Edge Davao 7 Issue 194 by Edge Davao The Business Paper

VOL. 7 ISSUE 194 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12 - 13, 2014

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SAME GROUP? Police say same group also planted bomb in bus last month INSIDE EDGE FAVORITES ILIGAN MARCH IN CONGRESSMAN PACQUIAO HURT IN AMBUSH 10-BALL OPEN SPORTS THE BIG page NEWS14page 2

OLICE are looking into the possibility that the group behind the bombing of a passenger bus near the Central Mindanao University in Maramag, Bukidnon on Tuesday was the same group that planted an explosive inside another bus, also near CMU, early last month. Rural Transit of Mindanao Inc. bus number

2640 reportedly just left the main gate of CMU in Musuan, Maramag after it picked up student passengers going home when the explosion took place past 5 p.m. on December 9. Ten people, five of them CMU students, were killed and 42 others were wounded. SP04 Fernando Razalo, the officer heading the investigation, said they

have already identified a suspect but stressed it was too early to give details. As of 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, he refused to give updates citing that the composite investigation team was yet to hold a conference. A spot report on Tuesday night said police recovered particles that looked like those of a mortar and circuit board of a cellular phone used as triggering device. The report, which was signed by Bukidnon police director Superintendent Glenn dela Torre, said they

are looking at extortion as one of the motives. He said the RTMI allegedly refused to give in to an extortion demand. In an interview over dxDB-Malaybalay on Thursday morning, Inspector Joselle Longakit, information officer of the Bukidnon police office, confirmed that the bomb was fashioned out of an 81mm mortar with a mobile phone as detonator. Meanwhile, law enforcers drew

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SEASON’S GREETINGS. Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte extends his Christmas greetings to the persons with disabilities (PWD) sector during their year-end gathering at the Davao City Recreation Center on Wednesday afternoon. Lean Daval Jr.

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VOL. 7 ISSUE 194 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12 - 13, 2014

8 of 15 high-profile cases solved: police By FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA

IGHT out of the 15 cases handled by Special Investigation Task Groups (SITGs) from January to November this year were solved through the combined efforts of the authorities, the members of the SITGs, and security assurance afforded to the witnesses. Overal SITG regional head Senior Superintendent Aaron Aquino said the immediate resolution of the crimes should be credited to the task group members and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG). “Malaki ang role ng CIDG sa pag solve namin ng krimen, magaling ang officers ng CIDG (The CIDG has a very big role in solving the crimes. Its officers are very competent). I am very happy

that Colonel (Joel) Pernito is very focused on his duty,” Aquino said. One of the high-profile crimes handled by a SITG was the murder of Cebu-based Hotelier Richard Lim King. Murder cases have already been filed against the alleged brain, sacked Police Regional Intelligence Unit head Superintendent Leonardo Felonia, and Paul Dave Labang and brothers Rodel and Rommel Dela Cerna who confessed to the crime. Another high-profile case was the one handled by SITG Garcia, which solved the killing of businessman Ramon Garcia hours after it was committed. Cases of robbery with homicide are now

in court against Daisy Joy Supatan Cachapero and Ariel John Jamora Liawan. Other cases considered solved are SITG “Navarro” (Laak Municipality Mayor Reynaldo Navarro), “Gonzaga” (barangay chair Aquilino Gonzaga), “Tabon” (39 miners held by armed groups), “Acuña” (Atty. Emmanuel Acuña), and “Tagum’s Finest” (Arlen Infiesto). Aquino said 2014 was a major breakthrough for the SITG and thanked the community for cooperating in the investigations. “We would not have been able to solve the cases without the help of the community. Their trust and confidence in us is very high,” he said.

FESTIVE MOOD. Colorful traditional Christmas lanterns greet customers and passersby at the entrance and sidewalk of a souvenir center along Roxas Avenue in Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

Iligan solon hurt, 4 killed in ambush O

CMU condemns deadly bus blast By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

Belmonte

LIGAN City Rep. Vicente Belmonte Jr. was hurt while four of his companions were killed in an ambush outside the Laguindingan Airport in Misamis Oriental yesterday afternoon. In an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC), Belmonte said he arrived from Manila at 1:30 p.m. and was on his way to Iligan City with his

convoy when the incident happened. He said unidentified men blocked his convoy and opened fire at his vehicle. Belmonte said his driver, the driver of the backup vehicle, and two police bodyguards were killed. “Namatay ‘yung driver ko, driver of the backup vehicle, and two police

bodyguards. Tatlo ang wounded, including me,” Belmonte said in the interview. He said the attack was politically-motivated. “This is politically motivated. Iligan is chaotic,” he said. Belmonte and his two wounded companions are currently being treated at a hospital in Laguindingan.

men who had apparently waited for their arrival fired at them at around 3 p.m. Ampatuan has turned witness against his own relatives who have been charged as masterminds in the November 23, 2009 massacre of 58 people in Sitio Masalay, Barangay Salman, Ampatuan town in Maguindanao. The suspected masterminds include former

Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. and his sons Andal Jr., former mayor of Datu Unsay town, and Zaldy, former governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Ampatuan came from Cotabato City and was on his way to Shariff Aguak when he was ambushed. He was reportedly onboard a black pick-up followed by another vehicle

of escorts. His escorts fired back resulting in an exchange of gunfire that lasted a few minutes. Ampatuan was evacuated from the scene and rushed to Shariff Aguak Hospital. Ampatuan is the father of Shariff Aguak officer-in-charge Maroph Ampatuan and a nephew of Andal Sr. (Ferdinandh B. Cabrera/MindaNews)

Ampatuan massacre witness survives ambush

FORMER mayor of a Maguindanao town and two of his companions were wounded after his convoy was ambushed at the boundary of Guindulungan and Talayan towns on Wednesday afternoon. Akmad Ampatuan, former mayor of Datu Salibo town, and two others were injured when several armed

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FFICIALS of the Central Mindanao University (CMU) in Maramag, Bukidnon condemned the Rural Transit Bus bombing which killed 10 people and injured 20 others on Tuesday afternoon in front of the school’s campus. “The Central Mindanao University administration and the whole academic community strongly condemn in the most profound way the senseless loss of innocent lives and injuries sustained by victims of the bus bombing incident at 5:32 in the afternoon of December 9, 2014,” the CMU said in a statement. “It is indeed unfortunate that innocent lives of people were unjustly destroyed by such inhuman act, more so that some of the victims are our students and personnel,” the CMU added. The statement said the university adminis-

tration is committed to provide whatever support it can extend to students and personnel who fell victim to the blast. It also said the university is “doing its share in securing the safety of the academic community.” “The concerned agencies of the government are also doing the best possible to bring out justice for the victims and we are coordinating with the appropriate authorities on this matter,” the statement said. “We sincerely extend our sympathy to the families, relatives, friends, and loved ones who are in grief and pain caused by this despicable event. Such violent act inflicted to the bus passengers is debased of reason. Our hearts bleed for them,” it added. Earlier, Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) deputy commander Brigadier Gen-

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VOL. 7 ISSUE 194 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12 - 13, 2014

NEW CHAMBER OFFICERS: John Y. Gaisano Jr. (second from right, seated) was reelected chairman of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII), with Antonio T. dela Cruz (second from left, seated) as president in an election last Wednesday supervised by former DCCCII president Jose C. Sevilla (center). Others elected, also seated were Belinda L. Torres (leftmost) and Antonio M. Ajero. Other officers

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

crc@edgedavao.net

It is estimated that around 200,000 metric tons (MT) in combined cacao production of Ebola-affected West African countries – Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea – will be cut from the supply chain. “That will be a huge loss in the supply chain. We projected that there will be a cacao bean shortage by 1 million MT by 2017, instead of 2020,” Turtur said in an interview during the Mindanao Cacao Summit and Inter-Agency Convergence at the Waterfront Insular

Gov’t taps private firms for health insurance

Hotel, Davao City. He said this is a big opportunity for Mindanao farmers to expand their cacao plantations and increase the production of quality cacao beans. “Global cacao buyers are starting to look for new suppliers and they’re looking into countries in the Southeast Asia,” he said. Among the targeted cacao producing countries are the Philippines and Vietnam. Tutur said the Ebola epidemic in West Africa has opened windows

(standing, from left): Daniel T. Lim, Alvin M. Pinpin, Annie E. Veloso, Luciano Frederick P. Puyod III, Enrique M.O. Diola Jr., Ronald C. Go, Sofronio M. Jucutan, Yvonne F. Cabada, Bonifacio T. Tan, Arturo M. Milan and Wilfred T. Teves. (Contributed by DCCCII professional staff)

Cacao shortage boon to Mindanao farmers

ARMERS in Mindanao should take advantage of the looming cacao bean shortage three years from now due to the Ebola epidemic in West Africa where the top producers of cacao are found. Cacao Industry Development Association of Mindanao (Cidami) executive director Valente Turtur said Ebola has already affected the perception of big cacao buyers. “Ebola is threatening the supply of cacao,” Turtur said.

