VOL. 8 ISSUE 199 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JANUARY 3 - 4, 2016
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Serving a seamless society
THE EDGE DAVAO YEARENDER (PART 1)
CATCHING A NATION’S ATTENTION
Photo by Joseph Lawrence P. Garcia
2 NEWSMAKERS EDGEDAVAO
VOL. 8 ISSUE 199 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JANUARY 3 - 4, 2016
INTERVIEW. Mayor Rodrigo Duterte faced DZMM anchors Gerry Baja, Karen Davila and Vic de Leon Lima. Photo by Roldan Gorgonio
MAYOR RODRIGO DUTERTE
Rody catches a nation’s attention BY CHARLES RAYMOND A. MAXEY
Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte knows how to shock his audience, from cursing Pope Francis to admitting to killing criminals.
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HERE can be no other top newsmaker in Davao City for the year 2015 than Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte. The toughtalking local chief executive with an iron-hand policy against criminals and a golden heart for the poor and needy people has always been a newsmaker not just in Davao but in the entire country, most particularly now that he has joined the presidential race in 2016. From the time he fired off his crusade for a federal form of government up to the time he answered the people’s call and filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for president, the 70-year-old Duterte never missed media attention, landing in the front pages and dominating the social media. Undoubtedly, the extremely popular mayor from the South has captured the people’s
imagination with his brand of leadership and an unorthodox politics which kept people and even the media guessing from time to time. Peter T. Laviña, Duterte’s spokesperson, noted how one national broadsheet identified the hashtag #Duterteserye that illustrated the mayor’s popularity as among the most popular during the year. “This shows how Duterte has catapulted himself among the top newsmakers of the country in 2015,” Laviñ said. “His peculiar style, no-nonsense crusade against crime and corruption, and oftentimes colorful language has resonated among the people.” Duterte had indeed become national newsmaker. The Philippine Daily Inquirer, in fact, had listed him No. 2 among its seven most talked-about newsmakers for 2015, just behind
the “Aldub” phenomenon. “Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte knows how to shock his audience, from cursing Pope Francis to admitting to killing criminals. But nothing is as headline-grabbing as “#Duterteserye,” in which the mayor kept the country guessing whether or not he would run for president. In December, Duterte finally filed his certificate of candidacy. However, the Commission on Elections still has to approve his application,” the PDI said. Some years back, Time magazine named Duterte “The Punisher” for his iron-fisted policy against criminality in Davao, which he transformed from what was once dubbed the “Killing Fields” because of the daily summary executions into one of the safest cities in the world. Aside from his tough stand against criminali-
ty, Duterte also imposed several meaningful laws, including the landmark Anti-Discrimination Ordinance which he authored when he was vice mayor, speed limit, anti-smoking ordinance and firecracker ban. Duterte, after declaring time and again early this year that the presidency does not appeal to him, filed his COC in December seeking the country’s highest post in a decision that elated the Dabawenyos. Disappointed early on with the mayor’s repeated pronouncements that he is not running for president, the people of Davao got a big sigh of relief and are now looking forward to the coming May electoral exercise. Duterte had to withdraw first his COC as mayoralty bet and then let his daughter, Sara Duterte-Carpio, to substitute for him before filing his COC for the
presidency at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office in Manila thru his lawyers. On December 8, Duterte personally went to the Comelec office in Intramuros that created media frenzy. During the opening of this year’s Pasko Fiesta at Rizal Park this month, Duterte turned emotional when he addressed the crowd during the program that preceded the ceremonial lighting of the Christmas lights. “I will leave you with a heavy heart,” Duterte said as he bid farewell, drawing applause from the crowd. “I will retire from public office. I’m already at the crossroads of my life.” Duterte said Davao will have a new mayor next year in the person of his daughter Sara, but urged the Dabawenyos to love each other and treat one another like brothers and sisters.
Since January this year, Duterte had been going around the country to advocate for a federal form of government which, he said, will bring peace to Mindanao. During the journey dubbed “Listening Tour,” Duterte was also being pushed to run for president in every place he visited, but he merely shrugged this off. But, the Listening Tour generated awareness and mass support for the Mindanao leader, who eventually became a national figure with his declarations on how to solve the problems of the country, specifically on his crusade against all forms of criminality and corruption. “He has captured the attention of the nation and talked about by both friends and foes,” Laviña said of Duterte. And with the elections coming in, Duterte will remain very much in the news.
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MAKING WAVES. Ernie Gawilan, A Dabawenyo para swimmer, broke two Asean records in swimming and in the process earning a slot to the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games.
