Edge Davao Volume 14 Issue 136 | Sunday-Monday, August 23-23, 2021

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RESILIENT

Let this year’s online Kadayawan a testament of our resilience: Sara STORY ON PAGE 2

President Rodrigo Duterte looks at the piece of art given to him by outgoing Presidential Security Group (PSG) Commander BGen. Jesus Durante III during the PSG Change of Command Ceremony at the Arcadia Active Lifestyle Center in Matina, Davao City on Friday night. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 136 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, AUGUST 22-23, 2021

RESILIENT

President Rodrigo Duterte, accompanied by Sen. Christopher“Bong”Go, visits Pastor Apollo Quiboloy. International evangelist Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy, who said that“God is happy”with the President Photo from Sen. Go’s Facebook page

Let this year’s online Kadayawan a testament of our resilience: Sara

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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hat good old Kadayawan sa Davao spirit lives on with digital events.

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said this year’s Kadayawan sa Davao is a testament of Dabawenyos’ resilience amidst adversities.

“Let this year’s online Kadayawan which we are celebrating for the second time without the customary festivities and gatherings due to COVID-19 be a testament to our resilience amidst adversities to our unity as one multi-cultural communi-

ty despite the challenges we face,” the mayor said in her message during the online opening of the 36th Kadayawan sa Davao on Friday.

This is the second time that Dabawenyos celebrated Kadayawan through online.

Mayor Sara encouraged Dabanwenyos to celebrate the festival from the comforts of their homes.

Apart from the 11 tribes, which are among the main highlights of every celebration, the opening of August 20, 2021 was highlighted with “Tunog Kadayawan”. Other highlights were “Tribu Kadayawan”, “Sayaw kadayawan,” and “Pahalipay” on August 21, 2021; and “ “Indak Indak sa Kadayawan”, and “Habi Ka-

dayawan” on August 22.

“Sa atong pagsaulog sa 36th Kadayawan Festival padayon ta sa pag-amuma ug pagtahud sa kinaiyahan sa atong kultura ug sa atong kagikan,” she said.

Meanwhile, President Rodrigo Duterte in his message urged Dabawenyos to be grateful for all the blessings and to treasure the extraordinary progress that has propelled Davao City to what it is today.

“May this occasion

Rellon told the Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR 87.5) that the DPWH informed him that the flyover would be passable to vehicles by the last quarter in preparation for the planned rerouting of vehicles to pave the way for the completion of concreting of the highway below it.

He said the vehicles will be redirected to the

flyover as some portions of the six-lane highway (three lanes each direction) will be paved.

“It’s really intended to complete the upper portion first. There will be rerouting of vehicles so that they can focus working on the pavements below. Of the six lanes, I think only two lanes are paved,” he said.

He added that they ex-

pect the full competition of the project by the first quarter of 2022.

Aside from the flyover, another big-ticket project that is expected to begin “partial operations in the first quarter of next year” is the 15-kilometer portion between Tagum and Carmen in Davao del Norte of the 102-kilometer Tagum City-Davao

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Malaybalay City at “critical risk” with COVID infections

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he city is at “critical risk” with an increasing rate of COVID-19 infections, the Department of Health (DOH) in Region 10 confirmed on Thursday.

According to the update from DOH-10 during the meeting of the Northern Mindanao Task Force on Wednesday, the average daily attack rate in Bukidnon’s capital city has reached 21.06 cases.

A total of 567 individuals were recorded infected in Malaybalay in a span of two weeks, the same update said.

Also on Thursday, an official said the city has recorded its first Delta variant case of COVID-19.

City Health Officer Dr. Dennis Sangalang identified the patient as a female from Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental who travelled to visit her relatives in Barangay San Martin here last July 20.

The DOH-10 earlier confirmed that Tagoloan has also recorded one case

of COVID-19 Delta variant.

It may be recalled that Gov. Jose Ma. R. Zubiri Jr. ordered the provincial capitol closed for disinfection on Thursday and Friday last week.

The order was issued on Tuesday, Aug. 10, the same day the province logged 327 COVID-19 cases.

For around two months now, the capitol grounds have been cordoned to prevent people from playing and gathering at the city’s favorite public space.

Last week, a source at a national government agency based in Malaybalay told MindaNews they were ordered to work from home after a child of one employee tested positive for the virus.

Meanwhile, Valencia City and five municipalities in Bukidnon – Dangcagan, Kalilangan, Maramag, Manolo Fortich and Quezon – were listed as “high risk” areas. (MindaNews)

City-Davao del Sur (TDD) line of the Mindanao Railway Project.

According to the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the completion of the entire TDD line is expected “in June 2023.”

The stations of the TDD line will be located in Tagum, Carmen and Panabo in Davao del

Norte; Mudiang, Maa and Toril in Davao City; and Santa Cruz and Digos City in Davao del Sur. The DOTr said the TDD segment will reduce travel time from 3.5 hours to 1.3 hours between Tagum and Digos cities and will provide “passengers safe, fast and reliable transport options.” (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)

Mindanao’s longest flyover set to open in October

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he Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is set to open Mindanao’s longest flyover to motorists in October, four years after construction works began, Tagum City Mayor Allan Rellon said.

The 1.6-kilometer flyover along Tagum’s Daang Maharlika National Highway costs P2.7 billion.

VOL.14 ISSUE 136 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, AUGUST 22-23, 2021

EDGEDAVAO

NEWS

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A worker stirs sugar cane juice to be processed into muscovado sugar inside the cooking facility operated by agrarian reform beneficiaries in Barangay Maraymaray, Don Carlos town in Bukidnon. The process takes 3-4 hours. Photo taken 19 August 2021 by H. MARCOS C. MORDENO

Apo Agua, JVACC implement brisk construction activities

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po Agua Infrastructura Inc., (AAII) through its engineering and contractor J.V. Angeles Construction Corporation (JVACC) are implementing simultaneous construction activities and extended work hours in all construction sites to fast-track the completion of Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project (DCBWSP).

Shake A. Tuason, operations head of Apo Agua Infrastructura, Inc (AAII), said in a statement that the company is making significant progress on its three key work areas namely raw water facilities, water treatment plant, and treated water pipeline.

He said JVACC under AAII’s supervision, is expediting pipe-laying progress and has deployed multiple pipe-laying and welding teams to work simultaneously on the eight alignments of the said project.

As of July 2021, JVACC showed significant progress in pipe-laying as 49 kilometers of pipes have been laid for the Raw Wa-

ter and Treated Water Pipelines. These pipe-laying activities span across the entire Davao City from Barangays Gumalang, Lacson, Calinan Proper, Talomo River, Talandang, Tugbok, Mandug, Indangan, and Cabantian.

