Edge Davao Volume 14 Issue 159 | Saturday, September 18, 2021

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

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WATCH OUT: LA NIÑA IS COMING! ENVIRONMENT P 9

STAYING LOCAL

VOL.14 ISSUE 159 • SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2021

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Mayor Sara, Baste to seek reelection STORY ON PAGE 2

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio poses with Senator Sherwin Gatchalian showing the vaccinated sign during a walk through at a vaccination hub at the Waterfront Insular Hotel in Lanang, Davao City on Friday. Mayor Sara has bared early this month that Sen. Gatchalian personally expressed his intent to run as her vice president tandem should she decide to vie for the highest seat in next year’s elections. Edge Davao

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 159 • SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2021

President Rodrigo Duterte remains unfazed by the latest move of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to conduct a formal investigation into his crackdown on illegal drugs, Malacañang said. Presidential Photo

STAYING LOCAL A

Davao City LGBT group leads anti-Covid jabs for members

Mayor Sara, Baste to seek reelection

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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ayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and Vice Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte are reportedly seeking reelection in the 2022 elections, according to Mayor Sara’s spokesperson Liloan Mayor Christine Garcia Frasco.

Mayor Sara confirmed the report that she is staying ‘local’ in the 2022 elections in a separate interview on Friday afternoon.

The presidential daughter assumed the mayoralty post in Davao City from 2010 to 2013, and was elected anew in 2016. In

2019, she was re-elected with brother Baste securing the post for vice mayor.

In July last year, Mayor Sara announced she is open to run for national position in the 2022 elections. However, the mayor took a 360-degree turn and said she is not running in any national post following President Rodrigo Duterte’s acceptance of the nomination as vice presidential

candidate of PDP-Laban.

Frasco said Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio is standing firm on her family’s agreement that only one Duterte will run for national post in the 2022 election.

On Thursday, Mayor Sara urged Filipinos to give the strongest support to President Duterte’s decision to run as vice president for the 2022 national election.

round 1,000 members of the Lesbian Gays Bi-sexual and Transsexual (LGBT) community plus one family member are targeted to be vaccinated on Sunday, September 19, 2021, at Waterfront Insular Hotel vaccination hub in Lanang.

The vaccination rollout, which runs from 7:00 AM3:00 PM, is spearheaded by the LGBT Davao City Coalition which has 90 accredited LGBT organizations.

This is part of Davao City’s massive vaccination drive to reach 1.2 million vaccinated Dabawenyos by November.

Commissioner Norman Baloro of the Philippine Commission and Urban Poor for Mindanao

and Manager for Special Projects in Davao City announced over the Davao City Disaster Radio that vaccination rollout is for every LGBT member in Davao City regardless if they are members of any coalition or not.

A pre-registration will be conducted for those who will avail the vaccination and need to fill out this form available on https:// forms. gle/Z7tbK48qZtvgHCbbA. “Same thing na ginabuhat nato sa atong different sectors and walk-in.

They still have to undergo registration, they have to coordinate with the leaders kasi per organization tayo, and kung wala silay organization, or kung

FDAVAO, P10

PH updates ‘Red, Yellow, Green’ list Notice of low water pressure to no

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he Philippine government has released an updated roster of “red, yellow, and green” states and territories, Malacañang said on Friday.

This, after the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) approved the revised list of considered “red, yellow, and green” countries, jurisdictions, or territories, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said.

“This new classification shall take effect on September 19, 2021 until September 30, 2021,” Roque, who

also serves as IATF-EID spokesperson, said in a press statement.

Grenada, Papua New Guinea, Serbia and Slovenia have been included in the red list.

Travel restrictions have been imposed on travelers from “high risk” countries that are under the red list.

Inbound passengers, regardless of their vaccination status, coming from or who have been to “red” nations are barred from entering the Philippines.

Returning Filipinos who will fly back to the country through government-initiated or non-government

repatriation programs, as well as through special commercial flights allowed under existing IATF-EID resolutions are not covered by the travel restrictions.

On the other hand, states and jurisdictions included in the green list are American Samoa, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cayman Islands, Chad, China, Comoros, Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Falkland Islands (Malvinas) and Gabon.

Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region of China), Hungary, Madagascar, Mali, Federated States

FPH, P10

water due to DLPC’s power interruptions

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avao City Water District advises customers of two separate sets of low water pressure to no water on Sunday, September 19, 2021.

The first set has two schedules: September 19, 2021 from 12:01 AM to 3:00 AM and from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Affected are all areas served by Calinan Water Supply System (WSS): entire Calinan including Abayon Subd., Bagobo Village, Buhawi Village, Calinan Proper, Dominga

Village, Durian Village, Estrella Village, Fortune Village, Francisco Subd., Hilario Subd. (HILSHAI II), Hilario Subd. HOA, Kabisig Village, Lagazo Village, Mandagit Village, Palarca Compound, Park Avenue, Pioneer Subd. HOA, Robillo Compound, Rubber Village, San Roque Village, Sitio Bagsak, Sitio Balite, and Teachers Village; entire Dacudao including Gawad Kalinga, Monteverde, and Puroks 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, and 12; and some Malagos areas: Si-

tio Cogan, New Cogan, and portion of Malagos-Baguio Road (left portion from Malagos Production Well No.1 to Malagos Garden); and all areas served by Riverside WSS: entire Riverside, Tugbok Proper, Tacunan, Los Amigos, Biao Guianga, Biao Escuela, Biao Cutson, Matina Biao, Balengaeng, and Ula; and some Catalunan Grande areas: Alejandra National HOA, Apo Highlands Subd., Low Cost Housing Project – Ate-

FNOTICE, P10

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 159 • SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2021

NEWS

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Motorcycle riders block the designated bike lane while waiting for the go signal at a traffic light along Tulip Drive and Quimpo Blvd. junction in Davao City. The Davao City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) has warned motorists that they will face a P500 fine from using or blocking designated bike lanes in the city. Edge Davao

Low enrolment result prompts 9 Davao private schools to close Eleazar orders in-depth probe into killing of 68-yr.-old lawyer

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hilippine National Police (PNP) chief General Guillermo Lorenzo T Eleazar ordered Thursday (September 16) a thorough investigation into the killing of a lawyer in South Cotabato.

A report from the South Cotabato Provincial Police Office (PPO) identified the victim as Juan Gammad Macababbad, 68, who was reportedly shot dead by three unidentified gunmen in front of his house in Barangay Libertad, Surallah, South Cotabato on Wednesday af-

ternoon (September 15).

Macababbad suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was declared dead in the hospital.

The suspects fled after the incident using a motorcycle and are now the subjects of a follow-up operation by the local police.

Eleazar said he expects the local police to focus on the case to determine the motive and identify in the soonest possible time those responsible, including the mastermind.

FELEAZAR, P10

Mayor Sara, Gatchalian inspect ongoing vaccination program

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ayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and Senator Sherwin Gatchalian inspected the second phase of the vaccination rollout for thousands of essential workers and economic frontliners in the ongoing “Bakuna by the Sea” at Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao (WIHD) on Friday morning.

