BusinessWeek Mindanao (December 7-8, 2022)

Bakunahang bayan

DAVAO City – The Department of Health (DOH) is keen on expanding vaccination coverage in the Davao Region as it kicked off Monday its nationwide Bakunahang Bayan Part 2 here. In a media interview, Dr. Annabelle Yumang, DOHRegion 11 director, described the Bakunahang Bayan Part 2 as "a great opportunity" for the public to increase not only the region's vaccine coverage but the whole country as well. "The local government units and other sectors of the government here in Davao Region continuously work for the benefit of the people," she said.

Rising HIV

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A TOTAL of 2,561 cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have been recorded in the Northern Mindanao region from the first detection in 1991, a Department of Health Region 10 (DOH-10) official confirmed on Thursday, Dec. 1.

Dr. Wellaflor Brito, head of DOH-10 Infectious Diseases Cluster, said in a media forum that the data include the 66 new HIV cases in the region for the month of September this year.

With the newly-confirmed cases, the DOH-10 already recorded 430 HIV cases in the region from January to September of 2022.

Maharlika Fund

CRITICS from various sectors — including private citizens, economists, academics, bankers, and government officials — have decried the Maharlika Wealth Fund (MWF), citing lack of fiscal space, high debt levels, and possible mishandling of funds as reasons the Philippines is not ready for a sovereign wealth fund (SWF).

Business associations and economic policy groups, in a Dec. 5 statement, said that they do not support the creation of a SWF.

“We register our serious concerns and reservations against the proposed MWF on the principles of fiscal prudence, addtionality, solvency of social pension funds, contingent liabilities, monetary independence of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, government in the economy, and transparency,” said a statement approved by 12 associations, including the Foundation For Economic Freedom and the Management Association of the Philippines.

WESM-M’danao set to operate Dec. 26

By MYRNA M. VELASCO Contributor

THE Department of Energy (DOE) is finally eyeing to roll into commercial operation before the end of this year the long-delayed Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) in Mindanao to cater to energy capacities that will be traded by qualified participants in that grid.

A draft circular showed that DOE is inclined to declare December 26, 2022 as the commercial operation date (COD) of the spot market in Mindanao.

Alongside that plan, the energy department indicated that “the scheduling and dispatch of capacities in Mindanao shall be based on

SEC warns public vs Cashbaka app

By ANTONIO L. COLINA IV

DAVAO City — The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has warned the public against investing in mobile investment application Cashbaka.

In an advisory, the SEC confirmed that individuals representing Cashbaka have been enticing the public to invest their money with the investment app in the SEC-Davao Extension Office’s area of responsibility covering Davao Region, Soccsksargen, and Cotabato City and Maguindanao in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The Commission said that Cashbaka is neither registered as a corporation or partnership nor authorized to solicit investments from the public because it did not secure prior registration and/or license to sell securities or solicit investments.

Section 8 of the Securities Regulation Code (SRC) provides securities “shall not be sold or offered for sale or distribution within the Philippines, without a registration statement duly filed with and approved by the Commission.”

The app entices the public to invest by purchasing virtual cows on its online platform for a promise of receiving 150% to 200% interest within 30 days, including a return of capital within 15 days.

Alleged investors of Cashbaka also promote the investment scheme through social media.

DAVAO City — Former Sarangani Governor Miguel Rene Alcantara Dominguez has joined the 60-year-old Alsons Development and Investment Corporation (Alsons Dev) as its new director who will oversee the business strategy and operations of the premier property developer and real estate pioneer in Davao City.

The agency also warned that salesmen, brokers, dealers or agents of Cashbaka may be held criminally liable for offering and/or selling or convincing people to invest in the investment scheme allegedly through the internet or any other means.

It added that a penalty of P5 million may be imposed upon the violators or imprisonment of 21 years or both.

GenSan City could be famous for grapes, too

By BONG S. SARMIENTO MindaNews

that it can be grown here allyear-round.

more areas for expansion.

Alsons Dev is the real estate

Through this scheme, investors are promised to receive monthly incomes of P750, P3,060, and P8,820 for their investment of P500, P1,700, and P4,200, respectively.

“We are reminding the public to exercise caution when dealing with individuals or groups soliciting investments for and on their behalf,” it said.

From just a 100-square meter lot about a decade ago, Maria Caballes, a Dabawenya, now grows fruit-bearing vines in at least two hectares that she acquired gradually over the years, with

The 41-year-old entrepreneur has turned a barren land on the hills of Purok Wal, Barangay Tambler – on a spot that offers a great view of the Sarangani Bay –into a model grape farm known

CHRISTMAS IN KIDAPAWAN. The theme of Kidapawan City's "Festival of Lights" is "Luntian Kidapawan" (Green Kidapawan). MindaNews photo by GREGORIO C. BUEN

GENERAL SANTOS City –General Santos City, the “Tuna Capital of the Philippines,” is proving to be a suitable site for grape production, with a woman leading the way in showcasing

HUMAN RIGHTS PHOTO EXHIBIT. Constituents of the Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology gather to view “Pagtipig: A Photo-narrative exhibit illustrating human rights in the context of Mindanao” Monday morning (Dec. 5), as one of the opening activities in the university’s celebration of Human Rights Week. MindaNews photo by BOBBY TIMONERA

Siargao bets rule Leg 3 of Pilipinas Surfing Nationals

BUTUAN City – Four surfers from Siargao Island in Surigao del Norte emerged triumphant in their respective divisions during the Leg 3 of Pilipinas Surfing Nationals from Nov. 26 to Dec. 3 in Baybay, Borongan City, Eastern Samar.

In the final round of the tournament on Saturday, John Mark "Marama" Tokong of Siargao captured the Men's Open Short Board Division crown.

Another Siargao surfer, Toby Espejon, won the Junior Boy’s Division after scoring 10.25 points against Ailen Magos, Julius Isaguirre, and Jayuard Alciso during the final round.

The Women’s Open Long Board Division was also dominated by Aping Agudo of Siargao by defeating her lone opponent Daisy Valdez with a heat score of 7.

Agudo was also the champion in the same division during the Leg 2 of the national surfing tourney in Baler last month. Siargao’s Maria Gracialla Migullas also won the top post in the Junior Girl's Short Board Division by garnering a 10 heat score against Mara Lopez, Cathleya Casals, and Kaila Dela Torre.

In a statement Sunday, Surigao del Norte 1st District Rep. Francisco Jose Matugas II congratulated the Siargao

surfers for their victories.

“Thank you for doing your best. You have proven that Siargao surfers are among the best in the country,” Matugas said.

The Leg 3 of Pilipinas Surfing Nationals is organized and sanctioned by the United Philippine Surfing Association and supported by the Borongan City government, the Eastern Samar provincial government, and the Lone Legislative District of Eastern Samar.

