Edge Davao 6 Issue 230

VOL. 8 ISSUE 230 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12 - 13, 2016

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BLOOD FOR LIFE. Davao City Police Office (DCPO) director Senior Superintendent Vicente Danao Jr. leads his subordinates as he donates 500cc of blood during a bloodletting activity dubbed “Show your love, share a blood and save life” at the DCPO covered court yesterday. The activity was a joint project of the DCPO in cooperation with Red Cross and Police Regional Office (PRO) 11 regional health service. Lean Daval Jr.

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

DUTERTE BLASTS GOV’T CORRUPTION

‘Victimization of poor Filipinos now a way of life’

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

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abf@edgedavao.net

RESIDENTIAL aspirant Rodrigo Duterte blasted the “systematic victimization” of the Filipino people, particularly the poor, by their own government.

A statement from the Duterte camp said in his visit to Tuguegarao City on Wednesday, Duterte said the government has failed to serve the interest of Filipinos but instead subjected its people to various forms of thievery.

He deplored the “under the table” practice or the giving of grease money that has become a norm in getting and processing simple permits.

“Corruption, the victimization of the poor Filipinos, has been a way of life,” Duterte was quoted as saying. “We must put an end to this problem.”

Duterte has repeatedly said he is aghast at the failure of the national government to serve the people, declaring that this is the reason he was

convinced to run for president.

At his proclamation rally Tuesday evening in Tondo, the first serious presidential candidate to ever emerge from Mindanao said he is angry with government.

“Galit ako sa gobyerno,” he told the crowd composed mostly of informal settlers.

In past pre-election campaign sorties, Duterte’s running mate Senator Alan Peter Cayetano referred to this malady as the Filipino’s daily

“gulo” — made up of a string of mundane hardship like massive traffic, continuing rise of the prices of basic commodities, corruption in high and low places, breakdown of peace and order, and failure to deliver basic social services.

Cayetano was not with Duterte in Tuguegarao but stayed in Manila where he campaigned separately.

Duterte paid Tuguegarao Archbishop Sergio Utleg a visit

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EDGEDAVAO Sports Miguel Tabuena misses an eagle putt on No. 10, but makes one on No. 15 P15

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 230 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12 - 13, 2016

SAFETY FIRST. Workers from the General Services Office (GSO) of the city government of Davao remove buntings from the power lines along San Pedro Street yesterday as they may cause fire and other untoward incidents. Lean Daval Jr.

CENRO: No Comelec guidelines yet on common poster areas

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HE Davao City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) has no guidelines yet from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) regarding the removal of election posters and paraphernalia placed in non-common poster areas.

Speaking in yesterday’s I-Speak Media Forum, CENRO head engineer Elisa Madrazo said because of this, she does not know if CENRO even has a role in removing campaign materials from prohibited areas.

Madrazo also said she does not even know where the common poster areas are since it is the Comelec guideline that will

identify these places.

“Ingon sila in a common poster area but for me, wala pud ko kabalo asa ang common area (They said posters are to be put up in common poster areas, but even I don’t know where these common areas are),” she said.

Madrazo, however, said she has told her personnel to list down where erring posters are located and submit the list to the Comelec.

She also said the candidates themselves should tell their supporters not to post their campaign materials indiscriminately because they are an eyesore.

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Rody statement on KMU ‘taken out of context’

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HE camp of presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte said the Davao City mayor regrets that his statement on the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) during last Tuesday’s proclamation rally was taken out of context.

During his speech, Duterte had told labor groups like the KMU to stop active labor fronts and threatened to kill them if the do not cooperate.

“Wag ninyong gawin ‘yan kasi sisirain ninyo ang administrasyon pag ginawa ninyo ‘yan patayin ko kayong lahat (Don’t do that because you will ruin my administration. If you do that I will kill you all),” Duterte had said.

The KMU immediately

said the statement was unwarranted.

But in a statement, Duterte’s media bureau head Peter Laviña said the mayor was merely asking to be given a chance to invite capital into the country and help develop economic zones that will create jobs.

Laviña said the Davao City mayor’s track record regarding business on the one hand and labor on the other speaks for itself.

“When Duterte launched the ‘Invest in Davao’ in 1992, his parameters where clear — invest for as long as you do not exploit our children, women, labor, and environment,”

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Duterte promises to improve, enhance 4Ps

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

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abf@edgedavao.net

AVAO City Mayor and presidential candidate Rodrigo R. Duterte vowed to continue and enhance the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) which has been implemented by the national government since the administration of then-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

In a statement, Duterte said the 4Ps is “a good program” but added that providing jobs to recipient families is the “most sustainable solution” to raise their living

standards.

“I will continue its implementation and improve it by providing jobs and livelihood components to make it more sustainable,” Duterte’s camp quoted him as saying before a crowd of thousands in Tondo, Manila at the official start last Tuesday of the campaign period for the May presidential election.

Duterte said once he is elected, he will create more livelihood projects in the communities through the P1-billion Small Capital Fund

for every region.

The Duterte camp said the mayor’s economic campaign platforms will focus on providing more jobs to address the unemployment problem in the country.

The statement said a few days prior to the proclamation rally, Duterte visited several communities in the provinces of Rizal, Pampanga, and Tarlac where he discussed and elaborated the 4Ps as part of his platform to ease poverty.

Patterned after the condi-

tional cash transfer systems in some developing countries in Central America, the country’s 4Ps provides the program’s recipient families with cash assistance to address shortterm solution needs.

Earlier, Department of Social Welfare District (DSWD) 11 information officer Sheryll Fernandez said politicians are welcome to show support for the program.

“Our goal is to institutionalize the program. If the politician will support the program it will be good,” she said.

and opinions on the current political situation in the Philippines.

“Employees and other government officials can personally express their views on some political problems and issues.

They can express their views and can even mention a candidate that they wish to vote for,” he said.

Civil Service Commission (CSC) 11 regional director Annabelle B. Rosell had earlier

warned that government employees who are caught engaging in partisan activities for the 2016 election will face administrative sanctions.

Rosell said the employees found guilty of committing the violation on the first offense face up to six months of preventive suspension. For the second offense, the penalty is dismissal from the service.

But Alparaque said under the Civil Service rules, ex-

pressing political views is not considered a partisan political activity.

“For instance, if they are going to express (their views) on some of the issues in our society now like criminality and corruption, they can do that as a matter of right of expression,” he said.

The only caveat, he said, is that the views are not expressed “in a manner of pro-

HRMO clarifies: Gov’t employees can express their political views

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HE Davao City Human Resource and Management Office (HRMO) has clarified that government employees can express their political views provided they do not promote or solicit votes for certain candidates.

Speaking in yesterday’s I-Speak media forum, HRMO head Erwin Alparaque said as citizens of the country, government employees are also entitled to express their feelings

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NEWS 3 GPH, MILF peace panels meet in Malaysia for ‘ways forward’

EDGEDAVAO

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HE peace panels of the government (GPH) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) are back in Kuala Lumpur for a two-day meeting that started February 10, to discuss “ways forward” in the peace process after the Aquino administration’s failure to pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

In his opening speech titled “As is, where is,” a copy of which was e-mailed to MindaNews from Kuala Lumpur, Mohagher Iqbal, chair of the MILF peace panel said that in the next administration (which will start noon of June

30, 2016), “the most immediate step is either the BBL will be refiled in Congress or a new basic law, faithful to the letter and spirit of the CAB (Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro) will be crafted by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC), which will most likely have new faces as members.

