Edge Davao 8 Issue 86

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BRACE FOR THE WORSE 4-hour blackouts as TSI, STEAG, Geothermal shut down EDGEDAVAO VOL. 8 ISSUE 86 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JULY 31 - AUGUST 1, 2015

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INSIDE EDGE

Expired meds didn’t make kids sick P2 No delay in 2016 budget P4

Serving a seamless society

P4 EDGEDAVAO Sports

HOT SNACK. Children make brisk sales of hot noodle soup in Barangay 23-C Isla Verde, Davao City yesterday.

Each cupful is sold at a mere P5. Lean Daval Jr.

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

Ella starts campaign C for World Championship Sports P14 today

crc@edgedavao.net

ONSUMERS of Davao City and other service areas of the Davao Light and Power Company, Inc. (DLPC) will suffer four-hour rotational blackouts daily until the middle of August.

This is twice the length of the rotational blackouts previously being implemented.

The bad news was served

by Arturo M. Milan, execu-

tive vice president and chief operating officer of Davao Light, during a press conference on the 2014 Report on the Economic Performance of the Davao Region conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) with the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA).

The press con was conducted simultaneously in

Davao City and 15 other regional centers of the country.

Milan relayed fresh text messages he received from Davao Light and sister companies while he was making a brief analysis of the unprecedented economic growth rate of the Davao Region, which reached 9.4 percent in 2014, the highest regional growth in the country. (See story on

page 6).

Milan said the newly completed 150-Megawatt coal-powered Therma South Inc. (TSI) in Binugao, Toril, Davao City is still adjusting its machineries and is scheduled to shut down anytime now.

The same is true with the 210-MW STEAG State Power, Inc. in Villanueva, Misamis Oc-

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NATIONAL DEWORMING DAY. Pupils of Nabunturan Central Elementary School SPED Center give the thumbs up sign for the National Deworming Day last Wednesday. Photo from Department of Health (DOH)11

BTC rejects substitute BBL

T

HE Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) that crafted the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) has virtually rejected the substitute bill of the House of Representatives as it passed a resolution Wednesday, July 29, to support the passage of the BBL “in its original form,” or what was House Bill 4994 and Senate Bill 2408.

Copies of the two-page resolution, along with a threepage “partial list of substantial issues on House Bill No. 5811,” the substitute bill of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Bangsamoro Basic Law (AHCBBL), were

attached to the letters sent separately to Senate President Franklin Drilon and House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte.

HB 5811 or the “Basic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region,” was passed by the 98-member AHCBBL on May 20, by a vote of 50 in favor, 17 against, and one abstention.

Resolution No. 005, Series of 2015 was signed by all 14 members of the BTC, the body tasked to draft the BBL. The BTC was initially composed of 15 members — eight from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and seven from

FBTC, 10

Davao media to observe DSWD Listahanan survey

A

S partner in promoting transparency and accountability in governance, members of Davao media will witness on Thursday the conduct of Listahanan survey wherein Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) enumerators will be using tablet devices in filling out Family Assessment Forms (FAFs) as they interview families inside their homes.

Invited media will observe the DSWD Survey in Barangay 23-C (Isla Verde) and Barangay Matina Aplaya here. The DSWD Listahanan or Talaan ng Pamilyang Nangangailan-

gan survey results will determine who are the poor and where are they located.

DSWD Listahanan aims to 1] Formulate a uniform set of criteria in identifying poor families in the country through scientific means, 2] Improve the design of social protection programs to maximize the benefit of the poor, 3] Minimize wastage of resources by ensuring that only those who are deserving benefit from social protection programs, and 4] Facilitate sharing of high-quality database to public and private social protection stakeholders.

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Expired meds didn’t make kids sick: Mata

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. and JON JOAQUIN

A

DAVAO City-based pediatrician yesterday said expired medication did not cause the side effects on around 300 school children from various public schools in Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, and Misamis Occidental who were rushed to hospitals last Wednesday when they complained of stomach pain and started vomiting after taking deworming medicine administered by the Department of Health (DOH).

“Expired medicines will either work or not work,” Dr. Richard Mata told EDGE Davao. They will not cause people to fall sick, he added.

Mata, who is known for his anti-dengue advocacy, cited Manila-based physician Dr. Judith Garcia who said expired medication “can only have two effects: either it still would work or it won’t.”

“It will not poison the individual,” she said. “It is worthwhile to know that deworming

medications are best given on a full stomach preferably after a fatty meal. This lessens the chance of experiencing the side effects.”

The DOH has been getting flak on social media due to the incident, which happened during the National Deworming Day on July 29.

There have been allegations that the deworming medicine, Albendazole, was expired, but Health Secretary denied this, saying all the

medicines that were used in the deworming activity, which targeted a total of 16 million elementary pupils nationwide, are safe and underwent assessment from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of DOH and by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Garin said while it is true that some effects like vomiting, nausea, and abdominal pain can be felt by some, the condition is normal and “merely sug-

SA GLOBAL INTERGOLD. Sabi niya “the Mayor is not dumb to do that”. Naku! Yung gumawa nun baka pwedeng makasohan po. Alam na, galling yun sa mga members ng “old scheme networking”...wala na kasing sumasali sa kanila. hmmmm.”

In an interview with EDGE Davao, Lumbatan said some members of the group had gone to Vice Mayor Paolo Z. Duterte to ask for help. He

said he entertained them as the vice mayor’s chief-of-staff.

He said the members told him they were receiving threats from people. “Daghan daw ga-harass sa ilaha... Giduol ko nila nga naa daw threat sa ilaha,” he said.

Lumbatan said he gave his opinion to the group based on what he had surmised about the matter. But he stressed

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Stop using my name, VM’s aide tells Global InterGold

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

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abf@edgedavao.net

HE legal counsel and chief-of-staff of Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte has warned members of an online gold selling group to stop using his name or else he will face charges.

This after a member of Global InterGold posted on Facebook that according to lawyer Alexis Lumbatan, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte never asked the Crim-

inal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) 11 to stop the group’s operation.

This was the exact post of the Global InterGold member: “Global Intergold Clients (especially from Davao). Yun oh!

Ang sabi po ni ATTY. ALEXIS LUMBATAN OF THE DAVAO CITY MAYOR’S OFFICE HINDI PO DAW TOTOO YUNG PINAGKAKALAT NILANG GALIT AT AYAW NI MAYOR DUTERTE

FSTOP, 10

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TRIBAL BEAUTY. Hiyas ng Kadayawan 2015 aspirants pose for photographs during their presentation yesterday at City Hall. Lean Daval Jr.

No delay in approval of 2016 national budget: Ungab T HE chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations expressed belief that the resignation of Sen. Francis Escudero as chairman of the Senate finance committee will not affect the approval of the proposed P3.002-trillion national budget for 2016.

“I don’t think there will be problem in passing the budget.

I believe we can work together with whoever will be the new chairman of the Senate finance committee,” said panel chairman Rep. Isidro T. Ungab (3rd District, Davao City).

Ungab said the organization of the Senate is an internal matter among senators.

“Actually the organization of the Senate is up to them. We are co-equal bodies, separate

bodies. We are mandated by the Constitution to study, review and scrutinize the budget. The House of Representatives will work with whoever is the replacement of Senator Escudero, so I don’t think there will be problems in passing the budget,” Ungab said.

Ungab described Escudero as a “good partner” and for two budgets, he said they were

has already passed the committee level of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Information headed by Congressman Jorge Almonte.

He added House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte also mentioned publicly that he would pass the FOI bill.

The Palace official assured the public of the administration’s push to expedite the passage of the FOI bill even as President Benigno S. Aquino III failed to mention the measure in his last State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA) Monday.

But the President asked

Congress to pass the FOI bill in his message on the proposed national budget for 2016 which was released a day after his SONA. “The budget message of the President is equally, if not, more powerful than the Stateof-the-Nation Address considering it is a message to the other branch of government—to the lawmaking branch of government,” Lacierda said.

“So it clearly shows the commitment of the President to institutionalizing transparency and accountability,” he added. (PNA)

there will be a big LP meeting on Friday. As to what it is all about and what is going to be the agenda can be best answered by the LP leadership during the meeting. The media is welcome to cover the event,” he said.

The LP chairman on Political Affairs and Caloocan City Rep. Edgar Erice also confirmed the important meeting, saying it has something to do with their preparation for

2016 Presidential elections.

“I am not authorized to divulge the agenda of the LP meeting but what I can tell you is this will be the start of our preparations for the coming elections,” Erice told reporters in a separate interview.

When asked if this is the day that the LP will proclaim their standard bearer, Erice said, “better attend the im-

House asked to schedule FOI bill for 2nd reading M

ALACANANG on Wednesday appealed to the House leaders to schedule immediately the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill for second reading, stressing the Aquino administration’s commitment to institutionalize transparency and accountability.

“Hopefully, the majority floor leader can schedule it for second reading and hopefully, it will be done as soon as possible,” said Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda in a Palace press briefing.

Lacierda said the FOI bill

able to work together and able to deliver.

“We laud Senator Escudero for considering the immediate passage of the General Appropriations Bill (GAB) in his decision to resign from his assigned committee. We welcome his replacement and assure them of our cooperation in having to pass the 2016 GAB on time and in ensuring that it

will be in accordance with law, rules and Supreme Court rulings on the matter,” said Ungab.

Escudero said he resigned as chairman of the Senate finance committee out of delicadeza or propriety and to ensure that deliberations on the GAB) are untainted by suspicions or perceptions of partisan politics.

The resignation came as

President Aquino, through Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, submitted to the House of Representatives on Tuesday the proposed P3.002-trillion national budget for next year.

