Edge Davao 6 Issue 101

VOL. 6 ISSUE 101 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, AUGUST 4-5, 2013

www.edgedavao.net

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EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

Supersolutions to supertraffic problems

By GREGORIO G. DELIGERO greg@edgedavao.net

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AVAO City’s “superproblem” deserves a “supersolution.”

So, when the “superproblem” is a “supertraffic,” then we need a “superhighway.”

One such superhighway costing about P3.88 billion running parallel to the existing Carlos P. Garcia Highway (formerly South Diversion Road) is envisioned to be operational by 2018—one of the major propositions to help solve the Davao City’s growing

traffic problems.

To be called Davao City Bypass project, the proposed 12.13-kilometer Second Diversion Road, which will include a two-kilometer tunnel, will start from the fishport near Panacan, follow a non-existing alignment parallel to the present diversion road and connect with an existing road leading to Matina.

The two-kilometer tunnel is required through the mountain section of this road segment, according to the inception report released last week by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

“Major urban roads in Davao City have four-lanes but are insufficient to ease its severe traffic congestion.

Traffic from and to Sasa and Panabo ports is also fre-

quently experiencing congestion, affecting transportation of goods,” the report said.

The project is aimed at improving transport logistics and mitigating congestion in Davao City, “thereby contributing to economic and social development in Mindanao.”

The Second Diversion Road will also be connected to the proposed Davao-Tagum Transport Axis which will start approximately one kilometer after the bridge in Bunawan district along the Pan Phil Highway and will traverse an open area parallel to the portion of the Pan Phil Highway from Tagum to Davao City.

Going south is the proposed Davao-General Santos Parallel Transport Axis which will start at the end of

FSUPERHIGHWAYS,10

2 THE BIG NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 101 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, AUGUST 4-5, 2013

Biton’s killing blamed on Juvenile Justice Act

By EJ DOMINIC FERNANDEZ ejf@edgedavao.net

T

HERE has been a succession of killings in Davao City recently, most of the victims being involved in illegal drugs, and other crimes.

However, the death of Kenneth Lloyd Biton, changed everything, because he was neither involved in illegal drugs nor other crimes, he was a law-abiding working student.

Have killings become a culture in the city?

In a news report of Anthony Ian Susas from the Holy Cross of Davao College (HCDC) official website, the school’s chaplain

Fr. Rolando O. Mandreza is bothered by how easily people would kill.

He said, “I am deeply troubled by how it is easy for others whose lives are in the ‘blackout’ to take the lives of innocent people senselessly.”

Biton was a 24-yearold self-supporting student of HCDC who was killed on his birthday by three minors last Tuesday dawn in front of the GSIS office in Matina.

Another news article on the HCDC website by Susas stated how Biton’s teachers regretted his death.

FBITON’S, 10

SIDEWALK RESTO. Employees of a nearby establishment take their lunch at a streetside makeshift eatery unmindful of the traffic and dust from vehicles in that busy section of Quirino Avenue, Davao City. Lean Daval Jr.

liquor ban Bello seeks resumption Extended has yet to take effect of peace talks with rebels

By GREGORIO G. DELIGERO greg@edgedavao.net

By ANTONIO M. AJERO

P

ama@edgedavao.net

ARTY-LIST Rep. Silvestre H. Bello III from Davao City has filed a bill urging the Philippine government to immediately resume peace talks with the communists, particularly the Communist Party of the Philippines, New People’s Army and National Democratic Front (CPP/ NPA/NDF).

Bello told Davao reporters Saturday the proposal for resumption of peace negotiations is the first of five bills that he filed during the first week of the 16th Con-

gress.

“My first resolution is urging the government and the NDF-CPP-NPA to return to the negotiating table,” Bello said, adding that the second is a resolution urging Congress to support the position of President PNoy on the Bangsamoro framework.

The third related proposal, Bello said, is the constitution and reactivation of the panel of advisers that will help the government panel in negotiating peace with the rebel groups.

Bello said one advis-

er would come from the Senate, another from the House, a third from the Cabinet and, of course, another one from stakeholders in the private sector.

This way, he said, whatever agreements are arrived at in the negotiations, “mahibal-an daan sa gobyerno kung unsa ning mga gi-kasabutan na ” (so that Congress would know beforehand what these agreements are), so that when they reach Congress, ratification would be more expeditious.

“My position is that, whenever we sign an agreement, we should honor that agreement with the NDF, with the MILF, and MNLF,” Bello said, adding that“If we want people to negotiate with us, we have to show these people that we honor our commitments, otherwise nobody will negotiate with us anymore if we do not know how to honor agreements.”

The neophyte lawmaker also disagrees

FBELLO, 10

TOURISM. A curious young girl watches a “lumad” lady weaves an ethic cloth during yesterday’s opening of the 3rd Kadayawan Crafts Tourism Fair at the Abreeza Mall in Davao City. Lean Daval Jr.

T

HE ordinance that extends by an hour the existing liquor ban has yet to take effect, not having been signed as of last Friday by Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte.

Even after it is signed, the new ordinance which sets the ban from 1:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m., has to be

published in a local newspaper.

Section 5 of the ordinance states that the new local law shall take effect upon approval and after “due posting” and publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the locality for three consecu-

FEXTENDED, 10

Five percent biodiesel blend to save industry T

HE coconut industry is dying, because of the low price of copra since early 2000, and one way to resuscitate it is to the mandated biodiesel blend to 5 percent from 2 percent.

The Department of Energy (DOE) along with industry stakeholders met last Friday, August 2, at the Royal Mandaya Hotel to launch first of a series of public consultations on raising the biodiesel blend to 5 percent.

DOE Oil and Industry Management Bureau director Zenaida Monsada said the biodiesel mandate is a program of the National Biofuels Board (NBB) under DOE, but the increase in blend is being pushed by Department of Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala to address the “misery” the coconut industry is experiencing.

“A lot of people say that coconut is a dying industry, but we do not want that because the Philippines is famous for its coconuts,” Monsada said.

“Since we can’t compete with Indonesia,

Malaysia, and Singapore when it comes to palm oil products, it would be better to develop the coconut industry, because it has plenty of uses, and one plan is to use it for biodiesel to encourage farmers,” she said.

The 5 percent biodiesel blend means there is a 5 percent coconut oil, called Coconut Methyl Ester (CME), mixed with the diesel product.

Monsada said it has three major advantages, first is that the Philippines would reduce its dependence on imported fuel, second, there would be cleaner air, and third, it would improve the economy, especially in the countryside where the coconut farmers are.

DOE Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla has requested NEDA to conduct an impact study among different sectors to find out if the increase is advantageous to most stakeholders and not just to the coconut farmers and CME manufacturers,according to Monsado. “It is a balancing act full of compromises, actually.” EJF

7

3 BIGGER PICTURE

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 101 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, AUGUST 4-5, 2013

ways how

may be committed

By ANTONIO M. AJERO and EJ DOMINIC FERNANDEZ

T

HE implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Ordinance No. 0417-12, Series of 2012, otherwise known as the “Anti-Discrimination Ordinance of Davao City,” a brainchild of then vice mayor, now Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte, are now being crafted by the City Legal Office (CLO).

City Councilor Melchor V. Quitain, who, as author of the ordinance, has articulated Duterte’s ideas.

According to Section III of the ordinance, discrimination is “any act, or conduct which withholds, excludes, restricts, curtails, demeans human dignity, or otherwise impairs the recognition, enjoyment and exercise of human rights and basic freedom or the economic, labor, social, cultural, educational or any other field of public life based on sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, descent, national or ethnic origin, religious affiliation or beliefs.”

The ordinance states that the following acts are punishable:

1.

Refusing employment to a job applicant or imposing onerous or additional terms or conditions which are not imposed on another similarly situated or circumstanced, on the basis of ethnic origin, religious affiliation or belief, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, descent, race or color of the skin; by denying or limiting access to an employee, opportunities for promotion, transfer, training, or to any other benefit which are otherwise granted to other employees similarly situated or circumstanced, on the basis of national or

ethnic origin, religious affiliation or belief, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, descent, race, or color of the skin;

2.

