Edge Davao 6 Issue 202

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 202 • TUESDAY-THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24-26, 2013

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

www.edgedavao.net

Serving a seamless society

THE MOVES. Human Resources and Management Office (HRMO) chief Erwin L. Alparaque together with the other heads and chiefs of offices of the city government of Davao dances to the tune of Psy’s Gentleman in a once in a lifetime Christmas presentations during the flag raising ceremony yesterday.

Lean Daval Jr.

DUE TO DUTERTE E.O. ON SPEED LIMITS

ROAD MISHAPS DOWN 20% Supt. Poliquit nixes arming traffic enforcers EMILORD P. CASTROMAYOR and ANTONIO M. AJERO

I

SSUING firearms to civilian traffic enforcers will not solve any problem specially if it concerns maintenance of order in the streets.

This was the statement of Supt. Rodelio Poliquit, chief of the Davao City Police Office traffic group, when asked by newsmen covering the weekly Kapehan sa Dabaw media forum yesterday what he thought of a proposal from certain quarters to arm traffic enforcers in order to protect their lives from violence-prone motorists and other people who wish to harm them.

The idea was floated after Julan Gentapa, a traffic enforcer manning traffic in Toril, was killed by a crazed

“paying-payong” tricycle driver in Toril, Davao City last December 19. The suspect, Junie Sumabong, who became despondent after he was arrested for some traffic violations, hacked the victim 17 times with a “lagarao,” a kind of bolo.

However, victim Gentapa was not the enforcer who apprehended suspect Sumabong.

Providing civilian traffic enforcers with guns will all the more make them targets or magnets to violent elements, Poliquit told media men.

Earlier, he lauded Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte for coming up with Executive Order No. 39, Series of 2013, setting

FROAD, 10

OUT OF THIS WORLD. A cosplay competitor clad in a predator-inspired costume strikes a pose on Sunday night’s Games and Gadgets Expo 2013 held at the activity center of Abreeza Mall along J.P. Laurel Avenue in Davao City. Lean Daval Jr.

2 THE BIG NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 202 • TUESDAY-THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24-26, 2013

MAN ACCUSED

of lascivious act by lawyer

By EMILORD P. CASTROMAYOR

MAGIC. Cyrus (right), a magician from Manila, showcases magic tricks to the delight of the city government of Davao employees after yesterday’s flag raising ceremony in front of the City Hall of Davao. Lean Daval Jr.

T

epc@edgedavao.net

HE CITY prosecution office (CPO) has charged a man with acts of lasciviousness after he allegedly touched the legs of a lady lawyer while both were aboard a public utility jeepney on the way to the Hall of Justice in Ecoland last December 11.

Prosecutor Gaye Magdagasang found evidence to charge with act of lasciviousness against Reynaldo

A. Canoy, a government employee by virtue of a complaint filed by a certain “Tere”, a clerk of Court of Branch 10.

Canoy is detained at the Talomo police station.

Magdagasang has recommended a P12,000 bail bond for Canoy.

Based on the resolution, Magdagasang stated that the charges filed against Ca-

FMAN, 10

Davao provinces, cities get Police muzzle budget of P7.9B sans PDAF their firearms Bidding out of 60% of infras done as early as October: RD Alquiza Procurement process starts next week

By ANTONIO M. AJERO

D

ajero_antonio@yahoo.com

ESPITE the scrapping of the controversial Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), also called “pork barrel,” allegedly abused by certain lawmakers, the four provinces, six cities and its two dozens municipalities will still get a huge budget of P7.9 billion for infrastructure and similar projects to be implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways.

AFP TELLS CCP-NPA

This was the assurance issued of DPWH Region 11 Director Mariano “Marnie” Alquiza during a briefing with Davao media practi-

tioners last Saturday.

Alquiza said the 2014 infra budget of Region 11 contained in the newly-signed General Appropriations Act (GAA) of 2014 is the biggest so far, showing a big increase over this year’s P7.2-billion infra appropriations.

Alquiza’s explanation confirmed the statements of Davao City Rep. Isidro T. Ungab that a large bulk of the country’s newly approved P2.2-trillion bud-

get for 2014 is allotted to Region 11, especially for infrastructure projects.

Ungab is the chairman of the House of Representatives appropriations committee responsible for preparing the nation’s annual budget. Ungab was likewise involved in the Bicameral Conference Committee work tasked with unifying the versions of the versions of the House and the Senate of the budget.

FDAVAO, 10

P

OLICE regional office 11 (PRO) muzzled all issued firearms of police personnel in the Davao region yesterday by way of symbolically showing that police support a safe and peaceful celebration of the New Year’s Eve. Chief Inspector Jed Clamor, spokesperson of PRO 11, said that all policemen in Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte and Davao Oriental should follow orders in the campaign against illegal discharge of firearms during Christmas and New Year’s Eve. This symbolic activity will remind police to be responsible in handling their issued firearms or else they

will be facing an administrative charge for misconduct and illegal discharge of firearms.

Among thousands of police in the region, some 500 police firearms were presented during the muzzle-taping ceremony where officers taped the muzzle of their guns with their signature on the tape to make sure that it will not be altered or changed.

“It’s a simultaneous activity in all the police stations of the Davao region,” Clamor said, adding that policemen are exempted from the order if their gun is used while on duty.

The seals on the fire-

FPOLICE, 10

Explain refusal to go on prolonged ceasefire I NSTEAD of calling Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chiefof-staff Gen. Emmanuel T. Bautista proposal to go on prolonged ceasefire during the Yuletide Season moronic, the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) should give pertinent reasons to the public why it refuses to do so.

But AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Domingo Tutaan on Monday said he does not expect the rebels to honor this call as doing so would cut down their extortion activities.

“The NPA is there if there is extortion, the NPA

is there if there is other criminal activities,” he added.

“They would be losing a lot of money if they would do that,” the AFP spokesperson stressed.

Tutaan also scored the NPA’s decision to only go on a four-day ceasefire for the Christmas holidays as the Philippines celebrates the longest Christmas Season in the world.

“The CPP-NPA has said that in declaring (a fourday) ceasefire is in keeping with the Filipino tradition of observing the holiday season but the (Philippines) celebration of the

YEAR-END REPORT. Department of Agriculture (DA) 11 director Remelyn R. Recoter presents the accomplishments of the agency in the region during yester-

FEXPLAIN, 10 day’s DA year-end report at the Apo View Hotel in Davao City. Lean Daval Jr.

VOL. 6 ISSUE 202 • TUESDAY-THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24-26, 2013

NEWS

3

P1.9B for FMR In Region 11

By CHENEEN R. CAPON crc@edgedavao.net

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE I pray that the peace of the heart, which is the heart of peace, be yours this Christmas and throughout the New Year! God bless you always.

FERNANDO R. CAPALLA Former Davao Archbishop Archdiocese of Davao

A

LARGE portion of the 2014 budget of the Department of Agriculture in region 11 will go to the establishment of farm-to=market roads (FMR) in the region .

DA regional director Remelyn Recoter said in a presentation that P1.2 billion will be allotted for the construction of FMRs. The department has a total budget of P1.9 billion for its projects and programs for the year 2014.

The province of Compostela Valley got the highest budget with P306 million while Davao del Sur got P280 million;vDavao del Norte P244 million; Davao Oriental P208 million; and the city has P176 million allotted for FMR network services.

In an earlier report, Recoter said that this is part of their strategy to connect the producers [farmers] to markets and improve the

FP1.9B, 10

SCHOLARS. Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte extends his greetings and message to the scholars of the City Government during the Pahalipay sa Katawhan para sa Scholars at the Almendras Gym last Sunday afternoon. [CIO]

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EDGEDAVAO

BIGGER PICTURE

VOL. 6 ISSUE 202 • TUESDAY-THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24-26, 2013

Providing homes to ‘Pablo’ victims O

VER 300 families left homeless by Typhoon Pablo in December 2012 met up with President Benigno C. Aquino III as he visited Barangay Kidawa, Laak, Compostela Valley last Sunday. The President inspected the newly-completed housing project under the DSWD Modified Shelter Assistance Program. He also talked with some beneficiaries identified to receive the initial 115 units.

He was accompanied by social welfare secretary Corazon J. Soliman, defense secretary Voltaire Gazmin, national housing general manager Chito Cruz, cabinet secretary Jose Rene Almendras, presidential assistant for rehabilitation and recovery Sen. Panfilo Lacson, among others.

