Edge Davao Issue 14 No. 24| Tuesday, April 13, 2021

EDGEDAVAO

SAVING THE “BEAST OF BURDEN”

Serving a seamless society

VOL.14 ISSUE 24 • TUESDAY, APRIL 13, 2021

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@EdgeDavao

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AGRICULTURE P9 edgedavao@gmail.com

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Fish vendors prepare special cuts of tuna at the ‘bagsakan’ area for sea produce of Bankerohan Public Market in Davao City on Monday.

Edge Davao

ONLINE SABONG

Sara endorses online cockfighting in Davao City STORY ON PAGE 2

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 24 • TUESDAY, APRIL 13, 2021

ONLINE SABONG Sara endorses online cockfighting in Davao City

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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ayor Sara Duterte-Carpio is endorsing online “sabong” activities in Davao City in the hope to generate revenue for the city.

A committee hearing for the establishment of an ordinance for an online “sabong” will be conducted.

The mayor explained that the city government needs to look for other ways to make money and online “sabong” is a possible alternative.

“Ako ang nag-endorse sa online sabong to the City Council. Duna man gud ta gukdunon nga money na kinahanglan nato pangitaon sa lain sources tungod kay dili na nato masaligan tong regular sources nato sama sa local taxes kay naglisod ang atoang businesses karon kay ang mga fees and charges atoang gi-reduce tungod sa hangyo sa mga tao tungod sa kalisod

so kinahanglan nato pangitaon sa lain nga revenue generation na mga ordinances,” the mayor said.

The mayor added that this electronic cockfighting will assure that health protocols will be observed and prevent Dabawenyos to conduct face-to-face cockfighting activities.

“Kining electronic sabong nakita nato ni kanang batasan lang pud sa mga tao particularly ang mga Dabawenyos nga maggidukdanay sa mga tao nga nagsabong. Ma-cater gihapon ang ilahang need nga magsabong pero safely in the confines of their cellphones and laptops dinha lang sila. Basin duna ta’y makita na pos-

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Health dept 11 highlights need to strengthen PDITR strategy

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espite a decreasing trend of COVID19 cases in Davao Region in the recent weeks, the Department of Health 11 calls on all government instrumentalities to strengthen the PDITR strategy or the Prevent, Detect, Isolate, Treat, Reintegrate.

Dr. Raquel Montejo, Operations Chief of DOH XI COVID19 Vaccination Program, stressed during the One Davao Virtual Presser held Wednesday the call for all provinces in the region to strengthen the said strategy.

The DOH XI cited Davao City LGU’s strategy of strengthening their sur-

veillance by capacitating its districts’ local epidemiology and surveillance units.

“Nangita sila ug mga symptomatics, gi-review nila ang mga records sa consultation. Ug ang tanang symptomatic dapat ma-test (They are now looking for symptomatics and they reviewed the records in consultations.

They also ensured that these symptomatics be tested),” Dr. Montejo said.

The health official also lauded the effort of the Davao City LGU of actively going to crowded places such as public markets and provided assessment if an

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DCPO now COVID-19 free

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he city’s top cop bared that the Davao City Police Office is now COVID-19 free.

Police Colonel Kirby John Kraft, director of the Davao City Police Office revealed that two of his personnel who were classified as COVID-19 positive have finally recovered from the infection.

“All police personnel under the DCPO are in pink of health,” he said.

Kraft urged the public to observe the basic health protocol with the long

weekend.

The DCPO chief expects that the people would once again go to public convergence like malls, public markets, and beach and inland resorts.

He urged the public to observe the basic health protocol where ever they are like to avoid crowding or social gathering.

Kraft also bared that the ongoing construction of the Ecoland Police Station, Los Amigos Station and the Bajada Station is ongong.

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Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio announces that she will take another leave in October 2021 and in April 2022 after returning from her recent trip in Singapore. Edge Davao

City conducts mass testing at DCLA, Calinan market

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he city government of Davao conducted mass testing in various establishments in Davao City over the weekend.

Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) mass testing were conducted for the 300 vendors of Calinan Public Mar-

ket and at DCLA shopping center.

The city has stepped up its surveillance testing in areas that are monitored and reported with high exposure and cases of Covid-19.

Mayor Sara said this is one of the measures to prevent the clustering of cas-

es and the potential mega surge of Covid-19 cases in the city.

“We try to unahan ang clustering of cases. Makita nato didto sa contact tracing kung asa nagtrabaho or unsa’y exposure sa isa ka-tao, didto ta naga-target og surveillance swabbing and test-

ing. Example, ang palengkes are known to be areas diin asa daghan usually ang naay exposure,” she said.

Last week the city government has started conducting surveillance swabbing in Agdao Public Market and were able to test around

FCITY, P10

VOL.14 ISSUE 24 • TUESDAY, APRIL 13, 2021

EDGEDAVAO

While her colleagues at the Magaslong Youth Organization (Magayon) in Barangay Magaslong, Datu Piang, Maguindanao are outside the mosque cleaning and repairing it on Saturday, April 10, in preparation for Ramadan, Baihana Palao fixes the prayer rugs inside. Moonsighting was held Sunday night to determine the start

NEWS 3

of month-long Ramadan but there was no sighting of the moon. The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos announced Ramadan will start on Tuesday, April 13. Photo courtesy of Magayon

Sara to file more leave

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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ayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has returned from her recent trip in Singapore and disclosed that she will have more official leave filed for future similar trips.

The mayor announced that she will file another leave in October 2021 and in April 2022.

“Ang akong lakaw connected ni siya atong lakaw nako atong October 2020. Na miss-out lang nako maghatag ug announcement,” she said in a live broadcast on Mon-

day.

The mayor has flown to Singapore for personal health management last April 6 to 10, 2021. The mayor was reported boarding Singapore Airlines flight (SQ-917) and was seen with one of her three children and one Presidential Security Group (PSG)

bodyguard.

In a statement, Mayor Sara said she has secured a travel authority from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

She added that all protocols for return to Davao City including RT-PCR testing and 14-day quarantine have all been pre-arranged.

It can be recalled that that mayor also filed a seven-day medical leave last year from September 28 to October 5 wherein she was also reported leaving Davao City.