Refusing or failing to accept any person for admission as a student in any public or private educational and/or vocational institution, or by subjecting said person to terms and conditions for his acceptance in the said institution which are not imposed on applicants or students similarly circumstanced as him, limiting the access of a student to any benefit or privilege provided by said educational or vocational institution by reason of ethnic origin, religious affiliation, or belief, on applicants or students sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race and color of

the skin;

3.

Refusing to provide goods or services and/or imposing onerous terms or conditions as a requisite for providing goods or services to a person which are not refused or subjected to such onerous terms or conditions when extended to others similarly circumstanced, by reason of ethnic origin, religious affiliation or belief, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race and color of skin;

4.

Refusing or failing to allow any person, by reason of his ethnic origin, religious affiliation or belief, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, or color of skin to avail of quarters or accommodation in a house, apartment condomini-

um, townhouse, flat, hotel, inn, dormitory or any other places of dwelling being rented out or offered to the public for a fee, rental or other forms of compensation;

5.

Subjecting either by verbal or written word or publication, to ridicule or insult or attributing despicable behavior and habits or associating with violence and criminal activities, any person or group of persons by reason of his ethnic origin, religious affiliation or belief, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race or color of the skin;

6.

Refusing entry into restaurants, bars, stores, movie houses, malls and other places of entertainment and businesses which

are open to the general public, or refusing or failing to attend to or serve the orders for food, drinks, beverages and other goods, consumable and non-consumable, to any person, by reason of his national or ethnic origin, religious affiliation or belief, gender identity, sexual orientation, race or color of his skin; and

7.

Doing any other analogous act which demeans the dignity and self-respect of a person or impairs, mars, reduces or nullifies the recognition, enjoyment or exercise of his human and legal rights and basic freedoms in the political, labor, economic, social, cultural and educational spheres on the basis of ethnic origin, religious affiliation or belief, sex, gender iden-

tity, sexual orientation, race and color of his skin.

According to Section V of the ordinance which was approved in December 2012, any person, natural or juridical, who commits any of the acts prohibited and enumerated in Section IV shall be criminally liable and penalized accordingly.

In the case of a juridical person such as but not limited to, corporations, associations, partnerships, educational and vocational institutions, whether public or private, the manager, head and the officers thereof shall also be criminally accountable and responsible.

Davao is the only city in the country which has passed an anti-discrimination ordinance.

4 THE ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 101 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, AUGUST 4-5, 2013

Experts advice Mindanao exporters to stress value-adding, research

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N R E P R E N E U RIAL coach Raf Vlummnes said exporters in Davao and the rest of Mindanao must intensify value-adding to their products so they can penetrate the markets

they are targeting.

Vlummens, founder of the Business and Entrepreneurial Training Academy here, said that to begin with local exporters must be ready to invest in market research in areas

they are planning to penetrate.

One practical way of doing this is by actually observing grocery stores and supermarkets right in target foreign countries, said the Belgian who has lived

in the city for four years now.

“What will you sell if you do not know what your customers are buying?”

Vlummens said, urging local exporters to graduate

FEXPERTS, 10

MINDANAO EXPORTERS CONGRESS. Agriculture Sec. Proceso Alcala poses with other dignitaries at Phoenix Petroleum Phils. booth during the Mindanao Exporters Congress at SM Lanang Premier’s SMX Convention Center. Lean Daval Jr.

VOL. 6 ISSUE 101 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, AUGUST 4-5, 2013

THE ECONOMY

5

Jump Experience Center opened by PLDT in Davao P

HILIPPINE LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE CO. launched last week its Jump Experience Center to showcase products of the telecom giant and its subsidiaries, including cable television operator Cignal, in a move

interpreted as a bid to strengthen its hold on the Davao regional market.

Perry T. Bayani, Smart Communication’s head of Retail and Corporate Group, said the center is the space where the companies “(have) focused more on the consumers,

particularly their lifestyle needs.”

“Lifestyle needs (of consumers) are defined within store. That is the main difference between it and the (other stores of the companies),” Bayani said during a press conference held during the

launch.

He said the center has also highlighted the convergence among the companies under the Manuel V. Pangilinan-led group.

Also part of the group is Sun Cellular. Which is part of the Digital Tele-

FJUMP, 10

CHANGING THE DISPLAYS. A sales attendant of a ready-to-wear outlet does design change of their display merchandise at Abreeza Mall yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

6

EDGEDAVAO

GAME CHANGER

Col. Sammy Afdal

VOL. 6 ISSUE 101 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, AUGUST 4-5, 2013

COME FLY WITH ME

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Photos by Lean Daval Jr.

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ETIRED Army colonel Sammy Afdal has set dreams that soar. And he wants to share it with others.

Afdal, a golfer, motorcycle enthusiast, and a parttime pilot, has set up a Flight school for amateurs in Davao City and what’s unique about it is that you don’t have to be a professional to fly. What’s even more amazing is that it only takes seven days to fly.

“It’s a unique idea. You only have to be a member of this exclusive club and you can avail of the training,” Afdal said.

The concept Afdal is introducing to Davao City is a membership flight school where club members undergo theoretical instructions, simulation training and actual flying. The instruction

sessions and simulation will be conducted at the Afdal-owned Secdea Beach Resort in Sitio San Isidro in the Island Garden City of Samal.

Secdea stands for the family’s initials (Sammy, Evelyn, Christine, Danny Boy, and Eden Afdal).

“The training will require a minimum of seven days and then you can start flying an ultra-light plane,” he said.

Afdal has established a hangar and flight training facility in Mati City’s airport in Barangay Dahican.

“Once you fly an ultra light plane in Mati and go around the area, you will be treated to a wonderful panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean and Mati’s white sand beaches,” said Afdal as he graphically described the

exhilarating experience of flying. Light planes hover at elevations of up to 6,000 feet.

He said a batch will consist of around 12 students.

At the moment, there are some trainees flying ultra-lights in Mati City and he hopes more people will be interested in flying light planes.

“All you need is a proper training. Flying is safe if you are trained to fly,” said Afdal, who logged more than 15,000 kilometers on board his big bike in 2010 alone.

Afdal’s son Danny Boy is about to complete his training with two experienced pilots from Manila.

Afdal plans to bring in professional flight instructor from Manila to conduct the training.

7 MOTORING

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 101 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, AUGUST 4-5, 2013

Aeolus opens concept store

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO njb@edgedavao.net

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HINA’S leading tire brand Aeolus is now in Davao City and its arrival is in a way that practically makes heads, and wheels, turn.

Aeolus launched its first modern Concept Showroom in the Philippines built by Pitbull Tyre Center, the Mindanao-wide distributor of the famous tires, headed by its very hardworking and creative owner Alwin Tepoot.

“Dabawenyos and Mindanaons will now have easy access of this product most specially that a full line up of passenger car tires was recently launched through this showroom located at the Phoenix Complex Lanang, Davao City,” said Gerard Tan, Philippine distributor for Aeolus.

Tan was joined by Mindanao distributor Tepoot, Phoenix Petroleum Philippines president Dennis Uy, Maligaya Taxi president Chai Beng and Mindanao Trucking president Leo Yap in the ribbon-cutting rites of the concept showroom.

“This is the first ever concept showroom we have in the country and we are looking at building ten of this in the entire country,” Tan told Edge Davao Motoring in an interview.

Known and trusted by millions of end users around the world, Aeolus Tires is positioned as the “prefect alternative” with its top quality tires having passed strict European and American standards combined with its affordability. Aelous, which started importing tires in the country in 2001 with heavy duty tires, diversified starting last year with the launch of its full

Philippine distributor for Aeolus Gerard Tan (inset) was joined by Mindanao distributor Alwyn Tepoot, Phoenix Petroleum Philippines president Dennis Uy, Maligaya Taxi president Chai Beng and Mindanao Trucking president Leo Yap in the ribbon-cutting rites of the concept showroom.

