Edge Davao 7 Issue 229 by Edge Davao The Business Paper

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VOL. 7 ISSUE 229 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

STOMP. Members of various progressive groups burn and stamp on a US flag during a protest rally along San Pedro Street in Davao City yesterday where they accused the US government of being involved in the Mamasapano incident and of making Mindanao its next center stage of the war on terror. Lean Daval Jr.

RODY’S ADVICE: RESIGN

Duterte says person liable for carnage should quit By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR., JEFRY M. TUPAS, and JON JOAQUIN

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IF I were in their shoes, I would tender my resignation out of delicadeza.” This was Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte’s advice to the person or persons who are ultimately responsible for the deaths of 44 Special Action Force (SAF) members in the Mamasapano clash on January 25. Duterte, however, stopped short of pinpointing the person who should be held liable for the carnage. “Bato bato sa langit ang

tamaan huwag magalit,” he said. In an interview yesterday during the burial of slain SAF member Senior Police Officer (SPO)1 Lover Inocencio at the Panabo City Memorial Park, Duterte said the chain of command was not followed in the operation. He also said Philippine National Police (PNP) Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina had no knowledge on the operation. “Purisima having been

suspended should not have work at that time on police matters… When you are suspended, you leave the premises, you are no longer the actor, it should be Espina that time,” he added. For his part, former Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza challenged President Benigno Aquino and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chair Kagui Ebrahim Murad to face the nation and take responsibility for the Mamasapano

carnage. This, Dureza said, is the first step in moving forward from the January 25 incident that resulted in the deaths of 44 members of Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF), at least five civilians, and over a dozen rebels. Both the government and the MILF said the incident was brought by lack of coordination. “I have an unsolicited ad-

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INSIDE EDGE HEALTHIEST FOOD FOR YOUR HEART Indulge A4

2 THE BIG NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 229 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

CONDOLENCES. Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte extends his condolences to Liezel Inocencio, widow of slain Special Action Force (SAF) member Senior Police Officer (SPO) 1 Lover Inocencio, during the funeral at the Panabo City Memorial Park. Armando B. Fenequito Jr.

Davao City to give assistance to slain SAF member’s family By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

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HE Davao City Government will extend assistance to the family of one of the members of the Special Action Force (SAF) killed in Masasapano, Maguindanao on January 25. In an interview yesterday at the Panabo Memorial Park during the funeral of Senior Police Officer (SPO)1 Lover Inocencio, Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte said he will ask the City Council to extend assis-

tance to Inocencio’s widow. He said he will ask the City Council for P1 million for the education of the couple’s children, adding he will seek a foundation that will manage the fund. He also said Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada already gave P1 million to the families of the 44 fallen SAF members. Inocencio was honored by his colleagues from the

SAF and the Police Regional Office (PRO) 11. Inocencio’s team leader SPO1 Hamidhan Tebbeng remembered him as a brave and courageous warrior during the encounter in Mamasapano. Tebbeng said despite of being wounded, Inocencio still fought with the members of Moro Islamic Front (MILF). He said the death of Ino-

cencio and the 43 other SAF members saved the lives of many people since the target, bomb expert Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan was killed during the operation. The 44 will receive the Bravery Medal or the Medalya ng Katapangan, one of the highest recognitions given by the PNP. The medal, the PNP’s equivalent of the military’s Gold Cross, will be given to

the slain SAF troopers as well as the wounded. The fallen heroes will also get a posthumous promotion, with “all financial benefits and pension due their surviving kin computed based on the salary scale of the new rank,” PNP officer-in-charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina said. The dependents of the slain policemen will receive

scholarships as well, from funds culled from the revenue of gun permits and licenses, and death benefits that range from P1.5 million to P2 million, based on the following: P250,000 from the President’s Social Fund; P141,000 to P181,000 as Special Financial Assistance; P50,000 burial benefits, and P200,000 gratuity from the National Police Commission (Napolcom).

But according to former Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza, the ceasefire agreement and the implementing guidelines between the government of the Philippines (then called GRP but now GPH) and the MILF “clearly never required prior coordination in operations against high value, priority targets.” “Truth to tell, I had to go back to my records as I clearly remember that I signed as GRP panel chair in October 2001 with my counterpart, then panel (now MILF) chair Kagui (Ebrahim) Murad the

Manual of Instructions for CCCH (Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities) and LMT (local monitoring team) in Malaysia,” Dureza said. Dureza posted a photo of the document, highlighting the following provision: “Except for operations against high priority targets, a list shall be provided by the GPH Panel to the MILF Panel, the AHJAG (Ad Hoc Joint Action Group) shall inform the GPH and MILF CCCH at least 24 hrs prior to the conduct of AFP/PNP operations in order to allow sufficient time for the

evacuation of civilians and to avoid armed confrontation between the GPH and MILF forces.” He said the implementing guidelines and even the recent AFP/PNP operational guidelines clearly “excluded operations against high value targets like Marwan and (suspected terrorist) Basit Usman.” Dureza said the same exception was reiterated in a document signed on July 23, 2013 by then-AFP chief of staff General Bautista for the AFP and PNP director general

Surigao bus blast hurts 2 Dureza: SAF did not need to coordinate with MILF

WO persons were injured when an improvised explosive device exploded inside a passenger bus Wednesday morning at Claver town in Surigao del Norte shortly after passengers disembarked for a lunch break, police said. None of the passengers of Bachelor Express, Inc.’s bus number 365 were injured, but a passenger of a bus parked nearby and a restaurant employee were not spared by the blast. Initial report said that

bus number 365 left Surigao City past 10 a.m. bound for Tandag City in Surigao del Norte. SPO2 Joel Verano, of the Claver Municipal Police Office, said when the bus reached Barangay Hayanggabon in Claver town around 11:30 a.m., all of the 24 passengers disembarked to have their lunch at the Mark and Mitchie Jay Restaurant when the bus exploded. “All of them were safe because they disembarked.

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By JON JOAQUIN

ID the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNPSAF) err in entering Mamasapano, Maguindanao on January 25 to arrest suspected terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan without coordinating with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)? This assertion has been made by many people – including President Benigno Aquino himself – in explaining why the clash took place that led to the deaths of 44 SAF members, at least five civilians, and over a dozen rebels.

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VOL. 7 ISSUE 229 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

Intensified registration of IPs slated this month

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

WHAT SPEED LIMIT? A delivery man of a popular food chain breaks the speed limit along E. Quirino Avenue in Davao City to make sure the delivery is on time. Lean Daval Jr.

DOT , NCIP eye Buda as next major tourist draw

HE city government of Davao, the Department of Tourism (DOT) 11, the National Commission on Indigenous People, and the private sector are planning to develop the Buda (Bukidnon-Davao boundary) area in the third district as city’s newest major tourist destination. City Tourism Operation Office (CTOO) chief Lissette Marques said the barangays of Salumay and Baganihan, part of an ancestral domain, were identified as designated tourism zone areas that needs to be developed. Marques said the city government is coordinating with other agencies and associations from Bukidnon, Davao, and Cotabato for the creation of a development plan. She said the CTOO is currently drafting a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU ) before the development plan can be created. “The development plan there that will guide those who have developments there and for those who are planning to develop para maminimize ang environmental

degradation,” she said. One of the plans for the area is to develop a homestay program. “We can tap existing private individuals and associations who have cottages and resorts in the area,” Marques said. She said that developing appropriate tourism activities in the area will lengthen the stay duration of tourists. “We can convert day tour to overnight. This will increase the income of establishments and the number of tourist visitors,” she added. Meanwhile, newly appointed Department of Tourism (DOT) 11 regional director Roberto Alabado said some areas in Buda have already been identified as tourism zones based on the updated Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) of Davao City. Alabdo said it was already in his plan during his stint as Davao City former City Planning and Development Office chief to develop the area into a tourist destination. “The right ingredients

are there. We have homestay program there, we have restaurants, resorts, IP communities, climate. Some of the strengths of the area is very conducive for tourism development. It’s just a matter of packaging the whole thing and getting enough funds so that we can arrange everything so it will conform to ecotourism,” he said. “What we need is a plan that will focus on preservation of environment and the cultural heritage of the indigenous people in the area and a plan that will be the guide of every stakeholder in the area,” he added. Alabado said the plan has to conform with eco-tourism principles. “It (the development plan) should be low impact because it is a fragile community considering it is in the mountains and at the same time it is a part of a cultural community of IPs,” he added. He said there is a need to be very careful in preserving the local culture and preserving the ecosystem of the environment. CHENEEN R. CAPON

crc@edgedavao.net

N celebration of the Civil Registration Month this February, the Local Civil Registration (LCR) together with the Philippine Statistics Office (PSA) (formerly known as National Statistics Office which has merged with other statistics offices of the government) will intensify the registration of indigenous peoples (IPs) in the hinterlands of Region 11. Speaking on Monday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Annex, LCR chief lawyer Leo Anthony Braceros said the agency has a separate team conducting mobile registration specifically trained for IPs and Muslims. “We have a separate process for them. We don’t require them to personally go to our registration officers because it would be harder for them,” Braceros said. “We have a mobile registration team visiting areas and we don’t subject them to

usual registration compared to Christians. They have a separate process based on a circular order from PSA,” he added. Braceros said two separate forms for Muslim and IPs are used during mobile registration in barangays and far-flung communities in the region. He said the agency has to implement this because IPs and Muslims have different traditions from Christians. “We have to respect their customs and traditions and culture. Like the Lumad, (they) are not really used to documentation. In fact, they’re not particular on the date of birth and the place where they were born, unlike Christians na every year we celebrate birthdays,” he added. He said it was very hard for LCR’s mobile teams to prepare the forms because

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4 BIGGER PICTURE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 229 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

ACT says no to mandatory physical exam for teachers By CHENEEN R. CAPON

ALWAYS AT WORK. Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte speaks with a caller over the phone while visiting the grave of his late mother, Nanay Soling, during her fourth death anniversary yesterday at the Roman Catholic Cemetery in Madapo Hills. Lean Daval Jr.

Duterte to gather Kagans anew to settle IPMR issue D

AVAO City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte is set to call the members of Kagan tribe in the city next week to find out if they really want Halila Sudagar to sit as the Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) in the City Council. “I will set an assembly, maybe at Almendras Gym (Davao City Recreation Center). I would like to invite all the Kagans within the city of Davao then we will talk about it,” Duterte told reporters yesterday. He said if the whole tribe in the assembly will say they

want Sudagar to sit as IPMR, he will accept it. “If I think that all the Kagans in Davao City expressed their support to Sudagar, I cannot do anything about it,” he said. Duterte said he also intends to talk to Sudagar to ask if the selection process was really fair. He said he noticed in the selection that all the Baragwas or council of elders in the 37 Kagan communities were all members of Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod, which is his political party. He said he does not want

8 killed as Taiwan plane crashes in Taipei river

TAIWANESE flight with 58 people aboard clipped a bridge shortly after takeoff and careened into a shallow river Wednesday in the island’s capital of Taipei, killing at least eight people, state media said. Parts of the wrecked fuselage of the turboprop ATR 72 jutted out of the Keelung River just a couple dozen meters from the shore near the city’s downtown Sungshan airport. The main section of fuselage was on its side, missing a wing. Rescuers clustered around the plane in rubber boats more than two hours after the crash, and could be seen pulling carry-on luggage from an open

plane door. The country’s Central News Agency said eight people were killed out of 26 that had been pulled from the plane. The rescue was continuing. CNA said the flight from Taipei to the outlying island of Kinmen lost contact with flight controllers at 10:55 a.m. and the fuselage landed in the Keelung River near the city’s downtown Sungshan airport. As many as 31 passengers were from mainland China, Taiwan’s TVBS news broadcaster said. Kinmen lies just off the Chinese coast, making it a convenient way to return to the mainland after traveling to

F8 KILLED, 14

it to appear that the party will monopolize the positions in government. “Kanang position sa gobyerno dili na ingon na basta leader lang ka ni Duterte ipansak ka diha (It does not mean that just because you are identified with Duterte you will be placed in position),” he said. Duterte said he does not want Sudagar to be the IPMR because she already had the chance to be in the City Council when she was the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President of the city.