1,130 families displaced in Sto. Tomas, Mati floods

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ore than 1,130 families were displaced by flash floods occurring in the municipality of Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte and Mati City, Davao Oriental last Saturday and Sunday.

Sto. Tomas municipal information officer Mart Sambalud reported that initial relief operation for the 1,130 affected families in the village of San Miguel has already been conducted by the municipal headed by Mayor Ernesto Evangelista.

Upon learning of the flood last Sunday, Mayor

Evangelista posthaste directed the deployment of personnel of Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (MDRRMO), including the Bureau of Fire Station, the municipal police station, the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) and other offices to spring into action and provide the affected families with food packs and ready-to-eat meals.

Evangelista directed the MSWDO to coordinate with barangay officials in the distribution of food and other relief goods.

The mayor said town executives and concerned barangay officials will soon meet to discuss the recurring floods in the poblacion initially attributed to years of lack of mitigating drainage systems.

Earlier, six families composed of 22 individuals were displaced when a flashflood occurred last Saturday in barangay Macambol, Mati City, capital of Davao Oriental.

Mati City information department head Ben Jason O. Tesiorna told reporters

F1,130, P10

IDIS to policymakers: solve Davao City’s plastic pollution

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n environmental group called on policymakers of Davao City to craft stricter regulations to address plastic pollution as various single-use plastic (SUP) wastes were on the streets in the aftermath of the flooding in the city on Saturday evening.

Lawyer Mark Peñalver, executive director of the Interface Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS), on Sunday said he hopes Saturday’s flash flood would serve as an eye-opener for the public

and policymakers to adopt more sustainable, resilient, disaster-adaptive development, and environment-responsive policies for the city “The flooding last night is heartbreaking and a very unfortunate situation to look at. The aftermath is no different,” Peñalver said in a statement.

A heavy downpour Saturday night inundated several low-lying areas in the city, including downtown Davao.

He added that seeing a lot of wastes carried by the

flood, many of them plastic, was problematic, as these contributed to the flooding situation in Davao City.

He said it also showed how much plastic wastes are being generated and the failure of the city and the community to effectively manage them.

“With the current policy environment, the authorities should come up with a stricter policies that would address plastic pollution.

But let us not also forget to make those who produce

FIDIS, P10

Assorted plastic wastes left on a narrow street in Barangay 37-D in Davao City on Sunday, 11 April 2021, the morning after the flooding (Photo courtesy of Sustainable Development Movement)

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 24 • TUESDAY, APRIL 13, 2021

Agriculture Secretary William Dar denies involvement in the alleged scheme that would supposedly bring billions of pesos in kickbacks from increasing the volume of imported pork products. Edge Davao

Dar denies links to ‘tongpats’ scheme on pork importation A

griculture Secretary William Dar on Monday denied involvement in the alleged scheme that would supposedly bring billions of pesos in kickbacks from increasing the volume of imported pork products and reducing tariff using the African swine fever problem as smokescreen.

"As regards to the alleged 'tongpats' of about P5 to P7 per kilo of imported pork, the present DA leadership categorically denies any involvement if such scheme indeed exists," Dar told a Senate inquiry.

"As far as the MAV al-

location is concern, strict implementation and guidelines are in place to ensure a transparent and non-discretionary systematic procedure on the MAV (minimum access volume) allocation," he added.

FDAR, P10

DTI says outdoor dining allowed under MECQ

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epartment of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez said restaurants with outdoor dining are allowed in places under the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ).

In a text message to reporters Sunday night, Lopez said food estab-

lishments with alfresco dining services are only allowed up to 50 percent capacity, with diagonal seating arrangement and acrylic dividers on tables.

He added that indoor dine-in services are still not allowed in areas under MECQ, but food establishments can continue to

FDTI, P10

IMF, World Bank push to swap debt relief for green projects T he idea of forgiving debt held by poor countries in exchange for "green" investments gained ground this week during the spring meetings of the IMF and World Bank, with concrete proposals expected in time for a global climate summit this fall.

Low-income countries face a double crisis -- they are under pressure to pay down their debt while also confronting environmental problems.

That makes them "highly, highly vulnerable," Kristalina Georgieva, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, said this week, adding that it thus "makes sense" for the world to pursue so-called "green debt swaps."

A World Bank spokeswoman underscored that point.

"The Covid-19 crisis has

made it significantly harder for developing countries to tackle the rising risks posed by climate change" and environmental disasters, said the spokeswoman, who declined to be named.

With already tight budgets, these countries have had to use emergency financial assistance to address the severe impact of the pandemic and the resulting economic crisis.

"By enlarging the debt burdens of governments -- which were already at record levels on the eve of the crisis -- it has left them with fewer resources to invest in a recovery that will also put the planet on a more sustainable footing," the spokeswoman said.

'Creative options' A technical working group -- bringing together representatives not only of the IMF and World Bank

but also of the United Nations and the OECD -- was launched this week to examine "creative options to help countries tackle these simultaneous challenges," the World Bank spokeswoman said.

"This work has only just begun," she said, "but we think a proactive approach is essential: we must look closely at how potential solutions to the challenges of climate and debt can be integrated to address the key development issues of our time."

While there is no timeline yet for announcing concrete measures, all parties involved are clearly pointing toward the COP26 climate summit to be held in November in the Scottish city of Glasgow.

"We are going to work with the World Bank. And

by COP26 we will advance

that option" of a debt swap, Georgieva said, adding that it will then be up to creditors and debtors to decide whether to take part.

For Thierry Deau, the founder and CEO of the Paris-based Meridiam group, which specializes in developing and financing infrastructure projects, if the green debt-swap option is pursued, it will have to be linked to clear "conditionalities" to ensure that debt relief in fact leads to the launching of green projects.

Job opportunities "The primary responsibility there on this debt relief is between the countries that are on both sides," he said. "There's a lot of politeness about this topic, and I think we have to stop that and create real true partnerships."

The IMF and World Bank

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EDGEDAVAO

ECONOMY 5

Philippine Airlines warns against falsification of documents as passengers caught using fake COVID-19 test results may be fined up to P50,000 or serve a maximum of 6 months in jail. Edge Davao

Passengers who use fake Covid-19 test results could face P50-K fine, jail: PAL FDI net inflows up 41.5% in January —BSP data

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oreign direct investment (FDI) net inflows posted a 41.5% growth in January with the gradual reopening of the economy, data released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Monday revealed.