“Bakuna by the Sea” is an inoculation drive for tourism sector workers and

stakeholders and members of the media in Davao City.

Over 25,000 Dabawenyos are expected to be vaccinated by the end of the phase two in the ongoing “Bakuna by the Sea.” An initial 14,000 individuals belonging to the tourism industry and allied services were vaccinated in the first phase of the program in August this year.

The site inspection is

FMAYOR, P10

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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he Department of Education (DepEd 11) on Friday said nine private schools have expressed intention to temporarily stop operation this School Year (SY) 2021-2022 due to very low enrolment turnout.

DepEd 11 spokesperson Jenielito Atillo said that Deped 11 has already received the formal letter from the said elementary and second-

ary schools.

“Dyutay ra gyud ang enrolment nila,” Atillo said.

Atillo said there were 47 schools that signified to stop

operation temporarily due to the impact of Covid-19 pandemic “Last School Year 47 ug so far, 9 karong SY 2021-2022. Mao nay latest count. Pero gusto nakong i emphasize nga ang 47 last year nakabalik na sa ilamg operation karong tuiga. Kining 9 karon, nag operate sab ni last year, “ he said.

Atillo said that there has

been an exodus of students last year.

Atillo said DepEd 11 is close to reaching the 100 percent target number of students following the opening of classes last Monday for the School Year 2021-2022.

He said the status with respect to the enrolment has already reached 1,285,891 (99.7 percent) enrollees in the entire region.

Campoamor claiming that resolutions of local government units (LGUs) in the franchise area against the cooperative are worthless (“walay bili”) because they were merely expressions of sentiments In a press conference, lawyer Campoamor reportedly argued that Nordeco was answerable only to government regulators like the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and the National Electrification Administration (NEA), even as

he denied the opt- repeated accusations by consumers and LGUs that the cooperative was inefficient.

Rellon reminded Campoamor that the resolution were expressions “representing the voice of the people who have not been satisfied with the service of the cooperative.”

Rellon who has served as councilor, vice mayor and mayor of Tagum City for more than 20 years now also reminded Nordeco’s management that most of

its money comes from the people through the electricity bills that they are paying.

The city government of Tagum on its own, has even improved the electricity system in some of its remote villages where people have been clamoring for stable power supply, Rellon said.

Earlier, both the provincial government of Davao del Norte, the municipal governments under it, and the City of Tagum, through

Officials duty-bound to express people’s complaints vs. Nordeco

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lected government officials are duty-bound to articulate the legitimate sentiments of their constituents, according to Mayor Allan Rellon of Tagum City.

Mayor Rellon made his statement as a reminder to officials of the North Davao Electric Cooperative (Nordeco), formerly the Davao del Norte Electric Cooperative (Daneco).

Rellon was reacting to a recent statement of Nordeco legal counsel Daniel

FOFFICIALS, P10

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

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Construction workers are seen at the third floor of Agdao Public Market building in Davao City on Friday. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) more opportunities are available at the construction industry as it led the sectors that have net employment generation of 100,000 or more for 2021. Edge Davao

BSP, French Development E Agency ink P41.3-M grant

NEDA launches P1.1T PH water supply, sanitation master plan

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he Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas on Thursday said it signed a P41.3-million grant with the French Development Agency to support financial inclusion in the country.

In a statement, the BSP said it signed a grant facility agreement worth 700,000 Euros (around PHP 41.3 million) with the Agence Française de Développement (French Development Agency) to increase capacities for financial inclusion, especially among rural and women-owned enterprises.

“In line with our orga-

nization’s strategic objectives to support financial systems and fight social and economic inequalities, the project that will result from this cooperation will contribute to the country’s efforts to promote access to quality financial services for all, including the most vulnerable part of the population,” AFD Country Director Laurent Klein said.

The grant will fund technical assistance programs to support efforts to leverage technology for effective regulation on digital finance, promote digital finance literacy of rural and women-owned businesses, and contribute to public policy dialogue on agriculture insurance, the BSP said.

“This endeavor demonstrates our organizations’ shared commitment to advance financial inclusion in the country through responsible digital innovations. The BSP looks forward to a fruitful collab-

oration with AFD as we implement the program in the next five years,” BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said.

French Ambassador Michèle Boccoz, meanwhile said, this is a new “milestone” in the bilateral relationship of France and the Philippines.

Agence Française de Développement or the French Development Agency implements France’s policy on international development on solidarity.

It supports NGOs and the public sector through financing, research and publications.

stablishing effective water supply and sanitation (WSS) sector institutions and strengthening the regulatory environment are needed to address the future increase in water consumption and address gaps in sanitation services, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said.

In a speech during the virtual launch of the Philippine Water Supply and Sanitation Master Plan (PSWSSMP) Thursday, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua underscored that integrated interventions from the local and national government, and stakeholders are crucial to achieve the goal of providing universal access to safe and sustainable

water and sanitation to Filipinos by 2030.

“Such cooperation is at the heart of the Philippine Water Supply and Sanitation Master Plan, which was approved by the NEDA Board Committee on Infrastructure last April 6. It aims to not only provide safe water supply and sanitation services for all Filipinos, but also ensure that these services can withstand disasters and protect the environment,” Chua said.

To achieve this goal, the master plan focuses on eight key reform agenda: establishing effective water supply and sanitation sector institutions, strengthening the regulatory environment, creating and

tor is strong right now, and we know that funds are really being allocated for the Build, Build, Build projects.)

Tutay added that the construction industry led in the July 2021 labor force survey.

It was followed by the administrative support and service activities; the professional, scientific and technical activities; and the manufacturing sector.

“Nararapat lamang po talaga na suportahan natin ang mga kumpanya na nabibilang sa mga ganitong

sector dahil sila ang mas maraming trabaho na nalilikha sa ating ekonomiya,” Tutay said.

(Thus, it is only proper to support companies belonging to these sectors because they are the ones that create more jobs for the economy.)

On the other hand, the vaccination rollout of over 400,000 workers from the construction and manufacturing sectors under the DOLE’s “Reform, Rebound, Recover: One Million Jobs for 2021” project, kicked

FNEDA, P10

Construction sector leads in net Kabataang Agribiz bares prov’l winners in Region 11 job generation for 2021 —DOLE

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ut of the 66 Business Model Canvas (BMC) submitted by 105 young farmers in Davao Region, 46 made it to the first stage of the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Young Farmers Challenge: Kabataang Agribiz competition and were declared as provincial winners.

The Young Farmers Challenge: Kabataang Agribiz is a competition grant assistance program for the youth. It is open to all interested youth aged 18-30 years old with pro-

posed agri-business ventures which are innovative and with viability potential. The program shall award the winners with cash prizes for start-up capital of their proposed agri-business venture.

