Edge Davao 8 Issue 53 by Edge Davao The Business Paper

VOL. 8 ISSUE 53 • TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

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Dengue cases drop P2 Freed soldier wants to leave AFP P3

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

SALUTE. Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte raises a clenched fist before members of the New People’s Army (NPA) upon his arrival in Kiamba, Saranggani Province to fetch Private first class (Pfc) Khen Subere of the 27th Infantry Battalion who was captured by the NPA last April 13 in T’boli, South Cotabato. Armando B. Fenequito Jr.

REDS IN RODY’S CABINET ‘I will give them three gov’t posts. DAR, DENR , DSWD’

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. abf@edgedavao.net

Warriors a win away from title Sports P16

AVAO City Mayor Rodrigo R. Dutete said if he becomes President, he will end the war with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) by giving it Cabinet positions. In an interview during

the release of Private First Class (PFC) Khen Subere by the New People’s Army (NPA) in Barangay Tamadang in Kiamba, Sarangani Province last Saturday, Duterte said the first thing he will do as President is ask the CPP for its

agenda and what it thinks should be done to end the war. “Kung gusto sila ihatag nako ang DAR kay duol na sa ilang kasing-kasing ang yuta. Kaning DENR og DSWD (If they want, I will give them the Department

of Agrarian Reform since land is close to their hearts. I will also give them the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of Social Welfare and Development),” Duterte said.

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2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 53 • TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

DENGUE DAY. Grade 7 students from various schools in Davao City participate in the dengue bulletin board-making contest which is part of the observance of the 5th ASEAN Dengue Day at the Davao City Recreation Center yesterday. The event aimed to raise awareness on dengue and to mobilize resources for the prevention and control involving all sectors of the society. Lean Daval Jr.

Duterte to endorse Bello for 3rd district House seat By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

abf@edgedavao.net

AVAO City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte will endorse third councilor Karlo S. Bello to succeed incumbent third district Rep. Isidro T. Ungab in next year’s election. In an interview last Saturday, Duterte said he had promised Karlo’s father, 1BAP Partylist Rep. Silvestre “Bebot” Bello III, that he would let the younger Bello run for the position after Ungab’s third and last term. “Mao na’y sabot sa amahan na si Bebot niadto pa long long before. Giingnan lang sa nako na padaplin una and allow Ungab to run (That was our agreement with his father long ago. I told him to give way and allow Ungab to run first),” Duterte said. The mayor said he and Rep. Bello are close friends

and were part of the same activist group in their college days. Earlier, councilor Bello said he would leave his fate in the 2016 electrion to the homegrown Hugpong Sa Tawong Lungsod. Councilor Bello is now in his third and last term and has reportedly been eying the third district congressional seat in 2016. Aside from Bello, councilors Myrna Dalodo-Ortiz and Bernard Al-ag, also of Hugpong, are reporteldy also interested in the post. Al-ag said he is ready to discuss this matter with the mayor but if the party decides to field another candidate as the successor of Ungab, he will just seek re-election since he is still in his second term.

OPERATION SMILE:

Davao dengue cases drop By CHARLES RAYMOND A. MAXEY

HE Department of Health (DOH) 11 recorded 1,407 dengue cases in Davao Region from January to June 13 this year, or a 35 percent decrease from 2,168 dengue cases recorded on the same period last year. Of this year’s dengue cases, DOH 11 recorded four deaths, which is also lower than the nine deaths recorded last year. DOH 11 director Dr. Abdullah B. Dumama Jr. said despite the significant decrease in dengue cases the past several years based on their regional surveillance data from 10 hospital sentinel sites, people must not be complacent in the fight against the dreaded

desease. The fight against dengue, he said, is a concerted effort and must be sustained. Dumama released the latest DOH data on dengue cases as the Philippines observed the ASEAN Dengue Day Monday along with its regional neighbors. The ASEAN Dengue Day is observed every June 15th of each year, with DOH 11 hosting this year’s national event. Health Sec. Janette P. Loreto-Garin, meanwhile, strongly advised health workers and local government units (LGUs) to plan ahead instead of just responding to dengue outbreaks in their areas. Garin said the ASEAN

Changing the world one smile at a time By CHENEEN R. CAPON

crc@edgedavao.net

EN-YEAR-OLD Ronaldo “Ron-ron” Esgrina Jr. was given a big hug by a tall blond doctor before he entered the operating room yesterday morning at around 11 a.m. Excited yet nervous, the four-foot-tall boy dressed in an oversized white shirt with a smiley face and trekking shorts looked at his mother Josephine and saw her smiling. She was with other parents carrying their sons and daughters with

cleft lips. They, too, were also waiting for their number to be called. “Kaya na nimo (You can do it),” Josephine said, hoping the 45-minute operation will finally repair her son’s cleft lip after the first operation failed in 2006 when Ron-ron was just a year-and-a-half years old. Josephine recalled the eagerness of her youngest son who woke up early just

to catch the 5 a.m. van trip to Davao City from Barangay San Pedro in the municipality of Midsayap in North Cotabato last Saturday. She said she had to have Ron-ron sit on her lap throughout the trip to save the P250 fare. “We came to Davao City with nothing but just hopes and prayers,” Josephine said. If the operation is successful, she and her son will go home the following using the P1,000 so-

licited by a relative preaching in a local church here. Ron-ron is just one of many Mindanawons who seized the opportunity to change their lives through the help of free surgeries provided by Operation Smile. Passing through by word of the mouth or through posters on the bulletin boards in different community health centers and hospitals all over

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health ministers have agreed in 2010 to hold the ASEAN Dengue Day to launch a concerted effort in fighting this mosquito-borne disease. “We are fighting a common enemy and joining forces is the best way to defeat dengue,” Garin said in a statement. Dengue is transmitted to 100 tropical countries, including the Philippines, with close to 100 million people presenting with symptoms of mild or severe disease. “Dengue is an important public health problem with a considerable and often under-valued disease burden in terms of frequency, cost and quality of life,” Garin said, adding that it is the

most prevalent and important mosquito-borne infection worldwide. The health chief said that a disease like dengue demands a multi-pronged response the engage government agencies, private sectors and the community, well beyond the health sector. Based on national data, dengue cases in the Philippines from January to May this year now stands at 25,616 cases, which is 10 percent higher compared to the same period last year with 23,151 cases. There were also 75 total deaths recorded, which is lower than the recorded 100 deaths in 2014.

Bongbong: Shift to federalism to need next President’s push

ENATOR Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. thinks the move to change our present form of government to a federal system has a good chance of succeeding if the next President would push for it via charter change early in his term. Appearing before the “Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa” radio show in Davao City with Mayor Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday, Marcos backed moves towards federalism as the possible answer to socio-economic and social problems plagu-

ing the country, particularly in Mindanao. Duterte has been pushing for federalism as an alternative if Congress fails to pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law. Marcos is Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Government, the main committee tasked to deliberate on the proposed BBL. However, Marcos had said the draft BBL is flaw-ridden and vowed to prepare instead a substitute bill that would address the issues raised against

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NEWS 3

EDGEDAVAO

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Rody confirms death threats By FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA

M FIGHTING DENGUE. Department of Health-National Center for Disease Prevention and Control (DOH-NCDPC) Dr. Lyndon L. Lee Suy(left) says that although dengue cases decreased by at least 40 percent from previous year, action and programs for its

eradication should be intensified. Suy, DOH Undersecretary Vicente Belizario Jr. (center), and DOH 11 director Dr. Abdullah B. Dumama Jr. graced the 5th ASEAN Dengue Day commemoration press conference at the Apo View Hotel yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

AYOR Rodrigo Duterte yesterday confirmed that he has received death threats from drug syndicates. This after reports came out that the country’s biggest drug syndicates are forming an alliance to stop Duterte from becoming the next President of the Philippines. Duterte said he received threats from such a drug cartel but stressed that it was a raw report. He also said he cannot verify as of the moment if the threats are from a drug syndicate operating in Mindanao or in the entire country. Duterte said he is ready to face whatever happens to him. “There is a threat but I don’t mind it. The information is not A1 (Intelligence Group), I was just told it was raw information,” he said. Despite the threats, the mayor said he did not increase his security even out-

side of Davao City. “If it is my time, it is my time. Why would I bother (with additional security)? Ready na ko mu-atubang sa langit, sa Ginoo. Ready na ko (I am ready to face heaven, to face God. I’m ready),” he said. Last Friday, former North Cotabato Governor Manny Piñol posted on his Facebook account that Duterte had received death threats from drug syndicates. “A raw but reliable intelligence report relayed to the Duterte camp last night said big drug lords based in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao have linked up to put up a united front against a Duterte Presidency,” Piñol said in his post. He also said that there are three strategies to neutralize Duterte, through assassination, black propaganda, and the use of drug money during the campaign period and the elections to ensure the defeat of Duterte.

Freed soldier wants to resign from AFP Soldier, rebel, child die in Bukidnon raid By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

abf@edgedavao.net

HE soldier released by the New People’s Army (NPA) last Saturday after two months of captivity is contemplating on resigning from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). During his release, Private First Class (PFC) Khen Subere, 27, said he wants to spend his time with his family after having served the country for almost two years as a soldier. Subere is a resident of Carmen, Davao del Norte, and is a member of the

27th Infantry Battalion (IB) of the 10th Infantry Division (ID). He was released by the NPA to Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte on June 13, 2015 in Barangay Tamadang in Kiamba, Sarangani Province. “Sa akoa, alanganin nako mo balik sa serbisyo basig pagbalik nako diha na pud ko madisgrasya (I am having second thoughts about going back to the service because this time I might get killed),” he said. “Sa akong kabahin, ang kapildihan kay mawalaan kog

LL is set for the historic decommissioning of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) firearms as the first phase of the decommissioning program which aims to put the arms and forces of the rebel group beyond use kicks off Tuesday, Professor Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said Monday. Speaking over the Churchrun Radio here, Ferrer said the decommissioning is part of the agreement of both the government and the MILF contained under the Annex on Normalization of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB). ”All is set, President Aquino will witness the historic and vital part of the Mindanao peace process,” Ferrer said. To be held at the old provincial capitol compound in Barangay Simuay, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao province,

the simple ceremonies dubbed "Ceremonial Turnover of Weapons and Decommissioning of the MILF Combatants" to be held at the old provincial capitol in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, will once again prove the MILF’s sincerity in the peace process even as the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law hit a snag at the country’s legislature. Ferrer said the MILF fighters will undertake the registration and turning-in of 75 weapons to the Independent Decommissioning Body (IDB). Turkey's former ambassador to NATO, Haydar Berk heads the IDB with members Jan Erik Wilhemsen from Norway, Maj. Muhammad Aiman Syazwi Bin Haji Abdul Rahim from Brunei, and local experts, AFP ret. Lt. Gen. Rey Ardor, Dr. Mario Aguja, MILF spokes-

All is set for MILF decommissioning A

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trabaho, pero dako gihapon kog pasalamat na buhi pa gihapon ko nibalik ko sa akong pamilya (The downside is I will lose my job, but, I am thankful that I am returning to my family alive),” Subere said. He said he will ask for his salary from the month before he was captured and his bonus which was not released last December. “Naa man pud siguro koy katungod isip usa ka sundalo na makuha to (I think I have the right to get it as member of

AFP),” he said. Subere was captured by the Mt. Daguma Sub-Regional Command–Far South Mindanao Region of the NPA last April 13 in Barangay Tabudtud in the Municipality of T’boli, South Cotabato. Subere said he had gone to T’boli on April 11 with the permission of his squad leader to visit a relative for a day. He said when he was about to return to camp, he was intercepted by a group of

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HREE people were killed in an attack Sunday by the New People’s Army in an interior town of Bukidnon. In a statement Monday, the NPA Army Regional Command said its South Central Bukidnon Sub-regional Command attacked an outpost of the 69th Infantry Battalion in Sitio Mahayag, Barangay Namnam, San Fernando around 3:30 p.m. on Sunday. The statement said one soldier was killed and three others were wounded in the

firefight. One rebel and a 12-year old child were also killed, it added. The NPA claimed they seized 13 firearms, including a mini machinegun and an M203 grenade launcher. The rebel group said the soldiers occupied the sitio hall as their barracks and were deployed in the area to guard the equipment of a construction company that was working on the Valencia-Davao highway. (MindaNews)

