Edge Davao Volume 14 Issule 128 | Thursday, August 12, 2021

TESTICULAR CANCER: DISCOVER IT YOURSELF, MAN! HEALTH P9 VOL.14 ISSUE 128 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 12, 2021

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SAME FORMAT Blended, online learning to continue: DepEd 11

STORY ON PAGE 2

President Rodrigo Duterte, accompanied by Senator Christopher Lawrence Go, takes a bow after presiding a meeting in this undated photo. A palace official said Go and Duterte still have indefinite decisions on calls for them to seek the presidency and vice presidency, respectively, in 2022 national elections. Edge Davao

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2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 128 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 12, 2021

Jenielito“Dodong”Atillo, spokesperson of Department of Education 11 (DepEd 11), clarifies that for the School Year 2021-22, which is scheduled to open on September 13, blended learning program will continue and the conduct of the face-to-face classes is still prohibited. Edge Davao

SAME FORMAT

Blended, online learning to continue: DepEd 11

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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program will continue and the conduct of the face-toface classes is still prohibited. He said utilization of

the radio and television for online classes will also continue.

“Wala pa tay’ face-toface sa kasamtangan simply because of the situation in the country due to Covid.

We respect to the decision of President Duterte not to conduct and will continue implementing online and utilizing radio and TV facilities,” he said in a virtual

presser on Wednesday.

It can be recalled that President Rodrigo Duterte only allowed blended learning in all schools for the scheduled September class opening but not faceto-face.

On the other hand, DepEd 11 is now gearing up for the opening of School Year (SY) 2021-22 keeping

age.

He said the undisclosed firm made an offer to the local government last month for the use of its freezers, which could reportedly handle the required temperature storage of Pfizer-BioNtech’s COVID-19 vaccines.

The Department of Health (DOH) said in an earlier advisory that Pfizer vaccines require storage within temperatures of be-

tween -80 and -60 degrees Celsius using an ultra-cold freezer.

“We have available facilities here that can handle that so we will no longer purchase the freezers but will just rent them,” Zapatos said in an interview over the Radio Mindanao Network.

The city council approved a funding of P30 million under the supplemental budget number

1 last February for the preparation of the required cold chain facilities for COVID-19 vaccine storage.

Zapatos said the private sector has been continually helping the local government in meeting the storage requirement for the vaccines.

He said the St. Elizabeth Hospital, which is operated by the Metro Pacific Hospital Holdings Inc., has allowed the city to store oth-

he regional office of the Department of Education (DepEd 11) reiterated that blended and remote learning system will continue for the School Year (SY) 2021-2022 which will open on September 13, 2021.

Jenielito “Dodong” Atillo, spokesperson of DepEd 11, clarified that for SY 2021-22, blended learning

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48IB participates in Pantukan’s “Brigada Eskwela” launching

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Brigada Eskwela Plus for the School Year 2021-2022 was launched and participated by the 48th Infantry (Guardians) Battlion and other government agencies in Magnaga National High School, Brgy Magnaga, Pantukan, Davao de Oro on August 9, 2021.

This year’s Brigada Eskwela dubbed as “Bayanihan Para sa Paaralan” is a yearly joint undertaking of concerned government agencies involving communities being conducted a month before the official start of classes nationwide. The parents, students, faculty and staff, and other volunteer individuals work hand to do classroom repairs and clean-up drive to include maintenance work of the school buildings.

Part of the program was a Motorcade followed by a Zumba Exercise led by the teachers during the kick-off

ceremony. Sweeping, weeding, painting of perimeter fence, cleaning, repairing of classrooms and chairs, and posting of IATF signage were also jointly undertaken by the participants. Upcoming activities in a 5-day Brigada activity are pathway graveling and levelling and constructing of drainage canal to include the digging and preparing of container for vegetable garden.

The activity was spearheaded by Ms. Wilma Damole, School Principal in partnership with the Office of the Congressman 2nd District, DDO ably represented by Hon Ramil Maquilan; Vice Mayor Madel Malone-Cervantes; SGC Chairman, Mr Celso S Mendez; faculty members and parents.

Ms Damole expressed her appreciation for the presence and service rendered by the 48IB and other

er brands of vaccines in its cold chain facility.

This includes Russia’s Sputnik V, which requires temperature storage of -18 degrees Celsius as advised by the DOH. The official said the RD Foundation Inc. has donated two additional ice-lined refrigerators for the use of the main cold chain facility at the city gymnasium in Barangay Lagao.

The city is currently

using three freezers earlier provided by DOH-12 in line with the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination.

“We are enhancing the capacity of our main cold chain to accommodate Sputnik V and other vaccines that are not much sensitive,” Zapatos said.

The city government has expanded its COVID-19 vaccination activities in the past three weeks due to

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GenSan City to rent cold chain facilities for COVID-19 vaccines

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he city government is working on leasing cold chain facilities of the private sector here to accommodate COVID-19 vaccines that require storage at low temperatures.

Lawyer Arnel Zapatos, the city administrator, said Tuesday they have started the bidding process for the lease or rental of ultra-low temperature freezers owned by a local company to expand its vaccine stor-

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NEWS

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Several public transport groups in Mindanao express their support for Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio as they urge her to join the presidential race in the 2022 local and national elections. Edge Davao

56 loose firearms seized in Tawi-Tawi

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he sustained efforts of the government’s campaign against proliferation of loose firearms has resulted in confiscation of a total of 56 unlicensed guns during the first eight months of 2021 in Tawi-Tawi.

Western Mindanao Command (WestMincom) chief Lieutenant General Corleto Vinluan, Jr.,said the peace efforts of the local government of Tawi-Tawi and Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi convinced more civilians to hand over their loose firearms to the government forces.

He said out of 56, 35 are high-powered and 21 are low-powered guns.

On Monday (August 9), seven undocumented firearms were handed over

by Panglima Sugala Mayor Nurbert Sahali to Joint Task

Force Tawi-Tawi 2nd Marine Brigade Commander, Colonel Romeo Racadio in a ceremony held at the Municipal Hall of Panglima Sugala in Tawi-Tawi.

These firearms were surrendered by the residents of Tongbangkaw,” Racadio said.

Vinluan vows to continue to conduct security forums in the communities to convince holders to surrender their undocumented firearms to avoid penalty.

“This success is attributable to the interagency collaboration of the AFP together with the local government units and other law enforcement agencies in Tawi-Tawi. This contributed to the stable peace and order situation of the province,” Vinluan concluded.

10,900 travelers denied entry in Davao Region

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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ajor Eudisan Gultiano, spokesperson of Police Regional Office 11 (PRO 11), disclosed that a total of 10,900 individuals were denied entry in Davao Region from July 16, 2021 to August 9, 2021.

Gultiano said these individuals were denied entry for being non-compliant to Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RTPCR) requirement or were non-essential travelers.

She also said the number of vehicles and motorcycles denied entry in the bor-

ders of the region from June to July 20, 2021 reached 10,129.

“Padayon gihapon ang strict implementation nato sa border points sa Davao Region at dili ta basta basta nagpa-pasok ng mga non-essential travelers and non-compliant to require-

decision yet on whether he will also run [for president]),” he said.

PDP-Laban Secretary General Melvin Matibag earlier said the party’s national executive council has already endorsed the Go-Duterte tandem as it is a “logical and popular” choice for administration allies.

The PDP-Laban is set to hold its national assembly in Bulacan on Sept. 8.

Matibag said other tandems may still be nominated since the possible pair-

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ments,” Gultiano said during the AFP-PNP Southern Mindanao Press Corps online media briefing on Wednesday.

It can be recalled that the uniform regionwide border control guidelines that was approved by the joint Regional Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases – Regional Task Force Against Covid-19 (RIATF – RTF) 11 is being implemented in Davao Region since May this year.

