Edge Issue 33

highlights

9

VOL. 4 NO. 33 october 17-23, 2011

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The Business PAPER

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figures of the week STOCK MARKET PERFORMANCE

Philippine Stock Index As of October 14, 2011

As of May 20, 2010

US DOLLAR = philippine peso As of October 14, 2011

As of May 20, 2010

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P3.42 B invested in city this year

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VOL. 4 NO. 33 october 17-23, 2011

On the cover

THE BUSINESS PAPER EDGEDAVAO

P3.42 B invested in city this year services, n Incentive board okays 5 big projects matching help in finding suitable n 1,268 new jobs to be generated sites for their location, assistance in finding

By Greg G. Deligero

A

S of October, this year, the total amount of fresh investments poured into Davao City has reached P3.42 billion, According to records obtained from the Davao City Investment Promotion Center (DCIPC).

This, after the Davao City Investment Incentive Board (DCIIB) approved earlier this month five more projects with local tax incentives.

The new projects are valued at P645.49 million.

The new projects, whose owners availed themselves of incentives provided under the Davao City Investment Incentive Code, are expected to generate a

total of 1,268 direct and indirect jobs.

As DCIIB-approved projects, their investors are entitled to such fiscal incentives as exemption from building permit fees and charges; exemption from the Mayor’s permit fees, business sales taxes and other fees and charges imposed under existing city ordinances for a maximum of three years; and exemption from basic real property tax for a maximum of two years.

They are also qualified to enjoy nonfiscal incentives such as assistance in securing business licenses and permits, processing of local investment incentives, business

sources of raw materials, providing of manpower and other production needs and access to the city’s data-banking services.

The total amount of investments as of October this year is only 3.45% short of the total investments recorded in 2010.

Last year, Davao City attracted P3.54 billion total investments in 13 different projects that generated 4,494 direct and indirect jobs.

Of the 13 projects, nine are property development projects, three are tourism facilities and one is agri-business.

Topping the list of projects approved this month is the “hospital” of the Metro Davao

Medical and Research Center worth P327 million. The project is a tertiary hospital with hotel amenities that will generate 414 direct and indirect jobs.

It is followed by the Pinnacle Hotel and Suites of the Central Parq Group of Companies worth P205 million which will generate 194 total jobs; the Main Street Claveria and Brooklyn and Walters Hotel of the Davao Rogienald Corporation worth P120 million which will employ 87 workers; and the sixstorey condominium of Kim Guan Realty Development Corporation worth P85 million which will generate 442 jobs.

Other projects this year include the Orchid Hills, a high end subdivision project of the BDA Holiday Prime Properties, Inc. with

P220.98 million total project cost; the Damosa IT Park– Building 3 project of Davao Land, Inc. with P52.23 million project cost; and the Recreation Park of the Gumamela Caverock Farm Resort with P29.63 million project cost.

Another project is the other tourism facility of Home Crest Residences of the Globalcrest Properties, Inc. which will construct a threestorey 28-room boutique hotel with P27.50 million project cost.

Since the enactment of the Investment Incentive Code in 1994, the city government has granted tax incentives to P35.21 billion total worth of projects which generated a total employment of 19,053 direct and 28,719 indirect jobs.

Those who cheated FPJ to be jailed for election sabotage: Koko Pimentel A

LL those suspected to be involved in the commission of poll cheating face the prospect of going to jail even before they are proven guilty.

This is because poll cheating cases, especially those that result in the proclamation and assumption of the wrong people like what happened in the 2004 presidential election, is considered election sabotage under the law and those charged can be arrested and detained

without bail.

This was bared by Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, himself a victim of election cheating in 2007.

Pimentel made the statement in a speech he delivered before members of various Rotary clubs in Davao meeting jointly at the Marco Polo Davao recently.

The young Pimentel said the most absurd things happen when elections in the Philippines are manipulated, saying that in Maguindanao, even President Benigno

“Noynoy” Aquino III got zero vote in 2007, along with some other candidates who fortunately were elected senator on the strength of votes they gained in the rest of th country.

Koko “lost” in the 2007 election but filed a protest and eventually won the case against Bukidnon senator Juan Miguel Zubiri who resigned days before the Senate Electoral Tribunal ruled on the protest.

Pimentel credited his electoral victory to a miracle

rather than as the triumph of justice.

He said the “miracle” was the revelations of ARMM (Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao) governor Zaldy Ampatuan about election manipulations thst happened in Maguindanao.

It was a miracle said Pimentel because Ampatuan, while in detention for his alleged participation in the November 23, 2009 massacre of 58 civilians, including 34 journalists, bared alleged election cheating in the 2007

elections.

Ampatuan’s statement, Pimentel said, was followed by the surfacing of other election “operators”, including Commission of Elections provincial election supervisor Lintang Bedol who confirmed the cheating.

“It is not an ideal situation when candidates who are cheated will only win their protest because of a miracle, instead of by operation of the wheel of justice,” Pimentel said.

He vowed to continue working for election reforms while he is senator and as practicing lawyer.

“Because I was cheated, the voters were deprived of my services for more than four years,” he told the Rotarians, adding that he intends to run for reelection in 2013 so he could make it up to the people.

The joint meeting was led by the mother Rotary Club of Davao led by lawyer Oscar Gonzales and the Council of Presidents chaired by Arthur Uy of the Rotary Club of South Davao. AMA

BizQUIPS

It figures P72.11 billion

AMOUNT involved in a stimulation package, known as Disbursement Acceleration Plan, unveiled by President Aquino to fortify the country’s economy and cushion the impact of the global fallout from Europe’s debt crisis.

P800 million

BUDGET set aside by SM Hotels and Convention Corporation (SMHCC) for building in Davao City a 204room Park Inn hotel, the first in Asia, according to SMHCC vice president for sales and marketing Lourdes Macalindong. It will be part of the SM Lanang Mall complex., Park Inn hotels are currently found only in Europe and the United States.

$2.8 billion

MINING investment target of the Philippine government for the year, which the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines thinks will be not achieved. Chamber of Mines president Benjamin Philip Romualdez said the short-fall is due to red tape and stiff opposition to mining projects.

6.3 percent

GROWTH rate for Asia on the average as seen by the International Monetary Fund, as it warned that the region faces downside risks dueto worries over the eurozone debt crisis and a slowdown in the United States.

The IMF also expects growth of 6.7 percent for Asia in 2012.

P7.63 billion

DEPOSIT in escrow ordered by Pasay City Regional Trial Court Judge Eugenio dela Cruz as just compensation for the expropriation of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport-International Passenger Terminal 3 (Naia 3). Judge dela Cruz assigned the Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippins as escrow agents for Naia 3.

‘THIS committee finds conspiracy among and between Mike Arroyo and the officers of the National Police.’

GUEST OF HONOR. The Rotary Club of Davao recently hosted a joint meeting of Rotary Clubs in Davao City with Senator Koko Pimentel as the guest of honor.

P2.6 billion

AMOUNT set aside by Philippine Airlines (PAL) for separation packages to 2,300 affected workers whose functions were outsourced to third-party service providers starting October 1.

--Senator Teofisto Guingona III talking to reporters on the Ombudsman charges relative to the helicopter scam.

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october 17-23, 2011 VOL. 4 NO. 33

3

Camella starts construction of Northpoint’s 3rd building M

asterplan developer Camella is set to break ground for the 3rd building of Camella Northpoint, its landmark condo development in Davao, on Saturday, October 15.

“This groundbreaking signals the start of construction of this mid-rise building, 10-storey building,” remarked Marlon B. Escalicas, Camella Davao GM. The third building is expected to be completed by the middle of 2013. Escalicas said its buyers are at an advantage as majority of Camella Northpoint’s deluxe facilities and amenities are already functional.

“This is the beauty in Camella Northpoint; buyers can already see what they are buying into. The first two buildings are already up, the clubhouse already

exists, and the incomparable ambiance is there for them to experience,” said Escalicas.

The world-class clubhouse, Wakefield Manor, is equipped with cabanas and grill pits, a swanky multi-use function hall, a fitness gym, and the only salinated wellness pool in the city. Its distinct ambiance is set off by its pocket gardens, natural park, playground, and about P4 million worth of imported Caribbean pine trees currently thriving all over the condo property.

Presently, the first building called Manchester has been sold out earlier this year, with 53 units already turned over to its owners, from which 25 have already moved in. The second building, Birmingham, is also fully

sold out soon after it was first launched.

“The third tower is already 60% sold, so its groundbreaking is especially exciting for its unit owners. We invite homebuyers to join us this Saturday at 10 a.m.,” said Escalicas, adding that those who wish to make inquiries can call them at 222-0963, 2225221, 222-5223.

With Manchester already occupied, the 24/7 security system of Camella Northpoint fully kicks in, bolstered by closed circuit TV cameras and secure perimeter fence. The property management team is already functional and oversees the upkeep and overall maintenance of the condo community.

As a master developer of residential communities, Camella is known for its

consistent success in highvalue, large-scale projects that many other developers could not even attempt. Its first two projects in Davao, the Caribbean-themed Solariega and Italian-inspired Toscana, are two of the most admired and successful master planned communities in the city.

‘We create distinctive residential communities unmatched in quality and value. We deliver on our promises and give our homebuyers the home of their dreams in strategic locations and prestigious addresses,” said Escalicas.

For more information about Camella Northpoint, visit Camella Davao at 2/F Delgar Building, J.P. Laurel Ave., Davao City, or atvismin@camella.com. ph (email) and www.camella.com.ph.

4

THE BUSINESS PAPER EDGEDAVAO

The economy VOL. 4 NO. 33 october 17-23, 2011

as of august 2010

Cebu Pacific Daily Zest Air Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Philippine Airlines Daily Philippine Airlines Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri/Sun Philippine Airlines Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Silk Air Mon/Wed/Sat Cebu Pacific Thu Cebu Pacific Tue/Wed//Sat

5J961 / 5J962 Z2390 / Z2390 5J593 / 5J348 PR809 / PR810 PR819 / PR820 5J394 / 5J393 5J599 / 5J594 5J347 / 5J596 5J963 / 5J964 PR811 / PR812 5J595 / 5J966 MI588 / MI588 5J965 / 5J968 5J965 / 5J968

STAT WATCH INDICATIOR

LATEST

1. GNP Growth Rate (At Constant 1985 Prices)

1.9 % 2nd Qtr 2011

2. GDP Growth Rate (At Constant 1985 Prices)

3.4 % 2nd Qtr 2011

3. Exports 1/

USD 4,128 million Jun 2011

4. Imports 1/

USD 4,503 million Jun 2011

5. Trade Balance

USD -376 million Jun 2011

6. Balance of Payments 2/

USD 222 million Jun 2011

7. Broad Money Liabilities

P4,423,849 million Jun 2011

8. Interest Rate 4/

4.48% Apr 2011

9. National Government Revenues

P100,139 million Jun 2011

10. National government outstanding debt

P 4,777 billion May 2010

5:45 Manila-Davao-Manila 5:45 Manila-Davao-Manila 6:00 Cebu-Davao-Iloilo 6:10 Manila-Davao-Manila 7:50 Manila-Davao-Manila 7:50 Zamboanga-Davao-Zamboanga 8:00 Cebu-Davao-Cebu 9:10 Iloilo-Davao-Cebu 9:40 Manila-Davao-Manila 11:30 Manila-Davao-Manila 12:00 Cebu-Davao-Manila 18:55 Davao-Cebu-Singapore 12:55 Manila-Davao-Manila 13:35 Manila-Davao-Manila

6:15 6:25 6:30 7:00 8:50 8:10 8:30 9:40 10:10 12:20 12:30 13:35 13:25 14:05

P 42.81 Jul 2011

October September August July June May April March

43.37 43.13 43.24 43.52

43.44 44.31 45.18 46.32 46.30 45.60 44.63 45.74

February

43.70

46.31

January

44.17

46.03

46.851 48.139

48.161 48.146 47.905 47.524 48.217

48.458 47.585 47.207

MI566 / MI566 5J507 / 5J598 15:55 Z2524 / Z2525 5J967 / 5J600 PR813 / PR814 5J215 / 5J216 5971 / 5J970 5J973 / 5J974 5J969 / 5J972 2P987 / 2P988 PR821 / PR822 PR821 / PR822

18:55 Davao-Singapore 15:00 Cebu-Davao-Cebu Mani2Mani 16:50 16:05 Cebu-Davao-Cebu 16:35 Manila-Davao-Cebu 16:55 Manila-Davao-Manila 18:00 Cagayan de Oro-Davao-Cagayan de Oro 18:40 Manila-Davao-Manila 20:00 Manila-Davao-Manila 20:30 Manila-Davao-Manila 20:30 Manila-Davao-Manila 21:20 Manila-Davao-Manila 22:20 Manila-Davao-Manila

15:20 15:30 16:45 17:05 17:45 18:20 19:10 20:30 21:00 21:00 21:50 22:50

Croco lechon, anyone?

R

oasted beef, chicken, and pork are familiar Filipino favorites, but the sight of a lechon crocodile at the Davao Crocodile Park when it launched its Croctoberfest caught by surprise Dabawenyos who flocked to the park and ended up tasting their first ever roasted crocodile.

Davao businessman and owner of the park Sonny Dizon said he received several inquiries about the availability of croco lechon.

Dizon declined to oblige the inquisitive saying that he is not yet ready to offer such an exotic delicacy on a regular basis.

“We only did it for the Croctoberfest opening and again on October 30 at the culmination of the event,” he said.

The crocodile weighed 40 kilos and would have cost P2,000 per kilo had it been offered for sale at the local market. However, Dizon is toying with the possibility of serving croco

lechon as a unique Davao item in the hope it would help boost tourism.

If the idea evolves into reality, the businessman plans to source out crocodiles from crocodile farms in other parts of the country.

The Davao Crocodile Park produces 200 crocodile hatchlings every year.

Aside from croco lechon, Dizon plans to export crocodile skin to high fashion countries like France. But that is way in the future yet as is farm cannot yet export crocodile skin which is in high demand in the world’s fashion industry, like the high quality Crocodilus Porosus skin which is the favorite of bag makers like Hermes and Louis Vuitton.

