Edge Davao 7 Issue 165

VOL. 7 ISSUE 165 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2 - 3, 2014

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EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

Barbed wire in paradise

INSIDE EDGE BEST OF THE BEST

TAGUM COOP NOW IN CDA’S HALL OF FAME

SPORTS page 3

2 COVER STORY EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 165 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2-3, 2014

SPIKES. A fence of barbed wire surrounds the Silsilah Elementary School in Greater Sta. Cruz Island in Zamboanga City.

BARBED WIRE IN PARADISE Text and photos by JON JOAQUIN

T

HE first thing I noticed upon stepping foot on Greater Sta. Cruz Island, Zamboanga City was not its pinkish white sand, which is its greatest draw, or the pristine waters that surround it. Our group – composed of tourism officials of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines (BIMP) and some reporters from the cities of Davao and Cagayan de Oro – had landed by boat at the Silsilah Elementary School to be shown the budding ecotourism program being developed for the Sama Bangingi families who inhabit the island, but when we got off the boat I was startled by the sight of a barbed wire fence that surrounded the school. It was a visually jarring image: wooden buildings surrounded by spikes that were out of place in such a genteel, paradise-like setting.

I asked village chieftain Salasaina Taup Julhani about it, and he said the fence was meant only for two things: first, to keep the children from running out into the water, and second, to keep threats at bay. The original fence was made of wood, but the tide would always destroy it. They tried regular wire, but it rusted too quickly. Barbed wire seemed to be the most durable material they could find.

“But aren’t you afraid the barbed wire would hurt the children?” I asked, and he said the children know enough not to touch them

and nothing untoward has happened so far. External threats have also yet to reach the island, although Julhani said the siege last year in Zamboanga City and other violent incidents have shown them the value of being prepared for anything.

Located some four kilometers from downtown Zamboanga City, the 1,887-hectare Greater Sta. Cruz Island had been chosen by the city government and the Department of Tourism (DOT) as a Community-Based Ecotourism (CBET) site. The locals, composed of about 70 families with a total of 300 members, will be aided in making the area attractive to tourists who want to see and experience their culture and lifestyle.

DOT 9 regional director Mary June Bugante said this includes training in visitor reception, community interaction, showing net weaving to visitors, and leading visitors in making their own souvenir items. “We envision the program to benefit the people economically and give them access to the benefits of tourism,” she said.

This will be accomplished by involving the villagers in various enterprises that will complement their traditional livelihood of fishing. Their culture will also be preserved and taught to the children, particularly the dances that are already in danger of being forgotten by the younger generations.

The island’s greatest at-

traction is arguably its pink sand, which is caused by the presence of tiny bits of red organ pipe coral. The beaches were popular among foreign tourists in the 1970s and the early 80s, but security concerns eventually kept them out. These days Greater Sta. Cruz is experiencing a resurgence in popularity thanks to social media, and more and more people are coming to experience its pink sand and crystal clear waters.

DOT Assistant Secretary Art Boncato said the government wants to help the Sama Bangingi residents benefit from the tourism potentials of the island. The people have traditionally been fishermen and are thus ill-prepared to take on the number of tourists who will visit the island as it gets promoted and as word spreads about its beauty. Over the course of two years, the department will train the residents and make them better able to handle the influx of tourists.

Julhani said the villagers are happy that development was finally coming to the island, but he quickly added that he fears they would lose their homes. “The first settler here was my grandfather Ungka Taup Mukaddima who came in 1945,” he said.

“We have been here for three generations, but up to now we do not own the land.” He said the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) has been processing their papers but things have

been moving slowly.

Meanwhile, they feel they have no assurance the government will not force them to leave if the tourism program succeeds – or fails.

“We were just given verbal assurance that we will not be evicted as long as there is no trouble here. But what if the program becomes successful? And what if it fails?

What if the government wants to use the island for something else?”

Julhani also said they have been told the island is protected and as such no outsiders will be allowed to settle with them. “The only growth allowed is by marriage and by having children. But what if someone from outside wants to live here?” The houses have also been counted, he said, and no more buildings will

be allowed construction.

“But our families will grow.

We will need to expand our houses or build new ones. Is that not allowed anymore?

What happened to our human rights?” he asked.

I asked Boncato about this and he said Julhani’s fears are unfounded. He cited one resident who had married a woman from Bantayan Island in Cebu, saying the island’s residents are free to live their lives the way they want to. The DOT simply wants to help them preserve their culture because this is something that can draw tourists and improve their lives as they earn more.

The ecotourism program in Greater Sta. Cruz is still in its infancy and it will take about two years before the island can be en-

rolled as a CBET site in the Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).

Boncato said the DOT and the city government will work hard to communicate with the Sama Bangingi residents and assure them that the program is intended to benefit them and not harm them.

Julhani, however, said the program could go either way for them, and he fears their lives would be adversely affected and their freedom and rights disregarded. Just like the barbed wire around the school, he said, he fears the ecotourism program would box them in and restrict their freedom.

“We want the island to be developed,” he said, “but we also want to be free to live our lives the way we want.”

SAFETY PRECAUTION. The barbed wire fence is intended to keep children from running out into the sea.

NEWS

VOL. 7 ISSUE 165 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2-3, 2014

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Best of the best

Tagum Cooperative now in CDA’s Hall of Fame T

HE leaders and constituents of Davao del Norte are beaming with pride over the triumph of home-grown billionaire Tagum Cooperative (TC) as the country’s “most outstand-

ing primary cooperative large scale category” for the third year in a row qualifying it to be installed in the Hall of Fame of the award, officially called Gawad Parangal, institutionalized by Cooperative

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Phl climbs 13 notches in Doing Business Report

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

T

4,000 people attending the 12th National Cooperative Summit in Cebu City organized by CDA and the Philippine Cooperative Center (PCC) last October 16.

FTAGUM, 10

Coop, Pereyras also given awards by Mayor Rellon

VEN in awards, it seems, when it rains, it pours.

Tagum City Mayor Allan I. Rellon bestowed last Friday, October 31, 2014 to billion-

crc@edgedavao.net

HE Philippines has climbed 13 notches from no. 108 to no.

95 of 189 economies in the 2015 World Bank-International Finance Corporation Doing Business Report.

A report from the National Competitiveness Council (NCC) said the country gained 53 spots in the Doing Business report since 2011, the largest gain in the region.

The 12th annual report measures the ease with which a business undertakes 10 processes in its typical life cycle given existing economic regulations: starting a business, dealing with construction permits, get-

Development Administration (CDA).

Tagum Cooperative officers, led by Ms Norma R. Pereyras, chairperson of TC’s board of directors, received the award before a crowd of

ting electricity, registering property, getting credit, protecting minority investors, trading across borders, enforcing contracts, resolving insolvency, and distance to frontier.

“The performance of a country in the report is often regarded by governments and investors worldwide as an indicator of how conductive an economy is for business,” the report said.

In the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN), the Philippines ranked fifth, ahead of Brunei Darussalam (No. 101), Indonesia (No. 114), Cambodia (No. 135), Lao PDR (No. 148)

FPHL, 10

aire Tagum Cooperative (TC) the “Mayor’s Gawad Parangal 2014.”

This was days after TC was installed in the hall of fame of the Gawad Parangal

of the Cooperative Development Authority, after being proclaimed the country’s most outstanding primary cooperative large scale cate-

FCOOP, 10

TRIUMPHANT. Tagum Cooperative general manager Juris Perez and board of directors chairperson Norma R. Pereyras beam as they discuss the recent landing of home-grown billionaire cooperative in the hall of fame of the Cooperative Development Authority’s Gawad Parangal award after being adjudged the country’s most outstanding primary cooperative large scale category last October 16 in Cebu City. The two were special guest of the Hermes Club media forum at the Waterfront Davao Insular Hotel last week.

Latest news also indicated that Ms Pereyras days ago was adjudged as the country’s most outstanding cooperative leader.

7 face charges for mauling cop

By FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA

S

EVEN men are faces frustrated murder charges after mauling a police officer Friday dawn at the Ateneo de Davao Matina Campus main gate.

The officer was identified as Police Officer (PO2) Ritchie Paul Calago Lozano, 33, currently assigned at San Pedro Police Station.

The suspects were identified as Abdul Moamar Manalao, Adzmin Bueno Kumayog, Harold Baramban-

gan Tomawis, Omerah Jedaniah Suraik, Nisreen Mohd Khurshid, Jhamel Cabuntalan Hadji Dros, Michael Garcia Reyes reportedly the son of former councilor Jackson Reyes.

Manalao had claimed that Lozano pointed a gun at him and his friends when he accidentally bumped him.

Manalao said he and his friends reacted by disarming the police officer.

Footage from the closed

circuit television (CCTV) camera of the Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC) showed Manalao’s assertion to be untrue.

The video showed Lozano, who was with his girlfriend, trying to help Manalao who was about to vomit.

