Edge Davao 6 Issue 201

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 201 SUNDAY-MONDAY, DECEMBER 22-23, 2013

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Serving a seamless society

NEW ‘PASALUBONG’ SHOP

Showcasing DavNor’s bounty, ingenuity Photos by Lean Daval Jr.

2 ON THE COVER EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 201 SUNDAY-MONDAY, DECEMBER 22-23, 2013

NEW ‘PASALUBONG’ SHOP

Showcasing DavNor’s bounty, ingenuity

BLESSING. Bishop Wilfredo Manlapaz blesses the new DavNor Pasalubong Shop. [Noel Baguio/DavNor PIO]

By NOEL BAGUIO

T

HE RICHNESS of its fertile land, the ingenuity of its people and the vibrancy of culture of Davao del Norte are proudly on display at the new DavNor Pasalubong Shop.

Committed to provide maximum market exposure to its local producers, the Provincial Government of Davao del Norte put up a spanking permanent home for its official souvenir and gift buying station.

Strategically-located at the northeast corner of the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex in Mankilam, Tagum City, the new provincial onestop gift shop all the same of-

fers indigenous handicrafts, souvenir items, fashion accessories, processed foods, home decorations and the likes.

The shop also offers organic food products, a proper and fitting advocacy for a province which for many years has bannered agriculture as the top engine of its economy Governor Rodolfo del Rosario spearheaded the inauguration of the new ‘Pasalubong’ shop last December 16 amid pomp and impressive fire dance and choral presentations.

The governor said the facility stands as a citadel of hope and abundance, not only among the entrepreneurs of

LAUNCHING. DTI-XI Regional Director Belinda Ambi and Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario launch the new DavNor Pasalubong Shop in Mankilam, Tagum City. [Noel Baguio/DavNor PIO]

SHOPPER. Davao del Norte First Lady Madame Milagros “Inday” del Rosario shops at the new DavNor Pasalubong Shop in Mankilam, Tagum City. [Noel Baguio/DavNor PIO]

SHOPPERS. Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario welcome guests and shoppers at the new DavNor Pasalubong Shop in Mankilam, Tagum City. noel [Noel Baguio/ DavNor PIO]

SHOWCASE. Some of the products, handicrafts and souvenir items on display at the new DavNor Pasalubong Shop in Mankilam, Tagum City. [Noel Baguio/DavNor PIO]

the province, but to all the Dabaonons, as well.

Del Rosario also asked his constituents to beat the holiday rush by patronizing the store for their Christmas gifts.

The launching event was

part of the opening salvo of the weeklong institutional Christmas celebration of the province, dubbed as “Pasko Fiyesta sa Kapitolyo.”

Del Rosario also led the lighting of the traditional

TESTING. Provincial officials and personnel, and guests try the products, handicrafts and souvenir items at the new DavNor Pasalubong Shop in Mankilam, Tagum City. [Noel Baguio/DavNor PIO] Christmas Tree of the Capitol, which, according to him, symbolizes the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the true reason for the Yuletide season.

Assisting the governor were Department of Trade

and Industry (DTI) 11 Regional Director Belinda Ambi, Bishop Wilfredo Manlapaz, Vice Gov. Victorio Suaybaguio and members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, among other guests.

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 201 SUNDAY-MONDAY, DECEMBER 22-23, 2013

THE BIG NEWS

3

Bill seeks to expand NDRRMC membership A

INSPIRATION. Camella Davao general manager Marlon Niño Escalicas imparts inspiring message to the company’s loyal sales and marketing force during the Christmas party thrown for the brokers at Sound Box along Camus St., Davao City last Friday night. Lean Daval Jr.

90% of City Hall contractual employees to be retained

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

A

abf@edgedavao.net

LMOST 90 percent of employees with expiring contracts by the end of the year have been recommended for renewal by their respective department

heads, the Human Resource Management Office (HRMO) of Davao City government bared.

Erwin Alparaque, HRMO head, told Edge Davao in an interview on

Friday that most of the department heads submitted already their recommendation to renew their employees.

“As early as today, the department heads had to

work on their renewal of employees,” Alparaque said.

Alparaque said that there are about 8,000 job order and contrac-

F90%, 10

LAWMAKER has filed a bill in the House of Representatives seeking to give the officials of the Department of Health (DOH) and the Philippine Red Cross important roles in the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

Under House Bill No. 2414 authored by Rep. Teodorico Haresco Jr. (Lone District-Aklan), the representatives of the DOH and the Red Cross to the NDRRMC will be designated as vice-chairman of the Disaster Risk Management for Health and vice-chairman of Emergency Aid Management, respectively.

At present, Haresco said the officials of DOH and the Red Cross are involved in the NDRRMC, but only as ordinary members.

The bill seeks to amend Republic Act No. 1012, otherwise known as an Act Strengthening the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act or the Philippine Disaster Act of 2010.

R.A. 10121 seeks to

strengthen the capacity of the national government and the local government units (LGUs), together with partner stakeholders, to build the disaster resilience of communities, and to institutionalize arrangements and measures for reducing disaster risks, including projected climate risks and enhancing disaster preparedness and response capabilities at all levels.

However, Haresco said heath concerns were not given priority under R.A. 10121.

“In the Philippines, risks of communicable disease outbreaks arise in disaster-affected populations during and after natural disasters,” Haresco said.

Haresco said evacuation centers usually lack nutritious food and even safe drinking water during calamities.

“There are also cases when the victims need not only food and shelter, but first aid, medication, and sometimes even blood transfusions,” he said.

[PNA]

4 NEWS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 201 SUNDAY-MONDAY, DECEMBER 22-23, 2013

HEALTH CERTIFICATES

Renewal processing begins January 2

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

T ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORT. Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Governor Majiv S. Hataman discusses with members of local media at Insular Waterfront Davao yesterday the 2013 accomplishments in the region and transition activities for the formation of Bangsamoro government. Also in photo is ARMM executive secretary Atty. Laisa M. Alamia Lean Daval Jr.

abf@edgedavao.net

HE CITY Health Office (CHO) will accommodate the processing of renewal of health certificates at SM City Davao annex starting January 2.

Dr. Josephine Villafuerte, CHO head, told Edge Davao in an interview that they will accommodate the employees who are going to renew their health cards on the second floor of the mall.

“The treasurers will be there – payment will

be there. All they have to do is to bring the lab (laboratory) results so that they won’t travel from one area to another, ” Villafuerte said.

Villafuerte said that they target to cater 1000 applicants a day which will handled their 25 CHO personnel which they are going to deploy.

She said that they will include Saturdays and Sundays for the renewal so that they will hit their 7,000 target applicants in a period of one week.

ENATE President Franklin Drilon raised the possibility of amending the law regulating the power industry, the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA) after calling for its review.

He raised the issue in a press conference on Thursday following “the highest-ever increase of power rates” in the history of the Philippines which was suspected to be due to a collusion of power generators.

“I will call for a review of the EPIRA law as a result of our hearing in the Senate (last Dec 18) and examine how we can prevent the repetition of what we saw in the last 30 days about the very stiff increase in our charges,” he said.

The senate leader

also mentioned that even without the review, the country had laws which punished monopolies and combinations in restraint of trade.

“This is punishable under our revised penal code, specifically monopolies and combinations which tend to restrict free commerce is punishable,” he added.

Meanwhile, he also called the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to conduct an in-depth investigation on the possibility of collusion among the power generators.

Drilon explained that the EPIRA, which was supposed to “promote free competition” actually promoted “the opposite”.

“I underscore there

Drilon wants review on EPIRA law for possible amendments

Brothers, 2 more S charged for rioting

By EMILORD P. CASTROMAYOR epc@edgedavao.net

T

HE CITY Prosecution Office has charged three siblings and two others with alarm and scandal after they were apprehended by the police during a riot at Sta. Cruz Chapel, Talisay Times Beach last December 11.

Prosecutor Serafica Weis charged brothers Candido Amoguis Jr. Jesus Amoguis, and Miguel Amoguis, and Jeremie E.

Casupot and Jonathan Olivar with alarm and scandal after allegedly causing public disturbance in a public place.

Serafica also charged Candido with illegal possession of firearms after failed to present document to possess a locally-made .38 caliber pistol with ammunition. Police recovered from Candido’s possession the pistol with nine ammunitions. Ca-

Pres. Aquino appoints new immigration commissioner

P

RESIDENT Benigno S. Aquino III has appointed Siegfred B. Mison as the new commissioner of the Bureau of Immigration (BI), Malacanang announced on Saturday.

Mison’s appointment was signed by the President on Dec. 18, Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a radio interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Saturday.

The President also appointed lawyer Nonnatus Cesar R. Rojas as Regional Prosecutor for the Office of the Regional Prosecutor in Ilocos Region.

