Edge Davao 6 Issue 164 by Edge Davao The Business Paper

VOL. 6 ISSUE 164 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013

www.edgedavao.net

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

JACK-O’-LANTERNS. These lighted pumpkin-shaped lanterns are the main attraction of The Royal Mandaya Hotel’s Halloween decoration which entices hotel guests to take selfie pictures for their Facebook. Lean Daval Jr.

‘Thieves sowing confusion’ President Noynoy hits DAP critics in speech

By GreGOrIO G. DelIGerO greg@edgedavao.net

OLITICIANS now being accused of plunder for stealing billions of the people’s money in Priority Development Assistance Funds (PDAF) coursed through fake non-government organizations (NGOs) are trying to divert the public’s attention by raising the issue of Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP). This was the statement of President Aquino in a televised speech last night preempting primetime shows on television stations. In his primetime speech aired live at 7:45 p.m., Aqui-

no cited and explained the controversial Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) as well as the President’s Social Fund (PSF). The President maintained that the DAP is constitutional. Following are culled from his speech: “Might I remind those who have forgotten: The real issue here is stealing. This is the topic they have constantly tried to avoid ever since their wrongdoing was exposed. I can’t help but shake my head, since the first thing I expected was for them to at least

FTHIEVES 10

SCAREVENGERS. Local media practitioners show their spooky smiles during a group photograph after yesterday’s Scarevengers 2 at the Annex of SM City Davao. Scarevengers aims to promote camaraderie and strengthen the bond among members of media in Davao City. Lean Daval Jr.

DCL Final 6 cast is complete INSIDE: Police can provide ‘Lili’ temporary protection PR lady off to Japan for SEA youth program END OF A DROUGHT

2 3 15

2 THE BIG NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 164 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013

DPWH has alloted P1.7 B for Region 11 By eJ DOmInIc FernanDez

CONSUMERS COOPERATIVE. Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte poses with officers and members of the Barangay Callawa Women Consumers Cooperative during the culmination program of the Cooperative Month celebration at Vales Beach Resort. The cooperative is one of the beneficiaries of the Livelihood Loan Assistance Program of the City Cooperative Office. [CMO Photo]

ejf@edgedavao.net

HE e Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 11 allocated P7.1 billion for 162 projects for 2014, in line with their advanced preparation detailed engineering procurement activities. DPWH 11 regional director Mriano R. Arquiza, in their monthly press conference yesterday at their 2nd regional district office, Tugbok, said, the 162 projects are still under the procurement process under the regular infrastructure projects, which means they all must be bid before the end of 2014, and 53 of those projects has already been advertised. Of the P7.1 billion budget, P3.7 billion will go to the regional office, and the rest of

the 3.4 will go to the district offices. Davao City will get the lion’s share with P719 million, followed by Davao del Sur with 697 million, then Davao City DPWH 2nd district with 626 million. Arquiza said, DPWH’s priorities are the national, primary, and secondary roads and bridges. As of October 2013 DPWH 11 has implemented a total of 957 projects, for a total budget of P7.8 billion, with 459 finished projects, 425 on-going and the rest are yet to be started. In 2012, DPWH 11 has implemented 508 projects, for a total budget of P5.1 billion, with 388 projects completed, 92 on-going, and 28 are yet to be started.

Police can provide ‘Lili’ 22 distresed OFWs temporary protection arrive from Saudi RTC judge on leave

By emIlOrD P. castrOmayOr

OLICE will provide limited protection to a lady candidate for kagawad who’s seeking court protection from a losing re-electionist barangay captain in the first legislative district of Davao City, who she claims to be her common-law husband. This was the statement of Supt. Vicente Danao Jr., Davao City Police Office director, referring to the case of alias “Lili,” who

requested media not to identify her for her own protection. Lili, who said she was a divorcee, earlier complained that copies of her photo performing fellatio were circulated during the barangay election campaign, particularly in Barangay 10-A where she ran for kagawad and lost. She charged that Barangay captain Roberto Olanolan of Bucana, also known

Serge: Kapunan’s resignation to weaken defense of Napoles

ENATOR Sergio Osmena III on Wednesday expressed belief the reported resignation of lawyer Lorna Kapunan as counsel of Janet Lim Napoles in the serious illegal detention case would weaken Napoles’ defense. This is in connection with the case filed against her by pork barrel scam whistle blower Benhur Luy. ”It’s not good when you are abandoned by your lawyer. That means that you’re not united in the strategy to be carried out and that’s probably the reason why Atty. Lorna Kapunan resigned,” Osmena said in interview. Osmena, however, clarified that he was just assuming that there is some disagreement in the strategy between Kapunan and Napoles, the alleged

mastermind in the P10 billion priority development assistance fund (PDAF) scam. ”I am only guessing. You just told me that she resigned. I would assume that there is some disagreement in the strategy,” he said. For his part, Senate President Franklin Drilon hesitated to comment on the report that Kapunan did not only resign in the illegal detention case but as counsel in the plunder case against Napoles in the Office of the Ombudsman. ”Perhaps, I should not comment on that. We have no comment. That’s a private matter,” Drilon said. The Senate blue ribbon committee is currently preparing for the November 7 Senate probe where Napoles has been subpoenaed to testify on the pork scam. [PNA]

as Barangay 76-A, had something to do with the black propaganda. Olanolan vehemently denied he had anything to do with the photo’s circulation, saying he had no reason to do it. However, he admitted having a romantic relationship with the woman in the past. Lili likewise claimed that she has a child sired by the barangay captain. Danao, however,

clarified the police could only provide temporary and limited protection to the woman. Assisted by lawyer Ranelo Leonar, Lili went to the Ninoy Aquino Hall of Justice last Tuesday afternoon to file a petition for the “issuance of a permanent protection order (PPO) and plea for issuance of temporary protection order under R.A. 9262” against Olanolan.

FPOLICE, 10

total of 22 undocumented overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) arrived Wednesday in the country from Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia after they availed of the government’s repatriation program, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) said. The OWWA Desk at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) said the 22 OFWs made it home just before the Saudi government imposed a deadline on

FP7.1B, 10

November 3 wherein foreign workers there must secure the proper documentation or they face jail terms. The OFWs arrived at 10:55 a.m. via Gulf Air flight GF-154 which landed at NAIA Terminal 1. Vice President Jejomar Binay appealed anew to the Saudi king to extend the Nov. 3 deadline so that undocumented Filipinos working there could still have more time to process their respective documents. [PNA]

DUSTY ROADS. Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) personnel spray water onto the road to prevent the accumulation of dust due to the agency’s undergoing road projects in the border of Davao City and Davao del Sur causing inconvenience to residents of the area. Lean Daval Jr.

NEWS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 164 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013

EDGEDavao Davao Partners

PR lady off to Japan for SEA youth program

S Precious Ann Ajero Legario, public relations officer of SM City Davao, flew Monday for Japan, where an 11-country seven-week tour by young people called Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Programme (SSEAYP) will start. SSEAYP is an annual youth cultural exchange program between ASEAN member countries and Japan. Now on its 40th year, SSEAYP promotes friendship and goodwill among young people of Southeast Asia and Japan. The program is sponsored by the government of Japan and is implemented in the Philippines by the National Youth Commission (NYC). There will be 28 participating youths per country (Japan, Philippines, Singapore, Brunei, Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia). In the Philippines, one to two members are chosen to represent a region. The screening of applicants is done by the National Youth Commission. Every year, the Philippines sends a delegation composed of young men/women from different backgrounds-student/youth leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs, government/private employees, etc. The journey of 40th SSEAYP will begin in Tokyo Japan where the participating youths will take part in the 2-day Japan-ASEAN Youth Leaders Summit. Delegates to the program embark on a 52-day voyage across Southeast Asia and Japan aboard the Japanese Ocean Liner Nippon Maru. From Japan, the delegates will board the Japanese cruise ship Nippon Maru and will sail to Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam, Bangkok in Thailand, Singapore, Manila in the Philippines and back to Naha, Japan. For every country visited, the participants will be

legario sent to three-day “homestays” where they can experience the different cultures. The coutry program for the Philippines is scheduled on December 6 to 9, 2013.On board, the youths from participating countries will interact with each other through club activities (e.g. Japanese tea ceremony, Indonesian Batik-making); national presentations and discussion groups. Discussion groups will tackle eight themes, namely corporate social contribution, cross-cultural understanding promotion, environment (natural disaster reduction), food and nutrition education, health education measures ( measures against HIV/AIDS), international relations (ASEAN-Japan Cooperation), school education, information and media. This year, Apple Legario will be the discussion group facilitator for theme corporate social contribution. Ms Legario was a participating youth in 2007. Another Filipino, Nery Ronatay, will be the facilitator for health education measures. Among the alumni of SSEAYP in Davao are former NYC commissioner Steve Arquiza and Councilor April Dayap and Councilor Mabel Acosta, who served as last year’s Philippine national leader.

Davao City LGU sets speed limit for all motor vehicles

HE local government of Davao City has stepped up its campaign against overspeeding and reckless driving by setting the speed limits for all kinds of motor vehicles within its territorial jurisdiction. Mayor Rodrigo Duterte signed Tuesday, Executive Order No. 39 Series of 2013 tempering the speed limit within the city limits as he invoked the interest of public safety and order. Under the new executive order, all motorists must observe maximum allowable speed at 60 kilometers per hour only from Sirawan to Ulas Crossing, Lasang to Panacan, Calinan to Ulas Crossing, Carlos P. Garcia Highway-Macarthur Highway to Panacan; 40 kilometers per hour only from Ulas to the bridges of Generoso and Bolton, Panacan Crossing to J.P. Laurel Avenue-Alcantara Junction, Ma-a Road from the Diversion Highway to the MacArthur Highway; and 30 kilometers per hour from J.P. Laurel Avenue-Alcantara, Buhangin Crossing Milan, C.P. Garcia Highway-Bacaca and C.P. Garcia Highway -Angliongto Street to the bridges of Bolton and Generoso. He said the existing traffic

laws are no longer responsive to the current traffic situation in the city due to many factors as a result of urbanization. Duterte stressed that Local Government Code of the Philippines grants local government units the power to regulate traffic on all streets and bridges within their territorial boundaries and to enact measures that will enhance the public health, safety, convenience, maintain peace and order and promote the general prosperity of its residents. He said Executive Order No. 39 is still based on the precept of Section 35 of the Republic Act 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code of 1964 which states that a person driving a motor vehicle on the highway shall drive at a careful and prudent speed not greater nor less than, is reasonable and proper, having due regard for the traffic, width of the highway under the existing condition; and no person shall drive any motor vehicle upon a highway at such as speed that will endanger the life, limb and property of any person, nor at a speed greater than will permit him to bring the vehicle to a stop within the assured clear distance ahead. [PIA 11/Joey Sem G. Dalumpines]