Meanwhile, AAII has also ramped up its manpower to complete part A of the DCBWSP despite the challenges introduced by the pandemic is to aggressively ramp up the manpower on-site.

JVACC, with the support of AAII and in partnership with its host and partner barangays, has now deployed more than 5,000 workers to work on the Project, which is double the amount of workforce pre-pandemic.

More than 90 percent of its workforce are residents of Davao City, 50 percent of which are sourced directly from its host barangays, reaffirming AAII’s commitment to deliver livelihood opportunities to Davaoeños especially

FAPO, P10

Ban aerial spray campaign revived

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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he battle against aerial spraying continues.

Environmental groups in Davao City, Mamamayang Ayaw sa Aerial Spray (MAAS) and Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS), are reviving the call on the banning of aerial spraying in the city coinciding the 5th year anniversary on August 16, 2021 since the Supreme Court decision declaring the Ban Aerial Spraying Ordinance of Davao City as unconstitutional.

Dagohoy P. Magaway, president of MAAS, in a statement said it has taken five long years for Dabawenyos to understand the reasons behind the 2016 Supreme Court’s

rules in favor of industry-defined technicalities rather than in the defense of innocent lives affected by the fumigation of chemical pesticides in and around the banana

plantations.

“Our main regret here in Davao is that our own plea for a city-wide ban on aerial spraying was merely in the interest of poor people and the environment,” Magaway said.

In 2007, the city government of Davao passed an ordinance on banning the use of aerial spray in all agricultural entities within the city and encouraged ground spraying instead. However, several banana companies questioned the legality of the ban in court and filed a lawsuit against the city government seeking to strike down the ordinance as unconstitutional.

Years after the ordi-

breaking ceremony for the construction of the CSU dormitory on Friday afternoon.

The dormitory is a project under the MBHTE Education Facilities Section that aims to construct new school facilities for the students and faculty of the university.

“Funds for this project will come from the

BARMM Contingent Fund 2020,” Iqbal said.

He said the construction of the dormitory exemplifies the ministry’s commitment to providing the best and safe learning for the students and effectively using public funds.

“Shortly after the establishment of the MBHTE, we decided to improve and strengthen

the Bangsamoro educational system so it can secure our children’s future,” Iqbal said.

On the other hand, groundbreaking is synonymous with innovation, pioneering, and revolutionary, he added.

The dormitory’s construction, which was awarded to the MMG Construction Company after

nance was scrapped, the aerial spraying of pesticides is still performed in banana plantations in four barangays in Davao City; Brgy. Lacson, Dacudao, Lasang, and Subasta.

MAAS stressed that this type of agricultural practice not only contributes to air and water pollution but also has detrimental health effects on workers and communities nearby. With the absence of the ordinance/ policy and monitoring teams on plantations, aerial spraying continues in Davao City.

public bidding, has two dining halls, two study rooms, and conference halls.

The BARMM comprises the cities of Cotabato, Lamitan, and Marawi; the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Sulu, Basilan, and Tawi-Tawi; and 63 villages in six towns of North Cotabato province. (PNA)

“It is with great sadness that we, the ordinary

FBAN, P10

Cotabato State University gets P39.2-M dorm from BARMM

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he Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) will construct a PHP39.2 million, three-story dormitory inside the Cotabato State University (CSU) here that will cater to students from outside the city.

“In the pursuit of balanced, quality, and inclusive education, we want

to introduce innovative solutions to long-standing problems and explore pioneering approaches to elevate the Bangsamoro educational system,” Minister Mohagher Iqbal of the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education (MBHTE) BARMM said in a statement Saturday.

Iqbal led the ground-

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 136 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, AUGUST 22-23, 2021

Durian sells for 40-60 a kilo along Ecoland Drive in Davao City. Photo taken 19 August 2021 by GREGORIO C. BUENO

APEC ministers launch food security roadmap

2 registered local firms to pour P2-B investment in BARMM A

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wo local firms, the Al-Muzafar Agriventures, Incorporated (AMAVI) and the ES Maulana Global Ventures Company, Incorporated (EMGVCI), are set to pour in some PHP2 billion worth of investments in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

“With the vast potentials of BARMM, and the more stable peace and order situation region, this investment of local players is seen to influence regional, national, and even global investors to come in,” Regional Board of Investments (RBOI)-BARMM Chairman Ishak Mastura told reporters here Friday.

The RBOI-BARMM awarded the certificates of registration on August 18 to the two firms to fully operate in the BARMM

T

he Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors (AVID) reported Friday that sales of imported vehicles in the first seven months of the year increased by 43 percent to 35,092 units from 24,610 units a year ago.

All segments posted sales increase for the Janu-

and avail of the fiscal and non-fiscal incentives in the region.

He said AMAVI registered a PHP950-million investment in a combined 1,000-hectare Cavendish banana plantation in the province of Maguindanao, while EMGVCI proposed an oil and gas exploration investment project worth PHP998 million that covers the Liguasan Marsh in Maguindanao and the Sulu Sea. Mastura, a lawyer, add-

ed though that huge investment areas targeted by the two firms are still subject to joint determination by both the national and regional government.

In a statement, AMAVI board of trustee Michael Abas Kida said their investment in the region also aims to generate an “inclusive employment to those who are former combatants, less educated and less fortunate people to help them live well.”

For his part, Datu Esmael Maulana, EMGVCI chief executive officer, their proposed investment could also generate employment from 2,000 up to 3,000 workers directly from the communities.

“With this projection, we could help boost the BARMM economic growth and development soon,”

he said in a separate statement.

Meanwhile, BARMM Chief Minister Ahod “Murad” Ebrahim, in a video message, described the investment of the two local companies owned by Bangsamoro investors as a clear promise of economic development in the region.

“With the coming of AMAVI and EMGVCI are prospects of a progressive Bangsamoro as their act reflects patriotism for their homeland,” he said.

Mastura said other business prospects for the region this year includes the building of a PHP300-million sports complex in this city; a poultry project of the EMVGI in the region worth PHP100 million; a LAMSAN cornstarch manufacturing

ary to July period.

Passenger car sales went up by 15 percent to 9,110 units in the first seven months of the year from 7,893 units sold in 2020.

Light commercial vehicle sales rose by 52 percent to 25,127 units from 16,561 units.

On the other hand,

commercial vehicle sales surged by 448 percent to 855 units this year from 156 units in 2020.

“The gradual adaptation of the automotive industry to (new) normal operations is mainly driven by the valuable lessons gathered and learned over the course of the period. These

lessons fuel our passion for developing new and innovative ways to address the needs of the market. And AVID is determined to pave the way towards recovery,” AVID president Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo said in a statement.

