Edge Davao 5 Issue 239

EDGEDAVAO

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VOL.5 ISSUE 239 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 05, 2013

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Why Dabawenyos love Singapore

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DCPO to wage war vs drugs Dela Rosa asks barangay captains to spearhead campaign Vice Mayor Rody warns other cops involved in illegal drug trade

The Big News

Page162 By EJ Dominic Page

P390M fund for Pablo approved

Sports

Page 16

New Record

Fernandez

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HE killing of a cop involved in illegal drugs in Davao City has enraged the Davao City Police Office chief Ronald dela Rosa that he has declared an all-out war against drug pushers.

Senior Superintendent Dela Rosa has asked barangay captains to spearhead the campaign against illegal drug operations in their respective areas.

The DCPO director told television news reporters that there are more policemen who are involved in illegal drugs operation,

al-

though he said that these rogue cops are assigned to other parts of the region but are residing in Davao City.

Dela Rosa has singled out Barangay 23-C captain Amilbangsa Manding to set the example in his (Manding) turf.

“Gyerahun nato na sila (we

Davao Light is top business taxpayer

FDCPO,11

P71.5M in taxes paid in 2012

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AVAO Light and Power Co. Inc. notched the no. 1 spot in the Top 10 list of taxpayers for 2012.

According to the business tax system report of the City Treasurer’s Office, Davao Light and Power Co. topped the list with P71,547,570 taxes paid for 2012 followed by the Mindanao Shopping Destination Corp., with SM Davao Department Store as corporate name, which paid P18,143,720.

Coca Cola Bottlers Philippines Inc. – Ulas has ranked third with P10,738,120 while Supervalue Inc. which carries the SM Supermarket – SM WHERE DID HE GO? Davao City Police Office chief Ronald dela Rosa gestures after Land Transportation Franchising and Davao brand is at fourth with P10,233,939.

Registration Board (LTFRB) Regional Director Benjamin Go successfully “eluded” members of local media who wanted DSG Sons Group Inc., owner of the Gaisato get his reaction regarding his alleged involvement in the killing of Emilio de Jesus Rivera at the DCP Office yesterday.

FDAVAO LIGHT,11

Lean Daval Jr.

2 THE BIG NEWS

VOL.5 ISSUE 239 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 05, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

LTFRB exec evades media

By Anthony S. Allada

L

AND Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) region 11 chief Benjamin Go successfully evaded being interviewed by the media yesterday afternoon in the office of Davao City Police Office chief Sr. Supt.

Ronald dela Rosa.

Go exited through the back door to avoid 10 journalists who were waiting in the lobby of the DCPO and quickly boarded his car.

Dela Rosa told EDGE

Davao in a text message last night that Go was cooperative during the questioning. “Cooperative man siya together with his counsel,” Dela Rosa said after he was asked by this paper for details of the questioning.

Go, accompanied by LTFRB administrative officer Edgar Violan and his lawyer, Rogelio Largo, had been invited by dela Rosa for questioning in his office after Go’s name was dragged into the killing

DCPO chief says Director Go cooperative in questioning of Emilio Rivera, driver of former LTFRB 11 director lawyer Demosthenes Arbelon, in the afternoon of January 28 on the corner of MacArthur Highway and Tahimik Avenue in Bangkal.

Elements of the Talomo police station had earlier arrested Ricardo Lopez, an alleged “fixer” at the LTFRB who reportedly contacted

the gunman. Dela Rosa said that he asked clarificatory questions without directly pointing to Go as having something to do with the killing.

“The missing link is Bobby Mantica who used to work as contractual employee of LTFRB. We are asking director Go to submit to us his personal data sheet and he promised to

do it,” he said.

He said that they have still to dig deeper to umask those who are really behind the killing of Rivera but that as of press time no charges have been readied against Go. “There is no direct link with Lopez and director Go, but it was Mantica who has direct contact with Go,” he said.

Dela Rosa said Lopez was already charged before the City Prosecutor’s Office

with murder and violation of Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 after authorities also seized illegal drugs from him.

Lopez was arrested in a manhunt operation by the Talomo police at the Milky Deramas boarding house in Matina Pangi around 9:30 p.m. Monday last week. He is detained at the Talomo police station.

[ASA]

BBB movement launched in DavOr

By ChePalicte

R

ESTORATION of Pablo-hit areas in Davao Oriental begins with

NO ART WORK. A boy eagerly reads a colorfully-designed protest placard held by a member of a progressive group which staged a protest rally near Marco Polo Hotel, venue of the Philippine Development Forum, along Roxas Avenue yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

In Davao City

P390M fund for Pablo approved

Business tax take By ChePalicte surges by 22.6% T

By EJ Dominic Fernandez

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AVAO City’s tax collection increased by 22.6 percent this year compared to the same period last year.

According to data on business permit collection reported by the city treasurer’s office, as of January 31, 2013, the city has already collected P589,141,208 , showing a 22.6-percent increase compared to the P480,315,493 collected in the same period last year.

The report also registered a 15.8-percent increase in the tax collected by the city in 2012 over the collection in the previous year. The city treasurer’s office collected P480,315,493

as of January 31, 2012, while there was only P414,710,923 collected in the 2011.

Also stated in the report was the increase in the number of permit applications during the three-year period with 30,469 permits issued in 2013, compared to 29,584 in 2012 and 28,035 in 2011.

The City Treasurer Office attributes the growth trend to the Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio’s aggressive campaign for more capitalists to invest in Davao City. Also credited are previous policies of the city consistent with the vision of its leaders to make the city more attractive to domestic and foreign capitalists.

BBB. The Provincial Government of Davao Oriental is spearheading a movement called Building Back Better or BBB Movement to spur community cooperation for the rehabilitation of the typhoon-damaged areas of Cateel, Baganga and Boston.

Governor Corazon Malanyaon, in an interview at the Provincial Capitol in Mati, Davao Oriental, said the BBB Movement is aimed at restoring the natural beauty and bounty of the province.

“The building back better movement stages the relief and construction up to the development of Davao Oriental” Malanyaon said, adding that they have started the rehabili-

tation on minor damages caused by typhoon Pablo.

Malanyaon said relief operations will end in June. She expressed optimism of Davao Oriental’s recovery even as she pointed out that some residents of the three towns are gradually recovering and starting to stand on their own.

She added that the BBB movement hopes that life for Pablo survivors will be back to normal again.

“Through this movement, I am sure that everybody would cooperate and it will make them feel the sense of belongingness to the particular place whether they are directly or indirectly affected and this is a movement without a protocol for our aim is to help the affected towns to stand and start a normal life,” Malanyaon explained.

HE Department of Agriculture (DA) will be implementing its second phase of rehabilitation for the three areas affected by typhoon Pablo after it got the approval of an additional P390-Million funding.

The P390-M funding is the second tranche of the DA budget for the rehabilitation program in Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley and Davao del Norte. The initial funding released for the Pablo rehabilitation was worth P230 Million.

Dr. Rafael Mercado, Assistant Regional Director of DA, bared this at the weekly Kapihan sa Dabaw in SM Annex Atrium yesterday.

Mercado said the agency has started evaluation of the damage to agriculture and will be awaiting the rehabilitation plans from its cluster heads within this week.

DA admits even with a total P620-M funding, rehab may not be completed “Right now we are finishing the first wave for our rehabilitation actions and we are very happy that the budget of P390 million for our second wave was approved” Mer-

cado said.

“This fund is very helpful for the total rehabilitation program that we are pursuing for Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley and Davao del Norte,” Mercado

REHAB FUNDS. Department of Agriculture assistant regional director Rafael Mercado says that the P390-million fund for the second wave of rehabilitation of typhoon Pablo-affected areas particularly Davao Oriental, Compostela

Valley Province and Davao del Norte was recently approved. Dr. Mercado was guest of Kapehan sa Dabaw media forum at the annex of SM City Davao yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

said. He stressed that DA will prioritize the needs of the farmers especially the planting materials, cash crops and facilities.

However, even with the P390-M funding, Mercado admitted the additional funds may not be enough for the total rehabilitation.

Anticipating the shortage of funds to achieve that, the DA has prepared a supplementary program composed of the following cost items and corresponding budget: rice program P55 million, corn program P34 million, National Irrigation Authority (NIA) P725 million, high value and commercial development program P50 million, livestock P92 million, coconut industry P220 million, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) P14 million and fiber development P10.8 million.

3 Housing project sparks hope for ‘Pablo’ victims SUBURBIA

EDGEDAVAOVOL.5 ISSUE 239 •TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 05, 2013

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FTER the grim devastation caused

by Typhoon Pablo, hope sparks the town of Baganga, Davao Oriental as the first three hundred shelter homes funded by the PLDT-Smart Foundation under the Manuel V. Pangilian (MVP) Group of Companies, is on its way to emerge soon, paved by its historic ground breaking ceremonies on Thursday.

The housing project will benefit some 300 families currently displaced and temporarily sheltered in bunkhouses in the vil-

lage of Lambajon, after the home wreckages caused by the storm.

Led by Smart Communications, PLDT-Smart Foundation, One Meralco Foundation, and AlagangKapatid Foundation of TV5, in joint partnership with the provincial government, the ground breaking ceremony was held in the sprawling five-hectare permanent resettlement site subsidized by the provincial government.

Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon said that this

HOUSING PROJECT. A groundbreaking ceremony of the first housing project intended for typhoon victims was held in Baganga, Davao Oriental. The project is made possible by the sponsorship of the MVP Group of Companies led by the PLDT-Smart Foundation in partnership with the provincial government of Davao Oriental. In pho-

first housing project is also the first project jointly undertaken by the provincial government with a corporate giant. “We are greatly honored and privileged to be given such grand consideration in our recovery efforts by a very successful Filipino business leader – Manny Pangilinan,” said the governor.

“The MVP group of Companies was the first to come to our aid as we started to position in rebuilding the devastated areas and build homes for the typhoon victims. I feel

so humbled and blessed that you have come to our assistance. You have come to be a part of putting back the shattered lives of our people by providing them homes, helping them rebuild their lives,” she told representatives of the MVP Group.

Ramon Isberto, Head of PLDT-Smart Public Affairs said that the MVP group not only hope in building houses, but also build communities in line with the principles of the provincial government of ‘building back better.’

to (from Left) are Ramon Isberto, Head of PLDT-Smart Public Affairs; Jeffrey Tarayao, Chief Corporate Social Responsibility Officer of Meralco; Ma. Ester O. Santos, President of the PLDT-Smart Foundation; and Davao Oriental Gov. Corazon N. Malanyaon. [Eden Jhan Licayan]

ComVal set to hold a ‘Dinner for a Cause’

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HE Compostela Valley provincial government has scheduled a Dinner for a Cause on February 20 at the Function Room 3, SMX Convention Center of SM Lanang, Davao City at 6:00 p.m. This is in partnership with the Gawad Kalinga Development Foundation, Inc. The dinner proceeds shall support the rebuilding efforts of the province in repairing school classrooms, Daycare Centers, and school facilities in the typhoon hardly hit munic-

ipalities: Laak, Monkayo, Montevista, Compostela, and New Bataan.

Governor Arturo T. Uy created a provincial committee to facilitate the preparation of the coming activity dubbed as “Kalinga sa Kabataan Dinner for a Cause” for the typhoon victims, delegating Vice Governor Ramil L. Gentugaya to lead the committee.

According to Executive Assistant IV Isabelo L. Melendres, the province is inviting those who have generous hearts to take

part of the endeavor. A gate pass pass shall be issued and stubs of raffle tickets shall be sold to those who will join. Each stub costs P25,000.00 containing 25 raffle tickets. These tickets will be drawn at the Capitol on March 8, 2013 during the celebration of the 6th Bulawan Festival and 15th Founding Anniversary of Compostela Valley.

Amazing prizes await the lucky winners. The 1st Prize Winner shall own a brand new Mitsubishi 4X2 Pick-up. There

will be 2 winners for the 2nd Prize with Yamaha YBR as the winning items. Another 2 winners for the 3rdPrize who will each receive a Honda Scooter while the Consolation Prizes are 4 Samsung Galaxy III cellular phones and another 2 Samsung Tab units.

In his recent visit to the province, it is also reported that TV Host Boy Abunda has bought 100 raffle tickets to support the program.

[GRACE ALMEDILLA/ GILBERT M. CABAHUG, IDS-COMVAL]

Roxas Street at around 8 a.m. on Sunday when one of the two men riding in tandem pumped bullets into her right chest..

Ajero’s men recovered from the crime scene two slugs from a .45 caliber pistol, which they believe were used in the slay attempt.

