Edge Davao 9 Issue 156 by Edge Davao The Business Paper

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 156 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 - OCTOBER 1, 2016 www.edgedavao.net

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

UNITY IN DIVERSITY. A young Muslim girl takes a “selfie” using her mother’s mobile phone during a gathering of Muslims from the different communities in Davao City. The city, which is home to 2 million people with diverse cultures and values but leave harmoniously, has once again bagged the Presidential Award for the most child-friendly city for the 5th time. Lean Daval Jr.

DENGUE CASES DECLINE – CHO Authorities credit interventions, barangay action By TIZIANA CELINE S. PIATOS

HE number of dengue cases in the city has dropped, according to an official of the City Health Office (CHO) . According to Armie Capili, CHO immunization officer, dengue cases have significantly decreased since July of this year. Capili reported that there were only 379 suspected dengue cases reported in September, as compared to the 1,300 incidents recorded in June. It can be recalled that in July, the CHO reported that Davao City had 4,002 dengue cases since the start of the year, which greatly alarmed city officials. “We’ve already made different

interventions such as clean-up drives and campaigns on public schools here in the city,” Capili said. The CHO also attributed the decrease in dengue cases to the city government’s aggressive tri-media information campaign which urged residents to become more vigilant and participate in clean-up drives. “I also appreciate barangay officials who are diligently inspecting their respective barangays of possible breeding grounds and creating a dengue task force to really lessen dengue cases,” she added. Earlier this year, City Health

Officer Dr. Josephine Villafuerte noted that the increase in dengue was due to the advent of the rainy season. “Consistent rains made it conducive for mosquito colonies to proliferate,” Villafuerte added. She explained that the alarming rise in the number of dengue cases from January to July of this year was because the dengue-carrying eggs survived the dry season in 2015, and only hatched in the first half of this year. Villafuerte said she is hopeful the number of suspected dengue cases will decline by September and October. “We can’t stop the rain from

coming but we can stop the colonies from proliferating,” she said, as she called on barangay officials and residents to do their part. She also emphasized that clean surroundings and a vigilant populace can keep the mosquitoes from reproducing. “The residents should be watchful where stagnant water can accumulate - from crevices, canals, and puddles to bottle caps and even flowers,” Villafuerte said She added that plants such as bromeliad, bananas, and gabi can also hold stagnant water. In the meantime, the city council is drafting an ordinance to insti-

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A celebration of art and the city A4

EDGEDAVAO Sports

Roach amazed by Pacquiao’s newfound punching power P15

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 156 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 - OCTOBER 1, 2016

Monitor ceasefire violations: Librado

HOMETOWN CROWD. Rodrigo Duterte interacts with overseas Filipinos in Vietnam during his official visit to the country. KING RODRIGUEZ/PPD

Davao’s youngest HIV patient is a 13-year-old girl - RHWC By FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA

13-YEAR-OLD girl is the youngest Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) patient of the city’s Reproductive Health Wellness Center (RHWC). Gloria Serano, RHWC attending nurse, said the 13-year old is currently the youngest among the 1,661 patients the center is attending to based on the facility’s records since 1984. According to Serano, the teenager is not a resident of Davao City and hails from Baguio, but was tested positive here. “She is from Baguio City, she was here for a vacation. Her Titas brought her here to the center to undergo HIV

test, that was the time they found out that she was carrying the virus,” Serano said. She revealed the girl contracted the deadly virus in Baguio City where she had anal sex with a male acquaintance before she flew to Davao City for a vacation. Serano said that when the girl was brought to the center, she had rashes all over her body which was a sign that she was infected with the virus. “She has undergone a test and it was confirmed that she was carrying the virus,” she said. Serano explained that individuals who are engaged in

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By RIA VALDEZ

MEMBER of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) peace panel that is negotiating a peaceful settlement with the National Democratic Front Philippines (NDFP) is pushing for the establishment of a monitoring committee. According to Atty. Angela Librado, the creation of the said monitoring committee will ensure that violations will not be committed by both parties with regards to the implementation of the unilateral ceasefire declared by the national government and NDFP.

The monitoring committee, Librado said, must be composed of ceasefire experts, as she stressed the ceasefire agreement must be strictly observed by both parties at the national, regional, and provincial level. “We hope that there would be a bilateral agreement that would bind them,” said Librado. She said the GRP panel, through the OPAPP, would discuss this matter extensively with the NDFP. “It is important that we all take part in the peace process,”

Librado said She stressed that this is the reason why Lumad groups must be included in the ongoing peace negotiations. The Lumads, Librado said, must represent themselves, adding the ceasefire does not only involve armed groups but also the unarmed or civilian population. On the concern that some Lumad groups are acting as paramilitary forces, Kerlan Fanagel, chair of PASAKA Confederation of Lumad Organizations in Southern Mindanao, said that people misinterpret

the Bagani and Alarmara as paramilitary groups. The Bagani, as explained by Fanagel, is a traditional tribal warrior who protects the Lumad territory, while the Alarmara is a council of composed of those tribal warriors. Fanagel also raised the issue of Oplan Bantay Laya of former President Gloria Arroyo, where the National Security Plan for the IPs was established. “This was the time the task forces went to our lands,” said Fanagel.

have relatives or a custodian who can look after them. Bermudo said these children are provided temporary care and shelter at DSWD-run centers and institutions or are endorsed to DSWD-designated foster homes. The CSSDO and DSWD, she said, assist victims of disaster and conflict through their respective Crisis Intervention Units, which offer burial, medical, education and transportation assistance. To recall, Percy Angin Idar, wife Carlita and 12-year

old son John Kiser were killed on Tuesday, Sept. 27, inside their house by Romulo and Nilo Teleron who are both Carlita’s brothers. The two suspects were positively identified by the two children of the Idar couple who survived the massacre. The four year-old son and teenage daughter of the couple told authorities they saw Romulo hacking their brother, while Nilo shot their mother. Charges of multiple murder have been filed against the suspects.

Probers now examining CCTV footage inside NBP Baracatan massacre witness now in DSWD custody

HE Department of Justice on Thursday said investigators from the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) are now reviewing the footage from the closed circuit television cameras (CCTV) to find out the cause of the stabbing incident at the maximum security compound of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP). The incident which occurred Wednesday morning left high-profile inmate Tony Co dead and three other inmates Jaybee Sebastian, Peter Co and Vicente Sy injured. “All the evidences such as

the CCTV footage, bladed weapons have been turned over to the CIDG,” Orceo said. Orceo said there is a need to wait for results of the investigation being spearheaded by the CIDG after the high-profile inmates involved gave two versions of the incidents,” DOJ Undersecretary Reynante Orceo said. “At this time, we are still awaiting the outcome of the probe being conducted by the PNP-CIDG,” he added. Orceo, who was tasked by DOJ Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II to supervise the Bureau

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By TIZIANA CELINE S. PIATOS

HE four-year-old who witnessed the brutal killing of his parents and brother in Baracatan, Toril is now under the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development Office (DSWD). According to City Social Services and Development Office (CSSDO) Chief Maria Luisa Bermudo, the child was transferred to DSWD’s custody due to the possible trauma the boy is experiencing. “Our trained social workers and psychologists in CSSDO and DSWD will provide

counseling and necessary foster care for the child,” Bermudo said. “It is also the responsibility of local social welfare development officers [CSSDO] responders and to provide immediate comfort to the child,” she added. Bermudo said barangay officials in Baracatan, as well as neighbors of the victims have also volunteered to monitor and help the boy recover from the incident. She explained the DSWD takes into fold orphaned children and those who do not

VOL. 9 ISSUE 156 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 - OCTOBER 1, 2016

NEWS 3

EDGEDAVAO

Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, 71 By JERMAINE L. DELA CRUZ

Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago

FTER two years of waging a valiant battle against lung cancer, former Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago passed away Thursday morning at St. Luke’s Medical Center, Taguig City. In an interview with media, the lady senator’s husband Atty. Narciso Santiago Jr. said the 71 year-old senator “died peacefully” in her sleep at exactly 8:52AM.

Meanwhile Senator Grace Poe announced the sad news during the Senate hearing on the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill, as she asked for a moment of silence to pray for the repose of Santiago’s soul. The three-term Senator was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2014. However, a few months later, the senator announced she was “cancer-free”, and

and vulnerable segments of society. According to Capili, these consultations are being done in collaboration with the Department of Health. She said the CHO is working hard to lay the groundwork for these programs, which they need to implement within the next 200 days. With a greater focus on women and children, Capili said the CHO is ramping up the implementation of its basic health services which in-

clude immunization, nutrition and breastfeeding programs, and newborn screenings. The CHO, she said, also offers family planning, adolescent and reproductive health programs. “We will also make sure that barangays [health centers] offer these services,” said Capili. She also noted that with the improvement in the delivery of health services in the city, parents are now more active in availing of these programs.

CHO’s programs dovetail to Rody’s health agenda

declared she was running for president for the third time. April this year, Santiago visited her alma mater, UP Visayas, and told the crowd, “I have cancer. I told God I am ready, but He was never ready”. Santiago who finished last in the May 9 presidential race, showed physical weakness during the campaign period, making the fewest public appearances among all candi-

dates. Prior to the May 9 elections, Santiago told reporters a “wonder pill” has helped address her health concern, although she candidly admitted she might have to work double time to afford it. The pill, she said, costs P2,000 each. On May 24, Santiago filed a medical leave from the Senate until the end of her term

on June 30 due to excessive weakness caused by anorexia, or the inability to eat, as a side effect of one of her anti-cancer medications. She was rushed by ambulance to the Makati Medical Center on May 31 after contracting pneumonia, was moved to the intensive care unit (ICU) a day after, and was transferred to a regular private

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By RIA VALDEZ

HE City Health Office (CHO) is conducting consultations with other concerned government agencies in order to design and implement health programs that will benefit the city’s youth and women sectors. Arrmie Capili, CHO immunization officer, said this move is line with President Duterte’s health agenda that primarily aims to address the disparities in the delivery of health services in the country, especially among the poor

MOST CHILD-FRIENDLY CITY. The Presidential Award for the Most Child-Friendly City trophy is put on display during yesterday’s I-Speak media forum at City Hall where

City Social Services and Development Office (CSSDO) Head Maria Luisa Bermudo explains the reasons why the city won the award for the 5th time. Lean Daval Jr.

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EDGEDAVAO VOL. 9 ISSUE 156 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 - OCTOBER 1, 2016

DILG conducts probe on 50‘narco’politicians

COOP POWER. City Cooperative Office (CCO) Officer In Charge Julius Oxales says cooperatives are thriving due to the good business environment in the Davao City. Oxales also said during I-Speak media forum at City Hall

yesterday that currently there are 600 cooperatives in the city and its constantly increasing in number. Lean Daval Jr.