Lean Daval Jr.

line-up of passenger car tires.

“The manufacturers believed that if they can produce excellent quality heavy duty truck tires, there is no reason they cannot produce tires for passenger cars,” Tan said.

In Davao, Aeolus is now the supplier of tires for Maligaya Taxi fleet, Visacab, Mastercab, Phoenix Petroleum and Mind-

anao Trucking.

Tan said motorists should visit the Pitblull Tyre Center to check out just how technology meets performance and discover the Aeolus difference- with its environmentally-friendly manufacturing process, cutting-edge product development, high quality excellence and sustainable systems. The featured tire models included the Stee-

tive”, AeolusTires Philippines now offers a range of high-qualitycar tires, from rim 13” to 20”.

Among its products are: 1.)SteeringAce AU01 – ultra-high-performance tires with a symmetric tread pattern that provideprecision steering, excellent handling and superbtraction; 2.)PrecisionAce AH01 – high-performancetires with a symmetric tread pattern speciallydesigned for vehicles in the compact, mid-size andfull-size category, that combines a comfortableride with superior grip and strong-handling performance; 3.)GreenAceAG02

– economy tires with a symmetric tread pattern specially designed for small and compact cars that have excellence wear properties to ensurehigh-mileage and reduced rolling resistance; 4.)CrossAce AS02 – high-performance SUV tires whose tread pattern provides optimum stabilityand braking performance amidst a comfortable and quiet drive for smalland mid-range SUV’s; and 5.)TransAce AL01 – heavy-duty tires for all kinds of light commercial vehicles, specifically designed to withstand gruelling commercial use.

All raw materials

ringAce AUO1, PrecisionAce AHAO1, GreenAce AGO2,UtilityAce ASO2 and TransAce ALO1.

A front-runner in cost-efficiency, durability, function and safety, AEOLUS takes one’s driving experience into a whole new dimension, enabling maximum comfort and handling. It is no wonder why the brand remains the undisputed “Preferred Alternative.”

Passenger car tires by Aeolus

A

EOLUS Tires, a world-renowned manufacturer and distributor of radial tires, announced at the 2013MIAS (Manila International Auto Show) that their passenger-car tire products are now available in the country.

The company first entered the Philippines back in 2000 and has since sold quality tires for trucks, buses, heavy-equipment and commercial vehicles.

Now, it is proud to showcase a wide variety of passenger-car tires that are durable and remarkably cost-effective.

Branding itself as “The Preferred Alterna-

used in the manufacturing of Aeolus tires are in compliance with the E.U.’s REACH regulations and do not contain PAH(Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons – which are known to be potentAtmospheric pollutants). Furthermore, all of its factories worldwide have ontained ISO 9001 Quality Management System Certification and ISO/TS16949 Quality Management Certification.

Established in 1965, Aeolus tires have since proven its tire performance and durability in continents such as North America, South America, Europe and Asia.

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 101 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, AUGUST 4-5, 2013

EDITORIAL

State of potable water

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AVAO City’s drinking water is reputedly the second best in the world--next to that of The Netherlands--in taste and quality, for which we take so much pride.

Unfortunately, being tasty is not necessarily being clean and safe. So, Dabawenyos are now beginning to wonder why the Davao City Water District applies so much chlorine to our potable water with regularity, especially in the poblacion area. In the northern side of the city, residents have been complaining about the yellowish color of the water that comes out of their faucets.

Now comes this report from Global Water Intelligence which claims that the water rate in Davao City is the seventh highest among key Southeast Asian cities. The report listed Singapore with the highest monthly rate--19.29 US dollars for every 15 cubic meters consumed, followed by Jakarta, at $8.86, Maynilad West Zone $7.18, Manila Water East $5.11, Bangkok $3.98, Ho Chi Minh City $3.59, Davao City

EDGEDAVAO

KENNETH IRVING K. ONG Creative Solutions

Printed by Zion Accuprint Publishing Inc.

OLIVIA D. VELASCO General Manager

RICHARD C. EBONA Marketing AdvertisingSupervisor Specialist

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ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

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Door 14 ALCREJ Building, Quirino Avenue, 8000, Davao City, Philippines Tel: (082) 301-6235 Telefax: (082) 221-3601 www.edgedavao.net editorial@edgedavao.net marketing@edgedavao.net

$2.83, Kuala Lumpur $2.68, and Phnom Penh $2.42.

Take note that the above rates were for 2012, a year before the DCWD implemented a long pending rate increase.

Today, there is a report that Aboitiz, the power provider, has formally offered to supply DCWD with bulk water. If the water district accepts the offer and becomes in effect a retailer rather than a producer, how would such an unprecedented arrangement impact on the rate that consumers pay for their water supply?

To be sure, Aboitiz is allowed by law to engage in the business of water, just as it is with sundry other businesses.

In all, there is a need for water users to intelligently analyze whether this arrangement is advantageous to them.

Unfortunately for us consumers, we no longer have a watchdog organization to protect consumers the way the well-remembered Konsumo Dabaw did.

ARLENE D. PASAJE Cartoons

RAMON M. MAXEY Consultant

GREGORIO G. DELIGERO Associate Editor

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

EJ DOMINIC C. FERNANDEZ • CHERRY MAE D. PALICTE Reporters

AQUILES Z. ZONIO Correspondent

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

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance

AGUSTIN V. MIAGAN JR Circulation

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

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EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 101 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, AUGUST 4-5, 2013

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Economic perception changes

OUNTRY’S FISCAL DRAWBACKS – A certain amount of misperception is always present in any government, the Aquino administration in particular, and the reason for the people’s query is simple: “Are these perplexing times in the country?” First, the currency is safe; then it drops from P40 level to P43 against the US dollar in just a few weeks. The stock market plummeted after posting a remarkable record in a short span of time.

One should never assume anything because nothing is quite what it seems. Despite the Aquino leadership’s turning on the economic lights that made the country one of the emerging economic forerunners in Southeast Asia and the ASEAN region, nothing is definite yet. We have to admit that the economy has vastly improved despite minor setbacks, but antagonism among the “built-in” detractors of the present dispensation still exists. Their line of argument remained the same: “There has been economic progress, but the much-vaunted gains have not trickled down to the poorest of the poor.”

Handling a burgeoning bureaucracy that serves more than 90 million people at the height of a long-term economic expansion plan midway through the Aquino administration is not easy. The latest perceived economic slowdown highlights divisions that might go unnoticed. Moreover, the debates range from narrow and broad: “What impact would a much-hype economy, protection against currency breakdown and sustained Gross National Product (GDP) growth have on the masses of our people? How will an increasing gap between rich and poor given outright solution by the government, it might be asked?”

As the country’s economy steamed ahead

O

during the first quarter, that such questions seemed remote.

Even when the peso came under heavy pressure from speculators, the Philippine economy was seen to be safe.

One reason: the GDP growth continued to surge and the stock market stayed bullish. But that perception began to change in early July. We have seen the weakening of the peso and the meltdown of the stock market, and the situation was further aggravated by prices of fuel products that are accelerating to undetermined levels. What exacerbated the situation even more according to some economists and political experts is that the glitches have taken on a political dimension.

That is why the aggrieved sectors continue to protest. Despite all the economic hype and hoopla, they believe that making money is still not easy because of high unemployment rate.

They reasoned out that the present economic condition can only offer menial jobs and other non-permanent occupations such as driving taxicabs, answering phones and construction works. They indicate there are three things an economy can do: provide job and place to stay, something to eat and something to wear, but job opportunities have become scarce that resulted in the impoverishment of society, so hope for an improved life rest conclusively on well-defined economic reforms and drastic policy and structural change.

The economy actually is not crushing despite minor drawbacks and severe criticism from perennial detractors, but failure to cushion a negative impact on the people would be an uncomfortable squeeze. In the short run, however, the nation is likely to see a slight economic decline and higher authorities seem aware of the situation, but they are highly confident it would not create a dent on the country’s overall economic achievement.

In fact, it was the perception among big-time foreign and local investors that the Philippines despite experiencing minor snags is still economically and politically stable that may have convinced them to establish business in the country.