Apparently thinking their target was dead, the suspects immediately fled towards Pikit town in

North Cotabato, he said.

Pigcaulan was rushed to the Kabacan Medical Specialist Center in Kabacan town but later moved to another hospital for further treatment.

She was the third woman shot by gunmen riding-in-tandem in Kabacan out of 20 shooting, police records show.

Witnesses could not give clear descriptions about the suspects and

the motorcycle they used, police said.

On July 24 last year, civil society groups led a prayer rally along the streets in Kabacan to urge authorities to put an end to the killings.

Despite the intense pursuit operations launched by the police, no one from the tandem has been arrested in Kabacan.

[Malu Cadelina-Manar/ MindaNews]

Female trader hurt as gunmen riding-in-tandem strikes again

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UNMEN riding in tandem struck again in Kabacan, North Cotabato early Sunday morning, hitting a female store owner who is now recuperating in a hospital.

Supt. Leo Ajero, chief of Kabacan Police, said Norma Pigcaulan, 53, widow and owner of a dry goods store in Poblacion, Kabacan, was standing outside her store along

The Building Back Better Movement (BBB) which was recently launched in the three towns during a series of dedication service in the devastated towns of Boston, Cateel, and Baganga, urges everybody’s involvement in building better and improved communities complemented by instilling right values and attitude among its people.

“The BBB Movement is the final phase of our recovery efforts, however the most difficult but challenging one,” Gov. Malanyaon said. She defined BBB as a buzzword drumbeating her dream of making the three towns better than what it were before. “The Building Back Better envisions a better Davao Oriental where beauty is restored and enhanced, hearts are transformed and lives are improved,” she said.

Meanwhile, Ma. Ester O. Santos, President of the PLDT-Smart Foundation said that the group hopes to turn-over all these first 300 houses to its respective beneficiaries as soon as the project is completed after a period of three to six months when all the groundwork and construction of the project are anticipated to be completed.

Also, hoping to build not only houses but fully operational communities, the MVP Group is equipping the resettlement site with basic amenities such

as health clinics and services like power, water supply, and communications services, among others.

The funds for the housing project estimated to 75 million pesos were earmarked from the telethon campaign brainchild of CEO Manny V. Pangilinan.

Meanwhile, the 300 houses are only the start of the development MVP wishes to put up in the devastated towns. The team has also extended aid in rehabilitating school structures, and also engages in feeding programs in schools across the three towns that is anticipated to last until the month of April.

“It’s so inspiring at these most difficult times of our lives knowing that we have such a “Kapatid” who is generous enough to help us during these trying times,” said Governor Malanyaon.

With the many private organizations and national agencies signifying their interest to help, Governor Malanyaon is optimistic in completing the target number of housing units of at least 50% of the 30,000 total affected families. These 15,000 families who are being prioritized are those who are living in danger zones, near the road sites, and those who have no other places to go and don’t have the capacity to build homes on their own. [Karen Lou Deloso/ IPIDNews]

RDC proposes merger of 4 state-run schools into one university system.

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HE Regional Development Council (RDC) 12 has endorsed the proposed merger of the area’s four state-run colleges and universities (SUCs) into one university system in a bid to improve the quality of higher education in Region 12 (Southwestern Mindanao).

General Santos City Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio, RDC-12 chair, said the merger into a “regional university system” (RUS) is a strategy to further build up the local public education sector as a key component of the region’s development initiatives.

She said the new university system will comprise the University of Southern Mindanao (USM) in Kabacan, North Cotabato; Sultan Kudarat State University (SKSU) in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat; Cotabato Foundation College for Science and Technology (CFCST) in Arakan, North Cotabato; and, Cotabato City Polytechnic State College in Cotabato City.

Region 12, also referred to as Soccsksargen, comprises the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, North Cotabato and the cities of

General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato.

Aside from the four SUCs, Region 12 hosts an autonomous unit of the Mindanao State University system in General Santos City while the University of the Philippines Manila-School of Health Sciences operates an extension campus in nearby Koronadal City.

In a resolution, the RDC said the proposed merger was anchored on the national government’s policy on higher education and the Commission on Higher Education’s (CHED) strategic plan that pointed the need for the restructuring of public higher education institutions to improve the quality of higher education in the country.

It said the policy specifically set as a strategy the amalgamation of the SUCs and provided institutional arrangements for the implementation of a university system.

The resolution noted that the amalgamation of SUCs refers to the “union of two or more SUCs with the intention of forming one university system.” [Allen V. Estabillo/MindaNews]

4 SCIENCE/ENVIRONMENT

VOL.5 ISSUE 239 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 05, 2013

Monogamous sex life of turtles revealed

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HE sex lives of critically endangered hawksbill turtles have been revealed by scientists studying the animals in the Seychelles.

Previously, little had been understood about the mating habits of the turtles, which live underwater and often far out at sea.

Researchers were surprised to find that the turtles are mainly monogamous, with females storing sperm from one male and using it to fertilise multiple egg clutches.

The study, led by researchers from the University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK, was published in the online journal Molecular Ecology.

“Sperm storage” is found in animals including

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reptiles, birds and some turtles, tortoises and terrapins.

Females can store viable sperm from multiple males for long periods of time, meaning that their egg clutches are sometimes fertilised by more than one father.

Researchers carried out DNA testing from hawksbill turtle hatchlings on Cousine Island in the Seychelles to identify how many males were involved in fertilising eggs during a breeding season.

The tests revealed a monogamous mating system: most egg clutches were sired by just one male, and no males had fertilised more than one female during the 75-day season.

“We were surprised

that they were so monogamous because actually… genetic monogamy is actually the exception in most animals, not the rule,” said research team member Dr David Richardson.

The findings show that “there are plenty of males out there” for females to mate with.

“It’s very unlikely that it’s just a few males hanging around offshore”, said Dr Richardson. “We think they’re mating with males a long way away, wherever they’re normally foraging and feeding which can be all over the western Indian Ocean,” he added.

The number of hawksbill turtle males contributing to the next generation is important for the species’ survival because it results in higher levels of

Female turtles come ashore to lay their eggs

genetic variation.

Genetic variability “means [the turtles] can respond to new threats, new diseases or anything that comes along,” explained Dr Richardson.

Hawksbill turtles were identified as Critically Endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature after years of being hunted for their shells, which were prized in the now illegal decorative tortoiseshell trade.

DOT-DENR team up to promote biodiversity-friendly ecotourism

IODIVERSITY-friendly ecotourism in the Philippines will now be given more attention starting this year.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (DENR-PAWB) initiated a partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT) to boost sustainable ecotourism and socio-economic growth for local communities in eight project sites of five regions in the country.

With the objective to put tourism in the forefront of biodiversity conservation, DENR head, secretary Ramon J.P. Page and DOT chief, secretary Ramon R. Jimenez, Jr. signed an memorandum of agreement (MOA) at the Eastwood Richmonde Hotel on Friday to work together in developing and implementing biodiversi-

ty-friendly ecotourism activities.

Among the sites to be developed include the Magapit-North East Cagayan, Quirino Protected Landscapes in Cagayan and Quirino provinces of Region 2 in the Luzon biogeographic region; Malampaya Sound in Palawan; Mt. Siburan in Mindoro Occidental in Region 4B which are treated as separate biogeographic regions; The Central Panay Mountains encompassing the provinces of Aklan, Antique, Capiz and Iloilo in Panay Island together with the Northern Negros Natural Park situated in the province of Negros Occidental, Region 6; Mt. Hamiguitan National; World Heritage Park in Davao Oriental, Region 11 together with Lake Mainit situated between Agusan Norte and Surigao Norte provinces of Region 13 for the Greater Mindanao bio-

geographic region.

“The Philippines is close to risk not only because there are direct threats but more importantly because our environment is largely unprotected from the most dangerous threat of all— public ignorance,” Jimenez said during the press conference.

He added that among instances of public ignorance was that of the fragility of the country’s natural resources as well as the ignorance of the ways people can help to sustain those resources.

Jimenez also said that what the country needed was the convergence of the efforts of not only those who understand the risk but also those who have the public influence to protect against those risks and those who have always cared enough to support these efforts.

“For the DOT, the im-

portance of biodiversity is quite obvious: Nature especially when it is unique is worth the visit. The world is travelled for much less than the incredible wonders,” he said.

Meanwhile, secretary Paje said that besides the biodiversity project, the DENR and DOT are also targeting launching a new project in the future called “Volun-tourism” wherein people who would want to help disaster areas can actually volunteer to help protect and preserve these areas.

“There are so many commonalities between DOT and DENR when it comes to ecotourism,” Paje said.

“We can achieve our objective better if we do it through the DOT. We are doing our best already but we can better our best if we do it together,” he said.

[PNA]

“The motor vehicles are blamed for nearly a quarter of the capital’s PM2.5, or airborne particles measuring less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter,” said Wang Yuesi, a CAS researcher.

Coal burning contributed to 20 percent of the PM2.5, according to Wang, noting dust from construction sites should also be further brought under control.

The Beijing-Tianjin-He-

bei area should focus on limiting industrial production and improving the process of coal burning, enhancing desulfurization, denitration and dedusting in the burning process, Wang said.

He also suggested giving high attention to emissions from diesel-powered cars and fuel quality.

The research group spotted hazy weather in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei area in the periods of Jan.

6-8, Jan. 9-15, Jan. 17-19, Jan. 22-23 and Jan. 25-31.

During the period from Jan. 25 to 31, PM2.5 reading of more than 300 micrograms per cubic meter lasted for over 50 hours, the research result shows.

Initiated in September 2012, the research project aims to explore the formation of regional smog over a period of five years and develop technologies for curbing key pollutants that cause hazy weather. [PNA/

Car emissions contribute to dense smog in Beijing

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MISSIONS from motor vehicles, coal-burning and cooking contributed to the dense smogs in Beijing in January, according to research results issued Sunday.

The three factors made up 50 percent of the contributions to the five heavy smogs last month, according to the research of the “haze’s cause and control” group under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).

EDGEDAVAO

Found in tropical waters around the world, females turtles gather at onshore nesting sites such as Cousine Island every few years to lay around five clutches of eggs during the season.

Mating often takes place out at sea, but according to the study, by testing DNA samples from hatchlings on the island, the researchers were able to gather information that would have been impossible from observation

alone.

Dr Richardson told BBC Nature that this study, combined with independent reports of hawksbill turtle numbers rising, indicates that “in terms of conservation… maybe we are in a better place than we thought.”

The team hopes their study may help conservationists working on Cousine Island to understand more about the lives of the animals and to focus their efforts. [BBC Nature]

Screening urged on candidates population, climate agenda

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UTHORITIES have called on Filipinos to scrutinize electoral candidates’ respective agenda on population and climate change, noting studies show these concerns are interlinked and collectively impact on development nationwide.

“We should ask such candidates how they’ll address those concerns,” Gabriela party list Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan said Monday during a forum Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development Foundation Inc. and Population Action International in Metro Manila.

Kabataan party list Rep. Raymond Palatino agreed, noting failure to make population and climate change part of one’s agenda will spell disaster.

“Policy-makers must be reminded about the risk in abandoning the population-climate nexus,” he said during the forum.

Both made the call as experts warned Philippine population is ballooning but is mostly incapable of coping with climate change’s impacts due to poverty, ill health, financial and physical constraints as well as other factors.

Among such impacts are sea level rise and onslaught of weather extremes, posing threats to life, limb and property.

“The average Filipino family is poor and suffering from all kinds of illness due to nutritional deficiency, health threats, environmental problems and other causes,” Commission on Population Dep. Exec. Dir. Rosalinda Marcelo reported during the forum.

She noted Philippine

population is also characterized by a “high” dependency ratio with about 61 dependents per 100 people within the working age bracket of 15 to 64 years.

Such dependents are people below 15 years old and those aged 65 years and over, she said.

“The 2020 projection is even double-digit population of our elderly,” she continued.

Climate Change Commission Commissioner Naderev Saño reiterated need for adapting to and mitigating climate change.

“Climate change will impact on everything,” he said during the forum.

He noted adaptation measures are particularly significant for the Philippines which the 2011 World Risk Report ranked as the third country that’s most at risk for climate change.

Such measures aim to help people cope with climate change’s impacts.

Saño raised urgency for action, noting studies already project about 15 million climate refugees nationwide in the coming years.

PAI research vice-president and climate program director Roger-Mark de Souza cited family planning as among interventions researchers proposed to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, particularly those from human activities.

Such emissions trap heat in the atmosphere, raising global temperature that drives climate change.