DOCTOR DOCTOR. Ten-year old Ron-ron Esgrina Jr. plays “doctor”before his operation for treatment of his cleft lip on the first day of Operation Smile’s Mega Mission, a simultaneous five-day event held in Davao City, Pampanga, Manila, Cebu, and Bacolod. The operation was done in the Mindanao Cleft Center housed at the Brokenshire Memorial Hospital. Cheneen R. Capon

EDGEDAVAO

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VOL. 8 ISSUE 53 • TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

DavOr sports fest opens

HE 2015 Sports Fest or “DavaoOrientalympics” kicked off Thursday, June 11, at the provincial capitol covered court, this time highlighting the colorful spirit of the theme “Isports-Kahiusahan, Isports-Kalipay” (Sports for Unity, Sports for Fun). Eight clusters identified by eight colors will compete for different sporting and friendly games weeks before Davao Oriental marks its 48th Founding Anniversary this coming July 1. These teams are composed of employees coming from different Provincial Departments, National Line Agencies and other government instrumentalities. As the most awaited event in every founding anniversary of the province, this year’s DavaoOrientalympics has three components: KASADPAN Sundowners Competition, the Governor’s Cup Inter-LGU Open Competition, and the BANGAW Inter-color Competition. KASADPAN Sundowners Competition is open to all sports enthusiast who are 40

years old and above. Meanwhile, the Governor’s Cup Inter-LGU Open Competition will be played by representatives of the 11 towns in the province for sporting events. The BANGAW Inter-color Competition is a scheme devised to truly promote fun and revelry through sports and a sense of togetherness among provincial government employees and other government instrumentalities by grouping them into colored clusters. They shall compete in various sporting and artistic events as well as parlor games. The Champion team will receiv P75,000 cash plus a trophy. The 2nd Placer will receive P60,000, 3rd Placer will get P50,000, the fourth placer will bring home P40,000, while four consolation prizes of P25,000 will be given to the non-winning teams. On the opening ceremony, Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon said sports is the highlight of the 48th Davao Oriental Founding Anniversary and is intended to reward employees who helped her achieve the provincial’s milestones

throughout the years. “The Provincial Government truly cares for your health, recreation and physical fitness,” Malanyaon said.

Artistic events and friendly games were slated also to improve constituents’ talents, particularly in singing and dancing as announced by the

A total of 105 flags, collected by the commission from the different public schools in the city, were burned at dusk. In return, the commission gave away free Philippine flags to the schools that surrendered old flags to the commission. The ceremony is a first in the history of Tagum, in compliance with Republic Act 8491 or the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines which states that worn-out flags should be solemnly burned to avoid misuse or desecration. This highlighted Tagum’s solidarity with the nation for

the 117th anniversary of the declaration of Philippine Independence, which was also observed with a flag-raising ceremony, wreath laying, and a 21gun salute to the flag followed by a simple program at 8 a.m. at the Hall, which was adorned with the colors of the flag. The event’s guest speaker, Department of Education (DepEd) regional director Atty. Alberto Escobarte, cited corruption as a major roadblock for Philippine development, saying it continues to grip the country despite its independence.

Escobarte urged Tagumenyos to live a life for others, respect others, and do away with greed which, he said, was the characteristic of those who once enslaved the Filipinos. For his part, Mayor Allan L. Rellon rallied on Tagumenyos to unite. “Sa araw-araw, ating sikapin na supilin ang pwersa ng hidwaan at ating yakapin ang kapayapaan at kaunlaran. Sa ganitong paraan ay siguradong makakamit natin ang Tagumpay ng ating bayan,” he said. Louie Lapat/CIO Tagum

ZUMBA TIME. Capitol employees participate in a one-hour Zumba exercise after the official opening of the 2015 Davao Oriental Sports Fest.

Tagum burns worn-out flags I

N time for the 117th Philippine Independence Day, the City of Tagum burned old and worn-out flags in a ceremony dubbed “Huling Parangal sa Watawat ng Pilipinas” pursuant to the provision of the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines. Jointly spearheaded by the City Historical and Cultural Commission and the Tagum City Council of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines, the ceremony was attended by city officials, DepEd personnel, teachers, and some students held at Rizal Elementary School.

FLAG BURNING. Mayor Allan L. Rellon lights the fire that will be used in the burning of the old and worn-out flags. Photo by Leo Timogan/CIO Tagum

governor. “Sports, to reward the people who have been working so hard these past months and also to break a lot of monop-

oly,” the governor said as she declared the official opening of the DavaoOrientalympics 2015. By Van Jorain O. Rufin, Photos by Eden Jhan Licayan

ARMM intensifies anti-poverty program

HEAD of the expected coming of a new political entity that will replace the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), the regional government continues to embarked on an anti-poverty drive aimed at significantly reduce poverty incidence among its population. Early this year, ARMM launched the national government’s Accelerated and Sustainable Anti-Poverty Program (ASAPP), an inter-agency effort “that seeks to reduce poverty by creating sustainable employment and income-generating opportunities for the poor,” said Janice Musali, the region’s Fisheries and Aquatic Resources director and ASAPP lead convenor for the ARMM. Of the five provinces composing the ARMM, Sulu has the highest number of poverty-stricken residents identified under ASAPP. Based on the 2010 national census, Sulu has 122,218 individuals identified as poor out of its 718,290 total population. ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman said the high poverty rate in the region continues to be a challenge to the regional government, but ASAPP will “help more Filipinos break away from the poverty threshold.” “We are optimistic that this will be addressed more effectively with the introduction of ASAPP, the efforts of the Provincial Government of Sulu, and the convergence of livelihood and development programs of the working ARMM

government,” Gov. Hataman said in a statement released by the Bureau of Public Information. “ASAPP is a poverty reduction effort that pursues active participation of the private sector and local government units to make poverty reduction rapid and sustainable,” Musali said. In 2012, ARMM has recorded poverty incidence of 48.70 percentage points and Sulu with a record high of 40.17 percentage points among families. ASAPP was created by the Human Development and Poverty Reduction Cluster, which prioritizes 10 provinces in the country, including Sulu. Programs to be financed under the initiative are the Universal Health Care, Conditional Cash Transfer, Sustainable Livelihood, Abot Alam Program, and other initiatives geared at informal-settler families. Official data showed that poverty incidence in the Philippines during the first semester of 2013 decreased by three percentage points from its level in 2012, it rose again in 2014 by 1.2 percentage points, as food prices increased faster than the incomes of the poor. “The challenge is to ensure that economic growth will increase the incomes of the poor at a rate faster than inflation,” Musali added. She said strengthening price control, providing production support facilities and markets, and livelihood op-

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5 ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 8 ISSUE 53 • TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

521 hired in Kalayaan Job Fair By CHENEEN R. CAPON crc@edgedavao.net

TOTAL of 521 applicants were hired-onthe spot (HOTS) during the 2015 Kalayaan Job Fair

last June 12 at the NCCC Mall of Davao in Davao City. Data released by the Department of Labor and Em-

HELPING THE POOR. Convergence secretary general June Rodriguez (left) and Foundation for a Sustainable Society (FSSI) Mindanao program officer Kadu Macarimbang give the details of FSSI ‘s background and goal to provide

ployment (DOLE) 11 showed that of the 3,583 registered job applicants in the one-day job fair, a total of 439 appli-

cants were hired on-the-spot by local companies. Eighty two other applicants were hired by overseas firms.

development and financing assistance to social enterprises in the country’s poorest and marginalized sectors. The two were guests in yesterday’s KapehansaDabaw at the Annex of SM City Davao. Lean Daval Jr.

This year’s HOTS are higher than the 286 hired in last year’s Kalayaan Job Fair. DOLE 11 also revealed that most or 439 applicants hired during the event were employed locally, while 82 were employed abroad. This year’s Kalayaan job fair was participated by a total of 79 companies, which offered 15, 755 job vacancies locally and abroad. Most sought-after jobs for local employment were call centers, customer service representatives, technical support representatives, sales personnel, cable lineman/ splicer, sales consultant, driver/installer, operations supervisor, marketing officers and helpers. The top vacancies for overseas employment, meanwhile, included nurses, salesman for food and non-food, customer service representatives, security guards, factory workers, sales associate, masons, elderly care attendant, carpenter and manicurist. The data also showed that a total of 2,061 applicants were nearly hired by different local and overseas companies. These applicants will

undergo further processes like interview even after the job fair. No applicants were referred to the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for further training unlike last year when DOLE 11 referred 41 job applicants for further skills training and capability training. DOLE 11 regional director Joffrey Suyao earlier said the region’s employment rate in April remained at 94 percent, while the underemployment decreased from 19.3 percent in January to 16.6 percent in April. Based on the comparative employment status of the Davao Region for 2014 and 2015, employed Dabawenyos reached 1,914 million of the 2,036 million total labor force ages 15 and above. This was lower compared to the 1,971 million employed in different sectors in the region like in sectors of agriculture and service. Suyao expects the region’s employment status to further improve as the labor agency regularly conducts employment interventions like job fairs.

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DLPC is top taxpayer in 2014 By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

abf@edgedavao.net

HE Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC) emerged the top taxpayer in Davao City in 20104, the City Treasurer’s Office (CTO) reported. CTO local treasury operations officer Villa Dureza said DLPC got the top spot in the

list of taxpayers after paying P83.690 million in business tax last year. Ranked second in the 2014 list was Mindanao Shopping Destination Corporation, owner of SM Davao Department Store, after paying P16.861 million.

‘Homestay’program in San Isidro pushed

Coca-Cola Femsa Philippines Inc., got the third spot for paying P13.117 million while Holcim Philippines Inc., landed fourth place after paying P12.242 million. LTS Supermarket, owner of NCCC Mall Supermarket in Ma-a Crossing, came in next

with P10.260 million. The DSG Sons Group, Inc., owner of Gaisano Mall of Davao ranked number six with P9.521 million while Supervalue Inc., owner of SM City Davao Supermarket, ranked number seven with P8.894 million.

The Mindanao Shoppers Daily Destination (P8.521M), owner of SM Lanang Premier, Mindanao Corrrugated Fibreboard Inc. (P7.528M) and LTS Supermarkets (P7.173M), owner of NCCC Supermarket in R. Magsaysay, complete the list of top 10 taxpayers.

Other top taxpayers include Samsung Electronics Philippines Corporation (P7.137M), Kawasaki Motors Philippines Corporation (P7.008M), Dole-Stanfilco (P6.8M), Honda Philippines Inc. (P6.5M) and PMFTC (P6.4M).

