Edge Davao 6 Issue 224

VOL. 6 ISSUE 224 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2014

www.edgedavao.net

And now, GMO purple tomatoes P7

A3 INdulge!

Callalily at the Fountain Court on Feb. 2

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

Manchester United is coming to Davao!

P16

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

OBSTACLES. A rider negotiates the obstacles of a race track during a mountain bike training session held at Ciudades in Tigatto road, Buhangin, Davao City last weekend. Lean Daval Jr.

AIRPORT CABBIES WARNED

Rody: ‘Stop duping passengers or else...’

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

A

abf@edgedavao.net

FTER engaging in steaming statements against the Secretary of Justice and the chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights, Davao City Mayor turned his ire on erring taxi drivers engaged in duping passengers.

Mayor Duterte issued

a stern warning to cabbies to stop their duping operation or else “something might happen to them”.

“Bantayi ko ninyo, ah… mapura gani ko, naa man gyuy mo lukapa ninyo diha. Magbutang ko’g pasahero diha nga na… usbon gani na ninyo ayaw

FAIRPORT, 10

CENTERPIECE. A mall goer uses his smart phone to take photographs of the prosperity tree at the Annex of SM City Davao yesterday. The said prosperity tree is the centerpiece of the mall’s Chinese New Year decoration. Lean Daval Jr.

2 THE BIG NEWS EDGEDAVAO

HANDS ON. Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte attends to various problems and concerns of his constituents at City Hall last Monday afternoon. Lean Daval Jr.

Denge cases on the rise Jan. 5-11 period shows 147 cases, 1 fatality

I

abf@edgedavao.net

gue cases, ”Villafuerete said.

In an interview after the session, Villafuerte told reporters that mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte wants the City Health Office to focus on this case as he doesn’t want dengue to become more viral and cause more fatalities in the city.

She said that the mayor will meet the barangay captains on Feb. 20 to talk about the dengue cases in their respective barangays.

“It’s so urgent that we need to remind the people not to stop cleaning their

WEATHER FORECAST

areas not just when the city health will visit their place,” said Villafuerte.

Based on the 2013 data, the city has recorded 6,866 morbidity rate and 85 mortality rate which caused by dengue from January to November period.

Of the 6,866 morbidity, the Talomo South district has the most number with 1,191 cases followed by Talomo North district with 1,118 cases. Next is Buhangin with 846; Calinan 504 and Agdao with 476 cases.

Mystery clouds Joanne’s quitting of SP committees City councilor Joanne Bonguyan-Quilos has dropped all her affiliations from five committees of the city council for reasons still unknown to media and her peers.

In yesterday’s regular session Bonguyan – Quilos sent a letter addressed to vice Mayor Paolo Z. Duterte informing the latter of her decision to resign as chairman of the information technology committee, as vice chair of social service committee and as member of the committees of women, children and family relations, sports and publication.

Quilos’ letter was initially read in part by floor leader Tomas Monteverde IV. However, when councilor Monteverde was about to read the letter of Bonguyan-Quilos, councilor Bonifacio Militar

stopped the former as the letter was not addressed to him (Monteverde).

“If it is written by the honorable Bonguyan-Quilos to the honorable vice mayor he alone can read that unless he authorized you. If you are authorized by the vice mayor there’s no problem. Baka mamaya basahin mo yan tapos hindi niya alam,” said Militar.

Moteverde said after few hours of recess that the vice mayor’s office endorsed the letter to him yet he opted not to read the letter and the city council has accepted the resignation of Bonguyan-Quilos.

The city council then proceeded to fill the positions left by Bonguyan-Quilos. Councilor Nilo Abellera Jr. was elected chair of information tech-

FMYSTERY, 10

Davao City joins attempt to break Guinness record

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. N just a week’s time, Davao City has already recorded 147 cases and one fatality on dengue virus during the January 5-11 period alone prodding a member of the city council to ring up urgent concern of the situation.

Councilor Mary Joselle Villafuerte, chair of the council’s Health Committee, in a privilege speech yesterday, said that dengue has become an urgent concern after it recorded 147 cases from Jan. 5-11, 2014.

“The urgency is caused by the sudden rise of den-

VOL. 6 ISSUE 224 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2014

For the 85 mortality rate, the Talomo Noth got 11, 10 in Buhangin, nine in Talomo South and seven in Agdao. While six on the districts of Bunawan, Toril and Tugbok.

“The data for 2013 is not yet final as its still under the process of consolidation and it may be higher” said the record.

Records showed that in 2012 comparison the city recorded 7,428 cases and 50 fatalities. The record indicated that there’s an increase of dengue caused deaths.

D

crc@edgedavao.net

AVAO City will once again try to be on the Guinness Book of World Records as it joins the country’s first sign-up event for organ donation on February 28 , starting 9 a.m. up to 5 p.m. at the Davao City Rereation Center.

Organized by the Philippine Network for Organ Sharing (PhilNOS)- Department of Health (DOH) and the Philippine Information Agency, the event also aims to increase the awareness of the public on organ donation aside from becoming a title holder.

PhilNOS-DOH project

manager Dr. Antonio Paraiso said during the Kapehan sa PIA at the SEDA Hotel yesterday that India holds the record of the most number of sign-ups in an hour. The existing record is 2,755 sign-ups in one hour and 10,450 sign-ups for 8 hours. Spain holds the title of the most number of actual organ donations.

Davao City is one of the areas where the event will be initiated. Others are in Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), National Capital Region (NCR), Naga City, San Fernando, La Union, and Tu-

FDAVAO CITY, 10

LIFELINE. Dr. Antonio Paraiso (right), program manager of the Department of Health (DOH)’s Philippine Network for Organ Sharing (PhilNos) and Dr. Maria Theresa Bad-ang, OPO head of Southern Philippines Medical Center, discuss during I-Talk media forum at Seda Hotel yesterday the “I’m a lifeline,” a campaign which aims to break the Guinness World Records for most number of people to sign up as organ donor registrants set on February 28 at the Davao City Recreation Center. Lean Daval Jr.

NEWS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 224 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2014

3

Real estate business boosted

by PhilRES Davao chapter

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

T DISCARDED. An elementary school student scans discarded lottery tickets he picked up in front of a lotto outlet along Magallanes Street, Davao City yesterday.

Lean Daval Jr.

crc@edgedavao.net

HE formation of the Philippine Real estate Service- Davao Chapter will ensure that the there will be effective and efficient implementation of the R.A. 9646, otherwise known as the Real Estate Servicing Act and the code of professional ethics.

PhilRES vice president for chapter development Remegio Ramirez said during the induction of officers and forum at the Bistro Rosario, Torres St., yesterday that “the essence of forming A IPO chapter in Davao is to have a professional organization that will somehow help the thousand of real estate service practitioners in the city and these are the consultants,

private appraisers, brokers and salespersons, together with the assessors and government appraisers.”

Ramirez that there were about 24,000 practitioners last year and this is expected to increase by 27,000 after the examination in March this year. Further, the number will increase by 30,000 to 35,000 on 2015 to 2016.

Earlier, newly elected PhilRES-Davao chapter president Maria Lourdes G. Monteverde said that there were thousands of illegal brokers, appraisers and consultants operating in the city, adding that the real estate sector in the metro is developing.

Monteverde told Edge

Davao customs officials Jimlani: Vendors selling doubt legality of transfer ‘rights’in night market T

WO officials of the Bureau of Customs in the port of Davao who were reassigned, not dismissed as media earlier reported, questioned the legality of their transfer as a punishment for their having released imported rice upon order of the court.

In an interview with ABS-CBN TV Patrol Southern Mindanao, acting Davao port district collector Datu Samsom Pacasum and deputy district collector Edward James DyBuco said their lawyers are now preparing the documents questioning in court their reassignment.

The BOC Davao officials issued a seizure

order on more than 100 container vans with imported rice worth millions of pesos for failure of the consignee, one Joseph Mangupag Ngo, to show importation permit from the National Food Authority of Starcraft Int’l Trading Corporation.

Through his lawyers, Ngo however questioned the seizure and petitioned the Regional Trial Court to issue a temporary restraining order to compel the customs officials to release the shipment. The RTC, through Judge Emmanuel Carpio, issued a TRO but it did not specify what bills of lading were covered by the TRO. Pacasum said that due

Army joins partnership to help former NPA youth with ALS

A

MEMORANDUM of agreement was signed this morning for a partnership between the Philippine National Police PRO XI, the Army’s 10th Infantry Division, Department of Education Region XI office, the University of South Eastern Philippines (USEP), and the Junior Chamber International Senoritas Chapter (JCI) to assist 87 out of school youth in finishing high school education through the help of the Alternative Learning System or ALS. The ALS is a shorter modular education program for elementary and secondary school, and is designed primarily for out-of-school youth who were denied of a chance to receive proper education

by circumstance.

The signatory for the 10th Infantry Division in the said MOA signing was Major General Ariel B. Bernardo, the Division Commander. Major General Bernardo stated that the reason 10th ID has joined the partnership is for the benefit of young former NPA rebels who surrendered in his area of responsibility. “We want to give them a chance to be reintegrated into society on an equal footing with their peers who have not been deceived to join the armed movement. These youth have been robbed of their childhood and the opportunities in life afforded by education when the NPA recruited them to become

FARMY, 10

to the TRO, his office was forced to release the rice shipment in question.

The NFA legal office intervened and asked the court to quash the TRO. Judge Carpio has asked both parties –consignee NGO and the BOC to comment on NFA’s motion.

The court will have to resolve whether its TRO covered the bills of lading of all the shipments or just partially.

Meanwhile, for purposes of discussion Deputy District Collector DyBuco, a lawyer, admitted the the transfer order issued by Commissioner Sevilla and approved by Finance Secretary Purisima was questionable, “it

brought us pain, grave damage and humiliation.”

DyBuco said that Section 703 of the Tarrif and Customs Code allows assignment of officers to other duties in order to avoid familiarity by the customs officer in his area of assignment.

However, he said, this provision is meant to enhance collection, not as a tool for punishment.

“Even granting that we have committed a wrongdoing, the transfer can only be done pursuant to the reform program,” he said, adding that “it can never be used as tool for punishment, otherwise the move would be un-

FDAVAO, 10

S

OME vendors at the newly-installed Night Market area are allegedly selling their “rights” in the night market and other areas where they are allowed to sell merchandis, while a number of them are just dummies of wealthy merchants.

These scenarios are being investigated by the Davao City Demolition Team headed by Retired Colonel Yusof Jimlani.

Speaking at the Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Annex last Monday, Jimlani those schemes are “illegal.”

Jimlani said his team is now investigating reports that there are vendors allowed to occupy stalls in the experimental market who

FREAL, 10

have in turn leased their space for as high as P14,000 - P15,000 per month.

