Edge Davao 7 Issue 197

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VOL. 7 ISSUE 197 • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014

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EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

PEKING DUCK GETS SP NOD

SIMBANG GABI. Christmas is officially here as Roman Catholic devotees troop to Davao City’s churches early morning yesterday to attend the first day of the “Simbang Gabi” (dawn mass). “Simbang Gabi” is a Filipino tradition that starts nine days before Christmas day. Lean Daval Jr.

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

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abf@edgedavao.net

FTER deferring the matter numerous times in the plenary discussion, the Davao City Council yesterday ap-

proved the establishment of a Peking Duck processing plant in the city.

In yesterday’s regular session, the City Council

passed the resolution “on the request of Vicente L. Lao, president of the Maharlika Agro-Marine Ventures Corporation, for favorable endorsement of the City Council of Davao relative to the estab-

lishment of the Peking Duck dressing plant in Barangay Tamugan, Marilog.”

During the deliberation, Lao’s counsel lawyer Sara Z. Duterte–Carpio was invited by committee on agriculture and

food chair councilor Marissa Salvador-Abella to shed light on the issues raised during the previous sessions.

Duterte-Carpio -- the former mayor and daughter of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte -- told

the councilors that her client complied with all the requirements when he applied for a business permit only to be told by the Business Bureau that the dressing plant is “akin

FPEKING, 10

2 THE BIG NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 197 • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014

CHRISTMAS DELICACY. Church-goers who attended the first day of the “Simbang Gabi” (dawn mass) crowd a stall selling “puto bumbong” outside San Pedro Catherdral along Bolton Street in Davao City early morning yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

to borrow P2B Council urged to create DCWD for pipe improvement policy on desilting rivers T

By CHENEEN R. CAPON crc@edgedavao.net

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

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abf@edgedavao.net

ASK Force Bantay Suba urged the Davao City Council to pass an ordinance formulating a policy for the desiltation of the rivers that fall under the watershed protected area.

In a privilege speech in yesterday’s regular session, committee on environment and natural resources chair councilor Leonardo Avila III, who is also the member of the task force, said there is a need to remove the rocks that cause the siltation on the identified rivers.

Avila’s request to the City Council came out during the task force’s first meeting last September 23 in which the members agreed on the urgent need to desilt the rivers.

“It was noted… that there is a need to desilt certain areas in Davao City. The problem that we have is that, if we take a look on some of the rivers, we see that the river lacks desiltation,” Avila said.

He said the rivers which are covered under the watershed protected and conservation area are now silted with

rocks because quarrying is already banned in the identified rivers.

Avila said the task force wants to remove the rocks in the rivers but the city has no equipment to do it. The task force might ask the private companies for help, he said.

“There are now quarrying on those rivers now. But the negative effect is that if you do not remove those stones then, it will go to the banks of the river,” he said.

Avila said gradual erosion on the banks will result if the

stones and other rocks are not removed. He said it will also endanger the residents who live near the rivers since the water could overflow.

In an interview after the session, Avila told reporters that this proposal came from the request of the barangay captains for many years.

He said the rivers such as those in Barangay Tamugan and Suwawan in Marilog, Lacson in Calinan, and others have been declared protected areas by the Watershed Manage-

FCOUNCIL, 10

HE Davao City Water District (DCWD) will be borrowing P2 billion from the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) for the improvement of water pipelines and reservoirs next year.

Speaking in Monday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Annex, incoming DCWD spokesperson lawyer Bernado D. Delima said the DCWD intends to replace existing pipelines in different areas in the city.

Delima said steel pipes will be laid along Bacaca Road; Mamay Road, including portion of Diversion Road (Buhangin Gym to Panacan Reservoir fronting F. Bangoy International Airport), and Mamay JP Laurel to Alcantara; and Alcantara to Department of Public Works

and Highways (DPWH) depot Panacan going to Diversion Road up to Panacan Reservoir fronting airport.

“These are the part of the 18 packages-projects that will start next year,” Delima said.

He said the rest of the projects are yet to be finalized.

“The projected cost will amount to at least P2 billion,” he added.

Outgoing DCWD spokesperson Imelda Magsuci said the replacement of pipelines and construction of a water reservoir are both preparation for the operation of the Tamugan Surface Water Development Project by 2018.

JV Angeles Construction in consortium with Aboitiz Equity Ventures intends to start the

tal planted with coconut.

She said around 1,300 hectares in the two areas can be planted with the 700,000 seedlings.

“We projected that each hectare planted with coconut will need at least 500 cacao seedlings,” she said.

Recoter projected that more than 500 cacao farmers will benefit from the distribution of cacao seedlings in the region.

She said DA 11 is targeting to expand cacao production areas in the region in order to increase the region’s contribution in the national cacao production. This is in line with the target to produce 100,000

metric tons of cacao by 2020.

Based on last year’s record of the Bureau of Agriculture Statistics (BAS), Davao Region accounts for 55 percent or 5,193 hectares of the 9,480 hectare total production area of the Philippines.

Mindanao, which has a total 7,413 hectares planted with cacao, contributes 78.6 percent of the country’s total land production.

“If we will maintain the 55 percent share in the total production area, we still have to plant more or less 55,000 hectares in the region until 2020,” Recoter said.

She said the country’s cur-

FDCWD, 10

Koronadal City to host DA doubles budget for cacao development Batang Pinoy games

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HE Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) has chosen Koronadal City in South Cotabato as host of the 2015 edition of the Philippine Youth Games-National Batang Pinoy.

Koronadal City Mayor Peter Miguel said PSC chair Ricardo Garcia personally relayed such development on Monday during the final bidding for the hosting of the 2015 Palarong Pambansa that was initially won by Tagum City in Davao del Norte.

He said the city is very much ready to host the National Batang Pinoy games, which

will be held in December next year.

The 2014 National Batang Pinoy, which was hosted by Bacolod City and Negros Occidental province, was held last Dec. 9 to 13.

“It’s also a major sporting event so we must prepare hard for it,” he said in a radio interview.

A team from the city government led by Mayor Miguel represented the city in the final bidding on Monday for the Palaro that was hosted by the Department of Education (DepEd) central office.

FKORONADAL, 10

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HE allocation for next year’s development program for Davao Region’s cacao industry more than doubled over this year’s budget, Department of Agriculture (DA) 11 regional director Remelyn Recoter.

The approved 2015 budget for cacao reached a total of P52 million, higher than the less than P25 million 2014 budget allocation.

Recoter said the DA put a high prioritization on the cacao industry because of its huge potential in the global market brought on by high demand.

Of the P1.4 billion total budget next year, DA 11 allo-

cated P52 million or almost 50 percent of the whole budget for cacao.

“The budget is purposely for procurement of cacao planting materials, marketing support, more irrigation projects, post harvest facilities, and extension and training of farmers,” Recoter told reporters in the recent Mindanao Cacao Summit and Inter-agency Convergence at the Waterfront Insular Hotel.

A large chunk of the cacao industry development budget will be used for the procurement of at least 700,000 cacao seedlings that will be intercropped with coconut in areas in Davao City and Davao Orien-

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VOL. 7 ISSUE 197 • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014

NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

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Aquino to de Lima: Overhaul Bilibid P RESIDENT Benigno S. Aquino III has given Justice Secretary Leila de Lima specific instructions to stop all illegal activities in the New Bilibid Prison (NBP), a Palace official said on Tuesday.

In a press briefing in Malacañang, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said President Aquino wants the Department of Justice (DOJ) to conduct a thorough investigation to halt all abuses and criminal activities in the NBP. “Iyong pagsasagawa ng malawakan at malalimang pagsisiyasat ay bahagi ng mga repormang ipinapatupad ni Pangulong Aquino alinsunod sa patakarang daang matuwid

at good governance,” Coloma said when asked about the President’s instruction to Secretary de Lima.

He said the President is worried about the proliferation of firearms in the NBP, so he instructed Secretary de Lima to investigate and carry out reforms at the national penitentiary.

“Samantala patuloy pa rin ang pag-aaral doon sa mga kaganapan doon, ‘yung pag-dismantle ng mga kubol na mayroong mga kasangkapan na maaaring ginagamit in violation of existing rules ng ating national penitentiary, at lalo’t higit ang pagpigil sa mga iligal na aktibidad na tila patuloy pa ring nagaganap na naisiwalat

FAQUINO, 10 TIGHT SECURITY. Roman Catholic devotees submit themselves to a security check before entering the premises of San Pedro Cathedral during

HIV cases continue to rise in Davao Norte

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HEALTH official here said the Human Immune Virus/Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) in this province continues to rise and spread.

In Davao del Norte, the total HIV/AIDS cases since 1984 numbered to a total of 102, according to the data from the National Epidemiology Center.

Tagum City health officer Dr. Arnel Florendo said in Tagum City alone, 38 cases were noted last year and the present count has reached 47 cases.

Florendo said these data show that there are still many who do not undergo screening because they are afraid of discrimination.

He said society should not treat HIV-positive individuals with derision.

Florendo said HIV cannot detected since there are no symptoms leading to it.

“The window period

is from three weeks to six months, in which the HIV cannot be detected. However, a person with HIV even during those periods can infect other persons,” he said.

Florendo advised people that in order to control the spread of HIV/AIDS, they should follow the ABCDE of HIV/AIDS prevention -– Abstinence, Be mutually monogamous, Correct use of condoms, Do not use injectable, and Education.

He also encouraged those who have problems with their reproductive systems or those who think might have gotten in contact with an HIV-positive person to go to testing centers, assuring them that their identity and the results will remain confidential.

As of now, he said that only the Tagum City Health Office and the Davao Regional Hospital in Tagum has the facility that is authorize to conduct the testing. (PNA)

the first day of the “Simbang Gabi” (dawn mass) in Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

Cruise ship stranded in GenSan removed T

HE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) successfully moved to deeper waters early Tuesday afternoon a Panamanian cruise ship that ran aground last Friday off the shores of this city.

Lt. Jay Tarriela, commander of the PCG station here, said they were able to remove the stranded MV Victory Pacific near the shores of Barangay Dadiangas West here after the tide in the area rose to its “highest level.”

He said they started the extraction of the 23,000-ton vessel at around 11:30 a.m. using two salvage boats of salvor firm Harbor Star Shipping Services Inc. “It reached the designated

anchorage area at 12:50 p.m.,” Tarriela said.

The vessel’s removal came a day earlier from its targeted extraction on Wednesday afternoon as set during a technical meeting called by the PCG on Monday.

Tarriela said they maintained a close watch on the vessel and the condition of the tide and eventually saw an opportunity to proceed with its extraction.

“When the tide rose, we noticed that the vessel also started to move. So we immediately made a move to extract it,” he said.

The official said they did not face any difficulty in moving the ship as they were aid-

ed by the strong winds.

Commodore George Ursabia, commander of PCG Southeastern Mindano, earlier said they decided during a technical meeting on Monday to start the salvage operations on Wednesday afternoon when the tide in the area was foreseen to be at its highest level.

The meeting was attended by city officials and representatives from salvor firm Harbor Star Shipping Services Inc., which was tapped by the PCG to lead the salvage operations.

Also present was the vessel’s Indian captain identified as Shezada Khan.

During the meeting, the

FCRUISE, 10

Two Popemobiles being readied for Papal visit

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LAST DAY. Davao City councilors gather to discuss issues and concerns to be tackled during the last session of the year at the Sangguniang Panlungsod in Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

official said the city government and other local stakeholders agreed to set their interventions on a phased basis.