This is the only way forward.”

Iqbal is concurrent BTC chair.

MILF chair Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, however, told MindaNews on January 26 that there will be no re-drafting of the BBL because “it’s already

SAVING LIVES. Hundreds of personnel from the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) participate in a bloodletting activity dubbed “Show your love, share

an agreed version. Napagkasunduan na.”

He said the “agreed version” of the draft BBL will be re-filed in the next Congress.

The “agreed version” is the version submitted by the BTC to the Office of the President (OP), vetted by the agencies concerned and finalized with the OP and the principals – President Benigno Aquino III and MILF chair Murad – before it was submitted to Congress in ceremonial rites held in Malacañang on September 10, 2014.

Murad said if the next

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a blood and save life” at the DCPO covered court yesterday. The activity aimed to gather 150 bags of blood. Lean Daval Jr.

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4 ECONOMY

VOL. 8 ISSUE 230 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12 - 13, 2016

Matina Enclaves holds Investors Night today

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SCANDOR Development Corporation (Esdevco) will be holding its monthly Investors Night for its maiden project Matina Enclaves today (Friday).

To be held at the Clubhouse at Matina Enclaves (CAME), the event will have a Valentine’s Day theme.

“Our Sales and Marketing team will be celebrating love with future clients during the Investors Night on Friday at the Clubhouse of Matina Enclaves,” said Gerald Kent Garces, project director of Matina Enclaves.

Meantime, construction of Building 1 of The Residences is being slated for topoff by the end of the month.

MATINA ENCLAVES. Building 1 of the Residences is set for topping off by the end of February according to its developer Escandor Development Corporation (Esdevco).

Exporter to invest in mango production

BOI in talks with top 20 Manila B firms to expand to Davao City

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

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crc@edgedavao.net

HE Board of Investment (BOI)-Davao is negotiating with Manila’s 20 top business process management (BPM) firms to expand their operations in Davao City.

“We’re targeting to close deals with 25 percent of the total number of companies we’re under negotiation with,” BOIDavao chief Gil M. Dureza told reporters during this week’s edition of Wednesdays at Habi at Kape sa Abreeza.

Dureza said among the companies is the U.S. based Hewlett-Packard (HP) which earlier conducted a series of recruitment events in Davao City.

Information and Communication Technology (ICT)Davao president lawyer Samuel Matunog had earlier said the firm is in need of skilled talents .

“HP is looking for math graduates and double major graduates who can be part of their talents,” he said.

Matunog, however, said the availability of the required talent became a challenge to the expansion of the firm here.

Dureza said the BOI conducted promotional activities last December in a bid to entice more ICT investors in Davao City.

He said once the deals are

signed, locating firms will be occupying BPM spaces in the PEZA (Philippine Economic Zone Authority)-accredited zone of Ciudades, a mixed-use development in Davao City.

Dureza said the board is grooming the 250-hectare Ciudades as the next prime destination of BPM investors.

“The developer of Ciudades is already building-up facilities for the ICT industry that are tailored-fit to the requirements of the BPM firms,” Dureza said.

At present, the multi-billion ICT industry employs an estimated of 35,000 skilled talents in Davao City. The ICT

Lao said the sophistication of the Davao City market prompted the firm to boost its expansion plan this year. “Everyone is going to smart phones ranging from mid-level to high-end phone models,” he said.

8Telcom offers different brands of high-end smart phones like Samsung, Apple, LG, Sony, ASUS, and Huawei to ensure quality to customers.

“We continue to develop our services to offer the best experience to our clients,” Lao said.

In addition, 8Telcom will be also investing in more promotional activities for Samsung this year as its partner.

“Together with Samsung, we’re planning to hold consumer parties by the end of

the year,” Lao said.

Lao said sales of Samsung smarts phone continue to rise in Mindanao despite the entry of new brands.

“We’re targeting to grow our Samsung business by 30 percent this year,” he said.

Last Tuesday, 8Telcom conducted an employee appreciation night at Club Echelon at The Peak of Gaisano Mall of Davao to recognize top performing sales teams.

The firm started its operation in 2000 in a small stall in San Pedro Street in Davao City with only three personnel. It started retailing phones in 2002 when it established its first retail store at Victoria Mall.

At present, 8Telcom employs a total of 150 people.

CHENEEN R. CAPON

8Telcom plans 4 more branches in Davao City

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AVAO City-based mobile phone distributor and retailer 8Telcom, Inc. is targeting to establish four more branches in the city to cater to the fast growing market of smart-phone users.

“Two of these will be set up in two upcoming malls in the northern part of the city,” 8Telcom general manager for retail department Jeffrey G. Lao told reporters in an interview.

The 15-year-year old company has a total of 16 branches, of which 10 are in Davao City and the rest are in Cagayan de Oro City, Tagum City, and Butuan City.

At present, 8Telcom’s largest concept shop is located at SM Lanang Premier in Davao City.

sector targets to grow this number by another 5,000 by the end of the year with the entry of big firms.

While Davao City remain the prime investment hub for the ICT sector in Mindanao, BOI is also grooming General Santos City to be the alternative destination of ICT investment.

Dureza said the BOI and representatives from 10 ICT firms in Cebu will have a roadshow in General Santos City to assess the viability of the area for ICT operations.

“We’re still evaluating the plan. We’re targeting to finalize this by next week,” he said.

“Efforts are put towards the completion of the structural works for Matina Enclaves’ first residential condo building. By the end of the month Matina Enclaves will hold the Topping Off Ceremony of the first building and the Groundbreaking Ceremony of Bldg. 2,” said Garces.

Turnover of Building 1 has been set by the end of the year while Building 2 will be by the end of 2017.

Matina Enclaves is also set to launch its Arcadia project, a multi-event sports and fitness building adjacent to the sprawling complex.

Garces said the launching will be announced once finalized. (NJB)

USINESS leader and exporter Vicente T. Lao will venture into mango production this year despite the sliding trend of the industry in Region 11.

“We’re already organizing a company in Davao del Sur that will focus on vegetable and fruit production,” Lao told reporters in this week’s edition of Wednesdays at Habi at Kape sa Abreeza.

He said he will start with 10 hectares planted with mango in Davao del Sur but added that he will “not limit the number of hectares we can manage.”

“We will not only buy mango from our contracted farmers but we will help them manage it to ensure and maintain the good quality of mangoes,” he said.

Lao said the region’s mango industry is slowing down because of weakening export market.

“For instance, 10 to 15 percent of the region’s exported mangoes to Japan are

rejected because of high pesticide content level,” he said.

This has led to the cutting of mango trees in different plantations in the region, he said.

“The problem with the industry is really the income-sharing system implemented by plantation owners and contracted sprayers,” he said. “There should be a change in this system to solve the problem.”

Lao said at present, 75 percent of the net income goes to the owner while the rest goes to the contracted farmer.

He said contracted sprayers seem to be focused on increasing their yield without considering the complicated quarantine standards of foreign markets.

As a result of the high pesticide level, only 85 to 90 percent of Philippine mango enter the Japanese market.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 11 identi-

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EXPANSION. 8Telcom general manager for retail department Jeffrey G. Lao outlines the company’s expansion plans to reporters. Armando B. Fenequito Jr.