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of opportunity not only to big cacao farmers but also to small-scale ones. Turtur said the government is targeting to produce 100,000 MT of cacao by 2020 nationwide. He said he is sure that the target yield is very attainable given the combined efforts of different government agencies like the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), Department of Agriculture (DA), and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

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Gaisano, Dela Cruz reelected DCCCII chairman, president

OHN Y. Gaisano Jr. and Antonio T. dela Cruz were elected chairman and president of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. for their second oneyear term last Wednesday afternoon in a balloting held inside the chamber board room and attended by all officers. Gaisano and dela Cruz were elected unopposed just like all the rest of the elected officers. Also reelected were Daniel T. Lim, executive vice president; and lawyer Enrique Diola Jr., corporate secretary. Others elected were Bonifacio T. Tan, vice president for trade and commerce; Sofronio “BJ” Jucutan, vice president for agribusiness; Wilfred

T. Teves, vice president for industry; Ronald Go, vice president for professional and service ventures; Alvin M. Pinpin, corporate treasurer. The trustees are Antonio M. Ajero, Yvonne F. Cabada, Luciano Frederick P. Puyod III, Arturo M. Milan and Annie E. Veloso. The election was supervised by lawyer Jose Sevilla, a former DCCCII president, who was appointed chairman of this year’s committee on election. In his brief remarks, Chairman Gaisano reminded the board of the mandate of the chamber in being a champion of the business community. He said the mandate is

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By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

abf@edgedavao.net

ATIONAL government agencies are working to partner with private insurance companies to provide cheaper health insurance for Filipinos. In an interview, Department of Finance-National Credit Council (DOF-NCC) deputy executive director Joselito S. Almario told Edge Davao during the Mindanao regional consultation on Wednesday that the proposed Health Micro-Insurance (HMI) Program would address the health care needs of the poor. Almario, who is also the head of the Technical Working Group (TWG), said they

want to help the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) in providing health care to the people. “The coverage of PhiliHealth is only hospitalization. What if you are discharged from the hospital, can you still be able to buy medicines? If you need a follow-up check-up with the doctor, will you have money for it?” he said. Almario said with the program framework, DOFNCC will be urging private insurance companies to provide cheaper insurance premiums to the poor. He said insurance companies can access data from

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THE BEST MEDICINE. Happiness is written all over the faces of these persons with disabilities (PWD) as they laugh their hearts out while watching comical performances during their year-end gathering at the Davao City Recreation Center on Wednesday afternoon. Lean Daval Jr.

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Blackouts in Surigao Norte to worsen after Christmas

N to of the two-hour daily blackouts in nine towns of Surigao del Norte, the power situation in the province is expected to worsen some more after Christmas as the National Power Corporation-Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (NPC-PSALM) will reduce the energy it will supply to the Surigao del Norte Electric Cooperative (SURNECO) by 27 percent. But the rest of Mindanao may be affected, too, as the “decrease in the power supply from NPC-PSALM” effective Dec. 26 “would result to a 27-percent reduction in the equivalent demand and its corresponding contracted energy of the Mindanao customers on the average,” according to the Nov. 5 letter from Beatriz Irina Denise C. Alazas, manager of Electric Trading Department of NPC-PSALM, to SURNECO. Engr. Narcisco I. Caliao Jr., general manager of SURNECO, said that in the case of SURNECO, reduction will be 3.6 megawatts from the current supply of 13.4 MW from NPC-PSALM. SURNECO’s contract with NPC-PSALM covers the period Dec. 26, 2012 to Dec. 26, 2016. But “the contract energy may be changed by supplier [NPC-PSALM] annually due to a change in the projected available capacity of supplier’s power plants and at any time during the duration of the contract due to the privatization of any of the assets of supplier pursuant to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act or EPIRA Law,” Alazas further said. Alazas also said that the decrease in the power generation is due to these factors: 1. privatization of the Mt. Apo Geothermal Plant in Kidapawan City, North Cotabato; 2. scheduled privatization of Power Barge 104 in the first quarter of 2015; and 3. scheduled shutdown of NPC

MINGEN power plants due to planned maintenance, uprating and rehabilitation projects. Aside from its 13.4 MW supply from NPC-PSALM, SURNECO also gets 8 MW from Therma Marine, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Aboitiz Power Corporation. SURNECO has a total power supply of 21.4 MW against a power demand peaking at 25.9 MW, and thus a deficit of 4.5 MW, Caliao said. With the current power deficit, nine municipalities in Surigao del Norte under SURNECO’s service have been experiencing two-hour daily power curtailment since the last week of November. Surigao City and the municipalities of San Francisco and Malimono, however, have been spared from the blackouts so far. But the 27-percent reduction after Christmas will surely affect the city and all municipalities, Caliao pointed out. SURNECO has a total of 78,472 member-consumers as of October this year. To avert the possible prolonged brownouts, SURNECO officials is negotiating to get at least 5 MW power supply from FDC Misamis Power Corp., a unit of Filinvest Development Corp. owned by the Gotianun family, which recently emerged as the highest bidder for the right to manage the output of Mount Apo 1 and 2 geothermal power plants. Caliao said that he and some SURNECO officials will be attending a coordination meeting with FDC in Cagayan de Oro City on Thursday (Dec. 11) to ensure they would get the 5 MW contract. Caliao added they already successfully negotiated a 5 MW contract with Therma South, Inc., which has a coalfired power plant in Davao City expected to operate in the first quarter of 2015. [MindaNews]

Banks shy away from BSP rediscount facility

ANKS continue to lend less from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) rediscount facility as financial institutions continue to beef up their capital and liquidity remains high in the domestic economy. The central bank on Wednesday reported that availment by thrift and rural banks to the BSP’s peso rediscount facility contracted by 93.1 percent year-on-year in end-November 2014 to Php 1.23 billion. Of the total availments, 79.5 percent were extended by the banks to commercial credits; 14.9 percent percent to other credits like capital expenditures, permanent

working capital, and housing. Relatively, availments by universal and thrift bank on the central bank’s exporters-dollar and yen rediscount facility went down by 91.6 percent during the same period. Total availments during the 11-month period amounted to USD 9.2 million and was extended to three exporters. And still, there was no availment under the yen facility. The rediscount facility is where banks can take out loans by pegging their availments against the loans they have extended to their clients. (PNA)

MASTER PLAN. Ciudades project director Ricky Jacinto presents to local media the latest developments in the soon-to-rise large-scale integrated mixed-use real estate development in Mandug, Davao City. Ciudades is a master planned township of Lapanday Properties Philippines, Inc. Lean Daval Jr.

MinDA mulling ‘double up’ program for cacao farmers By CHENEEN R. CAPON crc@edgedavao.net

HE Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) is studying a proposal to implement a “double up” or “buy-one-take-one” system in distributing cacao seedlings among farmers to fast-track the expansion of plantations in Mindanao. At the opening of the three-day Mindanao Cacao Summit and Inter-Agency Convergence at the Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao last Wednesday, MinDA chair Secretary Luwalhati Antonino said the proposal involves giving farmers one free cacao seedling for every seedling he buys. She said a farmer, for instance, who buys five hectares worth of cacao seedlings can get enough for ten hectares, in effect

giving them a “buy-onetake-one” deal. Antonino said Mindanao has a huge land area available for intercropping, including 1.9 million hectares planted to coconut. “We should target more because we have more available lands for intercropping,” she said. Antonino said intercropping with cacao will improve not only the island’s production but also the generation of jobs. She said the “double up” program can generate an estimated 100,000 jobs in the agriculture sector as the government targets to expand cacao plantations by 100,000 hectares by 2020 to achieve a 100,000-metric ton production on the same target year.

Antonino said that there is an ongoing global cacao bean supply deficit due to increasing international demand for chocolate, along with a combination of bad weather and crop diseases among the world’s largest producers of cacao beans in West Africa. “The global supply deficit of 160,000 metric tons, Mindanao aims to produce at least 80,000 to 100,000 metric tons of cacao beans targeted for both the increasing domestic and global demand,” she said. According to the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS), Mindanao had only 7,000 hectares planted to cacao with a yield of 4,000 MT in 2011. At present, Mindanao contributes 90 percent of

the country’s total production of cacao. The bulk of this or about 80 percent is produced in the Davao Region, which recorded a total of 17,000 hectares planted to cacao with a production of 10,000 MT. Antonino said this is a drop in the bucket in terms of global production. “The Philippines’ share to world production is less than one percent or only about 4,800 MT in 2012,” she said. Antonino said in order to attain the 100,000 MT by 2020, there is a need to plant more than 41 million trees by 2018 . With a seedling survival rate of 80 percent, this will require more than 52 million seedlings or around 70,000 to 105,000 hectares of cacao farms.

