BusinessDaily (July 9, 2013)

INSIDE LOOK

Sulit.com.ph acquires Pinoy start-up in car biz expansion

Challenges inhibit implementation of RE projs

TESDA-10 names nominees to nat’l search for 2013 TESDA Kabalikat Awrdees

The Lenovo K900: a lean, mean, smart machine

BusinessDaily DTI pushes M’nao as investment destination Economy

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Volume III, No. 252

Market Indicators As of 5:57 pm july 8, 2013 (Monday)

FOREX

PHISIX

US$1 = P43.75

6,318.91 points

35 cents

X

181.57 points

X

Briefly Luring investors PAGADIAN City -– The city government has tapped the assistance of the local business communit y to encourage investors to invest in this city.

Mayor Romeo Pulmones said the investors would no longer have problem where to place their business since they can occupy some of the unoccupied stalls at the City Commercial Center.

The Cit y Commerc ial Center or C3 Mall is the first government-owned mall in this city and in the region.

It was constructed through the administration of Mayor Samuel S. Co. Pulmones said there is a need to have the C3 Mall fully occupied to earn money from collection of rentals to help defray expenses since the city government is paying P10,843,371.67 million monthly loan amortization for the C3 Mall alone.

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Cagayan de Oro City

Tune Hotel opens July 19

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July 9, 2013

By MIKE BANOS, Editor-at-Large

CAGAYAN de Oro City’s first international hotel chain is scheduled to open this month.

Tune Hotels Cagayan de Oro opens its 159 guest rooms on July 19 at its brand new 11-storey hotel in its

trademark red-and-white motif in the heart of the Lapasan Central Business District.

“We’re going to open another three hotels in the Philippines by the end of Tune/PAGE 11

Canadian solon wants result of Sendong probe A

By BONG D. FABE Associate Editor

MEMBER of the Canadian Parliament is asking Malacanang for a result to any investigation i nto t he de v a st at i ng flashfloods in Cagayan de Oro City during Tropical Storm Sendong, which was exacerbated by logging and mining activities in the city’s hinterlands.

Papaya export KORONADAL City -- Another farmer group in Soccsksargen Region or Region 12 has succeeded in exporting its product to the international market.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) 12 announced that Matutum Tropical Fruits’ Association (MATROFA) based in nearby Tupi town has recently delivered 9 metric tons of fresh Sunrise variety papayas to Singapore via an exporter in Davao City.

MATROFA is the second farmer group in Region 12 since May to ship a large volume of locally-produced commodity.

I n M a y, D o n B o s c o Multipurpose Cooperative based in M’lang, North Cotabato shipped 15 MT to organic black rice to Dubai.

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Minister of Parliament Don Davies of the New Democratic Party, representing Vancouver probe/PAGE 11

Guv to hold office twice a month in Gingoog City

By REMEE MONIQUE O. ESPIRITU Reporter

NO VENDORS ALLOWED. Fastfood vendors at the Divisoria Plaza in Cagayan de Oro pack their things on Friday night after police disallowed them to establish their makeshift stool following the Mayor Oscar Moreno’s order to temporarily suspend the operation of the weekend Night Café in the area. photo by gerry gorit

MISAMIS ORIENTAL -- In a bid to bring his administration more closer to the people, the new governor of Misamis Oriental will be holding office twice a month at the province’s chartered city of Gingoog.

Gov. Bambi Emano said there hold/PAGE 11

J.P. RIZAL - CRUZ TAAL STS., (NEAR SHANGHAI BAKERY) DIVISORIA, CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY

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DTI pushes M’nao as investment destination

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is urging investors to invest in Mindanao given huge opportunities in agriculture, manufacturing and tourism.

The Trade department sa id Minda nao of fers investment opportunities and a significant contributor to t he countr y’s expor t performance and economic development.

“Mindanao is in a special position to provide solid support system to export g r ow t h a nd e c onom ic d e v e l o p m e n t ,” Tr a d e Undersecretary Ponciano C. Manalo Jr. was quoted as saying during a recent i nve s t ment c on ferenc e organized by the DTI through its Regiona l Operations

Development Group i n partnership with the Japanese International Cooperation Agency.

“The opportunities in Mindanao are so meaningful i n t his ad mi nist rat ion, government sectors work toget her a nd suppor t priority in agriculture, agroindustrial food processing, manufacturing and even tourism,” he said. Mindanao should be considered by i nvestors i nterested i n agriculture.

Manalo noted that eight of the top 10 provinces

P1.2B investment in Caraga up

producing coconut which is a global favorite, are in Mindanao.

He noted that coco coir and peat are traditional export favorites.

Value added products like desiccated coconut, virgin coconut oil, and coconut water also have strong demand from foreign markets.

Manalo said the coconut i ndust r y of fers huge investment opportunity given rising consumer demand for coconut based food ingredients.

Apart from coconut, he said the carrageenan which is extracted from a variety of seaweeds, a lso of fers investment opportunities.

DTI/PAGE 10

PHL improves ranking in world’s most innovative economies THE Philippines has moved up five notches on the global list of the most innovative nations, but it will have to redouble its efforts if it wants to catch up with even just its Southeast Asian neighbors.

The country placed 90 out of 142 countries in the Global Innovation Index 2013, up from 95 in 141 countries last year. In 2011, the country was in the 91st position among 125 countries.

The GII report ranks world economies’ innovation

capabilities and results, in recognition of the key role of innovation as a driver of economic growth and prosperity.

It looked at 142 economies around the world, using 84 indicators including the quality of top universities, availability of microfinance, venture capital deals, and gauged both innovation capabilities and measurable results.

The Philippines garnered 31.2 out of a total score of

100 in the global innovation index, compared to last year’s score of 29, to move up from 95th place to 90th this year.

In the Southeast Asia and Oceania region (SEAO), the Philippines was ranked 14th most innovative out of 16 economies, behind Vietnam (ranked 76th in the world) and Indonesia (85th), but ahead of Sri Lanka (98th) and Cambodia (110th).

The top three innovators in the SEAO for this year are Hong Kong (ranked seventh

in the world, from last year’s eighth place), Singapore, (eighth place from third), and New Zealand (17th place from 13th).

The rest, in order of reg iona l ra n k ing, a re South Korea (ranked 18th in the world), Australia (19 t h) , J a p a n (2 2 n d ) , Ma laysia (32nd), China (35t h), Thailand (57t h), Mongolia (72nd), and Brunei Darussalam (74th).

The GII 2013 also subcategorized innovation into

three: innovation output, i n nov at ion i nput , a nd innovation efficiency ratio.

Based on innovation output, the Philippines got a score of 30 out of 100 to rank 77th in the world, and scored 32.3 to rank 108 in innovation input.

Surprisingly, the country’s innovation efficiency ratio was regarded by the report as one of t he countr y’s strengths. It earned 0.9 (with the highest score of 1.13 ranking/PAGE 10

B U T UA N C I T Y—T h e Winrock International, a nongovernment organization under the United StatesDepartment of Agriculture (USDA), is set to invest some P1.2 billion for the “Food for Progress” program in the Caraga Region.

L o c a l of f ic i a l s s a id Winrock International will work hand-in-hand with the Philippine Cold Chain Project (PCCP) for a unique and integrated matrix of activ ities to invest, and improve food production, supply, and marketing of high-value food in the region.

The notable investment will also target horticulture, meat, and fish value chains, and post-harvest cold chain.

The Winrock and the PCCP will a lso connect producers to the various markets, and create markets for imports and exports from the Philippines, specifically for high-value food requiring a cold chain.

The group also plans to monetize an acceptable commodity that is expected to last the over four-year life of the project, and beyond. “ This cou nt r y’s cold investment/PAGE 11

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Davao OTOP store continues to offer authentic, quality products DAVAO City -- The Davao One-Town One- Product (OTOP) Store is continuously offering authentic and export-quality products for local and foreign tourists.

The Davao OTOP is the region’s brand of “Tindahang Pinoy” (Filipino store), a pasalubong center (souvenir center) that showcases Davao Region’s authentic, sustainable products ranging from processed foods, gift items and stationaries, fashion accessories, furnishings and home decors, furniture, to other items typically found in a souvenir shop.

Marie Anne J. How of the Department of Trade and Industry officer-in-charge for Business and Investment Development Division (DTI-BIDD), said the store is a marketing facility that assists the region’s OTOP small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

To further expand its market, she said DTI-11 and its private sector partner, Davao Ecocrafts, Incorporated, which has transferred to its new home at Deri Building, J.P. Laurel Avenue, Bajada, Davao City (just across Camella Homes) last June 27. Previously, the Davao OTOP Store was located at the DTI Regional Office in Davao City.

How said such move is expected to generate bigger sales.

“Since the new house of the Davao OTOP Store will already be in a more accessible and visible location, it is expected that there would be more influx of buyers, thus, a bigger opportunity to hit higher sales,” she said.

How said at present, the region’s “pasalubong” center corners P130,000 quarterly sales on the average.

Meanwhile, DTI 11 Regional Director Marizon S. Loreto said Davao Region, being a thriving tourist destination, must be able to showcase its world-class products and made them available to the region’s guests/ visitors and tourists Loreto added that the Davao OTOP Store is not just an ordinary “pasalubong” center since it carries products that are truly made in the region by the Davao SMEs, OTOP/PAGE 11

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Sulit.com.ph acquires Pinoy start-up in car biz expansion Sulit.com.ph, the Philippines’ most popu lar online classifieds site, has acquired a young online car-trading startup as it trains its sights on the burgeoning car-selling business online.

Launched in November 2012, Pinoy Auto Trader will now be a part of Sulit.com. ph and will allow used car sellers and auto dealerships to post cars for sale in two places at once.

