Edge Davao 6 Issue 236

VOL. 6 ISSUE 236 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14-15, 2014

www.edgedavao.net

P 15.00 • 22 PAGES

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

THAT’S ME. Keighla Alexa who was reported missing since last Monday in one of the malls along J.P. Laurel Avenue, Davao City was amused upon seeing her photo in a poster circulated by police. Little Keighla was reunited with her parents last night. Lean Daval Jr.

GIRL NOT KIDNAPPED But woman who ‘kept’her may face detention raps

POOLED REPORT BY EMILORD P. CASTORMAYOR, CHENEEN R. CAPON AND ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO

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FTER four days of being missing, a 2-year-old girl, earlier reported to have been kidnapped was finally reunited with her mother last night.

This, after the toddler keighla Alexa was turned over by Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte to the mother, Erika Campaňa, 25, at Conching’s Chicken House along Mabini extension last night.

Judith Antero, 60-year-old, of Ruiz Village, denied she kidnapped the girl, saying that she only saw the child alone in the mall.

She admitted to have taken a liking on the child

and kept her for several days, while allegedly waiting to be able to contact the parents. She said she took along with her where she went, and even cut her long hair.

However, Mayor Duterte told her she should have turned over the child to the police immediately after she found her in the Gaisano Mall. If it was not kidnapping, she could still be charged with serious illegal detention for keeping the girl for several days.

Police reported that the girl was seen at 4:41 p.m. on Monday being taken by an old woman based on a footage cap-

tured by the closed circuit television (CCTV) camera of the mall.

While the girl was still missing, Campaňa , the mother, was receiving many prank information on the child’s alleged whereabouts, she said.

“Naay mga nagapangatik..mangayo ug load ug kwarta pero dili man mapa-estorya nila akong anak gud,” the emotional mother said yesterday.

She and her family— father, two sisters, and her other daughter-- are clueless on the motive of the old woman who took the girl, saying they have no money for ransom and

FGIRL, 10

PERFECT GIFTS. Teddy bears in different colors and sizes are on display in the ongoing Valentine Bazaar at the atrium of SM Lanang Premier yesterday. Valentine teddy bears are perfect gifts this season of love along with traditional roses and chocolates. Lean Daval Jr.

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EDGEDAVAO

THE BIG NEWS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 236 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14-15, 2014

BFP SAYS

Negligence behind most fires in Davao

By EMILORD P. CASTROMAYOR

MISSING CHILD. An irate Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte orders Davao City Police Office (DCPO) Director Vicente Danao Jr. (3rd from left) to arrest Judith Antero (right) after she allegedly abducted Keighla Alexa , 2, who was reported missing since last Monday in one of the malls along J.P. Laurel Avenue, Davao City.

Antero denied the accusation. Lean Daval Jr.

NO OBSTACLE

Council may approve its version of FOI

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

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abf@edgedavao.net

HE Davao City government may approve the proposed local version of the freedom of information (FOI) now pending in Congress.

Enrique Junior Bono-

can, the city legal office’s spokesperson, told reporters in yesterday’s ”I-Speak Media Forum” that if the purpose of the city council is only to make documents accessible to the public

there is already an existing law as a basis.

Bonocan cited section 5, paragraph E of Republic Act (RA) 6713 or the “ Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees“ which states that “in the performance of their duties, all public officials and employees are under obligation to make documents accessible to the public. - All public documents must be made accessible to, and readily available for inspection by, the public within reasonable working hours.”

He said that this is the general existing law about the right to information, but it is included in the provisions of RA 6713.

“Siguro kani atong Congress og atong Sangunian karon want to make a special law on the right to information,” said Bonocan.

He added that this provision of law can be the

basis of the proposed FOI ordinance in the city.

Earlier, councilor Maria Belen S. Acosta, proponent of the local version of the FOI, said that the intention of her proposal is to define public records, public transactions and official documents.

Acosta said that the proposal also aims to deliver information to the people who are in remote areas like Paquibato and Marilog by placing the information in the barangay or purok levels. This right was incorporated into the 1987 Philippine Constitution.

She said the proposal has no intention to divulge state secrets, defense treaties or intelligence efforts that might compromise on-going operations.

In a recent report published on the Philippine Daily Inquirer, proponents of the House of Represen-

FNO OBSTACLE, 10

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epc@edgedavao.net

OST fire incidents reported to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Davao City occurred due to negligence of house-owners buildings, an official said.

“Fire incidents occur due to negligence, and the majority occur in family dwellings,” Senior Fire Officer 1 Ramil Gillado, investigator of the BFP. He said fires occur because of electrical short-circuit, unattended cooking, untended lighted candles, cigarettes, matches and liquefied gas.

Out of 20 reported fire incidents for the month of January, 16 were caused by negligence. Gillado said damage caused by fires in January amounted to P4.9 million.

“We are asking the public to be extra cautious in using electrical appliances,”

he said, adding that homeowners should avoid overloading, too much use of appliances which should be unplugged after every use, never to leave the kitchen when cooking.

In January 2013, the Bureau of Fire Protection recorded only 15 cases of fire incidents, but the total damage was P7.5 million.

Last Monday, another fire incident occurred that caused the death of a 19-year-old youth identified as Jayson Torregoza, grandson of the owner of Palamos Building along Magallanes.

Gillado said the cause of the fire was due to unattended cooking in the kitchen, with the fire spreading quickly throughout the building which was made of light materials.

PNoy lauds ARMM under Gov. Hataman P

RESIDENT Benigno S. Aquino III was all praise for Gov. Mujiv Hataman for what his administration achieved in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

In his speech before local government leaders attending the 2nd ARMM Summit of LGUs on LGU Governance and Development at the Waterfront Davao Insular Hotel last Wednesday, the President lauded better conditions in the ARMM in terms of economy, health, infrastructure, social services, and peace and security, citing the leadership of Gov-

ernor Hataman.

He alternately called Hataman “poster boy,” or “poster man of good governance” and “ghostbuster in the ARMM.” President Aquino noted that information from the Department of Health in ARMM said that 45,659 women have been given prenatal visits, with 36,765 given postpregnancy care and 14,179 infants being given newborn screening as of 2013.

He said that the Department of Social Welfare and Development has registered

FPNOY, 10

PRIORITY. Emilio Domingo Jr. (right), technical assistant for educational benefit system unit of Special Tertiary Education Program (STEP) of the city says during yesterday’s I-Speak media forum at City Hall that the Indigenous People (IP) communities are now the primary beneficiaries of the post-graduate scholarship program of the city. Also in the photo is Roselio T. Tabay, acting City Agriculturist. Lean Daval Jr.

NEWS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 236 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14-15, 2014

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NPA group torches poultry farm in Toril S

USPECTED members of the New People’s Army allegedly burned a portion of a poultry farm in Purok 1, Tibuloy, Toril on Monday afternoon, police said.

P/Chief Inspector Angel Sumagaysay, station commander of the Toril police, said that Jonathan Dalisay, 37, caretaker of the Catotal farm identified Roberto Castellote alias “ Marvin Marquez” as the one who led four armed rebels burning poultry houses resulting to an estimated damage P150,000.

The motive is extortion, after the owner, Anita Catotal, refused the group’s demand for money, police said.

Dalisay reported that the first burning incident happened last February 7 but did not report to the police out of fear.

Police records show that Dalisay heard three gunshots while the suspects were approaching him at the bunkhouse where his family was resting. He immediately brought his family away from the bunkhouse. Dalisay and other helpers put out the fire as the arsonists withdrew.

Sumagaysay said that Catotal received an extortion letter asking for P25,000 and another P50,000 as penalty for not giving in to demands for

RESIGNED. Davao City Councilor Joanne Bonguyan-Quilos is seen walking out from the office of City Administrator J. Melchor Quitain Jr. at City Hall yesterday.

Vice Mayor Paolo Z. Duterte recently criticized Bonguyan-Quilos after she resigned from her committees in the City Council. Lean Daval Jr.

DC IP community to benefit Lim is new private from post-grad scholarships partner of ‘Araw’ FNPA, 10

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

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HE city’s new private partner for the 77th Araw ng Dabaw celebration could give an advantage to the executive committee in raising funds for the annual event next month.

Davao City administrator J. Melchor V. Quitain told reporters in a chance interview yesterday that business and civic leader Lafayette A. Lim is already experienced, and is familiar with the activity. Lim is the co-chairperson of the finance, ways and means committee.

Quitain said that Lim was active in any celebra-

abf@edgedavao.net

tion in the city, especially when it involves tourism, and he was also a member of the Davao Chinatown Committee.

In a separate interview, city councilor Al Ryan Alejandre, chairman of the tourism committee of the 17th city council, said that the celebration has a proposed budget of P6.15 million, P1.69 million of which will be shouldered by the city government. The remaining P4.45 million will be raised by the private partner.

Alejandre said there will be are 14 activities

FLIM, 10

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HE Indigenous People (IP) community of Davao City is the primary beneficiary of the post-graduate scholarship program of the city.

Emilio Domingo Jr., technical assistant for educational benefit system unit of Special Tertiary Education Program (STEP) of the city, told reporters in yesterday’s ‘I-Speak Media Forum’ at the conference room of the city hall that an IP who avails of the scholarship will be studying law or medicine.

Domingo said that the reason why only the IP

SEASON. A young girl checks out heart-shape balloons in the ongoing Valentine Bazaar at the atrium of SM Lanang Premier yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

community who may avail of the scholarship because the city government wants them to help their community as this sector really lacks help when it comes to legal and health aspects.

He said that scholars

studying medicine can receive P40,000 every semester and P15,000 for the scholar who will take-up law. Domingo clarified that the reason medicine course has a higher amount since the course is expensive.

Domingo said that the scholar who takes up medicine will be enrolled at the Davao Medical School Foundation being the only medical school in the city while a scholar studying

FDC, 10

4 THE ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

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 billion Apr 2013

11.Stocks Peso per US $ 12.

Composite

Index 6/

6,847.5 P 43.83 Mar Sep2013 2013

12. Stocks Composite

6,191.8 132.8 Sep2013 2013 Apr

13. Consumer Price Index

135.2 Oct2.62013

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

Sep 2013

13. Consumer Index Price Index 2006=100

2006=100 14.

Headline Inflation Rate 14. 2006=100 Headline Inflation

Apr 2013

2.9 Oct3.12013

Rate 15.

Core Inflation Rate 2006=100

Apr 2013

2006=100

15. Core Inflation Rate 2006=100 16.

Visitor Arrivals

2.5

418,108 Oct 2013 Feb 2013

382,022 Aug 2013 20.9%

16. Visitor Arrivals

17. Underemployment 7/ 17. Rate Underemploymen

Jan 2013 19.2%

18.