For July 2021 alone, sales of the industry group

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griculture and food ministers from 21 member economies of Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) have reaffirmed their commitment to an open, transparent, productive, sustainable, and resilient APEC food system by launching a new 10-year food security roadmap.

A World Bank policy brief has shown that nearly 2.37 billion people lacked access to adequate food in 2020, an increase of 320 million in just one year, according to a press release issued by the 6th APEC Ministerial Meeting on Food Security and received here on Thursday.

A report by the Global Network Against Food Crises (GNAFC) has found that the number of people facing acute food insecurity who need urgent life and livelihood-saving assistance hit a five-year high last year.

It was against this backdrop that APEC ministers

convened their annual APEC Ministerial Meeting on Food Security on Thursday. The meeting, which was chaired

by New Zealand’s Minister of Agriculture, Damien O’Connor, adopted the APEC Food Security Roadmap Towards 2030.

The roadmap details goals and key action areas where APEC is well-placed to help ensure people always have access to sufficient, safe, affordable, and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.

“While food security was already a challenge, Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) showed us that there are vulnerabilities in our food systems and in our economies, and that our food systems need improvement, especially to deliver on the APEC 2040 vision of an open, dynamic, peaceful, and resilient region,” O’Con-

declined by 5 percent to 4,862 units from 5,101 units sold in July 2020.

The 27-percent decline in sales of passenger cars last month pulled down the total year-on-year sales of vehicle importers.

Passenger car sales decreased to 1,293 units last month from 1,765 units in

July 2020.

Sales of light commercial vehicles and commercial vehicles increased by 5 percent and 389 percent, respectively.

Month-on-month basis, sales of imported cars slipped by 2 percent from 4,961 units in June 2021.

(PNA)

FAPEC, P10

VOL.14 ISSUE 136 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, AUGUST 22-23, 2021

EDGEDAVAO

ECONOMY 5

Spot the hidden Durian. As bountiful harvests thrive this Kadayawan, the Mindanao Garden Club, in partnership with SM City Davao, features indoor plants, orchids, and other produce at the Greenery Plant Hub in SM City Davao - Annex.

Photo from SM City Davao

SPAMAST food processing facility to develop local products -- DTI T

Separate spaces for vaccinated, unvaxxed individuals pushed

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residential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion has laid out recommendations to prevent lockdowns during the fourth quarter in time for the Christmas holidays.

In a television interview Friday, Concepcion is pushing for separate ‘bubbles’ for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals in Metro Manila, which means more mobility for vaccinated people and protecting unvaccinated people by limiting their movement only to workplaces.

He said this can be done once full vaccination in Metro Manila hits 50 percent.

The National Task Force Against Covid-19 (NTF) reported that 41 percent of eligible individuals for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccines already got their two shots.

“We should use the vac-

cinated people to do the consumer spending. They would create, they would be part of the economy; they would need to go out so they can start spending, so the economy could start moving,” Concepcion said.

He added vaccinated people should be allowed to go back to their workplaces and enter establishments, while unvaccinated ones should be limited only at their homes and workplaces.

“Moving forward, I believe this is the way forward to avoiding lockdowns in the future,” he said, adding that the Philippines would not be the first country to implement this, as greater mobility for vaccinated individuals are being allowed in neighboring countries like Singapore and Indonesia.

Concepcion is meeting with Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade Friday

FSEPARATE, P10

and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology (SPAMAST) to operationalize the latter’s expanded post-harvest processing facility.

The partnership has been sealed with the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and usufruct during the launching of DTI’s Shared Service Facility (SSF) Program which funded the improvement of the facility.

With a total funding of P483,000, the SSF Program provided the needed machineries and equipment such as freezer, sealer, weighing scale, oven, fish

drying facility and processing table.

“The equipment will address the gap in the value chain, value adding facility, value adding activity like food processing and fish drying, to marketing,” stated Maria Joycelyn Banlasan, provincial director of DTI-Davao Occidental.

Banlasan said that the facility intends to develop new and innovative prod-

to invest in that are both profitable but also socially good.”

“We could perhaps use that to help the LGUs and the other officials here work on climate change and the NGOs as well, so I think that’s one way to do it,” Meily added.

He explained, the private sector can still step up to invest in economically viable but sustainable

projects as the pandemic sapped a lot of capital from the local system.

Meily made these remarks at a webinar organized by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA).

Other advocates and climate change experts also weighed on how the country can boost its climate crisis mitigation and

adaptation efforts amid a lack of funds for such programs.

Philippine climate justice advocate Mitzi Jonelle Tan said the Philippines should demand accountability from developed nations who are historically responsible for the climate crisis.

She also said the country should ensure its pub-

he establishment of a school-based post-harvest processing facility in Malita town is gearing towards developing new and innovative local products maximizing the abundant aquaculture resources of Davao Occidental.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Davao Occidental has recently formalized a partnership with the Southern Philippines Agri-Business

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PH urged to tap private, global climate financing for climate crisis response

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he Philippines should tap the private sector and urge developed nations to fund the country’s response to the climate crisis, several groups said.

Rene “Butch” Meily, president of the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF) said, “there are a lot more social investors now in the world and they’re looking for things

FPH, P10

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 136 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, AUGUST 22-23, 2021

On concerned agencies especially those subject to the Commission on Audit’s findings to thoroughly explain their expenditures related to the country’s COVID-19 response efforts: pandemic.

“As a legislator and member of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, I support the efforts to probe how public funds were spent in our country’s COVID-19 response.”

Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go

EDITORIAL One beat, one battle We would be hypocrites to say we do not miss the ‘real’ Kadayawan celebration.

The Indak-Indak, the parade of floral floats, we can only imagine them now. It’s what makes Kadayawan famous to the world of festivals. The beat is now but a controlled volume on digital screens, the images are nowhere near the colorful festive extravaganza.

The pandemic has taken away so much of our lives, livelihood and fun.

Nevertheless, the Kadayawan spirit is not lost on us. The one beat, one culture, one Dabawenyo spirit is very much alive albeit in a different size, shape and form.

EDGEDAVAO

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We can stomp our feet against this pandemic by keeping in cadence with the protocols and restrictions in place.

Let’s keep the Kadayawan vibe to get past this pandemic.

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

Can we still summon that Kadayawan vibe to get through this pandemic? Sure we can, and this should be overemphasized. Instead of feeling beat up by the Covid-19 crisis, Dabawenyos can still summon the same vibe to get over this speed bump. The Kadayawan vibe, if instilled in everyone amidst the tough times, can be a force to inspire everyone to dance to the same beat and cadence in following health protocols and practicing hygiene.