The tournament is also supported by the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Sports Commission. (PNA)

Gov’t brings in computer education to IP youths in Agusan Norte village

BUTUAN City – At least 40 indigenous people (IP) youths from Barangay Lawan-Lawan in Las Nieves town, Agusan del Norte province, are set to directly benefit from the Mobile Computer Laboratory (MCL) van that opened in the area Thursday. 1st Lt. Emmanuel Corpuz, the 23rd Infantry Battalion civilmilitary operations officer, said the MCL Van will stay in Lawan-Lawan for more than a month to provide computer literacy education to the IP youths. “In the first five days, through the MCL van, the level of computer learning of the IP youth in the area will be determined,” Corpuz said in an interview Friday. After the determination of the youth’s learning capacities, the computer education will then proceed to NC II learning processes that will be provided by the Technical Education and Skills Development

Authority (TESDA) in Agusan del Norte. The MCL van will also provide basic computer education to IP youths who have no computer education. Thursday’s opening of the MCL van in the village was graced by Agusan del Norte Gov. Maria Angelica Amante, Las Nieves Mayor Karen Rosales, and Brig. Gen. Adonis Ariel Orio, the Army’s 402nd Infantry Brigade commander. In a statement, Orio said the MCL Van will be of great help to the IP youths. “This van will teach our students, especially those in the IP community, not just with basic computer education but also teach them the spirit of patriotism and discipline, making it one of the most powerful tools and efforts in ending the local armed conflict,” he said. The MCL van program will be implemented in partnership with the local

Tagoloan Senior High on Height

” Bridging the Gaps to Foster Effective Teaching and Learning”

By: Roel Santiago V. Flores

The Department of Education stipulated the DepEd Order No. 012, s. 2021 to implement in all schools the interventions for bridging learning gaps. With this, teachers, parents, and learners of Tagoloan Senior High school hereby adopted and realized the program with the following objectives: Create learning interventions that best suited to new normal enshrined by DepEd regulations; Project a positive attitude in attaining learning interventions of students through parental involvement and other network support system. ; Develop a sense of responsibility towards learning progress in consideration of socio-economic profile that may hinder academic performance of students.

Ours is the Institution advocating a teacher-learner and parental support in the implementation of teaching and learning modality in the new normal setting. In this program implementation, we evaluated the learning progress to identify the needs to provide interventions

and enrichment to the learners in obtaining a specified skills and learning in the different learning areas.

There were 5 mechanisms employed in our school in bridging of learning gaps to foster teaching and learning: 1. Co-mentoring approach- collaboration with other teachers to employ effective approach in learning delivery 2. Create flexible timetable-profiling to identify students that needs enrichment and remediation 3. Parent-teacher partnership for distance learning 4. Effective teaching strategies and approaches for bridging the learning gaps and 5. Digital learning tools: bridging the gapOur pride and honor to be a part of Tagoloan Senior High School in the mandate of the Department of Education to continually serve the welfare and interest of our learners and the community. The Institution is now completely ready to face the challenges in the next proceeding semester. Soar High Tagoloan Senior High! BE MORE MISOR!

government units, TESDA, the Philippine Army, the Department of Information and Communications Technology, and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples. TESDA-Agusan del Norte Director Rey Cueva said their office will coordinate with partner agencies in the determination of the computer learning capacities of the target beneficiaries in Lawan-Lawan. The MCL is a 40-footer fully airconditioned van installed with 21 sets of high-technology computers. It is designed to equip the IP youths with basic knowledge of computer parts, the Microsoft Office application, and beneficial web browsing programs. (PNA)

AFFIDAVIT OF SELF ADJUDICATION OF THE ESTATE OF FILOMENO LOBIDO WITH DEED OF ABSOLUTE

SALE

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

That the late, FILOMENO LOBIDO , who died intestate on June 23, 1990 and Spouse ANICETA S. LOBIDO, who died intestate on March 25, 2018, both died at #144B Dolores Pabayo St., Cagayan de Oro City. That at the time of their death, they left a parcel of land covered by TAX DECLARATION NO. G-399081 LOT 6288-A, CSD-10016648-D , located at Barangay Bulua, Cagayan de Oro City, containing an area of FIVE HUNDRED SEVENTY EIGHT (578) Square meters , more or less, and has been the subject of AFFIDAVIT OF SELF ADJUDICATION OF THE ESTATE OF FILOMENO LOBIDO WITH DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE, DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE, That for and in consideration of the sum of TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND (PHP 200,000.00), Philippine Currency, in hand received by me from MARRIFE DAHUYAG LLAMIS – married and MYRNA GALLAMASO DAHUYAG – widow, both of legal age, Filipino citizens, and a resident of B-33 L-8 Galvanize St., PNR Subd., Opol, Misamis Oriental, to my full satisfaction and benefit and receipt hereof is hereby acknowledge by me, I hereby SELL, CEDE, TRANSFER, and CONVEY to MARRIFE DAHUYAG LLAMIS and MYRNA GALLAMASO DAHUYAG by way of Absolute Sale , her heirs, administrators and assigns, in a manner absolute and irrevocable, a portion of the subject parcel of land with an area of THREE HUNDRED (300) SQUARE METERS, free from liens and encumbrances of whatever nature; filed by the heirs of FILOMENO LOBIDO , Per Doc No. 356; Page No. 72; Book No. XVI4; Series of 2022 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. ALBERT WENCES C. DABA III.

14 & 21,

Banking & finance

Bangko Sentral holds currency exchange initiative in Davao

THE BANGKO SENTRAL ng Pilipinas (BSP) Mindanao Regional Office has conducted a currency exchange initiative to allow the public to swap banknotes and coins unfit for circulation for e-money.

The e-Cash-in Points initiative is in line with the central bank’s efforts to safeguard the integrity of Philippine currency and to promote the digitalization of transactions in the country.

The BSP Mindanao Regional Office plans to offer the e-Cash-in Points initiative at its next campaigns and on-

boarding activities on digital financial literacy and cashless payments.

Unfit banknotes are described as soiled bills with faded print or with improper writings.

Meanwhile, unfit coins are those that are corroded or have markings.

Mutilated or damaged banknotes are also accepted for exchange if the current size of the banknote is at least 60% of the original size, the security thread is intact, and signatures of the Philippine president or the BSP governor

is still seen.

The currency exchange service’s maiden run was held during the launch of the Paleng-QR Ph at the Bankerohan Public Market in Davao City. This was also attended by members of the Monetary Board, who held their regular meeting that week in the BSP Mindanao Regional Office.

Paleng-QR Ph, a joint initiative of the central bank and the Department of the Interior and Local Government, aims to allow the use of digital payments in public markets and

public transportation services.

“I’m honored to be here today as we launch the PalengQR Ph program in Davao City, which will hopefully be the launchpad [to expand cashless payments] for the rest of Mindanao.

We have to start where the chances of success are greatest,” BSP Governor Felipe M. Medalla said in his message at that event.

Davao City is the second local government unit to unveil the Paleng-QR Ph program following Baguio City in August.

Economist eyes sustained mid-single digit M3 growth

GROWTH of domestic liquidity or M3 is projected to remain in the mid-single digits in the near term, an economist said Thursday, noting excess liquidity in the system that is being siphoned off through the various central bank facilities, among others. Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) chief economist Michael Ricafort said the continued reopening of the domestic economy boosts M3 growth and bank lending as both the public and private

sectors engage in fund-raising activities to finance their operations and projects.

He, however, said that these liquidity boosts are countered by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) facilities such as the weekly term deposit facility (TDF) auction and the issuance of the 28-day securities.

He said that for one, the volume offering for the 28-day bills was increased to P100 billion last Oct. 28 from the previous week’s P70 billion.

BSP further hiked the offering to P120 billion last Nov. 25 but it was undersubscribed after tenders only amounted to P109.469 billion.

Ricafort said the central bank’s excess liquidity mopping operations aim to, among others, stabilize the peso against the US dollar and to address the elevated inflation rate, which accelerated last October to its highest since December 2008r when it rose to 7.7 percent. M3 grew by 5.4 percent year-onyear last October, faster than

September’s 5.2 percent but slower than year-on-year’s 8.3 percent.

