Armando B. Fenequito Jr.

Mayor... FFROM 3

Vendors... FFROM 3

Duterte... FFROM 3

US... FFROM 4 pecially in the Middle East, North Africa, Europe, and Asia,” the advisory said.

It noted that the Abu Sayyaf group and the Al Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiyah have “cells operating throughout Southeast Asia.”

“There is a risk of travel to the Philippines, especially related to kidnapping threats in the Sulu Archipelago and the ongoing threat of violence on the island of Mindanao, particularly in Central Mindanao,” the travel advisory said.

Philippine authorities said the two German nationals have been rescued from the hands of the Abu Sayyaf group Friday evening, the day that the ban-

dits threatened to behead the 71-year-old Okonek.

The bandits, which recently pledged allegiance to ISIS, has demanded the payment of P200 million for the freedom of the two foreigners who went missing in Palawan in April.

The group also demanded that Germany withdraw its support from the USbacked offensives against ISIS in Syria and for the Philippine government to support the terror group.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) would not confirm if ransom was paid for the two German hostages.

But Abu Sayaf spokesperson Abu Rami has claimed to have received the ransom in an inter-

na R. Babante, pest control worker for Tropical Diseases Prevention and Control Unit of the Davao City Health Office (CHO), said.

Babante said some doctors mistakenly identify dengue as UTI because of the similarity in the decrease of number of platelets.

Babante did not identify the doctor in the case of “Jenny” since there is no investigation and the family did not file a case.

For the third quarter of this year, the CHO was able to record a total of 1,828 dengue cases, 17 of whom died.

Babante said the highest number of dengue cases for the third quarter was recorded in July with 1,031 cases and 14 deaths.

The month of August and September recorded 485 and 312 cases, respectively.

Babante said less than three months before the year ends, a total of 4,291 dengue cases have been recorded. This is lower than the estimated 4,800 cases in the same period

of 2013.

Hot spots of dengue in Davao City are Barangay Dumoy in Talomo South; Barangays Bucana, SIR, and Grande in Talomo North; BuhanginDisrtict; Toril; Calinan; and Tugbok.

“Dengue used to be a seasonal disease, but with the changing weather pattern it’s hard to predict it anymore. Dengue has become a yearround disease,” Babante said.

Based on the trend, however, the cases of dengue are expected to go down in the fourth quarter of the year.

Babante said it is important that government, schools, and communities work together to eliminate areas where mosquitoes can lay their eggs and reproduce.

The CHO and Department of Health in Davao Region are coordinating with each other for the conduct of mosquito net and curtains soaking, fogging, and information and education campaign, among others. CRC

a child before making it to the NBA, an inspiration for everyone who dreams of playing in the big league.

“I’m not here to give you false hope. When you have guys that are hungry to play, they want a way out, it’s either books or sports. Sports seem to be the quicker way,” he said.

“I don’t see any reason why anybody can’t make it to the NBA because I grew up one of the 11 kids on a dirt road. If you would have told me that I was gonna get it to the NBA, I never would have believed you. So why not have a player from the Philippines or 10 players come from here and get a chance to play in the NBA? This is isn’t the first time that Dawkins visited the country as he already

flew to the Philippines to conduct clinics with Filipino basketball legend Robert Jaworski in 2000.

“I coached the Pennsyvlania ValleyDawgs and our team manager brought me here to do a coaching clinic with senator Jaworski. He was the Living Legend. I really did enjoy the people,” Dawkins said.

With the league now enjoying plenty of international talent and fans, Dawkins said that Filipinos should not stop chasing their NBA dreams.

“We never thought Italian guys would get in, Turkish guys would come in. We never thought guys from Greece would come in, Argentina they’re all coming in,” he said, “because the NBA is so fair it gives everybody a chance.”

Poverty... FFROM 4

A matter...FFROM 16

view in Zamboanga City.

Abu Rami’s group has also claimed responsibility over the abduction incidents in the Eastern Sabah Province in Malaysia and in Sulu Archipelago.

The recent advisory noted that terror groups “may attempt to intercept boats ferrying tourists in the area.”

“And let us not forget two separate unsuccessful car bombing incidents at the Manila International Airport,” it added.