In his message, the President emphasized that cabinet members are instrumental ‘sa ating pagbangon at pagsulong’ following the disasters that hit the country. He said, we have to make sure that every step we take brings us towards sustainable development. “Kailangan ang aktibong pagkilos at pakikipagtulungan sa mga institusyon (There is a need for active collaboration with the institutions).” Addressing the beneficiaries, he stressed, Kamo gihapon ang akong kusog…Marami pa tayong kailangang gawin at mahaba pa ang ating lalakbayin…Sulong tayo sa pag-unlad nating lahat (You still are my strength. We still need to do a lot and our journey is far from over…Let’s

President Benigno C. Aquino III visits Kidawa, Laak. move forward towards progress).”

At the briefing for President Aquino here, Secretary Soliman said the relocation site is one of the two safest places in Laak per study of the Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau (MGB). “The housing de-

sign is sturdier and the NASA (Neighborhood Association for Shelter Assistance) is already organized and they are now more united and more prepared for any disaster. Of the 115 initial recipients, 39 are Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries.” She urged the families

though to take care of their new homes.

Spearheaded by the provincial government, the initial 115 permanent shelters were constructed in 45 days through Cash-For-Work and through Gawad Kalinga’s Bayanihan scheme. Gov. Arturo T. Uy said

he instructed his provincial department heads and 82 employees to personally supervise and monitor the building of the units. Governor Uy personally thanked the President, saying, “Your presence will be our inspiration to strive and rise again through diligence and hard work.”

Houses that were destroyed in Laak by ‘Pablo’ reached 5116. Of this figure, 456 were located in Kidawa.

The DSWD aims to build 456 units of the 24 square meter-shelter in Kidawa barangay relocation site. With a lot area of 70 square meters, each unit comes painted inside and out, with bath room and septic tank, separate kitchen, and window-level concrete walling. For the 115 units, project cost is Php 20,709,840.00.

Beneficiary and owner of House No. 15 Marcelino Regodon, said, “As most of us here in the village, we have gradually recovered considering the numerous assistance that reached us.”

His daughter Merry Love, a Grade 6 pupil, is glad that their brand new home is much nearer to her school.

She used to walk one kilometre to Kidawa Elementary

School.

“We work hard so we can survive. God is really good. There are kind-hearted people helping those in need like us. We are overjoyed since we can now transfer to our new house. Unlike our present makeshift dwelling where we use plastic sheets as roofing material. When it pours, some portion leaks and we get soaked,” admitted Norma Bautista, 52.

Luna Mae Lino, a 21year old mother and the lucky owner of House No. 72 is very thankful to DSWD for bringing the program to her village even if it is very far.

Laak parish priest Fr. Jun Tuyco said in his homily prior to the house blessing, “Let us strive to listen and help the government.”

From Poblacion Laak, it takes an hour to reach Barangay Kidawa. It has 10 puroks with a population of 1600 consisting of 600 households, 60% of which belongs to the Dibabawon tribe. Kidawa is bounded in the north by Veruela town, Agusan Del Sur; Montevista, ComVal in the south; and Monkayo, ComVal in the east. [DSWD/Carmela Cadigal-Duron]

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 202 • TUESDAY-THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24-26, 2013

ICT HUB

5

Smart widens lead in 4G coverage T

O ADDRESS the growing need of Filipinos for fast broadband internet services, wireless leader Smart Communications is further expanding its wireless internet network coverage and now has more than 10,000 cell sites that offer fourth-generation (4G) technologies, including Long Term Evolution (LTE), the fastest commercially available mobile Internet service in the world.

Smart’s extensive 4G infrastructure is almost twice the size of competition and covers 85 percent of the country’s population, or around 78.4 million Filipinos.

“With its decisive 4G supremacy, Smart has become the benchmark of wireless services in the country, enabling Filipinos to experience global standards in mobile communications that is both fast and reliable,” said Rolando Peña, head of Technology of Smart and PLDT. “4G” broadly refers to technologies that provide high-speed data transmission that is up to 20 times faster than 3G connections. With such rapid data rates, users are able to stream high definition (HD) videos, download large files or upload photos and videos on their mobile devices without lag or delay.

The cutting edge of Smart’s 4G offerings is LTE, which it pioneered and launched in the Philippines in

Buy

August 2012 and is capable of delivering data rates of up to 42 Mbps. Since then, Smart’s LTE coverage has expanded steadily and now reaches the key urban areas of the country where demand for this highspeed service is increasing.

Moreover, anticipating Filipinos’ rising appetite for even faster broadband services, Smart has already commenced tests of LTE-Advanced which can offer data rates of 100 to 400 Mbps.

Aside from LTE, Smart also offers HSPA+ and WiMax as part of its suite of 4G technologies. Smart’s expanded 4G coverage is backed by its fiber optic cable connection that is four times more expansive and more powerful than competitors,’ enabling Smart and its parent company PLDT to deliver data services literally at the speed of light.

“Smart aims to capitalize on this lead in 4G footprint and invest more on its wireless network as it anticipates an explosive growth in data traffic,” said Peña.

Citing a Cisco Global Mobile Data Traffic Forecast early this year, Peña said that 4G connections around the world is expected to generate eight times more traffic than non4G links by 2017.

The same study draws attention to the Asia Pacific region, which is projected to have among the strongest an-

nual mobile data growth rate of 76 percent within the next four years, or close to a sev-

enteen-fold increase over the forecast period.

As of September 2013,

the PLDT group’s cellular subscriber base stood at 72.5 million, consisting of users of Talk

‘N Text (31.9 million), Smart (24.7 million subscribers) and Sun Cellular (15.8 million).

and get a chance to win fabulous Prizes!

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

2.9 Oct3.12013

Rate 15.

Core Inflation Rate 2006=100

Apr 2013

2006=100

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 202 • TUESDAY-THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24-26, 2013

Government delays release of BSP P10-B capitalization T

HE GOVERNMENT has delayed giving the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) the remaining P10 billion of its mandated P50 billion capitalization but a central bank executive just shrug his shoulders on this.

BSP Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo said the national government (NG) “has the prerogative on what to do with our long delayed full capitalization.”

He, however, stressed that if the central bank receives its remaining capital from the government this will greatly benefit the domestic economy.

“NG can be assured though that if our cap is fully paid, we can provide greater support in terms of doing our job to promote price and financial stability that in turn could provide a very good macro condition in addressing the challenges of rehabilitation and reconstruction,” he said.

The New Central Bank Act, which instituted the BSP from the old Central Bank of the Philippines, in 1993 has mandated a P50-billion capitalization, P10 billion of which has been given during the

BRISK SALES. Mang “Jun” readies a freshly cooked “lechon” (roast pig), a favorite among Filipinos and in big demand during celebrations such as “noche buena” and welcoming the New Year, on Monday, December 23, 2013, in La Loma district, Quezon City. [PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan] BSP’s first year of operations.

The Aquino administration gave the BSP P10 billion in December 2011 on back of improvement of fiscal situation and P20 billion in December 2012.

It vowed to give the remaining P10 billion capitalization in December this year.

However, Budget and Management Secretary Florencio Abad said they have to postpone the plan and instead use the money for the rehabilitation and reconstruction requirements in areas devastated by Typhoon Yolanda.

The government said it needs about P361 bil-

lion for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of typhoon-damaged areas.

The super typhoon, which is being considered as one of the strongest in world history, lashed central, eastern and Western Visayas as well as Southern Luzon and some parts of Mindanao last November 8-9.

Abad said that for the last quarter of 2013 and the first quarter of next year, reconstruction requirement is about P134.5 billion.

He said the government intends to disburse P34.5 billion until the rest of the year to help in the rehabilitation works.

[PNA]

gram provided for in the Renewable Energy Act of 2008.

“Those interested in tapping renewable energy such as solar power will find net metering to be just the right incentive to go green,” said the company in an advisory.

Net metering is an electric policy for consumers who own renewable energy facilities, which allows them to use electricity whenever needed while contributing their production to the grid.

According to the Net-Metering Reference Guide, customers of Distribution Utilities (DU) who own renewable energy (RE) facilities can

export their system’s excess energy back to the DU’s distribution system.

The guide is a joint initiative of the Department of Energy (DOE) and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) on behalf of the German Federal Ministry of Economic and Technology The guide states that the DU “gives a peso credit for the excess electricity received equivalent to the DU’s blended generation cost, excluding other generation adjustments, and deducts the credits earned to the customer’s electric bill.”

Propmech Corp. offers solar power packag-

es and services through its subsidiary Green Heat Corp.

Both firms are integrated systems providers specializing in solar panels.

