Edge Davao Volume 14 Issue 304 | Wednesday, March 16, 2022

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

VOL.14 ISSUE 304 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2022

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OVER THE HUMP We have passed the tough stages of the pandemic: Sara STORY ON PAGE 2

Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go listens as President Rodrigo Duterte delivers a speech during a gathering in Davao City. Go, who authored Senate Bill 2157 or the creation of Metropolitan Davao Development Authority (MDDA), said the Congress-ratified bill that will create Metro Davao and set up the Metropolitan Davao Development Authority (MDDA) is expected to be signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on March 21, 2022.

Edge Davao

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 304 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2022

Vice presidential candidate Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio believes that Davao City has already passed the critical part of the Covid-19 pandemic and this is based on the continuous decline of cases in the city. Edge Davao

OVER THE HUMP R

Army execs hope next President to sustain progress in Mindanao

We have passed the tough stages of the pandemic: Sara

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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ayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said on Tuesday Davao City has already passed the critical part of the Covid-19 pandemic based on the continuous decline of cases in the city after two weeks under Alert Level 1.

“This is my opinion I think we already passed the serious portion of the Covid-19 pandemic and it’s safe to continue with your “

hanapbuhay”, trabaho, and your events. Just remember to wear your face mask if you are not drinking or eating,” Mayor Sara said.

As of March 13, 2022 the city recorded a total of 106 active cases with six new cases of Covid-19.

Also, the city has no longer high risk barangays and has remained at a minimal risk Local Government Unit (LGU) for Covid-19 based on the Risk Assessment Map as of March 12, 2022 that showed 178 of the 182 barangays are under min-

imal risk status. The map also showed that only four barangays are listed under low risk and these are barangays 11-B, 9-A, Bago Oshiro, and Paradise Embac.

“Sa tan-aw pud nako wala na pud siguro’y musunod na surge tungod sa vaccination. Based on the monitoring we see the continuing pagbaba sa atoang

istration seeks to ensure the production via tissue culture of quality banana resistant varieties.

He added that the distribution of these seedlings to farmers aims to rehabilitate and re-plant disease-damaged farms.

This Fusarium Wilt tolerant variety is called the giant Cavendish banana and

has greater acceptability in the international market, promising greater returns for farmers.

Apart from this, the administration of Evangelista through MAGRO has also distributed 470 (1.5 liters of Liquid Trichoderma) and 2,540 sachet of Liquid Trichoderma.

Degorio said that local

government technicians had done an assessment since the onset of infestation and to implement control measures, adding that MAGRO has also recommended alternative crops for farmers who opt to shift to other crops.

Meanwhile, Evangelista has filed a legislative re-

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20K giant Cavendish seedlings distributes to banana farmers

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he Municipal Agriculturist Office (MAGRO) of Sto. Tomas has distributed a total of 20,000 Fusarium Wilt tolerant banana tissue seedlings to 300 banana farmers across the municipality, according to Engr. Elmer Degorio.

Degorio said the program being implemented by Ernesto Evangelista admin-

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anking officials based in Mindanao have expressed hope that the next President of the country will continue to nurture the progress initiated by the Philippine Army on the island.

In an interview on Monday with the Philippine News Agency (PNA), the Army’s 10th Infantry Division (ID) commander, Maj. Gen. Nolasco Mempin, said whoever gets elected will earn the respect and trust of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Mempin added that the next Philippine leader must also support the AFP and its programs, including its further modernization.

This is crucial, he said, for the AFP to “continue its programs in organizational development which includes modernization to further improve our defense capability against all threats to national security.”

Mempin, who formerly led the AFP’s Civil Military Operations (CMO), underscored the importance of the modernization initiatives that gained ground under President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration.

Under Duterte’s term, the AFP managed to complete a total of 54 projects under RA 7898 or the AFP Modernization Act and RA 10349 or the Revised AFP Modernization Act, while 70 other projects were also delivered.

Around PHP125 billion worth of funds was also appropriated for the procurement of these vital

and game-changing assets under the present administration.

Col. Darren Comia, chief of the Task Force Davao, echoed the same sentiment, saying better equipment boosts the morale of the Armed Forces.

“We hope that the next President can sustain this kind of attention to our force. We need the items and training of our men,” Comia said in a separate interview.

He also cited the impact of the creation of National Task Force on Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).

“We are hoping and praying that the next president can provide support to the Army as we solve the insurgency problems,” he said.

Mempin said “the people on the ground feel the impact” of NTF-ELCAC, which he said “gathers all the government instrumentalities, local government units, private sectors, civil society organizations, and private individuals to join hands in giving solutions to decades-long insurgency.”

“It’s (NTF-ELCAC) a game-changer...it shows that the military can’t solve the insurgency alone,” he said.

“The solutions to the issues being raised by the vulnerable communities, which are exploited by the Communist Party of the Philippines- New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF), are

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 304 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2022

NEWS

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At the heart of Davao City, in the grounds of the 60-year-old Water Front Hotel, Dodoy Osorio, 40, gathers tuba (coconut wine) every day. He inherited the job as mananggete (coconut wine gatherer) from his father. He sells the tuba to hotel guests and in nearby barangays, earning an average of P400 a day. MindaNews photo by JULES L. BENITEZ.

Pres. Duterte to sign Metro Davao bill on March 21

SPMC gets P450M from Malacanang

S

enator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go presided over the turnover of the P450 million financial assistance to the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) in Davao City on Monday.

The checks worth P150 million financial assistance is to assist the government-owned hospital in providing medical services and support to paupers and prioritize the needs of the underprivileged, sick, elderly, disabled, women, and children and the P300 million financial assistance for the procurement of various medical equipment, mobile blood vehicle and other types of machinery for the operation of specialty Institutes and services in response to Covid-19.

“Para ito sa indigent patients. Dito sa SPMC sa pamumuno ni Dr. Audan, naglagay na sila ng sariling Malasakit Center na building para tuloy-tuloy ang pagtulong sa mga mahihirap,” Go said in an interview.

Dr. Richard Audan, medical chief of SPMC, said

this financial assistance will help indigent patients who need immediate medical care.

“Naging mahirap but we have never experienced na iniwanan tayo ng gobyerno sa halip ay mas lalong naging matatag sila sa pagsuporta sa atin during this pandemic. Nagpasalamt ako kay Sen. Bong Go for granting our request na gawin ang turnover today. Sen. Bong Go has given his all-out support to SPMC even before he became senator,” he said.

Audan reported that SPMC is experiencing a dayto-day decrease of Covid-19 cases. He said with the continuing decrease of cases, SPMC is slowly going back to its face-to-face consultation and elective surgery since February 28, 2022.