The RIATF-RTF 11 Resolution No. 1, Series of 2021

states that the guidelines shall only apply to inter-regional movement or movement from one region to another and shall be implemented at regional borders subject to adoption by LGUs. Section 3 states that the movement of authorized persons outside of residence (APOR) are allowed. Identified as APOR are:1. Health and emergency frontline services and uniformed personnel; 2. Government officials and employees on official travel and official business,

Gian Home for the Aged in Cabantian, Buhangin.

The vaccination team also inoculated the senior citizens at the Country View Assisted Living Facility along Tacunan Road in Tugbok; Happy Heart Caring Hands Foundation at Purok Carnagan in Bayabas-Eden Road, Toril; Golden Haven Retirement Home, Inc. in Puting Bato, Riverside, Calinan District, and PLEKS Good Shepherd Care Home at Gulfview Executive Subdivision in Bago Aplaya,

Talomo District.

At least 76 senior citizens in seven geriatric home facilities were recently catered to by Davao City’s mobile vaccination team.

“Very recently ang mobile vaccination team nato nga naga-adto sa mga home for the aged og mga retirement homes,” said Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio on Monday.

Meanwhile, Mayor Sara advised the city councilors at the Sangguniang Pan-

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Go-Duterte tandem still Seniors in nursing homes ‘indefinite’: Palace exec get anti-Covid vaccines

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t remains to be seen whether the tandem of Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go and President Rodrigo Duterte for the 2022 national elections will unfold, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said on Tuesday.

During the Pandesal Forum, Nograles said Go and Duterte still have indefinite decisions on calls for them to seek the presidency and vice presidency, respectively, in 2022.

Nograles said the ruling party, the Partido Demokra-

tiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), is “still concentrating” on who will be its final presidential and vice presidential candidates next year.

“Hanggang ngayon, wala pang definite decision si Pangulo kung tatakbo pa siya (Until now, the President has no definite decision yet as to whether he will run [for vice president]) and because of that, wala pang definite decision si Senator Bong Go kung tatakbo rin ba siya (Senator Bong Go has no definite

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he Vaccine Cluster of the Davao City COVID-19 Task Force brought the vaccination to the various nursing homes in Davao City.

Through mobile vaccination, the vaccination team of the city government of Davao recently administered anti-Covid-19 vaccines to seniors at the Care for Elderly Foundation in Biao Guianga, Tugbok; Hope Integrated Care Assisted Living in Catalunan Pequeño; and Co Su

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4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

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PLDT-Smart Foundation turns over o20 units of SmartBro pocket wifi to the Davao City Health Office (CHO). Present during the turn over ceremony were (from left) Rosevie Tuballa, Smart Customer Development Manager for Davao City Central & South Davao; Dr. Ashley Lopez, OIC-Davao City Health Office; Margaret Therese Alacrito, Smart Customer Development Manager for Davao City North; and Hazel Nabatar, Area Development Manager for PLDT and Smart Davao Region.

BSP’s policy boost on PH growth seen until 2022 T

PH to join investment, trade fair in China

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onetary policies’ importance in helping buoy the domestic economy from the pandemic is expected to be sustained until 2022, as an economist projects a vulnerable third quarter following the reimplementation of strictest lockdown level in Metro Manila amid the threat of a more transmissible Delta variant.

The domestic economy posted decades-high 11.8-percent growth, as measured by gross domestic product (GDP), in the second quarter this year, an improvement from the -3.9 percent in the previous quarter and the -16.9 percent a year ago.

In a report, ING Bank Manila senior economist Nicholas Mapa said economic growth from April to June this year was affected by the strictest quarantine classification, the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), implemented from March

29 to April 11 to address the surge in coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases.

“The economic recovery will likely face a similar setback in 3Q (third quarter) as mobility restrictions returned in August with the country now facing a surge in Covid-19 infections due to the Delta variant,” he said.

Another ECQ has been implemented in the National Capital Region (NCR) since Aug. 6 until Aug. 20.

To counter the pandemic’s impact on domestic growth and ensure recovery, economic managers said the government will further bolster the vaccination pro-

gram against Covid-19 along with the safe reopening of the economy and the full implementation of the recovery package, which include the implementation of the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) law.

Mapa said the government “may be forced to resort to costly mobility restrictions again should new variants cause future waves of infection.”

“Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has vowed to retain its accommodative monetary policy stance for as long as the economy is in ‘recovery

chase the remaining 15% interest of other investors in Titan Dining for SGD71.56 million.

The transaction will effectively increase JFC’s interest in Titan Dining to 100%.

In May 2018, JFC disclosed that it shall invest up to SGD45 million in Titan Dining, representing 45% of the fund, which had a fund size of SGD100 million at that date of disclosure.

The company said that it would have the opportunity to acquire a substantial ownership of Tim Ho Wan’s master franchise in the Asia Pacific region through a purchase mechanism provided for in the investment agree-

ment.

To prepare for this eventuality, JFC would open a franchise operation of Tim Ho Wan in Shanghai, China.

Then in October 2019, JFC announced that JWPL’s capital commitment to Titan increased from SGD45 million to SGD120 million, its participating interest increased to 60% and the fund size of Titan increased from SGD100 million to SGD200 million.

In October 2020, JFC’s participating interest in the Titan fund increased further from 60% to 85% after JWPL purchased the 25% participating interest of another investor in the fund

for a total consideration of SGD36.3 million.

In September 2020, JFC through a joint venture with Titan Dining opened a Tim Ho Wan restaurant in Shanghai, the first THW outlet in Mainland China.

The joint venture now has three Tim Ho Wan outlets in Shanghai with the latest opened only in July 2021, according to JFC. The company said it plans to aggressively expand Tim Ho Wan in Mainland China with a target of reaching 100 restaurant outlets within the next four years.

Tim Ho Wan operates

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Jollibee to takeover Tim Ho Wan

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ome-grown fast food giant Jollibee Foods Corp. (JFC) on Wednesday announced it is buying out the remaining interests of investors in the master franchise holder of Michelin-starred restaurant chain Tim Ho Wan. In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, JFC said it will buy the shares of the remaining partners in Titan Dining LP - a private equity fund which ultimately owns the Tim Ho Wan brand and company-owned Tim Ho Wan stores - through its wholly-owned subsidiary Jollibee Worldwide Pte. Ltd. (JWPL).

JFC said JWPL will pur-

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he Philippines will be joining the China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) 2021 from Sept. 8 to 11 in Xiamen, China.

“For the second year in a row, the Philippines is once again given the distinct recognition as CIFIT’s Guest Country of Honour in 2021 to showcase the best of our country as a leading investment destination. This recognition is not surprising given that the Philippines and China share a long and rich history steeped in both culture and trade,” Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez said.

In a statement Tuesday, the Board of Investments (BOI) said the country will bring its “Make It Happen

in the Philippines” campaign to the international fair as it aims to attract investments in manufacturing, hyperscalers, innovation and digital technologies, agribusiness, real estate development, renewable energy, and infrastructure.

“More than offering a one-stop-shopping service for multilateral investment cooperation, CIFIT will help you to select from the widest range of investment projects and business partners from around the world,” Lopez added.

In the country’s participation in CIFIT 2020, the Philippines featured 64 projects worth PHP53.4 billion.

One of the deals that

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PLDT-Smart Foundation turns over 20 SmartBro pocket wifi to CHO

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ecognizing that communications play a vital role in the continued battle against Covid-19 pandemic, PLDT-Smart Foundation turned over 20 units of SmartBro Pocket Wifi devices with load cards to the Davao City Health Office (CHO) on Wednesday.

This is in celebration of the 40th Anniversary of First Pacific Company Limited, an international investment management and holding company with operations located in the Philippines.

“I would like to thank the PLDT Smart for this initiative that was given to the City Health Office and the

Local Government Unit of Davao City. These 20 units of pocket wifi will be intended for our Temporary Treatment and Monitoring Facilities (TTMFs) and vaccination sites in the ouHe added that the helpful collaboration with PLDT and Smart enables their other TTMFs and inoculation hubs to be connected and accessible which is important to their strategic Cov“We hope to sustain this partnership for the years to come. We are really happy that PLDT and Smart continue to be our partner in connecting the Davaoenos to the services of the City Government,” he added.