Provincial winners will receive P50,000 cash prize and will be given two months to implement their BMC. After the given period, the panel of judges will select and declare three business enterprises as regional winners and will receive an additional

cash prize amounting to P150,000. They will automatically qualify for the national level and undergo mentoring from the judges.

Six national winners will be chosen by the national panel of judges as Outstanding Youth Agri-Business Models who will each receive an additional cash prize amounting to P300,000.

This program is part of DA Secretary William Dar’s 18 Key Strategies for a Modern and Industrialized

FKABATAANG, P10

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ore opportunities are available at the construction industry as it led the sectors that have net employment generation of 100,000 or more for 2021, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said Thursday.

“Napakalakas ngayon ng ating construction sector at alam naman natin na binubuhos talaga ang pondo rito para sa mga Build, Build, Build projects, DOLE assistant secretary Dominique Tutay said at the Laging Handa briefing.

Our construction sec-

FCONSTRUCTION, P10

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VOL.14 ISSUE 159 • SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2021

ECONOMY

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A porter pushes a wooden cart carrying freshly-harvested vegetables from farms located at the outskirts of Davao City, on Friday along Magallanes Street. Edge Davao

BIR probes initial 250 socmed influencers

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he Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is set to investigate an initial list of 250 social media (socmed) “influencers” to check if they have been paying their taxes.

In a report to Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, the BIR said that Letters of Authority (LOAs) for the conduct of investigation were already issued to certain social media influencers found to be “top earners” in their field.

According to the BIR, socmed influencers who earn money from their posts on digital media are classified as self-employed individuals or persons engaged in trade or business as sole proprietors.

Their earnings are generally considered as busi-

ness income, as defined under BIR’s Revenue Memorandum Circular (RMC) No. 97-2021 issued last Aug. 16.

“We encourage them to register, and then we have the profiling of over 250 personalities. We will do the investigation so that they would pay the necessary corresponding tax on their earnings,” BIR Deputy Commissioner ArnelGuballa said in his report to Dominguez during a recent Department of Finance (DOF) executive committee (Execom) meeting.

Under RMC 97-2021 issued last month, socmed influencers should pay income tax and percentage tax or, if applicable, the

FBIR, P10

PH’s financial sector regulations improve startups expansion

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orward-thinking policies of Philippine regulators made a Southeast Asian payments infrastructure start-up decide to further expand its domestic operations, especially after getting a capital boost from several investors.

Xendit recently received a USD150 million Series C funding, a capital infusion directly seeded for the company’s main business, from investors that include Tiger Global Management, Accel, Amasia, and Goat Capital.

This elevated Xendit into a unicorn, a term given to start-ups that is valued over USD1 billion, which Xendit chief executive officer and managing director Yang Yang Zhang said will be a big help in further expanding and improving their products and services.

“For me, the Philippines just presented all the right system(s), the right formula for a place where innovation would be respected, appreciated, and ultimately ad-

FFINANCIAL, P10

BARMM OKs P398-M tourism investment for Cotabato City

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he Bangsamoro Board of Investments in the Bangsamoro Region in Muslim Mindanao (BBOIBARMM) approved the registration of PHP398 million tourism-related investments for this city.

It was the first direct investment approved by the BBOI for the city that now forms part of the BARMM. Owned by the Eight Z’s Properties Building Rentals located here, the investors intend to revive the old Barter Tourism Center wherein traditional barter goods, unique ethnic merchandise and souvenirs will be showcased and sold to tourists and visitors.

“This is a significant in-

vestment for us because this is the first investment registered with BBOI-BARMM for Cotabato City since it joined the BARMM after the Bangsamoro Organic Law plebiscite in 2019,” BBOIBARMM chairman Ishak Mastura said in a statement Friday.

Apart from the city, the BARMM also includes the cities of Marawi and Lamitan; the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Sulu,

Basilan, and Tawi-Tawi; and the 63 villages in six North Cotabato towns under its jurisdiction.

Mastura said Cotabato City, being the provisional capital of BARMM, continues to be a vibrant and strategic gateway destination for investments in the region.

He said the type of business is for stall rentals and tourism promotions showcasing handicrafts, souvenirs, brassware, traditional Moro crafts like “Inaul” (hand weaved tube skirts), and Muslim native food delicacies, among others.

“Barter trade centers are so popular to tourists and visitors who come to

Mindanao, particularly in the BARMM, because of the distinctiveness of the merchandise that is being sold,” Mastura said.

Barter goods and souvenir items with various motifs and designs, including halal products particularly coming from Malaysia and Indonesia, are found in traditional barter trade centers throughout Mindanao.

Serving as a tourist attraction while catering to worship and other religious-related practices of Muslim visitors from here and abroad, a “Masjid” or mosque will be built alongside the building complex seen to provide an educa-

registration for the national identification (ID) or the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys), which requires registrants to have bank accounts, as well as the whole-of-government approach in addressing issues on financial inclusion, are pluses to the achievement of this goal.

“I’m optimistic that the 70 percent target for 2023 is

doable for (these) three reasons,” he said.

Based on the BSP’s financial inclusion survey in 2019, only around 29 percent of Filipino adults had bank accounts.

Diokno attributed the big jump in the number of account ownership last year to the digitalization of financial transactions.

He said basic deposit ac-

counts (BDA) last year rose by 65 percent, or from 4 million to 6.6 million, while electronic money (e-money) grew by 94 percent from 17.9 million to 34.7 million during the same period.

“We use BDA and e-money accounts as proxy indicators given that these types of accounts are typically opened by those who

FBARMM, P10

Goal to have 70% of adult Pinoys with bank accounts by ‘23 doable

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oing financial transactions amid the pandemic-related movement restrictions boosts opportunities for the central bank to hit its 70-percent target in the number of adult Filipinos with bank accounts by 2023.

In a virtual briefing on Thursday, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin Diokno said

FGOAL, P10

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

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On the intelligence report about a possible terror attack in six countries, including the Philippines:

Various religious groups in the city are being asked to strengthen their security measures so that they are not overrun by terrorists. To their followers, it is also important to be alert on suspicious individuals who wear jackets, carry backpacks, and other items that may contain bombs.”

City Government of Davao

EDITORIAL Sara’s time Many were sad to hear Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio announcing a few days ago she is no longer running for a national elective post after her father President Rodrigo Duterte accepted his party’s nomination to run for Vice President.

That is not surprising.

Mayor Sara was clearly the frontrunning presidentiable from among the many aspirants which included old familiar faces in politics.

Davao City’s chief executive is emerging as a whiff of fresh air in Philippine politics and was considered by many outside her supporters as the right choice to be the heir apparent to the presidency. Off the bat, she would be hard to beat and there are those who have just been awaiting for her to make public her plans before

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Sara’s announcement this week opened the window for many of those who are waiting in the wings. Just the mere fact that many political decisions hinge on hers is already a testament that the presidential daughter is the current barometer in the next elections.

The only hope for Sara’s supporters and the Hugpong Ng Pagbabago regional party is for President Duterte to give way to the very human being he groomed to fill his giant shoes one day.