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)

VOL.14 ISSUE 136 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, AUGUST 22-23, 2021

EDGEDAVAO

VANTAGE POINTS

7

IRESHA GENERALAO IBP DAVAO CORNER

Hello po IBP Davao. Ask po ako regarding home credit collectors. Masyado na po kasing OA kung makatawag sila that results to nakakaperwesyo na sila. Ano po ba pwede i-complain sa mga ganun po? Tanong lng po.

Thank you.

Anonymous

Dear mous:

Mr./Ms.

Anony-

To give you a brief background, creditors, such as credit card companies or their collection agents, have the right to demand payment from their debtors when the obligation becomes due. This usually happens when the debtor has been delinquent in paying his or her account.

In line with this, a cred-

itor can take reasonable measures in demanding payment to compel the debtor to pay. This includes making threats to enforce his or her claim in court.

In the case of Lee vs. Court of Appeals, 201 SCRA 405, the Supreme Court stated that such practice is legal as there is nothing unlawful on the threat to sue. It is a practice followed not only by banks but even by individuals to demand payment of their accounts with the threat that upon failure to do so an action would be instituted in court. Thus, the said a threat is legal within the realm of the law as a means to enforce collection.

Nevertheless, it must always be remembered that a creditor may only do legally appropriate acts in trying to collect from his or her debtor.

If there comes a time when the creditor acts beyond the limits of law, legal responsibilities would attach to him and the debtor would have a ground to sue in court.

However, even if the said credit card companies or their collection agents have the right to collect the payment of his or her debtor, it should not resort to unfair collection practices.

As can be gleaned from Subsections. 4301 N. 14, Manual of Regulations for NonBank Financial Institution as amended by Circular No. 454, s. 2004, unfair collection practices are the following, to wit: (a) use or threat of violence or other criminal means to harm a person, his reputation or property; b) use of obscenities, insults, or profane language

which amount to a criminal act or offense; (c) disclosure of the names of credit cardholders who allegedly refuse to pay debts, unless authorized by law; (d) threat to take any action that cannot legally be taken; e) purposely communicating or threatening to communicate false credit information; (f) any false representation or deceptive means to collect any debt or to obtain information concerning a cardholder; and (g) making contact at unreasonable/inconvenient hours before 6:00 A.M. or after 10:00 P.M., unless the account is past due for more than sixty (60) days, it is with express permission, or said times are the only rea-

sonable or convenient opportunities for contact.

Under Republic Act (R.A.) No. 7653, known as the New Central Bank Act, the violation of the said rules by the credit card company or its collection agent would make them liable administratively and criminally. They might also be criminally liable under the Revised Penal Code, and civilly liable under the Civil Code.

Therefore, the credit company or the collection agent’s threat to sue per se is not actionable. But if this is accompanied by the above-mentioned acts, you may file appropriate civil, criminal, and administrative complaint against the credit card company or its collection agent for the protection of your rights.

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD THINK ON THESE!

DENCIA’S RESTAURANT Dencia’s Restaurant originated in Manila. Established in the late 1950s by Olegario Brito, Sr. and his Chinese wife, Tan Soo alias So Wa, the establishment, due to a stressful legal battle, was later closed and the couple decided to migrate to Davao City in the mid1960s.

After finding a space at corner Duterte and Legaspi (Pelayo Sr.) Streets, the couple did not deviate from offering the simple recipes that made the Manila eatery a favorite dining address of ordinary patrons. They added Davao to the business name, but customers prefer calling the diner by its original title. Dencia’s is named after Gaudencia Molina, Olegario’s first wife.

In its 1980s, a bowl of lugaw, the rice gruel or porridge, at Dencia’s only cost P20 while a saucer of tokwa’t baboy, a Chinese tofu admixed with pork, spices,

vinaigrette, and soy sauce cost P5. Easily, they were the bestsellers that made the foodhouse immensely popular.

On the side, a full-plate restaurant within the same building, which the couple also operated, offered authentic Chinese and Filipino-inspired dishes, chiefly stir-fried noodles, chicken, and pork cuisines, and deepfried lumpia (fresh spring rolls).

In 1999, after the completion of its permanent home along Gen. Luna Street, Dencia’s greeted Davaoeños with a tranquil, two-story edifice, in front of a mall, made more laidback by the transparent glass windows facing the road.

The slightly elevated section on the right, which tenders the reasonably priced bestsellers, offers a rustic ambiance that is accented by shellacked centuries-old tree stumps that were cre-

atively turned into eccentric dining tables.

Behind the transfer of Dencia’s Restaurant to Davao was a legal battle worth an entry in any Red Romance pocketbook.

Though it was finally resolved in favor of the Britos, the trauma and drama that attended it added strength to the enterprising couple.

On December 8, 1954, Olegario Brito Sr. married Tan Soo alias So Wa, a Chinese, in Hongkong. Predictably, she moved to Manila on February 9, 1955 to join her husband and applied for admission as Filipino citizen being the lawful wife of a Filipino. After only nine days, the Bureau of Immigration declared her the legal wife and admitted her as Filipino citizen, a decision affirmed by the Board of Commissioners on March 8, 1955.

Less than two years thereafter, the agency or-

dered Tan Soo arrested on January 16, 1957 after it found out that Brito had solemnized marriage with Narcisa Magat in Manila on July 17, 1943 before a municipal judge. Tan Soo was arrested on the ground she was not legally allowed to become a Filipino citizen at the time of her entry. Consequently, a charge of perjury was also filed against Brito because he testified during the application for citizenship by Tan Soo. On January 22, 1957, Tan Soo “filed a petition for prohibition, mandamus and injunction, with a prayer for the issuance of a writ of preliminary injunction” against the immigration chief. The Court of First Instance (CFI) of Manila well resolved the issue the next day in her favor.

Two years later, the court rendered judgment on June 13, 1959, acquitting Brito, saying his marriage to

Tan Soo was legitimate given that it was solemnized after the death of her first wife, Gaudencia Molina. As for Magat, her wedding to Brito took place while the first wife was still alive, making it null and void from the very start.

In its decision dated June 30, 1965, after reviewing the lower court’s decision, the Supreme Court reversed the CFI ruling in Tan Soo’s case but without prejudice to her right to apply for naturalization which she was entitled to under Philippine laws. Most likely, this distressing case was the main reason why the Brito couple, wanting to forget the difficulty that attended their marriage and business in Manila, decided to migrate to Davao.

It was a painful decision, but it was a move made with foresight. Today, Dencia’s is more than just a landmark; it has become an institution.

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COMPETITIVE EDGE

Sky Fiber provides new subscribers with WiFi mesh upon installation or leveled up coverage

N

ew SKY Fiber subscribers will now be able to level up their WiFi coverage at home as all broadband plans come with free WiFi mesh

upon installation.