“Our complete line of solar PV systems and technical knowledge and experience can help clients choose what is best for them,” said Green Heat technical consultant Edward Antonio.

Antonio also said that Green Heat offers financial packages to make solar PV packages more affordable.

The company provides free consultation and recommendation to clients on what solar PV systems can give them

the best return in investment and energy production.

Green Heat also customizes the kind of system that will yield the best power output and make it compliant to Meralco’s net-metering program.

There are no typical solar installations because solar projects are usually site specific.

Green Heat is involved in numerous milestone renewable energy projects in the country, including the ADB solar rooftop, rural electrification of DOE, solar PV center of Meralco and solar PV component of Asia Brewery’s LEED certification.[PNA]

Solar users can sell back excess power S

OLAR power users in residential, commercial or industrial sectors can now sell surplus electricity generated by their solar photovoltaic (PV) systems as the net-metering program takes full effect in the country.

This development comes as the rising electricity cost hit consumers this month with the tiered-increase implemented within the first quarter of next year.

Solar power provider Propmech Corp. announced that selling surplus electricity produced by solar power users back to the grid is now possible with the implementation of the net-metering pro-

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

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 202 • TUESDAY-THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24-26, 2013

YEARENDER

BIGGER PICTURE

7

DepEd pursues reforms in PHL basic education T

HE DEPARTMENT of Education (DepEd) has started taking initiatives to enhance the basic education curriculum as the K-12 law was signed by President Benigno Aquino III this year.

Republic Act No. 10533 otherwise known as the Enhanced Basic Education of 2013 mandates that the basic education will cover kindergarten, six years of elementary education and six years of secondary education which includes four years of junior high school and two years of senior high school.

The program seeks to provide students sufficient time to acquire mastery of concepts and skills, develop lifelong learners, and prepare graduates for tertiary education, middle-level skills development, employment, and entrepreneurship, according to the education department.

It also aims to decongest the academic workload, giving students more time to master competencies and engage in extracurricular affairs; ensure a seamless and continuous, decongested and enriched, researcher-based and learner-centered primary, secondary and postsecondary education and improve the teacher and learning process through the use of enhanced pedagogies such as spiral progression in Science and Math and appropriate medium of instruction through a mother tongue-based multilingual education in Grades 1 to 3.

The phased-in implementation of the K-12 basic education curriculum began in SY 2012-2013 with the introduction of the enhanced curricula for Grades 1 and 7 while the curricula for Grades 2 and 8 has been rolled out in SY 2013-2014 . Full-scale implementation of the senior high school curriculum is expected in SY 2016-2017.

DepEd is currently finalizing the guidelines for the proposed senior high school curriculum. Under the proposed program, the department will offer learning tracks namely academic, technical-vocational, sports and arts and design which students can choose from based on their

core competency and interests.

Each track consists of 31 subjects that are broken down into 15 core and 16 track subjects. The track courses comprise of 7 contextualized subjects which will give learners time to know their specialization.

Upon identification of their track, they will have 9 specialized subjects which will help them gain further expertise on a particular field of study.

“We are adapting to the need of a child to explore his/her strengths, weaknesses and interests, thus, our curriculum intends to be learner-centered,” DepEd Undersecretary for Programs and Projects Dina Ocampo said.

DepEd expects to complete the senior high school curriculum by February next year.

Gaps in classrooms, textbooks, teachers being addressed The DepEd remains to be on track in addressing the problem of lack of classrooms, teachers, textbooks and other basic educational needs in the country.

In 2010, the department has identified the following basic inputs that need to be addressed: 66,800 classrooms, 145,827 teachers, 135,847 sanitation facilities, 2.6 million school seats and 62.4 million textbooks.

The backlog in textbooks and school seats have been completely addressed attaining a 1:1 student to textbook and student to school seat ratio, according to the DepEd. Since 2010, around 102,623 new items were created alongside with the 43,204 kinder volunteers and LGU hired teachers to effectively cover the gap in the number of teachers.

On the other hand, 58,837 water and sanitation facilities have been completed and 70,532 are undergoing procurement.

The remaining 6,978 is included in next year’s budget.

To supplement its efforts in addressing the backlog of classrooms and other school facilities in the country, the DepEd has partnered with the private sector in constructing

school buildings under the Public-Private Partnership for School Project (PSIP).

The first phase of the PSIP (PSIP I) involves the design, financing and construction of about 9,300 one-storey and two-storey classrooms, including furniture and fixtures, in various sites in Region I, III and IV-A costing P 16.28 billion.

As of November 30, around 1,230 classrooms were already completed and 3,297 classrooms are currently being constructed. Notices to Proceed were issued for 5,961 classrooms.

On the other hand, PSIP II aims to construct, design and finance around 10,679 one-storey and two-storey classrooms in 5,033 public schools in 14 regions nationwide costing around P 3.86 billion.

An initial batch of 500 classrooms were turned over to the DepEd in a ceremony held at the San Jose Del Monte National Trade School in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan last October 25, 2013.

During the event, Ed-

ucation Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro noted that the PSIP is the first successful public private partnership project in the country and expressed confidence that it will help in steadily closing the country’s 68,000 classroom backlog.

“With the help of the private sector, we are confident that we can deliver our commitment to public school students,” the DepEd chief said.

The department assures that it will continue to pursue the provision of basic education inputs due to incremental enrollment, implementation of the K-12 basic education program, regular wear and tear, effects of recent calamities, and improvement of the learning environment.

Anti-Bullying Act Earlier this month, DepEd has finalized the implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act No. 10627 or the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013 which was signed by President Benigno Aquino III

last September.

The law which is part of the department’s child protection policy includes cyber-bullying as one of the acts of bullying aside of inflicting physical harm to the child and utterance of slanderous statement or accusation which causes the victim undue emotional distress such as the use of profanities, name-calling and commenting negatively on the victims’ looks, clothes and body. Bullying would also include social bullying which refers to any deliberate, repetitive and aggressive social behavior intended to hurt others or belittle any individual or group and gender based bullying that humiliates a person on the basis of their sexual orientation and gender identity.

The statute mandates all public and private kinder, primary and secondary schools as well as alternative learning centers to adopt anti-bullying policies and establish intervention programs which include counseling,

life skills training and other activities that will enhance the psychological, emotional and the psychosocial well-being of both the victim and the bully with the inclusion of all concerned parties such as bullies, victims, witnesses, parents, school officials as well as other persons that may be affected by the bullying incident.

Schools may also impose disciplinary measures as part of their child protection policy against the perpetrators depending on the gravity and nature of the cases.

The Philippines is one of the first countries to implement an anti-bullying act in the world, according to Sec. Luistro.

Moreover, the education department has directed all school divisions to organize a Child Protection Committee that would investigate cases of bullying and child abuse.

As of September 2013, the department has received and resolved 1,456 cases of bullying and child abuse. [PNA]

8

EDGEDAVAO

VANTAGE

EDITORIAL

VOL. 6 ISSUE 202 • TUESDAY-THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24-26, 2013

A time to heal

F

OR THE second straight Christmas, we feel a pinch of emptiness and pain. For two successive years, we were hit by calamities so destructive and agonizing leaving not just trauma but losses of great magnitude we have not even recovered from the previous one (Typhoon Pablo) when another killer typhoon came (Yolanda).

The havoc wrought by Pablo and Yolanda left millions of us reeling from the losses of lives and properties and of lands rendered desolate. Worse, the political bickering in the wake of the catastrophe all the more aggravated an already despicable situation.

What transpired thereafter is the overwhelming compassion and innate generosity among Filipinos in what was to be one of the world’s worse disasters of recent times. Immediately, we came to the rescue of fellow Filipinos and ‘sacrificed’

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our Christmas celebrations. Many cancelled their parties and gift-giving and instead channeled the resources to worthy charities.

Laudable that is. Then again, we don’t ‘postpone’ Christmas just because we are hurting. Instead, Christmas should be the fresh shot of energy to weary souls.

With all the many ways we celebrate Christmas, it is important to know that there is only one way of celebrating Christmas and that is to celebrate it with Christ. It is Christ who is the reason of the season. All the rest are mere worldly incidentals and accessories.

Painful or not, it goes without saying that Christmas is the healing we are looking for after all these tragic events in our lives.

That said, we leave this message filled with hope and healing—have a soulful Christmas everyone!