“Population dynamics impact on climate change,” de Souza also pointed out. [PNA]

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 239 •TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 05, 2013

THE ECONOMY

5

WB supports agri-fishery inclusive growth thru DA T HE World Bank (WB) said it strongly supports the agricultural and fisheries competitiveness for broad-based inclusive growth through the Department of Agriculture (DA).

“WB is supporting the country’s rural poor particularly farmers and fishers through DA’s Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP) and hopefully the entire country through the Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP)” said WB lead rural development specialist Carolina F. Geron.

WB is currently conducting a joint review and preparation activities for two flagship rural development projects implemented by the Department of Agriculture (DA).

“The WB team is doing a joint week-long review mission for DA’s second phase MRDP and the appraisal activities for the proposed PRDP,” Geron said during the kick-off meeting held Monday at the Bureau of Soils and Water Management Conference hall here.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala said that the MRDP and PRDP are

two important programs that aim to help attain and sustain sufficient and affordable food for the people.

“These are the programs that are designed to increase farmers’ and fishers’ incomes through investments in climate-smart physical and ecological infrastructure and in broadbased value-adding enterprises,” Alcala said, adding: “with these programs we aim not only to improve agriculture but also improve the way we do agriculture.”

“MRDP has modeled and found the ‘secret formula’ how a national government agency can effectively, in a cost–efficient manner, work with the local government units (LGUs),” Geron said.

This, she added, disproved the perception that LGUs particularly in Mindanao are weak and less capable in delivering agri-fishery services since the MRDP experience has shown otherwise.

“If this has worked in Mindanao, why can’t it not do the same for Luzon and Visayas,” she said.

As of February this year, MRDP has disbursed 56% of the US$83.752

million dollars equivalent to US$46.901 million. According to the WB analysis, MRDP is best-case scenario for the program, to complete the project within the two-year extension period.

Ian Shuker, WB Sector Manager for East Asia and the Pacific for the social, environment and rural development, the project is a government’s positive change in terms of effective rural development.

“The World Bank is contributing only a little resources here, it is the government that has spent so much. And the direction you are heading, the forward thinking and the enthusiasm is so encouraging,” he said, recalling that they have started the MRDP concept about 15years ago.

Meanwhile, Geron said PRDP will be the nationwide replication of MRDP with some distinct improvement as it be a way to carry forward DA’s refocusing on the value chain, enterprise/cluster development and vertical integration from production to processing to marketing. [Sherwin B. Manual/ DA-MRDP].

6 THE ECONOMY 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

T

HE Department of Tourism (DOT) is pushing for the entry of more investments on tourism infrastructure and related development ventures in Sarangani province to enhance the area’s tourism potentials.

Maria Victoria Jasmin, DOT Undersecretary for Tourism Services and Regional Operations, said the province should work on improving the area’s basic infrastructure to complement with the ongoing tourism development initiatives in the area.

Jasmin issued the recommendation following a recent visit to the province’s top tourism resources and destinations, among them the famed white sand beaches in the coastal village of Gumasa in Glan town.

The site visit was facilitated

by DOT Region 12 director Jose Cabulanan and Sarangani Tourism and Investment Promotion Center coordinator Larry Asparin.

Region 12 or Southwestern Mindanao, also referred to as Soccsksargen, comprises the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, North Cotabato and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato.

Jasmin cited the need for the construction and opening of more access roads within the province’s tourism areas, specifically on the way to its beaches and other local attractions. “(We need) new roads for easy access and more food sources for every resort in Gumasa,” she said in a report released by the Sarangani

Information Office.

The white sand beach area of Gumasa, which is home to several major resorts, is considered a “world class” resource and has been the province’s main tourist magnet.

The area, adopted by DOT and the Regional Development Council (RDC) as one\ of the region’s top destinations, has been attracting thousands of local as well as foreign tourists almost the entire year.

Every third week of May, the beaches of Gumasa play host to the two-day Sarangani Bay Festival dubbed as “Mindanao’s biggest beach party.”

Aside from investing on infrastructure, Jasmin said local stakeholders should intensify the promotion of the province’s tourist attractions in domestic

and foreign tourism or travel markets.

“We should be aggressive in promoting tourism not only in Glan but in all towns of Sarangani,” she stressed.

Gumasa was earlier chosen by the DOT and RDC-12 as among the region’s banner tourist attractions due to its potential of becoming a world-class destination.

The others are the Mt. Apo nature park in Kidapawan City and the scenic Lake Sebu resort town of South Cotabato.

Based on a recommendation of the Regional Tourism Council, the three tourism destinations were chosen as models for the tourism investments and development of other tourism sites in the region. [Allen V. Estabillo/ MindaNews]

PhP35 billion for 2012 which was an increase of 27% over PhP27.5 billion in 2011. A substantial portion of this growth was brought about by the 26% increase in fuel sales volume during the year plus additional revenues amounting to PhP274 million from the consolidation of Chelsea Shipping Corp., which was acquired in 2012.

The surge in fuel sales vol-

ume in 2012 was driven primarily by the Company’s continuously expanding retail station network. After ending 2010 with 220 stations, the Company’s network reached 300 stations at the close of 2012. Of these stations, 191 are based in Mindanao, 21 in Visayas and 88 are in Luzon.

At the same time, sales to commercial accounts, primarily

to the airlines, shipping, fishing, mining, power and transportation sectors, registered a continuous growth during the year.

Phoenix Petroleum supplies more than 50% of Cebu Pacific’s jet fuel requirements and handles all their logistics needs in Mindanao.

The Company increased its market share from 5.5% in 2011 to around 6% in 2012, excluding the LPG and Export sectors.

The continuous investment in its retail, depot facilities, logistics infrastructure and the acquisition of Chelsea Shipping Corp. brought up the Company’s total resources to PhP17.1 billion in 2012, up by 32% from 2011.

Total shareholder’s equity was PhP4.58 billion at the end of 2012 as against PhP3.74 billion in 2011 as a result of the current year’s net income net of the cash dividends declared in 2012.

Phoenix Petroleum is the No. 1 independent and fastest growing oil company today with an expanding network of operations nationwide. It is engaged in the business of trading refined petroleum products and lubricants, operation of oil depots and storage facilities, shipping/ logistics and allied services.

Phoenix Petroleum grows 16% in net income in 2012

P

UBLICLY-LISTED leading independent oil company Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Inc. (PNX.PS) announced today that the consolidated net earnings for 2012 increased to PhP 643.3 million, or about 16% higher than the PhP 556 million earned in 2011.

In its audited statements, the Company also reported consolidated revenues of

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

EDGEDAVAO

Tourism investments for Sarangani pushed

Stat Watch

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

VOL.5 ISSUE 239 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 05, 2013

PENGUIN INVASION. Balloon vendors display their penguin-shaped balloons in various parks of Davao City as if the city is being invaded by the lovely animals from the southern hemisphere where they almost exclusively live. Lean Daval Jr.

as of august 2010

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

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

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

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

PROPERTY

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 239 •TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 05, 2013

7

Camella Tagum’s community is taking shape

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ITH 75% of land development completed and almost a hundred houses currently being built, the Italian-Mediterranean themed Camella Tagum will soon become a thriving, lived-in community.

“The subdivision is already taking shape and we’re very excited as it starts to have that community feel with the ongoing construction of the houses and amenities,” said Sheilamae Lara, Marketing Head of the Tagum branch of Camella.

Situated on 14-hectares of prime property along the national highway, Camella Tagum’s development is right on track. The road network is nearing completion and the perimeter fence securing the whole property has been fin-

ished.

The guardhouse at the entry of the subdivision towers at 7.5 meters high, clearly visible from the highway and nearby neighborhood.

It bears a formal Italian architectural design that is true to its theme and painted in warm and striking shades of orange and brown.

Camella Tagum Phase 3 has also been opened and is now selling Lessandra homes that are within reach of homebuyers, offering their most most practical and affordable packages.

“This is to cater to those who dream of owning a Camella Tagum home within their specific budget range,” said Lara, adding that they welcome inquiries at their offices at Unit 12 Gaisano Grand Arcade, Lapu-

Lapu Extension, Apokon Road, Tagum City, with numbers 09175639617 and 0999-8864150.

Those who do not wish to wait to become a Camella Tagum homeowner can avail of the ready-for-occupancy

Lessandra units like Reana at 40 square meters and Margarita at 46 square meters, currently on the market.

Lessandra homes are priced just right for homebuyers in the market for reasonably-priced homes within a community that offers modern amenities normally not found in other subdivisions within the same price range. This is what makes Camella Tagum unique and attractive to many homebuyers.

Camella is known to put a premium on well-appointed facilities and amenities even for its more affordable projects, giving its homeowners the privilege of enjoying modern conveniences similar to its high-end

developments.

Camella Tagum will be the first masterplanned subdivision in Tagum that will have a good-sized swimming pool and a charming clubhouse, complementing the manicured landscape that blends with the appealing themed home designs.

This alone ups the ante as far as community living in Tagum is concerned.

It also has a multicourt activity area, grand entrance plaza, jogging lanes, perimeter fence, shuttle service, 24/7 security system with CCTV, underground storm drainage, water system, and complete electrical facilities.

“One of our best selling points is that Camella Tagum is flood

free. When the rains hit us the past weeks, the subdivision was not among those that were flooded,” added Lara.

Camella Tagum’s high-end charm and affordable price makes it the preferred home choice of newlyweds, young families, single professionals, empty-nesters, businessmen looking for property investments, and out-of-town students studying in Davao.

With a strategic location near to all public utilities such as terminal, public transport, markets, hospitals, schools, and supermarkets, its homeowners are close to all their daily essentials. This is because Camella Tagum is the ultimate answer to practical homeownership.

8 VANTAGE POINTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 239 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 05, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

Back in Blackberry ( Conclusion )

COMMENTARY

BY JOHN C ABELL

T EDITORIAL

Hope

S

TAKEHOLDERS from diverse groups are crossing their fingers that something positive, if not ideal, will come out of a 15-point action plan to attain a “greener, better, and peaceful Mindanao” they have submitted to the leaders of the government for consideration and implementation. The action plan is the result of intense discussions in breakout sessions by more than 200 participants of the first ever Mindanao Development Forum (MDF) held at The Marco Polo Davao Friday.

The participants were divided into five clusters tasked to tackle (1) peace, justice and security; (2) good governance and anti-corruption drive; (3) human development and poverty reduction; (4) economic development; and (5) climate change adaptation/mitigation.

The plan, written in the form of a resolution, was presented by Secretary Luwalhati Antonino, chair of the Mindanao Development Authority, during the opening of the Philippine Development Forum (PDF) yesterday.

Earlier, Secretary Antonino said the resolution was drafted in order “to enhance policy dialogue and allow public discourse on Mindanao’s development priorities and imperatives to push for the progressive Mindanao development agenda.”

On the matter of peace, justice and security, the action plan calls for the harmonization of government’s conflicting policies, with special attention to land laws, especially the implementation of the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) law; participation by more stakeholders, especially the indigenous people, in the peace process, specifically on the formulation of the annexes to the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB); and that there shall be more effort to level up the information drive on programs projects and policies.”

On the economy, the plan wants “to streamline licensing and registration, promote mini-hydro and power infrastructure, and create policy reforms for the power and infrastructure sector; to adopt tech-

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nical solutions to climate change; and improvement in business regulations and property rights (small/ medium enterprises mining agriculture and land).”

On climate change mitigation and adaptation, the document calls for “climate change and disaster proofing of land use, development plans and regulatory tools; promote strong multi-sectoral coordination and community participation; and implement climate change adaptation and mitigation measures under natural resources management and infrastructure development.”

In the matter of good governance and anti-corruption drive, the plan wants government “to promote and establish an effective, accessible and responsive justice system; to better capacitate the local government units on governance; and to promote citizen participation in running the affairs of government.”

On human development and poverty reduction, the resolution proposes “to build the capacity at the local level to plan and implement from the bottom (bottom-up planning and budgeting); to use accurate data as basis for planning monitoring and recording; to strengthen multi-agency and development stakeholder coordination and collaboration.”

The coming days will determine how the national leadership and the various executive departments will react to the action plan. By then, the 274 leaders from different sectors - the academe, civil society, the business sector, local government units and agencies, and international funding agencies, will know if their big meeting here, meaning the first ever MDF, was for real, or--God forbid--an exercise in futility.

Hopefully, the statement of Director General Arsenio Balisacan of the National Economic and Development Authority that the “the main reason we have to hold the PDF in Davao City is precisely to highlight Mindanao” is portent of great things to come.