the feeds industry, one is an entrepreneur looking for a new business venture, and one is already in the industry but will start to venture into layers,” Reaño said. While refusing to name the investors, he said one will invest P300 million, another P99 million, and the other is already in the layer business with P179 million. “Let us just say that 80 percent of these investors

are new players, while 20 percent are old players. A foreign investor will also probably come in next year,” Reaño said. DA officials bared that the prospective foreign investor had already conducted a market survey. They said that they are looking at a billion-peso investment from the said foreign investor alone for next year. “The future really looks bright for the in-

dustry, even for exports and egg processing. A lot of investors are going into the broiler business for meat; and into layers for egg production and processing,” Reaño said. “We have a vibrant poultry industry and it shows just how much confidence investor have in the agriculture business environment under the watch of Secretary Proceso Alcala,” he said. (PNA)

DA expects P500M+ investments in poultry

HE Department of Agriculture (DA) on Thursday said 2015 will be good for the local poultry industry as more than P500 million worth of investments in broilers and layers is set to come in next year. Agriculture Undersecretary Jose Reaño said majority of the investments will come from local investors. “One of these investors is in media, one is in

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6 THE ECONOMY

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VOL. 7 ISSUE 194 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12 - 13, 2014

DPWH-12 pushes completion of infra program by yearend

HE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 12 is pushing for the full completion by yearend of various projects that were funded and implemented under its infrastructure program for this year. Reynaldo Tamayo, DPWH Region 12 director, said they are currently on track towards meeting their targeted accomplishments under the 2014 infrastructure program, which comprise a total of 228 projects. The DPWH central office had allocated some P5.17 billion for the implementation of various priority infrastructure projects in the region this year. Tamayo said as of November 30, they already completed about 83.29 percent of the assigned projects for the area.

Also known as Soccsksargen, Region 12 comprises the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, North Cotabato and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato. Tamayo said among the major components of the 2014 infrastructure program is the concreting of road networks that link up the provinces of South Cotabato, Sarangani and Sultan Kudarat. He specifically cited the alternate road that traverses Surallah and Lake Sebu towns in South Cotabato and Maitum in Sarangani. The official said they completed last August 30 the concreting and widening of a 5.699-kilometer section of the

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS. Camella Davao general manager Marlon Niño Escalicas gives his Christmas greetings and appreciation to the com-

FDPWH-12, 10 pany’s hard working staff during the Christmas display grand lighting along J.P. Laurel Avenue in Davao City on Tuesday night. Lean Daval Jr.

DCIPC-BOI trade mission P94M granted to T’boli town to China sked next year T

HE Davao City Investment and Promotion Center (DCIPC) and the Board of Investments (BOI) here will visit China on a trade mission next year aimed at inviting more investors to the city. In an interview, DCIPC head Ivan Cortez said the team is now conceptualizing the trade mission design and once completed will present it to Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. Cortez said Davao City hopes to draw more investments especially in manufacturing with the expected surplus of power next year. “We want to present the Davao City portfolio

to at least 10 CEOs (chief executive officers) of big manufacturing companies operating there,” he said. He said they have started scouting for these companies and one of the cities that they will conduct the briefing is in Guangzhou City. “We want to get them here considering that operating factories in China has become more expensive,” he said. Cortez said DCIPC targets manufacturing companies because they are labor intensive and will thus provide more jobs for the Dabawenyos. He also said they will only invite companies that

are environment friendly. Right now, he said, there is only one mega manufacturing company operating in Davao City, the recently launched Steel Asia in Bunawan this city. Steel Asia’s presence here indicates there are good prospects in Southern Mindanao, he said. Cortez said there are other small factories already operating here but Davao City needs bigger factories to provide more jobs to its people. Meanwhile, Cortez said a Chinese-owned eVehicle factory will start operating here towards the end of the first quarter next year.

He said the owner, who comes from mainland China, has chosen a site in the northern part of the city and at present a core team of workers is already undergoing extensive training. The team will then train the rest of the workers though the owner is still awaiting the completion of the system that will link the work from the first step to the last stage of assembling the vehicle. He said once fully operational it would need about 70 workers to operate the assembly plant that will produce electric bicycles, tricycles ,and buses. (PNA)

to 91.13 million barrels per day, which represents a decline by 120,000 barrels per day from the previous report, OPEC said. World oil demand in 2015 is expected to increase by 1.12 million barrels per day to 92.26 million barrels per day, which is some 70,000 barrels per day lower than in OPEC’s November report. The OPEC member states reduced output by 390,000 barrels per day in November from the previous month to 30.053 million barrels, the report

said. Specifically, Saudi Arabia produced 9.59 million barrels per day in November against 9.65 million barrels per day in October, Libya 638,000 barrels per day against 887,000 barrels per day in October and Iraq 3.359 million barrels per day compared with 3.308 million barrels in the previous month. Low oil prices to persist A long-term lowering of the oil prices is rather probable, First Deputy Chairperson of the Bank of

Russia Kseniya Yudayeva said on December 1. She said the Central Bank in view of the latest decisions of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) “has offered a scenario where the oil price may go down to US$ 60 per a barrel for the entire period.” “Long-term declining of oil prices under US$ 60 will require structural changes in the Russian economy, including replacing imported goods and diversification of import,” she said. (PNA/TASS)

Global demand for OPEC oil to hit 12-year low in 2015

LOBAL oil demand will reach its 12year low in 2015, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) said in its December report on Wednesday. According to the report, the demand for oil produced by the OPEC member states will fall by 300,000 barrels per day to 28.92 million barrels per day in 2015 against 29.4 million barrels per day in 2014. World oil demand in 2014 is estimated to grow by 930,000 barrels per day

HE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Region 12 has released a P93.8-million financial grant to the municipal government of T’boli in South Cotabato for the implementation of various peace and development projects in the area. Josephine Leysa, DILG Region assistant director, said Wednesday the funding represents the first tranche or equivalent to 80 percent of the initial P117.35-million worth of approved projects in the area under the PAyapa at MAsaganang pamayaNAn (PAMANA) program. She said the DILG central office had endorsed a total grant of P187.2 million under the PAMANA for T’boli town this year. But she said the municipal government has only completed so far the documentary requirements for the P117.35-million component, which will cover for the concreting of barangay roads in the area. The municipal government of T’boli also proposed for the construction of community peace centers, day care centers, trading centers and multipurpose buildings. “We’re currently following up the requirements for the other projects as the funds have already been downloaded to the regional office and are now ready for release,” Leysa said. The DILG central office has allocated a total of P258.5 million in grants for

Region 12 this year under the PAMANA program. The municipality of T’boli is the only beneficiary of the program in South Cotabato province for this year. Of the approved grants, the lone district of Sarangani Province received some P58.8 million while the first, second and third districts of North Cotabato got P12.5 million. PAMANA is the government’s program and framework for peace and development in areas affected by conflict and communities covered by existing peace agreements. The program intends to provide communities with projects funded under the government’s stimulus fund to bring genuine peace and development. It also aims to “reduce poverty, improve governance and empower communities in situations of conflict,” a project briefer said. The projects that may be funded by the program include connectivity systems, basic services for economic development, agricultural services and industry investments, economic investments in indigenous people’s areas, disaster-preparedness and climate change adaptation interventions. The fund may also be used as a source of subsidy for major projects of local government units with similar objectives and to finance detailed engineering design costs. [MindaNews]

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EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 194 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12 - 13, 2014

Yuletide symbols come alive Text and Photos By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

HRISTMAS is the happiest season of the year. After all, it commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, the man who would save man from the bondage of sin. He came into this world to die for everyone. He fulfilled what John 3:16 states: “For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Out from the Son’s birth, different traditions and customs came out. The Star of Bethlehem became the basis of the lantern. In Matthew 2:2, the Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked King Herod: “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.” The Christmas tree, beloved of Yuletide symbols, was never mentioned in the Holy Bible. However, it has had a long history. Its origin is associated with love and compassion, and dates back to the time of Christ’s birth. A legend says that on the very Christmas Eve, when the Child Jesus was born, all creatures on earth came to visit him. Among them was a penny spruce tree. Having come from afar, the tree arrived at the Nativity scene already fagged out, its branches broken and the leaves disarrayed and wilted. It looked so funny that

all the trees laughed at it. The stars in the sky -witnesses to the humiliation of the penny spruce -- took compassion on the poor tree so that they filled its branches with multi-colored lights until the funny-looking tree turned into a star-studded tree. The Babe in the manger, the story goes, blessed the first Christmas tree with a smile. Early this month, another star-studded Christmas tree was lighted at the Royal Mandaya Hotel. We were star struck when the Escandor siblings -- Francis Gabriel and Irina Glenne -- pushed the button to fill the 20-feet Christmas tree with Christmas lights. But before it happened, guests and visitors were entertained with different Christmas carols by the Davao Girls’ Choir of the Davao City High School. Under the mentorship of Elena Gementesa, the girls crooned songs that really celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ. The tradition of lighting the Christmas tree started when the hotel started its operation. In the beginning, it was just a family affair. But in 2004, the Escandor couple thought of making it a big thing. They invited the guests of the hotel, some friends and visitors from the city, and even the media to witness the occasion.