Un l i k e S u l i t w h e r e users post items for sale so interested buyers may s e e t he m , P i noy Aut o Trader focuses more on car dealerships and professional dealers, according to RJ Dav id , co -fou nder a nd Managing Director of Sulit.

“Car dealers can create their dealership micro sites

Pinoy Auto Trader website

using Pinoy Auto Trader’s control panel to highlight their company information, social media channels, sales

staff, promotions and other public announcements,” David said in his official announcement on the Sulit

Forums.

As dealers post items for sale on Pinoy Auto Trader, Expansion/PAGE 7

Japan’s top airliner exploring partnership with PAL SAN MIGUEL Corp (SMC) is in discussions with Tokyobased All Nippon Airways (ANA) for a partnership in f lag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL).

“We advise that there have been preliminary discussions with All Nippon Airways on Philippine Airlines Inc.,” San

Miguel told the local bourse.

ANA is Japan’s largest airline by volume.

SMC also said Dubaibased Emirates Airlines had not approached the conglomerate.

SMC president Ramon S. Ang had said the food-andbeverage firm would prefer

a “friendly” third party to take up tycoon Lucio Tan’s 51-percent stake in PAL. The conglomerate acquired a 49 percent in the flag carrier after striking a $500-million partnership with Tan in April last year.

Tan had announced plans to exit the aviation business

after he was approached by interested investors to take his stake in the airline.

SMC chairman Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco Jr had described the company’s stake in the f lag carrier and its budget unit PAL Express as an “important Airliner/PAGE 11

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EcoBusiness

Challenges inhibit implementation of RE projects CHALLENGES to upscale the implementation of renewable energy (RE) projects must be immediately addressed if the global goal of 100% renewable power by 2050 is to be achieved.

Power harnessed from t h e s u n , w at e r, w i nd , thermal vents and biomass currently supplies a mere 16.7% of the world’s power.

In a new report, Meeting Renewable Energy Targets: Global Lessons From The Road To Implementation, major challenges inhibiting RE project implementation in seven countries — the Philippines, China, India, Germany, Morocco, South Africa and Spain — are

identified.

The report is a collaboration between the World Wide Fund for Nature (W W F) a nd t he World Resources Institute (WRI) to highlight key findings and understand which factors are crucial to reach national RE targets, based on learnings from the seven countries.

WWF Global Climate a nd Energ y Init iat ive leader Sa ma nt ha Smit h says t hat wh i le set t i ng

targets represents a clear commitment to renewable energy, simply setting these targets is not enough. “The

real job is to create an enabling env ironment, including financing, assured access for the poor, infrastructure

and capacity-building. This is what will ensure these targets are achieved.

The report shows the challenges to be: (1) balancing polic y f lex ibi lit y a nd stability; (2) implementing pol icies t hat promote cost competitiveness; (3) ident i f y i ng appropr iate funding and investment securit y frameworks; (4) t r a n s p a r e n c y a n d accountability of decisions; (5) achieving wide-scale political and social acceptance; (6) mapping institutional and stakeholders discrepancies and diverging interests; (7) overcoming infrastructural

lock-in to convent iona l energy sources; (8) policy reliability with long-term planning; and (9) sufficient human capacity building.

“Financing is a pa r t icu la rly sig ni f ica nt c h a l l e n g e a n d W W F ’s recent ly-launched Seize Your Power! campaign urges governments and financial institutions worldwide to increase investments in RE,” adds Smith.

W WF Globa l Energ y Policy Director Dr. Stephan Singer says upscaling the implementation of RE is possible “if countries avoid Challenges/PAGE 10

‘Greens’ seek nationwide plastic ban DENR threatens to shut down farms ENVIRONMENTALISTS have pushed for with no wastewater treatment facility the extension nationwide of some municipal and city bans on the use of plastic bags.

To date, at least 90 cities and towns have passed ordinances banning or regulating the use of plastic bags, with several more local government units (LGUs) poised to follow suit before the end of the year, according to EcoWaste Coalition.

EcoWaste led a march of more than 500 students, school officials, parent-teacher officers, beauty queens and environmentalists to observe Wednesday the 4th “International Plastic Bag-Free Day” and call on the national government to enact laws banning plastic bags all over the country.

“We ask the national government to enact laws and policies that will reinforce the initiatives of visionary LGUs and eventually wean us from plastic bags,” Sonia Mendoza of the Mother Earth Foundation and the EcoWaste Coalition’s Task Force Head on Plastics said in a news release.

The group gathered at the Jose P. Laurel High School in Tondo, Manila, carrying the reusable bayong or native baskets, banners and placards calling for a nationwide ban

A mountain of plastics in a Philippine dumpsite.

on plastic bags.

EcoWaste said the action was intended to hammer home the urgent message for the national government to act decisively against the use, sale and distribution of plastic bags, which clog drainage canals and waterways.

“Plastic bags are the embodiment of an antiquated, throw-away mentality that we Greens/PAGE 10

WB pipeline for PHL includes ‘green’ projs T H E Wo r l d B a n k ’s pipeline of projects for the Philippines, representing those it aims to support, includes $4.09 billion worth of inf rastructure, rura l development and so-called g reen or env i ron mentfriend ly projects in t he country.

Of this amount, the World Bank’s commitment could total around $1.7 billion.

The amount would come in the form of loans by the government from the Washington-based lender.

The bulk of the amount, or $2.02 billion, had been

set aside for the Philippine National Community Driven De velopment Prog r a m, wh ich is a gover n ment subsidy progra m for microenterprises. The World Bank aims to commit $479 million for the project and release the fund through t he Inter nat iona l Ba n k for Reconst r uct ion a nd Development (IBRD).

The rest of the amount will be f inanced by t he government, which will put in $1.15 billion along with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and its contribution of $372.1 million and the

Au s t r a l i a n A genc y for International Development, which will provide another $15 million.

The project seeks to expand the Kapitbisig Laban Sa Kahirapan - Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Ser vices program implemented by t he Department of Social Welfare and Development. “[The project seeks] to empower communities in targeted poor municipalities to achieve improved access to services and to participate in more inclusive projs/PAGE 10

THE Depa r t ment of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) urged the livestock industry to invest in facilities and technology that will mitigate the adverse i mp a c t of c om m e rc i a l livestock production on pu bl ic he a lt h a nd t he environment.

Environment Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje issued the appeal as he warned poultry a nd pigger y fa rms t hat continue to pollute rivers and other water bodies will eventually be shut down for violation of Republic Act 9275, also known as the Clean Water Act of 2004.

T he DEN R , he sa id, cont i nues to receive compla i nt s a ga i nst t he pollution caused by poultry and piggery farms that operate without proper wastewater treatment facilities.

This, he said, is unacceptable, considering that these farms are earning and have enough resources to invest in such facility to prevent pollution.

“We call on poultry and pigger y owners to put a premium on pollution control and wastewater treatment facilities to ensure that the wastes generated by their operations will not affect the surrounding environment a nd t he he a lt h of t he people in their respective communities,” said Paje. He said the continued violation of environmental laws such as the Clean Water Act and the Clean Air Act, may result in

permanent closure of erring poultry and piggery farms.

According to Paje, the DENR will be forced “to act decisively” against violators, even if it may eventually affect local supply of eggs, chicken and pork and cause prices to go up.

Paje sa id t hat wh i le the DENR recognizes the contribution of the livestock sector to ag ricu ltura l production and to Philippine economy, he said this does not give them the license to

pollute the environment.

The Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (Bas) said hog production reached 1.97 million metric tons (MMT) while chicken output totaled 1.47 MMT in 2012.

“Based on our analysis, t hese indust ries, hog and chicken, just like in other countries, are very susta i nable,” Paje sa id .

“These are commercially viable industries that should invest in waste treatment DENR/PAGE 10

New law boon to environment A NEW law that regulates the practice of environmental planning profession would lay the groundwork for sustainable development in the country, Sen. Antonio Trillanes said.

Trillanes said the new law, which President Aquino signed last May 27, replaces a 34-year-old presidential decree and provides a more comprehensive definition of the practice of environmental planning.

“We are thankful to the President for signing this law. It will not only modernize the profession of environmental planning, it will also lay the groundwork for the country’s sustainable development,” he said.

The new law updates regulations on registration, licensing and practice of the profession. It imposes mandatory education for environmental planners to ensure that they are globally competitive and abreast with developments in the field.

The new law defines environmental planning as “multi-disciplinary art and science of analyzing, specifying, clarifying, harmonizing, managing and regulating the use of and development of land and water resources in relation to their environs, for the development of sustainable communities and ecosystems.”

“The new law would promote and maintain technically competent and responsible professional environmental planners whose standards of practice and service are globally competitive,” Trillanes said. (MST)

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Why composting is useful in the Philippines Andrew Insang Jo Ph. D. Soil Scientist, KOICA Project at Claveria Experiment Station

I was born and grew up in a small rural area until I graduated middle school at 16 year old. I always work at home with my father, grandfather and two uncles after school and on weekends. Whenever I return home from work or school, I gather all the organic resources such as braches of trees or grasses on the way for composting or heating. Also, my grandmother used to ask me not to leave even a grain of rice in the bowl after meal. It was the custom and spirits kept in mind at that time. In Korea today, you can easily find the crops at the bank around the cultivated land, such as soybean or cowpeas. We are accustomed to use everything very efficiently.

Moreover, fertilizer consumption in Korea gradually has been decreasing while organic farming area has been increasing since 1980’s as there has been an increase in the wellbeing stream from educated young generations.

I have been staying for 8 months in Cagayan De Oro, Philippines. I have observed that you have plenty of organic resources anywhere in the city and country side, such as empty land, forest, parks, and roadside.

Much carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides are directly emitted to atmosphere if an organic matter decayed by sunlight or micro-organisms in the atmosphere on the ground. However, these gases are very effective to climate change by heating the globe.