He said crocodile farms in Davao could take advantage of the big demand as wellknown suppliers of Crocodilus Porosus cannot cope with the demand. [PIA/Mai Geve-

ra Macapagat]

Low global demand Goods reported rotting in customs warehouses pulls down exports DIZON

T

he 15.1-percent decline in merchandise exports in August 2011 reflects the softening global manufacturing activities on the back of weak 12. Stocks Composite Index 6/ 4,503.6 demand, according to the National Jul 2011 Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

13. Consumer Price Index 126.4 “Prices of our electronic exports 2006=100 Jul 2011 were pulled down by weak global demand.Also, during economic downturn, 14. Headline Inflation Rate 4.6 consumption of consumer durables has 2000=100 Jul 2011 been more constrained relative to basic commodities like agro-based products,” 15. Core Inflation Rate 3.7 said Socioeconomic Planning Secretary 2000=100 Jul 2011 Cayetano W. Paderanga, Jr. The National Statistics Office (NSO) 16. Visitor Arrivals 317,443 reported that merchandise exports in AuApr 2011 gust 2011 reached US$4.1 billion.

Electronic exports decreased by 30.6 17. Underemployment Rate /7 19.4% percent to US$2.1 billion in August 2011 Apr 2011 from US$3.0 billion in August 2010. This was due to reduced receipts from semi18. Unemployment Rate /7 7.2 % conductors (-34.7%), electronic data Apr 2011 processing or EDP (-12.3%), communiMONTHLY AVERAGE EXCHANGE RATE cation/radar (-45.4%), and automotive (January 2009 - January 2011) electronics (-33.4%).

“Even the significant increase in the volume of electronics exports (10.3%) Month 2011 2010 2009 due to the usual third quarter pre45.11 47.637 Average holiday seasonal peaks failed to buoy exports,” added Paderanga, who is also December 43.95 46.421 NEDA director-general.

November 43.49 47.032 Aside from electronics, exports value

11. Peso per US $ 5/

Silk Air Thu/Sun Cebu Pacific Mon/Tue/Wed/Fri Philippine Airlines August Zest Air Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Philippines Airlines Daily Cebu Pacific Mon/Tue/Thu/Sat Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Tue/Sat/Sun Cebu Pacific Daily Airphil Express Daily Philippine Airlines Daily except Sunday Philippine Airlines Sunday

also contracted year-on-year for chemicals (-10.3%), garments (-4.1%) and petroleum products (-15.7%) in August 2011 on account of lower export volume.

However, export receipts from agrobased products grew by 13.4 percent from the same month in 2010 due to gains from sugar products (237.2%) and fruits and vegetables (39.1%).

“Sugar exports gained from both higher demand and higher prices in the international market,” said Paderanga.

The volume of sugar exports in August 2011 increased by 404.3 percent year-on-year while world sugar prices surged by 49.9 percent. Also, fruits and vegetables exports were higher, primarily buoyed by canned pineapple (89.1%) and bananas (19.6%).

Furthermore, exports of mineral products grew by 21.8 percent in August 2011 from last year due to gains from the exports of copper (35.6%) and gold (34.1%).

“Export revenue from gold benefitted from higher world prices as actual volume of shipments in August 2011 decreased. Prices increased as investors turn to safe-haven commodities, such as gold, amid heightened volatility in the financial markets in advanced economies,” the Cabinet official said.

In terms of destination, Japan was

B

ureau of Customs Deputy Commissioner Danilo Lim Thursday said the rotting goods reported in the bureau’s different warehouses were the backlog of the previous Arroyo administration. Lim said the customs bureau is already making an inventory of all the seized goods currently stockpiled, many of which were reportedly in a putrid state of condition.

“As ordered by BoC Commisioner Ruffy Biazon, we have already made directives to conduct a comprehensive appraisal of all seized goods currently stored at the bureau’s warehouses,” Lim said.

“If there are perishable goods, then they must be immediately assessed if they can still be of use to the public. If they are not fit for human consumption or a threat to public safety, then they must be immediately destroyed. If they are used clothes, which were originally intentioned as donations to charitable institutions but ended up as ukayukay, together with the Department of Social Welfare and Development, we will study the possibility of restoring them to their original intent—for charity and relief,” Lim added.

Lim also said all goods that are deemed for auction but are “accumulating cobwebs” in different warehouses would immediately be processed. The customs intelligence chief said the seized goods must help in generating more revenues for the government.

EDGEDAVAO THE BUSINESS PAPER october 17-23, 2011 VOL. 4 NO. 33

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THE BUSINESS PAPER EDGEDAVAO

Suburbia VOL. 4 NO. 33 october 17-23, 2011

Del Rosario signs contract on sports complex

T

he Province of Davao del Norte will have a new sports complex before Christmas next year.

Groundbreaking for the P242.8-million project will soon be held after Governor Rodolfo P. del Rosario signed the design and build contract – turn key basis with Gilbert Yu, president of Young Builders Corporation (YBC) on October 13, 2011.

The winning Cebubased contractor is set to complete the project within 375 calendar days.

The program of work consists of design and build for construction of the sports complex main grandstand, a rubberized oval track, Olympic-size swimming pool with warm up pool and grandstand.

Gov. del Rosario explained that the provincial government will not pay a single centavo to the contractor until the project is completed and properly over two years due to the global economic recession, the project has been set in motion by the governor to serve as a venue for athletic competitions, as well as the promotion of physical fitness among his constituents.

He said the 10-hectare

turned over and accepted by the province.

Witnessing the contract-signing were Arch.

Nelson Yu, YBC vice president for operations, OIC provincial administrator Norma Lumain and, Charlotte Conde, head of Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) Davao Lending Center.

Also present were provincial engineer Raul Mabanglo, prov’l general services officer Sammy Sanchez, asst. prov’l legal officer Atty. Edd Mark Wakan, provincial sports coordinator Giovanni Gulanes and OIC provincial information officer Romulo Tagalo.

The governor said a football field will be set in the middle of the oval. An open basketball court, tennis court, sipak takraw court and other athletic facilities will also be established inside the center.

After being stalled for facility will to host major sporting events, such as the Palarong Pambansa, regional and provincial meets, as well as sports competitions of big corporations and organizations.

However, in between major athletic events, Gov. del Rosario is mulling to

PERSPECTIVE. The perspective of the proposed P242.8million Provincial Sports Complex of Davao del Norte, which

is targeted to be completed within 375 days by the Cebubased Young Builders Corporation. [Noel Baguio/DavNor PIO]

open the complex to the general public for a minimal fee, so the project will not become a ‘white elephant’.

He said the center will be available to fitness buffs, including joggers and swimmers. Older people will also be able to utilize these facilities for their regular exer-

cises and physical activities.

“We will open it to the public for a fee,” the governor said, adding that the income derived from charging fees for the use of the facility is intended to pay for its maintenance and the operational cost of the center.

Tribal head raps militant groups opposing mining

Cruz stated.

Anchored on President Benigno Aquino’s National Security Policy, the OPAPPAMANA aims to reduce poverty and vulnerability through community infrastructure and focused delivery of social services.

“Each barangay will receive P300,000 annually for three consecutive years which shall be used to finance a specific project that will eventually address peace and order issues in their community,” stated Cruz.

The program also intends to improve governance through partnerships with national and local institu-

tions, building capacities for governance, and enhancement of transparency and accountability mechanism.

It further empowers communities and strengthens their capacity to address issues of vulnerability and peace through activities that promote social cohesion.

The first six beneficiaries of this program are the Cordillera Administrative Region, Quezon/ Region 4-A/ Mindoro/ Bicol, Samar Island, Negros Island, Zamboanga/ Basilan/ Sultan Kudarat (ZamBaZulTa), and the Central Mindanao Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

only 2,578 hectares worth P 3.1 Billion represent the irrigated area. “For the benefit of everyone and to resolve and put to rest implementation issues,” the governor has called for an immediate audit of the project by the COA. This year, an additional P405 Million has been allocated for the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) to increase the coverage areas with an additional 1,712 hectares for irrigation.

Sources opine, that the NIA has proposed another P6.2 Billion budget for 2012 to implement the Stage II of the project although NIA has yet to finish the Stage I of the project.

overnor Douglas Cagas has challenged all organized cooperatives in the province to form a cluster of cooperatives and work together to help care for the environment.

Cagas enjoined the cooperative officials to build up a nursery and plant vegetables, fruits and other fruit bearing trees in the pursuit of clean air and healthy environment, as well as ensure food security.

The governor’s challenge was in line with the celebration of the cooperative month this October which has a focus on the care and protection of the environment.

This year’s theme “Transformative Coop-

New Bataan to benefit from flagship program on peace and development

T

he local government unit of New Bataan, Compostela Valley is the new beneficiary of a flagship program of the government on peace and development aiming to address the insurgency problem.

The LGU is now under the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan or PAMANA program of the Department of Agrarian Reform and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process.

New Bataan is the only town in Compostela Valley that made it to the list of PAMANA beneficiaries cov-

ering the seven barangays with high incidence of insurgency, namely: Magsaysay, Katipunan, Panag, Batinao, Camanlangan, Bantacan and Cogonon.

OPAPP-PAMANA point person Dennis Joseph A. Cruz said the Compostela Valley-Caraga Corregidor Cluster that includes New Bataan is the seventh beneficiary of the OPAPP-PAMANA in the country.

The program seeks to close the gap between what happens on the negotiating table and the realities on the ground through a converged strategy of resource allocation and utilization,

A

tribe within the mining area of Sagittarius Mines Inc. in Tampakan, South Cotabato has lambasted militant groups claiming that the company paid its members to attend the public forum on mining that the provincial government organized last September 23.

In a text message forwarded to BusinessWorld by the media affairs office of the company Thursday, Dalena Samling, tribal chieftain of Danlag, said the groups that made the accusation lied and that the tribal members attended the event upon the invitation of the provincial government.

“Didn’t we have the right to attend the forum?

We were just exercising our right to be informed,” Samling said, adding that she wondered why other groups have been making the accusation when the

indigenous communities in the mining site are only protecting their interest in the ancestral domain.

Samling said she made the statement after a group made the rounds of local radio stations in General Santos City and South Cotabato and accused her group of taking bribes from the company for them to attend the forum and show support for the mining project.

Accusing a tribe of accepting a bribe is among the highest insults to it, based on tribal beliefs.

She added that the groups attacking the tribe are “envious” because they, unlike the indigenous communities, do not have any agreement with the company.

“What is their problem with the tribes? We are just being vigilant because we see the opportunities that the project is offering to us,” she added.

erative: Advancing people, planet, prosperity and peace.

Kooperatiba: Sama-sama sa Pagkandili nga Kalikasan”, enjoins all cooperatives nationwide to plant trees.

In a Memorandum Order in coordination with the Cooperative Development

Authority, each member cooperator is required to plant five trees.

The undertaking was made possible through the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office which provided several seedlings ready for planting.

NorCot guv dares COA DavSur coops urged to take part in environmental drive to audit MalMar project N

orth Cotabato governor, Emmylou J. Taliño-Mendoza, challenged the Commission on Audit to conduct an immediate audit on the Malitubog-Maridagao (MalMar) Irrigation Project following an on site inspection of the project.

The MalMar Project is located in the provinces of North Cotabato and Maguindanao covering 16,957 hectares as a total target area, subdivided into two stages: Stage I which targets 10,840 hectares worth P 3.1 billion; and Stage II which covers 6,117 hectares worth P 6.2 billion.

It has been alleged that

Mendoza

some components of the project have not been actually completed despite the billions of pesos already spent by the government for its completion. Out of the 10,840 hectares target areas

G

BizQUIPS “THERE may be no greater tribute to Jobs’ success than the fact that much of the world learned of his passing on a device he invented.’

--US President Barack Obama on the death of Steve Jobs, 56, Apple chief executive officer.

EDGEDAVAO THE BUSINESS PAPER

Agri trends october 17-23, 2011 VOL. 4 NO. 33

7

Rice-duck farming effective in controlling pest infestation F

armers in Rosario, Agusan del Sur have found an ally in controlling pests while at the same time boosting their income.

Instead of spending a lot on chemical pesticides they let their ducks control pest infestation, a practice that is not only environment-friendly but also a viable source of income.

“Kuhol [golden snail] and black bugs are two major pests attacking our rice fields and causing major damage to our crops. Controlling these pests require higher expenses in chemicals,” said Ben Martinez of Wasian Irrigators’ Association (WIA).

Ben said small farmers like him could hardly afford to buy chemicals, hence he along with other farmers looked for ways to control kuhol and black bugs.

We are glad that the local agriculture office introduced the rice-duck farming system to control pests,” he said, adding that most of the farmers cannot afford to buy ducks.

Endorsed by the local government to the MRDP [Mindanao Rural Development Program], the WIA was able to access funds to go into rice-duck farming as the members’ livelihood project.

MRDP is a special project of the Department of Agriculture (DA) jointly funded by the World Bank, and the national and local government units. Now on its midterm of implementation, the program continues to put up rural infrastructure and livelihood projects for its covered towns across Mindanao.

The association accessed

P250, 000 for its rice-duck farming system project. Out of 30 beneficiaries, ten members were chosen as direct beneficiaries of the project.

“Selection was based on the availability of their area for raising ducks,” said technician Delia Valenzuela of the local agriculture office.

“The bulk of the fund was used to procure herds and the needed materials, particularly nets and feed while the remaining amount was used to buy inputs for rice production,” she added.

Although rice-duck farming system is not a new technology, it was only through the CFAD project that Ben realized the numerous benefits of raising ducks in his field.

“Ducks effectively controlled not only the kuhol population and black bugs but also other harmful insects such as stem borers, and green leaf hoppers, as well as rats,” he added.

Raising ducks in the rice fields help us minimize the use of expensive and hazardous chemicals. It also helps control weeds as ducks also feed themselves by eating its seeds and sprouts of weeds thus preventing the seeds from multiplying,” he said.

Egg-citing livelihood Aside from cutting down on farm expenses, Ben discovered that ducks can be a source of lucrative income.

In just a year after he started raising ducks, he now earns more from his laying ducks which produce eggs on a regular basis.

Duck eggs command premium prices as they are processed into balut (incu-

bated eggs, an exotic Filipino delicacy ), salted eggs, and century eggs. They sell anywhere from P6.00 to P7.00 apiece.

“Our ducks [of 260 heads] lay about 190 to 200 eggs a day which provide us an income of at least P40, 000 a month,” Ben said.

A trader comes to their place weekly to buy their duck eggs and in turn sell them to balut makers in the next town of Trento.

“Our income from duck eggs help is more than sufficient to meet our daily needs, most especially our children’s school expenses,” he said.

Ben’s ducks need little attention, thus allowing him enough more time to attend to rice farming and other farm activities.

