Edge Davao Volume 14 Issue 137 | Tuesday, August 24, 2021

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DEADLY LUNG CANCER CAN BE BEATEN! SPORTS P 9

HIGH RISK

VOL.14 ISSUE 137 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2021

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DOH-Davao identifies Covid-19 high risk areas in Davao Region STORY ON PAGE 2

Different varieties of fruits flood Agdao Public Market in Davao City in time for the city’s celebration of the 36th Kadayawan sa Davao festival. Edge Davao

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2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 137 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2021

HIGH RISK

The city government of Davao says it is aiming to vaccinate 15,000 residents daily from the average of 10,000 daily to achieve herd immunity before the year ends. Edge Davao

DOH-Davao identifies Covid-19 high risk areas in Davao Region

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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he regional office of the Department of Health-Davao is keeping an eye on barangays, cities and municipalities in Davao Region classified as high risk of Covid-19.

Dr. Raquel Montejo, chief of local health support division-DOH 11, said the barangays and municipalities classified to have current high risk using average daily attack rate (ADAR) are Agdao, Buhangin District, Bunawan District, District A, District C, District D, Sasa

District, Talomo Central, Talomo North, Talomo South, Toril A District, Tugbok District; Laak, Davao de Oro; Bansalan, Davao del Sur; Kiblawan, Davao del Sur; Sta. Maria, Davao Occidental; Caraga, Davao Oriental; Cateel, Davao Oriental; Mati City, Davao Oriental; and

Lupon, Davao Oriental.

Meanwhile, the city government of Davao has also implemented barangay classifications from August 22 to 28, 2021: critical risk barangays-Brgys. 26-C, 31D, 39-D, 40-D, Angalan, Balengaeng, Eden,Mandug, Marapangi, and Tamugan.

For high risk barangays- Brgys. 3-A, 5-A, 8-A, 9-A, 11-B, 17-B, 18-B, 20B, 25-C, 29-C, 30-C, 35-D, 36-D, 37-D; A. Angliongto, Sr., Agdao Proper, Bago

Aplaya, Bago Gallera, Bangkas Heights, Bucana, Buhangin Proper, Cabantian, Catalunan Grande, Crossing Bayabas, Dumoy, Gov. Paciano Bangoy (Agdao), Gov. Vicente Duterte (Agdao), Ilang, Los Amigos, Lubogan, Maa, Magtuod, Mahayag (Bunawan), Matina Crossing, Matina Pangi, Mintal, Panacan, Rafael Castillo, Sasa, Sirawan, Sto. Niño (Tugbok), Talomo Proper, Tibungco, Toril Proper, Ubalde, Ula, V. Hizon, Sr.,

explain why they should not be expelled from the party after the boxing-senator’s alleged conversion of regional party People’s Champ Movement (PCM) into a national one.

“May due process kami sa partido (The party has a due process) and because of that, I believe there is a complaint against him regarding that allegation.

We will have to run him

through the process of the party and that means he will be given a chance to explain,” the party’s executive vice president, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, said.

“We’ll allow him to answer allegations. There will be a hearing, there will be a decision about it. May grievance procedure kami (We have a grievance procedure) when it comes to

party members.”

The rift within the ruling party began when the senator was selected as party president in December without the knowledge of its chairman President Rodrigo Duterte, said Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, who leads the faction against Pacquiao.

Pacquiao then refused to attend an executive council meeting where

FHIGH, P10

2 Abu Sayyaf members killed in foiled kidnap attempt in Sabah

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lans of the Abu Sayyaf to kidnap Malaysian resort owners in Sandakan in Sabah were foiled as two suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) were shot dead Friday morning.

Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Hazani Ghazali in an online briefing for the BIMP (Brunei Indonesia Malaysia Philippines) media on Friday said initial investigation showed that the ASG members planned to abduct the owners of two estates in Sandakan and Sukau.

The two who were killed were believed to be among seven ASG members nabbed in a special operation dawn of August 18 where 11 Filipinos were arrested as suspected undocumented migrants.

In its investigation, the Sabah police found that seven of the 11 arrested Filipinos were allegedly members of the ASG. There were reportedly other ASG members who escaped the first round of arrests, prompting a second manhunt on

August 19, particularly at the Bornhill Palm Oil Estate at Pulau Timbang, in the northern part of Timbang Island.

The Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) Intelligence Division headed by Senior Assistant Commissioner Zaki Mohammad Zain, coordinated with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Lt. Col. Hernane Songano, commanding officer of the 4th Marine Brigade in Sulu, on instructions of Joint Task Force Sulu chief Maj. Gen. William Gonzales, supported the ESSCOM raiding team through intelligence sharing.

Hazani said that when the raiding team arrived, the suspects fired at the Sabah security forces who fired back, killing two persons armed with caliber .45 pistol, a Colt and a machete.

“Gunshots were fired in response and that is why our men had to retaliate,” Hazani said.

Malaysian security forces earlier heard noise in the

party members urged Duterte to run for vice president next year.

The two factions separately filed documents required for political parties in the upcoming 2022 national elections before the Commission on Elections.

GO-DUTERTE TANDEM The executive committee will push through with its plan to nominate Sena-

tor Christopher “Bong” Go as its presidential nominee and Duterte as its vice presidential nominee in next year’s polls, Nograles said.

The party’s national convention is on September 8, he added.

“That’s a nomination that will have to run through the body,” he said.

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Pacquiao to face complaint for ‘disloyalty’ to PDP-Laban

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ollowing his unanimous decision loss to Yordenis Ugas, Senator Manny Pacquiao now faces another challenge: a disloyalty complaint for alleged violation of the PDP-Laban constitution that could see him expelled from the party.

PDP-Laban Secretary-General Melvin Matibag earlier said Pacquiao’s camp has 10 to 15 days to

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 137 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2021

NEWS

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Escorted by a police patrol car, hundreds of motorcycle riders join the caravan from Koronadal City to General Santos City, for the“Inday Sara Duterte Advocacy”(ISDA) Saturday morning, 21 August 2021. ISDA has been urging Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte to run for president in the 2022 election. Mayor Duterte said last month she’s open to seeking the presidency. MindaNews photo by BONG S. SARMIENTO

Onlinesabongaddstoactive cases of Covid-19 in DavOcc Girl, 10, perishes in Davao Sur fire

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10-year-old mentally-challenged girl died in a fire that hit their house in Purok SunFlower, Barangay Coronon, Sta. Cruz, Davao Del Sur Sunday afternoon (August 22).