“It is indeed a good day to start the week with good news. I hope that this Alert Level 1 will eventually be Alert Level zero. This pandemic taught us many life lessons. Pero ang pakiusap ko lang under the new nor-

FSPMC, P10

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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he Congress-ratified bill that will create Metro Davao and set up the Metropolitan Davao Development Authority (MDDA) is expected to be signed

by President Rodrigo Duterte on March 21, 2022, according to Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go.

Go, who authored Senate Bill 2157 or the creation of MDDA that seeks to centralize and oversee the development efforts and initiatives in the city of Davao and other neighboring local government units (LGUs) in Davao Region, said the

President will be having his ceremonial signing in Malacañang on March 21 and is hopeful that the Metro Davao bill will be among them.

“I filed Senate Bill 2157.

Ito pong Metropolitan Davao Development Au-

thority (MDDA) at suportado ito ng kasamahan ko sa Senado, ipinasa namin at inaasahan natin na dumating na ito sa lamesa ni Pangulong Duterte and hopefully, sana kung maihabol sa March 21 may ceremonial signing ang pangulo sa Malacañang at maisali na ito and finally magkaroon tayo ng sariling MDDA,” Go said in an interview.

Go said having its MDDA is important because Davao City is growing in terms of traffic and business. He also said Davao Region is expanding and booming.

or two weeks now, Davao City has remained a minimal risk Local Government Unit (LGU) for Covid-19 based on the Risk Assessment Map as of March 12, showing that 178 of the 182 barangays are under minimal risk status.

The map showed that only four barangays are

listed under low risk. These are Barangays 11-B, 9-A, Bago Oshiro, and Paradise Embac.

The latest data indicated an improvement compared to the March 6 assessment which showed Barangays 14-B, and Matina Biao were placed in Moderate Risk, and barangays 11-B, 21-C, Bato,

Lapu-lapu, Lubogan, Paradise Embak, V. Hizon, Sr. and Waan are placed in low risk.

Davao City’s two-week growth rate (TWGR) has reduced from -74.63 on March 6 to -72.63 on MArch 12. In both weeks, the TWGR of the city is “low” status.

The average daily attack

“Ang advantage ng MDDA ay mas maayos na koordinasyon between mga members nito kasi napakalaki ng rehiyon natin even Davao City. Isa ito sa pinaka malaking syudad sa buong Pilipinas,” Go said.

Last week, Congressman Isidro T. Ungab, author of the measure’s version in the House of Representatives, said the bill has been transmitted to Malacañang already for the President’s signature.

The Senate approved the consolidated bills on

(ADAR) rate also decreased from 1.1 on March 6 to 0.52 on March 12.

Also, based on the Covid-19 Regional Daily Case Bulletin on March 13, Davao City recorded six (6) new cases of COVID-19 adding to 100 active cases.

Davao City COVID-19 Task Force Spokesperson

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Davao City remains a minimal risk status LGU for Covid-19 F

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4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 304 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2022

Just a handful of vehicles are seen queueing at a gasoline station in Bo. Pampanga, Davao City hours before oil companies implement a big-time price hike on their petroleum products. Edge Davao

Gasoline prices up P7.10 per liter, diesel by P13.15

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il firms implemented a major price hike on Tuesday, marking the 11th straight week of increases with domestic pump prices already hitting P84.55 per liter in select areas across the country.

In separate advisories released on Monday afternoon, Chevron Philippines Inc. (Caltex), Flying V, Petron Corporation, and Seaoil Philippines Inc. said it they will increase prices per liter of gasoline by P7.10, diesel by P13.15, and

kerosene by P10.50.

Cleanfuel, PTT Philippines Corporation, and Unioil Petroleum Philippines Inc. implemented the same changes, excluding kerosene which they do not carry.

The changes will take

effect at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, March 15, for both Caltex and Cleanfuel, and at 6:00 a.m. the same day for the rest of the firms. Other firms have yet to make similar announcements for the week.

Prices have been hiked in the past 10 weeks, and have only been on an upward movement so far this year.

The Department of Energy (DOE) has maintained that the ongoing conflict be-

tween Russia and Ukraine has hit global prices. The Philippines does not directly import from Russia, but sources its supply from other countries which in turn source their supply from the country.

Latest DOE data show that year-to-date adjustments stood at a total net increase of P13.25 per liter for gasoline, P17.50 per liter for diesel, and P11.40 per liter for kerosene as of

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Small, medium biz to suffer in case of minimum wage increase –Concepcion

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residential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion III warned that small and medium enterprises would experience difficulties if the minimum wage was increased.

During Monday’s Laging Handa public briefing, Concepcion explained that big companies could provide additional salaries. But this may not be possible for small and medium businesses and those recovering from the pandemic.

“Yung mas malaking

korporasyon mas may kaya.

Pero yung small to medium enterprises yun mahihirapan kasi sila talaga ang tinamaan,” he said.

(Big companies can provide the higher minimum wage. But small to medium enterprises would find it difficult because they’ve been badly affected.)

“Dito naman sa mga negosyante galing sa tourism sector kababangon lang ‘yan e. Halos two years walang negosyo so bumabangon lang sila. We have

to give them time,” he added.

(The entrepreneurs in the tourism sector are just starting to recover. They’ve had no business for two years. They are just recovering. We have to give them time.)

Concepcion suggested that we first wait and see what develops from the proposed suspension of the excise tax on oil, the cash aid programs, and other government measures designed to ease the impact of increasing prices.

Furthermore, the steep increase in fuel and basic goods prices might be temporary.

On Friday, labor unions alliance Unity for Wage Increase Now! held a rally at the National Capital Region Wage Board to press for the approval of their petition for a P750 minimum salary.

Meanwhile, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III ordered Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards across the country to review minimum wages.

Sardines prices may increase but bread stable for 3 months: DTI

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rices of canned sardines may rise soon but bread costs will remain stable for the next three months, the Department of Trade and Industry said on Monday.

DTI Undersecretary Ruth Castelo said they have already received a request from one sardines manufacturer to raise prices due to increases in fuel costs.

“We are currently studying it, and we have already

also communicated with them that we will, of course, have to first verify the info we received and then negotiate with them later on kung pwede pa (if it’s still OK),” Castelo said.

Price hikes for canned sardines however will not take effect immediately after they are approved, Castelo said.

“They also gave us time when it would be impera-

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Meta PH: Pandemic boosts video consumption on mobile devices

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ore social media users shifted to watching videos on mobile devices during the pandemic, Meta Philippines Country Manager John Rubio said Tuesday.

Rubio said close to 50 percent of the time spent on Meta’s platforms are now on videos.

