Edge Davao 5 Issue 230

EDGEDAVAO

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VOL.5 ISSUE 230 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2013

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42,618 residents affected by flood 4,072 families added to list

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By EJ Dominic Fernandez and Che Palicte

A

NOThER 4,072 families were added yesterday to the victims of Sunday’s floods, according to data from the Davao City Social Services and Development Office.

As of 8 a.m. yesterday a total of 14,352 families had already been documented

by CSSDO, showing an increase from the 10,280 families recorded last Monday.

Another 7,482 individuals were added to the original report on Monday of 35,136 victims of last weekend’s calamity, bringing the total to 42, 618 persons affected.

There were also 33 totally damaged houses and 24 partially damaged houses reported by CSSDO yesterday.

The families that were accounted for are in evacuation centers.

In Barangay Tigatto, there were 1,598 families who were affected and are staying at the Buhangin Gym, Julliville Gym, DMMA, Uyanguren Gym, Sta. Marina Gym, Lapanday Packing Site and Deca Church.

In Waan, 750 families were displaced and are staying at the Waan Elementary School.

From Barangay 74-A, Barangay 76-A and Maa, 5,021 displaced families are staying at the SIR Covered Court and Maa Elementary School while 566 families of Barangay 1-A are staying at Brgy 1-A gym and Almendras Gym, whereas 12 families from Barangay 2-A are staying at the Sta. Cruz Chapel whle 2,104 families from Barangay 5-A are housed at the Bankerohan Gym. Meanwhile, 850 families of Barangay 8-A are sheltered at the Brokenshire Gym and 762 families from Barangay 10 are staying at the San Rafael Chapel. On the other hand, 836 families from Barangay 19-B are in the Dizon Elemen-

FDAVAO, 11

CLEANUP. Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) maintenance personnel engage in a cleanup operation to remove the bamboos stacked up under the Gov. Generoso Bridge in Matina, Davao City yesterday which may damage the bridge’s foundations and hamper the flow of water. A huge volume of debris, trees and other refuse from the different areas wiped out by flash floods are seen floating at the Davao River 2 days after the incident. Lean Daval Jr.

Gun ban includes toy guns

By EJ Dominic Fernandez

D

ON’T laugh, this is not a joke. Even possession of a toy gun can get you into trouble with the authorities during this year’s election gun ban, according to Police Su-

perintendent Antonio Ersando Rivera. The head of the Investigation and Detective Management Branch (IDMB) of the Davao City Police Office

FGUN BAN, 11

2 THE BIG NEWS

VOL.5 ISSUE 230 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2013

First in the country

PRC Davao to own a mobile kitchen

By EJ Dominic Fernandez

T

hE Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Davao City will be the first chapter in the country to have a Disaster Mobile Kitchen (DMK), according to lawyer Aileen Lourdes Lizada, secretary of the PRC Board of Directors, Lizada told members of media during the Kapehan sa SM Monday that the DMK program is in the designing phase and will be ready for use “more or less, after two months.”

This project is intended to ration the responders and rescuers, not only from the PRC but other players as well, such as Rescue 911, during calamities and other emergencies.

She said that, based on experience, responders’ needs are not properly at-

tended to.

“Their needs must be attended to because cooked food is essential for the responders so that they may continue to do their respective tasks,” she added.

The DMK can stay in the field for up to three days to support the responders during the most crucial part of a calamity, which is three days after the disaster hits.

The DMK has a built-in rice steamer that can cook up to 40 kilos of rice in one go, a generator set, two diesel and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) burners, two cauldrons with a capacity of 170 liters, freezer and chiller, two kitchen sinks, and a dispatching table.

Cancellation of classes at schools’ discretion

By Che Palicte

J

OSEPh Laurence Garcia, officer in-charge of the Davao City Information Office (CIO) said in an interview yesterday that the decision to suspend or cancel classes would be left to the discretion of school authorities.

The recent suspension of classes from January 22 to 26 due to bad weather was ordered by Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

her decision was based on the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA) 24-hour weather forecast issued yesterday at 5:00 am in view of the extended weather outlook up to January 26.

Ateneo de Davao University was the first to confirm to the CIO the

FCANCELLATION, 11

SCHOLARSHIP LAUNCHED. Young Men’s Christian Association Davao, Inc. president Leoncio P. Villa-Abrille (left), guest of honor and speaker Leonardo R. Cortez, Jr. of Sagittarius Mines, Inc. and Jesusita P. Villa-Abrille, Don Cesareo Villa-Abrille Foundation, Inc. treasurer formally launch the YMCA Davao Scholarship Grant, a project of

MinDA says

YMCA Davao in cooperation with Don Cesareo Villa-Abrille Foundation, Inc., during YMCA Davao’s 41st Installation and Turnover Ceremonies at the Marco Polo Davao Sunday night. Also in the photo are Emerlita D. Mapula, C.V.A. Elementary School principal, and Jean A. Legaspi, Holy Cross of Davao High School principal. Lean Daval Jr.

300 expected to attend MDForum next month T

hE Mindanao Development Forum will be conducted in Davao City on February 14 with some 300 representatives from the country’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) agen-

cies attending, according to the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA).

MinDA spokesperson and head of Communications and Media Affairs, Romeo Montenegro, announced at the Kapehan

sa SM Monday that the heads and representatives of various ODA offices, including some members of the diplomatic community as well as officials from national line agencies, are expected to

attend this year’s (MDF) which opens February 1 at The Marco Polo Davao.

MDF, organized by MinDA, is a high level multilateral meeting that will tackle topics like the

Response Center Central 911 said the alert was issued based on a weather advisory that the light to moderate to heavy rainfall may cause flooding and landslides. he said that government and private rescue groups and rubber boats are on standby to respond whenever the Davao River swells again.

“The water tributaries of the Davao River are calm so far, but we are on

standby to assist stranded residents in case flooding occurs again. We do more frequent monitoring as compared to normal times,” Jaldon said.

In the Davao region, Chief Superintendent Jaime Morente, director of Police Regional Office 11 ordered all city and provincial directors to coordinate with local government units in case disaster strikes due to the bad weather. [RGA/JSD/PIA]

to Guadalupe in Carmen town, are still submerged in about knee-deep floodwaters hindering traffic flow of vehicles between the two cities.

Davao del Norte Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) executive officer Sonio Sanchez said the 36-hour continuous rain of 10 milli-

meter to 15 millimeter per hour volume caused major rivers Liboganon, Saug and Tuganay to overflow with surging floodwaters from upland areas.

Based on Sonio’s explanation, Liboganon River, whose headwaters are located in Sitio Patel in Kapalong, winds and

FMINDA, 11

Just in case Rescue units on standby alert

T

hE Davao City local government gave school authorities and private firms the discretion to suspend classes and work, respectively, due to the bad weather brought about by the tail-end of a cold front which the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Services Administration predicts will prevail up to January 26.

Emmanuel Jaldon, chief of the Emergency

Flood spills over nat’l highway

PROTECTION. “Bayanihan” is still very much alive in every Filipino’s heart especially during trying times as seen from these residents who work together to accomplish a sand bagging

task two days after the Davao River overflowed and damaged several houses in the riverbank neighborhood in Bankerohan, Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

T

hE three-day continuous rain due to the tail-end of a coldfront since Friday evening sent a huge volume of water spilling over the national highway connecting Davao del Norte and Davao City.

Portions of the national highway from Davao City to Tagum City, particularly from barangays Tuganay

FFLOOD, 11

EDGEDAVAOVOL.5 ISSUE 230 •WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2013

Despite devastation in DavOr towns

SUBURBIA

3

Pablo’s impact won’t derail May polls D

ESPITE the school facilities destroyed

by Typhoon Pablo in the province of Davao Oriental, the Commission on Elections said that election will definitely push though as scheduled on May 13, 2013.

Sergio Manligoy, provincial election supervisor and city of mati election officer, said that election will go as scheduled because the office already has the hard copy of the documents of the different local offices, particularly the list of voters, for the 2013 mid term elections.

“We have a hard copy of the needed documents, so we can definitely hold the elections. If the repair of the schools is not done until election time, then I propose to have tent voting centers in the three municipalities on May 13, 2013. This is very doable,” he explained.

Manligoy also reported that the teachers who will serve in the polls are already prepared for the job, particularly to the familiarization and usage of the PCOS machine.

The Provincial Election Supervisor added that the agency is now implementing check-points in the different parts of the province, through the Philip-

T

pine National Police.

The Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines and other law enforcement bodies are under the directive of the Comelec on election time to ensure orderly and peaceful elections.

It is also in compliance to the gun which started on January 13 2013, through Resolution No. 9561-A. Comelec explained that the Commission can only accept application of authority to carry firearms, and application will immediately be transmitted to the commissioned body, the Committee on the ban on firearm and security personnel, chaired

by Commissioner Elias R. Yusoph. The Committee will act on all applications.

Applications can also be directed to the Committee in Manila.

Those who can avail of the authority to carry firearm, as stipulated in Section 4 of the gun ban resolution, include the PNP, AFP, BJMP, the Presidential Security Group, Dept. Of Justice, National Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Customs, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, the law enforcement services of the Land Transportation Office, among others.

MEDICAL MISSION. Dr. Rashidi Mohamed, family medicine specialist from Malaysia, takes part in “Project Helping Hand for Pablo victims” medical mission initiated by several companies led by King-King Copper-Gold Project at Kilagding Elementary School in Baragay Kilagding, Laak, Compostela Valley Province on Saturday. Lean Daval Jr.

But the said agencies still have to apply for the authorization.

Also, Comelec revealed that there is no list of election hotspots or election areas of immediate of concern in the Province, as yet.

Comelec explained that the PNP is responsi-

ble in identifying the areas of concern, and the disclosure of areas of immediate concern will be done in a command conference.

This January 22, the Comelec, together with the PNP and AFP, will conduct a joint security coordinating conference at the Conference Room of the

deaths from such ailment in 2011.

Region 12, which is also known as the Soccsksargen Region, comprises the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, North Cotabato and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato.

Vingno said this city posted the most number of cases in 2012 with 4,864 or up by 656 from the 4,208 cases recorded in 2011.

The number of deaths in the area due to the disease increased to 24 last year from just four cases

in the previous year, she said.

The City Integrated health Services Offices (CIhSO) earlier noted an increasing number of influenza or flu-like infections in the city last year, especially during the rainy periods.

Dr. Edgardo Sandig, CIhSO chief, said among the disease’s symptoms was fever, headache and upper respiratory tract infection.

The DOh-12 report cited that South Cotabato posted 2,614 cases followed by Sultan Kudarat with 2,348; North Cotabato with 2,036; Cotabato

City with 2,028; and, Sarangani with 1,999.

The disease monitoring and surveillance specifically covered 50 weeks last year or from January 1 to December 15.

It said 11 related deaths were recorded in Sarangani, two each in South Cotabato, North Cotabato and Cotabato City, and, one in Sultan Kudarat.

The disease incidence dropped by 10 to 36 percent in South Cotabato, North Cotabato and Sarangani but increased by 16 to 119 percent in this city, Cotabato City and Sultan Kudarat. [Allen V. Estabillo/MindaNews]

ing in various low-lying areas due to heavy rains with moderate to strong winds.

Among the roads that have remained impassable to all types of vehicles are: Bgy. Camiling, Carmen Provincial road going to Sto. Tomas since 10:30 PM of January 19, 2013 and Crossing NIA road in Bgy. Kinamayan going to Bgy. Salvacion since 10:40 PM of January 19, 2013.

Impassable to light vehicles are B.E. Dujali-Magupising-Narafil road and bgy. San Vicente-Esperanza, Sto. Tomas road.

Passable to all types of vehicles are Bincungan-Old Miranda bridgeBgy. Guadalupe road as of 6:16 PM of Janaury 21, 2013, Bgy. San Miguel road via Campo Kuatro bridge going Mabaus, Carmen as of 6:15 AM of January 22, 2013 and

Bgy. Pagsabangan road via Pagsabangan birdge and the Sagayen, Asuncion-San Isidro road.