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Agriculture Secretary William Dar gives an update to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte during a meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) core members at the Malacañang Golf (Malago) Clubhouse in Malacañang Park, Manila on Monday night. The President has lauded the work of the Department

DTI urges MSMEs to embrace digital transformation amid the new normal

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he Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has urged micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to embrace digital transformation amid the “new normal”.

At the virtual event of Small Business (SB) Corp.

Monday, DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez said adopting digitalization will help businesses and the country to recover from the pandemic.

He said along with the promotion of financial technology, digitalization will empower MSMEs towards the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

“The Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic has forced all of us to rethink the way of doing things and this has resulted in major transformations in the way we do business -- including business models and processes,” he added.

According to DTI e-Commerce Group’s survey last

September, 73 percent of MSME respondents said they need capacity-building related to digitizing their business.

Lopez said among the top needed skills of MSMEs in adopting digitalization include financial, marketing, content management, basics of e-commerce, and starting an online business.

“Another thing to consider -- especially during the pandemic -- is that digitalization ensures that MSMEs’ business activities can continue safely. For example, restaurants and hotels can do this by conforming to the minimum health protocols through QR (quick response) codes, as well as utilizing smartphone applications so that customers can order food or request for delivery,” he added.

The DTI chief urged MSMEs to embrace digitaliza-

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ECONOMY 5

of Agriculture (DA) under the leadership of Secretary Dar for its relentless service despite the overwhelming situation of the global health crisis and other natural calamities experienced by the country. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

PRRD lauds DA chief of job well done amid Covid-19

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resident Rodrigo Duterte has lauded the work of the Department of Agriculture (DA) under the leadership of Secretary William Dar for its relentless service despite the overwhelming situation of the global health crisis and other natural calamities experienced by the country.

“Alam mo, Secretary Dar, panay ang hingi mo ng patawad (You know, Secretary Dar, you ask for forgiveness a lot). You are too humble to even just give yourself a good pat at the back for coming up with a splendid agricultural development,” the President said on Monday evening in his weekly Talk to the People

virtual briefing.

President Duterte praised the Agriculture Secretary for accomplishing his promise of food security for the Filipinos.

“Kami po ang nandito lang sa itaas naghihintay lang sa tiyaga at trabaho ninyo, at nakamit mo ‘yung mga plano na sinabi mo noon sa Cabinet (We can only witness

your works from here and you have achieved what you shared in our meetings with other Cabinet members). You were able to facilitate and improve the climate of our agricultural picture. And I hope that you will do more for the sake of the Filipino people in the remaining days of my administration,” Duterte added.

PH is food secure The DA has recently announced that the Philippines is “food secure” despite the typhoons that have ravished agricultural areas that are main producers of vegetables, crops, and meat.

With coordination from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), food supplies are still

delivered to main market areas in the National Capital Region (NCR) amid the ongoing restrictions implemented with the reimposition of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), the DA said in a statement.

Dar on Monday also mentioned that the DA, together with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), has kept its promise of continuous monitoring of food supplies and prices in the market.

“Halimbawa po ang kasalukuyang average price ng regular milled na bigas ay 38 pesos kada kilo, 40 naman sa well-milled. Napanatili po natin ang presyo nito na resulta ng Rice Tariffication

Accessibility shared their expertise to the mall frontliners through an online discussion.

The mall workers learned about autism, down syndrome, sensitive language, and best practices on handling persons with disabilities (PWDs).

“SM’s program on persons with disabilities promotes a barrier-free and disability inclusive environment in the mall,” said Engr. Jonathan Nick Santos, SM Supermalls Regional Operations Manager. “We empower our frontliners with skills and knowledge that allow them

to understand the community and to serve customers better. Our workers are regularly given trainings twice per year by our PWD partners.”

The mall chain has instituted key programs to address the needs of customers with special needs, which earned SM a reputation for being the most PWD friendly establishment across the country.

Apart from this regular sensitivity training and orientation of mall front liners and tenants, recurring ac-

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Kwik.insure partners with Lazada SM holds training for mall workers on to provide free COVID-19 insurance handling customers with special needs

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omegrown insurance technology startup Kwik.insure has partnered with Lazada to provide customers an e-commerce platform with free COVID-19 insurance.

In a statement on Tuesday, Kwik.insure said that for every bill payment transaction done by a Lazada customer through the Lazada wallet, the customer will be eligible for a free COVID-19 insurance.

The insurance marketplace said the custom-

er will instantly receive a free voucher for a Kwik. insure product, particularly the COVID-19 Kwik Assist, which provides P10,500 one-month coverage for accidental death, death due to sickness, and death due to COVID-19.

“Through our partnership with Lazada, we provide millions of Filipinos the opportunity to have insurance against COVID-19.

Given our country’s low insurance penetration rate, majority of them will be first

time insurance availers,” Hamilton Angluben, founder and CEO of Kwik.insure said.

“The goal is to educate more people about the value of insurance and learn how easy it is to be protected,” he added.

Kwik.insure said the promo will run until October 2021 and customers can earn and stack up to 10 insurance vouchers per month.

“For us at Lazada, our in-

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hroughout the month of July, over 200 tenant, security, and manpower agency personnel in SM Supermalls in Davao underwent special trainings on handling customers with special needs.

These small group classes are part of SM’s efforts to equip workers with skills and knowledge that promote inclusivity in the mall.

Speakers from the Autism Society of the Philippines, Down Sydrome Association of the Philippines, and the United Architects of the Philippines Committee on

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DAVAO 6 EDGE VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

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In vouching for the competence of President Rodrigo Duterte and Sen. Bong Go:

He (Go) is always working, he sleeps late because the President also sleeps late,” he said. “He is also very meticulous, putting attention to detail even when President Duterte was still a mayor.

Kumbaga lahat ng detalye, siya yung nag-aasikaso (It seems that he gives his attention to all the details), all the details, all the attention to the details, it’s him.”

Sec. Karlo Nograles Cabinet Secretary

EDITORIAL Churches offered as new vaccination sites The church – the Catholic Church led by Archbishop Romulo Valles – has offered parish churches as new vaccination centers.

fort to bring vaccination to as many people as quickly as possible,” the archbishop said.

No less than Archbishop Valles has circulated an endorsement and an appeal to the people to join the effort to organize parish-based vaccination centers.

Archbishop Valles is calling for volunteers especially in the medical field to join the effort.

The offer means a lot in maximizing the number of people willing to be inoculated. With no less than the influential church offering its parish churches to be vaccination centers it is hoped that the hesitation of some people to be vaccinated for whatever reasons will hopefully disappear.

“Early on this year, in these difficult times of the pandemic, we have expressed as an archdiocese our willingness to be of assistance to our City Government and our City Health Office in the ef-

EDGEDAVAO

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This laudable gesture from the Catholics should be encouraged so that the vaccination rollout will be a success and that our city will be able to achieve the herd immunity that we desire in fastest time possible.

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

ANA MARIE G. SILPAO Layout

LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. Consultant Correspondent 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 SOLANI D. MARATAS RICHARD C. EBONAJASPER OLIVIA D. VELASCO V. BACSAL General Manager PresidentAdvertising Specialist Finance General Manager / VP Operations JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales

The good archbishop has reported that the first parish-based vaccination activity was conducted successfully last July 31, 2021 at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Barrio Obrero, Davao City, wherein 686 people were vaccinated. This turnout is impressive.

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)

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VANTAGE POINTS

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HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

THE BEST DEFENSE AGAINST DEFEAT Lea Salonga, Manny Pacquiao, Pia Wurzbach, Catriona Gray, Hidilyn Diaz, and Rodrigo R. Duterte. All of these names have one thing in common: they are all winners!

Everybody loves a winner. Losers are always left on the side. No one pays attention to someone who is already out of the limelight. But then, it is through failures that someone learns. Winning brings pride but losing means humility.

“True humility is not thinking less of yourself,” wrote Rick Warren, author of The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? “it is thinking of yourself less.”