18.Unemployment UnemploymentRate Rate7/

7.1% Jan 2013 7.3%

Rate

Jul 2013 Jul 2013

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

2013

2012

2011

43.83 43.86 43.35 42.91 41.30 41.14 40.71 40.67 40.73

42.23 41.01 41.12 41.45 41.75 42.04 41.91 42.78 42.85 42.70 42.86 42.66 43.62

43.31 43.64 43.27 43.45 43.02 42.42 42.81 43.37 43.13 43.24 43.52 43.70 44.17

VOL. 6 ISSUE 236 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14-15, 2014

Emperador invests P3.7B to expand production in Spain G

RU P O E M P E R ADOR Spain, a subsidiary of Emperador Inc., the largest Philippine liquor company, and González Byass S.A. are pleased to announce that they have reached an agreement for Grupo Emperador to invest PhP3.7 billion (€60 million) for 50 percent participation in Bodega Las Copas S.L., a company owned by González Byass.

Bodega Las Copas is afully-integrated brandy production company.

Its operations in brandy-making run the full scale with its vineyard near Toledo, its distillery plant in Tomelloso, Ciudad Real, and its Las Copas brandy productionpremises in Jerez.

The 275-hectare specialized vineyard project of Bodega Las Copas near Toledo will be the first of its kind in Spain to grow the finest grapes dedicated exclusively for brandy distillation and production. The pioneering vineyard uses sustainable, state-of-the-art technology, an innovation that will improve the company’s efficiency in producing top-quality brandy.

González Byass, formed in 1835, is one of the largest sherry, wine and brandy producers in

SAVEMORE IN GENSAN. The first SM SaveMore market opens in General Santos City at Purok Malakas, Barangay San Isidro Tuesday, February 11. A ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Herdbert Sy (2nd from right, in long sleeves and necktie), scion of SM Investments Corporation owner Henry Sy, signaled the opening of another business in the city. Other SM stakeholders who participated in the ribbon cutting are (from left) Kira Masyn, Atty. Jason Joyce, Joemary Lim, Ma. Gina Vel Lim, and Ronaldo Tagbo, president of SaveMore. Prior to the opening, some SM executives led by Allan Flores, SM operations manager, met with City Mayor Ronnel Rivera on January 9 and commended the latter for the smooth entry of SM SaveMore in the GenSan. [GenSan Info Office/Russell Delvo] Spain. Emperador is the world’s second-largest selling liquor brand.

According to Jorge Domecq Bohórquez, managing director of Emperador International:

“With González Byass and Grupo Emperador joining hands, we are combining more than 200 years of experience in brandy- and wine-making. By bringing together

the markets of both companies, we have created a sizable global brandy market base that enables us to more aggressively pursue improvements in our brandy production,

and invest in modern vineyard technology and innovation on a very large scale. This will give us a very good advantage in brandy production over others.”

aims to boost fuel and power efficiency in these areas.

She introduced interventions to rationalize fuel management in these vital facilities by addressing lingering issues in the bidding, supply, and utilization of fuel that run all SPUG facilities.

Part of these measures is ensuring the safe and pilferage-free storage of fuel to prevent long and frequent brownouts in far-flung areas.

“We had already earmarked P37 million for the procurement of 60, 35, and 10 cubic meter fuel oil storage tanks for various SPUG plants in the country including the construction of associated facilities. The tanks also come with fuel flow meters that measure fuel level and quality, to effectively discourage and eliminate pilferage,” she said.

She said Metalite Builders Development

Inc. (Metalite) won the bidding for the supply, delivery, installation and test of the storage tanks.

The SPUG plants that will get new tanks are the located in San Pascual, Peňa, Chico, Gilotongan, Gin-Awayan and Nabuctot in Masbate, Lahuy and Quinasalang in Camarines Sur, Caluya in Antique, Pilar in Cebu, Gigantes in Iloilo, Siasi and Luuk in Sulu, Sitangkay and Tandubas in Tawi-Tawi.

Sta. Rita said they

continue “to commit to its mission of lighting up the islands through missionary power, by making sure that SPUG operations are reliable and efficient.”

“We are not only aiming for brownout-free services. We are also looking at extending the service hours in our missionary areas to better serve the communities and attract economic activity that would spur further growth,” she added. [PNA]

Napocor allocates P37M for fuel storage upgrade T

HE National Power Corporation (Napocor) has set aside P37 million for the purchase of new and calibrated fuel oil storage tanks for the 15 off-grid plants, or those providing power to remote areas in the country.

In a statement, Napocor President Gladys Sta. Rita said acquisition of the new oil storage tanks for the small power utilities group (SPUG) areas

as of May 2013 Cebu Pacific Daily Zest Air Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Philippine Airlines Daily Philippine Airlines Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri/Sun Philippine Airlines Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Thu

5J961 / 5J962 Z2390 / Z2390 5J593 / 5J348 PR809 / PR810 PR819 / PR820 5J394 / 5J393 5J599 / 5J594 5J347 / 5J596 5J963 / 5J964 PR811 / PR812 5J595 / 5J966 5J965 / 5J968

5:45 5:45 6:00 6:10 7:50 7:50 8:00 9:10 9:40 11:30 12:00 12:55

Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Cebu-Davao-Iloilo Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Zamboanga-Davao-Zamboanga Cebu-Davao-Cebu Iloilo-Davao-Cebu Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Cebu-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila

6:15 6:25 6:30 7:00 8:50 8:10 8:30 9:40 10:10 12:20 12:30 13:25

Cebu Pacific Tue/Wed//Sat 5J965 / 5J968 13:35 Silk Air Mon/Sat MI588 / MI588 13:35 Silk Air Wed/Sun MI566 / MI566 15:20 Silk Air Thurs MI551 / MI551 12:05 Cebu Pacific Mon/Tue/Wed/Fri 5J507 / 5J598 15:00 Philippine Airlines August 15:55 Mani2Mani 16:50 Zest Air Daily Z2524 / Z2525 16:05

Manila-Davao-Manila Davao-Singapore Davao-Singapore Davao-Singapore Cebu-Davao-Cebu

14:05 18:55 18:55 15:45 15:30

Cebu-Davao-Cebu

16:45

5 ENVIRONMENT

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 236 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14-15, 2014

Earth Hour and spider-man join forces to save the planet I

N a first of its kind partnership, Spider-Man will be the first superhero ambassador for Earth Hour, the global movement organized by WWF (the World Wide Fund for Nature) driven by a message to inspire individuals to use their power to become superheroes for the planet Earth Hour Founder and CEO Andy Ridley plus Sony Pictures Entertainment Worldwide Marketing and Distribution Chair Jeff Blake made the announcement in conjunction with the launch of Earth Hour Blue – a radical new digital crowdfunding and crowdsourcing platform for the planet, launched to engage people around the world and participants in the famous lights out event, which this year will be held on Saturday night, March the 29th, from 8:30 PM to 9:30 PM. This year, Earth Hour and the hero of the highly-anticipated motion picture The Amazing Spider-Man 2 – along with

the film’s stars, Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Jamie Foxx and director Marc Webb – are throwing their support behind Earth Hour Blue, which aims to harness the power of the crowd to raise funds for onthe-ground environmental projects from across the world.

“I’m proud Spider-Man is the first superhero ambassador for Earth Hour because he shows we can all be superheroes when we realize the power we all have,” says Andrew Garfield, who plays Spider-Man in the upcoming film. “Earth Hour is a movement that has created massive impact around the world, so imagine what we can do this year with Spider-Man by our side.”

Crowdfunding for Yolanda VictimsThe crowdfunding section of the new Earth Hour platform will allow participants to help deliver energy-efficient stoves to families in Madagascar, raise funds to expand and conserve the iconic Table

Mountain National Park in South Africa and help com-

munities in the Philippines build fibreglass boats to

withstand climate impacts like Typhoon Yolanda, to be

launched by WWF-Philippines on 19 February.

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EDGEDAVAO

VANTAGE

VOL. 6 ISSUE 236 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14-15, 2014

EDITORIAL

The joblessness puzzle

T

HE headline of a national daily last Wednesday screamed about the bafflement of Malacanang over a survey that found the number of jobless Filipinos had grown despite the impressive growth of the country’s economy pegged 7.2 percent.

The Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey says that the unemployment rate rose to 27.5 percent, or an estimated 12.1 million jobless Filipinos. A total of 2.5 million Filipinos joined the ranks of the jobless during the period.

President Aquino called for a special cabinet meeting for his official family to analyze the situation why the benefits of a strong economy were eluding the poor and marginalized.

The cabinet reportedly spent hours in discussing an action plan for poverty reduction.

Poverty it seems has always been a puzzle in this country. Licking poverty is a promise that all Philippine presidents make, only to fail. This, despite the Filipino diaspora that is supposed to reduce the number of the poor and the jobless because millions have gone abroad to work with huge pay that is sometimes four to five times higher than those paid by the government and private companies in the Philippines.

Whoever, or whatever, licks poverty must be god-send and something that people, who still believe in prayer, con-

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

tinue to pray for.

However, a number of Filipinos, us included, believe that the solution to poverty will come soon if our national leaders finally find the formulae. One of this, we are sure is stopping graft and corruption in high and low places in government and the private sector, including the media.

The ongoing crackdown on bigtime graft involving billions of pesos, like the pork barrel scam being investigated by the Aquino administration, is one example. Jailing all those involved in this wholesale theft of hard-earned taxes is a very good start.

Given the slow movement of the country’s wheels of justice, there is, of course, the possibility of the scammers getting off the hook if the next President will not be as committed and determined as Benigno S. Aquino III, who used to be underrated in the early years of his presidency. Yes, especially if the next President turns out to be a wimp or just another partymate of the suspects. But there is way to prevent this from happening. The Filipino people should demand that all candidates for President in 2016 sign a covenant that the winner will pursue the cases until justice is served and the guilty ending up gazing at the outside world from behind iron bars.

Or risk facing another EDSA People Power uprising.

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

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

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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 236 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14-15, 2014

Know Thy Peace

K

NOW Thy self is said to be one of the wisest advice given by an ancient Greek thinker. The architects and pushers of the GPH-MILF’s peaceaccord-in-progress could use a paraphrase of that saying: Know Thy Peace.

Both panels and their working staff are extremely obsessed or worried by the fact that once more with feeling, Zamboanga City Congressman Celso Lobregat is leading a full-tilt charge against the Framework/Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, even before it enters the halls of the House of Representatives to be debated there as the Bangsamoro Basic Bill for its enactment into an organic act. It is in the God-given nature of the Gentleman from Zamboanga City to vehemently oppose the accord, or any of similar kind, because leopards don’t change their spots no matter what kind of prey they are chasing for the next meal.

That leopard is in his instinctual rights to guard with his fearsome roar and bite over that portion of the jungle where he is the “The Lion King” (sorry for the mixed metaphors). But his kingdom is not even part of that sought empire called the Bangsamoro autonomous entity, as delineated in the Framework.

The Leopard King raves and rants because the Lambs of Peace keep intruding practically and virtually into his hunting

A

PEACETALK

BY PEACE ADVOCATES ZAMBOANGA grounds even when they keep on insisting and assuring meekly that they don’t want to graze and shelter there at all.