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Columnists: MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO A. PEÑA • ZHAUN ORTEGA • BERNADETTE “ADDIE” B. BORBON • MARY ANN “ADI” C. QUISIDO • LEANDRO B. DAVAL SR., • NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN • NICASIO ANGELO AGUSTIN • EMILY ZEN CHUA • CARLOS MUNDA Economic Analyst: ENRICO “GICO” G. DAYANGIRANG • JONALLIER M. PEREZ

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HE good news is that it’s a great time to be in the smartphone business. They clearly are replacing feature phones as the dominant mobile device. According to research firm IDC,smartphones had their best quarter ever at the end of 2012, accounting for 45.5 percent of all mobile phone shipments. Even though the biggest players own most of that, there’s still plenty of business to be had. “The high-growth smartphone market, though dominated by Samsung and Apple, still presents ample opportunities for challengers,” said IDC senior research analyst Kevin Restivo.

The bad news is that we have become very sophisticated. We expect features and ease of use and for our phones to overlap rather than augment our other digital devices — what I call the holy trinityof phone, tablet and laptop. In addition to Apple and Samsung, Google (with Motorola Mobility) and Microsoft (with Nokia) have deep pockets and can wait for the market to come around to them.

RIM — excuse me, BlackBerry — doesn’t have that much leash. It is unprofitable (though debt-free) and has only 2.6 percent of the world market.

The BlackBerry Z10 got mostly positive initial reviews, but investors are not seeing the positives yet. That may be because the new phones won’t be on sale in the United States until March. (They go on sale in the UK today and in Canada in a few days.)

Fair or not, good enough isn’t good enough anymore for a smartphone. We evaluate mobile phones now by how good they are at being pocket computers, not by call quality and battery life.

The Z10’s app store launches with an impressive 70,000 apps, but it is missing some big namesand even that number is only about 10 percent of what’s available in Apple’s App Store. But the real question is whether app developers will now flock to this new platform.

In perhaps a portend of things to come, the New York Times, which abandoned BlackBerry last July, was back with a launch-day app.

Among the missing pieces is an equivalent to Apple’s iCloud and Google’s Drive: a cloud-based document creation and collaboration services that can help productivity. BlackBerry is at a disadvantage here: It has no hardware/ software ecosystem, unlike its operating system competitors. The Z10 has to do some very heavy lifting on its own. It has to be a phone people want in its own right.

BlackBerry has to not just stop but reverse, the BYOD trend. If it can keep its remaining corporate and government customers in the fold, it has a path to elbow its way into the consumer market — just like the good old days.

One out-of-the box feature may help close the deal with enterprise clients. BlackBerry Balance is a feature that gives IT managers an easy way to secure industrial data on the phone. There is third-party software available to do this on the Apple and Android devices, but a holistic solution can be appealing to risk-averse IT departments.

Desperate times call for bold measures. BlackBerry got the message. In changing its name and its game, it has begun a tricky but unavoidable quest.

R.I.P., R.I.M. Welcome to the new world, BlackBerry.

EDGEDAVAO

Confessions of an obsessive-compulsive breast cancer warrior

“W

E put the Ya-ya Sisterhood to shame,” was how my cousin, YasminPunzalan, described the relationship and secrets we share. We have fallen out of trees together and have gone through life’s adventures and misadventures with each other’s support. As she shares her story, we learn that sometimes having no control leads to a more textured and meaningful life despite sickness and pain.

“Two years ago, I was consumed by trying to perfect the art of balancing my roles as doting mother, supportive wife, competent manager, and dependable daughter-in-law. I dealt with it the only way I knew how – by making sure to manage every detail I could, to the point that even those closest to me often teased me for being “OC” (obsessive-compulsive), or a “control freak”.

In 2011, I decided to see a doctor about a pain in my breast. I thought nothing of it. After all, I had just weaned my 1-year old boy so it might have been from breast-feeding, or it had become bruised, or maybe it was just my monthly cycle, anything but: Cancer.

I refused to believe it. So I did what always worked for me before – I tried to take control. I learned as much as I could, consulted numerous doctors, and underwent seemingly endless unfamiliar procedures. Bombarded with tests and drowning in medical jargon, I felt helpless

A

and scared.

One moment, I was in control and in another breath, my carefully ordered life slipped t h r o u g h my fingers.

“What happens now?” I asked myself constantly. Words an “OC” person would not dream of uttering.

Having witnessed my own father die of the same sickness, and seeing him go through a lot of pain in the process, I could barely make myself go inside a hospital, let alone undergo the same procedures. But I did anyway, until all my veins in my right arm “conked out” because of the strong intravenous medicines. The routine of going to work was replaced by the routine of going to the hospital for treatments, tests and check-ups. This routine became my new “normal”. Every clear test result, every completed treatment was a major milestone for me and my husband. Each passing day became a testament to my “new life”.

Am I a totally different person now because of my sickness? I don’t think so.

I still have the compulsion to oversee ev-

erything around me: from the coaching of my kids in their school programs, to the right plate settings on the dinner table, to the micro-managing of our own small business on a day-to-day basis. I did not become a saint. All my quirks and flaws are still apparent, and I did not turn into a perfect mom and wife.

But do I now consciously try to become a better person each day from all the realizations resulting from this life-changing experience? Definitely. I feel overwhelming thankfulness for each day I wake up to. I never anymore underestimate the healing powers that love, prayer and laughter can bring. Most importantly, I have come to realize that faith strengthens the human spirit when all else falls apart.

It has been almost two years since I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer.

I am now writing this outside my doctor’s office while waiting for my routine checkup, holding my breath and praying for clear test results, with my husband beside me holding my hand. For almost two years, we have been doing this together.

And we will still be doing it in the years to come. It is like plunging into an abyss of the unknown every time. And every time, I am reminded of my inability to take control of everything in my life and how minuscule my anxieties are in light of God’s grander plans. Every time, too, I come out more blessed and victorious.”

perts, detractors and political adversaries are only trying to create a level of despondency among the people and it’s not unusual for these callous and stubborn personalities to stand on the side of the underprivileged.

The most important thing, government people confidently stressed is that everybody involve in the economic activities found it easy to act decisively. The Aquino administration seemed more serious that it has ever been about tackling the mounting problems confronting society. Through it all, nothing could be more a clear signal that the time for economic reform has arrived – signs of robustness abounded, rising stock and property markets and a stronger currency characterized the country’s economic advancement.

While earning plaudits from various foreign financial institutions and investors’ groups, the country’s do-it-yourself economic recovery strategy is running into trouble at home base. And part of the problems are the different groups with hidden agendas and personal interests who are stealthily trying hard to create confusion aimed at downgrading the capability of the present leadership to push a well-meaning and long-term economic change. Does that pose a risk for the Aquino administration?

The short answer is no; because aside from mobilizing a package of reforms and tight monetary policies to stabilize the country’s financial structure, several ambitious income and job generating projects are already on the planning board, according to government analysts and fiscal managers.

Reform, real reform of the country’s economy looks set to be a long, tough process, but to be fair things actually are moving – slowly but steadily. The good news keeps on coming and helping restore investors’ confidence of the country’s economic situation. The peso strengthened against the dollar generating a mini-bull run in the bombed-out stock markets. Whatever happens, it seems any plan or plans to derail the economic recovery program by people antagonistic of the government is now out of question. Anyhow, playing a “treacherous game” at the expense of the people would probably be futile and backfires at their faces. Can government detractors do anything about the country’s sagging economy, if that’s how they would describe it?

If there’s nothing else they can do to help the government except to find fault, they’d better stop acting like a cry baby.

It is an established practice among government adversaries and left-leaning activists to picture any program of the leadership as anti-poor and anti-people, often involving unaware groups being used as unwitting tools during protest rallies. These groups are ran and controlled by people without even a minimal sense of morality and their normal sense of judgment gets warped in the furtherance of their vested interests and secret schemes. Even so optimism remains high over the prevailing economic growth, although harsh critics say the present trend is not a guarantee of change. Above all, Filipinos must learn to live with sustainable growth because there is no such thing as a never-ending boom.

The government has taken “body blows” from all angles by different critical groups, but it says, it’s to treat the “below the belt” blows as a breather to map out new economic strategies for the next leap forward.

In other words, continue moving forward with calculated speed.

Facing a less cordial reception

RGUING WITHOUT A HINT OF DEFENSIVENESS – The Philippines’ economic growth presents a challenge as well as an opportunity to the Aquino administration. With increasing economic progress, the country is headed to stimulate foreign and domestic product demand. But despite favorable and resilient economic fundamentals, the present dispensation is also likely to face a less hospitable reception from emerging business rating agencies. The most troubling development is the unexpectedly disappointing performance of the country in a latest prosperity index. Indeed, a lesser known or never-heard rating agency remained skeptical that the government’s economic growth data relates to the very nature of its social problems.

Of late, though, an unimpressive statistic provided by the rating agency showed the Philippines slid five notch lower compared to the same period a year ago. Ranked 67th in the prosperity guide, the country is lagging even behind Vietnam and other countries in the ASEAN Growth Area. Partly to blame: joblessness – including a short-term economic outlook. Government critics and political detractors, as their wont, supported the rating firm’s unreliable figures saying that the country’s economic growth is merely a product of “cosmetic procedures.”

The result is that the real situation on the ground doesn’t correlate well with the country’s prevailing social ills. It looks good – only on the surface. Moreover, faultfinders said that if job opportunities get scarcer, the ultimate losers would be the marginal sector unable to reap the so-called “gains” of the government’s much-publicized economic development.

Meanwhile top government officials, economic and financial planners argue without a hint of defensiveness claiming that some self-proclaimed economic ex-

9

ICT HUB Seeking consensus on VANTAGE POINTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 239 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 05, 2013

immigration, guns ( 1st of two parts) ANALYSIS

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BY BILL SCHNEIDER

WO tough issues — immigration reform and gun control. “It won’t be easy,” President Barack Obama said about gun control in December, “but that’s no excuse not to try.” Tuesday, he said about immigration reform: “The closer we get, the more emotional this debate is going to become.”

Which does he stand a better chance of winning? Answer: immigration. On immigration, Obama has Democrats strongly behind him. Republicans are divided — and freaked out by the issue.

On guns, he’s got Republicans strongly against him. Democrats are divided — and freaked out by the issue.

On both issues, the president has the public solidly behind him. That’s his biggest asset. “There’s already a growing consensus for us to build from,” he said on Dec. 19, five days after the Newtown, Connecticut, massacre. “A majority of Americans support banning the sale of military-style assault weapons.’’ On Jan. 29, when he went to Las Vegas to speak about immigration reform, he said, “A broad consensus is emerging and … a call for action can be heard coming from all across America.”

Even more important, the president’s popularity is soaring. He has a 60 percent favorable rating in the new Washington Post-ABC News poll, the highest since his first year in office.

The president intends to use the bully pulpit to rally public opinion behind both causes. He also intends to use his 2012 campaign organization, which has morphed from Obama for America to Organizing for Action, to browbeat Congress into action. Welcome to real the permanent campaign.

There are some big differences between the two issues, however.

The sense of public outrage is greater over gun violence. The issue was forced onto the agenda by the horror of a madman brutally murdering young schoolchildren and their teachers with an assault weapon. The immigration issue was forced onto the agenda for political reasons. Latinos were a key to Obama’s re-election — though Obama promised immigration reform four years ago and never delivered. Latinos are waiting for a payoff.

Republicans face a crisis of political survival. GOP nominee Mitt Romney told a Republican fundraiser in Florida last April that if Republicans don’t start doing better with Latino voters, “It spells doom for us.” It did.

If public outrage is greater over the gun issue, why are the prospects for gun control bleaker? Because opponents of gun control are better organized and more powerful. With immigration reform, supporters are better organized and more powerful.

On issues like gun control and immigration, intensity matters more than numbers. Politicians don’t just look at polls. They pay attention to how many votes the issue drives on each side. If the minority votes the issue and the majority doesn’t, the minority prevails.

The president said, “It’s going to take a wave of Americans — mothers and fathers, daughters and sons, pastors, law enforcement, mental health professionals and, yes, gun owners standing up and saying ‘Enough!’ on behalf of our kids.”

That’s happening. It happens after every sensational incident of gun violence. Gun control supporters became angry and start issuing threats: You’d better support new gun control measures or you’ll pay a price.

EDGEDAVAO 10 NATION/WORLD NATION BRIEFS Iran announces nuclear talks, WORLD TODAY A open to ‘authentic’ US meet N VOL.5 ISSUE 239 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 05, 2013

Decline

recruitment consultant expects the deployment of household service workers (HSWs) in the Middle East to go down by as much as 70 percent this year.