“Phase one will be the extraction of the vessel, phase two will be the damage assessment and phase three will be the negotiations for compensation on the damages,” he said.

A PCG report said the cruise ship came from Mexico City in Mexico and was en route to Singapore when it ran out of bunker fuel last Friday.

The vessel, which was forced to use diesel fuel, ran aground while trying to reach the Makar port here to refuel.

MV Victory Pacific, which

WO Popemobiles are being prepared by the organizers of the 2015 Papal Visit of Pope Francis to the country early next year.

According to Fr. David Concepcion, in charge for transportation of the apostolic and state visit, they are manufacturing more than one popemobile as they will provide one each for Manila and Tacloban.

“We have prepared two vehicles. The January 16 event will be at the Manila Cathedral and the SM Mall of Asia and it will be finished may be later in the evening. If we will use only one vehicle, we might have a hard time transporting it from Manila to Tacloban since the event there will be the following morning, January 17. Since we have two, the second car will be stationed in Tacloban,” he explained during the week-

ly media briefing for the papal visit on Tuesday in Manila.

The Catholic priest explained that the Holy Father has requested that the popemobile will be open, with no windows and doors, no airconditioning, not bulletproof but has a roof.

He added that the popemobile has three characteristics: vulnerable, open, and accessible.

“Ang pagkavulnerable ng pope ay nagpapahayag na napaka vulnerable ang simbahan, kung ano ang ramdam ng tao ramdam nya (Pope Francis) kung umulan mababasa din sya. Ang popemobile ang isang pahayag ng pakikiramay, daupang palad sa sambayanan. Bukas at walang aircon, para madinig niya ang sigaw ng mga tao at Accessible,

FTWO, 10

4 SUBURBIA EDGEDAVAO

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 197 • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014

DavOr stages ‘kiddie fun’ Christmas party P

ROVINCE of Davao Oriental – After two years without an employees’ get-together for the holidays, the Provincial Capitol staged this year’s Christmas Party, considered by far one of the most fun and exciting parties ever held for the Capitol family.

Held at the Subangan Parkland at the Provincial Tourism Complex in the City of Mati last December 12, this year’s theme was “kiddie fun” which saw Capitol employees garbed in their kids’ party attire or donning their childhood fantasy characters.

“It’s so nice to feel like a child. After all, there is a saying that Christmas is for children,” Governor Corazon N. Malanya-

on said. “We set the world aside to rejoice in the birth of Christ. We celebrate Christmas in all of its memories and all of its meanings. I think that is the reason why we planned this to be a children’s Christmas Party,” she added.

“We want this party to be an unforgettable one as we are trying to collect memories for us to remember. This also strengthens our bond as well as our fellowship,” the governor said.

Capitol employees were thrilled to finally have a celebration this year after not holding a celebration in the last two years brought about by unfortunate events. In 2012, the province was hit by

typhoon Pablo which flattened three of its towns in the east coast. The following year, in 2013, Davao Oriental sympathized and mourned with the people of Visayas who were ravaged by typhoon Yolanda.

Most joyous Christmas party Aside from the overwhelming entertainment presentations and performances, Capitol employees consider this year’s Christmas Party the most joyous one because of the bonuses that were much higher than in the past years.

Malanyaon said this is the sign of her gratitude to all of the Capitol employees who have worked hard with her throughout the challenges the

tive University, ASEAN-Korea Co-prosperity,” the event aimed to improve the bilateral cooperation between ASEAN and the Republic of Korea.

It provided a great opportunity for Korean and ASEAN universities’ rectors to share their opinions and knowledge regarding the role of higher education in promoting exchanges between the ASEAN member states.

Among the topics discussed were “Fostering of Future Leaders Taking the Lead of Asian Era,” together with “Engine for Economic Growth:

University,” and “One Asia, Student and Faculty Mobility.”

The rectors’ conference was a parallel event to the ASEAN-Korea Commemorative Summit that also aimed to build up cooperation between ASEAN members and Korea.

Overall, the event successfully gathered brilliant ideas from different university rectors all over the ASEAN community which will then be used by universities to properly position themselves in the upcoming integration this 2015.

USEP president attends Korea-ASEAN Confab U

NIVERSITY of Southeastern Philippines (USEP) president Dr. Perfecto A. Alibin attended the Korea-ASEAN University Rectors’ Conference in Busan, South Korea, on December 11, 2014.

USEP was one of only three universities in the country invited by Hwang, Woo Yea, Minister of Education of the Republic of Korea. The other two universities were the University of the Philippines and De la Salle University.

With the theme “Innova-

province had encountered.

In her speech, the governor announced this year’s Christmas bonus. For the elected officials, heads and assistant heads, executive assistants and consultants, P25,000. For the rank and file, P20,000. For job orders who have serviced for 6 months and above, P15,000, and job orders below six months P5,000.

More reasons to celebrate Malanyaon said despite all the adversities and trials the province went through in the last two years, the province still has more reasons to celebrate as it manage to uphold its status as the Champion Province in the entire region.

It practically championed

all aspects of governance, such as in disaster preparedness, health facility enhancement, local collection efficiency, and agriculture, among others.

Just recently, the province was once again cited by the Mindanao Rural Development Program as the best performing provincial LGU in the whole Mindanao for the implementation of the Cateel Irrigation System, which is by far the biggest project realized under the program.

Another of its groundbreaking milestones is the realization of the Subangan Provincial Museum that had been drawing a lot of people.

Also this year, one of the province’s properties – the

Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary – was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and as an ASEAN Heritage Site.

“We have a lot to celebrate because we have milestones and accomplishments. We have every reason to celebrate because we have worked together. We worked hard as a team and we were able to attain much to gain these milestones,” Malanyaon said.

“Practically all that happened is a testament of our resiliency, of our determination, of our competencies as well as our capacities. We really thank God to all that is happening to our province,” she added. By Karen Lou Deloso/ Photos by Eden Jhan Licayan

USEP president Dr. Perfecto A. Alibin (left) at the Korea-ASEAN University Rectors’ Conference in Busan, South Korea.

5 ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 197 • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014

House ratifies P2.6T 2015 nat’l budget T

HE House of Representatives on Monday ratified the 2015 proposed P2.606 trillion national budget and approved on third and final reading the Palace-proposed P22.46-billion supplemental budget.

Deputy Speaker and Nationalist People’s Coalition Rep. Giorgidi Aggabao of Isabela said majority of the lawmakers voted separately for the passage of the House Bill 5237 (supplemental budget) and 2015 General Appropriation Act. Under the proposed 2015 GAA, the Congress has adopted a new definition of savings.

The bill said the president, the Senate president, speaker of the House, Supreme Court chief justice, the head of constitutional commission enjoying fiscal autonomy, and the Ombudsman are hereby authorized to use savings in their respective appropriations to augment actual deficiencies incurred for the current year in any item of their respective appropriations.

It also said that the foregoing constitutional officers authorized to use savings shall be responsible for ensuring that a semestral and annual report on their respective use of savings shall be submitted to the Senate Committee on Finance and the House Committee

on Appropriations, copy furnished the DBM. The budget bill said that savings may likewise refer to available balances of appropriations from unused compensation, unfilled, vacant positions, non-entitlement to allowance and benefits, leaves of absence without pay and unutilized pension and retirement benefits arising from death of pensioners.

The Department of Education (DepED) will get lion’s share of 2015 budget with the DepEd’s proposed P364.95 billion budget for next year.

Next to Deped are Department of Public Works and Highways with P300.51 billion, Department of National Defense, P144.03 billion; Department of the Interior and Local Government, P141.42 billion; Department of Social Welfare and Development, P108.97 billion and Department of Health with P102.17 billion.

The government has also allotted P88.81 billion for Department of Agriculture, P59.46 billion for Department of Transportation and Communications, P21.29 billion for Department of Environment and Natural Resources and P20.28 billion for the judiciary.

The lower chamber also on Monday approved the Palace-proposed P22.46-billion

CHRISTMAS POSE. The Royal Mandaya Hotel department heads and staff led by general manager Beniie Banzon (6th from right) pose for a photograph with Edge Davao editor-in-chief Antonio Ajero (4th from left) after their Christmas dance performance at the Edge Davao office along Quirino Avenue yesterday. Lean Daval Jr. supplemental budget.

The supplemental budget will be transmitted this week to the Senate for its own deliberations.

President Aquino has certified as urgent the supplemental budget, meaning the lower chamber can approve

the measure on second and third reading in the same day.

Meanwhile, big chunks of the supplemental budget were allotted to Department of the Interior and Local Government-Philippine National Police (P2.8 billion); Department of Public Works

and Highways (P1.9 billion); Department of Social Welfare and Development-National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (P1.9 billion); DSWD-emergency shelter assistance for victims of Typhoon Yolanda (P2 billion); Department of

Transportation and Communications-Metro Rail Transit 3 Rehabilitation and Capacity Extension (P1.2 billion) and National Housing Authority-construction of permanent housing for victims of Typhoon Yolanda (P7.9 billion).

(PNA)

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THE ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 197 • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014

Shell signs deal to protect Tubbataha

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HELL companies in the Philippines (SciP) through its social arm Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI) signed Monday night with the management office of the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park (TRNP) a memorandum of agreement (MOA) that is committed to support the protected marine park for five years at P2.5 million per year.

PSFI Executive Director Edgar Veron Cruz signed the agreement with Tubbataha Management Office (TMO) Superintendent Angelique Songco and other representatives of concerned agencies during the Paskuhan 2014 Christmas Party that it hosted with the Malampaya Foundation, Inc. (MFI) and the Malampaya Joint Venture Partners composed of the Department of Energy, Chevron Malampaya LLC, PNOC-EC, and Shell Philippines Exploration B.V. for their program partners, friends, and community supporters in this city and the province.

Cruz told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) in an exclusive interview that the partnership with Tubbataha began when Shell International and the UNESCO World Heritage Center provided technical support to assist in the development of a business plan.

The partnership continued with the provision of SciP of P3 million for information, education, communication and capacity building activities via the project “Sustaining Conservation Gains in the TRNP.” “The project has so far benefited nearly 2,000 fisher folk and over 7,000 students, as Shell continues to provide

funding for public outreach, capacity building and research activities,” Cruz said.

Cruz said that with the new MOA, SciP and the PSFI are committed to provide P2.5 million each year for five years to Tubbataha that can be used in monitoring and research.

“It’s for five years… the memorandum of agreement we signed is for five years…five years of support, we will be providing them funds amounting to P2.5 million each year.

All in all P12.5 million for five years so, they can have enough funds for them to be able to do monitoring… assessment of marine resources, water quality, coral research, avian treasures on the islets… those that need to be protected,” Cruz stated.

He added that “eventually, SciP and PSFI will help the Tubbataha secure funds from the national government to further protect the marine park that is a treasure of the Philippines.”

“It is only right that the Filipino people give protection to Tubbataha because though it is in Palawan, it is theirs too,” he added.

“We are very happy that we will rest for a while in looking for funds for our monitoring activities in Tubbataha because of Shell’s partnership with us,” Songco said.

Before the MOA, Songco explained that “year after year, they would be looking for funds for the marine park.”

With Shell’s support, they can rest easy for a while to do their information campaigns to protect the marine park, and to conduct research activities that are needed to determine its overall health. (PNA)

Additional P5K bonus for gov’t employees

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N line with rewarding civil servants for their hard work and motivating them towards higher productivity, Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad reported that government employees will be receiving a one-time P5,000 bonus for the year starting on Monday, December 15.