The child was trapped inside the house during the fire that started at 2 p.m.

Santa Cruz Police Station identified the victim as Aleah Wasquin Lim. Initial investigation revealed that the victim’s

mother Mary Jane Wasquin Lim, 38, went to the seaside about 600 meters away from their house and left her daughter alone.

Firefighters recovered the child’s remains among the debris after they had placed the fire under control.

Investigators have yet to determine what caused the fire and the value of the properties damaged in the blaze that raged for over an hour.

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27 provinces and 33 cities. It also has the highest population as of the 2020 census, at 1,776,949.

As of August 17, a total of 303,282 have been fully vaccinated.

This represents 17.1% of the city’s 1.8 million population. The city gov-

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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pakan nasa poblacion area kung saan mas accessible yung internet connectivity,” she said in a virtual presser on Monday.

Arciaga said the 100 active cases in the poblacion is due to talpakan.

“Kasi grupo grupo ang nanonood. Hindi po din lahat nagsasabi

kung sino ang kasamahan nila. Nagtuturuan sila, later on malalaman na lang sila na positives dahil may symptoms sila, doon pa sila nagsasabi na galing sila sa talpakan,” Arciaga said.

She said organizers of “talpakan” or online sabong are mostly locals and the local government unit (LGU) delegated the issue to the police in the municipality.

“Pag may reports, increased ang police visibility and usually pag may reports ng talpakan its usually a

“cat and mouse” operation. Pag andun na sa field ang police, nag disperse na, hindi namin nakukuha kung sino ang kasali,” she said.

The Department of Interior and Local Government-Sta. Maria, Davao Occidental has implemented no movement on Sunday policy in the entire municipality of Sta. Maria.

Based on the Covid-19 update of the Provincial health office of Davao Occidental as of August 21, 2021, there are 17 new confirmed Covid-19 cases and two deaths.

cumulative data by the DOH Davao.

“Kung titingnan ang data, kasaragan sa atong cases, to sum it up from 20 years old and above, mas marami ang cases versus 19 years old pababa. Ibig sabihin ito ang age group na probably are working age group, nagta-trabaho na, or out of their homes.

It’s either nasa business sila or establishment working,” Montejo said in a virtual presser on Monday.

Based on the cumulative data of DOH-Davao of the total positive cases of Covid-19 per age group in Davao Region, there are 15,410 cases involving 20 years old to 29 years old; 13,401 for 30 years old to

39 years old; 9,079 cases for 40 years old to 49 years old; 7,598 cases for 50 years old to 59 years old; and 7,761 cases for 60 years old and above.

The rest of the cases are individuals younger than 20 years old.

Meanwhile, based on the Regional Situation Up-

r. Doreen Arciaga, incident commander for Covid-19 response in Sta. Maria, Davao Occidental, disclosed that most of the patients that contribute to the active Covid-19 cases in the province were involved in the “talpakan” or online sabong.

“Sa talpakan people flock together tapos isa or dalawang device kasi dependent sa internet nasa sa mga wifi area sila like pisonet, wifi ng isang gadget, together nanood sila.

If we trace kung saan banda dito sa municipality cases due to those gathering sa tal-

Davao City’s vax Individuals aged 20-29 top Davao’s goal: 15,000 daily most number of Covid-19 cases

he city government here aims to vaccinate at least 15,000 residents daily from the average of 10,000 daily to achieve population protection before the year ends.

Davao City accounts for the highest number of cases among Mindanao’s

FDAVAO, P10

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here is an increase in the number of Covid-19 positive cases among individuals age 20 years old to 29 years old in Davao Region, the Department of Health (DOH 11) reported on Monday.

Dr. Raquel Montejo, chief of local health support division of DOH 11, disclosed the report based on

FINDIVIDUALS, P10

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 137 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2021

Market goers gather at a stall selling milkfish locally known as bangus at the bagsakan area of Bankerohan Public Market in Davao City on Monday.

Revised growth target ‘doable’; ‘no urgency’ for monetary action: Diokno

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he revised and lower economic growth target of 4 to 5 percent this year is “doable” despite the restrictions imposed in Metro Manila to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Gov. Benjamin Diokno said Monday.

Economic managers earlier downgraded the target from 6 to 7 percent, taking into consideration the lockdowns in April and in August to contain the spread of the new COVID-19 Delta variant.

“If we’re shooting for 4 percent, that means 4.3 [percent] in the second

half and that’s doable because if you look at third quarter and fourth quarter growth last year, it’s pretty high, high negative, that’s doable,” Diokno said.

“And if you look at the second-quarter growth, I characterized it as broadbased because all sectors rebounded except for agri-

culture,” he added.

Diokno said the central bank would continue to be patient to support the economy and that “there will be no drastic change in the current monetary policy.”

“The policy rate, to me, there’s no urgency to move that at the moment, on the reserve requirement… we’re still very comfortable with that also because there’s a lot of liquidity in the system,” Diokno said.

“It is still fragile recovery and so we will continue to be patient and supportive of the national government,” he added.

The BSP has kept the benchmark interest rate at 2 percent.

The vaccination rollout is crucial to encourage consumers to spend and banks to lend more, he said.

Inflation, meanwhile, is likely to settle slightly above the target this year before reverting back within the government target of 2 to 4 percent, Diokno said.

The country’s gross domestic product grew 11.8 percent in the second quarter, which takes into account a low base effect due to the 17 percent contraction in the same period last year.

“Since the beginning of the pandemic, the national agencies have all been working tirelessly together,” the DOH said.

“The Department thanked the DBM for prioritizing the processing of funds for health care worker benefits.”

DOH also recognized it needs to further improve inter-agency coordination and communication to fur-

ther streamline processes among its operating units and ensure dispatch in providing the benefits of health care front-liners.