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6 AGRITRENDS EDGEDAVAO

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Cacao:

Cacao flower and pod (Photo by Henrylito D. Tacio)

From bust to boom

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO (Last of Three Parts)

C

ACAO, also called cocoa and known in the science world as Theobroma cacao, is considered an equatorial crop (crops that thrives well on regions occupying the equator). As such, the Philippines has a great potential growing cacao.

“I really could not believe why we cannot import cacao beans when the Philippines is ideal for cacao growing,” Roy C. Alimoane, director of Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center in Kinuskusan, Bansalan, Davao del Sur. “Mindanao, for instance, is best for cacao production.”

Cacao can be grown anywhere in the country, but Mindanao has two advantages: good rainfall and good soil. “But cacao would grow anywhere in the country,” Alimoane says, adding that other areas where cacao is suited for planting are Quezon, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, and Palawan.

Last year, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has ranked the Philippines as the 18th among the 20 top producing countries in the world.

It was ahead of Congo and below Argentina.

Ranked in the top 10 were Ivory Coast, Ghana, Indonesia, Nigeria, Brazil, Cameroon, Ecuador, Colombia, Mexico, and Papua

Since then, cacao growing flourished in the different parts of the country.

In the 1950s, commercial cacao farms were established and cocoa beans production expanded into an industry in the following decade as processing facilities were put up by a group of Filipino investors. The industry started to take-off in mid-1980s as more investments were poured on commercial farms and on grinding facilities.

There are many varieties of cacao but the National Seed Industry Council has registered and approved only 9 varieties/clones of cacao. NSIC approved clones are the following: There are several types of cacao grown in the country, but seven varieties are highly recommended.

These are: BR25 (CC-9905), ICS 40, UIT 1 (CC-9902), K 1, K2, SF, and UF18.

To those who want to plant cacao in their farms, here are some tips from The Philippines Recommends for Cacao, published by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development: • The use of seeds is the most method of planting cacao. Seeds must be selected

polyethylene bags.

The seedlings are shaded both above and at the sides for protection against strong winds. Coconut palm fronds can be used for the purpose.

• Transplanting can be done when the shoots become mature and the leaves become hard and dark green. Utmost care is necessary in transporting as the seedlings are very pone to transplanting shock.

• Care should be taken to remove the polyethylene container with minimal disturbance. Seedlings are to be planted at the same depth as they were in the polyethylene bags. Topsoil is poured into the prepared hole a few centimeters at a time and then carefully pressed down.

• Proper maintenance such as weeding, mulching, fertilizing, pest control, shade adjustment and pruning are necessary to keep the trees healthy and obtain high production. Harvesting may be done in about three to five years after planting.

In Mindanao, more and more farmers are planting cacao in their farms. The profitability of cacao production has convinced Ramon T. Ubando, a handicapped farmer from Opao in Dapitan City, to go into cacao farming. Because of a severe vascular disease

he acquired since childhood, the middle of his right hip and knee in his right leg had to be amputated. That was in 1973 when he was still 40 years old.

Twelve years ago, he became interested into farming.

He raised some livestock in his backyard to make both ends meet. “His farm was augmented by his inquisitive efforts of seeking crops and technologies that alleviates economic status of his family,” reports Ariel A. Lao-ay, who used to work as a technician for a cacao program initiated by the United States Department of Agriculture and the Philippine government.

That was how Ubando discovered cacao growing; thanks to a six-month training conducted by the Department of Agrarian Reform. Equipped with technical skills and enthusiasm, he started a 100-hill cacao budwood garden in onefourth of a hectare in his farm.

He propagated and maintained

Beauty products from cacao (Photo by Henrylito D. Tacio) New Guinea. Except for Indonesia, most of the top cacao producing countries are from Africa and South America.

Cacao has been cultivated in the Philippines since the 17th century when Spanish mariner Pedro Bravo de Lagunas planted the crop in San Jose, Batangas.

carefully and must come from big pods obtained from trees which are highly productive, regular bearers and free from pests. Seeds must be planted immediately since their viability is limited.

• Seedlings to be retained in the nursery for 3-4 months must be raised in

Banana intercropped with cacao (Photo courtesy of Flordelyn Saavedra)

Ramon Ubando (Photo courtesy of Ariel Lao-ay) five different cacao clones. “Cacao puts cash into my empty pocket,” he pointed out.

In Davao Region, farmers are discovering that cacao is a good intercrop of banana.

Because of the big potential of cacao in the local and international market, the Federation of Cooperatives (FEDCO) urged its members to plant cacao in their banana plantations.

FEDCO is the umbrella organization of banana cooperatives composed of farmers operating in Davao City and the provinces of Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur and Compostela Valley. FEDCO has 13 member coops with around 3,600 farmers owning almost 3,000 hectares of land planted with export-quality fresh Cavendish bananas that are both the “highland” and “lowland” varieties.

“Many banana industry

players we talked with told us that cacao can’t be intercropped with Cavendish bananas,” Saavedra said. “But we want to provide additional income to our members, so we decided to ahead with the experiment by growing the crops together.”

On March 2011, FEDCO intercropped the 1,500 Cavendish bananas with 1,800 cacao trees in barangay New Katipunan in Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte. “In less than two years, the planted cacao trees now produce 12 pods per tree,” reports Flordelyn A. Saavedra, marketing officer of FEDCO and head of its cacao project.

As a result, farmers are now planting cacao along with banana. Ireneo Dalayon, FEDCO’s chief executive officer, asserted. “We see the cacao industry as a new ray of hope for all our banana farmers,” he said.

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EDGEDAVAO

8 VANTAGE

VOL. 8 ISSUE 230 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12 - 13, 2016

EDITORIAL ‘Left field’ candidates

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OCIAL media age has undoubtedly revealed so much about us and in us.

The recent surge in the US of “left field” candidates like Senator Bernie Sanders and Billionaire Donald Trump, who both won the influential New Hampshire primaries, makes many people take heavy note of the way politics is developing in that country. Sanders, the Democrat, espouses a Democratic Socialism while Trump seeks a more right-wing approach to solving Americas issues with itself and the world.

Both candidates are known to be from outside Washington’s circles of influence and therefore propose policy positions that are a bit incongruent with mainstream or conventional policy engineering. Many liberals who dominate mainstream media in the US consider these two candidates far off from their own policy biases, with some pasting unflattering labels on them.

Call them extreme, but both candidates show a growing constituency of adherents and believers, many of whom have been aligned with more mainstream positions and candidates in past elections. All of a sudden, the more widely held beliefs on US politics are turned on their heads. It does not help that the US economy is barely recovering, as its impact on household costs and the ability of common Americans to find good jobs to pay their mortgages may take long to be felt. The threat to whatever little growth it is experiencing at this point comes from the slow recovery or contraction – or both – of other large economies like China and the European states.

This creates a rather large class of people feeling left out of the growth and therefore mistrustful of government, even their elected officials. The Pew research institution reports that such is the case: “While negative opinions of

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politicians are not new, the perception that elected officials don’t care about what people think is now held more widely than it has been in recent years.

Today, 74 percent say this, compared with a narrower 55 percent majority who said the same in 2000.”

