Edge Davao 8 Issue 99

VOL. 8 ISSUE 99 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2015

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

www.edgedavao.net

IS IT LOVE TRIANGLE? T

Police probe deeper into MMA champion’s death

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

abf@edgedavao.net

HE Davao City Police Office (DCPO) is now looking into the possibility that a love triangle was behind the murder of former Pacific Xtreme Combat (PXC) champion Ale Cali on Sunday morning in Ulas, Davao City.

In an interview yesterday after the flag raising ceremony, DCPO director Senior Superintendent Vicente Danao Jr. said the love triangle angle was “more probable” in Cali’s killing.

“We see this as an isolated case, another case of love triangle because it is more probable that we are looking for,” he said.

Danao, however, would not reveal the persons involved in the love triangle since the theory is still unconfirmed.

But he said the case is “more of a personal grudge.”

Danao also said investigators will not rule out other angles such as possible involvement in illegal drugs or unpaid debts.

Meanwhile, a source said a week before Cali’s death, the victim sought the help of the National Bureau of Investigation-South Eastern Mindanao Regional Office (NBI-SEMRO) because he was receiving threats.

This was confirmed by NBI-SEMRO regional director Dante Gieran in a telephone interview with EDGE Davao yesterday.

“Kasuap niya ang agent ko si Atty. (Arcelito) Albao, nag-request siya for investigation (Cali talked to my agent Atty.

Arcelito Albao and requested a

INSIDE EDGE

investigation),” he said.

Gieran, however, said he could not disclose what the threat was all about since he did not speak to Cali personally. He said Albao could also not give information because no investigation was started.

Initial investigation conducted by Talomo Police Station showed that a witness, who was at the scene of the crime at around 10:45 a.m. on August 16, noticed a gray Honda Fit car at the shoulder of MacArthur Highway.

The victim came out of the car and opened the left back door when a gunman walked up from behind him and shot him three times, causing his immediate death.

The gunman fled southward on board a waiting black Honda Wave motorcycle driven by another person.

Scene of the Crime operatives found three empty shells at the scene of the crime.

Police said Cali sustained a total of four gunshot wounds in the head. Two bullets did not exit while the third caused entry and exit wounds.

Cali became famous in 2012 after he won the PXC flyweight title against Jesse Taitano of Guam in a third-round technical knockout (TKO).

He defended it with a third-round win against fellow Filipino Erwin Tagle nine months after he won the title.

However, Cali was dethroned by Louis Smolka in a first-round TKO in November 2013. Cali was also defeated in March 2014 by Ernesto Montilla Jr.

British detained for child abuse P2 Bello: BBL has slim chance of passing P3

EDGEDAVAO Sports

IN THE LAND OF GIANTS. Life can be challenging for photojournalists as in this scene where Edge Davao lensman Lean Daval Jr. tries to squeeze in between giant-sized basketball players to take a photograph of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte delivering a speech during the Kadayawan Basketball Tournament opening. NJB

Miraculous win by THRMH-CMO in Kadayawan cagefest Page 16

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 99 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2015

THE PLEDGE. Newly promoted members of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) pledge to serve the people. Armando B. Fenequito Jr.

PDP-Laban mulling alliance with another party: Pimentel

By FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA

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ARTIDO Demokratiko Pilipinas-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-LABAN) is eying an alliance with another political party to strengthen its bid for the 2016 presidential election.

Former Senator Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel said as a small political party, PDP-LABAN needs to form an alliance with another party because it cannot win the presidency all by itself.

“That is important kay di ma mahimo nga ang PDP gamay nga partido sulohon niya maka padaog og presidente.

That is not possible,” he said.

Pimentel, however, said there is still no confirmation as to what party the PDP-Laban will ally itself with.

He said the alliance will

still depend on which party will support the same advocacies, among them a shift to federalism which he has long been supporting.

Pimentel said among the possible presidential candidates, it is only Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte who has a clear platform on federalism.

He said no one in the PDP-Laban will oppose Duterte’s being the party standard bearer.

Duterte had re-entered the PDP-Laban last February and had been tagged as the party’s presidential candidate should he decide to run for the position.

Duterte is widely believed to be eying the presidency, although he has consistently denied it.

Miner faces drug raps

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

T

abf@edgedavao.net

HE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has filed a case against a miner who was intercepted in a checkpoint in Sirawan, Toril on Sunday carrying methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) worth P540,000.

The suspect was identified as George Boligao, 44, a miner residing in Barangay Poblacion Maragusan, Compostela Valley Province.

He was submitted for inquest procedure before the City Prosecution Office yesterday.

Boligao is being charged for violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and for illegal possession

of firearm.

The PDEA said Boligao was on board on a public utility van when a member of Task Force (TF) Davao checked inside the vehicle and found a .45 caliber pistol with seven live ammunitions in his possession.

TF Davao then frisked Boligao and found 12 sachets of shabu worth P540,000 as well as drug paraphernalia.

In an interview with reporters, Boligao said he was transporting the shabu from Cotabato City to Maragusan in Comval.

PDEA 11 regional director Adzhar Albani said his office is considering Boligao as a bigtime drug pusher.

British detained for child abuse Human trafficking case submitted for resolution

By ANTONIO M. AJERO

A

BRITISH national charged with child abuse is still detained in the Davao City Jail. This was learned from sources at the Davao City Prosecutor’s Office.

The same sources said that Lennox James Ellis, 71, of Butterfly Grove 12 Woodridge Park, was detained after Branch 33 of the Davao Regional Trial Court denied his

petition for bail on the child abuse case.

The foreigner may be in deeper trouble as a graver case of human trafficking filed against him was being investigated by the city prosecutor’s office.

A source told EDGE Davao the trafficking case has been submitted for resolution.

That resolution is expected to come out sometime during

the end of this month.

A resolution indicting the British for human trafficking means he would have to be detained indefinitely because under the law, Republic Act 9208 or Anti-Trafficking in Person Act of 2003, no bail shall be recommended for an accused for cases involving violation of Section 4 (Acts of Trafficking) in relation Section 6 (Qualified Trafficking)

during the pendency of the case.

Meanwhile, four children aged 13, 12, 11, and 8 who are the alleged victims of abuse and trafficking, are in the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Region 11.

The children are in good hands, according to DSWD Regional Director Priscilla N. Razon yesterday.

Jimlani went to Bankerohan near Mercury Drug last Friday afternoon with more than 50 members of his unit and three huge dump trucks.

It was the same area where some members of the unit were wounded in a riot two weeks ago. The riot ensued when vendors refused submit their products to the demolition unit.

“We are showing them that we are not afraid to them since we are the authorities,”

Jimlanin said on Friday.

He said the vendors in the area are his unit’s main concern because these people do not follow the policies of the city government on sidewalk use.

Jimlani said the vendors in the area occupy majority of the road, causing traffic jams.

“Sa isa ka vendor sobra usa kalibo katao ang nahasol (Every vendor causes inconvenience to more than a thousand people),” he said.

Jimlani said the vendors who pelted the members of his unit with stones have already been identified and cases will be filed against them any time.

He said the nose of one of his men was broken after he was hit by a big stone during the riot two weeks ago.

Jimlani he also cited the death of one of his members last December after being gunned down by some of the

Demolition unit intensifies operations in Bankerohan T

HE Davao City Demolition Unit is now intensifying its operation in the Bankerohan area to strictly implement the one-third, two-thirds policy on sidewalk and street vendors.

In an interview, Demolition Unit head Yusop Jimlani told reporters that the products of all vendors who will be caught violating the policy in the area will be automatically confiscated and will never be returned.

FDEMOLITION, 10

VOL. 8 ISSUE 99 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2015

NEWS 3

EDGEDAVAO

Time running out for BBL

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S it is holding only three session days per week, Congress has only 18 session days left from August 17 for the interpellation, period of amendments, voting and bicameral conference on the substitute bills on the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) — HB 5811 in the House of Representatives and SB 2894 in the Senate – before the plenary debates on the budget begins on September 28.

Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, chair of the Ad Hoc Committee on the BBL told the Metro Manila-based radio station DZBB Sunday morning that he hopes his colleagues would be present on August 17 “until we finish this bill for the second and third reading in the middle of September” because according to the calendar of the Committee on Rules, the 2016 budget will be debated in the plenary by September 28.

“There will be no more debates (on) BBL, so therefore the real deadline (for the passage of the BBL) is on or before Sept. 28.

Dapat tapos na sa (this should be finished in the) House,” Rodriguez said.

MindaNews counted only 18 session days from Mondays to Wednesdays between August 17 and September 23, a Wednesday.

Congress goes on recess from October 10 to November 2.

Within the recess is the filing of certificates of candidacy on October 12 to 16, by those who are running for elective posts in the synchronized elections of May 9, 2016.

If no BBL is passed before Congress goes on recess, elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), the regional body that would be abolished once the Bangsamoro Transition Authority takes over after the ratification of the BBL, will proceed as scheduled in 2016.

At the Senate, the period of interpellation is scheduled to begin on August 17.

Both substitute bills — in the House and the Senate – are being criticized for paving the way for a Bangsamoro that will be “less than the ARMM that it seeks to replace.”

At the House of Representatives, the period of interpellation for HB 5811 started on June 2 and was suspended on June 10 when Congress adjourned sine die. By then only eight of 38 representatives who had signed up, had finished their interpellation.

Interpellation was supposed to resume on August 4 but there was no quorum on August 4, 5, 10 and 11.

Quorum problems On August 12, only two

FTIME, 10

Nograles committee endorses Green Jobs bill for 2nd reading

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AVAO City first district Rep. and House Committee on Labor chairman Karlo B. Nograles has announced that his committee has approved and endorsed for second reading the much-anticipated Philippine Green Jobs Act (PGJA) which seeks to open job opportunities in the field of green technology and environment conservation.

Nograles said that House Bill 4969 has already passed the scrutiny of the House Committee on Appropriation and the Ways and Means Committee to determine the fund viability of the proposal. The Senate, through Sen. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, has also promised commitment to pass Senate Bill 2893 or their version of the Green Jobs Act, which was hailed by the United Nation’s International Labour Organization (ILO) as the “first of its kind” and a creative innovation to address the challenges of climate change.

The so-called “Green Jobs Bill” by Nograles seeks to promote work that produces goods and services that benefit and preserve the environment. These particularly involve business enterprises that use lesser natural resources in their production processes.

“With the adverse effects of climate change being felt around the world and its increasing threat to lives and properties, nations have found it imperative to facilitate and guide the process of making industries less harmful to the environment,” Nograles said.

The Nograles measure is also pushing for fiscal incentives and tax perks to encourage individuals and enterprises to participate in the creation of green jobs, practice the use of environment-friendly techonologies and produce green goods and services.

Nograles said that the so-

FNOGRALES, 10

ABSENTEEISM. Rep. Silvestre Bello III (right) of 1BAP party-list discloses that many congressmen tend to go absent in order to avoid controversial bills like the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) and the Anti-dynasty Law. Bello

was joined by councilor Danilo Dayanghirang during yesterday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at the Annex of SM City Davao. Lean Daval Jr.

Bello: BBL has slim chance of passing

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

U

crc@edgedavao.net

NA ang Barangay Ating Paunlarin (1-BAP) party-list Rep. Silvestre H. Bello III yesterday said the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) has a slim chance of being approved at the Lower House despite the effort of President Benigno Aquino to woo lawmakers.

“The Lower House cannot start the discussion of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law which will create the proposed Bangsamoro Area because a lot of legislators are usually not present. There’s no qorum,” Bello said during the Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Annex.

Bello, a member of the 75-member ad hoc commit-

tee on the BBL, said some legislators do not attend sessions intentionally for various reasons.

“This will further delay the passage of the bill,” he said.

Bello said some members of Congress personally do not like the bill, especially those who are non-Muslims from Mindanao.

“They don’t like the bill because their constituents don’t like the bill neither,” he said.

Bello said the opt-in provision in the original version of the bill could lead to an autonomous Mindanao instead of just an autonomous region to be called as Bangsamoro.

“The Supreme will not al-

low this because it may lead to the creation of an autonomous Mindanao. According to the provision, an area contiguous to proposed Bangsamoro area can be part as long as 10 percent of its population voted to be part of it, but it has to be ratified in a plebiscite,” he said.

He also said the members of the Makabayan block in the Congress also expressed their opposition to the bill as well as the proposed amendments to the provisions of the ad hoc committee in the Lower House.

“We have deleted 32 provisions from the original proposed bill made according to the Comprehensive Agree-

Graft charge vs lady mayor of Surigao Norte dismissed

T FRIENDLY MATCH. The Royal Mandaya Hotel owner Glenn Escandor exchanges pleasantries with boxing superstar Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquaio before the start of a game between their respective basketball teams at the Davao City Recreation Center on Saturday night. Lean Daval Jr.

ment for the Bangsamoro and Framework Agreement for the Bangsamoro of the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF),” he said.

One of these is the provision pertaining to the power of the Shariah Court, which he said is unconstitutional.

“Under the constitution, it is only the Supreme Court that has the judiciary power.

Decisions made by the Shariah Court should be subjected to the review of the Supreme Court,” he added.

He also said the bill will have a long way to go in the Senate after Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. filed a substitute bill.

HE Office of the Ombudsman has dismissed the complaint against Mayor Sheila Mae Orquina-Cebedo of Bacuag town in Surigao del Norte and two other respondents for alleged violation of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. The five-page resolution issued by the Ombudsman dated June 15 but only received by the parties last Thursday said Cebedo, municipal engineer Panfilo Ochavez, and contractor Robert Yuipco could not be held liable for any violation of RA 3019.