4 SUBURBIA EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 164 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013

COMPOSTELA VALLEY

UNDP succeeds in helping typhoon victims earn a living T

HE United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has somehow succeeded in helping Typhoon Pablo-affected residents rise and return to their normal life by providing them ways of earning a living. UNDP Early Recovery Coordinator for Mindanao Winston Aylmer Camarinas summed up the accomplishment of UNDP in a recent visit to New Bataan where an international official of UNDP was supposed to do an assessment area visit. Camarinas believed that UNDP made a significant dent in the early recovery stage during which UNDP poured around P35 million cash-for-work for Typhoon Pablo hardly-hit provinces of Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental. “The impact is basically is more on early recovery. Natabangan sila nga makabangon (They were assi-

sted to rise back to normal life). We thought we did it. Camarinas said that the substantial funds poured for Compostela Valley went to New Bataan where UNDP immediately focused on debris management, starting with debris clearing especially the public market. UNDP rented backhoes and dump-trucks to load out the mass of mud that swamped the poblacion area of New Bataan. It also cleared the rivers and creeks in New Bataan and assisted in restoring schools. Even before providing livelihood training, UNDP provided typhoonaffected families, means of earning a living by hiring them to do cashfor-work jobs in debris clearing, paying them P226 a day or 75 percent of the minimum rate. [PIA 11/ JMDA]

ROAD REPAIR. Workers drain water from a section of an unfinished road repair site in Barangay Matti, Digos, Davao del Sur on Wednesday, 30 Oct 2013. Heavy rains have hampered the road repairs along the Davao-Cotabato highway. [Mindanews Photo by Keith Bacongco]

KAPALONG, Davao del Norte

DAVAO DEL NORTE

Local PNP is acclaimed as Region 11’s best cop station LGU strengthens its own incident command system K

APALONG town mayor Edgardo L. Timbol of this town commended the Kapalong police force headed by Police Chief Inspector Carl Omar H. Fiel of their award as Best Municipal Police Station for the 2nd quarter of Calendar Year 2013. It was conferred in a recent Regional Command Conference in Camp Catitipan, Davao City with no less than the

SOUTH COTABATO

PNP Acting Regional Director, Wency T. Pascual. The award was based on how Fiel and his men efficiently carried out the PNP’s mandate on performance-based public accountability program which contributed greatly in the over-all performance of its provincial and regional offices. Fiel just assumed into his post as officer in-charge last February 1, 2013, but has steered his men

to work far beyond what is expected from them particularly in keeping on top in the exercise of their administrative duties and operational capabilities. It was learned that this is his first time to handle a municipal station after his different assignments in the PNP. He was even deployed with the United Nation Mission in East Timor as UN Police Contingent in 2010. He served in Camp Cra-

me under the Personnel Holding & Administrative Unit and later assigned at the PNP Regional Office XI under the Regional Operations and Plans Division (ROPD) as Chief of the Operation Section and later on became Chief of Operations & Plans Section. After his promotion as Police Chief Inspector, he accepted the challenge to act as OIC of the Kapalong Police Station. [MIO Kapalong]

HE municipal government of Tantangan in South Cotabato placed the entire area on Wednesday under the state of calamity as a result of the severe floods and landslides in the last three days that already destroyed around P28.3-million worth of agricultural crops. Tantangan Mayor Benjamin Figueroa said the municipal council issued the declaration Wednesday morning to facilitate the immediate release of the necessary funds to address the impact of the calamity, whi-

ch has so far affected 8 of the town’s 13 barangays. Citing their initial assessment, the mayor said the floods that hit the area since early Monday has so far destroyed a total of 394 hectares of palay farmlands in six of their barangays. Hardest hit is Barangay New Iloilo with 120 hectares followed by San Felipe with 97.5 hectares, Maibo with 58.5 hectares, Cabuling with 56 hectares, Tinongcop with 32 hectares and Dumadalig with 30 hectares. “Most of these crops are in the seeding and ve-

getative stages but there are some that are almost ready for harvest,” he said. The mayor said a number of houses and infrastructure facilities also sustained some damages as a result of the floods but their assessment is still ongoing. He said several road networks leading to some outskirt villages and communities in the area were rendered impassable due to the earlier landslides. As of 8 a.m. Wednesday, Figueroa said the calamity has affected a total of 600 families or about

2,500 individuals. But he said such figure does not include the 145 families from Barangay New Iloilo who were evacuated to the municipal gymnasium due to the severe floods. The evacuation came after waist-deep floodwaters submerged the area as result of hours of heavy rains on Tuesday night. On Monday, five villages in the area were also initially hit by severe floods and landslides due hours of almost nonstop rains that started on Sunday night. [MindaNews]

Flooded town declared under state of calamity T

OCAL persons of provincial capitol departments involved in the disaster response committee underwent a three-day training on the incident command system (ICS) in order to beef up the capability of the province to better respond to emergencies. Reduce ‘D Risk responders, staff of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Operation Center, as well as, representatives from the Provincial Health Office, Provincial Social Welfare & Development Office, Provincial Engineer’s Office and Provincial Information Office attended the event. ICS is a strategy for superior management of multi-agency responses to emergencies to prevent chaos during emergencies. The participants gained better understanding of the ICS as a vital tool for effective disaster response in the province. Romulo Tagalo, Executive Director of the

joint Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management (PDRRM/Climate Change Adaptation (PDRRM-CCA) Councils said that the activity is in pursuit of Republic Act 10121 of 2010, which seeks to provide effective framework and establish an action plan with strategic and systematic approaches to reduce the vulnerabilities and risks to damages during calamities. Tagalo, who is also the OIC-Provincial Information Officer, added the law mandated the government agencies and local government units to establish their own ICS as part of the country’s on-scene disaster response system to ensure the effective management of emergency responses. “Let us support the vision of the Governor Rodolfo del Rosario by managing an effective ICS in the province to prevent or minimize loss of lives, or damage to properties and the environment during calamities,” he said. [Nice Tolibas/PIO DavNor]

5 THE ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 164 â&#x20AC;˘ THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013

VERDON PARC. DMC Urban Property Developers, Inc. general manager Ma. Victoria Adriano welcomes guests and stakeholders during the groundbreaking ceremony of Verdon Parc in Ecoland , Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

THE ECONOMY

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

7.1 1st Qtr 2013

2. Gross Domestic Product Growth Rate (At Constant 2000 Prices)

7.8 1st Qtr 2013

3. Exports 1/ 4. Imports 1/ 5. Trade Balance 6. Balance of Payments 2/ 7. Broad Money Liabilities

USD 3,741 million Feb 2013 USD 4,708 million Feb 2013 USD -967 million Feb 2013 USD -640 million Dec 2012 P 4,964,560 million Feb 2013

8. Interest Rates 4/

2.4 % Mar 2013 P113,609 million Mar 2013 P 5,281 billion Mar 2013

9. National Government Revenues 10. National government outstanding debt 11. Peso per US $ 5/

P 41.14 Apr 2013

12. Stocks Composite Index 6/

6,847.5 Mar 2013

13. Consumer Price Index 2006=100

132.8 Apr 2013

14. Headline Inflation Rate 2006=100

2.6 Apr 2013

15. Core Inflation Rate 2006=100

3.1 Apr 2013

16. Visitor Arrivals

418,108 Feb 2013

17. Underemployment Rate 7/

20.9% Jan 2013

18. Unemployment Rate 7/

7.1% Jan 2013

MONTHLY AVERAGE EXCHANGE RATE (January 2012-April 2013) Month Average December November October September August July June May April March February January

2013

2012

2011

40.67 40.73

42.23 41.01 41.12 41.45 41.75 42.04 41.91 42.78 42.85 42.70 42.86 42.66 43.62

43.31 43.64 43.27 43.45 43.02 42.42 42.81 43.37 43.13 43.24 43.52 43.70 44.17

VOL. 6 ISSUE 164 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013

Aboitiz mets P14.3-B income in first 9 months of 2013 A

BOITIz Power Corporation (AboitizPower or the Company) recorded a 22% year-on-year (YoY) decrease in its consolidated net income for the year’s first nine months, from P18.4 billion to P14.3 billion. The power generation business accounted for 83% of earnings contributions from AboitizPower’s business segments, recording an income share of P12.1 billion for the first nine months of 2013, down 29% YoY. Netting out one-off items, AboitizPower’s generation business shored in P13.6 billion for the period, which was 17% lower than last year. “Power will remain a key focus for us. We are committed to providing power in support of the country’s economic growth. We still believe the most pragmatic and cost-effective way of achieving this is through a balanced mix of base load and renewable energy sources where feasible,” Aboitiz Power Corp. president and CEO Erramon I Aboitiz said. For the quarter ending September 30, 2013, the power generation business recorded an income contribution of

SELLING FISH. Every afternoon, hawkers in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur peddle different varieties of fish to travelers passing the Davao-Cotabato highway instead of selling them at the town’s public market. Lean Daval Jr. P4.0 billion, 31% lower as compared to the same period last year. The adverse impact on earnings was mainly attributable to the lower margins registered by the Pagbilao plant and the higher fuel cost brought about by the implementation of the Geothermal Resource

Supply Contract (GRSC) for the Tiwi and Makiling-Banahaw (Tiwi-MakBan) plants. When adjusted for nonrecurring items, the group registered a 28% YoY decrease in its core net income, from P5.8 billion to P4.2 billion. The group’s average price for its power

decreased by 12% YoY during the first nine months of 2013. Expansions in volumes and margins resulted to an 11% YoY growth in the power distribution group’s earnings share for the first nine months of 2013, from P2.2 billion to P2.4 billion. Total attributable

electricity sales increased by 3% YoY, from 2,935 GWh to 3,024 GWh. The residential segment spearheaded the growth in sales with a 6% YoY expansion in volume sales, while commercial and industrial accounts registered YoY growth of 5% and 3%, respectively.

its network and services in recent months. It finished supercharging its network in mid-2012 – ahead of schedule – under parent company PLDT’s network transformation program. The P67.1billion endeavor involved the installation and upgrading of equipment which enabled Smart to handle increasingly large volumes of voice, SMS, and mobile broadband services. The transformation program also allowed Smart to offer a wide range of services

designed to change the way Filipinos live and communicate. Smart launched in August 2012 the first commercially available Long Term Evolution (LTE) service in the Philippines, which is also one of the first in Asia. Smart is also backed by PLDT’s 71,000-kilometer fiber optic cable network, the most extensive and most modern in the country. The company launched a host of innovative services this year, such as Spinnr powered by

