Edge Davao 6 Issue198 by Edge Davao The Business Paper

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 198• WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2013

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Serving a seamless society

FIRE DANCE. Poi artists from Tribong Kamindanaoan Fire Dancers performer a poi dance routine during Monday night’s lighting ceremony of the provincial government of Davao del Norte’s Christmas display at the Davao del Norte Sports and Cultural Center in Tagum City. Lean Daval Jr.

FOR ABC PRESIDENT

RODY BACKS JANUARY Overwhelming choice among barangay captains cited By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

abf@edgedavao.net

AVAO City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte supports the clamor of barangay captains of the city endorsing the candidacy of his daughter-in-law as the association of barangay captains president (ABC) after his chosen candidate decided not to run. “It’s the overwhelming choice of the barangay captains, whether we like or not, we need to help who is there,” Duterte told

reporters in reference to January Duterte, barangay captain of Catalunan Grande, and wife of vice mayor Paolo Duterte. Duterte said that he was supposed to endorse former councilor Arnulfo Cabling, who is now barangay captain of IIang. “I projected him (Cabling) after the barangay elections because I needed a lawyer who could help the city government

FRODY, 10

FOR ADULTS ALSO. Christmas is definitely not only for children as this man can’t take his eyes away from a Santa Claus décor on display during Mindanao Expo Christmas bazaar at the activity center of Abreeza Mall along J.P. Laurel Avenue in Davao City. Lean Daval Jr.

EDGEDAVAO

THE BIG NEWS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 198• WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2013

ON CLIMATE CHANGE

CPDO intensifying Info dissemination By CHENEEN R. CAPON

T UPGRADE. Davao Light and Power Co. personnel transfer power lines from an old electrical post to a new one along Quimpo Blvd. in Davao City yesterday as part of the company’s rehabilitation and maintenance of electrical posts. Lean Daval Jr.

Cops nab big-time illegal drugs dealer By EMILORD P. CASTROMAYOR epc@edgedavao.net

OLICE busted a bigtime illegal drugs dealer with the arrest of one Sulaiman Baulo, along with his henchman, in a buy-bust operation at 2:30 a.m. yesterday in Sitio Baybay, Barangay Leon Garcia that yielded P600,000 worth of shabu. Supt. Caezar Cabuhat, station commander of the Sta. Ana police sta-

tion, said that Baulo, 30 , a resident of Isla Verde, Barangay 23-C and one Rowel Benitez, 28, painter and resident of Barangay Leon Garcia, had been under surveillance for about a month before his arrest. Police recovered five jumbo-size packs, and one small sachet, of shabu from the two suspects.

P40-T bail for man for neighbor’s slay T

HE city prosecution office has charged a man with homicide after he stabbed to death a neighbor on November 4 in Jasa 2 Km. 12, Sasa. Prosecutor Stella Camino identified the respondent as one Richard Boncales, who is charged with homicide based on the complaint filed by Jocelyn Omega, 19, livein-partner of the victim, one Leonard Apordo, 22, of Jasa 2 Km. 12, Sasa Camino recommended P40,000 bail bond for the temporary release

of Boncales , who is detained at the Sasa police station. Omega said that she and Apordo went to his aunt for dinner, which Apordo walked back to their house when suddenly Omega heard a commotion and saw Boncales chasing Apordo who already sustained several stab wounds. They brought Apordo to the Southern Philippine Medical Center, however, the medical incharge declared Apordo dead on arrival. [EPC]

Baulo and Benitez will be facing a charge of violation of section 5 of Republic Act 9162 before the city prosecution office. Baulo attempted to escape through a narrow alley but his large build could not fit into the entrance. Cabuhat said they had not expected to bag a big

–time pusher like Baulo. The suspects were engaged in selling illegal drugs in Agdao, Mini Forest, Carpenter and R. Castillo areas. Police took three attempts before they finally caught up with Baulo after receiving information from a confidential source last November about Baulo’s activities.

crc@edgedavao.net

HE City Planning and Development Office of Davao City intends to intensify their information dissemination on risk disaster and climate change mitigation in the barangay level. CPDO officer-in-charge Engr. Mario Luis Jacinto said yesterday that part of their 2014 plan is to assist various barangay in their development planning. He said that the barangays are identified as

CTO MESS PROBE

vulnerable to intermittent flooding and raininduced landslides. Areas in the coastal zone and in major river system in the city are on their priority list for this massive information campaign which will start next year. Davao City has a 60 kilometer coastline stretching from Lasang to Binugao, Toril. It is comprised of 26 barangays with almost 400,000

FCPDO, 10

Quitainexpected to reveal results By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

abf@edgedavao.net

ITY administrator J. Melchor Quitain is expected to bare the result of the investigation on employees of the city treasurer’s office (CTO) who were allegedly involved in anomalous transactions this year. “We expect the decision to come out before the end of the year,” Quitain told EDGE in an interview. He added that the investigation on the eight employees is on-going. Earlier, Davao City

Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said he might recommend the dismissal of the eight employees if they are found guilty. Based on initial investigation by the city legal office (CLO), the eight employees allegedly committed grave misconduct and dishonesty in connection with P8-million in unremitted taxes. On the other hand, Quitain asked the city engineer’s office to conduct an in-depth investigation

FQUITAN, 10

NANDING BOYS. Business executives, professionals and entrepreneurs who are friends of Msgr. Fernando Capalla, archbishop emeritus of the Davao Archdiocese (center), also called “Nanding Boys,” discuss their projects, latest of which is the sprucing up and lighting of the St. Francis of Assisi Parish Church at the corner of Ma-a Road and President C.P. Garcia Highway, over breakfast at Entree’ of Apo View Hotel last Monday, immediately after the first dawn mass (misa de gallo) Monday morning. From right, counter clockwise, Anthony “Taras” B. Sasin, Mrs. Corkee Barreto, Celestino “Al” Barreto, former Press secretary Jesus “Jess” G. Dureza, Fr. William “Bill” La Rouse, M.M., Archbishop Capalla, Joey Mempin, Arturo “Art” Milan, Leonilo “Nilo” G. Claudio and Antonio “Tony” M. Ajero. Lean Daval Jr.

NEWS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 198• WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2013

Business Bureau opts for interconnectivity By CHENEEN R. CAPON

RETIREES’ BONANZA. Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte hands over Christmas gifts worth P10,000 and gift certificates to each of the 72 retirees during “Pahalipay sa mga Retirees” at the Royal Mandaya Hotel in Davao City on Monday. Lean Daval Jr.

crc@edgedavao.net

SIDE from the plan to make the application for and renewal of business permits in Davao City available online, an official of the Business Bureau is also eyeing to link concerned regulatory agencies in the system they are developing. Business Bureau officer-in-charge Lawrence D. Bantiding said that they will outsource a firm for developing a system that will allow other agencies like the city treasurer’s office, city engineer’s office,

and the business bureau office interconnected . He said that the system will allow all concerned agencies to see the business application and renewal in just one click. He said that applicants won’t need to go to each agency and get their application signed or approved. This easier and faster process will enable them to print the permits faster compared to the manual process adopted by the bureau.

FBUSINESS, 10

AS CITY COUNCILOR

Rody to announce MQ’s replacement

12 more accused of violating liquor ban D

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

By EMILORD P. CASTROMAYOR epc@edgedavao.net

WELVE more persons were charged yesterday with violating City Ordinance 004-13 Series of 2013, also known as liquor ban, before the city prosecution office (CPO). Charged were Role Ong, 29, of Purok 3, Barangay Sentro, Agdao; Lyle Rudolf Octabiano, 26, resident of Midasayap, North Cotabato; Aiza Alberto, 25, of Sto. Rosario, Buhangin; Michelle

Enghog, 26, a neighbor of Alberto; Jonathan Sala, 35, of Penaplata, Samal; Lanife Loreto, 46, of Sto. Domingo, Sasa; Felizberto Lim,32; Marlon Mendoza, 39, of Garcia Heights; Andres Dahab, 29, of Padada, Davao del Sur; Joseph Barrido, 32, and Matheleo Echavia,26, liaison officer of Donya Asuncion, Pampanga. They were arrested by police for drinking beer in a resto bar in

AVAO City’s updated zoning ordinance and the Comprehensive Land Use Plan 2013-2022 (CLUP) will be endorsed this week to the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) central office for final approval. City Planning and Development Office officer-in-charge Engr. Mario Luis Jacinto said that HLURB is the agency that is mandated to approve zoning plans before they are implemented by any local government unit. He said that the approval process of CLUP does not end with the approval by the Davao

City 17th council because HLURB needs to discuss, tackle and amend it if needed. “We hope to have the soonest schedule for presentation to the board for review and approval and ratification kung may amendment,” Jacinto said in an interview yesterday during the second semestral meeting for 2013 of the Regional Land Use Committee at National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)Regional Development Council (RDC) 11 office. He said that if there will be some amendments to the CLUP, the

New zoning law, plan endorsed to HLURB D

Sasa which is prohibited after 1:00 a.m. However, Loreto managed to escape from the police. The CPO has tallied seven cases of violation of the liquor ban from October to the present. Ordinance No. 00413 Series of 2013, or An Ordinance Amending Ordinance No. 1627, Series of 1994 regulates the operation of business establishments selling liquor, coconut wine and

other nature wine and other alcoholic beverages in the City of Davao. First offense calls for an administrative fine of P3,000 while the second offense calls for a fine of P5,000 and imprisonment of three months or both upon the discretion of the court. For the third offense, a fine of P5,000, or one year imprisonment will be slapped against the offender and his or her business permit will be revoked.

abf@edgedavao.net

AVAO City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte is still looking for a replacement in the city council for councilor J. Melchor Quitain who is concurrently the city administrator. “The replacement for councilor Quitain will come from the Muslim community. So, I’m looking for the best candidate from them, whether a Tausug, Maranao, Maguindanao or whoever, as long as we decide who’s a good replacement,” Duterte told reporters at the Royal Mandaya Hotel, Monday night, adding that he is looking for a good Mus-

lim who can help in the development of the city. Duterte said that the council should have equal representation from different sectors, hence there should be a representative from the Muslim sector. He added that if there is no equal representation, anarchy may arise. Duterte said he would reveal the replacement for Quitain either in February or March next year. On September 3, Quitain resigned from the 17th city council to assume as city administrator after it was offered to him by the mayor.