Unity (painting)

General Manager Benjie Banzon

Davao girls choir “The lighting of the Christmas tree usually takes place on December 16,” informs Benjie Banzon, the hotel’s general manager. “But this year, we want to start celebrating our Christmas festivity early. So we decided to have it done in the first week of the month.” If you happen to visit the Royal Mandaya Hotel, you can see the beautiful Christmas tree filled with lights. Once you enter the hotel, you will immediately be captivated by its beauty. Another thing you should not miss when you are at the hotel -- which is located at the J. Palma Gil Street -- is the sculpture and paintings displayed at the upper portion of the hotel’s front desk. The paintings are very unique and so are the sculptures. All of them were done by the multi-awarded Lamberto Pangalanan Acyatan. Although he was born in Paete, Laguna, he took his Bachelor of Fine Arts at the Philippine Women’s College in Davao City. In 2004, he won the

Sculptures Grand Prize in Sculpture Competition during the Wow Mindanao Exposition in Davao City. The following year, the bagged the second place in the Shell National Student Art Competition (Oil/Acrylic Category) held in SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City. He was also a finalist in the Sculpture Category. Acyatan did several art exhibitions in Davao City and in Manila. He also did the paintings and sculpture of Tarzan’s Place in Camiguin, the installation art at the Taboan in Matina Town Square and the St. Peter and Blessed Virgin Mary at the San Pedro Cathedral. Now, let’s go back to Christmas symbols. Before the Christmas tree was accepted as part of the Filipino holiday tradition, the Belen was like a jewel illuminating Philippine homes. The lights and trees and tinsel may buoy up the spirit of the season, but the Belen is the heart of Christmas. In Italy, where it originated, it is called “presepe,” in Spain, it is “nacimiento,” and in France, “mangeoire.”

Lighting the Christmas tree Germans call it “krippe,” while Filipinos named it “belen.” Perhaps we adopted the name from Bethlehem, the birthplace of the

Lord. And “belen” in Spanish means “birth.” Malipayong Pasko ug Mabungahong Bag-ong Tuig Kaninyong Tanan!

EDGEDAVAO

VANTAGE

VOL. 7 ISSUE 194 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12 - 13, 2014

EDITORIAL

Continuing menace

T is heartening to note that the crime volume in the Davao Region has decreased by 20 percent from January to November this year compared with the same period in 2013. An Edge Davao story indicated that in 2013, the Police Regional Office (PRO) in Region 11 recorded a total of 77,874 crimes, This went down to only 62,352 cases this year, showing a difference of 15,522. PRO 11 spokesperson Antonio Rivera also told media practitioners the number of arrests of persons involved in illegal drugs have increased, with authorities recording 825 drug operations that resulted in the arrest of 1,213 individuals. The lawmen recovered 65.29 kilos of cocaine, 2.81 kilos of shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) and 59.38 kilos of marijuana with an aggregate total street value of P414.8 million. One way of interpreting the statistic revealed by Rivera is that drug trafficking continues to be a big challenge to law enforcers. This is accentuated by the fact that some enforcers themselves are enmeshed

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in drug abuse either as users or as pushers. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that the network of crime syndicates involved in drug trafficking are now able to expand their operation worldwide, using the modern system of cargo handling as may be demonstrated by the discovery, in a number of times, of cocaine secretly hidden in container vans in our ports. This clearly suggests that our lawmakers must now employ more creative investigative techniques which are effective in catching even the craftiest of criminals. Yes, more creative and effective than the outmoded ways of surveillance and police work. Indeed, the drug menace is a kingsize problem considering that in other countries like Mexico and Colombia, the drug cartels are so monstrous they can dare challenge the might of governments. For its part, the Philippine government must be able to provide its police forces with the needed state-of-the-art gadgets and the budgetary support that they badly need. ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

AGAPITO JOAQUIN JR. Associate Editor

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EN persons were killed in Tuesday’s bombing of a bus outside Central Mindanao University in Musuan, Maramag, Bukidnon. Terrorism? Extortion? Sabotage with a political objective in mind? For the families of the victims, the motive doesn’t really matter. What matters to them is that their loved ones – many of them too young for the picking – are dead. Just a month ago, another bus was bombed near CMU wounding four persons. Same place, same kind of transport, and possibly the same culprits. If they can pull off two bombings within a short span of time, they can – and might – carry out a third one and maybe more. My point is that the government, par-

VOL. 7 ISSUE 194 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12 - 13, 2014

VANTAGE POINTS

A prayer said in anger ticularly the police, looks helpless and clueless. So don’t blame the people if they think intelligence funds coming from taxpayer’s money have not been put to good use. Don’t blame them if they ask why no heads have rolled despite the apparent inability to counter acts of terror. And never ever say that you’re in control because you’re not. Am I angry? No, I’m not angry. I’m

angry beyond description. Not simply because one of the students who died was a friend of my daughter, her colleague at the student body. I cannot claim to know the anguish of the families of those who died. Nor can I claim to know how it feels to lose a loved one in a violent manner. But I know the depth of my own anger and revulsion. I’m angry at the bombers, at the death of innocent people, at the thought that some people can be so cold-blooded they are actually capable of such brutality. I’m angry too at the inability of the government to protect the people from these attacks. I doubt if the police and the military can bring the perpetrators to justice. I doubt if Tuesday’s incident was the

last of its kind. Lightning struck twice in the same place, but the authorities seem to have learned no lesson. Indeed, if the local police cannot arrest a single financier behind the illegal suertres in the province, can we trust them to arrest the bombers? If the thefts of motorcycles, burglaries and other crimes have remained unsolved and continued, can we trust them to go after people who appear to be well-trained, not to mention determined? I left my desk to say a prayer for those who died. Thy will be done… Deliver us from evil. (MindaViews is the opinion section of MindaNews. H. Marcos C. Mordeno can be reached at hmcmordeno@gmail.com.)

Are biotech foods safe to eat?

N 1994, the first genetically modified (GM) food, a tomato with a delayed ripening trait, was grown and consumed in a developed country. Since then, a growing number of foods derived from GM crops have been introduced into the market. The introduction of these novel foods, which are developed using the tools of modern biotechnology, into our diets has raised legitimate concerns about their safety. Are these foods derived from GM crops really safe to eat? “The techniques used in modern plant biotechnology provide plant breeders with precise tools that permit them to introduce desirable characteristics into a plant,” explains a briefing published by the Global Knowledge Center on Crop Biotechnology. “Further, they do so without having unwanted or extra traits that occur with traditional plant breeding,” the briefing paper states further. “Because of the control that’s afforded with plant biotechnology, scientists can examine introduced traits in great details.” Again the question arises: are these foods as safe as those that have been developed using more traditional agricultural methods? What is the difference between conventional plant breeding and plant biotechnology? “Their purpose is one and the same: to produce superior plant varieties with improved characteristics that make them better to grow or more desirable to eat,” the briefing paper notes. “The difference lies

in how this is THINK ON THESE! achieved.” Here’s further explanation from the American Dietetic Association Biotechnology Kit: “TraHenrylito D. Tacio ditional cross henrytacio@gmail.com (plant) breeding requires the mixing of thousands of genes between two plants in the hope of getting the desired trait. With modern biotechnology, you can choose the specific characteristic you want and add that single feature to a seed.” The difference between these two techniques is quite dramatic. Imagine trying to add one word of Spanish to an English dictionary. “With traditional plant breeding, you’d have to mix both dictionaries together and hope that the word you wanted ended up in the English version. Of course, lots of other words you weren’t interested in would have been added at the same time,” the kit explains. “Plant biotechnology allows you to choose and move the single characteristic you want -- it’s streamlined, efficient, and produces superior results,” the kit points out. But despite all these clarification, still some issues remain. Perhaps one of the biggest concerns related to GM foods is that an allergen (a protein that causes an allergic

reaction) could be accidentally introduced into a food product. Not too many people know that scientists know a lot about which foods trigger allergic reactions in adults and children. Ninety percent of all food allergies are associated with only eight foods or food groups -- shellfish, eggs, fish, milk, peanuts, soybeans, tree nuts, and wheat. “These, and many other food allergens, are well-characterized and so it is extremely unlikely that they would ever be introduced into a GM food,” the biotech briefing paper says. The briefing paper enumerates the shared properties of allergens: they remain stable during digestion; they tend to be stable during food processing; and they are usually abundant in foods. “None of the proteins that have been introduced into commercially available GM foods have any of these properties,” it says. “They are from sources with no history of allergenicity or toxicity; they do not resemble known toxins or allergens biochemically and structurally; and they have functions which are well understood.” Another issue: antibiotic resistance. Scientists use this trait as a marker to identify cells into which the desired gene has been successfully introduced. Concerns have been raised that these marker genes could move from GM crops to microorganisms that normally reside in a person’s gut and lead to an increase in antibiotic resistance. The briefing paper cites some numerous scientific reviews and experimental

studies which said that (1) the likelihood of antibiotic resistance genes moving from GM crops to any other organisms is extremely remote; and (2) even in the unlikely event that an antibiotic resistance gene is transferred to another organism, the impact of this transfer would be negligible, as the markers used in GM crops have limited clinical or veterinary use. According to the briefing paper, before any GM food can enter the market, “it has to be exhaustively tested by the developer and independently evaluated for safety by scientists or experts in nutrition, toxicology, allergenicity, and other aspects of food science.” Typical questions that are addressed include the following: Does the GM food have a traditional counterpart that has a history of safe use? Has the concentration of any naturally occurring toxins or allergens in the food changed? Have the levels of key nutrients changed? Do new substances in the GM food have a history of safe use? Has the food’s digestibility been affected? Has the food been produced using accepted, established procedures? The Geneva-based World Health Organization also supports GM foods for consumption. In 2005, it released this statement: “The potential direct health effects of GM foods are generally comparable to the known risks associated with conventional foods, and include, for example, the potential of allergenicity and toxicity of components present, and the nutritional quality and microbiological safety of the food.”

