Edge Davao 5 Issue 260

P 15.00 • 26 PAGES

VOL.5 ISSUE 260 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

www.edgedavao.net

Welcome to Davao, delegates!

Serving a seamless society

RETAIL SAVVY. A lady scans an array of ready-towear clothes in the sidewalk where blouses and other dresses are being sold at very affordable prices along Magsaysay Avenue, Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

Indulge

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One Fab Pooch Sports

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Cash and cars in Phoenix Open

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MICECon is on

By EJ Dominic Fernandez

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AVAO CITY rolls out the red carpet to over 500 delegates attending the 2013 International Conference on Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Events/Exhibitions (MICE Con) today at the SMX Convention Center in SM Lanang Premier.

The event which will be held until March 9 carries the theme--iMICE2013, iGNITE, iNNOVATE, iNSPIRE, iNFUSE. MICE Con will feature different ac-

tivities including a plenary session, a tour around the city’s much-vaunted tourist destinations for international delegates, the MICE Marketplace, an industry showcase of various products and services, and MICE Mart a business-to-business event for local sellers and international buyers.

A battery of 11 speakers, mostly foreign experts, will talk on the recent

FMICECON, 9

Opinion surveys vital for May elections: IPO T

HE University of Mindanao Institute of Popular Opinion (IPO), a survey institute based in Davao City yesterday stressed the importance of political surveys in the May mid-term elections.

IPO director Dr. Maria Linda Arquiza, during the regular meeting of Rotary Club East Davao, said that public opinion polls are very useful in tracing

people’s views on important social issues, especially in assessing people’s preferences in political races and predict election results.

According to Arquiza, it is not yet final, but UM-IPO will be conducting a survey on senatorial candidates, however, they will avoid surveys on local candidates.

FOPINION, 9

Free in today’s issue

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 260 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2013

Retai ling

Retail: Force behind Davao’s economy

By Greg G. Deligero [Editor’s Note: As we mark the 5th year anniversary of Edge Davao, we are running a series of special supplements which will feature the top 5 economic drivers of Davao City—property development, agribusiness, tourism, wholesale and retail and the Information Communication Technology-Business Process Outsourcing (ICT-BPO). This issue focuses on Retail Industry.]

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ONSIDERED as one of the key economic growth drivers in Davao City, the retail industry has dominated the field of commerce and trade in terms of tax revenue and employment.

Retail is the sale of goods and services from individuals or businesses to the end-user. Retailers are part of an integrated system called the

supply chain. A retailer purchases goods or products in large quantities from manufacturers directly or through a wholesale, and then sells smaller quantities to the consumer for a profit.

Data obtained from the City Treasurer’s Office covering June-December 2011 to January-July 2012 showed that retailers contributed

FRETAIL, S6

Inside SM Lanang Premier

Page 2 SM Ecoland

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NCCC

Page 8 Abreeza

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2 THE BIG NEWS

VOL.5 ISSUE 260 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2013

Grade 6 pupil stabs HS stude to death

EDGEDAVAO

By EJ Dominic Fernandez and Che Palicte

A

grade six pupil stabbed and killed a 17-year old high school student at the Kapitan Tomas Monteverde Sr. Central Elementary School in Ponciano Reyes St. Davao City, yesterday morning.

The 17-year old victim is a third year high school student of Davao City National High School while the suspect is only 14 years old.

Police Inspector Rechely Bahan, deputy officer of Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD) said that the crime was a result of a gang war.

The suspect said pleaded self defense and retaliated only by stabbing the victim after the latter beat him up.

Bahan added that the

suspect rushed to the guidance office and admitted the stabbing.

According to the campus guard, the bloodied victim ran to him for help, but he collapsed to the ground before reaching the gate. The victim was stabbed in the chest near the lower part of the armpit that caused his death.

The guard said he did not conduct stop and frisk inspection at the gate due to the thousands of students entering the school.

Mrs. Merlinda Amistoso, the KTMSCES principal said that she called Central 911 and San Pedro Police station to report the incident.

“This is the first time that this incident hap-

FGRADE 6, 9

Davao airport blast recalled

By Che Palicte

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ED by no less than Vice Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte, survivors, relatives and friends of victims of the March 4, 2003 bombing of Francisco Bangoy International Airport gathered where it happened –in the waiting shed fronting the old airport terminal --to commemorate the 10th year anniversary of the incident, last Monday.

Duterte who was the mayor at the time of the bombing leads his fellow Dabawenyos in remembering the horrific incident every year.

To recall, a homemade bomb exploded at the waiting shed, killing 20 and wounding at least 146 others. The fatalities included two American missionaries, while two other American nationals sustained injuries.

The waiting shed blast is the worst in the history of the city in terms of number of victims, surpassing even the number of victims in the 1981 and 1993 bombings of San Pedro Cathedral.

Among the victims were taxi drivers, airport porters, vendors and those waiting for relatives and friends arriving on board Cebu Pacific Airlines, Philippine Airlines and Air Philippines.

The families and friends of the victims as well as survivors offered flowers, lighted candles and said prayers in the area where the bomb.

“Authorities should be vigilant 24 hours because terrorism remains a threat to the lives of the people, not only in the Philippines but to the whole world,” Vice Mayor Duterte said.

SCHOOL STABBING. A high school student of the Davao City National High School lies lifeless after being stabbed to death inside the Kapitan Tomas Monteverde Sr. Elementary School along Ponciano Reyes Street, Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

Church leaders snub RH Law consultation But DOH still wants to work with religious leaders

By EJ Dominic Fernandez

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EADERS of the Catholic Church and other religious organizations in Davao City were a no-show in the first leg of the public consultation on the implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act 10354 or responsible parenthood and reproductive health law.

The consultation dubbed as “Usapang Kalusugang Pampamilya” was conducted by Department of Health at the Garden Oasis in Barrio Obrero.

Unfazed by the snub, DOH officials said “there are no reasons why the church can’t work with

us.”

DOH assistant secretary Madeleine Valera said Health Secretary Enrique Ona welcomes with open arms the concerns and issues of the church and will even provide funds and support for natural family planning associated with scientific standards.”

Dr. Valera said representatives of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) have been with us in every part of the development of drafting RA 10354, and there are portions where they expressed acceptance while there are portions where they are still

hesitant to agree with.”

In a text message, retired Davao Archbishop, Fernando Capalla said, while it is true that abortion is prohibited by the RH law, but many of the approved family planning methods and pharmaceuticals can cause abortion.”

Valera said that the people can express their objection or rejection in line with their religious and traditional beliefs, but the law is “very specific” stating that there must be no prevention on access of quality services and that the people should endorse and refer those who needs the health service to the ap-

FCHURCH LEADERS, 9

Dabawenyos favor efforts to reach peace

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BUSINESS IS GOOD. This lady meat seller in Bangkerohan Public Market is enjoying a fine day at the market. Meat sales are up on weekdays except for Fridays when Roman Catholics fast in observance of the Lenten season. (Lean Daval, Jr.)

propriate health care facilities.

The first leg of the consultation was supposed to be held in Manila, but due to lack of preparation, it was held instead in Davao City. After Davao City, the next forum will be today in Cebu City. The final leg will be in Manila where Valera hopes religious organizations can attend as DOH welcomes everyone from different government agencies, non-government organizations (NGOs), local government units (LGUs), development partners, academe and from the religious organizations to attend the

Say FAB is needed step Think it will pave way to lasting, just peace

N OVERWHELMING majority of Dabawenyos favor the current efforts of the Philippine government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front to achieve just and lasting peace in Mindanao.

This is the finding of the Institute of Popular Opinion (IPO), a survey agency established by the University of Mindanao, to measure the public pulse on burning issues of the day, similar to the Manila-based Social Weather Stations (SWS) and Pulse Asia.

Need for FAB In a survey by IPO on 1,200 people from all walks of life in Davao City during the period from January 26 to February 7, it was found that seven out of 10 Dabawenyos think that Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) is needed

by Mindanao in order to achieve just and lasting peace in the land whose unpeace occasionally spills over to Metro Manila and other parts of the archipelago.

The survey results

FDABAWENYOS, 9

SUBURBIA

EDGEDAVAOVOL.5 ISSUE 260 •WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2013

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RDR: Moral recovery key to social dev’t T

HE province is rooting for a stable and morally-upright citizenry that serves as a pillar of a strong and progressive society.

Governor Rodolfo del Rosario said this makes the Spiritual and Moral Recovery Program (SMRP) of the province an indispensable component in attaining social development.

“I believe that no economic development is achieved and sustained unless people cultivate in them the right positive attitude,” the governor stressed.

Del Rosario included the SMRP program among the main agenda of his previous term to develop good moral characters, as well as, promote integrity and kindness among the Dabaonons.

The governor has further strengthened the program under his present human-centered development thrust called P.E.O.P.L.E. He said the strategy has beefed up the capacity of the constituents to

Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario administers the oath of office of the Barangay Moral Recovery Program Coordinators for District 1. [Noel Baguio]

institute positive change and address issues and concerns in their respective communities.

“Only then can one equate economic development to social development,” the governor said, at the launch of the Barangay Moral Recov-

ery Program Coordinators (BMRPC) in District 1.

Rev. Edwin Santos, the Deputy Coordinator of the Provincial Moral Recovery Program for Evangelicals, said the BMRP coordinators are tasked to further the movement

for a just and moral society by helping barangay officials and constituents develop deeper relationship with the Almighty, among other aims.

“The program envisions to have Godly, trustworthy and service-oriented public servants

doing their best to serve the community under the grace of God,” he said.

Provincial Moral Recovery Program Coordinator Providencia Nunez bared the BMPRCs initially compose of volunteer ministers from various evangelical protestant

churches in the province.

She, however, said the group may later include ministers and leaders from other religious and faith-based organizations, who are willing to extend their ministry to the whole community. [ Noel Baguio]

he Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has completed 13 school building projects worth P22 million in three municipalities in Sarangani Province through a World Bank-assisted socio-economic and development initiative.

Gemma Rivera, DSWD-Region 12 assistant director, said Tuesday the school building projects were among the community-based infrastructure facilities that were implemented by the agency in the municipalities of Kiamba, Maasim and Maitum in Sarangani as part of the Kalahi-CIDSS program.

Kalahi-CIDSS stands for Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services, which is one of the flagship anti-poverty convergence initiatives being implemented by DSWD. She said some of the completed school buildings were already turned over to the Department of Education and now utilized by beneficiary pupils and students while several others are due for handover later this month.

“Gone are the days when pupils and students are welcomed by classroom shortage, leaving teachers with no choice but to conduct classes under

the trees or divide a room into two just to accommodate the overcrowding learners,” Rivera said in a statement.

The official said most of these projects were oneunit three-classroom buildings that “will help provide conducive and comfortable learning environment” for the beneficiaries.

She said the completed school buildings and facilities will also enhance the national government’s efforts to promote accessible and quality education that result to improved academic outcomes for pupils and students.