The State Department said American citizens must be reminded to “maintain high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness.”

Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation and Communications LAND TRANSPORTATION FRANCHISING AND REGULATORY BOARD Regional Office No. XI Davao City

Petition for Renewal of a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate an AIRCONDITIONED TAXI Service FARID COSBARY BAJUNAID, Petitioner Case No.2003-XI-01445

x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -x NOTICE OF HEARING

Petitioner is a grantee of a Certificate of Public Convenience issued in this case authorizing the operation of an AIRCONDITIONED TAXI service on the route: WITHIN DAVAO CITY to any point in Region XI with the use of ONE (1) unit, which Certificate will expire on December 31, 2014. In the petition filed on October 10, 2014 petitioner request authority to extend the validity of said certificate to operate along the same route with the use of the same unit previously authorized.

NOTICE, is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Board on NOVEMBER 10, 2014 at 09:30 a.m. at this office at the above address.

At least, TEN (10) days prior to the above date petitioner shall publish this Notice once in a one (1) daily newspaper of general circulation in Mindanao

Parties opposed to the granting of the petition must file their written opposition supported by documentary evidence on or before the above date furnishing a copy of the same to the petitioner, and may if they so, desire appear on said date and time.

This petition will be acted upon by this Board on the basis of its records and the documentary evidence submitted by the parties, unless the Board deems it necessary to receive additional documentary and/or oral evidence.

WITNESS the Honorable BENJAMIN A. GO, CESO V, Regional Director, this 10th day of October 2014 at Davao City.

TERESITA DELA PEÑA-YÑIGUEZ Chief Transportation Development Officer

BIGGER PICTURE 11

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 155 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, OCTOBER 19-20, 2014

DAVAO CITY RANKED 7TH IN WORLD’S BEST WORK CITIES

By MANNY PINOL

D Davao City came in No. 7, earning the distinction of being the only city in the Philippines to be included in the Top 10

avao City, already ranked as among the Top 10 Most Livable cities in the world because of unequalled peace and security, has been rated No. 7 among the best cities in the world to work in remotely.

Nomad’s List, a website which rates cities all over the world based on how ideal they are as working areas, placed Thailand’s Chiang Mai City on top of the list followed

by Prague in the Czech Republic.

Davao City came in No. 7, earning the distinction of being the only city in the Philippines to be included in the Top 10 in contrast to Thailand which has two Chiang Mai and Bangkok.

Coming in the 10th place is a largely unknown city in Indonesia, Ubud.

The NomadList rated the cities considered as the best to work in remotely by combining Internet data speed, cost of housing and food, and local weather conditions.

The latest distinction earned by Davao, touted as the largest city in the world in land area and biggest city in the southern island of Mindanao, has once again brought to the spotlight its colorful and controversial mayor, Rody Duterte, whose unique style of governance has made the city one of the safest places in the Philippines.

For years now, Davao

City has served as the microcosm of what most Filipinos would like the Philippines to be, a country where people religiously observe the laws and ordinances, including the ban on smoking in public places and stringent speed limits.

Here is the article about the NomadList rating on the Top 10 Best Cities on Earth to Work Remotely.

“The Top 10 Best Places To Work Remotely At least according to NomadList.

By Chris Gayomali Here’s a fun exercise.

By combining niceties like Internet data speed, the cost of housing and food, and local weather conditions, NomadList has tallied up a list of the best places on Earth from which to work remotely.

The top 10?

1. Chiang Mai, Thailand 2. Prague, Czech Republic 3. Bangkok, Thailand 4. Hoi An, Vietnam 5. Belgrade, Serbia 6. Riga, Latvia 7. Davao, Philippines 8. Zagreb, Croatia 9. Sofia, Bulgaria 10. Ubud, Indonesia

All very chill sitches.

But let’s take Chiang Mai, where food and housing will run you about $648 monthly.

There’s a large expat community there (even if a considerable chunk of it is purportedly creepy old Western dudes), and the weather is a little more temperate than, say, Bangkok. You’ll eat well, too.