“She was there for about four years,” he said. NCIP 11 regional director Geroncio Aguio said they are yet to issue a certificate of affirmation (COA) to Sudagar for her to assume the position by former councilor Berino Mambo-o Sr. which is almost a month vacant. Aguio said the documents on the selection of Sudagar have not yet been sent by NCIP Davao del Sur to his office and as soon as the documents are forwarded to his office, he will immediately evaluate them so that the COA can be issued.

RIVER CRASH. In this image made from Associated Press Television video, a commercial plane lies in river after crashing in Taipei, Taiwan, Wednesday, February 4, 2015. The Taiwanese commercial flight with 53 passengers

crc@edgedavao.net

HE Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) in Davao Region is calling for the suspension of the implementation of mandatory annual physical examination and drug and neuro test in 7,000 public teachers in Davao City. “Imposing mandatory drug and neuro tests for public school teachers is degrading, insulting, and devoid of legal basis. Dako na nga violation on the rights of the teachers and dagdag gastuson sa teachers,” ACT- Davao region president Elenito R. Escalante said during the Club 888 media forum at The

Marco Polo, Davao yesterday. Escalante said Division Memorandum No. 169 series of 2014 is inconsistent with the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers, and Philhealth Board Resolution No. 1587 series of 2012 and related DepEd Memorandum No. 1587 series of 2012. In a statement, ACT said DepEd and PhilHealth have already agreed on the implementation of the Expanded Primary Care Benefit (PCB 1) which will include basic laboratory test. “It seems that the Division Superintendent (Hel-

OLICE in I sultan town in Sultan Kudarat are looking at the possibility that a rido (clan feud) could have been the motive behind the explosion noon Tuesday at the public market. Three people, including the suspect, were injured when the grenade carrier accidentally dropped the explosive from his jacket. Senior Supt. Rex dela Rosa, Sultan Kudarat provincial police director, identified the suspect as Rahib Pangilamen, of Paglat town in Maguindanao province. He sustained multiple shrapnel wounds in various parts of the body and is now in critical condition at the Isulan Sultan Kudarat Provincial Hospital. Initial investigation revealed the explosive was meant for the enemies of the wounded suspect. Dela Rosa clarified “it is

not an act of terrorism like what everybody feared as retaliation” to the killing of Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan in Mamasapano town in Maguindanao by his followers. The investigation report quoted witnesses as saying that they saw the grenade dropping from Pangilamen’s jacket while he was near the fish section of the market. This prompted the people to scamper for safety, leaving the place. A certain Mylene Vargas and a minor boy were hurt but are now of danger after being given medical attention at the nearest hospital. A red motorcycle believed to be used by the suspect is now in the custody of the Isulan PNP. Dela Rosa appealed to constituents to stay vigilant to prevent similar incidents from happening.

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Rido eyed in Isulan public market blast P

aboard clipped a bridge shortly after takeoff and crashed into a river in the island’s capital of Taipei on Wednesday morning. (AP Photo)

5 ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 229 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

Marques: Visit Davao Fun Sale to bring city P3B in revenue By CHENEEN R. CAPON

ON DISPLAY. A trader fixes his display of commercial rice at Agdao Public Market in Davao City yesterday. The prices of commercial rice are expected to go down as harvest season starts. Lean Daval Jr.

crc@edgedavao.net

ITY Tourism Operations Office head Lissette Marques said the staging of Visit Davao Fun Sale (VDFS) from April 3 to May 17 will bring an estimated revenue of more than P3 billion to the city. Marques said the figure is attainable if the seven-week tourism event will bring more than 190,000 foreign and domestic tourists. VDFS, an offshoot of last year’s Big Davao Fun Sale, is expected to bring more than 200,000 foreign and domestic tourists during the seven-week tourism event. Last year’s fun sale event brought a total of 195,713 tourists from March 14 to April 17. Marques said the possible revenue can be computed by basing on the tourism receipts (comprised of accommodation, dining, shopping and tour packages) which has an average value of P4,000 per day. She said that tourists usually stay in Davao for four days

and for this year’s bigger event will bring in more tourists. “Last year’s fun sale was focused on shopping but now it’s bigger because the whole tourism sector of Davao City is included,” Marques said. Department of Tourism 11 regional Director Roberto Alabado , speaking at the Club 888 forum at Marco Polo Davao Wednesday, said more shopping malls, restaurants, hotels and accommodation establishments, health and wellness establishments tour operators and airline companies will collaborate for VDFS to make this year’s event bigger. Alabado said DOT sealed an agreement with airline companies Cebu Pacific and Air Asia for partnership. “The two airlines will be offering hot seat sales just for the VDFS,” he said. The hot seat sale will be launched next week. “We would like to position Davao City as a key destination to food, dining, adventure and MICE,” Alabado said.

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6 THE ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 229 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

4 Davao establishments to seek ecozone accreditation from PEZA By CHENEEN R. CAPON

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OUR establishments in Davao Region are expected to apply for accreditation from the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) to become certified economic zones this year. “Based on the data gathered from the Department of Trade and Industry this includes a 3,856 sq. meter area of Matina Town Square (MTS) and Megaworld in Davao City, as well as an IT Park in Tagum City and Kopiat Island in Mabi-

ni, Compostela Valley, to name a few,” National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) 11 director Maria Lourdes Lim said on Tuesday. Last year, newly proclaimed ecozones were the Hijo Special Economic Zone in Tagum City, Darong Agricultural Development Corp. (DADC) Ecozone in Darong, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, and the Samal Casino Resort in IGaCoS. Lim said many economic zones conferred with PEZA

accreditation are expected to operate this year, including 2015 may also see the operationalization ofMatina IT Park, FelcrisCentrale, Aeon Towers and Abreeza Corporate Center 2, among others. PEZA reported that as of April 2014, there were a total of fifteen (15) operating and proclaimed ecozones in Davao Region, compared to nine operating and proclaimed ecozones in 2013 “This posted a growth

Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur. He said the plant will start operation and will give additional power supply in Davao Region first quarter of this year. Another ongoing private investment is the coal fired power plant of San Miguel Consolidated Power Corporation in Malita, Davao Occidental which is estimated to be completed in 2016. NEDA-XI regional director Ma. Lourdes Lim said SMC’s P25 billion 300-megawatt (MW) coal fired power plant was the biggest single investment in 2013. Aside from the AEC integration preparations, Lim bared several ongoing priority programs and projects in the region this year She said a P266 million funding will be poured to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-XI) for the implementation of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program with more than 155, 932 target beneficiaries in the region. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH-XI) has several ongoing infrastructure projects on hand which include the Lacson-Lamanan-Inayangan-Meg kawayan Road in Davao City with P289-million budget. Another DPWH-XI projects, are the reconstruction of Gov. Teodoro Palma Gil Bridge

in Caraga, Davao Oriental costing P215 million, and the improvement of the Island Garden City of Samal Circumferential Road, Davao del Norte with P200 million funding as support to infrastructure program of the tourism industry in the island. In Davao del Sur, DPWH 11 has been allocated a P202.35 million budget for the improvement of the Cogon-Kapatagan-Mainit Road leading to Mt. Apo, Camp Sabros, Mt. Apo Highland Resort, Tudaya Falls in Digos City. Lim also bared that projects under the Private-Public Partnership program will benefit most number of beneficiaries in the region. She cited the Francisco Bangoy International Airport modernization and development project which has a funding of P40.57 billion and the Davao Sasa Port modernization project with P18.9 billion budget. Both are in the bidding process. The other PPP projects are the Tamugan Surface Water Facility which Lim said was already awarded to the Davao City Water District (DCWD), the Tagum Bulk Water Facility for the Tagum Water District and the proposed Southern Mindanao Economic Corridor Improvement Project (Davao City Bypass Construction Project) Tunnel O&M Component. (PIA-XI/Carina L. Cayon)

farmers, local government units, and private sector to partner with her office in implementing regulatory measures to combat the dreaded diseases. Recoter said that of the P1.4 billion budget of DA 11 for 2015, High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) wherein fusarium wilt management is included got the highest allocation with P250.7 million. Melani Provido, HVCDP coordinator said that the program for fusarium wilt management is the revitalization of initiatives done in the previous years. “In 2013, we are given P20 million for this project

and just this year they added more fund to Fusarium which increased the overall budget for HVCDP climb to 300 percent,” Provido said. In 2014, HVCDP budget is P77.8 million and fusarium wilt management is not included. She added that due to the demand for appropriate interventions on such disease control and management, regulatory measures, and information dissemination, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala prioritized the program to eradicate if not minimized the spread of the disease. Provido added that the

RDC 11 sets priority programs in ‘15

REPARING for the ASEAN Economic Community Integration is among the priorities set by the Regional Development Council and the National Economic and Development Authority in Davao Region this year. Davao del Norte Governor and RDC-XI chair Rodolfo del Rosario said the Council continues to undertake initiatives to prepare the region for the AEC integration and ensure that the region gets the opportunities of this major economic shift. Part of the preparations for the AEC integration includes the creation of the AEC Special Committee under RDCXI and the implementation of the Davao Region Industry Cluster Roadmap with 17 priority industries. On Tuesday’s Kapihan sa PIA 11, Del Rosario also announced that the Council and NEDA-XI will continue the efforts in strengthening the competitiveness of the region, updating the Human Resource Development Plan, and the creation of the Web-based inventory of Public Lands Suitable for Investments. The Governor said big investment projects will be closely monitored this year, citing the 300-megawatt coal fired power plant of Therma South of Aboitiz Power which is being completed in the boundaries of Davao City and

of 67 percent and easily surpassed its target of 10 ecozones for 2014,” she said The rise in ecozones developed is primarily brought about by operational expansion, as well as entry of more ICT and Business Process Management (BPM) and BPO locators in the Region, especially in Davao City, increasingly being acknowledged as the ICT and BPO hub in Mindanao, she said. “In fact, there will also be

four BPO companies that will put up shop in Davao City, with a combined 3,500 seats. On top of the potential entries to the ICT-BPO arena, existing BPOs are also planning to expand their workforce within the year,” Lim said. According to her, one of the BPO companies commencing operations in 2015 is Convergys, the country’s largest BPO company. Convergys recently hired 1,000 agents for its operations in Davao City.

“More IT firms are eyeing to establish branches or offices in the Region with Davao City identified as one of the country’s outstanding BPO destinations and a consistent Next Wave City,” she said. Lim added that several other big players in the BPO industry are also putting up shop in Davao, which bodes very well for our employment targets and statistics, since this sector is anticipated to provide more quality jobs this year.

INTERACTION. National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) 11 director and Regional Development Council (RDC) vice chair Maria Lourdes D. Lim interacts with local media practitioners during Kapehan sa PIA on Tuesday. Lean Daval Jr.