In Maasim town, Rivera said they have completed a total of P7.79 million worth school building units in Barangays Seven Hills, Nomoh, Kabatiol, Kablakan, and Daliao.

She said another P3.97 million were spent for the new school buildings in Barangays Maligang and Tambilil in Kiamba town.

The official said a total of P10.832 million worth of school buildings were also completed in Barangays Pangi, New La Union, Wali, Maguling and Ticulab in Maitum town.

She said the construction of the school building project in Barangay Tuanadatu in Maitum was earlier stopped due to an armed conflict in the area. [Allen V. Estabillo/MindaNews]

‘Exclusive rights for big sponsors defeat spirit of ‘Kaamulan’ fest T

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HE provincial government of Bukidnon should have disallowed some companies from enjoying exclusive rights during the Kaamulan even if they were major sponsors of the annual festival showcasing Bukidnon’s indigenous cultures, a Lumad leader said on Monday.

Saying it does not fit into the openness espoused by the Lumads as the spirit behind the Kaamulan, Datu Mayda Magdaleno Pandian said the practice has to stop.

Pandian, indigenous peoples’ representative to the provincial board told MindaNews that if the organizers wanted to get more sponsors and more resources for the festival then it should reconsider the “exclusivity” policy.

“This is supposed to be a gathering that promotes openness, why are we allowing others to be isolated?” he said.

“We are not against them making money. We are against unfair practices,” he added.

Pandian said he will support moves to do away with exclusive rights once

the issue reaches the provincial board.

Joe-An Bayona-Henderin, provincial tourism officer, admitted last Friday that when she assumed last year the practice of giving exclusive rights to certain corporate sponsors had been there for years.

She said that of the P7-million budget for the festival this year, P5 million came from the provincial government and P2 million from the sponsors.

The major sponsors this year, she added, were San Miguel Beer (P400,000), SmartTalk’N’Text (P300,000), Coke (P200,000), and Nature’s Spring Water (P50,000).

Restaurants and refreshments shops that put up branches at the Kaamulan grounds and booths selling drinks and mobile phone loads were required to sell only products of the major sponsors.

This requirement is among the criteria in choosing the “best booth,” a strategy to ensure compliance with the exclusiv-

ity clause in the contract signed with the provincial government.

Juanito Aroa, chair of the Kaamulan field operations committee, said in an interview Saturday he had been raising the issue against exclusivity in the past celebrations of the Kaamulan.

He said cultural openness should mean giving other players a chance to take part [in the Kaamulan].

Aroa and Pandian noted that the practice of exclusivity favors only those entities that can afford to offer big donations.

Loreta sol Dinlayan, in-charge of the Bukidnon State University Ethno-cultural Museum, on Saturday said the practice of exclusivity has encouraged monopoly instead of openness in a gathering for unity, which is what “amul-amul”, the root word of “Kaamulan”, means.

An employee from Smart/Talk’N’Text went to the Provincial Tourism Office a day before the street dancing competition to ask that they be accompanied in remov-

ing a tarpaulin placed by their competitor at an establishment along Fortich Street. The employee said they have exclusive rights [to place ads] along a portion of the street and at the Kaamulan grounds until March 10.

Henderin said removing exclusivity rights could be an option next year.

“I agree there should be free market. This could be reviewed. It’s possible we could even raise more funds,” she added.

For his part, provincial board member Manuel Dinlayan, who is from the Bukidnon tribe, told MindaNews his concern is not how funds [for the Kaamulan] are raised.

“What matters is whether a portion of the proceeds from funds raised for the Kaamulan goes to the livelihood and education of the members of the seven hill tribes,” he said.

Henderin said all receipts from the Kaamulan were spent on the festival and nothing went to the livelihood and education of the IPs. [Walter I. Balane/MindaNews]

13 WB-funded school buildings in Sarangani Province completed

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VOL.5 ISSUE 260 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

Mt. Malindang: The newly-declared ASEAN Heritage Park in the country F

LYING over Ozamiz City in Misamis Occidental, one cannot help but see a massive mountain range that is interestingly made of forested crests, valleys and lakes. This is the Mt. Malindang Range Natural Park (MMRNP), which spans the provinces of Misamis Occidental, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur. On August 4, 2012, the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) designated the MMRNP as an ASEAN Heritage Park (AHP). The ACB defines AHPs as “protected areas of high conservation importance, preserving in total a complete spectrum of representative ecosystems of the ASEAN region.” The ACB establishes AHPs to generate greater awareness, pride, appreciation, enjoyment and conservation of the ASEAN region’s rich natural heritage through a regional network of protected areas.

Part of the management plan for the MMRNP encourages ecotourism activities in the area. It is already popular among mountaineers, trekkers and nature-lovers. A privately-owned highland park in the Tangub City area offers eco-adventure activities such as zipline (supposedly the longest in Asia), horseback riding and all-terrain vehicle (ATV) ride.

During the launching of the MMRNP as an AHP in August 2012, representatives of the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB) and local government officials led by Tangub City Mayor Philip Tan broke ground at the proposed site of the MMRNP Visitors’ Center. The Center would serve park visi-

tors as an information site featuring, among others, a botanical garden showcasing fresh produce locally harvested from MMRNP. A view deck would offer fantastic vistas of Misamis Occidental, and could provide opportunity to catch a glimpse of the majestic Philippine Eagle.

Conservation site The designation of the MMRNP as an AHP was the fruit of the collaborative efforts of the PAWB and the Northern Mindanao office

of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), and the local government units headed by Misamis Occidental Governor Herminia Ramiro, Oroquieta City Mayor Jason Almonte, and Tan. The designation means the MMRNP has passed the ACB’s stringent criteria.

Among others, it is ecologically complete, that is, different ecosystems are rep-

resented; its conservation is “highly important”; it is documented as a conservation area; and has an approved management plan.

The MMRNP, being home not only to the Subanen tribe but also to tenured migrants, is primarily vulnerable to illegal logging, hunting, kaingin agriculture, and a host of other threats brought about by human encroachment. The development of the area to allow eco-tourism activities, including infrastruc-

ture, should therefore be closely monitored so as to ensure that all are sustainable and follow the provisions of the management plan.

DENR Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje sums it up clearly as he reminds the public that proclaiming a conservation site serves a two-fold purpose: to maintain the beauty and survival of all biodiversity therein, and ensure the survival of the communities that depend on them.

“Designating the MMRNP as a heritage site elevates its status above all other conservation sites,” he explained. “There is deeper focus on the economic and ecological value of all resources within the park. There is also a need to consider various conservation techniques, methodologies or schools of thought. But the end goal is the same: to retain, and even improve, the MMRNP as our natural legacy for future generations.”

(MMT) in conjunction with the Mines and Geosciences Bureau that includes community representatives.

The MMT will undertake regular environmental monitoring, auditing and reporting of operations and post-mine operation, including public reporting of monitoring results and non-compliance. Pursuant to this strategy, SMI will also ensure the training of community members in the task of environmental monitoring.

To see to it that the mining company, its business associates and employees will be human rights-compliant, the SIMP incorporates a human rights grievance process effectively into SMI incident and grievance management procedures.

It likewise establishes and implements effective

monitoring and external communication practices for human rights performance.

With Ganchero during the consultation were Rolando Doria, superintendent for regional and provincial affairs-policy advocacy; Joseph Palanca, supervisor in the same unit; and Leonardo Cortez, superintendent of SMI regional and provincial affairs department. The SMI executives took turns in explaining various aspects of the SIMP. Ganchero urged the participating stakeholders to scrutinize the draft SIMP and come up with their critique and recommendations designed to improve the plan in order to maximize the benefits expected to be enjoyed by the people of the Davao region. AMA.

SMI consults Dabawenyos on social impact management plan

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AGITTARIUS MINES, INC. (SMI) continues to consult stakeholders while in the process of developing a comprehensive social impact management plan (SIMP) for the proposed multi-billion dollar copper-gold project in Tampakan, South Cotabato.

Last Wednesday, February 27, it was the turn of Dabawenyos to be consulted in a half-day session at the Waterfront Insular Hotel in Lanang, Davao City.

Elvie Grace “Bing” Ganchero, SMI manager for regional and provincial affairs, told Davao businessmen, civic leaders and company executives in attendance that the mining company’s proposed SIMP will “ensure that the benefits for local and regional communities are maximized and that the social

impacts are avoided or minimized.”

Ganchero explained that the SIMP is based on the company’s understanding of local needs “through its long working relationship with host communities and draws on the Philippine and international experiences of its shareholders.”

She said the SIMP covers all phases of the project –approvals, construction, operations, decommissioning and closure.

In last Wednesday’s consultation, Ganchero and the other speakers discussed the company’s strategies in maximizing business opportunities for local people and Filipino companies and employment opportunities also for local people, development of sustainable communities and local social

Stakeholders asked to scrunitize the draft plan and come up with suggestions to improve SIMP development in areas affected by the mine’s operation.

The SIMP also aims to strengthen the capacity of individuals, groups, institutions and organizations the project’s benefits and impacts effectively; manage the impacts of project-induced inward migration; maximize opportunities to improve community health and avoid potential impacts of the project on the health of employees, contractors and local communities.

The plan (SIMP) also aims to ensure that SMI contractors and employees operate in a manner that ensures a safe, fair and eq-

uitable work environment.

At the end of the 17year project, the SIMP will ensure that the closure of the mine will be conducted in a manner that enhances sustainable development and complies with the requirements prescribed

by SMI, Xstrata and the Philippine government.

The mine closure strategy will ensure that sufficient funds are available to operate long-term mitigation measures.

The SIMP likewise includes community participation in environment monitoring. Along this line, the company supports the establishment of a multipartite monitoring team

EDGEDAVAOVOL.5 ISSUE 260 •WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2013

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6 VANTAGE POINTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 260 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

Why bull market will last till 2015 ( Conclusion )

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EDITORIAL

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Rising skyline downside

N THE current property boom in Davao City, buildings are rising like mushrooms after a night of heavy downpour. There’s a trend in constructing medium rise and high-rise structures that dwarf the old-fashioned two to four-story affairs. This gives Dabawenyos a bragging right since rising skyline is arguably a sign of progress that is not so evident in other capital cities in Mindanao.

Unfortunately, the picture is not that rosy, for one reason -- our firemen lack the capability to fight fire in multi-story buildings. Fire Insp. Nestor Jimenez, chief of fire safety, intelligence and investigation of the Bureau of Fire Protection, admits such a sorry state as the country observes the 37th Fire Prevention Month this month.

Fact is while we already have buildings with 20 floors, the Davao fire station has one decrepit ladder firetruck which can reach only the eighth floor at the most. The implications of such inadequacy is horrifying, if heavens forbid, a highrise building catches fire.

The usual government lethargy in procuring what the country really

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needs is behind it all, just like the Philippine National Police’s perennial inability to buy small firearms for tens of thousands of its policemen who are up against criminal elements whose brutality and willingness to kill lawmen are unmatched.

It is fact that fire-trucks of the city’s two volunteer fire brigade outnumber and outclass those of the government.