“In the coming months, M3 growth could remain at mid-single digit levels as seen in recent months, amid easing base/denominator effects, but offset by increased weekly siphoning of excess liquidity through the BSP’s term deposit facility (TDF) auctions in recent months and introduction of the BSP securities auction since September 18, 2020,” Ricafort added. (PNA)

Diokno eyes sovereign wealth fund by mid-'23

FINANCE Secretary Benjamin Diokno is looking at the approval of the proposed sovereign wealth fund (SWF) by mid-2023, and cited long term gains that will benefit the economy.

In an interview by journalists after the economic managers’ meeting on Monday, Diokno discounted the approval of the proposed legislation by the end of 2022.

“Not (by the) end of the year kasi tight na ang schedule. Maybe (by the) middle of next year, before the budget is submitted. (It) will take a while kasi o-organize pa yan (Not by the end of the year because the schedule is already tight. Maybe by the middle of next year, before the budget is submitted. It will take a while because it needs to be organized),” he said.

Last week, the House Committee on Banks and Financial Intermediaries approved and adopted the amendments of the technical working group for the proposed Maharlika Investment Fund, authored by House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

Under the proposed measure, the SWF will be financed through pooled funds from state-owned financial institutions and state pension funds.

Specifically, the Government Service Insurance System will contribute the highest share at P125 billion, followed by the Social Security System and the Land Bank of the Philippines at P50 billion each, and the Development Bank of the Philippines and the Bureau of the Treasury at P25 billion each.

Safety of the SWF’s capital is set to be ensured through a

three-tiered auditing to be done by an internal auditor, an external auditor and the Commission on Audit.

A four-layer good corporate governance also will be in place through the Board of Directors, the advisory body, the risk management units and the congressional oversight committee.

Diokno said a SWF has long been needed in the Philippines given the large number of proposed infrastructure projects and the availability of funds such as the government’s share in the Malampaya Fund.

He said royalties to be gained by the government from mining projects can also be used for the SWF.

He said the share of each proponent is subject to change, depending on the decision of their respective Boards, but cited that the national government can increase its share to 50 billion or even P100 billion as state revenues continue to improve.

He said they may also eventually allow foreign investors to contribute to the SWF.

He also discounted the need to provide sovereign guarantee to funds placed in the SWF, noting that the money placed in the welfare fund are investments which will have gains in the long term.

The proposed welfare fund has received criticisms, with some questioning why it has to be chaired by the President of the Republic.

Diokno, however, said there will be no politics involved in running the welfare fund and that best practices will be implemented. (PNA)

MAGBANUA

JOE FELICILDA

The deaf don’t have to be mute opinion

Recently, I had a “scary” experience of becoming temporarily but totally deaf and unable to make myself heard. I was about to chair a zoom meeting when I noticed that I could not hear the participants. Neither could they hear me. Fortunately, the problem was only technical which was solved by switching to a standby laptop.

Now, I more fully understand the handicap experienced by many Filipinos who are born profoundly deaf, who under normal circumstances are also mute. For many, there is no standby laptop.

Fortunately, we now have the Philippine Institute for the Deaf, the first oral School recognized by the Department of Education. PID believes that the deaf don’t have to be mute. Thus, PID teaches the profoundly deaf to lip read, to speak and to succeed.

PID is non-profit school established in 1988 by Executive Director Julie G. Esguerra under the umbrella of the Sergia Esguerra Memorial Foundation.

As Executive Director Esguerra explains: “Whenever a deaf child comes to us, we’re challenged, because he or she shouldn’t be mute. This child has a voice, and all we need is to look for that voice.. and listen!”

At the PID, a deaf child enrollee first undergoes hearing and aptitude

evaluation. Then there is the regular 3 times a week one-on-one speech therapy session. The training is supplemented by the K-12 curricular programs and activities designed to encourage the students to express themselves.

These programs include basic computer skills, home economics, physical education and sports, dance and theater arts, painting, gardening, crafts, cooking and baking.

PID believes in a holistic approach so, pre-pandemic, it also conducted workshops for parents, siblings, and yayas so everyone will know how to teach and motivate the deaf children at home and in their social activities.

Some tips when you meet a deaf person:

-Face the person while you are speaking, don’t turn away.

-Speak clearly without shouting.

-Repeat yourself if necessary.

-If the person doesn’t understand you, don’t give up.

- Write it down or draw a picture.

-Speak one at a time, don’t talk over each other.

-Keep your mouth visible.

-Smile and relax.

-Don’t speak too quickly or too slowly.

PID’s forerunner, the Julie Esguerra Speech Clinic, commenced operation in

1986 in a rented 4-bedroom bungalow along Scout Tuazon, Quezon City. In 1988, the Sergia Esguerra Memorial Foundation was incorporated, with PID as its flagship project. The foundation is duly accredited by the Bureau of Internal Revenue and all donations to the foundation are fully tax-deductible.

In 1992, President Fidel V. Ramos, became PID’s number one supporter. Having been convinced of the value of PID’s alternative mode of training for the hearing impaired, President Ramos provided PID with a twostorey school building located at the Presidential Security Guard Compound beside Nagtahan Bridge via a 25-year lease at P1/year.

Thanks to various corporate and individual donors, the compound is now a fenced secured campus furnished with 16 classrooms, 5 one-on-one speech cubicles, an occupational room, a library and seminar room, a home economics room, a science laboratory, a computer library, a technical-vocational room, a guidance room, a multi-purpose gym with stage, and a small campus for sports activities.

PID has many beautiful and heartwarming stories to tell. There’s Ramizza Reyeg, who hopes to become a nurse someday. Christian Vega who is on track to becoming a physical education teacher.

WHEN BOREDOM STRIKES

37-year-old Karla, one of the pioneer students of PID, who completed a course in interior design in Mapua. 42-yearold Chrissy Camello, now living in Australia, married with 3 chidren, who finished patisserie and retail baking.

There’s 31-year old Janno Lim, now in Canada, where he finished a bachelor’s degree in geography. Janno currently works as project coordinator for a non-profit organization for the deaf.

And finally, there’s Josh Water Raymundo, currently a librarian at the Philippine National Library. PID provided Josh not only with quality education but more importantly gave him the gift of speech. Josh transitioned to a regular high school where he graduated with high honors. He later got a scholarship and graduated from the University of Santo Tomas in 2017 with a degree in Bachelor of Library and information Science. He passed the board exams for librarians the same year.

The Magic is in the Mix

Think a minute… A little boy named John was watching his mother bake a cake. She put all the ingredients on the table: flour, butter, sugar, baking powder, eggs and vanilla. When his mother was not looking, little John sneaked a taste of each ingredient. But they tasted bad by themselves! Then he watched his mother mix all the ingredients together and into the oven to bake. That night after John enjoyed two big pieces of the cake, he said: “Wow! How can mixing all those BAD-tasting things make such a GOOD cake?” His mother smiled and answered: “The magic is in the mix!”

Sooner or later bad things happen to all of us. Maybe you did not get that job or promotion you deserved, or someone in your family suddenly became seriously sick or was terribly injured in an accident. The fact is life is a series of problems. But quite often, “Trouble can be the first path to truth.” In fact, our problems can give us our most valuable and treasured lessons for life. So “don’t give up, simply grow up.” But it takes a truly teachable, humble, and strong person to suffer wisely.

Everybody suffers, but not everybody grows better from it! We need to learn how to profit from our pain, and understand that there is a purpose behind every problem and a kind of “magic in the mix.”

Each day of our life is a training course on successful living and how to become a better person. If you give God control of your life,

JHAN TIAFAU HURST

you cannot lose! No matter what happens to you, His inner peace and power enables you to grow stronger and wiser from everything life throws at you. So you actually learn how to “suffer successfully.”

