Edge10 issue190 December 24-26, 2017

VOL. 10 ISSUE 190 164 • SUNDAY FRIDAY-SATURDAY, - TUESDAY,NOVEMBER DECEMBER 17-18, 24 - 26,2017 2017

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

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EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

TO THE RESCUE! Assistant Secretary Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, special assistant to President Rodrigo Duterte, leads the rescue operation and evacuation of trapped residents in heavilyflooded Jade Valley, Davao City on Friday night. Jade Valley and some other communities near Davao River experienced flooding as the river overflowed due to heavy downpour in the city’s hinterlands spawned by tropical storm Vinta. Lean Daval Jr

DISPLACED

City’s 31, 375 Vinta victims evacuated

By ANGIE SAVERON

A

S of this writing in the early evening of December 23, Saturday, a total of 31, 375 members of 6,614 families in Davao City affected by floods due to the tropical storm Vinta have been evacuated by city and national government agencies barangay Tamugan, Barangay Domto safe places.

The evacuees were brought to evacuation centers located at Ma-a Elementary School, UM Matina Campus, Brokenshire College Gym, San Rafael Gym, Bankerohon Gym, SIR Phase 2 Gym, Upper Madapo Gym and Uyanguren Gym in the Furst Congressional District, DMMA in Buhangin, Buhangin Gym, Lasang Barangay Hall, Mandug Gym, Waan Gym, El Rio Gym in the Second Congressional District, and Bantol Gym, Tamugan Gym in

inga — House of Barangay Captain Lomandas, Barangay Lampianap and Dumalag Elementary School in the Third Congressional District.

Many of the people affected are from Davao City’s barangays 2-A, 5-A, 10-A and 19-A as a result of the over�lowing of the Davao River on Friday night. Other victims people are from El Rio Subdivision, Jade Valley and low-lying areas of Barangay Mandug.

A Philippine News Agency (PNA)

reported that several low-lying areas in the city were �looded especially those near the major riverbanks in the city.

Thousands of houses went under water while a number were reportedly washed away by the raging �lood current.

Residents of Jade Valley in Buhangin allegedly partly built on a dried-up river bed were trapped in their houses as the rise of �loodwater was abrupt.

Rescuers were immediately dispatched to affected villages. Even Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go helped in the rescue of trapped residents Friday evening.

Go rode a jetski as he made rounds on the houses with trapped

residents and ferried them to safety.

Aside from the possibility of drowning though, residents of Jade Valley also fear encountering crocodiles after one resident took a video of a crocodile swimming in the �lood in

DISPLACED, P10

A2

Marco Polo Davao honors super hero associates

Pasko Fiesta activities moved due to bad weather

T

he Executive Committee of this year’s Pasko Fiesta has moved the activities slated December 21 and 22 to another date due to the bad weather condition because of Tropical Storm Vinta.

Pasko Fiesta, which started on December 1, is an annual Christmas event in Davao City.

“We are very ready, but for everyone’s safety there will be no Pasko Fiesta activities on December 21 and 22,” City Tourism Operations Of�ice (CTOO) Chief Generose Tecson said.

Mayor Inday Sara Duterte has also urged the Dabawenyos to stay indoors while the city is experiencing bad weather.

PASKO FIESTA,P10

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 190 • SUNDAY - TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24 - 26, 2017

TAPANG AT MALASAKIT. Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Karen Jimeno lead the cutting of ribbon to officially INAUGURATE the Tapang at Malasakit office at Matina Town Square in Davao City on Thursday evening. Lean Daval Jr.

Sea trips to Samal allowed to resume

By ANGIE SAVERON

T

HE trips from Davao City and the mainland to the Island Garden City of Samal and other ilsan destinations involving watercraft is now allowed again after the Philippine Coastguard lifted its suspension.

The PCG imposed the suspension on the basis of the weather forecast by the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA) that tropical storm Vinta will make a landfall late Thursday evening or early Friday in this part of Mindanao.

Now that the danger to sea travel is no longer present, the PCG lifted the suspension.

“Continious na ang byahe papuntang Samal Island,

Talikud Isald and Kaputian,” Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commander George Maganto told Edge Davao via phone interview.

He said that there no more stranded people in the ports going to the Samal.

Meanwhile, Maganto also reported there are no evacuees from the coastal areas of Davao City but he assures the public that the PCG is strictly monitoring the situation in coastal areas in city.

“Our coastal area of responsibility is monitored by our strategically located sub stations,” he said.

He said that they are monitoring the Bucana area which is the exit way of the Davao River and other coastal areas.

5 die in Mindanao

By JUDIE VEGA

A

Two of the fatalities were victims of a landslide in Barangay Laligan, Iligan City.

They were identi�ied as E�ipania Mirabueno, 65 and Irene

Mirabueno, her two-year old grandchild. The landslide victims were brought to a nearby hospital, but were pronounced dead by 1:45 p.m. on

Friday, the report stated.

In another report, an inmate was killed and 13 others were injured when the roof of the Butuan City Jail collapsed due to strong winds and heavy rains spawned by storm Vinta.

In still another typhoon-related report, the Lanao del Sur Risk Reduction and Management Of�ice bared that two girls, a Grade 2 and a Grade 5 pupils were buried alive following a landslide in the town of Tugaya, around 25 kilometers south of Marawi City,

HE Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has allocated funds and is now extending various forms of assistance to individuals and families affected by �loods and landslides caused by Tropical Storm Vinta.

Governor Mujiv Hataman said on Saturday that the ARMM’s Humanitarian and Emergency Action Response Team (HEART) Operation Center in Cotabato City is coordinating with local government units and disaster risk reduction management councils across the region, especially in Lanao del Sur, to assess the impact of the storm.

As of Saturday, the province of Lanao del Sur has reported the heaviest damage. ARMM of�icials are also closely monitoring the situation in Basilan because of continuous heavy rain in the province. So far, reports received from the remaining provinces of the region, speci�ically Maguindanao, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi, have not been as alarming.

“Members and of�icials of the regional Humanitarian Emergency Action and Response Team have already been deployed,” Gov. Hataman said.

Relief packs, he added, are now being distributed in areas affected by the heavy rains.

ARMM-HEART reported

that as of 2 p.m. on Saturday (December 23), 12 towns in Lanao del Sur experienced heavy �looding and landslides. These are Wato, Balindong, Bubong, Madalum, Tugaya, Bacolod Kalawi, Madamba, Tamparan, Piagapo, Calanogas, Maguing, Poona Bayabao and Ditsaan Ramain.

The number of reported deaths and missing residents, subject to validation by the Department of Health-ARMM, are as follows: * Piagapo: 10 deaths; * Bacolod Kalawi: 2 deaths, 1 missing; * Madalum: 4 deaths, 1 missing; * Tamparan: 1 death;

total of �ive persons perished, including a two-year old girl, while 13 others were injured in various incidents related to Tropical Storm Vinta Friday and Saturday. This was learned from sources at the Davao Risk Reduction Management Of�ice which collated reporters about the typhoon from various parts of Mindanao.

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said that Vinta was spotted last Friday shortly after noon in the vicinity of Marawi City, Lanao del Sur. PAGASA said Vinta has accelerated slightly, now moving west at 20 kph and the storm is expected to exit Philippine territory on Christmas Eve and warned the public to take Vinta seriously, saying they should prepare and closely monitor updates from PAGASA.

* Tugaya: 2 deaths; and * Wato Balindong: 2 deaths.

ARMM allocates funds for“Vinta”victims T Legarda condemns killing of 8 lumads in Cotabato

S

ENATOR Loren Legarda on Saturday condemned the massacre of eight Lumads, including their chieftain Datu Victor Danyan in Barangay Ned, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato last December 3, allegedly by soldiers.

In a statement, Legarda expressed outrage over the incident, noting reports that

the victims were farmers who were harvesting their produce when the shooting happened.

“I seek justice for the death of these Lumads who were just doing their harvest for the day when they were killed. This is an atrocious act that must be dealt with using the full force of the law. I urge

LEGARDA, P11

In Poona Bayabao, 25 barangays were inundated, three of these barangays reported heavy damage to properties.

The town’s provincial road remains impassable as of Saturday morning. Torrential rains triggered landslides in the towns of Tugaya, Bacolod-Kalawi, and Madalum also resulting in closure of roads. In Madalum, mounds of earth and debris covered about 200 meters of the road.

“Challenging ang pagpasok sa Madalum for rescue and

ARMM, P10

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4 NEWS

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VOL. 10 ISSUE 190 • SUNDAY - TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24 - 26, 2017

Pulong spews vitriol at daughter’s online rant

I TRAPPED. Hundreds of trapped residents are rescued and evacuated by personnel from the different Davao City’s disaster and rescue units led

by Central 911 in Jade Valley on Friday evening as Davao River overflowed due to the heavy downpour brought by tropical storm Vinta. Lean Daval Jr.

No Vinta casualty in Davao Oriental

M

ATI City, DAVAO ORIENTAL, Dec. 23 – As Tropical Storm Vinta made unexpected landfall in the vicinity of Cateel town, in this province, at dawn today, the province had eased through the calamity with minimal damage and with no reported casualty.

Gov. Nelson L. Dayanghirang, who called for an emergency meeting early this morning, said he is thankful for the favorable result of the provincial government’s massive preparation for the disaster.

Governor Dayanghirang activated Davao Oriental’s Incident Command System on December 20, and ordered the pre-emptive evacuation of residents living on areas prone to �looding and landslides and those that are close to the coastlines.

Heavy equipment and emergency vehicles were also deployed to aid in the evacuation of residents. Troops from the Philippine Army, military reservists, and police are seen helping in the evacuation of the residents.

Per the ICP’s latest record, a total of 3,379 families in the whole province were evacuated to safer grounds. Most of them, however, have chosen to remain at the evacuation centers after the landfall.

Incident Commander Ednar G. Dayanghirang, suggested that the pre-emptive evacuation becomes part of the disaster response operations manual.

Packed with a maximum sustained winds of up to 90 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 125 kph, tropical Storm Vinta made landfall in Cateel at 2 o’clock this morning, bringing with it heavy rains and strong winds caus-

ing two houses in Cateel town to be totally damaged while roofs made of light materials of some houses in Baganga town were blown away.

STropical Storm “Vinta” Leaves No Casualty in Davao Oriental DAVAO ORIENTAL – As Tropical Storm Vinta made unexpected landfall over the vicinity of Cateel at dawn today, the province had eased through the calamity with minimal damage and with no reported casualty.

Governor Nelson L. Dayanghirang, who called for an emergency meeting early this morning, said he is thankful for the favorable result of the provincial government’s massive preparation for the disaster.