Smart Music, a portal that offers music downloads, unlimited music streaming at affordable rates, playlist customization and access, and download discounts. Services can be paid for via prepaid load deductions and additional postpaid bill charges. This load-ascurrency innovation was first used for BayadLoad, the first service in the world that allows people to use airtime load to pay their mandatory contributions for social security, housing, and

provident and health insurance. Winners of the 4th Asia CEO Awards, presented by Aseana City, will be recognized in a ceremony to be held on November 14 at Solaire Resort & Casino in Parañaque City. The awards program received 180 nominations for the 11 awards it is giving out this year. The Asia CEO Awards seeks to recognize the most accomplished leadership teams and individuals operating in the country and the region. [END]

Smart is sole telco finalist at Asia CEO Awards

I R E L E S S s e r v i c e s leader Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) was the only te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s company to be shortlisted at the 4th Asia CEO Awards, where it was named finalist in three categories. Smart is in the running for the following awards: KPMG Executive Leadership Team of the Year, Shore Solutions Most Innovative Company, and Technology Company of the Year. Smart has been aggressively boosting

as of May 2013 Cebu Pacific Daily Zest Air Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Philippine Airlines Daily Philippine Airlines Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri/Sun Philippine Airlines Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Thu

5J961 / 5J962 Z2390 / Z2390 5J593 / 5J348 PR809 / PR810 PR819 / PR820 5J394 / 5J393 5J599 / 5J594 5J347 / 5J596 5J963 / 5J964 PR811 / PR812 5J595 / 5J966 5J965 / 5J968

5:45 5:45 6:00 6:10 7:50 7:50 8:00 9:10 9:40 11:30 12:00 12:55

Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Cebu-Davao-Iloilo Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Zamboanga-Davao-Zamboanga Cebu-Davao-Cebu Iloilo-Davao-Cebu Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Cebu-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila

6:15 6:25 6:30 7:00 8:50 8:10 8:30 9:40 10:10 12:20 12:30 13:25

Cebu Pacific Tue/Wed//Sat 5J965 / 5J968 13:35 Silk Air Mon/Sat MI588 / MI588 13:35 Silk Air Wed/Sun MI566 / MI566 15:20 Silk Air Thurs MI551 / MI551 12:05 Cebu Pacific Mon/Tue/Wed/Fri 5J507 / 5J598 15:00 Philippine Airlines August 15:55 Mani2Mani 16:50 Zest Air Daily Z2524 / Z2525 16:05

Manila-Davao-Manila Davao-Singapore Davao-Singapore Davao-Singapore Cebu-Davao-Cebu

14:05 18:55 18:55 15:45 15:30

Cebu-Davao-Cebu

16:45

7 ENVIRONMENT

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 164 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013

Hedcor eyes 100% accomplishment of Watershed Management Plan by 2013 P

ART of the watershed management plan of Hedcor, a wholly owned subsidiary of AboitizPower, is the adaptation of 1000 hectares within the protected areas of the Mt. Apo Natural Park. By year-end, Hedcor is committed to cover the remaining 170 hectares. “We started our commitment of helping the preservation and protection of the Mt. Apo Natural Park in 2008. Our promise to cover the 1000 hectares will soon be completed before the end of this year,” Hedcor vice president for Business Development Boy Jabonillo said. Hedcor reaffirmed its bid to preserve the watersheds through its notable environmental initiative programs - reforestation, roadside rehabilitation, riverbank stabilization, and agro-forestry. The remaining 75000 trees are scheduled to be planted next month. “With the overwhelming cooperation of the company’s host communities of Barangay Sibulan, this achievement

will soon add to Hedcor’s milestone,” Jabonillo said. “They are with us from the start until now in achieving this commitment”, Jabonillo added. Hedcor recognized the importance of a healthy watershed for its business of hydroelectric power generation. The company has been operating run-of-river hydropower plants since 1972, and started building its own since 1990. For more than 35 years, the company has always done its part in the preservation and protection of watersheds. “But the completion of 1000 hectares coverage does not end there. We, from Hedcor, will still look for more environmental initiatives in the coming years to help protect the watersheds and conserve its surrounding flora and fauna”, Jabonillo said. The company will continue to partner with residents of its host communities in the implementation and sustainability of the environment. The hydro compa-

ENVIRONMENTAL MILESTONE. Hedcor’s host community volunteers prepare the seedlings for the upcoming tree planting activities to reforest the remaining 170 hectares of the adopted 1000 hectares in Mt Apo Natural Park. ny also ensures it does not contribute in any way to water pollution. Further, Hedcor team members are encouraged to plant at least 20 trees for each employee per year. Hedcor’s recorded

survival rate is 86%. And, they are striving to maintain it or to increase the rate. To date, the company already planted over 600,000 trees in Benguet, Ilocos Sur and Davao. Hedcor specializes in

authorities caught 20 tamaraws in Mindoro Occidental’s Aruyan wilderness and transported these to the farm for captive breeding there. Captive breeding wasn’t as successful as expected since this produced in June 1999 only one offspring, however. Authorities named that male offspring Kalibasib born to a tamaraw they called Mimi. Boyles said such failure to propagate the tamaraw led to the planned change in the farm’s use. ”We aim converting the farm into a showcase for specimen of various endangered species to help raise public awareness and action on protecting these,” he said. He noted aside from Kalibasib, a Mindoro freshwater crocodile already lives on the farm. A sea eagle will likely be brought there next week, he continued. ”We won’t arbitrarily source species but bring to the farm those which unscrupulous parties illegally captured,” he

assured. Earlier, PAWB Dir. Theresa Mundita Lim said government will continue spearheading conservation and protection efforts for the tamaraw as data so far indicate breeding in the wild is the way to go for propagating this mammal. “The story’s different for tamaraws in the wild as offspring of these animals are being sighted in Mount Iglit-Baco National Park (MIBNP),” she said. TCP said the April 2013 tamaraw count in MIBNP reached 345 heads, exceeding the 327 heads reported there during the same period in 2012. Boyles cited MIBNP, the Aruyan wilderness and Mt. Calavite as the three Mindoro Island locations where sightings of tamaraws have been reported over the years. He said the environment department aims undertaking the tamaraw counting activity in all those areas. [PNA]

Tamaraw farm conversion campaign gains support

HE environment department gained support for its bid to transform into a wildlife resource center government’s 280-ha. tamaraw gene pool farm in Occidental Mindoro province. According to the department’s Tamaraw Conservation Program coordinator Rodel Boyles, Occidental Mindoro provincial government issued Resolution 38 series of 2013 seeking the same transformation this agency aims achieving for the farm. ”The resolution is a manifestation of support for our bid,” he said Tuesday on the side of the forum the department’s Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB) spearheaded in Metro Manila as part of activities for this year’s celebration of Tamaraw Month. Presidential Proclamation 273 series of 2002 declared October of every year as Tamaraw Month to help better advocate and mobilize conservation and protection efforts on saving this mammal

from extinction. Boyles expects the resolution to help facilitate release of funds for target transformation of the farm which the department’s Region IV-B office manages. ”We need funds for facilities the farm needs to function as a wildlife resource center for research, education and eco-tourism,” he said. Government established the farm in 1980 for captive breeding of the critically endangered tamaraw (scientific name ‘Bubalus mindorensis’) that’s endemic to Mindoro Island. Authorities then further raced against time to save the tamaraw from extinction as data show this mammal’s population already shrank from about 10,000 heads around a century ago to only some 120 heads by 1975. Experts cited environmental degradation and hunting as major causes of the tamaraw population’s decline. TCP data show between 1982 and 1993,

developing and operating run-of-river plants. It has 19 generating facilities in the Ilocos Sur, Benguet and Davao with a total capacity of 155 MW. The company is ISO- certified for En-

vironment Management Systems and a recipient of Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Seal of Excellence as a direct result of the company’s green practices.

In Davao Gulf, environmentalists want four-month fishing closure

ARIOUS groups in the Davao Region have recommended a four-month commercial fishing closure in the Davao Gulf beginning 2014 instead of the earlier proposal of a two-year fishing ban plus a closed season. The Davao Gulf Management Council, BARog KAlikupan DAbaw, Inc. (BARKADA ng Kalikasan or Friends of the Environment) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR XI) endorsed the recommendation to the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (FARMC) for technical deliberation. “Depending on FARMC’s deliberation, there will be a closed season for commercial fishing in the Davao Gulf from June to September beginning 2014,” BFAR XI Regional Director Fatma Idris said. The Davao Gulf is a fishing ground Southeast of Mindanao with an estimated area of 3,087 square kilometer which runs on an imaginary line from Don Marcelino in Davao del Sur to Cape

Agustin Point in Davao Oriental. The recommendation was the output of the three-day consultation conducted by BFAR involving the different fisheries and environmental groups as well as commercial fishers and local governments last month. After FARMC’s deliberation, a joint Administrative Order will be issued by the departments of agriculture (DA) and of interior and local government (DILG) providing for a four-month closed season for commercial fishing in Davao Gulf. Idris said the closed season is important given the negative 7 percent fish sufficiency in the Davao Region. She said the concerned groups agreed that a two-year ban would not be feasible considering that people need fish resources and the fishermen also have their livelihood. “The June to September closed season may be enough since it will give tuna and the other fish species enough time for spawning and reproduction,” she said. [PNA ]

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

EDITORIAL

VOL. 6 ISSUE 164 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013

Urgent concern

ULSE ASIA, the survey company, has found that corruption is the most urgent concern of Filipinos nowadays. Actually, corruption has always been the people’s top concern, only this time, the percentage of survey respondents giving urgency to this recurring issue has increased, jumping by 17 points to 48 percent. It is easy to discern why. At no other point in history has rampant corruption, or stealing of taxpayers’ money, been so exposed than now. While before we just suspected X congressman and X senator were pocketing the people’s money, today with the expose of the P10-billion pork barrel scam masterminded by Janet Lim Napoles, we have confirmed it. But the people are not incensed enough. They seem still vulnerable to the manipulations of propagandists and other parties who might have partaken of the largesse of the hated pork barrel during its heydays. And, haven’t you noticed that instead of denying the accusation of plunder against them, those who

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are already charged with stealing our money seem to be saying “ah, we are all corrupt, so why single us out?” How galling can one get?! If the Filipino people allow these thieving politicians and their cohorts to muddle the issue, sow confusion and succeed in diverting the public’s attention, they might just get away with their crime. Then, we will again miss a great opportunity for real reforms in our government and society. People should take advantage of the presence of President Noynoy, whose credibility is very high, because his reputation has remained untarnished by any wrongdoing. Unfortunately, it will not remain so if the people will allow themselves to be manipulated by a carefully crafted and well-oiled propaganda machine bankrolled by the thieves. Let’s be wary and use our coconuts in analyzing issues carefully! We should not swallow hook line and sinker what opinion-makers say, no matter how big their name and reputation is. For all we know, they’re just as gullible as we are, ordinary mortals.