On Aug. 12, DOH Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega said PHP8.8 billion funds for the SRA of public and private healthcare workers caring or in contact with coronavirus disease 2019 patients have already been released.

Vega said there are about 400,000 public and private health care workers, both contractual and plantilla (regular positions).

Administrative Order (AO) No. 42 authorizes the continued grant of Covid-19 SRA which was previously provided in AO 36 last year.

The fund will be

DOH in close coordination with DBM to release health workers’ benefits

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he Department of Health said it is in close coordination with the Department of Budget and Management for the release of funds for health care worker benefits and procurement of critical medical supplies.

It made the statement amid reports that some health care workers have not received their Special Risk Allowance (SRA).

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DITO services available in 18 new areas

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ew major telco player DITO Telecommunity Corp. said Saturday it has further expanded its network coverage to 18 more areas across the country.

With the announced 18 additional areas, DITO has grown its network coverage from 15 pilot areas in March to 210.

In a statement, the third telco said its mobile network services is now commercially available in the following cities: • Don Carlos, Bukidnon • Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon • Baungon, Bukidnon • Libona, Bukidnon •Impasug-ong, Bukidnon • Maramag, Bukidnon • City of Gingoog, Misamis Oriental • Lugait, Misamis Oriental • San Simon, Pampanga • San Carlos City, Pan-

gasinan • Lingayen, Pangasinan • Pura, Tarlac • Agoncillo, Batangas • San Nicolas, Batangas • Lian, Batangas • Calatagan, Batangas • Tuy, Batangas • Magallanes, Cavite

DITO also hit two million subscribers as of August 1.

“New and existing subscribers can avail of DITO’s 25GB of highspeed data for 30 days with unlimited texts to all networks, unlimited DITO-to-DITO calls, and 300 minutes of calls to other mobile networks for only P199,” it said.

Another promo available to DITO subscribers is the DITO99 offer with 10GB of data for 30 days for only P99, unlimited DITO-to-DITO calls, 300 minutes of calls to all mobile networks, and unlimited SMS to all networks.

VOL.14 ISSUE 137 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2021

EDGEDAVAO

ECONOMY 5

The boat tour of Lake Sebu in South Cotabato is back but minimum health protocols must be observed. The lake tour costs a minimum of P290 per person, which includes breakfast or lunch. MindaNews photo by JULES L. BENITEZ

DBM submits proposed P5.024-T 2022 national budget to Congress Pump prices to be T rolled back today

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ump prices of petroleum products will be reduced anew today, marking the third second straight week of rollbacks for diesel and kerosene.

In separate advisories, Chevron Philippines Inc. (Caltex), Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., and Seaoil Philippines Inc. said they will lessen prices per liter of gasoline by P0.80, diesel

by P0.75, and kerosene by P0.90.

Cleanfuel will implement the same price adjustments, excluding kerosene which it does not

he Department of Budget and Management on Monday submitted the ₱5.024 trillion proposed budget for 2022 to leaders of the House of Representatives.

carry.

The changes will take effect at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, August 24, for all firms except for Caltex which will implement the changes at 12:01 a.m., and Cleanfuel at 8:01 a.m. the same day.

Other firms have yet to make similar announcements for the week.

Diesel and kerosene prices were cut down for the second straight week last Tuesday, while gasoline prices were left unchanged.

Latest data available

The expenditure plan is 22.8% of the country’s economic output and higher by 11.5% than the ₱4.5-trillion budget for this year, DBM said.

Under the 1987 Constitution, the President is required to hand over to Congress the budget proposal within 30 days from the opening of every regular session. The 18th Congress opened its third regular session last July 26.

The education sector gets the biggest chunk

in the proposed budget for next year in terms of agencies — the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, Technical Education and Skills Development, and state universities and colleges are slated to receive ₱773.6 billion in 2022.

Social services will again get the largest slice of the budget pie in 2022 sectors-wise, with ₱1.922 trillion assigned for it or a 15.2% yearon-year increase.

“This will fund health-related services such as the continued implementation of the Universal Health Care Act, purchase of COVID-19 vaccines, procurement of personal protective equipment, and others,” said the DBM. In terms of expenditure classification, the department said the bulk of the proposed budget will go to spending on Personnel Services at ₱1.456 trillion — a 29% jump from this year’s allocation.

This will “cover the hiring of healthcare workers and teaching personnel, the implementation of the third tranche of the Salary

granted 5 digital banking licenses, 2 of which were conversions from the previous banking category, Diokno said.

The pause in accepting new applications will help the central bank “review” the new banking category, Diokno said.

“To me, that’s, at the moment, enough for the purpose…We need that 3 years to look at digital banking whether there is a need for more or there’s a need to limit,” Diokno said.

“That also gives us time to monitor carefully the contribution of

digital banking to economy,” he added.

When asked if the BSP is doing something to avoid the misuse of digital channels during the 2022 elections, Diokno said the BSP has issued a memorandum.

“We have issued a memorandum contain-

ing minimum control requirements that should be implemented to mitigate the heightened risk of possible misuse of digital channels in vote-buying,” he said.

Digital transactions such as InstaPay and PESOnet have grown exponentially during the

FPUMP, P10

Standardization Law V, and the requirements of the 2018 Military and Uniformed Personnel pension arrears, among others,” it added.

In a separate statement, House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco said the lawmakers are ready to “carefully” scrutinize the budget which contains at least ₱240.75 billion in COVID-19 response measures.

“This officially signals the start of the budget season in Congress or the legislative process of evaluation, debate and amendment which we hope could lead to the timely and decisive passage of the 2022 General Appropriations Act,” he said.

COVID-19 pandemic.

Due to this significant growth, Diokno said he is confident that the BSP could meet its goal of digitizing at least 50 percent of transactions and encouraging 70 percent of the population to open bank accounts by 2023.

BSP reviews 2 more digital banks before ‘pause’ for new applications

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he Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is reviewing 2 more digital bank applications before closing the window for submissions of new applications by the end of the month, Gov. Benjamin Diokno said Monday.

