Edge Davao 8 Issue 148

VOL. 8 ISSUE 148 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, OCTOBER 25 - 26, 2015

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Serving a seamless society

Saving lives is his passion

Doc Ted

2 COVER STORY EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 148 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, OCTOBER 25 - 26, 2015

Saving lives is his passion

Doc Ted Text and Photos by Henrylito D. Tacio

“T

HIS is my profession and a service I want to do as a Filipino doctor. What was important is that they remember that a Filipino doctor treated them, and treated them well. So, next time a Filipino passes through this area, I hope the locals will remember me and treat those Filipinos well, too.”

Dr. Teofredo T. Esguerra, a flight surgeon who is an expert on emergency medical services, including high altitude medicine, said those words in 2006 when he was part of the Filipino team that scaled the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest. He stayed for the most part at the base camp, which is 18,000 feet above sea level.

“We stayed for 3 months around the Himalayan ranges to acclimatize our bodies to high altitude,” he recalls. “We climbed lower peaks to train and adapt to the environment where we were in. Nobody just climbs the highest peaks there without acclimatizing.”

Aside from taking care of the health of everyone, Doc Ted – as he is called by his friends and colleagues -- also took charge of the nutrition, the safety procedures, the rescue evacuation if something happened, and the acclimatization

training before the climb. “I presided on their training by trekking or running at some peaks in the Himalayan region; then got their vital signs and tabulated if the climbers had adjusted to the environment.

If there were instances of ‘delay’ of acclimatization, I usually started giving medicines to somehow enhance the process,” he says.

Doc Ted became the most popular figure in the mountain when he rendered medical treatment for free (where charges were as much as $75 for checkups and treatments).

“Along the way, I ended up a doctor to everyone – Tibetans, Spanish, Italian, South African, Israeli, Belgian, Indonesian, Singaporean, Malaysian, American, French, German, Swiss, everyone!”

When two foreign climbers were trapped in heavy snow storms buffeting Mt. Cho-Oyu, he joined a fourhour rescue mission to save Spanish climber Rafael Mician, who suffered from pulmonary edema. An afflicted climber, he says, can literally die from drowning because of fluid in the lungs.

Doc Ted saved the life of Mician. Other famous patients he helped were Colombian

climber Camilo Lopez, Singaporean grand slam adventurer Khoo Swee Chiow, and Malaysian Vincent Loh. One memorable case was saving the life of Indonesian trekker Amalia Yunita. She was suffering from cerebral edema, meaning her brains were filled with water. “This was an ICU (intensive care unit) case,” recalls Doc Ted, “but she could not be brought down because she would die of the extreme cold.”

Fortunately, the Italian team had a laboratory at Lobuche, known as the Pyramid.

Despite the fact that Doc Ted was from another country, they allowed him to use their equipment. The next day, Yunita recovered fully from her ailment.

She later wrote Doc Ted a letter saying that in gratitude for saving her life, she was now involved in rescue missions.

Yunita had, in effect, “paid it forward.”

Doc Ted was also part of the team of the three Filipinas who climbed Mount Everest.

He took care of Noelle Wenceslao, who suffered from pulmonary edema. “Every step of the way, the doctor was monitoring her condition,” team leader and former Transportation

Undersecretary Art Valdez was quoted as saying.

Perhaps not too many know that Doc Ted is from Davao City. He had his initial studies at the Davao Medical School Foundation (from 1989 to 1991). “But I was so active in the world of activism and music which cost my studies,” he admits. “I stopped for a year and concentrated on pursuing music and arts.”

Then, he was given a second chance of going back to medical school. He attended the Bicol Christian College of Medicine, where he finally graduated in 1994. He took his medical board examination in 1996. He had his aviation medicine training when he was working at the Armed Forces Hospital Southern Region in Saudi Arabia. “I was an ambulance doctor there handling both ground and air,” he says.

“I like flying. My childhood dream was to be a pilot.”

Today, Doc Ted is the disaster and crisis lead of the Energy Development Corporation. He is a senior instructor on technical rescue, advanced life support, wilderness rescue, mountain medicine, mass casualty incident management, and tactical medicine for various schools, military

Doc Ted indeed has come a long, long way since he was a little boy growing up in Bansalan, Davao del Sur, where he had so many fond memories. “I biked around the town,” he recalls.

“I played along the Miral River and took a bath. I feasted on durian when it was on season, watched waling-waling blossom at the backyard, and hunted wild ducks on some occasions.” units, volunteer groups, local government rescue teams and communities around Southeast Asia.

Doc Ted has undergone training on urban and wilderness rescue, aviation medicine, expedition medicine for tropical and alpine mountain operations, tactical medicine and disaster management.

“Filipinos should make disaster a part of their lives,” he says. “They should be like the Japanese who are always prepared; in fact, they have some survival kits which have already become a part of their day-to-day activities.”

But how prepared are Filipinos in terms of disasters?

“We do not have a rescue or pre-hospital law in the country,” laments the doctor who is a member of the Aerospace Medical Association, International Disaster Response Network, Wilderness Medical Society and World Association of Disaster and Emergency Medicine. “Our psyche is not much into it.”

At one time, he worked as the officer-in-charge of one of the country’s elite rescue groups: the Specialized Medical Assistance Response Team of the Philippine Coast Guard.

As such, he was sent with his

crew to disaster zones, often rappelling down from helicopters to rescue sites. He took his team through repeated training. The situations change, and include earthquake, hazardous materials, flood, bombing, combat and trauma.

Doc Ted is the founder and course designer of the volunteer national rescue group known as the Wilderness Search and Rescue team. “We’ll make each day a safer one by training anyone how to save lives,” he says.

Doc Ted considers himself “a hard core humanitarian worker.” He is connected with the Knightsbridge International Humanitarian Organization, which extends works particularly in the hostile areas of the world. “I always render and facilitate humanitarian support locally and internationally,” he says.

In some of the training he has conducted, he found out that there are quite a number of rescue teams that are ill-trained and ill-equipped.

“They don’t have much safety inductions,” he says. “And to think they are performing high-end operations.”

Since 2014, Doc Ted has been the country’s represen-

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4 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 148 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, OCTOBER 25 - 26, 2015

THE LONG WAIT. A fisherman waits for the sea to calm down before heading out to sea. Coastal areas in Davao City experienced huge waves and strong wind yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

Binay, Poe, Roxas to face largest business group

V

ICE President Jejomar Binay, Senator Grace Poe, and former Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas are set to face members of the country’s largest business organization, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI).

PCCI launched on Friday the 41st Philippine Business Conference (PBC) that will be held on October 26 to 27 at the Marriot Hotel in Newport City Complex, Pasay City.

The business group will gather the 2016 presidentiables for them to state their economic platforms.

Another aspirant for the

highest government position, Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago, is also invited to join Binay, Poe, and Roxas. PCCI, however, said the lawmaker has yet to confirm her attendance for the PBC. PCCI President Alfredo M. Yao said the PBC is a platform of the business community to pitch resolutions on key economic issues.

Yearly, PBC comes up with set of recommendations and resolutions that will be submitted to the Philippine President.

The PCCI this year will submit resolutions to Pres-

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SSS unveils thru-the-web issuance of numbers

W

ORKERS who need to apply for their own Social Security System (SSS) membership number, a mandatory requirement of private sector companies and household employers, can now do it electronically through the SSS website (www.sss.gov. ph) instead of lining up at SSS branches.

Renato Malto, SSS Officer-in-Charge of the Service Delivery Department, said among those expected to benefit from the thru-the-web issuance of social security or “SS” numbers are millions of current and future Filipino workers starting their em-

ployment in the private sector, households or overseas.

“We also accept online SS number applications from self-employed people such as entrepreneurs, freelancers and informal sector workers.

Those eligible for voluntary SSS membership, such as overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and non-working spouses of active SSS members, can also apply for their own SS number through our website,” Malto said.

The web-based issuance of SS numbers offers an easier and modern alternative for workers aiming to register with the SSS. Previously,

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2 soldiers injured in clash with ASG T

WO soldiers were wounded in a clash with suspected Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits as the military operations continue in the hinterlands of Sulu, a top military official disclosed.

Brigadier General Alan Arrojado, Joint Task Group Sulu commander, said the firefight broke out around 2:10 p.m. Thursday in Sitio Kaupitan, Barangay Tugas,

Patikul, Sulu.

Arrojado identified the wounded soldiers as TSgt. Nicar Escarola and Pfc. Cellito Carag, who sustained shrapnel wounds in the left shoulder and legs, respectively.

He said troops from the 1st Scout Ranger Company and 16th Special Forces Company were on combat operation when they clashed with Abu Sayyaf bandits led by Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan in Si-

tio Kaupitan, Barangay Tugas.