Reels on Instagram and Facebook are also now the largest driver of engagement on the platform, Ru-

bio said.

“Over the pandemic, there was a massive shift for consumers to start watching more and more video on the mobile phone versus the traditional,” he said.

There was also a “massive explosion” of people buying and selling things online, he said, adding that they have seen a large increase in online sales.

Meta is also investing

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VOL.14 ISSUE 304 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2022

ECONOMY

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Workers clean imported second hand bicycles at an establishment along Dacudao Avenue in Davao City. The demand for bicycle is expected to rise as prices of petroleum products continue to increase. Edge Davao

BIR urged to create medium, digital taxpayer services T

During the committee hearing on the taxation of online transactions of nonresident foreign corporations (NRFCs), Albay Rep. Joey Salceda said a digital tax unit under the BIR may be necessary to cover mainly online transactions to consolidate all undertak-

ings, information, and representation.

“Please relay my request to Commissioner (Caesar) Dulay that the BIR create a Medium Taxpayer Service for enterprises that are not large enough for the Large Taxpayer Services, but who do comprise a substantial

amount of business taxes. I also hope to have a Digital Taxpayer Service to complement our efforts to impose VAT and other taxes on digital service providers,” Salceda told the BIR. Salceda cited that the Singaporean tax authorities have a “vendor registration system” for digital taxpayers that also acts as a specialized tax service for them.

“The main appeal of digital services is that they are easier and faster. The tax collection on these services also has to be fast and easy.

That is why a specialized tax service for them might be in

lobal markets await major central bank meetings this week, which could make some shift in their monetary policy decisions amid the war in Ukraine and sanctions on Russia affecting their economies.

The US Federal Reserve’s two-day meeting will conclude on Wednesday.

The Fed is widely expected to make a rate hike of 25 basis points to begin monetary

tightening and could make at least another 3 interest rate increases before the year-end.

Investors will closely watch the Fed’s economic projections, which will include estimates of economic growth, unemployment, inflation, and interest rates.

Those could be revised if the Fed officials believe that the US sanctions on Russia adversely affect the American economy, especially in

energy prices.

The Bank of England will meet on Thursday, as most analysts expect the UK’s central bank to make a third rate hike to tame the rising inflation.

The BoE raised interest rates twice in the last three months, the latest coming in February with 25 basis points of increase to 0.5 percent.

The Bank of Japan (BoJ), which is anticipated to leave

he chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee requested the BuPEZA to appeal FIRB’s thumbs down reau of Internal Revenue to create of WFH extension for IT-BPO firms a Medium Taxpayer Service and a Digital he Philippine Eco- the FIRB’s reconsideration Taxpayer Service in connection with ongonomic Zone Authority as the IT-BPO sector is one (PEZA) is not giving of the biggest contributors ing efforts to tax foreign vendors of digital up on pushing for the exten- to the country’s employ- services.

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sion of the work-from-home (WFH) scheme for IT-business process outsourcing (IT-BPO) firms located in economic zones.

This, after the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB) denied requests to extend remote-work arrangements beyond March 31, 2022.

“PEZA will still file its appeal for reconsideration on the denial by the FIRB. We hear the concerns of our investors and their workers and we will continue to lobby on it. For the meantime, I call upon our enterprises to follow the decision of the FIRB to avoid any penalties,” said PEZA director general Charito Plaza.

“While PEZA as a regulatory agency has to abide by the FIRB’s decision, our locators should already start planning the transition period for their return to office, with workers starting to report on site as decided by the FIRB,” she said.

The PEZA chief said the investment promotion agency remains positive of

ment and investments as well as digital and technology transfer.

The FIRB, during its February 21 meeting, upheld its Resolution No, 19-21, which allows firms in economic zones to implement work-from-home (WFH) arrangements for 90% of their workforce only until March 31, 2022.

This means that IT-BPO firms’ WFH arrangements will cease by the end of the month and all workers should return for on-site duty beginning April 1, 2022.

Plaza said PEZA has been receiving messages from workers of registered IT-BPOs raising concerns about costs, health, and safety regarding the return to office mandate.

With this, the agency is supporting the proposal of the IT & Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP)—the umbrella organization of the country’s IT-BPO industry— for a hybrid working arrangement for PEZA-registered IT-BPO companies.

order,” he said.

Salceda said the additional income from taxing online transactions can help support the country’s economy and the Filipinos.

BIR OIC-Assistant Commissioner for Legal Service Larry Barcelo reported that the BIR already has several issuances on the preferential rate or tax exemption availed by NRFCs, including streamlining the procedures and documents for the availment of these benefits and providing guidance on the filing of requests, tax relief applications, and tax-spar-

its interest rate unchanged at negative 0.1 percent, will meet on Friday.

The BoJ diverges from other major central banks by holding interest rates steady although the consumers’ inflation expectations in the country have hit a record level.

The Turkish central bank will meet on Thursday to announce its monetary policy decision at 2 p.m. lo-

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Global markets eye looming major central bank meetings G

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6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 304 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2022

In saying that Davao City has already passed the critical part of the Covid-19 pandemic based on the continuous decline of cases in the city after two weeks under Alert Level 1:

This is my opinion I think we already passed the serious portion of the Covid-19 pandemic and it’s safe to continue with your “ hanapbuhay”, trabaho, and your events. Just remember to wear your face mask if you are not drinking or eating.”

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio

EDITORIAL Pain in the pump Everyone is feeling pain at the pump these days.

It’s the new crisis we are facing --only it’s no longer a health crisis but an economic one.

Gas prices are currently rising, which isn’t surprising since the oil demand is incredibly high while supply is tight, as well as regional conflicts that affect the global fuel supply and market. We can expect that the gas price will continue to rise before it falls, and what we need to do right now is to ride through the current costs. The question is, how can we survive (and save money during) the continued fuel increase?

Everyone is currently experiencing the pain of gas price increase, and it’s getting many people riled up. It not just the Philippines. It’s a global crisis.

Some people think politics is again the cause of gas prices, enough that many people are blaming government for the recent price hike.

The issue on excise tax is brought to the table again. However, we must be realistic in admitting that it has always been supply-and-demand

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In simple explanation, it is the high demand for gas and the current low supply that drives gas prices upward. Gasoline and diesel come from crude oil, a natural resource that has been much affected throughout the pandemic. Because the pandemic made it so that fewer people were driving, major oil companies decided to reduce production.

However, due to a lot of people getting vaccinated, the world started to lift restrictions. As a result, there is a sudden rise of people buying gas, but there is not enough supply.

Another global concern that will affect fuel prices in 2022 is the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Possible sanctions against Russian fuel exports are looming, however, as of the date of invasion, no fuel-related sanctions have been placed.