Jimenez said the volunteer fire fighters have a total of 20 better-equipped firetrucks as against the government’s only 15.

Many civic-minded Dabawenyos have tried looking to our wealthy neighboring country who can donate firefighting trucks and equipment. The offers to donate are abundant, save for one major hitch -- the Bureau of Customs is not willing or is not authorized to waive import taxes on these kind of donations.

Such a misplaced zeal to impose taxes is ironic, considering that rampant smuggling is a way of life in that shameless center of ineptitude and corruption.

Meanwhile, let’s pray hard that no fire incident involving a multi-story structure occurs.

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

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

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance

AGUSTIN V. MIAGAN JR Circulation

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HERE’S s i m p ly t o o much money lying around in this country, banks have to entice people to borrow for buy a car, to buy a house and offer low lending rates to attract them,” Manuel told reporters.

At least P1.8 Trillion in cold cash had been “parked” by banks and financial institutions with the Bangko Sentral Ng Pilipinas as “special deposit accounts”.

Another P3 Trillion is “parked” right now with various banks in the country as “trust assets” whose safety and growth, if any, are managed by banks.

Both business and consumer confidence have remained at all-time high with the overall business confidence index topping at a whopping 49% and consumer confidence index rising at 6%.

This in turn has led to a stellar economic growth of 6.6% of the country’s gross domestic product.

The Philippines, according to Manuel, is “no longer as indebted as before” shown by its lowest debt-to-GDP ratio ever. As such, the country now has “more money in the wallet than the amount it owes”.

Manuel cited the $52 Billion in debt the country owed to foreign creditors compared to its $15.7 Billion in reserves in 2001. But dollar reserves ballooned to $75.3 Billion compared to its foreign debt of only $61.7 Billion in 2011 which jacked up the value of the Philippine peso against the US dollar.

Because of all these solid fundamentals, foreign fund managers and investors have been buying shares of stocks of companies listed in the Philippine Stock Exchange. Since 2007, foreign investors and traders had been buying Philippine stocks racking up $230 Million daily transactions that year, but have shot up to $ 2 Billion daily this year.

“There’s just too much money these days from foreign investors chasing too few stocks in the stock market and too few investment funds to absorb them. They’re all chasing our local stocks because of their fundamental values for long term investment,” Manuel said In 2009, Manuel recalled, the PSE Index was hovering around 1000 only, but after only four years this year, the stock index has zoomed up to 6700---and still rising.

“As long as the high confidence is there, as long as interest and inflation are kept low, we’re expecting the stock index to hit 9300 in two years time--- before the next presidential elections”, Manuel said.Comments?

Email ; tradingpost_davao@yahoo.com)

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 260 •WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2013

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Impending power deficiency

FTER THE RAINS COME THE SUMMER MONTHS – The footprints of the heat wave were all over a broad path of the devastation wrought about by typhoons ‘Sendong, Pablo and Crising’ that cut across some provinces in Northern Mindanao, Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley and Davao del Norte and parts of Davao City, Davao del Sur and South Cotabato. After constant flooding comes the hot summer months and started doing its usual mischief - altering ocean temperatures and messing around with the hemisphere’s weather patterns that could be equally as damaging as the previous typhoons.

The critical issue at hand is the impending power shortage caused by the coming of long summer months. Is a disgusting and infuriating power outage a spontaneous occurrence – an act of Nature? Or was it a result of official negligence or neglect? Consumers and end-users are still upset that we allegedly have a Department of Energy (DoE) and an energy program that didn’t worked. The preceding administration built not a new single base load power plant in the nine years the leader was in office and without even looking for an alternative power source to lessen the negative impact caused by power shortages. That was then, but how about now? Who should be held accountable for the power supply problem - the previous leaderships, Aquino administration or Juan de la Cruz.?

The power crisis scare wasn’t unfounded. During the past months officials of the Department of Energy (DoE) stated that power reserves in Luzon areas plunged to almost “zero level” even during the wet season. Several power plants tripped while others were undergoing maintenance and repair work the past months as three to four-hour power outages hit Metro Manila and it neighboring suburban towns and cities. However, energy officials of the present dispensation debunked allegations that it is not giving attention to the country’s power situation notably in Mindanao. According

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VANTAGE POINTS

to its reports, it has already made an audit of the power capacity that both the government and private sectors can deliver. The figures point to the necessity of power output but unfortunately everything seemed moving in turtle-pace to address the critical power supply situation.

For months, the not-so-credible weather forecasters and water officials have been warning that because of the expected return of the El Niño phenomenon and the consequent low water levels, power shortages might resume particularly during the hot summer months.

During the summer months El Niño did his mess and the drought came as predicted and then unexpectedly typhoons and floods likewise came. Dry or wet season the lights went out just the same not only in Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon but most particularly in many areas in Mindanao which are solely dependent on hydroelectric power. Sad to note, the hydroelectric power plants in Agus, Lanao del Norte and Pulangi in Maramag, Bukidnon are both on the process of privatization.

It’s really deplorable that when power is out, traffic would slow down, production capacity affected, generators were put on standby and portable battery-powered lamps were cleaned and recharged even during the daytime as three to sixhour brownouts struck both the urban and rural communities throughout the country. The awful situation badly affects the country’s economic activities. Some independent energy experts noted the main problem is not only low electricity supply, but likewise poor maintenance of

hydropower plants in Mindanao. But why is there no immediate relief in sight? The DoE explained that while there will be power reserves in the coming months, the supply will be thin and scarce, if any of the major power plants breaks down, most of Luzon will experience power outages of three to four-hours. Meanwhile concerned officials said government will be sourcing for backup power reserves from independent producers to support the Mindanao power distributors.

A severe power crisis, with blackouts lasting from three to nine hours daily, would be so crippling it will lead to capital plight and cost thousands of jobs.

An impending power crisis will show just how vulnerable the country’s power situation continues to be, and how much work needs to be done before the consuming public can be assured that they will sweat only when they want to and need not to go back to candle power. The previous administration failed to solve the energy crisis and right now the Aquino leadership similarly has a great deal at stake in ensuring that the days of heat and darkness do not return. Not only must it prevent a reversal of the economic turnaround but prevent a fresh wave of capital flight as well.

Lately, energy officials confirmed the deficiency of electricity supply in Mindanao and could get worse during the summer months citing that several areas have already been experiencing rotating power interruptions since last year.

In its department data, Mindanao has a dependable load capacity of only 1,600 megawatts of electricity, but the demand with acceptable reserve should be more than 1,700 MW. The energy department, however, assured Mindanao consumers and end-users it has already started a strategy to ensure there is enough power in the days before and after the actual polls. The present officials’ lack of concern and neglect could result in the administration’s own political crisis, which it can hardly afford on the advent of the crucial May 2013 mid-term elections

NEWS FEATURE

BY MENARDO WENCESLAO

who her friends and enemies were for later in the second day of riot and lawlessness, Mayor Duterte issued a dispersal order.

Later she warned that none of this criminal adventurism by the same group will be met with tolerance.

Prior to the Mayors order to the coy police force, the demonstrators were able to gain entry on the supply center and looted it in broad daylight is a slap on the police force even as part of the stolen goods were recovered later. In short the PNP were caught with their pants down. The mayor allowed them to regain their dignity.

If there is any lesson learned from the string of events that bedeviled the region which is still mired in the calamity brought about by Typhoons Pablo and Crising it is the realization that as far as the legal fronts of the CPP/NPA are concerned tragedy and friendships are of no consequence. What is important to this radical alliance is to negate and impede the relevance of the government to the depraved communities especially in times of conflicts and calamities. They have to discredit DSWD, the military, police and the local government authorities because in times of emergencies and great needs these are the institutions that come to the aid of the people and not the rambling activists of the commies legal fronts. Are they really after the 10,000 sacks of rice? The answer is a fairy tale considering the fact that a great volume of this comes from America which they detestably hate. (MW)

The fairytale around 10,000 sacks of rice

HE recent spate of New Peoples Army assaults on private agricultural enterprises in Bukidnon and the commies legal fronts that dared and threatened government authorities have reached a crescendo that is no longer within the bounds of the rules on engagement and protests.

The legal fronts tested the temper and patience of the Philippine National Police and of the local government authorities when they held hostage hundreds of thousands of commuters and motorists in Compostela Province at the height of the crises of Typhoon Pablo. They staged and demonstrated their strength and capability in crippling traffic and economic activities in Mindanao’s busiest artery and then went ahead to demand the release of 10,000 bags of rice from the Department of Social Welfare and Development. While they did not get what they asked for right then and there DSWD Sec. Dinky Soliman made the commitment that they will get what they demanded for provided they submit a list of their wouldbe recipients. This was the initial triumph of the legal fronts of the CPP/NPA. Not long after, the NPAs attacked, this time not military or police installations but two internationally prominent and agricultural corporations in Bukidnon killing private security guards who resisted and then wounding others. As they pulled out the marauders carried away supplies and equipment that they can carry. Like what happened when the legal fronts paralyzed traffic in Comval the NPAs carried out

their attack on Dole and Del Monte with hardly a whiff of resistance from either the police or the military.

The two incidents pictured the government security forces as limp and inutile.

It had also begged the questions which are yet to be answered: What happened to police and military intelligence? What happened to the communities that are supposed to lend support to the government forces? Have they been won over by the NPA and its legal fronts to the point that they kept mum and just be nonchalant over the events that could seriously affect their future?

The brazen ransacking of the supply depot of relief goods of the Regional Office of DSWD of Region XI was simply another show of force this time to discredit the police authority of Davao City and, while they might not admit it, the city government. We do not know how this would impact on the leadership of City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte and her father Rodrigo who is perceived to be “friendly” with the NPAs but sensitive and unforgiving to lawbreakers regardless of ideology. In a situational condition like this one that happened close to city hall even the most patient in the city leadership could have her fill. Obviously she realized

7

Why the Philippines will shine brighter this year (Feature) ( 1st of two parts ) SPECIAL FEATURE

BY AURELIO A. PENA

I

F the Philippines is getting a lot of attention these days from global financial markets, just credit that to the country’s fundamentals.

This Southeast Asian country is getting stronger than ever these days and things are still rolling and moving forward -- as long as the good business and economic policies continue in the next two years.

That’s how Michael Oliver “Mike” Manuel, head of investments for Asia at Sun Life Assurance of Canada looks at this country today amidst the prevailing optimism on the booming economy.

Manuel had been going around the country, spreading the good news that “the Philippines will shine brighter this year” lecturing and making an impressive presentation to business groups and the media.

As simply as possible in laymen’s terms. Manuel explained the reasons why the Philippine stock market index, peso, dollar reserves, business confidence, etc have all gone up while inflation and interest rates have gone down.

“Business confidence is very high in the present government.

The high approval rating of the curent president, low inflation and low interest rates are attracting a lot of foreign investors in this country,” Manuel told a group of business writers and editors here over the weekend.