According to DBM records as of October 31, about 1.4 million national government employees (civilian and uniformed personnel) will be granted the Productivity Enhancement Incentive (PEI) of a maximum of P5,000 and totaling around P7 billion. Abad clarified that this is on top of the year-end bonus equivalent to a month’s pay and the additional P5,000 cash gift recently provided by the department across-the-board.

“We will be providing our employees the PEI worth P5,000 as recognition of their efforts and consistent showing this year. We also hope

to motivate them further to increase their efficiency and overall performance as we collectively continue pursuing our socio-economic development goals,” Abad said.

Under Budget Circular 2014-3, the PEI will be granted to employees who are in active service as of October 31 and have rendered at least a total or an aggregate of four months of service for the year. On the other hand, employees who have rendered less than four months will be entitled to pro-rated PEI. While the PEI of national government agencies will be sourced from the Miscellaneous Personnel Benefits Fund (MPBF) under the 2014 budget, the PEI for the employees of government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs) and government financial institutions (GFIs) will be charged against their respective approved corporate operating budgets for the year.

(PNA)

CHRISTMAS TREE. A Sendong victim decorates their Christmas tree at the relocation site in Phase 1, Barangay Indahag, Cagayan de Oro City on December 15, 2014. After three years, electricity and water has finally been installed at the relocation site, allowing the residents to put out Christmas trees and lanterns. MindaNews photo by Froilan Gallardo

Ombudsman junks cases vs top Customs officials

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

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crc@edgedavao.net

HE Office of the Ombudsman dismissed the cases filed by suspected illegal rice importer Bold Bidder Marketing and General Merchandise against top officials of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) led by Commissioner John P. Sevilla which stem for the Bureau’s refusal to release the firm’s rice shipments.

In a joint resolution, the Ombudsman dismissed Bold Bidder’s complaint against Sevilla; Deputy Commissioners Maria Edita Tan, Agaton Uvero, Ariel Nepumoceno and Jessie Dellosa, as well as Ernesto Benitez, Jr, Acting District Collector, BOC-Port of Batangas, because the “refusal to heed a court order must be addressed by the Court, not by (the Office of the Ombudsman).”

Last February, Bold Bidder, represented by Ivy Souza, filed cases against Customs officials for violation of Republic Act (RA) 3019, or The Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, for their refusal to release complainant’s rice importation

despite the issuance of the December 10, 2013 Writ of Preliminary Injunction by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Lemery, Batangas.Souza also filed administrative cases for violating RA 6713, or The Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, for the officials’ refusal to clear Bold Bidder’s rice shipments.

Bold Bidder is one of the five biggest rice companies that the BOC said imported rice without the required NFA permits.

The BOC said Bold Bidder imported a total of 12.8 million kilograms (or over 12,800 metric tons) of rice without NFA permits with total dutiable value of P186.5 million and with market value estimated at about P512 million.

The shipments were seized by the BOC and placed under Alert Orders because the firm failed to secure import permits, a violation of NFA Memorandum Circular No. AO-2K13-03-003.

In a statement, Sevilla welcomed the dismissal of the cases, saying it affirms the stand of the BOC that it is simply performing its functions.

“Our laws are very clear: the importation of rice must be supported by the required NFA permits and we have strictly and consistently upheld this policy. Bold Bidder and other rice traders who imported rice without the required NFA permits have danced around our legal system to try to get their smuggled rice out of the ports. Filing cases against us cannot and will not stop us from doing our job,” he said.

The Bureau has already filed smuggling-related cases against Bold Bidder representative Ivy Souza and the firm’s customs brokers Denise Kathryn Rosaroso, John Kevin Cisneros, Francis Rudolph Forneste and Elbert Lusterio for the illegal entry of over 12.8-Million kilograms (over 12,800 Metric Tons) of rice through Manila and Cebu.

Last September, the Batangas Regional Trial Court dismissed Bold Bidder’s petition for declaratory relief against the NFA and BOC, for lack of jurisdiction.

In a 20-page Resolution, Batangas RTC Branch 5 Judge Eleuterio Larisma Bathan held that the trial court cannot assume jurisdiction over Souza’s petition because she had already violated NFA Memorandum Circular No. AO-2K13-03-003, which requires an importer to have an NFA import permit prior to the importation of rice.

Presidential Decree Number 4 mandates that only the NFA can import rice and private entities that wish to do so must secure a permit from the agency.

NFA Memorandum Circular Number AO-2K13-03-003 further stipulates that duly-licensed importers must apply to import rice to the NFA, which in turn would determine eligibility and set the allowed volume.

the implementation of projects under its Food Security Program in the region next year.

Also known as Soccsksargen, the region comprises the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, North Cotabato and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato.

The mayor said the lined up projects included the construction of a “Double-A” standard abattoir or slaughterhouse in this city.

The National Meat Inspec-

tion Services in Region 12 earlier said constructing a complete slaughterhouse that will pass the “double A” classification standards will cost about P5 million.

For 2016, Rivera said the DA central office proposed for an additional funding of around P489 million for the region.

He said the funds will be utilized for the upgrading of 23 more farm-to-market roads with a total length of 45.63 kilometers (km), of which 8.35 km will be in this city.

The approved projects included the construction of three rice and corn mills and a project management office for the Soccsksargen ADP, he said.

The mayor said he initially pledged to provide the required 15-percent local counterpart for the road project.

“I’m excited with these projects. (They will help) make GenSan a progressive city that has a sustainable economy and enough support facilities for the entry of new investments,” Rivera said in a statement.

(MindaNews)

DA allots P792M for agri-related infra in R12

T

HE Department of Agriculture (DA) is investing around P792 million for the development and upgrading of more farm-to-market roads and various vital agricultural support facilities in parts of Region 12 in the next two years.

City Mayor Ronnel Rivera said DA officials disclosed the funding in a meeting last week for the agency-led Soccsksargen Area Development Project (ADP) held in Davao City.

He said DA specifically allotted some P303 million for

7 HEALTH

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 197 • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014

Sleep right, sleep tight

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

Photo from Wikipedia OES it often take you more than 30 minutes to fall asleep at night?

Or do you wake up frequently during the night – or too early in the morning – and have a hard time going back to sleep?

When you awaken, do you feel groggy and lethargic? Do you feel drowsy during the day particularly during monotonous situations?

If you answered “yes” to any one of these questions, you may have a “sleep debt” that is affecting you in ways you don’t even realize. Until the 1950s, most people thought of sleep as a passive, dormant part of our daily lives. We now know that our brains are very active during sleep. Moreover, sleep affects our daily functioning and our physical and mental health in many ways that we are just beginning to understand.

“To sleep – perchance to dream,” wrote William Shakespeare in his masterpiece play, “Hamlet.” It’s a nice concept.

However for many men, women and children, the elusive road to slumberland is anything but a dream.

In the United States, surveys conducted by the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) reveal that 60 percent of adults report having sleep problems a few nights a week or more.

In addition, more than 40 percent of adults experience daytime sleepiness severe enough to interfere with their daily activities at least a few days each month – with 20 percent reporting problem sleepiness

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a few days a week or more.

Why do you sleep and what happens when you sleep? Sleep is not merely a “time out” from our busy routines; it is essential for good health, mental and emotional functioning and safety. For instance, researchers have found that people with chronic insomnia are more likely than others to develop several kinds of psychiatric problems, and are also likely to make greater use of healthcare services. People suffering from sleep apnea are likely to have higher blood pressure while they sleep and suffer from excessive daytime sleepiness.

Recently, scientists have come to recognize that sleep is regulated by two entirely different systems. One system is the sleep homeostat.

This functions like a drive that “builds up during wakefulness in pretty much a linear fashion and is discharged when you sleep,” explains Dr. Arthur Spielman, associate director of the Center for Sleep Medicine at New York Presbyterian-Cornell Medical College. The homeostatic pressure to sleep depends not only on how long you are awake but on how active you are while awake.

But if you build up a need for sleep in a linear fashion, one would think you’d get sleepier as the day proceeds. It doesn’t happen quite that way. Enter circadian rhythms, the regular changes in mental and physical characteristics that occur in the course of a day (circadian is Latin for “around a day”).

Most circadian rhythms are controlled by the body’s biological “clock.”

“The circadian system is tied, albeit imperfectly, to cycles of light and dark,” informs Hara Estroff Marano, editor-at-large of “Psychology Today.” “We have dedicated sensors on the retina that deliver the daytime/nighttime message directly to the pineal gland tucked deep inside the brain. In response to darkness, this tiny nodule of brain tissue produces the sleep-inducing hormone melatonin, broadcasting the sandman’s message to brain areas that govern everything from body temperature to protein synthesis to hormone production to alertness.”

Circadian rhythm guides the body through cycles of sleep and alertness. Ironically, it tissues its strongest alerting force in a burst lasting from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., perfect for dinner-party repartee. After 8 p.m., alertness begins to fade, permitting a person to doze off. This same system makes you sleepiest in the early morning, from 4 a.m. to 6 a.m.

When travelers pass from one time zone to another, they suffer from disrupted circadian rhythms, an uncomfortable feeling known as jet lag. For instance, if you travel from Manila to Ohio, you “lose” 12 hours according to your body’s clock. You will feel tired when the alarm rings at 8 a.m. the next morning because, according to your body’s clock, it is still 8 p.m. It usually takes sev-

eral days for your body’s cycles to adjust to the new time.

How much sleep do we need? “The amount of sleep each person needs depends on many factors, including age,” says the NSF. Infants generally require about 16 hours a day, while teenagers need about 9 hours on average. For most adults, 7 to 8 hours a night appears to be the best amount of sleep, although some people may need as few as 5 hours or as many as 10 hours of sleep each day. Women in the first 3 months of pregnancy often need several more hours of sleep than usual. The amount of sleep a person needs also increases if he or she has been deprived of sleep in previous days.

Getting too little sleep creates a “sleep debt,” which is much like being overdrawn at a bank. Eventually, your body will demand that the debt be repaid. “We don’t seem to adapt to getting less sleep than we need,” says Dr. Richard Gelula, NSF’s executive director, “while we may get used to a sleep-depriving schedule, our judgment, reaction time, and other functions are still impaired.”

People tend to sleep more lightly and for shorter time spans as they get older, although they generally need about the same amount of sleep as they needed in early adulthood. About half of all people over 65 have frequent sleeping problems, such as insomnia, and deep sleep stages in many elderly people often

become very short or stop completely. This change may be a normal part of aging, or it may result from medical problems that are common in elderly people and from the medications and other treatments for those problems.

Sleep research is expanding and attracting more and more attention from scientists. Researchers now know that sleep is an active and dynamic state that greatly influences our waking hours, and they realize that we must understand sleep to fully understand the brain. Innovative techniques, such as brain imaging, can now help researchers understand how different brain regions function during sleep and how different activities and disorders affect sleep.

Understanding the factors that affect sleep in health and disease also may lead to revolutionary new therapies for sleep disorders and to ways of overcoming jet lag and the problems associated with shift work. We can expect these and many other benefits from research that will allow us to truly understand sleep’s impact on our lives.

Having trouble getting a good night sleep? Here are a few tips many people have found to be useful: * Avoid caffeine, nicotine and alcohol in the late afternoon and evening. Caffeine and nicotine can delay your sleep, and alcohol may interrupt your sleep later in the night. * If you have trouble

sleeping when you go to bed, don’t nap during the day, since it affects your ability to sleep at night. * Exercise regularly, but do so at least three hours before bed-time. A workout after that time may actually keep you awake because your body has not had a chance to cool down. * Establish a regular, relaxing bedtime routine that will allow you to unwind and send a “signal” to your brain that it’s time to sleep. Avoiding exposure to bright light before bedtime and taking a hot bath may help. * Don’t use your bed for anything other than sleep or sex. Your bed should be associated with sleep. * Consider your sleep environment. Make it as pleasant, comfortable, dark and quiet as you can. * If you can’t go to sleep after 30 minutes, don’t stay in bed tossing and turning.