It is a violation to the night and weekend market ordinance passed by the 17th Council last year.

The ordinance is intended to address the problem of sidewalk vendors. It provided an alternative area for sidewalk vending around the downtown area.

Jimlani said that the ordinance provides that vendors must pay an amount of P15 per day or P300 for 20 days for occupying the 1.5 by 2 meters space. An additional P300 is charged for electricity use.

He stressed that the vendors should not behave

FJIMLANI, 10

CHINESE HOROSCOPE. Mall goers who wanted to know what the year of the wooden horse store for them read the Chinese horoscope mounted by the management of Abreeza mall in one of its halls. Lean Daval Jr.

4 SUBURBIA EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 224 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2014

COMPOSTELA VALLEY PROVINCE

LGU pushes for disaster learning exchange in Albay

A

TEAM of local officials and government employees from the province of Compostela Valley underwent a learning visit on disaster risk reduction and management (DRRMD), community-driven development (CDD) and provincial local government unit engagement pilot from January 2124 in Legazpi City, Albay.

The team is led by SP Members Macario Humol and Moran Takasan; Executive Assistant Hermogenes Maning and Romeo Celeste of the Planning and Development Office (PPDO) with provincial offices from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), Engineering (PEO) and Information Office; and from the Municipal DRRMO from Monkayo, Compostela, Montevista, and Laak.

“We highly appreciate this opportunity to learn from the province of Albay their responses and experiences in disaster risk reduction management and their zero disaster casualty scheme,” said PPDC Celeste.

The activity is an off-

COTABATO CITY

shoot of the Memorandum of Understanding signed by both provinces represented

by Comval Gov. Arturo Uy, Albay Gov. Joey Salceda and the Department of Social Welfare and Development Office (DSWD) last November 5, 2013 in Davao City.

This is to provide the 2 provinces an opportunity to share knowledge and discuss lessons learned and experiences from DRRMD, CDD as well as pilot testing the PLGU engagement in Kalahi-CIDSS National Community driven Development Project and formulate an action plan.

The learning exchange was made possible through the DSWD with support from the Asian Development Bank.

Albay Province is known for its “zero casualty” incidence in terms of disaster management and response. With its best practice, Gov. Salceda has been awarded as the first Filipino UN Sr. Global Champion for disaster risk reduction-climate change adaptation (DRR-CCA). [Fe Maestre/IDS Comval]

OUTSTANDING PARTNERS. Gov. Corazon N. Malanyaon of Davao Oriental [2nd from left] receives a plaque of recognition as one the Outstanding Partners of DSWD during the department’s 63rd Founding Anniversary on Friday. Bestowing the plaque are [from left] Assistant Secretary Camilo G. Gudmalin, Director Priscilla N. Razon and Assistant Director Mila T. Segovia. [DSWD]

GENERAL SANTOS CITY

CSOs to hold peace rallies in Mindanao Police not doing enough vs killings C IVIL society organizations in Mindanao will conduct simultaneous peace rallies, dubbed “Drums for Peace,” in key cities in the island on Wednesday (January 29) to drumbeat support to the peace process between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Organized by the Mindanao Peoples Caucus (MPC) in partnership with other nongovernment organizations working for peace in the island, the peace rallies will be held in the cities of Cotabato, Zamboanga, Davao, Iligan, Marawi and General Santos from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.

Lawyer Mary Ann Arnado said they organized the peace rally in support and as thanksgiving to the signing of the Annex on Normalization, the last of the four annexes to the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB).

The GPH and MILF

peace panels clinched the normalization annex last Saturday during the 43rd Formal Exploratory Talks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The normalization annex seeks the gradual decommissioning of MILF forces, put them beyond use and transform them to become productive members of society.

“Let us all unite and show our support to the GPH-MILF peace process.

Let us remain vigilant and intensify our work for the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) and its full implementation,” Arnado said.

GPH peace panel chair Prof. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer lauded the initiative of the civil society organizations to support the southern peace process.

“Kung mayroon po kayong mungkahi o kung may mga issues na kailangan sa amin bukas po ang aming opisina sa Office of the Presidential Adviser

on the Peace Process at handa po kaming pakinggan kayong lahat (If you have recommendations or issues that you want us to address, the doors of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process is open to listen to you),” Ferrer said.

With all the four annexes to the FAB completed, this will pave the way for the signing of the CAB, the final peace deal between the GPH and the MILF. The parties have agreed on the Annexes on Transitional Arrangements and Modalities, Wealth Sharing and Revenue Generation, and Power Sharing last year also in Malaysia, the third party facilitator.

The FAB seeks to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in 2016 with the Bangsamoro government, which will be created once the Bangsamoro Basic Law is enacted. The Bangsamoro Transition Commission is

currently drafting the proposed BBL. Arnado urged those who will join the peace rallies in the different parts of Mindanao to bring peace-themed tarpaulins and agongs and kulintangs (traditional musical instruments), and wear peace t-shirts to drumbeat their support to the CAB. The MPC, a grassroots network of Moro, Christian and Lumad leaders in Mindanao, is organizing the peace rally in partnership with the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society, Peace Advocates Zamboanga and Mindanao Human Rights Action Center, among other groups.

The Mindanao Coalition of Development NGOs, a coalition of 12 networks of non-government organizations and people’s organizations in Mindanao, which is chaired by Patricia Sarenas, also vowed to support the next steps towards the creation of the Bangsamoro government. [MindaNews]

T

HE local police should work harder and perform better in resolving and preventing the spate of murder cases, General Santos City Mayor Ronnel Rivera on Tuesday said.

Rivera has ordered the city police to step up its security operations in the wake of the rising murder cases in the area in the last several weeks.

The mayor issued the directive as killings in the city had already reached 11 cases since January 1.

He specifically directed police personnel to increase their presence in various parts of the city and intensify their monitoring against possible movements of “riding-in-tandem” gunmen and other criminal elements.

Among the latest in-

cidents involved 18-yearold student and freelance model Cindy Rose Villena, who was found dead early Friday at a portion of Purok Lanton in Barangay Apopong.

The killing of Villena, who was a third year mass communications student of the Notre Dame of Dadiangas University (NDDU) here, has drawn outrage from various sectors and questions on the city’s security situation.

“I know for a fact that they (police personnel) were doing their jobs but it’s clearly not enough,” the mayor told reporters.

Records showed that out of the 11 recorded murder cases, only three have been so far resolved by the city police office.

[MindaNews]

5 THE ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 224 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2014

IN 2013

CebPac flies 14.4 M passengers T

HE Philippines’ leading carrier, Cebu Pacific (PSE: CEB) flew 14.4 million passengers in 2013, an increase of 8.3% over 13.3 million passengers flown in 2012.

CEB posted a 10.7% passenger traffic growth on its international routes, with 3.3M international passengers flown. The airline also recorded a 7.6% growth on its domestic routes, with 11M domestic passengers flown in 2013.

On average, CEB flights for this period were about 82% full.

CEB achieved notable passenger growth in several international tourism and trade markets, such as Cambodia, Indonesia, Brunei, China, and Thailand, contributing to foreign tourist arrivals in the country. CEB attributed its passenger growth to increased presence in key markets, strategic seat sales and network expansion.

“We look forward to serving even more travelers as we expand our network, and fleet. CEB re-

mains focused on offering the lowest fares and the best travel options possible for all our passengers,” said Atty. Jorenz Tanada, CEB VP for Corporate Affairs.

The airline recently announced that it has entered into a strategic alliance with Tigerair, the largest budget carrier, based in Singapore. Subject to regulatory approvals, the strategic alliance will allow both airlines to collaborate commercially and operationally on international and domestic air routes to and from the Philippines, thereby creating the biggest network of flights to the region.

CEB is also set to launch its maiden flights between Manila and two additional cities in Japan --- Tokyo and Nagoya, on March 30, 2014. CEB currently operates daily flights between Manila and Osaka.

For bookings and inquiries, guests can go to www.cebupacificair.com.

The latest seat sales can also be found on Cebu Pa-

UPBEAT. Yusop Jimlani, head of the Drainage Management Unit (DMU) and demolition team of the City Mayor’s Office (CMO), says during Kapehan sa Dabaw at the Annex of SM City Davao that their office received positive feedbacks for both the night market and the weekend street market along Roxas Avenue in Davao City. Lean Daval Jr. cific Air’s official Twitter and Facebook pages.

CEB currently operates

a fleet of 48 aircraft comprised of 10 Airbus A319, 28 Airbus A320, 2 Airbus

A330 and 8 ATR-72 500 aircraft. Between 2014 and 2021, Cebu Pacific will take

delivery of 14 more Airbus A320, 30 Airbus A321neo, and 4 Airbus A330 aircraft.

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

It figures

73%

VOL. 6 ISSUE 224 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2014

Euro nations ‘worried’ by emerging markets E

UROZONE countries are “worried” by the problems hitting emerging economies but do not believe there is a risk of contagion.

Jeroen Dijsselbloem, the head of the Eurogroup which gathers the finance ministers of countries that use the single currency, insisted that the euro’s fragile recovery was not threatened.

The worries over markets such as Argentina, Turkey and Russia come as the eurozone is emerging from the worst of its debt crisis.

“Of course we are worried about this from the perspective of the emerging countries,” Dijsselbloem told a press conference after a meeting of the group in Brussels.

“I am not particularly worried about the risk of contagion. I think the position of the eurozone is different and that we have to maintain our progress.”

Dijsselbloem said the recent tapering of the US stimulus program was partly responsible, but that emerging economies also had to tackle “structural imbalances”.

“I am not particularly worried for the eurozone itself, but I am worried for the emerging countries,” added Dijsselbloem, who is also the Dutch finance minister.

EU Economics Affairs Commissioner Olli Rehn agreed that the struggling emerging markets needed to reform.

“The most import-

ant thing in my mind that emerging economy countries can do to help themselves in the short and medium term is to undertake such structural reforms to enhance their economic fundamentals,” Rehn told the news conference.

European and Asian stocks slid on Monday following the worst losses on Wall Street in seven months on Friday, January 24.

Fears of turmoil in emerging economies were sparked last week after Argentina’s peso slumped by 14 percent in two days.

Turkey’s central bank announced it would hold an extraordinary meeting on Tuesday as the lira slid further against the euro and the dollar.

Russia’s ruble has also fallen heavily.

Spanish Economy Minister Luis de Guindos earlier played down fears of a knock-on effect on the eurozone, saying Argentina was unique.

“The case of Argentina is singular. The exposure of Spanish companies is much lower, Argentina is a special case,” he told reporters in Brussels.

The euro is only just overcoming its long-running debt crisis, which saw Greece, Portugal, Ireland and Cyprus needing bailouts and tough austerity measures to stave off bankruptcy.