One “fundamental” cited by Manuel was the fast-growing US dollar inflows from overseas Filipino workers (OFW) and business process outsourcing (BPO) firms like call centers. In the year 2000, OFWs remitted a total of 5-Billion US dollars, while this year 2013, the total is now 24-Billion US dollars.

BPO firms on the other hand, earned .5 Billion in 2004, while this year, the earnings have ballooned to 16-Billion US dollars, according to Manuel.

Softening of inflation in this country was another fundamental cited by Manuel which is conducive to business growth.

“We’re averaging only about 3.2 percent year to date and looks like it’s well anchored. This is good for business,” Manuel said.

Interest rates have dropped to historic lows, according to Manuel, making bank borrowing more attractive to businessmen and investors, boosting more plant expansions, new constructions of office buildings and condos and spurring a construction boom all over the country.

Overnite rates—the rates set up when banks borrow from each other—is now hovering at a historic low of 3.5 percent while prime lending rate which banks set up for borrowers is also at a historic low of 5.3 percent, according to Manuel.

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VOL.5 ISSUE 260 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2013

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(Edge 2/20, 27, 3/6)

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 260 •WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2013

Opinion...

MICECon...

FFROM 1

FFROM 1

trends and innovations of the business.

Professor Ian Yeoman, associate professor of School of Management, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, will talk on “Imagining the future of travel.”

Martin Winter, chairman of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) Asia Pacific Chapter, will tackle “The Future of Meetings in Asia Pacific.” Gary Grimmer, chief executive officer of GainingEdge, Australia, will discuss “What M.I.C.E. Planners Want?” and “Let’s Kill Murphy! Bullet-proofing Meetings from Disasters and Other Events terrorists.”

Tony Steven, president of The Australasian Society of Association Executives (AuSAE), will handle the

9

topic “Keeping Associations Healthy, Wealthy and Wise.”

Ray Shaw, chairman of MCI Australia, will be the discussant of the topics “Content is King!” and “M.I.C.E Technovations: Tomorrow’s Hottest Technologies Today.” Jörg Dietzel, chief executive officer of Jörg Dietzel Brand Consultants Pte Ltd., Singapore will talk on the “Rise of Asian Brands” and “Nation Branding.” Ma. Teresa D. Villanueva, chairman and chief executive officer of Publicis Manila Incorporated on the topic “Brand Strategy on a Tight Budget.”

Other speakers are Maureen O’Crowley, vice president of Seoul Tourism Organization, South Korea (The Tourism and Business Value of Meetings).

Cheryl Cecchetto founder

and president of Sequoia Productions, USA 9 (Tips, Tricks and Techniques for an Extraordinary Event Experience), Andrew Chan, founder and chief executive officer of ACI HR Solutions, Singapore (The War for Talent - The Secret to Attracting, Motivating and Retaining the Best), Don Allison, Master Storyteller of the Mark of a Leader, Canada (The Mark of a Leader).

Davao City Travel Agencies Association (DTAA) will also hold their annual Davao Mega Travel Sale from March 7 to 10 in partnership with MICECon in the same area. DTAA is expecting a 20-percent increase in their sales from last year’s P50million gross sales with 25 exhibitors from 20 different travel agencies in Davao City.

Lisette Marques, ex-

ecutive director of Duaw Dabaw Foundation Inc., earlier said that they have prepared for over a year for this event making them confident that the event will run smoothly.

She also said that, “We have relearned how to handle this event which is why we have to be very creative and we have to think outside the box.”

One example she said is the techno themed Casual Night Out at Waterfront Insular Hotel Garden Tent later tonight from 7pm to 9pm which she said “would look very futuristic and prestigious.”

She added that representatives from 12 countries, as well as those from 30 provinces, municipalities and cities in the Philippines are expected to join MICECON.

“Opinion surveys are not only used for political surveys, they can also be employed in marketing and advertising research to measure and predict consumer’s reaction to products,” she said.

She traced the history of opinion surveys rooting back in the social surveys conducted in Victorian Britain by social reformers to collect information on poverty and working class life.

Opinion survey was then popularized in the United States of America as early as 1824, during the presidential bid between Andrew Jackson against John Quincy Adams, analyzed locally in Pennsylvania. The opinion survey showed that Jackson leads against Adams by half, which later

Grade 6...

on related as the true outcome after the elections was done.

“Indeed, opinion survey research remains the most used and applied social research today as it is gaining acceptance in the wider public, with the scientific method and triviality as its basic advantage,” Arquiza added.

Opinion surveys can also be used as inputs in crafting of policies laws and ordinances which will lead to a more participatory government, since elected officials are inclined to listen and take heed of popular opinions, according to Arquiza.

“These opinions may not directly influence decisions, never the less they surely carry weight in consideration in policy design,” she added.

FFROM 2

pened; right now I still can’t believe that our student is involved in such crime,” Amistoso added.

The principal assured that they will be doubling their effort in terms of tightening their security measures in order to avoid similar incident in the future.

The offending minor will be turned over

to Lamdag, a shelter for youth offender and an intervention will be done and the offender will be subjected to community service.

Bahan said that she is not sure if a case will be filed against the offender when he turns 18 but she added, “The offender will not be convicted because he is still a minor.”

Church leaders...

FFROM 2

open forum.

“We aim to inform the public what the provisions and processes included in the RA 10354 are, to get a public pulse and determine what the final version would be which, hopefully, will be signed on March 15,” Valera said.

“The forum also wants to define the specifics of the law, especially on how to access reproductive health and educate the people on responsible parenthood, which was well discussed and debated during the drafting of the law,” she added.

Dabawenyos...

FFROM 2

were presented to the media by Dr. Rey Cuison and Dr. Adrian Tamayo during the KapehansaDabaw last Monday at Cafe Rysus at SM City Davao in Ecoland.

Why do they like FAB? When asked why the FAB will pave the road to lasting peace, 93 percent of Dabawenyos said it will propel economic growth; 76 percent believe it will result in effective resource allocation; while 64 percent think that the Bangsamoro is a better idea than the current Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Seventy percent of the respondents believe that the FAB embodies the real sentiments of the people in Mindanao.

Characterizing the supporters of peace, the IPO survey found that 55 percent of the males believe the agreement will lead to just and lasting peace. On the other hand,

single Dabawenyos (28 percemt) are molre supportive than the married ones (21 percent).

The younger generation, ages 18 to 29 years old, expressed conviction that the Agreement will succeed (29 percent).

Adults, ages 36 to 49 years (46 percent), believe so too.

The poor like it the most Majority of low income persons (84 percent) like the agreement.

The economic promise of the Bangsamoro agreement are much appreciated by the underemployed (33 percent), followed by the jobless (28 percent).

The IPO said that those who have regular employment welcome less the agreement (21 percent). Also only 18 percent of those in business like the agreement.

In conclusion, the IPO said the believers of the peace process are mostly the poor.

10 SPORTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 260 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

2ND ARAW NG DABAW PHOENIX MARATHON

P300,000 at stake

A

W H O P P I N G P300,000 prize windfall courtesy of Phoenix Petroleum Philippines await winners of the 2nd Araw ng Dabaw Phoenix Marathon this Sunday.

Over 2,500 runners are expected to join the Run which will start and finish at SM Lanang Premier. All categories have prizes for both male and female winners.

In the 42K category, champions will each receive the grand prize of P25,000 in cash. Second placers will receive

P15,000, third P10,000, fourth P5,000, and fifth P3,000 each. The sixth to tenth finishers will each receive P1,500. All 42K finishers will receive a medal, finisher’s shirt and certificate.

In the 21K category, the winners will each receive P15,000 in cash.

Second placers will receive P10,000, third P5,000, fourth P2,500, and fifth P1,200 each.

They will also receive a medal and certificate.

For the 10K category, first placers will receive P5,000 each. Second

placers will each receive P4,000, third P3,000, fourth P1,500, and fifth P500 each. Finishers will receive certificates.

In the 5K category, first placers will receive P3,000 each, second placers P2,000, and third P1,000 each. Finishers will receive certificates.

The 3K first placers will receive P1,500, second P1,000, and third P500 each. All 3K finishers will receive certificates.

Prizes will also be given to the biggest del-

egations, amounting to P7,000.

Registration is ongoing until March 8, 2013 at Phoenix Acacia, Phoenix Lanang Mega Station, SM City Davao and SM Lanang Premier. Registrants will receive a discount stub that they can use at the Adidas Shop located at 2/F Gaisano Mall Davao.

Out-of-towners can register at the following Phoenix sales offices: Cebu City Office- 12th Floor, Skyrise 2 Bldg., Asiatown I.T Park; Cagayan De Oro City Of-

fice- Suites 1 & 2, 8/F Limketkai Gateway Tower 1, Limketkai Center, Lapasan; Bacolod City Office- JKC Bldg., Palanca Avenue, Reclamation Area; and General Santos City Office- 2th/F JMP Bldg., 1 South Osmeña St..

Proceeds from the 2nd Araw ng Dabaw Phoenix Marathon will go to the advocacies supported by Phoenix Philippines Foundation, Inc. The 2nd Araw ng Dabaw Phoenix Marathon is presented by Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Pioneer Insurance, SM City Davao, and SM Lanang Premier. It is held in partnership with the City Government of Davao and is organized by Vantage Sports.

Major sponsors of the Phoenix Petroleum Araw ng Dabaw events are Connex Technology & Industrial Services, Joy Trade Marketing, Kairos,

Contractors Supply Depot, Custom Grafix, Algon Engineering, Seadove Maritime Services, Inc., and Trans-overseas (Gilbarco).

Gold sponsors are Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Brenton Engineering Product Corp, Mechatrends, EEI Construction & Marine, Inc., and BDO. Silver sponsors are Gov. Arturo Uy, Servityre/Aeolous, ESBE Builders, Isuzu Davao, Yangking Engineering, RB Apilado, FC Core Construction, EMCOR, HSBC, and Development Bank of the Philippines. Bronze sponsors are Chinatrust, Loc-Seal Industrial Corp., Unifield Enterprises, Fluidynamics, Motortrade, Cebu DLS, Ohcotech Corporation, RMH Engineering, Astig Energy Drink, Unifrutti, DOLE Philippines, Marchael Fishing, POLLO PORCO LECHON, China Bank, KEWL Solutions, Fasttrack Solutions, Inc., Greenflex Consulting, and IEPI-International Engineers Phils, Inc.

INNEAPOLIS (AP) — Dwyane Wade had 32 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists and LeBron James shrugged off a sore left knee to score 20 points and grab 10 rebounds as the Miami Heat earned their club-record 15th straight victory with a 9781 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday (Tuesday Manila time).

Chris Bosh added 11 points and nine rebounds, and James played 35 minutes despite being listed as a game-time decision with a twisted left knee.

Derrick Williams had 25 points and 10 rebounds and Ricky Rubio had 14 points, eight assists, six steals and five rebounds for the Timberwolves.

Amare Stoudemire scored 22 points at New York and J.R. Smith added 18 as the Knicks overcame a 22-point deficit without All-Star Carmelo Anthony to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 102-97.

