Edge Davao 5 Issue 247

EDGEDAVAO

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

VOL.5 ISSUE 247 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15-16, 2013

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Serving a seamless society

Page A1

Indulge

MASS WEDDING. Regional Trial Court Judge Pelagio S. Paguican who officiated the “I do, I do, Araw ng Pag-ibig” mass wedding sponsored by Pag-IBIG Fund gives advice to the 89 participating couples at the SMX Convention Center of SM Lanang Premier in Lanang, Davao City yesterday. “I do, I do, Araw ng Pag-ibig” is a mass wedding which is part of Pag-IBIG Fund’s annual community wedding program that take place simultaneously nationwide.

Lean Daval Jr.

Denim Science /Environment

Page 5

Bets barred from parade Araw ng Dabaw rule

Bawal magpa as if

First offspring of “Pag-asa” Page 16

Sports

Rockets face Pacers as NBA comes to Manila

By EJ Dominic Fernandez

C

ANDIDATES for public office in the mid-term elections will not be allowed to join the Parada Dabawenyo of the 76th Araw ng Dabaw celebration, according to Araw ng Dabaw spokesperson Orly Escarrilla.

PDEA says

Floats, banners, posters, streamers that promote candidates will be confiscated

Guesting in the iSpeak press forum at the city hall yesterday, Escarilla said the guidelines for the parade prohibits the participation of political candidates, local and national, otherwise they will be asked

to pull out of the parade.

The guidelines for Parada Dabawenyo state that, “participation in the parade for the purpose of promoting a certain candidate or political party in

the coming election is strictly prohibited.”

It also states that floats, banners, posters, streamers and other materials that promote

PDEA regional director Emerson Rosales said that as far as their monitoring and surveillance operations are concerned there are no big-time drug syndicates involving pol-

iticians and government officials.

“When we say narco-politics, we mean drug money used for campaigning as a key to public office,” Rosales

told reporters Tuesday morning during a press briefing at the Criminal Investigation Detection Group (CIDG) 11.

He admitted that they ar-

FARAW NG DABAW, 11

No narco-politics in Davao region

By Anthony S. Allada

Follow Us On

A

N official of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has ruled out the possibility that there is narco-politics in the Davao region.

FPDEA, 11

2 THE BIG NEWS

Travel agencies eye 20% hike in sales

A

N association of travel agencies in Davao City is eyeing a 20-percent higher sales in its annual travel fair than last year’s P50-million gross sales, as it will be in conjunction with the Philippine Meetings, Incentive Travel, Conventions, Exhibitions/Events Conference (MICECON).

This was bared by Rizia Ivy Tan, president of the Davao City Travel Agencies Association (DTAA) during the regular Club 888 media forum.

She said the fourth Davao Mega Travel Sale, which will be held at the SMX Convention Center on March 7-10, is in partnership with the MICECON. The MICECON, which will be held on March 6 to 9 in the same venue, is the country’s premiere tourism

JOBS Academy:

event to consolidate and strengthen all sectors involved in the MICE industry.

Inviting foreign delegates for the first time, the 2013 MICECON expects at least 200 delegates, some of them coming from Australia, Singapore and Hong Kong, Tan said.

MICECON participants will have a series of industry-related educational sessions on the latest travel updates, the newest destinations and information on the current trends and the future of tourism from some of the most respected speakers in the Philippine travel sector, the DTAA said.

The 2013 Davao Mega Travel Sale will host 25 exhibitors with 20

FTRAVEL, 11

Job guaranteed 100%, or your money back

By Che Palicte

J

OBS ACADEMY, a relatively new college in Davao, is offering a program like no other.

In a nutshell, it is:”100% Job Guaranteed or Your Money Back!.”

“We want to strengthen our commitment of giving our students 100 percent job guarantee.

We want to be of real service to the Filipino youth,” Ms Belinda Laya Torres, Jobs Academy president, told reporters in a recent media forum.

As proof that Jobs Academy is in no way gagging about its program, school officials will sign a contract with the students’ parents stipulating that the school will reimburse their tuition

fees covering first year up to their last year in school if they fail to find a job after graduation with the help of the school.

To avail of the 100 percent job placement or your money back guarantee, students will only have to garner a passing grade in the Academy’s degree programs. The same applies to students under the Academy’s diploma courses who are given 100 percent job placement assistance. In addition, these students must be job-fit and jobready.

The degree programs of JoBS Academy approved by the Commission on Higher Education

FJOBS ACADEMY, 11

VOL.5 ISSUE 247 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15-16, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

SUPPORT. Members of the Davao City Council of Women, farmer’s organizations, business sectors and Karanchos (Riders’ group) showed their support for Cynthia Villar in a motorcade signalling the opening salvo of the senatorial campaign last February 12.

Air carriers face P50-T fine for non-use of aerobridges

By EJ Dominic Fernandez

A

IR Carriers face a hefty fine of P50,000 if they refuse to use aerobridges in the Davao International Airport, as mandated by the “cease and desist” order signed

by Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Director General Capt.

John Andrews, effective as of January 24, 2013.

Regional Development Council (RDC) 11 vicechair Vicente Lao asked Edge Davao yesterday to inform both the public and the airline carriers that not using the aerobridges for passengers in the airport is already illegal merits the fine.

The cease and desist order states that the utilization of the aerobridge

is not only for the convenience of passengers but also for the promotion of aviation safety and security.

Lao explained that this order addresses complaints by senior citizens last year about having difficulty climbing up and down flights of stairs so that airlines can save money.

Because of the complaints, the RDC passed a resolution addressed to CAAP requesting for action on the matter.

Lao also said that a lot of improvements in the Davao International Airport’s facilities, sanitation, breakdown of equipment-like the non-functioning escalator not being re-

paired the last couple of months.

“This is not a good impression for Davao tourism, that’s why it is very important to improve the airport,” he said.

There is a House bill filed by Congresswoman Mylene J. Garcia-Albano of Davao City’s 2nd district to declare the Davao International Airport a separate authority, like Mactan International Airport Authority.

“So, in that way, it becomes a separate corporation under its own charter and it can move and decide things on its own instead of being dictated to by Manila,” Lao said.

“That would be a big boost to the development

FEDCO launches cacao-banana center

T CHANGING OF THE GUARD. Vice Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte (center) proposes a toast to Japanese consuls Kazuhiko Anzai (2nd from left) and Koichi Ibara (2nd from right) during the farewell and welcome party for the outgoing consul Anzai and incoming consul Ibara at the Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao in Lanang, Davao City Wednesday night. Also in the photo are the wives of both consuls. Lean Daval Jr.

of our airport and tourism because then we can already improve our airport as much as we want to help the region attract investments and tourism.”

Cebu’s Mactan Airport already has this sovereignty, and Lao is hopeful that the DIA will also have the same, addling, “Cebu and Mactan have got it, there is no reason we cannot have it, too.”

Lao admits that this may take some time as it will still have to undergo due process “As to when the DIA Authority will become a reality, your guess is as good as mine as this is an election year. But but let’s hope for the best,” he said.

HE Cacao-Banana Agri-Enterprise Development (CBAED) project of The Federation of Cooperatives in Mindanao (FEDCO) has paid off with the launching of CBEC (Cacao-Banana Extension Center) in barangay Balaguna, Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte in partnership with Balagunan Pioneer Multipurpose Cooperative (BAPIMCO), one of FEDCO’s CBEC co-operators.

The CBEC which was launched recently, is only one of four CBECs under FEDCO’s CBAED project in partnership with

ACDI/VOCA, which aims to promote banana–cacao inter-cropping to help small banana growers recover from huge losses due to a downtrend in the industry.

ACDI/VOCA, an international non-profit organization that implements the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)-funded CoCoPal(Coconut, Cacao, and Palay) Integrated Farming Systems Project in Mindanao, partnered with FEDCO to help small banana growers.

The CBEC also serves

FFEDCO, 11

EDGEDAVAOVOL.5 ISSUE 247 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15-16, 2013

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SUBURBIA

DavNor Prov’l. Tourism Council reactivated, vows to bounce back

T

HE Provincial Tourism Council of Davao del Norte vowed to bounce back and become more active in promoting tourism in the province now that it has been reactivated.

“People may perceive the Tourism Council as inactive but in reality we are working on the tourism guidelines for the Tourism Code of the province,” Provincial Tourism Council president Araceli Ayuste said.

Ayuste admitted that the Council has not been very active primarily because it was waiting for the Tourism Code.

“We need the partnership of the government— we cannot be mobilized without the support of the government,” she said.

Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario called for the reactivation of the Council,

saying that “tourism is a private-led enterprise and we should move to reinvigorate tourism to contribute to the President’s target of 35 million domestic tourist arrivals by 2015.”

“Our job is to keep tourism rolling and keep pace with the national government’s tourism plan,” he said.

The existing officers of the Provincial Tourism Council, specifically the President (Ayuste) and Vice President (Dizon Namoag) were retained, pending the approval of the Provincial Tourism Code by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

One of the initial plans of the Council, which was supported by del Rosario, was the construction of a banana sculpture in the boundary of Panabo City and Davao del Norte.

[LOVELY A. CARILLO]

VOL.5 ISSUE 247 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15-16, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

Blood bank laboratory soon available in ComVal T

HE province of Compostela Valley will soon have a Blood Bank and Public Health Laboratory following the ground breaking ceremony and ceremonial laying of capsule held last February 8 at the Provincial Capitol Ground. The ceremony was graced by Asst. Regional Director Ma. So-

corro De Gracia of the Department of Health (DOH 11.

The groundbreaking heralded the start of construction for the first phase of the project using the initial P5.0-Million fund given by the DOH. The said health laboratory will cater to Comvalenyos and those in the nearby provinces

according to Provincial Health Officer Dr. Renato Basañes, is an P11-Million worth project.

Delivering the message of Governor Arturo T. Uy was Executive Asst.

IV Isabelo L. Melendres who said that the project is a necessary infrastructure to the province.

Aside from the P11 Million commitment of

DOH for the Blood Bank building construction, the province committed another P15 Million for the needed equipment.