RISKING THEIR LIVES. Despite constant warning from the authorities, motorcycle riders continue to violate the national helmet law like this mall-bound

FNEW, 10 family of five who risk their lives traversing busy highways of Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

4 SUBURBIA EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 198• WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2013

DAVAO DEL SUR

LGU commits to sustain Army’s peace and development program T

HE provincial government of Davao del Sur recently accepted the primary responsibility in continuing and sustaining the gains of the Army’s Peace and Development Outreach Program (PDOP) in the province. This development came after the Davao del Sur Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Center (JPSCC), composed of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division and the Provincial Police, declared the province free from the influence of the insurgent New People’s Army. Commanding general Lt. General Ricardo Rainier Cruz of the Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom), said the implementation of PDOP led by the 1002nd Infantry Brigade has been successful in driving away the NPA elements from the province. “It’s 100 percent wala na sila sa Davao del Sur,” Cruz assured during a press conference at the Joint Area Clearing Completion Ceremony on Thursday last week at the provincial capitol. Governor Claude P. Bautista vowed his all out support to PDOP, saying that this would help alleviate the poor from poverty, especially in rural areas. “The journey to peace is long and most rewarding. It is not simple and quite

DAVAO ORIENTAL

high. But with the full commitment and the Bayanihan effort of the Province together with its people and all stakeholders, we can sustain the gains of PDOP,” Bautista said. The governor said that though the main responsibility now lies with the provincial government, they will still work hand in hand with the Army. He said the military will not rest their case, but will in fact double their efforts in order to sustain the peace and order efforts. “It’s the first time that the government has successfully tied up with the military to achieve lasting peace and order in the province,” Bautista stated as he lauded the Army for “a job well done.” “Rest assured this is not the end. But just the beginning of the journey,” he said. Cruz said that the Joint Area Clearing Completion Ceremony only signified that the Army will further strengthen its efforts in ensuring that peace and security within the province is fostered and sustained. “With the successful implementation of the AFP’s Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) Bayanihan in Davao del Sur, the Army will continuously engage all stakeholders in opening up space for a convergent and collaborative effort in at-

COMPLETE EXPERIENCE. Parishioners get their bibingka and suman after attending the first of nine “simbang gabi” masses at the Our Lady Mediatrix of All Graces Cathedral in Kidapawan City on Monday, 16 Dec 2013. It’s a tradition that after hearing the mass, one has to have bibingka or other kakanin or else the “simbang gabi” experience is not complete. [MindaNews photo by Geonarri Solmerano] taining our common goal of a just and lasting peace and sustainable development in this province,” he assured. Meanwhile, the League of Municipal Mayors in Davao del Sur represented by its president Mayor John

Johnson of Don Marcelino town, also guaranteed its full support to the peace and order and development efforts. The Army said that currently on the sustainment and development phase,

the PDOP is being supported by the Provincial Government in implementing 123 sustainable livelihood programs spread across conflict-affected areas. During the ceremony, peace and development

IGACOS

partners of the Army such as the religious, academe, media and civil society sectors were recognized for their invaluable contribution to the success of PDOP. [PIA 11/Carina L. Cayon/1002nd IB]

LGU bags 5th Regional Gawad Kalasag Award Task Force Davao F

OR the fifth consecutive year, the Province of Davao Oriental was conferred with the Gawad Kalasag Award for being the region’s Best Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. The prestigious accolade was handed over by the Office of Civil Defense Regional Director, Ret. BGen Loreto G. Rirao to no less than Davao Oriental’s chief executive Gov. Corazon N. Malanyaon on Thursday, Dec. 12, during the OCD’s 15th Gawad Kalasag Awarding Ceremony at the Apo View Hotel in Davao City. “This is a great honor for us to have our efforts of preparing for probable disaster and reducing potential risk acknowledged in the region,” said Malanyaon. During her speech, she bared that behind the coveted award was the painstaking planning strategies and the sacrifices of people who responded to disasters, especially during the typhoon Pablo, which challenged Davao

Oriental’s already established elite disaster response. Malanyaon underscored the important role ‘preparedness’ has played for the fast and seamless disaster response. She recalled that days before typhoon Pablo, several teams from the province were deployed to conduct massive evacuation especially for those living in the hazard zones. While food packs were prepared ready for distribution, heavy machineries were also pre-positioned, anticipating slashing winds to topple electric posts and trees which may block roadways. The province also leveraged on important structures that placed order and direction into its actions through mobilization of a Central Incident Command Post (CICP) at the provincial level, which served as the center for coordination, information and communication for all emergency relief operations, while counterpart Incident Command Posts (ICP) in the three municipalities were also established and

mobilized to quickly reach farflung barangays and sitios. “Indeed, the Command Posts that were operationalized were instrumental in ensuring that timely and relevant information were gathered, urgent concerns were addressed, emergency reliefs were dispatched with exigency, security and order were maintained.” Climate Change Adaptation Meanwhile, as part of the disaster mitigation strategies, climate change adaptation is also becoming a crucial area of concern for the province, especially now that is already part of the typhoon belt. “We cannot control nature, but we can regulate the activities of our people and direct utilization of our resources so as to mitigate, if not control the possible disastrous effects of natural forces. This is through our preparedness plans,” she said. As a result, the province in collaboration with part-

ner agencies has agreed to integrate Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation (DRRCCA) in the Local Development Planning, which elicited the updating of the Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plan that involved land use modification, data updating, and re-zonification. And as its firm commitment, the province is helping municipal LGUs to chart out their respective Municipal Comprehensive Land Use Plan while mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation measures in their respective development plans. Other projects that the provincial government is embarking on to restore the province’s environmental resources are mangrove rehabilitation, coastal cleanup, solid-waste management, dumpsite development and watershed rehabilitation. [By Karen Lou Deloso/PIO]

opens mini-library R

ESIDENTS of Barangay Linusotan, Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte thanked the Task Force Davao, an Army contingent with the mission to secure the cities of Davao and IGAGOS from terrorists and criminal elements for sprucing up the mini-library in their Day Care Center. Gene Muana, chair of Barangay Linusotan said the soldiers facilitate in bringing 500 assorted books that will benefit 35 pre-school pupils. He thanked the TF Davao for brining the program to his barangay with the support of the Bagong Kulturang Pinoy-California, a non-government organization based in the United States of America with the assistance of other stakeholders in Davao

City and IGACOS. Lt. Colonel Roberto Rivas, deputy commanding officer of the TF Davao said the activity is part of their continuing effort to reach out to the residents in the community. “We have been doing this activity in order to reach out children and provide them books which may be useful to them in gaining knowledge as we prepare them to become good citizens in the future,” he said. Barangay Linusotan is the second barangay that benefits from the project. In the middle of 2013, the TF Davao also put up a mini-library at the Astig Center in Barangay Bucana, Davao City. [PIA 11/ Joey Sem G. Dalumpines]

VOL. 6 ISSUE 198• WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2013

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6 THE ECONOMY Stat Watch Indicator

Latest

1. Gross National Income 1. GrossRate National Income Growth Growth Rate2000 Prices) (At Constant

7.1 1st Qtr 2013 6.8

2.2.Gross GrossDomestic DomesticProduct Growth Rate Product (AtGrowth Constant 2000 Prices) Rate

7.8 1st Qtr 2013 7.5

(At Constant 2000 Prices)

3. Exports 1/ 3. Exports

4. Imports 1/ 4. Imports

5. Trade Balance Trade Balance 6.5.Balance of Payments 2/

7.6.Broad Money Liabilities Balance of Payments

2nd Qtr 2013

USD 3,741 million 5,045 FebUSD 2013 million USD 4,708 Sep 2013 million FebUSD 2013 5,711 USD -967 million million Sep 2013 Feb 2013 USD -665 USD -640 million million Sep 2013 Dec 2012 P 4,964,560 USD 692 million million Feb Jun2013 2013 P2.45,980,938 % million Mar 2013 Aug 2013

8. Interest Rates 4/

7. Broad Money Liabilities

P113,609 2.0 % million Sep2013 2013 Mar P P5,281 127,336 billion million Mar Sep2013 2013

9. National Government 8. Revenues Interest Rate 9. National Government

10.Revenues National government outstanding debt outstanding debt

P 5,609 P 41.14 Aprbillion 2013

11.Stocks Peso per US $ 12. Composite Index 6/

6,847.5 P 43.83 Mar Sep2013 2013

12. Stocks Composite

6,191.8 132.8 Sep2013 2013 Apr

13. Consumer Price Index

135.2 Oct2.62013

10.Peso National government 11. per US $ 5/

Sep 2013

13. Consumer Index Price Index 2006=100

2006=100 14. Headline Inflation Rate 14. 2006=100 Headline Inflation

Apr 2013

2.9 Oct3.12013

Rate 15. Core Inflation Rate 2006=100

Apr 2013

15. Core Inflation Rate 2006=100 16. Visitor Arrivals

2.5 418,108 Oct 2013

2006=100

Feb 2013

382,022 Aug 2013 20.9%

16. Visitor Arrivals

17. Underemployment 7/ 17. Rate Underemploymen

Jan 2013 19.2%

18. 18.Unemployment UnemploymentRate Rate7/

7.1% Jan 2013 7.3%

Rate

Jul 2013 Jul 2013

MONTHLY AVERAGE EXCHANGE RATE (January 2011-September 2013) Month Average December November October September August July June May April March February January