There is still time between today and the last day of filing of candidacy. The saga did not appear to end with Sara’s announcement.

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

announcing theirs. Many political decisions are to be made after mayor Sara will make hers.

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

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VANTAGE POINTS

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HENRYLITO D. TACIO QUITTERS NEVER WIN “The brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. Because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough. They’re there to stop the other people.”

– Randy Pausch in The Last Lecture ***

When I started my career as a writer, I received a lot of rejection slips (which most aspiring writers these days don’t experience anymore). But it didn’t deter me to keep submitting features and articles to publications with a minute hope that one or two of them would be published.

Mod Magazine did. When my very short feature, “Children Tell What Doctors Do,” came out, my mother bought a lot of copies (which she gave to some of her friends). I was also very proud of myself for having accomplished such a feat.

I thought it was the beginning of my luck. But I was wrong.

More rejections followed after that. I decided to submit some of the articles to other publications.

Since I am from faraway Davao del Sur, I won’t be able to compete with those writers based in Manila. So, I changed my strategy; I wrote topical features: Val-

entine’s Day, Christmas, anniversaries, weddings, graduation, and other events.

Magazines commenced using some of my features: Woman’s Home Companion, Focus Philippines, Expressweek, Philippine Panorama, Philippine Free Press, Philippine Graphic, Mr. & Ms., Money Asia, Woman Today, Greenfields, and AgriScope. Most of these publications are now defunct but there were articles that appeared in some of them that earned me journalism awards, including the Hall of Fame in science reporting from Philippine Press Institute and Journalist of the Year from the Rotary Club of Manila.

Had I quit when I received those rejection slips, I wouldn’t be what I am today. But I persevered. I didn’t quit when it seemed there was no future for me in writing. And I was glad that I didn’t allow myself to be swallowed by the strings of failures that came my way.

It is only now that I came to realize what Leigh Micthell Hodges said. “Failure,” she pointed out, “is often that early morning hour of darkness which precedes the dawning of the day of success.”

American inventor Thomas Alva Edison had the same view in mind. “Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when

they gave up,” he once remarked.

In fact, history is replete with people who never let challenges – failures, obstacles, hardships, and poverty – stop them from being successful in life. “History has demonstrated that the most notable winners usually encountered heartbreaking obstacles before they triumphed,” Scottish-born American financial journalist B.C. Forbes said.

“They won because they refused to become discouraged by their defeats.”

Let’s take a closer look at some of these people. Sylvester Stallone – known around the world for his Rocky and Rambo roles in movies – was expelled from 14 schools. He dropped out of college to pursue acting. He went to thousands of auditions and still couldn’t get work. When he was evicted from his apartment, he had to sleep in bus stations for weeks.

He was so desperate for money that he even appeared in a porn movie. After watching a boxing bout, he went home and wrote a script that would change his life completely. Some producers wanted to buy the script but turned down the offer. He wanted to star in the film. One producer made a gamble with him.

Shot with a tight budget and in black-and-white at that, Rocky earned Stallone an Oscar nomination and the film itself was de-

clared Best Picture winner.

What about Harrison Ford, also known for his two movie roles: Hans Solo and Indiana Jones? He was bitten by the acting bug not because he wanted to become popular but as a way to overcome his painful shyness.

But he could only get bit parts for over 10 years.

His appearance in his first film was so unimpressive that a studio executive told him bluntly, “You’ll never make it in this business.” He pursued his dream while working as a carpenter to support his family. In fact, he came to the Philippines as a carpenter for the set of Apocalypse Now. When director Francis Ford Coppola reportedly needed some soldiers, he approached Ford to be among them.

But it wasn’t until he accepted the role of Hans Solo in the Star Wars saga that he became a box-office hero. The Indiana Jones series even sealed his fate as among the highest-grossing actors in American film history.

Howard Schultz, the man behind Starbucks, grew up living in city housing projects. He worked for years selling photocopiers and coffee machines. He was turned down 217 times for a loan to open his first café.

He was laughed at for believing people would pay more than 50 cents for a cup of coffee.

Making no money, he was tempt-

ed to give up his dream while his wife was 7 months pregnant. But he persevered and now he is a multi-billionaire business legend and cultural icon.

There are also women who believe in perseverance. Poverty did not dissuade Oprah Winfrey to become the US queen of all media. She was so poor was she as a child that she wore a dress made of potato sacks. She ran away from home at 13 after years of sexual abuse.

By the time she was 14, she became pregnant. Unfortunately, the son died shortly after birth.

Those experiences brought her depression that in her late 20’s, she wrote a suicide note. Emotional turmoil in her early 30’s led to weight gain and crack cocaine abuse.

But she all passed all the obstacles in her life. Now, she’s a living example of a self-made multi-billionaire.

“Let me tell you the secret that has led to my goal,” Louise Pasteur, the French biologist, microbiologist and chemist said.

“My strength lies solely in my tenacity.”

Benjamin Disraeli surely would agree. “Through perseverance many people win success out of what seemed destined to be certain failure,” said the British politician who twice served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

WHO IS DAVAO’S ‘FATHER OF HISTORY?’ In world history, the academicians are in consensus that Herodotus, a Greek, is the first historian. That makes him the ‘father of world history.’ Locally, though, there is contention on who should earn the credit as Davao’s ‘father of history.’

While some quarters bestow the title on the late Ernesto I. Corcino, a former librarian of the United States Information Service (USIS) in Davao City who authored ‘Davao History’ (1998), he was not the first to write and publish a book about the region’s history.

Except for articles in periodicals and journals, nobody in prewar Philippine came out with a book-length research about Davao as a district or province.

The books written by foreigners, both travelogue and scientific papers, were compendiums of the authors’ observations and field research. There was nothing in

the books that almost exclusively dealt with local histories.

The first postwar history book of Davao towns was ‘Davao History: Its Progress and Future,’ written in 1950 by Vicente Albano Pacis, an Ilocano journalist with the defunct Philippine Free Press, who became press secretary and Philippine envoy; he also wrote books.

Three years later, Damien Mercader Lomocso came out with ‘Davao’s Culture and History,’ which puts under one cover the brief histories of towns in Davao region. He also wrote a historical novel about ‘Datu Bago,’ the legislated hero of Davao. In 1978, Juan S. Dacuycuy came out with a booklet titled ‘History of Cateel,’ an extant copy is at the National Library.

In 1992, Gloria P. Dabbay, an educator, published his doctoral dissertation in book form as ‘Davao City: Its History and

Progress.’ While its title has specific reference to the city, a good portion of the book includes historical profiles from across the region of Davao.

Being called ‘the father of local history’ is simply an oxymoron of who was the first wrote the history of a place. In Herodotus’ case, he wrote about the world as he saw it during his time and was ‘the first person to record events as accurately and faithfully as possible.’ In our case, the honor as ‘father of Davao history’ rightly belongs to Pacis.