As Governor Dayanghirang activated Davao Oriental’s Incident Command System on December 20, he ordered the pre-emptive evacuation of residents living on areas prone to �looding and landslides and those that are close to the coastlines. Heavy equipment and emergency vehicles were also deployed to aid in the evacuation of residents. Troops from the Philippine Army, military reservists, and police are seen helping in the evacuation of the residents.

Per the ICP’s latest record, a total of 3,379 families in the whole province were evacuated to safer grounds. Most of them, however, have chosen to remain at the evacuation centers after the landfall.

Incident Commander Ednar G. Dayanghirang, suggested that the pre-emptive evacuation becomes part of the disaster response operations manual.

Packed with a maximum

N a social media showdown, Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte and his 17-year-old daughter swapped curses and accusations Friday in a �ight that has drawn a virtual audience of thousands.

President Rodrigo Duterte’s eldest son gave his teen daughter Isabelle a public dressing down, taking to Facebook to respond to her angry posts on an alleged mauling incident involving a close friend.

The incident came just days after the President himself defended his grandchild from social media backlash over her pre-debut photoshoot at the Malacañang Palace, which some felt was inappropriate.

In a post mostly in Visayan, Duterte called his daughter a “disgrace,” livid at how he felt

Isabelle had disrespected him.

“Even if that person pimped you twice, I won’t keep quiet! And if your mom and stepdad don’t care about you, I’m not like them! Not because I’m a Duterte but because I am a father!!! Change your last name if you want to! You don’t know how to respect! You are a disgrace,” he said, unclear on who the person was.

His post was a retort to Isabelle’s tweets Friday, publicly spewing anger at her father for allegedly laying a hand on someone. Circumstances remain unclear.

“Even if you hold a position in the city, you’re not allowed to beat someone up!!! Even if you’re in power, you can’t hurt a person!!! You hurt a human being!!! Not just a human be-

PULONG, P11

Dozens of workers trapped in mall fire Firefighters trying to rescue 28 call center agents

By ANGIE SAVERON

F

IRE of still unknown origin burned down yesterday the giant NCCC Mall at the corner of McArthur Highway and Ma-a Road in Matina, Davao City.

The blaze reportedly started at about 9:23 a.m. or just a few minutes before the mall, one of the biggest in this city, could open its doors to morning customers. Until past 5 p.m. yesterday, the �ire was still raging. The �ire reportedly started at the third �loor, or the fourth �loor, but nobody

can be sure about it, since �ire and arson investigators could not proceed with their probe as the �ire was still in progress at about 9:30 p.m, or after close to 12 hours.

A few minutes before 10p.m. Saturday night, President Duterte arrived near the �ire scene to talk to relatives

of the trapped employees.

However, reporters where not allowed inside the holding aarea for relatives.

Minutes after, Vice Mayor Paolo Z. Duterte also arrived.

Said to be still alive in the rest rooms of the call center are the following (only partial): Alexandria Moreno, Jessica Solis, Iana Apalacio, Christine Ferraren, Jeffrey Sisman, Mhenzi Muyco, Charlene Linaya, Lister Entera, Janine Ozo, Jonas Basalan, Ian Adlanan,

Joyce Pabelonia, Maricris Gayol, Mary Joy Daluro, Nancy Abad, Desiree Zacarias, Ivan Nebelle L. Roble, Jim Quimsing, Analiza Penamjo, Artiaga (�irst name not available), Anji Celestial II, Rosil Chavez Montanez, Matondo (�irst name not available), Alviola (�irst name not available).

Fire�ighting units from the neighboring cities of Panabo, Tagum and Digos also arrived in Davao City to help �ight the �ire.

NO, P11 RAGING INFERNO. Dark smoke billows from NCCC mall building in Ma-a, Davao City as fire razed the shopping center on Saturday. Lean Daval Jr.

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 10 ISSUE 190 • SUNDAY - TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24 - 26, 2017

President vetoes 5 items in 1st tax reform package

F

IVE items in the �irst package of tax reform were vetoed by President Rodrigo R. Duterte after noting that if implemented these provisions will be detrimental to the government and would violate existing laws.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, in a brie�ing Friday, said Malacanang will release the copy of the Veto Message but declined to elaborate on the vetoed portions.

“The logic was basically to make it more internally consistent,” he said.

A copy of the Veto Message showed that the �irst item to be excluded from the measure approved by the Bicameral Conference Committee last December 13 is the reduction of income tax rate of employees of regional headquarters, regional operating headquarters, offshore banking units and petroleum service contractors and subcontractors.

The President, in his message, said he decided to reject Section 6 (F) of the �irst package of the Bicam-approved tax reform because it violates the Constitution.

“While I understand the laudable objective of the proposal, the provision is violative of the Equal Protection Clause under Section 1, Article III of the 1987 Constitution, as well as the rule of equity and uniformity in the application of the burden of taxation,” he said.

That particular clause estates that “No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law, nor shall any person be denied the equal protection of the laws.”

The Veto Message explained that this Constitutional provision overrides the consideration “of fairness of the tax system for individuals performing similar work.” (PNA)

5 ECONOMY

GOING BANANAS. Newsmen and news hens covering the business beat had a field day getting up-to-the-minute facts and figures about the country’s export banana industry during a breakfast briefing hosted by Stephen Antig, executive director of the Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA), seated fifth from right,

at the Apo View Hotel last Wednesday morning. Assisted by Jasper Pascua, PDGEA legal counsel, and Betty Francia, executive assistant, Antig reported that 2017 was better than 2016 in Cavendish banana production, but the industry continues to suffer natural and manmade challenges. AMA

No infra budget for 24 lawmakers T WENTY-FOUR congressmen critical of the administration were denied funds for their districts’ infrastructure in the P3.77-billion national budget for 2018, an opposition lawmaker said Wednesday.

Representative Edcel Lagman of Albay said he and members of the so-called opposition group “Magni�icent 7” which include him and representatives Egay Erice, Teddy Baguilat, Gary Alejano, Tom Villarin, Raul Daza, and Emmanuel Billiones were given zero budget for infrastructure funds under the recently signed 2018 General Appropriations Act. “Vengeance plus caprice equal zero allocations for authentic opposition Representa-

tives and other targeted legislators in the House of Representatives,” he said in a statement.

He did not mention the other 17 congressmen who were denied their infrastructure budgets.

The 24 solons’ “steadfast critical dissent and perceived ‘waywardness’” cost them their constituents’ budget and deprived them of progress, Lagman said.

“Zero allocations are projected to punish and silence

opposition legislators even as it is their constituencies who are deprived of the bene�its of infrastructure development,” he said.

Akbayan Party-list Representative Villarin condemned President Rodrigo Duterte for taking his revenge on the opposition by withholding crucial projects for the public.

In an interview with CNN Philippines Wednesday, Villarin said the budget cuts were “unprecedented” and “highly

quesationable” as they were made at the last minute – before the President signed the 2018 budget.

“It speaks much about the dictatorial tendencies of this administration,” Villarin said.

The budget slash is the Duterte administration’s warning to lawmakers to support the agenda of the administration, especially the creation of a constitutional assembly and the proposed shift to federalism, Villarin said.

“It serves as fair warning to the rest of the House members that all must obey and support the move for a Con-Ass, no elections in 2019, and a shift to constitutional authoritarianism. Punishing democratic

dissent by letting people suffer through withdrawal of basic government services is pure hubris,” he said in a statement.

Lagman said that when they asked Appropriations Chairman and Head of the House Bicameral Panel Rep. Karlo Nograles what became of their funding, Nograles referred them to House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez. Alvarez is a staunch supporter of Duterte.

More opposition lawmakers speaking up Magdalo Party-list Representative Gary Alejano released a statement saying the budget allocations for infrastructure were not for lawmakers, but for their constituents.

“If our recommendations are slashed, then it is our constituents that are disenfranchised,” he said, Alejano said this move by the administration is a clear attempt to sti�le healthy dis-

sent, and people who need the government’s attention will be deprived of it.

Caloocan Representative Egay Erice meanwhile, said he would not be cowed by the budget cut.

“I will �ight to the last drop of my blood before the courts and on the streets if necessary to protect the 8 million Filipinos who will be bene�itting from the projects,” he said in a statement.

He called out House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and House Appropriations committee Chairman Karlo Nograles, asking if they had the authority to delete budgets already approved by the House and proposed by the government.

Erice had strong words for House leaders saying power had gone to Alvarez’s head, and that he would remind people during the next elections that Nograles would deprive them of important projects.

Marcventures buys 18.87% stake in subsidiary MMDC

L MARCO POLO AID. Marco Polo Davao led by its general manager Dottie Würgler-Cronin (leftmost) donates sacks of rice, canned goods, noodles and bottled water to the residents affected by Friday night’s

flood at Dizon Elementary School along Bacaca Road on Saturday where they are temporarily staying. Lean Daval Jr.

ISTED holding company Marcventures Holdings Inc. (MHI) has acquired �ive million shares of its wholly-owned subsidiary mine company for PHP50 million, in a bid to improve infrastructure and facilities needed to raise production volume.

MHI told the local bourse it subscribed shares of Marcventures Mining & Development Corp. (MMDC) at PHP10 apiece.

It said the �ive million

shares comprise 18.87 percent of the total outstanding shares of MMDC. MHI acquired the shares in cash upon execution of the subscription agreement.

MHI, through subsidiary MMDC, holds a mineral production sharing agreement covering an area of 4,799 hectares located in Cantilan, Surigao del Sur. MMDC’s main product is nickel ore, with China as its current principal market.

(PNA)

6 ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 190 • SUNDAY - TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24 - 26, 2017

HOUSE OF HOPE. A cancer patient from House of Hope receives a Christmas gift from Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao manager Bryan Yves Lasala during the hotel’s gift-giving activity on Thursday. The House of Hope is the hotel’s chosen beneficiary for the 10th time. WIHD PR

Dominguez to BIR: Make BPI issues ’17 Christmas holiday schedule tax-paying more convenient B

INANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III has directed the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to make the process of paying taxes more convenient as he lauded the agency for pursuing reforms that have improved its revenue collections by almost 12 percent thus far this year.

At the same time, Dominguez said he expects the BIR, through its stepped-up joint efforts with the Bureau of Customs (BOC), to continue running after big-time tax dodgers “with hammer and tongs”—like what it had done with Mighty Corporation,

which led to a tax settlement of over P25 billion, the country’s largest sum ever collected from a single corporate entity.