“We feed our ducks only early in the morning and late in the afternoon. Also, ducks lay their eggs at night and early in the morning. So, we collect eggs only in the morning giving us enough time to do other farming tasks for the rest of the day,” he said adding: “It’s always exciting each time I collect the eggs as it’s almost like collecting money itself. It also gives me great satisfaction knowing that I have found a way to successfully raise a flock of healthy ducks,” he said.

His piece of advice for those interested in venturing into rice-duck farming is to observe some practical tips such as providing shelter and supplemental feeds.

“Although ducks love to stay in inundated paddy fields, a shelter must be available nearby with well-

drained flooring to keep them dry. Ducks do not need to be wet at all times to avoid contacting diseases,” he said.

For the layers to be more productive, he feeds them with a variety of feeds which include yellow corn, kangkong, copra, and fruits.

“To prevent the ducks from affecting the growth of your crop, release them in the fields 25 days after planting or when the crop reaches 20 centimeters tall which is enough to withstand any pressure from the ducks movement,” he said.

Ben, along with other farmer-beneficiaries, is giving back at least ten percent of his income to the association in repayment of the funding he availed from it.

He said once he has fulfilled his obligation to the association he would buy an incubator so that he could increase the number of his ducks. An incubator will not only help in hatching a large number of eggs at any one time, but also in producing more stock for distribution to next-in-line beneficiaries. It will also give them capability to venture into value-adding activities such as production of duck meat and balut along with salted egg making.

Ben said their association is grateful to the local government and to DAMRDP for their assistance.

“We used to be depend for our income on rice production, but the CFAD project has enabled us not only to harvest rice but also to go into duck eggs production on the same piece of land we own.” [NOEL T. PROVIDO]

RICE-DUCK FARMING. Ben feeds his ducks only twice a day giving him enough time to do other farming tasks the rest of the day. [SHERWIN MANUAL]

NIA to expand irrigation in ‘12 T

he National Irrigation Administration (NIA) plans to rehabilitate and restore irrigation facilities next year covering some 223,620 hectares of agriculture land nationwide.

NIA administrator Antonio Nangel said the planned work includes 81,170 hectares of new irrigation areas around the country.

“We have programmed some P24.7 billion for the purpose,” he said Friday during a press briefing in Metro Manila.

He anticipates Congress’ approval of the proposed budget which includes allocating some P18.40 billion for irrigation works in the new areas and another P4.22 billion for the restoration work as well as P2.15 billion for the rehabilitation work.

By 2012, NIA expects the projects to benefit some 142,770 households nationwide, about 27 percent more than NIA’s goal of 112,350 household-beneficiaries this year. [PNA]

the onset by the civet coffee production in the Davao region. Dizon said his farm buys the best coffee bean products from the farmers to be used as feed for the civets.

The farm produces 60 to 90 parchments of civet coffee every week which are then sold to regular buyers from Manila and foreign countries.

In Davao City, Dizon sells civet coffee beans to a local coffee shop--Chicco de Café--the only shop in the city that offers Civet Coffee.

The Mt Apo Civet and Altura coffee beans are also available at the Crocodile Park, some souvenir shops

at the Davao International Airport, Dizon Farms ahop on Rizal Street, Hotel Galleria, Villa Margarita, and D’Leonor Hotel.

Only recently, Dizon’s civet coffee also gained international acceptance during the Food and Hotel Thailand Show held in Bangkok.

The Philippine Coffee Board (PCB) had brought samples of green and roasted civet coffee which was a hit with the judges in the show.

The PCB considers a significant achievement for the country the production of the civet coffee. [PIA-11/

Thai, Taiwan experts here Mt. Apo’s civet coffee helps farmers for fruit/vegetable summit P

S

tudies conducted by the Asian Productivity Organization in the Asia Pacific Region reveal that the recent regional economic growth and changes in dietary patterns have made both the production and consumption of fruits and vegetables increasingly important.

This sector plays an important role in enhancing farm incomes; addresses the issue on poverty alleviation and food security, largely on sustainable agriculture, particularly in developing countries in Asia.

In Mindanao, the same is true also for this sector.

Estimates suggest that about 30-40% of fruits and vegetables are lost or abandoned after harvesting. These huge postharvest losses are the most pressing problems most farmers encounter today aside from access to market. Further, these losses also contribute to the diminishing quality

which must be addressed to enhance productivity as well as for farmers to compete in the market.

With these pressing issues, the DCCCII and Mindanao Fruit Industry Council have teamed up to bring to Davao from Taiwan and Thailand experts on fruit and vegetable production during the Mindanao Fruits and Vegetable Summit on from October 20-22 at the NCCC Trade Hall, Matina Davao City. The summit is one of the highlights of the Davao Trade Expo (DATE).

Head of the Department of Horticulture in Thailand, Dr. Ravie Sethpakdee, and head of the Department of Tropical Fruits Trees of Fengshan Tropical Horticultural Experiment Branch in Taiwan, Dr. Lee Wen-Li, will be the two (2) main speakers on the topic: “Benchmarking Best Practices: Fruit and Vegetable Production and Global Marketing” during the

Summit.

Dr. Sethpakdee, a consultant of the National Committee on Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives in Thailand, will talk on major opportunities and challenges needed to be hurdled to effectively market fruits and vegetables. He will also discuss the methods and techniques to be followed

by Mindanao’s retail sector to meet the growing demands of the country’s booming consumer spending.

Dr. Lee Wen-Li will share his experience in research and development in improving postharvest management as well as on emerging challenges and impediments in addressing this.

For more information about the event, please contact the DCCCII Professional Management Team through email at info@davaochamber.com

roduction of the world’s most expensive coffee produced by civet cats on a farm at the foothills of Mt. Apo is said to be helping farmers in the community.

Civet coffee farm owner Sonny Dizon explained to media the symbiotic relationship between humans and civet cats.

“Civet cats are a farmer’s biggest enemy as they are considered pests on the farm. The only way farmers can get rid of the cats is by killing them. So I thought there must be some way we could make use of the civets that farmers could also take advantage of,” Dizon said.

This led him to cage some civets on his farm in Kapatagan, Davao del Sur and started feeding the animals with the best coffee beans and the civets in excreted them as droppings ready for hulling and roasting to produce the so-called Civet Coffee.

Dizon’s Crocodile Park in Davao City has also become an official rescue center for these civets from the wild.

Coffee farmers have been greatly benefited at

BizQUIPS

Mai Gevera-Macapagat]

‘I welcome the decision as it clarifies the issue of whether foreign domestic helpers can be granted permanent residency in Hong Kong after staying thereat for seven years.’

--Labor Secretary Rosalina Baldoz, on a Hong Kong court decision granting a domestic helper her right to permanent residency in Hong Kong.

8

VOL. 4 NO. 33 october 17-23, 2011

VANTAGE POINTS

THE BUSINESS PAPER EDGEDAVAO

Steve Jobs and my son

L

ast week, millions mourned the demise of Steve Jobs. They might have not known the man personally, but with the intimate relationship that this modern generation has with its gadgets, the death of one of the most successful innovators in the world struck too close to home. Facebook and twitter were flooded with statuses that read iCry, iMourn and iSad. It is undeniable that we are becoming increasingly dependent on technology to live and make a living.

But it is pioneers like Steve Jobs, who gave us beautifully designed tools for modern existence and successfully changed our lives with their vision. If you are glued to your iPhone, iPod, iPad and laptop, Steve Jobs indeed change your world. “I” ceased merely to be a letter symbolizing the egotistic side of human nature - it became instead a prefix for something excellently designed, innovative and desirable in a way that makes you say iWant and iNeed. And want and need the results of Steve Jobs’ imagination, we did.

While there are many of us who would like to leave the world with such an impact, few demonstrate actual temerity to see such noble intentions through. But making ripples in this world, no matter how minuscule in comparison to legendary behemoths such as Apple, still need to be celebrated. And it is in this light that I would like to share how Steve Jobs brought my son to Vancouver Fashion Week.

Steve Jobs said: “Do what you love to do. Find your true passion. Make a difference. The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” My son heeded the siren call of fashion design while practicing his trade in the airline industry and a diplomatic mission. He recognized that skills and an education were critical prerequisites to succeeding in this highly competitive and creative field, so he worked hard to get the fundamentals down pat.

But therein lies a caveat - passion alone is not enough to get results. Many may profess to be passionate about something - say photography or the culinary arts - but only 20% or less would be willing to put in the constant, unwavering sacrifice of becoming simply competent.

Steve Jobs said: “Do your best at every job. Don’t sleep! Success generates more success so be hungry for it.” It is this hunger that will allow you to attend, participate and work hard in every single class you signed up for, despite long, daily commutes from Manila to Taguig to attend to your uncompromising and

exacting full-time job.

“Design is a funny word. Some people think design means how it looks.

But of course, if you dig deeper, it’s really how it works”, said Jobs. And so, upon finishing his design course, my son realized that creativity and excellence were two principles that needed to be practiced and obsessively ensured in every aspect of his professional life - and that they were not mutually exclusive. Creativity leads to innovation, while excellence ensures the delivery of products resulting from your innovation.

But there was something else that Steve Jobs said: “Be different, think different”, and so the fledgling designer decided to concentrate on menswear, not only to avoid jumping into the oversaturated pool of women’s clothes but because the former was his true passion. With his field defined, my son decided to hold on to another Jobs mantra: “People judge you by your performance, so focus on the outcome. Be a yardstick of quality.” And a stickler for quality, the designer became.

The proof is in the pudding, they say, and soon enough, Philippine Fashion opened its doors to the designer to showcase the results of his hard work on the runway, retail shops, intimate shows for fashion insiders and all forms of media - print, television and the web. The mileage was not a result of some weird popularity contest but from practicing another sage advice from the founder of Apple: “Some people aren’t used to an environment where excellence is expected. Advertise. And deliver.”

Last October 1, Nico Agustin successfully presented his collection during the maiden Vancouver Men’s Fashion Week, being one of only two foreigners invited to show in the event.

He got a standing ovation. And pieces were hailed by fashion media as part of the emerging menswear trends in North America.

The success of our fellowmen is a blessing to others with its capacity to inspire - and so I end this article with another insight to push you, dear reader, in the same direction as that nerd who changed the world: “Start small, think big. Don’t worry about too many things at once. Take a handful of simple things to begin with, and then progress to more complex ones.

Think about not just tomorrow, but the future. Put a ding in the universe.”

You can. In the same way that my son has put a ding in mine.

Feel free to send your comments to nic_agustin@ yahoo.com

editorial

Of closures and ‘flip-flopping’

P

RESIDENT Noynoy Aquino said with finality last Wednesday that he would not sanction a hero’s burial for the late former President Ferdinand Marcos.

The President, whose father, senator Ninoy Aquino, was jailed and then assassinated during martial law, told foreign correspondents that to bury the late dictator at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Makati City would mean disrespect for Filipinos buried there for their great contributions to the country.

He said the victims of the late dictator’s regime have not been accorded an apology, the compensation bill is still pending; and that it would be the height of injustice to render any honors to the person who was “the direct mastermind of all their suffering.”

Most people who experienced life under martial rule agree with President Noynoy’s decision. But the question remains: does his stand put closure to this thorny issue which evaded resolution during the presidencies of Cory Aquino,

Fidel Ramos, Joseph Estrada and Gloria Arroyo? More pointedly, will other Presidents in the future agree with President Noynoy and not allow Marcos’s remains to be laid to rest in the hallowed burial grounds reserved only for authentic heroes?

Given that Filipinos are notorious for their short memory, and the balimbing mentality of many of them, we have our doubts. Even the Supreme Court is now under fire from all quarters for recalling a supposedly “final” decision earlier reinstating 1,400 flight attendants and stewards of Philippine Airlines.

Of course, this is not the first time the high tribunal had “flip-flopped” on a vital issue. Many city mayors say the high court’s somersaulting on the legal dispute over the creation of 16 new cities was even more controversial.

One wonders how the last bulwark of Philippine democracy would behave if the question of whether Marcos should be buried in the Libingan ng mga Bayani is brought before it for a legal verdict?

EDITORIAL

The Business Paper

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HELPING YOU MAKE INFORMED BUSINESS decisions.

vantage POINTS

EDGEDAVAO THE BUSINESS PAPER

october 17-23, 2011 VOL. 4 NO. 33

FACE OFF

Organization, organization

On Supreme Court’s recall of PAL ruling ‘LET not those who pervert democracy and the Constitution for their selfish political ends mistake our judicial decorum, wisdom of silence and sense of dignity as signs of weakness, for nothing can be farther from the truth.

‘I mince no words and I speak of nothing else but the insidious attempts to undermine, destroy even, the independence of the judiciary through such means as forcing us to beg for the funds guaranteed to us by the Constitution.

‘Never before has the entire judiciary, even in the days of martial law, been subjected to so much disrespect and lack of civility from sectors we sincerely consider to be our partners in nation-building.’

--Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona blasting Malacanang and Congress for criticizing the recall of a ruling calling for the reinstatement of 1,400 members of the Flight Attendants and Stewards Association of the Philippines (Fasap) who were sacked following a strike at the Philippine Airlines in 1998.

‘THE Supreme Court brought it upon themselves –if there is an attack on their credibility because of the Fasap case. We did not do anything here.

‘I do not know where this idea of being impeached is coming from. But certainly you do not hear that from the executive branch...’

--Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda.

‘I am angry because I fear citizens would turn (their) back against the bulwark of civil liberty. It would be impossible to regain it once it loses this instant.’

--Senator Miriam Santiago Defensor

‘The ruling is cause for serious concern.

Regardless of the parties involved and the arguments given, the public perception it creates casts doubts on the image and reputation of the SC as a court of last resort and a bulwak of democracy.’

--Senator Francis Pangilinan

W

HAT happens when an IRRESISTIBLE FORCE-collides with an IMMOVABLE OBJECT? I ask this question in the light of the raging word war between Malacanang and the Supreme Court.

One could see this was coming eversince President Benigno S. Aquino questioned the midnight appointment of Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Adding to the fire was the flip-flopping done by the Supreme Court when it recalled what was supposed to be its final and executory ruling calling for the reinstatement of 1,400 dismissed members of the Flight Attendants and Stewards Association of the Philippines (Fasap). In recalling its ruling, the high

9

When “final” is ‘joke only’ (hehe)

tribunal reasoned that there had been a “misapplication” of its internal rules which resulted to the recall. Oh really? Not misapplication of justice?

Ergo! What was earlier deemed final and executory was no longer so. Just like that. Perhaps, the first ruling was only a semifinal?

But the hypothetical question, re irresistible force

vs. immovable object cannot apply to the protagonists—Malacanang and the Supreme Court. In the first place neither of them is irresistible nor immovable. The hypothetical irresistible force does not exist where there is an immovable object—and vice versa.