2013

2012

2011

43.83 43.86 43.35 42.91 41.30 41.14 40.71 40.67 40.73

42.23 41.01 41.12 41.45 41.75 42.04 41.91 42.78 42.85 42.70 42.86 42.66 43.62

43.31 43.64 43.27 43.45 43.02 42.42 42.81 43.37 43.13 43.24 43.52 43.70 44.17

VOL. 6 ISSUE 198• WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2013

Davao City to adopt star rating in hotel standards

By CHENEEN R. CAPON crc@edgedavao.net

EPARTMENT of Tourism assistant secretary Arthuro Boncato has announced that star rating will be used in assessing the standards of hotels Davao City. He said that the new process is among the new provisions that will be adopted in the proposed amendment of the Davao City Tourism Code. Aside from the new standard assessment, the amended tourism code will oblige big and small hotel owners to submit a report on a monthly basis on the number of guests and accommodation units. Boncato said that third party auditors will be hired to conduct the assessment. Small and big hotels need to answer 286 questions regarding their

FOR OFWS. A lady chats to a loved one through the internet at an establishment in SM City Davao which specializes in services designed to cater the needs of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families. Lean Daval Jr. services to their guests, facilities such as parking space, lounge, and swimming pool. The total points that will be earned by the

hotel will determine its star rating. He said that there will be foreign assessors who will make the rating of each hotel ranging from

Lazada getting $250 M from investors

AZADA, Southeast Asia’s largest online shopping mall, raises a large funding round from a group of investors including Tesco PLC, Access Industries, Investment AB Kinnevik and Verlinvest, which adds approximately US$250 of cash to Lazada’s balance sheet. This marks the first investment by multichannel retailer Tesco into a pure online player in the region and is the starting point of close cooperation between the parties. Synergies of this partnership will span across customer analytics, private label development and supply chain management. According to Maximilian Bittner, CEO of Lazada Group, “We are delighted to welcome Tesco and Access to join our investor group through this funding round. Kinnevik and Verlinvest also join the investment—which know our business and oper-

ations extremely well— demonstrates that we are making great progress in building a large and sustainable company in Southeast Asia. We are excited to continue this journey together with our investors.” “Lazada’s management team has put the company on a path to become the premier online shopping destination in Southeast Asia. We are pleased to be part of this dynamic success story,” said Jörg Mohaupt of Access Industries, in a statement. Mia Brunell Livfors, CEO of Kinnevik, said, “Strategic cooperation between long-term financial investors and industry partners can add significant growth momentum and enhanced profitability to e-commerce businesses. We welcome Tesco’s investment in Lazada and look forward to working with them in supporting Maximilian

and his team.” Meanwhile, Robin Terrell, Group Multichannel Director of Tesco, said, “This investment in South East Asia’s largest e-commerce retailer continues our strategy of developing leading multichannel businesses in core growth markets. Lazada is an exciting, pioneering business, which has developed a market-leading offer in each of its five markets in just 18 months. As South East Asia’s 600 million consumers begin to use smartphone technology to access retailers online, Lazada has established a strong position from which to grow." Lazada is a pioneer in Southeast Asian e-commerce with around 1,500 employees across five Southeast Asian countries. Since launch Lazada has become the leading online general merchandiser across the region.

one-star to five-star. “The way we assess is now very physical, wala yung component on how we give guests the comfort they deserve,” he

said. Currently, the city uses the deluxe, first class, and standard rating in assessing the hotels operating in the city.

Remittances post record-high level in October ‘13 at US$ 2.3B

ERSONAL inflows from Filipinos overseas posted its record-high monthly level last October after it reached US$ 2.28 billion. Data released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Monday showed that the inflows in the 10th month this year is way higher than the US$ 2.14 billion in the previous month and yearago’s US$ 2.1 billion. The latest figure is the seventh consecutive month that remittances reached the US$ 2 billion mark and the highest monthly growth rate of 8.8 percent, said BSP Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. Inflows of remittances has been surpassing the central bank’s five percent full-year target this year except in March when it grew by 3.7 percent.

Year-on-year, remittances grew by 6.8 percent after it reached US$ 20.45 billion from year-ago’s US$ 19.14 billion. Tetangco attributed the strong growth of remittances to robust demand for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). Preliminary data from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) showed that processed job orders in the first 10 months this year reached 675,966 and 39.7 percent of which are for deployment in services, production, professional, technical, and related workers sectors. These are for requirements of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Qatar. [PNA]

as of May 2013 Cebu Pacific Daily Zest Air Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Philippine Airlines Daily Philippine Airlines Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri/Sun Philippine Airlines Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Thu

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

5:45 5:45 6:00 6:10 7:50 7:50 8:00 9:10 9:40 11:30 12:00 12:55

Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Cebu-Davao-Iloilo Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Zamboanga-Davao-Zamboanga Cebu-Davao-Cebu Iloilo-Davao-Cebu Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Cebu-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila

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

Cebu Pacific Tue/Wed//Sat 5J965 / 5J968 13:35 Silk Air Mon/Sat MI588 / MI588 13:35 Silk Air Wed/Sun MI566 / MI566 15:20 Silk Air Thurs MI551 / MI551 12:05 Cebu Pacific Mon/Tue/Wed/Fri 5J507 / 5J598 15:00 Philippine Airlines August 15:55 Mani2Mani 16:50 Zest Air Daily Z2524 / Z2525 16:05

Manila-Davao-Manila Davao-Singapore Davao-Singapore Davao-Singapore Cebu-Davao-Cebu

14:05 18:55 18:55 15:45 15:30

Cebu-Davao-Cebu

16:45

7 ENVIRONMENT

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 198• WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2013

Have a green, bright Christmas with WWF’s eco-friendly tips!

UMANITY is currently using the resources of one and half planets. This puts tremendous pressure on our planet and its biodiversity. By 2050, the global population is expected to reach nine billion, stretching our natural resources to the brink. With such limited resources, we need to change the way we consume products. This Christmas, make gift-giving more meaningful by giving back to planet Earth! Remember to follow these holiday eco-tips from the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-Philippines) to make your Christmas extra green and bright! 1. Use LED Christmas lights. Energy-efficient LED (light-emitting diode) Christmas lights are 26% more efficient than regular tungsten bulbs. They last longer too! 2. Buy local products. It takes much more resources for imported goods to reach our doorsteps. Patronizing local products reduces carbon emissions while boosting the local economy. 3. Bring an eco-bag when gift shopping. An estimated 500 billion to one trillion plastic bags are consumed globally every year. This means over a million plastic bags are used each second. Using eco-bags reduces plastic pollution. 4. Make your own

Christmas cards. About a million Christmas cards (and 200,000 trees) are wasted each December. Why not craft your own from recycled paper or fresh cardboard? A little doodling with some colored pens can bring out your inner artist. 5. Use soy candles. Yucky petroleum-based Christmas candles constantly pollute the environment when lit. Use soy or vegetable-based candles instead. They are biodegradable and smoke-free. 6. Use recycled décor. With a little tinkering and a touch of creativity, your old bottles, furniture, clothes and gizmos can be converted into cool Christmas decorations. This is not just cheaper – you’ll also ensure that each piece is unique. 7. Give green gifts. Why not give away eco-friendly gifts rather than your usual giveaways? You’ll be remembered as both generous and Earth-loving! 8. Go one degree up. When the party’s getting too cold, you can increase your air conditioner’s thermostat by one degree Celsius. This will leave you feeling comfortable while cutting down the energy bill by as much as 10%. Now that’s a cool tip. 9. Use recycled paper to wrap gifts. Printed paper wrappers constitute one of the largest Christmas wastes. Use old

magazines, newspapers or brown paper to wrap gifts. You can also use last year’s ribbons and strings. 10. Buy only what you can finish. Hosting a Christmas

party? Politely ask your guests to minimize leftovers and get only what they can consume. Every year, 1.3 billion tonnes of food is wasted. Minimize waste and your waistline at

the same time! You can spread the holiday cheer and help support WWF-Philippines’ programs on biodiversity conservation, environmental sustainability and climate

change solutions through The Panda Gift Center! Visit Facebook.com/WWF.Philippines to check out unique WWF gifts like statement shirts, hoodies, canvas bags and laptop cases.

GASA still expects at least one more storm to affect the country before the year ends. He said the weather disturbance‘s trough or extendedclouds will affect parts of Mindanao, as well as the eastern sections of Southern Luzon and Visayas until Tuesday afternoon, inducing cloudy skies with passing light to heavy rains. Northern Luzon, on the other hand, Duran noted will continue to experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with occasional light rains because of the northeast monsoon or “hanging amihan.”