Now, the best thing to do at this times is to plan one’s movement and minimise use of fuel. Tighten the belt and stop whining.

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

that affects the price of crude oil. So let’s put politics aside. The whole world is affected. It’s just not us.

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 304 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2022

VANTAGE POINTS

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HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

PATAY KANG BATA KA! What do famous men and women have said about abortion?

“I’ve noticed that everyone who is for abortion has already been born,” said American President Ronald Reagan. “(I) t seems to me as clear as daylight that abortion would be a crime,” wrote Mahatma Gandhi in All Men are Brothers: Autobiographic Reflections.

Nobel Peace laureate Mother Teresa considered abortion as today’s greatest destroyed of peace. “Because it is a war against the child,” she explained.

“A direct killing of the innocent child, ‘Murder’ by the mother herself… And if we can accept that a mother can kill even her own child, how can we tell other people not to kill one another?”

“No woman can call herself free who does not control her own body,” said Margaret Sanger.

To which Elizabeth Cady Stanton argued, “When we consider that women are treated as property, it is degrading to women that we should treat our children as property to be disposed of as we see it.”

Michael Bassey Johnson stated, “Just as the unwanted pregnancy, there are unwanted people in your life you should strive to abort, and such abortion is

not a sin, nor harm, but the eradication of a destructive fetus.”

In The Way Things Ought to Be, Rush Limbaugh wrote: “Militant feminists are pro-choice because it’s their ultimate avenue of power over men. And believe me, to them it is a question of power. It is their attempt to impose their own will on the rest of society, particularly on men.”

Now comes this statement from Atty. Luke Espiritu, a senatorial bet: “I don’t consider abortion murder. I consider it as a choice of women over their own bodies. I am a man, what right do I have to tell a woman what to do with her body?”

He also said, “Poor women in our country have died by abortions done in an unhealthy environment or through unhealthy methods.”

Atty. Espiritu is indirectly supported by the World Health Organization (WHO). “Being able to obtain safe abortion is a crucial part of health care,” said Craig Lissner, acting director for sexual and reproductive health and research at WHO. “Nearly every death and injury that results from unsafe abortion is entirely preventable. That’s why we recommend women and girls can access abortion and family planning services when

they need them.”

When abortion is carried out using a method recommended by WHO, appropriate to the duration of the pregnancy and assisted by someone with the necessary information or skills, it is a simple and extremely safe procedure.

Tragically, however, only around half of all abortions take place under such conditions, with unsafe abortions causing around 39,000 deaths every year and resulting in millions more women hospitalized with complications. Most of these deaths are concentrated in lower-income countries – with 30% in Asia, including the Philippines! – and among those living in the most vulnerable situations.

Evidence shows that restricting access to abortions does not reduce the number of abortions that take place. In fact, restrictions are more likely to drive women and girls towards unsafe procedures. In countries where abortion is most restricted, only 1 in 4 abortions are safe, compared to nearly 9 in 10 in countries where the procedure is broadly legal.

“The evidence is clear – if you want to prevent unintended pregnancies and unsafe

abortions, you need to provide women and girls with a comprehensive package of sexuality education, accurate family planning information and services, and access to quality abortion care,” said Dr. Bela Ganatra, head of WHO’s prevention of unsafe abortion unit.

In the Philippines, about 610,000 abortions are done annually, based on a study conducted in 2012.

As it is illegal in the country, abortion has made the practice very dangerous for women. In the 2012 study, over 100,000 women were hospitalized as a result of abortion. What is even more repulsive is that 3 women die every day due to unsafe abortion compThere are actually two types of abortion: therapeutic and selective. In medical parlance, therapeutic abortion means terminating the pregnancy of a woman if it threatens her life, and the fetus is not viable ex utero.

Generally, therapeutic abortion is done in any of these situations: when there is a risk of maternal survival caused by the embryo and when the pregnancy impairs maternal life.

“One situation that I can think of wherein the life of the mother is in danger is ectopic pregnan-

cy,” Dr. Nelly Quintin-Dela Cruz, a consultant in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Manila Doctors Hospital, was quoted as saying.

“This may endanger the life of the mother especially if it ruptures inside and causes profuse internal bleeding.”

Selective abortion, on the other hand, is terminating a pregnancy due to the fetus having undesirable characteristics.

The reasons for the abortion are due to: fetus being defective, fetus is product of a rape, the parent is not ready to have a child, and cultural reasons (like in societies where having a girl is frowned upon, compared to having a boy).

The United Nations considered therapeutic abortion as acceptable, but the Philippines stands firm in its anti-abortion stand. Articles 256, 258 and 259 of the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines mandate imprisonments for the woman who undergoes the abortion, as well as for any person who assists in the procedure, even if they be the woman’s parents, a physician or midwife.

Article 258 further imposes a higher prison term on the woman or her parents if the abortion is undertaken “in order to conceal (the woman’s) dishonor.”

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

ISMAEL VELOSO, ‘FATHER OF DRMTC’ Recognized as the original postwar kingmaker of Davao, Rep. Ismael L. Veloso, a former city police chief, stands out as one of the most colorful figures to grace the political scene. In fact, he is credited for the many legislations he authored that have contributed much to the city’s growth.

In particular, he authored House Bill No. 6121, filed in the 5th Congress which became Republic Act 1859, approved by President Carlos P. Garcia on June 22, 1957. Co-author of the initiative was Rep. Ricardo Y. Ladrido of Iloilo. Prior to its signing, the only major government health facilitin souhten Mindanao was the Davao General Hospital (DGH).

DGH traces its history to 1917 when it was known as a 25-bed-capacity Davao Public Hospital, originally built along San Pedro Street, in an area front-

ing the Davao City Police Office.

After the war, it was moved to a donated lot along Plaridel Street (now J.P. Laurel).

The bill paved the way to the opening of the Davao regional medical training center (DRMTC) as part of improving medical facilities and making specialty services available to many. Due to the country’s topography, the regional hospital serves “as training ground for medical personnel of provincial and emergency hospitals as well as personnel of other health agencies. In addition, the center would make available to smaller hospitals and health centers the skill of specialists.”

In its approved form, the Veloso bill, as RA 1859, was titled as “an Act to establish a re-gional and medical training center in Davao City and appropriating funds therefor.” When the

DRMTC became fully operational under the regional health office, the 300-bed training center was opened to “all patients requiring hospitalization for special medical services in the Mindanao and Sulu areas and who cannot be given such services in their local hospitals.”