This was revealed by Provincial Blood Program Coordinator Leonardo Merced, Jr. who further shared that the province’s counterpart is the project site development and labor component.

P245 million for Samal island infrastructure

T

HE Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS) will be allocated at least P245-million worth of infrastructure projects for 2013 mostly to be used in the upgrading of its road network.

This according to Department of Public Works and Highways Davao del Norte District Engineer Fernando Ongkingco Jr. which said that the allocation will be used to fund the improvement and upgrading of the city’s circumferential road.

The development of the road is identified as an infrastructure project support to IGaCoS being one of the tourist destinations in the country.

The project identification and budget allocation is based on the provisions of Republic Act 9593 (Tourism Act of 2009) which identifies infrastructure requirements in tourism areas to be accorded priority status in funding and implementation of said program.

City Mayor Aniano

Antalan said that the project will accelerate economic development and help uplift the living conditions in the island.

The City Engineer’s Office meanwhile has requested the support of barangay officials and land owners to cooperate in the granting of Road Right of Way (RROW) in order to hasten the implementation of the project.

Among the ongoing regular infrastructure projects in the island included the improvement/ concreting of the circumferential road located in Babak district to Barangay Tamboang which amounts to P100-million and is about 70% complete. Another road concreting project will link Babak to Barangay Caliclic and is estimated to cost P125- million.

Another ongoing road project is the concreting of the road junction at Babak Circumerential Road to Barangay Tambo with an allocation of P45-million. [PIA 11/RG Alama]

HE WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) Cluster has achieved an estimated 45 percent of its target intervention in communities affected by Typhoon Pablo in Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley two months after the typhoon.

The WASH Cluster, headed by the Department of Health and co-led

by UNICEF, met in Tagum City Wednesday to discuss what has been accomplished and what needs to be done when it comes to the provision of water, sanitation and hygiene in the affected areas.

“The WASH Cluster was able to achieve 88 percent of the planned water kit distribution and 70 percent of the hygiene kit distribution,” UNICEF National WASH Cluster Coordinator Rory Villaluna said.

She said the WASH Cluster also achieved approximately 12 percent of toilet construction, water tinkering, restoration of community water systems, mobilization of water treatment units and setting up of water bladders and storage tanks.

Villaluna said a total of 635 gender-segregated la-

READINESS. OIC-Provincial Information Officer Romulo Tagalo stresses the importance of community-level readiness, during the Oplan ANDAM (Advocacy on Natural Disasters Awareness and Management) orientation in Sawata, San Isidro, Davao del Norte. [Ondoy Laguitao]

PNP 12 HQ moving to Koronadal City

P

HILIPPINE National Police (PNP) Director General Alan Purisima has approved the transfer to nearby Koronadal City of the Police Regional Office 12’s headquarters and other services offices.

Chief Supt. Charles Calima Jr., acting Region 12 police director, said he received a directive from

the PNP chief to draw out a plan for the transfer or relocation of their regional offices in Barangay Tambler, General Santos City to a new site in Koronadal City, the regional seat of Region 12.

“He (Purisima) discussed the matter with me and gave instructions to finalize the details (of the transfer) the soonest

trines have also been constructed for the affected communities. She added that at least 600 more gender-segregated latrines are still in the pipeline for communities in CARAGA and some parts of Southern Mindanao.

The immediate response of the WASH Cluster was identified as one of the reasons why up to now, there has been no reported and confirmed outbreak of diarrhea in the typhoon-affected areas.

“We are thankful that despite the shortage of water and toilets in Compostela Valley and Davao

Oriental, there was no reported outbreak of diarrhea,” DOH Engineer Rex Labadia said.

Labadia there were some diarrhea cases in the area but these are considered normal and not an outbreak since these happened even before Typhoon Pablo.

He said DOH gave Hyposol to barangay health workers in the said areas so even with the absence of water kits or potable water sources in the area, the residents used the disinfectants for their drinking water.[LOVELY A. CARILLO]

WASH intervention now at 45% months after Pablo T

possible time,” he said in a statement.

Calima said Purisma wanted the transfer to push through since a budget has already been set aside for such purpose.

Once realized, the police official said the PNP will develop their existing headquarters in this city into a training facility.

Koronadal City Mayor Peter Miguel said the PNP chief decided to pursue the transfer of its regional offices to the area following a meeting last month.

He said Purisima specifically pledged to work out the relocation and personally asked the local government to facilitate the move.

Miguel said the police official requested the city’s assistance in finding a viable location for the new police regional base that would cover around 15 hectares.

The mayor described the impending transfer of the Police Regional Office 12 as a manifestation of the agency’s confidence in the city.

“It is a big boost to the city since the pronouncement was made by their highest ranking official,” he said.

The mayor assured the

PNP that the local government will provide all the necessary assistance to ensure the smooth transfer of its regional offices to the area.

Koronadal City was designated as Region 12’s regional center by virtue of Executive Order (EO) 304 issued in March 2004 by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arryo.

EO 304 also sets the immediate transfer of all regional line agencies from Cotabato City, the previous regional center, to Koronadal City.

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

At least 40 regional lines agencies have so far fully transferred in Koronadal City while 11 other offices and bureaus have established their satellite offices in the area.

The local government had established a regional center site in Barangay Carpenter Hill to facilitate the relocation of the regional offices. [Allen V. Estabillo/MindaNews]

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 247 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15-16, 2013 SCIENCE/ENVIRONMENT

5

First offspring of ‘Pag-asa’ hatched at Phil. Eagle Center

D

AVAO City- Pagasa (hope), the first captive-bred Philippine Eagle has finally sired an offspring after a long 21 years. This is the 25th Philippine eagle produced by the Philippine Eagle Foundation since 1992 and is the first offspring of a captive-bred Philippine eagle.

The chick hatched on February 9, 2013 and weighed 158 grams had to be assisted by Anna Mae Sumaya, the PEF’s curator for conservation breeding, to successfully break from the shell.

“The chick hatched from a breeched position so I had to help it to avoid damaging the vital veins that could potentially cause its death”, revealed Sumaya.

Normally, chicks pip through the upper part of the egg, the broad end, where the air space is located. But in this case, the chick started to crack the shell on its side. Sumaya decided to assist the chick to keep it hurting or even killing itself.

The chick completely

hatched at 1:55am, about 48 hours after it began to break its shell.

The eaglet, now fourdays old and in a healthy condition, comes from an eagle named “Kalinawan” (peace), a 29-year old female that was rescued from Zamboanga del Sur and turned over to PEF in 2009.

Kalinawan, already imprinted on humans when rescued, adapted well at the center and easily took on a human surrogate. She was inseminated with Pag-asa’s semen through cooperative artificial insemination.

This chick is, thus, the first of third of generation of Philippine eagles bred at the Philippine Eagle Center.

“This accomplishment underscores the fact breeding these birds in captivity remains difficult. We are certainly a long way off in coping with losses in the wild.

The Philippine eagles and their forest habitat continue to be imperiled by

man-made activities like logging, mining and other development projects”, Dennis Salvador, Executive Director of PEF said.

“While we celebrate this recent achievement, we are still worried about the fate of the Philippine eagles in the wild. We breed Philippine

lot of time, effort and resources to conserve this majestic species but we still need more help to really restore the Philippine eagles’ population and its natural habitat” Salvador said.

eagles to replace population losses in the wild but we are uncertain of their safety once they are released. They are constantly under threat of human persecution”, he added.

“We have invested a

Church group to DENR: Act on BFI’s violations DENR to finish WB-funded

T

HE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) should act on the alleged violations committed by the Bukidnon Forests Inc. (BFI) and its contractor in extracting pine tree resins instead of suggest ways on what should be done to legalize future extractions, an official of a Church-based environment group said Wednes-

QUIPS

day.

Belino Epie, of the Diocese of Malaybalay’s Diocesan Ecology Desk told the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro) should pursue the case against BFI and Luda Chemicals Inc. (LCI) based on existing laws.

Epie was reacting during the deliberation on the seizure of 500 sacks of resin from LCI last Jan. 30

‘THE decision for me to resign and let go is the President’s decision. I will continue doing what I need to do while I am still here because that is my job.’

- -S e c r e t a r y Virgilio delos Reyes of the Department of Agrarian Reform (PDI, February 5, 2013)

in Barangay Can-ayan here.

He said the discussion was veering away from the possible legal action that could be taken against BFI. BFI, holder of a 38,000-hectare Integrated Forest Management Agreement which expires in 2016, is being run by the Natural Resources Development Corporation (NRDC), the investment arm of the DENR. Epie, a former official at the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office, said the deliberation was meant to decide on what to do with the seized items, which he said were illegally collected for lack of permit.

“I think that’s the most important issue at hand… and also what actions to be taken against BFI,” he stressed.

Vergilino Alima, DENR Malaybalay chief, told MindaNews there were clear violations, but it would be up to the DENR regional office to determine prima facie evidence as their role is only recommendatory.

Alima asked BFI to take custody of the stocks subject to the review of the regional office. He explained that BFI, being an IFMA

holder, has responsibility over the stocks which were entrusted to Datu Sagubay, a tribal leader in Can-ayan.

“What we have discussed is a future action.

What do you intend to do about the present problem? They admitted they have no permit” Epie said.

He later said the DENR should confiscate the resins and LCI should stop the extraction.

Reynaldo Abordo, BFI general manager maintained their transaction was “aboveboard” and they violated no law. He said the extraction was based on the go signal of the DENR central office and a BFI board resolution.

But he admitted they had no permit and the extraction was not in their 2008-2012 operations plan.

DENR Undersecretary Ernesto Adobo Jr. is the president of BFI. The DENR secretary chairs the BFI board.

Epie said that despite the DENR’s go signal and the BFI board resolution the extraction still needed a permit and inclusion in BFI’s operations plan.

[Walter I. Balane/MindaNews]

surveys in R 12 by yearend

T

HE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 12 is targeting the completion before yearend of 13 ongoing cadastral projects in three provinces in the region.