Mindful that all the uncertainties increase the possibility of an impending economic slowdown, top officials and highly-paid government think tanks and financial consultants should follow and adopt a tried, tested and true tradition in recent history: push reforms and radical change when the economy is down. Speculation now is over whether the Aquino administration could push real change, and the big question is: “How fast will the government act and institute structural adjustments in the economy, and how long will it take for the measures to produce results?”

Nevertheless, the seeds of an economic rebound may already be sown, at least for the moment, but the determination of our national leaders must be accompanied by wisdom.

How their wisdom will balance the economic costs and benefits are likely to go a long way in determining whether the insignificant setback is remembered as merely a failure, a roadblock or a defining moment that will open the way to significant change.

Fixing the Middle East’s problems

N Monday, the Obama administration announced that Secretary of State John Kerry had convinced Israel and the Palestinian Authority to sit down for negotiations for the first time in three years.

Coming out of Monday and Tuesday’s meetings, Kerry announced a goal of working out a comprehensive peace agreement within nine months.

Simply reviving talks at all is a highly impressive achievement; getting both sides to the table would have been impossible without Kerry’s relentless effort. But if the Obama administration thinks this will change the dynamic in the Middle East, it is mistaken for two reasons. First, the initiative is unlikely to succeed, and second, even if it did, it would have little impact on other more immediately pressing Middle East conflicts.

It’s not that pushing for an Israel-Palestine solution isn’t a valiant cause — it’s that there is a full tray of conflicts in the Middle East that exist independently from the Israel-Palestine question: the growing rifts in Egypt or Iraq, the Syrian crisis that has claimed over 100,000 lives, or Iran’s nuclear program. Even Israel and Palestine themselves prioritize

COMMENTARY

BY IAN BREMMER

(1st of two parts) many other regional concerns over making any significant progress with each other.

Don’t get me wrong — the chances of success are not zero. But no matter how legacy-defining a lasting breakthrough would be for Obama and Kerry, the odds are incredibly long. The Israeli-Palestinian peace process has started and stopped countless times before. So what are the biggest structural impediments to a deal?

Obama’s envoy, former Israeli ambassador Martin Indyk, will only be speaking with representatives of Palestinians’ Fatah party. Since Hamas’ electoral victory in 2006, the territories have been divided into two entities, with Gaza in Hamas’ hands and the West Bank under Fatah control.

Fatah lacks the legitimacy at home to negotiate and later implement any final agreement with Israel; the exclusion of the more fundamentalist Hamas from the diplomatic process gives Hamas every incentive to

undermine any possible deal. If we begin to see substantial progress, expect Hamas to scuttle it with a violent show of force.

Benjamin Netanyahu, buoyed by a strong economy and relative peace, has little incentive to back down during negotiations. Israel has continued its settlement expansion and flouted its borders as defined in 1967 with relative impunity. For the last decade or so, left-wing parties have been increasingly marginalized and the public has grown more disenchanted with the peace process; these trends have led to a more uncompromising center-right government that’s less interested in negotiating a settlement with the Palestinians. Recently, Israel has released prisoners and somewhat halted settlement construction in advance of the talks, but that may just be a short-term favor to Kerry that reaffirms the United States’ leverage and importance. It doesn’t suggest Netanyahu is ready to do an about face on years of policy.

The administration is well aware of the huge hurdles that an Israel-Palestine solution faces. So then why is John Kerry forging ahead regardless?

VANTAGE POINTS

9

Customary Filipino serenade fading out SPECIAL FEATURE

BY HONOR BLANCO CABIE

T

(1st of two parts)

HE popular Filipino serenade, popularly known in this Southeast Asian archipelago as harana, is slowly fading out.

This part of the country’s culture, in vogue and in crescendo in the 1950s up to the 1960s – when Elvis Presley was wiggling his hips with “Jailhouse Rock” and the Beatles dishing out their “It’s Been A Hard Day’s Night,” has now been overtaken by a different key and scale.

The inroads of the cell phone technology and the spread of social networking services have helped erase from the manners of today’s generation of Filipinos the erstwhile cherished tradition of their grandparents and grand uncles and aunts.

In some provinces – like Quezon, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac and the whole Ilocos region – the sight of a man and his friends, the classic Spanish guitar in hand, was most familiar by the window of one woman being courted at past dusk.

The men in their late teens or early 20s, in their evening best, hair combed with scented pomade available from the nearest town store, belted out several love songs when the night was young and the moon was yellow.

In some of the provinces, particularly those in rice-growing Nueva Ecija, the men would be politely invited inside where they would engage, alternately, in sort of competition with the woman being courted with the number of songs sung till past midnight.

But those in the Ilocos, even if they were still awake, would never let the men inside – high in the belief the modest Ilocana should never show the man courting him he was being considered, if at all.

It seemed they belonged to the old school of thought that the Ilocana, as were many Filipino women in other parts of the country, were basically shy and secretive.

Fast forward to the later decades, and the culture of “ang-angaw” among the Ilocanos and “tuksuhan” among the Tagalogs or just teasing flourished .

This was common among teeners and young adults, a way of matching people who may have mutual admiration or affection for each other and may end up in a romance or avoidance of each other if the scenario became embarrassing for both individuals.

The presence of other men during the evening serenade, most notably very close friends of the one courting or one who is interested in the woman next door or in some other barangay, was at that time a psychological boost.

In the Ilocos, the men would blend voices and sing the ballad “adayo pay nga ili ti naggapuanmi, ‘diay ili a Santa Fe…”

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Superhighways..FFROM 1

Biton’s.. FFROM 2

the Davao City Second Diversion Road. It will pass thru a section before Mintal and will end near a public market in Toril.

But the report said that based on the Business Study Case (BSC) conducted by the Department of Public Work and Highways (DPWH), it anticipates right-of-way (ROW) problems since the proposed road will cut through several middle class subdivisions, including a high end golf course, the South Pacific Golf Course. The proposed road will also intersect with major roads, including the Davao-Cotabato-Bukidnon road and the Catalunan road.

“DPWH engineers from the Davao region believe that it will be very difficult to convince the 140 hectare high end subdivision cum golf course, the South Pacific Golf Course, to allow us to cut through this prime property,” it said.

Thus, an alternative alignment just after Mintal near the Philippine Science High School “is feasible in terms of ROW.” “This new alignment will increase the length of this transport axis by four to five kilometers and the alignment is acceptable to the DPWH, local government unit and local residents,” it added.

The Philippine national government has proposed a network of public-private-partnership (PPP) toll road corridors to ease traffic congestion in affected

areas and support the economic development of the regions and the country as a whole.

The report said the proposed Tagum-Davao-General Santos High Standard Highway intends to address the worsening inter-city and intra-provincial traffic along the Pan Philippine Highway from Tagum to Davao City to Digos.

“As of the present, the traffic condition along this road, since it traverses a number of local commercial areas, in spite of being widened to the maximum possible width, tends to slow down at snail pace during peak hours. On nonpeak hours, the traffic is still manageable. But with the high traffic growth rate in the area, the road will soon be congested most of the time,” it added According to the DPWH case study, the proposed expressway, composed of three sub-segments, intends to alleviate the congestion in two ways: Provide a fast and unimpeded passage from Tagum to Davao City to Digos and reduce congestion along the Pan Philippine Highway from Tagum to Davao City to Digos by diverting a portion of traffic to this expressway.

The 42.23 kilometer expressway was originally proposed as a four-lane toll road that will be implemented as a PPP project with an estimated cost of around P19.52 billion.

But the DPWH case study found that pursuing the project under the PPP scheme is not feasible due to low financial viability.

It recommended that the project be implemented as a conventional government-financed project by availing of the Yen loan or the Official Development Assistance (ODA) from the JICA. Instead of four lanes, it also recommended that the expressway, including the Davao City Bypass, should start as a non-toll two-lane first. It will cost around P10.17 billion.