Composting is not only decomposition of the organic materials for plant growth but also synthesize higher molecular polymer to make soil aggregate and well combined with soil particle-nutrition elements-water.

Stable aggregate is very effective to enhance aeration, water holding capacity and water movement, erosion control and the crop yield.

There are so many research results concerning the effect of compost on the changes of soil physical and chemical properties, and yield increase of the crops in the world.

The soil must be very loose and a good combination of various sizes of pores for plant root development, but most of the Mindanao soils are heavy textured soils, very hard in dry season and very sticky in wet season. It is very difficult to plow when planting and weeding. The soils have to change the structure to good aggregate for weak rooting crops, such as vegetables and high income crops. We have to prepare the soils suitable to freely root the development from young seedlings.

We have many good experiences that compost application is essential for farming in Korea. I hope you try composting with all of the organic waste resources.

That’s why it is very recommendable to reduce the gas emission to atmosphere and adapt the new farming technology and higher income crops.

I will return to Korea next month. I want to recommend that the efficient use of all the organic resources neglected is one way to upgrade the farming technology and the living condition for the Filipinos and the next generations.

Also, I want to continue and develop the good friendship between Korea and Philippines.

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA-10) has strongly endorsed the Provincial Government of Misamis Occidental and the International Labor Force – Skills Mastery Institute, Incorporated, to the National Search for the 2013 TESDA Kabalikat Awardees.

TESDA 10 OIC-Regional Director Edgar A. Sales, along with the Regional Screening Committee headed by Mr. Arsenio L. Sebastian, endorsed the Provincial Government of Misamis Occidental for the Local Government Category, and the International Labor Force – Sk i l ls Master y Institute, Incorporated for the Institution Category to the said national search.

K a b a l i k at Aw a rd i s one of TESDA’s reward mechanisms in giving due recognition and honor to its outstanding partners in the promotion and enhancement

of technical education and skills development (TESD).

The award is conferred to outstanding institutions, private firms/companies, local government units (LGUs), and legislative partner cognizant of t heir good practices and contribution in the promotion and development of the country’s technical and vocational workers in terms of qualification and/ or competencies gained.

“The Provincial Government of Misamis O c c i d e nt a l u n d e r t h e leadership of Governor Hermina M. Ramiro has

revitalized its vision to continually provide quality technical education and skills development. This is clearly manifested in Governor Ramiro’s GO! HER MIE f lagship of governance, which highlights scholarship and technical assistance programs, career guidance and counselling,” Dir. Sales said.

International Labor Force – Skills Mastery Institute, Inc. (ILS-SMI, Inc.), headed by its president, Ms. Irene L. Floro, is a principal trailblazer in Technical Vocational Education and Training

(TVET) in Mindanao. It offers 16 technical vocational courses, providing a wide array of training options for students.

“ILF-SMI, Inc. incessantly crafts itself to be the leading prov ider of T V ET i n Mindanao, recognized for its innovation and excellence, and serving as a model of sustainable skills training in the Philippines,” he said.

National winners will be declared on August 2013 during the TESDA’s 19th Anniversary Celebration at TESDA Central Office, Taguig, Metro Manila.

11th TAYO is on NYC calls for passage of SK Reform and Empowerment Bill The National Youth Commission, as the voice and advocate of the youth, calls for the passage of the SK Reform and Empowerment bill.

As the lead agency in formulating youth and youth-related policies, programs and measures on youth participation, the NYC views Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) as a necessary and crucial institution for youth involvement in governance. Similarly, it is a vital tool for mobilizing young people to exercise social participation, practice active citizenship and instill the value of civic duty.

As an institution for and run by the youth, the SK is a legitimate venue of potential young leaders to harness their physical, social and intellectual skills to its fullest.

Most importantly, the NYC considers the SK as an important center of youth leadership for young citizens who can be empowered to take the bigger task of participating in nation-building.

It is in this regard that the NYC and several youth groups strongly oppose the motion to abolish the SK as suggested by Election Lawyer Atty. Romeo Macalintal in a Philippine Daily Inquirer news article.

“The abolition of SK will be a leap backwards in terms of youth representation.

There are structural iniquities in the system

through which SKs are elected and the manner by which they operate. These can be addressed through the passage of the SK Reform and Empowerment bill.” says NYC Chairman and CEO Leon Flores III. “The Commission acknowledges the current issues confronted by the SK such as questions of competence and allegations of corruption. Nonetheless, these problems are not without solutions and can be addressed by reforms presented in the Commission’s position paper (Reinforcing the Sangguniang Kabataan for Youth Participation in Governance and Nation-Building)”, adds Commissioner Perci Cendaña of NYC. The fear that the SK as an avenue and training ground for trapos (traditional politicians) and developing ground for dynasties could be addressed by the SK Reform and Empowerment bill. “We have been pushing for the reform of the SKs including the change of the age of SKs from 15-17 to 18 to 24 so that we have a more mature pool of youth leaders. SKs should have fiscal autonomy, and at the same time, mechanisms for transparency and accountability. An anti-political dynasty clause was also recommended by the NYC.” Chairman Flores III reiterates.

Bill/PAGE 10

FOR over a decade, TAYO has grown to become the only award-giving program that recognizes and honors the most important youth organization contributions of our time. The TAYO Awards has given cash grants to almost 200 youth organizations for the sustainability of their projects and in recognition of their laudable efforts in the service of their communities and the country.

In t his rega rd, we would like to request for your help once again in disseminating information about the Awards. Attached in this email are copies of the TAYO 11 poster, the FAQs and the entry form for your easy reference and distribution. The form may also be downloaded from www.nyc.gov.ph or www. tayoawards.net.

For further inquiries, please get in touch with the TAYO Secretariat at the following numbers: 0917898-8296 (TXT-TAYO); (02) 416-2833 or (02) 687-5917. tayo/PAGE 10

DOE closely monitors LPG pricing to address overpricing concerns

CO-EXISTING. Monkeys feast on bananas given by visitors in Barangay New Israel in Makilala, North Cotabato on June 30, 2013. The monkeys in the place have co-existed with humans community-wise since the 1940s. mindanews photo by ruby thursday more

THE Department of Energy (DOE) assures the public of it s c ont i nue d c lo s e monitoring of the prices of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) to ensure that the adjustments are fair and reasonable.

Per monitoring of the DOE , LPG pr ices have decreased six times, totaling to a rou nd P 9/ k g si nce January as opposed to only one increase this month of P2.50/kg.

Under Republic Act No. 8479, otherwise known as the Oil Deregulation Law, the pricing of petroleum products is left with the LPG companies with the D OE d e t e r m i n i n g t h e

reasonableness of t he price computation based on submitted information.

The DOE computation of petroleum product prices on ly ser ves a s a g u ide estimate of the prevailing prices of the commodity in a deregulated oil market.

In support of its price monitoring mandate, oil companies are required to inform the DOE of their price adjustment six hours before their implementation. In addition, the DOE regularly sends out field inspectors to monitor the price movements of LPG in the market to ascer ta in t hat t hey a re implementing their declared prices.

For reports or complaints about prici ng abuses, consumers can all call tel. no. (02)840-2130/(02) 8402267 or directly file their complaints to the DOE. To support the complaints, consumers are reminded to keep their purchase receipts.

Retailers or distributors which are proven to have overpriced customers of its LPG products may be subject to a fine of up to P500,000.

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Parrots and eagles THINK

hink a minute…Did you ever dream as a kid about A Minute flying like a bird?

By Jhan Tiafau Hurst Which would you be more like: a parrot or an eagle?

The two are very different kinds of birds.

Even though it can fly, a parrot prefers to stay in the same comfortable cage, eat the same dry seeds, and listen to the same words over and over again until it can say them easily.

A parrot’s satisfied just to do the same thing everyday.

In fact, you almost never see a parrot actually fly.

Not eagles.

Eagles have an inner drive to explore and experience everything out there.

They have the courage to change and take risks.

And they’re not afraid to leave their familiar, comfortable nest of tradition to search for more.

An eagle’s passion for life pushes it to soar high and explore new territory, looking for fresh, satisfying food instead of the same boring, dry seeds.

So which bird are you most like? If you like being a parrot kind of person, then you’ll probably just stay the same.

But you’ll never have or experience anything more in life.

And you’ll never know if what you believe is really true.

Remember, “If you agree with someone on everything, then one of you is doing all the thinking.”

The smart, successful person is not only open to new ideas, he goes looking for them.

So if you want a full, exciting life like an eagle as God created you to live, then what are you waiting for?

L

SK: training Filipino kids on Godliness

IFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “… Train the child in the way that he should go, and he will not depart from it when he grows old…” (Proverbs 22:6, the Holy Bible).

-ooo PEOPL E’S R IGH T I N EL EC T IONS: Reader Jorge Matanguihan, a member of the Internet group “batasforum”, sent this reaction: “It is sad that losing candidates in areas where more votes than voters are noticed prefer to do nothing, when statistically it can be proven if the same winner will come out if the excess votes are duly accounted for.

“They (the losers) are only after winning the position and not serving the people. They only want to serve their interest. The truth is, this is a matter of significant public interest. How this happened should be determined conclusively so that it can be prevented in future elections.

“At this point, the limited few who know how it can happen can capitalize on it in the next elections, unless it is revealed now and measures are properly put in place. The Comelec owes this not to any candidate but to the public. And it is the people’s right to know how there could be more votes than voters.”

-ooo “MAY GOD TAKE CARE OF YOU”: US news outlets are now engaged in a frenzied attempt to downplay the crash landing of the Asiana Airlines flight last July 07, 2013 (Philippine time) at the San Francisco International Airport in the US, by saying plane crashes occur only at

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the rate of “one in a million”, ak ampi and that survival rates are Mo A ng Batas usually at a high of 95 percent

By Atty. Batas Mauricio during these mishaps.