He added the 10th and 12th Scout Ranger Companies of the 1st Scout Ranger Battalion clashed with another group of Abu Sayyaf bandits led by Radullan Sahiron in Sitio Tubalon, Barangay Kabuntakas, Patikul.

Arrojado said the scout rangers were reinforcing the 1st Scout Ranger Company and 16th Special Forces Company when they clashed

against Sahiron’s group around 3:45 p.m. Thursday.

He said troops from the 32nd Infantry Battalion and 2nd Marine Brigade were deployed to block all possible escape routes of the Abu Sayyaf.

He said all military and police outposts were ordered to conduct checkpoints to intercept the fleeing bandits and their casualties. (MindaNews)

zero visibility as a result of the week-long haze that blanketed the region.

Cancelled flights were Cebu Pacific flights 5J 885 (Manila-Cotabato), and 5J 886 (Cotabato-Manila), and Philippine Airlines (PAL) flights PR 2959 (Manila-Cotabato), and PR 2960 (Cotabato-Manila). Also cancelled were CebPac’s 5J 887 (Manila-Cotabato and 5J 888 (Cotabato-Manila).

Commercial flights here have been cancelled since October 17, Saturday.

Jamero said PAGASA could not say when the skies over Cotabato airport will become clearer.

She said the low visibility status of Cotabato airport makes it difficult and dangerous for airplanes to land and take off.

Kahal Kedtag, regional secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), said the haze can only be removed if heavy downpour with strong winds

occur.

Kedtag believed it will take sometime for the forest fire in Indonesia to be neutralized because most of the forests that went on fire were planted with hardwood species.

PAL and Cebu Pacific ticketing offices here have refused to issue tickets until its main offices issue the go signal.

“It is still uncertain when the flight will resume,” Elsie Quinto, a CebPac ticketing office clerk in Cotabato City, said. (PNA)

PAL, CebPac flights to Cotabato suspended for 8th day due to haze D

OMESTIC flights to and from Cotabato Airport remained cancelled for the eighth straight day on Saturday due to deteriorating skies of Mindanao island, the state weather bureau said Saturday.

Charlene Jamero, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) weather specialist, told reporters that incoming flights to Cotabato airport were still cancelled on Saturday due to “very low visibility” or almost

VOL. 8 ISSUE 148 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, OCTOBER 25 - 26, 2015

EDGEDAVAO

NEWS 5

Peace panels still hopeful of BBL passage T

HE peace panel chairs of the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) remain optimistic of the passage of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) when Congress resumes sessions in November.

“There is still hope. However, this matter depends on the senators and congressmen. They should let national interest rule over them, rather than personal or group interest,” MILF peace panel chair Mohagher Iqbal said in Filipino through a phone interview at the “Kapihan sa Media ng Bayan” at the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Building in Quezon City on Friday.

“The proposed BBL is for everyone, for the unity of this country,” Iqbal added.

Similarly, GPH peace panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, who was one of the forum guests, still had a positive mindset on the BBL’s passage even with only eight months remaining in President Benigno Aquino III’s term.

“Even in the last two minutes, we should still continue to catch up,” said Ferrer, comparing the passage of the proposed BBL to the last two

minutes of a basketball game.

She said if the bill is not enacted, everything will be “back to zero” and efforts will be wasted.

Ferrer said that the period of interpellation should end first, and amendments should be introduced before it reaches the Senate-House of Representatives bicameral conference for reconciliation.

Furthermore, the Congress should approve the bill before a plebiscite could be held by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

“Hopefully, everything will take place by December,” Ferrer said.

The Senate and the House have set December 16 as the new deadline for the passage of the proposed BBL. If enacted, BBL would establish a proposed new autonomous political entity known as the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region which would have greater powers and resources compared to the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

The salient features of the bill include the structure of government which is parliamentary and an annual block grant which would reach PhP27 billion in 2016. (PNA)

Tension rises in Sultan Kudarat as MILF prevents return of IDPs

T

HE municipal government of Palembang, Sultan Kudarat has asked the government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) ceasefire panel to intervene so the 500 civilians displaced by armed conflict could return home.

Zahara Maulana, Palembang municipal administrator, said the Philippine Marines, using its six-by-six trucks, have assisted the local government in sending back the displaced families to their homes in the upland village of Napnapon Friday morning.

However, tension ran high when Commander Teng Binago of the MILF refused entry for military vehicles with the displaced families into the

village. Palembang is south of Cotabato City and is about a four-hour drive from here.

“The refusal of Commander Binago triggered tension because there was already an arrangement that the military will escort the displaced families back home,” Maulana said, adding the GPH-MILF ceasefire panel has been officially informed.

The civilians, mostly Moro women and children, fled last month after Commander Binago and another MILF commander figured in a shooting war over a land dispute.

Maulana said the local government has extended assistance to the displaced families and many of them want to

FTENSION, 10

One dead as flashfloods hit 4 Zambo Sur towns

O

NE person drowned while a child remained missing and feared dead when flashfloods, spawned by inclement weather condition, inundated four towns in the province of Zamboanga del Sur. Ten people, including a public school teacher, who were swept by strong current were safely rescued after they managed to hold on mangroves and nipa palms.

Chief Inspector Rogelio Alabata, Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9) information officer, said Friday that continuous downpour spawned the flashflood that inundated

the towns of Dimataling, Dinas, Lapuyan and San Miguel in Zamboanga del Sur. Alabata identified the fatality as Merlina Coral, 51, a farmer in Barangay Salaogan, Dimataling municipality.

Alabata said missing and feared dead was Coral’s granddaughter, Marjori Lorenia, six, a grade one pupil.

Alabata said the two were asleep when Coral’s house, located near the riverbank, was swept by strong current as the river swelled and overflowed brought about by continuous downpour around 10:45 p.m.

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DOING THE HULA. Kindergarten students perform a Hawaiian dance during their school’s commemoration of the United Nations’ 70th anniversary on Friday.

Lean Daval Jr.

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VOL. 8 ISSUE 148 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, OCTOBER 25 - 26, 2015

NOTICE TO SHAREHOLDERS OF DAVAO DOCTORS HOSPITAL (CLINICA HILARIO), INC.

Metro Pacific Hospital Holdings, Inc. (“MPHHI”) (formerly Neptune Stroika Holdings, Inc.), is the current owner of 313,655 common shares of Davao Doctors Hospital (Clinica Hilario), Inc. (“DDH”) which represent approximately 34.82% of the total outstanding capital stock of DDH. MPHHI has offered to acquire the remaining 587,154 common shares of DDH which comprise approximately 65.18% of the total outstanding shares of DDH. Accordingly, on September 29, 2015, MPHHI filed with the SEC a Tender Offer Report (SEC Form 19-1) in compliance with Section 19 of the Securities Regulation Code and Rule 19 of the implementing rules and regulations thereof, setting out MPHHI’s offer (the “Tender Offer”) to acquire the remaining 587,154 common shares of DDH in the hands of all the other shareholders. All the shares tendered shall be purchased by MPHHI on a tiered pricing in accordance with the terms and conditions contained in the summary below:

SUMMARY OF THE TERMS OF THE TENDER OFFER OFFEROR: Metro Pacific Hospital Holdings, Inc. (“MPHHI”), a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation SHARES SUBJECT OF THE TENDER OFFER: 587,154 common shares of DDH, which comprise approximately 65.18%% of the total outstanding shares of DDH (“Tender Offer Shares” or “DDH Shares”).

THE OFFER: MPHHI is offering to acquire the Tender Offer Shares on a tiered pricing in accordance with the terms and conditions described below: (i) If as a result of the tender offer, MPHHI acquires less than one hundred thirty six thousand seven hundred forty seven (136,747) DDH Shares: The Purchase Price shall be Two Thousand Three Hundred Pesos (Php 2,300.00) per share. (ii) If as a result of the tender offer, MPHHI acquires at least one hundred thirty six thousand seven hundred forty seven (136,747) DDH Shares but less than two hundred eighty six thousand eight hundred eighty one (286,881) DDH Shares: The Purchase Price shall be Two Thousand Six Hundred Pesos (Php 2,600.00) per share. (iii) If as a result of the tender offer, MPHHI acquires at least two hundred eighty six thousand eight hundred eighty one (286,881) DDH Shares: The Purchase Price shall be Two Thousand Seven Hundred Fifty Pesos (Php 2,750.00) per share.

For the avoidance of doubt, DDH Shares which were initially tendered but withdrawn pursuant to the terms hereof shall be considered as not tendered for purposes of determining the final purchase price.