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

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EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 202 •TUESDAY-THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24-26, 2013

Core essences of Christmas KEEPING THE GENEROUS SPIRIT ALIVE - Remember that the Philippines is known the world over as the country that celebrates the longest Christmas season – four months to be precise. As part of our culture and tradition, Filipinos indulged in feasting, decorating, caroling, sharing and gift-giving and all-night parties, which are the core elements of the celebration of Christmas.

And here in the Davao City, Dabawenyos seemed to be celebrating a hazy with intermittent rain shower Christmas. But the weather doesn’t prevent people from attending the Misa de Gallo or Simbang Gabi and enjoy the native delicacies such as the suman, puto bumbong, bibingka, biko and other kakanin matched with hot tsokolate after the mass.

While some of the more affluent Dabawenyos have already finished their day shopping early, other kind-hearted people probably have started giving out their Christmas presents to the recipients or holding parties. Generous corporations on the other hand perhaps have prepared gift baskets to their friends in media and some needy institutions.

Various private companies, religious movement and non-government organizations (NGOs) known for their generous acts would surely do charitable works and do some noble deeds during the holidays. We are also thinking that the government on its part would likewise do charity drive like distributing foodstuff and other goodies to the less-privileged and neglected sector of society.

Everybody should keep the generous spirit going and alive. At a time when our impoverished country is facing complex and interlocking problems, and continued reeling from socio-economic and political uncertainties – loving, caring, sharing and gift-giving initiatives are just some of the many stories that business corporations, civic and religious groups, NGOs and any individual should be proud

B

UT CHILDREN – always the most cheerful of survivors – always manage to creatively make their own toys. At our backyard during the day, boys flew kites and on the streets I saw kids playing hide and seek.

The main street named Real – and nowhere is the reality of this calamity most clearly manifested than here – trucks continue to rumble. Jeepneys are full as they cruised up and down the city. While some pockets of the city reflect a ghost town, in some others there is hustle and bustle, especially around the Tacloban Convention Center where a market has sprung up and hundreds of shanties have been set up to serve as stores and shelter.

The Robinson Mall – heavily looted a few days after the deluge – is now open to serve the public. There is money as the economy perked up with cash-forwork and the infusion of aid from all over the planet. There are still lines of victims claiming relief goods and a long line of those who no longer wish to eat sardines and noodles is seen at the Jollibee store across our church.

of to celebrate a meaningful Christmas.

It would just reaffirm that the spirit of Christmas lingers in our hearts and minds. That not all the problems every Filipino should encounter is a hopeless case especially during the season of Christmas.

CHRISTMAS BAZAARS AND FAIRS Before the finale of 2013, Davao City continues to be alive with lots of parties and merrymaking. People are expected to be upbeat, though many express concern about the coming year and their future.

As the big hour approaches who can forget the Christmas bazaars and fairs in the community? The colorful tradition of local bazaars and, in particular fairs in the city traced its origin in the seasonal food and carnival fairs held during the Christmas period. Although we can’t exactly remember the first recorded Christmas fair in the city, perhaps we can widely guess that it’s about five decades ago.

Fairs have always served a practical purpose – as a place for business and trade, primarily in crops and other agricultural goods, handicrafts, furniture, home-made food products, potteries and lately flowers and other ornamental plants. But as in the past, the principal attraction is as a community celebration - rural-oriented sights and sounds, food, contests and entertainment. One measure of the enduring popularity of fairs is that, in a name – overwhelmingly urban and suburban with every group or tribe has at least a participation usually held during the Christmas season.

A typical Christmas fair in the city features exhibits of variety of local products.

No toys for Christmas A SOJOURNER’S VIEW

BY KARL M. GASPAR CSSR

(Conclusion) But many fear that when the aid runs out in a month or two when the DSWD and the international aid agencies would no longer be here, hunger will stalk Tacloban City. The people further down the coast towards the villages beyond Tacloban and Palo will be luckier as they are now able to plant seeds. In a month or two there will be root crops and vegetables; in three to four months, there will be rice and corn.

But the informal settlers in Tacloban City cannot yet go back to finding jobs, vending to earn money to buy food. The future is not bright even as there are now signs of life returning to this city.

It is five days to Christmas and to hope against hope seems like an exercise in futility.

But for the moment, families are starting to buy food for their noche bue-

In short, fairs offer up just about anything that can be eaten, displayed or judged in a contest. Nevertheless, each participating group brings a different flavor to its exhibition – contests, games, magicians, sideshows and band concerts are just as common at many fairs today – all are part of the experience of traditional Christmas fairs whether in Metro Davao, Metro Cebu, Metro Manila, US, Canada or Europe.

Most fairs also take seriously their responsibility to judge prizewinning booths and products and to award either a certain amount of money or trophy to the best locally-produced delicacy and other baked and processed food from the kitchens of Dabawenyo homes. From their beginnings, local fairs combined the serious business of agricultural trade with traveling carnivals. So, in addition to booths and store spaces with different products and other displays, most fairs have a midway packed with rides, snack and food stands, contests, bright lights and music.

Fun houses hold distorting and scary sights; visitors try to pop balloons with darts or throw rings over empty bottles for a small stuffed-animal prizes; clowns and jugglers stroll along and entertain children.

Food is everywhere: cold lemonade, fruit-flavored drinks, soft drinks, hot dogs, burgers, pork and chicken barbecue, crushed-ice snow cones, ice cream, popcorn, peanuts – name it they all have it. And no fair is complete without the Ferris wheel, plus an assortment of roller coasters and other spinning, speeding, shaking and stomach-churning rides.

Fairs offer children the chance to see and experience for themselves the essence of Christmas. Adults on the other hand come to the midway and become children they used to be and young couples discovered the romance of fair grounds lights on a cheerful Christmas nights. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

na. Mothers are getting their kids to take their bath at public water stations. The sick are being taken cared of in tents put up by the Médecins Sans Frontières.

And Nang Rosita Larao, whose family lived in Cotabato City until they were pushed to return to Leyte with the war there, have returned to a newly built shanty by the seawall in Barangay 56-A-Laring. She knows it is not a wise thing to do, but she says she and her family have no choice. Besides, at the moment, she is delighted that she is reunited with her friends and neighbors who did not perish when a Lady named Yolanda came for a visit on the 8th of November this year.

(MindaViews is the opinion section of MindaNews. Redemptorist Brother Karl Gaspar of Davao City, former head of the Redemptorist Itinerant Mission Team and author of several books, including “To be poor and obscure,” and “Mystic Wanderers in the Land of Perpetual Departures,” writes two columns for MindaNews, one in English [A Sojourner’s Views] and the other in Binisaya [Panaw-Lantaw]

VANTAGE POINTS

9

Too much to eat and drink during Christmas

C

HRISTMAS is that time of the year when there’s just too much food around and too much to eat from Christmas parties in many offices and homes in the city.

While we’re all trying to fill our stomachs with too much lechon, too much spaghetti, too much ham, too much pasta, too much fruit salad, too much beer, too much pancit, etc, etc during these ‘Xmas parties”---- people who survived Typhoon Yolanda, Bohol earthquake and the Zamboanga war are still looking for food to eat, even just a mouthful of rice, a pinch of salt, a scrap of dried fish to pass the day.

Some people who ate and drunk too much after attending “Xmas parties” even died, yes DIED quietly, without being reported in the news because dying from eating too much to the media, it seems, is not worth a story to report about.

Because, you see, guys who eat too much and die, all die happy.

This story was whispered to me by a radio man who said that his friend ate too much durian at lunchtime, just days before Christmas day, in a gathering by some guys in broadcast, washing down tons of durian with beer, before turning up again in a big “Xmas party” dinner with his family clan who threw a big party at a beach.

In the second party, this guy just ate too much lechon manok, too much calderetang kambing, too much lechon baboy, too much rice, too much keso de bola, too much pizza pies, too much fruit salad, etc, etc and wash them all down with rhum and coke.

Then, suddenly, the guy collapsed and died in the middle of the party. He died of heart attack from too much food. He was only 34.

I know of a young doctor, only about 28 years old, who was also invited to several Christmas parties, along with a birthday party of his father and doctors’ party at at the hospital where he worked, who ended up so exhausted and tired from party-hopping that he fell asleep in his clinic and never woke up. This young doctor died from “pancreas failure” as far as I can remember.

Just think--- if the Red Cross or some kind of religious group could just gather “food donations” from all the parties during this Christmas season, pack them carefully so they won’t spoil, and fly them on C-130’s to Tacloban and spread all these Christmas food preparations in barangay halls for poor villagers, all Yolanda survivors, to eat all these lechon, pasta, pizzas, keso de bola, kalderetang kambing, fruit salad, etc, etc.

