Edge Davao 5 Issue 62

EDGEDAVAO

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

VOL.5 ISSUE 62 • MAY 30, 2012

www.edgedavao.net

Serving a seamless society

Indulge Page A3

Science/Environment Page 4

Sports Page 15

JPE, 19 for conviction

Senators find Corona guilty A

FTER 43 trial days and hundreds of grueling hours of hearing, the Senate sitting as impeachment court have declared Chief Justice Renato Corona guilty.

An overwhelming majority of Senators, 20-3, voted for the removal of Corona from office, most of them noting that the top mag-

istrate no longer deserves his post.

Senators Edgardo Angara, Alan Peter Cayetano and Pia Cayetano, Franklin Drilon,

Francis Escudero, Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, TG Guingona, Gringo Honasan, Panfilo Lacson, Lito Lapid, Loren Legarda, Sergio Osmena III, Kiko Pangilinan, and Koko Pimentel, Ralph Recto, Bong Revilla, Tito Sotto, and Antonio Trillanes, Manny Villar, and presiding officer Juan Ponce Enrile all have voted

FSENATORS, 13

SAN PEDRO’S PIGEONS. Pedestrians and pigeons co-mingle (not bank accounts) unmindful of each other along San Pedro Street, home of the city’s famous landmarks, including the San Pedro Cathedral, City Council and City Hall buildings. [KARLOS MANLUPIG]

Davao leaders agree with verdict

By Jade C. Zaldivar

Follow Us On

n Only Joker, Miriam and Bongbong for acquittal n Chief Justice remains bitter

A

But one mood was set for other public gion spoke out on the 20-3 “guilty” verdict handed down by the figures who generally accepted the “guilty” verdict on Corona as the correct decision.

23-member Senate yesterday.

FTER several months of folDavao City Councilor Pilar Braga called Some called the verdict raising the bar lowing Supreme Court Chief the trial “pure politics, a political process,” for accountability of public servants while Justice Renato Corona’s imadding that it would have been a miracle had one described the impeachment trial “politpeachment trial, lawyers, lawmakthe Senate acquitted Corona. ically-driven.” ers, public figures in the Davao reFDAVAO, 13

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THE BIG NEWS

VOL.5 ISSUE 62 • MAY 30, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Power, watersheds discussed in summit

By Lorie A. Cascaro

HE Mindanao economy and environment summit on June 4-5 will be a venue for discussing the power situation in Mindanao, according to Romeo M. Montenegro, head of media and public affairs of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA).

“The power sector is very much related to the conservation of our watershed and river basins,” he said, adding that neglect of watersheds will affect the hydro power supply.

The summit will gather integrated initiatives from different local government units in Mindanao, to come up with a consolidated approach in addressing power issues and protecting natural resources.

“We want to find out the real picture of the power situation in Mindanao. Not only on the pricing of power rates and the supply, but a broader picture of the power market structure in Mindanao that should have many players,” he said.

He added that a study on the market structure of power in Mindanao was conducted and it found out that the power market structure is highly concentrated.

If the hydro plants were within the government’s control, the prices would favor the people, he continued, and this would tender any power spike, but there should be conservation of watersheds and river basins for the continuity of hydro plants.

The summit is in line

with MinDA’s Mindanao Nurturing Our Waters or MindaNOW!, a banner program of the Mindanao 2020: Peace and Development Framework.

There will be discussion on best practices of protecting the watersheds; how much investments for protection; action agenda; and, line-up of activities during the summit.

Montenegro said the MinDA proposed to allocate P200 million each year for watershed and river basins management and development.

He added that there is a need to review the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA), and that privatization of the APHC will lead to power spikes, he added.

Montenegro said the MinDA submitted a proposal to make Agus 3 into a fullblown hydro plant, and to intensify rehabilitation of Agus and Pulangi Hydropower Complex (APHC) to increase its power generation.

Last week, a four-page memo was also submitted to President Benigno Aquino III to oppose the privatization of the APHC and its viability to earn income.

“An executive order to create the Mindanao power monitoring committee will be signed anytime soon,” he said, adding that the viability to create a Mindanao power corporation is now being studied by the Department of Budget Management and Department of Energy, among other concerned institutions.

Noting that a position paper on the Mindanao peo-

By Jade C. Zaldivar

n

N addition of 100 citypaid teachers will be hired by City Hall by way of augmenting the number of public elementary and secondary school teachers in the city.

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said last May 28 that the new teachers will form part of the regular manpower augmentation provided by the local government to the Department of Education (Deped) for Davao Region.

There are 390 Local School Board (LSB) teachers in public schools in the city, according to the mayor in her Monday press briefing, which brings the total to 490 teachers whose salaries are paid by the city.

Still, the mayor admitted that there are not enough teachers in the city’s public schools. “Kulang pa gihapon ang 490. Mas daghan pa ang kinahanglan sa public schools,” she said.

She has appealed to Deped 11 to prioritize LSB teachers’ promotion this year.

“Reason for this is, if they are promoted up the hierarchy, if they are absorbed as Deped teachers, then we’ll have reason to hire more teachers,” she said.

“Dugay-dugay na man pud ang LSB teachers na naga-augment, sa karon duha pa lang yata ang na-absorb

T

FABRICATED. Confiscated logs are sorted out for sewing before being fabricated as armchairs for ‘Care for School Chairs Program’ of Tagum City mayor Rey T. Uy at Tagum City’s engineering compound on Tuesday. [LEAN DAVAL, JR.] ple’s opposition to the sale of APHC was already submitted to the president, he said, “We’re not against privatizing it. It may be privatized to an institution owned by the people in Mindanao, and not by few players.”

LSB to hire 100 new teachers

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City to have 490 school boardpaid mentors

Quips

‘WE WANT to fly to New York, Chicago and Florida, on top of our present routes to Los Angeles and San Francisco.’

--Ramon S. Ang, new president of the Philippine Airlines. PDI

sa Deped,” she added.

LSB teachers are given a flat-rate monthly salary of P10,000, excluding allowances and benefits such as PhilHealth insurance which are also provided by the city.

The budget used for these auxiliary teachers is taken from the city’s Special Education Fund (SEF).

Meanwhile, 250 new students were absorbed by the city’s college Scholarship on Tertiary Education Program program (STEP), bringing the total to 756 STEP scholars and will be accepting for school year 2012 to 2013 sponsors for 250 new scholars which will raise the number to 1,006 STEP scholars enrolled in various courses ranging from education to business management.

The mayor said the city has spent for the construction of 25 new classrooms in different public elementary schools in the city and will be ready for the opening of classes. Construction began last year in answer to requests from the city’s public schools.

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City allots P13.4 million for hand-washing areas

HE local government, through its Local School Board (LSB) has approved P13.4 million to finance the construction of sanitation facilities such as hand washing areas in public elementary schools in the city.

Mayor Sara DuterteCarpio said the other day that this is part of the LSB’s campaign to strengthen the city’s support to improve children’s health.

The money will be for the construction of 11,000 hand washing facilities in public schools which are ex-

K+12

pected to be finished before the year ends.

“Along with the provision of hand washing facilities, there will be an implementation of the ordinance requiring hand-washing as part of the activities in all schools in the city which was approved by the City Council,” the mayor added.

This is part of the city government’s collaboration with the Department of Education (Deped) and Fit for School, Inc., in the promotion of healthcare in public schools.

The advocacy includes

the promotion of the daily routine of toothbrush use, hand washing, and the regular mass de-worming of children twice a year.

The city will also finance the procurement of needed materials for elementary students such as toothbrush, toothpaste, and soap.

“It was found that due to lack of sanitation small students do not know how to brush their teeth properly and do not regularly wash their hands, they get sick and experience tooth de-

This, according to Davao City Schools Division Superintendent Helen D. Paguican in a press conference at the Department of Education (DepEd) 11 office last Monday.

She said teachers will use the mother tongue or the first language of the child at home, and the region’s DepEd adopted the Sinibuanong Binisaya as it is the dominant first language here.

Students will only learn

20 alphabets in the dialect; five vowels and 15 consonants.

“They will be taught how to read and write in the dialect so that they can understand what the teacher is saying and can answer questions critically,” she continued, adding that this teaching approach will develop their oral language competence, cognitive and reasoning skills.

Further, Susana Teresa B.

FCITY, 13

To use the mother tongue as medium of instruction

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HIS school year marks a new era in the Philippine educational system with basic education extended by two years and the use of the mother tongue medium of instruction.

In the Davao region, teachers are ready to implement the enhanced basic education curriculum or K+12 which mandates that in Kindergarten, Grade 1, 2 and 3, they will use the Cebuano Visayan dialect or Sinibuanong Binisaya.

FTO USE, 13

EDGEDAVAO

Primer eyes P300M in Mindanao sales

By Lorie A. Cascaro

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HE sole distributor of 121 imported brands in the Philippines, the Primer Group of Companies is targets sales of P300 million in Mindanao in 2012, area sales manager Michelle Alcomendras-Deluao said Tuesday during a business forum at Dermpath (formerly Medispa), SM City Davao.

“Our products are well-received and booming in Mindanao because of their good quality,” she added.

Among its top consumer brands are Jansport, Columbia, Hedgren, Nalgene, Ace, Sledgers, Native, Fitflop, Delsey, Sanuk, The North Face, Ace, Ellesse, Salomon, Tumi, High Sierra, Eastpak, Eagle Creek, Kickers, Victorinox, Roxy, Quicksilver, Timbuk2, and World Traveller—the first company-owned brand.

The Bratpack and Travel Club are the company’s first stores in Davao City, and this month, Primer opened Roxy, Sledgers and Delsey—the first store to carry 2012 collections--at the SM Annex Building.

The Primer will open new stores that do not yet exist in the Mindanao market at the soon-toopen SM branch in Lanang, Davao City, in addition to its six stores in SM Ecoland; and 12 stores in

the Abreeza Mall.

This year, the company will also open nine stores at the Centrio Mall in Cagayan de Oro City (CDO), to add to the two existing stores in Limketkai Center, and three in SM City CDO. Further, it has three stores at Robinsons Place and one at KCC Mall in General Santos City, aside from its channels or additional doors in the department stores of these malls in Mindanao.

Mindanao marketing and communications officer Maria Estrella H. Sanchez said the company always looks at opening malls as an opportunity to reach a wider market, especially those that cater to class A and B clients.

Owned by five Filipino-Chinese businessmen, this 26-year old company is opening new regional companies and concept stores in Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan and Singapore.

While the company is trying to cater to all ages with its industrial and commercial products, according to Sanchez, in the future, it will carry brands that cater to C and D markets.

“We carry imported brands, but some of our stores support local brands such as organically grown health products, and bags made of water lilies by an environmentalist group,” Deluao said.

One-stop shop dev’t center launched for cacao farmers

A

one-stop shop and development center was recently launched in the city to cater to cacao farmers and stakeholders in Mindanao aiming to boost the quality of cacao products which have a high demand in the global market.

The Cacao Industry Development Association of Mindanao Inc. (CIDAMI) established the Cacao Development Center at Tulip Drive, Ecoland, Davao City which had a soft opening on May 23 this year.

CIDAMI Executive Director Valente D. Turtur said the center would serve as a venue for cacao farmers and other stakeholders to avail of various services such as training and seminar programs, farming techniques, good agricultural practices, integrated pest management, marketing and technology transfer.

THE BIG NEWS

VOL.5 ISSUE 62 • MAY 30, 2012

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Use of garbage trucks with compactors urged L

AWMAKERS have filed a bill requiring Local Government Units (LGUs) to use garbage trucks with onboard compactor for the collection and transportation of solid waste.

Reps. Irwin Tieng and Mariano Michael Velarde (Party-list, BUHAY) said House Bill 6117 aims to address the increasing volume of garbage in every household or community and the need to advance the country’s system of collection and disposal.

The bill seeks to require the use of garbage with onboard compactor that compact solid waste while in transit. It is also in keeping with the goal of Republic Act 9003 otherwise known as “Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000” to reduce solid waste volume and adopt waste minimization measures.

Tieng said as urbanization and economic development increase in the Philippines, nowhere is the impact more obvious than its worsening garbage problems.

Tieng said each Filipino living in the metropolis generates an average of half a kilo of solid waste everyday.

With a population of more than 10 million, total waste generated in Metro Manila

alone could run up more than two million metric tons every year.

“Despite the passage of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, garbage production still continues to increase at an alarming rate. Although considerable efforts are being made by our government in combating waste-related problems, there are still major gaps to be filled in this area,” Tieng said.

Tieng said one of the causes that can be attributed to this worsening problem is the use of outdated technology.

He said most LGUs lack modernized and cost efficient transport system for purposes of collecting and transporting garbage from every household to the sanitary landfills.

“Many of the trucks that are being used nowadays are either dilapidated or do not have an onboard compactor system,” Tieng said.

Velarde said compacting the trash or recyclables allows space for more items to be placed inside and significantly reduces the number of times the container needs to be emptied. It allows the truck to transport from two or three times its normal payload.