This, however, apparently angered Manalao, who along with three friends proceeded to maul Lozano.

When Lozano identified himself as a police officer, three other men joined and mauled him.

The suspects also tried to get Lozano’s service firearm but he managed to keep it with him.

It was Lozano’s girlfriend who called for police assistance.

As of this writing, the seven persons are detained at Talomo Police Station for proper disposition.

Bunawan-Sirawan bypass road could start in 2018

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

T SPRUCING UP. Charging P20 per customer. these two boys use their fingers to repaint the inscription on gravestones at the Roman Catholic cemetery in

Madapo Hills, Davao City. People are expected to troop to the city’s cemeteries to commemorate All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. Lean Daval Jr.

HE implementation of the proposed Davao City bypass road could be started in 2018, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 11 regional director Mariano Alquiza said.

Alquiza told reporters Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is still to evaluate the result of the initial study it conducted on the project.

He said if JICA approves the study, the next move will be the feasibility study to get more details of the proposed bypass highway from Bunawan to Sirawan, Toril. JICA will get the detailed information on the terrain and engi-

neering measures.

“After that, they will determine the estimate cost.

Then, after determining the estimated cost, they proceed to the negotiation of loan agreements from the government of the Philippines,” he said.

Alquiza said every project proposal takes a minimum of five years before being implemented because of the series of studies that needs to be conducted.

“Just look at the proposal to have a bridge connecting Samal and Davao City. When I went out of Davao City, I already heard of this project, and now that I have returned

FBUNAWAN, 10

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NEWS

PHILIPPINES’ TOP SECURITY AGENCY. Davao Security and Investigation Agency (DASIA) president Glenn Y. Escandor (extreme right) receives the plaque as the country’s Top Private Security Agency of the Year Award from Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Alan La Madrid Purisima

VOL. 7 ISSUE 165 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2-3, 2014

(third from left) during the annual awarding ceremonies of the 34th Civil Security Group Founding Anniversary last October 27 at the PNP Multi-Purpose Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City. Also in photo are from left: Police Chief Superintendent Elmer Soria, CSG Deputy Director, and Police Director

AFP has ‘contingency plans’ in case BBL is not approved

By JON JOAQUIN

E

ASTERN Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) chief Major General Aurelio Baladad said the military is ready in case violence breaks out again in Mindanao if the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) is rejected.

Speaking to the members of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII) during the group’s monthly general membership meeting last

Friday, Baladad said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has “contingency plans” for such an eventuality.

“The ideal scenario is that the BBL is signed. However, the worst scenario is hostility will break out if the BBL is rejected,” he said.

Baladad said this happened in 2008 when the Supreme Court declared the Memorandum of Agreement

on Ancestral Doman (MOAAD) unconstitutional.

The ruling set off a series of armed clashes between the AFP and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and displaced hundreds of thousands of people. The peace talks were also suspended, resuming only in 2010.

A final peace agreement was signed in Malacañang

last March, while the BBL was submitted to Congress last September. Congress will go over the document before submitting it to a plebiscite in the affected areas.

Baladad said if the BBL suffers a setback and violence ensues, “we have contingency plans here in our area and in western Mindanao.”

Wireless, Ma-a, Panacan and Tibungco. DCWD will install community faucets to offer free water to the visiting public from October 31 to November 2.

A Customers Appreciation Day will be conducted

by DCWD on November 3 to give thanks to its customers. Exciting activities and freebies await customers in DCWD’s offices in Bajada, Matina, and Toril and collection center in Victoria Plaza. November 3, 2014 is DCWD’s 41st founding anniversary.

For DCWD’s community partners, free medical and dental clinics in Barangay Tambobong, Bagu-

io District particularly in Sitio Kidali will be held on November 4 and in Sitio Subsub on November 14.

Then on November 5, donations of mosquito nets will be given done among indigenous people in Barangay Tamugan. All these areas are within the scope of DCWD’s Mt. Tipolog–Tamugan watershed rehabilitation project.

Some DCWD staff members will act as teachers and will visit schools to conduct information dissemination campaign. Set on November 16, 14, and 20 are the 14th DCWD Goes to School activities at Magtuod, A. Pichon and Tagakpan ele-

mentary schools, respectively. DCWD personnel will lecture on water conservation, water cycle, rainwater harvesting and proper hand washing and will give away materials and school supplies like school bags and pencils to all pupil– participants and posters on water conservation as instructional materials to the teachers and principals.

Information Education Campaign on watershed protection will also be conducted at Baguio Elementary School on November 11 and Quezon Elementary School on November 18.

DCWD will also sponsor

FAFP, 10

Davao City to celebrate Water Consciousness Month

T

HE Davao City Water District (DCWD) urged the general public to participate in important activities during the citywide Water Consciousness Month in November.

Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte issued Proclamation No. 12 by on September 27, 2001 declaring November Water Consciousness Month in Davao City with DCWD as lead agency. This year, it will carry the theme #conservewaterdavao.

Opening the activities is the annual “Tubig sa Katawhan” or free water in the pubic cemeteries of Calinan, Toril, Mintal, Ulas,

FDAVAO, 10

Melito Mabilin, CSG Director. The prestigious award is the third straight for the Davao-based security agency after winning the same award in 2012 and 2013.

DPWH nat’l office mum on Samal-Davao bridge

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

T

abf@edgedavao.net

HE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 11 has not yet received instruction from its national office for the next step on the proposed Samal-Davao Bridge project.

DPWH 11 regional director Mariano Alquiza said the DPWH national office is still mum on the conduct of the feasibility study for the proposed project.

“The time when DPWH secretary Rogelio Singson went to Davao City, he asked for the existing preliminary study. Since we have the preliminary study of JICA (Japan

International Cooperation Agency), we submitted it to him,” Alquiza said.

Alquiza said if the national office will approve the preliminary study, the regional office will proceed with the feasibility study.

He said after the feasibility study, DPWH 11 will also negotiate from lending institutions for loan agreements for the project.

“If the lending institutions see to it that there is quick chance to have a good internal rate of return, good infra that will cater the congestion

F3 DPWH, 10

3 barangays vow to end child labor

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

V

crc@edgedavao.net

OWING to protect children from becoming young laborers, three barangays in Davao City signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Kaugmaon Foundation and different parents and children’s organization last Thursday.

Florie May Tacang, executive director of Kaugmaon Foundation, said the barangay councils of Tibungco, Callawa, and

Lasang vowed that programs and plans for the youth will be included in their respective barangay development plans.

Tacang said it is important that local government units (LGUs) have participation in addressing child labor issues.

“Child labor is an invisible global problem but it is treated as if it is normal. Perhaps it is because of the culture, but

F3 BARANGAY, 10

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 165 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2-3, 2014

THE ECONOMY

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Quality power supply to sustain ease of doing business in PHL A

CEMETERY ARTIST. An artisan carves on a marble tombstone at the city public cemetery in Bolonsiri, Cagayan de Oro City on Wednesday (29 Oct. 2014). Flowers and tombstone carvers are in demand during the two-day

observance of the Kalag-kalag, practiced during All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day, as families clean the graves and place flowers for their departed relatives.

MindaNews photo by Froilan Gallardo

S the Philippines surged 53 notches in the Ease of Doing Business report of the World Bank (WB) and International Finance Corporation (IFC) from 2011 to 2015, both public and private sectors are increasing their efforts to achieve its goal of getting in the upper third in the world ranking.

National Competitiveness Council (NCC) CoChair for Private Sector Guillermo M. Luz told the Philippines News Agency that quality of power supply in the country is very crucial, not only in attaining upgrades in the Doing Business report ranking but basically for business operations.

“Quality of power supply is important. We should, of course, pay attention to it regardless if it would affect our ranking or not because it could affect us in business,” Luz said.

The Doing Business report measures regulations in the local economy

through 10 indicators affecting the cycle of a business: starting a business, dealing with construction permits, getting electricity, registering property, getting credit, protecting minority investors, paying taxes, trading across borders, enforcing contracts, and resolving insolvency.

Aside from global rankings, the WB and IFC report now focuses on the “distance to frontier” which is determined by scores. The closer the score to a perfect point of 100, the better a country’s performance in easing doing business.

In a video conference with Southeast Asian nations, Washington D.C.based WB Group Global Indicators Group Director Augusto Lopez Carlos announced that the Doing Business report has expanded its measure, now looking into quality of regulatory environment which will include reliability of power supply in an economy. (PNA)

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VOL. 7 ISSUE 165 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2-3, 2014 EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 165 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2-3, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

THE ECONOMY

Bank lending expands O

UTSTANDING loans of commercial banks, net of reverse repurchase (RRP) placements with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), grew at a slightly faster pace at 20.5 percent in September from the previous month’s increase of 20.1 percent (revised).

Similarly, bank lending inclusive of RRPs expanded by 19.5 percent from the 18.6 percent (revised) growth posted in the previous month.