Humph! Zamboanga City is not our kind of greener pasture, the Lambs yoddle.

And they are not wolves in sheep’s clothing either, are they?

So, if Zamboanga City will in no way be part and parcel of the planned Bangsamoro region, then why not render it irrelevant to the ongoing peace process? As MILF peace panel chief Mohager Iqbal has said in response to a media interview question, Zamboanga City was never discussed in the negotiations because no one wanted it to be part of the regional entity. So FAB folks, don’t even come to Zamboanga City for your crucial conferences and magnanimous courtesy calls. Basilan, part of the FAB core territory, is only 45 minutes by boat ride away from this “Valiente Y Leal Ciudad” – do your sacred duties there.

The communal and grassroot campaign for support to the Bangsamoro takes the form of many levels and tactics. For that, there is hardly any need for the use of mass media (if that is what makes the city important to the peace project), because in our region

less than 10 percent of people read the newspapers and only a little more than that listen to radio. Use instead the government media, which have tentacles all over the provinces, to conduct up close and personal information drives in tandem with sympathetic local civil society groups and other peace champions. Touch base with the decisive community gatekeepers like school principals and barangay officials, too. As for the incumbent local political leaders whose loyalties are in doubt, work on their political Achilles heels, e.g. party discipline and patronage (brush up on Machiavelli’s The Prince).

Zamboanga City is living in rose-tinted dreams of its historical past as a glorious paradise of Spanish and American conquest (a fantasy into which even Misuari fell), that is why the misguided MNLF Siege happened while its folks slept, a case of an irresistible force colliding with an immovable object. It has no sense of the realities of its present and much less of its future. The city has rendered itself irrelevant to the cause of Mindanao’s peace – its virtual stony motto being Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not). So, hawk the FAB goodies elsewhere, and let the Leopard and his city ilk rest in (ever) lasting peace. Hakuna Matata/Don’t Worry, Be Happy.

Mega sovereign writeoff could work

MASSIVE sovereign debt reduction is the right way to reduce the ridiculously high indebtedness of governments. The idea might sound crazy, but it makes economic sense, and could be done, albeit after some serious preparatory work.

Many rich country governments have been borrowing excessively in recent years.

In 1991, when the calculations from the International Monetary Fund started, gross government debt of advanced economies was 60 percent of GDP. This year it is expected to be 108 percent of GDP, or about $51 trillion.

The current level is much too high for the overall economic good. Heavily indebted governments spend too much of their tax revenue on interest payments and spend too much time trying to placate bond buyers, who rarely support useful longterm investments. Rumours of possible default can spark a financial crisis. And the excessive supply of sovereign obligations encourages parasitic speculation. The economically pointless trades of supposedly risk-free government debt pay much of the high salaries at investment banks.

Governments have brought the problem on themselves. The underlying issue is the longstanding refusal to match taxes to expenditures, especially during years of peace and prosperity. Governments resort to borrowing to bridge the gap, because politicians like to appear to give more than they take. However, someone must pay – debt is only a temporary substitute for a tax.

Bondholders may think they have made an investment in a financial asset, but in reality they are standing in for taxpayers.

Writedowns make the reality clear.

The loss converts some of the government bond’s purported value into what it should have been in the first place – a tax. Foreign bondholders simply lose out, since they would not have paid domestic taxes. Some

ANALYSIS

BY EDWARD HADAS domestic lenders may also be treated unfairly, even after considering the taxes they would have paid if governments had run balanced budgets.

The damage is regrettable, but needs to be set against the gains that would go with a massive debt writedown. A cut of about $25 trillion, a 50 percent reduction, would let governments throw off the suffocating debt blanket.

The idea would appal most mainstream economists. They agree that government debts are currently too high. Yet they do not want any writedowns, let alone massive ones. The subtitle of a 2010 Staff Position Note from the IMF is typical: “Default in Today’s Advanced Economies: Unnecessary, Undesirable, and Unlikely”. The standard prescription is many years of sound government finance. That technique can succeed, but only if there is an implausibly long period of political restraint and reasonably strong economic growth.

Massive debt forgiveness would solve the problem quickly and safely – if they are done right. There are three plausible ways to get rid of large quantities of unwanted bonds.

The first is through a large writedown.

Basically, governments would re-issue all their debt with half the face value. For this “Reissue Day” approach to work, careful preparations and international agreement are required. Disaster can be avoided, although it would be tricky. A powerful propaganda campaign is a prerequisite, as is a clear plan to recapitalise banks, in part with new government funds. And all countries must agree to recognise losses on their holdings of foreign government sooner

rather than later.

Alternatively, instead of writing down debts, governments could inflate up wages and prices. For example, a mandatory onetime doubling of all wages would quickly almost double nominal GDP, mechanically almost halving the economic weight of the government debt burden. The “Rescale Payday” would be technically and legally complex, a bit like dividing one currency into two. Forethought and flexibility would be mandatory.

Finally, governments could print debts away. As borrowings mature, they would be redeemed with newly created money. The monetisation would be followed quickly by new taxes which would reduce the expanded money supply to non-inflationary levels.

The reclaimed funds would then be destroyed. The round trip sounds complicated, but the separation of bond redemption from tax recuperation would help governments arrange the details of the “Less for More Exchange” to allocate losses as fairly as possible.

I doubt that any of these techniques will be tried out, for both good and bad reasons. On the good side, there is the ethical concern about breaking financial contracts, the risk of social tension after a sudden redesign of a key part of the monetary system and the innumerable diabolical details. On the bad side are mainstream economists’ lack of intellectual courage and the inability of politicians to organise something as daring as the monetary equivalent of post-war reconstruction.

It is almost always easier to muddle along than to do something bold. In this case, though, the costs of inaction, or of the painfully small and slow writedowns of euro zone sovereign debts, are quite high. In an over-leveraged world, default is actually the safest default option.

VANTAGE POINTS

7

Euroscepticism may have silver lining ANALYSIS

BY HUGO DIXON

O

(Conclusion)

NE problem with running such loose macro policies is that it would divert Holland from addressing its deeper structural weaknesses. It also might make both local and foreign investors wary of holding new Dutch guilders.

This, in turn, means any exit from the euro could be traumatic. Depositors might take their money abroad fearing that they would be repaid in devalued guilders if the government really was intent on loose macro policies. And that could cause trouble for the Dutch banking system given that it is heavily dependent on foreign funding to plug the gap between its loans and deposits.

Given that a decision to quit the EU would presumably only take place after a referendum, or at least a general election campaign fought on that issue, there would be plenty of time for capital flight.

Capital Economics’ case for quitting the EU is as unconvincing as its case for leaving the euro. Here, the main argument is that the Dutch could gain full access to the EU’s single market without paying for membership or being tied up in Brussels’ red tape. It could also dramatically boost its trade with the faster-growing BRIC countries.

It is true that the Netherlands would cut its net contribution to the EU budget of 4 billion euros a year, 0.7 percent of GDP, by quitting. But it would then struggle to retain full access to the single market. Losing that would be damaging, given that over 70 percent of its exports are to the EU. The Dutch could admittedly keep full access to the single market if they followed Norway and joined the European Economic Area. But in that case they would still have to follow the bulk of EU regulations – and wouldn’t even have a vote on drafting those rules.

It’s also not clear that Holland would do better exporting to the BRICs if it left the EU. True, it would have flexibility to cut trade deals with China on its own. But its small size would mean it would lack clout in negotiating those deals. In any case, Capital Economics’ “conservative” estimate that exports to the BRICs would more than double over a decade looks anything but conservative.

So the case for Nexit, Brexit or whatever is unconvincing. But this isn’t the same as saying the EU shouldn’t be reformed. Rather, governments need to redouble their efforts to make Europe more competitive – for example by addressing their home-grown structural problems, while completing the EU’s single market in services and negotiating free trade deals with America and China.

Reformers should use the rise of euroscepticism to persuade more complacent politicians of the need for change. Like jujitsu experts, they should take the momentum from Wilders and his ilk, and divert it to better ends.

8

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9 COMMUNITY SENSE

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 236 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14-15, 2014

Villa-Abrille Elementary School marks its 65th foundation day

A

LARGE gathering of school officials and faculty, led by school principal Emerita Mapula, Rota-

ry Community Corps including the past and current scholars of the Don Cesareo Villa-Abrille Foundation,

General Santos Drive, Koronadal City, South Cotabato 9506

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

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

WANTED FOR IMMEDIATE HIRING!

WANTED FOR IMMEDIATE HIRING!

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

Requirements: Requirements: 1. Driver’s License with Official Receipt 1.

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

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

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

the parents and community leaders, headed

by PTA Pres. Armando Reyes will all join the day-long school activity. The Heirs of Don Cesareo, led by eldest lawyer-son, Leoncio “Nonoy” Villa-Abrille, are also invited.

The celebration will commence with a Thanksgiving Mass in the morning that Rev. Neil Sombreo of San Pedro Parish, will officiate at the school gymnasi-

um. The event will coincide with Don Cesareo’s 121st birth anniversary, who was born on February 13, 1893 in Davao City.

After the Mass, there will be a floral offering at the sculptured bust of Don Cesareo in the school campus. This will be followed with a motorcade around Bucana that will conclude the morning affair.

RCC Bucana, led by Chair Nanette Maca-

Villa-Abrille

pundag, Pres. Weslie Capute and Secretary Fely Pedrosa, sponsors the morning ceremonies.

Don Cesareo, the school site donor, was the youngest son of

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Doña Maria Loreto, a Christianized Muslim from Parang, Sulu, and Don Francisco Villa-Abrille Juna, a pioneering patriarch who initially made a fortune in pearl diving in Jolo.

Juna later ventured to Davao where a Spanish Encomienda was awarded to him during the Castilian Regime.

And Bucana was a part of the royal land grant.

In the afternoon, the school activities will include presentation of folk & cultural dances, giving of Sash & bouquet to class advisers & parents, and the coronation of the King & Queen of Hearts.

After the donated school grounds in Bucana were twice washed away by huge tidal waves [the latest tragic incident occurring in 1968], the Villa-Abrille Family secured the public school by donating again an inland location to avoid a similar misfortune, which site is now the present school campus.

Today, the family has carried on in promoting the legacy of philanthropy of Don Cesareo in Bucana thru academic scholarships [that bear his name] offered every year to its top graduates to study free in high school at the Holy Cross of Davao College. Other scholarships as well are offered in UP Mindanao and the University of Southeastern Philippines. [By Frances Marian VA Castana]

10 NEWS Budget increase pushed for city’s nutrition office H IGH incidence of malnutrition in Davao City has pushed some councilors to suggest increasing the budget of the City Health Office (CHO) Nutrition Office.

A presentation made by the CHO and the non-government organization Action Against Hunger (ACF International) showed that there were 6,666 cases of moderate and severe acute malnutrition in the city as of 2013.