“The use of compaction in waste handling is more energy efficient and therefore better for the environment. It will minimize collection costs and fuel consumption,” Velarde said.

Unlike ordinary garbage trucks with no compactor system, Velarde said compactor trucks have sealed containers so as not to pose unsanitary conditions.

Velarde said wastes in transit of ordinary garbage trucks produce offensive odors and vermins or various animal species regarded as pests or nuisances and especially to those associated with the carrying of disease, which in turn create a nuisance.

Velarde said with the use of the compactor system, waste will be removed from view quickly and more importantly, vectors and insects can be prevented from reaching the waste during collection and transport.

“Consequently, this will effectively help minimize health risks to the collectors and to the public. Since compactors help make waste much more manageable, it means better sanitary landfill utilization and longer life spans,” Velarde said.

Under the measure, all

LGUs shall be required to use a garbage truck with onboard compactor in their collection and transportation of solid waste from the collection of points to the sanitary landfill.

The garbage trucks with onboard compactor shall be operated and maintained in such a manner as to minimize health and safety hazards to solid waste management personnel and the public.

This equipment shall be maintained in good condition and kept clean to prevent the propagation or attraction of vector and the creation of nuisances.

The bill mandates all solid waste collection personnel to receive instructions and training in waste handling techniques, and in the proper operation of this equipment.

Collection employees are required to use personal protective equipment such as gloves, safety glasses, respirators and footwear appropriately.

“Innovations in garbage collection will help the government offer quality of life advantages to its citizens. More importantly, these innovations will lower greenhouse gas emissions that are responsible for climate change,” Velarde said.

Turtur told the Philippine Information Agency-11 that the center’s services would address the need of improving the quality as well as meeting the quantity requirement of cacao products in the local and international market.

“We can’t demand for a good price if we don’t have the volume needed in the market,” he stated.

He bared that 30,00035,000 metric tons of cacao beans are required annually by the local market which imports raw cacao produce to address the demand.

He lamented that the country only produces about 20% of the local market demand alone, noting that the annual yields would only reach up to 7,000 metric tons of which 6,000 MT come from Mindanao, and 1,000 MT are obtained from the rest of the country.

Quips

‘ACTUALLY, our products were never banned. Our Chinese counterparts are merely conducting a more thorough and extended inspection of our fruit exports.’

--Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala.

Edge Davao

JUXTAPOSED. A hotel receptionist in Davao City, wearing an indigenous people’s traditional garb, sets the monitor screen in the hotel lobby where she works. [KARLOS MANLUPIG]

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SCIENCE/ENVIRONMENT

VOL.5 ISSUE 62 • MAY 30, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

1 international river summit to underscore restoration of rivers st

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BOUT 900 scientific experts and river managers from around the Philippines and other countries are expected to converge and discuss the effective management of rivers and river basins when the country hosts the first ever Philippine International River Summit starting Tuesday in Iloilo City.

The summit, co-organized by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), would be held until June 1, with no less than President Benigno Aquino III as featured guest.

Local chief executives from areas around the country’s important river basins are also expected to attend the forum, along with river management, aquatic biodiversity and global climate change experts from countries such as the United States, Canada, Korea, Japan and Vietnam.

DENR Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje said the summit’s theme, “My River, My Life”, fittingly described the importance of rivers in sustaining to human life by serving as transportation waterways and as source of water for industrial and domestic use, irrigation and hydropower generation.

However, he said the gathering was “not to pay tribute to rivers, but to explore ways of restoring them to life and productive health.”

“In many places

around the world, rivers act as convenient dumping grounds for wastes.

Many of these rivers, once teeming with aquatic life, are now either biologically dead or dying,” he explained.

“We all need to accept our responsibilities as stewards over rivers not only as waterways or water sources, but also as habitats and ecosystems, and be willing to undertake the laborious and continuing task of reviving and maintaining them.”

According to the DENR, the Philippines is blessed with 421 principal river basins and, as an archipelago, holds sole control over 479 billion cubic meters from ground and surface water.

Paje said this should theoretically be enough to sustain the country’s economic development and ecological needs at any given time, yet stresses posed by population growth resulting in increased economic activity and pollution could mean “the danger of scarcity of water supply.”

He also cited the various problems facing river management, such as: water pollution due to improper waste disposal and sedimentation from indiscriminate land development; over-extraction of water resources; flooding in low-lying areas due to high incidence of river swelling and inundation; conflicting mandates of water-related agencies;

absence of integrated river basin plans and updated information; and weak law enforcement resulting in the unabated proliferation of structures along river easements.

The summit would thus serve as the perfect venue for leading experts, scientists, policy makers, river administrators and practitioners to identify the opportunities, problems and best practices towards effectively managing rivers across four vital issues: governance; biodiversity conservation and management; climate change and disaster risk reduction management; and water quality.

During the forum, the DENR chief is expected to highlight the country’s efforts in managing its rivers and in implementing the Clean Water Act. These include the designation of seven water quality management areas; the adoption of 160 water bodies by 260 partners in the DENR’s “Adopt an Estero/Waterway” program; and the implementation of the National Greening Program in part to restore and rehabilitate the country’s watersheds and mangroves.

Paje added the DENR plans to institute the summit as an annual global forum. This would sustain Philippine efforts to connect and link to other countries and organizations in coming up with solutions to river management problems. [PNA]

DENR lauds move to ban plastic bags, food containers in Davao

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HE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has lauded the Davao City government’s move to totally ban the use of non-biodegradables and polystyrene foam as food and beverage containers effective June 28, this year.

DENR Regional Executive Director Jim O. Sampulna said the ban of these non-biodegradable containers is spelled out under City Ordinance 361 series of 2010.

He said the ban on non-biodegradable containers will significantly reduce the city’s burden on managing wastes that are very damaging to the

environment.

“Once plastic bags or polystyrene foams are used, most of them go to the landfill or end up littering the environment.

And once they become litter, they find their way into the waterways, streets, beaches and seas. Plastics and polystyrene foams clog waterways and pollute our oceans and seas too. The sad reality is since they are non-biodegradables. Their decomposition takes very long years,” Sampulna said.

During their coastal clean-up last year, plastic wrappers/containers form the bulk of the 17,087 kilos of garbage collected.

Aside from this, he said plastic wrappers/containers also made up most of the 252 sacks of garbage collected during their succeeding Estero or canal clean activities.

Sampulna said DENR Secretary Ramon Paje has instructed all DENR field offices in the country to continuously provide technical assistance to the local government units (LGUs) as far as solid waste management is concerned.

With the upcoming ban on the use of plastics, DENR expects to collect lesser or zero plastic food containers on their next coastal and canal clean-up activities in Davao City. [PNA]

Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB).

This week, they are spearheading in Metro Manila a three-day workshop designed to help NewCAPP personnel better carry out the information and education campaign (IEC) that is aimed at improving such target audiences’ knowledge of

conservation-related matters, empowering these parties to increasingly manage and protect the sites from climate change and other threats.

“We want to sharpen our IEC in support of activities there,” NewCAPP project manager Floradema Eleazar said Tuesday on the workshop’s side.

Info drive intensified to boost LGUs’ environmental protection

A

UTHORITIES are preparing to help boost capability of local government units (LGUs) and communities concerned as well as respective partners in managing pilot sites covered by the 2010-2015 New Conservation Areas in the Philippines Project (NewCAPP) under Protected

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.5 ISSUE 62 • MAY 30, 2012

THE ECONOMY

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THE ECONOMY

NERBAC 11 website caters to investors’ needs

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O better serve the potential investors across the globe, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Davao Region initiated the setting up of a website that will cater to their needs.

DTI 11 Regional Director Marizon S. Loreto said that the setting up of the National Economic Research and Business Assistance Center (NERBAC) portal www.nerbac11.com was anchored on the idea of making investment infusion easier for investors since everything they want to know about the region’s competitive advantage is right on their fingertips.

The NERBAC was created through Republic Act 7470 of 1992. It specifically aims to provide comprehensive and highly integrated business support services to prospective investors.

Davao Region was the very first to implement it. In the region, NERBAC is housed in the DTI Field Offices where investment-relevant agencies such as Home Mutual Development Fund (Pag-ibig Fund), Social Security System (SSS), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Securities and

Exchange Commission (SEC), Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Bureau of Customs (BOC), Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (Philexport), and DTI are pooled together under one venue for easier and faster transaction.

“As information and communications technology (ICT) strides, the government must really look for ways on how to join the bandwagon. This means that we have to be visible on the web so that investors wouldn’t experience a hard time knowing the competitive edge of the region and why they should pour in their investments here,” she said.

The NERBAC website provides important information on business registration and licensing requirements, frequently asked questions about doing business in the Philippines, provincial profiles, investment priority areas, investment opportunities, investment project briefs, industry profiles, and project feasibility studies.

[DTI11/JENMENDOZA]

GSIS invests in biggest infra fund

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N the 75th anniversary program of the Government Service Insurance System held today, the President announced the creation of a P25 billion infrastructure fund, the largest ever assembled in the country, dubbed as the Philippine Investment Alliance for Infrastructure (PInAI).

The President said in Filipino that the financing and construction of vital infrastructure projects under PInAI, will create more jobs and develop a platform that will move the economy forward.

The GSIS is the lead investor in the Fund that will also serve as a vehicle to enable foreign investors to participate in the country’s core infrastructure projects.

On the part of the GSIS,

It figures

700

NUMBER of police officers to be fielded by the Davao City Police Office to maintain safety, law and order during the opening of classes on June 4, according to Sr. Supt. Ronaldo dela Rosa, DCPO director. On the other hand, Traffic Management Center Dick Cloribel will assign 300 traffic enforcers to vicinities of schools.

President and General Manager Robert G. Vergara said “our participation in the PInAI as lead investor, will serve to enhance the returns on our investments for the greater benefit of our members and pensioners.”

PInAI will be managed by Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets (MIRA), the world’s preeminent investment infrastructure manager, and a division of the Macquarie Group.

Vergara said that MIRA as fund manager, was chosen “after a rigorous selection process of nearly nine months.”

He said that “along with GSIS and MIRA, two other foreign institutions will participate as anchor investors in the Fund.”

P5.8 million

THE COST of the prosecution of Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato C. Corona in the Senate impeachment court for betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the Constitution in litigation and other incidental expenses. The cost is charged against the budget approved for the purpose by House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte.

VOL.5 ISSUE 62 • MAY 30, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Tagum co-op tops in financial literacy H

OME-grown Tagum Cooperative recently received it newest award as the nation’s leading cooperative in implementing a financial literacy program in schools.

Tagum Cooperative Youth Program Officer Clyjenee Dairo this morning revealed that Tagum Cooperative was cited as the “2011 Top Aflatoun Cooperative” during the 35th general assembly of the National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO) and 11th Coop Congress on May 25 in Cebu City.

Among the 100 Aflatoun cooperative implementers, Tagum Cooperative was cited for its active and well-supported implementation of the financial literacy program which had earned strong support from the Department of Education Tagum City Schools Division.

Aflatoun is a concept of “teaching children about social values, and rights and responsibilities coupled with basic financial education.”

Tested in India 18 years ago, the Aflatoun concept is also aimed at facilitating the “inclusion of Child Social and Financial Education into formal and informal education

systems as a recognition of child’s rights.”

Tagum Cooperative Board of Directors chairperson, Norma Pereyras cited the Aflatoun as one of the major youth programs of Tagum Cooperative which aims to instill savings consciousness among children and youth whom it wants to mold as “financially secured leaders who can make a difference.”

DepEd Tagum City Schools Division Superintendent Nenita Lumaad calls the Aflatoun implementation in Tagum City as Financial Literacy for the Youth (FLY) which the division started rolling out in seven Tagum City public schools in July last year.

Tagum Cooperative with DepEd Tagum City Schools Division pilot-tested it in Tagum City public elementary schools particularly in Rizal, Mankilam, Pilot, La Filipina, Laureta, Apokon and Catalan.

From 2,167 in November last year, Aflatoun membership reached 4,567 members as of March this year, generating P1.1 million savings.

The figure, however, is just a fraction of the P30,664,122 total savings (as of March 2012) from

the 24,199 young savers of Tagum Cooperative.

Dairo, projected Aflatoun membership and savings to pick up this school year 2012-2013 as Tagum Cooperative sets to roll out to six more public schools in Davao City, particularly in central schools of Mintal, Tugbok, Talomo and elementary schools of San Roque, Porras, and in Don Juan Elementary School.

“We are targeting 90 percent membership of the total population of pupils in (Aflatoun) project sites,” she said in an interview.

Tagum City DepEd Schools Division plans to bring the Aflatoun Program to public seven secondary schools in the city now that a module of teaching it among high school students has already been produced.

Lumaad looks at financial literacy as a shift from honing students to become mere employees but employers as well.

She wants to arm students with skills they can bank on to become financially secure aside from excelling academically.