So far, the BSP has

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 137 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2021

On Sen. Manny Pacquiao’s loss to Cuban champion Yordenis Ugas:

Thank you to my fellow Senator and Mindanaoan, Manny Pacquiao, for putting up a gallant fight against reigning WBA (Super) welterweight champion Yordenis Ugas.

Maraming salamat sa ipinamalas mong tapang.

Isa kang huwaran na patuloy na nagbibigay ng inspirasyon sa mga kabataang atleta at sa bawat Pilipino. Senator Manny, sa muli, maraming, maraming salamat at mabuhay ka!”

Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go

EDITORIAL Davao ICon: harbinger of development, growth The forthcoming Davao Investment Conference (Davao ICon) slated on November 11 and 12 bodes well for good things to come, specifically Davao’s economic recovery in the immediate future.

She said “we will need these economic pillars and cement the region’s role in the Philippines and in the ASEAN community. Let us continue to work together so that the Davao Region which is strong today, emerges stronger tomorrow.”

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte keynoted the launch, highlighting Davao’s opportunity for growth and development.

In sum, the strong partnership between the local government units of the region and the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (DCCCII), initiator of Davao ICon, is our best bet in our aspiration to return to economic normalcy as we battle the pandemic.

The positive vibes were presented during the Davao Icon’s virtual launch last Wednesday, August 18, 2021. The launch presided by Ricardo F. Lagdameo of the Anflocor Group, this year’s Davao ICon chairman, showcased Davao Region’s innovations in learning, real estate, tourism and agri-business, which are clearly the areas strengths ever since and qualifies it as an ideal destination for big time investors here and abroad.

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ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

MAYA M. PADILLO Senior Reporter

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

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

“Davao has become ripe for many types of investment and despite the pandemic, the region posted a 7.6% contraction, besting the national average which was a 9.6% contraction,” said Chairman Cary Lagdameo.

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance

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

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 137 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2021

VANTAGE POINTS

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HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

THE FIFTH OCEAN The permanent thing in this world is change, so goes a popular saying. This can be applied in anything – even in science.

“Science is not the truth,” someone said. “Science is finding the truth. When science changes its opinion, it doesn’t lie to you. It learned more.”

Such is the case of the oceans. When I was still in high school, I had memorized the four oceans: the Pacific (the largest and deepest of Earth’s oceanic divisions), Atlantic (the second-largest, covering approximately 20% of Earth’s surface), Indian (third largest covering 19.8% of the water) and Arctic (the smallest, the shallowest and the coldest).

Now, there’s a new one – and it’s officially called Southern Ocean.

“The Earth has finally attained popular recognition for its fifth ocean, with a decision by the National Geographic Society to add the Southern Ocean around Antarctica to the four it recognizes already,” livescience.com’s Tom Metcalfe wrote.

Actually, the ocean is nothing new.

“Although the designation of the frigid waters around

the icy southern continent as a separate ocean has kicked around for almost 100 years and is widely used by scientists, until now it has not had popular backing,” penned Metcalfe, a London-based journalist who writes mainly about science, space, archaeology, the earth, and the oceans.

During the World Oceans Day celebration last June 8, the US-based National Geographic Society announced it would henceforth be labeling the Southern Ocean as the fifth ocean on its maps of the planet.

“The Southern Ocean has long been recognized by scientists, but because there was never agreement internationally, we never officially recognized it,” the society’s official geographer Alex Tait told the National Geographic website.

“It’s sort of geographic nerdiness in some ways.”

Tait said that one of the biggest impacts would be on education.

“Students learn information about the ocean world through what oceans you’re studying. If you don’t include the Southern Ocean, then you don’t learn the specifics of it and how important it is,” he said.

Borders and names for oceans and seas were internationally agreed when the International Hydrographic Bureau convened the First International Conference on July 24, 1919. The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) came into existence and published these in its Limits of Oceans and Seas (1928).

In the 1928 edition, the Southern Ocean was delineated by land-based limits: Antarctica to the south, and South America, Africa, Australia, and Broughton Island, New Zealand to the north.

In the 1937 delineation, the northern limits of the Southern Ocean were moved southwards. In 1953, Southern Ocean was omitted from the official publication and left to local hydrographic offices to determine their own limits.

When the National Geographic began making maps in 1915, the society had only formally recognized just four oceans. But it cannot be denied that the Southern Ocean was formed when Antarctica and South America moved apart, opening the Drake Passage, roughly 30 million years ago, according to Wikipedia.

The separation of the con-

tinents allowed the formation of Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC), which allows water to flow unimpeded around the “bottom” of the world.

“One reason for considering it as a separate ocean stems from the fact that much of the water of the Southern Ocean differs from the water in the other oceans,” Wikipedia explains. “Water gets transported around the Southern Ocean fairly rapidly because of the ACC, which circulates around Antarctica.

“Water in the Southern Ocean south of, for example, New Zealand, resembles the water in the Southern Ocean south of South America more closely than it resembles the water in the Pacific Ocean,” Wikipedia adds.

Thousands of marine species live only within the ACC, according to National Geographic.

“There are relatively few fish species in a few families in the Southern Ocean,” Wikipedia claims. “The most species-rich family are the snailfish, followed by the cod icefish, and eelpout.”

Five species of krill, small free-swimming crustaceans, have been found in the South-

ern Ocean. Slow moving sea spiders are common, sometimes growing as large as a human hand.

Like the other oceans, the Southern Ocean is not spared from the consequences of climate change. “The Southern Ocean is one of the regions in which rapid climate change is most visibly taking place,” Wikipedia reports. “In this region, small perturbations in temperature lead to major environmental perturbation.”

Sub-divisions of oceans are geographical features such as “seas,” “straits,” “bays,” “channels,” and “gulfs.” Among the biggest seas in the Southern Ocean are Weddell Sea, Somov Sea, Lazarev Sea, Scottia Sea, Ross Sea, Mawson Sea, Amundsen Sea, and Davis Sea. Actually “Southern Ocean” is an obsolete name for the Pacific Ocean or South Pacific, coined by Vasco Nuñez de Balboa, the first European to discover it, who approached it from the north.

The “South Seas” is a less archaic synonym, Wikipedia states. A 1745 British Act of Parliament established a prize for discovering a Northwest Passage to “the Western and Southern Ocean of America.”