Central bank data showed an FDI net inflow of $961 million in January versus $679 million the same month last year.

The BSP attributed the year-on-year growth on the 116% expansion in debt instruments to $535 million from $248 million in Janu-

ary 2020.

"This development reflects the investors' optimism at the start of the year due in turn to the gradual reopening of the economy under the 'new normal' condition, easing of lockdown measures, and positive news about the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines," it said.

However, restrictions were tightened anew to the strictest enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) for two weeks from March 29 to April 11, following a

surge in COVID-19 cases. It was lowered by a notch to modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) on April 12 and will last until the end of the month.

The net investment of foreign investors on equity capital in January rose 0.5% to $351 million. Inflows from new placements amounted to $362 million with withdrawals for the month down year-on-year to $10 million from $24 million in 2020.

Equity capital place-

FFDI, P10

Gasoline, kerosene prices down today

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ump prices of petroleum products will be rolled back starting Tuesday, following last week's hike.

In separate advisories, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. and Seaoil Philippines Inc. said they will lower prices per liter of gasoline

by P0.25, and kerosene by

P0.10, while keeping diesel prices unchanged.

Cleanfuel and Petro Gazz will implement the same changes, excluding kerosene which it does not carry.

The changes will take effect 6 a.m. on Tuesday, April 13, 2021 for all the firms except for Cleanfuel which will

adjust prices at 8:01 a.m. the same day.

The latest data available from the Department of Energy (DOE) shows that yearto-date adjustments stand at a total net increase of P6.80 per liter for gasoline, P4.65 per liter for diesel, and P3.55 per liter for kerosene as of April 6, 2021.

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assengers caught using fake COVID-19 test results, a requirement for air travel in most destinations, may be fined up to P50,000 or serve a maximum of 6 months in jail, Philippine Airlines said Monday as it warns against falsification of documents.

The warning was issued after at least 15 individuals presented "fraudulent COVID-19 test results" in Manila recently, the flag carrier said in a statement.

Those passengers caught using fake test results were taking flights to Cotabato, Dipolog and Zamboanga. They have been turned over to the Philip-

pine National Police, PAL said.

COVID-19 RT-PCR or antigen tests results are required for travel to ensure that no infection will occur in flights and no disease will spread in the destination.

"We wish to alert the public to secure authentic COVID-19 test results only from legitimate medical

providers. Safe travel is always the paramount concern, and airlines and authorities are vigilant in not accepting travelers holding fake RT-PCR or Antigen test results, for everybody's protection," PAL said.

Most of the passengers were referred for inquest at the city prosecutor's office while the others were isolated at quarantine facilities pending the result of their real swab test, the airline said.

If found guilty, violators can be charged with falsification of public documents and violation of RA 11332 or the Mandatory Report-

FPASSENGERS, P10

Emperador: Brands retain ‘market dominance’ in several countries

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hilippines' Emperador said Monday it has sustained "market dominance" in several countries with its brandy sales expands in North America and the UK, while its scotch whisky business also grew in Europe, Asia and Africa.

Despite the pandemic, Emperador's brandy business posted "remarkable growth" in various coun-

tries in 2020, contributing "significantly" to the international business segment, it said in a disclosure to the stock exchange.

The brandy business grew 376 percent in the UK, 44 percent in Mexico, 74 percent in Canada and 24 percent in the United States, Emperador said.

Its brandy Tres Cepas, under its Spain subsidiary,

expanded market share in Guinea and Cameroon, it said.

Scotch whisky Whyte and Mackay UK, also a subsidiary of Emperador, is now the second-largest selling blended scotch brand in the entire UK, Emperador said.

In China, it grew around 200 percent, it added.

Single malt brand Jura is

FEMPERADOR, P10

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 24 • TUESDAY, APRIL 13, 2021

On endorsing online ‘sabong’ in Davao City: Ako ang nag-endorse sa online sabong to the City Council. Duna man gud ta gukdunon nga money na kinahanglan nato pangitaon sa lain sources tungod kay dili na nato masaligan tong regular sources nato sama sa local taxes kay naglisod ang atoang businesses karon kay ang mga fees and charges atoang gi-reduce tungod sa hangyo sa mga tao tungod sa kalisod so kinahanglan nato pangitaon sa lain nga revenue generation na mga ordinances.”

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio

EDITORIAL That better late than never system From “what’s taking us too long?”, we can now finally say “now we’re talking.”

StaySafe.PH System, the official social distancing, Covid-19 health-condition reporting, and contact tracing system of the government, will finally be operational across the country. The system has been given the green light to further strengthen and improve its use by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).

StaySafe.PH was recommended by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) to use its automatic contact tracing through Smart Messaging System.

It took a while before the government moved with a national contact tracing system. Local government units like Davao City and those in the National Capital Region also used their own contact tracing system in the height of the pandemic as an initiative to contain the spread of the virus.

The IATF-EID likewise adopted the

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ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

MAYA M. PADILLO Senior Reporter

KENNETH IRVING K. ONG ATHENA JILLIAN BRAVO NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN MEGHANN STA. INES FERINA SANTOS Lifestyle

CHRISTIAN JAY H. RAFAL GRACE M. BORDIOS Layout

LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. Correspondent Consultant Columnists: MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO A. PEÑA • ZHAUN ORTEGA • BERNADETTE “ADDIE” B. BORBON • MARY ANN C. QUISIDO • LEANDRO DAVAL SR.,TRIA • NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN NICASIO ANGELO AGUSTIN • EMILY Columnists: ANTONIO V.“ADI” FIGUEROA • HENRYLITO D. TACIO •B.JOHN CARLO • MUJAHID NAVARRA ••FRED C. LUMBA • DENNIS R. GORECHO ZEN CHUA • CARLOS MUNDA Economic Analyst: ENRICO •“GICO” G. S. DAYANGIRANG • JONALLIER GREGORIO G. DELIGERO VIDA MIA VALVERDE • HAROLD CAVITE M. PEREZ

OLIVIA D. VELASCO D. MARATAS RICHARD C. EBONA OLIVIA D. VELASCO JASPERSOLANI V. BACSAL General Manager PresidentAdvertising SpecialistGeneral Manager Finance JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales

recommendation on the immediate completion of the transfer of ownership to the Department of Health (DOH) of the CDRS and the immediate integration of the CDRS with the StaySafe.PH System and other local contact tracing systems and applications.