The Speaker said Congress would study the budget proposal well to ensure government programs and their fundings are justified. “We in-

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Big event at Club Filipino: LP L

IBERAL Party (LP) Secretary General and Samar Rep. Mel Senen Sarmiento on Wednesday confirmed that LP will hold a big event on Friday at Club Filipino “to discuss important party matters.”

Sarmiento, however, said he is not in a position to discuss the specific agenda of the LP meeting but noted that the media can cover the affair.

“I can only confirm that

GAME TIME. Young boys spend their morning playing “taksi,” a traditional money game, under the scorching heat of

FBIG, 10 the sun in Barangay 23-C Isla Verde, Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

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VOL. 8 ISSUE 86 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JULY 31 - AUGUST 1, 2015

Davao is fastest growing economy Lim says top 1 ranking in Phl a great accomplishment

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

D

crc@edgedavao.net

AVAO Region’s economy posted the fastest growth last year among the country’s 17 regions, with its economic output accelerating from 6.7 percent in 2013 to 9.4 percent in 2014, the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) 11 reported.

NEDA 11 regional director Maria Lourdes D. Lim attributed Davao’s excellent economic performance to the concerted efforts of all sectors of society.

“Having been ranked top one among all regions in the country in terms of growth

rate is truly a great accomplishment and an affirmation that convergent efforts of all sector of society in our region has brought us closer to our goal of high and sustained economic growth that shall eventually translate to achieving inclusive growth,” Lim said in a press conference yesterday.

Lim said Davao’s Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) 9.4 percent growth rate last year outperformed its 2013 growth rate of 6.7 percent, surpassing even the 2014 national average of 6.1 percent.

This economic growth enabled the region to surpass its annual target growth rate for the past three years, according to Lim. Last year’s GRDP was the highest growth rate achieved by the region since 2010, making 2014 as the banner year for Davao Region.

Lim said this growth also allowed the region to surpass its growth target for the third consecutive year making it the fastest growing economy in the whole country out of 17 regions. The NEDA 11 targeted a GRDP growth rate of 7.0 per-

cent last year.

She said the attainment of sustained high growth levels in the past three year was “very crucial to inclusive growth.”

The NEDA official also attributed the soaring high growth rate of the region to the recovery of the different sectors from the impact of Typhoon Pablo in 2012.

The service sector contributed heavily to the fast and alive economic growth of the region at 52.2 percent.

Total production of goods and services at constant 2000 prices was valued at P281.5

billion pesos with services contributing 52.2 percent, followed by the industry at 33.4 percent and agriculture, hunting, forestry and fishing at 14.4 percent.

The services sector grew by 8.3 percent, surpassing the plan target of 7.1.

“This growth was spurred by the wholesale/retail, financial, intermediation, and real estate subsectors given region’s strategic position as the financial and trading center of Southern Mindanao,” Lim said.

The ICT Business Process Outsourcing also remained

DSWD reiterates: ‘Bawal ang Epal!’

T

NEW FRANCHISE. CIS Bayad Center, Inc. led by its president and chief executive officer Manuel Lorenzo L. Tuason (center), senior vice president and chief operating officer Francispito P. Quevedo(second from right) and network operations and sales head Michael Dominic R. Mercadal (rightmost) sign a con-

tract with new Davao City franchiseeCrisanel Pawnshop represented by its proprietors Elmyra T. Evangelio (second from left) and Jerry Evangelio during yesterday’s Davao contract signing and media launch at Pinnacle Hotel. Lean Daval Jr.

Bayad Center expands bills payment collection network with new locations

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

M

abf@edgedavao.net

ERALCO-OWNED CIS Bayad Center Inc. on Thursday launched the first batch of franchises in Davao City in a bid to expand its bills payment collection network.

CIS Bayad Center Inc. president and CEO Manuel Lorenzo L, Tuason said their partnership with nine franchises in Davao City aims to give accessibility to people specifically n areas far from the central district who want to pay their

bills.

“We are not just accepting payments of utility bills, we are also accepting monthly contributions such as SSS, Pag-Ibig, PhilHealth and now NBI,” Tuazon said.

The partnership between Bayad Center and the nine firms was formalized in a signing of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) yesterday at the Pinnacle Hotel.

The areas where people can now also pay their bills are

Crisanel Pawnshops in Bankerohan and Agdao, Ma-a Bayad Center in Spring Village, John Gold Travel in Victoria Plaza, Gaisano Mall of Davao and Toril, Bayad Center Catitipan in Doña Vicenta Village, University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP) Cooperative in Barrio Obrero and Bayad Center in Centerpoint Plaza, Matina.

Tuason said Bayad Center is also catering remittances from the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW).

In Davao City, Tuason said Bayad Center is accepting payments of Davao Light and Power Company.

For the water utility, the firm is also working with Davao City Water District (DCWD) for partnership.

Meanwhile, Tuason warned the public to be vigilant in paying bills in Bayad Centers. Some of these firms are just pretending to be their partners, although they are not

Hotel Davao Wednesday, that the firm will occupy the first building of the IT park, the biggest in Mindanao so far.

She refused to disclose the name of the company, but added it will hire 500 workers to start the operations and 1,000 more in the next 12 months.

The firm, which offers both voice and non-voice services, will cater to the health care in-

dustry.

Project Developer Plaza de Luisa Development Inc. completed the first phase of the Matina IT park, located along McArthur Highway in Matina, just this year. Construction started in 2013.

The first building measures 7,423 square meters with a project cost of P100 million.

The developer will start

constructing the second phase this year while that of the third phase will depend on the turnout of the first two buildings.

The entire development has a combined lease area of 19,790 square meters, each building having four levels.

The IT park was accredited by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority, which allows it

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IT firm seen to boost employment A

NEW multi-national company will open at the Matina IT Park next month, a development that is seen to boost employment generation in the city’s Business Process Management (BPM) industry.

Information and Communications Technology (ICT)-Davao vice president Lizabel Holganza told reporters during the Club 888 Forum at the Marco Polo

FIT FIRM, 10

as one of the region’s growth drivers as Davao City ranked first among 37 Philippine outsourcing destinations.

“It has about 32 ICT companies in operation and an estimated of 21,000 fulltime employees, 57 percent of which are working in contact centers,” Lim said.

The industry sector also emerged as one of the sectors with the fastest growth at 14.6 percent last year.

Lim said the growth of industries at 14.6 percent surpassed NEDA’s target of 7.4 percent.

HE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reiterated that the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program is insulated from partisan politics and strongly opposes any act that would use it to advance the political agenda or interest of certain groups or individuals.

This came following reports about incidents that occurred during the pay-out activities of cash grants this month. In some regions, the beneficiaries were made to believe that the cash grants they were receiving were bonuses from a politician who has announced his plan to run for an elective position in the 2016 national elections.

“The DSWD always ensures that the Pantawid Pamilya is protected from undue politicking and must remain free of political influence and manipulation, and that the rights of the program-beneficiaries are safeguarded,” DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman said.

The DSWD also learned that the beneficiaries were allegedly threatened that the implementation of the program

will not be continued if they will not vote for the politician.

“This is not true and is just a desperate move of some political personalities who are attempting to use the program for their political advancement,” Sec. Soliman said.

DSWD emphasized that it is steadfast in safeguarding the non-partisan stand of Pantawid Pamilya and its beneficiaries, and that it supports free and honest elections.

“Also, through our Family Development Sessions and previous campaigns, our beneficiaries are aware that the grants they received came from the national government, and even the process of their selection into the program was based solely from the targeting system called Listahanan and therefore is not subject to any political influence or decision,” Sec. Soliman further explained.

DSWD encourages the public to be more vigilant and also enjoins the general public to report politicians claiming credit from the program or such activities that aim to discredit the integrity of Pantawid Pamilya. (DSWD)

DA opens P75-million facility in Koronadal

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HE Department of Agriculture (DA) in Region 12 unveiled on Thursday its newly-completed P75-million field office at the regional government center complex here in the presence of local and congressional officials.

Dubbed “Agri-Pinoy Center,” the three-story modern facility was formally inaugurated by DA regional and national officials led by Secretary Proceso Alcala in festive rites on Thursday morning at its site in Barangay Carpenter Hill.

“After almost a decade of waiting, we finally have a permanent home here in Region 12,” Alcala said.

He urged DA-12 officials and personnel to complement

the completion of their new field office with better and more efficient services.

The new DA-12 field office building was completed earlier this month after nearly 11 months of construction.

The project’s construction and development works started in August last year after its contract was awarded to Cotabato City-based firm FFFJ Construction Company.

A briefer said the project’s funding was approved by the DA central office under the DA12’s budget in 2013.

It said the procurement and other related processes involved in the project were in accordance to the provisions of

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EVENT

All about AUSSIE WINES

THE Institute of International Culinary and Hospitality Entrepreneurship (ICHEF) together with the Aurstralian Trade Commission recently held a wine appreciation evening last July 27 at the ICHEF Social Hall.

Present for the wine tasting was Ms. Joji Ilagan-Bian the chairman of the Joji Ilagan Career Center Foundation Inc., Nicole Bian VP for Education Development of the Joji Ilagan Career Center Foundation, Inc., as well as friends from the hospitality and restaurant industry.

The wine appreciation night was made extra special thanks to the presence of Australian Wine Connoisseur Brett Tolhurst who is also the chairman of Wine Warehouse, one of the largest wine retailer in the Philippines, who was more than happy to share some finer points in appreciating good quality Australian wines.

Wines that were up for tasting were St Halletts Poachers Blend Semillon Sauvignon Blanc, D’Arenberg Footboltz Shiraz, Tatachilla Partners Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as a sweet Debortoli Noble One dessert wine which reminded me of a more expensive ice wines from another hemisphere. Sumptuous Australian cheeses were also served to pair with the wines courtesy of the Australian Trade Commission.

“We have been in touch with the Australian Trade Commission thanks to our Australian partnership here at ICHEF,” revealed Joji

“this event, and the wine appreciation events we will be conducting with the students of the culinary school, allow us a greater understanding of the beauty of Australian wines and produce.”