The Office of the Re-

gional Prosecutor is under the National Prosecution Service of the Department of Justice. Rojas became the chief of the National Bureau of Investigation but he eventually resigned.

The President also designated Vicente B. Malano as acting administrator of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), and Florita R. Villar as undersecretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Other appointees include Gregorio Ramon A. Tingson as commission-

supot, on the other hand, was also charged with concealment of bladed weapon after caught a 20 inches knife.

Police said that they received police assistance from a concerned citizen of an ongoing riot at early dawn. Thereafter, PO3 Milo Mise and PO2 Ferdinand Villarante responded quickly to the area.

Mise and Villarante said in the complaint that

they saw some 20 males along the road and some of them armed with bladed weapons while others were throwing bottles and stones.

Police arrested the identified six males while others managed to escape.

Respondents revealed that they wanted exact revenge from the other group because one of the Amoguis relatives was hacked by their opponent.

FDRILON, 10

BFF? Happiness is painted all over the face of this Matigsalog lady from Paquibato District when she coincidentally met her friend along E. Quirino Avenue in

FPRES., 10 Davao City yesterday while soliciting Christmas gifts from the different establishments in the area. Lean Daval Jr.

VOL. 6 ISSUE 201 SUNDAY-MONDAY, DECEMBER 22-23, 2013

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6 THE ECONOMY Stat Watch Indicator

Latest

1. Gross National Income 1. GrossRate National Income Growth Growth Rate2000 Prices) (At Constant

7.1 1st Qtr 2013 6.8

2.2.Gross GrossDomestic DomesticProduct Growth Rate Product (AtGrowth Constant 2000 Prices) Rate

7.8 1st Qtr 2013 7.5

(At Constant 2000 Prices)

(At Constant 2000 Prices)

3. Exports 1/ 3. Exports

4. Imports 1/ 4. Imports

5. Trade Balance Trade Balance 6.5.Balance of Payments 2/

7.6.Broad Money Liabilities Balance of Payments

2nd Qtr 2013

2nd Qtr 2013

USD 3,741 million 5,045 FebUSD 2013 million USD 4,708 Sep 2013 million FebUSD 2013 5,711 USD -967 million million Sep 2013 Feb 2013 USD -665 USD -640 million million Sep 2013 Dec 2012 P 4,964,560 USD 692 million million Feb Jun2013 2013 P2.45,980,938 % million Mar 2013 Aug 2013

8. Interest Rates 4/

7. Broad Money Liabilities

P113,609 2.0 % million Sep2013 2013 Mar P P5,281 127,336 billion million Mar Sep2013 2013

9. National Government 8. Revenues Interest Rate 9. National Government

10.Revenues National government outstanding debt outstanding debt

P 5,609 P 41.14 Aprbillion 2013

11.Stocks Peso per US $ 12.

Composite

Index 6/

6,847.5 P 43.83 Mar Sep2013 2013

12. Stocks Composite

6,191.8 132.8 Sep2013 2013 Apr

13. Consumer Price Index

135.2 Oct2.62013

10.Peso National government 11. per US $ 5/

Sep 2013

13. Consumer Index Price Index 2006=100

2006=100 14.

Headline Inflation Rate 14. 2006=100 Headline Inflation

Apr 2013

15.

Core Inflation Rate 2006=100 2006=100

Apr 2013

2.9 Oct3.12013

Rate

15. Core Inflation Rate 2006=100 16.

Visitor Arrivals

2.5

418,108 Oct 2013 Feb 2013

382,022 Aug 2013 20.9%

16. Visitor Arrivals

17. Underemployment 7/ 17. Rate Underemploymen

Jan 2013 19.2%

18.

18.Unemployment UnemploymentRate Rate7/

7.1% Jan 2013 7.3%

Rate

Jul 2013 Jul 2013

MONTHLY AVERAGE EXCHANGE RATE (January 2011-September 2013) Month Average December November October September August July June May April March February January

2013

2012

2011

43.83 43.86 43.35 42.91 41.30 41.14 40.71 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 201 SUNDAY-MONDAY, DECEMBER 22-23, 2013

Sin Tax Law enhances excise tax collections E

XACTLY a year ago, a health and revenue law was signed by Pres. Benigno Aquino III which has now greatly enhanced tax collections and increased funding for health programs.

The Sin Tax Law (RA 10351), signed by President Aquino on Dec. 20, 2012, curbs cigarette smoking and liquor consumption while at the same time, generates funding for the Universal Health Care (UHC) agenda.

In its first year of implementation, the law decreased smoking prevalence from 28.7 pct to 27.06 pct, encouraged up to 2.09 million Filipinos to quit smoking and saved up to 63, 000 lives.

It has also generated additional revenues of P33.96 billion (P23.4 billion from tobacco and P10.56 from alcohol).

So far, data from the Dept. of Health (DOH) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) showed that actual excise tax collections have exceeded its estimates.

“From January to September 2013, the BIR collected P63.6 billion

NEW OFFICE. Department of Tourism (DOT) assistant secretary Arturo Boncato (2nd from left) and City Tourism Office (CTO) head Lisette Marques (2nd from right) together with Globe Telecommunications executive vice president for human resources Jiao Yap (ext. right) and chief finance officer Albert de Larrazabal (ext. left) lead the ceremonial cutting of ribbon to mark the opening of the company’s new Davao City office at the Abreeza Corporate Center along J.P. Laurel Avenue last Saturday. Lean Daval Jr. excise taxes on cigarette and alcohol products—a 64 pct increase from the P38.8 billion collected in the same period in 2012.

The DOH noted that a quick survey of the law’s impact on cigarette consumption in Cotabato City in November this year, showed that smokers who lessened tobac-

co consumption reduced weekly smoking by 24.4 sticks on average.

Health Undersecretary, Dr. Teodoro Herbosa, said in a press conference on Friday that the Sin Tax Law has been a “game-changer” because it has sealed the financial gap that people aspired for.

He said that tobacco use is a risk factor for the Philippines’ top four killer diseases— heart attack, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer.

“It is also alarming that the Philippines is now the number one smoking country in

Southeast Asia with a high prevalence of smoking among young Filipino girls and boys aged 13 to 15,” he said.

However, he also said that he is optimistic that the Sin Tax Law will continue to encourage more people to quit smoking and save their lives. [PNA]

ed by 2 World Traders Subic, Inc. “(It) is being recalled from the market due to the inconsistency in the brand name printed on the primary label (Cefain) and the brand name printed on the secondary label (Cefazin),” the FDA noted.

FDA stated that although Cefazolin (Cefaz-

in), presents no safety risk and adverse health consequences, the misspelled brand name (Cefain) on the primary label may cause confusion to the public.

“The importer and distributor are hereby ordered to immediately cease and desist from further distributing, selling, or offering for

sale the above-mentioned affected product,” the FDA said.

“All drug retail outlets carrying the affected batch of Cefazolin (Cefazin) 1g Powder for Injection are ordered to discontinue from selling or offer for sale to the consumers,” it added.

The FDA then

warned all prescribers prescribing the product and advised consumers not to purchase and use the antibiotic product.

Establishments dealing illegally with sale or offer for sale of unregistered health products, the FDA said, should be reported immediately to FDA at report@fda.gov.ph. [PNA]

FDA recalls Cefazolin injection due to inconsistency in branding

T

HE FOOD and Drug Administration (FDA) recalled the product, Cefazolin powder for Injection (Cefazin) due to its iconsistency in branding.

Cefazolin is manufactured by Ningbo Tisun Medic Biochemical Co. Ltd-China and imported and distribut-

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 BIGGER PICTURE

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 201 SUNDAY-MONDAY, DECEMBER 22-23, 2013

Hopes up for final peace agreement in Mindanao

By NOEL Y. PUNZALAN

P

EOPLE of Central Mindanao seemed fixated the whole year round on the continuing talks between the government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), asking a particular question: Will they or will they not sign a final peace accord soon?

Amid all the eagerness, however, a dramatic turnaround on the peace and order situation was observed in the region, with armed clashes between military and MILF rebels recorded to a virtual “zero” the past two years.

“This only shows that peace and an arranged local ceasefire is holding,” Maj. Gen. Romeo Gapuz, Army’s 6th Infantry Division (6ID) commander, said.

The 6ID covers the provinces of Maguindanao, North Cotabato, parts of Sultan Kudarat and Lanao del Sur in its area of supervision.

Peace and Order Central Mindanao has been generally peaceful in general for the past two years.

Data obtained from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process here indicated that from eight armed skirmishes in 2011, there was zero atrocity in 2012.

This year, the third year of administration of President Benigno Aquino III, there still was no recorded clash.

With this, peace brokers between government and MILF are optimistic to forge a final agreement by the first semester of 2014.

Last December 8, the negotiating parties inked in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the power-sharing annex of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB).