Davao del Sur to host DA 11 strengthens fusarium wilt management National Rice Congress

HE Department of Agriculture (DA) 11 has allotted a total of P102 million budget to combat fusarium wilt or Panama disease for this year. Fusarium wilt , a destructive fungal disease of banana plants can be described as a “classic” vascular wilt disease and it invades the vascular tissue (xylem) through the roots causing discoloration and wilting. “Like any other diseases, early detection and adequate knowledge is our best defense,” DA regional director Remelyn Recoter said and urged banana

areas identified to be severely damaged by Fusarium were Davao del Norte, Compostela Valley Province and Davao del Sur but stressed that with immediate interventions disease can be managed. “There were only few cases in Davao City and in Davao Oriental but rest assured that they will be given a budget for Fusariumwilt eradication,” she said. The Fusarium Wilt Management is composed of five components namely; production support, eradication, trichoderma distribution, information campaign and training. (ChePalicte-DA 11)

AVAO del Sur will host the National Rice Congress on March 18-20 this year, which is expected to gather about 2,000 farmers from the province and neighboring provinces. Around 500 agricultural extension workers including farmers in Davao del Sur and Davao Occidental provinces are also set to join the congress. Elated for his province to be chosen as host to the NRC, Davao del Sur Governor Claude Bautista has promptly directed OIC Provincial Agriculturist Nally Bangoy to make the necessary preparations for this big event. The NRC will wrap up two days for the plenary session and one day for a Field Tour.

Varied inputs and reform measures embodied under the rice program will be tackled during the first two days. Issues of concern will be addressed by resource speakers as a consultative and advisory mechanism in the formulation and implementation of new agricultural policies. An identified four-hectare farm in Leling, Hagonoy has been selected as site where technology issues would be raised and exhibit of farm machineries will be displayed. “This is a yearly activity where the Rice Board serves as the organizer for this event,” stated Nani Marfil, the provincial rice program coordinator. (PLGU-Davao del Sur/Nilda S. Aniñon)

EDGEDAVAO

7 SCIENCE

VOL. 7 ISSUE 229 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

Coral reefs as future source of medicines By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

Photos courtesy of SeaWeb

N 2008, Dr. Lourdes Cruz bested more than 1,000 nominees worldwide for the award given annually to women scientists from five different regions of the world for their outstanding scientific contributions and commitment. She was chosen by a jury composed of 18 eminent members of the scientific community headed by the 1999 recipient of the Nobel Prize in medicine, Gunter Blobel. Dr. Cruz was given the L’Oreal-Unesco Award for Women in Science “for her pioneering research on the venomous toxins of the cone snail, which can produce a medication that is more powerful than morphine and can serve as powerful tools to study brain function.” Conotoxin is just one of those chemicals found from the species inhabiting the coastal waters. Coral reefs, for instance, hold considerable untapped potential in medical science. In fact, the US State Department said that half the potential pharmaceuticals being explored today come from the oceans, many from coral reef ecosystems. “The sky is the limit,” says Dr. Deborah Gochfeld, a senior research scientist at the National Center for Natural Products Research of the University of Mississippi. “The oceans have a much broader diversity of chemical structures than are found in plants – which include uses for cancer, heart disease,

and infections, among others – so it is likely that marine animals will include all of these options and more.” Dr. William Fenical, director for marine biotechnology and biomedicine at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, California, echoes the same idea. “Marine resources could be the major source of drugs in the coming years,” he pointed out. Most of these marine resources thrive in coral reefs. “Many coral reef species produce chemicals like histamines and antibiotics used in medicine and science,” reports The Nature Conservancy, an organization whose mission is to preserve plants, animals and natural communities by protecting the lands and waters needed for their survival. “Coral reef plants and animals are important sources of new medicines being developed to treat cancer, arthritis, human bacterial infections, heart disease, viruses, and other diseases,” says the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). “Some coral reef organisms produce powerful chemicals to fend off attackers, and scientists continue to research the medicinal potential of these substances.” Coral reefs, touted to be the rainforests of the sea, are one of the most productive and biologically rich ecosystems on earth. They extend across about 250,000 square kilome-

Soft coral (Photo courtesy of SeaWeb)

Coral reef ecosystem (Photo courtesy of SeaWeb)

Black coral and barrel sponge (Photo courtesy of SeaWeb) ters of the ocean – less than one-tenth of one percent of the marine environment – yet they may be home to 25 percent of all known marine species. “About 4,000 coral reef-associated fish species and 800 species of reef-building corals have been described to date, though these numbers are dwarfed by the great diversity of other marine species associated with coral reefs, including sponges, urchins, crustaceans, mollusks, and many more,” Reefs at Risk Revisited in the Coral Triangle noted. For centuries, coastal communities have used reef plants and animals for their

medicinal properties. In the Philippines, for instance, giant clams are eaten as a malaria treatment. “Unique medicinal properties of coral reef organisms were recognized by Eastern cultures as early as the 14th century, and some species continue to be in high demand for traditional medicines,” observes Dr. Andrew Bruckner, a coral reef ecologist in the US National Marine Fisheries Service’s Office of Protected Resources in Silver Spring, Maryland. In China and Taiwan, tonics and medicines derived from seahorse extracts are used to treat a wide range of ailments, including sexual disorders, respiratory and circulatory problems, kidney and liver diseases, throat infections, skin ailments, and pain. In Japan’s reefs – one of the most studied coral coasts in the world – there is a chemical called kainic acid, which is used as a diagnostic chemical to investigate Huntington’s chorea, a rare but fatal disease of the nervous system. Sea whips, a type of soft coral found throughout the Caribbean may hold the key to promising new painkillers. Other coral chemicals have proved useful in research on arthritis and asthma. In Australia, researchers have developed a sun cream for a coral chemical that contains a natural “factor 50” sun block. Also, the porous limestone skeleton of coral is now being tested as bone grafts in humans. “If used properly, the reefs of the entire world can better serve humans with medicine rather than with food,” some researchers claim. In an article which appeared in Reef Research, Dr. Patrick Colin, a marine biologist, clearly described the hopes that had led him to spend the 1990s collecting marine samples in the Pacific for the US National Cancer Institute (NCI). “Over the years, the NCI has been screening terrestrial plants and marine

organisms worldwide for bioactivity against cancer and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), and has come up with a number of hot prospects, a number of which are in clinical trials,” he wrote. Already, the NCI has been screening each year about 1,000 species of oceanic invertebrates and plants, including sea slugs, sea squirts, sponges, and several other denizens of coral gardens. “The marine environment became a focus of natural products drug discovery research because of its relatively unexplored biodiversity,” says the book, From Monsoons to Microbes. According to the book, marine sponges are among the most prolific sources of diverse chemical compounds with therapeutic potential. Of the more than 5,000 chemical compounds derived from marine organisms, more than 30 percent have so far been isolated from sponges. Chemicals with therapeutic potential can also be extracted from bryozoans, ascidians, mollusks, cnidarians and algae. Several strains of phytoplankton have been discovered to be exhibiting antibacterial and antifungal properties. Since the mid-1970s, private and government-funded institutions from the United States and other industrialized countries have devoted varying levels of effort to the discovery of marine-derived pharmaceuticals. Meanwhile, the use coral in bone grafts is spreading rapidly. Pieces of coral set into a fracture act as a scaffold around which the healing can take place. The implant eventually disappears, absorbed by the new growth of bone. Rates of rejection are much lower than with artificial grafting materials. Unfortunately, the ecologically-fragile coral reefs which someone describes as “Eden beneath the waves,” are on the verge of extinction. Coral reefs

in Asia as well in other parts of the world are disappearing fast. “More than 60 percent of the world’s reefs are under immediate and direct threat from local sources – such as overfishing, destructive fishing, coastal development, watershed-based pollution, or marine-based pollution and damage,” Reefs at Risk reported. Climate change brought about by global warming is exacerbating the problem. “Tropical coral reef waters are already significantly warmer than they were and the rate of warming is accelerating,” deplored Janice Lough, of the Australian Institute of Marine Science. “With or without drastic curtailment of greenhouse gas emissions we are facing, for the foreseeable future, changes in the physical environment of present-day coral reefs.” Once these coral reefs are gone, they would be lost forever – including those that can serve as sources of medicines. “The loss of biodiversity represents lost potential medicines (as well as many other biotechnology products that enhance our lives),” says Dr. Gochfeld. “The alarming loss of coral reefs in recent years includes unestimated loss of species that could one day save lives from malaria, cancer, HIV, and many other infectious diseases.” Coastal and marine scientists attending the International Coral Reef Symposium in Cairns, Australia some years back urged governments from all over the world “to take action for the preservation of coral reefs for the benefit of present and future generations.” “We can expect future medical benefits from chemical compounds in coral reef species and ecosystems,” says the World Wide Fund for Nature. “Just as with tropical forests, we may find the answers to medical problems in the coral reefs – as long as we can preserve them and keep them healthy.”

EDGEDAVAO

VANTAGE

VOL. 7 ISSUE 229 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

EDITORIAL Technicalities vs realities

ORMER Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza’s revelation that the Philippine National PoliceSpecial Action Force (PNP-SAF) did not need to coordinate with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in enforcing an arrest warrant on a known terrorist gives us an insight on just how complicated and even dangerous the peace deal is between government and the MILF. On the one hand, the ceasefire agreement says government forces cannot just enter MILF territory without letting the latter know what they are there for. On the other hand, they are allowed to barge in even without permission if the targets are “high-value” and “priority” – as was the case with suspected terrorists Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan and Basit Usman, who have bounties of US$5 million and US$1 million, respectively, from the US government. It sounds good on paper, but implementing it, as we have seen, can have disastrous results. There is obviously a fine line between high-value and regular value targets, and it is here that a breakdown can so easily occur. As the ceasefire agreement says, government is required to give a list of targets to the MILF 24 hours before an operation so that

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its side can do the necessary evacuation of civilians and to avoid armed confrontation between the GPH and MILF forces. If the target is high-value, no such list is required – but who determines the level of the target can be a problem. It seems reasonable to suppose that government and the MILF ought to err on the side of caution and simply abide by the 24-hour rule on all targets so as to avoid deadly conflict. And as Dureza himself pointed out, the 24-hour rule applies only between government and the MILF and not within the government itself. While the MILF need not be informed of an operation on high-value targets, the SAF should have told its higher-ups as well as the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) what it was about to do. As it was, it was a case of the right hand not knowing what the left was doing, and in the ensuing gunfight it was not able to lend a helping hand to its comrades in distress. It may have been technically within its prerogative to be silent about its operation on Marwan and Usman, but these technicalities have a way of causing things to go awry when confronted by the realities on the ground. ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