Lawyer Mario F. Sison, regional director of National Bureau of Investigation-Cara-

ga filed the complaint against the three respondents on October 30, 2014.

His complaint alleged that the covered court in Barangay Payapag, Bacuag was constructed without conforming to the approved plans and specifications.

He said that based on the project inspection report of the Commission on Audit-Caraga the end portion of every truss beyond the roof beam was made of an angle bar instead of a channel bar.

He added the project was completed on March 28, 2008 and turned over a day before the completion.

But Yuipco maintained that the project followed the

FGRAFT, 10

EDGEDAVAO

4 SUBURBIA

VOL. 8 ISSUE 99 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2015

Davao del Norte given good governance seal

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2015 held in Manila.

The City of Mati is all set to defend its crown as the grand champion of Indak-indak sa Kadalanan and is hoping for another honor.

“It is with great pride that we are able to send another entry this year to Kadayawan Festival to also showcase our culture and heritage and our very own festival, the Sambuokan, which happens every last

week of October” said Mayor Carlo Rabat during the viewing of the general rehearsal at Dawan National High School.

The entry is also being supported by Governor Corazon Malanyaon and Rep. Nelson Dayanghirang.

“We are hoping that we will be able to give another spectacular performance for this year’s Kadayawan” added Mayor Rabat.

HE Provincial Government of Davao del Norte made it to the 2015 Seal of Good Local governance (SGLG) for its sustained effort in promoting transparency and accountability while beefing up programs that directly benefit the people.

In a letter received by the Provincial Administrator’s Office on August 11, 2015, Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas informed Governor Rodolfo del Rosario that the province earned the recognition.

“Congratulations for making it,” Roxas said.

He said the province has met all the criteria of the core components of the award, particularly good financial housekeeping (GFH), social protection and disaster preparedness.

The province also met the requirements for all the other essential components of the Seal, to include business-friendliness and competitiveness, environmental management, and peace and order.

Roxas said the award entitled the PLGU to access the Performance Challenge Fund (PCF) for this year in the amount of P7 million.

Other privileges due the province include securing of

ORE than five hundred pregnant, lactating, and childbearing women in Davao City availed themselves of free medical services during the Kalinga Kay Inay (KKI) health fair on July 24 and 25, 2015 in Bankerohan and Matina, respectively.

KKI is a tripartite effort of CARD Mutually Reinforcing Institutions (CARD MRI), a so-

cial development organization based in San Pablo, Laguna and US-based organizations Freedom From Hunger (FFH) and Microcredit Summit Campaign (MCS).

“KKI health fairs are open to all microfinance clients of CARD MRI and partner microfinance institutions as well as non-microfinance clients in the local community,” CARD

MRI health coordinator Tria Marie Torres said.

The project aims to contribute in improving health knowledge and promoting behavior change to more than 600,000 women by the end of 2015 and help decrease the high maternal mortality rate in the Philippines, thus helping to address the country’s poor performance on Millennium

Mati City to defend Indak-indak crown GO FOR THE WIN. Mayor Carlo Rabat gives a pep talk to students after viewing the general rehearsal at Dawan National High School.

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HE City of Mati, last year’s Kadayawan Festival Indak-indak sa Kadalanan Grand Champion, will have another entry this year and is determined to go for the win once again.

It will be represented by its own Sambuokan Festival Indak-Sayaw grand champion 2014 from Dawan National High School.

Last year’s entry, repre-

sented by Matiao National High School, also won as grand champion of North Cotabato’s Kalivungan Festival 2014, Saranggani Province’s Lubi-Lubi Festival 2014, after winning as Kadayawan Festival Indak-indak sa Kadalanan 2014 grand champion.

They also represented the City of Mati, Davao Oriental and had a respectable finish in the national Aliwan Festival

GFH certification for loan purposes, as well as, availing of other national program windows like Bottom-Up Budgeting Program and the SALINTUBIG program.

Del Rosario welcomed the award, saying it is a manifestation of the success of his reform initiatives under his human-centered P.E.O.P.L.E. development agenda.

“More than the glowing recognition and awards heaped upon us, it is more valuable to touch lives and create a tripple effect by which those lives can touch more lives,” the governor said in his recent State of the Province Address.

The SLGL succeeded the Seal of Good Housekeeping (SGH) award, of which the province was also a recipient in the past years.

DILG Secretary Mar Roxas previously said the SGLG was introduced to provide greater challenge to local governments to continue good governance practices while providing better services.

Conferment of the SGLG marker and the PCF cheque is tentatively scheduled for the third to fourth week of August, according to the DILG memorandum signed by Undersecretary Austere Panadero. (PNA)

Development Goal (MDG) 5.

The Local Government Unit of Davao City, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) 11, and Department of Health 11 gave their full support to the project.

PhilHealth agreed to set up a booth in the venue to invite beneficiaries of the health fair to enroll in PhilHealth. It also

Farmers train in natural Dabawenya mothers get free medical services farming technology M

T

WENTY-TWO farmers in Kidapawan City recently honed their skills in natural farming technology (NFT) intended to boost their income-generation capability.

The three-day training-workshop which focused on crop production was rolled out by the World Vision Development Foundation Inc. in partnership with the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).

Marion Abella, provincial agrarian reform program officer II, explained that NFT is a farming system which promotes indigenous farming techniques that could help achieve high productivity and profitability and promote sustainable agriculture, particularly among the beneficiaries of the national government’s agrarian program.

“We always want to help our farmers, especially the agrarian reform beneficiaries, to increase their household income by looking for ways to help them reduce their production cost,” Abella said.

Abella emphasized that DAR never stops promoting agricultural concepts and technologies such as the nat-

ural farming system technology that will turn farms, especially the CARP covered lands, into gainful enterprises.

Meanwhile, Ian Oliver Galeos, economic development specialist of the World Vision, said that NFT is a response to clamour of farmers in Kidapawan City on low farm productivity and high cost of farm inputs.

“The spiralling cost of farm inputs always put our farmers at a losing end. As a result, farmers earn low income and thereby not able to provide all the needs of their family,” Galeos said.

To help reduce cost in farm inputs, farmers from the villages of Ginatilan and Perez in Kidapawan City were taught in preparing fertilizers and pesticides using NFT concoctions.

“NFT concoctions are easy to prepare and the materials are readily available within the vicinity of their house and farms,” he said.

After learning the technology, trainee-farmers are encouraged to share their knowledge with other farmers in their respective communities, thereby increasing the possibility of technology

FDABAWENYA, 10

FFARMERS, 10 HEALTH CHECK. A doctor checks on two young mothers and their children during the Kalinga Kay Inay (KKI) health fair in Davao City.

EDGEDAVAO

5 ECONOMY

VOL. 8 ISSUE 99 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2015

Davao introduces green technology Piñol: Duterte wants to make city major food production area

By CHENEEN R. CAPON crc@edgedavao.net

M

AYOR Rodrigo R. Duterte is bent on transforming Davao into a major food production area by introducing the greenhouse technology in the city.

Former North Cotabato governor Manny Piñol said Duterte gave the go-signal for the establishment of the manually-operated model greenhouse after a presentation of the greenhouse technology by the Israeli firm Gur Lavi Corp. at Hotel Elena Sunday night.

“The mayor is very excited about it,” Piñol said, “He wants to make food available and affordable in every table.”

Piñol said the model greenhouse will be established either in Mintal or Calinan in two month’s time.

The 272-square meter model greenhouse will increase yield on agricultural products and transform the city into a major food production area.

“Hopefully, this will start a revolution in Philippine agriculture,” Piñol said in yesterday’s regular Kapehan sa Dabaw media conference at SM City Annex.

The project is a joint ven-

ture between the Israeli company and the City Government of Davao.

“Mayor Duterte wants to turn the city into a major (food) production area,” Piñol said. “It will serve as show window for greenhouse technology in Davao and eventually encourage farmers to adopt the technology.”

The first crop to be planted in the pilot greenhouse will be cucumber, according to Piñold.

“But, it can be also planted with lettuce, cabbage and even strawberry,” he said.

Piñol said Duterte met with Gur Lavi Corp. chairman Eyal Ben Ari to discuss the establishment and adoption of the green technology which Israel has been using.

Despite the good climatic and soil condition as well as huge labor force, the Philippines continue to import basic agriculture products like onion and garlic whereas Israel, which is mostly dessert, have higher productivity of cash crops like bell pepper, tomato, lettuce.

“A study conducted by Gur Lavi revealed that an open field farm with a total area of

1,000 square meters can only produce 4,000 kilogram (kg) of tomato per year while the same area which uses green-

house technology can yield up to 25,000 kilograms (kg) continuously per year,” Piñol said.

“Per kilogram of tomatoes

GREENHOUSE TECHNOLOGY. Israeli Chamber of Commerce of Philippines president Eyal Ben Ari (center) discusses the effort of the Israeli government to help improve the agriculture industry in Davao City and other provinces of the country through the green house technology. Ari was joined by former

in our market is cheaper compared to your tomatoes here,” firm president said Be Ari, also president of the Israel Cham-

ber of Commerce of the Philippines.

Ben Ari said a kilo of toma-

FDAVAO, 10

North Cotabato governor Manny Piñol (left) and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) 11 director Joffrey M. Suyao in yesterday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Annex. Lean Daval Jr.

6 THE ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 99 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2015

Int’l hotel projects in Davao to boost job opportunities

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TAKE YOUR PICK. Durian fruit lovers choose from the different varieties sold at Magsaysay Park fruit stand in Davao City on Saturday. Lean Daval Jr.

Ban vs sale of butane refill canisters pushed

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

C

crc@edgedavao.net

OUNCILOR Leonardo R. Avila III will propose an ordinance that will prohibit the transportation and selling of illegally-refilled butane canister with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

Avila, chair of the City Council committee on environment, said the proposal came after the meeting last week of the task force tasked to look into the issue of illegally-refilled butane canister.

The task force has already confiscated a total of 3,000 canisters, which were still undisposed because of the lack of a final disposal facility.

“My committee is now finalizing the proposal and I will be presenting it to the City Council for first reading in the

next few weeks,” Avila said during the Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Annex yesterday.

Avila said there is no existing law that regulates the refilling, transportation as well as selling of this refilled canister. Only the product standard of the Department of Trade and Industry looks into the matter.

The confiscation also did not fall under the mandate of the Bureau of Fire as defined by the Fire Code of the Philippines.

But, petroleum and energy regulator Department of Energy (DOE) has already issued a statement that refilling butane canister is illegal because of its “inherent danger”.

The problem, Avila said, is

that refilled butane canisters are cheaper compared to 14 to 15 kilogram of LPG tanks which costs around P700.

Each canister costs P30 to P40 and can last three to five days.

The first district councilor said the city should have an ordinance which will prohibit the selling and transporting of refilled gas following the three incidents that caused injury and damage to property.

The Bureau of Fire in Davao City recorded three fire incidents caused by explosion of illegally refilled butane canister in Davao City.

One incident was the June 20, 2014 fire at the Miniforest, Barangay 23-C .The total damage to property during the

June 20 fire incident reached almost a million pesos.

The second incident transpired at the Davao City Special National High School located at Km. 7, Bangkal, Talomo, Davao City on August 1 last year during the celebration of Nutrition month where two students and a teacher was injured.

The third was the fire incident that happened in Purok 12, Barangay 76-A, Bucana, Davao City.

“Illegally-refilled butane canisters are considered dangerous. The canister is not thick enough to hold the pressured LPG gas,” Avila said.

He added that butane canisters are not designed to be refilled because it is very thin.

sign with each room having a curtain wall (floor to ceiling glass wall) to maximize the light permeability. One of the hotel’s highlights is its tropically landscaped atrium, which provides an amazing view of Resorts World Manila and the entire township.

“The entry of Belmont Hotel in Newport City is a timely opportunity as the existing hotels experience remarkable monthly occupancy rates since they opened a few years ago. We are bringing a new brand to cater to the discerning tastes of business travelers,” explains Lorenzo Tang, General Manager, Newport Belmont Hotel.

Newport Belmont Hotel boasts of first-class amenities that includepodium gardens, a 24-hour fitness center and workout area, lap pool with in-water pool lounge, paved sunbathing lounge, massage

deck and seating area, pool spa, steam and sauna rooms as well as its own business center and medical clinic.

It will also have a dining and shopping arcade at the ground level.

This will be the first hotel under the Belmont brand to be opened, and the fourth hotel brand to rise in the vast Newport City township, which also houses Resorts World Manila and three other hotels, namely: Marriott Hotel Manila, Maxims Hotel and Remington Hotel.

Currently, these hotels have a total of1,137 rooms that enjoy an average of at least 85-90% occupancy rate every month.

Last year, Megaworld chairman Dr. Andrew L. Tan announced that the real estate giant along with its sister company Travellers International Hotel Group will be

building hotels around the country with a total of 12,000 rooms.

In the next five years, both companies will be expanding to an additional 10,000 new hotel rooms, all of which will be in Megaworld’s township developments.

“By the year 2020, we envision our group to be the largest hotel developer in the Philippines,” Dr. Tan announced.

Just this year, Megaworld has also opened the 12-storey, 149-room Richmonde Hotel Iloilo inside the 72-hectare Iloilo Business Park in Mandurriao, Iloilo City. This is the first under the Richmonde Hotel brand to open outside of Metro Manila.