There are several ways of skinning a cat, so goes a familiar saying. In like manner, there are few ways a person can practice humility, according to Nobel Peace laureate Mother Teresa.

In her book, The Joy in Living: A Guide to Daily Living, she shared some of these ways: “To speak as little as possible of one’s self. To mind one’s own business. Not wanting to manage other people’s affairs.

To avoid curiosity. To accept contradictions and corrections cheerfully. To pass over the mistakes of others. To accept insults and injuries. To accept being slighted, forgotten and disliked.

To be kind and gentle even under provocation. Never to stand on one’s dignity. To choose is always the hardest.”

To be humble is indeed too hard. “I’m no saint,” you may say.

But then, life is a long lesson in humility, according to James M.

Barrie, the author who is best remembered as the creator of Peter Pan. Now, read the anecdote below as a proof to Barrie’s statement: A long flight of stairs is the last stage of a climb up a mountain in China. For more than a thousand years, a steady of pilgrims has come and gone until the steps are worn and dangerous. Numbers of pilgrims have fallen and hurt themselves.

The people of the neighborhood have asked the monks to rebuild the steps, fearing that they might lose their profitable business of housing the pilgrims.

But the abbot of the monastery refused.

“It is regrettable,” he said, “that some pilgrims have suffered injury or death. But this could be because they were holding their heads too high. But they are only a few of the millions who have learned that in life, one must walk carefully, holding the head high, but not so high that pitfalls cannot be seen, and so low as to lose sight of the sky.”

The beginning of greatness is to be little, the increase of greatness is to be less, and the perfection of greatness is to be nothing. As William Temple puts it: “Humility does not mean thinking less of yourself than of other people, nor does it mean having a low opinion of your own gifts. It means freedom from thinking about yourself at all.”

But more often than not, people put themselves first before others. “I am no more hum-

ble than my talents require,” American concert pianist and television host Oscar Levant once said. And media mogul Ted Turner commented, “If I only had a little humility, I’d be perfect.”

In an article which appeared in The Observer, British critic Edith Sitwell was quoted as saying, “I have often wished I had time to cultivate modesty. But I am too busy thinking about myself.”

And oftentimes, that’s what most people do. Now, read this another anecdote: A millionaire held a big banquet to which he had invited many important people in the city. Most of the guests arrived in their expensive cars. Then, the rain began to pour down and collected into a large puddle of water right in front of the main entrance to the millionaire’s house.

Along came a car and stopped right in front of the water. An elegantly dressed old man tried to get out, but slipped and fell headlong into the sea of mud. As he lifted himself up, he saw that he was a mess – and was in no condition to go into the banquet hall.

Several of the guests made fun of the unfortunate man. But a servant who saw what had happened ran off to tell the millionaire about it. He came running out just in time to keep the muddied guest from going back home. He tried to coax the man to stay despite his appearance.

But the guest was afraid of the stares and remarks of the other visitors, and wanted to disap-

pear quickly.

So, the well-dressed millionaire then let himself fall facefirst into the very same puddle of water. He, too, was muddied from head to foot. Then he took his guest by the arm and the two of them together, muddy as they were, marched into the banquet hall – and no one dared to say a word.

Humble thyself, the Bible states.

American President Abraham Lincoln was a case in point. “Nobody has ever expected me to be president,” he once said. “In my poor, lean lank face nobody has ever seen that any cabbages were sprouting.” German-born theoretical physicist Albert Einstein was another. “No amount of experimentation can ever prove me right; a single experiment can prove me wrong,” he admitted.

There was a man who wanted to get rid of his shadow. But no matter what he did or tried, the shadow just would not go away. He rolled on the floor, he dived into the water. But to no avail; his shadow stayed alongside him.

A wise man who heard of the problem, remarked, “That’s no worry. It’s the simplest thing in the world.” The man asked, “How so?”

“Well,” the wise man replied, “all you have to do is to stand in the shadow of a tree and your shadow will disappear.”

“It is always the secure who are humble,” said English writer and philosopher Gilbert Keith Chesterton.

Are you rich and famous? Do

you belong to those who consider themselves high and mighty?

Don’t boast about yourself. “Do you want people to think well of you?” French mathematician and writer Blaise Pascal asked.

“Don’t speak well of yourself.”

And again Lincoln reminded, “What kills a skunk is the publicity it gives itself.”

A stooped old man and a lively young man happened to meet one day. The young man bragged to the old timer, “Why don’t you walk straight, like me?

That’s no way to grow old. It’s all a matter of habit – at least, that’s what I’m told.”

The old man gave him a look of pity and said, “My dear young friend, have you ever examined a grain field and noticed which heads are bent and which ones stand up straight? If you take a good look as harvest time draws near, you will notice that the heads which are empty are standing tall and high. But the heads that make a good harvest are the ones that are filled and bending low.”

The young man heard those words and passed by, slowly bowing his head. No doubt, he pondered many a day on what the old man had said.

“I long to accomplish great and noble tasks, but it is my chief duty to accomplish humble tasks as though they were great and noble. The world is moved along, not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes, but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of each honest worker,” American author and political activist Helen Keller reiterated.

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

DATU LASAD OF LASANG In missionary chronicles, as early as 1865, the most famous chieftain of Davao Gulf is Datu Lasad, ruler of a rancheria or Moro settlement at the mouth of Lasang River, in Davao City.

The Moro ruler was an affable personality than Datu Bago, and his dominion was defined in written accounts. He was diplomatic, friendly, and was respected by numerous Moro and indigenous settlements for his integrity. In the letter of Fr. Quirico More, SJ. to his Mission Superior, written while in Davao and dated January 2, 1865, the account starts on a positive note: “Continuing north on the coast and about three leagues away [from Davao town] is the village of Lasan River. Most noteworthy of this place is that one of the most famous leaders of Moro

policy of this gulf, Lasad, lives there. Information has it that some Christians from [Cagayan de Oro] have gone to those uplands.”

Just how old was Datu Lasad during this time, is not cited. What is certain though is that even as far as Matiao, at the boundary of Pantukan, Davao de Oro, and Banaybanay, Davao Oriental, the Moros held him in high regards, honoring him like a demigod with superior power over anybody. That makes him a revered Moro leader.

Fr. More pointed out in the same letter that the datu “enjoys the power to grant life or death, not only over his Moro subjects, but also over those unbaptized Mandayas near Matiao,” which is also situated in Pantukan, Davao de Oro.

Datu Lasad was still alive two decades thereafter. Fr. More, in a January 20, 1885 letter, again mentioned the Moro chieftain: “Following the same coast [of Davao] toward the north of the gulf, and some three leguas distant, one encounters the rancheria of the river Lasan. The most remarkable thing about that rancheria is that it shelters one of the most famous of the directors of Moro politics in this gulf, namely, one Lasad.”

The stretch from Lasang to the small rancherias of Copiat and Lahi, now under Mabini, Davao de Oro, paid tribute to Datu Lasad, including the suburbs of Hijo and Matiao who were “absolutely [of] no importance,” were under Datu Lasad.

More interesting that the hyper-aggressive Datu Bago, the

so-called ‘hero of Davao,’ Datu Lasad’s contribution to Moro-tribal polity in the gulf is an interesting subject worth researching using large missionary accounts. In terms of publicly shared chronicles, the man did not openly oppose the conversion efforts of the priests but was endeared by the Spanish clergy.

An exciting clue about the persona of this amiable Moro chieftain was the respect he earned from non-Moro factions who visited his enclave and, presumably, conducted trade and sought his advices during their stay in his rancheria.

Lasad, the chieftain’s name, is a common appellation in Mindanao with provenance to the Hindu language via Malayan influence. It is a popular name among Muslims.

Beyond Banaybanay, there existed also another rancheria, governed collectively by three chieftains. Fr. More wrote: “On the other side of the mountains called Linao, whose spurs reach the sea, is found a large plain, extending from the salt-water river called iso to Cuabo. Scattered through plain and especially ont eh banks of the rivers there, live also about one hundred and twenty Moro families, who are under the datos Tumarus, Compao, and Patarandan.”