The WiFi mesh evenly distributes the network’s signal throughout a large home, eliminating dead zones and giving users constant wireless connectivity, secure web browsing, and fast streaming wherev-

er they may be inside the house or even while moving from room to room.

All plans are now bundled with a high-speed modem and WiFi mesh device. The number of free mesh units will depend on the chosen plan. A SKY Fi-

ber Unli Broadband Plan of 20Mbps comes with one unit of WiFi mesh for only P999/month while Plan 40Mbps and above will entitle subscribers to two units of WiFi mesh.

When it comes to SKY Fiber’s Unli Broadband

+ HD Cable TV Plans, its basic 10Mbps plan will also grant one unit of WiFi mesh and a SKYcable HD box. But for Plan 30Mbps and above, subscribers will be thrilled to receive two units of WiFi mesh plus SKY Evo, the company’s

latest Digibox innovation.

New and existing subscribers may also add a SKY Fiber Mesh on top of their plan, which they have an option to purchase any time for only P1,900 per unit.

FSKY, P10

Phoenix celebrates historic Olympic win with Panalo Treat promo

Olympic Silver medalist Nesthy Petecio in a special lunch at Sherwood Hills Golf

P

Club with Suntrust Properties president Atty. Harry Paltongan to officially welcome

the Filipina boxer and discuss her One Lakeshore Drive unit for turnover in 2022.

Suntrust team welcomed the Pinay pride with a surprise appearance of her family via zoom in Davao and a short golfing trip.

“Sobrang saya po ng naexperience ko today, especially sa surprise niyo po na nakausap ko ang family ko at nakapag-golf pa ako,” the Pinay pride enthused. #NesthyPetecio #SuntrustHome

hoenix launches ‘Panalo Treat’ promo for registered LIMITLESS members in honor of the historic multiple podium finishes of Filipino athletes in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

In celebration of the country’s recent wins at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Phoenix Petroleum, the country’s fastest growing and third biggest oil player, is giving away free fuel coupons to registered LIMITLESS members who will gas up at participating Phoenix stations nationwide.

Until the end of August, every single-receipt purchase of Phoenix fuel worth a minimum of Php 500 through cash, card, contactless, or LIMITLESS peso points is entitled to a free Php 50 Phoenix digital fuel coupon.

“We decided to bring the victory of our athletes to our customers because it is through their constant

support that we were able to provide help to our Olympians through Siklab Atleta Pilipinas Foundation,” Phoenix President Henry Albert Fadullon said. “The Panalo Treat Promo is just one of our many ways to express our appreciation to our customers,” he added.

To join, customers must present their LIMITLESS QR code to earn LIMITLESS points. The free coupon will be credited to the member’s LIMITLESS account within 24 hours after every successful transaction. Each customer can redeem one free coupon per day, which can be done until October 21, 2021.

Through the ‘Panalo Treat’ promo, Phoenix aims to extend the celebration of the country’s first-ever Olympic gold medal, and honor the feat of Filipino athletes in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

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DOES EATING DURIAN REALLY CAUSE HYPERTENSION? Text and photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO

I

n the past, people ate durian less because the fruit was less available aside from the fact that it was expensive. These days, when you can already eat durian all you can, people are still eating less. The reason: high blood pressure.

Hypertension – as high blood pressure is known in medical parlance – once uncontrolled can lead to complications, including heart attack and stroke, aneurysm, heart failure, weakened and narrowed blood vessels in your kidneys, narrowed of torn blood vessels in the eyes, metabolic syndrome, trouble with memory or understanding, and dementia.

But what most people think about durian is just a myth. Eating durian does not trigger your blood pressure to spike, according to Dr. Bernard Chiew, a cardiologist at the Davao Doctors Hospital.

Dr. Chiew, one of the top heart specialists in Davao if not the whole Mindanao, said that there’s no evidence that shows durian can cause the blood pressure to increase when eating durian.

A study which was published in International Journal of Food Properties supported his claim. It investigated the correlation between durian intake and the elevation of blood pressure and heart rate in healthy males. The participants consumed either placebo, 250 grams or 500 grams of durian flesh. The blood pressure and heart

rate were measured at various intervals up to 24 hours.

“Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure remained normal for groups given durian,” the study said. “However, a significant increase in heart rate was observed in the group given 500 grams of durian at half an hour to 2 hours.

A modest amount of durian intake did not affect blood pressure and heart rate in healthy individuals.”

But despite this fact, people still believe eating durian causes hypertension. However, there are those who don’t think so.

“That’s not true at all,” says Maria Lehrie A. Paradillo, a nurse. “During my first pregnancy, I used to eat durian seven times a day when durian was in season and my blood pressure remained normal.”

Like other fruits, durian should be eaten in moderation. “No scientific or medical proof that it can cause high blood,” said Val Turtur, president of the Cacao Industry Development Association of Mindanao, Inc. “When you eat much more than the average, it may cause hypertension.

Everything that is too much may cause the rise of blood pressure.”

Eating too much durian may be fatal. In 2009, a government worker in Thailand died after eating 5 durians in one setting. In Singapore, a businessman who ate 4 durians in a row also died in 2012.

There’s also this myth that eating durian and drinking beer at the same time may kill you. “There is no scientific evidence to show that this is a lethal combination,” explains the website healthxchange.sg.

“It is more likely to cause bloating, indigestion and discomfort as your liver has to work extra hard to metabolise both fats and sugars in the durians and the alcohol, especially if you have consumed both in excessive amounts.”

The International Medical University’s Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine shares this bit of explanation: “Sulphur-containing volatiles in durian can inhibit the activity of the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase – which helps our liver to process alcohol – by up to 70%. Some people in Asian origin have an inherited deficiency of the enzyme.

This may perhaps explain the claim that durian and alcohol is a deadly mix, especially when someone with a deficiency of this enzyme consumes durian and alcohol together.”

If you are diagnosed with diabetes, try to limit your intake of durian or better still, don’t eat. “Durians are high in sugars such as fructose and glucose,” reminds raffleshealth.com.

“People with diabetes may experience a rise in blood sugar if too much of it is eaten. This may cause

symptoms such as blurry vision and nausea.”

“People with diabetes can eat durian, as long as they keep within the recommended two servings of fruit per day – two durian seeds equal one serving of fruit,” healthhub.sg suggests.

Perhaps one reason why people think that durian can cause high blood is because of its “heaty” characteristic.

Although it cannot be found in the dictionary, it often refers to “characteristic of elevated internal temperature, sweating or fever.”

Some doctors suggested that this “heaty” feeling after eating durian causes a temporary rise in blood pressure and body temperature.