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

crc@edgedavao.net

HE Department of Tourism (DOT) 11 has started capacitating around 70 homeowners in the municipality of San Isidro for a homestay program. San Isidro is one of the three municipalities that sit at the foot of the UNESCO World Heritage listed Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary “The DOT 11 has invited a guest speaker from Manila who conducted a three-day training for homeowners from San Isidro,” ,” DOT 11 regional director Roberto P. Alabado III told Edge Davao in a recent interview. Homestay is a type of alternative accommodation given to tourists or guests visiting rural areas. Alabado said the homeowners were trained to handle visitors professionally which he coined as the “DOT way.” “The households were trained on how they can make their homes presentable to tourists,” Alabado said. “They

were also taught what possible services they can offer in the program.” Alabado said the DOT 11 is planning to conduct inspection on homeowners who participated in the three-day training, which was conducted few months ago. Upon implementation this year, he said homeowners could offer the program at P300 to P500 per night to tourists who would like to stay overnight near Mt. Hamiguitan. With the absence of hotels and accommodations establishments in San Isidro, it would be economical and feasible to implement a homestay program where tourist will be able to experience the local culture, he said. The program would allow local and foreign tourists to immerse themselves in the community. “We’re expecting that there will be an increase in

NATIONAL payment system that will unify transactions from banks, mobile phones and other channels is targeted for the Philippines by 2018. Pia Roman-Tayag, head of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’(BSP) Inclusive Finance Advocacy Staff, said they are currently checking the necessary measures to ensure the safety and efficiency of the said payment system. “This one is to make electronic payments interoperable,” she said. Tayag explained that this is very important specially to people in far-flung areas where banks do not have offices. She cited that since the Philippines is an archipelago there is a need to maximize the benefits of technological innovations to widen access to financial inclusion. Among the major factors now being looked into is how

to have a clearing operator that will ensure that transactions are transparent as well as how to address pricing and governance issues. Tayag said the central bank does not want to implement this payment system without making sure that this is transparent, efficient, designed properly and that there is enough competition and cooperation among stakeholders. “Security and privacy is a big issue that’s why we need to get it right,” she stressed. The central bank official said there are about 8,900 banks and bank branches in the country but agents of electronic money (e-money) such as drug stores and small store owners have larger number at about 10,000. She said e-money services are the initial steps to increase financial inclusion among the poor, thus, the need to put up

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BSP eyes national payment system A

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FISHING. A fish trader chooses from the collection of different varieties of fish on display at the Bankerohan bagsakan area in Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

Northern Mindanao RDC supports corridors strategy N

ORTHERN Mindanao’s Regional Development Council (RDC-10) recently expressed its support for the implementation of the Mindanao Development Corridors, citing it as an innovative strategy that responds to the development needs of the island-region. In a resolution signed on March 19, 2015, RDC-10 members and stakeholders are enjoined to ensure complementation, synchronization, and convergence of resources with the existing development and physical framework plans, and other ongoing initiatives and emerging trends in the country that affect Mindanao. “We are fully supportive of initiatives that promote sustainable development in Northern Mindanao, and anchoring our efforts to the Mindanao Development Corridors is one of the efficient ways of achieving our goals,” said RDC 10 Chair and Lanao del Norte Governor Mohamad Khalid Dimaporo.

He added the Northern Mindanao Development Corridor (NMDC) has potentials of developing into a world-class industrial and services center, owing to its public infrastructure that is suited for industrialization. “The presence of ecozones and the location of industrial and agribusiness enterprises in the region, coupled with a strong agricultural sector and a budding business process outsourcing industry makes NMDC a key player in Mindanao’s socioeconomic development,” said Dimaporo. The NMDC comprises the province of Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, and Surigao del Norte. Among the major programs and projects identified under the NMDC are the Panguil Bay Bridge, which will provide uninterrupted access from Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities to Tangub, Oroquieta, and Ozamiz cities and the

rest of Misamis Occidental and the Zamboanga Peninsula; the development of the airports in Ozamiz, Surigao, and Laguindingan; the construction of the Northern Mindanao High Standard Highway, and the construction of the 1st segment of the Mindanao Railway System. The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), through the Mindanao Peace and Development Framework Plan or the Mindanao 2020, adopts the Mindanao Development Corridors as a key spatial strategy aimed to improve infrastructure, establish connectivity, and spur the development of growth clusters within the island-region, allowing it to achieve balanced and inclusive growth among its regions. The corridors approach divides the island economy of Mindanao into three development corridors namely the Northern Mindanao Development Corridor (NMDC), Southern Mindanao Development Corridor (SMDC), and Western Mindanao Development Corri-

dor (WMDC). “Our regional development councils and local government units know their territory better, which make them among our strongest allies in Mindanao’s development planning and in integrating the corridors initiative,” said MinDA Chairperson Luwalhati Antonino. Antonino added the initiative also aims to position Mindanao as a single, integrated economy that is able to leverage and fully participate in economic groupings such as the BIMP-EAGA, ASEAN, and the rest of the global economic communities. “This strategy will transcend regional boundaries in terms of commodity flow and industry integration which will make regions in Mindanao more commercially viable,” she said. RDC 10 joins Region 9, 12, and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in supporting the Mindanao corridors program.

INdulge!

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EDGEDAVAO

ART AND CULTURE

Gaga over manga at Davao’s

Manga Toshokan Cafe

the art enthusiast, the cafe also proManga T o vides art materiCafe is a shokan als such as paper, establish quaint pens, and colour ment markers where located alon g guests can exGil Stree Palma t. press themselves or at least try their comic drawing skills. “The Manga Toshokan anesealso holds art classes in style pizza, cooperation with Mr. Bai as well as Japanese-style Manginsay for those who croquettes which are perare really interested in ad- fect for groups of manga vancing their art skills,” and anime otaku. added Bernice. The Manga Toshokan The menu of the cafe is a Cafe is a breath of fresh air unique mix of coffee shop in Durianburg’s cafe scene staples such as coffee, tea and shows the influence Manga and food to mix at and smoothies (no soda and appeal of Japanese here). For people who are culture on Dabawenyos. the Manga Toshokan Cafe. hungry, the Manga ToshoFollow me on Instagram English, Korean and Chi- kan Cafe offers sandwich- or on Twitter at @kennethnese novels as well as some es, pasta dishes, as well as kingong for more travel Japanese manga magazines cakes. Being a Japanese- stories, foodie finds, and and art books to complete fusion concept, they also happenings in, around and the library experience. For serve okonomiyaki, a Jap- beyond Durianburg.

was browsing through my Facebook feed when a photo of a manga cafe posted by a friend caught my eye. I found out that the photo was in fact taken not elsewhere but right here in Davao and I was fully determined to find the place as soon as I got home.

For the uninitiated, a manga cafe is a coffee shop which serves refreshments and snacks while also offering plethora of manga or Japanese comics for guests to read and enjoy. After some exploring and some prodding, I finally found the cafe in the phoEnjoying some samurai to. while slicing into my Manga Toshokan Cafe action okonomiyaki. is a quaint establishment located along Palma Gil ushered to my table where Street right in front of the I was given a quick how-to Royal Mandaya Hotel. at the Manga Toshokan by Upon entering the cafe, cafe owner Ms. Bernice the first thing that popped Babista. She pointed out were the copious amount the different sections of the of manga on shelves that cafe’s manga library which cover all the walls of the range from shonen which establishment. Aside from usually have themes of adwooden tables and chairs, ventures and battles such there are also Japanese- as Bleach, Naruto, Dragon style tatami mat enclo- Ball, and the like; to shojo sures for those who want which feature stories on a more authentic Japanese emotions and relationexperience. ships and such as Sailor After depositing my Moon, Fruits Basket, and bags at the counter, I was Fushigi Yugi. No worries

Inside Manga Toshokan Cafe.

for those who cannot read Japanese, most of the manga here have English text. “We wanted to create a space where Manga and Anime enthusiasts can get-together as share ideas and stories,” said Bernice “the library allows people to discover new manga titles which are not normally read in the mainstream here in the Philippines.” The Manga Toshokan (which literally means comic library in Japanese) also carries some famous

Manga Toshokan Cafe’s counter.

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UP AND ABOUT

Shangri-La Boracay is one of the world’s top luxury spa hotels Shangri-la Boracay’s CHI SPA has been named as a standout luxury spa in an annual list of world class hotel spas by a popular travel website. Properties were selected as providing customers the best soothing treatments and rejuvenating therapies in some of the world’s most desirable destinations.

Boracay is one of the world’s top island destinations, known for its amazing beaches and vibrant nightlife. After a visit to CHI, The Spa travelers might want to add global hub for relaxation. The spa is, in fact, its own village, with ten villas each overlooking a private bay. Most of the spa treatments are based on Philippine health traditions – coconut products, warm oil, heated stones, and supplies derived from local flora. If the nightlife gets all the energy, a private Yoga class or comprehensive wellness package will get you back on your feet the next day. Past visitors have commented on the clean and private beach, and said that the resort is perfect for families with kids of any age.

ENTERTAINMENT

Resor Bituin RESORTS WORLD MANILA’S Newport Theater will finally stage the muchawaited premiere of Bituing Walang Ningning: The Musical this coming June 17 throughout July.

Of the resort, a Filipino customer said, “The Travelers’ Treatment in the Chi Spa was a huge delight, soothing away all the stress in your body. Trips into town were always fun, but really, if you want the peace, quiet and your own relaxation, there’s no need to leave the resort.” Spas that made the selection were chosen based on hotel ratings, customer comments, and consulting with hotel specialists on the ground. Joining the country’s five star resort in the global list are Bali’s Komaneka at Tanggayuda, Paris’

Bituing Walang Ningning tells the story of a young fan’s rise from obscurity to stardom, the obstacles she has to overcome, ad the love she finds along her way to success. Originally a Pilipino Komiks serial by fictionist Narrissa Cabral, Bituing Walang Ningning was made into a blockbuster movie in 1989, starring Sharon Cuneta, Cerie Gil and Christopher De Leon. In 2006, it was re-made into a hit television series

Royal Monceau Raffles, India’s The Oberoi Amarvilas Agra Hotel, Munich’s Bayerischer Hof, New Zealand’s The Langham Auckland, Ma-

laysia’s The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur and Chiang Mai’s Rarinjinda Wellness Spa Resort. Two properties in the Philippines has already

been featured on the list in previous years – Dusit Thani’s Deverana Spa in 2014, and Crimson Resort and Spa Mactan in Cebu in 2013.

Globe revamps online shop for today’s on-the-go lifestyle IN ORDER to cater more to customers’ on-the-go lifestyle and enhance the customer retail experience, Globe Telecom relaunched its online shop available at shop.globe. com.ph. The new Globe Online Shop gives customers access to exclusive promos, the newest device offers, and exciting freebies on a single platform.

With the Globe Online Shop, customers can shop for the newest phones and postpaid plans and get savings from exclusive offers and best deals for a convenient shopping experience, anywhere and anytime. It also boasts of an enhanced user experience with the site automatically adjusting to the user’s device screen, including mobile phones. The Globe Online Shop is home to special offers not available in Globe Shops. Dubbed as online-exclusives, these offers are meant to rewards customers purchasing postpaid plans and devices online. Since

the portal launch, customers have received Spotify Premium codes and gift certificates as reward, while some were entitled to discounted cash-outs for select plans. For those who want to keep tabs of the latest devices, shop. globe.com.ph also gives customers first dibs on select phones even before they become available in Globe Stores, complete with phone features and specs. Customers can also check out the Globe Online Shop from time to time to avail of exclusive freebies such as

free access to Facebook, Viber, and NBA League Pass with a plan purchase. “As part of our thrust on superior customer experience, we are very excited to launch our new Globe Online Shop which is a one-stop shop for customers to enjoy shopping with Globe. It’s an easy, convenient, and hassle-free platform that aims to provide the best shopping experience for your favorite devices, postpaid plans, and offers. For Globe customers looking for the best deals and exclusive promos

for the latest smartphone and plan bundles, be sure to check out the Globe Online Shop every now and then and you are assured of a wonderful retail experience whenever, wherever,” said Joe Caliro, Head of Stores and Retail Transformation Management at Globe. The Globe Online Shop features a comprehensive cart to checkout system that allows customers to easily review their order and submit all applications requirements, incorporating a save feature that allows customers to finish their applications at a time that is convenient for them. There are also chat and callback features, allowing customers to consult a product specialist when applying for a new postpaid plan, and more complete product pages where you can zoom in on high resolution images of the device, as well as review the product’s features, plan inclusions and specifications. To visit the new Globe Online Shop, visit http://shop. globe.com.ph/.

wit gel Ag rol T Ma Co

GMA launc platform p CONTINUING its commitment of providing innovative programs to the public, GMA Network is all set to launch the country’s first-ever multiplatform program in search for today’s newest boy band – To the Top.

Produced by GMA Public Affairs, To the Top is initially available online beginning this Saturday, June 13, via w w w.gmanet work .com/ gma/tothetop. Serving as host of the program’s webisodes is Kapuso homegrown artist Julian Trono, who recently underwent a rigorous training under the Kpop system. Unlike other reality programs which held open auditions, To The Top scoured the country and invited the best male vocals from different schools and organizations to join the auditions. From their auditions to determining the finalists, To The Top documents the journey of these young men from being solo artists or being members of their respective singing groups to ultimately becoming part of the country’s newest boy band. Guiding them are Moy

O P c M a d S m

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EDGEDAVAO

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rts World Manila to stage ng Walang Ningning musical

th Sarah Geronimo , Anlika dele Cruz, and Ryan goncillo playing the lead les. This year, Resorts World anila, Full House Theater ompany, and VIVA Com-

Directed by premier concert and theater director Direk Freddie R. Santos, and with musical numbers backed by the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra under

munications Inc., bring to life this classic drama on stage, featuring some of the most love Original Pilipino Music hits. Headlines by pop heartthrob turned West End star, Mark Bau-

tista as Nico Escobar; acclaimed singer-actor for film, television and stage, Cris Villonco as Lavinia Arguelles; and introducing Monica Cuenco as Dorina Pineda; the stellar cast also

ches first multiprogram ‘To the Top’

Ortiz, OJ Mariano and Sweet Plantado of the premier vocal ensemble The Company; Madelle and Prince Paltu-Ob, alumni of world-renowned dance group Philippine All Stars; and award-winning music producer Jonathan

includes award-winning stage performers Michael Stuart Williams and Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo; reality search standout, Ronnie Lian; famed television host, John Nite and more.