I am glad that the administration of ICHEF has taken a pro-active role when it comes to improving the city’s food scene by producing graduates that will eventually make their mark in Durianburg.

Follow me on Instagram or on Twitter at @kennethkingong for more foodie finds in Durianburg.

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UP AND ABOUT

Hero Faceoff 2015 winners to join World Cosplay Summit

HERO TV, who is celebrating its 10th year, sent off the Hero Faceoff 2015 winners for the World Cosplay Summit to be held in Nagoya, Japan on Saturday (August 1) on a high note. Team XO, comprised of Sarah Jane “SJ” De Ocampo and Jennifer Ong, paid a courtesy visit prior to their flight last week to invite people to follow their journey as the Philippines’ first World Cosplay Summit participants.

The Philippines has been an observer nation for the World Cosplay Summit for years before being granted a spot for the 2015 edition. Hero TV’s efforts for cosplayers, and the cosplayers themselves as well, did not go unnoticed by WCS’ organizers and have fully welcomed the country to the fold.

In the presscon, Hero TV channel head Jojo Estacio said she believes that the girls have a very good chance in the competition that is set to take place this weekend. “If everything goes to plan, with whatever they prepared, their choreographed skits, we really have a good chance. We didn’t just join for the sake of joining, of course we want to win.”

For their part, SJ and Jennifer have been preparing for the event even before the Hero Faceoff which was held at the MOA Arena. The 26-year-old Jennifer Ong joined Hero Faceoff with the intent of this being her last hurrah in the cosplay world before focusing on their family business back in Davao.

“I really made an effort during the last Faceoff. I wanted to go out with a bang for my last com-

petition and I knew I had to do it right by finding the right partner,” Ong said, who was a prominent cosplayer in Davao during her early years. That partner would turn out to be 23-year-old Sarah Jane De Ocampo, whom Jennifer met back in college, a registered nurse who worked at the emergency department of a private hospital also in Davao.

“My contract with the hospital I was with reached its end and so I turned to costume-making for Hero because I really wanted to be a part of cosplay battles.

I was really surprised that my ‘sempai’ (which means senior in Japanese) actually noticed me, and made me her partner for her “farewell” battle,” SJ said.

As for how they select which anime’ character to mirror and how they get to look like them, the two have a mantra. “We

don’t just pick a character for the sake of picking one. We select a character that fits our personality and who we know we can really give a justice to when it’s performance time,” Ong said.

“As for our make-up, we try to do it on our own, that’s why we don’t have any make-up person with us going to the competition in Japan. We want to learn how to do it ourselves, since it makes it more fun,” SJ added.

“We hope everyone supports us. We’ll give our best to do the nation proud, and leave a mark to other countries as well. We’re going to give it our all just to get there,” the pair said to the press present.

The World Cosplay Summit is to be held at Nagoya, Japan this coming Saturday (August 1). For updates, visit www.facebook. com/myheronation.

Invasion season is here

SPECTRUM PHILIPPINES, together with FrolicFox Productions, is kicking off this year’s tour with one of the country’s prominent annual festivals. - starting off with the Kadayawan Festival in Davao City.

Spectrum and FrolicFox promises to give you a memorable event and part of this is making sure that the venue is accessible and huge enough to comfortably accommodate all you party people. To make it extra convenient for you, download the GrabTaxi application and await for Spectrum’s announcement for the special Invasion promo codes.

As you enter the gates, you might consider getting a memorabilia for keeps to preserve the memory of what’s going to be the most amazing experience you’ll ever have this year. You

can start by heading down to the SM Youth Truck where they sell Invasion t-shirts, and other merchandise.

Experience the unique

Davao culture at the Fair Park Night Market where it showcases a myriad of local tastes and flavors. Quench your thirst with our wide selection of beverages

from our partners: Smirnoff, Johnnie Walker and other Diageo brands to give you a wide selection of drinks. (Diageo is the world’s largest producer of spirits, wine and beer based in London).

Share the fun and excitement across the globe. Rappler will be streaming the show to the whole world through YouTube.

The live stream upload is powered by Smart LTE. Consider splurging on the best views in the house -- in style. Club Echelon, Davao’s premiere nightclub, will be running the Johnnie Walker VIP Lounge. You’ll have your own entry gate, bars, table and bottle service.

And when the first beat makes its way out of the subwoofers, the lights start playing around, the monstrous LED screens wake up from their slumber, the crowd starts

filling the dance floor and the DJ makes his first contact…

The Invasion Show has begun.

Quality tunes pulse in your ear beat after beat while rhythm bombs are being thrown hitting you in the core. The DJs and performers will guide you throughout the day leaving you in an eargasm hangover the next morning.

This and more is what Spectrum Philippines and FrolicFox has in store for you, backed by global brands to ensure your safety, convenience and a happy party experience. Raise your hands up in the air, groove to the music and live all out!

Listen to Spectrum Radio on Magic FM every Saturday at 9PM or tune your TVs to ETC and Solar Sports to keep you on the loop.

For official information, log on to http://spectrum.ph/invasiontour.

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ENTERTAINMENT

GMA Network offers inspiring show Beautiful Strangers

WITNESS the finest on Philippine television as GMA Network delves into the intricate beauty of love and the love of Beautiful Strangers. The primetime show premieres on August 10 after Pari ‘Koy. It is a story of two beautiful strangers who start off as friends and end up as fierce rivals.

It likewise validates how powerful a woman is, to bring about joy or to cause heartbreak in every person’s life.

Beautiful Strangers features the country’s most talented artists in plum roles headlined

by Heart Evangelista as Kristine and Lovi Poe as Joyce/Lea. Both actresses are very excited for their reunion project on GMA. GMA Network is proud to present a stellar cast of the country’s most respected artists in film and television: Christopher de Leon as Ronaldo, the owner of Castillo Realty who is a philanderer; Dina Bonnevie as Alejandra, Ronaldo’s wife who cleans up her husband’s dirt for her family, especially her son, Lawrence, whom she loves dearly; Rocco Nacino as Noel, a mechanic who loves Joyce so much however

he falls for Kristine; Benjamin Alves as Lawrence, the only son of Alejandra and Ronaldo Castillo, and the half-brother of Kristine.

Playing equally important roles in the series are Emilio Garcia as Nestor, the supportive father of Noel; Ayen Laurel as Lourdes, the mother of Kristine who loves her and Ronaldo so much; Lovely Rivero as Imelda, the mother of Joyce, who depends on her for survival; Kier Legaspi as Rigor, the Castillo family’s efficient henchman; Gab de Leon as Rex, the troublemaker Fil-Am cousin of Noel; Dyanin Cruz as Hannah, the exgirlfriend of Lawrence; Nar Cabico as Shakira, a street wanderer and a friend of Joyce; Diane Medina as Monica, the secretary and protective best friend of Kristine; Mariel Pamintuan as Leslie, the cute and kikay but dependable cousin of Kristine; Renz Valerio as Jason, the younger brother of Joyce.

Beautiful Strangers presents the interconnected lives of Joyce (Lovi) and Kristine (Heart). Joyce is a woman motivated by her big dreams. She applies at the Castillo Realty, one of the biggest real estate companies in the

Philippines, to establish her name in Interior Designing so that she may start a family with Noel (Rocco) and provide for her family.

But all her dreams are shattered into pieces when Ronaldo Cas-

tillo (Christopher) rapes and accidentally pushes her down the stairs. All along, Ronaldo thinks that he killed Joyce. Fortunately, Joyce is able to survive everything but she suffers from selective amnesia. She crosses paths with Kristine and will be called Lea. What will happen if Lea regains all of her memories? How will she fight

back and seek revenge against the people who abused her? Can Joyce/ Lea and Kristine’s friendship heal their wounds and stop them from seeking vengeance? Can they be at peace once more?

See how Heart & Lovi become sweetest friends then fiercest rivals on

Beautiful Strangers on GMA Telebabad.

Get the latest updates about Beautiful Strangers from its official facebook page www. f aceb o ok .com/Beau tifulGMA7 , twitter account @BeautifulGMA7 and the GMA Network website www.GMANetwork.com.

Kylie Padilla happy to be part of ‘Alamat’ KAPUSO actress Kylie Padilla couldn’t contain her excitement when tapped to voice the character of the legendary Mariang Sinukuan in this Sunday’s episode of Alamat.

“I feel so happy because I really love cartoons. So when they [road manager] said they’re getting me, [I said], ‘Oh my God!’ It’s a yes,” Kylie exclaims.

Taking on cartoons and preparing to voice the character of Mariang Sinukuan also challenged Kylie. She says, “My character here is a goddess and I thought I have to make it a little bit airy, a bit darker, and someone who has authority when she speaks.”

Kylie also got to explore her talent in using different voices as she tried to voice for another character, an animal this time, which the viewers will find difficulty identifying!

This Sunday, the children will discover why the frogs croak, the

birds nestle on trees, and other peculiar habits of animals. The story will begin with a mystery in the forest and Mariang Sinukuan will instruct justice keepers Hunyango and Kuneho to investigate. Giving life to Hunyango and Kuneho are Kapuso comedians John Feir and Mike “Pekto” Nacua,

respectively. Like Kylie, John and Pekto will also assume dual roles as the hunters who will displease Mariang Sinukuan.

Episode writer Danzen SantosKatanyag says that there is more to the folk tale, “Mariang Sinukuan is about the environment. It brings to light the importance of taking care of the environment as we all keep up with the country’s modernization.”

Kylie, meanwhile, shares how grateful she is for getting the role, “I feel so honored to lend my voice to tell the country’s folk tales because I really do believe that we should value our culture.