Just think, we’ll eat less during “Xmas parties” and sharing all the food, we let all the hungry, poor people of this country eat more during Christmas.

This is one of the reasons why I’m not so keen about attending “Xmas parties” set up by offices, by friends, by organizations, by relatives, by families, where cold beer and hard liquor flow like the Davao River during a flash flood. I’ve actually reached a point where I avoid these parties like the plague without telling anybody why.

These are parties where mouth-watering roasted pig, roasted chickens and even roasted beef steal your attention away from other equally delicious food, a gourmet fit for kings, during a party held to celebrate the birthday of our Saviour--- without knowing why He came, in the first place.

Without sounding like a killjoy and without sounding ridiculous, I don’t think Christmas is that one day in a year we all look forward to---to get dead drunk and to eat too much.

Are we missing the point of Christmas ? (Comment? Email > tradingpost_ davao@yahoo.com)

10

NEWS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 202 • TUESDAY-THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24-26, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

Road...FFROM 1 speed limits to private and passenger utility vehicles running on city roads and highways. The speed limits are as follows: 30 kilometers per hour (KPH) in the downtown area, 40 KPH from Ulas to Generoso Bridge/Bolton Bridge, from Panacan Crossing to J.P. Laurel Avenue –Alcantara and from Ma-a Road to MacArthur Highway along and 60 KPH along the highways from Sirawan to Ulas Crossing, from Calinan to Ulas Crossing, from Panacan to Lasang, and from Carlos P. Garcia Highway/Mc Arthur Highway to Panacan, all within the city’s jurisdiction.

Poliquit said that records of traffic accidents in the city during the months of October, November and part of December.

Indicate that there was

an average of 20- percent reduction in the number of traffic accidents in the city since the speed limits were enforced.

“Whatever the critics say, we are not stopping the enforcement of speed limits for as long statistical data indicate that it ius effective,” Poliquit said.

He, however, declined to confirm that he is due for appointment as Davao City’s traffic czar upon retirement from the police sometime during the first quarter next year.

“By now it is still chismis, I would rather wait if it happens,” Poliquit commented half joking.

He however admitted that this early, he has already considered several reforms that he would introduce if he eventually gets appointed.

Alquiza also said that the infra projects will be immediately implemented and will no longer need the so-called SARO (Special allotment release order) system like in the past.

The DPWH official said that the huge infra budget for Region 11 includes billions of pesos to be spent on roads leading to tourist destinations already started this year.

Yuletide is pretty long and considered to be longest in the world,” he added.

The AFP spokesperson also dismisses the CPPNPA’s claims that by laying down their arms, the masses will have no one to defend them against oppression.

“Where were they (NPA) during the (height of Supertyphoon ‘Yolanda’ in Nov. 8 in Eastern Visayas and the 7.2 magnitude earthquake in the Central Visayas). They were not there. They were only present when there are extortion and criminal activities,” Tutaan stressed.

He added that the military, whom the rebels always accused of being anti-poor, were always in the frontlines helping the

people recover from the ill-effects of these natural disasters.

Tutaan also called NPA claims that muzzling their guns will mean the surrender of the peace.

“They are (the ones) who is disrupting peace actually, so given the reasons by the CPP-NPA of not declaring a prolonged ceasefire, specifically for four days only who is now the moron, people (nationwide) clamor for peace, the people clamor for the end of armed conflict or violence, the people clamor for end of burning of construction materials due to extortion activities so that is the reason why the AFP would want to have a prolonged peace,” the AFP spokesperson concluded. [PNA]

noy for maliciously touching the complainat’s legs was witnesses by a court employee identified as Michelle Cabacungan.

The complainant alleged that on December 11 at about 7:45 a.m. she was aboard a jeepney when Canoy maliciously touched her legs with his legs and, despite her resistance, the respondent continued doing it.

Art. 336.or Acts of las-

civiousness is committed if any person who shall commit any act of lasciviousness upon other persons of either sex, under any of the circumstances of by using force or intimidation; when the woman is deprived of reason or otherwise unconscious.

If found guilty by the court, he shall be punished by prision correccional or six years and one day to 12 years of imprisonment.

arms will be removed on January 3, 2014.

Any alteration on the tapes will subject holder to investigation for appro-

priate charges to be filed against him/her.

If found guilty, at least 60 days suspension will be meted, Clamor said. [EPC]

Davao...FFROM 2

Explain...FFROM 2

Man...FFROM 2

Police...FFROM 2

HOLIDAY RUSH. P/Supt. Rodelio Poliquit (right) of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO)’s Traffic Group discusses the areas mostly hit by the current holiday traffic rush during this week’s edition of Kapehan sa Dabaw at the Annex of SM City Davao yesterday. At left is Smart regional sales manager for South Mindanao Arnold Dellosa who announced the staging of “Torotot Festival” set on December 31. Lean Daval Jr.

SOUTH SUDAN

Filipinos told to leave T

HE PHILIPPINES on Monday asked dozens of Filipino workers in South Sudan to leave in view of increasing violence in the strife-torn African nation.

Manila also imposed a labor and travel ban to country, which is on the

brink of civil war.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario raised the crisis alert level for South Sudan from 2 to 3. Alert level 3 calls for voluntary repatriation.

“Filipinos in South Sudan are enjoined to seek repatriation assistance from the personnel

of our embassy in Kenya or the Rapid Response Team which will depart tonight,” Foreign Affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez told a press briefing.

He said at least 95 Filipinos are in South Sudan, but 23 traveled to Kenya and 15 are in Uganda.

“Those who are in Ken-

ya are planning to return to the Philippines while the Filipinos in Uganda intend to stay there until the security situation in south becomes stable,” Hernandez said.

“Filipinos have been advised to defer travel to South Sudan regardless of purpose,” he added. [PNA]

he Palace has taken a wait and see stance whether the Supreme Court would rule with finality the power rate hike.

In a statement, Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said “the Supreme Court has always been the final arbiter of any case brought before it

DOH REPORTS

especially when the issue is of national importance.

We wait for the Supreme Court to rule with finality the power rate hike.”

The High Court on Monday issued an order temporarily stopping for 60 days power distributor Meralco’s power rate hike.

With the TRO, the Energy Regulatory Commis-

sion (ERC) is prevented from implementing its directive allowing Meralco to increase power rates by P4.15 per kilowatt hour.

The ERC has allowed Meralco to hike rates in three tranches from starting this month.

The Department of Justice, through the National Bureau pf Investigation, is

conducting a probe whether there was collusion among power firms that caused the shutting down of several power plants.

“Let’s wait for that investigation proper...I cannot say anything other than the fact that let’s just wait for the results of the investigation,” he said.

[PNA]

HIRTEEN firecracker-related injuries were reported by the Department of Health (DOH) as of Monday, a day before Christmas Eve. Assistant Health Secretary Dr. Eric Tayag said via Twitter at about 10 a.m., that out of the 13 injuries, seven were due to

T

piccolo.

According to the DOH, the scratch-banger type firecracker, piccolo is among the firecrackers where the most injuries resulted from.

It is also the very cause of the first firecracker-related injury of the year, a nine-yearold boy from Balut, Tondo in

Manila.

The boy was already treated at Tondo Medical Center and was discharged after being given antibiotic and ATS (anti-tetanus serum) injection, according to DOH. On the other hand, the DOH noted that there was no reported case of firecracker

ingestion, stray-bullet injury or deaths as of posting time.

It also continues to urge public, especially children to do-away with firecrackers and watch mass fireworks displays instead or better yet, donate money meant for firecrackers to victims of typhoon “Yolanda.” [PNA]

country’s balance of trade in agricultureand fisheries.

Aside from that, the department will also be upgrading the agri-fishery infrastructure and locate it strategically. On DA 11’s National Expenditure Plan (NEP) for 2014, a total of

P190 million will be allotted for the purchase of agricultural equipments and facilities support system.

Recoter said that this includes post-harvest facilities for the agricultural sector. The province of Davao del Sur got the biggest allo-

cation with P58 million for 2014.

On the other hand, the department also formed the DA media core during the media gathering at the Apo View Hotel yesterday.

The group was headed by the veteran radio announc-

er Peng Aliño of Radyo ng Bayan.

Recoter said in the same event that this is the first time that the department partnered with the Davao media for better information dissemination of plans and program of DA11.