Dr. Hu Chang Hock, an advisor of the Malaysian Medical Association, advised those with hypertension or diabetes or both must not eat too much of the fruit. “Durians can cause the blood pressure and sugar level of people with hypertension and diabetes to shoot up,” he told The Star. “If you have both illnesses and you take an alcoholic drink with durians at the same time, you will put more poison into your body.”

Durian is a nutritional powerhouse. The fruit contains 147 kilocalories of energy, 1.47 grams of protein, 27.09 grams of carbohydrate, and 3.8 grams of total dietary fiber, according to the National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference. Its total lipid (fat) is 5.33 grams.

Durian contains the following minerals: calcium, iron, magnesium, phos-

phorus, potassium, sodium, and zinc. Among the vitamins it contains are: vitamin C, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, and vitamin A. The potassium it contains is one of the reasons why durian, in fact, keeps your blood pressure in check. “Durians are rich in potassium, which is important in maintaining the balance of salt and fluid in the body to regulate blood pressure,” raffleshealth. com explains. “A healthy blood pressure places less stress on your heart and blood vessels, which improves your heart health and reduces your risk of cardiovascular diseases.”

In this time of pandemic, eating durian helps.

“The fruit contains vitamin C, an antioxidant that protects against harmful free radicals, and supports your immunity against infections and vital attacks,” states raffleshealth.com.

If you are having trouble getting a good night’s sleep, try eating durian.

“The higher levels of melatonin, the hormone that controls your sleep cycle, the better you sleep,” says Apple Chan, a dietitian at Gleneagles Hospital in Singapore. “Durian contains tryptophan, an essential amino acid that is required to increase the levels of melatonin. So, eating a seed of durian near bedtime may help you sleep better.”

Feeling weak, why not eat durian. “Next time you need an energy boost, consider a durian seed instead of reaching for that cup of coffee or energy bar,” Chan suggests. “Being high in carbohydrates, durian

could also provide that energy boost when needed.

Two seeds may give you as much energy as a medium-sized banana. The high potassium content in durians can also help reduce fatigue and relieve anxiety.”

Eating too much durian, however, is not good if you want to lose weight. A durian can have anywhere from 885 calories to 1,500 calories depending on its size. Those who consume a durian in one setting can rack up as much as 68% of the daily 2,000 calories recommended for an average adult. “One seed durian (about 40 grams) has 54 calories,” says healthxchange.sg.

Durian is one of the most controversial fruits around. When Jimmy Kimmel, an American television host of Jimmy Kimmel Live, had his first taste of durian, he said: “It is a kind, the line between horrible and terrible, is right on that line.”

“It smelled like you’d buried somebody holding a big wheel of Stilton in his arms, then dug him up a few weeks later” was how the late Anthony Bourdain, a renowned American food critic, described durian.

One foreign scribe wrote it aptly: “Love it or hate it – there’s no emotion in between. People either swarm to it like bees to honey, or bolt from the room. They faint with lusty joy, or they faint, period, with a handkerchief pressed to their nostrils.”

In his book Following the Equator, Mark Twain wrote about his durian experience in Southeast Asia: “It was a strange fruit, and

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also strengthen our kinship with each other as we work together in spurring the growth of our industries and our local economy. Let us always be proud of our history and traditions so that we may truly understand, appreciate and

value our identity as a people,” he said.

Kadawayan sa Davao 2019 has attracted more than 235,000 local and foreign visitors, contributing an estimated P4.2 billion to the local economy, including P1.92 billion in tourism receipts.

during the difficult time of the pandemic.

Tuason said AAII and JVACC are in close coordination with these barangays and the City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) to ensure that proper traffic management measures are implemented to minimize inconvenience to the surrounding communities and the motorists.

Tuason said JVACC has given Apo Agua its assurances that it is committed to deliver the project completion of DCBWSP’s Part A component in order to commence commercial operations by 2022.

“However, in light of the ever-evolving situation caused by the severe challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, Apo Agua and JVACC are continuously

assessing its full impact to the project, and are working tirelessly to ensure that we are implementing mitigation measures to meet our aggressive timeline,” Tuason said in the statement.

The DCBWSP is a visionary project of Davao City Water District (DCWD) and the first of its kind in the country utilizing the water-energy nexus concept. This megastructure is a landmark public-private partnership (PPP) project that will serve as a testament to Davao City’s unprecedented growth and development.

Tuason said DCWD, AAII and JVACC are fully committed to delivering this sustainable water supply to the Dabawenyos and for generations to come.

nor said in his opening remarks.

The roadmap, which is aligned with New Zealand’s APEC 2021 priorities as well as the APEC Putrajaya Vision 2040, incorporates four key areas of focus, he said.

First, digitalization and innovation in terms of using digital levers to drive food sustainability; second, productivity in term of prioritizing systems that are fit for purpose; third, inclusivity in term of ensuring that underrepresented groups are set up to thrive; fourth, sustainability in term of tackling climate change and environmental challenges, he added.

“Besides our effort to address the challenges of food security, the roadmap also emphasizes efforts in increasing productivity and efficiency, minimizing food waste, mitigating and adapting to climate change as well as reducing costs and facilitating food trade,”

said Philip Houlding, chair of the APEC Policy Partnership on Food Security Group.

The group spearheaded the development of the roadmap and drove public-private sector engagement on all aspects of food security in the region.

At the meeting, APEC ministers acknowledged the benefits of digitalization and discussed measures to promote innovation and improve the use of digital technology to ensure food security as the region recovers from Covid-19.

“The pandemic accelerated digital transformation and highlighted the abilities of an innovative digitally enabled economy to better recover and thrive,” O’Connor said. “But effective recovery also requires all elements of government to work together to deliver this transformation and enhance food security in the APEC region.”

lic resources are managed properly while noting the funds used for some controversial government projects could have been used elsewhere.

“I go back to that white dolomite beach where those funds could have been reallocated and used properly for something else,” she said.

“We’re seeing that there’s so much big funding for departments that historically red-tag activists when those funds could be used for public services or bettering education which will, in the end, also help us in the climate crisis.”

Danica Supnet, Lead Analyst for Climate Governance at the Institute for Climate and Sustainable

Cities (ICSC), the country can also take advantage of the upcoming devolution of national government resources next year under the Mandanas Ruling which would give local government units more funds.

“Currently, all the local governments are in transition for the devolution that’s going to be set for next year,” Supnet said.

“But then another policy is that the local governments will soon be mandated to climate-tag their annual investment plans.”

The Philippines is the 9th most high-risk country in the world in terms of its vulnerability to the devastating impact of the climate crisis based on the World Risk Report 2019.

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citizens of Davao, have witnessed the government grant more weight in the justice system to big business than to their human constituents, the very source of their political power,” Magaway said.