Yet there are other factors working against Chiang Mai. Unless your company’s headquarters is in Asia, you will probably be on an opposite time schedule from the rest of

your colleagues. And traveling anywhere else from Chiang Mai is a headache.

By bus or train, you are a full 24 hours away from the nearest beach. In other words: You’re pretty much stuck.

Then again, rather than working remotely, you may be better off using all of your vacation time to actually travel.

Tell your boss it will make you a happier, more productive employee in the long run. There’s nothing wrong with taking some time to unplug.”

(Photo credit: Mt. Apo at 6 a.m. Kiwi Bulaclac)

12 CLASSIFIED

There’s a better way to get attention.

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 155 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, OCTOBER 19-20, 2014

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

Advertisewith EDGEDAVAO CLASSIFIEDS

Billiard Supplies

Phone Nos.

Cell Nos.

INdulge!

VOL. 7 ISSUE 155 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, OCTOBER 19-20, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

EVENT

Looking forward to 2015 DoT launches Visit the Philippines Year

THIS YEAR 2014 has been a landmark year for Philippine tourism as more and more travellers chose to visit the Philippines.

Next year is bound to be even more exciting as the Department of Tourism (DOT) formally announces 2015 to be the Visit the Philippines Year.

Launched earlier in September at the SMX Convention Center of SM Mall of Asia coinciding with the Philippine Travel Exchange, the Visit the Philippines Year 2015 aims to intensify and enhance the country’s tourism campaign and slogan “It’s More Fun in the Philippines.”

The program was also launched in Davao last October 8 with the participation of the region’s tourism players from both the public and private sector. The regional launch

not only informed the tourism players of Davao on Visit Philippines Year

FLOOKING, A4

Tourism Promotions Board COO Domingo Ramon Enerio III gave guests an situationer on tourism in the Philippines.

EDGEDAVAO

A2 INdulge!

UP AND ABOUT

VOL. 7 ISSUE 155 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, OCTOBER 19-20, 2014

EVENT

RWM executives and staff run for charity RESORTS WORLD MANILA’S (RWM) head honchos and personnel assembled bright and early at the Emperador Stadium in Taguig recently to participate in the Give Me 5K Fun Run—a charity event they themselves organized with the aim of raising at least PHP1 million for its beneficiaries; namely the Pasay City Pasay Social Welfare Department and Buddhist organization Tzu Chi Foundation.

Led by RWM President Kingson Sian and RWM Chief Operating Officer Stephen Reilly, senior executives, managers, and rank and file members of the integrated resort pledged to make a donation and run five kilometers around the stadium, along with friends from the industry who also made donations and joined the activity for a good cause.

“To end our fifth anniversary celebrations, we thought it would be a good idea to do something we’ve never done before,” explained RWM Chief Operating Officer Stephen Reilly. “On the 5th of October at exactly 5AM, we ran five kilometers and raised PHP1 million for our chosen beneficiaries as our way of giving back to the community.”

Among those in attendance were sports personality Chino Trinidad, who also served as emcee during the event, as well as reigning Miss Resorts World Manila Nikita McElroy and Pinoy Big Brother’s Robi Domingo.

Proceeds generated by the fun run, which exceeded PHP1 million, will be divided among the said beneficiaries.

RWM President Kingson Sian (Far left) and RWM Chief Operating Officer Stephen Reilly (3rd from right) are flanked by RWM employees as they present proceeds of the Give Me 5K Fun Run to representatives of Tzu Chi Foundation.

Waterfront’s toast to Oktoberfest IT IS a month-long merriment of the most highly celebrated beer festival in the world, Oktoberfest. Relax and have a good time at the Vinta Bar of the Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao. Every day, from 5:00 pm to 1:00 am, sit back and unwind as you enjoy 50% off on all local beers this entire month of October. Compliment it with an array of mouthwatering appetizers that would impress any date. Choose to either listen and sway to the beat of our nightly performers or sing your heart our to a selection of videoke songs. Indeed, every night won’t be dull with a night cap at the Vinta Bar of the Waterfront Insular Hotel.

For inquiries, you may contact us at (6382) 300 8881 or email us at wihd@waterfronthotels.net. Like us also on Facebook at www.facebook.com/waterfront.davao and follow us on Instagram at Waterfront Davao.