Steve Novak made three of New York’s seven 3-pointers in the fourth quarter as the Knicks rallied and shook off a tough home loss on Sunday, when they blew a 16-point lead to Miami.

Kyrie Irving scored 22 points in his return after missing Cleveland’s past three games with a hyperextended right knee.

Orlando’s Arron Afflalo scored five of his gamehigh 26 points in the final 38 seconds to lead the Magic over the New Orleans Hornets 105-102.

Jameer Nelson, returning from a left knee injury that sidelined him six games, scored 15 points and Tobias Harris also scored 15 for Orlando, which trailed by as many as 17 points in the second half and erased a ninepoint deficit during the final 3:15.

At Milwaukee, Monta Ellis scored 34 points and Brandon Jennings added 20 points and 17 assists as the Milwaukee Bucks downed the Utah Jazz 109108 in overtime.

J.J. Redick scored 17 for the Bucks, including their first eight in overtime. Milwaukee won its fourth consecutive game after dropping three in a row following the All-Star break.

Derrick Favors equaled a career high with 23 points and added 15 rebounds for Utah, which lost for the fourth time in five games.

Heat wins 15th straight M

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 260 •WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2013

SPORTS 11

Cars and cash PHOENIX OPEN

By Neil Bravo

T

PHOENIX GOLF. Dennis Uy, President and CEO of Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, will be hitting the ceremonial balls.

Ceniza wins The Open Golf

A

L REY Ceniza fired a gross 34 to win the overall gross title in The Open Golf Tournament at the Apo Golf and Country Club over the weekend.

Ceniza, who played in the recent PAL Interclub, joined the tournament shortly after arriving from Cebu. Sharing the limelight with Ceniza was Olivia Lee who fired a gross 47 for the women’s title.

The highlight of the day belonged to Rey Yumang who scored a rare hole-in-one on hole no. 7.

The other winners in the two-day golfest organized by lady golfers of AGCC were Ronald Galicia who won the Class A gross title, Billy Tapucar (Class A net), Alex Maramba (Class B gross), Frank Buno (Class B net), Boy Latayan (Class C gross), Jericho Bajo (Class C net), Irene Shinmura (Ladies gross) and Stella Barnes (Ladies net).

(NJB)

HERE’S a whopping million pesos in cash, a pickup truck and a car waiting for the lucky swingers as the year’s first major local golf tournament, the 5th Phoenix Open, gets off the tees of Rancho Palos Verdes Golf and Country Club this Saturday.

The brand new pick-up, a car, and other prizes will be given away in designated par 3 holes.

Phoenix Fuel cards worth P100,000 are also up for grabs.

The champions will receive a specially-crafted Royal Selangor Pewter Plates and Phoenix Petroleum Fuel cards. Champions shall receive limit-

ed edition Phoenix signature golf bags.

Phoenix Petroleum Philippines CEO Dennis Uy, this year’s Datu Bago Awardee, will be leading the hitting of ceremonial balls.

Registration is still ongoing until March 4, 2013, Monday, up to 5 pm.

Participants can register at the following outlets: Rancho Palos Verdes, Apo Golf and Country Club, and Davao City Golf Club.

Entry fee is P5,000.00 per player inclusive of dri-fit golf shirt, a double layered golf umbrella, portable gadget power bank and a golf cap, to be distributed on the day of the tournament at the venue.

Players can participate in the team, partner or individual categories.

Phoenix Open players are entitled to one practice round on any day between March 5 to 8, 2013 at the Rancho Palos Verdes Golf & Country Club upon presentation of the tournament receipt at the club’s front office.

The 5th Phoenix Open is presented

by Phoenix Petroleum Philippines and Pioneer Insurance. Proceeds from the 5th Phoenix Open will go to the advocacies of the Phoenix Philippines Foundation, Inc. The Phoenix Open is the official golf event of the Araw ng Dabaw festival.

LADIES WINNER. Olivia Lee fired a gross 47 to win the Ladies title in The Open golf tournament. [BOY LIM]

MEN’S CHAMP. Al Rey Ceniza receives his prize for winning the men’s overall gross title in The Open golf tournament at the Apo Golf and Country Club. [BOY LIM]

12 SPORTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 260 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

DC booters spank rivals

D

AVAO CITY defeated Davao del Norte 6-0 in the boys U-13 division to lead the winners in the PFF Mindanao Regional Festival of Football at the Tionko Field over the weekend.

Davao City connected through Julius Ponpon (1’); Charles Ybaňez (25’); Ronald Penales (31’ and 40’); John Mark Diamat (50’); and Khalil Jikiri (55’).

Davao earlier defeated Compostela Valley 4-0 with Julius Ponpon (2’); Noel Capuyan Jr., (19’); Neilser Lampios (30’); and Khalil Jikiri (65’) slotting home a goal each.

Compostela Valley FA drew with Davao del Norte FA 3 – 3.

Scoring for Compostela Valley were Noli Jan Cabantingan (18’); William Herdilles of DNFA – own goal (37’); and, Marlon Lubang (44’). Goal scorers for DNFA are Eli Balos (8’

& 19’) and Reymark Catangue (38’).

Games are played in three (3) periods of twenty (20)minutes. All players are required to play and distributed accordingly in any of the three (3) periods. Selected players the undergo skills testing. The final list will be announced

by PFF later.

PFF Technical Director Aris Caslib, Mindanao Center for Exellence Director Percy Guarin, National Team Coach Eliezer Fabroada, and Mindanao Grassroots coordinator Albert Ryan Lim observed and scouted the players who will compose the selection pool for the national team in these age groups. Davao FA would like to thank the parents, coaches, the clubs & schools of the players, Barangay Mintal and UP Mindanao for their presence and assistance.

HARD ACTION. Action gets tough in the recent DFC League played at the Davao Crocodile Park. [DFC PHOTOS]

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 260 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2013

Retai ling

Retail: Force behind Davao’s economy

By Greg G. Deligero [Editor’s Note: As we mark the 5th year anniversary of Edge Davao, we are running a series of special supplements which will feature the top 5 economic drivers of Davao City—property development, agribusiness, tourism, wholesale and retail and the Information Communication Technology-Business Process Outsourcing (ICT-BPO). This issue focuses on Retail Industry.]

C

ONSIDERED as one of the key economic growth drivers in Davao City, the retail industry has dominated the field of commerce and trade in terms of tax revenue and employment.

Retail is the sale of goods and services from individuals or businesses to the end-user. Retailers are part of an integrated system called the

supply chain. A retailer purchases goods or products in large quantities from manufacturers directly or through a wholesale, and then sells smaller quantities to the consumer for a profit.

Data obtained from the City Treasurer’s Office covering June-December 2011 to January-July 2012 showed that retailers contributed

FRETAIL, S6

Inside SM Lanang Premier

Page 2 SM Ecoland

Page 4

NCCC

Page 8 Abreeza

Page 9

T

S2 SM Lanang Premier: FOCUS ON RETAILING

By Neil Bravo

I

VOL.5 ISSUE 260 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

here’s so much more

MAGINE yourself as an impressionist artist. A brush in hand and facing a blank canvas.

The subject is an oasis called SM Lanang Premier.

Your attempt at visual reality, made stark clear and brighter by transient effects of light and colour, could fall short of this grand architectural and elemental masterpiece.

Indeed, SM Lanang Premier is life on a huge, dreamlike canvas.

SM Lanang Premier, SM Malls first ever premier store in Mindanao, doesn’t stop to amaze people—locals and tourists alike. It’s

one thing to live up to a marketing pitch and another to put life to it and more.

Russel Alaba, Group Brand manager for SM Malls for Visayas and Mindanao, himself could not stop at words to aptly describe SM’s newest mall. For him, it gets exciting with the passing days.

“There’s just so much more now and yet, so much more to expect,” says Alaba as he recites a litany of brands which will soon become a part of the growing member of SM Lanang Premier’s family.

Check this out. Begin salivating with J.Co donuts,

venture into Italian cuisine with Morisco, jump into hip fashion with American Eagle, Aeropostale and Cotton On, and then sweat it out in a world-class Bowling Center. You can soon explore your world at the first ever Science Discovery Center.

All that will come soon but that doesn’t mean the present Premier is a bore.

Don’t look now but this sprawling 144,000 square meter landscape is oh so amazing.

Let’s count the ways.

There’s the bright LED lights that make the entire mall complex the brightest oasis in the city. As soon as dusk sets in, expect SM Lanang Premier to light up like it’s the main attraction of a city while the rest provide back-up scenery.

The Premier also uses LED lighting inside and provides the contemporary feel of some of the more popular malls abroad.

Don’t be deceived though, despite its grandiose luminance, the LED lighting system is the most energy-efficient lighting system by far.

For the mall’s signature feature, ogle at the 122-meter Fountain Court, the longest there is in the country.

Be thrilled by the spectacle of ‘waterworks display’ dancing in vibrant colors to the tune of contemporary music like the world hit Gangnam Style to the sweet tunes that provide a romantic background in an otherwise romantic setting.

The unique ‘waterworks’ is Davao’s answer

to pyrotechnic fireworks (which is banned here).

Shows are scheduled every two hours from Mondays to Thursdays and every hour from Fridays to Sundays (and holidays, too!).

Easily, the Fountain Court is the most dreamy place to dine. The strip of restaurants feature casual to fine dining experience.

At the second level are Cellar de Poca, Bistro Celera, Hukad, Archipelago 7107 and Bulgogi Brothers. The ground level has Hog’s Breath (Australian Steaks), the country’s first of its kind, Viking’s (buffet restaurant) which is a hit in Manila and its first outlet outside MOA, Mesa, and the soon-to-open Morisco, an Italian resto which traces its origins from Season 2 USA Master Chef winner Giuseppe Morisco.

Opening soon are Toast Box, Banana Leaf, Sumo Sam, and New Orleans.

Another first in malling experience is the Premier’s Sky Garden, which houses restaurants amid a lush garden with refreshing water features. It connects to the Mall’s second level and can be easily accessed from J. P. Laurel Avenue. If the Fountain Court offers moving musicale, the Sky Garden provides a different view of Davao’s panoramic landscape and seascape at night.

It’s a place to just chill while listening to acoustic music

by Davao’s up-and-coming artists.

Shopping at the Premier is a different experience. For one, Forever 21 has redefined fashion sense of the trendy Davaenwyos.

More brands will be opening soon.

A visit to the Premier will not be complete without experiencing I-Max 3D cinema and six other digital movie theatres.

“You can’t stop being amazed. It’s everything and

so much more,” said Alaba, who himself is thrilled at the autobahn speeds of transformation the Premier is setting.

To think that the Premier only opened last September and just barely half a year existing, imagine what this place could be in year’s time.

From a blank canvas, comes a gallery of masterpieces.

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Trailblazing a shopping lifestyle

By Neil Bravo

E

LEVEN years ago, SM City Davao blazed the trail in the local mall industry incorporating in one complex a shopping lifestyle that is family-oriented with going-the-extramile community service.