Dijsselbloem said that the “extremely short” Eurogroup meeting which lasted less than two hours showed

that the crisis was waning.

It was “not an indication that we have dealt with all our problems but we are getting there,” he said.

In Paris, French central bank chief Christian Noyer agreed that the eurozone was unlikely to be affected by the emerging markets problems.

“There is no reason that Europe should be particularly hit by problems in a small number of emerging countries,” he said.

“I think they can fix them fairly quickly.”

The head of Germany’s central bank, Jens Weidmann, who was also in Paris, said the troubles in the emerging markets were a “call to carry out reforms.”

[AFP]

TM EXTEND, garnered strong consumer reception, allowing subscribers to extend their preferred TM promo for another 24 hours for an additional cost of only P5,” said Issa Cabreira, Vice President for Globe Total Consumer Prepaid Business.

Aside from the most affordable call and text offers, TM also unveiled its Free Facebook promo in the last quarter of 2013, giving subscribers free access to the social networking site on mobile without the need for Wi-Fi or paying additional data charges.

Opening the first quarter of 2014 with momentum, TM goes even more aggressive with its Unlitawag15 and UnliAllNet10 promos, giving its growing subscriber base the most affordable 1-day call and text promos available in the market today.

With Unlitawag15, TM subscribers can enjoy unlimited calls to Globe/TM for P15 valid for 1 day by texting U15 to 8888. Meanwhile, UnliAllNet10 which is the best text offer in the market allows TM subscribers to enjoy unlimited text to all networks

for P10 valid for 1 day by texting UA10 to 8888.

“TM continues to lead the prepaid market with ‘astig’ offers to customers by giving them the most innovative value-for-money promos that fit their needs. This year, we unveil the most affordable voice offer and the best text promo available in the market today, Unlitawag15 and UnliAllNet10, with an understanding that our customers always look for affordable ways to connect with their friends and social circles. With Unlitawag15

and UnliAllNet10, they can now choose to text or call all they want, at a price within their reach,” added Cabreira.

TM has been at the forefront of giving customers the most affordable value-for-money promos. In 2011, TM pioneered the first-ever 2-day unlimited text promo with AstigTxt15 while in 2012, TM added voice and all-net text promos to their mostavailed offers under the same price with TM Combo10 and TM Combo15. To know more about TM offers and promos, visit republikatm.ph.

TM sustains stronghold in prepaid with 23% growth in subscriber base T

M, Globe Telecom’s value brand sustains its stronghold in the prepaid market amidst a maturing mobile industry after recording a 23% growth in subscriber base as of end-September 2013 versus previous year’s level.

“Much of the segment’s growth can be attributed to our roster of call, text, and surfing promos that give value for our customers’ hard-earned money, boosting uptake in product usage.

One of our flagship offers launched in 2013,

Percentage of the victims of Typhoon Yolanda who were satisfied with the President’s actions, according to a Social Weather Stations’ special report conducted from December 11 to 16 of 2013.

Furthermore, 69% of non-victims were satisfied with the President’s performance.

P59 million

The total worth of relief goods that were provided by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for families affected by heavy rains and floods in parts of Mindanao caused by Tropical Depression Agaton.

16th

Rank of the Philippines in the 4th edition of the World Giving Index (WGI) 2013. This international survey measured the charitability of the populations of 135 countries.

7 ENVIRONMENT

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 224 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2014

Genetically-modified purple tomatoes heading for shops T

HE prospect of genetically modified purple tomatoes reaching the shelves has come a step closer.

Their dark pigment is intended to give tomatoes the same potential health benefits as fruit such as blueberries.

Developed in Britain, large-scale production is now under way in Canada with the first 1,200 litres of purple tomato juice ready for shipping.

The pigment, known as anthocyanin, is an antioxidant which studies on animals show could help fight cancer.

Scientists say the new tomatoes could improve the nutritional value of everything from ketchup to pizza topping.

The tomatoes were developed at the John Innes Centre in Norwich where Prof Cathie Martin hopes the first delivery of large quantities of juice will allow researchers to investigate its potential.

“With these purple tomatoes you can get the same compounds that are present in blueberries and cranberries that give them their health benefits - but you can apply them to foods that people actually eat in significant amounts and are reasonably affordable,” she said.

Continue reading the

main story “Start Quote I hope this will serve as a vanguard product where people can have access to something that is GM but has benefits for them” Prof Cathie Martin John Innes Centre in Norwich The tomatoes are part of a new generation of GM plants designed to appeal to consumers - the first types were aimed specifically at farmers as new tools in agriculture.

The purple pigment is the result of the transfer of a gene from a snapdragon plant - the modification triggers a process within the tomato plant allowing the anthocyanin to develop.

Although the invention is British, Prof Martin says European Union restrictions on GM encouraged her to look abroad to develop the technology.

Canadian regulations are seen as more supportive of GM and that led to a deal with an Ontario company, New Energy Farms, which is now producing enough purple tomatoes in a 465 square metre (5,000sq ft) greenhouse to make 2,000 litres (440 gallons) of juice.

According to Prof Martin, the Canadian system is “very enlightened”.

“They look at the trait not the technology and that should be a way we start changing our think-

I

who consider 17°C “cold” will find it difficult to imagine outdoor conditions mountain resort Baguio City endured when temperature here dropped to 6.2°C in February 1961 and 8.1°C in the morning of Jan. 12 this year.

The new tomatoes could improve the nutritional value of everyday foods. ing - asking if what you’re doing is safe and beneficial, not ‘Is it GM and therefore we’re going to reject it completely’.

“It is frustrating that we’ve had to go to Canada to do a lot of the growing and the processing and I hope this will serve as a vanguard product where

people can have access to something that is GM but has benefits for them.”

The first 1,200 litres are due to be shipped to Norwich shortly - and because all the seeds will have been removed, there is no genetic material to risk any contamination.

The aim is to use the

juice in research to conduct a wide range of tests including examining whether the anthocyanin has positive effects on humans. Earlier studies show benefits as an anti-inflammatory and in slowing cancers in mice.

A key question is whether a GM product that

Temperature slid to 10°C at noontime on Jan. 13, prompting Guadalupe Calma from Capas, Agoo, La Union province to comment she felt like being inside a refrigerator then.

She had on a woolen sweater, knitted cotton

gloves and an acrylic muffler to stay comfortable while strolling in Baguio’s famous Burnham Park.

That day, Catholics who attended the Mass at dawn braved the city’s 8.1°C temperature then as they gnashed their teeth and clung to their winter clothes while crossing the park.

According to Stella Padilla, a Baguio resident for the last 40 years but hails from Isabela province, that morning was like being inside a freezer.

Another suggested it was like being inside a 25m x 25m concrete room cooled by 10 air conditioners set to provide the coldest temperature.

The same comment was heard from eco-tourists who traveled 35 km from this city to the hinterland town of Atok, Benguet province to see the unique formation of thin ice film over vegetated mountainsides there. [PNA]

OCAL environmentalists in Cagayan de Oro City said that typhoon Agaton has shown unusual patterns that could be attributed to climate change now affecting the country.

Nixon Baban of Save CDO Movement, one of the many environmental groups in the city, said that typhoon Agaton affected the entire Mindanao island with the “longest rainfall” that was very unusual as it had not happened for many decades.

“The continuous rains poured more than ¼ of the total maximum precipitation as determined by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA),” Baban said.

He said that as per

What’s it like being in chilly Baguio?

T’S usual for people to hear the government’s weather agency Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration reporting on temperature.

Philippine lowlanders and other tropical dwellers

may have health benefits will influence public opinion.

A major survey across the European Union in 2010 found opponents outnumbered supporters by roughly three to one.

The last approval for a GM food crop in the EU came in 1998. [BBC]

Typhoon ‘Agaton’demonstrates climate change, says expert

L

PAGASA data, Philippine accumulated annual rainfall count is only between 965 to 4,064 millimeters while Agaton poured 28 percent or 1,168 millimeters (about 46 inches) as measured by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). This almost leveled the total recorded rainfall count of Typhoon Pablo in 2012 that lasted only for 24 hours.

Many science experts said that the latest typhoon has a serious impact, considering that its strength was not so powerful but the impact was huge.

“Agaton” caused 42 deaths, 8 missing, 16 landslides, 6 areas flooded, 50 roads destroyed and 25 bridges rendered impassable. [PNA]

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EDGEDAVAO

VANTAGE

VOL. 6 ISSUE 224 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2014

EDITORIAL

Moving towards free trade

F

REE trade is definitely not easy as it reads.

By 2015, free trade is going to be the order of the day. The free trade or borderless economy covers the entire ASEAN Region of eleven countries including the Philippines.

And now to the nagging question: Are we ready for this?

We are not economic experts but simple wisdom tells us that by free trade, we take away the restrictions in our respective territories and make this small region of ours called Asean as one economic territory.

Simply put, when we say domestic market, that includes products and services of our Asean neighbors.

Gone with the domestic market. What remains will be products or services offered by the home economy produced by its home labor market. Easily, we need to reorient simple economic terminologies and acquaint ourselves with its new definition.

The progression of Asean into a free trade area indeed has major consequences on the future direction of industry among member countries. In our case, it is

EDGEDAVAO

Providing solutions to a seamless global village.

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE

the national association of newspapers

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

imperative that we understand how this works in order to increase the country’s benefits from the Asean as an economic grouping.

From our understanding, our presence in the Asean free trade economy requires that our industries participate competitively and share in the benefits of the free trade area. A weak presence will mean minimal gains from the Asean grouping for our country. Thus, efforts to strengthen Philippine based industrial firms must take place.

Again, as we say, easier said than done.

We might have to begin with revisiting our economic policies, industry and trade laws and yes, even our Constitution, specifically the economic provisions. Do we need to change our charter? Perhaps, yes. There are a lot economic provisions that need to be in harmony with the evolution of a free trade economy.

Which leads us back to the question. Are we ready to change our Constitution?

For us it is still a question. For our neighbors, it’s a settled issue.

KENNETH IRVING K. ONG Creative Solutions

ARLENE D. PASAJE Cartoons

RAMON M. MAXEY Consultant

GREGORIO G. DELIGERO Associate Editor

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

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

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

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

JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales

AQUILES Z. ZONIO Correspondent

AGUSTIN V. MIAGAN JR Circulation

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

Tel: (088) 852-4894

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

MANILA MARKETING OFFICE

ANGELICA R. GARCIA | Marketing Manager Blk. 1, Lot 10, La Mar Townhomes, Apitong St., Marikina Heights, Marikina City Tel: (02) 942-1503

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 224 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2014

What’s more important than Mindanao peace?

M

ILF FINALLY making peace with the Philippine government after decades of conflict seems like petty, insignificant news to television networks in Manila.