DRMTC was later renamed Davao Medical Center in 1986 and its bed capacity expanded to 600-bed and moved to a sprawling 12.8-hectare home at the junction of J.P. Cabaguio Street and J.P. Laurel Avenue as mandated by under RA 1859. Prior to this, it was the exten-sion of the National Center for Mental Health, now renamed Institute for Psychiatry and Be-havioral Medicine. Under DOH Administrative Order 157, it was chosen as medical center for Mindanao and Sulu.

On November 19, 2009, un-

der RA 9792, Davao Medical Center was retitled Southern Philippines Medical Center with a 1,200-bed capacity; it was later expanded to 1,500, making it the country’s largest public hospital. The renaming was filed on February 12, 2009, in Con-gress under House Bill 5926, principally authored by Rep. Vincent J. Garcia of Davao City.

Its permanent home near the Department of Health regional office XI was once a Japa-nese military HQs and training ground.

A testament to its wartime history is the bunkers that have been rediscovered recently which the city wants to develop as a memorial and tourist spot.

In honor of the Davao lawmaker’s achievements, the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Davao City, on June 29, 2021, passed Ordinance 0629-21 renaming the Matina-Aplaya Road to Ismael

Veloso Road. Two months thereafter, city mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio approved it on August 24, 2021.

The ordinance’s proponents are city councilors Alberto T. Ungab, as temporary presiding officer; Ralph O. Abella, Nilo D. Abellera, Maria Belen S. Acosta, Bai Hundre Cassandra Dominique N. Advincula, Wilberto E. Al-ag, Dante L. Apostol Sr., Conrado C. Baluran, Jessi-ca M. Bonguyan, Louie John J. Bonguyan, Pilar C. Braga, Augusto Javier G. Campos III, Danilo C. Dayanghirang, Jonard C. Dayap, Edgar P. Ibuyan Jr., Edgar R. Ibuyan Sr., Richlyn N. Justol-Baguilod, Pamela A. Librado-Morata, Jaffar U. Marohomsalic, Bonifacio E. Militar, Myrna G. L’Dalodo-Ortiz, Antoinette G. Principe-Castrodes, J. Melchor B. Quitain Jr., Mary Joselle D. Villafuerte, and Jesus Joseph P. Zozobrado III.

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COMPETITIVE EDGE

PRRD Administers the Oath of Office of New Vice Chairperson and Commissioner of the Climate Change Commission Secretary Robert E.A. Borje, March 9, 2022

PHOTO BY ALBERTO ALCAIN/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte administers the oath of office of Secretary Robert E.A. Borje as the new Vice Chairperson and Commissioner of the Climate Change Commission at the Malacañang Golf (Malago) Clubhouse in Malacañang Park, Manila on March 9, 2022. Secretary Borje will serve for a term of six (6) years. ACE MORANDANTE/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

PHOT BY ACE MORANDANTE/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

The Millennial Black Box:

A Book by Millennials for Fellow Millennials and Younger Generations “We once believed that transitioning to the real world would just be a breeze. Instead, we were met with immense pressure to be successful, unrealistic social and career expectations, and crisis after crisis.” - Francis Lyn C. Malalis If you’re about to go to college and you’re in that stage where you’re still thinking about which profession to take, this book could be your guiding light.

Perhaps you’re done with the university but anxious and excited about your expectations in joining the workforce? This book could be your compass in choosing your career path.

Are you someone who’s at the crossroads in between jobs and finding passion? This book could be your sunrise after the dawn.

And if you’re someone who’s going through the journey and wants to feel assured that you

school, and Grand Lady Omegan of a multi-awarded organization in college.

Apart from this, she also graduated valedictorian in elementary, with honors in high school, and valedictorian in college.

She has a master’s degree in Public Management at UP Los Baños, Laguna.

Last year, she was accepted to the Harvard Project for Asian and International Relations Conference (HPAIR) and to the UP College of Law. Francis said that the book is infused with practical tips and inspiring stories and serves as a beau-

FRANCIS LYN MALALIS (Main Author)

are not alone, this book could be that one warm bowl of chicken soup for the soul.

Navigating adult life is no easy feat. Thus, The Millennial Black Box was born.

The author, Francis Lyn C. Malalis, is a national corporate leader who at 21, frequently traveled to different cities in the country,

meeting people from all walks of life. Francis shared that since she was young, she has always believed that classroom learning must go hand in hand with experiential integration.

This translated into her active participation in several leadership roles. She was student council president in elementary, high

tiful and timely reminder that while adulting is a unique experience, it is also a shared struggle at the same time.

With the vision of making fellow millennials and the younger generations feel that adulthood is a shared experience, she invited her friends and amazing individuals, who share the same sentiments with her, to contribute to the book and share their adulthood journey.

Together with Theo Lozada, April Rose Cañete, Glenn Pelayre, Azie Marie Libanan, Jorisse Gumanay, Jenna Mae San Luis,

Jeff Windell Tan, Ariesha Faith Dimaano, Anjelica Izabelle Napala, and Mikaela Fudolig, The Millennial Black Box is at the core of sharing inspirational stories and life-affirming lessons.

How was your adulthood journey? Wouldn’t it be nice to have a book to guide you when you feel lost, confused, and overwhelmed?

The book is now up for pre-order and will be available soon on Amazon and other retail channels!

Pre-order the book now and win exciting prizes: https://bit.ly/3MaICFd!

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GAME CHANGER

9

BENJOHN TAMAYO (IN SHIRT) WITH HIS CLIENTS

BENJOHN H. TAMAYO: THIS FITNESS GURU IS ALSO A MOVIE ACTOR being a gym instructor which became his lifetime career. He did other jobs, to name a few: cleaner, gym attendant, pool cleaner, e-load seller, driver, model, manager, networker, boxing judge, cutman in mixed martial arts, and musician.

“There was also a point in time when I took nursing for a few months,” he recalls.

At one point in time, he also worked as a physical therapist. When asked what was the most challenging task he had done as physical therapist, he replied: “Handling a burn patient knowing that anytime can be a disaster.”

As fitness guru, among those that he has coached fitness exercises include former Miss Universe Margarita “Margie” Moran, film actress Dawn Zulueta, comedian Jon Santos, and actress Angelika De La

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO courtesy of Benjohn H. Tamayo

B

enjohn H. Tamayo, a fitness guru, became an actor only “because of the law of attraction and curiosity.” As he himself admitted, “It is common knowledge that we are always attracted to what we want and the universe is truly a wonder.”

It all started when his brother Ruzellini posted something on his Facebook wall that there was someone who was needing an actor who can talk in Bisaya for an independent film entitled Gyud. He was interested and so he told his brother who arranged him for a meeting with the director, Francis L. J. Gacer.