The flooding has affected 18,690 families comprising of 84,305 individuals in six local government units and 40 barangays in the province.

A total of 10,434 families with 58,126 individuals have been evacuated from the province as of 8:00AM January 22, 2013.

[LOVELY A. CARILLO]

Flu-like disease kills 42

hE Department of health (DOh) in Region 12 has recorded a total of 42 deaths last year due to influenza-like illnesses as it noted a slight increase in disease incidence in the area.

Dr. Alah Baby Vingno, DOh-12 regional epidemiologist, said at least 15,889 residents in the region were downed by various types of viral influenza-like illness in 2012, or an increase of seven cases from the previous year.

But she noted in a report released by DOh12’s regional epidemiology and surveillance unit that there were only eight

DN vital roads still impassable

T

hE continuous rains since last week resulting to flooding in most parts of Davao del Norte has left most of the province’s vital roads impassable although there is power, water and communication in the province.

Provincial Information Officer Romulo Tagalo said latest reports from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) show flood-

Old Governor’s Mansion.

In previous interviews, Manligoy stressed that compared to other provinces, Davao Oriental is far more orderly and peaceful in the conduct of elections.

Based from the registration and validation of voters done for the May

13, 2013 elections which commenced on October 30, 2012, the municipality of Baganga has 33,178 registered voters, 22,517 registered voters for the municipality of Cateel, while the municipality of Boston has 8,136 registered voters. [Neela Duallo]

Comelec to try PCOS machines in General Santos, Koronadal

T

hE Commission on Elections (Comelec) is set to conduct a series of field tests for the precinct count optical scan or PCOS machines here and in nearby Koronadal City to establish their workability for the May 13 midterm local and national elections.

Lawyer Jay Gerada, South Cotabato election supervisor, said Tuesday they have identified at least four sites within the two cities for the PCOS testing, which was set on Jan. 26 by the Comelec’s Information Technology (IT) department. he said the upcoming PCOS field tests, which were moved from their original schedule last Jan. 19, will be part of the nationally-coordinated pilot testing of the machines that would be used in the upcoming polls.

The field tests will be conducted by local election personnel and a team from the agency’s IT department, he said.

“We will mainly check the capacity of the machines, especially in terms of the processing and transmission of data,” Gerada said.

he said they will also verify the workability of the machines in certain sites and determine possible operational glitches or problems that might come up during the elections.

In this city, the official said they identified two election precincts at the Joy Divina Elementary School in Zone 8 of Barangay Bula and at Balite Elementary School in Barangay Lagao.

In Koronadal City, he said the tests will cover selected precincts at the Koronadal Central Elementary School in Zone IV of Barangay Poblacion and in another barangay-based public high school.

Gerada said they picked the two cities as sites of the initial PCOs field testing to establish the capacity of the machines in election precincts with significant number of voters.

Aside from the scheduled tests in the two cities, the official said they had proposed for the conduct of additional field tests in upland or remote areas of the province. [Allen V. Estabillo/MindaNews]

4 SCIENCE/ENVIRONMENT

VOL.5 ISSUE 230 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

2012 was in top 10 warmest U

S scientists say that 2012 was among the 10 warmest years the world has experienced since 1880.

Nasa researchers said it was the ninth warmest year while experts from another American agency said it was the 10th.

Both teams said that temperatures would have been higher if it had not been for the La Nina weather pattern that brought cooling to some regions.

They were equally certain carbon dioxide had been the principal driver of the rise over the past 50 years.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Noaa) said that their analysis of temperature data from a global network of weather stations indicated that the average temperature for 2012 was 0.57C above the 20th Century average.

The agency stated that all 12 years of the 21st Century rank among the 14 warmest in the 133-

year period of record keeping.

“This past year, unlike the US they were not a record globally but they certainly were warm,” said Thomas Karl, director of Noaa’s National Climatic Data Centre.

“In fact, it marks a persistent above average - every year has been above average since 1976.”

Using the same data but carrying out a slightly different analysis, Nasa said it was the 9th warmest year with tempera-

tures 0.6C warmer than the mid 20th century baseline.

Dr James hansen, from Nasa’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies, acknowledged that even in a period of global warming some seasons

will be cooler than the long term average.

“The perceptive person should notice that the frequency of unusually warm extremes is increasing. It is the extremes that have the most impact on people and other life on

the planet,” he said.

According to both groups of researchers, most areas of the world had higher than average temperatures in 2012 while the Arctic experienced a record breaking ice melt.[BBC]

hE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Palawan has been tasked to set up containment booms around the USS Guardian for any possible oil leak as the U.S. minesweeper remained stuck stranded at the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park.

Rear Adm. Rodolfo D. Isorena, commandant of the PCG, said this in a meeting of the Tubbataha Protected Areas Management Board (PAMB) Tuesday morning. he said early measures must be undertaken against anything that might possibly happen, particularly now that the U.S. Navy minesweeper has turned 90 degrees and is completely on top of the corals on the South Atoll.

A spokesman of the U.S. Navy said if an oil spill would occur, it would not endanger Tubbataha because the USS Guardian uses a type of fuel that evaporates after spillage at sea.

Isorena is in Palawan with Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) Undersecretary Eduardo Oba Jr. to take charge of the situation.

Isorena said if the weather settles in the following days from now, it just might take a week to lift the USS Guardian from the South Atoll in Tubbahata.

The possibility of pull-

ing off the minesweeper vessel off the atoll has been ruled out as the PCG said the method might just incur more damages on the corals.

The U.S. Navy has allegedly informed that it will be bringing to Palawan in Tubbataha the USNS Salvor (T-ARS-52), a Safeguard class rescue and salvage ship that serves as an element of the Combat Logistics Support Force that provides rescue and salvage services to the U.S.’ navy fleets at sea.

USNS Salvor is reportedly “designed to perform combat salvage, lifting, towing, off-ship firefighting, manned diving operations, and emergency repairs to stranded or disabled vessels.”

Strong winds remain in the Sulu Sea, making it difficult for any rescue and salvage efforts, and might also place other rescue vessels in danger.

Another difficulty the salvage team is facing is communications.

Isorena said signal is often overwhelmed by statics even if they are already using satellite phones.

Estimates of destroyed corals in the 10-hectare South Atoll remain at 10 square meters. But Isorena said this might have already been enlarged after robust winds and waves hoisted the ship 90 degrees on the said atoll.

[PNA]

Brewing LPA may affect Mindanao- -PAGASA exec T T hE Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Tuesday they are monitoring a new “cloud cluster” near Mindanao that may develop into a low pressure area (LPA) within two to three days.

Based on the numerical models, PAGASA weather forecaster Alvin Pura said in an interview that once it becomes an LPA, it will bring occasional light to moderate rains in most parts of MindanaoWednesday or Thursday When asked if the predicted LPA will intensify into a tropical depression, Pura said that “latest models are showing that it has a slim chance of becoming a cyclone.” In case it

does strengthen into a cyclone, he said it will be named “Crising” – the third tropical cyclone to visit the country this year.

So far, Pura said the tail-end of a cold front is affecting Mindanao while the northeast monsoon is affecting Luzon and Visayas.

In its advisory, PAGASA said that Davao region and SOCCSKSARGEN will experience cloudy skies with moderate to heavy rainshowers and thunderstorms which may trigger flash floods and landslides while the rest of Mindanao will have light to moderate rain showers or thunderstorms.

Eastern Visayas, Bicol, Cagayan Valley and Aurora and Quezon provinces will be cloudy

with occasional light to moderate rain. Metro Manila and the rest of the country will have partly cloudy skies with brief light rain.

Also, moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast will prevail throughout the archipelago and the coastal waters will be moderate to rough. PAGASA also said strong to gale-force winds associated with the northeast monsoon may affect the seaboards of Luzon and the eastern seaboard of Visayas and Mindanao.

“Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves,” it said. Meanwhile, Pura said expect temperature in Met-

ro Manila to be a little warmer due to weakening of the northeast monsoon. he said that temperature in Metro Manila on Tuesday morning is 22.8 degrees Celsius compared to 18.8 degrees Celsius on Monday morning. Pura said the temperature was recorded at the PAGASA Science Garden in Quezon City.

“Sa mga susunod na araw medyo makakaranas tayo ng mainit na panahon dahil humina yung ang northeast monsoon o hangin amihan,” Pura explained. But he said the northeast monsoon or “hanging amihan” is expected to bring partly cloudy to cloudy skies with passing light rains in Visayas and Luzon including Metro Manila. [PNA]

hE Senate has approved on third and final reading a bill authorizing the Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources to reforest 3,000 hectares of public land in Cagayan de Oro City.

Sen. Francis Escudero thanked his colleagues for passing Senate Bill 1398,

saying the reforestation of the public land in Cagayan will protest its people and the environment from flash floods. ”We have to protect the environment and the people from devastation of the natural disasters such as typhoon,” Escudero, chairman of the Senate commit-

tee on environment and natural resources, said. he said the recent typhoons that ravaged Mindanao, particularly in Cagayan de Oro, are reasons for the urgent approval of the proposed legislation.

According to the proposed measure, the sec-

retary of Dept. of the Environment and Natural Resources shall immediately include in the department’s program the implementation of the bill once enacted into law.

Escudero said funding shall be included in the annual general appropriations act. [PNA]

CDO reforestation bill okayed T

Tubbataha board meets on method to remove stranded USS Guardian

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 230 •WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2013

THE ECONOMY

5

Pacquiao wants P125-wage hike

S

ARANGANI Rep. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao has urged his colleagues to pass the bill for a P125 across-the-board wage increase before Congress takes a break for the May 13 midterm national and local elections.

In a letter to North-

ern Samar Rep. Emil L. Ong, chair of the house committee on labor and employment, Pacquiao stressed that the P125 Wage hike Bill (house Bill 375) is urgently needed now “after more than two decades of almost stagnant wages.”

“Filipino workers

need a significant wage increase now more than ever,” he wrote Monday.

Pacquaio also expressed his full support to the house’s subcommittee on labor standards, which approved hB 375 days before Congress resumes session on Monday. he is a

co-author of the bill. he called on the committee on labor and employment to approve the bill, create a report, and submit it to the plenary for deliberation and voting, before the house takes a break.

From Tuesday, Congress has eight session

FLOWER SHOP. A florist rushes to finish a wedding flower arrangement order at a flower shop in the junction of Bolton and San Pedro Streets, Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

days left until February 8 when Congress adjourns for the May 13, 2013 polls.

Ryan Lariba, spokesperson of Bayan-Soccsksargen, said that militant labor groups have been pressing for the passage of the P125 daily wage hike for decades already.

“It’s long overdue.

There has been no substantial wage increase to the Filipino workers for a very long time,” he said, urging Congress to pass hB 375.

There have been increases in wages of Filipino workers but they were essentially a pitiful amount, Lariba said.

In Soccsksargen or Region 12, the existing daily floor pay ranges from P246 to P270.

The minimum wage was last adjusted on December 1, 2012 in the region, which covers the provinces of South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato.

Lariba said there is huge disparity between the daily income of workers and the daily cost of living in Region 12.

For a family with five members in the region, “an estimated P700 is needed to meet the daily basic needs,” he added.

Republic Act 6727 or the Wage Rationalization Act sets the last legislated wage hike in the country, pegging a P25 wage increase acrossthe-board in 1989.