Meanwhile, Lumaad recalled how Aflatoun started in Tagum City as she noted the financial

difficulties among public school teachers.

“They didn’t know how to budget their money,” she recalled her observation among teachers in her division. “As it would be too late to teach the teachers, we thought of instilling financial literacy among the children,” she said.

After 11 years in implementation, Aflatoun is seen to have etched savings consciousness among its elementarypupil members .

“If they receive money on special occasions, they now think of how much to save instead of thinking what to buy,” she said citing testimonies of Aflatoun members in one of the Aflatoun educational activities.

In regularly collecting savings deposits in schools, Tagum Cooperative roving teller Syvel Condor also noted that Aflatoun members have come to learn to fill in deposits at an early age, and that they are regularly putting in savings to their accounts.

“They fill in deposit slips, we enter their savings and print them on their own passbooks, be they P5.00 or few pesos from their daily allowances,” she said.

GFL Metro Communities. Golden Forum Land (GFL) Metro Communities Inc. has been in the real estate development for almost a decade. Its landmark project is the Seibu Tower with its luxurious lobby shown here at Fort Bonifacio Global City. Under the stewardship of its president, Harvard Yu, GFL Metro Communities continues to give quality, well-thought of living spaces that emphasize innovation and leisure, at value for money prices. Call (632) 816-0912 for more information.

$2.4 million

The dollar deposit of Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato C. Corona which he admitted during his appearance before the Senate impeachment court. The chief magistrate admitted he did not declare the deposit in his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth citing the law on absolute confidentiality of dollar deposit. He also revealed that he has P80 million in peso deposit.

$3.95 billion THE oil import bill of the Philippines during the first quarter of the year, an increase of 25 percent compared to $3.16 billion in the same period last year.

P14 billion

GROSS premiums of Canadian insurance giant Sun Life Financial in 2011, the highest in its 117 years in the Philippines. The figure was 31 percent more than the P10.6 billion in 2010.

P5.9 billion

NET income of Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. during the first quarter of the year. The company’s core net income amounted to P5.5 billion, which is 28 percent higher than last year.

EDGEDAVAO

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ICT HUB

VOL.5 ISSUE 62 • MAY 30, 2012

Facebook deflates any thought of tech bubble

HE horrendous stock market debut for Facebook suggests investors are not ready to jump in and create another tech bubble despite big expectations for social media, analysts say.

Facebook closed out its first full week of trade with a loss of 16 percent from its offering price of $38, in a huge disappointment after a much-hyped initial public offering worth $16 billion, the biggest for a tech firm.

The stock failed to live up to the anticipation of some who thought investors would be stampeding to get a piece of the network which has 900 million users.

“When you see Facebook share prices tank, it does get people back on to a more foundational basis, in terms of real revenues, real profits,” said Nick Landell-Mills at Indigo Equity Research.

Mark Heesen, president of the National Venture Capital Association, said investors are being more cautious than during the tech bubble of the late 1990s.

“This is by no means the end of social media.

It is going to continue to grow and expand,” he said.

But he said that dur-

ing the tech bubble, “venture capitalists invested $150 billion in two years.

In the last two years we invested about $60 billion. There is much, much less money in the system right now. That’s critically important.”

Gerard Hoberg, professor of finance at the University of Maryland, said he does not expect a new bubble, given today’s market sentiment.

“I think it’s very healthy and I think people learned the lessons from the 1990s,” he said. “It’s preventing a bubble from forming.”

Facebook appeared to be the driving force in a surge into social media.

But some of its social media brethren are also being watched cautiously.

Zynga, the social gaming website which has strong ties with Facebook, has lost some 35 percent, and the online deals firm Groupon has slid nearly 40 percent. But the professional social network LinkedIn has doubled in a year since its IPO. Heesen said the mixed reaction to these IPOs has taken some of the froth out of the market.

“If Facebook languishes, that does send a signal to others (tech firms) that maybe going public is not the best op-

S

tracks the user’s eye movements to keep the screen from dimming or turning off while in use, hits stores in 28 European and Middle East countries, including Germany and Britain, as Samsung aims to widen the gap with Apple months ahead of its rival’s new iPhone, expected

7

MARKET DEBUT. The Nasdaq board in Times Square advertises Facebook which debuted on the Nasdaq Stock Market on May 18 in New York, United States. The horrendous stock market debut for Facebook suggests investors

are not ready to jump in and create another tech bubble despite big expectations for social media, analysts say.

tion -- maybe getting acquired or trying to wait out this volatile period is better,” he said.

“The whole social media arena is still ripe for investment,” he added, but cautioned there will be “bumps along the road.”

Landell-Mills said that even though investors appear unwilling to chase share prices, they

will flock to a company that makes real profits, like Apple, up 67 percent in the past year.

“I’d never call Apple a bubble,” he said.

The analyst said that Facebook still has a lofty valuation when measured by earnings, unlike some firms such as Google.

“When Google went to its IPO there were some

very clear data points which suggested that it added value,” he said.

“With Facebook, we don’t know.”

But Hoberg said the market does not have the exuberance of the 1990s.

“People are not going to let a frothy stock keep going, they’re pushing back,” he said.

He maintained that any new IPO will have

to take into account the Facebook fiasco.

“This reaction is so negative, and the underwriters are getting so much bad press that they really cannot afford to have that happen again, so they’re going to take steps to underprice the next one even more just to make it so that the investment machine returns to health,” he said.

in the third quarter.

In the kind of anticipation that has become the norm for Apple gadget releases, about 50 customers queued outside the BASE mobile phone shop in Berlin on Monday night eager to be the first to lay their hands on the S3.

The smartphone, running on Google’s Android operating system, boasts a 4.8-inch screen, one of the largest on smartphones ever, and much bigger than the 3.5-inch display on the iPhone 4S. Top global carriers from Britain’s Vodafone to Singapore’s SingTel - have started to aggressively promote the S3, fuelling speculation the smartphone could top its predecessor, the Galaxy S2’s 20 million sales worldwide.

“In the two years that we’ve been offering preorders, it’s the most pre-ordered Android device we’ve had in our line-up,” said a spokesman for Vodafone UK, declining to disclose exact numbers. “It’s on track to meet, if not exceed, the level of pre-orders we expected by the time it actually launches.”

Samsung itself has said it expects the new flagship model to outsell its predecessor.

Samsung introduced its

first Galaxy in 2010, three years after the iPhone’s debut, to counter Apple’s roaring success in smartphones at a time when the demise of bigger rivals Nokia and BlackBerry maker Research In Motion had started.

Samsung sold 44.5 million smartphones in January-March - equal to nearly 21,000 every hour - giving it 30.6 percent market share.

Apple sold 35.1 million iPhones, taking 24.1 percent market share.

“The Galaxy S3 is a real challenger to the upcoming iPhone,” said Francisco Jeronimo, an IDC analyst based in London. “This is likely be one of the most sold smartphones this year, though the real test will

come when the next iPhone is launched.”

The race for global smartphone supremacy comes as Apple has accused Samsung of copying some of its products. The South Korean company counter-claims that Apple has infringed its patents. Both have denied the allegations, and a long-running court saga continues.

Apple plans to use a larger screen on the next iPhone, according to people familiar with the situation. The current iPhone 4S model was introduced last October.

Samsung launched its own music service on the Galaxy S3, putting itself headto-head with Apple. It has previously rebranded existing music and video services.

Samsung Galaxy S3 gets head start on rival iPhone AMSUNG Electronics launched its top-of-therange Galaxy S3 smartphone in Europe on Tuesday, aiming to outsell the previous model that helped the South Korean company topple Apple as the world’s largest smartphone maker.

The Galaxy S3, which

NIGHT SALE. Customers pose for the media after they were first in line to buy Samsung Electronics’ new Samsung Galaxy SIII smartphones during a late night sale event in Berlin May 28, 2012. [Reuters]

Quips

‘SOMETHING inside me was saying that I should help bring out the truth.’

--Sister Flor Maria “Flory” Basa-Montalvan, daughter of Mario Basa, one of the five original shareholders of Basa-Guidote Enterprises, Inc.

8

VANTAGE POINTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 62 • MAY 30, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

PHLPost in the age of Internet SPECIAL FEATURE

BY ALLAN N. CORDOVERO

B

EDITORIAL

A potential legacy

C

HIEF JUSTICE Renato C. Corona was found guilty of culpable violation of the Constitution for not reporting huge dollar and peso bank deposits on his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net worth (SALN).

The conviction, handed down yesterday afternoon after a 44-day impeachment trial by the 23-member Senate, means the ouster of the chief magistrate from the Supreme Court. The senator-judges voted 20-3 for the conviction, indeed an overwhelming guilty verdict.

The fallen magistrate remained bitter about his fate until the end as could be gleaned from his two-page post-trial statement in Pilipino. In the document issued less than an hour after he was found guilty, Corona pictured himself as a victim of bad politics (“masamang pulitika”), again accusing President Aquino for marshalling the powerful institutions and machinery of government under his command against him.

At the end of his statement, Mr. Corona finally accepted, along with his family, the verdict, if it is for the good of the country (“Kung ito po ang ikabubuti ng ating bayan, tinatanggap ko na po ang kalbaryong aming pinagdaanan”).

This statement gives one the feeling that Corona will no longer contest the verdict before the Supreme Court. Hopefully.

The chief magistrate, however, did something positive that could turn the tide of public opinion about him in the long run. On his second and final appearance before the impeach-

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ment court, he signed an unconditional waiver for his bank deposits to be opened for public scrutiny. This waiver is different from the first one which was anchored on the condition that all 188 members of the House of Representatives who signed the impeachment complaint and Senator-Judge Franklin Drilon would do likewise.

The Senate impeachment court, citing that it is only a hearer, not a gatherer, of facts, did not act on the belatedly submitted waiver.

Nevertheless, the action of Corona was perceived by many to be a clarion call for all officials and employees of the government to start being honest about their true net worth. A number of senators, congressmen and at least two associate justices of the Supreme Court have accepted Corona’s challenge and declared their willingness to make public their SALN and their bank deposits. Indeed, Corona’s trailblazing act could spark the dawning of a new era in public service, one that is more transparent and graftfree. There is now a snowballing move among upright government officials and civil society for all elected and appointed public servants to lay bare their SALNs for the scrutiny of all.

No one knows where this will lead to, but if it becomes a trend, Filipinos in the future will look back to this day and realize that the downfall of Chief Justice Renato C. Corona turned out to be his legacy to the country. What a beautiful irony.

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

RAMON M. MAXEY Consultant

GREGORIO G. DELIGERO CARLO P. MALLO Associate Features and Lifestyle KENNETH IRVING K. ONG KARLOS C. MANLUPIG • JOSEPH LAWRENCE P. GARCIA LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR., Creative Solutions Photography LORIE ANN A. CASCARO • JADE C. ZALDIVAR • MOSES C. BILLACURA 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

JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance

RICHARD C. EBONA IMELDA P. LEE Advertising Specialists

AGUSTIN V. MIAGAN JR Circulation

CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING OFFICE

LEIZEL A. DELOSO | Marketing Manager Unit 6, Southbank Plaza Velez-Yacapin Sts. Cagayan de Oro City Tel: (088) 852-4894

MANILA MARKETING OFFICE

ANGELICA R. GARCIA | Marketing Manager Blk. 1, Lot 10, La Mar Townhomes, Apitong St., Marikina Heights, Marikina City Tel: (02) 942-1503

ACK in the 1970s and 1980s and prior years when modern communication technology was still not the staple means of sending information and messages, Filipinos depended on the traditional mailing method through the old Philippine postal service, using letter envelopes and postage stamps.

But when the age of cellular phones and other communication gadgets entered the scene, a drastic decline in the number of mail volume has been observed nationwide, along with the drop in sales of envelopes and stamps.

Even the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost), established under the administration of former President Corazon C. Aquino through Republic Act No. 7354 in April 1992, has been unable to prevent such a decrease.

During the more than two decades of continuous traditional mail delivery services, the corporation has seen its clients turning to the state-of-the art means of communication.

For example, Lorna Ravancho, a 59-year-old vendor living in Manila, sending letters to her family in Samar used to be the only way to keep in touch.

“When I started living in Manila as a vendor at the Philippine Postal Corporation (Postal Service Office in 1987), I would send letters to my family weekly to greet and inform them on how I am doing here,” Ravancho said.

“Now, I rarely send letters to the province since my mother died a long time ago. However, my daughter now usually patronizes the post office in getting in touch with her boyfriend and everybody else,” she added.

For the advancement in PHLPost’s services beyond ordinary ways, it has gone beyond tradition with business to stay relevant and competitive.

PHLPost Postmaster General and Chief Executive Officer Josefina Dela Cruz said that the corporation today focuses not only on mail service but also on logistics and remittance service.

“The modern technology that knocked the PHLPost down in previous years will be the means of the corporation to rise again,” Dela Cruz, a former governor of the province of Bulacan, explained.