The rest was history. It happened when the country was under lockdown due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). He says he has three things to be thankful of for becoming an actor: “my brother, director Francis for believing in me, and the pandemic for I had more time for other stuff like arts.”

In his website, findyourgym.ae, he described himself as “an artist by birth who became a physical therapist.” He wrote that “he has a vast knowledge on how the body works, as a fitness professional helping you to reach your fitness and skill goals.”

Tamayo can also teach martial arts like boxing, kickboxing, judo and arnis.

He was still in high school when he learned judo, courtesy of his sensei Mariano Baraguya, a Physical Education teacher who later on became a prefect of discipline at the Holy Cross of Davao City.

“I was always punched in the face and bullied,” he said on why he wanted to learn judo. Besides, judo was an option of not joining the Citizen Army Training (CAT).

“When you are in a judo team, you don’t undergo CAT,” he says. Later on, he learned different practical martial arts like boxing, kickboxing, Thai boxing and combat arts.

“I am more interested in exploration and not sticking to one discipline, learning more on how martial arts can be used as a practical tool, how it can be enjoyed by all ages and how it can help the life of people,” he says now.

BENJOHN TAMAYO UP CLOSE

This must be one of the reasons why he took Physical Therapy as a course that was just introduced at the San Pedro College. There was a school policy that only few students would be accepted and those who would fail in the first semester could not proceed to the next level.

Tamayo failed and so he took another course, Medical Technology. But he really wanted to become a physical therapist and so after a semester of being a MedTech student, he trans-

ferred to Davao Doctors College as he wanted to finish his Physical Therapy degree.

He graduated in 1998.

“I like science and fixing things or the reverse technology,” he explained on why he considered physical therapy as a course since he saw it as “a very promising career” and would give him a chance to work abroad.

He also took some advice from his parents and other older people.

But after graduating from college, he ended up

Cruz. He has also coached the now-defunct basketball leagues: the Davao Eagles players like Peter June Simon, and Donbel Belano, Manila Metrostars players such as Rommel Adducul and Alex Compton and the Negros Slashers like John Ferriols. He did all these when he was still working in Fitness Advantage.

Tamayo likewise coached exercises for the former Pacman Basketball Team owned by Senator Manny Pacquiao. “This was the time when I was with i.Flex Fitness in Davao City,” he says.

Now going back to movies, he considered the short independent film Pasilyo Brutal, a comedy film about Filipino gangsters, as his first movie. “It was memorable in a sense that it was my first experience involving and learning into the

BENJOHN TAMAYO AS AN ACTOR

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cases sa Covid-19 diri sa Davao City and we can safely say na murag nahuman na gyud nato ang Omicron surge and hopefully and we pray na wala na’y lain surge ang mahitabo given that taas na kaayo ang atoang vaccination rate diri sa atoang syudad. I believe dako kaayo ug contribution sa pag kunhod sa Covid-19 cases kining atoang vaccination program,” the mayor said.

Mayor Sara reported that for the first dose of anti-Covid-19 vaccines, as of March 14, 2022 the city has inoculated 1,313,085 individuals, which is 86.48 percent of the 80 percent of the city’s population while the fully vaccinated (second dose) is already at 1,283,963 or 84. 47 percent of the 80 percent of the population.

“Our third dose (booster) here in Davao City, we rolled it out at 18 years old and above so continuous our call and vaccination hubs are ready to accept individuals for their booster

doses,” she said.

The city government of Davao is also slowly returning facilities served as Temporary Treatment and Monitoring Facilities (TTMFs) to the owners.

The city has also started reopening the face-to-face classes.

“By phases ang pag open nato sa face-to-face classes sa atoang mga public schools and gibuhatan na ni siya ug plano sa atoang Department of Education,” Mayor Sara said.

Mayor Sara thanked the Dabawenyos for believing in the city government of Davao under her leadership on what to do and response to Covid-19 for the past two years.

“Gapasalamat ko sa padayon ninyo nga pagsuporta sa mga programa, aktibidad ug proyekto sa atoang lokal na kagamhanan dinhi sa syudad sa Davao. Of course, we continue to pray nga mawala ang Covid-19 diri sa atoang nasud and sa tibuok kalibutan,” she said.

quest from the Sangguniang Bayan to help the Tomasino small banana growers in

terms of price fixing, manipulation, pole vaulting, among others.

best handled by other agencies of government in collaboration with other partner stakeholders,” he said.

Since 2010, Davao Region has been declared by the national government as national priority area to clear from the influence of the CPP-NPA. A recent study released by the 10th ID showed that they used to confront 12 Guerilla Fronts (GFs) and 6 Pulang Bagani Command (PBC) in 2016.

In 2020, there are only three remaining GFs, four Weakened Guerilla Front

(WGF), and one PBC in their record.

The 2016-2020 study, conducted every five years, also noted that such degradation also has direct relationship with the increased development and peace in the 10ID’s area of responsibility.

The 10ID’s area of responsibility covers the Davao Region, parts of Soccsksargen (Sarangani, South Cotabato, 2nd district of Cotabato and Columbio, Sultan Kudarat), Trento, Agusan del Sur and Lingig, Surigao del Sur. (PNA)

heavily in safety and security since the accelerated shift to online also meant more people are using the platforms for businesses, he said.

“We as a company, knowing that people are

making the shift online, we are highly committed to ensuring a really positive and safe environment, especially for users who use it, particularly for commerce,” Rubio said.

ing applications.

For her part, BIR OIC-Assistant Commissioner for Collection Service Clavelina Nacar cited that they were able to collect PHP206.67 billion from online content creators and transactions from 2017 to 2021.

Full digitalization in BIR During the same hear-

ing, Salceda also requested the BIR to fully digitalize tax processes for most small taxpayers, including overseas workers.

He particularly suggested digitalizing the process for applying for a taxpayer identification number (TIN) so that OFWs can invest in the Philippines from abroad.

cal time (1100GMT).

In addition to the potential shift in major central banks’ monetary policies, Russia’s war on Ukraine continues to create fear and uncertainty for investors.

The price of Brent crude oil jumped last week to USD139.13 per barrel, its highest since 2008, amid the

US and UK’s import ban on Russian oil, natural gas, and coal.

The international benchmark was trading around USD109.43 per barrel for a 2.9 percent daily loss at 0710GMT on Monday.

The US benchmark West Texas Intermediate was at USD105.83 a barrel --a 3.2 percent decline.

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Metro Davao in mid-January. It covers 15 towns and cities, with development programs and projects to be synchronized by the MDDA and these are: Davao City; cities of Panabo, Tagum, and the Island Garden City of Samal in Davao del Norte; Digos City in Davao del Sur; Mati City in Davao Oriental; and the municipalities of Sta. Cruz, Hagonoy, Padada, Malalag, and Sulop in Davao

del Sur; Carmen in Davao del Norte; Maco in Davao de Oro; and Malita and Sta. Maria in Davao Occidental.