The FAB, signed in Malacañang on Oct. 15, 2012 by government and MILF representatives as witnessed

by President Aquino and MILF chieftain Al Haj Murad, paved the way for the creation of a Bangsamoro government that would replace the old Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao set up in 2016.

The power-sharing annex shall embody the parties’ agreement on the delineation of power between the national government and territorial jurisdiction of the proposed Bangsam-

oro political entity.

Also, the annex will guide the Bangsamoro Transition Commission in the drafting of the Bangsamoro Basic Law, providing principles of intergovernmental relations between and among the different levels of the propositioned entity.

The FAB has four annexes dwelling on the issues of transition, wealth sharing, power sharing, and normalization.

Currently, the parties are poised to work on the remaining issue of Annex on Normalization, which refers to the process of decommissioning the MILF’s armed wing, the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces.

Peace Saboteurs The Aug. 5, 2013 car bomb explosion in this city had been linked to “big, influential people” behind a drug syndicate and not connected whatsoever with groups intending to sabotage the GPH-MILF peace overture.

The bombing killed eight people and wounded some 40 others in the attack targeting City Administrator Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi, the sister of City Mayor Japal Guiani Jr. The mayor’s sister was using his vehicle at the time of the incident, prompting the bombers to activate the bomb, thinking it was the local chief executive inside the targeted car.

Guiani has launched a no-nonsense drive against illegal drugs here since his first term as mayor in 2010.

Business and investment climate Despite the bombing incident, the local government remained steadfast in running the affairs of the city to its fullest, earning the nod of the National Competitive Council (NCC) for it to land at the 31st spot of the country’s top 50 competitive cities for 2013.

Kidapawan City in North Cotabato province also landed in the same NCC list.

The mushrooming of gasoline outlets had been observed as the biggest investment in Cotabato City this year. From barely seven gas stations last year, the number increased to over a dozen and these are currently located in strategic business spots in the

locality.

Apart from food chain outlets such as KFC, Jollibee, Chow King, Greenwich, among others, the city also boasts of its South Seas Mall; the Cotabato City Mega Square, a commercial shopping center with more than 40 retail stalls; barter trade; Alnor Complex and the ongoing construction of Diamond City Complex.

“You see, this city has its best kept secrets,” Pete Marquez, president of the Metro Cotabato Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said.

In the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), meanwhile, Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman took pride of the P569-million investment

of Delinanas, a subsidiary of Del Monte Phil., for the development of the 550 hectares of banana plantation in Maguindanao province alone.

Hataman said Del Monte plans to increase its investment to P750 million in the region with a goal of developing up to 3,000 hectares of banana plantations and providing direct employment opportunities for thousands of locals.

More so, he said a Malaysian investor is also planning to put up P500-million palm oil business in the region while the La Fruitera intends to expand its business in Maguindanao amounting to P300 million.

Plans are also underway for the Malaysian-based Iron Blaze Corp. to operate a gasoline depot in Parang, Maguindanao, which is seen to lower the cost of fuel prices in South-Central Mindanao during the next few years.

Though not part of ARMM, Cotabato City plays host as the provisional seat of the autonomous region. Though geographically located within the ARMM province-component of Maguindanao, the city is politically independent from the province as it belongs to the Region 12 or SOCCSKSARGEN area.

Tourism Unknown to many, the Grand Sultan Bolkiah Mosque in Tamontaka district of Cotabato City

has drawn nearly 2,000 visitors this year with the number continuously rising, said Aniceto Rasalan, secretary to Mayor Guiani.

Aptly called the Grand Mosque, the religious structure can accommodate 1,200 worshippers in an event.

The mosque is named after the Sultan of Brunei – Sultan Hadji Hassanal Bolkiah Masjid who partly funded the largest mosque in the Philippines to date and is considered an Islamic architectural masterpiece.

“Its just a sight to regard when you see it,” Rasalan said in a manner of luring visitors to visit Cotabato City with its improved peace and order situation. [PNA]

8

EDGEDAVAO

VANTAGE

EDITORIAL

I

VOL. 6 ISSUE 201 SUNDAY-MONDAY, DECEMBER 22-23, 2013

Morbid thoughts

T is sad, even terrifying, to think that thousands of Filipinos were not lucky enough to experience Christmas this year. The unlucky ones included those who perished in the numerous disasters which befell the country, including the seige of Zamboanga City in September. This manmade calamity killed more than 200 Zamboanguenos.

One of the natural disasters was the magnitude 7.2 earthquake which left a wide swath of death and destruction to the gentle people of Bohol and Cebu in October. More than 200 Bol-anons and Cebuanos died in the quake which terrorize locals and visitors some more with 2,000 aftershocks.

The most terrifying holocaust, of course, came on November 8, in the aftermath of Yolanda (international name, Haiyan), the strongest

EDGEDAVAO

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typhoon ever recorded in the world. In that unexceptionally powerful tropical cyclone, a total of 6,138 Filipinos died, while 1,818 are still missing, most if not all, given up for dead. a Remembering Ondoy in 2009, Sendong in 2011, Pablo in 2012 and Yolanda in 2013, we shudder at the thought of typhoons that visit the country becoming deadlier each passing year.

We are told by the authorities - and we must believe them now- that we, who are all potential victims, have to heighten our preparedness for such fortuitous events.

Yes, these are terrible times. And we can only worsen the effects of disasters by not being prepared or by being nonchalant to the welllaid preemptive plans designed to mitigate the impacts, if not remove people from harm’s way.

KENNETH IRVING K. ONG Creative Solutions

ARLENE D. PASAJE Cartoons

RAMON M. MAXEY Consultant

GREGORIO G. DELIGERO Associate Editor

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

ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. EMILORD P. CASTROMAYOR / CHENEEN R. CAPON Reporters

Columnists: CARLOS MUNDA • MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO A. PEÑA • MARY ANN “ADI” C. QUISIDO • LEANDRO B. DAVAL SR., • NICASIO AGUSTIN • VIDA A. MIA VALVERDE • Economic ENRICO“ADDIE” “GICO” G. Columnists: MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER ANGELO C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO PEÑA • ZHAUN ORTEGA Analysts: • BERNADETTE B. DAYANGIRANG M.QUISIDO PEREZ • Lifestyle Columnists: BAISR., FAUZIAH SINSUAT •AMBOLODTO • MEGHANN STA. INES BORBON • MARY• JONALLIER ANN “ADI” C. • LEANDRO B. DAVAL • NIKKIFATIMA GOTIANSE-TAN NICASIO ANGELO AGUSTIN • EMILY •ZEN NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN CHUA • CARLOS MUNDA Economic Analyst: ENRICO “GICO” G. DAYANGIRANG • JONALLIER M. PEREZ

GENERAL OFFICE SANTOS CITY CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING OFFICE CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING OLIVIA D. VELASCO OLIVIA D. VELASCO RICHARDRICHARD C. EBONAC. EBONA SOLANI D. MARATAS SOLANI D. MARATAS MARKETING OFFICE | Marketing Manager General Manager General ManagerMarketingAdvertising Supervisor SpecialistFinance FinanceLEIZEL A. DELOSOLEIZEL A. DELOSO | MarketingFLORENCE ManagerS. VILLARIN

JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales

AQUILES Z. ZONIO Correspondent

KRISTINE D. BORJA AGUSTIN V. MIAGAN JR Marketing Specialist Circulation

Unit 6, Southbank Plaza Velez-Yacapin Sts. Unit 6, Southbank Plaza Velez-Yacapin Sts. Marketing Specialist Cagayan de Oro City c/o PZ Villarin Marketing Cagayan de Oro City Tel: (088) 852-4894

Tel: (088) 852-4894

Salvani St., Oringo Brgy. City Heights Tel: (083) 303-2215

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 201 SUNDAY-MONDAY, DECEMBER 22-23, 2013

Words of false comfort

I

NTERMINABLE SENSELESS AND OFFENSIVE PROTESTS – As expected pervasive criticism against the Aquino administration reached a level comparable to the time of his predecessors. These days, demonstrators of all colors and stripes – opposition diehards, militants and progressive groups, and student activists including exploited innocent children collide with police dispersal units during mass protests action resulting to injuries on both sides and damages to government and private properties.

Many activists masquerading as legitimate groups who wanted change – power-obsessed political has-been and have-nots, self-proclaimed reformists, and red flag-waving and placard-bearing protesters, as their wont, strongly denounced President Benigno Aquino III’s alleged repressive policies and even compared him to his predecessors. They conclude that instituting reforms under the present system is highly improbable because of the entwining glitches faced by the leadership.

The interlocking problems –basic social services, massive unemployment, grinding poverty, criminality, human rights violations, social injustice and widespread corruption enmeshing lawmakers have taken center stage during protest rallies. Hardened critics reiterated that the country’s social ills had become the millstone tightly tied around the people’s neck, slowly pulling it down underneath.