Plus it’s not only the children who will watch the program, even the teenagers and the grown-ups get to see it too, so I am truly happy to have been invited to become part of Alamat. It’s such an honor.”

Catch the top-rating animated anthology series Alamat this Sunday, August 2, at 5PM before 24 Oras Weekend on GMA-7.

July 30 – August 4, 2015

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 5 Tom Cruise, Rebecca Ferguson, Jeremy Renner PG

12:20 | 3:00 | 5:40 | 8:20 LFS

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 5 Tom Cruise, Rebecca Ferguson, Jeremy Renner PG

2:00 | 4:40 | 7:20 | 10:00 LFS

PAPER TOWNS Cara Delevingne, Nat Wolff, Halston Sage

R-16

PG

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

ANT-MAN Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas PG

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

A4 INdulge!

STYLE

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 86 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JULY 31 - AUGUST 1, 2015

Take a look inside the

Little White Box

Save My Bag’s co-founder Valentina Azzia, with members of their International Sales team Betsabe Annibali and Simona Tironi, and SM Accessories’ Senior Vice-President and Business Unit Head John Kenner Chua.

THE Little White Box, the newest style hub, recently opened at selected SM Stores.

This exciting new concept store will be the home of bags and accessories from global brands that will create a lot of buzz with this country’s trendy set.

The store’s overall look in its first branch in SM Makati was inspired by the design of architect and artist Carlo Calma. The fixtures make up for a modern and posh shopping experience.

First on Little White Box’s line-up is Italian brand Save My Bag. Founded on 2013 by couple Stefano Agazzi and Valentina Azzia from Bergamo, Italy, Save My Bag is made of poly-lycra, a material lighter and more durable than neoprene. This material not only makes it lightweight but also waterproof as well. Originally meant as a protection for luxury bags, Save My Bag was then discovered by Oprah Winfrey and Sex and the City stylist Patricia Fields who both used the bags as regular bags.

Valentina Azzia, who graced the opening at the first Little White Box branch in SM Makati, describes the woman who will carry Save My Bag as “modern, a person who pays a lot of attention to style. Someone who likes to blend different brands together.”

She shares that she and her husband chose to work on bags because “bags never go out of style.

Women buy bags in multiples and there are different colors to choose from.”

Valentina and her husband work together, and “think every product must be practical and very fashionable at the same time.

Women want beautiful things.”

With that, “We test, we experiment, and we spend a lot of time in selecting colors. It’s very important for us to have a wide palette. The shades are very important, we update them every season.”

That is why Save Your Bag products are super-

The Portofino bag in Radiance light and very colorful with a very unique combination of features. Valentina also notes that “everyone loves Italian products, and our bags are made in Italy from the sourcing to the finishing.”

During her visit, Valentina was amazed at the energy she felt in Manila and in the SM Store. “I’m really happy to be here,” she says. “SM is the place to be in the Philippines.

They have the best locations and know how to discover and support new brands. I’m proud of this partnership.

Discover stylish finds like the fabulous selections of Save My Bag and other upcoming brands in Little White Box at the following SM Stores: SM Makati, SM Aura Premier, SM Megamall, SM Mall of Asia, SM City North Edsa, SM Southmall, SM City BF Parañaque, SM City Cebu, SM City Bacolod, SM City Iloilo, SM City Davao and SM Lanang Premier.

Get connected with Little White Box by following @littlewhiteboxph and using hashtag #littlewhiteboxph on Instagram

Summer Crush: The Icon bag in Tropico

You surely won’t feel blue with the Fresh bag in New Blue China

Cool and Chic: The Weekender bag in Viridian

VOL. 8 ISSUE 86 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JULY 31 - AUGUST 1, 2015

EDGEDAVAO

THE ECONOMY 7

FULL SWING. Construction workers do the micropiles of the Matina Enclaves Condominium 1 project of the Escandor Development Corporation (Esdevco) along Quimpo Boulevard, Ecoland in Davao City. Esdevco reported that sales have been brisk for the mixed use property with the entire Condo 1 already sold out and Condo 2 already 70 percent sold.

ICTSI explains ‘bid’ in Sasa project

By CHARLES RAYMOND A. MAXEY

T

HE International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) said it was not submitting a bid when the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) conducted the pre-qualification bidding Wednesday for the P19 billion Davao Sasa port modernization project.

ICTSI maintained that it was just merely responding to an invitation by DOTC to

prospective bidders for the government project under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) scheme.

“The International Container Terminal Services, Inc. wishes to clarify that ICTSI’s response was only to an Invitation to Prospective Bidders issued by the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) for the P18.99B Davao Sasa Modern-

ization Project,” the ICTSI said in a statement.

“It was not a bid. It only consisted of pre-qualification information. ICTSI has not yet submitted any bid at this stage,” the company added.

The DOTC had earlier named ICTS as one of the five companies that have submitted pre-qualification documents for the project. The others are French conglomerate

Joint venture to build power plant in Lanao

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

A

crc@edgedavao.net

YALA Corporation-led GNPowerKauswagan Ltd. Co. (GNPK) is partnering with the Power Partners Ltd. Co. (PPLC) and Power Supply Aggregation Group Corp. (PSAGCorp) for a joint venture in the construction of a 540 megawatt- coal-fired power plant in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte.

“The construction has al-

ready started. The company had the ground breaking last year,” Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) director for investment promotions and public affairs Romeo Montenegro said yesterday.

Montenegro said the fourunit coal-fired power plant is expected to be online by 2017.

Based on the website of Ayala, GNPK has “recently exe-

cuted the EPC contract for the 4x138 megawatt thermal facility with construction scheduled to begin by the fourth quarter of this year.”

“The plant will be equipped with cutting-edge equipment, including 4 Siemens steam turbines and generators manufactured in Germany,” it said.

ing field.

“We cannot push them from removing subsidy in the power sector but that’s becoming the trend now,” Montenegro said, adding that the slow economic growth is among the factors for the possible removal of subsidy.

Montenegro said these countries can lower their respective electricity prices of electricity because of being the source of fossil fuel like coal, among others.

Philippines, being dependent on importing coal sup-

plies from Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia, could not compete with the current electricity price of these countries.

Montenegro said Philippines is the second country in Asean that has the highest imposed electricity price, next to Japan.

In a 2011 data presented

by MinDA during the Power 101 Seminar for Davao Media, Montenegro said countries like Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand had an electricity rate of less P5 for residential

FJOINT, 10

Eliminating subsidy to electric sector will draw investments to Phl: MinDA

T

HE elimination of government subsidy to the electric industry of other Asean countries will make the island-region more enticing to foreign direct investments (FDIs), the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) said.

Minda director of investment promotions and public affairsRomeo Montenegro said governments of Asean countries like Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesian are looking on the possibility of removing subsidy in the their respective power sector to level the play-

FELIMINATING, 10

Bollore Africa Logistics, Singapore-based Portek International, San Miguel Corporation in a partnership with Netherlands-based APM Terminals and Asian Terminals Inc. in a team-up with Dubai Ports World.

DOTC is expected to notify the qualified bidders in two weeks time after its evaluation of the submitted documents from the five firms, while the

submission and opening of bids is targeted within the fourth quarter of this year. The awarding of project is eyed by April 2016.

ICTSI issued a clarification after Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) had sought information regarding the firm’s participation in the pre-qualification bidding last July 29.

“The terms of reference for the project have not yet

been released by the DOTC, and access to any documentation on the tender, whether feasible or not, will only be available to those who have filed for the pre-qualification,” ICTSI said.

“As part of its normal course of business, ICTSI constantly reviews and explores privatization processes in the Philippines and around the world,” it added.

EDGEDAVAO

8 VANTAGE

EDITORIAL

T

VOL. 8 ISSUE 86 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JULY 31 - AUGUST 1, 2015

Cracks?

HERE is something wrong when both police and military officials begin openly questioning civilian authorities over the handling of peace and order matters in the city. First it was Davao City Police Office (DCPO) director Senior Superintendent Vicente Danao Jr., who contradicted Mayor Rodrigo Duterte’s assessment of the fracas that happened at the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) Haran compound on July 23. The mayor had said the whole thing had been mishandled because the DCPO had apparently followed the orders of North Cotabaco Rep. Nancy Catamco, who wanted to “rescue” Lumads who had been staying at the Haran compound for quite some time. As Duterte pointed out, Catamco’s job is in legislation; police action is the responsibility of the mayor. Danao, however, told the media there was no mishandling of the situation since they were responding to reports of suicide and other matters that required police attention. On the surface, this was a direct rebuttal of the mayor’s statement.

After Danao, it was 10th Infantry Division First Lieutanant Alexandre Cabales’ turn to question civilian authorities. In a rather scathing assessment of the City Council, Cabales said it was “unfair” of the councilors to recommend the transfer of a ground commander

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and his troops to another area over the June 14 incident in Paradise Embac, Paquibato District. In an interview with media, Cabales said the councilors made the recommendation even though they had not heard the side of the soldiers in the alleged strafing of the home of a peasant leader which resulted in the deaths of three civilians. The military has claimed the three were members of the New People’s Army (NPA), but the Council said it was better to transfer the troops since the residents no longer trusted them.

The problem here is not that the police and military acted the way they did; that is their prerogative, and it must be presumed that these actions were performed as part of their regular and legitimate duties. What is disturbing is the fact that Danao and Cabales went directly to the media to air their side, with no apparent communication with Duterte (on the part of Danao) and the City Council (on the part of Cabales) so they could air their side in private. As it is, the actions of the two officers – who, it must be remembered, are subordinate to civilian authorities – have made it appear that there are cracks in the relationship between government and security forces.

Given the uneasiness of the times, this is a disconcerting development, one that must be settled quickly.

AGUSTIN V. MIAGAN JR Circulation

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EDGEDAVAO

A

SK any number of politicians in the country about their stand on political dynasties and chances are they would say there should be no law prohibiting members of one family from holding positions in government.