TENDER OFFER PERIOD: 9:00 a.m. of October 01, 2015 until 5:00 p.m. of November 19, 2015 (“Tender Offer Period”) The duly accomplished Application to Tender Shares form must be received by MPHHI’s Tender Offer Agent (the “Tender Offer Agent”) together with the duly endorsed DDH stock certificates and all the other required attachments and supporting documents specified below not later than 5:00 p.m. of November 19, 2015 at the address of the Tender Offer Agent below: SyCip Salazar Hernandez and Gatmaitan Law Offices Attention: Atty. Dominador Maphilindo O. Carrillo The Penthouse, 17/F, Landco Corporate Centre J.P. Laurel Avenue, Bajada, Davao City 8000 Telephone No.: (6382) 221-3917 Applications presented after the end of the Tender Offer Period shall be rejected, unless the Tender Offer Period is extended by MPHHI with the approval of the SEC. Applications that are not properly completed, or lack any of the required attachments will also be rejected. The Tender Offer Agent will likewise reject an Application if it cannot verify the signature of the stockholder on the Application or the endorsement of the stock certificate.

SETTLEMENT DATE: Within ten (10) calendar days after the termination of the Tender Offer Period, starting November 20, 2015 (“Settlement Date”)

up by the tendering shareholders within the Settlement Date at the offices of the Escrow Agent at the address indicated below.

Banco de Oro - Davao Bangoy Branch Attention: Romeo Cabiling (Branch Manager) and/or Grace Adlawan (Operations Officer) R. Magsaysay Ave. cor. C. Bangoy St., Davao City 8000 Telephone Nos.: (6382) 227-2802/221-4480/222-2860 The check representing the Balance Amount (less allowable deductions as provided herein) shall be made available for pick up within seven (7) calendar days from receipt

by MPHHI’s Tender Offer Agent of the original Certificate Authorizing Registration covering all of the DDH Shares tendered also at the same offices.

In case the stockholder fails to submit the Certificate Authorizing Registration to MPHHI within six (6) months after the Settlement Date, MPHHI and/or the Tender Offer Agent is hereby authorized to file the Capital Gains Tax Return, pay the Capital Gains Tax (together with any applicable penalties, interests and surcharges as the Bureau of Internal Revenue may assess) and apply for Certificate Authorizing Registration for the transfer of legal title over the shares to the Bidder, and all expenses incurred in undertaking such activity/ies shall be deducted from the Balance Amount.

ACCEPTANCE OF TENDERED SHARES: Only DDH Shares validly tendered by the shareholders of record of DDH shall be accepted for payment by MPHHI. All tendered DDH Shares must be free from any claims, liens, encumbrances or restrictions, whether or not valid. Only fully paid, non-assessable and unencumbered DDH Shares shall be accepted and paid for by MPHHI during the tender offer. By tendering their Tender Offer Shares, the tendering shareholders are making the representations and warranties contained in the Application to Tender Shares in Davao Doctors Hospital (Clinica Hilario), Inc. to Metro Pacific Hospital Holdings, Inc. Acceptance of tendered shares shall be conditioned on MPHHI having obtained all corporate and regulatory approvals, consents and authorizations for the purchase by MPHHI of the tendered DDH Shares.

DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS: Please contact the Tender Offer Agent for the list and copies of prescribed forms that must be executed and submitted to the Tender Offer Agent during the Tender Offer Period.

WITHDRAWAL: Any DDH Shares tendered may be withdrawn by the tendering stockholder at any time during the Tender Offer Period upon submission of an original written request to withdraw the tendered shares from the tender offer. All written requests must be received by the Tender Offer Agent before 5:00 p.m. of November 19, 2015.

The request to withdraw from the tender offer must clearly state the name of the tendering shareholder and the number of shares to be withdrawn from the tender offer.

MPHHI shall have the right to exercise discretion in determining the validity of any written request to withdraw from the tender offer.

SETTLEMENT: DDH Shares that are validly tendered shall be paid for by MPHHI under the following terms:

TAXES AND EXPENSES: The tendering shareholder shall be responsible for the filing of the Capital Gains Tax Return, payment of the applicable capital gains tax within the period provided by law and securing the Certificate Authorizing Registration. MPHHI shall shoulder the payment of the documentary stamp tax and filing of the appropriate return. The tendering shareholder shall shoulder all of its own costs and expenses for the sale of the DDH Shares to MPHHI under the tender offer.

1. Initial payment of 80% of the purchase price (“Initial Payment”), payable within ten (10) calendar days after the termination of the Tender Offer period, starting on November 20, 2015 (the “Settlement Date”). It is expected that part of the Initial Payment will be used by the tendering shareholders to pay for the capital gains tax due for the sale of the DDH Shares.

TENDER OFFER AGENT: SyCip Salazar Hernandez and Gatmaitan Law Offices shall act as the Tender Offer Agent for the tender offer. For copies of prescribed forms and other related documents, and for any inquiries regarding the tender offer, please contact the Tender Offer Agent as follows:

2. The balance equivalent to 20% of the purchase price (“Balance Amount”) shall be paid within seven (7) calendar days from delivery of the original and valid Certificate Authorizing Registration from the relevant Revenue District Office of the Bureau of Internal Revenue authorizing the transfer of the DDH Shares from the tendering stockholder to MPHHI. All payments shall be made through check payable in the name of the stockholder of record who made a valid tender of DDH Shares. When collecting payment, the tendering stockholder (or his/her authorized representative) shall present the “Applicant’s Copy” of the application together with a certification duly signed by the Tender Offer Agent, as well as proper identification (e.g. driver’s license, passport). Duly authorized representatives shall be required to present an authorization from the tendering stockholder.

MPHHI, through its Escrow Agent (the “Escrow Agent”), shall issue check payments representing the Initial Payment for validly tendered DDH Shares. The check payments representing the Initial Payment shall be made available by the Escrow Agent for pick

Atty. Dominador Maphilindo O. Carrillo SyCip Salazar Hernandez and Gatmaitan Law Offices The Penthouse, 17/F, Landco Corporate Centre J.P. Laurel Avenue, Bajada, Davao City 8000 Telephone No.: (6382) 221-3917 Email Address: dmocarrillo@syciplaw.com

Bank of the Philippine Islands has confirmed that resources available to MPHHI are sufficient to satisfy the full acceptance of the Tender Offer.

Each stockholder of DDH is advised to read the full terms and conditions of the Tender Offer and SEC Form 19-1. Inquiries and requests for assistance and copies of SEC Form 19-1 may be directed to the Tender Offer Agent, whose address and telephone numbers are indicated above.

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VOL. 8 ISSUE 148 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, OCTOBER 25 - 26, 2015

EDGEDAVAO ARTS AND CULTURE

An afternoon with the

DRAGONFLY COLLECTOR LISTENING through the tracks of the album “The World is Your Oyster,” one is led through a colourful world of blue skies and dreams all masterfully composed and performed by the Dragonfly Colector himself, Clemen “Clementine” Castro, the former creative force behind the commercially popular Orange and Lemons.

Eight months after the digital release ofThe World is Your Oyster, Dragonfly Collector embarks on “The World is Your Oyster Philippine Tour 2015”, introducing a completely different approach to concert touring and musical promotion by touring the Philippine countryside mostly by land and sea independently with only a backpack in tow.

I was able to catch up with Clem right after his show at Gangnam Davao Abreeza last October 16 to catch up and talk more about his music and the places he has been to on his country-wide tour.

Ken: I understand that you are currently on a road trip to promote your first solo album The World is Your Oyster, tell me about it? What pushed you to go on tour?

Clem: After the demise of Orange and Lemons in 2007 I formed a new band called Camerawalls and formed my own record label Lilystars Records and for the first time since last year, I tried a solo outfit under the name Dragonfly Collector. I released my first single The World is Your Oyster and to coincide with that release is a plan to go around the country. Its like a travel/album tour that I am doing.

I really like travelling and no one has done it before, a backpack music tour, so that is why I tried it and that is why I am here in Davao which is the 26th stop of the tour which started on August 10 in Bulacan.

K: What does the tour have to do with your music?

C: The World is Your Oyster, the album is really a collection of songs I wrote while I was travelling. I was travelling in and out of the country, I like hiking, checking out the great outdoors, and my personal experiences, I like telling stories through songs.

So there is a song in the album about my nephew in L.A.. There are two songs about my hiking trip in Joshua Tree National Park in California, and a hiking trip in Utah. There is even a song there about my cat who died, and there is the title track, tells about how one can have the capacity and power to go wherever you wan to go.

The album is really thematic and travelling is really the underlying inspiration for this album.

K: You have gone through 25 places to date, can you name three spots which have struck you while you are doing your tour?

C: That is really hard, but in terms of beaches, it was my first time in Sairgao. I lreally like Siargao, I love the Magpupungko Rock Pools. When it comes to caving, the best caving experience I had so far is in Catbalogan, Samar the Lobo Caves.