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 164 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013

Poll fraud

RADITIONALLY PART OF PHILIPPINE ELECTIONS – Even in more democratic times, electoral fraud is all too common, or all too often suspected. Let’s just say that poll irregularities are succeeding not only in the conduct of manual process but even during automated elections. Why do candidates and their people cheat during elections particularly in a Philippine setting? Simply because they can political experts say. The recently concluded barangay elections was relatively peaceful compared to the previous national and local polls, however, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) stated there are still cases of irregularities specifically because the manual counting system was being employed. The process of manual counting allows dubious candidates to cheat without much difficulty. Candidates and their campaign workers can bribe or intimidate people to vote their way or just to stay home. Cheating occurred nationwide during the barangay polls, Vote buying, ‘flying voters,’ vote rigging, disenfranchisement, ballot snatching not to mention incidents of shooting, grenade-throwing, harassment and intimidation made it in the headlines. In a sleigh of hand, cheaters can knock voters off the registration lists, mark ballots early, fake ballots or accompanying illiterate or disabled voters inside the polling booths to offer advice or force on whom to choose. Not only has election-rigging been too easy in the country, but proving fraud has been a difficult task. The electorate firmly believed that candidates during the barangay polls and even in future elections will not find things to be much different. Fraud has traditionally been part of Philippine elections and the recent barangay polls were no exception. The simplest

way to swing an election is just to buy votes. Prices vary, but the method is nearly always the same. Once candidates strike a deal, they give voters carefully folded pieces of blank paper and carbon paper so they can make a copy of their ballots. Shady candidates, after all, don’t want to be duped. Intimidation and harassment are common too. Some candidates and their goons would insist on accompanying a voter into the polling booth although he didn’t need help. He will then be forced to vote despite against his will, but grudgingly obliged for fear of his life. These forms of electoral anomalies are very effective in the local and barangay levels. Other tactics, though, are considered to be in subtle category. By far as it had been observed, the most blatant form of poll fraud is vote buying. The Omnibus Election Code makes both vote buying and vote selling a criminal offense, but it has not deterred many people notably the poor from converting their votes into merchandise. This is because the twin acts become a sociological problem. Political experts and sociologists reiterated that in a country where we have a lot of poor people and whose lives are not changed at all by changes of government and administration, it is extremely difficult to convince voters not to accept P200, P300, P500 or maybe even higher during election day. Dishonesty is something that has become endemic and sys-

temic in our political processes. In the minds of many Filipinos, armed goons intimidating and harassing voters and seizing ballot boxes have often been dirty and violent. However, on that point, they are very incorrect, observe political analysts. Vote buying and “flying voters” on Election Day, as a matter of fact, have been the norm in previous elections and even during the just concluded barangay polls. In Davao City, the barangay elections was generally peaceful, however, local political pundits observed that voters’ turnout was notably low compared to last May local elections. Problems of the past still haunt this year’s barangay polls and expected to continue in forthcoming electoral exercises. It is chiefly the process of manual counting that prompted some election watchdogs and other groups to have the counting automated in the hope of shortening the period to a week from the traditional one to one and a half months. But although the automation process had already been utilized during the past presidential and local elections, losing candidates and the opposition alleged that there was still massive cheating – wholesale cheating as they would call it. When will we ever learn our lessons? Is there no more hope to mend our ways and become law-abiding citizens? Can we not vote according to our clear conscience and avoid bribery. Fraudulent poll schemes employed by shameless bets to win an election actually are an acid test for the poll body’s mettle. People could see if it would uphold the integrity of the electoral processes. In the end, it falls on the electorate to protect the sanctity of their votes. For it is during the electoral exercises that they have to understand the democratic processes and if they are truly deserving of social equality.

that goes with it. For one, pictures are now simply “uploaded” and sent by email in just a matter of seconds. In the old days, we used to chase the flight schedules of Lufthansa immediately after covering a big event here in the Philippines---like the assassination of Ninoy Aquino, People Power revolution, etc.--- to send our color slide photos to Paris. This old color picture of Sipa Press also showed me, together with Tom Haley, an American photojournalist, raising our fists mockingly in front of our Feature Editor Phyllis Springer who reluctantly agreed to take our picture together, facing Edwina working on her table that we took over for awhile. I don’t know what happened to all three of them, but my best guess is they were all swept away from Sipa by the newest technologies taking over media industries all over the world. It wasn’t surprising to know that in

my occasional Google browsing, I found out that Sipa Press went bankrupt in 2011 and bought by its German Sipa branch, which also went belly up. With millions of dollars worth of photo archives, Sipa Press fought to keep the valuable photo stock files--- which also contained some of the most memorable photos I took during the People Power revolution. If I’m not wrong, a Belgian group of investors who were former photojournalists bought and took over Sipa. New modern technology has already taken over Sipa Press after its Greek owner Sipahioglu died, of old age, I guess, and its new owners frantically modernizing the operations of this Paris-based photo news agency. News pictures are now sent in an instant using the latest technology in photo transmission by Sipa photojournalists from all over the world. If you ask me, I still missed my old manual Nikons and that light meter hanging round my neck. Now, with the auto-focus and auto- exposure one gets from Nikon, Canon, Olympus and other cameras, it’s much faster and easier to cover the news with pictures and videos these days. (Comments > tradingpost_davao@yahoo.com)

Impact of internet on photo news reporting

HAD NO idea how much the coming of the internet caused the collapse of many industries which weren’t prepared for it until I opened an old album last week showing old pictures of my trip to Germany and France in 1992. What was so obvious was the office of Sipa Press in Paris where I used to work as a photojournalist and Philippine correspondent in the 80’s. It was sad to see how modern technology had to change how we do things at one of the world’s three biggest news photo agencies. I was looking at a big picture of this office showing Edwina, our office assistant, checking out the black-and-white thumbnail print-outs of pictures sent by Sipa photojournalists from all over the world, a black phone by her side and a portable fax machine nearby. Right in front of Edwina was a blue-grey cabinet stacked with files and white envelopes containing more pictures from Sipa photojournalists while lying quietly at the end of her long table was a big white bulky computer---which at that time was the latest model, but today thrown away as junk. I realized now that all these things on her table today will be gone and replaced by simpler, but more efficient and powerful tools like the internet and everything else

VANTAGE POINTS

Filipinos now start to feel the cold Siberian winds SPECIAl FEATURE By Honor Blanco caBie

(Conclusion)

CCORDING to Church scholars, the midnight Mass has been an orthodox Catholic tradition and has been celebrated with great devotion and ardor, the traditions varying in different regions but maintaining the essence round the world. In the Philippines, some start planning what to prepare for the “noche buena” after hearing the midnight Mass on Dec. 24. While some prepared items differ slightly from table to table, the food – from viands to fruits and desserts – are nearly the same across the country. In Baybay Uno in Bislig City, the family of Edrian Advincula is set to prepare again “maja blanca,” spaghetti, meat balls, “biko,” and fruits in season, practically the same as those prepared by siblings Jane Recede and Marivic Rosal of Minglanilla in Cebu. The family of Maricar Estrada of Tonsuya, Malabon, who had rebased from Silay City in Negros Occidental, would be cooking spaghetti and “biko,” fried chicken, and different fruits, nearly similar to what Rosemarie Monieva of Sagay City will prepare for her family. In Looc, Romblon, Elizabeth Santiago will go for “lechon manok” – “lechon baboy” is for the rich, she says – but she will also prepare for the dining table pancit, “maja blanca,” “suman,” bananas and apples. In the coastal town of Macalelon in Quezon, Rico Gajolin and his family will, as in years past, prepare for the family and relations what he calls the native – spelled Quezon – “tikoy, “lechon manok,” inihaw na karne ng baboy,” “katang,” or what Tagalogs call “alimasag,” buko salad, “kalamay” and a few varieties of fruits he will bring home from Manila where he works. zoilo Calicdan, who now works in Manila but will be home in Mangaldan this Christmas, says his parents will prepare once more the Ilocano favorite “lauya,” “bulalo,” “kakanin,” “dudumen” with coconut milk, “biko” and native fruits like mangoes and bananas. This is practically the same preparation Gertrudes Atencio of Moncada will be preparing for her parents and sisters, as well as the preparation by Leng Acebo of San Pablo, Isabela. At a middle income subdivision east of Manila, Dong, who has a food catering service on the side, will prepare the family’s favorite “pinakbet,” “bagnet” or pork rinds, “menudo,” originally a Mexican dish, and the Spanish higado, or what the family calls “gupi,” comprising fatty pork loin and liver cooked with red bell pepper and peas in a salty-sour sauce. As usual, there will also be several varieties of fruits in season – enough for five adults and two little boys that make up the household. The dawn Mass traces its roots to Mexico when, in 1587, the pope granted the petition of Fray Diego de Soria, prior of the convent of San Agustin Acolman, to hold Christmas Mass outdoors because the church could not accommodate the many people attending the evening Mass. Observers of Philippine culture say Christmas Day in this multi-lingual country is ushered in by the nine-day dawn Masses. It eventually became known as “Misa Aguinaldo” or also “Misa de Gallo” (Rooster’s Mass) in the traditional Spanish. As the cold winds sweep the country, the countdown to the nine dawn Masses and the midnight Mass begins. [PNA]