[Bong S. Sarmiento/MindaNews]

6

THE ECONOMY

Stat Watch

1. Gross National Income Growth Rate (At Constant 2000 Prices)

5.8% 1st Qtr 2012

2. Gross Domestic Product Growth Rate (At Constant 2000 Prices)

6.4 % 1st Qtr 2012

3. Exports 1/ 4. Imports 1/ 5. Trade Balance 6. Balance of Payments 2/ 7. Broad Money Liabilities

USD 4,931 million May 2012 USD 4,770 million Apr 2012 USD -135 million Apr 2012 USD -209 million Mar 2012 P 4,580,674 million Apr 2012

8. Interest Rates 4/

4.1 % May 2012 P131,403 million May 2012 P 5,075 billion Apr 2012

9. National Government Revenues 10. National government outstanding debt 11. Peso per US $ 5/

P 42.78 Jun 2012

12. Stocks Composite Index 6/

5,091.2 May 2012

13. Consumer Price Index 2006=100

130.1 Jun 2012

14. Headline Inflation Rate 2006=100

2.8 Jun 2012

15. Core Inflation Rate 2006=100

3.7 Jun 2012

16. Visitor Arrivals

349,779 Apr 2012

17. Underemployment Rate 7/

18.8 % Jan 2012

18. Unemployment Rate 7/

7.2 % Jan 2012

MONTHLY AVERAGE EXCHANGE RATE (January 2009 - December 2011) Month Average December November October September August July June May April March February January

2012

2011

2010

42.85 42.70 42.86 42.66 43.62

43.31 43.64 43.27 43.45 43.02 42.42 42.81 43.37 43.13 43.24 43.52 43.70 44.17

45.11 43.95 43.49 43.44 44.31 45.18 46.32 46.30 45.60 44.63 45.74 46.31 46.03

Cebu Pacific Daily Zest Air Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Philippine Airlines Daily Philippine Airlines Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri/Sun Philippine Airlines Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Silk Air Mon/Sat Cebu Pacific Thu Cebu Pacific Tue/Wed//Sat

VOL.5 ISSUE 230 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

DCWD advises customers: Store water for emergency D

AVAO City Water District advises residential and commercial customers living in the areas affected by the December 2012 water supply problems due to the damaged DCWD transmission lines along the Bankerohan Bridges to store water in clean containers and water tanks for emergency purposes.

Acting general manager Edwin V. Regalado explained that since the laid temporary pipes are smaller than the damaged ones, customers in previously affected areas are prone to experience low water pressure to no water when demand for water is high any hour in a day. “As not to disrupt everyday routines, always have stored water in case water supply becomes insufficient,” Regalado continued.

Last December 16, 2012, DCWD’s 750mm and 600mm transmission lines were damaged by cut logs and heavy debris carried by the gushing currents of the Davao River. For a few days, the downtown area, Agdao, Obrero, Bajada, Lanang and Sasa including some portions in Diversion Road and Buhangin experienced intermittent water supply and low water pressure to no water. To temporarily solve the water problem, DCWD laid two 400mm bypass lines along the old Bankerohan Bridge last December 21-22 and December 28-29.

After the two bypass lines

Pedro Street yesterday. Lawyer Tristan Dwight Domingo, business bureau head, already stated that late fillers will be slapped with fines and surcharges. Lean Daval Jr.

were placed, customers experienced increased water pressure and supply as reported by customers calling DCWD’s call center. however, Regalado also made clear that the two bypass lines do not compensate the lost transmission lines. “In terms of size, clearly, the two 400mm pipes are not enough. That is why affected customers will still experience problems in water supply every

now and then, however not as much as it was when there were still no bypass lines,” he added.

In a previous statement, DCWD already announced that another 400mm bypass line will be installed to continue augmenting water supply and pressure. however, these bypass lines are but temporary replacements of the lost transmission lines.

In behalf of the water utility, Regalado thanks all its customers

for the understanding and cooperation that they have shown in the midst of the massive water supply shortage. Again, he calls for the same kind of support while DCWD is looking for a more permanent solution. he also advises them to contact DCWD’s call center through 221-9412 or 09277988966 for any matters concerning water supply and water services. [Jovana T. Duhaylungsod]

gy to operate the youngest, most-modern fleet possible, we are delighted to become one of the first airlines in the world to introduce the A320 with Sharklets”, said Lance Gokongwei, CEB President and CEO. “Thanks to the four-percent fuel savings offered by the Sharklets, we will further benefit from the A320 Family’s unbeatable operating costs, making sure we remain competitive by offering low fares, together with the most extensive route network, to our passengers.”

“Cebu Pacific is one of the great success stories in the Asian low cost market,” said John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer, Custom-

ers, Airbus. “The additional economic and environmental efficiencies offered by the Sharklet-fitted version of the A320 will enable the airline to benefit from even lower operating costs and further enhance its competitive position in the fast-growing Asian market.”

Sharklets are made from light-weight composites and are 2.4 meters tall. Cutting airlines’ fuel bills by around four percent, Sharklets offer the flexibility to A320 Family operators of either adding around 100 nautical miles more range or allowing increased payload capability of up to 450 kilogrammes.

The A320 Family is the

world’s best-selling and most modern single aisle aircraft Family. To date, over 9,000 aircraft have been ordered and over 5,400 delivered to more than 380 customers and operators worldwide.

CEB operates the most extensive network in the Philippines with 32 domestic destinations and hubs in Manila, Cebu, Clark, Iloilo, Kalibo and Davao. It offers 21 international destinations, namely Bangkok, Bali, Beijing, Brunei, Busan, Dubai, Guangzhou, hanoi, ho Chi Minh, hong Kong, Incheon (Seoul), Jakarta, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Macau, Osaka, Shanghai, Siem Reap, Singapore, Taipei and Xiamen.

Cebu Pacific Air takes delivery of its first A320 with Sharklets

C

EBU Pacific Air took delivery of its first A320 equipped with Sharklets yesterday during a ceremony in Manila, becoming the first operator of the new fuel-saving wing tip devices in the Philippines.

Sharklets are newly designed wing-tip devices allowing airlines to reduce fuel burn by up to 4% on longer sectors.

They are an option on newbuild A320 Family aircraft, and are standard on all members of the A320neo Family. Cebu Pacific Air today operates 34 A320 Family aircraft, and has 48 more on order for future delivery, comprising 18 A320ceo and 30 A321neo.

“In line with our strate-

5J961 / 5J962 Z2390 / Z2390 5J593 / 5J348 PR809 / PR810 PR819 / PR820 5J394 / 5J393 5J599 / 5J594 5J347 / 5J596 5J963 / 5J964 PR811 / PR812 5J595 / 5J966 MI588 5J965 / 5J968 5J965 / 5J968

BEATING THE DEADLINE. Business owners who failed to beat the Tuesday midnight deadline for the renewal of business permit queue outside the Business Bureau office at the Sangguniang Panlungsod building on San

5:45 5:45 6:00 6:10 7:50 7:50 8:00 9:10 9:40 11:30 12:00 12:55 12:55 13:35

Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Cebu-Davao-Iloilo Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Zamboanga-Davao-Zamboanga Cebu-Davao-Cebu Iloilo-Davao-Cebu Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Cebu-Davao-Manila Davao-Cebu-Singapore Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila

as of august 2010

6:15 6:25 6:30 7:00 8:50 8:10 8:30 9:40 10:10 12:20 12:30 09:05 13:25 14:05

Silk Air Mon/Sat Silk Air Wed/Sun Silk Air Thurs Cebu Pacific Mon/Tue/Wed/Fri Philippine Airlines August Zest Air Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Philippines Airlines Daily Cebu Pacific Mon/Tue/Thu/Sat Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Tue/Sat/Sun Cebu Pacific Daily Airphil Express Daily Philippine Airlines Daily except Sunday Philippine Airlines Sunday

MI588 / MI588 MI566 / MI566 MI551 / MI551 5J507 / 5J598 15:55 Z2524 / Z2525 5J967 / 5J600 PR813 / PR814 5J215 / 5J216 5971 / 5J970 5J973 / 5J974 5J969 / 5J972 2P987 / 2P988 PR821 / PR822 PR821 / PR822

18:55 18:55 15:45 15:00 Mani2Mani 16:05 16:35 16:55 18:00 18:40 20:00 20:30 20:30 21:20 22:20

Davao-Singapore Davao-Singapore Davao-Singapore Cebu-Davao-Cebu 16:50 Cebu-Davao-Cebu Manila-Davao-Cebu Manila-Davao-Manila Cagayan de Oro-Davao-Cagayan de Oro Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila

13:35 15:20 12:05 15:30 16:45 17:05 17:45 18:20 19:10 20:30 21:00 21:00 21:50 22:50

ICT HUB

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 230 •WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2013

7

3 technologies to change lives F

ORGET wearable technology and wireless payments, the technologies that are going to have the biggest impact on our daily lives in the future are those focused on improving the present.

In a recent piece in the MIT Technology Review, John Pavlus described the much-hyped Google Glass project as “jetpack technology” because, like jetpacks, the technology is cool and exciting but essentially pointless. “Can we build jetpacks? Sure.

Does anyone actually need or want them? No,” he says. This is because the technologies and devices that will change the way we live and have the biggest impact on our lives are the ones that are focused on the present and improving it and not on what might be possible in the future.

Wireless charging Unlike wearable technology, wireless or induction charging is already widely supported by a number of technology firms and already has a number of proven uses, chief among which is not keeping a smartphone’s battery topped up, but cutting the cords on electrical appliances in general. Adapting kitchen counters, coffee tables and TV stands to support wireless charging plates means that any supported electronic device can be placed on the surface and work, without the need for a nearby power socket. While away from the home, the technology is already being used to charge electric vehicles. Wireless charging plates built into the road at bus stops and terminals enable electric buses

in Turin, Italy to run all day without having to be recharged. A brief connection while passengers get on or off the bus at a stop is enough to charge the battery by as much as 15 percent. Embedding the same chargers at busy junctions, traffic lights and in parking spaces could do the same for consumer electric cars worldwide.

Cloud computing At the moment, most consumers use the cloud for email or storage, but cloud computing offers many other possibilities. For example Dell is currently developing something called Project Ophelia which is essentially a virtual computer that can be accessed anywhere. At the moment, a consumer can use any computer to check a web email account or update their Facebook status, but Dell’s project would allow a user to access their own computer and its applications on any connected device -- turning a kind stranger’s television into your Apple notebook when a USB drive is attached. As cloud services become more powerful there will no longer be a need for huge amounts of RAM and multi-core processors in computing devices and everything from smartphones to desktop computers will become much cheaper. This is already happening with Google’s Chromebooks.

They use the internet and web-based applications so the computer itself only needs enough power for simple computing tasks.

Contextual search and applications Expect Labs’s MindMeld

grabbed headlines when the technology was first demonstrated in 2012. It follows voice and video conversations in real time and provides information and performs web searches based on what is being said. Google Now, a feature built into the latest version of its Android operating system, uses geographical

location, appointments and the handset owner’s preferences to display information it thinks is important in that particular moment -- whether it be traffic updates or the special offers at the Italian restaurant around the next corner. Meanwhile, Apple’s Siri can interpret natural speech

I C h E L L E Obama’s office said Thursday it had opened a Twitter account, as the US first lady turned 49.

The account is @FLOTUS, the acronym for First Lady of the United States,

M

and it will be administered by the first lady’s staff.

Tweets penned by the first lady herself will bear her initials -- mo.

As of midday Thursday, the account had just over 16,000 followers.

That compares to 2.64 million for @MichelleObama, which opened in January 2012 and was run by President Barack Obama’s re-election campaign team.

Tweets from the @ MichelleObama account

have been infrequent since her husband won the election on November 6.

The first utterance Thursday from @FLOTUS urged followers to wish Mrs Obama a happy birthday.

ONY Corp’s Sony Mobile Communications Inc said it will sell the new version of its Xperia tablet in Japan this spring, the Nikkei reported, citing Kyodo News.

The Xperia Tablet

Z, whose price has not been announced, has a 10.1-inch display, is 6.9 mm thin and weighs 495 grams, according to the company’s website.

Rival Google Inc’s Nexus 10 tablet is 8.9 mm thick, while Apple

Inc’s iPad mini measures 7.9 mm.

Sony halted sales of Xperia in October, a month after launch, after discovering gaps between the screen and the case that made some of the machines susceptible

to water damage.

The Nikkei reported on Sunday that Japanese smartphone makers seem to be regaining some market share they lost to companies like Apple and Samsung Electronics Co.[Reuters]

Michelle’s new Twitter account

Sony to sell new Xperia tablet S

in order to perform tasks and has already proven a huge hit with iPhone users since its introduction on the iPhone 4, while at the University of Texas, a new type of search engine called Gander is being developed that will tell users things that Googling can’t, such as how long the queue is at a

restaurant, or how long it will take for the next bus to arrive. Each of these technologies work on the same principle of being able to understand context and perform searches based on that context.