Manny Geslani said this is because some Middle East countries have refused to release visas for HSWs to show their resistance to the $ 400 minimum salary proposed by the Philippine government.

A

Damage

n official of the Climate Change Commission has asked the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) to assess the damage wrought on the Tubbataha Reefs by the USS Guardian which ran aground on the World Heritage Site in the Sulu Sea. Commissioner Heherson Alvarez also warned the Philippine government against accepting payment for the damage on a square meter basis, calling the fine a measly sum compared to the damage done to the coral reefs.

S

Deaf

ome 30 members of the deaf community on Monday trooped to the House of Representatives to ask lawmakers to pass more bills protecting their welfare. Dean Veronica Templo-Perez of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies called on Congress to have a “sense of urgency” in passing laws for hearing-impaired Filipinos.

“The deaf community hopes that someday, we will have a Philippines that accommodates everyone—not just the majority of Filipinos but every Filipino, and that’s including the deaf. This can only happen if we have lawmakers who are aware of the issues of the deaf and persons with disabilities and will work for their brighter future,” she said.

T

I

RAN has announced fresh talks with world powers on its nuclear drive and said it was open to an offer from the US for two-way discussions if Washington’s intention was “authentic”.

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said the six world powers planned to resume talks in Kazakhstan on February 25, and he insisted that Iran had never pulled back from the negotiations.

“I have good news, I’ve heard yesterday that 5+1 or EU3+3 will be meeting in Kazakhstan 25th of February,” Salehi said during a panel discussion at the Munich Security Conference.

Iran and six world powers -- the US, China, Russia, Britain, France and Germany -- held three rounds of talks last year aimed at easing the standoff over Iran’s nuclear activities, which Tehran insists are peaceful.

The six, known as the P5+1 or EU3+3, called on Iran to roll back its programme but stopped short of meeting Tehran’s demands that they scale back sanctions, and the last round ended in stalemate in June in Moscow.

Since then, talks have been held up over disagreements on their location.

The European Union welcomed Salehi’s an-

Warned

he poll watchdog Kontra Daya has warned that last Saturday’s mock polls conducted by the Commission on Elections were attended by the same glitches observed during the 2010 elections and showed that the Comelec was not prepared for another automated balloting.

“The mock election showed that the Comelec has not learned from the 2010 automated election system implementation,” Rick Bahague, an IT expert of Kontra Daya, said in a statement.

“Failures and errors already pointed out by various groups based on the 2010 experience still exist.”

D

Covered

orth Korea has covered the entrance to a tunnel at its nuclear test site in an apparent effort to avoid satellite monitoring ahead of a widely expected detonation, a report said Friday.

The Punggye-ri site, which has three tunnel entrances and multiple support buildings, has been closely monitored

by US, South Korean and Japanese intelligence since North Korea ramped up its test threats just over a week ago.

I

The reactor building at Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant is pictured on October 26, 2010. Iran on Sunday announced fresh talks with world powers on its nuclear drive and said it was open to an offer from the US for two-way discussions if Washington’s intention was “authentic”. [AFP]

nouncement.

“It is good to hear that the foreign minister finally confirmed now. We hope the negotiating team will also confirm,” said Michael Mann, a spokesman for the EU’s top diplomat Catherine Ashton.

Salehi said Iran took comments by US officials, including Vice President Joe Biden, who said at the Munich conference on Saturday that Washington was ready to hold talks with Iran on its nuclear programme, “with positive consideration”.

Washington ruptured diplomatic ties with Iran in the wake of the 1979 revolution, and relations

remain hostile.

“We have no red line for negotiations, bilateral negotiations when it comes to negotiating over a particular subject,” Salehi said.

“If the subject is the nuclear file, yes we are ready for negotiation but we have to make sure ... that the other side this time comes with authentic intention, with a fair and real intention to resolve the issue,” he said.

He criticised as contradictory the desire for negotiations with Iran on the nuclear issue alongside “threatening rhetorics that everything is on the table” -- that is, a military

Make games, don’t just play them, Pinoys urged

NSTEAD of thinking of computer and mobile games as mere pastimes, young Pinoys should consider them as career options, a gaming expert said while highlighting local opportunities.

Young gaming enthu-

siasts have the potential to become game developers, Paul Gadi, coordinator of the International Game Development Association’s Manila Chapter (IGDA Manila).

“Making a game is actually hard,” said Gadi, who has eight years of

experience in game and applications development.

“But if you’re interested in what you’re doing--if you like games and you try to understand the process of making those games--that’s one step toward learning how to

Wi-Fi

ue to scant broadband frequencies, the government plans to harness unused Television channels - White Space (TVWS) or ‘’Super WiFi’’ - nationwide within 3 years to connect rural areas, schools and also for health, disaster migration, e-services and e-business.

Between them, Metro Manila and Cebu have 18 unused channels, with 46 percent of spectrum wasted.

Davao has 62 percent TV White space with 24 unused channels and the country’s rural areas have a total of 2431 unused channels, or 62-80 percent TV White Space.

option.

“If there is an honest intention on the other side, then we will take that into serious consideration,” Salehi said.

Asked when direct US-Iranian negotiations would take place, Biden told the conference on Saturday: “When the Iranian leadership, Supreme Leader, is serious.”

He said: “There is still time, there is still space for diplomacy, backed by pressure, to succeed. The ball is in the government of Iran’s court, and it’s well past time for Tehran to adopt a serious, good-faith approach to negotiations with the P5-plus-1.” [AFP]

More than 100 students, enthusiasts and even industry professionals join Manila Game Jam 2013 in Makati, where they conceptualized, built and polished new games for 48 hours straight. [Kim Arveen Patria]

makes games,” he added.

IGDA Manila and technology and business school iAcademy on Jan. 25 to 27 hosted Manila Game Jam 2013, which is part of a global two-day development crunch.

More than 100 students, enthusiasts and even industry professionals joined the event held in Makati, where they conceptualized, built and polished new games for 48 hours straight.

Bagging the jury’s choice award was a game called “Zom-Beats”, wherein player-”zombies” have to find all “humans” in an area by following their heartbeat.

The participants’ choice award, meanwhile, was given to a game dubbed “Cholesterun”, players contorl the movement of a “red blood cell” through a vessel while avoiding “cholesterol” obstacles.

The event, Gadi said, is aimed at making young Filipinos realize that “they can make games and not just play games.”

[Yahoo!]

T

Protest

A

Lost king

T

Shooter

T

Iron out

he Australian government Friday lodged a protest with Tokyo after a ship from the Japanese whaling fleet entered its exclusive economic zone in the Southern Ocean near Macquarie Island.

Canberra is strongly opposed to whaling and launched legal action challenging the basis of Japan’s socalled “scientific” hunt in December 2010.

rc h a e o l o g i s t s will reveal next week whether a skeleton with a cleaved skull and a curved spine entombed under a municipal car park is that of Richard III, the last English king to die in battle, more than five centuries ago.

The grey, concrete car park with its redbrick walls and a payment hut in Leicester, central England, contrasts sharply with the grandeur of traditional sepulchres for English kings and queens such as Windsor Castle and Westminster Abbey.

he Turk who shot pope John Paul II in St Peter’s Square in 1981 claimed in a new book on Friday that the founder of the Iranian revolution, the late Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, told him to do it.

The Vatican immediately denied several assertions in the book including the claim

by Mehmet Ali Agca that he had spoken of the Iranian link at his meeting with John Paul II in his prison cell.

he US and Russia meet in Germany Saturday in a new bid to iron out their differences over the war in Syria, with the head of the opposition saying the world must not be a bystander to the tragedy.

On the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, US Vice President Joe Biden is scheduled to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Syrian opposition chief Moaz al-Khatib.

He is also due to see UN-Arab League envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi, the White House said, amid growing international fears of the 22-month conflict in Syria spilling over its borders and drawing in other regional states.

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 239 •TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 05, 2013 GPH back in the limelight, from ‘sick man of Asia’ to ‘Asia’s rising tiger’

T

HE Philippines is no longer the “sick man of Asia” but “Asia’s rising tiger… President Aquino has proven that good governance is possible,” Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said at the opening Monday morning of the two-day Philippine Development Forum (PDF).

The theme of this year PDF is: “President Aquino’s Social Contract: Moving Forward in Achieving Inclusive Growth and Good Governance.”

Abad recalled that in his speech during the PDF in Manila nearly three years ago, he cited three challenges to the Aquino administration in fulfilling the social contract: “eliminating corruption, achieving fiscal sustainability thy, ensuring high and inclusive economic growth.”

“Our remarkable and impressive performance in 2012, stellar and resilient

DCPO...

economic growth, a robust fiscal position and a renewed trust in our institutions – have put the Philippines back into the limelight.”

He said the seeds of reform that were planted have started to bear fruit.

“The path of inclusive growth is still requiring the resilience of the government along with the support of the development partners, business sectors and civil society organizations in sustaining the momentum of change and progress,” Abad said.

He added that this year’s PDF is envisioned as the avenue to discuss how to best engage all the development partners in development process and to flesh out more details on the strategy until 2016.

“Mindanao is an important agenda in this year’s PDF,” he said.

The signing of

the landmark Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) on October15 last year is a step forward to peace and prosperity of Mindanao, he said.

“Hopefully, a progressive Mindanao can finally come full circle,” said Abad, who served as Agrarian Reform Secretary under the Corazon Aquino administration.

“There will be a special session on Mindanao to scope its situation and challenges, lay down the government’s plan to harness the potentials, and spur development to ensure the inclusiveness in the process,” he said.

The participants are also expected to map out the strategic engagement in continuing the Philippines’ Development Plan and the priorities of Aquino’s administration, especially in Mindanao. [Bui Tran Nhu Phuong/MindaNews]

if we need to.”

Dela Rosa likewise encouraged other barangay leaders to implement anti-drug campaigns with the full backing of the DCPO. Dela Rosa’s pronouncements came after the death of police officer Allan Borling Balingit for alleged involvement with drug pushing.

Balingit was killed during a buy-bust oper-

ation of the DCPO in Barangay 40-D, Bolton Isla, whose barangay captain is Manding last Saturday.

Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte warned associates of Balingit in the illegal drug trade to leave Davao City during the “Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa” TV program last Sunday saying, “I will give you 24 hours to leave the city, and if I see your face, I’m really sorry.”

Rounding up the Top 10 are Holcim Philippines Inc. at 7th with P8,826,966, Lapanday Foods Corporation at no.

8 with P7,950,740, Stan-

filco – A Division of Dole Philippines Inc. at no. 9 with PP7,065,538 and Mindanao Corrugated Fibreboard Inc. with a total of P6,813,828 at no. 10.

FFROM 1

will wage war against them),” dela Rosa said referring to pushers and their financiers in drug-infested areas in Davao City in a television interview yesterday.

Dela Rosa urged Manding to personally lead anti-drug operations in Barangay 23-C saying “we will support your campaign against drugs, and we will wage war against drug pushers

Davao Light...

FFROM 1 no Mall of Davao, ranked fifth with P9,420,262, followed closely by another local retail chain NCCC Supermarket at no. 6 with P9,390,311.

TOP 10 BUSINESS TAXPAYERS

RANK

BUSINESS TAXPAYER

TAXES PAID

1

DAVAO LIGHT & POWER CO.

P71,547,570

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10

SM DAVAO DEPT. STORE COCA COLA BOTTLERS PHILS., INC-ULAS SM SUPERMARKET

GAISANO MALL OF DAVAO NCCC SUPERMARKET HOLCIM PHILS., INC.

LAPANDAY FOODS CORP. STANFILCO

MINDANAO CORRUGATED FIBREBOARD, INC.

P18,143,720 P10,738,120 P10,233,939

P 9,420,262 P 9,390,311

P 8,826,966 P 7,950,740

P 7,065,538

P 6,813,828

11

Travel agency in trouble for issuing “fake” tickets

By EJ Dominic Fernandez

H

AGER Travel and Tours is facing complaints from clients who received fake tickets from former ticketing agent, Resley Agua, and is in risk of losing their business.

Maria Gemima Valderrama-Galang, one of the parents of students who received fake tickets from the travel agency, has sent a complaint letter through lawyer Renato Bartolo Jr. to the company demanding, “you (Hager Travel and Tours) issue valid tickets to the students within 5 days from receipt…should you fail to do so, then I will be compelled to file necessary criminal and civil cases against you in court and in other proper case/s before the proper government agency for the cancellation of your permit or authority to engage in the business of a travel agency.”