The entry of Malacanang’s allies in Congress (and there’s quite a lot of

them) into the squabble has worried some quarters, including certain members of Congress itself. They fear that this lovers’ quarrel could lead to a constitutional crisis, whatever that means, and are trying to patch things up.

Sometimes the escalating word war borders on egotripping. “You can’t fight City Hall!” the saying goes. In this case, Malacanang. And who wants to bang heads with the Supreme Court (even if it flip-flops at times)? Let us not forget that the High Tribunal has not sent any Marcos heir or crony to jail for ill-gotten wealth the past 25 years since the fall of the dictatorship.

Doesn’t that tell us a lot about our Supreme Court?

Ask me no questions...

My Turn Fr. Emeterio barcelon, sj

W

hat factors will propel the Philippines and Filipinos to prosperity? There are a good number of them and we must prioritize. One of the more important weaknesses is in the area of organization. We have the capable personnel and the clear objectives. What we seem to lack is the ability to organize and get the organization to work towards the objective. One of the reasons for this is that we have little experience in organizing and once organized we have little influence or at least not enough on the personnel to propel them towards the objectives. If you examine the overseas Filipinos, many of them work for British or other foreign companies. Few Filipino organizations are working in the Middle East even though many British or other nationality organizations are heavily manned

by Filipinos. It is not just a question of financing. It is true most Filipinos do not have the financial muscle to set up their own companies.

But beyond that we have little experience in creating our companies. Basically it is because we have had an agricultural economy which does not need large organizations. Secondly, we are emerging from a colonial past where the organizing and commanding is done by non Filipinos. We have little experience in creating companies or institutions to go after objectives.

What then has to be done? Just do it.

There will be mistakes and the need for persuasion to make other Filipinos follow or obey. Even at home foreign companies have an easier time getting cooperation from Filipino workers.

The bias is against Filipino managers simply because they have had fewer opportunities to manage and therefore may not have the expertise. But we will get there. It is a question of just trying or doing it. The only way to get experience is by doing it. We now have a considerable amount of experienced managers but considering the potential

and the need, we require a lot more especially in the smaller business. If you have not had the opportunity then diffidence is understandable and therefore we need to expose our children to entrepreneurship. The Filipino Chinese have this advantage. Their children normally see the grownups do business and are often at hand to just observe, wrap goods, or run errands. By the time they are teen agers they have tasted making deals and pursuing objectives on their own. It may be too late for many of us to get this experience as teen agers but adults have to try it. Two big problems in small business is lack of a sense of what can be sold and the sense of when to give credit to a customer.

The safer credit system at the start is to refrain from giving credit. The rule in credit is that you give credit only so far as you can afford to lose or not get paid back.

The next hurdle is how to make non family members give their best to the enterprise. There is a tendency to fear over paying staff. This is not always useful. If the business can afford the pay or over pay of personnel, this is good strategy. Of course pay is only part of the motivation structure. There are many other elements in how to make co-operators exert their best effort. Learning and self development is the next big motivator. Respect and appreciation on the part of the manager is the next critical motivator. In the end the way to learn how to walk is by walking. So too in business.

Doing business and organizing a company is learned by just doing it. The only caution is not to take risks you cannot afford. Other than that the rule is to try and try, again and again.

This is the only way to get experience. Learn from the past and keep improving as the Japanese say in “Kaizen”. We need more and more organizations. It seems to be the missing link to our prosperity. <emeterio_barcelon@yahoo.com>

BizQUIPS

‘WE are ready, willing and able to engage with the government to tackle these measures and look forward to the government’s favorable response to our drive for stronger partnership to sharpen our competitive edge.’

--Dr. Francis Chua, Philippine Chamber of Commerce president

10 VOL. 4 NO. 33 october 17-23, 2011

competitive edge

THE BUSINESS PAPER EDGEDAVAO

Dennis Uy of Phoenix nominated Sineng Pambansa to Asia’s business leaders awards film workshop set D

ENNIS A. UY, youthful president and CEO of the phenomenal independent oil company Phoenix Corporation, has been nominated for the prestigious CNBC’s Asia Business Leaders Awards (ABLA) 10th Asia Viewers’ Choice.

Uy , still in his thirties, was featured by Edge Davao a number of times, including his choice as one of Davao’s heroes of the economy in a special supplement in the paper’s January 4-10, 2010 edition.

Other Dabawenyos dubbed

by ED paper as “heroes of the economy” were Antonio O. Floirendo , patriarch of the Anflo Group of Companies, banker Alex B. Buenaventura, the late founder of the University of Mindanao and The Mindanao Times founder Guillermo E. Torres, Conrado C. Alcantara of Alsons and award-winning inventor Samuel Abrenilla.

As ABLA nominee, Uy is ranged against 40 other nominees from various Asian countries, including three Filipinos –Erramon I. Aboitiz of Aboitiz Power,

Jose Victor Paterno of Philippines Seven and Wilfred Steven Uytengsu Jr. of Alaska Milk Corporation.

The winner of the Asia Viewers’ Choice Award is chosen by CNBC viewers throughout the Asian region. Viewers are invited to vote for one CEO of choice through the official Asia Business Leaders Awards website (abla.cnbc.com).

In an email message, Phoenix officer Ben Sur appealed to Dabawenyos to vote for Uy. Voting closes on November 7, 2011. [AMA]

T

uy

JCI MANILA LAUNCHED SEA OF LIFE. The JCI Manila in cooperation with KIAO Jaycees, and Palawan Geo Society, launched recently the SEA Of LIFE project to SAVE THE REEF in Sabang, Puerto Princesa,Palawan. The 3-day event attended by over 100 Jaycees from different parts of the country aims to plant over hundred domes (artificial reef/fish habitat), a symbol of commitment to save and protect the environment in that area. Shown in photo (from left) Dr Jun Reyes, former president of Palawan Geo Society; JC Jarvey Belo, project co-chair; JC Jayson Yee, project chairman; Chris Dearne, a Briton national residing in General Santos and fornder of DOME; JCI Manila in-coming President Jacqueline Tan, Sheridan Resort, vice president and managing director and Josefine Fabella, Jaycee Kiao chapter preisdent , unveiling the Dome ceremony held at the Sheridan Beach Resort and Spa.

he Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) will hold the First Davao City Sineng Pambansa Local Film Workshop Series at the Davao City Doctor’s College from October 17 to 21. The film workshop project is under the Audiovisual Development program of the FDCP. In Davao, it is being jointly sponsored with the city government of Davao, and the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. The Davao workshops are part of an ongoing series organized by the FDCP for the benefit of aspiring Filipino filmmakers interested in making feature films, documentaries, and short animated works, and are conducted by some of the country’s leading independent filmmakers. The workshop modules for Davao include: Introduction to Writing for Film by Raymond Lee (Oct 17-18), Introduction to Basic Filmmaking by Sherad Anthony Sanchez (Oct 19-20), and Introduction to Basic Photography and Cinematography

by Dix Buhay and Boy Yñiguez (Oct 17-21).

The Davao series will be the longest filmmaking workshops to be held by the FDCP, and has attracted at least five hundred participants. The first workshops held this year were one-day events held in conjunction with local film festivals organized by the FDCP in the cities of Iloilo, Zamboanga, Baguio, San Fernando in Pampanga, and Marawi. These workshops were conducted by filmmakers Raymond Red and Jim Libiran in Iloilo, Marge Templo and Ato Bautista in Zamboanga, Mes de Guzman in Baguio, Francis Pasion in San Fernando (Pampanga), and

Sherad Anthony Sanchez in Marawi (Lanao del Sur).

The FDCP Audiovisual Development program’s Local Film Workshop Series aims to introduce students of film and communication studies to the basics of filmmaking through workshops which consist of a two- to three-hour lecture on a particular topic, with another three hours devoted to a series of application or practical exercises which will help the student propose a small feasibility project for a film, based on what has been learned during the lecture. The topics for the workshop generally include Introduction to Basic Filmmaking, Introduction to Scriptwriting, Cinematography, Lighting, Musical Scoring and Sound, Production, Directing, Non-Linear Editing and Animation.

The Film Development Council of the Philippines, through its Sineng Pambansa or National Cinema flagship program, has been actively implementing its threepronged mission: to revitalize the Filipino film industry by encouraging creativity and supporting quality film production; to promote the works of Filipino filmmakers by way of national and international film festivals; and to foster deeper pride in Filipino culture and awareness of national identity through the cinematic arts.

For more details, please contact the Davao Sineng Pambansa Secretariat at (63 82) 226-4433 or (63 82) 221 7515. For more information on the functions, objectives, and activities of the FDCP, including the ongoing NATIONAL FILM COMPETITION, please visit the website: www. fdcp.ph. FDCP Media Desk.

through its purchase of Esso,” said Alex Pomento, head of research at Macquarie Group Ltd. CIMB “has the financial muscle to strengthen” Bank of Commerce, Pomento added.

In June 2009 SMC’s property unit and retirement fund secured a 51-percent stake in Bank of Commerce. In January San Miguel Properties Inc. bought an additional 7.16-percent stake in the bank.

CIMB, Malaysia’s second-largest lender, didn’t immediately respond to a phone call and an e-mail seeking comment.

Bank of Commerce is the country’s 16th-largest lender with assets of P90.7

billion, data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas showed.

CIMB, which also operates in Singapore and Indonesia, bought 70 percent of Thailand’s Sicco Securities Pcl. last month.

SMC shares advanced 0.2 percent to P113.50 on Thursday, snapping three days of declines.

“This is still part of their goal to raise the war chest and to consolidate into infrastructure,” said Jonathan Ravelas, a market strategist at Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. “It helps them raise capital and at the same time, a partnership with another group could open more doors for them.”

Sudoku Super Challenge SMC, CIMB in talks on bank stake set at SM Davao, Oct. 25 S T he Mathematics Trainers’ Guild (MTG) Philippines, in coordination with SM Supermalls will hold the 6th Philippine Sudoku Super Challenge (PSSC) on October 25, 2011.

The project aims to promote the number puzzle to the youth for the purpose of developing their reasoning ability; enhance the mental and critical skills of the students to help them solve life’s problems effec-

tively; and offer an alternative to spending enjoyable, educational and productive past time.

Sudoku enthusiasts are invited to join any of the three categories: Sudoku Whiz Kid for elementary level; Sudoku Wizard for high school level and Sudoku Grandmaster for college level and professionals.

Registration is free.

Davao regional eliminations will be held at the Event Centre of SM City

Davao on October 25.

The top three winners in each category will receive Certificates of High Distinction and are qualified for the National Finals which will be held in SM North EDSA on January 28, 2012.

For Davao, interested parties may call Ms Lucy Puro of Davao Central High School at 227.2051.

Downloading of entry form and other information may be obtained from www. pinoysudoku.ph.

of a man in a long, hard journey and the faith that overcomes distance.

It was launched early this year for the company’s “Ikaw, Anong Trip Mo?” campaign.

CMMA’s criteria for judging are based on the late Pope John Paul II’s Ethics in Media and the document of the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines (PCP II). It includes: love for God, love for truth, respect for natural environment, promotion of posi-

tive Filipino values, and love for family and life.

As the fastest-rising independent oil company today, Phoenix Petroleum aspires to be part of the journeys that people take in life, thus the “Ikaw, Ano’ng Trip Mo?” brand campaign.

The CMMA awards night will be held on October 19, 2011, Wednesday, at the San Carlos Seminary Auditorium on Edsa, Guadalupe, Makati City.

Phoenix Petroleum TVC in CMM Awards

T

he Phoenix Petroleum Philippines TV commercial ‘The Journey’ has been chosen as one of the finalists in the 33rd Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA) for Best TV Ad-Branded under the advertising category.

The first corporate TV commercial of Phoenix illustrates how far a man would go to be with his family, and the company that brings him there. It is a touching story of love for family, a moving story

an Miguel Corp.

(SMC), which is seeking to expand in Malaysia, said it is in discussions to sell a stake in Bank of Commerce to CIMB Group Holdings Bhd. “We’re in talks,” SMC President Ramon Ang said.

CIMB is “one of the biggest banks in Malaysia” and SMC plans to sell “a portion” of Bank of Commerce to the Malaysian company, Ang said, declining to provide more details.

SMC has been expanding into oil refining, power and infrastructure to triple the return it previously earned from food and drinks alone. In August it agreed to acquire Exxon Mobil Corp.’s 65-percent stake in Esso Malaysia Bhd. and said it may spend as much as $1.2 billion upgrading Esso’s oil refinery and renovating gasoline stations.

“A purchase by CIMB will pave the way for San Miguel to link with a strong partner in Malaysia, where it’s putting a substantial investment

BizQUIPS WE need to increase the production of highquality fresh mangoes, and subsequently increase our export of fresh, dried and processed mango products.’

-- Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala

competitive edge

EDGEDAVAO THE BUSINESS PAPER

october 17-23, 2011 VOL. 4 NO. 33

Davao City’s Marañon named 2001 emerging entrepreneur

D

AVAO agribusiness leader Ferdinand Maranon of the famous Davao City-based Sagrex Corporation that exports processed bananas among others was named Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year in the yearly search conducted by Ernst & Young and SGV. Maranon is considered one of Davao’s most aggressive business leaders. He had served as an officer of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. and president of the Rotary Club of Davao, among other service clubs.

Adjudged Entrepreneur of the Year 2011 is Erramon Aboitiz, president and CEO of

MARAÑON Aboitiz Power Corp., mother company of Davao Light and Power Company.

Aboitiz, 54, will represent the Philippines in the World Entrepreneur of the Year Award in Monte Carlo.

Jollibe Foods Corp. president

Tony Tan Caktiong won the international seven years ago.

Hyundai Asia Resources Inc. CEO and president Maria Fe Agudo received the Woman Entrepreneur award, while Reynaldo Paulino of Kraftika Filipina was chosen Small Business Entrepreneur.

Anna Meloto-Wilk and sister Camille Meloto, daughters of Gawad Kalinga founder Tony Meloto, were named Social Entrepreneurs for organizing Gandang Kalikasan Inc. which taps GK volunteers to manufacture and sell cosmetic products from organic materials. Rustan Supercenters Inc. president Bienvenido Tantoco III was named Innovation Entrepreneur.

project by three College of Engineering students of the University also made it to the last round.

Out of 147 entries submitted by partner schools of Smart Communications, Inc. under its Smart Wireless Engineering Education Program (SWEEP), only ten entries were chosen for the final evaluation of working models and team presentations scheduled in February 2012.