“Beyond helping improve revenue collections, the case of Mighty Corp. sends a clear and resounding message to other corporate entities that fudge the numbers and befuddle the books. The revenue agencies will go after them with hammer and tongs,” Dominguez said at the recent BIR Annual Planning Session.

Mighty Corp., a cigarette manufacturer based in Bulacan, had offered to settle its tax lia-

bilities for P25 billion and shut down its operations after the BIR �iled several complaints for its use of counterfeit tax stamps before the Department of Justice.

It sold its assets to Japan Tobacco Inc. (JTI), which enabled the government to collect even more taxes from VAT and other fees, bringing the total haul from the Mighty settlement to about P30 billion.

Moreover, excise tax payments from Mighty’s cigarette brands registered an increase of over 200 percent in the September-October 2017 period alone since JTI took over the �irm’s op-

erations.

The year 2017 is an “extraordinary” one for the BIR, owing largely to this achievement, said Dominguez in his speech that was read for him by Finance Assistant Secretary Mark Dennis Joven at the BIR planning session, which was held at the Clark Freeport Zone in Angeles City, Pampanga.

“The crackdown on Mighty Corp. will have to be credited to the vigilant and unyielding effort of our revenue agencies. I look forward to other accomplishments like this one in the coming months,” he said.

RANCHES of Ayala-led Bank of the Philippine Island (BPI) and its thrift banking arm, BPI Family Savings Bank (BFSB), will operate on extended banking hours on the remain weekdays of December 2017 until January 3, 2018.

Since last Dec. 8, 119 BPI branches and 49 BFSB branches have been operating until 6 p.m. on weekdays and this will be implemented until Jan. 3 next year, the bank said in an advisory.

It said 96 BPI and 17 BFSB branches have been operating

N unapologetic Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez con�irmed on Wednesday that 24 “undesirable” lawmakers lost infrastructure funding for their constituents in the 2018 budget due to politics, saying they ought to understand the name of the game in the 17th Congress.

“You win some you lose some. They should understand that you can’t have your cake and eat it too,” Alvarez said in a phone interview with the Inquirer.

The Speaker, a bosom buddy of President Duterte, said the House leadership’s policy of removing funding and projects

from non-allied members was no different from previous administrations.

“It’s a question of leadership. I have to take care of my members,” Alvarez said.

He said some allies belonging to the administration-backed “supermajority” had raised complaints about certain districts getting more funds in spite of the lack of cooperation of their representatives.

“You know that would be unfair to members who are cooperative,” Alvarez said.

Among those whose infrastructure projects were scrapped in the �inal General

Appropriations Act of 2018 were members of the Magnificent Seven and Makabayan opposition blocs, as well as a number of Liberal Party (LP) and administration allies who were not in the good graces of the House leadership.

The local infrastructure funds had originally been approved on third reading in the House version but were taken out and realigned during conference discussions between the Senate and the House. The �inal version rati�ied by the two chambers was signed by Mr. Duterte on Tuesday.

The total funds involved, which had been described as

“hidden pork barrel,” could not immediately be veri�ied pending the of�icial release of the budget law but one Inquirer source claimed it amounted to P11 billion.

Alvarez acknowledged that previous Congress leaders had typically taken a different approach in appropriating funds for allied or non-allied House members, in which the funds would be included in the budget, but would only be released if they were cooperative.

“In the past, the leadership would fool the members by adding the funds in the budget but the executive would not release these. I don’t want to fool them

like that,” he said.

Alvarez offered no apologies to the constituencies of the affected lawmakers who would bear the brunt of the retaliatory budget cuts.

“That’s their own fault. They better talk to their congressmen,” he said.

The Speaker also con�irmed that Dinagat Islands Rep. Kaka Bag-ao had pleaded with him on behalf of her district upon learning of the infrastructure cuts. He said he gave the same response.

“That’s life,” he said.

Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas clari�ied that Bag-ao had not “confronted” him and the Speaker, as earlier reported

F

on Saturdays since last Dec. 9 and this will last until Dec. 23.

BPI EVP and Retail Banking head Joey Gotuaco said the extended banking hours gives their customers convenience during the holidays.

“We will also be extra vigilant in making available our automated ATM (Automated Teller Machine), online, mobile and phone banking channels,” he said.

BPI clients can access the complete list of BPI and BFSB branches that have extended operating hours through the bank’s website. (PNA)

by the Inquirer, but he did have a polite exchange with the congresswoman about the budget cuts.

“Rep. Bag-ao politely approached me during our last session on Wednesdaywith the report she heard about the [General Appropriations Bill] and was seeking con�irmation from me,” he said.

Fariñas said that upon Bagao’s request, he got con�irmation of the infrastructure cuts from House appropriations chair Karlo Nograles, relayed the information to her, and told her to see the Speaker. “She talked with the Speaker but I didn’t hear their conversation,” he said.

Alvarez:‘Undesirable’lawmakers lost infra funding due to politics A

7 COMMUNITY SENSE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 190 • SUNDAY - TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24 - 26, 2017

Bringing Christmas to the IP communities

C

hristmas is a time for gift-giving, sharing and normally, spending time with the family.

In Davao City, this is also the time when those who have more share their blessings with those who have less.

“Think of people in need this Christmas,” was Mayor Inday Sara Duterte’s reminder to every Dabawenyo as they celebrate Christmas this year.

This summarizes what Pasko Fiesta in the city is all about.

Davao City celebrates Pasko Fiesta, a month-long celebration of the holiday season, every year. The cele-

bration starts on December 1, and is characterized by various activities and competitions aimed to light up every nook and cranny of the city.

“I hope that we will not forget our brothers and sisters who are experiencing hardships this time,” she said.

Mayor Inday’s message of hope and sharing signalled the celebration of the Christmas season in the city, not just for the city-dwellers, but most especially for children and the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) or Lumads who have made it a tradition to visit the urban ar-

eas during Christmas.

However, the city government realized the challenges faced by the Lumads every Christmas as they are temporarily uprooted from their communities where they are supposed to share the spirit of the season with each other.

Add to that the challenge of going through the maze of vehicular traf�ic and the dif�iculty of living in the shelter areas.

While city-dwellers can enjoy the four areas established by the city for Christmas activities, namely Rizal Park, People’s Park, Magsaysay Park, and the City Hall area, the Lumads can still share in the celebration with-

out braving the usual challenges of going to the urban area.

“We are bringing Christmas to the hinterlands,” City Social Services and Development Of�ice (CSSDO) Chief Ma. Luisa Bermudo said.

From December 7 to 20, concerned agencies of the city government will visit 9 barangays in the city’s hinterlands to spearhead activities and to give them their Christmas presents.

For 14 days, Lumads living in Upper Kibalang, Suwawan and Salumay in Marilog District, Panyalum, Panaga and Malabog in Paquibato District and Upper Mapula, Paquibato District, Tambob-

ong in Baguio District will be able to celebrate Christmas everyday.

As early as last month, city of�icials have coordinated with the datus, barangay captains, tribal leaders and deputy mayors of these areas to come up with a master list of the bene�iciaries of the Pasko Fiesta para sa Lumads.

Every day for 14 days, the city will provide food packs to each family on the master list and have received a ration card. The food packs contain two kilos of rice, two cans of sardines and two packs of noodles.

The lumads will also be able to enjoy various activities during the season, includ-

ing the healthcare day, tribal games day, and children’s day Since the Pasko Fiesta para sa Lumads started last week, the city has already served and given joy to around 20,000 lumads in the hinterlands. Around a thousand lumads from outside Davao City have also received Christmas joy and blessings from the city.

The next time you walk along the City Hall drive and you see the area illuminated by thousands of Christmas lights, remember that the true spirit of Christmas for every Dabawenyo is how the happiness is shared not just to city dwellers, but most importantly to the city’s 11 tribes. CIO

GCash dominates PHL Phoenix Petroleum makes 4,000 kids smile this Christmas e-payment landscape T G CASH dominated the Philippine retail e-payment landscape in 2017 with over 4,000 QRs deployed nationwide, a testament to the growing number of merchants who believe in the capability of GCash to usher in cashless payments in the country.

A mobile wallet service offered by Mynt, a �inancial technology company owned by Globe Telecom, Ant Financial and Ayala Corp, GCash has been relentless in helping Filipinos get used to a cashless lifestyle and has been bullish in its vision to create an inclusive cashless environment in the Philippines.

E-payments provide safety and convenience when shopping for goods and services as people need not carry around loads of cash anymore.

In August this year, GCash introduced the scan to pay feature in the GCash App that allowed customers to pay by simply scanning QR (quick response) codes of merchants.

“With the GCash scan to pay feature, we bring in technology that lowers the cost of transactions. By enabling merchants to accept payments at virtually no cost, we are actually creating convenience for the merchants and translating that bene�it back to the customers and that’s how it becomes more accessible for everyone” said Anthony Thomas, President and Chief Executive Of�icer of Mynt.

“Before, you need a POS or a reader for the cards acceptance. But today, we eliminate

all that. With GCash, you can pay without cash. That’s the convenience that we bring to our customers,” he added.

To date, QR payments across different merchants all over the country have been deployed successfully, transforming the local retail scene into a cashless landscape.

More than 4,000 GCash QRs are now being accepted in various merchants nationwide, including the biggest players in the retail industry such as Ayala Malls, Robinsons Department Store, SM Malls, Megaworld Lifestyle Malls Cinema, Puregold, Ministop, and NCCC Malls.

Other merchants where customers can pay using the GCash QRs are: *SSI Group, which carries an extensive portfolio of established international brands such as Banana Republic, Beauty Bar, Jimmy Choo, Burberry, Gap, Bally, Calvin Klein, Clinique; *Max’s Group, the largest casual dining restaurant company in the country. It includes Max’s Restaurant, Krispy Kreme, Kabisera, Pancake House, Yellow Cab, Teriyaki Boy, Jamba Juice, Dencio’s, Sizzling Steak; and, *Bench Group, which includes Bench, Human, Kashieca, Aldo, Charles & Keith, Cotton On, American Eagle.

Smaller sellers located at celebrity bazaar destination Noel Bazaar and food haven Mercato Centrale have also adopted the cashless payment option.

HIS year, Phoenix Petroleum made the holidays happier for 4,000 children as they received Christmas gifts and educational books through the Phoenix Philippines Foundation.

Phoenix donated story books, reference books, and instructional books to 32 elementary and kindergarten schools all across the country while smart TVs, chairs, computers, and fans were also donated to selected schools.

The students received school bags, school supplies, toys, and snacks from the oil company.

“Christmas is the season for children,” says Phoenix VP for external affairs, Raymond Zorrilla. “We aim to bring smiles to students this holiday season as well as help them with learning.”

