Edge Davao 6 Issue 212

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 212 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JANUARY 12-13, 2014

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Serving a seamless society

ASSURED. Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte meets with local rice traders and dealers who sought an audience with the mayor after names of some local traders were dragged into the rice smuggling issue. Duterte, however, assured the businessmen that they don’t have any reason to feel harassed as long as they do not engage in any illegal importation of rice. Inset is city information officer Leo Villareal holding the photo of the alleged “David Tan” which Duterte showed during a press briefing at The Marco Polo Davao last Friday night. [CIO]

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

A

crc@edgedavao.net

MID the quest to end rice smuggling activities in Davao City, Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte pledged to find the “David Tan” believed to be behind the billions in tax loss and deprivation of Filipino farmers. This issue has been streaming not only in local news outlets but also in the nationally-circulated newspapers and TV networks.

Weeks after he bared the smuggling of rice into the ports of Davao City on his weekly “Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa,” TV program, Duterte showed a photo of the alleged “David Tan” during a press briefing at The Marco Polo Davao last Friday night.

In an earlier report, he was quoted as saying that the mystery suspect in the P7-billion rice smuggling activities was from Cebu and not from Davao City. He even clarified that there’s no

“Bangayan” involved in the rice importation mess. He maintained that the David Tan Bangayan is fictitious.

This is contrary to the claim of Jesus Aranza, chair of the Federation of Philippine Industries, that David Tan Bangayan was a “former scrap metal trader from Davao City before [going into] rice smuggling.” Arranza said that Tan heads several companies, including Advanced Scrap Specialist Corp., Amphibian Metal Trading Co., Advance Transystem Corp., among other businesses.

Duterte to CHR: Shut up The admonition e “Shut up” echoed in various newpapers after the city mayor dismissed the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) criticism of his pronouncement against criminals in the city as “unethical” and “unbecoming.”

“I want smuggling of rice in my city stopped. But if you still do not stop your smuggling activities, I will kill you,” Mayor Duterte had reportedly warned rice smugglers.

The mayor said that he is even willing to be thrown into jail if he kills a rice smuggler. “Alam mo, sa totoo lang, kung walang Pilipino na papatay para sa taong bayan, sa mga farmers, at takot mamatay, walang mangyayari sa bayan na ito ... We have to defend the Filipino farmer.”

It is not only the Filipino farmers that should be protected but also the taxes that are not collected from this illegal activities. The Philippines is losing billions and billions ib taxes that could be used in improving social services and projects.

Smuggling of rice to the

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VOL. 6 ISSUE 212 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JANUARY 12-13, 2014

HOT RICE detrement of Filipino farmers, according to him, is economic sabotage as it undermines the economy of the nation.

Duterte added that if CHR officials cannot do anything but critize his pronouncement as “unethical,” they “better get out of the government”.

“You’re not helping us.

You are not helping the Filipinos anymore.”

Duterte to rice traders: Do not support smuggled rice In a meeting with local rice traders at The Marco Polo Davao last Friday, the mayor said that the traders should check the sources of their imported goods.

If they are suspicious, they could personnally inform him to check the credibility of the source.

His visitorial right as the highest government official in the city government allows him to examine, inspect, and supervise the operation of an entity.

He said that he would protect traders who are not engaged in this activity and will not allow any form of extortion to happen in his territory.

Various sectors in support of Duterte’s campaign Believing that rice smuggling would kill the local rice production industry, various groups in the city support Duterte’s quest to end rice smuggling into the city.

Johnny N. Loyola, a local rice trader for the past 40 years said in a press briefing at The Marco Polo Davao Friday night that they had assured the mayor that they would not patronize smuggled goods.

WHO IS DAVID TAN? Loyola said that the market loses its competetiveness if cheap rice floods the market, killing the local rice industry. It is not only the farmers who are affected, but all allied industries depending on rice production.

On the other hand, Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (DCCCII) president Antonio T. Dela Cruz said in an earlier report that smuggling deprives local businessmen while Mindanao Business Council chair Vicente Lao said

that “any form of smuggling is always bad for the country because we are depriving the country of revenues and our own farmers of their livelihood.”

Rice Industry in PHL Rice remains the staple food of majority of Filipinos. Research says that it accounts for 25 percent of the food expenditure of the poorest 30 percent of the population.

On the other hand, a report from Manila Times said that at present the Philippines is allowing 350,000 metric tons (MT) of rice to enter the country annually at reduced tariff rate of 40 percent. The country is the third largest importer of rice in the world. The first is Nigeria while the second is Indonesia.

The country imports rice from countries like Vietnam and Thailand.

The reason the country imports rice, based on a research by the International Rice Research Institute(IRRI) is that the Philippines is an archipelago. It’s landscape contributes as to the fact that the country, despite being agricuture based, depends on rice importation.

In addition, the country experiences numerous typhoons annually, making rice production “more difficult and risky”.

Aside from this, other reasons are -- faulty government policy, corruption, conversion of rice land to other uses, backward rice farmers, deteriorating irrigation system, lack of credit system for farmers, and others.

WEATHER FORECAST

BOC in tug-of-war over P21-M rice

By EMILORD P. CASTROMAYOR

T

epc@edgedavao.net

HE Regional Trial Court 16 has ordered one Joseph Mangupag Ngo, who is seeking the release of his P21-million worth imported rice earlier seized by the Bureau of Customs Davao, to comment within 10 days on the motion for reconsideration filed by the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG).

Judge Emmanuel C. Carpio, presiding judge of RTC 16 stated in his order dated last Friday to comment after the OSG’s Henry Ysaac questioned the order of the court dated December 12, 2013 granting the writ of preliminary injunction.

On December 5, 2013, Ngo’s legal counsels, Anthony P. Banzali and Ferdinand M. Taglucob, filed for permanent injunction with prayer for a temporary restraining order

against district collector of the Bureau of Customs in Davao for confiscating the rice shipment from the Starcraft International Trading Corporation.

The plaintiff said he has an agreement with Starcraft International Trading Corporation to buy shipments of imported rice set to arrive in Davao City on various dates in October and November 2013.

The agreement said that ownership over the rice shipments, on a per shipment basis, is transferred to plaintiff upon payment of the down payment, thus, the plaintiff made payment of P21,132,000 representing the down payment for the rice shipments in the said bill of lading.

On the other hand, the OSG said in its motion

FBOC, 10

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 212 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JANUARY 12-13, 2014

THE BIG NEWS

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CPO revives 2 libel cases

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HE Davao City Prosecution Office revived libel cases against a union leader and editors of two local tabloids.

The cases were raffled off last Thursday to RTC 11 and RTC 10 with warrants of arrest set to be issued against respondents Romelito Pablo, president of Lapanday Box and Plastic Plant Workers Union-Association of Democratic Labor Organizations-Kilusang Mayo Uno, and publisher Marietta F. Siongco of the Mindanao Daily Mirror and Stella Estremera, editor-in-chief of Sun Star Davao.

Prosecutor Panfilo Junior R. Lovitos stated in his resolution on the mo-

tion for reconsideration filed by the complainant, Lapanday Foods Corporation represented by legal counsel Leilani Yangyang-Espejo, that the CPO was able to substantiate the “missing element” of libel that was ruled on January 31, 2013.

It may be recalled that the prosecution office dismissed the case for insufficiency of evidence as it opined that the alleged defamatory remark was not clearly indicated in the stories published as to who the persons in the Lapanday management were referred to as the offended parties.

Lovitos said “It can be reasonably inferred that Lapanday Foods Corpora-

FCPO, 10

Customs looking at reviving 2 divisions RECOGNITION. Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte gives a memento, the replica of a Philippine Eagle’s head carved on wood, to Ambassador Raymond Wang of the Taiwanese Embassy in the Philippines at The Marco Polo Davao last Friday evening. [CIO]

Gun-runners arrested

By EMILORD P. CASTROMAYOR epc@edgedavao.net

A

GUN-RUNNER and three others were arrested by Davao City police in separate entrapment operations last Friday.

Rodel Cabiling Sr, 52, was arrested for selling “loose” firearms in Tadeco, Sto. Tomas and other places in Davao del Norte.

The others arrested

were Ronald Galendes, 28, Adell Gravador, 21, and Jay Anthony Lazaro, 31, all members of the notorious gang dubbed “Trip Gang”.

Sr. Supt. Joel Pernito, regional director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Region 11, said chief inspector Darwin Rafer,

PAGASA warns vs flooding, slides in Mindanao areas

T

HE government’s weather agency warned against possible flooding and landslides in Mindanao from moderate to occasionally heavy rains that are expected to persist for two to three hours there beginning late Saturday afternoon due to the low-pressure area east of the island. ”Flooding is threatening in low-lying areas and landslides in mountainous areas,” Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its 4 p.m. rainfall advisory released Saturday.

PAGASA expects moderate with occasionally

heavy rains over portions of Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Sur, Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley and Davao del Norte.

Light to moderate with occasionally heavy rains are forecast over portions of Surigao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao City, General Santos City, Cotabato City, North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sarangani, Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, Basilan and Misamis Occidental which may persist for two to three hours, the agency added.

PAGASA advised the public and disaster risk

team leader of Davao del Norte CIDG led the entrapment that resulted to the arrest of Cabiling while Chief Inspector Warren Dablo, team leader of CIDG Davao arrested the other three suspects.

Cabiling was caught in possession of one .45 caliber pistol, three magazines for .45 pistol and

and .22 caliber ammunition. The items will serve as evidence against the suspect during court proceedings.

Three other suspects were arrested by police who recovered one .45 caliber pistol and a magazine for .45 caliber pistol along with P200 in marked money.

T

HE Bureau of Customs (BOC) is looking at reviving two divisions that would further enhance security from illegal activities.

With this, Deputy Commissioner for Enforcement Group (EG) Ariel Nepomuceno has ordered the conduct of a study on how to revive the water patrol division and radio communications group.

“I just instructed last week the conduct of a formal study how to revive. But I think there is a need to revive these two divisions. I don’t know if the staff could come up with their report in 30 days. Of course, if they came up with the result, it would be subjected to

the usual procurement study,” he explained.

Nepomuceno noted that the bureau needs radio communications department, as he believes that the bureau is one of the few agencies in the world that does not have such division.