A celebrity scandal like the Vhong Navarro attempted rape case, whether it’s true or not, naturally gets millions of TV viewers than the MILF seeing a new dawn in the island of Mindanao and a bright new future for a Bangsa Moroland.

But to GMA and ABS-CBS news directors always hungry for another celebrity scandal to feed their millions of viewers--- who only care about TV and movie stars’ latest gossip--- peace in the South is the least of their concern.

For all you know, they’d still prefer to see Mindanao still a “war zone” so they can get their usual “news scoops” of Filipino soldiers killing fellow Filipinos with a different belief. To them, who cares about peace in Mindanao ?

A historic news event like the recent signing of the final peace agreement by the MILF with the Philippine government has an immediate impact on the national security of this country---so it

deserves the utmost priority in media coverage.

Well, unless of course, the GMA and ABS-CBN have decided to make a cheap tabloid scandal out of their national networks(?). If this is so, then this is the least of our worries. There’s really nothing we can do about that if that’s the “news policy direction” of these two TV networks.

But it really pisses many TV viewers to see that mashed up face of Vhong Navarro, instead of the historic news event coming out of Kuala Lumpur as the “lead story”--- the signing of the peace agreement that included laying down of arms by our Moslem brothers in the MILF and joining the island-wide efforts to develop Mindanao to a “land of fulfillment”.

Is the police story of Vhong Navarro attempted rape case more important

than the coming of peace and development in Mindanao?

Is the race for TV ratings and TV audience more important than making people more confident about the future of their country ?

Instead of making this country move FORWARD, these TV networks are making this country move BACKWARD by spending so much time on a trivial police story about Vhong Navarro attempted rape.

These TV networks were heroes when reporting on the Zamboanga war, the Bohol earthquake and the Yolanda typhoon devastation in Tacloban. Now, they look like complete idiots by spending so much time on this Vhong Navarro case.

It’s even getting worse now. This stupidity is beginning to rub off on the Justice Secretary who should be focusing on the plunder cases against senators and congressmen, or even against that alleged rice smuggler David Tan. Now they’re all jumping with the other idiots in the band wagon….

(Comments? Email> tradingpost_ davao@yahoo.com)

PSALM with ERC blessings hits consumers with double whammy.

They alleged that the ERC and PSALM seemed like taking shots in broad daylight where consumers are being made to reward the IPPs for never constructing their promised power plants and for not fulfilling the promised power capacity they undertook to set up.

Absolutely incredible! How high will the cost of electricity go? The poor and hapless consumers have no idea about it but one thing sure is that they have to pay for additional cost. They don’t think energy officials can show them the fundamentals but perhaps only the figures.

And they don’t also buy the story that the price of electricity goes up unprecedentedly due to the scarcity of supply. The perception was that government has a tremendous power purchase agreement with the IPPs and in turn Napocor is obligated to by all the electricity that the IPPs produced, a take-for-pay contract granted to the independent power operators.

However, it’s absolutely the fault of the IPPs for their failure to deliver the intended power capacity because some have never constructed power generation plants. The proposed new power rate adjustment dictated by the ERC through the alleged intercession of PSALM actually is no laughing matter.

It is precisely the reason business leaders and consumers’ movement accused PSALM of acting as mere collecting agent for the IPPs and not observing the “matuwid na daan” (right path) philoso-

phy of the PNoy leadership.

Moreover, different groups who are against any power rate scheme likewise noted that if the capacity contract were not delivered during the original period of the contract that already constitutes breach of contract on the part of the IPPs. That alone supposedly should exempt government from the liability of paying them. The issue actually is not solely about power never generated and never consumed, according to energy experts.

The larger issue is about consumers being made to pay more when some IPPs never constructed power plants at all and never generated their obligated power capacity. This is a clear violation of the IPPs’ contract with Napocor therefore consumers do not owe them a cent. Some energy experts, the business sector and consumers’ groups fully believe that several of the IPPs were in breach of contract. They further added that the breach was never uncovered until power supply demand dramatically declined because of the financial setback during the past leadership.

If the IPPs were in breach of their contracts with the government then it follows that there were no stranded costs for which government is now collecting for these IPPs. What is more important right now is for the different sectors that are against any power rate hike to appeal to the President to order the holding in abeyance any planned increases in the weeks or months ahead and instead order the setting up of a Presidential Task Force to review the so-called stranded costs of Napocor.

There are reasons to believe that the Aquino administration will most likely act prudently on this crucial issue and at the same time give the poor and hapless power consumers a high degree of hope.

Power consumers’ anxiety

I

PPs BREACH OF CONTRACT - This is not to say that the Aquino administration has been remiss in dealing with the country’s prevailing power deficiency supply. But it was some sort of misfortune because no matter how energy officials would try to explain to the consuming public the reasons behind a power rate hike, it continues to be seen as negligence on the part of the government. However, power consumers’ groups say that if energy officials think the looming power rate increase is justifiable, think again.

The fact that the irritating power rate adjustment is being discussed at all shows how seriously consumers are taking the need to appeal their concern.

This time according to consumers’ movement the Aquino administration cannot make just cosmetic changes. Consumers’ displeasure and disgust have been building up fast against the leadership, National Power Corp. (NAPOCOR), Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management (PSALM) and Independent Power Producers (IPPs).

They are solely blamed for the country’s prevailing power deficiency problem. Government dealings with these agencies do not always develop picture-perfectly. Plans for additional power supply suffered setbacks during the previous administration when the IPPs failed to deliver the promised power capacity to meet the country’s energy needs. Sad to lament, though, the situation remains the same even midway through the Aquino administration.

There’s an ongoing public outcry against the impending power rate increases imposed by the ERC through the alleged mischievous prodding of PSALM. The business sector and consumers’ groups weren’t impressed by the planned additional charges saying that

VANTAGE POINTS

9

2014 Chinese horoscopes in the Year of the Horse SPECIAL FEATURE

BY SHARMAINE ANNE G. SAMSON

T

Part 1 of 3

HE Chinese Zodiac, which uses 12 animal signs, is an important factor of the Chinese culture which serves as their guide in predicting people’s fortune and personality traits.

Millions of Chinese nationals in many parts of the world still believe in predictions and superstitions that are represented within the 12-animal Chinese Zodiac signs -- Rat, Cow, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Chicken, Dog, and Pig. Each sign is determined by people’s birth year.

The 2014 Year of the Horse -- one of the favorite animals of the Chinese because it symbolizes speed and success -- starts on Jan. 31, 2014 and ends on Feb. 18, 2015.

According to senn.cocoloni, the 12 signs will provide meaningful life advices, especially this coming Chinese New Year.

Rat people need to learn how to fix their schedule and reserve enough time for rest and relaxation after work. Career in 2014 won’t be good. The main reason is Horse and Rat have hostile and fighting relationship. That is the sign of disagreement or argument. Money luck in 2014 is fair. Fire is connected to money in Rat people, therefore money-related activities will increase.

Rat people shouldn’t expect a good result in love relationship. However, if you are a male, then Horse is connected to a female. So male Rat people have better chances to meet the opposite sex in 2014. Health: Rat people might need to consume lots of brain power and energy.

Cow people should do regular exercises and take enough time to rest and relax as last year. Career: cow people will focus on their energy.

Money: Luck is fair so look for stable income. Love: Good people relationship and have better opportunity to meet the opposite sex. Health: They should know how to take care of their health, they should watch out for heir safety while travelling.

Tiger people are mixing both good and bad this 2014. Career: Tiger will improve its working ability and expand its responsibilities which implies the opportunity of promotion. Money: First, you must hold a job then you will have a decent and stable income. Love: Relationship for Tiger people is pretty good but you have to watch anyone sowing discord. Health will be full of energy in the year of the wooden Horse.

Rabbit people have too much fire which will cause problem in cardiovascular system and too less water which will cause problem in urinary system. Career: Rabbit people can handle any challenges of career and earn a good income from their jobs. Money: Rabbit people will use more of their talent, appearance, reputation, and presentation to earn money. Love: Too much love opportunity this year.

Health: To maintain good health requires enough relaxation.

10

NEWS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 224 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2014

Army... FFROM3

Airport...FFROM 1 gyud ko ninyo’g mahaya,” a visibly irked Duterte said in a meeting with some taxi drivers and operators who are allegedly involved in the collection of illegal fares at the Francisco Bangoy International Airport on Monday.

Duterte chided taxi drivers after receiving reports that some of them are picking up passengers at the airport for fares beyond normal meter rates.

“Gusto ninyo na buhaton nako na sampolan tamo. Kapila nako sige balik-balik ana na ayaw

lagi mo anang mamintaha sa inyog isig katao,” said Duterte.

Duterte said that he still received reports that some of the drivers are contracting their passengers on fixed amount instead of meter rates.

“Pobre na. Mao ganing nag taxi na lang intawon unya ang uban nagkalisod mao mo sugot na lang,” he said.

He said that contracting the fare of passengers is another form of estafa.

“Sa balaod man gud mo gamit kag metro unya

mo patak kay P200 lang na tapos inyong pakyawon og P500 maski mo sugot siya – pangilad gihapon na,” he stressed.

“Kung gusto mo mamintaha – anhi mo sa Butuan, Cagayan o didto Surigao , didto mo kiat kay wala may mahitabo ninyo,” Duterte said.

Duterte also warned the taxi operators that if they cannot control their drivers he will request for cancelation of their franchise.

“Pilia gyud inyong driver kay kung dili mo kapili og tarong na driver inyong

isugal ang inyong prankisa,” the mayor stressed.

He also ordered Supt.

Rhodelio Poliquit, head of the city’s Traffic Management Center, to arrest alias Mac-Mac and Pingoy who are described as the notorious barkers in the airport area.

Poliquit said that this two were the ones who gave passengers to the drivers in exchange of high amount which became the reason for the drivers to deal with the passengers in a high amount without using the fare meter.

guegarao, Cagayan.

According to Paraiso, the city is one of the cities with high number of dialysis patients. It is next to Metro Manila and Cebu. He also added that Davao City is noted for its advancement in dialysis.

Based on a report, there are 10,000 patients

using the 54 dialysis machines in Southern Philippines Medical Center alone and more than half of the total patients can have the kidney transplant.

On the national data provided by the PhilNOS, there were a total of 22,000 dialysis patients nationwide. Half of these

can benefit from the signup activity.

However, the sign-up activity does not encourage lifeline donation. Paraiso said “you cannot bring your organs to heaven,” adding that it will benefit other patients by prolonging lives.

In fact, Mayor Rodri-

go Duterte signed-up last year. Paraiso said that the mayor is willing to donate all his organs when he dies.

Through this drive, he said that the negative cultural belief on organ donation will be eliminated.

It will also lessen the incidence of illegal human organ trade.

Davao city... FFROM 2

Real...FFROM 3

Davao that by the end of the year they are aiming to make all licensed real estate practitioners in the region to become part of the chapter, adding that PhilRES will allow them to become globally accredited.