AGAPITO JOAQUIN JR. Associate Editor

CHARLES RAYMOND A. MAXEY Consultant

ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. KENNETH IRVING K. ONG 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 ARLENE D. PASAJE Correspondents 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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ERE’S a bad news for Dabawenyos who love to eat fish. Last year, fish production in the region dropped by 28 percent. That’s’ according to regional office of the Bureau of Fishery and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), a line agency of the Department of Agriculture. Jose Villanueva, the fisheries and regulatory law enforcement chief of BFAR, told Edge Davao’s Cheneen R. Capon that the total fish production for 10 months (from January to October) last year was only 2,508.50 metric tons. In comparison, the total production for the whole year in 2013 was 3,468.79 metric tons. Villanueva based his calculation from the report submitted to the BFAR 11 National Stock Assessment Program. The decrease in production, he believed, was “due to the closed season implemented in Davao Gulf during the spawning season from July to August last year.” With an area of 308,000 hectares, Davao Gulf is Southern Mindanao’s fishing ground. As a matter of fact, it is the 10th major fishing ground in the country. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) considers Davao Gulf as one of the most diverse marine ecosystems in the world. During the closed season, no commercial fishing vessels were allowed to conduct any fishing activities inside the gulf. The closed season was done because the gulf has already reached and exceeded the maximum sustainable yield (MSY). In fact, “there was a decline in the catch of small pelagic fishes,” to quote the words of BFAR 11 Director Fatma Idris. A 10-year-study found out that the volume and quality of the fish in the Davao Gulf have been found to be in constant decline since 2000. The study -- “Strengthening Governance and Sustainability of Small-scale Fisheries Management in the Philippines: An Ecosystem-based Fisheries Management Approach in Davao Region” -- looked at the volume and quality of the harvests of 10 commonly fished species in the gulf: matambaka, tamban, moro-moro, caraballas, bilong-bilong, lapu-lapu, danggit, molmol, talakitok, and maya-maya. Except for maya-maya, the harvest numbers for the species have been falling, according to the study. At the current rate of decline, the caraballas, bilong-bilong, molmol, and danggit may all disappear completely from Davao Gulf within a decade, the study added. The matambaka, tamban, and moro-moro are more resilient, but even they may disappear within a generation, the study pointed out. “While fish is not an important source of calo-

VOL. 7 ISSUE 229 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

Running out of fish ries in the human diet, it does have THINK ON THESE! an important role in food supply of many communities, especially in the developing world,” Veravat Hongskul, then the regional fishery officer of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, told this columnist when I attended a Henrylito D. Tacio press briefing on sustainable agri- henrytacio@gmail.com culture in Bangkok, Thailand. He said that fish contributes animal protein to the human diet. “Fish protein is generally recognized as a valuable ingredient in a balanced diet,” he explained. “It is of high biological value and contains essential amino acids not normally found in staple food.” Take the case of fish oil, which contains essential fatty acids, which are necessary for the proper development of the brain and the body. “Where staple foods are available, a small quantity of fish can contribute significantly to increasing consumption by improving the over-all palatability of the food and add to its nutritive value,” Hongskul added. Fish provides more than half of the protein requirement of more than 100 million Filipinos. At that rate, this makes us one of the world’s biggest fish consumers. But fish, touted as “the poor man’s protein,” is now a resource coveted -- and fought over by countries. “We are running out of fish and running out of time. For a country known for marine biodiversity, there are very few fish left to catch,” Vince Cinches, Oceans Campaigner for Greenpeace Southeast Asia, was quoted as saying. “Like the other vital resources such as forests, Philippine fisheries are about to collapse -- victim of the almost unabated ‘plunder of the commons,’” deplored Roy C. Alimoane, the director of Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center (MBRLC), a non-government organization based in Davao del Sur. As defined, the commons encompasses unoccupied land and all waters which are considered God-given set of resources for the people to consume as much as needed.

But these resources appear to have been abused to the point of exhaustion. Despite the country’s vast marine resources -- 220 million hectares of coastal and oceanic territorial water area -- the Philippines is now experiencing a shortfall in fish supply. The condition of open sea access that exists both for international vessels on the high seas and for domestic fleets within their own countries’ exclusive economic zones is generally regarded as the major reason for the sad state of the ocean. “Overfishing is the primary cause of dwindling fish population,” notes Peter Weber in his book, Net Loss: Fish, Jobs and the Marine Environment. Along with fishing pressure, general degradation of coastal environments has influenced the steep decline of fish stock. Population growth and urbanization along shorelines lead to greater municipal, industrial and agricultural waste discharge and pollution. More than 40 million people in the Philippines live on the coast within 30 kilometers of coral reef, which represents about 45 percent of the country’s population. Approximately, two million people depend on fisheries for employment. Land reclamation, coral mining, and mangrove clearing for aquaculture -- itself a source of pollution -- alter the aquatic environment. The effects of oil spills and other disaster events involving shipping further threaten the ecological balance. The country’s coral reefs yield 5 to 37 tons of fish per square kilometer, making them very important to the productivity of fisheries. “And yet, only 1.0 percent to 2.5 percent is still intact and serves as habitat for diverse marine flora and fauna; 60 percent of reefs are heavily damaged,” wrote Sandra Volpp in her paper, “From the Mountains to the Seas,” which appeared in Handbook Philippines. Mangroves are very important to marine life, fishery expert Dr. Rafael D. Guerrero III points out. They serve as sanctuaries and feeding grounds for fish that nibble on detritus (fallen and decaying leaves) trapped in the vegetation, and on the bark and leaves of living trees. “(Mangroves) are important feeding sites for many commercially important fish species (mullet, tilapia, eel, and especially milkfish), shrimps, prawns, mollusks, crabs, and sea cucumbers,” says a World Bank report. “Fry that gather in mangrove areas are very important for aquaculture.” Yes, we are now running out of fish. “We need to do something now before it’s too late,” urged Alimoane. “Our marine resources can no longer sustain our needs!”

The inroads of traditional politics

IDESPREAD corruption in our country stems largely from the capture of the political system by greedy, shameless, or corrupt traditional politicians (trapos) who dominate virtually every jurisdiction. The scandalous extent of trapo infestation of the local governments—and the influence they wield upon the upper levels—is a great embarrassment and a stain on our claim to be a democratic society. Unfortunately, these blood-sucking, moneygrubbing trapos and their dynasties are so obsessed with playing political monopoly that they’ll stop at nothing to destroy whoever threatens their dominance. (Just last month an ambush was staged at the new airport of Lagundingan in Misamis Oriental, reportedly to eliminate a potential rival in Iligan City.) This trapo game of monopoly is aided by businessmen who are no less greedy, who vie for a share of the returns from corruption, in hopes of landing lucrative contracts or big pay-offs after elections. These political entrepreneurs invest big on candidates, finance their election campaigns, and await the bonanza. ***** Consider: it took 50 million pesos or more for those who made it to the Senate during the last election. How they’ve managed to recover their campaign expenses and made good on their campaign debts are today’s intriguing questions. And to become president, PNoy was reported to have spent at least 100 million to overcome the challenge of Gilberto Teodoro and other rivals. With elections approaching again, they now face a fresh round of fund-raising and campaign spending. Actually they’ve been at it non-stop, although on the sly, like the disguised provincial junkets of Jojo Binay which are in fact campaign sorties. What’s sad about the whole thing is the absence of courageous, principled leaders to challenge them and their sleazy activities. We have no champions in the cause of fairness, honesty, or equal opportunity, not even in respect of barangay elections. ***** And so corruption goes on and reigns—thriving

THE WORM’S EYEVIEW BY MANNY VALDEHUESA on the complicity of hypocritical trapo supporters and contributors. It is exacerbated by the passivity of the educated and the professional in the neighborhood that do nothing about cleansing their backyard. Adding to the corruption-indulgent atmosphere, the institutions and NGOs also assume a tolerant stance—e.g. universities, civic clubs, and churches that dominate their neighborhoods but behave as if corruption doesn’t exist. All this constitutes the infrastructure that serves to buttress corruption, the undercurrent that makes the culture of impunity flow smoothly beneath the conscience of everyone. But what’s really insidious is, no one seems aware that this phenomenon starts right in their community—and stays unless someone or some institution intervenes. They live right next door but do nothing about how their barangay officials manipulate the neighbors with services, funds, and budgets designed to keep them beholden to the trapos, big and small, until payback time on Election Day. ***** It’s a measure of how detached from the reality of corruption the professionals and civil society “activists” are —including church groups—that they pay no attention to local governance or its dynamics. Ignoring or not bothering to participate in the governing process of their community, they let corruption run roughshod over its affairs. Their truancy and inattention lets local trapos execute their stealth conspiracies against honesty and decency in their neighborhoods. This was the case during the last elections when Jejomar Binay’s operatives, unbeknownst to other civil society groups, penetrated and compromised the Gawad Kalinga projects in the provinces— springing a surprise victory over Mar Roxas (who didn’t know what hit him until it was too late).

Political do-gooders keep forgetting a fact of life in Philippine politics: that election campaigns are played out in the barangay’s neighborhood, the grassroots, where all precincts are located, and where every vote is courted, cast, and counted. ***** Trapos know as an article of faith that unless they win majority of the votes of the 41, 889 barangays (latest count), they can’t win. They know that the critical field of contention is in everyone’s neighborhood. It is why they keep on filling the neighborhood or surrounding area with patronage activities and projects, whether it’s games, free services, free TV viewing of Pacman’s bouts, or other neighborhood gimmick. These are what solidify voter loyalty, keeping people reminded of the “debt of gratitude” they owe for the gimmicks offered to them. Thus the vital factor to watch and be wary of therefore are the local handlers and ward leaders of the Big Trapos who manage these activities and dispense the funds for them. ***** Such activities take place year-round and the trapos, like Satan, never tire of sponsoring and spinning them, dangling patronage or goodies like temptation, day-in and day-out, till Election Day. To leave them to their own devices, unperturbed, is to enable them to build success upon success until they have total control of the local voters’ commitment and loyalty. If they’re to be neutralized, responsible sectors of the community must devise ways of intervening, disrupting, or foiling the objectives of such activities. It cannot wait till Election Day, by which time it will all be too late. 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 chairman/convenor of the Gising Barangay Movement Inc. valdehuesa@gmail.com)

VANTAGE POINTS

Kingdom of Iho (Hijo)

FAST BACKWARD BY THE ARCHIVIST

HO (pronounced I-yo), a region along the tangential areas of Tagum City and Maco, is largely an unexplored subject. In precolonial times, the term could have referred to the area stretching from Lupon on the southeast to Tagum in the central Davao region. Today that territory is also home to the townships of Maco, Mabini, and Pantukan, under the province of Compostela Valley, and Lupon, Davao Oriental. Dutch and English accounts dating to the 17th century provide evidence that the place was a trading center. It was a vital link to the Agusan River headwaters at the eastern sector of Tagum, adjacent to the boundaries of provinces of Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley. The upper basin of Iho River, spelled in Spanish accounts as Hijo, serves as a convergence for waters coming from Masara River, Balite Creek, Lingdan River, Calmah Creek, Magdum Creek and other tributaries from the mountains of southeastern Mindanao that empty into Davao Gulf. There is nothing in written accounts that suggests the etymology of “Iho” except that it is the general term for “shark” in local dialects. The place presumably was a spawning ground for sharks in earlier times. Given the channel’s location, its good anchorage and its connection to the gulf should have made Iho a natural fish sanctuary. Iho’s geographic significance is its location at the heart of the gulf, where it is strategically wedged between two land masses. The waters that guard its entrance was known to the indigenous people as Tagalooc Bay. Fr. Mateo Gisbert, S.J., in his Diccionario Bagobo-Español, defines ‘looc’ as part of the sea that is situated between two points or land tips (‘la parte de mar que se recoje entre dos puntas o cabos de tierra’). Lo-ok, for short, refers to a secluded place juxtaposed between two headlands. In pre-colonial times, the gulf was known as Teluk, Indonesian for ‘bay.’ Over time, it evolved into Tagalook (“residents by the bay”), which is probably the oldest appellation given to the water body until the Spaniards called it Seño de Davao, a name that was still in use in 1918 when the second America-era census was conducted. Conversely, the same bay was called by the early Dutch merchants in the late 16th century to early 17th century as Boutuan (Boetuan) Bay, a name that has Indonesian (Javanese) roots and possibly Muslim influence via the Tausug culture. The Americans later called it Davao Gulf. One of the earliest accounts about Iho is found in the August 30, 1628 report of Daniel Ottens, a Dutch, who wrote of the “people from the negeris [of] Malita, Bagobo, Canating, Djabo (Davao), Youw (Iho), Mateau (Matiao, Pantukan), Sommeleg (Lupon), and Leyne (Linao).” Englishman Thomas Forrest, in his 1775 travelogue, cited the existence of settlements in Eu (Iho), Sumoolog (Lupon), Tukka, and Baloe. While he did not actually visit the area, his reportage buttresses the position that Iho was one of the primary communities around the gulf. In the logbook of Dutch Captain Paulus de Brievings and Ensign Jacob Cloeck, who visited the Maguindanao sultanate on board the vessels De Bije, Larijcque, and De Peer from June 15, 1700 to January 1701, the prime minister of the territory at the time was Casily of Sjoo. In the late 19th century, in missionary accounts, another Iho chief was Datu Nonong, “one of the most respected and influential [rulers]” in Davao Gulf. The references to Iho suggest that it was not just a trade center or stopover for travelers; it was likely a precolonial and pre-Islamic kingdom that served explorers and trekkers from the north using the Agusan River, or from the south via the gulf. Iho, which was likely introduced by the Maguindanao sultanate to the Dutch, was popularly known to Malay traders as a rich source of beeswax. Mentioned in the same breath as the tributary states, Iho was a populated district ruled by a chieftain. This affirms, in a way, the argument that it was once a trading hub, distinct and separate from other fiefdoms around the gulf. Whether it was a center of military activity prior to its capitulation to the sultanate, it does not matter. What is patent is that before the rise of Kudarat in 1619, it was already a key business address. Moreover, its strategic location and its access to several watercourses made it an important part of the axis of authority in the sultanate. On June 24, 1645, Fr. Alejandro Lopez, the rector of Zamboanga, and Kudarat signed a treaty that was drafted at Simoay, the sultanate’s capital. Among others, the pact carried a condition stating that the Spanish government recognized the inhabitants of the territories “from the Iho River, in the interior, and the middle of Bay of Tagalook (Davao Gulf) to the Sibugay River (Zamboanga)” as obedient charges. This provision is a direct admission of the importance of Iho to the sultanate.