The technology will continue to improve and increasingly become part of daily life. [AFP]

Samsung to release 5.8-inch smartphone

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hE latest smartphone rumor suggests that Samsung is gearing up to launch a 5.8-inch device based on its Galaxy Player 5.8, currently only on sale in South Korea.

The rumor, first published on SamMobile, claims that unlike the Galaxy Player, the device will be a fully-functioning Android smartphone with dual SIM support and an SD slot for memory expansion. If the rumors are true the hand-

set, currently codenamed the Galaxy “Fonbelt” will have a bigger screen than the Galaxy Note II phablet and will be unveiled at the World Mobile Congress in Barcelona in February.

This is the third Samsung rumor in as many days and follows reports that the company also intends to debut an 8-inch tablet and a replacement for its flagship Galaxy SIII -- imaginatively-named Galaxy SIV -- at the same event.

8 VANTAGE POINTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 230 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

Brunei as the Asean chair ( Conclusion )

COMMENTARY

By Kavi ChongKittavorn

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EDITORIAL

L

Floods: A recurring problem

AST Sunday’s flood that hit 15 barangays in Davao City was just a repetition of past floods that victimized almost the same areas.

The fact that this time nobody drowned, unlike the MatinaPangi deluge where more than 30 Dabawenyos perished, may be an indication of the level of preparedness of the city government and the people against such a fortuitous event.

Still, it is clear that the city and its constituents need to improve on many aspects to drastically reduce the risk and dangers that go with natural and manmade disasters.

The city government has to put more money in the purchase of rescue and relief equipment and the training of people to man them effectively.

Most importantly is for our

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local leaders to have the political will to forcibly remove residents from harm’s way by relocating their homes from places identified to be hazardous, like the shanties under bridges and the structures illegally built alongside rivers, coastal areas and highways, as well as landslide-prone sites.

Many Dabawenyos also wish authorities would be able to ratiocinate the case of Jade Valley, a commercial subdivision built on a former riverbed of the Davao River. how and why the concerned regulatory agency allowed this to happen in violation of law is a continuing scandal that thousands of Jade Valley homeowners have to live with for the rest of their lives.

Unless they come to their senses and move away before it is too late.

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hEThER Brunei can clean up venomous residues over the existing maritime conflict and make progress during its chair will depend on how practical and realistic the chair is. As a necessary first step in restoring mutual trust, it is pivotal to build and improve on ideas proposed by China and Asean over the years.

Previously, Asean turned down two successive Chinese proposals to set up an EPG (Eminent Persons’ Group). The first called for an EPG with only representatives from conflicting parties - China, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines and Brunei.

Early last year, Beijing forwarded the second amended plan to include all Asean members to work on common positions without a timeframe. The most doable idea was a hybrid one - a plan to establish an eminent persons’ group comprising representatives, officials or non-officials as the case may be, from Asean and China.

The Asean-China Eminent Persons’ Group, or any agreed name, would be given a full mandate and tasked with a specific timeframe to draft the code of conduct. Brunei could also utilise best practices from Asean experiences.

A similar group was set up to draft the term of references (TOR) for the Asean Charter and the Asean Intergovernmental Commission for human Rights. Before the group agreed on the TOR, representatives thrashed out mercilessly their differences in any way they could. however, once the consensus was reached, there would be no turning back and the outcome would be given a rubber stamp by the higher authorities.

With Asean and China at a negotiating table from the very beginning, Asean could quickly restore trust with China and vice versa. From Beijing’s perspective, the grouping’s Proposed Common Elements on the COC is actually an effort to gang up against China on territorial and jurisdictional claims. Meanwhile, Asean must also show that the grouping is united on the issue with a common resolve.

There are two ways to do it. First, at the upcoming 22nd Asean Summit in April, Asean can reiterate the six principles of the South China Sea agreed last July. Secondly, Asean and China should pursue joint development projects as outlined in the 2001 guidelines. These steps, including self-restraint, would remove them from the dangerous path of confrontation.

China has to take advantage of Brunei’s chair. Myanmar, as the next Asean chair, will be a different ballgame altogether. Nay Pyi Taw is also coordinator of Asean-US relations (2012-2015), which has been strengthened through the personal intervention of President Barack Obama and his rebalancing policy in Asia and outreach programmes.

Should substantive progress be made over the drafting of a code of conduct and rehabilitation of trust, it would serve as a template for future chairs.

On realisation of the Asean Economic Community, Brunei will need to take the lead, together with help from the private sector.

A scorecard by the Economic Research Institute of Asean and East Asia, showed that 25.5 per cent of areas in service, investment and trade facilitation would need an extra push if Asean is to complete its full economic integration. Doubtless, Asean’s credibility and reputation is very much linked to the grouping’s economic integration.

Continuous leadership in the next three years leading to the one single community is imperative. The chair would call for closer consultation between Myanmar and Malaysia, which will chair the launching of the Asean Community in 2015. [ANN]

EDGEDAVAO

D

Serious aspect of the crime situation

EMONSTRATE TENACITY AND STRENGhT – Crime has become the Achilles heel of President Benigno Aquino III, noted some of the country’s peace and security experts. The worried and horrified public now sees the reality of the crime situation in the country and that’s the irony of it all. Criminal activities seem to be increasing at accelerating pace despite claims by the Philippine National Police (PNP) hierarchy to the contrary.

The involvement of some former and current police and military personnel in many sensational cases of kidnap-for-ransom, robbery-holdup, carnapping, drug trade, gun-for-hire and protection racket is the most serious aspect of the prevailing problem in society.

And the most sensational of the recent cases was the supposed shoot-out at a police checkpoint in Atimonan, Quezon where 13 people including a ranking police and military personnel were ghastly killed. “Was it a rubout or a shootout?”

The question still lingers in the people’s consciousness.

The country’s present crime situation is real therefore the Aquino administration must address it firmly. Government should mount an extraordinary effort utilizing a more collaborative arrangement among the various law enforcement agencies, of course, with the support of the private sector. But the problem doesn’t it end there. higher authorities should always bear in mind that the biggest problem – and this has existed for many, many years – is the matter of collaboration and coordination, for obvious reasons.

If it’s an opportunity for various law enforcement units to demonstrate resolve

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VANTAGE POINTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 230 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2013

ITh the exception of promoter Bob Arum, Team Pacquiao – including Rep. Manny Pacquiao – is doggedly pursuing an early return to the ring for the Filipino boxing icon.

If Pacquiao cannot find a place to fight in April, he may as well wait for an August or a September ring comeback.

A combination of bad luck and setbacks in 2012 has limited Pacquiao’s fight and political options this year.

First, he has to deal with the mandatory suspension imposed on him by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, which prevents him from staging an April fight in Las Vegas, the new Mecca of blockbuster fights. Once that option is gone, he can’t fight sooner than four months after April. he has the Philippine mid-term elections to attend to in May where he is running for re-election. Although unopposed in the race for the lone congressional seat, he will have to oversee the candidacy of wife Jinkee who is running for vice governor in Sarangani. he also needs to backstop his brother’s bid to join him in the house of Representatives. Rogelio ‘Roel’ Pacquiao is challenging Rep. Pedro Acharon Jr in the 1st District of South Cotabato-General Santos City.

While bankrolling the candidacies of Jinkee and Roel may not be as pocket-emptying as his own stabs at politics in

and strength in working together and focused on effective and doable procedures, it can only be good for the country’s peace and order condition. Following the essence of collaboration and coordination, it would take a more proactive and prominent roles for law authorities to maintain an effective and efficient peace and order agenda. Such an outward show of unanimity and accord, however, could not paper over the fact that there were differences over various matters and concerns within each and every law enforcement organization.

In short, President PNoy should convene posthaste defense, top police and military officials for an urgent mini confidential meeting. Right there and then, he should dismiss police statistics indicating a drop in crime incidents as “mostly insignificant.” Indeed, though there were declines in some categories, the number of heinous crimes and dubious activities involving scalawags in the ranks of the police and military are on the rise and almost doubled last year. That has made people leery that the country’s crime situation could be more serious that the leadership is willing to admit.

This is certainly the case when it comes to explaining the recent progress in the investigation of the alleged shootout in Atimonan, Quezon where lawmen on both warring sides got involved in the grue-

some incident. Right now, the Department of Justice (DOJ) wants speedy resolution of the case and coordinated with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the lead agency task to conduct a no non-sense probe in the highly sensational case, which is fast drawing national attention. With its recent twists and turns dealing with illegal but highly lucrative numbers game ‘jueteng,’ drugs trade, revenge and oozing cash, the results remain uncertain. It is no wonder that the wary public glean in whatever information they can from any clues available.

Even as the investigation got underway, families and relatives of the victims and their legal counsels insisted it was actually not a shootout and they are now desperately crying for justice. Meanwhile, the PNP investigating panel says their probe is not just cosmetic, definitely not, because their evidences are very substantive. Moreover, the PNP claimed it was a legitimate operation, but then again the question is: “Why did it happen and work out that way?” Sort of an overkill as the NBI would aptly describe it. But the pieces of new evidence being presented and the revelation of new witnesses were enough to convince the DOJ secretary who commented that indeed, there never was a shootout.

From men who should supposedly know instantly and exactly such crucial operation and investigation afterwards, the progress characterizes vagueness.

Nothing is definite yet at this critical stage.

Everything is open for interpretation. Confusion can be found in this sensational case. One should never assume anything – nothing is sure what it seems.

2007 and 2010, Pacquiao’s pride will dictate that he will at least match the resources of the political machinery of the Antoninos – against whom his brother is fighting the proxy war for him.

After the devastating knockout defeat to Juan Manuel Marquez in December, he can’t just pick another opponent without taking a big pay cut. Pacquiao knows the lucrative fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr is now gone with the wind. But he also needs to make that long climb back to the top if he wants to keep his war chest flowing for future political plans. he now needs to fight as frequently as he can to maintain his liquidity as the downside of his luckless 2012 meant he no longer has the leverage to easily dictate the financial terms of his future fights.

Pacquiao has so made boxing and politics a merry mix that one has become indispensable for the other. This is the other pitfall of his multi-tasking nature. They are like a house of cards.

For as long as Pacquiao continues to fulfill his political ambitions, he will also continue to literally and figuratively bleed.

There is no arguing that Pacquiao should take advantage of the fleeting opportunity that boxing is giving him. But he should also ask if he has spread himself too thinly.

But there should be a silver lining to his loss to Marquez and the prospect of him not able to fight in the first half of this year.

These setbacks give him the opportunity to reflect and see where his 18-year boxing career and budding political life are headed to.

In so doing, he will also have to ponder where all his winnings and earnings have gone to.

Wife Jinkee reportedly is getting through a hard reality check. Many of their businesses are reportedly not only not earning money. They are also bleeding them dry. Some of their business establishments are said to be two-year delinquent in city taxes and permits – a bad case when you are running against people in city hall.

Somehow the bleeding has to stop.

And stopping the bleeding starts with Pacquiao himself. [Edwin G. Espejo writes for MindaNews and www.asiancorrespondent.com]

Time to reflect

9

Fighting inflation.

But where is it? ( Conclusion ) OPINION

Y

By ZaChary KaraBell

ET over the past few decades, food as an overall percent of income has gone down, down and down.

In 1972, Americans spent 15 percent of their disposable income on food; today, that figure is 11 percent. The only shift has been in eating out people spend more on restaurants and much less on food at home. And that has happened even as incomes have stagnated.

Gasoline, which has fluctuated widely, has maintained a steady share of disposable income for decades, at about 3.5 percent, which is now decreasing because of production from shale oil deposits and ever-more-efficient vehicles.

One of the strongest arguments for vigilance against inflation comes from economists following the dicta of Milton Friedman that “inflation is always and everywhere a monetary phenomenon.”

In that view, the actions of governments and central bankers are the determining factor, and the experience of the 20th century was that inflation often followed government policies, especially promiscuous government spending.

Since that is what happened in the past, many are firmly convinced that it will, perforce, happen in the future.