LGU to strengthen youth programs

By RIA VALDEZ

AVAO City will receive a cash prize of P500,000 for winning the Presidential Award for Most Child-Friendly City under the highly urbanized city category. According to Ma. Luisa Bermudo, chief of the City Social Services and Development Office (CSSDO), the said cash prize will be used to fund programs that aim to promote the welfare of children in the city. “We don’t have the reward yet,” said Bermudo, who explained that in order to obtain the award, the city’s Council for the Welfare of Children under the CSSDO needs to

submit a program design for review and approval by the National Council for the Welfare of Children. After winning the award for the fifth time, Bermudo said the CSSDO will continue to design and implement programs that would benefit the city’s youth. To recall, Davao was the first city to amend its Children’s Welfare Code in 2013 to make it more responsive to the needs of children. Bermudo also noted that the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act is still being improved, which is another positive development for the city’s youth sector.

Meanwhile, Bermudo stressed that Davao’s win in the presidential awards was not in any way influenced by President Duterte, who was the city’s former mayor. “The evaluation started even before President Duterte won,” she said, adding the evaluation was done by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and Department of Health (DOH), among others. Bermudo said the evaluation began on the first week of December 2015, with the awarding ceremony scheduled in April 2016.

The awarding ceremony, however, was rescheduled due to the conduct of the national elections in May. “We thought there wouldn’t be an awarding,” she said, admitting that she and her colleagues where surprised when they were informed upon short notice to attend a ceremony in Manila last Monday. Bermudo said that they were stunned when it was announced during the event that Davao won as Most Child-Friendly City. The cities of Mandaluyong, Baguio, and Bacolod City were also nominated for the prestigious award.

Golden Lion Award in the 73rd Venice International Film Festival. Ang Babaeng Humayo bested 19 other films from around the world to win the award. The film’s story revolves around Horacia Somosostro (Charo Santos Concio), who spent her 30 years in prison for a crime she didn’t commit and plotted her re-

venge against those who have framed her after being released. According to Variety, Lav Diaz’s latest masterpiece “is powerful and contained a refreshing moral study.” Meanwhile, the Film Stage, an international film news and critic, wrote that the film feels like something of a surprise because “it is ultimately an unostentatious

work” for its extended shots, black-and-white-photography, and heavy socio-economic weight. The film’s scheduled screening is from10 am and 7 pm on Sept. 28; 6 pm on Sept. 29; 7 pm on Sept. 30; 3:30 pm from Oct. 1 to 2. Admission price is P100. The film is also being screened in several theaters nationwide.

N. Lorenzana will discuss this with the President to seek more clarification and guidance,” Andoling said in a statement Thursday. Andolong also stressed that the DND and Armed Forces of the Philippines would await further orders from the Chief Executive regarding exercises with US forces.

“As stated earlier, all agreements and treaties with the US are still in effect. As to succeeding exercises, we will have to sit down with our US counterparts to discuss them,” he added. Before leaving for an official visit to Vietnam last Wednesday, Duterte said the Oct. 4 to 12 Philippine Am-

phibious Landing Exercises (PHIBLEX), which will take place in various locations in Luzon and Palawan, would be the country’s last with the US. Approximately 1,400 US service members based in Okinawa, Japan and 500 Filipino personnel are scheduled to train together in the 33rd iteration of PHIBLEX. (PNA)

‘Ang Babaeng Humayo’screens in Davao F By TIZIANA CELINE S. PIATOS

RESH from its international screening, the award-winning film “Ang Babaeng Humayo” directed by Lav Diaz has been added to Davao Cinematheque’s movie lineup which will run from Sept. 28 to Oct. 2. The film, which stars former ABS-CBN executive Charo Santos Concio and matinee idol John Lloyd Cruz, won the

DND to clarify Rody’s stand on PHL-US training

HE Department of National Defense (DND) will seek further clarification and guidance from President Duterte’s statement on the scheduled Filipino and American military exercises this October, according to DND Public Affairs Office Chief Arsenio Andoling. “Defense Secretary Delfin

EPARTMENT of Interior and Local Government is investigating at least 50 “narco” politicians who were previously named by President Duterte as being involved in the illegal drug trade. “We have come up with our investigating team, the Task Force Agila (TFA) has conducted discreet investigations on various so-called “narco” politicians and in fact, we are already in the process of building up cases against more or less 50 local government officials named and actually, most of them are mayors,” said TFA chairman and DILG Undersecretary John Castriciones in a media briefing, Thursday. The DILG official also bared that TFA teams were gathering evidence against what they call “Persons of Interest” or POIs from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Castriciones admitted that there were dangerous complications involved in their probes such as in dealing with POIs who maintain private armed groups (PAG). He said some mayors had refused to be investigated on the ground that they were already being subjected to a probe by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and PNP regional offices. He added that there were

reports that some local executives named by the president were being protected by notorious armed groups such as the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter (BIFF). “Some POIs are simply uncooperative. So, while we can conduct the investigations on our own, we are faced with these challenges, things that the Task Force can hurdle in pursuit of our mandate,” he said. On the light of the matter, Castriciones said that they following the directives of the President and Sec. Sueno though there is a great level of sensitivity in the nature of their jobs. “The instructions to use by Sec. Sueno is very specific. That we strictly observe due process and the rule of law in conducting our investigations. We do our job without prejudice to the safety and security of the members of our investigating teams.” Castriciones said. The Task Force Agila is a composite group of top officials from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), National Police Commission (Napolcom) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) mandated to investigate local government executives over whom the DILG has supervisory powers. (PNA)

PNP will not recommend lifting of state of lawlessness

HE Philippine National Police (PNP) will not recommend to President Duterte the lifting of the state of lawlessness as the government’s war on narcotics continues to unmask the magnitude of the country’s drug problem. ”So far, the threat is being linked to our war on drugs. So as of now, I cannot give advice to the President to lift the state of lawlessness as long as our war on drugs is relentless,” PNP Chief Dir. Gen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said in a press briefing in Malacañang Palace. Dela Rosa said the PNP has set a new target of 1.8 million surrenderers, neutralized, arrested and killed drug personalities under Oplan Tokhang. The PNP program means “knock and plead” to stop drug use. ”As of now, we have only 720,000 who surrendered plus around 15,000 arrested and there are also killed in police operations. So it’s far from our 1.8 million target on the demand side,” he explained. Right now, he said the PNP is facing a shortage of rehabilitation facilities for the drug dependents. On the supply side, the PNP chief said they have cut down the supply of illegal drugs by 70 percent to 80 percent, while the price of shabu has gone up by 300 percent. In Vietnam, President Duterte disclosed that 11,000 policemen and 16,000 baran-

gay (village) officials are involved in illegal drugs. President Duterte said he will release his third drug list after his two-day official visit to Hanoi. The President is set to arrive at 2 a.m. Friday. Dela Rosa said the PNP Internal Affairs Service will immediately investigate the 11,000 policemen allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade. ”Hindi na ito-Tokhang. Police na ‘yun e. Bakit mo pa ito-Tokhang, dapat tok-bang. Katok tapos bang. Dapat matino sila, hindi sila dapat involved sa drugs,” dela Rosa said. (“The policemen will no longer be subjected to Tokhang because they are police officers. Instead, they should be subjected to tok-bang -- knock then bang! They should not be involved in drugs,” dela Rosa said.) After Oplan Tokhang which focuses mainly on drug users at the barangay level, dela Rosa said the PNP will set its sight on high-value targets (HVTs). Last Sept. 3, President Duterte declared a state of lawlessness following the Davao City bomb blast that killed 14 people and wounded scores of others. The state of lawlessness was also declared to strengthen the government’s campaign against the illegal drug trade. According to President Duterte, the country has more than 3.7 million drug users. (PNA)

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EDGEDAVAO

6 ECONOMY

VOL. 9 ISSUE 156 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 - OCTOBER 1, 2016

Drop in account surplus is due to rising domestic requirements

RANKING official of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said decline in the country’s current account surplus is not bad since it is primarily due to the rising requirements of the domestic economy. In the first half of 2016, the current account surplus fell 85.2 percent to about USD800 million due to weaker exports as a result of the frail global economy. The BSP current account assumption for this year is a surplus of USD5.8 billion, and BSP Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo said the surplus is expected to be lower than USD5 billion in 2017. The country has been running current account surpluses for more than a decade now due in part to rise in exports. Debt rater Standard & Poor’s (S&P) said the Philippines current account “is likely to remain in surplus” at an average of two percent of gross domestic product (GDP) until 2019 despite the impact of negative external economic developments. Guinigundo said amid the drop in the current account

surplus, its current level remains positive. He said that while the current account is among the indicators being considered by investors and credit raters when assessing the robustness and credit worthiness of a country, these observers should also take into consideration the state of the economy. ”The Philippine economy is just growing. When we are growing we need a lot of infrastructure. We need a lot of importation especially of capital goods, raw materials, (and) intermediate products,” he said. The central bank official said these factors pull the current account position down and reduces the surplus. He, however, said this situation “is not exactly bad.” “It’s not exactly bad because that, in a sense, is investing for your future - the ability to process goods, produce goods and overtime improve your ability not only to export but also to produce for the domestic economy,” he said. “So that should be appreciated in a proper context,” he added. (PNA)

HE Philippine peso is forecast to take a breather after members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) signalled a production limit to address low oil prices. “The local unit may get a reprieve with the dollar on the backfoot given the bounce in crude,” Ayala-led Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) said in a research note Thursday. The study cited news reports saying OPEC members are considering not to just freeze outpu,t but cut production by about 700,000 barrels per day. OPEC member-countries, however, have not finalized anything and said decisions

will be made in their next meeting in November. With this news, price of US crude for November delivery rose more than USD2 to about USD47.05 a barrel at the New York Mercantile Exchange. US stocks also went up, thus, the flat opening for the Philippine peso Thursday at 48.19. The local unit traded between 48.15 and 48.26 in the morning session resulting to an average of 48 .21. It finished Wednesday’s trade at its seven-year low of 48.25 ahead of the OPEC meeting in Algeria and the uncertainties on the path of the Federal Reserve rates.