Born on August 24, 1901, Pacis was born in Vintar, Ilocos Norte. Educated abroad, he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Illinois, USA (1924) and his Master’s in Education from the University of Wisconsin, USA (1925). Initially, he worked as reporter for a paper in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and the wire service agency Associat-

ed Press in Washington, D.C. Back in the Philippines, he served as editor of Graphic, Evening News, and Philippines Herald, and became executive editor of the Ramon Roces Publications.

A prolific author, his books include ‘Philippine Government and Politics, A Second Look at America,’ which was co-authored with Emilio Aguinaldo, and the two-volume ‘President Sergio Osmeña: A Fully-Documented Biography.’

He also served as vice-president of the University of the East (UE), and in government as press secretary to President Elpidio R. Quirino, information director of Southeast Asian Treaty Organization (SEATO, forerunner of ASEAN), and Philippine ambassador to Geneva.

The son of Cornelio F. Pacis and Benigna Albano, Vicente had twelve siblings. He was married to Beatriz Concepcion with

whom he had four children. He died in 1975 in California, USA. Adding depth to historical narratives are books issued in the last three decades, including Marina Suazo’s ‘Davao: The Love Story of Don Jose de Oyanguren’ (1994); Macario D. Tiu’s ‘Davao 1890-1910: Conquest and Resistance in the Garden of the Gods’ (2003) and ‘Davao: Reconstructing History from Text and Memory’ (2005); Aida Rivera-Ford’s ‘Oyanguren: Forgotten Founder of Davao’ (2010); Heidi K. Gloria’s ‘History from Below: A View from the Philippine South’ (2014); Karl M. Gaspar’s ‘Davao in Pre-Conquest Era and the Age of Colonization’ (2015); and Antonio V. Figueroa’s ‘First 50 Years: History of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart in the Philippines’ (2013), ‘Datu Bago and the Kingdoms of Sarang-ine and Iyo’ (2017) and ‘Brokenshire (1908-2018): 110 Years & Beyond’ (2019).

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COMPETITIVE EDGE

EDGEDAVAO

LIFESTYLE

CATHAY PACIFIC CELEBRATES 75 YEARS OF BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER

CUSTOMERS CAN JOIN THE CELEBRATIONS WITH LIMITED-EDITION MEMORABILIA CATHAY PACIFIC celebrates an important milestone in its history as it marks 75 years of creating meaningful human connections.

Over the past three-quarters of a century, Cathay Pacific has grown from a small regional airline to one that has thrust its way out across the globe from its energetic home city, Hong Kong. Throughout it all, Cathay Pacific’s enduring purpose has been to connect customers to the people, places and experiences they love the most. To mark this special occasion, Cathay Pacific is unveiling a variety of exciting opportunities for customers to join it in marking 75 years of bringing people together, from paying homage to history, celebrating the power of connection or looking forward to a re-energised future.

Chief Executive Officer Augustus Tang said: “Cathay Pacific has seen exhilarating successes over the past incredible 75 years. We’ve connected people to many new destinations, welcomed the arrival of state-of-the-art aircraft and introduced exciting customer experience enhancements, to name a few. We have also experienced unprecedented challenges, such as the global pandemic, which we are all still overcoming. What these over seven decades have shown is that we are a resilient brand.

“What has never changed is

tion of accessories and homewares, from stylish patchwork cushion covers to cross-body bags, pouches and teddy bears.

All 75th anniversary memorabilia is available exclusively on the new Cathay shopping platform at https://lifestyle. asiamiles.com

our unyielding commitment to our loyal customers, our dedicated people and our wonderful home city, Hong Kong. We wouldn’t be the company we are today without the enduring support they have shown us, and we are incredibly grateful to each and every one of them. We hope they will join us in marking our 75th anniversary, and we look forward to many more journeys together.”

Own a piece of history Cathay Pacific has created a special series of limited-edition merchandise commemorating more than seven decades of connection.

Customers have the opportunity to get one of 1,000 special collector’s box sets each featuring seven aircraft models, from the airline’s very first Douglas DC-3 aircraft, “Betsy”, to the newest member of its fleet, the Airbus A321neo.

Meanwhile, 435 limitededition pen and cardholder sets have been crafted out of aluminium reclaimed from B-HUJ, the airline’s final Boeing 747-400 passenger aircraft, and engraved with a unique serial number.

Customers can also give their luggage a touch of history with limited-edition aviationthemed luggage tags. Each has

been formed from the body of Cathay Pacific’s Boeing 777-200 B-HND aircraft – affectionately called the “Haneda Jet” – which joined the fleet on 13 June 1996 and carried more than six million passengers over her lifetime.

Cathay Pacific has also partnered with Hong Kong lifestyle brand G.O.D. to upcycle uniforms from its crew into a selec-

Bringing the future to the present While Cathay Pacific celebrates the past, it continues to bring innovation to every aspect of its offering. Earlier this year, Hong Kong’s home airline launched “Cathay”, a premium travel lifestyle brand that is designed to offer more for our customers, whether that’s in dining, shopping, events, wellness, flights or hotel getaways.

Cathay Pacific is also innovating in the air with the launch of its new Airbus A321neo aircraft, which offers customers the world’s most enjoyable short-haul experience. The A321neo offers new levels of comfort, privacy and storage space, not to mention worldfirst inflight entertainment upgrades.

These fuel-efficient aircraft also help Cathay Pacific’s continued pursuit of greener aviation as it aims to reach its target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. This commitment makes Cathay Pacific one of the first airlines in Asia to establish a timeline for making carbon neutrality a reality.

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D

uring the summer months, people are talking about drought and dry spells. Now that it is rainy months, expect people to keep on complaining about too much water and flooding.

As the year is about to end, Filipinos need to watch out. The state-run Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), in an issued bulletin, said there is a “7080% chance” of La Niña forming in the last quarter of 2021. The forecast may persist until the first quarter of 2022.

Dr. Vicente B. Malano, PAGASA Administrator, said the forecast is based on “recent climate monitoring and analysis.”

The PAGASA bulletin did not specifically specify whether the looming La Niña will be weak or strong.

But rainfall forecasts suggest “a higher probability of above-normal rainfall conditions in many areas of the country in the next several months.”

Such incidences “can be attributed to the expected stronger easterlies, enhanced Northeast monsoon and tropical cyclone occurrences.”

Furthermore, “the eastern sections of the country which normally receive more rainfall during the last quarter of the year could further increase the likelihood of more adverse impacts such as floods and

landslides over highly vulnerable areas.”

Heavy rains and flooding are two symptoms of La Niña. It is the exact opposite of the phenomenon called El Niño, which means “the Little Boy” or “Christ Child” in Spanish. La Niña, on the other hand, means “the Little Girl.” It is sometimes called “El Viejo,” “anti-El Niño,” or simply “a cold event” or a cold episode.

To simplify, meteorologists explain: El Niño and La Niña are opposite phases of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENS0) cycle, with La Niña sometimes referred to as the cold phase of ENSO and El Niño as the warm phase of ENSO. “El Niño and La Niña result from interaction between the surface of the ocean and the atmosphere in the tropical Pacific,” the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) explained.