Datu Tungko Saikol, DENR-12 acting regional executive director, said the cadastral projects cover13 municipalities in the region that were identified as among the beneficiaries for this year of the World Bank-funded National Program Support-Environment and Natural Resources Management Program (NPS-ENRMP).

He said the project, which cost around P110 million, was funded by the World Bank through the NPS-ENRMP. “It mainly involves the conduct of cadastral surveys on areas covered by the municipality-beneficiaries to facilitate proper land registration,” he said.

The official said the surveys cover the municipalities of Kabacan, Midsayap, Antipas, Tulu-

nan, and Pigcawayan in North Cotabato; Norala, Sto. Nino and Surallah in South Cotabato; and, Senator Ninoy Aquino, Lambayong, Kalamansig, Lebak and President Quirino in Sultan Kudarat.

Saikol said these projects were classified under “Category B” of the NPS-ENRMP, which is part of the agency’s priority land administration initiatives.

A “Category B” project consists of the establishment and survey of project control and PRS92 or the Philippine Reference System of 1992 Reference Control Points as well as the conduct of political boundary survey of all barangays in the entire municipality, he said.

A DENR briefer said cadastral surveys refer to the assessment of an entire municipality or city “for the purpose of identifying and delineating the individual claims of all land owners and claimants, and which will be the basis for the issuance of titles or patents.” [Allen V. Estabillo/MindaNews]

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THE ECONOMY

VOL.5 ISSUE 247 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15-16, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

DA’s policy shift ups, farmers’ income R

BREAKING FREE. Farmer-beneficiary Gamiel Portarcos says the assistance they have availed themselves of from DA-MRDP did not only increase their yield and income but also enabled them to break-free from unfair financial arrangements with non-formal lenders. [Sherwin Manual]

EFORMS in the Department of Agriculture (DA) have brought several positive results for the country’s agricultural sector.

“We aim not only to improve agriculture but also improve the way we do agriculture,” said DA Secretary Proceso J. Alcala in meeting with World Bank officials and stakeholders of Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP) held recently in Quezon City.

Under his watch, a record-breaking achievement of our staple food producers was attained in 2012.

“The harvest of over 18 million MT of palay and over 7 million MT of corn are the highest level we have ever attained. After making a 6% increase in 2011, palay harvest went up to over 8 % in 2012, the highest growth since the year 2000, significantly better than the 2.5% average growth rate from 2000 to 2010,” Alcala said.

He said among the policy shifts implemented in the last two and half years is the shift in emphasis from input subsidies to investments in strategic agri-fishery infrastructure.

These include frontloading irrigation projects; improve national-local costsharing arrangements and promoting aqua-silvi culture and mangrove rehabilitation.

Alcala said there was also a shift from rice import dependence to local procurement and promotion of food staple sufficiency camote,

cassava, bananas and other crops are used as food staples aside from rice and corn.

“For coconuts, we have signaled support for fresh non-traditional products like coco water, coco milk, virgin coconut oil, coco fiber and coconets even as we improve traditional copra-based products,” he said.

In fisheries, Alcala said there was a shift from unrestrained fishing to sustainable fishing through conservation of resource base and investments in ecological infrastructure.

“The successful closed season enforced by BFAR (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources) in Zamboanga for three months from December to February 2012 has already resulted in higher fish catch for our sardine industry.

This year, we have expanded the coverage to the Visayan sea,” he said.

For the livestock industry – the sector’s badge of excellence being avian flu-free and FMD-free, local livestock producers will benefit through the expansion of local and global markets.

“While we utilize more or less the same interventions, the difference lay in our delivery. First, we have restored the trust of our stakeholders in the department by communicating with them directly, understanding their needs and responding to these. And second, we delivered the appropriate interventions on time,” he said. (Noel T. Provido/DA-MRDP)

DTI generates P9.4B investments

T

HE investment promotion and financing facilitation initiatives of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Davao Region bolstered its investment generation in 2012.

The preliminary annual report of the agency revealed that these interventions pushed the investments to hit P9.455 billion, 13 percent higher than its annual target of P8.4 billion.

The financing facilitation services rendered by DTI-Davao Region brought in P43.826 million investments, generated through approved loans and grants for income-generating projects of 141 firms throughout the region.

Meanwhile, business consultancy services through the Board of Investments (BOI), City and Provincial Investments Promotion Centers, and

five offices of the National Economic Research and Business Assistance Center (NERBAC) generated total investments of P4.815 billion, including the top 10 investments last year.

Last year’s top 10 investments include the Southcrest Hotel Ventures, Incorporated (Kukum Davao), 8990 Housing Development Corporation (mass housing), Filinvest Land, Inc. (mass housing), two different projects of Communities Davao, Inc. (mass housing), Lorenzo Shipping Corp. (container shipping), DMC-Urban Property Developers, Inc. (mass housing), SM Hotels and Convention Corp.

(Park Inn Hotel), Igloo Supply Chain Philippines, Inc. (cold storage facility), and Franklin Baker Company, Philippines (processing plant for coconut specialty products. [DTI 11/Jen Mendoza]

THE ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 247 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15-16, 2013

7

Microtel Gensan opens for business

By Che Palicte Photos by Lean Daval Jr.

M

ICROTEL is an international chain of hotels under the Wyndham Hotel group with more than 330 properties worldwide and now they hve added a new branch in General Santos City which formally opened last Sunday.

Antonio Floirendo Jr. Chairman of Anflocor Group of Companies, spearheaded the ribbon cutting and unveiling ceremony of the event.

“As we mark the opening of Microtel General Santos, we assure that what we develop is a world class economy hotel that is guaranteed to offer affordable yet elegant accommodations for business and leisure,” Floirendo said.

Among the guests at the opening were Mindanao Development Authority Secretary Luwalhati Antonino, Mayor Darlene Custodio, Doña Nenita Floirendo, Father Angel Benavides who led the blessing of the hotel, local officials and business owners of General Santos City.

Meanwhile, Ali Makabenta, the hotel’s resident manager, said that they are following the Microtel International Standard by

Doña Nenita Floirendo (4th from right) and Mayor Darlene Magnolia Antonino Custodio cut the ribbon to officially open the ANFLOCOR - owned Microtel by Wyndham GenSan on Saturday. With them are Antonio “Tonyboy” Floirendo Jr., chairman of ANFLOCOR (5th from right); Ricardo “Ricky” Floirendo, senior vice pres-

ident of ANFLOCOR (ext. left), Microtel president and chief executive officer Jose Mari del Rosario (2nd from right) and Sec. Luwalhati Antonino of Mindanao Development Authority.

assuring the clients of good service.

“We have some Microtel staff from Manila and they’ve conducted training to our employees here in GenSan, so we are certain that our staff is welltrained,” Makabenta added.

She believes that they have the edge over other hotels because they are following strictly the International standard of Microtel abroad. “With the brand, we will make sure that we will give a comfortable stay for our guests,” she added.

Makabenta said they are planning to put up a swimming pool on the vacant lot beside the hotel.

“We came up with the plan of putting a swimming pool there so that it will attract local and foreign residents to enjoy a weekend getaway,” she added.

Microtel by Wyndham resident manager Ali Makabenta (4th from right of back row) poses for a photograph together with the hotel staff and crew.

Microtel by Wyndham resident manager Ali Makabenta (3rd from right) poses with the hotel’s front desk staff.

(R-L) Microtel president and chief executive officer Jose Mari del Rosario, Sec. Luwalhati Antonino of Mindanao Development Authority, , Mayor Darlene Magnolia Antonino Custodio, Doña Nenita Floirendo and Ricardo “Ricky” Floirendo, senior vice president of ANFLOCOR.

8 VANTAGE POINTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 247 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15-16, 2013

Valentine Hottie

K

EDITORIAL

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Media as absentee voters

HERE is a welcome development in some electoral reforms for the coming mid-term elections. One particular laudable change is the inclusion of members of the media under the category of absentee voters.

Resolution 9637 allows the media to vote with local absentee voters. That means, media practitioners will have three days within which to cast their vote, more than a week ahead of the May 13 polls. To be precise, that would be from April 28 to 30. The resolution allows for the media to cast their vote at the provincial, regional or city election offices where they are registered as voters.

For media to vote as absentee voters, their mother companies must submit a list of journalists who will be on duty on Election

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Day. The list will then be reconciled with the list of registered voters.

Journalists, however, must follow the classification provided by the Comelec. The resolution covers only print journalists, online journalists, radio journalists, documentary makers, tv and radio production staff. We understand that the list is exclusive and no one should make his own interpretation of the rules. It is for the Comelec to decide whether one falls under the classification.

This move by Comelec should allow for media to work freely on Election Day without having to worry about their assignments.

With an unhampered attention, the media will have more time to focus their attention on acting as the watchdogs of the people, especially in this very important democratic exercise.

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

ALBERTO DALILAN Managing

NEILWIN L. BRAVO Sports and Motoring ARLENE D. PASAJE Cartoons

RAMON M. MAXEY Consultant

KENNETH IRVING K. ONG Creative Solutions

GREGORIO G. DELIGERO Associate

LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. • JOSEPH LAWRENCE P. GARCIA Photography

EJ DOMINIC FERNANDEZ • CHE D. PALICTE Reporters

ANTHONY S. ALLADA • AQUILES Z. ZONIO Staff Writers

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( Conclusion )

I S S their neck The neck is very sensitive, but it is often overlooked during foreplay.

If you want to get your Valentine in the mood ask them to lie on their front. Start by kissing their neck with gentle pecks. If you hear their breathing quicken then you can kiss more intensely, mixing up the speed and pressure. If they seem to be enjoying this attention, then you can take this a step further by whispering something naughty in their ear or kissing their earlobe. You can also lick the ears. The feel of the hot tongue on the ears can be a real turn on.

Get out the apron The promise of good food has always been an easy way into another’s heart; and an easy way into their bed.