“Maybe we are one of the few enforcement group in the world that does not have tactical radio communications capability, we only use cellphones look at what happened in Tacloban when all systems fail we don’t have tactical capability. So the bureau needs that tactical capability,” he added.

On the other hand, the BOC official said the

FCUSTOMS, 10

SPEED LIMIT VIOLATORS. Land Transportation Office (LTO) law enforcers apprehend motorists who violated Executive Order (EO) No. 39 or the Speed Limit

FPAGASA, 10 Ordinance along E. Quirino Avenue in Davao City over the weekend. Lean Daval Jr.

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EDGEDAVAO

BIGGER PICTURE

VOL. 6 ISSUE 212 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JANUARY 12-13, 2014

DAVAO ORIENTAL’S SUBANGAN:

Mindanao’s state-of-the art museum

By CAROLYN O. ARGUILLAS Photo by TOTO LOZANO

A

YEAR after the devastation wrought by super typhoon Pablo in three of its 10 towns, Davao Oriental is celebrating with the inauguration last Wednesday (January 8) of Subangan, an interactive, state of the art provincial museum that Tourism Assistant Secretary Art Boncato says “should set a trend” in museum development nationwide.

“What we see in Davao Oriental is great community involvement that to my mind would be very infectious, engaging others to contribute. This, to me, is nation building,” Boncato told MindaNews.

Subangan, Governor Corazon Malanyaon said, is a Dabawenyo word for “east” or “where the sun rises…. to rise, come out, bloom, begin to grow” and for a province that wakes up to a glorious sunrise ahead of the rest of the country (the country’s easternmost, Pusan Point, is located in Caraga, Davao Oriental), Boncato expects it will lead the way for other local governments in Mindanao and the rest of the country, to follow.

At the inauguration program on Wednesday afternoon, Boncato told the crowd gathered at the Museum Gardens, that it is “very seldom that we see a provincial government spend its time, effort, money, blood and tears if you will, in coming out with a very, very important museum program.”

“Having gone through great calamity a year ago, we’re all together now celebrating something different, celebrating something from our hearts.

As the saying would go, a city with no museum is a city with no soul. I am happy that Davao Oriental is a province of great souls and of great people,” he said.

Malanyaon said Subangan speaks of “eternal hope, endless as the rising of the sun as it welcomes each new day” and “symbolizes the resiliency of the people of Davao Oriental and our determination to rise up to challenges and overcome trying times as what we have exhibited when, together, we fought to overcome the devastation brought by super typhoon Pablo.”

Interactive Located at the Provincial Tourism Complex in Barangay Datu Martin Marundan,

Subangan has a floor area of 1,000 square meters on two levels and showcases themed exhibits of the province’s natural, cultural and historical heritage and a special memorial exhibit on Typhoon Pablo (Bopha).

The memorial is in a room on the ground floor, the walls filled with photographs on the impact of the typhoon on agriculture, infrastructure, lives, the rescue and relief operations, humanitarian aid and a summation of the reconstruction and development framework of “building back better.”

A window to a smaller room gives visitors a view of a mound of debris from the typhoon’s wrath.

Subangan, designed

by Architect Edmundo Viacrucis, complemented

by Architects Cesar Rey Gamalong and Lachelle Marie Ravelo, and interior design and exhibition concept executed by interior designer Charisse Puentespina, assisted by Architects Catherine Grace Kileste, Desiree Joy Cabiles and Mere Flor Alico, Engineer Mark Otero and Graphic Artist Borriz Caparuzo of CPuentespina Design and Architecture, Subangan is a visual and aural delight and offers visitors a different kind of experience.

The museum has blown-up photos, videos, interactive visuals (in some areas, there are tablets available for guests to scan a QR-coded picture to get additional information or video on the flora and fauna or on the skeletal installation of Davor, the sperm whale), dioramas, documents, a sampling of the Mandaya’s oral poetry, house, music, weapons of warfare, dresses, as well as the Kalagan’s dresses, and dances by the seaside, on video.

“Ako yan,” (That’s me), said one of the elderly Kalagan dancers, grinning as he pointed to the dance video on the wall.

Where are the IPs? A number of out-oftown guests who expected a presentation or a speech from the province’s indigenous peoples – the Mandaya and Kalagan/Kaagan -- during the inaugural program were disappointed. Even the music played while waiting for the program to start was neither Mandaya nor Kalagan.

But inside the museum, the Mandaya and Kalagan occupy a huge space on the ground floor for exhibits on their cultural heritage, a

ORIENTATION. Davao Oriental Governor Corazon Malanyaon gives Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority chief Mark Lapid an orientation of the newly opened provincial museum called Subangan at the Tourism Complex in Mati City, Davao Oriental last Wednesday. number of the artifacts donated by them. They came to the inauguration in their traditional dresses.

The design of the museum’s fence grillwork takes after the dominant image of the dagmay, the Mandaya’s handwoven fabric from abaca fiber.

Subangan also features in huge photographs and video, the provinces’ tourist destinations, including Aliwagwag Falls and other lesser known waterfalls, caves, beaches, rivers and lakes, a “forest walk” where one can walk over a tempered glass-topped video screen of insects crawling on the forest floor. There are also samplings of wood species from the forests.

Subangan also features a field view of the Pygmy Forest of Mt. Hamiguitan.

According to the website of the World Heritage Convention, the Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary belongs to the 15 biogeographic zones in the Philippines considered to have the highest land-based biological diversity in terms of flora and fauna per unit area and was nominated for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List for its “outstanding universal significance.”

Davor the whale The museum features as its centerpiece exhibit the skeletal installation of the 53-foot long, 20 metric ton Davor, the sperm whale which chose the shores of San Isidro and Governor Generoso towns as its final resting place in 2010.

Malanyaon said the in-

stallation is “the largest in the Philippines and the 7th largest in exhibition in the world.”

The museum would have been inaugurated on December 4, 2013, exactly a year after super typhoon Pablo battered the municipalities of Baganga, Cateel and Boston, supposedly to celebrate how the province has risen from the devastation, Malanyaon told MindaNews in November. But she said she did not deem it proper to celebrate, in deference to the victims of super typhoon Yolanda in the Visayas.

The museum had a soft opening on November 19, but only for the blessing officiated by Bishop Patricio Alo, who was accompanied by the other priests of the Diocese.

Envisioned during her first term as governor (2007 to 2010), the museum had its groundbreaking rites during Malanyaon’s second term, on June 30, 2011 and was inaugurated during her third term.

Construction stopped when Pablo struck the province in December 2012 and resumed only in the latter part of 2013.

In his welcome address, Mati mayor Carlo Luis Rabat said Subangan is “a heritage for all of us” and adds “cultural, historical and educational reasons to visit our place.”

Mark Tadeo Lapid, chief operating officer of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), described the museum as a “symbol of

strength of Davao Oriental.”

Tieza funded P10 million of the P25-million museum project. Aside from TIEZA and the provincial legislature, the two district representatives to Congress, Thelma Almario and Nelson Dayanghirang, as well as former Las Pinas Representative, now Senator Cynthia Villar, also helped fund the project through their Priority Development Assistance Fund coursed through the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Malanyaon told MindaNews the P25 million covers the building construction, interiors equipment, landscape, land development, road inside and outside the promenade, coffee shop, guardhouse and souvenir shop, fence and professional fees for research.

Museums as zones of peace Boncato congratulated the province’s leaders for coming up with something “so sophisticated.”

“Creating a museum I think is an indication of a sophistication of leadership of the people in the community,” Boncato said, adding that the museum is a repository of things, a place for convergence, a zone of peace, a savior, an inanimate spokesperson for visitors to “see the real Mindanao.”

“This is a repository of things that have been found in the past, that we have in the present and definitely will house what we will have in the future. What

a wonderful gift to the Philippine Tourism Industry. Thank you very much Davao Oriental,” he said.

Museums, he added, create a lot of symbolism for communities as they are a place for convergence, a place where democracy is played and practiced.

“This is where people from all walks of life, rich or poor, come together and it is a place that we appreciate the diversity of culture and data, and artifacts displayed. So in effect, museums are also zones of peace because it is where we, in Davao Oriental -- representation of a tri-people -- can come together, talk about our history our present and our future in such amiable and friendly manner,” he said.

Museums are also “saviors,” citing as example how the province saved the sperm whale’s remains for the residents and visitors to see and understand the province’s rich biodiversity.

90 museums Boncato recalled that Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez urged Mindanawons during the Mindanao Business Conference in August 2013 “to not let the news dictate the image of Mindanao, the image that we will have.”

Boncato said they are confident that Subangan “will be in the forefront of changing that image of Mindanao out in the world.”

The crowd applauded.

In Mindanao, he said, museums are part of the Mindanao Communication

FMINDANAO, 10

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VOL. 6 ISSUE 212 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JANUARY 12-13, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

5

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 212 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JANUARY 12-13, 2014

Exports surge anew in November 2013 B

RISK performance of manufactured and agro-based products steered merchandise exports to another double-digit growth in November 2013, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

This statement came after the National Statistics Office (NSO) reported that merchandise exports grew 18.9 percent to $4.3 billion in November 2013, from $3.6 billion a year ago.

“The buoyant export performance of manufactured products, driven primarily by electronics, reflects gains from the revival of the manufacturing sector as one of our growth drivers,” Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said.

Exports of manufactured goods sustained a double-digit growth of 16.9 percent in November 2013, registering a total value of $3.7 billion during the period.

He emphasized major gains were recorded in manufactured items such as electronic products, garments, wood manufactures, chemicals, and machinery and transport equipment.

Electronics, which comprised over half of exports receipts from manufactured goods, was up by 10 percent, consistent with

FURNITURE FAIR. A shopper inspects furniture on display in the furniture fair now ongoing in one of the malls along J.P. Laurel Avenue in Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr. the projected gradual recovery in worldwide sales of personal computers and an uptick in global consumer confidence.

“Export revenues from agro-based products also soared as a result of higher value of our exported bananas, fish products, centrifugal and refined sugar, desiccated coconut, and unmanufactured tobacco,” Balisacan, who is also NEDA Director-General,

said.