E-LIBRARY. Miguel Martin Bermundo, manager of Globe Telecommunications’ citizenship department, gives members of local media an over view of the company’s Global Filipino Schools (GFS) programs during the GFS eLibrary launch in time for the National Teachers Day celebration at a restaurant in Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

Globe launches eLibrary for public school studes By ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ

PH to take a reprieve A on oil price rebound T F PH, 10

Ilocano farmers to support tissue-cultured garlic

OLLOWING the successful field trial of a tissue-cultured garlic grown in this town, farmers here have manifested their intent to adopt thesaid technology to improve the quality of their production. Garlic farmer like Ronald Garanda of Paayas village said one of the remarkable characteristics of the tissue-cultured garlic which he tried on his farm is its high resistance to pest and diseases. Compared to the Ilocos native garlic variety, Garanda said his tissue-cultured garlic did not shrivel and the bulbs are still intact when it was stored for a longer time after harvest. Selected farmers who

tried the technology presented some of their harvest to Ilocos Norte Gov. Ma. Imelda Josefa Marcos during the Capitol Express held in Burgos town this week. Earlier this year, the tissue-cultured garlic technology has been tested in various parts of Ilocos Norte such as in Burgos, Badoc and Pasuquin. Facilitated by researchers of the University of the Philippines Los Baños, Laguna in cooperation with the provincial government of Ilocos Norte and selected farmer-cooperators, the special project aimed to boost high value crops resiliency against threat of climate change, including pests and diseases. (PNA)

adlopez0920@gmail.com

ROUND 15 million public school students nationwide, both at the elementary and secondary levels, are expected to benefit from the eLibrary project of leading telecommunications company Globe Telecom that will be launched today, September 30. In a press conference yesterday in Davao City, Miguel Bermundo, Globe Telecom manager for Citizenship said the eLibrary will feature over a thousand educational e-books that are considered appropriate for K-12 learning. The eLibrary is part of the Global Filipino School (GFS) program of Globe Telecom that will also benefit some 500,000 public school teachers in the country. Bermundo said the launching today will be in time with the celebration of the National Teachers Day that is being spearheaded by the Department of Education (DepEd). The press conference was also attended by the representatives from DepEd in Davao region, particularly from the divisions in Davao City, Davao del Sur and Davao del Norte.

Bermundo said the program was first launched in 2012 in Pilar, Bohol province. Since its launching in 2012, Globe Telecom has already supported 20 public schools together with 7,227 teachers and 41,038 students. The program, GFSLibrary. com is a web-based platform that provides free and quick access to digital story books for children and young adults as well as textbooks on core subjects such as Mathematics, Science, English, Filipino, Music and Arts. In schools, students can open the e-books through their desktops, laptops or any mobile devices by using any basic e-book reader. Among the schools in the Davao region that will benefit from the GFS program are Catalunan Pequeño National High School in Davao Coty; the Carmen National High School in Carmen, Davao del Norte; and the Matti National High School in Davao del Sur. In a separate statement given to the media, Globe Telecom said that under the GFS program, schools will be provided with unparalleled online connectivity to give

homeroom teachers access to limitless teaching and learning engagements available in the internet. This will further improve their craft and make learning fun and interesting for the students, the Globe Telecom added. “With the expansion of the GFS program and awareness of the GFS Library around the country, public schools can more effectively make use of reading resources and promote digital learning to more students and teachers nationwide, particularly in schools where access to quality books is limited and usage of technology for learning is not maximized,” Fernando Esguerra, Globe Director for Citizenship said in the statement. He added that the GFSLibrary.com website is a component of the GFS program and a long-term Globe educational initiative that seeks to transform public schools into centers of information and communications technology excellence and innovative teaching methods.

presently being undertaken to reverse the damaging effects of cocolisap in the province. Coconut scale insects, spawned by prolonged drought in the region since 2014 until mid of this year,infested most of coconut trees in Basilan, one of the country’s top coconut producers, damaging some three million coconut trees so far. Valdez said about Php 104 million would be spent for the application of the integrated pest management (IPM) pro-

tocol, including labor requirement for trunk injection and leaf pruning for every 2.1 million affected trees. IPM is the duly approved protocol for cocolisap treatment by the Department of Science and Technology’s Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARD), University of the Philippines Los Banos, and Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Governing Board. “The same protocol was

Training for teachers Bermundo added

that

public schools under the GFS program will also serve as training hubs for public school teachers and training partners of DepEd Division offices. Training and workshops for teachers include lessons on Digital Thumbprint Program (DTP) and cyber wellness advocacies. The DTP will have three modules designed to increase the knowledge of students on digital citizenship and cyber safety. Globe Telecom also said that teachers in selected schools will also undergo trainings in science through Globe and the Science Wonder Workshop of the Mind Museum. The training seeks to transform classroom learning into fun, interactive and interesting, Globe added. “The one-day workshop emphasizes the essential role of student participation, especially through experiments in teaching science,” the telecom company said, adding that teachers will also get the chance to participate in doing hands-on science demonstrations which can be performed with readily available materials.

Gov’t earmarks P104M to address‘cocolisap’in Basilan

HE government will spend Php 104 million for the application of pest management system, as its 60-day emergency containment measure against the aggressive “cocolisap” infestation in the province of Basilan is now in full force, with the rehabilitation program to follow immediately. Atty. Halmen A. Valdez, Undersecretary for the Office of the Cabinet Assistance System, said the containment measure, which started on Sept. 20, is

used in Calabarzon [Cavite, Laguna, Batangas and Quezon] in 2014. Its efficacy in treating the infected trees had been tested when it was used to treat some 1.3 million trees infected with CSI in Calabarzon area. There were zero CSI hot spot municipalities in such area after using such protocol as of last ground inspection in 2015,” Valdez added. She assured that there is sufficient fund not only for the containment but also for the

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Davao City coop’s net income pegged at P7B By TIZIANA CELINE S. PIATOS

ROSPECTS look bright for Davao City’s cooperatives. This, as the City Cooperative Development Office (CCDO) reported that the overall assets and net income of local cooperatives are now worth P7 billion and is expected to increase by the end of 2016. “The amount is already the net income, hence, the cooperatives in Davao can provide more dividends to their members,” said CCDO officer Julius Oxales. According to Oxales, the cooperative sector in Davao is improving in terms of providing socio-economic services to its members. He said he is confident the cooperatives’ income in Davao will continue to grow by the end of this year, as they are maximizing the utilization of idle funds such as

placing them in time deposits and products distribution. Based on CCDO records, Davao City has 11 largescale cooperatives, 42 medium-scale coops, and 83 small-scale cooperatives. Oxales said that there are currently 694 cooperatives actively operating in Davao. “However, only 294 coops submitted their net assets on time,” he revealed. Oxales said the CCDO will conduct an outreach program this Saturday at the People’s Park in line with the Cooperative Month Celebrations. He said the outreach program aims to “help enable cooperatives to become more socio-economically empowered organizations by providing appropriate OD programs and give continuous livelihood assistance to client-cooperatives.”

PH strengthens commercial ties with Mexico: Sec. Lopez

EPARTMENT of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez has ensured strengthened commercial ties with Mexico during the courtesy visit of Ambassador of Mexico to the Philippines Julio Camarena Villaseñor recently. Both sides are also discussing the establishment of a Joint Economic Committee (JEC) that will further the bilateral trade and investment between the Philippines and Mexico. For his part, Ambassador Villaseñor expressed Mexico’s interest in the Philippines as an economic gateway to the ASEAN region, further emphasizing that the Philippines is a priority area for investments in Asia. Currently, the two countries’ combined investments have reached US $6 billion. Some US $2 billion worth of investments from Mexico will be allocated to the Philippines, bulk of which will be from the telecommunications sector. Mexico, a strong economic ally of the Philippines, has poured its biggest investments in the Philippines compared with other ASEAN economies. The ambassador mentioned that Mexico invests more in the Philippines than China, Japan, Korea and other Asian countries. In fact, among Mexico’s two largest companies, CEMEX, a multinational building materials company and FEMSA, a world-leading Coca-Cola bottler company, are both present in the Philippines. “Our long-shared history with Mexico makes it easier to understand each other’s interest,” added Sec. Lopez. For more than 250 years now, Philippine-Mexico commercial ties have become part of major turning points in the

history of the world’s commerce. The Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade, witnessed not only the two-way exchange of products, but also exchange in population and norms. Historical accounts show that Mexico sent some 250,000 Mexican Silver pesos, collected in taxes, to the Philippines to enable the Spaniards to stay in the country. The first Philippine governor-general was Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, a former mayor of Mexico City. In 1945, when the Philippines was under the Japanese occupation, the Mexican Airforce with the Squadron 201, was one of the forces alongside the United States, that helped liberate Manila. That was the only time that the Mexican Airforce left Mexican territory to fight in an international war. “The Philippines is eager to know that one of our strong commercial allies, Mexico, has expressed its keen interest in the country,” said Sec. Lopez, adding the Philippines will continue to maximize economic opportunities with Mexico, by attracting more investments and easing the process of doing business in the country. In 2015, Mexico ranked as the Philippines’ 28th trading partner (out of 223), 19th export market (out of 211), 40th import source (out of 203), and 2nd major trading partner out of the 21 Latin American countries. The DTI, through its Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC), recently opened its first office in the Latin American Region in Mexico City office. PTIC-Mexico will cover areas including Central and South America. Ambassador Villaseñor welcomed said initiative.

EDGEDAVAO

ECONOMY 7

Mentor ME to scale up micro-enterprises By JERMAINE L. DELA CRUZ

HE Department of Trade and Industry Regional Office XI - (DTIXI) has announced that Davao will be the pilot area for the launching of the Mentor Micro-Enterprises (Mentor ME), one of the major components of the KAPATID, Angat Lahat Program of the agency. The 11-week session is designed to help Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Davao scale up their businesses through the weekly coaching and mentoring by business owners and practitioners on different functional areas of entrepreneurship. During the Habi at Kape media forum Wednesday in Abreeza Mall, Rachel Remitio, DTI-XI SME Development Ser-

vices division chief, said the implementation of the program will begin on Oct. 7 and will cater to 20 mentees per Negosyo Center. “We have 14 Negosyo Centers in Davao City now, but at the end of 2016, there will be 21,” explained Remitio, adding that about 300 mentees will be trained under the program. The one-day session held on Saturdays has two parts: the 8AM to 12NN timeslot will include lectures on relevant topics on entrepreneurship, while the PM to 5PM timeslot will be dedicated for one-onone consultations. Among the topics to be discussed during the 11week training are Setting the

Entrepreneurial Mindset, Marketing, Accounting for Non-Accountants, Product Development, Operations Management, Human Resource Management, Supply and Value Chain and Financial Management. “By Dec. 2, the MSME’s will be required to come up with a re-entry plan as to their business, ano yung sa tingin nila dapat ayusin,” said Remitio. She added that the mentees will be required to present their re-entry plan to qualify them for graduation on Dec. 8. The Development Services Division Chief said the agency has partnered with Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (DCC-

CII) whose staff will be among the program’s mentors, as well as other business experts from Davao. Aside from Davao City, other areas in the country that have been identified as pilot areas for the implementation of the Mentor Me Program include as Iloilo, Zamboanga, General Santos City, Cagayan de Oro City, Lanao and Cebu. The DTI, in partnership with the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship, Inc.-Go Negosyo (PCE-GN) will also launch the two other components of the KAPATID, Angat Lahat Program – the Adopt an SSF and Inclusive Business on Oct. 7, 2016 at the Marco Polo Hotel Davao with top DTI officials as guests of honor.