Social media has truly created an atmosphere where quickly available information gets ahead of the mainstream press and at the same time influences opinion more deeply. We are more likely to believe what our close friends tell us than what an official spokesperson says. This, and frustration with government, has created high levels of mistrust. Whether acceptable or not, Sanders and Trump represent the hope of a growing number of Americans.

Back home, the latest Laylo Research strategies survey ending in February 4 as reported in the Manila Standard put Senator Grace Poe slightly ahead of her rivals in the presidential race at 29 percent, up from 28 percent, and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte rising by a percentage point to 20 percent from a month ago. Former DILG Secretary Mar Roxas remained steady at 22 percent while Vice President Jejomar Binay dipped by 1 to close at 22 percent.

Senator Miriam Santiago is last. Duterte, Binay, and Roxas remain tined, reflecting the recent Pulse Asia survey that also saw Poe moving in front.

Both Duterte and Poe represent a change from the current administration, compared with both Binay and Roxas who served lengthy terms in PNoy’s Cabinet. Poe and Duterte therefore represent a perspective placing them outside mainstream Manila politics. The only difference between the two is the obvious experience of Duterte, and his knack for getting things done.

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VANTAGE POINTS

9

The myth of big cities and bright lights

UST like many of my peers in university, I do not come from Davao City. I came here to study in one of the most prestigious universities in the country because of the idea that this is where I can find the opportunities that will potentially bolster me to success. I was one of those bigots before who thought that life in underdeveloped cities, those outside Davao, Manila, or Cebu, would be a dead end. But that same bigoted idea is what also hinders those cities and rural areas from developing.

This is the same mindset that compels people to work abroad, migrate to other countries that can give them a more promising future than this corrupt and poor country could ever give. But the myth that opportunities do not exist here, or in rural areas, or in less prominent cities, and the idea that the solution should always be to move out is something that we need to try to break away from.

Most people who move out of their respective hometowns are most probably from middle-class families who could afford to get edu-

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VOL. 8 ISSUE 230 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12 - 13, 2016

OVE, so they say, will never be out of fashion.

Red roses, tender songs, pink missives, romantic day drams, pedestalled Aphrodites and Adonises, young and old thoughts of companionship, love-aches or heartaches – all these manifest that nobody is incapable of loving as of being loved.

Hollywood movies with love in their titles abounds: “Love Story,” “Love in the Afternoon,” “Love Letters,” “When a Man Loves a Woman,” “Women in Love,” and “Love is a Many-Splendored Thing.”

So, what is thing called love?

William Shakespeare writes: “Love is not love which alteration finds or bends to the remover to remove.” John Dryden continues: “Pains of love be sweeter far than all other pleasures are.” Jim Vaus finishes it with these words: “When love is felt, the message is heard.”

To a psychiatrist, love is nothing but a neurosis – a disease of the mind and a malfunctioning of the nervous system that will disappear one gets in closer contact with the practical world and reality.

Dr. Reich Fromm, a noted American psychoanalyst, explains: “Love is an active power in man; a power which breaks through the walls which separate man from his fellow man, which unites him with others; love makes him overcome the sense of isolation and separateness, yet, it permits him to be himself, to retain his integrity. In love, the paradox occurs that two human beings become one and yet remain two.”

Others see love as a rebellion. This is how Albert Camus, author of “The Rebel,” views the four-letter word: “The desire for possession is only another form of the desire to endure; it is this that comprises the impotent delirium of love. No human being, even the most passion-

cated and MY MILLENNIAL MIND become professionals. And this is where the first problem of brain-drain happens.

Human capital is one Vanessa Kate Madrazo of the most crucial aspects of development. Underdeveloped cities need professionals to improve their own industries and to be able to compete with other places. It needs good teachers to make good schools. It needs competent doctors to make good hospitals. But if those professionals leave their hometowns, they also leave a less than mediocre social system behind.

Secondly, it’s not news at all that metropolitan areas experience congestion. Metro Manila is the most prominent example: heavy

traffic, the prevalence of slums, and pollution.

Because megacities have become beacons of opportunity, people like to flock there. What most people don’t realize is that the more people flock there, the more exacerbated social inequality becomes. Even the big cities with the bright lights have a carrying capacity. Jobs run out. And especially for the people who were not able to keep up with the competitive labor market, most people resort to jobs that are not even their field. For the poor people, they resort to begging, prostitution, or crime and live as informal settlers.

Moreover, because metropolitan areas become more densely populated, they inevitably get allocated more budget from the government. Regions such as CARAGA are given very little budget. For that reason, rural areas have underdeveloped welfare systems and government services, including but not limited to education, healthcare, and security. The sad thing is that those who migrate to the big cities are rarely targets of welfare in those areas.

There are many opportunities to be successful without having to move to bigger cities.

For one thing, there are many opportunities to improve on and expand on existing industries locally. This does negate whatever potential better future metropolitan areas can still offer, especially for people who are very competitive.

It is, however, important to recognize how our right to mobility can affect things that are beyond our selves. Why should we care? Because we partly owe it to the place where we grew up, the place we called home, that we were able to get basic education, that our parents got the jobs that got us into college.

This is also a trigger to make us think about policies that can better support those underdeveloped areas. Will bigger allocations suffice or do we need something more fundamental like federalism? What are the ways in which we can improve investor confidence where we come from? Should we only think about our own success? Or is there greater meaning in contributing to the success of a greater cause?

ately loved or pas- THINK ON THESE! sionately loving, is ever in our possession. On this pitiless earth where lovers are often separated in death and are always born divide, the total possession of another human Henrylito D. Tacio henrytacio@gmail.com being and communion throughout an entire lifetime are impossible dreams.

“The desire for possession is insatiable, to such a point that it can survive even love itself.

To love, therefore, is to sterilize the person one loves. The shamefaced suffering of the abandoned love is not so much due to being no longer loved as to knowing that the other partner can and must love again. In the final analysis, every man devoured by the overpowering desire to endure and possess wishes that those whom he has loved were either sterile or dead. This is real rebellion.”

That’s too serious a definition of love. Some famous people have been poking at this subject.

“Love is like the measles, all the worse when it comes late in life,” English writer Douglas Jerrod says. French novelist and philosopher Remy de Gourmont contends: “Man begins by loving love and ends by loving a woman; woman begins by loving a man and ends by loving love.”

American satirist H.L. Mencken points out: “Love is like war: easy to begin but very hard to stop.” Canadian humorist Stephen Leacock has this idea: “Many a man in love with a dimple makes the mistake of marrying the whole girl.”

American columnist Helen Rowland outdid both when she once wrote: “Love is woman’s

eternal spring and man’s eternal fall.”

Despite all these, love is immortal. It lives forever. Listen to Eben Eugene Rexford in his Silver Threads Among the Gold: “Love can never more grow old, locks may lose their brown and gold, cheeks may fade and hollow grow; but hearts that love will know. Never winter’s frost and chill, summer’s warmth is in them still.”

In recent years, American researchers have been taking a close look at the pathology of love. Their findings reveal that what most of us regard as a mysterious, ethereal force has certain definable psychological and physiological components. By understanding these components, we can form better love relationships and, equally important, recover faster from those that fail.

“Falling in love,” explains John Money, professor of medical psychology at the Johns Hopkins Medical School, “resembles what social scientists call ‘imprinting.’ That is to say, there already exist within each of us certain standards that reflect our family life, background and, in some cases, ethnic or racial heritage.