ERNIE GAWILAN
Road to Rio By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO
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njb@edgedavao.net
RNIE Gawilan stared at the horizon one afternoon in the Island Garden City of Samal. His mind was telling him the world was as vast as the ocean. Ernie was ‘rescued’ from what seemed like a hopeless state in far-flung Marilog in the foothills of Mt. Apo. Ernie, born with abnormalities that left him with undeveloped extremities (one arm and two legs), was relegated to a crawling young boy orphaned at an early age. Despite his misfortunes, Ernie took his fate with a hearty laugh. His mother tried to abort him when she was carrying him on her womb after being abandoned for another woman. “I survived the abortion because I swam well,” Ernie would quip each time he is asked. From that afternoon in Samal where he was engulfed by the vastness of the sea, Ernie was soon swooped down by the waters. He swears it was when he was in the waters that he felt he was normal. “When I am in the waters, my disabilities are not seen,” said Ernie who learned to swim while being stationed in the island quarters of the Missionaries of Charity. Three years of competition, brought Ernie around the world from Asia to Europe. He actually started his swim-
ming career on a wrong foot. He finished second place in a competition in Cagayan de Oro City for special athletes wearing jeans because he left his swimming trunks at home. His journey towards an Olympic stint finally came full circle before 2015 ended when he won two gold medals and one silver medal which make him an Olympian by 2016. The road to Rio was not easy though. For a stretch of one year beginning on November 2014, Ernie virtually camped himself in like a castaway. He trained under the watchful eyes of national team coaches led by former Asian Gamer Ral Rosario and Tony Ong. “Sakto kayo among preparasyon sulod sa us aka tuig. Tungod sa among training nag-improve gyud akong time pero wala pa nakog iisip na kaya nako ibreak ang record ug ang qualifying time sa Olympics (We had enough training for one year. Because of this, my clocking really improved although I did not think about breaking the record or the Olympic qualifying time),” said Ernie. “Dili lalim. Lisod kayo pero naningkamot gyud ko (It wasn’t easy but I really gave it my all),” he added. Ernie took by heart a year of rigid training away from home to chase his Olympic
dream. On December 2-10, he embarked on one final journey that would land him a place in the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games—the equivalent of the regular summer quadrennial Games. “Gusto nako mahimong inspirasyon sa mga taong asa man ako. Unta dili sila mawadan ug paglaum sa kinabuhi kaysa man ako, ang kalisod na akong giagian sa kinabuhi mao na kapalig-on nako (I want to be the inspiration to people with disabilities like me. I wish that they will not lose hope in life because, like me, the hardships we pass by in life only make us stronger),” Ernie said after he came home from the 8thAsean Para Games. Ernie actually started his stint in Singapore on the wrong foot. He was placed on Lane 7 in the 100-meter freestyle while Singapore’s very own Toh Wei Soong was in the opposite side several lanes from him. Ernie said this did not suit his strategy as he could not see Toh from his side of the pool in that short race. He ended up finishing a tad short of the gold and a hairline behind Toh. “Kung nagtapad mi, nakita unta nako siya ug nasukod nako akong pace (Had we swam side by side, I could have seen him and set my pace),” Ernie narrated. In the next two races
against Toh, Ernie made sure the Singaporean will eat dust. Ernie struck for goldin the 400-meter freestyle event breaking the Asean Para Games record and in the process surpassing the Olympic standard with a new meet record of 4:48.49. That swim sealed his Olympic dream in Rio next year. As if it was not enough, Ernie returned to the pool the next day and took off where he left, ripping the 200-meter Individual Medley record with a new mark of 2:47.64. “Nagpasalamat kayo ko sa tanan nagsuporta ug nag-ampo para nako ug sa akong mga
kauban (I thank everyone who supported and prayed for me and my teammates),” said Ernie who will spend the entire year in 2016 for his final preparations to the Rio Paralympics. Does he stand a chance at winning a medal? “Layo pa ko kayo sa akong time pero ihatag nako akong best performance (I am still far behind in Olympic record time but I will give it my best performance),” Ernie added. Ernie is the first para swimmer from the country to qualify for the Paralympics. On Christmas Day, Ernie was invited personally by Mayor Rodrigo Duterte to
be his moving inspiration to Dabawenyos in his annual Christmas gift-giving. Mayor Duterte had to go down to his knees in order to be on the same level with Ernie as the two obliged to photographers. Amidst the sea of Dabawenyos gathered that Christmas night in Bangkal, Davao City, Ernie stood ten feet tall. But he remained grounded, always wishing that people who are like him will come out and be better at anything. For Ernie, there’s an ocean of opportunities that await everyone like him. As vast as Samal Island where his journey to Rio officially began.
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ICE CREAM PHENOMENON. Mang Danny serves his customers who queue up as eaerly as mid afternoon to catch him and his phenomenal ice cream. Lean Daval Jr.
DIONILO “MANG DANNY” DELA TORRE
Success comes from hard work By CHENEEN R. CAPON crc@edgedavao.net
Mang Danny, who hails from North Cotabato, has become a celebrity and welcomes every request from a fan for a photo – even though he is tired from scooping and standing for more than five hours.
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IXTY-YEAR-OLD Mang Danny or Dionilo dela Torre is famous for his “dirty” ice cream which he hauls off to Roxas Avenue every night and for which people line up for hours. Because of his popularity, he has been interviewed by local and national media, including GMA Network’s Jessica Soho for her Sunday program. Mang Danny, who hails from North Cotabato, has become a celebrity and welcomes every request from a fan for a photo – even though he is tired from scooping and standing for more than five hours. He has never missed a day selling his ice cream. He’s always in Roxas Avenue with his family, serving customers who have waited for him. The excitement starts when person-
nel from the Demolition Unit of the Davao City Government start barricading the area for safety and order. When he arrives, the people cheer. Mang Danny has been working since he was 14, when he decided to stop attending grade school to help his 16-member family in their rice farm. He finished Grade 2 and attempted – unsuccessfully – to go back to Grade 3 at the age of 14. “I only attended the first week of classes during my Grade 3 and stopped afterwards because I was too big already,” he said. He learned to make ice cream and bread from a friend in Kidapawan and had his first bakery business at the age of 15. He moved to ice cream making at 20. When his family moved to Davao, he worked as an ice
cream maker at night and vendor in the morning for Roger’s Ice Cream, which used to operate in the city. Earning P50 per cart in the 1970’s, he earned enough to marry his sweetheart Yolly who was then only 14 years old. Mang Danny tried other businesses like selling fish and operating a small retail store, but failure prompted him to go back to making ice cream. He decided to make his own brand and sell it near the big tower clock in San Pedro fronting the century-old San Pedro Church along with other ice cream vendors. He used to work from 4 p.m. to midnight, and it would take him three days before he could sell all his ice cream. Today, more than 40 years later, his brand has become so popular he earns an average gross
sale of P6,000 per day. He now offers various flavors like durian, chocolate, mango, strawberry, and ube. With a starting capital of P2,000 per day, Mang Danny now makes six tubs of ice cream per day using his new mixing machine and houses it in his new freezer before they are placed in his new stainless carts. “My day starts at 6 a.m. when I go to Bankerohan market to buy ingredients and start making the ice cream from 12 noon up to 8 p.m. It involves manual mixing of the cream to achieve the thick consistency,” he said. “But now, my new mixer machine does it for me. I can now make 20 tubs of ice cream daily.” It took him more than 40 years of experimentation to get the right ice cream consis-
tency and flavor. Some of his ingredients and techniques were developed over time and are kept a secret that he wants to keep for his family. What is not a secret is that perseverance and dedication to serve the customers better are among his ingredients to success. Mang Danny does not dream of a bigger house or a fancy car but he dreams of having a bigger place where he can make more ice cream and buy five more freezers. Even now, Mang Danny still cannot believe what has happened since the night a college student from Ateneo de Davao University took a photo of him and helped him in growing his business. Today he is a virtual icon of the city, one who shows that hard work is the only way to succeed.