The number of schools who bene�ited from this gift giving program has grown this year. Phoenix has donated to schools in Batangas, Pasay City, Calapan, Olongapo, Aklan, Iloilo, Mandaue City, Cebu, Davao City, South Cotabato, General Santos, Misamis Oriental, and Zamboanga City.

Since 2008, Phoenix Philippines Foundation has also been helping schools through the Phoenix Adopt-A-School program, a partnership with the Department of Education to donate school books and teach-

A kindergartener smiles behind his Phoenix Foundation backpack in a program where Phoenix employees spent time with the students and had games, food and performances.

Phoenix Petroleum gives back this Christmas.

Kindergarten students from the Rafael Palma Elementary School in Pasay City raise their Phoenix Foundation backpacks in Phoenix’s annual gift ing materials and contribute to teachers’ salaries to schools across the country. During the Christmas season, Phoenix employees visit their adopted schools as well as schools nearby their depots to spend time with the students.

The Phoenix Adopt-ASchool and book donation pro-

giving and book donation program. This year, 32 elementary schools across the country benefited from this program.

gram will continue to grow and touch more lives. “As Phoenix Petroleum continues to expand its operations in the Philippines, Phoenix Philippines Foundation commits to expand its programs to reach other parts of the country,” Zorrilla said.

The motivation of Phoenix

Petroleum to give back and share the company’s blessings to communities inspires Phoenix employees to be active participants in the company’s CSR activities every year. Other than education, the Phoenix Philippines Foundation also has programs on health and safety, environment, and outreach.

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

EDITORIAL

T

VOL. 10 ISSUE 190 • SUNDAY - TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24 - 26, 2017

Essence of Christmas

HAT span of 24 hours was to be one of the most eventful moments of Dabawenyos in recent times.

A devastating storm, equally destructive �looding and a big �ire incident.

Around 31,000 were affected and millions of pesos in property damaged in the heavy �looding in the aftermath of storm Vinta. And just when everyone is about to make their last minute Christmas shopping, �ire broke out in one of the city’s popular malls where the average Dabawenyo go to get real good bargain on food for the noche buena.

Blank stares �illed most of the evacuation centers where people of all walks of life found temporary shelter.

Many didn’t know what hit them particularly two days

EDGEDAVAO

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before Christmas eve. Instead of preparing for Christmas, many of our fellow Dabawenyos will have to shovel the sticky mud and clean what remains to be functional in the �looded households.

This is the time to show the real spirit of Christmas--of caring and sharing, of giving up what you have for those who do not have. It’s a great time to be real Dabawenyos.

Remember that Dabawenyo spirit of helping others who are in need. Remember Pablo, Yolanda, Marawi City and many other calamities that Dabawenyos responded to the call for help.

It’s time to help our very own. This Christmas can spell a difference in our lives once we share it with others in a way they can feel that somebody cares.

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

JIMMY K. LAKING Associate Editor PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE

KENNETH IRVING K. ONG ANGELIE SAVERON BAI FAUZIAH FATIMA SINSUAT AMBOLODTO JUDELYN VEGA MEGHANN STA. INES Reporters ARMANDO B. FENENQUITO JR. NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN FUNNY PEARL GAJUNERA Lifestyle CHA MONFORTE LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. ARLENE D. PASAJE Correspondents Cartoons Photography Columnists: MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO A. PEÑA • ZHAUN ORTEGA • BERNADETTE “ADDIE” B. Columnists: D. TACIO G.•DELIGERO • JOHN CARLO TRIA • VIDAGOTIANSE-TAN MIA S. VALVERDE•• NICASIO FRED C. LUMBA • ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA BORBONHENRYLITO • MARY ANN “ADI”• GREGORIO C. QUISIDO LEANDRO B. DAVAL SR., • NIKKI ANGELO AGUSTIN • EMILY ZEN CHUA • CARLOS MUNDA Economic Analyst: ENRICO “GICO” G. DAYANGIRANG • JONALLIER M. PEREZ

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GENERAL SANTOS CITY OFFICE MANILA MARKETING OFFICE ORO MARKETING OLIVIA D. VELASCO D. MARATAS RICHARD C. EBONA OLIVIA D. VELASCO JOCELYN S. PANES SOLANI SOLANI D. MARATAS CAGAYAN DEMARKETING OFFICE Richard C. Ebona | Product Development officer General Manager Finance Advertising Specialist LEIZEL A. DELOSO | Marketing Manager General Manager Director of Sales Finance EDMUND D. RENDON

OREAL L. REAL Marketing Assistant

JAMILA C. CANONIGO Marketing Specialist

Unit 6, SouthbankMarketing Plaza Velez-Yacapin Sts.Address: 04 Orilla St. Purok 4B Lower Bicutan, Taguig City Specialist Cellphone number: 09472652969 General Santos City Cagayan de Oro City AGUSTIN V. MIAGAN JR Email Address: edgedavao@gmail.com Mobile: (Smart) 09101864939 Tel: (088) 852-4894 Circulation

EDGEDAVAO

I

T is 2018 and you are still not moving up.

I mean, you are still there, lying inert and dumbfounded while the world is passing you by.

Did you not promise yourself that by next year you’d be a different person, with different habits and values, transformed and changed?

I am neither sage nor seer but I am convinced that times are getting tougher and much tougher.

In�lation – the continuing rise in the general price level usually attributed to an increase in the volume of money and credit circulating around – will always eat up whatever assets – savings and property – one has if those concerned do not also comparatively increase their income and wealth.

Therefore, there is need for everybody, particularly for those lagging, to step up and be creative by joining the ranks of people who have become entrepreneurs by themselves.

In my own layman’s under-

“I

DO come home at Christmas,” Charles Dickens – the man who wrote A Christmas Carol – once said. “We all do, or we all should. We all come home, or ought to come home, for a short holiday – the longer, the better – from the great boarding school where we are forever working at our arithmetical slates, to take, and give a rest.”

But what do you tell your children about Christmas? What do you understand about Christmas?

Is Christmas all about giving and receiving presents? Or is it about Christmas trees and Santa Claus?

Why am I asking those questions? Well, I received an email from a friend. I am not sure if he wrote it or the story was forwarded to him, but it made me ponder: What is the true meaning of Christmas? Please read the story below before answering the question: Just a week before Christmas I had a visitor. This is how it happened. I just �inished the household chores for the night and was preparing to go to bed, when I heard a noise in the front of the house. I opened the door to the front room and to my surprise, Santa himself stepped out next to the �ireplace.

“What are you doing?” I in-

VOL. 10 ISSUE 190 • SUNDAY - TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24 - 26, 2017

VANTAGE POINTS

9

Get over your woes - be enterprising standing, an entrepreneur is a businessman; one who is self-employed and relies on his keen business sense and character to improve his own economic status by decent and honest means.

Care to know the pro�ile of an entrepreneur?

First off, he/she is a person with passion. Meaning, whatever endeavor this person gets involved in, he/she makes sure he/she �inishes the task and leaves no stone unturned.

An entrepreneur must always be willing to learn. This means experimenting with new ideas, asking questions without getting embarrassed for his/her ignorance.

Entrepreneurs are willing to work hard because they want to succeed. They will spend twice the amount of time if necessary and be physically hands-on managing and tinkering every little detail.

Entrepreneurs worth their salt don’t complain. They are persistent, patient and plod on despite the obstacles, despite the

SPECKS OF LIFE Fred C. Lumba initial setbacks. They become service-oriented before even thinking of their pro�its.

Entrepreneurs have goals.

They start by (day) dreaming, then write down their vision in a synchronized, logical manner. These set goals are targets to be accomplished step-by-step based on a timeline and available resources.

People with the entrepreneur-

ial spirit must possess creativity and innovative ideas. If Plan A fails, Plan B must already be in place so that one does not lose so much time thinking of his next move.

Creativity arms an entrepreneur with boldness and courage to take the next calculated step even if there is a risk involved. Creativity erases the fear that doubt creates.

Creative entrepreneurs know where and when an opportunity arises. He/she seeks and grabs them when they pass their way. Big opportunities don’t come like they parade themselves but only once.

Entrepreneurs know the value of networking with other business people whether they are engaged in the same line or not. They make use of their “people” connections to span the “bridges that lie yonder.”

Entrepreneurs stick to their word. They pay their creditors and suppliers on time in the same manner that they want to be similarly reciprocated.

They also demand for quality

and ef�iciency as these are woven into a system that will be practiced within the business organization.

Lastly, entrepreneurs must adaptively increase their �inancial IQ, their understanding of the “arithmetic and mathematics” of the business because the entire activity boils down to numbers in the �inal analyses.

In Steve Forbes own wisdom, he says: “Practical, applicable knowledge of �inance and economics is not pass/fail. It’s not a case of you know it or you don’t. It’s a reciprocal process of learning and applying knowledge abut money, �inance and economics, and how those things and the ways in which you respond to and act on them, impact your daily life. The more you know, the better equipped you are to prosper.” (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo. com.) Mt.6:3. “But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.” GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

the children that I, Santa Claus, symbolize the generosity and good will we feel during the month of December,” he pointed out.

He then brought out a holly leaf and then explained, “Teach the children that the holly plant represents immortality. It represents the crown of thorns worn by our Savior. The red holly berries represent the blood shed by Him.” Next Santa Claus pulled from his bag a gift and said, “Teach the children that God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten son.”

(Please read John 3:16.)

Santa Claus then reached in his bag and pulled out a candy cane and hung it on the tree. “Teach the children that the candy cane represents the shepherds’ crook,” he said. “The crook on the staff helps to bring back strayed sheep to the �lock. The candy cane is the symbol that we are our brother’s keeper.”

Father Christmas reached in again and pulled out an angel: “Teach the children that it was the angels that heralded in the glorious news of the Savior’s birth. The angels sang Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace and good will toward men.”

Suddenly I heard a soft twinkling sound, and from his bag he

pulled out a bell. “Teach the children,” he said, “that as the lost sheep are found by the sound of the bell, it should ring mankind to the fold.

The bell symbolizes guidance and return.”

Santa Claus looked back and was pleased. He looked back at me and I saw that the twinkle was back in his eyes. He reminded, “Remember, teach the children the true meaning of Christmas and do not put me in the center, for I am but a humble servant of the One that is, and I bow down to worship him, our Lord, our God.” This reminds me of the words of Frank McKibben. “This is Christmas: not the tinsel, not the giving and receiving, not even the carols,” he wrote. “But the humble heart that receives anew the wondrous gift – the Christ.”