Smart CARES (Community Assistance on Remote Vital Signs Monitoring for

Emergency Situations) of Mark Reynald D. Bingil, Rosmar M. Sambarano, Edgardo B. Libre, Jr., Angelie T. Lugay, and Jeffrey A. Bongar under mentor Engr. Roberto I. Canda, basically aims to create a vital signs monitoring system attached to a nearby hospital via wireless communication. The proposed device is designed to help patients by allowing health care professionals to monitor them from home, rather than from a bed in a hospital or a nursing home.

long series of photo contests that tests the skills and creativity of participants. An annual event arranged by Canon Marketing (Philippines), Inc. (CMPI) for its loyal consumers, the number of contestants has grown considerably since its local inception in 2006. This year, the roving competition started in Cagayan de Oro,

then went to Bohol, Vigan, and Legazpi. The culminating Manila leg is expecting some 2,000 registrants.

Entries are categorized into two, compact and DSLR camera. Canon-wielding users are given themes to interpret through photography with only two-and-a-half hours to tackle each of three challenges.

USeP finalist in SWEEP awards

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ecause of its market potentials, technical viability, innovation, and social relevance, a project by a five student-team from the College of Engineering, University of Southeastern Philippines was adjudged finalist in the 8th SWEEP Innovation and Excellence Awards in September 2011. USeP was the sole qualifier from regions 10, 11 and 12.

This is the second time that the USeP entry qualified for the finals of the same competition. Last year, a

Canon launches PhotoMarathon

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anon recently launched four out of its five PhotoMarathon legs, pooling a total of 600 photography enthusiasts in Mindanao, the Visayas, North and South Luzon. Canon is realizing its vision of building the Philippines as a country of ImageNation citizens.

PhotoMarathon is a day-

LARGEST. The Philippines’ largest national flag carrier, Cebu Pacific (PSE:CEB) took delivery of its 35th aircraft last October 8. CEB operates the youngest aircraft fleet in the country, and is the only Philippine carrier that acquires all its aircraft brand-new. This aircraft will

S

tudents these days have become inseparable from their mobile phones.

Classmates are all just a call or text away when there are projects to be accomplished or school activities to be attended.

Keeping in touch through mobile phones have become a necessity more than a luxury.

That’s why university students at Davao are delighted at the numerous products Sun Cellular offers which they can easily avail without denting their allowance from their parents.

Jopheth Vencer a freshman taking up Information Technology at Ateneo de Davao University shares that having a Sun line is very important as a student. “Everybody here uses SUN. If you don’t have one, you should get one.” The Call and Text Unlimited service keeps him in touch with his classmates 24/7. “With just 100 pesos I can call and text

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be used to mount additional flights to Cagayan de Oro, Davao and Cebu. CEB is expecting rwo more brand-new Airbus A320 aircraft in late October and December 2011. By the end of 2011, CEB will be operating a fleet of 37 aircraft, one of the most modern aircraft fleets in the world.

Davao, a solid Sun community

EDGEDAVAO

ALONG HI-WAY MATI CENTRAL

11

The Business PAPER

Account Executive Qualifications: 25-35 years old Male or Female College Graduate Pleasing Personality Good Moral Character Can work with less supervision

Interested applicants submit your resume with recent 2x2 ID pictures to: Human Resource Department Zion Accuprint Publishing, Inc 14 Alcrej Bldg. Quirino Ave. Davao City Tel. No. (082) 221-3601

my classmates non-stop for the whole school week!” Jopheth exclaims. With Sun Call and Text 100, Jopheth also gets to enjoy 30 minutes of free mobile internet plus 200 texts to other networks.

University students in Davao have become a community of Sun Cellular users. Most if not all have a prepaid line or a postpaid line at hand at all times. Mary Grace Floresca a nursing sophomore affirms the benefits of Sun products to the day to day needs of college students like her. “My mom subscribed to the group Plan 999.

This keeps me in touch with my mom and my sister 24/7 and also to my classmates.

When exams are nearing, I can review with my study partner over the phone and I’m not worried of getting an expensive bill because it’s unlimited!”

MG shares, “the postpaid plan works great for me because I don’t have to worry about having to load unexpectedly. With my schedule in school, being connected is easy because it’s postpaid” It is very common for the young people of Davao to ask new-found friends this question “May Sun ka ba?” After finding out their name, the next relevant information they need

is if they can communicate with you through Sun Cellular. Indeed the unlimited services Sun Cellular offers have turned this generation into a SUN Community.

A special treat to the growing number of Sun Cellular users in Mindanao, is the Sun Magic Zone Mindanao.

This product offers the lowest rate for unlimited calls and texts within the Sun network, for as low as P10 per day. Not only that, people with friends in other networks can load P15 and avail of unlimited communication within the whole of Mindanao and also enjoy free 50 texts to other networks!

For heavy texters, Sun Magic Zone Mindanao offers Text Unlimited for only 10 pesos per day. This comes with additional 40 texts to other networks. On top of that, Davaoenos using the Sun Magic Zone will get to enjoy Sun Magic Zone TEXTALL 15. Exclusively available in Davao, one can send text messages to ALL networks just for P15 pesos for one whole day. Just go to any Sun Retailer and ask for this load. This special promo for the people of Davao will run thru September 17 to December 15, 2011.

weekly winners October 8 John Lei Joey Abenojar Cherry E. Akim Hamida Ibrahim

October 9 Thomas E. Avancena Mary Fe Tara Gary Dean Dr. Mary Anne Abadilla

October 10 Melvin Clamor Herman D. Penuela Lolita Acuram

October 11 Katherine E. Vergara Renz Mark Villaseña Nenita Pacate Fr. Edsel Paloma

October 12 John Benedict Tajon Sheala Tabuno Rissa Bagaygay Quenette Kirkconell

October 13 Lalaine Mavnes Andres R. Reintal Jr. Leonora D. Lim Lyca Pascual

Ramon M. Bargamento II

THE BUSINESS PAPER EDGEDAVAO

ict hub

12 VOL. 4 NO. 33 october 17-23, 2011

Social media ‘a mixed blessing in epidemics’

iOS 5 adds cool tricks to iPad, iPhone A F pple’s new mobile operating system is finally nigh and imminent. Apple fans have been eagerly awaiting iOS 5 since it was announced in June.

Last week, Apple CEO Tim Cook confirmed an October 12 release date for iOS 5, at the same time that he revealed the iPhone 4S. Apple mobile devices like the iPad and iPhone are eligible to upgrade to a brave new world of cloud computing, with exciting new notification features and money-saving messaging.

If you’re like many computer and electronic consumers, though, you might be a little nervous about the idea of immediately upgrading to iOS 5.

Older gadgets often feel slower when upgraded to new operating systems, and the fearsome specter of annoying bugs lurks around

every corner. You could be tempted to wait until iOS 5.1 hits the street, hoping the later release might clear up any troublesome features and smooth out your experience.

Here’s why you should overcome those worries and upgrade to iOS 5.

Save on your phone bill iOS 5 debuts a new iMessage system that communicates across wifi and mobile data plans instead of traditional SMS text messages. You’ll be able to trade chat message with friends and family who also use iOS 5 devices without ever dinging the capacity on your SMS plan. If most of the people you chat with are also on iPhones, you can safely reduce the size of your SMS plan. If you use iMessage while you’re on a wifi network, it won’t even use up your mobile data plan. For

no other reason than the possible text message savings, iOS 5 is a boon.

Cut the cord Wednesday could be the last day you’re forced to sync your iPhone to your PC or Mac using a wire. Once you’re loaded up with the new operating system, your device can sync with iTunes

wirelessly to load music, movies, and documents to your device. You can even download and upgrade additions to the iOS without plugging in a cable. This anticipated freedom from extra cables is a huge benefit to iOS 5. Even if you can wait for the newest apps, you won’t want to wait for this feature.

Google+ tops 40 million users G

oogle co-founder and chief executive Larry Page on Thursday said that its online social networking challenge to Facebook is growing fast and has topped 40 million users.

“People are flocking to

Google+ at an incredible rate and we are just getting started,” Page said during an earnings conference call.

He added that billions of digital photos are shared at Google+.

Page said social features highlighted at

Google+ will be “baked in” to the Internet star’s other online offerings.

“Last quarter we shipped ‘plus’ and now we are going to ship the Google part,” Page said of weaving social and sharing features throughout the firm’s plat-

form.

“We are still at the very early stages of what technology can deliver,” he continued. “These tools we use online will look very different in five years time and we are building these tools into Google-plus.”

acebook, Twitter and other social media websites boost public awareness of disease outbreaks but also make it more difficult to separate fact from fiction, world health officials said on Thursday.

World Health Organization (WHO) director-general Margaret Chan said the Geneva-based UN body scans websites and online forums in different languages for indications of outbreaks across the world.

Any potential threat is analysed by experts and, if necessary, investigated, she told an international conference in Singapore on improving preparedness to fight disease outbreaks.

“I can assure you that with the rise of social media, the background noises for rumours have become much louder and making it so much harder to detect the really important segments,” she said.

“But this development also makes it extremely hard for any country to hide a public health threat of international concern.”

Chan, who was director of health in Hong Kong when a fatal outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) effectively shut down the territory in 2003, did not elaborate.

China was heavily criticised by the international community during SARS for initially covering up the epidemic, which originated in the south of the country.

The flu-like disease eventually killed more than 800 people worldwide, according to the WHO. WHO assistant directorgeneral Keiji Fukuda said that during the H1N1 swine flu that swept the world in 2009/2010, the Internet was rife with rumours about how to build immunity against the disease.

BizQUIPS ‘IF Pag-IBIG Fund is fully computerized, the annotation process would be reduced from 30 to 10 days.’

--Pag-IBIG Fund Chief Executive Officer Darlene Marie Berberabe, on Pag-IBIG’s arrangement with the Land Registration Authority to simplify loan transactions.

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 11th Judicial Region Branch 16 Davao City SP.PROC. NO. 11,546-11 IN RE: PETITION FOR CORRECTION OF ENTRY IN THE CERTIFICATE OF LIVE BIRTH OF AILEEN PARACUELLES CABALLERO IN THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF DAVAO CITY AILEEN PARACUELLES Petitioner versusTHE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF DAVAO Respondent x----------------------------------------------------x ORDER Acting on the verified amended petition filed by petitioner through cousel in which it is prayed of this Honorable Court that the Certificate of Live of the Petitioner be corrected particularly Item No. (2) thereof from Male to Female which is the correct sex/gender of the Petitioner.

Finding the said petition to be sufficient in form and in substance, it is hereby ordered that said petition be set for hearing on November 25, 2011 at 8:30 A.M. on which date, time and place, all persons whoare interested may appear and show cause if any, why said petition should not be granted.

Let a copy of this Order be published in a newspaper of general circulation at least once a week for three (3) consecutive issues at theexpense of the petitioner.

The Local Civil registrar, Davao City and the Assistant City Prosecutor are cited to appear on said date of hearing, in order to show cause, if any, why said petition should not be granted.

SO ORDERED. Davao City, Philippines, September 27, 2011 (SGD) EMMANUEL C. CARPIO Presiding Judge Serve on: Office of the Solicitor General Pros. Victoriano M. Bello Office of the Civil Registrar, D.C. Atty. Gerardo C. Olaguer Office of the Clerk of Court-RTC, Davao City Petitioner-c/o Atty. Gerardo C. Olaguer

EDGEDAVAO THE BUSINESS PAPER

Community sense october 17-23, 2011 VOL. 4 NO. 33

Firms unite for typhoon relief P

roving that shared corporate values are at the heart of their businesses, companies did their philanthropic part in contributing to rehabilitation efforts and donating cash and relief goods primarily to the recent flood victims in Central Luzon.

Year to date, business groups fostering the essence of corporate citizenship and social responsibility have been mobilizing resources and relief efforts for victims of such devastating typhoons as Juan (Megi) in October last year, to Juaning (Nock-Ten) early this year and Pedring (Nesat) and Quiel (Nalgae) last week.

In relief efforts the corporate-led Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) organized for victims primarily in Calumpit, Bulacan, companies like Asalus Corp. (Intellicare) and recently Monark Foundation donated cash while Holcim Phils. Inc., M2.0 Communications Inc., Associated Broadcasting Company (TV5), AECOM Phils., and recently Ayala Southvale contributed in relief efforts.

Citibank and MEDICard Phils. Inc. both donated cash and gave out goods. Kraft Foods Phils. Inc. gave 150 cases of cheddar cheese and CDO Foodsphere Inc. contributed 50 cases of canned goods, while Oriental and Motolite and Airlift Asia Inc. provided two 10-wheeler trucks to transport these items, which were distributed based on the international humanitarian standard called the Sphere relief package.

The standard Sphere relief pack that is good for five days for a family of six is usually composed of eight to 10 kilos of rice, three cans of sardines, a half kilo of mongo beans, a pint of cooking oil, a kilo of sugar, a quarter kilo of iodized salt, a bar of soap, a half kilo of dried fish, and one non-food item such as a water container, a cooking pot, or a blanket.

Over 600 Sphere relief packs benefited 505 households in Brgy. Gugo, Calumpit and members of the town’s Eco-Boys, a group of young men who got their source of livelihood as garbage collectors and segregators who were themselves typhoon and flood victims.

Some goods are now scheduled for distribution in nearby Hagonoy, also in Bulacan, while some cash donations are still set for collection.

Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. and East-West Seed Company Inc. also pledged to give cash donations.

As of Tuesday morning (11 October), the latest disaster risk reduction update showed that at least 30 road and bridge sections primarily in the regions of Cagayan Valley (II), Central Luzon (III), and the Cordilleras (CAR) remain impassable, more than two weeks after Pedring and Quiel hit the country.

Earlier on Monday (10 October), the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) revealed that the death toll from both typhoons rose to 102, while damage to property breached the P15-billion mark.

At least 84 people died

after Pedring’s wrath, with 91 injured and 20 missing, and affecting more than 650,000 families or at least 3 million people in more than 3,500 villages in 312 towns and 42 cities within 35 provinces.

Meanwhile, at least 18 died after Quiel’s onslaught, with 12 injured and seven missing, and affecting more than 226,000 families or at least 1.11 million people in more than 1,700 villages in 138 towns and 10 cities within 18 provinces.

With over 250 companies in its roster of membership, PBSP together with its partners in the Corporate Network for Disaster Response (CNDR) and the Philippine Disaster Recovery Foundation (PDRF) have been channeling resources from the private sector to provide immediate relief to the affected communities.