MAIDEN FLIGHT. Chinese and Filipino-Chinese passengers wait for their luggage and other belongings at a conveyor upon arriving in Davao City aboard Xiamen Air during the airlines’ maiden flight to the city on Wednesday evening. Lean Daval Jr.

PH highlights MSME agenda in global arena

ORWARDING the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) advocacy to bring small businesses in the front and center of global and regional trade, the Philippine Mission to the World Trade Organization (PMWTO) organized a session in the WTO Public Forum 2016 dubbed as “Towards a MSME (Micro Small and Medium Enterprise) Marketplace: Growing Global MSMEs for inclusive development.” During the forum, DTI Undersecretary Nora K. Terrado identified four (4) areas of focus for the integration of MSMEs in international trade. These include improving MSMEs access to information, strengthening MSMEs absorptive capacity, developing global MSMEs, and facilitating cross borders trade through the creation of networks and links.

The model highlighted the importance of transparency, data gathering, innovation, inclusive finance, logistics, and e-commerce in the development of global MSMEs. “Support for MSMEs would have to be undertaken in a comprehensive manner that also entails discussion of cross-cutting issues such as funding for developing and least-developed countries, as well as a mechanism for a continued discussion on MSMEs within the existing framework of the WTO,” emphasized Terrado. The Philippine session represented many developing countries’ MSME interaction – an open square in a town where businesses and enterprising individuals interact with each other in a mutually reinforcing environment. The discussion facilitated exchange of ideas,

and stimulated open discussion to further enhance and develop collective practical tools for MSMEs worldwide. “Within the four corners of the WTO and the existing agreements, the session aims to delve further on existing WTO rules which provide opportunities for MSMEs that we should all be aware of. The session also explores practical tools that will help address the challenges and opportunities identified,” DTI Special Trade Representative Jose Antonio Buencamino explained as moderator of the session. DTI Undersecretary Terrado was joined by prominent speakers in the field of trade, namely Mr. David Shark, Deputy Director General of the World Trade Organization; Ms. Arancha Gonzalez, Executive Director of the International Trade Centre; Ms. Anabel Gonza-

lez, Senior Director for Trade and Competitiveness of the World Bank Group; Mr. Steve Beck, Head of Trade Finance of the Asian Development Bank; and Mr. Carlos Grau Tanner, Director General of Global Express Association. The Public Forum is WTO’s flagship event that provides a unique platform for heads of state and leading global businesspeople, academics and non-governmental organisations to come together and discuss some of the major trade and development issues of the day. The 15th edition was held from 27-29 September with the theme “Inclusive Trade” that aims to examine how the WTO can foster SMEs’ participation into the global market. With 100 parallel sessions, the Forum generates over 40,000 hours of discussions and attracts over 2,000 participants.

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 156 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 - OCTOBER 1, 2016

EDITORIAL

Goodbye, Iron Lady

ENATOR Miriam Defensor-Santiago breathed her last yesterday at 8:52 in the morning in her hospital bed at St. Luke’s Global City Medical Center. She was 71. Her husband confirmed her passing which happened in the peaceful tranquil of her sleep. Everyone who knew the late Senator would agree, she is the bravest lady government official the land has seen. Her bravery and strong will stem from a judicious mind. Her words are sharp but never going down into name-calling when engaged in an argument. Her peers respect her for her intelligence and for being fair. She puts to good use her being a lawyer and is never one too excited to create scenes without substance. Her Senate bio read: “In a nation where many public officials are charged with, or suspected, of plunder, her honesty shines like a light in the darkness.” Born in Iloilo City on June 15, 1945, the former senator ran for president in the May 2016 elections but lost to President Rodrigo

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Duterte. She also sought the presidency in 1992 (won by Fidel Ramos) and 1998 (won by Joseph Estrada). During the last campaign, Sen. Miriam was present in all but one of the Presidential debates and showed that despite being slowed down by a stage 4 lung cancer which she had been battling since 2014, she would not back down. President Duterte praised Santiago when he faced off with the lady lawmaker in one of the debates and simply asked the question “how are you, Ma’am?” That was it. Santiago earned the moniker the “Iron Lady of Asia” for her no-nonsense drive against graft and corruption when she served all the three branches of the government—judicial, executive, and legislative. She redefined feistiness with her mental depth and grounded personality. Farewell, Madam Senator, Your place in Philippine politics will never be equalled by anyone.

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 156 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 - OCTOBER 1, 2016

Davao’s world-class assets in choral singing

HE negative effect on the country’s international image caused by the increasing number of extrajudicial killings and summary executions that have been tainting the yet unprecedented extraordinary international popularity of President Rodrigo Duterte can be neutralized to a certain degree by highlighting the outstanding achievements of Himig Singers and the University of Mindanao Chorale in separate international choir competitions participated in by several countries from different parts of the world. The Himig Singers of Davao City was one of the seven finalists which passed the stringent audition in the prestigious Vivace Choir Competition

VANTAGE POINTS

held in VeszTIMELY and TIMELESS prem, Hungary on July 30, 2004 which was replicated by the UM Chorale in the Orientale Concentus international DIOSCORO choir compeVICENTINO tition held in Singapore on July 1 – 4, 2016. The Himig Singers was one of the two qualifiers from Asia, the other being the Taipeh Chamber Singers from the Republic of China. The two Davaoeño choirs brought home their

respective general championship trophies which are heavy enough to sink to the depth of oblivion whatever obnoxious reputations the country has been absorbing during this critical part of Philippine political history. The 14-member Himig Singers, the smallest among the 50 choral groups which submitted themselves for audition, bested six other bigger and stronger choirs as follows: Coro San Jorge of Madrid, Spain; “Ingur” Boys’ choir from Izhevsk, Udmurtia, Russia; Taipeh Chamber Singers of the Republic of China; Choir of the University of Technology and Agriculture from Bydgoszez, Poland; Complesso Vocale di Nuoro, Italy; “Moneta” Chamber Choir from Riga, and the Ensemble Vocal

Meli-Melo of Bruxelles (Brussels). The Himig Singers was declared the best choir by the three-man jury and was voted overwhelmingly as such by the audience mostly Hungarians. In beeping with President Duterte’s policy of highlighting local talents in the Kadayawan Festival 2016, the UM Chorale was requested by the Program Committee to perform at the opening of the weeklong festival on August 15 where they sang President Duterte March, titled “Mabuhay, Dakilang Pangulo!”. The said Duterte March is getting viral in the social media with over 260,000 viewers and reactors. (Any comments or reactions may be texted to the author, 09183493846.)

as yet by axe FAST BACKWARD or bolo.’ Behind this glowing praise, though, are stories of carnage, which today’s headlines call as Antonio V. Figueroa ‘ g e n o c i d e .’ Ashamed of the brutalities committed by his countrymen, American literary writer Samuel Langhorne Clemen, also known as Mark Twain, was quoted by the New York Herald on Oct. 15, 1900, saying: “We have pacified some thousands of the islanders and buried them; destroyed their fields; burned their villages, and turned their widows and orphans out-of-doors; furnished heartbreak by exile to some dozens of disagreeable patriots; subjugated the remaining ten millions by Benevolent Assimilation, which is the pious new name of the musket; we have acquired property in the three hundred concubines and other slaves of our business partner, the Sultan of Sulu, and hoisted our protecting flag over that swag. And so, by these providences of god — and the phrase is the government’s, not mine — we are a World Power.” Twain, an ‘anti-imperialist’, went on to attack the military of his country, lambasting it for its unfettered slaughter of innocent civilians and for acting like uncivilized people: “The present war is no bloodless,

fake, opera bouffe engagement; our men have been relentless, have killed to exterminate men, women, children, prisoners and captives, active insurgents and suspected people from lads of ten up, the idea prevailing that the Filipino as such was little better than a dog, a noisome reptile in some instances, whose best disposition was to the rubbish heap. Our soldiers have pumped salt water into men to make them talk, and have taken prisoners people who held up their hands and peacefully surrendered, and an hour later, without an atom of evidence to show that they were even insurrectors, stood them on a bridge and shot them down one by one, to drop into the water below and float down, as examples to those who found their bullet-loaded corpses. It is not civilized warfare, but we are not dealing with civilized people. The only thing they know and fear is force, violence, and brutality, and we give it to them.” In Davao, as a result of the killing of Edward Robert Bolton, an American quasi-civilian governor of Davao, and his plantation foreman, Benjamin Christian, dozens of natives, including helpless women, perceived by the colonists to be part of a conspiracy led by Mangulayon, a Tagacaolo subward leader who hacked to death the American duo, were murdered. Against enemies with superior firearms, the result was predictably devastating. Other than this juez de cuchillo, the 1901 Balangiga Massacre and the 1913 Battle of Bud Dajo Bagsak in Jolo, Sulu, ranked high among the bloodiest US campaigns against Filipinos.

In the event leading to the Balangiga Massacre, the US military forces tasted its worst defeat in the Philippines, where 74 men of Company C were killed. As a result, the ‘villagers captured about 100 rifles and 25,000 rounds of ammunition and suffered 28 dead and 22 wounded.’ In retaliation, the American forces led by Brig. Gen. Jacob H. Smith killed close to 50,000 Samareños in the town of Balangiga. His instruction to Maj. Littleton Waller, commander of the battalion of 315 Marines assigned to beef up the forces in Samar, was: “I want no prisoners. I wish you to kill and burn, the more you kill and burn the better it will please me. I want all persons killed who are capable of bearing arms in actual hostilities against the United States.” In the Jolo carnage, over 6,000 Muslims were mercilessly massacred by the forces of Gen. John ‘Black Jack’ Pershing. This is the same event that raised a howl in the recent Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Vientiane, Laos, when President Rodrigo Duterte confronted US President Barack Obama on the issue of human rights. And on May 2, 1902, in another display of cruelty, around 700 Maranaw warriors, excluding their women and children, armed only with hand knives to defend themselves, were brutally killed by American soldiers at Kota Padang Karbala, in Bayang, Lanao del Sur. With these historical injustices revisited, there’s no arguing President Duterte’s tirade against the American nation was made doubly reasonable.