That is true, and statistics will show that airplanes remain to be the safest mode of transportation worldwide, the crashes notwithstanding.

But then, nobody knows when a plane will crash, and where. As Filipinos are fond of saying, “only God knows” (or, “tanging Diyos lamang ang nakakaalam”). This being the case, the wisest thing is to invoke God’s protection and deliverance from harm before taking the plane, or before doing anything else.

Indeed, it is no longer enough to simply say “take care” to anyone we hold dear, for no man can ever really take care of himself, especially in stressful and dangerous situations like a plane crash. The better thing to say is “may God take care of you”, with a raised hand towards your loved one. This is so because, in Acts 8:17 of the Bible, we can see that the Holy Spirit of God comes to the people upon whom we lay our hands on, in blessing.

-ooo SK: TRAINING FILIPINO KIDS ON GODLINESS: I batas/PAGE 7

K

How do you trade your time?

e are all time traders. Of all assets that we have at our disposal, time is our single most important resource.

The value of a resource is often defined by its supply hurst/PAGE 7 and demand profile. The more something is needed and the more its supply is limited, the higher its value becomes. With the limitation of our time and the highest demand we ascribe to it, it easily becomes inarguably the most valuable commodity we have.

As the cliché goes, “time is gold.” Short of inventing a machine that can turn back time or freeze it for a certain length, time spent and lost can never be recovered. Unlike DANTE M. SUDARIA precious gems that can be secured safely in a vault, time Publisher cannot be hoarded and spent at a later period. Time ROSE MARY D. SUDARIA, Ph.D. continuously moves and slips by, whether we want it to Manager or not.

NELSON CONSTANTINO But like money with a corresponding value, time Editor-in-Chief can however be saved and invested. When we manage ALLAN MEDIANTE BONG FABE our affairs excellently and give priority to the most Managing Editor Executive Editor important things first, we can save more time to spend Shaun yap uy Ruel Pelone for leisure and enjoyment. When we invest in something, Section Editor Online editor we naturally expect some kind of return. How we use CHRISTINE CABIASA our time at each particular moment is an investment cris panganiban Copy Editor which determines the specific return we get out of it.

Regional Editor CLIFFORD SANTILLAN RONALD B. MASTAIL Cris diaz Layout Artists mike baños Crystaline pino butch enerio A dvertising Sub-Editors ATTY. MARIO T. JUNI JOE DEL PUERTO FELICILDA Cell No: 09352379999 HAT God has joined together, let no man put URIEL C. QUILINGUING (088) 857 3599 asunder.” (Mk 10,10) We have just been reminded Editorial Consultants Juni Law Office of the biblical basis for the indissolubility of marriage DOLLY PELONE Cruz Taal St.,CDO recently.

Legal Counsel Comptroller With all the forces and elements now undermining the The Business Daily is published by BusinessWeek true nature and purpose of marriage, there is an urgent Mindanao Advertising and Promotions daily with office need to clarify and show the real face and beauty of this address at Tanleh Building, Abellanosa, Cagayan de Oro human, natural as well as supernatural institution.

City. It is registered with the Department of Trade and Countries and nations, supposedly developed and quite Industry (DTI), Region 10 with Certificate No. 00875701, rich, are now legalizing forms of marriage that really have and with Business Permit No. 2013-10946, TIN No. nothing to do with marriage. Same-sex unions, divorce, 946-396-807 – Non VAT. Tel. Nos.: (088)8578447, 74civil marriages among Catholic, temporary unions and 5380, 0923-432-0687, 0917-7121424 cohabitations are not only spreading but are also getting legalized.

Website: www.businessweekmindanao.com The consolation so far is that they have not gone as E-mail : businessweekmindanao@gmail.com far as to outlaw marriage as traditionally understood and as a sacrament. But if we are not careful, who knows Member: what can happen in the near future?

If they can legalize abortion, not to mention, conCagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and traception, there is reason to suspect these distortions Industry Foundation, Inc. (Oro Chamber) of marriage can also be legalized sooner or later. So, we really have to keep close watch on the RH Bill, because the bad spirit behind it is the same one that animates a publication of all these disturbing developments involving marriage.

In fact, someone just told me the Philippines is under heavy pressure now because we seem to be the only country in the world that has not legalized divorce yet.

MINDANAO ADVERTISING AND PROMOTIONS And there’s a bill already filed in Congress seeking to legalize divorce.

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Each and every hour of our lives, we trade our time for something in exchange. So Financial D octor

By Adonis Agcopra it might pay you rich returns if you learn to constantly ask yourself: “How do I trade my valuable time right now?”

Time seems to work in mysterious ways but it generally follows the dictums of the law of cause and effect.

The way you spend your time in the past was the immediate cause of what you are now.

The way you are consciously or unconsciously spending your time right now is also a cause – in fact, it is precisely the exact cause of what happens to you in the next hour, in the next few days, months and years of your life.

In our younger and innocent years when the ways of the world are quite foreign, it’s easy to think that time seems to move very slow and there seems to be not that much things to do. But when we are shoved to face the real world and find ways to earn our keep and make ends meet by ourselves, time suddenly seems not to suffice, agcopra/PAGE 7

Revisiting marriage There are those who are quite convinced, and and Traces wrongly convinced, if I may

By Fr. Roy Cimagala say, that marital problems can be solved by legalizing divorce. We need to talk a lot about this issue.

The statistics on the ground seem to favor divorce.

Of 10 Catholic couples, a friend told me, 4 are married in Church, 3 are civilly married and 3 are simply cohabiting. That’s, of course, a big problem. But it’s actually a challenge to face that requires more concerted and comprehensive efforts from those concerned.

We are contending with a world culture that has lost the capacity to think deeply and thoroughly. It’s an ethos that is held captive by the quick and easy way of thinking and reacting, dominated mainly by worldly values like convenience, practicality, popularity, etc.

The full and global picture of who and what we are is ignored if not ridiculed. This, of course, determines our proper attitude and praxis about marriage and the other institutions related to it—family, education... the spiritual and supernatural dimension of man is set aside. Instead only the material and social aspects are Cimagala/PAGE 7

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Environmental group pushes for a ‘Pawikan’ captured, national legislation vs plastic bag released in Samar TACLOBAN CITY -- A rare sea turtle locally known as “pawikan” was accidentally captured by a fisherman in Basey, Samar.

C o m m u n i t y Environment and Natural Resources Officer Dario Suarez said the pawikan that was measuring 41 centimeters long and 39 centimeters wide was captured by Victorio Quilitano’s fish pen in Barangay Palaypay in Basey, Samar recently.

“The pawikan sustained minor injury and was immediately tu r n e d ove r t o t h e Department of Agriculture for treatment.

It was later turned over to DENR for proper disposition,” Suarez said.

He added the pawikan was tagged PH 6024E and was released back to the sea waters off JINAMOC Island in Basey.

The release of the pawikan was witnessed by representatives from DA, local government unit of Basey, DENR and CENRO in Sta. Rita, Samar.

DENR-8 reg iona l executive director Manolito Ragub said the public’s concern for the pawikan, an endangered sea creature, is a manifestation that

Hurst... from page 6

Do you realize how out of place you are living in that cage of the same thinking and routine every day of your life?

Imagine how silly an eagle would look sitting in a cage, picking over a tasteless pile of dried seeds.

So why don’t you ask Jesus Christ to take full charge of your life every day?

Jesus clearly proved He is the true and only way to a fully satisfying life—by His teaching, miracles, death and resurrection.

And He wants to lead you into all the truth, success, and full living He’s planned for you to enjoy.

Just Think a Minute…

Batas... from page 6

I agree with Senators TG Gu i ngona III a nd Ba m Aquino that we should not abolish the Sangguniang Kabataan---not yet anyway.

I also agree that remedial measures must instead be instituted to make the SK more responsive to the needs of the youth today, especially those who are undergoing the trauma of separated parents, for one reason or another.

The SK can be used as an effective forum to instill

the campaign for the protection of the seas and conservation of marine resources are gaining grounds. “ No w a d a y s , everybody must work for the balance of all our environmental ecosystems such as the seas and its resources as a way of mitigating the adverse impact of climate change,” Ragub said.

He added that all species of sea turtles, like any other marine creatures, play a critical role in maintaining the web of life in the seas. “ H o w e v e r, s a i d species, important as it is, are becoming critically endangered due to threats from poaching and illegal extraction by unscrupulous individuals,” Ragub said.

Meanwhile, Danilo Javier, regional technical director of Protected Areas Wildlife and Coastal Zone Management Service said that the DENR is intensifying efforts for the protection of pawikans under the Pawika Conservation Project.

“Mere possession and killing of this species is punishable under Section 27 of Republic Act 9147, or the Wildlife Act,” Javier said. (PNA)

discipline, love of others, of country and of God, of moral and spiritual education among the youth, which their parents, teachers and their priests or pastors could no longer do, and to teach them practical, vocational, or technical knowhow that they can use in their everyday lives, or in earning decently.

This country needs a strong organization, like the SK, to do all these for the Filipino youth, who are now often the subject of elderly complaints, to the effect that they no longer respect their elders, they no longer have discipline, they have gone wayward, and strayed much too far away from God. The SK can be a forum whereby the Filipino youth are once again trained in the way that they should go, according to godly and spiritual values that can make this nation truly great again!

-ooo REACTIONS? Please call me at 0917 984 24 68, 0918 574 0193, 0922 833 43 96. Email: batasmauricio@yahoo.com, mmauriciojr111@gmail.com.

Agcopra... from page 6

continuously moving fast.

Running after time becomes a daily routine.

Sp end most of your time with things that are

By Azer N. Parrocha

MANILA -- Environmental advocates on Wednesday led a march along the vicinity of J. P. Laurel High School, Tondo, Manila to send out the message of regulating the use, sale and distribution of plastic bags.