Those are hotly contested questions as experts on both sides of the debate agree that the most serious divisions within society spring not from the alleged police brutality and apparent protesters’ recklessness during protest rallies, but from alleged economic and social inequality. For now, political watchers considered the occurrence as signs of fracture but government reform strategists say the Aquino adminis-

E

ARLY morning of 20 December, I woke up very early at 3:25 at dawn.

I wanted to go back to sleep, but couldn’t. There have been so much raw emotions to process that one’s mind and heart couldn’t be still.

It was very quiet in our part of Tacloban City; very few roosters sounded their morning call for people to rise for the dawn Mass – Misa de Gallo. Very few dogs barked and as I rose for a minute I wondered why. Just as suddenly I knew why – very few were left after the storm surge swallowed so many lives of people and animals along its kilometric path.

I went out to our convent’s verandah and was struck by the morning’s utter loveliness. Despite the still-almost full moon that hovered over the battered city, the brightest of stars twinkled in the sky.

The moon’s glow – gently reflected on the leaves of mahogany trees that are starting to recover their foliage – hauntingly blanketed all that can be seen.

Electricity is back in the city, although there are lights only along the main street; few of the remaining houses are lit as connections to the wires still need to be undertaken. In a little while, those who came for the dawn Mass began to enter our compound and sat at the pavement as the church gates remained closed.

One is struck that many of them are

tration actually is thumping the root causes of the problems.

That’s why a growing number of economists are declaring it’s time for a committed reform measures that would maintain a sustained socio-economic activity and peace and security.

Another critical factor holding back socio-economic and political reforms is the archaic, deteriorating and busted condemnation of the main opposition, left-leaning movement, militants and activists that it would almost certainly bring about lots of long-term discomfort by busily trying to create a wedge in the social breadth. After all this time, these adversarial groups still have the impertinence and resources to muddle through no matter whoever is in power.

With this kind of people who obviously have hidden agendas and personal interests, and keep on working out to destroy the government, progress may stagnate.

Tell anyone who doesn’t live here that these people have credibility problem and you’re likely to be met with disbelief, if not laughter and ridicule. Therefore moves to stimulate the economy, the institutions and the systems have become more and more urgent to prove the critics wrong.

The Aquino leadership must be serious about tackling the massive problems rather than spending more time entertaining all the impracticable demands of the noisy and annoying red-flag and placard-bearing protesters, and their boisterous and snappish leaders who always have provocative

No toys for Christmas A SOJOURNER’S VIEW

BY KARL M. GASPAR CSSR

Part 1 of 2 children and the youth and I surmised they must be evacuees staying for more than four days already at the nearby San Fernando Elementary School. I dressed up and joined the people in our church that survived the deluge. Except for its main door that got hit by the strong winds and the windows shattered on one side of the building, this church miraculously survived and is surrounded by so much destruction.

The big stain-glass window of Our Mother of Perpetual Help at the very top-center of the main facade was hardly touched by the strong winds; Our Lady’s iconic eyes now gaze across the desolation of the wiped-out coastal villages facing San Jose; perhaps the most badly hit in the city where hundreds of lives were lost.

Fr. Gary Alvarado, a young confrere from Tagbilaran, Bohol was the Mass’ officiant. In his homily, he shared about how his family survived the October 15 earthquake and then spoke how he felt about this calamity not knowing that a worse

remarks against the leadership. To be frank enough, everyone is fed up of the anarchy on the streets. The words of false comfort remained and majority of our people were unhappy about it. They’re angry, tired and exhausted and came to realize that there is absolutely no end in all the senseless and inflammatory protests.

Now, after the series of man-made and natural calamities that devastated many parts of the country and the incomparable corruption that rocked the representative institution, government should get back to work, take necessary actions and get things done. The Aquino leadership may be in for some real, desirable work because it is the common belief that government should be responsible to the people and President PNoy is committed to achieving these aims while he is in power.

To succeed on a national scale, President Aquino had to reverse decades of neglect and indifference, which led many frustrated people to join protest actions and embrace the culture of hate and disgust.

However, reforms should not be abrupt because the mounting and pressing problems could not be solved overnight, but the goal is to ensure that Filipinos don’t lag far behind in terms of socio-economic and political development. The good thing is that President PNoy is, at least, acknowledging that socio-economic progress and peace and quiet are achievable – that the destitution of millions of Filipinos is not an everlasting unalterable fact but something that should be the priority of any government.

Nevertheless, the elements for reforms – government’s willingness to listen, to work and institute reforms are as strong as ever. Of course, despite all the efforts there are still complaints here and there, but nobody would care about them if the government continued addressing the people’s mounting pressing problems. disaster would take place two weeks later. He did his best to communicate to the people that he shared their grief and pain; the captive crowd seemed comforted at the thought that this young priest shared the depths of their desperation.

For all the psycho-social integration processes that have reached the victims after Yolanda’s scary visit, the words spoken at this homily and the liturgy perhaps tied up the loose ends of those debriefings. This was the third Misa de Gallo I attended here and the crowds got bigger as the days are moving towards Christmas.

At the Our Father when the people sang in Waray, one could hear them sing from the depths of their lamentation; even as some of them may have thought that God was made “absent” by the deluge, nonetheless, they remain holding on to their faith.

It is five days to Christmas in Tacloban and except for the recycled lanterns in the church and Christmas trees salvaged from the debris there are very few manifestations of this merry season. Like the years during the second World War – as remembered by my parents when I was a child – there seem to be no toys for Christmas here. Although this is not exactly true as Christmas parties for children are being organized; and one intuits there will be toys given to them.

VANTAGE POINTS

9

Will a billion ‘selfies’ cause us to miss history?

COMMENTARY

BY DAVID ROHDE

“B

(Conclusion)

Y no stretch of the imagination are these images journalism,” Santiago Lyon, director of photography at the Associated Press, wrote in a scathing op-ed piece in the New York Times last week. “Rather, they propagate an idealized portrayal of events on Pennsylvania Avenue.”

Others argue that technological change has irreversibly changed photojournalism.

Professional photographers, they insist, will inevitably join the ranks of toll collectors, telephone switchboard operators and other jobs rendered obsolete.

Yet photographers are embracing the new realities and — through their images — proving their relevance.

Despite the billions of cell phone images posted on Facebook and Flickr, the vast majority of iconic photographs capturing major events are still taken by professional photographers. The most widely circulated image from protests in Istanbul’s Taksim square – a woman in a red dress being doused with pepper spray – was taken by my Reuters colleague Osman Orsal. And a team of Reuters photographers that included veteran photojournalist Goran Tomasevic produced some of the most striking images from Syria.

Nine of the 10 images in Time magazine’s “Top 10 Photos of 2013” were taken by professional photographers.

“Yes, there are a million images out there,” Time’s director of photography, Kira Pollack, told me in an interview. “But these journalists’ images are the ones that are the most compelling.”

Judge for yourself. Here are Time’s top 10.

Blogs featuring the work of professional photographers at Reuters, The Atlantic, Time magazine, the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Boston Globe and Denver Post continue to draw high online traffic.

James Estrin, a New York Times photographer who co-edits the paper’s photography blog “Lens” with columnist David Gonzalez, said that the explosion in social media imagery is impacting photography in two ways.

First, it is creating a vast new audience that appreciates great photography. Second, it is changing the nature of photographs. The vast majority of the imagery we share online is about ourselves, our families and our friends — not others.

“The photograph is almost always — 98 percent — a piece of currency in a social interaction,” he said. “The function of a photograph is different.”

Estrin said he does not yet know if the changes, on balance, are positive. He worries that today’s torrent of images makes it impossible for an iconic photo to emerge – for example, Nick Ut’s harrowing photograph of a young Vietnamese girl, who had stripped off her burning clothes, screaming after a napalm attack. He is concerned that photos today may not have the same impact.

“Are there so many photographs that it’s difficult to for one to stick out?” Estrin asked.

“Even when a photo goes viral, it’s only for 24 hours.”

Stephen Mayes, the former chief executive officer of VII and a longtime executive at other photo agencies, says photographers must reinvent themselves.

“It’s up to the professionals to prove that we have value,” he said. “The world doesn’t owe us a living because we make great pictures.”

Haviv and others are doing just that. They are developing large social media followings, shooting documentary films and accepting grants from foundations, non-profits and the United Nations to support their work. Photo editors say that images taken by amateurs can be powerful, but professional photographers are still needed to compose the deeply-layered images that haunt viewers.

Professional photographers are vital.

Without them, the world’s conscience will wither. They bear witness for all of us.

10

NEWS

90%...FFROM 3

tual employees whose contracts expire on Dec. 31. Alparaque said the city government needs the services of the said employees prompting department heads to recommend their retention.