Carnage in the ‘garden of the gods’’

MERICAN writers, notably in the late and post-Spanish periods, were used to calling wonderful landscapes, wherever that was, as the ‘garden of the gods’. When the US colonizers started discovering the beautiful places around the Philippine archipelago, they freely applied this description to places like Davao, Baguio and Palawan. In short, the phrase ‘garden of the gods’, adopted from a US tourist spot known by the same appellation, was adopted by American writers when writing glowing praises and review of undefiled ecological treasures. Dean C. Worcester, in his article The Philippine Islands, which appeared in the magazine The Mentor (August 1915), also described Palawan’s Bacuit Bay with its ‘towering cliffs, undercut by the waves, rise from a crystal clear sea in which are wonderful marine gardens, gay with corals, sponges, and brilliantly colored fishes, as “The Garden of the Gods.”’ Warren Lee Donald, in Isles of Opportunity (1928), wrote that ‘the most exciting and fascinating of all is the splendid mountain city of Baguio, with its environs and oak and pine-clad ranges, which he called as ‘the Philippine Garden of the Gods.’ Predating Worcester and Donald in giving the country its most wonderful appellation was the American-owned Mindanao Herald based in Zamboanga City. In April 1905, it already cited Davao as ‘the garden of the gods’ given its ‘[n] atural beauty of land and sea, the gentle slopes and the steep forest-covered hillsides, [and] the native jungle untouched

10 NEWS

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 9 ISSUE 156 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 - OCTOBER 1, 2016

DENGUE... FROM 1

tutionalize mosquito-borne diseases prevention programs against chikungunya, dengue , felaria, Japanese encephalitis, malaria, and zika. Through the proposed ordinance, barangays will be mandated to allocate budgets for disease prevention.

The CHO will also create a task force called “Lamok Buster” that will be composed of existing barangay health workers and other stakeholders. Councilor Mary Joselle Villafuerte said the ordinance should be ready for second reading anytime soon.

He also recalled that during the implementation of Oplan Bantay Laya, military generals used traditional lumad names such Datu during their operations. Fanagel noted that this is the reason why some lumad groups were looked upon as armed groups.

“We never declared one of them (generals) as datu,” said Fanagel who called this move by the military as “discrimination.” Reacting to Librado’s statement, Fanagel requested that the lumads be given due respect, as they are also an integral part of society.

anal sex have a higher chance of acquiring the HIV virus. Since June 2016, the center has recorded 38 HIV patients, 34 of which are male while 4 are female. Among the 1,661 HIV patients the center is assisting, 771 belong to 25 to 34 years age bracket; 663 to the 15 to 24 bracket; 193 to the 35 to 49 bracket; 52 were to the 50 years old and above bracket; while two belong to the 15-years old and below bracket. According to RHWC data, homosexual intercourse was the primary mode of transmission of the virus with 845 cases, followed by bisexual

(584), heterosexual (222), unknown transmissions (8) and from parent to children (2). Serano said the center keeps track of the activities of commercial sex workers in the city, and makes sure they undergo the required monthly smear test. “At least twice a month they undergo a smear test, we check on them at night, we go from establishment to establishments and even those freelancers. We see to it that they were checked,” she said. She added the center gives counseling to those who have been tested positive of the virus, and provides free medicines to patients.

of Corrections which has jurisdiction on the NBP, confirmed the inmates gave conflicting accounts of the incident. He said that based on the narration of inmates Clarence Dongail and Edcar Singco, the scuffle started after drug lords Tony Co, Peter Co and Vicente Sy were caught sniffing shabu inside their cell. Initial reports said Dongail confronted the three Chinese inmates before proceeding to the cell of Jaybee Sebastian. A few minutes later, Tony Co reportedly attacked Dongail with an ice pick, sparking the riot. Orceo meanwhile said that based on the account of Sebastian, he was watching television at the mess hall when he was suddenly attacked by an inmate named Tomas Dolina. He said Sebastian claimed he saw Dolina talking to Dongail prior to the attack. Sebastian’s account, according to the official, matched with the claim of Peter Co who told probers that he was invited by Dongail to go to the sleeping quarter of Tony Co. He said he then asked Sy to accompany him to Tony Co’s quarter where he was suddenly attacked by Dongail. After the incident, Tony Co was declared dead on arrival at the hospital while Peter Co, Sy and Sebastian sustained stab wounds and were brought to the Muntinlupa Medical Center. Dongail was also injured but he opted to be treated inside the NBP. NBP officials also said they

found no traces of shabu or any drug paraphernalia at the scene of the incident. Because of the conflicting versions, Orceo said they would subject the Chinese inmates to drug test and check on the CCTV footages inside the facility where new signal jammers were installed on Tuesday. Orceo also said the probe would look into the possible link of the stabbing incident to the ongoing House of Representatives inquiry on the proliferation of illegal drug trade in the national penitentiary. Earlier, Aguirre denied the insinuation of Sen. Leila de Lima the incident could be part of attempts to force Sebastian to testify before the House inquiry and implicate her in the NBP illegal drug trade. Aguirre vowed to look deeper into the incident, especially after Sebastian’s lawyer claimed the attack on his client was unprovoked. “This is not good for the government. We want Jaybee Sebastian to live because we’re relying on him to spill the beans on Senator De Lima. So we don’t want him to die, we want him to live of course,” the DOJ Chief said Meanwhile, Sebastian, Sy and Co remain in stable condition but are still under observation at the Medical Center Muntinlupa. Sebastian sustained stab wounds on the chest, arms, hands and back, while Co was stabbed on the chest and Sy was stabbed at the back and side. (PNA)

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Davao’s... FROM 2

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DECLINING DENGUE CASES. Digma Salamsan of the City Health Office (CHO) says the number of dengue cases in the city has dropped, which the agency has attributed to the city government’s aggressive tri-media

information campaign which urged residents to become more vigilant and participate in clean-up drives. Salamsan made the disclosure during yesterday’s I-Speak media forum at City Hall. Lean Daval Jr.

Sen. Poe hopeful FOI bill to be passed by yearend S

ENATOR Grace Poe on Thursday expressed hope the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill would be endorsed for plenary consideration and subsequent approval by December. Poe, who chairs the Senate committee on public information and mass media, made this remark after the final hearing on the transparency measure. She said that because the Senate panel has already unanimously passed the FOI bill in the last Congress in record time, she was hopeful the panel could soon release a committee report. The panel is set to prepare

a consolidated measure and consider various proposals from senators based on what transpired during the two public hearings. The Senate approved on third and final reading its version of the FOI bill on March 10, 2014 during the 16th Congress. However, the measure was stalled at the House of Representatives. “This (version) is not far from the version already passed in the Senate. That’s why I am hopeful that this will be passed by yearend,” Poe said. “I think that a lot of senators will agree to an FOI law at

room two days later after her condition stabilized. Santiago was the first Filipino to be elected in the International Criminal Court (ICC) in 2011 but never assumed her post due to chronic fatigue

syndrome. Santiago was labelled the “Dragon Lady”, the “Platinum Lady”, the “Incorruptible Lady”, the “Tiger Lady”, and most popularly, the “Iron Lady of Asia”.

Monetary officials and economic managers alike have attributed the latest weakness of the peso to negative sentiments as a result of external factors. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo said the local currency remains strong

as shown by its real effective exchange rate (REER), which is the weighted average against a basket of currencies. He said the peso remains competitive and flexible, adding that its current trading level is still far from the 55-level it registered during the fiscal crisis in 2005. (PNA)

rehabilitation of the affected areas immediately after the 60-day treatment. “It depends upon the extent of the damage of the CSI to a particular area affected, some recover after six months, while some take longer to fully recover,” Valdez said. “Pending this rehabilita-

tion, we are closely partnering with the LGUs (local government units) concerned and the Department of Agriculture to find alternative livelihood for our affected farmers,” she added. the Office of the Cabinet Assistance System is a unit tasked to supervise PCA. (PNA)

Sen. Miriam... FROM 3 PH... FROM 6

Gov’t... FROM 6

the soonest possible time,” she added. President Duterte previously issued Executive Order (EO) No. 2 on the FOI measure which covers state agencies. The FOI bill was listed as among the priority measures the President wanted to be passed immediately. Poe lauded the administration’s commitment to promote transparency and good governance, but pointed out the measure still has certain limitations. “Although the President’s EO is laudable, and we thank him for it, there is still an urgent need to pass a freedom of information law, so that the scope

will not just be on the Executive but also on the other branches of government,” Poe said. Poe explained the Senate is not going to make a replica but rather improve the material so that the committee report in the chamber will be “a superior piece of legislation”. She meanwhile said the measure will assure an individual’s right to privacy since it is equally important as the right to information. “There is a need to balance these two constitutionally protected rights, especially concerning online disclosure of sensitive information,” Poe said. (PNA)

of Apex Mining Corporation who discussed the whole spectrum of the Mining Industry; and Atty.Wilfredo G. Moncano, Regional Director of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau XI who discussed Mining Tenements. Speakers Bureau is a program under the Advisory

and Advocacy Functions of NAST Philippines. This activity aims to gather and bring experts in various fields to lend their expertise to academic institutions or any interested organizations who are in need of speakers and resource persons on any science-related issues.

of the tree – including the bark, leaves, roots, fruit and seeds – have been used for centuries by medicine men and native Indians to treat heart disease, asthma, liver problems and arthritis. Papaya. “Low in calories and full of nutrition, papaya has more vitamin C than an orange,” says Amy Tousman, a registered dietitian based in Hawaii. “It’s loaded with vitamin A, potassium, folate and fiber. It also contains lutein and zeaxanthin, substances which help protect our eyes from age-related blindness.”

In addition, the vitamins C and E found in papaya are all associated with reduced risk of colon cancer. Papaya also helps in the prevention of atherosclerosis, diabetes and heart disease. Folic acid found in papaya is needed for the conversion of a substance called homocysteine, an amino acid. If unconverted, homocysteine can directly damage blood vessel walls and if levels get too high, it is considered a significant risk factor to heart attack and strokes. Fruits and vegetables, anyone?

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INdulge!