7 NEWSMAKERS
EDGEDAVAO VOL. 8 ISSUE 199 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JANUARY 3 - 4, 2016
LEONCIO PITAO A.K.A. KUMANDER PARAGO
Big blow to the revolution By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. abf@edgedavao.net
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FTER many years of armed struggle in the mountains of Paquibato district in Davao City, the longtime commander of the New People’s Army (NPA) Pulang Bagani Command (PBC) 1 Southern Mindanao Regional Command (SMRC) leader Leoncio Pitao alias Kumander Parago met his end this year. Parago was killed in an encounter with soldiers in Purok 9, Barangay Pañalom, Paquibato District on June 28. An armed female companion, whom the military said was Parago’s medical aide, was also killed. The NPA commander was hunted by the Task Force Minion composed of the Intelligence Unit of 10th ID, 69th Infantry Battalion, and other
military units created solely to haunt him. Philippine Army commanding general Major General Eduardo Año, who was then the 10th Infantry Division commander, said Parago was one of the toughest NPA commanders the soldiers had ever encountered. Soldiers had always described Parago as a bandit who was hard to be neutralized because he knew the terrain of the area. Parago had been a commander of the NPA since the 1980s and had several standing warrants of arrests for murder, robbery, and multiple frustrated murder. He had a P5.6-million bounty for the 17 cases filed against him. Warrior For Mayor Rodrigo R.
Duterte, however, Parago was a warrior and a fighter. Duterte said although Parago was the most wanted man here, the rebel was his friend. Parago played a key role in several releases of soldiers held captive by the NPA. He was with the custodial force that carried out the safe and orderly release of Brigadier General Victor Obillo and Captain Eduardo Montealto in February 1999. Duterte gave Parago a ceremonial send-off on July 10 and asked other rebels to come down to the city to mourn their leader. The mayor even asked the officials from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (NPA) and Philippine National Police (PNP) to let NPA members join the mourning.
Big blow to the revolution Año said the death of Parago was a big blow to the NPA fronts operating in the hinterlands of Davao City and Davao del Norte. He said his death signaled the fall of the NPA in the Davao Region. Retired Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) commander Lieutenant General Aurelio Baladad said even before the death of the top NPA leader, many cadres had already left the guerilla movement and returned to the fold of the law. From 29 guerrilla fronts in the second quarter of 2014, the military was able to dismantle five guerilla fronts in the second quarter this year in its area of responsibility, Baladad said. He said these figures show
that the rebel movement is weakening. One question that surfaced was the possibility that the informant who gave Parago away was a member of the NPA and not a civilian as earlier reported. A P5.6-million bounty had been offered for Parago’s capture. The EastMinCom, however, quickly brushed aside the report and maintained the informant was “a civilian from Paquibato District.” Meanwhile, EastMinCom public information officer Captain Alberto Caber said the information he had on Parago’s aide, identified as Kyla, who was also killed in the encounter was that she was from Tuburan, Mawab, Compostela Valley. Another source said Kyla, whose real name is re-
portedly Cayla Marie Limpag Amaya, 22, was from Purok Malambuon, Sitio Tuburan, Barangay Poblacion, Malangas, Zamboanga Sibugay Province. Amaya is said to be the wife of an NPA rebel under Parago’s Pulang Bagani Command 1-Southern Mindanao Regional Command. Amaya’s remains were brought along with Parago to the Cosmopolitan Funeral Homes in Davao City. Parago was autopsied at the Rivera Funeral Parlor and was reportedly claimed by his wife Evangeline Pitao, accompanied by some relatives and members of militant Karapatan group. Amaya’s body was also reportedly claimed by Karapatan Southern Mindanao spokesperson Rev. Jurie Jaime.
EDGEDAVAO
8 VANTAGE
EDITORIAL
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The big problem
OR the first time in eight years, the Philippines is not included in the list of the “World’s Most Deadly Countries for Journalists” of the New York-based press freedom watchdog Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). Since 2007 the country has been on this list, especially in 2009 when 32 journalists were among the 58 people killed in what is now called the Ampatuan massacre — the single worst crime against journalists the world has ever seen. Every year since, the Philippines has had the unfortunate distinction of being one of the deadliest places for journalists, with unusually large numbers of reporters getting killed in various places in the country. But much to our surprise, 2015 has been a turning point, with CPJ declaring that it did not document a single journalist killed in direct relation to work in the Philippines this year. That sounds too good to be true, until one realizes that the CPJ also notes that at least seven Filipino journalists were killed in “unclear circumstances.” The CPJ says it continues to investigate these cases to see if there are work-related motives; nevertheless, it stands by its initial finding that for this year, the Philippines has
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been safe for media practitioners. But before government brings out the champagne and banners itself as the protector of press freedom and of journalists, it must remember that while the circumstances surrounding the killings of the seven journalists this year are still unclear, what is clear is that they were killed in an atmosphere of impunity in the country. The smaller picture of journalist slayings may be positive, but the bigger picture of impunity — literally the freedom from suffering the consequences of an illegal action — is certainly negative. The deaths may or may not be workrelated, but the fact remains that the killers are so far still free and the masterminds unidentified. And that is the big problem that has yet to be resolved in this country. The media profession counts at least 44 journalists murdered since 2005, and seven of these have been under the administration of President Benigno Aquino. Just because 2015 has been declared a safe year for journalists doesn’t mean government is exonerated. If anything, it should see this development as the spur to push it to solve the killings of journalists — and to prevent future ones. ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief
NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor
AGAPITO JOAQUIN JR. Associate Editor
CHARLES RAYMOND A. MAXEY Consultant
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I