This march was participated in by more than 500 students, school officials, parent-teacher officers, beauty queens, environmentalists and supporters in celebration of the 4th International Plastic Bag-Free Day. It also drew support from the city government of Manila headed by President Mayor Joseph Estrada as part of his administration’s environmental agenda to combat climate change.

Estrada has previously mentioned during his oath taking as Mayor of Manila that his team would start cleaning waterways to mitigate flooding.

Aside from this, he also mentioned that lessons from last year, citing the notorious flooding problem due to monsoon rains, must have already been learnt by now.

The environmental group, EcoWaste Coalition has also shown support for the upcoming citywide ban on plastic bags and polystyrene containers that will take effect starting September 2013 in Manila.

Manila City Ordinance 8282, once implemented, will ban the use of plastic bags for dry goods and regulate their use for wet goods, and altogether bans polystyrene (Styrofoam) as container for food, produce and other products.

This ban is both a climate change mitigation measure and a disaster risk reduction response as it intends ultimate phase out of all kinds of plastic bags.

Aside from this, it also eases discards collection mechanisms and recycling, and supports LGUs in their waste management schemes as mandated by R.A. 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

“The ordinance will also prohibit business establishments from offering, selling, or using plastic bags as primary or secondary packaging for dry goods, and forbids barangay collection of discarded plastics unless these are pre-cleaned and dried, according to one of the decree’s sponsors Councilor Numero Lim. He added that it was only about time that the city of fun and easy now, reap a lifetime of long-term pain.

But invest your time wisely now, carefully planning and sacrificing short-term pains for long-term gains, expect to live a happier, richer and more fulfilling life. Do it now!

---- (Dr. Adonis Agcopra, MBA, CIS, RFC® is with the IARFC and is portfolio director of AFIC Meridian Consultants. URL: www. aficfinancialconsultants. c o m .

E m a i l : aficfinancialconsultants@ outlook.com.)

Cimagala... from page 6

dynamism of today’s world, now heavily dependent on new technologies, has made people to be less thinking and just to be more practical, if not more self-absorbed and self-seeking.

The objective, fundamental laws of our life, as written in our nature and as given by God our Creator, are often glossed over. In their stead are our mere estimations of things that simply come from purely human criteria arrived at through certain consensus.

In the effort to correct this anomaly, we need to learn how to explain, with gift of tongues, the biblical basis of

marriage, connecting it with what our own reason can actually and easily discover.

Our problem now is that many people consider the Bible as remote, if not completely irrelevant and just a trouble-maker. We have to correct that by making an effort to meditate more deeply on God’s word, knowing that it is a living word that will never become obsolete, but rather will always be relevant to us in our varied situations.

As Po p e B e n e d i c t’s Verbum Domini puts it, we have to ask: What does the Bible say about a particular issue, what is it saying to me now, what is it trying to say to all of us now?

From there, we can use all the human sciences and knowledge to explain why marriage is between one man and one woman, why it is indissoluble until death, why spouses have to live chastity just like anybody else but according to one’s state in life?

We have to explain why healthy marriages lead to healthy families that in turn lead to healthy societies and a healthy world.

I’m happy to know that certain groups are into busy advocacy for healthy marriages. I can cite the Beyond-I-do group as one of them. May more groups

Manila enforced a ban on the distribution and use of plastic bags “to stop the nonchalant disposal of these materials and protect what remains of our environment”.

Waste Prevention Waste audits conducted by eco-groups in 2006, 2010 and 2011 revealed plastic products, particularly plastic bags, were the highest garbage contributor in terms of volume in Manila Bay and Laguna Lake.

Discards survey conducted by the same group in 2006 and 2010 showed plastic bags comprising 51.4 and 27.7 percent, respectively, of the detritus in Manila Bay. At present, the group counted at least 90 LGUs all over the country that have similar ordinances in place banning or regulating plastic bags, with several localities following suit before the end of the year.

According to EcoWaste Coalition’s Task Force Head on Plastics and Mother Earth Foundation member Sonie Mendoza, plastic bags were the embodiment of an antiquated, throw-away mentality that needs to be addressed.

“Through our action today, we ask the national government to enact laws and policies that will reinforce the initiatives of visionary LGUs and eventually wean us from plastic bags,” Mendoza said.

“By outlawing the use of plastic bags and other nonecologically sound packaging materials, we substantially reduce our waste generation,” she added.

She further explained that this will cut waste management costs and lessen related environmental risks such as flooding and marine pollution.

“Recycling plastic bags does not necessarily reduce wastes as it just manages the plastic bags that have already been created,” Mendoza said.

“Recycled plastics still make its way back to the consumers’ buy-use-dispose loop, thus, adding more plastics in the environment. What we need to do is to avoid its usage in the first place,” she added.

The ban of the use of plastic bags will help boost the demand for locally-made bayongs and cloth bags, which supports local cottage industries and creates more employment and business opportunities in both urban and rural areas.

The group suggested that because they were made of raw materials, they are readily available all over the country. It is also a good time for LGUs and businesses to support and invest in the production of bayongs and cloth bags. (PNA)

of this type come out.

There’s a great need for them, even if the demand may still not be felt. But with the challenges of the times, I’m sure many people will realize the value of these groups.

Expansion... from page 3

their items will also be listed on the Sulit.com.ph website and will bear a badge with the letter “P,” to signify that the offer originated from the former.

David said this retains the simplicity of the Sulit website, as the complex customization and options available on Pinoy Auto Trader may be a bit overwhelming for individual sellers.

At the same time, the acquisition w ill f ur t her expand Sulit’s database of cars, which has remained the top selling item on the classifieds site for several years now, he added.

“Car buyers are not just provided with multitude of car ad listings, they also get to have access to extensive car reviews, comprehensive car directory and a thorough list of car loan providers making this website all you’ll ever need in finding your next car,” the Sulit executive said.

David, however, did not disclose how much Sulit has invested for its new

acquisition.

Sulit.com.ph is currently the most visited local website in the Philippines, attracting millions of sellers on a daily basis as its platform allows them to post items for sale on the website for free.

The company has recently invested in multi-million mu lt i me d i a m a r k e t i n g ca mpa ig ns to f u r t her promote the service, one of the few Pinoy Web firms to be able to do so as the battle for the local e-Commerce market heats up.

Sulit.com.ph is owned

by South African media company Naspers, which has invested in a number of other e-Commerce platforms around the world, including the now-defunct Multiply social commerce platform.

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Billboard

Sun Cellular launches preorder of the BlackBerry Q10 with unlimited services

Sun Cellular makes the wait worthwhile for the excited takers of the latest BlackBerry smartphone as it officially launches the BlackBerry Q10 coupled with its economical and unlimited services.

Sun Cellular’s BlackBerry Q10 offering comes via Sun Plan 1499 and is showered with amazing inclusions such as unlimited mobile Internet, 5 minutes of Sun calls and 300 texts to ALL networks.

This postpaid plan is geared to help users fully enjoy and maximize the BlackBerry Q10 experience.

With its upgraded features and sleek finish, the BlackBerry Q10 comes with dual-input capability via its AMOLED touc hscreen display and QWERTY keypad that raises productivity and efficiency of users. In addition, it is armed with an 8MP rear camera, 2MP front camera and 2GB of RAM with 16GB internal memory, which is expandable up to 64GB. BlackBerry Q10’s enhanced features are something to swoon for. From the Blac kBerry Hub that

centralizes all communication platforms, BlackBerry Balance that organizes professional and personal files to the BlackBerry Messenger Video with Screen Share, this latest gadget definitely makes it to the list of gadget must-haves. “ O u r Po s t p a i d p l a n portfolio has always been p a c ke d by a ro s t e r o f amazing handsets that come with economical and useful Sun Cellular offerings,” says Sun Cellular Vice President for Postpaid Marketing Joan Dueňas.

“Now with the arrival of the BlackBerry Q10, our inclusion package definitely makes the wait worthwhile.”

Interested subscribers can pre-order at any The Sun Shop branches nationwide.

The BlackBerry Q10 will be officially available in The Sun Shop branches starting July 8, 2013.

For more information on this and other services that Sun Cellular offers, visit www. suncellular.com.ph or Facebook page www.facebook.com. ph/suncellularph. Follow @ suncelldeals on Twitter.

PryceGas Inc. has tapped the city's leading running events organizer - Circle Productions Inc. for the 2nd edition of the PryceGas International Marathon, December 15, 2013 at Pryce Memorial Gardens. Circle Productions, Inc. officials Jeff Ang (seated center) & Francis Velasquez and PryceGas Inc.’ Rafael Escaño (seated right) & other company officers sign an agreement for the 2nd edition of the PryceGas International Marathon. More details to be announced soon.

Lenovo leapfrogs ahead of competition with its flagship smartphone, the K900.

T he compa ny’s latest smartphone sports the robust features that make it one of the most promising highend devices that has set benchmarks for the mobile phone industry.

Announced early this year, the Lenovo K900 was one of the most anticipated devices

from the leading mobile phone manufacturer.

T he hy pe wa s f ueled by news t hat it was t he first smartphone to utilize Intel’s new Atom processor, the Z2580, based on the “Clovertrail” architecture that is meant for use in more powerful devices.

The high-powered processor allowed the K900 to breeze through benchmark

tests, proof that Lenovo is indeed a serious contender in the smartphone market.

Beauty is a beast On the outside, the K900 takes a minimalist yet industrial approach. The back cover brandishes a two-toned combination of polycarbonate and brushed stainless steel, with screws visible in its unibody casing.

It features sturdy Gorilla

The Lenovo K900: a lean, mean, smart machine Glass II on its multi-touchcapable screen. Buttons to the side including power/standby and volume controls provide quick access for users.