According to the World Health Organization, severe acute malnutrition “is defined by a very low weight for height (below -3z scores of the median WHO growth standards), by visible severe wasting, or by the presence of nutritional edema.”

Meanwhile, moder-

Girl... FFROM 1

ate acute malnutrition “is defined as a weight-forheight between -3 and -2 z-scores of the median of the WHO child growth standards without edema.”

The data showed that the highest incidences of severe and moderate acute malnutrition occurred in the 2nd district, with 753 and 1,775 cases recorded in 2013, respectively.

According to data collected by ACF and the CHO, the budget for treating children with severe acute malnutrition has reached up to P10.2 million, with P6.5 million to cover medicines, measuring tools, trainings, and meetings and P3.7 million to cover the purchase of 262 height boards and 188 salter scales for the city’s 182 barangays. [Min-

daNews]

have no enemies, too.

Campaňa said that after she and relatives noticed that the girl missing and they immediately reported to the security

guard of the mall. They also promptly reported the incident to the Sta. Ana police station and distribute fliers on her missing daughter.

tatives’ version of the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill are convinced that Congress leaders are not out to sabotage this despite Malacañang’s reluctance to give the public full access to state information, excluding sensitive national security issues.

Dinagat Island Representative Arlene Bag-ao said FOI supporters were still giving Speaker Feliciano Belmonte and the House committee on public information chaired by Misamis Occidental Representative

Jorge Almonte the benefit of the doubt that they would give the bill a chance to get approved before the end of the 16th Congress.

Belmonte declared earlier that the FOI has not been made part of the majority bloc’s priority agenda this year. Almonte has only held two public hearings on the FOI since the 16th Congress started in July last year. Their words and actions were seen as toeing the line of President Aquino who has repeatedly refused to endorse the FOI bill.

389,656 new members of the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4P) at the start of 2014.

“The education and health conditions of your youth have been given more attention and they will be given a brighter future because of this,” the President said.

Mr. Aquino added that the government was aiming to equalize public service in different cities in the country, citing that the same health care that a patient gets in Quezon City should be available in Lamitan City in Basilan.

“If you study in a public school in Cebu, the same quality of education should be available in the municipality of Tubaran in Lanao del Sur. And if you are walking along a road in Mandaluyong, you should feel the same level of safety while traveling in the municipality of Pandag in Maguindanao,” he stressed.

The ARMM’s economic performance also mirrored investor confidence in the region, Mr. Aquino said.

“Ayon po sa report mula kay Governor Mujiv Hataman,

ang investments ninyo noong 2013, pumalo sa P1.46 billion.

Mas mataas ito ng 157 percent kumpara sa P569 million na halaga ng investments noong 2012,” he said.

The President cited the investment on a nine-million-liter oil depot at the Port of Polloc in Maguindanao, among the region’s economic achievements.

He lauded the changes that have occurred in the latest incarnation of the ARMM, comparing it with how the region was perceived in the past.

Mr. Aquino said that compared with 2007 figures of declarations of failure of elections in 17 municipalities and 10 in 2010, there was only one precinct that declared this in 2013.

Election-related violence had also been reduced from 33 during the 2010 elections to 6 in 2013, he pointed out.

The President noted how the Office of the Regional Treasurer’s collection efforts in exceeding the P1.24-billion collection targets for 2013 by reaching P1.25 billion. [with MindaNews]

No obstacle...FFROM 2

Pnoy...FFROM 2

VOL. 6 ISSUE 236 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14-15, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

GenSan development strategy impresses foreign foundation A F O R E I G N non-government organization that already had operated in the city voiced out its amazement over the developmental strategies adapted by General Santos City Mayor Ronnel Rivera in bringing growth and assistance to the city.

This is what Star-

key Hearing Foundation executive director Brady Forseth bared to Mayor Rivera during his visit last Friday, February 7.

“We were amazed with your developmental strategy and the cooperation of your people, during our mission last December,” Forseth said.

Forseth’s visit

comes in the heel of the Starkey Foundation’s successful hearing-aid operation last year which benefitted more than a thousand hearing impaired individuals in the city.

“Our recent mission last December was deemed successful, but then we acknowledge the fact that there are still many out there

who still needs the service of these hearing aids,” Forseth said.

According to Forseth, the second operation will be set this December 2014.

The Starkey Hearing Foundation aims to distribute 300,000 hearing aids annually to people with hearing disabilities around the world.

in next month’s celebration, with four new ones having been added, such as the casual and gown presentation of Mutya ng Dabaw; Mayor’s Ball with Datu Bago Awardees, City Hall Employees, and Banda Hudyaka.

Last February 12, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Dueterte signed Executive Order (EO) No. 12 - “an order creating the executive committee of the 77th Araw ng Dabaw Celebration.” The EO aims to ensure the success of this year’s celebration and enable the city government and private sectors to ef-

fectively carry out and implement activities.

Section 2 of the EO states that the committee should plan and ensure the smooth coordination of program, events in connection with the celebration; Encourage greater private sector participation in staging events and sub-activities to be included as accredited events during

the celebration; promote the celebration both locally and internationally through various media outlets to ensure the optimal foundation of visitors and tourists; To find ways and means to support the effective implementation of programs, events and activities and perform such other acts that are necessary to ef-

fectively and meaningfully carry out their mandated functions.

The committee must set guidelines in the utilization and accounting of funds raised for the celebration and submit as well as publish audited reportorial documents upon the duration of the activities, events, and programs.

[ABF]

Lim...FFROM 3

PNA...FFROM 3

money the last 18 years.

Authorities Wednesday instructed residents in the area on how to pre-empt the armed group’s activities.

It may be recalled that Castillote is facing a murder charge for allegedly killing a barangay kagawad, one Ruel Pague of Barangay Tugbok last year.

DC...FFROM 3

law can choose any school he/she prefers, either University of Mindanao or Ateneo de Davao University.

Aside from post-graduate scholarship, the IP community can also avail of STEP undergraduate scholarship courses in which a scholar can receives P25,000 every semester and P1,500 allowance a month. Domingo said that the monthly allowance is exclusively for the IPs. Domingo said that the IP can also avail of Technical and Vocational (TechVoc) courses which is the new STEP program. He said that the TechVoc program has 10 courses and every course has P15,000 for each scholar, and if they finish the course the city will provide their starter’s kit which could be also used for their livelihood.

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 236 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14-15, 2014

VOL. 6 ISSUE 236 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14-15, 2014

Health &

fitness

BROKENSHIRE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL:

Accelerating services to women P.2

Please be careful with my heart P.3

The benefits of cardio exercises

Living healthy the Pilates way P.5

S2 EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

Health &

fitness

VOL. 6 ISSUE 236 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14-15, 2014

BROKENSHIRE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

Accelerating services to

By GREGORIO G. DELIGERO greg@edgedavao.net

women

The Brokeshire Memorial Hospital has been pioneering in offering innovative and gender sensitive services to women designed to address various concerns involved in pregnancy and other areas of reproductive health.

In early part of 1999, the hospital established the Brokenshire Woman Center (BWC), a specialized unit offering birthing packages encompassing services from pregnancy to actual delivery, both normal and caesarian.

Rev. Ruben L. Dela Cruz, chief executive officer of the Brokenshire Integrated Health Ministries, Inc., said the hospital’s pioneering initiative—aimed to provide affordable and accessible health care services to women—has even drew negative feedback from other medical practitioners in other health care facilities as it practically lowered the costs of competition.

“Some were com-

plaining that it drags down the fees. But later on, they somehow adapted to it as other hospitals now are offering their own packages,” he said.

Originally occupying a small area at the hospital’s ground floor, the BWC is now a two-storey building within the hospital’s compound with complete staffing and facilities to make its services more accessible to women.

BWC unit manager Jannus C. Catajay said the unit is virtually a one-stop-shop catering to all women who want to avail health care services.

“Our services are not limited to pregnant women. We cater to all

Congratulations

women as we offer wide range of services including ultrasound, pap smear and family planning services,” she said, adding that the center has its own cashier so that their clients would no longer need to pay at the hospital’s main building.

BWC’s services were recognized by the city government which bestowed an award to the hospital during the term of former Davao Mayor Sara Z. Duterte.

Catajay said the level of competence and excellence they offer to clients are expected to accelerate with the recent acquisition of state-of-the-art Siemens Acuson S1000 and Siemens Acuson P300 ObGyne ultrasound machines.

According to the product catalogue, the new ultrasound machines provide “stellar imaging performance and versatile applications that bring physicians more opportunities to provide the finest patient care. The industrial design is conducive to today’s busy environments.”

Dela Cruz said the acquisition of the machines is part of the upgrading project of the hospital which is set also to unveil on April its new façade and new laboratory complex including heart station and endoscopy station.

“This is part of our continuing commitment to provide more affordable and more accessible health care services to the people,” he said.

Rev. Ruben L. Dela Cruz

BROKENSHIRE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

For State of the Art Ob-Gyne Ultrasound Machines

Siemens Acuson S1000

Siemens Acuson P300

Greetings from: Health Solutions, Inc.

EDGEDAVAOHealthfitness S3 Serving a seamless society

VOL. 6 ISSUE 236 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14-15, 2014

&

Please be careful with my heart The benefits of cardio exercises

IF you want exercise that improves your life, look no further than cardio.

Easy, they say that this type of exercise creates a host of benefits for you, inside and out. Over time, you will see gains in not just your physical health, but your mental health as well.

It’s a simple formula that goes along the theme “Long Runs for Long Gains.”

The benefits of cardio exercise are almost too many to name. Experts say, cardio produces benefits for your mind, body and heart. A walk or a run improves your concentration and mood, reducing tension and releasing your brain’s “feel good” hormones called endorphins. This type of exercise also reduces your appetite and helps your body use fat for energy, which leads to weight loss over time.

Cardio enhances your heart health by decreasing blood pressure and strengthening your heart, leading to a reduced risk of heart issues in the future. When doing cardio, shoot for either 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise per week, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Being fit and healthy indeed never goes out of style.

When it comes to ensuring and maintaining health through exercise, the best option is to do cardio training. Cardio training involves any activity that requires the

use of the large muscle groups of the body in a regular and uninterrupted manner. It elevates the heart rate between 60 to 85 percent of the fastest heart rate you could get.

Some of the usual cardio activities include walking, jogging, running, aerobics, cycling, tae bo, swimming and rowing and is considered an aerobic exercise.

What are the benefits of Cardio Training?

1. Regular cardio training generates energy and boosts endurance.

Take cycling, for instance, and think of the action of pedalling as generating power.

2. Regular cardio training strengthens the heart and the lungs and so works to prevent heart disease and a variety of other ailments, including diabetes, obesity and even high cholesterol.

Remember too, anything that is good for the health of the heart is good for the health of the brain, the main organ.

3.

Regular cardio training helps to control body weight and assist in weight

4. Regular cardio training also helps you change the nature of the body by shedding excess fat and building muscle and other active tissue, resulting more toned body.