Thus, when you encounter a particular type of perceptual stimulus – someone who fits these preconceived notions of what you need in a wife or husband – there’s a good chance you’ll fall in love.”

Former priest-turned newspaper columnist Bob Garon agrees. “One sure sign of deep love between two persons is the sensitiveness to each other’s needs,” he writes. “When two people fall in love, there is a desire to please that is born. The man perceives his beloved as very precious, somebody to cherish. So, he wants to do everything to keep his new-found love…

“When this sensitiveness is reciprocal, it is one of the driving forces that causes people to treasure each other,” Garon continues. “Per-

haps, it is because we all feel so important, so loved when another seems to be so in tune with us that he/she is aware of what we are thinking and feeling even if we never express our thoughts and sentiments.”

1. Merrill Root puts it in another way: “So far as I am concerned, I would never choose a woman unless I were sure she had also chosen me. I could not love a woman unless I felt in the depths of my being that she also loved me; I would wish her to seek me even as I sought her; were she not mad to have me I would be tepid to have her.”

The Holy Bible gives us the real meaning of love in I Corinthians 13. Love, it says, is patient, kind, not jealous, not conceited, not proud, not ill mannered, not selfish, and not irritable. It does not keep a record of wrongs. It is not happy with evil but is happy with the truth. Above all, love never gives up.

This is what God’s love is all about. “God proved His love on the Cross,” writes Billy Graham. “When Christ hung, and bled, and died, it was God saying to the world, ‘I love you.’”

Genuine love is neither nonce-sense nor non-sense. It is a disciplined commitment to all that is good and true. It is willing to undergo some troubles in response to the spoken or unspoken needs of the other. As Og Mandino, author of the best-selling “The Greatest Salesman In the World,” aptly puts it: “I will love the kings for they are but human; I will love the meek for they are divine. I will love the rich for they are yet lonely; I will love the poor for they are so many. I will love the young for the faith they hold; I will love the old for the wisdom they share. I will love the beautiful for their eyes of sadness; I will love the ugly for their souls of peace.”

Ah, love!

Just what is love?

10

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NEWS 11 DUTERTE... FROM 1

where he again apologized for cursing at Pope Francis.

Duterte has since explained that his invective was not directed against the Pope but against the government.

He also told Bishop Utleg that he will not tolerate the murder of innocent civilians.

“For the life of me, I can never take the life of an innocent person,” he said.

“On our end, we are also looking after the aesthetic view of our city. As much as possible they should place the posters in the right areas because they are really not good to the eyes,” she said.

Madrazo said she has also requested candidates not to post their campaign materials on trees because it might kill

them.

Earlier, Police Regional Office (PRO) 11 spokesperson Chief Inspector Andrea delaCerna said the Regional Joint Security Control Center (RJSCC) will meet on February 24 to finalize the guidelines of removing posters in the non-common poster areas.

ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

Congress changes parts of the draft BBL, they are open to the changes or improvements “as long as it will not contradict the CAB…. as long as it will comply with the CAB.”

using divide and conquer tactics against us? When will we wake up to see that until we transcend ourselves and offer it in the service of the larger and more important task of liberation, we shall never succeed to prevent the political, economic and socio-cultural extinction of the Bangsamoro people?”

He commended President Aquino and the GPH peace panel for “negotiating with us in good faith and for pushing the negotiations closer to what is required to bring justice and reconciliation.”

“We have learned our lessons. The problem is structural and systemic,” he said.

He said that even if the BBL was not passed under the Aquino administration, “there should be no doubt about this — the Bangsamoro will be established,insha Allah. Truth, justice, and goodness will always prevail. It is only a matter of time.”

He said their resolve, patience and determination to build the Bangsamoro is “stronger and more passionate than ever” and the non-passage of the BBL “does not weaken us” but “strengthens us.”

Addressing the Bangsamoro people, he said: “Do not despair. Do not be disheartened.

Be patient. We shall overcome.

Console yourselves. The struggle for liberation is a long path.

We need to prepare for a long and arduous journey. But it will be worth it. There is an end to our sacrifices and sufferings.

Your MILF has struggled and negotiated for you. This is for you, for your children and your children’s children.”

To the Filipino people, Iqbal said: “Let us work together overcome the barriers to peace, justice and reconciliation.” Carolyn O. Arguillas

CENRO... FROM 2

GPH... FROM 3

WAITING FOR THE GUIDELINES. City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) chief Engr. Elisa Madrazo says the Commission on Elections (Comelec) still has not given the guidelines on common poster areas for

the May election. Madrazo and Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) Green Davao Coalition representative Architect Jim Palma were among the guests of I-Speak media forum at City Hall yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

Solon calls for two-year postponement of brgy polls

T

HERE is a move in the House of Representatives seeking to reset the coming barangay elections slated on October 10, 2016 to October 8, 2018.

Pasay City Rep. Emi G. Calixto-Rubiano filed HB 6420 which seeks to amend Republic Act No. 9340 and postpone by two years this year’s barangay polls.

“Considering that there will soon be nationwide elections this coming May 2016, it would be prudent and advisable to reset the next barangay elections this October 2016 to October 2018,” Calixto-Rubiano said.

She noted that elected barangay officials, being the basic unit of our country’s social structure, “should be insulated from the influence of partisan politics.”

To underscore her move, Calixto-Rubiano cited a Supreme Court decision on the case of Occena v, Comelec, GR L-60258, January 1984 which held that “it would definitely enhance the objective and impartial discharge of their duties for barangay officials to be shielded from political loyalty.”

Another vital point supporting the move, she pointed out, is that the barangay

polls will necessitate a considerable amount of government expenditure.

“The billions of pesos that can be saved by reason of its postponement can be used for other government projects like the construction of roads, bridges, school buildings and other worthy endeavors,” she said.

Under HB 6420, the provisions of Section 5 of Republic Act 9164, as amended by Section 3 of R.A. 9340 with regard to “hold-over,” shall remain in full force and applicable under the proposed amendatory law.

Calixto-Rubiano added

that under the bill, the term of office of elective officials under the measure shall commence on November 30 2018, following their election.

HB 6420, which was filed third week of January this year, has been referred to the House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms, chaired by Rep. Fredenil H. Castro of the 2nd District of Capiz, for its appropriate consideration and action.

Congress will resume its session on May 23, 2016 after the coming mid-May national elections. (PNA)

Laviña said.

“Duterte is a lawyer and is fully aware of labor’s right to organize, freely redress their grievances, and have a share of the fruits of their toil,” Laviña added.

He also said Duterte has maintained close political ties with activists and leftist leaders in Davao City.

He said in the 1992 elections, Duterte included in his line-up labor leader Erasto

‘Nonoy’ Librado, then secretary general of Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU).

Librado won a seat in the Sangguniang Panlungsod in Davao but died of cerebral aneurism less than two months after taking his oath of office.

Duterte’s erstwhile political party Lakas ng Dabaw replaced the labor leader with his wife Marlyn, who went on to serve three terms.

Marlyn was replaced by

daughter Angela Librado (now Trinidad), a lawyer. Angela is now the barangay chair of Matina, one of the biggest barangays of Davao, after completing three consecutive three-year terms as city councilor.