Outward shipments of total agro-based products grew by 38.1 percent to $265.4 million in November 2013, from $192.2 million in the comparable period in 2012.

Export performance of mineral and petroleum products likewise expanded by 3 percent and 250 percent, respectively.

For the first eleven months of 2013, mer-

chandise exports rose 2.6 percent to $49.4 billion.

“We are the top export performer among major trade-oriented economies in East and Southeast Asian region,” the Cabinet Official noted.

Vietnam and China followed, growing by 15 percent and 12.7 percent, respectively, in November 2013.

Meanwhile, Japan remained as the top des-

tination of Philippine exports in November 2013, accounting for 23.6 percent of total overseas merchandise sales receipts equivalent to $1.1 billion.

Next to Japan is the United States of America (USA) with a 13.7-percent share of the country’s total exports followed by China (12%), Hong Kong (9.6%), and Singapore (7.7%).

One of the TIEZA projects is located in Siargao Island known for its surfing spots.

The project includes the construction of duplex cottages and bleacher seats in Pilar, Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte.

Also in the plans is the development of the ecotourism potentials in Mt. Hamiguitan, Lapid bared in his speech at the museum opening citing R.A. 9593.

According to the provisions of Republic Act 9593 or the Tourism Act of 2009 the law which created TIEZA,

five percent (5%) of the travel tax collection share intended for TIEZA shall be earmarked for ecotourism sites in depressed provinces with strong tourism potentials.

Mt. Hamiguitan also in Davao Oriental is known for its century-old pygmy forests and home to the most diverse varieties of plant and animal life in the county is the Philippines’ nominee for inclusion to the list of World’s Heritage Sites.

Lapid said they are awaiting proposals for

Mt. Hamiguitan as now they are enabled to fund these projects based on the mandate of the tourism law.

“TIEZA has been promoting Mindanao, last year we helped in promoting MICE (Meetings Incentives Conventions Exhibitions) in Davao. “ Lapid said.

Also part of its assistance in tourism in the region is a substantial amount of P10-million given to the province of Davao Oriental for the realization of its Subangan museum.

“Having a museum

is not just something that we visit, we see museum as a landmark as a means to inspire the people.” Lapid said during his speech.

The successor of the erstwhile Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA), TIEZA under the tourism law is a corporate body which shall designate, regulate and supervise the Tourism Enterprise Zones established under RA 9593, as well as develop, manage and supervise tourism infrastructure projects in the country. [PIA 11/RG Alama]

Tourism infra in Mindanao to get boost T

HE Tourism Infrastructure Enterprise Zone Authority is increasing its investments for tourism sites in Mindanao.

This according to Mark Lapid Chief Operations Officer of TIEZA who visited Mati City last January 8 for the opening of the province’s Subangan Museum.

Lapid said that Mindanao will have an allocation of P300-million for TIEZA projects which is higher compared to last year’s allocation of P270-million.

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 212 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JANUARY 12-13, 2014

PROPERTY

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Young urban professionals call Northpoint home

S

UCCESSFUL young professionals expect to live a sophisticated, modern lifestyle as they reap the fruits of a rewarding career. They normally have high-paying jobs, look cool and fashionable, regularly engage in recreation and fitness, and enjoy cultural attractions.

They place great value in achieving a higher social status among their peers, and as such, have high standards especially when it comes to where they live. As ambitious city dwellers with a status to maintain, they choose only the best location they can be proud to call home.

That’s why these wellheeled set always choose Northpoint, the British colonial themed condo community at the junction of Buhangin and JP Laurel Avenue, Bajada, Davao City. Northpoint is a landmark condo development of Vista Residences, the vertical marketing arm of the country’s largest homebuilder,Vista Land.

The stellar reputation alone of Vista Residences as a developer is already a big draw to these young professionals, as they know the value of a good reputation and solid track record. They understand they get real value for their

money when investing in a Vista Residences home.

Northpoint’s living proposition is very attractive to these city sophisticates. Nestled at the heart of the growth center that is north Davao, Northpoint gives them a premier address with its central city location. But its surroundings are green, clean, and serene—a stark contrast to the city’s concrete jungle and its hustle and bustle.

That’s because Northpoint is a green community that prides itself for its verdant plant life, preserved age-old Acacia trees, and hundreds of imported Caribbean pine trees. Its

condo buildings are also built to principles of green architecture, making them a pleasant and healthful place to live.

For their fitness regimen, these young urban dwellers will find Northpoint’s deluxe facilities and amenities quite to their liking. The clubhouse, Wakefield Manor, has a fitness gym for exercising and a wellness pool with salinated water for a water workout.

For some outdoor exercise, they can brisk walk or jog along the trail that circles the condo property, and breathe in the fresh air and pleasant scent of pine trees. They can also stroll

around and find a spot to commune with nature in the pocket gardens, nature park, or even just under the cool shade of the trees.

Placing importance on their social life, they want to be able to entertain and hold gatherings with friends and peers. They can have a pool party at Wakefield Manor, use the cabanas and grill pits for a barbecue, or lounge at the multi-purpose hall with its comfort-

able seats, tables, and wide windows that open to the green outdoor.

Yuppies also like Northpoint because they want to be within the most fashionable part of the city. Located at the center of the growing commercial and shopping district of north Davao, Northpoint is quite near the best and biggest malls with its long line of boutiques, hiend retail shops, and fashion and accessories stores.

Living in Northpoint gives them the benefit of living within short distance to all their daily activities, from driving to work, paying bills, going to worship places, running errands, having a medical checkup, making bank transactions, and buying groceries at supermarkets or public markets.

Clearly, living at Northpoint satisfies all their need for modern conveniences

and more, allowing them to enjoy an affluent lifestyle they seek and work hard for. A Northpoint home address is an undeniable sign they have achieved success not only in their career, but also in life.

More on Northpoint is available at the Camella Davao offices at DelgarBldg, (fronting Northpoint) JP Laurel Avenue, Bajada, Davao City, telephone 2953973.

8

EDGEDAVAO

VANTAGE

VOL. 6 ISSUE 212 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JANUARY 12-13, 2014

EDITORIAL

Ghouls in our midst

F

OR a long time now, Filipinos have been bombarded with stories about unchecked graft and corruption practices in low and high places in government, and to a large degree, also in the private sector.

Most of the stories tell of elected and appointed government officials and their accomplices in the private sector being charged with stealing the people’s money in the millions of pesos. If we go by media accounts, there seems to be a worsening in the degree of such crimes —the stealing of public money is becoming more unconscionable each passing day. And so we now hear about government officials being accused of system-

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atically raiding the public coffers of not just millions but billions of pesos.

Days ago, we read in the papers about another criminal act -- overpricing in the construction of bunkhouses intended for the pitiful victims of super typhoon Yolanda, allegedly involving a politician and a conniving contractor. This form of corruption is ghoulish. Its perpetrators are no different from vultures feeding on the carcasses of dead animals and human beings.

This is really too much. Crimes like these ought to be classified as heinous and corresponding penalties for them made more severe especially if the perpetrators are themselves lawmakers.

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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

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EDGEDAVAO

T

VOL. 6 ISSUE 212 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JANUARY 12-13, 2014

A thief is a thief is a thief.

HE road to perdition is built by seemingly upright citizens who think nothing of stealing.

We always read and hear about the corruption of government officials and yet each one declares to the high heavens that they are living a life of integrity and service to the people. The war against corruption is waged by a precious few but there is a gargantuan network of masterminds and underlings that steal from the country’s coffers. Sadly, such stealing is considered a norm and is even expected of officials. Political family dynasties blatantly enrich themselves while their areas of responsibility wallow in poverty, generation after generation. Mindanao is home to such dynasties and though they are respectably acknowledged in public media, we know of their corruption, idiosyncrasies, businesses, and infidelities.

The rehabilitation of the Typhoon Yolanda-stricken areas has opened business opportunities for the construction and agriculture industries, among many others. My husband, whose business is marine and agricultural machineries, was approached by the Department of Agriculture to supply the necessary items for the rebuilding of Tacloban. Much as we saw this as good income opportunity, we also deemed this our chance to be of con-

A

THOROUGHLY CORRUPT CULTURE REMAINS – Now it can be told. Smuggled rice gained smooth entries into the country’s different seaports notably in Davao City and the came by shiploads, not by container vans. No less than Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte earlier made the revelation and says that rampant rice smuggling has been going on for quite some time. Either the Bureau of Customs (BoC) is looking at the opposite direction or just simply ignores it for obvious reasons, presuming that it can be both, only the smuggling syndicate knows better.

A name of a certain Davidson Tan Bangayan was floated and circulated in media as the alleged mastermind of a powerful smuggling syndicate, but Mayor Rodrigo Duterte thinks it is a fictitious name. The faceless suspect according to the mayor is from Cebu and not Davao, and not related to the Davao City-based Bangayan business family. Mayor Duterte lost no time at all and declared a total war against rice smuggling syndicates operating in the city and waging it with the unwavering support of the business sector and the people.

Now here’s the thing: rice smuggling continues unabated. So, of course, Mayor Duterte was fuming mad and issued a stern warning to unscrupulous local rice traders to severe their ties with smuggling syndicates to avoid being meted with the harshest punishment if found guilty of conniving with the economic saboteurs. More than this, the mayor warned members of the smuggling syndicates to immediately stop their nefarious activities otherwise he might be prodded to order their arrest and defying lawful orders mean shooting and killing them in the process.

This, to the mind of the Commission

crete help to our country.

If my husband learns that the machines are being bought for Tacloban, he lowers the prices and recommends only the best brands. DA, upon seeing the thrust and capacity of my husband’s business, wanted to award hefty contracts to him. We were excited.

But as the wheeling and dealing wore on, the monsters within slowly revealed themselves. Business meetings were done over bottles of beer at 11am. Text messages would come in at unholy hours of the night from DA people asking that we give or lend them money for one thing or another. One even had the gall to ask money for the birthday party of his child.

Given the convoluted and shady interactions, my husband gave up the opportunity. He declared that he did not want to build our home from money earned that way. I felt a twinge of disappointment but I am certain that goodness begets good-

ness. Now that the news of the substandard bunkhouses for the Yolanda survivors came out, we are glad that we did not aid and abet the corruption. But we are utterly disgusted at the officials and contractors for taking advantage of the least advantaged. They should be ashamed of themselves. Japanese officials have taken their own lives for less reason. We could only wish our own people would have the same sense of shame, if not the same sense of honor and integrity.