SALE ALERT. Hi Mommies! MOM CARD Members Only Sale is happening on Oct 28, Tuesday at the SM Store. Promo is also extended to BDO Rewards Sapphire, Diamond, SM Prestige and PRiMO members. Head on to Baby Company near you and enjoy big savings and discounts of up to 30% on select items. Terms & condition apply. Happy Shopping!

Over 100 kids celebrate National Letter Writing Day LAST October 9, 163 kids from 13 schools in the city gathered at SM City Davao for the celebration of the World Post Day.

The second National Letter Writing event dubbed as PINASaya is a project of the Philippine Postal Corporation in partnership with SM Supermalls, the Department of Education and the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino.

SM and PhilPost first celebrated the occasion last year with Sulat Mulat which aimed to reintroduce the art of letter writing to students and encourage them more to use letters as a means of communication in today’s digital age. This year, the students will get to experience sending postcards to their loved ones not only in the Philippines but also abroad.

“We are delighted to have more young people gather here for today’s event with the same aim of keeping the art of letter writing alive in the consciousness of our youth… Much as we enjoy real-time communication media through emails, text messages and Skype, there is still this quaint feeling of nostalgia and joy in receiving letters through the traditional postal service. We are one with our partners in wanting for our young generation to experience this timeless tradition,” SM Davao mall manager Lynette Lopez shares.

The postal awareness campaign aims to develop the writing skills of students and help them hone their composition skills and foster the enjoyment of sending and receiving letters through the postal office.

VOL. 7 ISSUE 155 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, OCTOBER 19-20, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

ENTERTAINMENT

GMA Network launches first Bayaniserye ‘Ilustrado’

HE is widely regarded as the country’s most beloved hero.

This Monday, get to know the man behind the hero as GMA News and Public Affairs brings to life the untold stories of Jose Rizal with the world premiere of the firstever Bayaniserye on primetime television, ILUSTRADO.

Ilustrado offers an educational and entertaining viewing experience as it features the life of Rizal as a young student in the Philippines to his travels in Europe as well as the major events and influences that shaped his mind and actions as a reformist. Through his letters to his family and friends, Ilustrado depicts Rizal’s struggles while living abroad. And through his love letters, the series tries to illustrate his relationship with women and why he is considered a notorious lover boy.

Produced by the same creative team behind the highly-acclaimed historical drama Katipunan and mini-series Bayan Ko, Ilustrado boasts of an ensemble of topnotch artists led by award-winning actor

and Kapuso homegrown star Alden Richards as Jose Rizal.

Joining him are Kylie Padilla as Leonor Rivera, who many historians believe was Rizal’s true love, and Solenn Heussaff as Nellie Boustead, the French woman Rizal almost married.

Portraying the role of Rizal’s beloved parents are this year’s Cinemalaya

best actress Eula Valdez (Teodora Alonzo) and Ricardo Cepeda (Francisco Mercado). Freddie Webb gives life to Rizal’s uncle, Don Jose Alberto, while Rizal’s brother Paciano Mercado is played by Marco Alcaraz. Child star Jhiz Deocareza plays the young Rizal.

Also incorporated in the Bayaniserye are fictional characters repre-

senting some of Rizal’s antagonists – mother and son Conchita and Venchito Monteverde (played by five-time Urian best actress Jaclyn Jose and Polo Ravales, respectively); Padre Amado (Lito Legaspi); and young Venchito (Sean Ross).

The cast also includes Max Collins as Consuela Ortiga, JC Tiuseco as Antonio Luna, Lucho Ayala as Jose Alejandrino, Bryan Benedict as Juan Luna, Jak Roberto as Maximo Viola, and Rhen Escano as Isidra Monteverde.

Under the direction of King Marc Baco, Ilustrado is filmed using the sophisticated Arri Alexa camera, along with equally highend lenses provided by CMB Film Services Inc. GMA Post Production, using up-to-date 3D visual effects technology, has recreated the grandeur of the European cities where Rizal lived and completed his novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.