To end this piece, allow me to quote the words of an author: “Until one feels the spirit of Christmas, there is no Christmas. All else is outward display-so much tinsel and decorations. For it isn’t the holly, it isn’t the snow. It isn’t the tree not the �irelight’s glow. It’s the warmth that comes to the hearts of men when the Christmas spirit returns again.”

Merry Christmas to everyone!

The true meaning of Christmas

quired. The words choked up in my throat and I saw he had tears in his eyes. His usual jolly manner was gone. Gone was the eager, boisterous soul we all know. He then answered me with a simple statement: “Teach the children…”

I was puzzled. What did Santa Claus mean? He anticipated my question and with one quick movement brought forth a miniature toy bag from behind the tree. As I stood bewildered, Santa said again, “Teach the children! Teach them the old meaning of Christmas, the meaning that modern Christmas has forgotten.”

Santa Claus then reached in his bag and pulled out a �ir tree and placed it before the mantle. He explained, “Teach the children that the pure green color of the stately �ir tree remains green all year round, depicting the everlasting hope of mankind, all the needles point heavenward, making it a symbol of man’s thoughts turning toward heaven.”

The Father Christmas again reached into his bag and pulled out a brilliant star. “Teach the children that the star was the heavenly sign of promises long ago,” he said. “God promised a Savior for the world, and the star was the sign of ful�illment of His promise.”

THINK ON THESE!

Henrylito D. Tacio

Then Santa Claus reached into his bag once more and pulled out a candle. “Teach the children that the candle symbolizes that Christ is the light of the world, and when we see this great light we are reminded of He who displaces the darkness,” he said.

Once again Santa Claus reached into his bag and removed a wreath and placed it on the tree. “Teach the children that the wreath symbolizes the real nature of love,” he said.

“Real love never ceases. Love is one continuous round of affection.”

Santa Claus then pulled from his bag an ornament of himself. “Teach

10 NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 190 • SUNDAY - TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24 - 26, 2017

DISPLACED... FROM 1 the �looded subdivision.

Jade Valley is located near the Crocodile Park in Maa. It was not clear though if the said crocodile actually came from the said park.

The City Government of Davao have already set up 18 evacuation centers all over the city to accommodate the 6,614 families who were affected by the �looding.

The tropical storm hit the east coast of Mindanao with a wind of 125 kilometers per hour which brought torrential rains to many parts of the island.Days earlier, Davao City Mayor Sara D. Carpio directed anti-disaster of�ices and relief unit under her command to get ready for the onslaught of tropical storm Vinta.

The Sangguniang Panlungsod under Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Z. Duterte has given food packs and sacks of rice to the victims.

Representatives Karlo Alexei and Jericho Nograles, Mylene G. Albano and Alberto T.

Ungab also mobilized their resources to come to the aid of their respective constituents victimized by the �loods.

City Information Of�icer Jefry Tupas said private companies or individuals wanting to donate food for the victims may drop their donations at the Davao City Hall in order to ensure that the items will be distributed systematically to the validated victims.

However if the donor wishes to personally distribute their donations the City Government of Davao suggests that they should coordinate with the people who manage the evacuation centers so that the distribution may be done in an orderly manner, he said.

For more information you can contact the City Government Operations Center Landline at (082)224 3004, Mobile 0917 162 0146 and you can email them at davaocitymayor@gmail.com. With a report by Ben Tesiorna/PNA.

relief operations. Kailangan pa natin ng road clearance,” Gov. Hataman said.

Since Friday night, the Department of Public Works and Highways-ARMM and Region 10 and the district engineering

of�ices in Lanao del Sur are now clearing up the roads and bridges affected by the �loods and landslides with support from the 6th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army. (Bureau of Public Information)

ARMM... FROM 2

NOGRALES PARTY. Davao City 1st District Representative Karlo Alexei Nograles, House committee of appropriations chair, delivers his Christmas message at the same time reports on his committee’s 2017 accomplishments during a Christmas party for the media organized by the Nograles family on Friday night. Lean Daval Jr.

Pasko Fiesta... FROM 1

The City Government has also cancelled classes in all levels in both the private and public schools in the city.

The mayor has advised everyone to exercise prudence in planning their activities from December 21 to December 23.

Among the activities scheduled on these dates are Kaandabaw, a Christmas Food Street along Palma Gil. Tecson

said most Pasko Fiesta Activities will resume on the December 23 — but still depending on the weather.

Lamdag Parada, originally scheduled on December 22, has been moved to December 28. Lamdag Parada includes the activities Parada ng mga Parol which is the parade of lighted Christmas lanterns and Banda Dasig which is a march-

ing band competition.

Pasko DabaDaba, a concert of various Davao artists at the Roxas Night Market slated on December 23 has been moved to December 30. On the other hand, Koro Sa Pasko which is also slated n on the same date, has been moved December 27.

Koro sa Pasko, a Chorale Competition which is slated on December 23 at the Rizal

Park, has also been moved to December 27 Wednesday, at the Matina Town Square.

The city government has previously advised the public to stay indoors from December 21-22 because storm signal no.

1 has been raised in the city.

The advisory urged everyone to exercise prudence in planning their activities from Dec 21-23. CIO

INdulge!

VOL. 10 ISSUE 190 • SUNDAY - TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24 - 26, 2017

EVENT

EDGEDAVAO

Happy birthday Fatima DECEMBER is one of the most anticipated months of the year! In

the Philippines, it is the time of Christmas, which is celebrated throughout the year. It was on December 25 when the Word became flesh and lived with us.

Some of the world’s famous men and women were also born on December. Both Oscar winning director Woody Allen and singer Lou Rawls shared the same birthday: December 1. Singer Andy Williams and director Jean-Luc Godard were born on the same day: December 3, 1930.

On December 13, these famous people were born: actor Van Heflin, poet Kenneth Patchen, and singer Lillian Roth.

Other noted personalities born on December 13: Aga Khan IV, Cameron Douglas, Ted Nugent, Henry IV of France, Amy Lee, James Wright, Christopher Plummer, and Dick van Dyke, and Ben Bernanke.

Rona V. Lagumbay was born on December 17 – and this year, she celebrated her natal day in the Big Apple (yes, you’re right, Manhattan, New York).

Lagumbay was together with her husband, Atty. Israelito Torreon (the dean of the College of Law of Jose Maria College).

(Among those born on December 17 were Pope Francis,

Manny Pacquiao, Sarah Paulson, Billy Wingrove, Nat Wolff, and Manu Rios.)

But before they left for the United States, the couple re-

joiced first with the birthday of their daughter, Fatima Ezra Elle L. Torreon. The first is always memorable and so the beautiful couple had the birthday bash at Marco Polo Hotel.

The party was supposed to start at 5 in the afternoon but it was stretched by almost an hour. But it was good that there was food treats outside of the venue. In addition, there was also an open photo booth.

The party started with the entrance of the couple, with Rona carrying the beautiful Fatima.

The family were wearing radiant pink that really suited the occasion. Pink was the motif of the celebration.

As it was a birthday for a baby girl, there were kids all over the

place. As a treat to these children, a program was set for them. The most enjoyable part was the Magic Show (which also delighted the adult guests).

The reason why I was there.

It so happened that I am a ninong of Fatima. My friend, Dr. Dante Comedido, came along with me.

If I remember it right, there were 31 other godparents. To name a few: Police Chief Superintendent Ronald dela Rosa, Assemblyman Khadafi Mangudadatu, Judge Rufino Ferraris, Board Member King Jazzer Mangudadatu, Mayor Marop Ampatuan, and Superintendent Matthew Baccay.

Most of the godparents are also lawyers just like the father.

The list include Atty. Henry Aquende, Att. Abubakar Catambak, Atty. Yasser Lumbas, Atty. Benito Dangaso, Atty.

Victoriano Alabastro, Atty. Allan Lozare, Atty, Julian Soriano.

Atty. Rene Alexis Villarente, Atty. Julius Francie Rizada, Atty. Khalil Paolo Elbanbuena, Atty. Harvey Cardeo, and Atty.

Salvador Diputado.

The rest of the male godparents: Teodato Parpan, John Oropeza, Robert Soriano, John Togonon, Christlamb Rae Vicente, Elben Pang, Zandro Torreon, Dr. John Greg Ramos, Joselito Arancan, Peter Laturgo, and Felix Esperanza.

In terms of lawyers, the female godparents are outnumbered; there are only five: Atty.

Jacqueline Garcia, Atty. Dimpna Dulay, Atty. Rseci Angelli Rizada, Atty. Genevieve Paulino, and Atty. Imelda Scheider.

But there are two doctors: Dr. Brenda Villegas and Dr. Karen Padilla.

The rest of female godparents: Marivic Paulo-Villaraiz, June Genevieve Sebastian, Jean Dayaganon, Pearl Angel Canada, Sarah Jean Entring, Bernice Piñol, Clerr Spenceley, Alleah Duay, Isabel Esperanza, Jowena Lagumbay, Gaye Cañete, and Hilda Bacalso.

Happy birthday, Fatima!

EDGEDAVAO

A2 INdulge!

EVENT

VOL. 10 ISSUE 190 • SUNDAY - TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24 - 26, 2017

Lester Salinas, Armin and Jocelyn Lorenzo with Cynthia Dominguez.

DOSM Pearl Maclang poses with her Hotelier of the Year award for Sales and Marketing which was also presented during the event.

Sales and Marketing team with GM Dottie.

Marco Polo Davao honors super hero associates

Wonder Hoteliers. Director of Sales and Marketing Pearl Peralta-Maclang, Banquet Sales Executive Alexis Booker Sabado and General Manager Dottie Wurgler-Cronin.

MARCO POLO DAVAO caps 2017 with a Thanksgiving party to honor the men and women of the hotel who stood the test of a challenging year. The annual thanksgiving party also serves as the hotels 19th anniversary celebration which was themed Super Heroes of Marco Polo Davao.

Marco Polo Davao General Manager Dottie WurglerCronin together with the hotel’s Heads of Department welcomed the associates in their hero-inspired outfit.

The event was also graced by Halifax Davao Hotel Inc. Board of Directors headed by its Chairman, Mr. Bienvenido A. Tan III and President Francis R. Ledesma.

The party honored milestones of the hotel and paid tribute to its Service Awardees. Shortly after, the employees’ super power and talent were showcased in a dance competition where Sales and Marketing Department together with the Culinary Team emerged as champion. Housekeeping and the Technical Departments garnered 1st runner up while Finance with the Front Office Team followed by RB&E Service, Human Resource, Executive Office and Security won 2nd runner up and 3rd runner up respectively.

A special awards were also given to the best hero costume for the male and female category.

Marco Polo Davao Heads of Department with their Marco Polo Davao’s pride—Five, ten and fifteen year Service Awardees pose with HDHI intermission number.