For his part, Information Officer for Media Affairs Alvin Fidelson, said, “We want to show to our countrymen that the PHLPost is starting its new services for the public.”

Recently, the PHLPost launched its Commercial Post and Logistic Service (CPLS) which offers fast and affordable delivery of products and cargoes anywhere in the country and abroad.

The Foreign Surface Mail Distribution Center (FSMDC) located at the North Harbor in Port Area, Manila serves as its main hub and warehouse.

“PHLPost is now delivering 60 percent of its business into commercial logistics,” Dela Cruz said.

Also, PHLPost Chairman Cesar Sarino has approved the rationalization of postal stations to ensure the availability of postal services in most parts of the country.

There are two types of postal station –- the private postal station (PPS) and barangay (BPS) -- which are accredited by PHLPost to sell stamps and provide other services.

“This is a franchise business. We invite entrepreneurs to apply on PHLPost to start business with us,” Fidelson said.

On the other hand, the PHLPost and the CIS Bayad Center Inc. have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to allow postal stations within Mega Manila and various provinces in the country to assume Bayad Center functions and collect payments for utilities such as electric, water and telephone bills for institutional clients.

The CIS Bayad Center Inc. is the leading over-the-counter multiple bills payment center which has more than 1,400 outlets nationwide that accept 160 payment brands.

According to Dela Cruz, the alliance with the Bayad Center will be a great help for the corporation in generating revenues to fund its various programs and projects.

EDGEDAVAO

O

NE OF T H E m o s t frustrating things we’ve tried to do in the mid-1990’s and never got anywhere, was to help a number of people apply for business loans to start new businesses.

Although the business ventures looked feasible enough to get banks like the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) or Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) sniff around these doomed loan applications, they were all ignored. It was all a worthless effort.

One of the guys we tried to help was Edward Yap, a rice miller from Koronadal, South Cotabato, who wanted to put up an active carbon processing plant sometime in 1996. He tried gov’t banks, lending firms, guarantee firms, etc but nothing happened due to many legitimate reasons he can’t tackle on his own.

Now after 12 years, Ed is making another attempt, we hope not the last one, to apply for a business loan, this time to put up a small manufacturing plant in Toril to make rubber husk crushers that separate the husk from the rice.

He’s looking to buy a machine that does exactly that, costing around US$5000 possibly from Taiwan if all goes well with his loan application.

This equipment plus the cost of a 1500 square meter land and a two-year opera-

L

Small loans for new business start-ups tion budget, he’ll probably need around P5-M to pull this thing off.

This could be a coincidence, but I just sat in a seminar by DBP last week at Mandaya Hotel, listening to a top honcho, AVP Romeo Carandang, eager to help new start-ups like Ed and “micro and small enterprises with asset sizes of not more than P15M and loan requirements of not more than P10M. “We’re open to new business proposals and loan applications for good projects by start-ups and small businesses this year,” Carandang said.

Over a cup of expresso at Gaisano Mall coffee shop, Ed outlined to me his business plan, saying he needs the startup capital to buy that small Toril lot, import the equipment from Taiwan, and set aside working capital to start the factory that will churn out rubber products needed so badly by so many rice millers in Mindanao.

“They order these things from China. They’re a bit expensive for rice millers. I can make them much cheaper at my factory,” Yap said, sipping his coffee.

His factory, if all goes well, will supply this critical rubber component to all the rice mills in the Visayas and Mindanao.

But he isn’t so keen in knocking on the doors of DBP for that start-up loan which require collaterals like land titles, purchase orders, machinery, equipment, etc. The borrower also have to put up his own equity of 10% of the total project cost and will only get 90% of the loan amount he seeks from a bank.

Yap says he’s more comfortable talking to the guys at the Planters Bank who assured him of their help in putting up his small factory in Toril, but his mind remains open to what LBP or DBP offer for risky start-ups like him. “These guys at Planters, it’s easy to talk to them, they really want to help me,” he said, oozing with the same confidence he had 12 years ago.

To secure the business loan even without any collateral, Planters and DBP are backing it up with a “guarantee fund” or a “credit surety fund”, for noncollateral loans issued to start-ups like Yap, as well as small enterprises. It’s a surety fund set up by the Central Bank of the Philippines a few years back when banks slowed down the country’s economy with their foot-dragging on loans for start-ups and SMEs. Whether or not this is all useless crap from DBP, LBP or Planters, the same one we kept hearing the last 12 years, we’ll know it’s finally all for real, if Edward Yap’s loan application for his small Toril factory will be approved and released. This approval will prove that the “credit surety fund” is actually working for all new start-ups as well as small and medium-sized enterprises in the Philippines.

Like so many other similar attempts before, we’re still crossing our fingers, still hoping for the best…

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

STATEMENT

sa iilang Senador, sina Senador Joker Arroyo, Senadora Miriam Defensor Santiago at Senador Bongbong Marcos na may matatag na kaloobang manindigan sa kabila ng matinding puwersa upang ipaglaban ang kasarinlan ng Hudikatura at ang aking mga karapatan na malinaw na nakasaad sa ating Saligang-Batas.

Nagpapasalamat din po ako sa mga napakarami nating mga kababayan na nagparating ng kanilang pakiki-isa sa amin sa Kataastaasang Hukuman, sa akin, at sa aking pamilya.

Kasabay nito, ako po ay humihingi ng paumanhin sa aking maybahay, mga anak at apo, sapagkat sa aking pagtatanggol sa kasarinlan ng Hudikatura ay nailagay ko sila sa kalbaryong hindi naman nila kinailangang maranasan.

Pati na rin po sa mga tumulong at sumuporta sa akin, humihingi rin po ako sa inyo ng paumanhin, sapagkat hindi naging sapat ang aking kakayahan upang magtagumpay sa hangarin nating pairalin ang katotohanan.

Kung ito po ang ikabubuti ng ating bayan, tinatanggap ko na po ang kalbaryong aming pinagdaanan.

Dahil sa simula’t sapul naman, ay handa na akong mag-alay ng sariling buhay para sa bayan.

Kung kaya, ipinapaubaya ko na po sa ating Poong Maykapal at sa taong bayan na higit na makapangyarihan sa ating demokrasya ang aking kinabukasan at ang kinabukasan ng ating Hudikatura.

Maraming salamat po.

The Medical City, Pasig City.

Ika-29-ng Mayo, 2012.

Reaction to Senate’s decision

UBOS kong ikinalulungkot ang naging pasiya ng Senate Impeachment Court.

Bilang Punong Mahistrado, buong tapang at talino kong hinarap ang hamon ng impeachment at sumailalim ako sa proseso na alinsunod sa Saligang Batas, umaasang makakamit ang hustisyang aking hinanap ng mahigit limang buwan.

Hindi kaila sa akin na gagamitin ng Pangulo ang buong puwersa ng gobyerno, kasama na ang mga ahensiyang dapat sana ay malayang nagpapasiya – ang Kamara, ang BIR, ang LRA, ang AMLC, ang Ombudsman, at iba pa.

Hindi rin kaila sa akin na gagamit ng kabang-yaman para sa mapanira at mapang-aping media campaign, sa radyo, telebisyon at dyaryo, laban sa akin at sa aking pamilya.

Lahat po ito ay tinanggap ko, alang-alang sa kasarinlan ng Hudikatura, upang maitaguyod ang kalayaang magpasiya ng mga hukuman, na isang napakahalagang sangkap ng ating demokrasya.

Ngunit nanaig ang masamang pulitika.

Wala po akong sala.

Wala pong katotohanan ang mga bintang sa akin na nakapaloob sa Articles of Impeachment.

Malinis po ang konsyensiya ko.

Ngunit isang malungkot na katotohanang pulitikal na minsan ang tingin ng nakararami na nangyari, ay hindi naaayon sa tunay na mga naganap.

Lalo na kapag hawak ng iisang tao o pangkat ang buong makinarya ng pamahalaan, at maging ang media na rin, at

Monkey Business

VANTAGE POINTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 62 • MAY 30, 2012

BY RENATO C. CORONA gamitin ang mga ito upang gumawa ng huwad na dokumento at maglathala ng mapanlinlang na impormasiyon at balita upang manira ng kalaban.

Ang lagi nga pong katanungan ay, “Kung malakas ang kaso, bakit kailangan mag-imbento?”

Ang ating bansa ay matagal nang ginambala ng impeachment na ito.

At ngayong gabi, inaanyayahan ko kayong talikuran ang naging sentro ng palabas na ito nitong nakaraang limang buwan, upang buuin ang hiblang nagkawatak-watak, at ibaling muli ang ating pansin sa lahat ng mga pagsubok at pangako ng Pilipinas sa susunod na siglo.

Ihinto na po natin ang pulitika ng personal na paninira.

Supilin na po natin ang lason na dulot ng labis na kampi-kampihan, labis na pagkakawatak-watak, at hindi mapigilang poot at galit.

Hindi po ito ang nararapat para sa ating bayan.

Hindi po ito ang buod ng bansang Pilipinas.

Panahon na upang isulong ang ating buhay bilang isang bansa.

Tayong lahat ay may mga mahalagang tungkuling dapat tugunan – tunay na mga pagkakataong kailangang samantalahing maabot, totoong mga suliraning kailangang lutasin, at tunay na mga usaping dapat harapin.

Taos-puso po akong nagpapasalamat

9

Lessons in banana

R

E E L I N G from the refusal of China to accept bananas coming from the Philippines – apparently a backlash resulting from the row over Panatag Shoal in the West Philippine Sea – a business leader in Mindanao has suggested what sounded like a desperate move. MindaNews reported that in a gathering in Davao City on Friday, Mindanao Business Council chair Vicente Lao said that one possible solution is to “try to educate our domestic market to buy Cavendish banana instead of lakatan and latundan.”

The desperation is understandable. Banana production has become a major export earner. Besides, Mindanao in particular has seen the expansion of banana plantations in many provinces. In Bukidnon, the areas devoted to banana may have equaled, if not surpassed, those planted to pineapple and sugar cane. The crop has also invaded large parts of the Davao Region.

Had the Aquino government quarreled with a smaller country with which we have no significant trade ties, it wouldn’t have made mattered perhaps. But China is China, the world’s biggest market. Common sense and national interest dictate that we should have dealt with the Panatag question in a more tactful and sober manner. The Philippines should defend its sovereignty over the disputed territory, but astute diplomacy should have prevailed over rash talk that only has worsened things between the two countries.

President and his top officials engaged the Chinese in a heated tit-fortat in media thinking the United States would back the country’s territorial assertion. They invoked the Mutual Defense Treaty in courting US support, including direct military involvement in the event of a shooting war. The Philippines’ bravado coincided with the holding of another round of joint military exercises with the US. It did not help that the exercises kicked off in Palawan, the province nearest to Panatag.

But will Mindanao really suffer much with the loss of China as a market for bananas? We can view the issue from a different framework other than worrying over the decline in export earnings. It requires looking into the downside of the growth of the banana industry, its impact on the environment and food security, among others. For instance, while the industry may have created jobs it has also meant decreasing the areas for staple crops like rice and corn. Moreover, it has displaced thousands of farmers and made them seasonal, underpaid workers with their survival linked to the uncertainties of the market.

The fallout from the territorial conflict with China on the banana industry highlights the need to pause and rethink the sanity of converting more and more of Mindanao’s prime agricultural lands into export-oriented plantations. It is high time to ask ourselves if what we really need are charts showing high export earnings that mainly benefit a few entrepreneurs or the assurance that we still have control over the future of our food sources.

Mr. Lao is telling us to buy Cavendish bananas. Sorry, but I prefer latundan and lakatan. They are more delicious and safe from chemicals. [H. Marcos C. Mordeno writes mainly on the environment, human rights and politics.

He can be reached at hmcmordeno@ gmail.com]

10

COMMUNITY SENSE

VOL.5 ISSUE 62 • MAY 30, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Davao Light turns over new school building in Panabo

D

AVAO Light & Power Co., a leading member of the Aboitiz Group, in cooperation with its social development arm, the Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (AFI), turned over last Wednesday, May 23, 2012, a new 3-classroom building to the Department of Education (DepEd), Panabo City Division. It is constructed at the Salvacion Elementary School campus at Barangay Salvacion, Panabo City.

In addition, the Aboitiz-owned electric utility also donated to the Department a total of one hundred fifty (150) wooden armchairs for the classes that will occupy the three rooms in the newly constructed building. Each room is also provided with teacher’s chairs and tables.

Davao Light Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (EVP-COO) Arturo M. Milan who did the official turnover together with City Mayor Jose L. Silvosa Sr., told DepEd officials and the school administration that donation of school buildings is only one of several projects that the electric utility is undertaking to support

the government’s “Adopta-School Program”.

Milan said Davao Light is investing in the education of the youth for its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program because it believes that it is only in education that the impact of the investment continues to radiate even after the beneficiaries of the project have long completed their studies.

In his turnover message Milan further said that the Salvacion Elementary School project is the 34th school building to be constructed by Davao Light all over its franchise area since 1996.