Today, SM City Davao has become an integral part

of the shopping lifestyle of Davawenyos.

What makes SM City Davao click?

As the SM brand’s slogan says “We got it all”, SM City Davao continues to improvise on the “community mall” tag attached to it.

More than the brands and the flavours, SM City Davao redefines the concept of malling.

“We have successfully made SM City Davao as something people look forward to after a stressful week or day in the office,”

said Nick Santos, Assistant Mall Manager.

SM City Davao is a place for convergence, where families meet families, friends meet friends, and strangers win new acquaintances.

The 13-hectare complex is the first ever SM Mall

in Mindanao. The trail-blazing ways did not stop there.

This mall laced the toppings to the already hip and contemporary shops and incorporated unique service such as seven-daysa-week banking with BDO, youth-oriented amenities and shows, free shuttle service to all parking areas, LTO (Land Transportation Office) license renewal, NSO (National Statistics Office) and PRC (Professional Regulations Commission) renewals and lately, the DFA (Department of Foreign Af-

fairs) passport processing services.

Through the years, SM City Davao has recreated itself making it more hip and at the same time maintain its family concept.

Last year, The Annex opened extending SM City Davao not only in floor area but also in services. It made way for the segmentation of products as the second level of the expansion became the home of the Cyberzone—the region’s largest which boasts of a complete line of major electronic and IT products. Expect the Cyberzone to be a favourite hangout of techies and gadget freaks when the Tech Lounge opens soon. That, too, will be a first.

A trek to the ground level brings you to a strip of some of the more popular names in dining and cafes from Starbucks to BonChon Chicken to Sumo Sam to Peri Peri. It also features some of the best local flavours Pyesta Davao and Cebu’s famous Hukad. This strip is the most salivating part of the mall.

On typical Sundays, this line of dines is teeming with people who believes that

weekends won’t be complete without a sumptuous lunch after the Sunday mass. Oh, by the way, the mall has Sunday church service for employees and the public at 8 o’clock in the morning.

The Annex’s centrepiece area, a spacious pseudo-theater, is now home to the finest performances and events. The activity center is now a preferred venue among the country’s major professional groups and asso-

ciations. The city’s major events are also held in the sprawling event center.

Inside and out, there’s a lot of life (a spin to the Davao slogan of Life Is Here) in SM City Davao.

Imagine this. Jog at the vast parking complex early in the morning and grab a donut at Krispy Kreme or sip a cup of your favourite Starbucks brew.

There’s more to that says Santos. Pretty soon, the mall is going to be awake 24 hours. That means, some cafes and dines will have to operate round the clock.

Not dwelling into de-

tails yet, Santos said a world-renowned BPO is opening at the fourth level of The Annex by April.

“That means, with SM City Davao housing a major BPO firm, we are going to be awake from sun up to sun down,” said Santos.

Plans are underway for some of the cafes to extend operations. At the moment, Starbucks closes at midnight and Krispy Kreme at 1 am. With the BPO operations, even the night becomes day at SM City Davao.

Looks like that, too, is going to be another first in malling lifestyle.

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In the PHL, ‘malling’ has become a verb I

customers of the company’s brands need not go to Manila to shop.

To sustain the patronage, Tomeldan said her company has also developed a linkup with television networks so it could bring their stars to hold shows in the mall. These include wellknown foreign performers like the Jabbawockeez, an American dance groups whose members include some Filipinos, Captured market Tomeldan said he is excited about the opening of Seda, the hotel

built within the property, and that of the condominiums being built

by Alveo, the Ayala Land Inc. property arm that develops high-end projects.

She said these properties, with the hotel opening middle of March and one of the condominium towers already sold out, will become the eventual customers of the mall and its establishments.

She believes that the retail industry in the mall has become the anchor of the multi-billion peso project. AMA

N the Philippines, “malling” has become a verb, the act of going to a shopping mall and whiling away the hours.

The Southeast Asian country has three of the world’s 10 largest shopping centers, two of them in the capital, Manila.

Scores of others, ranging from modern glass and steel structures to older, fading buildings, dot cities across the archipelago.

Although over 40 percent of the country’s 90 million people live on $2 or less per day, malls in the country are crowded at all times, and especially packed at weekends.

Around 80 percent of the Philippines’ population go to shopping centers and around 36 million people visit shopping plazas once or twice a month, according to Nielsen Media Research.

“People just come to the mall to stay cool, said Chris Balberona, a driver for a bank, who was at Manila’s Megamall watching ice-skaters on an artificial rink.

“Life is hard right now so we don’t really come here to shop.”

The air-conditioned malls are a boon in this steamy tropical nation.

But shopping plazas in the Philippines have also become a place to pay

percent, importers with 11,957 or 5.45 percent and banks and financial institutions with 9,974 or 4.55 percent.

Intermediaries Retailers, characterized as intermediaries between manufacturers or wholesalers and consumers, mainly buy goods from manufacturers and wholesalers and resell them to consumers.

These goods include general merchandise, auto parts, hardware, beauty products, animal feeds, books and magazines, drugs and medicines, jewelries, wet and dry goods, flowers, cell phones, mineral water and carbonated drinks.

At present, there are 13, 733 retail establishments located all over the Davao City or 47.19 percent of the 29,101 total number of commercial establishments recorded during the covered period.

The retail trade in Davao City already flourished even before the advent of shopping malls, the most iconic and ubiq-

uitous examples of the modern retail establishment.

Popular Already popular during the Japanese are the bazaars and the pioneering department stores some of which operate up to 1970s and 1980s like the Magno’s Department Store, Manila Textile, Datu Lima, Hermandas Department Store, Borgaileys and Laila Department Store.

For decades, the Gaisano, Felcris and NCCC department stores dominated the local retail trade with branches found in strategic locations in the city.

The local retail trade landscape changed in the mid-1990s, the start of shopping malls era with the operation of Victoria Plaza, the first shopping mall in Davao Region owned by the Limso family.

One after the other, the Gaisano department stores closed shops but two Gaisano shopping malls were later on constructed, the Gaisano Mall

of Davao and the Gaisano South.

While Felcris and NCCC department stores continue to operate, the former diversified its operation with the establishment of a specialty store Chimes and a number of convenience stores in various parts of the city.

For its part, the NCCC also put up its own mall in Matina, the NCCC Mall of Davao, and opened outlets in strategic locations in the city for its NCCC Supermarket, Breadfactory, Hardwaremaxx and HB1.

Commercial malls For the past 15 years, Davao City saw the development of large commercial malls in the edge of the central business district particularly in the Matina, Bajada and Lanang areas.

These include the SM City Davao, the Abreeza Mall and the SM Lanang Premier. New commercial malls are also expected to rise in Toril, Buhangin and Tugbok districts to complement the residential area development in these areas.

Abreeza...

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these brands to set up mall-based outlets.

Among the biggest locators in the mall is Filipino-led international company that brings foreign brands, the Primer Group, which has set up several kiosks and full stores within the mall.

In an earlier interview, Jacky E. Quintos, Primer Group chief operations officer, said his company decided to intensify its presence in the mall because he believes in the local market.

Quintos, who has relatives in the city, said that

Retail...

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bills, meet or watch people, eat or see a film.

Catholic masses are even held in the corridors of some malls. While the faithful sit on plastic chairs, less religious folk continue to browse the rails nearby.

Shopping is only an option at Manila’s malls.

SM Prime, the largest mall operator in the Philippines, said 2.5 million people still visited its over 30 shopping centers across the country.

“There has been no noticeable decrease in this number primarily because the ‘malling’ lifestyle has become a way of life for the Filipinos,” said a company’s top official.

But with the cost of travel spiking because of high oil prices, some Filipinos say they are cutting back on their mall trips and restricting themselves even more to window shopping.

Cita Foronda, an executive assistant who goes to a mall once a week with her four children, says the visits are now almost entirely to kill time.

“We only shop on a need basis now,” Foronda said. “Even with the sales, it’s not attractive anymore.”

With very few public parks or other public amenities in Manila, and high pollution levels, she

says the small play areas for children are a big attraction.

“If you have small kids, of course, you go to the mall,” she said. “You want your kids to be happy because you hardly see them during the work week.”

Almost all utilities bills can be paid in malls, banks are attached and a fairly inexpensive meal at a fast-food eatery is always an option.

“It’s like they give you everything just so you go,” Foronda said.

REMITTANCES Another factor keeping malls popular is the large inflows of remittances sent home by millions of Filipinos who work overseas.

These remittances, estimated to reach a fresh peak of nearly $16 billion this year, support the retail sector even amidst the economic slowdown.

Every few years a new mall emerges in Manila or one of the larger cities, bigger and more extravagant than the last.

The Mall of Asia, the world’s third largest shopping centre, is almost as big as Vatican City.

Two other malls in the Philippines, SM North Edsa and SM Cebu, also made the top 10 list in the study. [Reuters]

Another retail trade leader, the S&R Membership Shopping, is set to open its seventh warehouse store in Matina, in May, its first outlet in Mindanao.

Most of the shopping malls have its own convenience stores established in strategic locations in the city opening 24 hours a day and 7 days a week to meet consumer needs and demands.

Advantage Teolulo T. Pasawa, provincial director of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Davao City Field Office/ Center Director National Economic Research & Business Assistance Center (NERBAC) said the bullish retail trade industry will be a big advantage to small and medium entrepreneurs.

“Retailing is an important economic activity as it provides the interface between the production and distribution of goods and their consumption. Retailers are essentially the ultimate outlets of production of our small

entrepreneurs,” he said.

Aside from providing convenience to consumers, Pasawa said the retail trade players also provide key contributions to the government through business taxes and the income taxes of the employees.

“They are a viable source of revenues,” he said.

In third world setting like the Philippines, Pasawa said the retailers exercise big influence to consumers in terms of preferences “such as what type of goods, quality and the price.”

“It is not yet the consumers that dictate. It is still the retailers that offer choices on the kind of goods that are available in the market,” he said.

Pasawa said the presence of shopping malls also give challenge to traditional public markets to “shape up and improve their services otherwise they will lose consumers.”

DTI believes that the bullish retail trade industry will make local economy more vibrant.

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P223.36 M or 27.02 percent to the total P826.56 M total tax revenue generated from commerce and trade.

It is followed by wholesalers with P167. 15 M or 20.21 percent, manufacturers with P131.56 M or 15.91 percent, services with P92. 19 M or 11.15 percent and franchise holders with P74.24 M or 8.98 percent.

Exactly 20.07 percent of the total P4.11 billion tax revenue generated by Davao City during that period came from commerce and trade which include amusement places, banks, dwelling places, brokers of real estate, printing and publication, memorial parks and medical establishments.

In terms of employment, retailers cornered 33.31 percent of the 219,014 total employment generated by commerce and trade establishments. It is second only to services which employed 77,970 or 35.19 percent. Other top employers are wholesalers with 31, 535 or 14.39

INdulge!