He said the rest of the country including Metro Manila will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with possible afternoon or evening rains due to localized thunderstorms. PAGASA also issued gale warning as strong to gale force winds associated with the surge of Northeast Monsoon is expected to affect the eastern seaboards Luzon and Visayas. “Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves,” it said. [PNA]

Davao prepares plan to LPA near Mindanao has slim be ready for storm surges chance to become cyclone W

ORRIED over what happened to Tacloban, Davao City wants to be ready to evacuate residents in coastal barangays in case of typhoon surges and similar calamities. Francisco Villaroman, head of the Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC), said they are now looking for six evacuation sites in areas higher than 250 feet that can accommodate as much as 400,000 people from 16 coastal barangays. Possible evacuation hubs the PSSCC has identified so far include areas in the boundary between Panabo and Davao City, as

well as locations in high areas such as Mandug, Tigatto, and Toril. He said the contingency plans his office drafted would also require the Traffic Management Center to identify 25 possible streets and roads that would be used to transport evacuees. But Villaroman said that the announcement of the specific details would have to come from Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte’s office when it proposes the project to the City Council. The plan also includes the setting up of a command center at the Shrine Hills in Matina. Villaroman said that evacuating the residents

would take three days at most, using buses commissioned by the city government as well as trucks of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The plan, he said, entails his office coordinating with agencies such as Central 911, the Philippine National Police, AFP, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development. The proposed project – which factors in the building of permanent structures that have food storage, toilet facilities, mess halls, as well as facilities for mothers and children – would cost the city at least P500 million, Villaroman said. [MindaNews]

HE low pressure area (LPA) hovering near Mindanao has small chance to intensify into tropical cyclone, the state weather bureau said on Monday. PAGASA weather forecaster Samuel Duran said the LPA was still over south of Mindanao or below the island’s landmass, outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR). Duran said that they do not expect the LPA to intensify into a cyclone and enter the Philippine territory anymore since it will likely dissipate within 12 to 24 hours. He added that PA-

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 198• WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2013

EDITORIAL

Auspicious Christmas gift

HE 17TH Davao City Council denied this week the application of two thriving companies for special use permits (SUP) to establish memorial parks in barangays Tacunan and Ulas. The council, led by Bernard Al-ag, chairman of the committee on housing and subdivision development (medium scale projects), anchored their denial on the provision of the city’s newly-approved Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) which frowns upon the putting up of cemeteries and memorial parks in areas identified as water resource. Indeed, it can be said that our lawmakers rejected the applications in their desire to protect the interest of Dabawenyos, and promote the general welfare of the people, a covenant with the people that they impliedly swore to when they were installed into office as elected officials. The rejection can be considered the best Christ-

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mas present that the council has given, not only to the more than 1.5 million people currently populating the city, but also to the still unborn generations. This is not to include the millions of domestic and foreign tourists who would be deprived of our potable water if the quality of this valuable resource is compromised through irresponsible legislation. We congratulate our city lawmakers for showing such desirable resolve. It behooves upon Forest Lake, Manila Memorial and similar business investors, too, to refrain from desiring to locate in areas that are clearly delineated as verboten in our national statutes and local ordinances. As Rep. Rodolfo Farinas said in the sensational trial of Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona, no “palusot” please! Cheers, to that!

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Columnists: CARLOS MUNDA • MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO A. PEÑA • MARY ANN “ADI” C. QUISIDO • LEANDRO B. DAVAL SR., • NICASIO AGUSTIN • VIDA A. MIA VALVERDE • Economic ENRICO“ADDIE” “GICO” G. Columnists: MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER ANGELO C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO PEÑA • ZHAUN ORTEGA Analysts: • BERNADETTE B. DAYANGIRANG M.QUISIDO PEREZ • Lifestyle Columnists: BAISR., FAUZIAH SINSUAT •AMBOLODTO • MEGHANN STA. INES BORBON • MARY• JONALLIER ANN “ADI” C. • LEANDRO B. DAVAL • NIKKIFATIMA GOTIANSE-TAN NICASIO ANGELO AGUSTIN • EMILY •ZEN NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN CHUA • CARLOS MUNDA Economic Analyst: ENRICO “GICO” G. DAYANGIRANG • JONALLIER M. PEREZ

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 198• WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2013

Journalists are ‘watchdogs’ of the government

T’S ABOUT time that all officials, whether local or national, get it into their heads that they can’t control the media for their own free publicity to make them all “look good”. Controlling and using the press which includes television, radio and print, to make local and national officials “look good” is against the Constitution covered under the Freedom of Speech. That was the reason why press photographers here took pictures of sidewalk vendors screaming and crying after their rolling carts loaded with merchandise or street foods were hauled off by the city’s demolition squad. The real story here were the crying vendors whose street foods were confiscated and hauled by the demolition squad. This wasn’t the story of the squad “doing their jobs” because everyone knows that’s exactly what they were told to do---and they were just following orders. Probably the good city councilor Tomas Monteverde was unfairly misunderstood in his privileged speech the other week. But accusing the press photographers for the bad image they caused the city government is unfair and uncalled for. He may not be aware of it, but Mon-

teverde missed the point of that press coverage. Journalists followed the demolition squad set to strictly enforce the “one third, two third “ policy of the city mayor because it was a news worthy event--not because they were recording a worthy activity of city hall. These are two different things. City Hall wanted to make sure pedestrians also have the right to walk along a clear sidewalk, unhampered by street vendors and hawkers selling all kinds of things that clog the streets and sidewalks of San Pedro street and Magsaysay street in Sta Ana. For sure, it’s a good policy for Davao. Although this is what Monteverde wanted the media to cover, they didn’t ---because they knew it would be free PR publicity for City Hall. Instead they saw how the violent impact this “good street policy” had on the poor, helpless vendors who had no one to run to, because it looked like the city

government was oppressing them with this policy. Monteverde should know by now, the true ROLE of the press in a democratic government. The role of journalists in a free democracy is to be the WATCHDOG of the other branches of government--- the Executive, the Legislative and the Judiciary. The press isn’t there to record and publish all the “good works” they do---- but to make sure, not one of any of these branches of government abuse their power. I’m sure Monteverde knows by now that the “source of power” of all these branches of government comes from the PEOPLE themselves--- the one who voted for them to occupy the positions they hold in the government. That’s why, don’t be surprised when print and broadcast reporters and press photographers--- all report the impact of any law or policy on the people themselves, whether they’re beaten up, their food carts seized and confiscated, their faces swollen in tears, their bodies bloodied to a pulp from beating----even if they broke the law. That’s the real story in the News. (Comments? Email me > tradingpost_ davao@yahoo.com)

in the bustling metropolis and other urban centers is unemployment. The big cities are drowned in density. Job opportunity is scarce therefore many of our countrymen turn to other income-generating ventures in order to survive. Most often you will hear them say, “mabuti na lang ang magtinda sa bangketa kahit bawal ayon sa batas kaysa magnakaw.” First, let us look closely at the economic situation. There might be radical shift in our economic development, but it is not enough to improve the lot of our people. You see, there is a very deep infirmity in a society where illegal sidewalk peddling is more desirable than going home to the province to start a new, progressive life. For the past couple of years, the enduring problem having become global in scope becomes even bigger and in fact more serious in developing countries such as the Philippines. Again, the root cause of the problem triggered by sidewalk vendors and street hawkers is unemployment that ultimately resulted to extreme poverty. Economists estimate that more than one in three of the nation’s population is living below the poverty level. As a result, many of the unemployed resort to sidewalk vending, which is the fastest way to earn instant money. Well, we have seen the phenomenal rise of sidewalk vendors and street peddlers all over the country and Davao City has its own share of the problem. Even top-level officials admit that it is not that easy to regulate the sidewalk vending trade, and even more difficult to adopt

measures to clear the sidewalks of vendors and ambulant peddlers. Right now, the most basic question is not whether tolerating sidewalk vendors to conduct their trade with impunity is legal or not. But is it wise to do so, it might be asked? Sidewalk vendors are mostly concentrated in the urban centers and bustling metropolis and for many years sustained their struggles and sacrifices – often risked life and limb to protect their only means of livelihood. Vendors are wary that their business undertaking is totally illegal, but they also reserve the right to survive – eat three square meals a day, earn money for the children’s clothing and education, medication, so on and so forth. On the other hand, government adopts a maximum flexibility in dealing with the problems posed by sidewalk vendors and ambulant street peddlers. This includes giving directives to various law enforcement agencies to exert maximum tolerance is treating illegal vendors during clearing-up operations for “humanitarian considerations.” However, the government’s lenient move prodded many vendors to become more abusive and arrogant even to the extent of defying lawful orders. These street smarts have somehow weathered the so-called “catand-mouse” business strategy. It is high time for the city government to articulate a clear policy on sidewalk vending and street peddling. Davao City is facing a fast-growing population, and the streets and sidewalks are swarming with vendors and hawkers in a highly uneven and cut-throat business competition. Government therefore should adopt a flexible business mechanism patterned in other countries where streets are vendors-free instead of providing violators with “unlimited” considerations. The way we look at it, the city leadership is heading towards that direction. We’ll keep on beat watching!

Crime prevention initiatives

DDRESS UNDERLYING CAUSES OF LAW-BREAKING – Say what the critics will but crime is always a serious problem especially in a fast developing metropolis like Davao City. But it doesn’t mean that authorities would just fold their arms in repudiation. Simple logic dictates that the local government and police force need evidence-based crime policies that are tough on law-breaking, need the execution of stiffer penalties and severe sentences, all at the same time strong on crime prevention. The city officialdom should stop adopting alarmist rhetoric with regards to criminality, but instead direct the police establishment to improve public safety on the streets of our communities. It is true that the fight against crime is of utmost importance and we have to remember that crime rates in the city have been going at accelerating pace. The officials’ power point presentations showing the drop in crime statistics are “mostly meaningless” while the real situation is on the contrary. Moreover, if authorities want to be tough on crime they must also be strict on guns, gang riots, make gang recruitment illegal, creates a new stand-alone offense for rape-murder, robbery-holdup, home invasion, carjacking and other heinous crimes. We would all like to feel safer at home, at the workplace and in the streets therefore government should increase support for crime prevention initiatives. In a general perspective, government should commit to further reduce crime through better programs in youth activity and early childhood education, and address the underlying causes of crime such as poverty, inequality and racism. “CAT-AND-MOUSE” BUSINESS STRATEGY – Again, we have to discuss the problem on sidewalk vending. Experts say it is usually associated with the obligatory manner to survive. The primary reason why sidewalk and ambulant vendors proliferate