To get the ball rolling in all parts of the country, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has been directed to be the overall lead in the implementation, he added.

Likewise, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) will also play a significant role as it will be the lead agency in the national interoperability, while the DOH is directed to ensure integration of the StaySafe.PH System with the CDRS. To complete the mechanism, the DILG shall coordinate and convene with DICT and DOH to formulate the necessary action plan with specific timelines and targets.

That said, it looks like the “better late than never” contact tracing system is off and running.

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance

CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING OFFICE MANILA MARKETING OFFICE RICHARD C. EBONA LEIZEL A. DELOSO | Marketing Manager Unit 6, Southbank Plaza Velez-YacapinProduct Sts. Development officer Cagayan de Oro City Address: No. 18 Purok 4B, Madelo Street, Lower Bicutan, Taguig City Tel: (088) 852-4894 Mobile number: +63 947 265 2969(smart); +63 916 955 8559(globe)

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 23 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, APRIL 11-12, 2021

COMPETITIVE EDGE

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The Summer Heat is on as Subaru introduces worry-free Forester summer deals

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otor Image Pilipinas, Inc., the exclusive distributor of Subaru vehicles in the Philippines, welcomes the Summer Season with worry-free deals for all variants of the Forester.

SALES This month, all variants of the Forester will come with a Php 40,000 service voucher package, equivalent to around 2 years of worry-free maintenance*** ***computed based on the standard PMS schedule, scope of work, and maintenance parts & lubes to be replaced. There are 2 PMS in a year, or one PMS every six

months.

All purchases of the mid-spec Forester i-L EyeSight variant will also come with a Free GT Lite Body Kit, adding that sporty look to the Extraordinary SUV. Lastly, along with all the Forester variants, generous cash discounts will also be available for the XV, BRZ, Levorg, and WRX. AFTERSALES Free Oil Filter for every PMS 3+1 Tire package, 35% off for in-cabin air purifiers, 20% off for brake pads, 25% off for suspension parts and 20% off for labor on all discount-

ed parts. Enjoy these special deals from April 5-30, 2021 across all Subaru outlets nationwide!

Book an appointment now at 8-727 8333 (Greenhills), 8-8829788 (Pasig), or 8-8809898 (Manila Bay).

You may also book online at http://www.subaru.asia/ ph/en/owners/aftersales/service-booking/.

So what are you waiting for? Let’s all welcome the summer season by visiting your nearest Subaru showroom and test driving your next Subaru vehicle! ** on selected outlets, additional offers await once customer reserves for a Subaru vehicle.

Tagumenyo artists undergo Art Mentoring Program led by Kublai Millan

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AGUM CITY—At least 30 local artists here participated in the first-ever Art Mentoring Program of the Tagum City Historical and Cultural Center, in a bold attempt to capacitate them as the city pivots towards revitalizing the city’s art scene leading to a creative economy.

In partnership with Gallery Down South and renowned Mindanaoan artist Kublai Millan, the program ambitions to hone talented Tagumenyo artists and make them immersed on the varied cultures of Tagum and Mindanao.

This trajectory will hopefully create art that is replete with meaning, symbolisms and substance, according to Tagumenyo Artist Victor Augustus Dumaguing, who also sits as the resident artist of the newly-opened Tagum City Historical and Cultural Center at the heart of downtown Tagum.

The program capitalizes on the unique aspect of budding artists getting honed and critiqued by

industry leaders and innovators.

The first wave of the program took place last April 10, 2021 at Balai Kublai in Maa, Davao City with no less than Kublai himself taking the lead in the mentoring sessions.

As agreed, Tagumenyo artists will mount the city’s first exhibition to the Mindanao Art, the annual art fair gathering the best of Mindanao, which is supported by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

These mentoring sessions will help capacitate local artists to produce thought-provoking artworks for the said fair that are at par with their contemporaries in Mindanao, if not the entire Philippines.

Among the participants to this program is Datu Jose Pinang, one of the recognized culture masters of Tagum, who signified his goal to improve his craft, particularly on wood sculpture.

To inspire the partici-

The first batch of Tagumenyo artists pose with renowned Mindanaoan Artist Kublai Millan and Victor Augustus Dumaguing during the commencement of the Art Mentoring Program. An initiative of the Tagum City Historical and Cultural Center, Gallery pating artists, Kublai himself gifted the artists with one roll of canvas that can be used to produce their artworks.

Meanwhile, the Tagum City Historical and Cultural

Office which oversees the operations and management of the Center, will also held an intensive art workshop to be helmed by the Center’s resident artist this May in time for the National

Down South and Millan himself, the program capitalizes on the unique aspect of budding artists getting honed and critiqued by industry leaders and innovators. Contributed Photo Heritage Month.

Later on, the participating artists will have the option to accredit themselves or their group to the Center’s Artist Partnership Program, a groundbreaking

program that prioritizes accredited groups in the usage of the different facilities of the Center, including exhibition spaces free of charge. Louie Lapat/CHCO

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EDGEDAVAO

LIFESTYLE

SUMMER HUES AND FLAVOURS AT CAFE UNO IT may still be a while before all of us can travel, the Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao beacons everyone to travel on a plate with their Summer Hues at Cafe Uno promotion.

Be whisked away to the coast of Italy as the Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao creates an Amalfi-themed dining space at their signature restaurant, Cafe Uno. Covered in dazzling hues of blues, greens and yellows, the Cafe Uno comes alive with the colors and vibrancy of the Mediterranean coast.

“We want to provide guests with plenty of dining options and the revamped menu was intricately curated and collaborated by the Waterfront Chefs of Davao and Mactan.” shared Waterfront’s Director of Sales and Marketing, Jennifer Romero. “Chef Tristan Encarnacion, Chef Mimi Briones and Chef Bong Banday showcased culinary ingenuity with

the Cafe Uno Superbowls, a selection of noodle and rice bowls highlighting the rich

flavours of Asia.”