Toni Gonzaga and Paul Soriano are married

POWER COUPLE Toni Gonzaga and Paul Soriano finally tied the knot in a star-studded wedding attended by prominent personalities in showbiz and politics, as well as ABS-CBN executives at a ceremony in Toni’s hometown.

Ong and his team. The first stages of To The Top began on June 13 via w w w.gmanet work .com/ gma/tothetop. The competition proper will start airing on GMA Network mid-July 2015.

the baton of Maestro Rodel Colmenar, this production shall retell a well-loves story that has left an indelible mark in Philippine entertainment.

Toni and Paul’s guests included ABS-CBN president and CEO Charo Santos-Concio, free TV head Cory Vidanes, Star Creatives head Malou Santos, ABS-CBN head of TV production Laurenti Dyogi, Rep. Manny Pacquiao, Manila mayor Joseph Estrada, Sen. Bongbong Marcos, Lea Salonga, Kris Aquino and Bimby Yap, Gary Valenciano, Dr. Vicky Belo, Aga Muhlach, and Charlene Gonzales, among others. By 3PM, fans waiting outside the church screamed and cheered as Toni arrived wearing her iconic Vera Wang gown. During their exchange of vows, Paul shouted “I love you, Celestine” in one part of his vow, while Toni emulated Paul’s excitement by stating in her vow that they can “finally do whatever they want.”

June 10 – 16, 2015

JURASSIC WORLD Chris Pratt, Judy Greer PG

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

JURASSIC WORLD 3D Chris Pratt, Judy Greer PG

12:30 | 3:20 | 6:10 | 9:00 LFS

INSIDIOUS: CHAPTER 3 Dermot Mulroney, Stefanie Scott PG

R-16

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

SAN ANDREAS Alexandra Daddario, Dwayne Johnson PG

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

EDGEDAVAO

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VOL. 8 ISSUE 53 • TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

TRAVEL

Things to do while on a 24 hour lay-over in Cebu

’s a trip And whuatwithout to Ceb Guests can lechon?delectable order om Cebu’s lechon fral Lechon Origin a’s Lechon Belly, An Lechon. ’s r e y A d n a

By Kenneth Irving Ong WITH the current state of flight traffic at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, it may seem that Dabawenyos are looking at alternative airports to skip the flight delays as well as fill their international travel needs. One of the best alternatives for travellers is the Cebu-Mactan International Airport. With less congested skies over the area, flights from this Visayan hub are consistently on time unless it is a flight coming from or going to NAIA. Airlines flying to and from Cebu are also varied with budget airlines as well as legacy carriers serving route. All these are welcome developments but sometimes flights from Davao do not connect with international flights, therefore a stop-over at the Queen City of the South is needed. Here are some things to do while wait-

Cebu without lechon? Guests can order delectable lechon from Cebu’s Original Lechon Belly, Ana’s Lechon and Ayer’s Lechon.

ing for your international flight out. Have ice cream at the Movenpick Hotel Cebu Just a 20-minute drive from the Mactan-Cebu International Airport is the Movenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu. The 245-room hotel has a fabulous pool as well as a spectacular view of the sea and Olango Island. What makes a visit to the Movenpick a unique experience though is the special house-branded ice cream. Made in Switzerland and only available in the Philippines at the Movenpick Hotel Cebu, the rich and creamy tex-

ture of the ice cream is unlike any other in the world. With flavours such as Espresso Crouquant, Caramelita, and Pistachio, each spoonful is like heaven in a bite which is well worth the side trip. Visit the Mactan Newtown’s Mactan Alfresco Don’t have time to drive to downtown Cebu but still craving for local Cebuano delicacies? Then a quick visit to the Mactan Newtown’s Mactan Alfresco might just fix your craving. Inspired by the popular Singaporean hawker center, Mactan Alfresco is a covered food strip designed to showcase authentic Cebuano cooking and cuisine. Among the

dining establishments already open are Choobi Choobi, whose specialty is its Shrimp in a Bag, Mama Linda Inato BBQ

Haus, and homegrown Cebuano brand Conching’s which serves native Cebu chicken. And what’s a trip to

Have high tea at the Radisson Blu Cebu For a longer lay-over period, travellers may want to head on to downtown Cebu and check in at the Radisson Blu Hotel. Located right beside SM City Cebu, the Radisson Blu Cebu gives travellers shopping convenience as well as a relaxing stay before heading out on an adventure. For those who would rather just while away the hours people watching, then afternoon high tea complete with sweet and savoury treats at the Radisson Blu Cebu’s lobby is just what the doctor ordered.

7 SCIENCE

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 8 ISSUE 53 • TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

Soil erosion

Gully erosion (from the net)

Topsoil: Going, going, gone? Text and Photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO

NE of the barangays in Marilog District used to be accessible only by passing through five kilometers of steep mountain trail. In the 1960s, it was predominantly occupied by the Bagobos. The wave of migration by the lowlanders in the early 1980s drove most members of the tribal community farther into the remotest mountains. Today, the 31 households in the barangay are composed mostly of Cebuano-speaking settlers with a few remaining Bagobo families. “At first, everything was just fine,” Manang Graciana recalled. “We had enough and almost everything was affordable. We practiced slash-andburn farming. Land was fertile and the use of fertilizer was unknown to use then.” Then, in 1990, they noticed that the produce from their farm declined. This was evident in the farm of Mariano Maughay. A jeepney driver for a decade, he decided to become a farmer when a distant Alley cropping

SALT farm

relative allowed him to till the 1.5-hectare land on the slopes of a mountain. With very little knowledge on farming, Maughay cleared one-fourth hectare of the area and planted corn. Initially, the harvest was good. Eventually, though, production significantly plummeted. Even if he applied fertilizer, the same thing happened. What Maughay doesn’t know -- just like most upland farmers -- that the problem lies not on the crops or varieties they are planting but on the area where they are planting. The farm is totally devoid of topsoil, the primary resource in agriculture. “Soil is related to the earth much as the rind is related to an orange,” an American geologist once explained. “It is the link between the rock core of the earth and the living things on its surface. It is the foothold for the plants we grow. Therein lies the main reason for our interest in soil.” Soil erosion is a serious

threat -- to the country’s food production. “Soil erosion is an enemy to any nation – far worse than any outside enemy coming into a country and conquering it because it is an enemy you cannot see vividly,” said Harold R. Watson, an American agriculturist who received a Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1985 for peace and international understanding. “It’s a slow creeping enemy that soon possesses the land.” Watson knows. He was the former director of MBRLC; he is now retired and back in his hometown in Mississippi. He came to the Philippines in the 1960s and during that time, he sounded the alarm of deforestation and soil erosion. But people laughed at him. They told him, “We’re never going to run out of trees!” That was before several presidents, other Asian governments, the United Nations – and countless farmers – recognized the value of his insights. Although Watson is now retired and back in his birthplace in Mississippi, he said the Philippines must do something to save the topsoil. “Land is not being remade,” he pointed out. “Soil is made by God and put here for man to use, not for one generation but forever. It takes thousands of years to build one inch of topsoil but only one good strong rain to remove one inch from unprotected soil on the slopes of the mountains.” Soil scientists claims 58 percent of the country’s total land area of 30

million hectares is susceptible to erosion. “For one, the magnitude of soil erosion in cultivated sloping areas has reached an alarming proportion,” deplored Angel C. Alcala, former secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and also a Ramon Magsaysay Awardee. Twenty-eight years ago, the environment department reported that 22 provinces in the country had already an “alarming” soil rate. At that time, Batangas in Luzon and Cebu in the Visayas had been reported to have lost 80-85% of their topsoil to erosion. Marinduque had 75-80% soil erosion while Ilocos Sur and La Union had 60-70%. Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Davao del Norte, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, Iloilo, Aklan, Capiz and Antique had more than 50% soil erosion. Soil erosion is not a new phenomenon. Archaeological sites of civilizations, studies showed, were undermined by soil erosion. The fertile wheat-growing lands that made North Africa the granary of the Roman Empire are now largely desert. The lowlands of Guatemala that once nourished a thriving Mayan culture of five million people were drained of their fertility by soil erosion. “Without soil, there would be no food apart from what the rivers and the seas can provide,” declared Edouard Saouma, former director-general of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). “The soil is the world’s most precious natural resource. Yet it is not valued as it should be. Gold, oil, minerals and precious stones command prices which have led us to treat soil as mere dirt.” Soil, aptly described as “the bridge between the inanimate and the living,” consists of weathered and decomposed bedrock, water, air, organic material formed from plant and animal decay, and thousands of different life forms, mainly microorganisms and insects. All play their part in maintaining the complex ecology of a healthy soil. In the humid tropics, starting from a sandy base, a soil can be formed in as little as 200 years. But the process normally takes far longer. Under most

conditions, soil is formed at a rate of one centimeter every 100 to 400 years, and it takes 3,000 to 12,000 years to build enough soil to form productive land. “This means that soil is, in effect, a non-renewable resource,” says a FAO publication. “Once destroyed, it is gone forever.” “No other soil phenomenon is more destructive worldwide than is soil erosion,” wrote Nyle C. Brady in his book, The Nature and Properties of Soils. “It involves losing water and plant nutrients at rates far higher than those occurring through leaching. More tragically, however, it can result in the loss of the entire soil.” In their book, Soil Erosion: Quiet Crisis in the World Economy, author Brown and Edward C. Wolf said soil erosion threatens food production: “The loss of topsoil affects the ability to grow food in two ways. It reduces the inherent productivity of land, both through the loss of nutrients and degradation of the physical structure. It also increases the costs of food production.” The two authors continue: “When farmers lose topsoil, they may increase land productivity by substituting energy in the form of fertilizer. Farmers losing topsoil may experience either a loss in land productivity or a rise in costs (of inputs). But if productivity drops too low or costs rise too high, farmers are forced to abandon their land.” A recent study by the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution concluded that approximately 30 percent of the world’s arable crop land has been abandoned because of severe soil erosion in the last 40 years. “When soils are depleted and crops are poorly nourished, people are often undernourished as well,” Brown and Wolf contend. “Failure to respond to the erosion threat will lead not only to the degradation of land, but to the degradation of life itself.” Fortunately, the MBRLC discovered a sustainable farming system that helps curtail soil erosion. It is known as Sloping Agricultural Land Technology (SALT). “The principle of SALT is the same as that used by the Ifugao tribes,” explains Roy C. Alimoane, the current MBRLC director. “All we are doing is suggesting using nitrogen-fix-

ing trees and shrubs instead of rocks.” The SALT system still requires careful management of the space between the rows of trees and shrubs. A combination of permanent, semi-permanent, and annual crops is recommended so as to rebuild the ecosystem and maximize yields while enabling farmers to organize their work time efficiently. In the SALT farm, one finds a mix of permanent crops (cacao, coffee, banana and other fruit trees), cereals (upland rice, corn, or sorghum), and vegetables (bush sitao, winged beans, sweet pepper, tomato, eggplant, etc.). Every third strip of available land is normally devoted to permanent crops. A combination of various cereals and vegetables are planted on the remaining two strips of land. Each has its own specific area so that there can be a seasonal rotation. “Crop rotation helps to preserve the regenerative properties of the soil and avoid the problems of infertility typical of traditional agricultural practices,” Alimoane explains on the importance of regular rotation of crops. And yes, SALT helps control soil erosion. Its study showed that a farm tilled in the traditional manner erodes at the rate of 1,163.4 metric tons per hectare per year. In a SALT farm, there is still erosion but minimal – 20.2 metric tons per hectare per year. The rate of soil loss in a SALT farm is 3.4 metric tons per hectare per year, which is within the tolerable range. Most soil scientists place acceptable soil loss limits for tropical countries like the Philippines within the range of 10 to 12 metric tons per hectare per year. In comparison, the nonSALT farm has a soil loss rate of 194.3 metric tons per hectare per year. Meanwhile, Watson urged Filipinos to change their way of thinking about the environment. “We face the reality of what man’s against the earth have caused,” he said. “We see land degradation expressing itself in destruction of forests, loss of topsoil, pollution of streams and even the air we breathe. We are facing not a mere problem; we are facing destruction and even death if we continue to destroy the natural resources that support life on the earth.”