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VOL. 8 ISSUE 148 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, OCTOBER 25 - 26, 2015

EVENT

Spinner on the roof

By Kenneth Irving Ong

THE SKIES above of Davao’s Chinatown were bathed in glowing lights and thumping music as Club Echelon held Stratos, Davao City’s first rooftop EDM party at The Peak’s carpark area.

A party to celebrate the first year anniversary of Davao’s premier dance club, Stratos featured the world’s sexiest international DJ Katya Kazanova aka DJ Katty Q who flew in directly from Moscow, Russia. She is joined by the top DJs based in the Philippines, Patty Tiu of Deuce, world’s top remix producer X-Factor, Dutch-Tunisian DJ Samir Ayeb, Luane de Lima and Natalie Moon of DJ Lunatics and Club Echelon’s own renowned DJs Mike Mayer, DJ Law, Jack Ripper and Wacky Masbad.

The party at the Gaisano Mall of Davao’s rooftop was surreal as the afternoon turned to nighttime and city’s lights became a glistening background to the energetic music emanating from what can be called the thumping heart of Durianburg.

And as the bottles of Johnnie Walker slowly stacked up and the music slowly wound down, Club Echelon definitely brought Davao City’s party scene to new and higher heights.

NEED TO DO YOUR EARLY CHRISTMAS SHOPPING? Head on to SM Accessories from Oct 23 to Nov 8 as it’s twice as fun with our Buy 1 Get 1 FREE promo. So what are you waiting for? Hurry before supplies run out!

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ENTERTAINMENT

Love blooms in ‘Dangwa’ THE HASHTAG #DangwaGirl went viral recently as university belt students posted about a mysterious girl giving roses away on the streets of Manila. The lovely flower girl was revealed on GMA’s 24 Oras newscast as Janine Gutierrez—who found a unique way to promote her upcoming series. Janine spent a day giving out red roses to strangers she met along the way, similar to her role in the Network’s upcoming series entitled Dangwa. The recipients—particularly the young men—were thrilled and quickly posted their encounters on social media.

Dangwa’s pilot week, which stars Kapuso teens Barbie Forteza and Ruru Madrid, is penned

by Jerome Zamora and directed by Adolf Alix Jr. and Rember Gelera. This is followed by equally engrossing love stories portrayed by Carla Abellana and Rafael Rosell, Rhian Ramos and Geoff Eigenmann, Bianca Umali and Miguel Tanfelix, and Pauleen Luna and

Gerald Napoles. Dangwa also boasts of an appealing theme music entitle “Pag-ibig” written and arranged by Simon Tan and performed by OPM rock band Sponge Cola.

Discover the mystery behind Rosa and fall in love every week with the stories to be featured on DANGWA, which airs Monday to Friday at 11 am starting today only on GMA.

In the Dangwa series, the lives of various characters are changed by a chance meeting with Rosa (to be played by Janine), and enchantingly beautiful flower vendor in Manila’s most popular flower market.

Each character who buys a flower from Rosa will discover that love unexpectedly blooms in his or her own life. A new love story will be introduced to viewers every Monday and end on Friday... except the story of Rosa herself, which will slowly unfold as the season progresses. Rosa’s heartwarming smile and mischievous ways capture the hearts of flower delivery boy Baste (played by Mark Herras) and furniture designer Lorenzo (played by Aljur Abrenica), but there is more to the girl than they expected.

‘Ningning’ shows how diligence can become key to success DILIGENCE and determination are the highlighted values this week in the top-rating Kapamilya tanghali serye “Ningning” as Ningning’s (Jana Agoncillo) father, tatay Dondon (Ketchup Eusebio) shows to viewers how hard work can lead to great success in life.

After Lolo Kiko (Freddie Webb) encourages Dondon to take risks especially in business, Dondon tries his luck to experiment with cooking daing in barbecue sauce.

As his newly created recipe becomes an instant favorite in their family, a determined Dondon begins to sell his creation, which he calls Daing Q with the help of Lolo Kiko.

At first, Dondon encounters a series of challenges while selling his new product, but his diligence and determination to succeed pay off in the end. “Ningning” will also shed light on the romance of Otep and Eva and how Ningning and Macmac will have a role in a surprise wedding proposal.

In the ongoing romance between Otep and Eva, Otep (Vandolph Quizon) realizes that he is

October 22-27, 2015

PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 5: THE GHOST DIMENSION

really emotionally and financially prepared to get married after his serious pep talk with Lolo Kiko.

Otep then decides to pop the question to his girlfriend, Eva (Mercedes Cabral) with the help of Ningning and Macmac (John Steven de Guzman) to add more fun and love in his surprise wedding proposal plan.

How will Dondon surpass the challenges in his journey to become an entrepreneur? What

ideas will Ningning and Macmac suggest to their kuya Otep in their surprise wedding proposal plan to Eva? Find out this week in “Ningning,” Mondays to Fridays before “It’s Showtime” in ABSCBN. “Ningning” aims to promote the goodness and good values in everyday life among its viewers.

For more information, visit the official Facebook account of Ningning (Facebook.com/Ningning).

Chris J. Murray, Brit Shaw Katie Featherston R13

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

THE LAST WITCH HUNTER Vin Diesel, Rose Leslie, Elijah Wood R13

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

BLACK MASS Johnny Depp, Joel Edgerton Benedict Cumberbatch, *Kevin Bacon

R-16

R16

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

GOOSEBUMPS Jack Black, Dylan Minnette, Odeya Rush PG

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

A4 INdulge!

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 148 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, OCTOBER 25 - 26, 2015

ARTS AND CULTURE URBANISSIMO A1

I also like Ilocos Norte and parts of Cagayan because they were really interesting. I really can’t decide which is the best yet since I’m still halfway on my tour but each stop offers a different kind of experience.

K: What stops are you looking forward to for the rest of your tour?

C: Davao is my third Mindanao stop and I am looking forward to see more of Mindanao. We are scheduled to visit Digos, the slopes of Apo, as well as Samal since I have never been there.

Most of the places and the spots I will visit are surprises as I don’t have a strict itinerary for each stop. Sometime when I stop at a certain city, I search online what to see and where to go. I surprise myself.

K: As an artist were you able to collaborate or meet fellow musicians along the way?

C: Jamming is always there with local musicians. I let them jam along with me. I wanted that. The tour also allows me to discover some really great indie musicians, because I run a record label, I am always on the lookout for new talents.

Meeting visual artists, painters, people in the arts, politics, and new friends who are also music fans from all walks of life, that is the best thing that

has happened to me on this tour.

K: Has anything changed your perception on the Philippines because of this tour?

C: Yes. For one, that it is not that hard to be a touring musician. Unlike in the states, the cycle of an artists in the United States, he writes songs, he records the songs, and then promotes the song on tour for one year or so, we don’t have that in the Philippines.

With The World is Your

Oyster I want to start to do something unprecedented by touring the country and showing that touring works, and I hope the other indie artists or even commercial artists will follow suit to make music more accessible to everyone. It should not be that just because you are popular, people will need to pay thousands of pesos just to hear you perform in remote areas.

It is inspiring for people to see someone who was part of a popular band, touring and

having a more personal connection with the audience and the promoters.

For more information on tour dates, venues, and ticket prices, please visit or subscribe to the Facebook event section of Dragonfly Collector http:// www.facebook.com/ilcollettore/ events and his official site at http://dragonflycollector.com.

To listen to tracks from The World is Your Oyster, log on to https://soundcloud.com/ilcollettore/sets/the-world-is-youroyster.

EDGEDAVAO

7 ECONOMY

VOL. 8 ISSUE 148 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, OCTOBER 25 - 26, 2015

BPI told: Help revive coffee sector

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

S

crc@edgedavao.net

TAKEHOLDERS in the coffee industry are asking the Bureau of Plant and Industry (BPI) to help in reviving the sector by culturing quality coffee seedlings.

Philippine Coffee Board, Inc. (PCB) president Pacita U. Juan said culturing coffee seedlings will result to an increase in coffee production.

“There is so much demand for planting materials. It is time for the BPI to wake up,” Juan told reporters at the sidelines of the recent 8th National Coffee Summit at the SMX Lanang Convention Center.

In the Philippines, there are four coffee varieties that are grown here, including the Robusta, Excelsa, and Libera-

ca which can be planted in areas 300 meters above sea level and Arabica which is grown in areas above 900 meters.

Juan said the board as well as players in the coffee industry are targeting to increase coffee production areas in different provinces in the Philippines to attain self-sufficiency in coffee, if not increase the

With the zero tariff imposed to agricultural commodities, including coffee, the producers of specialty coffee here can export their products to Asean countries at zero duty.

“There are many buyers of specialty coffee in Asian countries like Japan, Korea, China, Taipei in Taiwan,” Juan said, adding that these buyers from each country have a minimum requirement of five to 10 kilograms.

Juan said there a need for coffee farmers here to think global because of the huge global and local demand.