He said the heads who submitted recommendation to him were from the Public Safety and Security Command Center, Central 911, City Treasurer’s Office, City Environment and Natural Resources Office, City Tourism Office. City Social Service and Development Office, City Veterinarian’s Office, Business Bureau, Traffic Management Center, Davao City and Investment Promotion Center,

City Health Office, and City Engineer’s Office.

Contractual employees could be renewed for a maximum of one year while the job orders will have a maximum of six months.

On Dec.17, city administrator J. Melchor V. Quitain issued a memorandum ordering the department heads to advise the workers whose contract will expire on Dec. 31 to stop reporting to work by January 1, 2014.

“You are strictly advised to formally inform these personnel not to report for work starting January 1, 2014,” said Quitain in his memorandum.

er of the National Youth Commission in Luzon, and Dominador Santos Jr. as new member of the Board of Dentistry under the Professional Regulations Commission.

Mison consider his appointment as an early Christmas gift.

“Yes, of course, because somehow I am happy that President Benigno S. Aquino III has given his trust on me to head the bureau,” Mison said in a telephone interview.

He revealed that he received a letter on Dec. 18, regarding his appointment to head the BI. Mison said that his tenure as BI commissioner is co- terminus with the term of President

Aquino, which will end in 2016.

The newly-appointed government official noted that nothing will change that he is now the head of the BI. “It’s just the same, it will be the same responsibility.

Again, I am grateful that the President has given me his trust,” Mison explained.

On the other hand, he said that since he is now the head of the bureau, among his duties is the authority to implement changes, including the moving of personnel.

Mison said he has not yet spoken with the President, but he has promised to him, when he earlier accepted the position, that “he will work through his heart.” [PNA]

are charges of collusion and therefore instead of a free competition, there is a monopoly,” he said.

“So, there was a collusion to increase artificially the prices in spot market.

That must be looked into.”

He added that there was no need for a case to be filed since the NBI can initiate an investigation without a complainant.

[PNA]

Pres...FFROM 4

Drilon... FFROM 4

VOL. 6 ISSUE 201 SUNDAY-MONDAY, DECEMBER 22-23, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

FAITHFUL. A catholic faithful lights up a candle for “oratio imperata” or the prayer for deliverance from calamities during the 5th day of “Misa de Callo” at St. Francis of Assisi Parish Church along Ma-a in Davao City on Saturday. Lean Daval Jr.

House leader seeks 30% hike in PAF officers basic salary T

O PREVENT a brain drain of welltrained military pilots in the country, a House of Representatives leader is seeking a 30 percent increase in the basic salary of pilot-officers in the Philippine Air Force following a contract of service adjusted to a minimum of 10 years.

Rep. Winston Castelo (2nd Dist.-Quezon City), chairman of the House Committee on Metro Manila Development, said it is of highest national interest to keep the country’s military air force, the PAF, at par with any military organization in

the country and with the thriving airline industry.

“The country cannot afford to lose its pilot-officers from PAF to private or commercial airlines since the government has spent considerably for their training. Besides, the acquisition of more aircraft for the PAF must come along with the retention of highly-qualified pilot-officers and the training of other pilots in the military service,” said Castelo.

He said his proposal under House Bill No. 2704 will put a stop to the brain drain phenomenon.

“It seeks to put a stop

to this disturbing pattern or behavior of more and more pilot-officers leaving the military service in search of greener pastures or better opportunities which private or commercial airlines are in a better position to offer than the government,” said Castelo.

House Bill 2704, which has been referred to the House Committee on Appropriations chaired by Rep. Isidro Ungab (3rd Dist.-Davao City), provides that it is the declared policy of the State “to secure the sovereignty and the integrity of the national territory as these are essential

to the enjoyment of the people of the blessings of democracy.”

The bill provides there shall be granted to pilot-officers of the PAF, following a contract of service adjusted to a minimum of 10 years, a 30 percent increase in their basic salary.

The amount to carry out the provisions of the proposed Act shall be provided for in the annual General Appropriations Act, while the Department of National Defense (DND) shall issue the rules and regulations to carry out the purpose of the proposed Act, the bill provides. [PNA]

ceasefire, from 12 a.m. on December 24 to 11:59 p.m. on December 26 and from 12 a.m. on December 31 to 11:59 p.m. on January 2, 2014.

For her part, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles said the government continues its traditional call for a Christmas ceasefire to allow those in conflict areas, whether soldier, rebel or civilian, safe passage to celebrate Advent with their families, far from all harm.

“This year, a Christmas ceasefire gains added urgency with the call for healing and rebuilding that resonate in this Season and its promise of

a new life to all,” she said.

In the past three months, the country faced major tragedies that have left our nation deeply traumatized.

Among these, the onslaught of super typhoon “Yolanda” in Eastern Visayas has caused the most extraordinary challenge for the Filipino people with the unparalleled and incomprehensible destruction it has left in its aftermath.

“Our nation needs to bind our wounds and focus our energies and resources on the tasks at hand. It presents to our country and people the chance to start afresh, to build on new and just foundations -- the com-

mon wealth for the common good, innovative approaches to governance and development based on justice and fairness, an understanding of nature’s gifts and perils, and the healing of Mother Earth,” said Deles.

“In this season of faith, hope and solidarity, we bind ourselves together as a people for the long-term effort to rebuild in our disaster areas and reconstruct the lives, livelihoods and property of the survivors. May the peace and goodwill that must dwell in our hearts become building blocks for a healing and enduring peace in our land,” she said. [PNA]

Ban Ki-moon calls for unity in rebuilding storm-hit areas Aquino approves holiday truce with communist rebels

U

NITED Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday called for unity of the international community in the bid to reconstruct the areas battered by super typhoon Yolanda.

Saddened by the magnitude of destruction wrought by the super typhoon, the highest UN official said the international community will not leave the Philippines behind in its recovery efforts.

“As a UN secretary general, I’m here to convey the strongest solidarity of the international community. This tragedy can be overcomed when we are united,” said Ban addressing the media, officials and ty-

phoon survivors near a mountain of debris and ship that ran aground at Fatima village here.

The UN executive said international agencies will mobilize US$ 800 million funding support to storm-hit areas in one year. As of December 19, about 32 percent of the fund have been used.

“We will try to provide life saving support and a long term development strategy, which will focus on reconstruction and resettlement of your community... Let us build safer and better communities,” the official said in his seven-minute press briefing. [PNA]

P

RESIDENT Benigno Aquino III approved on Friday a holiday truce with communist rebels.

In a text message, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said: “The President has approved the recommendation of the Secretary of National Defense and the chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Secretary of OPAPP on the suspension of offensive military operations effective midnight December 20 until January 15, 2014.”

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) earlier declared a six-day

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 201 SUNDAY-MONDAY, DECEMBER 22-23, 2013

MOTORING

11

Honda launches Mugen-decked City M

UGEN fans, rejoice.

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) has just announced the availability of a limited edition City decked in original and genuine MUGEN accessories this Christmas season.

Based on the range-topping 1.5 EL A/T, the City MUGEN is designed under the concept of “Superlative Active Sports”. In plain English, you get a unique front sports grille, side spoiler, rear under spoiler, and a rear wing spoiler. No mechanical modifications were made though. And guaranteeing the City MUGEN’s status as a Limited Edition model, it’s priced at P 976,000 and limited to just 20, yes 20 examples. What’s more, you have to love white since it’s only available in Tafetta White.

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) will introduce in limited quantity the Honda City equipped with original and genuine MUGEN accessories.

The Honda City has enjoyed high market ac-

T

ceptance for providing amazing value with its stylish design, fuel efficient yet powerful driving performance, and outstanding interior space and utility.

The City MUGEN Limited Edition enhances the ownership experience by being equipped with original genuine MUGEN accessories. Unique front sports grille, front under spoiler, side spoiler, rear under spoiler and rear wing spoiler enhance the already sporty design of the standard City model and make it stand out on the road. The City MUGEN Limited Edition under the concept “SUPERLATIVE ACTIVE SPORTS” produced to emphasize the specific characteristics of the City, “Stream line design” and “Nimble handling” with the aero dynamic parts seek to satisfy the sporty taste and excellently designed to meet the customer’s desire for ultimate style and performance.

Only twenty (20) units of the City MUGEN Limited Edition Model will be made available in

the Philippines. This will guarantee a high exclusivity for the owner of this model. Available starting today is the 1.5 EL AT variant in Taffeta White color. The City MUGEN Limited Edition Model 1.5 EL AT variant will have a special introductory price of Php 976,000.

For more information, please visit any of the 29 authorized Honda dealerships nationwide.

is shooting for some sort of electric-vehicle battery nirvana with a plan/wish/dream to

develop safer, cheaper batteries that not only offer a longer single-charge range but

Safer lighter EV batteries

HE US Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-e) agency

that can also double as crumple zones. What’s next, peace in the Middle East?