WAS in college when the movie, Endless Love, came out. The melodrama moved some people to shed a tear. But what made this film memorable was the theme song, sung hautingly by Diana Ross and Lionel Richie. Some memorable lines include: “My love there’s only you in my life, the only thing that’s bright. You’re every breath that I take. You’re every step I make. And I want to share all my love with you, no else will do. And your eyes they tell me how much you care. Oh yes, you will always be my endless love.” The song came into my mind as I read the story send to me by a friend via e-mail. I don’t know who wrote it (a lady physician most probably) but after reading it you would wish you have such of love and devotion. The end of the story has this message: “True love is neither physical, nor romantic. True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be.” Now read the story for yourself: It was a busy morning, about 8:30, when an elderly gentleman in his 80’s, arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He said he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am. I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would to able to see him. I saw him looking at his watch and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound. On exam, it was well-healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound. While taking care of his wound, I asked him if he had another doctor’s appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry. The old answered negatively but he added that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife. I inquired as to her health. He told me that she had been there for a while and that she was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, a disorder which destroys brain cells, causing problems with memory, thinking and behavior severe enough to affect work, lifelong hobbies or social life. As we talked, I asked if she would be upset
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ARTIN Heidegger, eminent German philosopher and author of seminal work, Being and Time, has boldly declared, “Language is the house of being.” The being of anything that is resides in a word. This is further resonated in Stefan George’s The Word where he ultimately ends with the line, “Where word breaks off, no thing may be”. It is thus that the words we unthinkingly and unreflectively use are not just tools of communication but heralds of existence. Think Genesis’ “Let there be light and there was light.” Heidegger asserts that what we have is an experience with language. It is something that happens to us without any calculative thinking. An experience with language somehow moves and changes us. The poet who is intimate with language unconceals what is concealed in the world and makes us come face-to-face with it. It is, however, a sad reality that most of us are insensitive to the richness of life because we are consumed with the noise of daily living. There is the noise of making ends meet, of wanting to be constantly connected on social media, of consumerism, of politics and politicking, of busyness, or of just plain constant chatter. So much remains concealed to us because of the noise we create. The Visayan word, paghilom,is usually ut-
VANTAGE POINTS
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There is forever! if he was a bit THINK ON THESE! late. He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in five years now. I was surprised, and asked him, “And you still go ev- Henrylito D. Tacio ery morning, henrytacio@gmail.com even though she doesn’t know who you are?” The old man smiled as he patted my hand and said, “She doesn’t know me, but I still know who she is.” I had to hold back tears as he left, I had goose bumps on my arm, and thought, “That is the kind of love I want in my life.” Love can never be out of season. No one runs out of ideas about it. Poets can go on and on with the subject. A lot of songs have also been written about love. Eric Carmen croons: “Love is all that matters.” Perry Como believes, “Love makes the world go round.” Kenny Rogers agrees, “Love will turn you round.” However, the Eagles band thinks that “love will keep us alive.” Peabo Bryson knows that “love always find a way.” If love someone now, tell that person how much you love him or her. Do it everyday if possible. Never wait for the day when that person is gone. He or she is no longer to hear your words. Perhaps the words of Troy David Bowden is enough to remind you what love is and how important it is to let your beloved to know your feelings: “The miss of a lost love can darken the soul. Wishing to see her in the moonlight or day can cause pain and it does in my heart. Her walk was of a God and her eyes were of the dove. Lost am I in this world without her. Her touch her sound the kiss of forever and the words that came to be. “She died in my arms, and the pain will
never go away. Some nights I cry praying for her to be here, but only alone I come to be. If only someone knew how the pain burns like fire slowly burning the heart. Tears are the only memory of her and her smile. “No cure could be found and it was only up to God’s time. So many things I still wanted to say to her and so much to do with so little time. Like to take a walk through a park and hold hands as the birds fly free with the wind or to make love on a beach as the waves crash to the shore. She was my true love and to see her go away kills my soul. “I did all I could to make her time happy, we talk about memories and stories, went to the tree outside our house were I asked her to marry me, but most of the time I just watched her get sicker and sicker and on the day of her death I blew out the candle of our dreams never to light it again.” Bowden’s final words to his beloved: “Wherever you are I’ll always be here waiting for the day we can once meet again. For when the day comes tears of the past will be gone and tears of the future will lead the way.” Just what is true love? I Corinthians 13:1-8 states: “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love I gain nothing Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away...” The 13th verse says it all: “And now these things remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
tered as a directive which translates to, “Be quiet.” A mother may reprimand her bickering young children with, “Paghilom mo!” to shut them up. Interestingly, paghilom, is also the Tagalog word for healing. “Paghilom ng sugat” (healing of the wound), “ Matagal ang kanyang paghilom” (Her healing took time). This recognition and appreciation of the word, paghilom, is an experience with language. It is something that strikes us and moves us to ponder its significance, and perhaps, even transforms us. Heidegger even goes as far as saying that an experience with language “touches the innermost nexus of our existence” (On The Way To Language.1971). Thus, the word, paghilom, which embodies silence and healing, points to an essential truth of our existence. This word that we can utter without thought unconceals a truth that remains hidden in the noise. The truth that there is healing in
silence, that silence heals, or healing equals silence equals healing is found in that single Filipino word, paghilom. Paghilom is what we need to do to repair our bodies from the noise of eating too much and sleeping too little. Paghilom is what we need to do to renew our relationships from the constant busyness and hubbub of fulfilling functions. Paghilom is what we need to do to be sensitive to the prodding of the Divine which gives meaning to our material reality. Paghilom is what our country needs to do to halt the rise of greed and consumerism. Moreover, paghilom is what Duterte needs to do if he truly envisions himself the leader of this ailing nation; paghilom on the multiple Heideggerian levels. My mother used to remind me that words have power and I must, thus, be careful with what I say. That was just an earnest mother telling her young child to act and speak with propriety. Little did she know that a brilliant philosopher in the person of Heidegger would unearth and philosophize on language and boldly claim it as the house of being. Saying and being are intertwined with each other. If we are not mindful of the words we express, then our very existence also becomes mindless. So before we greet 2016 with a bang, maghilom sa ta.