“More than 70 percent of the country’s coffee production is commercial grade while only a few produce specialty coffee,” she said, adding that the latter has two sector, namely the roast and ground sectors.

In the international market, there is an annual deficit of 1.2 million metric tons ((MT) of coffee while the gap between supply and demand in the Philippines is more than 70,000MT. “Philippines is a net importer of coffee from Vietnam

and Indonesia,” she said.

With the Asean integration fully implemented by December of this year, Pacita said its effect to the local coffee industry has been felt for a long time.

“Soluble coffee of instant coffee from Indonesia and Vietnam are starting to fill stalls in different malls around the country,” she said.

Pacita said the country’s production cannot compete with the volume of coffee production in these two giants.

“Vietnam has a annual yield per hectare of 5,000 kilograms per year far from the 700 kilograms harvested in the Philippines.”

She said the global trend for coffee now is shifting.

“Consumers want to know who is the producer and where was the coffee produced. That is traceability,” she said.

In the Philippines, traceability is applied to the coffee produced in Benguet.

Juan said the board is targeting to further promote traceability all throughout the country to increase the competitiveness of farmers. CHENEEN R. CAPON

processing In addition, bamboo producers and processors from bamboo production areas in Tagum City, Panabo City, and municipalities of Talaingod and Carmen will be among the micro, small and medium enterprises that will be assisted by the shared facilities housed by the TNTS. “The school and the City Government of Tagum allotted a combined budget of P3.5 million for the construction of a building that will house the equipment,” Castañaga said.

The facility will be managed by the DTI and local government of Tagum City before it will be turned over to an association that is not yet identified.

He also said the bamboo development council in the province is also planning to make a value chain analysis to identify areas of the production and processing that should be improved and addressed.

Meanwhile, the DTI in the

province has already awarded a total of P5.779 million worth of machineries and equipments for this year.

Aside from the bamboo processing equipment and machineries, Castaaga said the Davao Federation of Fishers and Farmers Cooperative from Tagum City received a vacuum sealing facility for organic rice worth P150,000.

The Cagangohan Women’s Association of Panabo City from Barangay New Visayas also received P300,000 worth of bottled bangus processing facility.

Part of the budget proceed to the procurement of furniture and fixture and IT equipment of the Negosyo Center worth P1 million in Tagum City while the Chokolate de San Isidro, Inc from the municipality of San Isidro also received P730,000 worth of Tablea processing facility.

Since 2013, the DTI has already turned over a total of 27 projects, he said.

Specialty coffee ventures to help stakeholders access int’l market

S

TAKEHOLDERS in the coffee industry in Mindanao should start looking at specialty coffee and coffee origins as gateway to the Asean and other international market, an official said.

“Mindanao has a big potential,” Philippine Coffee Board, Inc., (PCB) president and chairman Pacita U. Juan said in the recent 8th National Coffee Summit at the SMX Lanang Convention Center last week.

Juan said one of the areas in the island which can lead in the production of specialty coffee is Davao.

“Davao is so blessed with good quality of soil as well as microclimate which can sustain production of specialty coffee all throughout the year,” she said.

Compared to other coffee producing countries in the Asean, Juan said Midnanao can compete in terms of quality.

“Most of our specialty coffee here are organic,” she said, citing one specialty coffee production in Sulu which is civet coffee.

DTI awards P5.7-M SSF to 5 recipients

T

HE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Davao del Norte awarded a total of P5.779 million shared service facilities (SSF) to five beneficiaries this year.

DTI provincial director for Davao del Norte field office Romeo Castañaga said the largest chunk of this year’s awarded project was given to Tagum National Trade School (TNTS) at P3.599 million last August.

Castañaga said the Engineered Bamboo Processing Facilities is composed of 16 equipment and machineries including cutter, compressor, plainer and dust collector, among others. These facilities will be used to produce bamboo furniture, decors and handcrafts.

“These facilities will be used to provide training and skill development to the students of the TNTS,” he said.

To maximize the usage of the machineries and equipment, DTI will encourage more entrepreneurs from private sector to engage to bamboo

FDTI, 10

country’s static production in the past years.

“The country’s annual production is pegged at 23,000 metric tons with majority of which came from Mindanao, specifically from Sultan Kudarat, Cotabato and Davao,” Juan said.

She said the industry players are targeting to plant

one million seedlings by next planting season, which is on July next year in areas in Sulu a part of the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

“We will use some of the beans which will be harvested starting this month to be germinated and be used for next year’s expansion,” Juan said.

Once planted, the coffee tree is expected to reach maturity in three years.

Juan said the board is targeting to expand the country’s production area by an average of 1,000 hectares per years which has an average yield of 700 kilogram per hectare.

To address the forecasted

FBPI, 10

DA CALL. Department of Agriculture 11 regional director Remelyn R. Recoter encourages food business sectors in livestock and poultry industry in a recent conference to comply with the Philippine national standards in exportation to compete with other ASEAN countries.

EDGEDAVAO

8 VANTAGE

EDITORIAL

O

Delicate balance

N the surface, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte’s order for the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) to evict the settlers at the compound of the University of the Philippines Mindanao (UP Min) sounds harsh. After all, these are families we are talking about here, people who have been living in the area for decades now and who call the place home. They actually preceded the university by a good number of years, and they had obviously been hoping the land would eventually be given to them. Instead, the government turned over the area to the UP system in 1995, sealing their status as “informal settlers” and setting a time frame for them to eventually leave the area. And now that the place is to be used for the sports complex that Dabawenyos have long dreamed off, their exit has been fasttracked. That they refuse to leave — even resorting to violence as seen in last week’s protest in which they burned some heavy equipment owned by a contractor — is understandable. No one likes to give up one’s home, and people all over the world often pay the ultimate price in defense of their property. The UP Min settlers are no different.

However, the government must balance the welfare of the settlers with that of the rest of the population. While it is true that homes are on the line here, it may also be argued that a sports complex serves the bigger interest of the people. One of the biggest “hang-ups” of

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Dabawenyos is that Davao is probably the only big city in the country that has no proper sports complex. Neighboring cities have their respective complexes, and in some parts of Mindanao even small towns have their own facilities that rival those of their bigger and richer counterparts. For a city that has the reputation of being strict against illegal drugs, it is strange that Davao does not have what is considered among the most effective alternatives to taking illegal substances. “Yes to Sports, No to Drugs” is a mantra that many places recite, but this city has fallen rather short when it comes to supporting sports. Until now.

One of the factors that tips the balance away from the settlers is the fact that they do not hold titles to the property. In fact, Mayor Duterte has already said the settlers have already shown “bad faith” by building homes there when they knew full well that the land did not belong to them. Despite this, the city government is providing a relocation area for them to facilitate their peaceful exit and give way to the development of the sports complex. The government must strike a balance between public interest and the welfare of families living in the UP Min property. The decision needs Solomon wisdom, and it is up for the city government to weigh all these things to see it the benefits outweigh the sacrifices that have to be made.

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 148 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, OCTOBER 25 - 26, 2015

Services sector

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ITHIN ASEAN, the services sector accounts for 40 – 70% of each economy’s GDP. Education, the upgrading of local skills, infusion of foreign skills (which will lead to mutual technology / knowledge transfer), and overall productivity increases are the cornerstone of a competitive economy.

It is the services sector which can tap new areas of growth and development – especially in creative industries, moving from raw creativity to real innovation.

It is unfortunate that the Creative Industries are undervalued and underestimated in the Philippines. At the moment, the contribution to GDP may only be 5% but that can easily change; the contribution to jobs is 11% (No. 1 out of 45 countries). Many know that there are 10,000s of Filipinos on ‘Elance’ offering their creative services, making Pesos 3.1 billion in 2013; everybody knows that a Filipino in the creative industries who has had to leave the country to live elsewhere. What’s less known, and unfortunately that includes government offices that could support this import industry, is the sheer size of the domestic market that nurtures such exportable talent. It is high time that the roadmap for this sector be finished, identifying strengths and weaknesses, target markets and strategies to gain access, and outline support needed. Among the leading six ASEAN economies, the Philippines has a great chance to take dominant positions in business process management (we are already No.1 in voice in the world) and in various creative sectors, from animation to game development to digital content and digital designs.

The Tourism Industry is another service sector in ASEAN in which the Philippines

could play a EUROPE BIZ major role.

Total contribution to GDP is 11%, and 11% total employment.

4.68 million tourists visited the Philip- Henry J. Schumacher pines from abroad in 2013; the target for 2014 stands at 6.8 million.

Compared to other ASEAN countries, these numbers are still low for a number of reasons: lack of infrastructure (airports and connectivity in general), lack of competitiveness in hotel rates, lack of international tourism organizations promoting the Philippines. It is good to see that DOT Secretary Jimenez is addressing these issues, convincing everybody that making tourism succeed in this country is in the national interest.