This makes sense if one considers that public service ought to be an aspirational position, that is, that the highest calling a Filipino could have is working in government in order to serve the people. If that means running for elective office while family members are similarly positioned, then so be it; why, indeed, should anyone bar anyone else from aspiring for one of the most noble professions?

This argument has been repeated so often by so many politicians that even the people have accepted the fact that political dynasties will forever hold sway in the country, never to be torn down. What our leaders conveniently forget to men-

A

RE you wondering what blood is made of?

Here’s an answer from ever reliable The Merck Manual of Medical Information: “Blood is a complex mixture of plasma (the liquid component), white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets.”

Plasma constitutes more than half of the blood’s volume and consists mostly of water containing dissolved salts (called electrolytes) and proteins. Albumin is the major protein of plasma. “Albumin helps keep fluid from leaking out of blood vessels and into tissues, and albumin binds to and carries substances such as hormones and certain drugs,” the Merck manual says.

Red blood cells (also called erythrocytes) make up about 40% of the blood’s volume; they contain hemoglobin, a protein that gives blood its red color. White blood cells (leukocytes) are fewer in number than red blood cells, with a ratio of about 1 white blood cells to every 660 red blood cells.

Platelets (also known as thrombocytes) are cell-like particles smaller than red or white blood cells. They are fewer in number than red blood cells, with a ratio of about 1 platelet to every 20 red blood cells.

The adult human has about five to six quarts of blood (more than a gallon).

“Once blood is pumped out of the heart, it takes 20 to 30 seconds to make a complete trip through the circulation and return to the heart,” the Merck manual says.

If you care to know, red blood cells, most white blood cells, and platelets are produced in the bone marrow -- that soft

VOL. 8 ISSUE 86 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JULY 31 - AUGUST 1, 2015

VANTAGE POINTS

9

Leveling the playing field tion is that THIRD WORLD the Constitution itself prohibits political dynasties. This is found in Article II Section 26: “The State shall Jon Joaquin guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law (italics ours).” This is actually an imperative, with the framers of the Constitution directing Congress to enact a law defining political dynasties with the end in mind of doing away with it.

This was not a whimsical insertion made by the 1987 Constitutional Com-

mission. To understand the directive, one must go back decades to a time when one man and one man only held power in the Philippines. Despite what some young people today may believe about Ferdinand Marcos, he was a totalitarian ruler who did not think twice about using force to get his way. He may have done well in his first few years, but power apparently got the better of him and he did all he can -- including declaring martial law in 1972 -- to perpetuate himself and his family in power. His allies and cronies were also allowed to take control of their respective areas, turning the Philippines into one feudal state.

When democracy was thus restored in 1986, the framers of the Charter sought to break this cycle by 1) limiting terms of office and 2) prohibiting political dynasties. President Benigno Aquino, whose family was a victim of totalitarian abuse, articulated the reason best in

his State of the Nation Address (SONA) last Monday: “There is something inherently wrong in giving a corrupt family or individual the chance at an indefinite monopoly of public office. It is exactly for that reason that, when someone suggested that I stay on as President, even just for three more years, I myself argued against it. If I agreed to this suggestion, I would open the door for such a practice to be repeated in the future. And we cannot be certain if the person who will succeed me will possess sincere intentions — he may instead choose to lord it over our people to pursue his personal interest.”

With the future generations in mind, Mr. Aquino challenged Congress: “I believe it is now time to pass an Anti-Dynasty Law.” Surprisingly, the statement drew the strongest applause from the audience. If the decibel reading was an indication, then we may finally see the political fields leveled in the Philippines.

fatty tissue inside bone THINK ON THESE! cavities. “Two types of white blood cells are also produced in the lymph nodes and spleen,” says the Merck manual.

Henrylito D. Tacio Here’s what hap- henrytacio@gmail.com pens: “Within the bone marrow, all blood cells originate from a single type of unspecialized cell called a stem cell. When a stem cell divides, it first becomes an immature red blood cells, white blood cell, or platelet-producing cell. The immature cell then divides, matures further, and ultimately becomes a mature red blood cell, white blood cells, or platelet.”

Blood plays a part in every major bodily activity. The New American Desk Encyclopedia states: “As the body’s main transport medium, blood carries a variety of materials: oxygen and nutrients (such as glucose) to the tissues for growth and repair; carbon dioxide and wastes from the tissues for excretion; hormones to various tissues and organs for chemical signaling; digested food from the gut to the liver; immune bodies for prevention of infection and clotting factors to help stop bleeding to all parts of the body.”

Blood also plays a major role in hemeostatis, as it contains buffer which keep the acidity of the body fluids constant and, by carrying heat from one part of the body to another, it tends to

equalize body temperature.

Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) in the Western Pacific urged more people to donate blood voluntarily and regularly. “Many people owe their lives to selfless blood donors,” said WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific, Dr. Shin Young-soo.

Blood transfusion is a unique technology that blends science with altruism. Though its collection, processing and use are technical, the availability of blood depends entirely on the generosity of the donor who gives a gift of life.

Samuel Pepys recorded the first blood transfusion in his celebrated Diary. On Nov. 14, 1666, Pepys wrote that Richard Lower of the Royal Society made the first direct blood transfusion from the artery of one dog to the vein of another. Mr. Lower used quills to convey the blood.

In 1818, Dr. James Blundell, a British obstetrician, performed the first successful transfusion of human blood, for the treatment of postpartum hemorrhage. He used the patient’s husband as a donor, and extracted four ounces of blood from his arm to transfuse into his wife.

Twenty-two years later, at St. George’s Hospital Medical School in London, Samuel Armstrong Lane, aided

by Dr. Blundell, performed the first successful whole blood transfusion to treat hemophilia.

According to the United Nations health agency, a single unit of donated blood can save up to three lives. “Blood transfusions can help patients suffering from life-threatening conditions live longer with better quality of life,” the

WHO says. “Blood and blood products also have an essential, life-saving role in the care of mothers and young children.”

Globally, an estimated 289 000 women died in 2013 due to complications in pregnancy and childbirth. Of those deaths, 27 percent were due to severe bleeding.

The safest blood donors are voluntary, non-remunerated blood donors from low-risk populations, because they are motivated by altruism, a sense of moral duty or by social responsibility. The only rewards they receive are personal satisfaction, self-esteem and pride.

So you want to donate blood? The Merck manual gives this information: “The donor sits in a reclining chair or lies on a cot. A health care worker examines the inside surface of the person’s elbow and determines which vein to use. After the area immediately surrounding the vein is cleaned, a needle is inserted into the vein and temporarily secured with a sterile covering. A stinging sensation is usually felt when the needle is first inserted, but otherwise the procedure is painless. Blood moves through the needle and into a collecting bag. The actual collection of blood takes only about 10 minutes.”

Generally, donors are not allowed to give blood more than once every 56 days, according to the Merck manual.

“Despite the advancements in science, artificially synthesizing blood remains impossible,” said Dr. Shin. “We are grateful for all those who make blood donation a regular part of their lives, and we urge many others to do the same. Together, we can save many lives.”

Save lives, donate blood

10 NEWS BRACE... FROM 1

cidential and the 118.48-MW Mt. Apo Geothermal Plant in Kidapawan City, North Cotabato.

Milan said normal power supply is not expected until August 15.

“We are sorry, but we are just relying on our supply,” the power executive said, adding that DLPC is constrained by what it is getting from its suppliers.

In a statement on its website, Davao Light said the extended blackouts are necessary “to avoid breakdown of the entire distribution system which happens when the demand is higher than what is being supplied.”

It said as of July 30, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has declared a deficiency of power supply for Mindanao at 130 MW. STEAG State Power, Inc. earlier announced the implementation of Preventive Maintenance Servicing (PMS)

scheduled from July 18 to August 16 on one unit of its coalfired plant.

The other reasons cited are the reduced capability of the Pulangi and Agus Hydroelectric plants due to low water inflow.

The existing power situation has resulted in the reduced allocation by NPCPSALM to Davao Light. While Davao Light’s contract with the generating company is 275 MW average, the present allocation is only 163 MW. The economic press conference, attended by high and middle regional executives of national agencies in Region 11, was conducted by PSA Interim region 11 director Jaime S. Paller, NEDA Regional Director Ma. Lourdes D. Lim, and Vivian R. Ilarina, chief of the PSA Expenditure Accounts Division.

EDGE Davao editor-in-chief Antonio M. Ajero acted as master of ceremonies and press con moderator.

the Philippine government (GPH) – but in April 2014, after the draft BBL was submitted to the Office of the President, Commissioner Johaira Wahab of the GPH resigned to report to work at the Department of Foreign Affairs.

The Resolution said HB 5811 “bears substantial modifications and/or replacement of the details of the BBL.” It attached a three-page “Partial List of Substantial Issues on House Bill 5811” consisting of 28 “substantial amendments” made by the AHCBBL and the House Committees on Appropriations, and Ways and Means, which the BTC said “are contrary to the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) and the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).”

The GPH and MILF signed these agreements on October 15, 2012 and March 27, 2014, respectively, with both parties agreeing that the status quo in the relationship between the Bangsamoro and the GPH is unacceptable and that they would work on a new autonomous political entity, the Bangsamoro, that would replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and put in place a ministerial form of government.

Critics have repeatedly pointed out that the Bangsamoro that HB 5811 envisions is “less than the ARMM” that it seeks to replace.

Consistent with FAB, CAB The BTC “strongly expresses its support to the passage of the BBL in its original form (House Bill 4994), as the provisions of the same are con-

sistent with the letter and spirit of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro and the peace talks;” that it “stands firm” that HB 4994 “is the most appropriate version based on the FAB and CAB and considering that it is the one that underwent the legitimate process of consultation with the people and engagement with the Office of the President.”