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD THINK ON THESE!

PENITENTS IN CAPIROTE An interesting piece of history that came out in Davao of the Past was a group picture of hooded people wearing capes resembling the uniform of the U.S. white supremacist group Ku Klux Klan. The photo, shot on Tuesday, May 1, 1928, was contributed by James Ross Welborn to the American and European descendants in Mindanao, Basilan, and Sulu.

The pointed hood, with cut-out spaces for the eyes, is of Spanish provenance. Dating to the Inquisition, it is called capirote, locally known as kapirosa, meaning hood in English and has roots in Catholicism, usually used in religious confradia (brotherhoods). The practice was introduced to the Philippines by the Spaniards. Hoods are also known as frocks, hence the word ‘defrocked,’ meaning a person who has been excommunicated.

In the 1920s, the practice

was popular in Pampanga. A barefoot flagellant, magdarame, who joined the Lenten penance, wore a hooded cloth with a crown of warped leaves and brambles resembling Christ’s crown of thorns. Today, in San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija, penitents of St. John Marie Vianney still wear the white robes with tapering headdresses during Good Friday procession that harks to the La Candelaria brother walk practiced in Seville, Spain.

Historically, the conical hood or cowl, worn when performing an act of faith, was introduced by the Spaniards in her colonies, but the tradition started to die out by the late 19th century. Only in Mexico and Guatemala where the custom remains strong.

Migrants from Luzon in Davao first adopted the use of hood during Lent. Much like pro-Catholic organizations

without recognition from the church, the ritual was embraced by people coming from similar regions in the north where Lent customs include the hood tradition.

The introduction of capirote in Davao was the handiwork of some Spaniards, many of the plantation and ranches owners in Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur and Mati City, and their first recruits could have been their farm managers. Most likely, the practice was confined to a secular group without the church imprimatur given the attire’s association with the Inquisition.

Another reason for the demise of capirote tradition could be lack of interest among Catholics. Not only was the Spanish hood tradition eerily cryptic and suspicious, people in Davao town during this time, except in the countryside where Christian practices were respected, were more focused

on economic endeavors than social engagements. And given that Davao was under U.S. occupation, the colonists did not want to further incense an already brewing discrimination issue that had led to numerous uprisings and the killings of American planters.

There are no available accounts that provide definite information when the practice of using hood was introduced in the city, the name of group using it, and the length the frock-loving organization survived. What is clear, though, is that the use of capirote was active well into the late 1920s. Whether it was used for Lent-related activities or not, the archival threads do not show.

Although the Catholic church has frowned on the practice of flagellants using devices that produce self-inflicted injuries, the use of frocks, through the decades, has de-

clined in Luzon, especially that it has been treated more as a spectacle than as a religious sign of penance.

For Lenten penitents, the use of hood, meanwhile, is inconvenient if worn during summer Lent, and flagellants find it obtrusive. Because hoods are pristine white, bloods from back wounds that are splashed on the cloth look gruesome.

For some reason, the hood was adopted by the American racial group, the Ku Klux Klan, in the early 20th century and has since become a symbol of white supremacist ideology and anti-Black culture. During World War II, the use of a headdress with eye slits made from pandanus was adopted by the group Makabayan Katipunan ng mga Pilipino (Makapili) with intent to betray fellow Filipinos and help the Imperial colonists identify their enemies.

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A few of Aeon Towers’fully furnished and smarthome ready units are now rented out on a daily and weekly basis for this kind of experience.

Aeon Towers introduces the ‘Workation’ concept W

e’re getting used to this acronym WFH. That’s short for work from home which has become a byword among working individuals during the Covid-19 pandemic.

As it has become a trend, companies shifted fast by having their employees workfrom-home instead of risking their health everyday going to the office, while freelancers and entrepreneurs go on with their usual routine but this time online.

Although that would be the most comfortable experience one could have, workaholics would still feel that need to have an R&R in hotels, cafes or condominiums just to have a fresh perspective away from the corners of their home.

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Work while on staycation.

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Aeon Towers has opened its doors to those who would just want to have a different view on working days or simply unwind during the weekends.

A few of Aeon Towers’ fully furnished and smarthome ready units are now rented out on a daily and weekly basis for this kind of experience.

You can have it as a workation (work-staycation) where you can start your virtual meetings with a cup of coffee while enjoying fantastic skyline views of the city and Mount Apo or an overnight stay where you get to experience the exclusive amenities offered at Club Aeon—fitness gym, swimming pool at 6th floor and its co-working spaces at the lounge. A few of its other perks would be the free Filipino breakfast for two, unlimited wifi access and a one-time comsumption of the minibar.

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For inquiries and reservations visit www.facebook. com/AeonRentalMgtProgram or call at (082) 238-2425, 0968-575-8518 or 0926-6858413.

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any Filipinos thought only ordinary people die of lung cancer.

But what they don’t know is that many famous men and women in history died of it. To name a few: Desi Arnaz, Yul Brynner, Joe DiMaggio, George VI, Betty Grable, George Harrison, Bob Marley, Ray Milland, Claude Monet, Jesse Owens, Patricia Neal, Boris Pasternak, and Harry Vardon.

Lung cancer is the most common form of cancer that strikes people. In the Philippines, lung cancer is among the top five cancers leading to death. “More and more Filipinos are dying of lung cancer,” deplores the Philippine Society of Medical Oncology (PSMO).

According to the PSMO, 8,143 men out of 100,000

men are diagnosed with lung cancer, and 6,473 die.

Among women, 2,500 are diagnosed with lung cancer out of 100,000, and 2,043 die. “As more people smoke cigarettes, the number of Filipinos with lung cancer is most likely to rise,” it said.

Lung cancer claims 25 lives each day, according to the Cancer Facts and

DEADLY LUNG CANCER

CAN BE BEATEN!

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

healthline.com and Amercian Cancer Society Estimates of the Philippine Cancer Society (PCS).

Some 240 Filipinos die each day due to tobacco-related diseases, PCS said.

Culprit: Smoking Lung cancer is primarily caused by smoking tobacco. Before the advent of cigarette smoking, lung cancer was uncommon. In fact, it was not even recognized as a distinct disease until 1761.