Closer to home, another thief surfaced. A trusted supervisor and friend of the family was caught taking money from our store’s tills. He would nonchalantly swipe bills from the cashier’s box using the last three fingers of his hand and casually put the money in his pockets. He has done this repeatedly. In his mind, he thinks he is not seen. He declares he is innocent but his misdeed was immortalized on video. More than that, he diminishes himself in the eyes of the crew he is supposed to lead. He diminishes himself to himself. I am ashamed for him. But I bleed for his family.

A thief is a thief is a thief. Well-dressed, well-bred, well-educated, well-employed, well-connected. It does not matter. If you take what is not justly and rightfully yours, a thief is a thief is a thief.

on Human Rights (CHR) is a clear violation of due process. The CHR head reminded the mayor that being a public official he has the moral responsibility to uphold the rule of law. Meanwhile, a Palace spokesman likewise prompted Mayor Duterte that his role is to ensure that laws are obeyed and strictly followed in a way that is best for society. It is short of saying that any official can’t take any harsh action or put the law into their own hands without being given corresponding legal penalties.

But that can be talked, discussed and debated. As a matter of fact Mayor Duterte has a quick reply to the reaction of the CHR and the Palace. This is not to say that the rights of the alleged suspects should be ignored, however, if his threat to the culprits actually happens, the mayor says he is willing to go to jail.

“Whatever is the outcome of my action, it is my own problem not theirs, referring to his critics. The major problem actually is the big-time rice smugglers who are in cahoots with corrupt and greedy Customs personnel. My sole intent is only to protect the interest of the small farmers and legitimate rice dealers,” the mayor angrily said.

This is the point that Mayor Duterte was making when he said the smuggling syndicates directly affect the small farmers and the government because they do not pay tariffs and import duties thereby depriving the adminis-

tration worth billions of revenues annually. Well, we have no idea whether “eliminating” unscrupulous local rice traders and smugglers is in fact the right solution. But that is the core of the matter, and only Mayor Duterte needs to determine it for himself. Nevertheless, his bold proposal has the effect of forcing the Aquino administration, perhaps to check closely what government agencies or their outside allied groups are allegedly involved in rampant rice smuggling.

Half-way through the Aquino administration, the wary public particularly persistent critics and political detractors noticed that it was unable to keep its campaign promise to totally eradicate corruption in all government levels especially in the graft-ridden Customs bureau; the leadership is oblivious that some of the President’s own trusted officials are the very source of the prevailing problem. This is precisely the reason why the greater problem of a thoroughly corrupt culture remains.

To totally eliminate if not minimize corruption would be a tough challenge for the Aquino administration as corrupt officials who have established “unholy alliance” with well-organized money-making syndicates are not born but bred. And breeding of good, honest and role model public servants should ideally start within the institution they worked for. For sufficient reasons Palace image-builders can’t please everybody. Critics say that with an Aquino-controlled media, favorable news reports come as deodorizers, a cleansing process and diversionary tactics to keep the present dispensation’s alleged failures in mounting corruption scandals and widespread smuggling activities from prying public scrutiny.

Bold proposal

VANTAGE POINTS

9

Corruption in the barangay (actually in public life, generally) WORM’S EYEVIEW

BY MANNY VALDEHUESA

P

RIDE will push him to do whatever he likes. It will make him presume that it is what everyone else likes also, or should like. It makes him presumptuous. He could become a tyrant who thinks his behavior makes him out to be a disciplinarian.

There’s greed which makes him obsess about acquiring power, wealth, honor, and credit for achievement. The cupidity of this official is betrayed by his penchant for aggrandizing dominion over people, ideas, or things. He is clannish and is a dynasty-builder. He will put his family’s mark on every conceivable thing or achievement. And he shamelessly imposes his family’s control over politics and economics, boasts about being able to do so, and revels over the fact.

Rarely will he be a statesman.

Then there’s envy which begrudges goodness in others, in which an official is loathe to acknowledge success or achievement outside of his own or of his family’s or clan’s.

This is the official who insists on establishing new programs or projects to replace previous ones, or renames places or things to ensure his or her own glorification. Beware of his wrath or fury.

For in his jealousy, he will destroy your good works and sacrifice your wellbeing to ensure his own welfare and blame others for doing so.

There’s also gluttony which seeks to devour everything unfavorable or disadvantageous that lies in its path. Gluttony is excess, an uncommon indulgence in pleasure or pleasurable delights like gambling, smoking, carousing, eating or drinking, even sex.

Gluttony also encompasses greed, avarice, attachment to worldly possessions. It offends human decency and dignity and debases a person.

Not least, there’s sloth which is laziness, apathy, or indifference—which are deadly to the misery and suffering of the poor and disadvantaged or social problems in general. Slothful leaders rarely set records for public service or make a difference in the community.

Corruption is sin or wrongdoing.

Come to think of it, it embodies all the seven capital sins!

It is an offense against goodness, against doing the good expected of a citizen or public servant. It is the ever-present threat to our way of life and our living arrangements. And like the devil, it is always on the prowl. That’s why we must be on the lookout, and guard against it.

For it usually is unnoticed—unless it strikes in a big way, inflicting damage where it’s least expected, causing tremendous impact.

Take the pork barrel and its abuse.

It had been around for sometime but no one saw its dark side. No one saw how it got officials and constituents addicted or how it crept up on our congressional districts, even on some of its churches and churchmen. Then it exploded on prime time and the front pages and could no longer be ignored.

Now there’s the DAP, so-called Disbursement Accelerated Program concocted by the department of budget and management. It’s still a developing story, still to be judged by the court. But it’s looking every bit as shocking—and bigger!—than the pork barrel. Let the vigil continue!

[Manny was former UNESCO regional director for Asia-Pacific, director at development academy of the Philippines, vice chair at Local Government Academy, and 2004 PPI-Unicef awardee for outstanding columnist. He heads Gising Barangay Movement as national convenor and president. valdehuesa@gmail.com]

10

NEWS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 212 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JANUARY 12-13, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

DOH working with LGUs against measles-- Palace E

Emergency powers to PNoy mulled to address looming power hike

T

HE Department of Health (DOH) has been actively coordinating with local government units to prevent the spread of measles in the country, a Malacanang official said on Saturday.

Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said that children with ages 9 to 11 months have been receiving the first dose of

Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation and Communications LAND TRANSPORTATION FRANCHISING AND REGULATORY BOARD Regional Office No. XI Davao city Petition for Renewal of a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate a PUJ DUAL Ordinary Regular Service

JOCELYN M. MASANGUID, Petitioner Case No.2009-XI-00215 x- - - - - - - - -- - - -----x

NOTICE OF HEARING Petitioner is a grantee of a Certificate of Public Convenience issued in this case authorizing the operation of a PUJ-DUAL Ordinary Regular Service on the route: BARACATAN ROUTE and for cargoes as dual service from said route to any point in Region XI with the use of ONE (1) unit, which certificate will expire on September 9, 2014. In the petition filed on December 9, 2013, petitioner request authority to extend the validity of said certificate to operate along the same route with the use of the same unit previously authorized.

NOTICE, is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Board on JANUARY 29, 2014 at 09:00 a.m. at this office at the above address.

At least, TEN (10) days prior to the above date petitioner shall publish this Notice once in a one (1) daily newspaper of general circulation in Mindanao Parties opposed to the granting of the petition must file their written opposition supported by documentary evidence on or before the above date furnishing a copy of the same to the petitioner, and may if they so, desire appear on said date and time.

This petition will be acted upon by this Board on the basis of its records and the documentary evidence submitted by the parties, unless the Board deems it necessary to receive additional documentary and/or oral evidence.

WITNESS the Honorable TERESITA DELA PEÑA-YÑIGUEZ, Officer In-Charge, this 9th day of December 2013 at Davao City.

EDGAR CRISANTO R. VIOLAN Acting Chief Transportation Development Officer

anti-measles vaccine and the second phase will be those who are 12 to 23 months old.

One to two years old will be inoculated by receiving the anti-measles booster.

“Ginagawa ito ng Department of Health, in cooperation with the local government units. In particular, dito sa City of Manila, in cooperation with the DOH, nag-cover na sila

ng 148 barangays at ang breakdown ay 21,560 children,” Valte said in an interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Saturday.

Children with ages not more than five years old were vaccinated, according to Valte.

At the same time, the DOH also deployed mobile teams to conduct doorto-door vaccination to en-

Plans to supplant ISAFP under study

T

HE Department of National Defense (DND) is planning to create a new intelligence agency which will eventually replace the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP).

This was revealed by ISAFP head Brig. Gen. Eduardo Año who said that the proposal is still undergoing study as the planning guidance issued by DND Secretary Voltaire Gazmin aims to create a bigger intelligence organization.

He also dismissed talks that ISAFP will be abolished.

“It’s just that the intelligence unit of the AFP will be part now of the whole defense department,” he further said, noting that the new spy agency will be like that of the US Defense Intelligence Agency.

Año pointed out that nothing is final as of the moment as the plan is still undergoing review.

“Not within 2014, probably that will be (by) 2015... But of course, we are always trying to change the organization for the better, it’s the dynamics of the organization,” he said.

[PNA]

for reconsideration that from the order dated last December 12, while the plaintiff was given the opportunity to present and offer its testimonial and documentary evidence before the court, the government was not given that opportunity .

There was only one hearing conducted and OSG was not given its day in court to repute plain-

tiff’s evidence to prove why injunction should not be granted.

OSG also said that the plaintiff has no clear legal right for purposes of obtaining a preliminary injunction that he has not alleged much less shown that he is duly licensed by the National Food Authority to engage in the business of rice importation or distribution.

tion was the one referred to in the newspaper articles as “murderer of labor leaders.”

The alleged defamatory statements were published on October 13,

2012 after the negotiation on employees’ benefits failed.

Meanwhile, Lovitos recommended P10,000 bailbond for their temporary liberty.