The BTC also “implores the better judgment of the leadership of both Houses of Congress to pass the BBL in its original form and to henceforth act according to the terms of the peace agreements.”

BTC chair Mohagher Iqbal, concurrent chair of the MILF peace panel, told MindaNews Thursday morning that that the resolution “in effect” rejected HB 5811.

Iqbal did not reply why it took so long for the BTC to say its piece on HB 5811 which was sponsored on the floor

by AHCBBL chair Rep. Rufus of Cagayan de Oro City and his vice-chairs, on June 1.

Iqbal said the resolution was “timed with the current Congress which will deliberate the BBL which President Aquino submitted as number 1 priority bill.”

MILF chair Al Haj Murad Ebrahim on Saturday told reporters in Camp Darapanan that he expects the President would, in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) two days later, “reiterate his commitment to support the passage of an undiluted BBL and we hope through this SONA, he could enlighten more those who are still opposing the BBL.” Carolyn O. Arguillas/MindaNews

portant event to know what will be the news of the day.”

In a separate interview, YACAP Party-list Rep. Carol Jayne Lopez, a friend of Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas II, said the DILG chief “is in high spirit.”

“Since happy si Secretary Mar, mukhang okay naman

ang lahat,” she said.

July 31 falls on the Feast Day of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the patron saint of President Benigno Aquino III and Roxas, and its new moon and good for feng shui. The day also happens to be the birthday of Judy Araneta Roxas, mother of the DILG Secretary. (PNA)

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gests that the drug takes effect or fulfilling its role to combat the worms or soil transmitted helminthiasis (STH).”

Mata, however, said the DOH should still investigate the factory source of the medicine to see if adverse effects were also felt in other countries that used them.

In Davao City, City Council committee on health chair councilor Mary Joselle Villafuerte said none of the school children who participated in the deworming activity suffered ill effects.

“There were no reported adverse reactions. No side effects,” Villafuerte told EDGE Davao yesterday.

She said a total of 183,673 students in the city’s elementary public schools were dewormed as of 4:35 p.m. on July 29. The number represents 78 percent of the total elementary public school student pop-

ulation of 235,411.

Villafuerte said the affected students in Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, and Misamis Occidental may have been hungry when they took the deworming medication Albendazole, which she said induces reactions such as stomach pain, vomiting, and nausea if taken on an empty stomach.

Here in Davao City, she said, the schools prepared well for the activity.

“Before the conduct of the deworming, we called a meeting with all principals and instructed them to tell parents and children to eat to avoid side effects,” she said.

Villafuerte said some public school administrators were also able to ask for ‘lugaw’ from the City Mayor’s Office (CMO) to feed the children before the deworming. With a report from PNA

“The use of tablet devices as a data gathering tool expedites the assessment process.

By using tablets, accomplished electronic family assessment forms can be automatically synchronized directly to the server,” DSWD Regional Director Priscilla N. Razon said.

This assessment will update the database of poor households that was generated during the 2009 assessment. Earlier, the DSWD had identified some 5.2 million poor households nationwide of which 547,775 came from

Davao Region, Razon said.

Moreover, according to Razon, the Listahanan second assessment would provide a more relevant database of poor families who served as potential beneficiaries of social protection programs of National Government agencies (NGAs), Local government units (LGUs), non-government agencies (NGOs) and other stakeholders.

To date, Region XI has already assessed 578,911 households and encoded 487,363. (PNA)

tend to scrutinize it carefully and do our proper job of acting on the 2016 national budget,” the Speaker said.

Ungab said based on the appropriations committee timetable, the first budget hearing will start by August 10.

“We will try our best to finish the 2016 national budget on time,” said Ungab.

In his Budget Message to Congress, President Aquino said the proposed 2016 na-

tional budget is designed to consolidate the reforms the government has introduced since 2010 and provide a strong foundation for inclusive development.

“This P3-trillion budget is anchored on four principles that define public financial management under our administration - principles that must continue to characterize budgeting and management beyond our term,” said the President. (PNA)

their official centers, he said.

Bayad Center is the pioneer and leader in the outsourced bills payment collection ser-

vice industry, with over 190 bills that can be accepted in its more than 3,000 branches and partner stores nationwide.

Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act as undertaken by the bids and awards committee of the DA central office.

Koronadal City was designated as Region 12’s regional center by virtue of Executive Order (EO) 304 issued in March 2004 by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

EO 304 also sets the immediate transfer of all regional line agencies, departments and offices from Cotabato City, the previous regional center, to Koronadal City.

DA-12, along with its attached agencies, immediately transferred to the area but opted to lease office buildings and spaces within the city proper

due to the huge financial requirements of building a permanent office structure.

Zaldy Boloron, DA-12’s regional technical director for operations, said they are targeting to fully transfer to their new offices by January next year.

He said they have yet to acquire the necessary furniture and other fixtures of the office building.

“We will need around P10 million to P15 million for that,” he told MindaNews.

Boloron added that the agency gained some savings from the project through the transparent and competitive bidding as well as efficient preparatory works. (MindaNews)

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that what he gave was his personal opinion and not his official statement.

Lumbatan also said he told the group to talk to the proper authorities and not to him. “I did not utter any words on behalf of everyone because I am not under any authority to do that,” he said.

He said what he told the group was to check their business so that they can show proof to those who are harassing them that they are legitimate.

He said he asked the members if their business is registered with the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) but the members only said the business is registered in London.

“I told them my legal opinion was that they cannot really operate in the city if they are not registered in any government agency in the Philippines,” he said.

“I told them, ‘you are risking a lot of things if you have business without a permit,’” he said.

Lumbatan said he took exception to the group’s use of his statements for its benefit.

“I ask everyone to bring the post down because it might mislead the people who are following this issue,” he said.

Mayor Duterte had earlier said he wants to restrain the operations of the company since it has no permit to operate here.

The Securities and Ex-

change Commission (SEC) had also warned the public against dealing with Global InterGold, which used to go by the name Emgoldex, because it is not registered with the commission.

Duterte said aside from the absence of a permit, the company is not allowed to deal in gold in its operation in order to attract investors.

“You are not supposed to be dealing with gold in the first place. In the second place you do not have a permit,” he said.

Duterte said it is not possible for the company to procure gold because it needs a permit from the BangkoSentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) first.

“It is a pyramiding thing, I can sense it,” he said. “We will nip it in the bud,” he added.

The National Bureau of Investigation, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, and the Department of Trade and Industry are also investigating Emgoldex’s pyramid scheme.

A cease and desist order had reportedly been imposed on Emgoldex in Massachusetts, USA, and it has reportedly been banned in Finland, Colombia, Estonia, and Panama.

People who try to recruit “investors” in Emgoldex claim that the company is registered in Europe, but a complaint filed by Massachusetts Secretary of State William F. Galvin showed that it is registered in the Seychelles, an island nation off Africa.

to enjoy tax holidays for three years, business sales tax, and real property tax.

The entry of the new company is seen to boost the Davao City’s bid as a top destination for BPM. Since 2011, the city has

been topping the next wave cities for Information Technology-BPM, meaning it is an ideal alternative location for the expansion of companies operating in now congested Cebu City and Metro Manila. (Antonio L. Colina IV/MindaNews)

The project is expected to be completed within 3 years with the first unit operational by early 2017.

It reported that the “GNPK has already executed well over 300MW of long term power purchase agreements and has secured its Environmental Compliance Certificate from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. “ “We recognize that Mindanao is in dire need of power and we are keen to provide the needed capacity at very reasonable and affordable terms”, AC Energy president and CEO John Eric Francia said in the report.

“We are also excited about this new addition to our growing pipeline of power projects.

This puts us on track to achieve our goal of developing over 1000 megawatts of attributable capacity both in conventional and renewable technologies by 2016,” Francia added.

Last year,“AC Energy closed the acquisition of an approximately 17 percent ownership stake in GNPowerMariveles Coal Plant Ltd. Co. (GMCP), the owner and operator of a 600 megawatt coal fired power generating plant in Mariveles, Bataan. GMCP started full commercial operations last April.”

purposed and less than P8 for both low voltage industrial and commercial purposes.

He said with these rates, the Philippines cannot compete with Asean nations as an investment rea for different industry.

“Most of the manufacturing companies have fled to these three countries because of their cheap electricity price,” Montenegro said. “But with the removal of subsidy these will

level the playing field.”

At present, Luzon’s electricity rate is pegged at P10.10 per kiloWatt hour (kWh), Visayas per 10.27 kWh, and Mindanao at P8.24 per kWh. Montenegro projected that among the industries with the heaviest incoming investment will be coming from banking and finance, retail, oil and gas, manufacturing and transport and storage. CHENEEN R. CAPON

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Helping farmers

sustain their livelihood Text and Photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO

M

OST people equate Pilmico with feeds, but there are two other Fs: flour and farms.

All three are under Pilmico Foods Corporation, a subsidiary of Aboitiz Equity Ventures (AEV).

Even before Pilmico became known for its feeds, it has been providing Filipinos with world-class wheat flour and related products since 1962. In fact, it has been ranked among the top three domestic flour producers of the country in terms of sales.

In 1998, Pilmico started producing high quality feeds for poultry and pigs through its Pilmico Animal Nutrition Corporation. “In partnership with Longview Research Center in the United States, we make sure that every product we produce is consistent in quality and performance,” said its brochure.

In January 1999, the nutrition corporation started its swine operations in Capas, Tarlac. As part of its key to continuous growth in the swine industry, the company provides technical expertise and excellent her health program.

Just recently, Pilmico launched a series of advocacy and sustainable livelihood programs which are geared specifically to areas under poverty, tragedy and conflict.

It all started when Super Typhoon hit Visayas in 2013.