“Changes in the ocean impact the atmosphere and climate patterns around the globe. In turn, changes in the atmosphere impact the ocean temperatures and currents.”

The system oscillates between warm (El Niño) to neutral (or cold La Niña) conditions on an average

ENVIRONMENT

9

WATCH OUT: LA

NIÑA IS COMING! Text and photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO

every 3-4 years.

In the tropics, global climate variations in La Niña tend to be opposite of those of El Niño. “If you expect drought in the country with El Niño because of reduced rainfall and less typhoons, there will be more than normal rainfall and the normal but ‘stronger typhoons’ during a La Niña episode that will cause floods and devastation of farms and property,” explains Dr. Rafael D. Guerrero III, an academician at the National Academy of Science and Technology.

How does La Niña affect the country’s weather?

“Effects of La Niña could be manifested in above the normal rainfall conditions in major parts of the country, particularly along the eastern sections,” the country’s weather explains.

“This is mainly due to more intense northeast monsoon and tropical cyclone activities.”

As La Niña is soon to hit the country, PAGASA urged all concerned agencies “to take precautionary measures to mitigate the potential adverse impacts” of the looming nasty weather phenomenon.

PAGASA will closely monitor these conditions and regular updates and advisories shall be issued as appropriate,” the weather bureau states.

There are several other issues that may happen when La Niña takes place.

For one, soil erosion would be a common sight during La Niña. “When land is denuded of trees, scorched by burning, and deprived of its humus by intense heat, the earth soon

erodes,” explains Jethro P. Adang, the director of the Davao-based Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center (MBRLC) Foundation, Inc. Adang says trees contribute to agriculture by controlling erosion, conserving water supplies and providing shade, shelter and wind barriers. “Trees are one of nature’s most efficient weapons of soil defense and are used to tie down steep hillsides, check the growth of big gullies, stabilize unsteady stream banks and screen cultivated fields from harmful winds,” he said.

Without trees, floods are expected to happen.

“Floods are among the most destructive calamities man has to cope with,” the weather bureau wrote in a brochure that explains the how’s, what’s, and how’s of floods. “Even the most minor flooding poses some inconveniences.”

A really big flood can result in millions, even billions of pesos of damage to road and bridges, buildings and other economic infrastructure, in the loss of agricultural crops and livestock, loss of productivity in industry, commerce and trade - not to mention the incalculable loss of human life.

Health-wise, people are likely to suffer from La Niña.

During floods, food-borne and water-borne diseases accelerate, according to the Department of Health (DOH). “Flooding can contaminate the public water through the disruption of water purification and sewage disposal systems, rupture of underground pipelines and storage tanks,” said the disaster management unit of the health department.

Using contaminated water can cause a wide spectrum of illness, among them: acute gastroenteritis, dysentery, typhoid fever, cholera, and hepatitis A. Malaria and dengue fever, infections transmitted by mosquitoes, are also expected to rise after heavy rainfalls due to an explosive increase in breeding sites.

The current crisis brought about by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) brings this weather phenomenon several challenges, according to the weather bureau.

PAGASA urged local government units to “have dedicated evacuation centers that are separate from isolation centers for COVID-19 patients.” In addition, physical distancing and other minimum health protocols – like hand washing and wearing of face masks – should still be strictly observed.

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DAVAO... FROM 2

wala silay membership sa Davao City LGBT Coalition they can contact the Davao City LGBT lead convenor (It is the same with what we are doing with the different sectors and walk-in.

They still have to undergo registration, they have to coordinate with their leaders because we are per or-

ganization and if they have no organization or membership to any Davao City LGBT Coalition, they can contact the lead convenor),” Baloro said.

Baloro said that those who are interested may contact 09388649209- Reggie Ningning, the lead convenor of LGBT Davao City. CIO

of Micronesia, Montserrat, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niger, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Poland, Saba (Special Municipality of the Kingdom of Netherlands), Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Sierra Leone, and Sint Eustatius have also been listed under green list.

Other countries that have been put under green list include Taiwan, Algeria, Bhutan, Cook Islands, Eritrea, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Nicaragua, Niue, North Korea, Saint Helena, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tokelau, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and Yemen.

The green states and jurisdictions have been classified as “low-risk countries or jurisdictions based on

disease incidence rate.”

The government, through IATF-EID Resolution 128-A issued on July 22, has issued protocols for fully-vaccinated individuals who can avail of “green lanes.”

All other countries, territories, or jurisdictions that have not been mentioned are on the yellow list, Roque said.

The yellow list is composed of countries classified as moderate risk.

Inbound international travelers, regardless of their vaccination status, coming from or with travel history from Yellow nations within the past 14 days prior to their arrival in the Philippines are mandated to observe the strict entry, testing, and quarantine protocols. (PNA)

neo Property, Luwalhati Subd., San Miguel HOA, Santago Villas, Sitio San Pedro, Sitio Sta. Martha, Sitio Sto. Niño Ilihan, and South Pointe Homes.

The second set also has two schedules: September 19, 2021 from 5:00 AM to 8:00 AM and from 9:45 AM to 1:45 PM affecting some areas served by Dumoy WSS in Buhangin and Cabantian.

Specific affected areas in Buhangin are: portion of Robinsons Highlands Subd. particularly Beverly Hills Street, Bread Subd., Carpio Subd., Panorama Homes Subd., Pioneer Village, and Manuel M. Garcia Road (from corner Cabantian Road to Panorama Homes); and in Cabantian: Holy Trinity Subd., Countryville Executive Homes, Dela Peña Subd., BACAHOA Subd., Victor’s Executive Homes, Emilia Homes Subd., and portion of Cabantian Road (from Holy Trinity Subd. to Emilia Homes Subd.)

DCWD’s Panorama Reservoir, Talomo Sump booster pumps, and production wells under Riverside and Calinan WSS will be affected by Davao Light and Power Company’s (DLPC) power interruptions on the said date needed to facilitate their 69kV and 13.8kV pole relocation due to the Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project for the first set and 138kV pole erection along Buhangin-Lapanday Road for the second set.

Although the power cuts are shorter in duration, DCWD needs additional time for re-switching on of the affected facilities, pressure buildup, and line delivery, thus the longer duration of water service interruptions.

On behalf of the DCWD management, General Manager Edwin V. Regalado asks for the understanding and cooperation of would-be affected customers and advises them to store enough water prior to the schedule. Water supply may be restored earlier if DLPC’s works go smoothly or later if unforeseen problems arise.

DCWD conducts flushing after service works are completed. However, once water is restored, customers are advised to open all faucets and allow water to run for at least two minutes. Do not drink tap water immediately but if needed, boil water beforehand as safety precaution.