In all seriousness, the Illinois Institute of Technology and Argonne National Laboratory are working on a $37-million program dubbed RANGE (Robust, Affordable, Next-Generation Energy Storage systems) that, among other things, would have batteries serving double duty by being packed into door panels, load-bearing components and, yes, crumple zones. The program is laid out in a recent journal published

by SAE International.

You can find the article here.

And before anyone gets all negative and mentions a Tesla CarB-Cue, there is a plan to move away from the

lithium-ion batteries that are de rigueur for today’s electric vehicles towards something potentially safer. General Electric and Lawrence Berkeley Laboratories are working on water-based polymer electrolytes that would essentially make batteries non-flammable. There’s also work being done on solid electrolytes produced from ceramics, all in the name of safety. If it works, the program could eventually develop a battery that provides a 240-mile single-charge range while costing about 30 percent less than EV batteries do today. We can’t wait to drive an EV with that pack through the unoccupied territories.

12 CLASSIFIEDS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 201 SUNDAY-MONDAY, DECEMBER 22-23, 2013

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13 COMMUNITY SENSE

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 201 SUNDAY-MONDAY, DECEMBER 2013 VOL. 6 ISSUE22-23, 201 SUNDAY-MONDAY, DECEMBER 22-23, 2013

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 11th Judicial Region Branch 15, Davao City

IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION FOR CORRECTION OF ENTRIES FROM MULTIPLE CHILD BIRTH TO SINGLE AND WITH RESPECT TO THE MAIDEN NAME OF PETITIONER’S MOTHER FROM LUZVIMINDA SAHOT SEBUMPA TO LUZVIMINDA SAHOT SEBUMPAN

SP.PROC.NO. 12-839-13

JAMES SEGUMPAN VIDAL Petitioner, -versus-

THE OFFICE OF THE CIVIL REGISTRAR OF DAVAO Respondent x------------------------------------------------------------x

ORDER This is a verified petition for correction of entries from multiple child birth to single and with respect to the maiden of petitioner’s mother from Luzviminda Sahot Sabumpa to Luzviminda Sahot Sebumpan.

Finding the petition to be sufficient in form and substance let the petition be heard on January 29, 2014 at 8:30 a.m. at the session hall of this Court, on which date, hour and place , all interested persons are hereby cited to appear and show cause if they have any, why this petition should not be granted.

Let copy of this Order and Petition be published before the hearing date at the expense of the petitioner in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Davao once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks. Give the Davao City Civil registrar and the Solicitor General copies of this Order.

SO ORDERED.

Davao City, Philippines, November 14, 2013.

12/9,16,23

( SGD) RIDGWAY M. TANJILI Judge

2 Davao City public high schools get science instrument from Davao Light S

TUDENTS in two of Davao City’s public high schools are expected to improve substantially their performance in science-related subjects this school year.

This after the schools received new and complete sets of science and chemistry instrument and apparatus from Davao Light and Power Co. and its social development arm,

the Aboitiz Foundation, Inc., last Tuesday and Wednesday (December 17 and 18, 2013,). respectively.

Recipients of the instrument are the Crossing Bayabas National High School in Barangay Crossing Bayabas, Toril District, and Calinan National High School in Barangay Calinan, Calinan District, all in Davao City. The donation

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Davao Light Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Manager Vic Sumalinog and Calinan National High School Principal Dr. Wenefredo E. Cagape join hands in holding a human torso model, one of the many science laboratory apparatus donated by the electric utility to populate the school’s science room and to enhance the teaching and learning processes of the science subjects. The donation turnover was done last Wednesday, December 18, 2013 with the ceremony serving as highlight to the school’s Parents Day celebration. costs about P370 thousand, or roughly P185 thousand pesos for each of the two schools.

The science lab instrument also include some chemicals for laboratory use.

These were turned over by Vic N. Sumalinog, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Manager of Davao Light, and Fermin Edillon, CSR Supervisor of the Aboitiz-owned electric distribution company.. The donations were received by Mrs. Evelyn E. Magno, principal (for Crossing Bayabas National High School); and Dr. Wenefredo E. Cagape, Principal (for Calinan National High

School).

Both turnover ceremonies were held in the schools’ covered court and witnessed by barangay officials, hundred of parents, teaching staff, principals from other high schools, and students.

Speaking for Davao Light Exec. Vice President Art Milan who did not make it to the turnover, CSR Manager Sumalinog admonished the teachers and students not to put the importance of the new instrument to naught.

He said the apparatus should be used to enhance the science teaching and learning process.

14 SPORTS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 201 SUNDAY-MONDAY, DECEMBER 22-23, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

Gavino leads Matina Classic Golf winners

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO

J

Gavino

njb@edgedavao.net

ING Jing Gavino used his mastery of the short but tricky Davao City Golf Club layout carding 35 points to win via countback over rival Den-Den De Castro in the premier Class A division of the 16th Matina Classic Golf Tournament.

Gavino’s output on the Modified Stableford scoring was matched

by De Castro but Gavino was declared winner after emerging with a superior card on countback. Roderick Lo won the Class A (0-9 handicap) net title with a 41

besting youthful Jonathan Cabreros who had a 40.

Paul Dakudao won Class B gross title with a 32 besting the 29 of Ivan Enriquez while Fred Baloran pocketed the net title with a 42. Alejandro So finished second with a net 40.

In Class C, Wenceslao Bayquen won the crown with a gross 31 besting the net 30 card of Rey Masing. The Class C net plum went to Roger Lim with a 49 besting the 42 effort of lawyer Robert de Leon. In Class D,

Ricardo Decendario’s gross 27 bested the 26 of Nilo Caliao. Leo Catipay had a 51 to won the net title over Alex Lineses who had a 46.

In the Seniors division, Kim Yong Pok (31) won the 55-65 years old gross title over Larry Pasquil (29), while Art Casas (43) won the net title over Junie Constantinopla (42). In the 66-above category, Nick Olarte took the gross title over Julius Bajo while Art Gamolo (52) won over Manuel Albarracin (49) in the net category.

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VOL. 6 ISSUE 201 SUNDAY-MONDAY, DECEMBER 22-23, 2013

EDGEDAVAO ARTS AND CULTURE

Little Pepe falls asleep at Mass on the last night of the Misa de Gallo.

A storybook come to life in dance and music

CHRISTMAS is about children and giving, that is why Ayala Malls together with the Steps Dance Project presented Pepe’s Secret Christmas last December 7 at the Activity Center of the Abreeza Mall.

A n original c h i l d r e n’s ballet theatre show, Pepe’s Secret Christmas is literally a stor y b o ok brought to life by the dancers of Sofia Zobel Elizalde’s Steps Dance Project directed and choreographed by James Laforteza, and written by Floy Quintos. The fantastic and out-of-this-world costumes were designed and produced by Gino Gonzales with lighting by Katsch Catoy.

In Pepe’s Secret Christmas, young Pepe falls asleep in church on the last night of the Misa de Gallo. What follows is a dream where he meets talking animals who celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ through song and dance. In this magical dimension, Kulas Kabaw,

FA STORYBOOK, A4

The Tikling.

EDGEDAVAO

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UP AND ABOUT

VOL. 6 ISSUE 201 SUNDAY-MONDAY, DECEMBER 22-23, 2013

EVENT

Enrique Gil gets cozy with Chalk for the hottest holiday ever THE coldest season of the year just got much hotter with Chalk’s latest cover boy Enrique Gil and his warmest thoughts in an exclusive story on how he’s been “Heating up the Holidays”.

Read up on how Enrique’s been both naughty and nice, sharing his thoughts on Julia Montes and Liza Soberano. He also recounts some of his favorite memories from those celebrations that he can’t seem to forget—leading up to how he’s been cozying up to where to he is today.

Another huge present is also in store for readers with Chalk’s 50 Hottest Guys list. From this year’s over boys Xian Lim, Daniel Padilla, and Joseph Marco; television eye candies Robi Domingo, Ejay Falcon, Jerome Ponce, Derrick Monasterio, and Kristoffer Martin—to the hottest guys in sports like Jeron and Jeric Teng, Andre and Kobe Paras, Arnold Van Opstal, and the Philippine Volcanoes’ Ned Stephenson and Dennis Gordon, Chalk covers the country’s most attractive personalities that make the season that much more enticing.

Of course, Chalk won’t skip out on offering the latest trends in fashion and beauty to sport all holiday long with the magazine’s take on party dressing in the feature ‘Cheers to the New Year” and the scoop on trendy metallic makeup in “Magically Metallic,” where it’s all about adding that extra sparkle.

This year’s December to January issue also helps its readers out with lists of great gift ideas for the Chalk reader’s special someone. What’s more is that resident celebrity columnist Jasmine Curtis-Smith helps lay out plans for a worthwhile holiday break with her “7 Days of Holiday Fun”.