Guests looking for a generous serving of Signature Rice

Dishes are presented with a variety of Chinese, Filipino, and Japanese Rice Bowls with

toppings. For the noodle buffs, the Cafe prides itself with its Japanese Tonkotsu Ramen, Korean Spicy Jjampong, Malaysian Laksa, and Filipino Bulalo Lomi.

Known for elevating guest experiences, Cafe Uno also offers a new All-Day Gourmet menu, a three-course meal option for those who prefer fine dining. Waterfront Davao’s Cafe Uno is open daily from 10:00AM to 9:00PM. Guests visiting Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao for the summer are also invited to revisit the Pool Aquarius, where summer deals and delightful dining offers await.

For more updates on Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao’s promotions, like them on Facebook or contact them through (082) 233 2881 to 83.

9 AGRICULTURE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 24 • TUESDAY, APRIL 13, 2021

Saving the “Beast of Burden”

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO f you ask Filipinos living in rural areas to describe what a farmer looks like, don’t be surprised if carabao is also being mentioned. The two, after all, are partners when it comes to farming. The carabao is Filipino farmer’s beast of burden.

I

“It does not seem that any mechanical device can easily replace this animal in preparing the soil for lowland rice, considering the diminutive farms scattered throughout the Philippines,” wrote Dr. Valente Villegas in his book, Carabao Husbandry.

Carabao is a versatile animal. “It is used in plowing fields for crops like sugar cane, corn, and upland rice, and even to better advantage than the ox when new land is to be opened and a stronger animal is needed,” Villegas noted.

In faraway places where trucks still cannot penetrate, carabao are used in transferring the sawed lumber from the mountains. That’s why there is such a thing as carabao logging. “For hauling logs from the forest and other heavy work,” Villegas pointed out, “(carabao) is unsurpassed in strength and stability.”

Despite modernization of farming, most farmers in the hinterlands are still using carabao. Although there is still no law that decrees the carabao to be a national symbol in the country, it is generally considered by most Filipinos to be their national animal.

As of January 2021, the total carabao inventory in the country was estimated at 2.92 million heads, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reports. “The (figure) was 1.9% higher than the previous year’s same period head count of 2.87 million heads,” it said.

Most of these carabao are raised by small-scale farmers. “Backyard farms, which

contributed 99.7% to the country’s carabao population, recorded an improvement of 2.0%, from 2.86 million heads last year to 2.91 million heads this year.”

The bad news: carabao stocks in commercial farms decreased by -12.4%, from 10.63 thousand heads in 2020 to 9.31 thousand heads in 2021.

In terms of inventory, the PSA said the top three regions were Bicol, Western Visayas and Central Luzon. “These regions accounted for 29.2% of the country’s total carabao population,” it said.

In the past, the number of carabao population declined as a result of low productivity, high extraction rate, and high mortality rate, according to the Laguna-based Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD).

In the Philippines, the carabao is put to continuous work from the age of four years up to 15 years or beyond. Some studies have shown that three females can perform the work of two male carabaos. As a draft animal, the carabao is most remarkable. It pulls plows, harrows, and carts with loads of several tons, forging through mud up to its belly.

A research study done in 2002 showed that about 66% of the country’s total population at that time used the carabao for farm work.

“The estimated value of the contributed draft power of the carabao is… US$1.48 million,” said Dr. Libertado C. Cruz, then the executive di-

rector of the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC), quoting the same study.

The PCC is an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture and is devoted to improving the country’s carabao. It was created by virtue of Republic Act 7307 in 1992 and became operational the following year.

The PCC’s mandate is: “to conserve, propagate, and promote the carabao as a source of milk, meat, draft power and hide to benefit the rural farmers.”

Carabao is not a native animal of the Philippines. Written history indicated that the country imported carabaos from China in the mid-1500s.

There were two types of buffalos available and the country selected the swamp type.

“It was the swamp type which was brought to the country,” the late agricultural journalist Anselmo S. Roque

reported. “It is naturally excellent as a draft creature.”

The other type, riverine buffalo, is considered best for meat and milk.

In the Philippines, the water buffalo earned the unique name “carabao.”

Actually, the name came from the Cebuano word karabaw, which apparently was derived from “kerbau,” the Malaysian and Indonesian local name for the water buffalo.

There’s more to carabao than just a “beast of burden.”

W. Ross Cockrill, author of The Husbandry and Health of the Domestic Buffalo, said that in Brazil, buffaloes are credited for almost everything good.

For one, carabaos are also valued for its meat. “When carabaos are past their period of usefulness as draft animals, they are usually slaughtered and the meat is sold as carabeef,” wrote Ricardo R. Agana

of S&T Media Service.

Based on data released by the United States Department of Agriculture, carabeef has 41% less cholesterol, 92% less fat and 56% fewer calories than beef. Recent studies regarding the chemical composition of carabeef show that fresh carabeef obtained higher crude protein than pork and beef.

“Ground carabeef has an exquisite flavor and texture,” PCC said. “Buffalo meat is tender. It has little or no marbling or outside fat, so only a small amount of juice is lost when it is cooked.”

Carabeef is as good as beef when it is fed, managed and slaughtered at the same age as cattle. PCAARRD’s Commodity Information Network for Ruminants said carabeef is an important component of comminuted products such as sausages, luncheon meat, meat loaf and others.

Canned corned beef is partly carabeef.

“The products that contain carabeef are attractive to consumers because they do not lose much of their original form when cooked,” Agana wrote. “Besides, it is cheaper than beef.”

In 2018, about 468,000 carabaos were slaughtered for meat production. “The total number of carabaos slaughtered for meat production in the country has fluctuated over the last ten years,” statista.com reported.

Carabao is also important because of its milk. “Carabao’s milk is considered as the finest milk among dairy animals and almost at par with human milk,” PCC said.

“Like any other milk, it can be consumed anytime.”

In fact, carabao’s milk is considered the “most complete food” because it contains protein, fat, lactose, vitamins and minerals, and water.

Carabao’s milk is richer and creamier than cow’s or goat’s milk due to its high percentage of milk fat which is also a good source of energy.