Paghilom
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Miss Universe and women’s voice in politics
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T’S been MY MILLENNIAL MIND a week since the controversial Miss Universe 2015 coronation and indeed, Miss Pia Wurtzbach was beauVanessa Kate Madrazo tiful that evening. But beyond the looks and the controversy, I thought the question that was asked of Ms. Philippines in the Q&A portion was pretty interesting. Conspiracy and politicized theories aside (it seemed kind of more than coincidental to ask her a question about the presence of US bases in the Philippines in a pageant that was more or less hosted by a Western entity in front of a more or less Western set of judges in a competition – just imagine the pressure Wurtzbach was in), women are rarely asked anything political, let alone in a beauty pageant that has for years asked its candidates personal questions about themselves, if not abstract ones about beauty and empowerment. Many Filipinos were outraged by Pia’s answer because she thought that there was no problem about Americans staying in some bases in our country. It’s not a very nationalistic answer, but I think that the question being asked to her is an important step in including women in political conversations. For the longest time, politics were a man’s world. Even today, we see the likes of Duterte throwing sexist remarks at female political candidates like Leni Robredo. In the US, many people are quick to undermine Hilary Clinton as a presidential candidate because of her sex. There are also very few female politicians in Congress right now and granted, perhaps it’s because not a lot of women are also interested in running for office. But why is that? From a historical perspective, women have also had limited roles in the politics of the country with a few exceptions like Cory Aquino whose position in office was still largely because of the pressure to assume her husband’s legacy. This stemmed from centuries of gender role entrenchment that has made voices of women lack the authority to be perceived as fit for leadership positions. They had been traditionally been homemakers and men had been traditionally hunters or tribal leaders. For that reason, the concept of women talking about military occupation or national alliances, among others, was perceived as out of place, as abnormal. Wurtzbach may not be the perfect example (she was only given seconds to answer the question after all) but women do have legitimate opinions on domestic and foreign policy. Women think about policy, too, and they are as capable and brilliant leaders as men. Even media institutions (which are probably oblivious to how gender factors in when they seek information) don’t seek out women as experts as much as they seek out men. Centuries of undermining women’s roles is particularly difficult (but not impossible) to reverse. That’s also why very few women are quoted in history for their views in politics and why we’re not very likely to seek the views of women in political matters and how it affects them because we have to admit that there are issues that are nuanced to the experience of women. I’m not a fan myself of beauty pageants because I’ve always thought they only supported the idea of objectifying women and merely judging them for how they look. But placing emphasis on their intellect by making Q&A the most important portion of the event and by beginning to ask women their views on political matters is an important step in the course of women empowerment. Women’s voices matter too, not just in beauty or feminist related issues, but also in politics, and economics – issues that affect citizens in general.
10 BIGGER PICTURE EDGEDAVAO
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ONLY IN DAVAO CITY
15th Christmas and New Year without firecrackers W
HILE the rest of the country is still grappling with how to celebrate Christmas and the New Year safely, Davao City has just celebrated its 15th year of welcoming Christmas and will welcome 2016 with no firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices, and no firing of guns. Dabawenyos greeted Christmas midnight by blowing party horns, banging pots and pans, doing videoke sing-along and going village dancing and will greet the New Year in similar fashion, although some residents will troop downtown to be part of the Torotot Festival, the city’s countdown to 2016. For 15 years now, per-
sonnel at the health and fire departments have been the envy of their counterparts in other parts of the country who are busy attending to injuries from firecrackers and stray bullets, or saving houses and business establishments from fire. Before the ban on firecrackers and pyrotechnics in Christmas of 2001, Davao City was like other cities in the country – a virtual war zone on Christmas eve and New Year’s eve. In fact, the Catholic church had to move to an earlier time what was supposed to be a traditional “midnight mass” precisely to ensure the safety of churchgoers.
Not only was it unsafe to be on the road, it was also unsafe to be at home as the possibility of fire incidents from firecracker blasts was high. Death from stray bullets was another problem that went away with the successful ban on firecrackers. Before 2001, those who fired guns into the air to “celebrate” took advantage of the firecracker blasts to hide their crime. With no firecrackers exploding, no one could dare fire a gun. Before the ban, trainer and development consultant Millet Aviles Ty and husband Mateo spent Christmas and New Year with their chil-
dren in a high-rise hotel downtown to avoid injuries or death from firecracker explosions and stray bullets, and to avoid asthma attacks from inhaling gunpowder smoke. Death, injury, fire, asthma attacks were problems residnets had to contend with. And the morning of Christmas and New Year would find the streets littered with garbage from scraps and firecracker casings.
To Kua Balangay (The Chant of the Balangay), a musical performance that honored the ancient sailboat of Butuan City—the Balangay. The event was staged at the Matina Town Square by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and music organization SAMADhI Davao to culminate the National Arts Month. With direction by Popong Landero, the event put Jojo and his band Crowns Down (Tunog Mindanao 2012 winner) in their best form, depicting tribal music with modern equipment that brought the audience to experience the distinct sounds that express the culture of the Manobo.
Film Horror film makers gained attention through Origane Films’ Davao Ngilngig Film Festival 2015, which highlighted local horror stories from Davao. The Mindanao Film Festival (MFF) returns this year, celebrating 11 years of storytelling and the creativity of local filmmakers young and old alike. The country’s longest running regional film festival is organized by the Mindanao Film and Television Development Foundation, together with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Film Development Council of the Philippines and the Davao Autism Intervention Center Foundation Inc.
MFF voices out the message in its theme: “Ang atong Salida.” “The films in the MFF is our cinema. The films are shaped by the same factors that had shaped our lives here. Our stories, aspirations, struggles, etc. are encapsulated in that cinema,” MFF festival director Rudolph Alama said. The festival continues to give local filmmakers a platform to showcase their works, a storytelling tradition that MFF has long had for the past decade.
from different fields to give them a platform to develop, promote, and create projects. Artists and their visions came to a full circle as the year ends, vividly picturing out what’s to come in 2016. Through active coverages of Davao journalists and lifestyle writers, Art Talk is able to reinforce the idea of the arts being the soul of the community.