10 NEWS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 164 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

Thieves...FFROM 1 deny the accusations. After all, is that not the natural reaction of anyone who is accused of anything? And yet, in the midst of all their extended counter-accusations hurled against me, not once have I heard them say: I did not steal.” “And since it is exceedingly difficult to explain, it seems they have taken the advice of an old politician from their camp: If you can’t explain it, muddle it; if you can’t deodorize it, make everyone else stink; if you can’t look good, make everyone look bad. You have heard what they are saying: that we are all the same.” “My response: We are not the same. I have never stolen. I am not a thief. I am the one who goes after thieves. We appointed people of unquestionable integrity who are fulfilling their sworn duties. Did we not appoint the Commission on Audit leadership that reviewed the documents leading to the discovery of PDAF abuse? And now, can we not expect a fair and just investigation, because the Ombudsman we appointed walks alongside us along the straight path? “Let me make it clear: The Disbursement Allocation Program is not pork barrel.” “You are all witnesses to the conflict taking place. On one hand, there is you and your government, to whom you gave the mandate for change—a government that has implemented reform for the past three years and five months, pursuing the corrupt and working to alleviate poverty. On the other side, you have the corrupt officials allegedly involved in the Pork Barrel Scam. “Might I remind those who have forgotten: The real issue here is stealing. This is the topic they have constantly tried to avoid ever since their wrongdoing was exposed. I can’t help but shake my head, since the first thing I expected was for them to at least deny the accusations. After all, is that not the natural reaction of anyone who is accused of anything? And

yet, in the midst of all their extended counter-accusations hurled against me, not once have I heard them say: “I did not steal.” “One would have hoped that out of respect for those who believed in, and voted, for them, these officials would have fulfilled their sworn duties. At the very least one would have expected them to explain how it happened that the beneficiaries of the NGOs they chose to fund was just a list of board passers seemingly culled from newspapers. But how can we take their excuses seriously, when after repeated instances of their giving money to the same NGOs, they had not once bothered to check if the funds they allocated actually reached the intended beneficiaries? This state of affairs is indeed difficult, even impossible, to explain away. “And since it is exceedingly difficult to explain, it seems they have taken the advice of an old politician from their camp: If you can’t explain it, muddle it; if you can’t deodorize it, make everyone else stink; if you can’t look good, make everyone look bad. You have heard what they are saying: that we are all the same. “My response: We are not the same. I have never stolen. I am not a thief. I am the one who goes after thieves. We appointed people of unquestionable integrity who are fulfilling their sworn duties. Did we not appoint the Commission on Audit leadership that reviewed the documents leading to the discovery of PDAF abuse? And now, can we not expect a fair and just investigation, because the Ombudsman we appointed walks alongside us along the straight path? “Let me make it clear: The Disbursement Allocation Program is not pork barrel. Of the DAP releases in 2011 and 2012, only nine percent was disbursed for projects suggested by legislators. The DAP is not theft. Theft is illegal. Spending through DAP is clearly allowed by the Constitution and by other laws. DAP is

For 2011, DPWH 11 has implemented 499 projects, for a total budget of P2.7 billion, with a hundred percent completion rate. For the school building projects, as of October 15, DPWH 11 has implemented 159 projects, for a total budget of P360,838,000, with 130 projects completed, and 39 still on-going. Arquiza said, some of the main challenges that they face that caused the delays of some of the projects are the continuous rain, the right of way, and peace and order issues. He said, DPWH is not greatly affected by the

“pork barrel scam” where the Priority Development Assistance Funds (PDAF) were placed on a temporary restraining order by the Supreme Court, since PDAF is not a regularly being allocated to DPWH. “DPWH is the safest agency against the pork barrel. Since we follow strict process and guidelines,” he said, adding that, “one major issue that we face is the qualities of the projects, which are slowly developing since DPWH Secretary Rogelio L. Singson strengthen the transparency in the agency.”

P7.1B...FFROM 2

only a name for a process in which government can spend both savings and new and additional revenues. “Where did these funds come from? They came from our efforts to stop the connivance of some in bidding for contracts, in padding costs, overpricing, and kickbacks. They came from the proper spending of our budget. They came from good governance now seen in our GOCCs; just one example of this is the MWSS, an agency once buried in debt, and which now remits dividends to the national government annually. Savings, above-target collections, and new revenues are the results of good governance. And because of DAP, these funds were allocated to projects that were within the proposed budget and that had a clear benefit to the country. “How does this mechanism work? Simple. There are some agencies that, for a variety of reasons, are unable to implement their projects right away; on the other hand, there are those that are very efficient in implementing their projects. When projects are stalled, naturally, we will not spend for them. We did not allow these funds to remain dormant. We looked for programs under implementing agencies that had proven themselves to be fast and efficient, and we channeled our savings into these programs—together with the additional revenue of the government. The benefits of these projects reached our countrymen faster and earlier, and we were able to spend the money allocated yearly in our National Budget more prudently and efficiently. “You can decide for yourselves: Is this wrong? When has it ever been wrong to look for a constitutional way to serve our countrymen more effectively? DAP funded Project NOAH, which gives accurate and timely warnings during calamities. Also because of DAP, under the Training-for-Work Scholarship Program of TESDA, almost 150,000 Filipinos were able

to study, and no less than 90,000 of them are currently employed. DAP also benefited our Air Force and the police. Through DAP, we were able to construct infrastructure in Mindanao and other parts of the country; restore the benefits of DepEd employees by paying their GSIS premiums, which had long been unpaid by the government; and fund many other programs and projects that have a real, tangible benefit to Filipinos. “DAP also played an important role in our economic resurgence. According to the World Bank, DAP contributed 1.3 percentage points to our GDP growth in the fourth quarter of 2011. Let us compare: isn’t it true that, when they were still in power, we were called the “Sick Man of Asia”? Today, we can choose from a number of new labels: Asia’s fastest growing economy, Rising Tiger, Brightest Spark. And let’s include the investment grade status we received from the three most reputable credit ratings agencies in the world. This economic growth— and its positive effects, which have redounded to our countrymen, especially those in the margins of society—this is the product of principled spending, and not of stealing. Money once pocketed by the corrupt is now being used to help our people, particularly the poor. “Let me also take this chance to explain the President’s Social Fund. There are times when we will need funds that can be disbursed quickly to meet sudden needs. For example: we needed funds to provide assistance to the families of soldiers and policemen who fell in the line of duty while responding to the threat posed by the MNLF-Misuari Faction in zamboanga. There were also those who fell in the course of rescue and relief operations in the wake of Typhoon Sendong. The PSF funded these; without it, without calamity or contingency funds, they would have continued to suffer.

“Because these funds were abused in the past, people are saying that perhaps we will abuse them today—even if no one has accused us of stealing or of using them in the wrong manner. Some propose to remove them completely. Would this be just? If only it were that simple—but what would we then do in case of natural disasters? Even if we were lucky and Congress was in session, it would take at least four months of debate before Congress can approve the funding we need. “If you are in zamboanga, with a child crying from hunger, and government tells you that it cannot help you just yet, it would need to haggle with Congress first—how would you feel? We have the money, and we have the mechanisms that will ensure this money goes where it’s needed most. Would it be right to deprive our countrymen of the care they direly need? “I repeat: The issue here is theft. I did not steal. Those who have been accused of stealing are those who are sowing confusion; they want to dismantle all that we have worked so hard to achieve on the straight path. We were stolen from, we were deceived—and now we are the ones being asked to explain? I have pursued truth and justice, and have been dismantling the systems that breed the abuse of power—and yet I am the one now being called the “Pork Barrel King”? “This is what I say to them: If you think that this will stop me from going after you, if you think that you can divert the public’s attention, if you think you can get away with stealing from our countrymen—you have sorely underestimated me and the Filipino people. If there still remains some vestige of kindness in your hearts, I hope that you stop acting in self-interest, and instead act to help your fellowmen. “When my father returned home on the twenty-first of August 1983, he had a speech prepared. Filipinos never got to hear

it, because he was murdered right on the tarmac. In that speech, he quoted Archibald MacLeish: “How shall freedom be defended? By truth when it is attacked by lies.” Now that falsehood and deception are threatening the Filipino’s right to a clean and honest government, the truth stands as our most powerful weapon. Tonight, I laid out the truth of what has been happening in our nation. I hope that in the coming days, you will talk about this amongst yourselves—in your families, in the groups you belong to, between friends and colleagues, within your communities—and that you can arrive at an understanding and a resolve that aligns with the truth. “My Bosses, we have fought so many battles. And I am grateful that no matter how foul the slander and the sabotage, you never let go, you never gave up. Together we proved that there are no tyrants if there are no slaves. Now, those who have abused our trust want to cast us off the course towards the fulfillment of our collective aspirations. I do not believe that you will let this pass. And so long as you are with me, I will continue to stand for our principles. “I have no doubt that, whether or not I am in office, you, our Bosses whose minds and hearts are in the right place, will continue and will finish the fight. This knowledge is the source of my strength and my courage. “After all, is it not true that, not too long ago, the system in place was one where the Filipino people had grown tired of dreaming, of fighting back, of doing their part? Today, there are so many of us who are collectively forging the positive and meaningful reforms that are taking place in society. I have every confidence that you will more actively choose to be on the side of what is right, what is truthful, and what is just. This is why I am thankful today, because I know that we will continue our march on the straight path.”

Leonar said that it is the intention of his client to ask the court to urgently order the accused (her ex-boyfriend) to stop harassing her and to surrender the camera used and have whatever was recorded in the picture deleted before the court. When the complaint was raffled off, the case fell on the sala of Judge Lope L. Callo of Branch 33 of Davao City’s Regional Trial Court (RTC). It was learned that RTC Judge Callo is currently on leave, a reason Lili’s petition can not be acted

upon until Callo returns to work next week. “Adto-adtoan lang sa police, pero dili 24 hours kay daghan baya bantayan (Police can visit her from time to time, but not 24 hours a day because we have a lot of other people to protect),” Danao said. He said police can provide fulltime assistance only to someone who is under the witness protection program. “If may threat na talaga sa kanyang life then we can do that (However, if there is real threat to her life, we can still do that),”Danao said.

The court is expected to hear the petition Monday afternoon, since Nov. 1 is a holiday. Leonar, counsel of the complainant, said that Lili urgently needs the protection order as to stop the spread of the lewd photo. The pictures became viral in Bankerohan and Barangay 10 and one of the reasons she failed to win the election. Leonar also said that they prioritized the protection order as it is a prerequisite in filing charges against the barangay official for

violation of the Republic Act (RA) 9262 otherwise known as the AntiViolence Against Women and Children (VAWC) Act of 2004. They are waiting for the counter-affidavit of the accused before the City Prosecution Office. The complainant reported this to the police after the circulation of the photo scandal and after allegedly receiving death threats. Olanolan vehemently denied allegations, saying that his rivals in the barangay elections were just using the victim to destroy him. [EPC]

Police...FFROM 2

EDGEDAVAO

NATION

VOL. 6 ISSUE 164 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013

MANILA

DPWH reactivates ‘Lakbay-Alalay’ for Undas T

HE Department of Public Works and Highways reactivated on Wednesday its “Lakbay Alalay” program to assist motorists during the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. In a statement, DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson said regional and district engineers nationwide

were already directed to set-up regular service program of the department, starting at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 30 until 12:00 noon of Monday, November 4. Singson said the team will be composed of engineers, mechanics, equipment operators and other service crew who will extend free roadside

DaVaO Helen’s PaWnsHOP cOrP.