“Cigarette smoking is the cause of about 90 percent of lung cancer cases in men and about 80 percent of cases in women,” points out The Merck Manual of Medical Information. “The greater the quantity and duration of smoking, the greater the risk of developing lung cancer.”

The Geneva-based World Health Organization (WHO) agrees. “Seventy-one percent of lung cancer deaths are caused by tobacco smoking,” the United Nations health agency points out.

Nat King Cole was a lifelong chain smoker. In 1964, the legendary jazz pianist and singer started experiencing weight loss and back pain. When doctors performed an x-ray

in December of that year, they discovered a lung tumor and commenced cobalt treatments the following day. In January 1965, doctors removed his left lung. Three weeks later, he died at the age of 45.

Walt Disney smoked unfiltered cigarettes and pipes and was diagnosed with lung cancer in November of 1966. He was also treated with cobalt therapy but died of circulatory collapse caused by lung cancer on December 15, 10 days after turning 65.

Other causes Even those who don’t smoke are also at risk of getting lung cancer – especially if they are living with someone who smokes. Experts call this as second-hand smoke or passive smoking. It is estimated that 17% of cases of lung cancer in non-smokers are caused by second-hand smoke exposure in childhood and adolescence.

“Non-smoking spouses

of smokers are 30 percent more likely than spouses of non-smokers to get lung cancer,” explains Drs. Christopher Dolinsky and Christine Hill-Kayser of the University of Pennsylvania Medical School.

Not all cases of lung cancer, however, are due to smoking. A small proportion of lung cancers (about 10 percent in men and about 5 percent in women) are caused by substances encountered or breathed in at work.

Hollywood actor Steve McQueen already stopped smoking when he developed a cough in 1978 that wouldn’t go away. He went to see a doctor and was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, a rare lung cancer caused not by smoking but by inhaling asbestos. He was 50 when died in 1980 after a surgery.

“Working with asbestos, radiation, arsenic, chromates, nickel, chloromethyl ethers, mustard

FDEADLY, P10

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HIGH... FROM2

and Wilfredo Aquino (Agdao).

For high risk barangays (in close proximity to Critical Risk Barangays)-Brgys. 2-A, 21-C, 27-C, 32-D, 33-D, 38-D; Bato (Toril), Bayabas (Toril), Callawa, Catigan, Gumalang, Manambulan, Suawan (Tuli), Tagakpan, Tagurano, Tambubong, and Tigatto.

While moderate risk barangays are Brgys. 1-A, 7-A, 10-A, 13-B, 14-B, 16-B, 19-B, 23-C, 24-C, 28-C, and 34-D; Baliok, Bunawan Proper, Calinan Proper, Catalunan Pequeño, Communal, Indangan, Langub, Lizada (Toril), Manuel Guianga, Marilog Proper, Matina

2 ABU... FROM2

Aplaya, Mulig, Pampanga, Riverside (Calinan), San Antonio (Agdao), Subasta, Tacunan, Tamayong, Tibuloy, and Tugbok Proper.

The moderate risk barangays (in close proximity to High Risk Barangays)-Brgys. 4-A, 6-A, 12B, 15-B, and 22-C; Acacia (Buhangin), Alambre (Toril), Bago Oshiro, Biao Guianga, Binugao, Centro (San Juan, Agdao) Daliao, Gatungan, Kapt. Tomas Monteverde, Sr. (Agdao), Lapu-lapu (Agdao), Leon Garcia (Agdao), Matina Biao, Mudiang, New Carmen, and Wines.

All barangays not mentioned are identified low and minimal risk barangays.

abandoned oil palm resort.

They called out for them to surrender.

The two slain victims were identified through their identification cards and other supporting documents as Amman Adam alias Man and Jasmine, and Jimdan Hairudin. Their bodies and recovered items were brought to Sandakan District Police Headquarters for disposition.

Songano, in a telephone interview, said intelligence

sharing began in May, as Sabah police started their operations in a mangrove area near Taman Sri Arjuna in Beaufort district, where undocumented Filipinos who were unfamiliar faces in the island, most of them armed, were arrested. Eight of these arrested Filipinos last May were suspected ASG members.

The Sabah police are still pursuing undocumented migrants, including members of the ASG. (FrencieCarreon / MindaNews)

“It will depend on our nominee. They are free to accept the nomination or not,” he added.

The party is “not discussing substitution,” according to Nograles.

PDP-Laban in the 2016

national elections selected Duterte to run for president as the substitute of Martin Diño who withdrew his candidacy. Diño serves the administration as presidential assistant for the Visayas.

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.

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.

ing more than double the number of punches of his opponent, 815-405, Ugas traded in a high work rate for efficiency.

The Cuban product was more effective in every department. He landed 21.4% of his jabs as compared to the 8.8% of Pacquiao. He also had the edge in power punches.

Not only did he outland Pacquiao 101-88, but his percentages in that area far overshadowed that of Pacquiao, 59.1% to 25.9%.

Regardless of Pacquiao pointing a blaming finger in the direction of what he describes as “cramps” he appeared

cautious of how he came across.

As the Filipino senator paused to find his words, he seemingly flashed back to the days when issues such as cramps, were nonexistent. With the curtain call on his career possibly upon us, Pacquiao juxtaposed what would have happened if this fight took place approximately a decade ago.

“In my early days, I can easily move and outbox him. This time around, it’s like my two legs were tight and hurting me in the second round until the 12th round. I’m not making excuses but that’s the reason why I can’t move.”

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ernment is targeting to vaccinate 1.2 million residents to achieve herd immunity. The fully vaccinated residents account for 25.3% of 1.2 million while 465,391 residents received their first dose.

Dr. Michelle Schlosser, focal person for Davao City COVID-19 Task Force, told the Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR 87.5) that Mayor Sara Duterte aims to ramp up the vaccination drive, targeting to inoculate at least 15,000 individuals daily from the average of 10,000 daily.

She added that the mobile vaccination rollout initiated by the councilors would help attain

the target, as they can bring immunization programs to the members of the priority list A2 or senior citizens and A3 or persons with comorbidities.