“Although the four-lane PPP road is economically feasible based on traffic benefits, still, it is not yet financially feasible as a toll road. Even at 50% – 50% investor-government cost sharing and a relatively high toll rate of P6/km or P242 for the whole stretch, the toll collection cannot pay off the cost of investment,” the study said.

“Based on the consensus of the technical working group which formulated the case study, the volume of the diverted traffic will not yet justify the use of a four-lane road. Hence, it was agreed that the project be recommended as an ODA Road with reduced number of lanes and reduced ROW,” it said.

“This study indicates very high economic indicators and therefore the project road is suitable for an ODA funding for the time being,” it added.

with claims that the decades-long peace negotiation with the communists did not achieve anything.

“During the time of former President Fidel V.Ramos, we were able to achieve 10 agreements, one of which was on the substantive issue of respect for human rights and international humanitarian law,” he said.

“Aside from that, we also signed nine other agreements.”

He said, “we have to realize that we are trying to end a four-decade long insurgency problem. We

cannot provide a timeline for the achievement of a peace settlement.”

“What is important is that we continue talking because a peace talk has two values, one tactical and the other strategic,” he said, adding, “Yung tactical dyan is government and the rebel forces are talking, the natural implication is that the level of violence will be lowered. That is why in my resolution I urge both parties that if they go back to the negotiating table, we should provide the peace talk with an atmosphere conducive

to a peace negotiation na habang nag uusap wala munang bakbakan. I hope that will be observed.”

He said that under The Hague Declaration which was signed during the time of the late Pres.

Cory Aquino, there was a framework for peace negotiation providing among others that they should negotiate without any pre-condition.

In the press briefing last Saturday, Bello also bared other actions he has planned for Davao City where he will establish a congressional office for the three districts.

tive times.

Charito Santos, secretary to the Sangguniang Panlungsod, said the city council has yet to receive the approved copy from the city mayor’s office, adding that its publication will be subjected to a bidding to be conducted by the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC).

Santos said the winning bidder will publish the ordinance for three consecutive days, if the newspaper comes out daily, and for three consecutive weeks if the win-

ner is a weekly publication.

While the current restriction starts at 2:00 a.m., some entertainment establishments have aired complaints that the police already started implementing the new ordinance, a claim that Davao City Police director Sr. Supt. Ronald dela Rosa has denied.

The new law prohibits the selling or serving, drinking and consumption of liquors, alcoholic beverages, coconut wine and other nature wines

that cause intoxication within establishments and public places from 1:00 o’clock to eight o’clock in the morning.

It also prohibits all persons below 18 years old from ordering, drinking and consuming liquor from stores and entertainment establishments.

Violators will be fined P3,000 for first offense, P5, 000 or/and imprisonment for three months and P5,000 and/or imprisonment for one year including the revocation of business permit.

Bello.. FFROM 2

Extended.. FFROM 2

EDGEDAVAO

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) program head Paquito Pasia said what happened was “shocking, unfortunate and senseless.”

“Biton was an epitome of a student who truly struggles to pursue his college education in spite of the hardships along the way,” Pasia said.

Financial management adviser Constantino Leobrera, Biton’s teacher in three major subjects said, “he was a silent student, soft-spoken and a loner, but was friendly and talkative when hanging out with friends.”

Financial management teacher Rachelle Javier said Kenneth was a simple and hardworking student and an inspiration to her and everyone.

Fr. Mandreza blames

social problems and parents of minors in conflict with the law.

“The killing is a product of the current and continuing social problems confronting our society,” he said, adding that irresponsible parents are to be blamed for not taking full responsibility in rearing their children to become good and responsible.

However, Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte and Davao City Police Office (DCPO) chief Ronald dela Rosa pointed to Republic Act 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006 of Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan.

The mayor, during his visit in Biton’s wake, said it is sad that Congress is taking too long to make amendments to the law, and that the objective of putting minors to jail is

to protect them and mold their minds to change for the better.

Dela Rosa on the other hand told Edge Davao that minors are hiding behind the Juvenile Justice Law and are using it as an excuse to stay out of prison after committing crimes.

Junnil, 15; Robin, 17; and Christian, 17, the minors who killed Biton will be charged according to the Juvenile Justice Welfare Act, “a child above fifteen (15) years but below eighteen (18) years of age shall likewise be exempt from criminal liability and be subjected to an intervention program, unless he/she has acted with discernment, in which case, such child shall be subjected to the appropriate proceedings in accordance with this Act.”

from the long-time practice of bringing nothing but raw materials to their country of destinations.

He said that the biggest problem of bringing raw materials, like agricultural products, is the deterioration of the products’ quality upon arrival in countries’ of destination often due to long travel time.

“Exporters much know how to maximize the quality of their products by going into value-adding,” he said.

Exporters can also tap the help of the overseas Filipino workers in studying the markets, he added.

He said Filipinos, who are present in countries with big markets, can help exporters

study how these markets behave.

On the other hand, Rick D. Quinn, partner of the Benjamin L. England and Associates, said exporters must see to it that they always comply with regulations of the countries that they want to export to.

An American, Quinn said the American market can easily be penetrated if the exporter knows what it wants and how the products can be accredited.

He added that although there are many steps to be complied with, the primary consideration is that “the product complies with international standards.”

Both experts also warned exporters not

to “compete” in terms of pricing, but they must develop their products based on the highest standards of the markets.

“Everybody can compete on price,” said Vlummens as he pointed out that price competition will result in lower product quality.

Ferdinand Y. Maranon, Philippine Exporters Confederation-11 president, said the problem is that exporters do not usually have the funding for market research.

“We need the help of the government in this aspect,” said Maranon as he urged the Exports Development Council to set aside funds that Mindanao exporters can use in developing their products. AMA

communications Philippines which the Pangilinan group had earlier acquired from the John Gokongwei-led JG Summit Holdings in 2011.

Bayani said the center is the third for the company as it set its first similar center in the SM Megamall in Mandaluyong two years ago and the second in SM City Cebu, allowing customers to try the products and appreciate them.

The center is set in Davao, rather than in other cities in Mindanao, because of its confidence in its economy as well as strengthening its presence as its Smart brand has been leading all mobile telecommunications companies in Mindanao, he added.

“We are very proud about the center because we are highlighting in this part of the country the

convergence (among the companies) which few companies even abroad have done. We are so proud of this (concept),” he said.

Bayani said that on the average the expenses involved in setting up the center could be about eight times than what was spent for an ordinary store.

Aside from the modern technology that the store is equipped with including large television screens and play spaces, the company has also invested on the human resource component of the center, the Jump Squad, which, according to Bayani, “is the cream of the crop” in their field of business.

The squad, composed 11 staff members and a manager, is a young but dynamic team of inhouse technology savvy

people whose job is to assist those who will enter the center.

Its center is about “the experience” that the customers will have as it provides them with the venue to experience what its companies can offer, particularly “the unmatched interconnectivity” among its brands and the continued upgrade of its system as the company is looking at completing its fourth generation long term evolution services in the city within the year.

Ma. Cecilia Aquino, head of Jump Experience Center operations, said the center “is a representation of what our future homes, businesses, and personal devices will look like and how they will work – everything is interconnected, and accessible via interactive screens.” AMA

Experts.. FFROM 4

Jump..FFROM 5

VOL. 6 ISSUE 101 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, AUGUST 4-5, 2013

THE ECONOMY 11

For PHL credit upgrade

Moody’s conducts assessment in Davao

By GREGORIO G. DELIGERO greg@edgedavao.net

M

OODY’S Investors Service made a threeday due diligence visit to Davao City starting last Thursday to get “a sense” of the political and security situation and economic progress in the city and other parts of Mindanao.

The assessment is part of the process for the upgrading of the Philippine government’s debt rating to investment-grade.

Two other major credit rating agencies, Standard and Poor’s and Fitch, have already upgraded Philippine government securities to investment-grade earlier this year.

It is the first time that the US ratings agency fielded its analysts to areas outside Metro Manila in making an assessment.

Credit ratings help investors analyze the credit risk associated with fixed-income securities.