We face challenges every day in the classroom of our life, with the greatest Teacher in the world. But usually “We humans don’t know God is all we need until He’s all we’ve got.”

He is the only One Who can masterfully mix all of your life’s experiences together to produce a truly successful and satisfying life. Since you were created an eternal soul and person, you have to live with yourself forever, long after your short life here is over. But you must first put your life in God’s hands and control every day, before He can start blending together everything in your life for your good and lasting happiness. Won’t you ask Him right now to take full charge and get started? Just think a minute…

Surely, there can never be an instant cure for boredom unless you make an effort to beat it. Boredom strikes without a definite time at all, even if you think that sitting and watching could be relaxing, but a few minutes later you’ll start to think of other things to do. Beating boredom does not need to be too complicated, there are actually ways on how you can deal with it with or without spending too much. It’s just a matter of how it will make you feel satisfied to get rid of the uncomfortable feeling.

1. Spend time cleaning

Too bored that you don’t know what to do at all? Cleaning can be a good start in that case. Whether you clean or reinvent your room, organizing some stuff can be one of the best ways to kill time.

2. Reading books

Time flies very fast when you read, this is something that I do when I get tired with my usual routine. This is best when you are reading an interesting book because you would love to stick and finish it in no time.

3. Marathon movies

Some may think that doing some movie marathon is too boring, but still, it can be one of the cheapest and convenient ways to kill time. You watch movies that you like or missed for quite some time and just when you feel that you’ve had enough. It’s simple and you have nothing to worry about since you can do it at home.

4. Doodle away your boredom

If you possess that creative side, and even if you don’t, doodling can be the best way to release some stress. This is most especially when you are at work or at home and you are tired of doing the usual stuff. I have to admit that I want to try to doodle, but I’m afraid to do so. I am always amazed whenever I

see the doodles that were done by my friend out of boredom. I have to say that I am a frustrated artist, but still I want to give it a try.

5.

Work Out For a Few Minutes

One of the effective and healthy ways to beat the weariness that anyone can feel. Working out does not need to be too complicated as it can be done even for a few minutes until you can say that you are fine.

6. Quick Getaway

The best getaway can be more fun if you do it without making some plans beforehand. You can escape for a moment when you feel like you need it the most. With or without a company. The important thing is you go home feeling content.

7. Be Resourceful Through Baking/ Cooking

Just two of the simple things that can be done at home and will surely make you satisfied. It might look difficult for some who haven’t tried it, but believe me you will surely enjoy it.

8.

for a new series or episode to be available on our screens. Boredom always comes in our way.

When you are done with your school work or finished a task, you are probably thinking of what you should do next. Now that we are spending most of our time at home, we tend to find something fun to brighten up our mood. Being in this kind of setting, almost everything eventually leads to boredom since we are in a limited space and area to be at. It is disappointing to notice that the fun-o-meter gradually decreases as the time passes by.

Being bored always kills our vibe, especially on a good day. Also, we tend to overthink things that make us feel anxious. Now that we are experiencing the summer season in the Philippines, the hot blow coming out of our electric fans and restrictions causes uneasy feelings. Restrictions bring limitless ideas to spend free time in a limited area.

with it. Now you realize that you are not just organizing, but you are also going on a trip to memory lane.

Eat and Eat and Eat

There is no room for a diet when you are too bored. Most of the time dealing with food can have that exceptional and unique way to make you feel better at all times.

9.

Take a Nap

Probably the easiest and simplest thing you can do is to just sleep it off. And when you’re still bored after a 5-hour nap, then you can try the other things on this list.

Tick tock tick tock, time seems so slow when we are doing nothing or even waiting for someone or something. Looking back and forth at your clock or watch, one minute feels like forever and it feels like time is not running that really makes us frustrated. Especially when you have finished a movie or series or even when waiting

Get up and it is time to turn your frown upside down. We can beat the heavy feeling brought by boredom, by doing something fun and entertaining. We can always kill dull moments by doing these enjoyable activities at home and take note that these things only require imagination and creativity: Listen to music on the radio, your phone or maybe on an instrument.

With the right playlist and music, this will hype us up to become productive. Listening to music improves our mood from a very low energy to surprisingly high energy. We are now singing and dancing as if we have a mini concert at our house. Also, music relieves stress in our body and lessens anxiety.

Organizing will lead to finding things that we do not use anymore and find it hard to put it in the trash because for some reason, there are some attached memories

What is stopping you from calling or sending a mssage to someone? It is not bad to catch up with a friend, best friend, family, or a special someone. There are many online platforms to connect with them virtually and recreate again those good old days. You can still get that tea even if you are in a different hometown.

Many people are now hopping into this trend to share their insights and experiences. In this way, not only you are able to share knowledge but also a way of documenting and telling your story online so that in the future, you can rewatch your videos and reminisce happy memories you made through time.

While being a columnist of "Tinig ng Bayan" (published in Abra) during the 1980s, I remember our Taiwanese coordinator Cristina LisingGeronga, who expressed herself in innumerable write ups about the topic loneliness. Sure, "Tinig ng Bayan" has been a publication for Filipinos abroad. Loneliness, borne by Filipinos living abroad while missing their families in the Philippines, became a very

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PLDT looking to ramp up Mindanao network rollout

THE PLDT group announced on Monday that it is looking to further ramp up its network rollout in the southern regions of the Philippines.

The group intends to add around 6,000 fiber ports in Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental, Davao Oriental, and Davao City, as well as Smart wireless sites

before the end of the year, PLDT said in an e-mailed statement.

PLDT’s fiber network has reached 17,000 villages as of end-September.

“This accounts for roughly 40% of all barangays (villages) in the Philippines,” the telecommunications company said.

According to PLDT, its wireless arm Smart

Communications, Inc. recently beefed up its network in Northern Mindanao.

There were “additional sites and base stations in the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, and additional LTE (long-term evolution) base stations in the provinces of Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, and Lanao del Norte,” it noted.

The group aims to upgrade

its services across the country amid digitalization efforts from both the private sector and the government.

The Philippines ranked 55th out of 117 countries in the Digital Quality of Life Index 2022 by virtual private network service provider Surfshark from 48th last year. In Asia, the Philippines placed 14th out of 34 countries.

PH economic managers cut '23 growth assumption

ECONOMIC managers on Monday slashed the government’s 2023 growth assumption from 6.5-8 percent to 6-7 percent after considering the impact of external developments on the domestic economy.

At a briefing, Budget and Management Secretary and chair of the interagency Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) Amenah Pangandaman said they expect domestic output to decelerate next year from its robust performance this year due to several factors such as the slowdown in major advanced economies.

The DBCC, on the other hand, kept the 6.5-7.5 percent growth assumption for this year, after noting that growth, as measured by gross domestic product (GDP), in the first

three quarters of the year surpassed the full-year target after expanding by 7.7 percent.

“Growth is expected to pick up in 2024 to 2028 at 6.5 to 8.0 percent, as we push for government strategies and interventions of the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028. These include modernizing agriculture and agri-business, revitalizing the industry sector, and reinvigorating the services sector, among others," Pangandaman said.

The growth assumption for 2024-2028 was not adjusted.

National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Undersecretary Rose Edillion, meanwhile, said tourism is expected to regain its momentum and contribute to the economy’s recovery.

She said while the inflow of foreign tourists has not

Property developer to ramp up housing projects next year

HOMEBUILDER and integrated property developer Vista Land & Lifescapes Inc. will ramp up the launch of residential projects in 2023 to help curb the rising housing backlog as the situation improves with the reopening of the economy.