Read up on all this and more by grabbing a copy of Chalk’s December 2013-January 2014 issue out on newsstands and magazine stores now.

The Holiday’s Best Value Offers only from Tattoo WHETHER it is a well-deserved reward for a hardworking year that was or as a special gift for a loved one, Tattoo, the country’s most reliable mobile broadband, gives you the best prepaid value tablet bundle offers of the season!

You may just be able to check a wish off your list with Tattoo’s unbeaten prepaid tablet bundles! Save as much as P2845 with these new offers that carry a great selection of affordable tablets starting at P4995 for a CloudPad 705W or a SkyWorth S73 and P6995 for a SkyWorth S82. All these new bundles now come with a FREE Tattoo Mobile WiFi that allows you to connect up to 10 devices with speeds of up to 7.2mbps!

“As Tattoo’s offers evolve with the needs of our customers, we continue to create different bundles that would satisfy the desire to always be on trend. And with the surge of quality and reasonably priced tablets, we saw the opportunity to provide these latest gadgets to our subscribers through some of the best value offers available in the market today” said Globe Vice President for Tattoo Nomadic Broadband Business Dong Ronquillo.

Tattoo also gives you more reasons to enjoy the holidays with a wonderful freebie to kick start your mobile broadband connection by texting FREE1 to 8888 for 1 free surfing hour good for a day.

Try something new this season. Step up and join the Tattoo Tablet Revolution. Know more about Tattoo’s latest deals and visit Tattoo.globe.com.ph, call 730-1010 or visit a Globe store near you.

An icon in lights

By Kenneth Irving Ong WHENEVER one asks a visitor to name an iconic building in the Davao region, chances are they will mention Pearl Farm Beach Resort’s parola as the building they associate with the region.

And every year around Christmas, the resort holds a Christmas lighting ceremony capped off with the lighting of the Pearl Farm Beach Resort’s triangular-shaped parola, or lighthouse, turning it into one giant Christmas tree.

Designed by renowned Filipino architect Francisco “Bobby” Mañosa using Filipino and Mindanao inspired designs and patterns, the Pearl Farm Beach Resort was Don Antonio Floirendo’s dream created from what was once called the Aguinaldo Pearl Farm.

This year’s lighting ceremony was attended by tourism partners in the Davao region as well as partners from Anflocorp as well as Vincent Floirendo.

“The Parola as well as the arrival deck of the Pearl Farm has been renovated and redesigned to reflect current Filipino design trends.” says Vincent “All the furniture has been updated as well as the bar area on the upper level of the parola.”

Vincent adds that aside from renovations on the Parola, the resort is also renovating its Maranao Restaurant as well as adding a new building for the front office.

“This lighting is just the start of better things to come, it is the realisation of the (Floirendo) family’s vision and commitment to keep the Pearl Farm Beach Resort relevant today and in many more years to come” beams Vincent.

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VOL. 6 ISSUE 201 SUNDAY-MONDAY, DECEMBER 22-23, 2013

ENTERTAINMENT

Himig celebrates 25th at SM City Davao on Dec 22 CELEBRATE Christmas with Davao’s pride Himig Singers Alumni in an evening of great music on December 22 at SM City Davao Annex Event Center.

Himig was organized in 1988 by founder and director Mrs. Evangeline Lapore.

They have participated in international competitions in Europe, winning top prizes in Spain, Austria and Italy, and toured the U.S. and Canada extensively.

In 1990, Alvin “Bong” Aviola became the group’s musical director. The Himig Singers, won the National Music Competitions for Young Artists in 1990 and 1993; the “award of the audience” at the Vivache 2004 In-

ternational Choral Festival in Veszprem, Hungary; the first prize in the mixed category, as well as the grand prize, in the 26th International Youth and Music Festival in Vienna, Austria in 1997; and first prize in the polyphonic category at the XV International Music Festival in Cantonigros, Spain, also in 1997.

At the Vienna festival, the group garnered a 99.93-percent rating, the highest rating in the history of the competition as of 1997.

In 2007, the group won the top prize in the mixed vocal ensembles category at the First Asian Choir Games, held in Jakarta, Indonesia.

In the same year, the city of Davao has also appointed

the Singers official cultural ambassadors of goodwill in an ordinance.

An enchanting Christmas awaits everyone at SM City Davao with the Himig Singers’ 25th Anniversary Mall Show, 7PM at the Annex Event Center.

This Holiday season, SM City Davao extends its mall hours to 10 PM until December 30. Mall-goers may enjoy Christmas shopping until 12 MN on December 21. On December 24 and 31, the mall will be open at 9AM up to 7PM. For inquiries, call 297.6998.

Like SM City Davao on Facebook or follow @smcitydavao on Twitter for event and promo updates.

Get naughty this Christmas with DJ Chacha’s self-help book on love, sex and relationships ALL the witty, naughty and handy-dandy tips from MOR 101.9 DJ Chacha’s trending love counseling program “Heartbeats with Chacha Babes” is now rolled into easy-to-read book for those who are in love, fell out of love, and wanting to fall in love again.

Titled “Napakasakit Ate Chacha: Mga Usapang Malikot, Maharot at Makirot,” Chacha’s first book features the best advice on love, sex and relationships shared over the hit late-night swears a pleasure-filled Christmas to everyone who will read her first book “All issues about love encountered by all genders are tackled in my book and I’m sure each reader—whether or not a loyal listener of my radio show—can relate and even agree with some of my thoughts there,” said DJ Chacha.

Chacha shared that her first venture into publishing made her realize how her stint as a radio DJ—her first job—had become too close to her heart.

“The experience of completing the compilation of my favorite love advice

made me appreciate the everyday love calls I receive from my listeners and made me discover that aside from talking, I could actually write,” shared Chacha, who conceptualized the book together with “MOR 101.9 For Life!” head Roxy Liquigan, editor Grace Libero and her friend writer who recently passed away, Butch Guerero.

“This book is very personal because I put a lot of effort to really make it such a worthwhile and pleasurable text that readers would want to read it over and over again. Just like my radio show, it covers no-holdsbarred sharings of real-life funny, naughty, yet sensible matters about love, sex, and relationships.”

Also dubbed as “Ang Nagiisang Diyosa sa Balat ng Radyo,” Chacha began her radio career in 2008 in ABSCBN’s FM station, right after college.

Released by ABS-CBN Publishing Inc., “Napakasakit Ate Chacha: Mga Usapang Malikot, Maharot at Makirot” is now available on bookstores nationwide for only P175.

Don’t miss “Heartbeats with Chacha Babes,” Monday to Friday, from 9pm to 12mn, on ABS-CBN’s official FM radio station in Mega Manila “MOR 101.9 For Life!” For more updates about “M.O.R. 101.9 For Life!” visit www.facebook. com/mor1019 and follow @ MOR1019 on Twitter.

FROZEN 2D Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel

GP

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

IN FEAR 2D Iain De Caestecker, Alice Englert R 13

12:25 | 2:20 | 4:15 | 6:10 | 8:05 | 9:00 LFS

THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE 2D/ *ENDER'S GAME 2D Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson / * Asa Butterfield, Harrison Ford

R-16

PG 13 / *PG 13

12:10 | 2:50 LFS / *5:30 | 7:45 | 10:00 LFS

THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG 2D Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman PG 13

1:00 | 4:00 | 7:00 | 10:00 LFS

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VOL. 6 ISSUE 201 SUNDAY-MONDAY, DECEMBER 22-23, 2013

ARTS AND CULTURE Pepe dancing together with the farm animals.

A storybook...

FFROM A1

Totong Tandang, Inday Inahin, Kardong Kambing, Bertang Baboy, and other farm and forest animals open Pepe’s eyes to the beauty of nature and the value of keeping harmony with it.

Although primarily written with kids as the main audience, I was sure even the adults in the audience was literally drawn in to the tale of selfless love and giving during the Christmas season. The use of music that was composed and performed by Filipino talent made the show stand out yet instantly recognisable. The crowd cheered especially when, Davao artist, Joey Ayala’s songs were played.

Present to witness the Davao debut of Pepe’s Secret Christmas were distinguished guests Sofia Zobel Elizalde, who heads Steps Dance Project, Doña Bea Zobel de Ayala, Beatriz Susana Zobel de Ayala, Cristina Zobel de Ayala, Francisco Elizalde, and Ayala Land, Inc.’s Javi Hernandez.

Pepe’s Secret Christmas is one of Abreeza Mall’s efforts to make holiday season in Davao truly shine.

And for me, it truly did by adding a mall show that was entertaining and relevant to the times.

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

The Dahong Palay

The entire cast and production crew of Pepe’s Secret Christmas.

Totong Tandang and Inday Inahin.