To date, both Megaworld and Travellers International have already built 2,049 rooms in its existing hotels:

Megaworld to open first Belmont Hotel in Newport

P

ROPERTY giant Megaworld is set to launch a new hotel brand in Newport City this year. To be called Newport Belmont Hotel, this local brand by Megaworld will be first introduced within the company’s 25-hectare township in Pasay City, just across the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3.

Set to be fully-operational in October this year, Newport Belmont Hotel is a 10-storey business-class hotel consisting of 480 rooms and suites ranging from 23 to 33 square meters in size.It is located right in front of the new Marriott Grand Ballroom, which is touted to be the biggest pillarless hotel ballroom in the country today. It is also just within walking distance from Resorts World Manila and Newport Mall.

The hotel features a contemporary architectural de-

FMEGAWORLD, 10

S Davao continues to be the major economic hub in southern Philippines, international hospitality brand Dusit International is optimistic in providing job opportunities to the local community via its on-going property development projects.

Particularly, the world-renowned hotel brand has partnered with Torre Lorenzo to bring in Dusit Thani Residences and dusitD2 Hotel. With these projects, the partnership aims to provide upscale luxury accommodations for high-level business travelers and tourists from around the globe.

The Philippine Statistics authority recently reported that the Davao region posted the fastest gross domestic product (GDP) growth among the 17 regions in the country.

According to Ryan Chen, Dusit International director of development for Asia Pacific, they are confident that their projects will further boost this growth.

He noted that the projects are set to open job opportunities for hotel staff and crew who will be trained by Dusit International.

“Dusit will be primarily tapping the local labor force to service the properties in line with our global quality standards. We will also be entering into contracts for linen, food and other supplies needed in the day-to-day business of managing a hotel,” Chen said.

Chen noted that with the entry of the aforementioned luxury projects, Davao entrepreneurs could expect to cater to a more diversified tourist population that will include those with high-end prefer-

ences.

“Dusit International believes in the Davao market and the tourism prospects for this province. We are optimistic about what Davao has to offer business investors and leisure travellers by way of being a destination for conventions, summits, as well as more personalized, high-end tourism activities,” Chen said.

Dusit International earlier announced that Davao is host to the first Dusit Thani Residences in Asia, as the company’s other serviced apartments are located in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. It will be nestled within the Siam 8000 community project, a master planned community located along Maryknoll Drive in Barangay Pampanga, Davao City.

The property is scheduled for turnover in 2018. It is designed with the security and well-being of its guests in mind, featuring a centralized theater for its amenities, as well as thoughtfully designed landscapes and gardens that create a sense of relaxation for its users.

Meanwhile, dusitD2 Hotel is Dusit International’s brand of contemporary and casual accommodations for the savvy, stylish traveler.

The hotel will feature high-tech and modern conveniences coupled with chic and playful design that matches Davao city’s youthful vibe.

This will be the first dusitD2 Hotel in the Philippines.

Dusit International will oversee the day-to-day operations of the said properties, following their 65-year tradition of Thai hospitality and creating an enlivening experience for all guests.

Foundation urged to help MSMEs become competitive

T

HE Department of Trade and Industry on Friday challenged the organizers of the annual Mindanao Trade Expo (MTE) to help the products of micro, small and medium enterprises compete with exports coming from neighboring countries.

DTI 11 director Maria Belenda Q. Ambi said the organizers can do this by expanding their network of designers, inventors, and technology providers.

Ambi said this will provide MSMEs more options for product development in preparation for the Asean Economic Community (AEC), which will take effect in December this year.

“With the full implementation of the AEC, it is definitely necessary to take more aggressive and innovative measures in building the capacities of our MSMEs, thus, keep up with the challenges and capture opportunities in Asean and the rest of the world,” Ambi said in her message at the opening of the MTE 2015 at the Abreeza Mall.

She noted that the holding of the MTE has benefited the MSMEs, as it has provided them an opportunity to link up with the local market for two decades already.

“It has become one of the ‘must participate’ market encounter by micro, small and medium enterprises in this part of the country wanting to introduce and exhibit their products and find markets or expand their markets,” Ambi said.

Benjamin L. Kalalo, trustee for houseware sector of the Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. pointed out that Asean, which has about 600 million consumers, offers wide market opportunities for local exporters.

He added the free trade agreements “provide avenues for us to be integrated in production or supply chains.”

This year’s MTE gathered around 100 exhibitors coming from different parts of Mindanao, according to Marian Mahinay, executive director of MTE Foundation Inc. (MTEFI).

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VOL. 8 ISSUE 99 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2015

EDGEDAVAO EVENT

FIRST WOMAN PRESIDENT LEADS DAVAO JC SENATE FOR the first time in its 45-year history, a woman heads the male-dominated JCI Senate Davao (Davao Jaycee Senate). JCI Senator Jocelyn Tagle-Ledesma was elected the 2015 President of the Organization in the annual elections that coincided with its Christmas Party.

In the meeting of the Board immediately after the directorial elections, she emerged at the top, followed by Officers JCI Sen. Richard Eric T. Tandoc as Executive Vice President, JCI Sen. Ramona R. Naidas as Vice President for Internal Affairs, JCI Sen. Edely Tarrazona as Vice President for External Affairs, JCI Sen. Anna Marie Fanlo Candari as Treasurer and JCI Sen. Gavin S. Tulio as Secretary General. Others elected as Directors of the Board for the year 2015 were: JCI Sen. Jeremaine Cua, JCI Sen. Bayani S. Estanislao II, JCI Sen. Teddy Garcia, JCI Sen. Ryan Gaw, JCI Sen. Danilo Gotera, JCI Sen. Jesus Leonardo Mabaquiao, JCI Sen. Salvador Nagal, JCI Sen. Karlo Alexei Nograles, JCI Sen. Antonio Nicolas Partoza III and JCI Sen. Ralph E. Aviola, Immediate Past President, Ex-Officio.

JCI Senator Jocelyn Tagle-

Ledesma, simply Jocy to friends and family, is definitely no stranger to positions of leadership. For one, in 1985, in an historical landmark among the Jaycees of Davao, she was elected President of the Davaoeña “Daba-Daba” Jaycees, the first and only lady chapter in the City then. The new chapter was extended by the Davao Jaycees headed at that time by JC James Lee as President. With Davao City’s booming population now, that first and only lady chapter has increased to three exclusively-women chapters and, after thirty years, the Davaoena “Daba-Daba” Jaycees remains as strong as ever.

Prez Jocy, as she is now familialy called by her officers and members of the Davao Jaycee Senate, has been a JC Senator for the past ten years, having been one of the first female Jaycees to become Davao JC Senator in

The 2015 Davao Jaycees Senate BOD’s: (Front Row) Director Karlo Nograles, SG Gavin Tulio, Dir. Ryan Gaw, Treas. Annie Candari, Pres.

Jocy Ledesma, VP Rona Naidas, IPP King Aviola, Dir. Vadz Nagal, Asst. Treas. Nick Partoza. (Back Row) Dir. Jojo Cua, Dir. Teddy Garcia, Dir. Danny Gotera, EVP Richard Tandoc and Asst. SG Toto Mabaquiao 2005. they are: Jose Francisco, the until 2013.

After her presidency in the eldest, Paolo Javier, Isabela AnMatching Sen. Jocy’s religious Davaoena Jaycees, JCI Sen. Jocy drea, Martin Alfonso, Benjamin zeal are her active business and took time off from the world of Lorenzo and Francis Jacob, the civic endeavors, such as being civic life and married Davao youngest. A product of the At- a licensed real estate broker, a business executive Francis R. eneo de Davao University with member of both the Davao Real Ledesma. Fully concentrating a degree in Liberal Arts, major Estate Board, Inc. and the Philon raising a family, she bore a in Sociology and minor in Psy- ippine Association of Real Estotal of six children: five boys chology , with undergraduate tate Brokers. Earlier, she was a and one girl. Now ranging in studies in Industrial Psychology member of the Ventures Club of age from 14 and 27 years old, from the Ateneo de Manila Uni- Davao, a club for aspiring young versity tucked in her belt, Sen. women-enterpreneurs. She is a Jocy did not remain a fulltime long-time officer as well, of their housewife for long. As her chil- family business, the well-estabdren grew, with some graduat- lished Tagle Marketing based in ing from the best Jesuit schools Juna. Lately, she and her husand working, Sen. Jocy got back band Francis set up Saddleback in track and put her creative Haven, an emerging tourist desleadership skills into use once tination up in the mountain in more to pursue various advoca- Baracatan. On top of all these, cies. She immersed herself in Sen. Jocy is the local representaChristian teaching and training. tive of Aklat Gabay Aruga tunJCI Senators’ Lovely Ladies (Seated L-R): Lory Chua, Pres. Jocy, Sen. Narda Lu, Tess Valenzuela, Ching Bonguyan (Standing): Treas. Annie In 2006, she co-founded the go Sa Pag-Angat at Pag-Asa or Candari, Evelyn Grapa, Len-len Tan, Cathy Guino-o, Ninna Partoza, Alice Reyes, Tessie Angliongto, Lucie Jeng, Joy Orig, Nina Lee, VP Rona Leaders United for Missions and “AGAPP,” a non-profit organiDevelopment or LUMAD, giv- zation engaged in the construcNaidas. ing much of herself to the Orga- tion and development of library/ nization to provide medical and pre-school classrooms in public dental missions, education, and schools. In Davao City and Reschool buildings to their adopt- gion XI alone, AGAPP has built ed tribal communities in Ara- 29 schools or 58 classrooms kan Valley, North Cotabato (on from 2010 to the present. Pres. the way to BUDA), and training Jocy is the local representative the lumads in sanitation, gar- of Pinky Aquino-Abelleda, codening , reforestation and more founder of AGAPP. Indeed, Senator Jocy has JCI Sen. & Past President James Lee receiving the 2014 importantly, evangelizing them.

With Pres. Jocy are Senators John Enerio, Vadz Nagal, Nonnie & Annie Candari, Most Outatnding Senator Award presented by IPP She has gone through numer- tamed and excellently handled Rona Naidas, Ninna & Nick Partoza. Seated are Atty. Art & Len-len Tan. King Aviola and JCI Senator Toto Mabaquiao. ous trainings herself in foster- the intimidating role of being ing her career as a pastor/Bible a wife, mother of six, businessteacher, such as at the Gary V. woman, pastor and community Johnson Leadership Training leader. And now, being the first Institute (1998-2000) and the woman President of the Davao Haggai Leadership Institute in Jaycee Senate is no doubt a sinMaui, Hawaii in 2011. She co- gular achievement, a crowning founded as well the Family of glory of leadership for the amazFaith Church International in ing lady. The Davao Jaycee SenJCI Sen. Bobby and Joy Orig & JCI Sen. Karlo Senators Bdul Arana, Danny Gotera, King Aviola, Pres. Jocy & husband Francis, Sen. 2006 and remained as Associate ate must truly be proud. and Marga Nograles.

Jeffrey Catotal, Nonnie & Annie Candari, Marga & Karlo Nograles.

Pastor and Training Director

EDGEDAVAO

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VOL. 8 ISSUE 99 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2015

UP AND ABOUT

Kadayawan Food Highlights at MARCO POLO DAVAO

GUESTS can truly look lechong baboy, Jamon forward to an exception- Serrano, and rice at Café al dining experience at Marco.

Marco Polo Davao this A wide variety of Grilled SeaKadayawan season. For food and Malagos cheese, two only P1,200 for lunch of Davao’s signature delicacies, and P1,500 for dinner, will also be available. Kakanin, you can have a taste of lo- halo-halo, Lumad desserts (like cal Filipino favorites like Wadjet maka durian, daral and kinilaw (ceviche) lumpia pasong) will give you a memoubod (spring rolls), rable dining experience during

The SM Store holds Kadayawan Festival Sale

CELEBRATE KADAYAWAN FESTIVAL at The SM Store Davao and Lanang Premier now until August 23 and enjoy up to 50% off on great selection storewide!

What’s more? Shop with your SM Advantage, SM Prestige or BDO Rewards card to get a Voyager Luggage for only P888 with a minimum P3,000 singlereciept purchase only on August 21 to 23.

Enjoy the Kadayawan Festival happening only at The SM Store Davao and Lanang Premier.

this most festive time of the year.

Chef Alex Destriza, the newly appointed Executive Sous Chef of Marco Polo Davao, will also be serving his Kadayawan dishes at Polo Bistro at The Deck. His set menu includes two choices of a three-course meal for only P888.

The Lotus Court will also be serving its signature Cantonese dishes. You can also get a chance to win a 2-night stay for two in Marco Polo Gateway and Marco Polo Hong Kong Hotel for a minimum purchase of P888 nett as the hotel is currently running its Dine-and-Stay with Marco Polo Hotels promotion until September 30, 2015.

The Kadayawan Specials at Café Marco and Polo Bistro will also be available from August 17 until August 23. For reservations and more information call the Marco Polo Davao at +63.82.221.0888.

Changi Airport rolls out FAST check-in with SIA and SilkAir

PASSENGERS departing from Changi Airport can now look forward to a speedier and more flexible check-in experience as Changi Airport Group (CAG) partners Singapore Airlines and its regional wing, SilkAir on their Fast and Seamless Travel (FAST) check-in trial in Terminal 2.

The trial will build up to a full suite of FAST options in 2016, giving passengers of both airlines more choices for checkin as well as faster processing through the automated check-in kiosks and bag drops.

From today, passengers travelling on Singapore Airlines and SilkAir flights from Terminal 2 can use any of the 24 check-in kiosks. Another 24 kiosks will be introduced in Terminal 3 subsequently.