EDGEDAVAO

VANTAGE

EDITORIAL

VOL. 8 ISSUE 53 • TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

No parallel

AYOR Rodrigo Duterte has been open in saying that if he becomes President, he would follow the style of President Ferdinand Marcos, the dictator who had turned the military into his private army and set it against the very citizens they had vowed to protect. In more than one instance, Duterte had said he would declare martial law and shut down the Senate and the House of Representatives -- exactly what Marcos had done in 1972 in a supposed attempt to stave off the threat of communism. Critics have used this statement against the mayor, saying he is no better than the dictator and would use violence against the people themselves to accomplish his own selfish ends. Duterte’s statement, however, has to do with the officials who are currently running government and not the people themselves. The martial law he would declare, he said, would be intended to cleanse government of all its dregs in all levels -- from the highest officials to the lowest worker. He would be doing a Marcos, in a sense, but it would be corruption at his crosshairs and not the population. In this light, it is disturbing to see how Duterte’s television appearance with Marcos’ son, Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., is being spun into a possible tandem between the two. The senator, who has over the years reinvented himself into something of

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a statesman, has never acknowledged his family’s offenses to the people and to this day continues to enjoy the wealth that the late strongman had siphoned off from the government’s coffers. Not only that, he has been trying to rewrite and revise history by saying the country was better off during his father’s time -- a line that is being repeated by many clueless young people today who never experienced the difficult life under the iron hand of Marcos. Now the “iron hand” is being used to describe Duterte, and should there be a tandem between the man called “Digong” and Bongbong, then the description might stick for all the wrong reasons. In truth, Duterte has little in common with the late dictator. One need only come to Davao City to get a sense of this. Over here, people are free to say what they want, even if it is against the city government or Duterte himself. Over here, groups do not even have to get a permit from City Hall to hold an anti-government rally. And over here, during the declaration of Proclamation 1017 by then-President Gloria Arroyo placing the country under a state of emergency due to rebellion and taking away the freedom to hold protest rallies, even the media, sans government permit, were able to march around the city to assail Arroyo. One would be hard pressed to find a parallel with Marcos in all that.

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 53 • TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

HEN did the habit of listing down things or notes start? Well, God gave Moses the Ten Commandments. The Bible also recorded the ten plagues that hit Egypt. There were twelve tribes of Israelites and there were also twelve disciples who accompanied Jesus Christ in His ministry. When I was still a little boy, my mother used to make lists of the things she wanted to buy before going to the market. When I started working, I made a list of things I would do in a day or within a week (I had to check one by one those I had accomplished). Well, lists are here to stay. And so let me share to you those I have collected through these years. I hope you will learn a lesson or two from this collection: The 10 commandments of business: (1) Handle the hardest job first each day. Easy ones are pleasures. (2) Do not be afraid of criticism – criticize yourself often. (3) Be glad and rejoice in the other fellow’s success – study his methods. (4) Do not be misled by dislikes. Acid ruins the finest fabrics. (5) Be enthusiastic – it is contagious. (6) Do not have the notion that success means simply money-making. (7) Be fair, and do at least one decent act every day. (8) Honor the chief. There must be a head to everything. (9) Have confidence in yourself; believe you can do it. (10) Harmonize your work. Let sunshine radiate and penetrate your relationships. Ten excuses not recommended for ambitious men and women: (1) That’s the way we’ve always done it. (2) I didn’t know you were in a hurry for it. (3) That’s not in my department. (4) No one told me to go ahead. (5) I’m waiting for an OK. (6) How did I know this was differ-

The list of lists

ent? (7) That’s THINK ON THESE! his job, not mine. (8) Wait till the boss comes back and ask him. (9) I forgot. (10) I didn’t know it was that important. Six basic rules of deci- Henrylito D. Tacio sion-making: (1) State the ap- henrytacio@gmail.com parent problem or situation you face. (2) Gather the facts. (3) Organize and interpret the facts. (4) State the real problem or situation. (5) Develop alternative solutions. (6) Select the most appropriate alternative. Five rules for job failure: (1) Do only what is required. (2) Leave it till the last minute. (3) Let the mistakes go. (4) Don’t listen to your conscience. (5) Learn to be a convincing bluffer. Ten reasons for a person’s unpopularity with other people: (1) Lack of dependability. (2) A tendency to exaggerate. (3) Grumpiness. (4) Sarcasm. (5) A sense of inferiority. (6) Bossiness. (7) A compulsion to “show off” in front of them. (8) Poking fun at others behind their back. (9) A desire to dominate others. (1) A tendency to criticize and find fault. Ten tips to improve your memory: (1) Intend to remember. (2) Understand what you are trying to remember. (3) Organize what you know into meaningful patterns. (4) Become genuinely interested in what you want to remember. (5) Use as many senses as possible.

VANTAGE POINTS

(6) Associate what you want to remember with what you know. (7) If you cannot find a logical association for a new fact, invent your own. (8) If you have a great deal to remember, spread it over a few days. (9) Review what you want to remember as often as possible. (10) The best time to memorize is at night before you go to bed. Nine rules to live longer: (1) Do not overeat. (2) Eat well-balanced, reasonably adequate meals, including fresh fruits, vegetables and dairy products. (3) When tired, irritated, or nervous, eat sparingly. (4) Eat at regular times. (5) Avoid agitation and aggravation, particularly at mealtimes. (6) Keep your blood pressure down. (7) Learn to live with life as it is. Be philosophical. (8) Avoid excessive X-rays unless absolutely necessary. (9) Exercise each day, if only by walking. Ten rules for successful living: (1) Find your own particular talent. (2) Be big. (3) Be honest. (4) Live with enthusiasm. (5) Don’t let your possessions possess you. (6) Don’t worry about your problems. (7) Look up to people when you can – down to no one. (8) Don’t cling to the past. (9) Assume your full share of responsibility in the world. (10) Pray consistently and confidently. Twenty ways to be miserable in life: (1) Use “I” as often as possible. (2) Always be sensitive to slights. (3) Be jealous and envious. (4) Think only about yourself. (5) Talk only about yourself. (6) Trust no one. (7) Never forget a criticism. (8) Always expect to be appreciated. (9) Be suspicious. (10) Listen greedily to what others say of you. (11) Always look for faults in others. (12) Do as little as possible for others. (13) Shirk

your duties if you can. (14) Never forget a service you may have rendered. (15) Sulk if people aren’t grateful for your favor. (16) Insist on consideration and respect. (17) Demand agreement with your own views on everything. (18) Always look for a good time. (10) Love yourself first. (20) Be selfish at all times. Six mistakes of human beings: (1) The delusion that personal gain is made by crushing others. (2) The tendency to worry about things that cannot be changed or corrected. (3) Insisting that a thing is impossible because we cannot accomplish it. (4) Refusing to set aside trivial preferences. (5) Neglecting development and refinement of the mind, and not acquiring the habit of reading and study. (6) Attempting to compel others to believe and live as we do. Eleven rules in public speaking: (1) Know what you’re going to say in advance. (2) Look your listeners in the eye. (3) Take your time. Talk clearly,concisely,anddeliberately.(4)Useanoutlineinstead of memorizing a speech. (5) Be constructive. Stress the merits of your viewpoint, not the flaws in someone else’s. (6) Use visual aids to engage your audience’s eye as well as ears, and capitalize by using gestures to emphasize important points. (7) Go beyond self-interest. Showing the audience how you can help them achieve what they want is much more effective than putting yourself in the limelight. (8) Be specific. (9) Be yourself. You can learn from others, but don’t make the mistake of trying to imitate a successful speaker. (10) Use a positive approach. (11) Stop at the right time. When you sense that you have scored your points and that the audience gets the message, stop talking.

PCL invitation letters keeps on bugging him as it reaches the table since it always means a request for travel of one or more councilors. And he has to approve it “para walay samok (to avoid conflict).” A PCL invitation has the purpose of empowering, training, or educating the councilors, and for the PCL regional and national officials, the purpose of attending important meetings is to see various beautiful places in the country. But not a few people in Davao del Norte saw one city councilor, then a national PCL officer, mastering the art of jet-setting in Manila, Bacolod, Boracay, Palawan, etc. throughout his second term before he was defeated as PCL national officer. He’s now on his last term. Unfortunately, councilors who graduated their baccalaureate, masteral, or doctorate degrees via the PCL Legislative Academy some two or three years back are still reimbursing the amounts for their travel for the PCL trainings they attended which carried academic units. Those travels were disallowed by the Commission on Audit for being self-serving, but there was no uniform disallowance policy on this issue COA-wide as others went unscathed from the burden of disallowance and reimbursement. For those who are still reimbursing, it’s still a blessing as they graduated or earned academic units while receiving salaries.

Back to the recent arrest: the uncovering of the modus of selling fake ORs and CAs and the arrest of the suspect directly challenges the integrity of the PCL as an organization, as well as the brand of national leadership that the PCL has. Is there only one suspected bad egg that tarnishes all? Whatever, the act of one is becoming a PCL Davao scandal, breaking out when more than 4,000 councilors from all over the country were sitting in a nationwide legislative education conference. The PCL national top guns should move posthaste to call for a deeper investigation and request the National Bureau of Investigation to investigate the suspect and his activities. More importantly, there is a need for them to request the COA for special investigation as there is a need for the State COA auditors to compare notes by backtracking the past years’ PCL-related travels of the councilors nationwide and compare their liquidation papers. But this can only be carried out if the PCL national officers ask for the creation of a COA national probe team to specifically look into the PCL-related travels. The COA probe findings shoud come before the filing of CoC for the 2016 election, as chances are many would be defeated in the polls for their petty corruption in the name of the PCL travels. That pitiful Leyte councilor is already judged a poll loser. But the PCL national officers should stand on high moral ground now at this critical challenge. (Follow me on Twitter @chamonforte)

PCL Davao scandal: Tip of the iceberg?