Pilmico launched “Bangon Visayas” campaign in response to the needs of those affected by calamities. “Our modest support came in the forms of relief operations, rehabilitation efforts and creation of business opportunities to affected families,” said Gregory G. Canoy, a corporate social responsibility staff.

As a way of helping those people rebuild their lives, the Mahalin Pagkaing Atin (MPA) was initiated in July 2014.

The program aims “to encourage more farmers to invest in manufacturing local produce.” In addition, it is a way of encouraging “corporations and entrepreneurs to buy home-grown food instead of

importing from abroad in the hopes of bringing forward the quality of local Filipino goods, which showcases that local quality food can be better than foreign produce.”

Aside from helping those places with high incidence of poverty, disasters and conflict, the program wants to promote sustainable entrepreneurship among its partners and to instill their mindset with “pride of product, pride of place” among producers and consumers.

“As such, the operator can maximize his profit without passing through middlemen,” Canoy pointed out.

Take the case of backyard swine raising. “Raising swine in the backyard is a good way to augment people’s income,” says John Paul Pangilinan, Pilmico’s marketing manager.

“It takes very little effort to put up a backyard piggery. In fact, people in the rural areas can raise a pig or two in a small place.”

The increasing meat consumption, particularly pork, has driven Pilmico to scale up backyard swine raising in the country. Data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations showed that more than 80% of hog production is from backyard farms.

Based on the company’s assessment, most of these who raise livestock are deterred by lack of capital and technical knowledge. “We are here to change that,” Pangilinan said.

Pilmico launched the Diamond Program to help its customers’ partner for growth by educating them on proper livestock backyard raising.

“The program is an integrated approach towards successful swine farming anchored on the four pillars of complete health care, breeding and genetics, sound management and excellent nutrition,” Pangilinan explained.

In Davao City, one of these who benefited from the MPA program is Amancia Bacarisas, a widow whose one big dream is to have a piggery with 50 heads which would supplement the small income

that she gets from her sari-sari store.

A backyard raiser with only five sows, she was ecstatic when she was chosen as one of the recipients of MPA’s Davao-leg of Pilmico Food and Livelihood Expo at the Barangay Mintal Gymnasium recently. “I was given two pigs and so I have seven pigs now,” she said. “It’s a great help already.

Success usually starts from small before becoming big.”

Even Chef Boy Logro, who is MPA’s ambassador, believes so, too. He admitted that despite his celebrity status, he is into backyard farming having a swine farm and a chicken farm up on the hills of Laak, Compostela Valley.

“It may be up in the mountain, but that’s where the treasure is,” he said, telling backyard farmers that they are lucky to have their own business. “I may have been poor but I worked hard and I did not allow poverty to stop me from achieving success.”

In a press statement, Sabin M. Aboitiz, Pilmico president and chief executive officer, said: “We hope that through Mahalin Pagkaing Atin, we will be able to provide the means for our farmer friends to uplift their lives and sustain an adequate livelihood.”

According to Canoy, MPA has given 14 assistance to socalled Pilmico agriposts: 646 piglets and 191 egg machines.

In addition, it has extended assistance to 304 families in various parts of the country, including Bohol, North Cebu, Ormoc, Palo, Carigara, Baybay, and Tacloban in Leyte, Capiz, Pampanga, and Nueva Ecija.

Each agripost received feedbags as “restart-up” stocks capital. Hog raisers received two piglets and one cycle feed consumption. On the other hand, recipients of egg machine received 48 heads of ready-to-lay chickens and corresponding one month feed consumption.

“In Davao del Sur, we are going to give assistance to families by dispersing 20 piglets and 8 sets of egg machines to deserving recipients,” Canoy said.

Backyard swine raising

Chicken eggs

John Paul Pangilinan

Chef Boy Logro

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DAVAO CITY MAIN OFFICE JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales Door 14 ALCREJ Bldg., Quirino Ave., Davao City Tel: (082) 224-1413 Telefax: (082) 221-3601 GENERAL SANTOS CITY MARKETING OFFICE EDMUND D. RENDON Marketing Specialist Mobile: (Smart) 0930-669-3018 MANILA MARKETING OFFICE ANGELICA R. GARCIA Marketing Manager 97-1 Bayanbayanan Ave., Marikina Heights, Marikina City Tel: (02) 654-3509

NEWS13 Beyond Mamasapano: Tough road Moderate quakes still ahead for Bangsamoro peace shake 4 provinces VOL. 8 ISSUE 86 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JULY 31 - AUGUST 1, 2015

T

HE skeleton of a new bridge, concrete, now stands close to the old wood one made iconic by the bloody incident six months ago.

A sign of further development is a poster, next to the new bridge, announcing a P50 million irrigation system project.

The old wood bridge still stands, wobbly, held together by seemingly brittle strings.

Crossing it leads one to the cornfield, site of the encounter that claimed the lives of 44 members of the Philippine National Police

Special Armed Forces (PNPSAF), 18 members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and five civilians.

Behind the cornfield stands a lone house, and in it lives alone farmer Kusalim Kusain, 40 years old.

When he heard the gunfire early morning of Jan. 25, he thought it was “rido,” a sporadic but familiar outburst of violence between feuding families.

He tried getting back to sleep but could not. Then a bullet hit a part of his house. He re-

EDGEDAVAO

alized what was happening was not “rido.” He fled.

Kusain lost his corn and cattle in the firefight, and had to take a loan to plant again. Now the corn is ripening. The oncerough road to town is now a bit paved. He says this will be helpful for transporting the harvest.

Asked if has become quieter in Tukanalipao after the encounter, he answers in Maguindanao, “Same old.”

His house still carries that hole from where the bullet hit six months ago, mirroring it would

seem the lingering aftermath of the incident that reopened old wounds and created new ones.

Mamasapano underscored the need for a lasting solution to conflict in the deadliest of areas in the country, but it also altered the course of that possible solution.

Passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) was further delayed.

In his final State of the Nation Address (SONA) President Benigno Simeon Aquino III urged Congress to pass the BBL within his term.

He did not mention, however, a crucial issue: that the law be consistent with the peace deal his administration signed with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

The FAB, the CAB, and a meaningful BBL The BBL finally came up an hour and 30 minutes into the President’s last SONA. “May ilang mga batas na nais kong ilapit upang sana’y maipasa sa loob ng kasalukuyang Kongreso,” he began. “Pangunahin siyempre po dito angBangsamoro Basic Law.” He challenged opponents of the law to themselves offer a better solution.

“Kung wala kayong alternatibo,ginagarantiya lang ninyong hindi maaabot ang pagbabago.

Ilang buhay pa ang kailangang ibuwis para magising ang lahat sa obligasyong baguhin ang sirangstatus quosaMuslim Mindanao?” he said.

Senate President Franklin

F

OUR moderate earthquake struck off the provinces of Cagayan, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro and Pangasinan on Thursday morning, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

In its bulletin, the agency said the first earthquake with magnitude 3.7 occurred at 2:34 a.m. with its epicenter traced at 13 kilometers southwest of Santa Ana in Cagayan.

The quake which was tectonic in origin, had a depth of 12 kilometers.

The second quake with a magnitude 4.2 occurred at 3:03 a.m. with epicenter traced 18 km southwest of Nasugbu, Batangas.

The quake was also tectonic in origin and had a depth of 106 kilometers.

The third quake with

Drilon, in his speech opening the third and last regular session of the 16th Congress, also mentioned the BBL briefly.

“We will continue to promote lasting peace and sustainable development in Mindanao through a Bangsamoro Basic Law that is consistent with our Constitution,” Drilon said.

If these pronouncements are an indication, then a Bangsamoro law would have been passed before the Aquino administration ends.

Yet advocates say the bill pending in the House of Representatives, HB 5811, is already

a magnitude 3.0 quake occurred at 4:39 a.m. with its epicenter traced 30 km southwest of Lubang in Occidental Mindoro and had depth of 32 kilometers.

The fourth quake happened around 5:46 a.m. -magnitude 3.6 -- and the epicenter traced at five kilometers southeast of Bolinao in Pangasinan and had a depth of 25 kilometers.

Phivolcs said no damage was reported from the earthquake since it happened offshore.

Phivolcs said an average of 20 earthquakes hit the country daily as the Philippines lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are frequent due to friction between shifting tectonic plates.

(PNA)

too far away from the essence of what was agreed on by the MILF and the Philippine government in both the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) and the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).

Signed after 17 years of negotiations on Oct. 15, 2012 and on March 27, 2014, respectively, the FAB and the CAB had as cornerstones the recognition of the Bangsamoro identity; respect for the Bangsamoro people’s right to self-determination; and addressing legitimate grievances of and historical injustices against the Bangsamoro people.

14 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. 8 ISSUE 86 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JULY 31 - AUGUST 1, 2015

MECCA OF GOLF. Davao golfing phenom Ella Nagayo at Pinehurst No. 1. Danny Nagayo photo

TAMING THE PINES Ella fires impressive nine over par in practice at Pinehurst No.1

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO

T

njb@edgedavao.net

HIS ain’t the course she will play but just the same, Alessandra Christine “Ella” Nagayo’s first tour of Pinehurst No. 1 resulted to an impressive nine-over par round on Wednesday.

The 11-year old Davao jungolfer, the country’s lone representative in the Girls 11 division of the US Kids Golf World Championship, made her first official practice round in the company of father-caddy Danny along with three other American flightmates.

Ella will officially become the first Dabawenya to ever play in a world junior golf championship after earning

a ticket through a tough qualifying school back home two months ago. Her journey led her to a tune-up tournament in the 2015 Veritas World Junior Golf Championship in Pasadena, California, and now at the tournament held at the renowned cradle of American golf.

Ella knows not everyone gets to play in Pinehurst. And if you do get that rare chance, consider yourself not just lucky but extremely lucky.