Last August 13, 2021, IDIS visited Brgy. Dacudao and Brgy. Lacson to check and ask the residents regarding their situation and problems regarding aerial spraying.

According to the statement, during the interview, the residents of both barangays shared that there are no buffer zones between the plantations and their communities.

The statement also stated that some people are suffering from skin itchiness.

It can be recalled that in 2019, IDIS conducted a study entitled “Mapping of Cavendish Banana Plantations & Affected Communities of Aerial Spraying in South Central Mindanao” to check the actual situation of banana plantations within the area, verify active aerial spraying practices, and analyze its effects to the community.

The study revealed

that four barangays in Davao City have continued and resumed aerial spraying in their plantations and what is alarming is that there are residential communities and schools adjacent to these plantations with weak agricultural buffer zones.

MAAS and IDIS are now calling the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to strictly monitor the buffer zones between the communities and plantations. The groups also urged the DENR – Environment Management Bureau to intensify the inspection on plantations before the issuance of Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC).

They are also calling the city government of Davao to fully implement the Watershed Code that prohibits the aerial spraying on the environmental critical areas, create a Local Multipartite Monitoring Team (MTT) for Plantations, and support the proposed city ordinance on banning the aerial spray in all agricultural entities within Davao City.

as he proposes separation of vaccinated and unvaccinated persons in public transportation like buses.

“So the proposal that we forward to Secretary Tugade is buses for fully vaccinated people from their home to their workplace to the different establishments… There are also buses for (the) unvaccinated because they have to go to work, but let us not risk them beyond their workplace,” Concepcion said.

He added this could be

done until Metro Manila reached 90 percent of full vaccination.

“This is a transition to allow —remember we are entering (the) fourth quarter pretty soon. We have to prevent (the) fourth quarter from being locked down, and that would be devastating. So this bubble for fully vaccinated and unvaccinated in a separate bubble will allow the economy to open up safely without any more lockdowns,” Concepcion said.

(PNA)

ucts out of fish and other aquatic and agri-fish based resources in the province, such as tilanggit (dried marinated tilapia), fermented fish, and canned/ bottled fish products.

“This is still a work in progress. We can still give additional project to complete the process, and to make the products very appealing to the buyers and gain market acceptance,” she said.

She added that the facility is aligned with the thrust of SPAMAST to develop the aquaculture which is abundant in the province.

SPAMAST President Dr. Ruth Lucero said that the post-harvest processing facility would serve as a venue for students, out of school youth, micro, medium and small entrepreneurs (MSMEs) and people’s organizations to enhance their capability to

process foods.

“This is open to all. So we can help improve the quality of life of the constituents in the province,” Lucero stated.

She said that identifying and developing local products can also bring pride for Davao Occidental.

The post-harvest processing facility will still be under the ownership of DTI for two years. “If managed effectively and efficiently after two years, we will then turn over the full ownership under SPAMAST,” Banlasan explained.

She hoped that SPAMAST will attract more partners to improve the facility, saying “because DTI could not make it along…

We have to partner with other agencies to come up with productive products using our abundant resources in the province.”

(PIA-XI/Carina L. Cayon)

plant in Lanao Del Sur; a vast banana plantation in Lamitan, Basilan; and a PHP1 billion worth oil and gas exploration investment

in the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi under the group of former Sulu governor Benjamin Loong. (PNA)

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incomparably delicious to the taste, but not to the smell.”

The American humorist further wrote: “We found many who had eaten the durian, and they all spoke of it with a sort of rapture. They said that if you could hold your nose until the fruit was in your mouth a sacred joy would suffuse you from head to foot that would make you oblivious to the smell of the rind, but that if your grip slipped and you caught the smell of the rind before the fruit was in your mouth, you would faint.”

British naturalist Alfred Russell Wallace had the same experience. After a visit with the Interior of

Borneo in 1855, he observed the offensive smell of durian in the house; some persons did not even attempt to taste it. “This was also my own experience when I first tried to taste it in Malacca; but in Borneo, I found a ripe fruit on the ground, and eating it out-of-doors, I became a confirmed durian eater.”

Because of the durian’s “foul-smelling odor” that most airlines don’t allow the fruit on board. In Singapore, the Asian country with the most rigid policy and rules concerning the care for the environment, the durian is forbidden even on subway-stations and trains.

Durian, anyone?

ippine Sports Commission board, we wish you a great Paralympics campaign. The whole country will be praying for you and wishing for your success. Good luck and do not forget to have fun. We are proud of you at mahal namin kayo (and we love you),” he added.

Besides Duterte and Ramirez, former Philippine Paralympians and Olympic medalists Hidilyn Diaz (women’s weightlifting), Carlo Paalam and Nesthy Petecio, and Eumir Marcial (boxing) also wished them good luck.

“Kaya kong manalo ng gold medal sa Olympics, alam ko pong kaya niyo rin. At alam ko pong pinaghirapan niyo po ang training niyo. Tiwalang-tiwala po kami magiging maganda ang laban niyo po at alam ko pong gagawin niyo yung best niyo sa

competition kasi alam ko pong mahal niyo po ang ginagawa niyo at mahal niyo po ang Pilipinas (If I can win a gold medal in the Olympics, I know you can do it too. And I know you worked hard during training. We are confident that you will have a good competition and I know you will do your best because you love what you’re doing and you love the Philippines),” Diaz said.

The Philippine Paralympic Team is composed of Ernie Gawilan and Gary Bejino (para swimming), Allain Ganapin (para taekwondo), Jeanette Aceveda, and Jerrold Mangliwan (para athletics), and Achelle Guion (para powerlifting).

This year’s Paralympics will feature 540 events in 22 sports with the Philippines competing in only four disciplines. (PNA)

gey 6 at the 15th proved costly.

Thompson reached 7 under for the tournament when she birdied the par-5 12th but a couple of bogeys left her a couple of shots back on 5 under.

Ireland’s Leona Maguire played herself right into contention with a 67 to join American Yealimi Noh and Denmark’s Nanna Madsen on 5 under for 2 rounds.

One player not making the most of the decent scoring conditions, however, was reigning champion Sophia Popov who slumped to a 3-over 75 and looks set to miss the cut barring a deterioration in the weather later.

(Reporting by Martyn Herman Editing by Christian Radnedge) — With a report from Elspeth Burnside, Agence France-Presse

“Encountering signal fluctuations at home limits productivity and comfort, which can be costly for remote workers or online learners. This is why we believe that every household should be equipped with a home WiFi mesh system. With this in mind, we have decided to offer the device as a standard

inclusion in all our broadband packages so that our subscribers can experience seamless fiber connection without having to splurge,” Alan Supnet, SKY’s head for Consumer Broadband Products said.