Eight students, one teacher and one school staff from Southpoint

School procured tickets from Hager Travel and Tours in the first week of October 2012, but in a Facebook status on January 5, 2013, the travel agency posted, “We would like to inform everyone that our former ticketing agent, Ms. Resley Agua, is no longer associated with us. If you have purchased a ticket with us through her, kindly check the ticket’s validity,” telling their customers that they (the clients) may have procured fake tickets.

The students from Southpoint School, who were supposed to go on a field trip to Puerto Princesa on February 26, 2013 with return flight on March 2, 2013, got fake tickets from the travel agency.

The owner of the travel agency, Marlon Hager, said in an interview, “our finances are not enough to provide for valid tickets to the clients who got fake tickets, which means they really have to buy new

tickets.”

He also pointed out that they themselves were the victims, saying, “Ms. Resley Agua got us behind the back and has caused us a big amount of damage,” adding that they are already taking “legal action” and have filed cases against Resley Agua, but that she is nowhere to be found.

However, according to Mrs. Valderrama-Galang, “The clients procured tickets through the company and not through Agua, which means it is the responsibility of the company to issue tickets.”

She added that she had been communicating with the agency from the time she discovered that the tickets issued were fake but they refused to give her a clear answer.

More clients got fake tickets from the agency and Hager Travel and Tours is still trying to figure out the exact number of clients who got invalid tickets.

The WTE proponents are Sinova Holdings Ltd., a Singaporean company, and Integral Global Green, Inc. based in Canada, who are willing to finance a P300-million sanitary landfill in Davao City.

“The most important concern here is the processing of our garbage, with the proposed waste energy project we can benefit directly from it by avoiding an overflow in our sanitary landfill,” Fe-

lizarta said.

He added that the city government has no problem with regards to financing the WTE project because Sinova and Global Green Company would answer for all the expenses.

“The garbage collection of the city will not increase and the city wiill no longer look for another landfill site once the project is approved,” he said.

to diversity development focusing on human connections, thus, the theme, “Power through Human Connections.” It was held last January 12 at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) in Intramuros, Manila.

Isberto was asked to speak about the CSR initiatives of the country’s largest telco and how these intersect with its corporate strategies.

“In developing our CSR programs, we’ve adopted the principle that, as much as possible, our activities must be aligned with our business. As a utility

firm, our core business is imbued with public interest and it would be easier to sustain programs that make use of our resources and skills,” said Isberto.

“We have the country’s most advanced, extensive and robust communications infrastructure for mobile and data. It isn’t hard to think of how such resources can be put to the service of CSR programs,” added Isberto.

The five pillars for Smart’s CSR programs are education, disaster preparedness and response, environment, livelihood and health.

Two foreign firms vying for city’s WTE project

By Che Palicte

T

WO foreign firms have submitted proposals to put up a P300 million waste-to-energy (WTE) project to the Sangguniang Panglungsod of Davao City and are awaiting for its approval.

This was bared by lawyer Joseph Felizarta, head of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro) yesterday at the weekly Kapihan sa Dabaw, SM Annex Atrium.

Align CSR with business, says Smart executive

“A

LIGN your CSR with your business—that’s the driving principle for sustainable and effective CSR programs.”

This was the key message of Ramon Isberto, Public Affairs Group head of Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) when he was asked to share the telco’s best practices on corporate social responsibility (CSR) during the 1st National Public Relations Conversity participated in by students from various universities.

Conversity refers to an innovative approach

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SPORTS 13

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 239 •TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 05, 2013

Close shave by Lakers

A

UBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) -- In a season full of turmoil and frustration, this would have been a particularly exasperating loss for the Los Angeles Lakers.

One of the most accurate free throw shooters in NBA history had missed two, giving the Detroit Pistons one more chance at a game-winning shot. Kyle Singler lobbed the ball toward the basket, and rookie Andre Drummond stretched his 6-foot-11 frame and tried a one-handed dunk with Pau Gasol defending.

No good. The Lakers held on for a 98-97 victory. ‘’Every game is like a playoff game for us right now,’’ Los Angeles coach Mike D’Antoni said. ‘’And some crazy things happen

in playoff games.’’

Gasol had 23 points and 10 rebounds and was the last line of defense on Detroit’s final alley-oop attempt Sunday. The Lakers blew an 18-point third-quarter lead but overcame their late free throw struggles to win for the fifth time in six games.

Los Angeles has won two in a row without Dwight Howard. The AllStar center sat out again with a right shoulder problem.

Kobe Bryant’s driving three-point play with 1:09 remaining gave the Lakers a 98-95 lead, and they held on despite missing four free throws in the final 16.8 seconds.

Steve Nash - a 90.4 percent foul shooter for his career - missed two free throws with 2.7 seconds left. Down by one,

the Pistons inbounded from midcourt with 1.2 seconds to play. They tried a lob to Drummond, but with Gasol contesting the play, Drummond couldn’t convert.

Drummond looked surprised that no foul was called on the play. ‘’I have no comment,’’ Drummond said afterward when asked if there was contact.

Detroit was still without guard Jose Calderon, who the Pistons acquired from Toronto on Wednesday. The Spanish-born Calderon has not been available to play because of unresolved visa issues.

The Lakers trail eighth-place Houston by 3 1/2 games in the Western Conference playoff race. Bryant scored 18 points but shot poorly from the perimeter. After

an airball with the score tied at 95, he decided to drive to the basket the next time down. Bryant muscled through a foul and scored a basket that was counted on a continuation call.

Detroit’s Will Bynum cut the lead to one, and after Gasol missed, Drummond missed a baseline fadeaway that would have given the Pistons the lead. Earl Clark missed two free throws for Los Angeles with 16.8 seconds left, but Bynum’s driving shot over Gasol went off the glass and rattled in and out.

That set the stage for Nash, whose two misses dropped him percentage points behind Mark Price for the top free throw percentage in NBA history for players with at least 1,200 attempts.

Lakers center Pau Gasol saved the day for the embattled Lakers in Detroit.

Rondo-less Celtics go 4-0 winning run

B do.

OSTON (AP) -- The Celtics keep rolling without Rajon Ron-

Not even a late comeback by one of the NBA’s best teams could keep Boston from beating the Los Angeles Clippers 106-104 on Sunday and improve to 4-0 since a knee injury ended their star point guard’s season. ‘’A lot of people say that we don’t have a chance to go to the playoffs, we can’t do this, we can’t do that,’’ starting guard Avery Bradley said. ‘’We know we have each other and we’re going to go out there and fight for each other, no matter what, every single night.’’

The Clippers played without their own brilliant point guard. Chris Paul missed his seventh straight

game with a bruised right knee cap.

But they cut a 98-83 deficit to 103-101 on a 3-pointer by Eric Bledsoe with 56 seconds remaining. Then Bradley drew an offensive foul on Los Angeles’ Jamal Crawford with 26 seconds to go.

Paul Pierce then held on to the ball - and was surprised that the Clippers didn’t foul him - before making a 3-pointer with 2.5 seconds left to clinch the win and finish with a team-high 22 points. ‘’If we get a stop there (with) three or four seconds to go, we’ve got plenty of time,’’ Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro said of his decision not to foul. ‘’If I was going to do it, I would have fouled Courtney Lee early right when he got the ball.’’

Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin, left, looks for an opening around Boston Celtics center Jason Collins, right, in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game at the TD Garden.

14 SPORTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 239 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 05, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

Japeth returns to don GlobalPort

J

APETH Aguilar will be back on Monday and will immediately join his new team GlobalPort’s practice the following day.

Marvin Espiritu, Aguilar’s agent, broke the news saying the 6-foot-9 forward is excited to play for his new squad.

“I’ve already informed GlobalPort that Japeth will be here tomorrow (Monday) night, 11 p.m. and he will join the team practice on Tuesday,” said Espiritu.

Aguilar had been in the United States since the end of last season, trying to pursue a career in the NBA D-League. He was drafted by the Santa Cruz Warriors but failed to make the roster.

Wanting to continue his PBA career, Aguilar requested for a trade from powerhouse Talk ‘N Text, which still held his rights. He was acquired

by GlobalPort in exchange for Rabeh Al-Hussaini.

GlobalPort will be Aguilar’s third PBA team.

He was the No. 1 overall pick of Burger King in 2009, but asked to be let out of his contract to join the SMART-Gilas Pilipinas national squad. He played just one game for the Whoppers before being traded to Talk ‘N Text, which lent him to the na-

tional team for two years.

The controversial cager is reportedly psyched to come home to resume his Philippine basketball career as a member of the GlobalPort Batang Pier.

The athletic forward is set to fly back to the Philippines to join his new team, which acquired him in a trade for Rabeh Al-Hussaini Thursday.

“I talked to him today and he’s excited to go home,” said Aguilar’s agent Marvin Espiritu.

“All he wants is to have a fresh stat in his career and an opportunity to play.

Aguilar flew to the United States at the end of last season to pursue a career in the NBA D-League. He was drafted by the Santa Cruz Warriors but failed to make a roster.

Talk ‘N Text still owned the rights the No. 1 overall pick in 2009, but he expressed a desire to leave the three-time Philippine Cup champion for a team that would be able to give him more playing time.

GlobalPort owner Mikee Romero expressed excitement about having Aguilar in the Batang Pier fold.

JR. NBA CLINIC. Jr. NBA Coach Sefu Bernard, also Director of Basketball Operations NBA Asia, emphasizes the importance of core stability in basketball. (Phoenix photo)

Negros wins PFF Smart Club title

M

OVE over UFL. The best football club in the Philippines is a provincial team with a diverse fusion of Bacoleños, Koreans, and British booters.

Ceres put a storybook ending to its unbelievable campaign in the Philippine Football Federation-Smart National Club Championship with a 1-0 victory over PSG in the finale on Saturday night at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Byeong Jun Yoon shone brightest as he fired the title-clinching goal early in the second half for the Negros Occidental-based

squad, which had received little attention when it entered the national competition until it caught two big scalps in United Football League champions Stallion and Global.

“They were saying before it was just a fairytale but now it’s a true story.

It’s a champion team,” said Ceres manager Ali Go, whose team toppled another UFL heavyweight in Kaya in the semifinals.

“It’s very sweet. It’s all hard work, but preparation was really short. I was amazed how the team jelled in a span of a week,” he added.

Ceres, who has now become the second champion of the tournament after Global won the first edition of the event two years ago, also took advantage of a shortanded PSG lineup, which was without flashy goalkeeper Reza Ataei, among others.

After having good looks but sub-par finishing in first half, Ceres was finally rewarded 11 minutes after intermission when Yoon capitalized on a loose ball after PSG’s stand-in ‘keeper Ricardo Padilla, a natural defender, failed to catch a cross from a Ceres booter.

Phl netters clinch Davis Cup tie

L

PFF-SMART CHAMPS. Players, officials, and staff of Ceres celebrate with the trophy after capping a giant-killing run that claimed the famous scalps of Global and Stallion with a 1-0 win over PSG in the final. (www.spin.ph photo)

APU-LAPU CITY – The Philippines clinched its Asia-Oceania Group II Davis Cup tie against Syria Saturday night with a four sets win in the doubles event.

The pair of Treat Huey and Ruben Gonzales hacked out a 6-0, 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 win over the Syrian 1-2 punch of Issam Haitham Taweel and Marc Abdelnour at the Plantation Bay Resort and Spa

here.

The win virtually sealed the best-of-five tie for the Filipinos, who lead the visitors 3-0 and render immaterial Sunday’s scheduled reverse singles.

Huey was originally paired with Elmer Anasta, but non-playing team captain Roland Kraut decided to go for his best two players and changed his lineup at the last minute.

The Syrian also did

the same, opting to field in Taweel for Ma jdi Salim in tandem with Abdelnour in a last-ditch bid to turn tie around after losing the opening singles Friday night.

Johnny Arcilla opened the Filipino’s campaign on a high note following a 6-4, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2 victory over Taweel, before Gonzales made it two in a row following a 6-4, 7-6 (1), 6-2 win over Abdelnour

INdulge!

VOL.5 ISSUE 239 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 05, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

TRAVEL

Why Dabawenyos love Singapore Me loving Singapore’s quirky Haji Lane.

WE Dabawenyos are a spoiled bunch. We know what and when we shop, we know what we like to eat when we dine, and we know what we want to do when we travel, and with the summer travel season just around the corner, you can bet that Dabawenyos are already planning their next travel adventures.

It is with this is mind, why the Singapore Tourism Board got together with the local media last January 29 to talk about the latest attractions and happenings in the Lion City.