De Guzman St., Davao City • Telefax (082)225-4473 nOtIce OF aUctIOn sale ll unredeemed items pawned during the month of June 2013,if not redeemed/renewed on October 31, 2013 will be put on Auction Sale November 4, 2013 at 9:00 A. M. to 5:00 P.M. Pahibalo nga ang tanang wala malukat nga prenda sa bulan Hunyo 2013,kung dili malukat sa Oktubre 31,2013 isubasta sa bulan sa Nobyembre 4, 2013 sa alas 9:00 sa buntag hangtud sa alas 5:00 sa hapon. DaVaO Helen’s PaWnsHOP cOrPOratIOn Davao City: 252 San Pedro St., 167 San Pedro St., CVA Bldg., C. M. Recto St., G/F Victoria Plaza Bajada, 120-B Lapu-lapu St., Agdao 75C R. Magsaysay Ave., 2nd Level Gaisano Mall Bajada, G/F NCCC Bldg., R. Magsaysay Ave., Centerpoint Plaza Matina Fronting San Pedro College Guerrero St., Carlson Bldg., Lapu-lapu St.,Agdao, NCCC Mall Matina, Saavedra St., Toril, Gaisano South Citimall, Ilustre St., Km. 11 Sasa, Km. 13, Panacan, Boulevard, Buhangin, Cabantian, Bankerohan, Calinan, Davao del Norte, Gaisano Mall, Panabo, Davao del Norte, Gaisano Grand Mall of Tagum, Tagum City, Gaisano Mall of Tagum, Tagum City, Purok Marilag 11, Quezon, St.,Tagum City, Davao del Sur, Gaisano Grand Mall of Digos , Quezon St., Digos City.

leGal nOtIce

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late CIRIACO B. MARALIT and CRISANTA M. MARALIT has been the subject of an EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENTexecuted by their heirs per Doc. No.247; Page No. 50; Book No. I1; Series of 2013 of the NOTARY PUBLIC CHARMAINE VALENTIN. 10/14/21/31

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emergency repair assistance and help for travelers. They will be deployed in strategic locations along national highways, where the influx of motorists going to both public and private cemeteries in the cities and provinces are expected. Singson earlier reminded his men in the field to ensure that proper signage, warnings and readable directional signs, along the national roads and on-going projects are installed properly. “All on-going road construction should have warning signs with deployed traffic aides/ personnel to manage traffic and reduce inconvenience to public”, said Singson. He also suggested implementation of traffic rerouting scheme or alternate routes to avoid heavy traffic at on-going projects. Pangasinan already implemented an alternate route at the on-going rehabilitation along

MANILA

HALLOWEEN COSTUME TILT. Toddlers accompanied by parents make a dry-run for their fairytale character costume presentation for the “Halloween” at the SM City Calamba atrium event center. The SM City Calamba’s costume tilt is set on the eve of “All Saints’ Day” on Nov. 1. [PNA CALABARZON photo by Saul E. Pa-a] the Binalonan-Pozorubbio-Sison section of Manila North Road. Region 1 OIC-Director Melanio Briosos said motorists are also advised to avoid traffic gridlock at the Tarlac-Pangasinan (Carmen) Boundary to Pangasinan-La Union

(Sison) and instead utilize the following alternate routes: (a) Carmen-Rosales-Sta. Maria-Asingan-Binalonan Road (Magilas Trail); (b) BinalonanLaoac-Pozorrubio Road;

(c) Urdaneta-Manaoag-San Jacinto-San Fabian-Damortis Jct., La Union Road (for light vehicles only); and (d) Binalonan-LaoacManaoag-San Jacinto-San Fabian-Damortis Jct., La Union (for light vehicles only). [PNA]

95 percent of winners in around 40,000 barangays in PHL have been proclaimed T

HE Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday said that 95 percent of the more than 40,000 barangays in the country have been proclaimed. Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes said that the figure does not include the 98 barangays in strife-torn zamboanga City, and the 1,109 barangays in quake-hit Bohol, as well as the 97 other barangays. Elections in the two provinces will be conducted on November 25. Based on the Comelec

MANILA

report, six regions have already completed 100 percent proclamations. These are Ilocos Region; Central Luzon; Calabarzon; Mimaropa; Bicol Region; and Western Visayas. It added that in the National Capital Region (NCR), 95.7 percent of the barangays have been proclaimed. Other areas nearing completion are in the Cordillera Administrative Region (99.2 percent); Cagayan Valley (99.4 percent); Eastern Visayas (98.5 percent); Northern Mindanao

(99.3 percent); Davao Region (99.6 percent); Soccsksargen (98.9 percent); and Caraga (99.9 percent). Brillantes said they are expecting to proclaim more winners on Wednesday and Thursday. “We should be able to do some more proclamations today and tomorrow. There are still some parts where canvassing is still ongoing,” he said. In Central Visayas, where Bohol belongs, there is already 62.7 percent proclamation while in zamboanga

Peninsula, where zamboanga City is among them, there is 94.6 percent proclamation of winners. Meanwhile, the poll body did not give out the data on the proclamation in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) saying that they are still gathering reports from their field officials. Brillantes added that 69 out of the 97 barangays outside Bohol and zamboanga City, where elections were suspended, are in the ARMM. [PNA]

al Romeo Fajardo during the press briefing held in PAGASA. Fajardo said a red alert means with all concerned personnel on standby. “We declared a red alert all regions especially regions 1, 2 and

CAR that may be affected in the coming days are on standby,” he added. He said units on alert include disaster management teams in Regions 1, 2 and CAR. He added that teams from various govern-

ment agencies are on alert and ready to respond to contingencies. These include the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police. [PNA]

NDRRMC on red alert for storm ‘Vinta’

HE National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Thursday has placed all regions on red alert for the possible effects of Tropical “Vinta”. This was declared by NDRRMC Official Gener-

12 ClASSIFIEDS There’s a better way to get attention.

VOL. 6 ISSUE 164 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 164 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013

Globe-powered ICT labs bring learning into the 21st century K

NOWN for its rich marine life, majestic thresher sharks, and powdery beaches, Malapascua Island in Cebu offers the ultimate escape from the urban jungle. While its isolated location is one of the lures for the thousands of tourists that flock to its shores every year, it is also the reason there is minimal modern infrastructure on the island. Logon Elementary School, the only school offering the K-12 program in the area, and Logon High School, the only secondary school here, are all too aware of the effects of this isolation. “We are now in the 21st century and we must accept the changes and learn from it,” says Rhovic Punay, ICT Coordinator for Logon Elementary. “But it was difficult to find sources of funds for the improvement of our computer lab.” Logon High School

faced a similar situation. “Due to the limited number of computers, we find it hard to integrate technology with our lessons,” says Benjie Ano-os, OIC for the school. Besides hindering students from learning computer and Internet literacy, this lack of technology also meant teachers had limited access to the latest teaching materials and methodologies. All this has changed for both Logon Elementary and High School. With Malapascua having been chosen as one of Globe Telecom’s communities of practice under its Corporate Social Responsibility program, the schools recently became beneficiaries of the company’s iAccess advocacy pillar. This pillar seeks to provide underserved communities access to quality education and social services. In keeping with this advocacy, Globe furnished both schools

with computer labs, each consisting of an 11-user Multipoint System. Rhovic is delighted by how they are now able to give hands on training to students on real world skills. She says, “We are better able to teach students on using Microsoft Office programs in order to make work easier.” The technology is also key in engaging students in the classroom. “Everyone is excited and very happy. Students can easily comprehend the lessons because they find it very interesting, and it’s convenient for them,” says Benjie. Even the teachers are enthusiastic about the new technology. According to Benjie, “The teachers find it very useful. It also lightens our burden especially in catching the attention of our students.” Rhovic, meanwhile, says, “We are able to develop the confidence to use com-

Students work on the new computers at Logon Elementary School. puters as we explore the different functions and learn more.” The schools have big plans for the computer labs, going so far as to open them to others in their community.

Benjie says, “We hope to accommodate more students and extend the use of the labs to the out of school youth who wish to learn about computers.” More than just a

means to learn computer and Internet literacy, the establishment of computer labs signaled the start of the transformation of the learning environment in Malapascua Island.

14 SPORTS EDGEDavao Davao Partners

VOL. 6 ISSUE 164 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

Pinoy Pride restored as Servania dishes out “sweet”revenge

HIIPPINES’ boxers from the ALA Gym proved their superior talent over the world with the overwhelming sweep of KO’s over their international opponents last Saturday at Pinoy Pride XXII: “The Revenge”, held at the Waterfront Casino and Hotel, Cebu City. The venue was packed with tense fans eager to taste revenge and victory in this double -title event. For the main fight, Genesis “Azukal” Servania was battling former champion Rafael Concepcion from Panama for the vacant WBO International Super-Bantamweight. In addition to his conquest of the belt, Servania was under extreme pressure to avenge veteran stablemate AJ Banal, since Concepcion had unexpectedly robbed Banal for the Interim WBA World Super Flyweight title 5 years ago. Servania, whose nickname Azukal means “sugar” in Filipino, served fans a sweet victory as he deftly stopped Concepcion at 2:46 of round 2. Servania’s powerful blow to the jaw rendered the Panamanian boxer unconscious, ironically overturning Concepcion’s pretentious prediction during last week’s press conference that Servania would need a pillow after the fight. Servania remains undefeated with 23 wins, 9 by KO. For the second title fight, current OPBF Super-Bantamweight belt holder “King” Arthur Villanueva (24-0, 14 KOs) earned yet another crown against Mexico’s Edgar “Chololo” Martinez

(16-8). The undefeated “King” landed swift, accurate punches and knocked the Mexican fighter down within seconds of the initial bell, then down for the count by 1:49 of the first round, crowning him as the WBO International Super-Flyweight champion. Also dishing out speedy knockouts were former champion Roli “zuma” Gasca (21-4-1, 6 KOs) and promising Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo (4-0, 3 KOs). Gasca’s opponent, Indonesia’s ill-prepared Lande Olin (12-4) was saved by the bell after being downed twice in the first round, then was finished off by Gasca’s solid blows with a KO in the second. Up-and-coming prodigy Magsayo quickly disposed of his challenge, Hagibis Quinones (3-111) with a lightning-quick KO only seconds within the first round. Other undercard victories included featherweight Mark “Machete” Bernaldez with a TKO in the sixth round against fighter Khunkiri Wor Wisaruth (10-6-1). Despite Bernaldez’ plethora of landed shots, the Thailand boxer managed to stay standing until deemed unfit to continue due to a major cut on his eye. Richard “Chiwawa” Barrios and Elmo “Bisdak” Traya won their bouts with unanimous decisions by the judges against Filipino fighters Rocky Incepido and Gabby Siempo, respectively, while Japanese Kazuma Ejiri dealt a KO to Filipino fighter Dodong Katigan. All in all, a flawless victory card for ALA Gym.