Get up and involve yourself in a relaxing activity, such as listening to soothing music or reading, until you feel sleepy.

Remember: Try to clear your mind; don’t use this time to solve your daily problems.

The Greek philosopher Sophocles once remarked that “sleep is the only medicine that gives ease.” As researchers seek to unravel the remaining mysteries surrounding sleep, many more men, women, and children should soon find a night in the bed a more pleasant pill to take – rest assured.

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EDGEDAVAO

VANTAGE

EDITORIAL

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VOL. 7 ISSUE 197 • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014

Overhaul?

HAT the New Bilibid Prison is being used as a private kingdom by rich and powerful inmates is no longer new. The facility, which houses men and women convicted of crime, has been in the news before for exactly the same thing, with prisoners being discovered as smuggling in various items that, for the life of us, could not have escaped the watchful eyes of upright security personnel. We are not talking of cigarettes and other such small luxuries here; the items found inside the prison include television sets, appliance, and even Jacuzzis. There is no way these things could have ended up in the prison cells other than with the cooperation of prison guards and even officials.

The reality is that the Bilibid is as prone to corruption as any other institution in the Philippines, and as such it can be ruled not by wardens or prison guards but by drug lords and other criminals who have had the misfortune of being convicted of crimes. They soon learn that being prisoners does not have to mean being deprived of the luxuries they used to enjoy in the outside world. Guards can be

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controlled and bought, and their fellow prisoners can be used as pawns to do their legwork for them. The result is that crime lords can still be on top of their operations even while confined to the walls of the New Bilibid Prison.

Previous exposés had left the outside world scandalized that those who should be living under strict rules are actually the ones governing the prison. Unfortunately, nothing has ever come out of these scandals. Indeed, it is highly unlikely that even the current brouhaha over the state of the prison will result in anything, even with President Benigno Aquino himself ordering Justice Secretary Leila de Lima to overhaul the facility. There is too little political will to complete the job, and the ones who will be tasked to perform the overhauling are themselves eminently corruptible. The people want to see the day that prisoners are truly made to pay for their crimes, but they also realize that it may be an impossible dream. For the victims of these lowlifes, in particular, the lifestyle of the rich and powerful inside the New Bilibid Prison is a slap in their faces.

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

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OES a congressman or senator—or any public official, for that matter— have the right to be re-elected at taxpayers’ expense? Of course not, but this presumptuous attitude underpins the insistence of certain people that funds be set aside for legislators and other public officials to use at their discretion.

In fact, a congressman from Davao Oriental was famously quoted as saying: “If you take away the pork barrel, what would we in Congress do for our districts?” It didn’t occur to him that making wise laws on behalf of his constituents was what he was supposed to be doing, and not only for his district.

Such misguided officials actually think this perverted attitude justifies their misuse and abuse of government funds while engaged in “public service.” So there’s no telling what they’ll think of next to recover lost benefits, being experts at detours and shortcuts.

But what’s really pernicious is how their values and attitudes attract or encourage political freeloaders and parasites to run for office at all levels of the bureaucracy in hopes of taking their turn at the till. ***** It was, is, the ease in accessing government funds that enables unscrupulous officials to finance the campaigns of relatives, cronies, or sycophants who would then team up with them in looting the treasury. Remember how the Makati vice mayor admitted he profited as a crony of Mayor Jojo Binay back when they were still close?

“

DO we ever wonder if we were born with no name, live with no education, no job, no money, no looks and no personality?

For the rest of us who belong to the mentioned category, the one thing that gives us pride, belongingness, uniqueness and individualism is our very name! Let us not forget that even when we are down-and out and buried 6 feet under, we still reserve that little space and place that we can be remembered by the living. Let’s keep our name and others really special.” -- Henry Albert Sanson My parents gave me the name “Henry” after watching the movie King Henry V, Laurence Olivier’s film adaptation of William Shakespeare’s play. But since the name was too short, my mother suggested of adding the name, “Lito” (which means “little” in Spanish). That’s why, I think, I am the only person in the world with the name “Henrylito” as it is a combination of English and Spanish names.

Actually, I am writing a piece about names because of a news report written by Vincent Cabreza which appeared in “Philippine Daily Inquirer.” It said that an incoming high school senior has 40 first names — plus a surname.

The parents gave the 15-year-old boy this name -- hold your breath! -- Ratziel Timshel Ismail Zerubbabel Zabud Zimry Pike Blavatsky Philo Judaeus Polidorus Isurenus Morya Nylghara Rakoczy Kuthumi Krishnamurti Ashram Jerram Akasha Aum Ultimus Rufinorum Jancsi Janko Diamond Hu Ziv Zane Zeke Wakeman Wye Muo Teletai Chohkmah Nesethrah Mercavah Nigel Seven Morningstar A. San Juan.

“What’s in a name?” asked William Shakespeare in his tragic British play Romeo and Juliet. “That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” In other

VOL. 7 ISSUE 197 • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014

VANTAGE POINTS

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Attitude matters a lot THE WORM’S EYEVIEW

BY MANNY VALDEHUESA Such connivance has had the effect of overloading the bureaucracy with unfit administrators, legislators, representatives, or kagawads down to the barangay. They make government a source of livelihood or a family enterprise for their dynasty, even supplying cakes for senior citizens.

This practice started more or less contemporaneously with the introduction of internal revenue allotments (IRA) to all local governments starting in 1992.

Awash with new-found cash, even the lowly barangay started to look like the proverbial Horn of Plenty to the unemployed and unemployable in the neighborhoods. ***** Thus, even barangay positions came to be hotly-contested in the neighborhoods, wrecking solidarity in the community.

When it came time to file certificates of candidacy, Comelec offices filled up to bursting point as wannabes elbowed each other to get ahead in the lengthening lines of petty trapos.

It wouldn’t have been so bad if the DILG and concerned congressional committees took the trouble before or after elections to prime the community on pertinent features of the so-called Local Government Code that

enable them to oversee local corruption.

But no one cared about how the new autonomy law was implemented or complied with, leaving the local officials to implement the Code anyway they pleased. No one and no agency bothered to do so elementary a task as explaining the background, rationale, or importance of various features of the Code— especially how it profoundly affected the Republic’s political structure bottom-up. ***** Consequently, even today people barely have an idea of their mandated role in local governance, let alone the urgency of performing it.

Worse, the elected officials—being inadequately informed or ignorant of the law— simply carry on as if governing is their sole prerogative, the powers of government theirs alone to wield, which explains why they treat their constituents like spectators, and manipulate them as partisan cheering squads.

Thus to this day no one knows how erroneous it is for a barangay chairman to sport the colonial title of “Kapitan.” It isn’t even used anywhere in the Code—the actual designation prescribed being “Chairman” or “Punong Barangay.”

This error persists because no one explains why it is inappropriate, why it causes problems at cognitive and operating levels. ***** Not even the department of the interior and local government (DILG), or its Local Government Academy in Los Banos has

bothered to explain the context behind the adoption of “chairman” or “punong barangay” as the correct title—and not “kapitan” or “teniente” as in colonial times.

They don’t know how inappropriate it is to give a military title to the presiding officer of a democratic community of peers or equal citizens?

Barangay chairmen are the chief public servant of the community, not its commander or dictator. They aren’t elected to give out commands; the constituents who elect them are his bosses.

To let them use “kapitan” fuels the attitude that barangay citizens are their subordinate soldiers and orderlies instead of sovereign citizens to whom they are answerable.

It’s unbelievable that no one in the vast bureaucracy of the DILG has figured out that a “Kapitan” by definition is a dictator—someone who dictates or gives out commands; thus entirely wrong and inappropriate for the “prime minister” of the barangay’s parliamentary government.

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

What’s in a name? words, no matter how you call THINK ON THESE! a rose, a rose is still a rose.

Novelist James Joyce once penned: “I shall write a book someday about the appropriateness of names.

Geoffrey Chau- Henrylito D. Tacio cer has a ribald henrytacio@gmail.com ring, as is proper and correct, and Alexander Pope was inevitably Alexander Pope. Colley Cibber was a silly little man without much elegance and Shelley was very Percy and very Bysshe.”

“There is everything in a name,” pointed out George Ade. “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet, but would not cost half as much during the winter months.” Mark Twain contradicts. “Names are not always what they seem,” he said. “The common Welsh name Bzjxxllwcp is pronounced Jackson.”

On permitting Samuel Goldfish to change his name to Samuel Goldwyn, Judge Learned Hand penned: “A self-made man may prefer a self-made name.” William Hazlitt forwarded: “A nickname is the hardest stone that the devil can throw at a man.”

If a picture paints a thousand words, a name alone is worth more than a battalion.

When George Washington agreed to act as commander-in-chief, some felt that the strength of the American forces had been more than doubled.

Years later, in 1798, when Washington retired to Mount Vernon, and it seemed that

France might declare war against the United States, President John Adams wrote to the former general saying, “We must have your name, if you will permit us to use it; there will be more efficacy in it than in many an army.”

And there was that story of a young soldier in Alexander the Great’s army who always backed out when the fighting was fierce.

Alexander was insulted by his action especially when he learned that the soldier has the same name as his. One day, he called him over and told him bluntly, “Either stop being a coward, or change your name.”

“In real life, unlike in Shakespeare, the sweetness of the rose depends upon the name it bears. Things are not only what they are.

They are, in very important respects, what they seem to be,” said Hubert H. Humphrey.

What’s in a name? Plenty, especially if you are a movie star. In fact, most of them have to adopt a screen name in order for them to be remembered. For instance, no one will ever notice Julia Wells but as Julie Andrews, well, she’s the star of The Sound of Music and other musical films.

There are movie stars who never changed their names at all. Here are a few of them: Ursula Andress, Humprey Bogart, Marlon Brando, Olivia de Havilland, Clint Eastwood, Errol Flynn, Clark Gable, Dustin Hoffman, Kris Kristofferson, Mercedes McCambridge, Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley, Cesar Romero, Franchot Tone, Rudy Vallee, Gore Vidal, and King Vidor.

In all languages, certain names are traditionally used to designate men and others are used for women; a number of English names, such as Evelyn or Leslie, can be used for either sex. Names in themselves have no psychological significance, unless one associates a memorable experience with someone of a particular name.

Given names, known among English-speaking people variously as first names, forenames, or Christian or baptismal names, existed before surnames. Christian influence on first names has been especially strong. In some countries, Brazil, for example, a child must be given an appropriate Christian name before he or she can be issued a birth certificate.

Today’s names are oftentimes derived from sources such as the names of the months (April, May, June), precious stones (Ruby), popular contemporary personalities (Jose, Bonifacio), flowers (Sampaguita), places (Luzviminda for Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao), or figures in classical legend (Diana, Jason). New names are frequently coined from the names of the father and mother (Danele from Daniel and Elena).

Why do we need to remember the names of those we meet along the way? This story, written by a college student, tells you why: “During my second month of college, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions until I read the last one: ‘What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?’

“Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank.

Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade.

“Absolutely,’ said the professor. “In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say ‘hello.”

Again, what’s in a name?

10 NEWS Peking... FFROM 1

to a slaughterhouse.”