Vista Land chairman Manuel Villar Jr. told reporters on Saturday night that the company remains optimistic with the industry amid the strong economic growth, coupled with sustained Filipino remittance.

“We will be more active in housing. We have been holding back for three years (due to the pandemic) though we did not stop. While we remained active in the market, we did not pursue it as much,” he said.

With the further reopening of the economy,

Villar said the firm will build more vertical housing projects next year compared to horizontal ones.

“If these are vertical housing, you can preserve more land because land is getting to be more expensive,” he said.

He added it already shifted back to building more vertical housing projects this year and expects to end 2022 with a 50-50 ratio of vertical to horizontal housing projects.

Villar said they will build both high-rise and midrise condominiums to cater to various segments of the market.

Vista Land launched 12 projects with an estimated value of about P21.8 billion as of the end of the third quarter of 2022. The project value doubled the full year 2021 level. (PNA)

yet fully recovered, this is cushioned by the continued increase of domestic tourists, bolstered by the easing of travel requirements vis-à-vis the pandemic-related policies.

Meanwhile, economic managers changed the 2022 inflation assumptions from 4.5-5.5 percent to 5.8 percent, the Dubai crude oil assumption from $90-100 per barrel to $98-100 per barrel, the foreign exchange assumption from P51-53 to P54-55 to a US dollar, the exports of goods from a growth of 7 percent to 4 percent and the imports of goods from 18 percent to 20 percent.

Economic managers also hiked the 2022 revenue projection to P3.5 trillion from P3.3 trillion during the DBCC meeting last July after the better-than-expected collections in the first 10 months this year.

“This is attributed to the improved tax collection and

DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: Notice is hereby given THAT the VENDOR is the absolute owner of a parcel of land located at Patag, Cagayan de Oro City, and covered by Transfer Certificate of Title No. T-60173 and more particularly described as follows: A PARCEL OF LAND (Lot 21, Block 1, Pcs-10-000599, being a consolidation of Subdivision Lots 22051-C and 4382-A, Psd-10-010426), situated in the Barrio of Patag, City of Cagayan de Oro, Island of Mindanao, Containing an area of Eighty Three (83) square meters more or less, is the subject of DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE, made and entered into by and between: NELIDA SEVILLA OLOHOY, of legal age, widow, Filipino citizen and a Poblacion, Libona, Bukidnon, hereinafter referred to as the VENDOR; and DR. JAIME C. FELICILDA , of legal age, single, Filipino and a resident of 6th Division Patag, Cagayan de Oro City, hereinafter referred to as the VENDEE; THAT for and in the consideration of the sum of ONE HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS ONLY (150,000.00), Philippine currency, receipt of which is hereby acknowledge by the VENDOR from the VENDEE , the VENDOR by these presents hereby SELLS , CEDES , TRANSFERS and CONVEYS , in a manner absolute, unto and in favor of the VENDEE his heirs, successors and assigns the abovedescribed parcel of land free form all liens and encumbrances, per DOC# 412; PAGE#81;BOOK#220;Series of 2022 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. EMMANUEL A. GAABUCAYAN. BWM Nov. 23, 30 & Dec. 7, 2022

digitalization efforts of the government,” Pangandaman said.

Bureau of the Treasury data show that total revenues last October rose by 14.14 percent year-on-year to P288.9 billion and the end-October 2022 figure is up by 18.31 percent on an annual basis to P2.945 trillion. (PNA)

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF REAL PROPERTIES

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

That the late TROADIA B. VARIACION. Who died on October 22, 1981, at Cagayan de Oro City, without leaving any will. That the deceased left real properties, A Parcel of Land with Transfer Certificate of Title No. T-7919 , situated in the Poblacion, City of Cagayan de Oro, Island of Mindanao, containing an area of FIVE HUNDRED (500) SQUARE METERS more or less, and Transfer Certificate of Title No. T- 42751 , situated in Kauswagan, Cagayan de Oro City, Island of Mindanao, Containing an area of THREE HUNDRED (300) SQUARE METERS, more or less and has been the subject of an EXTRAJUDICIAL SETLLEMENT OF REAL PROPERTIES, filed by the heirs of TROADIA B. VARIACION, Per Doc No. 434; Page No. 87; Book No. 102; Series of 2022, under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. RENE ARTEMIO T. PACANA.

BWM Nov. 30, Dec. 7 & 14, 2022

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT/ PARTITION OVER A PARCEL OF LAND AMONG HEIRS WITH WAIVER OF RIGHTS KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

That the late IRLANDO SAAVEDRA, who died on December 1, 1974 at Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines and died without issue; That said deceased died intestate without leaving any known debt which has remained unpaid or unsettled up to present, and all the obligations incurred during his death were all paid and/or settled; That at the time of his death left a PARCEL OF LAND, with TAX DECLARATION NO. G-028969, located at Baloy, Tablon, Cagayan de Oro City, Province of Misamis Oriental, Island of Mindanao, Containing an area of SEVEN HUNDRED THIRTY THREE (733) SQUARE METERS , more or less, and has been the subject of an EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT/ PARTITION OVER A PARCEL OF LAND AMONG HEIRS WITH WAIVER OF RIGHTS, filed by the heirs of IRLANDO SAAVEDRA, Per Doc No. 201; Page No. 41; Book No. 51; Series of 2021, under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. EDGARGO Y. RAAGAS.

Dec. 7 & 14, 2022

It performed the worst in internet affordability, ranking 98th globally, down 26 places from 72nd a year prior.

“Internet in the Philippines is not affordable compared to global standards,” Surfshark said.

The country placed 60th in terms of time needed to work to afford the cheapest mobile internet, up 44 places

from 104th the prior year.

The report said that a 1-gigabyte (GB) mobile internet package costs 4 minutes and 51 seconds of work per month in the Philippines, 59 times more than the 5 seconds of work needed to buy a 1-GB package in Israel, which has the most affordable mobile Internet in the world, based on the index.

PH manufacturing posts positive growth in November

THE country’s manufacturing sector has logged an uptick in its November performance, the S&P Global manufacturing purchasing managers index (PMI) reported Thursday.

The records showed the manufacturing PMI improved to 52.7 from last month’s 52.6.

An index above 50 signals improvement in the manufacturing sector while below the neutral score means deterioration.

The uptick was linked to greater demand conditions that led to higher sales and output, PMI said, adding that the output and new orders growth rates last month were the highest since June of this year.

“The improvement across the sector primarily stemmed from greater demand conditions which drove higher sales and output,” S&P Global Market Intelligence economist Maryam Baluch said.

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE AMONG HEIRS

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

That the late ROMULO A. CABALLERO and EVANGELINE M. CABALLERO, who respectively died on August 12, 2022, and on October 1, 2017, in Davao City, Philippines, without any will; That deceased ROMULO A. CABALLERO is one of the legitimate heirs of the late Pablo (Probo) Caballero and RosarioCaballero who were the registered owner of real property with Original Certificate of Title No. 0-2717, located at Km.83 New Sibonga, Nabunturan, Davao de Oro, Province of Davao del Norte, Philippines, consisting of 108,041 square meters, and has been the subject of an EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE AMONG HEIRS, That by virtue of an extrajudicial settlement with his four (4) siblings who are likewise legitimate heirs of the late Pablo (Probo) Caballero and Rosario Arguelles-Caballero, a total of 20,227 square meters of the aforesaid property were adjudicated to the late Romulo A. Caballero representing his 1/5 share thereof and designated in the Subdivision Plan approved on June 14, 2013, by the DENR, Land Management Services, Regional Office X1, as Lot 2799-D and Lot 2799-C, consisting of 12, 141 and 8,086 square meters respectively; filed by the heirs of ROMULO A. CABALLERO and EVANGELINE M. CABALLERO, per DOC#:471; PAGE#:95; BOOK#:134; Series of 2022, under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. DENNIS G. DAGOHOY. BWM Nov. 23, 30 & Dec. 7, 2022

The report added that domestic demand supported Philippine-based factories in November, as new orders from foreign markets continue to decline since March. However, the contraction last month was softer than the decrement in October.