One pernicious cliché is that history repeats itself. It doesn’t. historians repeat each other and economists then pile on with theorems based on a limited amount of history that then constitute “laws” of economics.

Unquestionably, inflation was a systemic threat not just in the 20th century but for centuries before. Thus the absence of inflation today is explained as an anomaly soon to end; an artificial state of affairs generated by easy-money policies of governments and central banks around the world; or a false statement in that inflation is underreported by governments interested in pretending it doesn’t exist.

The virtue of these arguments is that they are not falsifiable. You can’t prove there isn’t a government conspiracy about “real” inflation, and you can’t prove that something isn’t about to happen. If you argue that there has been a systemic shift – that, say, technology and globalization have combined to send manufactured goods ever lower (with food as much a manufactured good as a computer) – you can easily be dismissed for foolishly contending that “this time it’s different.”

What, then, is the statute of limitations for inflation? how long must there be low, low inflation before the risk of it is judged as de minimus?

Yes, it might rear up in future. Yes, past patterns may prove correct. It would be foolish not to be on guard about the possibility and the risk just as it would be foolish not to forget that we still live in a world suffused with nuclear weapons.

Yet it would be equally foolish to ignore the weight of evidence about low inflation everywhere around the globe, not just for the past few years but over the past few decades. The consequences of planning for a war that never happens can be just as deleterious as fighting that war unprepared.

If inflation is not the proximate risk of today’s economy, then we are radically misjudging our problems and missing solutions. If inflation is not a dire threat, then we need not be so concerned about government spending or central bank policy. We should instead focus on the ability of our national economies and the global economic system to generate sustainable living standards for billions of people.

Right now, so many are so fixated on inflation that these other challenges receive short shrift. If inflation revives, that fixation may be justified. If not, we will have squandered our time chasing echoes instead of meeting our present with eyes wide open to the possibilities of the future.

10 NATION/WORLD NATION BRIEFS

T

Claims

he Philippine government assured the public that it would be claiming for damages from the US government for whatever destruction its minesweeper USS Guardian has caused to Tubbataha Reef, a UNESCO World heritage Site.

“Yes, I assume it is clearly in the Tubbataha Law, it is incumbent for government to file for such claim,” Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya.

Foreigners

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here are at least 203,000 foreign nationals with resident visas in the Philippines, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said. BI commissioner Ricardo David Jr. said that as of Dec. 31, 2012, there are 203,753 aliens registered in the country.

This number is six percent more than the 194,356 registered aliens as of Dec. 31, 2011. Chinese nationals topped the list of registered aliens, with more than 59,000 of them in the BI list.

T

No match

he candidates from the Liberal Party (LP)’s senatorial slate may be benefiting from the administration’s political machinery but bets from the opposition enjoy better endorsers.

For former Senator Ernesto Maceda, President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III has no match against the endorsers at the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) like Vice President Jejomar Binay.

“I sincerely believe that the drawing power and the attraction of Binay on becoming president is the going to be the principal factor in putting up the senatorial candidates of UNA,” Maceda said.

Powerhouse

T

rade and business leaders in the Philippines are preparing investment pitches ahead of the arrival of a “powerhouse” American trade mission to Manila this week.

With a lot of “heavyweights” visiting Manila, it is a good chance for Philippine leaders to pitch various investment options, officials said.

S

VOL.5 ISSUE 230 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2013

UN to sanction N. Korea space agency: diplomat P

WORLD TODAy

T

hE UN Security Council will order sanctions against North Korea’s space agency in a resolution to be passed this week condemning the secretive state’s ballistic launch, a diplomat said.

The resolution, which also targets other government entities and individuals linked to North Korea’s nuclear weapons program, could be passed by the 15-member council as early as Wednesday.

The United States and China have been negotiating the new measures since North Korea staged its missile launch on December 12.

Despite near universal condemnation of the launch, China has sought to shield its ally against major new action. The United States, supported by South Korea and Japan, had sought tough new punishment of the North Korean government.

Under a compromise between the two, the new sanctions designations are expected to be added to existing measures imposed after North Korea staged nuclear weapons tests in 2006 and 2009.

“The resolution condemns the launch and reiterates the Security Council’s previous de-

Photo taken by KCNA on December 12, 2012 shows the Unha-3 rocket lifting off in Cholsan county in North Korea’s North Pyongan province. The UN will order sanctions against North Korea’s space agency.

mands that North Korea abandon its nuclear weapons program and not proceed with further launches,” the diplomatic source said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the measure has not yet been made public.

It “imposes new sanctions on North Korean companies, and government agencies, including North Korea’s space agency responsible for the launch, and several individuals,” the source added on Monday.

North Korea denied accusations by the United Nations and the inter-

national powers that the rocket was a ballistic test.

Pyongyang said it was launching an observation satellite.

The proposed resolution updates lists of nuclear and ballistic missile technology banned for transfer to and from North Korea.

It includes “new provisions targeting North Korea’s illicit procurement efforts, in particular its smuggling of sensitive items that could contribute to the prohibited programs,” the diplomat said, declining to provide further details.

Washington hopes for a quick vote on the draft resolution.

“The United States circulated the draft text today after getting agreement from China.

The vote could be held Wednesday,” a council diplomat told AFP. Russia, which could be the other obstacle to sanctions, has also approved the resolution, said the diplomat.

“The resolution will be a signal that China is becoming increasingly exasperated at North Korea’s behavior,” said another western diplomat. [AFP]

“[T]he Philippines has taken the step of bringing China before an Arbitral Tribunal under Article 287 and Annex VII of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),” Foreign Affairs Sec-

retary Albert del Rosario said Tuesday.

This, as he noted that the Philippines “has exhausted almost all political and diplomatic avenues for a peaceful negotiated settlement” of the territorial

spat.

“We hope that the arbitral proceedings shall bring this dispute to a durable solution,” Del Rosario said. Arbitration in international tribunals on maritime disputes usually take 3-4 years, Del Rosario said.

China has been notified of the UN challenge through a diplomatic document given to the Chinese Ambassador to Manila. It includes the notification and notice of claim challenging before UN the validity of China’s nine-dash line claim to most of the West Philippine Sea. The Philippines is urging the UN arbitration tribunal to declare China’s “nine-dash line” claim invalid. Del Rosario said the claim is “contrary to UNCLOS and thus unlawful” as it “encompasses virtually the entire South China Sea/West Philippine Sea.” Also sought is a UN declaration that both the Philippines and China enjoy rights established by international laws. Particularly questioned is China’ move to occupy and build structures on submerged banks, reefs and other elevations that are considered part of the Philippine continental shelf or the international seabed. [Yahoo!]

West PHL sea dispute brought before UN

N

O longer content with waiting for a negotiated solution with China, the government has elevated the West Philippine Sea dispute before a United Nations arbitrator.

Call

resident Barack Obama has inaugurated his second term with an ardent call for unity, but warned his foes their “absolutism” must not thwart action on climate, immigration and gun control.

Obama was publicly sworn in for another four White house years before a flag-waving crowd of an estimated one million, and then delivered an inaugural address in which poetic power veiled clear signs of a liberal governing agenda.

Failed

enator Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV swore he had the support to oust Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile. But he failed, as Enrile managed to keep his post after senators voted to keep him as the top Senate official Monday.

“Of threats and coup rumors, we have had enough. I am way too old to be threatened by anyone, least of all by cowards and hypocrites,” Enrile said in a sudden privilege speech.

EDGEDAVAO

Graphic showing contending claims in the South China Sea. APEC giants China and Japan, along with South Korea, Russia and others are embroiled in various disputes that have fanned nationalist flames.

A

Vow

lgeria’s prime minister accused a Canadian of coordinating last week’s raid on a desert gas plant and, praising the storming of the complex where 38 mostly foreign hostages were killed, he pledged to resist the rise of Islamists in the Sahara.

Algeria will never succumb to terrorism or allow al Qaeda to establish “Sahelistan”, an Afghan-style power base in arid northwest Africa, Abdelmalek Sellal told a news conference in Algiers where he also said at least 37 foreign hostages died.

F

Trial

ive men went on trial Monday over the brutal gang-rape and murder of a student as the victim’s father urged the fast-track court to deliver swift justice and sentence her attackers to hang.

With the trial being heard behind closed doors, one of the prosecutors announced the case’s start to reporters crowded outside the court.

T

Attack

hree blasts, including a suicide bomber attack near an army base, killed least 17 people across Baghdad on Tuesday, the latest violence as Shi’ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki faces increasing pressure from a political crisis.

The most deadly explosions took place in Taji, 20 km (12 miles) north of Baghdad, where a suicide bomber driving a car packed with explosives detonated his bomb near an army base, killing at least seven people and wounding 24.

C

Relaxing

hina could be considering relaxing its harsh one-child policy because of women like hu Yanqin, who lives in a village at the edge of the Gobi desert.

When hu married a construction worker seven years ago, she knew she was going to have only one child, although the area where she lives, the Jiuquan region in northwestern Gansu province, is one of the rare places in China where those living in rural areas have been free to have two children since 1985.

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 230 •WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2013

Davao...

FFROM 1

tary School while 400 families from Lasang are sheltered at the Navarro National high School and Aledia School.

Meanwhile, the Davao City Council approved on Monday the release of P53.53 million to assist some 40,000 residents in the 15 barangays struck by floods Saturday night and Sunday.

The amount, taken from the city’s P217.3 million Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Fund, is intended for a relief and recovery program for some12,000 families or about 40,000 victims of the calamity.

The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Coun-

Gun ban..

cil (CDRRMC) met Monday morning to consolidate reports and determine the amount of assistance needed.

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio immediately sent the City Council a letter requesting foe the release of the amount which the body approved at a special session in the afternoon The 15 barangays -Tigatto, Waan, Mandug, 19-B, 1-A, 5-A, 8-A, 9-A, 10-A, 2-A, 74-A, 76-A, Maa, Lasang, and Calinan – have been placed under a state of calamity. The city has 182 barangays.

Ma. Luisa Bermudo, head of the CSSDO, requested for P1 million for the rehabilitation of 48 houses destroyed and 49

others damaged.

Dr. Cerelyn Pinili, officer in charge of the City Veterinarian’s Office, estimated damage to livestock at P654,900.

This includes some cattle, 55 hogs, 41 goats, 50 ducks and 1,882 chickens.

Based on a survey, Pinili said a total of 255 farmers lost their livestock to the floods.

Valente Turtur, officer in charge of the City Agriculturist’s Office, said some 250 hectares of farmland were damaged: P3 million worth of corn, banana and vegetables in Barangay Tigatto; P1.3 million worth in Waan and P600,000 worth in San Isidro. [With Lorie Ann A. Cascaro/MindaNews]

that there was a decrease in loose firearms cases, during those times.”

The report of PS Rivera also shows that, according to their Oplan Katok Program which “pertains to house visitation of all firearms holders with un-renewed FA’s which are considered loose FA’s,” there are 11,009 un-renewed and revoked firearms licenses in Davao City already.

Through Oplan Katok, 8,433 out of the 11,009 of FA owners with un-renewed and revoked FAs complied with the program and renewed the license for their guns.

The election period covered by the gun ban is from January 12, 2013 to June 12, 2013, said PS Rovera.

According to the COMELEC RESOLUTION 9561-A Section 1 “No person shall bear, carry or transport firearms or deadly weapons outside residence or business.” It also states that “No candidate for public office, including public officers seeking election, shall employ or

avail of bodyguards.” To transport firearms, “those engaged in manufacture, importation, purchase, and sale must secure prior written authority with the Committee on the Ban on Firearms and Security Personnel (CBFSP).”

The committee responsible for the implementation of the ban is the Committee on the Ban on Firearms and Security Personnel (CBFSP), the Regional Joint Security Control Center (RJSCC) is responsible for the issuance of temporary security details and the implementation of the ban in the regions, and the Provincial Joint Security Control Center (PJSCC) is responsible for the reception and evaluation of applications, issuance of temporary security details (TSDs) and the implementation on the ban in provinces while CJSCC is for the cities.