The Philippines is only one percent sufficient in milk, some reports claim. This means 99% of dairy products

being consumed in the country are imported. Cattle provides 64% of the total local milk volume while carabaos contribute only 34%.

Carabao is equally important for its hide. In the Philippines, people consume a lot of chicharon made of carabao hide, kare-kare, which is partly skin of the animal, and a favorite pulutan, softened thin slices of hide spiced heavily with ginger, onion and red pepper.

Carabao manure is also of economic importance.

It’s a good organic fertilizer, containing 18.5 % nitrogen, 43.7 % phosphoric acid, and 9.6 % potash. It’s also a good source of fuel either as dried dung, or in generating biogas or methane. When mixed with clay, the dung serves as building material or as plaster on the ground where palay is threshed.

Carabao production can very well be integrated with crop farming. However, its potential for draft animals, milk and meat has not been fully exploited on account of several technical problems which limit its productive efficiency and utilization.

Among the identified constraints were poor reproductive capacity, low productivity, high mortality, and poor marketing. In 2009, the PCAARRD and its partners addressed these constraints.

In barangay Licaong, in the City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, PCAARRD’s science and technology interventions on dairy buffalo increased the milk production of farmers. Among the interventions employed were feeding calves with milk replacers and shortening the calving intervals through flushing of pregnant carabaos one month before and two months before calving.

Flushing involves giving the pregnant carabao a high nutrient density diet to boost its nutrition level in preparation for lactation. When the carabao is given good nutrition prior to and immediately after calving, it will come to heat sooner (after calving),

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sibility of revenue dinhi sa electronic sabong,” she said.

Meanwhile, Mayor Sara said that the city is now studying ways to allow people to drink sans gathering. She said this will also give businessmen, particularly in the liquor industry resume selling liquor to the Dabawenyos.

“Isa pud ni sa mga gihunahunaan kung paunsa ba ma-cater nato ang gusto sa mga tao, makapalit ug alak, ug dili sila magtapok pagkahuman maka negosyo gihapon ang atoang businessmen especially sa liquor industry. Kana isa na sa ginahunahunaan nato kung paunsa nato siya ma-balanse,” she said.

The mayor empha-

sized that the 24-hour liquor ban in Davao City is until April 30, 2021.

“Wala ta’y problema mag-inum ang mga tao, ang naa ta’y problema paunsa nato nga mag -inum ang mga tao nga dili magtapok. Ang batasan sa mga tao kung available sa sari-sari store ang ilimnum na makahubog, mupalit ug magtapok gyud na 100 percent sure. Basta within reach siya kanang mga tao dinha sa sari-sari store sure gyud na pagkahuman sa trabaho, pag-uli sa balay, manawag gyud na ug shating. Ana gyud na. Human nature siya.

Ang connection sa Covid kung magtapok ang mga tao maganahan si Covid kay naa siya maambakan na tao,” the mayor said.

individual needs to be tested depending on his exposure to a COVID19 patient or experience of any influenza-like symptoms.

In its April 7 COVID19 situationer, the DOH XI reported 98 new cases in the region bringing the total number of active cases to 813.

Of these new cases, 47 are from Davao del Norte, 33 are from Davao City, 7 are from Davao Oriental, 6 are from Davao de Oro, and 5 are from Davao del Sur. Two deaths were reported yesterday and all are from Davao del Norte.

Dr. Montejo bared that the DOH is expecting that the cases will further be reduced in the coming

weeks. Davao region only recorded a 4 percent positivity rate as compared to Metro Manila’s 20 percent positivity. “ It shows that even if we are increasing our testing capacity, only few turned out COVID19 positive,” she said.

The DOH XI also announced that it has already started last April 5 the second dose of vaccination to the A1 priority eligible or the health workers.

The region is currently beefing up its masterlisting for the next priority groups which is the A2 or the senior citizens and A3 or the persons with comorbidities. (PIA XI/ Frances Mae Macapagat)

He said a total of 20 police stations have been activated in Davao City with five precincts under building construction.

Kraft said that in reality,

only 15 police precincts are operational, but the five others will go on full blast once they have their corresponding buildings. (PIA XI-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)

four houses were most affected by the flood resulting in damages and loss of some personal belongings.

Thirty other houses were hit by Saturday’s inundation but neither damage nor casualty was reported.

Earlier last week, on Thursday (April 8), another flood occurred also in Macambol destroying two houses.

However, no one was reported injured, Tesiorna said. AMA

ing of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act, PAL said notes from the PNP. Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal were placed under modified ECQ

until the end of the month due to rising COVID-19 cases. During the period, only essential travelers are allowed to enter and exit the NRC Plus bubble.

ments for the month came mainly from Singapore, Japan, and the Netherlands.

These were then channeled into financial and insurance, manufacturing, and progressional, scientific,

and technical industries.

The same data released by the BSP showed that the reinvestment of earnings declined by 9.2% to $74 million from $82 million the same month last year.

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300 individuals wherein nine of them tested positive for Covid-19.

All were asymptomatic and one already took her first dose of the vaccine because she works in Agdao Health Center.

Also last week, Vice Mayor Sebastian Duterte issued Executive Order (EO) 20, or "An Order Providing for Mandatory Swabbing of All F1, F2, And F3 Contacts of an RT-PCR Confirmed Positive Case of Covid-19 In Davao City."

F1 contacts are those first-generation contacts

of an RT-PCR confirmed Covid-19 positive case, while F2 contacts are those second-generation contacts of an RT-PCR confirmed Covid-19 positive case (close contacts of F1), and F3 contacts are those third-generation contacts of an RT-PCR confirmed Covid-19 positive case (close contacts of F2).

The EO stated that there is a need to expand the testing of contacts beyond the F1 category as an attempt to control transmission of the virus. Maya Padillo

these plastic wastes accountable and responsible.

They are as guilty for the effects brought about by their unsustainable practices,” he said.

The City Council of Davao passed last March 2 an ordinance regulating the sale, distribution, and use of SUPs such as “drinking cups, ice cream cups, condiments or gravy containers, cup lids, stirrers, cutleries, straws, meal boxes, pastry or cake boxes, egg containers or clamshells, balloon sticks, and hand gloves.”