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Artists and journalists At the end of the year, the only monthly media forum on arts and culture marked its second anniversary. Every month, Art Talk gathers local artists
Ban ahead of ordinance Curiously, the city ordinance banning firecrackers was actually passed only in late 2002, almost a year since the ban was first en-
Beauty Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, who considers Cagayan de Oro as her second home, brought home the Miss Universe crown and title. For more than 40 years now, the country has been falling short of winning in the beauty pageant. MindaNews
forced. But Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, who is running for President and who has expressed his intent to push for a nationwide ban if he gets elected, banned the sale of firecrackers and pyrotechnics during the Christmas season in 2001 by not issuing business permits to vendors and malls intending to sell these. He said the money for fireworks would be better spent on food. He also announced a P5,000 bounty for anyone who could pinpoint anyone firing a gun during the merrymaking. It was a quiet Christmas in 2001. Truly a “silent night, holy night.” And so was New Year 2002. Instead of shouting across the table during the “noche buena” because firecrackers were exploding here and there, families were now talking to one another. Over the years, residents have found other ways of celebrating with no firecracker explosions, such as the Torotot Festival which was first held on December 31, 2013 and every December 31 thereafter. Residents from neighboring cities who want to escape from firecracker explosions in their areas have also taken to spending Christmas and the New Year in Davao City. City Ordinance 060-02, enacted by the City Council on October 15, 2002 and approved by Mayor Duterte on November 6, prohibits the manufacture, sale, distri-
bution, possession, or use of firecrackers or pyrotechnic devices “or such other similar devices within the territory of Davao City.” The ban is not just for Christmas and New Year but also during the celebration of the Chinese New Year and the Muslims’ Eid’l Fitr (end of Ramadhan). When Davao City hosted the Tourism Forum in 2006, organizers had to do the fireworks display in the Island Garden City of Samal, across the Davao Gulf. And because flying in the fireworks was a no-no in Davao City, the pyrotechnic materials had to be flown in via Butuan City and from there transported by land to Panabo City in Davao del Norte, some four hours away. From Panabo, which is located at the boundary with Davao City, the pyrotechnic materials were transported by boat to Samal City across Davao City. The ordinance penalizes first offenders with a fine of P1,000 or imprisonment of 20 to 30 days, or both; second offenders with a fine of P3,000 or imprisonment of from one to three months or both; and third offenders, a fine of P5,000 or imprisonment of from three to six months, or both. Managers or owners of business establishments caught violating the ordinance will also be held liable and their business permits cancelled on the third offense. (Carolyn O. Arguillas / MindaNews)
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EDGEDAVAO YEARENDER
2015
RUN DUTERTE RUN. Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte leads the lighting of candle during the people’s declaration of support for his presidential bid at Rizal Park on August 28.
The year in photos Text and photos by Lean Daval Jr.
A
S the year 2015 bids goodbye, let us look back at the year’s rollercoaster ride-like stories through powerful photographs with Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte as the year’s most photographed personality. Here are the most compelling images of one of the most memorable years for Dabawenyos.
CRYING LADY. This photo of a crying lady supporter was generated over a hundred thousand likes on social media in 24 hours. Photo was taken as Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte announces his decision on September 8 not to run for president in 2016.
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A REAL RICE. A man and his son buy 10 kilograms of well-milled rice at a rice trader’s stall in Bankerohan Public Market. The City Council of Davao led by the Committee on Health assured the public that there is no such thing as synthetic or fake rice proliferating in the city markets.
CUFFED. A handcuffed former Davao Regional Intelligence Unit director Superintendent Leonardo Felonia is brought by elements of the Intelligence Group to the Regional Trial Court Branch 16 for transfer of custody as the main suspect of the murder of Cebu-based businessman Richard L. King.
LIMITED LIGHT. A Grade 8 student studies her lessons using a rechargeable lamp in preparation for an examination as Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC) implements another round of rotational blackouts due to a shortage of supply from the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).
BULK WATER PROJECT. Aboitiz Power 1st vice president for Mindanao affairs and Apo Agua Infrastructura’s Manuel M. Orig briefs some of Davao City councilors on the P10-billion Davao City bulk water supply project during his presentation at The Marco Polo, Davao.
GL ST bo str the An Cit Da exp day we fro Sum and wh bat
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EDGEDAVAO
FAREWELL, LEO. Relatives, friends, and supporters pay their last respect to the late Councilor Leonardo Avila III during the last night of wake at Sangguniang Panlungsod. Avila was cremated and laid to rest on December 23.
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FALLEN FRIEND. Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte pays his respects to fallen New People’s Army leader Leoncio Pitao aka Kumander Parago at the Cosmopolitan Funeral Parlor. Parago was killed by elements of the Philippine Army on June 28 in Paquibato District, Davao City.
DRUG AND GUN HAUL.Two suspects undergoing booking procedure sit in front of the hand guns, grenade, ammunition, and sachets of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) confiscated by the authorities during an early morning “one-time, big-time” operation against illegal drugs conducted around Davao City.
LOOMY BUT TILL FUN. Young oys brave the rong waves at e seafront in Sta. na wharf, Davao ty on October 19. avao City has been periencing gloomy ys since late last eek due to the haze om forest fires in matra, Indonesia d typhoon Lando hich is currently ttering Luzon.
END OF THE ROAD. Wearing a “Duterte” baller, one of the two suspects in the killing of Senior Police Officer 1 Vivencio Vertudazo meets his end after allegedly trying to fight arresting police officers in Toril, Davao City on October 6.
BLAST INSPECTION. Operatives of Task Force Davao, Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO), and Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO)gather fragments from an improvised explosive device (IED) that was detonated inside a public utility van (PUV) at Eco-West Drive in Ecoland on November 18.
THAT’S FRESH. A fish vendor shows a freshly cut tuna belly at the wet section of Agdao Public Market on September 16. Fish dealers have assured the public that tuna sold in the city’s second biggest public market are fresh and not wiped with pork blood to make them look fresh.