5. Cardio training is essential when you need to make health improvements.

For starters, it is best to do exercise sessions of 30 to 45 minutes each, at least four times a week, or more if you are aim-

ing for weight loss. The more frequent you do it; the more likely it is you will lose weight, but avoid exercising to the point of exhaustion. Remember, it has to be done in a regular basis. Start now. Walk or ride the bike around the neighborhood now.

Follow that aerobics video you bought. Set a goal and follow it. At the same time, modify your diet too. Eat healthy food. As you increase your fitness level, the intensity of the training can also increase.

Introduce some variation, such as increasing the speed of jogging for a few minutes. It is important to challenge yourself, so you don’t get stuck in a rut.

Among other tips, avoid doing the cardio exercises before bedtime; If you do weight training, do the cardio exercises right after, not before; It is best to take a snack 30 minutes before doing the cardio exercises; don’t start a training session on an empty stomach and avoid indulging in a big meal before an exercise session.

It is good to do the cardio exercises outdoors.

This way you can easily interact with nature and breathe fresh air. You can also simply enjoy going around the neighborhood as you get your system healthier by the minute.

It is possible to make some friends among the people who also do their exercises. Be consistent and stick with the training once you have started it.

This is the only way that cardio training will benefit your body and your health in the long run.

A healthy lifestyle everybody’s choice

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. abf@edgedavao.net

A HEALTHY lifestyle is a choice which is commonly aspired for by people who want to have a healthy life. But, what if this choice is hindered by some external factors that could affect it adversely?

In this modern times, it is almost impossible to attain it, what with the hectic schedules, the food commonly consumed by the ordinary Juan dela Cruz, - most often served by the fast-food chains.

It is now apparent that on every street of the city, or even in the countryside, socalled sari-sari stores and fast food chains make this kind of food accessible to everyone.

Add to that the working people who do not have time to exercise because of their work load.

According to Maria Esmeralda Silva of the Department of Health, environment affects the diet of a people.

Silva told Edge Davao in an interview at the Cardio-Vascular Disease Convention Waterfront Insular Davao, last year that environment is one of the factors shaping the decision of a person.

“It’s a choice driven by preference and at the same time it’s a product of what surrounds you,” said Silva.

Her presentation during the convention showed the some common food practices of Filipinos, such as rice being the major food staple; use of bagoong, patis and soy sauce in cooking or as sawsawan; use of dried fish is also quite common, especially among

low-income families; small amounts of vegetables are incorporated into meals; fruits and milk are rarely part of the common diet; boiling and stir-frying is the preferred cooking method. These practices affect the lifestyle of the people.

She also enumerated the top 20 commonly consumed foods by adults aged 20 to 59, such as rice, sugar, noodles, malunggay, cooking oil, instant coffee, breads, chicken eggs, sitaw, squash, galunggong, lean pork, gata, canned sardines, softdrinks, talong, coffee creamer, carrots, saba, and liempo.

However, the continuous patronage of this kind of food is not only because of their hectic schedules, but it’s what they can afford.

Silva said that one of the levels of environment is the affordability driven by prices, which is also driven by policy which now affects the choice for healthy living.

With these factors, Silva suggests that government agencies and private institutions should have policies that need to be in-place to support and push-through the healthier lifestyle campaign. She said campaigns for healthy living should be matched with the environment.

In her presentation, she said that a certain institution must have effective strategies by having an enabling environment.

Enabling environment in-

volves the availability of support and selection of nutrient-dense foods (fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, lean meats and low-fat dairy products); increasing access, especially by low-income communities, to a supply of nutrient-dense fresh foods; supportive regulations; improving economic access to high-quality diets; provide nutrition information to consumers, including the use of health/nutrition claims.

“It’s not just having a call for healthy lifestyle, we also need to have policies that will actually make it easier for the people to choose to do that.”

She also added the assessment of trends in changing consumption patterns and their implications to the food (agriculture, livestock, fisheries and horticulture) economy; by having reliable information on consumption patterns, diets and disease patterns is crucial; determining the implication to agriculture, livestock, fisheries and horticulture regulations and developing new strategies to bring about these changes.

“So if you want them to eat healthy, is there any food that they needed? Is it affordable? Is it acceptable? Is it available? Then, if you will urge them to exercise, do they have time and place where they can exercise? These are the things; these are the policies that we need to think about to support that kind of message. It must focus on that,” Silva stressed.

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Spoiling oneself well

By KENNETH IRVING K. ONG VALENTINES Day is all about learning to love one another as well as learning to love oneself. And what better way to love than to pamper yourself (and your partner) with a relaxing massage or beauty treatment. Here are some ideas where you can get some of that much needed rejuvenation ang loving.

Balanced beauty Medicine and wellness are now coming together to provide the best and most effective spa treatments.

Located at the second level of SM City Davao, DermPath Dermatology and LASER Clinic + MediSPA combines dermatological know-how into each their beauty treatments such as their famous Oxygen Facial, Perfection Facial Treatment, and Skin Expert Facials.

Believing in balanced wellness, DermPath also offers Spa ang Massage body and foot treatments that are designed to go hand-in-hand with their beauty treatments such as Acutherapy, Hydro Therapy, Body Detox as well as Body Massages, Treatments and Wraps.

Appointments can be made by calling DermPath at 282-1325, 286-7396 and 0922 863-8880.

Skin rejuvination A healthy body should also come with healthy glowing skin and that is what Skin Metro Skin and Body Care is all about. Balancing body treatments as well as skin treatments using the latest technologies, Skin Metro offers affordable facial skin exfoliation and tightening as well as body toning, sculpting and contouring for as low as Php399 per session.

Skin Metro also offers revitalising aroma body scrubs that are designed to exfoliate old skin and expose new supple skin for a glowing healthier you.

Skin Metro Skin and Body Care is located at #6 Gutierrez building., J.P. Laurel Ave., Bajada, Davao City and is open from Monday to Saturday at 10:30AM to 10PM and on Sunday at 11:30AM to 9:30PM. For inquiries and appoint-

A couple enjoys the Lazuli Spa’s jacuzzi. ments, one can call them at (918) 618.8877 or (932) 8757052.

Luxurious pampering Located at The Deck of the Marco Polo Davao, the Lazuli Spa is the city’s most luxurious address for pampering and wellness. Each massage service is inclusive of exclusive use of any

of the Lazuli Spa’s private suites that are complete with its own private steam bath, bathroom, and sound system.

Couples can choose to book the spa’s Couple Suite that has two massage beds with matching two massage lounges as well as its own private jacuzzi.

A Dreamy Romance package at the Lazuli Spa costs Php7,720 is a delightful escape for two beginning with a comforting almond foot spa followed by a gentle body scrub. A scented flower bath enriched with Epsom salts and coconut milk highlights this pampering treatment. A mas-

sage with a special blend of essential oils is concluded as you share this wonderful experience.

There are truly many options when it comes to spoiling oneself with wellness on Valentine’s Day but the best option is learn to enjoy every moment beyond the day of hearts.

ing, there is etonogestrel, or Implanon which is available in the city. It is an injectible contraceptive which aims to prevent pregnancy up to three years. After being injected with it, she will be given a card that indicates the expiration date.

Cruz said that this contraceptive has a 99.5 percent efficiency rate in terms of pregnancy prevention in which he said that so far this is the highest. But they before that this contraceptive will take effect it must have a

back-up of other contraceptives in period of one week.

Cruz said that Davao City is the first city in Mindanao has this kind of contraceptive. He said that even license OB-GYNE doesn’t know about this although it is not new in US. He said, this contraceptive costs around P7,000 on the private doctors in the city which includes the service fee of the attending doctor.

But in the city, it is free for the beneficiaries of Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT)

of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and those who are declared as poor based on the list of National Housing Targeting System for Poverty Reduction.

Cruz said Implanon has been given by Mindanao Health Sector Policy Support Program which aims to attain the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) number five of United Nation.

MDG aims to reduce by three quarters the maternal mortality ratio as it has

nearly halved since 1990.

An estimated 287,000 maternal deaths occurred in 2010 worldwide, a decline of 47 per cent from 1990. All regions have made progress but accelerated interventions are required in order meet the target.

Achieve universal access to reproductive health since more women are receiving antenatal care. In developing regions, antenatal care increased from 63 percent in 1990 to 81 percent in 2011.

Birth-spacing and its benefits

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. abf@edgedavao.net

WHENEVER birth-spacing is talked about, health hazards always come to mind.

This negative notion has been inculcated in their mind through the years.

But, what is birth-spacing, and what would be its benefits?

According to the website of Delaware Health and Social Services in the United States, it is the practice of waiting between pregnancies. A woman’s body needs to rest following pregnancy.

Dr. Samuel Cruz, assistant health officer for administration of Davao City, says birth-spacing, as part of the reproductive health program of government, could give a positive impact not just on the family but also on society.

Cruz said that there are a lot of benefits of birth-spacing, one of them being the health of women who are always the main protagonist in conceiving and giving birth to a child. Consecutive pregnancy by a woman affects the nutrients given to the baby because a mother needs to have three to five years gap to recover the nutrients that they lost in a past pregnancy.

Pregnancy is really crucial in women as this could be the cause of their death.

Other benefits that a family can have in birth-spacing is being self-sufficient and

less dependent on the government, because a family that has only a minimal number of children can provide basic needs such as food, shelter, clothing and education.

The government spends much on these basic social services and, and because there are lots of families who are declared as poor, the government cannot provide all their needs.

Dr. Cruz said that if a family becomes self-sufficient, it can provide all it needs, including health and wellness which will make their children intelligent and fully nourished. There are many children in the country who are malnourished.

Birth-spacing can be attained through the use of contraceptives, but when we talk about it, negative side-effects always come to mind.

One of the birth-spacing methods that is commonly used is the use of contraceptive pills which some women keep complaining against that it makes them feel dizzy every time they intake it.

Cruz emphasized that it always depends on what kind will fit a woman, just like other medicines and vitamins they usually intake.

Aside from pills that could be used in birth-spac-

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&

How love keeps you healthy It doesn’t just put a sparkle in your eye—love can fight disease, boost immunity, and lower stress

Who doesn’t love being in love? A true Valentine listens to you vent about work, lets you have that last slice of pizza, and (usually) remembers to take out the trash. He doesn’t expect you to watch the Super Bowl. And he always thinks you’re sexy, even in thermal underwear and bunny slippers.

Scientists have long been keen to prove that love gives us health benefits, too—beyond the obvious advantage of always having a date for New Year’s Eve. Researchers can’t say for sure that romance trumps an affectionate family or warm friendships when it comes to wellness. But they are homing in on how sex, kinship, and caring all seem to make us stronger, with health gains that range from faster healing to living longer.

The benefits of love

are explicit and measurable: 1. Protects your heart - A University of Pittsburgh study found that women in good marriages have a much lower risk of cardiovascular disease than those in high-stress relationships.