The telecoms industry works best for the economies which it serves if well structured.

The desired telecoms industry is well reflected in legislation in most ASEAN economies, but the reality is often different. All operators should be on a level playing field with arms’length licensing from a single NRA, a wholesale market with mandate access pricing, fair interconnect and competition regulation. The protection of incumbent operators and national champions inevitably hurts users and the wider economy which the industry serves.

ICT as an engine for innovative growth.

The vast differences in the state of development and effective use of ICTs across ASEAN are shown in the Networked Readiness Index (see Figure below). But integration forces are reflected in these regional positions and also the aims of the ASEAN ICT Masterplan: • The telecoms sector needs the right structure; fair and equal treatment, ideally all operators under the same kind of license conditions from a single regulator where foreign investment is encouraged and foreign ownership not limited.

• Modify laws and rules to support the free movement of skilled people and invest more in education and training in ICT areas.

• Modify rules and practices to meet the three dimensions of the national regulator: independent of government direction; independent of any operator; integrity.

• Changes in ITU Regulations to allow for intrusion, censorship etc are not conducive to continuation of the positive contributions of the Internet.

• Data management / data protection legal regimes are needed (in the Philippines we are almost there – the Data Privacy Act is in place, but the Data Privacy Commission has not been created, neither have the IRR; the Cybercrime Prevention Act is ‘hanging’ in the Supreme Court, illustrating the challenge of potential over-reach: balancing the importance of protection from intrusion with maintaining certain freedoms) ; there are benefits having a regional model which also provides a workable regime for cross border flows.

Networked Readiness Index (2012) published by WEF & INSEAD (Global IT Report) Of 142 countries, the ranking is as follows: Brunei Cambodia Indonesia Laos Malaysia

T

54 108 80 NA 29

Myanmar Philippines Singapore Thailand Vietnam

NA 86 7 77 83

Trust in institutions

HE Philippine Trust Index is an independent annual assessment of the trust of the general Filipino public in certain identified institutions. As such, in its recent report, the Church remained as the most trusted institution in the country, earning a 73-percent trust rating from the general public and 68 percent from the so-called “informed” public. However, the same report said government still ranked among the least trusted sectors. It was followed by the academe at 51% and 46%, and the media at third place (32% and 23%).

This comes at a time when the Synod of Bishops is underway in Rome. If you read the reports of Vatican analyst John Allen, the Synod is a special, if not tumultuous, one, tackling important questions on Catholic Teaching such as allowing Communion for divorced and remarried couples, and of course the popular LGBT advocacy within the Church. The Synod is a recommendatory exercise and does not purport to be a decision making body for the Church. That said, the Pope is not constrained to follow all or any of these recommendations.

With this, it is useful to mention that Davao is perhaps the most “uncatholic” of

Filipino cities. I MY TWO CENTS’ say so because unlike other cities and locales, Davao City’s sensibilities are not shaped by Catholic teaching per se, though the general moral John Tria and discipline ecisouth@gmail.com is of the Judaeo Christian variety. It’s clear enough in that the city’s main festival does not venerate any Catholic saint.

It celebrates its indigenous people. What Catholicism we see in Davao takes shape in the churches and the Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs) or grassroots church groups that took root in the late 1960s and early 1970s, at about the same time as martial law. Back then, Catholic Churches and church workers were known for harboring activists and progressives and giving shelter to the oppressed. The Catholic Church in Davao is also expressed in the myriad renewal communities that have

sprouted to give deeper flesh to what is otherwise common. Groups like the Couples for Christ, Loved Flock, Knights of Columbus, Marriage Encounter, and a rainbow of charismatic groups and tertiary religious orders have taken root in this city, attracting followers in droves. Their faith and practice are seen in a deeper expression when compared with counterparts in other provinces.

A friend of mine regards the Catholic Church highly and deems it a catalyst with real power to make significant contribution to healing the world and empowering its citizens, whether or not they happen to be Catholic. Having spent many years as an underground human rights activist, he entered the seminary at a late age and is now an ordained priest. He obviously has faith in the institution.

The lingering question that remains unanswered is: in today’s highly individualized world, how well does the general public appreciate the Church and other institutions?

How strongly do these institutions, in turn, affect popular opinion? Can these institutions be a force for social change? Such questions are a challenge for us, whether we say we belong in, or trust these institutions or not.

VANTAGE POINTS

9

Are liberal arts a bad choice?

W

MY MILLENNIAL MIND

HAT’S practical and more profitable seems to dominate any discussion regarding what college Vanessa Kate Madrazo program to take, or, more relevant than ever, which specialization track to choose in senior high for the K-12 pioneers.

The bias towards this thinking is very evident in the fact that there are thousands of students enrolled in business and accountancy programs but only hundreds in liberal arts programs like political science, philosophy, sociology, and media, and literature programs.

In various student communities, you’re going to expect to have heated discussions about how liberal arts programs are easy tracks to take because they don’t involve numbers, or formulas, or any sophisticated calculations.

Liberal arts majors are pushed to the defensive, always feeling the need to defend themselves and their engagements from some of the prying eyes of future businessmen and engineers. Even minor subjects like Literature and Philosophy are sometimes labeled as useless because it’s irrelevant to their future careers.

But I’d argue that the liberal arts have every single thing to do with our future selves, in who we will become, and what this society will be as well, because it’s this institution that brings the aspect of human experience to any endeavor and any industry, and is geared towards understanding how different institutions affect the people on the ground, and how they live their lives, instead of looking at people merely as hard, cold, statistics or classifying them as assets or liabilities.

It’s the institution that studies and scrutinizes social issues, and is sensitive to the changes in cultural norms, in the development or lack thereof of different sectors of people when other industries would otherwise threaten their mobility to only pursue self-interest.

It’s the institution that focuses on ethics, on the morality of the decisions we make as future professionals, and more so on defending the vulnerable in various situations where balance would otherwise be not achieved.

But best of all, it’s the institution that enriches the way we think, about ourselves, about other people, and about events that surround us.

It builds empathy through literature by carefully reading about the lives of other people from different places, indulging ourselves with their emotions and experience. It builds social consciousness through social sciences by looking at various issues from different perspectives, not just through one monolithic formula. It builds critical thinking through philosophy by teaching us of different paradigms of thinking and different moral standards, and to always question and look at gray areas.

It’s a hell lot more than that. And holistically, it makes us better observers of the universe.

Granted, the liberal arts graduate won’t have an easy and linear path towards financial success compared with graduates of other courses, and there will be a struggle. And your liberal arts subjects will do little to contribute to the number of digits in your salary.

But I urge the optimist in every young student to think about how they will experience their education and who they will become after. I urge you to reassess your motivations and ambitions in life and whether or not it’s just going to be about being rich. Life is much more than that, and you can do much more than that.

Business, Engineering and Architecture, and the Natural Sciences are equally legitimate and noble endeavors, but its practical benefits should not be a reason to disqualify the liberal arts as an option altogether, and it’s not a reason for dismissing the liberal arts “minor” subjects that you will be having even if you are not a liberal arts major.

Whatever path you take, and in which ever point in life you are right now, give liberal arts a chance.

10 NEWS Doc... FROM 1

tative to the International Search and Rescue (ISAR) Conferences. This year, he was awarded the Best International Speaker of ISAR in the issues of rescue and disaster management.

Doc Ted is also a man aware of what is happening with our environment. When asked what he would like to be if he were to be born again, he said he would choose to be a tribal chieftain. “As chieftain,” he points out, “I have more the power to protect the environment, preserve the cultural richness, uphold the purity of science in its simplest presence, be dauntless defender of my community, be freedom fighter, be the elder teacher of my constituency, and be the patriarch in the belief to a Supreme Being who made this wonderful world we are in.”

Doc Ted indeed has come a long, long way since he was a little boy growing up in Bansalan, Davao del Sur, where he had so many fond memories. “I biked around the town,” he recalls. “I played along the Miral River and took a bath. I feasted

on durian when it was on season, watched waling-waling blossom at the backyard, and hunted wild ducks on some occasions.”

But there are some regrets. When he became a man of his own, he left his family and went to Luzon. “I never had the chance to visit my parents often while they were still alive,” he laments. “The time I went home, they were already gone – not your way of saying goodbyes. Worse is that I am a doctor and my parents died not in my arms. I could have extended some skills I have to them. I mean my expertise is saving lives in the field. I could have done it on my parents.”

Although he is now a practicing Muslim, he respects other religions, including Christianity. “In the humanitarian world, we don’t talk about politics and religion. We just talk how we can redeem the poor.”

Doc Ted is also songwriter and poet. In one of his poems, he writes several lines about his existence in this world.