From left to right: Doña Beatriz M. Zobel, Cristina Zobel de Ayala, Sofia Zobel Elizalde and Francisco R. Elizalde.

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VOL. 6 ISSUE 201 SUNDAY-MONDAY, DECEMBER 22-23, 2013

Kobe injured again L

Philippine athlete Rubilen Amit focus on the ball during her match with Singapore’s Hoe Shu Wah in the Womens 8 ball pool-singles during the 23rd South East Asian Game held inside the Makati Coliseum in Manila, Thursday 01 December 2005. The Philippine won gold with the score of 9-5. (EPA/MIKE ALQUINTO)

OS ANGELES (Reuters) - Just 11 days after Kobe Bryant made his long-awaited return for the Los Angeles Lakers, the shooting guard is expected to be out for “approximately six weeks” because of a knee injury, the team announced on Thursday.

The 35-year-old, who spent almost eight months on the sidelines with a torn left Achilles’ tendon before making his comeback on December 8, hyper-extended his left knee during Tuesday’s 96-92 win against the Grizzlies in Memphis.

Bryant, a 15-time AllStar and five-time NBA champion, had a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exam on Thursday and was also examined by a team physician.

“Results of the MRI show that Bryant has a

fracture of the lateral tibial plateau of his knee,” the Lakers said in a statement.

“He is expected to be out approximately six weeks.”

Bryant’s latest injury comes as a major blow for the Lakers, who only last month signed the league veteran to a two-year, $48.5 million contract extension.

“That’s too bad, you hate it for Kobe,” Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni told reporters after the team practiced at their El Segundo training facility.

“He’s worked so hard to get back. But he’ll be back.

He’ll be back in six weeks.

He’s got to weather the storm to get back. We’re going to play hard. We have enough guys and enough talent. We’ll be fine.”

Xavier Henry will take over as starting point guard in Bryant’s absence, the Lakers said.

AYPYIDAW — Filipino riders Daniel Caluag and Christopher Caluag outran the others to take home gold and silver in the men’s BMX race, leaving the bronze to Indonesia’s Saputra at the 27th Southeast Asian Games on Thursday.

Daniel Caluag, whoe attended the London Olympics 2012, had made a remarkable record of No. 1 ranking in the AA Pro in 2007 and the Pro Cruiser three consecutive years.

As for the women’s BMX race, Indonesia’s Elga Kharisma finished first, followed by Thailand’s Duangkamon, and host Myan-

mar’s Khin Myo Htet.

The one-day BMX cycling took place at Bicycle Moto Cross (BMX) field in Nay Pyi Taw’s Mount Pleasant on Thursday after Cycling’s other events, Cross Country, Down Hill, and Road Race ended a few days ago.

BMX race is a bicycle race like motocross racing that runs on an off-road designed with a series of ramps that enable cyclics to launch themselves into the air and some sharp turns.

Seven women and 10 men cyclists from six ASEAN countries participate in the BMX event.

Amit leads another golden harvest Caluags finish 1-2 in BMX T N EAM Philippines continues to breathe heavily down Singapore’s neck for a modest finish in the 27th Southeast Asian Games.

Rubilen Amit finally gained sweet payback against a familiar foe in the women’s 9-ball while the judoka pair of veteran Gilbert Ramirez and Kiyomi Watanabe delivered scintillating performances as the PH team racked up three gold medals in Day 10 of the biennial event at the newly-established capital city Nay Pyi Taw in Myanmar.

Eager to make up for her previous loss and

also the sorry setback suffered by compatriot Iris Ranola, Amit dominated Indonesian rival Angeline Magdalena 7-2 in a surprisingly one-sided finals showdown.

“Talagang gusto kong manalo this time because of what happened the first time we met.

Parang gigil ako noon,” said Amit. “After that, nag-pray ako and naging more calm naman.”

Not be outshone were Ramirez, a twotime Games gold medalist, and Watanabe.

Ramirez employed a vise-like arm bar that forced Thai counterpart Banpot Lertthaisong to tap out to claim the gold

Pacquiaocleared of US charges A

FTER a spate of issues regarding his taxes, Manny Pacquiao got a much-needed break as a lawsuit filed against him in the United States was thrown out.

Pacquiao received a belated birthday gift as the United States Court of Appeal for the Fifth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a multi-million dollar lawsuit against the boxer.

Imperial ED Promotions, a startup Texas promotional company, filed the lawsuit which was dismissed last December 18. The company argued that Pacquiao failed to show up for a promotional event in 2010. However, Pacquiao’s team of lawyers

led by David Marroso of law firm O’Melveny and Myers LLP countered that Pacquiao was not paid the agreed upon fee prior to the event.

The case was ultimately dismissed because Imperial ED Promotions committed a serious blunder when they submitted a tampered document.

Pacquiao’s counsel made the argument that Imperial ED Promotions should not be the party filling the lawsuit since the earlier contract was signed with someone else. The tampered documented was apparently backdated to make it seem that Pacquiao signed the contract with Imperial RD Promotions.

in the 73 kgs-and-under category.

For his part, Watanabe, a 16-year-old wonder, defeated Vietnamese Thi Hoa Bui for the 63 kgs-and-under gold medal.

Those exploits nearly helped Philippines overtake the Singaporeans and gain the sixth spot.

Unfortunately, Singapore enjoyed a five-gold medal rush in sailing that enabled them to hang on at the sixth spot with 31, just five ahead of the PH team.

Powerhouse Thailand kept its firm grip at the top spot with 86 golds followed by host Myanmar (69), Vietnam

(66), Indonesia (61) and Malaysia (36).

The PH team also has 30 silver and 32 bronze medals. The latest three silver medals came from Jenielou Mosqueda (judoka, 57 kgs-and-under), Geylord Coveta (windsurfing) and the duo of Richly Balladares and Ridgely Magsanay (sailing, International 470 class).

All is not lost for the Philippines, though.

On Saturday, the PH team will still be vying for five golds in taekwondo, three in muay and two each in chess and judoka, events where Singapore doesn’t come in as favorites.

SOL’S FLOATER. Sol Mercado of Globalport puts up a finger roll in this bit of action between Globalport and San Mig Coffee in the PBA Philippine Cup. KC Cruz

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. VOL.66ISSUE ISSUE201 201SUNDAY-MONDAY, SUNDAY-MONDAY,DECEMBER DECEMBER22-23, 22-23,2013 2013

HOW SWEEP IT IS! BFP sweeps PRO 11, clinches first AFP-PNP basketball title T

he long wait is over for the Bureau of Fire Protection as the gritty Firefighters finally savored their breakthrough championship following numerous letdowns in the past.

The Firefighters carved out a thrilling 81 – 79 victory in Game 2 to sweep the Police Regional Office-XI and pull off an improbable feat, capturing the Mayor Rody Duterte and Vice Mayor Pulong Duterte – 11th AFP-PNP Basketball Tournament title at the Davao City Recreation Center on Wednesday night.

Former MVP Warlito Castillo saved his best for last, paving the way for the Firefighters to join the short list of the league’s title holders including the four-peat seeking City Mayor’s Office squad which got ambushed in the semis by BFP. With the count at 79-all, BFP employed a tough team defense that allowed Castillo to steal the ball en route to convert the winning basket with a second left in the CHAMPS. Front row (l-r) S Insp Randolf Arbutante, S Insp Alex Pamaybay, Insp Donald Concepcion, FO1 Reynald Earl Angsingco, FO1 Primo Jabilles III, and FO1 Robert Paul Namuagg III. Secpnd row (l-r) FO1 Jose Labor Jr., FO1 Anthony Laurence game to help the Firefight- Agustin, FO1 Warlito Castillo, FO1 Fubon Maligro, FO1 Russel Bayon-on, FO1 Ryan Sanchez, FO1 Ian Rhey Lumogda, FO1 Vincenzo Isidore, Rey Weill, Kristian Lord Coquilla and Head Coach S Insp Michael Dexter Navarro. Photo by Boy Lim ers escape with title clinchday 1 brought us to this won- rhythm back in the few re- with game-high 20 points.

The game was close up strong early, taking a double ing win.

PRO had the chance to derful and precious cham- maining games of the elim- BFP’s revelation this season to the final seconds as BFP digit lead late in the opening steal the game but the Po- pionship,” said BFP coach ination, finished the game Donald Concepcion contrib- and PRO battled hard in ev- period. uted 18 baskets. ery play, showing no signs of But the Policemen anlicemen’s final heave went FINSP Michael Navarro, who with 16 points. credited their remarkable Rookie John Lumogda Blanco scored 18 for laying their arms in the gru- swered back in the second to naught. came out big once again for PRO while Edwin Awintin eling encounter. canto to get back on track.

“All our collective effort, season to their defense.

Castillo, who just got his the Firemen, churning out had 14.

The Firemen came out [RJB] the all out team effort, since