Datu Tumaros, chief of Sumlug (Lupon), was the elder among the three. The Moros of Mayo Bay, including those residing at the Mati harbor and the Baguan River that stretches to the other side of Point Tagubon, also owed homage to him.

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COMPETITIVE EDGE WHO, governments, industry urged to take advantage of tech to reduce deaths from smoking

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global health expert said the World Health Organization, governments and the tobacco industry should use the opportunity made by the advancement in nicotine delivery technology to reduce up to 4 million deaths from smoking each year.

At the 8th Global Forum on Nicotine held recently, Dr. Derek Yach, president of the Foundation for a Smoke-Free World, said the world is experiencing a revolution in nicotine delivery technology, as there are now more than a hundred million people using harm reduction products.

An example of the non-combustible nicotine delivery alternative is IQOS. The heated tobacco device use a patented HeatControl™ Technology that precisely heats, without burning, tobacco-filled sticks wrapped in paper called HEETS™ to release a water-based aerosol.

Unlike cigarettes, IQOS does not burn tobacco and therefore produces no smoke and no ash.

The device and heat sticks were made available last year for adults 21 years old and above in the pilot area of Metro Manila. The online store IQOS.com now also covers delivery of the device and heat sticks to key areas in Mindanao including Davao City, General Santos City, Palomok, Cagayan de Oro City, Opol, El Salvador, Tagoloan and Villanueva in Misamis Oriental.

Yach said that to com-

plete the transformation of the industry, a commitment from all parties to prioritize the end of the tobacco epidemic would be needed.

“Industry must commit to ending the sale of combustible cigarettes and act accordingly through their investments. Industry must commit to ending youth nicotine use in all forms and there are many strategies that could be done to achieve that,” he said.

The WHO and governments should commit to revising the Framework Convention, which explicitly builds a risk proportionate regulatory system that doesn’t require major changes to the text, he said.

He said this is possible amid the transformation of the tobacco industry, which gave rise to less harmful nicotine options.

“Projections suggest that if these tools were more widely available, we would be able to cut the long-term trends of deaths by maybe between 3 and 4 million, if we acted more vigorously,” Dr. Yach said.

“All of the above is feasible,” he said. “From a scientific perspective, a lot of

the hard work has already been done. What remains, then, is a bigger challenge— which is challenging and changing cultural and political attitudes.”

Dr. Yach noted the evolution of the tobacco industry from one that denied the damage caused by smoking on health in 1954 to its “pharmaceuticalization” today, supported by research and science.

He said that despite such changes made possible by investment in innovation, policy has lost touch with science. “Industry has created tools that have the potential to create one of the most profound public health shifts in history,” he noted.

“The present technological revolution demands an accompanying ideological revolution. Currently, many in tobacco control are skeptical, even hostile towards the contributions of industry. The origins of this hostility are not terribly difficult to identify... For generations, the tobacco industry has created products that have killed millions of people,” Dr. Yach said.

He, however, noted that some tobacco executives and companies recognized the public’s desire for safer nicotine options and began prioritizing research on harm reduction.

“A few companies made a bet that investment in harm reduction will pay out in the long run. This was a shrewd business decision and incidentally, it’s proving to be an excellent contribu-

tion to science and health.

Though the transition to safer products remains incomplete, many tobacco companies have diverted resources away from combustibles and towards reduced risk portfolios,” he said.

Dr. Yach said this gave rise to companies that are responding to consumers demand for nicotine products that are not deadly.

“In many respects, the nicotine industry now functions in a manner, some say like pharmaceutical industry. To be sure they’re self-interested and profit driven. At the same time, they are leaders in scientific innovation and essential to actually address massive health crisis,” he said.

Dr. Yach said the other public health experts described the phenomenon as the tobacco industry’s actual and perceived transition into pharmaceutical-like industry through the manufacture and sale of non-combustible tobacco and nicotine products for smoking cessation or long-term nicotine maintenance.

He said these companies are completing exhaustive studies to meet the scientific standards and rigor set by major regulatory bodies including the US Food and Drug Administration. “To satisfy the FDA’s strict rules of evidence, tobacco and e-cigarette companies have conducted extensive peer review research and have disseminated these findings by a monograph report,” he said.

tions. Here are three main features of the product offers: Connectivity Essentials for Employees Globe Business offers connectivity products that are fast, reliable, and cost-effective to enable a seamless work-from-anywhere model.

Customers may choose from myBiz Data Plan and Zoom Pro depending on their needs. To ensure a smooth transition, Globe Business also offers a free onboarding program to help the workforce navigate and familiarize the platform.

Productivity and Security Solutions for Employees Globe Business offers solutions that enable real-time team collaborations (Google Workspace); protect company-issued devices against malware, viruses and more ( ZoneAlarm Extreme Security ); and allow employees to own secured online accounts (Harmony Email & Office). Globe Business offers up to P30,000 worth of training for a sign-up of at least 30 Google Workspace licenses.

Improving Operational Efficiency and Productivity for Businesses Other work-fromanywhere solutions to streamline and ensure seamless business operations include Cloud Payroll for worry-free payroll processing; Amber Auto SMS Blaster for sending announcements to both staff and customers, and AWS Cloud Solutions with complimentary 4 months’ worth of usage credits (subject to terms & conditions) for ensuring business continuity.

“We see that flexible work setups will continue post-pandemic, and as a trusted partner of the IT-BPM industry, we support their drive to thrive in evolving work setups, sustain their growth, and enable their employees to work from anywhere and perform their best. This offer is valid until September 30. We encourage everyone to inquire and sign up and allow Globe Business to help you ease in this work-from-anywhere time”, concluded Gil. To sign up forGlobe Business’ suite of workfrom-anywhere.

Globe Business Empowers IT-BPM Sector To Own Success Through Work-From-Anywhere Digital Solutions

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s we evolve with changing work structures and product delivery, companies are expected to continue reinforcing a hybrid working model. With companies’ productivity and the workforce’s safety in mind, Globe Business has launched digital tools and connectivity offers that will empower Filipinos to choose a safe working environment enabled by connectivity.

As a model of success, the Philippine IT - Business Process Management sector has been one of those who thrived under these challenging times. Despite the setbacks, the IT-BPM sector continues to sustain its growth and high service

standards through this wo r k- f ro m - a ny wh e re model.

“In recognition of the significant economic contributions of the IT-BPM sector, Globe Business continues to provide innovative product offers that will help companies in the industry boost employee productivity and enhance business operations whenever and wherever they may be,” said Alyssa Gil, Admin & Support Industry Manager for Globe Business - MSME Group.

Globe Business’ workfrom-anywhere products allow businesses to operate seamlessly, efficiently and securely through reliable connectivity and digital back-end solu-

image from IQOS

FILREIT expects ‘fresh and green’ investors to boost IPO listing

F

ilinvest REIT Corp.

(FILREIT) expects millennial and retail investors in the country, and investors tracking sustainability initiatives, to support the listing of its initial public offering (IPO) on Aug. 12.

The real estate investment trust (REIT) arm of major property developer Filinvest Land, Inc. (FLI) “has what we believe to be the largest office REIT portfolio with a green agenda.

We intend to replicate our green initiative in office and township development, particularly in district cooling, to our other townships and introduce even more green initiatives in our developments,” said FLI president Josephine Gotianun-Yap. FILREIT boasts of a portfolio that consists of 17 Grade A (highest quality) and LEED Gold certified office buildings, which include “green” or sustainability-themed features. Of these, 16 are in Northgate Cyberzone in Filinvest City in Alabang, a PEZA Special Economic Zone and IT park, and the first central business district in the country to receive Gold Certification from LEED® v4 for Neighborhood Development.

Its buildings are cooled by the country’s largest district cooling system that reduces carbon emissions and energy consumption, the result of Filinvest’s partnership with Engie, a

world leader in developing sustainable technology solutions.