It contributes to efficiencies in fixed-income markets and obligations such as insurance policies and derivative transactions by providing credible assessment of credit risk.

While in Davao City, the four Moody’s analysts headed by sovereign ratings group vice president and senior analyst Christian de Guzman sought an audience with officials of the Davao City Investment Promotion Center (DCIPC) for recent regional developments, priority areas, investments and business climate and with the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDa) for development progress and prospects in Mindanao.

They have also met with key military officials for political and security issues and visited the Public Safety Command Center (PSCC) to assess the local government’s initiatives in ensuring peace and public safety.

They also held a discussion meeting with members of the business community.

Last July 26, the agency announced in a statement that it has placed the Ba1 foreign and local currency long-term issuer and bond ratings of the Philippine government on

review for upgrade.

The next-highest debt rating on its scale is “Baa3,” considered the lowest in the investment-grade ranks.

Moody’s said a rating in the “Baa” ranks is “subject to moderate credit risk,”

while “Ba” rates entail “substantial credit risk.”

The Philippines last defaulted on its foreign debt in the early 1980s.

“The Philippines’ economic performance has exceeded Moody’s expectations; supporting the

relevant position in the local banking industry.

Named to the bank’s Board were Guillermo Parayno, former Commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Bureau of Customs; Judith Lopez, Chairman of Isla Lipana & Co. (Philippine

member firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers), and concurrently President of the Financial Executives Association of the Philippines or FINEX; Professor Nieves Confesor, Dean of the Asian Institute of Management and former Labor Sec-

retary; and veteran banker Alfonso “Boy” Cruz, formerly with the Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines.

When asked about the involvement of these notable personalities, Chairman de Ocampo said, “I cannot over-emphasize the fact that with names like these and with the names of other Board members that are still with us who are also in their own right outstanding members of the community, you have a leadership of the Bank that is second to none.”

Earlier last month, de Ocampo was elected chairman of the PVB Board of Directors, and said that his term marks a fresh new beginning for the bank, with the aim of revitalizing the medi-

OVERLOADED. A man pedals his way through traffic with three young passengers along Quirino Ave., Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr. view that the economy will grow significantly faster than similarly rated peers over at least the next two to three years,” it said.

“This growth came despite a global economic slump and with no signs

PVB chairman welcomes board members P

HILIPPINE Veterans Bank (PVB) Chairman Roberto F. de Ocampo introduced four new members of the bank’s Board of Directors to help in pursuing bankwide strategic directives that would put the bank into a more

that the economy was overheating or facing imbalances,” it said, adding that an upgrade could come if there is evidence that the government’s debt burden will decrease and that investment spending will increase.

BY THE NUMBERS In the first half of 2013 , the national government extended

P27 billion subsidies to state-owne d firms,

P12 billion of which was cornered by Philhealth.

SOURCE: DBM

um-sized commercial bank to be an active major player in the banking industry in both local and regional markets.

“I’d say we have established a Board that is going to signal to the

community that this bank intends to be a major player in banking,” de Ocampo added.

PVB is owned by more than 300,000 Filipino World War II veterans and their heirs.

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VOL. 6 ISSUE 101 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, AUGUST 4-5, 2013

EDGEDavao Gensan Partners

EDGEDAVAO

Health and Wellness

Tel No. (083) 553-2211 / (083) 877-0019 / (083) 878-0308

LEGAL NOTICE Notice is hereby given that an Extra-Judicial Settlement of Estate of the late SABINO RECORBA BARIMBAO , leaving a parcel of land covered with Transfer Certificate Title No. T-239995 has been EXTRA-JUDICIALLY SETTLED, executed, among his heirs leaving per Doc. 66 No., Page No. 14, Book No. III, Series of 2013, of the NOTARY PUBLIC ANGEL E. FERNANDEZ. 8/5,12,19

Realty FOR SALE:

1) 1-hectare commercial lot at P10,000/sq m, along National Highway, facing east, beside NCCC Panacan, Davao City. 2) 17,940sq m commercial lot at P2,500/sq m, along Matina Diversion Road. 3) 3,831 sq m lot along Matina Diversion Road. 4) 41,408 sq m commercial/ industrial lot at P800/sq m along the National Highway, Bunawan. 5) 7,056 sq m at P1,200/sq m commercial/residential lot along Indangan Road, Buhangin District. 6) 27,411 sq m commercial/ industrial lot along the National Highway in Bincungan, Tagum City. 7) 116.15 to 245.92 sq meters , at P5.5M to P12.3M commercial/ office condo units in Bajada, Davao City. 8) 699 to 1,117 sq m at P4,100/sq m commercial lots at Josefina Town Center, along the National Highway, Dumoy, Toril. 9) Ready-for-Occupancy Residential Properties: 4BR/3T&B in a 240 sq m lot with 177.31sqm floor area (2-storey) at P4.8M in an exclusive beachfront community in Dumoy, Toril.; 3BR 2-storey in a 71.25 sq m 2-storey in a 143sq m lot in an exclusive flower village in Maa, Davao City; 180 sq m lots with 71.25sqm to 126.42 sq m floor areas, priced at P3.751M to P5.773M in an exclusive mountain resort community along Matina, Diversion Road. 10) 1BR/2BR residential condo units located in Bolton, Maa, Obrero, Davao City. 11) FOR ASSUME (RUSH): 1BR res’l condo unit in Palmetto, Maa. P600K negotiable. Note: Items 1-9 can be paid in cash, in-house or bank financing. If interested, please call Jay (PRC REB Lic. 8237) at 0922-851-5337 (Sun), 0908-883-8832 (Smart) or send email to propertiesindavao@yahoo.com.

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NOTICE OF LOSS Notice is hereby given by LOYOLA PLANS CONSOLIDATED INC. that CERTIFICATE OF FULL PAYMENT No.(s) 77003 under LOYOLA PLAN Contract No.(s) 000605875950 issued to BLAS P. COSTELO was lost. Any transaction entered into shall be null and void.

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EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 101 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, AUGUST 4-5, 2013

CLASSIFIEDS 13

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VOL. 6 ISSUE 101 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, AUGUST 4-5, 2013

LOT FOR SALE CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY

PRIME LOCATIONS: Lot 2 Lot 7 FS Catanico

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EDGEDAVAO

INdulge!

STYLE

VOL. 6 ISSUE 101 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, AUGUST 4-5, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

An urban evening of style at Bauhaus

I have never considered myself as a stylish person, in fact I love to mix, match and mash whatever I find in my closet as long as I don’t come out looking like what the fashion police call a fashion disaster.

I do however love and understand art and the intricacies of design and creativity, and that is why I love Bauhaus and the many quirky fashionable clothes and accessories one can find there.

Just last July 26, Bauhaus invited fashionistas and a couple of media friends over to introduce the new collections as well as the new brands that are now available at the Bauhaus Abreeza store. Also present for the event was PAUL SY, assistant vice president of Kenrich. International Distributors Corp. (a subsidiary of Primer Group of Companies).

The new brands that were introduced were Spanish fashion brand Desigual, Dutch luxury denim brand G Star Raw

FAN URBAN,A4

EDGEDAVAO

A2 INdulge!

UP AND ABOUT

New online sensation “Boys Overload” at SM City General Santos on Aug. 3!

In Celebration of the second half 3-Day Sale happening on Aug. 2-4, SM City General Santos brings Rojee, Renz, Van, Arvin and Chirs – together known as Boys Overload – to the Tuna Capital of the Philippines! This group of five boys got together in the later part of 2012 and collaborated their talents in singing, dancing and acting on online platforms to become the social media IT teens that they are now.

On August 3, 4PM, at the 3rd level Trade Hall, Catch this boyband live and enjoy the entertainment they will provide, with cover songs accompanied by their trademark catchy dance moves. For a chance to be with your idols up close, get VIP meet and greet passes for every Php 500 single or accumulated receipts from any of the mall tenants or Php 250 single or accumu-

lated receipts from any of the food court tenants from August 2 and 3. Redemption of tickets will only be on August 3 from 2pm to 3pm at the Trade Hall. Hurry, VIP slots are limited!