The K900 boasts a 5.5inch screen with one of the highest pixel densities among current smartphone models at 400+ppi. Its large screen real estate is complemented with its sleek profile that’s only 6.9mm thin and weighs

Circle Productions, Inc. signs an agreement with Centrio Mall Management to hold the upcoming Kagay-an Festival Marathon in Centrio Mall on August 18, 2013. In photo are: from left: Mr. Francis Velasquez, Race Director, Mr. Jeffrey Ang, Circle Productions President, Ms. Pamela Mendez, Centrio Operations Manager and Ms. Justine Tiro, Centrio Marketing Supervisor

When you’re in Cagayan de Oro, read...

a mere 162 grams that offers t r ue mobilit y for today’s power users.

A digital playground for true techies Ru n ning on the latest A nd roid inter face (4.2.1, nicknamed “Jelly Bean”), the K900 is quick and very responsive, with no lags or stuttering even with multiple applicat ions open. T he Z2580 chipset coupled with PowerVR SGX544 graphics core gives users solid control and smooth playability from basic to graphics-intensive games, such as Angry Birds t o f u l l -3D - e n v i r o n m e n t titles like Assassin’s Creed.

Movies play seamlessly on the gorgeous, gigantic screen i n f u l l H D (1920 x1080 p resolut ion), ma k i ng long r o a d t r ip s a n e njoy a ble experience.

Shutterbugs and mobile videographers are also in for an incredible ride with its dual cameras: a stellar 13MP main at the back and a 2M P c a me r a i n f r ont .

Sporting a back-illuminated Sony BSI sensor and a fast f1.8 aperture, it rivals good dedicated cameras available today. Uploading photos to different social media is also a breeze thanks to its array of connectivity options, from Bluetooth v3.0 to USB Onthe-Go (OTG) that allows the phone to use a f lash drive for instant access to data.

Pushing the limits with amazing features and outstanding performance, the K900 is a sure geek-pleaser.

The Lenovo f lagship phone is set to wow smartphone fans and take the market by storm this month.

First of its kind. Lenovo and Intel’s partnership gave birth to the world’s first Intel Atom-powered smartphone, bringing computing technology to a whole new level of sleek.

The

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Challenges... from page 4

the mistakes and learn from the successes of countries w h i c h h ave pi on e e r e d implementation.”

“Today, 138 countries across the globe have set RE targets – most to be met by 2020. But RE targets, i mpor t a nt a s t hey a re, serve merely as icing on the cake. Local and national participation by stakeholders, sound national technology assessments, schemes to prov ide a f ford able a nd clean energy to the poor, financing the needed cost of capital and infrastructure, grid integration, monitoring success and bottlenecks as well as a good compliance system are all crucial parts of a sound implementation plan to make renewables the key energy supply source in the coming decades,” he adds.

Says World Resources Institute (WRI) International Fina ncia l Flows a nd Env ironment Project Manager Athena Ballesteros, “The report’s case studies show how successful R E i m p l e m e nt a t i o n n e e d s far more than financing and technology – it needs good governance. Ensuring transparency and public pa r t icipat ion i n energ y planning, effective policy design a nd invest ments in human know-how and capacity are crucial to move RE projects forward.”

The report, a collaboration between WWF and WRI, provides clear evidence that numerous factors are required to reach national RE targets.

“If addressed appropriately a nd consistent ly, t hese barriers can become opportunities for creating f u nd a ment a l a nd sol id conditions for successful RE implementation,” adds Dr. Singer.

“With RE investments expected to spike in coming decades, it makes sense to maximize our natural assets,” says WWF International Asia Pacific Energy Policy Manager Rafael Senga. “In the 1970s, the Philippines had the foresight to invest in indigenous geothermal power. We must again retrace that path and invest in one of the country’s few competitive advantageous – our vast

renewable energy resources.

And we need to do it now!”

(Eco-Business/BM)

Greens... from page 4

need to urgently address,” Mendoza said.

“By outlawing the use of plastic bags and other nonecologically sound packaging materials, we substantially reduce our waste generation, t hereby cut t ing waste management costs, and lessen related environmental risks such as flooding and marine pollution,” she added.

Plastic bags usually end up littering the streets and dumps, and at the same time polluting rivers and seas, Mendoza said.

Recycling plastic bags does not solve the problem. “(Recycling) just manages the plastic bags that have already been created . Rec ycled plastics still ma ke their way back to the consumers’ buy-use-dispose loop, thus adding more plastics to the environment. What we need to do is to avoid its usage in the first place,” Mendoza said.

The E coWa ste spokesperson added that banning the use of plastic bags would boost the demand for locally made bayong and cloth bags, supporting local cottage industries and creating more employment and business opportunities.

“It is now a good time for LGUs and businesses to support and invest in the production of bayong and cloth bags,” she said.

EcoWaste also backed t he i mpend i ng Ma ni lawide ban on plastic bags and styropor containers in Manila pursuant to an ordinance that would take effect in September 2013.

(Eco-Business)

Projs... from page 4

local planning, budgeting and implementation,” the World Bank said in a project document.

Another big-ticket item in the pipeline of projects for the Philippines is the $665-million Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP). The World Bank’s commitment for this project via the IBRD amounts to $501.25 million.

The balance of the funding

cost will be financed by the government through the Department of Agriculture, amounting to $163.34 million and the Global Environment Facility worth $7 million.

T h e PR DP a i m s t o increase rural incomes and enhance farm and fishery productivity nationwide. The project will be implemented over a six-year period, from 2013 to 2019, and cover the entire country comprising 80 provinces across 16 regions. “ T he prog ra m w i l l promote more inclusive rural development by supporting smallholders and fisherfolk to increase their marketable surpluses, and by improving access to markets,” the World Ba n k project docu ment stated.

Other projects in the pipeline are the $450-million loans under the Philippines Renewable Energy Development, as well as the $300-million Learning, Equity and Accountability Program Support Project and the National Sector Support for Kalusugan Pangkalahatan (Universal Health Care).

The World Bank also said the list includes the $228.5-million Cebu Bus Rapid Transit Project; the $124-million Gearing Rural Organizations for Wealth Creat ion prog ra m; a nd the $6-million Edsa Bus Reduction Project.

A s o f M a r c h 2 013 , the Philippine portfolio comprised 22 active projects with a total net commitment of $2.05 billion from the World Bank. This includes 15 investment loan operations and seven large trust funds that are part of the lending portfolio.

In terms of sector distribution, infrastructure t o p s a t 33 p e rc e nt of total, followed by human development at 27 percent, r u ra l de velopment a nd environment at 13 percent, and social development at 12 percent. The remaining 15 percent covers policybased financing for inclusive growth. (BM)

DENR... from page 4

facilities and other mitigating measures to control emission of gases and foul odor.”

Paje sa id t he DEN R would be willing to provide free technical assistance

to farm owners in putting up wastewater treatment facilities. He also called on poultry and hog raisers to clean their area frequently to minimize or eliminate altogther the foul odor from their farms.

Studies show that livestock houses are among the top sources of particulate matter, a pollutant that is small enough to be suspended in the atmosphere. It is made up of a number of components including acids, organic chemicals, metals, solid or dust particles which when inhaled can affect the heart and lungs. (BM)

Bill...

from page 5

The call for reforming the SK is also extremely u rgent for t wo reasons.

First, in the pursuit of the polit ica l reforms in t he Matuwid na Daan, no one especially the young should be left behind. Second, in the current dispensation, the young would play an important role in changing t he nor ms i nto more p o sit i ve , i nc lu si ve a nd developmental.

SK Reform Coalition, a youth-led organization, aims not just to counter the SK abolition calls but to emphasize the need to develop good governance and principled leadership among the youth. Further, it seeks for the postponement of t he SK e le c t ion s s o that the SK Reform and Empowerment bill can be passed.

The NYC believes that refor m i ng t he SK is a n i mpor ta nt i nvest ment i n re-or ient i ng pol it ic s a nd nat ion-bu i ld i ng i n general. Various efforts are realized as the Commission worked closely w it h t he Committee on Loca l Government in the 15th Congress in support of the reform measures proposed

by Representatives Bag-ao, Bello, Palatino, Teodoro and Del Mar.

TAYO... from page 5

Interested organizations may send in their applications to tayo11entry@gmail.com or tayo11@nyc.gov.ph. The deadline for submission of entries is July 30, 2013.

DTI... from page 2

“Carageenan has many uses and its main application is on food products where it is used primarily for its gellying and thickening properties.

Seaweed production is an integral part of the Mindanao industry cluster,” he said.

Opportunities are likewise available in other tropical f r uits li ke ma ngosteen, banana, pineapple and papaya, which all enjoy huge demand overseas. The region, the DTI said, will also be a good investment destination for manufacturing and tourism.

(TPS)

Ranking... from page 2

given to Mali) for a ranking of 24th globally.

The index also graded countries individually based on more than 80 indicators of innovation.

Among the Philippines’ perceived innovation weaknesses are those dealing w it h pol it ica l stabi l it y, business environment, ease of starting a business, ease of resolv ing insolvency, expenditure on education and R&D, ease of getting credit, and FDI inflows.

Cited as areas of strength i nclude t he percent a ge of g raduates in science and engineering, market capitalization, businessfinanced R&D, joint-venture and strategic-alliance deals, the percentage of high- and medium-high technology manufacturers, and knowledge diffusion.

Making it to the top 10 of the GII 2013 are Switzerland (with a score of 66.6 out of

100) in first place, followed

by Swe d e n (61. 3), t h e United K ingdom (61.2), the Netherlands (61.1), the United States (60.3), Finland (59.5), Hong Kong (59.43), Singapore (59.41), Denmark (58.3), and Ireland (57.9).