POWER HIKE

Palace taking wait-and-see stance on TRO T

13 firecracker-related injuries a day before Christmas Eve

P1.9B...FFROM 3

11 COMPETITIVE EDGE

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 202 • TUESDAY-THUDAY, DECEMBER 2013 VOL. 6 ISSUE24-26, 202 • TUESDAY-THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24-26, 2013

Davao dance crew shines in Australia

By ATHENA JILLIAN BRAVO

D

AVAO’S PRIDE Groove Unlimited Dance Community Project 13 lived the dream as they heat up the dance floor of the Sydney Olympic Park during the World Supremacy Battlegrounds competition in Sydney, Australia.

With their synchronized and hair-raising routines, Project 13 placed fifth out of 15 fiery contenders following R&R, The Society, Reigning Empire and INDK of ADMU who were champions of the monster crew division.

The crew couldn’t explain more how happy they were as they experienced being part of the international competition despite not winning as champions in the very tough dance tilt.

“I’m ecstatic to have had that kind of experience. It was simply unforgettable,” Ellaine Jardeloza, member of Project 13, said.

“It’s a dream come true experience for us. We are very thankful that the crew qualified for WSB, that we had an opportunity to go to Sydney and we placed fifth in the competition,” Maya Kikuchi added.

The months of practice were never a waste for Groove Unlimited who also placed 13 out of 18 crews in the open division.

Philippine squads

LIVIN THE DREAM. The Groove Unlimited Dance Community Project 13 called as they placed Top 5 in the Monster Crew category. dominated the international open division by all placing top 3 in the category.

A-team open placed third followed by Rockstars who placed second

79TH NATIONAL BOOK MONTH

and the FMD Xtreme who brought home the crown to Philippines as they reigned champions for the open division.

GUDC Project 13 achieved more than what

they expected as the new 2DayFM Breakfast Team featured them in the new Sydney morning show.

The crew was asked to perform impromptu while the Breakfast Team saw

them spending their last day at the streets of Sydney, Australia.

The crew was not only Davao’s pride as they become part of the Philippine team winning the

A new home for Davao City aspiring artists

Uy wins Storytelling tilt F C

HYQUIE Phei Uy of DCLC Main, emerged champion in the recently-concluded 79th National Book Month Inter-School Storytelling Contest last November 20, 2013 at the NCCC Mall of Davao.

Uy, a 3rd grade student, bested 26 other competitors from various public and private elementary schools in Davao City. She was coached by Mrs. Elena Mangui-ob Tabaco, OIC-DCLC Alpha, who has been the coach of DCLC in speech competitions for several years.

Yqi, fondly called by her classmates and teachers, took home a gold medal and a cash prize worth of P 6, 000. With hear feat, she was asked to perform during the City Government’s Flag

Ceremony on Nov. 25, 2013.

“I am happy because I won,” said Yqi. When asked of whom she wants to thank, she answered with her left hand pointing up: “God, because my talent is not mine.”

“It was an accomplishment on my part, in behalf of DCLC, as a coach. Finally, we were able to get the first prize that we’ve been working hard for. We made the right choice of piece, we made the right choice of contestant. And above all, we owe it all to the Lord,” said Ma’am Elena Mangui-ob Tabaco.

The event, which carries the theme “Libraries: Promoters and Preservers of Arts and Culture,” was hosted by the Davao City Library and Information Center

country vs. country battle in the competition.

Truly the talents of Filipinos are extraordinary, dancing to bring pride as world-beaters in the global dance stage.

OR EIGHT long years, Mindanao Dance Artists Academy (MDAA) has been the home for Davao’s aspiring talents.

And now, it’s time to move to a new and better home for everyone.

MDAA hosted their tribute dance class called SALUTE TO MDAA on December 22, 2013 for the dancers who would like to experience three different genres of dance classes.

There were three dance instructors who facilitated and made the said event successful for everyone. Joey Toledo for Jazz, Danilo Salava for Contemporary and Persius Balbequer for Hip-hop dance class.

“The event was supposed to be a big show.

Since the dancers are students, we cannot achive a big show for it so we decided to have one dance class of different genres instead,” MDAA Manager, Harlene Busia said.

Over 37 dancers joined the SALUTE TO MDAA tribute dance class with a minimal P50 as class fee. Proceeds go in part for the establishment of the new studio.

Before, MDAA was actually a school that offers two-year vocational TESDA accredited course for dancing entitled “Professional Dance Artist” year 2005-2008.

There were two batches which graduated and are working now in Japan. Later on, the school was converted into a dance studio.

“The owner of Dover lanes building decided to make it a dormitory for higher profit. Still MDAA is existing. We’ll just transfer it to a new location,” Harlene Busia added.

The new dance studio is located at the 2nd floor of Dover Fitness Gym, Jacinto St., Davao City and will start operating on January 3, 2014. [AJB]

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General Santos Drive, Koronadal City, South Cotabato 9506

Tel. No. 083-228-2511 ; Fax No. 083-228-2654

General Santos Drive, Koronadal City, South Cotabato 9506 Tel. No. 083-228-2511 ; Fax No. 083-228-2654

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13 COMMUNITY SENSE

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 202 • TUESDAY-THUDAY, DECEMBER 2013 VOL. 6 ISSUE24-26, 202 • TUESDAY-THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24-26, 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 SEBUMPAN 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 Sebumpa 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.

12/24,31,1/7

( SGD) RIDGWAY M. TANJILI Judge

Globe Telecom helps UNICEF reunite Leyte children with their families this Christmas

L

E A D I N G telecommunications company Globe Telecom takes on the cause of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to reunite children with their families after being separated from each other during the chaos brought about by Typhoon Yolanda.

Utilizing its Information and Communications Technology capabilities such as data connection, SIM cards and prepaid load credits, Globe would be able to power up the phones and laptops which will be used by UNICEF to

bring people together.

“Globe Telecom’s role here is crucial because uninterrupted internet connectivity is necessary to ensure that the system continues to work in the next several months as UNICEF hands it over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development,” said Fernando Esguerra, OIC, Globe Corporate Social Responsibility.

With their houses destroyed and relatives missing, reunifying children with their kin becomes a daunting task but a mobile phone application that seeks to reunite

separated and unaccompanied children and their families particularly in emergency situations is expected to make things easier.

UNICEF will be using RapidFTR (Rapid Family Tracing and Reunification) which it developed in New York and Uganda early this year in collaboration with a global working group including Save the Children, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, International Committee of the Red Cross, World Vision, and International Rescue Committee.

According to OWWA Regional Welfare Office XI OIC-Director Eduardo Bellido, the seminar, attended by nearly 50 OF families, is part of OWWA’s monthly activities for overseas workers and their loved ones under its OFW Family Circle program. The OFW Family Circle is a program that gathers these OFs and their families with the aim of bringing these distant families together using a holistic approach, covering areas from

psychological well-being to financial literacy.

“Mag-negosyo Tayo,” the micro-entrepreneurial seminar, specifically aims to break the vicious cycle of dependency of the families of OFs. With the theme “Developing an Entrepreneurial Mindset,” the seminar, Bellido said, aims to change the thinking that is prevalent in these families - to look at their OF beneficiaries for economic support.

Bellido said “As much

To be launched initially in 13 municipalities in Leyte, UNICEF will register children who have been separated from their families through an Android phone application that allows quick sending of information to other people and organizations involved in the process. To do this, UNICEF will provide basic smartphones to the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Offices and Philippine National Police Women and Children Protection Desks to be used while canvassing the affected barangays in their municipalities.

TFC supports OWWA seminar for families of OFs in Davao

T

HE Filipino Channel (TFC) further supports the Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration’s (OWWA) programs aimed at providing end-to-end support for overseas Filipinos (OFs) en route to their overseas work and back to the homeland.

The TFC team graced OWWA’s “Mag-negosyo Tayo,” micro-entrepreneurial business seminar recently held at the Pinnacle Hotel and Suites in the Crown Jewel of Mindanao, Davao City in Southern Philippines.

as possible, we want these families to veer away from the dependency situation of the families on those working abroad.

We also want to develop the entrepreneurial skills of those left behind. “Kesa naman asa tayo ng asa sa mga anak natin, kaya pa natin, isipin natin anong magandang papasukin? Ano ang magagawa ng ganitong amount na naitabi?” (Instead of depending on our children, we can opt to do something to sustain our families.

14 SPORTS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 202 • TUESDAY-THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24-26, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

GOLDEN GIRL. Kathleen Alora was one of three Filipino athletes to win gold medals on Day 11 of the 27th SEA Games.

Worst finish ever for PHL T

EAM Philippines valiantly fought with its regional rivals but still failed to prevent itself from absorbing its worst finish in the Southeast Asian Games.