BOC...FFROM 2

CPO... FFROM 3

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

WANTED FOR IMMEDIATE HIRING!

WANTED FOR IMMEDIATE HIRING!

BUS DRIVER

BUS DRIVER

Qualifications: Qualifications:

1.

2.

3.

Male, 28 – 40 years old 1. least Male, high 28 – school 40 years old At graduate 2. At least high school graduate With 5 years driving experience (bus, trucks) 3. With 5 years driving experience (bus, trucks)

Requirements: Requirements: 1. Driver’s License with Official Receipt License (2 with Official Receipt 2. 21.x Driver’s 2 I.D. picture pcs.)

2. 2 x 2 I.D. (2 pcs.) or clearance from 3. Certificate of picture Employment 3. Certificate of Employment or clearance from

May previous apply in employment person at Human Resource Department, YBLI in Office, General Santos Resource Drive, May apply person at Human Koronadal City. YBLI Office, General Santos Drive, Department, Koronadal City.

sure that children ages 9 months old to five years old receive the first dose of anti-measles vaccine, Valte said.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease transmitted through droplets from the nose, mouth or throat of infected persons.

There is no specific treatment for measles and recovery may take two to three weeks, the World Health Organization (WHO) said. Complications of measles however may result in blindness, diarrhea, pneumonia, encephalitis and ear infection.

Vaccine is available for children to prevent them from being infected. [PNA]

ASTERN Samar Rep. Ben Evardone said over the weekend it is better to give President Benigno S. Aquino III emergency powers to address the looming power rate hike and the lack of mass transit systems in Metro Manila and neighboring provinces.

“Congress should study the possibility of granting President Aquino emergency powers to deal with two catastrophic problems confronting our country today –- the rising cost of power and the lack of mass transit in Metro Manila and neighboring provinces,” Evardone said in an interview.

“We cannot afford a business as usual approach in dealing with these twin mega problems. It has been proven that palliative solutions to these problems have very lit-

tle impact,” he pointed out.

Evardone’s recommendation of giving the Chief Executive emergency powers is not new. He also recommended this move at the height of the rotational brownout in Mindanao last March 2012.

When he was the governor of Eastern Samar and president of the Union of Local Government Authorities of the Philippines, he also supported then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s Proclamation 1017, which placed the country under a state of emergency.

Evardone explained that granting emergency powers to President Aquino would “allow government to solve the woeful state of the country’s power and mass transportation systems, which he blamed on years of neglect.”

bureau also needs to have a water patrol division so that they can also intercept illegal activities in the sea.

“The advantage is the bureau is directly accountable to arrest water form illegal activities. At present, one can blame the system for example, they can claims that there is a delay dispatch of the Philippine Coast Guard or there was leak in the information things like that,” Nepomuceno said.

He added, “The coordination itself might be blamed whether right or wrong so if you have your own capability you have nobody to blame, you will be personally accountable. That for me is the biggest advantage,” Although, he said that it would involve expenses since the divisions would need personnel, equipment among others, he likewise believes that it would be a right deal.

“I don’t have an infor-

mation yet on the expenses, but if you would relate that to how much we are losing to smuggling. I think it is a right investment. Of course we have to do it correctly,” the BOC official said.

Nepomuceno has no indication as to how many personnel were previously employed in the two divisions.

“I have no idea. I was just surprise that there were two divisions under the category inactive or suspended,” he added.

[PNA]

reduction andmanagement councils concerned to monitor the weather and the agency’s next advisory.

Earlier, PAGASA said the LPA entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) at around 4

p.m. Friday.

If the LPA develops into a tropical depression while within PAR, PAGASA said it’ll be named “Agaton.”

Tropical depression is one classification of tropical cyclones and is

marked by maximum wind speed of some 63 kilometers per hour, PAGASA noted.

“Agaton” is the name PAGASA assigned to the first tropical cyclone in the country this year.

[PNA]

Plan.

“Do you know that in Mindanao, we have a total of around 90 museums?

Would you believe that?

This could be the 91st museum of Mindanao and this is a number greater than what we have in Manila,” he said, adding that the Tourism department wants to make the network of museums in Mindanao “to be our inanimate spokespersons.

We would like to open our museums to all guests and visitors, to see the real Mindanao.”

Boncato later told MindaNews that in 2010, the number of museums in Mindanao was already 85 although most of these are small and privately owned, are housed in colleges and universities, or schools of living traditions of the indigenous peoples.

He promised to provide a list of the

museums in Mindanao.

But only a few museums in Mindanao are government-owned.

The National Museum has only two branches in Mindanao’s 26 provinces and 33 cities – in Butuan City (Butuan branch and Balanghai Shrine) and in Jolo, Sulu, while the National Historical Commission of the Philippines has the Rizal Shrine in Dapitan.

Only a few local government units in Mindanao operate their own museums. The now refurbished museum in Sulu (actually in Patikul town, very near the provincial capitol) was operated by the province starting1982 but was donated to the National Museum in 1994.

Among the city government-owned museums in Mindanao are the Museo Dabawenyo

in Davao City, the Museo Panabo in Panabo City and the Cagayan de Oro City Museum.

Subangan Museum is intended to be an income-generating project to keep it sustainable.

Lyrna Padohinog of the Bookings and Reservations unit of the museum said it is open Mondays to Sundays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Entrance fee is P100 for foreign nationals, P50 for locals, P30 for residents, P20 for senior citizens, P20 for students outside Davao Oriental and P10 for students and children within Davao Oriental.

Mati City is 162 kilometers from Davao City or a two-and-a-half hours ride away, and is 112 kilometers from Tagum City, or about an hour and 45 minutes away. [MindaNews]

Customs...FFROM 3

PAGASA... FFROM 3

Mindanao...FFROM 4

[PNA]

11 ENVIRONMENT

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 212 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JANUARY 12-13, 2014

Pawikan hatchlings take on 2014 waves

A

TOTAL of 81 healthy pawikan hatchlings were released on the shores of Aboitiz Cleanergy Park in Punta Dumalag last January 2 and 4, 2014.

Caretaker Rodolfo M. Manib, Sr. noticed 3 hatchlings around 5 p.m. of January 2 and informed Mr. Fermin Edillon, Community Relations Department Manager of Davao Light.

With guidance from local biologist Dr. Ruth Gamboa of UP Mindanao and former caretaker Bobby Onin, 23 hatchlings of the 120 eggs were then released 4 hours after they emerged and became active.

With needed human assistance, the other 58 hatchlings were dug free from their nest and were released last January 4 at 4 p.m. Some graduate and

undergraduate Biology students of the University of Southeastern Philippines conducting research on the coastline and the Legal Team Members of Davao Light luckily witnessed this rare event.

Sometime in October 2013, these pawikan eggs, believed to be of the Olive Ridley species, were laid in Lawis, Toril. Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) personnel Efren Tagurda and Jose Lechoniso brought the eggs to Punta Dumalag and requested Onin to help them transfer the eggs to a protected area to ensure a higher survival rate. With Onin’s efforts, these eggs were given clearance from Davao Light and buried in the Aboitiz Cleanergy Park for incubation.

HE government is strengthening its control on the use of lead and its compounds in the local production of consumer products, as well as its importation, sale, distribution and disposal following the issuance of a chemical control order (CCO) for lead and lead compounds by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

“The Chemical Control Order for Lead and Lead Compounds is a result of numerous consultations with various stakeholders with the intention of reducing unreasonable risks and injuries to people as a result of their exposure to the chemical as well its negative impact on the environment,” DENR Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje said.

He also said the order was in support of the global action for the elimination of lead in paints.

According to Paje, lead is a heavy metal and highly toxic that exposure to it or ingestion can severely damage the nervous system. The chemical can also affect the development of children as well as the cardiovascular, reproductive and immune systems; impair the kidneys; and could also cause hearing loss and tooth de-

cay.

Hatchlings get dug up and ushered to safety as they break away from their shells.

DENR prohibits use of lead in local production Power firm to develop of food packaging, paints, consumer products nature park in Davao A T The CCO for lead, contained in DENR Administrative Order No. 2013-24, strictly prohibits the use of lead and lead compounds in the local manufacture of packaging for food and drink, toys, school supplies, cosmetics, water pipes and other consumer products.

It also reiterates the ban on the use lead as fuel additive.

“With the CCO, existing prohibitions by other agencies of the government governing the use of lead and lead compounds in various consumer products are further strengthened,” he said.

The order has also set the standard content of lead for locally produced paints at 90 parts per million (ppm), as well as the timeframe for the strict implementation of the standard which starts in 2016 for paints intended for architectural, decorative, household applications while paints for industrial applications, starts in 2019.

“The reason for setting the implementation phase for paints is to enable our paint industry to shift to lead-free production. There is now a global action for the elimination of lead in paints, and certainly this CCO is our way of showing our oneness with this advo-

cacy,” Paje stressed.

The DENR chief added that the new regulation on lead is consistent with Republic Act No. 6969, otherwise known as the Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act of 1990, as it also addresses the transport and treatment of lead-containing wastes prior to disposal.

RA 6969 was issued by the government in response to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal.

“Since lead is a toxic substance, the regulation covers not only the production process, but starts at the importation of the chemical to transport, recycling and even up to disposal of lead-containing wastes. Thus, the order also covers not only the manufacturers or industrial users but also the importers, distributors, recyclers, as well as the waste service providers like the transporters, waste treaters and disposers,” Paje explained.

As such, persons or entities involved in importation, manufacture, distribution, use, recycling, treatment, storage and disposal of lead and lead compounds, whether newly involved or with existing compliance

certificates, are required to register with the DENR’s Environmental Management Bureau (EMB).

Applicants are also required to provide a Safety Data Sheet to ensure the environmentally-sound management of the chemicals.

The DAO details requirements for labeling, manufacturing and training, storage, transport, treatment and disposal of lead and lead-containing materials.

To ensure proper implementation of the new policy, the DENR will conduct capability building and continuous consultations and discussions with its partner agencies under the Departments of Health, Trade and Industry, and Finance; as well as the Philippine Association of Paint Manufacturers, the Ecological Waste Coalition, and International POPs Elimination Network (IPEN) Philippines.

The order also tasks the EMB to lead the development of standards or threshold limits relative to the other existing uses of lead, and to monitor compliance with these standards.