So prepare a light healthy dinner. I stress on the light dinner because you both are suppose to enjoy each other after dinner and not fall asleep because you’re too stuffed! Don’t forget the wine of course. Now, it depends on how you’re going to prepare your dinner too. You have so many options to choose from: a) wear nothing but an apron when preparing dinner b) wear something really skimpy while preparing dinner c) YOU be the plate…let your partner “eat” on you (if you’re going to do this please serve fruits and chocolates…nothing too fancy because it might really get messy and lessen the “sexiness” of the scenario) d) do your foreplay while having dinner and continue the act in the bedroom e) Round 1: start and end in the kitchen; of course there should be a Round 2 while having a bath together and Round 3 whatever room you end up in!!!

Top of the World The view on top can be invigorating especially if there’s a woman on top! To make things even steamier wear a mini skirt or a sexy dress. Then, when you’re on top you can flash him.

He’ll love not being able to have you completely and you’ll love seeing him getting turned on.

Photo shoot We all know that guys love to look at naked girls, but it turns out women like a cheeky photo too. To make this Valentine’s memorable, visit a professional photographer and get them to take some seductive snap shots of you. Make sure they are credible first.

If you’d prefer you can go with your partner and have pictures taken of you both. If you choose to go alone, once the photos have been developed you can hide the pictures in places that only your partner will find.

Go shopping Shopping may not sound like the best way to turn each other on, but lingerie shopping will get you both off.

Choose shops you are comfortable going into and don’t take it too seriously.

To make this shopping trip a little raunchier take your guy into the changing room with you. Obviously check with the shop assistants first. He’ll love seeing you dress up somewhere new.

So, there’s the tips for a hot valentine’s day! Some may sound crazy but you know what’s important is that you both get crazily turned on from doing these acts of love, lust and sweetness!

Wishing everyone an unforgettable Valentine! Happy Heart’s Day!

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 247 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15-16, 2013

I

Tradition, novelty and the pope

NSTITUTIONS need to evolve over time. Institutions must rely on their traditions. These two statements may sound irreconcilable, but institutions – companies, hospitals, government agencies, schools, political systems, churches – can only thrive if they manage both to change and to remain true to their principles. In his surprising resignation, Pope Benedict XVI has given an example of the right balance.

Of course, the Catholic Church is special. It is especially large, especially ancient and especially international, as well as theologically presumptuous about its relations with an unseen heavenly power.

The Church on earth, however, faces the same challenges as any long-standing organisation. Others can learn from Benedict’s decision to break with a tradition of nearly 600 years.

By Catholic standards, the tradition that popes always die in office was relatively new. There were several resignations during the Church’s first 14 centuries, and long after the last pope stepped down, in 1415, papal non-retirement was not so much a hallowed tradition as a fact of life. Official retirements were rare in all occupations, and almost unheard of among kings, who were considered roughly the secular equivalents of the pope.

Times change. Retirement is now standard, even obligatory, in developed countries. Democracy, with its limited terms of office, has become the standard form of government. To some extent, the Vatican changed with the times. A bishop is now required to offer his resignation on his 75th birthday. The pope usually accepts the offer.

But until Monday, the Bishop of Rome was in a special category. Over the last two centuries, the once accidental tradition of a life sentence had become a quasi-doctrine. While the pope’s unique posi-

O

tion as Vicar of Christ, able to speak infallibly under certain circumstances, did not preclude the retirement of individual popes, a retreat from the grand and great office seemed somehow unimaginable.

Benedict has used his papal authority to declare this quasi-doctrine null and void. Catholics will debate the ecclesiological meaning of his decision, but everyone can learn from his willingness to break with a well-established tradition.

For the history of the papal non-retirement is all too typical of institutions.

What begins unconsciously becomes a tradition, and the tradition eventually takes on a meaning of it its own.

It takes a bold leader to discern when the practice has outlived its usefulness.

I see three institutional lessons.

First, leaders need to look to the heart of their institutions. Which traditions are crucial? Which principles are inviolable?

There are no obvious answers to such questions. It is hard to determine what is truly important, and harder to know what to do about it. Sometimes bold decisions are needed, but something essential may be lost when a tradition is boldly abandoned. If Benedict’s resignation makes the papacy look like just another job, Catholics may eventually judge his decision harshly.

Or, to take an example from a quite different sort of institution, it is too early to judge the effect of the Chinese Communist Party’s decision to accept capitalists as members. The redefinition of the

ruling CCP’s nature – from revolutionary vanguard to political elite – may have made the country stronger, or it may have emptied the party of the purity of intent that keeps leaders honest.

Second, humility is helpful. If Benedict had criticised his predecessors or complained that the burden of the job was unfairly hard, many Catholics schooled in the old ways would have judged his decision arbitrary or self-serving. By presenting himself as weak and the Church as in need of strength, he made it clear that his only concern was the good of the entire institution.

Such humility rarely comes easily to politicians and corporate leaders, who are usually much happier to think of management in heroic terms, with themselves in the roles of heroes. Aggressively charismatic leadership is sometimes helpful, but leaders are supposed to serve institutions. Runaway egos get in the way, since decisions made out of pride and overconfidence often undermine rather than strengthen.

Finally, a leader’s small gesture can have a large effect on a large institution.

Benedict’s retirement is small; it does not alter the theology of the papacy, let alone the Church’s many controversial teachings. But his act has undercut the notion, held by many critics of the Roman Church, that popes are dictators who cling to their personal power. Truly, a sincere gesture can be worth a thousand words.

I have a suggestion for the secular world. Let corporate leaders demonstrate the power of the gesture by demanding sharp pay cuts for themselves. Reductions of 50 or even 80 percent would have little effect on either corporate profit or executives’ spending power. But the unilateral decision to give up some measure of financial power would garner great respect, both inside and outside the corporate world. Call it a Benedict-manoeuvre.

crossed my mind. “ Yo u - y o u mean, the gulf in Davao?”

“Yes, your Davao Gulf !”

W i l d thoughts of so many fishermen in little bancas with long nylon lines at Davao Gulf waiting for a tuna to bite the fish bait, crossed my mind though, but I imagine the coast guard chasing those fishermen away once our local Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources put up its own local ban if this bit of tuna news hits the national and local papers.

I don’t know if Jake is also eyeing the next tuna fishing ground in Davao Gulf, but from our day tour of the tuna industry in General Santos and all the hundreds of fresh tuna we saw arriving from the tuna boats in a single morning there, I think he got enough supply for his tuna processing plant at Tambler

near the huge, world-class tuna fish port.

For a big tuna processor like Jake and perhaps many other smaller processors here, the business of tuna doesn’t just stopped at exporting the fresh and frozen tuna to Japan, US and Europe, It certainly doesn’t stopped at just turning them into flakes and chunks and sealing them in cans.

Because this country these days have so many culinary schools churning out thousands of new chefs and culinary experts yearly, some of them found their way in the tuna industry here and began creating some of the best tuna recipes you could find.

Jake’s platoon of culinary experts are turning out things like tuna burger, tuna ham, tuna siomai, tuna tucino, tuna longganisa, tuna embutido, tuna fillet, tuna belly, tuna cubes, tuna crazy cuts, and even turning out cooked tuna meals like bicol express, tuna mechado, tuna adobo, tuna caldereta, etc, all packed in world-class packages that can compete with the world’s best.

(Comments? Email me at – tradingpost_davao@yahoo.com)

Is there tuna at the Davao Gulf?

NE COULD’NT tell whether it was said in jest or giving away a secret, but chairman emeritus Jake Lu of Citra Mina Seafood Group sounded serious enough when he revealed to us that most of the tuna they used to catch at Celebes Sea are either hiding or roaming in the waters of Davao Gulf.

I was traveling with a group of Japanese consultants working for Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) recently and given a whole day tour of the tuna industry in General Santos City by the Department of Trade and Industry.

Asked whether the recently-lifted global tuna ban helped boost the population of this highly-sought fish in the “tuna highways” of Mindanao, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, Lu brightened up and grinned widely, “They’re all there at the Davao Gulf !”

As a long-time Davao resident who spends weekends at the beaches of nearby Samal island which sits right smack in the middle of the Gulf, the thought of big schools of tuna swimming beneath the choppy waves as the vehicle-laden ferry boat goes to the island--- never

VANTAGE POINTS

9

Nurturing the seed of peace OPINION

BY MENARDO WENCESLAO

T

HE visit of Pres. Benigno Aquino Jr., in the MILF Camp in Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat and the MNLF campaign against the Abu Sayyaf terrorist groups are two dramatic developments that had radically changed the landscapes in the Bangsamoro Land. The twin events seemed to have abbreviated the long road to peace and the protracted campaign against the Abu Sayyaf bandits.

President Aquino made an intrepid stride into the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Camp where his predecessors fear to tread. He did not assert his authority for frankly he need not to, but he has more than demonstrate the immensity of his presence as President of the Republic of the Philippines and that includes the Bangsamoro people.

One meaningful statement made by the President is his assurance that the isolation of Mindanao, most specifically the conflict areas in the autonomous region, will now be addressed.

The giving of health cards to those who were present during the reception ceremonies may just be a small gesture but we believe that that signals the initial delivery of government services to the people long deprived of genuine government attention.

For it is a shame that while Metro Manila and other metropolises in Luzon are swamped with all the modern infrastructures and opportunities, the Bangsamoro land and the rest of Mindanao to include the island provinces of Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Basilan have to fend for themselves. Where these iniquities exist struggles lead to strife which had been the way in many parts of Mindanao.

Now, President Aquino set foot in what is perceived to be a volatile region. He just delivered an eloquent message to the investors that it is now time to engage the Bangsamoro people into partnerships.

Building trust is a slow and difficult process however this is the way partnerships are made. It will even be a more challenging task given the divisiveness and conflicts that happened in many parts of the autonomous regions. We are not referring solely to the armed confrontations between the government forces and the secessionist fronts and neither are we referring to the cultural and religious differences, but also on the deep-seated animosities between clans and tribes.

The daunting task of reconciliation must run parallel to the quest for peace. There is an overwhelming confidence that following the signing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro and all the positive events that come after the unprecedented pact the path to peace, reconciliation and development is now paved with enthusiasm and confidence and trust.

The visit of President Aquino in Darapanan ushers in a new dawn of amity, unity and hope for a better and productive life in Mindanao. This seed of peace must be nurtured by every Filipino.