He added that two more are now about to be finished and will be turned over before the end of the year.

The company executive also thanked the local government of Panabo City under mayor Silvosa for providing the counterpart funds for the DepEd. The building made of concrete, with tiled floor and lavatory in each room, and complete with readyto-tap water and electrical facilities, cost P2.353 million. The armchairs, and the teachers’ chairs and tables cost about

Art Milan of Davao Light, Dr. Josephine Fadul of DepEd Panabo cut the ribbon during turnover rites of the new school building witnessing are Mayor Jose Silvosa, other School Officials, barangay captain Jose Relampagos, and Davao Light officials led by Panabo Branch Manager Engr. Reynold Felix.

P170 thousand.

For his part Mayor Silvosa thanked Davao Light for its generosity and continuing support in efforts to improve the quality of education offered by the public educational system in Panabo City. He said it is this support by the com-

pany that encouraged the LGU of Panabo over the past years to work even harder despite the perennial problem of lack of resources.

Meanwhile, City Division Superintendent Dr. Josephine Fadul lauded both Davao Light and the city government of Pana-

bo for jointly implementing the school building project. She said that by pooling their resources to be able to construct a new building the two entities just proved that a government-private partnership is viable even at the local level.

School principal

Mrs. Nenita Prior also thanked both Davao Light and Mayor Silvosa, and all those who made the project happened. She did only one thing to express her happiness for the gift of education. She unabashedly cried right on stage and in front of all the guests.

Sarangani in photos

Rubber Seedlings. Residents of barangay Kalaong unload 6,000 rubber seedlings from the Department of Agriculture as one of its regular projects under High Value Crop Development Program (HVCDP) for barangay recipients, Kalaong and Upo. The HVCDP promotes the

production, processing, marketing and distribution of high-valued crops, providing funds therefore, and for other purposes. Strategically, HVCDP helps to increase income, create livelihood opportunity, and contribute to national agricultural development of the Philippines.

Rubber in Sarangani. Some 6,000 rubber seedlings are prepared for distribution to barangay Kalaong and barangay Upo residents. The rubber seedlings came from the Department of Agriculture under its High Value Crop

Development Program to help increase income, create livelihood opportunity and contribute to national agricultural development.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.5 ISSUE 62 • MAY 30, 2012

COMMUNITY SENSE 11

Water Advisory

Water interruption on June 2

T

HE Davao City Water District has scheduled a water service interruption on June 2 from 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM. Affected areas with no water are Ideal Village, Bartolini Compound, Balai Village, Dusnai Village and Bliss Compound in Barangay Dumoy.

Said water cut is needed to allow the tapping of the newly installed 4-inch and 2-inch diameter Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) pipelines to

the existing 4-inch diameter PVC pipeline for the mainline improvement at Purok Dusnai in Barangay Dumoy. Completion of said project can accommodate more or less 80 new service connections.

DCWD acting general manager Edwin V. Regalado appeals for the understanding and cooperation of affected customers. Would be affected customers are advised to store enough water prior to the scheduled water service inter-

ruption as water supply may be restored earlier if work goes smoothly or later if unforeseen problems arise.

The general public may call the DCWD trunk line at 221-9400 and press “1” on their phone dial to listen to the latest daily water updates, or contact its call center through the 24-hour hotline 221-9412 or 09277988966 for updates, complaints, queries and other matters pertaining to DCWD services. (SYLVIA

LOCATION Matina, Davao City Matina(Diversion) Davao City Bunawan, Davao City Indangan, Davao City Bincungan, Tagum City

MAY L. VOSOTROS)

Going back to school more fun with Sun Cellular!

“T

HAT was quick!” says the stilldrowsy student, as he wakes up late from his usual summer slumber. He is not referring to his sleep (or lack thereof), but rather, on his realization that his happy days of summer vacation are soon to be over.

An idea came over him.

Excited, he scrambled for his phone to check his Facebook account. He could not connect to the internet though. He ran out of mobile internet load.

Nothing could be more annoying to a student than this, except perhaps the sound of fingernails scratching through a blackboard. And since summer is already in its dying moments, the ohso-familiar blackboard

noise is slowly getting closer and closer. If you’re a student, you know that something like this couldn’t be avoided, but your connectivity woes can certainly be!

Subscribe to Sun Cellular’s Plan 350 to get the new Alcatel Glory 918N with a small cash out of P500.00. You can also get the new Alcatel Glory 918N handset at no additional cash out by availing of Sun’s GO Surf 50. With the GO Surf 50 add-on, you can enjoy 10 hours of mobile internet per month. It’s like paying an installment but getting free internet access at the same time! This Sun Cellular back-to-school promo gives you Unlimited Sun calls and texts, 250 texts to other networks and a choice to get free

mobile surfing hours!

Make the most out of the 10 hours of internet per month with the social networking and internet capabilities of the latest Alcatel Android phone, the Glory 918N. You can easily search for any information you need and do your assignments in a jiffy, giving you more time to play with your Android apps. Who says student life has to be boring?

For more information on other services that Sun Cellular offers, log on to www.suncellular.com. ph. You can also check for updates by logging on to their official Facebook page: facebook.com/suncellularph or on Twitter: twitter.com/suncelltweets.

Sun Cellular is a member of the PLDT Group.

event.

Recently, as part of its 60th anniversary celebration, the company also hosted a reunion of its former employees. “Some who attended came all the way from the United States,” said Nanette Sia of the company’s human resources department. “The balikbayans, the old-timers and current officers were so happy to participate in this memorable event.” Sia noted that unlike other companies that suffer from quick employee turnover, Reliance enjoys loyalty among its

staff.

Reliance Surety and Insurance Co., Inc. is established in 1952 with the commitment to its core values excellence, integrity and reliability.

The company is now is now automated, its Visayas and Mindanao operations are both linked to the Head Office database in Manila to make provincial transactions faster and more serviceable. Operational processes are streamlined, moving towards the full automation of systems and procedures.

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Quips

‘THE BANK (LandBank) had to write off P471.2 million because of the financial difficulties of borrowers or because the borrowers could not be located.’

--Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez. PhilStar

17,940

P2,500

3,831

P1,500

41,408

P800

7,056

P1,200

27,411

P1,000

LOCATION

AREA (sq.m.) PRICE/sq.m.

Villa Josefina Resort Village, Dumoy Toril, Davao City

Minimum of 240 sq.m.

P5,985

St. Joseph Homes, Sirawan, Toril,Davao City

Minimum of 150 sq.m.

P3,600

Reliance Surety turns 60

ANILA-based Reliance Surety & Insurance Company celebrates 60 years as leading insurance company in the Philippines this August.

Andrew Co, the president of Reliance says that the company’s secret is “Trust”. “Trust is the key to our longevity. The trust of shareholders, employees and customers alike is the reason behind our endurance. Trust is the cornerstone of our company’s mission of Assuring a Safer Tomorrow which applies to all stakeholders,” he added.

Reliance will be celebrating its 60th anniversary with a party at the Manila Hotel. Despite the hard times being faced by the industry, the company has chosen to celebrate this once-in-a-lifetime

AREA (sq.m.) PRICE/sq.m.

LOCATION Lot Area Flr. Area Blk. 4, Lot 10 Villa Josefina Resort Village 240 sq.m. 177.31 sq.m Dumoy, Toril, Davao City

For Inquiries: Please Call : PRYCE CORPORATION c/o SONNY MOLE Contact No. : 0922-­‐879-­‐0036 / (082) 224-­‐2686 Email ADD : sonitomole1223@yahoo.com

PRICE P4.8 M

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NATION/WORLD

NATION BRIEFS

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Infrafund

HE Aquino administration has announced the creation of a P25-billion infrastructure fund, the largest ever assembled in the country, with the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) as the lead investor.

President Aquino made the announcement yesterday at the 75th anniversary of GSIS, the state-owned pension fund for state workers.

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Qualified

NE of three catering firms that allegedly entered into P94 million worth of “illegal” contracts with the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) has qualified in a new bidding to provide meals to inmates at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) maximum security compound.

NBP bids and awards committee chairwoman Gloria Garcia and six members of the committee opened yesterday the sealed bids of three caterers at the conference room at the ground floor of the NBP administration building.

F

Perfect

IVE senator-judges recorded a perfect attendance for the entire 43 days of the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, as presiding officer of the impeachment court, never missed a single day of the trial and was never late.

Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III and Senators Franklin Drilon, Gregorio Honasan and Panfilo Lacson also had perfect attendance. All were present at the impeachment trial from Day One and all of them arrived on time for the roll call, according to data gathered from the government website www.gov.ph.

VOL.5 ISSUE 62 • MAY 30, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

WORLD TODAY House prosecution says Corona’s Fire conviction victory for accountability A T HE prosecution panel from the House of Representatives hailed on Tuesday as a “victory for accountability, transparency and the rule of law” the decision of the Senate, sitting as the impeachment court, to convict Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona for culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust.

The prosecution said the removal from office of the chief magistrate “heralds a new beginning for the judiciary whose image has been tarnished in the course of the chief justice’s impeachment, as well as provides a big boost to the Aquino administration’s campaign to cleanse the bureaucracy of graft and corruption.”

“This is the start of putting our Republic back in order for we did not convict a man but rather we saved our institutions from grievous harm of corruption and betrayal of public trust,” said House Deputy Speaker and Quezon Rep. Lorenzo “Erin” Tanada III, one of the spokesmen for the prosecution.

“We showed our determination towards transparency and good governance with this verdict,” he stressed.

Tanada said that in carry-

fire that erupted at a nursery in a huge Ve n i c e - t h e m e d shopping centre in the expat-dominated Qatari capital of Doha on Monday killed 19 people including 13 children, the interior ministry said.

Four of the children who died were Spanish, said a foreign ministry spokeswoman in Madrid, while Paris announced that a three-year-old French child also perished.

FUMING MAD. “Does SALN omission amount to an impeachable offense? NO! SALN carries light penalty, allows correction. I am insulted by the way your minds run,” said the fuming Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago before she handed down her own verdict: Not guilty. ing out the very first verdict of conviction in an impeachment trial, the Senate has shown to “our people and the world that our country is politically mature and ready to forge ahead in our fight for transparency and accountability in our democratic processes.”

For his part, Aurora Rep. Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, also spokesman for the prosecution, said much more remains to be done by the government to ensure transparency, accountability and adherence to the rule of law, which are all key to good governance.

Angara expressed hope that the chief justice’s conviction would pave the way for the restoration of the people’s faith in the institutions.

“We are hopeful that this historic decision of the Senate impeachment court will help restore the people’s faith in the judiciary and in government,” he said.

“We hope it is not just a change of personnel but a change in mindset and a change in the way things are done in government,” he added.

Tanada congratulated the entire nation “not because we convicted Renato

Corona, but because we were able to stop the downward spiral of our judiciary into a morass of corruption.”

“Today we, as a people showed the world that our country is politically mature and ready to forge ahead in our fight for transparency and accountability and most importantly strengthen our democratic processes,” said Tanada in a statement.

“It is unfortunate that we have to go through this process to achieve political maturity, but it must be done if we need to join the family of democratic, transparent states,” he said.

Asia’s biggest wine expo opens

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HE who’s who of the wine world was in Hong Kong on Tuesday for Asia’s biggest wine and spirits fair, hoping to tap the booming but still relatively young Chinese market.

Organisers of the threeday Vinexpo Asia-Pacific expect demand for imported wine to weather the slowdown in Chinese economic growth, forecast to fall to 7.5 percent this year from 9.2 percent in 2011.

A deep dip in prices of Bordeaux’s most prestigious, investment-grade wines last year suggests the Chinese-driven specu-

lative bubble may have burst, but the market for more modest mid-range wines will open up, they said.

“The promise of the Chinese market and the Asian market continues to be very high. The growth is still there,” Vinexpo chief executive Robert Beynat told AFP. China leapt to fifth place of top wine consuming nations last year, overtaking Britain, and Asia is expected to account for more than half of worldwide growth in consumption over the next three years, organisers said.

NEW MARKET. Asia’s biggest wine and spirits fair opened in Hong Kong on Tuesday, giving the world’s top producers from France to Argentina a chance to tap the booming but still relatively new Chinese market.

S

Fighting

YRIAN insurgents killed 20 soldiers in heavy fighting around a northern Syrian town close to the border with Turkey, opposition sources said on Tuesday.

They said six civilians and six rebels, including two rebel commanders, were also killed in the past 24 hours after the army launched an offensive with tanks and helicopters to retake the region around Atareb in Aleppo province, 18 km (11 miles) east of the Turkish border.

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Rebuked

USSIA sharply criticised the U.S. ambassador for the third time in his five-month tenure after he said that Moscow offered Kyrgyzstan a bribe in a bid to evict U.S. forces from an air base and had sought backroom “quid pro quo” deals on key issues.