VOL. 9 ISSUE 156 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 - OCTOBER 1, 2016

EDGEDAVAO

ARTS AND CULTURE

Ajack-of-all-tradesandamasterofone LITO PEPITO MAY HAVE BEEN BORN INTO A FAMILY OF ARTISTS, BUT DIDN’T GROW UP AS ONE. Like a vine that wants to go over the brick wall, he had to make a few long detours before realizing his dream as a fulltime artist. Lito started his career as an accountant, then a bookkeeper, and then as a medical representative —fields that had nothing to do with art. It seemed that these jobs pushed him further and further away from his passion. “Even though my working life seemed to overtake my goal to becoming an artist, I guess if it is in you, it is really in you — it was as if I felt my hand throbbing and so I spent any money I had to buy painting materials, and started teaching myself oil and watercolor little by little. As time

went on, I could sell a few pieces for cheap here and there, but it wasn’t until I gave an ultimatum to my boss in the pharmaceutical company that I wanted to quit to pursue art, that he then gave me a deal of a lifetime,” Lito nostalgically recounts. Because of his appealing workethic, his boss didn’t want to lose him right then and there, and so made Lito an exchange deal of an all-expense paid trip to Paris, France, if he stayed in the company for a longer time. Accepting the offer, he then practically spent all his time in the “City of Love” exploring the Louvre Museum. A long overdue thirst for a major artistic endeavor was finally being quenched. Those career detours that consumed half of his life now seemed an inconceivable lifetime ago, which apparently, Sir

Lito — career-wise — didn’t waste another second going back to. His impressive resume/portfolio contains numerous solos and group exhibits, commission works, and awards that tally in the hundreds. “My favorite quote from Ed Whitney that is in regards to creating watercolor art is: draw like a turtle and paint like a rabbit. Because for me, really, watercolor is a combination of one’s skill in making oil and acrylic—you start slow in terms of the conceptualization and composition, then you have to keep up speed to retain the malleability of your medium. My theme is mostly centered around Mindanaon heritage and Davao elements because I want my message to be about showcasing the beauty that is our city and its people through modern and classical

treatments,” Lito explains. Whether he is working with watercolor or oil, Lito has preserved his own identity and style with the combination of realism art with striated distortions that furnishes his works with a semiabstract finish. His use of solid colors — whether bright or dark — bring his subjects to a greater effect of lucidity that makes his audience marvel at the fact that he is a self-taught painter. He is currently the president of the Davao Watercolor Society and would like to invite those who would want to workshop side by side with other Davao artists for a continuing learning process in watercolor at Basti’s Brew Victoria Plaza, every Tuesday at 2:00PM to 5:00PM. For more information, please contact the featured artist at 09272790530.

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Evidence of defia Ang Kiukok's Works on Paper at SM C By Carlomar Arcangel Daoana TEN YEARS AFTER HIS DEATH, Ang Kiukok is featured in a solo exhibition in Davao City, through the partnership of Finale Art File and SM City Davao. It is a homecoming of sorts for the National Artist who was born and raised in the city. Already a teenager when he set sail for Manila to study Fine Arts at the University of Santo Tomas, Ang Kiukok was a true-blue Davaoeño, having absorbed its contours, colors, and characteristics.

The event, which will be held from Sept 28 to Oct. 3 at the SM City Davao Annex Event Center is part of the “My City, My SM, My Art” campaign, a celebration of Philippine visual arts, which features the works of masters, modernists, and millennials around the SM Supermalls. Advocating art for all, we’re working with communities through exhibits, workshops, and contests around the SM Supermalls. Project partners include the Metro-

politan Museum of Manila, the Shell Group of Companies and the Philippine Star with support from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and Centerstage Production, and in this special edition with the Finale Art File For this exhibition, a total of 20 works on paper have been gathered, showcasing the iconography that has elevated Ang Kiukok’s name in the pantheon of Philippine visual arts. These are neither studies nor preparatory sketches

but fully realized works created during the 1970s and ‘80s and coeval with his oil-on-canvas works featuring the same themes. Unseen by the public and kept in private collection through all these decades, the works are exhibited together for the first time. The bound figure, the crucifixion, the seated figure—subject matters that have become part and parcel of our understanding of the master—are all here, exerting the power of their planar, cubist forms, trapped but threatening to break free of the space, and embodying the coloration for which Ang Kiukok is known—the tonalities of industry and urban decay. Constructed with a concatenation of lines and rigid shapes, the figures are punctuated by the spheres of eye sockets, elbows, and kneecaps and set against severe, monochromatic backgrounds. They seem to thrust forward, menacing the viewer with their facial

exp con wit spa duc rify B feri fian vea bou let o less arm of d ind the

ER 1, 2016

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pressions, bodily gestures and ntortions. Portraits of suffering thin a sliver of claustrophobic ace, they signify humanity reced to its bare essentials, to a terying namelessness. But this is humanity—while sufing, broken, and anguished—dent. The twisting of the torsos reals the pulse of residual life. The und figures, their jaws fully open, out a scream; they are not voices. A couple of figures have their ms raised skyward as a daring act defiance. Headless and devoid of dividuality, the seated figures have eir hands folded into fists. The

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crucifixion, while featuring the expiring body of Christ on the cross, remains as an enduring symbol of hope for the Christendom. Which is to say that these works are a powerful visual allegory for the age—or of any age

for that matter—as long as abuse of power, disequilibrium, and injustice continue to exist in the world. Ang Kiukok’s works are enduring records of suffering and resistance, of despair and hope. Pointing to larger exigencies and realities

beyond the confines of art, they are a shock to the system, jolting us out of our complacency. They are a plea for acknowledgment and connection, if not empathy. No one who looks at these works deeply and passionately can ever stay unchanged.

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A celebration of art and the city SM Supermalls celebrates Filipino art and creativity with the fourth iteration Joffry “Omar” Casan and his work “Identity”. of its “My City, My SM” campaign. and belief systems Dubbed “South- that make up their ern Sensibilities,” identity as a people. the SM CIty Davao On display at SM City leg of the campaign Davao’s Event Center which opened last until Oct. 3, are works Sept. 28, gathers by Joffry “Omar” Casan, some of the most Charles Ligan, Jr., Alyantalented artists from nah Bacalso Macla, Kent the region, who are Mendenilla, Jester Oani, not afraid to visu- Boylin Poral, Jr., Soon alize and translate Unlang, and Judelyn Mae into art their cus- Villarta. toms, traditions, These are young Min-

September 29, 2016 only

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Alynnah Macla and her work “Too Loud To See”

Judelyn Mae Villarta and her work “Bukidnon’s Cultural Gathering”

SM City Davao assistant mall manager Nick Santos, SM senior vice president for marketing and communications Millie Dizon, Museo Dabawenyo officer-in-charge Orly Escarilla, Department of Tourism XI regional director Roberto Alabado III, Finale Art File’s Evita Sarenas, and University of Mindanao’s Willie Torres.

Kent Mendenilla and his work “24/7/365”

danawon artists who are not only experts in a variety of media and techniques, but most importantly, are fiercely proud of their heritage. “The works of the artists here in Davao reflect the cultural diversity of region,” said Millie Dizon, SM’s senior vice president for marketing and communications. Also on display are 20 works by Dabawenyo National Artist Ang Kuikok courtesy of Finale Art File. The rare public exhibition is expected to fascinate and inspire art lovers. All the pieces at the My City My SM My Art Southern Sensibilities exhibit, including the 20 pieces by Ang Kiukok are for sale. A portion of the show’s proceeds will be donated to the Tim Tebow Cure Hospital.

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EDGEDAVAO VOL. 9 ISSUE 156 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 - OCTOBER 1, 2016

10 IT security tips for SMBs

TARTING a business has never been for the faint of heart, but the cyber age has brought new dimensions to the already complex ongoing process. Simply put, you cannot do business of any kind without cybersecurity. But, like just about everything else in business, technology and security decisions really boil down to money. Only you can decide how best to allocate your resources. Spend wisely and you’ll have the best possible chances of succeeding — security doesn’t have to break the bank. Here are my top 10 basic and not-so-basic tips for setting up small-business security: Having an IT security policy is crucial. Sure, commonsense rules apply — “don’t steal” comes to mind — but creating a basic IT policy should be a top priority. You and all of your employees will gain an understanding of rules and expectations regarding everything from passwords to customer privacy, from physically securing technology to data classification. Crafting a policy can be demanding of your resources, but you can find tons of good sources of information online, such as the Infosec Institute and the SANS Institute. You can tailor any basic policy to suit the needs of your business. Just make sure employees read and sign an acknowledgment form once you have your policy in place. Secure your data. That means not only keeping criminals out, but also backing up data securely and regularly. If you are not in a financial or technological place to ensure your data is secure, let a large business do it for you. Gain perspective. As a small business, you might feel like an unattractive target for cybercriminals — like you’re too small to be interesting. Instead, think of SMBs as a class of targets — interesting targets. The main reason small businesses are great targets is that they represent a gateway to your customers and partners. Of course, criminals also bank on a certain proportion of SMBs not prioritizing security! Check your local authority that provides support to small businesses. In case of USA — Small Business Administration (SBA). SBA.gov has a wealth of information for SMBs, including training on cybersecurity and tons more in its cybersecurity section. Local chambers of commerce are also great resources. Install comprehensive security software everywhere. You need security on everything — servers, PCs, other connected devices. Set it up to stay up to date and renew it on time. This is not the place to scrimp. However, Kaspersky

Small Office Security is an economical choice that protects laptops, desktops, and servers, as well as Android devices, against malware. It also secures small businesses against phishing and other common Internet threats, and for those businesses that need it, adds a layer of security for banking and payment transactions. Password protect all computers and other devices. Your IT security policy should cover strong password use; also set up a password-expiration policy to force users to change their passwords every 90 days. Destroy information you cannot secure. If you take credit card information, and you don’t have the means to store the information securely, then don’t store it. Once you’ve processed it, shred it. Take special care with personal information. If you have to store personal info for employees, make sure it’s secure, and limit the people who have access to it. Back it up securely. If you keep physical records, lock them up. And physically secure electronic equipment as well — eliminate the chance that someone, whether an employee, a customer, or a random stranger, can take a laptop away to hack at leisure. Leverage larger companies. If your small business lacks the resources (capital or human) to handle a task expertly and securely, hire or partner with a business that can. For example a vast majority of SMBs use ADP for payroll. Why? Economies of scale make a huge and popular payroll company a more effective and economical solution. But payroll is just one aspect of running a business (and it isn’t even an issue for every small business): Think about which services might be better outsourced to another company. How about physical security? I recommend an alarm system with remote monitoring for that. How about a remote facility for data backup? In all cases, look for services that specialize in working with small businesses. Enable and reinforce employee awareness. That includes you, by the way. If you understand the elements of security for your business, and take them seriously, you will be able to impart the information clearly to other employees. Revisit security policy and practices a few times a year. As with other areas of security, you may want to look back to No. 9 and employ the services of a company that specializes in employee training. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by setting strict policies — and following them to a T. Your security is only as strong as your people, and the leader has to lead by example.

Aeon Towers now at 22nd level By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO

njb@edgedavao.net

EON Towers, an architectural masterpiece that’s soon to light up Davao’s skyline, is fast reaching it’s summit. Construction of the futuristic-designed residential and commercial skyscraper has now reached 22 levels according to its construction team in its latest advisory. As of September 29, construction has completed 50 percent concrete pouring of

the 22nd floor. By December, the building is set for topping off. Work at the construction site of the signature project of FTC Group of Companies is moving round the clock. The company hopes to fast track the turnover of the project. Most of the residential units have been sold out with just a few left in the inventory. “We are grateful to those who kept their faith in us and

now, we look forward to the turnover of the units next year,” said Ian Cruz, president and CEO of the FTC Group of Companies. The top floors of the stateof-the-art building are the premium residential units and the skydeck infinity pool and offices. Details of the building tenants for the commercial spaces and luxury hotel have been kept under wraps and will be

announced formally at the appropriate time.