For passengers with baggage to check in, FAST check-in is a simple two-step process. They first obtain their board-

ing pass and bag tags at the kiosks. Once they have tagged their bags, passengers drop them off at the bag drop counters. There are instructional videos, signs and staff on ground to guide passengers on this process.

Passengers with carryon bags only may print their boarding passes at the kiosks and proceed directly to Departure Immigration. Alternatively, passengers who have done online or mobile check-in may also skip the counters and proceed to Departure Immigration with their homeprinted or mobile phone boarding passes (offered on selected itineraries).

Based on past trials conducted by CAG, 97% of passengers polled indicated that they were satisfied with the FAST check-in experience and would consider using it again. The entire FAST check-in sequence – including printing of boarding pass and bag

tags, together with tagging and baggage drop off – can be done in a matter of minutes. The time taken is expected to reduce as travellers gain familiarity with this mode of processing, given the growing use of automated check-in options in airports around the world.

In addition to providing passengers with a faster and more flexible check-in experience, automation will also help raise efficiency and productivity of check-in operations, thereby providing cost savings for airlines.

Mr Jayson Goh, CAG’s Senior Vice President for Airport Operations Management, said: “The adoption of FAST initiatives is in line with a wider global push towards self-service options at airports to improve productivity and efficiency, while at the same time providing passengers with greater flexibility and convenience. CAG

is pleased to partner Singapore Airlines and SilkAir on the FAST journey and will work closely with the airlines to continuously refine the process where necessary, so as to bring about a greater travel experience for our passengers.”

“We welcome the new FAST initiatives, which will streamline the check-in process for our customers. This reflects our ongoing efforts to offer customers more options and improve their travel experience with us,” said Mr Tan Pee Teck, Singapore Airlines Senior Vice President Product & Services.

“We are pleased to see the introduction of the various FAST initiatives to our customers, which will provide them with a more seamless check-in experience and contribute to the overall enhancement of our customers’ journey with us,” said Mr Goh Boon Hwee, SilkAir’s Vice President Operations.

VOL. 8 ISSUE 99 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2015

EDGEDAVAO

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ENTERTAINMENT

ASAP 20 stars, GMA Kapuso stars, and Zsa Zsa Padilla to grace Kadayawan at Abreeza Mall

ABREEZA MALL gears up for a massive Kadayawan celebration with showbiz’s brightest celebrities set to take the stage, in addition to a mallwide sale, a major shopping promo, and different pocket events all meant to honor Davao City’s biggest annual festivity.

On August 21 at 4pm, the stars of ABS-CBN’s ASAP 20 will be livening up the Activity Center; namely, Maja Salvador, Sam Milby, Rayver Cruz, Erik Santos, Daryl Ong, Sofia Andres, Bryan Termulo, Alexa Ilacad, and Nash Aguas. On August 22 at 5pm, it’s singing superstar Zsa Zsa Padilla’s turn to entertain Davaoeños with a musical performance. On August 23 at 3pm, The Rich Man’s Daughter stars Rhian Ramos and Mike Tan and Kapuso talent Mikael Daez will be bringing the GMA Kapuso Mall Show to the Activity Center. All celebrity shows are free admission.

Abreeza Mall is a major shopping haven until August 23 while the mall-wide Kadayawan Sale runs, with mall merchants offering discounts of up to 70% off. Also running until August 23 is the Kadayawan Shopaholic

Challenge, where shopping sprees worth a total of P100,000 are up for grabs: Seven winners will take home Ayala Malls electronic gift certificates worth P10,000 each, and one winner walks away with an electronic gift certificate worth P30,000. The electronic gift certificates work like a debit card and are valid for use at participating Abreeza Mall merchants with BPI terminals. To participate in the Kadayawan Shopaholic Challenge, shoppers must collect stamps by presenting single or accumulated receipts corresponding to merchant categories and purchase requirements indicated on the promo coupon. A total of five stamps per coupon are required to enter the raffle. For inquiries, shoppers may visit the Kadayawan Shopaholic Challenge booth near the Main Concierge at the Ground Floor.

Kadayawan revelers will enjoy a combination of great music, grilled delights, and good times at Kasadya Nights at the Third Floor Roof Garden from August 20 to 23 at 6pm. YouTube sensation Jireh Lim will be dishing out his hit songs on August 21, while local acts Thea Pitogo, Gap 69, and Negative Four will take the stage on August 20, 22, and 23, respectively.

runs all weekends of August at the Open Court.

For inquiries and updates on Abreeza Mall news and events, please visit the Main Concierge at the ground floor or

Other mall activities happening simultaneously make Kadayawan at Abreeza Mall truly something to look forward to. The Mindanao Trade Expo brings together a showcase of crafts by Mindanaobased micro, small, and

call (082) 321-9332. Stay updated by liking www. facebook.com/AbreezaMall and following @ abreezatweets on Twitter and @iloveabreezamall on Instagram.

medium enterprises at the Activity Center and Supermarket Hallway until August 20.

Meanwhile, back for its second year is Abreeza Mall’s Kadayawan Open Volleyball Tournament in partnership with Balebolista de Dabaw, which

Harana Boys to sing at SM City Davao on August 23

ASAP’s newest boy group, “Harana,” with Joseph Marco, Marlo Mortel, Bryan Santos and Michael Pangilinan heats up Kadayawan at SM City Davao on August 23.

Harana’s single, Number One, is part of the OPM Fresh Album which is an exclusive compilation of the newest and the freshest artists from Star Music. The group of teen heartthrobs also recorded the theme song of the movie “You’re My Boss.” With good looks and charm, the quartet

will surely make every young Davaoeña’s heart beat fast.

Shop at SM City Davao and get a VIP seat with every purchase of at least P 1,000. Take a photo with the Harana Boys with a purchase of

their album. Albums will be available onsite.

Meet and greet more of your favorite artists at SM City Davao this Kadayawan season. Catch Marimar stars Megan Young and Tom Rodriguez on August 21, as

well as the cast of Pasion de Amor and Coco Martin on August 22 at the Kapamilya Karavan.

Get into the Kadayawan vibe at SM City Davao! Enjoy the up to 70% discounts at the Kadayawan Sale with extended shopping hours until 10PM on August 14-15, 21 and 23, as well as until 12MN on August 22.

For inquiries, call 297.6998. Like SM City Davao on Facebook or follow @SMCityDavao on Twitter and @SMDavao on Instagram for event and promo updates.

August 17 – 18, 2015

FANTASTIC 4 / * ATTACK ON TITAN Part 1 Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Michael B. Jordan/ *Haruma Miura, Kiko Mizuhara PG/ *R16

11:30 | 1:40 | 3:50 LFS / *6:00 | 8:00 | 10:00 LFS

THE LOVE AFFAIR Bea Alonzo, Dawn Zulueta, Richard Gomez R13

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

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 5/ *NO ESCAPE Tom Cruise, Rebecca Ferguson/ *Owen Wilson, Pierce Brosnan PG /*R13

R-16

11:50 | 2:30 | 5:10 LFS / * 7:50 | 10:00 LFS

THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. Alicia Vikander, Henry Cavill, Hugh Grant PG

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

A4 INdulge!

UP AND ABOUT

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 99 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2015

Experience Kadayawan at PARK INN BY

RADISSON DAVAO THE KADAYAWAN FESTIVAL of Davao City is known as the “festival of festivals” in Mindanao, drawing tens of thousands of people from across the country, as well as international tourists. This annual event is a celebration of good harvest, giving thanks for the gifts of nature, the wealth of culture and the serenity of living.

Visit Davao and discover the sights and sounds of the city’s most colorful festival. Book the Kadayawan Room package at Park Inn

by Radisson Davao priced at only P5, 000 per night.

The package includes an overnight stay in our modern Standard room accommodation inclusive of breakfast for two adults

and two children. Package also includes a Quickfire lunch (4-course set meal) for a family (2 adults and 2 children) at RBG, our allday dining restaurant. For an extra adult, a supplement rate of P1,800 nett

per person per night will be charged.

Special limited offer until August 31, 2015. Book your rooms through +63 82 272 7600 or email reservations.davao@parkinn. com.

EDGEDAVAO

7 BIGGER PICTURE

VOL. 8 ISSUE 99 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2015

Fun run and rave party Text and Photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO

S

ATURDAY is the time when I give myself time off from whatever I am doing.

That’s the only day I can have fun and go out. Most of the time, Saturday is when I go to some places or have some relaxation with friends. After all, I am tied up with my work from Mondays to Fridays.

A few Saturdays back, I was invited by Roxan Obregon, the general manager of Big 8 Corporate Hotel in Tagum City, Davao del Norte. Actually, I got the invitation a few weeks earlier. At that time, I had some commitments but when the date was rescheduled, I decided to come.

I was glad I did. I had fun joining the Electro Run followed by Pool Party. Ever heard of running at night with colorful lights placed in your body? It’s as if you were electrified.

But that’s going ahead of the story.

Registration for the participants started at 7 in the evening. At 7:45, one of the hotel’s staff did the opening prayer.

The hosts of the program welcomed all the participants, about 200 people more or less.

To warm up before the fun run, some Zumba instructors led the group to follow the way they strutted and moved. It was just the beginning of the fun.

Past 8 in the evening, the hosts gave some reminders to the participants. By 8:20, the countdown to the electro run started. And then off they went. There were so

many in the beginning but only very few made it to the finals.

All those who were able to finish the race were welcomed with lots of foam at the covered parking area of the hotel.

And yes, they were given applause by those who saw them coming.

If you care to know, it was a five-kilometer run. The top three finishers, men’s division, were Jhong Mahinay, who clocked 18:55 minutes.

He was closely trailed by Junald Gucor, who did his best at 21:04 minutes.

Finishing third was Mark Kenneth Suarez, whose record was 25:22 minutes.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have the list of the top three finishers in the women’s division.

After the run, some of those who participated in the fun run went to the pool party. Two songs from the past were played: 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s. From there, the so-called millennium songs followed.

And yes, after that, there was the Rave Party.

‘Firstly, I would like to thank all those who ‘ignited the night’ with us.

I’m happy that it was successful,” Bobet Oliver, the hotel’s sales and marketing head, said as he also thanked the city mayor and those who sponsored the fun run.

“It was a different kind of running as it was not really competitive as everybody was just enjoying the lap and they were not really conscious of their time to finish the race.

One thing was very obvi-

Run run

Zumba ous from the warm-up ‘til the race was finished, all the guests in the hotel had fun watching the runners.

The bystanders along the route were also intrigued and they seemed to have a good time,” Oliver added.

The Electro Fun Run and Rave Party was just one of the many events which the Big 8 Corporate Hotel hosted. In the

Pool dancing.

past, there were the concerts of Rex Smith (whose front act singer was Jason Dy, who later on became “The Voice” champion), the lead singer of the Cascades, and rock legends Kenny Cetera of Chicago and Bobby Kimball of Toto.

Big 8 started its operation in July 2012 and today it has become the pre-

The winners getting their prize. mier destination for business and leisure in Tagum, which is touted as the City of Pines. “Its accessibility to Tagum’s recreation and business center makes it the finest hub for discerning travelers, seeking for a comfortable yet elegant accommodation,” its brochure said.

But it’s not only accommodation that the

hotel is noted for. Its food served at Vilma’s Oriental Cuisine is also a come-on.

And for those who want to be entertained at night, they can go to the summit of the hotel where Billy’s Lounge is located. The highest point in the city, you can drink, eat and hear songs of yesterday.

You can even sing with the singer if you want.

Delicious foods served at Vilma’s Oriental Cuisine.

EDGEDAVAO

8 VANTAGE

VOL. 8 ISSUE 99 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2015

EDITORIAL Guns on the loose

W

ITH street killings once again surfacing in Davao City over the past days, one wonders if there is a resurgence of the activities of the so-called Davao Death Squad (DDS), which has been blamed for hundreds of similar murders in the past two decades. The recent killings certainly bear familiar markings: the murders are done in very public places, and the killers flee on board unmarked motorcycles. At least one of the victims is said to have links to the illegal drug trade, and one fatality was allegedly himself the one who murdered a cabbie a few days before he was killed in an alleged shootout with the police. And the last victim was a former mixed martial arts champion whose killing grabbed national attention.

With the Kadayawan Festival being celebrated this week, it is natural for residents and visitors to fear that the security in the city has been compromised. After all, the murders mean firearms are loose in the city, and that men with no conscience are more than willing to pull the trigger. The Davao City Police

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OLIVIA D. VELASCO D.D. MARATAS RICHARD C. EBONA OLIVIA D. VELASCO JOCELYN S. PANES SOLANI SOLANI MARATAS General Manager Finance Advertising Specialist General Manager Director of Sales Finance RICHARD C. EBONA Marketing Supervisor

Office (DCPO), in trying to assuage the fears of the people, seem to be missing this point. On the one hand, we hear them say that they are on their toes making sure the city is safe; on the other hand, we see men being shot dead right in our streets.

It is the proliferation of guns that makes it difficult for us to fully believe it when the police say the city is secure not just during the festival but during the rest of the year. Indeed, this has been the biggest failure of the DCPO: it claims that the city is one of the safest in the country, and yet every once in a while we are confronted with incidents like these that are left unresolved.

With the killers not getting arrested, it means the firearms they use are still in criminal hands. The fear is that it is only a matter of time before these guns are used to kill not just suspected criminals but innocent and law-abiding citizens as well.