PhilRES is the only official Accredited and Integrated Professional Organization(AIPO) under the PhilRES law. The law also allows the practice of profession during the 2015 integration known as foreign reciprocity.

“It means that professionals from other countries are allowed to practice their profession in the Philippines with the Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC) issuing them a special working permit,” Ramirez said.

He said that same reciprocity provision will be present to other nine Asean countries Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Brunei, and Burma (Myanmar).

“An ordinary broker or appraiser can exercise his profession in other countries. This is one of the benefits of the Asean Integration 2015,” he said.

He said that thru the Davao chapter, practitioners will be prepared as there will be training and seminars for ensuring the development of its members.

Under the law, Accredited and Integrated Professional Organization PhilRes per se is authorized as the

number one continuing education provider in the country.

The elected officers for the Davao chapter are Maria Lourdes G. Monteverde (chapter president); Jose Froilan T. Rigor (vice president); Marites D. Arquiza (secretary); Marlon Niño B. Escalicas (treasurer); Felicidad Mahani (auditor); Rodolfo Valencia (VP for consultant); Thelma Credo (VP for appraiser); and Arnold Herrardura (VP for Broker).

like they own the stalls and must remove their merchandise on a daily basis.

The night market is a weekday (Monday to Friday) activity from 4 p.m. to 12 midnight. It will run for three months before it will be replicated in Ilustre Street, Governor Duterte Street, Aquino Street in Agdao, and Alvarez Street . It has a total of 513 leasable stalls, 213 of them for dry goods and DVD vendors, 102 for

food, and 194 for ukayukay.

The weekend market (Saturday and Sunday) will be along the streets of San Pedro and Alvarez and will operate from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m.

On the other hand, after less than a week of operation of the night market, the number of lessors increased by at least 100.

He said that there were more or less 350 vendors selling their respective

products in the experimental “Tiangge sa Katawhan” at Roxas Avenue.

Based on earlier reports, vendors operating on the night market urged other vendor to try the night market. He said that Dabawenyos are supporting the idea because of the success of their demolition activities.

About 90 percent of illegal sidewalk vendors along San Pedro and Uy-

angguren were demolished by the team. Remaining vendors in the two streets are occupying some portions of either the left or right lanes.

Jimlani said that this is intended to support the marginalized sector in the city who depends on vending. He said that the city government doesn’t expect big revenue from this activity but to eliminate illegal vendors in the sidewalks. [CRC]

Jimlani... FFROM 3

NOTICE OF LOSS

Notice is hereby given by LOYOLA PLANS CONSOLIDATED INC. that CERTIFICATE OF FULL PAYMENT No.(s) 1002799 under LOYOLA PLAN Contract No.(s) 315078/NNN112155198 issued to CAUPAYAN, ESTHER was lost.

Any transaction entered into shall be null and void.

1/29/2/5,12

EDGEDAVAO

NOTICE OF LOSS

Notice is hereby given by LOYOLA PLANS CONSOLIDATED INC. that CERTIFICATE OF FULL PAYMENT No.(s) 21045673 under LOYOLA PLAN Contract No.(s) 147793-8 issued to ALIMPULOS, ROSITA C. was lost. Any transaction entered into shall be null and void.

1/29/2/5,12

combatants.”

Bernardo said.

The New People’s Army is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines in its now 45 year Maoist armed struggle. The movement has been subject to a lot of criticism for allegedly recruiting minor combatants, including a 2010 United Nations report labeling the movement as one of the world’s most persistent violators. The CPP still vehemently denies the accu-

Davao...FFROM3 constitutional and illegal.”

“The right to due process is guaranteed by the Constitution which is higher than TCCP provision giving the commissioner authority to move personnel, as provided for by Section 703,” he said.

The Customs commissioner, the Finance secretary, and even the President cannot just dismiss us without due process, he said.

Earlier, Pacasum complained on television that he was shocked by the news story going the round that he and DyBuco were dismissed for a wrongdoing.

He said he had served the customs bureau for 33 years, and he had never faced a case of alleged wrongdoing.

Mystery...FFROM 2

nology committee, councilor Leonardo R. Avila was voted vice chairman of the committee of social services and councilor Maria Belen Sunga-Acosta was added as member of women, children and family relations, councilor Edgar Ibuyan Sr. was voted member of committee on sports, and councilor Jimmy G. Dureza was voted to the publication committee.

In an interview, Monteverde was mum on the content of the letter of councilor Bonguyan-Quilos. He said the council accepted the resignation of Bonguyan-Quilos since there is a need to fill the vacant position.

Reporters tried to get a copy of the letter from the office of the council secretary but according to a source, there was no letter forwarded to them. The media also tried to seek a copy form the office of the councilor Bonguyan-Quilos but was advised to ask the vice mayor or the councilor herself since they do not want to pre-empt the information. [ABF]

sation but more and more accounts from former rebels continue to reinforce the accusation, including one celebrated NPA commander “Jinggoy” who in his capture in 2010 revealed he was recruited at the age of 13. Last Saturday in South Cotabato, an alias “Christine” surrendered to the 10th Infantry Division’s 27th Infantry Battalion, along with two companions from the “Platoon 1” of the NPA’s Front 73. Alias Christine is 14 years old.

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 MARCELITO C. MOZO, Petitioner Case No.2003-XI-02327 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: SASA VIA CABAGUIO AVENUE 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 December 28, 2013. In the petition filed on December 26, 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 FEBRUARY 10, 2014 at 09:50 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 26th day of December 2013 at Davao City.

EDGAR CRISANTO R. VIOLOAN Acting Chief Transport Development Officer

EDGEDAVAO

AGRITRENDS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 224 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2014

11

E-Learning modules to bolster knowledge sharing on agri-dev’t T

HE use of information and communications technology (ICT) is becoming more increasingly popular as an innovative approach to rural development making information more accessible to those who need it.

As part of its communication advocacy and education strategy, the Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP) has developed 11 e-Learning modules that contain relevant development information on various topics from project implementation processes to package of agricultural technologies on priority commodities.

“The e-Learning modules will serve as substitute to classroom-based training making acquisition of valuable development information accessible, convenient and cost-efficient among stakeholders and beneficiaries,” said MRDP Program Director Lealyn Ramos.

For the information to reach a wider audience, Ramos added that aside from being packaged in CD-ROM format, the e-Learning modules will be also uploaded in

MRDP website making it accessible to anyone who has internet connection.

Completed last month, the modules highlight technologies from production to processing of priority agricultural commodities such as rubber, coconut, coffee, cassava, cacao, and oil palm, among others.

Patterned to be helpful for local government units, modules on the procurement process, financial management and monitoring and evaluation through the formation of Community-based Monitoring and Evaluation Group (CBMEG) were also packaged to better implement and improve governance in agricultural projects.

Other modules include the use of geotagging technology, which was launched by MRDP last 2011 to strengthen transparency in project implementation, and safety and environmental safeguards (SES), which ensures that the environment is not adversely affected by the projects, were also produced.

“Although developed under MRDP, these e-learning modules will also serve as valuable ref-

E-LEARNING. The DA-Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP) developed e-Learning modules to serve as substitute for classroom-based platforms trainings making acquisition of valuable information on agriculture more convenient and cost-efficient among stakeholders and beneficiaries of the Program.

Modules on technologies for agriculture commodities like rubber, cacao, coconut and cassava, among others will be uploaded on the MRDP website (www. damrdp.net). erence for implementers and stakeholders of the upcoming Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP),” Ramos said.

The modules have been pre-tested and evaluated by technical ex-

perts to ensure the accuracy and suitability of the content and utility of the systems being used. The experts also assessed the modules’ strengths and weaknesses to allow for modifications.

focus to address other farming needs in the community.

Until last year, PhilRice stations have specialized research activities. The station in Batac, Ilocos Norte is known as center for dry land agriculture research and development; San Mateo, Isabela, hybrid rice; Los Baños, Laguna, grain quality; Murcia, Negros Occidental, organic agriculture; RTRomual-

dez, Agusan del Norte, nutrient management; Midsayap, North Cotabato, integrated pest management; and Ligao City, Albay, R &D for climate change adaptation.

“We are redefining the roles of our branch stations. They will serve as nucleus for technology testing and demonstration,” Dr. Eufemio T. Rasco Jr, PhilRice executive director said.

Rasco said that additional farming components will be tested and demonstrated in the stations including services on financing and custom machinery, marketing, and processing services for products derived from the community. These components, he said, aim to enhance productivity, profitability, sustainability, resource-use efficiency, value-adding, and mechanization. [PhilRice]

smuggling.

They said that the prospect of raking-in high profits owing to large difference between the world and domestic price of rice drives the rampant smuggling in the country.

Domestic price of rice had been higher as much as 75 percent than the world price since 2000.

Although the gap closed in 2008, price differential widened again to 30 percent in 2012.

“The huge price difference can be attributed mainly to rice trade policies of the government and higher cost of producing rice in the Philippines relative to exporting countries. Rice smuggling is only a symptom of a worse disease – the inability to compete,” they pointed out.

The country had applied quantitative restriction (QR) on rice as its international trade policy

since 1995. QR involves a Minimum Access Volume, which is the amount of rice that may be imported at 40 percent in-quota tariff or the tariff applied on imports within a quota. A higher tariff of 50 percent is imposed to imported rice beyond this quota. This policy was crafted to limit the inflow of cheap imported rice, thereby, protecting farmers and market players.

[PhilRice]

MRDP, is special project under the Department of Agriculture with funding assistance form the World Bank, the national and local government units. The program which is expected to be

completed by end of this year, implements rural infrastructure, livelihood enterprise and natural resource management projects across 26 provinces in Mindanao. [Jay Rosas/ DA-MRDP]

PhilRice intensifies technology adoption Water flows in Lake T

HE Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) fast tracks the adoption of farming technologies with its seven branches across the country implementing a more developmental approach.

During the institute`s 59th Board of Trustees meeting last month, the highest policy-making body agreed that the branch stations will broaden its development

Stop smuggling through improved competitiveness

P

OLICE powers and legal remedies are not the only ways to stop rice smuggling as Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), the country’s lead in rice science and development, proposes a long-term solution.

PhilRice economists, Dr. Flordeliza Bordey and Aileen Litonjua, said that eliminating the opportunity to smuggle can reduce, if not stop rice

Sebu irrigation project A

GRICULTURE Secretary Proceso J. Alcala inaugurated the P34-million communal irrigation system in Barangay Talisay, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato which aims to provide constant water supply to more than 100 farmers living in the upland village of the town.

The project, which was turned over to its beneficiaries on January 17, 2014, is comprised of two stream check diversion structures with 120 canals stretching to 5.6 kilometers.