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YEARENDER
DIALOGUE. Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Z. Duterte holds a dialogue with the tribal leaders of lumad evacuees from Talaingod, Davao del Norte and Bukidnon who are temporarily living at the United Church of Christ
KILLERS KILLED. Members of the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) inspect the body of one of the suspects in the killing of Senior Police Officer 1 Vevencio Vertudazo. The two alleged killers were themselves killed after trying to evade arrest in Toril, Davao City on October 6. ACHIEVER. Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte checks out the gold medals of Dabawenyo Paralympics swimmer Ernie Gawilan during the Pahalipay ni Mayor Rody sa Katawhan where persons with disability (PWD) achievers were given recognition by the mayor. Gawilan won two gold medals and a silver medal in the recently concluded ASEAN Paralympic Games held in Singapore.
in the Philippines (UCCP) Haran in Bankerohan on July 23. Duterte intervened after a commotion between the members of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) and the lumad evacuees and their support groups.
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EDGEDAVAO VOL. 8 ISSUE 199 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JANUARY 3 - 4, 2016
LUISITO D. PINEDA
On top of a tech giant BY JON JOAQUIN
As President and Country General Manager, Pineda is responsible for IBM’s sales and distribution, systems and technology, software and services units, and fully-owned subsidiaries offering global delivery including IBM Solutions Delivery and IBM Business Services.
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HE running joke between IBM Philippines and Davao City journalists is that one of the requirements for being president and country manager of IBM Philippines is a personal connection with Davao. James Velasquez (2006 to 2001) was born in Davao City, while Mariels Almeda Winhoffer (2012 to 2014) is the daughter of a Dabawenya. The current IBM Philippines head, Luisito D. Pineda, was born and raised here. Pineda spent his elementary years at the Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) and still remembers his school days there. But the 1970s were a difficult time for the Philippines, and so his father sought greener pastures in the US. “He went ahead of all of us and he would come home every year, and then finally when I was 12 he told us we were all moving to the States,” Pineda told EDGE Davao in an earlier interview. The Pineda family settled in Seattle, Washington, and the young Luis thrived in its fair weather. After high school there, he studied at the University of Washington where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science. Pineda joined IBM in 1991, and within three months of joining the company’s Silicon Valley Lab in California he invented a computer-aided software engineering product that helped IBM’s developers gain a tenfold improvement in productivity. “I found a better way to write applications,” he said. Pineda helped build several successful businesses in IBM and co-founded one of the first services businesses to utilize offshore capabilities in delivering complex Enterprise Solutions to
IBM’S LEGACY. Pineda in front of the Davao City Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC). IBM established the PSSCC’s Intelligent Operations Center (IOC) for Safety and Security. Photo courtesy of IBM Philippines
clients worldwide. He traveled around the globe, creating offshore delivery centers in Belarus, Egypt, Jordan, China, India, Latvia, and Russia. In 1999, he led the world’s first wireless banking solution, utilizing Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) at Svenska Handelsbanken. “IBM supports its people when they have great entrepreneurial ideas,” he said. For the Philippines, Pineda started the first Software Group Technical Support Center which supported customers in North America. Pineda has held various executive posts within IBM, including an assignment in Zurich, Switzerland as the Vice President of Technical Sales and Services for Northeast Europe, Vice President for Worldwide Client Success (Professional Services, Premium and Technical Support), and Director of Software Development. Prior to his appointment in the Phil-
ippines in September 2014, Pineda was Vice President of the Client Support and Success, Industry Cloud Solutions, IBM Software Group. As President and Country General Manager, Pineda is responsible for IBM’s sales and distribution, systems and technology, software and services units, and fully-owned subsidiaries offering global delivery including IBM Solutions Delivery and IBM Business Services. One of the areas Pineda wants IBM Philippines to focus on is analytics, which he said is growing at a rapid 15 percent — much faster than business process outsourcing (BPO) which is growing at only 5 percent. Research firm Gartner had earlier predicted that while smarter analytics can create 4.4 million jobs by 2015, only 30 percent can be filled partly due to a lack of skilled workers. To address this, IBM signed an agree-
ment with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) on December 6, 2012 to collaborate on developing a comprehensive analytics education master plan for Philippine higher education institutions in order to prepare the country’s workforce towards the emerging trend towards analytics. Pineda said the Philippines has a lot talent when it comes to analytics “but they just need opportunity.” He also said Filipino workers, particularly those in the BPO industry, must develop deeper skills in analytics in order to fill the need. He said ultimately, BPO companies must add value through analytics, giving their customers more information that would help companies and industries grow. “Data is valuable buy only if you know how to extract value and insights from it. Data has the power to transform industries and professions,” he said.
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13 NEWSMAKERS
EDGEDAVAO VOL. 8 ISSUE 199 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JANUARY 3 - 4, 2016
PIA AND OTHER MINDANAO ACHIEVERS
From Mindanao to the Tworld HE showcase of Mindanawon artistry and creativity extended from local initiatives to international projects. Each defined the collective vision of the thriving community that has so much story to tell and pictures to paint.
Children’s books All of the McDonald’s Happy Meals in the United States last January came with a children’s book instead of a toy. This was a result of McDonald’s collaboration with Reading is Fundamental (a children’s literacy organization in the US) and HarperCollins Children’s Books. Their project distributed an estimated 17 million books to families in the US. One of these books is illustrated by Davaoeno artist Macky Pamintuan, who himself believes that giving books to children is a good idea, and that family reading time is an equally good habit to create. Macky is the illustrator of the Flat Stanley children’s book
series by Jeff Brown. “Flat Stanley Goes Camping” was one of the books included in this McDonald’s Happy Meal project. Macky has a BFA in Illustration from San Francisco’s Academy of Art University. He has illustrated for books by publishing giants like HarperCollins, Scholastic, Sterling publishing, Random House, McGraw-Hill, and Peaceable Kingdom Press, among others.
Fashion During graduation season, senior fashion students of the Philippine Women’s College-Davao (PWC-Davao) reflected on the heritage and history of Davao City’s tribes. The capsule garment collections presented during their graduation show and art and design exhibit (called ArThrive) were contemporary renditions and interpretations of specific cultural elements of southern ethnic groups. The students were mentored and guided by fashion designer and educator Emi Englis, who is passionate about
something that he calls “heritage fashion.”