As it is, Singapore is already one of the top destinations Dabawenyos go to, given its proximity to Durianburg and the existence of direct flights thanks to SilkAir. This easy access means friends, barkadas and even couples can choose to escape to Singapore for a weekend romp on a whim.

Sherina Chan, area director for the Philippines

and Brunei Darussalam of the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), notes that there are more Filipino travellers who are choosing to go to Singapore for their holidays and had three Dabawenyos, namely

Malouchi Gahol for family travels, Jasper Huang for barkada excursions, and chef Tina Pamintuan for romantic getaways, answer why they choose to travel to Singapore.

“I have to take everyone in the family into consideration when traveling,” says Malouchi “so whenever we travel, I make sure everyone has something they will like. My daughter loves food, while my son loves gadgets and Singapore has both. Universal Studios at Sentosa and the Jurong Bird Park is also a family favourite and satisfies family bonding by giving something for everyone.”

A car enthusiast, Jasper love going to Singapore with his friends for the vivid nightlife of the Lion City. “The concerts and the parties in Singapore are top-notch.” says Jasper, “another barkada favourite is Singapore’s F1 night race, mainly since it is the closest F1 race to Davao and the side events are always exciting and I don’t mind coming back to Singapore every year just to experience it.”

Easy walks in Singapore’s many parks like Mt. Faber, Fort Cannings and the Singapore Botanical Gardens are Tina’s reasons why she loves Singapore.

Tina says “Not only are the parks romantic but they really give you a chance to slow down time and appreciate company with each other.”

Sherina Chan (right), area director for the Philippines and Brunei Darussalam of the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) together with Malouchi, Jasper and Tina.

Jasper Huang

Malouchi Gahol

“Another thing couples can do is to check into the Ritz Carlton or visit the Raffles Bar and try the original Singapore Sling.” says Tina,”these experiences are fun really make any Singapore stay memorable.”

Dining is also on the menu as Jasper, Tina and Malouchi all agree that Singapore’s food is also one reason why they can’t

Tina Pamintuan

wait to visit again and again, and given my own experiences eating my way through the many quirky restaurants and hawker stalls in the Lion City, I can say Singapore is every Da-

bawenyo food lover’s must visit place.

There is a saying that any map of Singapore that is over six months is already obsolete, given the dynamism of Singapore’s tourism players. Add the coming new attractions like the River Safari, the Marine Life Park at Resorts World Singapore, which opened in December last year, and the world-class Gardens by the Bay that opened to the public last October, and you are sure to have ore reasons why Dabawenyos love Singapore.

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UP AND ABOUT

Maritess Allen 2013 Year of the Water Snake forecast at SM Lanang Premier, Feb 3 INTERNATIONALLY recognized Feng Shui expert Maritess Allen is set to visit SM Lanang Premier on February 3, 5PM. Allen is well respected in various Feng Shui disciplines as she has been trained and mentored by noted masters in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong and China.

She is also a member of the prestigious Feng Shui Societies of London, Singapore and the World of Feng Shui Malaysia.

Learn more about Feng Shui with Maritess Allen and discover how to use Feng Shui to your advantage. Listen to the forecasts and tips for the Year of the Water Dragon from the international Feng Shui expert at SM Lanang Premier, Sunday afternoon at the mall atrium.

For inquiries, call 285.0943.

Like SM Lanang Premier on Fa c e b o o k or follow @ smlanangpremier on Twitter for event and promo updates.

CEB presents Cebu e-guidebook for domestic, foreign tourists THE Philippines’ largest national flag carrier, Cebu Pacific (PSE: CEB) rolls out a free electronic guidebook to Cebu, as part of its continued efforts to promote tourism within and to the Philippines.

“A Guide to Cebu 2013” is an electronic guidebook containing the most comprehensive guide to the province of Cebu. It contains a listing of all tourism and heritage sites, useful contacts, and Department of Tourismaccredited establishments, including tour operators, vehicle rental companies and even tour guides.

Initiated by Cebu-based journalism start-up InnoPub Media and Smart Communications, Inc., it comes in two versions: one for the Kindle and another for iPhones, iPads, Android devices and all other smartphone, tablet and e-reader brands.

“With direct flights to Cebu from 20 domestic and 6 international destinations, Cebu Pacific recognizes its roots and heartily supports and shares this comprehensive guide to the province of Cebu. Aimed at helping a lot of tourists plan their itineraries, this e-guidebook is a perfect example of the public and private sectors working together to promote travel to the Philippines,” said CEB VP for Marketing and Distribution Candice Iyog.

Tourists can download the e-books from CEB’s social networking sites on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ CebuPacificAir) and Twitter (@cebupacificair). They can also scan special brochures and posters available on CEB’s international and domestic travel agency partners and ticket offices.

To download via phone scanning, travellers must have Internet access and a quick response (QR) code scanner, which is a downloadable application.

Apart from the e-guidebooks, special markers containing QR codes can also be found on heritage and tourism sites in Cebu. Once the QR codes are scanned, users can get information about that particular attraction.

“Promotion of tourism using digital technologies is increasingly growing. With Cebu Pacific also supporting this initiative, we’re excited to see this further grow not just in Cebu but all over the Philippines,” said Ramon Isberto, Public Affairs Group Head, Smart Communications, Inc.

VOL.5 ISSUE 239 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 05, 2013

TRAVEL

No one does summer like your Singapore Singapore turns up the summer fun with the launch of groundbreaking attractions, fun-filled experiences and highly anticipated events THIS SUMMER, Singapore will treat families, barkadas and couples to a fun-filled summer getaway that will surely have them reminiscing about their trip months after, and have them raring to come back for more. With a variety of new attractions and experiences just waiting to be explored, Singapore is poised to be a go-to summer destination this 2013 for Filipinos looking to experience new thrills and experiences.

Family friendly destination Welcoming the summer months is the highly anticipated opening of the River Safari in Quarter 1, 2013. Developed to present visitors with an up-close view of freshwater habitats and animals, River Safari will transport guests to eight river zones, from the River Nile of Egypt to the Amazon River, giving them an exotic look at 150 plant species and over 5,000 individual animal specimens. The park features river giants and freshwater megafishes such as the giant river otter, Mekong giant catfish as well as the giant pandas, promising a fun wildlife adventure for families and kids.

“With the opening of the River Safari, we hope to cement Singapore as the ultimate family-friendly destination that not only excites and delights the senses of the kids, but provides families with unforgettable bonding moments amidst the breathtaking and iconic backdrop,” said Sherina Chan, Singapore Tourism Board’s Area Director for Philippines and Brunei.

For families that can’t get enough of the many wonders of the sea, explore the newly opened Marine Life Park, the world’s largest oceanarium, containing 100,000 marine animals from over 800 species; and Adventure Cove, Resorts World Sentosa’s aquatic adventure park complete with towering waterslides, wave pools, tropical jungle gardens and grottos inhabited by whimsical sea creatures!

The fun doesn’t stop there this summertime for families as the 101-hectare Gardens by the Bay, continues to thrill visitors with its awe-inspiring domes, intricate installations and amazing flora & fauna displays. It houses the largest climate-controlled glasshouses and conservatories and received the World Building of the Year Award from the 2012

World Architecture Festival.

Barkada fun for everyone Barkadas trooping over to Singapore once the summer break rolls around will be immersed in all things fashion, music and dance with the launch of the Big Wig Music Festival on the 6th of April at Fort Canning Park. A celebra-

tion of musical diversity and a kaleidoscope of sights and sounds, the Big Wig Music Festival will feature some of the biggest names in hip-hop, soul, funk, disco, moombahsoul, latin, raggae and dancehall - creating a global funky vibe. Festival goers can expect to hear the lively tunes and smooth grooves of Talib Kweli, Jurassic 5, Chrom3 and many more.

For barkadas looking to get some retail therapy done, shoppers can indulge in fabulous finds offered at up to 70% discount during the 20th Great Singapore Sale, taking place from 31 May - 28 July 2013. From fashion, beauty, to electronics, the Great Singapore Sale is every shopaholic’s dream come true.

A hearty appetite for a hearty relationship Couples looking to go on a gastronomic adventure this summer can visit the World Street Food Congress (WSFC), where 40 of the world’s best street-food masters will gather for a 10-day event that begins on the 31st of May at the F1 Pit Building and Paddock. Certified foodies can expect a variety of top-notch street food from the WSFC, ranging from the likes of Indonesian kaki limas, American food trucks, Chinese food inns, and Jolly Jeeps from the Philippines and a chance to catch famous foodies like Anthony Bourdain and Jean-Georges Vongerichten. This is definitely one culinary experience that any individual with taste buds and a sound appetite shouldn’t miss!

Theatre buffs and comedy fans are also up for a memorable summer in the Lion City as it plays host to acclaimed broadway productions and bestselling comedy shows, such as Russell Peter’s Notorious Tour at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on the 25th of March. Listed on Forbes List as one of the top ten highest earning comics in the U.S, Russell Peters has undoubtedly earned that top rank with his act selling out arenas from Madison Square Garden to Sydney Opera House.

“Summer in Singapore is always a treat for travellers as well as the locals. Week after week, there’s always something new that the city offers.

This 2013, to kick off what promises to be an amazing summer, Singapore is going full force in keeping everyone in the city busy and entertained. With concerts from chart topping artists, awardwinning Broadway musicals, outdoor runways shows, food expos, mind-blowing shopping sales and highly anticipated theme park openings, this summer of 2013 at Singapore looks to be an experience that no traveller should dare miss. So whether you’re travelling to Singapore with loved ones, friends, or your whole clan, be prepared for Singapore to captivate every member of your circle,” says Chan.

For more information on events happening in Singapore visit www.yoursingapore.com or like the Facebook community page, YourSingaporePhilippines.

VOL.5 ISSUE 239 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 05, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

ENTERTAINMENT

2013 Super Bowl best & worst: Alicia Keys, Jennifer Hudson, Destiny’s Child reunites and a power outage The 2013 Super Bowl is finally here! Got your Antler Spray?

How about your Alicia Keys stopwatch? Who’s your favorite Harbaugh brother, the super intense older one or even more intense younger one?

After five months of football and two weeks of hype, its game time in New Orleans for Super Bowl XLVII. Which Harbaugh—Jim with the San Francisco 49ers or John with the Baltimore Ravens—gets bragging rights at holidays?

Will Ray Lewis’ last game as a Raven be a blaze of glory, or will Colin Kaepernick’s end his debut season on top?

And of course, which ads will take off and which will flop? It’s our best and worst of the Super Bowl.

Best Leading Man Trivia: Ray Lewis, the most famous player coming into the Super Bowl, recorded his first career sack 17 years ago on Jim Harbaugh, the 49ers coach. As SB Nation put it: History is awesome.

Shout Out to the Man Upstairs: In CBS’ pregame show, when asked by Shannon Sharpe about the double-murders he was linked to early in his career, Lewis replied “God makes no mistakes.”

Looking Devilish: The Mercedes-Benz commercial (a condensed version ran in the pregame show) featuring the Rolling Stones’ “Sympathy for the Devil” and Willem Defoe as the Prince of Darkness himself, offering a nebbish driver a chance at a sweet Benz-o and “everything that comes with it,” which, we learn, includes Kate Upton. We especially liked the quick flash of the driver on the cover of Vanity Fair, riding a white—i.e. ‘pale’horse. The ad ends with the “13” in “2013” burning in a spectral flame.

More Devilish Deeds: Ray Lewis blew off accusations earlier in Super Bowl week that he used banned substances during his particularly rapid recovery from a torn tricep early in the year, calling the charges, “The trick of the devil...He comes to distract you from everything you’re trying to do.” So that’s that!

Earliest Betting Upset: Alicia Keys’ rendition of the National Anthem, which we clocked at a 2 minutes, 36 seconds—rather than start the clock on the first word, we went with the note of music, since Keyes accom-

panied herself on the piano.

Her time destroyed the overunder line available on some betting websites of 2:15, and broke Jennifer Hudson’s 2009 record of 2:30. But it was Hudson who won the night.

Best Tear Jerker: This one was over early. Instantly, even. Just prior to Keyes’ anthem, Jennifer Hudson sang “America the Beautiful” accompanied by the kids’ chorus from Sandy Hook Elementary and a 100 million pre-game buzzes evaporated in sobs. It was simple, it was easy and it was completely heartbreaking.