10 ICT HUB EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 229 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

CHINA HAS 649M PEOPLE ONLINE But fewer are microblogging

LREADY the world’s largest, China’s online population grew last year but drifted away from Twitter-like microblogs, with the number of microblog users falling by 32 million. The decline shows that Chinese microblogging sites have failed to recover from a major setback in 2013 when a harsh government crackdown on speech chilled dis-

cussion on those sites and drove away tens of millions of users. The second-year drop was accompanied by a rapid growth in popularity of newer products, especially the instant messaging service WeChat. In an annual report released Tuesday, the government-backed China Internet Network Information Center said China’s online popula-

tion reached 649 million last year and that 557 million of them accessed the Internet via mobile devices. But microblog users dropped by 7.1 percent to 249 million, and Internet companies pulled back investments in microblogging services, the report said. In comparison, the number of users of mobile instant messaging services grew 17.8

percent to 508 million, the report said. Dominating this market in China is WeChat, a product of the Internet company Tencent that also allows users to share information among circles of friends, make online payments, play games, or distribute content in public accounts that can be followed by other users. While Chinese authorities were broadsided

by the explosive growth of microblogs before 2012 and felt threatened by their ability to disseminate unfiltered information, they have largely been able to manage discussions on WeChat since its 2011 launch. Popular foreign social media sites such as Twitter, Facebook, and video-sharing site YouTube are blocked in China.

Most recently, Beijing has restricted access to Google services and disrupted some virtual private networks that would have allowed users to circumvent controls on banned sites. Chinese authorities have introduced the concept of “Internet sovereignty” to claim that each country has the right to control online material within its borders.

ASUS Fonepad 8 now available in Ph

SUS Philippines announced the new ASUS Fonepad 8 (FE380CG), an 8-inch tablet with dual-SIM, 3G phone functionality and powered by the next generation 64-bit quad-core Intel® Atom™ Z3530 1.33GHz processor. Fonepad 8 features an allnew design that is lighter and narrower than its predecessor, yet offers a larger viewing area thanks to a class-leading ultra-narrow bezel. Fonepad 8 comes with ASUS ZenUI, the ASUS-exclusive mobile user interface developed around the concepts of freedom, expression and connection. Featuring a new visual design made to be efficient and inviting, it contains modern ‘flat’ icons, vivid device-matching color themes, animations, new ringtones and notification sounds, and a clean layout to present information clearly. A powerful tablet with dual-SIM 3G functionality Fonepad 8 comes equipped with the new 64-bit quad-core Intel Atom processor Z3530 1.33GHz that delivers powerful performance to run the latest apps and games. Built-in 3G connectivity and dual SIM slots provide crystal-clear voice

calls and ensure that users are reachable on their own mobile or travel SIM numbers. Fonepad 8 features an 8-inch, 1280 x 800 IPS display and dual front speakers tuned with MaxxAudio® for immersive multimedia experiences. Its twin 5-megapixel and 2-megapixel front-facing cameras with PixelMaster technology provide enhanced camera functions that make it easy to capture high-quality images and video. Fonepad 8 is available with 8GB or 16GB of onboard storage, which can be further expanded with up to 64GB of Micro SD Card (SDHC and SDXC) storage. The highly energy-efficient design of Fonepad 8 provides up to 12 hours o f battery l i f e w h e n watching videos or browsing the web, or up to 21 hours of 3G talk time.

Designed for portability Only 8.9mm thin and only 310g, Fonepad 8 is incredibly thin and light, so it is easy to take everywhere. With a total width of 12cm and the world’s narrowest bezel on an 8-inch tablet, Fonepad 8 is comfortable to use with one hand. The narrow bezel also serves to

SPECIFICATIONS ASUS Fonepad 8 (FE380CG) Processor Operating system Display

Memory & storage

Networks

Wireless Camera maximize Fo n e pad 8’s display, resulting in a large viewing area with a 72.2% screen-to-body ratio. ASUS Fonepad 8 (FE380CG) will be available for only P11,995 in all ASUS authorized re-sellers nationwide.

Audio Connectivity

Sensors Battery Navigation Colors Size Weight

64-bit Intel® Atom™ Z3530 (1.33GHz, Quad-Core)

AndroidTM 4.4 with ASUS ZenUI 8-inch WXGA (1280x800) IPS screen with LED backlight, 400cd/m2 10-point multi-touch support Anti-fingerprint coating 2GB RAM 16GB eMMC 5GB Lifetime ASUS WebStorage Space3; with an additional 11GB for the first year HSPA+ UL:5.76 Mbit/s/DL:42 Mbit/s 3G : WCDMA : 850/900/1900/2100 2G : EDGE/GSM : 850/900/1800/1900, WLAN802.11 b/g/n Bluetooth V4.0 Supports Miracast 2-megapixel front camera 5-megapixel rear camera with autofocus (720p video recording ) Dual front speakers 1 × 2-in-1 audio jack (Headphone / Mic-in) 1 x Micro USB 1 × Micro SD Card reader, up to 64GB 2 × Micro SIM card slot(Dual SIM SKU) G-Sensor / Proximity / Light sensor / E-compass / Hall sensor 12 hours battery life; 15.2Wh Li-polymer Battery4 GPS, GLONASS & A-GPS Black, White, Red, Gold 120 x 214 x 8.9 mm (WxDxH) 310g

11 SUBURBIA

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 229 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

DavNorte pulls in P1B in dev’t projects A

FTER pulling in P362.9-million in development funds for road infrastructure projects and some community-driven projects last year, the Davao del Norte provincial government has tapped peace and rural development projects from two national program totaling P624 million this year. Provincial planning and development coordinator Josie Jean Rabanoz informed

the provincial board that funds for road projects are now in the pipeline of concerned national agencies for implementation in the province. These are the P409.8-million farm-to-market road rehabilitation from Philippine Rural Development Program under the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the P125.2-million road opening and rehabilitation from Paya-

pa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA)-Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Fund. PAMANA is the peace and development flagship program of the Aquino administration which targets conflict-affected communities. The provincial government gave a counterpart funding of maximum 10 percent of the total costs of the projects, Rabanoz said.

Last year’s development projects totaling P362.9 million came from the province’s share of the Special Local Road Fund, PAMANA-DILG Fund, PAMANA-DA, DA-Support to Emergency and Livelihood Assistance Project, DSWD-Community Driven Program, and Davao Integrated Development Program (DIDP). The projects were mostly rehabilitation of farm-to-mar-

ket roads. There was one project that went to the construction of peace center building for Bangsamoro women in Panabo City. It was as pre-identified by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP). Rabanoz reported the projects to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan in its session last Monday as the latter asked what were accom-

Panabo mayor sets JOs’tenure P

operative has been observing along with its effort to abide by the principle of good governance and transparency, making it known as a Cooperative “Where People Invest Their Trust.” Tagum Cooperative

ANABO City Mayor James Gamao, who succeeded Mayor Jose Silvosa Sr. who died on January 19, is respecting the latter’s appointment of almost 1,000 job order (JO) personnel. Former city administrator Ramon Sawan, however, said their appointment is only up to the expiration or end date as stated in their work papers. Sawan himself, being a coterminous employee, had tendered his resignation a day after Silvosa died, but Gamao asked him to stay until March 31, 2015. Silvosa, however, said he asked to end his term on January 31, which Gamao granted. Other coterminous employees like senior executive assistant Jovito Glodo, a former councilor, opted to exit on March 31.

Human resource and management head Henry Esparagoza said as of December 31, 2014, the Panabo City Hall had a total of 26 coterminous employees, 975 on job order and contract of service status, 13 on elective posts, and 416 regular and casual employees, or a grand total of 1,430. Mayor Silvosa died of cardiac arrest on January 19. Before his death, the mayor’s health had been observed to be failing health as he was on weekly dialysis for lingering diabetes. His death cut short his last term by one-and-a-half years, reckoned from his date of death to July 1, 2016. Gamao, who was vice mayor, automatically succeeded Silvosa as mayor to serve the remainder of the term. Cha Monforte, Correspondent

Manzano said 90 percent of the recipients of water filters belong to the Subanen tribe. Manzano said the DOST water purification system (WPS) is a simple technology that consists of a container and filtering medium, which is the ceramic pot filter (CPF). The ceramic filter is made up of red clay which is coated with nano-colloidal silver as the anti-microbial agent that replaces the chlorination process in traditional water filter systems. The ceramic pot typically sits or hangs on the top of a large plastic container, which is fitted with

a tap at the bottom. A lid is placed on top of the filter to prevent contamination. The system is capable to purify tap water, deep well water, and raw water tainted with up to 3 percent suspended particles or silt and convert these into safe drinking water. According to the Industrial Technology Development Institute(ITDI) of the DOST, the water filter has passed the Philippine National Standards (PNS) for drinking water in terms of microbiological and chemical analysis. Manzano said the recipients of the ceramic water filters were taught on the proper use of the sim-

ple technology. Manzano said the use of the water filters will be monitored by the municipal health office if Siayan to ensure the recipients properly use the filters. Manzano said that the grant of water filters to the community is one of the initiatives of the DOST under the project entitled “Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST).” She said that Siayan Mayor Flora Villarosa and DOST Provincial Director Marcial Dahonan led the distribution, which was held last week, of the water filters to the identified recipients. (PNA)

Prospects, opportunities in Tagum City, DavNorte

AGUM Biz Talk at Big 8 opened its 2015 monthly media forum on January 21 with Tagum City Mayor Allan Rellon and Tagum Cooperative Board of Director (BOD) chairperson Director Norma