The Foreign Ministry expressed “extreme bewilderment” at remarks Michael McFaul made in a university lecture in Friday, which it said went “far beyond the boundaries of diplomatic etiquette and amounted to a deliberate distortion of several aspects of the Russian-American dialogue.”

I

Jeopardy

RAN on Tuesday warned Western countries that pressuring Tehran with sanctions while engaging in nuclear talks would jeopardise chances of reaching an agreement.

“This approach of pressure concurrent with negotiations will never work.

These countries should not enter negotiations with such illusions and misinterpretations,” foreign ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast told a news conference.

A

Captive

German girl has been rescued by Bosnian police after allegedly being held captive by a couple for eight years during which she was forced to eat pig feed and pull a horsecart. A neighbour who raised the alarm told AFP he witnessed the couple treating the girl, now 19, like an animal.

Milenko and Slavojka Marinkovic were arrested at their home in a village in the northwestern Tuzla region after police received the tip-off from neighbour Sead Makalic earlier this month.

EDGEDAVAO

Senators...

Davao...

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for Corona’s conviction.

Senators Joker Arroyo, Miriam Santiago, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., meanwhile voted for Corona’s acquittal.

“The Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, having tried Chief Justice Renato Corona, upon three articles of impeachment charged against him by the House of Representatives, by a guilty vote of 20 senators, has found him guilty of the charge under Article II,” Enrile said.

“Now therefore, be it adjudged that Renato Corona, is hereby convicted of the charge against him in Article II of the Articles of impeachment, so ordered,” Enrile added.

Enrile also said as he explained his vote, “there is deliberate act of excluding substantial assets.”

“This is not justice, political or legal. Certainly not the law...it is only naked power, as it was in 1972,” however said Arroyo as he defended his vote.

Each senator was given ample time to explain his/ her vote while as presiding officer, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile was last

to vote.

Corona was impeached by the House of Representatives in December after 188 congressmen signed the impeachment complaint.

From the original eight, the prosecution team reduced its complaint to three articles of impeachment.

Article II: Non-inclusion of assets in SALN Deemed as the prosecution’s strongest case, Article II of the impeachment complaint accuses Corona of inaccurately declaring his assets, including peso and dollar deposits and real estate properties.

In his 2010 statement of assets, liabilities and net worth, Corona declared «cash and investments» amounting to P3.5 million.

The prosecution team presented bank managers of the Bank of Philippine Islands and Philippine Savings Bank who testified that Corona has at least P31 million peso deposits.

The defense team, on the other hand, presented Ombudsman Conchita CarpioMorales as hostile witness who accused the chief justice of having $10-million deposits, citing transaction re-

cords from the Anti-Money Laundering Council report.

But Corona refuted these and claimed that he has a combined peso and dollar accounts only worth P185 million.

He said he did not declare his dollar deposits worth $2.4 million or around P105 million because of the confidentiality guaranteed by the banking secrecy and foreign currency deposit units laws.

As for the P80-million peso accounts, Corona said they are commingled funds that he does not solely own.

These accounts contain the expropriation proceeds of the sale of the lot owned by his wife’s company, Basa Guidote Enterprises Inc., the common funds from his late mother, and some savings of his children.

Meanwhile, Corona declared five real properties in his SALN including a house and lot in Quezon City and four condominium units.

The chief justice, however, allegedly owns various properties under the name of his children, who, the prosecution said, have questionable capacity to acquire posh properties. [PNA]

part of P5.7 million for the purchase of rice.

“The Deped will identify students whose parents are too poor to feed them three times a day, and students who cannot go to school due to malnourishment. We, along with the Jollibee Foundation,

will provide them one meal each day,” said the mayor.

“That is part of the city’s Busog Lusog Talino program, a comprehensive feeding program and parents’ education program in various public elementary schools,” she added. [JADE C. ZALDIVAR]

Estigoy, DepEd 11 regional director, said the use of the mother tongue in educational instruction is a result of many years of research.

With the new curriculum of K+12, Grade 1 students will read and write Cebuano in the first grading; start oral Filipino in the second grading; can already

read Filipino in the third and fourth grading. Students will start literacy in English in Grade 2.

A total of 3,754 Grade 1 teachers, and 2,766 Grade 7 teachers have been trained and are ready to start the implementation of K+12 come June 4.

There are no textbooks

published for the new curriculum yet, however, the DepEd has developed materials as learning guides.

“This is the start of K+12 implementation, so the glitches will be ironed out. We just have to start somewhere. If not now, then when?” Paguican said. [LORIE

A

premises of their family home or in the areas to be designated by the concerned Provincial Environmental and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) or Community Environment and Natural Resources (CENTRO) where they reside.

The bill provides that before

the Local Civil Registrar of the city or municipality where the child was born can issue a birth certificate, the parents or parent should secure a joint affidavit or affidavit attesting that they have planted two trees in compliance with this act and present it to the civil registrar.

City...

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cay,” the mayor said, adding that students who get sick become absent from class.

The mayor bared that the city has also partnered with the Jollibee Foundation for a feeding program, with the local government committed to extend a counter-

To use...

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A. CASCARO]

Bill requires parents to plant 2 trees for every child born

lawmaker has filed a bill requiring parents to plant two trees for every child born to them to help reverse the worsening effects of climate change and promote environmental protection awareness among Filipino families.

Rep. Edwin Olivarez (1st District, Parañaque) filed House Bill 6087 to be known as the “Family Tree Planting Act of 2012,” which mandates couples residing in the Philippines, whether legally married or not, to plant or cause to plant two trees for every child born to them.

Olivarez said the trees may be planted either within the

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VOL.5 ISSUE 62 • MAY 30, 2012

Quips

‘SOMETIMES I feel bad when we have a conflict of opinion.

So I told the Chief Justice that it would be best if he would allow me to resign because he no longer needs.’

--Retired Justice Serafin Cuevas, chief defense counsel of Chief Justice Renato Corona. PDI

“I knew from the start that Corona would not win this case because it was anchored on political motivation,” Braga added.

In an interview prior to the verdict, Braga had said, “It’s all a game of numbers.

Right from the start it became a political process.

Whoever had the majority for conviction, no matter what arguments would be presented, yun pa rin ang magiging decision. Nobody can stop what President Benigno Aquino III wants. If the President says ‘I want him out’, the signal is loud and clear. It’s political. Makikita naman yung biases among the Senators.”

Integrated Bar of the Philippines for Eastern Mindanao governor Torreon Bobbet Israelito said he respects the decision of the Senate.

“It was handed down after a full presentation of evidence by the prosecution and the defense, thereby following the tenets of due process of law…We must therefore move on and continue to build a better nation – one that is always cognizant of due process and the rule of law!” he said.

Israelito, also dean

of Cor Jesu College of Law in Digos City, said the Chief Justice was given the full opportunity to present his defense.

“Hence, it follows that the people, especially lawyers, have to abide and respect the decision that the Senate rendered, not only because it is the verdict of the persons elected and empowered by the people to try and decide impeachable cases, but also because it is the mandate of the prime law of the land with which all laws must conform,” he said.

Meanwhile, Davao del Norte governor Rodolfo del Rosario said the judgment of the Senate was “made for all the people to accept and respect.”

“This to me is the beginning of long-awaited reforms in public service based on public trust,” del Rosario said in a text message.

Human rights lawyer Carlos Zarate said that with the verdict of guilty against Corona, the latter can now be tried for alleged criminal and civil violations he is responsible for.”

The secretary-general of the Union of People’s Lawyers in Mindanao, added that the verdict raises the bar

of accountability in public service. “He will be held accountable for his acts while in public office, but beyond that from now on a new standard for public accountability is set,” he said.

“Beyond his conviction and removal from office, we must now run after the others in government who are also equally unfit to serve like CJ Corona,” he added.

Davao City Councilor Bernard Al-ag noted that the conclusion of the first successful impeachment in the country, in the sense that it was brought to a finish, will hasten the Filipino people’s maturity. “How we react to this historic event will reflect our maturity and trust in our government. Let’s move forward as a nation.”

Councilors Victorio Advincula Jr., Edgar Ibuyan, and Tomas Monteverde IV all said that the decision of the Senate should be respected.

Criminal Investigation and Detection Group for Davao Region chief SSupt.

Albert Ignatius Ferro commented, “It’s history which will pave the way to justice and reform in public accountability,” he said.

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SPORTS

Macaneras, Jaro win Mobil 1 Run

A

RNIE Macaneras and Cynthia Jaro essayed a reprise of their similar finish in another race as they reinforced their billing as Davao’s finest long distance runners by winning the Mobil 1 Fun Run over the weekend.

Macaneras, a standout of the Brokenshire College track team, went toe to toe with rival James Castillo, towards the finish of the 10-kilometer race winning by the skin of his teeth in 36 minutes and 4 seconds. Castillo checked in a stride behind in 36:05.

Joselito Dugos came in a distant third in 37:43 in this

VOL.5 ISSUE 62 • MAY 30, 2012

event sponsored by Mobil 1.

In the distaff side, Cynthia “Baby Kenya” Jaro lived up to her status as the city’s top long distance runner today by winning the women’s 10-K title in 50 minutes and 9 seconds. Jaro bested perennial rival and veteran Judelyn Miranda who finished second in 50:15 while Jaro’s coach at Brokenshire College, Monalisa Ambasa, was third in 50:30.

Last January, Macaneras and Jaro also topped the 2012 New Balance Run but that was for 12 kilometers.

Vantage Sports provided the race management for the event. (NJB)

Barako releases Arboleda, Alaska trades Salamat

B

ARAKO Bull has released Wynne Arboleda unconditionally from his contract, allowing other PBA teams to acquire the services of the veteran guard.

PBA commissioner Chito Salud confirmed the news. “Teams have five days to make a tender offer [to Arboleda],” said Salud.

This early, Air 21 has expressed interest to sign Arboleda. “If we will be able to get him, we’er going to have a natural point guard on our team,” said Express coach Franz Pumaren.

Air 21 earlier traded RJ Jazul, who has been seeing time at the point guard spot for the Express, to the Alaska Aces in exchange for Eric Salamat and a 2012 second round pick.

Arboleda said that it doesn’t matter where he plays, as long as he gets signed.

“Basta ako, OK lang sa akin kahit saan tayo maglaro. Hangga’t mayroon pang naniniwala, maglalaro pa rin ako,” he said.

The Express earlier tried to trade for Arbole-

da, but PBA rules disallow direct transactions between teams with the same owners. Barako Bull and Air 21 are both part of the Lina Group of Companies, owned by businessman Bert Lina. Curiously, Arboleda is married to Lina’s daughter April.

Wearing an Air 21 uniform will be a familiar experience for Arboleda.

Prior to this season, Barako Bull carried the brand name Air 21.

Meantime, the Alaska Aces have further bolstered its backcourt, adding lethal combo guard RJ Jazul from the Air 21 Express in exchange for rookie guard Eric Salamat and a second round pick in the 2012 draft.

The second-year Jazul, a former star at Letran, was having a breakout season, averaging nine points, three rebounds, and three assists of 36 percent shooting from beyond the arc for the Express this season while playing both guard positions. He is expected to back up Alaska superstar guard LA Tenorio and add a three-point shooting dimension to the Aces’ guard line.

NOVICE. Triathlete Phine Trinidad during the running stage of the swimbike-run Durianman Novice Sprint Triathlon. [JOEY FERNANDEZ] “I really like RJ because he can play backup point guard with efficiency,” wrote Alaska coach Luigi Trillo in a text message to InterAKTV. “He has a good shooting touch as well and he will settle our second group. I’ve seen him play with (SMART-Gilas Pilipinas), played with Rain or Shine and Air 21, and he did pretty well too. He brings us stability in our point guard spot.”

Salamat, a rookie out of Ateneo, has seen limited playing in his first season, averaging less than three points on less than 10 minutes per game.

This is the second trade for the Aces after Trillo took over as interim

coach before the conference. Alaska sent Jay-R Reyes to Meralco for power forward Gabby Espinas days before the Governors’ Cup. “It’s beneficial for both teams,” said Air 21 coach Franz Pumaren. “We’re looking for an aggressive player, and Salamat can provide that for us.”

For Air 21, the move might be a precursor for plans by the Express to acquire the services of Barako Bull guard Wynne Arboleda.

“We need a point guard, which is why we’re trying to get Wynne,” Pumaren said in an earlier interview. “I expect movements this week.”

W

EDGEDAVAO

Wake up call for DPWH

HEN someone so young passes away, we always say he’s gone so soon. I say the same for my nephew and godson Roy who passed away in a tragic road crash on May 17 in Mati City.

Roy had just graduated from Nursing last April and was spending his break before taking the review classes for the Nursing Board with his batchmates at San Pedro College. Early morning on May 17, he drove smack on a steel obstruction left lying on the concrete road being constructed in Mati City.

Not even the best of riders can avoid such an obstruction on a pitch dark highway with no early warning signs and flashing lights to warn motorists of the construction works.

There were no warning signs set up by the contractor of this project—which is among the traditional eveof-the-election infra projects implemented by the DPWH through the country’s political districts.