On a month-on-month seasonally-adjusted basis, commercial bank lending increased by 2.1 percent for loans net of RRPs and by 2.9 percent for loans inclusive of RRPs. Loans for production activities—which comprised about four-fifths of banks’ aggregate loan portfolio— expanded by 18.7 percent in September from 19.0 percent (revised) in August.

The rise in production loans was driven primarily by increased lending to the

following sectors: wholesale and retail trade (20.8 percent); real estate, renting, and business services (12.9 percent); manufacturing (13.8 percent); electricity, gas and water (27.1 percent); and, financial intermediation (25.4 percent).

Bank lending to other sectors also rose during the month except for public administration and defense, which declined by 1.8 percent.

Loans for household consumption grew by 17.7 per-

cent in September from 16.7 percent (revised) in August, primarily due to the continued expansion in auto loans and other types of loans (i.e. salary loans and personal loans) which offset the slight slowdown in the growth of credit card loans.

Going forward, the BSP will continue to ensure that domestic credit and liquidity conditions will remain supportive of economic growth while remaining consistent with its price stability objective. (PNA)

The Cebu BRT Project includes the development of segregated BRT busways from Bulacao to Ayala, with a link to Cebu’s South Road Property, a feeder service between Ayala and Talamban with signal priority, 33 stations expected to service 330, 000 people per day in 2015, 176 buses, an area stop light control for the whole city of Cebu, and a central transport control room.

The World Bank will provide funding of $116 million from the Inter-

national Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and $25 million from its Clean Technology Fund (CTF).

Once complete, the project is expected to service an average of 433, 000 individual trips per day.

The Cebu BRT is projected to save 25 minutes of travel time and P7.50 in fares.

In signing the agreement, Secretary Purisima said, “Our improved public finances have enabled us to spend more confidently on public investments sup-

porting our rapid growth.

As Cebu City is fast becoming one of our prime urban centers, investing in sound infrastructure lays solid groundwork for a more sustainable growth trajectory.”

The Philippine government and the World Bank chose to undertake the development of a bus rapid transit system because of its low cost (5 percent to 10 percent of rail), quick construction (around two years), and its higher quality of service despite having the same capacity as rail.

Ph signs WB Cebu Bus Rapid Transit Project F

INANCE Secretary Cesar V. Purisima signed the loan agreement for the World Bank’s Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Project on behalf of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines last October 14.

The project is set to improve the overall performance of the urban passenger transport system in the Project Corridor in Cebu City, with an emphasis on the quality and level of service, safety, and environmental efficiency.

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Local liquidity growth eases in September D

OMESTIC liquidity (M3) grew by 16.2 percent year-on-year in September to reach P7.2 trillion, slower than the (revised) 18.3-percent expansion recorded in August.

On a month-on-month basis, seasonally-adjusted M3 increased by 0.3 percent, following the (revised) 0.7-percent growth in the previous month.

Money supply continued to increase due largely to the sustained demand for credit in the domestic economy.

Domestic claims grew by 16.0 percent in September from 14.6 percent (revised) in August , reflecting in part the continued expansion in credits to the private sector.

In particular, the bulk of bank loans during the month was channeled to key production sectors such as wholesale and retail trade, utilities, real estate, renting, and business services, manufacturing, and financial intermediation.

At the same time, public sector credit grew by 12.9 percent in September from 5.5 percent (revised) in August as the deposits of the National Government (NG) with the BSP increased at a slower pace due largely to the withdrawal of funds by the NG for

the redemption of maturing government securities.

Net foreign assets (NFA) in peso terms grew by 3.9 percent in September from 1.4 percent in the previous month.

The NFA of banks increased as banks’ foreign assets continued to expand due mainly to the growth in their foreign loans and receivables and in their deposits with other banks.

Meanwhile, banks’ foreign liabilities declined slightly on account of lower deposits made by foreign banks with their local branches.

The BSP’s NFA position contracted during the month, reflecting the year-on-year decrease in gross international reserves.

Domestic liquidity growth is expected to further moderate to levels consistent with domestic demand, as previous monetary adjustments continue to work their way through the economy.

Going forward, the BSP remains prepared to take appropriate action as necessary to ensure that liquidity conditions continue to be consistent with the BSP’s objective of maintaining price and financial stability. (PNA)

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EDGEDAVAO

VANTAGE

VOL. 7 ISSUE 165 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2-3, 2014

EDITORIAL

Rainwater collection

D

AVAO CITY Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte approved a few days ago the much awaited implementing rules and regulations of the Davao City Rainwater Ordinance, also known as City Ordinance No. 0298-09. It was a hurdle of some kind considering that the IRR approval came five years after the ordinance was passed by the Sangguniang Panlungsod. Traditionally, though, it takes a while for the city to come up with an IRR. If it is any consolation, the national government, with all the legal expertise it could muster, is not any faster.

It is not wrong, however, for the city to aspire to be more expeditious if only to preclude a situation in which the ordinance and the IRR are so outdated that they will become irrelevant and impractical, and difficult to implement against the backdrop of present-day realities.

However, admittedly even with the delayed IRR approval, the importance of the rainwater collection ordinance and the benefits that will accrue to the people of Davao cannot be gainsaid.

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The ordinance stipulates that, henceforth, all new private and public buildings and structures should include rainwater collection systems. A rainwater collection system must be capable of proper harvesting, storage and utilization of rainwater to reduce the effects of storm water, surface runoff and siltation. It is therefore reasonable to expect that a no-nonsense enforcement of the ordinance will contribute to the reduction of flooding, soil erosion, deposit of silt loads on roads and other waterways, pollution in urban areas, and improvement of the quality of surface water, among other benefits. In economics, one of the beneficial effects is reduction in water bills of business establishments, government offices and households who must utilize stored rainwater for non-potable activities like watering gardens, washing clothes and cars and cleaning surroundings of household and offices.

This early we can say with a measure of confidence that the Rainwater Collection Ordinance is one of the best pieces of legislation that our city fathers have produced in recent memory.

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

AGAPITO JOAQUIN JR. Associate Editor

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

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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

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VANTAGE POINTS

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Investigations as distractions

T should be clear by now that the Senate investigation into the accusations against Vice President Jejomar Binay and his family members are not really “in aid of legislation.” Yes, it’s good that alleged wrongdoings by high officials are brought out and subjected to scrutiny so that the people may get an idea of the character of their leaders. Something has gone wrong however as the investigation progressed and held the public in a trance.

No, it’s not that a contender for the 2016 elections is obviously staging the Senate show in the hope of demolishing Binay and boosting his own stock. That hasn’t happened though, and so the show must go on and on and on until they find something that will deal the vice president a crushing blow.

What has happened instead is that the public has lost sight of the bigger picture. All eyes are now fixed on Binay, no one is mind-

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VOL. 7 ISSUE 165 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2-3, 2014

HEN I was still in college, one of the most-often played songs on the radio was “Don’t Cry for Me, Argentina.” Memorable lines include these: “And as for fortune and as for fame I never invited them in. Though it seems to the world they were all I desired.”

To some people, fame is offered on a silver platter. Remember the precocious Tatum O’Neal? Being the daughter of her famous father Ryan, she was given the supporting role in Paper Moon. She became the toast of the tinsel town and even snatched an Oscar trophy for her debut performance. ”The love of fame is almost another name for the love of excellence; or it is the ambition to attain the highest excellence, sanctioned by the highest authority, that of time,” said William Hazlitt. “Fame is a bee,” wrote poet Emily Dickinson. “It has a song. It has a sting. Ah, too, it has a wing.”

In other words, being famous is not forever just as a person can never be young forever. So, one wonders: Where is Tatum O’Neal now? Perhaps the words of Charles Sumner should remind us: “Whatever may be the temporary applause of men, or the expressions of public opinion, it may be asserted without fear of contradiction, that no true and permanent fame can be founded, except in labors which promote the happiness of mankind.”

Alan Bennett adds, “Those who have known the famous are publicly debriefed of their memories, knowing as their own dusk falls that they will only be remembered for remembering someone else.”

ing anymore the other issues surrounding the use of public funds. Like horses with blinders on the both sides of their heads, the people are only seeing part of President Aquino’s bumpy “daang matuwid”. Unfortunately, no one notices the bumps.

Thanks to the blinders – aided in large part by partisan media – nobody seems to mind that PNoy’s journey to good governance has taken tricky detours. For while our eyes were fixed on blabbermouths named Alan Peter Cayetano and Antonio Trillanes – who are as eager as Binay for

the presidency – the President’s allies in Congress effectively rendered useless the Supreme Court decision that declared the pork barrel system unconstitutional. It was a move that strengthened what others would call Aquino’s fiscal dictatorship.