VANTAGE POINTS

On secular stagnation COMMENTARY BY LAWRENCE SUMMERS

Part 1 of 2

OME time ago speaking at the IMF, I joined others who have invoked the old idea of secular stagnation and raised the possibility that the American and global economies could not rely on normal market mechanisms to assure full employment and strong growth without sustained unconventional policy support. My concern rested on a number of considerations. First, even though financial repair had largely taken place four years ago, recovery since that time has only kept up with population growth and normal productivity growth in the United States, and has been worse elsewhere in the industrial world. Second, manifestly unsustainable bubbles and loosening of credit standards during the middle of the last decade, along with very easy money, were sufficient to drive only moderate economic growth. Third, short-term interest rates are severely constrained by zero lower bound and there is very little scope for further reductions in either term premia or credit spreads, and so real interest rates may not be able to fall far enough to spur enough investment to lead to full employment. Fourth, in such a situation falling wages and prices or inflation at slower-than-expected rates is likely to worsen economic performance by encouraging consumers and investors to delay spending, and to redistribute income and wealth from higher spending debtors to lower spending creditors. The implication of these considerations is that the presumption that runs through most policy discussion — that normal economic and policy conditions will return at some point — cannot be maintained. The point is demonstrated by the Japanese experience, where gross domestic product today is less than two-thirds of what most observers predicted a generation ago, even as interest rates have been at zero for many years. It bears emphasis that Japanese GDP disappointed less in the five years after the bubbles burst at the end of the 1980s than the United States has since 2008. GDP today in the United States is more than 10 percent below what was predicted before the financial crisis. If secular stagnation concerns are relevant to our current economic situation, there are obviously profound policy implications that I will address in a subsequent column. Before turning to policy, though, there are two central issues regarding the secular stagnation thesis that have to be addressed. Is not a growth acceleration in the works in the U.S. and beyond? There are certainly grounds for optimism, including the recent flow of statistics, strong stock markets, and the end at last of sharp fiscal contraction. Fears of secular stagnation were widespread at the end of World War Two and proved utterly false, and today secular stagnation should be viewed as a contingency to be insured against, not a fate to which we are consigned.

NEWS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 198• WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

Rody...FFROM 1

Jobless man killed in riot

INCOGNITO. A vendor is almost unrecognizable as she lays down surrounded by the “ukay-ukay” that she is selling at Agdao Public Market in Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

By EMILORD P. CASTROMAYOR epc@edgedavao.net

JOBLESS man was killed during a gang riot on Aquino St., Agdao Public Market on Monday at about 4:45 p.m. Police identified the victim as Elger Montenegro, 26, resident of Japan St., Eighth Avenue, Barangay Tomas

Monteverde, who succumbed to several gunshot wounds in the body and head. Supt. Caezar Cabuhat, commander of the Sta. Ana police station, said that Montenegro had been involved in previous gang riots and may have been killed for re-

venge. Police already have an artist’s sketch of the suspect based on the description by a witness identified as Kris Bravo, 49, a cook. Bravo said that he was a few meters from the crime scene when he saw the killer he de-

scribed as of medium build, male, fair complexion and lots of pimples. He said suspect was armed with a pistol while walking towards the victim whom he shot then quickly fled on foot. Cabuhat said that they are confident that they can get the killer.

EGIONAL state prosecutor Atty. Antonio Arellano lauded the strengthened partnership and involvement of the private and public sectors in Davao Region concerning the drive against human trafficking, which he said is needed to eventually eradicate the so-called modern-day slavery. Arellano, also chair of the Regional Inter-Agency

Council Against Trafficking (RIACAT-XI), said the crusade against human trafficking or trafficking in persons (TIP) is a concern of all as it also covers a campaign against violations of human rights. “That’s why we have to strengthen partnership from the private and public sectors. Indeed, we were able to do that in Region XI,” he stated.

Arellano led a thousand advocates mostly from the RIACAT-XI Network in a Walk for a Cause and Interfaith Prayer Rally activities at Rizal Park in the city on December 12 in observance of the International Day Against Trafficking. The show of crowd, he said, was a result of the heightened anti-TIP campaign which has been operationalized through the RIA-

CAT-XI Network composed of different national government agencies, the four provincial local government units, the Davao City IACAT and five non-government organizations. “We have grown stronger in the fight against trafficking in persons,” Arellano emphasized in his message during the Interfaith Prayer Rally. [PIA 11/Carina L. Cay-

He said that this will be added to their plan to make the process of permit renewal and application computerized. However, they’re still on the process of developing the

system. It will depend on the programmers when the plan will be applied on their system. He said that they will have a data testing before the year ends.

On the other hand, he said that online permit application and renewal is still not possible in the city’s business bureau because some steps of the application and renewal

Campaign vs human trafficking gets strong multi-sector support R

Business...FFROM 3

on]

needs an over the counter process. Currently, only the list of requirements for business permit renewal and application are available in their online portal.

since the next ABC president will automatically become a councilor,” Duterte said at the Royal Mandaya Hotel, Monday night. During their meeting on Monday, Cabling decided not to pursue his candidacy for ABC president as he would be competing with the vice mayor’s wife. “Murag dili nako kaya na dunay gamayng tension or conflict among the three of you (the Dutertes) na akong gina-ila na akong mga boss,” Cabling said. Cabling added that he called up former mayor Sara Duterte about his endorsement and she told him to run since “this is a democracy.”

He also sent a text message to vice mayor Duterte regarding the endorsement of the mayor and was told to run since the mayor had already endorsed him, although he (Paolo) would still support the candidacy of his wife, January. Cabling appealed to his colleagues to support the vice mayor’s wife candidacy. Duterte recommended to the barangay captains to vote Cabling as ABC vice president so that there would be a lawyer in the board. About 180 barangay captains in the city will convene today for the assembly and after which the election of new ABC board follows.

after the Christmas season. “I already instructed the city engineer to conduct a deeper investigation,” Quitain said, adding that there might be an accomplice inside the office. On Dec. 12, Harold Bulawin, a former contractual employee of the city engineer’s office (CEO) was nabbed for allegedly

issuing fake official receipts to a taxpayer. Bulawin was caught with the cooperation of CEO personnel and Tiresmart, a company dealing in tires. Based on the report of Rodrigo Riola, CTO head, the suspect used his old identification card and told the client he would help her in paying for permits.

population. Jacinto, meanwhile, said that resident areas near Davao River, Padas River, Bunawan River system, Lasang River and Sasa creek are subject to flooding. Residents residing 10 meters (m) below sea level are subject to massive relocation and evacuation plan if there is a disaster, especially tsunami or storm surge. Currently, he said that they were able to identify alternative routes and areas where the evacuation sites can be constructed. He also said that they will intensify risk disaster mapping. He said that the mapping will include existing infrastructure that can be affected if a disaster happens. Eric C. Colmenares, science research assistant in the Department

of Science and Technology (DOST) 11 said yesterday during the second semestral meeting of the Regional Land Use Committee at National Economic and Development Agency - Regional Development Council 11 that the result of the LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) survey in Davao City will be released by December 23, 2013. This will be the basis for the risk disaster mapping in Davao City. Colmanares said that the first phase of the study started in January 2012 and will end this December. It covered the area of Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Davao City and Tagum City. On the other hand, Jacinto said that CPDO will have 31 million for the implementation of their priority plan for 2014.

city council will need to adopt the changes made by the board. Jacinto said that by next year they will be intensifying the information dissemination campaign on CLUP upon the approval of the board. Earlier, before the 16th council ended their term, Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte signed the controversial zoning ordinance, which aims to prevent spot zoning in the city.

The amended zoning ordinance provides a no-reclassification policy within five years for all areas identified under general zone (agriculture, conservation, water resource, and non-tillage) and three years for sub-urban zone (residential, industrial, and commercial). In addition, Clup puts an end to the reclassification of agricultural zone to industrial and commercial use. [CRC]

Quitain...FFROM 2

CPDO...FFROM 2

New...FFROM 3

EDGEDAVAO

AGRITRENDS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 198• WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2013

DA Davao wins 2nd in national NYR Exhibit T

O increase awareness among mall-goers on how to be responsible rice consumers, an event dubbed as “CelebRICE: RICEponsable AKO Fair!” was spearheaded by the Department of Agriculture (DA) held at Trinoma Activity Center, Quezon City recently. Hosted by DA’s Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), the event is aligned with the celebration of 2013 as the National Year of Rice (NYR) which was participated by different DA regional office employees in the country through setting up an exhibit booth to showcase different rice product produced in different regions. Agriculture Undersecretary Emerson Palad, who led the ribbon cutting before the fair opens, said that the event is part of the government’s educational campaign in encouraging everyone to value more the country’s staple food as well as the farmers.

RICE FARMERS HONORED

He emphasized that a study shows that every Filipino wastes about 2 tablespoons of cooked rice daily and in 2010, this was equivalent to P6.2B which could have fed about 2.6 million Filipinos and advocacy is needed so that everybody should be responsible in consuming rice. Aside from various exhibits showcasing the different variety of rice like brown rice, black rice, red rice and adlai, there were also fun filled games, cook fest which demonstrated variety of recipes of brown or pinawa rice, storytelling and concerts from the popular bands in the country and rising TV personalities who addressed about rice sufficiency, rice wastage and better health through rice, which is the primary message of the event. The winners for booth exhibit was announced after the program with Cordillera region as the champion, followed by Davao region, and Bicol region. [Aggie Media Service]

WINNER. Southern Mindanao Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Information Division (RAFID) staff with their educational booth with black rice, red rice, brown rice, and adlai winning 2nd place during the Fun fair exhibit held at Trinoma Activity Center, Quezon City recently.