This section of the national highway, just about 4 to 5 kilometers from Mati’s City Hall, has no street lights either. Most of its roads, save for the city center, have no street lights.

I am not laying blames on the death of my nephew here.

I am only exposing the state of things in our roads and highways and how contractors feast on mega-million projects without regard for road safety.

Last Monday, the City of Mati released an investigation report of the road section and reported that the same had no required safety devices installed—a blatant violation of the requirements for road construction projects. Even a simple building construction these days require safety devices before you can get a permit to construct.

This road project, very clearly, according to the report by the Mati City government and our own pieces of evidence of the crash site and statements by eyewitnesses, did not conform to the requirements of safety. Hence, the DPWH must act immediately on this matter.

WAKE JAM. Winners of the Davao Summer Games Wake Jam receive their prizes from Duaw Davao Festival Foundation executive director Lisette Marques with

However, it seems that the DPWH’s Second Engineering District in Davao Oriental has no plans of taking action on this matter. More than a week has passed after the tragic incident and still, nothing has been done in the construction site. I was told there were motorists who figured in near brushes with death and sustained injuries. I am sure everyone who passes by this road section each night is practically flirting with disaster.

This is a clearly an irresponsible engagement in public works. When the government engages a private company to do public works, it passes on to the private entity the same degree of responsibility, prudence, and accountability required of public office.

Despite the promise of new governance and his much ballyhooed “daang matuwid”, the Aquino administration is still plagued with people who seem not to be in the same orchestra with him. There is only practically one contractor in Davao Oriental hogging the infra projects and yet the DPWH cannot even impose its requirements on this contractor.

Our prayers are simple.

That the DPWH please take a look at these rampant violations of private contractors not only in Davao Oriental but also in other provinces and cities. We beg you please.

Not because a relative of ours died.

We beg you because this is not going to be the last highway tragedy unless you do something. How many more lives have to be lost or limbs broken before we act?

I pray, it does not happen to your son, nephew, friend, or even yourself.

Deca Wake Park officials Choy Poblete and Tynna Rosero.

Shown here are Pro Wakeboard winner Zech Stepenson (left) and Pro Wakeskate champ Artemiy Dunaev (RIGHT).

INdulge!

VOL.5 ISSUE 62 • MAY 30, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

WOMEN

A family affair I am a self-proclaimed trying hard craft maker by heart.

I remember an instance back in grade school when a classmate brought toy puppet versions of Spike and Little Foot (characters from the animated movie Land Before Time). Everyone was crazy about the movie at that time, and I ceaselessly begged my parents to buy me a complete set of puppets of whole the dinosaur cast. My mom’s usual answer to me was, “No. You have to improvise and make a puppet for yourself.” She tried to veer me away from the lure of commercialism and teach me the value of money while growing up. She also intended for me to be innovative and creative by helping me out with do-it-yourself projects of different kinds.

My introduction to graphic design and visual arts came later, when I’ve begun to understand the nature of my dad’s advertising business.

Much of my toddler years were spent learning about arts and crafts. My mom introduced me to Origami when I was 4 years old, and we would fold papers the whole day to make flowers, stars, and animals. I developed a love affair with paper, and soon it bloomed to an addiction to paper dolls, stationeries, and stickers. I enjoyed frequent visits to Papemelroti where I’d buy special papers and drool over beautiful handmade crafts and novelty items. In late afternoons, I’d see my friends to exchange sheets of stationeries, a pastime more popularly known to our generation as “barter.” My ama-

teur attempt at intricate paper crafts were appreciated by doting Tito’s and Tita’s, and I eventually ended up doing projects for my cousins. This paper craze eventually came to temporary halt when I reached college, as my interests shifted to visual arts and design Now that I have a kid of my own, I re-oriented myself with paper folding and hand made crafts to pass on the same value to my daughter as what my mother did with me. We bond over boxes of patterned paper, strips of ribbons and fabric, glue, and little ornaments. I try to bring in something new to the table, and draw inspiration from generous artists who share their DIY projects on line. One of the blogs we visited is by craftswoman / barista, April San Pedro.

If clothing lines have a category for high-fashion, so do paper. April’s paperie, amply called as Artisan Design Studio, carries couture stationeries, planners, and calendars, and produces quality invitations and other decorative paper-based designs.

This 28 year old artisan opened her home-based stu-

dio back in 2008, merely paces away from the family-owned coffee shop, right under their yellow painted house. Pre-artisan days, she brewed coffee, mixed drinks, and spent quality time with her computer to design posters for their own coffee place. “It was purely a family business where family and friends would gather to enjoy afternoon talks over coffee. I oversee the operations with my sister, who is the baker in the family. I was eager to learn about graphic design because I had a bit of difficulty dealing with advertising agencies when it comes to the layout and look of our posters. Luckily, I met some friends who were in the field of graphic design. I observed how they work and attended short courses in Manila to enhance my skills and knowledge.”

It was a bold move to jump from barista to graphic designer. The latter requires a sophisticated palate, while the other is a marriage of both skills and imagination. Apparently, her trajectory to the creative world was already set in her future, even in her late teens.

“I sometimes found it weird that I was not inclined to shop for clothes and shoes.

I feel more enthusiastic with books and craft materials such as rubber stamps, punchers, etc. I even have a collection of Japanese craft books which I can’t translate into English, and I just try to understand it by following the illustration.

Reading and learning about crafts is definitely my guilty pleasure. I can stay for hours

in a bookstore and craft shops, and spend as much as others would in shopping with just a blink of an eye. Good thing this passion grew into a business, giving me relief with a bit of return in investment.

In cVollege, I started selling personalized name stickers to my classmates. That was also when I ventured into beadwork and handmade accessories which I sold in bazaars around town.”

“I always wanted a store of my own. However, I still couldn’t figure out what it would be. I knew I wanted something related to graphic design or crafting. It may sound cliché, but I really find Martha Stewart an inspiring woman in this field. Not only because of her great taste, but also of the way she made crafting interesting and sellable to the global market.”

“My first attempt into designing was through a brand I created years back. With Talalarawan (which means ‘album’ in Filipino), I concentrated on producing photo books on a per order basis. However, the turnover was so slow and the work was so tedious. Eventually, I figured out that I can channel the same materials, tools, and technique into different types of products.”

“I summed up my courage to open my own store and realized that dream when I opened Artisan Design Studio last July 8, 2009. Instead of just manufacturing photo books, I now concentrate more with customized paper goods such as invitations,

stationeries, planners, and anything that I can be done by paper or graphic design.”

While planners and accessories sold like pancakes, her orders for custom made party invitations came in droves too. Her creativity enabled her to merge her client’s concept with her own imagination. “My inspiration will always vary, depending on the requirements of my client. I translate their ideas into designs which also reflect my style in graphic design ---- elegant, yet uncomplicated.”

April’s design studio has seen several milestones and family events over the years.

It’s like she became part of every family affair in the metropolis --- witnessing the solemn christening of a child, the marriage of two passionate hearts, and the graceful entry of a debutante into the society.

Just as her business caters to various occasions, she also involves herself in the community by organizing Christmas bazaars and sharing easy to do crafts through her blog (visit http://www.designsofartisanblog.com). The idea of putting up the Sabroso Sunday Food Market was born out of casual talks with her sister, Sandy, and fellow entrepreneur friend, Chiche Alejandre. The weekly food fair gathered families into the garden outside their coffee shop, enjoying the kitchen wonders and secret recipes of independent cooks. The food bazaar was a huge success and it inspired more food aficionados to support home-grown products and delicacies.

“Everyone has their own part in the community. Currently, I am focusing my business sense to exporting my own paper line abroad.

I’m slowly starting with this by selling my designs online.

I also try to dedicate my time into touching lives of families, giving them activities which parents can do and bond over with kids. I share my ideas on improvised storage boxes and other decorative DIY crafts for their home. In the future, when I become a mother, I also want to enter into a different business that will cater to both moms and babies.”

Visit Artisan Design Studio on Facebook, or drop by the shop located beside the Yellow Hauz, V. Mapa St., Davao City. You may also call their office at (082) 303 272, or send your questions to designofartisan@gmail.com.

EDGEDAVAO

A2 INdulge!

VOL.5 ISSUE 62 • MAY 30, 2012

HEALTH ENTERTAINMENT

Toxic polish

IF you’re a mani-pedi fan (and I know lots of them), it’s disturbing news. Some nail polishes and other products used at salons and labeled toxin-free may have high levels of toxic chemicals, according to a new California report. “The labeling does not always reflect the ingredients,” says scientist Valetti Lang, acting manager of the Pollution Prevention Branch of the Department of Toxic Substances Control for the California Environmental Protection Agency.

Her team bought 25 nail products from distributors in May 2011. They sent the samples to an independent lab. The lab tested the products for three chemicals -dibutyl phthalate, toluene, and formaldehyde -- commonly called the ‘’toxic trio.”

The chemicals have been of concern for their potential health risks, especially to nail salon workers.

In recent years, some nail product makers have removed these chemicals from their products, then labeled them as non-toxic.

“What we found out is that in many of the cases the label was inaccurate,” says Lang.

“And that’s really what our message is. We don’t know if our samples are representative of the industry.”

Some products that did not carry a toxic-free label actually had none of the chemicals in them, the researchers also found.

The report lacks perspec-

Some products that did not carry a toxic-free label actually had none of the chemicals in them, the researchers also found.

tive and balance, according to a statement issued by the Professional Beauty Association’s Nail Manufacturers Council. “Most of the brands involved are not major brands and also not found in every salon,” says spokesman Brad Masterson.

Some of the products tested are also for sale to consumers in beauty supply stores or via the Internet.

The California scientists tested mostly nail color or lacquer. They also included some top coat, base coat, thinner, nail art, and a top coat-base coat combination.

They were looking for the chemical toluene, a toxin that may cause birth defects and developmental problems in children of pregnant women who have had extended exposure.

They also looked for dibutyl phthalate (DBP), which has been linked to birth defects in studies involving lab animals, and formaldehyde, a carcinogen.

The labels on 12 products said they were free of one, two, or all of these chemicals. The other 13 products had no such claims. Formaldehyde wasn’t detectable in any of the products.

Products without toxin-

free labels often were still free of some or all of the chemicals, the researchers found. Of the 13 products that did not have a label, five did not have any of the three chemicals. One was a polish thinner, but the brand was not noted in the report.

The new report will provide information to the San Francisco Department of Environment’s voluntary recognition program for nail salons that choose safer products, Lang says. The program was created after the city and county of San Francisco passed an ordinance in late 2010. California has more than 48,000 nail salons. The California Department of Toxic Substances Control has been collaborating with the Department of Environment.

To be recognized as a safer salon, nail salons must use products free of the toxic trio and other chemicals.

“The bottom-line finding is we can’t trust the labels on some of these nail salon products that are claiming to be free of these toxic chemicals,” says Rebecca Sutton, PhD, senior scientist at the Environmental Working Group. She reviewed the report. “These chemicals have well-established health concerns,” she says. “Obviously, there is greater danger for workers, who are exposed so much longer, day in and day out.” However,

“this is not a minor concern for consumers,” she says.

Other products, such as cleaning supplies, also contain the chemicals, she says.

Exposure can accumulate.

“I might say go easy on the nail polish. Go to the salon less often.” Pregnant women might consider skipping salon visits, she says.

Write the nail product manufacturers, says Julia Liou, MPH, co-founder of the California Healthy Nail Salon Collaborative and a public health administrator of Asian Health Services.

Ask them to remove toxic chemicals, she says.

Come to think of it, in the Philippines, we are not really sure of the safety of our local polish. Ingredients are not indicated in the packaging too. But I guess there is always an up and down side to beauty products. Polish not only makes our hands and nails look cleaner and better, it also protects and strengthen our nails. If we don’t abuse putting polish on our nails I guess it won’t create a significant damage on our health. We can start checking out what our local polish contains just to know better the product that we are buying and wearing. As long as we don’t expose ourselves often to the harmful chemicals in polish, it can be used to enhance beauty and protect and keep pretty nails.

VOL.5 ISSUE 62 • MAY 30, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

ENTERTAINMENT

Game of Thrones: What you missed last night

Justin Bieber training with Mike Tyson before scuffle

Wow. Just wow.

The long-awaited Battle of the Blackwater arrived. And it was epic. So who came out the victor in Game of Thrones? Who perished—and who is in control of King’s Landing?

Well, let’s get right to the fiery action: What we learned King’s Landing: War is imminent. In fact it’s on their doorstep, so what’s better than catching a little music and a drink at the local tavern? King Joffrey (Jack Gleeson) is still the worst, in fact he may have taken over his own top honors by also being a terrible coward. He is absolutely useless during the Battle of the Blackwater and it’s not the first time we’ve said, “Thank the gods for Tyrion!” Oh wait, who are we rooting for? We always forget. But we are always rooting for Tyrion (Peter Dinklage).