The issuance, processing, approval and release of firearms licenses shall be suspended during the gun ban period.

he also clarified that the call for the discretion to suspend classes was not triggered by misleading text messages from unknown sources saying that the city would experience heavy flooding because the Calinan dam would be opened.

“Don’t believe those text messages because there is no dam in Calinan

and elsewhere in Davao City that would cause such a huge flood,” Garcia said, adding that the public can call up the CIO, Davao City Social Services and Development Office (CSSDO) or Central 911 for information the current weather situation in the city, or get updates from social networking sites.

FFROM 1

(DCPO) is positive that the gun ban will result in a decrease in loose firearms cases.

Addressing the Rotary Club of East Davao at The Marco Polo Davao yesterday on Comelec Resolution 9561-A, Rivera explained that prohibited firearms refers to “firearms as defined in existing laws, rules and regulations, but shall include airguns, airsoft guns, replicas/imitations of firearms in whatever form that will cause an ordinary person to believe they are real.”

Asked about illegal FA owners, Rivera said, “loose firearms are truly the main problem, because there are a lot of illegal manufacturers of FAs and we can only focus on the legitimate guns.” however, he continued, “I believe that the gun ban will have a big impact on the case of loose firearms during the 2013 elections because as seen in the localized gun bans which were implemented during the Araw ng Dabaw and Kadayawan of 2012, records show

Cancellation...

FFROM 2

cancellation of their classes from grade school to college and various private schools followed suit.

Garcia said he was not certain if public schools have cancelled their classes since his office had not received information to that effect. “Maybe they’re waiting for advice from the Department of Education (DepEd),” he added.

11

Just in case

Rescue units on standby alert T

hE Davao City local government gave school authorities and private firms the discretion to suspend classes and work, respectively, due to the bad weather brought about by the tail-end of a cold front which the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Services Administration predicts will prevail up to January 26.

Emmanuel Jaldon, chief of the Emergency

MinDA...

Response Center Central 911 said the alert was issued based on a weather advisory that the light to moderate to heavy rainfall may cause flooding and landslides. he said that government and private rescue groups and rubber boats are on standby to respond whenever the Davao River swells again.

“The water tributaries of the Davao River are calm so far, but we are on

standby to assist stranded residents in case flooding occurs again. We do more frequent monitoring as compared to normal times,” Jaldon said.

In the Davao region, Chief Superintendent Jaime Morente, director of Police Regional Office 11 ordered all city and provincial directors to coordinate with local government units in case disaster strikes due to the bad weather. [RGA/JSD/PIA]

highlight gains of various ODA-assisted projects in Mindanao and rally development partners around the key priorities that impact highly on peace, socio-economic growth as well as rehabilitation of areas struck by recent calamities.”

The MDF is scheduled two days before the Philippine Development Forum to present substantial Mindanao perspectives in the overall national development direction.

The PDF aims to fa-

cilitate substantial policy dialogue among stakeholders on the development agenda of the country and will be held in Mindanao for the first time two days after the MDF. Antonio also said, “Agreements and commitments from the MDF will be submitted to government policy making bodies to ensure that the strategic roadmap set for Mindanao is aligned with, and supported by, the country’s policy.”

ters in Guadalupe, Carmen Sunday night (Jan.20) at around 6:00 p.m., during which the old Miranda Bridge at the boundary of Carmen and Tagum City, was closed to traffic (as the exit point from Tagum City going Davao City).

Early Monday morning, floodwaters continued to swell and spread at the approach of the new Miranda Bridge and the level continued to rise beyond knee-deep, spreading across the national highway from barangays Guadalupe to Tuganay where Tuganay River also overflowed and spawned floodwaters to nearby rice fields and eventually flowed over the national highway.

As all floodwaters from the three major rivers of Davao del Norte are spreading across Carmen, the town has the most number of affected barangays totalling 15 as of 5:00 p.m, Jan. 21 with the highest number of affected families monitored at

15,350.

On the other hand, during the early hours of rain since last Friday, PDRMMC reported spilling of floodwaters in provincial road networks.

As of 12:15 a.m. (Jan. 20), PDRRMO reported that heavy rains with moderate to strong winds hit most parts of the province resulting to flooding in various low-lying areas which made the following vital roads impassable: Barangay Sagayen, Asuncion national road going to Municipality of San Isidro at Purok 10; Purok 1, Brgy.

Florida, Kapalong: Provincial Road going to barangay proper; and Brgy. Camiling, Carmen Provincial Road going to Sto. Tomas.

Yesterday afternoon at around 3:30 p.m. PDRRMO monitored that the highway along barangay Pagsabangan going to Kapalong is already passable to traffic. [PIA 11/ JEANEVIVE DURON ABANGAN]

FFROM 2

impact of climate change, proposal of long-term measures for calamities, strengthening the foundations of peace and development under the Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro, Mindanao being the agribusiness hub of the Philippines, and the attainment of the Mindanao Development goals.

Montenegro cited a message from MinDA chairperson Luwalhati Antonio which said, “MDF would be able to

Flood...

FFROM 2

traverses through towns of Kapalong, Asuncion, Sto. Tomas, Braulio E. Dujali, Carmen and Tagum (upland to lowland).

Some tributary rivers are also emptying waters to LIboganon River as it flows down to the coastline in Tagum City.

Meanwhile, the Saug River has ben noted to head from Gupitan, which is also in Kapalong town, then winds and traverses through San Isidro, Laak (in Compostela Valley), Asuncion, New Corella.

The waters of Saug River meet with that of the Liboganon River in Barangay Pagsabangan, Tagum City.

On the other hand, the Tuganay River heads from the mountains of Paquibato (in Davao City), passing through far-flung Barangay Magwawa in Sto. Tomas, flows down to Braulio E. Dujali town and then empties to the coastline of Carmen town.

Liboganon River started spilling over floodwa-

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EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 230 •WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2013

Rockets blast Cats C

James Harden scores 29 points on 5 of 20 shooting in 41 minutes. AP

hARLOTTE, N.C. — Struggling with his jump shot, James harden turned to his backup plan on offense. harden decided the best way to help the houston Rockets snap a seven-game losing streak was to start taking the ball to the basket, draw contact and get to the foul line.

That strategy worked pretty well on Monday (Tuesday, Manila time). harden scored 29 points and hit all 10 of his free throws in the fourth quarter as the Rockets rallied to beat the Charlotte Bobcats 100-94 in a Martin Luther King Jr. Day matinee. harden made just 5 of 20 field goals, but went 19 of 21 from the free throw line. he was perfect from

the line when the Rockets overcame a seven-point deficit in the final period.

“It felt like winning a championship,” harden said of snapping the losing streak. “It feels good. We have had our losing ways and just to get this one off our back, go back home and get that confidence back is big. Maybe we can get our swagger back a little bit.”

Kemba Walker was 6 of 7 on 3-pointers and had a career-high 35 points for the Bobcats, who set a franchise record with their 15th straight loss at home.

The longest home losing streak in NBA history is 19 straight by Dallas during the 1993-94 season.

Ramon Sessions added 19 points for the Bobcats.

But while Walker was phenomenal, it was harden who took over when the game was on the line.

“We got in the penalty really early, so we decided to get the line as much as we can,” said Rockets coach Kevin Mchale.

“But 21 times is pretty amazing. James was what, 5 for 20 from the field, with 29 points. That’s hard to do.”

Marcus Morris had 21 points and tied a career high with eight rebounds for the Rockets. Carlos Delfino scored 16 points, including a 3-pointer from the right corner that put houston ahead for good at 96-94 with 1:54 left. harden has led the Rockets in scoring in 22 of the past 23 games. he also finished with seven assists and seven rebounds while playing 42 minutes.

While Mchale was thankful to get out of Charlotte with a win, he wasn’t exactly thrilled with his team’s overall sloppy play.

“We’ve got to play better,” Mchale said. “We were missing layups, bouncing the ball off our knee, you know, it was kind of like a comedy act there for a while. That happens. We’ve been in a funk and we’ve got to work our way out of it.”

It looked for a while as if the Rockets losing ways might continue.

houston couldn’t find a flow on offense early and fell behind by 12 against the typically slow-starting Bobcats. harden was just 2 of 9 from the field in the first half and missed several easy shots, including a pair of driving layups. he also had three turnovers, including one where he inexplicably lost control of his dribble with no defender near him. he twice had his shot blocked in the first half. harden’s shaky first half ended when his heave from half-court as time expired sailed about 10 feet wide of the backboard.

Meanwhile, Walker was just getting started. he made all three 3-point attempts in the first half, helping the Bobcats take a 56-45 lead at the break. And Charlotte led by seven entering the fourth quarter after Walker knocked down two more 3s late in the third quarter. “he was just killing us,” Mchale said.

But as has been the problem most of the season, Charlotte had trouble closing out an opponent, shooting just 4 of 19 in the fourth quarter and scoring just 13 points.

Walker had seven of those points and Sessions had six, but no other Bobcats scored in the final period.

EW YORK — Joe Johnson made the go-ahead jumper with 22 seconds left and scored 25 points, leading the Brooklyn Nets to an 88-85 over the New York Knicks on Monday (Tuesday, Manila time) and a split of the four-game series between the city rivals.

Deron Williams added 14 points and 12 assists for the Nets, who cut the Knicks’ Atlantic Division lead to one game. Brook Lopez had 14 points and 11 rebounds, and Kris humphries came off the bench for 11 points and 13 boards.

Carmelo Anthony had 29 points and seven assists for the Knicks, but missed all six shots in the fourth quarter and finished 11 of 29 for the game. J.R. Smith scored 16 points and Amare Stoudemire 15.

The Nets survived a pair of lengthy droughts in the second half but got 10 points in the final period from Johnson, who used to play for Knicks coach Mike Woodson in Atlanta

and has become the player Brooklyn turns to for big shots in the clutch.

Anthony had his 26th straight 20-point game, tied with Stoudemire for third-longest streak in franchise history, but the Knicks were sluggish early in their first game since playing in London on Thursday and lost for the third straight time on Martin Luther King Day. The Knicks led by three before consecutive 3-pointers by CJ Watson and Johnson gave Brooklyn a 78-75 lead. Smith scored, but then Johnson made another 3-pointer and a jumper to extend the lead to 83-77 with 5:38 remaining before the Nets went cold again.

New York shut Brooklyn out over the next five minutes while scoring seven in a row, regaining the lead on Anthony’s free throws with 40 seconds to play. But the Nets got the ball on the next possession to Johnson, who dribbled right toward the baseline and pulled up for the go-ahead basket.

Nets get even with Knicks N

14 SPORTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 230 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

Phoenix standouts eye Jr. NBA spots

By Neil Bravo

T

RIP KO PhOENIX Basketball Cup standouts will be eyeing roster spots to the Jr. NBA All-Star Team.

This early, junior basketball players are looking forward to showing their best form when the Jr. NBA camp comes to town.

“We are proud to bring the Jr. NBA camp to Davao City as this will be an avenue to test the skills of our junior basketball players especially those who have played in the Phoenix Basketball Cup,” said Neb Bulaclac, marketing supervisor of Phoenix Petroleum. henry Renzar Asilum, Kline Aranjuez and Miguel Competente have distinguished themselves as members of the Jr. NBA All Star Team in 2010 and 2011, respectively. They were rewarded with an all-expenses-free trip abroad to watch a live NBA game and to play goodwill games with counterpart Jr. NBA teams for their outstanding performances in the National Training Camp.

Asilum now plays for the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons in the UAAP. he also had stints with the National Under-16 and Under-19 teams.

The Jr. NBA presented by Alaska got off the ground in the Philippines for the sixth consecutive year, with stops in Metro Manila, Dagupan City (hosted by Community Service Idol), Lucena City (hosted by the Provincial Government of Quezon) and Davao City (hosted

by Davao-based Phoenix Petroleum). Alaska Powdered Milk Drink will serve as Presenting Partner of the Jr. NBA program for the third consecutive year.

The Jr. NBA is the

league’s international youth development program that promotes basketball participation, sportsmanship and teamwork, and an active lifestyle among children.