Violators shall be subject to administrative and criminal sanctions relative to RA 6969 provisions.

BOITIZ Power is developing a sprawling property in Davao City as a nature park which will serve as a biodiversity classroom.

Located in the coastal barangay of Punta Dumalag, the eight-hectare seaside property was once the site of a vacation house for executives of the Davao Light Power Company (an Aboitiz company) and also served as a training area for its linemen.

Within its vicinity is the 37-hectare Marine Protected Area established by the City Government in 2007. The area is also known as the Pawikan Sanctuary as it was the nesting ground of sea turtles. The nesting site is located in the only white-sand beach in Davao City.

According to Willy Rodolfo, Corporate Communications Manager of Aboitiz Power, the company decided to turn the property into a nature park where people will be educated about biodiversity.

Rodolfo said that the current feature of the site which is now named as Cleanergy Park will be preserved and in fact more trees particularly mangroves will be planted in the area.

Last November the whole employees of the Aboitiz Group in Mindanao flocked to the site to plant 2,000 trees to jumpstart the Cleanergy Park project. Rodolfo said that aside from 2,000 fruit and forest trees about 2,000 mangroves will be planted in the area. The trees will be geotagged and information about these trees will be post-

ed inside the park forming an integral part of their eco-trail.

Among the plans include a gazebo which will serve as a welcome area and a classroom, an eco-trail, a weather station which aims to provide location-specific weather information and a lighthouse in partnership with the Philippine Coast Guard.

In its development timeline for 2014 plans are up for a scientific baseline research of the area, geo-tagging of trees, the establishment of an organic farm, infrastructure improvements such as guard house, boardwalk and rest stations and view decks.

By 2015 a turtle habitat conservation program will commence, the fish sanctuary project with giant reefs and giant clams seeding will be started and the setting up of a weather satellite station will also be part of the plans.

The park is also envisioned as a renewable energy area as solar and wind power will be used in lighting up the area.

With the place a popular location for photography enthusiasts, the place is still open to photographers. He added that the park will be open for the public to enjoy the unique biodiversity of the area with its mangroves and beach forests, park benches will be put up within its eco-trails.

If completed and opened, the Cleanergy Park will be the largest park in Davao City. [PIA 11/RG Alama]

12 CLASSIFIEDS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 212 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JANUARY 12-13, 2014

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MAKE IT YOUR DAILY HABIT.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 212 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JANUARY 12-13, 2014

CLASSIFIEDS 13

EDGEDAVAO WANTS YOU! Serving a seamless society

Account Executives (3)

-

Male / Female, not more than 30 years old Candidate must posses a Bachelor/ College Degree in any Business field.

Willing to work under pressure, flexible, persuasive, can speak fluently and computer literate A team player With Basic Salary, Transportation, Communication, allowance + Commission

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- Male / Female, not more than 30 years old - Knowledgeable in Adobe Photoshop and Indesign application - Willing to work under pressure, flexible and persuasive

For interested applicants, you may send your resume to:

For interested applicants, you may send your resume to:

HR Department EDGEDavao

HR Department ZION Accuprint Publishing, Inc. Doors 13 & 14 Alcrej B;dg., Quirino Ave., Davao City Tel. No. (082) 221-3601 Email: zion_publishing@yahoo.com

Doors 13 & 14 Alcrej B;dg., Quirino Ave., Davao City Tel. No. (082) 221-3601 Email: edgedavao@gmail.com

14

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VOL. 6 ISSUE 212 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JANUARY 12-13, 20142014 VOL. 6 ISSUE 212 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JANUARY 12-13,

MOTORING

EDGEDAVAO

Subaru WRX STI races before launch

Three-wheel car gears for 2015 US launching

E

VEN before its unveil at the 2014 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), Subaru has revealed that its all-new Subaru WRX STI is going racing. It’s going to compete in the 2014 Nürburgring 24-Hour Race slated for June 19-22. Subaru and its in-house tuning arm, Subaru Technica International (STI) aims to win its third victory in the SP3T class following its win in 2011 and 2012.

The Subaru WRX STI Nürburgring 24-Hour Race race car is based off the production WRX STI but further enhanced

by STI to boast a higher level of competitiveness. The announcement comes without any sort of specification that the race car will have. Like last year, Hideharu Tatsumi will take the helm of team operations as team manager, in addition to the development of the car. As for team drivers, Toshi-

hiro Yoshida and Kouta Sasaki both from Japan will be listed, adding two more drivers from Europe.

The announcement is a lead up to the Tokyo Auto Salon 2014 where Subaru and STI will outline its motorsports program for 2014. Aside from Subaru and STI’s participation

at the Nürburgring 24-Hour Race, it will compete in the Super GT Series with the Subaru BRZ GT300. Subaru will also continue to support privateer teams who will participate in the FIA World Rally Championship 2 (WRC2) and the European Rally Championship (ERC).

MOTORALLY 2014. Ducati Philippines president and CEO Toti Alberto (second from left) and wife Joey Cua Alberto (second from right) with some mebers of the Ducati moto riders during the Motorally 2014.

T

HE SLEEK three-wheeled car looks futuristic, but, as its creator acknowledges, it uses no new technology.

What makes the Elio Motors vehicle unique is its ultra-high fuel economy and an ultra-low price tag: $6,800.

The vehicle, which was on display at the Showstoppers startup showcase on the sidelines of the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, promises to deliver as much as 84 miles (134 kilometers) per gallon (3.8 liters) of gasoline for highway driving.

It accelerates as quickly as many cars on the road -- to 100 miles per hour in 9.6 seconds, according to the company. Urban fuel economy is estimated at 49 miles per gallon.

Company founder Paul Elio said he came up with the idea because “I got mad about seeing all this wealth leave the country” for imported petroleum.

An engineer by training, Elio began the firm in 2008 and recently took over an abandoned General Motors plant in Louisiana -- one which had

been producing the gas-guzzling Hummer.

In order to deliver the best fuel economy, the car has a cockpit wide enough only for the driver, with a passenger seat in the rear. It has two wheels in front and tapers in the rear to a single wheel.

“Front-to-back seating, that’s the key to mileage,” Elio told AFP. This makes it principally a one-person car, but Elio said the vehicle is a good solution for the millions who drive along to work or leisure events.

Elio readily admits there is no special technology in the car -- it has a three-cylinder internal combustion gasoline engine, power windows, air conditioning and anti-lock brakes. While it does not have some of the on-board electronic gadgety found in other vehicles, drivers can connect their smartphones for navigation, apps and more.

“This was a design completely based on existing engineering,” says company spokesman Jim Andrews.

The car has a top

crash-impact rating from the National Highway Transportation Safety Board, and is expected to meet all US safety standards.

Elio is targeting the US market but hopes to eventually ship internationally.

He has more than 6,000 orders from customers who have paid a deposit, and hopes to start delivering in the first quarter of 2015.

He also plans to speak with major automakers, including Chrysler, about possible partnerships.

It’s not clear how much of an impact the Elio vehicle will have, but it comes after a sizzling debut for another startup carmaker, Tesla, which sells a $70,000 electric car.

Other three-wheelers may be in the words as well: a three-wheel concept car from Toyota was on display at the huge electronics exhibition.

Elio said he is encouraged by the response to the car.

“We didn’t design it to be cool,” he said. “It was cool by accident.”

INdulge!

VOL. 6 ISSUE 212 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JANUARY 12-13, 2014

EDGEDAVAO EVENT

Countdown royale The Royal Mandaya Hotel welcomes 2014 with a New Year countdown

By Neil Bravo

THE Royal Mandaya Hotel welcomed the new year 2014 with a royal banquet prepared for the hotel’s officers and employees, as well as loyal clients and friends.

TRMH general manager Benjie Banzon led the traditional New Year Countdown ushering in the Year of the Horse.

“It looks like we’ll have a galloping year ahead.

The future looks good for Davao City’s hotel industry,” Banzon said. “We wish everyone a blissful year ahead. Welcome 2014!”

The Royal Mandaya Hotel’s official family led

by Glenn Escandor and wife Michelle, brother Gerome and matriarch Violy also wished their friends and clients a banner year in 2014.

The Royal Mandaya

Hotel, one of the most successful home-grown hotels, is located at Palma Gil Street in the heart of Davao City.

EDGEDAVAO

A2 INdulge!

UP AND ABOUT

Fun modern portraits at 123 Smile ONE of the country’s best portrait studios for kids and the entire family, 123 Smile, is now open at SM City Davao.

Seeing the world through the kids’ eyes, 123 Smile, specializes in playful kiddie and family portraiture. With specially trained photographers and a wide range of props and costumes available at the studio, portraits will never be the same again!

Experience a photo session where you can play, party and pose your way to professional portraits.

The new 123 Smile at SM Davao also offers regular photo services such for IDs and passports. Be a SMILE member now and enjoy special treats!

Walk into the colorful and kid-friendly 123 Smile studios.

Have a fun-tastic photo session today. Visit 123 Smile at the 2nd floor, Level 2 of SM City Davao.

VOL. 6 ISSUE 212 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JANUARY 12-13, 2014

EVENT

Dabawenyos kick off 2014 at Coca-cola’s TwelveZeroOne run at SM Lanang Premier

Abreeza Mall holds huge sale to welcome 2014 DON’T miss the chance to upgrade your lifestyle in 2014 by taking part in the biggest nationwide sale to kick off the year!

Join the Welcome 2014 Sale, a synchronized mall-wide sale across all Ayala Malls happening from January 2 to January 19, 2014. Shoppers in Glorietta, Greenbelt, Alabang Town Center, Ayala Center Cebu, Market! Market!, TriNoma, Bonifacio High Street, MarQuee Mall, Harbor Point, and Centrio Mall are all treated to this massive countrywide sale, and Davao shoppers get to join in by shopping at Abreeza Mall.

Shoppers can score discounts starting from 10% up to as much as 80% from both local and foreign brands. From clothing and footwear to books and eats, there’s an awesome bargain buy for everyone at Abreeza Mall.

Customers are encouraged to share their great finds from the Welcome 2014 Sale; just use the hashtags #WelcomeAyalaMallsSale, #WelcomeSaleFinds, and #Welcome2014 in social media posts and join shoppers from all over the country make virtual noise in this huge retail party.