HE NCCC Mall Bowling, Billards and Bar (B3) Center hosts this week’s edition of the Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum set at 10:30 a.m. today. Guests are B3 marketing assistant Prely John Ochia and University of Mindanao’s National University Games double gold medalist Sonny Wagdos. Ochia will tackle the 2nd Tide Marathon

Matirang Matibay Tenpin Davao Open set to roll off on November 12. Wagdos, for his part, will share his experience in just-concluded Games held in Bacolod City. Also invited were organizers of the Marco Polo Fun Run and a representative from the Sports Development Division of the City Mayor’s Office regarding the city’s Batang Pinoy national finals stint.

NCCC B3 hosts DSA forum today T

INdulge!

VOL. 6 ISSUE 164 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

FOOD

Sweet’s Kitchen at Blugre MTS

Cannot seem to get enough of what you want? Eating one cake after another is normal. Yes, it is. Imagine yourself surrounded by some of the most delicious looking, sensical smelling and palate exploding sweet cravings in the heart of Matina town Square under a moonlit sky. not to mention a cup of freshly brewed coffee for a pairing like no other. now, isn’t that just the perfect way to end a week? Blugre has been part and parcel of how Davao’

s cafe and coffee shops evolved. With time, it has become the premiere destination and go to place when in town. With its wide array of sweet fixins and coffee selection, both hot and cold, you will surely have more than you have ever dreamed of. Corn Loaf Is a personal favorite. The softness of the core makes you happy as a kid

fixture that has taken everyone’s palate. I have not heard of anyone who has not been overtaken by this hot and cold goodness. The moment that hot cream is drizzled over this velvety cake, you know you are in good hands!

inside a candy store! arrestingly delicious with a simple hot drink. Red Velvet a formidable player in the sweet field. Blugre’s version is soft and velvet in the inside. Paired with a cup of hot coffee, this makes for a perfect night cap. Durian Bar Inevitable piece when in town. Get your cravings fixed with a piece of durian bar and a cold drink. now, that is life! Macaroons The hard shell makes up for the sweet and juicy coconut inside. Imagine a big serving of your favorite macaroons and feel the smile creeping up your face --big time! Halo-Halo Cake The colors on this cake are simsple yet elegant at the same time. Imagine a bowl of your sweet halohalo, minus the ice and in cake form. Every bite equals to an explosion like no other! truly a sparkling piece of cake!

Try their unique HaloHalo Cake that is beyond words.

Blugre’s heavenly Red Smooth cheesecake will always be Velvet Cake. the best.

BluGre’s rich chocolate cake.

Chocolate Torte This is a constant cake

The banoffe pie is creamy, sweet and everything nice.

The mini cheesy Ensaymada Balls is as beautiful as its The Chocolate Torte like Katy Perry’s taste. Hot and Cold song. . . catchy and tasty!

Chocolate ala Mode This is an ultimate sweet fixture that speaks forth of Davao and Blugre in a cup. The moment you dive into it, the chocolate triples to a notch that leaves you breathless! If you have not, then you must! try this and thank us after. Cheesy Ensaymada Balls a definite pocketfull of sunshine that is bursting with cheese, butter and

The staff and crew at Blugre Mts are so warm and friendly. sugar with every bite. The simplicity of this time immemorial favorite is the best companion when chilling at MtS! Indeed, Blugre is more than its caffeine goodness. It too is a definite sweet hub that can cater to all that you want -- and more. Their extensive choices of cakes is enough to get you floating and roaring with glee. take time to sa-

vour the totality of Bluge, Davao as well, with every bite! See you there. Thank you Panda World Travel and Tours of Boyet Apalit, MBA for the help and accomodation. For more flying years! Happy Halloween all:) Be a part of Davao’s Thursday Habit! Email me at bffsa457@gmail.com and follow me on instagram @ herroyalheiress.

EDGEDAVAO

A2 INdulge! UP AND ABOUT

Tricks, treats, sights, and sweets at Abreeza Mall on Halloween! ABReezA MALL is the best place for kids and the entire family to celebrate Halloween, because on October 31, 2013, treats will fill the mall—literally! expect a shower of sweetness as Abreeza Mall holds the Halloween Sweet Fun Day, a day of delectable candies, cool costumes, wacky food games, and sweet-tacular flicks. From 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., young ones in costume get to join Fun Tricks to Sweet Treats, a trick-or-treating activity that will have them going around various stores in Abreeza Mall to score sweet surprises. At the same time, children can sit in on a free viewing of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory through Sweet Reel Deal at the Activity Center. For the entire afternoon, fun pocket activities will take place simultaneously at the Activity Center. Guests can step inside the Candied Shot Photo Booth, a photo booth with replicas of sweets as props. Kids can profess their love for sweets at Candy Faces, a face painting station featuring illustrations of sugary treats. Through eye Candy, the mall-goer spotted sporting the cutest candy-inspired getup will receive a Robinsons gift certificate worth Php 1,000. One of Halloween Sweet Fun Day’s major gimmicks, the Halloween Fun eat Feats food challenges will have both kids and adults devouring giant servings of hotdogs, cupcakes, burgers, pizza, ice cream, donuts, and waffles! At 5:30 p.m., Sweet Drops will let kids grab candy-loaded balloons that drop from up high, as well as have their picture taken with the lovable Strawberry Shortcake mascot. To end things on a sweet note, Halloween Sweet Fun Day will close with another delightful children’s movie screening. Kids 12 years old and below can experience all this fantastic fun on Halloween Sweet Fun Day; just present a minimum single or accumulated receipt purchase worth Php 1,000 dated October 25 to 31 from Abreeza at the concierge at the ground floor. For more information, visit the Abreeza concierge or call (082) 3219332. To stay updated on happenings in Abreeza Mall, like Abreeza Mall’s official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/AbreezaMall, and follow @abreezatweets on Twitter and @iloveabreezamall on Instagram.

Tattoo leads tablet revolution in Phl with most affordable tablet bundle plans NOw that you have the whole world at the touch of your finger, there has never been a better time to spark a revolution. Tattoo, the country’s most reliable mobile broadband, welcomes you to the tablet age with the finest and most affordable bundle plans for your tablet devices. with the Tattoo Tablet Bundles, get three free devices in one amped-up plan harnessing high-speed mobility and connectivity all in one super-power bundle. More than that, Tattoo also allows you to maximize the features of your tablets by offering ultra-fast internet speed. of 7.2 Mbps giving everyone a great tablet experience both for personal and business use. Offering the synergy of unlimited internet browsing and mobile text and calls is Tattoo’s Tablet Bundle starting with Plan 1298. Coming with three free supercharged devices—a free Skyworth S73 tablet or a Cloudpad 705w, a Blackberry Curve 9220 mobile phone, and the country’s fastest broadband wi-Fi stick which can power up to ten devices, Tattoo Bundle Plan 1298 gives you the experience of seamless connectivity wherever you are. The Tattoo Bundle plans combined these three powerful communication devices together to answer the increasing need to always stay connected. with more and more people going mobile, the Tattoo Bundle plans allow you to manage and share more so you are always in touch and always available. “Tattoo is the authority when it comes to tablets. we have proven this already as we introduced our very first branded tablet with the Mediapad. Since then, Tattoo has always been exciting the market with compelling offers. This time Tattoo gives subscribers more ways to stay connected with a complete bundle – a tablet, a phone and a mobile wIFI device that gives seamless connectivity only from the country’s most preferred broadband” said Dong Ronquillo, Vice President, Globe Tattoo Nomadic Broadband Business. From reading, surfing the net, sending emails or just simply playing online games with your tablets on your commute, to unlimited calls and texts and mobile internet connection, the Tattoo Bundle plans give you the best deals in the market today. Get into the tablet revolution and arm yourself with the most powerful trio only from Tattoo. Learn more about these new offers at tattoo.globe.com.ph, visit any Globe store nearest you, or call 7301010.

VOL. 6 ISSUE 164 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013

FOOD

Dimsum in the storm

Surviving a typhoon with hot treats from Mondern Shanghai

SoMEtIMES the best laid out plans just fall apart no thanks to Mother nature’s fickle mind. This was what happened on a weekend trip to Manila when all my plans to go romping about the malls and clubs were literally flushed down the drain thanks to a typhoon.

Luckily though I was billeted at the Holiday Inn Suites Makati that was attached directly to the new wing of the Glorietta Mall alleviating my rainy day misery. It also just so happened that my good friend Mark was in the neighbourhood doing a shoot so we decided to get together for lunch. Given the many different food options at the Glorietta, we decided to try out one of the Bistro Group’s newest ventures, Modern Shanghai. Unlike your typical Chinese restaurant Modern Shanghai’s interior was casual yet with hints of traditional Chinese design. The restaurant specialises in dim sum such as Hakkao, Shao Mai, noodles and congee which was appropriate for the rather dreary wet weather. Mark and I decided to try their house specialty, the Xiao Long Bao. Xiao Long Bao, for the unfamiliar, are small steamed dumplings filled with pork, shrimp and some soup. Creating a dumpling that is thin enough yet ac-

Inside Modern Shanghai.

Xiao Long Bao.

Hakkao.

The best way to eat Xiao Long Bao is with a spoon and lots of ginger and vinegar. Mushroom dumplings. tually holds the soup in the dumpling shows the skill of the dim sum chef. Biting the top off and seasoning the Xiao Long Bao with ginger oil and black vinegar, the aroma of the hot soup in the dumpling fills the air. With one quick bite, I shoved the piping hot Xiao Long Bao into my mouth and a burst of flavour hit my tongue. It had been a long while since I had a good Xiao Long Bao and the ones at Modern Shanghai are a treat to eat, especially on a cold day. I was also pleasantly surprised by the appearance of my favourite bun

At the table with Mark Sablan. in Hong Kong, the golden egg bun. Modern Shanghai’s version was also fluffy and filled with piping hot salted egg custard, but was surprisingly less sweet and less salty. and as we sat there finishing out meal with the free house tea, it was definitely a meal that was like a comfortable

Soft, salty, and sweet. Modern Shanghai’s golden egg custard buns.

shelter from the roaring storm. Modern Shanghai is located at the third level of the New Glorietta. Follow me on Instagram or on Twitter @kennethkingong for more foodie finds, travel tips and happenings in, around and beyond Durianburg.