The police and the people may treat the killings in cavalier fashion, but make no mistake: the killings are a threat to our safety, and we will not feel secure while firearms are loose in the city.

AGUSTIN V. MIAGAN JR Circulation

GENERAL SANTOS CITY OFFICE CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING MARKETING OFFICE

LEIZEL A. DELOSO | Marketing Manager EDMUND D. RENDON Unit 6, SouthbankMarketing Plaza Velez-Yacapin Sts. Specialist General Santos City Cagayan de Oro City Mobile: (Smart) 0909-424-7990 Tel: (088) 852-4894

MANILA MARKETING OFFICE

ANGELICA R. GARCIA | Marketing Manager 97-1 Bayanbayanan Ave., Marikina Heights, Marikina City Tel: (02) 654-3509

EDGEDAVAO

“

START spreading the news, I’m leaving today…”

It was December 2000 and I was singing the Frank Sinatra hymn while packing my bag.

For the first time in my life, I would be going to the United States of America, the country that most Filipinos dream of going to.

“Where are you going this time,” my mother inquired. I had not been telling anyone about this trip since I didn’t want them to know just in case I didn’t get a US visa (but I did!). The Big Apple, as New York is sometimes called, I told her.

She stood not moving for few seconds. My mother couldn’t believe what she just heard. After all, when I was still a little boy, I told her that one of my dreams was to visit the United States.

“Yes, it’s a dream come true,” I replied as I wiped the tears falling from her eyes. She never said a word after that but instead hugged me tightly. “I will be there for just a few weeks,” I said.

Had it not been for Don Hinrichsen, an American environmental journalist, I would not have been able to go to the US. He invited me to co-write a position paper on water and population for the Washington-based Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. We had never met in person although we communicated every now and then via e-mail. Both of us were writing for People and the Planet.

I was looking forward to seeing the city that Wood Allen always featured in his movies. The night before the trip, I was not able to sleep well.

I was afraid I might be late in going to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila. So, even if it was still three in the morning, I woke up and took a bath. Afterwards, I took a cab and went directly to the airport. There was a long queue while checking in but it didn’t matter to me.

Our flight from Manila to Tokyo was long – about four hours. We disembarked at the Narita International Airport and stayed there for a couple of hours. Then, we boarded another plane bound for the United States.

The flight was even longer. For the next thirteen-hours-and-a-half, I was doing what most

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First US trip remembered passengers were also doing: eat- THINK ON THESE! ing meals, reading books and newspapers, walking around, drinking coffee or green tea, playing cards, watching movies, and sleeping (most of the time).

Henrylito D. Tacio It was not henrytacio@gmail.com my first time to experience a long flight (I had one before, from Singapore to Johannesburg, South Africa). Feeling bored, I watched other passengers. But before long, I dozed off to sleep – only to be awakened as the stewardess was serving another meal. No, I was not complaining at all.

Thirty minutes before we landed at the John F. Kennedy International Airport, the captain told us that we would soon be in New York. My heart started to beat fast. I could not relax anymore. This is it, I said to myself. I asked for water, then another, then another. Then, our plane landed smoothly. I was on terra firma again.

I followed other passengers going to the immigration area. There was a long queue; I took my passport and other papers and waited for my turn. Twenty minutes later, I was in front of the immigration official. “What’s your purpose of coming here?” he inquired. I explained to him my reason for coming using some technical terms. I was not sure if he was satisfied with my answer but he stamped my passport anyway.

Welcome to New York, the sign said. Thank you, I said to myself, but my biggest problem was: how do I get to know Don Hinrichsen, whom I had not met yet? Five days before my flight, he e-mailed me that he would be waiting for me. Asking how I would recognize him, he replied, “At the airport’s waiting area, just look for

a tall person with mustache and wearing a hat.”

He must be joking!

Just to be on the safe side, I also e-mailed Dr. James Hansen, a former colleague who now works at Columbia University in New York. He answered back that he would pick me up at the airport, too. Now, if Don won’t be able to make it, then there was still James. Or, vice-versa.

Since I knew James, I looked for him at the waiting area. He wasn’t around; maybe he was late, I consoled myself. Now, I was searching for a tall man with mustache wearing a hat. I spotted three men. Who among these three was Don? Bravely and nicely, I approached one person and asked him if he was Don. He answered affirmatively. Still not convinced, I requested for his identification card.

He showed his ID without much ado. Yes, it was the Don I was looking for. We were talking when suddenly, someone from behind called my name. It was James. “Sorry, I wasn’t able to recognize you, Henry,” he apologized. “But when I heard your voice, I was sure it was you.”

Since Don knew the hotel where I would be staying in New York for the next 10 days, I suggested that I would go with him. James understood the situation. But before he left, he asked Don about the hotel and then told me that he would pick me up by Saturday morning. It was still Thursday when I arrived. “See you by then,” James said, hugged me, and then he left.

As the taxi entered Manhattan, I was completely mesmerized. I only saw these tall buildings in the movies. Now I was looking at them!

We arrived at the hotel safely. When I checked in, the receptionist asked me if I had a credit card. I told her I didn’t have any but said I would pay in cash. When Don heard it, he brought out his credit card and gave it to the receptionist.

That was one of the biggest lessons I learned. When you go abroad, be sure to carry a credit card. Most hotels don’t accept cash unless you have a credit card.

Before leaving, Don told me not to sleep.

After all, it was still two in the afternoon.

“Okay, thanks for the advice,” I replied. When I was alone in my room, I tried to do push ups. I watched television while lying in bed. Before long, I was already slumbering. I woke up at 8:30 in the evening and was very hungry.

I went out and looked for a place where I could eat. Not far from my hotel, I saw one Mexican restaurant, not very fancy but was serving pizza, short orders, and drinks. Not knowing what to eat, I ordered pizza, chicken wings, and soft drink. I ate my food with gusto.

The following night, I went again to the same place. The same waiter was serving me and I ordered the same thing. On the third night, I still went to same place. The same waiter was there. But before I could place my order, the waiter said, “Do you want pizza, chicken wings and soft drink, sir?” Now, he knew me very well!

My first three days in New York were all right; there was no chilly weather. But on the fourth day, I ventured to visit the Central Park, which was not very far from the hotel where I was staying. I woke up very early in the morning and went outside the hotel. I was about three meters away from my hotel when I felt the unpleasantly cold air. As if I was taking a bath with an icy cold shower.

I had to rush back to the hotel. “Anything wrong, sir?” the bellboy who saw me asked.

Feeling embarrassed, I answered, “I just forgot something in my room.”

It was already January when I returned to the Philippines. But I had with me fond memories about my first US trip. In fact, I had my first Christmas snow when I visited my sister in Hibbing, Minnesota (but that’s another story to write).

“How was your trip?” my mother asked as I arrived. “It was fun,” I answered. I opened my bag, took something and gave her my pasalubong. “This is for you,” I said. “Thanks,” she said.

“But the best gift is having you back home safe.”

She smiled and hugged me tightly.

“If I can make it there…”

also lost their way.

So go for it.

You are never more powerful than when you are doing what you are meant to do. The trick is to find it and get to it before time runs out.

Many people search all their lives and never do settle on what lights them up, but that’s OK. Because the search is part of the fun. The never settling is what’s important.

The struggles of a lifetime of wandering from peak to peak is better than the comforts of a home in the valley.

because it’s more convenient.

If there is a problem with misbehaving drivers or dilapidated cabs, then let’s deal with those. I don’t see how allowing the equivalent of taxi vigilantes to roam the streets is a solution. If only the entitled crowd could find the time to look beyond their own discomfort and see it from the perspective of those whose livelihood is being threatened.

Here are the facts. Uber, despite all its convenience, is an illegal commercial public transport service that is skirting the law with its continued operations. If those who insist on having Uber are really serious about helping the riding public, then make it a free car pooling service. No charge. Until then, warts and all, the law and common decency says that our hard working taxi drivers are the ones who need to be protected.

We are still dogs tied to the same post, but with a different chain. What’s even worse is that significant parts of that chain were just recycled from the old, rust and all.

Filipinos have been said to be a forgiving people, I disagree. Our problem is we don’t forgive, we just forget. That, and we don’t know what enough means.

Stop making lemonade... and start cutting down those lemon trees

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LL of us have probably heard the expression, “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” But have you ever wondered why life keeps giving you lemons in the first place? Other people get grapes, apples, bananas, even coconuts – but not you. You’re just a regular lemon magnet.

Here’s a thought. Maybe the reason you have that vat of lemonade in your kitchen is you planted an orchard-full of lemon trees in your backyard in the first place. Which leads us to that other interesting adage about fate, and how it can come back to bite you in the ass: “You reap what you sow.”

We live the life that we make for ourselves.

If we are not satisfied, then it is time to stop making do with what we get and start over. Cut down those lemon trees. Cut them down today.

Replant your orchard with the fruits that you want to have in your life. Or flowers, if that’s what suits you. Whatever it is, that’s what you should be doing. You owe it to yourself to be happy, now, today, this very minute.

Find your star. Your guidepost. But don’t look to the skies. Look inside you. Deep inside.

Into your heart. That’s where you will find it.

Hopefully you haven’t buried it too deep, under layers of doubt, regret, and insecurity. If you can find that spark, if you can dig it out, then let it shine. And the glow it gives will light your path, as well as for the others who have

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I hate rude taxi drivers as much as anyone else – and those who know would even say that I hate them more than everyone else combined. But as much as I think what they are doing is wrong, I will never agree that a bunch of private car owners moonlighting as high-end chauffeurs have the right to arbitrarily grab a chunk of their hard earned livelihood simply

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I was watching History Channel earlier today when the plug for a documentary on Ninoy Aquino came on. It had a clip of Guillermo Luz of the Makati Business Club saying that “after Ninoy got shot, everyone said enough is enough.”

It is now thirty-three years after. Look at the people who are in politics. Names may have changed but the game remains the same.

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I was reading an article the other day on the need to have context when working with social media content and it reminded me of the quote (but not the author), “there can be no meaning without context.”

With the rush towards social media as the new tool to build brands, a lot of companies are churning out materials for their audiences without really understanding the impact that it’ll have. For many content management strategists, its quantity over quality.

This kind of thinking is the reason why a lot of the things companies do in and for social media don’t get any traction, because they are not rooted in the context of the medium’s role in people’s lives. Most of the stuff, particularly those relating to marketing and/or advertising, are just plucked from their trad-media campaigns and plunked down onto their social media programs. No wonder they don’t fit.

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vendors.

He said if vendors are really sincere in only wanting to earn a living, then they must

follow the rules because the government is willing to help them. ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

representatives managed to complete their interpellation: Anakpawis Rep. Fernando Hicap and Coop-Natco party list Rep. Crescente Paez. Muntinlupa Rep. Rodolfo Biazon started his interpellation and will continue when sessions resume, if a quorum is mustered.

Rodriguez admitted in the DZBB interview that quorum is a problem and urged the Speaker and the Majority leader “to appeal to all the congressmen to at least come to have a quorum and stay until the deliberations are finished.”

He said the he believes that through the Speaker’s leadership, “marami ang mag-attend at saka through his appeal ay mag stay after the roll call and be able to finish.”

He told DZBB Sunday morning that only 17 representatives are left out of the remaining 30 who had signed up to interpellate.

“There’s only 17 left. That is not a big number anymore. Some of them also, I have heard, in view of our amendment that we have proposed in the substitute bill and the declaration by our leadership that the opt-in provision will be removed…I think some of those who are listed there will not anymore interpellate.”

Rodriguez told MindaNews Sunday evening that there are “only 16 representatives left to interpellate,” as some of those who signed had backed out. He said the 16 includes Zamboanga City Rep. Celso Lobregat and Biazon, who have yet to complete their interpellations.

But Rodriguez maintained in the DZBB interview that that if there is a quorum only during the roll call but the representatives do not remain in the plenary hall, “mahihirapan” (it will be difficult).

“At the rate we are going, mahihirapan talaga”(it will really be difficult), adding that “it is of primary importance now that there should be a quorum and the quorum stays probably until 10pm.

Or from 5 to 8 p.m. we have three hours. Then we will be able to finish at least three to four (interpellations). At the rate we are going, hirap talaga tayo dyan” (it’s really very difficult), Rodriguez said.

He appealed to Speaker Feliciano Belmonte and to his colleagues to “be present.”

“After all, if they are against it, in the voting they can vote against it,” he said.

He said the Speaker can talk to each party which is part of the coalition in the house, and appeal to the party leaders “so that they will be able to have the members attend and have the quorum stay on and we can have more interpellators.”

Rodriguez also appealed to those who are against HB 5811 to allow a debate on the measure because the bill’s sponsors are ready to answer questions. “To delay it to prevent voting will not be good for our Congress and the people in Mindanao,” he said “Really frustrated” He admitted he is “really frustrated that many of our members do not see that our first duty is to come especially during plenary. They may not be present in the committee hearings, it is their prerogative. But in the plenary, especially now that we are discussing one of the important measures that will bring peace to Mindanao… I really appeal that they should be able to be there.”

Rodriguez admitted there are “hard core” representatives

who do not want the BBL deliberations to move, who want its passage delayed or not be voted upon. “But the majority of the members of Congress, I think, are in favor of this,” he said.

But Rodriguez acknowledged that it is now “almost the start of the political season” with the filing of certificates of candidacy for all elective positions scheduled on October 12 to 16.

“Right now, the congressmen are back in their districts, organizing already for their parties and their slates for the 2016 elections. But that should not mean that they will not be able to come (to the sessions). After all, they can also do that (election preparations) from Thursday up to Sunday. Our session is only Monday to Wednesday.”