Boys Overload’s quick rise to online fame came in the form of YouTube and Facebook, where they share their renditions of popular English and OPM songs to the Philippines and the world. Their connection with their fanbase expanded further when the boys started using Twitter to be more accessible on a personal level. Now adding Instagram and blog platform Tumblr to their connection circle that keeps fans up-to-date with group and individual happenings, the teenagers are the newest social media sensations, their popularity likened to fellow boy band, Chicser.

For inquiries, you may call SM City General Santos Marketing Department at (083) 878-0667 local 136.

VOL. 6 ISSUE 101 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, AUGUST 2-3, 2013

ENTERTAINMENT

GMA celebrates

Mandela Day

GMA Network and the South African Embassy joined the whole world in celebrating Mandela Day, a United Nationsdeclared international celebration on July 18, by holding an outreach activity with street children.

South African Ambassador Agnes Nyamande-Pitso and Kapuso stars Rafael Rosell, Diva Montelaba, Bea Binene, Ken Chan and the kids of Tropang Potchi were present during the event.

In keeping with the thrust of Mandela Day - to inspire and extend goodwill to the less fortunate - GMA Network and the South African Embassy treated the street children under the care of Childhope Asia Philippines to lunch and entertainment at the Network’s Quezon City compound.

Among the highlights of the activity was when the kids received gifts from various donors. The children also toured GMA’s studios and participated in a drawing workshop. (30)

Walang Tulugan mainstay Ken Chan sings to the street children at the Mandela Day celebration Sunday All-Stars’ Diva Montelaba shares a moment with the street children at the Mandela Day celebration

Grand opening of Pitbull Tyre Center Maghihintay Pa Rin leading man Rafael Rosell spends time with the street children at the Mandela Day celebration. Also in photo is GMA Network AVP for Corporate Affairs Ma. Teresa L. Pacis (back row, right).

Tropang Potchi cast and mascot perform a dance number for the street kids.

Gerard Tan (center) of Aeolus Phils. Distribution is joined by Alwin Tepoot (2nd from left), distributor of Aeolus Mindanao and president of Pitbull Tyre Center, Dennis Uy (2nd from right), president and CEO of Phoenix Petroleum Phils., Leo Yap (ext. left), president of Mindanao Trucking Corp., and Chai Beng Hao, president of Southern Maligaya Taxi, Inc. during the ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the opening of Pitbull Tyre Center in Lanang, Davao City Friday night. Lean Daval Jr.

Aeolus girls entertain the guests with a dance number. Lean Daval Jr.

(L-R) Kapuso stars Ken Chan, Bea Binene and Rafael Rosell helped distribute gifts to the street children.

VOL. 6 ISSUE 101 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, AUGUST 2-3, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

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MOVIE REVIEW

Moves like Jaeger Guillermo del Toro’s Pacific Rim

by Jay Rosas It would be interesting to discuss why Pacific Rim, Guillermo Del Toro’s massive robots versus giant monsters battlefest, tanked at the US box office. Opening only in the third spot, it trails behind two sequels, Despicable Me 2 and Grown Ups 2. But it would just be stating the obvious— that the consumerist culture have deduced Hollywood moviemaking into a gigantic machinery churning out piles and piles of recycled products, with the audiences retreating into movie-star familiarity and rehashed superhero escapades. Granted, Del Toro’s film doesn’t offer anything groundbreaking, I would defend its existence against the current crop of reboots.

This generation’s movie-going experience has spawned the term reboot, a sign that Hollywood in particular, is severely lacking in original ways of storytelling (I wouldn’t even dare say original ideas because I believe it has already been exhausted by those who have come before us). Thus, the Spiderman and X-Men franchises, to name a few, have been recently incarnated even though our memories of them are still relatively fresh (or is it that the information age has also spawned short-term memories?). While some of these reboots have their individual merits (I’m thinking JJ Abram’s fresh take on Star Trek, and to some extent the Daniel Craig-starred Bond films), it has created this huge gap for something that’s close to innovative and even gamechanging.

If one thinks about it, Pacific Rim can be viewed as a reboot. But we are talk-

ing reboot of a genre, not a Hollywood franchise. To any kid who has ever grown up watching Japanese monster movies and TV shows, Pacific Rim’s gargantuan creatures would look like a re-invention of those, or in Japanese pop culture, kaijus, defined as “giant beasts” at the opening of the film. On one hand, the Jaegers, which means hunter, also borrows from another Japanese concept, the mechas, or giant robots. (My immediate recollection of kaijus would be Godzilla, a 90s version of which I saw in one of the now-extinct cineplexes around the city, and in some of the film’s elements, the man-robot incarnations of Ultraman and the like.) However, Pacific Rim’s creatures are not exact replicas of the giant monsters and robots of our Sunday mornings. As he did in Hellboy and the critically-acclaimed Pan’s Labyrinth, Del Toro’s creatures here are a thing to marvel, exuding something mythical despite its proportions.

The premise is that kaijus have pre-historically thrived under the earth’s surface and has long been planning to inhabit the earth, which means apocalypse for us humans.

Because engaging in warfare to annihilate the kaijus has depleted the nations’ resources, the Jaeger program has been created, which is manned by one Stacker Pentecost (agentof-cool Idris Elba). The Jaegers, humanoid robots operated by two (or three in the case of China’s Crimson Typhoon) pilots whose minds have been melded to make control of the robots possible, are a match for the kaijus’ size and strength. Each pilot controls a brain hemisphere in order to share the “neural load” found to be deadly for a single pilot interfacing with the massive machines. The

shared end-of-the-world dilemma prompted the creation of Jaeger versions (Australia’s Eureka Stryker or Russia’s Cherno Alpha) and is operated by a multi-racial crew.

Pacific Rim consistently utilizes this idea of the union, humanizing it through the pilots’ psychic melding; going through a “drift”, sharing the burden of memories and emotions, which gives the story its emotional pull. This is why despite the generic nature of their characters, troubled pasts and all, having to lose someone they love, Raleigh Beckett (Charlie Hunnam) and Mako Mori (Rinko Kikuchi) triumph in their unified state. That a strong, genuine human bond is somehow required to operate the Jaegers elevates the concept of man-machine amalgamation into something more than just a spectacle of science-fiction fantasy.

Del Toro achieves this spectacle of size in a visual design that’s inventive without being too flashy and straightforward without being too simplistic. The robots are not made up of squeakyclean armoury but with pure, good ‘ole sword-and-rocketpower mechanical muscle.

The battle scenes are staged underwater (a logical choice) and in a rainy Hongkong night brightly colored by neon lights. The Jaeger picking up freight containers and an entire ship to bludgeon the kaiju shows us just how colossal these creatures are (as if the shot of a damaged Gipsy Danger in the Alaskan snow wasn’t enough visualization), and yes seeing them on the big screen gives the audience the sense of diminution. The Hongkong battle is punctuated by two entertainingly oddball shots – the flying bird and the bouncing Newton’s cradle – which

again emphasizes the element of size.

And when you go through the science babble of the program’s pioneer researchers, Gottlieb and Newton, the improbable logic of the “breach” and its destruction is actually quite fascinating. Writer Tra-

vis Beacham and Del Toro left just enough for science geeks to nitpick on. Despite some comparing it to Michael Bay’s insipid Transformers, none of that rambunctious robot-to-vehicle transformation comes close to Del Toro’s brave vision, quite brave in a market and

culture obsessed with the familiar and commonplace.

Just like the dependable analog Gipsy Danger, we are reminded that the simplicity and reliability of the old-fashioned, trumps any attention-begging display of ultramodern bombast. Rating: 4.2/5

BAKIT HINDI KA CRUSH NG CRUSH MO? 2D Kim Chiu, Xian Lim PG 13

12:40 | 3:00 | 5:20 | 7:40 | 10:00 LFS

RED 2 2D Bruce Willis, John Malkovich R 13

12:40 | 3:00 | 5:20 | 7:40 | 10:00 LFS

THE PURGE 2D Ethan Hawke, Lena Headey R 13

12:25 | 2:20 | 4:15 | 6:10 | 8:05 | 10:00 LFS

R-16 THE WOLVERINE 2D Hugh Jackman PG 13

12:00 | 2:30 | 5:00 | 7:30 | 10:00 LFS

A4 INdulge!