VOL.5 ISSUE 260• WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

STYLE

One Fab Pooch pawlour and pet hotel

DOGS are every man’s best friend. We treat them like equals and give them the same treatment we give to our family. Dogs reward our care and love with loyalty and friendship, even braving the odds just to keep their master away from harm.

In this time and age, dogs have elevated their position in family homes.

Gone are the days when they just functioned as life guards. In a way, they have now become an extension of their master’s identity and personality. Think Paris Hilton and Tinkerbell. Or better yet, Elle Woods and Bruiser.

These pooches mirror the personal taste of their handlers, from posh cribs to sophisticated ensembles.

However, their crib is sometimes put into question when the need and impulse to travel arises.

Not everyone has the moolah to get travel with their pooches via private plane, nor do most malls allow pets in their premises.

Majority of the time, dogs are left to friends or neighbors who we do not intend to bother with the responsibilities and work load of a caretaker. Each

dog lover has a different standard in caring for their pets, and your dog’s temporary handlers might get too worried over not being able to provide what your dog is accustomed to. I have heard of people having sleepless nights, worrying about a friend’s pet in their custody, or about their own dogs under an inexperienced caretaker.

One Fab Pooch Hotel and Fitness Club is your saving grace for this dilemma. Whether it is for a day or a week, your canine bff is guaranteed to experience the best kind of hos-

pitality in Davao’s first and only doggie daycare center and boarding facility.

This year-old petboarding place has sprung new breed and quality in pet care and grooming for every four-legged guest.

One Fab Pooch is adapted from hospitals and luxury hotels, featuring home-like sleeping spaces, hours of play and exercise, experienced trainers, plus the best sanitation and grooming standards.

Patterned after contemporary living spaces, One Fab Pooch has 21 wellappointed rooms, with different room categories and amenities to suit your dog’s needs. Each room is designed with the comfort of your pooches in mind.

They also have a posh pawlour where dogs can enjoy ultimate pampering and a bit of fashion refreshment.

Fitness and playgroup activities in the Fitness Club also ensure that your

pets are fit and well-socialized with other guests, so they won’t feel too lonely during your absence.

They are guided through an hour of fitness session and supervised activities that stimulate their agility and coordination skills, added with a moderate cardio exercise to keep them in proper shape and health.

ONE FAB POOCH Hotel & Fitness Club is located at 751 Tionko Avenue corner Araullo St. (near Sunflower Hotel and Sanny Sweets), Davao City. Their new Paw-lour branch is also opening on March 8, located in the Phoenix Commercial Complex in Lanang area. Check the Facebook page of One Fab Pooch Hotel and Fitness Club for more information, VIP membership, and special discounts. You may also call (63 82) 305 0351 for other inquiries and pickup and delivery services.

EDGEDAVAO

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UP AND ABOUT

Daddy’s Home celebrates Araw ng Dabaw at SM City Davao, March 15

VOL.5 ISSUE 260 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2013

MOVIES

Crazy love

X FACTOR Philippines Season 1 finalist Daddy’s Home will be performing at SM By Jay Rosas City Davao on its Araw ng Dabaw celebration on March 15, Friday.

LOVE is patient. Love is kind.

The all-male ensemble is composed of four dads, Dr. Eric Dacanay, Herbert “Ebet” Silonga, Jerome Icatar, and Allan Mitchell Silonga, whose main motivation is to provide only the best for their kids and their families.

Since the start, the group has captured the hearts of the public. They also earned the respect of competition judges Gary Valenciano, Martin Nievera, Pilita, and Charice with their audition song “Sana Maulit Muli.”

Daddy’s Home numbers were then much awaited by the X Factor audience as the group was named as the country’s “Boyz II Men”.

Mentored by no less than Gary Valenciano, the band further developed their skills during the competition which are demonstrated in their heart-warming and impressive song numbers. Their fan base also expanded to all over the country and the world.

Catch Daddy’s Home live at SM City Davao on March 15 at the Event Centre, Annex. Admission is free.

Celebrations are more exciting at SM City Davao!

Avail of up to 70% discount on unbelievable selections at SM Davao’s Araw ng Dabaw Sale on March 11-17. Mall hours are extended until 10 PM on Friday (March15) and until midnight on Saturday (March16).

For inquiries, please call 297.6998. Like SM City Davao on Facebook and follow @smcitydavao on Twitter for event and promo updates.

A multimedia worship experience in Davao INTERNATIONAL award winning recording artist/composer and communicator, Dr. Enoch Fernando will be appearing live for a free concert at the Davao Christian High School Auditorium on March 9, 2013(Saturday) at 7pm.

Based out of Southern California, this East India native has been travelling the world, bringing the grand piano to life with his unique style of inspirational instrumental music in churches and concert halls from Europe to Asia and the United States.

Over 2 million people have attended a live “Enoch” concert. The son of a famous evangelist, Enoch travels 300,000 miles yearly, and has performed in over 4,000 concerts worldwide. He has been considered for Grammy nominations. His piano has no language barriers, accompanied with rich orchestrations and multimedia video, his breathtaking arrangements and inspiring testimony have touched the hearts of countless audiences.

One pastor writes, “Enoch’s concerts could best be characterized by the word ‘excellence’. His artistry is truly world class. He is extraordinarily gifted yet skilled in directing praise and worship to the Master. Enoch’s concerts are full of musical virtuosity, spiritual zeal, enjoyable lightness and flair.” Enoch is the President of Christ for India founded in 1962 by his father the Rev. Dr. Manuel Fernando known as “The Billy Graham of India” Enoch uses his platform to help needy families and needy children worldwide. Enoch’s musichelp supports two orphanages, a free leper clinic and several other works in his native Madras, India.

But it also makes you do crazy stuff—and a lot of it is hurtful too—but it’s a craziness that when embraced by two crazy people willing to accept the craziness around them feels right and good. At least that’s what David O. Russell’s Silver Linings Playbook comes off as saying when finally, said crazy lovers snuggle in the sofa chair relishing a well-deserved kiss.

Silver Linings Playbook, directed by David O. Russell, slowly reveals to us its male protagonist Pat (Bradley Cooper) via fade in; but we hear his voice first, and we are not sure whether he is talking to someone or himself. When that is revealed we learned that he is in some institution ready to be escorted out by his mother Dolores (Jacki Weaver). We sense that there is something wrong with him—he seems to go on talking, at time in loops, just like his friend Danny (Chris Tucker), who surreptitiously sneaked out (he does it twice) of the same facility, he spat out a pill on his way out, he had a sudden compulsion to go to the library to rent out books included in the syllabus of his wife Nikki who teaches English.

His wife has put a restraining order against Pat, and we learned that because he beat up an older fellow teacher whom he caught cavorting with his wife in their own shower with Stevie Wonder’s My Cherie Amour, their wedding song, playing in the background. But that is not Pat’s major burden. We learned that he’s bipolar (the current term used for manic depression and in our common understanding, extreme mood swings that are sometimes characterized with violent tendencies) in a therapy session which was “creatively” set up by his psychiatrist using the same wedding song that now triggers Pat to go berserk.

But after “getting out”, he is determined to overhaul his life— he started jogging in a bid to get physically fit, read more, and take his medication—because he wants to rekindle his marriage with his wife.

The fact that we see Nikki only in flashbacks, despite Pat’s incessant talking about her, and later in a crucial scene at the near-end, suggests that she only bookends Pat’s life, a topic only brought out in conversations but never really seem to impact the present.

Pat makes us believe at first

that this is what drives him to get better—to have a shot at this “silver lining”—but his character’s development is hinged in his meeting Tiffany Maxwell (Jennifer Lawrence), recently widowed with a sort of tarnished reputation for being the girl “who fucked everybody in the office”. Their first meeting, during a dinner with Pat’s cousin Ronnie who is married to Tiffany’s sister Veronica, is a funny one. Pat gets obviously knocked with Tiffany’s physical forthrightness and went into manic blurts about his wife. But oh, they clicked at the dinner table when they started talking about the types of meds they’re in, suddenly engulfed in this sense of “otherness”.

So crazy boy meets crazy girl. After establishing that they need to be friends, Tiffany offers to secretly give to Nikki Pat’s letters, but in return Pat must agree to partner Tiffany in this dance competition she has been trying to join. It is predictable like any other romantic comedy. The elements in the film conspire to ensure that we see both in the arms of each other and it’s peppered with the usual tropes of the genre. But it is a cleverly made one and tremendously well-acted that we submit ourselves to the rollercoaster ride. Pat undergoes this therapeutic process of realization and Tiffany gets her dance and her man.

Lawrence (who recently won Best Actress Oscar for the role with some critical contest) as Tiffany works because she makes the character transcend the ingénue and manic pixie dream girl stereotype that are easily attributed to female characters whose existence is solely for the benefit of the male protagonist. Tiffany is complex, she is needy and manipulative. Yes, after she pesters Pat while jog-

ging in the neighborhood she confesses she just wants to be friends, and despite the casual offer of sex, her neediness is masked by this belligerence.

She brings up sex (sex as her coping mechanism remains partly vague) but only because this straightforwardness hides from plain sight her damage and depression and neediness.

On one hand, Bradley Cooper is a real revelation here. His Pat was a difficult balance of confidence and vulnerability.

My only gripe is how the film is being marketed as “relevant” because it tackles mental disorder (Russell supposedly made the film for his son who’s suffering from MD), which can be a little off-putting, especially because there are times that the film struggles to make Pat likable and worthy of empathy (there were still laughs in the audience amid some sympathetic musings during the scene where Pat looks for his wedding video). Pat and Tiffany are psychologically burnedout people, and it is about the difficulty of going through the disorders as much as it is the ability to accept it and still connect in the most humanly possible way.

Despite the tendency to state the obvious—Pat saying his father Pat Sr. has OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) despite showing these in scenes with the remote controls and his obsessive football superstitions, Dr. Cliff asking what parlay means when it was already being discussed during the “big bet”, the comments on the scoring at the dance contest—Russell’s direction (and the frenetic camera echoing the characters state of mind and emotions) still holds it together, portraying a dysfunctional family with all their quirkiness and moments of genuine love and affection. My personal favor-

ite here really is De Niro, who gives a sensitive portrayal of a father despite his own “damage-ness”, and matched

by Weaver, who despite being relegated into the sidelines with her meaningful stares, is a strong presence—a clear indication that she has endured the family’s differences and succeeded at keeping everyone together.

Russell is very good at working with actors. Like his previous Oscar-nominated film The Fighter (which also features a dysfunctional family at the center), the scenes where a bunch of actors live out a scene always stand out because of this propulsive spontaneity that comes out with the exchanges. In Silver Linings, this is true in “the bet” scene, where a furious Tiffany storms in the Solitano household after Pat failed to make it to dance practice, the entire conversation comically shifts into a sports bet. It is enjoyable to watch despite the ridiculousness of the setting and the whole idea.