10 NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 194 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12 - 13, 2014

Agriculture damage of Ruby hits P1.91B

HE Department of Agriculture on Thursday said Typhoon Ruby has damaged P1.912 billion worth of agriculture in 82,134 hectares of land in Regions IV-A, IV-B, V, VI and VIII and affected 116,754 farmers. In a report, Agriculture Undersecretary Emerson Palad said that as of Wednesday afternoon, palay production

loss is estimated at 78,497 metric tons (MT) valued at P1.54 billion. “Fortunately, the damaged palay in the affected 55,872 hectares were mostly at the vegetative and reproductive stages of growth. Of the total affected area, 37,314 has. (67 percent) has a high chance of recovery,” he said. For corn crops, damage was at P51.71 million in

24,402 has. However, of the total area affected, 99 percent – or 24,228 has. – have good chances of recovering. Meanwhile, high value crops incurred damages of P226.42 million; fisheries P48.22 million; and livestock at P6.46 million. Damages to agri-facilities/ infrastructure and equipment is currently P34.75 million.

Palad said that current damages to palay and corn would have minimal effects on the projected production volume in the first quarter (Q1) of 2015. According to the DA official, palay and corn losses only constitute 1.83 percent and 0.38 percent, respectively, of the Q1 projected production of the two staples. (PNA)

flak in social media such as on Pulbuk group on Facebook and on radio commentary programs with the public questioning their perceived ineptitude in preventing such incident. The criticisms noted that the previous bus bombing happened only a month ago, just a kilometer away from the present crime scene and also hitting a bus owned by the same company. Nobody was killed but four passengers were wounded in the November 6 bombing. They blamed the police’s alleged “ningas cogon” attitude, incompetence, failure to conduct strict checkpoints, among other security measures. In his weekly radio program Wednesday, Gov. Jose Ma. R. Zubiri Jr. condemned the act and blamed RTMI

for not addressing security threats even after the bombing incident on Nov. 6. He challenged RTMI management to address the problem and to reach out to the families of the victims and survivors. According to the Provincial Public Affairs Information and Assistance (PAIA) office, Zubiri met with police and military officials in a closed-door meeting Wednesday afternoon to assess the situation and draw out possible security measures. PAIA head Hansel Echavez said one of the proposed measures is the conduct of strict checkpoint inspections upon entry to Bukidnon patterned after that of Davao City. The military’s Task Force Davao has put up checkpoints at the city’s entry points where male

passengers are made to disembark and soldiers inspect the bus and baggage. Inspections are also made at the city’s bus terminal in Ecoland prior to entry. Thelma Bagongon, 59, mother of 25-year old grocery worker Junrey, who was among 22 wounded victims brought to Adventist Sanitarium Hospital in Valencia City, cited security lapses in RTMI buses and lack of road inspections as major problems. She said law enforcers and the bus company must coordinate and put their acts together. “Louy ang mga tawo,” (The people are in a pitiful situation) she said outside the hospital where reporters were not allowed entry. Meanwhile, Malaybalay Bishop Jose Cabantan condemned the incident as an

act of terrorism. Late afternoon on Wednesday, hundreds of CMU students, faculty members, officials and staff held an ecumenical prayer rally in front of the administration building. They offered prayers, flowers and balloons for those who died and were wounded in the incident. Five CMU students were killed and nine others were wounded in the bombing. An instructor and a non-teaching employee were also wounded. (Walter I. Balane/Mindanews)

PhilHealth and Department of Health (DOH) for the program in order to create cheaper schemes that will be affordable to the people, especially those in rural areas. The proposed HMI framework is intended to support the Universal Health Care (UHC) outlined in the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) for 2011-2016, which safeguards equitable access to health care for all Filipinos, particularly the poor.

The PDP envisions a National Health Insurance Program Insurance Program (NHIP) that encourages public-private partnerships to respond to the current gaps in healthcare risk protection in the country. The HMI framework also supports the Mindanao Strategic Development Framework (MSDF) 2010-2020 where access to health insurance is a priority. Mindanao has a popula-

tion of more than 22 million people. Ten of the poorest provinces are found in the island region. The MSDF 2010-2020 encourages all local government units to increase resource allocation on improving access to health insurance, among others, of low income in this region. The proposed program is a joint initiative of DOF, DOH, PhilHealth and Insurance Commission.

road network in Lake Sebu town. Tamayo said they have also constructed four bridges -Lemfenek, Balo, Datalawa and Kolombong -- in Lake Sebu. In line with the agency’s climate change adaptation and mitigation advocacy, he said they have installed a total of 38 772 square meters of bio-engineered coconet in various road networks to prevent landslides and promote vegetation. He said they completed last month four road upgrading projects along the Sarangani-Davao del Sur Coastal Road in Sarangani Province

with a total length of 5.424 kilometers and the concreting of a one kilometer road along the Sarangani-Sultan Kudarat coastal road. Tamayo said they also completed two tourism road projects with a total length of 6.597 kilometers along the Sarangani-Davao del Sur coastal and the Pangui-Wali-New La Union roads. In Sultan Kudarat, he said they finished the concreting of a 13-kilometer road along the Awang-Upi-Lebak-Kalamansig-Palimbang-Sarangani road network. Tamayo said the remain-

ing projects so far are mostly road projects that are already nearing completion. With the expected completion of their 2014 infrastructure program by the end of the year, the official they expect that more road infrastructure and other related facilities would be implemented in the region next year. He said the DPWH central office has set as top priority the completion by in the next two years of the concreting of the remaining national primary and arterial roads as well as national secondary roads and bridges in the region. (PNA)

Same group... FFROM 1

Gov’t... FFROM 3

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CMU... FFROM 3

eral Alexander Balutan said the military has filed multiple murder charges against Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter (BIFF) sub-commander Garnet Lintang, the alleged brain behind the bombing. Rural Transit of Mindanao Inc. bus number

2640 reportedly just left the main gate of CMU in Barangay Dologon in Maramag after it picked up student passengers going home when the explosion took place a little past 6 p.m. on December 9. (With reports from Funny Pearl A. Gajunera and Mindanews)

He said players from the private sector are doing its part in making the industry sustainable. In fact, Davao del Nortebased Hijo Company has already expanded to 100 hectares of cacao plantation and is looking for more areas in Compostela Valley. Local government units (LGUs) in Saranggani Povince have already started planting cacao in a 100 hectare area, while the city government of Davao has already prepared programs that will help the cacao industry grow. Turtur said the cacao industry is not only gain-

ing ground in Mindanao but also in other areas in the country like Albay, Ifugao, Benguet, and Leyte which have already expressed interest in growing the high value crop. He said there is a need to consolidate the efforts of the private and public sectors amid the 2015 ASEAN integration. “Again we are not just targeting on quantity but most importantly is the quality of the cacao products that we will produce especially now that Asean integration is with us,” he said. The ASEAN market has an estimated of 600 million population.

limited to small and big business establishments, and does not include the micro businesses. For his part, President dela Cruz said the DCC-

CII will continue to be an outstanding chamber worthy of competing not only in the Philippines but the entire world as well.