“All the requirements for a business permit were already complied with except that we are in issue with the Business Bureau with regards to a dressing plant and a slaughterhouse,” Duterte-Carpio said.

She said they told the Business Bureau that the dressing plant is not in the same category as a slaughterhouse “but the Business Bureau insisted that it is. So we went up to the City Council because we need permission from the City Council to operate a slaughterhouse.”

In an interview with reporters, Duterte-Carpio said her client really needed a resolution from the City Council so he can attached it to his application.

“The City Council approved it. We might ask for a provisional temporary permit to operate since we cannot get the business permit immediately,” she said.

She said their request for the temporary permit will still depend on whether or not the Business Bureau will allow.

Duterte-Carpio clarified that the dressing plant is still closed as of this moment since her client received a cease and desist order from the Business Bureau.

The application for en-

dorsement was deferred several times because of issues such as the area where the plant located being part of the watershed protected area declared by the Watershed Management Council.

In the committee report, the Barangay Council of Tamugan passed a resolution dated February 5 imposing no objection to the proposed dressing plant, situated at Sitio Lower B of the barangay.

The City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) said in the report that the land on which the plant is located is classified as agricultural land intended for pineapple based on the Zoning Ordinance of the Davao City.

The City Veterinarian’s Office also stated in the report that it found that the building was already established and the wastewater treatment facilities were already in place when it visited the area. It requested for the furnished copy of the wastewater disposal and good manufacturing practice (GMP).

The City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) said the proposal is a good opportunity for the city but environmental impact must be considered since Tamugan is considered a conservation area.

ment Council (WMC) which ordered the quarry concessionaires to stop their operations.

Last September 23, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo issued Executive Order (EO) No. 40 or “An Act Creating the Task Force Suba sa Dakbayan (TF Suba)” which aims to “efficiently and effectively respond to the environmental concerns in conformity with existing laws for the protection of the river.”

“There is a necessity to create a task force solely aimed to address these serious problems,” Duterte said in the EO. The EO said major problems have been identified involving the rivers in the city which necessitate immediate measures to address or alleviate their serious consequences.

It said the rampant illegal quarry operations within the main river of the city have been monitored and are

feared to cause danger not only on the lives of the community in the vicinity but also in the protection and preservation of these rivers.

It said the presence of huge rocks block the flow of the water along the channels and poses threats of landslides during heavy rains.

Under the EO, the duties and functions of TF Suba is to conduct investigation related to illegal quarrying activities within the river and formulate as well as recommend solutions to the mayor.

The task force will also formulate policies and recommend actions to the mayor relative to the necessity of conducting massive desiltation on identified rivers in the city.

It is also tasked to formulate policies for the protection and preservation of the rivers and prepare reports to be submitted to the mayor.

rent production area for cacao is still less than 10 percent of the 100,000 hectares target to be planted with cacao by 2020.

“So we still have more than 90 percent or more than 90,000 hectares to be planted with cacao by 2020 in order to attain our target of increasing our production and our supply in the global market,” she said.

Philippine cacao production accounts for less than 2 percent of the world’s total production. Stakeholders of cacao industry forecast that there will be a cacao global shortage by 2018.

“We, on the government

side, are positive that we will be able to attain our target because it is not only DA that makes effort but also other agencies, ” Recoter said, referring to Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and local government units (LGUs).

She said different provinces in the country are also crafting their respective Provincial Commodity Investment Plan under the Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP) where each provincial government can include programs for the improvisation of the cacao industry. CRC

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 197 • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014

PAPAL SELFIE. Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang has his photo taken with the image of Pope Francis at Philpost’s Papal visit stamp exhibit area at the Sangguniang Panlungsod in Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

Koronadal... FFROM 2 Miguel said they did everything to convince the selection committee to pick the city as host of next year’s Palaro but was eventually edged by Tagum City.

He said Tagum City earned the nod of the committee due to its newly-completed sports facilities.

The provincial government of Davao del Norte had invested around P243-million for the construction of its provincial sports and cultural center, which features an Olympic-size swimming pool, all-weather oval track and 3,000-capacity grandstand.

“But we were able to show to them that our city is a beautiful and peaceful place as well as an ideal venue for major sporting events,” Miguel said.

The Philippine Youth Games–Batang Pinoy serves as the national sports competition program for children and is envisioned to address the country’s need for a “grassroots sports program

centered on values formation inherent in the practice of sports and play.”

The annual games is spearheaded by the PSC in partnership with DepEd, Department of the Interior and Local Government, and the Leagues of Provinces, Cities, Municipalities and Barangays.

The Philippine Olympic Committee and National Sports Associations run and oversee the technical management of the event.

Prior to the national games, qualifying legs are held for Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

The events featured in the games are arnis, athletics, swimming, triathlon, cycling, boxing, dance sport, cheerdance, volleyball, lawn tennis, table tennis, badminton, chess, softball, taekwondo, futsal, three-on-three basketball, sepak takraw, weightlifting, karatedo, and wrestling.

(MindaNews)

na noong nakaraan,” he said, adding that according to the Justice Secretary, the goal is to make the prison drug-free.

Asked to comment on statements made by some NBP officials that they were not aware of what was going on inside the penitentiary, Coloma warned that the government will hold accountable all personnel responsible for enforcing prison regulations.

“Ayon kay Secretary de Lima, puspusan ang pagsisiyasat na isinasagawa at ang lahat ng responsable sa mga iligal na gawain ay papanagutin at parurusahan,” he said.

A surprise raid of the NBP

on Monday morning yielded drugs, gadgets, sex dolls, pornographic CDs, and even a bathtub and a game console.

Combined forces of law enforcement agencies inspected the NBP maximum security compound where 20 convicted drug lords are incarcerated, following reports that they continue to conduct their drug trade from the national penitentiary.

De Lima said the 20 convicted drug lords will be moved from the NBP to cripple the drug syndicate from continuing its operations while investigations are continuing. (PNA)

is manned by 21 Indian nationals, drifted towards the shores of Purok Silway San Juan of Barangay Dadiangas West, specifically near a community inhabited by informal settlers.

MV Victory Pacific, which

is an ageing vessel, has no passengers on board during the incident.

The vessel listed India as its final destination and where it was reportedly scheduled for decommissioning. (MindaNews)

Aquino... FFROM 3

Cruise... FFROM 3

DCWD... FFROM 2 construction by 2016 after the project design and costing finish in the middle of 2015. The project will be implemented under a public-private partnership scheme.

Magsuci said existing pipelines installed in various parts of the city cannot accommodate the large volume of treated bulk water coming from the new water development project.

Magsuci said the project has a capacity to deliver 215 to 400 million liters of water daily.

“With the completion of the Tamugan Surface Water Development Project, we assume that it will address the low water pressure in some areas in the first and third district as well as in the second district,” she said.

DCWD is supplying potable water to about 192,000 households in the city, with

each consuming an average of 28 cubic liters to 30 cubic liters per month.

She said there will be problem in water supply a few years from now because of the increasing demand for water due to population growth and business growth.

The city’s population increases an average of 2 percent annually. To date, the city has a population of 1.4 million, which is expected to grow to 2.5 million by 2030.

“If the DCWD will not tap Tamugan, it will have a hard time coping,” Delima said. “Tamugan will answer the low water pressure and no water supply problems in some areas of Davao City.”

Magsuci said Davao City cannot rely solely on underground sources as the danger of salination is real, while Davao has a large potential source of surface water. CRC

na ang gusto niya kapag may nakita tigil baba siya kaagad,” he explained.

However, the Catholic priest did not identify the company that made the popemobile upon the request of the car manufacturer.

Pope Francis will arrive at the Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport onboard an Airbus 320 at past 9 am from Villamor Airbase in Pasay City. The same plane will bring him back to Manila in the afternoon.

Meanwhile, Manila Arch-

bishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle reported the activity of Pope Francis in Leyte on January 17, 2015.

“Ang papel ko po ngayong hapon ay bigyan lang po ng pansin yung liturgical celebrations ng Santo Papa doon sa Tacloban. Mapapansin po ninyo ‘yung buong araw niya sa Tacloban ay umiikot sa encounter with the people, but the setting always be in prayer. Mayroon pa rin pong ibang encounter, but it will focus on liturgical and worship encounters,” he said. (PNA)

for robust revenues generated in the first nine months of the year.

Broadband customer base at the end of September surged 36 percent to over 2.5 million versus over 1.8 million a year earlier, courtesy of the robust uptake in both wired solutions and wireless services.

Globe Telecom’s Tattoo Mobile Broadband maintained its brand leadership in the segment as it registered a solid 42 percent growth in customer base, while Tattoo Home reported an 11 percent

increase in the number of customers after the first nine months of the year.

The fixed line data segment, meanwhile, drew support from the growth in domestic and internet services, sustained circuit base expansion, strong demand for data connectivity and the relevance of the company’s innovative products and services that cater to the needs of its corporate clients such as sales and marketing, intercompany communications, database management and data storage.

Two... FFROM 3

Globe... FFROM 11

COMPETITIVE EDGE 11

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 197 • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014

Johndorf breaks ground for CDO corporate office M

INDANAO developer Johndorf Ventures Corporation (JVC) broke ground on December 8 for its corporate office in Cagayan de Oro City, the company’s first in Vis-Min where the property builder operates.

The four-storey building is located near Limketkai Center at Claro M. Mecto Avenue.

“Pursuing this milestone first in Mindanao is testament to JVC’s growth and strong confidence in the area,” JVC president and chief executive officer Richard Lim said.

“Johndorf grew with Cagayan de Oro City. We’ve progressed a lot in our property development operations from the projects we have had here and elsewhere in Mindanao over the past 28 years,” he added.

This development came as the company sold 90 percent of the 374 Asian-themed townhouse units at Portville Davao that it launched only two months ago.

The subdivision in Barangay Sasa in Davao City is expected to be sold out in the next three months.

The company also continues to market affordable residential units at Pag-IBIG

Citihomes in Malanag, Opol, Misamis Oriental. It completed last year the Granvia Suites, an 87-unit condominium in upper Carmen district, Cagayan de Oro City.

Lim said JVC will soon launch a new subdivision in Cagayan de Oro by early 2015 which will answer to the growing needs of the economic market segment. It is part of the P2 billion portfolio it has lined up in the next five years.

Since 1997, JVC has developed over 10 projects with over 5,000 housing units in Cagayan de Oro. The company started in Iligan City in 1987, then in Butuan City and eventually made Cagayan de Oro as its home base in Mindanao.

JVC is also selling in volumes with its current project in Mactan, Cebu, called Astana, also a subdivision of Asianthemed townhouses, after it sold out the 417 townhouse units at Portville Mactan and 148 condominium units at the 10-storey 148 Residences in downtown Cebu City.

JVC previously completed the development of nine subdivisions through its full subsidiary Prohomes Development Inc. and has since sold out all residential units.

AirAsia starts twice daily flights from Cebu to Davao and CDO

A

IRASIA Philippines last week started its twice daily flights from Cebu to Davao and Cagayan de Oro City with 30 street kids from Batang Opon Foundation, Cebu City Task Force on Street Children Foundation, SOS Children’s Village and Tambayan Center for Children’s Rights Incorporated on board its maiden flights.

“We’re extremely excited to celebrate the return of AirAsia flights from Cebu to Davao and Cebu to Cagayan de Oro – and what’s more memorable is that we celebrated our inaugural flights by fulfilling the dreams of 30 kids. Like these kids, AirAsia started

with a dream – to make flying affordable to everyone,” AirAsia Zest Director for Flight Operations Captain Dexter Commendador said.