According to a recent Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) office property market study, certifications like LEED and Building for Ecologically Responsive Design Excellence check on the quality of materials used. How these all come together to improve building efficiency ultimately result in lower costs for tenants and boosted employee productivity and retention, JLL said.

FILREIT is aligned with the Philippine Stock Exchange’s (PSE) plan to introduce new stock indices to attract investors who favor specific investment themes, including environmental, social and governance (ESG) compliance.

These so-called “green investors” look beyond the profitability metrics and instead track companies’ “triple bottom line” that focus on “people, planet, profit” when making business and investment decisions.

In addition to courting green investors, FILREIT is also banking on demand from “fresh” investors or those who are new to investing in the local bourse through online or retail trading.

According to the recently released Stock Market Investor Profile (SMIP) report of the PSE, there were 1.4 million accounts in the stock market in 2020, up 13.7% year-on-

FFILREIT, P10

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rostate cancer may be the most known type of cancer among men when it comes to reproductive health. But what most men don’t know is that several types of cancer develop in the testicles.

If the type of cancer is discovered early, the man can still live longer. When former professional road racing cyclist Lance Armstrong found out that his Stage 4 testicular cancer had already spread to his lungs and brain, he underwent immediate surgery and chemotherapy. He recovered soon.

But there were so many who were not lucky.

Among those who died of testicular cancer include English actor Peter William Postlethwaite, English journalist and broadcaster Frederick Richard Dimbleby, Swedish racing driver Gunnar Nilsson, US professional football player Louis Brian Piccolo, American football center Daniel Anthony Turk, Argentine soccer goalkeeper Gustavo Danie Eberto, American singer-songwriter Josh Clayton-Felt, Hungarian military officer and politician Gyula Gombos de Jakfa, and Canadian hockey player and coach James Arthur Christopher Koleff.

The testicles (also called the testes; a single testicle is called a testis) are part of the male reproductive system. These two organs are each normally somewhat smaller than a golf ball in adult males and are contained within a sac of skin called the scrotum. The scrotum hangs beneath the base of the penis; usually the left testis hangs slightly lower than the right one.

According to The Merck Manual of Medical Information, the testes have two functions: producing sperm (the male cells needed to fertilize a female egg cell to start a pregnancy) and testosterone (the primary male sex hormone).

Types of testicular cancer

“Most testicular cancers develop in men younger than age 40,” the Merck manual points out.

The testicles, however, are made up of several types of cells, each of which can develop into one or more types of cancer. Among the types of cancer that develop in the testes are non-seminoma, seminoma, teratoma, embryonal carcinoma, and choriocarcinoma.

The www.cancer.org gives the following information about these types of cancer: Seminoma and non-seminoma cells look very different under a microscope. These two types occur about equally.

Many testicular cancers contain both seminoma and non-seminoma cells.

These mixed germ cell tumors are treated as non-seminomas because they grow and spread like non-seminomas.

Teratomas are germ cell tumors with areas that, under a microscope, look like each of the three layers of a developing embryo: the endoderm (innermost layer), mesoderm (middle layer), and ectoderm (outer layer).

Embryonal carcinoma is a type of non-seminoma; it is present to some degree in about 40% of testicular tumors, but pure embryonal carcinomas occur only 3-4% of the time.

When seen under a microscope, these tumors can look like tissues of very early embryos.

Choriocarcinoma is a very rare and aggressive type of testicular cancer in adults. Pure choriocarcinoma is likely to spread rapidly to distant organs of the body, including the lungs, bones, and brain.

“The cause of testicular cancer is not known, but men whose testes

TESTICULAR CANCER:

DISCOVER IT YOURSELF, MAN!

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO testicularawarenessfoundation.com, familydoctor.org, Mayo Clinic did not descend into the scrotum (having a health problem called cryptorchidism) by age 3 have a greater chance of developing the disease than do men whose testes descended by that age,” the Merck manual says.

Cryptorchidism is best corrected surgically in childhood. “Sometimes, removal of a single undescended testis in adults is recommended to reduce the risk of cancer,” the Merck manual states.

It has been found that a family history of testicular cancer increases the risk of a man having it. If he has the disease, there is an increased risk that one or more of his brothers or sons will also develop it.

But only a small number of testicular cancers occur in families. Most men with testicular cancer do not have a family history of the disease.

Symptoms Most testicular cancers are found by men themselves. Self-examination of the testes is important for early detection of testicular cancer. The most common method of early detection is performing a five-minute monthly exam while taking a shower.

The website of the Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation shares the

following steps in testes self-examination: Examine each testicle gently with both hands by rolling the testicle between the thumb and forefingers.

2. Find the epididymis, the soft tube-like structures behind the testicle that collects and carries sperm. If you are familiar with this structure, you won’t mistake it for an abnormal mass.

3. Look for any lumps or irregularities. Remember that lumps or bumps may also present themselves as painless.

4. Look for any changes in size, shape, or texture.

Remember it’s normal for one testicle to be slightly larger.

In some instances, testicular cancer is discovered by doctors during routine physical exams when examining the testicles. “Between regular check-ups, if a man notices anything unusual about his testicles, he should talk with his doctor,” urges www.medicinenet.com.

Even if testicular cancer has spread to other parts of the body, many men might not have symptoms right away, according to www.cancer. org. “Lower back pain can be a sign that the cancer has spread to the lymph

nodes in the abdomen.

Cancer that has spread to the lungs can cause trouble breathing (shortness of breath), chest pain, or a cough (sometimes with blood). Some cancers might cause abdominal pain, either from enlarged lymph nodes or metastasis (spread) to the liver. In rare cases, testicular cancer spreads to the brain and can cause headaches.”

A number of non-cancerous conditions, such as testicle injury or inflammation, can cause symptoms similar to those of testicular cancer. Inflammation of thetesticle (known as orchitis) and inflammation of the epididymis (epididymitis) can cause swelling and pain of the testicle. Both of these also can be caused by viral or bacterial infections.

Treatment “The initial treatment for testicular cancer is surgical removal of the entire affected testis (radical orchiectomy). The other testis is not removed, so the man retains adequate levels of male hormones and remains fertile. Infertility sometimes occurs with testicular cancer but may subside after treatment,” the Merck manual informs.

With certain types of

cancers, lymph nodes in the abdomen are also removed (retroperitoneal lymph node dissection) because the cancer often spreads there first. Radiation therapy may also help, especially for a seminoma.

“A combination of surgery and chemotherapy often cures testicular cancer that has spread,” notes the Merck manual. “Blood levels of alpha-fetoprotein and human chorionic gonadotropin that were elevated at diagnosis decline after successful treatment.”

If levels rise after treatment, the cancer may have recurred. “After surgery and any other necessary treatments are completed,” the Merck manual says, “a surgeon can replace the removed testis with an artificial one.”

According to the Merck manual, the prognosis for a man with testicular cancer depends on the type and extent of the cancer.

Almost all men with seminomas, teratomas, or embryonal carcinomas that are not widespread survive 5 years or more. Most men with cancer that have spread survive years or more. However, very few men with choriocarcinomas, which are spared rapidly, survive even 5 years.

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EDGEDAVAO

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in mind the experiences in last year’s school year.

“Eventually all the experiences that we have gathered nahimo natong basis trying to really come up with the innovations for the upcoming school year. What we’re saying is we were kind of happy that SY 2020-21 has brought us a lot of experiences because of Covid and we are bracing for another school year opening dili madugay. We are ready for all of this taking into account the experi-

ences that we have gathered from the previous school year,” said Atillo.

The SY 2020-21 has seen an unprecedented challenges to both the educators and students following the government’s decision to shut schools down and go to blended learning or remote learning, which has not been easy for the teachers, parents, and students.

Atillo also called on the parents to still support their children in making their tasks for this SY.

participants from the different agencies and hopeful for their commitments on the upcoming schedule of activities.

Likewise, 48IB Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Enrique G. Rafael also expressed his gratitude for the efforts exerted

by the participating agencies and pledged support not only in the preparation of school facilities and its grounds and perimeter but also in providing safety and secured environment for the community especially the students amidst pandemic.