Global... FFROM 3

Gaisano... FFROM 3

11 MOTORING

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 194 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12 - 13, 2014

Ranger Wildtrak hailed as Truck of the Year

ORD Philippines ended November on a victorious note as it received a total of 13 awards from the Car Awards Group, Inc. (CAGI) and the Auto Focus People’s and Media’s Choice Awards. The 3.2L Ranger Wildtrak M/T was named Truck of the Year for 2014-2015 by the CAGI, making this win the second consecutive year the Ranger has been given the prestigious distinction. Last year, the award was given to the automatic variant of the award-winning pickup truck. The CAGI also recognized the following Ford nameplates during their awards night: 1.5L EcoSport Titanium Spyder Innovation Award 3.5L Explorer Sport – Best Crossover SUV 2.2L Ranger WT 4x2 A/T – Best 4x2 Truck

3.2L Ranger WT 4x4 M/T – Best 4x4 Truck “We’re thrilled that the CAGI has again hailed the Ranger as Truck of the Year. We’re also proud that the Ranger remains our top-selling nameplate and continues to be regarded as the benchmark among pickup trucks in the market today in terms of performance, versatility, design, and capability,” said Kay Hart, managing director, Ford Philippines. Earlier in November, Sunshine TV also held their annual Auto Focus People’s and Media’s Choice Awards night where Ford Philippines received eight trophies. Awards were given to car manufacturers whose products were given top marks by both consumers and media. Ford won the following: 2014-2015 Auto Focus

People’s Choice Awards Standard Compact SUV Winner: Ford EcoSport Standard Large SUV Winner: Ford Explorer Sports Car Runner-Up: Ford Mustang Pick-Up Runner-Up: Ford Ranger 2014-2015 Auto Focus Media’s Choice Awards Best Safety Features Large SUV: Ford Explorer Best Value-for-Money Large SUV: Ford Explorer Best Engine Performance Sportscar: Ford Mustang Best Design Pick-Up: Ford Ranger “We are truly honored by the recognition given to us by Auto Focus as it underscores the trust and confidence of our customers and media friends in the Ford brand. We are very excited with the year ahead and look forward to expanding our line-up of One Ford vehicles even

will still be aiming for podium finishes during the race weekend. As for GT 200, it’s still a three-way battle between Ethanworx R33’s Paolo Mantolino, his teammate Carlos Anton, and Joey Pery. With only 51 points between them, it’ll be a fight to the finish to see who wins the class championship. In GT 150, Richmon Dela Rosa in the Honda Civic Del Sol can now claim the class title with his 96 point advantage over nearest-rivals Joel Portugal and Walter Zamora. Likewise, Edwin Rodriguez in the Mazda Philippinessponsored Mazda 2 has earned enough points this season to take the GT 100 title. But despite their dominance in 2014, both

drivers are still determined to finish on the podium in the final race of the season. The weekend will feature a the 10-lap Sprint Race in the morning and a 17-lap GT Race in the afternoon. Other support races slated for the race weekend include the Philminiracers Championships Series, VW KaFER Cup, and the newlyformed Sparco Bracket Circuit Racing. The 2014 Philippine Grand Touring Car Championship is sanctioned by the Automobile Association of the Philippines (AAP), sponsored by Petronas Energy Philippines, Inc., Yokohama Tires Sales Philippines, Inc., and Speedlab.

further in the Philippines,” said Hart. In September, C! Magazine editors presented Ford with two awards: Best in Class - Pickup Category for the 3.2L Ranger Wildtrak

and Best in Class – Compact SUV for the 2.0L Escape, rounding up the total awards received by Ford to date to 15. “All these achievements further fuel our passion

and commitment to our customers, and we’re grateful for the enthusiasm they have shown towards our line-up of One Ford vehicles in the country,” added Hart.

2014 Yokohama PH GT Championship Season Finale set on December 14

FTER spending more than a month in hiatus, the Yokohama Philippine GT Championship is finally ready to host the sixth and final round of the 2014 season. Although the GT 300, GT 150, and GT 100 drivers’ title have all been decided, there are still trophies and egos still at stake when the drivers line up on the grid for the final time this coming December 13 to 14 in Batangas Racing Circuit. M a t h e m a t i c a l l y, Don Don Portugal has already secured the GT 300 championship after dominating the first four rounds of the season. However, guys such as VeliMatti Kaikkonen, Jomari Yllana, and Willie Torres

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Yosi Samra: Fashionably flat and fabulous By Kenneth Irving Ong

Known for their fashionable yet comfortable ballet flats, Yosi Samra recently opened newest concept store located at the second level of the Abreeza Mall. Originally conceptualised by shoe designer Yosi Samra in his basement, his exquisitely designed ballet flats were the perfect answer to women in the clubs walking around barefoot carrying their stilettos in one hand and their tiny clutch bag in the other. For the 2014 holiday collection, Yosi Samra keeps to its brand philosophy of simple and relaxed elegance while keeping Dabawenyo fans captivated by incorporating playfulness in choice of colour and materials. Bold animal prints, gold studs, metallic finished, suede, and patent leather dominate the collection with a wide array of colours that range from soft Nude and Rose Cloud

to bold colours that pop such as Chili Red and Empress Teal. The choices of colours reflect Yosi Samraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s faxibility and its willingness to accommodate a wide variety of tastes and styles, which is why many Hollywood A-listers as well as local celebrities are often photographed wearing Yosi Samra shoes. Since its launch in 2009, over 1,000 boutiques carry Yosi Samra shoes and accessories across the United States and 85 other countries, including 15 brand shops in Asia and the Middle East. In the Philippines, Yosi Samra stores are also located at Alabang Town Center, GAS Greenbelt 3, Rockwell Powerplat Mall, SM Megamall, Ayala Center Cebu, and SM City Cebu.

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Your Child’s Christmas wishes come true thru the SM Gift Registry CHRISTMAS came early for ten lucky kids when the The SM Store’s Gift Registry recently launched its Make Your Child’s Christmas Wishes Come True by Sharing on Facebook at The SM Store in North EDSA. The holiday glow was evident in the face of every kid that participated at the 2-day fun filled launch. All they had to do was to register at the SM Gift Registry booth with their parents or guardians with a Fa ce b o o k account to pre-qualify, go around Sofia Chloe Rosario found it easy to choose the the store, items on her Christmas Wish List from the SM Store. make a wish list, and pick a winning stub. They were also wonderfully surprised when Santa came early to town and awarded the lucky winners with one of the items on their Christmas Wish List. Timothy S a l v a d o r, 7 yrs. old, Ashley Marie Argarin, 9 yrs. old, Calix Cruz, 4 yrs. old, CK Amponin, 4 yrs. old and Rohon Hazel Cabalic, 10 yrs. old Alden Cabrera and his mom Christy share holiday were the cheer while choosing items for Alden’s Christmas lucky kids Wish List from the SM Store. who had their wishes come true during the 1st day of the event. The 2nd day winners included Sofia Chloe Rosario, 4 yrs. old, Alden Cabrera, 3 yrs. old, Katelyn Shepanski, 4 years old, Rhye Lee Gener, 6 yrs. old and Cai Merincillo, 6 years old. The good news is that you still can Make Your Child’s Christmas Wishes Come True by Sharing on Facebook. Just visit the Calix Cruz and his mom Joy excitedly pick the items SM Store’s for Calix’s Christmas Wish List. Gift Registry to register. Let your child select the items for their wish list. And finally post and share your child’s wish list on your facebook account to let your relatives and your child’s ninongs and ninangs to know about it. The SM Store will grant one hundred wishes for those who register until December 24, 2014 at the SM Store Gift Registry. No purchase is required. For more details, you may visit SM Gift Registry located at all SM Store branches except for Quiapo and Mega Center.

Ashley Argarin chooses her Wish List from the SM Store.

VOL. 7 ISSUE 194 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12 - 13, 2014

Holiday specials from Park Inn by Radisson Davao

CELEBRATE the holiday season with culinary treats only at Park Inn by Radisson Davao.

Delight your loved ones with delectable gifts and gourmet surprised and choose from our selection of pastries, wines and Christmas hampers sold at the lobby. Package rate for your festive treats vary depending on your choice of items, starting at the price of Php550.00 net. All are available on pre-order basis, beautifully wrapped for your convenience. Book your Christmas Parties in any of the function rooms, the pool lounge or main dining space. Banquet rate starts at Php850 per person (for a minimum of 30 guests). The buffet menu includes choices from appetizer to dessert, packaged with audio-visual facilities, Christmas themed music and table centerpieces. One complimentary party pass will be given to every booking with 50 guests. The Premium Package, priced at Php1,350 net per person, is inclusive of 2 hours open bar for beverages, plus an action cooking station. For those who are looking for some R&R after work, catch the Happy

Hour weekday promo at the Pool Lounge from 5-thirsty to 7:00 PM and get 3 beers or cocktails for the price of 2. Applicable only on house brands. Bond with kids and friends on Saturdays and head off for a refreshing swim in the pool. The Dip and Dine promo, priced at Php550.00 net per person, already includes plated snacks. Skip the long lines at the grocery and enjoy a hassle-free Christmas and New Year’s Eve gathering with your family at RBG. Sing along to popular yuletide hymns with Christmas carolers while you relish in a sumptuous sumptuous dinner feast

at RBG on December 24. The holiday buffet brings together this season’s finest flavors, from your all-time favorite Smoked Holiday Ham to hearty meat cooked in different flavors known from the world over. Satisfy your sweet cravings with decadent cakes and assorted pastries which shares spotlight alongside the spread of savory dishes. Christmas Eve buffet is at Php750.00 net per person, inclusive of bottomless juice. The buffet premium, priced at Php1,350 net per person, entitles the diner to unlimited beers and spirits from the open bar, all the way until midnight. On New Year’s Eve,

RBG will be dressed up as a Carnival with activity booths for kids and parents to enjoy. Take part in this gastronomic treat featuring intercontinental cuisine and RBG’s specialties such as the Crispy Boneless Lechon De Leche, Drunken Seafood, Pulled Pork Ragout and Greek Chicken. The New Year’s Eve buffet rate is at Php950 net per person, inclusive of bottomless juice. You may also opt to avail of the buffet premium at Php1,450.00 net per person to enjoy unlimited beers and spirits until midnight. Extend the holiday cheer and spend leisurely mornings with the family on December 25 and January 1. Jump start your Christmas and New Year’s Day with filling choices for breakfast and brunch to go along with your caffeine fix or hot chocolate. Breakfast buffet is open from 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM and priced at Php550 net person. Brunch is from 10:00AM to 2:00AM, priced at Php650.00 net per person. Set the family into the holiday spirit and make your reservations now through 272 7600 or email re s e r va t i o n s . d ava o @ parkinn.com. Follow @ parkinndavao on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for more details on upcoming promotions.