2. Leads to a longer life- The National Longitudinal Mortality Study, which has been tracking more than a million subjects since 1979, shows that married people live longer. Plus,

they have fewer heart attacks and lower cancer rates, and even get pneumonia less frequently than singles.

3. Helps beat cancer University of Iowa researchers found that ovarian cancer patients with a strong sense of connection to others and satisfying relationships had more vigorous «natural killer» cell activity at the site of the tumor than those who didn›t have those social ties. (These desirable white blood cells kill

cancerous cells as part of the body›s immune system.)

Some experts think it won’t be long before doctors prescribe steamy sex, romantic getaways, and caring communication in addition to low-cholesterol diets and plenty of rest. If that sounds like a happy Rx, here are ways to make the emerging evidence translate into real-life advice. [ Sarah Mahoney/ http://www.prevention. com/]

Pilates may solve back pains, pinched nerves and hip problems, getting the right instructor is key

Celebrity workouts vary but Pilates is forever famous for firming up Hollywood’s hottest. “I’m a Pilates person,” said actress Jennifer Aniston in a past interview. “It’s great…I had a chronic back, a pinched nerve and a hip problem and it’s completely solved all of it. I love it. It makes me feel like I’m taller.” She also credits her amazingly toned and lean physique to regular Pilates classes.

Pilates (pronounced pi-lahtees) is a form of exercise founded by Joseph Pilates in the 1920’s. He used resistance exercise techniques for rehabilitation of World War I detainees.

Joseph moved to New York in 1926 and formally opened a studio together with his wife. The workout became popular among the dance community because it improves posture, strengthens the torso, builds muscle in the arms, back, pelvic and hips without bulking them.

Several apprentices of Joseph opened their own studios and adapted Joseph’s methods. After Joseph passed away, his trusted apprentice, Romana Kryzanowska, took over and became the director of his studio. Moira Stott-Merrithew trained under Romana and later, together with physical therapists and sports professionals, through bio-

mechanical and scientific research, refined the workout methods and equipment to what is known today as Stott-Pilates. Previously, the spine was made straight but through broad studies, Stott maintains the need for the natural curve of the spine.

Luckily, Stott-Pilates is now being offered in Davao City with the recent opening of the Pilates Plus studio. This studio has two Stott-certified senior instructors in Carmela Briones and Marie Saso, as well original Stott equipment. Both instructors underwent extensive training and certification from Sarah Jarvis, a ten-year veteran Stott-Pilates Instructor Trainor from the Stott Corporate Training Center in Toronto, Canada.

“We want our clients to have access to properly educated and certified instructors, paired with the correct equipment”

said Eileen Belen-Alabado, Managing Director of Pilates Plus. She added, “Pilates has many amazing benefits but the key is the correct execution under the watchful eye of a trained instructor or else the result will not be realized or worse, it might aggravate an injury.”

Stott- Pilates is challenging, yet attainable for moderate or even occasional exercisers. With hundreds of exercises and variations, Stott-Pilates can be gentle enough for seniors, pregnant women, those with injuries and post-rehab patients. No matter what your fitness level, a Stott-Pilates program can be designed specifically for you.

For more information about their programs, drop by the Pilates Plus studio at Plaza del Carmen, A. Loyola St., Bo. Obrero, Davao City or call them at (082) 222-8786.

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In Davao City, the number of teens getting pregnant are rising steadily in the past four years, from 9 percent in 2009 to 13 percent in 2012

Teenage pregnancy

By CHENEEN R. CAPON crc@edgedavao.net

FEBRUARY is universally known as “love month”.

Young and old, married or single his one-day opportunity to express their love to their partners, but that’s not a good reason to ruin the bright future ahead.

Teenage pregnancy is defined as pregnancy that occurs during the teenage period (under the age of 20 years old) of a woman.

Ages 15 to 45 years old among women is considered as the reproductive age. It is the period that a

woman is capable of being pregnant and giving birth.

Digna D. Salmasa, population program officer and designated health promotion officer and training program coordinator of the city health

office said that the number of teenage pregnancy in Davao City has been increasing the past five years.

“It started at 9 percent in 2009, but today it has hit 13 percent and alarming,” Salmasa told Edge yesterday.”

In 2012, the health office recorded a total of 33,379 live births, and 12.7 percent or 4,252 of it belonged to women aged 15 to 19 years. This increased by .9 percent last year, out of 33,153 live births, 13.6 percent or 4,524 belonged to this age bracket.

Statistics show that an average of 90 women give birth everyday and this include teenagers in 2012, and took a big leap in 2013 by 24 percent.

The health office said that in 2013, there were 120 births per day.

She said that by 2014,

if the growth rate remains the same, there will be 148 births daily on the average.

In a growing city like Davao, as the population increases, the number of pregnant teenagers also increase.

This is evident in Baranggay Talomo North. It holds the record for two consecutive year, in 2012 and 2013.

In 2012, North Talomo recorded a total of 706 live births by women below 20 years old and this increased by 130 last year.

The health office projected that this year the number of live birth among teenagers will increase.

Salmasa attributed the rapid increase to various reasons. She said that it starts within the relationship inside the family.

She said that what’s

seen on television, or internet influenced the thinking of the young generation. Youngsters, nowadays, are not critical enough to filter the information fed to them.

For instance, peer pressure. This kind of pressure provokes young couples to try premarital sex at a very young age without considering its risks. These risks may include early responsibility.

In a conservative society, parents will push their children to marry just to save their names without considering the stability of the future couple.

During the teenage period, women are finding themselves in the community and even inside home. Women at this age are more prone to early pregnancy if the support and guidance from the parents are not enough.

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EVENT

SLDC fetes Top Achievers

By ATHENA JILLIAN BRAVO IT was the Grammy’s equivalent of home-grown real estate development firm Santos Land Development Corporation(SLDC) with the company’s top brokers and agents frolicking on the red carpet as the stars of the night.

Make way for the Top Achievers of SLDC as the best of 2013 were feted in on January 4, 2014 in elaborate ceremonies at the Marco Polo Hotel Davao.

The annual awards-giv-

ing event is specially held for agents who worked hard during the fourth quarter and the whole year of 2013.

Making it as the fourth quarter Quota Achievers are Zoilo Hornijas, Sales Executive of Hornijas Realty, who topped the quarter sales with P19.1 million.

Also making it to the top list are Carolyn Medel, Sales Manager of Apolonio Realty with P17.3 million and Alma Apolonio, Sales Director of Apolonio Realty,

ALMA APOLONIO (2nd from left). Top Sales Director.

Monette Cutler, Stars of the Night host.

with P18.4 million.

Elite Eagle Awards were given to agents who topped realty sales. The awardees were Carolyn Medel who contributed P33 million for the sales of Apolonio Realty amounting to P38 million and Alma Apolonio who contributed P38.5 million to their sales of P45.9 million.

The quota achievers were again the Elite Eagle ladies Medel and Apolonio for the year 2013.

Another award given to the agents is the Cash Producer award where they have to amass at least three transactions with their clients in cash. First is Sales Director Dinah Laruga who sold six lots and two house and lots worth P19.5 million followed by Sales Manager Emmanuel Laruga who sold five lots and two house and lots worth P18.6 million and Sales Executive Necomendes Patrimonio who sold five lots and two house

and lots worth P18.6 million pesos.

The top producers of the year award went to Alma Apolonio who made P45.9 million, Carolyn Medel who made P38 million and Sales Executive Zoilo Hornijas who profited P22.6 million.

The grandest award of the year which offers travel incentive for agents with at least 70 percent quota went to Zoilo Hornijas who reached to 91 percent and Necomendes Patrimonio who reached to 79 percent

for Sales Executives. Carolyn Medel who reached 127 percent and Sonia Hornijas who reached 105 percent for the Sales Managers.

The young Sales Directors who will be joining with them are Alma Apolonio with 131 percent and Hannah Joy Hornijas with a perfect 100 percent and Dinah Lagura with 76 percent.

The awardees earned all-expense paid trips to Japan on April or May this year.

Antonio “Tonyboy” S. Domingo, SLDC president, belts out a song.

CAROLYN MEDEL (2nd from left). Top Sales Manager.

SLDC -Sales and Marketing staff headed by Ms Estela B. Aguilos (fourth from left).

The Santos family.

ZOILO HORNIJAS (2nd from left). Top Sales Manager.

SLDC employees dance troupe.

Annual Travel Awardees for the Year 2013 (Trip to Japan)

Fourth Generation Santos family members.

SLDC- 3rd Generation Stockholders with their “Mamma Mia” costumes.

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UP AND ABOUT

Celebrate Valentines Day with taste at the Je T’aime Valentines Bazaar

VOL. 6 ISSUE 236 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14-15, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

ENTERTAINMENT

J.Lo flaunts curves in tiny shorts for World Cup video

CELEBRATE the special season of love this Valentine’s Day as Mocha Productions and Marco Polo Davao bring you Je T’aime Valentines Bazaar, happening this Valentines weekend from February 13 to February 15, 2014, at the JENNIFER LOPEZ and

Ground Floor Ballroom Hall of the Marco Polo Hotel Davao.

The 3-day Valentine Bazaar offers an array of options for everyone to get ready for Valentines Day. Crafts, jewelry, accessories, readymade wares, clothing lines, sweets, food and beverages specially made and prepared for Valentines, either to be used or given as memorable gifts, will be made available for that one special day.

In particular, La Crema (under the Davao Special Italian Coffee, Inc.), of the known Cafe Firenzo coffee shop franchise, will be releasing their Valentines Specials during the event.

Pastries, including the world’s famous French Macaroons and gelatos made solely for the event, and in celebration of Valentines Day, are made available during the bazaar.

A little shopping, a touch of good food, a drop of fine wine and a whole lot of love! Je T’aime Valentine’s Bazaar is happening this Valentine’s weekend, from February 13 to February 15, 2014 at the Marco Polo Hotel Davao.

MUZIC’SKOOL presents “Love is…” A Musical Recital AS A modern music academe, MUZIC’SKOOL enriches their students’ passion for music by providing them opportunities to expose their talent and inclination besides learning the skill. As a center of excellence in teaching and learning music, MUZIC’SKOOL is proud to present their students in a music recital entitled “Love is…” on February 16, 2014 at the Abreeza Activity Center.

“Love is…” will feature performances in voice and diverse musical instruments both by their students and powerhouse instructors. No matter what type of music one prefers, there is something for everyone.

As the summer season is near, MUSIC’SKOOL is also preparing for the influx of students who want a worthwhile break from school by learning to play musical instruments or taking voice lessons. The school is set to launch its summer promo with special packages for students.

Music’skool is located at Door # 7 Damosa Building, JP Laurel Avenue, Lanang Davao City. For inquiries and assistance, you may contact their school administrator Katrine Sarmiento at 282-8246 or check their website at www.muzicskool.com.

Pitbull talked to E! News about the filming of the music video for the World Cup song “We Are One (Ole Ola)” on Thursday in Florida.