R. Pereyras, discussing “The Prospects and Opportunities in Davao del Norte and Tagum City.” Quoting statements from Pope Francis, Pereyras said Tagum Cooperative has been

NorCot offers masters degree scholarship for teachers

ORTH Cotabato Governor Emmylou Mendoza on Wednesday announced the re-opening of a Graduate Degree Scholarship Program for elementary and secondary school teachers in the province. Mendoza said the program aims to provide opportunity for public school teachers to gain masteral degrees and improve their credentials for promotion. ”In the end, the teachers are not the only beneficiary but their pupils as well since they will have good and masters’ degree holder teachers,” Mendoza said in a statement. Under Provincial Ordinance 487, all public school teachers are qualified to apply and become scholars of the special program already in its fourth year of implementation. Started in 2012, the Graduate Degree Scholarship Program required the applicants to be not more than 40 years old, teaching in public schools

for the past three years or more, no pending administrative or criminal case and must pass qualifying examination. Under the program, the provincial government takes care 70 percent of the tuition fees and other expenses while each scholar will shoulder the other 30 percent. Scholars will study in accredited universities and colleges in North Cotabato. Among the requirements was for the scholar to finish the course within four semesters or two years. ”Through this we can ascertain the scholar will complete the course,” Mendoza said even as she called on all public school teachers in the province. The provinces has more than 4,000 public school mentors. She advised them to visit the Public Affairs And Assistance Tourism Sports Development Division (PAATSDD) at the provincial capitol in Barangay Amas, Kidapawan City. (PNA)

exercising “mercy and compassion” not only for its members, but also for the least fortunate in communities where it is operating. Pereyras also talked about the godliness that Tagum Co-

plished by the omnibus resolution that the body earlier approved giving Governor Rodolfo del Rosario the authority to enter into, negotiate, and sign contracts for development projects of various agencies. “The province has been doing this...in using omnibus resolution for four to five years already,” Rabanoz said. Cha Monforte, Correspondent

DOST give ceramic water filters to Zambo Norte 4Ps beneficiaries T

HE Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has distributed 50 units of ceramic water filters to selected Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries who have limited or no access to potable water. DOST regional director Brenda Nazareth-Manzano said in a statement Wednesday that the water filters were distributed to the 4Ps beneficiaries in Siayan, Zamboanga del Norte since the town has been declared by then National Statistics Coordination Board (NSCB) as the poorest municipality in the country.

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VOL. 7 ISSUE 229 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

INdulge!

VOL. 7 ISSUE 229 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

EDGEDAVAO

FOOD

Gyoza and tantanmen

Relaxed and breezy at

Black garlic tonkotsu ramen

SUNAHAMA

THERE is a food revolution in Durianburg and many who are leading the charge in the revolution are true blue Dabawenyo foodies who are bringing new concepts when it comes to food and dining out. One new concept that is making waves in Davao’s food scene is Sunahama Noodle Bar. The brainchild of Mia Pineda, herself a foodie and an even more passionate cook, Sunahama offers Japanese-inspired comfort food such as home-made ramen, soba, gyoza, and the like. Unlike any traditional Japanese restaurant, Sunahama does not claim itself to be a hardcore ramen house but instead as a noodle house serving meals that are hearty and comfy, just the way Mia sees it. “I do not want to claim myself as a full-fledged Japanese ramen house with ramen that is packed with salt,” says Mia. “I want to do is to make ramen my way, more light, soulful and flavourful without too much salt and fat.” Tasting Sunahama’s Black Garlic Tonkotsu Ramen, I can say that the pork bone based soup is light but still hearty and flavourful with a punch of rich garlic goodness. The charsiu has a right mix of

fat and meat, making it tender to the bite. Mia also says that the ramen noodles are all freshly made in-house to ensure the best quality noodles. I also had a taste of the Tantanmen, which is a ramen using beef broth with ground beef, sesame paste, and bean paste. Always up for anything spicy, I ordered it with the extra spicy option. The broth tasted clean and rich as well and was a hearty meal in itself. I just wish it was more spicy. But given my mouth’s tolerance for heat, it might just be my own personal preference. Aside from the piping hot ramen that is best taken during cold nights or

when it is raining, Sunahama also serves noodles that are perfect for a hot day. I would suggest trying the Hiyasi Chuka which uses cold homemade noodles and is mixed with mani, tamago, vegetables, and Sunahama’s house dipping sauce. The more adventurous may want to try out the Zaru Soba, another cold noodle dish using buckwheat noodles, and served with a quail egg, sesame seeds, nori bits, and the house dipping sauce. Although noodles are a main draw to Sunahama, Mia also serves some of the best new desserts in Durianburg in the form of Sunahama’s Mille Crepe. Made by layering twenty crepes on top of one-another with a thin creme anglaise layer to keep the crepes steady, the mille crepe tastes light and not too sweet with the brûléed top adding just enough sweetness that encouraged me to go back for more. Definitely the perfect way to end a comforting meal. Sunahama Noodle Bar is located at Door 6-A, Mabini Commercial Complex, along Mabini Street. For reservations you can call them up at 324-3582.

Mille crepe

Chilled cucumber

Zaru soba

Tiramisu

EDGEDAVAO

A2 INdulge! UP AND ABOUT

VOL. 7 ISSUE 229 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

ENTERTAINMENT

Experience fast, fun Nash a and worry-free online Stay aw shopping with Smart WHETHER it’s shopping for the latest fashion trends or looking for the best deals on hotel accommodations, wireless services leader Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) continues to power your online lifestyle needs with exclusive deals for subscribers on popular e-Commerce sites such as Zalora and Airbnb.

“We have partnered with the best and the biggest names in eCommerce to bring you the greatest online shopping deals from Zalora and Airbnb right at your fingertips,” said Charles Lim, EVP and Wireless Consumer Division Head at Smart. “With Smart, you’ll have the fast, fun, and worry-free Internet experience that will power all your online needs, all at your own convenience.” The best fashion finds The new year means opportunities for a fresh start, and that includes a new set of wardrobe from the country’s leading online fashion portal Zalora. Now, Smart subscribers can update their look and keep up with the latest fashion trends with an

wards. To avail of the discount, users must first be members of the Smart Rewards program by texting REWARDS to 9800. After registering, simply text REDEEM <space> ZALORA to 9800 to get your FREE discount codes for online shopping. The promo is open to all Smart prepaid, postpaid, and broadband subscribers nationwide. Once the code is sent to your phone, simply log on to www.zalora.com. ph, register for an account (if you don’t already have one), choose the apparel that best suits your taste, and enter the discount code at the proper field upon checkout. So grab the chance to try on new styles and wow your friends with your new outfits, and discover GIVE your extra clothes or new pair of slippers at THE SM STORE and RECEIVE a P50 Discount Coupon. Campaign Period is from Feb. that Smart is all you need 1 to Mar. 31, 2015. Donation booths are located at all THE SM STORE for all your fashion needs. branches nationwide. exclusive 15% discount on apparel purchases from Zalora through Smart Re-

The most unique accommodations Meanwhile, Smart Postpaid subscribers can instantly get a P1,500 discount on their Airbnb accommodations by simply being part of the country’s biggest mobile network. To avail of the offer, subscribers only need to visit the Airbnb website (www. airbnb.com) or access the Airbnb app on their iOS or Android phones and input the unique promo code linked to their mobile number at the checkout page. To be eligible for the discount, the booking cost must be at least P3,000 and their stay at the chosen accommodation must end on or before May 31, 2015. The discount may only be used once per registered Airbnb user in the Philippines. Airbnb is a trusted community marketplace for people to list, discover, and book unique accommodation around the world — online or from a mobile phone. Whether an apartment for a night, a castle for a week, or a villa for a month, Airbnb connects people to unique travel experiences, at any price point, in more than 34,000 cities and 190 countries. To know more about the mechanics of this limited-time offer, visit www. airbnb.com/smartpostpaidpicks.

A Valentine’s date at th JEEPNEY TV, the home of timeless Filipino TV shows, partners for the first time with the 19th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta (PIHABF) for a special Valentines show on February 14 (Saturday) at Clark Field Pampanga. On its 19th year, the four-day fest on February 12-15 dubbed as the “weekend of everything that flies,” will have various activities that will thrill spectators. Aside from colorful hot air balloons flying up in Clark, the festival will also feature paragliding and skydiving exhibitions, aerobatic shows, a grand fireworks display, and a whole lot more. Since the Hot Air Balloon Fiesta coincides with the most romantic day of February, Jeepney TV

will showcase a Valentin cert on Saturday (Febru at Clark Field Pampang “Love is in the Air,” head singer-songwriter Aiza S and hosted by DJ Chacha 101.9. From the greatest all-time favorite love son and other surprise OPM artists will make hearts s love felt all around in this Jeepney TV Valentine’s ev As a Valentine’s treat, TV will be giving every chance to win passes 19th Philippine Internatio Air Balloon Fiesta and c Valentine ’s Day at Cla Pampanga. To win passes pants need to answer th tion, “who do you want t Valentine’s Day with at

VOL. 7 ISSUE 229 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

EDGEDAVAO

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advises teenagers:

way from temptation “Bagito” lead star Nash Aguas calls on teenagers to value the guidance of their parents, and he hopes that the online forum of their program, “Bagito Hangout,” will be able to help young viewers in need of advice. “‘Bagito Hangout’ is a huge help for the youth who seek ad-

vice, especially to teenagers like me who are heavily exposed to the Internet and social media. We should all be careful because there are a lot of temptations and bad influences that may ruin our future,” said Nash about the online forum, which is also open to parents who are concerned

about their children. “Bagito Hangout” is the online forum launched by ABS-CBN and Center for Family Ministries (CeFaM) in response to the needs of viewers who seek advice about family, friendship, and love. Viewers and netizens can send their questions to CeFaM counselors

at http://bagito.abs-cbn.com/ hangout every Monday to Friday, from 6:30PM-7:30PM. Don’t miss the exciting twists and revelations in the drama series that will awaken the hearts and minds of the youth, “Bagito,” weeknights, after “TV Patrol” on ABS-CBN Primetime Bida. For

more updates about “Bagito,” visit the program’s official social networking sites at Twitter.com/ DreamscapePH and Instagram. com/DreamscapePH. Viewers may also catch up on full episodes and past episodes of “Bagito” through ABS-CBNmobile.

A fab, fresh, and fun Valentine’s in Taste Buddies this Saturday

ONLY a week away before love fills the air, Taste Buddies Solenn Heussaff and Iya Villania concoct one fab episode in celebration of Valentine’s Day. Joining them is no less than the very single and very available Kapuso balladeer Christian Bautista. If preparing for a big but budget-friendly date, this Saturday’s epi-

sode is a must-watch as the gang rediscovers the 60-hectare Rizal Park and list down romantic ideas one can do for Vday. A romantic date at the newly-restored Luneta Hotel with its old world charm and elegance is also a must-try! Here, Solenn, Iya, and Christian enjoy kare-kare, paella, and other Filipino-Span-

ish food from the hotel’s 1918 original menu but now given a modern twist. So whether in a relationship or single, celebrating with family or friends, there’s no need to panic because Taste Buddies has all bases covered for V-day! Tune in this Saturday night, February 7 at 8:45PM on GMA News TV.

the Hot Air Balloon Fiesta with Jeepney TV

ne’s conuary 14) ga titled, dlined by Seguerra a of MOR t hits to ngs, Aiza M guest soar and is special vent. Jeepney yone the for the onal Hot celebrate ark Field s, particihe questo spend the Hot

Air Balloon Fiesta and why?” Answers should be sent via private message to Jeepney TV’s Official Facebook Page (https:// www.facebook.com/JeepneyTV) with the full name, age, and contact number. Deadline of submission of entries is on February 8 (Sunday), 11:59PM and winners will be announced via Jeepney TV’s Facebook page on February 9 (Monday). Don’t miss out on this experience of a lifetime. Send in your best answers now! Jeepney TV is available on SkyCable channel 9 and other leading cable systems nationwide. For more updates and programming schedules, please like and visit Jeepney TV’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/JeepneyTV.