Ready Business Indicator, and Telecom Fiji for Connect WIFI. GigaSurf50 is an offer giving Smart subscribers 1GB of mobile data plus 300 MB for streaming for only P50 a day. As part of its efforts to promote the offer, Smart gave away 1GB of data to commuters stuck in rush hour traffic along major roads in the Philippines. Using geo-locking technology, Smart delivered the free service to the phones of subscribers in pre-identified thoroughfares. The GigaSurf50 campaign was supported by advertisements in traditional media, as well as by digital and experiential elements that resulted

in significant take-up of the offer. Also nominated is TNT’s AlDub campaign featuring the celebrity couple Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza. As the TV couple communicated via Twitter and Instagram exchanges, TNT found them to be the perfect brand ambassadors as it started to target a more digital savvy-market. TNT launched a promo that enabled its subscribers to augment their existing prepaid calls and texts with basic internet offers for a minimal amount. By texting to a dedicated number, they could also extend selected promotional rates for 24 hours, for a min-

imal P5 fee. For traditional call and text users, TNT offered the Alden and Maine Load Promos, which allowed unlimited calls and texts within the network. Both of these promos were extendable. Winners of the Global Telecoms Awards will be announced in London on Nov. 3. Smart has won three awards from this program – Operator OTT Service Launch Award for SmartNet in February 2014, Green Technology Award for the Green Merchandising Program in December 2014, and Connecting the Unconnected Award for PowerApp in November 2015.

this framework can be effectively utilized. They also shared their organizations’ respective cyberattack experiences, and what they have done to overcome such threats. The attendees agreed that business establisments and government agencies alike lack policies and regulations that help determine the

best actions that can be taken during an an attack. To address this concern, security should be everywhere - protecting every aspect of the business from any type of threat. “We, at Fortinet, believe that achieving cyber resiliency is only possible through collaboration of organizations,” said Jeff Castillo, Fortinet’s assistant

regional director for Southeast Asia and Hongkong and country manager for Philippines. “We came up with this event to engage the IT experts in the country in a conversation wherein they can contribute their knowledge and experiences when it comes to maintaining and improving an organization’s network security,” Castillo added.

Smart GigaSurf, TNT AlDub Campaigns are int’l award finalists

WO marketing campaigns seeking to make mobile data more affordable and accessible to Smart and TNT subscribers have been shortlisted for an international award. Smart’s GigaSurf50 and TNT’s AlDub campaigns are in the running for Best Operator Marketing Campaign under the Global Telecoms Awards. Produced by industry publication Telecoms. com, this program recognizes innovation and excellence in the global telecommunications industry. Also nominated for the award are Accenture and Vodafone UK for the latter’s

Fortinet holds cyber resiliency dialogue F

ORTINET, a global leader in high-performance cybersecurity solutions, recently organized a dialogue to tackle the status of cyber space and security in the Philippines vis-à-vis their impact on both the private and public sector. The event, held at Shangri-La hotel in Bonifacio Global City, was joined by chief information officers of enterprises, as well as information technology directors of government agencies. Police Chief Insp. Allan Cabanlong of Regional Information Technology Management Office 1, Philippine National Police, discussed a security framework that could help the government effectively respond to cybercrime. According to Cabanlong, there should be a clear distinction in the functions of each government agency that is involved in addressing cybercrime in the country. Cabanlong’spresentation was followed by a discussion wherein the particpants shared their insights as to how

CYBER TALK. Fortinet’s Assistant Regional Director for Southeast Asia and Hongkong and Country Manager for Philippines, Jeff Castillo (second from left, standing) and Chief Security Strategist for Asia Pacific, Alvin Rodrigues (second from right, standing) recently met with the Information Technology directors and officers

of several private organizations including 2GO Express, Development Bank of the Philippines, Manila Water, SNR Shopping, SPi Global and United Coconut Planters Bank; and public agencies such as Bureau of Treasury, Philippine National Police and Social Security System to share expert insights on network security.

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13 SUBURBIA

Speakers Bureau on Responsible and Sustainable Mining goes to Compostela Valley O

VER 200 Comvaleños attended the two-day Speakers Bureau on Responsible and Sustainable Mining last September 13-14, 2016 at Café Noventa, Nabunturan, Compostela Valley Province. The first day was attended by students from various high schools and colleges all over ComVal while small scale miners, representatives from the barangay and other agencies participated on the second day. The activity which was organized by the National Academy of Science and Technology, Department of Science and Technology Region XI (DOST XI), and the DOST-Provincial Science and Technology Center Comval brought academicians and experts to talk about the Mining Industry in general. One of the speakers, Dr. Carlo A. Arcilla who is a professor from the UP Diliman-National Institute of Geological Sciences, discussed the Exploration and Identification of Metallic ores and minerals in the Philippines and Sustainable Mining.

Students and teachers of participates during Day 1 of the Speakers Bureau. According to him, Philippines is one of the richest in chrome, iron ore, and the second largest source of nickel in the world. He also mentioned the recent discovery of Scandium in the Philippines. “We discovered something 2-3 years ago, an element called Scandium… The advanced batteries are being used for scandium. [It’s] from the nickel ore,” he said. Arcilla hopes the country will also have the chance to discover the potential of Scandium.

Compostela Valley is the perfect place to hold the Speakers Bureau on Responsible and Sustainable Mining since the province has a vibrant mining industry. “R&D breakthrough could start here in Compostela Valley Province, because mining is not a stranger to us. Ten out of 11 municipalities are home to mining communities whether small or large,” said DOST-PSTC Provincial Director Kenneth D. Barroga. “We need more research-

ers and innovators like you to find relevant and timely solutions to the challenges that the mining industry is facing,” he added, reminding the participants to contribute solutions and actions for the benefit of the mining industry in the province. Other speakers during the Speakers Bureau were Acd. Virginia C. Cuevas, a professor from UPLB who talked about Bioremediation and Environmental Management; Dr. Graciano P. Yumul, EVP

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Dr. Carlo Arcilla, professor of UP-NIGS, reminded the participants to “Mine to Mind”

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 156 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 - OCTOBER 1, 2016

that fight cancer

Text and Photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO

HAT is the most dreaded disease of them all? Cancer, that’s what. If a doctor tells you that you have a cancer, it’s already like a death sentence. “A cancer is a group of cells (usually derived from a single cell) that has lost its normal control mechanisms and thus has unregulated growth,” explains The Merck Manual of Medical Information. “Cancerous (malignant) cells can develop from any tissue within any organ. As cancerous cells grow and multiply, they form a mass of cancerous tissue – called a tumor – that invades and destroys normal adjacent tissues.” The term “tumor” refers to an abnormal growth or mass; tumors can be cancerous or non-cancerous. Cancerous cells from the primary (initial) site can spread (metastasize) throughout the body. Prevention and treatment of cancer include surgery, radiation therapy (where a beam or field of intense energy focused on a cancerous area or organ of the body), chemotherapy (involves the use of drugs to destroy cancer cells), immunotherapy (where the body’s immune system is stimulated to fight against cancer), and combination therapy. In some instances, people suffering from cancer turn to alternative medicine that includes medicinal herbs to treat their cancer, instead of or in addition to standard treatment. An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure, so goes a saying. Unknowingly, Mother Nature has given us some fruits and vegetables that may help a person prevent from getting a cancer. Some of these even fight cancer. Meet some of them: Asparagus. A man with an almost hopeless case of Hodgkin’s disease (cancer of the lymph glands) who was completely incapacitated. Within one year of starting the asparagus therapy, his doctors were unable to detect any signs of cancer, and he was back on a schedule of strenuous exercise. Asparagus contains a good supply of protein called histones, which are believed to be active in controlling cell growth. According to the US National Cancer Institute asparagus is the highest tested food containing glutathione, which is considered one of the body’s most potent against

cancer. Broccoli. Research has revealed that a chemical component called indole-3-carbinol can combat breast cancer by converting a cancer-promoting estrogen into a more protective substance. The phytochemical sulforaphane raises the levels of certain cancer-fighting enzymes that defend the body from cigarette smoke, fumes, pesticides, and other known carcinogens. Garlic. Garlic has a long history of medicinal uses, dating back to the Babylonians and Egyptians, the latter of whom sealed it in their tombs. Greek athletes at the original Olympic Games chewed it for stamina, and its curative effects were recommended by no less than Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine. Dr. Gerhard Schrazeur, a chemistry professor at the University of California at San Diego, and a leading authority on nutrition and cancer prevention, calls garlic “a little miracle vegetable.” He explains: “Among other things, garlic is rich in the trace element selenium, which has been linked with the prevention of cancer and heart disease.” The American professor adds: “Selenium stimulates the immune response, fortifying the body against allergies and the common cold. What’s more, it is a natural antibiotic that helps prevent such infectious diseases as pneumonia, tuberculosis, and the common cold. Garlic’s antibacterial quality also counteracts such problems as dysentery and diarrhea.” Sweet potato. This nutrient-dense food contains many anticancer properties. It’s loaded with beta-carotene, which may protect DNA in the cell nucleus from cancer-causing chemicals outside the nuclear membrane.

Avocado . It is touted to be the most nutritious fruit in the world – and it is! Avocado provides more than 25 essential nutrients such as protein, vitamin E, C, B-vitamins, folic acid, iron, copper, phosphorus and magnesium, just to name

a few. It is also rich in glutathione, a powerful antioxidant that attacks free radicals in the body by blocking intestinal absorption of certain fats. Ounce for ounce, avocado can also supply 60 percent more potassium than banana. It has the highest fiber content of any fruit – including 75 percent insoluble and 25 percent soluble fiber. Not only that. High avocado intake has been shown to have an effect on blood serum cho-

lesterol levels. Specifically, after a seven day diet rich in avocados, hypercholesterolemia patients showed a 17% decrease in total serum cholesterol levels. These subjects also showed a 22 percent decrease in both LDL (bad cholesterol) and triglyceride levels and 11 percent increase in HDL (good cholesterol) levels. Guava. Nutrition experts claim that vitamin C -- mainly in the skin, secondly in the firm flesh, and little in the central pulp -- varies from 56 to 600 milligrams. It may range up to 350-450 milligrams in nearly ripe fruit.

When it is fully ripe and soft, the vitamin C content may decline to 50-100 milligrams. Aside from vitamin C, guava is also rich in potassium, calcium and iron. Likewise, guava contains both carotenoids and polyphenols – the major classes of a n t ioxidant

pigments -- giving them relatively high dietary antioxidant value among plant foods. Guava helps reduce cholesterol in blood and prevents it from thickening, thereby maintaining fluidity of blood and reducing blood pressure.