The series’ theme song is composed and performed by Gloc9 featuring Lirah Bermudez with additional arrangement

by Simon Tan. Ilustrado, the first Bayaniserye on Philippine primetime, airs beginning

Monday, October 20, 9:30pm right after Hiram na Alaala on GMA Telebabad.

It will also air simultaneously on GMA Pinoy TV. To learn more about Ilustrado’s airing schedule, visit GMA International’s website, www.gmanetwork.com/international, Facebook page, www.

facebook.com/GMAPinoyTV, and follow GMA Pinoy TV on Twitter and Instagram via @gmapinoytv.

For more updates, join Ilustrado in Facebook (https://www.facebook. com/ilustradosagma7) or follow its Twitter account https://twitter.com/ilustradosaGMA7 .

Lani Misalucha brings Las Vegas to the Big Dome via ‘La Nightingale’ concert ASIA’S NIGHTINGALE Lani Misalucha soars higher this December as she brings the unrivaled Las Vegas entertainment experience to the Araneta Coliseum through her much-awaited return concert titled “La Nightingale.”

After her well-acclaimed stint in Las Vegas as a featured performer and her sever-year hiatus from the Philippine concert scene, Lani sets the bar higher not only through her timeless hits, her jaw-dropping renditions of international classic ballads and today’s popular tracks, but also with a thrilling showcase of her world-class artistry through a Cirque du Soleil production number that will surely keep everyone at the edge of their seats.

Joining Lani in her special night are Arnel Pineda, Jed Madela, GForce, “The Voice of the Philippines” finalists Mackie, Penelope, Dan, and Jessica as back-up vocalists, and other surprise guests.

“La Nightingale,” which will happen on December 6 (Saturday), will

feature the music of the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Gerard Salonga.

The show is directed by Paul Basinillo, with Louie Ocampo as musical

director.

Produced by ABS-CBN Integrated Events and Star Events, the ticket prices of “La Nightingale: Lani Misalucha Return Concert” are as follows: P6,225 for VIP; P4,770 for Patron A; P3,180 for Patron B; P1,275 for box; P795 for upper box; and P480 for general admission.

Tickets can now be purchased at the Araneta Coliseum office and Ticketnet outlets nationwide. Ticket buyers may also call the Ticketnet hotline at 9115555 and website at Ticketnet.com.ph.

Meanwhile, the chart-topping “The Nightingale Returns: Lani Misalucha Sings The Greatest Filipino Songbook” album is still available at all record bars nationwide for only P350. Digital tracks can also be downloaded via Amazon.com, Mymusicstore.com.ph, and iTunes.

For more updates about “La Nightingale: Lani Misalucha Return Concert,” visit Starmusic.ph, Facebook.com/starrecordsphil or follow @starrecordsph on Twitter.

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

A4 INdulge!

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 155 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, OCTOBER 19-20, 2014

EVENT

DoT launches Visit the Philippines Year Looking...

FFROM A1 2015 but more importantly encouraged them to participate in the the Visit Davao campaign banner events which are Davao Region’s current entries to the Visit Philippines Year calendar of events which are the Visit Davao Fun Sale which will run from April 3-May 15, 2015; the 7th International Boulder Face Challenge on April 25-26, 2015 and Visit Samal Islands 2015 from March to May. The Visit Davao Fun Sale is a marketing campaign hinged on the sale of tours in tourist attractions of the region specially in Davao. The tour operators created a consortium to operate fun tours at very low low prices to be competitive in the market. The accommodation facilities and attractions also created special packages to entice the tourists.

These fun packages will be in full operation from April 3-May 15. However, the campaign is not limited to tours but will also mean fun sale amongst restaurants and malls to add to the excitement of the tourist. There will be special promos, sales and major events happening in malls during the weekends of summer.

Visit Samal Islands

Dabawenyo beatboxer Neil Ray Garcia.

Davao City’s Tourism Officer Maria Felisa Marques.

The Ecofellas Quartet.

is the program adopted by the Samal City Resort Owners Association and Island Garden City Tourism Council which is about big discounts, special promos and packages in the beach resorts and inland attractions as well as the staging of major events in the islands of Samal and Talicud during the summer period.