Officers and Management team.

DOSM Pearl Maclang together with Halifax Davao Hotel Inc Chairman Bienvenido A. Tan III, Board of Director Cynthia Domininguez, President Francis R. Ledesma and MPD General Best Dressed Gloed Almarez (Fitness Center) and Francis Suan (Security Manager Dottie Wurgler-Cronin.

Department) with the evening judges.

ENTERTAINMENT

Sky rewards subscribers with holiday gifts THE HOLIDAY SEASON is happier for all SKY subscribers nationwide as the broadband and pay TV provider rewards its loyal customers with Thank You points via ABS-CBN’s “Kapamilya, Thank You” customer loyalty program until February 2018 to enjoy bill rebates on their SKY account as well as freebies and discounts from various ABS-CBN products and services.

Subscribers who become “Kapamilya, Thank You” members may get rewards like SKY bill rebates, which can be ap-

plied to their monthly service fees or subscription to payper-view offers, tickets to “It’s Showtime” or “ASAP,” ABSCBN Store discount vouchers, premium access to iWant TV, free access to KBO, and even free SMS, data, or calls via ABS-CBNmobile with their Thank You points.

Alternatively, members may also choose to share the love and gratitude by donating their Thank You points to ABSCBN Lingkod Kapamilya this Christmas.

Upon registration, and enrolment of their SKY account number at thankyou.abs-cbn. com, SKY subscribers will get

a special 50 points bonus (30 Thank You points from “Kapamilya, Thank You” Registration, and additional 20 Thank You points from enrolling their

SKY account).

Since every Kapamilya Thank You point is equivalent to P1, the bonus points from registration can already be used

as a P50 SKY bill rebate.

Other activities that will help subscribers receive Thank You points include enrolling to SKY’s paperless billing (10 Thank You Points), subscribing to SKY Pay-Per-View offers worth Php199 (10 Thank You Points) and Php99 (5 Thank You Points), entering the hashtag of the day of select ABS-CBN shows (1 Thank You Point), and paying their SKY bill (1 Thank You Point for every payment of Php200).

SKY is the pay TV and broadband unit of ABS-CBN, the first among TV networks to roll out a rewards program for its loyal customers.

VOL. 10 ISSUE 190 • SUNDAY - TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24 - 26, 2017

FOOD

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

A heart-healthy Christmas THE FEAST, flavors, and the festiveness of it all are some of the reasons we adore the holidays so much. However, it’s also undeniable that this season usually equates to calorie-laden food, high level of cholesterol, and unwanted weight gain! So as you plan out your menu, let Jolly Heart Mate Canola Oil inspire you to build your list by understanding the helpful benefits of good fats and smart grocery shopping as the beginning to a heart-healthy holiday.

Incorporating Good Fats into your Christmas Dishes: As most people’s favorite affair, Christmas celebration in the Philippines is considered the longest and the biggest.

However, it also comes with a full stream of delectable dishes which may not be as healthy for your body. That is why it is important to strike a balance between delectable treats with what is good for your health.

Below is your guide to a hearthealthy Christmas feast: • Choose recipes that have high amounts of good fats, the polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats like Lemon Cilantro Salmon with Mango Avocado Salsa or the Baked Chicken and Spinach Rollups.

• Use only ingredients which are low in bad fat (saturated fats) and high in good fats such as Jolly Heart Mate Canola Oil which has the lowest saturated fat among all types of cooking oil. It is also rich in essential fatty acids such as omega 3 & 6 which are important for brain development, immune system function, and blood pressure regulation.

• Load up on avocados, nuts, and salmon to minimize bad cholesterol levels and to help reduce the risk of heart disease.

• Lessen your consumption of food with high saturated fats (lechon) which could lead to high cholesterol levels, increasing your risk of developing heart disease.

As Fly Ace Corporation’s Group Category Manager for

Edible Oils Zen Prudentino puts it, look for affordable options that will prevent cholesterol spike and will keep your heart in good shape. “It is wise to read the labels and understand your ingredients. Jolly Heart Mate Canola Oil is the number one canola oil brand in the Philippine market, it is 100% pure, lowest in bad fats and gives the best value for money with its perfect combination of quality and affordability.” she shares.

“Deep-fried food is in demand once the holiday season rolls around, so opting for cooking oil with a high smoking point, like Jolly Heart Mate Canola Oil, will prevent fried dishes from being burnt and releasing toxic substance in the process” she adds.

For all your special holiday

recipes that call for frying, sautéing, grilling, and baking, the country’s no.1 Jolly Heart Mate Canola Oil is a versatile cooking partner. Affordable and highperforming, its pale golden color, light texture, and neutral taste are all part of its charm.

Remember, good food is something that no holiday party can do without, so why not make it extra endearing by preparing a well-thought-out spread? After all, dishes that look appealing on the outside and is healthy is the best gift for yourself and loved ones during this jolliest time of the year.

Lemon Cilantro Salmon with Mango Avocado Salsa INGREDIENTS: For the Salmon 2 center-cut salmon fillets (6 oz. each) 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice ¼ cup finely chopped cilanto 2 tablespoons Jolly Heart Mate Canola Oil Freshly ground black pepper and salt, to taste For the Salsa 1 medium red onion 3 garlic cloves 2 tablespoons chopped fresh

cilantro 3 pcs medium tomatoes 2 firm-ripe avocados 1-piece ripe mango 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, or to taste DIRECTIONS: 1. Place the salmon fillets in a shallow bowl. Toss well with lemon juice, cilantro, Jolly Heart Mate Canola Oil, salt and pepper. Let it rest for 15 minutes.

2. Cook the salmon, skin side down in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat for 2 to 3 minutes, shaking the pan and carefully lifting the salmon with a spatula to loosen it from the pan.

3. Reduce the heat to medium.

Cover the pan and cook until the salmon is cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes more. The skin should be crisp and the flesh medium rare.

4. To make the salsa: Finely chop onion and mince garlic.

In a bowl toss onion and garlic with cilantro.

5. Chop tomatoes and mango, add to onion mixture, tossing to combine.

6. Peel and pit avocados and cut into 3/4-inch pieces. Add avocados, lime juice, and pepper to taste.

EDGEDAVAO

A4 INdulge!

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NEWS 11

EDGEDAVAO

Legarda... FROM 2 authorities to investigate this incident and bring the perpetrators to justice,” Legarda said.

Citing news reports, the senator said that the military claims it was an encounter between government troops and Danyan’s group who were allegedly members of the New People’s Army, but witnesses said it was a massacre and that Danyan was not a member of NPA but an active community leader.

There were also reports that the incident involves a dispute over the ancestral land of the Lumads.

“The families of the victims and the Lumad community demand justice for the death of their kin and the disruption of peace in the entire community. I call on the government to urgently implement measures that would protect our indigenous peoples and put an end to these unwarranted killings,” Legarda said.

ing, but a child!!! Even if you’re well known, you can’t do things like that!!! Even if you’re a Duterte, it’s not acceptable,” her tweet read in Visayan.

In a follow up blow, the teen said: “My dad f**** up my Christmas every year. What a time to be alive,” she said.

On Facebook, Isabelle apologized to an unnamed friend who she said is currently in hospital. She was scant on details.

“My friend, who is now in the hospital, is a good friend of mine since we were 7th grade,” the post read.

Petition for Extension of Validity of a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate a PUJ DUAL Ordinary Regular Service.

Petition for Extension of Validity of a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate a PUJ DUAL Ordinary Regular Service.

Pulong... FROM 4

Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation LAND TRANSPORTATION FRANCHISING AND REGULATORY BOARD Regional Of�ice No. XI Davao City

Case No. R11-EVPJ-2017-12-553 (2008-XI-00553)

VIRGILIO D. PALANCA, Petitioner.

x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - --x

NOTICE OF HEARING

Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation LAND TRANSPORTATION FRANCHISING AND REGULATORY BOARD Regional Of�ice No. XI Davao City

Case No. R11-EVPJ-2017-12-1695 (2016-XI-01695)

MARILYN G. NOVICIO, Petitioner.

x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - --x

NOTICE OF HEARING

Petitioner is a grantee of a Certificate of Public Convenience issued in this case authorizing the operation of a PUJ Ordinary Regular service on the route: MULIG and for cargoes as dual service from said route to any point in Region XI with the use of ONE (1) unit, which Certificate will expire on October 30, 2018.

In the petition filed on December 21, 2017, petitioner requests authority to extend the validity of the said Certificate to operate along the same route with the use of the same unit previously authorized.

Petitioner is a grantee of a Certificate of Public Convenience issued in this case authorizing the operation of a PUJ Ordinary Regular service on the route: LASANG VIA BUHANGIN and for cargoes as dual service from said route to any point in Region XI with the use of ONE (1) unit, which Certificate will expire on January 19, 2018. In the petition filed on December 18, 2017, petitioner requests authority to extend the validity of the said Certificate to operate along the same route with the use of the same unit previously authorized.

At least, TEN (10) days prior to the above date petitioner shall publish this Notice once in a newspaper of local circulation.

At least, TEN (10) days prior to the above date petitioner shall publish this Notice once in a newspaper of local circulation.

This petition will be acted upon by this Board on the basis of its records and the documentary evidence submitted by the parties, unless the Board deems it necessary to receive additional documentary and/or oral evidence.

This petition will be acted upon by this Board on the basis of its records and the documentary evidence submitted by the parties, unless the Board deems it necessary to receive additional documentary and/or oral evidence.

NOTICE, is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Board on JANUARY 15, 2018 at 8:30 a.m. at this office at the above address.

Parties opposed to the granting of the petition must file their written opposition supported by documentary evidence on or before the above date furnishing a copy of the same to the petitioner, and may if they so, desire appear on said date and time.

WITNESS the Atty. TERESITA DELA PEÑA-YÑIGUEZ , Regional Director, this 22nd day of December 2017 at Davao City.

Atty. CATTLEYA B. ACAYLAR Attorney IV

Petitioner, Virgilio D. Palanca Counsel, Atty. Jose Dionisio N. Guevarra Jr.

NOTICE, is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Board on JANUARY 9, 2018 at 8:30 a.m. at this office at the above address.

Parties opposed to the granting of the petition must file their written opposition supported by documentary evidence on or before the above date furnishing a copy of the same to the petitioner, and may if they so, desire appear on said date and time.

WITNESS the Atty. TERESITA DELA PEÑA-YÑIGUEZ , Regional Director, this 19th day of December 2017 at Davao City.