DavNor to popularize LGU distributes 26 flood-tolerant rice carabaos to farmers R

ICE paddies in the province of Davao del Norte will soon be teeming with climate change-ready rice varieties

that can survive prolonged flooding. Governor Rodolfo del Rosario directed Provincial Agriculturist Dr. Anastacia

ASSURED. DavNor Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario assures his administration is working for the resilience of the agriculture sector, especially the rice farmers, during the recent 1st Provincial Rice Congress at the Bulwagan ng Lalagiwan. noel baguio/davnor pio

Notarte to develop and look for flood-tolerant rice varieties to be planted in farms that experience periodic inundation. “I have instructed Dr. Notarte to find a rice variety that could withstand one week or so of flooding,” he revealed, to the delight of farmers attending the recent first Provincial Rice Congress at the Bulwagan ng Lalawigan. The governor said the provincial government is bent on equipping the agriculture sector combat the worsening weather condition brought about by the climate change crisis. Some 10,000 hectares of farm lands in the province have experienced occasional flooding this year, with the rice sector taking the brunt of the disasters. Last year, Super Typhoon Pablo destroyed over P3.8 billions worth of crops and infrastructure. Del Rosario said that planting flood-tolerant varieties will ensure a steady supply of the staple and help the province attain food sufficiency, even during the onslaught of typhoons. [by Noel Baguio]

WENTY six more farmers in M’lang, North Cotabato have benefited from the provincial government’s animal dispersal program and added to the growing number of beneficiaries of the program, officials said. The 26 farmer-beneficiaries each received carabao (heifers) thru the office of the prov incial veterinarian in a simple turnover held at the grounds of M’lang District Hospital. Dr. Rufino Suropia, OIC-provincial veterinarian led the turnover along with Samuel Aquino of the Provincial Cooperative Development Office of Cotabato and some representatives from the Department of Agriculture. Sandy Peña, chair-

person of Poblacion A, and Daniel Berja, chairperson of Poblacion B, respectively, represented their villages along with the 26 farmer-beneficiaries. The Animal Dispersal Program together, one of Gov. Emmylou Mendoza’s priority programs, assists residents in improving their living conditions. Farm animals were already distributed to hundreds of farmers these recent years in the municipalities of Midsayap, Pigcawayan, Libungan and other towns. Under the memorandum of agreement (MOA), the farmer-recipients promised to sustain the cattle and give back the first offspring to the provincial veterinary office

so that it will also be used for future dispersals. Gov. Mendoza has repeatedly encouraged farmers to take care of the animals as it will help them a lot in farming. “The objective is to help farmer-beneficiaries acquire farm animals without cash outlay and to make them responsible enough to sustain the cattle,” she said. Both Dr. Suropia and Aquino were confident that the farmers would be responsible enough of taking care of the farm animals as it is their counterpart in the animal multiplication program. The farmers described their animals as “early Christmas gift” from the government. [PNA]

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1) 1-hectare commercial lot at P10,000/sq m, along National Highway, facing east, beside NCCC Panacan, Davao City. 2) 17,940sq m commercial lot at P2,500/sq m, along Matina Diversion Road. 3) 3,831 sq m lot along Matina Diversion Road. 4) 41,408 sq m commercial/ industrial lot at P800/sq m along the National Highway, Bunawan. 5) 7,056 sq m at P1,200/sq m commercial/residential lot along Indangan Road, Buhangin District. 6) 27,411 sq m commercial/ industrial lot along the National Highway in Bincungan, Tagum City. 7) 116.15 to 245.92 sq meters , at P5.5M to P12.3M commercial/ office condo units in Bajada, Davao City. 8) 699 to 1,117 sq m at P4,100/sq m commercial lots at Josefina Town Center, along the National Highway, Dumoy, Toril. 9) Ready-for-Occupancy Residential Properties: 4BR/3T&B in a 240 sq m lot with 177.31sqm floor area (2-storey) at P4.8M in an exclusive beachfront community in Dumoy, Toril.; 3BR 2-storey in a 71.25 sq m 2-storey in a 143sq m lot in an exclusive flower village in Maa, Davao City; 180 sq m lots with 71.25sqm to 126.42 sq m floor areas, priced at P3.751M to P5.773M in an exclusive mountain resort community along Matina, Diversion Road. 10) 1BR/2BR residential condo units located in Bolton, Maa, Obrero, Davao City. 11) FOR ASSUME (RUSH): 1BR res’l condo unit in Palmetto, Maa. P600K negotiable. Note: Items 1-9 can be paid in cash, in-house or bank financing. If interested, please call Jay (PRC REB Lic. 8237) at 0922-851-5337 (Sun), 0908-883-8832 (Smart) or send email to propertiesindavao@yahoo.com.

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Tel. No. 083-228-2511 ; Fax No. 083-228-2654

General Santos Drive, Koronadal City, South Cotabato 9506 Tel. No. 083-228-2511 ; Fax No. 083-228-2654

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Requirements: Requirements: 1. Driver’s License with Official Receipt 1.x Driver’s License (2 with Official Receipt 2. 2 2 I.D. picture pcs.) 2. 2 x 2 I.D. (2 pcs.) or clearance from 3. Certificate of picture Employment 3. Certificate of Employment or clearance from

May previous apply in employment person at Human Resource Department, YBLI in Office, General Santos Resource Drive, May apply person at Human Koronadal City. YBLI Office, General Santos Drive, Department, Koronadal City.

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13 COMMUNITY SENSE

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 198• WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2013

BPI Foundation to rebuild schools, houses in Yolanda-ravaged areas

HE Bank of the Philippine Islands, through the BPI Foundation, is set to rebuild and rehabilitate schools and houses in areas struck by super typhoon Yolanda last month, using proceeds raised in a matched fund-raising campaign by the bank and its employees. Under the fund-matching

campaign, dubbed “10+10,” the Bank promised to match the donations made by its employees peso-for-peso if they reached P10 million. In a little over two weeks, BPI employees raised P11,491,284.60, resulting in a combined donation of P22,982,569.20 from the Bank and its employees. Of this amount, P10 mil-

LEGAL NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late ROSENDA PEREZ-ONG has been the subject of an EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT with the partition and waiver of rights executed by her heirs per Doc. No.16; Page No. 4; Book No. 112; Series of 2012 of the NOTARY PUBLIC CYNTHIA ADAO PRAT 12/18,25,1/1

lion will be allotted for building 2-storey, 4-classroom school buildings in the devastated areas. These school buildings follow the architectural plan already being used by the foundation in similar rebuilding efforts in Cagayan de Oro. This

Misamis Oriental city was hit by massive floods triggered by typhoon Sendong back in December 2011, leaving residents displaced and structures wiped out. The houses, on the other hand, will be built first for

teachers whose houses were destroyed by the typhoon. Each house is estimated to cost P200,000. In the past, the Foundation had partnered with the Department of Education for the building of school houses, and

Habitat for Humanity to build homes for the needy. As of Friday, December 13, the Foundation had also raised another P11 million from individuals and organizations outside the Bank for the rehabilitation efforts.

HE Social Security System (SSS) has announced that as of November 30, 2013, the P7-billion Educational Assistance (Educ-Assist) loan window has been fully allocated to about 59,600 student-beneficiaries of more than 55,000 SSS members who availed themselves of Educ-Assist loans.

“By design, the Educ-Assist loan program has a finite funding capacity, and we have already committed the funds for existing student-beneficiaries to ensure that their schooling is fully financed until they graduate. Applications for subsequent loan releases from previously-approved loan-borrowers will

continue to be processed until the maximum allowed releases allocated to the student-beneficiaries are exhausted,” the SSS explained. Launched in 2012, the Educ-Assist program has P7-billion in funding that is comprised of P3.5 billion from the national government and P3.5 billion

from the SSS. The loan program is envisioned to serve eventually as a revolving fund that may benefit more borrowers once the loan amounts are recovered and collected. But that would take a couple more years as majority of the loan-beneficiaries have yet to finish schooling before the repayment period starts.

SSS fully allocates P7-B educational loan facility T

14 SPORTS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 198• WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2013

THREADING THE NEEDLE. Detroit Pistons guard Will Bynum makes a pass between Indiana Pacers’ Ian Mahinmi, Rasual Butler and Luis Scola.

EDGEDAVAO

SANDWICHED. Indiana Pacers forward Paul George shoots between Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond and forward Greg Monroe.

Pacers lose for the first time at home PHL still down at 7th I T NDIANAPOLIS (AP) -Detroit beat Indiana at its own game Monday night. The Pistons were tougher inside, tougher on defense and tougher at fending off challenges. On a night the Eastern Conference’s best team looked like anything but, Josh Smith scored 30 points and Greg Monroe had 13 points and 12 rebounds to help Detroit send Indiana to a 101-96 loss - the Pacers’ first at home this season. ‘’It’s impressive the way we came in and competed with the way the Pacers have been playing,’’ Pistons coach Maurice Cheeks said. ‘’We have a good basketball team.’’ Detroit (12-14) proved it with a nearly perfect game. The Pistons dominated on the glass with a 55-40 overall advantage and a 20-9 edge on offensive rebounds. They matched the Pacers’ shooting percentage of 43.2 percent, had one more 3-pointer and nearly an identical shooting per-

centage on 3s (35.3 to 35.0), outscored Indiana 44-38 in the paint and 22-14 on second-chance points. For a Pacers team that prides itself on defense and rebounding, it wasn’t even close to their best. Detroit also finished with nearly as many blocks (seven) as turnovers (eight) and made five of six free throws during the final minute to hold off Indiana’s last charge. The most surprising element was that Indiana never tied the score in the second half and never took the lead on its home floor, where it had gone 11-0 before Monday night. The loss leaves the Pacers (20-4) with the second-best record in the league, percentage points behind Portland (21-4). The Pistons knew that to end their six-game losing streak in this series and their nine-game losing streak at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, they needed to execute the game plan flawlessly. They did. ‘’We’re forming an

identity ourselves,’’ said Smith, who went 13 of 29 from the field after meeting with Cheeks about getting more opportunities. ‘’That has to be being a physical team, try to dominate the paint.’’ Indiana’s uncharacteristic certainly helped the cause. Paul George was 4 of 14 from the field, finishing with 17 points, nine rebounds and four turnovers. Roy Hibbert had six points and four rebounds. Even the energetic Lance Stephenson couldn’t get his flustered teammates righted. Stephenson scored a career best 23 points and Luis Scola added a season high 18 points. What went wrong for the usually unflappable Pacers? George said the offensive rebounds got Indiana out of sync. Others wondered if the Pacers may have been looking past Detroit, which has won just two of their last six games, and ahead to Wednesday night’s rematch

with Miami. Indiana beat the two-time defending NBA champs on their home court 90-84 last week and have made no secret that they’re out to get the Eastern Conference’s No. 1 seed. Indiana coach Frank Vogel quickly discounted that notion, calling Detroit a good team. ‘’I don’t think we were looking ahead at all,’’ Vogel said. ‘’We’ve got to lick our wounds and see what we need to do better.’’ Whatever the explanation, these Pacers didn’t even resemble the team that set one franchise record with its perfect 9-0 start and another by opening the season 11-0 at home. Oklahoma City is the last unbeaten team at home this season. Detroit took charge quickly, using a 10-3 first quarter to take a 23-14 lead - a lead it never relinquished. Even in the second half, when the Pacers typically dominate, the Pistons refused.