This partnership was strengthened in the aftermath of disaster response initiatives of PBSP member-companies involved in relief efforts two years ago in the aftermath of typhoons Ondoy (Ketsana) and Pepeng (Parma) from late September to early October 2009.

From late July to early August 2011, almost all 250 households comprising of about 1,000 individuals in barangay Alimsog in Santo Domingo,Albay province in the typhoon-prone Bicol region benefitted with a total of more than P180,000 worth of relief goods, out of the overall total of more than 195,000 families or 980,000 people affected in 983 villages out of 103 towns and 12 cities in 21 provinces.

PGCP joins Red Cross in first aid

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he Pantukan Gold & Copper Project (PGCP) held a 3-day First Aid Training Course on September 22 to 24, 2011 at the Magnaga Waters Resort in Pantukan, Compostela Valley Province. The training was conducted by the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) Kingking Compostela Valley Chapter in coordination with the company’s Safety Department. According to Safety Manager Edwin “Butch” Bal-

madres, the activity is part of PGCP’s “commitment to provide its employees with the proper skills to deal with any situation that may arise in the course of their work.”

As part of the training regimen, the participants were taught Emergency First Response (EFR) techniques, including basic Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and other lifesaving skills.

PGCP is currently studying the feasibility of mining

the Kingking gold and copper deposit in Compostela Valley Province and is engaged in extensive environmental research, community consultations, exploratory drillings and other related studies within the area. The project is being developed under a technical services agreement between U.S.-based St. Augustine Gold & Copper Ltd. and Nationwide Development Corporation (NADECOR) of the Philippines.

13

PHILHEALTH CARDS. City Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio led the distribution of the final installment of PHIC cards to the beneficiaries comprising the 26 barangays of the city in a brief ceremony held at Lagao Gym on Oct. 12. To date, a total number of 12,000 cards has been distributed since its program launching early this year. The distribution is through a counter-parting scheme between Philhealth, the local government unit and the FRAME (Family Resource Allocation Management Enhancement) program. With her are (from left) Emily Pacelo(Philhealth), City Councilors Margareth Rose Santos, Nepthale Natividad and Beth Bagonoc and Philhealth Gensan Head Nol Balila(partly hidden).(C. Sulit/CPIO)

SM Foundation accepting scholarship applications I

n its goal to provide educational opportunities to graduating high school students, the SM Foundation College Scholarship Program is accepting applications for school year 2012-2013.

Now on its 18th year, SM Foundation’s flagship project is open to all 4th year public high school students from the Na-

tional Capital Region, Batangas, Pampanga, Benguet, Pangasinan, Bulacan, Quezon, Camarines Sur, Rizal, Cavite, Tarlac, Laguna, Zambales, Cebu, Negros Occidental, Iloilo, Davao, Misamis Oriental and General Santos.

Interested applicants must have a weighted average of at least 88% in the second or third

grading period in their senior year. Moreover, the applicant’s family must have a total household income that does not exceed P150,000 annually.

Application forms are available at the Mall Administration Office, Second Floor, SM City Davao.

Interested parties may call 297.6998 local 121 for inquiries.

DENR 11 gives confiscated forest products to DepEd

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he Department of Environment and Natural Resources-11 (DENR 11) has donated 2,046 pieces (913.03 cubic meters) of confiscated lauan and miscellaneous forest products to the Department of Education (DepEd) through the provincial government of Compostela Valley province.

The forest products will help address shortages of chairs, tables, desks, fixtures and other infra-development projects of public schools in Comval.

The donation was made official through the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA).

Signatories to the MOA were Comval governor, Arturo T. Uy, DENR regional executive director, Jim O Sampulna and DepEd regional executive director, Susana Teresa B. Estigoy.

To date, DENR-11 has already donated 1,072.87 cu.m. of confiscated forest products inthe region since February 2011.

A total of 975.26 cu.m.

was donated to DepEd while 97.61 cu.m. was given to other beneficiaries such as the public attorney’s office (PAO) in Baganga, Girl Scout of the Philippines in Davao City, 69th and 1003rd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army and some LGU offices.

The donation is mandated under Section 2 of Executive Order No. 23 signed by President Benigno S. Aquino last February 1. The Order gives priority to DepEd in the case of all confiscated logs.

[DENR 11]

Victims of freak winds get cash, food packs C

ash and food assistance will be given to families whose houses have been damaged by strong winds which swept across three barangays in Sto. Tomas last October 9.

Provincial Social Welfare Development Office (PSWDO) chief Arlene Semblante said families affected by the destruction will each receive P5,000 while families owning the three partially damaged houses will get P3,000 each from the provincial government of Davao del Norte.

PSWDO will also provide them with rice, noodles and canned sardines on top of what they have received from the local government of Sto. Tomas.

Strong winds that hit at

about 4 p.m. last Sunday totally damaged four houses and laid waste various crops in barangays Salvacion, San Vicente and Esperanza, said secretariat head Dorina Ararao of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MRRMO).

The freak incident wrought a total of P152,000 in damage to residential structures and P288,730 to crops.

Totally damaged houses belonged to Rogelio Alimin, Narciso Dolera, Marites Siasol and Avelina Cortez while those partially damaged are owned by Joseph Vido and Julius Gumabay.

A total of 840 hills of cardaba banana in the bearing stage and 1.5 hectares of harvestable rice were damaged, affecting nine farmers. [PIA-11/Jean Duron-Abangan]

BizQUIPS ‘IF electricity sales is an economic indicator, our indicative sales in July, August and September indicate good news.’

--Manuel V. Pangilinan (MVP)

governance

14 VOL. 4 NO. 33 october 17-23, 2011

THE BUSINESS PAPER EDGEDAVAO

DSWD launches database on poor T

he Department of Social Welfare and Development launched last October 14 the survey results of the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTSPR) at the Grand Regal Hotel in Davao City.

“We held the regional launch in time for the observance of the 22nd National Statistics Month with the theme, Quality Social Protection Statistics for Focused Targeting: Improving Outcomes, Changing Lives.

The national launch of the survey was held October 3 at Century Park Hotel, Manila,” said DSWD director Ester A. Versoza.

Keynote speaker for the regional launch was Undersecretary Alicia R. Bala of DSWD who signed a memorandum of agreement with Mayor Sara Z. Duterte and other local chief executives in the region, on the utilization of the survey results, Versoza said.

“With this database, we hope to encourage as many users as possible so that more basic needs of program beneficiaries will be addressed and more deserving poor are able to access appropriate and timely interventions, not only from the government but also from nongovernment groups,” Versoza emphasized.

Among those present were chair of the Regional

Statistical Coordination Committee of the Regional Development Council and NEDA 11 director Ma. Lourdes D. Lim and National Statistical Coordination Board regional head Estrella R. Turingan.

Implemented by DSWD, NHTS-PR is a data management system that makes available a database of poor households as reference in identifying beneficiaries of social protection services.

It aims to come up with a functional, objective and transparent targeting system that identifies who and where the poor are, thus reducing leakage of social services to non-poor and minimizing exclusion of the poor from said social services.

The NHTS-PR database serves as guide for national government agencies and other stakeholders in identifying qualified beneficiaries of their social protection programs.

The NHTS-PR Advisory Group is composed of experts from the NSCB, NSO, NEDA, UP, ADMU and the Phil. Institute for Development Studies.

Institutionalized in 2009, the NHTS-PR has assessed 10,909,456 households and was able to identify 5,255,118 poor households nationwide.

Meanwhile, DSWD 11 was able to enumerate a total of 547,775

households and out of this figure, 272,933 were identified as poor and eligible for various social protection programs of the government and nongovernment groups.

Generated data include family size, educational attainment, access to health center, toilet facilities, electricity, water source, roof materials, and prevalence of displacement, disability, senior citizens and solo parents.

The data are the basis for classification of households into Food Poor (families whose income is below the food threshold level, i.e. not able to meet their basic food requirements); Survival Poor (those in between the food and poverty threshold, i.e. able to meet their food but not the other basic requirements); and Non-Poor (families living above the poverty threshold and able to meet their basic requirements).

DSWD’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens are both using NHTS-PR data in identifying beneficiaries.

Earlier, PhilHealth and the Department of Health (DOH) also entered into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with DSWD on the use of NHTS-PR data in the implementation of their respective social protection programs. [DSWD-11/NHTS-PR/ Carmela Cadigal-Duron]

ACTIVE WARDS. Wards of the DSWD Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth (RRCY) perform during Monday’s DSWD Convocation Program. The center marked its 33rd founding anniversary Wednesday with the theme, Ako’y Kasali: Sulong Kabataan Tungo Sa Marangal na Lipunan. Anniversary activities include a Holy Mass, a Forum on the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006 and on the New Supreme Court Ruling, Awarding Ceremony, and Distribution of Prizes to the winners of Lakas ng Karakter Sports League. The top performers of the RRCY Got Talent -folk dance, hiphop, battle of the band, theater arts and cultural presentation also received their rewards. [DSWD/ Carmela Cadigal-Duron]

Blood sugar, cholesterol testing to be available at health centers

B

lood sugar and cholesterol testing will soon be available at health centers of Davao City after a pilot trial shall have been set in the two district health centers bringing the services closer to the communities.

Dr. Ivy B. Nolasco, project manager of the Handicap InternationalPhilippines, said laboratory equipment for the blood sugar count and cholesterol testing have already been in place in the district health centers of Calinan and Agdao.

After assessment of the pilot areas, the same facilities will be established in the other 14 district health centers of the city.

The project is part of Davao City’s integrated health program for the prevention and management of diabetes, hypertension and other risk factors at the grassroots level through the Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Program.

The city government adopted the CVD program

in partnership with the Handicap International for Dabawenyos’ easy access to cardiovascular-related health services at the barangay level.

Nolasco also bared that some 230 professional health workers, including doctors, nurses, midwives and medical technologists, underwent a four-day training relative to the implementation of the CVD services.

The trained health workers will then train the rest of the 1,500 community health workers.

Last month, about a hundred barangay captains of the city were oriented with the program that will provide the communities of services on cardiovascular-related health services such as medical consultations, regular monitoring, nutrition and diet counseling, foot care and laboratory testing.

A referral system will also be established in health centers the City Health Office, the Southern Philippines Medical Center, and the Davao Ju-

BizQUIPS Davao Passage Hotline (082) 234-5824

‘THEY have not been accorded an apology, the compensation bill is still pending; and it would be really, I think, the height of injustice to render any honors to the person who was the direct -mastermind of all their suffering.’

--President Noynoy Aquino in rejecting a hero’s burial for the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

bilee Foundation to provide a continuum of patient care.

Nolasco said that with the onset of the CVD program, a computerized information system will also be installed as patient registry would be required in every health center, enabling the establishment of patients’ database.

Meanwhile, City Health Office chief Dr. Josephine Villafuerte said the local government is working closely with private institutions through the private-public partnership to make services available and accessible to the population.

The city government’s contribution to the CVD program is a monetary counterpart in addition to Handicap International’s funding of about P12 million for equipment laboratories and for the training while the LGU will provide the manpower, such as barangay health workers.

[PIA-11/Carina L. Cayon]

A quick trip to Puerto Princesa E-mail: edgedavao_editorial@yahoo.com.ph

P17

HEALTH

Biggest loser

T

he Biggest Loser on television was such a hit!

For those who watched the program, you’d feel the pain, discipline and happiness that contenders felt as they went through the process of losing weight. It’s not easy to lose weight that I can vouch from actual experience. It’s not simply cutting on calories, it requires lifestyle change. If you truly love yourself, start living healthy...make small, gradual changes in your diet, work, sleep, spirituality, mobility, etc. Losing weight and keeping it off is serious business. You have to make a commitment to yourself to do what has to be done to start living healthy.

If you’ve got 100 pounds or more to lose, chances are you’ve already been on numerous diets and exercise programs, without long-term success. So, the standard advice -- eat less, exercise more, and don’t give up -- just isn’t enough. Advice from experts and real people who went through the challenge and succeeded have these tips to share on how to be the biggest loser.

1. Shrink Yourself. Analyze the Payoff You Get From Excess Weight The question can startle people, but Anne Fletcher, RD, a Minnesota dietitian and author of the “Thin for Life” book series, asks it anyway.

“What is your excess weight doing for you?” Put another way, she asks: “What are you getting out of NOT losing weight?”

Her clients and those she has interviewed for her weight loss books have given her some surprising answers. Some told her they were hiding behind their weight as a way to avoid intimacy.

Others had less complicated reasons, she says. “One man said he didn’t like mowing the lawn, and he didn’t have to do it when he was heavy.”

Identifying and understanding

your underlying motivation to stay heavy -- and getting help if you need it to address the underlying issues -- can help spur your motivation to lose.

2. Assess Your Readiness Your readiness to lose weight, once and for all, is crucial, says Fletcher. For her books, she has interviewed 20 people who lost 100 or more pounds. In general, the more ready they were -- with few distractions or excess stress in other areas of life -- the better they did.

How do you assess your readiness? Fletcher suggests asking yourself these questions: “Is my financial situation reasonably stable?” “Is my job and my spouse’s job likely to stay the same [for the foreseeable future]?” “Do I have the time to devote to weight control?” “Are my relationships stable?”

That’s not to say if life isn’t perfect you shouldn’t still embark on a weight loss program, she says. But it is easier to focus on weight loss if you don’t have multiple stresses elsewhere, she says.

3. Consider the Options A plan that works for some people won’t work for others.

“Get multiple sources of advice,” suggests Victor Stevens, PhD, senior investigator at Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research, in Portland, Ore., who has researched weight loss.

Whether you choose a supervised, structured weight loss and exercise program, go it alone, or undergo gastric bypass surgery, the process will be a life change, experts say. Instead of thinking you’ll go on a diet (or that gastric bypass surgery will solve all your weight problems),

understand that you are adopting a new, life-long plan of better eating and exercise, Stevens says.

4. Build in Accountability Being accountable for following your weight loss plan -- whatever it is -- is crucial, says Stevens. “Almost all organized weight loss programs include some sort of accountability,” he says. It could be attendance at a meeting, a weekly weigh in, or other structured program components.

You can build in your own accountability, of course, or partner with a friend. Your structure can be similar to those set by organized programs, or you can make them action based. For instance, you might set a goal and schedule for exercise each week (such as “I’ll walk three times this week after work for at least 45 minutes”). Also set a day mid week to evaluate how well you are sticking with your plans. Adapt them if necessary -- or play makeup.

For instance, if by Wednesday, you haven’t walked any night, you know you need to walk the next three out of four nights.