The 2013 Philippine schedule includes school clinics as well as coaching seminars in the lead up to Regional Selection Camps in each of the four cities. The program, open to kids between 10 and 14 years old, will conclude in Metro Manila with the Jr. NBA National Training Camp.

This year’s program began with a coaching clinic in Manila on Jan. 19, followed by school and coaching clinics in Davao City, Lucena City and Dagupan City. Regional Selection Camps will be held in March and April, after which the top 50 participants from all over the country will participate in the Jr. NBA National Training Camp in Manila from April 26 – 28.

As part of Alaska Milk’s support of the Jr. NBA, 10 of the 50 National Training Camp participants will be selected from this year’s Alaska Basketball Power Camp. The Jr. NBA National Training Camp will culminate with the selection of the Jr. NBA All-Star Team, providing the 10 best campers a unique NBA experience and the opportunity to play against a Jr. NBA team from another country.

NBA Asia’s Director of Basketball Operations, Sefu Bernard, will serve as the Jr. NBA coach and oversee the program along with local coaches selected by the NBA, and coaches of the Alaska Power Camp, led by PBA Legend Jojo Lastimosa.

The top 10 finalists for the 2013 Jr. NBA Coach of the Year presented

by Alaska will also join to assist in teaching the NBA skill stations as well as communicating the importance of the Jr. NBA core values of Sportsmanship, Teamwork, a positive Attitude, and Respect (S.T.A.R.).

The Coach of the Year award winner will be announced at the National Training Camp, which will also be attended by an NBA legend and feature NBA Cares community outreach.

In addition to Presenting Partner Alaska Powered Milk Drink, Official Partners include the NBA’s official sports drink, Gatorade, Unilever’s flagship brands Rexona and Master as well as new partner Phoenix Petroleum. Returning as Jr. NBA Supporting Partners are KFC and Spalding. Official NBA broadcasters are Basketball TV, NBA Premium TV and Studio 23. Jr. NBA is also supported by the Basketball Coaches Association of the Philippines (BCAP).

The Jr. NBA program was first conducted in the Philippines in 2007 and has more than doubled in participation in the past five years. Each year a new city benefits from the grassroots basketball program that involves not just young players but also their parents and coaches. The program remains free in all its stages for local coaches and young Filipino kids who want to join the program.

Registration is now ongoing through the Jr. NBA event website www.jrnba.com.ph. Fans can also follow on Facebook at www.facebook. com/jrnbaphilippines.

For all things NBA, visit us at www.nba.com or follow on official Twitter feed at www.twitter. com/NBA_Philippines.

Jr. NBA in Luzon swing J

R. NBA Philippines 2013 presented by Alaska expanded its presence in Southern Tagalog as 146 coaches from Lucena, Tayabas and other municipalities in Quezon Province, Batangas, Cavite, Laguna and Bicol attended the Jr. NBA coaches clinic at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City on January 21. 335 young players from 61 schools in the region also benefited from the program during the school clinics on January 22.

Coaches learned the Jr. NBA philosophy, coaching and motivational tips, basketball plays and drills at the clinics held on January 21. On January 22 young players took home fundamental organized basketball skills that will prepare them for more competitive basketball in the future. Emphasis was placed on dribbling, shooting, layup, footwork and passing skills and most especially, on the Jr. NBA core values

of Sportsmanship, Teamwork, a positive Attitude and Respect (STAR Values).

The Provincial Government of Quezon led by Governor David C. Suarez hosted the event that brought the National Basketball Association’s international

look at the film again, but we’re definitely going to have to change something.’’

Kirk hinrich scored a season-high 22 points, Marco Belinelli added 15 points, and the Bulls pulled away down the stretch to beat the struggling Lakers.

Belinelli came up big in the closing minutes, scoring eight points during an 18-4 run that broke a 7575 tie and sent the Lakers to their ninth loss in 11 games. he started it by hitting two free throws after getting fouled by Dwight howard with 6:54 left in the game and wrapped two 3-pointers around a layup

by Los Angeles’ Earl Clark, making it 89-79 with 2:27 remaining.

The Lakers have now

dropped six straight on the road, and this one came after D’Antoni made that lineup switch. he replaced Gasol with Clark, but the slide continued on a night when Bryant and howard were mostly nonfactors. ‘’Very, very tough, very, very frustrating, trying to keep my cool,’’ Bryant said. ‘’It is embarassing.

It is not even embarassing. I am a big history guy.

Playing here in this arena with these incredible fans, you’re in the house of MJ, Pippen, PJ (Phil Jackson) built, to put this kind of brand of basketball on the floor is just not acceptable.’’ hinrich hit 9 of 11 shots and nailed three 3-pointers. Belinelli and Nate Robinson (11 points)

developmental basketball program to this part of the country. Over the past six years the Jr. NBA had visited Cebu City, Davao City, Bacolod City, Binan City, San Fernando, Pampanga, Puerto Princesa City and Cagayan de Oro City after tipping off in Manila.

Jr. NBA Coach and Director of Basketball Operations, NBA Asia Sefu Bernard demonstrates a warm up exercise at the Coaches Clinic.

Lakers lose another match, Bryant loses his patience C

Lakers star Kobe Bryant is losing his patience with the string of losses suffered by the team.

Aspiring little cagers focus on the goal at the Jr. NBA school clinics.

hICAGO (AP) -- Kobe Bryant couldn’t restrain himself after this one.

It wasn’t just that the Lakers lost again. It was how they did it, where they did it, and he was simply seething. he even put out a call to ditch Mike D’Antoni’s up-tempo style and post up more after Pau Gasol got moved into a reserve role. ‘’We’re going to have to look at some things,’’ Bryant said after Los Angeles lost 95-83 at Chicago on Monday. ‘’We’re going to have to change something.

Probably going to have to post the ball a lot more, slow the game down a lot more. That’s just my intuition, but that’s my gut right now. I have to take a

also hit three, and the Bulls were 9 of 17 overall from long range.

Joakim Noah added 13 rebounds and a season-best six blocks after sitting out the final 22 minutes, 53 seconds of Saturday’s loss to Memphis. he blamed himself for the benching the other night, saying, ‘’That was all me.’’

Noah was angry at coach Tom Thibodeau for taking him out of the game and acknowledged saying some things he should not have. he wouldn’t say if he and Thibodeau discussed the incident, but he made it clear he had no one to blame but himself. ‘’I admit it,’’ he said. ‘’It was my fault. I shouldn’t have said the things that I said.’’

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VOL.5 ISSUE 230 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

WOMEN

Adventure time with Quentin BIrThDAy parties are often larger and more extravagant when a person reaches what is regarded in a culture as a milestone age, also regarded as a transition from childhood to adulthood.

Next to the first birthday, the seventh is one of the biggest celebrations families prepare for. By the time children reach seven, they are old enough to choose and decide on what kind of birthday party they would want to have.

A huge chunk of time and effort are spent in this kind of event to produce a magical experience.

Imagination, creativity, and multi-tasking are key ingredients in pulling off a unique party theme for 7 year old kids, who, by such time, already have a cer-

tain level of expectation in terms of what’s entertaining and fun.

Mommy Bianca Barretto Uy knows exactly all that. She, together with her husband, Moe, was all

ears and gave full support of what her eldest son, Quentin, wanted for his birthday.

“The theme has to be something he and his friends can relate to,” Bianca explains.

With the help of trusty event planner and stylist, Annie Lim, they conceptualized a fun-filled afternoon party dubbed as “Adventure Time with Quent” --- a spin off from a hit cartoon show on cable.

True to the cartoon’s setting and outline, Quent’s own party became an exciting adventure itself.

Kids were treated to games and fun as they hopped around tables and joined in the activities. Annie even added simulations of the cartoon characters into the setup, which stirred up the kids’ excitement. The cake itself was a delightful sight, a 3D layered version of the main characters from the TV show.

Children and adult alike gamely joined the program. The room was an air of enjoyment and glee which pleased the brains behind the event, Bianca and Annie. On top of the colorful execution and cheerful farewells after the party, what was more rewarding to the family was Quent’s smile which reached from ear to ear --a picture of content from a happy birthday boy.

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UP AND ABOUT

Take your pick from affordable Sun BlackBerry Plans NEvEr leave anything to chance when it comes to getting a BlackBerry plan – whether it’s your first time to get or you’re thinking of upgrading your existing one. Get the most out of your money and smartphone with any of these affordable Sun BlackBerry plans which offer all the things you need to stay close with your friends and more!

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.5 ISSUE 230 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2013

ENTErTAINMENT

A star-studded affair at President Barack Obama’s inauguration

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TO KICK Off his second term as POTUS, President Barack Obama took the oath of office on the steps of the nation’s Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Martin Luther King Day.

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created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

• Fashionable FLOTUS: As we suspected, Michelle Obama did not disappoint as she stepped on The star-studded his- stage wearing a chic Thom toric event featured per- Browne outfit, J.Crew formances from Beyoncé, shoes and sporting flawless Kelly Clarkson and James hair and lovely lashes. her Taylor and touching words daughters, Sasha and Mafrom the likes of civil rights lia, also looked chic, wearactivist Myrlie Evers and ing Kate Spade and J. Crew, the president himself. respectively.

So, what were the big • The Performances: moments from the presi- James Taylor strummed a dent’s inauguration? And guitar singing “America the which stars braved the Beautiful” and Kelly Clarkchilly weather to see it? son belted out a powerful We’ve got all the details, rendition of “My Country, right here!

‘Tis of Thee,” accompanied • President Obama’s by the United States MaSpeech: With more than rine Band. Beyoncé looked 700,000 people in atten- stunning, rounding out the dance, according to the performances, bringing Chicago Tribune, the down the house singing president called for na- the National Anthem. Betional unity in his speech, yoncé, whose performance saying the nation must was saved for the end of the come together to meet the inaugural event (sparking a country’s challenges. “We “Where’s Beyoncé” Twitter are made for this moment, trend), looked amazing in a and we will seize it—so stunning black dress. long as we seize it together,” • Star (Couple) AppearObama said. ances: John Mayer and “We recall that what Katy Perry were spotted binds this nation together attending the inaugurais not the colors of our skin tion together, as was enor the tenets of our faith or gaged couple John Legend the origins of our names,” and Chrissy Teigen. Jay-Z Obama went on to say. was also spotted walking “What makes us exception- his stunning wife Beyoncé al—what makes us Ameri- through the crowd, and Eva can—is our allegiance to an Longoria was in attendance idea, articulated in a dec- as well. laration made more than • Touching Moments: two centuries ago: “We Myrlie Evers-Williams, hold these truths to be self- civil rights activist and wife evident, that all men are of slain civil rights leader

Medgar Evers, became the first woman to ever deliver the invocation at an inauguration, according to People. “150 years after the Emancipation Proclamation and 50 years after the march on Washington, we celebrate the spirit of our ancestors,” Evers-Williams said during the invocation.

• Richard Blanco’s Poem: Miami-raised poet richard Blanco took the stage, paying homage to his experiences in America.

Unfortunately, the Twitterverse didn’t seem too impressed by Blanco’s words, with a “Where’s Maya Angelou?” trend popping up while he was speaking.

• Near Slip-Up: Chief Justice John G. roberts swore in Barack Obama for the second time, and while it looked like he almost tripped him up again while giving him the presidential oath, the president quickly recovered, finishing it up with ease. Whew!

VOL.5 ISSUE 230 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

Michelle Obama wears Thom Browne for husband’s inauguration

IT’S SAFE to say First Lady Michelle Obama has a bit of a glow on inauguration day.

The stylish First Lady looked radiant as she stepped out wearing a custom Thom Browne navy coat and dress, which “was developed based on the style of a men’s silk tie,” according to mrs-o. com.

Michelle paired her outfit with a cardigan by reed Krakoff, a necklace by Cathy Waterman and shoes and a belt from J. Crew.

And just like their mom, budding fashionistas Sasha and Malia Obama looked chic in Kate Spade and J. Crew, respectively.

Mrs. Obama has become a fan of the fashion-forward Thom Browne brand as of late, sporting another look from the designer at the final presidential debate in October, according to New York Magazine.

And she isn’t the only one.