Playing Pinehurst, however, is one thing. Winning at Pinehurst is another. In the latter, Ella knows she needs more than extreme luck.

“She was pretty nervous

going into the tournament.

But more than her, mas kinakabahan yata ako,” said her mother, city councilor Rachel Zozobrado-Nagayo.

Ella’s 81 on Pinehurst No. 1 was a good indication of how well she can manage her shots in a links-type course.

“Short game gyud nya ang weakness nya, sana napraktis nila ng todo ang pitching putting,” said her mother of Ella’s achiles heel--her approach shots which when translated to the course where she begins her campaign at Southern Pines, require precision shotmaking.

Southern Pines is a narrow, tree-lined links where a

powerful tee shot is often negated by the tricky blind doglegs. There is also the rolling fairways where shots require the ability to hit at off-balanced positions.

Ella will tee off at 8:33 am today (PHL Time) in a threesome with Americans Kianna Briggs and Ashley Lu at 8:33 in the morning. The group tees off at no. 1.

The Brainworks Learning Center student will see action as the lone Philippine entry in the field of 116 golfers for the Girls 11 division. The other foreigh entries are from Canada, Peru, Malaysia, Japan and Mexico.

The US Kids Golf World

TWO FOR THE ROAD Ateneo goes for twin wins in Final 4 A

TENEO de Davao University attempts to make August 1, Saturday it a twin celebration on Davao City Recreation Center Saturday’s semifinals 11 am--PISD vs. PWC (Mini) when it battles Holy 12:30 pm--Holy Child vs. Ateneo-B (Mini) 2 pm--Ateneo vs. DJA (Junior) Child College of Davao 3 pm--Holy Child vs. ACD (Junior) in the mini division and darkhorse Davao Jones at 11 am followed shortly Academy in the Junior Divi- by the Holy Child-Ateneo son in the Final Four phase tussle at 12:30 pm. PISD, of the 1st Matina Enclaves which ended the eliminaInter-School Basketball tions with a 2-1 win-loss Tournament. card and undefeated Holy The “Blue Army” of the Child (3-0) are slightly faAteneo cheering communi- vored to advance to the fity composed of parents and nals over Ateneo (2-1) and family members is expect- PWC (2-1). ed to make the Davao City Ateneo-B made it to the Recreation Center their Final Four after beating Ashometurf . sumption 109-27 at GenePrecious International sis Gym on Sunday mornSchool of Davao meets PWC ing. in the first crossover semiIn the Junior division, finals in the mini division Ateneo will try to get past

FINAL FOUR SKED

Davao Jones Academy in their 2 pm encounter while eliminations topnotcher Holy Child will take on Assumption College of Davao at 3 pm. The Reds topped its group in the eliminations with a clean 3-0 slate with Davao Jones finishing second with 2-1. Ateneo topped the other group, 2-1, despite losing to Ford 60-58 last Saturday. The Blue Knights formalized their entry with a masterful 104-32 thrashing of Agro last Sunday at the UM Gym. “This is it. We cannot be complacent anymore like we played against Ford. This one will define our destiny to the finals,” said Ateneo juniors coach Miggy Solitaria.

At the forefront of Ateneo’s attack are slashers

Championships began back in 2000 at Jekyll Island, GA, the site of our first ever World Championship. After a short stint in Williamsburg, VA, the U.S. Kids Golf Foundation sought out a new venue worthy of hosting the momentous tournament. The result-- all roads lead to Pinehurst, NC-the acknowledged mecca of American Golf. This year will mark the 10-year anniversary of this pinnacle World Championship at the storied Pinehurst.

“Memories are made here with old friends, new

Lex Blanco, Dariel Manliguez and Ion Angeles while the bigs composed of Francis Gabriel Escandor, who had an explosive game against Agro last Sunday, Vande Goor Alagao and Josh Barrientos will provide the heft in the paint. Outside firepower will be expected from Jethro Taculin and Dom Cane.

The tournament is organized by Escandor Development Corporation (Esdevco), developer of Matina Enclaves. It is sanctioned by the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas 11 under regional head Regino “Boy” Cua. NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO

friends, your caddie, and your family. Golf is played at a world-class venue against world-class competition. And you will leave tired, proud, and filled with anticipation for next year’s tournament”, said the tournament’s website.

Now in its 15th year, the World Championship is the world’s largest and most prestigious event for kids ages 12 and under. The full-length documentary “The Short Game” was filmed during the 2012 World Championship, and last year the field featured more than 1200 participants from 47 states and 38 countries.

TIGHT WATCH. An Agro defender applies the tight guarding on Ateneo forward Francis Ganriel Escandor. Lean Daval Jr.

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SPORTS15

GILAS CALL UP Abueva, Rosario make it to training pool

A

S head coach Tab Baldwin continues his search for PBA players available to join the Philippine national men’s basketball team for the FIBA Asia Championship, several have confirmed their invites to be part of the Gilas Pilipinas pool.

Alaska forward Calvin Abueva and Gilas cadet team member Troy Rosario both confirmed to Fraulein Olavario of News5 that they have been asked to be part of the pool.

Abueva disclosed that he will attend the Gilas practice after he was informed by Alaska coach Alex Compton of the invite.

“Yung coach ko palang yung tumatawag pero wala pa siyempre.

Focus muna ko sa 3×3 na ito then after nito, siguro doon sila makakapagdesisyon,” Abueva said.

“Yung management nakapagdesisyon na syempre. Na-invite na ko, then syempre di ko naman pwede agad agad na alisan ito.”

Alaska had previously made it known that they are willing to loan players to the national team as long as it doesn’t interfere with the team’s PBA campaign – a poli-

P

cy shared by Dickie Bachmann, the team’s representative to the PBA Board.

“If it’s offseason, we don’t have any problem loaning our players,” Bachmann said.

Abueva is excited about the chance to represent the Philippines, something he did in last year’s FIBA 3×3 World Tour event in Manila.

He will do the same in this year’s tournament, bannering the Manila North team alongside Aces teammate Vic Manuel, Kia/Mahindra guard Karl Dehesa and PBA Draft hopeful Rosario.

And while he’s looking forward to a potential FIBA Asia stint, his focus right now is on the 3×3 tournament, which begins on August 1.

“Excited. Syempre mas excited muna ko dito kasi ibang tournament din ito, hindi ba? Mas malaki sa susunod,” added Abueva.

Rosario, too, is excited to continue his stint with the Gilas program after representing the country in the recent Southeast Asian Games basketball tournament.

“Pinapapunta lang ako ni Boss Butch Antonio, practice player yata.

Sinabi niya magpunta lang daw ako. Kasama daw ako sa pool, yun ang sabi ni Boss Butch kahapon.

Sabi ko, ‘Sige boss’.

Syempre masaya ako na mapapasama nanaman ako sa pool, try ko lang,” Rosario added.

The soon-tobe PBA rookie is trying to manage his expectations, although he might have a legitimate shot at making the team with players l i k e J u n e Mar Fajardo and Marc Pingris still uncertain due to health and personal reasons.

“Hindi ko iniisip yun. Basta mag-practice muna ko,” Rosario said while adding that a national team stint could help his stock in the 2015 PBA Rookie Draft.

GILAS-BOUND. Calvin Abueva has received a call up from Gilas coach Tab Baldwin while reigning MVP Junmar Fajarco could miss the bus because of an injury.

Blatche playing for Gilas

HILIPPINE national men’s basketball team’s naturalized star Andray Blatche disputed reports that he is being barred by his Chinese club to join Gilas Pilipinas in the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship.

Blatche said that to his knowledge, no one is preventing him from suiting up for

the Philippines.

“Lol no way,” Blatche wrote on Instagram in response to a post by TV host Jinno Rufino about the former NBA player not being allowed by his Chinese Basketball Association team, Xinjiang Flying Tigers, to play in the tournament.

“It’s not, not that I heard

of lol.”

The Manila Bulletin, citing unnamed sources, reported last Monday that the Flying Tigers, who recently signed Blatche to the richest deal in CBA history, “rejected” the naturalized Filipino’s request to suit up for the tournament.

China is the host of the FIBA Asia Championship,

with its winner earning a ticket to the 2016 Rio Olympics.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas has already assured Blatche’s commitment to the national team. He is expected to arrive on Saturday just in time for the national team’s practice that is expected to begin next week.

ter of intent expressing its interest to join the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

The development brings to two the number of teams from the Philippines set to compete in the 2015 ABL season set to roll off in October.

The Pacman Mindanao Aguilas, backed by Filipino boxing star Manny Pacquiao, announced last Sunday its participation in the fledgling regional league.

No team from the Philippines saw action in the 2014 season a year after San Miguel Beer, bannered by Asi Taulava, won the championship against the Indonesia Warriors.

During that same season, the Philippines had two teams in the league in San Miguel and inaugural champion AirAsia Patriots.

Racal Group chairman Jonito Racal said the ABL will “enhance and broaden their market reach in the

region.”

Racal Motors’ participation in the ABL spoke volumes of its seriousness in fielding a professional basketball team. The team had stints in the PBA D-League and the Filsports Basketball Association (FBA) over the past few years.

Racal Motors is expected to play its home games within the Metro Manila area, while the Aguilas will have their homecourt in the Mindanao region.

Racal Motors also joining ABL

R

ACAL Motors became the second team from the Philippines set to see action in the Asean Basketball League (ABL) for its coming 2015 season.

The league confirmed the participation of the Racal Group of Companies on Wednesday, with the new franchise carrying the brand name Racal Motors Alibaba. com.

The entry of Racal comes less than a week since the same group submitted a let-

SLASHER. Lex Blanco of Ateneo goes up for a drive against an Agro player.

Ateneo battles Davao Jones this Saturday for the win-or-go-home semifinals of the 2015 Matina Enclaves Inter-School Basketball Tournament. Lean Daval Jr.

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