“The results of the GII provide testimony to the global nature of innovation today. The top 25 ranked countries on the GII are a mix of nations from across the world-North America, Europe, Asia, Oceania and t he Midd le East. W hi le high-income economies dominate the list, several new players have increased their innovation capabilities and outputs,” said Soumitra Dutta, co-editor of the report.

Dutta added: “On average, h i g h-i nc ome c ou nt r ie s outpace developing countries by a wide margin across the board in terms of scores; a persistent innovation divide exists.”

Bruno Lanvin, the report’s co-editor, said: “Innovation is rapidly becoming a rallying symbol for forces of progress and reform around the world.

Although our findings show that daunting challenges remain for many new players, we also see exciting examples of i n nov at ion suc c e s s , including in some of the poorest countries. This is a source of optimism about the future of global innovation and economic recovery.”

The Global Innovation I ndex 2 013: T he L oc a l Dynamics of Innovation was co-published by the Cornell University, INSEAD, and the World Intellectual Proper t y Orga ni z at ion.

(PHILEXPORT News and Features)

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Tune... from page 1

year,” Red Planet Hotels CEO Tim Hansing said in a statement. “We will have branches in Quezon City, Cagayan de Oro City and Davao City. We are expecting to have a total of 10 properties in the Philippines by 2014.”

There are four Tune Hotels currently in operation in the Philippines, with its fifth in Cagayan de Oro next in line.

Other Tune hotels slated to open in the Philippines following Cagayan de Oro include Ortigas, Aseana City and Ayala.

L oc ate d i n C a gay a n de Oro’s fastest growing central business district, Tune Hotel Cagayan de Oro is a welcome addition for the budget traveler which saw the city’s booming air passenger traffic grow to a robust 1.622 million in 2012 from the previous year.

The recent opening of the new Laguindingan Airport is also expected to further increase the number of flights especially by domestic low cost carriers which grew 6.12 percent in 2012 to 15,540 from 2011, data from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Area IX office shows.

The Cagayan de OroMisamis Oriental cluster continues to be the most favored by foreign tourists in Northern Mindanao for 2012.

Data from the Department of Tourism (DOT) Region 10 shows that 45,244 or 74 percent of total foreign tourist arrivals visited the Cagayan de Oro-Misamis Oriental last year.

Tu ne Hotels a ims to establish its niche market in the booming international and local economy/budget travelers. Although the nat iona l government is taking its time to open up additional access points to the country via regional airports in pursuit of its 10 million tourist arrivals target, Red Planet Hotels Philippines Corporation is looking ahead to double the number of its Tune Hotels to ten by the end of the year to capitalize on the domestic travel boom. “ Tune Hotel CDO is also the first Tune Hotel in the Philippines to have a function room for 20-30 persons for meetings and social gatherings,” said Carlo C. Cruz, Director of Sales and Marketing, Philippines. “We will also have a restaurant at the ground floor to serve

breakfast and provide the fo o d a nd b e ver a ge for meetings and events.”

Red Planet Hotels is the major franchisee of the Tune Hotel brand across SouthEast Asia. Tune Hotel ’s core value proposition is a great night’s sleep at a b u d g e t-f r i e n d l y p r i c e .

Though affordably priced, the strategically located hotels provide housekeeping services, electronic keycard access into rooms, extensive CCTV systems, and no access into the main lobby without a keycard past midnight.

All Tune Hotels boast of Five Brand Essentials – 5-Star Quality Beds, Power Shower, Central and Convenient Location, 24-Hour Security and Clean Environment.

Red Planet Hotels Phils.

Corp. is a subsidiar y of Red Planet Hotels Limited (RPHL), a regional hotel investment company focused on Asia’s emerging markets which operates its own hotels under a franchise agreement with Tune Hotels Limited.

The firm has acquired a 16.05- percent stake in Tune Hotels as both companies sought to grow the booming l ow c o s t ho t e l br a n d .

Established in 2007, there are now 24 Tune Hotels operating 3,859 rooms globally in the United Kingdom, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, India, Japan and soon in China and Korea.

Probe... from page 1

K ingsway, said t hat t he Sendong disaster “continues to be a matter of great concern to many members of the Filipino community in my constituency of Vancouver Kingsway.”

“The chief concerns are that a proper investigation i nto t he loss of l i fe be underta ken and t hat measures be implemented to mitigate a similar loss of life in future natural disasters. It is believed that unsustainable logging and mining practices exacerbated the damage caused by the f looding. If this is correct, and if these practices are not altered, similar devastation will likely result from future events,” he said in a July 5 letter to Philippine Ambassador to Canada Leslie B. Gatan, a copy of which was furnished this reporter.

Davies said that he would greatly “appreciate an update on any actions taken, or planned, to prevent loss of life and property in future flood disasters in Cagayan

de Oro.” However, he lamented that he has not received any reply to his first letter regarding this issue to President Aquino in February 2012.

Dr. Bob Ocio, former City Councilor of Cagayan de Oro and now based in Vancouver, British Columbia, disclosed that the Kagayanon-Filipino Community in Vancouver , through MP Davies continue to wait for the “response to requested investigations of the flood disaster” in Cagayan de Oro City during Sendong “and the measures undertaken thereof in response to the request for intervention on the concern by the Filipino Community in Vancouver.”

The Kagay-anon-Filipino Community in Vancouver, Ocio s a id , cont i nue to contribute funds to the legal coffers of the Bangon Kagayan Inc. (BK) in Cagayan de Oro City in an effort to stop mining activities in the city’s hinterland barangays.

“The Filipino community here specially the Cagayanons have continued to support efforts related to the environment and to stop the mining operations in the area,” he said.

Mining, which causes the denudation of the city’s upland areas and contributed to the siltation of the Cagayan de Oro R iver, is largely blamed to the devastating flashfloods on December 16, 2011 that killed thousands and destroyed billions of pesos worth of properties and crops here and in neighboring Iligan City.

BK was recently granted the Writs of Kalikasan and C ont i nu i ng Ma nd a mu s aga inst Cit y Ha l l, t hen under former Mayor Vicente “Dongkoy” Emano — now a private citizen after his defeat in the May elections to incumbent Mayor Oscar “Oca” Moreno — Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), Department of Environment a nd Nat u ra l Resou rces (DENR) a nd concerned mining operators/companies.

BK also has a pending pet it ion for Tempora r y Environmental Protection Order (TEPO) before the Court of Appeals here.

“Although the case is f i led aga i nst Cit y Ha l l of f ic i a l s u nder for mer Mayor Vicente Emano, the MGB, DENR and concerned mining operators, a new City Hall administration under Mayor Moreno may still need to officially act on the complaint,” Ocio said.

Hold... from page 1

are a lot of things that need his immediate attention not only within the confines of the Provincial Capitol C ompou nd i n C agaya n de Oro City, but also in various municipalities of the province.

Emano said holding office in the eastern part of Misamis Oriental would enable him to oversee the municipalities o f L a g o n g l o n g , S a l a y, Binuangan, Subongcogon, K i nog u ita n, Ba l i ngoa n, Ta l isaya n, Med i na a nd Magsaysay.

“This is intended to enable the people in these towns to bring to his attention their various concerns without spending too much in going to Cagayan de Oro,” Emano said.

Emano likewise ca lls for unity in the province, enjoining local leaders to shun political differences and instead work for the development of t hei r respective communities.

Investment... from page 2

cha i n projec t here w i l l def i n itely i mprove t he production of our farmers, post-harvest practices will be improved, while productivity efficiencies will soar high,” said Department of Trade and Industry Region-13 (DTI-13) Director Brielgo O. Pagaran.

He said the PCCP will a lso focus on br i ng i ng subsistence producer families out of poverty, while improving nutrition levels, and decreasing post-harvest losses, and increasing the supplies of high-quality food for export at the farm gate or boat duck.

On the other hand, the PCCP will also help boost the capacities of industries that are critical to agricultural productivity of the region – w h ic h i nc lude c oldchain and seed industries, food processing, business d e v e l o p m e nt s e r v i c e s , regiona l food safet y education, and other key production methods that will enhance high-value and good production.

On the other hand, the R e g ion a l D e ve lopme nt Council 13 (RDC-13) chaired

by Surigao del Norte Governor Sol F. Matugas, and Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante Jr. said this venture will surely spur and enhance the economic activity in this part of Mindanao.

In another development,

the amount of P1,079,345,943.59 to fund Bottom-Up Budgeting (BuB) project is being requested by the local government units (LGUs) in the Caraga Region t h roug h t he concer ned national government agencies (NGAs) for the year 2014.

It was learned that the bulk of the requested funding is i ntended for va rious inf rast r ucture projects, i nclud i ng tou r i sm a nd agricultural development, livelihood opportunities, food production, and social development programs.

The Bottom-up Budgeting a banner program under of the national government aimed at alleviating poverty through the identification of projects in the local level by the Local Poverty Reduction Ac t ion Te a m (L PR AT ) composed of LGU personnel, with the strong participation of the various civil society organizations. (MB)

OTOP... from page 3

and not simply outsourced from abroad.

Both How and Loreto encouraged all interested buyers to call up DTI 11BIDD to know more about the

11

products the Davao OTOP Store offers. They can reach Ms. Jovita T. Quiñones at (082) 224-0511 local 415.

(PNA)

Airliner... from page 3

piece” in the overall vision of the conglomerate because it offers strong synergies with its existing businesses and gives the company an opportunity to invest in the regional aviation industry.

Aside from its interest in t he a irline business, SMC i s i nto fo o d a nd beverage, packaging, oil ref i n i ng a nd ret a i l i ng , p owe r, i n f r a s t r u c t u r e , telecommunications and mining.

Trading of shares in PAL Holdings Inc, the listed operator of PAL, has been suspended since the start of the year after it failed to have at least 10 percent of its shares in the hands of the public by end-2012.

PAL Holdings avoided delisting after it increased its public f loat to 10.25 percent after private investors subscribed to new shares in the company from its capital stock to P30 billion from P23 billion.