“This will serve 100 hectares (has) of existing farm areas and 100 has of new areas more,” the agri chief said.

Alcala, in his message, urged the farmer-beneficiaries who are also members of the Talisay Irrigators’ Association to strictly implement and follow house rules related to the management of the irriga-

tion project.

“Pangalagaan po ninyo ito,” he said.

While inspecting the project, he encouraged the farmers to plant fruit-bearing trees and raise livestock animals along the watershed to maximize area and double their income.

He added that the fruits of these trees will be sold to give additional income to the farmers.

“Ang itatanim po natin dito ay sampalok na maasim dahil malaki ang requirements para dito, lalo na sa Amerika at Europa,” Alcala announced.

He added that with over 10 million Filipinos abroad, the produce already have a market to serve.

Aside from sour tamarinds, Alcala added that the Department will be dispersing coffee seedlings to be planted in the watershed area. [DA Information Division]

12 CLASSIFIEDS

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VOL. 6 ISSUE 224 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2014

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13 COMMUNITY SENSE

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 224 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2014

Weather Philippines, League of Provinces partner for disaster risk reduction in PHL W

EATHER Philippines Foundation, Inc. (WPF) and the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) recently signed a partnership agreement to assist provinces in building their capacity for weather-related disaster risk reduction and management.

The WPF and LPP’s partnership started in 2012, when the foundation deployed 82 Automated Weather Stations (AWS) to all provinces in the Philippines.

These AWS units are solar powered with the capability to measure various indicators for accurate, localized weather information. These weather information and forecasts are readily available to the general public through the WPF website, www.weather.com.ph.

To date, WPF has deployed a total of 402 AWS across the country. WPF is targeting to complete its deployment of roughly 1,000 automated weather stations by 2015.

The signatories present during the signing cer-

emony were LPP National President & Oriental Mindoro Gov. Alfonso Umali, Jr., LPP Secretary General and Bohol Governor Edgardo Chatto, WPF Board of Trustee Sabin Aboitiz, and WPF General Manager Celso Caballero III. The MOU signing, which was held during the LPP General Assembly was also attended by DILG Secretary Mar Roxas, DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson, NDRRMC Executive Director & OCD Undersecretary Eduardo D. Del Rosario, and the 80 Governors of the Philippines.

Aboitiz Foundation, UnionBank, and Europe’s leading weather service provider mminternational (formerly Meteomedia) founded WPF with the aim to deliver critical and accurate localized weather forecasts to the Filipino community, understanding the importance of improving nationwide disaster preparedness and timely response to variable weather conditions.

The LPP, as the mandated association of Philippine provinces is also seeking opportunities to support

WeatherPhilippines Foundation has deployed a total of 402 AWS across the country and is targeting to complete its deployment of roughly 1,000 automated weather stations by 2015. the efforts of provinces to become disaster-resilient and assist them in the implementation of Republic Act 10121 or the Disaster

Risk Reduction Management Act. “As typhoons like Ondoy, Pepeng, Pablo, Sendong and Yolanda are becoming the

“new normal,” the WeatherPhilippines Foundation and the League of Provinces of the Philippines will also work together to upgrade

our capabilities to manage the risks associated with these adverse weather conditions.” , said WPF Board of Trustee Sabin Aboitiz.

14 SPORTS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 224 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

Lesser money goes Manny M

ANNY Pacquiao will still be on the A-side of his rematch against WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley. However, the eight-division world champion will be making less money compared to their first fight.

Top Rank CEO Bob Arum told Ring Magazine’s Lem Satterfield that Pacquiao will earn a guaranteed $20 million, down from the $26 he earned when he lost a controversial decision to Bradley in 2012.

“I’m happy that Bradley agreed to fight me a second time,” said Pacquiao, in a statement to RingTV.com.

“This will be a different fight. I will get back from me what he took from me in this last fight.”

In a separate interview with PhilBoxing’s Eddie Alinea, Pacquiao said that

he is anxious for the rematch.

“Now I will have that opportunity to prove once and for all that I won that fight as everyone acknowledged, except for the two judges who voted for (Bradley),” he said.

In the same interview, Pacquiao added that he is looking at a 10-week training camp to prepare for the rematch starting mid-February. Half of the camp will be spent in General Santos City and half at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Boxing Gym in Los Angeles.

“We’ve already woken up from the nightmare that was 2012. Lessons were learned from that experience and I won’t let myself dig that same hole again,” Pacquiao said in Filipino.

Pacquiao, however, ins’t the only one taking a pay cut.

Stallings: From ballpark dreamer to golf champ

S

AN DIEGO (AP) -- Scott Stallings had ambitions to be a baseball player until the Sunday afternoon he sat down to the watch the 1997 Masters with his father.

He watched Tiger Woods demolish Augusta National and the field to win by 12 shots with the lowest score ever.

For a 12-year-old in Tennessee, it was inspirational. ‘’At that moment, I quit everything, every sport I was playing, and said, ‘That’s what I want to go do.’

And every one of my friends thought I was crazy,’’ Stallings said.

On Sunday, he put his name on the same trophy that Woods has won so many times.

It wasn’t a replica of the Augusta National clubhouse or even a green jack-

et, but it was no less special.

Stallings crushed a 4-iron from 222 yards that barely cleared the water on the par-5 18th green and left him two putts from 40 feet for a birdie that gave him a one-shot victory in the Farmers Insurance Open.

Woods, the defending champion and seven-time winner of this event, wasn’t around to see it. He missed the 54-hole cut on Saturday, an oddity in its own right and especially because Stallings’ biggest win before that was at The Greenbrier Classic, where Woods missed the 36-hole cut.

Stallings’ seventh birdie of the final round gave him a 4-under 68 and capped a wild day in which eight players had a reasonable chance to win in the final hour.

MDF. For the first time in his career, world no. 1 Tiger Woods was disqualified after the mid-tournament cut under a golf rule called MDF.

GOLF 101

So what’s an MDF? I

f you were confused as to why Tiger Woods played in the third round of the Farmers Insurance Open on Saturday, but not in Sunday’s final round, here’s why: For the first time in his career, Woods was a victim of the PGA Tour’s “MDF” or “made cut, did not finish” rule.

In 2008, the PGA Tour instituted a rule known as, “Rule 78.” Basically, the top 70 players and ties made the 36-hole cut. That is until the rule change in 2008, where the top 70 and ties made the cut unless that num-

Durant saves the day O

KLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Kevin Durant played the fourth quarter Monday night with the intensity of an NBA Finals game.

Showing plenty of emotion down the stretch and scowling at the Atlanta bench on multiple occasions, Durant scored 41 points to rally the Oklahoma City Thunder past the Hawks 111-109 for their eighth straight victory.

The star forward hit the game-winning jumper with 1.5 seconds left, capping Oklahoma City’s comeback from a 14-point deficit in the second half. ‘’I know we play a lot of

games and a lot of people say January doesn’t mean anything,’’ Durant said. ‘’But when you’re playing this game with your heart and passion like we do, sometimes you’ve got to sit back and just enjoy it.’’

Durant scored 13 in the fourth quarter, including a 16-foot, step-back jumper with 25.5 seconds remaining that put the Thunder ahead for the first time since the opening 2 minutes. Paul Millsap tied it for Atlanta before Durant knocked down the decisive 12-footer while being guarded by DeMarre

Carroll. ‘’Coach just drew it out for me and I had to make a play,’’ Durant said. ‘’It was an emotional game. It was up and down the whole game. My emotions were everywhere, so I just had to try to keep it together at the end of the game and make a play for my team.’’

Shelvin Mack tried to throw a pass to Millsap on the final play, but Thabo Sefolosha knocked it away.

Millsap scored 23 points to lead the Hawks, who managed only one basket and two points in the final 3:50.

ber was higher than 78 players (to this day, that only includes regular PGA Tour events and does not include majors, World Golf Championships or other short-field events).

If the number of players making the 36-hole cut was higher than 78, then the cut was made with the next bunch of players closest to 70. The players who were among the top-70 ties were then sent packing for the weekend with the designation “MDF.” Players were unhappy with the new rule and -- one month after it was

put in place in 2008 -- the Tour made a change so that rather than a 36-hole cut when more than 78 players were tied among the top 70, there would instead be a 54-hole cut with the same rule: top 70 and ties, unless there are more than 78 players.

When Woods shot a shocking 7-over 79 on Saturday at Torrey Pines, where he’s won eight times as a professional and was the defending champion, he was tied for 80th -- one spot out of last place of the players who advanced after 36 holes.

As a result, Woods, along with eight others,

missed the 54-hole “secondary cut,” for the first time in his career. The 79 matched Woods’s third-highest score in his career on the PGA Tour.

His highest round was an 81 at the 2002 Open Championship at Muirfield in a brutal third round.

Woods also shot a 79 at the Memorial last year.

Players who “MDF” still receive official money and FedExCup points.

Woods, despite missing out on the final round, banked $10,919.00 and one FedExCup point -1,232 points behind leader Jimmy Walker.

IN THE ZONE. Oklahoma’s Kevin Durant (35), guarded by Shelvin Mack (8) of Atlanta, scored 13 in the fourth quarter, including a 16-foot, step-back jumper with 25.5 seconds remaining that put the Thunder ahead.

INdulge!

VOL. 6 ISSUE 224 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

WEDDING

A dream come true The Te-Mendoza nuptial

ALMOST every girl dreams of a perfect wedding --- a touch of pink, a three-tiered cake, some sparkle, and a princess-cut wedding dress.

This dream came true for Melissa Mendoza-Te.

“Ritchie and I met in 2005. He is 3 years older than me and he’s pretty much the old fashioned type,” shares the new bride.

“I grew up in Fairfield, California and he grew up in Davao. Moving to Davao for college was quite an adjustment for me but I was lucky that Ritchie was there to guide me through. He taught me how to speak the native language and he made it easier to adapt to the culture here. He was

FA DREAM, A4

EDGEDAVAO

A2 INdulge!

UP AND ABOUT

Feng Shui Expert Richard Yu at SM Davao Chinese New Year FENG SHUI EXPERT Richard Yu will help Davaoeños welcome the year of the wooden horse on January 31 to February 1 at SM City Davao.

The Chinese philosophical system, Feng Shui, harmonizes human existence with the surrounding environment. Learn and understand the environmental elements and discover how to focus energy to your advantage with Richard Yu at the Annex Event Center.

Free lectures will be conducted on January 31 (4PM to 8PM) and on February 1 (10AM-12NN, 2PM-4PM). Consultation will be on February 1 (5PM-9PM). To avail of the consultation pass, just present a Php 2,000 worth proof of purchase (dated January 30-February1) from any mall tenant.

Be entertained with traditional Chinese performance on January 31 and catch the Wu Shu showdown on February 1.