The PH team could only collect 29 gold, 34 silver, and 37 bronze medals; good for seventh place in the 11-team field, as the 27th edition of the biennial tournament for-

mally drew to a close on Sunday at the Wunna Theikdi Stadium in the newly-established capital city of Nay Pyi Taw in Myanmar.

After 11 days of competitions, powerhouse Thailand emerged as the runaway overall winner with 107 golds on top of 94 silver and 81 bronze medals followed by host Myanmar (86 golds),

Vietnam (73), Indonesia (65), Malaysia (43), and Singapore (34).

Laos (13 golds), Cambodia (8), Timor Leste (2) and Brunei (1) were the four countries which finished lower than the Philippines.

This development marked the worst finish of the Philippines since joining the Games in 1977. The most humbling finish by a Philippine delegation was at sixth spot twice, which was during the 2007 edition in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand and the 2011 event in Palembang and Jakarta, Indonesia.

The PH team also failed to hit the 30gold plateau for the first time since coming up with just 20 in the 1999 Brunei Games where they finished fifth overall.

But the blame should

CHARITY MATCH:

not be fully given to the Pinoy athletes.

Even before the competitions went full blast, the lean 208-delegation was already facing a daunting task, with organizers scratching Olympic sports like gymnastics, lawn tennis and bowling and replacing them with indigenous games like vovinam, kempo and chinlone where PH didn’t even field a team.

A handful of hometown decisions in subjective sports like boxing, muay, taekwondo, judo and wushu clearly hurt the PH’s loss big time.

The biggest setback, however, came in swimming where Jasmine Alkhaldi’s gold medal-winning performance in women’s 100m freestyle was nullified by Singaporean officials and, in the re-swim, the Pinay tanker settled for the bronze.

Up-and-coming golfer Princess Superal and trackster Archand Christian Bagsit emerged as double gold medal winners for the Philippines, with the athletics team ending up as the best gold medal with six followed by taekwondo with four while boxing and wushu accounted for three apiece.

ASEAN All Stars versus Azkals T

HE ASEAn Football Federation (AFF) Council, who met on Saturday at Naypyiday, Myanmar for their annual meeting, has agreed on a charity friendly match to aid the victims of Typhoon Haiyan by raising funds.

The proposed friendly will likely feature an Asean AllStars side taking on the Azkals in Bacolod, Philippines. A date for the match has yet to be confirmed.

The line-up for the All-Stars has not been announced, although it is believed that it will feature the Best XI that

will be chosen at the annual AFF Awards in early 2014.

The Singapore U23 side previously took on their Philippines counterparts in a charity cum preparatory match for the SEA Games. The Young Lions ran out 6-0 victors in the match played at Hougang Stadium in early December.

Following the devastation caused by Typhoon Bopha in 2012, the AFF provided assistance to the Philippines by covering the costs of construction for four elementary schools in the areas of Laak and Montevista.

INdulge!

VOL. 6 ISSUE 202 • TUESDAY-THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24-26, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

TRAVEL Tune Hotel Davao.

From left: Director of Sales and Marketing of Tune Hotels Philippines Benjie Martinez, Hotel Manager of Tune Hotel Davao Emily Nuere, Country Head of Tune Hotels Philippines Sahlee Zaldivia, Senior Vice President operations of Red Planet Hotels Dennis Wright, guest service supervisor Liza Ledama.

Affordable and relaxing stays at Tune Hotel Davao The tourism industry in Davao City is growing by leaps and bounds with tourists as well as business travellers flocking to the city. With the influx of visitors coming to Durianburg comes the need for places where these guests can stay an evening or two and that is why Red Planet Hotels decided to put up Tune Hotel Davao (their 7th Tune Hotel in the Philippines) and I was lucky enough to be able to take a sneak peek at the hotel and what I has to offer during their soft launch last week.

Located along J.P. Laurel Avenue, the eight-storey, 155-room Tune Hotel Davao is hard not to miss with its red and white exteriors. Access to the hotel’s lobby is through a size entrance that takes you to the second floor (the ground floor is actually reserved for a food tenant). With its red, white and black colour motif, the lobby is striking as

well as spacious. I love the graphics used behind the

check-in counter which feature iconic images from around the Philippines as well as the iconic Philippine Eagle. It was there that I met Director of Sales and Marketing for Tune Hotels Philippines, Benjie Martinez and was immediately given a tour around the hotel to see their rooms.

On first glance the

FAFFORDABLE, A4

A2 INdulge!

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 202 • TUESDAY-THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24-26, 2013

Spreading good cheer with employees Last December 20 was a special day for the officers and staff of Edge Davao and Zion Accuprint, Inc. when management hosted a meaningful Christmas party at the popular Bistro Rosario for employees and their families.

Along with their spouses and children, the employees partook of the mouth-watering food, received gifts, won raffle and cash prizes during the entertainment competition and special giveaways.

As part of the celebration, the employees led the community singing of Christmas songs while garbed in ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya

Tu Na m ed in th vo La of Ac for co ph ag eq am ov In he Ge Ve for

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 202 • TUESDAY-THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24-26, 2013

s and their families

ulong Na Tabang Na Tayo a t-shirts which management bought and distributd as one small way of helpng rebuild, if symbolically, he lives of Yolanda surviors in the Visayas. ast month, the employees Edge Davao and Zion ccuprint, Inc. chipped in r cash donations to media olleagues affected by Tyhoon Yolanda, with mangement contributing an qual share to double the mount which was turned ver to the Philippine Press nstitute (PPI) that is speareading the fund-raising. eneral Manager Olivia D. elasco said that even bere the onslaught of Yolan-

da, it had been a tradition of both companies to share time and resources with underprivileged and disadvantaged sectors of society through outreach activities before the holding of a Christmas party each year.

She emphasized the commitment of both companies to safeguard the welfare of the employees and in sharing good cheer with the communities as part of its corporate social responsibility.

Chairman of the Board Antonio M. Ajero also gave an inspirational message emphasizing the importance of family support and healthy relationship in the perfor-

mance of respective workloads of employees.

“A great lesson we learned in life is that, in order for us to achieve our dreams, we need to make plans to achieve them. We have to accept failures and surmount challenges due to the limitation of resources and other problems,” he said.

“Success is sweeter if we sweat for it,” he added.

Indeed, the Christmas party ended with employees and their families going home laden with groceries along with their winnings in the raffle—including cash--and other Christmas presents.

[Greg G. Deligero] [Photos

by Lean Daval Jr.]

INdulge! A3

A4 INdulge!

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 202 • TUESDAY-THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24-26, 2013

TRAVEL

EDGEDavao Davao Partners

Tune’s modern rooms are basic but clean with 5-star quality hotel beds and pillows.

Valuables are secure thanks to the in-room safe.

The rainshower head is another deluxe feature in Tune Davao’s rooms.

The hotel’s staff point out Tune’s qualities for a relaxing stay.

Affordable...FFROM A1 rooms of Tune Hotel Davao may seem small, and they actually are, but I would say the they are properly designed with essential travellers needs in mind as well as 5-star luxuries that budget hotels don’t normally have such as a 5-star hotel quality bed with duvets and high thread count linens, luxurious pillows, rain shower heads, hair dryer, as well as an in-room safe. And for only Php1,208 a room night, Tune Hotel Davao is definitely a clean and affordable option.

“Tune Hotels believe that travellers look for hotels that have five things, good location, clean and secure environment, relaxing bed, clean and brightly lit bathrooms, and service with a smile.” says Benjie.

Aside from the standard rooms, Tune Davao also offers Family rooms that come with one double bed and one twin bed that is perfect for small families as well as rooms that are specially designed for guests in wheelchairs who need special access to light switches as well as space for their wheelchairs to move in.

Davao City is indeed changing and with the introduction of Tune Hotel Davao’s affordable, budget-friendly rooms with in-room amenities that can put most other budget hotels to shame, one can say that the Tune Davao is setting the bar high and its the travellers who will reap the rewards.

Follow me on Instagram or on Twitter @kennethkingong for foodie and travel finds as well as happenings in, around and be-

Guests without laptops can surf the web with the hotel’s access stations at the lobby.

The staff of Tune Davao pose behind the checkin counter.