Here are the lump sum figures in the 2015 national budget over which the Executive has complete control: P378.6 million in Special Purpose Funds, P123 billion in Unprogrammed Funds, P118 billion in Miscellaneous Personnel Benefit Fund, and P20.9 billion in Grassroots Participatory Budgeting to be channeled to the Department of Interior and Local Government of Secretary Mar Roxas, who is aching to get back at Binay come 2016. Worse, Congress has changed the definition of “savings” to allow Aquino to circumvent the Supreme Court ruling on the Disbursement Acceleration Program.

Aquino conveniently forgets that pork barrel – whether lodged in Congress or in the Executive – remains the biggest source of corruption. Furthermore, it reinforces the shady tradition of patronage politics, and weakens the system of checks and balance among the branches of government. Congress will always kowtow to PNoy’s wishes because he has usurped its power of the purse. But that’s no big deal for pork-hungry lawmakers who depend on it for their political survival.

Surely, the amount that will be lost to kickbacks and commissions from the president’s pork barrel will be many times greater than the reported overprice of a government building in Makati. So, where are our anti-graft advocates?

(MindaViews is the opinion section of MindaNews. H. Marcos C. Mordeno can be reached at hmcmordeno@gmail.com.)

Rick WarTHINK ON THESE! ren, the famous author of The Purpose Driven Life and church pastor of Saddleback Church in California, knows Henrylito D. Tacio this. He never dreams henrytacio@gmail.com of becoming rich and famous. When interviewed

by Paul Bradshaw recently about the purpose of a person’s life here on earth, he replied, “Life is preparation for eternity. We were made to last forever, and God wants us to be with Him in heaven.”

He further explained, “(Our life here on earth) is the warm-up act – the dress rehearsal. The day is soon coming when Jesus will raise us from our graves and take us to be with Him. God wants us to practice here on earth how we will live in eternity. We were made by God and for God, and until you figure that out, life isn’t going to make sense.”

Recently, Warren’s wife, Kay, was diagnosed with an incurable cancer.

“Life is a series of problems: you are in one now, you’re just coming out of one, or you’re getting ready to go into another one.”

From the Bradshaw interview, Warren came up with these words of wisdom: “I used to think that life was hills and valleys – you go through a

dark time, then you go to the mountaintop, back and forth. I don’t believe that anymore. Rather than life being hills and valleys, I believe that it’s kind of like two rails on a railroad track, and at all times you have something good and something bad in your life.”

Talking of the good things and the bad things, Warren stated, “No matter how good things are in your life, there is always something bad that needs to be worked on. And no matter how bad things are in your life, there is always something good you can thank God for.”

The American pastor said that we have to deal with both the good and the bad that life brings. “Actually, sometimes learning to deal with the good is harder,” he pointed out. “For instance, this past year, all of a sudden, when the book sold 15 million copies, it made me instantly very wealthy. It also brought a lot of notoriety that I had never had to deal with before. I don’t think God gives you money or notoriety for your own ego or for you to live a life of ease.”

With the money pouring in, he remembered II Corinthians 9 and Psalm 72. “We need to ask ourselves: Am I going to live for possessions, for popularity? Am I going to be driven by pressures, guilt, bitterness, materialism? Or am I going to be driven by God’s purposes (for my life)?”

Today, when Warren gets up in the morning, “I sit on the side of my bed and say, God, if I don’t get anything else done today, I want to know You

more and love You better. God didn’t put me on earth just to fulfill a to-do list. He’s more interested in what I am than what I do. That’s why we’re called human beings, not human doings.”

Or to quote the words of Alexander Smith, “I have learned to prize the quiet, lightning deed, not the applauding thunder at its heels that men call fame.”

In 1992, some of the world’s most successful businessmen held a special meeting in Chicago. They were a group of high-powered specialists who knew the secret of making money. There was no doubt about where their altar was.

Let’s take a look at the lives of those men 27 years later. Charles Schwab, president of the largest independent steel company, died bankrupt and lived on borrowed money the last years of his life. Samuel Insull, president of the greatest utility company, died a fugitive from justice, penniless in a foreign land. Howard Hopson, president of the largest gas company, was insane.

Arthur Cutter, the greatest wheat speculator, died abroad in poverty.

Richard Whitney, president of New York Stock Exchange, was sitting in Sing Sing prison. Albert Fall, a member of the President’s cabinet, was pardoned from prison so he could die at home.

“Famous people before the public live an imagined life in the thought of others, and flourish or feel faint as their self outside themselves grows bright or dwindles in that mirror,” Logan Pearsall Smith said.

To be rich and famous?

10

NEWS

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 165 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2-3, 2014

Davao... FFROM 4 different contests among public and private schools in the city. Elimination rounds of the 14th Citywide Extemporaneous Speaking Contest among high school students are scheduled on November 12 and 13 at the Davao Episcopal Mission Center and the final round is set on November 21 at the activity center of SM City Annex in Ecoland. The 20th Citywide On-the-Spot Poster Making Contest for elementary students will be held on November 25 again at the activity center of SM City Annex. Cash prizes and medals await the winners.

Another contest slated in November is the search for the Best Organic Practices on Organic Farming among the farmer-participants of last year’s Organic Farming Training and

awarding of winners will be on November 19 at Lispher Inn in Matina.

Employees of the water utility will also be encouraged to donate blood thru the annual DCWD bloodletting activity dubbed as “Dugo Mo, Buhay Ko” on November 14 at the DCWD Bajada office.

DCWD will also be hosting different trainings and seminars. For the youth, to be conducted are the Youth Facilitators Training on November 8 to 9 at the DCWD office, the Values Laden Leadership for the Youth on November 11 at Lispher Inn and WMYC teambuilding on November 29 to 30 at Malagos Park. For its women partners, to be held is the Women and Environment in the Barangay Economics Training on Novem-

ber 22 to 23 at Gulfview Resort. And, the Water Supply System Operations Seminar will be conducted for DCWD newly promoted and hired employees on November 27 to 28 at the Pinnacle Hotel.

Capping all the events is the simple thanksgiving program for DCWD’s partners in watershed rehabilitation or the Adopt-a-Site adopters on November 28.

Venue is being finalized.

Adopters will be formally invited.

All these activities are to be carried out by different departments of DCWD, namely, the Community Relations and External Affairs, Human Resource and the Pipelines and Appurtenances Maintenance.

(Jovana T. Duhaylungsod)

gory for the third consecutive year during the Cooperative Summit in Cebu City, October 16.

In a plaque given by the Cooperatives, NGOs, GOs and POs Development Unit of the City Mayor’s Office, Tagum Cooperative was cited for having “performed very well overall across the four drivers of competitiveness:

Organization, Leadership and Management, Financial Management and Business Operation, Social Relevance & Awards and Recognition.”

The citation was signed by Rev. Antonio S. Alastro Jr., cooperative development specialist II, and Mayor Rellon.

The city mayor also bestowed a special award on Ms Norma R. Pereyras, chairper-

son of the board of directors of Tagum Cooperative, as the city’s most outstanding cooperative leader. Pereyras, who also figures prominently in the Rotary International Movement, and other professional and socio-civic activities nationwide, has been chairperson of Tagum Cooperative Board of Directors for several years now.AMA

of Davao City. There are many considerations such as in Davao City and the influx of tourists, ”Alquiza said.

He said there might be lending institutions that will interested to finance the project.

Earlier, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) 11 reported that Regional Development Council 11 vice chair and National Economic Development Authority 11 director Maria Lourdes Lim declared that the RDC is

on track in its Samal-Davao Bridge project which might be built in 2016.

RDC 11 has already tapped the DPWH to conduct a full feasibility study on the project. The study will be in accordance with the recommendation of JICA that conducted a pre-feasibility study 10 years ago.

According to JICA, a full study could be conducted in 2015 when the Island Garden City of Samal has become more progressive.

The total cost of the bridge is estimated to be P10 billion.

Lim also announced two other projects which the NEDA will be prioritizing in 2015: a P40 billion-undertaking to rehabilitate and improve the Francisco Bangoy International Airport and the modernization of the Sasa Wharf which is estimated to cost P19 billion.

The projects will be open for bidding to the private sector next year.

Coop... FFROM 3

DPWH... FFROM 4

Tagum...FFROM 3

First in history TC is the first cooperative to get the Hall of Fame accolade ever in the history of Philippine cooperative movement, Ms Pereyras told media members attending the Hermes Club forum at Waterfront Davao Insular Hotel last week.

In its bid to be enshrined in the hall of fame, TC’s management submitted last May five books --its performance audit report, annual performance report, social performance report, amended articles and by-laws, cooperative development plan including trainings for officers, staff and members. Added to these were numerous endorsements, nominations and certificates of good standing.

Grand slam Days earlier, the CDA also honored Tagum Cooperative as the Grand Slam Winner, af-

ter being adjudged Most Outstanding Cooperative in Large Scale Category in Region 11.

TC topped in the regional ranking in terms of assets, volume of business, net surplus and paid-up capital, according to CDA 11 Regional Director Elma Oguis.