Accompanied by caretakers, 20 children from Batang Opon Foundation and Cebu City Task Force on Street Children Foundation flew via AirAsia Zest flight Z2 523 from Cebu to Davao at 9:10AM and another batch of kids from SOS Children’s Village took the first flight from Cebu to Cagayan de Oro City via AirAsia Zest flight Z2535 departing on time at 12:35PM. In Davao City, 10 kids from Tambayan Center for Children’s Right were on board

AirAsia Zest flight Z2524 from Davao to Cebu. They were given a tour of Mactan Shrine, Bluewater Resort and guitar factory – famous attractions in Cebu hosted by Galeon San Pedro Tours.

Aside from free airfare the kids also toured famous tourist spots and parks in Davao, Cagayan de Oro and Cebu in partnership with Department of Tourism.

They also received surprised Christmas gifts and toys from AirAsia while passengers get welcome presents from Mactan Cebu International Airport management.

A ceremonial ribbon cutting and brief program at the

Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIAA) was held attended by Comendador, MCIAA General Manager Nigel Paul Villarete, MCIAA Assistant General Manager Ahmed Cuizon, GMR Megawide President Louie Ferrer, Department of Tourism Region 7 Senior Tourism Operations Officer Judilyn Quiachon, and Cebu Provincial Tourism Officer Grace Paulino.

During the program, guests and kids placed their messages of hope and wishes on a Christmas tree. AirAsia, MCIAA and partner NGOs will join forces to help fulfil the kids’ wishes.

NEW FLIGHTS. Captain Dexter Commendador helps a young boy place his message in a Christmas tree during the launching of AirAsia’s newest flight from Cebu to Davao.

Globe subscriber base jumps 18% to 45.4M G

LOBE Telecom sustained its customer growth momentum for the period January to September 2014, with total customer base at 45.4 million, an 18 percent jump from 38.4 million a year earlier, underpinned by strong acquisitions in both the mobile and broadband businesses.

“Our growth has been driven by our business strategy of providing our customers with products and services most relevant to them,” Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu said.

“We will continue with our approach of creating a brand that appeals to our customers’ digital lifestyle and providing superior customer experience,” he added.

The company’s robust customer acquisition buoyed core net profit during the period to P11.6 billion, up 22 percent from a year earlier as revenues reached P72.7 billion, an 8 percent increase from a year earlier.

Over the past two years, Globe customer acquisition growth has been running in double-digits, leading the company to post high single- digit growth in revenue versus low single-digit or even flattish growth of the industry.

In 2013, Globe consolidated revenues rose 9 percent as customer acquisition grew 16 percent to 40.5 million. In the year prior, revenues expanded 6 percent, helped by an 11 percent jump in customer base.

Total gross acquisitions in the first nine months of the year stood at 27.6 million, 25 percent higher year-on-year, driven by record-level acquisi-

tions registered in the first half of the year. Coming from the preceding quarter’s all-time high of 9.6 million customers, gross additions for the third quarter slowed to 8.9 million.

As anticipated, churn rates for the third quarter were higher, owing to the churn of non-paying subscribers registered in the system primarily for the Free Facebook promotion in the first four months of the year.

Despite the higher churn rates, net incremental subscribers improved to 4.4 million for the first three quarters of this year, a solid 29 percent higher than the 2013 level of 3.4 million net additions.

Globe Prepaid gross acquisitions in the January to September period grew to 11.6 million, a 23 percent surge when compared to gross acquisitions of 9.4 million a year earlier.

TM, on the other hand, generated total gross acquisition of 15.5 million in the first nine months of the year, up 27 percent from a year earlier attributed to TM’s continued aggressive acquisition efforts.

At the end of September, total customer base of Globe Prepaid reached 18.9 million while that of TM reached 21.8 million, higher by 12 percent and 24 percent, respectively, from a year earlier, bringing Globe Telecom’s total prepaid customer base to 40.7 million, an 18 percent rise from 34.5 million a year earlier.

On the other hand, Globe Telecom’s broadband business is steadily increasing its market share, providing support

FGLOBE, 10

12 CLASSIFIED There’s a better way to get attention.

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VOL. 7 ISSUE 197 • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014

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VOL. 7 ISSUE 197 • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

STYLE

Luxury gets

Sazzy ‘TIS indeed a season of glamorous merriment with interesting cuts, silhouettes, colors, and prints.

Kicking-off the brand’s 20th anniversary, Plains and Prints launches the Anniversary Collection Haute Basics, which focuses on fun yet classic pieces given a quirky twist with the Plains and Prints logo.

“The logo – a ribbon in itself is quite feminine, actually. We are giving it an entirely new twist to give it an edgier feel, using digital printing technique on the apparel’’ says Rhett Eala, designer and creative director of Plains and Prints. “Based on our research, the public seems to really like the digital prints. It’s unique. No

other brand employs this style. It makes the wearers really stand out.’’

The anniversary capsule collection features timeless pieces such as playsuits, pants, dresses, tops, and sports shirts named after some of the muses and image models of the brand namely actress Anne Curtis, stylist Liz Uy, Thai model Paula Taylor and actress and fashionista Gretchen Barretto.

“They are our muses of inspiration through the years so we thought hon-

LUXURY A4

EDGEDAVAO

A2 INdulge!

UP AND ABOUT

Feast on luscious eats at SM Lanang Premier’s DGC Holiday Market A FESTIVE Christmas Market is in store for all foodies at SM Lanang Premier this December 19 to 21! Join the holiday fun at region’s premier shopping and lifestyle destination for the 2nd edition of The Davao Gourmet Collective (DGC) Holiday Market.

To be launched on Friday, December 19, 4 pm, at The Fountain Court grounds, the DGC Holiday Market is expected to attract foodies from all over the metropolis and across Mindanao.

Enjoy delectable eats from participating purveyors – Banana Leaf, Cellar de Boca, Hog’s Breath Café, Munchtown, Kushiya, Backyard Burgers, Bangkok Wok, Bu Tapas, Café el Gato, Saging Repablik and Cucina Ilocana.

The event aims to promote the city’s brand of food tourism by drawing together the finest homegrown artisans and gourmands in one food fest. It offers a wide range of food options and specialty must-haves this Christmas season. Market hours are from 4pm to 12 midnight on December 19 and 20, and 4pm to 10 pm on December 21.

The Holiday Market is a spin-off of The Davao Gourmet Collective, a highly anticipated food event exclusively hosted by SM Lanang Premier, successfully made its debut at the 2013 Kadayawan Festival and later evolved to feature holiday, street food and grill fest editions.

Satisfy your holiday cravings at the Davao Gourmet Collective! Check out SM Lanang Premier on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for news and event updates.

ASUS Philippines announces the M32 desktop PC availability LOOKING for the best desktop computer for home use?

You might want to get your hands on the ASUS M32 Desktop PC. From the makers of the #1 motherboard in the world, ASUS M32 desktop PC performs everything from your daily tasks with enhanced energy efficiency. Multitask with several apps at once thanks to the 4th gen Intel® Core™ processor. Whatever you choose to do, M32 makes it happen with unique optimization for increased performance and power efficiency. It is bundled with an 18.5” ASUS LCD monitor for only Php28,990.

All ASUS desktops have the “Smart Cooling System” that removes dust from the system unit and reduces operating temperatures by 11.4 degrees Celsius every time to start it up, perfect for those who work long hours in front of computers. Not only that, the M32AD delivers top-notch performance with 4th-generation Intel® Core™ for power efficiency.

Innovation, design and reliability are at the heart of all ASUS computers.

Winning Readers’ Choice for overall satisfaction for the second year in a row, and for the third successive year in the home category, is proof that ASUS is better at delivering what customers want than rival Windows desktop PC companies. As PCMag.com says: “If you want a Windows desktop PC, ASUS is the best choice.

VOL. 7 ISSUE 197 • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014

MX3 and Rated K invade Iloilo

By Dr. Ed Bien

THE plane ride to Iloilo that morning of December 10th was very pleasant. The airport was nice, clean and orderly. The sun was already up after typhoon Ruby left the country but it was still cool. It has been a while since my last visit to the “land of malambings” and the city is really growing.

Our host Mitch from ABS CBN Sales took us directly to the venue hall in Gen. Luna St. We were greeted upon arrival by Arma, Ona, and other crews from Rated K. There was already a long line outside and a longer line at the MX3 booth for the “Libreng Kape” sharing. It was an exciting day for the more than 500 Ilonggos who watched the “Rated K 10th year Anniversary” program.

Many travelled on a 1-3 hour bus ride all the way from distant provinces just to see the show. This is the chance to see their idol Korina in person. A

chance to have selfie pictures taken with her. A chance to win a house and lot and other big prizes in the raffle draw. A chance to forget their work and worries even for just one day. A chance to own their dream house.

I was invited to go with the DMI group (makers of the very popular MX3 health products) to assist and serve fellow kababayans, headed by the very generous and kind Ms. Gina. Together with us is

Ms. Myna Lagaya, head of Marketing, and the busy boys of Davao, Joel and Weng. DMI has always been invited by ABS CBN to events like these both locally and abroad.

Many people have already been taking MX3 products and this is one opportunity to explain to them further about its health benefits. For example is the very popular MX3 capsule for improving the immune system.

Another is MX3 Plus with Co Q10 and L-Carnitine for healthy metabolism.

Another is the favorite MX3 coffeemix, a blend that is non acidic with no sugar added and tastes great. And MX3 tea which is so economical that 1 teabag may be used for 1 pitcher of water to be enjoyed by the whole family.

I have always been asked what MX3 stands for and here they are. M stands for mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) a fruit abundant in Southern Philippines. X stands for Xtra-ordinary ingredients found in the fruit’s pericarp (outer covering) which has wonderful health benefits. And the 3 stands for Triple Power.

As for a medical doctor like me, this is one product that is “Tested and Proven”.

The hosts Pepay and Petite were hilarious and a big hit together with the local talents. People patronized the booths offering free massage, consultation, make over, face painting, bottled water,

waffles and of course the favorite among the crowd, MX3 coffee served from our special mangosteen shaped dispenser.

The show was entertaining and well received.

The audience was chanting Rated K and “Handa na kami” around 12nn when they learned that Ms. Korina has already arrived. She gamely went up the stage and greeted the crowd. She mentioned that it is her 10th year anniversary for the 3 aspects in her life – with TV Patrol, Rated K and with Sec. Mar Roxas. The Ilonggos are truly a different crowd – ready to laugh anytime and a touch of sweetness when asking questions.

I pity the poor guards dressed in black shirts as the women fought their way at the side entrance for a chance to have pictures taken with their idol.

All’s well that ends well.

I am glad to have been there and be part of the program. I shed my own inhibitions, shouted “Ready na ba kayo?” and co-hosted the MX3 game.

We chose 30 from the audience, gave them MX3 yellow t-shirts. DMI is always generous in sharing MX3 products to lucky participants – all in the spirit of giving back to the people blessings from the Lord. It was both enjoyable and heart fulfilling – to share the gift of knowledge about natural products to those seeking wellness. If you want to know more, visit their website at www.mx3.ph.

VOL. 7 ISSUE 197 • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

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ENTERTAINMENT

Julie Anne San Jose shines in her ‘Hologram’ concert

JULIE ANNE SAN JOSE proved that she is a total performer as she showcased her talents in ‘Hologram’ last December 13 at the MOA Arena.

‘Hologram’ highlighted the use of visual effects using hologram technology. Julie Anne was the first performer to use this kind of technology in a live performance in the Philippines.