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 101 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, AUGUST 2-3, 2013

An urban..FFROM A1

STYLE

EDGEDavao Davao Partners

and German scarf brand Codello.

I love the quirky joie de vie attitude of Desigual’s collections which include bright fashionable printed tops for men as well as beautiful printed dresses and accessories like bags and shoes for women. Bauhaus brand associate Leya Lazaro pointed out during the short fashion show that the patterns of the dresses and accessories were well though out by the designers, ensuring that the look over-all will not clash but will instead compliment even though it is already print on print.

The brand my heart truly loves though is G Star Raw with edgy crafted denim that is classic in fit yet unique in design and form.

I remember my first pair of G Star Raw jeans that are comfortable yet stand out thanks to its twisting threedimensional design. I also love G Star Raw’s classic Ellewood design that was

inspired by motorbike riders and how the shape enhances the leg. G Star Raw’s also has wingtip shoes as well as boots that are sure to stand out from the crowd with their modern industrial look.

Of course classic Bauhaus brands are also available such as Tough Jeans and Bags, as well as Salad, Eighty/Twenty, Superdry and Cheap Monday. Each also bringing along their own style and look. What is even better is Bauhaus style of curating the pieces that are available is their stores nationwide ensuring that bags and even shirts and dresses are almost always unique with only a few pieces in limited sizes being available ensuring that you will not have a “uniform” moment when you go out.

Follow me on Instagram or on Twitter @kennethkingong for travel tips, foodie finds, as well as happenings in, around and beyond Durianburg.

SPORTS 15

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 101 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, AUGUST 4-5, 2013

RMH Cup Season 4 opens T

HOT. Tiger Woods scored a sizzling 61 on Friday at the Bridgestone Invitational.

HE Royal Mandaya Hotel Cup unwraps today with 16 top-rated teams from Davao’s school-based leagues taking part in this elite tournament.

Opening program is set at 8:30 a.m. followed by the match between defending champion Ford Academy and Ateneo de Davao University at the Davao City Recreation Center. RMH president Glen Escandor will personally preside over the opening game rites with invited guests Mayor Rody Duterte and Vice Mayor son Paolo.

Ten teams led by defending champion Ford Academy will be contesting the Cadets Under-14 title while six squads paced by defending titlist Ateneo de Davao University in the Mini Under-12 division.

“We are inviting everyone to witness the games of the RMH Cup. It’s a league for our future basketball stars,” tournament director Jek Melendres.

SBP representative Rico Biliran said that the format in the Cadets divi-

sion will have all teams going through a single round robin eliminations with the top four squads advancing to the semifinals where they will play another round.

In the Mini division, the top four squads advance in the crossover semis following the “1-4 2-3” format.

The other teams taking part in the Cadets division are Ateneo de Davao University, Holy Child College of Davao, Assumption College of Davao, University of the Immaculate Conception, Precious International School, Daniel R. Aguinaldo National High School, Holy Cross of Davao College, Philippine Women’s College, and SPED-Lamb of God Buhangin.

Six players born 2000 is required mandatorily in the line-up while the rest are born 1999 or later. The line-up allows for 12 to 15 players.

In the Mini division for players born 2001 or later, the other contenders are Holy Child College of Davao, Precious IS, Assumption College of Davao, UIC and PWC.

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 11TH Judicial Region Branch 12 DAVAO CITY

IN RE: PETITION FOR THE ALLOWANCE/PROBATE OF THE HOLOGRAPHIC LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF RAMON C. VICENTE RAMON C. VICENTE Petitioner SP. PROC. No. 5550-00 -versus-

REYNALDO B. VICENTE and ROBERT B. VICENTE Oppositors

x------------------------------------------------x NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Letters Testamentry having been issued in the above-entitled case in favor of Pilar mynthia b. Vicente; IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that notice be, and the same is hereby, given to all persons having claims for money against the decedent, Ramon C. Vicente, arising from contracts, express or implied, whether the same be due, not due, or contingent, for funeral expenses and expenses of the last sickness of the said decedent, and judgment for money against him, requiring them to file their claims with this Court within a period of (6) months after the first publication of the notice.

SO ORDERED

Davao City, Philippines, July 4, 2013 (SGD) MAE T. CAÑETE-TUPAS Branch Clerk of Court 7/22/29/8/5

16

VOL. 6 ISSUE 101 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, AUGUST 4-5, 2013

EDGEDAVAO Sports

THE BLUR, CLEARLY Jayson Castro William emerges P

RIOR to the FIBA Asia Championship, pundits have pointed to Talk ‘N Text star guard Jayson Castro as the engine of the Philippine national men’s basketball team’s offense.

With his strength and all-world quickness, “The Blur” was expected to lead the way for Gilas Pilipinas in the Asian tournament.

So when Castro finally found his groove in the Philippines’ victory on Friday night over Jordan, the rest of Gilas promptly followed suit.

“He struggled at the start. That’s why I pulled him out early. He made a couple of mistakes and then when he settled down, I brought him back in,” said coach Chot Reyes.

“And then we saw his real game.”

Reyes candidly admitted the importance of Castro, who finished with 16 points, for the team.

“Aside from the ability to put pressure defensively, he puts a lot of offensive pressure on the other team as well, forcing

them to react. That’s our game, where our offense is predicated on.”

For Castro, everything starts with aggressiveness on defense. After a lethargic start in the first half, Gilas turned up the heat in the third quarter, outscoring Jordan, 24-9.

“Kasi sobrang relaxed kami and we’re not communicating on defense [in the first half],” said Castro.

“Yun yung naging key sa amin nung second half na every player naguusap sa loob so parang yun yung naging result ng game na ito. Kasi we’re talking na on defense especially nung sa third quarter.”

Coming into the tournament, the Filipinos planned to lean on speed to carry it through larger opponents, and that’s exactly what they did in the second half.

“Nung second half parang yun nga sinabi ni Coach, once na makuha natin yung bola just run and run,” said Castro.

“Yun. Maganda naman yung result.”

WHY IS CHOT NOT HAPPY?

Despite wins, Gilas coach is not satisfied THE BLUR AT WORK. Jason Castro William of the Philippines drives the lane against Ali Jamal Zaghab (15) and Mohammad Hadrab (14) and Wesam Al-Sous (11) of Jordan.

LIKE A LEECH. The Philippines’ Marcus Douthit goes up against the leech-like guarding of Wesam Al-Sous of Jordan.

T

HE Philippine national men’s basketball team pulled out a rousing 77-71 victory over Jordan on Friday to kick its FIBA Asia Championship campaign in high gear, but coach Chot Reyes is far from satisfied.

“Still not happy. We can be happy on August 11. Today I think we’re fooling ourselves if we allow ourselves to be happy,” said the Gilas Pilipinas coach, whose team bucked a slow start in the first half before exploding in the third quarter.

“There’s a lot of room for improvement. But our theme is ‘better.’ Just to keep getting better every game because in the pre-game I reminded my players, this isn’t a sprint.

This is going to be a long drawn-out race. And the way to go deep in this race is to continue to get better.

“And I felt we were better tonight than last

night. Hopefully we can be better tomorrow.”

Gilas was decidedly better in its second outing, playing intense defense in the third period to open up the match against the larger Jordan squad. The players got a bit of a tongue-lashing from Reyes at halftime.

“You cannot print what I told them at halftime,” said Reyes, who noted that the coaching staff also made some changes when it comes to X’s and O’s.

“We just did a couple of adjustments on defense and then on offense I told them to see the floor a little bit better and anticipate the defensive tendency of the other team.

They have a very specific defensive tendency that we were trying to beat by ourselves too much.

But when we figured it out finally then I thought the offense flowed a lot smoother.”