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EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

ENTERTAINMENT

Kapuso actor Rafael Rosell encourages reading among youth

IN THIS AGE of computer games and other digital entertainment, Kapuso actor Rafael Rosell finds it important for kids today to rediscover the joy of reading.

He encourages today’s youth to value physical interaction and pursue activities that will cultivate their imagination, saying, “Play outside, enjoy the presence of each other and read more books to unleash your creativity and engage your mind.” Growing up with outdoor games and books as his childhood pastime, Rafael readily agreed to participate in this year’s celebration of Araw ng Pagbasa through a storytelling activity spearheaded by GMA Network for 80 kids from Daang Tubo, Barangay U.P. Campus, an adopted community of the Network under its CSR platform, Kapuso ng Kalikasan. Araw ng Pagbasa is the annual culminating activity of National Reading Month which takes place in November. Since its inception in 2008, the nationwide activity encourages participants to observe the celebration through various activities such as storytelling sessions and declamation contests. As the children eagerly

listened, Rafael read the life story of GMA Network Chairman and CEO Felipe L. Gozon from a book titled, “Kapuso Mo, Atty. Felipe L. Gozon.” Produced by LG&M Corporation as part of its Go Negosyo Children’s Storybook series, the book nar-

rates how family values played a role in helping Gozon overcome challenges and paved the way for his success. With education as an integral focus area of GMA’s corporate social responsibility efforts, GMA Corporate Affairs Assistant Vice

President Teresa L. Pacis emphasizes the importance of literacy among the youth. “This simple storytelling activity is one way for us to spark the kids’ interest in reading,” she shares. “More than providing an alternate means of entertainment, reading also fosters learning with the wealth of information which can be found in books.” Aside from the storytelling event, GMA turned over more than 100 children’s books to Barangay UP Campus’ library, most of which were donated by GMA G.I.V.E.S. (Guide, Interact, Volunteer, Educate, Serve), GMA Network’s corps of employee volunteers.

Lee Min Ho’s epic drama ‘Faith’ invades Philippine primetime TV

DUE to insistent public demand, Lee Min Ho is now faithfully yours every weeknight as ABS-CBN began airing the epic Asianovela “Faith.” After its exclusive airing via ABS-CBNmobile, “Faith” can now be seen on Philippine television as fans continue to clamor for a freeto-air TV airing and see more of Min Ho, dubbed as the King of Asianovelas. Experience the epic love story that transcends time between captain Choi Young (Min Ho) and Dr. Ellyce (He Seon). Choi Young is a brave and strong warrior from the Goreo period. As a loyal servant to the queen, Choi Young will do everything for her, even risking his own life. So when the queen gets injured in an attack, the leader of the royal guards volunteers to

THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY PART 1 Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson

enter a mystical portal believed to be the gateway to heaven to find the so called ‘heaven’s doctor.’ However, the portal transports him to the present day, where he meets doctor Ellyce. Choi Young takes Ellyce to his world and promises to take her home safely after she saves the queen’s life. But problems arise as

others become fascinated with her oddness and ability to predict the future, thus making her a pawn in the political power plays. They will do everything in their power to keep Ellyce from leaving. How will Choi Young be faithful to his promise to Ellyce with enemies stopping her from leaving their land?

Will he also risk his own life for the woman he loves? Will Ellyce be faithful to her heart as well and choose to stay in a time far away from her time just so she can be with Choi Young? Don’t miss “Faith” weeknights after “Aquino and Abunda Tonight” only from the first and true home of Asianovelas, ABS-CBN.

PG 13

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

PAST TENSE Kim Chiu, Aiai Delas Alas, Xian Lim

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

THE PYRAMID Ashley Hinshaw, Denis O'Hare James Buckley, Daniel Amerman

R 13

R-16

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

EXODUS: GODS AND KINGS Christian Bale, Joel Edgerton John Turturro, Aaron Paul

PG13

1:00 | 4:00 | 7:00 | 10:00 LFS

EDGEDAVAO

A4 INdulge! EVENT

VOL. 7 ISSUE 194 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12 - 13, 2014

A concert of food and wine

THEY SAY that a good wine is like a singer that sings great music for the ears, but when a good wine is paired with great tasting food, then it is like a great singer performing in harmony together with a 25-piece orchestra and Seda Abreeza’s latest wine and dine event last November 29 was such a concert for foodies and oenophiles alike. The food and wine event held at Seda’s T’nalak function room featured select wines from Concha Y Toro, one of Chile’s largest producer of high quality wines and distributed by Fly Ace Corporation, paired with dishes masterfully prepared by Seda Abreeza’s Sous Chef Bang Garcia Flores. For starters, shrimp with pesto vinaigrette was paired with Concha Y Toro’s Trio Chardonnay Reserva. A blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and Pinot Blanc, the Trio Chardonnay Reserva had a bouquet of lime, citrus and peaches was light on the palate with a crisp and slightly metallic finish that complimented the shrimp well. A pan seared sesamecrusted tuna with balsamic reduction and potato, walnut and goat cheese croquet followed paired with Casillero del Diablo’s Pinot Noir, a ruby red wine that is delicate and light in flavour with hints of red berries and hints of spice. Two main courses followed featuring lamb and beef rib roast followed with the Trio Merlot, Carmenere, Cabernet Sauvignon and Casillero del Diablo Cabernet Sauvignon paired respectably. Of the

two reds, I much preferred the Trio with its complex and rich aroma of black fruits, plum, blueberry, and hints of tobacco and chocolate, the Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend added some spice and richness while Carmenere grapes contributed to a rich velvety finish. Dinner ended with a delicious flour less tablea chocolate cake that was served with fresh straw-

berries and a warm milk froth. The decadent dessert was paired with Frontera’s Moscato which was sweet with a slightly acidic finish that cleansed the palate and made want more spoonfuls of the rich chocolate cake. Follow me on Instagram or on Twitter @kennethkingong for more travel stories, foodie finds, and happenings in, around, and beyond Durianburg.

COMMUNITY SENSE 13

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USeP celebrates 36th founding anniversary T

HE University of Southeastern Philippines will hold its 36th Foundation Anniversary on December 15. In line with this celebration, the University has set a five-day activity-based program that will start on December 14. For 36 years, USeP has continued to pursue quality and higher excellence to better serve the community, and as the year ends, the University celebrates its milestone with the goal to take on the challenges and opportunities brought upon by the 2015 ASEAN Economic Community. The foundation celebration, which bears the theme “Positioning USeP in the ASEAN Economic Community,” will start with the Alumni Homecoming at the USeP Social Hall on December 14. It will be hosted by the USeP Lab School Batch ’89 and College of Technology Alumni Batch ’99. Outstanding alumni will be recognized and awarded during the homecoming. Among the awardees are Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Z. Duterte; 2014 Ramon Magsaysay awardee Randy H. Halasan; Caraga State University President Anthony M. Penaso; and Davao City Police Director Senior Superintendent Vicente D. Danao, Jr. The grand opening program of the weeklong celebration will happen on December 15, 8:30 a.m. at the USeP Gymnasium and Cultural Center. It will be graced by

Congressman Karlo Alexei B. Nograles of the First District, Davao City as keynote speaker. Among the highlights of the celebration are the USeP-Department of Energy: Information, Education and Communication (IEC) on Alternative Fuel seminar, December 16; health and wellness activities, December 1519; giving of loyalty awards and most outstanding awards in the areas of instruction, research, and extension, as well as, get-together of faculty and staff cum University Christmas party, December 19. In its 36 years of service to the public, it is worth mentioning that the University has achieved a lot. For four years in a row, from 2011 to 2014, USeP was hailed as one of the top schools in Asia as rated by education and career network Quacquarelli Symonds (QS). When it comes to this year’s performance in licensure examinations, the USeP graduates ranked second, seventh, and tenth in the 2014 Licensure Examination for Teachers; second, ninth, and tenth in Geodetic Engineering board examinations; and ninth and tenth in Agriculturist licensure examination. The USeP Tagum-Mabini campus also placed ninth in the schools that topped the August 2014 LET (elementary level). The Philippine Business for Education (PBEd) has listed USeP Tagum-Mabini cam-