TLANTA – Al Horford led six Hawks in double figures with 19 points and pulled down 11 rebounds as the Atlanta Hawks dealt the struggling Los Angeles Lakers another NBA defeat. Kyle Korver scored all 11 of his points in the third quarter when the Hawks took control en route to a 114-100 victory. Korver’s big third quarter included three three-pointers as he

stretched his NBA record three-point streak to 94 games. Jeff Teague recorded a double-double in the victory with 17 points and 10 assists. Paul Millsap chipped in 18 points, nine rebounds and four steals for the Hawks. “I thought they came out much more aggressive, much more physical,” Mike D’Antoni said of a Hawks team that trailed his Lakers 54-47 at halftime but out-scored the visitors 35-19 in the third

period. “Every loose ball, every rebound, every long rebound every running-back, we just wilted. Obviously we can’t do that,” D’Antoni said. “We didn’t gut it out tonight… We did not compete the second half the way they did.” The Lakers fell to 1-4 since Kobe Bryant returned from a torn Achilles tendon. Nick Young scored 23 points off the bench and Jordan Hill scored 21

points. Pau Gasol contributed 16 points and 10 rebounds, but Bryant scored only eight points, making four of his 14 attempts from the field. Asked if Bryant seemed fatigued in the second half, D’Antoni said that was to be expected as he continues to regain full fitness. “I think that’s going to happen,” D’Antoni said. “That’s where we have to do a better job of keeping the burden off him.”

HANKS to rower Nestor Cordova’s stunning victory in the men’s single sculls, Team Philippines on Monday averted another gold-medal shutout in the 27th Southeast Asian Games in the newly-established capital city of Nay Pyi Taw in Myanmar. The 36-year-old Philippine Navy sergeant provided the brightest performance among the Filipino athletes on the 14th day of the competitions as the Philippines continue its chase for a better finish in the medal race. Digging deep, Cordova turned up the heat in the last 200 meters to duplicate his equally re-

markable showing in the same event two years ago in Indonesia with a submitted time of seven minutes and 49.38 seconds at the Nga Lite Dam. Coming in closely at second was hometown bet Ayung Ko Min, who led for majority of the 2-km race but sputtered in the stretch to finish with a time of 7:49.68 while Indonesian Memo Memo bagged the bronze with a clocking of 8:03.61. Sinag Pilipinas, which wielded the big broom in men’s basketball as early as last Sunday, formally claimed the gold medal for the country’s 12th overall plus 17 silver and 23 bronze medals.

Pinoy medalist eyes Olympics

N Hawks deal Lakers fourth loss in five games A

OW that he finally won his first gold medal in the Southeast Asian Games, Archand Christian Bagsit set his focus on his biggest dream, which is to play in the Olympic Games. “My dream is really to play in the Olympic Games and this gold medal will inspire me to work and achieve it,” Bagsit said in radio interview on Monday, a day after ruling the men’s 400-meter run finals of the 27th SEAG in Myanmar. It was the first SEA Games gold for the 22-yearold Bagsit, improving on his silver medal finish in his first SEA Games two years ago in Indonesia. Bagsit said his coach

Lerma Balauitan played key role in improving his lackluster performance in the time trial of the event where another Filipino runner, Edgardo Alejan, finished second. “Coach Lerma challenged me to give my best performance in the finals, so I did my best to win,” Bagsit, a native of Batangas province, said. Bagsit won the gold medal in 47.22 seconds while Alejan bagged the silver with a time of 47.45 seconds. Bagsit, a former basketball player, is a member of the team which tries to get the gold medal in the 4X400 relay event on Monday.

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EDGEDAVAO

UP AND ABOUT

Cebu Pacific promotes travel to Davao for the Big Davao Fun Sale THE Philippines’ leading low-cost carrier, Cebu Pacific Air (PSE: CEB) partners with tourism and retail stakeholders in Davao as the official airline partner of the Big Davao Fun Sale, a Davao city-wide shopping sale to be held from March 14 to April 16, 2014. Travelers going to Davao during the month-long event will enjoy up to 80% shopping discounts, freebies and prizes in all major malls in Davao City: Robinsons Cybergate Davao, Abreeza-Ayala Mall, Gaisano Grand Mall, Gaisano Mall of Davao, NCCC Mall, SM City Davao and SM Lanang Premier. The Big Davao Fun Sale is spearheaded by the malls of Davao City, in cooperation with the Department of Tourism XI, the Davao City Government and the Philippine Retailers Association. Those making plans to visit Davao during the Big Davao Fun Sale can book CEB’s special Davao hub seat sale fromDecember 16 to 18, 2013 or until seats last. This is for travel from January 1 to April 30, 2014. P399 seats from Cebu, Cagayan de Oro or Zamboanga to Davao are up for grabs, as well as P699 seats from Manila, Bacolod, Dipolog, Iloilo or Puerto Princesa to Davao. CEB will launch its direct Bacolod- Davao flights on January 25, 2014. “We join the DOT Region 11 and the City of Davao in inviting those looking for the best shopping deals, culinary finds, and the most exciting eco-adventure attractions, to visit Davao during the Big Davao Fun Sale,” said CEB VP for Marketing and Distribution Candice Iyog. From March 14 to 16, 2014, the Big Davao Fun Sale will kick off with mall-wide sales. For the rest of the month-long sale, there will be shopping deals per week, with March 16-23, 2014 being dedicated to health and beauty outlets, March 24-30, 2014 for electronics and gadgets shops, March 31-April 6, 2014 for home appliances and travel, and April 7-16, 2014 for active lifestyle and fashion. There will also be a food festival to be handled by the Restaurants Association of Davao Inc. They aim to engage at least 100 restaurants and food outlets throughout the duration of the sale. For bookings and inquiries, guests can go to www.cebupacificair.com, or call the reservation hotlines (02)7020-888 or (032)230-8888. The latest seat sales can also be found on CEB’s official Twitter (@cebupacificair) and Facebook pages. CEB’s 47-strong fleet is comprised of 10 Airbus A319, 27 Airbus A320, 2 Airbus A330 and 8 ATR-72 500 aircraft. It is one of the most modern aircraft fleets in the world. Between 2013 and 2021, Cebu Pacific will take delivery of 15 more brandnew Airbus A320, 30 Airbus A321neo, and 4 Airbus A330 aircraft.

Globe Telecom internal audit team secures highest assessment rating A quality assessment review conducted on GlobeTelecom’s internal audit team has yielded the highest rating, attesting to efforts by the telecommunications company to further improve its corporate governance. The rating given to the company confirms internal audit activities are conducted in conformity with the Institute of Internal Auditors’ International Standards, said Chief Audit Executive Carmina Herbosa. “Globe Telecom is strongly committed in pursuing integrity, accountability and transparency in all aspects of the business and the external quality assessment is aimed at ensuring the company’s internal audit processes and procedures are in accordance with industry best practices,” Herbosa said. The external quality assessment conducted by external assessor, Navarro Amper& Co. , a member of Deloitte Southeast Asia Ltd.,is in step with efforts to improve the organization’s operations by ensuring the company’s approach to evaluate and improve risk management, control and corporate governance is effective, she said. The external quality assessment involved a review of the internal audit work includingreviews on company’s business, financial, network and IT infrastructureas well as internal audit’s participation to various transformation projects of Globe as an advisory body. This was particularly relevant in the recent implementation of the company’s network and IT modernization initiative, she said. Globe Telecom’s internal audit team first obtained its highest rating given by the Institute of Internal Auditors-Philippines in April 2007.

A holiday gift guide from Marks & Spencer STILL caught in the holiday rush and can’t decide what to give to friends and family? Fret no more as Marks & Spencer gives you a world of possibilities that would make gift giving decidedly more festive. Here we followed Kay and Tom Gempesaw and their kids, joyfully scanning through each section, in search for sophisticated scents, smart looking wearables, accessories, and decadent delights.

A wide range of cookies and chocolates kids and grown-ups will enjoy at the Food Hall of the M&S stores.

Saving some for Santa. Chocolates, chocolate coated cookies & Ginger Snaps are great holidays gift ideas.

The M&S Food Hall offers a wide variety of wines.

Men will always look good in neckties. Choose one or two for the man in your life.

5 6

Men’s grooming will never be out of style.

Women and perfumes will always make a perfect pair. Choose your scents from the wide offerings of toiletries at the M&S stores.

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ENTERTAINMENT

Sarah remains a Kapamilya POPSTAR Sarah Geronimo once again proved that she is a solid Kapamilya after signing a two-year contract with ABS-CBN last December 16. “I will never leave this network. I am very grateful that ABS-CBN has trusted and supported me since the beginning of my career,” Sarah stated. The singer-actress confirmed that she will again be part of the upcoming “The Voice of the Philippines” season two as one of the coaches. She is also looking forward for a comeback in acting on television via the longest-running drama an-

ABS-CBN TV production head Laurenti Dyogi, president and CEO Charo Santos-Concio, broadcast head Cory Vidanes, Sarah Geronimo, and Viva Entertainment head Vic del Rosario. thology “Maalaala Mo Kaya.” Present during the signing were (L-R) ABS-CBN TV production head Laurenti Dyogi, president and CEO Charo

Santos-Concio, broadcast head Cory Vidanes, Sarah Geronimo, and Viva Entertainment head Vic del Rosario.