“Saving life is my sole game, / Careful teaching is my fame.”

ident Benigno S. Aquino III tackling issues of economic policies such as fast-tracking Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, Tax Incentives Management and Transparency Act, Build-Operate-Transfer Law amendments, Foreign Investment Negative List amendments, creation of Department of Information, Communication and Technology; improvement of infrastructure and transportation systems;

faster implementation of government projects; improving business climate; and pushing for trade facilitation, among others.

With the 41st PBC theme of ‘One Global Filipino: Synergies in Partnerships for Global Competitiveness’, Yao stressed the need to strengthen partnership between public and private sectors to further push the growth of the Philippine economy. (PNA)

increase in demand for planting materials, farmers and the private sector in Mindanao are encouraged to established accredited seed banks and nursery for quality coffee seedlings in a bid to increase the island’s production.

“There’s a huge opportunity in both local and global market for quality coffee beans,” Juan said.

She also said that there is an existing scarcity in the source of good planting materials for the coffee industry because only a few venture in nursery and seed bank business.

Thelonious Trimmel, Agricultural Cooperative Development International and Volunteers in Overseas Cooperative Assistance (ACDI/ VOCA) Project chief of party for Mindanao Productivity in Agricultural Commerce and Trade (MinPACT ), also identified the lack of an accredited

seed bank and plant nursery as one of the challenges faced by the industry that should be soon addressed if it want to maximize the opportunity in the local and international market.

“There’s a need to establish good seed banks,” Trimmel said, adding that there should be assistance on financing and capacity building for farmers to ensure quality and increase quantity.

“Market for coffee is not a problem. There is a significant opportunity in coffee, specially now that the market is looking for specialty coffee and coffee origins,” Trimmel added.

Coffee is one of the commodities that are assisted under the MinPACT program where assistance like trainings and post harvest facilities are awarded to farmers’ organization and cooperatives all over Mindanao.

According to DTI, the Shared Service Facilities (SSF) project that started in two years ago “aims to improve the quality and productivity of microenterprises and SMEs by addressing the gaps and bottlenecks in the value chain

of priority industry clusters through the provision of processing machines/equipment for the common use of the Microenterprises and SMEs within the said industry clusters all over the country”. CHENEEN R. CAPON

Binay... FROM 4

BPI... FROM 7

DTI... FROM 7

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 148 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, OCTOBER 25 - 26, 2015

GRAVEYARD SHIFT. A tombstone maker marks the letters of the name of a departed person inside his shop just outside the Wireless Public Cemetery in Madapo Hills, Davao City. The country is preparing for the celebration of All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day a week from now. Lean Daval Jr.

Tension... FROM 5 return home so they can continue farming.

The refusal of Commander Binago to allow entry of military vehicles forced government forces to bring back the internally displaced persons (IDPs) to the municipal gymnasium where they stayed for more than a month.

Maulana later learned that Commander Binago would

only allow the return of civilian evacuees if the soldiers will not enter the village of Napnapon.

But Maulana told reporters in a phone interview that the village is not within identified territories of the MILF. In the meantime, Maulana said, the IDPs will continue to receive assistance from the local social welfare office. (PNA)

workers can only secure an SS number by personally applying for it at SSS branches.

Malto said the SSS has adopted a two-phase application process for the online issuance of SS numbers. The web system will initially verify if the applicant already has an existing SS number using the full name and birth date given by the worker, who must also provide an email address as part of the first phase.

“Once the SSS has determined that the applicant has no previous SS number, the web system will prompt the worker to provide additional details during the second phase such as the home address, contact information, marital status, and names of the spouse, parents and children,” he said, adding that the applicant would be notified of the results of the first and second registration phases through email.

Workers with an SS number issued through the SSS website can use it for paying their monthly SSS contributions. The issued SS number would be considered as “temporary,” and the worker has to convert it to permanent status by presenting any accepted supporting documents such as the birth or baptismal certificate or valid passport to any SSS branch.

“Once the worker has successfully changed the temporary SS number to a permanent one, it can be used to file

for various SSS benefits and loan privileges, as well as to apply for the UMID [Unified Multipurpose Identification] card if at least one monthly contribution has already been posted,” Malto said.

In 2014, nearly 2.3 million manual application forms for SS numbers were received at SSS branches, including 1.67 million E-1 forms for regular and household employees; 583,146 RS-1 forms for self-employed workers; 20,458 OW-1 forms for OFWs; and 5,517 NW-1 forms for non-working spouses of SSS members.

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Wednesday.

He said Coral was recovered dead while her granddaughter remained missing and feared dead.

He said members of the Barangay Emergency Response Team (BERT) and policemen have managed to rescue 10 people, including a public school teacher, after they were swept by flashflood around 10:30 p.m.

Wednesday in Barangay Poblacion, Lapuyan town.

Rescued were Oliva Nuñez, 81; Noel Nuñez, 14; Nicole Nuñez, nine; Mariah Justine Anna Nuñez, six; Ma Roxanne Nuñez, 15; Vincent Paul Garsuta, 17; Francine Kate Garsuta, 11; Brian Sumalpon, 18; Eldie Gramatica; and, Ma. Rosanna Nuñez, 48, a teacher of the Lapuyan National High School.

“They were carried away by the strong current. Accordingly, (the) victims were able to hold on mangrove trees and nipa palms along the riverbank,” Alabata said.

Alabata said they managed to climb to “higher ground” until the rescue

teams arrived and rescued them.

Alabata said some 600 residential houses were affected by the flashflood that hit Barangay Poblacion, Lapuyan. The estimated worth of damages is more or less Php 500,000.

He said that a house made of light materials owned by Gina Ecat, 47, was swept and totally destroyed when the river overflowed around 1 a.m. Thursday in Barangay Legarda Dos, Dinas municipality.

The estimated property damage was placed at Php70,000 and no casualty was reported.

Alabata said that a sports utility vehicle (SUV) owned

by Rogelio Loquias was swept away and damaged in a flashflood that occurred around 11:10 p.m. Wednesday in Barangay Poblacion, San Miguel town.

He said no casualty was reported although the flashflood reached six feet high.

He said the water rescinded when the rain stopped. (PNA)

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 8 ISSUE 148 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, OCTOBER 25 - 26, 2015

11 PROPERTY

Lifestyle center to enhance charmed living at Northpoint

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ORTHPOINT’S commercial center will give its residents lifestyle options that will further enhance their elevated way of living. About five minutes away from its condominiums, this commercial development is set to become a lifestyle hotspot in Davao city.

Spread across 8100 square meters of prime land, Northpoint’s lifestyle center will rise on the sloping green hill at the junction of Buhangin Road and JP Laurel Avenue in Bajada. Its central location makes it easily accessible to the public, especially to those who want to have a taste and feel of Northpoint’s charmed lifestyle.

A fine dining restaurant at the White House currently offers Asian fusion cuisine and a wine cellar, offering a taste of the fine living at Northpoint. The commercial development will host specialty shops, restaurants, boutiques, a premier supermarket, top-brand coffee shop, hi-end retail stores, and other lifestyle options.

It will provide retail functions as well as leisure amenities that will make it convenient for Northpoint homeowners when they need to get their daily essentials, want to shop for the latest fashion, lounge with a cup of hot brew, or enjoy delicacies at the restaurants or bistros.

It will be an attractive destination for urbanites, upscale consumers, and the sophisticated set who want

to hold events, shop for the finest brands, or simply hang out by themselves or with family and friends. Overall, it will offer a complete and satisfying lifestyle experience.

To have a taste of Northpoint’s brand of charmed living, an Investors Night will be held at the White House tomorrow, October 24, at (time?). A resource speaker will talk about investments and give relevant inputs on the advantages of property investments, especially condominiums.

This will give rookie or veteran investors valuable information on making the right investment with Northpoint. They can also avail of special premiums and can get Gift Certificates ranging from 1,500 to 4,500 if they make a reservation that day. Home appliances such as air-conditioners and home theatre will also be given away on reserved packages.

Northpoint is a landmark condominium development of Vista Residences, the vertical marketing arm of the country’s largest homebuilder, Vista Land. Those who want their own piece of Northpoint may contact (082) 226-3100 local 8020, 221-0716, or 0932-1300050.

With Northpoint’s premier location, world-class amenities, lush landscape, and an unmatched living proposition, its lifestyle center rounds off all its desirable traits to become the mostsought after condominium community in the region.

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VOL. 8 ISSUE 148 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, OCTOBER 25 - 26, 2015

DAVAO CITY MAIN OFFICE JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales Door 14 ALCREJ Bldg., Quirino Ave., Davao City Tel: (082) 224-1413 Telefax: (082) 221-3601 GENERAL SANTOS CITY MARKETING OFFICE EDMUND D. RENDON Marketing Specialist Mobile: (Smart) 0909-424-7990 MANILA MARKETING OFFICE ANGELICA R. GARCIA Marketing Manager 97-1 Bayanbayanan Ave., Marikina Heights, Marikina City Tel: (02) 654-3509

VOL. 8 ISSUE 148 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, OCTOBER 25 - 26, 2015

EDGEDAVAO

NEWS 13

4 rebels, soldier wounded in Agusan del Norte clash F

OUR New People’s Army (NPA) fighters were wounded along with one trooper during an encounter at Sitio Afga, Lower Olave, Buenavista, Agusan Del Norte Friday morning.