Atty. CATTLEYA B. ACAYLAR Attorney IV

Petitioner, Marilyn G. Novicio Counsel, Atty. Napoleon F. Sango

No... FROM 4

sustained winds of up to 90 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 125 kph, tropical Storm Vinta made landfall in Cateel at 2 o’clock this morning, bringing with it heavy rains and strong winds causing two houses in Cateel town to be totally damaged while roofs made of light materials of some houses in Baganga town were blown away.

A storm signal warning number 2 was raised in the Northern parts of Davao Oriental that covers the towns of Boston, Cateel, Baganga, and Caraga while signal number 1 was raised over the rest of Davao Oriental.

Aside from the heavy downpour, residents in many parts of the province have experienced power interruption that was immediately restored.

However, there is still power outage in northern Davao Oriental due to damaged transmission lines. The province’s power service provider vowed to promptly repair damage to restore power within the day in the affected areas.

Although, there were no reported casualties, the ICP recorded two �ishermen who had been missing in San Isidro town. Efforts to look for them are still ongoing.

In today’s meeting, Governor Dayanghirang ordered a Rapid Damage Assessment Needs Analysis (RDANA). Key of�ices and agencies are being mobilized this morning to do an ocular assessment on the affected areas. Aside from concerns on providing residents food packs and basic necessities, the assessment aims to identify urgent needs of the communities that are still not evident as of the moment.

A force evacuation of residents was ordered in Barangay Aragon and the neighboring villages of San Alfonso and Baybay for fear of an over�low of a dam. Although the dam’s water level had steadily increased overnight, its water level has subsided to 18 meters this morning, which is at a normal level. By Karen Lou Deloso

ENVI... FROM 12

on, to slow the ship down and move the iceberg a little bit. The time for emission reductions isn’t so much now as it was 20 years ago.”

To think, the Philippines is a minor contributor to global warming. The World Bank report said that the country ranks 43rd in terms of global greenhouse gas emissions and 112th in terms of emissions intensity.

Meanwhile, the climate change continues to wreak its havoc around the world. “Climate change is taking place before our eyes and will continue to do so as a result of the concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which have risen constantly and again reached new records,” deplored Michel Jarraud, secretary-general of the World Meteorological Organization. (To be continued)

EDGEDAVAO

12 ENVIRONMENT

VOL. 10 ISSUE 190 • SUNDAY - TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24 - 26, 2017

Climate change is here!

(First of Three Parts)

Text and Photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO

“W

HEN the doctor tells you that your cholesterol is too high, you tend to listen and change your diet. When the world’s climate scientists tell us that temperatures are rising to dangerous levels, we should heed their advice.

It’s time to give up climate change, it’s bad for our health.” – Christiana Figueres, chair of the Lancet Countdown advisory board

*** In the past, Mindanao was considered as typhoon-free but now cyclones no longer spare the island. This was particularly true in Davao Region, whose inhabitants never experience typhoons in their lives. Not until Typhoon Pablo (international name: Washi) made landfall late on December 3, 2012. The storm caused widespread destruction in the region.

Pablo packed winds of up to 175 mph when it struck the region, bringing torrential rains that �lattened entire villages, leaving thousands homeless, as well as washing out roads and bridges needed by rescue personnel trying to reach stricken regions.

“Electrical poles snapped like matchsticks as Pablo’s devastating winds howled across the island of Mindanao, leaving

large swaths of territory without power. It was the strongest weather disturbance to hit the south in two decades,” a government of�icial said Arthur Uy, then the governor of the worst-hit province, Compostela Valley, reported that raging water and mud from the mountains had swept through school buildings, covered courts, town halls, and health centers where residents had taken shelter. “The waters came so suddenly and unexpectedly, and the winds were so �ierce; that compounded the loss of lives and livelihood,” Uy told Reuters.

A year earlier, in 2011, Mindanao was also hit by another strong typhoon named Sendong (international name: Washi). On December 16, severe tropical storm Sendong brought 10 hours of torrential rains that triggered disastrous �lash �looding over Mindanao, an area that rarely experiences tropical cyclones.

More than 200 millimeters of rain was reported in places where rivers were already swollen. During the overnight hours, hundreds of people were killed as �lood waters and landslides destroyed homes along moun-

tain sides. In some locations, �lood waters rose by 3.3 meters in less than an hour. Residents impacted by these �lood waters were forced to seek refuge on their roofs amidst gust winds of 90 kilometers per hour.

Climate change is cited as the most likely culprit of damaging typhoons. “Weather patterns could become unpredictable, as would extreme weather events, hurricanes could become much stronger and more frequent,” wrote Lulu Bucay in a climate change brochure produced by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

“By the end of this century, tropical cyclones are expected to intensify, with a projected increase in the average instantaneous maximum wind velocity at the Philippine coast,” the executive report of “Getting A Grip on Climate Change in the Philippines,” a World Bank publication, con�irmed.

The “Global Climate Risk Index 2015” listed the Philippines as the number one most affected country by climate change. “This is in part to its geography,” wrote the EcoWatch in its website. “The Philippines is located in the western Paci�ic

Ocean, surrounded by naturally warm waters that will likely get even warmer as average sea-surface temperature continues to rise.”

With over 7,500 islands and situated in the so-called Ring of Fire, the Philippines has to bear the brunt of climate change. As early as 2010, a mapping assessment was carried out for each of the country’s provinces.

“Sixteen provinces of the Philippines ranked among the top 50 most vulnerable in Southeast Asia,” reports “Hotspots! Mapping Climate Change Vulnerability in Southeast Asia.” “High exposure to climate hazards, especially tropical cyclones, �loods and landslides, is the dominant factor behind the vulnerability of these provinces.”

The planet has been warming since prehistoric times, but man’s tampering with the environment has made the temperature change faster. “While human activities during the past century have damaged a long list of natural systems, most of these problems are local or regional in scope and can be reversed in years or decades if suf�icient effort is exerted,” wrote Christopher Flavin, author of Slowing Global Warming: A Worldwide Strategy.

“Changes to the earth’s atmosphere, on the other hand, are global and – for all practical purposes – irreversible not only in our lifetime but in our children’s and grandchildren’s as well,” he added.

It was Dr. James E. Hansen of the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration who �irst raised the issue. In 1988, he told a Senate hearing that “the greenhouse effect is changing our climate now.”

Robert James Bidinotto, in a Reader’s Digest article, explained greenhouse effect in this manner: “When sunlight warms the earth, certain gases in the lower atmosphere, acting like the glass in a greenhouse, trap some of the heart as it radiates back into space. The greenhouse gases, primarily water vapor and including carbon dioxide, methane and man-made chlorofluorocarbons, warm our planet, making life possible.

“If they were more abundant, greenhouse gases might trap too much heat. Venus, for example, has 60,000 times more carbon dioxide in its atmosphere than Earth, and its temperature averages above 800 degrees Fahrenheit. But if greenhouse gases were less plentiful or entirely absent, temperatures on Earth would average below freezing,” Bidinotto wrote.

“As long as the amount of greenhouse gases remains constant, along with other climatic factors, the temperature on the planet remains relatively steady,” H. Steven Dashefsky pointed out in his book, Environmental Literacy. “Increased amounts of greenhouse gases due to human activities increase the greenhouse effect and are believed to lead to global warming.”

Take the case of carbon dioxide, which plays an important role in controlling the earth’s surface temperature. Studies show the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has been rising over the past few decades. Burning gasoline for vehicles and burning coal and oil to generate electricity are believed responsible for this increase.

Methane is the second

most prevalent greenhouse gas that is released into the air. Although methane spends less time in the atmosphere (12 years) than carbon dioxide, it’s more ef�icient at trapping radiation, according to some studies. “Methane is 25 times greater to impact climate change than carbon dioxide in a 100-year period,” a study said.

A third culprit, chloro�luorocarbons (CFCs), are synthetic or man-made chemicals used as aerosol, repellants, blowing agents for plastic-foams, refrigerants and solvents. Freon was the original CFC developed in the 1930s.

Then, there’s nitrous oxide, released both by bacterial process and by the combustion of fossil fuels, especially coal and fuel oil. Recent studies have shown that deforestation, particularly clear cutting, can increase by two times the local emissions of nitrous oxide.

There is no turning back when it comes to climate change. It is for real and it is happening right now. In 2008, during the 11th International Coral Reef Symposium (ICRS) held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Dr. Simon Donner of the University of British Columbia embarked on a metaphor for climate change.

“The climate is like this big ship. We are all on this big ship and the problem is once you hit the brakes it takes a long time for the ship to actually slow down and stop,” Dr. Donner told the participants.

“In our case the ship is the Titanic and we are going to hit the iceberg. It is going to be almost impossible for us not to hit the iceberg at this point.

What we need to do is everything we can to put the brakes

ENVIRONMENT, P11

VOL. 10 ISSUE 190 • SUNDAY - TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24 - 26, 2017

EDGEDAVAO

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

is in need of

3 ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Qualifications: • BS Marketing Graduate • Male/Female • With Pleasing Personality

DRIVER Qualifications: • at least 21 years old, male • with Driver’s License • physically and mentally fit Submit application letter and resume to: ELLA P. TINGZON HR/Admin Supervisor Edge Davao Review Publishing Inc. Door 14 ALCREJ Bldg., E. Quirino Avenue, Davao City Or email at edgedavao@gmail.com or ella_tingzon@yahoo.com

SPORTS 13

PH to host 2020 BIMP Eaga Games

D

AVAO CITY - Not this year. The Philippines will host the BIMP-Eaga Friendship Games in 2020 instead.

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) commissioner Charles Raymond A. Maxey, during the Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum at Hukad, The Annex of SM City Davao, said his executive assistant Karlo Paolo Pates and another PSC staff Michelle Balunan attended a BIMP-Eaga Council meeting in Indonesia where Brunei Darussalam con�irmed its hosting of the 2018 edition of the Games.

“Nag-con�irm na ang Brunei maghost December next year. The Philippines will host it in 2020,” Maxey said.

He also said that had Brunei begged off from next year’s hosting, the country will host the BIMP-Eaga Friendship Games and bring it to Davao City instead.

Maxey also said that swimming, which was not included in past stagings of the biennial goodwill games, will be making its debut in Brunei.

He added, “More contact sports have also been

2020. The Philippines will host the BIMP-Eaga Friendship Games in 2020, says Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) commissioner Charles Raymond A. Maxey during Thursday’s Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum at The Annex of SM City Davao. DSA included.”

Meanwhile, he also bared that 2018 will be a busy year in Mindanao as more Children’s Games, consultative meetings, coaches’ education and talent ID will be conducted.