One year after the effectivity of the ordinance, the selling of the SUPs will not be allowed without a “special permit to sell” issued by the City Mayor’s Office, and upon showing that there are no commercially available alternatives.

However, Peñalver said

the ordinance does not prohibit the usage, distribution, and selling of sando bags, labo bags, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles.

“The ordinance may not be what we expected it to be, nonetheless, this is a step closer to addressing the plastic wastes issue in the city. We just hope that this ordinance will stir behavioral and attitude change to Dabawenyos and, also, for the business sector to also do their part in impacting that change,” he said.

As of 5 p.m., Sunday Alfredo Baluran, head of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDDRMO), has yet to respond to queries as to the extent of damage caused by the flooding and how many families were displaced. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)

will also have to consider the plight of several island nations with middle-income economies that receive less economic support but face daunting environmental challenges.

Their heavily tourism-dependent economies have seen revenues dry up as the coronavirus pandemic severely curtails world travel.

At the same time, their low-lying territories are often the victims of extreme weather events, including devastating cyclones or hurricanes.

Georgieva said this week that vulnerability to climate shocks should be taken into

account when the international agencies allocate financial aid.

She also stressed that countries launching "green" projects can see the added benefit of heightened employment.

"There are opportunities for job creation," she said. "Just take, for example, renewable energy -- seven jobs to one in the traditional coal energy sector," even if some training is required.

"Similarly, reforestation, taking care of land degradation, resilience to climate shocks, these are all labor-intensive activities," Georgieva said.

currently the fastest growing single malt brand in Sweden and The Netherlands, the company said.

“We remain optimistic that we can sustain the momentum of our international business this year as we expect continuing increase in the production and distribution volume of our brandy and whisky products all across Asia, North America, Latin America, Europe, and Africa this year," Emperador International CEO Glenn Manlapaz said.

"Emperador is the only Filipino consumer brand company today that is not only present across the different continents of the world, but also dominates most of the brandy and whisky markets in several countries where the products are sold, he added.

The company reported an 18-percent earnings growth to a total of P8 billion in 2020 despite the COVID-19 pandemic, sustained by its global footprint.

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In March, Senator Panfilo Lacson said there could be a syndicate within the Department of Agriculture that could possibly gain billions of pesos in "tongpats" (kickback) from the recommendation to reduce tariff rates as well as increase the MAV allocation on pork im-

ports.

He said there have been reports of unscrupulous individuals padding the cost of imported pork from P5 to P7 per kilo.

Lacson claimed the illegal practice has been ongoing for several years already.

operate with their takeout and delivery services.

From April 12 to 30, the National Capital Region, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal or the NCR Plus as well as Santiago City in Isabela, and the provinces of Quirino and Abra were also placed under MECQ. Earlier, the DTI chief said that the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) might be sensitive in allowing indoor dine-in due to the highly contagious new variants of Covid-19.

“The IATF recommended to the President to shift to MECQ after two weeks of ECQ to restore more jobs and livelihood

for the people,” Lopez said.

can be bred earlier and hence, deliver the next calf sooner.

Thus, the interval between calves is shorter – from 18 months to 12.4 months.

Meanwhile, PCC is trying to increase the numbers of carabao in terms of quantity and to improve the herd’s genetic quality. One of the technologies that PCC employs for dairy herd buildup is artificial insemination (AI).

This process of simulated reproduction involves extracting sperm from a quality male buffalo and injecting the sperm into the reproductive tract of a female buffalo.

PCC’s AI services are done nationwide by trained private village-based AI technicians as well as technicians of local government units, among others. AI is used to breed animals with higher productivity for both milk and meat

by harnessing select animals’ excellent genetic materials.

“The carabao and Philippine agriculture will remain synonymous for many years to come,” PCC said. “This is because a large portion of our agriculture continues to be unirrigated. Moreover, land ownership of one hectare and below has significantly increased. This could be due to decreasing land area against the increasing number of farming families in the rural areas.

“Unless the industrial sector absorbs this available labor, they will remain dependent on the produce of their decreasing size of land. Hence, the integration of crops and livestock is the best way to survive. Carabao is therefore indispensable in this scenario,” PCC added.

the difficulties posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"He's also a graduate of a university in Tohoku," Suga said, referring to the northeastern region of Japan devastated by the massive earthquake and tsunami 10 years ago. "(His win) has also provided a big boost to the recovery from the disasters."

The victory by Matsuyama came in his 33rd major championship appearance and ended Zalatoris's impressive bid to become the first Masters debutant to win a Green Jacket since Fuzzy Zoeller accomplished the feat in 1979.

Zalatoris was up for the challenge early but faltered after the turn as he three-putted for bogey at the par-four 10th, dropped another stroke at par-three 12th and then failed to cash in at the par-five 13th where

he three-putted for par.

But Zalatoris did not give up and carded two birdies over the closing four holes to finish alone in second, describing his debut as "an absolute treat".

"The fact I put myself in contention and was able to handle it and be in the final group in my third major in my entire career is obviously really exciting."

SHAKY START Matsuyama had made a shaky start with a bogey at the first hole that cut his lead to one stroke but made three birdies before the turn, including at both parfives, to restore control.

Matsuyama bogeyed the 12th where he failed to get up and down from a back bunker but tapped in for birdie at the par-five 13th and was looking set for a comfortable finish.

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On the other hand, Lopez added that the government continues to ramp up its health care capacity.

“But this comes with the continuing priority to increase the health care capacity such as ICU (intensive care unit) rooms and isolation units and contact tracing capabilities to lower the number of new cases per day,” he added.

He also urged Filipinos to strictly adhere to minimum health protocols and avoid non-essential gatherings to slow down the number of new daily Covid-19 cases. (PNA)

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11

Ravena’s plays stellar game but team loses T

he Philippines will hold its FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers (ACQ) third window bubble starting mid-June.

Shiga sent Thirdy Ravena's best game since recovering from a hand injury down the drain and took down San-En, 94-87, in their B.League showdown on Saturday night at the Ukaru-chan Arena in Otsu, Japan.