CAGAYAN DE ORO MAIN BRANCH P & J Lim Bldg., Tiano Brothers Kalambagohan Sts., Tel. # (08822) 727-829 * Telefax # (088) 856-1947 CAMIGUIN BRANCH B. Aranas St., Poblacion, Mambajao, Camiguin Tel. # (088) 387-0491 CORRALES BRANCH Corrales Ave., Cagayan de Oro City DIVISORIA BRANCH Atty. Erasmo B. Damasing Bldg., #61 Don A. Velez St., Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 857-3631 LAPASAN BRANCH Lapasan Hi-way, Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 231-6739 CARMEN BRANCH Vamenta Blvd., Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 231-2011

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Feature

KUMBIRA 2013 Heritage Feature:

Dynasty Court’s Winning Pancit Canton

by Mike baÑos, Editor-at-Large

Th er e’s over a quar ter century of tradition behind Dynasty Court’s selection as one of the Top 10 Restaurants i n t h e Ph i l i p pi n e s w it h the best Pancit Canton in Un i le ve r’s “ S o o o P i n oy Na t io n a l Se a r ch fo r t he Ultimate Pinoy Dish.”

Established November 27, 1987 by five entrepreneurs, Dynasty Court Restaurant aspired to offer Kagay-anons the best Chinese cuisine in Cagayan de Oro. Driven by its tasty Cantonese menu, business was so good that barely six years later, the restaurant evolved into the Dynasty Court Hotel with the restaurant still as its star attraction.

“We’re basically been using the same recipe for the past 26 years,” said Nelia Lee, Dynasty Court Hotel and Rest au rant manager.

Although their pancit canton is basically the same recipe one ca n see all over t he archipelago, Ms. Lee says the secret to the taste of their winning noodles is in their “secret sauce.”

Pancit Canton was one of the 10 featured Filipino dishes in the “Sooo Pinoy Na t io n a l Se a r ch fo r t he U lt i m at e Pi noy Dish”, a joi nt project of Un ilever Foodsolutions, Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI) and Department of Tourism.

“A team from Unilever a nd PDI nom i nat es food outlets around the country that best serve a particular dish,” said Jhao Carandang, Unilever sales executive. “ Fo r i n s t a n c e , D y n a s t y Court was nominated among ot he r s i n M i nd a n a o a nd

by cer tain criteria bested other nominees across the Philippines.”

Carandang said ‘mystery judges’ would visit nominated outlets to judge the particular dish and rank the Top 10 restos or hotels judged to be best in a particular dish based on ‘Taste’ (balance of f lavor, texture and aroma); ‘Presentation’ (creativity, use of ingredients) and‘Value for Money’ (ser ving size, quality of ingredients and overall dining experience).

Pancit Canton was s e l e c t e d a s o n e of t h e feat u red Pi noy dishes i n the “Sooo Pinoy” campaign due to its long tradition in Philippine cookery. Pancit (or pansit) was introduced by the Chinese to the country and now occupies a hallowed place in the Pinoy’s culinary heritage.

In her 2005 repor t entitled “Republic of Pancit”, repor ter Nancy Reyes Lu men of t he Ph ilippi ne C e nt e r for I nve st igat ive Journalism (PCIJ) says the term Pancit evolved from the Hookien (or Lanlang, as the predominantly Fookienese C h i ne se -Fi l ipi nos ca l l t h e m s e l v e s) p i a n i s i t (Chinese: ) which means "somet h i ng conven iently cooked fast."

A nd fast cook ing it is. I had the pr ivilege of witnessing one of Dynasty Court’s cooks, Dioniso Alta, expertly whip up their Pancit Canton in a big wok over a roaring fire and indeed, it only took him only 5-8 minutes to cook the whole serving. Unless the restaurant is chock full of customers

(as it usually is during lunch and dinner time) it only takes D y nast y Cou r t’s k itchen 10-15 minutes from the time your order is taken by the waiter to when the steaming hot, deliciously smelli ng platter of Pancit Canton is served to your table.

According to food lore ha nded dow n f rom t he Chinese, Reyes says that noodles such as Pa ncit Canton should be eaten on one's birthday but cautions that "noodles represent long life and good health” so they must not be cut short so as not to corrupt the symbolism."

B e sid e s t h e n o o d le s , D y n a s t y C o u r t ’s Pa n c it Canton pretty much retains m o s t of t h e t r a d i t i o n a l ingredients we’ve come to associate with the recipe such as pork or chicken meat, shrimp, white, red and spring onions, cooking oil, garlic, carrots, celery, nappa (green cabbage), bok choy, black mushroom, chicken broth, salt, pepper and soy sauce or Pinoy style fish sauce to taste, red and green peppers.

But perhaps the g reat difference lies with the way Dy nast y’s cooks do their pancit canton, as evidenced by the restaurant’s pedigree as the overall champion of the 2nd Edition of Kumbira, the regional culinar y competition organized by the Cagayan de Oro Hotel & Restaurant Association (COHARA) and generally a ck nowle d ge d t o b e t he b e s t c u l i n a r y s h ow a n d competition outside Metro Manila.

“We’re that confident of our recipe, and we believe

any properly trained cook can whip it up in no time,” Ms. Lee says.

This is what Aust r ian Chef Norbert Gandler, who will be back this Aug ust to head the elite panel of judges for the 17th Kumbira, noted during the many times he’s been a judge for the competition. “ Yo u s h o u l d f o c u s o n w h a t yo u k n ow a n d master it,” he said. “ Not something completely new but improvements of your existing best dishes would be best.” “ It d o e s n’t m a t t e r i f you use simple products,” Gandler says. “Work on the combinations, match your dishes with sidings. Don’t’ confuse. Simple and clean is much better than doing too much.”

Sure sounds a lot like D y n a st y Cou r t’s Top 10 Pancit Canton.

KUMBIRA 2013 Presents:

“Negosyo Kulinarya – Building Home-Grown Brands”

by Baba Pelaez, Contributor

KUMBIRA, the longest running culinary show in the Philippines will once again take place on August 14, 15 and 16 at the Limketkai Mall Atrium. Foodies, hotel apprentices, HRM students, and chefs will get together for 3 days to learn, compete, and simply enjoy the displays and exhibitions.

This festival has been organized by the Cagayan de Oro Hotel and Restaurant Association better known as COHARA throughout the years in cooperation and support of the Department of Tourism Region 10 through its Regional Director Catalino E. Chan III. COHARA is the very dynamic and cohesive group of Cagayan de Oro hoteliers and restaurateurs, headed by its President, Ms. Nelia Lee of Dynasty Court Hotel.

Cagayan de Oro is home to some of the country’s most prominent food brands. We are known for our ham, pastel, pastillas, casuy to name a few.

Now on its 17th year, KUMBIRA aims

to highlight this year’s theme: “Negosyo Kulinarya – Building Home- Grown Brands”.

Cagayan de Oro’s local brand leaders will be sharing their expertise on franchising, entrepreneurship, and marketing. Competitions will also center on building the entrepreneurial spirit in the culinary industry.

International and local masters of the industry will conduct seminars and will also judge the competitions during the 3-day festival. Among these are Chef Norbert Gandler (Executive Director for Culinary Arts-ISCAHM/ Owner, Aubergine Restaurant), Chef Alejandro “Sandy” Daza (Chef/ Columnist Philippine Daily Inquirer), Chef Robby Goco (Owner-Cyma Greek Restaurant), Chef Penk Tan (OwnerPastry Bin), Ms. Gina Navarro (Food Stylist/Owner-Estrel’s Caramel Cakes), Chef Eduardo Tuazon (Executive Chef-Marco Polo, Davao), Chef Sau

When you’re in Cagayan de Oro, read...

del Rosario (Executive Chef-F1 Hotel), Ms. Michaela Fenix Macabenta (Food Writer), Chef Colin Mackay (Chef/ Owner-Sala Bistro/Peoples’ Palace), Chef Raul Ramos (Restaurant 9501), Chef Dietmar Dietrich (Executive Corporate Chef-Belcirs Foods), Ms. Eleanor Nilo (Executive Housekeeper-Heritage Hotel), Chef Josefina “Jessie” Sincioco (Chef Patron-Chef Jessie Rockwell Club), Chef Jill Sandique (Chef/Lead Trainor & Program Director, U.S. DA), Ms. Maricris Encarnacion (Editor-Where at Cebu Magazine), Chef Jackie Ang Po ( Chef/ Owner-Fleur de Lys) and Chef Myrna Segismundo (VP-Managing DirectorRestaurant 9501/Overall Chairperson – National Food Showdown).

As a prelude to KUMBIRA, COHARA recently launched the Sinuglaw Festival.

This festival aims to highlight and promote the “sinug-ba and kinilaw” as a truly Kagay-anon dish that uses indigenous ingredients like tabon-

tabon which distinguishes it from other regional offerings.

The Sinuglaw Festival runs from July 1 to August 31. A 10% discount on every order of “sinuglaw” is being offered by participating COHARA member establishments. Among these are: Apple Tree Resort & Hotel, Bigby’s Café, Barkadahan Grill, Cagayan River View Inn, Casa Crystalla/Mom’s Corner, Chali Beach Resort and Conference Center, De Luxe Hotel, Dynasty Court Hotel, Hotel Conchita, Hotel Koresco, Kagayanon Restaurant, La Ilongga Restaurant, Miami Inn, N Hotel, Seda Centrio Hotel, Southwinds Hotel, Thai Me Up/Fil Me Up Restaurant, The VIP Hotel and Xavier Sports and Country Club.

So while you have 2 months to eat all the Sinuglaw you want, remember this is just an appetizer to the main course! So make sure to mark your calendars and block the dates! You wouldn’t want to miss this sumptuous event.

The

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