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EDGEDAVAO

Mr. Sipag at Tiyaga and Mrs. Hanapbuhay: A love story

I

T was not love at first sight, but that hasn’t been a problem for the political couple popularly dubbed “Mr. Sipag at Tiyaga” and “Mrs. Hanapbuhay.”

In fact, senatorial candidate and former Las Pinas Rep. Cynthia Villar said the love between her and husband Senator Manny Villar is better. “We were classmates in college, we graduated from the same school, we share so many interests,” Villar said in an interview with Yahoo! Southeast Asia.

“I guess our love was not at first sight--it was developed so it’s better,” she added.

The power pair, both business administration graduates of the University of the Philippines, are also partners in growing their company. The Villars are now considered among the wealthiest politicians in the country, owing to their successful real estate ventures.

“We have been supportive of each other since the start of our marriage... We work together,” Villar said. She added she also had been beside her husband since

he ran as Las Pinas congressman in 1992 until he ran for the top position in the land in 2010.

“And now that I’m going into politics and he’s moving to private life, he’s very supportive of me,” Villar said.

Even the nicknames they used in their campaigns matched, with Manny being “Mr. Sipag at Tiyaga (Mr. Hard Work and Perseverance)” and Cynthia “Mrs. Hanapbuhay (Mrs. Jobs),” riding on her nationwide job creation drive.

Their relationship has grown so strong, Villar said, that she seems certain they can withstand any storm that may blow their way.

Not even her husband’s loss to President Benigno Aquino III in the last polls shook their marriage, Villar said. In fact, the senatorial bidder said they’ve been through worse.

“I think the 2010 election is not our worst experience together. I think the recession of 1997 is much worse,” Villar said.

“I told him that life has been very gracious to you... If [God] doesn’t give you the presidency,

POLITICAL COUPLE. It was not love at first sight, but that hasn’t been a problem for the political couple popularly dubbed “Mr. Sipag at Tiyaga” and “Mrs. Hanapbuhay.”

you have nothing to complain about,” she added.

“We have overcome that and we will overcome everything,” Villar said.

But the mother of three children (at least one of whom also joined politics) said the secret to their happy married life is simple. “I guess

it’s common interest and maybe true love for each other, and patience with each other,” Villar said, Despite their busy lives, Villar said they make it a point to spend time alone as a couple.

To unwind, Mrs. Hanapbuhay said she goes home to watch TV,

read and have a regular massage--but also to watch movies with her husband.

“Senator Villar is fond of comedies and I like action, so we [watch both],” Villar said. Asked if she ever gets lonely, Villar paused for a moment, enumerated what she

does to get lift her spirits but suddenly thought of a better answer.

“I guess if you have a partner there’s no real loneliness,” Villar said.”...

When you’re lonely you can rely on your husband to be with you so it’s not so bad,” she added. [Yahoo!]

ALAYSIAN security forces have surrounded about 100 armed men believed to be from a breakaway rebel faction in the southern Philippines, Malaysian police and a government official said on Thursday, but a Philippine official said they were unarmed Filipinos who had been promised land.

The standoff in Malaysia’s eastern Sabah state threatened to stir tension between the Southeast Asian neighbours whose ties have been periodically frayed by security and migration problems caused by a porous sea border.

Malaysian police said in a statement that the situation was “under control”, but did not say whether the men had agreed with a request to surrender.

“We are dealing with 100 armed foreigners from the southern Philippines. The army and the police have cordoned off the place where these foreigners are waiting,” a high-ranking Malaysian government source with direct knowledge of the

situation told Reuters.

He said the gunmen were suspected to be from a faction unhappy with the Philippines’ recent peace deal with the main Muslim rebel group in southern Mindanao island.

A senior Philippine military official dismissed the Malaysian account of the group, saying they were unarmed Filipinos who had been promised land in Sabah.

He said a meeting over the land claim had attracted a large crowd and drawn the attention of Malaysian authorities.

“We know that these people arrived there five days ago and most of them are from nearby islands,” the official, who asked not to be identified, said.

“Some of them were already residents in Sabah for a long time and they normally cross the border without any problem.”

The number of illegal Muslim immigrants from the impoverished southern Philippines has surged in recent decades, stirring social tensions with indigenous Christian inhabitants in Sabah. [Reuters]

Philippines Catholics hope, pray for Asia’s first pope M

W

ITH attention turning from Europe to the “new” world, worshippers in the

Philippines prayed quietly and took to social media on Tuesday in the hope their cardinal might

be chosen as the next leader of the world’s 1.2 billion Roman Catholics.

Many Catholics in the

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle anoints the sick with holy oil during a mass for World Day of the Sick at the Espiritu Santo Church in Manila, February 11, 2013. [REUTERS]

Philippines, the largest Christian community in Asia, were shocked by Pope Benedict’s resignation, including their charismatic leader, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle.

“Pope Benedict XVI’s renunciation of the ministry as Bishop of Rome on February 11, 2013 came as a surprise,” Tagle said in a statement.

“The announcement also brought sadness to us. We felt like children clinging to a father who bids them farewell,” he said, praising Benedict’s “humility, honesty, courage and sincerity”.

Stunning as it was, Benedict’s resignation has thrown the papal spotlight outside the Church’s European heartland, now home to only 25 percent of the Catholic population.

The post once reserved for Italians is now open for all, although about half the cardinals who will vote for the next pope after Benedict’s reign ends on February 28 are from Europe.

[Reuters]

Versions differ in Malaysia, Philippines border standoff

11

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 247 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15-16, 2013

UNA getting desperate -- LP

A

N administration lawmaker Thursday said the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) Party is being wracked by defections this early due to “its lack of a coherent platform of governance.”

“The campaign is just a day old, and UNA is already talking about disciplining some of its candidates,” said Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone in a statement emailed to the Philippines News Agency.

This developed as former Senator Jamby Madrigal said the “Tuwid na Daan” platform embodied by “Team PNoy” of the Liberal Party (LP) “is a true winner in the people’s hearts.”

“The tsunami of popular support for PNoy (President Benigno Aquino III) and his team is a reflection of the President’s sterling governance,” said Madrigal during a campaign sortie in San Pablo City.

“President Aquino’s mere endorsement ensures a 12-0 victory. Trapo (traditional politicians) politics based on personalities and personal attacks has gone the way of the dinosaur. UNA should be scared,” she said.

Evardone described the UNA as “desperate” for suggesting that President Aquino has been using his office to gain an unfair advantage over his political opponents. [PNA]

will deploy marshals to oversee the parade and, if necessary, ask candidates joining it to pull out by way of strictly implementing what are included in the guidelines.”

“Candidates and poli-

ticians in the crowd may be recognized, but they can’t go up the stage or join the parade, except if they have permission or the authority to do so from the city mayor,” he added.

ental Provincial Police Office and Governor Generoso Municipal Police Station arrested three drug personalities who yielded P1-million worth of shabu during two raids in the hinterlands of Barangay Kabebe, Gov. Generoso.

Rosales said the suspects had nothing to do

with politicians in the area, but confirmed that their cohorts may have come from Cotabato City identified as the source of shabu.

Last September, Rosales was quoted as saying that they were monitoring reports on the existence of narco-politics in the region.

sector, citing the event’s theme: “Making your travel ideas into corporate experience!”

Discounted by 30 to 50 percent, local tour packages to be offered at the travel sale may range from P2,000 to P2,500 per person, minimum of six persons, Tan said.

She cited that there will also be tour packages from the city to anywhere abroad for as low as $50, inclusive of tour and hotel, sans plane tickets.

Most of the discounted plane tickets, she explained, will be a “pay now, travel later” promo, noting that travel periods will begin

from May onwards.

Tourism Malaysia and Sabah Tourism offices will join the mega travel sale, while the Singapore Tourism Board will support the event only by distributing souvenir items and brochures, Tan said.

She said that for four consecutive years, the travel sale has partnered with Cebu Pacific as the official airline sponsor, while other airlines – such as Southeast Asian Airlines, Tiger Airways and AirAsia – have been supporting the event.

[Lorie Ann A. Cascaro / MindaNews]

Authority (TESDA) are Diploma in Programming Technology and Hardware Servicing, Diploma in Multimedia Design and Animation, and Diploma in Events Management.

“Our concern for our

students exceeds more than our concern for business,” Torres added.

Torres believes that through this new initiative they can contribute to the employment demands of Davao City and the country as well.

Araw ng Dabaw...

FFROM 1

certain candidates or political parties will be confiscated, or, if necessary, the participating group responsible for the act will be removed from the parade line.

Escarilla said they

PDEA...

FFROM 1

rested barangay and municipal councilors involved in illegal drugs but they could not be considered big fish or big-time.

“They were either only users or pushers, but only small-time,” he said.

The revelation came after joint operatives of PDEA, CIDG, Davao Ori-

Travel...

FFROM 2

member-travel agencies joining the fair with smaller booths compared to 50 exhibitors last year, she said.

“We will have smaller booths, but bigger markets,” she stressed.

Fraz Pasquil, DTAA vice president, also a forum guest, said they are positive about the results as they are in partnership with an international event, the first for DTAA. “It’s a very big opportunity for us to sell our local travel packages and to support the city’s tourism destinations,” he told reporters, adding that target clients will be more of the corporate

JOBS Academy...

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(CHED) are Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) and Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT); while the diploma courses approved by the Technical Education and Skills Development

Mutya ng Dabaw bets nix X mark on houses

By EJ Dominic Fernandez

H

AVING “Kapayapaan” (peace) as the main theme of the 76th Araw ng Dabaw, the 15 finalists for Mutya ng Davao presented their advocacies at the iSpeak press forum yesterday, but thumbed down the Davao City Police Office’s (DCPO) plan to mark with an “X” houses of suspected drug pushers.

The 15 beauties they are against it saying that suspected criminals are people too who can change and deserve a second chance.

They had other things on their mind, though. Like personal advocacies if given a chance to make it to the top five of the Mutya ng Davao competition.