The bill is also one of the initiatives of the Metropolitan Davao Development Coordinating Committee (MDDCC), which is a special committee under the Regional Development Council 11 (RDC 11) that is being chaired by Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

mal we still have to have the teleconsultation at the platform kasi doon pa lang malaman na namin kung nakabakuna ka na o wala.

Kung wala ka pang bakuna that is our chance to urge you to get vaccinated on

that matter,” he said.

Audan reminded the public to continuously practice the minimum health precautionary measures such as the wearing of face masks, social distancing, and frequent hand washing.

Dr. Michelle Schlosser said that while the city is now under the open policy and enforces only wearing of facemasks as the minimum

public health protocol, Dabawenyos should still avail vaccination and booster doses to have an added layer of protection. CIO

March 8, 2022.

The same data revealed that prices in Metro Manila range from P59.85 per liter (Caloocan) to P84.55 per liter (Muntinlupa) for gasoline, and from P55.20 per liter (Pasig) to P73.39 per liter (Taguig) as of March 10, 2022.

For its part, the government has allocated some P2.5 billion to provide fuel vouchers for some 377,000 qualified public utility vehicle drivers across the country, amid the successive pump price hikes.

Mitigation measures The DOE has reiterated its call for local oil firms to look into measures that would ease the successive increases of domestic pump prices. According to DOE Oil Industry Management Bureau (OIMB) Assistant Director Rodela

Romero, the department is calling on firms to look into implementing the increases on a staggered basis.

“Kung ikukumpara mo ‘yung trading nitong nakaraang linggo versus the two weeks before, ‘yung comparison natin week-onweek talagang malaki iyong sinipa nitong linggo na ito,” Romero said.

(If you compare the trading this week versus the trading two weeks before, the comparison is on a week-onweek basis, the movement was really big this week.)

The Energy Department also proposed that local oil firms be mandated to keep a minimum inventory on a per product and per depot basis. The Oil Deregulation Law will need to be amended to allow this, OIMB Director Rino Abad told the Senate on Monday.

tive for them to increase the price,” she said.

Bakers and bread manufacturers meanwhile have yet to ask the DTI for a price increase for their products, Castelo said, as supplies of wheat have already

been secured for at least 3 months.

Flour millers, who import wheat, have already received enough supplies for a month, and have already paid for shipments for the next two months, DTI said.

their return to beach volleyball after spending the past few years in indoor clubs.

Rondina, Pons, and Rodriguez were all part of the team that won bronze in the 2019 SEA Games in Subic.

For the men’s team, joining the camp are: Anthony Arbasto, Jude Garcia, Jaron Requinton, Ranran Abdilla, James Buytrago, and Pemie Bagalay.

Garcia, Requinton, and Buytrago all won bronze in the 2019 SEA Games.

Coaching the team are Paul Doloiras and Rhovyl Verayo.

“Sobrang grateful po kami sa opportunity na ‘to na makapag-train kami abroad,” said Pons. “Sobrang laking

tulong po nito sa amin… Sobrang dami naming matututunan doon na madadala namin sa SEA Games.”

“Hindi po namin sasayangin ‘yung opportunity,” vowed Garcia. “Magwo-work hard po kami talaga na makukuha namin ang gintong medalya sa darating na SEA Games.”

The men’s volleyball team will also have an overseas camp, as they will travel to Qatar on March 20. Meanwhile, the women’s team will train in Brazil in April, at the conclusion of the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference.

The SEA Games will be held in Hanoi, Vietnam from May 12-23.

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process of creating a movie with a real director, cast and crew and a script,” he says.

“There were no stars and we were all a bunch of independent artists but were all under the guidance of the now-multi awarded independent director Gacer.”

Although he considered himself still a neophyte in acting, he has already won two awards. The first one, for Best Actor, from the Halicarnassus Film Festival in Turkey and another Best Actor trophy from the Actors and Directors International Film Festival in Russia. Both awards were for the film Puti, which was named Best Horror Film in Port Blair International Film Festival and Reels International Film Festival also won Best Director as well.

“I did not expect to win as Best Actor during the Halicarnassus Film Festival,” he told GMA News Online. “I just always gave all the best of my capabilities and poured all my heart into what I always love doing, which is acting, music and helping people to be fit.”

One Filipino actor he really wanted to work with was the multi-awarded thespian, Eddie Garcia. “He would be great to work with just imagine the things you would learn from him and all his experiences,” he says.

Among foreign actors, he has several whom he wanted to emulate. “There are a lot of great actors, too many to mention but I will name who have always had a great impact on me.”

Not in order, he singles out Bruce Lee (“He revolutionized not only the martial arts films but also the martial arts world. He paved the way to mostly martial arts actors and action stars. His impact can still be felt until today”), Daniel Day Lewis (“The way he embodies the role is awesome as he disappears in his characters and to the point that you do not recognize him”), Denzel Washington (“Not only a great actor but a body of learning both for life and the screen”) and Johnny Depp (“The most popular character actor I guess to date. He stays away from the pretty boy image proving that talent and skills will take you further and that makes him unique”).

Other actors in his favorite list also include Keanu Reeves (“Matrix is a revolutionary film as well as John Wick his discipline is amazing even at his age.”), Brad Pitt (“The works he made of the films like Twelve Monkeys, Fight Club and Troy created a great impact on me”), Marlon Brando (“The father of method acting for me, who paved way for the rest of

new great actors”), Edward Norton (“The master of schizophrenia acting”), and Charlie Chaplin (“He shows that acting doesn’t mean it has to involve talking”).

Right now, Tamayo has no dream role. He says, “Honestly, I do not know yet but instinctively let us say a role that has not been done before that affects how cinema is made, something fresh and life changing because as humans we always all evolve.”

Perhaps not too many know that he created the theme song, “Marikit” for the film Puti and “Kubli” for another award-winning film, Apo. Some songs that are now in the works include “Salamin,” “Pikit,” and “Ba-lud.”

So far, he has written songs “more than an album already.” He says that some songs “are still in my head, some in the papers where I wrote them, some are lost in youtube and myspace.”

Some songs like Sunshade have already been recorded with his band Third Wave Experience (TWE), which was released in all online music stores. “The song remains to be my favorite although it’s not that popular but it gave us recognition because it was the No. 1 song for four weeks in Top 20 Indie by Monster Radio and won People’s Choice Award in Muzika Del Sur Awards.”