Both artists are extremely talented, but it was J.Lo’s famous behind that took center stage! The singer–actress showed off her killer curves in a tight, teeny-tiny pair of colorful shorts and tan fishnet stockings. She paired this look with nude fishnet stocking and neon orange pumps, a slim-fitting white shirt emblazoned with bright colors, a bold red lip and beautiful cascading curls.

The 44-year-old mom of two and Pitbull, who dressed more simply in a breezy white suit, were spotted singing, laughing and dancing as they recorded the music video for 2014’s official FIFA anthem. The two were surrounded by scantily-clad dancers wearing feathers and sequins as they waved Brazil flags overhead.

Jennifer, Pitbull and Brazilian singer Claudia Leitte will all be performing “We Are One” on June 12 at the opening ceremony at the Arena de Sao Paulo in Brazil. The last FIFA World cup song was 2010’s “Waka Waka” by Shakira and South African Group Freshly Ground.

Shakira’s a tough act to follow, but J.Lo (especially with Pitbull by her side) seems up for the task!

Selena Gomez breaks her silence after rehab revelation

E! News has reported that Selena Gomez has spoken to the press since leaving rehab in January, but at the time, few knew the 21-yearold singer had just completed a two-week treatment program in Arizona. Gomez addressed the revelation for the first time in an Instagram caption Monday, writing, “I’ve done everything I could to the best of my ability.

Thank you for the unconditional love and cyber hugs.

You inspire me.”

It was said that the former Disney Channel star was ad-

mitted to Arizona’s Dawn at the Meadows on Jan. 5.

After leaving the facility, she flew to Utah to promote Rudderless at the Sundance Film Festival on Jan. 20. The next week, she hit up the Beats Music party and the Hollywood Stands Up to Cancer benefit.

Fellow singer Demi Lovato, who has battled substance abuse and eating disorder issues in the past, supported Gomez’s decision to seek help during a recent E! News interview. “I’ve known her for 14 years and

we’ve been best friends,” the 21-year-old singer-songwriter said of the Spring Breakers star. “That’s all of her business, and I just want to let her do her thing. And yeah, she’s amazing. I love her.”

Joe Jonas echoed Lovato’s sentiments while chatting with E! News during New York Fashion Week: “I want her to succeed and I want her to be happy!” the former Camp Rock star said Saturday, Feb. 8.

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A special John Lloyd-Sarah movie marathon airs Cinema One THIS FEBRUARY, the country’s number one cable channel, Cinema One, sets the spotlight on one of Philippine cinema’s romantic favorites as it airs the movie series of “A Very Special Love”, “You Changed My Life”, and “It Takes a Man and a Woman”.

The three films featured on Cinema One this month star John Lloyd Cruz and Sarah Geronimo as Miggy Montenegro and Laida Magtalas, respectively. On February 23 (Sunday), these will air in order, taking viewers through the rollercoaster love story of the two—from the moment they meet to the moment they part ways, and all the way up to the moment where they are

once more reunited.

The third and final part of the installment, “It Takes a Man and a Woman,” will also be airing on other dates on Cinema One, including Valentine’s Day at 7:00pm.

“It Takes a Man and aWoman” stands today as the highest grossing romance film, which premiered on Philippine television through Cinema One earlier this month. With its extended theatrical run, it also received a remarkable critical response, while grossing over P400 million in local cinemas and over P200 million overseas.

In the way it wrapped up their love story, the film ended up offering more than just the usual “kilig”

perspective, according to Direk Cathy, transforming a girl and a boy into a man and a woman with the capability of love and forgiveness…”

Catch the marathon screening of “A Very Special Love”, “You Changed My Life”, and “It Takes a Man and a Woman” on the country’s number one cable channel, Cinema One (SkyCable channel 56). The marathon will be airing on Sunday (February 23), starting at 2:00pm. For updates on the program schedule, follow @cinema_one on Twitter and like its official Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ cinema1channel). factor. Bibsy M. Carballo of the Philippine Star said that

it “answered the challenge of offering a more mature

Well, she obviously cares a little bit.

The 24-year-old Red artist apparently wasn’t too attached to the hair-whipping move she busted out at the

Grammys while performing “All Too Well.”

But in the meantime, her short little curly ‘do is reminiscent of another famous hairstyle and shire enough Swift tweeted earlier today saying: “Sitting backstage at the O2 in London, thinking about what an impressive and extraordinary life Shirley Temple led. Thanks for the memories.” She also Instagrammed a Temple quote, “There’s nothing like real love. Nothing.”

Did Swift’s inspiration come straight from the Good Ship Lollipop? As a child star, Temple, who passed away at the age of 85 yesterday, was known for her bouncy ringlets.

Either way, the results are adorable.

Inspired by Shirley Temple, Taylor Swift chops off her hair

IT MAY SEEM that Taylor Swift really did have a haircut party!

And it turns out that Cara Delevingne and Ellie Goulding were witnesses to Swift getting her long locks chopped off backstage in London.

Swift can be heard saying “This is how many people are watching me get a haircut right now...We don’t do anything without an audience, do we?” in a video she posted to Instagram as her camera pans across a room full of people.

Taylor’s hair may not exactly in pixie-cut territory, but stylists can call her new style a shoulder-length bob.

“London, I could never thank you enough. See you next time! P.S. short hair,

don’t care. (!!!),” Swift wrote on Facebook alongside the reveal pic, a photo of a Polaroid in which the country-pop superstar is giving Goulding a squeeze.

‘Biggest Loser Pinoy Edition’ ditches gym equipment in franchise-defining twist THE 10 official pairs of “The Biggest Loser Pinoy Edition Doubles” got the surprise of their lives when it was revealed to them that there will be no gym inside the Biggest Loser camp – a first in the history of the global TV franchise.

“We Filipinos will prove to the whole world that we can exercise and lose weight without using expensive gym equipment.

This is your challenge,” said host Iza Calzado to the pairs.

The pairs then endured

their first strenuous “gym” training in the camp’s open field under fitness coaches Jim and Toni Saret and went through their first major challenge given by challenge masters Matteo Guidicelli and Robi Domingo – each pair must drag a jeepney toward a finish line 400 meters away.

Contestant Jepoy, meanwhile, was excluded from the first challenge following the departure of his partner Tristan, who temporarily left the com-

petition to visit his family in the United States and mourn the death of his father-in-law.

While Tristan was allowed to leave the camp, he will only be admitted back if he continues to slim down while he is away and if he returns just in time for the show’s first competitive weigh-in, which happens in two weeks.

Another consequence that can make or break the pair is that when Tristan and Jepoy fall below the yellow line during the weigh-in,

they will get automatically eliminated from the competition without deliberation.

Watch “The Biggest Loser Pinoy Edition Doubles” from Mondays to Fridays after “Aquino & Abunda Tonight” on ABS-CBN Primetime Bida, and on Saturdays after “Maalaala Mo Kaya.” For updates on the program, follow @ BLPinoyEdition on Twitter and @biggestloserdoubles on Instagram or like www. facebook.com/abscbn.biggestloserpinoyedition.

STARTING OVER AGAIN 2D Piolo Pascual, Toni Gonzaga PG 13

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

WINTER'S TALE 2D Colin Farrell, Russell Crowe PG 13

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

VAMPIRE ACADEMY 2D Zoey Deutch, Lucy Fry, Danila Kozlovsky R 13

R-16

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

ROBOCOP 2D / * ENDLESS LOVE 2D Joel Kinnaman, Gary Oldman, Michael Keaton / *Alex Pettyfer, Gabriella Wilde PG 13 / *R 13

1:00 | 3:30 LFS / *6:00 | 8:80 | 10:00 LFS

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EVENT

Peak Pursuits with Mountain Hardwear

IT HAS always been said that the Philippines is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. There are untouched natural reserves, awesome beaches and majestic mountains that litter this archipelago’s horizon. We are fortunate to have a rich terrain like the Philippines as our backyard. It would be a waste for it to go unnoticed and unused by the people living in it.

This is why Mountain Hardwear Philippines is making it their business to raise awareness and support in reacquainting people with their love for the outdoors. Life is not about letting ourselves be run by deadlines and bills to pay. Sometimes we need to take a step back and enjoy the simply joy of experiencing nature’s most spectacular views.

What better way to start things off than with a fun and stimulating climb

to Mt. Apo. As some of you may know, Mt. Apo is the highest mountain in the Philippines, and the home of diverse and interesting plant species. It is a favorite among professional mountain climbers who love the challenge of the terrain, and the breath taking view of Davao that one sees when he or she finally scales this mountain’s peak.

The 2-day trip for the Mt. Apo climb is on April 11to13.

Participation

Faoie Zhiah Khalidd a nursing student of SPMC won a Mountain Hardwear Beanie during the trek.

Peak Pursuits participants Crossing the Marble River enroute to Mt.Apo.

Participants of the Epic Day hike at Mt. Puting Bato in Samal.

Hardwear is free for a minimum Mountain purchase of P20,000.00 products. These are the Mountain Hardwear dates and places where you products, while the reg- can be part of the Mounular registration fee is tain Hardwear Epic Day P4,500.00 per person for Hikes: Quimasog Falls Mt. Apo, with a 14 to 20 on March 8, Kipilas Falls people per climb. The on May 31, Matigol Falls group climb will include on July 19, Toril Fallson– van transfer, meals, re- September 6, and Kwagsik freshments, BMC (Basic Falls on November 15.

The Primer Group beMountaineering Course), certificate and of course lieves in nurturing young the free use of world class explorers and that is why Mountain Hardwear tents Mountain Hardwear toand sleeping bags worth gether with Columbia is around P15,000. People also launching its first who avail of this trip can ever KID’S DAYBREAKalso enjoy 20% discount ER event. Kids from 7 to on Columbia Sports- 14 years old will have the wear, Teva and Mountain opportunity to hike, climb Hardwear regular priced and do river trekking on March 22 in Torres Falls products.

Aside from the April then an overnight trip to trip on Mt. Apo, there Mt. Puting Bato on May are also 2-day trips to Mt. 2 to 3. The fee is free upon Matutum on August 8 to purchase of P20,000.00 10, and another one to Mt. worth of Columbia prodCapistrano on October ucts or a fee of P1,500.00 24 to 26 with a P4,000.00 (inclusive of one kid and registration fee but is also one guardian) and will infree with a P20,000.00 clude van transfer, lunch, purchase of Mountain refreshment, BMC, certificate and event Shirt.

Hardwear gear.

The Mountain HardPeople have this mindwear Epic Day Hike is set that the outdoors is available for people who a scary place to be. Yes, want to get started on the there are factors that we outdoor, mountain climb- cannot control, but it only ing experience. These makes the experience day hikes are priced at more thrilling and beauP1,000.00 inclusive of van tiful— not scary. When transfer, lunch , refresh- people spend more time ment, BMC, certificate with nature, they gain a & Event Shirt but these greater appreciation of can all be free if you avail what they have, hence, beof P15,000.00 worth of come more responsible for

the environment.