Asia’s Pop Sweetheart performed numerous acts for Hologram with performers like Sam Concepcion, Christian Bautista, Abra, Jonalyn Viray, and her bestfriend, Frencheska Farr.

Julie Anne’s commanding voice and electrifying dance moves showcased her fierce self in a Beyonce medley. The performance was stylishly done with a sexy piece Julie has never worn before.

The crowd also went wild when Julie Anne performed with Abra their hit song ‘Dedma.’ She also sang a duet of ‘Lost Stars’ with Sam Concepcion and ‘A Thou-

negative comments. Julie Anne made sure to address the issue.

“Alam ko po na maraming nagsasabi at humuhusga. Hindi naman po ako nakikipag-kumpitensya sa iba, gusto ko lang pong kumanta.”

sand Years’ with fellow Kapuso performer, Christian Bautista. Meanwhile, Jonalyn Viray and Frencheska Farr belted out a medley of OPM hits with Julie Anne.

Present in the audience are Julie’s friends and supporters. The Kapuso Primetime King and Queen, Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera came in early to support Julie Anne. Other GMA Artist Center talents like Diva Montelaba, Phytos Ramirez, Jak Roberto, Coleen Perez, Stephanie Sol,

Mayton Eugenio, and Jeric Gonzalez were also present in the concert to show their love for Julie Anne. Actress Empress Schuck was also spotted in the crowd.

Apart from her showstopping performances, Julie Anne’s rendition of ‘Sana Ngayong Pasko’ made headlines in her concert as a series of photos and videos showing her achievements as an artist were being flashed on screen.

After her performance, a weeping Julie Anne said,

She added, “ito po ang paraan ko para po mapasaya ko po kayong lahat.

Magpaparaya po ako pati kasiyahan ko ibibigay ko po para sa inyong lahat. Ganun ko po kayo kamahal. So sana po, huwag na huwag po kayong magsawa.

“Hindi ko po lubos akalain na makaka-perform ako sa harap ng maraming tao, especially po sa ganito kalaking venue. At isa po itong dream come true po para sa akin. Thank you po for making it come true. Ngayon po, hindi niyo po alam kung gaano po ako ka-thankful at blessed. Thankful po ako sa pagmamahal ninyo, sa suporta ninyo so sana po huwag po kayong magsasawa sa akin.”

A day before the concert, the concert received a lot of

‘Filipino New Cinema’ section added to World Premieres Film Fest Philippines

THE World Premieres Film Festival Philippines will feature a new section, namely, the “Filipino New Cinema” in its 2015 edition. The section will showcase the latest from contemporary Filipino filmmakers looking to premiere their newest films before an international audience here in the Philippines.

This provides the festival with a section highlighting films from the Philippines, being the festival’s host country.

The “Filipino New Cinema” will have a maximum of five films screened as part of its section during the festival. The five films will compete for top awards, prizes and incentives specific to the section. The Filipino New Cinema section awards will include Best Picture (1st and 2nd place), Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Musical Score, Best Sound Engineering, Best Production Design, and Best Performance by an Actor, Best

Performance by an Actress, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Supporting Actress. Prizes and incentives will be in the form of film grants of varying amounts.

Call for entries to the “Filipino New Cinema” section of the festival is now open and concludes on May 6, 2015. The World Premieres Film Festival Philippines will take place from June 24 to July 7, 2015 in Manila.

Following on the success of its first year, the World Premieres Film Festival Philippines aims to truly become the major film festival on the rise in Asia as it continues to grow and cement its place in the

cinematic calendar of the Philippines and the world.

With the Philippines having the oldest film culture in Asia this festival allows for cineastes from all over to partake in Filipino film culture and at the same time those of other shores.

Besides the “Filipino New Cinema” section, the World Premieres Film Festival Philippines also has its Main Competition, Cine Verde section, and Parallel sections (Euroview, ASEAN Skies, and IberoAmerica).

The World Premieres Film Festival Philippines derives from the simple concept of bring-

ing together a number of countries for a distinct film festival like no other. Participating countries are asked to each field a new film yet to be screened elsewhere prior to the festival dates, from a director of note, for a world (or international) premiere in the Philippines. Featured films will vie for top awards; have red carpet gala premiere screenings at the country’s posh cinemas, all with film luminaries and celebrities in attendance.

Please visit the website at www.wpff.ph for more details on how to submit films as well as for festival news and updates.

THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES Ian Mckellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage PG 13

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

THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES 3D Ian Mckellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage PG 13

12:30 | 3:30 | 6:30 | 09:30 LFS

THE PYRAMID Ashley Hinshaw, Denis O'Hare R 13

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

R-16 EXODUS: GODS AND KINGS Christian Bale, Joel Edgerton PG13

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

A4 INdulge!

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 197 • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014

STYLE

LUXURY A1 oring them by naming some of the pieces after them,” explains Eala.

Another very interesting aspects of this collection is the combination of materials to create unique

pieces.

“We also wanted to reflect global fashion, and that’s going towards the edgy side. However, we still wanted to retain the classy, timeless vibe we are known for. So, we

combined that by using a combination of many different fabrics in classic silhouettes,” he adds.

“For example, one of the pieces has a combination of chambray and flat knits.”

BIGGER PICTURE 13

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 197 • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014

After 3 years, 300 victims of ‘Sendong’ still unidentified

By FROILAN GALLARDO

O

VER 300 victims of tropical storm Sendong (international name: Washi) buried in unmarked graves here and in nearby Iligan City have remained unidentified despite DNA tests conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation medico-legal teams three years ago.

Dr. Tammy Uy, NBI Region 10 medico-legal chief said money to buy the chemicals to complete the identification process had run out in 2012 forcing the agency to stop matching the extracted DNA with those of family members.

“We extracted the DNA from the bodily fluids of the cadavers, taken swabs from the family members but we cannot complete the matching with their family members.

There is no more money for it,” Uy said.

Tropical storm Sendong inundated riverside communities in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities in the early morning of Dec. 17, 2011 killing some 1,100 residents and affecting around 660,000 families.

Three years after Sendong, the NBI has yet to issue a single death certificate for the unidentified bodies Uy said NBI Disaster Vic-

tims Identification (DVI) teams took DNA samples from 200 unidentified bodies in Cagayan de Oro and another 124 bodies in Iligan.

He said the bodies were buried in an unmarked vault in Bolonsori Public cemetery in Cagayan de Oro and in a cemetery in Iligan.

He said over 800 family members came to the NBI office in Cagayan de Oro to have their DNA taken by the NBI DVI teams.

Three years after, Uy said the money to complete the DNA tests ran out in 2012.

The official said the NBI and the courts would only declare a person dead through dental identification, fingerprints and DNA tests.

He said many families in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan are left in limbo not knowing whether their missing relatives are among the unidentified bodies.

“I really pity the families.

There are no closures for many of them” Uy said.

Uy said around P25 million is needed to buy the chemicals to complete the matching process to identify the cadavers.

He said the NBI DVI office in Manila tried to get the mon-

ey from the P200 million DNA test funds for typhoon Yolanda victims last year but did not continue because the Commission on Audit will not allow diversion of funds.

“If only someone or maybe the local government fork up the money and buy the chemicals. We will immediately complete the process,” he said.

In a small house at Phase 1, Sendong Relocation Center in Barangay Indahag, this city, Alma Beromoy, 36, and her neighbor, Jennilyn Anguis, 27, sat and talked about their missing children a day before the third anniversary of Sendong.

Beromoy lost all of her five children aged one to seven years, while Anguis also lost all of her three children—the youngest was just a 13-day baby – on that tragic night.

Both mothers went to the NBI office in Cagayan de Oro to have their DNA taken in the hope that the tests can identify their children among the bodies.

“It’s really difficult every time December 16 and 17 comes around. We simply cannot forget what happened to our children,” Anguis said.

STILL HOPING. Alma Beromoy, 36, holds the pictures of her missing children in her house at the Sendong relocation site in Phase 1, Barangay Indahag, Cagayan de Oro City on December 15, 2014. Beromoy hopes DNA tests can bring closure Anguis said she went to the NBI office to have her DNA taken and hoped but three years later, no word about her lost children came.

“No word came, not even a whimper. We heard there was no more money,” she said.

“We could have moved on if we only knew what hap-

to the fate of her five missing children who were washed away by flashfloods triggered by tropical storm Sendong on December 17, 2011. MindaNews photo by Froilan Gallardo

pened to our children. The tests could have done it,” Beromoy added.

Beromoy said she spent a tidy sum of money to submit documents and papers that the NBA required. Earning P200 a day selling rags, Beromoy said a lawyer even asked P900 from her for notary fees.

Anguis said she too incurred expenses when she went to the NBI and was asked some documents to prove her claim.

“We decided not to go to the NBI anymore because of these expenses,” she said.

(Froilan Gallardo/MindaNews)

14

SPORTS

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VOL. 7 ISSUE 197 • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014

VICTORIOUS. (Left photo) The Davao del Norte delegation led by Governor Rodolfo Del Rosario (second from left) and Congressman Anthony Del Rosario (fourth from left) showed full support during the final presentation and deliberation of the bids to host the Palarong Pambansa 2015 held at the Department of Education Main Office in Manila yesterday. Right photo shows Gov. Del Rosario and Vice Gov. Baby Suaybaguio with DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro. Story on page 16. NB

Casintahan,Adlao top Matina golfest E

J Casintahan and Wendell Adlao led the big winners at the close of the 17th Matina Classic Golf held over the weekend at the Davao City Golf Club in Matina.

The youthful Casintahan, on a winning run since October, continued his winning ways at his home turf, winning the Class A gross title, leaving behind his closes pursuers with 38 Stableford points. Roderick Lo was the closest for Casintahan who finished with 34 to settle for

the runner-up honors.

Nido Albarilloa took the Class A net title via countback next to Brad Quemada after both finished with similar 43’s.

Adlao on the other hand, had his winning moments in the Class B, bringing home the gross title with 34. Mateo Ty settled for the gross runner-up with 33 while businessman-sportsman Boy Herrera and Ace Rizon, took the net crown and runner-up with 46 and 44, respectively.

Other winners saw Class C – Richard Badang 31 (gross champion), Stella Barnes 29 (gross runner-up), Ronald Gumawa 47 (net champion), Kirby Adbullah 47 (net runner-up); Class D – Rod Marc Abrina 25 (gross champion), Boyet Escandor 24 (gross runner-up), Jing Ytac 49 (net champion), Robert Garan 45 (net runner-up); Seniors 60-65 – King Yong Pak 32 (gross champion), Fred Albarillo 31 (gross runner-up), Alex

Sy 41 (net champion), Junie Contantinopla 41 (net runner-up); 66-up – Frank Buno 31 (gross champion), Tomio Sakurai 29 (gross runner-up), Samy Roca 45 (net champion) and Juanito Masing 49 (net runner-up).

Tournament director Jimmy Dureza along with Davao City Golf Club officials Atty. Romeo Bata, Frank Buno, Atty. Larry Pasquil and Atty. Boy Braganza awarded the prizes to the winners in grand rites after the tournament.

Global, Ceres join AFC Cup

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Manny: Prize money is no problem WINNERS. EJ Casintahan (left) and Stella Barnes (right) in action during the Matina Golf Classic. Boy Lim

It’s... FFROM 16

ernor Rodolfo P. Del Rosario gave his assurance that the staging of the annual sports conclave in his province would be the best experience ever.

“We assure them that we would give them the best Palaro, and that would be our battle cry. The best Palaro ever”, he said.