Seeking medical help, especially when you have many pounds to lose, is wise. “It’s always a good idea to consult with a doctor,” Stevens adds. A doctor may also recommend other experts, such as a personal trainer or nutritionist.

5. Adjust Your Expectations It’s frustrating but true. That extra 100 pounds didn’t come on overnight, and it’s going to come off slowly. “We recommend people cut back 500 calories a day,” Stevens says. Losing just one to two pounds a week is best, he says. So it could take a year or two to lose 100 pounds.

Set short-term goals, Stevens and other say, instead of focusing on the 100 pounds. Think about it, for instance, as a plan to lose 20 pounds -- five times.

To stay motivated, set realistic goals beyond a specific number of pounds, advises Daniel Stettner, PhD, director of psychology at UnaSource Health C e n t e r, Troy.

Think about getting to a certain weight, for instance, by a holiday -Thanksgiving, Halloween, whatever -- when it’s likely you’ll be in a photo, he says.

Or think about an upcoming special event and decide you want to fit into a favorite, currently snug, dress or suit by then.

6. Develop a Healthy Selfishness As Fletcher counseled overweight clients, she noticed that many women, in particular, had a difficult time putting themselves first. All day long, they’d help their spouse, family, friends, and co-workers. At the end of the day, these women were exhausted. And they often turned to food. “The only ‘nice’ thing they did for themselves was eat,” she says.

“People who lose weight and keep it off have developed a kind of healthy selfishness,” she says. That means saying no sometimes and putting yourself first at least sometimes.

One woman who learned

UP AND ABOUT

Marco Polo Davao readies for Fright Run 2011 At Marco Polo Davao’s Fright Run 2011 this October 30, pound the pavement with Halloween characters as well as family and friends.

“Sprint past the rest in 4K, 8K, and 16K races, with cash prizes and gift items for the top three winners in each category,” hotel General Manager Bruno Simeoni said.

Registration fee is Php 300 for the 4K and 8K, and Php350 for the 16K run. Rates are inclusive of a singlet, light breakfast, a finisher’s certificate,

and a raffle coupon. 16K runners will be given a finisher’s medal.

On offer this year is the 10+1 promo for runners who register as a group of 10. “The 11th runner gets a free singlet,” says event chairperson Sally Tungpalan.

Runners assemble at 4:30 AM for stretching exercises. The race will start at 5:45 AM. The start and end point is at the Padre Gomez corner along Roxas Avenue.

As in earlier Fright Runs, exciting prizes shall be awarded to runners who come in creative Halloween costumes and imaginative masks.

Surprise gifts shall also be raffled off to lucky runners.

“For some healthy Halloween fun this year, propel yourself through the streets of Davao with fantastic characters,” Simeoni said.

Register now at the Marco Polo Davao’s Fitness Center. Call 221.0888 local 7462 or 7819.

‘’healthy selfishness” told Fletcher she would do anything to stay on track, including carrying baked potatoes in her flight bag to avoid having to eat airport food.

The healthy selfishness helps, too, when dining out, Stettner says. “Pick a place that has the kind of food y o u want to eat.”

7. Fat-Proof Your Environ-

ment Even if you’re committed to following a new, sensible eating plan, it can be difficult when, say, your teens’ tortilla chips fall out of the cupboard every time you open it.

That’s why it can help to “fat-proof” your environment as much as you can, says Stettner. “Get rid of ‘off-program’ or impulse foods at home and work,” he says.

Call a family meeting and brainstorm options, he says. Say your teen can’t exist without tortilla chips. You might decide as a family that the tortilla chip lovers keep their own stash, not in the kitchen, out of sight. This allows the person trying to lose to feel more in control, Stettner says.

8. Pick the Brains of HealthyWeight People Stevens advises those who need to lose 100 pounds to get insight from people who are at a healthy weight. He tells them: “Talk to people who are maintaining a steady weight, who have maintained it for three or four years, and who are

your age.”

Then ask them how they stay that way, he says. “You may be amazed,” he says. Many overweight people think people at a healthy weight don’t have to work at it, but those maintaining a healthy weight typically tell an unexpected story. It’s an ongoing effort to stay lean. “They are careful what they eat; they pay attention every day,” Steven says.

Hearing this may help those with lots to lose understand that life is going to be different if the weight is going to stay off, Stevens says.

Those who have lost substantial amounts of weight and kept it off say they stay true to their eating plan and their exercise plan. Wade Wingler, 37, of Danville, Ind., an executive with Easter Seals, took off 100 pounds, going from 317 pounds to 217 pounds. “I do yoga every day,” he says. He also does long-distance bicycling and follows a sensible eating plan.

9. Find Your Secret Weapons Most people who have lost a substantial amount of weight and kept it off have a tool or strategy -- or several -- that help them stay on track and make this time the time they don’t quit or regain.

Keeping a graphic record of weight loss helps people see the big picture and stay on track, finds Stevens of Kaiser Permanente, especially when they are regaining weight. Looking at the downward trend on the weight loss graph helps people cope with minor weight fluctuations, he finds.

10. Reward your Success -- in the Right Way Anyone who’s gotten weight loss guidance already knows the rule: no food rewards for taking off weight.

So what can you do? As you meet your short-term goals, buy something new, get a new nail polish color, or book a day at the spa, Moore suggests.

There you have it folks. Losing weight is a personal project that one has to implement for better health.

It is true, if you love yourself start living a healthy lifestyle. When the pounds and excess body fat are shed off, you’ll definitely feel and look better. There is so much we could do

STYLE

16

THE BUSINESS PAPER EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 4 NO. 33 october 17-23, 2011

Basically better at Gap B

asics came to town in a big way last October 7 as Gap finally unveiled its latest home in Abreeza Mall with a bold, enthusiastic holler of “Hello Davao!” This says that the iconic brand, perhaps the most recognizable when classic American style comes to mind, was eager to get acquainted with the local market.

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Partner Tagum Establishments You can now buy your weekly paper fill of in-depth business news and features from any of these establishments still at Php 15.

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To show that it was truly reaching out, the brand sought the stylish personas of a slew of young moms and their kids to help Davaoeños picture out what Gap is really all about at present.

Most are familiar with the clean-cut comfort associated with Gap but not many hone in on the style element that is really giving the brand its edge in basics nowadays. Internationally, this is a brand that regularly joins forces with winners of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA)/Vogue Fashion Fund to create limited edition capsule collections.

Established designers such as Pierre Hardy, Diane von Furstenberg and Stella McCartney have all been collaborators. Even in their regular collections and more evident than ever in their 2011 fall campaign, the cuts they observe – from the popular skinny to more experimental silhouettes for denim - demonstrate Gap’s mantra to elevate casual dressing and make it more flexible.

Take the ladies at the recent launch who were tasked to tout Gap’s latest styles, for example. These women and young mothers were dressed in select pieces from Gap’s wide choice of basic separates. The result, as captured in informal shots of them and their children, was nothing short of casual perfection.

Donning the hero Skinny and Slim fits and awash in more traditional dark blues to more colorful tones of denim with key tops, the ladies namely Stephanie Ong, Kristine Gaisano, Bianca Uy, Marjorie Ducase and Vanessa Ong all

owned their looks with obvious comfort. Dressed up or down with towering heels or boy-chic brogues, they all showed who was wearing the pants in each stylish tandem.

The kids were not be outdone by their moms and were

equal standouts in preppy plaids and punchy prints. It was interesting to learn that they even picked out their own clothes. Their choices did not disappoint and successfully showcased the best of Gap Kids and babyGap. It was practical wear at its best, all in the nostalgic and whimsical hues of their current Portobello collection for the younguns.

As their fashionable denims take center stage, it is obvious that Gap is using their bottoms as a cornerstone for solidifying their classic yet modernized image. Their denim feels and fits like premium jeans but are priced more affordably. The story they aim to tell with their clothes is

made manifest with every executed stitch. For the lack of a better term, it projects something deceptively simple but one that runs deep as far as their history for perfecting cut and detail is concerned.

And with a grand arrival likes theirs, it is just a matter of time before the fact that they are basically better catches on.

A show of pairs, anyone?

Gap Abreeza is located at the ground floor of Abreeza Mall. For a limited time, Gap Abreeza offers an exclusive collectible ‘hello Davao’ tote with every minimum single receipt purchase of P5,000. Gap is exclusively distributed in the Philippines by Casual Clothing Specialists, Inc., a subsidiary of Store Specialists, Inc.

TRAVEL

Pangkat Kalilangan and Sinika performing.

A quick trip to Puerto princesa Text and Photos by Armando A. Mortejo

R

ecently, I joined a group of environmental journalists from Baguio , Cavite , Legazpi, Manila , and North Cotabato in visiting the country’s last frontier. No, we didn’t get a chance of seeing the whole Palawan but only the island’s capital. Yes, Puerto Princesa – “the city in a forest.”

We stayed in the city for three days and two nights only. Our schedule was frenzied and arduous but no one ever griped. After all, we were there to learn something new and different from what others had already seen or reported.

The group left Manila early in the morning. After more than an hour of flying on the air, we landed at the Puerto Princesa Airport . Just a tip: The airport is practically in the city proper so you can ignore the overpriced tricycles waiting in front of the arrival and catch a tricycle on

the main road for a fare of 7-8 pesos per passenger.

We didn’t have that kind of hassle though. A shuttle van was waiting to bring us to the Daluyon Beach and Mountain Resort, where we were billeted for the night. The place is located in Sitio Sabang, some 47 kilometers away from the city.

Forty-seven kilometers may not be far – as there was no traffic at all – but it took us an hour and a half to get to the resort. It was smooth ride for about an hour. However, the last 30 minutes was another story. Some areas of the road were not fixed so there were some bumpy rides here and there. “It’s as if we are having an instant massage,” someone quipped.

Ruben “Butch” F. Tan, Jr., the resort’s chairman and chief executive officer, welcomed us. “Daluyon offers the best of both worlds – the mountains and the sea. Our resort’s location makes it possible for our guests to enjoy their stay no matter what activities they have in mind and what time of the year they visit,” he says during a brief

Ka Lui Restaurant

Daluyon Beach and Mountain Resort

meeting with the group.

The resort was opened to the public in 2007. Two years later, it became a frontier member of the Zero Carbon Resorts (ZCR) organization, a European Union-funded project by Switch Asia and being run by the Center for Appropriate Technology.

Daluyon has been cited as one if not the leading resort that brings environment consciousness to the forefront. For one, the resort adopted the solar hot water supply system. Louver ventilations were also installed at the generator power house and staff house to help cool the generators and let natural air to circulate. The roof ventilation also allows natural light to come in so there’s no need to turn on electric light during daytime.

Perhaps the favorite among guests is the electric blue swimming pool constructed using Quartzon. The material keeps temperature tepid – even during cooler months. The pool makes use of salt chlorinator as pool filter which has less ammonia and other harmful chemicals. Because of this, it is actually safe to swim even during cleaning time.

One good thing about Daluyon is that is it very close to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park – just about four kilometers away. It used to be the world’s longest underground river (with a length of 8.2 kilometers) – until the discovery of an underground river in Mexico ’s Yucatan Peninsula in 2007. With its crystalline waters and spectacular cave formations, the underground river is possibly the city’s most popular tourist attraction. The site was also declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999.

During our tour inside the cave, we learned that it is home to the 20-million year fossilized dugong.

In fact, the underground river is now a finalist to the New Seven Wonders of Nature. If you want to vote, text PPUR and send it to 2861. The winners will be announced in November.

The following day, we traveled back to the city proper and stayed at Puerto Pension, which is located at 35 Malvar Street. The four-storey building has nice rooms. Tribu Restaurant, located in the rooftop with a nice view of the Puerto Princesa Bay , serves mouth-savoring foods, including the free continental breakfast. Mr. Tan is also the owner of the place so zero

Puerto Princesa Underground River

Pasalubong

After laying our things in our respective rooms, we immediately left the pension house and took our lunch at Ka Lui Restaurant at 369 Rizal A v e n u e .

Actually, it is not a restaurant but sort of a tropical beach house without the sea-blue background.

Puerto Princesa Bay

carbon is also implemented.

After laying our things in our respective rooms, we immediately left the pension house and took our lunch at Ka Lui Restaurant at 369 Rizal Avenue . Actually, it is not a restaurant but sort of a tropical beach house without the sea-blue background. Guests enter the open sala on bare feet to complete the resort experience. Real vegetables (squash, cabbage, garlic) and fruits (mango, banana, avocado, melon) are utilized as decorations. Seafood is the specialty.

After our hearty lunch, we traveled south for thirty minutes to go to the landfill, which is managed by the local government. Puerto Princesa, under the leadership of Mayor Edward S. Hagedorn, has been acclaimed several times as the cleanest and greenest city in the country.

There was so much to learn about the city. Then, when we re-

turned to the city, we went to the Puerto Princesa City Baywalk. The stroll would have been more ideal if it was done early in the morning or just before sunset. We went there while the sun is high up. It would also be interesting to see it at night because of these beautifully designed lamp posts. But anyway, we saw the image of the official seal of the city – the peacock. Perhaps, the symbol was chosen because of the Palawan peacock pheasant, an endangered species and endemic to Palawan .

As the sun was going to set, we went immediately to the public market at Valencia Street to buy some pasalubongs. Here, you can buy handicrafts made by the native tribes like manunggul (wooden jar), bulol or tisot, good harvest and carved animals. Others are tingkop (rice baskets), fish baskets, bags made from bark of a tree, native accessories, weave curtains and table mat, rattan floor mat and other assorted cashew nut delicacies.

We were already tired and wanted to take a rest. But the group still had one itinerary left. By the time the clock struck seven, we were already riding a tricycle going to the A&A Plaza Hotel at the National Highway corner Wescom Road . Our objective: to attend a program prepared by Mayor Hagedorn for our group and other guests

The Baywalk

who happened to come on the said week.

We were glad we attended. We were treated with very sumptuous seafoods and entertained by two homegrown cultural groups – the Sinika and Pangkat Kalinangan.

At the end of the program, guests were given the so-called “rainmaker,” which is made of bamboo with something inside that produces a sound of rain when you turn it upside down.

Puerto Princesa is the largest city in the country in terms of land area.

It has a total land area of 253,982 hectares stretched over 106 kilometers long. In comparison, Davao City has a total land area of 244,361 hectres.