February 5-10, 2015

JUPITER ASCENDING Mila Kunis, Channing Tatum PG 13

11:40 | 2:15 | 4:50 | 7:25 | 10:00 LFS

PROJECT ALMANAC Jonny Weston, Sofia Black D'Elia PG 13

12:40 | 3:00 | 5:20 | 7:40 | 10:00 LFS

WILD Reese Witherspoon R16

R-16

12:40 | 3:00 | 5:20 | 7:40 | 10:00 LFS

THAT THING CALLED TADHANA Angelica Panganiban, JM De Guzman PG13

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

EDGEDAVAO

A4 INdulge!

VOL. 7 ISSUE 229 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

FOOD

Healthiest food for your

HEART

CAN the contents of your kitchen seriously save your life? A number of studies show that what you eat, drink, and store in your pantry can help save your body from a plethora of diseases. Both a cure and prevention, knowing what is right for you will pave the way for a life of ease. It’s February. . . heart’s month. Nevertheless, it is not only about love, being in love and sharing love... it too is about taking care of our body, especially our heart. To begin this month-long celebration, let us get into a healthy vibe and discover some of the healthiest food for the heart. Sardines These little sea creatures are packed with omega-3 that increases the good cholesterol in our bodies. For beginners, omega-3 is known to reduce sudden heart attacks in individuals. For a healthier option, buy them fresh – canned sardines are said to contain high salt contents. Want a SARDINE recipe? Here’s one that will make you smile any time of the day. Garlic Sardine Pasta

fresh herbs or sun-dried tomato for added burst of flavor. Adjust seasoning. Turn off heat and transfer to a plate. Drizzle with oil and serve with bread.

In a pan, pour 4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil (Investing in good quality olive oil is always a life saver!) and 3 cloves of finely chopped garlic. Sauté until slightly brown and translucent. Add cleaned sardines and a tsp of chili powder (you can also use chili flakes). Here, you can slice your sardines to bite size pieces or let them be. Sauté until cooked. Season with salt and pepper. Toss in cooked pasta (best with angel hair pasta) with sardines. At this point, you can add your

Sardines are high in Omega-3

Coffee can also help reduce Type 2 diabetes

Liver Studies reveal that liver contain fats good for the heart. Most are not into eating liver but if you want to have a sturdy beating heart, give this healthy treats a try. Personally, I love any liver dish. Most especially this personal favorite I prepare when my friends decide to raid my home unnoticed. Sautéed Beef Liver In a pan, heat oil over low heat. Add 10 to 12 ripe tomatoes (deseeded and diced) and sauté until cooked. Let the tomatoes shrink. Add 4 cloves of finely chopped garlic and sauté. Season with salt and pepper and build the flavors as you go. Add cleaned beef liver, sliced and diced, in the pan. Sauté until cooked. Add a generous amount of cinnamon powder and nutmeg. Mix well. Adjust seasoning as you go. Serve over warm rice. Almonds Like walnuts, these crunchy nuts contain omega-3. Easy to find and use, almonds are best eat-

Snack on some almonds on a reguar basis! en on its own as a snack (200 grams is believed to help you lose your muffin top!) or as toppings to your favorite oatmeal or dessert favorites. Overnight Oats with Cocoa, Almond and Dates In a bowl, mix together 2 cups of oats, 1 ½ cups almond milk, 2 tbsp of unsweetened cocoa powder (you can also use dark chocolate shavings) and 1

to 2 tbsp of organic honey. Mix in almond slivers or chopped roasted almond (in a pan, fry almonds without oil to achieve a char grilled and smoky flavor) and chopped pitted dates. Transfer to a jar and keep overnight inside the refrigerator. You can add fruits and chia seeds. Coffee I am a self-confessed

coffee junkie. As I was researching, I came across an article that said, “According to Dr. Agatston, studies have shown that coffee is high in antioxidants and reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes.” So, thank you, coffee! Make #TheRoyalChef your Thursday habit! Follow and tag me on instagram (herroyalheiress) for your delicious pics and food finds!

VOL. 7 ISSUE 229 â&#x20AC;˘ THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

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8 killed... FFROM 4 Taiwan. The plane also hit a taxi, the driver of which was injured, as it flew into the river, TVBS reported. It was the second of TransAsia’s French-made ATR 72 planes to crash in the past year.

Last July, a flight crashed while attempting to land on the island of Penghu off Taiwan’s coast, killing 48 people and injuring another 10. Stormy weather and low visibility were suspected as factors in that crash.

en Paguican) is ignorant of this and is insensitive of its monetary implication on the already underpaid but overworked teachers,” the statement said. ACT said according to the division memorandum order, “the annual physical examination (P.E.) of teaching and non-teaching personnel will begin on January 5, 2015 and shall end on May 15, 2015.” It was also stated in the memorandum order that “given that the Division of Davao City has no medical officer” the division office entered into a partnership with the Davao City Health Office. Based on the memorandum, CHO will only issue medical clearance on teachers once requirement including hemoglobin (done in the last three months); fecalysis (done in the last three months); Urinalysis (done in the last three months); Chest X-ray or Sputum exam for pregnant women (done in the last six months); drug test (done in the last 12 months); and Neuro-Psychiatric test (done in the last 12 months). For applicants 40 years old and above, additional test are required done in the last 12 months, including di-

abetes test and heart test are included. “There was no consultation conducted by the division office during the crafting of the memorandum order,” Escalante said. He also said the memorandum order is just an added burden to teachers because it may disrupt their responsibility of teaching. Escalante said all testing required and stated under the memorandum will cost an estimated P800. He also said the CHO, as the division’s partner, should not impose a P30 fee and mandatory drug and neuro test because it is way beyond what has already been set by the Magna Carta. Davao City councilor Mabel Sunga-Acosta said she will look into the complaints of the public teachers. “I was surpised when I heard this… I still have to read the order and the response from the Civil Service Commission for their (ACT) letter to the latter because it was allegedly the basis of the order,” she said. Sunga said it was the first time she read an order on mandatory medical tests because usually it is done at random.

He said a total of nine malls and retail establishment in Davao City will give up to 70 percent discount on their products. These are Abreeza Ayala Mall, Gaisano Mall of Davao in Bajada and Toril, NCCC Mall, S&R shopping center, Robinsons Abreeza, SM City Davao-Ecoland, SM Lanang Premier, Victoria Plaza and Aldevinco Souvenir Shop. Benjie Lizada, president of the Restaurant Owners Association of Davao City, meanwhile, said various restaurants and dining areas in Davao City like in the Matina Town Square (MTS), Damosa Gateway, Lanang, Lanang Business Park, The Peak in GMall of Davao, Bricklabe in Obrero, Victoria Plaza Carpark and those in the streets of Rizal, Torres and Roxas will offer 20 percent discount on selected food item on their respective menus daily. Food establishments Eden Nature Park and malagos Mountain Resort and Philippine Eagle Center in Calinan area will also give 20 percent discount during the six-week event, according to Lizada. “We currently have a total of 106 participating food establishments but we’re hoping to get more,” he said. Another sector of the tour-

ism industry that will participate in this year’s fun sale is the health and wellness sector headed by Davao Wellness and Spa Association under its president Fides Bernabe. Bernabe earlier said a total of 30 owners of different spa establishments in the city will offer the “Madayaw Massage Promo” during the fun sale. “We will be offering a 30 minute dry massage for P100 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. from April 3 to May 17,” he said. Hotels and accommodation establishments will also offer packages to both local and foreign tourists. “Each hotel and resorts in Davao City and even in Davao del Norte formulated packages that will surely entice tourists,” Hotel and Resorts sales and marketing Association president May Aranda said. A total of 38 resorts and hotels will join the fun sale, according to Aranda. Tours Consortium vice president Edmund Mayormita also said that tour operators in Davao City will offer three kinds of tour packages: countryside tour for P1,500, city tour for P600 and island tour for only P1,500.

ACT... FFROM 4

WINDY DAY. A group of young fishermen braves the strong winds and waves on their way to the Davao Gulf for a day of fishing yesterday morning. Lean Daval Jr.

Rody’s... FFROM 1

Surigao... FFROM 2

vice, if I may,” said Dureza, who also served as Press Secretary during former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s term. “The only way we can nurse back to health the badly bruised peace process, a major casualty in the Mamasapano incident is for both President Aquino and MILF chief Kagui Murad to meet again, face the whole nation, and take full responsibility for what happened.” Dureza said the two leaders must also lead efforts in finding solutions to the crisis generated by the botched police operations. “(They must) take full charge in crafting action plans to move forward. Anything less will not help resuscitate the mortally wounded peace process,” he said. “The proverbial buck must stop somewhere,” he added. Asked by Edge Davao what he thought the President and the MILF chair must do so that the peace process can move forward, Dureza gave the following steps: “One: For President Aquino to come clean with his real participation on SAF operations and Murad to identify who participated and to work for the return of cannibalized belongings of SAF members who were killed. “Two: For MILF to interdict or prevent terrorist from

taking sanctuary in MILF areas. This is just to implement what had been previously agreed upon. “Three: Joint operations between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) against (terrorists). “Four: For Murad to tighten command and control on his forces. “Five: For MILF to open its areas to police enforcement campaign like serving of warrants of arrest.” Meanwhile, in Cotabato City, thousands are expected to join the barefoot “walk for peace” on Friday. Called “YapaKapayaan,” the walk will be participated in by officials and employees of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) regional government and civil society groups. “This is our way of showing that peace is the only option to the problem,” ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman said. He said the government and the MILF must never resort to military actions to resolve the problem. “We have to protect the gains of the peace process,” he said, adding that the Mamasapano carnage must not lead to the collapse of the peace process.

Had they stayed inside the bus, a lot of them would be killed instantly,” he said in a phone interview. Verano said injured on the adjacent bus, also a Bachelor Express bus with body number 3017, was Evelyn M. Romero, 41, from Lanuza, Surigao del Sur. The injured restaurant crew was identified as Maximiana Mamba. Both were rushed to

a nearby hospital, police said. Quoting passengers, Verano said that the improvised explosive device was left by another male passenger. It exploded in the rear portion of the bus. Sr. Supt. Julito Diray, provincial police director, said authorities are now conducting a thorough investigation on the bus bombing.

Alan Purisima and attested to by GPH peace panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer. Marwan and Usman are on the terrorist list of the United States and carry rewards of US$5 million and US$1 million, respectively. The SAF team entered Mamasapano on January 25 without coordination with both the MILF and the AFP to enforce a warrant of arrest on the two suspects. It is still not clear if Marwan and Usman had been killed.