Stannis’ Ships: Stannis (Stephen Dillane) may have had quite the navy prepared for battle, but nothing could prepare them (or us) for the awe-

some explosion of wildfire. The river lit up like a million green fireworks and we lost our favorite smuggler. But don’t count Stannis out of the battle just yet. He shows some seriously impressive fighting skills while trying to take King’s Landing.

The Red Keep: Cersei (Lena Headey) always has a plan. And getting drunk while locked up in the Red Keep with the crying ladies sounds like a pretty good one to us. Cersei throws back wine and starts spewing a lot of truth. She’s a despicable human in a lot of ways, but she has some

points. Life would have been better had she been born a man. For one, she wouldn’t have been sold like a horse to a stranger or been at the mercy of kings and usurpers. It’s pretty clear that she’s not going to go down without a fight, but the fight was almost gone when her father Tywin (Charles Dance) appeared.

Sandor Clegane (Rory McCann) surprised us in this episode. His “eff it all” attitude, drinking and his offer to take Sansa (Sophie Turner) away were at the top of the list. He’s clearly had enough of his

tion for a starting price of $100,000, and will include the opening and closing of the vault and crypt for burial, a memorial inscription and the use

of the chapel for a committal service.

The King has left the building, and now you have a chance to leave by the same exit.

Who wants to bid for Elvis Presley’s tomb?

File this one under kinda creepy.

The entrance to a private crypt that once held Elvis Presley’s body is set to be auctioned off next month.

The crypt previously held the bodies of the rock ‘n’ roll legend and his mother, Gladys, for about two months in 1977 before Elvis’ body was buried at Graceland.

“I just consider that if you’re an ultimate fan of Elvis Presley, it’s an opportunity,” president of Julien’s auctions, Darren Julien, told the New York Times. “It’s definitely a conversation piece. Only one person can say, ‘Hey, I’m going to be buried where Elvis Presley was.”

Julien’s Auctions will hold the pop music memorabilia sale, which will include a robe worn

by Amy Winehouse, in the mausoleum of the Forest Hill Cemetery in Memphis June 23 and 24.

The lot will go on auc-

employer and doesn’t care who knows it. We must say, we probably would have fled with him if we were Sansa.

On the Walls: Award for MVP has to go to Tyrion. His rally speech to the disheartened soilders was epic. It was like something straight out of Friday Night Lights, but with more swearing and higher stakes. All the Emmys for Peter Dinklage!

IN an odd bit of foreshadowing, Justin Bieber hung out with Mike Tyson and got some boxing tips from the legendary fighter just days before his alleged run-in with a paparazzo.

Check out the Biebs working the heavy bag with Tyson. They posed for a pic with another guy, which Tyson tweeted with the caption, “Me, @johnny and @justinbieber before we started training JB” As TMZ first reported, Bieber is now a suspect in a criminal battery after Bieber allegedly got into it with a photog in Calabasas. Cops were called to the scene -- Bieber and GF Selena Gomez had already split -- and the photog was transported to a nearby hospital and later released.

Witnesses say the pap incited Bieber and got tips from a lawyer at the scene about calling an ambulance and filing a police report.

A4 INdulge!

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.5 ISSUE 62 • MAY 30, 2012

FEATURE ENTERTAINMENT

Make your windows nicer

By Meghann Sta. Ines

CRAFT genius, April San Pedro, shares her how-to guide in making your windows look more attractive.

Materials: • Recycled Photos, 4x6 inches in size (but it’s better if you’ll cut out images from an old calendar). You’ll be needing at least 36 photos, depending on your window length of your window. I used 6-7 photos per batch.

• Cutting mat • Scissors • Cutter • Bus ticket puncher (you can buy this in National Bookstore) • Ruler • Ribbon or Crochet yarn Procedure: Cut the photo from the calendar. Make sure to use cutting mat and a sharp cutter blade for easy cutting.

Use a bus ticket puncher or the smallest round puncher. I suggest a small puncher so the holes won’t be visible from afar.

Insert the yarn starting from the back of the photo and spool it in twice.

Then pull the yarn from the back and insert it at the bottom hole this time. Don’t twine the yarn from the top. It should be loose and can be pulled easily.

Do the same thing on the next photos. I used 6 photos per line. You can modify the height of the photos too.

On your last photo, tie a knot at the bottom to lock the yarn. Then do the same procedure on the next batch of photos.

Once you’ve completed the whole set, tie them each to a ribbon. Cut the ribbon according to you’re the width of your window. Hang both ends of the ribbon on the top of your window and align your photos accordingly.

EDGEDAVAO

SPORTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 62 • MAY 30, 2012

15

Federer ties Connors record P

Switzerland’s Roger Federer waves to the public after defeating Germany’s Tobias Kanke during their first round match in the French Open.

ARIS -- On the occasion of his record-tying 233rd victory in a Grand Slam match, Roger Federer was asked Monday whether he recalls which player he beat for his first win at a major tournament. ‘’Well, I should, shouldn’t I? Um, let me see,’’ Federer said, then hesitated and rubbed his eyes before conceding: ‘’OK. I can’t remember.’’

A reporter reminded him it was Michael Chang at the 2000 Australian Open. ‘’Was it? Well, that was a

Too hot

beautiful victory, then,’’ the 16-time major champion replied with a grin.

Federer equaled Jimmy Connors’ Open era mark and improved to 233-35 at tennis’ top four tournaments by beating Tobias Kamke of Germany 6-2, 7-5, 6-3 in the first round of the French Open. ‘’You step back, you realize you have been playing for quite a long time. ... When I started, I loved playing against those famous players I used to see on TV. Now I’m playing against younger

players, a new generation,’’ he said. ‘’It’s great I didn’t suffer that many injuries over these years. And I always had fun playing tennis.’’

Connors won eight Grand Slam titles while going 233-49 from 1970-92, an .826 winning percentage bettered by Federer’s .869. ‘’Jimmy Connors was a huge champion. Still is,’’ Federer said.

He improved to 50-12 at Roland Garros, where his 2009 championship completed a career Grand Slam.

Now Federer is the only man

with at least 50 Open era match wins each at all four.

And here’s one more stat: Federer is playing in his 50th consecutive major tournament, the longest active streak and third-longest in the Open era, which began in 1968, when professionals were allowed into the Grand Slam events. ‘’Look, I obviously love the big tournaments,’’ he said. ‘’I have been so successful for such a long time, and to already tie that record (at) 30 years old is pretty incredible, so I’m very happy.’’

Miami takes opener 93-79

M

IAMI -- The way LeBron James and Dwyane Wade are rolling right now, one bad quarter is hardly too much for the Miami Heat to overcome.

And with that, the Heat are three wins away from another trip to the NBA finals.

James scored 32 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, Wade scored 10 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter and the Heat beat the Boston Celtics 93-79 on Monday night in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals. ‘’One down. And they still have an opportunity in Game 2 to accomplish what they want to,’’ Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said, referring to how Boston can still grab home-court advantage by winning Game 2. ‘’At times it was a strange game. Some good runs, both teams. We

felt we could have played better and I’m sure they felt the same thing. But we found a way to grind it.’’

Shane Battier, playing in the conference finals for the first time, had 10 points and 10 rebounds for the Heat, who wasted an early 11-point first-half lead, then gave up 35 second-quarter points before running away to break a halftime tie - getting going with a 9-2 run early in the third.

Miami outrebounded the Celtics 48-33, blocked 11 shots and didn’t trail at any time. ‘’A block is like a dunk,’’ Wade said. ‘’It gets your team going.’’

Kevin Garnett had 23 points and 10 rebounds for Boston, which got 16 points, nine rebounds and seven assists from Rajon Rondo and 12 points from Paul Pierce.

Ray Allen shot just 1 for 7

from the floor for Boston, which was outscored by 10 in the first quarter and 11 in the third. ‘’On the road, you can’t have two quarters of lulls,’’ Celtics coach Doc Rivers said.

Game 2 is Wednesday night in Miami.

And while both sides would say there’s a long way to go in this series, Game 1 winners have a decided edge in any best-of-seven, the conference final being no exception. In the most recent 10 postseasons, teams with 1-0 leads in conference finals have advanced 15 out of 20 times.

James and Wade scored 197 points in the final three games of Miami’s secondround series with Indiana, all those games being Heat wins. The momentum carried over into Game 1 with the Celtics.

Lebron James of the Miami Heat drives against Boston’s Kevin Garnett in Game 1 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals in Miami. The Heat took Game 1.

Calm Thunder looks to Game 2

S

Boston’s Paul Pierce watches as the Miami fans celebrate.

Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska hits a return to Serbia’s Bojana Jovanovski during their women’s Singles 1st Round tennis match of the French Open.

AN ANTONIO -Gregg Popovich’s ‘’I want some nasty!’’ is fast becoming the catchphrase of the NBA playoffs. It’s eminently quotable, brash and an overnight splash.

In other words, it’s everything the San Antonio Spurs are not.

They’ve also heard far worse in timeouts from the NBA Coach of the Year, who bellowed his now-famous and fuming marching orders that jumpstarted a fourth-quarter rally, extended a history-matching winning streak to 19 and left the Oklahoma City Thunder stunned heading into Game 2 of the Western Conference finals Tuesday night. ‘’You’ve got to watch Pop - he’s good at turning that microphone on and off,’’ Spurs forward Stephen Jackson said Monday. ‘’You don’t hear some of the stuff he says.’’

All the Thunder mostly heard Monday were questions about their costly collapse down the stretch.

Oklahoma City started the fourth quarter leading - a rare feat against the Spurs in the past 47 days, which is how long it’s been since their last loss. Going up 2-0 would put the Spurs among just three others teams in NBA history with winning streaks of 20 games or longer.

It would also break the record for longest winning streak extended in the playoffs, a mark the Spurs now share with the 2001 Lakers. ‘’We really don’t care,’’ guard Manu Ginobili said. ‘’We are close - seven games - from accomplishing something way better than a streak. (The streak) is happening, it’s fine. But we always think about next time and how tough it’s going to be.’’

It’s the first time the Thun-

der have trailed in a playoff series since being down 1-0 in the West finals last season. They answered with a Game 2 win in Dallas then had their season quickly spiral to an end with three straight losses.

The easy narrative after Sunday’s loss was how the Spurs - awakened by Popovich growling at them to start playing ‘’nasty’’ during a timeout that was caught on camera - erased a nine-point deficit through sheer intensity and experience. The Thunder, however, rattled off their own explanations Monday at what went wrong.

Among them was head coach Scott Brooks admitting to making a mistake by keeping forward Serge Ibaka, the runner-up in the NBA Defensive Player of the Year balloting, on the bench in the fourth quarter. That’s when the Spurs scored 39 points and shot 12 of 16, after the Thunder held San Antonio to just 16 points in the third.

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SPORTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 62 • MAY 30, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

TRIATHLON WINNERS. Phine Trinidad, JJ Sarona, Justin Raphael Competente, Kathleen Competente and Rey Causing show off their medals after winning the Durianman Novice Sprint Triathlon on Sunday at the Davao

Crocodile Park. The event is part of the recent Davao Summerfest 2012.

(Joey Fernandez)

UMAGUETE CITY (PNA) -- Challenged by a Kenyan runner in front of a cheering crowd, national team member Julius Sermona rose to the occasion to prevail in the men’s 10,000-meter run even as two pairs of PH dancers delivered the wow moments in dancesports on Monday in the POC-PSC National Games here.

Sermona, a two-time silver medalist in the Southeast Asian Games, engaged Josphat Kiptanui Too in a neck and neck race amid the blazing heat at the Perdices Sports Complex before final-

part of a group of Kenyan nursing students at the Negros Oriental State University. The Kenyan, who was at the Filipino’s heel most of the 25 laps around the oval, timed 31:14.16. ”I’m very happy that I gave a good fight against a member of the Philippine team,” said Too, who is turning 24 today and running under the banner of Negros Oriental.

National record holder and many-time SEAG Games gold medalist Eduardo Buenavista checked in third at 32:03.97.

In nearby Lamberto

Phl bet upsets Kenyan runner in PNG D ly making a daring move in the last two laps to claim the first gold medal in the muchawaited track and field competitions. ”I’m really challenged by him and I got nervous because I don’t want to get embarassed in front of my countrymen,” said the 29-year-old Sermona in the vernacular.

Sermona is running for Philippine Air Force-HyperSports and hails from Bacolod City about 300 kilometers from here.

Sermona, the 2006 Milo marathon champion, clocked 31 minutes and 9.44 seconds to beat Too who is

Macias Coliseum, German Enriquez and Ma. Danella Renee Publico of National Capital Region (NCR) sashayed their way to the gold medal in the amateur elite standard of dancesports competitions featured for the first time in the Games organized by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), and sponsored by Smart Communications, Summit Mineral Water, Standard Insurance, TV5, AKTV, 2Go, Cebu Pacific, Accel, Pocari Sweat, Scratch It Instant Tama, SM and Puregold.