(PR-48th IB PA)

the increased allocation of vaccines from the national government composed of Sinovac’s CoronaVac, AstraZeneca, Sputnik V, and Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen.

The inoculation currently covers individuals

under priority groups A1 (front-line health workers), A1.8 (outbound overseas workers), A2 (senior citizens), A3 (persons with comorbidities), and A4 (essential workers). [MindaNews]

ing of Go and Duterte is still up for discussion.

‘Very hardworking individuals’ While the possible Go-Duterte tandem is not yet final, Nograles vouched for the competence of the two high-ranking officials.

Nograles praised Go and Duterte for being “hardworking individuals.”

“He (Go) is always working, he sleeps late because the President also sleeps late,” he said. “He is also very meticulous, putting attention to detail even when President Duterte was still a mayor. Kumbaga lahat ng detalye, siya yung nag-aasikaso (It seems that he gives his attention to all the details), all the details, all the attention to the details, it’s him.”

Nograles said it is evident that Go, who was once Duterte’s long-time aide before being elected as senator, is “trying to emulate or

copy” the President’s leadership qualities.

He said Duterte’s “consistency” in fulfilling his promises and exemplifying “tapang and malasakit” (courage and concern) for all inspire others like Go to be a good leader.

“Ang pinaka-original talaga si President Duterte (President Duterte is the original one), who from the start, noongmayor pa siya (when he was still a mayor) who is not that popular, gains people’s respect, very charming and very down to earth and he really speaks the language of the people,” Nograles said.

Go earlier said he would only gun for the presidency if Duterte will be his running mate in the 2022 national elections.

Duterte, on the other hand, has repeatedly expressed willingness to run for vice president. (PNA)

mode’ and we expect Governor (Benjamin) Diokno to be on hold well into 2022,” he said.

The BSP slashed its key rates by a total of 200 basis points in 2020 to help lift the domestic economy from the virus-induced pandemic.

To date, the central bank’s overnight reverse repurchase (RRR) rate is at record-low of 2 percent.

It also slashed banks’ reserve requirement ratio

(RRR) by as much as 200 basis points.

Both measures are aimed at encouraging lending activities to ensure that economic activities remain robust.

Aside from the rate cuts, the BSP also extended cash advances to the national government since last year and entered a repurchase deal amounting to PHP300 billion, with the latter fully redeemed last year.

tion of their businesses as this can increase their productivity, reduce costs, diversify products and services, improve competitiveness, and increase sales by managing transactions at a distance.

“Lastly, the adoption of digitalization in all sectors of the economy supports DTI’s

innovation agenda. Despite limitations in our technology infrastructure, more MSMEs are conducting their businesses online amidst the pandemic -- which is why their digitalization plays a crucial role in developing an inclusive and sustainable economy,” Lopez said. (PNA)

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3. Duly-authorized humanitarian assistance actors (HAAs) including those transporting medical supplies and COVID-19 laboratory specimens; and other relief and humanitarian assistance, 4. Persons traveling for medical or humanitarian reasons, 5. Persons going to and from the airport, 6. Anyone crossing zones for work or business permitted in the zone of destination, and going back home, and 7. Public utility vehicle (PUV) operators.

Also allowed are APOR under the Philippine National Police list. The APOR, however, has to present an identification (I) card, or certificate of employment, or travel order or itinerary, and must pass symptom screening at ports of entry.

Non-APOR Region 11 returning residents must also present an ID showing residence or any other proof of residence and negative RT-PCR test results taken within 72 hours.

Resident overseas Filipinos (ROFs) may be fetched by their respective LGUs or may opt to use a private vehicle or hire a PUV, provided that the driver should wear personal protective equipment. No other persons shall accompany in the fetching of ROFs and details of the fetching shall be coordinated with the LGU of destination.

Non-residents of Region

11 are allowed entry for essential travel such as but not limited to accessing essential goods and services, and medical consultations, among others, provided that they will present any of the following: proof of appointment, medical prescription/ referral, or any other document showing proof of essential transaction.

Travelers are only allowed to stay for a maximum of 24 hours within the region unless the transaction/ service availed of requires more than that. Then, they are required to present proof of accommodation and/or adequate justification, which will be assessed by border control points personnel.

Non-Region 11 tourists must present negative RTPCR test results taken within 72 hours, resort booking confirmation, and StaySafe.

PH application.

The RT-PCR test result, however, will have to be electronically sent by tourists to the resort management immediately after its receipt.

Resident tourists traveling to other Region 11 destinations must comply with the protocols set by respective LGUs. Travelers just passing through are allowed to stay within Region 11 with a specified time as determined by the PNP and the entry point shall coordinate with the exit point so that the vehicle/traveler shall be expected to pass through within a specified time.

in their quest to rack up more medals for the country.

“With our success in the Tokyo Olympics, hindi na mahirap kumbinsihin ang ating mga congressmen at senador (it would not be hard anymore to convince

the congressmen and the senators) to sustain our momentum after the Tokyo Olympics,” he said.

A PHP2 billion budget had been set for the Tokyo Olympians, and with the huge medal haul, it was all worth every peso. (PNA)

ing in his fourth NBA team since being taken by the Atlanta Hawks in the 2013 draft.

The Lakers, bannered

by LeBron James and Anthony Davis, recently acquired All-Star guard Rus-

sell Westbrook after his sting with the Washington Wizards, added forward Carmelo Anthony from the Portland Trail Blazers, before big man Dwight Howard signed up for a third stint in LA.

ring the first-ever Congressional Medal of Excellence to Diaz for winning the country’s first-ever Olympic gold victory in the Tokyo Games.

Velasco said the Congressional Medal of Excellence was created to give honor and commendation to “exceptional modern-day national heroes in sports who win the gold medal in the Olympics.”

The last batch of the Olympic squad, which is mainly composed of the entire boxing team that won three medals during the final week of the event, flew in via Philippine Airlines flight PR427 and arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 at around 5 p.m. Monday.

The boxing team was

accompanied by Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino who earlier promised to give PHP3 million cash reward for an Olympic gold medal, PHP2 million for silver medal, and PHP1 million for bronze medal, as well as house and lot for medalists.

The most bemedaled boxing team later paid a virtual courtesy call on President Rodrigo R. Duterte, who gave them additional cash rewards on top of the incentives provided by law.

Duterte said Petecio and Paalam each will receive PHP2 million while Marcial will get PHP1 million.

He also said other Olympians who did not win medals will receive PHP200,000 each. (PNA)

lungsod (SP) to also come up with their own mobile vaccination team as manpower of the city is now exhausted.

“We have one already, which will pilot their kanang pagpabakuna sa (vaccination in) Los Amigos relocation area, ang target ani nila ang A5 and then sa PWD Gawad Kalinga Village ang gitarget ani is persons with comorbidities,” the mayor said.

The city government of Davao recently rolled out a mobile anti-Covid vaccination to inoculate more senior citizens, especially those who cannot go to the main vaccination sites for various reasons.

“Sila ang pangitaon sa bakuna, dili sila ang mangita sa bakuna,” Mayor Sara said.

The mobile vaccination is another option for senior citizens aside from the public vaccination in designated City Health Office-run vaccination sites per district.

As of August 6, 2021, a total of 79,039 seniors received their first jabs while 54,065 got their second shots.

Based on the record of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) Davao City has between 200,000 to 300,000 senior citizens. By Maya M. Padillo

the country bagged during the promotion was a USD77-million real estate project.

The Asia Plaza in the Manila Bay Area, a residential and commercial build-

ing, is one of the offshoots of the country’s participation in CIFIT last year.

Construction for the project started last June.

It is expected to create at least 200 jobs. (PNA)

year. Of this, retail investors accounted for about 97.9% while institutional investors owned 2.1%. For the third straight year, online accounts dominated the local bourse, cornering 67% of the total, while traditional accounts got a smaller 33% share.