Dureza said what he cannot understand is why up to now, Malacañang or the PNP higher headquarters “have not released this vital information in fairness to our fallen SAF commandos.” He also said while the SAF did not have to coordinate the operation with the MILF, it had to coordinate with the AFP. “Not coordinating with MILF was OK. But not coordinating with AFP was definitely not OK,” he said.

members of the teams have to ask IP clients on the specific date of birth. “Naay nagaingon sa ilahang tatlo ka adlaw man to ahuman sa dakong baha (A client said that he was born three days after the big flood). That’s why we need to coordinate with tribal chieftains and some IPs who are already professionals,” he said. Braceros said it is important for an individual to be registered because the right to have name and nationality is immediately fulfilled and it provides identity. He also said the Supreme Court only honors the name written on the birth certificate, unlike before when any individual can do any transaction with the government by just presenting documents like voter’s registration, barangay clearance, or school records. “Now it (birth certificate) is not only considered an important document but an indispensable document,” he added. He also said that it is very important that filed registration forms be error-free. He said it is important that nurses, traditional birth attendants, and midwives in

lying-in clinics who are doing the filing of registration and mandated by the law be trained. Bracersos said that in line with celebration of the civil registration month, a training will be held for nurses, midwives, and birth attendants. He also said there will be school-based civil registrations and kasalang barangay aside from the mobile registration in far-flung communities. There are currently 30 public schools registered for the school-based civil registration system, he added. Braceros said the annual average registration of live births in Davao City is 44,000, of which 43,000 are between 0 to 17 years old. “That would give us an idea na mga kabatan-unan gyud ang ginaregister nato ug mga 1,000 lang ang edad-edaran (the youth record the bulk of registrations and only 1,000 adults),” he said. He added that the average of non-residents born in the city is around 3,000 per year. For marriages, Braceros said LCR record an average of 9,000 per year.

Dureza... FFROM 2

Intensified... FFROM 3

Marques... FFROM 5

VOL. 7 ISSUE 229 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

Go lifts CMO for 10th straight win C

Phoenix Petroleum Phils. corporate affairs manager Ben Sur, together with tournament organizer Liloh Evangelista, gives the details of the Araw ng Dabaw 7th Phoenix Open Golf during the event’s launching yesterday at the Coffee Bean at The Peak of Gaisano Mall Davao. Contributed photo

hristopher “Bong” Go sparked another City Mayor’s Office upright performance to cop its 10th straight win over Everball Columbia Computer Center, 79 – 72, on Tuesday night in their 2015 Basketball Friendly Series Game No. 10 at the Davao City Recreation Center. Go scored 31 points for the City Hall dribblers who won all the games thus far in the series mostly on a one-sided affair. The sweet-shooting trusted aid of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte lit it up in the early going of the third period from the perimeter as the CMO dictated the tempo of the match. Everball Columbia kept the game close but could not stop Go from giving CMO a 10 – 0 series lead. Reyes led Everball Columbia with 18 points as Suarez had 16. Joel Aberilla continued to step up for the City Hall dribblers finishing with 11 points on top of intangible plays on both ends. Box scores:

CMO - 79 GO 31, ABERILLA 11, ESCANDOR 8, C LO R I BEL 7, FLORES 6, SUMAGANG 6, POLIQUIT 4, LABOR 4, PELOTON 2, APOSTOL 0 E VERBALL C O LUMBIA – 72 REYES 18, SUAREZ 16, DELA CERNA 11, BARRIGA 11, CABALLERO 5, DEVEZA 5, MENDING 4, CABRERA 2

7th Phoenix Open Golf set March 14 3,000 runners in

HE Araw ng Dabaw 7th Phoenix Open Golf Tournament is set on March 14 at the all-weather Rancho Palos Verdes Golf and Country Club with a P1 million cash as one of the hole-inone prizes at stake. “Fuel cards worth P100,000 from Phoenix Petroleum are also up for grabs for the hole-in-one prizes”, said tournament organizer Liloh Evangelista at the media launching held yesterday at the Coffee Bean at The Peak of Gaisano Mall Davao. Additional hole-in-one prizes shall be announced soon. Fabulous prizes will also be given away to the winners in the 18-hole Stableford team, partner and individu-

ICHAEL Aldeguer, the young boss of the ALA Promotions, knows his boxing. That’s the reason why Michael has decided to bring back Pinoy Pride to Davao City for its 29th edition. Brilliant move. Michael is assured of a blockbuster this Saturday night and he can stroll down any day in Aldevinco and have a look at Davao’s pearls and perhaps check out some garments to accentuate the black-red kit of ALA’s boxers. After Pinoy Pride, the country’s biggest boxing sports show on television, ventured for the first time overseas last year in Dubai, it has returned home with

al competition. Each team is composed of five players with four to count, while two players will count in the partner division. Registration fee is P5,000 per player which shall entitle the registrant to compete in the team, partner and individual categories. Team winners can win in the partner and individual over-all gross and over-all net champions categories. Partner category winners are not eligible to win in the individual divisions category except the over-all gross and over-all net champions. Deadline of registration is on March 6 at 5 p.m. This is open to male and female amateur golfers aging 21 years old and above.

a sure-fire hit in this boxing-starved city. Saturday will be a big night for Davao City sports. Aah, boxing fans will have their fill. You can say that there’s indeed a boxing renaissance in the city. That’s one major boxing promotion after another. Last week, MP Promotions also held its Tibay ng Pinoy series here under Manny Pacquiao’s promotional outfit. Before that, Sonshine Sports Management Inc. produced its second Boxing Revolution instalment late last year. Pinoy Pride, however, is biggest of them all. Michael and his chief assistant Den-

“We are limited to 180 paid slots only,” Evangelista said. Each player shall receive a dri-fit golf shirt, a golf cap and a special Phoenix power bank. Major and minor prizes shall be raffled off during the awarding night at the clubhouse on March 14 at 6 p.m. Also present at yesterday’s launching were Phoenix Petroleum Phils. Corporate affairs manager Ben Sur, Brand and Marketing Assistant Manager Neb Bulaclac and City Sports Development Division Officer-in-Charge Goldie Delvo. “This annual golf event is a big help to our community service programs,” said Sur. Proceeds from the event will to the Phoenix Phils.

Foundation for their programs on education, environment, health and safety and outreach and disaster relief. “We thank Phoenix for staging again this golf event as part of the Araw ng Dabaw celebration as well as for giving support to various community services” said Delvo. Registration starts on Friday at Palos Verdes, Apo Golf and the Davao City Golf Club. Online registration is also available. Access the online form on the Phoenix Petroleum website at www:phoenixfuels.ph. For more inquiry, call tournament organizer Liloh Evangelista at 0917-3620880 or e-mail at phoenix.opengolf@phoenixfuels.ph. – LITO DELOS REYES

LET’S GET IT ON

in spirit. The first time ALA brought Pinoy Pride here, it headlined a card that featured Boom Boom Bautista against tough Mexican hombre Jose “Negro” Ramirez. Ramirez sent Boom Boom to semi retirement after that fight. This Saturday’s card will feature two of ALA’s most promising fighters—Jason “El Nino” Pagara and Genesis “Azukal” Servania. The two will face dangerous Mexican opponents as a prelude to a possible title fight. Pagara will face Cesar “El Dolar” Chavez while Servania takes on Juan Luis “Perla Negra” Hernandez. Chavez, 27, (24-7-0 12

Fists of Fury

Neil Bravo nis Canete, ALA’s hardworking veep, have strewn it all together for this Saturday’s “Fists of Fury” card. As I am still stuck right here in the country Down Under, I told Dennis that I may not be physically around this time, I will be with them

Davao Nutrilite run

rganizers are expecting 3,000 runners when the Davao City leg of the Nutrilite Health Run in the country hits the road on March 1 at the Amway Distribution Center along corners Quimpo Blvd. and Tulip Drive, Ecoland, Matina. The Nutrilite Health Run will also be staged in Manila on February 22 and Cagayan de Oro on March 15 and features three categories--the 3K, 5K and 8K races. The run already covered Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Australia and Singapore. “Wellness has always been the Nutrilite advocacy since it was first introduced 80 years

KOs) is coming off two knockout wins against Luis Rey Campoa and Javier Gallegos and an RTD over Fidel Zazueta in Sinaloa, Mexico. Before those string of three wins, Chavez was on a four-match losing funk including two successive losses in Canada. The 32-year old Hernandez (17-3-1 9 KOs) is coming off a UD win over Pedro Palma last November 8, 2014. Before that, his last fight was on October 28, 2010 winning over Arturo Valenzuela on points. That means Hernandez was out of the ring for over three years before his last fight. That should tell heavily on his being fit to fight Servania on Saturday.

ago. Through this series of runs, we want to encourage more people to put a premium on their personal wellness. We want more people to eat right, take in right supplements and exercise,” Amway Philippines country manager Leni Olmedo said in a statement. The Philippine leg of Nutrilite Health Run is being held to cap its 80th anniversary celebration. In Davao City, the beneficiary of the run will be Lacson Elementary School under its nationwide advocacy called the Amway One by One, where the company donate books and libraries to the different schools. (Charles Raymond A. Maxey)

After Saturday, Pagara and Servania can also stroll down Davao’s famous Aldevinco. Servania can wear out this guy nicknamed “Black Pearl” and turn him over to the pearl jewelry makers of Aldvinco while Pagara can make the black market traders happy with a beat-up “El Dolar.” In sum, expect some fireworks (not the banned type) when the two climb the ring to defend the country’s honor and pride. Do it for the country, Jason and Genesis. Do it too for the Fallen 44. And yes, do it for Davao’s thirst for boxing.

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. 7 ISSUE 229 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015 VOL. 7 ISSUE 229 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

READY TO SLUG IT OUT. Mexican challengers Cesar “El Dolar” Chavez (center), Juan Luis “Perla Negra” Hernandez (left) and Julio Cesar “Pingo” Miranda show their fighting stance during yesterday’s Pinoy Pride 29 Fist of Fury press conference at Tower Inn Davao. Lean Daval Jr.

READY TO RUMBLE Mexican challengers hit town for Pinoy Pride 29

By CHARLES RAYMOND A. MAXEY

HE Mexican challengers have landed in Davao City and are raring to slug it out against the Filipino champions in what promises to be a night of fierce ring action come Saturday. Leading the Mexican invaders is Cesar “El Dolar” Chavez, who will fight against newest Filipino sensation Jason “El Niño” Pagara

for the latter’s World Boxing Organization (WBO) international junior welterweight crown in the main bout of Pinoy Priide 29 on February 7 at the USEP Gym in Bo. Obrero. “”My opponent is fast but I’m going to work hard to win the fight,” Chavez said through an interpreter in yesterday’s press conference at the Tower Inn.

The 26-year-old Chavez said he had watched videos of Pagara’s fights before leaving Mexico for the titular clash in Davao City dubbed “Fists of Fury” and being put up by the ALA Promotions. Chavez said he knows what to do when the bell rings this Saturday. “I’m a boxer. I watched his fights and I prepared two months for this. I come very

well prepared,” the challenger said through his Mexican translator Enrique Rommel Salas. Chavez will enter the ring carrying a record of 23 wins with seven losses and 11 knockouts. Pagara, ranked No. 4 by the World Boxing Council (WBC) boasts of an impressive fight slate of 34 wins, two defeats with 21 knck-

outs. Boxing fans in Davao are in for a great night of boxing as seven other bouts are in store for them, including the titular showdown of Filipino Genesis “Azukal” Servania (25-0, 11 Kos) against Mexican Juan Luis “Perla Negra” Hernandez (17-3, 9 KOs) for the WBO intercontinental jr. featherweight crown. Arthur Villanueva of the

Philippines will also see acrion against Julio Cesar Miranda of Mexico while the promising Mark Magsayo faces Sukkasem Kietyongyuth of Thailand. The ALA Promotions staged its first Pinoy Pride boxing event in Davao City back in April of 2013 when Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista lost to Jose Ramirez of Mexico.