T least two basic questions that have huge implications on the Philippine Councilors League (PCL) can be posed to the investigation on the arrested”councilor from Leyte” who allegedly sold fake “official receipts” (ORs) and fake certificates of attendance (CAs) to his fellow councilors who attended the three-day PCL national gathering at the SMX Convention Center in Davao City last week. The councilor was arrested Thursday (June 11), the second day of the convention, by Davao City police. These two questions are: 1. Is he the only one doing the modus or is a group behind it? 2. When did this modus of selling fake ORs and fake CAs start and how long has this been going on? We first note that everytime there is a PCL national event, there is a large number of councilors nationwide participating or attending. The answers of the suspect would surely pinpoint the breadth and depth of the modus that directly involves the public coffers of local government units. The modus has shades and the stigma of a Napoles-type of scam. Napoles scams thrived on falsification of public documents and illegal fund disbursements for personal profit. The public fund is at stake as the fake O.R. is obviously intended to be liquidated for a larger amount of public funds than what was approved for a councilor’s official travel. If a group is behind the Leyte councilor’s alleged act, then this necessarily bring us to the second question that the modus might have already been existing for some time now. If

HASHTAGS BREW BY CHA MONFORTE this modus has been going on for some time, without the knowledge of PCL national officers (?), while the liquidation of official travels is separate and disconnected from each other’s respective LGUs, then the scam of petty corruption could burst into a scam of nationwide scale and magnitude as those councilors taking part in the scam could have already caused the disbursement of excessive amounts based on falsified attachments and proofs of travel. Is the case of the arrested Leyte councilor the tip of the iceberg of a Napoles-like scam? ******************************

According to the PCL invitation, the current national officers are charging only P6,800 registration fee for the SMX conference while others, we heard from a Misamis Oriental councilor Wednesday late afternoon, were paying more than P9,000 in registration. Others hoped they could pay less than P6,000 as they came late, thus missing some meals in the day. The registration is apart from their expenses for their hotel accommodation, fare (land, air or sea) and daily per diem. Our government is really spending so much for the PCL activities. One vice mayor from Davao del Norte did not hide his contempt that

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“Ihatag nako sa ilaha tulo ka positions (I will give them those three positions),” he added. Duterte said he would insist on CPP founder Jose Maria Sison that he accept his offer in order to end the war. “I cannot wage the war against our own people,” he said. Duterte said government must resolve the insurgency problem to avoid the killing of our Filipinos. “We should accept each other as brothers,” he said. Duterte said the government, especially the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) must wage war not on fellow Filipinos but on other countries such as China which now claiming parts of the West Philippine Sea. Platform? Duterte, who has maintained that he is not running for the country’s highest post in next year’s election, nevertheless laid out his plans if he becomes President. He said he will implement land reform and provide a budget to retrieve the lands of beneficiaries who had sold back their lands to the landowners. “Kuhaon ko tong mga yuta na nangablaigyag usab, nangauli na lang didto sa ilang

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mga amo tungod sa kapobrehon (I will get those lands that were sold back the landlords due to poverty),” he said. He said he will also provide seedlings, fertilizers, farm-to-market roads, and markets for the famers. Duterte said he will provide free education to the people especially in the hinterlands so that all Filipinod will have equal access to education. “Ang Filipino basta walay edukasyon kay wala jud (If a Filipino is not educated he will not amount to anything),” he said. Duterte said in his first year as President, he will stop spending on infrastructure and concentrate on resolving the country’s social problems. “Magpbutang kog mga skwelahan, kanang pampasaherong trains, i-subsidize ko na, magpaalkanse jud ko (I will build more schools. I will build passenger trains and I will subsidize them even at a loss),” he said. Duterte said that he will spend for the rehabilitation of the trains but will not pass on the burden to the passengers. He said the country must have an accessible transportation service to cater to the thousands of passengers 24 hours a day.

person Von Al-Haq and Janati Mimbantas. Under the mechanics of the decommissioning as agreed upon by both sides, 145 members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) will register and processed to formally return to civilian lives. According to Ferrer, prior to Tuesday’s formal decommissioning, members of the International Decommissioning Body (IDB) have inspected and conducted ocular inspection of the serviceability of the guns. ”The IDB has reported the guns appeared to be good and working but the final determination whether these guns still works will happen tomorrow,” Ferrer said. ”It was one of the most difficult decisions on the part of the MILF combatants,” Mohaqher Iqbal, MILF chief negotiator, said. “A sacrifice for the sake of peace, for the sake of having real peace in Mindanao,” he added. Aside from President Aquino, Ferrer said expected to attend are House and Senate members, Peace Adviser Sec. Teresita Deles and MILF chieftain Murad Ebrahim, representatives from the international community helping in the Mindanao peace process and local officials. “This is just the beginning of the whole process of nor-

malization, the decommissioning is the first important step,” Ferrer said. Ferrer added that after the decommissioning process, the decommissioned guns will be kept will be brought to an agreed area, the Weapons Storage facility located inside Camp Iranun (Abubakar) in Sitio Bombaran, Barangay Tugaig in Barira, Maguindanao. Camp Iranun, now home of the 603rd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine military, used to be the biggest MILF homebase – Camp Abubakar, which fell to government hands in the 200 all out war waged by former President Joseph Estrada. About 30 members of the Joint Peace and Security Teams (JPST) who will be supervised by the Joint Verification and Monitoring Team (JVMT) of the IDB will be backed by close circuit TV cameras. ”The idea is to put these weapons beyond use, that is what this thing all about,” she said. Ferrer said aside from international representatives, 15 members from the Philippine military and police and equal number of representatives from the MILF will compose the JVMT. President Aquino is expected to arrive at about noon. (PNA)

portunities to poor population and improving peace and order situation will address the threats to food price inflation. ARMM line agencies including its lead convenor, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-ARMM, will streamline their programs in the implementation of ASAPP

for poverty reduction, employment and income generation. As a result of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, a new political entity will be created through legislation, as agreed by the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). (PNA)

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INDEPENDENCE DAY AT SM LANANG. Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang (5th from right) leads the symbolic releasing of white doves into the air during SM Lanang Premier’s 117th Independence Day celebration on June 12. Together with him are SM Lanang Premier Mall Manager Mary Therese Lapeña-Manalo (5th from left) and Assistant Mall Manager Jerome Yeo (extreme left) with

representatives from the Philippine National Police, DSWD Field Office XI, Bureau of Fire Protection (Lanang Fire Station), Coast Guard District South Eastern Mindanao, Boy Scouts of the Philippines, Girl Scouts of the Philippines, Park Inn by Radisson Davao, SMX Davao Convention Center and other community stakeholders.

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the proposed measure despite efforts of Malacanang to push for the passage of the bill without any changes. “If the next President will do that (push for charter change) he or she has to do it very early on---start the process on the first year (of his term), not on the last. That would at least allay suspicions this is being done to extend his term. So that’s a possibility,” Marcos said. The House of Representatives had tackled the proposal of Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. to amend the constitution and allow Congress to pass enabling laws lifting bans on ownership of land, businesses, schools and the media but failed to put it to a vote before Congress adjourned sine die on June 10. “I think they’re necessary. Not because the concept is wrong but because the passage of time changed things and situations have changed so we have to adjust accordingly,” Marcos explained, when asked on his stand on charter change. However, he said speculations on the real agenda behind charter change persists because there is no enabling law providing specific mechanics regulating the power of Congress to amend the constitution acting as constituent assembly. “I share the fear of the Mayor that we do not know what will be taken up. Once the constituent assembly is

called to order, any member of that constituent assembly can stand up and speak on any subject,” Marcos said. He believes the most acceptable method of charter change would be through a Constitutional Convention where delegates are elected by the public. “So at least those who want to be delegates can campaign and tell the people what their plans are if they are elected. In this way, it would be clear to the public what to expect from their delegates,” Marcos said. As to federalism, Marcos said it is in theory a good option because it spreads power centers so that if there is a problem in one area it would not affect the entire country. “Besides, there is recognition that each area is different, with different needs and concerns, and with different assets and capabilities. So you have to treat each one differently, and the best people to determine what is needed in that locality are the people living there,” Marcos said. Marcos said that in fact the country had experimented already on the concept of federalism, with the defunct Interim Batasang Pambansa, which had regional representation, although it was abandoned later on. “So I think it’s time to revisit the concept and see if it would be the one best suited for the Philippines,” Marcos said.

Mindanao, Operation Smile’s charitable works bring hope -- and smiles -- to poor families. “We have screened more than 400 patients with cleft lip and cleft palate in Davao City, of which more than 200 will undergo surgery this week until Friday,” Operation Smile International program coordinator Regan Ferrell said. Ferrell said Davao City’s total screened patients comprise almost half of the 974 total screened patients from simultaneous operation missions in Manila, Pampanga, Cebu, and Bacolod last Saturday. Since its first mission 21 years ago in Davao City, Operation Smile has already changed the lives of more than 20,000 Mindanawons with

cleft lip and cleft palate, giving them a more normal life and a chance to excel. “Our goal is to change one smile at a time, and our hope is to help children have this abnormality (removed) so that they can have a normal (life),” Ferrell said. She said Operation Smile is hoping in the next several years to eradicate the backlog of patients living with these deformities. Operation Smile has been in the Philippines for 33 years. In Davao City, it has partnered with Brokenshire Memorial Hospital where it has a base. Partner surgeons and dentists conduct a regular free operation at the Mindanao Cleft Center housed at the BMH.

NPA members. Subere said after he was captured, his battalion commander declared him absent without official leave (AWOL) since he did not report back to his unit.

Mt. Daguma Sub-Regional Command of NPA spokesperson Ka Dindo, however, criticized Subere’s officials for immediately declaring him AWOL without first conducting an investigation.

interoperability among all modes of payment. Relatively, Tayag said the central bank will soon release the result of its survey on public’s appreciation, particularly the poor, and grasp on the financial system in the country. She said initial results of the said survey show that most Filipinos are not enjoying benefits of reforms and innovations on this banking sector. She disclosed that initial results of the said demand-side survey indicated that 40 percent of the respondents have savings but 68 percent of them

put their savings at home. “They’re not enjoying the benefits of saving in an institution that is protected and regulated,” she said. Also, instead of relying on banks most of the respondents said they borrow mostly from family members and friends, with some of them taking out loans from informal lenders who charge very high rates. “These are opportunities for growth in terms of providing financial services. This is a market that needs the service and can actually pay for the service,” she added. (PNA)

the increase of tourist coming here especially with the recent pronouncement of UNESCO declaring Mt. Hamiguitan as a world heritage site,” Alabado said. The coming opening of a visitors center and a museum in a portion of almost 30,000 hectare heritage site near San Isidro will surely draw local and foreign tourist. Davao Oriental Gov.

Corazon Malanyaon said in a separate interview that the multi-million two-storey visitors center will have a small museum that will showcase the various species of plants and animals harmoniously co-existing in the mountain ranges of Mt. Hamiguitan. Malanyaon said the opening of the local government-initiated facilities will be either July or August this year.

it doesn’t feel it. It takes just a few turns to slot it into place and the visibility is good even when judging the ends of the cargo bed. What’s more, there’s a rear back-up camera. From Iligan City, the convoy backtracked to Cagayan de Oro before climbing up to our final destination: Dahilayan Adventure Park in Bukidnon. On the way, we had to tackle some twisty mountain roads similar to Marcos Highway heading up Baguio. In these circumstances, the NP300 Navara shone with the

responsiveness of its drivetrain package. The stability of its chassis also helped. There were times when you can hear tire screeches from the unladen pickup, but the Vehicle Stability Control didn’t light up even once. I figured then that it had everything under control. It did tip and understeer from time to time, but any other vehicle with a high center of gravity will. Still, it’s one of the most controlled in the pickup and mid-sized SUV category. Plus, the Zero Gravity Seats give surprising support, best-

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ICT HUB 11

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 8 ISSUE 53 • TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

China hack on US federal employees targets clearances F

OLLOWING recent news of a breach of federal employee records, the Obama Administration acknowledged Friday that in a separate attack hackers stole highly sensitive forms used in vetting federal employees for security clearances. The hackers are linked to China, US officials told

The Washington Post and the Associated Press. The forms contain applicants’ personal information and could compromise federal agents’ ability to maintain their cover while collecting intelligence, according to a former US counterintelligence official cited by the AP. “This tells the Chinese

Globe revamps online shop

N order to cater more to customers’ on-the-go lifestyle and enhance the customer retail experience, Globe Telecom relaunched its online shop available at shop.globe. com.ph. The new Globe Online Shop gives customers access to exclusive promos, the newest device offers, and exciting freebies on a single platform. With the Globe Online Shop, customers can shop for the newest phones and postpaid plans and get savings from exclusive offers and best deals for a convenient shopping experience, anywhere and anytime. It also boasts of an enhanced user experience with the site automatically adjusting to the user’s device screen, including mobile phones. The Globe Online Shop is home to special offers not available in Globe Shops. Dubbed as online-exclusives, these offers are meant to rewards customers purchasing postpaid plans and devices online. Since the portal launch, customers have received Spotify Premium codes and gift certificates as reward, while some were entitled to discounted cash-outs for select

plans. For those who want to keep tabs of the latest devices, shop.globe.com.ph also gives customers first dibs on select phones even before they become available in Globe Stores, complete with phone features and specs. Customers can also check out the Globe Online Shop from time to time to avail of exclusive freebies such as free access to Facebook, Viber, and NBA League Pass with a plan purchase. “As part of our thrust on superior customer experience, we are very excited to launch our new Globe Online Shop which is a one-stop shop for customers to enjoy shopping with Globe. It’s an easy, convenient, and hassle-free platform that aims to provide the best shopping experience for your favorite devices, postpaid plans, and offers. For Globe customers looking for the best deals and exclusive promos for the latest smartphone and plan bundles, be sure to check out the Globe Online Shop every now and then and you are assured of a wonderful retail experience whenever, wherever,” said Joe Caliro, Head of Stores and Retail Transformation Management at Globe.

EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH SPECIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late ASUNCION P. ABLAS-HERMOSURA has been the subject of an EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT WITH SPECIAL POWER ATTORNEY executed among her heirs per Doc. No.533; Page No.08; Book No. XXX; Series of 2015, of the NOTARY PUBLIC FREDERIC VOLTAIRE Y. TAN 6/16.23.30

the identities of almost everybody who has got a United States security clearance,” the former official, Joel Brenner, told the AP. The forms also provide information from background checks about workers’ mental health, finances and family. The breach was discovered as the government

looked into a previous attack, according to the Office of Personnel Management. The earlier attack, announced June 8, was said to have compromised the data of up to 4 million current and former federal employees, including Social Security numbers and other personal information. But a union of federal workers said Thurs-

day that it believed it was a far more extensive breach than the OPM has indicated, affecting every single current and retired federal worker -- allegations the government disputes. Regarding the breach revealed Friday, the government concluded with a “high degree of confidence that OPM systems containing

information related to the background investigations of current, former and prospective federal government employees, and those for whom a federal background investigation was conducted, may have been exfiltrated,” Samuel Schumach, a press secretary at the OPM, said in an emailed statement Friday.

Huawei P8 is not only a device with stunning look but also a tool that ignites consumers’ creativity with a camera for low-light shooting, light painting, perfect selfies, director mode, time lapse, and more.

Huawei SE Asia smartphone shipments rise 120 percent

ITH the successful Southeast Asia regional launch of the Huawei P8 and wearable devices in Bangkok Thailand on May 28, 2015, Huawei is keeping the momentum going by introducing the P8,

P8Max, P8Lite, Talkband B2 and AP007 power bank to Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and other Southeast Asia countries and regions. Richard Yu, CEO of Huawei Consumer BG, said Southeast Asia is

NOTICE OF LOSS

Notice is hereby given by LOYOLA PLANS CONSOLIDATED INC. That CERTIFICATE OF FULL PAYMENT No.(s) 1003838 under LOYOLA PLAN Contract No.(s) 299131-4 / NNN400273674 issued to JOSE CLEMENTE F. MENDEZ was lost. Any transaction entered into shall be null and void. 6/16,23,30

one of the key markets for Huawei, and the company is very optimistic about the potential of this region, which is why Huawei is hosting the Southeast Asia launch event so soon after the global launch last month. “Southeast Asia is one of the most promising and high-potential economic entities in the world, both now and in the future. It is regarded as a strategic market and an engine driving the fast growth of Huawei ‘s Consumer Business. In 2014, Huawei saw over 10 million total shipments in this region.

With the launch of the P8, P8Ma x and P8Lite this year, we expect total shipments to reach 8 million units, a 167% increase,” Yu said. The company has seen substantial growth in regional shipments in the region. Thomas Liu, President of Huawei Consumer Business Group Southeast Asia said data from the company’s recent report shows that 2015 Q1 smartphone shipments in the Southeast Asia achieved a 120% increase compared to last year.

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DAVAO CITY MAIN OFFICE

GENERAL SANTOS CITY MARKETING OFFICE

Director of Sales

Marketing Specialist

JOCELYN S. PANES

Door 14 ALCREJ Bldg., Quirino Ave., Davao City Tel: (082) 224-1413 Telefax: (082) 221-3601

EDMUND P. RENDON

General Santos City

Mobile: (Sun) 0925-357-3460 (Smart) 0907-202-3844

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EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH SALE

EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF PARTITION OF ESTATE

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late JOSEFINA P. HORCERA has been the subject of an EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT WITH SALE executed among her heirs per Doc. No.739; Page No.148; Book No. XXVI; Series of 2008, of the NOTARY PUBLIC NAPOLEON F. SANGO

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late MARCELO ABLAS SR. and PAULINA PLAZA has been the subject of an EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT executed among their heirs per Doc. No.416; Page No.85; Book No. XXXVIII; Series of 1992, of the NOTARY PUBLIC ARTURO T. PINEDA

6/16.23.30

NOTICE OF LOSS

Notice is hereby given by LOYOLA PLANS CONSOLIDATED INC. That CERTIFICATE OF FULL PAYMENT No.(s) 21066737/21007071 under LOYOLA PLAN Contract No.(s) 190256-7/190090-3 issued to CARMEN M. SACULINGGAN REINSTATEMENT FORM: 2401-95690, 2401-95697, 2401-100860, 2401-100883, 2401-100996, 2401101000, 2401-101001, 2401-101002, 2401-02316, 2401-02337, 2401-52356, 2401-52363 issued to TERESITA F.ERAMIS were lost. Any transaction entered into shall be null and void. 5/7/14/21

6/16.23.30

EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH SPECIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late VICENTE P. ABLAS, SR. has been the subject of an EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT WITH SPECIAL POWER ATTORNEY executed among his heirs per Doc. No.535; Page No.08; Book No. XXX; Series of 2015, of the NOTARY PUBLIC FREDERIC VOLTAIRE Y. TAN 6/16.23.30

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VOL. 8 ISSUE 53 • TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

Alyssa Valdez joins Team Chevrolet T

HE Covenant Car Company Inc. (TCCCI) exclusive importer and distributor of Chevrolet automobiles and parts in the Philippines teams up with the country’s top volleyball star and reigning UAAP Women’s Volleyball MVP - Alyssa Valdez as she is officially appointed as the 2015 Chevrolet Sonic’s sports and lifestyle ambassador. Alyssa is a multi-awarded athlete and team captain of the 2014 UAAP champions Ateneo Blue eagles and of the 2015 Asian U23 Women’s Volleyball Championship. She was also selected by the Philippine Olympic Executive Council to be the flag bearer for the Southeast Asian Games this June 2015. “We are delighted to welcome Miss Alyssa Valdez to the Chevrolet family. We truly appreciate her contributions to the sport of Volleyball and the inspiration she brings to many young Filipino aspirants.” said Atty. Albert B. Arcilla, President and Managing Director of Chevrolet Philippines. “Alyssa em-

bodies the characteristics that best represent the Chevrolet Sonic – smart, vibrant, capable and strong in mind, body and heart.” Concludes Atty. Arcilla. Apart from Alyssa’s tremendous on-court talent, her Filipina beauty is undeniably mesmerizing. Her five foot nine athletic frame paired with her disarming smile and star athlete charisma make Alyssa stand out. Alyssa effortlessly transforms from fierce and strong Volleyball spiker to hipster, cool, girl next-door, college student to a stylish and sophisticated young lady. Whatever persona Alyssa projects, she remains the simple and modest Batangena who always makes a special effort to accommodate fan requests and credits her teammates and family for her successes. Like Alyssa, her car of choice, the Chevrolet Sonic is also a cut-above-the-rest. The Chevy Sonic is a subcompact sedan that comes in two striking forms: in a 5-door sporty hatchback design that exudes fun and athleticism and

a 4-door stylish sedan that radiates sophistication and class. Built by a global brand with a strong heritage of over a hundred years of automotive experience, the Sonic is a strong and dependable vehicle that is equipped with modern technological features that add up to a unique and fun Chevy experience. Powered by a 1.4L ECOTEC engine with a 6-speed automatic transmission, the Sonic delivers commendable driving performance and pocket friendly fuel efficiency. Adding to the Chevy Sonic’s arsenal are cool comfort and convenience features like steering wheel mounted audio controls, rear parking sensors, Bluetooth connectivity and the Chevrolet Mylink; a touchscreen infotainmnent unit that is compatible to most smartphones today. With its easy to use interface, users can synchronize and access phone contacts, apps, photos and music files through the Chevrolet Mylink system, keeping you always connected to everything that is important to you.

Further reinforcing the Sonic’s dependability is its 5 year, 100,000 kilometer warranty that assures its new owners a worry-free and hassle-free ownership experience. Both the sedan and hatchback variants of the Sonic have modern and modish

interior designs with premium materials. The car’s Corvette-inspired cockpit and motorbike design instrument cluster complement the sporty exterior and relive the rich racing tradition of the Chevrolet brand. The Sonic hatchback variant has flexi-

ble foldable back seats that provide more room for loading requirements and abundant storage spaces to organize loose items. The Chevy sub-compact car shows that form and function can co-exist. The Chevy Sonic SRP starts at P748,888.00

plained that the city is a boom town. Situated near the mountains, a powerful and torquey vehicle is important. Plus with infrastructure development in full swing around the city, a vehicle has to negotiate a lot of rough roads. This is the sort of market the NP300 Navara had to prove itself in. Grabbing the keys at the first chance , settle into the driver’s

seat. Getting in and out is a bit hard since the pilot doesn’t have the convenience of a grab handle (all others do). Once you get onboard though, the cabin’s very car-like. The fit and finish are great and the use of metallic accents and piano black inserts add to the techy feel. The seats are plush and the ergonomics are spot on. At first, I thought this would be a leisurely ride and drive. However, it felt more like a scene from Mad Max with the way everyone was pushing. There are no qualms though since it showed the capabilities of the NP300 Navara. With 190 horsepower and 450 Nm of torque, it may not have the most output in its class, but in practice, the way the power is de-

livered is linear and usable. In full attack mode, it pulls strongly from a standstill, enough to dig you into the Zero Gravity seats. What’s more, the engine is willing to sing to its redline—a rarity in a diesel. And it’s mighty quiet even at full song. Connected to the engine is an equally impressive seven-speed gearbox. Not only does it trump the others in terms of bragging rights, but in actual operation as well. It comes with a manual shift override, but trust me: you won’t need it, ever. The up-and downshifts are quick and imperceptible. The gearing is well-spaced though an odd occurrence happens between second to third and third to fourth: there’s a momentary loss of boost for a split-second only to have it come back big

time. Seventh gear works as an overdrive, boosting highway mileage and cruising comfort. Even with me pushing the wits out of it, it does 12.5 km/L. Nissan likes talking about the unique five-link coil spring suspension and for good reason: it works. The ride quality is actually better than mid-sized SUVs. Even with just four people and no cargo onboard, it’ll absorb everything you throw at it. There’s still some shake coming from the cargo bed (a common thing among pickups), but the frame feels sturdy nonetheless. Road bumps, cuts, ruts and even the more notorious speed ribs (and there are a ton of them here) are reduced to nothing more than a slight nuisance. Even when the roads completely disappear, some-

times without warning, the NP300 Navara’s generous suspension travel enabled me to tackle deeper potholes without difficulty (or even a reduction in speed). And even if Nissan’s not saying it, the cabin’s also quiet with controlled wind, tire, and road noise even at high speed. If there’s some gripe though, it’s that the steering does loosen up tremendously at high speed (past 120 km/h) making it feel less grounded and stable. The quick stop at Iligan City for a lechon brunch necessitated some maneuvering into a parking slot. It was a test for the NP300 Navara’s visibility and maneuverability. It may be one of the largest, if not the largest, offering in its class, but from behind the steering wheel

Taking the 2015 Nissan NP300 Navara 4x4 for a test

LYING into the largest pickup truck market outside Metro Manila, Cagayan de Oro, it’s easy to see the importance of a well-engineered product for the people living here. More than just good-looking machines, they have to negotiate the peculiar situation of the city. Jeff Rolida, Nissan Cagayan de Oro dealer principal, ex-

FTAKING, 10

VOL. 8 ISSUE 53 • TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

SPORTS15

EDGEDAVAO

ROUNDUP

Sepak Takraw bets in finals

CEREMONIAL BALLS. University of Mindanao president Dr. Guillermo Torres Jr. (left) and ESDEVCO president Glenn Escandor (right) hit the ceremonial balls of the GET Memorial Golf Tournament last Sunday at the Apo Golf and Country Club. Boy Lim