Studies have shown that foods which lack fiber (such a refined flour) add to blood pressure, due to quick conversion to sugar. Guava, being very rich in fiber and hypoglycemic in nature, helps reduce blood pressure. Guyabano. “Effectively target and kill malignant cells in 12 types of cancer, including colon, breast, prostate, lung and pancreatic cancer.” That was what some experts have been claiming. The guyabano tree compounds, it added, “proved to be up to 10,000 times stronger in slowing the growth of cancer cells than Adriamycin, a commonly used chemotherapeutic drug.” What’s more, unlike chemotherapy, the compound extracted from the guyabano tree selectively hunts down and kills only cancer cells. It does not harm healthy cells! In South America, various parts

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 156 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 - OCTOBER 1, 2016

Celtic halts Man City to a draw

ANCHESTER City came from behind three times to draw 3-3 at Celtic in a Champions League thriller on Wednesday that ended the English team’s 100 percent start to the season under new coach Pep Guardiola. City’s winning run to open the campaign stopped at 10 games — one short of matching the English record — on a tough evening at Parkhead that saw plenty of poor defending by both teams. Fernandinho and Raheem Sterling scored equalizers for City in an action-packed first half after Celtic went ahead twice through Moussa Dembele, in the third minute, and Sterling’s own goal in the 20th. Dembele restored Celtic’s lead barely a minute into the second half after Aleksandar Kolarov’s defensive error, only for Nolito to equalize for City in the 55th. City had previously won six matches in the Premier League, three in the Champions League between the group stage and qualifying, and one in the English League Cup with a series of free-scoring displays. That put the team within sight of Tottenham’s 11 straight wins to start the season in the 1960-61 campaign. “It’s OK, it’s one point, we didn’t lose,” said Guardiola, whose team faces former club Barcelona in back-to-back matches next in Group C. An action-packed match

saw City go behind for the first time under Guardiola and also concede more than once for the first time under the Spaniard. Celtic — thrashed 7-0 by Barcelona in its first group game — pressed high and forced errors in possession from City, whose defense was shambolic at times without rested John Stones and injured captain Vincent Kompany. “Every time we went forward, we looked like we could score,” Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers said. The first example came inside three minutes. James Forrest was left unmarked at the far post from a diagonal free kick and his volleyed cross was glanced goalward by Erik Sviatchenko, with the ball deflecting off Dembele into the net. Fernandinho equalized in the 12th minute when a wayward shot from Kolarov fell into the path of the midfielder, who controlled and dribbled a left-footed shot into the corner. Back came Celtic. Kieran Tierney broke forward down the left and his cross took a deflection off a sliding Sterling and ricocheted into the net at Claudio Bravo’s near post. Sterling made immediate amends after Celtic lost possession in central midfield. David Silva played a slide-rule pass behind the defense to Sterling, who turned back inside a defender and slipped a low shot past goalkeeper Craig Gordon in the 28th.

ITH half of the roster filled with Ryder Cup rookies, the value of the European veterans in golf’s biennial international grudge match has only increased. Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson are just the type of tandem for the team to turn to. “We hit the ball a very similar distance, so we can work off one another from that point of view,” Rose said. “Statistically we play a similar game, our fairways and greens. Our ball-striking would be our strength.” Even their caddies are pals. “It’s not just a team of me and Henrik. It’s a team of four that feel comfortable together,” said Rose, who played with Stenson at the last Ryder Cup for two

four-ball matches and one foursome match in Gleneagles, Scotland. They won all three. The pairings haven’t been revealed yet for the start of play on Friday at Hazeltine National Golf Club (Saturday, Manila time), but not seeing Rose and Stenson together for at least some of the partnered competition would be a surprise. Rose, the 36-year-old Brit, has a 9-3-2 record over three Ryder Cups with a six-match winning streak. Currently ranked 11th in the world, Rose brought a gold medal home from the Olympics in Brazil. He beat out his buddy as Stenson, the 40-year-old Swede who is now No. 5 in the world, settled for silver. “Everyone is kind of contributing whichever way they can,” said Stenson, whose record is 5-42 over two previous Ryder Cups.

EDGEDAVAO Sports 15

Roach amazed by Pacquiao’s newfound punching power H

ALL of Famer coach Freddie Roach was amazed by what he claimed as newfound punching power of fighting Senator Manny Pacquiao. “I like what I see. He’s very inspired and aggressive. But what really surprised me was his punching power. I can feel it,” Roach said when interviewed by reporters Tuesday evening. Roach arrived from the United States early Tuesday morning to take charge of Senator Pacquiao’s preparation for the Nov. 5 ring duel against World Boxing Organization Welterweight champion Jessie Vargas at the Thomas & Mack Arena in Las Vegas. Roach brought along American Light Welterweight boxer Jose Carlos Ramirez, one of Senator Pacquiao’s sparring partners. Ramirez, who represented the US in the 2012 London Olympics, immediately buckled down to work upon arrival in Manila. The Avenal, California native sparred with the Pinoy boxing icon for four rounds

WATCHFUL EYES. Under the watchful eyes of trainer Freddie Roach, Manny Pacquiao trains for his fight against Jessie Vargas. Tuesday evening at the Elorde Boxing Gym located at the Five E-com building near Mall of Asia Complex here. “I’m still suffering from a jetlag. But that was not an excuse. I came here to help Manny Pacquiao prepare for his fight against Vargas,” Ramirez said. Ramirez claimed it is challenging and a good learning experience on his part to spar with the world’s only eight-division boxing champion. “He’s (Pacquiao) strong and quick aside from throwing unpredictable punching combinations. I feel laggard today

but I will try to step up in the next sparring sessions when I can recover. I just arrived from a long travel,” Ramirez said. After a four-round sparring with Ramirez, Pacquiao traded punches for another two rounds with Filipino Lightweight pug Leonardo Doronio. Roach bared he has lined up two foreign boxers as sparring mates of his prized ward. The other sparring partner, he said, would arrive Friday morning from the United States. Roach was wondering where did Senator Pacquiao draw his newfound strength

and punching power. “He’s (Pacquiao) getting older but he’s coming back to the game even stronger than before. And I like it,” Roach bared. Roach was expecting a lot of fireworks when Pacquiao and Vargas collide inside the ring come November. Buboy Fernandez, Pacman’s assistant trainer, confirmed Roach’s statement. “I took charge of his training for about three weeks and every time we had the mitts’ session parang ginagawang crispy pata ang buong braso ko sa tindi ng mga suntok niya,” Fernandez revealed. Fernandez disclosed his whole frame is shuddering due to the strong impact of a body shot unleashed by the Filipino boxing legend during the training. “Kahit merong body protector, ramdam ko ang nakakayanig na lakas ng kanyang mga suntok. Mas lumakas siya ngayon. Tingin ko hindi tatagal ang laban. May paglalagyan ang kalaban pag nasapol nang kanyang suntok,” Fernandez said.

Rose, Stenson lead Euro Ryder Cup squad Etheridge disappointed to miss Suzuki Cup anew W P “As I said, it’s a very nice atmosphere in there, and I think the boys who haven’t been here before are feeling very welcome.” Rose beat Phil Mickelson in Scotland in Sunday singles play with a 35-foot birdie putt from the back of the 17th green to win that hole and a 12-footer for birdie on the 18th to pick up a critical point toward Europe’s momentum in 2014. With Danny Willett (Masters), Stenson (British Open), Rose (Olympics) and Rory McIlroy (FedEx Cup), the European team has quite a collection of champions from this season. Playing in Rio de Janiero helped get them in a nationalist team, but, no, the gold medal is not here for inspiration. “It’s not something that I’m touting around, not at all,” Rose said. “This w e e k , Danny doesn’t have the green jacket in the team room. Rory doesn’t have the FedEx Cup in the team room. I think this is about the Ryder Cup EURO STARS. Europe’s Justin Rose, Danny Willett and Andy Sullivan share a light moment on the 10th tee during a practice round at Hazeltine National Golf Club. AP

and that little gold trophy, and that’s enough for us all.” Age isn’t always a benefit, alas. Rose has been bothered by a back injury this year. Stenson has a slight tear of the meniscus in his right knee, an injury that forced him out after one round at The Barclays in late August and kept him out of the BMW Championship and the Tour Championship this month to rest. Speaking Wednesday before practice, Stenson said his knee feels fit enough to play five matches if he’s asked to. “I’m up for a lot of golf and unless the knee tells me otherwise,” Stenson said, “that’s the way I approach it.” Rose has a special fondness for the course at Hazeltine, finishing in 23rd place here at the PGA Championship in 2002 about a month before his father, Ken Rose, died of cancer. During his practice round Tuesday, Rose was reminded by the scenery of a photo his mom has of his dad watching the

action i n Minnesota that year under some trees on the back nine. It’s titled, “Happy Days.”

HILIPPINE national men’s football team top goalkeeper Neil Etheridge will miss for the third straight time the Azkals’ campaign in the ASEAN Football Federation Suzuki Cup in Bulacan this year. Etheridge, who was part of the team’s Cinderella run to the Suzuki Cup semifinals in 2010, said he was forced to beg off due to his commitment with English League One side Walsall FC. “It’s frustrating that the Suzuki Cup doesn’t fall within international dates, but for the past years now I guess I have been used to not being involved,” he said in a statement. “It’s disappointing for me on a personal level because the experiences that I gained from that cup competition when I was younger were second to none, the atmosphere, the intensity and the teams pulling together to gain victory.” The Philippine Sports Stadium in Bulacan will host the tournament in November, and Etheridge rued not being able to play before Filipino fans. “The competition being played on home soil of course is even more frustrating but there’s nothing I can do about the games being held outside international dates so I try not to think about the situation, but no doubt I will be watching and cheering the Azkals on from England,” he said. The Azkals have made the

semifinals of the biennial tournament in its past three e d i tions. Etheri d g e c a u tioned a b o u t downplaying the opNEIL posiETHERIDGE. tion Out of the this Suzuki Cup for the third straight year.

year, especially that the Filipinos are drawn with defending champion Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia in Group A. “I don’t think it really matters what group we were drawn into, both look extremely hard, maybe with our group being slightly more difficult. I believe the team need to really take each game on its own merit. Each individual game will be tough and have its own hurdles to jump,” he said. “But, thinking about the semi-finals too early may be a down fall. First the team will need to concentrate of getting out of the group and then have a strategy, playing both home and away, in the knockout rounds.” But Etheridge is confident that even without him, the Azkals will perform well in the tournament.

VOL. 9 ISSUE 156 â&#x20AC;¢ FRIDAY - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 - OCTOBER 1, 2016 EDGEDAVAO