Best Secret Weapon, Ravens: Jacoby Jones. It took almost two minutes for Jacoby Jones to take over the Super Bowl. On the first play after the two-minute warning at the end of the 1st half, Jones—who had only one touchdown catch in 2012— sprawled out to catch a long bomb from Joe Flacco inside the 49ers 10-yard line, jumped to his feet, spun like an egg-beater away from a would be tackle then froze Chris Culliverwith a stutter step and outsprinted him to the left side of the endz one for a 56 yard touchdown that will live in the annals of both teams. Then, almost an hour later in real-time but less than two minutes later on the game clock, Jones scored a second touchdown when he caught the opening kick-off the second half at the back of his own end zone and sprinted nearly untouched down

the field for 108 yards, tying the NFL record for longest scoring play.

All Hail Queen B: Beyoncé silenced the haters with an amped-up halftime show.

We saw fire, crazy outfits and a cool reunion with her Destiny’s Child bandmates Michelle Williams and Kelly Rowland.

Best Secret Weapon, 49ers: Entergy New Orleans, the electric company. Down 28 - 6 after Jones’ recordbreaking comeback, the 49ers were reeling and on the verge of getting blown out, when the lights in the Superdome, well, were blown out.

The game was delayed 34 minutes, giving the 49ers a chance to catch their breath after Jones’ electrifying return. It appeared to do the trick: Within 10 minutes, the 49ers had seized control of the game, scoring 17 points and deflating any momentum Jones might have given the Ravens.

Pushing The Conspiracy Button: Though CBS reported that stadium officials were blaming the power company, within seven minutes of the lights going out, Entergy’s account posted via Twitter: “Power issue at the Super Dome appears to be in the customer’s side. Entergy is providing power to the Dome.” Calling all Ravens fans: While you looked like you were on your way to an easy victory before the lights went out, you may now go insane.

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STYLE

VOL.5 ISSUE 239 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 05, 2013

A red and white Chinese New Year from SM Homeworld

IF you live in a small space or are struggling with a super busy schedule, it’s still possible to bring grand festivities this Chinese New Year to your home with a little help from SM Homeworld. Make your home merry and bright with creatively designed red and white pieces from SM Homeworld.

and the soothing quality of white.

Here are some red and white decorating tips for the festivities and beyond from SM Homeworld. · Have one accent piece like a red accent chair or barstool that will make a strong statement. White colored furniture like a table will make a good balance. · Make your living room cozy by adding red throw pillows that looks best in a Red and white, after all white sofa. are traditional Chinese · Home accessories like a New Year colors, and they red mood lamp bring a fesbring cheer to any room. tive ambiance with no fuss.

It’s a fun, functional, and · Wonderfully white modern way of bringing vases and picture frames the holiday spirit to your will make a charming conhome, bringing a festive trast. feel as you entertain friends · Kitchen helpers like and family members. food processor, juicer and And the good news is coffee maker in red and that these red and white white colors not only make home furniture and ac- our work easy but also adds cessories will still be in a happy ambiance in your style after the festivities kitchen. and beyond, bringing in The red and white colthe punchy energy of red lection is available at the Homeworld Department of SM Stores. Designs may vary per store.

White Hosh picture frame with floral cut-outs.

This red geometric accent chair adds a holiday feel at your home.

Red embossed wall clock.

Elegant white vases in feather design.

This Kitchen Aid food processor and juicer in one is a big help this holiday.

This red bar stool makes a festive statement for your holiday parties.

Red Dolce Gusto coffee maker .

White 3-tier table with chrome base.

Create a festive ambiance at your home with these red mood lamps.

SPORTS 15

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 239 •TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 05, 2013

AUSTRALIAN LADIES MASTERS

Webb is 8-time champ G OLD COAST, Australia (AP) -- Karrie Webb won her eighth Australian Ladies Masters title on Sunday, coming from two strokes behind in the final round with birdies on three of her last five holes for a 5-under-par 67 and a two-stroke victory.

The 38-year-old Webb birdied the 14th hole at Royal Pines to take the lead for the first time during the final round, and then tapped in for birdie after her eagle putt just missed on 15.

Webb finished with a 13-under-par total of 203 in the 54-hole tournament, the season-opening event on the European Ladies Tour. Her eighth win in the same tournament matched the U.S. PGA Tour record of Sam Snead, who won the Greater Greensboro Open eight times.

South Korea’s Chella Choi finished tied for second after a 69, with

second-round co-leaders Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand, and Australian amateur Oh Su-hyun, who both shot final-round 71s.

Last year’s Australian Open winner at Royal Melbourne, American Jessica Korda, was fifth after a 71, three shots behind.

Webb took the momentum on the par-five 12th hole. Teenagers Oh and Ariya were tied for the lead but Oh walked off the green after a threeputt double bogey seven and Ariya a bogey six, a three-shot swing that allowed Webb, who’d already birdied the hole, to join them at the top of the leaderboard.

Webb was coming off a winless 2012. ‘’I’m very happy, it never gets old to get a win here,’’ said Webb. ‘’What a way to start the year.’’

In addition to her eight wins, Webb has four seconds on the Gold Coast resort course that was bare-

ly playable at the start of the tournament due to 600 millimeters (24 inches) of rain in the preceding week, the fallout from a tropical cyclone.

Webb played her first Ladies Masters as an amateur in 1993 and won the first of her titles in 1998 by five shots against a field that included then world No. 1 Annika Sorenstam.

Webb’s later victories came in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2007 and 2010.

Webb was reminded that her previous three victories at Royal Pines in 2005, 2007 and 2010 were followed by winless seasons on the LPGA Tour. ‘’I don’t want to raise my expectations too high,’’ Webb said. ‘’I think it tends to backfire on me a little bit and I put a bit too much pressure on myself, but the one thing that feels really good to me is how comfortable I feel on the golf course.’’

SUPERBOWL

Ravens Rule

N

EW ORLEANS – The Baltimore Ravens survived a furious second-half rally by San Francisco and a momentum-sapping power outage at the Superdome to defeat the scrappy 49ers 34-31 in the Super Bowl on Sunday.

A Super Bowl-record 108-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Jacoby Jones gave the Ravens a 28-6 lead early in the third quarter but the 49ers scored 17 straight points after a 35-minute power outage and nearly pulled off a stunning comeback.

“Both teams had to deal with it,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said of the power outage. “They dealt with it better, obviously. They were able to turn the momentum of the game.”

Trailing 34-29, the 49ers marched down to the Ravens’ seven but failed to score on four tries, surrendering the ball on downs at the five with less than two minutes remaining.

Baltimore used up the clock and on fourth down, punter Sam Koch ran out of bounds in the end zone for a safety with four seconds left.

Joe Flacco, the game’s

Most Valuable Player, completed 22 of 33 passes for 287 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions to lead the Ravens to their first title since the 2000 season.

Baltimore’s lead evaporated because the 49ers’ talented second-year quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, suddenly found the form that made him one of the league’s most dangerous quarterbacks this season.

Despite a shaky first half, Kaepernick completed 16 of 28 passes for 302 yards and a touchdown.

He also ran for 62 yards on seven carries to finish behind Frank Gore (110 yards) as the 49ers’ second-leading ground gainer.

A 38-yard field goal by Justin Tucker with 4:19 left in the game hiked the Ravens’ lead to 34-29, setting the stage for what could have been a Super Bowl-record comeback by the 49ers.

But the Ravens’ defense, anchored by retiring future Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis, came up big when it had to and handed the 49ers’ franchise its first Super Bowl loss after five victo-

8TH TITLE. Karrie Webb waives to the gallery after clinching the Australian Ladies Masters title.

The Baltimore Ravens celebrate after winning the 2013 Superbowl.

ries.

Power failure The biggest U.S. sports event of the year and parties across the world were

interrupted by a 35-minute power outage during the Super Bowl at the Superdome on Sunday.

Moments after Bal-

timore’s Jacoby Jones opened the second half with a 108-yard kickoff return for a touchdown that gave the Ravens a

28-6 lead early the third quarter, the scoreboard and half of the overheard lights in the Superdome went out.

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VOL.5 ISSUE 239 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 05, 2013

JR. NBA DAVAO LEG

EDGEDAVAO

New Record Over 1,000 kids joined the Jr. NBA basketball clinic last Sunday at the Ateneo de Davao University Gym in Matina. The Jr. NBA clinic is presented by Alaska and hosted

by Phoenix Petroleum. (Phoenix photo)

T

Coach Sefu Bernard, Director for Basketball Operations of NBA Asia, shows kids some dribbling tips.

G

HERE’S something about Davao. In 2010 when the Jr. NBA first came to the largest city in the Philippines, Davao coaches established a record attendance of 250 coaches – the biggest number by far in the then three-year old program.

On its return to Davao for the first time in three years, young players who joined the Jr. NBA school clinics on Sunday, February 3 at the Ateneo de Davao set a new single-day record in Jr. NBA school clinic attendance.

1003 kids of various ages from different schools and different cities, provinces and municipalities in Mindanao joined the basket-

Phoenix gets Jr. NBA record

IVE that credit where it is due.

Phoenix Petroleum which once chased a basketball dream but could not find it in the PBA, is now sitting happily side by side with the world’s most recognizable basketball brand—the NBA. You got to give it to Phoenix with its sports-loving CEO Dennis Uy at the helm and guys like Atty.

Raymond Zorilla and Ms. Celina Matias for making that life-changing switch to the Jr. NBA. Of course, down the line there are silent heroes who worked their ass off to get this project on the table.

I am privileged to work a small role with the Jr. NBA Davao Leg and got myself a real feel of how the NBA Asia people work in terms of getting things done on details. But what impressed me no end is the patient and calculated collaboration the people of Phoenix did for their part of the huge roadshow.

At the end of the day, Phoenix’s hosting of the Jr. NBA program in Davao netted for the leading independent oil firm the

distinction of having hosted the Jr. NBA leg with the most number of attendees.

My friend veteran sports scribe and Jr. NBA PR head Tessa Jasminez says that with 1,003 kids in attendance, the Jr. NBA Davao leg has erased the previous record of 582 attendees set in Cagayan de Oro last year. The existing high this year is 728 set in Dagupan City last week although the figures are yet to be confirmed.

With the NBA and Phoenix entering into a multi-year marketing partnership, expect Phoenix’s brand to soar along with the other sports-backing brands in the country like Alaska, the main presentor of the Jr. NBA. Phoenix’s commitment to sports development is

one that transcends beyond its failed PBA dream.

Atty. Zorilla put it aptly when he said that the PBA’s loss is other sports’ gain.

True enough, Phoenix is now into boxing (Manny Pacquiao), football (Azkals and Air Force), moto sports (Cyclomax Motocross) and Under-16 basketball among others.

In Davao City, there is no league more consistent than Phoenix. In fact, it has a more consistent program than the SBP. It is more active than a now-yousee-now-you-don’t Liga Dabaw. Now, if you consider the men and women behind the Phoenix basketball program in Davao, they do not sit on high positions nor have prominent names. But they have the commitment to work and that makes the difference.

Consistency is the name of the game and every respectable sportsman sitting on high position knows that.

Let’s wait for them to create their own respectable record. But this Jr. NBA record goes to Phoenix for its consistent, independent, life-fuelling effort.

ball clinics of the Jr. NBA Philippines 2013 presented by Alaska in Davao City.

Prior to the new Davao record, the previous high in Jr. NBA single-day school clinic attendance was 582 kids, established in Cagayan de Oro in January 2012. The Jr. NBA presented by Alaska was hosted in Davao by Phoenix Petroleum.

Now in its sixth consecutive staging, the National Basketball Association’s international youth developmental basketball program visits new cities every year.

Jr. NBA was introduced in the Philippines in 2007 to 16 public and private schools in Metro Manila.

In 2008, the program expanded to more than 200 schools and reached approximately 20,000 students, parents, and coaches across the country. In 2012, the program had reached more than 500 schools and 60,000 students, parents, and coaches across the country, with stops in Cebu, Davao City, Bacolod City, Binan, Laguna; Pampanga, Puerto Princesa, Cagayan de Oro over the years. This year, Lucena and Dagupan experienced the Jr. NBA for the first time.

Jr. NBA 2013 is composed of four stages, the Jr. NBA Touring Clinics for coaches and players from January to February, the Regional Selection Camps in March, the National Training Camp in April and the NBA Experience later in the year.

Jr. NBA will return to Davao City on March 9 and 10 for the Regional Selection Camp for southern Philippines where the top ten performers will be chosen to become part of the National Training Camp that will be held in Manila in April.

Each year the high point of Jr. NBA Philippines is the selection of the Top 10 National Training Camp performers that will be named the 2013 Jr. NBA All Stars. The All Stars are rewarded in the latter part of the year with an authentic NBA experience where they get to watch a live NBA game and play with a counterpart youth team.