There are things to be done and places to go to— but let your priority be

the one that enriches your inner life first before anything else. Remember, you are more than worth it.

EDGEDavao Davao Partners

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 236 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14-15, 2014

67th PAL Interclub tees off Feb. 20 A

HUNDRED teams led by the formidable Canlubang and Luisita sides, will tee off on Thursday as Seniors action kicks off the 67th playing of the Philippine Airlines Interclub golf championship in two courses in Bacolod City.

The Sugar Barons will gun for an eighth championship overall and fourth straight and they will try to pull it out even with Tommy Manotoc likely to sit it out for the second straight year and arch-rival Luisita unveiling a new find.

Luisita, the most dominant senior squad before Canlubang won seven of the last eight editions, will be parading former touring pro Eddie Bagtas this year, giving the Tarlac-based squad added teeth.

The last time Luisita won this event, interestingly enough, was also in Bacolod four years ago as Francis Gaston, the former national and senior champion, out dueled Manotoc in a final flight to remember.

Marapara and Binitin will again play hosts even in the Men’s Regular event that starts Feb. 26.

Cebu Country Club will be gunning for a third straight championship in the centerpiece division but not with the same powerhouse squad that won the last two in Cebu last year and in Davao in 2012.

This year’s Interclub is being sponsored by CrossOver with Boeing, Philippines Graphic, Stargate Media (People Asia) and Rogue as corporate backers. Also lending support are Airbus, Business Mirror, One Mega Group (Travel Now), Philippine Broadcasting Corporation, Manila Broadcasting Corporation and Manila Bulletin.

A total of 77 teams – some of them coming from the United States, the Middle East, Australia and Canada, are entered in the Men’s division.

Mark Dy turned pro last year and Lloyd Jefferson Go, who won the NGAP’s Philippine Amateur championship last month, is in the United States on a golfing scholarship.

Cebu CC, incidentally, is looming as the darkhorse in the Senior championship with a team backstopped by Montito Garcia, Clifford Celdran and Jeric Hechanova.

Pacquiao vows to be more aggressive versus Bradley

By AQUILES ZONIO

G

ENERAL SANTOS CITY – World boxing eight-division champion and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao vowed to bring back his savageness and killer instinct atop the ring in his scheduled second encounter with American boxer Timothy Bradley on April 12 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“If Timothy Bradley believes that I already lost my savageness and killer instinct inside the ring, then he’s wrong. He should be prepared to face the relentless and ferocious Manny Pacquiao atop the ring come April 12,” Pacquiao said during an interview inside his mansion Thursday morning.

Pacquiao claimed that boxing fans all over the world have not seen his aggressiveness inside the ring during his previous fights.

“In my previous fights, because of compassion to my opponents I did not press further especially when I knew I was way ahead in points. But this coming Bradley fight, no

more Mr. Nice Guy,” declared Pacquiao.

Pacquiao added that once the bell rang, he’s going to launch a non-stop assault on Bradley.

“I will try my best to finish him (Bradley) off so as not to give the judges an opportunity to decide on who wins the fight. You see, when they reviewed the fight, it came that I won that fight,” Pacquiao said.

According to Pacquiao, his biggest motivation to win this fight is the looming Pacquiao-Marquez V. “Once I won this fight, Marquez is next. Marquez said he’s going to fight the winner of the April 12 Pacquiao-Bradley fight,” he said.

The Pinoy ring icon arrived here on Wednesday morning and the next day he immediately started his light training by running inside the rubberized track of Antonio C. Acharon Memorial Sports Complex here.

The boxer-lawmaker spent around an hour running and afterward doing various abdominal exercises.

SPORTS 11

THE FINISHER. PJ Simon of San Mig Coffee finished the job for the Mixers in Game 7. Nuki Sabio

Call him ‘The Finisher’ C

ALL PJ Simon names, but for now, the one name that fits him to a T is “The Finisher.”

It’s a spinoff from the popular moniker of retired New Yankees closer Mariano Rivera, who comes to the mound to finish every New York Yankee game in the Major League.

Now, if there’s a PBA version of Rivera, Simon is a cut made out of that same mold.

Simon, the 6-1 find from the University of Mindanao in Davao City, essayed that role in Wednesday’s Game 7 between San Mig Coffee and crowd favorite Ginebra San Miguel when he took off from where James Yap start-

InterAKTV online sports website aptly described Simon’s heroics in its report after Game 7won by San Mig. Rey Joble wrote: Big Game James started the ball rolling. His Scoring Apostle was there to finish the job.

The San Mig Super Coffee Mixers leaned on their two scoring stars James Yap and Peter June Simon to close out Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in Game Seven of their PLDT Home DSL Philippine Cup semifinals series.

Yap scored 24 of his 30 points in the first half, while Simon had 15 of his 28 in the final period.

For Simon, seeing Yap

catch fire gave him an added boost.

“Si James yung talagang leader namin, kapag maganda laro niya gaganahan ka rin talaga,” said Simon.

“Too much James and PJ tonight,” San Mig Coffee coach Tim Cone said after the game. “I’ve never seen a shooting performance by two guys like that before in my life.”

For Simon, the Mixers’ experience in big games was their true edge against Ginebra.

“We’re lucky enough na na-experience na namin itong ganitong situation before. Sobrang pagod na pagod na kami, pero dahil

Game Seven na kailangang ibigay mo na lahat,” Simon said.

“Natupad yung panalangin ko na sana hindi lang ako yung magkaroon ng magandang laro. Maganda laro nang lahat. Total team effort talaga.”

Cone’s speech before the game also buoyed the Mixers’ confidence, according to Simon.

“Ang sabi kasi sa amin ni Coach, kapag Game Seven daw players talaga yung nagdi-decide,” he said. “This is the best two words in sports daw – Game Seven.

Sa ganitong sitwasyon, mas more na kailangan mo yung tulong ng teammates mo.”

Asian qualifiers, the Filipinos will have their hands full in their debut in the world meet as they got bracketed in Group A with defending champion USA, reigning African titlist Angola and Greece, which finished second in the European meet.

Comprising Group B were defending European champion France, Japan,

Canada and Ocenea titlist Australia while Group C is composed of Puerto Rico, Italy, Spain and host UAE. Pooled in Group D are Asian champion China, Argentina, Egypt and Americas titleholder Argentina.

The preliminaries will take place in the Al Ahli Arena and the Al Wasl Arena while the final round is set

to be hosted by the Hamdan Sports Complex.

Calling the shots for the PH team is Talk ‘N Text assistant coach Jamike Jarin,.

The team is led by the Nieto brothers--Michael and Joseph--plus University of the Philippines Fighting Maroon Paul Desiderio and Ateneo’s Jolo Mendoza among the other vital cogs.

ed.

PH Boys grouped with USA in FIBA U-17 J

UST like their senior counterparts, the Philippine Under-17 team also faces a gargantuan task in this year’s FIBA Under-17 World Championship set at Dubai, United Arab Emirates from June 28 to July 26.

After turning heads with their stunning second-placed finish behind China in last year’s U-16

12 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. 6 ISSUE 236 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14-15, 2014 VOL. 6 ISSUE 236 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14-15, 2014

BACK TO BACOLOD Davao parbusters all primed up for 67th PAL Interclub

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO

I

njb@edgedavao.net

T’S that time of the year again for Davao’s elite golfers to pack up their clubs and meet the finest from the rest of the country and the world in the annual Philippine Airlines (PAL) Interclub Men’s and Seniors Golf Championships.

This year’s edition— the 67th year of the country’s premier amateur

team golf tournament, will be held in Bacolod City’s Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club (NOGCC) in Marapara and the and the Bacolod Golf and Country Club (BGCC) at Hacienda Binitin in Murcia.

Tee off ceremonies have been set on February 20 at the NOGCC with top honchos of PAL led

by Ramon S. Ang expect-

DAVAO CITY GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB Seniors Team.

DCGC Men’s Team.

APO GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB Men’s Team.

LANANG GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB Men’s Team.

ed to be in attendance.

The team captain’s meeting will also be held on the same day. The fourday seniors division gets going on February 20 at NOGCC and Bacolod Golf and Country Club (BGCC).

The awards night for the seniors division will be on February 23 followed by the tee-off of the men’s division at the NOGCC on February 24.

T h e break in between the Seniors and the Regular Men’s has been set for the twoday media tournament is set February 24 and 25 at the BGCC while the four-day m e n ’ s division will be held February 26 to March 1 at both golf courses simultaneously.

T h e sponsors’ tournament will be played on March 1 at the NOGCC followed by the m e n’ s d iv i s i o n awards night.

T h e Davao squads out to crowd the hunt

for top honors will be bannered by Apo Golf and Country Club which finished 9th in the Men’s and 11th in the Seniors of the tournament’s Founders Divison last year; Rancho Palos Verdes, which finished 10th in Men’s a n d 1 4 th i n Seniors (Founde r s ) ; Davao City Golf Club, which wound up 24th in Men’s and 21st in Seniors Sportswriters Division; and Lanang, which bagged 5th in the Seniors and 22nd in Men’s (Sportswriters Division).

This year, the four squads will try to improve on their finish as the action swings to the City of Smiles.

Apo’s Men’s team will parade Albernito de Castro, Jing Gavino, Juan Karloz Alba, Jorge Martinez, Jose Saavedra Jr., Thomas Francis Tionko, Alimar Etrone, Leo Fusilero, Patrick Tan and Necito Vincent Gumapac. The Seniors squad will have Eugenio Serado as team captain with teammates Socrates Cadayona, Amado Atilano, Alrey Ceniza, Leonides Latayan, Antonio Avancena, Lucio Hortifilla and Osamu Ikdea.

Rancho Palos Verdes has only its Seniors team thus far with Louie Brodeth, Hermie Martin, Boy Tan, Joe Marfori, Ting Castillo, Jimm y Monedero and Fa i s a l Samandi.

Davao City Golf Club

will be towing its Men’s squad composed of lawyer Valeriano Pasquil, Benhur Villarosa, Ludwig Van Ledesma, Jonathan Cabreros, Isagani Gascal, Juan Carlos Angeles, Andrew Bautista, Elmer Basilla, Alvin Tesado and Rodolfo Luna.

The Seniors squad will be bannered by councik- l o r

Te, Dennis Te, Ned Sanchez, Danny Nagayo, Alrey Ceniza (also in Apo’s list), Ed Gumban and Paul DakThe four Davao clubs will be competing against more than 100 other clubs from around the country with some international entries from Los Angeles, Canada, and the Middle East.

Jimm y Dureza, Willy de Leon, Boy Manajero, Frank Buno, Roger Costes, Boy Braganza, Nicolas Olarte and Nilo Dalut.

The Lanang Men’s squad will have Bobby Plana, Peter Cabreros, Dennis Salvador, Bobet

TO THE CUP. Ludwig Van Ledesma of Davao City Golf Club, in action during last year’s Interclub in Cebu City, will be back to suit up for the Matina-based golfers. Lean Daval Jr