“Instead of them going to the vaccine sites, the councilors will bring the vaccines to their communities,” she said.

DOH-Davao reported 63,389 cases as of August 22, of which 9,389 are active, 51,967 recoveries and 2,033 deaths.

Davao City posted the highest at 34,835, of which 4,024 are active, 29,677 recoveries and 1,134 deaths. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)

date on Covid-19 in Davao Region as of 5 p.m. of August 22, 2021, DOH Davao Center for Health Development reported 573 new cases of Covid-19 in the region bringing the total number of active cases to 9,389.

Of these new cases, 268 were from Davao City, 24 from Davao de Oro, 37 from Davao del Norte, 163 from Davao del Sur, 31 from Davao Occidental, and 50

from Davao Oriental.

There are 132 recoveries reported and among these, 105 were from Davao City, and 27 from Davao Oriental.

There were 16 death cases reported and among these, nine were from Davao City, 2 from Davao del Sur, two from Davao del Norte, and three from Davao Oriental.

All cases reported were local cases. By Maya M. Padillo

sourced from the PHP13.5 billion appropriated under health-related expenses related to Covid-19.

The DBM shall release the funds for the payment of the SRA, according to AO 42 signed in June 1. (PNA)

from the energy department show that year-todate adjustments stand at a net increase of P10.10

per liter for diesel, P8.30 per liter for kerosene, and P13.25 per liter for gasoline as of August 17, 2021.

ed to enter the presidential race in the Philippines next month ahead of the May 2022 election.

“In my heart, I want to continue to fight,” Pacquiao said. “But the thing is, I also have to consider my body. I’ve put it through a lot of things.

Especially back in my country, there’s a lot of things that I need to accomplish to help people. I want to be an inspiration to the Philippine people inside and outside the ring.”

Countless athletes have struggled mightily to find worthwhile ways to fill their time after retirement. That wouldn’t be a problem for Pacquiao: His chaotic life won’t get less busy, but it could be a bit more focused with only one career to consider.

If Pacquiao retires, he leaves boxing as one of the greats of his generation. Along with his stunning array of championship belts and his groundbreaking mobility across the sport’s weight classes, Pacquiao will be remembered for his utter fearlessness in taking on countless larger foes without blinking.

Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s devoted trainer for most of the past two decades, acknowledged being “a little worried” about the champ.

“He’s boxed for a long time, and he’s the best guy I’ve ever had,” Roach said. “The best guy, the best fighter. I hate to see the day when he retires, but this could be it. We’ll see what Manny decides.”

Another scenario seems equally plausible at this point: Pacquiao doesn’t win the presidency in nine months — he is behind several candidates in early polling — and he subsequently gets a highly lucrative opportunity to return to the ring late next year, when he will be nearly 44.

Given Pacquiao’s competitive nature and his relatively expensive lifestyle, his self-awareness could be overcome by the rewards of the fight game.

But in the moments after this cramping, frustrated great lost for the first time in four years, Pacquiao was thinking deeply about both his current state and future priorities.

INDIVIDUALS... FROM3

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gas, and coke-oven emissions has been linked with lung cancer,” the Merck manual informs. “The risk of contracting lung cancer is greater in people who are exposed to these substances and who also smoke cigarettes.”

The Merck manual also mentions that about one percent of lung cancer cases are caused by air pollution. Studies of the American Cancer Society also directly link the exposure to particulate matter with lung cancer. For example, if the concentration of particles in the air increases by only one percent, the risk of developing lung cancer increases by 14 percent.

Five-time Grammy winner Donna Summer never smoked and cancer didn’t run in her family but she died of lung cancer at age of 63. A report from TMZ said the singer may have gotten lung cancer from inhaling air particles after the September 11 attacks in New York City.

Lung cancer 101 The lungs are two spongy organs found in the chest. They are responsible for delivering oxygen to the bloodstream. When you take a breath in, air moves into the lungs causing them to expand.

“Most lung cancer originates in the cells of the lungs; however, cancer may also spread (metastasize) to the lung from other parts of the body,” explains Dr. Gary Sy in his column published in a national daily.

Metastatic cancers, according to the Merck manual, spread to the lungs most commonly from the breast, colon, prostate, kidney, thyroid gland, stomach, cervix, rectum, testis, bone, and skin (melanoma).

“There are many different types of growth or tumor that can occur in the lungs,” Dr. Sy says. “It is conventional to divide growths into benign and malignant, and primary and secondary. A benign tumor is one that is unlikely to spread to become life threatening, whereas a malignant tumor grows rapidly, and spreads, thereby threatening life. This happens by direct invasion of surrounding structures or by spreading through the blood or lymphatic system.”

A primary tumor of the lungs is one that has arisen first within the lung tissue; a secondary tumor is one that has arisen elsewhere in the body, but has then spread to the lungs.

Signs and symptoms The symptoms of lung cancer are very non-specific. “This is the reason many patients with lung cancer present at an advanced stage of the disease,” Dr. Sy writes. “One factor hindering or delaying the early diagnosis of lung cancer is that the symptoms, such as cough, are common to other conditions.”

The symptoms include: breathlessness, cough, and chest pain, lethargy, and weight loss. All these symptoms are very common and are present in

numerous other conditions. Even coughing up blood (hemoptysis), which is thought by many to be a defining symptom of the condition, is not present in the majority of patients diagnosed with lung cancer.

“Catching the disease early is the key to successful treatment,” Dr. Diana Edralin, country medical director of Roche (Philippines) Inc., told Manila Standard’s Alena Mae Flores.

“Symptoms do not show up until the later stages of lung cancer, but yearly testing can help achieve earlier diagnosis.

This is why yearly testing is recommended for smokers or ex-smokers older than 55 years of age, who are the most at-risk for lung cancer.

“It is best to consult your medical oncologist for more information on lung cancer, and learn more about the available and emerging treatment options,” she added.

According to Dr. Edralin, treatment options for patients with lung cancer vary, depending on how it has grown and spread in the body. The main treatment for early-stage lung cancer is surgery to remove the tumor itself or the area where cancer has developed.