Vets Gone Wild! The Born To Be Wild’s yearend special ENORMOUS fish that grow bigger than humans in Cagayan, a five-foot napoleon wrasse in Palau, majestic wild Tamaraws and a sailfin lizard walking on water! These are just some of the amazing encounters that our wild vets – Doc Ferds Recio and Doc Nielsen Donato - documented this year on BORN TO BE WILD. But did you know that behind these encounters are amusing, funny, and challenging stories behind the scenes? The vets fill you in on their wild tales in a two-part Yearend Special beginning this Wednesday on BORN TO BE WILD! “Vets Gone Wild” airs December 18 and 25 after Saksi.

ONE MAN: NELSON MANDELA A GMA News TV Documentary Special this Friday GMA News TV will be airing a tribute to the late Nelson Mandela - former South African President who stood as a beacon of hope to a country fractured by apartheid or racial segregation. Nelson Mandela was a shining example of what one man can do to change the world. Born into an oppressive regime, he fought to overcome prejudice and hate to unify a nation. He was imprisoned for decades because of his beliefs. Mandela’s dedication resulted in his inauguration as the first black President of South Africa, his award of the Nobel Peace Prize and ultimately, his role in overthrowing the apartheid regime. The documentary “One Man” not only traces the per-

FROZEN 2D Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel

12:40 | 3:00 | 5:20 | 7:40 | 10:00 LFS

IN FEAR 2D Iain De Caestecker, Alice Englert R 13

12:25 | 2:20 | 4:15 | 6:10 | 8:05 | 9:00 LFS

THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE 2D/ *ENDER'S GAME 2D Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson / * Asa Butterfield, Harrison Ford

R-16

sonal story and struggle of South Africa’s most famous leader, but also charts the history of racism in the coun-

try. Dubbed in Filipino, it airs on December 20, Friday at 8PM, only on GMA News TV Channel 11.

PG 13 / *PG 13

12:10 | 2:50 LFS / *5:30 | 7:45 | 10:00 LFS

THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG 2D Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman PG 13

1:00 | 4:00 | 7:00 | 10:00 LFS

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EDGEDAVAO

WOMEN Kay and her family.

How a mom...FFROM A1 options to culinary staples and celebratory favorites, yet she manages to reinvent recipes for that touch of originality and creativity to please her company. After she puts her family’s individual needs together, she her sets her foot in the long queue, buying gifts for everyone in her list. “The holiday season has a way of fashioning things a bit more remarkable and demanding extra attention to detail,” says Kay Gempesaw, a mother and entrepreneur. Baby Cakes and Fun Cuts keep Kay busy during the day, more so now that orders for Christmas confections have started to pile up by day. Parents also line up their children for a holiday makeover in Kay’s kiddie salon. Not that Kay is the designated hairstylist you see in action with handy-dandy scissors and comb, but she has to oversee the parlor’s operations in between baking. “We all want to look our best this season as celebrations are indeed in full swing. From office parties to reunion dinners and the much-awaited Noche Buena, this really is the season to be feasting and to socialize.” Catering to business needs alone is time consuming, but Kay always makes time for family. Despite keeping up with the busy schedule at work, she passionately puts her heart into planning an enchanting Christmas for her husband, Tom, and kids, Chloe and Tomas. “To this day, I still find excitement in cooking for them and wrapping and sneaking in gifts under the tree at night when everyone is asleep. I pay heed to the little things that make my children and husband happy. I try to veer away from the Christmas list and surprise them with something that they least expect getting. The smiles on their faces are just precious. Mothers know

best, don’t you think?” “The holiday season is a marathon, not a sprint, and I just want to enjoy it rather than worry about getting through it. Christmas reminds us that we are all here for a purpose and for someone else besides ourselves. For me, my purpose in life is my family.” To Kay, Christmas with the family will never be out of fashion.

Dress from M&S Collection, shoes from Limited Collection. Photos by Wacky Masbad Makeup and styling by Otoy Mercado All clothes from Marks & Spencer

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VOL. 6 ISSUE 198• WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2013

PHL cagebelles clinch silver P

ERLAS Pilipinas easily dispatched of Myanmar in the last game of competitions in women’s basketball to duplicate their silver medal finish in the 2011 SEA Games. They captured the silver medal with an 80-31 drubbing of home team at the Zehar Thiri Indoor Stadium in Nay Pyi Taw, Monday afternoon. Camille Sambile led Perlas with 22 points while Cassie Tioseco added 13. Thailand once again ruled the women’s division. The defending champions were simple too much to handle for the rest of the field as they cruised to a 4-0 sweep of the field, winning all their games with double-digit leads. Their only close game was an 11-point win against Indonesia, a battle they no longer had to win as they were already guaranteed of a gold medal. Perlas started off their campaign with a 65-59 win over Malaysia which gave them some momentum heading into their match against powerhouse Thailand. This momentum was nowhere close to being enough as the Filipinas were shell-shocked by Thailand who scored a dominant 75-36 victory. Perlas then bounced back

SILVER MEDAL FINISH. Joan Grajales of the Philippines battles with Wulan Ayuningrum of Indonesia during the Women’s Basketball Competition. Perlas Piliinas won the silver. (Getty Images/Stanley Chou)

with a 54-43 win over Indonesia that all but assured the second-place finish for the Philippines as Myanmar had the weakest team in the field.

In the last edition of the SEA Games in Indonesia, Thailand also won the gold with the Philippines winner the silver medal. It was a painful loss for the

emotional campaign in the Asian championship in front of home fans this year. The Philippines, hosting the event for the first time in 40 years, bucked the odds to crash the finals against Asian powerhouse Iran en route to a second place finish. The result gave the Philippines a return ticket to the world stage, with Gilas Pilipinas qualifying for next year’s FIBA World Cup in Spain.

The 280-page limited edition book recounts the team’s buildup toward the FIBA Asia Championship and its campaign that riveted the whole nation as the Filipinos banked on their biggest asset — PUSO! — to defy the odds. The book will be on sale at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum starting at 5 p.m., with members of Gilas Pilipinas led by coach Chot Reyes on hand to sign copies.

RP women’s team as they were seconds away from winning it all. A turnover for the Philippines and an answered prayer for Thailand took away a two-gold

haul in basketball for the Filipino ballers. The Philippines basketball teams settle for a onegold, one silver finish in the 27th SEA Games.

Philippines (80) - Sambile 22, Tioseco 13, Almazan 10, Resultay 8, Gloriani 5, Grajales 5, Tiu 4, Galicia 4, Jacob 3, Mercado 2, Borja 2, Arayi 2.

sway him for a showdown with Pacquiao. Mayweather killed this idea in an interview with Fight Hype. “Everybody’s talking about the title he’s (Pacquiao’s) the mandatory. He can have the belt! A belt don’t make me. A belt doesn’t define Floyd Mayweather,” said the fighter. The undefeated fighter then questioned the selection of Pacquiao by the

WBC. “Here’s the Manny Pacquiao story. Manny Pacquiao was at welterweight. He lost to Timothy Bradley, no matter how you cut it, how you slice it, he lost to Timothy Bradley. He got knocked out by Marquez. He came back and went the distance with a lightweight,” said Mayweather. “And now all of a sudden, he’s the mandatory for my title.”

Gilas launches coffeetable book Floyd: Manny can have the belt F

ILIPINO basketball fans could bring home memories of the Gilas Pilipinas national team’s historic silver medal run in the FIBA Asia Championship in time for the holiday season. Sports5 and the MVP Sports Foundation will launch a special coffee table book entitled “11 Days in August: Gilas Pilipinas and the Quest for Basketball Glory” that chronicles the team’s

FTER the World Boxing Council named Manny Pacquiao as the mandatory challenger to Floyd Mayweather’s welterweight title, the mega-fight that the boxing world has hoped for seemed closer than ever. Mayweather has held the green 147-belt for a long time some people thought it might be important enough to the American fighter to

Khan, not Manny, is top Floyd contender

NEXT UP. Amir Khan could be the next foe for Floyd Mayweather.

FORMER sparring partner of Manny Pacquiao is currently the favorite to win the Floyd Mayweather sweepstakes. Amir Khan the former British Olympian has emerged as the top choice for Mayweather’s opponent on May 3rd. Khan is under the Golden Boy Promotions banner, a group that work closely with Mayweather’s own promotion. Pacquiao on the other hand is with the rival Top Rank Promotions which will make negotiations with Khan far easier. In an interview with Fight Hype’s Ben Thompson, Mayweather shared his thoughts about his upcoming opponent. “Amir Khan, he has

speed. After his loss to the kid from Philadelphia, to (Danny) Garcia, he’s had a couple of impressive victories,” said the undefeated American. Khan lost to Danny Garcia in 2012 and has since scored a stoppage victory Carlos Molina and a close decision win over Julio Diaz. While Mayweather called these wins as impressive, he brushed off Pacquiao’s win against Brandon Rios as the opposite because the Filipino slugger “went 12 rounds with a lightweight.” Mayweather looks like he’s not going to defend this WBC welterweight title against Pacquiao who was recently named as the mandatory challenger. One of Mayweather’s

reasons for considering Khan the healthy number of boxing fans in the United Kingdom. “The thing that I like about Amir Khan is he is very interesting. He has a pretty cool fan base, so that fight would make a lot of sense,” Mayweather explained. “When you have that UK fan base, it’s remarkable. If the fight between Amir Khan and me is to happen, I want all my fans from the UK to come over.” “We don’t know where the fight may happen at, but of course it could happen in the UK if the fight does happen. It could happen in Vegas, we just don’t know. It could happen in New York City, we really don’t know,” Mayweather continued.

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