CHANGING TARGET PH bets now focused on avoiding lowest output

HE Philippines moved on the verge of matching the country’s medal output in Myanmar two years ago following a timely gold-medal haul of four on Sunday in the 28th Southeast Asian Games. The tennis pair of Treat Huey and Denise Dy, the men’s male match racing

keelbo sailing team, and taekwondo jins Pauline Lopez and Samuel Morrison delivered golden performances that could save the Philippines from a new low in this biennial showcase. The much-needed boost raised the Filipino athletes’ output to 28 gold, 35 silver and 64 bronze medals, put-

REACHING IN. Philippines’ Treat Huey in action during the mixed doubles finals. Huery and partner Denise Dy won the gold medal. Photo: SINGSOC

ting them in a position to at least match their 29-gold haul in 2013 in Myanmar with the Gilas basketball team in the finals following a pulsating 80-75 win over Thailand. The output, however, is still well below projections of top sports officials who had raised hopes of winning anywhere from 40 to 60 gold medals in these Games. The Gilas Pilipinas cadets got big games from Troy Rosario and Almond Vosotros to reach the gold-medal match against Indonesia to be played in the final day of competitions on Monday, 8 p.m. at the OCBC Arena. Huey and Dy outlasted Thailand’s Peangtarn Plipuech and Sonchat Ratiwatana, 7-6, 6-4, to rule the mixed doubles final to end a gold medal drought that extended from Saturday. Ridgely Balladares, Rommel Chavez, and Richly Magsanay then beat Singapore to take sailing’s lone gold in the SEA Games in the male match racing keelboat event. Later in the day, Lo-

pez and Morrison won their respective final bouts over Vietnamese opponents. Archer Amaya Paz-Cojuangco settled for a silver medal in the women’s individual compound while Nestor Cordova placed second in men’s single sculls 1,000m in rowing. Following her gold in the mixed doubles, Dy failed to make it a double as she and Katharina Lenhert lost in their women’s doubles match to Thailand. In archery, Paz-Cojuangco also got two bronze medals in the women’s team compound with Jennifer Chan and Joann Tabanag, and in the mixed team compound with Earl Benjamin Yap, who also got a bronze in the men’s team compound with Paul Marton Dela Cruz and Delfin Adriano. Edgar Ilas and Benjamin Tolentino also got a bronze in rowing men’s lightweight double 1,000m. The mixed wakeboarding team of Mark Howell Griffin, Angelo Linao, and Maiquel Selga also took the bronze.

In his last fight on March 30, 2015 Reyes scored a rousing 2nd round knockout over Reyes Lopez but in what is a typical roller coaster ride, retired in the 4th round against undefeated Carlos Diaz Ramirez who dropped Reyes in the 3rd round with a vicious uppercut. Ramirez was undefeated in 16 fights with 9 knockouts. However, before losing

by a 6th round TKO to undefeated Eduardo Ramirez (10-0, 4 KO’s) on September 20, 2014, Reyes hammered Rodolfo Hernandez into submission, winning by a 2nd round TKO on September 6, 2014. With Magsayo’s desire to put on a show, fight fans can expect fireworks as Reyes isn’t the kind of fighter who will back down no matter who the opponent is.

Mexican toughie bound to engage Magsayo in slugfest

EXICAN toughie Rafael “Guerrerito” Reyes is bound to engage promising ALA Gym prospect Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo, who is unbeaten in 10 fights with 8 knockouts to his name, in a slugfest when they clash in “Pinoy Pride XXXI” at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu on July 4. Magsayo who looked sharp in training at the ALA

Gym in Balete Drive, Quezon City last week is now sparring with five division world champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire in Cebu as Donaire himself prepares for his showdown with Frenchman Anthony Settoul on July 17 in Macau. The 24 year old Reyes is a typical Mexican warrior who comes to fight and has a record of 12 knockouts in 16 wins with four losses.

EAM Philippines’ Jason Huerte, Emmanuel Escote and Rheyjey Ortouste won their Men’s Sepaktakraw Doubles Semifinal game against Singapore at the 28th Southeast Asian Games in Singapore. The Filipinos advanced to the finals against Myanmar scheduled late yesterday. The Philippines’ women’s basketball team, known popularly as Perlas Pilipinas, settled for the bronze medal at the close of basketball competitions in the 28th Southeast Asian Games in Singapore. The Filipinas finished the round robin with 3 wins and 2 losses, winning against Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore, and losing to Thailand and Indonesia to take the bronze. Ricky Espinola and David Pelino won the bronze

medal in men’s squash jumbo doubles event. The tandem lost to Indonesia’s Furkon and Perdana, 0-2, in the semifinal round. The Philippine men’s volleyball team lost to Thailand, 25-21, 25-16, 25-13, on Sunday at the OCBC Arena Hall 2 to bow out of the 28th Southeast Asian Games competition. The team wrapped up its campaign with a 1-2 winloss card, same as the record of the women’s squad. Marck Espejo had 17 points for the Philippines, but Thailand was simply too strong and went on to complete a sweep of Pool A. A quick start in the third set gave the Philippines a 2-0 lead, but Thailand easily regained control. Jirayu Raksakaew finished with 13 points while Kissada Nilsawai and Kittikun Sri-Utthawong had 11 points apiece for Thailand.

Lebron: We can bounce back

EBRON James had 40 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists to join Magic Johnson as the only NBA players with triple doubles in multiple games of multiple NBA Finals, but his heroics were not enough as the Cleveland Cavaliers fell to the Golden State Warriors in Game Five. The Cavaliers are now in the brink of losing the title series against the Warriors, who are up 3-2 in the series. But James is still optimistic about his team’s chances. “You cope with it by understanding it’s just one game and looking at the opportunity we have on Tuesday to force a game seven,” James said. “We’re going home with a game six and we’ve got enough

to win it. I feel confident.” Asked what gives him confidence in his playmaking skills, James matter-of-factly replied: “I feel confident because I’m the best player in the world. It’s that simple.” But even James had to tip his hat to Curry catching fire. The reigning MVP scored 37 points to lead the Warriors. “Steph got it going. He hit some huge shots which kept us at bay,” James said. “We needed our best defensive quarter tonight in the fourth quarter and we didn’t get it. We gave up 31 points in the fourth. Some of them were free throws, but a lot of them were them just breaking us down. So we’ve got to do a better job of that.”

Politics blamed for ill-fated Perlas’stint

ORMER Perlas Pilipinas team manager Cynthia Tiu blamed politics for the national side’s failure to land a medal in women’s basketball in the 28th Southeast Asian Games. Tiu said the decision of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) to transfer the reins of the national women’s team to the group led by businessman Dioceldo Sy just months before the SEA Games was the beginning of the end for the country’s gold-medal bid. “What they did was really a gamble. Ayaw ko naman maging mayabang na sabihin na kami kaya naming mag-gold, pero we’ve been a team for seven years against their team na three months binuo,” said Tiu. The Discovery Suites group of Tiu has backed the women’s team since 2007, winning silver medals in back-to-back SEA Games in 2011 and 2013 with a lineup handled by longtime national coach Heidi Ong. That changed when the SBP

tapped the Sy group to form the SEA Games-bound team - a move Tiu decries to this day. “I kept asking them (SBP), what was the urgency of changing our team midstream?” said Tiu. “Nalulungkot ako sa nangyari. Sana man lang kasi nagkaroon ng magandang transition.” “Willing naman kami ipasa sa iba yung leadership ng women’s basketball eh. Kaso ang sabi ko nga, patapusin na muna sana ang SEA Games sa Singapore kasi we’ve been preparing for it since January 2014,” she added. Tiu said the coaching staff and players from the Discovery Perlas Pilipinas team were “unrightfully relieved” of their positions. “I don’t even consider it (decision of SBP) as being bypassed. Mali ang approach dun. Parang kudeta yan eh. Kasi binigay na sa amin ang endorsement tapos biglang a few months to go, may pinalit silang bago,” she said. “Masama talaga ang loob ko sa kanila.”

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. VOL.88ISSUE ISSUE53 53••TUESDAY, TUESDAY,JUNE JUNE16, 16,2015 2015

Gilas cadets: ‘We’re still the best’

T least for one game, the Philippine national men’s basketball team to the 2015 Southeast Asian Games were handed a reality check on Sunday, one that reminded them that the other teams aren’t about to make things easy in this tournament. Especially not Thailand, whose basketball program has improved due to their continuous participation in the ASEAN Basketball League. But despite a semifinal scare, the stalwarts of the Gilas cadet team are convinced that the Philippines will remain the gold standard for basketball in the region. “I always think the Philippines is superior. We eat, sleep and breathe basketball,” Naturalized player Marcus Douthit told InterAksyon. com in an exclusive interview. “I think these guys are trying to do like we do, but I’m pretty sure coach will get us more prepared than the others.” Douthit credited Thailand for its improvement, particularly on defense, which held him down to just four points. The naturalized center, who has been playing for the national team since 2010 and has faced some of the best teams in Asia, described the Thais’ defense as the best he’s encountered on the international level. “They extended the zone, they clamped in and I couldn’t post up.” Kiefer Ravena, a veteran of the SEA Games, believes that the other ASEAN team will get closer over time but the Philippines will remain on top of the heap. “I think we should be invincible in the SEA Games,” Ravena said. “We won and it’s still a win. It will be competitive through the course of the years with teams really preparing and they want to be like the Philippines.” The leader of the Gilas cadets said that the scare against Thailand will be a good thing for the Philippiines moving forward. “We have to be alarmed. We have to have that sense of urgency with the program of Gilas. Hindi namin pababayaan yan kahit cadets lang kami,” Ravena added. “We have to be on top.”

‘We eat, sleep and drink basketball.’ MARCUS DOUTHIT

ONE STEPH AWAY

Curry does it again, Warriors now a win away from title

TEPH Curry stepped up with the NBA Finals teetering on a razor’s edge Sunday and sparked Golden State over Cleveland 104-91, putting the Warriors on the brink of their first title since 1975. The NBA 2015 Most Valuable Player scored 37 points, 17 of them in the fourth quarter, as Golden State seized a 3-2 edge in the best-of-seven series. The Warriors could end a 40-year title drought by winning game six Tuesday at Cleveland. “I hope on Tuesday we can hold that trophy. That’s all I want to do,” said Curry. “We’re confident. We’re not getting ahead of ourselves. But we know the sense of urgency of the moment.” Clinging to an 85-84 lead, the Warriors went on a 19-5

spurt late in the fourth quarter to secure the victory, Curry scoring 12 points in the run. The NBA’s top 3-point shooter sank two

impressive shots from beyond the arc in the span and for the game made 13-of-23 from the floor and 7-of-13 from 3-point range. “That was just Steph taking over the game,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “He took over the game down the stretch and was fantastic.” C u r r y twice answered baskets by Cleveland star LeBron James just before t h e de-

cisive scoring burst, scoring 17 points in all in the final period. “Those are plays I’ve been making all year and ones I feel confident in,” Curry said. “Obviously when they go in, it helps keep your confidence high.”

‘I hope on Tuesday we can hold that trophy. That's all I want to do’. STEPH CURRY Curry was treated for minor dehydration after the game by drinking liquids and was expected to be in

top form Tuesday. James had 40 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists to join Magic Johnson as the only NBA players with triple doubles in multiple games of multiple NBA Finals, but his heroics were not enough and Cleveland must win Tuesday to force a seventh game Thursday at Oakland. “You cope with it by understanding it’s just one game a n d looking a t

the opportunity we have on Tuesday to force a game seven,” James said. “We’re going home with a game six and we’ve got enough to win it. I feel confident.” Asked what

gives him confidence in his playmaking skills, James matter-of-factly replied: “I feel confident because I’m the best player in the world. It’s that simple.” But even James had to tip his hat to Curry catching fire. “Steph got it going. He hit some huge shots which kept us at bay,” James said. “We needed our best defensive quarter tonight in the fourth quarter and we didn’t get it. We gave up 31 points in the fourth. Some of them were free throws, but a lot of them were them just breaking us down. So we’ve got to do a better job of that.” - Kerr: best yet to come James-led teams in a 2-2 playoff series had not lost a game five in five tries since his Miami squad fell to Dallas i n the 2011 N B A Finals. That’s also the last time his team dropped a playoff series after splitting the first four games. Teams that have won game five of a deadlocked finals have won the title in 20 of 28 tries.