Director Oguis said TC has been showing exceptional performance in terms of leadership, financial management, business operations and social relevance, among many other criteria to be hurdled in CDA’s Search for Gawad Parangal.

Keep on ascending During her appearance in the Hermes Club with Juris Perez, TC general manager, Pereyras said “we don’t want to rest on our laurels. I tell my fellow officers to roll up their sleeves and continue to work for our members. Let’s keep on ascending.”

“We want Tagum Cooperative to reach 100 years,” Pereyras said, telling reporters that

the cooperative has already scheduled a 27-day strategic planning workshop (that has started this week).

She said the officers want TC to pursue sustainability and enhancement of financial management business operations through business planning, expansion of business and investment exposure of the cooperative, including review of the organizational structure and regular semi-annual annual operations review.

Rising indicators Award or no award, the cooperative continues to notch strides in various indicators.

Ms Pereyras bared that as of September, the cooperative posted a total membership of 111,059, savings of P1.23 billion, loan portfolio of P1.87 billion, assets of P2.63 billion, share capital of P880.4 million. The cooperative has zero borrowing, she said. (with reports from Jeanevive D. Abangan/PIA 11)

Bunawan... FFROM 3 here the project is still being discussed,” he said.

He said projects take time because a lot of implications need to be considered.

“Pero satingin ko mas madali itong bypass. Kasi, so far, yung preliminary studies niya, pumasa (But I think this bypass project will be easily

approved because so far, it passed the preliminary studies),” Alquiza said.

Earlier, former City Planning and Development Coordinator Mario Luis J. Jacinto said the proposed 44-kilometer highway bypass project will facilitate the travel of people and

transportation of commodities from Bunawan to Sirawan.

Jacinto said that travelers who want to go in Davao del Sur and Bukidnon can use the highway which has 30 meters expansion where trucks and other vehicles can traverse.

“We have sufficient forces to deal in case hostilities break out. We have plans for that, that we would like to assure you,” he told the DCCCII members.

“We know you have your families here, you have your investments here, you have your workers here, and we would like them to be safe,” he added.

Baladad said the EastMinCom will be helping the Western Mindanao Command based in Zamboanga

City “so that the violence will not spill over to eastern Mindanao.”

“We assure you we have plans. In the military we always have contingency plans as part of our risk management,” he said.

At the same time, however, Baladad said he believes both the government and the MILF are sincere in their desire to achieve peace in Mindanao.

“I have seen the negotiators, and they really are

sincere. They have gone out of their way to frame this agreement. We are almost at the end of the process,” he said.

“If some provisions of the BBL are declared unconstitutional, I believe the government and the MILF will come together again and talk about it. They will agree on a path that will be following the rule of law, following our constitution,” he said.

we have to remember that every child has rights,” she said during the MOU signing at the Grand Men Seng Hotel.

Tacang said they also tapped Ilang but they have to sit and discuss the content of the MOU again.

“Our foundation is hoping that the rest of the barangays in Davao City will have a MOU with us so that even little by little we can raise awareness on child labor in the barangay level,” she said.

Dante Apostol, barangay captain of Panacan, said he is planning to identify all child laborers in his area of jurisdiction.

“As far as I know, some child laborers in Panacan work in different food and services establishments but most are in public markets,” Apostol said.

After identification of children, proper action corresponding to the issue can be applied, he said.

The Kaugmaon Foundation, a non- government organization (NGO), has been monitoring child labor cases in a special program for the the past two years for the International Labor Organization (ILO).

Tacang said that their monitoring program covers the four barangays of Ilang,

Panacan, Tibungco, and Callawa.

The program involves the search and identification of child laborers within the barangay and organizing groups of child laborers.

Tacang said at present, the foundation has already listed 383 cases of child laborers.

Davao City’s Social Services and Development Office (CSSDO) reported a lower 264 cases in the city.

The report listed 187 boys and 77 girls, mostly working as quarriers, vendors, scavengers, charcoal workers, and trisikad drivers.

CRC

and Myanmar (No. 177), and behind Singapore (No. 1), Malaysia (No. 18), Thailand (No. 26), and Vietnam (No. 78).

At the indicator level, the Philippines drew an even hand of gains and drops.

Philippines has moved up in Resolving Insolvency (up 50, from No. 100 to No. 50), Getting Electricity (up 17, from No. 33 to No. 16), Registering Property (up 13, from No. 121 to No. 108), Starting a Business (up 9, from No. 170 to No. 161), and Paying Taxes (up 4, from No. 131 to 127).

Declines, on the other hand, were seen in Protecting Minority Investors (down 26, from No. 128 to No. 154), Dealing with Construction Permits (down 25, from No. 99 to No. 124), Trading across Borders (down 23, from No. 42 to No. 65), Getting Credit (down 18, from No. 86 to No. 104), and Enforcing

Contracts (down 10, from No. 114 to No. 124).

The gains were mostly associated with “efficiency-related measures such as fewer procedures, shorter time periods, and lower costs as reported, quality-related measures will come to play an increasingly important role in succeeding reports as these are introduced or expanded in specific indicators. The country dropped ranking and scores in some indicators with the introduction of new criteria.”

“Though we are pleased with the results, this year’s report points to certain indicators and sectors which need improvements and more reforms in the next year. The results also show that our task force can be an effective group for driving change and improvements,” stated Guillermo Luz, private sector chairman of the NCC.

Luz said if new criteria are communicated earlier to NCC, the council will be able to address those issues early and prevent downgrades in some indicators.

Aside from these changes, Doing Business 2015 also featured a new measure called the “distance to frontier” (DTF) score, which shows how far an economy is to the best available standard in absolute terms.

The DTF score ranges from 0 (worst performance) to 100 (frontier or perfect performance).

With a DTF score of 62.08, the Philippines already finds itself well within the range of other competitive economies like China (No. 90, DTF score 62.58).

“Still, it has much ground to cover if it aims to be at par with the most business-friendly economies in the world,” the statement said. (CRC)

AFP... FFROM 4

3 Barangay... FFROM 4

PHL... FFROM 3

AGRITRENDS 11

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 165 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2-3, 2014

Farmers can grow their own fertilizer and feeds Text and Photos By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

T

HEY are not given much attention by farmers. In fact, some people consider them as wastes and of no value at all.

But at the Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center (MBRLC) Foundation, Inc., azolla, nitrogen-fixing shrubs like kakawate and ipil-ipil, and even earthworms are being turned into something useful: as source of fertilizer and feeds.

“We found that by growing them in the farm, we can lessen our expenses,” says Roy C. Alimoane, who directs the non-government organization based in the southern part of the Philippines. “Also, in a way, we are helping our environment since we don’t throw anything – including our garbage.”

All the garbage in the farm – excluding non-biodegradable – are gathered and

placed in the vermicompost area. The collected garbage is used as feed for earthworm.

Earthworm castings or vermicompost is one important form of organic fertilizer, which farmers can readily use in their farms.

“We found out that vermicompost is good for vegetables and even fruit trees,” said Ian Ogatis, who manages the area. He also conducts vermicompost experiments and teaches farmers who are interested to learn how to raise earthworms and produce their own vermicompost.

“While low in major plant nutrients compared to chemical fertilizers,” pointed out Dr. Rafael D. Guerrero III, who popularized vermicomposting in the country, “vermicompost supports microorganisms, which make nutrients more readily available to

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 11TH JUDICIAL REGION OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT-SHERIFF DAVAO CITY

BALIKATAN PROPERTY HOLDINGS, INC. Mortgagee/Assignee, -versus-

EJF-REM CASE NO. 14570-14

ELMER V. HAO Mortgagor/s.

x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -x NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE

Upon extra-judicial petition for foreclosure and sale under Act 3135, as amended, filed by Balikatan Property Holdings, Inc. with postal address at the 24th Floor, BPI Buendia Center, Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City against ELMER V. HAO, with postal addresses at Lot 7, Blk. 6, Emerald St. Marieta Village Brgy. Tibungco , DAVAO CITY, Davao del Sur, and Lot 7 , Block 6 , Emerald St.,MARIETA VILLAGE. BRGY. TIBUNGCO, DAVAO CITY, DAVAO DEL SUR, the mortgagor/s, to satisfy the mortgage indebtedness which as of October 15,2014 amounts to Two Hundred Seventy Seven Thousand Three Hundred Twelve Pesos and 50/100 (277,312.50) ,Philippine Currency, exclusive of interest, penalties and charges, plus attorney’s fees equivalent to 25% of the total indebtedness plus other legal expenses incident of foreclosure and sale;the undersigned will sell at public auction on November 21, 2014 at 10:00 A.M.., or soon thereafter, at the main entrance of Hall of Justice, Ecoland,Davao City to the highest bidder for Cash or MANAGER’S CHECK and in Philippine Currency, the following real property together with all the improvements thereon, to wit: Transfer Certificate/s of Title No. T-224911 “ A parcel of land (lot 7 Blk. 6 Psd-11-013698, being a portion of lot A-2, Psd-11007077)situated in the Barangay of Tibungco , City of Davao, Island of Mindanao. Xxx containing an area of ONE EIGHTY EIGHTY (180) SQUARE METERS, more or less” All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the abovestated time and date.