At the Senate, Senator Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., chair of the Senate Committee on Local Government delivered his sponsorship speech on SB 2894 on Wednesday. Marcos said the substitute bill addresses the constitutional flaws of BBL, protects the country’s interest and sovereignty, and promotes the interest and aspirations of the Bangsamoro people.

Marcos said he expects a lively debate on SB 2894.

“In a measure as contentious as this one, you can expect many of the other senators to propose amendments that we can introduce to further refine the provisions of the bill,” Marcos was quoted as saying in a press release posted on the Senate website.

Senate Committee report Seventeen senators signed his committee report, but many expressed their intention to interpellate and introduce their own amendments to the measure.

Aside from Marcos, the 16 others who signed and their comments are: Senators Teofisto Guingona, chair of the Committee on Peace, Unification and Reconciliation (“will amend”); Aquilino Pimentel, Jr. (“will interpellate/ amend”); Antonio Trillanes (will interpellate/amend”); Pia Cayetano (“with reservations; will interpellate/amend”); Paolo Benigno Aquino IV (“will amend”); Loren Legarda (“with reservations. amendments, will interpellate”); Sonny Angara (“may amend/interepellate”); Cynthia Villar (“I agreed to allow this bill to go to Plenary. This is not a yes to the BBL”); Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay (“with reservations, will amend and interpellate”); Grace Poe (“will amend and interpellate”); Gregorio B. Honasan II (“w/ reservations”): Joseph Victor G. Ejercito (“with reservations; will amend and integrate”); Ralph Recto (“will amend”); Vicente Sotto III (“with reservations and amendments! agreeing to the Title! BAR Law”); Alan Peter Cayetano (“I vote No. Yes to strengthening the Autonmous Region that will result in a Just, inclusive, lasting Peace. To BBL in present form, No! This version has addressed many [majority of objected provisions/ issues. But many more have to be addressed/amended”). Senator Manuel Lapid signed with no notation.

Marcos expects the debates to take about six weeks but Senate President Franklin Drilon, he said, “will have to assess how the deliberations are proceeding so he can decide if we need to speed things up–if we need to have morning sessions, things like that.” (Carolyn O. Arguillas / MindaNews)

approved specifications and that COA’s report is not reliable saying it was made six years after completion.

The contractor added that had he been informed of any defect, he could have undertaken repairs within the period of the contractor’s warranty.

In their counter-affidavit, Cebedo and Ochavez said that it has been more than six years since the project was completed, inspected, audited and utilized by the general public.

They cited that since COA did not have any adverse audit findings at the time, they believed that everything was in order.

“This office rules that there is no probable cause to hold respondents liable for any of the provisions of the R.A. 3019. There is no allegation nor evidence to prove that the contract entered by respondents Cebedo and

Ochavez was manifestly and grossly disadvantageous to the government. Instead, it is clear that COA finds the contract cost reasonable,” the Ombudsman said.

The resolution was signed by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales; Ma Faith Llanito-Fresbitero, graft investigation and prosecution officer; and Marco Anacleto P. Buena, officer in-charge for Evaluation and Investigation Bureau.

Cebedo said she heaved a sigh of relief after she got the news.

“Ang matarong mopatiugbabaw gayod hilabina kon politically-motivated. Kadtong nagbiay-biay sa akoa, karma lang gyod ang ila, (The righteous will prevail especially if it’s politically motivated. Those who humiliated me will get their karma)” Cebedo told MindaNews over the weekend via Facebook. (Roel N. Catoto/MindaNews)

called “green companies” or business enterprises that are involved in the production of environment friendly products and those that offer services to promote environmental protection and conservation will be entitled to fiscal incentives that may include additional deduction of labor expense and duty free importation of capital equipment.

Under the Nograles proposal, the incentives shall be determined and administered by the Department of Finance.

With this bill, Nograles said he looks forward to the establishment of many “green investments” in the Philippines such

as those that are involved in the production of electronic vehicles, solar panels and even power companies that use renewable resources.

“This is the future. I think that in the next 10 to 20 years, we will already see a lot of homes equipped with their own solar panels and homes that have their own water recycling facilities. What we need now is to encourage more investments on green technology. This is like in the early 90s’ where mobile phones were only for the rich whereas today, every Filipino has their own cellular phone,” Nograles said.

dissemination in their area.

After the training, farmers were given vegetable seeds and NFT concoctions for immediate application of

learned techniques on their gardens and farms. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12 with report from ROrejudos-DAR North Cotabato)

Last year, it gathered around 140 exhibitors and earned some P141 million in revenues.

Advocating empowerment through entrepreneurship, the foundation has trained 20 residents in Carmen, Davao del Norte on new livelihood in a bid to provide them with a steady source of livable income with the support of the local government and Department of Agrarian Reform. Some of them are housewives, tricycle drivers, and vendors.

“They are developing water hyacinth to make slippers.

But next year, we will expand the products to housewares and fashion accessories and other products,” Mahinay added.

According to farmers, Carmen has 17 hectares of water hyacinth, also known as waterlily, which clogs the waterways causing floods in the town.

For a start, they are penetrating the local market for their slippers.

MTEFI president Rosevic

del Rosario-Cembrano added the staging of MTE seeks to showcase the potentials of water hyacinth from being wastes to products.

“The showcase, on the other hand, will give the show’s visitors a better understanding on the usage and develoopment of water hyacinth, from raw, semi-processed, fully-processed materials ready for product development and a product,” she added.

She cited that some local products in Mindanao have become known not only locally but also globally.

One such product is Yvette’s Bags that was first showcased in the early years of MTE. The brand has already reached Europe and other Asean countries.

“More importantly, this year’s MTE will highlight the skill and craftsmanship of our local designers, craftsmen and artisans who have not only product award-winning creations, but have also won in prestigious international competitions,” she said. (Antonio L. Colina IV/MindaNews)

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accepted payment of contributions, printed MDRs, and responded to other queries and requests.

The Social Insurance Officer II of PhilHealth 11, Kleah Gayle Dublin, thanked CARD for having them in the event.

PhilHealth and CARD had been a partner in community empowerment since 2005.

“The extensiveness of awareness of mothers on maternal health varies on many aspects, but the root cause of it is the lack of education on contraception and access to facilities,” said Dr. Grethel Vasquez, OB-GYN, when asked about the level of awareness of women on maternal health.

Vasquez also shared that some of their pregnant patients in the health fair were as young as 13 years old.

The weak foundation on the application of contraception leads to the short birth intervals, Vasquez added. “Educating mothers to have prenatal check-up during the first trimester and informing them the many programs of LGUs (and CARD) will be a good help.”

At least 12 OB-GYNs, three general physicians, one pediatrician, eight nurses, five Barangay Health Workers (BHW), one Nurse Phlebotomist and one Medical Technologist (MedTech) rendered the free services to beneficiaries.

The health fair included urinalysis, medical consulta-

tions and ultrasound check in the services rendered. Mother’s kit for pregnant women, free medicines and health awareness lecture were also given to beneficiaries. Inside the mother’s kit are liquid mild soap for babies, cotton balls and buds, newborn diapers, baby oil, alcohol and digital thermometer.

The Kalinga kay Inay was launched in 2014 and already had its community health fairs in Palawan, Bicol and Samar-Leyte-Biliran. This is the fourth community health fair conducted and the project is planning to have its last community health fair in Northern Luzon before 2015 ends.

To date, KKI already reached 5,524 pregnant, lactating and childbearing women through community health fair and 279,441 women through credit with education (CwE).

The CwE is part of the project’s aim to contribute to the improvement of women’s maternal health knowledge and promote behavior change.

The module is “Healthy Pregnancies Make Healthy Communities.” Further, the said CwE has been delivered in Bicol, Palawan, Leyte and Panay Island. Over the next six months, implementation of the said module will take place in four areas in Visayas, eight in Luzon and five in Mindanao, and is expected to reach more than 860,431 women by end of 2015.

to in Israel is only around P30, but in the Philippines the price ranges from P30 up top to P70 depending on the season.

Gur Lavi agronomist Beatrize Anne Cortez said higher and quality production will be achieved and sustained with the use of innovative technology, which aims to control various factors that affects the growth of crops such as humidity, temperature and water.

“This is very applicable to our country,” Cortez said, adding that the greenhouse have aluminum shade nets, which

will inhibit the entry of too much heat but still trapping only necessary heat to attain favorable temperature inside the greenhouse.

Cortez added it will adopt Israel’s drift irrigation system.

“This will allow the farmers to save from applying too much fertilizer and water,” she said.

Meanwhile, Piñol said the same group will be meeting officials of Maguindanao and North Cotabato like Sarangani Province Rep. Manny Paquiao in the next few weeks.

Richmonde Hotel Ortigas; Eastwood Richmonde Hotel; Marriott Hotel Manila, Maxims Hotel and Remington Hotel in Newport City; Fairways and Bluewater in BoracayNewcoast and Richmonde

Hotel Iloilo. With the opening of Newport Belmont Hotel in Newport City, the total hotel rooms in Megaworld townships across the country will already reach 2,500 by the end of this year.

describing the link between the agency and the company.

AT&T’s “corporate relationships provide unique accesses to other telecoms and I.S.P.s,” or Internet service providers, according to another NSA document.

AT&T started in 2011 to provide the NSA more than 1.1 billion domestic cellphone calling records daily after “a push to get this flow operational prior to the 10th anniversary of 9/11,” referring to

the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States, the Times reported.

AT&T’s providing of foreign-to-foreign Internet traffic has been especially important to the NSA because large amounts of the world’s Internet communications pass across US cables, the Times reported. The company gave access to contents of transiting email traffic years before Verizon started in March 2013, the Times reported.

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Investors go online to buy, sell stocks M

DOST targets half million web-based workers from countryside by 2016

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HE Department of Science and Technology-Information and Communications Technology (DOST-ICTO) targets 500,000 Filipinos in the provinces to be freelance web-based workers in different online job platforms by 2016.

According to Emmy Lou Delfin, program manager of ICTO’s e-Innovation Group, the country has more than one million freelance online-based workers who deal with different clients around the world.

She said through the Rural Impact Sourcing Program, ICTO targets to generate more career opportunities for those in socio-economically disadvantaged areas by providing meaningful ICT-enabled jobs. The ICTO conducts regular workshops in different provinces to help the residents to learn how to become successful workers in the digital era.

Evan Tan, regional director of Freelancer.com in Southeast Asia, said a major benefit of working online is

that it negates the necessity of moving to the big cities to find a job.

Tan said that working online could give everyone an equal opportunity to pursue what he or she wants to do, no matter what his economic, social, and educational backgrounds are.

Tan also noted that students can start practicing their profession even before they graduate with the availability of online jobs, especially those that do not require a college degree such as

creative and IT-related jobs.

Tan said traditional employment will no longer be the norm and it will be replaced by contingent workers such as freelancers and part-time workers.

“The long-term trend of hiring contingent workers will continue to accelerate with more than 80 percent of large corporations planning to substantially increase their use of a flexible workforce,” said Tan, and added that online freelancing is the future of work. (PNA)

Globe customer base reaches record high G LOBE Telecom’s customer base soared to a new record high in the first half of the year, reaching 52.7 million, a 17 percent jump from 45 million a year earlier as Globe continues to be the leading network of choice by smartphone users amid continuing customer shift to a digital lifestyle.

Following robust customer acquisition, the company booked record-breaking financial performance in the first half of the year, generating service revenues of P53.8 billion, a 13 percent jump from a year earlier, resulting in a core net profit of P8.6 billion, a 14 percent growth from P7.6 billion a year earlier.

“Globe is the Filipinos’ leading choice of network for their digital lifestyle, evidenced not only by robust growth in customer base but also by strong growth in mobile data revenues, which now contribute 23 percent of total revenues compared with 16 percent from a year

earlier,” Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu said in a statement.

“We expect this trend to persist amidst the growing number of smartphone users and as we continue to offer products and services that provide relevant content that will further enhance our customers’ digital lifestyle,” he added.

Globe mobile subscribers totaled 48.4 million at the end of the first half, a 13 percent rise from 42.7 million a year earlier. Strong gains in customer acquisition in the company’s mobile business helped underpin mobile service revenues to climb 10 percent to P41.6 billion, compared with P37.8 billion a year earlier.

Total mobile gross acquisitions in the first half of the year reached 21.6 million, a 15 percent increase from a year earlier as Globe maintained its dominance in the postpaid segment, driven by sustained growth in high-quality customers.

At the end of June this year, Globe had 2.3 million postpaid customers, up 12 percent from the 2.1 million in the same period of last year.

The continued success of Globe Pospaid’s myLifestyle Plan, with a wide range of device offers and innovative deals, helped boost gross acquisitions to reach a new record high of 478 thousand in the first half of the year, a 23 percent increase from 389 thousand a year earlier.

Globe Prepaid gross acquisitions at the end of June this year grew 14 percent to 9 million compared with 7.9 million a year earlier while TM also generated an impressive gross acquisition of 12.2 million in the first half, up 16 percent from a year earlier following the Free Facebook and Free Viber promotions.

The company’s broadband customers, on the other hand, surged 55 percent to 3.5 million from 2.2 million from year-ago level. This helped realize a remarkable 24 percent growth in broad-

band and fixed line revenues, totaling P12.3 billion compared with P9.9 billion a year earlier. Impressive gains in customer take-up was attributed to the success of the latest roster of broadband products and services, which offer exclusive access to a portfolio of entertainment content to enrich Globe customers’ digital lifestyle.