7th International Boulder Face Challenge is the

DoT assistant secretary Art Boncato, Jr.

extreme race involving four disciplines in the race to reach the peak of Mt. Apo within 24 hours.

The 3-member team are international and local competitors.

Winners take pride in braving through the tough terrain and four disciplines of mountain climbing, biking, water tubing and running. Already earning an international mark in extreme sports, this race

is the opening event of the summer sports fest of Davao City.

To cap the event a Memorandum of Agreement was signed between Davao’s tourism players and the Department of Tourism represented by Domingo Ramon Enerio III, the chief operation officer of the Tourism Promotions Board and DoT assistant secretary, Art Boncato, Jr.

The It’s More Fun in the Philippines dancers.

The MOA signing for Visit Davao Fun Sale 2015.

VOL. 7 ISSUE 155 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, OCTOBER 19-20, 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

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 155 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, OCTOBER 19-20, 2014

THE POWER OF THREES TOP GUNNER. Hawks guard Kyle Korver says the Spurs are the model for many teams. (Brett Davis, USA TODAY Sports)

M

IAMI — The offensive concept of pace-and-space was nearly an unbeatable combination for the Miami Heat, the plan of surrounding LeBron James with multiple shooters good enough to net two straight NBA titles.

Plenty of teams are having success with the approach.

None more than the San Antonio Spurs, who ended Miami's championship reign with their paceand-space attack.

Shooters might be valued more now b y NBA teams t h a n e v e r, p a r ticularly those who can connect from

Kyle Korver, one of the league's best shooters. "I think the Spurs are the model that a lot of teams are understanding that not everyone gets to have LeBron James on their team. Not everyone gets to have one of the few super-dominant, all-pro, superstars in this league and so playing with the pass and playing with space and playing quick is a really good backup."

The Spurs led the league in 3-point accuracy last year, making more shots from deep than ever be-

fore.

be-

yond t h e

3-point line. More than 86 percent of those who played in the league tried at least one 3-pointer last season, and the most attempts in the history of the league were taken from that distance — continuing a trend and smashing the previous mark that was set just one year earlier.

And no one seems to believe the fascination with movement, passing and plenty of 3's will end anytime soon.

"The teams that are playing with the pass and shooting seem to be doing really well," said Atlanta's

I n t h e playoffs,

percentages got even better, and in the NBA Finals against the Heat they shot a wildly good 47 percent from 3-land.

"I hate it," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said.

No, he wasn't kidding when he said that in June. Popovich detests the 3-pointer, but in this NBA, it's a prerequisite.

"It's changed the game," Popovich said.

"It makes it tougher to cover that much room defensively on the court, so you do have to pay attention to it defensively. It's a heck of a weapon. ... To me it's not basketball but you've g o t t o

14-21 in the postseason.

"All the analytics guys have looked at it and they see the value of the 3-point shot, especially the corner 3-point shot," Heat forward Danny Granger said. "Teams are obviously game-planning to get those shots and to get shooters to space the court."

It's not accurate to say everybody in the NBA is shooting 3-pointers.

It just seems that way.

Kevin Love, Kevin Durant and Paul George were all among the 10 most prolific 3-takers last season — and they're all listed at 6 - f o o t - 9 or taller.

James made eight

u s e

it.

If you don't, you're in straight big trou3's in a ble." game against T o Charlotte, on wit: Of the his way to a 14 teams 61-point night. that made Spencer Hawes 600 at- and Chris tempts or Bosh comless from bined to take 3 - p o i n t more than range last 500 shots season, 10 from past the didn't make arc — and their the playoffs. they're both The other four 7-footers, give or take combined to go an inch.

TRIPLE THREAT. Kyrie Irving (left) and Kevin Love (right) are two of Cleveland’s three-point threats.

Hawes actually shot a smidge better from long range last season than San Antonio's Danny Green — who just happens to have record for most 3's in an NBA Finals.

Now the Cavaliers are surrounding James with shooters in Cleveland, including Love.

"It's more of a skilled league," Orlando coach Jacque Vaughn said. "Just the way fouls are called, the way the offense and the freedom of movement is, if you're a skilled basketball player there's a place for you. And skill is shooting the basketball.