Her younger sister Leah Librado-Yap, also a lawyer, is now also a city councilor.

The two sisters were in Tondo, Manila Tuesday to lend support to Duterte. Laviña quoted Angela as saying Dute-

rte told her not to worry about his statement on labor groups.

Duterte had also repeatedly intervened and tried to resolve labor disputes between unions affiliated with KMU that went on strike in the 1980s and early 1990s such as Davao Light, Apo View Hotel, Lapanday, and Alsons.

His standing order to the police was not to apply violence and maintain maximum tolerance.

an de Oro, General Santos, Zamboanga, Butuan, Kidapawan, Tagum, Koronadal, Digos, Pagadian, and Cotabato, among others.

In addition, the plant

supplies power to the Davao region; the provinces of Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Agusan and Surigao; the Zamboanga peninsula; and parts of Bukidnon and Misamis.

fied mango as one of Region 11’s top export commodities in 2014. Along with fresh or dried dates, figs, pineapples, avocados, guavas, and mangosteen, the total export value is

US$109.64 million.

Among the export market of these products are Japan, South Korea, United Arab Emirates, Singapore, and China. CHENEEN R. CAPON

Rody... FROM 2

Binugao... FROM 13

Exporter... FROM 4

Know history MindaNews asked GPH peace panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer for a copy of her speech but as of 5 p.m. no copy has been sent or posted on the website of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process.

But in her statement on February 3, when Congress adjourned without passing the BBL, Ferrer urged politicians and fellow citizens “to take the time to study the history of the conflict and the peace process so as to get a better understanding of the road map and our unflinching efforts to see it through.”

She said members of her panel “will do everything in the remaining time we have to ensure that the infrastructure for implementing the peace accord are fully functional so that the next administration will be in a good position to carry forward the full implementation of the agreement.”

Ferrer said the roadmap laid out in the CAB “remains viable even as we shall now be crafting adjustments in the timeline.”

Iqbal blamed the non-passage of the BBL on the “structural and systemic” problem and on how the “elite vested interests opposed to the Bangsamoro” used the Moro people’s “disunity and political fragmentation as an effective weapon for the continuing oppression of our people.”

“Do not despair” He urged Bangsamoro leaders to unite. “When will we wake up to see that they are

HRMO... FROM 2

moting a certain candidate.”

He said government employees can also share their views on social media provided they do not influence the public.

Alparaque, however, said government employees should not form groups to support specific candidates because it might influence the people to

vote for them.

He said government employees are also not allowed to hold meetings, dialogues, forums, and caucuses to solicit votes.

“Even making speeches to influence people to vote for a certain candidates (is not allowed),” he said. ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

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EDGEDAVAO EVENT

A love to last L

ILIAN Enriquez-Mamaed is a medical technologist from Davao City practicing her profession in American hospitals during the last eight years.

RICHARD Brown Smith is a veteran insurer also working in the United States. Richard and Lilian met in Orlando, Florida and fell in love with each other sometime in 2014.

After a civil marriage, the couple decided to come to the Philippines to seal their union in a Catholic marriage ceremony at 9 a.m. last February 6. The wedding rite was officiated at

by Fr. Bill Larouse, M.M. as celebrant, and Msgr. Julius Rudolfa, DCD, cocelebrant, at the St. Joseph The Worker

The

couple

Parish Church in Barangay Sasa.

The nuptial was attended by the bride’s relatives led by the bride’s mother, Rogelia Mamaed (nee Enriquez). The principal sponsors were Dr. Leopoldo J. Vega, chief of hospital of the Southern Philippines Medical Center, Dr.

EVENT A4

A2 INdulge!

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ARTS AND CULTURE

Gil Maningo's caricature world

By Kenneth Irving Ong

VISUAL ARTIST, CARICATURIST, ILLUSTRATOR, THESPIAN, MUSICIAN AND PHOTOGRAPHER, GIL MANINGO brings his comical and playful illustrations of famous people to Davao City with his latest one-man exhibit titled “Caricatura” at the Art Portal, Gallery of Contemporary Art this coming February 25, 2016.

A native of Cebu City, Gil studied Fine Arts at the University of the Philippines Diliman in 1977 returned to Cebu four years after to be under the tutelage of the late Martino Abellana who was dubbed the Amorsolo of the South. Shortly after his stint in UP Cebu, he opened his own gallery and frame shop, “A-Tutzof-Art.” He left for the US in the aftermath of Ninoy Aquino’s assassination.

In the United States, Gil worked as a graphic artist of the Chicago Sun Times Magazines and was also a part-time caricaturist in New York, Greenwich Village. He returned to Cebu in 1989 and started his own company, KULAS, introducing Kulas shirts exclusively for Ce-

buanos, a line that has since expanded to beachwear, corporate giveaways and more.

Aside from his visual art pursuits, Gil also won awards in photography and music, and was one of the first recording artists under Octo Arts Records.

His composition was a finalist in the 1990’s Cebu Pop Music Festival.

“Caricatura” comes at the heels of his 2015 solo exhibit at the SM Art Center at SM City Cebu and will run at the Art Portal from the 25th of February through March 17.

The Art Portal is located at the second floor of BGP Complex II, McArthur Highway, Matina, Davao City.

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EDGEDAVAO

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ENTERTAINMENT

Toni shares love story via Star Music album P h i l i p p i n e showbiz’s Ultimate Multimedia Star Toni GonzagaSoriano shares the songs that reflect her journey to happy ever after in her newest album called “My Love Story,” released by Star Music.

“Music can move you in different ways. And when you’re in love, it echoes the emotional

chord of your heart. Once in a while, you will bump into songs that speak so much of how you feel at that moment,” Toni narrates in the album.

“My Love Story” includes six covers of songs, namely,”When You Say Nothing at All,” “You & Me,” “Your Love,” “I Won’t Give Up,” “Falling Slowly,” and the album’s first single “Baby, Now That I’ve Found You.” Toni also made the

album very special with interludes before each

song that recount her thoughts on love, as

well as her experiences with now husband Paul Soriano that led to their marriage last year.

There is also a 2015 version of her hit song “Catch Me, I’m Falling,” which Toni calls the “love theme of my life” as its music video was directed

by Paul.

“My Love Story” can now be streamed on Spotify and is now available at P250 in all leading record bars

nationwide. Digital tracks can also be downloaded online music stores such as iTunes, Amazon. com, ABS-CBN Store, OneMusic.ph and Starmusic.ph.

For more information, visit Starmusic.ph or follow Star Music’s official social media accounts at Facebook.com/ starrecordsphil, Twitter. co m /s t ar re co rdsp h and Instagram.com/ Starmusicph.

UP AND ABOUT

A father’s LOVE HOW DOES A FATHER SHOW HIS LOVE TO A SON? He can “count the ways,” as the poem of love goes, and the list will be long. Did “over a haircut” appear on yours?

One man certainly picked a unique way to bond with his child. Who would have thought that grooming could be an activity that can strengthen the ties between father and son.

Cardiologist Elfred Batalla certainly thinks it does, and he chose Rocky’s Barbershop as his venue.

“It started four years ago, in 2012, when my son was 11 years old,” said the 50-year old physician, “I was looking for an activity were I can have bonding with my son and would impress on him lasting memories with me before he enters his teen age days.”