EDGEDAVAO

SPORTS 15

VOL. 6 ISSUE 202 • TUESDAY-THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24-26, 2013

Lopez done for the season with broken foot

A

BACK IN THE FOLD. Returning guard Jai Reyes of Talk N’ Text tries to wiggle through tight defending Wynn Arboleda in the TNT-Air 21 match won by the Texters in the PBA Philippine Cup. PBA Images

Pacers rout Celtics I

NDIANAPOLIS (AP) -Lance Stephenson wiggled his hips after a nasty crossover move. Paul George gestured to the crowd with his shooting eye and Danny Granger showed everyone he still has the touch.

This is starting to get fun for the Eastern Conference’s winningest team.

Stephenson finished with his third triple-double this season, George scored 24 points and Granger made four 3-pointers as the Pacers overwhelmed Boston 106-79 on Sunday to ruin coach Brad Stevens’ return to his hometown. ‘’We’re starting the game off with high energy and we’re ending the game with high energy and in between we’re maintaining that energy,’’ George said. ‘’It wears

teams down, and I think that’s been the case these past couple games.’’

Indiana (22-5) is taking full advantage of it, too.

Since losing at home for the first time Monday and then losing at Miami on Wednesday, their first backto-back losses of the season, the Pacers have been almost untouchable. They led for the final 38 minutes against Boston (12-17) and the final 41 against Houston on Friday.

They have the best record in the East and are making things look easy.

Stephenson finished with 12 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists and remains the NBA’s only player with multiple triple-doubles this season. George, who is lobbying for Stephenson to make the All-Star team, has made

Suzuki Cup hosting boosts PH football F

ILIPINO football fans rejoiced after the Philippines were named host of the 2016 ASEAN Football Federation Suzuki Cup. The Philippine Football Federation believes that the tournament will boost football development in the country.

“It is a big, big event for Philippine football. AFF Suzuki Cup is the most prestigious tournament in the ASEAN region, with millions of TV audience,” PFF general secretary Ed Gastanes told InterAksyon.com. “It would help further promote football in the country.

“All the best for Philippine football.”

Gastanes, along with

PFF President Mariano Araneta, sat on the AFF Council Meeting in Myanmar last Saturday when tournament organizers announced that the Philippines, along with Myanmar, was awarded the hosting rights to the biennial competition.

The PFF is eyeing the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium in Manila and the Philippine Stadium in Bulacan, which is still under construction, as possible main venues for the tournament.

This will be the first time that the Philippines will host the tournament. The Azkals played their first home match at the Rizal Stadium in the Suzuki Cup last year, where they settled for a nilnil draw.

16 of 29 shots over the last two games.

Roy Hibbert had 15 points and 12 rebounds, and Granger, who missed all but five games last season with a left knee injury and the first 25 this season with a strained left calf, was 4 of 5 on 3s. He scored 12 against Boston and has 17 points this season after scoring 27 all of last season.

Perhaps that’s why Stevens, a lifelong Indiana fan, called this the best Pacers team he’s seen in his lifetime. ‘’Adding Granger is scary,’’ Stevens said. ‘’I think the more comfortable he gets, the better they’ll be.

I think they’re already if not the leader for the hunt, they’re in the hunt.’’

The resume proves it.

Indiana has won two straight, beating the Rockets, a Western Conference contender, and the Celtics, who entered Sunday tied for the Atlantic Division lead, by a combined 60 points. The 33 and 27-point victory margins are the two most lopsided wins Indiana has had all season, though the Pacers beat Milwaukee by 27 last month, and it’s only the second time they’ve topped 100 points in consecutive games this season.

The Pacers also will have a chance to pad their lead over the next couple of weeks. Sunday’s game marked the start of a 12game stretch in which the Pacers will face 11 teams that currently have losing records.

NOTHER one bites the dust.

The NBA obviously is better when the best players are playing.

But it seems as though we get awful news of a superstar getting a devastating injury every week. First it was D.Rose, then it was Kobe, now Brook Lopez.

Ok. Fine. Brook Lopez is one of the most boring players in the entire world playing for an utterly dysfunctional and underachieving Brooklyn Nets team. But you just have to feel for the guy and the people that believe that the Nets will turn things around. Brooklyn’s season is practically over as Brook’s broken foot casts a really dark cloud on the

team. The head-shaking problems also extend beyond the season. Their 2014 first round pick belongs to another team and they’re really not that flexible going forward with a chunk of their salary cap tied to Deron and Lopez. This one is as worse as it gets.

So what now for the Nets? Will Brook Lopez be another cautionary tale?

OKC THUNDER WIN 9TH IN A ROW IN SAN ANTONIO Prior to their game today, OKC hasn’t had too much success in San Antonio. They have lost six in a row while shooting 40% and scoring an uncharacteristic 89.5 ppg in that stretch.

HAILAND bagged their record 14th SEA Games gold medal in men’s football after beating Indonesia 1-0 at the Zeyar Thiri Sports Stadium on Saturday evening thanks to Sarawut Masuk’s first-half winner.

Merah Putih, who were trounced by Thailand 4-1 in the group stages of the tournament last week, were eager to put on a better performance against their opponents.

But it was not to be as the War Elephants saw off their opponents for the second time in nine days to clinch the gold.

Thailand topped their group after beating Timor Leste and Indonesia while securing draws with hosts Myanmar and Cambodia, before narrowly defeat-

ing Singapore 1-0 in the semi-finals.

Indonesia, on the other hand, qualified for the semis by the skin of their teeth after a 1-0 victory over Myanmar put them in second place thanks to the head-to-head rule.

They then beat defending champions Malaysia in a penalty shoot-out in the semis to earn a spot in the final.

However, their unlikely progress was halted at the final hurdle as Sarawut’s neat lob in the 22nd minute beat goalkeeper Kurnia Meiga to seal a record victory.

The triumph also underlined their dominance in the sport, having swept the golds in women’s football and men’s futsal as well.

Thais win football gold T

BROTHERS ACT. Phil (left) and James (right) Younghusband will be thrilled to play before the home crowd in the Suzuki Cup.

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. VOL.66ISSUE ISSUE202 202• TUESDAY-THURSDAY, • TUESDAY-THURSDAY,DECEMBER DECEMBER24-26, 24-26,2013 2013

RAINBOW KING CMO’s Go wins AFP-PNP Three Point Shootout

M

BONG GO. 14 points in the finals.

AKE way for the Rainbow King.

Without a doubt, the hottest gun this side of the hoopdom belongs to City Mayor’s Office hotshot Christopher “Bong” Go. The spitfirish Go emerged as the best from rainbow country after winning the Mayor Rody Duterte and Vice Mayor Pulong Duterte – 11th AFP-PNP Basketball Tournament Three Point Shootout.

Go won this year’s competition in the officers category on Saturday at the DCRC Almendras Gym in the annual side event held before the league’s formal awarding ceremonies.

The executive assistant of Mayor Duterte hit 14 points in the single round most number of shots made wins contest, nosing out Ireneo Dalogdog of PRO-XI and Nestor Suler of Navy behind a flurry of baskets in the first, third and fourth

racks.

Dalogdog scored 12 while Suler made 9 to settle for first and second runner-up respectively.

PSupt. Gonzales of NSU placed fourth.

“I got the trophy but I donated the cash prize. It was just for fun after a busy and stressful month,” said Go, who gave away his P5, 000 purse.

Dalogdog, who initially got P3, 000, took home additional P2, 000 while Suler, who at first received P2, 000, pocketed P1, 000 more from the donated winnings of Go. No prize allocation for the fourth place but with the bequest of Go, Gonzales brought home P2, 000.

Go showed his three point shooting prowess this season, nearly hitting shot after shot, despite playing not at his best caused by his groin injury.

He made league-re-

cord 16 triples in a single game against 10th ID Agila Division and converted fifteen versus Coast Guard.

MP’s Pacito Morales bagged the non-officers category crown besting Rommel Bantilan of CMO and Filbon Maligro of Bureau of Fire Protection.

Morales pocketed P5, 000 for the win while Bantilan and Maligro copped P3, 000 and P2, 000 respectively.

League management committee named rookie John Lumogda of BFP as this year’s Most Valuable Player (MVP). The former AMA Computer College standout received a handgun for the feat.

Starring in this year’s mythical five selection were BFP’s Robert Namuag and DCPO’s Robinson Palomares.

CMO’s Rommel Bantilan and PRO’s Edwin Awitin and Angelito Moral completed the group. [RJB]

TOP SHOOTER. CMO hotshot Christopher “Bong” Go received the trophy after winning the Three Point Shootout Competition Officers Category in the Mayor Rody Duterte and Vice Mayor Pulong Duterte - 11th AFP-PNP Basketball Tournament on Saturday at the Davao City Recreation Center Almendras Gym.