More excitement awaits Davaoeños at Abreeza Mall in the first flush of this brand-new year. Reverie 2014, Davao’s first 3D mapping party featuring sets by DJ Torch, DJ Reo Mendoza, DJ Erwin Edralin, and DJ Surf, lights up the Park Dining area on January 18. From January 17 to 23 and again from January 26 to 30, the Red Bazaar invades the Activity Center; on January 25, the Activity Center plays host to the Paradigm Fashion Forecast 2014. Abreeza Mall then caps off the month with a mall-wide Chinese New Year Celebration on January 31.

For more information on programs and happenings at Abreeza Mall, visit the concierge at the ground floor or call (082) 321-9332. Stay updated by liking www.facebook.com/ AbreezaMall and following @abreezatweets on Twitter and @iloveabreezamall on Instagram.

ON December 31, 2013, more than 1,000 people came together at The Fountain Court grounds of SM Lanang Premier in Davao City to ring in the New Year with a fun run and countdown celebration.

The event dubbed ‘TwelveZeroOne’ provided Dabawenyos the opportunity to mark the New Year peacefully and safely sans the firecrackers, and raise funds for the benefit of Typhoon ‘Yolanda’ survivors. It was organized by Coca-Cola in partnership with SM Lanang Premier, the City Government of Davao and Pasko Fiesta.

When the clock struck 12 midnight, about 600 runners consisting of fam-

AirAsia is Asia’s best managed company two years in a row!

Leading international magazine Euromoney has once again named AirAsia Berhad as the winner of the ‘Best Managed company in Asia for the Airlines & Aviation sector’, for the Euromoney ‘Best Managed and Governed Companies – Asia Poll 2014’.

AirAsia was the winner of the same accolade in 2013, a tribute to the company’s focus on integration and expansion and excellent corporate foresight of the aviation industry.

The poll is based on replies received from a total of 93 of the leading equity analysts at the largest investment banks and research houses in the Asia Pacific region nominating a total of 214 different companies.

Analysts were asked to name which companies were the most impressive across a number of factors including; management accessibility, accounting transparency and corporate governance procedures amongst others.

Analysts praised AirAsia for its leading role in promoting transparent communication to investors, citing that “the company has a clear strategy and good visibility”. Analysts also noted that “AirAsia senior management continues to demonstrate prudent gearing, transparency, good governance and clear articulation of strategy.”

Jean Montenegro, Coca-Cola Bottlers Marketing Manager for Mindanao, welcomes the crowd to the ‘TwelveZeroOne’ countdown event.

Participants warm up for the Coca-Cola fun run at The Fountain Court grounds.

After the sprint, runners enjoy their moment of triumph at the photo wall. ilies, running profession- and live DJ music set the als and enthusiasts in their party mood for the night singlets, racebibs, and glow and laser and waterworks in the dark baller bands shows, the latter lasting dashed through the 5-km. 20 minutes at SM Lanang stretch from SM Lanang Premier’s 122-meter muPremier to Bajada and vice sical fountain, dazzled the versa. The race was high- audiences. lighted by the participa‘TwelveZeroOne’ was tion of families with their supported by Accu Image kids, some have their pets Productions, Energen, SM tagging along while others City Davao, Brother Printinjected a playful dose of er, Lotus, and 107.5 WIN. creativity to the occasion Now on its third year, the by donning their bright, Coca-Cola New Year’s eve colorful attire while on the countdown event was first stands out from tracks. launched in 2011 and has Atherunner crowd in his neon green Dances, cosplay per- offered an alternative way headgear and trainers. formances, and games of welcoming the New were held to entertain Year with sports-oriented the crowd. Drum beaters and fun activities.

The family with the most number of members to first finish the race receives a special award from SM Supermalls led

by AVP for Marketing in Mindanao, Russel Alaba (2nd from left).

Mindanao SM Supermalls AVP for Marketing Russel Alaba (2nd from left) presents a Special Award to the runner with the cutest pet.

SM Lanang Premier Mall Manager Engr. Therese LapeñaManalo gives a new year’s message during the event.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 212 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JANUARY 12-13, 2014

ENTERTAINMENT

Metro kicks off Silver anniversary with sexiest Metro Body shoot ever TO kick off its 25th anniversary year, Metro is bringing its readers the boldest and most daring edition of its highly anticipated Metro Body Issue, where Miss Universe 2013 3rd Runner Up Ariella Arida sizzles on the cover in one of the season’s hottest trends.

Ara looks fresher and fiercer than ever in tropical prints, divulging what she’s really like underneath it all—the title, the glamour, and the limelight. She opens up about life after the world’s most prestigious pageant, revealing things she’s never revealed before.

Joining Ara in this ultra exciting issue are today’s most talked about personalities in entertainment, modeling, and sports, alongside fresh faces whose stars will shine brighter, and some of the most standout names from Metro Body features past.

Among those that took on Metro’s challenge of baring their all in the truest sense of the word are the likes of Brent Javier, Carlos Agassi, Cristine Reyes, Dennis Trillo, Enrique Gil, Jake Letts, Janna Tee, Jason Abalos, JC de Vera, Jessica Yang, Joaco Cañas, John James Uy, Rafa Siguion-Reyna, Randy See, Raphael Robes,

Rayver and Rodjun Cruz, Rufa Mae Quinto, Sam Concepcion, Sky Yang, Sunshine Cruz, Tom Rodriguez, Valerie Weigmann, Victor Basa, Vince Ferraren, the Viva Hot Babes, and Wendy Tabusalla—shown wearing only the must-have accessories from the Resort 2014 collection.

Metro also gives its readers a closer look into how to sport Resort 2014’s hottest trends, from nautical and white, to denim and tropical prints—carefully putting together the best selection of

clothes, shoes, and accessories. Apart from all that, get tips on how to be a freshfaced, glowing beauty with our tips for luminous skin, and take a closer look at the spectacular event that was, the Metrowear Icon: Francis Libiran gala.

The Metro January Issue is out in bookstores and newsstands nationwide for only P150. Like Metro Magazine on Facebook (www. facebook.com/Metro.Magazine) and follow Metro on Twitter or Instagram (@MetroMagPH).

GMA News TV unveils 2014 projects GMA News TV was the channel to watch out for in 2013 -- launching groundbreaking new series and bringing home an unrivaled haul of international awards, while covering the biggest breaking stories of the year.

The coveted George Foster Peabody Award, a Silver World Medal at the New York Festivals, a Silver Medal at the US International Film and Video Festival, the UNICEF AsiaPacific Child Rights Award, only Philippine finalist at the Japan Prize, the Philippine Quill Award for Excellence, the most television wins at the Catholic Mass Media Awards … these were just a few of the international and local honors that GMA News TV took home the past year, led primarily by its documentary program Reel Time and its flagship newscast State of the Nation with Jessica Soho.

GMA News TV is ready to continue its winning streak this 2014.

Following on the heels of the successful Katipunan series, GMA News TV presents another period drama in 2014

– Ilustrado. The series will take viewers through Jose Rizal’s travels in Europe, including Rizal’s many romances, his rivalry with Filipinos abroad, his poverty and homesickness and his passion to write about his homeland.

GMA News TV also launches Cine Totoo: the 1st Philippine International Documentary Film Festival. Cine Totoo will be awarding grants to 11 documentary filmmakers to produce their dream projects.

Three winners will be chosen from among the grantees – Best Documentary, Jury Prize and Audience Choice Award – and all three will air on GMA News TV come September 2014.

Meanwhile, GMA News TV reminds viewers about some of its most valuable titles.

The only show of its kind currently on Philippine TV – Investigative Documentaries, hosted by Malou Mangahas solidly follows the paper trail behind issues every week.

Investigative Documentaries assesses the performance of political clans, studies the impact of government policies

and investigates corruption.

Trust the program will do even more of this in 2014.

I Juander is an almost weekly trending topic on Twitter.

Led by Susan Enriquez and Cesar Apolinario, the show has captured viewers’ hearts with its unforgettable social experiments and its entertaining discussion of Filipino culture, food, traditions and superstitions.

Hosted by veteran documentarists Kara David and Howie Severino, News To Go is the no-frills morning newscast with relevance, depth and insightful interviews that give context to the news.

Game-changing weekend documentary programs Reel Time and Front Row have been sweeping the awards the past two years. The documentaries tackle poverty and social ills, telling the raw stories of the subjects themselves, using no hosts or voice-overs.

These programs, and many more, have contributed to making - and keeping - GMA News TV the Philippines No. 1 news channel.

INdulge! A3

A4 INdulge!

ENTERTAINMENT EDGEDavao Davao Partners

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 212 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JANUARY 12-13, 2014

Kim and Xian spice up ‘ASAP Tribute’ this Sunday

“ASAP 19” pumps up the energy of the New Year with its non-stop world-class performances this Sunday to be led by “Bride for Rent” stars Kim Chiu and Xian Lim.

Join the whole ASAP Kapamilya as they celebrate the birthday of the ultimate heartthrob Piolo Pascual; grand launch of Angeline Quinto’s ‘Higher Ground’ album; and Star Magic’s special welcome to its newest Kapamilya, Klarisse de Guzman.

ABS-CBNmobile will also take the spotlight on Sunday for its grand launch to be led by Bea Alonzo, Julia Montes, and Jodi Sta. Maria.

King of the Gil Enrique Gil will fire up the ASAP dance floor through a show-stopping production number with ‘next generation of stars’ Kim Barranda, Yuan Es-

trada, Grae Fernandez, and Icee Ejercito.

This Sunday, “ASAP 19” will also pay tribute to international music icons like Madonna, Kylie Minogue, Billy Joel, Supremes, Everly Brothers, James Ingram, and The Beatles.

Prepare for a breathtaking dance showdown in ‘ASAP Supahdance’ featuring Gerald Anderson, Enchong Dee, Shaina Magdayao, Maja Salvador, Jessy Mendiola, Iya Villania, Empress, John Prats, Rayver Cruz, and Cristine Reyes.