Perhaps Elfred had the foresight. He wanted to instill a father and son pastime that will strengthen their bond even before puberty age.

It is at adolescence, after all, that kids tend to become independent and become unpredictable.

But with a more cohesive parent-child relationship, success manifests on the child in more ways than one.

“I thought going to a cozy, decent and good barbershop together every time we need a haircut would be perfect for this purpose,” he said.

“So I searched for an ideal, decent, and good barber shop in town and then I passed by Rocky’s

and was impressed with the place. I said to myself that this is the perfect place. It’s affordable, a nice place with warm, accommodating and polite barbers and staff.”

“Nikko was very happy with his first haircut in Rocky’s because his sister told him he was “guapo” after that first hair cut,” shared the father of his son.

Since then, Rocky’s Barbershop at SM Ecoland, where they are very comfortable at, became the monthly bonding (and grooming) haunt for the Batallas. Both go for the same style— the Barber’s cut, and both don’t have a “suki” as they trust that all the barbers of Rocky’s will deliver a good job.

“I make it to a point that we have our hair cut together. Even if my hair is still short or doesn’t

need a trim and my son needs one because of school requirement, then I have to have a hair cut with him. This goes the other way around, even if my hair is already long and needs haircut, I have to wait until my son requires one. This way, we always go together for our bonding purposes,” said dad Elfred.

And as to their favorite moment, Elfred relates, “One time me and my son had a haircut together and we requested one of the staff to take a picture of us both having a haircut. I posted it in Facebook and earned a lot of likes.”

This year marks Rocky’s Barbershop 20th year in the men’s grooming business. To many Dabawenyos, it has become a tradition passed from generation to the next.

“Keep up the good work and continue to make people “guapo”,” is Elfred’s message to Rocky’s Barbershop on its milestone.

If there is one thing Rocky’s doesn’t cut, that is tradition.

For Elfred and Nikko, they made grooming at Rocky’s their bonding tradition. What is your Rocky’s story?

Rocky’s Barbershop is the first barbershop to open in a mall in Davao City in 1986. All its five branches today are conveniently located in mallsVitoria Plaza, Abreeza Mall, GMall, SM City & SM Lanang Premier. 2016 marks its 20th year in the business.

Elfred and Nikko Batalla are the featured Father and Son personalities for February in the 2016 Traditions calendar of Rocky’s.

February 11-16, 2016

HOW TO BE SINGLE Dakota Johnson, Alison Brie, Leslie Mann R16

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

DEADPOOL Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin R16

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

GIRLFRIEND FOR HIRE/ *ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME Andre Paras, Yassi Pressman / *Sarah Jessica Parker, Rosie Day PG/*R13

11:50 | 2:00 | 4:10 LFS / * 6:20 | 8:10 | 10:00 LFS

LOVE IS BLIND Solenn Heussaff, Derek Ramsey, Kiray Celis G

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

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EVENT A1

Oscar P. Grageda, Dr. Leoncio V. Ong, Brgy.

Capt. Juanito “Toto” Flores of Sasa, Ms Alice E. Hisle, Ms Olivia D. Velasco, Ms Elizabeth M. Sy and Mrs. Edith B. Cinco.

Bestman was Nelson E. Mamaed, the bride’s brother who came all the way from the USA to attend the wedding , while the maid of honor was Noelyn S. Enriquez, a cousin. The groomsmen were Christian I. Enriquez, Christian Jay T. Enriquez and Kirk Ryan G. Base, while the bridesmaids were Maryzelle E. Tay, Edina Mae I. Enriquez and Kyla Nina G. Base. Danilo S. Simangan and Liza B. Simangan were candle sponsors; Ranny B. Ymbang and Anabelle O. Ymbang were veil sponsors; Dr. Noli S. Limalima and Dr. Lani L. Limalima, cord sponsors.

Donna Kate F. Cabrera, Samantha Nicole P. Flores and Elijah A. Flores were flower girls.

Arras bearer was John Karl S. Flores while ringbearer was Marius G. Suarez.

After the church wedding, the newlyweds and the entire entourage repaired to the nearby posh Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao for the sumptuous reception and entertainment.

Mr. and Mrs. Smith are slated to go home to America on February 17.

EDGEDAVAO

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COMMUNITY SENSE 13

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 8 ISSUE 230 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12 - 13, 2016

FOR IMMEDIATE HIRING A leading distributor of Irrigation System, Agricultural Machinery, Generator and Heavy Equipment immediately needs sales personnel to complement its staff, with the following qualifications: 1. Licensed Agricultural Engineers or Licensed Mechanical Engineers; 2. Male or female, 24-35 years old; 3. Background knowledge or sales experience in agricultural machinery, irrigation system, generators or heavy equipment is an advantage; 4. Must be willing to travel within the island of Mindanao.

Interested applicants should submit application letter, bio-data and transcript of records to:

INTERNATIONAL HEAVY EQUIPMENT CORPORATION

Km. 7 McArthur Highway, Bangkal, Davao City Tel. Nos.: 285-0685; 297-5851 Fax No.: 2975849 Email add: info@ihecdavao.com, info@ihec.com.ph

More than 1,000 pupils from Binugao Central Elementary School are now enjoying their first computer classes with the newly-donated units from AboitizPower susbidiary Therma South, Inc.

Binugao pupils get tech boost from AboitizPower

A

FTER giving the Mindanao grid the much needed energy following its recent declaration of commercial operations for its second unit, Therma South together with the Barangay Binugao local government unit and the Department of Edudaciotn (DepEd) District of Binugao turned over a total of 18 computers and three host PCs to Binugao Central Elementary School, benefiting almost 1,200 pupils.

Therma South said through the computer do-

nation, it aims to help bridge the gap in the school’s computer-to-student ratio from a high 8:1 to a manageable 2:1 for a class of 50 pupils.

This will also provide pupils with enough knowledge on using a computer and be at par with top performing schools in the district, the firm said.

“We can’t thank the private sector such as Therma South, Inc. enough in bridging the gap to a better public education system. Through their efforts, a brighter and better future is possible for

everyone,” said Dr. Marcelo Rocco, Technology and Livelihood Program supervisor of DepEdDavao City during the ceremonial turnover.

AboitizPower subsidiary Therma South is operating a 300-MW baseload power plant on the boundary of Davao City and Davao del Sur. It currently supplies power to more than 20 electric cooperatives and distribution utilities in Mindanao.

It provides a significant portion of the power supply to the cities of Davao, Cagay-

F BINUGAO, 11

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SPORTS15

EDGEDAVAO

PACQUIAO-BRADLEY 3

WBO belt no longer at stake T IMOTHY Bradley Jr. has vacated the WBO welterweight crown.

This means the title won’t be at stake when he clashes for the third time against Manny Pacquiao on April 9.

In a letter addressed to WBO president Paco Varcarcel, Bradley said he won’t be able to face his mandatory challenger as he has already accepted the bout with Pacquiao.

“As you know, I will be fighting Manny Pacquiao on April 9, 2016... to accept this fight invariably means I cannot comply my mandatory obligation and must forgo the mandatory [challenge] against Sadam Ali, as ordered by the WBO,” said Bradley in his letter, which was published in World Boxing News.

“This is a difficult decision, but one I have to make to give fans the best fight as well as allow myself the toughest and biggest fights possible form both a competitive and financial perspective.”