Plus, enjoy the world of good luck at the Prosperity Garden and discover traditional and contemporary Chinese delicacies and trinkets at the Street Festival on January 30 to February 2.

Everything for the luck seekers are at SM City Davao this Chinese New. There’s a world of good karma at SM as we bid farewell to the year of the Water Snake and welcome the coming of the Green Wooden Horse from January 20 to February 2.

For inquiries, call 297.6998. Like SM City Davao on Facebook or follow @smcitydavao on Twitter for event and promo updates.

Free Seats for couples, pairs and twosomes with AirAsia Zest’s #LoveisintheAir online contest WHETHER you’ve been married for more than 50 years or have just started to rekindle your relationship with your boyfriend, girlfriend, partner, best friend or significant other, it’s always fun to go on a date, especially on a plane full of love for free!

AirAsia Zest, the Filipino Low Cost Carrier that flies hand in hand with AirAsia, voted the World’s Best Low Cost Carrier for five consecutive years, is giving away extra love in the air this Valentine’s day through their “#LoveisintheAir” online contest where couples, pairs or any twosome may win free seats for two to any domestic destination.

“Spending time with the one you love is always enjoyable and we wanted to celebrate Valentine’s Day by inviting 90 lucky couples or pairs to fly with AirAsia Zest for free and spend some fun, quality time together, 30,000 feet above,” AirAsia Zest Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Joy Caneba said.

Contest mechanics are posted on the airlines’ social media page (facebook/airasiaphilippies). Interested couples or pairs must submit their best photo together using the contest hashtag #LoveisintheAir until 7th of February 2014 through Facebook and Twitter. Multiple entries are also accepted as long as participants are using different photos per entry. Winners will be contacted via Direct Message and/or Private Message followed by an e-mail or telephone call.

“AirAsia Zest is a sociable brand and we embrace social media as it provides a fun platform for us to communicate with our guests and fans in a different way. #LoveisintheAir is a treat for all our loyal Facebook fans and Twitter followers.

Our highly trained, experienced pilots, cabin crew, guests services staff and team also known as Allstars are all geared up to welcome the lucky winners on board. Let’s paint the skies red!” Caneba said.

AirAsia Zest continuously strives to promote air travel and tourism in the country by keeping fares low while ensuring the best, quality service for their guests.

AirAsia Zest serves domestic destinations of Kalibo (Boracay), Puerto Princesa (Palawan), Cebu, Davao, Tacloban, Tagbilaran and Cagayan de Oro in the Philippines with international points in Asia including China and South Korea from its main hub in Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), Manila and Mactan Cebu International Airport in Cebu.

Find out more about AirAsia Zest’s exciting destinations and promo fare announcements via Facebook (facebook/airasiaphilippines) and Twitter (twitter.com/airasiaph).

VOL. 6 ISSUE 224 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2014

EVENT

The SM Store, Cathay Pacific celebrate great partnership CORPORATE EXECUTIVES and members of the media recently gathered together at the SM Megamall Atrium to celebrate and formally launch the collaboration of The SM Store, Cathay Pacific, and partners banks for their joint Shop and Fly Anywhere in the World promotion.

The promotion brings together giants in their own fields – Cathay Pacific for travel and The SM Store for retail, as well as top banks – who have joined together to give The SM Store customers and card holders from participating banks credit cards a chance to take that trip that they have been dreaming of. The latter include BDO,Citibank, Metrobank, Eastwest Bank, BPI, PNB and RCBC. The partnership was celebrated in a ceremonial toast led by The SM Store President Jorge T. Mendiola and Cathay Pacific Country Manager Martin Xu. Joining them were partner bank executives : Citibank Credit Payment Products Director David Stoughton, RCBC Bankard President and CEO Oscar Biason, BDO EVP for Consumer Lending Group Rolando Tanchanco, East West Bank Executive Vice President of Consumer Lending Cluster Jackie Fernandez, Metrobank Card VP for Cards Marketing Mon Tioseco, PNB FVP for Sales and Marketing Head Sarah Navarro, and BPI AVP Luisa Mendiola.

When you shop at The SM Store, you will not only enjoy the one stop shopping excitement, great as-

The Shop and Fly Anywhere in the World Promotion of The SM Store and Cathay Pacific was successfully launched at the SM Megamall Atrium. When you shop at the SM Store using your Philippine-issued bank card of participating banks, you get a chance to win one of sixty round trip ticket for two to a dream destination of your choice via Cathay Pacific.

BDO EVP for Consumer Lending Group Rolando Tanchanco and SM EVP for Controllership Ricky A. Lim, Gabby Concepcion, BDO EVP The SM Store President Jorge for Consumer Lending Group Rolando Tanchanco and SVP Nanette Mendiola.

Regala.

Tessa Mauricio of Manila Times and SM VP for Marketing Millie Dizon. sortment of merchandise, and superb service it has been known for, but also get a chance to win a trip to the destination of your choice in its Shop & Fly Anywhere in the World promotion.

Sixty lucky winners will receive Airline Tickets for two to a destination of their choice that is served

by Cathay Pacific in the SM Store and Cathay Pacific’s joint raffle promotion together with participating credit cards.

Winners can choose from over 170 exciting Cathay Pacific destinations

Metrobank Card VP for Cards Marketing Mon Tioseco and Cathay Pacific Country Manager Martin Xu. Manager Maricar Mateo. that include the iconic cit- The more you shop, the ies like Paris, Rome, Syd- more chances you have of ney Dubai, Kuala Lumpur winning. and Shanghai.

Terms and Conditions How to win? Simply apply, for more details shop at SM! Every P5,000 please visit www.smdeptsingle-receipt straight store.com. transaction made until March 31, 2014 using your Philippine-issued BDO, Metrobank, Eastwest Bank, BPI, Citibank, PNB and RCBC Bankard credit card entitles shoppers for one electronic raffle entry.

And here’s more! By simply presenting his/her SM Advantage Card or Citibank Credit Payment Prestige Card, the custom- Products Director David er gets double raffle entries. Stoughton.

Cathay Pacific Marketing Manager Ryan Uy and RCBC President and CEO Oscar Biason East West Bank EVP of Consumer Lending Marketing Supervisor Anna Lee (right) with SM and PNB FVP for Sales and Marketing Cluster Jackie Fernandez with FVP Zandro Prestige Marissa Tronqued.

Head Sarah Navarro.

Villaraza and AVP Joel Mercado.

EDGEDAVAO

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VOL. 6 ISSUE 224 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2014

ENTERTAINMENT

Callalily performs at The Fountain Court, on Feb. 2 THE METRO’S premier shopping, lifestyle and entertainment destination has a great musical treat in store for all its shoppers this coming Great 3-Day Sale weekend. On February 2, 2014, pop rock band Callalily will have a free show at The Fountain Court grounds to perform tracks from its latest and fourth studio album, Flower Power.

Composed of Kean Cipriano, Tatsi Jamnague, Aaron Ricafrente and Lemuel Belaro, Callalily has gained a following for its songs with catchy melodies such as “Magbalik” and “Pasan.” In 2012, it released its cover of the Eraserheads classic “Minsan” from the various artists album, The Reunion.

Grab the chance to get VIP seats to the Callalily mall show. Spend at least Php500 on single or accumulated receipts at any restaurant at The Fountain Court from January 27 to February 2 to

get one VIP pass. You could also buy Callalily’s album at AstroPlus at the 2nd Level to join the meet and greet and get your album signed by the band.

Win exclusive meet and greet passes when you visit SM Lanang Premier’s Face-

book page, and like and share its Callalily post.

Catch Callalily’s free gig at The Fountain Court. For inquiries, contact 285-0943.

You may also visit SM Lanang Premier on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for event and promo updates.

Starstudio named best magazine at the 12th Gawad Tanglaw Awards THE COUNTRY’S best source for entertainment news and celebrity lifestyle is taking things notches higher this 2014, following a win at the prestigious 12th Gawad Tanglaw Awards for Best Magazine.

Setting the bar with its recent success, StarStudio aims to up its game of bringing the latest happenings in showbiz, as featured in its newest February issue.

For this month, StarStudio Magazine presents “The Love Diaries”—an issue packed with celebrity love stories that will make for the perfect reading this month of love.

Leading the couples featured in this issue are Sarah Lahbati and Richard Gutierrez, who share the exclusive story of how they met and fell in love. The much talked about celebrity couple also give readers a look into their personal travel photos with captions that Sarah wrote herself.

Apart from that, StarStudio looks into celebrity weddings—Melai Cantiveros and Jason Francisco, Miss Universe 2011 3rd Runnerup Shamcey Supsup and Lloyd Lee, and directorturned-Congressman Lino Cayetano and ex-Ateneo

SA NGALAN NG AMA, INA AT MGA ANAK 2D Robin Padilla, Daniel Padilla R 13

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

BRIDE FOR RENT 2D Kim Chiu, Xian Lim PG 13

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

THAT AWKWARD MOMENT 2D Zac Efron, Miles Teller, Michael B. Jordan

volleyball star Fille Cainglet.

A newly-minted couple also takes on the spotlight in StarStudio this February to model day and night date looks, as Gretchen Ho and Robi Domingo show readers ways to look their best for the upcoming Valentine’s day.

All this and more are featured in the February 2014 issue of StarStudio, which was recently named Best Magazine in the 12th Gawad Tanglaw Awards in which

ABS-CBN was also named TV Station of the Year.

Get all these and more in StarStudio’s latest issue, available at bookstores and newsstands nationwide.

For updates, visit and like StarStudio on Facebook ( w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / StarStudio.Magazine) and follow the magazine’s official Twitter and Instagram accounts (@starstudiomag) for your best source of entertainment news and celebrity lifestyle.

R 13

R-16

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

PARANORMAL ACTIVITY: THE MARKED ONE 2D / * I, FRANKENSTEIN 2D Andrew Jacobs / *Aaron Eckhart R 13/ *PG 13 12:00 | 1:35 | 3:10 LFS / * 4:45 | 6:30 | 8:15 | 10:00 LFS

A4 INdulge!

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 224 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2014

TRAVEL

EDGEDavao Davao Partners

A dream...FFROM A1 very patient with me. After college, Ritchie had to oversee family business outside Davao and while I stayed and worked here.

We only saw each other on weekends. It was hard but, somehow, we managed.”

“We’ve been planning our wedding since February 2012. We wanted to polish all the details as early as possible, in hopes that the last 2 months before the big day would have be easy on us. But then again, not everything goes as planned. There were a lot of changes made in terms of logistics and suppliers. Good thing that Noel Tanza, our wedding coordinator, already have so much experience in dealing with these kinds of problems. He handled everything from top to bottom.”

“My wedding gown was designed by Erwin Lee Tan. I’ve always loved

his work. Aside from my bridal gown, he also made Ritche’s suit and all the dresses for the entourage.