Also, watch out for a

top caliber musical experience from Martin Nievera, ZsaZsa Padilla, Charice, Arnel Pineda, Lani Misalucha, Erik Santos, Jed Madela, Yeng Constantino, and Nikki Gil; and the fun-filled jamming session of ASAP Sessionistas Juris, Richard Poon, Kean Cipriano, Sitti, and Aiza Seguerra, with ASAP Covers namely Sam Milby, Nyoy Volante, Paolo Valenciano, Princess, Paolo Onessa, and KZ Tandingan.

Meanwhile, witness another inspirational sharing from Mr. Pure Energy Gary Valenciano in his segment ‘With Love, Gary V.’ Welcome 2014 with a bang in the country’s longest-running, award-winning variety show, “ASAP 19,” this Sunday, 12:15nn, on ABS-CBN. For viewers who want to purchase ASAP official merchandise, simply visit the ABS-CBN Store located at the ground floor of ELJ building in Quezon City, or visit ABSCBNstore.shopinas. com and MyRegalo.com.

Visit ASAP.abs-cbn.com to hang-out live with stars at ASAP Chill-Out. Also join the fun at “ASAP 18′s” official social networking accounts at Facebook.com/ asapofficial and Twitter. com/ASAPOFFICIAL, and know the latest happenings in “ASAP 19” by tweeting the hashtag #ASAPTribute.

EDGEDAVAOVOL. 6 ISSUE 212 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JANUARY 12-13, 2014

SPORTS 15

FIBA ASIA OFFICIAL URGES PBA:

Adjust for Gilas in World Cup

F

IBA Asia communications head S. Mageshwaran said the PBA should move the Governors’ Cup to give the national team more time to prepare and allow its best players to join Gilas Pilipinas for the FIBA Basketball World Cup. “The third and final conference of the PBA, the Governor’s Cup, can be – and in my opinion should be – put off in support of the national team,” he wrote in a column on the FIBA Asia website.

“No league can survive or retain its credibility by denying the national team the time and space to prepare for an event as big as the World Cup. And any fan — including all those who steadfastly follow the PBA proceedings — would want their favorite players to don the national colours, given a choice.”

The league’s schedule currently has the Governors’ Cup slated to end in mid-August, some two weeks before the start of the World Cup in Spain on August 30.

Last season, the PBA altered its schedule by moving the Governors’ Cup to give way to the FIBA Asia Championship in Manila.

That resulted in a silver medal run for the country, earning it a ticket to return to the world basketball stage for the first time in four decades.

“There are many interests — most of them vested — which are aiming to ruin the show. But the PBA, as a collective unit which does believe in the development of basketball, should resist and win against these interests,” added Mageshwaran.

MICHELLE WIE

A WEIRD WIE TO PUTT Sharapova aching to return

M

ELBOURNE (Reuters) Maria Sharapova happily admits that patience is not her strongest trait but the Russian will temper her expectations as she begins her Australian Open title campaign.

The 26-year-old missed the last few months of the 2013 season, including the U.S. Open, with an injury to her right shoulder, the same shoulder that required surgery in 2008.

She made an impressive return to the WTA Tour last week by reaching the semi-finals in Brisbane before losing to world number one Serena Williams.

After another lengthy absence, Sharapova knows better than to expect to hit top form immediately.

"You obviously have to lower your expectations a little bit and be a bit realistic about maybe the first few matches," she said at Melbourne Park on Saturday.

"You have to grind, work through them, hope to get better as the tournament goes on."

The Australian Open champion in 2008, Sharapova begins her campaign this year against American Bethanie Mattek-Sands, an opponent who has given her trouble in the past.

Sharapova said she had spent so much time consulting doctors about her troublesome shoulder in recent years that she was contemplating a new career once she is done with tennis.

Michelle Wie unveils her weird putting stance

W

IE unveils her latest weird putting stance Michelle Wie has tried a variety of ways to get the ball in the hole on the green, so her most recent effort, done with tongue firmly implanted in cheek, should come as no surprise to fans of the Big Wiesy.

Michelle Wie has taken a lot of guff over the rather odd way she swings at putts -- even though bending over from the waist into a “tabletop” position has

honestly don’t care how I look as long as I make putts,” Wie told reporters during the Solheim Cup in August. “I think that you walk up to any professional golfer and you tell them -- give them a choice between looking cool and making putts, and I’m pretty sure everyone’s going to say, ‘making putts.’”

Wie suggested that naysayers check out her stats with the flat stick that she maneuvers with an even flatter back, which have,

regulation and the first overtime. Still, the Nets remained unbeaten in 2014, adding a victory over the two-time defending NBA champions to their recent wins over Oklahoma City and Golden State. ''It was huge,'' Livingston said. ''We've obviously been playing better as of late. I think our momentum that we were carrying into this game, we're trying to ride that wave.''

James had 36 points, seven rebounds and five assists, but fouled out on an offensive foul with 36 seconds left in the first overtime and the Heat trailing by two. It was the first time that James fouled out in the regular season since 2008.

Miami pushed it to a second overtime without him, but it was all Nets from there against a Heat team that was already missing Dwyane Wade and two other starters.

James was visibly frustrated with his teammates in the first half - he said he apologized at halftime for his attitude and body language. He

was irate when Mirza Teletovic flagrantly fouled him, but nearly overcame all that to help Miami pull it out. ''We're a no-excuse team, but right now we have three starters that didn't play,'' James said. ''Even though we've got a lot of depth, it is hard to make up for three starters being out.''

Miami totaled six points in the overtimes, fewest ever in the shot clock era (since 1954-55) in a game that went at least two overtimes.

Norris Cole scored 18 points, but Ray Allen was 2 of 14 for nine points in place of Wade, who rested his sore knees after playing 39 minutes in a loss at New York on Thursday. Shane Battier and Mario Chalmers also sat out the game, which featured players on both teams wearing nicknames on their jerseys, a first of its kind in the NBA. Livingston and Johnson made the first two baskets of the second overtime, then

indeed, “gotten a lot better.” In 2012, the 24-year-old Stanford grad was ranked 119th in both putts per green in regulation and putting average; last year she came in 25th and 53rd, respectively.

So Wie pays no attention to observers whose sacroiliacs ache just watching the 6’1 former prodigy hunch over the ball, and she’s confident enough in her skills to goof on them and herself, as she proved via Twitter on Wednesday.

Nets beat Heat in 2 OTs for 5th straight win

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ROOKIE FLYER. Terrence Romeo of GlobalPort (light) takes flight over Ronald Tubid and June Mar Fajardo of Petron (dark) during the GlobalPort-Petron match in the PBA Philippine Cup on Friday. PBA Images

helped the two-time LPGA Tour winner dramatically improve her efforts on the greens.

Wie, who showed off a pretty good driving motion from Phil Mickelson’s southpaw perspective, could not care less what anyone says about her rather unorthodox method, which has evolved over the years from anchored belly bats and claw grips to her current stance.

“A lot of people have talked about my putting stance or whatnot, but I

EW YORK (AP) -- Shaun Livingston was flying all over the court. LeBron James could only sit and watch.

Joe Johnson scored 32 points, Livingston helped Brooklyn dominate the second overtime after James fouled out, and the Nets beat the Miami Heat 104-95 on Friday night for their fifth straight victory.

Livingston had two baskets and two blocked shots in the second OT, finishing with 19 points, a career-high 11 rebounds and five assists over 51 minutes in a sensational effort while starting for injured Deron Williams.

The Nets followed the lead of a player who spent years revitalizing a career that was sidetracked by a horrific knee injury, jumping on the Heat early and fighting them off late. ''Gutsy. Gutsy,'' Kevin Garnett said. ''I thought we fought for 48-plus minutes.''

Paul Pierce scored 23 points but missed jumpers that could have won it at the end of

Livingston blocked a shot by Cole.

Pierce followed with a 3-pointer, Garnett made a jumper and Livingston spun into the lane for a dunk and a 104-93 lead. He had another block on Allen, who finally made the Heat's only basket of the second OT on a wideopen layup with 16 seconds to go.

The Heat came up with the idea to wear nicknames on their jerseys and wanted another team to participate, and the Nets were selected.

So in place of the teams' regular jerseys were ones reading names such as King James and J. Shuttlesworth (for Allen's character, Jesus Shuttlesworth, in the film ''He Got Game.'')

The Nets wore their road black jerseys with Truth (Pierce) and Big Ticket (Garnett).

Gimmicks are nice but good games are even better, and the Heat and Nets delivered a great one.

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. VOL.66ISSUE ISSUE212 212••SUNDAY SUNDAY--MONDAY, MONDAY,JANUARY JANUARY12-13, 12-13,2014 2014

5k Run ushers in 2014 at SM Lanang

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ORE than 1,000 people converged at The Fountain Court grounds of SM Lanang Premier in Davao City to ring in the New Year with a fun run and countdown celebration on December 31.

The event dubbed TwelveZeroOne provided Davaoeños the oppor-

tunity to mark the New Year peacefully and safely sans the firecrackers, and raise funds for the benefit of Typhoon Yolanda survivors. It was organized

by Coca-Cola in partnership with SM Lanang Premier, the City Government of Davao and Pasko Fiesta.

When the clock

struck 12 midnight, about 600 runners consisting of families, running professionals and enthusiasts in their singlets, racebibs, and glow in the dark baller bands dashed through the 5-km. stretch from SM Lanang Premier to Bajada and vice versa.

The race was highlighted

by the participation of families with their kids, some have their pets tagging along while others injected a playful dose of creativity to the occasion by donning their bright, colorful attire while on the tracks.

Dances, cosplay performances, and games were held to entertain

NEW YEAR RUN. Runners warm up at the Fountain Court grounds for the start of the 5K Run. Right, some of the finishers display their finisher’s medals. PR

the crowd. Drum beaters and live DJ music set the party mood for the night and laser and waterworks shows, the latter lasting 20 minutes at SM Lanang Premier’s 122-meter musical fountain, dazzled the audiences.

‘TwelveZeroOne’was supported by Accu Image

Productions, Energen, SM City Davao, Brother Printer, Lotus, and 107.5 WIN. Now on its third year, the Coca-Cola New Year’s eve countdown event was first launched in 2011 and has offered an alternative way of welcoming the New Year with sports-oriented and fun activities.