“Ma-busy jud mi labi na sa (We will be busy espe-

cially with the) Children’s Games because this is the brainchild of Chairman (William) Ramirez. We plan to have more kids participate in this undertaking considering that the Children’s Games had been recognized by Unesco,” Maxey said. PSC-PSI

14

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EDGEDAVAO

Listup on for Jr. NBA‘18

J

R. NBA Philippines 2018 presented by Alaska will tip off Jan. 13 at Don Bosco Technical Institute in Makati and runs through May 2018 as part of the league’s effort to encourage youth basketball participation.

This year’s program is set to reach more than 250,000 participants and 900 coaches across the country. Online registration is open now at www. jrnba.asia/philippines.

Jr. NBA, the league’s global youth basketball participation program for boys and girls, teaches the fundamental skills and core values of the game at the grassroots level in an effort to enhance the youth basketball experience for players, parents and coaches.

During the 2017-18 season, the NBA will reach more than 26 million youth in 71 countries through a variety of camps, clinics, skills challenges, league play and outreach events.

The program remains free and open to boys and girls ages 10-14 throughout its four stages: skills clinics in schools and communities, Regional Selection Camps, a National Training Camp and an NBA experience trip.

Since its launch in 2007, Jr. NBA clinics have been implemented in 110 cities and municipalities across the country and the 2018 program will return to key provinces including Agusan Del Norte, Batangas, Benguet, Cavite, Misamis Oriental, and Negros Occidental.

Regional Selection Camps will be held in Bacolod (Feb. 10-11), Butuan (Feb. 24-25), Baguio (March 17-18) and Metro Manila (April 7-8), with the top 37 boys and 37 girls advancing for the National Training Camp in Manila in May 2018, which will feature an NBA and WNBA player or legend.

The program will culminate with the selection of 16 Jr. NBA All-Stars, comprised of eight boys and eight girls, who will embark on an overseas NBA experience trip with fellow Jr. NBA All-Stars from Southeast Asia. Prior editions of the Jr. NBA Philippines program have featured notable alumni including Aljon Mariano, Kobe Paras, Kiefer and

Thirdy Ravena, Ricci Rivero, and Kai Sotto.

“For the past 10 years, Jr. NBA Philippines has established itself as a platform to improve the youth basketball experience and promote an active and healthy lifestyle among the Filipino youth,” said NBA Philippines Managing Director Carlo Singson. “Together with Alaska, we are committed to providing proper guidelines to how the game should be played and taught to more youth, coaches and parents in the country.”

“As part of our long-standing partnership with the NBA, Alaska Milk Corporation is proud to play an active role in shaping the basketball players of tomorrow through good nutrition and proper life values,” said Alaska Milk Corporation Marketing Director Blen Fernando. “We look forward to making a lasting impact on the lives of aspiring athletes on and off the court through the Jr. NBA program.”

The 2018 edition of Jr. NBA Philippines will also include the Jr. NBA Coach of the Year program, led by Jr. NBA Head Coaches Carlos Barroca and Alaska Power Camp Coach Jeff Cariaso, to provide training for 14 Jr. NBA coaches during the National Training Camp, with two Jr. NBA Coaches of the Year awarded with an NBA experience trip.

Jr. NBA Philippines furthers the mission of Alaska Milk’s NUTRITION.ACTION. CHAMPION. program that highlights the nutritional bene�its of milk, encourages physical activity through play, and instills values that are essential to becoming a champion.

AXA, CloudFone, Gatorade and Panasonic serve as Of�icial Partners of the Jr. NBA in the Philippines, while Spalding is a Supporting Partner. ABSCBN Sports + Action, Basketball TV and NBA Premium TV are the Of�icial NBA Broadcasters of the Jr. NBA in the Philippines.

nity will open the �loodgates for Jerwin to reach his full potential and continue to bring great honor to the Philippines. That begins on February 3 in Corpus Christi, Texas, live on ESPN, and we will be with him in every step of the way throughout his journey.”

“I am thrilled to have Mr. Arum and Top Rank promoting my career in the United States. As a Filipino boxer there is no higher honor than

to have Mr. Arum and Top Rank Boxing promoting you,” said Ancajas. “I also want to thank MP promotions and Joven Sports for helping get me to this point in my career and I look forward to following in the footsteps of my Idol and promoter Manny Pacquiao. I want to be a champion for a long time.”

“We at Joven Sports are thrilled to be signing with Mr. Arum and Top Rank boxing.

EYES ON... FROM 16

SPORTS 15

TOP OF THE PODIUM. Jacob Ang of the Philippines holds his overall championship trophy in the Formula 125 Sr. Open at the close of the Asian Karting Open Championship (AKOC) in Macau recently. Ang,

backed by San Miguel Corporation and Eagle Cement, also ruled the X30 SR class. He is flanked in this photo by fellow Filipino John Dizon (left) and Haopang Zhang of China.

J

137 points after four legs, besting fellow Filipinos Mikey Jordan (70 points) and John Dizon (68 points) in his campaign backed by San Miguel Corporation and Eagle Cement.

Other overall winners were Eduardo Coseteng (Formula 125 Jr. Open and X30

Ang rules Asian Kartfest

ACOB Ang shone the most as he won the overall crowns in the Formula 125 Sr. Open and the X30 SR classes of the Asian Karting Open Championship at the Kartodrome de Coloane Circuit in Macau recently.

Ang compiled 142 points after four legs held in Macau

(June 10-11), Philippines (August 26-27), Thailand (November 2-4) and Macau (December 9-10) to win hands down the Formula 125 class over John Dizon (69 points) and Haopeng Zhang of China (67 points).

He also dominated the X30 SR class with an overall

Donaire lined up for Belfast fighter B

ELFAST bomber Carl Frampton is set to face former four-weight world champion Nonito Donaire on April 7.

The deal is expected to be �inalised in the coming days for the mouth-watering clash at the SSE Arena in Belfast.

Frampton, 30, put a nightmare 2017 behind him with a November win over Horacio Garcia and aims NEXT DONAIRE FOE. Carl to regain a verFrampton of Belfast is being sion of the world lined up for Filipino Flash featherweight

Nonito Donaire.

There was only one choice when we decided to go with a promoter in the United States,” said Joven Jimenez, president of Joven Sports and Ancajas’ co-promoter and trainer. “Mr. Arum has done so much for Filipino boxing over the years. We are honored to be promoted by him . Also I want to thank co-promoter Manny Pacquiao and MP Promotions for all they have done and we

Jr), Zach David (Minirok), and Leung Pui Chiu (Formula 125 Veteran Open).

In the Macau leg, Ang placed second runner up behind champion Eshan Pieris and Royce Yu in the X30 class and 1st runner up behind Royce Yu in the Formula 125 Sr Open.

hope to have the tremendous success that our promoter Manny has had in boxing.”

Ancajas captured the IBF junior bantamweight world title last year, dethroning defending undefeated champion McJoe Arroyo via a dominate 12-round unanimous decision. It was the only �ight Ancajas has gone the distance in his last 14 bouts dating back to 2012.

He has successfully de-

title next year.

The former super-bantamweight and featherweight champion is taking a big step up in class from Garcia in facing Donaire.

The Filipino puncher has won world titles at �lyweight, bantamweight, super-bantamweight and featherweight, and was once seen as the heir to Manny Pacquiao’s throne as their country’s biggest boxing star.

However, Donaire has come up short in big �ights against the likes of Guillermo Rigondeaux and Nicholas Walters, as well as a surprise defeat by Jessie Magdaleno in 2016.

fended the title three times -- all in 2017 and all by stoppage -- against Jose Rodriguez (32-4) in Macau; Teiru Kinoshita (25-1-1) in Brisbane, Australia, under the Manny Pacquiao - Jeff Horn world title �ight; and on November 18, Jamie Conlan (19-0), in Conlan’s native Belfast.

Gonzalez returns to the ring riding an eight-bout winning streak with �ive of

those victories coming by way of knockout. The former WBC FECOMBOX super �lyweight champion is currently world rated No. 9 by the IBF. For more information visit: www.toprank. com, www.espn.com/boxing; Facebook: facebook.com/ trboxing,facebook.com/espndeportes; Twitter: twitter. com/trboxing, twitter.com/ trboxeo, @ESPN @ESPNBoxeo @ESPNDeportes.

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. VOL.10 10ISSUE ISSUE190 190••SUNDAY SUNDAY--TUESDAY, TUESDAY,DECEMBER DECEMBER24 24--26, 26,2017 2017

BIGGER THINGS AHEAD. Ancajas vs.

Gonzalez is co-main event to Gilberto Ramírez - Habib Ahmed WBO Super Middleweight World Title Tilt Saturday, February 3 American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas to be shown live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes.

EYES ON JERWIN F

ESPN airs Ancajas-Gonzales title tiff

ILIPINO �ireball JERWIN “Pretty Boy” ANCAJAS will make his U.S. debut, Saturday, February 3, at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, TX. A protégé of Filipino icon Senator Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao, and promoted by Top Rank®, MP Promotions and Joven Sports, Ancajas (26-1-1, 18 KOs), a native of Panabo City who polished his box-

ing skills in Davao City, Philippines, will be making the fourth defense of his International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior bantamweight world title against Top-10 contender Israel Gonzales (20-1, 8 KOs), of Cabo San Lucas, México.

The Ancajas - Gonzalez world championship �ight will be the co-main event to the Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez -Habib “Wild

Hurricane” Ahmed World Boxing Organization (WBO) super middleweight world title rumble. Both �ights will be televised live and exclusively at 10:15 p.m. EST on ESPN and ESPN Deportes and stream live on the ESPN App. Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Zapari Boxing Promotions, remaining tickets to the Ramírez Ahmed / Ancajas - Gonzalez

world championship doubleheader event are priced at $152, $102, $62, $42, and $27, including facility fees.

Tickets may be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com, at the American Bank Center Box Of�ice, Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT, or charge by phone at 1-800745-3000.

“I have had the opportunity to be ringside for Jerwin’s �ights in Australia

and in Macau and I see a lot of similarities to his co-promoter Manny Pacquiao,” said Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum. “Jerwin has a killer instinct inside the ring and he is a great �inisher. Just look at his record.

Jerwin has only gone the distance once in his last 14 �ights!”

“Jerwin Ancajas, the IBF junior bantamweight world champion and MP Promo-

tions’ �irst world title holder, is an exciting �ighter who has not reached his full potential,” said Pacquiao. “I am pleased to announce that we will have the opportunity to get worldwide exposure through his upcoming �ights being televised on ESPN, with the help of the legendary Bob Arum and Top Rank. We, at MP Promotions feel that this opportu-

EYES ON, P15