FILREIT, formerly named Cyberzone Properties, Inc., expects to raise up to ₱12.6 billion from an initial public offering of 1,634,187,850 common shares at an offer price of ₱7.00 per share. New investors are expected to hold up to 36.74% of the issued and outstanding common shares, while existing shareholders are expected to hold 63.26%, assuming that the oversubscription option is fully exercised.

BPI Capital Corporation and UBS AG, Singapore

Branch are the Joint Global Coordinators and Bookrunners for the initial public offering of FILREIT. BPI Capital Corporation is the Sole Local Coordinator and Local Lead Underwriter while UBS AG, Singapore Branch is the International Bookrunner. China Bank Capital Corporation is a Local Lead Underwriter while First Metro Investment Corporation and SB Capital Investment Corporation are Local Co-lead Underwriters.

For more information on FILREIT and its initial public offering, please visit http://www.filinvestreit. com or contact its Investor Relations Office located at the 23 rd Floor, Axis Tower 1, Northgate Cyberzone, Filinvest Corporate City, Alabang, Muntinlupa City.

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novations, promotions and services are all geared at ensuring we address the needs and priorities of those we serve,” Carlos Barrera, chief operating officer of Lazada Philippines, said.

“Through our partnership with Kwik.insure, we are happy to be able to pro-

portfolio a significant business serving Chinese cuisine in different parts of the world.

Currently, JFC has five brands serving Chinese cuisine, namely Chowking, Yonghe King, Hong Zhuang Yuan, Panda Express, and Tim Ho Wan.

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vide our customers with access to a service that is most especially valuable and relevant today,” he added.

Lazada allows customers to pay their bills to various billers such as Meralco, Maynilad, Autosweep, Easytrip, Globe, Smart and many more.

a total of 53 outlets in Asia, mostly franchised stores with the largest concentration in four countries, namely Singapore with 12 stores, Taiwan with 12, Philippines with seven, and Hong Kong with six stores.

JFC said it aims to build as an important part of its

tivities throughout the year include the annual Angels Walk for Autism and Emer-

gency Preparedness Forum for PWDs. (PR-SM Malls Davao)

Law or RA 11203 na inyong nilagdaan noong February 2019 (As an example, the current average price of regular milled rice is PHP38 per kilo,whilewehavesetPHP40 for well-milled rice. We have maintained this pricing as a result of the Rice Tariffication Law of RA 11203),” Dar shared.

He also reported that the vegetable supply is in good condition during the start of the year but the prices of pinakbet and chop suey ingredients were pulled up a bit due to the effect of typhoon Fabian and the enhanced “habagat” that took a toll on the farmlands up to this time.

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VOL.14 ISSUE 128 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 12, 2021

SPORTS 11

EDGEDAVAO

Philippine Sports Commission chairman William“Butch”Ramirez with Philippines’first Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz (Photo from Hidilyn Diaz Facebook page)

Butch: I’m speechless

T

wo days after the conclusion of the Tokyo Olympics, Philippine Sports Commission chairman Butch Ramirez remains in awe of what the Philippine team has done in the athletic meet.

The Nationals won four medals this year, including the country’s first-ever gold medal courtesy of weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz,

the most a Philippine team has ever amassed in a single Olympic.

The Philippines also finished as the top-per-

forming Southeast Asian nation, thanks to silvers from boxers Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam with fellow pug Eumir Marcial completing the job with his bronze medal.

Diaz, who had to leave Tokyo quickly due to the coronavirus disease 2019 protocols set for the games, reunited with her fellow

medalists on Tuesday with Ramirez and Philippine Olympic Committee president Bambol Tolentino virtually during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum.

“I’m speechless except we have to celebrate the successful campaign in Tokyo,” said Ramirez, who was also in the Japanese

Schroder signs with Celtics D

Dennis Schroder has agreed to join the Boston Celtics on a one-year $5.9 million deal after reportedly turning down an $84 million extension offer from the Los Angeles Lakers.

ennis Schroder has agreed to join the Boston Celtics on a one-year $5.9 million deal after reportedly turning down an $84 million extension offer from the Los Angeles Lakers.

“This is one of the best franchises in NBA history and it will be a honour to put on the green and white and do what I love!”

Schröder wrote on Instagram.

“I’m going out there every night and leaving it all on the floor for the city!!

Who’s ready?!”

Schroder played one season with the Lakers after moving from Oklahoma City. Several months ago he reportedly turned down a four-year extension from the Lakers.

The 27-year-old guard from Germany will be play-

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capital during the first few days but had to fly back to the Philippines before the closing ceremonies to attend to his agency’s matters.

He lauded the four Olympic medalists for becoming sources of good news amid the pandemic, which has set many Filipinos in a state of sadness

and even fear.

“I felt that these athletes inspire the country and our youth to become better students and athletes for the whole country,” he said.

Following this historic run, Ramirez said it would not anymore be hard to fund the national athletes

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Medal of distinction to Olympic boxing medalists

T

he House of Representatives is set to bestow the Congressional Medal of Distinction on boxers Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam and Eumir Marcial for winning two silver medals and a bronze for the Philippines in the recently concluded Tokyo Summer Olympics.

Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, Majority Leader Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and Minority Leader Joseph Stephen Paduano have filed House Resolution No. 2093 congratulating, commending and conferring the Congressional Medal of Distinction to Petecio for her silver medal finish at the women’s featherweight final at the Tokyo Olympics.

Similar resolutions were filed for Paalam and Marcial, who have won

silver and bronze in the men’s boxing flyweight and middleweight categories, respectively.

“Winning a medal at the Olympics was no easy feat as our boxers had to compete against the best athletes in the world,” Velasco said. “Nesthy, Carlo and Eumir are considered as our national heroes in sports.”

The Congressional Medal of Distinction is given to Filipino achievers in sports, business, medicine, science, and other fields.

Velasco said it was the same award given by Congress to weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz five years ago when she won a silver medal in the 2016 Rio Olympics.

The House recently adopted a resolution confer-

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12 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 128 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 12, 2021

NEW FOE

Manny Pacquiao will have a new opponent on August 22 (PH Time) after WBC and IBF champion Errol Spence pulled out due to eye injury.

Pacquiao fight: Spence out due to eye injury, WBA champ Ugas in

Y

et another of the summer’s biggest fights has fallen through as Errol Spence Jr. has been forced to withdraw from his planned WBC and IBF welterweight title defense against the legendary Manny Pacquiao. Spence suffered a retinal tear that forced him out of the bout.

Pacquiao will now face WBA welterweight champion Yordenis Ugas in the Aug. 21 pay-per-view main event.

“I’m very disappointed that I won’t be able to fight Manny Pacquiao.” Spence said in a press release. “I was excited about the fight.

Unfortunately, the doctors found a tear in my left eye and said I needed surgery on it ASAP and that there was no way I could fight with my eye in that condition.”

Ugas was already scheduled to face Fabian Maidana in a title defense in the night’s featured undercard bout. He was promoted to “super champion” status due to Pacquiao’s inactivity after Pacquiao won the belt in July 2019 over Keith Thurman.

Pacquiao has not fought since that Thurman fight, which was a stunning return to the world title scene after it seemed Pacquiao’s time as an elite fighter had come to an end.

Spence, 31, is undefeated and one of the sport’s pound-

for-pound elite fighters. He has held welterweight gold since May 2017 and the Pacquiao fight was a chance for him to ply his trade against one of the best fighters of the modern era.

“First and foremost, I ask everyone to join me in praying for a full and complete recovery for Errol Spence Jr.,” Pacquiao said. “Thank God his physical examination discovered his eye condition before he suffered any further damage.”

“It’s an honor to fight the great multiple division world champion, Manny Pacquiao, as I am more than ready to take on this challenge. I have a tremendous amount of respect for Pacquiao, but I am coming to win this fight,” Ugas said.

“Everyone knows my story about how I came to America to follow my dreams of becoming a world champion, and now it’s time to stamp my legacy with a victory, as one of the best Cuban fighters to ever put on a pair of gloves.”