Erwin made a very edgy yet sexy kind of dress for my mom, which was she really wanted. Our trip to Erwin’s shop was always a pleasant one. I was so touched because on my wedding day, he also gave me a hair piece to go with my gown as a gift.”

“All the suppliers I worked with were just amazing. Noel Tanza did an amazing job on transforming the reception venue a Modern Victorian-themed setting. Working with Noel and his team, we knew that all our wedding needs would be taken care of and that we were in good hands.”

The wedding was attended by family, close friends and relatives from Davao, U.S.A, Canada, Australia, and Manila.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 224 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2014

SPORTS 15 SANDIWCHED. Rain Or Shine forward Beau Belga battles for the rebound against Petron’s Chris Lutz and Junmar Fajardo. Nuki Sabio

Petron: Series far from over P

ETRON coach Gee Abanilla is convinced the series is far from over, but to get back on track, making adjustments will be crucial for them in the long run. “(Rain or Shine) really played hard, but more than that, we’ve got to have the mentality that this is the semifinals and we have to play in that kind of atmosphere,” Abanilla told InterAksyon.com.

“Definitely, mentally we should be at that level.”

First on the list of adjustments of Abanilla is dealing with physicality.

“We saw first-hand, it’s really physical out there,” he added. “We were bothered offensively. If we

don’t get those calls, we take bad shots. That resulted in a lot of turnover points, transition points

and second chance points.

All hustle points.”

“The normal things in the elimination, we cannot

R

Abanilla added that he might dig deeper to his bench to counter Rain or Shine’s 14-man rotation.

BATTLE OF THE BENCH. Coach Gee Abanilla (left) of Petron and coach Yeng Guiao (right)of Rain Or Shine. Nuki Sabio

Rain Or Shine: The longer, the better AIN or Shine’s outside shooting may have been absent at the start of its semifinals series against Petron Blaze but the team made sure to bring its running shoes.

The Elasto Painters scored 35 fastbreak points on the Boosters in Game One, and Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao is planning on dishing out more of the same in the coming games.

“We’re ready to play a fast, furious pace and we’ll see what happens, perhaps the entire seven games,” Guiao said.

Rain or Shine’s edge in the speed game didn’t fail to capture the notice of Petron coach Gee Abanilla, who showed some concern.

“Masyadong maraming layup,” Abanilla said.

“Yung stopping their

get now because this is a new level. Pinapayagan na nila. We just have to adjust.”

fastbreak points, we really need to do a better job. Ours isn’t bad, but theirs was better.”

According to Abanilla, that’s one of the improvements Rain or Shine has made since they were eliminated

by Petron in last season’s Governors’ Cup. “Obviously, yung mga easy points nila, napakaganda for this game,” he added. “They were really running the floor, they were aggressive, they were physical.

That’s basically what happened tonight.”

One of the matchups in which Rain or Shine showed an advantage in quickness was the heavyweight clash between Beau Belga and June Mar Fajardo.

During the first half, Belga nailed a three-pointer as Fajardo came a split second late to challenge the

shot. Several plays later, the burly but shifty Rain or Shine frontliner faked a three-pointer and drove past the 6-foot-10 Petron center for an easy layup.

“Yun ang advantage ko kay June Mar. Medyo mas mabilis ako sa kanya,” Belga said.

“Kasi pag dating naman sa loob, hindi ko siya kaya. Kung ako mag-isa, kawawa ako so collective effort talaga kami para depensahan si June Mar.” Belga believes the fast-pace game will benefit the team in the long run.

“Mas malalim kasi yung bench namin sa kanila. Kami 14 yung ginagamit sa laro, so kapag humaba yung series, mas adbentahe yun sa amin dahil baka kapusin na sila dahil mas maigsi yung rotation nila.”

“One school of thought also, you know players are paid handsomely because you know what their talent level is. Having said that, I think some of the players who played well gave us a glimpse of hope during the ball game. We could have easily caught up. In the end, we have to manage it also,” said Abanilla.

“We’ll be doing some things. We saw people who are used to this kind of atmosphere. I think Paolo Hubalde played well. Sanay siya sa pisikalan. Jojo Duncil is another guy. It’s something to think about. As a coaching team, we have to look at that decision later on,” he added.

GlobalPort hires Pido G

LOBALPORT has just signed Pido Jarencio to a two-year deal on Monday as part of the team’s buildup for the coming Commissioner’s Cup. Team owner Mikee Romero confirmed the news to InterAksyon.com in a telephone interview.

“We just signed Pido to a two-year deal,” Romero

said. “This is part of our rebuilding process and he will be given free hand to select players, the import as well as the members of the coaching staff.”

Jarencio, who coached UST to a UAAP title in 2007, had already tendered his resignation as mentor of the Tigers, according to Romero.

Romero added that

members of the coaching staff will be evaluated and the decision will be on Jarencio who among them will be retained.

Last week, InterAksyon came up with a story on GlobalPort on the process of finalizing a deal with a “palaban coach.”

Romero did not name the coach until confirming Jarencio’s acquisition.

were the only ones to beat So, won the tournament with plenty to spare despite losing to Loek van Wely of the Netherlands in the last round.

Aronian, ranked number two in the world, had eight points. In his first tournament where five of the world’s chess elite are participating, So had one win, two losses and two draws.

He beat Boris Gelfand of Israel, lost to Aronian and

Dominguez and drew with Sergey Karjakin of Russia and Caruana.

Susan Polgar, So’s coach at Webster University, said she will evaluate the 20-year-old Filipino’s stint when he arrives in St Louis.

“Overall, it has been a good test to find out true strengths and weaknesses against these top tier players,” said Polgar, a former world women’s chess champion, in So’s fan page at chessgames.com.

So finishes tied for 4th-6th W

ESLEY So drew his last round game against Fabiano Caruana of Italy to finish tied for fourth to sixth in the 2014 Tata Steel Masters tournament at Wijk Aan Zee, the Netherlands.

So signed the peace pact after 31 moves pf a Grunfeld Defense.

So, Caruana and Lenier Dominguez of Cuba had six points after 11 rounds.

Levon Aronian of Armenia, who with Dominguez

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. 6 ISSUE 224 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2014 VOL. 6 ISSUE 224 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2014

NO MAN’S LAND. Ayon Angeles of Ateneo goes up for a twinner against Leo Austria of Ford Academy in the fourth quarter as Rap Rap Francisco of Ateneo looks on during the match between the Blue Knights and the deposed champions. Ateneo won 70-47.

Lean Daval Jr.

Davao tryouts for Manchester United football camp slated

P

MISSED OPPORTUNITIES AT BATANG PINOY

DC athletes left dreaming D

AVAO City athletes will be left dreaming after another missed opportunity as the National Finals of the Batang Pinoy formally unfurl in Bacolod City today.

After dominating the Mindanao qualifying championships in Tagum City last August, Davao City’s sports office headed by former Philippine Sports Commission chairman Butch Ramirez decided to scrap the city’s participation for budget constraints.

The decision left medal-hungry Dabawenyo athletes disappointed but helpless.

“Wala tay mabuhat mao man ang ilang decision,” said one coach who asked not to be named.

“Sayang sab ang paningkamot sa mga bata.”

There were those who even went to the extent of booking flights in advance, although they have been cautioned not to.

The sports office through spokesperson Charles Maxey earlier told Edge Davao that the hitch was on the budget allocation. However, Maxey said the city will be participating in the next edition of the annual sports conclave for athletes aged 15 and below.

Meantime, after a couple of month’s delay the national finals of the Batang Pinoy competition for athletes 15 years old and under will open this afternoon at the Bacolod City public plaza, a Bacolod-based publication reported.

The report also added that more than 2,000 delegates from local govern-

ment units in the country are in the Visayan city to compete in 21 sporting events that will be held in 14 different venues in the city from January 29 to February 1.

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Ricardo Garcia said the Batang Pinoy program aims to provide young Filipino athletes an opportunity to showcase their skills and tap new talents for the national teams.

While admitting that the Batang Pinoy competition is “in a way a duplication of the Palarong Pambansa”, Garcia said the difference is the inclusion of the out-of-school youth in the program.

Garcia said a substantial number of out-ofschool youth are competing in Batang Pinoy and it widens the prospect of

recruiting talents for the national sports agencies in preparation for the Youth Olympic Games.

He added that the program has a budget of P30 million for the three regional qualifying rounds and the national championships. The PSC chairman explained that only those who won medals in the regionals are qualified to compete in the national finals.

At stake in the Batang Pinoy national championships this week are 1,594 gold, silver and bronze medals for arnis, athletics, badminton, basketball (3on-3), boxing, chess, cycyling, dancesport, futsal, gymnastics, karatedo, lawn tennis, sepak takraw, softball, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, triathlon, volleyball, weightlifting, and wrestling.

REMIER League club Manchester United will set up a camp in the Philippines this year for 32 aspiring football players including those who will survive from tryouts in Davao, a team representative announced on Monday.

Manchester United Managing Director for Asia Pacific Jamie Reigle said that the club will conduct a three-day football camp in Manila from April 25 to April 27 as part of its effort to develop football in the Philippines. The camp will invite 32 players who will be selected through tryouts in Cebu, Iloilo, Davao and Manila in March supervised by the United Football League. Players who are at least 17 years old are eligible to join.

“One of our missions is to grow the sport in the world and we are aware of (football’s potential) in the Philippines,” Reigle said during the launch of the CLEAR-Manchester united Football Camp in Makati.

Reigle said that the chosen players will be trained

by Manchester United coaches, who will introduce a “very intense program on tactics” that adheres to the philosophies of the club.

“It is really meant to inspire kids and give fun,” Reigle said.

CLEAR hopes that the

camp will produce the next football superstar in the country.

“It is our hope that the next Ronaldo will be found in our own backyard,” said Dorothy Ching, Unilever Category Head for Hair Care.

Six players from the camp could also be chosen to participate in this year’s edition of the CLEAR Dream Match, an annual all-star exhibition featuring Philippine football stars Phil and James Younghusband.

Despite the partnership, Reigle admitted that bringing Manchester United to play in the Philippines won’t be happening soon.

“I can’t promise anything. In practical terms, that is pretty challenging,” Reigle said. “It is possible that we return to the Asia Pacific (for a match tour) but a lot of factors are in consideration.”

Manchester United is another addition to the growing list of high profile clubs which have set camps or schools in the Philippines, joining Premier League squad Chelsea FC and La Liga club FC Barcelona.

Interested applicants can register by visiting www.cleardreammatch. com.ph or contacting 09997684551 starting February 1.

FOOTBALL CAMP. Manchester United Managing Director for Asia Pacific Jamie Reigle said that the club will conduct a three-day football camp in Manila from April 25 to April 27 as part of its effort to develop football in the Philippines.