Filipino manufacturers also increased purchasing inputs in November in anticipation of higher orders in the coming months.

The S&P also noted the decline in the work backlogs due to improved production efficiency.

On the other hand, surveyed manufacturers recorded a decline in headcount that ended the series of job creation in May this year.

Resignation among employees was one of the common reasons cited for the fall in workforce numbers, the S&P report added.

Inflationary pressures remained elevated, with input prices increased last month due mainly to higher energy costs and peso depreciation.

Factories passed on the increasing costs to clients as S&P observed an increment in output prices.

“As the manufacturing sector has heavily relied on demand to help boost growth, the rise in rates, with the prospect of further potential monetary tightening, could impact customer spending,” Baluch added.

Manufacturers remain optimistic for the next 12 months often linked to greater client activity, economic recovery, and companies undertaking new projects. (PNA)

CREDIBLE RELIABLE IN-DEPTH

Editor: GILBERT Y. CHAO

EastWest Ageas Insurance: Marked growth in the time of Covid

In just over six years, EastWest Ageas has protected the lives of over 250,000 Filipinos across the country. The company began operations in 2016 with only five insurance solutions, including its Group Mortgage Redemption Insurance (MRI). It now has 13 financial solutions that help Filipinos live their best lives today.

Over the past two years, EastWest Ageas has been the fastest-growing insurance firm among the top 15 insurers in Annual Premium Equivalent (APE).

According to the Insurance Commission’s Life Insurance Sector Quarterly Statistics, it has grown by 35% over the same period last year and is now the tenth largest insurer in terms of APE.

Its rise to the top ten demonstrates the company’s financial stability and growing strength.

“These are exciting times for EastWest Ageas,” said President & CEO Glenn Williams. “I can say with great pride that our team was committed to providing Filipinos with the necessary life and health protection, especially during the global health crisis.”

Williams continued, “Being in the top ten is exhilarating, but we will not rest on our laurels. Indeed, the recent launch of our agency channel inspires us to create excellent opportunities to help more Filipinos plan a better future and live their best lives today.”

“EastWest Ageas is undoubtedly on the rise,”

stated Country Manager Sjoerd Smeets. “I’m excited to help the company grow and become a strong contender in our highly competitive industry.”

EastWest Ageas Insurance is a joint venture between Ageas, a global insurer with 200 years of experience, and East West Banking Corporation, which has almost 400 retail banks across the country. For more information on their solutions, visit ewageas.com. ph or call (02) 8939-3924 (EWAI).

NATIONAL SCIENCE CLUB MONTH CELEBRATION

By: Verna Laine D. Carpio

and ingenuity as they displayed their artisanal talents for the advancement of science. The students' final products had been showcased as an exhibit of their labor in the school's corridor.

the Federated Science Club Officers organized the month-long event with the help of the science instructors.

Throughout the full month-long celebration, a variety of activities were held; some were the customary events from previous years, while new activities were introduced to meet the needs of millennial students. Following the Lakad-Agham, the SCB organized a treasure hunt, which attracted many students due to the novelty and excitement of the new activity. Conventional competitions including essay writing contests, collage-making competitions, painting competitions, and slogan competitions have sparked students' inventiveness

The celebration aims to encourage environmental awareness and conservation in addition to sciencebased activities. An effort was made to clean up the entire school with the help of the administration. The school's grounds were cleaned, and rubbish was separated with the help of both students and staff. With the help of the Science department, YES-O, and Dengue task force, this action was completed in an effort to reduce the danger of a dengue epidemic on school property by eliminating potential dengue mosquito breeding grounds. The purpose of the exercise was to educate the students on the value of protecting our environment by keeping it clean. The celebration was also aimed towards promoting scientific literacy and engagement to the learners. Every day after the flag-raising event, the students took a month-long trivia quiz created in partnership with the math department. The winners will be chosen at random to provide all participants equal opportunity, and a range of prizes were awarded to

motivate all students to take part. Additionally, science lovers can demonstrate their expertise in the subject as a Science Quiz Bee was held to test the students' understanding of the subject. Students from the 7th through 12th grades took part in the quiz bee. A separate quiz was given for the STE curriculum in addition to the standard, SPA, SPJ, and SPS curricula.

The competition for Mr. and Ms. Kalikasan and Sayawit concluded the finale event. The advocacy pageant Mr. and Ms. Kalikasan has 13 contestants from the six aforementioned courses. The candidates displayed their inventiveness while promoting the curriculum by wearing various "Kalikasan" outfits that they made from local and recyclable materials. Additionally, the candidates stressed environmental protection, combating climate change, industry, and technological breakthroughs in their speeches. The Sayawit Competition, in which 8 groups competed, was the other program highlight. The participants presented their causes via music and dance. The monthlong celebration was a success, and the program concluded with Color Wars, in which kids were doused with water and colored paint.

Manila, Philippines – EastWest Ageas Insurance has posted tremendous growth over the last two years, despite the global pandemic threat.

Every nation wants to encourage innovation and growth via science and technology as the world moves toward globalization in the twentyfirst century. Building robust scientific communities allowed many advanced countries to lead the way in scientific achievements. The Department of Education wants to create schoolbased science clubs that would encourage participation in sciencerelated activities in order to develop and polish the next generation of innovators for our country. The Youth for Environment Organization (YES-O), SCB, and

EIGHTEEN-year-old Trisha Gracy Amarga, a 12th grader, captures the Miss Initao 2022 crown in this recently held pageant.

the schedules generated by the market operator in accordance with the WESM rules and the relevant market manuals.”

As emphasized, the operation of the WESM in the southernmost power grid will be carried out ahead of the targeted commercial operations of the MindanaoVisayas Interconnection Project (MVIP), the last leg of transmission assets’ linkup that will concretize the country’s bid of having a single nationally-connected power grid.

The DOE stated, in particular, that based on discussion with stakeholders, “the WESM in Mindanao should be implemented ahead of the operations of the MVIP, since creating a new mechanism for settlement.”

In view of that, the DOE qualified that WESMMindanao’s operations will “require amendments to the price determination methodology (PDM), and enhancements to the current software which will entail additional cost and time.”

The PDM, in particular, will provide the specific details on how the dispatch schedules and locational marginal prices are calculated in the market dispatch optimization model (MDOM) – and such shall include price substitution methodology “in cases of extreme nodal price separation.”

It was likewise stated in the DOE Circular that the prudential requirement (PR) for trading participants in WESM-Mindanao could be relaxed for at least three months.

“The Mindanao WESM trading participants shall be allowed to post the required PR within the three (3) month relaxation period…for each of the spot transactions during the period of relaxation of the posting of PR, the concerned Mindanao WESM trading participants shall ensure timely settlement of its monthly bills with the market operator,” the draft DOE Circular stated.

Since the place is typically hot during daytime, family members and their handful of farmhands would plant the grapes late afternoon until evening, or early the next morning, to escape the scorching heat of the sun.