And of course, there is the dance, which is curiously like a bizarre creature in itself. After learning Nikki was attending, Tiffany starts to break apart and lashes out at Pat, but Pat, we know (or may not apparently appear at first) is an entirely different person already. They begin with Stevie Wonder’s Don’t You ‘Bout A Thing, then randomly explodes into The White Stripes’ Fell in Love with a Girl, then waltzed and finished off (quite prematurely) with a jazz version of Maria from West Side Story. It’s like their love story “as of the moment”. The kiss is brief and sweet, the embrace, well-deserved. And all of that hurt and damage that is going to reveal itself along the way doesn’t seem to matter in the throes of a newfound love.

Rating: 4/5

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EDGEDAVAO

ENTERTAINMENT

Matrix Sequels: Wachowskis Sued for $300 million for allegedly stealing idea FORGET the dissatisfied fans, this writer has some major beef with the Matrix sequels.

Andy and Lana Wachowski are being sued for $300 million by a writer who claims they stole his idea for the scripts for The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolution.

Hawaiian-based writer Thomas Althouse filed a lawsuit against the screenwriting siblings, along with Joel Silver and Warner Bros., in Federal Court for copyright infringement. He is representing himself in the case.

According to the complaint, Althouse says he wrote a screenplay titled The Immortals, which was registered with the Writers Guild of America in 1993 and copyrighted with the U.S. Copyright Office in 1996.

Althouse claims he subsequently submitted his screenplay to Warner Bros. through his attorney in 1993, and at the time, he says Warner Bros. ac-

knowledged receipt of his play.

Although the Matrix sequels were both released in 2003, Althouse says he didn’t see the films until 2010, and it was then that he began investigating the similarities.

Althouse is now claiming those films were “based and formulated in substantial part” upon his screenplay, and he accused all defendants of willfully infringing on his copyright for purposes of commercial advantage.

Althouse also outlines

the similarities between The Immortals and the two Matrix sequels in the suit.

He claims he wrote about “enhancers” in the back of the neck for those in the immortals program that allow them to connect and interact in a virtual world, which is similar to how humans plug into the Matrix. He also says his main character, Jim, bears a striking similarity to The Matrix’s Neo, as both characters are champions for the free people.

set to become the show’s fourth judge.

While the former Project Runway host has kept mum on AGT rumors, she did give her Twitter followers a hint that she was gearing up for a new adventure, tweeting, “Going on a journey,” along with a photo of an airplane.

Klum would be the latest celeb to sign on to the show, following former Spice Girls member Mel B who will take over Sharon Osbourne’s seat.

NBC had no comment on the casting news.

Klum’s rep was not immediately available for comment.

Heidi Klum to be America’s Got Talent’s 4th judge COULD Heidi Klum be America’s Got Talent’s latest judge?

It certainly looks like it!

The former Victoria’s Secret supermodel was spotted on the set of the NBC reality show in New Orleans Sunday, amid speculation she signed on to fill the program’s fourth judge’s chair, a source tells E! News.

Klum is being referred to as “the new judge” on the set and everything points to it being official, our source went on to say, adding that it seems like she is excited to be on AGT and get going.

Rumors began circulating on Sunday that Klum was a judge on the show after TMZ posted an on-set photo of AGT filming in New Orleans—the pic showed the name “Heidi” above one of the judgin chairs, along with Howie Mandel, howard stern and Mel B labeled on the other seats. The Hollywood Reporter reports that Heidi indeed is

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HEALTH

VOL.5 ISSUE 260 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2013

Simple lifestyle changes for health DOES it ever feel like you have to spend hours and hours at the gym, change your diet dramatically or jump way out of your comfort zone to reap any rewards in the health department? Think again. Here are small changes that can have significant health payoffs.

1. Floss more often.

Flossing is one of the easiest, quickest ways to remove bad bacteria from your body.

Plaque and bacteria are constantly building up in areas of the teeth that brushing does not get to.

If plaque accumulates, it eats away the bone that holds the teeth in place.

Oral bacteria can enter the bloodstream; studies have shown that such harmful bugs could exacerbate diabetes and hypertension, and even lead to premature births.

2. Eat every 2 to 3 hours during the day.

Think you’re a saint for going on a long hunger strike at work? If you’re imagining thinner thighs as a result, don’t. You’re likely making your metabolism crazy and probably setting yourself up to eat more later in the day.

Women are encouraged to eat when they’re hungry, which often translates to three meals and at least two snacks per day.

This will help keep them full and satisfied and will reduce the likelihood of binge eating at the end of the day. This is one of the best principles you can follow to blast fat and build sexy, lean muscle.

3. Make your coffee at home.

When you brew your java at home, you avoid the unhealthy temptations at coffee shops like doughnuts, thus you save on calories and money as well.

4. Wear a pedometer.

Becoming aware of how much you move is such motivation to move more.

Not only for you, but for your whole family. Kids love pedometers—it becomes a family challenge

about movement, not exercise. It also may be fun to track how active (or inactive) you are each day. For starters, 2,000 steps is the equivalent of one mile. To boost your physical and mental health, wear a pedometer and challenge yourself to increase your steps every day.

5. Sleep in your exercise clothes (comfortable ones).

Do you always intend to get up and go for a jog or log an hour at the gym before work but…don’t? Motivation may be your problem, and if so, try to sleep in your gym clothes and put your sneaks and sports bra by the bed. Many of us waste too much time saying we need to work out but dread the process.

Trick yourself by just getting dressed for it and not really thinking about the next step.

6. Do your Kegels.

Experts say that as many as 1 in 4 women over the age of 18 experience episodes of involuntary leaking urine, called urinary incontinence. It’s embarrassing and frightening, but there is something you can do about it, say experts:

Focus on what your body can do, rather than on how it looks.

Too often, we pay attention to how our bodies appearance rather than what they allow us to do.

Keep your pelvic floor muscles strong. According to a review of studies by The Cochrane Library, the pelvic-floor strengthening exercises known as Kegels were found to be an effective way to minimize urinary incontinence issues.

Proof: Women who did their Kegels were between 2.5 and 7 times more likely to experience improvement than those who did not do the exercises.

7. Give yourself a compliment.

The key to feeling happy, confident and proud of your body—flaws and all is to learn how to marvel at your body’s many abilities.

Focus on what your body can do, rather than on how it looks. Too often, we pay attention to how our bodies appearance rather than what they allow us to do.

Can your body dance or swim? Can you build sand castles at the beach with your kids? Does your body allow you to enjoy a hot bath or intimacy with a

partner? Does your body transport you down the block or up a mountain?”

Try this exercise: Identify what you like about your body. See if you can find 10 things you like about how you look, like the sparkle in your eyes, the strength of your calves or your hair.

8. Get your vitamin D levels checked.

Many women have a low level of this essential vitamin and low levels are correlated with all sorts of things from cancers to low energy to Alzheimer’s.

The fix is simple and just involves taking vitamin D for several months, then rechecking the level.

9. Switch from instant to steel-cut oats.

If you eat oatmeal in the morning, give yourself some bonus points. The breakfast of champions, oatmeal fills you up and helps you feel satisfied longer than most breakfasts.

But, to get the maximum health payoff, consider switching to steel-cut oats that are less processed, contain more fiber and are more satisfying.

10. Turn on some classical music at dinner.

To keep yourself from eating too fast—and too much—put on some slow music. A research study found people who listened to fast music with meals ate, on average, five bites per minute. Those who didn’t listen to music ate four bites per minute. And the kicker: Those who listened to slow music ate

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VOL.5 ISSUE 260 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2013

NCCC to open 10 more HB1 stores

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By EJ Dominic Fernandez

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EW City Commercial Center, more popularly known simply as NCCC, will be opening 10 more Health and Beauty in One (HB1) stores this year as the homegrown firm prepares for its 35th year in the retailing industry, according to NCCC marketing director Tjader Regis.

Regis rold this writer that the company is slated to open stores in Panabo City and Cabantian, Buhangin District here in Davao City.

NCCC supermarket already has eight stores, four choice grocery stores, 29 HB1 stores.

The firm also operates in Tagum and pioneered in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

Regis said that the company’s edge over the other retailing businesses in the city is that NCCC is a homegrown player in the retail industry. The owners and managers pride themselves of being more familiar with the market making them more capable of responding to the consumer’s needs and discriminating taste.

This is evident as NCCC supermarket recently won the Regional Retail of the Year Award for Mindanao for the sec-

ond time during the 16th Outstanding Filipino Retails and Shopping Centers of the Year Awards Night last January 22 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Ortigas Center, Pasig.

Regis also believes that Davao City is ready for more players in the retail industry with all the development that the city is experiencing.

“This will generate more income for the city, thus, opening a lot more opportunities for the community and its people,” he said.

The founder and patriarch of NCCC, Lim Tian Siu started from humble beginnings as a cigarette factory worker in Manila after he sailed at the age of 14 from Chin Kang, Fukien, China where he grew up in 1919.

After the Second World War, he took his family to Cotabato City where they put up a small trading business which was short-lived because the first store was burned.

With the help of his relatives, together with his spouse, Ko Giok Loo,

his family moved to Davao City where they ventured in the textile business in 1952 which was also burned to the ground.

In 1978, rising from the ashes like the myth-

ical Phoenix, the family was able to pay off its debt and acquired a building for the first textile mart. It was his eldest son, Henry, who played a big role in the pivotal success of the

business as he added a supermarket and department store in their business on a new location along Ramon Magsaysay, where the main NCCC is at present.

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Abreeza, mall for everybody

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ETAILING has become a brisk business in the Abreeza Ayala Mall, the mall component of the 10-hectare mixed-use project.

Maria Rowena M. Tomeldan, vice president and operations and support services head of Ayala Land Commercial Business Group, said that the mall has steadilly

been filled up as demand for more spaces has been mounting.

Ms Tomeldan, who was visiting the mall to see for herself the developments, said that part of the soon-to-be opened Abreeza Corporate Center, the seven-floor building adjacent to the mall, will also be opened to retailers.

Of the seven floors, three will be for concept shops as the company “always tries to bring in new concepts every year.”

Three of the four remaining floors have already been contracted by an international BPO company which is setting up a 1,500-seat contact center operation.

“If there are oppor-

tunities to build in fresh concepts that will continue to rejuvenate the mall and excite the customers that’s the time we could expand, like build up this corporate center,” she said.

Everything about demand She added the company, which partnered with homegrown Anflo Investment and Management

Corp. in establishing the 10-hectare project, will evaluate whether to put up more spaces to accommodate more locators.

“Everything is about demand right now,” she said.

Tomeldan also explained that the mall, which was perceived as synonymous to high-end brands, has slowly gotten the attention of the lowend market.

“We want to erase the impression of the highend because if you look at the Abreeza mall you have affordable options here; we have all the top local retailers here,” she said, adding that the mall has flagship stores and fix service restaurants.

Strong support for local concepts She said there also affordable items and that “we’re proud to say that we have some local concepts with us.”

She added that while there are foreign and that some of these brands found their way to the city when the mall opened in May 2011, there were local retailers whom the company also lured to locate in the mall as it was the first time for

FABREEZA, S6 Ms Tomeldan

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