Former NBA veteran Jordan Hamilton knocked down four huge triples in the final period as the Lakestars sustained a late third quarter run that helped extinguished the NeoPhoenix's early third quarter blast sealed by a five-point swing from Filipino import Ravena.

Hamilton finished with 34 points on 12-of-17 shooting including 5-of-8 from beyond the arc, six rebounds, 11 assists, two steals, and one block for Shiga, which moved up to 18-32.

Angus Brandt added 19 points on 7-of-10 shooting, seven rebounds, and three assists.

Kyle Hunt made 26 markers, seven boards, two dimes, three steals, and one block for San-En, which lost for the seventh straight time and fell to 11-41.

Stevan Jelovac added 16 markers, six caroms, and two assists.

Ravena finished with 14 points, three rebounds, one assist, two steals, and one block.

However, he left the game in the closing seconds after getting hit by an inadvertent elbow from Hamilton.

Both teams will face off again on Sunday.

Box Scores:

Shiga 94 -- Hamilton 34, Brandt 19, Karimata 14, Hareyama 8, Nomoto 7, Octeus 4, Imagawa 4, Murakami 2, Maeda 2, Ito 0, Yongu 0.

San-En 87 -- Hunt 26, Jelovac 16, Ravena 14, Kawashima 9, Suzuki 9, Okada 7, Miljenovic 4, Terazono 2, Ota 0.

Thirdy Ravena finished with 14 points, three rebounds, one assist, two steals, and one block.

Japan’s Matsuyama makes history with Masters win

A

UGUSTA, Georgia Hideki Matsuyama overcame a potentially ruinous moment to become the first Japanese man to win a major championship with a one-shot Masters victory over Will Zalatoris at Augusta National on Sunday.

Matsuyama, who started the day with a four-shot lead over a quartet that included playing competitor Xander Schauffele and Masters debutant Zalatoris, carded a one-over-par 73 that left him at 10 under on the week at the year's first major.

"Hopefully I'll be a pioneer and many other Japanese will follow," Matsuyama said through an interpreter inside Butler Cabin where he was presented with the champion's famous Green Jacket. "I am glad to open the floodgates hopefully and many more will follow me."

The 29-year-old was

seemingly in control until a bogey at the par-five 15th, where his approach shot went in the water behind the green, compounded with a birdie from Schauffele turned his four-stroke cushion into a two-shot lead.

But world number six Schauffele put his tee shot at the par-three 16th into the water and made triple-bogey to fall out of contention.

He finished three shots back of Matsuyama and in a twoway share of third with former champion Jordan Spieth (70).

"I was coming in hot, I was feeling good," said Schauffele, who made four consecutive birdies starting at the par-three 12th. "Hideki surprisingly went for the green on 15 so I felt like he gave me a little bit of hope there and maybe (I was) a little hyper-aggressive there on 16."

Matsuyama bogeyed the

16th which left him with a two-shot lead over Zalatoris (70), who was already in the clubhouse at nine under on the week, and went on to close the deal with a par-bogey finish.

"Making Japan proud Hideki," five-times Masters champion Tiger Woods, who is home recovering from serious leg injuries suffered in a February car crash, wrote on Twitter.

"Congratulations on such a huge accomplishment for you and your country. This historical @TheMasters win will impact the entire golf world."

'BIG BOOST' Speaking to reporters on Monday morning in Tokyo, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga called Matsuyama's historic win "wonderful" and a source of pride and courage for the Japanese people during

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Quarterscores: 22-27, 42-46, 67-66, 94-87 (PNA)

Magsayo KOs Cruz, remains unbeaten

U

NCASVILLE, Connecticut – Another Filipino trained by Freddie Roach remained in contention for a title shot Saturday night.

Featherweight Mark Magsayo knocked out Pablo Cruz in the fourth round of their scheduled 10-round fight on the Jaron Ennis-Sergey Lipinets undercard at Mohegan Sun Arena.

Magsayo dropped Cruz once apiece in the second, third

and fourth rounds before referee John Callas stopped their non-televised fight 48 seconds into the fourth round.

Houston’s Cruz (21-4, 6 KOs) attempted to get up from that third knockdown, but Callas immediately stopped the bout because Cruz had taken too much punishment. Manila’s Magsayo improved to 22-0 and produced his 15th knockout.

Magsayo finished off Cruz early in the fourth round with a right hand that knocked him to the seat of his trunks.

Magsayo drilled Cruz with a swift left hook very early in the third round that sent him to the canvas for the second time in as many rounds. Cruz made it to his feet again, but he absorbed numerous power punches from Magsayo during the remainder of the third round.

Mark Magsayo flexes his muscles during the official weigh-in ahead of his bout against Mexico’s Rigoberto Hermosillo at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. Photo from Marvin Somodio’s Instagram

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Jerwin Ancajas has now made nine successful defenses of the belt he won in 2016.

Ancajas extends reign with 9th successful title defense

D

abawenyo world champion Jerwin Ancajas retained his IBF junior bantamweight title in a rugged, hard-hitting fight with unknown mandatory challenger Jonathan Rodriguez on Saturday.

The Panabo City native (32-1-2, 22 KO) won on scores of 115-112, 116-111, and 117-110, with Bad Left Hook unofficially scoring the bout 116-111 for the Filipino, who has now made nine successful defenses of the belt he won in 2016.

The 29-year-old Ancajas had good success when he was able to keep range against Rodriguez (22-2, 16 KO), a 25-year-old Mexican who was mandatory but had never really fought at this level before, or even particularly near it.

But Ancajas often decided to get inside and trade, giving Rodriguez real opportunities. Rodriguez went down in the eighth round, but managed to come back strong down the stretch and keep the fight very competitive. By the end, he even looked arguably the fresher of the two, even though Ancajas had invested good work to the body over the course of the fight, and for a time seemed to be the one landing the harder, more significant blows.

It was a hell of a fight, though, the type that a live crowd would have been going nuts for by the middle rounds, and Rodriguez definitely announced he’s no joke in the 115 lb division, which is very competitive with a lot of good and great fighters. Ancajas deserved the win, but Rodriguez made him fully earn it.

Ancajas said he would seek unification if he gets the opportunity, which seems unlikely if he’s with PBC from now on, as the rest of the top guys are with Matchroom.

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