In the event the public auction should not take place on the said date,it shall be held on December 19, 2014 without further notice.

Prospective buyers are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the titles herein described real property/ies and the encumbrances thereon, if any there be.

Davao City, Philippines,October 15, 2014.

FOR THE EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF: (SGD.) REYNALDO O. GIRADO Sheriff IV

Noted by: ATTY. EDIPOLDO P. SARABIA JR. Clerk of CourtVI & Ex-Officio Provincial Sheriff Edge 11/3,10,17

plants and produce substances that promote plant growth and health.”

Studies on the use of vermicompost for crop production show that application of chemical fertilizers can be reduced up to 100 percent for certain vegetables and corn, and by 50 percent for rice and sugarcane. A field experiment using vermicompost with corn at 5 tons per hectare increased ear lengths of plants by 114 percent, with the total yield comparable to that of plants fertilized at the recommended rate of inorganic fertilizer.

In a recent pot experiment conducted on eggplant, results showed that a combination of vermicompost at 100 grams per pot (6.2 tons per hectare) and 50 percent

of the recommended chemical fertilizer application gave a significantly higher yield (15 percent more) of eggplant fruits, compared to that with 100 percent chemical fertilization, after 120 days from planting.

At the MBRLC farm, vermimeal (biomass processed into meal form as a source of animal protein in the diet of fish, poultry, and livestock) is still not used. On a dry weight basis, vermimeal contains 64 to 70 percent protein, 7 to 10 percent fat, 8 to 20 percent carbohydrate and 2 to 3 percent minerals. It is also rich in long-chain fatty acids and vitamins.

Another natural source of feed is the floating fern called azolla. It is very rich in proteins, essential amino ac-

ids, vitamins (vitamin A, vitamin B12 and Beta- Carotene), growth promoter intermediaries and minerals like calcium, phosphorous, potassium, ferrous, copper, and magnesium, among others. On a dry weight basis, azolla contains 25-35 percent protein, 10-15 percent minerals, and 7-10 percent of amino acids, bioactive substances and biopolymers. The carbohydrate and fat content of azolla is very low.

“We raise azolla in our ponds using nets,” says Alimoane. “Every afternoon, we collect them and use them as feed for our tilapia. In only a matter of minutes, the azolla are immediately gone. Tilapia loves to eat them.”

Azolla can also be used as feed for dairy cattle, pigs, ducks, and chickens. Studies reported of increases in milk production, weight of broiler chickens and egg production of layers when these are fed with azolla as compared to conventional feed.

Azolla is also an excellent source of fertilizer. Studies show that azolla contains 4-5 percent nitrogen, 1-1.5 percent phosphorus, and 2-3 percent potassium. As such, it can be applied as organic fertilizer in fresh, dried, or composted form. If composted alone, decomposition takes about two weeks.

Rice farmers should consider growing azolla in their fields. “Any rice plant, modern or traditional, requires one kilogram of nitrogen to produce 15 to 20 kilograms of grain,” said Dr. Iwao Watanabe, former head of the Soil Microbiology Department of the International Rice Research Institute. “Most tropical soils absorb enough nitrogen naturally to grow about one ton or 1.5 tons of rice per year. To increase yields above

that, nitrogen must be supplied.”

Rice farmers who grow azolla can grow their own fertilizer. For only three hours labor per hectare, a farmer can grow enough azollato increase yields by 1.5 tons per hectare. “Azolla growth does not interfere with normal rice cultivation,” Watanabe said. “In fact, it helps control weeds and improves soil texture.”

In the upland areas, the natural source of fertilizer would be ipil-ipil as its foliage rivals manure in nitrogen content. One study showed that ipil-ipil leaves were comparable to ammonium sulfate in supplying the nitrogen requirement of rice plants in flooded and non-flooded soil conditions. Corn grain yields were equally as high whether fertilized with herbage from intercropped ipil-ipil in single hedgerows or with commercial fertilizer.

But there’s more to ipil-ipil that just fertilizer. Its aggressive root system “breaks up impervious subsoil layers, improving moisture penetration and decreasing surface runoff,” to quote the NAS report. “Nutrients from deep strata are gradually deposited on the surface through decay of the leaves and other plant parts; soil organisms increase, topsoil humus rebuilds.”

At the MBRLC, leaves of ipil-ipil are used as green manure for vegetable crops grown in its Food Always In The Home (FAITH) gardens.

The leaves are placed inside the basket or trench composts. In addition, it is used as a hedgerow species to control erosion in its famous Sloping Agricultural Land Technology (SALT).

But due to psyllid (Heterophsylla cubana) infestation, the MBRLC recommends other species. These are Desmodium rensonii, Flemingia macrophylla, Indigofera anil, and Gliricidia sepium. All these species are introduced, excluding the latter which is locally known as kakawate.

“We recommend that farmers plant these four species in their farm. If one species is attacked by pests, there are three other species left,” said Alimoane.

All the species are also utilized as feed for their dairy goats. On the other hand, the goat manure are collected and used as fertilizer for the hedgerow species and other crops in the farm.

12 CLASSIFIED

There’s a better way to get attention.

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 165 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2-3, 2014

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

Advertise with EDGEDAVAO CLASSIFIEDS

NOTICE OF LOSS Notice is hereby given by LOYOLA PLANS CONSOLIDATED INC. That CERTIFICATE OF FULL PAYMENT No.(s) 981738 under LOYOLA PLAN Contract No.(s) 284823-0 issued to WALDO C. CUARTERO was lost. Any transaction entered into shall be null and void.

10/27/11/3/10

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VOL. 7 ISSUE 165 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2-3, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

EVENT

Halloween is more fun with Damosa Land

SUPERHEROES from Marvel Comics and famous characters from Disney took a day off to attend the Funtastic Trick or Treat and Cosplay Contest organized

by Damosa Land, Inc. Little Spiderman, Captain America, Jack Sparrow, Buzz Lightyear, Snow White, Cinderella, Minnie Mouse and other fictional personalities paraded down Damosa Market Basket, Damosa Gateway and Damosa Business Center to go trick-or-treating.

The children, along with their ever-supportive parents, were treated to an afternoon of fun, games, and surprises. Boys and girls outpaced each other during the “Bring Me Game”; formed fun objects and animals in the balloon-twisting activity; walked down the runway for the costume contest; and finally danced their way through for more prizes.

At the end of the day, it was Dewey Alexandrei Hermosa, a 7-year old boy donning a Jack Sparrow costume, who bagged the first

The children were all eyes and ears to the host as she explains what’s in store for them.

Both kids and the kids at heart were in awe as the magician performed tricks and stunts.

prize for the Best CostumeBoys Category contest.

He said, “Aside from the magic show, my favorite part of the show was the announcement of winners”.

Of course, who wouldn’t be happy to hear that you’ve won an overnight stay for two at Pearl Farm Beach Resort and a cash prize? Aside from bagging cash prizes, other winners also received gift certificates from Microtel by Wyndham Davao and Gensan, Pancake House and premium items from Damosa Fairlane.

But the fun did not only stop there as twelve Cosplayers bested each other out at Damosa Gateway in the evening. Clad in intricate costumes inspired by their favorite anime, manga, and video online game characters, the Cosplayers showed off their favorite moves and choreography.

“With all the support that we got from our clients, patrons and even homeowners of Damosa Fairlane, it was only fitting to give them the best Halloween experience,” said Edgardo O. Villaver,

Vice President for Damosa Land, Inc.-Commercial and Leasing With the success of the Halloween event at Damosa Land, people can expect more activities to happen in this business and lifestyleoriented metro hub in Lanang.

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.

Fierce CosplayerLorie Mae V. Mintal a.k.a Ice Drake Shyvana who won the third place poses with (left-right) Damosa Land’s Vice President for Commercial and Leasing Edgardo O. Villaver and Senior Vice President Ricardo R. Floirendo.

A2 INdulge!

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 165 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2-3, 2014

UP AND ABOUT

Pharmacy-drugstore brand Teleperformance cited in Best Employers global program of Aeon Hewitt TELEPERFORMANCE, the global leader in outsourced multichannel customer experience management, today announced that its operations in the Philippines have been certified by Aon Hewitt, the global talent, retirement and health solutions business of Aon plc (NYSE: AON), in its Aon Hewitt Best Employers™ program. With newly launched global methodology, the Aon Hewitt Best Employers global program measures and recognizes employer excellence worldwide.

Teleperformance has achieved certification from the Aon Hewitt Best Employers global program throughout 10 countries around the world, including the Philippines.