Varcarcel said the WBO understands Bradley’s position.

“Do know that we wholly

understand your decision and commend you for always giving fans the best fights possible and doing what is best for your career at this important juncture,” said Varcalcel in his letter to Bradley.

Despite Bradley’s decision, Varcarcel said they will honor the winner of the April 9 match.

“I am pleased to inform you that we are preparing a special recognition for the Pacquiao vs Bradley III winner -- two remarkable fighters and worthy ambassadors to the WBO,” said Varcarcel.

Bradley first won the crown when he upset Pacquiao via a controversial decision in 2012.

He lost the title during a rematch that took place two years later.

Pacquiao held the throne until he lost to Mayweather in their “Fight of the Century” last May. The title was eventually handed down to Bradley, then the interim champion, after Mayweather relinquished the title after retiring following the Andre Berto fight in September.

Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley Jr. pose with their trainers during a press conference for their April 9 rubber match.

Warriors demolish Rockets

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Miguel Tabuena misses an eagle putt on No. 10, but makes one on No. 15.

Tabuena dismantles Anvaya course with record 62 for 6-stroke lead in PGT opener

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IGUEL Tabuena shot a career-best, course record-breaking 10-under 62 for a huge sixstroke lead at the Anvaya Cove Golf and Sports Club on Wednesday in Morong, Bataan.

The 21-year-old Tabuena quickly underscored his readiness to claim the crown in the P3.5 million kick-off leg of this year’s ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour by birdying the first four holes from close range while majority of the starting 98-player field struggled to even set up birdie chances.

Jay Bayron was second after a 68.

The Philippine Open champion muffed an eagle putt from 12 feet on the par5 10th, reached the drivable par-4 11th in one and missed another eagle bid from just

about a club length but finally hit one on the last par-5, No. 15, off a 3-wood second shot from 260 yards that rested 15 feet off the cup. He then birdied the par-3 16th and completed a pair of 31s on a sunny but windy day at the seaside layout.

“It was really a fantastic game, the best round in my career. Everything’s in place,” said Tabuena.

“I never played this game before and hopefully, I sustain this form the rest of the tournament.”

Tabuena did fumble with a bogey on the par-5 ninth but the miscue hardly diminished the impact of his brilliant round that wiped out the 64 posted by Angelo Que in the final round to win last year.

Bayron was at 33 after nine holes and tried to give

chase with a birdie on No. 15.

But Tabuena answered with an eagle and restored a four-stroke lead then birdied the next, while Bayron had a final-hole bogey.

American qualifier John Jackson carded a 70 to take solo third as the other fancied local bets struggled, including Tony Lascuna who had a 71 for joint fourth with John Kier Abdon, Charles Hong, Clyde Mondilla, Mars Pucay, Dutch Guiod Van der Valk and Toru Nakajima of Japan.

Que opened with a birdie on No. 10 but never recovered from two double bogeys on Nos. 15 and 17, limping with a four-over 76 for joint 34th.

“My game is okay but I got a little bit sleepy since I woke up at 3 a.m. to catch my flight assignment,” said Que, who tied for 38th with Tabuena

and Lascuna in last week’s Myanmar Open.

Chris Oetinger of the US birdied two of the last three holes to save an even par 72 and tie Korean Seok Jun Min, James Ryan Lam, American Dylan Jackson and former Philippine Open champion Gerald Rosales.

Frankie Minoza hit four birdies but stumbled with three bogeys and a double bogey for a 73 for joint 16th with Randy Garalde, Ramil Bisera, Al Cruz and young Korean Park Min Ung in the tournament sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc., organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., and backed by Adidas, TaylorMade, Pacsports Phils., Custom Clubmakers, KZG, Sharp and Anvaya Cove Golf and Sports Club.

TEPHEN Curry turned on the style as the Golden State Warriors overcame a brave Houston Rockets fightback to triumph 123-110 and stretch their winning streak to 10 games on Tuesday.

Reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Curry scored 35 points in a pulsating battle in Oakland to take the Warriors’ record to 47-4 for the season.

The highlight of Curry’s latest masterclass was his role in a remarkable passage of play in the third quarter, when he stripped the ball inside the Warriors paint and then darted forward to launch an attack.

An incredible behindthe-back pass found Andre Iguodala, who flipped to Leandro Barbosa to score.

The Rockets had fought back after a disastrous first quarter which saw the Warriors jump out to a 38-22 lead after only 11 minutes.

Houston rallied however with James Harden (37 points) and led 74-69 early in

the second half.

Curry’s 35-point night came despite 12-for-24 shooting for the Warriors, who improved to 24-0 at home this season with their 42nd consecutive victory at Oracle Arena.

Curry made seven three-pointers along with nine assists. Warriors’ Australian center Andrew Bogut added 13 points while blocking six shots.

The contest tipped decisively back in the Warriors’ favor when unheralded forward Harrison Barnes rose from the bench to score 10 points during a 17-5 run early in the fourth quarter.

“Our bench really carried us tonight,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “The surge from the bench to start the fourth quarter gave us the separation we needed.”

The Warriors now have the Chicago Bulls’ remarkable 72-win season in their sights, a record benchmark long seen as unbeatable.

Timberwolves stun Raptors

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ARL-ANTHONY Towns had 35 points and 11 rebounds, and the Minnesota Timberwolves came back from 18 points down to stun the Toronto Raptors, 117-112, on Wednesday night (Thursday, Manila time).

Canadian star Andrew Wiggins scored 13 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter, including a jumper with under two minutes to go that gave Minnesota a 112-109 lead. Ricky Rubio had 19 points, eight assists and eight rebounds to outplay All-Star Kyle Lowry, and the Wolves used a huge advantage at the free throw line to close out a team that had won 14 of its last 15 games.

DeMar DeRozan scored 35 points for the Raptors, who head home to host All-Star Weekend beginning on Friday

night. But Lowry was held to 14 points and seven assists while battling foul trouble, and the combination of Wiggins and Towns was too much down the stretch.

Minnesota set season highs with 43 free throws made on 53 attempts on the way to its largest comeback win of the season. The Raptors were whistled for 34 fouls compared to 21 for the Wolves.

The Raptors looked to be cruising toward a highly anticipated weekend in Canada when they raced out to an 18-point lead in the second quarter. Then Lowry picked up his fourth foul, Jonas Valanciunas couldn’t handle Towns in the paint and the Timberwolves came all the way back to grab the lead early in the fourth quarter.

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

Maria Sharapova

Sharapova withdraws from Qatar Open due to injury

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ORMER world number one Maria Sharapova has withdrawn from this month’s Qatar Open due to a persistent arm injury, the Russian said on Wednesday in a statement from tournament organizers.

The five-times grand slam champion has been troubled by her left forearm

since the start of the year when she pulled out of an Australian Open warm-up tournament in Brisbane.

She was also unable to play for Russia in last week’s Fed Cup quarter-final defeat by the Netherlands.

“Unfortunately, I will not be able to play the Qatar Total Open because of my left

forearm injury,” Sharapova said.

“I would like to wish the tournament and all the great fans in Doha a great week of tennis. I hope to see them next year.”

World number one Serena Williams is the top seed for the tournament which begins on Feb. 21.

VOL. 8 ISSUE 230 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12 - 13, 2016