Some locals attributed the name “Puerto Princesa” to a princess-like maiden who in the early days is said to have roamed around the place on certain nights of the year. Actually, the city was named after Princess Asunción, born in 1864 to Queen Isabella II and her consort, Francisco de Cadiz. When the princess suffered an untimely death, the Queen changed the name to Puerto de la Princesa. Eventually, the name was reduced to Puerto Princesa as it is known today.

By the way, Puerto Princesa is one of the world’s “Top 20 New Destinations” of 2011 by the National Geographic.

LIVING

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Having a roaring good time

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I

never did get to watch the movie version of Disney’s The Lion King. So when friends told me that the play dates of Disney’s The Lion King Musical in Singapore were extended beyond July and I just so happened to be in Singapore, I thought why not?

planade, Singapore was also like Davao, lacking in spaces for the visual and performing arts, but which of course, Singapore was able to remedy.

Maybe its time Davao City finally got its own proper cultural center where the city’s arts can finally take root and blossom. But since I don’t hear of any concrete plans for a cultural center yet, then at least I can contend with hopping on a direct flight from Davao to the Lion City on Tiger Air for another piece of culture.

You can still catch Disney’s The Lion King Musical in Singapore until the 30th of October.

I can say that at time I feel like a culture-starved animal since Davao City barely registers on the map for major art exhibitions, international concerts and major theater and cultural performances, I was actually more than happy to shell out S$168 for a piece of culture.

And boy was I not disappointed!

I was teary eyed right from the opening song “Circle of Life”. Every- Clowning around with Simba while waiting at the lobby of the thing wowed me Marina Bay Sands theater. like a kid in a candy store, from the African chants, through the spectacular dance numbers, the beautiful costumes, the heartwarming scenes, and of course the groovy Sir Elton John songs, it was all Broadway, only that it was in Singapore.

This was funny to me since before there was the Marina Bay Sands and before the Es-

My own souvenir program

Brown Lindiwe Mkhize as Rafiki in Disney’s The Lion King London company.

Photo by Catherine Ashmore. Disney

EDGEDAVAO THE BUSINESS PAPER

games

Oct 16 bowlfest

T

19

GOLFER OF THE WEEK

RC Sta. Ana rules elims I in inter-Rotary bowlfest Senior assistant governor Vir Sojor, tournament director, said the scores in the last two outings will no longer count starting today.

Sojor said the top 20 scorers in today’s penultimate games will vie for masters championship.

Expected to contest the masters title are Rotarians Sammy Talaboc, Art Galendez and Ramsey Tancontian of RC Sta. Ana, Rene Dalayon, Nap Liloc, Eric Choo and Dads Mahipus of RC Davao, Efren Elbanbuena, Oca Escudero and Nandie Subido of RC East Davao, Marc Fernandez and Boy Risonar of RC Digos, Jules Mejos of RC Downtown Davao, Danny Amen-amen and Rodel Dalisay of RC Central Davao, RoRepublic of the Philippines tarian Ton of RC Pag-asa and Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation and RC Calinan Davao, Bajun Department of Transportation and Communications Reyes of RC Waling-waling, Communications LAND TRANSPORTATION Hector Magno of RC West LAND TRANSPORTATION Davao, Soc Cadayona of RC FRANCHISING AND FRANCHISING AND Matina Davao and past disREGULATORY BOARD REGULATORY BOARD trict governor Billy Parilla Regional Office No. XI Regional Office No. XI of RC Matina Davao, Tony Davao city Davao city Batao of RC North Davao and Danny Congson of RC Davao Case No.2003-XI-00217 2000.

Case No.2007-XI-00046 Petition for Renewal of Certificate of President Val Dionisio Petition for Renewal of Certificate of Public Convenience to operate an of the hosting RC East Davao Public Convenience to operate a AIRCONDITIONED TAXI Service. said very few participated in FILCAB Ordinary Regular Service. the darts (killers) and 9-ball ROSIE I.TAN billiards games because maPetitioner

ANACLETO R. PERONO, JR. jority of those registered in

the two events were also Petitioner x- - - - - - - - - - - - x playing in the bowlfest. DiNOTICE HEARING x- - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - x onisio said he will announce NOTICE HEARING the winners of the two events Petitioner is a grantee of a this Sunday.[AMA] Certificate of Public Convenience issued Petitioner is a grantee of a in this case authorizing the operation Certificate of Public Convenience issued of an AIRCONDITIONED TAXI service on in this case authorizing the operation the route: WITHIN DAVAO CITY to any of a FILCAB Ordinary Regular service on point in Region XI with the use of ONE the route: CIRCULATION ROUTE 4 with (1) unit, which Certificate will expire the use of ONE (1) unit, which Certificate on December 31, 2011. In the petition avao Merchant Mawill expire on February 20, 2012. In the filed on September 21, 2011, petitioner rine Academy College petition filed on September 27, 2011, requests authority to extend the validity of Southern Philippines petitioner requests authority to extend of said certificate to operate along the scorched hot in the first set, the validity of said certificate to operate same route with the use of the same slowed down in the second along the same route with the use of the units previously authorized. but wrapped up the next two same units previously authorized.

NOTICE, is hereby given that this sets to capture the 2011 DACS NOTICE, is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Board on men’s volleyball crown, recentpetition will be heard by this Board on November 08, 2011 at 09:40 a. m. at ly, at the AMA Computer ColNovember 14, 2011 at 09:40 a. m. at this this office at the above address. lege court. office at the above address.

At least, TEN (10) days prior to DMMA took the first set, At least, TEN (10) days prior to the the above date petitioner shall publish 25-23, gave up the second, 23above date petitioner shall publish this this Notice once in a one (1) daily 25 then found their rhythm in Notice once in a one (1) daily newspaper newspaper of general circulation in the third and fourth sets, 25-22, of general circulation in Mindanao Mindanao 25-23 to silence the Holy Cross Parties opposed to the granting Parties opposed to the granting of Davao College Crusaders. of the petition must file their written of the petition must file their written Team captain Mario opposition supported by documentary opposition supported by documentary Guanzon, Kim Archie Palmero evidence on or before the above date evidence on or before the above date and Jimson Olais, the tournafurnishing a copy of the same to the furnishing a copy of the same to the ment’s most valuable player, petitioner, and may if they so, desire petitioner, and may if they so, desire rallied their teammates to seappear on said date and time. appear on said date and time. cure the victory.

This petition will be acted This petition will be acted Acee Poral, Charls Estomo upon by this Board on the basis of its upon by this Board on the basis of its and Edmar Flores and the rest records and the documentary evidence records and the documentary evidence of the Crusaders could no lonsubmitted by the parties, unless the submitted by the parties, unless the ger contain DMMA’s relentless Board deems it necessary to receive Board deems it necessary to receive attacks to lose by a close maradditional documentary and/or oral additional documentary and/or oral gin. evidence. evidence.

Philippine Women’s ColWITNESS the Honorable WITNESS the Honorable lege took the third spot by BENJAMIN A. GO, CESO V, Regional BENJAMIN A. GO, CESO V, Regional beating host AMA Computer Director, this 27th day of September Director, this 21st day of September College, 25-15, 22-25, 25-10, 2011 at Davao City.

2011 at Davao City.

25-13. Jordan Ubay led PWC in the attack and emerged as the TERESITA DELA PEÑA-YÑIGUEZ TERESITA DELA PEÑA-YÑIGUEZ best spiker of the tournament.

Chief Transport Development Officer Chief Transport Development Officer The Holy Cross of Davao College ladies, however, /hoc /hoc Copy furnished: avenged their brother team’s Copy furnished: Petitioner, Anacleto R. Perono, Jr. 149 Blk. 3, SIR, New Petitioner, Rosie L. Tan, 105 Gardenia Street, San Pedro setback by clinching the womMatina, Davao City Village, Buhangin, Davao City en’s title after trouncing Cor Counsel, Atty. Magin C. Natividad, Balusong Avenue, Counsel, Atty. Magin C. Natividad, Balusong Avenue, Matina, Davao City Matina, Davao City Jesu College of Digos City in NOTE: Affidavit of Publication and newspaper where NOTE: Affidavit of Publication and newspaper where straight sets, 25-21, 25-19, 25notice was published must be submitted three (3) days notice was published must be submitted three (3) days before the scheduled hearing. before the scheduled hearing.

20. he Rotary Club of Sta. Ana 2009-2010 champion team of the annual Davao inter-Rotary bowling tournament ruled the four-game elimination rounds after notching a total of 3,065 pinfalls last week at the NCCC Bowling Center.

Sta, Ana, captained by Art Galendez, led the six teams that qualified for the coveted Governor’s Cup in the tournament to be disputed starting October 16.

The other five Governor’s Division qualifiers are RC Davao skippered by Robert Soriano, with 2,973 pinfalls; defending champion RC East Davao, captained by past president Nandie Subido, with 2,854 pinfalls; RC

october 17-23, 2011 VOL. 4 NO. 33

Digos, led by team captain Boy Risonar, with 2,800 points; RC South Davao under past president Rudy Abellana, with 2,776 points; and RC Matina under president Bal Sarabia, with 2,736 pinfalls.

On the other hand, RC South Digos, which missed being included in the Governor’s Division, leads the six teams which qualified for the President’s Division. The other five teams are Rotary clubs of Downtown Davao, Toril Davao, Davao 2000, Central Davao and North Davao.

RC Waling-waling, RCs Pag-asa and Calinan (combined) and West Davao will vie for the Fellowship Division championship.

DMMA, HCDC capture DACS

D

Anna Nordqvist

believe there are no shortcuts to success and ever since I was little I have worked really hard to live the life I have always dreamed of!

I grew up in Eskilstuna, Sweden, along with my two brothers and parents. I got involved in many different sports from an early age and shared the athletic interest with the rest of my family.

I picked up golf when I was 13 because I refused to be the worst golfer in the family. Over the years, I have been fortunate to travel around the world through golf and I have had the opportunity to meet many special people.

When I was 18, I got the opportunity to come to the US and play college golf for Arizona State University. Coming to the states is probably the best thing that ever happened to me.

I had a great college experience while at ASU and I

was fortunate to come to a good school with a great golf program and good coaches! Not only did my golf game improve a lot, but I left ASU after 2,5 years to pursue my dream of playing professional golf with a lot of experiences off the course because of being so far away from friends, family and my native Sweden.

I am now very fortunate to be able to pursue this dream of playing professional golf. I strive to be the best I can be on and off the course. I always try to learn and improve myself as a golfer, and as a person.

I am truly living my dream and I get inspired by all the daily challenges I have to face. I really enjoy the journey and I am very thankful to a lot of supportive people around me Thanks a lot to everyone who follows me and supports me!

Remember, it is the

journey that brings us happiness, not the destination.

Born: June 10, 1987 in Eskilstuna, Sweden Residence: Orlando, Florida Height: 6 Education: Arizona State University 2006-2008 Started playing golf: Age 13 Turned pro: January, 2009 Member of LPGA, LET and PGA of Sweden [http://annanordqvist. com]

To send, or not to send Davao athletes

A

driano “Bong” Go, former Ateneo de Davao University and Sarmiento Group team coach in the 70’s, is coming home for the Davao Basketball Coaches Clinic on October 28 to 30 at the University of Mindanao-Matina Campus.

Coach Bong has honored the invitation of UM coach Manny Nitorreda for him to be an instructor to our local coaches and what’s good about this is that the multititled mentor will be bringing his wealth of experience since being accredited as FIBA Asia instructor last year.

So, to all Davao coaches, mark your calendars and attend the clinic. For registration, you can visit the office of Atty. Nitorreda on the second floor of Merco Building, Bolton Street. *** Before the end of the month, Liga Dabaw is organizing a tournament for public schools at the Davao City Recreation Center.

This is a follow-up to the successful Liga Dabaw Season 2 Inter-School Championship topped by the University of Mindan-

men! *** There is growing concern on the plan to send or not to send a Davao City delegation to the Batang Pinoy Mindanao Qualifying Games in Zamboanga City on October 27 to 30.

Just recently, a twin bombing rocked our beloved ao Cardinals in the wom- Zamboanga City and athletes en’s division, Assumption and coaches are now waitCollege in the secondary ing for the Philippine Sports girl’s class and junior’s di- Commission to send word to vision, and Ateneo in the them if a cancellation or rescheduling is in order. cadet category.

As of last Friday, the PSC The public schools, this time, will be given an op- had not yet sent any word to portunity to showcase their local government unit offitalented players who we cials in Mindanao if they can hope will also find their way secure the safety of our young to becoming new basketball athletes and coaches. Unforscholars in our colleges and tunately, the Batang Pinoy Secretariat in Manila has not universities.

The success of Liga Da- responded to to the inquiry baw has made officials wear made by this corner.

If you ask me, I won›t big smiles these days, especially Samahang Basketbol send the players to far away ng Pilipinas regional direc- Zamboanga if the organiztor Regino «Boy» Cua who ers cannot assure me of their chipped in P50,000 for the safety.

I would rather look forrecent tournament that was well managed by SBP city ward to the student-athletes commissioner lawyer Marvin playing in the Davao City Ath«Oying» Melodias and asst. letic Association Meet on Octocity commissioner Rico Jhone ber 24 to 28 at the Davao City Biliran, both fine graduates of National High School where the Holy Cross of Davao Col- they will be safe and sound.

Then, I can sleep well at lege.

Frankly, the money was night. *** not enough to run the tournaHappy birthday to longment but with brilliant minds running the event, coach Oy- time amigo Neil Curambao, ing and Rico were able to my pinangga Susan Paredes, make sure the event ended another pinangga Karen Babao Pitts and manong Jessie with a big bang.

Congratulations gentle- Toledo. Cheers!

Metro TMS wins Croctoberfest Night Football

M

etro TMS captured the first leg title of the 2011 Davao Crocodile Park Croctoberfest Night Football League last week beating archrival Solido FC 1-0 at the Davao Crocodile Park field.

Veteran Eric Salumbides connected on a swerving floater from the right wing midway into the first half that sailed beyond reach of Solido’s keeper

Rad Cambronero whose last second dive was a heartbeat short.

That goal turned out to be the one that mattered for Metro TMS which will earn 50 points for winning the opening leg of this football trilogy organized by the Davao Crocodile Park and Bravetower Events Promotions. Solido will earn 35 points for the runner-up honors.

The two teams, known in the local football circle as bitter rivals in the second division, actually opened the tournament with an early confrontation in Group B. They battled to a 1-all draw which set up their long road to the finals.

“It was a tough game. It’s always hard playing against Solido,” said Metro TMS owner Eric Sedighpour.

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VOL. 4 NO. 33 october 17-23, 2011

THE BUSINESS PAPER EDGEDAVAO