Visual art Art made its way to more people by going out of museums. Gone are the days when art was strictly confined in museums or meant to be enjoyed by the more privileged. A larger segment of the general public is becoming witness to the efforts of Davao artists and private organizations to bring art more closer to the community. Public events and exhibits staged in places of convergence (especially those that are held to coincide with the upcoming Araw ng Dabaw) continue to make art concepts more tangible and accessible. One of the notable examples of these is the Davao Art Market that opened in SM Lanang Premier. The pop-up shop showcased works of seven local artists/art groups and sold pieces worthy of public display. The Davao chapter of the Guild for Upholding and Har-
nessing Indispensable Talents (GUHIT) Pinas spread the art love as they held their first major exhibition for the benefit of the Badjao community in the city. The exhibit, called Unang Badlis, held at the Got Heart Gallery of The Peak in GMall Davao, showcased the art pieces of the young artists of the group who skillfully made use of graphite pens, charcoal, acrylic, oil, watercolor, color pencil, soft pastel, and even simple ballpoint pens to create vidid images on canvas. Rey Sugarol, president of GUHIT Pinas Davao, said that their group promotes the discovery, enhancement, and use of artistic talents as an act of involvement in common campaigns toward economic, political, social, environmental, moral, and spiritual development. Music Music made a significant tribute to heritage this year, too. Contemporary and old world music meld in Tud-om
F PIA, 10
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INTERNATIONAL SPORTS
SPORTS YEARENDER 15
From Serena Slam to Spieth-mania LONDON — From Serena Williams' near Grand Slam in tennis to Japan's shock defeat of South Africa in the Rugby World Cup and Barcelona's dominance on the football pitch, there was much to admire in international sports this year. But much of it was spent dwelling on scandal — from widespread allegations of bribery and corruption at Fifa to systemic doping covered up in athletics. Football officialdom endured a shameful year. Sepp Blatter, the Fifa president since 1998, and Michel Platini, European football's top official, were banned from all football-related activity for eight years for a Fifa payment of about $2 million to Platini in 2011. The payment was judged by Fifa's ethics commission to be a conflict of interest and disloyal to the world body. Both deny wrongdoing and will appeal the decision. And in athletics, Russia's federation was suspended after it was accused of operating a state-sponsored doping program. The suspension could keep Russia out of the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Athletics had its more inspiring moments, Usain Bolt in many of them. A lunge to the line saw him see off Justin Gatlin in the 100 meters at the world championships in Beijing — scene of perhaps his greatest achievements in the 2008 Olympics. Golf got its own new superstar this year, too. Jordan Spieth won the first two majors, and just fell short in the other two. It was also a big year for Australia and New Zealand. The neighbors contested the finals of both the cricket and rugby World Cups. Australia won the former to claim its fifth Cricket World Cup while New Zealand got revenge when it became the first team to successfully defend the Rugby World Cup. Here are some notable moments in sports this year, as captured by photographers from The Associated Press.
Serena Williams holds the French Open tennis trophy after beating Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic in three sets. Williams won the year's first three majors, and came within two match wins of completing the calendar year Grand Slam at the US Open. AP Photo/Michel Euler
Jamaica's Usain Bolt wins the gold medal in the men's 100m ahead of United States' Justin Gatlin at the World Athletics Championships at the Bird's Nest stadium in Beijing on Aug. 23, 2015. AP Photo/Lee Jin-man
Lionel Messi kisses the Champions League trophy after Barcelona defeated Juventus, 3-1, in the final at the Olympic stadium in Berlin on June 6, 2015. AP Photo/ Martin Meissner
Michael Clarke holds the Cricket World Cup Trophy aloft after Australia defeated co-host New Zealand in the final in Melbourne on March 29, 2015. Clarke scored 74 vital runs to help Australia win the trophy for the fifth time, three more than any other team. AP Photo/ Andy Brownbill
Jordan Spieth plays from the rough on the 16th hole at the British Open at Old Course, St. Andrews on July 15, 2015. Spieth arrived at the Scottish links attempting to become only the second man after Ben Hogan in 1953 to win the first three of the year's four majors. Spieth ended one shot behind the three men who contested the play-off, which was eventually won by Zach Johnson of the United States. AP Photo/David J. Phillip
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NOT SO GOOD START Saludar, Parenas lose in world title fights in Japan
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WO Filipino fighters were foiled in their respective bids to become world champions just before the New Year revelry. Vic Saludar and Warlito Parenas lost one after the other in two separate world title bouts held in Japan in the finals days of 2015. Saludar failed to sustain a fiery start and bowed to reigning title holder Kosei Tanaka in their World Boxing Organization (WBO) minimumweight clash in Nagoya on New Year’s eve. The former amateur standout lost by sixth round knockout despite having the champion in trouble early on when he decked Tanaka with a straight right midway in the fifth round, as reported by Japanese promoter Joe Koizumi. The end came for Saludar at the 2:15 mark of the sixth when he was counted out by referee Mike Ortega after a nasty body shot by the champion left the challenger writhing in pain on
the canvas. Saludar (11-2, 9 KOs) was leading in all three judges’ scorecards, 50-44, 50-44, and 49-45, when disaster struck. It was the first title defense for the 20-year-old Tanaka, who now carries a 6-0 record, including three KOs. Meanwhile, a day earlier in Tokyo, Parenas was stopped by WBO junior bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue in the second round of their own title match. Inoue knocked down Parenas twice in the second round before the referee rightfully stepped in to stop the punishment at the 1:20 mark. The unbeaten champion pulled off the impressive win despite coming off a one-year rest after suffering a dislocated right hand in his last bout against Omar Narvaez. He improved his record to 9-0, with 8 KOs. Parenas is now 24-7-1, with 21 KOs.
NOT ENOUGH. Champion Kosei Tanaka (L) of Japan lands his left hook on Vic Saludar (R) of Philippines during the WBO minimum weight title match in Nagoya, Japan. Getty Images