Fixed line data segment sustained its growth momentum with P3.1 billion revenues registered in the first six months of the year, up 20 percent from P2.6 billion a year earlier, fueled by the strong demand for domestic and internet services, sustained circuit base expansion and the increasing popularity of cloud services. The company’s continuing commitment in offering innovative products and services to cater to the evolving needs of its corporate clients contributed to its continued success. The company has additional 849 thousand customers from its fixed line voice business.

NEW RECORD. Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu (center) announces the company’s record-breaking performance in the first half of the year at a recent analyst briefing. Joining him from left are Chief Finance Officer Albert De Larrazabal, Senior Advisor for Consumer Business Daniel Horan , Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for International and Business Markets Gil Genio and General Counsel Atty. Froilan Castelo.

AJORITY of investors, especially retail ones, are using online trading services to buy and sell stocks, bolstered by the country’s various programs and products to drum up interest in the local stock market.

A stock market investor profile report released by the Philippine Stock Exchange Inc. (PSE) showed a 35.1-percent surge in the number of stock market online accounts to 174,592 in 2014 from 129,255 in 2013. Of this total, 99.6 percent or 173,895 were retail accounts.

“The growth in online accounts continues to be impressive and validates our strategy of expanding the retail investor base through this platform. Online accounts now comprise 27 percent of total stock market accounts from a mere 6 percent share in 2009,” PSE President and Chief Executive Officer Hans B. Sicat said.

Total investor accounts, which include traditional and online accounts, also rose to 640,665 in 2014, higher by 9.4 percent from the previous year’s 585,562.

Of the total investor accounts, 95.3 percent or 610,773 were retail accounts while the remaining 4.7 percent or 29,892 were institutional accounts. Majority of the accounts were held by local investors with a 98.5 percent share while 1.5 percent was foreign accounts.

“We are pleased that more investors actively participated in the market last year, when the PSEi gained almost 23 percent. There is still a long way to go in terms of reaching the one million target but we are definitely on the right track,” Sicat added.

The data for online accounts was provided by 18 online brokerage firms, including those using the PSETradex platform.

The PSE also conducted a survey to profile the demographics of retail investors,

showing an increase in the share of investors aged 18-30 years old and those aged 3144 years old, cornering 13.1 percent and 37.1 percent of investor accounts in 2014, respectively.

Investors between 18-44 years old comprised 50.1 percent of stock market accounts in 2014 from a share of 46.4 percent in 2013.

The income profile of investors has also become more skewed to the lower income bracket. Those earning an annual income of P500,000 or less represented 44 percent of investor accounts in 2014 from 37.3 percent in 2013.

The results of the survey also show an increasing participation from investors outside the Metro Manila area.

Majority of the investors continued to be based in Metro Manila with 68.5 percent of the total retail accounts in 2014, while those based in Luzon accounted for 18.7 percent.

Retail investors from the Visayas and Mindanao comprised 4.4 percent and 2.3 percent of the total accounts, respectively. Investors based overseas accounted for 6.1 percent.

“Technology levels the playing field in providing access to our stock market as shown by the higher share of online investors from Visayas and Mindanao. We are delighted that more brokers are now offering online trading services,” Sicat said.

Recognizing the scalability and efficiency of using technology platforms for its market education programs, the PSE introduced in 2014 its stock market 101 webinars and has continued to offer more this year, including webinars about exchange traded funds or ETFs. In 2014, the PSE also held various provincial roadshows in Batangas, Pampanga, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro and Davao.

(PNA)

AT&T helped NSA spy on Internet traffic: report

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S telecommunications company AT&T Inc has provided extensive assistance to the US National Security Agency as the spy agency conducts surveillance on huge volumes of Internet traffic passing through the United States, the New York Times reported on Saturday, citing newly disclosed NSA documents.

The newspaper reported that the company gave technical assistance to the NSA in carrying out a secret court order allowing wiretapping of all Internet communications at the headquarters of the United Nations, an AT&T customer.

The documents date from 2003 to 2013 and were provided by fugitive former NSA contractor Edward Snowden, the Times reported. The company helped the spy agency in a broad range of classified

activities, the newspaper reported.

The documents describe how the NSA’s working relationship with AT&T has been particularly important, enabling the agency to conduct surveillance, under various legal rules, of international and foreign-to-foreign Internet communications that passed through network hubs in the United States.

AT&T installed surveillance equipment in at least 17 of its US Internet hubs, far more than competitor Verizon Communications Inc, the Times reported. AT&T engineers also were the first to use new surveillance technologies invented by the NSA, the Times reported.

“This is a partnership, not a contractual relationship,” according to one NSA document

FAT&T, 10

12 CLASSIFIED

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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) 0909-424-7990 MANILA MARKETING OFFICE ANGELICA R. GARCIA Marketing Manager 97-1 Bayanbayanan Ave., Marikina Heights, Marikina City Tel: (02) 654-3509

VOL. 8 ISSUE 99 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2015

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PRA STEPS UP PREPARATIONS FOR ASIA’S GRANDEST RETAILING CONFERENCE. Preparations for the Manila hosting of the 17th Asia Pacific Retailers Convention and Exhibition (APRCE) 2015 set on October 28 to 30 at the SMX Convention Center at the Mall of Asia Complex – Manila is entering the final stretch, with the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA) committing to take every effort to ensure the successful staging of the biggest and most important retail industry event in the Asia Pacific region. This was stressed by PRA officials led by APRCE 2015 Over- All chairman and PRA chairman Frederick D. Go (5th from right), president of Robinsons Recreation Corp.; PRA president Lorenzo “Enchong” C. Formoso (5th from left), COO of Duty Free Philippines; PRA chairman emeritus Samie Lim (4th from right), chairman of BLIMS Lifestyle Group and Canadian Tourism and Hospitality Institute; PRA

vice chair Jorge T. Mendiola (4th from left), president of SM Stores; PRA vice president Bienvenido V. Tantoco III (3rd from left), president of Rustans Supercenters, Inc.; PRA vice chairman Ma. Alegria “Bing” Sibal- Limjoco (3rd from right), president of Central Books and Phoenix Publishing; PRA vice president Chan Kok Bin (2nd from right), chairman and CEO of Celine Marketing Corp.; PRA vice president Rosemarie B. Ong (right), EVP-chief operating officer of Wilcon Builder’s Depot (right); PRA vice chairman Roberto S. Claudio (2nd from left), chairman of Toby’s Sports; and PRA vice president Atty. Paul A. Santos (left), president of Picture City, at the APRCE 2015 grand media launch at Intercontinental Manila in Makati City over the weekend. PRA, the country’s recognized organization of retailers and suppliers to the retail industry, hosts the 17th APRCE which is organized by the Federation of Asia Pacific Retailers Association (FAPRA), the regional organization of 17 recognized national retail associations in the region which is expected to attract over 2,000 foreign and local retailers and retail executives from 17 member economies in the Asia Pacific.

NEWS 13 Davao City on heightened alert as Kadayawan Festival begins

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AYOR Rodrigo Duterte urged police, Army, and other security forces to extend utmost goodwill in conducting “stop and frisk” on people, including tourists, as the authorities heightened the security level in the city for the Kadayawan Festival.

“Smile. It doesn’t cost you even two hundred pesos to smile,” Duterte told police and army through his Sunday’s Gikan sa Masa Para sa Masa television program. He said he already ordered them to extend courtesy to the people.

The mayor discouraged them from being hostile and antagonistic and “not make an identity crisis” because Kadayawan is for all people, be they Lumad or Muslims.

At the same time, Duterte also rallied the people for their cooperation, telling them to expect a lot of searches and checkpoints as part of the security plan for the weeklong Kadayawan activities, which kicked off

formally yesterday.

“I want a safe city,” Duterte said, emphasizing that he will fully assume responsibility and liability “if something goes wrong because I am the one giving orders.”

The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) is deploying about 3,000 police and force multipliers. The number does not include members of Task Force Davao.

DCPO spokesperson Senior Inspector Milgrace Driz said they will adopt the same security measures for big events.

“We will implement stop and frisk for any suspicious looking persons,” she said. Driz advised the public not to bring backpacks, canisters, bottled water, and firearms inside activity or event venues.

Driz also emphasized the strict implementation of the liquor ban, speed limit, smoking ban.

Task Force Davao, the Philippine Navy, and the Philippine Coast Guard are also on alert in their respective areas of responsibility. (PNA)

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Hotel rates normally go up when countries host APEC: Boncato

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OLLOWING reports that delegates attending Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) events are complaining over steep hotel rates in Cebu, a tourism official said that this news was hardly a surprise.

Department of Tourism

(DOT) Assistant Secretary Art Boncato said because the hotel industry is driven by markets, it only made sense to jack up rates during special and international events such as APEC. “Rates are normally jacked up when countries

Globe is Telecom and Mobile Service Provider of the year

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LOBE Telecom was honored as Telecom Service Provider of the Year and Mobile Service Provider of the Year for 2015 by Frost and Sullivan Philippines following a remarkable performance due to efforts and initiatives in the past year.

Coming from its extensive transformation posted outstanding results by end 2014, Globe figured prominently in revenue growth, market share growth, product introduction and innovation, consumer acquisition, growth in subscriber base and business/market strategy. These resulted in Globe catapulting to leadership in the Philippine telecommunications industry.

“We have established ourselves as the preferred telco brand in the country as manifested by impressive business gains across all business segments and expansion of both mobile and broadband. We were successful in creating business opportunities riding on the strong mobile data adoption, as well as increasing smartphone penetration. We thank Frost and Sullivan for this recognition given to us,” said Globe Chief Finance Officer (CFO) Alberto De Larrazabal who received the award on behalf of Globe.

The annual Frost and Sullivan Best Practices Awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development.

De Larrazabal also served

as keynote speaker for the Customer Experience Philippines Summit 2015 organized by Frost and Sullivan Philippines with the topic “Visionary Innovator and Thought Leader: The Future of Telecom” which discussed the transformation journey of Globe.

De Larrazabal shared how Globe embraced innovation and the need to transform in order to remain relevant in the market. “We have made leaps in our transformation journey which led to where Globe is now today. Our initiatives which translate to being quicker and more efficient in serving our customers plus our strong culture of innovation have allowed us to achieve leadership in the mobile industry in the country.”

The Globe CFO concluded with a quote. “ With the fast paced landscape of telecom and technology, one must be aware of what the future will look like. Now that we have a view of what it can become, we must be able to adjust and invest in the foundation of the company. We must deliver the best possible network, an innovative brand, and a customer centric organization that keep up with the changing trends. We are trying to build Globe to last. “ Frost & Sullivan’s inaugural Customer Experience Philippines 2015 summit focused on the needs of changing business models, new technology evolution, support for cloud services, the effects of regulation, and real-time customer insight analysis in order to provide superior customer experience and drive better business outcomes.

host APEC meetings,” Boncato told the Philippines News Agency in an interview. “It’s not something that can be changed or modified.”

“The hotel industry is always driven by markets so the rate structure follows and it depends on a hotel to hotel

basis,” he added.

Boncato further said because the Philippines is host for APEC, the best deals and arrangements usually offered by hotels are also provided.

“It’s still a business and we don’t want our hotels to lose money in the process,”

Boncato said.

The DOT official also gave assurance that concerned government agencies maintain connections with the private sector to make sure rates are still within standards.

He said hoteliers also take into consideration rates

that are at par with certain countries.

“If they veer away from that standard it’s where we should come in and see where we can have the best available rate for all of our APEC delegates,” Boncato said. (PNA)

File photo of Asian Development Bank (ADB) adviser Dr. Ganeshan Wignaraja

‘SMEs need access to finance, technology, to go international’ C

ONTINUING with the themed focus on small and medium enterprises (SMEs), state think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) hosted Dr. Ganeshan Wignaraja, an advisor to Asian Development Bank (ADB), to present on “SME Internationalization and Finance in Asia” at a PIDS Pulong Saliksikan.

Picking up where Dr. Mario Lamberte and Ammielou Gaduena discussed SMEs and access to finance in a previous seminar, Wignaraja expounded on the state of SMEs across the Asian region.

His presentation covered the SME policies in Asia, the role of SMEs in regional growth, and how the Philippines can help enhance the role of local SMEs in global value chains (GVCs).

Studies consider SMEs as a vehicle for inclusive growth both at the national regional levels. Based on the latest statistics compiled by the Department of Trade and Industry, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) made up 99.6 percent of the total enterprises in 2011. They accounted for more than 61 percent of total employment across the country. These contributions are, however, not reflected in trade in terms of direct exports, says Wignaraja.

But he noted that trade itself is no longer about direct exports. Nowadays, trade is about being involved in factories across the world. It means supply chain trade.

Asian entry in GVCs accounts for the growth in Asia we see today. ASEAN share of

world supply chain exports accounted for 9.3 percent of world supply chain trade.

Wignaraja pointed to size, scale of production, access to technology, foreign equity, and access to credit as essential requisites. When it comes to size, being a big firm naturally begets advantages to expand due to larger scale of production, possibly better access to technology, and so forth. But Wignaraja said that being small can also work for an SME. By clubbing in clusters, SMEs can overcome some of the disadvantages of size and rely on the benefits of interdependence.

In the resulting open forum, Lamberte reminded the audience the fact that banks don’t lend to SMEs because all banks are not designed to lend to SMEs. They don’t

know how to evaluate projects and SME ventures.