To strengthen your WiFi coverage at home, visit mysky.com.ph/skyfiber

In 2018, Phoenix launched Siklab Atleta Pilipinas Sports Foundation Inc. in its quest to bag the first-ever gold medal win in the Olympics. That same year, the company also launched the ‘Buhayin ang Laban Para Sa Ginto’ campaign, which enabled customers to donate to the cause through their transactions with Phoenix.

Recently, Phoenix

through Siklab Atleta, announced that the company will award Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz with Php 5 million, and free fuel for life. Olympic Silver medalists Carlo Paalam and Nesthy Petecio, meanwhile, will be given Php 3 million each, and a Php 1 million cash incentive will be given to Eumir Marcial for adding a bronze to the country’s Olympic medal haul.

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Dabawenya Olympic silver medalist Nesthy Petecio.

Petecio on PSC Rise Up Shape Up Paralympics confirms O 1st Covid-19 case

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he first coronavirus case has been detected at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Athletes’ Village on Thursday, just days before the start of the Games.

Japan’s Kyodo News reported that the case is someone from overseas, and is not an athlete but game-related personnel.

The Games’ organizing committee also confirmed the case but gave no other details.

Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games is set to begin next

Tuesday.

This year’s Paralympics will have 22 sports, with badminton and taekwondo making their debut.

Nearly 4,400 athletes from 160 teams will take part in this summer’s Paralympics.

Kyodo News reported on Monday that the 2020 Paralympics will, like the Olympics which ended earlier this month, be held without spectators due to rising coronavirus infections in Japanese cities, including Tokyo. (Anadolu)

lympic silver medalist Nesthy Petecio will share her Olympic journey in the upcoming webisode of the Philippine Sports Commission’s Rise Up Shape Up on Sunday, August 22.

Petecio etched her name in Philippine Olympic history after winning the silver medal in the women’s featherweight event of the recently concluded 2020 Summer Olympic Games held in Tokyo, Japan.

The proud daughter of Santa Cruz, Davao del Norte is the first Filipino female boxer to win an Olympic medal for the Philippines.

Petecio’s feat also ended

Yuka Saso chips out of the rough onto the 15th green during Round 2 of the 45th AIG Women’s Open at Carnoustie, Scotland on August 20, 2021. Andy Buchanan, AFP

the country’s 25-year medal drought in the sport of boxing which last brought home an Olympic medal when Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco won a silver in the 1996 Atlanta Games.

Joining the webisode are Petecio’s coaching

team - national coaches Nolito “Boy” Velasco and Reynaldo Galido, along with her teammates Annie Albania, Ana Lisa Cruz, and her sister Hansel Petecio.

They will share a glimpse of Petecio’s humble beginnings all the way to her Olympic success.

Saluting to Filipina athletes’ strength and grit, PSC Women in Sports oversight commissioner Celia Kiram shared that “the upcoming episode will highlight

women empowerment through sports” and also celebrate Nesthy’s remarkable win.

“What a time to be alive for Filipina athletes! We have female athletes who are history-makers, showing the whole world that women in sports are also capable of making names in the greatest Olympic stage,” said Kiram who will also talk about the history of women’s boxing in the K-Isport segment.

who carded a round of 69 to also move to 7 under.

Joint overnight leader Kim Sei-young was less impressive than on Thursday as she shot a 1-under 71 to sit at 6 under, tied for third with American Lizette Salas.

Japan rejoices at teenage golfer Yuka Saso’s US Women’s Open win Nelly Korda, the world No.1 and joint leader on 67 after the first round, never hit full throttle, but the Olympic champion was still well placed on four under after a 73.

With little more than a breeze and plenty of sun, Carnoustie has yet to live up to its billing as one of the world’s toughest courses.

But that could change

if the harsh weather forecast for the North Sea coast of Scotland this weekend does indeed hit the links.

Harigae picked up 3 birdies on her outward 9 and after making her second bogey of the day on the 10th, she finished impressively with 4 birdies in her last 8 holes.

At the age of 31, she has won 7 titles on minor Tours but is still awaiting a first LPGA victory.

Winning at Carnoustie would also seal her dream of being selected for the US team to play Europe in the Solheim Cup. When Hall made her sixth birdie of the day at the par-5 14th she moved 2 shots clear of the pack at 9 under but a double-bo-

Yuka slips in Round 2, but remains in contention

F

ilipina Yuka Saso slid to a tie for 5th place at the end of Round 2 of the Women’s British Open, after tallying 1-under 71.

Bogeys on the par4 No. 9 and par-5 12th hole — which she eagled on Thursday — were the stains on Saso’s Friday outing at Carnoustie, dragging her down to a tie for 5th spot with 5 others (5-under 139), including American Lexi Thompson.

American Mina Harigae, meanwhile, blasted to the top of a bunched up leaderboard with a dazzling 5-under second round 67.

Harigae shared the clubhouse lead with England’s Georgia Hall, the winner at Royal Lytham and St Annes 3 years ago,

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Dabawenyo swimmer Ernie Gawilan will lead the country’s campaign in the Tokyo Paralympics.

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PRRD rooting for Tokyo-bound PH Paralympians

resident Rodrigo Duterte wished the Philippines’ six Paralympians good luck ahead of the Tokyo Paralympics slated from Aug. 24 to Sept. 5.

“My warmest greetings to our Philippine Paralympian Team. I am one with you as you present the best of our country at the Paralympic Games in Tokyo,” Duterte said in a prerecorded message during the virtual send-off event.

Duterte said their participation showed the world that “anything is possible through hard work, determination, and solidarity.”

“Rest assured the entire nation is behind you as you compete and show your capabilities…you really make our country proud. Mabuhay ang Philippine Paralympian Team!” he added.

Enjoy the moment Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez, for his part, reminded the Paralympian athletes that they were already “the best of the best”, regardless of snagging any medals.

“Never forget that you are the best of the best. Out of many, the six of you get to represent the Philippines at the greatest athletic stage for Para athletes. The fact that you get there is a feat in itself. This is proof of how special you and your skills

are,” he said.

Ramirez also urged the Paralympians to “enjoy the moment” while competing against other nations.

“While carrying the flag and fighting for the honor of our country is indeed a great mission, please do not forget to enjoy the moment, experience the gains fully, have confidence that when you step on the arena, you are perfectly equipped, you are where God intended you to be,” he added.

Ramirez said winning a gold medal is not “impossible” and that believing that they could win is already “half the battle won.”

“When you get there, you know with every fiber of your being that you are all winners because you are. I have no doubt that you will make our country proud.

We at the Philippine Sports Commission have believed this from the beginning that is why we have given you our support from the getgo,” he said.

He also promised that he will join the entire nation in praying for the six Paralympians’ success “On behalf of the Phil-

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