“We’re so proud to be recognized by the Aon Hewitt Best Employers program at this important stage of the company’s rapid growth,” said Travis Coates, Managing Director, Teleperformance Philippines. “Teleperformance Philippines is one of the largest BPOs in the Philippines and we remain committed to generating new jobs and growing our footprint within the country to match our global position as the leader in Multichannel Customer Experience Management. We pride ourselves in fostering a culture that values and supports our employees, because that’s truly what makes us successful. I congratulate our dedicated Teleperformance Philippines team members for this remarkable achievement.”

The Aon Hewitt Best Employers program compares organizations to identify those that strive to create a competitive advantage through their people and become employers of choice. The program recognizes organizations with employees who speak positively about the company and intend to stay; are valued assets; are aligned to company goals and are rewarded for contributions; and are proud to say they are part of the company for which they work.

“Aon Hewitt Best Employers are organizations that empower results through high employee engagement, a compelling employer brand, effective leadership and a high performance culture. This translates into a committed and productive workforce that delivers stronger and sustainable business results,” said, Ken Oehler, Global Engagement Practice Leader, Aon Hewitt. “We congratulate Teleperformance Philippines on being recognized with this distinct honor.”

Philippine Airlines to open new routes FLAG CARRIER Philippine Airlines will expand routes to Japan with the opening of new services to Osaka and Nagoya via Cebu.

By December 19, PAL will begin operating four weekly flights (Mondays/Thursdays/ Fridays/ Sundays) between Cebu and Osaka on PR 410. The next day (Dec.20), PAL will begin operating three weekly flights (Tuesdays/ Wednesdays/ Sundays) between Cebu and Nagoya on PR 480.

The new routes to be launched in December this year will bring to 67 the total number of PAL flights to Japan per week.

At present, PAL operates from Manila 11 weekly flights to Haneda (Tokyo), 14 weekly flights to Narita (Tokyo), seven weekly flights each to Nagoya, Osaka (Kansai), and Fukuoka. From Cebu, there are 14 weekly flights to Narita (Tokyo).

The launching of the new air services is the flag carrier’s response to strong public clamor for new routes to Japan, considered the third biggest source of visitor arrivals to the country.

Data from the Department of Tourism shows that as of January - August 2014, arrivals from Japan have reached 310, 901, an increase of 5.95% from the 293,445 tallied during the same period the year before.

The new routes will commence nine months after the air carrier launched flights to Haneda, PAL’s fifth gateway to Japan after Narita, Osaka, Fukuoka and Nagoya.

Watsons honored as Asia’s No. 1

WATSONS, the flagship health and beauty retail brand of the A.S. Watson Group, has been selected as Asia’s No. 1 Pharmacy / Drugstore brand in the “Asia’s Top 1,000 Brands” survey 2014

by Campaign AsiaPacific.

This is the sixth consecutive year that Watsons has been named Asia’s No. 1 Pharmacy Retail Brand, proving the brand’s leading position in Asia’s health and beauty market since 2009.

Watsons is Asia’s leading health and beauty retailer, currently operating over 4,000 stores and more than 1,000 pharmacies in 12 Asian and European markets, including China (Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau), Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Korea, Indonesia, Turkey and Ukraine. It continually sets the standards in the health, wellness and beauty market, providing personalized advice and counseling in health, beauty and personal care on top of its market-leading product range, making customers LOOK GOOD, FEEL GREAT every day.

In the Philippines, Watsons has a joint venture with the SM Group, and presently has more than 370 stores around the country.

Having Watsons stores all around the country,

Watsons, the flagship health and beauty retail brand of the A.S. Watson Group, has been selected as Asia’s No. 1 Pharmacy / Drugstore brand in the “Asia’s Top 1,000 Brands” survey 2014 by Campaign Asia-Pacific for the sixth consecutive year.

Watsons recently launched its own generics line, the Watsons Generics, last August 7, 2014 at the Manila Peninsula, Makati with endorsers Edu Manzano and Lorna Tolentino.

shows its full support to the Filipino families by bringing affordable and quality health into Filipino homes. It recognizes the Filipino families as a large group to benefit from affordable medicines and supplements.

Watsons, the number one pharmacy retail brand in Asia, gives families more options for high quality but affordable generic medicines with the

recent launch of its own generics line, the Watsons Generics. Watsons Generics line was first launched in Asia in the Philippines.

“With the launch of Watsons Generics, we aim to help families by giving them more healthcare options and the ability to purchase affordable, highquality medicines. This will not just give them access to quality healthcare products, they will also be

able to focus their finances on other important matters,” says Mr. Danilo Chiong, Health Business Unit Director of Watsons.

Watsons Generics offers up to 80% savings vs. the leadings brands, with the same effect and quality.

The Watsons Generics line includes maintenance medicines for diabetes, hypertension and cholesterol, antibiotics to fight off the common bacteria, dietary supplements for skin enhancement, anti-ageing and over-all wellness, basic vitamins, oral analgesics, and other over the counter medicines. This is just the first phase, and Watsons aims to continuously launch generic medicines to provide wider healthcare solution.

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EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

ENTERTAINMENT

“Pure Love” counts down last 2 weeks “PURE LOVE” stars Alex Gonzaga, Yen Santos, Joseph Marco, and Arjo Atayde will show TV viewers the value of family and true friends in the last episodes of ABS-CBN’s top-rating primetime drama series which airs its finale on November 14 (Friday).

In the last two weeks of the series, Diane’s (Alex) strength will be put to the test as she struggles to get the last “pure love tear” she needs to wake up from

her coma before the deadline set by Scheduler (Matt Evans).

Will Diane still continue to fight for her life and get the chance to return to her family, or will she decide to give everything up? What if she finds out that she shares a deeper connection with Ysabel (Yen), the owner of the body she inhabits?

A local adaptation of the well-loved 2011 Korean TV series, “Pure Love” highlights the

value of true love and the strong ties that bind a Filipino family.

Continue to discover the real value of love and family in the last two weeks of “Pure Love,” weeknights before “TV Patrol” on ABSCBN’s Primetime Bida.

For more updates, log on to ABS-CBN.com, follow @PureLovePH on Twitter, and “like” the show’s official Facebook page at Facebook. com/purelovetheofficial.

Let’s Fiesta presents Camiguin Island JOIN resident traveller John Feir and discover the untouched beauty of Camiguin Island this Sunday in Let’s Fiesta.

Get mystified by the island’s breathtaking natural attractions that keep visitors coming. Known as the “Island Born of Fire,” Camiguin boasts of natural resources that range from seven

volcanoes and several volcanic domes to waterfalls and springs down to its white sand island.

Also have a taste of Camiguin’s local delicacies including the famous Vjandep pastel and the country’s sweetest lanzones; then celebrate Lanzones Festival with the Camiguinons via a

Kapuso Night featuring StarStruck alumni LJ Reyes, Dion Ignacio, and Katrina Halili.

All these and more in Let’s Fiesta this Sunday, November 2, airing at 7:00 am, in all nine GMA regional stations in Ilocos, Bicol, Dagupan, Cebu, Iloilo, Bacolod, Davao, GenSan, and Cagayan de Oro.

StarStudio’s ‘Love-filled’ November It’s a love-filled November as StarStudio releases its pre-holiday issue with engaged couple Heart Evangelista and Sen. Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero.

The couple sat down with the magazine for an interview to talk about their love story and highly-anticipated February 2015 wedding in Balesin.

Heart and Sen. Chiz also share with StarStudio exclusive details about their upcoming wedding, including the design inspiration for Heart’s gown, who will be catering the wedding, their

cake, flowers and music, the reception they are planning in Manila for more of their family and friends, as well as showbiz and political colleagues, and their thoughts on walking down the aisle.

This issue also contains back-to-back features on two recent showbiz debutantes: Jane Oineza and Ella Cruz, a last look at the memorable red carpet looks from the 8th Star Magic Ball, as well as other meaty stories that will set the tone for a happy, lovefilled and unforgettable holiday season.

Jolina returns to ABS-CBN

ACTRESS-SINGER Jolina Magdangal–Escueta officially made her comeback as a Kapamilya after she inked a two-year exclusive contract with ABSCBN last Wednesday (October 29).

Her first project with the network is the TV series “Flordeliza,” where she will be reunited with her original onscreen love team partner Marvin Agustin, along with Desiree de Valle. During the contract signing, Jolina

could not hide her elation over her new project.

“Whenever I’m on my way to tapings I feel giddy

because of joy. It’s easy for me to adjust since I will be working with Marvin again and Direk Wenn De-

ramas, who happened to be my director in my last project with Star Cinema,” said Jolina.

Jolina also shared that she is open to reviving her 90s hit songs under Star Records.

Also present during the contract signing were (LR) talent manager Perry Lansigan, ABS-CBN TV production head Laurenti Dyogi, business unit head Linggit Tan, and chief finance officer Aldrin Cerrado.