Armida Glaiza Talaugon, of barangay 9-A advocates tourism through cyber space or the World Wide Web, as a web developer herself, to help the socio-economic status of the city.

Sheilby Jill Barrera of Talomo wants the youth to engage in livelihood education to become globally competitive in facing the challenges of life.

Regine Terza Fondevilla of barangay Bucana 76-A, wants to educate the youth against drug addiction, and by doing so help to minimize the illegal drug problem in the city.

As an Information Technology (IT) graduate, Glecille Anne Moreno of Panacan wants to teach children skills related to IT. Richelle Luzille Deli-

FEDCO...

gero of Boulevard wants to uphold the rights of the women in the city as this is her passion.

Angeline Nicole Morales of Catalunan Grande wants to focus on disaster management preparations because Mindanao is not a typhoon free zone anymore.

As a political science student, Christian Gioan Alba Yurag of Crossing Bayabas, Toril advocates social change through youth empowerment by teaching the Sanggunian Kabataan knowledge on policy implementation to help them manage their own community.

Kristine Angelle Estoque of Matina Crossing will focus on giving proper information on maternal healthcare for women to help lower mortality rate among them.

Czarina Riza Marante of Crossing Bayabas, Toril advocates for children’s health by enforcing and strengthening the children-related programs of the Department of Health.

Leonor Cadavas of Crossing Bayabas, Toril, a graduate of tourism management, will focus on the environment through environmental conservation and rehabilitation “because we don’t have huge infrastructures in the city to invite tourists, but we have the environment which we should preserve for our future generation.”

Charmaine Bless Shotwell of Catalunan Grande would like to help people

who are being bullied by advocating for an anti-bullying campaign.

Agelli Mae Balladares of Dumoy, Toril advocates for flood prevention education saying, “We focus on the big steps and we forget the small things that we could do which could help a lot.”

Fila Guia Hidalgo of Sto Nino advocates is for protection of the environment, saying, “We all blame big things as reasons for the destruction of the environment such as mining, but it’s actually the small things that count like solid waste management which means segregating the garbage properly.”

Lery Stephanie Bautista of Matina is not ashamed to tell that she used to be overweight because she advocates for health and fitness and that people, especially women, must learn to “embrace themselves” and avoid anorexia and bulimia because, according to her, “Skinny is not sexy, being fit and healthy is sexy.”

Shiela Mae Torino of Buhangin, as a student, would also like to advocate for the education of her fellow students by “turning vision into reality through creation of programs for the students to help them to face life.”

The talent show of the Mutya ng Dabaw will be held on February 20 and the semi-finals will be on Februrary 27 at the Abreeza Mall.

chair, Ambrosio T. Gludo led the launching of CBEC in Barangay Balaguna, Sto. Tomas.

Dalayon during the launching shared to the farmers the benefits of banana-cacao inter-cropping and how the CBEC and FEDCO could help BAPIMCO. Aside from putting up the nursery facilities, FEDCO is also looking forward for a partnership with BAPIMCO on its plan to export fermented cacao beans.

The other three CBECs that were already established with their corresponding co-operators are the following: CBEC with Magatos Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MARBMCO) as co-operator is in Purok 3, Magastos, Asun-

cion, Davao del Norte with a total land area of 83 hectares and now fully planted with Cavandish banana. 600 cacao seedlings were also planted at the 5-hectare coop’s common area.

CBEC with Wilfredo Olmilla as co-operator in Sitio Poge Pantaron Sto. Tomas Davao del Norte with a total land area of two hectares planted with Cavendish bananas, of which one hectare is intercropped with cacao where about 600 cacao seedlings were planted.

CBEC, with Jimmy Estimada as co-operator in Sitio Palibato Kimamon, Sto. Tomas Davao del Norte has a total land area of one hectare fully planted to Cavandish. About 562 seedlings were planted in the area.

FFROM 2

as training center of the farmers enrolled with the Farmer Field School (FFS), a component of the CBAED project aimed at teaching farmers the proper technology of growing and producing quality cacaos. The area is planted with Lacatan bananas and 600 cacao seedlings were planted in a one (1) hectare area that serves as a nursery.

The CBAED project in Barangay Balaguna, Sto Tomas started in November 13, 2012. Currently, it has established a nursery, specifically of cacao seedlings, and organic input facility. FFC beneficiaries in the area have also started applying the banana-cacao intercropping system in their respective farms.

FEDCO’s CEO, Ireneo D. Dalayon and BAPIMCO

12 SPORTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 247 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15-16, 2013

PRISAA National Games

EDGEDAVAO

Nerza wins second gold

By Neil Bravo

D

Anthony Nerza (left) won the 10,000m run and the 3,000m steeplechase gold medals while Sonny Wagdos (top) won the 5,000m run gold and Adrina Linao the men’s javelin throw.

AVAO Region’s best bet in athletics delivered again on Wednesday as Anthony Nerza clinched the gold in men’s 10,000 meter run in Day 3 of the Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) national collegiate games in Lingayen, Pangasinan.

Nerza, a Bachelor of Physical Education senior at Brokenshire College, breasted the tape alone in 33:23.2 for Davao Region’s 8th gold in the meet. Nerza was once the king of long distance in the PRISAA meet but he faded in the last edition of this event due to burnout as he ran weekly races in the local running circuit.

It was Nerza’s second gold in the three-day old meet after he won the gold in the men’s 3,000-meter

steeplechase.

Sonny Wagdoz also won the gold medal in the 5,000-meter run whie Adrian Linao took the javelin throw gold medal on Tuesday.

Davao Region now has 8 golds to trail overall leader Central Visayas and second-running Calabarzon.

Also in athletics, a daughter of a farmer from Bohol hogged the spotlight Thursday when she ruled the women’s 200-meter run in a victory that added to Central Visayas’ burgeoning gold medal collection.

The 20-year old Lorna Olarita, a graduating student from University of Southern Philippines Foundation in Cebu City, clocked 26.5 seconds to bag the women’s 200-meter run as she mesmerized

an appreciative morning crowd at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center here.

“Masaya po ako sa panalo. Nagpapasalamat po ako kay God dahil ibinigay pa rin nya sa akin ngayong graduating na po ako. Nagpapasalamat din sa family ko, at sa mga kaibigan sumuporta sa training ko,” said Olarita, whose father relies mainly on rice farming to support her and eight other sisters and brothers.

It was the third individual gold medal for Olarita, who had earlier won the 400-m run and the century dash, making her one of odds-on favorites to bag a Most Valuable Player award in the week-long tournament involving athletes from nearly 500 colleges and universities from the country’s 17 regions.

Clark Kent Anabieza of Jose Maria College, Emily Canada of Cor Jesu College, Erna Liwanan of Jose Maria College and Robert Mendez also of Jose Maria College in action during the ongoing 2013 National PRISAA Games in Lingayen, Pangasinan. The team is headed by Ronnie Tabudlong.

GSO, CEO down foes G No deal with Mbenga F

ORMER Los Angeles Laker DJ Mbenga will not be playing in the PBA afterall.

Negotiations between Ginebra San Miguel and Mbenga hit a snag on Thursday morning, leaving the Kings to turn to another prospect from the NBA D-League.

Mbenga’s Philippine agent, Sheryl reyes, told sports online network Spin.ph that the seven-foot Congolese-Belgian cannot commit to the request of Ginebra to fly in this weekend since there were pressing matters that he had to attend to in the US. “May mga inaasikaso pa kasi si DJ sa US, sa Feb-

ruary 22 pa siya magiging available,” Reyes said.

“Hindi niya kaya yung hinihiling ng Ginebra na ASAP.” A source from the Ginebra camp bared that with Mbenga out of the picture, the Kings’ coaches and officials have turned their sights to Vernon Macklin, a center for D-League side Rio Grande Valley Vipers.

The 6-10 Macklin was one of the players on Ginebra’s original list of prospects before the team’s negotiations with Mbenga picked up over the last three days.

Though Macklin is not under her wings, Reyes

feels the import will be a good choice for the Kings.

“Magaling yun,” was the short comment of Reyes, who is still optimistc that Mbenga will one day strut his wares in the PBA. “We can’t say that the negotiations have bogged down. Kasi pwede pa naman i-revive ng Ginebra or other teams yung talk with Mbenga,” said the female agent of the seven-year NBA veteran.

A formal offer has been sent to Macklin on Thursday, but even Ginebra officials doubt if he can make it in time for the Kings’ game against Petron on Sunday.

ENERAL Services Office (GSO) and City Engineer’s Office (CEO) turned back their respective foes yesterday in the Category B of the 76th Araw ng Dabaw- DACHEA Sportsfest Basketball Tournament at the Davao City Recreation Center Almendras Gym. GSO hacked out an 83 – 68 victory over City Treasurers Office while CEO clobbered City Health Office, 87 – 48.

Bernard Torrejos pumped in 24 points and Ronald Corales made 16

baskets as GSO cruised to its first victory in two outings following an opening game defeat.

CTO absorbed its second straight loss despite the superb showing of Michael Guevarra who scored 21 markers.

Banking on its highly-favored cast, CEO controlled the tempo of the match right from the start to notch its third consecutive win in as many games and take an early lead in the standing.

Smith Pilapil scored team-high 18 points for

CEO which was never threatened all game long.

Rey Aninion and Joseler Lim contributed 14 and 11 points respectively for CEO which kept CHO winless in three outings.

Oliver Laurente paced CHO with 21 points.

In Category C matches, City Veterenarian’s Office defeated City Cooperative Office, 57 – 53; IPSB downed Association of Barangay Captains, 72 – 50 and City Agriculturist’s Office routed Davao City Recreation Center, 71 – 38.

(Rico Biliran)

One of the fiercely fought matches in the DFC League last Sunday at the Davao Crocodile Park field. (DFC)

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 247 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15-16, 2013

SPORTS 13

Celtics rally past Bulls B

OSTON, Massachusetts – The Boston Celtics rallied in the fourth quarter to edge the Chicago Bulls 71-69 on Wednesday behind a strong defense and a 12-point performance from forward Kevin Garnett.