Soldiers from the 23rd Infantry Battalion were pursuing rebel forces be-

hind the abduction and murder of Loreto Mayor Dario Otaza and his son Daryl when the clash took place 6:45 a.m. Friday.

Captain Joe Patrick Martinez, 4th Infantry Division public affairs office chief, said civilians reported the rebel presence in their locality, prompt-

ing the military to conduct an operation.

Upon reaching the area, the rebels fired on the responding troops, triggering the clash which wounded four NPA fighters and one soldier.

Recovered from the encounter site were several NPA backpacks

AMENDED AFFIDAVIT OF SELF-ADJUDICATION WITH WAIVER OF RIGHTS

Notice is hereby given that several parcels of land and share of stocks/ bonds of the late SIMEON L. MADAJE has been the subject of an Amended Affidavit of Self-Adjudication with Waiver of Rights executed among his heir particularly as follows:

Per Doc. No.01; Page No.01; Book No.24; Series of 2015, of the NOTARY PUBLIC BIEN MARIE G. BOLCAN 10/19,26,11/2

containing personal belongings and subversive documents with high intelligence value.

Meanwhile, cases of robbery and kidnapping with murder were already filed before the Butuan City Prosecutor’s office against Rene Catarata, also known as Rene, Dodong and Hector Tindugan and 18 John Does.

Based from the affidavits of witnesses, the 19 men were positively identified as the suspects who posed as NBI agents and abducted the Otazas from their residence in Barangay Baan, Butuan City last Monday.

Identification was further supported by the cartographic sketch of the killers.

Catarata is the Front Secretary of NPA Guerilla Front 34 under North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee and one of the responsible for series of Lumad killings, ambuscades, extortion, and illegal recruitment in Eastern Mindanao. (PNA)

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Advertise with Tel No. 082.221.3601/224.1413 Email: edgedavao@gmail.com marketing@edgedavao.net

VOL. 8 ISSUE 148 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, OCTOBER 25 - 26, 2015

VOL. 8 ISSUE 148 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, OCTOBER 25 - 26, 2015 DAVAO LEG. The 41st edition of the longest-running footrace in the country resumes this year with the Davao qualifying race set on November 8, 2015. PR photo

EDGEDAVAO Sports

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CHAMPIONS MOVE FORWARD 41st Milo National Marathon Davao Qualifiers set Nov. 8

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO njb@edgedavao.net

T

HE 41st edition of the longest-running footrace in the country resumes this year with the Davao qualifying race set on November 8, 2015.

Local race organizer Kenneth Sai of Vantage Sports announced the opening of the registration for the Davao leg eliminations from Mondays to Saturdays at 1 to 7 pm at the adidas outlet at the Gaisa-

no Mall of Davao.

Registration fee is pegged at P80 with 300g empty Milo pack for Students in the 3K and 5K categories, P110 with 300g Milo empty pack for adults in the 5K category, P530 with 300g empty Milo pack in the 10K category and P630 with 300g Milo empty pack in the premier 21K category.

In a statement released

to the media, Milo officials said the leading chocolate energy drink brand believes in the resilience of the Filipino as something to be proud of - a trait that truly shows at the National Milo Marathon.

Since 1974, generations have chosen to move forward and test themselves in what is now known as the country’s biggest and grandest running event.

Winners – crowned Milo Marathon King and Queen – will be granted the privilege to represent the country in international running events, like in the Paris Marathon last 2013 and the LA Marathon last 2014.

This year, the winners will be sent to the classic, most prestigious marathon in the world: the Boston Marathon.

gos warmly welcomes the activity as partner and host.

Kobi Troy Tan, the young wrangler President from the second generation Davao Horse Club members, proudly reports that the Club is very pleased with its decision to move the show & competition from its traditional hosting in Davao City to provincial Davao del Sur this year. He says it will give the members of DHC a better feel of the countryside where lots more horses and cowboys can be found and be invited to participate in the annual horse festival, as festival it really is, Tan emphasizes. Lots more room too, to compete.

As such, this year’s competition brings together added horse clubs like the Hagonoy Horsemen’s Association and the Agusan del Sur Horsemen’s Association as well as riders

from Kidapawan and Malita.

Present of course are the traditional competitors from Davao, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, and the cowboys of Malaybalay and Impasugong in Bukidnon. The former Clark Air Force Base in Pampanga has its representaives in the riders of El Kabayo Stables, who enjoy Davao’s horse shows everytime. To accommodate the different types of riders, divisions shall be as follows: Youth, Auxiliary, Novice, Intermediate, Royal and Expert. As in the Olympics, there will be no distinction in the races between men and women who will compete on an equal footing.

Horseman George Walter M. Misa, DHC past president and communications officer, informs that the 16th Davao Horse Show & Competition – the Digos Edition is offering a

truly exciting program for both riders and spectators. For one, he says, the Obstacle Course is tougher than ever before with water ditches, wooden trailers for the horses to go in and out at the fastest time, higher table top (mad-made hill) and the Oval Race Course is longer than ever at 500 meters. Furthermore, horsemen’s camaraderie and unique bonding will be given more focus with lots of fellowship in the evenings.

There will also be a quarter mile race right on the beach! All these are innovations for this year’s unique equine sports event in the 16th Davao Horse Show & competition - Digos Edition.

Opening ceremonies of this fabulously horsey affair start at 8 in the morning and games last till Sunday, 25 October.

16 Davao Horse Show held in Digos City th

F

OR the first time in its 18-year history, the Davao Horse Club is holding its horse show and competition in Digos City dubbed as “The 16th Davao Horse Show & Competition – Digos Edition.”

Rolling out with a Grand Parade of Horses and Lighting of the Sports Flame on Saturday at Dawis Beach in the City of Digos, the 16th Davao Horse Show and Competition fulfills the Davao Horse Club’s goal to spread the love for the horse and the sport of horseback riding in the Region as well as in the rest of Mindanao. And they are not alone in this.

The Department of Tourism Region 11, believing in the horse sports competition as a potential tourist attraction, is a co-presentor while the local government of the City of Di-

City to hold sports awards

T

HE City Government of Davao thru the Sports Development Division-City Mayor’s Offie (SDDCMO) will hold the annual Davao City Sports Award in November this year.

The Davao City Sports Award, one of the major activities under the administration of Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte, is being held to give recognition to deserving athletes who have shown excellence in national and international competitions.

The SDD-CMO has sent out letters to the different national sports associations (NSAs), schools and other sports groups asking for at least two

best nominees in each sport.

Attached in the letter are the mechanics for the selection process and athlete forms.

The NSAs, schools and other sports groups are given until October 30, 2015 at 5:00 p.m. to submit their entries to the SDD-CMO office at the Almendras Gym Compound along Quimpo Boulevard. Interested parties may contact programs director Pocholo M. Elegino or may reach the SDDCMO office thru tel. nos. 2210031 for inquiries.

The cover period for the selection of this year’s top athletes is from October 1, 2014 to October 30, 2015. (SDDCMO)

Pop to replace Coach K in Team USA

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REGG Popovich, a five-time NBA champion coach with the San Antonio Spurs, was named Friday by USA Basketball as coach of the Americans from 2017 through the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Mike Krzyzewski has guided the US Olympic squads to gold medals at the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Olympics and to a Basketball World Cup title last year that clinched a US berth in next year’s Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

“Coach K” retired from the US post in February 2013 only to return three months later and declare he would guide the squad through one more Olympic cycle through Rio. USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo was also announced as managing director of the US squad for the 2017-2020 span while Krzyzewski moves into a special advisory role for that cycle.

Popovich, 66, would see the American collection of NBA talent though the 2019 Basketball World Cup in China and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

“I’m extremely humbled and honored to have the opportunity to represent our country,” Popovich said. “What the program has accomplished over the last decade under the leadership of Jerry Colangelo and Mike Krzyzewski is truly impressive. I will do my utmost to maintain the high standards of success, class and character established by Jerry, Coach K and the many players who have sacrificed their time on behalf of USA Basketball.”

Since a bronze-medal showing at the 2004 Athens Olympics sparked a revamp of the US program, American teams have gone 75-1, including a 63-game win streak since losing to Greece in the 2006 semi-finals of what was then called the World Basketball Championships.

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VOL. 8 ISSUE 148 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, OCTOBER 25 - 26, 2015