When asked how he gets inspirations when writing a song, Tamayo replies: “Life of people, own experiences and what is happening around us. I wanted my songs to be positive, can help people, and people can learn something from them.”

Tamayo is from Davao City, the son of Benjamin C. Tamayo Sr., a businessman, and Resti Hetalia Tamayo, a retired secretary. Aside from Ruzellini, he has another brother: Marco Antonio.

“It was a very typical childhood,” he says of his growing up years in Davao.

“We lived in the GSIS community until I was 5 years old when we moved to Damaso Suazo, where we lived for some years until I had to stay with my grandma Adela. Sometimes, we visited Inawayan to see my Lolo Lucing and Nanay Tira and all my relatives on my mother’s side.”

Tamayo has managed to go to other countries like Singapore, Thailand, New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates. However, he considers the Philippines and Dubai as the places that have made an impact on him.

“The Philippines, especially Davao City, as I made a bit of an impact in the fitness industry and recently Dubai not just in fitness but also as an artist,” he says.

2018 titlist, sputtered to No. 6 from No. 4 in 15:05:29; 2011 and 2015 Ronda winner Santy Barnachea falling to No. 7 from No.5 in 15:05:38; Ronald Lomotos of Navy Standard Insurance

barging into No. 8 from No. 15; and Jericho Jay Lucero and Aidan Mendoza of Go for Gold slipping to Nos. 9 and 10 from Nos. 7 and 8 in 15:05:57 and 15:06:02, respectively.

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Daizo Horikoshi’s strike was all needed for Kaya Iloilo to begin its title defense in the cup tournament organized by the Philippines Football League (PFL) on a high note.

Kaya Iloilo beats Maharlika Manila in ‘Copa’ opener

C

ARMONA, Cavite – Kaya Iloilo pipped Maharlika Manila in the first match of the Copa Paulino Alcantara on Monday night with a 1-0 win at the PFF National Training Center here.

Daizo Horikoshi’s strike was all needed for Kaya Iloilo to begin its title defense in the cup tournament organized by the Philippines

Football League (PFL) on a high note.

The Japanese reinforcement scored in the 46th minute as he got the ball off

a wild sequence inside the penalty area and slotted it past Henri Bandeken Fong.

The match could have been a blowout, but Robert Mendy and Audie Menzi had their shots only kissing the goalpost instead of going in.

Nevertheless, Kaya Iloilo’s victory spoiled the PFL debut of renowned South

Korean coach Kim Chul-Su at Maharlika Manila.

Kaya Iloilo will take a two-week break before battling United Clark on March 28.

Maharlika Manila, on the other hand, will play twice next week against debuting Mendiola on March 21 and United Clark on March 24. (PNA)

Australia training for PH beach volley squads T

Veterans Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons are eyeing another podium finish in the SEA Games.

File photo

he Philippines will fly its beach volleyball teams to Brisbane, Australia on Tuesday night in the build up ahead of the 31st Southeast Asian Games.

The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) on Tuesday announced that 12 players -- six men and six women -- will travel to Brisbane for a two-week camp.

“This foreign training is of paramount importance, because it gives us a lot of exposure,” PNVF president Ramon “Tats” Suzara said in a press conference.

Leaving for Brisbane are Sisi Rondina, Bernadeth Pons, Floremel Rodriguez, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Jane Eslapor, and Nerissa Bautista. Gonzaga and Bautista are making

FAUSTRALIA, P10

Carcueva grabs LBC Ronda Pilipinas lead

L

UCENA CITY—Jonel Carcueva of Go for Gold came through with a ride of his life as he finished seventh in Stage Five to supplant Jan Paul Morales of Excellent Noodles from the top in the 11th LBC Ronda Pilipinas on Monday.

Carcueva, 26, clocked five hours, 17 minutes and 49 seconds in the 212.5-kilometer stage—the longest in this 10-stage race—that was topped by 23-year-old Joshua Mari Bonifacio of Excellent Noodles in 5:15:59.

The effort by the Mendenilla, Cebu native shook up the overall individual general classification that was highlighted by him leapfrogging to the top with an aggregate time of 15:02:52 while shoving Morales down to second with a 15:04:09 after wearing the red LBC jersey in the first four stages.

“Being a mountain biker taught me tricks in riding downhill and this experience helped me today (Monday),” said Carcueva, whose best finish was sixth overall four years ago.

Bonifacio, formerly of Go for Gold, stole some of the thunder as he came through with the first stage victory of his young and

promising career.

The proud son of Zambales edged Navy Standard Insurance’s El Joshua Carino, who clocked 5:16:07.

Another Go for Gold bet, Ronnilan Quita was third in 5:17:44 for his second podium finish after also winding up third in the Stage One Individual Time Trial in Sorsogon City Friday.

“I preserved my energy for that climb in the mountain,” said Bonifacio referring to the Atimonan Zigzag Park, or “Tatlong Eme.” Morales, meanwhile, said he was okay but just couldn’t extricate himself out of his rivals who made sure he was contained.

“I’m okay, there were just so many of them guarding me,” said the 36-yearold 2016 and 2017 Ronda king.

The overhaul in the top 10 saw Mervin Corpuz of Excellent Noodles skidding to No. 3 from No. 2 with a 15:04:29; Daniel Ven Carino zooming No. 4 from No. 13 with a 15:04:44; and John Mark Camingao of Navy Standard Insurance climbing to No. 5 from No. 14 with a 15:05:12.

Ronald Oranza of Navy Standard Insurance, the

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Charly Suarez now has 10 wins with seven knockouts.

STILL SPOTLESS Suarez TKOs Mangubat in 12th round

T

he undefeated Suarez hit Mangubat with an uppercut to put him down in the 12th round, and the referee stopped the fight.

“You (Mangubat) brought your A-game and it made me be as sleek and focused as a tiger on the prowl and ready to pounce. I am grateful for the challenge you brought my way,” said Suarez in a Facebook message.

“I am honored to have shared the ring with a noble fighter in Tomjune Mangubat,” said Suarez.

The 33-year-old Suarez now has 10 wins with seven knockouts while Mangubat, 24, suffered his third defeat against 15 wins and one draw.

Meanwhile, Carl Jammes “Wonder Boy” Martin recovered from a knockdown to score a technical knockout against Ronnie Baldonado in the 11th round to retain his Philippine super bantamweight title in the main supporting event.

Martin also won the vacant WBA Asia super bantamweight title.

The 22-year-old Martin was downed in the 2nd round by Baldonado. But Martin recovered and sent down Baldonado in the 11th round. Baldonado, 26, was never able to recover.

In the supporting match, Bievenido Ligas knocked down Roland Jay Biendima in the 5th round to win by a unanimous decision to retain his Philippine flyweight title.