Celebrities like Leighton Meester, Jay-Z and Usher have all been spotted rocking the designer’s brand as well.

Prince Harry “Thrilled” over Kate Middleton’s pregnancy

Speaks out on his nude photo scandal PrINCE HArrY is ready to become Uncle Harry!

Speaking with reporters in a pre-taped interview at the end of his four-month military tour in Afghanistan, Harry reveals he “can’t wait” to be an uncle to Prince William and Kate Middleton’s first child, adding he’s “thrilled” for the couple.

Plus, Harry finally talks about the nude photo scandal he endured after his trip to Las vegas in late August, saying he let himself down.

“Obviously I’m thrilled for both of them. It’s about time!” Harry says of Prince William and Kate’s pregnancy. “I can’t wait to be an uncle.”

Though the officer known as Capt. Harry Wales has been serving with the British Army Air Corps in Afghanistan since September, Harry says he has been in contact with his brother and sister-inlaw. “I spoke to my brother and her, and they’re both very well and both very happy obviously,” he says.

“I think it’s very unfair that they were forced to publicize it when they were,

but that’s just the media for you.”

Speaking of the media, Harry adds that he hopes Kate will be able to maintain privacy during her pregnancy, especially after having to announce the news early after Kate was hospitalized due to acute morning sickness.

“I literally am very, very happy for them, but I just only hope that she and him—but mainly Catherine—hopefully that she gets the necessary protection to allow her as a mother-to-be to enjoy the privacy that that comes

with,” he says. “I seriously hope that’s going to be able to happen.”

Speaking to his nude photo scandal, Harry says, “I probably let myself down. I let my family down, I let other people down.”

However, Harry once again brings up the issue of the media’s treatment of him and his family, saying, “At the end of the day, I was in a private area and there should be a certain amount of privacy...The way I was treated by [the media] I don’t think is acceptable.”

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.5 ISSUE 230 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2013

HEALTH

Long-term relationships:

Getting back in the groove

ThErE are many reasons that people in long-term relationships can find themselves not in the mood for sex such as exhaustion, children, low selfesteem and stress, said WebMD.

DrL auraB erman.com wrote that an active sex life with your partner maintains emotional closeness and satisfaction for both parties. Physical intimacy is crucial in maintaining a longlasting and fulfilling bond.

“When you’re in a long-term relationship, you get into a routine,” ob-gyn renee horowitz, of the Center for Sexual Wellness told WebMD. “There’s biological evidence that novel experiences cause the release of dopamine in the brain.”

Dopamine is a chemical messenger that affects the brain’s pleasure center.

While it’s inadvisable to just switch partners when the excitement diminishes, you can try changing up things with a different place, time or position.

for many women, the worst time for having sex is at the end of the day. healthyWomen.org recommended talking with your partner to determine what works for both of you, such as sex be-

Institute a plan of “no touching below the belt” for the first 20 to 30 minutes of intimacy, advised Woman’s Day. This forces you to focus more on kissing and touching, which people tend t o

fore dinner or in the morning. Once you agree, plan for it.

Share your sexual fantasies with your partner, wrote Woman’s Day. According to Ian Kerner, PhD, sex therapist, “The brain is your biggest sexual organ. you can’t just rely on the physical stimulation of sex; you also have to take advantage of the mental power.”

abandon when they rush into intercourse. This creates novelty.

Sometimes low self-esteem gets in the way. “Ultimately, low selfimage comes down to not being in love with yourself,” sex educator, Sadie Allison told WebMD. “And if you don’t love yourself, you’re not going to share yourself with someone else. Short of

therapy for poor self-esteem, try finding things about yourself you do like and focus on those sexually.” hug your partner tight for at least 30 seconds.

“Studies have shown, especially in women, when you hug your partner for 30 seconds or more, it produces oxytocin, a hormone that facilitates trust and a sense of sexual connection and desire,” Dr. Kerner told Wo m a n’s Day. S o m e times your body doesn’t cooperate because sex is painful, wrote WebMD. fortunately, there are remedies for painful sex. Check with your doctor.

“Even if you’re not in the mood, give yourself 10 minutes to give sex a shot,” Dr. Kerner told Woman’s Day. Most people stuck in a rut don’t have anything against sex but just aren’t giving themselves a chance to go for it.

WebMD said that, no matter the reason for your diminished desire, getting back in the groove with your partner sexually can take effort. But it’s worth it.

Can olive oil prevent skin aging?

THE scientific evidence that olive oil is good for us keeps getting stronger. In terms of health, studies have proven that diets that incorporate this oil (such as those found in the Mediterranean region) help people live longer, healthier lives. rich in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), olive oil has also been linked to lower cholesterol, and may also normalize blood clotting, blood sugar levels, and insulin levels. related with less severe efits from olive oil, you of skin, chapped lips, and But one recent study is shedding light on the potential beauty benefits associated with ingesting olive oil. (We’ll get to its topical uses below.) In this study of almost 3,000 men and women between the ages of 45 and 60, a higher intake of olive oil cor-

photoaging in the form of fine lines, wrinkles, and signs of sun damage like uneven tone and rough texture. So the next time you break out the pots and pans or serve up a salad, be sure to reach for the olive oil, too.

To reap even more ben-

can use it on your skin as well. It’s a great moisturizer for dry hands, feet, and cuticles. It can even be used a deep treatment for your hair. You can also add a little olive oil to the tub when taking a bath for extra skin hydration. You can even use it on dry patches

just about anywhere else for that matter!

So the next time you’re in the supermarket, consider picking up a bottle of olive oil for your kitchen and your bathroom. This is just one of many beauty shortcuts that don’t have to cost a bundle.

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 230 •WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2013

AUSTRALIAN OPEN

SPORTS 15

American idol • Teen Stephens faces idol Serena • Federer in quarterfinals

M

ELBOURNE, Australia (AP) -Sloane Stephens has heard a lot of advice from Serena Williams.

Pointers on her groundstrokes, and even on her grunts.

It’s been mostly gentle encouragement, occasionally spiced with headline-making comments from Williams, who has predicted the 19-year-old American will one day top the women’s rankings.

As Stephens learned earlier this month, though, it’s one thing to play with Williams, another to play against the 15-time Grand Slam champion.

When they meet Wednesday at the Australian Open, Williams will have the experience of 34 previous Grand Slam quarterfinals behind her.

With a comeback 6-1, 3-6, 7-5 win over Bojana Jovanovski, Stephens qualified for her first quarterfinal at a major tournament. ‘’It will be tough, ob-

viously. It’s quarters of a Grand Slam,’’ Stephens said. ‘’There won’t be that, like, first time, ‘Oh, my God, I’m playing Serena.’ That’s kind of out of the window now. So that’s good.’’

Williams and defending champion Victoria Azarenka advanced Monday, losing just four games between them against Russian rivals. Williams beat No. 14 Maria Kirilenko 6-2, 6-0, and Azarenka defeated Elena Vesnina 6-1, 6-1.

Next up for Azarenka is a quarterfinal against Svetlana Kuznetsova, who entered the season’s first major tournament ranked No. 75 but has won titles at the 2004 U.S. Open and 2009 French Open.

On the men’s side, No. 2 Roger Federer and U.S. Open champion Andy Murray stayed on course for a semifinal in their half of the draw.

Federer won 6-4, 7-6 (4), 6-2 over big-serving Canadian Milos Raonic, advancing to the quarter-

Serena Williams (left) plays teenage sensation Sloane Stephens in the women’s quarterfinals of the Australian Open.

finals at a Grand Slam for the 35th consecutive time, while Murray took advantage of Gilles Simon’s fatigue for a 6-3, 6-1, 6-3 victory.

Federer will face 2008

Australian finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who beat friend and fellow Frenchman Richard Gasquet 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.

Murray, who ended a 76-year drought for Brit-

ish men in Grand Slam tournaments with a win at the U.S. Open, will next play unseeded Frenchman Jeremy Chardy.

Chardy, who hit with Williams in a training

camp at Mauritius at the end of 2012, followed up his upset win over 2009 U.S. Open champion Juan Martin del Potro with a 5-7, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 victory over No. 21 Andreas Seppi.

and seeking his 18th major title, said “good reflexes” were the key to coping with Raonic’s bullet serve.

“You try to anticipate a bit, and it happened better and better as the match went on,” he said. “It’s important to stay focused. I have learned that over the years, and it pays off in the end.”

While defending champion Djokovic battled to recover from his five-hour, five-set win which concluded in the early hours of Monday, Simon was still struggling from his marathon victory over Gael Monfils a day earlier.

The Frenchman, who could hardly walk after wrapping up the five-setter post-midnight, was in no state to face US Open champion Murray, and he quickly went down 6-3, 6-1, 6-3, calling it “a painful hour-and-a-half.”

“Yesterday I was just biking 20 minutes, you know, stretching, massage, cold bath. I did everything I could,” said Simon. “But it’s difficult when you run a marathon two days before to go for one more

two days after.”

Murray called it a “tough situation” but he admitted his mind was already on his next match, a quarter-final with France’s world number 36 Jeremy Chardy. The Briton is scheduled to face Federer in the semi-finals.

“I felt after the first few games, because he wasn’t serving hard at all, you know, his forehand side wasn’t moving that well either,” said Murray of Simon.

“It was just about trying to finish the match as quickly as I could and then getting ready for the next one.”

Chardy, who comes from the same coaching stable as Williams, reached his first Grand Slam quarter-final with a straight-sets defeat of Italian Andreas Seppi. he had never previously gone past the second round in Melbourne.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, buoyed by new coach Roger Rasheed, beat Richard Gasquet in four sets to tee up a quarter-final against Federer.

Federer, Murray on collision course M

Former champion Roger Federer is on course to an anticipated encounter with British ace Andy Murray.

ELBOURNE – Roger Federer and Andy Murray were locked on collision course at the Australian Open Monday as an unstoppable Serena Williams powered towards her third straight Grand Slam title.

As Novak Djokovic regrouped after his latenight thriller against Stanislas Wawrinka, Federer and Murray had no such problems as they breezed into the quarter-finals.

Murray had the simplest of tasks against a weakened Gilles Simon, still struggling after his marathon win over Gael Monfils, while Federer easily had the weapons to deal with the machine-gun serve of Milos Raonic.

Federer, playing in the showpiece evening match on Rod Laver Arena, needed a solitary break to edge the first set, and then won tiebreaker for the second before he swept through the last to take it 6-4, 7-6 (7/4), 6-2.

The Swiss master, now into his 35th consecutive Grand Slam quarter-final

16 SPORTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 230 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

Ateneo girls bag RIFA Cup

By Neil Bravo

A

TENEO de Davao University kept a clean sheet all throughout the tournament on their way to winning the U-11 girls title of the 10th RIFA International Cup Football Tournament at the CSA Dasmarinas field in Makati City on January 19-23.

Ateneo blanked top favourite Miriam College 2-0 in the finals to take the championship in the international-flavored bootfest. Yunika Angala found the back of the net twice in the finals to key the Ateneo win after the Miriam defense collapsed on Denise Diamante who earlier scored 8 goals in the eliminations.

Liane Co was adjudged MVP of the match.

The road to the championship was not as easy as the scoreline. Ateneo had to go through two shutout draws with Miriam in the first two rounds before disposing off hED

Center 2-0 in the crossovers.

Miriam earned the finals via a shootout win over British School.

Ateneo beat CFC 3-0, British School 3-0 for a 2-win 1-draw card in the first round. Ateneo got stalled to a shutout draw

by CFC in the second round, beat British School 1-0 and was held to another draw by Miriam for a 1-2-0 record in the second round and a 3-3-0 overall slate.

Ateneo’s roster is composed of Ysabel Aquino, Julianna Taojo, Chiyo Marasigan, Kyana Dimaandal, Leara varquez, Melanie Pamisa, Luisa Uy, Cai Reyes and Julien Mirto.

Multi-titled Reynalyn Ranada Ravanes is the team’s head coach with Analou Ingles as assistant coach.

British School defeated hed Center in the battle for third place.

Maria Kirilenko is disposed in the Australian Open by title favourite Serena Williams.

Story on page 15.