They do a lot of consumer and big firm and corporate lending, but little SME lending, despite the laws requiring them to do so. “The idea is for them to think about innovations so they can introduce in their system ways of lending with SMEs,” said Lamberte.

Lamberte added that banks often require business plans and financial plans.

Many of the SMEs that really need credit don’t have the capacity to prepare these plans.

SMEs have the single entry accounting system; the banks expect to see something more complex. The solution comes down to educating and designing programs to educate SMEs and improve their capabilities to scale up.

portunity to save more money for those companies looking to cut costs while maintaining the same standards,” Davidowitz said during the blessing of their new office last August 11.

The new call center office, located at Filandia IT Center in Quirino Avenue of this city, can accommodate approximately 180 employees.

Davidowitz said they are planning a campus in Davao City which is capable of hosting 500 agents.

Founded in 2006 in San

Carlos, Californa by Davidowitz and Henry Chang, the BPO firm specializes in multilingual content moderation and customer support for businesses worldwide, cutting across many industries like technology and internet-based sectors.

The company’s operations are located in Makati City and in Taipei, Taiwan. The office in Davao City is its third location.

Davidowitz said their operation here is proof that Davao City is one of the most outsourcing destinations in

the country as recognized by the International Business Process Administration of the Philippines (IBPAP) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

“Investors will benefit through lower business costs and a progressive business environment. These factors together with Davao’s economy and business boost makes it (Davao City) the frontrunner among all emerging offshoring sites in the country,” Davidowitz said. (PIA)

New call center opens in Davao A

AWARDS. (From left) Frost and Sullivan Vice President for ICT Practice Ajay Sunder, Globe Chief Financial Officer Albert de Larrazabal, and Globe Head for Investor Relations Jomari Fajardo pose as Globe Telecom receives the Telecom Service Provider of the Year and Mobile Service Provider of the Year awards.

NEW Business Process Outsourcing company has opened its doors in Davao City.

Benjamin Davidowitz, chief executive officer of Open Access BPO, said the decision to locate to Davao City was its being a Next Wave City, a location which offers a wide-base skilled professionals and reliable infrastructure.

“Davao provides educated and skilled English-speaking agents at 30 percent cost reduction. This gives us the op-

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MAKE YOURFil-Aussie MAMA PROUD Justin Day wins firts Majors title A

USTRALIA’S sporting fraternity saluted Jason Day’s victory in the PGA Championship as a triumph over adversity.

Day is the fifth Australian to win the PGA title and the 12th to win a major championship — the first since A d a m Scott in the 2013 Masters.

And with a Filipino lineage — his mother

R

Belga on the trading block

AIN or Shine’s famed ‘Extra Rice Inc.’ frontline may soon split up.

A day after news leaked out that Rain or Shine was trading Jervy Cruz, coach Yeng Guiao expressed his willingness to trade Beau Belga as well amid news that two teams are interested in the beefy big man.

Guiao had a long meeting with Belga’s agent Danny Espiritu before the start of Rain or Shine’s first practice of the off season on Monday morning at the NEGA gym in Greenhills where they discussed the options of a player who blossomed under the veteran coach’s wings.

The outspoken Rain or Shine coach said that much as he wants to keep the main man of his famed ‘Extra Rice Inc.’ frontline, he doesn’t want to get in the way of his player

seeking greener pastures - so long as the player ‘makes an honest indication of his intention.’

“Kung ako ang tatanungin mo, gusto ko nandiyan si Beau.

Ang desisyon na lang na ‘yan kung lilipat siya o hindi eh nasa kanya na ‘yan,” said Guiao.

“Sa team naman namin, if you want to be traded, just make an honest indication of your intention.”

Espiritu did not deny that two teams are now ready to begin negotiations for a possible deal with Rain or Shine for Belga, a former PCU Dolphin who turned into an All-Star after he joined Rain or Shine in 2011.

The outspoken player agent refused to divulge the identities of the teams, but sources told Spin.ph that Barako Bull and the San Miguel Beer are both interested in

the 28-year-old former Gilas Pilipinas reserve, who signed a three-year, maximum deal with Rain or Shine in 2013.

“May mga feelers na kay Belga. Dalawang teams, secret na muna,” said Espiritu smiling.

“Kung i-o-offer mo sa market ‘yan, may mga interesado talaga, although hindi naman natin ino-offer sa market ‘yan, hindi naman pina-o-open ng team sa atin. So naghihintay na lang tayo kung sino yung mga team na magsasabi, pinaparating natin sa coach,” he added.

Guiao, however, made it clear he will only trade Belga if the team gets the players it wants in return.

“Sa akin, wala akong plano na i-trade siya, pero kung mayroong gustong team sa kanya at mayroong magandang offer at gusto niya, pwedeng i-consider,” said the fiery mentor.

tional effort on both ends that made him as the game MVP. Christopher “Bong” Go shared the spotlight as the Davao All-Star-CMO sniper put up a best shooting show in the contest.

Go hit a total of ten three pointers all the way to gamebest 44 points that left everyone in the audience buzzing and wanting more trey each Davao All-Star-CMO play.

Davao All-Star-CMO came out strong early as Go sniping stirringly and Weng Farochillen and JR De Guzman controlled the paint to keep pace with the Pilipinas Legends.

But they had to play

catch up game in the final half as the Pilipinas Legends started to impose their will down the stretch.

It was a tight contest before Billones, Ejercito and Tolomia spearheaded a run and gun type of play that enabled the Pilipinas Legends to distance themselves.

Tolomia and Gibert Malabanan chipped in 15 and 12 points respectively for the Pilipinas Legends who got minimal support from Johnny Abarrientos and Alvin Patrimonio in limited action.

Farochillen scored 16 points while De Guzman had 14 for the Davao All-StarCMO. (Rico Biliran)

Pilipinas Legends outlast Davao-CMO 122 – 116

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HE Pilipinas Legends bannered by some of the PBA’s greatest players of all time bested Davao All-Star-City Mayors Office in a high scoring friendly game, 122 – 116, on Sunday at the Davao City Recreation Center Almendras Gym. Egay Billones, Gerome Ejercito, Nelson Asaytono and Rodney Santos rendered a superb performance to the delight of the basketball fanatics who packed the venue.

Billones put up 23 points as Ejercito made 20 and Asaytono had 17 points for the Pilipinas Legends.

Rodney Santos scored 16 points but it was his excep-

Dening migrated to Australia three decades ago — Day’s win was also quite huge in basketball-crazy Philippines.

After Day closed with a five-under 67 at Whistling Straits for a three-shot victory and a majors-record 20-under total, Australian tennis and cricket players and racing drivers were among those quick to congratulate Day. Growing up in the regional Queensland state towns of Beaudesert and Rockhampton, Day lost his father, Alvin, to cancer when he was 12 and battled alcohol and aggression at a young age.

It was Alvin who enrolled Day as a junior member at Beaudesert Golf Club at age six and gave him his first golf club, but it was mother, Philippines-born Dening, who — worried at her son’s increasing waywardness — later scraped together the money to send Day a few hours away to board at Kooralbyn International School and then Hills International College.

At Kooralbyn — which had a golf course attached to its grounds — Day met coach Colin Swatton, who has been both caddie and confidant throughout his professional career.

After Kooralbyn closed, Day and Swatton moved to Hills International College, which had a ded-

“I did not bring it up. Kung ako masusunod, ayaw ko siyang i-give up, pero kausap ko si Danny kanina, ang sinasabi niya kung magiging open ako kung merong mga proposals.

Sabi ko kailangang makita ko muna kung ano ang proposal,” he said.

Guiao started rebuilding his frontline by agreeing to send Cruz to GlobalPort for Jewel Ponferrada and a second-round draft pick, but admitted he is far from done.

“Hindi pa ako kontento (sa frontline ko),” Guiao said.

Belga, meanwhile, was careful with his statements, saying he wants to stay at Rain or Shine but at the same time is willing to look at whatever deal his agent can secure for him.

“Syempre masaya pa ako rito. Masayahing team to eh.

There’s no other reason to be sad. I am happy,” said Belga.

icated golf program. It was there that Day borrowed a book about Tiger Woods from a roommate and was spurred to take his golf even more seriously, practicing up to 30 hours a week.

Dening Day was at work and missed watching the final holes of the PGA Championship, relying instead on updates on the PGA website.

“It takes a long time before it gets updated,” she told Australian Broadcasting Corp. radio on Monday. “It gets a little bit anxious.”

That anxiety turned to elation when it became clear what Day had achieved.

“I was so excited, I was so proud of him,” Dening Day said. “It has been a long time coming for him. It’s a culmination of all his hard work.”

Day expressed his own relief that he would no longer be known as the best golfer not to win a major, tweeting “Ding, dong the witch is dead” after the victory.

Congratulations came from contemporaries and compatriots.

Two-time US Open champion Greg Norman wrote on Instagram “congratulations to my fellow Queenslander and Australian (Jason Day) and his beautiful family Ellie and Dash for joining the elite club being a major winner.”

Nickel Asia to the rescue

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MULTI-BILLION peso mining company is stepping forward as a ‘neutral body’ ready to back future national teams amid the crisis over the formation of the Gilas squad to the Fiba Asia men’s basketball championship.

Nickel Asia is offering its help as an independent company neither affiliated with Manny V. Pangilinan’s organization nor the San Miguel Corp. group which could stand behind the national in the coming years, in the hope of reuniting Philippine basketball again.

Lawyer Bodeck Fernando, vice president for legal and human resources of Nickel Asia, told Spin.ph that he will immediately talk to vice president for corporate affairs JB Baylon to work on a proposal for a sponsorship of the national team when the company’s board meets this week.

“Basta kung papayagan kami, why not? For as long as we get the necessary approvals (from our company, the PBA,

and the Samahang Basketbol Ng Pilipinas), okay kami,” said Fernando.

“We have been monitoring the pulse of the Filipinos, and I personally believe that it’s high time a neutral company, not affiliated with any PBA team, come in to help Pilipinas basketball,” he added.

The unconditional offer comes in the wake of the pullout of players from the Gilas camp specifically those belonging to the SMC umbrella, a known rival faction of the MVP group, whose head also happens to be the president of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SMB).

Not a single player from the SMC organization is part of the current Gilas pool, drawing the ire of fans despite SMC management’s statement that the three players included by Gilas coach Tab Baldwin in his 16-man training pool – June Mar Fajardo, LA Tenorio, and Marc Pingris – were all given the go-signal to join the team.

MVP. MX3 Legends’ Rodeny Santos receives his MVP prize as the rest of the MX3 squad pose from the background. NJB

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MIRACLES DO HAPPEN TRMH-CMO scores miraculous comeback to win Kadayawan title

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO

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njb@edgedavao.net

HE clock showed a little over four minutes left in the finals and Montaña Pawnshop enjoying a 5445 lead. At one corner sat The Royal Mandaya Hotel-CMO team owner Glenn Escandor shaking his head on the spectre of losing another championship run.

“It’s over. I think we’re done,” said Escandor who sat next to this writer from the back of the Hoteliers’ bench.

“Miracles do happen,” mumbled Land Transportation Office assistant regional director Macario Gonzaga who also sat beside Escandor.

Like a storyline cut out from the movies, TRMH-CMO resurrected back to life from a timeout, set themselves out for a suffocating pressure defense and forcing four crucial turnovers which spritely guard Jeff Viernes converted into 10 points, six from the

stripe in a steel-nerved performance that netted him the Most Valuable Player of the finals honors.

The Hoteliers labored through over three agonizing quarters that saw them trail by up to 12 before that final closeout did the job for a 63-57 win over Montaña Pawnshop in the finals on Sunday night before what could be the biggest basketball crowd at the Davao City Recreation Center in recent memory.

Vi e r n e s started that comeback with a fastbreak layup off a steal on Biboy Clavel followed

by Jojo Tangkay and Mike Harry sinking four charities for a 5154 deficit, 3:13 left.

Hans Thielle gave Montaña a 57-51 cushion with a

booming triple but Viernes forced two turnovers and went to the line four straight times where he went perfect 8-for-8 to shove THRMHCMO on top 59-57, 1:29 left.

After a miss by the erstwhile unbeaten Pawnbrokers, Beau Belga fished a foul and calmly sank two charities to stretch the lead to four, 61-57, 1:15 to go.

Montaña and TRMHCMO exchanged turnovers on expired shotclock in the next two plays and the ex-pro Tangkay sealed the win with two free throws after fishing a foul off a steal with 16 ticks remaining.

The hardworking Harry topscored for

the Hoteliers with 14 points and had timely blocks during the endgame while Viernes had a total of 13 with 10 coming in that fourth quarter rampage alone.

“We were just lucky.

The game had a lot of bad calls and non-calls but in the end, our desire willed us through,” said Escandor.

TRMH-CMO coach Roy Josol bagged his first Kadayawan championship and expressed thanks to his coaching staff composed of assistants Miggy Solitaria, Mark Bonifacio, Cadel Mosqueda and Dindo Pastor.

MP Pacman won third place after beating deposed champion Goldstar 86-79.

LITTLE HERO. Mark Macapagal takes a piggback ride on diminutive game hero Jeff Viernes. Lean Daval Jr.

LEGENDS. The MX3 Pilipinas Legends and Davao All Stars-CMO Matina Enclaves pose after their friendly game on Sunday at the Davao City Recreation Center. NJB

BATTLE OF THE GIANTS. Beau Belga of TRMHCMO takes a baby hook off Landry Sanjo of Momtaña Pawnshop.

Lean Daval Jr.