I think we're seeing that across the board in our league now."

When Vaughn played, the game was more physical, defenders allowed to do more things within legal limits. Vaughn said the first time he ever had a pick set against him was by longtime league strongman Charles Oakley, and he laughed at saying that he's "still recovering" from that hit.

Suffice to say, there aren't many Oakleys in today's game.

Finesse is in, force is out.

"The game has definitely changed," Vaughn said.

Preseason numbers show more of the same. The Heat took nearly 50 shots from 3-point range in a team scrimmage earlier this month. Corner 3's seen to tax teams defensive rotations more than anything else, and offenses aren't going to take away that weapon anytime soon.

In short, 3's are wild in this NBA.

VOL. 7 ISSUE 155 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, OCTOBER 19-20, 2014

SPORTS 15

EDGEDAVAO

POOL IMMORTALITY China’s Chen Siming tries to hit a difficult shot.

Dramatic finish in Final Four of women’s World Pool tourney

By TED LERNER

WPA POOL WRITER

G

UILIN, CHINA--The 2014 Women’s World 9-ball Championship has come down to the final four, and with the biggest prize in women’s pool to be decided on what promises to be a dramatic Saturday in southern China, fans around the world are clearly in for a treat of the highest level.

In the first race to 9 semi-final, which begins at 12pm(GMT +8), Korea’s Ga Young Kim will take on China’s Lui Shasha. The match will be a battle of former champions; Kim won the Women’s World 9-ball Championship in 2004 and 2006, while Lui won the title the first year the tournament was played in China in 2009 at the incredible age of just 16 years old.

The second semi-final, which will take place at 2pm, will feature China’s Chen Siming against Taiwanese veteran Tan Ho Yun. The race to 11 final will begin at 6pm Guilin time.

It was a grueling day of championship pool as the field was whittled down from 32 players to four

players over three tough sessions. Actually for Kim and Liu, their round of 32 match was played the night before so they only had to play two matches today.

But their road to the semis was no less easy, especially for Kim. The Korea superstar, who speaks fluent Mandarin and is quite famous throughout China, must feel more than a little charmed at this point, as she has been living on the edge of disaster over the last few days only to miraculously survive and find herself on the cusp of her third 9-ball crown. In her round of 32 match the night before against China’s Wang Xiao Tong, Kim was all but out of the tournament as Wang got down on a straight in 9-ball to win the match. Incredibly the Chinese missed and Kim stole the rack, then won the next rack to advance to the round of 16.

Kim came out today and played solid in a 9-5 win over Japan’s Akimi Kajatani. But she was then faced with the prospect of moving over to the TV

table to play defending champion Han Yu of China. The clinical Han had looked untouchable up to this point and had just destroyed one of China’s biggest stars, Fu Xiao Fang, 9-3, to move into the quarters.

Against the merciless Han, Kim jumped out to a 2-0 lead but then saw Han move up by 2. Han continued to hold off Kim the rest of the way until Kim finally caught up to tie at 8-8 and force a sudden death decider. In a pressure packed last rack, the pair handed over the table several times but it was Kim who grabbed the last 9-ball and a hard won spot in the semi-finals.

Kim will now have to face another Chinese superstar in Lui Shasha. The 21 year old has, as usual, looked unflappable all week and she played that way today. She first outlasted 14 year old fellow Chinese Jiang Teng, 9-5.

Liu then did the same to the surprising Angeline Magdalena Ticaolu of Indonesia. The 29 year old Ticaolu showed a huge

Lui Shasha of China studies the angle of her next shot. heart this week and her spot in the quarters is the best that any Indonesian player has ever achieved in a world championship.

But Liu was in no mood to be kind and took over the match halfway and won 9-5.

Afterward a smiling Liu informed the surprised media throng that she hasn’t been feeling 100% throughout the week in Guilin.

“I feel so relieved right now,” Liu said. “From day one until right now I haven’t felt that good on the table. I don’t think I’m playing very well. It’s just a huge relief right now and I feel very very happy.”

Ga Young Kim of Korea chalks up for her next shot.

16

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 155 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, OCTOBER 19-20, 2014