Delicious Shao Mai.

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

VOL. 6 ISSUE 164 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013

eNTeRTAINMeNT

YouTube rap sensation Dello, first millionaire of ‘Bet On Your Baby’ YOUTUBe sensation and fliptopper wendell “Dello” Gatmaitan’s life will never be the same again as he is the first to take home the grand prize of P1 million in a suspense-filled episode of “Bet On Your Baby” that aired last Saturday (Oct 26). Dello successfully took his family to the jackpot round dubbed as “Basagin Ang Baboy,” where on the third and final chance at finding the grand prize, broke open the piggy bank containing P1 million. On his first and second try, Dello broke piggy banks with P50,000 and P60,000 respectively. At the beginning of the show, he and his wife arrived at the decision that, if they were to win the grand prize, it would go straight to their savings for the children’s future education. “Bet On Your Baby” airs on Saturdays on ABS-CBN. For updates, visit and like “Bet On Your Baby” on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ betonyourbabyph) and follow @betonyourbabyph

on Twitter or betonyourbabyphilippines on Instagram. For comments on the

show, don’t forget to use the hashtag #BetOnYourBabyPH.

Reel Time documentary on child malnutrition wins grand prize at the 2013 UNICEF As-Pac child rights award ReeL TIMe’S SALAT (Bone Dry), a documentary made by GMA News TV highlighting child malnutrition in Philippines, won the Grand Prize at the 2013 Unicef Asia-Pacific Child Rights Award for broadcasting. Filmed in the Tondo district of Manila, one of the most poverty-stricken areas in the country, the documentary tells the story of Mary Rose -- a 10 year old whose height and weight are comparable to that of a 5 year old child. She lives with her five siblings, who have all been diagnosed as severely malnourished. Mary Rose said, “when I go to school, sometimes I get dizzy. I fall asleep on my chair in classroom because I haven’t eaten. I don’t get to eat because my mom doesn’t have any money.” Despite this, Mary has never stopped pursuing her two greatest dreams in life – to finish her studies and to find out what chicken tastes like. Reel Time’s SALAT was praised by the jurors for addressing the issue of hunger very powerfully. Dr Javad Mottaghi, Secretary General

SHE'S THE ONE 2D

The team behind Reel Time’s award-winning SALAT documentary: (from left) Program Manager Nowell Cuanang, Executive Producer Sharon Masula, Researcher Michael Cristobal and Director Aaron Mendoza. of the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union, said that SALAT showed the power that simple documentary style could bring to even the smallest story: “This short film is an example to all of us in the industry of how our program-making tools can be properly used with simplicity, skill and compassion.” CASBAA CeO Christopher Slaughter said: “we commend GMA Network for producing this program, which highlights the problems of child malnutrition in the Philippines, using television to spread the message.”

The Asia-Pacific Child Rights Award, created by ABU, CASBAA and UNICeF in 2001, is given annually to the best television programme produced in the Asia-Pacific region with a focus on children’s rights. The Award was presented on 24 October in Hong Kong during the CASBAA Convention. Reel Time’s SALAT previously won a George Foster Peabody Award and a Silver Medal at the 2013 New York Festivals. Reel Time airs every Sunday night at 9:00 PM only on GMA News TV Channel 11.

Bea Alonzo, Dingdong Dantes, Enrique Gil PG 13

12:00 | 2:00 | 4:00 | 6:00 | 8:00 | 10:00 LFS

THOR: THE DARK WORLD 3D Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman PG 13

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CAPTAIN PHILLIPS 2D Tom Hanks PG 13

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

R-16 THOR: THE DARK WORLD 2D Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman PG 13

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

A4 INdulge!

VOL. 6 ISSUE 164 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

Damosa Fairlane’s

Continental Club

offers generous amenities for life’s quality moments

The Continental Club is a thoughtfully - designed lifestyle oriented amenity that is exclusively reserved for the residents and friends of the fast-growing Damosa Fairlane community.

The mixture of earthy and sleek interior of the Continental Club is a promising setting for Damosa Fairlane residents to establish closer ties among neighbors.

The resort -chic Continental Club offers a perfect place where families can laze around or spend an active recreation on a typical weekend.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 164 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013

SPORTS 15

END OF A DROUGHT Ateneo wins Passerelle title after 9 years By neIlWIn JOsePH l. BraVO njb@edgedavao.net

LOOD, sweat and tears. That’s a cliché for winning titles, but nevertheless meaningful for a gritty bunch of Ateneo de Davao Blue Knights who ended a nine-year title drought in the Milo SBP-Passerelle Regional Finals. Coach Miggy Solitaria, who was a member of one of the last Passerelle champion squads from Ateneo’s rich basketball tradition, authored one of the most memorable triumphs in recent times. The 26-year old Solitaria was a member of the 2000 champion team. Before Sunday’s 6046 conquest of General Santos City’s Holy Trinity College, the Blue Knights last celebrated a championship in this division when they won back-to-back titles in 2003 and 2004 under coach Ronel Leuterio. “It was amazing. I can’t describe the feeling knowing how difficult the road we took to the championship,” said Solitaria who had to sacrifice two weeks of practice to give way to the mid-term examinations of is players. “It was tough, we converted two of our

practice schedules for the players’ review,” Solitaria said. Ateneo likewise bucked the absence of frontline reliable Francis Gabriel Escandor who was walking on a cast on his right foot. Escandor was injured two weeks before the regional finals. Escandor is an integral part of Solitaria’s fourth quarter rotation. In the game against Holy Trinity, Ateneo overhauled its strategy as a game-time decision owing to the possibility that the Holy Trinity squad has anticipated their quarter line-ups. “We anticipated that they will have a different look, they will trap us in the second quarter so we placed our four players Dariel Manliguez, Paulo Coquilla, Rodel Canos and Christian Bacalso in the third quarter line-up,” said Solitaria. Ateneo had a strong quarter with Rafael Francisco, Vande Alagao, Jayjay Beldua, Lance Carr and Ayon Angeles. Ateneo led by as much as 24 at one point and ended with a 17-pt lead after the period. In the third, the Blue Knights stretched back

Ateneo de Davao Blue Knights players pose for a photograph with the coaching staff led by coach Miggy Solitaria (6th from right) and the Royal Mandaya Hotel owner and long-time Ateneo supporter Glen Escandor (leftmost) after winning the Milo SBP-Passerelle Regional Finals title. its lead to 24 and ended with a 16-point cushion. Ateneo allowed Holy Trinity to whittle down the lead to 10 points halfway through the period, but that proved to

be the closest the Gensan dribblers could get. The other two teams in the regionals were Sacred Heart of Cagayan De Oro City and Claret HS of zamboanga City. ADDU

HEY got their rings before the game, then a challenge as it was winding down. The Miami Heat responded to both. Shane Battier went 4 for 4 from 3-point range, including a critical one from the right corner with 1:33 remaining, and the Heat wasted most of what was a 25-point lead before holding off Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls 10795 on Tuesday night in the season-opener for both teams. ‘’You never know what to expect when you’re trying to keep the main thing the main thing, and that’s the game,’’ Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. ‘’But you can’t deny the emotions and what a special moment it was for everybody in the organization because we know how difficult that was and how harrowing that was last season. So it was

great to actually get the win after that to cap off a very good night for the Miami Heat.’’ LeBron James had 17 points, eight assists and six rebounds for Miami, which got its 2013 NBA championship rings and raised the franchise’s third banner in a pregame ceremony. The Heat trailed 9-2 early, then outscored Chicago 52-24 over the remainder of the first half. Rose finished with 12 points in 34 minutes in his first game since a serious knee injury in April 2012. Carlos Boozer had 31 points and seven rebounds for Chicago, which got within eight points in the final minutes. But Battier’s rightcorner 3 - a staple for the Heat - snuffed out the comeback, and Miami wasn’t in trouble again. ‘’We’re not trying to pull close. There were a

have speed like Manny. [Pacquiao] is much better at moving and his speed is much better.” “I respect Brandon,” he said. “Brandon is a brave fighter.” Pacquiao is scheduled to make his boxing comeback against the younger MexicanAmerican on November 24. The Filipino superstar is determined to post a dominant victory over Rios, especially after suffering two straight losses against Timothy Bradley and Juan Manuel Marquez. “I decided to fight an aggressive fighter like Rios because I believe I can prove to the people that I can still fight,” Pacquiao told Max Kellerman in HBO’s Face Off: Pacquiao/Rios.

NCR champion Chiang Kai Shek College, Visayas champion University of San Carlos and the Luzon leg champion on November 23-24 in Pampanga.

Heat hold off Bulls 107-95

‘Pacman will beat Rios like he did Margarito’ T P ROFESSIONAL boxer Gennady Golovkin predicts that Brandon Rios will get the same beating Antonio Margarito got from Manny Pacquiao. The reigning WBO and IBO middleweight champion said that although Rios has a chance of beating Pacquiao, he believes that the Mexican-American’s attributes are very much similar to Margarito’s. Just like Rios, Margarito had a granite chin and liked to exchange hard body punches. But these proved ineffective against a fleet-footed Pacquiao who gave him a savage beating. “I think [it’s] the same fight,” Golovkin said in Hustle Boss. “It’s the same style. Brandon, he’s a good fighter but he doesn’t

also won the SBP title over Xavier University of CDO. The Blue Knights will be in the Nationals for the first time since 2004 and will be playing against

Miami Heat’s LeBron James (6) loses control of the ball as Chicago Bulls’ Luol Deng defends during the first period of an NBA basketball game in Miami on Tuesday. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter) lot of corrections that we have to make,’’ Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said. ‘’It always comes back to the same thing - our defense and our rebounding. And if we could have taken better care of the ball early on, we would have been in position to win down the stretch.’’

Chris Bosh scored 16 points, Battier finished with 14 and Dwyane Wade and Mario Chalmers each had 13 for Miami, which had seven players score in double figures. Ray Allen and Norris Cole each scored 11 for Miami. Rose shot 4 for 15 for the Bulls.

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VOL. 6 ISSUE 164 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013