Garnett scored eight of his points in the final quarter and grabbed a total of 11 rebounds for the Celtics, who outscored the Bulls 30-20 over the final 13 minutes in front of a crowd of 18,624 at the TD Garden arena.

Brandon Bass finished with a game-high 14 points for the Celtics, who improved to 8-1 since all-star guard Rajon Rondo was lost for the National Basketball Association season last month with a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

Marco Belinelli led Chicago with 12 points and Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer each recorded double-doubles in the loss.

Noah finished with 10 points and 16 rebounds while Boozer had 11 points and 11 rebounds for the Bulls, who have now lost four of their last five contests.

Boston star forward Kevin Garnett (left) goes one on one on the floor with Chicago’s Carlos Boozer.

“There are a lot of areas we want to clean up,” Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said.

“We have to get our energy up both offensively and defensively. We’re playing a low-energy game now.”

Belinelli scored with 44 seconds left in the fourth to cut the Celtics’ lead to 6766, but Garnett responded at the other end.

Boozer’s putback with 10 seconds on the clock

cut the Celtics’ lead to one, but Boston’s Paul Pierce nailed two free throws and the Bulls twice couldn’t connect on potential game-winning three-point attempts just before the fi-

nal buzzer.

Chicago shot just 36.5 percent from the floor and went three-of-17 from three-point range, with Boston hitting on only 36.8 percent of its field goal at-

tempts in the contest.

The Celtics, who are 20-9 at home and unbeaten in the last seven at TD Garden, lost another guard this week after Leandro Barbosa suffered a torn ACL.

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VOL.5 ISSUE 247 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15-16, 2013

Realty

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INdulge!

VOL.5 ISSUE 247 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15-16, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

STYLE

Photographer: AIDX PAREDES Assistant: MO JARAVELLO Clothes from BAUHAUS Location: BELISARIO HEIGHTS Models: ABEGAIL DE LOS REYES and RYAN MARQUIZO of GLAM MODEL HOUSE

By Kenneth Irving Ong

EVERYBODY has a pair of jeans that they love that they can pair with virtually anything, be it a fancy shirt, a coat, or just a regular t-shirt. And not only that, your pair of jeans stays with you for years similar to a long-time lover; familiar, comfortable, easy to be with; only that they are pieces of clothing.

Ever since Dabawenyos found denim, they have been in love with it. Given the city’s casual-going and relaxed attitude and combing it with the need for a goanywhere dress-up, denim is a mainstay of every Dabawenyo’s wardrobe.

FDENIM, A4

LEFT: On Abegail: Blouse by Cheap Monday, Jeans by Salad. On Ryan: Jeans and shoes by G Star Raw, Belt

by Tough all from Bauhaus.

RIGHT: On Abegail: Blouse by Cheap Monday, Jeans by Tough all from Bauhaus.

A2 INdulge!

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.5 ISSUE 247 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15-16, 2013

UP AND ABOUT

4th Phl Int’l Pyromusical Competition at SM Mall of Asia

ELEVEN of the world’s most renowned pyrotechnic artists will again dazzle Manila with a spectacular and never-before-seen fireworks exhibition when the 4th Philippine Pyromusical Competition takes place at the SM Mall of Asia.

Beginning every Saturday from February 16 to March 23, 2013 at 7pm, witness the brightest show on earth showcasing a breathtaking display of colors harmonized with electrifying music, happening at the only bayside mall in the country, SM Mall of Asia!

In last year’s Philippine Pyromusical Competition, Canada reigned supreme, while Australia and Finland took the 2nd place and The Netherlands to 3rd place, respectively.

For 2013, the brightest competition opens with Japan and Finland on February 16, Taiwan and France on February 23, United Kingdom and South Korea on March 2, Italy and The Netherlands on March 9, China and Australia on March 16 and Canada on March 23. On the last day, March 23, Philippines as the host country will also showcase a phenomenal Pyromusical performance to be executed by Platinum Fireworks, Inc. For ticket inquiries call, SM Tickets (02-470-2222), Ticket Net (02-911-5555) and Ticket World (02-8919999) or check out www.pyrophilippines.com.

Maja Salvador renews Sun Cellular endorsement deal

AWARD-WINNING actress, dancer and model Maja Salvador has renewed her contract with mobile telecommunications Sun Cellular to continue as one of the telco’s endorsers, together with college basketball star Kiefer Ravena, singer-actor Sam Concepcion and multiawarded actress-host Judy Ann Santos.

This year marks Maja’s 7th year as Sun Cellular’s endorser, a testament to the company’s trust and belief in the young actress to represent the pioneer of unlimited calls and texts in the market. “Sobrang happy ako na yung trust nila (Sun Cellular) hindi nawawala. Magse-seven years na ko sa kanila, I feel really blessed and thankful,” said the award-winning actress.

Maja likened her career to Sun Cellular, from the time she started in the entertainment industry to where she is today. She shared, “Nung nagsimula ako, ang dami ko pang kailangang matutunan. And yearly, nagle-levelup ako, at nag-go-grow yung passion ko sa trabaho.”

She added that like her, Sun Cellular grew to be one of the leading network providers today and continues its commitment to give subscribers only the best-value products and services. “That’s why, I know I really made a good choice with Sun Cellular.”

Maja is the face behind Sun Call & Text Combo 50 which gives subscribers 200 texts to other networks, 200 Sun texts and 70 minutes of Sun calls all valid for 5 days for only P50. Just recently, the young actress appeared in the network’s new TV commercial featuring the first-in-the-market Sun Name Ur Number SIM, a prepaid SIM which allows subscribers to choose their own number for free.

Visit our Facebook page www.facebook.com/suncellprepaid. Follow @suncelldeals on Twitter.

Park Inn by Radisson Davao to open in Feb

PARK INN by Radisson Davao, the first NexGen Park Inn

by Radisson in Asia Pacific, is slated to celebrate its official launch in the last week of February 2013.

Park Inn by Radisson is Carlson Rezidor’s internationally successful mid-scale limited service concept. This friendly, fresh, vibrant and uncomplicated brand focuses on delivering the modern essentials of a great hotel experience that resonate with today’s savvy travelers. Park Inn by Radisson is a segment-leading brand with a 26 year track record of delivering a quality guest experience. It is also one of the fastest growing brands in EMEA and is expanding rapidly in the US, Canada and Asia Pacific.

Park Inn by Radisson Davao is a new build hotel located next to SMX Convention Centre and SM Lanang Premier Mall.

The hotel is just 15 minutes from Davao international airport and City Centre, and a short drive from major tourist attractions, beaches and museums. Designed to suit the needs of business and leisure travelers, Park Inn

by Radisson Davao has 198 Standard Rooms and 6 Junior Suites that deliver a great night‘s sleep in a clean, personalized environment. Guests can expect vibrant décor, complimentary in-room high speed Internet, as well as the signature Adding Color to Life service concept which aims to exceed ex-

pectations.

Park Inn by Radisson Davao also offers the best venues for successful meetings. With smart services and smart rooms, including 4 meeting rooms that can each accommodate up to 30 persons, the hotel is the smart choice for both formal and informal meetings and events. Park Inn

by Radisson Davao also has a recreation hub on its second floor, which houses leisure facilities such as the swimming

pool, fitness center and pool bar. In addition, the hotel’s The Living Room concept provides guests with a lifestyle hub where they can socialize and relax in the spacious Lobby area or enjoy a book and other media.

Food and Beverage options at the hotel include RBG (Restaurant Bar & Grill), a hip all-day dining restaurant. RBG is a bold new bar and grill concept that delivers buzz and ambience, great food and friendly service in a

modern setting. Fresh ingredients, charcoal-grilled meats and fish, locallyinspired specialties and classic dishes make up RBG’s menu, which is updated periodically. The drinks menu has been designed to offer variety and value, while private dining areas make RGB yet another great venue for informal meetings.

For more information or booking Inquiries, please visit www.parkinn. com/hotel-davao or call +63 82 272 7600.

VOL.5 ISSUE 247 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15-16, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

ENTERTAINMENT

TV’s best V-Day episodes:

The Office, Modern Family, Glee and more!

HAPPY Valentine’s week, TV watchers!

Yes, in TV world, Valentine’s Day can last for a week (or two), considering most series have some kind of V-Day themed episode that they run as close to Feb. 14 as possible. If you love Valentine’s Day, this is a wonderful celebration. If you hate it, well, you still get great TV so it’s all good.

Holiday-themed offerings from shows are always season highlights, and if you throw in the high probability for couples drama, you’ve got the perfect formula for falling in love with an episode. From 30 Rock to The Simpsons, we’ve picked 10 of our favorite Valentine’s Day episodes in recent years, but this is of course not a definitive list. Check out our choices and then offer up your faves in the comments!

1. The Office, “PDA”: For lovers of Michael (Steve Carell) and Holly (Amy Ryan) (and if you didn’t love them, we can’t be friends), this episode was both hilarious and heartwarming. It was hilar-warming. Their PDA made everyone uncomfortable, but eventually that led to Michael telling Holly that he loved her.

Plus, Jim (John Krasinski) and Pam (Jenna Fisher) got drunk at lunch at had sex somewhere in the office. Go Jam! 2. The Simpsons,”I Love Lisa”: All we have to say about this one is: we choo-choo-choose it as

one of our all-time favorite Valentine’s episodes, as well as one of our favorite episodes of The Simpsons.

3. Modern Family “My Funky Valentine”: This was the episode where we had the pleasure— nay, the privilege of meeting Clive Bixby for the first time. Clive is Phil Dunphy’s (Ty Burrell) alter-ego that he uses to spice things up with his wife Claire (Julie Bowen ).

And as with most things in Phil’s life, his attempt to give his wife a romantic Valentine’s Day does not go as planned. Bonus: Clive returns tonight!

4. Friends, “The One With The Birthing Video”: Chandler (Matthew Perry) ends up watching a birthing video tape thinking it’s girl-on-girl porn, and after seeing all that crowning, he’s in a less than sexy mood. And then when he includes his wife Monica (Courteney Cox) in on the viewing, the romantic night is officially ruined. This episode is a winner just based on their horrified expressions while watching the video.