The general public may visit DCWD website (www.davao-water.gov. ph) and Facebook page ( w w w. fa c e b o o k . c o m / officialDCWD) and dial telephone voicemail 2353293 for the latest water service updates. For queries, customers may also call DCWD’s 24-hour Water Patrol Emergency Hotlines 244-6767, 0927-798-8966, 0925511-3293, and 0908-4410653 or send a message to www.facebook.com/ officialDCWD (Camille Margarette U. Solon)

Agriculture Sector focusing on youth empowerment thru intensified support and engagement in the

agency’s various programs and projects. (Celso C. Vergara / DA-RFO XI, RAFIS)

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Eleazar also tasked the PNP Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management to report on the status of other cases involving members of the legal

community as victims.

“I also ordered the Director, DIDM to check on the status of cases of all lawyers killed at least in the last five years,” Eleazar said.

a joint undertaking of the local government of Davao and the family-owned and operated Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao by the Gatchalian family. It is also part of the company’s corporate social responsibility.

“If we want to go back to business and have at least a semblance of normalcy in our daily lives, we need to vaccinate the people. If we want to achieve the population protection target by the end of the year, we need to do our share to help the government hasten the process. Bayanihan is the key. We cannot just sit idly and watch the cases increase day after day,” Gatchalian said.

Gatchalian has been pushing for the acceleration of the gradual and safe reopening of the economy. In expediting the vaccination program, the senator said that the government would be able to recoup lost jobs and revenues especially if quarantine restrictions wil

further ease up. Gatchalian has earlier called on economic managers to devise means to help in the upskilling and reskilling of workers on new technologies.

“Patuloy tayong umaasa na bababa ang bilang ng mga kaso ng nagkakasakit ng Covid-19 kung mas dadami ang mga nabakunahan. Sa pag-aaral ng mga eksperto, lumalabas na mild at hindi malala. ang mga kaso ng mga bakunadong dinapuan ng Covid-19,” Gatchalian said.

The high turnout of those who sought to be vaccinated has prompted the partnership undertaking of Mayor Sara and Sen. Gatchalian to hold another round of vaccination to further expedite the government’s vaccination program in preparation for the gradual resumption of economic activities in Davao once the number of Covid-19 cases starts to slow down. By Maya M. Padillo

their mayors, supported the call for the non-renewal of the franchise of Nordeco once it expires in 2028 and allow Davao Light and Power Co., Inc. to replace it.

Rellon said the resolu-

tions are among those to be submitted to Congress in considering their appeal and that Congress will be the one to act on what will be better for the constituents of the province.

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ensuring effective water supply and sanitation services, balancing water supply and demand, building climate resilience, enabling access to financing, managing data and information to determine baseline and gaps of investments, and driving research and development in the sector.

Chua highlighted that only 44 percent of households have individual connections to a proper, fully-reticulated waterworks system. The

remaining 56 percent, or 57 million Filipinos, have to fetch water for their families from communal pipes, springs, or wells up to 250 meters away.

He said such conditions put them at risk of contracting the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) virus in a time when proper hygiene is essential.

In response, the master plan creates a unifying framework for planning, implementing, and funding in the sector, he added.

opted,” she said in a virtual briefing on Thursday.

Zhang said the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), for one, makes the company’s entry into the domestic economy more compelling because of its progressive and forward-thinking regulations.

“Anyone who wants to present something new idea really has an audience with BSP,” she said.

The local market’s poten-

tial is also big, she added.

“Every ingredient exists here today to contribute to a hyperbolic stage very similar to what we had witnessed in Indonesia in the last five years, with young, mobile-enabled population, strong smartphone penetration, early adapters mentality, tons of support to digitalization, tons of commitment from financial institutions to digitalization,” Zhang said.

were previously unbanked,” he added.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has teamed up with the state-owned Land Bank of the Philippines (Landbank) for account enrollment of those applying for national ID who do not have bank accounts.

Diokno said around

5.3 million Filipinos have opened bank accounts in line with the national ID registration.

He added the distribution of the government’s pandemic-related cash aid also helped increase the number of e-money accounts by around 4.5 million.

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off last week.

Tutay said that 452,000 vaccine doses were allocat-

ed to DOLE by the national government for the program.

value-added tax (VAT), as mandated under the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) and other existing laws.

Based on the Circular, socmed influencers are defined as those who derive their income from the following sources: a) You Tube Partner Program; b) sponsored social and blog posts; c) display advertising; d) becoming a brand representative/ambassador; e) affiliate marketing; f) co-creating product lines; g) promoting own products; h) photo and video sales; i) digital courses, subscriptions, e-books; and j) podcasts and webinars.

The Circular states, among others, that socmed influencers who receive free goods in exchange for promotions must declare as income the fair market

value of these products.

Income treated as royalties from another country, including payments under the YouTube Partner Program, shall likewise be included in the computation of the gross income of the socmed influencer and shall be subject to tax.

“It must be emphasized that the BIR also has the power to obtain information from foreign tax authorities pursuant to the Exchange of Information (EOI) provision of the relevant tax treaties. The BIR has the means to verify their income as it is clothed with a special power to obtain information from its treaty partners. The BIR may safely rely on the data provided by its treaty partners to establish the influencer’s tax liability,” RMC 97-2021 states.

tional experience for visitors regarding the Islamic faith, Mastura added.

Tourism-related facilities and barter trade related to the Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines-East Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Growth Area are included in the regional Investment Priorities Plan 2020.

“It is expected to generate job employment of

about 500 locals,” Mastura said.

He said fiscal incentives will be given by the BBOIBARMM to the investors, such as income tax holiday, reduced duties for the importation of capital equipment, tax credit, and deductions on labor expense, together with non-fiscal incentives, such as facilitation in customs procedures.

(PNA)

contract from the Hawks and the chance to earn a roster spot in camp, reports Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Okafor, the No. 3 pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, played in 27 games for the Pistons last season, averaging 5.4 points and 2.4 rebounds a game in 12.9 minutes.

Atlanta enters training camp with 14 fully guaran-

teed contracts and one spot to fill. That will come down to either Okafor or Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, the defense-first wing who played in Brooklyn last season (and also is on a non-guaranteed contract heading into training camp). Atlanta is stacked at the wing already, but defense-first wings are a priority around the league.

Conor McGregor early this year. But agreements were aborted when Pacquiao’s team diverted their focus to real professional boxing match on August 21, first with Errol Spence then with Yordenis Ugas.

But with the reported $3 million advance for Paradigm Sports Management for a Conor McGregor bout, it might get to realization in the near future. It did not push through when the MMA star lost to Dustin Poirier in a rematch last January 24 and lost again in July 11.

Pacquiao now will choose fights that he can win, if ever he decides to climb the ring one more time before he hangs up his gloves for good. Even if he lost to Ugas he could still provide enough attraction for fans to pay and watch.

However everything solely depends on Pacquiao’s political plans with the nationwide campaign to start in February next

year. He said he has only three political goals next year: to run as president, get reelected as senator or retire from politics.

Pacquiao will decide on his presidential bid in the coming 2022 national elections on or before the September 19 national assembly of his wing of the PDP-Laban, according to Ronwald ‘Ron’ Munsayac, party executive director.