Chemotherapy, sometimes coupled with radiation therapy, is another treatment of choice. This is resorted to when the cancer has almost always spread to distant parts of the body by the time of diagnosis. In about 25 percent of people, chemotherapy prolongs survival. Chemotherapy involves the use of powerful drugs that directly attack cancer cells and stop it from growing and spreading.

One emerging treatment is called targeted therapy. Also called biological therapy, “it focuses on disrupting the cellular processes that allow cancer cells to divide and propagate that allow cancer cells to divide and propagate so rapidly unlike chemotherapy and radiotherapy, which directly kill cancer cells.”

Dr. Edralin also identified immunotherapy as another emerging treatment.

It “works by activating the body’s immune system so that your own immune cells are the ones that attack cancer and stop it from growing and spreading.”

“No matter the treatment, survival rates in lung cancer are best in the early stages, and these drastically decrease as the disease progresses,” Dr. Edralin reminded.

Possible prevention Like other forms of cancer, lung cancer can also be prevented. “Lung cancer prevention involves proper diet and adequate exercise, avoiding pollution, and most importantly, avoiding smoking and second-hand smoke,” Dr. Edralin said.

But “there is no way to totally prevent lung cancer,” Dr. Edralin pointed out, “and the fight against it is challenging.”

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Dabawenyo Ernie Gawilan is not among those reportedly left behind after testing positive for Covid-19.

Phoenix celebrates historic Olympic victory with Panalo Treat promo

P

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

FPHOENIX, P10

PSC backs PH Paralympic team amid Covid-19 scare

T

he Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) has reiterated its continuing support to the Philippine team at the Tokyo Paralympics despite a huge blow to its campaign before the start of the event.

Some members of the delegation, that include a para-athlete, several coaches, and other officials, have tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) and, according to a person knowledgeable of the recent events, were asked to stay here and not proceed to the Japanese capital.

“The PSC, as always, will continue to support

our delegation to the Tokyo Olympics. The PSC team included in the secretariat led by Commissioner Arnold Agustin remains intact and will continue to give support where we can,” PSC Chief of Staff Marc Velasco said on Sunday night.

Those who were cleared to go have already arrived in Tokyo ahead of the opening

O Yordenis Ugas tags Manny Pacquiao with left.

n its face, everything appeared to be the same.

Despite the birth certificate of Manny Pacquiao collecting considerable more dust, the 42-yearold seemed to be in terrific shape. The hard work that the former eight-division world champion endured during a long and arduous training camp, was evident the moment he removed his shirt during Friday’s weigh-ins.

With a chiseled physique and all of the confidence in the world, Pacquiao appeared certain that he would dethrone Yordenis Ugas and reclaim

ceremonies on Tuesday.

But Velasco said the PSC will continue to look at the health status of the Philippine team.

“Team physician and Covid liaison officer Dra. Janis De Vera has assured us that we will continue to monitor the remaining delegation members, making sure that we will comply with the Tokyo Paralympics playbook,” he said.

Meanwhile, Philippine Paralympic Committee president Mike Barredo remains optimistic about the national team’s chances despite now being just

five-athlete strong.

“Despite this setback, we are confident that our athletes will give their best in the pursuit of their Paralympic dreams and to bring honor and glory to our country,” Barredo said.

Initially listed to the Philippine team were wheelchair racer Jerrold Mangliwan, discus thrower Jeanette Aceveda, para swimmers Ernie Gawilan and Gary Bejino, para taekwondo jin Allain Ganapin, and powerlifter Achelle Guion.

The Tokyo Paralympics will run until Sept. 5. (PNA)

his WBA welterweight title. However, as their showdown was underway, things never went the way Pacquiao envisioned it.

The future first-ballot Hall of Famer struggled with the persistent jab of Ugas, as well as his inside work. Through 12 rounds, Pacquiao stood stoically as all three judges scoring their contest from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, gave the edge to the 35-year-old Cuban.

Immediately following his defeat, Pacquiao reluctantly answered when asked what exactly went wrong. While he did his best not to take away from

the victory of Ugas, Pacquiao also offered insight to an injury that prohibited him from taking charge in the ring.

“I’m not saying this is my excuse but my two legs were cramping,” said Pacquiao. “That’s why I cannot move around.”

If Pacquiao was, in fact, hampered, Ugas took full advantage. The former Olympic bronze medalist applied constant pressure throughout but remained disciplined behind the jab. Although Pacquiao attempted to make up for his lack of movement with high volume, throw-

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IS IT TIME? Pacquiao ponders ring retirement, political plans after loss Manny Pacquiao during the post-fight press conference.

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AS VEGAS — Manny Pacquiao sounded like a fighter on his way out and a politician on his way up.

He might have concealed his battered face behind big sunglasses, but Pacquiao didn’t hide behind excuses or denial after a discouraging unanimous-decision loss to Yordenis Ugás on Saturday night (Sunday, Manila time).

Yes, Pacquiao disclosed that his legs cramped throughout the fight on the Vegas Strip, depriving him of the mobility that has always made his power so dangerous.

The eight-division world champion still acknowledged the larger fact that was obvious even to most of his devoted fans around the world: He deserved his loss to Ugás, a talented opponent who probably wouldn’t have been much trouble for prime Pacman.

And that might be a good reason to walk away.

“This sport is my passion,” Pacquiao said.

“That’s why I’m still here fighting at the age of 42.

I’m enjoying it, but sometimes you have to think

about the response of your body. ... My mind, my heart, it’s 100 percent.

But my legs were cramping.”

In the moments after he returned from a twoyear ring absence with the loss to the rangy, resilient Ugás, Pacquiao repeatedly hinted he is planning to retire from boxing.

He is still alongside Canelo Álvarez as the two biggest active stars in the sport, yet Pacquiao (678-2) has never spoken so frankly about leaving behind 26 years in the pro fight game.

“I’ve done a lot for boxing, and boxing has done a lot for me,” Pacquiao said. “I look forward to spending a lot of time thinking about my future in boxing.”

Pacquiao’s postfight comments included a sprinkling of such catchy, pre-written phrases — sort of like a stump speech by a politician.

Indeed, the Filipino senator’s next fight is probably in the political ring: He is widely expect-

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