After the Palaro, Del Rosario plans on strength-

ening the sports development program of the Davao Region by setting up the first Sports Academy in the country, wherein athletes from all over the country would receive high quality training to prepare them for local and international competitions.

The Palarong Pambansa 2015 is tentatively set on May 3 to 5.

M

ANNY Pacquiao took up Floyd Mayweather Jr’s shoutout that the boxers finally book a long-awaited clash on May 2, the Filipino insisting money was no object and that they owed it to the sport to fight each other.

Mayweather, in remarks to Showtime TV last Friday, said Pacquiao was not worthy of a 50-50 split in his proposed showdown, which would likely become the highest grossing pay-per-view bout in history if the match were made.

Eight-division world champion Pacquiao appeared ready to accommodate the undefeated American.

“Mayweather can get the amount he wants. As early as January this year, I challenged him to a charity fight.

Until now, he has not agreed to it. So, money is not the issue in our fight,” Pacquiao said on his official website.

“This fight is about legacy, this is about making the fans happy and, above all, this is for the good of boxing.”

The two champions, boxing’s top drawing cards, have danced around a possible clash for roughly five years, with disputes over purses and drug-testing preventing a match being made.

“We are ready. Let’s make it happen. May 2. Mayweather versus Manny Pacquiao.

Let’s do it,” the 37-year-old American, who fights at welterweight and light-middleweight, said.

As befits their familiar verbal sparring, Pacquiao promised he would deliver an exciting fight despite the supreme defensive skills so often displayed by Mayweather (47-0).

“He has reached a dead end. He has nowhere to run but to fight me,” Pacquiao (57-5-2) said. “I will try my best to make this a thrilling and entertaining fight.

“But I doubt if he’s gonna engage me in a slugfest. You all know his fighting style.

Most of his previous fights, if not all, induced us to sleep.”

OP Philippine football clubs Global FC and Ceres-La Salle FC are set to see action in the Asian Football Confederation Cup, a second-tier competition for clubs in the continent.

The AFC Cup is participated by teams which are considered as “developing” football nations in Asia, with the “mature” of the best ones playing in the flagship AFC Champions League.

The AFC this year expanded participating nations to 41 to open the door for more countries to participate in a high level club competition. That paved the way for the entry of two clubs from the Philippines, classified under “emerging nations” whose own club competition, the AFC President’s Cup, already seeing its last edition this year.

In a draw conducted in Malaysia last Thursday, Ceres, champion of the United Football League’s FA Cup, was pitted against Maziya Sports and Recreation of Maldives in a play-off ahead of the group stages scheduled on February 17.

VOL. 7 ISSUE 197 • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

SPORTS

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ONE ON ONE. Kobe Bryant (24) of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball during the game against the Indiana Pacers during the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on December 15, 2014 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

NBA ROUNDUP

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IGHLIGHTS of Monday’s National Basketball Association

games: Raptors 95, Magic 82 Lou Williams came off the bench to score 18 points as the Toronto Raptors continued their domination of the Orlando Magic with a comfortable victory on Monday.

The win was the third in a row for the Raptors (19-6), who defeated the Magic for a 10th consecutive time to remain top of the Eastern Conference standings.

Tobias Harris led the Magic with 18 points.

Cavaliers 97, Hornets 88 After racing to a 21-0 lead over the stumbling Charlotte Hornets, the Cavaliers held on for a ninth consecutive win in contests against Eastern Conference rivals.

Cleveland (14-9) forward LeBron James had 27 points, 13 assists and seven rebounds, and forward Kevin Love had 22 points and a season-high 18 rebounds.

Pacers 110, Lakers 91 C.J. Miles came off the bench to score 16 of his 20 points during a dominating first half, and Indiana crushed the Lakers to end an eightgame losing streak.

Guard Rodney Stuckey had 20 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists for Indiana (8-17).

Kobe Bryant, who one night earlier passed Michael Jordan for third on the alltime scoring list, had 21 points for the Lakers (8-17), who were playing their third road game in four days.

Hawks 93, Bulls 86 Al Horford did a little bit of everything -- scoring, rebounding and even leading

fast breaks -- to lift Atlanta to an exciting win over the Bulls.

Horford finished with 21 points, 10 rebounds and six assists, and point guard Jeff Teague made two free throws with 10.8 seconds remaining to seal the Hawks’ (17-7) 10th win in 11 games.

Jimmy Butler led the Bulls with 22 points, and Derrick Rose added 14 points and eight assists as Chicago (15-9) saw its three-game winning streak snapped.

Celtics 105, 76ers 87 Kelly Olynyk scored a career-high 30 points off the bench as the Boston Celtics blasted the Philadelphia 76ers.

Avery Bradley added 15 points for Boston, who snapped a three-game losing streak and dropped Philadelphia to 2-22.

Trail Blazers 108, Spurs 95 Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge scored 23 points apiece to lift the Portland Trail Blazers over the San Antonio Spurs.

Lillard grabbed a career-high 10 rebounds to go with six assists for Portland (19-6).

Kawhi Leonard collected 21 points and nine rebounds for the Spurs (17-8), who played without three regular starters.

Bucks 96, Suns 94 Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton hit an off-balance, 25-foot bank shot just before the buzzer as the Bucks rallied from a 10-point deficit in the final eight minutes to hand the Phoenix Suns their sixth straight loss.

Markieff Morris scored 25 points and put the Suns (1214) ahead 94-93 on a 15-footer with 3.5 seconds left.

Lakers suffer loss after Kobe’ s record I

T didn’t take long for the Los Angeles Lakers to come down from their high of watching Kobe Bryant pass Michael Jordan for third place on the all-time NBA scoring list.

Just 24 hours after Bryant hit a pair of free throws against Minnesota to pass Jordan, the Indiana Pacers compiled a 33 point halftime lead en route to a 11091 thrashing of Los Angeles on Monday night.

“We were just embarrassed with the way we

played in the first half,” said Lakers coach Byron Scott.

“We can’t afford to do that.

We have got to come out and be desperate as well.”

The Lakers trailed 6027 at the half as Bryant shot three-for-13 and the bench was two-for-19. The Lakers stumbled to a 16.3 percent shooting in the first 24 minutes.

The halftime score would have been much worse if the Lakers hadn’t scored the final six points of the half.

Rodney Stuckey posted

his second straight double-double for the Pacers, who snapped the Lakers’ modest three-game win streak.

C.J. Miles’ layup at 2:22 of the first quarter gave the Pacers a 26-4 lead. Los Angeles scored 11 points in the final two minutes of the period but still trailed 34-15.

The second quarter was a repeat of the first as the Pacers went on a 14-2 run to push their lead to 48-17 five minutes before halftime.

The Pacers led by al-

most 40 points before Bryant and Wesley Johnson hit back-to-back shots from beyond the arc to send the two teams into halftime.

Stuckey tallied 20 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists and Miles came off the bench to score 20 for Indiana, who hadn’t won a game since November 28.

Bryant finished with 21 points on eight-for-26 shooting. Nick Young finished with 18 points on 12 shots and Carlos Boozer had 13 and 10 rebounds.

Bulls in a success-laden club career.

“It has been an incredible journey and I would like to thank all the fans, team mates and individuals involved with AS Monaco, Juventus, Arsenal FC, FC Barcelona, the New York Red Bulls and of course the French National Team that have made my time in the game so special,” he said in a statement.

“It is now time for a different career path.

“I have had some amaz-

ing memories (mostly good!) and a wonderful experience.

I hope you have enjoyed watching as much as I have enjoyed taking part.”

He left the Red Bulls earlier this month at the end of his four-year contract in Major League Soccer, saying he needed time to contemplate his next move.

On Tuesday Henry said he had taken up a role as a television pundit with Sky Sports in Britain starting next year.

The speedy winger made his name in England where he became one of Europe’s most feared strikers after Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger switched him to a central role following his arrival from Juventus.

He scored 228 goals for the Londoners in two spells, winning two English Premier League titles before moving to Spanish giants Barcelona where he won a pair of La Liga crowns and the Champions League in 2009.

French football star Henry retires F

ORMER World Cup winner and Arsenal’s record goal-scorer Thierry Henry announced his retirement from soccer on Tuesday, bringing an end to his a glittering 20-year career.

The 37-year-old Frenchman scored 51 goals in 123 appearances for his country as he helped them win the 1998 World Cup and European Championships in 2000, while picking up trophies with Monaco, Arsenal, Barcelona and New York Red

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. 7 ISSUE 197 • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014

IT’S DAVNOR IN 2015 BLAST. Ludwig Van Ledesma blasts out of the bunker during the Matina Golf Classic at the Davao City Golf Club over the weekend. See story on page 14. Boy Lim

Palaro Board picks Davao del Norte as 2015 Palarong Pambansa host

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AVAO del Norte bested four other provinces to earn the hosting rights to the Palarong Pambansa next year.

The province got 16 out of the possible 18 votes during the final bidding and deliberation of the Department of Education Management Committee at the Department of Education Main Office in Pasig City, Metro Manila yesterday.

The committee was made up of DepEd regional department heads, representatives from their main office, and representatives from the Philippine Sports Commission. The voting was done through secret balloting.

The committee took into consideration the results of the visits of the technical inspection team to the bidding provinces. The visits, which occurred during the last few months, mainly assessed the billeting sites and playing venues among other things. The results showed Davao del Norte lead by a huge margin with a final score of 87.2 % followed by Surigao del Norte with 81.9 %. The other three provinces were Zamboanga del Norte, Lanao del Norte, and South Cotabato.

Also taken into consideration were the final presentations of the provinces, which summarized their capabilities to host as well

as their responses to the improvements suggested by the technical inspection teams.

DepEd secretary Armin Luistro stated that it was the readiness of Davao del Norte to host that set it apart from the rest.

“When we ranked them, and Davao del Norte at Tagum was ranked number one. Talagang handang handa na yung kanilang facilities at konti na lang, if any, ang kailangan i-fine tune o kaya ay ayusin”, he said.

Assistant Secretary for Legal and Legislative Affairs Tonisito Umali also commended the nearness of the playing venues to the billeting sites.

“Pag sinabi natin na kahandaan ng pasilidad, pinag-uusapan natin na pareho po yung playing venues at yung billeting quarters”, he said.

Davao del Norte boasts of an 11-hectare sports complex, the newest among the facilities of the provinces who bid. It includes a 3,000 capacity main grand stand fronted by an eight-lane rubberized track oval and a football field, an Olympic-sized swimming pool with an adjacent warm up pool and a 500-capacity grandstand, a gymnasium, two tennis courts, and a club house.

Currently under construction are basketball courts,

a softball field, and a baseball field.

Luistro also praised the organized system of Davao del Norte in conducting the Palaro.

“They presented a very, very organized way of doing the Palaro, especially because the facilities are so oriented na hindi masyadong mahihirapan yung mga student athletes natin, technical officials, at yung mga manonood”, he said.

Undersecretary for Regional Operations Rizalino Rivera expected Davao del Norte to stage the smoothest Palaro yet.

“I hope it’s going to be the smoothest Palarong Pambansa ever. From transportation, from the time the delegations arrive, their stay, security, everything”, he said.

Since the inauguration of the complex on December 12, 2012, Davao del Norte had hosted several sporting events, such as the 2014 Privates Schools Athletic Association Games, the 2013 and 2014 Davao Region Athletic Association Games, the 2013 Batang Pinoy Mindanao Leg, the PFF Regional Qualifiers, and an exhibition game between the Philippine Azkals and the Davao del Norte Police Provincial Office in July 2013.

Davao del Norte gov-

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