MP Promotions president Sean Gibbons once hinted that he’s interested in Mikey Garcia as an opponent for Manny Pacquiao’s “swansong” final fight of his career. Garcia is an easier for compared to Ugas as some analysts put it.

Pacquiao’s training team wants him to retire from boxing with a big win. And the smaller Garcia could be the opponent they’re looking for than the taller and long reached Ugas. That is if the McGregor match couldn’t happen.

(Philboxing.com)

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NLEX’s Jerico Cruz drives past Blackwater’s Andre Paras. (PBA)

Okafor reportedly signing with Hawks

T

here are not a lot of minutes at the five left to be handed out in Atlanta. Clint Capela will start, finish, and get the most run at the five with Gorgui Dieng behind him. John Collins will get some small ball minutes at center, and then there is Onyeka Okongwu, who

has a bright future but also had shoulder surgery in July and is likely out until around Christmas.

The Hawks might bring in another center for the season, and that’s where Jahlil Okafor comes in. The six-year NBA veteran is getting a non-guaranteed

NLEX checks slide, hands Blackwater dubious mark

N

LEX refused to take skidding Blackwater for granted and the Road Warriors rewarded themselves with a key 90-73 win in the PBA Philippine Cup at the DHVSU Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga Thursday.

FOKAFOR P10 JR Quinahan, who sat ous mark of longest losout their last game with an injured hand, made up for lost time, pacing the Road Warriors with 16 markers on top of eight rebounds and two assists as they snapped out of their slide and jacked up their record to 5-5.

Philip Paniamogan, Kevin Alas, Don Trollano and Kevin Ighalo contributed double-digit outputs as the Road Warriors shored up their quarters hopes while sending the Bossing to further slump.

With its 10th straight loss in the tourney, Blackwater tied the dubi-

ing streak in the league - 18 suffered by Great Taste/Presto in the 1980 season.

The Bossing had lost their last eight games in Season 45 all-Filipino over at the AUF Gymnasium in Angeles, Pampanga.

“We wanted to come out with a sense of urgency as we desperately needed to win for a chance to make the next round,” said NLEX coach Yeng Guiao.

“Our plan was to put a distance as early as we can kasi yung malalakas na teams nadikitan nila.

And they can be very dangerous. They’re not as weak as it seems dahil nakakadikit sila doon sa mga malalakas na nakalaban nila,” Guiao added.

And as they stayed focused on their goal, the Road Warriors stayed on the driver’s seat almost throughout the match.

“We’re also trying to build back our confidence. Ganoon kaimportante sa amin ang panalong ito,” said Guiao, checking a three-game slide going to their final game in the elims against the Meralco Bolts.

The Blackwater Bossing play their farewell game in the tourney also against the Bolts.

NLEX’s balanced attack also saw Raul Soyud (11 boards) and Jericho Cruz (10) come through with double-digit num-

T

day contract last season, where Oliver averaged 10.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.0 blocks in 21.8 minutes per game.

Oliver, a 6-foot-8 forward, shot 57.6% overall on 8.3 attempts and 30.8% from 3-point range

on 3.3 attempts. Ninety-five percent of his minutes came from the center spot, as Houston has been known to often run smallball lineups.

The Nevada product went undrafted in 2017 but has played with three G League teams and made

bers in rebounding.

Kevin Porter flirted with double-double numbers with nine rebounds and eight markers.

Simon Enciso led the losing team with 17 markers spiked by a 5-of14 three-point shooting as Carl Bryan Cruz added 14 points. (PBA) The scores: NLEX 90 - Quinahan 16, Paniamogan 14, Trollano 12, Ighalo 11, Alas 10, Porter 8, Cruz 8, Oftana 4, McAloney 3, Miranda 2, Soyud 2, Ayonayon 0, Semerad 0, Galanza 0.

Blackwater 73 - Enciso 17, Cruz 14, Torralba 10, Canaleta 6, Golla 6, Magat 6, Daquioag 5, Desiderio 4, Tolomia 3, Escoto 2, Paras 0, Semerad 0, Dennison 0, Amer 0, Nabong 0.

Quarters:28-22, 4638, 70-58, 90-73

Summer League appearances as well. He most recently suited up for the Golden State Warriors squad.

There’s a chance Oliver could end up on the South Bay Lakers G League team, head coached by Miles Simon.

Lakers sign Oliver to Exhibit 10 deal

The Hawks might bring in another center for the season, and that’s where Jahlil Okafor comes in.

he Los Angeles Lakers signed Cameron Oliver to an Exhibit 10 deal, according to Jovan Buha of The Athletic.

Oliver, 25, has only four games of NBA experience under his belt.

The Houston Rockets signed Oliver to a 10-

12 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 159 • SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2021

Brothers Logan and Jake Paul are two of the Youtubers who have entered the boxing scene for entertainment.

NOT GOOD FOR BOXING Youtubers fighting boxers not good for the sport: Pacquiao

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ight division world champion Manny Pacquiao is not happy about the new twists in the world of prizefighting.

The boxing legend is mindful of that oneymaking twist of boxing which is “easy to get paid for losing.” His fighting career began that way as a 12-year-old boy by his own admission per Agustin Mojica of Sportscasting.

The future Hall of Famer went on to have an extended, triumphant journey in pro boxing due to his extraordinary expertise and thoughtfully, he readily accepts defeat as part of the game.

However, Pacquiao is not sold out to the big purses in the recent trend of celebrity bouts to YouTubers facing retired boxers, and for the senator he has no inclination for it. He said it not good for boxing if these are done only for money. Pacquiao does not want to participate in the current circus.

Manny Pacquiao is not thrilled by Jake and Logan Paul’s achievements in the boxing ring.

In an interview at GQ, Pacquiao was very frank regarding the Paul brothers’ boxing fights. “If you talk about real boxing, it’s not good,” Pacquiao stated.

Asked regarding the new trends in mano a mano on the sport of boxing, the lawmaker-boxer was not contented. “If it’s just for fans or fundraising, it’s good,” the former pound for

pound king said. “It’s good for fundraising. If you talk about serious boxing, it’s not good for boxing.”

There were negative outlooks on the Paul family’s boxing matches. Former UFC fighter Daniel Cormier refused an offer from Jake and considered it as a joke. Cormier is an American retired professional mixed martial artist and amateur wrestler. He is a former UFC light heavyweight and heavyweight champion.

Even the fighters themselves who were involved in the bouts deep inside know the fact that they’re fighting in a travesty.

Floyd Mayweather, who recently fought against Logan in a no-decision, was even caught on camera telling the fight was “fake”, as reported by Republicworld.

Pacquiao’s clairvoyance keeps his stand that no amount of money is worth bending to the level of fighting the Paul brothers. But this does not mean he has closed the door of engaging in celebrity matches completely.

It could be against another active, professional boxer and he is willing to fight with a big sum of money.

There were reports that Pacquiao was scheduled to fight

FNOT, P10