POWER PLAYERS. As a commemoration of the wonderful partnership for four years and counting, Therma Marine held its first ever Friendship Games with its neighboring stakeholders in Butuan City last November 21. Team members and team leaders from NGCP, ANECO and ASELCO took time off to get to know their industry neighbors

and to showcase their sportsmanship through bowling, table tennis, billiards and dart-throwing. Therma Marine, one of the most efficient peaking power plants in the region currently helps 23 customers – electric cooperatives and distribution utilities – all over Mindanao by cutting brownouts in these areas significantly.

pus as one of the country’s top 10 teacher education institutions, based on licensure examinations performance, per study conducted by PBEd from October 2009-September 2013. The University is also recognized as the Center of Excellence for Teacher Education; Center of Development for Agriculture; Center of Development for Agricultural Engineering; Center of Development for English Pro-

bers of the USeP family to be pro-active, and be ASEAN 2015-ready. We should strengthen the research, innovation, and competitiveness components of the University,” Alibin added. The foundation celebration gathers the officials of the University headed by President Perfecto A. Alibin with the three Vice Presidents: Dr. Rosello Lyndon H. Roble, VP for Administration,

gram; National University for Agriculture in Region XI; and Provincial Institute for Agriculture. With these laudable recognitions of the University, President Alibin encourages the academics and researchers of the University to be primed for tougher challenges that would result from the integration of Southeast Asian economies. “I challenge all mem-

Dr. Marcelo M. Angelia, VP for Academic Affairs, and Dr. Helen B. Pondevida, VP for Research, Development and Extension; and the faculty, staff, students and alumni of the five (5) campuses of the University located in Obrero, Davao City (main); Mintal, Davao City; Apokon, Tagum City; Mampising, Mabini, Compostela Valley Province; and Bislig City, Surigao del Sur. (USeP PR)

SPORTS DAVAO 14 EDGE Sports

VOL. 7 ISSUE 194 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12 - 13, 2014

BANGKOK BEATING HEADER. Charyl Yannic Chappuis (R) of Thailand looks as Misagh Medina Bahadoran of Philippines jumps for the ball during their second leg semi final match of AFF Suzuki Cup 2014 in Bangkok on Wednesday. Reuters

Azkals mauled by Thais 3-0 in AFF Suzuki Cup semis

HE Thailand War Elephants booked a return trip to the AFF Suzuki Cup finals after easily dispatching the Philippine Azkals 3-0 in front of a packed Rajamangala Stadium. Chanathip Songkrasin started the game with a huge statement, scoring a beautiful left-footed goal six minutes into the match to put pressure on the Azkals. Kroekrit Thawikan then picked up where his teammate left off as he scored

two more goals (56’, 86’) in the second half to completely bury the overmatched Philippine side. The Azkals had to fight off with a disadvantage for much of the match after Thailand’s goal in the sixth minute. Two yellow cards for the Azkals in the first half did not help their cause. Daisuke Sato was booked for one in the 22nd minute and he was later subbed out by Patrick Reichelt. Martin Steuble was also

booked at the 34th minute. The 40th minute saw the only good opportunity for the Azkals in the first half as Reichelt sent a header directly to Thailand’s keeper. The Azkals played well to start the second half as Reichelt had another great strike from just outside the box that was on-target but saved by the Thai keeper. However, just as the Azkals were feeling the momentum was already on their side, Kroekrit Thawikan scored

a second goal for the War Elephants in the 56th minute as he received a pretty long pass and shook off Simone Rota’s defense. To add insult to injury, Steuble got his second yellow card of the match in the 82nd minute, forcing the Azkals to play with 10 men. The Azkals’ woes didn’t end there as Thawikan scored another goal in the 86th minute to close out a dominant performance for the War Elephants.

NEAT LESSON. Thailand gave the Azkals a lesson on attacking team football after the White Elephants mauled the Filipinos 3-0 to advance to the finals of the AFF Suzuki Cup.

Azkals can look at bright side: Dooley

ESPITE the crushing disappointment of losing in the semi-finals of the AFF Suzuki Cup for a third straight time, Philippines coach Thomas Dooley believes that the Azkals can take a lot of positives out of the tournament. Thailand ended the dream of a first final for the former whipping boys turned genuine title contenders with an impressive 3-0 victory in front of a frenzied, sell-out crowd at Bangkok’s Rajamangala Stadium on Wednesday. The Philippines defended stoutly and tried to snatch a goal on the counter attack but Thailand were simply too good for them on the night with the opener from young maestro Chanathip “Messi J” Songkrasin and a second-half brace from Kroekrit Thawikan sealing a spot in the final for the seventh time. “We played against a team (on Wednesday) that was kind of a little bit of everything at a different level,” said Dooley, the former captain of the United

States. “When you are playing against a good team, backed by a big crowd, everything has to fall into place and for us it did not.” Philippines created a little bit of history in Group A action when they trounced Indonesia 4-0 for their first victory over them in 80 years to reach the last four with a game to spare after an opening 4-1 victory over Laos. “Overall I am happy with the way we played and the results we had in the tournament,” said Dooley. “After 80 years we won against Indonesia - it was an outstanding result and maybe the best game we played this year. “And then we played Thailand at home and came away with a 0-0 draw. I can say we can go back home with our heads held high.” Philippines came into the AFF Suzuki Cup as the toprated team in ASEAN at 128th but Dooley said that the FIFA World Ranking meant nothing in the heat of battle.

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SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

STILL ON TARGET. Efren “Bata” Reyes of the Philippines, in file photo, has advanced to the round of 16 after turning back American Rodney Morris (below).

THAT OLD MAGIC

Ageless Bata Reyes beats American ace, advances to round of 16

INOY billiards favorite Efren “Bata” Reyes defeated American cue artist Rodney Morris (95) in their Group 3 match on Wednesday evening to earn a slot in the round of 16 scheduled to start Thursday morning. In the early racks, Morris was ahead against Reyes by one, 4-3. But at the 7th rack, Morris scratched the cue ball during the break. Reyes went on cleaning up the table, equalizing the match at 4-4. Reyes won the succeeding 9th rack, but, in 10th rack, he committed a miscue on the 2nd ball, giving Morris a chance. However, Morris after pocketing the 3rd ball erred in the preparation denying himself a clear shot of the 4th ball. That gave Reyes a chance

to get a two-rack advantage over his rival, 6-4. In the 11th, Reyes pocketed two balls at the break and went on winning the rack, 7-5. In the succeeding rack, Reyes scratched the cue ball while hitting the 3rd ball giving Morris another chance to score, 9-6. In the last two racks, Reyes showed his superior accuracy and precision skills by wrapping up the game at the final score of 9-6. In Group 6, Finnish billiard king and world’s no. 16 Mika Immonen easily disposed of his opponent Renemar David, who earlier dumped American pool player Brian Beekers. Immonen posted an 8-4 mark, earning for himself a spot in the round of 16. Thursday matches kicked off at 10:00 a.m. between Group 6 winners Francisco “Django”

Bustamante and compatriot Judy Villanueva; Group 7 winners Roberto Gomez and Arnel Buatista; Ronnie Alcano and Tony Punzalan; Group 5 winners Raymart Camomot and Edwin Gamas; Group 4 winners Lee Van Corteza and Tommy Datoon; Group 3 Alex Pagulayan and Ramil Gallego; Group 2 winners John Chua and Carlo Biado and Group 1 winners Ruben Cuna and Jeffrey Ignacio. The tournament, with a total guaranteed prize of USD150,000, was bankrolled by world eight-division boxing champion and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao primarily to promote sports tourism not only just in the region but in the entire Mindanao. “We are staging this event to show to the world that our place, and the entire Mindanao, is very peaceful,” Pacquiao said. Aquiles Z. Zonio

a classic porcelain toilet. The resemblance was uncanny, so much so that you wondered if it was done on purpose. Sure, it was very unlikely that the finished product would look quite so off-white and toiletish (look, there are not a lot of adjectives I can use here), but it was at least good for a fun joke at the time. The Warriors and the architecture firm Snøhetta have released new, more detailed designs of the new arena and entertainment complex located in San Francisco’s Mission Bay neighborhood. As you can see, the renderings do not make the arena look like a giant toilet: The franchise also issued

a press release on the new renderings and further plans for the development: “We believe this plan is

New Warriors arena designs no longer look like a toilet T

HE Golden State Warriors are the hottest team in the NBA, winners of their last 13 games (a franchise record) and holders of the best record in the league at 18-2. It’s an exciting time for the franchise, and not just because of the product on the court. With an improving squad and strong local support, owners Joe Lacob and Peter Guber can envision a future in which they oversee one of the premier organizations in basketball. When they move to a new arena San Francisco by the end of the decade, they can plan on bringing in even more profits. The one problem with the plan is that the designs for the new SF arena made it look like

a perfect fit for Mission Bay, for San Francisco, and for the entire region,” said Joe Lacob, Co-Executive Chairman and

This is an artist’s perspective of the new Golden State Warriors arena.

CEO of the Warriors. “Our goal is to not only build a worldclass arena for our team and our fans, but also create a

vibrant place that residents and visitors will want to enjoy, whether on game days or any other day.”

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