5. Supernatural, “My Bloody Valentine”: What’s more romantic than Cupid as an overweight, almost-naked angel who happens to love hugs?

Sure, he makes people want to eat each other, but OK, that is bad. Still, it makes for a Supernatural episodes that is both funny, bloody and actionpacked.

6. Glee, “Silly Love Songs”: We were hoping that this would be the episode that Kurt (Chris

Colfer) and Blaine (Darren Criss) finally fell in love, but alas, we would have to wait a little longer. But there was enough love to go around, especially when Puck (Mark Salling) serenaded Lauren (Ashley Fink) with “Fat-Bottom Girls.” We also got a cool duet of Michael Jackson’s “PYT” from Mike (Harry Shum Jr.) and Artie (Kevin McHale) to their ladies.

But nothing was sweeter than The Warblers singing “Silly Love Songs” to a crowd full of couples at Breadstix.

7. 30 Rock, “Anna Howard Shaw Day”: Liz (Tina Fey) decides the best way to spend Valentine’s Day is to schedule a dentist appointment, but then she realizes she has no one to take her home after a root canal. Jack (Alec Baldwin) falls for Elizabeth Banks’ Avery Jessup, and Jenna (Jane Krakowski) is heartbroken to learn that her stalker (Horatio Sanz) has “left her.” Liz’s hallucations after the dental procedure meant we got to see the return of her ex-boyfriends Drew (Jon Hamm), Dennis (Dean Winters) and Floyd (Jason Sudekis). Oh, and Jon Bon Jovi was there, too!

8. Buffy the Vampire Slayer, “Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered”: After Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter) dumps Xander (Nicholas Brendon) (on Valentine’s Day!), he has Amy cast a spell on Cordelia to win her back.

Unfortunately, that spell goes awry and every female in Sunnydale falls in love with him—including Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and Buffy’s mom!

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FLIGHT Denzel Washington , Don Cheadle R-13

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DIE HARD Bruce Willis , Jai Courtney PG-13

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SAFE HAVEN Julianne Hough , Josh Duhamel PG-13

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EDGEDAVAO

A4 INdulge!

VOL.5 ISSUE 247 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15-16, 2013

STYLE

Denim...

FFROM A1

Today, denim is undergoing a beautiful transformation, shedding its utilitarian look and taking on more stylish and individualistic touches. Gone are the boring cold shapeless silhouettes and in are the sexy, engineered and modern hand-crafted looks.

Added touches of patches, metallic tags, embroidery and even paint create a custom look that is sure to make every individual stand out.

Yet despite all the changes and different ways we wear denim, it remains the same familiar piece of clothing we have fallen in love with, over and over again.

TOP: On Abegail: Blouse by Cheap Monday, Jeans by Tough. On Ryan: Knitted shirt from 80/20, Jeans by G Star Raw, Belt by Tough all from Bauhaus.

RIGHT: On Abegail: Blouse by Cheap Monday, Jeans by Tough all from Bauhaus. On Ryan: Jeans and shoes by G Star Raw.

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 247 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15-16, 2013

SPORTS 15

Azarenka in starry 3rd round D

OHA, Qatar (AP) -Fresh off winning a second consecutive Australian Open, topranked Victoria Azarenka breezed into the third round of the Qatar Open with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Romina Oprandi on Wednesday.

The defending champion was joined by fourth-ranked Agnieszka Radwanska and Caroline Wozniacki.

Radwanska beat Australian qualifier Anastasia Rodionova 6-3, 6-2, and Wozniacki downed Sorana Cirstea of Romania 7-6 (7), 6-0.

American Sloane Stephens, who upset Serena Williams in the Australian Open quarterfinals, lost to Klara Zakopalova 4-6, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (5). ‘’Today was a tough match,’’ Stephens said of the wind and 80-degree temperatures. ‘’The conditions were tough but Klara played well. Now I just need to regroup and keep working on my game and get ready for Dubai.’’

Stephens pulled out of Fed Cup against Italy last week after aggravating an abdominal muscle injury and suffering from a stomach virus.

Stephens said she

hadn’t been serving much because of the injury. On Wednesday, her firstserve percentage was 65 percent for the match, including a second-set dip to 51 percent.

Azarenka will retain her top ranking if she reaches the final and Williams fails to reach the semifinals. She made a nervous start, dropping serve to fall 2-0 behind.

But the Belarusian recovered to break three times and win the first set. Azarenka then took a 3-0 lead in the second set. ‘’Well, it wasn’t easy for sure, but you never want to take this as an excuse because it’s the same for both players,’’ Azarenka said of the wind. ‘’I started to go too much for my shots at the beginning. Then I started to be more patient, work more the points.’’

Radwanska had little trouble with the 131stranked Rodionova, breaking to go up 3-1 on the way to winning the first set. The second set was even more one-sided, with the Pole breaking twice on the way to victory where she said ‘’the wind changed every couple of minutes. It was very

tricky.’’

Radwanska has started the season well, winning in Sydney and Auckland and reaching the quarterfinals of the Australian Open. Having reached the Wimbledon final last year, she feels ready to challenge for the No. 1 ranking. ‘’It’s always a little bit

of pressure, but I think this is the dream for everyone to be in the final of a Grand Slam and, of course, to be No. 1 in the world,’’ she said. ‘’I was really close to that last year, and definitely I’m going to try to do it this year.’’

Several seeded players lost, including the 16th-seeded Stephens.

Ninth-seeded Marion Bartoli lost to Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-4, 6-4, while No. 17 Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic was upset 6-4, 6-2 by Christina McHale of the United States. Urszula Radwanska, the sister of Agnieszka, upset 15th-seeded Roberta Vinci of Italy 6-2, 5-7, 6-0.

Wozniacki saved four set points in the tiebreaker before going up 1-0 when Cirstea hit a crosscourt backhand wide. The Dane then broke Cirstea three times. ‘’In the second set, I came off really strongly and probably crushed the last of her beliefs in that match,’’ Wozniacki said.

D

night (Thursday, Manila time).

Carter scored 17 of Dallas’ last 21 points in the third quarter to help turn aside a Sacramento rally. He made five of seven 3-pointers in the quarter and ended the night with 21,796 career points

for 29th on the all-time list. Bird had 21,791.

Dirk Nowitzki finished with 17 points, including a 3-pointer to put Dallas ahead 100-79 early in the fourth quarter.

Tyreke Evans scored 23 for the Kings, who lost their 18th straight regu-

lar season game in Dallas dating back almost 10 years.

Carter was 6 of 9 from beyond the arc, and the Mavericks made six straight from long range spanning the third and fourth quarters. Dallas finished 13 of 34 from

3-point range.

The Mavericks were up 18 early in the third quarter before Sacramento went on a 17-6 run to get within seven. Nine of the points came on free throws, and DeMarcus Cousins had a pair of baskets early in the run.

The Mavericks, who rallied from 17 down for an overtime win in Sacramento last month, didn’t let the Kings do the same thing on their home court, thanks to Carter.

The 14-year veteran, who still flashes signs of his “Vinsanity” days, hit consecutive 3-pointers to end Sacramento’s surge and start the Mavericks on a 19-11 run over the final five minutes of the third quarter for a 92-77 lead.

The Kings, playing their fourth game in five nights before the All-Star break, didn’t get closer than 17 in the fourth quarter.

Cousins, who had 17 points and a game-high 13 rebounds, stayed out of trouble for Sacramento after his previous two meetings with Dallas

were marred by incidents. He was suspended for a game in December for hitting O.J. Mayo in the groin area during a game in Dallas, and was ejected for a flagrant foul after elbowing Carter last month in Sacramento. The foul helped the Mavericks clinch the overtime win.

Cousins, who insisted the contact was incidental both times, exchanged handshakes and hugs with Mayo and Carter after the game.

Neither team led by more than six before the Mavericks went on an 18-4 run for a 57-40 lead late in the first half.

Darren Collison, who finished with 18 points, had eight, including a threepoint play when he took a feed from Shawn Marion for a layup after Marion jumped over diminutive Sacramento guard Isaiah Thomas to catch an entry pass from Nowitzki.

The Dallas spurt included the first points from Mayo, whose dunk on an assist from Collison ended an 0-for-4 shooting start for the Mavericks’ leading scorer.

Caroline Wozniacki is also through the third round in Doha, Qatar with Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka, Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams.

Carter passes Bird in scoring

ALLAS — Vince Carter scored 26 points to pass Larry Bird on the NBA’s career scoring list, and the Dallas Mavericks headed into the All-Star break with a 123-100 victory against the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday

Vince Carter helps power the Mavericks over the Kings and moves to 29th on the all-time scoring list. AP

16 SPORTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 247 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15-16, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

Rockets face Pacers as NBA comes to Manila I

MAGINE Jeremy Lin feeding James Harden for a drive or Danny Granger burning the hoops. That and many more highlight reel that comes with a regular season NBA game will soon happen here.

Yes, folks. The NBA is coming to Manila this year, not to hold an exhibition game but no less than a regular season match.

Mall of Asia general manager Arnel Gonzales confirmed the news on Thursday, saying the regular season game might feature the Indiana Pacers led

by Danny Granger and the Houston Rockets of James Harden and Asian-American star Jeremy Lin. However, Gonzales insisted nothing is yet certain on which teams will be coming over, saying it will depend on the negotiations.

“It will be historic for the Philippines and for any venue for that manner,” Gonzales said. “It’s part of the program of Mall of Asia to bring in world-class entertainment. And this is basically the first step.”

The state-of-the-art arena piqued the interest of sports fans on Thursday when it posted on its Twitter account a poster of an NBA ball and the words: ‘Big things are coming.’

Gonzales, however, declined to provide further details, saying negotiations are still ongoing with people from the NBA headquarters in New York.

Several NBA players have seen action in the country over the years but no official NBA game,

whether in the preseason or regular season, has been held here.

Only last year, former Chicago Bulls stars Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman led a team of retired NBA players in an exhibition game against PBA legends at the MOA Arena.