OUIJA Olivia Cooke, Daren Kagasoff R 13

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

BLOOD RANSOM Anne Curtis, Alexander Dreymon R 16

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

BEAUTY IN A BOTTLE Angeline Quinto, Assunta De Rossi, Angelica Panganiban PG 13

R-16

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

JOHN WICK Keanu Reeves, Michael Nyqvist, Alfie Allen R 16

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

EDGEDAVAO

A4 INdulge!

VOL. 7 ISSUE 165 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2-3, 2014

EVENT

Tres, tres chic

E

YES normally gravitate towards things that have beauty and are a joy to behold. Such is the much-anticipated Joaillerie D’ Art collection of Emilia Sitjar Jewellery that was officially unveiled to the public last October 22 in a chic fashion and jewellery show in collaboration with John Belandres of Atelier 115.

You can tell by the hush in the crowd as eyes fluttered towards the models who walked intimately among the guests bedecked in various baubles in juicy and colourful stones, long strings of pearl, as well as fabulous rings featuring classic cuts of emeralds, topaz, and other precious and semiprecious stones.

The jewellery pieces were beautifully framed by uber-chic dresses designed by John Belandres that kept to the theme of high French sophistication but with a touch also of playfulness, creativity, and craftsmanship.

The Joaillerie D’ Art show ended with a flourish thanks to the partici-

pation of Nicole Hao-Bian in a stunning red dress and wearing a beautiful chunky collar studded with candy-coloured rubies, citrine, topaz, sapphires, and diamonds all set in gold together with matching earrings and bangle.

The show was also supported by Milani Shoes with styling courtesy of

Davao’s own Otoi Mercado.

The Joaillerie D’ Art collection is now available at Emilia’s Jewellery at the second floor of the Abreeza Mall.

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

VOL. 7 ISSUE 165 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2-3, 2014

ZION

CLASSIFIED 13

EDGEDAVAO

EDGE

ACCUPRINT PUBLISHING, INC.

Serving a seamless society

DAVAO

WANTS YOU!

Is in need of:

MACHINE OPERATOR (Printing Press)

Qualifications:

- At least high school graduate, not more than 30 years old - Physically and mentally fit - Can handle minor repairs of the machine - Has the ability to be cool under pressure of deadlines and complex projects - Experience of at least one year

Send application letter & resume to: HR Supervisor ZION Accuprint Publishing, Inc. Door 14 Alcrej Building, Quirino Ave., 8000 Davao City, Philippines E-mail: marketing@edgedavao.net zion_publishing@yahoo.com Telefax: (082) 2213601 Website: www.edgedavao.net

ANNOUNCEMENT To serve you better Edge Davao and Zion Accuprint Publishing Inc. have added a new telephone line: (082) 224-1413

-

Layout Artists (2)

Male / Female, not more than 30 years old Willing to work under pressure, flexible, persuasive A team player Must a have an extensive knowledge (Adobe Photoshop, Adober Illustrator, Adobe Indesign and Corel Draw)

Responsibilities: - Design and layout magazine pages, ads, brochures, flyers and marketing collateral for multiple clients - Design logos and brand identification 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

14 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. 7 ISSUE 165 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2-3, 2014

RUMBLE IN THE JUNGLE. The fight between US boxing heavyweight champions, Muhammad Ali (L) and George Foreman in Kinshasa on October 30, 1974.

RUMBLE IN THE JUNGLE 30 years after the epic Ali-Foreman in Zaire O

FFICIALS in Kinshasa have revealed the ring used for “The Rumble in the Jungle” has been stolen as boxing fans Thursday marked 40 years since one of the most famous and brutal bouts in the sport’s history.

As the sporting world remembers Muhammad Ali’s epic showdown with George Foreman the search is on for the ring which the two boxers climbed into at dawn on October 30, 1974.

The ring “was stolen a few years ago,” Barthelemy Bosongo, manager of the Tata Raphael stadium which staged the fight, told AFP. “We don’t know where it’s gone, but it’s no longer in Kinshasa,” he added.

“We’re in the process of setting up a judicial investigation.”

A leading sports official in the Democratic Republic of Congo who wished to remain anonymous believes the bulky piece of sporting memorabilia “is in South Africa”.

According to Bosongo, “there are no signs left now of the fight, apart from the two dressing rooms” which

Ali and Foreman used to change before stepping out for the fight, and into boxing folklore.

He added: “I would have liked for the stadium to become a place of history, where you’d find the dressing rooms, photos, gloves... but there’s nothing to remind you of the fight.”

It may be making headlines around the world but Thursday’s 40th anniversary was passing off virtually unobserved in Kinshasa itself.

At the Tata Raphael stadium it was just like any other day.

Youngsters were knocking a ball around outside while inside Yvonne, 47, when asked about the importance of the day, replied: “What happened 40 years ago?

“1974........was it the fight between Ali and Foreman?”

“I know the year of the bout, but not the day itself,” she admitted.

Pierre, 64, remembers as a student having to watch the bout on television as he couldn’t afford a ringside seat.

“We’ve forgotten about

the fight, the government should have mande an announcement about it,” he said.

“It was after all the fight of the century, which we staged here...”

“The Rumble in the Jungle” anniversary barely got a mention in the local press.

And Ali’s famous eighth round KO was similarly

being ignored out on the streets of the capital, aside from a handful of posters advertising a low-key national competition to mark the occasion on Friday.

The stadium itself looks as though it has lost a few rounds against Ali in the intervening years.

The terraces, which were packed with 100,000

people on the night, are falling apart. Water leaks into the gyms where Ali and Foreman trained.

Bosongo revealed that a long awaited makeover was on the cards.

“The government’s ordered the stadium, including the dressing rooms, to be renovated by a Chinese company.”

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EDGEDAVAO

SPORTS 15

HOMECOMING. Workmen finish hanging a 10-story-tall Nike banner with LeBron James likeness on a building in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)

HE’S BAAACK!

Lebron James is back tossing chalk in Cleveland

C

ARRIED onto the floor by an emotional ovation building for years, LeBron James is back where he began.

He’s home.

Introduced to a deafening roar from Cleveland fans, James was welcomed back Thursday night by a city desperate to end a championship drought that’s about to turn 50 years old. James came back to try and end it, and his journey is underway.

At 8:08 p.m. all was right in Cleveland again.

That when James, the last starter announced, walked onto the floor in a Cavs uniform for a regular season game for the first time in four years.

Nearly four months since proclaiming “I’m coming home” and shifting the NBA’s balance of power, James is again playing in front of family, friends and the Cleveland fans who had their hearts broken when he left for Miami four years ago.

This is a homecoming like no other.

“None of us should take this moment for granted,” a

relaxed James said following Cleveland’s morning shootaround at Quicken Loans Arena. “This is probably one of the biggest sporting events ever. I don’t feel it, but I know it is.”

A crowd of 20,000-plus fans — with some paying as much as $5,000 for a ticket — packed the Q, which was updated during the offseason with a gigantic, fire-spewing scoreboard to welcome home James. The Akron native came back to his hoops roots hoping to deliver a title to Cleveland, a city that hasn’t finished on top in pro sports since 1964.

Before taking the floor, James huddled his teammates in a hallway and told them that “tonight is special.”

He then gave a playful tap to owner Dan Gilbert’s son, Nick, before walking onto the court that was his for seven seasons.

The pregame festivities ended with James going to midcourt and performing his “chalk toss” pregame ritual with fans tossing paper confetti along with him.

James, who has won NBA

titles and Olympic gold medals, knew this season opener is a little more special.

“I understand how much I mean to this team, to this franchise, to this city and to this state,” he said. “It’s a different feeling, but I’m still as calm and excited at the same time because it’s the first game of the season.”

In the hours leading up to tip-off, thousands of fans gathered in the streets outside the arena. This was a party four years in the making.

Across the street from the Q, a 10-story-tall banner of James was unveiled in the same spot where one hung during his first seven seasons with the Cavs. The spot became a symbol of civic pride until that night in July 2010 when James announced he was leaving for Miami. In the hours after his decision, some angry fans burned his jersey and others hurled rocks at a banner that would be removed a few days later.

On Thursday, the new banner — showing James with his arms outstretched wearing a jersey with “Cleve-

land” where his name would normally be stitched — drew fans who posed for photos the same way they did when James was here last.

Chrissy Pavlik of Wadsworth, Ohio, and her brother, Brad, were among the fans who didn’t have a ticket for the game but wanted to be downtown to celebrate.

“I grew up playing basketball and LeBron was always one of my role models, so when he left I was devastated, crying, throwing fits,” she said. “To see the banner back, we drove into the city and I was like, ‘Check it out, dude.’ It’s so cool. We’re very, very happy.”

Along East 4th Street, fans wearing James jerseys and broad smiles mixed with patrons lined up to get into overflowing restaurants and bars and a free concert featuring hip-hop artist Kendrick Lamar and the rock band Imagine Dragons.

As they filed past, Barry Harris, 55, of Cleveland, was filled with pride. A lifelong Clevelander, he had never seen his city acting quite like this.

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