About two years later, she is now reaping the fruits of her hard labor. Aside from becoming a farm tourism destination, MBX Grapes has been recognized by the Agricultural Training Institute as the only accredited learning site for grape production in Region 12 (Socsksargen).

“In our farm, visitors can get up close and really personal with our grape fruits. Our grapes are for picking. But if you don’t want to pick and pay, you can still take pictures with the grapes,” Caballes told MindNews.

In other grape-producing countries like Italy, which is famous for its wineries, tourists are not allowed to enter the vineyard due to biosafety protocols, but here visitors are very much welcome for the experience to really get close with the grapes, she said.

MBX Grapes charges P200 per adult and P100 for a child for the farm tour, but the fee includes a plateful, of course, of freshly picked grapes.

Since Caballes programmed the planting of the grapes, their harvest is now all-year-round, thanks to the 6,000 robust vines dotting their farms.

Some of the grape varieties they grow include Everest, Baikonur, Catawba, Joy and Kober. Grapes can be harvested six months after planting. It needs direct sunlight and regular water feeding.

According to her, one hectare can be planted with 1,500 to 2,000 grape vines, with each plant yielding between three to 10 kilograms. If the selling price is 200 pesos per kilo, that would be from P900,000 to P3 million for 1,500 vines or from P1.2M to P4M for 2,000 vines – every harvest cycle.

Noting that grapes can be grown in southern Philippines, Caballes said the few grape growers on the island had organized the Mindanao Grape Growers club, with members from Regions 12 (Socsksargen), 11 (Davao) and 10 (Northern Mindanao).

In this city, MBX Grapes launched the Grapeful GenSan last year, an initiative where Caballes provides free grape saplings to indigenous communities in a bid to increase local production.

So far, 10,000 seedlings have been dispersed to interested landowners under the program, her way of returning the blessings coming her way.

4

"normal" expression.

During that time, my Philippine mentor, the late Monsignor Professor Dr. Dr. Hermogenes E. Bacareza, Chaplain of the Philippine Community in Berlin, started together with me publishing "Ang Mabuhay". Believe me, "loneliness" became a main topic in many write-ups.

Nowadays, loneliness and boredom seem to be the splitting image of each other - so to speak, being as like two peas in a pod. While browsing in social networks like Facebook, one can find more and more comments as in "When Boredom Strikes" or so. Boredom, ending up in loneliness - or vice versus?

How comes that loneliness and/or boredom are still a general topic in our society today's society?

Loneliness has been called one of the main diseases even during the last century. It really doesn't strike not only the Filipinos abroad and their loved ones back home. Too often loneliness is being followed by alcoholism, drug abuse and even suicide. Yes, loneliness becomes a modern day plague. I observed several people trying to surround themselves with so-called "friends" only to find that such relationships are often shallow and unsatisfying.

Loneliness can be painful but being lonely or alone at that is not always a bad thing. Ask yourself, how do you use your time, if you are really alone? Do you simply let the time pass without doing anything at all? Why not use such time productively? There are many worthwhile activities to engage in, even if you are alone, such as reading, writing, listening to good (light) music, playing an (forgotten?) instrument, gardening... .

Reading the bible can be also very particularly beneficial. The Word of God is "alive and exerts power" and can take our minds off ourselves.

To break the cycle of loneliness, one must be a giver. Let's keep an eye, not only and always on our personal interests but also on the interests of others. Look around and watch out who needs help, or who needs a real friend or good listener. Once you have spotted such a person, act! Thus, in order to have friends, you must act like a friend. Luke 6:38 says, "Give to others, and God will give to you!" Besides, "There is more happiness (and less loneliness) in giving than receiving", says Acts 20:35.

DOMINADOR S. TADENA

Represented by his son, GHENI MARK TADENA, Plaintiff, -VS-

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF BUKIDNON

10th Judicial Region Branch XI Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon -oOo-

CIVIL CASE No. 21-11-295

FOR: RICKY F. ABA, CECILE A. REFORMATION OF GUMAPIT, LOURDES A. INSTRUMENT WITH CALAMBA, LEAH A. APPLICATION FOR FRANCIA, LEONORA A. PRELIMINARY PONTIVEROS AND LILIA F. INJUNCTION ABA, Defendants, x---------------------------------------------------------x

COMPLAINT

Comes plaintiff by counsel, unto this Honorable Court, respectfully allege, A. PREFACE

1. This is an action incapable of pecuniary estimation, some instrument of sales of portions of registered land made in Cebuano vernacular signed by the parties at the barangay, the documents give no specific area, meters and bound, no technical description.

2. This action is within the jurisdiction of the Regional Trial Court.

3. The land is located at barangay Danatag, Baungon, Bukidnon.

B. PARTIES

4. Plaintiff is of legal age, Filipino, married, resident of Mendoza Compound, Patag, Cagayan de Oro City, he is a retired member of the Philippine National Police (PNP), his attorney-in-fact is his son Gheni Mark Tadena, of legal age, Filipino, married, also a resident of Mendoza Compound, Patag, Cagayan de Oro city: SPA is Exhibit A:

5. Defendants are all of legal age, Filipinos, married, except their mother Lilia who is a widow, they are presently residing at Sitio Langawon, Dansolihon, Cagayan de Oro City: they are the children and widow respectively of the late Roquito Aba who left behind two (two) parcels of registered lands, particularly lot 1365-D area of 2.76 hectares under TCT No. AT-26939-Exhibit B- and lot 1365-K area of 2,673 square meters under TCT No. AT-26940-Exhibit D; these leads are parapheral properties of Roquito Aba, he having inherited them from his parents; lot 1365-d has Tax Decalration No. 01-004-0373—Exhibit C- with assessed value of P 15, 420.00: Lot 1365-k has Tax Declaration No. 01-0040374 with assessed value of p1,510.00 - Exhibit E; 6. 1365-D has B1. Form V-37, Exhibit F and the survey plan of lot 1365, Psd-10-034867(AR), Csd 830, Exhibit G;

C. CAUSE OF ACTION

7. Plaintiff after his retirement from the police service in 1998, invested his retirement fee in small cassava farming in Baungon, Bukidnon, he accepted real estate mortgage on small agricultural areas which he planted to cassava: In the course of time, he befriended some of the local residents, one of whom are the Aba family, children of the late Roquito Aba:

8. On March 8, 2013, Ricky Aba sold to plaintiff his undivided share of the land left by his father, Roquito: the amount was P50,000.00 and the transaction was made at the barangay hall where the parties and witnesses signed the document which was in Cebuano dialect before the barangay Chairperson Erlinda Dominguez, copy of the document is Exhibit H;

9. On August 19, 2019, Cecile A. Gumamit sold her undivided share to plaintiff for the sum of P60, 000.00; the sale was done at the barangay hall, the “Kasabutan” was in Cebuano signed by the parties and witness before Barangay Chairman Arnold Calang, Exhibit 1; 10. On June 15, 2020, Lourdes A. Calamba also sold her undivided share of the land to plaintiff for the sum of P60, 000.00; the transaction happened in the barangay hall. The “Kasabutan” was in Cebuano signed by the parties and witnesses before the Barangay Chairman, Eimero E. Yamut, Exhibit J; 11. On November 8, 2019, Leonora A. Pontiveros mortgaged to plaintiff her undivided share for the sum of P25, 000. 00 for a term of five (5) years or until year 2021, the “Kasabutan” is in Cebuano signed by the parties before the Barangay Chairman, Exhibit K; 12. On March 23, 2020, Leah A. Francia mortgaged her undivided share for the sum of P25, 000. 00 to plaintiff for a term of five (5) years, the “Kasabutan” was in Cebuano signed by the them and witnesses before the Barangay Chairman; Exhibit L:

13. Of the total seven (7) children, only two have not sold or mortgaged their shares to plaintiff, they are Armando Aba and Madie A. Quirompat, while three, namely: Ricky, Cecile and Lourdes have entirely sold their shares and other two, Leonora and Leah have mortgaged their shares to plaintiff for at term of five (5) years or until 2024 and 2025 respectively: plaintiff have built two (2) farm houses inside and planted the area to cassava, pictures of the farm houses and cassava farm are Exhibit m to M-14;

14. Theoretically lot 1365-D which has an area of 27, 326 square meters has to be divided among the eight legal heirs seven siblings and their mother, each should get a share of 3, 415 .75 square meters, three of the shares, Ricky, Cecile and Lourdes were sold to plaintiff, thus a total of 10,247.25 square meters is now owned by plaintiff: two other shares of Leonora and Leah were mortgaged and are in actual possession of plaintiff, until the year 2025, a total area mortgaged is 6, 831. 50 square meters: plaintiff have been in actual possession a total area of 17, 078. 35 square meters, 10, 247.25 as his own while the 6, 831. 50 is under mortgaged until 2025; 15. Last month of March 2021 plaintiff was shocked when he was told by Ricky that the family will sell lot 1365-D and was told to relocate to lot 1365-K a small lot of 2,673 square meters which is river bark casement, allegedly, this was the lot that were the subject of sale, not lot 1365-D; 16. The master was brought to the barangay but Ricky insisted that the area sold by him and his two sisters were lot 1365-K as well as the area mortgaged by Leonora and Leah; worse, Ricky continued to offer lot 1365-D for sale, few buyers came and inspected the land but discouraged when they saw plaintiff cassava farm and two farm houses inside.

D. REMEDIES

17. Plaintiff ask that lot 1365-D be subdivided into 8 parts equally, among the seven children. Ricky, Cecile, Lourdes, Mardie, Armando, Leonera and Leah and their mother Lilia at 3,415.75 square meters each; that the shares of Ricky, Cecile and Lourdes total of 10,247.25 square meters be conveyed, ceded and transferred to the plaintiff; 18. Plaintiff also ask that defendants Leonora and Leah be ordered to execute real estate mortgage in favor of plaintiff their respective shares of 3,415.75 sq. meters each; 19. Plaintiff repleads the material allegations in the foregoing to form integral part of his prayer for provisional remedy; 20. Plaintiff will sustain immeasurable damages if defendants will not be restrained to offer lot 1365-D for sale and a buyer might take the risk to buy the land during the pendency of this case; 21. Plaintiff has meritorious case which can be supported with documentary, object and testimonial evidence; plaintiff attached in this complaint his Affidavit of merit; 22. Plaintiff is willing to post injunction bond should the court requires.

F. EVIDENCE

23. Plaintiff will offer the following papers and documents provisionally marked as Exhibits;

DOCUMENTS

i.

Exhibit A Special Power off Attorney by plaintiff in favor of Gheni Mark Tadena

Exhibit B TCT No. AT-26939, Lot 1365-D in the name of Roquito Aba.

Exhibit C Tax Declaration No. 01-004-00373 for lot 1365-D with assessed value of P15,420.00.

Exhibit D TCT No. AT-26940, Lot 1365-K in the name of Roquito Aba.

MBX Grapes Vineyard, now becoming part of the agri-tourism circuit in the city.

Caballes, who once worked in the shipbuilding sector of the tuna industry here, became passionate about grapes after a co-worker gave her berries that were harvested “from a grapevine believed to be at least 40 years old and with a trunk as big as a coconut tree.”

She started planting grapes on a 100-square meter lot in 2012.

Seeing its potential, she acquired half a hectare of land in the same village about three years later and planted more grapes, which she calls Farm 1.

Later on, she also acquired the rights to a land measuring up to 15 hectares, known as Farm 2, where she has so far developed at least two hectares into a vineyard.

Caballes went full-blast into grape production only when the COVID-19 pandemic reared its ugly head in 2020. With the government lockdowns imposed starting March that year to fight the virus, she and her family members virtually locked themselves up and with nothing much to do, developed Farm 2.

MBX Grapes produces wines, vinegar and jams from its vineyard. The pick-and-pay grapes cost P600 per kilo. It sells saplings too for those who are interested in planting, the price depending on the size and variety of the seedling, ranging between P250 and P1,500.

But Caballes lamented that the local grape production is still barely enough for commercial wine production and for supply to the domestic market.

Caballes said MBX Grapes is encouraging more local farmers to cultivate the crop since there is a big market for it and she has proven that it can be successfully cultivated in the area.

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic two years ago, she has been spending most of her time in the vineyard, sometimes coming earlier or leaving later than her 12 employees who are all indigenous peoples.

Caballes, an industrial technology graduate, does not regret leaving her eight-to-five regular job and jumping into grape farming, a venture previously strange and unimaginable to her.

“I have found my dream retirement,” she said, gently touching a bunch of grapes like a prized treasure.

EXTRA JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT WITH DEED OF SALE KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

That the late AURELIO FUENTES who died on March 1, 2008, at Lingating Baungon Bukidnon, during his lifetime he is the registered owner of a parcel of land under ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. P-17443 situated in the Barrio of Lingating, municipality of Baungon, Province of Bukidnon Philippines, containing an area of SIX HUNDRED FOUR (604 sq.m.), and has been the subject of an EXTRA JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT WITH DEED OF SALE, That the Vendor, for and in consideration of the sum of ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS (100,000.00) Philippine Currency, paid by the vendee, and receipt of which is hereby acknowledged by the Vendor herein by Virtue of the said amount, do hereby SELL, TRANSFER, CEDE AND CONVEY absolutely and forever the above-described property will all improvements found thereon to the vendee, its successors and assigns or any legal representative free from all liens and encumbrances whatsoever, that I will defend the title of VENDEE from any claims whatsoever, filed by the heirs of AURELIO FUENTES , per DOC# 166; PAGE#34; BOOK# IXVIII; Series of 2021 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. BRAULIO LINEJAN RUGAY JR.

Exhibit E Tax Declaration No. 01-004-00374 for lot 1365-K with assessed value of P1,510.00.

Exhibit F BL Form V-37 for lot 1365-D

Exhibit G Survey Plan, Psd-10-034867 (AR) for lot 1365, Csd 830, Baungon Cadastre

Exhibit H Kasabutan-march 8, 2013 between Ricky Aba and Dominador Tadena, sale of Ricky’s share for P50,000.00 (Barangay Danatag)

Exhibit I Kasabutan-August 19,2019 between Cecile Aba Gumamit and Dominador Tadena for the sale of her share for the sum of P60,000.00 (Barangay Danatag)

Exhibit J Kasabutan-June 15, 2020 between Lourdes Aba Calamba for the sale of her share to Dominador Tadena for the sum of P60,000.00 (Barangay Danatag).

Exhibit K Kasabutan-November 8, 2019 between Leonora A. Pontiveros and Dominador Tadena for the mortgage of her land for the sum of P25,000.00 a period of five (5) years ending 2025. (Barangay Danatag)

Exhibit L Kasabutan-March 23, 2020 between Leah Aba Gumamit and Dominador Tadena for the mortgage of her land for the sum of P25,000.00 for a period of five (5) years ending 2025 (Barangay Danatag)

plaintiff for a period of five (5) years until the year 2025. Plaintiff further pray for other just and equitable reliefs.

Cagayan de Oro City, for Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. October 31, 2021.